We enjoyed ourselves enormously, both due to the food and the strolling minstrels clad in German folk costume who played the Chicken Dance and various songs we had learned in class. I’m not sure it’s still the same in there, though, because the last time I entered the building at NE Sandy & 50th, I saw servers in black trousers and white shirts. That would be a shame, since the convivial atmosphere was a large part of the fun, and the costumes made quite the impression upon us (I even returned the following year to borrow some of those costumes for a play—yes, I have worn lederhosen from Der Rheinlander).

I never set foot on the Gustav’s side until many years later, on a date with an ungentlemanly character who confessed to taking many dates there. It’s easy to see why since the (usually) dim lighting and deep booths lend a fair amount of privacy considering the number of tables in a relatively small place; even when crowded it seems hushed. We returned numerous times to the Sandy location, and to the one at Washington Square. Since then, I’ve returned with various friends, mostly for the Happy Hour.

And now we come to the crux of the matter: the Gustav’s Happy Hour. From 3 til 6pm daily, and again from 9pm til close weeknights, and 10pm til close Fridays and Saturdays, Gustav’s hosts a happy hour. If you go at busier times, like weekends, you’ll find the place crowded with an influx of suburban yuppie types out from the hinterlands (though there are locations in Clackamas, Tigard, and Vancouver, so this puzzles me). Weeknights, however, are fairly uncrowded, and a good deal if you’re on that side of town.

The star of Gustav’s (for me, at least) is the beer and cocktail list. I never bother with wine when I’m there because there are such great options elsewhere. The standard beers are a selection of imports and domestic craft beers, with options like Spaten Optimater, Konig Ludwig Weiss, etc etc etc. They also have margaritas made with fresh fruit purees, as well as a number of weather-appropriate seasonal cocktails. But hands down, one of my favorite aspects of the Gustav’s HH is that the drink minimum is emphatically $2.25, including teetotalers and the underaged who don’t wish for any more indulgence than soda, hot tea, or a raspberry lemonade (theirs has fresh raspberries in it—not too shabby).

Now for others, it’s the fondue that they come for. A large pot of melted Swiss cheese that comes with cubed dark, a light, and white breads. You can opt for bier sausages to dip as well, but they’re unnecessary. It’s not the best fondue in Portland (hello, Berlin Inn), but it’s great for $4.99. And they will happily bring you more bread should you run out before your cheesy goo is finished—at no charge. It’s that sort of thoughtfulness, combined with usually excellent service that helps make Gustav’s a pleasant standby. The fondue is the most "German" thin gon the Happy Hour menu; if you want German food, I suggest dinner at Gustav's or Der Rheinlander, or visiting the Berlin Inn. As for other Happy Hour meals, the Caesar salad has a nice, tangy dressing, and they don’t glop it on. You can also order the Caesar with chicken schnitzel strips for a little protein, which is what I invariably do because I cannot resist those schnitzel strips (2.99, plus 1.99 for chicken).

That brings me to the chicken schnitzel strips—on their own or with fries—and accompanied by pineapple curry mustard and ginger soy dipping sauce. Despite the prosaic name, I cannot get enough of the ginger-soy dipping sauce, and will slather it on fries or chicken schnitzel strips—and they will gladly substitute the mustard for more dipping sauce despite the No Substitutions written on the menu (3.99, plus 0.99 for fries). Also notable is the Happy Shepherd’s Pie, apparently made with bits of leftover rotisserie meats, so probably not fish-fowl friendly, but a complete meal for one as it comes with a side Caesar (4.99). Cod Fish & Chips are flaky on the outside and soft and moist in the middle, as they should be (4.99).

Not everything wins, however. The Rosemary-Garlic Cheese Bread is nastily cheesy, smothered with melted cheese over a layer of garlic cheese spread; with a much higher bread to goo ratio it might not make me gag, but as it is, it’s not worth your $1.99. The Sausage on a Bun offers your choice of brat, weiss, or bierwurst, but the sausage is a bit greasy, while it comes dry on the hoagie roll; the addition of grilled onions and kraut as in the Sausage Duo might make it more palatable (3.99 and 3.49, respectively). Elisha: The burger is a 1/3-pound of beef with Tillamook Cheddar, marinated onions, and a hamburger sauce served on a Kaiser bun. Even with the "hamburger sauce" it was a little dry, but definitely worth 3.99 with the option of adding bacon for 1.00 and fries for 0.99.

Recently Gustav's revamped their Happy Hour menu with the addition of a Bavarian Pretzel, Potato-Habanero Croquettes, Reuben Pie, a smaller version of their fondue, herbed chicken skewers, and Pasta Alfredo. The Potato-Habanero Croquettes are served with an herb aioli and tomato concasse, and are pretty good and not as spicy-hot as the name implies for the wimps out there. Think mashed potatoes mixed with a touch of habaneras, breaded, and deep-fried.

Schatzi: Is Gustav’s worth it? I think so. My little sister is addicted to it. Out-of-towners always enjoy themselves. The staff is friendly and helpful, the prices are pretty low, and the food is not bad considering how inexpensive it can be. It’s a nice place to pick up a bite after a weeknight playing trivia or seeing a movie.

I guess I'll have to be the one to say it: CBS's "Swingtown" might just be the best television show I've ever seen.  Swingers?  The seventies? Tight jeans and mustaches? Sounds good to me! 

The details of the show are more or less important.  Mr. and Mrs. Miller move into a new house in an affluent suburb of Chicago. Things spice up when they meet their across-the-street-crazy-swinger neighbors, the Deckers.  Hilarity ensues.

My stupid computer just doesn't detect the connection when I plug in the cable that connects to my phone! I wonder what went wrong??? Now I can't download any pictures that I'd taken...

-_-'

Sighh... I guess it'll be a while before my pictures get uplaoded..Argh Argh Argh!!!

I need chocolate to tame my flames.. let's see...

*

*

Tiny morsels of cream and mousse...

*

*

Smooth, flowing, pure lusciousness...

*

*

a confectionary of chocolate mousse, gently cooled and coated cocoa powder..

*

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My favourite thing topped with heapings of velvety cream, like snowcapped sludge..

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And finish off with a comforting cup of hot cocoa toped with playful white foam and marshmallows, right out of my childhood fairy tales!

*

*

Now that I am soothed...think...

Maintenant que je me suis gorgé de sommeil comme un dromadaire se remplit d'eau, je parviens à considérer la semaine qui vient avec optimisme malgré que dès demain je vais recommencer à me lever à 5:15. Après tout, il ne me reste que deux semaines en chirurgie hépato-biliaire et une seule garde; là-dessus, une journée est occupée par l'examen de chirurgie, laissant en tout 9 jours de stage seulement. Entres autres, c'est durant ces journées-là que seront forcément répartis les cours annulés précédemment pendant le stage (quand un patron doit annuler un cours, il semble qu'il soit tenu de le reporter à une date ultérieure avant l'examen). Et évidemment, plus il y a de cours dans une journée, plus celle-ci devient légère, puisque les ARC et autres présentations ont priorité sur toute tâche clinique et nous mettent à l'abri des pagettes, des consult et autres calamités.

Maintenant, trêve de médecine; parlons de bouffe. Hier soir j'ai eu un excellent souper en bonne compagnie, au restaurant Hot Pot du quartier chinois avec des amis de ma classe de médecine (Pavlov était tout rouge de vasodilatation périphérique, et CH disséquait des coeurs de poulets pendant que le TDAH de Louiiiiise décompensait).

Charles démontrant l'anatomie d'un coeur de poulet au restaurant Hot Pot.

Ce soir, Maman s'est lancée dans une recette qu'elle ne fait pas souvent: des escalopes de veau panées en portefeuilles farcies de jambon et de fromage. Malgré la couleur sombre produite par la friture trop prolongée de Papa, c'était particulièrement bon. Après le bouillon brûlant comme de la lave de chez Hot Pot hier soir, j'admets que c'était réconfortant de retomber dans la bonne vieille cuisine française; retour en terrain connu, quoi !

Tiens, mon climatiseur qui vient de repartir son compresseur. Douce mélodie du froid, continue, continue ! Je vais bien dormir, à 20 degrés, sous ma montagne de couvertures...

In the evening we went by car up to a small, traditional but very nice fondue restaurant! Fondue is very basic but very tasty (and fattening) so you have to try it! Its fun too! we also had some smoked and dried beef and some mirngue and cream (not together of course!)

After that we took the car into some of the world's most beautiful scenery: The Swiss Alps. We stopped at a lay-by overlooking a valley and saw an awesome rainbow! (photos to come!) I always thought that putting cow bells on cows was something that is either very old fashioned or can only be seen in the movies! I thought wrong. (excuse the cliché -another French word!- and poor english!) As we got out of the car, you could hear nothing apart from a little wind and a symphony of cow bells!

Then it was back on the public transport and into Lausanne, Gland, then Burtigny!

All that said, the cheese fondue was very tasty, and the chocolate, well, can you really say anything bad about chocolate fondue? It was truly awesome. We had the Smores, which was milk chocolate with marshmallow creme and graham cracker crumbles. Mmmmm, I could eat a pot right now and it's 8:30 am. There was also wine :).

Summation: this was quite an experience, not what I expected though. I would probably not go back for the entire meal, but I would go back just for the chocolate (and wine). 3 Stars.

Ce jour-la, c'etait repos. Les premieres chaleurs ont reellement fait leurs apparitions. Des envies de cuisines estivales. Brochettes d'agneau et Cotes de Provence rose ? Salade de Feta et huile d'olive ? Mozzarella et tomates ?  Non, Noriko a envie de Taboule. Petite sequence nostalgie, on ira passer la matinee chez Carrefour, du moins ce qu'il en reste. Depuis le rachat en 2004 (?) de ses 8 points de vente Japonais par le gourmand groupe local Aeon, on y trouve encore l'enseigne, l'agencement, l'ambiance et surtout de l'eau minerale Carrefour, du gros sel de Guerande "reflet de France" ou encore du couscous a la marque "1". Le couscous le moins cher de la region me semble t-il.  On etait parti pour faire un taboule, ce soir ce sera cependant une fondue suisse ou cheese fondue comme cela se dit par-ici.   

Le set a fondue et ses accessoires au prix incroyable de 1600 yen, c'etait chez Carrefour ces temps-ci. Dans deux jours il fera plus de trente degres, couple a un taux d'humidite exceptionnel. Voici encore un truc qui ne sortira plus de son rangement pendant plusieurs mois et qu'on oubliera peut-etre meme jusqu'a son existence, la saison froide venue ! Je crois bien que Noriko souhaitait faire quelque chose d'un peu particulier ; c'etait aussi l'anniveraire de notre mariage.

Je flanerai dans les allees de ce grand supermarche que l'on appelle encore "supermarche de France" a la recherche de quelques sensations oubliees et de quelques produits qui font partie de ma culture. Oh ! Ici, l'odeur du poulet grille au rayon rotisserie. Ah ! Et la, les packs d'eau minerale.  Je ne trouverais pas ce vin de Savoie qui aurait ete parfait avec cette specialite fromagere. Il y manquera aussi ces gens poussant des chariots "family size" de courses pour la semaine, le prospectus de la semaine en main. Je m'arreterai quelques instants a observer ces deux quinquagenaires au rayon charcuterie libre-service, veritable professionnelles du tsumehodai ! Une promo dont raffolent les Japonais : Un produit en vente en libre-service a un prix unique par sachet plastique. Le but du jeu, etant de remplir le sac au maximum. ce jour-la, le sac de saucisses etait a 500 yen. Un peu plus loin une cliente tente de faire entrer une sixieme tomate dans son sac pret a exploser qui je l'espere, a prevu de faire du coulis de tomates. Cette meme scene, egalement avec les kiwi, les oranges et presque tous les produits frais du magasin. Je crois bien que le Carrefour de Sayama a fait de bonnes affaires ce jour-la.

Le soir venu, Lumika aura le droit apres le diner et parce qu'elle n'a pas trainer a faire ses devoirs ; d'ouvrir son Jumbo pack de Hanabi, pour quelques mini feux d'artifices devant la maison. Les premiers de la saison. Finallement on s'y mettra tous a jouer avec ses jets de lumieres. Restait plus qu'a digerer la fondue.   

Cheese.  The perfect example of a diet staple which can be used as a convenient ingredient for sandwiches and crackers, or for gourment dishes in fondue and pastas.  Who would have known that the humble Canadian cheese has enough of a fan-base gather to be the star of its very own website All You Need is Cheese?!  Get great, easy-to-follow recipes with cheese as the "star of the show".
 
Hear interviews with artisans, experts and cheese lovers from across Canada;
Discover local artisanal cheeses and local culture;
Try new pairings and recipes;
Meet foodies from coast to coast;
Link to informative cheese websites;
Learn about unique promotions, events and more;
Download a new episode every month.

The All You Need Is Cheese Podcast is updated monthly and they already have quite a few archived episodes. Listen to interviews of cheese lovers, artisanal cheese makers, restaurant owners and visits epicurean events. Each show has it’s own archive page recipes, tourist info, blog links, etc. If you love good cheese, you have to check out the All You Need is Cheese Podcast !

**CONTEST: Listen to the Pursuit of Pleasure Podcast for your chance to win an iPod touch (until July 19th)!  Creative ad for the contest there on the right eh?

On a side note, if you're ever craving cheese fondue, you must visit Soma Cafe (151 East 8th Avenue) by Main Street in Vancouver.  Grapes, apples, bread and crackers drizzled with a soft caramel sauce with a melted cheese dip.  It's usually only on their dinner menu, but when we went last month they took our special request and served it to us as a lunchtime dish!  The portion is fairly big so be prepared to share!

Aproveitando o climinha frio do mês de julho, resolvemos fazer um "Especial Fondues".
Nesse especial postaremos as receitas mais tradicionais, e também receitas de fondues diferentes.. Se vocês tiverem experiências de outras receitas, não deixem de comentar, ok?!!

A história do fondue:

O fondue, ou "a" fondue, originou-se na Suíça francesa; dai seu nome, pois fondue (particípio passado de fondre) em francês significa fundido, derretido - ou seja, queijo fundido, no qual se mergulha o pão.

A história da descoberta da fondue vem da Idade Média, cerca de sete séculos atrás, nos Alpes da Suíça, em conseqüência de uma inesperada super produção de queijos. Curiosamente, como inúmeras outras glórias da gastronomia, uma iguaria que nasceu da necessidade. Os helvéticos, então, já eram exímios produtores de laticínios excelentes - que inclusive exportavam às nações vizinhas.

Porém uma nevasca terrível isolou completamente um determinado ponto da Suíça, ao redor de Neuchatel. Surpreendidos com um estoque superlativo que não podiam vender, os produtores do local tiveram uma idéia: Derreteriam o excesso, à espera de uma nova temporada e, para melhor conservarem a massa, no seu recozimento acrescentariam alguma espécie de álcool, vinho ou aguardente, no caso kirsch, o delicioso destilado de cerejas daquelas regiões. Depois de reendurecida pelo frio, a massa não mais correria o risco de estragar. Para reutilizá-la, bastaria submetê-la, novamente, ao processo de fusão.

No teste inaugural do conceito, os produtores utilizaram um gigantesco caldeirão. Obviamente, experimentaram diversas vezes a textura e o sabor da massa enriquecida pelo kirsch. Um cidadão mais engenhoso, então, espetou um naco de pão na ponta de uma haste qualquer, que mergulhou no caldeirão. “Voilà!” (Aleluia!).

Mais do que simplesmente a alquimia nacional da Suíça, com tal gesto nasceu um verdadeiro ritual, uma celebração comunitária dos prazeres provenientes da amizade e da convivência cordial.

Com o decorrer dos anos e do aperfeiçoamento da gastronomia, a fondue vem sendo aprimorada e ganhando novos sabores e ingredientes como o de chocolate com frutas e o de carne.

Panelas:

Vidro temperado - Charmosas, servem para todos os tipos de fondue, mas a preferência é das misturas doces ou de queijo por permitirem a visualização da massa derretida. A superfície lisa e sem porosidades facilita a limpeza por não reter os alimentos. É fundamental que sejam usadas com placas difusoras para a adequada distribuição do calor e para se evitar danos ao produto ou impedir que o alimento queime.

Aço inoxidável - Extremamente resistentes, também são úteis para qualquer tipo de fondue, embora sejam bastante indicadas para os de carne, pois atingem temperaturas elevadas rapidamente, necessárias à fritura. Demandam a utilização com placa difusora para as misturas de queijo ou chocolate, para que não se queimem os alimentos.

Porcelana - Elegantes, podem ser usadas para qualquer tipo de fondue, embora aceitem melhor os de chocolate e queijo, já que são mais delicadas no recebimento do calor. Outra excelente opção para limpeza.

O fogareiro:

O fogareiro é o passo inicial para fazer uma fondue. Para cozinhar sobre a mesa é preciso, antes de tudo, um fogareiro, que pode ser encontrado em diversos formatos e materiais. Os melhores são aqueles que o queimador é de fácil manejo, desliga-se facilmente e pode ser retirado sem expor-se ao risco de queimaduras.

Tipos:

Álcool - São os queimadores mais usados, pois servem para todos os tipos de fondue. Existem tipos diferentes, para álcool gel ou líquido, cada qual com suas particulares recomendações. Ambos mantêm a fondue fervente. O tempo de combustão neste tipo de fogareiro, em chama alta, é mais ou menos de uma hora. Na chama média ou baixa é de duas horas.

Vela - É a fonte de calor mais fraca. Com ela, é possível derreter chocolate e manter as fondues e os molhos quentes, mas não possibilita fervê-los.

Gás - Utilizam gás (butano). Com ele pode-se ferver em chama alta. Para manter as fondues em ebulição, basta chama média ou baixa.

Energia elétrica - A opção mais prática, entretanto não apresenta o romantismo e o aconchego em comparação com as chamas.

Fontes: Portal Terra, Site Tok Stok

Há dois finais de semana, eu e o Zack fomos comemorar o dia dos namorados atrasado e nosso aniversário de um ano e meio de namoro lá em Gramado. Pra quem não conhece a serra gaúcha: o lugar é lindo demais, tem que visitar. Como somos gordos e eu queria há muito tempo comer fondue, fomos num restaurante muito legal que serve esse prato, o La Famille De Gazon. O nome é fresco e o lugar também, mas os empregados são ótimos, muito corteses e nada pedantes.

O ambiente é perfeito. Tivemos que esperar uns 15 minutos por uma mesa, mas o lugar tem uma sala de espera bem aconchegante. Como o restaurante todo, aliás. É um chalé de dois andares, muito bem decorado e totalmente intimista, pela luz baixa e pequenas velas dispostas em cada mesa. Tinha uma banda tocando esses clássicos tipo Kenny G, Elton John e Pavarotti, o único ponto negativo do lugar, além do banheiro, que não era o mais organizado que já vi.

Além de saladas, entradas e outras frescuras que nem olhamos muito no cardápio, o lugar oferece fondue a la carte ou sequência de fondue, que foi o que escolhemos. Primeiro, pães e mini batatas com um molho muito suave de queijo. Depois, os filezinhos de frango e gado no óleo (também tinha a opção de grelhar a carne na pedra, mas quem se importa com colesterol?). Aí é que entra o melhor: os molhos. De beringela à geléia de uva (perfeita pra acompanhar o frango), passando pela farofa e tantas outras opções. Destaque pra maionese com curry, a melhor na nossa opinião. E, claro, como sobremesa as clássicas frutas com chocolate ao leite. Uva e morango são as comuns, mas banana me surpreendeu, a combinação com chocolate deu muito certo.

O clima pedia um vinho, mas o Zack estava dirigindo e tinha muita neblina lá fora, em uma estrada pessimamente iluminada. Além disso, a brincadeira já estava bastante cara: R$ 35 por pessoa, mais couvert e 10% do garçom. Ficamos então na água e no suco de uva.

Pro nosso poder aquisitivo, foi uma janta cara. Mas o serviço e a comida são de qualidade e, somando ao lugar, vale muito à pena. Tem sequências de fondue mais caras por aí. É uma boa pedida pra uma noite especial com alguém especial ;)

1. Checking the weather, then checking the weather radar.

2. Checking the weather radar again 10 minutes later to see if that yellow/red blob is any closer to where I am

3. Walking out on the deck to see the progress of my cherry tomatoes, peppers, gerbera daisies, roses, and other plants I can't remember the names for. Morning and evening, if possible.

4. Turning off the AC, opening the windows and letting the fan blow out the stuffy air.

5. Making fondue and dipping freshly cut strawberries and bananas

6. Standing at the window staring at the crazy, quick thunderstorms that pass through

7. Sitting on the deck in the evening watching the heat lightning

8. Sitting outside at restaurants

9. Watching the movie Twister to get my inner-stormchaser fix

10. Inhaling the bugs during my afternoon jog...oh wait, that's not actually very fascinating

11. Having the ever-present excuse of hot weather to eat ice cream!!!!

What fascinates you during summer weather??

Anyway, je ne m'en plains pas; une fin de semaine de trois jours, ça fait tellement de bien ! J'ai énormément dormi cette nuit. D'une heure et demie du matin environ (moment où j'ai cessé de déconner sur MSN avec Pavlov), jusqu'à midi et demie. Comme j'avais soupé tôt hier, ça fait longtemps que je n'ai rien mangé. Si longtemps, en fait, que c'est la faim qui m'a réveillé ! Il est temps que je cesse de lire compulsivement les nouvelles sur internet, et que j'aille déjeuner (dîner ?) Réveillons Annie aussi, tant qu'à y être !

Puisque c'est la veille de la fête nationale - on a deux fêtes nationales au Québec, trop hot - il faudrait peut-être que je cuisine un peu ce soir, au lieu de me rabattre sur des restants de fast-food du party de ma soeur. Une fondue chinoise peut-être ?

The problem is she chose The Melting Pot as the place for us to go for dinner.  Don't get me wrong, I have been wanting to try The Melting Pot ever since it opened up downtown a few summers ago.  What's not to love?  Melted cheese and bread are two of the top things on my list!  

Which is exactly the problem, I think.  Not sure how "lean and green" the food will be at The Melting Pot.  Plus, can I really go there and not sample at least a few pieces of bread dipped in oozy, gooey cheese?  Probably not.  I've been doing so well on this program that I don't want to do anything to sabotage my progress, but at the same time, I want to live life and enjoy celebrations like this.  

So I think the plan for tonight is going to be: have a few (no more than 4) pieces of bread dipped in cheese, and then concentrate on the salad and protein portion of the dinner.  And definitely no dessert.  Not that I'm a huge dessert eater.  (I'd much rather have bread and cheese any day).  

I think that plan sounds solid & do-able.  I'm actually just happy with myself for planning this out a bit ahead of time.  It shows my commitment to this weight loss and how I've changed my thinking so that I'll make healthier choices.  Plus, I can go work out a bit longer tomorrow evening, since it's Friday.  I think I can enjoy this celebration and still see great progress with my weight loss this week. 

TWO FILMS FROM 1982
Hosted by Crystalbeams Lightmachine
DJ Steven Lavender playing raunchy jams

LIQUID SKY
Then we have a... German scientist who is studying the aliens, at least he describes the plot to us.

CAFE FLESH >>>>>>>warning this film is a porno<<<<<<<<
The look of the film is imaginative, and the photography and the acting is first-rate...

DINNER
Fondue au Fromage
Fondue au Chocolate

19:00UHR-00:00UHR

Eigentlich ist Fleisch-Fondue unter den Gerichten nicht gerade als gesund einzustufen, aber man kann es wenigstens etwas gesünder machen, wenn man statt Fett oder Öl einfach Brühe in verwendet.

Man kann die Brühe entweder vorher selber zubereiten oder in diesem Fall einfach mal etwas trockene Suppenwürze verwenden. Als Fleisch eignet sich alles, was man auch für ein herkömmliches Fleisch-Fondue nimmt. Von Rinder- und Schweinefilet über Hühnerbrust bis zu Hackfleischbällchen.

Während man nach einem normalem Fondue das Öl wegkippt, haben wir jetzt zusätzlich noch eine leckere Fleischbrühe bekommen, die so intensiv im Geschmack ist, dass man sie sogar noch leicht mit etwas Wasser strecken muss um sie zu verwenden.

            (...b/c she couldn't come in through the bathroom window since it has no windows)

i can't sleep 

<sundrenched world>

it's been a problem that i've been facing (extremely) for, a little while,  the last oh... 4, 5... 7 years. 

no medication or therapy has been able to help. it comes & goes, comes & goes, mostly comes...& right now it's coming (back) 

recently, I'm finally falling asleep sometime around 5, the birds have already been twittering for about 2 hours & the sun is cresting at my window, i pull my eye mask tighter & toss one last time into a final slumber... this makes me utterly useless for the next day & my head wakes up around 8 pm, 10 pm, or 1am ready to do things... just leading to being unable to sleep even more. wanting to go for a ride after 3 am, ....3 am exploring like the old days in LA

the old days in LA

....sidetracked much? 

hmmm segway...

speaking of not being able to sleep let's talk about sex, 

& in my case a lack of it recently. (no sleep, no sex, rock on life! you just rock!)

which brings me to The Virgin, who shall remain thus, with no help from me... or likely anyone in the near future... sad i know, but hey, I am all pro-wait til you're sure you're ready & then maybe wait a little more & then fuck like the hormone addled bunny rabbit you are deep down within. 

But, not until you're ready

so, the virgin & i are officially friends, & there's no need for a sigh (at least not a big one) or a 'just' inserted here. (plus i honestly don't really give a shit anymore since it was so long ago) it's for the best & i'm glad we could talk like rational, albeit drunk, people & be honest

-him admitting he wasn't ready, having still not gotten over from a relationship 2 1/2 years ago (!!!- what!?! seriously!) & being in love with a girl from his hometown (they're friends & she has a boyfriend) (read: hopeless) & me admitting that i'm trying to move on, but yeah, i am still a little bit in love with my ex-boyfriend or think that I am/thought i was (more on this manana).

so when i said there was no satisfaction & that details would follow, i meant it, i've just been...? busy

so last, last, last (last?) weekend, aka the weekend before the last,(last) aka (Another) Weekend of No Satisfaction... aka a weekend that was hecka long ago now….

Guy came over to my place to 'hang out' & that is what he really meant. hang out. 

he took an hour long bus ride (btw-THANK YOU CTA for everyday that you make me learn tolerance, for providing me with time to read (esp when there's the bus driver switch off & they doesn’t show), & for all the (crazy) people watching opportunities) to come to my apt & scroll through my entire i-tunes music collection (oh shit, that takes a LONG time since i have over ~115 G of music... ahh so this is where all my money goes: music & chocolate & beer... could be worse) & kind of talking, but not making a move... we really do just hang out... (can you say PLA.TON.IC? I can, probably in 7 languages)  

we decide to head back up north to his neighborhood, since one of our friends up there is having people  over...

there was hanging out on a porch, me using him as a pillow & talking & a good time, but then an awkward ok I should leave I guess (the host had to get up in the morning… I asked him if I could stay at his place… no, his dad was picking him up in the morning to go out to the suburbs/home for the weekend… nice. so, it was after 2 & my bus had stopped running at midnight & I’d have to go get a cab… great.)

I get up to leave, he doesn’t come, he doesn’t get up, I go in

our friend is all: is he going to walk you out or anything?

my response was: I guess not, whatever…

I’m pretty sure she told him to go after me, because he does come after me & asks if I want him to walk me to a cab, I say it’s not necessary, but the company would be nice… we walk & I’m say:  so are you interested or not, bc I think I’ve made it pretty clear how I feel (read; I’ve done things to you with my mouth that you didn’t say no to...), & I’d just like to know. if you’re not, it’s fine…

so we’re friends & this is actually good. he’s not ready (he said so) which is good to know & not to get attached to him & I didn’t really know much & honestly it wouldn’t have worked. He’s all digital & I’m film & darkroom. He likes video games… I well, don’t, unless drunk & they’re in an arcade. 

he doesn’t read. 

he doesn’t read. he doesn’t like to read books.

ouch.

I read all the time, ~7 books at a time, constantly voraciously, adoringly read. I love words, combinations of words, strings of words, the way they look… books, stories, The Library. I LOVE library.(ies) I love the smell of books, the feel. the sound of pages turning.

sooooooo, friends is fine. (even though his is kind of adorable & did make me all nervous in a good way, mmmm i liked the nervousness) He is very much not ready

I am only really pissed bc i was horny & i wanted to makeout. (& i had to fork over $20 for a cab ride home- lame)

THE END: of the virgin.

So! what else has been going on? A LOT!!!

like! a lot of:

-skirts + biking

you'd think i would have learned my lesson, but no.

I’ve felt the breeze

I’ve felt objectified: kindly...

& it’s not just skirts I’ve moved onto dresses too…

(I was riding in this little black # & my tall frye boots with my big sunglasses (it was hot, I’m not gonna to lie) & I’m pretty sure a load of boys on a cta bus saw my black lace thong… or they were just excited to see me as I was on a bike. one saw me, tapped his buddy on the shoulder & so on until about 7 guys were blowing kisses at me from inside a bus… this is just one of many reactions I’ve had)

-I missed the naked bike ride!?! I don’t even remember what I was doing, but I’m bummed.i love riding my bike! i love being naked! i also like drinking... how could i have missed this? i'm still baffled.

-I’ve been working on my girl skills or whatever you might call it… having friends who are girls?

so I made this awesome dinner with one girl friend a couple weekends ago & we bitched about shit & it was totally fun, there was lots of wine… two of our guy friends came over later & there was more drinking, some smoking, & a card game (that in my drunkenly happy state I didn’t totally grasp until about the 4^th round) & we rode our bikes to the beach… all in all, an excellent evening (this is the night the title refers to, I somehow biked home unharmed, after drinking & smoking… I could stay up right & navigate traffic on a bike, but getting up those stairs was tricky…)

& then this past weekend another of my girl friends invited me to a girl's night. we were going to picnic at this concert in the park but then it started to rain so we did it indoors. (seriously, spread a blanket on the floor & everything) it was fun even if all these other girls did all go to the same high school & kept referring to people I’d never heard of & gasping about the things they couldn’t believe about these people… it just reminded me how much I miss hanging out with my super awesome close friends from high school... or just close friends who are girls

but it was fun… there was brie & hummus & lots & lots of wine, I think we went through at least 9 bottles… & we made amazing fondue. (oh chocolate!!!)

after I got home around 2, & after I hadn’t been able to fall asleep, still buzzed & tipsy, I cut my hair: standing naked in front of the bathroom mirror, carefully, with eyes closed as I executed my cuts, I took ~4” off. it’s cute. I layered it a little, & did some quasi bangs. (my eyes weren’t closed the whole time, I’m not that good…)

& this leads me to the ultimate conclusion that i Need to...

(dun-da-dunh... cliff hanger! which is where i will leave you... stay tuned for next time when Thursday is inevitably disappointed by some guy who turns out to be an asshole or wears something inappropriate or sets something on fire... cool!!!)

rs

hj eu juro que acordei cedo.. problema foi sair da cama! xD

ainda tive que ouvir papo da minha vó com o cara do gás.... as 9hs da matina.. ngm mereceee

o legal foi que minha mãe me liga as 11hs, eu digo que ate meio dia e meio eu ja levantei e ja me arrumei e ja estaria saindo de casa e acabo durmindo de novo!! xD 12:20hs eu acordo, levanto correndo saio, pego bus e.. mãe ja saiu do trab! ¬¬ é minha mãe, mas eu fiquei mtoo puta da vida com ela!!! ora, me fala que sai as 13hs do trampo e sai 12:45hs?!?! VSF! enfim... tive que comer alguma coisa pra não desmaiar, andei, tirei xerox, peguei a carta em português no banco [e hoje a mulher não foi grossa comigo! aeee \o/] pelo menos fui no memorial de ctba do largo da ordem e tirei umas fotinhos com o cel.. hehe fazia anos que eu não entrava la...  enfim, consegui ir no cartorio.. falei com a Ju e ela me disse que eu tenho que levar todos os docs junto, ja que não pode manda pingado.. ou seja, semana que vem entrego! so falta mandar a carta pra juramentação.. preguiça de ir ate o shopping novo batel... xD

enfim, sabem aquelas coisas que vc não deveria fazer? bom, hj comi fondue no quarto! xD

sim, o trequinho tava na mesa do pc! hahahaha

a prova! e o chazinho basico dolado.. e a zoninha basica na mesa.... e o papo com o Marcus aberto..

ninguem quer ne?? xD

tava tãoooo ruim... lalala

to tomando vinho agora... hehe

daqui a pouco vou fazer trab de amanha.. e depois estuda pra prova.. 15 pags pra ler.. ain.....

e por enquanto, vou falar com o semi desnaturado do Iran e com as friends amadas! ^^

bjos

Right after we moved here, we took a fondue class at Foxfire. We had a great time and the fondue was delicious and easy to fix. When we have fondue, Carl's the chef and I'm the sous-chef. Here's our basic recipe:

1 cup heavy cream

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons ground mustard

1 clove garlic

3 Tablespoons all purpose flour

3 Tablespoons butter

3 cups cheddar cheese

Rub cut garlic on the inside of a medium saucepan. Melt butter over low heat and whisk in flour. Cook until golden, then add cream and all other ingredients, except cheese. Cook until smooth. Lower heat and gradually add cheese. Keep warm and melted in fondue dish. Use bread, vegetables, apple, etc to dip into fondue.

This recipe is easy to alter by changing the liquid (beer, wine) and type of cheese.

Fondue at St. Moritz

Wine Tasting in Napa

Lunchtime sushi

Les illes d'Or són tres, però només Porquerolles es pot visitar sense gaires entrebancs. Les altres són parc natural protegit. Un barquet fa l'hora de trajecte de La Tour Fondue, prop de Hyeres, a la Costa Blava de Provença, fins Porquerolles, diverses vegades al dia. Un cop allà, des de la seva diminuta capital, només podeu caminar o llogar unes bicis. Cap al nord, a la costa de plata. Cap al Sud, on boscos i platges us d'ensomni us esperen. Porquerolles és un petit paradís, de pocs kilòmetres, però és molt bonic i l'experiència d'un dia sense cotxes també cal tenir-la en compte. http://www.porquerolles.com/  Nosaltres varem dormir en un càmping de La Tour Fondue.

Las islas de Oro son tres, pero sólo Porquerolles se puede visitar sin demasiados estorbos burocraticos. Las otras son parque natural protegido. Un barquito hace la hora de trayecto entre La Tour Fondue, cerca de Hyeres, en la Costa Azul de Provenza, hasta Porquerolles, varias veces al día. Una vez allá, desde su diminuta capital, sólo podéis andar o alquilar unas bicis. Rumbo al norte, a la costa de plata, o al sur, dónde bosques y playas de ensueño os esperan. Porquerolles es un pequeño paraíso, de pocos kilómetros, pero es muy lindo y la experiencia de un día sin coches también hace falta tenerla en cuenta. http://www.porquerolles.com/  Nosotros dormimos en un càmping de La Tour Fondue.