Two Additions to Best of 2008 List

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds: Dig Lazarus Dig

Raphael Saadiq: The Way I See It

Getting XMas Done Before Thanksgiving

I hate dealing with shopping during the xmas season. The combo of working retail and shitty weather make me want to be done with it as soon as possible. I probably got 80% of it done today. I got both of M's big presents today while he was at work.

Target first thing in the morning before it got busy. I love how Target has all those packaged "gadgety" gifts at xmas. I found a new manicure kit (since M picked up my cuticle scissors last week and the handle broke in two). I also bought the remote control holder I eyeballed last year and didn't get. Why can't Target have all those cool gifts year-round? I also got all my gifts for my Secret Santa, and I'm pretty happy with my choices. Last year Target had a crockpot with three different sized inserts, but I can't find one anywhere, and now we want one, of course.

Then off to Value Village. I found a couple of shirts, but no pants. I want a pair of dark brown pants, and I am always on the lookout for jeans that fit. No crockpots, and no cast iron skillets either.

I picked up the last of the groceries we need for tomorrow. We're having:
fresh angel hair pasta w/ pesto cream sauce, baked baby carrots, mashed sweet potatoes, salad, and pecan pie. We've got appetizers from Trader Joes to snack on all morning.

Now I'm watching Food Network and coming up with cooking ideas for the weekend. We're trying to cook a lot more instead of eating out. Our food tastes are kinda gourmet and we buy as much organic as possible, so we're not really saving any money by eating at home. Mostly, we're tired of our usual restaurants, it's cold outside, and it's basketball season.

I happened upon what I think is going to be my new favorite Food Network show, Quick Meals With Robin Miller . Everything she made today was super-easy and looked so good!

My friend Gabe is home for Thanksgiving, and we're gonna hang out later. I'm gonna make baked Garlic Mac & Cheese for dinner, and we'll watch the Blazers play the Heat. However, now it's nap time.

Not Much

It's halftime during the Blazers/Kings game. The Blazers are ahead by 4, but I'm not particularly interested since I could give a shit about Sacramento.

Threadless emailed me about their $5 holiday sale. The t-shirt I've been eyeballing was on sale, and now it's mine. Thank you, Gabe and Cory, for telling me about Threadless.

M is at the Immortal Technique show in Portland. I'm not sad that I'm missing it. I need a break from Portland. I prefer to kick it in my pajamas when it's cold outside.

Not Much Going On In My Neck of the Woods

Most of my free time has been taken up with basketball. ESPN has two NBA games on Wednesday and Friday. Comcast Sportsnet has most of the Blazers games. TBS has games off & on, too. And now, NCAA basketball has started! Oregon is playing my alma mater, University of Northern Colorado, right now on CSN. UNC must have moved up to Division I play since I went there. Luckily, the Blazers don't have another game until Wednesday; maybe I'll be able to get up off the couch and do something.

I just bought the new Black Keys DVD: Live at the Crystal Ballroom. It's the show I went to in April. Now I'll be able to see the show--I spent most of the time on my tippy-toes with the stage lights flashing in my eyes when I went. As soon as M gets home, we can watch it. Whenever that's going to be.......

The Onion Had Bush's Number Back in 2001

From www.cnn.com: "Days before the January 2001 inauguration of President Bush, the Onion ran this story."


Sorry, I'm a little late on post-election commentary. I was "cautiously optimistic" during Election Day. I never expected Bush to win a second term, and I didn't want to be let down again if Obama didn't win. I am definitely happy and relieved. I know that things won't instantly get better once he assumes office, but I now can look forward to the future.