Working Stiff

As some of you know, I've had a few jobs in my tenure on the planet. For kicks, I thought I'd assemble a comprehensive list.

-apple orchard employee (Kaste’s)
-pizza maker/convenience store employee (Budget Mart: twice)
-sales associate (Naturalizer)
-boat cleaner
-wholesale spice packager (Wildwood)
-library assistant
-tutor (TRIO)
-AASPIRE intern (EOC)
-assistant director/video editor/production assistant (MCC-12)
-assistant archivist (WCFTR)
-notetaker (ASM and McBurney)
-prep cook/office assistant (Trempealeau Hotel)
-PR/advertising rep. (Aging and Disability Resource Center)
-map organizer (map library)
-deli worker (grocery store)
-house cleaner
-gardener
-office assistant (Trempealeau Family Chiropractic)
-bread peddler (Whole Foods)
-car hop
-baker (Renaissance Bakery)
-tractor cleaner
-assistant for program introducing high school students to campus
-editor (WHS and CE Publishing)

Tell me about your wackiest jobs.

Overheard in the Steam Room

Yesterday, in the steam room, I overheard a guy say the following regarding Obama appointing someone to a post after Congress had finished its session: "I just think it was a sneaky way to get other Socialists, Communists, and crooks in." Yeah. I thought y'all would enjoy that little tidbit. And I kept my mouth shut, too. (Sometimes I blurt when a more suitable response would be silence.)

Other than that, the weekend was pretty low-key. Today, I attended a baby shower, so I had to venture into Babies R Us to buy a gift. I would not recommend this unless it's absolutely necessary or you are keen on inflicting pain on yourself.

On Saturday, I slept in deliciously late, did laundry, made the aforementioned hideous run to Babies R Us, serendipitously ran into friends and shared a coffee with them, and had my little steam room session. Yesterday evening, I watched Desk Set with a friend.

And that's about it.

Oh. I almost forgot! Last week, I made an amazing Thai curry soup. I cheated a bit in that I used Trader Joe's Thai curry sauce, but the result was yummy. It had green beans, cauliflower, tofu, Indian spices (turmeric, mustard seed, coriander), onions, and garlic. If you like spicy Thai flavors, give it a whirl. You could use whatever veggies appeal to you.

The Knights who say Knee

Since my knees have been aching, I've been exercising less. I'm doing the R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) regimen and will see a Sports Medicine person next week. It's very challenging to rest all the time. I mean, as a general rule, I begrudgingly go to the gym, but exercise does make me feel better and relieves stress.

Since I'm kind of laid up, you'd think I'd have lots of time to write in my blog. Alas, that does not seem to be the case. Well, I guess I have the time; I just haven't been devoting it to writing. I have been reading a fair number of books, though. Let's see. Jeffrey Eugenides' The Virgin Suicides, Laura Esquivel's Swift as Desire, Janet Fitch's Paint It Black, and Dai Sijie's Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress. And now I need a new book. Any suggestions?

Why celery got the boot

This week was pretty uneventful, although dancing on Saturday was a hoot.

Today I made Mushroom Barley Soup. Here's the recipe: http://bit.ly/9P8Kxg. I omitted the celery largely because after using 2 or 3 ribs of celery, the remainder languishes in my fridge until it's desiccated and sad. And then I throw it out. Omitting it keeps me from killing yet another innocent 3/4 bunch of celery. And I added rosemary because I had some frozen from last season's garden, and it sounded like it'd pair well with mushrooms and barley. And I was right. :)

What else? I did my taxes and met a friend for coffee at Ground Zero. The walk to and from the coffee house reminded me how much I love my neighborhood. Often, I'm either driving or reading on the bus. And there's no better way than walking to truly observe and engage with a neighborhood. I forgot about the funky houses and the fun gardens (they're just starting to peek out) and the vibrancy of people out and about. It was lovely.

The Day Off and Harbingers of Spring

Today, I took the day off. I didn't do anything terrifically exciting, but it was wonderful to do whatever I wanted and get a few basic things done. I slept late, then had breakfast and went to yoga at noon. At class, I met a new friend from Rome, and since I had planned to go for a hike in the arboretum after class, I invited her to join me. We grabbed lunch at Cargo Coffee and reminisced about various travels. (We were also hit on by a guy at the table behind us. He asked if he could take us bowling sometime. Yes, bowling. It was very odd.) Then it was off to Trader Joe's to get groceries. After putting away my groceries, I sat in the eucalyptus steam room at the gym and then picked up a few items at Target.

On the way home, I saw a gorgeous, gorgeous moon. It looked a bit like a mottled blood orange hanging in the sky. I'm choosing to interpret the beautiful moon as a harbinger of spring. I am so very glad that it is finally March. I know I'm supposed to appreciate all of the seasons, but the Wisconsin winter wears me out. By February and March, I am desperate for heat and sunshine and open water and green things.