Adventures in Gastronomy

Although my birthday isn’t actually until tomorrow, I’ve already begun reflecting on this past year and it seems like my body has aged exponentially over the past 12 months. And yesterday was the icing on the (birthday) cake.

I have now been prescribed Flonase. For allergies. I get to go into my 35th year with a new prescription. I’ve always associated “getting older” with having to be on medications to survive. I’ve never been a daily medication taker. And now, 364 days into my 34th year, I am.

Happy birthday to me.

Actually, I do suspect that it will be a nice day overall. The Flonase should finally be kicking in by then so this unbearable pain will hopefully be gone. And Mike is coordinating a little dinner gathering for me tomorrow night in the South End. I should be fine as long as I bring my walker and heart pills.

May 23rd, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 3 Comments

Kool and the Gang never popped by, but my parents did manage to surprise me with some Boston Creme Pie for my birthday while I was visiting with them over the weekend.

I was feeling like crap the entire weekend. My poor parents. You know it’s bad when Mom and Dad…approaching their mid-to-late 70’s…have more energy than you. On the plus side, I got out of walking the dog for most of the weekend. On the downside, I didn’t even have enough energy to blow out a total of four candles.

Mom did a good job at trying to make me feel better. Even donning an apron to prevent getting chocolate on her clothes.

I ended up returning to Boston on Sunday afternoon. I met up with Mike and some of his friends for brunch at McKenna’s, then ran into Veselka Slut (Mark) on the street. Mike and I then headed downtown to run errands (I bought some stlyin’ new footwear, Mike dropped his Mac off to get a new keyboard).

Oh, and I’m going to make an appointment with my doctor. I definitely think I’ve developed allergies and want whatever drug (flonase? nasonex? morphine? shotgun?) that can eliminate this constant throbbing pain behind my eyes.

May 22nd, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 5 Comments

I was watching the CBS Morning News this morning. Well, I was getting my breakfast and walked into the living room to have my bowl of Smart Start and beer mug of orange juice when I noticed the news show was profiling Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

I never saw the introduction to this story so I have no idea what would prompt them to do an entire piece on him. But it was the most biased and silly piece of drivel I’d seen on the news in ages. They were raving about how this conservative is still well-liked by the liberals of Massachusetts. Who the hell wrote this thing? Last I heard, his approval ratings were in the toilet (worse than Bush’s). They gave him credit for the recent universal healthcare law (for our state only) that was passed recently (ironically, he vetoed parts of it). They even talked about how his being Mormon shouldn’t play a factor if he decides to run for President.

Why is this news? I really wish I caught the first part of this. I simply can’t figure out why they did this except, well, some sort of propaganda.

Oh, in other political/religious news….when I was sick on Wednesday the Today Show was interviewing the cast (and director, Ron Howard) of the DaVinci Code. At one point, Mr. Lauer asked “the” question*: “Many christians have asked that you put a disclaimer at the beginning of the movie stating that this is a piece of fiction, yet you have not. What are your feelings on this?”

Nobody answered. The entire cast was dead silent…until a few seconds later when Ian McKellen finally spoke up. He said*: “Well, personally, I’ve always thought there should have been a disclaimer at the beginning of the bible stating this it, too, was a complete work of fiction.”

I love him.

Oh, and now that my classes are over and I’m no longer required to read exciting titles such as “Organizational Culture and Leadership”, “Leading Change” and, my favorite, “Winning Through Innovation”, I’m finally starting to read for pleasure again. Last week, I bought 5 books that have been on my list for the past 6 months or so and yesterday began reading the first one: “I Am Not Myself These Days”, a memoir by Josh Kilmer-Purcell. Well, I didn’t “start” the book so much as I  finished the book – all 321 pages – between my lunch hour, the time between work and Will & Grace’s series finale, and the half hour I read in bed before falling asleep.

I forgot how much fun it is to read for fun. Though, Mr. Kilmer-Purcell’s book has only made me realize how boring my life really is. Now, I don’t want his life. I have no desire to be an alcoholic drag queen with mini fish tanks as my breasts (filled with live goldfish) living with a crack cocaine addicted male escort. Nor do I wish to wake up lying in a pool of my own filth. But at least he’s got stories to tell. Where are my stories? I’ve got two years worth of blog entries and nothing to show for it.

Maybe I need to start living on the edge a bit? Well, as “on the edge” as I can without requiring alcohol or drugs. Or flying. Or crowds.

Oh, forget….I’m just boring. It’s who I am.

*I’m paraphrasing here since I can’t recall the exact wording….but this was the gist of the conversation.

May 19th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 10 Comments

This head cold/sinus congestion is the worst I’ve had since I was in Paris last fall. As with that time, I have be using the Sudafed tablets I had inherited from Matt after our break up. This time around, I went to CVS and bought a bunch of other sinus congestion remedies. Every box in the entire aisle of cold medicines said “Does Not Contain Pseudophedrine”.

As many of you know, that is the ingredient used in the creation of crystal meth.  So, Sudafed (and all of the similar brands) have removed said ingredient and replaced it with Phenylephrine.

Yesterday, I was running out of the old Sudafed tablets and headed to CVS to get some new ones. The pain in my upper cheeks and especially behind my eyes has been simply unbearable. My last two major colds have been this way and I started wondering whether harsher illnesses are something that comes with age.

But while browsing the shelves at CVS I was getting overwhelmed by all of the options. The generics versus name brands all looking nearly identical. Then I noticed, one box halfway back on the shelf that appeared different. It was with the CVS (generic) brand of Sudafed and where all of the other boxes had “Does Not Contain Pseudophedrine” in a red band across the front, this one had a black band that said “Maximum Strength”.

HMMM – curious.

Then I examined the box more carefully and it listed Pseudophedrine as the main ingredient! Apparently, this was the one last box that hadn’t been bought (or returned to the distributor). Realizing that all of my previous medicinal remedies (containing Phenylephrine) had failed, I bought this box of 96 pills hoping there might be a difference.

And within 3 hours the unbearable pain started to disappear! Just like that!

Now I’m going to treasure this box of CVS brand Sudafed for the rest of my life. And I’m going to harbor even more anger and hostility towards the asshole meth addicts who have caused the pharmaceutical companies to alter their more effective formulas.

May 18th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 11 Comments

One of my classes ended last night. It may be premature of me to write about this before final grades are submitted, but I suspect with the professor’s busy life he’s not spending much time on-line searching for blogs by his students. So here goes…my rant for the day.

I liked this class. I really did. I liked the fact the the professor was passionate about the material (a very dry/unhumorous material that he managed to care so much about). He’s one of the few professsors I’ve ever had who actually made it seem as though his goal wasn’t just to hear himself speak – but to actually pass on his impressive knowledge to other people.

However (you knew there would be a however), after arriving 10 minutes late to the first class, the professor said that he won’t ever get to class until 5-10 minutes after it’s scheduled to begin because he works on “Harvard time” and that nobody at Harvard is ever punctual.

Now, I’ve always been a punctual guy. It’s a trait I got from my anally-retentive parents (we could never be fashionable people because it’s impossible for us to show up fashionably late). Apparently, most of my classmates fall into the same category because class is supposed to start at 5:30 and I’d say 98% of the students are sitting there waiting. The professor typically shows up at 5:45.

I’ve also taken 11 classes at Harvard so far and not one other professor has shown up late like this…not even for one class. So, his generalization of “Harvard time” apparently only covers himself – because I’ve not viewed it in any other environment.

But what REALLY gets to me is that he has no issues keeping class late. Because he’s still trying to cram in 2 hours worth of teaching into an hour and 45 minutes, he always has kept us until the very last second possible (when another class is trying to come in). It becomes a huge distraction as the entire class is looking at the clock, putting on their coats and unzipping book bags. An even bigger distraction is the students in the next class constantly opening the door to see if the room is available yet (our class ends at 7:30, the next class starts at 7:35).

And none of these things are noticed by the professor who just keeps going on and on. Last night….our last class…he kept us there until nearly 7:40.

Perhaps it’s just my sinus congestion crankiness – but it really pisses me off. I mean, all of the students can manage to arrive on time – why can’t he? And many students have class after his and have to run across campus to get there. This just makes them late. And, I recall when I lived in Salem that if I didn’t leave class right on time I’d miss the 8:00 train and get stuck at North Station for nearly two hours until the next train. After 10+ hours of work and classes, the last thing anybody wants is to have to stay any later than necessary.

OK – I feel better now. I just needed to let that out. Thank you for indulging me.

May 16th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 5 Comments

For the first time in ages, my Monday morning blog entry isn’t about my “exciting” weekend activities. No distant getaways, no bars, no fancy dinners, no game nights.

Just me, a box of Kleenex and Comcast.

In fact, if it wasn’t for the TV, I would have had no idea that all of this flooding was taking place around me (60% of Saugus is under water?).

Mike surprised me with a visit on Saturday and bought me the DVD to “The 40-Year Old Virgin”, but other than that I had no contact with any human beings.

What I did get, was an education in 1980’s Heavy Metal on VH-1. Apparently, May is Heavy Metal month. Did you know that one of the founding members of Ratt developed AIDS and died of a heroine overdose? Or that one of the founding member of Pantera was shot and killed on stage during a concert in Ohio?

Fascinating. If anything, that should tell you NOT to found a heavy metal band.

It also made my headaches worse since, truth be told, all of that yelling and screaming gave me a headache. I suppose my friend, Jason, would have loved it. But it probably wasn’t the best choice of programming for me. I just didn’t have the energy to reach over to the other side of the sofa to retrieve the remote.

Now it’s Monday and I’ve got my last two classes tonight and tomorrow. I’m VERY tempted to skip class tonight. I’m feeling a bit better, but still horrible.

But at least I’m comforted in knowing that I’m not a hair band musician.

May 15th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 5 Comments

Wednesday’s heading was “Cranky”….Friday’s is “Crankier”.

I’m beginning to think what I’m fighting right now is a common head cold and not allergies. Not only do I have the runny nose, sore throat, head ache and sinus congestion, but my entire body aches from head to toe. I went to CVS Wednesday after work and picked up some Claritin-D (thinking it was allergies) but after two days I’m not feeling a bit of relief.

Now I’m mixing my 24-hour Claritin-D with Afrin 12-hour nasal spray, Sudafed (4-6 hours) and, at night, Tylenol PM (8 hours). There are so many chemicals flowing through my body right now that Courtney Love would be jealous.

But I’m still not feeling much better (except i can breathe through my nose again…until the Afrin wears off).

I guess i’ve been running myself ragged – being more social than my lame-ass body is accustomed to. Mike and I were supposed to go to a party tomorrow night, but I suspect I won’t be going. I just want to get this thing out of my system.

Any advice? I’ll take it.

May 12th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 11 Comments

Though, I do know when I’ll be back again…that would be July 3rd. Mike and I have finally purchased our plane tickets for Europe. We leave for Paris on the 17th of June. After a week or so in Paris, we’ll go to Oxford (Mike will likely leave a few days before me). Then I’ll go to Oxford, then London, then return home in time to celebrate our nation’s birth (such the patriot, I am).

Like the last time I was in Paris, I have no itinerary. After the past semester and with my family medical issues, I’m just looking forward to the escape. Mark (who we’ll be staying with in Paris) said he may be away on vacation part of the time we’re there so after Mike leaves, I could end up with some very solitary times (which I think I could use).

Oh, and then the most surreal thing happened last night. As I was heading to bed around 10:30, the phone rang. I picked it up and it was my cousin (who I’ve not spoken to since last fall when my niece died). She said she was on vacation in San Diego and that she met the most fabulous guy. Before I could congratulate her, she proceeded to try set ME up with him. Apparently, he’s gay, owns a restaurant, lives in a $2 Million home and is cute as a button. Basically, my cousin was pimping me out. She said she was going to see what she could do to take him back to Boston with her. I think she also may have been a bit drunk.

She did give me his match.com profile so I plan on taking a look. Since I already have a boyfriend (did I just say that?) I’m not looking for another one. But I’ll never rule out new friendships. And it’s nice having friends in distant places when vacation time comes around.

May 11th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 3 Comments

What a week – and it’s only Wednesday.

First I had trouble sleeping at Mike’s Sunday night. It was rather warm in his place* so the body heat combined with some cold/allergy symptoms didn’t provide me with much sleep. Then Monday evening’s class was rather dull.

I’d hoped Tuesday would go better, but class night made me realize that Mark (Veselka Slut) and I have a lot of catching up to do to make our presentation better for next week. The first batch of students made their presentations – and they consisted of PowerPoint presentations and color handouts of reports. OH OH – 6 more days. Making matters worse, it seems Mark and I have completely different opinions as to how to solve the program we’re supposed to be addressing in our presentation.

Then, Mike (after months and months of procrastination) promised that we’d order our plan tickets for Paris and London last night (we’re planning to leave a month from now). I’m not sure what was going on there because we finally connected with each other around 9PM – but despite repeated efforts on my part to purchase plane tickets (before energy issues raise prices even more) the night ended with no plane tickets being bought and me more frustrated then ever.

Those cold/allergy smptoms just got worse as the night went along. I’ve never had allergies before but I’m beginning to think I’m developing them now at 35 years of age. Lucky me. I could barely sleep because my head was stuffy and my nose was running (so I laid on my back). Breathing through my mouth caused my lips/mouth to get dry and my throat to feel more sore.

And now it’s Wednesday and it’s still raining. The forecast shows rain/mist/drizzle straight through until next week. Metaphorically, this is making me incapable of seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.

 
*Mike has the only master bedroom I’ve ever seen that doesn’t have a window. There’s a single glass door leading to the back deck…but no place to install an air-conditioner.

May 10th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 8 Comments

I think I can do it. A week from this evening, I will have taken my last class. Well, not for the rest of my life – but at least toward the program I’ve been studying (and will be graduating from in exactly one month). Going forward, I can take classes I actually enjoy….just for the fun of it.

Who am I kidding? Next Tuesday could very well be my last class.

But now that the semester is ending and I’ve substantially completed my final two papers and group project, I just can’t seem to stay focused on the actual courses. I know that, at this point, it’s impossible to fail so I can’t seem to justify putting in the effort anymore. I suppose this is what high school folks call senioritis. I wouldn’t have thought it would occur again 17 years later. So much for maturity.

Well, hopefully (knock on wood) Mike and I will be purchasing out plane tickets to Europe this evening. I found a fare (direct flight, no less) for only $738 round trip. Hopefully he can get out of work to meet those dates…otherwise, different dates boost the price up to $859 or more. I suppose I could fly there without him and meet him there a few days later…but I kinda’ like the idea of having somebody to fly with.

Speaking of flying…American Idol is on tonight and I can’t wait. I’m nearly as fascinated by the actions of Paula Abdul as I am watching the singers (even Chris Daughtry). I swear Paula must be fyling high on something this season. Either that, or she’s “straight up” insane.

May 9th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 5 Comments