Friday, October 30, 2009
Wherein Bry makes delicious soup
I made homemade chicken noodle soup today, complete with homemade noodles. I ate it for lunch and dinner with leftovers for lunch and dinner tomorrow. That's how much I love it.
Also, thanks to Andi, for the tip on using a rotisserie chicken from the deli to make the broth. So much faster and cleaner than getting raw chicken. I cut the meat off and saved it in the fridge and then boiled the skins, fat, and bones with carrots, garlic, onions and celery for 2.5 hours. My most successful broth making experience to date.
I talked to RF on the phone today and really hope he is able to visit Portland in November. I really miss him. I was thinking yesterday about last fall when RF talked me into going to Jantzen Beach with him, EY an DB to go to a really scary haunted house.
Me! At a haunted house! I hate being scared. I hate scary movies. I am afraid of the dark.
We got up to J-Beach and the parking lot was a nightmare. The line to get in stretched around the mall and down the street. We ended up getting some coffee and going back to Portland. I was so relieved. Everyone else was disappointed. RF really wanted the opportunity to scream like a little girl in public.
Then I talked to TN (here is that blog we talked about, the one in response to our topic of conversation). With out going into any detail, I will say that he told me exactly what I have been telling myself for a year and put it in such a forceful manner that I realized it is probably important if other people are thinking the same things.
And then after that I talked to BF. That conversation was lame and not worth mentioning except that it really wrapped up the day and finalized my performance in the gauntlet of emotions I am capable of admitting I feel.
So now, here I am, in the middle of the night, blogging about the nothing I did all day that in the end, is something.
Also, thanks to Andi, for the tip on using a rotisserie chicken from the deli to make the broth. So much faster and cleaner than getting raw chicken. I cut the meat off and saved it in the fridge and then boiled the skins, fat, and bones with carrots, garlic, onions and celery for 2.5 hours. My most successful broth making experience to date.
I talked to RF on the phone today and really hope he is able to visit Portland in November. I really miss him. I was thinking yesterday about last fall when RF talked me into going to Jantzen Beach with him, EY an DB to go to a really scary haunted house.
Me! At a haunted house! I hate being scared. I hate scary movies. I am afraid of the dark.
We got up to J-Beach and the parking lot was a nightmare. The line to get in stretched around the mall and down the street. We ended up getting some coffee and going back to Portland. I was so relieved. Everyone else was disappointed. RF really wanted the opportunity to scream like a little girl in public.
Then I talked to TN (here is that blog we talked about, the one in response to our topic of conversation). With out going into any detail, I will say that he told me exactly what I have been telling myself for a year and put it in such a forceful manner that I realized it is probably important if other people are thinking the same things.
And then after that I talked to BF. That conversation was lame and not worth mentioning except that it really wrapped up the day and finalized my performance in the gauntlet of emotions I am capable of admitting I feel.
So now, here I am, in the middle of the night, blogging about the nothing I did all day that in the end, is something.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Wherein Bry continues to do not much of anything, really.
I think tracking my book reading has taken the fun out of it. I have not read a book in two weeks! Mostly I have been watching Friends on DVD.
I do know that when I am stressed out, I tend to read less. So that probably explains this recent abstention.
It is holiday time at work and I have been putting out the Christmas stuff. I was thinking, I can't believe it is Christmas already!
But it isn't. It is not even Halloween. However, people are already buying the Christmas stuff. It has been my experience that people will buy anything you put in front of them. Including sparkly reindeer.
I do know that when I am stressed out, I tend to read less. So that probably explains this recent abstention.
It is holiday time at work and I have been putting out the Christmas stuff. I was thinking, I can't believe it is Christmas already!
But it isn't. It is not even Halloween. However, people are already buying the Christmas stuff. It has been my experience that people will buy anything you put in front of them. Including sparkly reindeer.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Wherein Bry gets tech-y.
You may have noticed the above Twitter application (for you web readers). I have decided to start Tweeting all my observations about books and selling books. Hopefully you enjoy it and it will also be a way for me to update more frequently.
Some days I can only think in 160 characters or less!
Just heading home from work. Ready for a nap. A long nap. I have the next two days off. People are still on vacation for the next two weeks. I don't begrudge anyone a holiday, and God knows I took my own, but it is a lot easier on a person when there is a full staff.
Have not been reading much this month. I need a break. Instead, I have been lounging about watching TV and movies.
I am going into a forced "Not Buying It" as I have some bills to pay and am just broke in general. So don't be surprised if you don't see me out and about for awhile.
Some days I can only think in 160 characters or less!
Just heading home from work. Ready for a nap. A long nap. I have the next two days off. People are still on vacation for the next two weeks. I don't begrudge anyone a holiday, and God knows I took my own, but it is a lot easier on a person when there is a full staff.
Have not been reading much this month. I need a break. Instead, I have been lounging about watching TV and movies.
I am going into a forced "Not Buying It" as I have some bills to pay and am just broke in general. So don't be surprised if you don't see me out and about for awhile.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Wherein Bry decides not to chance it.
Got up at 3am and left the house at 4am like normal. It is pretty cold out and very windy. I made it across the street and started cutting through the unemployment office's parking lot (spooky!) when all the hair on my neck stood up.
I decided to turn around and head back to wait for the 5am bus, thus making me 30 minutes late to work. As I was crossing back to the apartment, I looked up the street and saw a shadowy figure moving at a rapid pace about four driveways away. I never see people walking about this early and I have been on this schedule for more than 8 weeks. I see the occasional jogger near Club Sport, but that is near work, two miles away.
So I decided I made the right decision and scurried back to my apartment, where I am now safely hiding from the serial killers and waiting for the bus.
I will also be changing my schedule at work so I can take the bus all winter.
Dear Mom: I promise to stop walking to work in the middle of the night. Love, Bry
I decided to turn around and head back to wait for the 5am bus, thus making me 30 minutes late to work. As I was crossing back to the apartment, I looked up the street and saw a shadowy figure moving at a rapid pace about four driveways away. I never see people walking about this early and I have been on this schedule for more than 8 weeks. I see the occasional jogger near Club Sport, but that is near work, two miles away.
So I decided I made the right decision and scurried back to my apartment, where I am now safely hiding from the serial killers and waiting for the bus.
I will also be changing my schedule at work so I can take the bus all winter.
Dear Mom: I promise to stop walking to work in the middle of the night. Love, Bry
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Wherein Bry has a good day.
Saturday was the first book sale of the fall. I spent $36 on 25 books. After the sale, the seven of us headed to Holman's for breakfast and the "make your own bloody mary" bar. Then I went home for a brief nap before work.
And at some point, I was able to finally get my new phone to work. I bought it on Friday but it wasn't working on Saturday morning. The Blackberry tech support lady walked me through a few things. The phone didn't program correctly when I got it. Which doesn't surprise me as I spent two hours at the store while the clerk tried to get me into the computer.
But I love my new phone and I don't even care that I have turned into one of THOSE people...a Crackberry adict.
And at some point, I was able to finally get my new phone to work. I bought it on Friday but it wasn't working on Saturday morning. The Blackberry tech support lady walked me through a few things. The phone didn't program correctly when I got it. Which doesn't surprise me as I spent two hours at the store while the clerk tried to get me into the computer.
But I love my new phone and I don't even care that I have turned into one of THOSE people...a Crackberry adict.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Books I read in September.
1. Grave Sight
2. No One Belongs Here More Than You
3. I Drink For a Reason
4. Home
5. Knocked Out By My Nunga Nungas
6. Bet Me
7. Last Song
8. Official Book Club Selection
9. Grave Surprise
10. Ice Cold Grave
11. Garden Spells
12. Then He Ate My Boy Entrancers
13. Dancing in My Nuddy Pants
14. Tempt Me At Twilight
15. Off Laughing on a Fast Camel
2. No One Belongs Here More Than You
3. I Drink For a Reason
4. Home
5. Knocked Out By My Nunga Nungas
6. Bet Me
7. Last Song
8. Official Book Club Selection
9. Grave Surprise
10. Ice Cold Grave
11. Garden Spells
12. Then He Ate My Boy Entrancers
13. Dancing in My Nuddy Pants
14. Tempt Me At Twilight
15. Off Laughing on a Fast Camel
Books I read in August.
1. Weight of Silence
2. Art of Racing in the Rain
3. The Stranger
4. The Substitute Bride
5. Working Man, Society Bride
6. Mismatch
7. The Cattleman's Unsuitable Bride
8. An Offer From A Gentleman
9. The Next Thing on My List
10. Diamond Spur
11. Ralph's Party
12. Pride, Prejudice and Jasmine Field
2. Art of Racing in the Rain
3. The Stranger
4. The Substitute Bride
5. Working Man, Society Bride
6. Mismatch
7. The Cattleman's Unsuitable Bride
8. An Offer From A Gentleman
9. The Next Thing on My List
10. Diamond Spur
11. Ralph's Party
12. Pride, Prejudice and Jasmine Field
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Wherein Bry acts the fool...again.
A few months ago we started a customer service initiative at work that required us to give our name to the customers when we were helping them. This usually results in three actions: 1) they ignore us, 2) they say "Thanks Bry!" or 3) they find you in the store later and say "Bry I could use your help now." I am finding that it gets me into some awkward situations. Mostly because I'm crazy and silly.
Today at work two women were trying to figure out how to Google from our book search screen. "We don't have Google on our computers," I said as I was assisting someone else. "If you need anything, my name is Bry and I will be over here."
A few minutes later I came back and they were still there. "We were trying to look up who John Krasinski is marrying."
"Oh, I know. That's Emily Blunt!" And then we had a talk about The Office.
"See, we just needed to ask you for help!"
"That's right, who needs Google when you have Breegle."
And then I laughed like a loon.
Another example. A man stopped by looking for a book called something like What Women Need. Some sex book.
"This is probably the oddest thing anyone will ever ask, but do you know which books are best for advising a man on how to please a lady." (This is where I turned into an immature teenager and tried not to laugh). "I need the best of these. Something that works. I'm sorry to ask, but I don't know what to do." Eeeeek!
"Ahhhh....wellll........I can look into that. Maybe one of our buyers found some notes from the publisher on a specific title. But....I'm not familiar with any of these."
So then I went to a computer and searched around. While I giggled. Finally I went back to point out a few titles that came recommend from doctors or therapists or magazines.
"Thanks. I'll take a look at these and see if they work."
"Okay. Well if you need anything else, my name is Bry and I can help."
At which point we both looked at each other and started laughing. "Ummm....I'm gonna go now." And then I ran away.
About 30 minutes later I was in the vicinity looking for a book on Churchill.
"Bry! Can you come over here,"
It was the sex book guy. I was thinking, this is either going to get really weird and I'm going to have kick a pervert out of the store OR this guy thinks I'm his new confidant.
"Yes?"
"None of these are what I need. I need something that is like.....like.....like a book that teaches you about your golf swing. Something specific."
Cut to me finding sex books with pictures. I guess he found what he needed because I saw him checking out later with a few books in his hand.
Today at work two women were trying to figure out how to Google from our book search screen. "We don't have Google on our computers," I said as I was assisting someone else. "If you need anything, my name is Bry and I will be over here."
A few minutes later I came back and they were still there. "We were trying to look up who John Krasinski is marrying."
"Oh, I know. That's Emily Blunt!" And then we had a talk about The Office.
"See, we just needed to ask you for help!"
"That's right, who needs Google when you have Breegle."
And then I laughed like a loon.
Another example. A man stopped by looking for a book called something like What Women Need. Some sex book.
"This is probably the oddest thing anyone will ever ask, but do you know which books are best for advising a man on how to please a lady." (This is where I turned into an immature teenager and tried not to laugh). "I need the best of these. Something that works. I'm sorry to ask, but I don't know what to do." Eeeeek!
"Ahhhh....wellll........I can look into that. Maybe one of our buyers found some notes from the publisher on a specific title. But....I'm not familiar with any of these."
So then I went to a computer and searched around. While I giggled. Finally I went back to point out a few titles that came recommend from doctors or therapists or magazines.
"Thanks. I'll take a look at these and see if they work."
"Okay. Well if you need anything else, my name is Bry and I can help."
At which point we both looked at each other and started laughing. "Ummm....I'm gonna go now." And then I ran away.
About 30 minutes later I was in the vicinity looking for a book on Churchill.
"Bry! Can you come over here,"
It was the sex book guy. I was thinking, this is either going to get really weird and I'm going to have kick a pervert out of the store OR this guy thinks I'm his new confidant.
"Yes?"
"None of these are what I need. I need something that is like.....like.....like a book that teaches you about your golf swing. Something specific."
Cut to me finding sex books with pictures. I guess he found what he needed because I saw him checking out later with a few books in his hand.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Wherein Bry is very very excited because of a book.
My favorite thing about visiting the Tualatin Library is the section of books for sale by the main desk. Last week I found Zeitoun and this week I got The Help. Both for $1. I put a hold on The Help at the library weeks ago and have been waiting in virtual line for it ever since. But now I have my $1 hardback copy.
In other news, I dog sat Duncan on Thursday and Friday and decided he is the best lazy-day companion. He likes to take walks, likes to sleep on the couch and likes to snack. I am watching him again next Thursday. I had to put my Pooh Bear in the closet up on the top shelf lest we not have a repeat of this.....
(You can read about that at the old blog.... http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=74143189&blogId=304251608)
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