Common Courtesy

I guess I just have really high expectations. If I do something nice for someone I expect acknowledgement and a Thank You. I know half the time the person didn't ask me to do what I did, but that doesn't preclude a Thank You does it? I'm not looking for a medal, or a billboard, just a phone call or an email. A simple "Hey Kat, I got the stuff you sent. Thanks." Last summer I sent a friend some cds. Later I received a hand-written note and some cds in exchange. That was exceptional. Most people can't even seem to say thank you.
This week my aunt didn't give more than an hour's notice when it came to picking up my grandma at the airport. I've heard of other people doing this. "Hey, I'm at the airport, pick me up." What the %@#&!!!!
People won't even hold the door open anymore. They open it just a crack and slink through, so that even if you are only two steps behind them, when you get to the door, its already closed again.
I guess all I can do is my part. I'll continue to hand write thank you notes, and hold the door open. I mean, come on, its common courtesy.

Last Week's Knitting Project

Last week I decided to make some beer bottle cozies for a friend of mine as a housewarming gift. The first one (blue) I knit mainly while watching Roadhouse. The second one I knit while watching The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. They went pretty fast and I was pleased with how they turned out. I really like the elasticky yarn that they are made of. I've been wearing the blue test swatch around as a wrist band....ha! It's too bad that the yarn store didn't have a better selection of colors. I'm thinking of making myself a cozie for a pint bottle. You know, anything to avoid my big project.....

Funny Talk

Kat: "She doesn't understand."
Ross: "What doesn't she understand?"
Kat: "Well, it's not that she doesn't understand, its that she doesn't agree with me."
Ross: "Oooooh, I see."

Sunday Dinner

Well, today I managed to do a good workout, despite my soreness. This afternoon I wasted some of my life watching Jeepers Creepers. Wow. Bad movie--but what else is on TV on a Sunday afternoon? Now I've started dinner. Tonight's dinner is Chicken Tikka Masala. This recipe is adapted from one I found online. I usually serve it with some naan and brown bismati rice, but tonight we will have naan and some zuccchini.

Chicken Tikka Masala

1 c. yoghurt
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1 tbl. minced fresh ginger
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into pieces

4 skewers

1 tbl. butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1 jalepeno pepper, finely sliced (i remove the seeds first)
2 tsp. ground cumin
2 tsp. paprika
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 c. 1/2 and 1/2

1. In a large bowl combine yogurt, lemon juice (i always use lime), and spices. Stir in chicken and referigerate for one hour.
2. Preheat grill to high.
3. Thread chicken onto skewers. Don't squish chicken too close together, or it will take longer to cook. Discard marinade. Grill about 5 minutes each side.
4. Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic and jalapeno for one minute. Season with cumin and paprika. Stir in tomato sauce and 1/2 and 1/2. Simmer on low heat until sauce thickens. Add grilled chicken and simmer another 10 minutes.

I usually start the sauce about the same time we start the grill to heat. That way the sauce has a while to cook and then when the meat is ready you just throw it in the sauce and cook it for a few more minutes.

We also managed to get to the library today, where I loaded up on stuff to read (from the picture book section of course.) I also picked up a knitting book. I have a knitting project that I need to work on, but I keep avoiding it.
Oh boy, Double Impact with Jean Claude Van Damme is on!!!!!!

Called Out

I went to yoga with Tiffany yesterday. I was expecting a pansy class, being that it was at 24 hour fitness and only 60 mins long. Tiffany told me it was hard, but she isn't exactly one to judge. The class was actually decent, and pretty tough. Tiffany sat out 1/3 or so of the class, and I'm not sure how hard she tried on the poses she did do. I was soaking wet, I don't think she broke a sweat. Being that I'm so competitive I was really pushing myself (I know, this isn't very yoga of me, and he even said it wasn't a competition, but I wanted to prove to Tiffany that I could do it.)
I was recently lamenting that that whenever bridge to wheel comes up in yoga I cop out and sit there in bridge. That's kind of sad to me, cause when I was a kid backbend from standing or laying down was my favorite move.
So, the teacher was cool, and the workout was good, and towards the end we did bridge. When he said to pop it up into wheel I laughed (just like I laughed when he said high push up-low push up-high push up again-low push up--I'm not being tricked into doing push-ups, it's my least favorite exercise.) Get this, the teacher walks right over to me, looks me in the face and says "Wheel? You know what I'm talking about right?" I offered the excuse that my head is really sensitive--which is code for "I'm copping out."
I need to work on wheel so next time I don't half-ass and get called out.

Songs

Just so you know the Song Stuck In My Head is a link so you can download it if you want (MP3). You have to wait 45 seconds or something for the download to start, but it's free.

Crazy Talk

This week I got an email from Mens Health with the subject line that read "Sculpt fat into muscle." You CANNOT turn fat into muscle. I suppose I should file that under crazy talk (along with money isn't paper (it's fabric cause it's made of cotton), athiest jews, bisexuals, lose weight in 8 minutes a day) and as crazy talk I should ignore it. It's just more annoying coming from Mens Health than some informercial with Chuck Norris or something. Of course the email didn't actually say anything about turning fat into muscle--because that is complete bunk. It was just a line to get you to read the email. No sense in getting riled up. It's crazy talk.

What's For Dinner?

On Sundays I like to make a big meal. What I mean is something that will provide a lot of left overs for lunch Monday and Tuesday. This Sunday I was going to make Chili, but after the movies . . . we saw Ratatouille (a rat in the kitchen, i can deal, a swarm of rats .... DISGUSTING) I didn't feel like cooking so we went out and ate honkey chinese (a little disappointing). So yesterday I went shopping and made chili, so I'll have it for lunch today, and tomorrow. It makes at least 6 servings. I'll probably freeze whatever is left after lunch tomorrow. There's only so much chili I can eat.

Chili

olive oil
onion
garlic
green onions (just cause i had them in the house yesterday)
ground beef or turkey (i used two lbs. yesterday)
cayenne pepper
menudo spice
chili powder
black pepper
secret sauce
crushed tomatoes (the big can)
stout (i use half a pint or less, and then drink a small glass of stout with dinner)
canned beans (black and red kidney, rinsed)
ground flax seed (i usually add this for the omegas, but forgot yesterday)

shredded cheese
crackers
sour creme or yogurt

1. Chop the onions and garlic and saute with olive oil in large pot.
2. Add ground meat and brown.
3. Add spices.
4. When meat is fully cooked add crushed tomatoes, stout, beans and flax seed.
5. Stir and bring to boil.
6. Reduce heat and simmer for at least 30 mins.
7. I like mine with cheese and sour creme on top. Crackers on the side.

My Piercing Photo

9/3/2006
Austin, TX