Monthly Archives: June 2009

Quitting Caffeine: Attempt #2916

Posted by Leaf on June 30, 2009 3 comments

I haven’t had coffee for almost two weeks now.  Vacation helped break the cycle and I’m trying not to get back in it.  It’s too hot outside to be drinking hot beverages anyway.  And yet… I catch myself nodding off at my desk.

Beside the point: I think my boss is a really nice, amiable guy.  But.  He’s a bit of a bungling idiot.  And I mean that in a nice way if there ever was a nice way to call someone a buffoon.  I sat in his office yesterday where he had no fewer than 30 emails opened.  He was looking for a specific one he’d sent me a few days ago.  Granted half this job is about archiving paper and emails and documents so the task can be somewhat daunting but I tried hinting that wow he had a lot of windows open.  And one of the emails had an attachment and he had 5 Excel files open looking for the attachment even though it was a Word file.  And then in an Excel file, he didn’t know how to unhide a column.  Again, not an expert on all things Microsoft here, but shouldn’t the basics of an operating system be sort of a given in working in the 21st century these days?  I must’ve forgotten to check my common sense at the door yesterday.  Nice as he is, much as I like him, I wanted to snatch the mouse right out of his hand.

Things to know for next time

Posted by Leaf on June 29, 2009 None comments
  1. Sunsations sells crap
  2. Candy Kitchen sells sweet crap
  3. There are a gazillion Sunsations and Candy Kitchen’s up and down the beach and they all sell the same crap.
  4. My inner ear isn’t capable of handling jostling rides anymore.
  5. If you’re driving down the countryside and you see some signs of civilization (bathrooms), just go, even if you don’t have to go.  You’ll regret it if you don’t.
  6. Don’t bother bringing any reading materials to the beach.  The people are entertaining enough and the sun will put you to sleep after a paragraph or so.
  7. If you have alcohol, a hottub, PvZ and TV, you don’t need games to entertain the group.
  8. Bring your junkiest clothes.  It’s the beach, there’s no fine dining. 
  9. For footwear, all you need are a pair of sneakers (for shopping) and flipflops for everywhere else. 
  10. As the the Chicago Tribune’s Mary Schmich says, “Wear sunscreen.”

Happy Belated Dads’ Day!

Posted by Leaf on June 28, 2009 3 comments

We had a belated Fathers’ Day dinner at Clyde’s last night since I was away at the beach last weekend. In conclusion to last night’s dinner, I’ve decided that raw oysters are the best thing in seafood restaurants, (provided they’re fresh). Or maybe just in any restaurants, period.

No matter how deliciously awesome Hank’s Oyster Bar, BlackSalt, and the Bonfire buffet were, the best part of the meal felt to me like the raw oysters. Who knew I’d be saying this after only one year of having tried my first one. Last night again, I loved the raw oysters better than anything else at Clyde’s. Maybe it was partly because I ordered the buffalo shrimp wrap and learned that buffalo and shrimp were not meant to be. Aside from that Clyde’s is generally okay.

Then I had my dad help me beat a crazy level on PvZ. He plays it way too much. Only my dad though. Not me.

I’m back from Ocean City!

Posted by Leaf on June 25, 2009 None comments

Just got back from my five day vacation to Ocean City. The weather was sunny and rainy off and on but we still managed to eat, go to the beach and boardwalk, shop, and go jetskiing.

Boardwalk
The first day, we went to Higgins, an all-you-can-eat seafood restaurant. Then I played Plants vs. Zombies. On Sunday, it rained so the girls went shopping at the outlets. For nearly 8 hours. Then we ate at The Bonfire, a seafood buffet. Then I rolled around on the ground clutching my belly as I groaned in agony. Or maybe I just walked around the boardwalk and played at the arcades.

Billy's cheesesteak
Monday I had this ridiculous foot long cheesesteak sandwich from Billy’s. Then we went to the beach to relax and people watch. The water was kinda’ cold and it was a little overcast that day so we stayed ashore mostly. The next day, we went jetskiing. I was really nervous about falling into the water or flipping off the jetski but once I rode around for a while it got pretty fun.

The sun came out later in the day and we went to the beach to chill. And finally, our last full day there, we went shopping again. I should say, I went shopping again. For everyone else, it was their first tour of the outlets. I didn’t do too badly. Mostly work clothes and $5 and $6 jeans. Jackpot!

Overall I had a fun time doing nothing, eating, watching Jon & Kate +8 reruns, and getting knocked over by the waves.

I like shopping more than Plants vs. Zombies

Posted by Leaf on June 19, 2009 None comments

I managed to pry myself away from Plants vs. Zombies last night to go shopping with my mom for a new DVD player. 

Afterwards, I went to Target for some impulse buys.  I can’t seem to walk out of there without a bag (or two) of Archer Farms chips - theyresodelicious!  I also got some other miscellaneous crap like the 30 Minute Shred which probably isn’t going to do anything for me given the 2 bags of chips.  And for my beauty products fix, I got this new Olay Touch of Concealer Eye Cream.  I just used it this morning.  It feels very light and easy to work in.  I’ve generally had pretty good results with Olay’s products if I don’t feel like coughing up for fancier stuff.  As for the concealer part of it, I haven’t noticed any difference.  It disappears.  I guess it’s supposed to be subtle.  I might try to get more sleep and see if that makes a bigger difference.

Ocean City!

Posted by Leaf on June 17, 2009 4 comments

I’ll be going to the beach this weekend.  My first time going to OC.
On my itinerary:

  • Clothes shopping!!
  • Farmers’ Market!!!
  • hold on, let me rephrase that: FARMERS’ MARKET!!!
  • Tourist traps!
  • Oh and sand, water, and sun too. :)

Meet Chopper

Posted by Leaf on June 16, 2009 2 comments

Chopper
Chopper belongs to a friend. He’s a Weimareiner-Boxer pup with a pair of floppy ears. They look very munchable don’t they?

Chopper
Now meet his waggy tail. I don’t think he has control over this tail sometimes. It’s got its own motor. Note the cutest butt this side of the Mississippi.

Mediocrity

Posted by Leaf on June 10, 2009 1 comments

While my sister & bro-in-law were here this past weekend, I wanted to splurge on a nice meal. I picked Volt because Tom Seitsema of the WashPost said it was good, but we came away feeling like overall, it was good for the experience but we wouldn’t make a point of going back or recommending it to others. Volt Restaurant is in old town Frederick, MD as in ye olde antique cobble stoney type, sorta’ quaint, cozy and relaxed.

The Service: Our head waiter was very professional and friendly. The other folks were a bit off. They misplaced utensils and peoples entrees a few times and one of the wine pairings came after we already finished eating that course. None of it was a big deal at all except it was sub-par to the expectations they established. If you’re going to go through the trouble of ensuring that everyone’s plates are set down at once, then we hope you set the right dish in front of us. Then again, it’s the imperfections that gives it that small town charm.

The Restrooms: The mens’ room & ladies’ room was separated by an opaque frosted divider where they left a foot wide gap between floor and the divider kind of like the bathroom stall divider. Why did they do that?

The Food: Definitely appeals to the locavores, sourcing their ingredients from nearby farms.
Sardines and GazpachoSome of it was better than others. The sardines in gazpacho was one of the better dishes. That fishbone laying on top was fried to a crisp and so delicious. If I were to ever come back here, I’d definitely ask for this dish again.

Sweetbread Picata
I tried a cow’s thymus gland for the first time. It was fried and mostly tasteless and the first time I’ve had sweetbread. I don’t think I like it. Even Better Half, who generally eats anything animal-related turned it down.

48 Hour Braised Wagyu Short Ribs Most of their other dishes were good but just that. None of it really left me thinking, I must come back and bring friends with me. Really, a few hours later, for all the bells and whistles, this meal was mostly all but forgotten. To end on a sweeter note, their wine pairings were great.