CafeChatNoir

Well, I guess it goes to show that even if you work for NASA, you can still be a little bit of a nutjob when it comes to love & romance.

Astronaut charged with kidnap attempt

When it comes to stupid relationship stuff, at least I can say I’ve never done anything that stupid. To be perfectly honest, I don’t think this would have made anything but the local news in Orlando if she hadn’t been an astronaut.  People go a bit around the bend when it comes to love and such every day of the week.

Totally unrelated, the Puppy Bowl that Animal Planet did is the absolute cutest thing I’ve seen on TV in a long time.

On so, so many levels.

I have the time and energy for real cooking. It’s hard to really describe how much that means to me. I’ve been on an Asian kick this week (chili shrimp, satay, tonkatsu and great sticky rice), who knows what next week will bring. Though tonight was Hot Italian Grinders (pretty simple, but it was something Mom always made and I never really *watched* her making them, so I was winging it completely from memory - the way back machine served me well.)

Dave* has gotten some good intel on what appears to be be a kickass German restaurant down in Triangle. We’re definitely going at some point - he’s in charge of ordering. I saw the menu, and it all looks fantastic - couldn’t even imagine picking one thing. Funny thing, just last week we were both bemoaning the lack of good German restaurants in the area.

I have good wine. Called the wine shop yesterday to see if they were getting the wine in I was looking for - after I told him the name, the owner exclaimed, “Aaahh, signora!! I remember! You liked it!” They just got a customer for life there. Went over there this evening, the truck didn’t show today - he felt horrible, but has my number and will call me when it gets in, and I have yet another wine to try out in the meantime. When I left, he went for the handshake. Screw that, he’s Italian (or from Jersey and puts on one hell of an act) - he got the hug and kiss.

As an aside, why the hell don’t we do that here more often?! Granted, I’ll fully admit I am a hug & smooches kinda gal to start with - but really, why does it seem that we’re so averse to a hug and a peck on the cheek here in the states? It’s so much warmer than just a handshake.

I also found a nice Grenache, another good Monferrato (Monferratos are the closest thing to a Bardolino I’ve found, and Bards apparently just don’t get imported much) and “Chilean devil wine” at Wegman’s. (Well, the Chilean wine is called Casillero del Diablo - if you want to check it out, it’s up at the main kitchen area at the moment. A good spicy winter red - Carmenere - perfect for coming in from a snowstorm.)

I have a lot of good people in my life, a kickass little brother, and one especially spiffy guy. Who really likes it when I stop by where he works for a coffee break. :) Who also appreciates the fact that I cook and make sure he gets fed. (Full time job with screwy hours + some stress = crap eating. Been there, done that - I will do whatever I can to prevent it in others when I can.) His quote, “You are a badass cook.” Can’t even begin to tell you how much that means from someone who gets paid to cook good things for folks. And unquestioningly helped me on my quest for a decent Bardolino, and understands the sentimental attachments to a particular type of wine**.

In other completely unrelated news, the fall fashion buzzword is apparently “butt ugly”. Been looking around this week for some long sleeved shirts & medium weight sweaters. Found some nice classically designed twinsets at Old Navy - snagged two tanks and a good universal black cardigan, and a nice V-neck sweater & some camis at American Eagle. Hit Ann Taylor Loft - usually pretty good - oh dear lord, I can’t even begin to describe the crap they’re trying to sell right now. Managed to find couple more sweater tanks & 2 long sleeved jerseys (one of which I had to make them take off the display cause it was the last one in my size), but passed on the matching cardigans cause they were freakin’ hideous. (Note to designers: Belted cardigans are NOT COOL OR FLATTERING.) Dave nudged me in the direction of REI, and I’m glad he made me think of it. Now have 2 nice mid-weight sweaters of a very simple design that will be perfect over my multiple black tanks & t-shirts, and a black zip front fleece, which will be “universal cardigan #2.” REI is very dangerous for me - but I was good and hauled ass before I decided I needed a snowboard or something along those lines.

Yes, life is good. I am so thankful I have all these things and the ability to appreciate them. I am so insanely lucky in so many ways.

*Dave = spiffy
**First place I had a Bardolino was London, in a great hole in the wall Italian restaurant, where I was able to get across to the waiter, in my very fractured Italian, that we wanted a good table wine, but I was not made of money…and we got a wonderful wine.

OK, so it’s Tuesday. I wish it were Wednesday… I’m tired of waiting. Now I’m wishing I’d just been bad and gone down to the beach. 2 days of peace & quiet, at the beach no less, with someone that digs you? Good grief, in many ways I am an idiot. Maybe there will be another opportunity.

*sigh*

I just want to see him again.

I like the beginning stages. It’s fun.

I like thinking about him, and wondering how his day is going, and when the next time I get to see him is. When do I get to kiss him again?

I want tomorrow to get here. I want to hear about the beach. I want to sit next to him and have him put his head on my shoulder again. I liked it.

Heavens, I sure hope that in 2 weeks I’m not sitting here lamenting the fact that I am an idiot or something.

As of this moment, 26 hours.

So, we’ve basically had 2 encounters. Both have been nice. Damn, I want to smooch that boy again.

It’s been 4 days since I saw him. Wow, I am a dork that I just sat down and figured that out.

So, Tim’s getting married. Thing is - I really don’t care.

I’d say I am successfully over him.

Tonight’s workout is 12 ounce curls… Got screwed on lunch break, and by the end of the day, I was fried. I’m already over it all, and we’re only halfway through the week.

Have management making promises I have no earthly idea how we’ll keep, the stuff keeps piling on, we’re starting to wonder out loud if they’ve got some contest to drive people out of the department. Gonna have to make sure I stay in good graces with my ops dance partner just in case.

Apparently tonight I am also the lesbian sex & dating advice queen. Given that I am straight, I have no idea how that came about, but hey, maybe eventually they’ll tell me the secret handshake.

Ah well, tomorrow is another day, isn’t it?

Can someone explain this to me?  (For once, the man troubles are not my own.)

Went out w/friends last week.  In the group was a guy that has gone on a couple dates with one of the gals.  He scored well with all of us, and all the body language over the course of the evening says he is interested in her.  They had plans to hang out on Sunday, he was to call and firm things up and never did.

Granted, yes, she could have called him, but if he said he was going to call - why the hell wouldn’t he, even if just to say, “I can’t make it/My house burned down/I have to wash the cat/If I have to spend any time again with your insane friends I will slit my wrists so I can’t see you anymore.”

I just really don’t get saying you’ll call and then not bothering.  (Don’t get me started on folks that don’t check emails.)

12 years ago today I got married. 4 years ago yesterday, my divorce was final. What a weird ride my life has been.

Just finished watching Pretty Woman. Yup, total fairy tale, but dammit, we ALL deserve the fairy tale.

Hmmm, not only did I break my scanner, I seem to have broken my email as well. Can’t send anything. I can get things, but sending is apparently out of the question. The techs opened a network ticket for me - it would seem that I can send to an addy at speakeasy, but no one else…

The grandma call is done for the week, so I can tie up the phone lines to my heart’s content. (I know that may sound kinda cold, but she is way anti-computer, despite the fact that it’s what allows me to keep a roof over my head, and I’ve learned to just keep computers out of conversation whenever possible, and try not to have a busy signal when she is supposed to call. Can’t wait for the DSL to be activated!!) Funny thing is, when I talked briefly about having tied up the phone line because I had broken the internet, she asked, “Do you need a new computer?”, to which I responded, “I need a new computer because it would be shiny & fast, the way some folks need new cars because they’re shiny & fast” and she actually seemed to get it…

And now, I think I have just committed one of the greater ex-girlfriend faux pas… I called to see if he was near a computer to see if he actually received the email I am showing as successfully sent… Some insanely young chicky-chick answered the phone. I say I am calling for Tim. She asks if she can say who is calling. I start to say something, then pause and say… “No, you can’t say who is calling!!!!” As she passes off the phone I hear, “She’s really pissed at me!” Turns out it was our buddy Abigail, who did NOT sound like herself answering the phone, and as soon as Tim tells me who it is, I insist he put her back on so I can apoligize. As I told her, “I didn’t know it was you, I didn’t recognize your voice!! (Nor did she mine), and dammit, I just can’t be that cool an ex-girlfriend just yet!” (I can tell him that Jessica Alba is going to be a stripper in Sin City, but damn, no young female voices should be answering his phone at this point in time!) A good laugh was had all around, and we’ll likely be meeting up next weekend for some fun. (I adore Abigail, she punched when she found out we weren’t dating anymore. You can’t ask for more than that in a fellow gal.)

I’ve been up since 9, and should be getting some things done about the house, but I’ve got some motivational issues this morning, so I am on cup of coffee #3 instead.

33 days til Christmas and too late to schedule vacation and just leave town for it all. It’s not that I don’t like Christmas - I really do - it just seems to highlight everything that is lacking in my life.

When I was married, it was when my ex best displayed what an insensitive lout he was. He wouldn’t help with anything because it wasn’t “his idea”… Yes dear, it was all my idea to get incredibly ill the afternoon of Christmas Eve when my family is coming for dinner just so I can force you to vacuum, while I lay down and try & make the room stop spinning. (Yes, I should have thrown him out on his ass that day, but hindsight is always 20-20, isn’t it?)

I can’t say it’s been much better since then, just…different. Another year, nothing really to show for it. Can’t convince my family I honestly don’t want or need anything for Christmas - at least not anything money can buy. Trying desperately to keep more “stuff” from coming into the house if there isn’t at least one other thing going out at the same time. Have really, REALLY wanted to spend Christmas Eve at my place, alone, with just some peace, quiet, decorations, pretty music & a glass of wine, but no dice on that.

So, unfortunately, I am just not looking forward to the holidays again.

Lovelorn Aussie woman posts her desires on a billboard

A Chinese-Australian woman in the market for a husband decided that an advertisement in the lonely hearts column of a newspaper simply wouldn’t do. Nor would posting an item on the internet.

So Helen Zou, a 40-year-old Sydney civil engineer, went public in the most dramatic form. She erected a giant billboard at a major Sydney intersection appealing for love.

By about noon, the skies cleared and the sun came out and it turned into a really gorgeous day. Sagamore & I hit the gun show out in Leesburg, then the outlet mall & then dinner. I have new shoes for winter and he’s got some spiffy new tennies and all is right with the world.

Only two days of work this week. I am sooooooo glad I scheduled this, cause I am so ready for the break.

Quilt show today was fun - all vendors, but wow, so many gorgeous vintage quilts. One silk Victorian w/all paper backing and frankly, the backing was more interesting cause it was all from household paper scraps - you could see handwriting, postage marks, all sorts of cool stuff. We walked out of there feeling very sewing inept, but filled with all sorts of dangerous ideas. :)

I’m so damn tired tonight, again for no good reason. Even took a nap this afternoon to boot, but I am pretty much down for the count this evening, and probably should have gone to bed at least three hours ago, and I caught my second wind, which will leave me wrecked in the morning.

Reading another forum earlier today, post from a gal who has gotten dumped and isn’t particularly thrilled with the whole “alone” prospect. Understandable. Thing is - alone is easy. It’s alone combined with the rather hideous pain of rejection that’s hard. BTDT more times that I can count.

Just finished critter blankie #6 this evening. The finished edge has some variations in the tension because Target was being a brat and trying to run off with the yarn as I was trying to do it. I think I have just enough yarn left for one more. Snoopy has finally decided they aren’t toxic and is snuggled up on one right now. I guess I’ll have to make a couple more just for them.

Have been feeling a grand lack of purpose in my life recently. Do need to do something about that I suppose… But first - sleep.

For whatever messed up reason, I thought of my ex-h today and something he used to tell me - which was that I was “needy & high maintenance”.

Now, even several years later - it still pisses me off. You see - the reason I was described as such was that I wanted him to actually hold up his half of the relationship. I spent pretty much all of the relationship catering to his needs, and it was too much work for him to reciprocate - and since he felt himself completely without fault or flaw, I must be the one that was high maintenance.

I wasn’t asking for expensive gifts, a closetful of shoes, a bigger house, a better car. Nothing particularly tangible. No, what I needed was a hand around the house, an occasional dinner made by someone other than me, a spontaneous kind word, someone to ask “How was your day?”, and then actually listen.

Some may say I still have unresolved issues, but I’d say they’re quite resolved - he was a complete loser, and I’m glad he left.

I do have to wonder, if I was needy and high maintenance, dear lord, his new wife must be a complete robot.

I forgot to close the sunroof on my car coming back from lunch…and it rained. A lot.

We managed to get sagamoreabout 95% moved this weekend. As completely beat up and tired as I am, I would not be surprised to find out that the rest of the crew was dead, as they easily did twice as much as I did. I did do the food and beer run, which I would like to think of as somewhat critical, even if it did not involve really lifting anything. HUGE thanks to Laura, Drake, and Abigail for all the help. Oh, and to Brian, too, who showed up just in time for food, LOL. (In his defense, he really did have other things going on and got there as soon as he could. It was nice to get to see him anyway.)

Drake spent some summers delivering furniture, so the man KNOWS how to get a trailer filled up. He also has an iPod mini with the little speaker attachment and was thinking ahead enough to bring it along so we had tunes the whole time. (That speaker dealie puts out some seriously good sound.)

I was SO hurtin’ when I got in last night - you know that feeling of all your muscles are just cussin’ a blue streak at you, leaving you with a good case of the shakes and completely addle-brained. (Or perhaps it’s borderline heat stroke, who knows…) I kid you not, I got in the shower and by the time I finished scrubbing my toes, I could no longer remember if I had washed my hair or not. This morning I sat here looking at my coffee cup and actually thinking, “If I just went facedown into the coffee, I wouldn’t have to actually lift the cup…”

I did manage to muck up my shoulder again. I did something to it a couple years ago on the Aids Ride and ever since it’s been very prone to knotting up. I had been pleasantly surprised that it hadn’t been bothering me much and then towards the end of the day today it started getting tight, and when I went to put my jacket on - **SPROING!!** - big owie knots.

One more day of work and then some vacation time, WOOHOO!! Tasha has already told me, “After 9AM tomorrow, you only worry about dumping your calls, we’ll take care of the new ones.” She really looks out for me. The time off couldn’t come at a better point - I’m running into some stress/frustration and could use a couple days away. I’ve been getting gooey calls lately that just don’t go away quickly at all and those make me nuts - if I’m not knocking out 15 a day, I feel like I’m slacking off. Some recharge time will be nice, even if I’m not going anywhere or doing anything.

Good news on the work front: We made the incentive goals for the quarter!

Speaking again of addle-brained, I tossed a load of laundry in the washer when I got home and I just realized I didn’t put any soap in it. Considering that part of that load is my absolutely disgusting jeans from this weekend, it’s getting another go-round with some detergent this time. Please let me remember to put it in the dryer so I have something clean to wear to work tomorrow.

Dave & Busters last night. Fun, but was out WAY too late. About an hour after getting there, I was going down the steps in the lobby and caught the heel of my shoe on the edge one of the steps or something and turned my ankle and went down like a ton of bricks. Have two nice bruises on my knees for that one. Nothing quite like having the doorman looking at you as if to say, “It’s awfully early to have to be tossing people out for being completely lit” and getting to explain that, no, I’m just that damn clumsy.

Met a couple more of sagamore’s classmates, got hit on by a creepy Jamaican guy, played some games and generally had a good time. One of Tim’s classmates Jimmy took the metro over and by the time we left (we shut the place down and then stood out in the parking lot talking for a good long while) there was no way he was going to be able to get back over to the station before the last train left so I drove him home. The trip took a little longer than it should because when I got on the Beltway, I managed to pick the wrong damn direction. Did the same exact thing the last time I was there, too. Thank goodness for the Mormon Temple - when you see it off the Beltway on the left hand side, you know you’re going the wrong way…

Everyone seems to automatically think that Tim & I are living together.

So, by the time all was said and done and I dropped him off and got home, it was about 3:30 in the morning. But after a relatively cruddy week, it was really, really fun and Tim’s classmates are just really great people. Jimmy wanted to know if I had a twin sister, LOL. (It’s quite flattering at first, then you actually think about it, and it just becomes scary.)

The big plans for the rest of the weekend are to get more bits & pieces of Tim’s life from point A to point B.

But first, more coffee.

Enjoy the weekend everyone!

Oh! For those of you that may not have seen it, mosey on over to ’s LJ and check out yesterday’s post on What Women Want. See guys, it really IS simple!! Ladies, I think it most likely works both ways, too. So, everyone, read and take note.

Well, my car has been declared “safe” by the state of Virginia for another year. I’m sure the inspector had a great laugh when I handed him the registration and the wheel lock. (There was a sign saying to give them the wheel lock!)
“Ma’am, your wheels don’t have wheel locks.”
“Oh. Um, well, they gave this to me when I got the car and said not to lose it. I’ve not had to change the tires myself, so I have no idea what it is for then…”
He then took a look at the back.
“Ma’am, it’s for the spare. So, yes, do NOT lose that!”

Yeah, I dazzle the men with my car knowledge…

I also discovered that the brand new Jeep dealership out in Chantilly has Saturday hours, so I’ve got an appointment to take the car over and get the spare tire replaced that is leaking out the sidewall. (can’t be repaired and they doubt it is covered by warranty because it sounds like it was due to road hazard, but they said they’d take a look at it to be sure before charging me for it.)

There is also the matter of the panel under the dash on the passenger side that is trying to fall off - I think it’s just lost a couple screws, so that shouldn’t take anytime at all for them to correct. I seem to recall finding a screw sitting on the floor of the passenger side some time back & we couldn’t figure out where it came from. I think I know now…

Have started the first of SEVERAL loads of laundry that have to get done today.

Need to get to the eye doctor, as I’m out of lenses and definitely need new frames. Owls may look majestic and beautiful in the wild, but when a person looks like one, they look like a dork, and I just don’t need any help in that department. Unfortunately, they’re booked for evenings and Saturdays through mid-July, so I’ll have to take a look at the schedule tomorrow and see when I can take some time out of the office for it so I can get in a little sooner. Yes, definitely should have done a better job of planning ahead on this one, since I am now stuck with my glasses until I can get in there. On the upside, I have found that I *do* have vision insurance, it’s wrapped in w/the medical - why our POS website doesn’t mention that anywhere, I have no idea.

A woman on another forum I frequent is getting a divorce. While I am happy to give out the name of the law firm I worked with because they are very good at what they do, it makes my heart hurt to have to do so.

Damn, even in my dreams he’s being a jerk. Guess that means that subconsciously I know he’ll never change.

He went off to the national meeting, then came back for something and was all pissed off - I still don’t know what it was about, but hopefully by the time I get to the dinner tonight he’ll be in better spirits. At least when I got in the car there wasn’t an angry message on my cell, so that was a pleasant surprise.

Stopped at CVS and got some hair clips, so I should be good to go for this evening. Just a matter of getting cleaned up and ironing the outfit.

I have to be spot on perfect tonight.

a fair amount better.

– Two cats that are happy to see you at the end of the day - even AFTER dinner.

– A dog that is happy to see you - enough so that you aren’t thinking of throttling her as you leap the fence to retrieve her from the neighbors yard. Twice.

– A person that is happy to see you.

Friday was a good day…

- Made it through the first week of busy season in one piece. It’s not nearly as bad as I had expected - busy and tiring, yes, but not panic inducing.
- Received official notification that we made our 4th quarter goals at work and there will be money for our efforts. :)
- Hit a nice milestone for LJ support

- Got bumped up to the next level for LJ support

Next it’s off to get my haircut, see if I can’t find some knee-high boots and then The Melting Pot for dinner.
*bounce*bounce*bounce*

(Heavy black tights are on the shopping list, too. It’s colder than a witch’s tit out there!)

…person has asked when I am getting married…

I am running out of socially acceptable responses.

I am dealing w/ a fear of committment - I can’t fix that for someone else. I do know that bringing it up will most certainly drive that person away.

*sigh*

So, folks - please, stop asking.

enough self loathing for the evening.

Time to suck it up and get an attitude check.

OK, so the trip isn’t going to be your dream romantic getaway. That’s OK. It’s still time off work and you get to go somewhere you haven’t been before.

So you don’t know what clothes to take. It doesn’t matter. Even if you did, you’d get there and find out it’s the wrong things anyway.

It’s time sweeten up, suck it up, be nice and get him back, or he’s gonna dump you so fast it’s going to make your head spin.

Corn Festival was fun - less about corn and more about getting a TON of craft vendors & such in for the day. Had a torrential downpour right in the middle of it, but all the houses on the street it is on had covered front porches, so pretty much everyone was able to stay dry. gets the super good sport award for getting wet while getting the kettle corn for everyone and helping them keep their tent from collapsing. Wandered around some more and it started raining again towards the end. No quick end to this one tho, and we all ended just getting soaked. So, we headed back to our friends house, clothes all into the dryer. Scarfed down hotdogs and VERY fresh corn in borrowed clothes and bathrobes.

It was really good to see Linda & Craig again - I’ve known them forever, and they’re like a second set of parents to me. I know they’ve really been wanting to meet and see what was up with that. Since they told us we could come up and crash in their neck of the woods anytime if we want to do sightseeing/biking in the area, I am guessing he passed. :)

As is my custom at these types of things, I know myself well enough by now to know I will spend on fun stuff that I wouldn’t get under any other circumstances. So, I am now set with fancy dip mixes for the holidays and bath salts and handmade soaps, and zero guilt. I have one soap that I can only describe as smelling like a purple sweet tart. The cats also now have shrimp & crab kitty treats. There were at least 3 pet treat vendors there. All the animals have goodies from the trip.

So, if you happen to be in Shippensburg, PA on the last Saturday in August, be sure to check out the Corn Festival.

City Battles Lovers’ Padlocks

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - The Hungarian city of Pecs is fighting a losing battle against padlocks which lovers are secretly clamping on statues and gates all over the city center as symbols of their enduring affection.