Date:	2008-02-14 21:18
Subject:	tortillas and valentines
Security:	Public
Mood:	chipper
Music:	Toxic-Yael Naim

I'm not very skilled in the ways of flour tortilla making. When I was a kid I would sometimes help my aunt or grandma make them. We would laugh at the odd shapes I managed to produce. We'd play a little game to name their shape on a U.S. state. I made california shaped, oklahoma, floridas. I decided to try to make some tonight. Traditional recipe calls for lard or shortening, which I never buy. I used Smart Balance spread, vegan, light and whipped. I'm such a granola bunny.

I made 8 tortillas. My rolling skills improved with each one I made. First ones were not very round. By the end, I was slamming them perfectly onto the comal. You have to get good at the timing, having one of the comal, rolling out the next ones, turning the one of the comal, having the next one ready to go when the one on the comal is done.








I'm going to keep making them and hopefully my skills will improve.

I was really in the Valentines day mood this year even thought I'm boy-less. I went to Toyjoy after work. Spent over an hour and almost $50 later, I left with my bounty.



Gift for my Nephew's 10th birthday. Valentine gift for my Mom.


Gifts for friends at work and for myself.

Date:	2007-06-01 19:48
Subject:	This means something to me.
Security:	Public
Mood:	contemplative
Music:	To The East-Electrelane

"My mother loved me but..." This is why I have these problems.
"My mother loved life." I'm really happy with my life.

Not forgiving someone is like you taking poison and then wishing another person died.

Date:	2007-04-18 10:06
Subject:
Security:	Public
Mood:	amused

"We're hooked on the Penis Power and this man won't even buy you some shrimp from Long John Silver and that plate's what, $2.99? But he can give you a mouth full of sperm and a rectum full of sperm. We have to see what our issue is, because a man like that does not respect a woman." - Alexyss Tylor

Dang, sounds familiar to me. Oh, but said man did have respect for one woman, his mother. Effing momma's boys are screwed up.

Date:	2007-04-03 20:14
Subject:	New plants
Security:	Public
Mood:	hopeful

These are some of the new plants I bought this season and some info I learned about them from the interweb. I'm so excited!

Delosperma cooperi or Hardy Ice Plant is a perennial evergreen succulent from the Orange Free State of South Africa. They have a prostate habit with leaves that are about 2-3/16 inches (5.5 cm) long by ¼ inch (0.6 cm) wide by 3/16 of an inch (0.5 cm) thick, nearly cylindrical but flattened on the top. This is a great succulent groundcover for rock gardens or for slopes. It takes heat well and needs very little water to keep looking good. They are hardy from USDA zones 5-11.

Festuca ovina glauca, Common name - blue fesque grass. Common but useful ornamental grass - a mop of quite blue-tinted foliage, topped with tan flower/seed-stalks in summer.


Gray Lavender cotton; Santolina. Site Requirements: Sun; needs excellent drainage, Form: Low spreading mound, Texture: Fine, Foliage: Aromatic, silver-gray foliage, Flower/Fruit: Button-like yellow flowers on stalks above the foliage, Comments: Good in small areas; good drought tolerance

Orange Stalked Bulbine, Bulbine frutescens is native to desert grasslands in South Africa, this plant grows best in a well-drained soil and is also very tolerant of poor, dry soil. Be careful not to over water, Bulbine does not like wet feet. Bulbine grows best in full sun, has succulent foliage, and produces racemes of star-shaped yellow with orange flowers in the summer months. Orange African Bulbine should be deadheaded to encourage more flowering. Bulbine can withstand a light frost, keep protected in colder climates. Commonly called Bulbinella and Burn jelly plant, the sap in the leaves is used for healing in South Africa.

I should probably post something. I have planted a garden - tomatoes, red bell peppers, spinach (I doubt that will grow - too hot now), and basil. I also got some new pretty perenials.

I have to say I'm over SXSW. I'm sad to say it but the aging hipsters really bothered me so much this year I don't want to go back unless there's a band I really want to see. Maybe if I had a boyfriend to pal around with I may have enjoyed it.

Lady on the #1 the first day of class, 8 am. She was a black woman, maybe about 70 years old. He has long dreadlocked gray hair but also had a burgundy wig on top of her hair. She had this huge piece of luggage with wheels. She was wearing a leopard print dress and flip flops with tube socks. I wonder where she was going that morning.

Some ingenious kiddos in my program came up with a great idea, ran it by some of the people in the department in charge of the purse strings and we had a happy hour at the crown and anchor pub after the new student's orientation! We were given a $350 budget. My boss said I should go too and have a couple of beers. Problem is I'm a total lightweight and they caught on, kept filling my pint up, and kept asking me for dirt and gossip. I'm like Elaine from Seinfeld, the booze is like truth serum.

I forget how awful busy this time of year is. This week has to be the busiest. I'm managing things well so far but I still have a couple more weeks of mayhem.

Date:	2006-07-17 18:03
Subject:	good show
Security:	Public
Mood:	tired

Saturday I drove to SA to visit my folks. Mom made menudo for me. Yum. She's doing much better. They had to buy a new AC unit for the house. Set them back over $6k. Ouch. I was suprised by their reaction to sofi not being around. They were both kinda sad and said, "poor sofi." They don't even like dogs! Oh well. It was nice to hang out inside my parents house and no Sofi outside barking her head off. They don't allow dogs in the house so when I'd go visit you'd hear Sofi outside barking incessantly.

I drove back the same day cuz I bought tix to a show. It was Camera Obscura from Scotland. I was not happy to go by myself and I had an extra ticket. I just asked a guy in front of me if he'd buy his ticket from me and that transaction went smoothly. I timed it pretty well and didn't have to wander around too much by myself. I saw no one I knew! I still had a great time just people watching. I watched some of the Arm. Then Camera Obscura came on. SO much fun. Great sound live. I danced around with strangers all night.

I have to remember I usually have a great time at shows even if I go alone.

Date:	2006-06-25 22:03
Subject:	Homes from the 100s.
Security:	Public
Mood:	tired

I don't really get the big box, concrete wastelands in the burbs. I drove out to Taylor today, that's another story, but on the way I just looked out at the business off the highways and it was very yucky to me. I wondered if the people that live out there really get excited when the new olive garden opens up? Every chain restaurant was out there. The architecture, if you even want to call it that, is exactly the same cookie cutter look. Everything is neat and have plenty of cement parking. I'm curious to see how all this looks in 10 years. Do they rip it down and create a new style of box construction? Anyhoo, I'm glad I live in town. And the little towns are cute too, but this inbetween suburban mess is not for me. It gives me the creeps.

Date:	2006-06-09 23:30
Subject:	Shower me with compliments
Security:	Public
Mood:	worried

I didn't go in to work today and I wasn't feeling well. I also needed to get to San Antonio because my mom is REALLY not feeling well and she's in the hospital again for what they think are gall stones. Me I had that urge to go all the time for about a week now so I thought I really didn't want to spend the weekend like this. My appointment wasn't until 2:30 so I could pee in a cup. The doc gave me all samples so I didn't even have to go to the pharmacy to pick up some antibiotics. Nice doctor.

As I was checking out from the doc visit, the front desk gal was staring at me. She said, "I'm looking at your hair, turn around so I can see the back, I like it!" I have red and purple hilights in my hair. I left feelling happy that she complimented me. Then I am walking to the parking garage and this woman and her little daughter are walking towards me. The woman says, "I like how your shoes match your shirt." I said thank you and then the little girl goes, "Yeah it's pretty." I said thank you again to their backs as the passed me. And really, thanks people. It's so nice to be complimented or noticed sometimes.

I finally made it to San Antonio late and my dad looks sad here at home alone. My mom is doing ok for now but she's going to have an endoscopy tomorrow to see what's going on in her bile ducts where the stones are believed to be. Tomorrow is my niece's high school graduation party too so I know my mom is going to be crushed she can't make it. She missed the ceremony last week when she was also in the hospital. I hope she gets better soon.

Date:	2006-06-03 10:28
Subject:	Crappy evening and morning.
Security:	Public
Mood:	distressed

I went to bed at like 8:30 last night and I had some weird dreams. One dream I made a C on a paper that was graded by my last landlord. I remember trying to plead with him that I accidently sent him the wrong version of my paper. Because of this bad grade I may not be graduating from high school. Then I was hanging out at a boy's house. He was this guy I dated recently who I found out was a recovering heroin addict. I remember overhearing his dad talk to my parents about how messed up he was. He had a huge soda bottle collection. Some were shaped like star wars figures. Hah. Then I was in a bike race but I didn't have my own bike and I tried a bunch of bikes there but they were all too tall for me.

So I wake up, go to the living room. Sit on my couch and smell something. I look at the couch and it has a poo on it and the quilt and pillows I made were soaked. Also part of the couch was wet. So I spent the morning cleaning up cat pee and poop. I had moved the cat box to keep Sofi out of it. Last night she had her head inside of it eating the poo. So Simon thinks he can't access the cat box either and decided my couch was a good enough place to go. Ugh.

Date:	2006-05-28 21:07
Subject:	Brother
Security:	Public
Mood:	dirty
Music:	Magnets Pulls Through-Tortoise

A picture of my brother and me walking in Michigan

Date:	2006-05-02 00:28
Subject:
Security:	Public
Mood:	hopeful
Music:	Magnets Pulls Through-Tortoise

It's not that I have all the answers. I'm just content that I do not know them all.

CIMG0923.jpg
Originally uploaded by austinpepper.

Date:	2006-04-21 18:13
Subject:	Bus Story
Security:	Public
Mood:	okay
Music:	New Order-Ceremony

There was an older man who would make gestures with his hands, kind of throwing them up in the air and lots of talking to himself or his imaginary friend. He was ripe with sweat. He pulled out a piece of fried chicken from his bag and started to eat it. It looked like he was going to eat the bones too. He was reallys sucking away on that chicken wing. He would wipe off the crumbs from his shirt. A few minutes would go by and he'd grab another piece of chicken to eat. He looked upset when he reached in and grabbed the last bone he was working on. At least he didn't fling the bones at anyone in the bus.

Date:	2006-03-13 22:21
Subject:	New family car
Security:	Public
Mood:	happy
Music:	All New Friends-Dirty on Purpose-Sleep Late for a Better Tomorrow

My dad called last night around 9:30. Any late calls from them always gives me a heart attack. I was half asleep on the sofa but I answered. My dad asked if I was ok. I guess my voice sounded funny. I said I was fine. I asked if they were ok and he said yep. He said he was just calling to say hello. Then he called this morning again. I kept thinking, something is up and why isn't he telling me? I kept thinking it was something bad. He said my mom would be having a garage sale in a few weeks if I'd like to bring her stuff to sell. Then he said mom wanted to talk to me. She said she was worried because I was asleep at 9:30. Do they know me or what? I'm such a night owl. Then she said she just had to tell me they bought a new car. Yay! My parents have always just had one family car and they keep them until they die. Their last car was the luxury retirement car, but still a modest choice, a Toyota Camry. I think it was about 8 years old, still very young for the way they keep cars. So the new car is a wine red Nissan Altima. She said the sales guys were asking her who would be driving the car more, her or my dad, who was the boss? She said, "What? Well I'm the boss and he's the boss so none of us is the boss." And dad chimed in, "we're a team." Awww. They're so cute! I love them lots.

Date:	2006-02-28 23:24
Subject:	I'm a strong woman
Security:	Public
Mood:	amused
Music:	no music, i hate music!

The bus driver told me today that I'm a strong woman putting my bike on the bus rack. I just laughed and put my headphones back on. But I also heard him say, "I am woman, hear me roar." I didn't want to tell him my bike is aluminum alloy something and not very heavy at all.

I've had a freaking migraine all day. It sort of went away but sort of wants to come back. I can just feel it lingering there. Urg. And this week is so stressful at work! I need to ask for Monday off just to rest.

Date:	2006-02-07 21:05
Subject:	Birfday
Security:	Public
Mood:	pleased

My birthday was this weekend. I had alot to drink and didn't get too bad a hangover. Thanks to Scott for helping me get my fill of birthday drinks. I really enjoyed the chilled patron tequila shot. I went to the bar to get some water and Jesse ordered the shot (which i didn't remember 'til the next day when he told me). Travis was a good buddy and brought over a little red velvet cake and a tulip plant. I decided I'd buy myself lots of things cuz that always makes me feel great. Yep. Doesn't it?

I almost wanted to get a scooter to use to commute to work. Adding $2k more to my debt doesn't sound so bad.

I got a new phone.

Date:	2006-01-25 23:58
Subject:	Peligroso Playground
Security:	Public
Mood:	nostalgic

I was remembering the super tall slides I used to play on when I was a kid. I remember they were metal and some were just barely standing and they were so tall. The extra danger was also if you got on one in the summer. I think the heat and the metal and skidding down would equal 3rd degree burns.
It seems like most of the playground equipment we had as kids were deathtraps but I remember how much fun I had. You don't see stuff like super tall, rickety, rusted metal, lead painted slides much anymore probably after many kid injuries. While this is good for kids today, I must say I really enjoyed that dangerous playground equipment. Here are some others I thought about:

Seesaw, teetertotter - I remember sitting on heavy rotten splintered wood. I always managed to be playing with someone much larger then me. I just imagined being catapulted to my death.

Domed jungle gym- I don't know what these were called actually. It was like a dome of metal pipes that were shaped like an igloo. They weren't that dangerous but for some reason, I never see them.

Merry go round - Wow they still make these! http://american-playground.com/MerryGoRounds.htm
I remember thinking I was going to get sucked down under this thing and lose a limb.

Date:	2006-01-12 18:48
Subject:	Stalked
Security:	Public
Mood:	scared
Music:	Over and Over Again (Lost & Found)-Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!

I rode the bus, took my bike to work today. On my way home I got on the crowded bus and this guy offered me his seat. I said, "are you sure?" It was the 101 and the next stop would be a while. I took his seat. Then the whole way he stared at me. Everytime I looked his way he was staring at me so I spent the rest of ride trying to avoid eye contact. I figited with my ipod and he watched me do that. I kept expecting him to ask me about it. Then the guy next to me got off and I moved to the inner seat by the window. Big mistake, he sat next to me. Then he put his big work boot on my sneaker! I was stuck! I unlodged my shoe and he moved around alot as if to say, "oh pardon me." Then I rang for the stop and he made grand gestures to let me off.

Eek, scary.

Oh that reminds me. One day after work last week a guy at a light honked at me. He was in a new truck. I thought it was my old neighbor, so I gave a good look and I mouthed, "I don't know you." So I kept walking to my car. He was heading in the opposite direction but a few seconds later he's turned around and turns onto the street in front of me. He rolls down his window and I said, "Do I know you?" He said "No, is that ok?" I said, "I guess. I'm going to my car now. Bye."