By The Way,

I took that picture.  Up top. The New One.

Its at Discovery Park.

And, I have no idea how to edit. so…this is straight from me and my camera.

I…find that a weeeeeee bit impressive. But, then. I’m not a photographer.

Mac and Cheese!

If you’re interested: The Recipe.

Approx. 4 c. macaroni

Approx. 2 1/2 c. milk [or 1/2 and 1/2 if your feeling particularly ballsy]

1/2 stick of butter

4 tablespoons of flour

1 1/2 c. sharp cheddah

1 c. pepper jack

Approx. 1 c. breadcrumbs [grate a piece of bread over the cheese-grater. voila.]

salt/pepper/nutmeg to taste

Melted butter/garlic powder combo to taste

Cook your pasta according to the package directions, EXCEPT cook for one minute less than directed. Drain well.

As the pasta is draining, using the same pot, melt the butter, whisk in the flour and cook for 1 – 2 minutes stirring constantly. Pour in the milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg, and stir until thickened. Stir in the cheese all at once and continue stirring until melted – about 50 – 60 seconds. Remove from heat. Stir in the pasta and pour into a buttered baking dish. Top with the bread crumbs, and drizzle with the melted butter. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 20 minutes. While its cooling, my suggestion is to take pictures of it.  But, be sure you let it cool. Its 400 degrees. Serve.

I wish the tide would take me over

seriously. sometimes. Anyway, its a song lyric so forgive it.  I’ve been obsessed with the xx lately…which I just learned its “the xx” because they’re all twenty.  Little turkeys. But, maaaan. What sexxy music. Mostly, I’m writing because I feel like I owe it to the unemployed among us. Hell, all of us.  Its been rough lately.  Really really rough.  I’ve been at the unemployment lifestyle for some time now, and while some days the urge to just lie in bed and cry is too overwhelming for the most part I like to think myself capable of sanity and a joy-filled life.  That being said, I’ve been a little depressed lately not to mention, so has everyone else. So, I am compiling a nice little list of things to do, or ways to pass the time, or suggestions for not totally losing it, ways to get through the days…call it what you will, I hope it helps.

Do everything way more slowly. Seriously, what do you have planned today? Why not make it worth while.  If your anything like me, you’re probably eating like one meal a day, right? Make. It. Last. I find that when I give enough time and energy to any particular task I have around here, its that much more rewarding.  Allow yourself to appreciate your life. I think there is a whole school of thought for what I’m trying to say. Oh yeah, Zen.  Which, according to wikipedia aims to discover the Buddha-nature within each of us through meditation and mindfulness of daily experiences…which ultimately lead to enlightenment.  sweet.

Change banks. If you haven’t yet. Lets face it, you’re probably getting fucked by Chase. Am I right? Get a credit union, like BECU.  It used to be just for Boeing employees, but now all you have to do  is either work or live in the state of Washington and you qualify.  And you can do it…get. this. Online. ANNNNDDDD the minimum deposit to open a checking account is something like, one dollar [you can find that on the street, come on]. Lemme help, https://www.becu.org/default.aspx?var=olb.

Go to Value Village. Man, the possibilities are virtually endless in this place. You can donate ANYTHING you have and don’t want anymore and they turn around and give you a discount to buy more stuff from them. Or, you can just go and explore…there are soooooo many sections. Or, you can transform your wardrobe for little to no dollars.  Or, you can get a bunch of new furniture.  Or, books.  Let me pause and discuss the books for a sec.  Here are a few recent titles I’ve picked up…just to interest/amuse you/me: “The Psychic Healing Book”, “When Good Dogs do Bad Things: proven solutions to 30 common problems”, “Ancient and Modern Witchcraft”, “The Woman’s Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred Objects”…you get the idea. And, my god, the games. Which, I might mention, are a good way to spend time as well.  They always have at least one Trivial Pursuit which is like a whole day’s activity that you learrrrn from.

Organize your closet. Its fun. You find stuff you forgot. Its a good excuse to go to Value Village.  It looks awesome. Do it.

Purge your iTunes. I just deleted MercyMe…it’d been a long time.

Take a bath. This is when I allow myself to smoke inside. Naughty, I know. I also have bath toys. And bubble bath.  And, like a bajillion loofahs.  Thanks Doob.

Cook something new new. You know, like nothing you have any idea how to make.  You can get a cookbook at Value Village, or, god forbid…explore a new part of the internet.  I made the most bitchin’ mac and cheese I’ve ever had last week. Twice. Because it was that delicious.

Do what you want. Face it, if you don’t master your own destiny no one will. Or worse, someone else will.

TROLL craigslist. You already should be, I mean, if you’re looking for a job.  But like Value Village, there are soooo many sections. I got a free haircut yesterday. FREE.  And the personals always make me feel a little better.

Go outside. Sure, its winter. But its the mildest winter I’ve seen in at least 5 years. Depressed-ass.

Find a show that has a LOT of seasons. Myself? Star Trek.  For those days when going outside is sickening.

Quit Smoking. Cigarettes. Its a filthy habit that costs to much money anyway.  Everybody’s doing it, and you’ll thank yourself (maybe) when you make it to fifty. Plus, it takes a surprising amount of will-power.  You wont be bored for a few days…eh?

Get musical. I choose the piano, because I have no idea how to use a guitar. I also recommend the kazoo.  Its a more apartment-friendly piece.  And, you know a good place to pick up new musical instruments? Value. Village. Or, craigslist.  Forever free pianos and organs.

Pay your bills. Because the world doesn’t stop turning, and you don’t want bad credit.

Create. Seriously.  Anything.  It makes you like insta-twenty times happier.  I have watercolors on hand.  And crayons.  And a glue gun.  And a 300-in-one chemistry set from, you guessed it. Value Village. I seriously can’t stress Value Village enough. They donate the money to BLIND KIDS for heaven’s sake.

Laundry. You know you have too.

Alright, my friends.  I love you.  Take heart, I’m still receiving a monthly newsletter from Private Islands, inc. Soon enough we’ll be able to buy an island.  And, when that day comes, we’ll be ready.

HEY! Join the noise pə-ˈrād!

I realize that is has been an interminable amount of time since I or, perhaps anyone has referenced this widdle blog, but I find it very very important to send any and all readers on their merry way around the internets.

http://www.myspace.com/gaydatheband

pə-ˈrād, my friends. don’t hesitate to have a listen. I would argue they will soon be taking the analog world by STORM. So, there you are. You don’t want to miss out, right?

 

Pre-order your cassette, today!

http://thebattle.co.uk/lna/

 

misses, kisses, loves and hugs all around.

 

Dear Alaska,

We miss you.
We love you.
We hope you are well.
We miss your blogs.
Seattle is great.
However, missin’ on you.
Enlighten us, please.
Love,
Apt. [upside-down] 5

summer: how school really wrecked my life.

You know, I’m going to go out on a limb here and say…I’m not responsible for my actions. Recently, I’ve developed a theory that I have a tendency to hibernate in the summer time. And here are a few reasons why:

• I sleep around 15 hours a day
• My movement is very minimal unless its to the bathroom or the kitchen
• Or, in the air conditioned/convertible car…of course
• I find myself horizontal. All. The. Time.
• ie. in the pool, next to a pool, on the ground, under a fan, on my bed
• I can’t be asked to work.

I blame my education. BECAUSE, without summer break every year for the past, oh I don’t know, 20 years of my life…I very much doubt these few precious months would hold any kind of ‘anti-functioning member of society’ significance for me. But it does. Vacations are possible year round, right? BUT none are ever so great as “that one time last summer” or, in my case, “a couple weeks ago, i think”. And with all of the United States taking a summer vacay, noooo wonnnndddderrrrr we’re in a recession. So, listen up American Education System, the answer to this recession isn’t a mystery, afterall! Put those kids back in school! Summer break can just be an old wive’s tale. Lore, that I’ll pass on to my friend’s grandchildren. All fun should be stopped forever!

I’m writing my governor.

My teeming mind: A list

i just looked in the mirror across the bed…i scratched my own head, and now i look like a bat. i could pull this off. maybe i’ll do it all up for the show, tonight? ohmygahh, i’m STOKED about USE. i’m wearing a dress tonight, just like those hot chicks from USE. hopefully they’ll see me and know i’m just a HUGE fan…not some mean-spirited bitch posing a mockery. i hope i can stay up…OH! i just realized a few days ago that i actually don’t sleep anymore. startling, to say the least.  claytone and i stayed up for sunrise and made a nice delicious brekker. my second of the day.  claytone is getting increasingly more talented at this here guitar. i’m so proud. and excited. team bits will have never looked or sounded better. especially with my new updo. BOB is running all around town today.  i just hope he doesn’t get hit by a car…KRIS! found bob. i’m going out for a royale.

[i'm going to take this opprotunity to let you, yes you lurky Mclurkerson, in on a little secret:  these royales i have to my immediate disposal are the real thing. yes, the ACTUAL royal blue stripe tied like a maypole ribbon round an exquisite fiberglass filter.  a royale that packs an earthy-tasting punch...a royale that almost eight months ago became extinct among the cigarette populous. this gas tation i stopped in a couple of weeks ago somewhere between kris' house and my apartment. they have them...but, shcokingly, he didn't give me the real deal last time...but he did yesterday.  what a great weekend]

speaking of the weekend.  easter has been the BEST season so far.  i say season…because, well, it is. i look like a rock star. always. i’m really glad to have my sunnies back. i can’t get over my own reflection….we’re going to play on gus today. hopefully bob will be back in time, he likes the bus. and, there will be so many PEOPLE! friends, obviously. hopefully. god, what if i get scared. i’ll go upstairs…to the crows nest! i’ll have to fashion some kind of pulley system for bob. duh. i really want one of those emergency blankets to carry around with me. make it one of my summer staples. with my tanning lotion and lofty-looking book. [but, probably a romance novel] wow, what a tangent. anyway, its been a beautiful couple of weeks. washington is brimming with spring…cherry trees are blossoming white and baby pink, dandelions are clumping together in little families.  push is having babies. the sun smiles at a topless bitsy. it puts me in the best mood. the other day we went to laribee (i have no idea how one would go about spelling that) and played in the forest. unfortunatley, however, i almost fell off a cliff. to my dismay, the ground itself had baited and trapped me. and left me all alone. i don’t think i’ve been much more scared in my entire life, quite honestly.  like a night in shining armour would rescue his lady love, the damsel in distress…claytone saved my life. he’s a really good friend.

i have to go figure out what to wear today. its much cooler than i had anticipated so i have to dive into my poppinsesque bag o’ tricks and improvize something altogether too fashionable and functional for my own good.

thank you for reading, i love you.

This Bitch Does NOT Fuck Around

me, yes...

but, more specifically, Kristen Nicole Black…

check out: www.kristenblackphotography.com if you’d like to be WOWED.

The Perks of Being a College Graduate

and working for Starbucks:

• its okay to get up whenever the hell you feel like it, and not feel badly about flushing at least $100 down the drain by skipping class.
• you can’t really afford a high-end place to live, so your low income neighbors are okay with you laying on the balcony in your swimsuit at 11AM while your dog dips around nearby. in april.
• cigarettes and beer are primary expenses, taking precedence over food and nutrients…so you’re super thin [save that beer gut].
• nine to fives don’t really cramp your style, unless you’re trying to get home from a weekend stay out of town and you accidentally get to Seattle in the middle of ‘rush hour’.
• you can take a weekend stay out of town. every weekend.
• free coffee any time you need.
• ‘pulling a fast one’ on everyone you know isn’t unheard of. in fact, a wee bit preferred.
• time is totally lost on you, except when you have to pound out a quick eight hours in front of the bar during the warmest hours of the day.
• the world doesn’t stop turning, no matter what you do.
• you still have all the smarts and the computer savvy to steal and listen to music…and blog, if you’re bored.

Lovers and Friends

i have spent an entire workday at an actual office and am embarking on the second in a row as i type. stay tuned. maybe i’ll make it its own section?