Vacationland

Portland Maine, Oct. 2011

Just my type

Sometimes I do irrational things. Like spend $9.00 on a manicure (The Thrill of Brazil) instead of using that money for something more responsible. Like groceries or laundry or the earbuds I need to buy to replace the ones that are currently falling apart. Every time I go to the gym I am in fear of getting shocked because the earbud itself is popping apart. Nothing like a jolt of energy hitting you inside your ear. But Chris tells me this can't happen and that the problem could be remedied with a little superglue and I trust that.

Which is why I guess I felt I needed a manicure over new "gym" earbuds. I'm going to glue my earbuds back together... I am working with a strict budget each month- and it's really kept the spending harnessed. Like- I don't do any spending. Groceries, toiletries, laundry, prescriptions... that's about it. Oh, and $9.00 manicures evidently. At least there are only two more days until I get my next two weeks allotted monies. I will be spending the dollars left in my account today at the grocery store to make some Mexican inspired bean salad.

I'm going to a worship executive meeting tomorrow night on Roosevelt Island and wanted to make something that would compliment chili. I think this salad is going to look alot like the salad I made for last months meeting. But this time it will not have black eyed peas, but more beans, and lime and tabasco sauce.

I miss cooking as much as I did in our last apartment. I just get upset and a little beat down working with minimal counter space, a mini fridge and no outlet in the (half)kitchen. So, to maintain sanity and feel better overall, I've purposefully limiting my cooking to when I have ample time (multitasking like I'm used to in the kitchen is not really an option) or to when I have a specific dish I'm preparing. "Throwing" a quick dinner together is not really all that easy. But I'm sure Chris would tell you that I'm holding my own.

While this week has been filled with wonderful moments & realizations- each day has drug by. It has threatened of rain all week- but hardly rained. The wind wails at night and makes it look much colder than it really is. I hate days when I wear my rainboots in preparation for a rain that never comes. Rainboots in general are clumsy and heavy and my feet can't breathe. Luckily, I've been the wiser one this week because I haven't worn them. Just carry an umbrella that has yet to be opened.

This week I've been reminded that my life has a special purpose and plan. It's not all haphazard and arbitrary. There is a sequence and season and reason. I'm wired to be a writer and a foodie and detail oriented. And it's okay that I have preferences and dislikes and wants for my life. It's okay that I'm still uncertain of what I want to be when I grow up. And it's okay- and necessary- that I still have dreams.

Smarty Pants

Well, I hope she doesn't mind, because I'm just going to announce it right here, on my blog: I have a friend who is going to be on Who Wants to be a Millionaire? this coming Monday, October 18th. Quite frankly I think it is an amazing accomplishment in itself. I mean, the testing and auditioning that she's had to go through already --- then to make it to the show itself, well I'm pretty sure that I just don't have the brains for that sort of competition.

She is a whiz at geography and historical facts, as well as pop culture. I can't even do the daily crossword puzzle. And I'm talking about the one in the free NYC Metro, not in the Times or some real paper. She taught in China, has traveled the various countries, worked in many fields and is just all around smart. She's from North Carolina and has the biggest, most soulful gospel voice I've ever heard. She sings from her gut, somewhere deep within that springs from a sincerely love of Christ. She's got it when it comes to the 'sanging.'

America is going to love her, I don't doubt that one bit. She's gorgeous, well spoken and very witty. Honestly, she's one of the funniest people I know. This is partly because she's country, so we can relate on many levels, and also because she's an actress. It's just in her bones.

My favorite impersonation that she does is Vestal Goodman singing .... "I'm gonna take a trip, on the good ol' gospel ship...." You sort of have to know old Southern Gospel music to appreciate our mimicking, not that I actually remember Vestal... but I'm familiar enough. And she's one of the few people I know that remembers watching this show on Sunday morning before church.

When she emailed me that she "got the call" I just about squealed with excitement. And I'm pretty sure I did announce it to anyone that happened to be walking through the reception area at that moment.

I'm so proud of Shirley, just for taking the chance, and for being brave enough to do this thing. She's been studying Trivial pursuit game cards and reading any and every magazine and newspaper she can get her hands on, I'm sure. I got smart friends, y'all!