Date: 2009-11-28 22:29 Subject: The short version: Last night, there was a ring in a box upon my pillow... Security: Public Mood: happy Tags: engaged

...and E asked me to marry him. I've accepted.

More phone calls are obviously in order.

Date: 2009-11-13 19:04 Subject: Just what the doctor ordered: shoe shopping Security: Public Mood: exhausted Tags: ankle, shoes

Ahahahaha! My orthopedist is pleased with the healings so far, based on xrays and observation Tuesday evening. You can still see the holes from the screws, and one part of the fibular still needs to fully fuse with the bone, but he said that should progress more quickly now that the plate is gone. I need to get copies of the xrays now that they've moved their offices and gone digital.

Mr. Doctor also suggested getting some shoes where the heel has a stable base, but is a fair amount (say 1.5-2 inches) higher than the toe. Bizarrely, it turns out that I walk much better in shoes with a height difference than I do barefoot at this point. Specifically, he suggested that cowboy boots would be ideal, but unfortunately the ones I got in Austin in February don't fit on my still swollen right foot/ankle. His other thoughts were in the wedge family. The shoes I have don't quite fit the bill (lots of platformy things, but the difference in height is not ideal).

Here's some ideas from my perusal of Zappo's--internets, please help me choose!

Poll #1485154 My Orthopedist Prescribed Shoe Shopping!
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 6

Help me choose my shoes!

Date: 2009-07-28 22:11 Subject: Doctor Who Advice Security: Public Location: couch (for a change of scenery) Mood: tired Music: none, but we just finished watching "word wars" Tags: doctor who, pimping

On a lighter note...

I have not seen any Doctor Who. I would rather like to. E is completely on-board with Who'ing me up, and is partial to Tom Baker (Doctor #4) himself.

I have Netflix and am not afraid to use it, and am only semi-ambulatory for some while.

But there is holy god a lot of Who out there, people. Where do we start me off? Chronologically? Are there some seasons I should see every episode I can get my hot little hands on, and others I can skip more or less?

Thanks kindly in advance!

Date: 2009-06-14 17:36 Subject: In lieu of Consumer Reports, I turn to my flist Security: Public Mood: relaxed Tags: household minutiae

After living in the new place for almost a year, it is becoming apparent that:
a) we have a long way to go in terms of fully settling in
b) it's still overall comfortable and homey and
c) holy mother of pants, the cordless sweeper and hand vac are not cutting it when both the bedrooms are carpeted.

We are contemplating a roomba, but I'm not so sure that's the best idea for rooms with a high stuff to floor area ratio. Or a regular vacuum cleaner (we've heard good things about Dysons). The scooba is strangely tempting--the mid section of the condo is wood/tile, but I'm not sure that's the best bang for our buck (my opinion would likely vary if all the floors were wood), and I'm hecka dubious about whether this contraption actually works.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

Date: 2008-11-07 11:58 Subject: Seeking alternate songworms Security: Public

"Livin' On a Prayer" is stuck in my head. This is not acceptable.

I am taking suggestions for alternatives.

Date: 2008-10-01 08:27 Subject: I'm back! Security: Public Location: oaksterdam, not amsterdam Mood: slightly groggy Music: laundry machine a-launderin' Tags: home, travel

Home again, jiggity!

A good time was had throughout Belgium and the Netherlands, and coming home was even more splendid.

And staying up for 24 hours straight yesterday (roughly 22 of them in transit) may have more or less reset my clock. Pictures and stories to follow, but right now, I'm about to head off to work, because I am that sort of insane. Coffee of much largeness is the next step in my grand master plan.

Date: 2008-04-13 15:45 Subject: Home Dreams Security: Public Location: playing scrabble online with my mother Tags: dreams

In my dream this morning*, I was giving a tour of an affordable housing development to some interested folks. The facade was clad in a shimmery, space age-looking material, which, I was pleased to explain, was a full-body solar panel installation. The HVAC vents were covered with gorgeous, ornately decorated metal covers, and a vending machine sold pretty flowers in cute little pots.


*Wherein we will loosely define "morning" as around 1pm. Ho-di-do.

Date: 2008-04-01 11:57 Subject: A New Home! Security: Public Mood: chipper

As many of you know, I’ve been looking for a condo in Downtown Otown. However, while prices have gone down, they simply haven’t declined enough to make it worthwhile to buy here. So I’ve expanded my search radius, and as of this morning, am in contract on an actual factual house.

The commute will certainly be a bit of a challenge (especially given that my current commute involves a ten minute walk), but I think it’ll be worth it in the end. My boss has agreed to allow me to start working at 7am so I can beat the traffic. I will have to arrange for alternate transit, though, so I’m looking at purchasing a car to allow me to get back and forth to work.

Date: 2008-03-26 01:09 Subject: I thnk this explains a lot, actually... Security: Public Mood: amused Tags: chocolate fountain, mom, silly

...but it could just be that it's 1am and I should go get some damn sleep.

The following exchange took place via email with my mother:
Me: At the 15th anniversary party for one of our non-profits this evening, there was a chocolate fountain (with madeleine cookies on a stick!). Your eldest managed (barely) not to pull a vicar of dibley.* ;)

Mom: WIMP xoxo


* The Vicar of Dibley is some pretty funny stuff, yo. The awesome/awful Christmas carol/chocolate fountain episode is especially brilliant.

Date: 2008-01-22 21:53 Subject: Memery Dreamery Security: Public Tags: haiku, meme

Gakked from approximately everyone, because I'm too zonked for a real post:

Date: 2008-01-03 17:42 Subject: Fashion advice Security: Public Location: leaving work real soon now Mood: uncertain Music: printer Tags: fashion

Is it still considered a faux pas to wear black to a wedding, or is that chic these days?

The wedding in question is a Vietnamese banquet-type deal, in LA (if that matters). This weekend, though I hadn't gotten around to thinking about what I'd wear until yesterday evening. The dress is a lovely halter top dealy. Does it help if I add a pretty colored shawl?

I suppose I could wear the royal blue cheongsam from laura_md and cybersattva's wedding as well, but am looking for something I can avoid having to iron after a flight.

Or internets, tell me what I should wear.

Date: 2008-01-01 23:07 Subject: Happy New Year! Security: Public Mood: present Tags: new year

I'd like to wish you all wonderful things for 2008.

2007 was, erm, challenging, and I'm not particularly sad to see it go. But it also provided room for growth, and change, and unexpected sweetness. And I can't thank enough those of you who provided hugs, dinner and chocolate, and/or emotional support.

I am sorry to have missed all y'alls who were at tribecon getting your Berkshires on, but know I will see youse in the year to come. And it was most nifty to get to hang with sanj and her lovely roomie and bayleaf and laura_md and cybersattva in NYC. Yay!

And it was nice to host a big ole Left Coast house party with friends out here. And now, after a very sweet and lazy first day of the year, I'm looking forward to see what 2008 holds.

My resolution for 2008: I tend to be a sort of optimistic worrier, and can get preoccupied about both past and future, to the detriment of the present. For 2008, I resolve to focus on embracing and responding to what is happening in the present without getting too tied up worrying about past/future.

Date: 2007-12-09 08:23 Subject: Today is another day Security: Public Mood: a little fuzzy

Getting tucked in bed by Vietnamese porridge bringing, cuddling elves when you are sick is one of life's small mercies. And now, with aspirin, my temperature has decreased by over three degrees and my stomach doesn't feel quite as unsettled.

Date: 2007-11-23 11:29 Subject: Thanksgiving Security: Public Mood: thankful Music: Alice's Restuarant, where is ye? Tags: thanksgiving

I love this holiday, even though it's pretty emotionally charged this year.

( Thanksgiving )

And now to prepare another pie (pumpkin! with bourbon!) for tonight's Thanksgiving dinner that couldn't be beat.

Date: 2007-10-21 22:44 Subject: New word Security: Public Location: somewhere, zombie dr. atkins is plotting his revenge Mood: kugeltose Tags: autumn, baking

"kugeltose"

The state of spaced-outed-ness one achieves following the consumption of a fair amount of tasty kugel*. See also: "food coma." May be exacerbated through following up with apple bread pudding for dessert.


* Minus the raisins, substituted maple syrup for some of the sugar, put in way the hell more spices than called for, because that's how I roll. Theme ingredient was apples.

Date: 2007-10-02 22:16 Subject: I feel so f#$%'ing American right now! Security: Public Mood: weird Tags: homebuying, vehicle

I am now the proud owner of a vehicle* for the first time ever, and I'm looking into buying a home.

Where's my light beer, yo?

* Actual scooter pick-up is next week though--it needs a little work done, so a trailer haul is necessary.

Date: 2007-09-06 01:18 Subject: Once Bitten... Security: Public Mood: itchy Tags: under attack

Apparently I am one tasty meatball tonight, because the constant whir of the Lake Merritt mosquito has been my "sleeping" companion this evening. A tricky beast, this one has not taken my gentle hints to bugger off (e.g. swinging my arms wildly, slapping my arms and back) to heart, and I now boast at least 15 mosquito bites all over my arms and torso, including several quarter-sized welts on my back.

Dear 'skitos: Please to go away now. Do not want. Sod off, rissy

Dear benadryl: where are ye, my little antihistamine friend? xoxo, rissy

Date: 2007-08-20 22:20 Subject: It's only slightly pyramid scheme-y (meme) Security: Public Mood: touched, or just tetched

via your friendly neighborhood word-smith osirusbrisbane, it's an Action Meme!

PAY IT FORWARD!

I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment here... you will receive it within 365 days. The only thing you have to do in return is "pay it forward" by making a similar agreement on your LJ.

For those within delivery distance, I can offer pie/baked goods; for those further away, perhaps cookies or a very silly drawing. I'd offer smaller knitted items, but I'm off the knitting for a bit. I do have a button flap brimmed hat that is only missing the button. Make a request.

Date: 2007-07-30 21:55 Subject: In less maudlin news... Security: Public Mood: hopeful Tags: joy, pie, softball

Things that are bringing me bits of joy right now:

My softball team has had a couple of kickass softball games the last few weeks, and I played so well this evening (multiple stretchy plays and a nearly unheard of (for us) tag play at first, balls hit into the outfield) that the home base umpire complimented me on a game well played. And my forearm is only slightly ouchy to boot. This may bode well for getting on the mat again after Labor Day. I may need a softball userpic. And an Aikido one.

I made a very tasty peach pie this weekend. I have leftover crust, and may experiment.

I'm going camping in Yosemite this weekend, for the first time in thirteen years [Edited to clarify: It's been thirteen years since I last went camping, maybe four since I was last in Yosemite].

Hanging out with folks is lovely.

Da Goobermensch flies out next Tuesday.

Much love to all.

Date: 2007-07-16 22:12 Subject: A meme Security: Public Tags: meme

Per kassrachel, the guidelines, should you choose to accept them (acceptance optional), for Mr. Meme are as follows:
1. Tell me a random fact about you, and 2. I will ask you five questions, and 3. Propagate the meme when you post your answers. Feel free to dive in, or not, as you are so moved (or not).

( kass had the following questions for me )

My random fact was one to describe one of my borderline OCD tendencies: when I pluck my eyelashes periodically to avoid them getting in my eyes, I feel compelled to pluck at least ten (at least twenty is ideal).

And now I'm going to try out a combination of possible insomnia remedies--reading in the tub with a glass of wine. If that doesn't work, maybe tomorrow I'll try afternoon napping after a brisk walk around the lake and a valerian cooldown.