Awesome August : Day 14

Food that I can eat without getting sick? It's a wonderful thing. 

So, I've been 100% gluten free for over 6 months.  It is so wonderful to have "normal" stomach aches again – as opposed to the nasty food-poisoning type stomach aches I used to get before I knew what was causing them.  Anyway, as baking has always been one of my passions, I've spent as much time as I can experimenting with gluten free baking.

I love, love, love baking and I like to think that I'm pretty good at it.  However, gluten free baking has presented a new set of challenges to me.  For one, not all recipes are easily adapted.  And finding the right blend of non-wheat flour to match the taste of the rest of the ingredients is tricky.  On top of that, when I do find the right taste, the batter/dough seems to bake differently...

So, today I tried out a Brownie mix that was kindly given to me by my friend Karina (at her own birthday nonetheless!).  I tossed in some extra chocolate, white chocolate, and butterscotch chips for fun.  And now I'll test it out on Boyfriend before I subject it my co-workers tomorrow.

Awesome August : Day 13

I spent a beautiful, clear, warm day in The City with Boyfriend and our friend Michael.  The boys took pictures, I wandered around the Union Square shops, we ate fancy burgers, and we drove over the Golden Gate Bridge for the first time in ages.  Once across, the boys took more pictures and I wandered around old Sausalito (where I feel I should brunch soon).

I live so close the San Fransisco that I really should spend more time exploring "my city," so to speak.  There are a handful of places I could get to in my sleep and that I know like the back of my hand, but honestly, The City isn't huge and I should be more familiar with it.

Of course, today just got me more excited at the prospect of re-introducing SF to my "cousin" Kate when she comes to visit next month!  I just hope we get a day that's half as nice as today and I'll be happy.

And I know I'm going to wish later on that I wrote more today, but I am so exhausted, this is the best that I can do.  Sorry, folks...

Awesome August : Day 12

Tonight we had our first band practice since, gosh, June maybe?  There's been vacations, sickness, family obligations, and product launches keeping us apart for over a month. So, of course we had to chat (read: gossip) for a while about all of those things that were keeping us from practicing.  Then we had to have in depth conversations about a) how the Beach Boys concert was and the everlasting awesomeness of the band, and b) comic books (yeah, we get sidetracked by things I don't even care about.  How strange). 

When we did get around to picking up instruments, we didn't do anything too serious – some old stuff, some playing with effects, a cover of "Sloop John B" since we're on a Beach Boys kick still.

But that's the best part of band "practice" for me.  It's getting together and, yeah, if we play music it's awesome, but even if we don't it's always a good time.  I just with the others were around, too.

Awesome August : Day 11

Sometimes the best nights are the ones you least expect.

Tonight I met Boyfriend at a bar near his work for a going away party for one of his co-workers.  I figured we'd make an appearance because I wouldn't know anyone – since I've been gone myself for nearly a year, almost none of the people I worked with are there anymore.  But, I was wrong.  A bunch of people who I wasn't expecting showed up and it was great to catch up.

And since we were all drinking in a bar, the night started with the usual "So, what do you do?" questions and wandered into hook-ups, embarrassing stories, and trying to get the "guest of honour" to ride the mechanical bull (yes – it's that kind of bar).

And then the night ended with Yogurtland, complete with a Keroppi spoon.

Yeah, pretty decent Thursday night.

Awesome August : Day 10

I had to leave work early today due to a massive migraine and major nausea.  I went home, slept for about 5 hours and then watched a few episodes of Gilmore Girls once the headache went away.  All and all it seemed like waste of day...

But then the package showed up.  It was flat and square and it contained my copy of Harry and the Potters' Live at the New York Public Library LP – on vinyl!  I already have 2 Harry and the Potters 7", but this one is a full length live album.  Between the live recording and the fact that it's on vinyl (and the download code so I can listen to it everywhere!), it's such a fun album.  And it includes one of my favourites, "Phoenix Tears!"

I've been "collecting" records for a long time now, and by collecting I mean I try to get all of my favourites on vinyl as well as lost classics that appear in the Amoeba Records 99¢ bin.  I am one of those people who generally think that albums on vinyl sounds better than other forms.  I don't care if you think I'm pretentious.  Listen to Pet Sounds.  Listen to In the Aeroplane Over the Sea.  Then tell me that there's no difference.

Awesome August : Day 9

So, this is an embarrassing story...

Back in June I was doing a Cardio Challenge at work and during that month I managed run nearly all of the 150 miles that I challenged myself to run.  Due to some sickness and a vacation at the very end, I officially logged about 140 miles.  So close and yet so far.

Anyway, the challenge ended in July while I was in Hawaii.  What with the jet-lag, my weird mouth problem, antibiotics, and then birthday stuff, I somehow forgot to go back to the gym at all for a month!  Seeing as I was really getting in the groove of working out again, this was quite a blow to recover from.

And, honestly, I didn't recover very well this morning. 

Here's the scene: it's 6am at the work gym.  I don't have my regular water bottle with me because I'm a dumbass... I do, however, have a paper coffee cup filled with water.  I'm taking it easy on the treadmill because it's been a while, and it's a good thing, too because I haven't run very long before I start getting tired.

And then I go to get a sip of the water.

And my foot falls right off the edge of the treadmill.

And the water goes flying all over me.  And the machine.  And the mirror in front of me.  And the guy next to me.

The guy turns and says, "That's one way to wake up in the morning."

Oh yes.  That's how graceful I am. 

But I finished my run and did my weight work out.  And check me out, I'm back in the workout groove!

Awesome August : Day 8

For the past few years, I've tried to do something crazy and fun for my birthday.  Two years ago, we had Laser Prom – this involved dressing up in formal wear and playing laser tag.  Last year, it was a Golftail Party – mini-golf in cocktail party clothes.  This year, I wanted to have a karaoke party where everyone had to come dressed as a rock star or a musical character (or embodies a musical lifestyle, as you will see).  This year was Meg's Rock'N'Roll Birthday Bash!

I have this weird obsession with making my friends dress up for my parties.  And I have a special name for people who don't dress up for my themed parties: A Flounder.  This, of course, is taken from Animal House: Flounder is the only one who shows up to the Delta Tau Chi not in a toga!  Luckily for me, none of my friends were Flounders and everyone looked awesome.

I just got these pictures of the night from Boyfriend and I'll let them speak for themselves.  Enjoy and be jealous!

The night started with everyone arriving and lots of oohing and awing over costumes and getting geared up with Flip Cup and Spoons!

Then the Karaoke began.  The rule was you had to sing a song related to your character.
Cher did "If I Could Turn Back Time"
Sandy did "You're the One that I Want"
Wayne & Garth did "Bohemian Rhapsody"
Cassandra did "Ballroom Blitz"
Robin Sparkles did "Let's go to the Mall!"
And there were tons of other awesome songs plus an amazing rendition of "Come Sail Away" complete with interpretive dance.

Everyone seemed to be having a blast...

And then these these guys showed up and broke up the party! Thanks a lot, Yoko.