« October 2004 | Main | December 2004 »
November 30, 2004
Scarlet Doesn't Give a Damn
I'm in a fight with my mom's cat.
Last night she was laying on the step up from the family room, in the dark. When I walked towards her, as she could hear and see because I came all the way from the kitchen, she apparently didn't feel the need to move. I was looking at my cellphone, not at the floor, and well, I stepped on her.
She immediately ran and hid. I felt bad. I didn't mean to step on her. I tried to find her to apologize for the next hour, to no avail.
Now, she and I have recently been bonding. She comes and greets me when I get home, comes up in my room while I get ready for bed at night and while I get ready in the morning. Generally walks into a room and meow's hello, then you say hello back, then she meows a couple more times and either leaves the room or comes and sits on your lap. The other cat, Mouse, is very skiddish, and runs if you even think of coming near him. But Scarlet is very calm, she doesn't jump at loud noises or run away from stomping.
So, this morning I was hoping that she'd be over it, and that she'd come upstairs when my alarm went off. Nope. Maybe when she hears the shower (she always meows to get into my closet in the morning - no one knows why b/c she only stays in there for 3 minutes). Nope. So, I go downstairs after getting ready, and see her lying in the middle of the entryway (where she can hear everything I'm doing upstairs, and see when I come down). As soon as she sees me coming, she runs away. I go to follow her, and she lets me catch up in my parents' room. I pick her up and apologize (here I am, apologizing to a CAT, btw), pet her, rub her in her favorite places using an apologetic voice (?). She doesn't struggle and try to get down, but she doesn't purr either. I put her down, and she runs away.
I go about my business, eat breakfast, gather my lunch. Before I go I go into the dining room (again, adjacent to the kitchen where she can hear what I'm doing and see me when I leave the room) where she's sitting, and she runs into the living room. I go to try to follow her there, and she runs through the sunroom and into the family room. I am late for work at this point, so I leave.
On my drive to work, thinking about it (THINKING ABOUT MY FIGHT WITH THE CAT), the feeling starts to remind me of "fights" I've had while dating. When you're dating someone you're in an activity with, where you're forced to be in the same room and you're having a disagreement - the whole stupid jr. high cat and mouse game we play with each other - "is he looking?" "is she looking" "what if I go over there" "I can't believe she didn't follow me."
Then I realized that the last time I had this feeling was a mere month ago. And that I was proud, because I (for one of the first times in that relationship - my life even), didn't chase. Mostly, b/c I hadn't stepped on anyone. If anything I'd been stepped on.
People (and cats) who play games like that are wasting their energy, and a waste of my energy, and dammit, I will treat you with respect, and even try to make up for any hurt I've caused (accidental or otherwise), but even if I love you to death, wagging you tail and walking away will get you just that - away.
Posted by nikl at 09:51 AM | Comments (1)
November 29, 2004
Pumkin Pie
Poor white people. They think Pumpkin Pie is it. They do not understand the magic of Sweet Potato Pie, which is really, the only reason to eat pie - ok, non fruit pies.
My aunt made on this weekend that included Courvoisier and brandy. Oh, yes.
Posted by nikl at 10:12 AM | Comments (0)
November 25, 2004
Nobody Beats The Wiz
Those who know me well will not believe me. But what I tell you is TRUE. I swear.
For thanksgiving, our first stop was my cousin Chuckie's house. The men immediately went downstairs (where they belong) to watch football. The women and the kids stayed upstairs watching Harry Potter. But not really at all, we were mostly talking and joking. There were probably about 15 of us up there. As Harry Potter was coming to a close, Kira (again, I swear is wasn't me) noticed The Wiz in the DVD collection and suggested we watch it. Everyone started talking about their favorite parts of the movie, but somehow, my cousin Ryan got Hellboy in the DVD player. We started talking again - not really watching, until the movie got so bad that we claimed seniority and made him put in The Wiz.
All 15 of us (at least 8 of us singing along) from the age of 3 months to 57 proceeded to watch The Wiz - which, if you'll remember, takes place on Thanksgiving. We did skip over the Richard Pryor part, but we watched the rest of it - and all non-movie related talking and joking ceased.
Proving what I already knew in my heart to be true - it truly is a black family classic.
Posted by nikl at 10:56 AM | Comments (0)
November 24, 2004
Travel Time = 0
It's really just hitting me that in order to be "home for the holidays" I don't have to leave work early, take the train and then the bus (or pay $40 for a car) lugging my luggage (that I've packed as tightly and lightly as I can) to the airport where I board a maybe smelly plane and travel for 2.5 hours.
Hell yes.
Posted by nikl at 12:27 PM | Comments (0)
November 19, 2004
Buckets-o-Fun
Last night, my group @ work introduced me to the magic of buckets - buckets of BEER. More specifically, buckets of BUD. Now, I am sure there are places in NYC with buckets of beer, but I am also sure that these places are soluting the midwest in their inclusion of this delicacy.
I give it the thumbs up. Especially the tossing it back in upside down part. That is cool.
Posted by nikl at 09:52 AM | Comments (1)
November 18, 2004
Not My Problem
More reasons to love O, The Oprah Magazine (which, I maintain, is a damned good magazine despite the fact that she is on every cover). This is an article by Martha Beck, who is a regular columnist in the magazine and who speaks the truth regularly. Love her. This is an article about disconnecting when necessary. My favorite two favorite disconnection strategies:
4. Get rid of squid. Squid is my word for people who seem to be missing their backbones but possess myriad sucking tentacles of emotional need. Like many invertebrates, squid appear limp and squishy—but once they get a grip on you, they're incredibly powerful. Masters at catalyzing guilt and obligation, they operate by squeezing pity from everyone they meet. Getting a squid out of your life is never pretty. Tell them straightforwardly that you want them, yes them, to leave now, yes, now. This will be unpleasant. There will be lasting hurt feelings. Don't worry. Squid love hurt feelings. They hoard them, trading them in for pity points when they find another victim—er, friend. Let them go, their coffers bulging.5. Be insensitive. This is a very compassionate way to use your own psychological instincts. Instead of connecting with every person's problems, let yourself feel whether someone really needs your attention, or whether the best gift you can give might be a little abruptness.
Posted by nikl at 11:55 AM | Comments (2)
Discount Stor-o-rama
I'll come right out and say that I am not a fan of "discount" department stores. I can't deal with crowds, poorly organized merchandise, slim pickings, limited selections - all of the things that enable discount stores to be discount stores.
However, last night, I was unable to resist the Kohl's 1 day 50% off sale. I needed hypo-allergenic bedding, it's expensive, 50% off is brilliant, and for bedding, I can maybe deal with a discount store. I called Liz, who is not only a shopping expert, but a discount store master, with the patience of a saint. While shopping, we ran into a friend's mom who informed us that the additional 15% senior citizen discount started at 55. Oh yes. We immediately called Saundra in, though it was so ODD to have a parent considered a senior citizen!!!
So I leave Kohl's, happy with a discount store experience for once. I get home, go to replace my allergen filled down comforter, take it out of the container... and it's TWIN. The container is clearly labeled Full/Queen. Some DISCOUNT STORE SCAMMER, even though they were already getting 50% off, switched a queen with a twin so they could pay EVEN LESS.
I'm mad at it. I am.
Posted by nikl at 11:06 AM | Comments (0)
November 16, 2004
Claritin - 1; Nicole - 0
I thought I could go off it.
I was wrong.
Wal-itin to be exact.
Posted by nikl at 10:56 AM | Comments (0)
November 15, 2004
It Really Is Like Crack
This weekend I was tipped off to the fact that there is a Starbucks on the SIUE campus on my way to work. At last, my arm is complete.
Posted by nikl at 09:44 AM | Comments (0)
November 14, 2004
Doe, a Deer, a Female Deer
You think that I'm going to get over the wilderness that is the midwest. But I am not. It will continue to amaze me.
Friday night, on our way up the driveway (coming from the High School play, which is another story entirely), we came upon this:
We had a stand-off for a good 5 minutes. It walked forward a little, which is when we noticed its right front leg was injured :(. I was dropping my parents off to go pick up Callista, and even though it was clearly terrified of us (literally, a deer caught in headlights), there was something unsettling about letting my parents out of the car to walk to the front door with a (terrified) GIGANTIC WILD ANIMAL standing in the yard. So my dad suggested we beep the horn. My mom and I were not on board with that, but failed to offer an alternative. So we sit. Finally, my dad opens his door, stands halfway out of the car and says in a loud whisper:
"Hey! Hey! Get outta here!"
And it worked.
Now, back to the High School play. I have to say, I have always been under the opinion (false or not) that the Edwardsville High School Drama Club is a cut above your average HS Drama Club. Apparently I am correct. The production was the play Metamorphosis. Metamorphosis was developed at Northwestern during my Junior year. I had friends in it, but it was mostly a performance studies dept piece, so I, for reasons I can't defend at all, avoided seeing it. Then it toured the US for the next 5 years, winning awards and getting much recognition - with the same original cast from NU. Then it played in NYC off-Broadway and an organization I was on the board for planned an event around it. I still didn't see it, I still had friends in it. Then it came to Broadway and won a Tony. Yeah. I still didn't see it. And my classmates were still in it. So Friday night, at Edwardsville HS, I saw it, and I really only have 3 things to say.
1. There was a 3500 gallon pool within the set.
2. People entered and exited the stage from the water. Like they popped up out of the water as their entrance. Or, they went under the water and then they were gone.
3. There was a chandelier onstage that rained water into the pool.
EHS Drama Club Rulz.
More highlights from the weekend:
The same people who had multiple Bush Cheney signs in their yard (complete with balloons on Nov 3) now have ALL OF THEIR (red white and blue) CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS up. Me: [knock, knock, knock]. Them: [Answering door] Hello. Can I help you? Me: I just wanted to let you know that it's ONLY NOVEMBER 15th. [turn on heel and leave].
I accidentally closed one of the cats in my closet tonight for a few hours. At this moment, the cat is meowing at the top of its lungs to be let back in. I guess i didn't traumatize her.
Maria Shriver is the scariest looking woman on earth.
Tonight during the weather forcast, they mentioned El Nino.
We were happy to all be together this weekend, but we missed HB :(:
Posted by nikl at 11:35 PM | Comments (1)
November 09, 2004
Serious Closet Triumph
Today I am sporting some serious closet triumph (despite the fact that 80% of it is not fitting me correctly right now. I'm developing a temporary weight obsession for the next 15 lbs). Pants from 2002, two-tone tank from 2004, sweater that matches BOTH tones in tank from 1997. Matching jewelry from 2003.
It's the little things, people. The little things.
Posted by nikl at 09:21 AM | Comments (0)
November 07, 2004
Midwestern Luv
I've gotta say, maybe it's just that I've only been back for 2 weeks, or the fact that Illinois went Kerry, or maybe, I just love it here.
Home cookin' is good. Cooking at home is good. Driving to the grocery store and putting the groceries in your car instead of carrying them home is good. Attached garages are good. Apparently there's enough to do here for FREE that my Amex balance will be lower this month than, like, ever.
Oh, and this:
Can't beat that.
Posted by nikl at 10:34 AM | Comments (0)
November 05, 2004
The Girls Are, Back To Gether - Mostly
One by one... we are returning to the fold!
Posted by nikl at 08:30 PM | Comments (0)
Baby Got Back
Who knew. I mean, we all do. We all did. But seeing it in action was pure magic. Tonight was qualifying night for the Zapatta's karaoke contest on December 3rd - 1st prize $300. It was a night of mexican food, beer and margaritas, and I think I speak for everyone when I saay a good time was had by all.
The highlight of the evening, by far, was when Amy and Beth pulled out the secret weapon.
Baby Got Back.
Collinsville has never been rocked like this. Ever. And they will never forget it.
Unfortunately, Amy is out of town the night of the contest, and Beth will have to rock the house on her own - which she will have no problem with. Nicole qualified as well.
It's on. And we'll bring it. We will so bring it.
Posted by nikl at 09:49 AM | Comments (1)