Wednesday, January 30, 2008

A world of WRONG

Candy corn-flavored Hershey Kisses.

No.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Cheese Pusher vs. the Winter Blahs, Rd. 2

Skiing looks rather unlikely this weekend, given yesterday's melt and today's lack of promised snow, so I think instead I shall go to the Como Conservatory and spend some time surrounded by tropical greenery and breathing warm, humid air. The Conservatory in winter, like the Arboretum in late June, is one of those things I always mean to get around to but somehow forget when the season actually arrives.

As always, if anyone would like to join me, you're quite welcome. I'm thinking Saturday late morning-ish.

Cheese Pusher vs. the Winter Blahs, Rd. 2

Skiing looks rather unlikely this weekend, given yesterday's melt and today's lack of promised snow, so I think instead I shall go to the Como Conservatory and spend some time surrounded by tropical greenery and breathing warm, humid air. The Conservatory in winter, like the Arboretum in late June, is one of those things I always mean to get around to but somehow forget when the season actually arrives.

As always, if anyone would like to join me, you're quite welcome. I'm thinking Saturday late morning-ish.

Cheese Pusher vs. the Winter Blahs, Rd. 2

Skiing looks rather unlikely this weekend, given yesterday's melt and today's lack of promised snow, so I think instead I shall go to the Como Conservatory and spend some time surrounded by tropical greenery and breathing warm, humid air. The Conservatory in winter, like the Arboretum in late June, is one of those things I always mean to get around to but somehow forget when the season actually arrives.

As always, if anyone would like to join me, you're quite welcome. I'm thinking Saturday late morning-ish.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Plans

Over at The Bus of Love, the All-Knowing Jen mentioned cabin fever. I, too, am a February victim of the winter blahs, and her post served as a reminder. I recently had dinner with the marvellous woman who used to do freelance proofreading here, and she had a little collection of bulbs sprouting on her table. Why don't I???? I'm pretty much opposed to spending the amount Bachman's wants for their "Watch 'em Grow" gardens (not to mention deeply opposed to the twee, dumbed-down name), so this year is no good. But next year I could get some bulbs for indoor forcing. And hey, I have an extra fridge now! The kegerator has plenty of door space for bulbs. There's something about bulbs that gives me a gardening fix that houseplants can't. I don't understand it, but man, I saw those spiky little crocus leaves poking up through the dirt in her pot and it was instant joy.

And, y'know, since you can't buy bulbs cost-effectively in anything less than bulk, I should probably force some for friends, too. Anyone interested? I'm thinking grape hyacinth, dwarf narcissus, and crocus. If I get ambitious and remember to start early, I could even do dwarf iris, but we all know what the odds of that are.

Elsewhere in the land of good intentions and escaping winter lethargy, Puck, being the awesome husband that he is, recently bought me a very early birthday present — my very own elliptical machine! I've had it for over a week and haven't used it yet (I really, really, really do not have the willpower to get up early and exercise...), but that changes tonight. Also, there will be skiing again this weekend — if anyone is interested in joining us, give me a call.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

The Cult of Eric Bergeson

Curious? Ready to see what all the fuss is about? I just got my Moorhead Community Education book in the mail. Yes, you too could attend the annual gardening seminar! Be tempted by lily bulbs! Laugh til it hurts with Jean Johnson! (She'll teach you how to not fear your garden. It's brilliant.) Enjoy a local lunch (last year there was fresh-made lefse)! Learn all about dirt! Square foot gardening! Containers! Grafting! And, of course, be indoctrinated (or reaffirmed) in the cult of Eric Bergeson. March 29, Moorhead, MN. Info here.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Here in my car / I feel safest of all

So I've switched from the car I got from Saff to the car I got from Big A. What the hell, I guess it's a step above the cars I got from my parents, right? I even paid for this one, though I should've paid more. Still, the bartering process was fairly hilarious.

On the test drive:
Me: So, how much do you want for it?
Him: Oh, I dunno. How about X? (X being ridiculously low number)
Me: How about X+.7X?
Him: ...You really suck at haggling.
Me: I know. Seriously, ask The Mixologist about that sometime. It should be an entertaining rant.

We split the difference at X+.35X, which is how haggling usually works, if in the reverse. He was sneaky though, and kept trying to convince me at later meetings that we'd settled on X after all.

So now I own a Dodge Neon, but I'll survive the shame. It's a manual, which is nice. I still love my Civic best though.

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Sleeeeeeep

Thankfully I didn't get sick until after the annual Iron Bartender event (congratulations, Temp!). Yesterday I felt better, but I probably shouldn't have gone cross-country skiing, no matter how fun it was, because I got home and had no energy at all. Then I slept for 11 hours, spent half of today on the couch, and still have no energy. Sigh.

Still, probably going cross-country skiing again next weekend if there's any snow left.