On The Road

I'm listening to Kerouac's classic on cd (the most time-effective way to "read," for me, these days) and I happened upon a little bit of knowledge. At some point in the narrative, he says something like: "I called to him, 'are you leaving, yo?' We called each other 'yo...'"

This made me remember a recent "Grammar Girl" podcast in which some research study (a result of an observation by Baltimore City school teachers) that interrogated an "emerging pheonomena" was discussed. Students seemed to have found a gender-neutral pronoun, namely "yo," according to the findings. Cited example: "Look at Yo's coat."

I think most people who even remotely have their finger on the pulse of what's happening know that it's been a part of urban vernacular for years, but moving on... I actually took exception to the posited "used when the gender is unknown or unclear." The pronoun is gender-neutral, but not because the gender isn't known. I suppose it could be used in that case, but the students have not "come up" with a way to refer to a person whose gender is unknown to them.

Anyway, I find this Kerouacian revelation to be of great interest. What is it about the word "yo" that makes it such an obvious go-to when you want a short cut for reference to another? Obviously, in his case, also not used to address gender neutrality, but more a way of saying "you, a person, me, or otherwise."

My sister, having firmly decided upon a divorce, sounds like herself again

I've spoken candidly here about my sister's marriage before. It is no secret that I've been pulling for an end to it, for a number of reasons, all of which have to do with the fact that I now know it to have been an ill-conceived design (born of my sister's bent toward an utterly impulsive need to couple up at all costs). In my opinion, she's suffered enough. This marriage was an expensive lesson for her, and in that sense, a worthwhile one. What misery is possible when you connect your life to an insecure, delusional, immature man's!

Thanks to a friend's connection, C will meet with an attorney for a consultation next week. Thank God that no property, no children, no investments, and the fact that my sister didn't even change her last name will mean relatively smooth sailing. I suppose her soon-to-be-ex-husband could contest on the grounds that he wants to stay married, but would any judge even hear such an argument (had he the financial means to contest)?

I'll take legitimate legal advice on my sister's behalf from anyone who is/who knows a good attorney.

Rain & Snow

woke up at 6 for my day of working at home. am listening to Mr. Darcy Takes A Wife, a "continuation" of the Austen classic. Diverting. because of the much-hyped weather i went to the grocery store last night--a big pot of 8 0'clock coffee brewing and a pot of quick oats on the stove--and i am warm and fortified.

have a hair appointment at midday. hope i don't slip and fall on my hind quarters en route. and then after that a brief jet up the block to see an apartment. i have a feeling...

Check this out!

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Stuff White People Like

Attack of the Killer Viruses!

So, some spambot left a comment on yesterday's post. Like a foolish amateur, I clicked on it and unleashed hell's wrath on my computer. I think I'm finally out of the woods. I had to download a 30-day free trial of Internet Security. Apparently, some months ago I decided that renewing my Norton Antivirus (which I find to be a little too aggressive as it blocks obviously reputable programs sometimes...annoying!) was a negotiable. That'll learn me.

Because of some other commitments I've made I can't just pay for a new contract right now. I guess I'll have to make that part of my 30-day plan. It's always something...

I really hope I get into this program for a number of reasons, but one of them is that it will justify me purchasing a new computer. this time I want a laptop. I've over the desktop sitch. Speaking of that program, I know it's way too early to even think of hearing but this in no way stops me from hoping against hope every day that I'll have a letter in the mailbox. Have a feeling Feb will move out before such news comes.

a little optimistic afterall

happy weekend's almost over, everyone! the last two days have been pretty typical: sculpt on Saturday morning, hanging out with Sarah afterward. We had a post V-day friends' dinner with V and Mel last night at Sarah's place. Shrimp scampi, arugala and cherry tomato salad dressed with Sarah's homemade lemon vinaigrette, (peccorino romano curls on top) and whipped cream with crushed meringues & raspberries for dessert.

after a leisurely morning and snacky breakfast (bread, cheese, coffee, half a salmon filet with pomegranate sauce, and hazelnut chocolate) I accompanied S to Williams-Sonoma where she finally redeemed a generous gift card she'd been given on some worthwhile purchases. I'm sure she'll describe them on her blog, so I won't say more... Before we parted ways she treated to lunch at Mari Luna (a brilliant Mexican spot in her neighborhood).

What am I looking forward to most right now? Seeing an apartment in my building featured on tonight's episode of The Wire.

A Martini with Legs

is what i want right now. Indulging at today's pot luck earlier today makes me want to skip dinner tonight, but the more I think about doing this, the more I realize that I'm hungry...again. If I could make it through the evening without being distracted by the need to eat, I'd gladly forego the last meal of the day. I'm trying to read my book, but I keep thinking about carmelized red onions, portabellas, and tofu...

at least i didn't talk myself out of spin this morning.

Self-distraction

I've been attempting to read Unnatural Death by Dorothy L. Sayers for two weeks now. It's quite good, very witty, and in keeping with my penchant for mysteries these days. The glitch has been that I distract myself with phone calls, list writing, and other organizational tasks that I would attribute to some sort of mania if I were prone to mania, in the clinical sense. I am not. So, I'm trying to practice the discipline of just sitting still and giving into the book.

I know. Blogging is another distraction. It's just that I've been so negligent of this space lately... See, that's it. I have about 4 good hours after I get home from work and I'm trying to squeeze my whole life into that space, so while I want to read, I also want to talk, get things figured out, formulate plots, get my gym bag ready for the next day. Speaking of which...

Anyway, I really want to finish this book and give it back to my coworker. It's hard to figure out why some things I actually want to do feel like such a struggle right now. This book. The gym. Losing these last 10 pounds. I think if I can just get over a certain hump, I'll have the momentum I need.

I Inherited a new project at work today (only a few minutes late b/c of the ice). I spent the day trying to wrap my mind around it, figure out what my questions are, and organize it. On other work-related fronts, tomorrow is the weekly conference call re: the project that is winding down. Not much in the way of status to report.

Tomorrow is also the office Valentine's Day potluck. That means I don't have to figure out what to take for lunch. It also means lunch will in no way be healthy. Seriously, I'm going to have to do a mini detox to kickstart myself.

Read online tonight that those "stave off the recession" checks should be mailed by Spring. Looking forward to using mine to pad savings and/or pay off a few debts--pretty much the opposite of what they are hoping people will do with that "found" money.

Also read an article on fiscal fitness in this month's O magazine that really buoyed my resolve to be frugal. A columnist for the Washington Post noted that many people who are in debt also have an overweening sense of entitlement to the tune of something like: I work hard; I deserved that [insert luxury item here]! Her answer was brilliant. Yes, you do work hard but you do not deserve [luxury item] if you are thousands of dollars in debt.

Mid February = Ice

Without fail, on or around Valentine's Day, there is an ice incident. Today's was minor as these things go, but I still left the office about 40 minutes early so I could get home while it was still light out.

A pervasive work-related ennui has resulted from the conclusion of the project that has taken up all my time for the last 8 months. Cast adrift now, I am helping out on other projects, circling other planets--a lesser moon--a satellite, even.

I'm stalled. Waiting to hear from the University, waiting for the motivation I need to really lose these last 10 pounds, and figuring out how serious I am about looking for another apartment. Yes, that is back on the table these days. There are some amenities I'm not sure I can go without any longer. In addition to the fact that I want central air, I have to face the fact that my building is a Grande Dame that has fallen into disrepair. The management company that is responsible for its upkeep is shortsighted and favours the corner-cutting method.

My lease is month-to-month so I have considerable flexibility. If I make this move, I'd be looking to do it in July (around the middle of the month) or August.

Mardi = Tuesday Gras = Fat

As a Protestant of a certain ilk I've never done the whole Lent thing. But I've taken a cue from my Catholic and more orthodox Protestant brethren.

Today coworkers brought in Scottish shortbread and "fake fasnachts." Fasnachts are a Pennsylvania thing, apparently. Fatty donuts to eat on Fat Tuesday to serve as a memory of excess during the 40 days of scarcity and sacrifice that are Lent (an observation of Christ's temptation in the desert).

This year the coworker of the Scottish short bread and I are giving up complaining about our project.

Anyway, I gorged myself on the biscuits, the donuts, all manner of dark chocolate, pot roast for dinner, and red wine, too.... oh, yes, and a few final project-related complaints.

I did not go to the gym this morning because I've been trying to give myself a break this week. I am going tomorrow as an outward expression of a return to discipline. Today I was el gordo, tomorrow, I'll be Not el gordo. Back to grapefruit, fat free yogurt, healthy water consumption and all that.

I'm no purist. Lent is still not "native" to my commemoration of the Christian calendar, so there's no rigid ban on chocolate, alcohol, or anything else in my household, but I do think there is some value to be had in contemplating real sacrifice. The spirit, not the letter.

monthly dinners

my family (my sisters and my mother) and i have instituted a monthly dinner. i got the new tradition rolling this afternoon at my house. i made a pecan-encrusted chicken recipe that Sarah passed on to me (from Rachael Ray's Everyday Magazine), roasted butternut squash (w/craisins), and spinach with garlic & portabellas. It all went over very well. Dessert was a simple reduced-fat vanilla ice cream with biscotti & balsamic vinegar (or vanilla with raspberries in my mom's case). Crystal is pretty adventurous with food so she was willing to try the ice cream and vinegar, but exclaimed after her first taste "My ice cream tastes like collard greens!"

one note about errant pecans and the damage they can do. one went down the wrong way and while i did not choke, per se, i still have not fully recovered from the hellacious throat tickle it created. i "lost" my dinner. That made dessert even more guiltless. Not like I can feel too good--I had an indulgent lunch in Little Italy with Sarah after an early morning Target run.

Am delightfully sore from Saturday's sculpt class. Am less thrilled with the fact that I cannot seem to get my body past this one barrier on the scale. I'm going to try doing more lifting and shorter cardio bursts, just two or three times a week. Have been reading the 28 Laws of Attraction lately and one of the key principles is to not strive for things. It's been more and more organic for me to do less cardio lately, so I think I'm going to give into the flow of resistance training and see where that takes me.

It's also become more organic for me to skip the gym on Monday mornings. Not sure if tomorrow will be an exception or not.