Cooking Scallops

So, I have, for a long time, wanted to cook scallops.  I'm a huge seafood fan and I'm trying to get better at cooking.   I discovered quite a few great recipes that I was excited about.

However, I ran into one major roadblock.  Scallops, apparently, only stay good for ONE DAY, even in the freezer.  And, they are, well, expensive.  So it certainly wouldn't be good to buy said scallops and end up not using them.  That'd be a travesty.

I am usually grocery shopping either a) after work on the weeknights, when, if I haven't already eaten before going shopping, well, by the time I get home from grocery shopping, I'm not in the mood to cook.  Or, 2) if I'm going grocery shopping on a Saturday, I either a) have dinner plans or b) have hopes of making some kind of plans.  It's a pretty big commitment to buy scallops and then have to tell one's friends 'Sorry, I can't meet up, I gotta cook some scallops'.

Anyhow.  Finally, an opportunity to make some scallops arose.  It was Sunday, I was at the grocery store.  I wasn't planning on it, but all of a sudden, I saw an opportunity and decided to 'carpe diem' if you will.  I was at the seafood counter.  I didn't have dinner plans.  I most likely wouldn't make dinner plans. I took the plunge.

Scallops can be incredibly challenging to cook.  All of the cooking sites I checked out expressed that it was really important to not overcook scallops, yet, for many obvious reasons, one doesn't want to undercook seafood.  And, all of the sites also expressed that based on varying scallop size/pan size/heat-level of the oil, it was almost impossible to pin down an exact cooking time.   Ok.....

After all the to-do, I somehow was able to get it pretty close to perfectly.  It was one of my personal best cooking adventures to date.  Here's some 'after' pics.  (I forgot to take 'before'.  Your loss, I guess.)

Anyone else cook scallops?  Anyone have any great recipes to recommend?  I'm very open to suggestions.

The Coca-Cola Polar Bears

Ok, so I first noticed an ad for these lovely Coca-Cola polar bears during the superbowl.  Actually, 'first noticed' is inaccurate.  I know this is a really old campaign.  And by really old, I mean like 15+ years.  I remember back in the 7th grade having a sweatshirt with these bears on it and thinking it was the coolest thing ever.  I kind of wish I still had it right now.  My mom probably has it as dust rag.  Tear.  That just hurts me too much to think about.

Anyhow.  I am curious why Coca-Cola chose to revive this ad campaign.  Was it for the sake of nostalgia?  Has it always been around over the past 15 years and I just didn't notice?  I'm sure if I really cared, I could do some research.  There's probably a very thorough wikipedia page on the matter.  

Anyhow.  I love all things 'nostalgia'.  I love things that remind me of my childhood.  I think this was good decision on Coca-Cola's part.  Who doesn't love a good polar bear?  These guys are so cute and cuddly.  If anything, these ads make me smile.  Maybe it's time to go grab a coke.

New Workspace

So as quite a few of my readers know, I now have a job that allows me to work from home at times.  Well, I can't go back to the farm after having been to Paris, let me tell you.  This is the best thing ever.

Anyhow.  Most of my work has happened from bed on these days, let me tell you.  It made me realize something important.  I need an actual workspace in my apt.  I mean, I have one right now, but it's not, well, serious.   It's kind of like the 'fireplace' in my apt.  For display, but can't actually be used.

Anyhow.  I decided to create a new workspace within my confines.

Here is the before (of both parts of my apartment):

And the after:

When I first set up my apartment, I displayed my diploma over my desk.  It seemed like the thing to do.  Like, the appropriate setting for it.  As I moved my desk over, I thought about moving my diploma with to give the area the right 'feng shui' if you will.  However, I kind of felt like, inadvertently, my desk ended up having the perfect picture framing the area to begin with.  I think we all know this pic says 'I am read for the workday'.

Your thoughts?

It Happened.

I got contacted by a 60 year-old man on an online dating network.

The message:

Damn.  Wish you weren't 28.  Great pics.  Congrats.

********

At least the message is nice and quasi-appropriate (given the situation).  Although, I can't help but wonder - congrats for what?  For being quasi-photogenic?  For being on an online dating network?  For existing?

Additional note:  Not that people do this, but if men google the messages they send out on online dating networks, well, I am caught red-handed.  Oops.

File That Under....

This e-card was picked because I often times say 'file that under'.  And get mocked for it.  I am not alone.  There is at least one other person who employs this expression.  And he or she does work for someecards.

Freakin' Wrong, But Hilarious

Hilariously inaccurate.  Except for the square shapeness of it.  I hope this person wasn't employed by the psychic hotline.  He/she would have just been stealing other's money.  Unlike the other psychic hotline employees.  And who doesn't love the finger nail stylings on those models?  That is a nice timestamp in and of itself.  

Improv Comedy

So, for various reasons, over the past couple weeks, I've ended up at several 'improv comedy' events.  I like improv, however, I have two issues with it:

1)  It's become a little too prevalent that it's lost its novelty.

2)  I feel anxiety for the actors.  I imagine they are feeling anxiety.  I could be completely wrong.  But I know if I were in their shoes, I'd feel anxiety.  The pressure to be funny.  In front of a live studio audience. Who could potentially be mean and boo.  Or could potentially feel sorry for me and laugh and clap patronizingly.  I am really not sure which would be worse to someone trying to make it in comedic acting.  I actually think it might be the latter.

Anyhow.  Does anyone else feel this way about improv comedy?  I still like it, in spite of those issues.  What are your feelings on improv?  Does everyone else accidentally type improve every freakin' time?  Your thoughts?

Some More Kim Kardashian Humor

The other day, I was watching Jay Leno, and he commented on the fact that Kim kardashian has an autobiography coming out.

'Finally, we'll get a glimpse into the life of this mysterious elusive individual we know so little about. What is she going to talk about - what happens when they're changing the tape in the camera?'

I found that hilarious. I don't know why I find Kim humor that amusing.  She seems like a nice person and I certainly, at the very least, have nothing against her. But LOL.

I Find This Ad Hilarious

....and very relevant to modern society.  Bravo!

I kinda love when she says 'I'm kinda into it!'  - is the modern online dating woman a little desperate?  I kid....

Doc Martens

I lost my Doc Marten virginity.  Actually, that's a lie.  My first time was really back in high school (isn't that always the story - some lost confused incident back in high school that doesn't really count?!  I kid).  But those were sandals, and bought by Mom & Dad.

I bought these bad boys myself.   They are the traditional style docs, but they are 'pewter' (that fancy word for silvery).  Strangers compliment them.  I 'pinned' them (more on that later), and they already got repinned by a stranger who said she loves them (not sure what that fully means in the grand spectrum).

Anyhow.  I just wanted to post them.  I really like them and am really excited about them.  

Etiquette For Seeing Someone You Know on an Online Dating Site

So as you all know, I occasionally online date, yadda yadda yadda....

It's happened before (as evidenced in this post) and it's happened once again - I saw someone I know in real life on an online dating site.  I was looking through who had viewed my profile and I saw a familiar thumbnail.  I mistakenly looked at his profile (out of curiosity) - he could then see I viewed his profile.  Definitely him (a former coworker).

About half an hour later, I see I got a message.

"Hey!  How is the new job going?"

For some unknown reason, this annoyed me.  It would have been fine write me if he was interested in dating (although I don't return the sentiment).  However, he has my facebook and linkedin info, so he could have asked me this on some other communication platform.  Why do it here?  It almost struck me like he was calling me out - like a 'gotcha' thing.  Ha - I caught you online dating!

Anyhow, I did what I do best with 90% of people contacting me on online dating sites - I ignored it.  About a week later, he facebook messages me.  No avoiding it now....

At first he chit chats with me.  How is the new job going (again)?  Then he comments that he sees me on the online dating site.  He then tells me 'don't worry, he won't mention it to anyone'.  Uh, ok.  I think I laughed it off with a 'ha'.  Then he says something about wanting to keep it a secret that he's on this site.   Then why are you talking about it so much!?!  I just kept changing the subject.  We started talking for a little bit on a random talking point relating to our old workplace for a little bit.

After a short bit I told him I had to get going.  He once again went back to the online dating site and, again, that he won't mention it to anyone that he saw me there (ooh, my dirty secret!?) and that he's not sure what to make of it so far.  I, again, promptly ignored it and said goodbye.

Your thoughts?  What are the rules for seeing someone one knows in real life in an online dating site?  Is one to completely ignore it?  I don't know the proper etiquette, but I am confident this is not it.  Your thoughts?  Anyone else out there have any awkward run ins with real-life peeps in online dating?  

On The Theme of the Last Post

I can't embed.  Try this link.

A classic.

This Was Great, We Should Do This Again Sometime!

So maybe I've been watching a little too much Friends on Nick at Nite....

So, there's the episode where Chandler goes on a date with a woman he ends up not being interest in (Rachel's boss).   At the end of said date, he says 'This was great, I'll give you a call, we should do this again sometime.'  And then, of course, he never calls.

Recently, I went out with a guy.  Towards the end, he brought up that he was having a great time, he would like to hang out again.  As we walked out, he mentioned a restaurant we'd both spoken about earlier in the evening - we should go there together sometime soon.  We went our separate ways (just a friendly goodbye hug - no one night stand, if your mind is going there ;-) ).

Drumroll, please.

As you might expect, he never called.

I can also think of a time I ran into a coworker with which I was acquaintances.   We chatted briefly and he brought up that we should totally get together and catch up for lunch or a happy hour.  Sure, I'd be up for it.  Then as we parted ways, he, again, said we should totally hang out.  Sure, drop me a line.  He has my phone number, email, and facebook.  This was three months ago - no word on the matter.  There had also been times when we'd worked together and we'd spoken of having lunch or going for coffee and it never happened.

One could very easily say I'm reading way too much into this - it simply slipped his mind, he got busy, he's just bad about making plans, etc.  I would even say this, however, he and I have another mutual friend who mentioned him and cited the exact same annoyance - he brings up 'we should hang out' and he doesn't follow through and is flaky when my other friend reaches out and tries to initiate.  This other mutual friend even cited the exact same Friends episode as a reference to him.

My other mutual friend said 'I don't get 'Joe's' deal - it's fine if he doesn't want to be friends with me or hang out, but why does he then bring it up?  I can't really tell if he actually likes me or not.'

Your thoughts? Why do some people talk about making plans and hanging out when they have no intention or desire?  I could see smiling and nodding and going along with it if the other person brought it up, but why suggest it when one has no intention?  Anyone else deal with these kind of people?  I can honestly say I certainly didn't mind that said guy never called me and, although I like said former coworker, it certainly isn't a big deal to me that we never got together.  However, a small part of me ends up feeling annoyed that these people are liars (or something like that).  Your thoughts?

Pyramid Schemes

So the other day, a friend of mine from college I haven't spoken to in a couple years facebook chats me.  I haven't talked to her in quite a while and it seems rather out of the blue, but I always liked her.  The conversation goes something like this.  Let's, for now, call her Sara (not her real name).

Sara:  Hey!!

Jaime:  Hey girl!

Sara:  How are you?

Me:  Good, how are you doing?

(insert a little bit of what have you been up to, where do you live these days, where do you work, etc)

Me:  I work at a small ad agency, how about you?

Sara:  I work at XXX company and I have my own business as well.

(Editor's sidenote:  Yes, I immediately see the red flag as well.)

Me:  How is that going?  Do you like that?

Sara:  XXX Company, no.  My own business, yes.

Me:  (Hmm, what do I do here?!)

Well, one out of two ain't bad?

(The conversation seems to have it a lull.  I should have let it die its own peaceful death on its own, but fool that I am, I thought we were just catching up.)

What kind of business do you have?

Sara:  Let me tell you all about it!  Do you have 20 minutes?!

Me:  Uh, no.  I was just gonna go return a phone call.  Maybe you can give me a one minute synopsis.

Sara:  How about we talk tomorrow.

Me:  Uh, ok.... (At this point I don't know what to do.  I'm not averse to talking to her again, but not for the obvious reasons she wants to talk.)

Sara:  What's your phone number?

At this point, I passively close the chat, get up, and walk away from the computer.  I don't feel too bad about it because she clearly doesn't feel bad about harassing me to try to join in her pyramid scheme.  I was afraid I would have to block her from chatting or, awkwardly, be pretty blunt that I don't want to hear about her business opportunity.  I do some further facebook research and I see, from her page, that she's clearly been suckered in.  She's found a solution to all her problems in this wonderful get rich quick scheme she's found. She will soon be a wealthy, independent business owner.  And she has quite the network of people who are in this with her.  I see people commenting on the fact that she's gotten suckered.   I see people who've also gotten suckered defending their ways and criticizing the others for 'being cynical and negative!'

What I was most surprised about is, knowing this girl back in college, she seemed like a reasonably smart, logical girl.  I know she has a college education.  She, in theory, is has potential for doing so much better than this.  Is it the bad economy?  Have people gotten desperate?  Have people gotten hopeless?  The other day in a coffee shop, I heard someone pitching a pyramid scheme to a poor innocent sap.  From some facebook posts made by other friends, it seems as though this friend might not be alone.  Is it easier in these times to get suckered into something?  Does anyone actually like being in a pyramid scheme?  Does anyone enjoy harassing their friends/family/people they know?  I am not sure I am someone who is up for cold calling in general; I'd be very hesitant to cold call on my own personal network (as opposed strangers holding roles in businesses).  Is there anyone in a pyramid scheme who is actually happy?  (Other than the obvious one person at the top.)

Things I Learn From Pandora

So, earlier in the week, I was listening to my pandora (Missy Higgins, FYI). I came across a random song I'd never heard before - it sounded pleasant.  I looked at it - the artist was Schuyler Fisk.  Something about the name struck me familiar.  Isn't she an actress?  Where do I know her from?

I did some research. She's Sissy Spacek's daughter (Editor's sidenote: what's she up to these days?!). She is (or was?) indeed, an actress.   Why do I remember her name?  Was she in some Nickelodeon show I liked?  She wasn't Clarissa or Alex Mack, so I'm momentarily drawing a blank.

Then I found it.  She was Kristy in the Baby-Sitter's Club movie!  Although I'd only seen the movie once, I think, I loved the Baby-Sitter's Club (as evidenced in this post)!   Dear Schuyler - no matter what you do, you will always be Kristy Thomas in my book (and in my heart)

Plan B?

So, this past week - Friends has been on Nick at Nite (way to make me feel old, Nickelodeon).  Editor's sidenote:  back in my heyday, when I LOVED Nickelodeon, I used to hate when all the good shows (Salute Your Shorts, Double Dare, etc etc.) were not on and 'Nick at Nite' came on because it was a bunch of 'old shows' that I'd never heard of.  Le sigh.  Anyhow.  Tangent.

I have loved the friends reruns being on.  A favorite moment came up - when Chandler is dating Janis and Joey hates her.   Joey wants to know what they should all do about it.

*******************************

JOEY: Their not breaking up. Chandler and Janice. Their not breaking up. He didn't blink or anything.

RACHEL: Well, you know I'm not surprised. I mean have you seen them together, they're really cute.

JOEY: Cute! This is Janice! You remember Janice?

RACHEL: Yes, Joey, I remember, she's annoying, but you know what she's-she's his girlfriend now. I mean what can we do?

JOEY: There you go! That's the spirit I'm looking for! What can we do? Huh? All right who's first? Huh? Ross?

ROSS: Well I'm thinking that Chandler's our friend and Janice makes him happy, so I say we just all be adult about it and accept her.

JOEY: Yeah, we'll call that Plan B. All right?

*******************************

What can one do one when's friend dates someone he or she doesn't like?  Joey Tribbiani wants to know!

Speaking Of Birthdays....

This blog turns four!  That is like 50 in blog years.  That is a very long shelf-life for a blog.  I love you, baby blog!  You make me so very happy!

Birthdays, etc.

So, as my most loyal followers know, I have a birthday coming up.  Every year, I end up doing something big for it (and by something big, I mean dinner and drinks with friends).

I love seeing all my friends, and I especially love the fact that they made the time to come out and celebrate my birthday with me.  I know some of my friends who lead busy lives (and that busyness does not involve hitting up the bar scene) have commented that they like having a reason to have a night out on the town.

However, there are a couple caveats:

1)  I have several different groups of friends (work friends, chicago friends, high school friends, college friends, etc.).  I'm not trying to sound popular, I swear.  But, the issue at hand is moreso that I need to make sure everyone has someone to talk to or is seated by someone he or she knows.  What if only one person shows up from one group of friends, and I'm way at the other end of the table?  Is he or she not going to have anyone to talk to?  The night is going to suck for him/her if that's the case!  Stressful.

2)  I need to make a point of making sure I make the rounds and talk to everyone.  These people made a point to come out and see me for my birthday.  However, this can be difficult and stressful - weaving in and out of conversations at the right time, splitting time evenly with people, etc.  Stressful!

3) Aside from all this, there's the whole 'picking a place that's easy for people to get to/not too expensive/still nice', making sure to invite everyone, making sure no one is accidentally not invited/consequently offended, yadda yadda yadda....

Anyhow - on one hand, a small part of me feels a little bit silly throwing myself a birthday party as an adult.  However, another part of me doesn't care because it's fun for me, and I know most of my friends have said that they like having an excuse to get out and that they have fun at my birthday celebration (so pssshhh to any judgers).   It seems as though, these days, one needs an excuse to get out and party.

So what should I do this year?  Should I plan a dinner/night at a bar like I have the past?   I've thought it would be easier/less stressful to have people over and make some appetizers, but my little chicago apartment is very small.    What is the best plan for my birthday this year?   Your thoughts?  Dear readers - anyone who plans on coming out to celebrate - what do you want to do?  What's a good/lowkey/inexpensive/low pressure/fun plan?!

St. Patrick's Day In Chicago

I love my new t-shirt.  It's from the same people who brought me one of my other favs - the bayside tigers shirt:

Where is this goodness from, you ask?  Strange Cargo.  (They owe me a free shirt for this one.)  I love their stuff.

Anyhow.  I'm really looking forward to St. Patrick's Day in Chicago.  I'm booked on a trolley! 

It's About Time For A Political Post

--He's a flip-flopper
--He's wealthy
--He's probably a smart man
--He's out of touch with your average American
--He has a nice-looking normal family
--He'll say anything to get elected
--His own party is not even excited about him

I predict, if he gets the Republican Nom, he will have a similar experience to Mr. Kerry.  People who hate his opposition will try unsuccessfully to stimulate some form of excitement to get people to vote for him, simply cause he's not the other guy.  And, it ultimately just won't work.

Know Your Stuff

Remember, you can blame Jeannine for the someecards kick.

Sad Times

File this one under 'things change'.  Rough.  I will miss your blue awnings.  You are, in my heart, a permanent fixture of wrigleyville, Tropico.