new post necessary

My recent post (just prior to this) is getting on my nerves, so I feel compelled to create a new one! It includes several short recipes for food and products and a short rundown of recent happenings.

1. Sugar scrub - Lately I have become over concerned with the state of my face/skin. My entire life I have been remiss in maintaining a proper facial care regimen, never rinsing makeup off. I justify this because I don't use foundation, but apparently blush is bad for your pores too. And so is the dirt I gather when I walk Luna. So I have taken to properly taking care of my face. For the exfoliating part I made a sugar scrub. It has worked really well so far, and my skin feels awesome both immediately after and much later after I use it.
1/2 c olive oil
1 1/3 c pure cane sugar (although now, after I've used it for a week or so, I would suggest upping that to 1 3/4 cups)
essential oils (I used 10 drops of eucalyptus oil)
Vitamin E if you have it ( I didn't)

Mix this together and store it in an airtight container. I am using a sandwich tupperware container, because it's flat (easy to access the scrub and clean later on), and I keep it in the shower. But be careful not to let any water get in, because it can grow bacteria that way. I've used it every other day or so. The site I read said to throw it out after 2 months. But I have a feeling I'll be making a new batch by then anyway. Be careful not to exfoliate too hard like I did the first time! I found this great site about skin care: http://www.smartskincare.com/

I went to my boss's 60th birthday bash on Saturday evening. Amongst the food spread were slices of wraps, which I've never had. I liked them so much, I decided to make one.
large wrap tortilla (I used spinach)
1 grilled thinly sliced chicken breast, seasoned with garlic and lemon pepper
grilled slices of bell pepper
1 large romaine lettuce leaf
a slice of provolone cheese
a stalk of green onion
chipotle ranch dressing
I really enjoyed this combination of ingredients. Have y'all tried any other set of ingredients that you liked? Please share if you have!

A new friend has rejuvenated my desire to write fiction (or semi autobiographical "fiction"), and I'm happy about that. Along that same vein, I submitted a writing piece for evaluation to a new site in Eugene that is accepting applications for writers. Basically it's directed toward finding new things to do in the city. I hope that works out, but if not, I can still write, right? :-)

Father's day has come and gone. Dad's birthday is coming up. It has actually been easier than last year was. So that's good, right?

Tomorrow is my one-year anniversary at work. I have started watching Mad Men, and I really enjoy it. It's not Battlestar Galactica though.

manifest destiny

While I abhor the idea of the American "manifest destiny," wherein the US was divinely ordained to annex all North American lands, I like the idea of manifesting your own destiny.

Right now I am jamming to the song "I Gotta Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas, and I like the general idea of the lyrics "I gotta feeling that tonight's gonna be a good night."

Yes, sometimes things happen that can bring things in your life down, and certainly we don't anticipate all the curve balls that come our way. But we can choose how to swing at those curve balls, and good form and strength can equal a homerun (laaammme baseball reference!).

One of my favorite television characters, George Costanza, decides one day to do the EXACT OPPOSITE of his normal actions. It works for him. I encourage you to approach a situation differently than you might on a normal day. You might be surprised how it works out for you.

Found

I spent this past New Year's Eve with some of my favorite people that I rarely get to see. Sarah, Rachel, and I were all roommates in a tiny apartment our junior year of college. The one unchanging aspect us that we have in common is that we all LOVE to read. Rachel works at Half Price Books, and I am so jealous of that fact. Her apartment was literally overflowing with new and gently-used books, and in her usual generosity, she offered us some. I selected Found II.

Found II (and it's predecessor, Found) is a compilation of notes, drawings, etc. that people across the world have found in random places, found interesting for some reason or another, and submitted to the two brothers who compile the books. It's GREAT book to have around when you have company, when you are bored and want to see insight into humanity, or...well anytime.

The brothers are currently rounding off a US tour, and last night they stopped by Sam Bond's Garage in Eugene! I went with a friend and ended up running into some other friends. They had people with them who like and are watching Battlestar Galactica, so that was very exciting for me. The show was GREAT, and I laughed a lot. They read some of their favorite "found" items, and one of the brothers played some songs he wrote about the notes. The songs were really, really good, and one of them almost made me cry. I am sad for my Texas friends if they missed these dudes when they came through, but hopefully they'll do another tour at some point. All in all, it was a great evening.

And now I am going to sit outside, eat watermelon, and read. Perhaps I'll watch Game 5 later, but I am feeling undecidedly hopeful about the outcome.

honking

You know those really annoying car alarms that honk? I've got one.

And yet, everytime I hear one all I can think is "dude. someone needs to tend to their frakking car."

I never pause to think someone could be burglaring my car of precious cds, red bull cans, and other refuse in there.

I'm listening to Regina Spektor and feeling oddly blue despite the fact that it's Friday and summertime. Maybe somber is a better word.

mid-week update

As you can tell, blogging has kind of gone to the wayside for me. But here's a quick update on my life:


The Trailblazers event was a fun, albeit alcohol-soaked evening. While no current players were there, some Blazer alumni were there. I ordered my vodka tonic while my shoulder rubbed against Jerome Kersey's elbow. I took $40 for gambling, but I immediately became bored upon entering the casino, so I opted to spend the majority of that on....vodka! Some things never change.



I finally set up my hammock, and I am SO GLAD I did. We've had thunderstorms the past two nights, so after I walk Luna, I have just laid in the hammock listening to the thunder and waiting on the storm.


I had an awesomely delightful beer last night. Buffalo Bill's Brewery (loved by me for their Pumpkin Ale) has released their seasonal Orange Blossom Cream Ale.





Sarah leaves Peru today! I'm very excited to have her back in the US where we can talk on the phone a lot more :-) I can't wait to hear about more details from her trip.


Last night I made the most awesome hamburger I've ever had. I used meat from Knee-Deep Cattle Company, which specializes in free-range and certified humane meat products. I piled on the lettuce, tomatoes, and a few onions. SO good. I will probably make another tonight while I watch the....

NBA FINALS!

I am going for the Orlando Magic for two reasons. I LOVE Dwight Howard, and someone needs to stick it to the Lakers.