TTC - morning beef.

.... The most inefficient way....

Maybe there was a time long long ago when street cars served their purpose.

But this day and age, it is quite ridiculous - especially when only one breaks down, this is what happens to everyone else...

It seems that any other large metropolitan city has a more efficient system.... Yet we do not learn from them.

Is that a ....?!?$&

This week I've been fighting a cold.

With my usual concoction of lemon, honey, ginger and cinnamon.

With a pack of Ricola - lemon honey flavor.

With Vogel echinaforce throat spray.

And with double batches if good ol' home made chicken soup!

- of course the latter requires consumption with bread. So since I'm cutting back in the carbs I decided to get the multigrain type.

This week I've also been slightly freaking out every time I saw this:

.... A bed bug on my office floor?!?$&

No.

It's just a flax seed.

Damn those flaxseeds! 

Listen Up "Country Harvest" Bread makers: whole flaxseeds :

#1 - must be ground to have any nutritional value

#2 - look a hell of a lot like beg bugs from far away.

- so please for my health an well being - you should fix that.

Thanks.

Sincerely 

Joss

In the Eve week of Halloween

..... And relation to Walking Dead tonight:

( Love this quote )

"We all have jobs here, and yours right now, is to believe".

-Hershel to Glenn 

There's organic .... And then there is rotten food....

Eat clean, they say....

It's healthier for you, they say....

Grass fed
Non pasteurized
Range free
No gmo
Gluten free
Organic

Etc....

So, tonight I came home from a play and decided to have a tiny snack before bed....
You know.... Something a bit better than finishing off the coffee Hagen Das I started earlier in the day.

So I looked around in my fridge at my newly bought organic stash....
Ahh raspberries, that will do!

This is what I find from the Driscolls brand bought at the local Metro on front street:

Underneath it all, a lovely thick coating of organic....mold! Yum! Maybe a new kind if fungus? Like a specialty mushroom except grown on raspberries? Deeee-lish! 

Only 1/5th of this container was edible... The rest, infiltrated with mold! The black kind... I don't know about you but I've heard black mold in homes is the bad kind.

I bought this yesterday.

And organic isn't cheap.

And even more so since I could only eat 8 tiny berries from this container! 

That means 8 F'in organic berries cost about 5-6$

Something is very wrong here. 

No... I didn't bother driving it back to complain to the Metro. Even though I think they deserve that. An yea I did call Driscolls cause the package even asked for comments.... So this is my comment in detail, posted for all.... Very sad. I'm hungry for raspberries and disheartened by my first attempt at organic berries.

June... It's time for the big S!

Man of steel is coming out soon. 

Not a movie buff but I'm looking forward to this. 

6 years old and I had a crush on superman - Christopher Reeves was the best! Superman = Manly man, yet nerdy, sensitive, thoughtful, caring, responsible, strong, protective .....Ah so dreamy..

Yep, 6 yrs old and I used to jump off furniture, and pretend to fall and lay on the floor, imagining for a couple minutes my hero coming to rescue me and carry me off into the sky.... And we would fly oh so high ! And we would kiss....

Superman 2 was on TV tonight. The one where Lois finds out Clark's true identity. And then they do it! gasp! haha Funny I didn't realize it had some adult content in there at that time ... Maye too much for a 6 yr old to be watching ? Of course perfectly innocent these days though ha!

Sad. But love how she sings this version

"Remember to let her into your heart,

Then you can start to make it better."

http://youtu.be/D_KAJiL7qZk

"And anytime you feel the pain, hey jude, refrain,

Don't carry the world upon your shoulders.

For well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool

By making his world a little colder."

Zzzzz

Today, my eyebrows were not strong enough to keep my eyelids from falling.

Had an IT meeting and I think it was quite noticeable. Not that the content was boring ... It's just more difficult after lunch. Getting a sleep test done next week and I'm not looking forward to it: the cold room, the wires all attached, the knowing that other people are watching/ monitoring you, the having to wake up to go #1.... 

Gonna make it!

"Fake it till you make it"

Or till you become it!

Two friends from separate circles told me this this year.... 

Funny poopy stuff

Oh macaroon,

You look so funny,

You taste so good,

And you are bad for ma belly.

.... Mellow day at work today.... I'd say its  a good day :) 

Fire!!

Or a magnet?

Or a magnet to the fire? 

No.. That doesn't sound right.

Moth to the flame ? Burned my the fire...

( that's by Janet Jackson)

Anyhoots, just heard this song this morning and it doesn't help to get over things. But, I'd say it fits perfectly.

"I'm riding in your car,

You turn on the radio.

You're pullin me close,

I just say Nooooooo (! Haha).

I say I don't like it,

But you know I'm a liar.

... Cause when we kiss....

Oooooh , fire!"

2 insincere statements you may hear....

I guess where this is coming from is the management department, to employees.... But in some ways you can feel free to use it in every day life when you want to add just a hint of sarcasm when dealing with someone you really wish not to....

"Absolutely" - used in a so called agreement with what one has heard but knowing full well that you really don't give a fuck and can't do anything about it. 

"I am happy to help any way I can " - said just right after rejecting a request. If you are happy to help or really want to help, give an alternative solution.

Random this morning

Look ....

The cloud abs.

So rippled 

I feel soooo much love!!!

I'm stuck at home sick with what I believe to be the flu. Spiked a fever earlier today. I ran out of chicken, making my last batch of chicken soup last night. 

And my parents come by to bring me more chicken and aspirin and Tylenol and ginger and juice. Right at my door!!

I love my parents very much!! 

I'm truly thankful I'm so blessed! :)

That was scary...

I guess if opening a can of beets in my mostly white condo was the scariest thing to happen in my day so far.... Then today is a good day :) 

The saga of my runny nose.... Seems to be a never ending story.

- it's no fun being cooped up at home sick with a cold. I feel like I'm wasting precious time ! 

It's done ... Lemme move on...

Finally done my taxes!
Hermitizing for a couple weeks and now I feel free!
Just gotta clear up the tornado of a mess in my living room though.

Off to Metro to buy me a whole chicken in hopes it will last the week.
This making home made meals from scratch is tiring me out!!
I admire my mom even more these days... I've truly been blessed! :)

Chocolate cobbler

Yea. Clearing out all the papers around my place, sorting out my tax stuff.
Gotta save this recipe

- less sugar and don't pack the brown sugar.

Chewy molasses spice cookies

Via Martha Stewart ...
Decease sugar and blend well. Add candied ginger from T&T :)

F . U !!! .... I'm cooking tofu! :)

I had a few errands and needed to stop by T&T after work tonight. That's an Asian grocery store. I'm happy it's close by my place. Though I'm not happy with the cooked chap Che ( korean noodle dish) they had one time and also not happy with the ensaymada (sweet cheese Filipino bread) they had today. Bleh.

This store has been around for a while but I hardly ever shop there. Lately though, I've been a few times and today I realized that it can kind of be a de-stressor after work... Just wandering aimlessly down each aisle finding all these weird and interesting things...(btw, travel bottles there are .99cents! When at Shoppers they are 5-10$).


I did pick up some medium firm tofu. Last time I got tofu it was way too soft it melted as I cooked it. And another time it was too firm it tasted like cardboard. (Not that I ever tasted cardboard before).
This time it was good.
Gently stir fried it with
-onions
-garlic
-oyster sauce - vegetarian
-soy sauce
-a tiny bit of sesame seed oil

Yum!

Had some bok Choy with ginger as well on the side

Anyhow, they also have some cute kitchen ware. I keep checking out these pretty flower rice bowls but never end up getting them.

Today I saw this mug.
How fitting :)

Cha cha cha ... Changes ....

I think there's a song like that....

Chia

Apparently, these are good for cleaning away toxins from the body. And according to this label, a source of calcium, omega fatty acids and antioxidants.

These are also organic.
And Super!
And Aztec.

But all I want to do is make a paste and place it on a terra cotta figurine and watch it grow! ..... Ah chia pet ... Where can I find you?

YOU will feel this way...

Tonight I'm getting excited....

I'm, shall we say, "hungry for change" :)

I'd actually like to link the YouTube trailer of this documentary, but I'm having a little technical difficulties doing that through this phone app.

But if you can put a little effort into looking it up, it is well worth it, I promise.

...and I never promise things lightly.

It has gotten me exited I want to share this doc with everyone I care about !
Those that are in my life of course... Cause lately, I'm just not seeing the point in chasing those that choose not to be.
C'est la vie! Oui? Oui! :)

19 Life Lessons You Should’ve Learned By Now | Thought Catalog

19 Life Lessons You Should’ve Learned By Now | Thought Catalog

Chill'ay day

According to my digestive tract, it was an interesting day today. Something tells me tomorrow will be just as interesting.

Have you ever steamed a lot of veggies and realized that you steamed waaaay too much for that meal... Or even that day?
Left over steamed carrots and broccoli are just gross. How can a side dish taste so good, only to also taste so bad in just a few hours. Totally in edible. I know, cause I tried. Bleh.

..... Until now! Yesterday night I decided to purée that stuff into a wonderful cream of broccoli and carrot soup! And add some bacon = yummay for ma' tummay! (Actually bacon added to anything makes it taste oh so good).

I had a bit left over for tonight too but I kinda burnt it while making some chilli ( chilli for the first time I may add... Ya gotta brush up on my multitasking).
But even kinda burnt, the broccoli carrot and bacon soup still smelt so good :) ( I'll add here that I also added some cream and flour and Parmesan cheese - just for future reference).

*dry heaves!!*

So lately I haven't been getting much exercise. I've been blaming it on a bad hip that even got irritated with hot yoga ( damn pigeon position).

So a friend I mine mentioned stair walking. I've tried the whole gym regimen and its not for me. There's something about seeing immediate purpose than just staying in one spot watching a screen or the wall or the other fit bods and wishing I looked like them. I rather exercise while doing something like a sport or an activity or going from point A to point B for a reason.

The other day I decided to get out of the elevator onto the 7th floor of my building and walk up to my floor. Seemed pretty easy to me.

So today I decided to start from the first floor.
.... I ended up outside. Brrrr!

Ok, there is no access from the first floor into the stairwell.

Lets try this again.
2nd floor
....
By the 7th floor I was breathing heavy.
....
8th floor .... Is there enough ventilation in the stairwell ?
That must be it... It's the stairwell, not me, they just don't pump enough oxygen in there.
....
9th floor.... One tiny grasp on to the hand railing. No biggie, I can do this.
....
10th floor .... Ok - Dry. heaves. hanging.on. to. the. hand. rail.for support... Pulling myself up the stairs instead of walking... Oh my....slowing down.
....
11th floor .... Stop... For a minute...well, a few minutes. Gotta catch my breath.

For a second I thought, what if I pass out here? ! No one will ever know? Days could go by. No one will ever think to look in the stairwell... That is, until they smell the stench of my decaying body, my body that is in rigor Mortis at that point, my body with my arms still clenching on to the hand rail.... Gez, how horrid, my poor neighbours (who I really don't know anyways), and .... All I wanted was just a little more exercise... To be fit again.. To enjoy life... Was that too much to ask ?!?$;@%* (ya, I'm dramatic.. Back to story)
....
12th floor .... Ok, gotta calm down my burning dry heaves .... Deep breath ....trying to do it quietly too.... Don't want to run into anyone coming out if the stairwell showing them how distressed I am just walking up the stairs. Gotta. Be. Ooo burning lungs...be cool.
....
13th floor.... Oh thank goodness there is no 13th floor !

Ok. That was hard. That burning down my esophagus into my lungs kinda hard.

Man, I got a long way to go!

Cough cough

Just put some ash on my head and this is what I feel like!
.... Just came back from visiting a home bound patient and I cannot believe how much he smokes.
He is a very nice pleasant man but wow it stinks.
It gets on my clothes and in my hair and in my nostrils.
Can't stand the smell.
Strange though, I'm sure he doesn't realize how bad it is. In many ways.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Well I'm not Chinese, but a few patients of mine are. I hope that those that celebrate this time have a good one!
I love mandarins and oranges. These curtesy of my patient today.

.... I don't know about you but "the year of the snake" doesn't sound too appealing.
One positive thing about snakes is that it is used in the standard sign for medicine... The snake wrapped about the pole with wings ha.

Waiting room

Its a Wednesday morning and the front desk staff are at a meeting.
The waiting room is emply with just 2 men sitting there.
I was peeking out to see if my female patient was around.

How funny it would be to call out a lady's name and look around waiting for the response from the men, directly looking at just the both of them.
Obviously there are no women in the room so why even call out the name of my patient right?
Then I wondered how funnier (yes funnier is a word) it would be to just stand there calling out different ladys names and after not getting a response from one name, call out another ladys name:
"Shiela Doe?"
..... anyone .... anyone..... no? .... ok ...
"Jane Smith?"
"Rita Hayworth?"
How about:
"Gretta Garbo?"
-- all looking directly at the two men, striaght faced and serious.

Ah yes, work is a bit routine today.

Happy New Year! next project.... rugs?

Wow a bit of time has passed.
Christmas time is always a nice time for me. Im very thankful for my family and for our health.
Im thankful that everyone is able to get together. Even if we do the same routine things - 24th mass and dinner and presents and 25th lunch.
Its also a time when you think of those you care about and think nice of those you may not have thought nice about during the year - ha. Well, what Im trying to say is that usually everyone has a little more of a warm feeling towards everyone else during this time.
I hope too that everyone had a very MERRY CHRISTMAS - you know, cause that is what it is called...Christmas... which everyone is welcome to celebrate.... but that is what it is called. Just saying.

So on to my new project : rugs.

Ive been looking on and off throughout the past year on patterns and colours that would go into my living room.
Trellis is what I was aiming for :








However, I put one into my living room to give it a go.
At first I LOVED it! I was even excited just to go home and spend time with my rug. haha.
But after an evening of watching tv and heading off to bed, I somehow realized I was not feeling relaxed. Infact, I felt as though I could not breathe properly... and my neck,it was tight.
Hummm, could it be the price? (yea now I know what the value of a good hand knotted, wool and silk rug cost)
After a couple days past and alot of research and actual driving around town checking out many other rug stores I realized the price was a steal!
However, something still didint sit right with the rug I picked out. Luckily there is a return available and that is what I did. I felt as though a weight had been lifted and I can breathe again. Despite it being a great price for the rug, as the days went on, I did not really miss it. The pattern was just too much. Too busy. I didnt feel a sense of calm watching tv with that rug in my small living room.

Today I set out in search of another idea for a rug:

The Mandala rug.



-- although a bit more Girly than I would like it to be.

Its so surprising to see how many really UGLY rugs there are there.
Some of them apparently really expensive still.
Mostly gross pukey browns and beiges and yellows.
Some still seem to be stuck in the 80's or 90's. And there are loads of them.
I wonder if the rug companies only give you such huge prices for rugs just to make up for losing money on their ugly rug stock.
I learned al bit about hand knotted, hand woven, silk and bamboo silk and  rayon/ viscose. I learned about flat woven and also linen. I stayed away from Jute.
I learned that the prices can vary so much even with apparently the same matierial used and also if you go a size up.

Its quite exhausting. Is anything I do for my place not exhausting? haha. But in the end, the price will be good and it will look good.

Suffice to stay, Im still watching tv on my couch with a bare hardwood floor in front of me. And Im ok with it right now. I can breathe.

On an ending note, I will leave you with this picture of a sheep rug from Ikea.
It makes me laugh. Look at it for a bit and you will know why: