Procrastination and Breakfast

Okay, I am procrastinating reading MacBeth for the second time in two days. I will do it this afternoon, I promise. I also have to read the first fourth of A Sicilian Romance by Ann Radcliffe for my Victorian Lit class. For some reason, I don't think that will be as big of deal. It could also be because I won't be tested over that material. MacBeth quiz on Monday. Yikes.

On a brighter note, I had my favorite breakfast this morning: a brownie. Actually, it was a brownie and half a banana. The banana only happened because I was preparing breakfast for the parrots. They each had a fourth, so I ate the rest. They also had komquats, grapes, blueberries, and broccoli. I opted for the brownie. They definitely eat healthier than I do.

Actually, so does Lulu (the pug). Ever since we got Loco, she has developed a love of broccoli. Seriously. This morning, I was feeding her pieces of broccoli just like it was a snausage. How funny is that? Can't see see the commercial...a pug panting like crazy (as they often do) and then the voiceover booms through the commercial,"mmmmmmmmm...broccoli!" I don't know why I find this funny, but I do.

That's about all I have. I guess I am off to have a little romance in Sicily.

Double, Double, Toil and Trouble

So, classes started yesterday. It looks like it will be a pretty good semester. Did I mention I have to read MacBeth in its entirety by Monday? Yep, there's a quiz. I have a lot of reading to do. I have the book. I have the Spark Notes. I have the movie on its way from Netflix. I will do fine. But still, that's a lot of pressure this early in the semester. I think the professor is trying to scare people off so he has less to grade. It might be working.

So Oscar nominations were announced this morning. I don't know who I am pulling for in the Best Actress race...Meryl, Kate, or Anne. It's a tough call.

On a brighter note, we have a new President. And seriously, how cute were Sasha and Malia at the Inauguration?

WWBD?

I like to think of myself as someone with James Bond-like style. It does not just happen. I put thought into it. Today, for example, I am wearing British designers from head to ankle. (My shoes are Italian.) I have to say, it's a good outfit for my first day of class. I could easily look like I have zipped over in an Astin Martin...even though I will just drive over in a Jeep Cherokee.

Anyway, style prevails...until I made my first stop this morning. I had to go by the dentist to pick up my night guard. That's right...night guard. Now, I have to sleep with this plastic tray stuck to my upper teeth to keep me from grinding them. I don't think 007 would ever have to wear one of those. Then it hit me, this is way more Ugly Betty than James Bond. Why God? Why?

So now, as I get ready to go to my first class of the semester, I think I will abandon my oh-so-stylish messenger bag and instead ask myself "What would Betty Do?" I must find some big patchwork tote by 11:30. Then, I will carry that and wear my night guard. America Ferrera better watch her back. There is a new nerd in town.

A Realization

My name is Anshel and I am a big, gay cliche. Shlomo is out of town tonight on a little business trip. The business trips are not my favorite thing. I understand the need for them, but I do not love them (unless I am tagging along). This one is not to an even remotely glamorous locale.

Still, I might have been a bit mopey this evening. I hung out with the dogs and birds. I ate comfort food for dinner. I browsed my favorite online boutiques and galleries. Then, I polished the silver while watching The Devil Wears Friggin' Prada. Does it get any gayer than that? I don't think so.

Also, don't we like the way I changed the title of the movie ever-so-slightly? I really think it is better that way.

Back to School

Classes start on Monday. I have just a couple of days to do the chores I have put off for a month (oil change anyone?) and to watch the Inauguration. I have been watching the "Pre-Show" on HBO. This is all I have to say. Josh Groban has got to go. Seriously, he follows me around. I cannot stand him. Get a haircut. Get more than eight notes. I am considering starting a new blog devoted to this topic. If I do, it will be called grobansgottago.blogspot.com. I don't think I have that much time to devote to it, but it could be fun.

Happy Inauguration, Y'all.

Where's the Beef?

Here's the deal. For the past 13 or 14 years, I have not eaten red meat. Then, there was an instance last April. Shlomo and I were going to New York. Our flight was delayed due to weather. We were sitting in the President's Club waiting for the weather to clear. Suddenly, it did and our flight was boarding. It did not dawn on me that I had not had lunch. It did dawn on me when I was on the plane and realized that if I did not eat what was served, it would be 4:00 before I had anything to eat. The meal was a disgusting cheeseburger. Begrudgingly, I ate it.

However, I made a deal with myself and with Shlomo. If I ate that, I was going to have a good cheeseburger. I had loved cheeseburgers. It was a sacrifice when I gave them up. But, for health reasons (I am the son of someone who has had ten...yes TEN...heart attacks), I removed them from my diet. I was never a steak eater. I hate pot roast. Burgers were basically all I had to give up. During the trip, I had a good cheeseburger.

We returned to Houston. I went back on the wagon. Then, in Houston, we had Hurricane Ike. During the twelve days without power, the fleeing to San Antonio, the total misery that was Hurricane Ike, I ate a cheeseburger again. We were on the road and calling in an order at Shlomo's favorite dive. I was not familiar with the menu. It was what he recommended. Desperate times. Again, it was good. So, it began. I started sampling cheeseburgers on occasion. It was no big deal.

Now, Shlomo and I are joining a very popular diet program whose name I won't mention. I will just say that it rhymes with "Late Lotchers." Shlomo's favorite meal is beef tenderloin. I had vowed to never make it. Two days ago, I watched the Barefoot Contessa make one. I thought as a "last meal" so to speak, I would make him one...with his other favorites...panko-crusted mashed potatoes, salad with home-made thousand island dressing, and coconut meringue pie for dessert. Oh, I also made a bearnaise sauce for the tenderloin. It was a surprise. I had set the table with the good china, crystal, and silver. I know...I am soooooo sweet. Honestly, he probably does not deserve me. Actually, no one does. But, I like to share my gifts with the world. Wow. I am conceited tonight.

I will say this about the meal. That Barefoot Contessa knows what she is doing. Evidently so do I. It was real, real good, y'all. Evidently, I am a carnivore.

I can report one incident, though. I assumed that Shlomo would somehow manage to infuriate me after I surprised him with such a meal. Thankfully, that was not the case. Rather, we were enjoying dessert. There was a little drop of pie on the table. I wiped it with my finger (Emily Post would be so proud) and licked it. Yep, not pie. It was bearnaise sauce. Here's the deal, the bearnaise sauce was delicious on the tenderloin. But, when you are expecting to taste coconut pie filling, bearnaise is not so good.

Evidently, I made a funny face before proclaiming, "Ewwwwwwww!" Shlomo laughed hysterically. That's right. I worked my fingers to the bone cooking all day only to be laughed at. Oh well...

Waiting and Damaged

Well, 2009 is underway and I am happy to report that the fun and glamour never end. Victor is out of jail and Ashley is back in the picture. Wait. Not my life. That would be The Young and the Restless.

Seriously, I don't know if I can handle much more excitement. Today, I took Gilda to the vet for her first check-up. All was well. I have spent the rest of the day waiting on UPS. I know they will come after 5:00. Unless I leave the house. Then, they will come while I have gone. Shlomo covered UPS duty while we were at the vet.

One bright spot is that I am eating one of my homemade hot pockets. Making them is a cinch. Use crescent rolls (still in the rectangle) as the dough. Fill with a mixture of cream cheese and cooked sausage (I use turkey links that I chop). Wrap them in wax paper and store in the freezer. Then, heat at 375 for 20 minutes. Delish. They are also great for a party cut into bite-sized pieces and held together with a cocktail pick.

Yesterday, I set about organizing my bookshelves. I am still not finished. I also have an injured hip. Tomorrow...it is back to the Dewey Decimal System. Sadly, that is not a joke. By the way, don't you think cookbooks qualify as Applied Science?

Well, I guess I will return to the waiting game. Oh, totally watch Damages on FX tonight at 10:00/9:00 Central. It is the season premiere. Glenn Close will amaze you.

Well back to Guiding Light.