Monday, October 30, 2006

Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Oh my gosh, I tried this recipe tonight because I had all of the ingreditents, including fresh brussel sprouts. Roasted Brussel Sprouts, amazing. Try it. I substituted the pine nuts with almonds.


Saturday, October 28, 2006

What Kind of World Do We Live In?

I have several friends going through job searches. From time to time, I take a look at the job boards, myself.

I especially enjoy these kinds of nonprofit job postings:

Requirements
  • Budget management experience of no less than $4B
  • Supervision experience of up to 2,500 employees
  • Work 120 hours per week
  • Community relations with the mayor, governor, state senators, and president of the U.S., with close ties to the U.N.
  • National experience with goal to establish relationships with trans-lunar beings
  • Abiltity to sell first born to cause
  • Masters degree preferred
Compensation
  • $28,000-32,000 depending on experience
Please, may I have another?


Monday, October 23, 2006

Day Four

Energy has continued. In fact I was up at 6:00 am today and at the gym soon after. Aside from that, stamina is there again. I no longer feel like I need to sit down all the time, take a break -- or a nap. I also still feel quicker, clearer-headed, and less irritable. But interestingly, I have less patience. No other noticeable signs yet.

In other news, Van's 33rd high school reunion on Saturday was enjoyable. It was a combined reunion for the h.s. classes of '71, '72, and '73. He looked flawless.

The reunion wasn't quite as Crypt Keeper-ish as I thought it would be. But the dancing 50, 51, and 52 year olds was really funny. Especially the Ph.D. in the ghastly short leather skirt, long straight 70's hair, and black clogs doing what would have been a pole dance, had she had a pole. In the words of Divine in the movie Polyester: "Please. Stop that hateful dancing."

Van's dear friend from high school Kristine
(whom I have met several times before with her husband) flew in from Vegas for the festivties. And Fran, the third in the wheel that was once the gnarly trio (they graduated in 1973!) was one of the organizers.


Sunday, October 22, 2006

Day Two

Second day into T-trial period resulted in:
  • Dry mouth
  • Sensitive gums (whilst brushing)
  • Improved short-term memory and fabulous recall -- both have been steadily regressing over the past six years
Out for now.

Friday, October 20, 2006

Day One

Today I got my TRT prescription and used it for the first time. The packaging says hormone levels will be normal within 24 hours and that I will start to notice changes rapidly. Definitely within two weeks. My doctor wants blood tests again in two months to assess where we are. Will I need more pumps? Less pumps? (Currently, I'm just "two pumps.") Will levels be too little, too much, or just right? He said the changes may or may not be noticeable and that I shouldn't expect a miracle.

Tonight I was inspired to clean the entire house. I feel energized in a way I haven't felt for a long time. And I use the word "energy" carefully. It is less like I've just finished six cans of coke and more like a backpack full of bricks has been taken off my shoulders.

Still, I'm suspect. Is this response just psychosomatic? This will be an interesting journey.


Thursday, October 19, 2006

Full Circle

Today I talked to a new résumé client who was referred by a former client of mine whom SHE hired four years ago - who was using a résumé I had written for him. They eventually became friends, she recalled his résumé when it came time for hers, and she came knocking.
Weird!


Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Perch

Here's my favorite spot to sit in the house, resting and sipping a glass of wine or cider. The view of the city from this spot is beautiful - especially at night. Add some rain and it's heaven in a sixth story apartment!

No justice from these pho
tos. I thought I'd do a close, closer, and over-the-edge perspective of my favorite bar downstairs, Lucid. Well, the roof anyway.

Monday, October 16, 2006

Hormones 101

I am on Friday meeting my doctor at 11:00 a.m. to discuss the beginning of my testosterone replacement therapy regiment. Since the diagnosis four or five months ago revealing that my testosterone is flying at half mast, I have been on a roller coaster of emotions. Friday may mark the beginning of treatment.

What does my future hold? My own research has shown that the body and the mind are both impacted significantly by low hormone levels - especially when the levels are low by half. I have felt a bit like I might become a different person.

Van has shared that he is ready, come what may, for the potential outcomes of a partner on testosterone replacement therapy. I'm not sure I'm ready, but the alternative is equally frightening. (Female symptoms / problems.)

I plan to lightly catalogue my experience here in the coming months.


Sunday, October 15, 2006

Favorite Wine

My favorite vino used to be EOS Chardonnay. Buttery, round, and not too expensive. But now it's EOS Zinfandel. I can't exlain how round and easy it goes down. I've heard that zinfandel is becoming more popular. I can see why. I first found it at my favorite lounge, Lucid, downstairs when they ran out of the chard. I've never gone back.

If you want a solid wine on a budget, give EOS a try. I promise you'll love it.

P.S. If you get a chance to see The Queen, see it.


Wednesday, October 11, 2006

To Yelp or Not to Yelp

One of my favorite things to do is to Yelp. No, not bark like a neurotic lap dog. But to write reviews locally about anything from restaurants, bars/lounges, hair salons, and Web sites at Yelp.com!

It's big in SF and apparently available in Boston, Chicago, Seattle, L.A., New York, and more. I've found great consumer / patron recommendations -- and been wisely steered away from other best-avoided places -- all from Yelp.com's great every-man reviews.

If you like to blog, you'll love to Yelp. Check out my Yelp page. Then take the leap yourself to Yelping bliss!


Sunday, October 08, 2006

I looooooove yooooou, toooooo!



So, yes, Van is crazy.

We got back from Shortbus tonight (touching and sweet, not at all like a porno except for erect penises and cumshots - about time John Cameron Mitchell did something after my fav, Hedwig and the Angry Inch). I had a glass of wine. He had two.

So he's heading out to play pool with his buddies (an adventure I rarely accompany him on) and he's in the entryway saying some sort of goodbye something that I can't hear. The fan is on, he's whispering, and he's in the dark and I can't see him. (A statement he will read too much into later.)

So I say, "What?" several times and after he repeats several times in vain, he says, "You really wanna hear what I'm saying?"

Yes, I reply.

At the top of his lungs (all windows open in our apartment) in a nice, long, legato line he yells, "I loooooooove yooooou!"

Well, I got what he said, as well as a dose of embarassment.

Some things make more sense when you've had a few, so next time your significant other plans on screaming sweet nothings into the neighbor-filled night at 10:30 pm, be sure you've had a few yourself.

This post includes a fun new pic of me in my fun new jacket and hat. Nighty night!

P.S. I'm here to spread the love that is the book: Middlesex


Independie Shortbus

I've coined a new word.

Marquel called and woke me up this afternoon, asking what I was doing. Still groggy, I said I was later going to an "independie" film.

Ha ha ha ha ha!

So I'm off to see Shortbus. I'm interested to see if it pushes the envelope as much as everyone says it does.