November 2007 Archives

seriously, sometimes it drives me crazy not having control of my heat. i'm this close to making a late-night run to ikea to buy a fuzzy rug for the livingroom just to attempt to bring a wee bit of warm back into my apartment. i'm sure it's just the boiler lagging behind the arctic front, but dammit... my feet are cold now!

i'm alone at home on friday night. it's been a while since that's been an occurrence. it's all good, though. i went grocery shopping to fill the fridge with veggies, then went and got myself butter chicken as my "last meal".

oh, don't get so upset. sheesh.

i've decided that i'm going to attempt forgoing: wheat, dairy, coffee, sugar and alcohol for a while. i've already planned a bunch of stuff to make so i don't starve, but i'm feeling pretty sure i'll be hating this idea by the time i've been without caffeine for a couple of days.

i recognize that trying to do such a thing to my diet during holiday season is probably a little bit crazy. half of my rationale is that if i can cut out all that stuff from my regular, everyday diet, then i won't be so bad off if i splurge on a bit during more festive moments. the other half is based on the complete shit i've been feeling lately and the realization that i no longer eat anywhere near as many vegetables as i'd like to.

honestly, i think the only thing (besides coffee) i'll really miss is wheat. that's no pasta, toast or buns around my burgers. that'll really suck, but i still get rice and couscous and barley and popcorn, so i'm sure to make do just fine. it's not like i'm going on the crazy cleanse everyone was doing in the spring (or was it summer?)... that didn't allow soy sauce or anything with vinegar in it. now that's just loco!

oh, yeah... i might miss cheese, too. mm, cheese.

anyway, i'm going to go catch up on episodes of project runway and pushing daisies while i have the night to myself. *smooch*

1. i've been working like a dog, but i kind of like it. the week's just flown by.
2. embarrassing but true, i ran out of gas on the way to work yesterday morning. at least it wasn't on the bridge!
3. TIVO IS IN CANADA!! i know what *i* want for xmas!!

for a number of years now, probably since i've had a digital camera, i've wanted to put together a calendar featuring a dozen of my photographs. for many reasons (mostly: sloth and procrastination) i never quite got around to it. in addition, there wasn't really an economical way to produce small runs of quality printing, so i just kept putting it off. again and again, year after year.

then came cafepress with their on-demand printing on various products (buttons, mugs, t-shirts, etc). i have had a cafepress store or three for several years now and have probably ordered more for myself and friends than all other orders combined. that's always been fine, as i'm not in it to get rich (although that would be lovely), but to be able to produce printed products i want, as easily and thriftily as possible.

last year, i ordered a “former congressman chuck” calendar from the blurbdoocery store at lulu.com. the calendar came well-packaged, the printing quality was excellent and their customer service/ease of use was top notch. so, when i finally got off my ass to put together that long-awaited calendar, my first choice was to use lulu as the on-demand printer.

what does all this mean for you, gentle reader? it means that if you're so inclined, and aren't squeamish about online purchases, you're able to obtain for yourself a nuttymuffin 2008 calendar featuring photos from none other but... me! here's the promo image for your consideration:

in addition, a portion of the proceeds from all the calendars sold will be donated to the Alzheimer's Society of BC.

i don't think i've ever talked about it here, but my step-mother has been suffering with Alzheimer's for the last decade and i've seen first-hand the trauma it can wreak upon a family. this opportunity to help give back just seems the right thing to do, especially at this time of the year.

marketing myself is something i'm not very good at nor enjoy doing, so i probably won't be mentioning this again. although, i reserve the right to position a pretty little button over there on the left to subtly remind you that you're totally ruining your chances for an awesome 2008 if you don't have a nuttymuffin calendar on your wall. ;)

seriously, people! it's november 15th... that is two weeks too early to have your xmas lights lit.

what's really funny, though, is just down the block one house still has its hallowe'en display up in the front yard.

p.s. i gave myself a little bit of a black eye by running into a doorknob in the middle of the night. it's mostly gone now, so i don't have to make any excuses for christopher. ;)

p.p.s. i spent about two hours fixing a php script which had been borked on my webserver for well over two years... go me! i've still got the php mojo! maybe one day i'll fix the rest of them.

1. i'm finally healthy again: no cramps, no cold!
2. pork roasted with garlic.
3. a full hour of knitting during a time-shifted heroes.
4. not letting the work crap get to me.
5. a pho obsession which threatens to make me look like noodles.

[format gratefully appropriated from the lovely supercapacity]