refrigerator snafu

so, i bring home a bounty of produce yesterday morning, right?

about an hour or so after, i notice that my refrigerator just does not feel cold enough. this is the refrigerator of arctic blastedness. i mean, there's a trouble spot in this fridge that i've learned to avoid--a spot wherein things will freeze if they get anywhere near it. this is my 3rd fridge in this apartment so i wasn't about to complain. the others never got cold enough and i lost food, so while some items get ruined if they freeze, it's the lesser of the two evils.

anyway, yesterday there was visible condensation on condiment jars and cartons. my goods were sweating inside the fridge. so not good. i turned up the temperature to 9--the coldest level.

after a couple of hours the situation seemed to right itself.

not so fast there, happy ending girl.

i come home tonight to a refrigerator with several frozen items (though, not all), including a good bit of my produce. i'm doing everything i can to salvage it, but some of those beautiful fruits and vegetables may not come back.

rise & shine

You Are Eggs

Traditional and totally grown up, you truly believe that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You don't skimp on nutrition or quality. You're likely to take the time to make yourself a decent meal each morning. You're a great cook, even if you aren't a showy one. You can make a feast out of simple ingredients. The food you eat may be basic, but you prefer to think of it as classic.

What Kind of Breakfast Are You?

What's On My Mind These Days?

Who to vote for in the primary Baltimore Mayoral Election on September 11th, that's what.

Other than that, the weightloss effort marches on. Steady as she goes. I'm now about 4 pounds lighter than I was when I capped on the loss goal two years ago. That's about a total of a 12-pound loss (maybe a little more. I only know from when I started officially weighing myself this go 'round) in the last two months. My goal for the coming week is to lose 2 pounds. I'm working out harder and lifting more, so my appetite has increased. I'm hoping to sate it with all the beautiful, affordable produce I bought this morning.

Had an oddly politically-themed dream the other night. I was the omniscient observer at a Hillary Clinton rally. Nothing but screaming blondes shouting her name and I distinctly remember being afraid that she'd get elected.

Many know I've been a registered 'R' for the last 7 or so years, but if I had to vote today, I'd give the nod to Obama. I guess dating Mr. Close Encounters opened me up to black men in every arena (tongue firmly in cheek).

speaking of black men, I am suddenly finding Terrence Howard to be incredibly attractive.

raising the game

as of tonight, i will be doing a strengthening and sculpting program in the evenings on tuesdays and thursdays. i'm trying not to overwhelm myself, but the way i figure it is that the last thing i can let my body do is get complacent, accustomed to the routines i've adopted.

i'm thinking that next week i might do another mini detox just to shock my system.

more on the writing out of desires. to be explicit about it, i want to reach my goal weight more than i want to be successful at work (and i want that very much) and more than i want to be in a dating relationship (i want that more on some days than others--sometimes not at all).

Write it!

Today I took some time to write down the things I want. I have found that the physical act of writing out my desires, articulating them to myself, helps me understand what it is that I'm actually hoping for. Nothing magical or weird in it. Just telling myself what I need to know in order to move forward.

Sidebar: Could the weather be any more gorgeous than it is right now? What a generous lack of humidity!

Key to the City

for two days this little gem to the left bought me countless rides on the CTA and the "L" as I traversed the downtown area and surrounding outliers in search of the perfect Chicago hot dog, the best authentic deep dish pizza, and overpriced (and delicious) cocktails at the top of "Big John" (the Hancock building). I saw "the Chi" from land (mini tour bus), Lake Michigan (boat tour), public transportation (see photo), and from above (sky scrapers galore). thanks to Sarah's and Amy's collective willingness and ability to read a map, by God, we covered some major ground in that town.

It is such a tremendously friendly place! I've never cared much for the thought of the midwest (it, as a region, just does not interest me), but Chicago is bringing a lot to the table. I'd go back for another visit and hit up some jazz spots or something (we just couldn't fit that in with everything else!). On Saturday, we took in a Second City matinee (the company where most SNL players and other famous comedians get their start). Hilarious!

The best thing from this time? One of our tours took us very near (it was not on the main drag of our tour, but a street or so over) where the St. Valentine's Day Massacre (Al Capone) took place. It was the one thing I really wanted to hear about! To commemorate, Sarah bought me a shot glass with reduxes of headlines about the gangster. I talked myself out of buying a flask with scarface's likeness on it. What on earth would I have actually done with that? If I'd had money to burn, I might have been able to justify it, but it seemed better to enjoy the idea but leave the actual souvenir at the store.

Your Psyche is Yellow

You have a ton of energy - both physical and mental endurance. You are rational and logical, and you can help almost anyone think clearly. Optimistic and bright, you also have a secret side that's a little darker. When you are too yellow: You will do anything to get your way, and no one will be the wiser When you don't have enough yellow: you lack confidence, drive, and humor

What Color Is Your Psyche?

happiness is finding your chocolate brown beret

it was at Sarah's house, in the second bedroom where I always sleep. it's probably been there for months. had i not been helping her organize her gift bags and boxes, i wouldn't have seen it. more specifically, had i not missed when i attempted to toss one box
on top of another (which meant having to bend down to pick up said box), i wouldn't have found it tucked into a corner between some other stuff.

this happens to me a lot. some beloved item slips into a crevice or mysteriously disappears. i make my peace with it, with its loss, and in the midst of some mindless task, i find it there waiting. i especially have good fortune with cherished hats.

in celebration of its return to me, i wore it for a good five minutes. even in this heat.

have i said too much? there's nothing more i can think of to say to you. . .

latte quiz

What Your Latte Says About You

You don't treat yourself very often. You find that indulging doesn't jibe with your very disciplined life. You can be quite silly at times, but you know when to buckle down and be serious. Intense and energetic, you aren't completely happy unless you are bouncing off the walls. You're totally addicted to caffeine... but you like to pretend like you aren't! You are responsible, mature, and truly an adult. You're occasionally playful, but you find it hard to be carefree. You are dramatic and intense, but you are never moody.

What Does Your Latte Say About You?

i guess you've figured out by now that i've run out of things to say

blog world,

if you're still there, i can only say this for myself. i hope to be leading an interesting life again soon. until then, here's my offering: i'm doing well with the weightloss effort. this week's goal is 3 pounds.

take me out to the ball game . . .

the shadow in the mist could have been anyone . . .

. . . but i saw you coming back to me

Sarah's Birthday

Off to celebrate!

Generosity: The Spoken Word

after work today i ran some errands. i went off in search of birthday presents and did some light shopping on my way back home. blueberries for 2.99 a pint--unheard of when they're in season--two champagne mangoes, two white peaches, smoked salmon (2 half pints), and other items that will see me solidly through next week (I already have some tilapia filets, tofu, etc.) I really just need to pick up some fresh spinach, mixed greens, and grape tomatoes, and I'll be set.

In between the present search and the groceries I was stopped by a self-proclaimed spoken word artist who wanted to know if he could "anoint" me with his verse. It took me a few seconds to wipe the smirk off my face. He told me upfront that he accepts donations--whatever his listeners think best--for his work. I had only one bill in my wallet and I made up my mind that I would give it to him (it was either that or a piece of gum). He proceeded to read to me from a rumpled, handwritten notebook page. I closed my eyes just as I would have done at a poetry reading. I closed my eyes to keep from feeling foolish for standing there while this man, this stranger, sought legitimization from me, his audience of one. Once I decided to let myself receive his offering, I had to rid myself of judgment which meant ridding myself of self-consciousness. I sensed that this was a delicate moment, so I told him "I'm smiling because I'm a poet--I understand what you're talking about." Ridding myself of judgment meant Identifying myself with this person I was tempted to be annoyed by. I needed to align myself with him for this small moment because he picked me, for whatever reason (He literally called out to me--I hadn't crossed his path.), to hear him. So he began.

I won't critique the work; what he said wasn't the point. That is not meant to indicate that his poem wasn't good; It is not to say that it was.

I told him I appreciated it, that I was glad to have heard it. Then I withdrew my donation and extended it to him. He received it in the spirit with which I gave it. I saw him moving to kiss my cheek, so I proffered my face, and allowed the familiar gesture, in spite of my reservation.

I once read that acknowledgment may well be the first point of generosity, and while I think that point has tremendous merit, I think that openness precedes acknowledgment.

It's mostly impossible to recognize the gift element of an interaction while you're in it, but sometimes you can. I stopped because I was compelled to pay attention, because that poem (a celebration of femininity, incidentally) was appointed for me at that time and that place. If I was able to step beyond the confines of my own agenda, it wasn't purely for this man's benefit. I think I'm the one who took more away from it.

The Sunshine State . . .

is hot, in case you were wondering. The last time I was here I was eight, which means it was 1981. My uncle and his then girlfriend took me, her daughter, and another kid (whose name and affiliation I forget) to Walt Disney World. It's got me thinking. I could have no more conjectured that someday I would be back, as a woman in her early 30s, on a business trip than I could have conjectured that someday, as an 8-year-old, I would be at the Magic Kingdom. There's something so mysterious about how and why we end up in certain places at certain times under certain circumstances.

I should be back in the city that I love, where I chronicle my life--my heartbreaks and triumphs--tomorrow night. Business as usual on Friday morning.

For a number of reasons, the workout just couldn't happen this morning, but tomorrow is looking good. Two ellipticals in the exercise room here!

Even more, I've been eating very reasonably since I got here--and less!

irrationality, thy name is Kate!

i won't get into it. i'll just say that my mind can take me on some real benders. am headed to points south for business from tomorrow afternoon through thursday night. will likely blog while away, but wanted to touch base before my flight. have a project with a slightly tight deadline. good thing i'll be back in the office on friday morning to square it away.

the good news is that the hotel has an exercise facility so though i'll only spin once this week (trip departure date got moved to tomorrow so that eliminates wednesday morning class--which is probably a blessing. i don't need to injure myself in a fit of zeal.) i don't have to miss a single workout (save for the weekend, which i've already planned on account of S's birthday).

i'm hanging in there, making good choices, and seeing some results. good deal. irrational thinking aside.

Culture

Saw two small, regional theatrical productions this weekend--last night was Steve Martin's "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" at the Chesapeake Arts Center and this afternoon, Neil LaBute's "Fat Pig" at the Spotlighter's Theatre here in Mt. Vernon. Each was charming, funny, and intimate. "Picasso" conjectures what might have happened, historically, had Einstein, Picasso, and Elvis all crossed paths at the small French tavern (the Lapin Agile). "Fat Pig" is about a man who falls for a significantly overweight woman, and all the resulting turmoil in his friendships.

After today's show, there was a "talk back" with the actors--a time to ask questions, voice opinions, and hear the players' perspectives on their roles.

Sarah and I hit the City Cafe for an early dinner (and I have to admit, I indulged and shared an order of fried calamari with her--because it is one of my favourite things in life), but only ate about one third of the Bodie Salad in addition (dried cranberries, apricots, walnuts, and bleu cheese over spinach and mixed greens, w/ fat-free raspberry vinaigrette).

Oh, and I did verify my cumulative weightloss for the week. The final tally is 4 pounds.

Developments

nothing much to report, but I did go to the office this morning, briefly, to wrap up a few things that were left undone yesterday by close of business. afterward, I headed to the gym to put in 45 minutes on the elliptical, then did some abs and obliques work.

have heard that the trip next week is extended into Friday. Nice and busy and out of the realm of what is usual, something I welcome, the more and more I think about it. Just really hope now more than ever that I can get in some exercise while I'm away, because next weekend is Sarah's birthday and I just know I won't be making it to the gym on Saturday or Sunday.

one final scrap for the day: it might be 3 pounds, not two. I'll verify on S's scale tomorrow morning.

I'm going to go and start The Kite Runner before meeting up with S for sushi and then the theatre.

2 pounds, baby!

As of this morning, I'm down two pounds from last week (a total of 5, I believe). That's my good news for the time being.

On other fronts, what a great weekend this is turning out to be! I got together, somewhat spontaneously, with my friend Kim, her husband, and their adorable son for dinner down at Harborplace. Because I am cash poor,they treated, which was so wonderfully generous. Kim's good example was awesome, because I followed her lead and ordered a very delicious, healthful meal full of all the good things I like to eat--salmon, avocado, and grilled vegetables over verdant lettuce leaves. I had water to drink.

But even more wonderful than the meal, was seeing someone I care about so much, and on a Friday night--when I am usually socially bereft. The added bonus is that since the harbor is walking distance (a hearty distance, but walkable all the same)from my apartment, I got in some exercise after dinner.

Tomorrow, I'm going to the office first thing in the morning to try to finish up a few things and then going to the gym when it opens at 8 for a cardio fix. Tomorrow night, I'm seeing a play with friends, and then on Sunday Sarah and I will see another play at a small theatre in my neighborhood.

It's really good for me to be busy right now. Keeps my mind off other stuff...