Vibrant.(Still) Unrepentant. Badass. Old. Queer

 Of course, I haven't packed yet.  We're not leaving until Thursday afternoon. And, where are we going, you ask? Israel.  and Latvia.  Of all places. We'll spend a week and a half(ish) in Jerusalem, followed by a weekend in Tel Aviv.  Planning to see all the sites - museum, the Old City, etc.  AND, I am planning on eating lots of yummy food.  Also, lots of quality time with the GrandBabeh!  Who's excited about that? Who just spend a whole bunch of money on Cute Little Outfits from H&M (since we can't shop at Target anymore.  Grrrrrr)? It might've been me.  I'm also looking forward to seeing Masada.  Do you remember the TV miniseries from the 80s?  I do! After leaving Tel Aviv, we are flying to Riga to visit the middle daughter and help her get some of her belongings home. She was there as a study abroad student for a year. It's going to be a blast. I really should start packing.  Maybe tomorrow. Today, I was supposed t...

 Reduction in Force. So far, I have not been reduced ... or resignated.  But, each day dawns with a renewed sense of dread.  The stress is palpable.  And that's just emanating from me. Just in case, I am going to enact a personal Austerity Plan.  No frivolous spending ... After I get back from vacation.  Assuming I still have a job to take a vacation from.  Nevertheless, let's consider March 13-30 my last (spending) hurrah.   There are still a few necessities (not really) that I need to buy - like more dirt (soil) for my new raised beds.  I already have the seeds.  At least I'll be able to grow some of my own food.  Like a real live Pioneer Woman. Unless the neems attack all my plants.  I do have Neem Oil, but it isn't always effective. Tomorrow, I am getting pierced. It's an act of rebellion.  Because I never got to go through that period when I was a teenager.  I was "the good kid."  I will probably post p...

 LOL.  I was goofing around on Blogger and noticed that I have to approve comments now.  So, um, sorry about that. I have done the approval thingy. And will start checking that more frequently.  In other news ...  Sunday, I am hosting Biscuit Camp for the SigNoth's older sister (who is in town because her oldest daughter just had un bebeh).  I have no other real plans, other than going to the farmers market, doing laundry, and making of the meal prep for next week.  Good times. For sure. 

 6:00AM. With the new normal, I should be on a bus to the metro station, where I board a train and then another train to arrive at my office bright and early and chipper as a newborn squirrel. Today is special, though.  It's Pottery Class Registration Day.  Which is surprisingly competitive.  The DMV has too many Type A Soccer Moms (and Dads). In order to register for class, I have to log on at 6:30AM and hope the Pottery Gods are kind to me in the registration queue.  We shall see ... so exciting. After I register, I will then board a bus and a train ... and another train to get to my office.  Depending on what time I arrive, I will either work late (ugh) or take some leave (also, ugh).  Being totally honest, I will more than likely take leave because I hate being at work late.   This would be a perfect day to telework.  If we were allowed to telework.  Too bad Danger Yam (as one of my mutuals calls He Who Must Not Be Named) thinks...

 Happy Presidents' Day! Since I last posted, so much has happened ... I think.   I was going to bake my parents heart-shaped biscuits, because -when we were wee lads- my mom used to bake my brother and I heart-shaped biscuits on Valentine's morning.  They were not as good as the biscuits I make now. However, after I grated the frozen butter in my food processor, I tipped it out into the flour and the handle on the food processor broke.  The bowl fell into the flour.  I dug out a few pieces of plastic and a spring, and I threw it all in the trash.  I called the manufacturer.  They are sending me a new bowl ... in 2-3 weeks.  UGH.  HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO MAKE BISCUITS NOW?!?!? The SigNoth caught a cold, so Valentine's Day was even more of a bust.  Not that I really buy into the whole pseudo-holiday thing anyway. Saturday, I did my taxes. Refund, yay!  And, I ordered some nice stationery.  I thought it would be fun to use my fa...

 Why is it I can't remember my Hebrew lessons from one day to the next, yet I put on some J-Pop from my favorite group (Spitz) from when I lived in Japan (1995-1998) and I can remember Every. Single. Word?  Of almost every song. GAH! I have a theory that my brain can only hold 2 languages at a time.  And, even though I haven't spoken Japanese is nearly 30 years, my brain is all like "Hello, Language That Is Not English.  You must be Japanese." Which would explain why every time I try to say something in Spanish to my (very lovely) house cleaners, if I don't know a word, I replace it with the Japanese equivalent.  Cue v. confused looks. ANYWAY, I intended to post more frequently that I have been.  You know what they say about good intentions, though. Adjusting to 5 days/week in the office has been trying.  Maybe it will get better.  I am not hopeful. I spent most of this weekend doing all the things I would normally be able to do during the week (w...