A love letter to Annie Parisse.

Scott and I were watching this week's Law & Order last night (he worked late on Wednesday so we taped it). As we watched it, we both agreed on two things - Dennis Farina dresses way too fancy for a detective (Gucci loafers?), and Annie Parisse is the best actress they have ever had in the ADA role. While she isn't as sexy as the young Claire, and she doesn't possess the cool/composed/quietly seething quality of Abbie, she challenges Jack and takes him on in a way that makes you understand that not only is she just as smart as him (if not smarter), one day, she will take his job. Yes, you heard it hear first folks. If and when Sam Waterson hangs up his tie and leaves Law & Order, our girl Alexandra could easily fill his shoes. Hopefully the website department will get off their asses sooner rather than later and erase that ugly smear (Serena's face) from the Law & Order homepage. I think we can all agree that is 3.5 seasons we don't need to remember, let alone see repeats of.

Happy 30th Birthday Drew.

I have always had a soft spot for Drew Barrymore. Ever since E.T. And I know she had a lot of problems growing up, but she seems to have done alright for herself. She tends to pick not-so-great-guys. But she has some good business sense in that pretty head of hers. I like that she can laugh at herself and is not afraid to look silly and unglamorous. I like that she is not always a rake and that she seems to fight the same 15 pounds I do (it makes her human). Hopefully she'll find the right guy and be happy. That's all you can really wish someone, to be happy. Funny, all the fame and money in the world, and I bet all she really wants is to find her one true love.

Step 2: Drink lots of water.

I drank my full 8 cups of water today. And not an ounce more. I have 2 nalgene bottles that I use. The ones in the picture are Jennifer's (she says you can't have too many - I don't have cool stickers like her). I stuck to only one cup of coffee, one diet coke, and I didn't cheat on my eating plan. Rock on! I am sore as a you know what from yesterday's visit to the gym though. My legs, my back...my abs (they are in there somewhere, I can feel them!). I weighed myself this morning and I would like to lose 14lbs by my 30th birthday, which is in 10 weeks. I think I can do it - I just can't screw around, I have to get to work. I want to feel like a million bucks on my 30th birthday, not like a bag of poo (current state). We are throwing a 30th birthday party for ourselves (Scott's bday is one week before mine). To reward myself for all of my hard work, I have promised myself a kickass outfit for the party (I'm talkin' head to toe, hat to shuz). Scott is being a good sport about the whole thing...I think he knows once I get my mind to something it's pretty much a done deal. He'll probably lose more weight than me (not like he needs to), that's how it always seems to work. I am only going to weigh myself once a week, so I'll post my status every Monday...it will keep me honest. Also, apparently eating healthy makes me angry...check out my post on Scott's Raptors site.

Step 1: Get off your dumper.

I feel like my body is falling apart on me (yesterday I bought pants that are a size bigger than I normally wear...bleh). And it isn't like I don't know how to get back on track. I might as well have a PhD in how to eat healthy, lost weight, and get in shape. Knowing and doing are two completely separate things. So, what do I know about how to get in shape and feel good?

It's a short list:
1. Exercise - 3 - 4 times a week (no more than that is necessary and you won't stick with it if you get super extreme)
2. Drink lots of water - 8 cups a day...no more than that is necessary - unless you are working out (and you won't stick to it if you get super extreme)
3. Don't sabotage yourself by eating garbage (you know what garbage is...it seems like a good idea before you eat it, then after you do, you feel like garbage)
4. Start every day with something healthy to eat - if you start off with something bad, the rest of the day will likely go down the toilet
5. Stay away from alcohol - they are empty calories, and the more you drink, the more you eat
6. Get enough sleep (ideally 8 hours a night, realistically 6.5 to 7)
7. Plan your meals for the week (or else you end up eating fast food every night and you stop pooping...not good)
8. Don't beat yourself up/stay positive - be nice to yourself (if you aren't, nobody else will be)
9. If you fall off the horse one day, get back on tomorrow, don't wait a week...or a month
10. Don't go it alone. Find someone who inspires you
11. Take it a day at a time, worry about tomorrow tomorrow
12. Eat until you are not hungry, not until you are full (Dolly Parton's secret for staying slim is that she leaves some food for the Angels) a little nutty, but the right idea

For today, so far I am doing well...heading to the gym momentarily, started the day with an orange, cutting back on the caffeine, menu is planned.

I'm full of shit? You're a monument of it.

What a week. And I'm not going to apologize for not blogging since Monday, because nobody cares and everybody knows that is lame. (See Tony Pierce's "How to Blog" #29 for my factual basis of this). But I will say, after billing 68 hours this week, I am one tired girl. And that's all I'm going to say about work.

But I have a totally let my shit slide.

Jennifer W. (of Jennifer and Dave) left messages on Monday and Tuesday about good news that she and Dave have. I am assuming that this means that he finally got off his dumper and proposed...but I have not been home to call her back, so I am an ass.

Jennifer Whiteford (of best friend in the world fame) has been having major stress as of late and I have a) not called her and b) not even commented on her blog, so I am an ass.

Scott has been left holding the bag for all meals this week (I now know what he would eat if I were not in his life and it isn't pretty). However, I do appreciate his taking up the gauntlet and making sure I get fed. He went and got us fish and chips tonight and we watched Collateral (great movie). We talked about asking for a day off in April before his birthday and our trip down to NY State. That made me happy.

I have to get back on my game and get my act together. Also, I am not going to work more thant 45 hours this week coming up, hell or high water. If you need a laugh check this out (especially Adrianne).

Bossa is not proud, but she is pretty.

Scott and I were chatting tonight about how our cats Bossa and Samba are the constants in our lives. No matter how the day goes, we can count on it starting and ending with Bossa demanding to be fed. I know that when I turn out the lights at night, Samba will pounce onto the bed and then settle in on top of me. In the middle of the night, if I wake up and look over at our dresser, Samba will be perched in front of the mirror gazing at me (creepy).

When we eat dinner, Bossa will always join us, completely disinterested (of course), but there, nonetheless.
On weekend mornings, when we crack the blinds to let the sun in, Bossa will lay in the sun, and move with it across the carpet as the morning progresses, and the sun dares to move.
Whenever male guests leave their lovely and new (to her) shoes by our front door, she will fully inspect them, and perhaps, make love to them.
In all the craziness of life, I can always count on my kitties to be my constant. Samba pics to follow shortly.

Some girls want candy and flowers.

I am not some girls. Not that I am one of those bandwagon "Valentine Haters" (when did it become so cool/hip/in to diss Valentine's Day?). Nope, I love Valentine's Day just as much as the next sucker. But, one might say, I am a bit unconventional. This year, I told Scott, you know what I would like for Valentine's Day? I would like a red Swingline stapler, a la "Office Space". I am so tired of those crappy $3 staplers at work that go bust after 20 staples. I want a good stapler. And every time I use it, I will remember how much you love me, and that you care enough to have me use only the best office supplies. Not only did I get the requested red 747 Swingline stapler, I got a matching staple remover and some high quality kick ass staples (apparently they make all the difference...who knew?). I am loved, yes, I am. Since tomorrow is going to be an unromantic workday, we exchanged gifts tonight (I gave Scott some Diesel cologne) and then we watched Law & Order with Chris Noth (he was totally bad ass) and we ate our Love Potion #31 ice cream. Very romantic. Then Scott went grocery shopping and I did the laundry. And the world kept on spinnin'.

They don't pay her enough $$ to open her mouth.

I love me some O.C. I mean, let's not kid. Pre-coffee, on Thursday morning, I rushed down to our family room, flipped on the TV, and set our Digital Cable box to record the O.C., even though I knew I would likely be home to watch it. I recorded it, in case, in the unlikely event, should ANYTHING, anything?, ANYTHING! stand between me and my show, all would be right with the world. It would all be good, because, it would be recorded.

I gotta tell you, I've been a little let down in the last 2 episodes. I know Fox is saving all of the good, juicy, meaty, stuff for sweeps week, but come on. Last week, you know that whole episode just sucked big doody. And this week, with the weeks of build-up for the whole girl on girl action, I expected something HOTT. But no, in the last scene, we got drunk Marissa and Alex kissing, and Marissa looked so unhappy, like, "Ooo, gross, I gotta kiss on this girl now and act like I'm really into her and curious? They don't pay me enough for this shit". And apparently they don't, because that was some dry-ass-totally-un-hott kiss. She didn't even open her mouth. I don't expect her to stick her tongue in Alex's barf hole or anything, but COME ON. A little saliva never hurt anyone! That was the unsexiest girl on girl kiss I have ever seen.

I meant to mention this earlier....but I went to highschool with the actress who played Jodie (Alex's previous girlfriend). Her name is Emmanuelle Chriqui and she was very nice in highschool - very down to earth, etc. Beautiful like crazy (in an unfair, natural kind of way). I changed highschools 3x in my four year journey through hell, and in my last year of high school, I went to the same high school that both Peter Gallagher (who plays an A-1 douchebag on the O.C.) and Margot Kidder (crazy like a fox...with rabies) went to. So, I guess there is like 0.5 degree of separation between me and the cast of O.C. Scott says I am a loser for even pointing that out. But we all know, he's just jealous (of Peter Gallagher's eyebrows).

Life is Good, Life is Grand.

I can't even begin to describe the excitement and happiness I felt when I saw that Chris Noth will be returning to Law & Order for a guest spot AND then for a full-time role alternating with Vincent D. on Mr. Ridiculous (aka "Criminal Intent"). This raises a very serious issue though - what will we call "Mr. Ridiculous" now? He'll be returning as his old character Mike Logan, so I guess we know what to expect - but the potential explosive interaction between Mr. Ridiculous and Mr. Big, it is palpable. I guess the Danier ads weren't footin' the lifestyle our Chris Noth has become accustomed to. I'll take some Chris Noth with a side of mashed potatoes any day (HELLO!).

Kat hearts ice cream.

Super Bowl was a blast. Small crowd, but a good crowd. Great food, lots of 'pops' and a few funny commercials. Game, so-so. Half-time show? Dunno, I was busy spinning in John Lennon's grave.

The next big thing: Valentine's Day. Scott is trying to break me of the habit of wanting (needing) to celebrate our love on a card company specified/sanctioned day of the year. I am doing my best. Really. Though I did get him a card. And I asked him for a very special, personal (and useful!) gift (no, not lingerie). And not chocolate. Flowers would be nice, but that is true on any day. I'm going to keep it a surprise and we'll see if he comes through or not. Note to ice cream lovers everywhere! If you haven't gotten your own personal supply of Baskin Robbin's Love Potion #31 you must run (not walk) to your nearest Baskin Robbin's and buy yourself a tub. It only comes out once a year, and it is THE BEST ice cream EVAH. Scott even agrees, and he hates Valentine's Day. It is described as "raspberry ice cream with white chocoate ice cream swirled together with raspberry puree ribbon and chocolate chunks & heart shaped raspberry filled chocolate cups...yumm x 10 (even though it makes my stomach hurt and makes me somewhat gassey).

Super Bowl Blog #4.

One of the unfortunate realities of living in what I believe to be the palest (whitest) suburb of Toronto, is that when you are looking for ingredients that are even vaguely "ethnic" you will likely be out of luck. We often joke in our home "Oh, that's spicy, what is that, tomato?". Yesterday we searched and searched and searched some more for tomatillos and fresh coriander. No luck. Not even at Loblaws (the centre of the universe for all screaming children). So unless I want to haul my ass down to the T.dot to get these ingredients, there will be no awesome guacamole. There will be a milder, paler version of it, but not what I had hoped for. Such is life. 2 beers into the game, nobody will care. Confirmed are Cathy, Alex, Shane, and Stephanie. Maybes include Jen and Brad. We have rearranged our family room for the event, the new toilet is fully installed and functioning, we have completed the beer run, the munchie run, the booze run. Cleaning will commence soon. We are ready. Go Philly! I always love the underdog.

Super Bowl Blog #3.

Scott and I had a lengthy conversation about Boobiegate after last year's Super Bowl Titty Extravaganza. Up until today, I was under the impression that Miss Janet's nipple was in fact fully covered by a sunshine pasty, and that no nipple was actually shown. With that in mind, I made the argument: No Nipple = No Boob. I even sang the song "No Woman, No Cry" replacing the aforementioned words with "No Nipple, No Boob". I was a believer. I should have done more research. Clearly, CLEARLY, Janet's nipple was fully exposed. I am offended and scandalized. How could America let me down like that? Just kidding. I don't care, I just think it is kind of funny is all. Her boob looks kind of sad like "hey, damn girl, put me back!" And to quote one of my favourite comedians, Chris Rock, "You can't just whip out a 40-year-old titty!". Scott suggested that I shouldn't put a picture of Janet's bared breast up on my blog because it isn't "work safe", but, well, it's my blog, and it's just a breast. Ain't nothing to look at here folks, keep moving. And enjoy, because the Super Bowl entertainment this year is going to family rated, Walt Disney approved fodder for the masses (except for the barely dressed cheerleaders and women kissing women in beer commericials - they're ok!). Eat up America!

Super Bowl Blog #2.

Cathy is now unconfirmed for Sunday. More guacamole for the rest of us. Home Depot came and brought me a new toilet tank today and took away the old one. I am too sick to inspect it to make sure it is okay. It will have to be.

Domestic Goddess, who has provided me with many a recipe upon request, has expressed interest in my guacamole recipe (and she asked nicely). Unfortunately, I cannot take credit for this recipe, it belongs to one of my xbi coworkers who used to run her own Mexican restaurant in the Beaches (so it's legit).

Tomatillo sauce for Guacamole
Ingredients:
1 large can Tomatillos (green tomatoes) - drained (available at No Frills and Loblaws)
2 Spanish Onions - chopped
2 Cerrano peppers - chopped
5 Garlic cloves - chopped
1/2 bunch of Coriander - chopped
Salt - 1 teaspoon
Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
1//2 cup water

Directions:
Add olive oil to frying pan, chopped onion and sauté until softened. Then, add garlic, cerrano peppers and drained tomatillos, salt and coriander. Sauté until softened - approx. 10 minutes. Add water and put all cooked ingredients into blender. Pulse blend for 5-10 seconds.

Guacamole
Add one large tablespoon of cooked tomatillos sauce to one avocado. Mix well and add salt to taste.

Super Bowl Blog #1.

Day 4 of the toilet saga and still no working toilet. I am tired of blogging about toilets, and I am sick, so this will be short. I bring you, Blog #1 of Super Bowl 2005.

Scott and I are having a Super Bowl party on Sunday. Well, party may be stretching it - let's call it a get-together. For me, Super Bowl is mostly about the food, the drinks, and the commercials. I expect the halftime show is going to be some terrible piece of crap as per usual (JJ's titty was the best thing to happen to the halftime in a long time and we won't be seeing any of that this year). I believe Cathy and Alex are confirmed as well as Stephanie and Shane. Some tentatives as well, but they don't have blogs so they aren't worth mentioning.

Anyway, I already have the avocados for the guacamole (I have a killer legit recipe that puts anything you currently make to shame). I will post the recipe...if you ask nicely. Other Super Bowl food staples include wings (2 kinds - sticky and spicy), nachos, chips and dip, pizza, and an assortment of "sweets". Super Bowl is actually a very low maintenance event - which I love. No complexity here, just gotta manage the oven time (keep the food hot and coming). I asked a friend whether a veggie platter was really needed, and after about a second of thought, she said "No, who are you kidding?". So, this will be a vegetable free event (avocados....are they considered to be fruit? They grow on trees....).

John, here's the bottom the line.

This morning I loaded up the cracked toilet tank into the trunk of my car. Actually, loaded would be a kind word. Threw might be more accurate. And as I drove to work, all I could hear from the trunk of my car was CLANK CLANGITY CLANG CLUNK CLICK - Barba Trick. The porcelain lid banging into the porcelain tank. Good times. And as I drove home, all I could from the trunk of my car was...CLANK...you get the picture, right? Not being able to stand it any longer, I stopped at the now very familiar Home Depot to exchange the cracked tank. I loaded it into a cart and unceremoniously shoved it through the doors and up to the returns counter. No help lifting it, no help getting another one. So off I went to the toilet section, where I hoisted another tank off the shelf (which was almost higher than me) and managed to delicately wrestle this new tank to the floor. I ripped open the box and hauled out the tank, inspecting its interior and bottom carefully for cracks. Satisfied that it was fully intact, I placed it back in the box, up into the cart and after encouraging the other customers in the toilet section to fully tear open any potential purchases for full inspection, I went back to the returns counter. There, the returns woman told me I would have to leave the box, to which I said "No, I'm going to be taking that home with me". And off I went. Not ten minutes in my front door, I have taken the new uncracked tank out of the box, and prepared myself to finish what I started.

But wait. It can't be. There is a scratch on the front of the tank...of my $400+ toilet. This is somewhat unsatisfactory. After all I have been through to install this fucking toilet, I will not tolerate anything less than toilet perfection. So, 3 trips to Home Depot already invested, I called Home Depot and asked for John the manager. I told him my tale of woe. He suggested that if it was only a scratch what was the big deal. I suggested that the $400 toilet part was the big deal. And then told him that since I'd already had my time completely wasted with this awful home improvement project mainly due to the sub par inventory in his store I would not waste a second more of his time and I would get to the point. I said "John, here's the bottom the line. This is what I want to see happen. I will leave the tank on my porch tomorrow when I go to work. And I want someone from your store to bring me an uncracked, unscratched tank and when they deliver it, they can take the old one back to the store with them. Because I am a damn good customer, and I spend a significant amount of money at your store". So he took down my address and the SKU # of the shitter, and he said he would get a new one to me tomorrow. We'll just have to wait and see if it actually happens...the saga of the toilet continues. Scott and his 27 golf balls are waiting to be put to the test.