Vegan Challenge Week One: COMPLETE!

You may or may not know that I'm participating in a psuedo-family vegan challenge. My aunt and a couple of uncles are taking part as well. And....

IT'S GOING REALLY WELL!

I'm super broke, and thus can't be super creative yet. And I've had to use what I've had in my pantry, which isn't a whole lot (I moved in November and got rid of a TON of stuff).

So.
With that in mind, I think the challenge is going really well.
While I've had to fall back on a couple of old stand-bys:

• veggie refried beans/onions/lettuce burrito
• pasta with red sauce and/or olive oil and veggies
• salad with olive oil and balsamic vinegar drizzled over it
• vegan bread from an AMAZING local bakery, Rocket Baby (full disclosure, the owners are friends of mine and I have worked part-time for them in the past. WITH that being said, I don't live in the neighborhood and will be back when my current bread supply runs out).
• a terrific vegan chili from The Vegan Slow Coooker, which when I get paid, will be a mother-loving god send. Even if you're not a vegetarian or vegan, this cookbook has amazing recipes for the slow cooker.

Pros:

I am being more creative with cooking/using up what I have.

I always look at labels, so that hasn't been too different.

The fake butter isn't awesome, but it isn't terrible and it's half the calories of regular butter (yes, okay, FINE. I would be lying if I said I wasn't doing this to lose a little weight. I'm not a big fan of the way I look right now, and I'm hoping this, as well as the other regimens I've implemented) will help me tackle that).

Oh! And it's cheap! Not buying cheese or milk is fairly easy on the budget.

Yellow Tail reds are vegan (actually, their whole website is super helpful and says upfront which wines are vegan AND gives nutritional information)!

Cons:

I'm craving sweets? I don't know if this has to do with me being vegan-y, but I almost bought a pack of windmill cookies at Walgreens!?! What!? Totally not me, and in the end I didn't do it, but...

Wine. A. LOT. of wine is not vegan. As I'm really trying hard to not be a super huge burden on people, I have drank some wine that isn't for sure vegan. Barnivore has been a godsend in regards to booze, but it has sadly informed me that cider and certain wines I like are not vegan.

Since I'm cooking almost everything, the clean-up SUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKKKSSSSS.

All in all.

I feel good. 

Energy is decent.

Excited to make new things!

Snoozy Saturday

On Disappointment

Lo!
It seems like it was only yesterday that I was pining for a position that I interviewed for, thought I would actually be good at, AND actually wanted.

The times, they are a-changing.

It was brought to my attention today from my HR rep, that not only did I not get the job.
I didn't even advance on to the second round.
BURN.

A status update on facebook, some insider info, and I feel a little better.
But not much.
While it's nice to cling to those "Something  better is on the way!"
or
"It wasn't meant to be!" it's not necessarily guaranteed is it?

I suppose these sentiments could be true.
But it could also be true that I lose my job, and die a homeless person.
In which case, something better wouldn't be on the way.

It's not that I don't appreciate the sentiments.
I do, I really REALLY do.
And this whole short stay at Pity-Me Pines has me thankful for the things that I do have:

Friends! Super duper awesome friends who loan me money and buy me drinks when I have zero dollahs.
An awesome flat in an awesome neighborhood!
Two ridiculous dogs!
A secret trip to murdershack/rapecave/Chicago/??? with a bf who is cute/funny/smart and actually seems to dig me!
An actual job with friends who keep me sane and sometimes wish I could see outside of the workday!

But the whole "it gets better" is really something only privileged people can say.
Because it doesn't always get better.


SO.
I'm extremely grateful to be privileged enough to believe that things will get better.
Fresh start. All that mumbo jumbo.
And in all honesty, I might be a secret optimist. And maybe that's why me not even advancing has really gotten to me. Do they even know how super awesome I am to work with and just know generally???
Onward.
Upward?
Forward.

In other news
Vegan Challenge:
 Day three! Even had the Stone Creek barista check the chai to make sure there wasn't any honey!
Veggie burgers and pasta are saving my broke arse right now. But thus far, I feel good. I'm not overly tired. I think the The Vegan Slowcooker is going to save my life and I can't wait to stock up on groceries to make almost everything in it. Even when this challenge is over.

School!
Grade came in. While it's not a grade most grad students would be proud, after my semester of nervous breakdowns (including one during a meeting with said professor), falling behind, and general inefficiency--I really, really couldn't be happier. AND! I'm actually excited for the new semester to begin! Feminism and US Film!?!?! Splooge central.

Maybe me not getting this job is subtle hint to pursue the PhD? Unsure at this point. Need to utilize my ovaries and not be such a baby about everything (CFPs, writing in general). Will keep you posted.

Blogging!
What?
A BLOG TWO DAYS IN A ROW!?!?!!?!
Try not to pee with excitement.

Brewers.
LeSigh.
My bittersweet Brew Crew. How I love thee.
Nosebleed 10-pack will be purchased and I promise to follow you more closely.
But not necessarily spring training, cos we all know that is no great predictor.
GAH!
(biting nails, shaking knee)
Excited.

Obligatory New Year's Post: Setting My Intentions

What a world. What a world.

After celebrating in amazing style, class, and overindulgence with some fabulous friends. And taking a well-deserved day off from life, watching the League with the bf, I have now decided to state my intentions for the year.

#burchveganchallenge2013
It has come to my attentions that two of my relatives, and myself, are all taking part in a vegan challenge.
Will it be hard?
Probably.
Has it been hard?
Not yet.
Will I get thru it?
I don't know! Enough with all the questions!

My goal for this challenge is to cook more, and eat more plant-based food rather than always going for a frozen pizza or fake meat as my fall-back.

Thus far (and let's be real, I'm on day 2).
Things have been fabulous, although not all that plant-based. I'm thinking of keeping more detailed challenge-related progress in a different blog, but who knows. Will keep you little minxes posted.

#wearethebestones
Keep trying to be the best at everything I want to be good at.
Writing. Knitting. Cooking. Awesomeness. Jocularity. Pithiness.
Why not?

#iloveus
Ensuring to make time for those that bring me happiness and joy and ridiculousness and try to sever less enjoyable bonds.
This could be the hardest intention yet.
(That sounded really diabolical. But I didn't mean it that way.)

#lazybloggersoftheworldunite
I really REALLY would love to blog more.
I am like a dog and I thrive on routine..
But I very rarely have one.
So.
I'm going to try hard to keep up this blog, and try to ensure I have interesting things to say.

#regularresolutions
Things I say I'm gonna do all the time:
Exercise more!
Eat better!
Budget!
But if I keep trying, I suppose something has got to stick.

In other news.
I want to watch Raging Bull again, after listening to a podcast from Scorsese's editor.
This also has made me want to blog about AFI's top films and my thoughts on them and the role women play in them.
I'm not saying this hasn't been done, or that I'd be good at it. I just want to try it out.
That is all.

Oh My God We're Back Again

Yeah. Yeah.
It's been a while.
School.
Stress.
Whole lotta excuses.
Not enough writing.
And.
I MISS IT.
It's been so long.
I feel like the door knocker in Labyrinth that has the knocker in his mouth until Sarah takes it out.

As you can see not much has changed.
Still referencing Labyrinth at every turn.

Oh.
But things HAVE changed.

Make new friends.
Keep the old
One is silver (sing it with me!)
And the other gold.

Newness:
New flat! I moved out of my old, decrepit Misfit Greyhound Manor and am currently residing in Flat of the Misfit Greys. Riverwest! I can walk to get coffee! A lovely tradition my bf and I have taken to on Sunday mornings
WAIT> WHAT!?!?!?!?!
A BF!?!?!
Frankie say Relax. I will get to it in a minute.
IN A MINUTE.

I can walk to bars! Bars I actually go to and want to patron!
Restaurants!
A food co-op!
A video co-op!
School
ALL WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE.

AND! As an added bonus, my great-grandmother used to live on this very street! LIKE TWO BLOCKS AWAY!
If you knew about my family's obsession with former Milwaukee residences, you would understand why that is in all caps.
It's real.
I'm.
I'm real.

BF:
Like I totally have a bf.
And I actually like him!
A lot.
He is cute, smart, funny and good at things and makes up songs about everyday objects much like I do.
He likes ska, but not everyone is perfect.
#LULZING
#JK
(notreally)
#wink
OH!
And he seems to dig my friends and I dig his!
D'awwww.
Too much cuteness right now.
Let's dial it back a notch, kids.

WORK
I interviewed for a new position today! WHAT!?!?
AND.
I actually REALLY want the job. I think it would be awesome/exciting/busy and expand my professional base.
I know.
Where is the snarky tall girl with total apathy about her job.
Look guys.
You can only write "fun and flirty" "sassy and stylish" "cozy and comfy" so many times before all the Cat Harvest sweatshirts start to look alike.

SCHOOL
Well the news can't all be amazing and full of CAPS and #HASHTAGS
School is challenging. Did you know that I had a breakdown in my professor's office? That was awesome. Like a full on, almost sobbing breakdown.
I like to keep it classy.
Egads.
But. I've learned I"m fairly interested in horror and The Walking Dead is a really good show.

I still love Cheetos, wine, carbs.
New to this list: pad thai and dark and stormys and manhattans. Seriously.
I could eat it almost everyday.
ALMOST.
But honestly.
How classy is that list?
It's okay mate, you don't have to say it.

My dogs are still ridiculous.
Topper=lovable grumpy old man (except he's not really old)
Kessie= spry, sassy older woman.
I am contemplating starting a blog about them and their antics.
Mostly the blog would be making up songs about them.
Because that talent needs to be shared.
Be on the lookout of a Topper-fied version of Sympathy for the Devil.
Oh, it's in me.

It's with sadness I announce that I did not do ANYTHING for Hanukkah this year.
Whereas last year Hanukkah (and the Wineauxrah!) were the highlights of my holiday season, this year Christmas/New Years really has to bring it.
Well.
New Years will for sure.
FANCY FROCKS AND FABULOUS FIZZY DRINKS!

If I had a functioning laptop/computer, I would link to Emerson, Lake & Palmer's "I Believe In Father Christmas."
Why?
Cos it's snowing and I just heard almost all of King Crimson's debut album, and I might just become someone who's really into prog. Just saying. (If you can't make that connection on your own, Greg Lake was one of the founding members of King Crimson, but left to join the eponymous Emerson, Lake, and Palmer--Law firm or rock band?)

Thursday night on WMSE is quite possibly the best radio in all of the land.

So this is a totally selfish ME ME ME blog.
But what blogs aren't?

On Being a Mature Lady

A slew of events have happened recently that have proven to no one but me that I am not only one of the classiest broads I know, but also one of the most mature.

Saw GSC recently and while there was some odd eye contact exchanged, I did NOT act like a neurotic mess! I acted like my charming, and maybe a little tipsy self.
AND! I wasn't all womp womp at the end of the night. LeSigh.

I have had the opportunity to "hang out" with various suitors and I have turned them down! While having lines is extremely beneficial at times (32 is just as much of a time as 31 is), one rarely has control of the situation.

H&M guy is very cute and funny, but it's always this prolonged texting for a week to see if I wanna "hang." Plus the hangs are always good! But I had my dogs to tend to and maybe MAYBE this new boy I'm kinda/sorta seeing had something to do with it. But I'm gonna chalk it up to maturity.

Cold Pizza was my other offer. I think his name says it all. So last night after being all cool, calm and collected and saying hi an what not, he asks if I want to dance. Being a mature lady, I know where this is going.
NO I WILL NOT MAKEOUT WITH YOU.
Or dance with you.
He danced up on me anyway (gross!) and during last call I literally had to tell him that I wasn't going to go home with him. Or that I couldn't.
"Why?" he says.
WHO SAYS THESE THINGS?!?
Do you really want me to tell you why? Because you aren't very good at any aspect of hangs and AND YOU NEVER LEAVE.
Rather than being a meanie, I told him I just couldn't and RadPanda whisked me away.

Outside I chastised a guy who claimed he was 5'9" (it's on his license! It must be true!) when he was really 5'7" or 5'8".
Everything counts in large amounts.

As RadPanda and I rounded the corner to head to the corner we found this poor boy sitting by himself in the grass, clearly wasted/lost. Being mature ladies we literally talk to him like he's a little boy lost at the fair.
We offer rides.
We offer texts as his phone is about to die.
We find out he's in the circus (seriously) and that his name is Tyler.
A random guy tells him to take us up on our offer to drive him home.
He tells us he lives in Waukesha.
At that moment I made an executive decision to just let the poor bloke stay at my house. Where i knew he was too drunk/injured to rape me in my sleep.
Yes. I think about these things.

I also apologized to him for having a messy bathroom AS HE WAS VOMITING IN MY TOILET.
See?
Mature and classy.

There's Just So Many Things...I Waaaaaaaaannnnnnnaaaaaa Say.

Nothing like using a Peter Cetera lyric for your title.

I'm just trying to get back into this.
Because it's summer.
And people tell me I'm good at it.
And I need to hone my writing skills.

Last night was a bit rough. But I got through it.
withOUT meds.
withOUT wine.
WITH a friend via text.
WITH a book that I still haven't decided if it's good or not, although it did make me think about my single/slorey lifestyle.
WITH some journaling.

And so.
Here we are.
Non-academic writing for the first time, well, probably since the last blog post.
And let's be real. It's not like my writing is all that academic when it's supposed to be.
A consistent remark on my papers that I get almost A's on.
Oh wells.

Sometimes its fun being dramatic.
Sometimes its fun keeping secrets, even if they're from yourself.
Sometimes boys are dicks.
Sometimes they are really funny and maybe nice.
Sometimes your friends can be dicks.
Most times your friends are super awesome and ridick.
Sometimes its (or is it it's? Where is Gilberto when you need him?) fun to do lady things.

Favorite lady things:
brunching
gossip
dancing
mani-pedis
cute knickers
eyebrow maintenance
crushes (but not really)
Tori Amos' "Scarlett's Walk"
Neko Case
skirts
boxed wine
cheap champers
70s

Sometimes I wonder if I'm trying too hard, or not hard enough.
Horse apiece
Six of one, half a dozen of the other.
Fast and loose or close to the vest?

I will never understand Brazilian waxes.

My dogs bring me an infinite amount of joy.
REALIZATION: If I wasn't single I wouldn't have two dogs.
And I probably wouldn't have the infinite amount of joy they can bring me just by snoring or burping in my face.
Cos my dogs are super classy.
Just like their mum.

Everyone has a fatal flaw.
Mine seems to crop up on the third date or hangout or whatever we're calling these things these days.
Fall off the horse.
Get back on the horse.

I'm thinking of getting a sleeve of Todd Rundgren's Something/Anything album cover on my left forearm. This will happen upon graduating or getting published.
Graduation will most likely happen sooner since I'm not even trying to get published at this point.

Remember when I wrote fiction?
Remember when I used to go out every weekend?
Might I be good at non-fiction writing?
Based upon actual events.
Ripped from the headlines.

I still don't understand poetry. Why be so succinct with words and grammar and syntax? Why not just ramble? Is this an either/or thing? You either get poetry or you don't?
Home Burial by Robert Frost.

Bruises from your dogs are way less fun than bruises from sex.
But still better than bruises from leukemia.

My type A is screaming to get out.
But my type Z is louder.

Topper needs routine.
I think I do too.

I mowed my tiny city yard yesterday and am sore beyond belief.
Bruises on hips.
Scratches on legs.
Muscles ache.
Blister on my thumb.
"Maybe get a blister on your little finger. Maybe get a blister on your thumb," Dire Straits.

I wish communal living wasn't looked down upon.
I wish my friends would all live with me.
It'd be like 1920s Paris every goddamn night.
I wish I was a little bit taller.

Step on in home rehab complete:
Tile for the foyer has been purchased.
My ceiling keeps falling down.