Hobbity Stuff

The following great menu is from a weblog I read pretty regularly. Check him out: http://seatmytable.blogspot.com/

The writer usually talks about his experiences as a restaurant server, but he's a big Tolkien fan and served this menu at a LOTR trilogy gathering at his house.

1st Breakfast: Chilled vanilla custard served with fresh peaches, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries.
toast with jam.

2nd Breakfast: Eggs, bacon, sauteed mushrooms,orange slices.

Elevensies: Breakfast sausage links, lembas (basically honey cakes), marinated tomatoes, plain tomatoes, cheeses, pickles, apple slices.

Luncheon: Roast chicken, roast carrots, roast potatoes, blackberry tarts

Afternoon Tea: Baby greens salad with raspberry vinaigrette, scones, tea sandwiches.

Dinner: Rabbit stew, hearty bread, butter.

Supper: Tomato soup, breaded fried mushroom croutons, and apple pie.

Beverages included ales, cider, juices, water, and Ent Draught (pineapple juice, African Rooibos Red Tea, ginger ale, and honey)


I'm really considering hosting a book or movie themed meal. Oooooh - how about Silence of The Lambs?

Book Review Stuff

I've got a new Border's coupon and I'm ready to use it. I generally head straight for the sci-fi/fantasy aisle so that I can be sure to find something I like. I go to the mystery section next and check for new books by my favorite authors.

I expand my horizons (stupid cliche, but what the hell) at the discount table since I can pick up a hardcover there at less than the price of a paperback. I've found some excellent novels on the discount table in genres that I would have never considered at their regular prices.

"I Am Charlotte Simmons" is a novel that I wouldn't have come across normally. It was published in 2004 and was written by Tom Wolfe. The story is centered on the title character, Charlotte a naive freshman from North Carolina, but the greatest character to me is the fictional Ivy League School, Dupont University, (patterned I believe on Duke) since Wolfe takes us inside the locker rooms and offices of the elite basketball program, into one of the exclusive frat houses, through the freshman dorms, into the newspaper offices, the cafeterias, and the libraries of the school.

Charlotte's rural upbringing doesn't prepare her for the social aspects of college life at all. She was the valedictorian of her high school class, but never socially connected to her peers so while she's able to excell in her college class work she fails to make friends even with her roommate.

This novel is hard to put down, but sometimes a bit difficult to read. The awkwardness and the uncertanties of youth are bared wide open and it may hurt a little to see onesself in one of the characters. Check the discount tables in your local bookstore. There may be a gem waiting there for you.

I'd like to explore a wider variety of reading material. Can you recommend a good novel?

Empress of The World Stuff

I went to church yesterday as a guest speaker. (no! the church was NOT struck by lightning, and no there was no flood). It was pretty nice - the people were very warm and friendly and the minister didn't take hours to make his point. I didn't get a special feeling or anything - I guess the spirit decided to give me another pass.

After services, I have a crazy urge for pancakes and since I had a book in my purse I decided to endure the crowds at the local IHOP. The place was packed - as soon as I gave the hostess my name, they called for a party of 26 - crazy! The joint was really jumping and the servers and runners were hard at work.

I was seated about 30 minutes later across from four women. I didn't realize that one of the party was the Empress of the World. She made it clear to her server, the guy bussing the tables near her, the food runners, and all of us nearby.

Her eggs were too cold - her pancakes weren't fluffy enough. "Take it all away" we heard her order the poor server, "and bring me a fresh pot of coffee."

The server took my order with a smile, refilled drinks at her other tables and was walking back towards the kitchen when the Empress summoned her back to her table. "How long is it going to take? My friends are almost finished eating." She pursed her lips and gave the girl a snotty look.

"Ma'am, I was just on the way to check on your order." She hurried off.

I could hear the Empress talking to her friends, "no tip for that chick - horrible service."

Her friends giggled. I was disgusted. Why do people try to find ways to stiff their servers?

The runner timidly placed the eggs and pancakes in front of the Empress. "Wait right here until I check the food."

Her regalness tasted the eggs and inclined her royal head. "These will do."

She tasted the pancakes. (sigh) "Alright. Go ahead." She made a shooing gesture at the runner.

My food was mediocre but the server and runners were hard at work. I decided to overtip to make up for the idiots at the next table. Another couple seemed to agree with me and gave the server a $10 tip and thanked her for excellent service (I'm sure so that the Empress and her table could hear). I did the same thing and felt pretty good walking out of the IHOP.

Donna at http://noblelady728.blogspot.com/ tagged me.

Wow! I've been tagged. Hells yeah!

THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with 6 weird things about him/herself. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things, as well as state this rule clearly for the next tagged people. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged, and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment on their blog that says, "You are tagged," and "tell them to read your blog."

Six weird things about me shouldn't be too difficult - a hard list would be six normal things about me.

1. I speak to my car Guy after he's been parked for a while before I get in. He knows how much I depend on him and I really believe he has a personality. I encourage him - or promise him oil or gas.

2. I truly believe that I'll win a lottery at some point in my life.

3. I love my current job as a receptionist more than any other job I've ever had. When I win the lottery, I'll probably keep working here.

4. I told each of my children that they're my favorite - and each of them believes it.

5. If someone doesn't call me after I've called them, I erase their information from my phone.

6. I'd rather read than do almost anything.

I have to think about tagging someone. Hmmmm.

A Picture Says so Much Stuff

Disjointed Stuff

I sat down, determined to write and have nothing really important to say - that hasn't stopped me so far and I won't let it stop me now. If anyone is here in search of enlightenment - stop reading right now! This ain't the place.

I had the stupid stomach virus that the little kids are getting - the only positive is that I think I lost a couple of pounds. (I know... ewwwwww)

I'll admit it on the internet: I watch American Idol - regularly. I vote for the ones I really like too. How many cool points have I lost by making that confession? I know - I didn't have too many to begin with but I want to be real today.

Last night the women were much better than those sad sack 12 dudes that sang on Monday night. My votes went to Stephanie, Melinda, Lakeisha and #4 - the curly hair girl with the long nose. I HATE poor little Antoinella (the remaining half of the Jersey girls) for no good reason. The others were good I guess - just no goose bump moments. Song selection was a big factor to me.

Here's an old entry from the Monday after the Superbowl:
Tony Dungy is my new Superbowl man! He doesn't know about our relationship yet, but I'm sure he'll be happy when he finally gets to meet me.

The artist formerly known as my Superbowl man (Adrian) is back on the "hmmmmp" list. "Hmmmmp" as in "whatever" - not hmmmp like in hump. The humping will of course continue - let's be realistic, but the Superbowl is a year away and he'll need to do a lot of good in the next year to make up for this year.

Adrian blew it with me yesterday. I'm not white hot angry anymore but about this time yesterday I was frantic. Adrian left home at about midnight on Saturday night to hang out with a buddy and his side of the bed was cold at 8:30 when I got up on Sunday morning. He doesn't do this stuff, so I panicked and dialed his celly repeatedly to no response. I dressed (no shower just yesterday's clothes on a scared chick)to go outside - I'm not even sure what my plan was - but I needed to do something.

I got to the front door and MY SET OF KEYS WERE MISSING FROM THE LOCK. This is no small thing. Whoever is at home ALWAYS leaves their keys in the door so that in case of emergency we can get out in a hurry. I remembered locking the door and leaving my keys there on Saturday night.

I tried the door - LOCKED of course.

Adrian finally answered his phone about 9 or so - by this time I was scared and furious. He was so eager beaver to get out that he inadvertantly took my keys along with his own.

He explained that he fell asleep waiting for his boy to drive him home.(Fell asleep -um... how shall I explain? Passed the &%#& out from too much consumption of um...stuff) I 100% believe him. I was still pissed off that it happened.

We had plans to go to his boy's Superbowl party/housewarming. When Adrian walked in the door he asked me if I was still going to the party - before any apology (which I was really expecting) so my answer was "no!"

He grabbed a clean shirt and walked back out, "I thought you would have that attitude." His boy was waiting for him in the car.

I was so pissed off at the time that I didn't want to finish the stupid story. Things are cool again and all turned out well.

Adrian is such a cool dude, that our falling out periods are pretty brief. He puts up with a lot of crap from me - so in turn, I'm learning to put up with his baby crap too.

I wrote a fan letter to the little boy in the Publix commercial with the Valentine's Day cake and I got a response from his mom. His name is Zach Mills, www.imdb.com and will be in a new movie this November. (I love this stuff)

To cheap tippers: Stop that selfish shit and leave 15-20% no matter what! You'll feel better overall and won't look like such an asshole.

Parents: hold your children's hands in mall parking lots! Damn - don't you love them?

Hopefully I'll find something blogworthy tomorrow... or the next day...

Review Stuff

I'm a Blockbuster online member and I've taken full advantage of the services they offer. I've been watching movies like crazy and I'm gonna talk about one that I watched recently.


Sometimes In April was as difficult for me to watch as Hotel Rwanda was a few months ago. I almost turned it off a few times because it hurt so much, but I decided that my tears were nothing compared to the suffering of those portrayed in this film. One million people were slaughtered in the 100 days of Rwanda uprising - the Hutu nationalists against their Tutsi countrymen.

Idris Elba starred as Augustin Muganza. Damn - I can't even talk about it right now -I'm tearing up already. Please see this movie.

Commercial Stuff

I've had a couple of weeks to ponder some of life's irritations and true to form, I'm going to write about them.

The first thing that comes to mind is that Nissan commercial that advises "life is 24-7". DUH! Is this new and revolutionary? Are they implying that new cars from other manufacturers only work part of the day, but the Nissan keeps going and going?... Bah!

The unbelievably greedy guy slurping his single serve tomato soup makes me want to scream! Is anyone that hungry or greedy at work? Forget Campbells - I'm buying store brand from now on just because he irsks me.

That car commercial filmed at breathtaking heights driving on 2 wheels (on the "edge") scares the hell out of me. I have dreams like that and to see in heavy rotation is just annoying. I don't need to revisit my bad dreams in primetime.

There's a commercial showing a dad having a difficult time with his two toddlers. One of them flushes his watch down the toilet. The next scene is a woman at a desk hawking car insurance. She's supposed to make his life easier. So... if dad had HER company's car insurance he wouldn't need to shop for a new watch, I suppose.

The couple about to kiss on the couch is stopped - by tissues. It seems the chick has stuffed her hair with tissues (I get the stuffed parallel folks - I'm not that removed from stuffing my bra) but it's yucky to see everything in the room deflate, including the boyfriend when her ruse is discovered.

I'd be hurt and confused if I announced my engagement to the man of my dreams and the first reaction of my family was: "He went to Jared". I'm anti-diamond anyway, but I'll NEVER darken that store's doors.

The "banker's pen" commercials for WAMU need to stop. The premise is that well-to- do white bankers want to fleece the public and the hip AA dude wants to set us free. I don't feel better about myself or my race because another group is clowned. I can't get with stereotyping any group. Imagine if the roles were reversed: there would be a crazy public outcry.

There are many more commercials that just get on my nerves, but I can't think of them right this second. Tell me which commercials you hate.

Protection Part 2 Stuff

I reached a warm friendly voice on the telephone who was thrilled to learn that so many people are willing to help the women and girls of the community she serves. If any of you are able to send feminine protection directly to this shelter, please do. You can send the stuff attention: Virginia.

Atlanta Day Shelter for Women and Children, Inc.
655 Ethel Street, NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
USA


Phone 404-876-2894 - "Virginia"