miscellaneous mail

I’ve been in California for many months now and am becoming more rooted as time passes, but I’m often reminded of the moving process when I check the mail. Is it because I still get forwarded mail? Well, not really. Once in a while I do, but most of that is finally straightened out now. However, for any of you who have ever filled out a change-of-address form, there is an option to sign up for the marketing material of local stores, advertisers, and what have you. (Note: You may have noticed that I’ve abandoned AP Style’s rule of serial comma usage and in fact now employ this final comma. I do this with much contemplation, but I’ve decided to do so only to make my life easier. Since my company’s style is Chicago-based, which enlists the serial comma, I must use it at work. It hurts a little every time, but not as much as it used to. I did, however, need to share with you why I changed my behavior.) Being in the marketing profession, I can never resist collateral and advertising. Not to mention surveys; I can’t even tell you how many of those I’ve filled out over the years (like the little info cards that come with DVDs and home appliances). In any event, I receive many of these catalogs, but I am discriminatory. I try to watch my catalog carbon footprint. I only ask for things I’ll actually read, but somehow they’ve released my information to everyone in the world.

Since moving here, I get more charity requests than ever. I have more address labels and nickels than I know what to do with, and I couldn’t get any for the life of me when I lived in Euclid and wanted free address labels. Now things are starting to get freaky. The other week I got a magazine of only specialty olive oils and premium vinegars. I’m not gonna lie, I read it for like half an hour, but I was still perplexed as to what qualified me to receive this magazine. I don’t sign up for mailings at places. You’d think that was just a one-time thing, right? Nope. This week I got a magazine rife with all the Native American clothing I could ever want. So as much as I wanted that wolf-and-feather and mosaic-patterned burlap vest, I just finished my fall shopping.

Before you question if it was addressed to me, I shall stop you there. These were addressed to me directly. I won’t even go into the other mail we get for this address but to no one who lives here. For instance this week’s magazine of farmer clothing and country accessories. I’m actually a little scared of what comes next.

a magical weekend with bountiful treasures

The way I get excited about mundane things I might as well work at Disney (R)…or be a marketing copy writer. Hmmm, how ’bout that? If you last recall, I went on and on about the miracle of pumpkin seeds and pomegranates. Well, this weekend was a real treat! I think a deserved treat too after such a long week–month really–of prolonged hours and hard work.

We, the crew, went shopping at the outlets to replace my recently depreciated wardrobe (which had met misfortune in a laundry accident). I budgeted some money anyway for play since this was an “extra” pay check. Oh how I love months with three pay periods. Not to mention I won the dessert contest at the work-sponsored Halloween party, which provided additional purchasing power. (I made Brownie Batter Kitty Spatter, which was just a gross pile of brownie cat terds in grape nuts. It was disgusting but tasty.) We headed out before noon and hit lots of outlet stores, which was not made easier by the heavy rains that occurred only when I wanted to go outside.

Mel and Vance got quite a haul–lots of clothes and nether garments, too. I tried to get them to diversify their color selections but they still only bought blue and brown items…except for a controversial bathroom rug (green). The three of us may very well have brought the economy out of the recession. We literally filled the trunk and back seat with bags of fantastic merchandise…often greatly discounted. For instance, I got more than $300 worth of merch from Banana Republic (R) for only $41. It was ridiculous. Then I bought more good deals and more great deals and a few discounted but not really great deal deals. I spent a few hundred bucks, but I got a seriously expanded and replenished wardrobe. It was badly needed too, and I know what you’re thinking. I did not get all polos and shirts, but I did get some. I got many new sweaters, half zips, different casual t-shirt type things, different pants that are super cute, and even a blazer. I also bought cookie cutters and a cute little foot stool so I can watch TV like the prince I am.

There came a time in our shopping, however, where the rushing around and constant trying of things on and buying things became too much and we needed to employ an emergency food delivery system. That system, which is usually KFC (R) in this situation due to its beneficial proximity, was to be Chipotle (R) today. However, an unnamed party (Vance) hadn’t previously verified the very existence of said restaurant at that location. FAIL! We back tracked to the local Jardin Olive–barely making it inside without dying of starvation–only to find a wait. There was self seating in the bar area so we busted a move and took over this table as someone got up. Unfortunately there was no longer a server for that table? La deuxieme perdu! Luckily the host came over and took care of us, and we loved him and tried to adopt/employ him. We gave him lots of money as he literally saved our lives and day because we had neither the physical nor emotional strength to go to another location if we couldn’t get served. Never before had food tasted sooooo good, and we ate so much. It was amazing.

After shopping I had more pomegranates. SCORE! Then I made what we call Jesus Bread TM. It’s a delicious bread made of wheat flour, water, honey, salt, and yeast. THAT’S IT. It’s sooooo good because you roll it out and cut it into individual pieces. MMMMMMM. I also marinated London Broil for dinner tomorrow night, which will be good. I am super domestic apparently.