Over-Medium Eggs

It's not impossible, I just have a huge problem making over-medium eggs. I can do the scamble thing with perfection (everyone says so). But my attempt at over-medium is like the hardest thing ever. I get the pan hot, melt the butter and crack the eggs. Got that down with no real problem. As I watch the eggs, I attempt to seperate the two so I can flip each individually. Maybe that is where I go wrong. Well, anyway... I start the feat of the flip. usually I can get the 1st one and then my hand starts to shake. I'm nervous you understand. Let's just say in the end I get one egg out of two done... then I have a huge mess to clean up.

Hunting in December

The mother-load. It was finally my turn to get my own. I knew what had to be done and it was the time to execute the plan. The trap and bait were setup in my domain. I've seen a few felines carefully walk across the top of the fence, in search of food. It started of quiet, only one visitor, but he was staying on the fence. No guts no glory. Finally a big white cat with black ears came strolling along. He sniffed, walked around, marked his territory and walked around some more. He just wasn't ready to go in. For the next 10 minutes he walked the entire parameter of the yard, claiming it as his own. Finally as I waited patiently he got in the trap and started to eat. Now the problem is, he didn't freak out. In the dark I couldn't tell if the trap shut or not. Usually when it drops they tend to go crazy to get out. I needed my night vision goggles, but I don't any (the cats have the huge advantage on that one, better technology). He stood up and looked like he was going to leave, but instead just turned around. That's how I knew he was trapped. When I went to get a closer look he didn't even hiss. He is a friendly. A big one too, almost 18 pounds. Fed better than my mom's lazy suburban kitties. But his days of reproduction are over. As we waited for the transport we did a little bonding. He let me pet him through the bars, he did some funny tumble acts, and gave me a sweet look with those big black eyes. I hope we kind find a good place for him. In the end 3 more down the street were trapped. It was a good night. Santa please bring me some night vision goggles, thanks.

Quote

"Get sick, get well. Stand around an ink well" - Dylan

Hunting...

Sometimes your luck just runs out. It was a bad night to trap. The weather was too warm. Too many people out and about. Playing basketball and throwing a function at our normal hunting grounds. It was a bit annoying. We did the best we could. We were practically chasing down a few we saw on the street. The tuna was no help with piles of garbage just waiting for guests to rummage through. They were waiting for us humans to go away so they could feed in peace. Maybe if the jobs we do to support our hunting habit didn't get in the way, we would have stayed out all night. It was a tough one to give up. We were able to catch a nice boy in a backyard. He was not happy with us at all. But he'll do fine. I have a feeling that turkey was shared with a few of our feline friends. They were very thankful. And we don't give up. The hunt continues on.

Happy Turkey Day

So I went to the opera last week. I was fortunate enough to get to go. I really do enjoy the 3 hours of singing. It was Cosi tu frutti, a Mozart comedy opera. Thank goodness they used the supertitles to help us non-Italian opera sort of people follow along. The story line is fairly simple enough, 2 boys want to marry sisters. But they are caught up in a bet with a friend that means to prove that all women are unfaithful. The music was amazing. Can't beat being in a room of that size and yet be totally filled with stringed instuments. Makes my heart flutter. But what drives me out of my mind about opera is that a line will be sung 3, or 4 or 5 or even 6 time in a row. Over and over. To prove the point? To get the voice at an even higher level? To make sure it has been understood? To allow for a prop and/or costume change? Who the hell knows. Can't they just cut out the repeated lines and get it over with in an easy 1 and 1/2 hours. No, I will learn to endure it and appreate it. Opera comes but once every few years. I did enjoy every minute of it.

The rest of the weekend was chill. I did my laundry, had drinks with friends, made brownies, finished a research paper, ate the brownies in celebration (nearly all of them, my poor tummy). It was a good day.

The plan is to get out of the city quick this weekend. I really look forward to more of nothing. Well dinner, family, friends, hang out and relax kind of nothing. Funny how easy it is now to be around family when work is so "difficult". Love my job, hate my work. Haha!

That's all for now... enjoy Turkey day!

The hunt continues…

It was a dark and rainy night; we could only hope they were hungry. We decided to use a new trick, clam juice. Not even a feral cat can resist clam juice. Right away we spotted the mother hiding out in the basement windowsill. She watched us with her big eyes, wanting to trust us but still unsure. This was our only chance to help her and the kitten trapped. She apparently had a bad leg, possibly broken. Our hearts were in the right place. This was a task for the Drop Trap. If the mother goes in, the kitten will go next, and then BAM we got them both. It took only 15 minutes and the job was done. As we all got soaked to the bone we were thankful it wasn't colder out. We got each in their own cage and calmed them down quick as possible. A few neighbors stopped by to watch. We taught them our hunting techniques and that the cats were heading the doctors in the morning to be taken care of. They wanted to see the wild beasts and so we let them peak into the cages. They were thoroughly impressed with them, fine specimens, just a little food will plump them up good. Maybe they will be social-able and decide to stay indoors, their choice. We left the mamma and kitten in good hands. Operation "Save Mamma" complete.

My First Trapping

The weather couldn't be more perfect for a night of feral cat trapping. Myself and two other girls met up and prepared for the hunt. It's all about tuna and sardines. Get the smell out there, and the little beauties will come running. We started down the block, getting a few suspicious eyes from the locals. Just a bit unusual for three women walking down the street with big wire traps. So we put down one in a spot known to have cats in the backyard. We didn't see any as of yet. We crossed over and setup another one in a driveway. At that time we were approached by a neighbor who asked us about what happens to the cats after we trap. We explained the TNR (trap-neuter-return) program and how we've already done 6 cats in the area. The neighbor lady explained that she was in the pre-school down the street and two kittens came in just that day. The doors were open because the school was in heat mode, not A/C for the 60 degree November weather. She took us back to the dumpster area where they mostly hide out. We saw two of them right away. Now the hunt really began. A drop trap was setup and within 10 minutes we caught one. Then I put a second trap behind the dumpster. Went inside, chatted with our new friend and then went back to check. The young kitten was in, but the door didn't drop. Our skilled and experienced trapper jumped in and saved the night. We calmed the cats down, got them ready to go and packed up all our stuff. I called in the transport (car service) requesting van type vehicle. We ended up with a sweet ride; these kitties never had it so good. We dropped them off at the "hotel" for recovery, inspection and get ready for the big surgery. Both of them warmed up right away to us and of course loving the baby food we gave them. The other resident cats checked them out and agreed to let them stay. It was a unanimous vote by all.

Worst...

...subway ride ever! Crappy Monday!

Life Soundtrack

This is totally freaky:
IF YOUR LIFE WAS A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE SOUNDTRACK BE?

So, here's how it works:1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)2. Put it on shuffle3. Press play4. For every title, type the song that's playing5. When you go to a new question, press the next button

Opening Credits: Dakota by Stereophonics
Waking Up: Cupid Come by My Bloody Valentine
First Day At School: Honey by Moby
Falling In Love: Deeper by Soulfood
Fight Song: What Do I Know by Peter Walker
Breaking Up: Disco Science by Mirwais
Prom: Who Will Save Your Soul? by Jewel (VH1 Storytellers version)
Life's OK: Perfect Time of Day by Howie Day
Mental Breakdown: Bouncing Off the Walls by Sugarcult
Driving: Come Away with Me by Norah Jones
Flashback: Must Get Out by Maroon 5
Getting Back Together: Lucy by The Black Crowes (i am sam soundtrack)
Wedding: Distractions by Zero 7 (six feet under soundtrack version)
Birth of Child: Look Back by Sam Ashworth
Final Battle: We Are The Champions by Queen (Live version)
Death Scene: Bones by Radiohead
Funeral Song: Emily, Please by Luke Doucet
End Credits: Today by Smashing Pumpkins

Random Thoughts

I love croissants! At the moment its coffee and croissants as my fav breakfast. Not just any flakey, butter goodness of dough, but it has to be the best. Like if you have some thing good, the best, once it is so hard to go and the lesser version. My mouth don't like.

I wish that there were 6 stars in iTunes. Some songs deserve that rating.

Watched the movie "The Breakup", had some truths to it and very few laughs. Good thing the supporting actors keep up the routine. It may have been ruined by the tabloid pics of Jen and Vince. The whole effect of the movie was lost to their true life events. That's why the paporizzi totally sucks. They ruin movies before I can get the chance to watch them. Those bastards!! Don't buy trash mags! You hear me. The movie may not be all that good but I'll never get the chance to make up my own mind. Ok, I'm calm now. Thanks.
Mom went down to New Orleans for a convention for work. She had a great time. The 2nd call she made to me at 10 PM (9 there) was from Burbon street. She fell in love with the town. Haha. Got to love mom.

Wuthering Heights can suck it.

Back to folding laundry.

school and money

Can't say exactly why this happens, I don't have the funds nor the resources to do the scientific reasearch. But everytime I'm taking classes, even if the classes are totally different it seems they overlap. As I read Frankenstein for the Gothic Literature class I get to use my recent lessons from the intro to psych class. And if I'm really lucky I can sometimes get an overlap of my lessons with what is going on in my life at the moment. Funny how someone will bring up a topic current disscussed in class, with no mention from me first. College makes more sense as an addition to life not the only life. I'm so glad I never went full time. It would have been overwhelming and meant nothing. Now I can actually use it and apply it. And yes, I'm not doing my homework right now like I should be. Homework can suck it.

As far as money is concerend, it sucks. I hate to admit that I'm broke as, well nothing is as broke as me right now (that I can think of). Because credit cards are pure evil in my hands, I don't actually associate the amount I spend to be real money until now. I've gotten rid of them all and resorted to spending only the money I have. And boy do I have a lot to pay off. And in turn of all this I've got no social life. The cost of a beer is the cost of 1 lunch, which means I haven't had a beer in awhile. I don't want to bitch and moan about my own mistakes, but I got to get it off my chest. Usually if I write about it I tend not to think about it as much. All scientifically proven by me. :) any money making ideas?

One last question, what the hell happened to button-fly jeans? I love those, got to get me some.

Fall TV Season

This the best time of year to pick your shows. Maybe friends and family recommend some, but you have the choice to pick the show for the rest of the season. I don't want to be sucked into a crap show. So far here are my choices:

Studio 60 is great. Lots of edge and quick jokes. How the hell do writers write a show that is about creating a show? If it fails, it will be beautifully written.

Kidnapped is a good thriller suspense, so far. Of course that only goes so far when you know there is going to be another episode next week. I do like some of the actors. I'll watch a few more.

Men in Trees is the mirror image of Sex and the City only in Alaska. Still has a bit of that charm. Instead of being splashed by a bus she gets sprayed by a skunk. Too bad they can't swear more. Oh and instead of brunch they drink with lumber-jacks at the pub. Maybe it will give me that SAC fix I've been dieing for.

NCIS is back and I love it. Still got a good punch to every show and joke. Best part is I don't have to wait 24 hours to get an ending. I get satisfaction in 1 hour or less if I can forward through the commercials. I love my DVR :)

Flatmates

All flatmates are crazy, even yourself (point proven when you live alone). But mine is the best. He'll ask me things like, "Why do you rip the tape off the boxes instead of using the scissors?". I usually answer with, "Because I like to find the most obnoxious way to annoy the crap out of you". It just goes on and on.

And just now I find that he went to his mom's place and brings back treats. A package of hotdogs (Hebrew) and sliced ham. I have so much to teach him, and so little time.

My list if I raided mom's fridge -- homemade sauce (her own little concoction), left over wine (she ain't going to finish it), white/red hots (if you know what they are then you understand), Black Cherry WPOP, leftovers from dinner (still mom's cooking), and of course key lime pie (cause I begged with puppy eyes to have the rest).

Mom's Rock! Flatmates... need some teaching.

The Last Weekend of the Summer

The city is practactly empty. It's kind of strange when I don't get knocked around in Penn Station, on my way to work. The air is way too chilly though. More sun would help. Today I got to my office to find 10 firetrucks hanging out. Oh boy to I love firemen, but not so much when the building is on fire. It was a small electrical fire on the floor below ours. Unfortunatly we weren't sent home for the day and I got no fireman phone number. At least it's Friday.

Tomorrow I'm off to DC, going to see the Violent Femmes (2nd time). Hopefully a nice BBQ on Sunday. Back home on Monday. I don't even know what to wear... long sleeve, jean jacket, or short sleeves with an extra sweater. Decisions, decisions.

Happy Labor Day!

Hump Day

Why?

Why is sleuthing on the internet considered a stalker type activity?

Why it seems when I am stuck in the shower the radio must be playing commercials?

A new album has joined the vast collection of mine. Heard this song on Sunday night at a random bar. It kind of struck me and had to check out the band. The first 4 songs on the album by Broken Social Scene put a bounce in my step as I walked from the train. They had a bit of that My Bloody Valentine style weave in and out. So much so that a song actually faded to a background in a haunting sense. Highly recommend.

Near the end of reading of Eldest. Need to finish it up. It was a question on Jepordy last night, answer is "What is the Inheritance triolgy?"

Can't belive the Violent Femmes will be in AC next week, on a Wednesday night. If only I had a chopper and all the time to spare to see them. Anyone got a spare one on their rooftop? An entire VF record played at the past noted bar on Sunday. Funny.

the anti-personal ad

I have long arms that I swing when I walk, sometimes knocking people out along the way. Because I'm italian I fairly hairy. I wear sensible shoes, not the pretty heels (unless its raining, then I wear something taller to stay out of the water). I speak my mind and enjoy a debate. I will eat u alive if u don't at least try to express an opinion. Happens to me all the time. My glasses are goofy. Some days are good hair days, others are not. My feet are gigantic and of course don't fit into pretty little high-heel shoes. I'm brave - I've got tattoos and have/had piercings. Got a good job, great family, and plenty of kick-ass friends.

What's the deal...

The long delay in blog enteries is due to the fact that the firewall at work "tried" to block this site. Well, something is different and now I can get on. Being in the IT dept doesn't always make me master of my domain. But I like to think I get the power when I want it. (orginally posted on MySpace blog)

Anyway... whats with all the cops in midtown lately. As I walked in from Penn Station today I was not allowed to cross the street until the 10+ cop cars go by. The guy who held back the people had a polo shirt on that said "Counterterriosm". Pretty weird. And why do the cop cars look like the Ghostbuster car now... with like 20 lights on top. Good thing I don't drive in the city, what a pain in the butt.

TGIF!!

Hot enough?

Dogma quote:
"No pleasure, no rapture, no exquisite sin greater than central air."

Nothing worse

... then finding a box of your CDs ruined by water and mold. It's a black sunday.

Traffic Research

Warning, guys with clipboards all over the midtown west. They sit there on the corner, doing strange calculations on their buttons and pencil marks. Very weird. Then they've got those wires laying across the road to double check their numbers. On the box attached to those wires clearly states that if you find one (or have stolen one), where you can drop it off. That's crazy - why would I give it back if I find (stole) one? Duh! That could be sold on eBay.

Study woes

I tend to whine sometimes about things that I've put myself into. But truth be known, I really love it. An example is school... I've been going part time for like 7 years now. Seems to drag on and on. The reason behind the madness is that I really enjoy school. I love to learn. I've got myself into a new training course for PM certification, going to be 5 weeks of hard-core studing and preparing for this big test. Then I start a mgmt training course, 18 months long. Registered for 2 classes this fall, Psych 101 and Specfic Topics Lit. I'm going to be beat after this. But I'm always up for a challenge. Good thing it's raining today... would be hard to concentrate if it was sunny and nice.

a lull

Why my body says get a workout...
My belly is getting so soft and rounded out. Thighs are even getting a bit extreme. But the worst is not making it through a whole day without at least 2-3 caffeinated, sugared, cold shock to the system drinks. Oh and a surf around the web for some amusement.
So what do I think about that, if only I had a Kit-kat to munch on right now.

I will overcome...

Soon enough I will win over MySpace and it's huge amount of ads that kill computers. Bastards! But I'm addicted to the site, don't go away, please.
Hoping for warm weather this weekend. Time to enjoy Brooklyn.

The 1st summer blockbuster

I went, I saw ... The DaVinci Code. Thourghly enjoyed the 1st big movie of the summer. Since I read the book quite some time ago, parts of the movie were a bit of a surprise again. Hanks played the part so well, the facial expressions were exactly what I imagined while reading the book. The only unfortunate part was the the actual film or maybe it was the theater's fault. Either way, there were a few pops and bad sound quality moments. Hard to get into a film when you get that crap.

Can't wait for the next week... thats right baby, XMen. I plan to watch at any other theater than my normal one on 34th Street. Need to see high quality film for this show.

Train ride

Honestly, I was half drunk, riding on the train, typing on my Blackberry for that last blog. Drunk blog. What was I thinking?!

Currently listening : Delicate Sound of Thunder By Pink Floyd Release date: 25 October, 1990

The Blog

What a 23 year old would say at 7 pm: "Are you serious?! You are going to let me loose my buzz until 9 pm when I meet up with other friends for more drinking. Come on, we can go to such-n-such bar and eat pretzels!"

What a 28 year old would say at 7 pm after 2 beers: "yeah, I'm going home to chill out and get into PJs. Groceries are coming at 10 pm. Must prepare! Night"

Subject: countdown till the next train in the subway station. I would totally hate that, drives me nuts. Like a tick-tock clock ticking and tocking while I try to sleep. But on the other hand 2 friends of mine would love it and can't wait for the day it happens in NYC stations. How can I blame them, 1 is from California and the other is in London. All I think of would be sheep. I'm a sheep in the big crowd of sheep going to work. Counting sheep to go to sleep. What happened to surprises when the train shows up? How about put an extra train on the line for the same price as a stupid countdown clock. It feels like New Years eve, which I can hardly stand (except for the millennium, which could have been the end of humankind existence). Hahahaha

Over and out

Rain....

Went to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs show last week... it rocked. The lead singer totally kicks ass. Been awhile since I saw a good show like that. Let's hope the summer brings more bands. Nada Surf played last night, which would have been good to check out, but I'm broke. It is totally budget crunch time.

Work continues on and on. Lots of training and stuff. Back to school in the fall. Yippie!
Where is the damn warm weather!?

Sing a song...

Mom's song is "My Funny Valentine"

Dad's is "Blue Moon"

Big bro's is "Fee" by Phish

Grandma is all Frank Sinatra

Michelle's song is "Doin' Time" by Sublime and of course her name by The Beatles

Jenna is "Short Skirt, Long Jacket"

Meg H (long ago friend) is "There She Goes"

Mine has got to be "Duvet" by Boa ... at least today it is.

Lost in Translation

After my trip to Dublin and London, I learned a few new things... but I'm still a dumb American.

To Let (rent/lease)
Yoke (if you don't know the thing you want, but you are asking someone for it)
Fanny (too naughty to say)
Fiver & Tener (5 and 10 dollars)
Bookmaker (for gambling)
Roundabout (I know what it is, but it is used everywhere there)
Solicitor (lawyer)

Have to use tube card to get out of the Underground
"Finding a pound in the Underground" - The Sundays

TV shows are a year behind, kind of going backwards (Back to the Future!)

iPod

Literally my iPod goes on at 7 am, and not turned off till like 12 am. This is now my 3rd iPod mini. The first got sand. The next one the battery died. Let's hope this one survives. I'm naked without it.

Google fun - type in "(YOUR NAME) was arrested for" to find out what your name has been up to lately. Here is mine:
Emily was arrested for beating up a classmate at the tony private Beekman School and stealing his iPod

Wind

Today is one of those plastic bags blowing in the wind, kind of days. It may look sunny and nice out, but I just froze my ass off. Stay warm!