The gift and the feeling...

I haven't felt this feeling in a good long while.

It's a good feeling. A warm feeling. A feeling of safety.

Somebody cares for me.

A friend of mine crafted the most beautifully thought out gift I have received in my adult life. It all started with a joke about the lack of clocks in my place. I knew that she was up to something and that some sort of construction or fabrication was involved. I knew that this project involved at least two trips to different places.

The gift is a clock. And like so much of my friend's cooking, it's made from scratch. I cannot go into the details of how she put it all together because, frankly, when she was explaining it I was doing my best to fight back tears. It really touched me to have someone care so much about me that they take all of little things they've learned about me and put effort and love into creating something from that.

I think it has been a long time since someone has cared for me like that. And it just feels wonderful.

I made a "snack" tonight

This "snack" consisted of:

Half block of Gouda from Holland
Third block of mild cheddar
Sleeve of rice crackers
A few reheated chicken kebabs
A reheated beef kebab
Grapes
Cherry tomatoes
Day-old flatbread
Hummus
Reheated baba ghanoush

Soooooo, "snack" was more or less "dinner". It was lovely. And it goes without saying that my guest that shared my snack with me only enhanced the evening.

Scotland Yard's newest inspector...

... is Inspector Chick Pea!

After a yummy dinner at Shiraz, Chick Pea and I went back to my place and broke out the board games. Chick Pea chose Scotland Yard and we played two rounds, one each as Mister X and the inspectors. We drew. What impressed me was how fast she picked up the game mechanics. I pride myself on being an excellently elusive Mister X and yet, on her initial play through, she nabbed me... hehe, oh boy did she! :)

Looking forward to more board game playing with her.

Twos-day

Sunday Funday.
Monday drama.
Tough day.
Work stunk.
Tickets unresolved.
Request made.
Request granted.
Lovely evening.
Too short.
Television blamed.
Slept soundly.
Early meeting.
Late commute.
So cold!
Negative vibes.
General drama.
Archer lunch.
Tony Boombozz.
Lame afternoon.
Gas stop.
Bank stop.
Parent visit.
Revolution catchup.
Soccer victory.
Missed chick-a-dee.
Hearthstone beta.
Already sore.
Late bedtime.

Funday Limericks

I had afternoon company coming over
So I left for my neighborhood Kroger
Gouda, milk, soda, candy bar
Then out to my car
Where I was almost hit by a Land Rover

The eggs in a basket were yummy
The fig in the cookies so gummy
Tomato gravy for the win
Followed with Burnt Ends
All made for a satisfied fat tummy 

In the past, this day I call Sunday
Was just a day, the day before Monday
Until this chick-a-dee
Came and podded my pea
And now I think of today as our Funday!

Hearthstone Open Beta

Question(s):

Where were you all day Saturday?
Why didn't you answer my text/call/email on Saturday?
Were you able to get out of your complex with all this new snow and ice?
Did you shower on Saturday?
Did you do laundry on Saturday?
Did you go to the grocery store on Saturday?
Did you eat?
Did you sleep?

Answer (to all questions above):

I joined the Hearthstone open beta.

Five Friday Facts

1. Central Futbol Club is happy to have their goalkeeper back.

After taking a mid-season break and then missing additional games due to illness, I returned to the roster of Central FC... on tournament night, no less. Tournament night is the night when all the teams are seeded and play in a single-elimination tournament. The games are shortened by an entire half. And the play is intense. This is how I feel about tournament night: I want to either win the whole damn thing or lose the very first game. So how did Central FC fare? Hell, we lost in the finals... worst possible scenario. They were all great games though and everyone played well.

2. The Shock Tart, silly as it sounds, is the best martini at 60 West.

If you like nontraditional and sweet martinis, that is. They used to have a drink called the Flux Capacitor and it was the bomb. They made one for me time before last even after it had been off the menu but I fell in love with the Shock Tart that night too. Tonight was no different. And veggie goat cheese dip. Nom!

3. My new job is a very different beast than previous work experience.

I like it. And I hope I'm good at it. I think I am. There are personnel management situations that I am capable of handling but feel kind of bad for saying one thing and knowing something else. I understand the need and comply. But I fear secrets build secrets and, hell, transparency is what we do. Today was a day like that.

4. Blood work came back negative.

Does that sentence, out of context, sound like bad news? It does to me. But no, that sentence is good news, I suppose. Going back next week.

5. Savant is coming to North America.

I will see a show. The problem is that the *week* he is in North America is the Developer's Summit at work. The night I would want to see him in St. Louis is the night after an all-night event. Double, double toil and trouble. Argh.