Love.

If you were a candy man
with eyes made of gumdrops
a heart filled with marzipan
then I'd tell you so soft
that I wouldn't share
'cause no one can have you but me
you're so sweet
you're so sweet.

26 things in my 26th year...

In no particular order...

1. My mom hits the 5-year Cancer-free mark.
2. My dad remains Cancer-free.
   
3. My sister moves to Texas.
4. I bid farewell to Minneapolis.
   
5. I live my dream and move to the East Coast.
6. My childhood best friend lives her dream and moves to Florida.
   
7. Three of my best friends get married (ok, so one was just before the start of year 26, but we're grandfathering it in for good measure).
8. I'm a maid of honor, groomsman, and quasi-best man.
   
9. Three more friends get married.
10. Five more friends get engaged.
11. I travel back to Israel.
12. I lose the same job, for the second and third time.
13. One of my other best friends turns on me.
14. I pay off my car.
15. My cousin gets pregnant.
16. I elbow with the stars at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival.
17. I go to China.
18. I hold the elevator door for Stevie Wonder.
19. I start a new writing project.
20. I visit Walden Pond.
21. One friend finishes his stint in the Israeli Army.
22. Another friend begins his stint in the Israeli Army.
23. I spend an unexpected but fabulous night at my uncle's house.
24. I finally saw my parents cut a rug in a dance competition.
    
25. I started tweeting.
    
26. I meet a boy.

(that was a lot harder than anticipated...)

Closing out year 26... welcoming in number 27...

Untitled...

I've been thinking a lot about you lately. Not that I don't often think about you, just more-so lately. I think it's because whether we are near or far, back at home roaming Barnes and Noble, in Minnesota watching Wheel of Fortune, or just texting on a random day, you might know me better than anyone else.

I came across a line tonight in the book I'm reading and it made me think of you even more. In fact, I came to the line, read it over and over again, and couldn't go on.

Never forget that once upon a time, in an unguarded moment, you recognized yourself as a friend.

Something about that line, those simple (and extremely loaded) 17 words, made me think of you, and me, and us, and how you have really shaped my life. I don't know what I would do without you in my life.

I love you and I miss you and no matter what... you know the rest...

Word of the day...

enumerate:

1 : to ascertain the number of : count
2 : to specify one after another : list

A new site...

Tonight I kicked off a new writing project. Follow it here.

This blog will remain active for everything it has been, but make sure to check out my journey as I discover the 1,560 bits of wisdom from the full compilation of three volumes of Life’s Little Instruction Book®, by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Broken

This morning the "narm" episode of Six Feet Under was on. You know, the one where Nate sleeps with Maggie and then has the heart attack. All I wanted to do was call you or text you, but I couldn't. You broke us. You broke us nine months ago when I left and you broke us again last week when you broke the news. Now we're broken and I'm not sure what can repair us. We're broken...

Question of the Day...

When did it become socially acceptable to tell someone one of life's most exciting moments via social media networks, instant messaging, and/or mass emails?

Ignorance...

You know we live in a sad, ignorant world, when stuff like this happens:

Confusion over Jewish prayer ritual leads pilot to divert Kentucky flight to Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA - A teenage airplane passenger using a Jewish prayer object caused a misunderstanding that led the captain to divert the Kentucky-bound plane to Philadelphia and prompted a visit from a bomb squad.

A 17-year-old boy on US Airways Express Flight 3079 traveling from New York to Louisville was using tefillin, a set of black boxes attached to leather straps and containing biblical passages, said Philadelphia police Lt. Frank Vanore.

When used in prayer, one box is strapped to the arm while the other box is placed on the head.

"It's something that the average person is not going to see very often, if ever," FBI spokesman J.J. Klaver said.

The teen explained the ritual after being questioned by crew members, but the captain decided to land in Philadelphia anyway, authorities said.

The flight left LaGuardia Airport in New York around 7:30 a.m.; it landed without incident in Philadelphia about 90 minutes later and was met by police and officials from the FBI and Transportation Security Administration.

Authorities said the plane was searched and passengers were questioned. The teen, who is from White Plains, N.Y., and was traveling with his 16-year-old sister, was very cooperative, Vanore said.

"They were more alarmed than we were," Vanore said.

Klaver said the teen and his sister were never in custody, and have been cleared to continue their travels.

Passengers on 50-seat regional jet, which was operated by Chautauqua Airlines, were rebooked on other flights, US Airways spokesman Morgan Durrant said.

Song Lyrics of the Day

"El Scorcho" - Weezer

I'm a lot like you so please
Hello, I'm here, I'm waiting
I think I'd be good for you
And you'd be good for me

Monday Morning Emails...

Sometimes there are the emails that remind you why you come to work every day...

"Damn girl. You're undeniably good. Thank you."

Makes Monday morning not hurt so badly...

Song Lyrics of the Day

"I Hear the Bells" - Mike Doughty

I'm seeking girls
In sales and marketing
Let's go make out
Up in the balcony
Your business dress
So businesslike and I'm
Tossing the blouse
Over a chairback and

I can
Hear the bells are
Ringing joyful and triumphant and I can
Hear the bells are
Ringing joyful and triumphant

Worth writing home about...

While Molly and I had a fantastic day at the Fair yesterday (which deserves a post of its own, to come), tonight I had a meal I will be dreaming of for nights to come until I can finally have it again (and that, folks, might be quite a while).

Tonight Tristan and I went to what I will undoubtedly call my favorite restaurant in the Twin Cities: Muffuletta. A small little place in a little St Paul neighborhood. Cute, quaint, quiet, a perfect date spot, great service, and above all, locally produced amazing food. Not to mention Abi, a great friend, works there! A must dine. Sit in Abi's section, she's amazing.

Anyway... tonight Tristan and I went, as I only have two weeks left in the Cities and we had to get there once more before I left. And tonight I had a dish that undoubtedly will become one of my favorite dishes of all time: roasted eggplant, mushrooms, caramelized onions, and toasty brown gnocchi, sauteed with butter, parmesan, and lemon, drizzled with lemon olive oil. It was so amazing. I will honestly be anxiously awaiting the next time I am back in the Cities and can get my fix. It was that good. That's not to say the beer cheese soup with fresh popcorn, garlic "paste" and bread, and wine weren't amazing... it's just that this gnocchi was melt-in-your-mouth-good.

To Abi and the folks at Muffuletta -- thank you for what is not only my favorite restaurant in the Twin Cities, but the best dish I've had outside my mom's kitchen.

To all you Muffuletta virgins -- go. If you miss out on this place it will be detrimental to your Twin Cities experience.


Now, it's off to bed in preparation for Rabbi-ing Annie's Bat Mitzvah tomorrow. Shabbat Shalom -- and don't forget... Muffuletta.

Second time, still no charm...

I don't often find a restaurant where I am disappointed, I really don't.

A couple years ago, maybe two or three, Harry and I tried out a new place that went into what was Betty's Bikes and Buns, on the corner around the block from my Northeast apartment.

Brasa, a new southern-style rotisserie joint, had just moved in and we thought we'd best try it out. Who doesn't love the idea of rotisserie meats and southern side dishes. I forget what Harry had... I know it included the cheesy grits and fried plantains. I had chicken and a side or two. Harry loved it.. I wasn't overly impressed and was in no rush to go back.

Tonight, some friends and I went to the newer St Paul location to celebrate a birthday. Again, not overly excited to go back, I went anyway, of course, to see everyone and celebrate. I opted for the black beans and yellow rice, with a corn muffin and honey butter. I wans't going to spend the extra money on the unimpressive chicken I had before. And again this time, I was not overly impressed. It's rare I slam a restaurant, but there was nothing special about anything at the table. I could have easily made these dishes... and better. Though the sweet tea was amazing, no reason to go back.

So that's the scoop. Try it if you want... and let me know what you think... but twice was more than enough for me.

Give me a minute...

I think one of my biggest office pet peeves is when I walk into the office in the morning, sit down at my desk, and barely open my Outlook to let all the overnight emails come piling in, when my lovely coworker starts pinging off question after question about things she has already seen in her inbox. Give me 20 minutes to at least let all the new messages load before you start asking me questions and telling me you will follow up. I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about or how to respond without having seen the emails already. Chill the eff out -- I just got here!

(That was already this morning after the coffee I got smelled like rotten garbage and the pharmacy told me I didn't have enough info on my new health insurance plan to get my prescription without paying the full price. ... and it's only 7:20a...)

Happy Thursday, everyone.

Thanks.

All I needed was a little support. Something to tell me what I am about to do is ok and that you are excited for me and proud of me and happy I am finally getting to be where, or at least really close, to where I've always wanted to be. But instead I got nothing. In the two and a half hours we spent together tonight, I got maybe five words out of you and you wouldn't even look at me. I knew it was going to be hard to tell you, but I didn't think it would be this hard. I thought you would maybe at least pretend to be happy for me and excited for me or something.. but instead I got the cold shoulder. I don't know what else to say or do to make it better... and frankly, I am kind of tired of trying. The last year has been all about you -- never once I have ever asked for anything in return. It was all about you. Tonight, I needed it to be about me. I needed you there for me... to support me. And I got nothing. For once.. I am thinking about me. I thought you would understand that. It's just not fair...

So thanks for the support when I really needed it most... thanks.

All eight inches...

Tonight Allen and I went out to get some dessert... we headed to Old Chicago (after Allen helped me schlep two bookshelves out of IKEA and into my car) for an appetizer and the warm chocolate chip cookie in a pizza pan topped with ice cream. There were two on the menu, so we inquired about the difference. The rest of the evening went something like this:

Lizzo to waiter: "Tell us the size difference"
Waiter to Lizzo and Allen: "The small one is five inches, the other is eight."

Lizzo and Allen look at each other, reading each other's minds. The waiter leaves to get our drinks.

Lizzo to Allen: "Eight inches is always better, Allen. Eight inches is always better."

Allen didn't really know to react other than that he already knew I would make some sort of comment to that effect. We made a couple more "eight inch" jokes and enjoyed our appetizer.

Later...

Waiter to Lizzo and Allen: "So you want the big one?"
Lizzo and Allen look at each other, then to the waiter: "Yes!"

Lizzo and Allen devour the cookie. The waiter returns to find out how we're enjoying all eight inches. It was now or never...

Allen looks at Lizzo.

Lizzo to waiter: "Is it inappropriate for me to tell you all eight inches were delicious?!"

Waiter to Lizzo, laughing: "No -- perfect! That was a good one!"
Lizzo to waiter: "Good -- I've been waiting to use that one all night!"


Needless to say, our waiter got a good tip tonight (monetary, folks, monetary).

Typo of the day.

"I appreciate you all working so hard to get the prostitution ready for me."

Oops!

Five restaurant reviews and a near-death experience...

It's been a long week of dining out, folks. Not that I have all the money in the world to spend on dining out or that I hate cooking so much (both very untrue), but in the last week I've had dinner plans quite often.

Last Thursday my Eat It! dinner group went to Santorini. While I could have done without the spanikopita, the trio of dips was amazing. We had the Spicy Feta – Creamy feta with olive oil and hot peppers; Tirosalata – Fresh herbs, peppers and feta cheese; and my personal favorite, Melitzano – Salata – Roasted eggplant with garlic and oil. Not to mention the amount of wine I had. Woah.

Saturday night David and I went to Redstone, where we had the amazing smoked gouda fondue and two desserts. It was awesome. Enough said.

Tuesday night I met up with an old coworker from the U. We went to Amazing Thailand in Uptown. This place was awesome. First, let me tell you about the Tuesday Happy Hour from 4-11p. Definitely worth it. For dinner I had the Pineapple Fried Rice. Delishous. It does indeed come in the pineapple and is enough for at least four meals. And... when the little man wrapped my leftovers, he actually wrapped the entire pineapple half.

Wednesday night my dinner plans were canceled, but my day at the office was miserable so I went to Happy Hour with Amy, then to Tristan's for a drink, and then to Burger Jones for some greasy apps and a beer. While Tristan was really excited about going back here for the cheese curds, and from what I understand the burger Tristan and Jas shared was pretty good, I was not impressed. The fries were soggy and nowhere as amazing as the garlic parm fries David and I had in SanFran, the cheese curds were just... different... and the onion rings were THICK. Not that the apps were bad, I was just hoping for more. Saving grace: Rice Krispie Treat Milkshake, and of couse, the Bells Two Hearted Ale.

Tonight Allen and I went to Prima, where I had my favorite sandwich and salad, which does not need explination.

So my dining out has come to an end.. it's time to get back in the kitchen... or out at the grill! I'm a little appauled with the amount of food out I've eaten in the last week, but it was well worth it to see all my friends... and who doesn't like to dine out!


Now --- the near-death experience. (Ok, so it wasn't a near-death experience, but it was super funny and I could have been injured pretty badly!) Last night when Jas picked Tristan and myself up at Tristan's apartment, she was on the phone. Tristan got in the front and I opened the back passenger door to hop in the back. The seat was full, so I had to move some stuff to the other side. Well... Tristan closed her door, and Jas thought she heard two doors close, so started to drive off.... with me hanging out the car. Tristan and I screamed "JAS" and she said, "Woah. John, I have to go... I just about ran over Liz." That's right, my friends, Jas started to drive off with me only half in the car! Good thing the door was open and she was going forwards, not backwards. Had she been in reverse, I would have been a pancake on the ground.

Nice work, Jas. Next time, get off the phone and check to see all passengers are in the car before driving off!

Stop the noise!

There is a time and a place for outdoor repairs. I understand the need and sometime urgency to get an outdoor project finished, I really do. What I do not understand is why these workers seem to think it's acceptable to be outside schlepping and sawing and banging and hammering after 5:00p. For the second night in a row now, these folks have been outside my window in the little wooded area between my building and the golf course, building something or another. Looks a little like a retaining wall or something, but nonetheless, they are building. Now, I know they want to get it done, but they should be doing this work - the schlepping and sawing and banging and hammering -- during the day, while most of us tenants are at work. When the 5:00p bell rings, that should be it. Yes -- it stays light out pretty late in the spring/summer hours here in the Midwest, but COME ON! After a long day at work, no one wants to come home to schlepping and sawing and banging and hammering until 9:00 at night!

Pack up and go home, bitches!

Close the door...

At home, if I'm the only person in my apartment, I often will leave the bathroom door open when I visit the lavatory. However, if I am out in public, read: my office, I most definitely close and lock the stall door -- whether I am the only person in the entire building or not.

This afternoon, as I went into the office bathroom to brush my teeth, I could hear there was someone else in there. However, all three stall doors we ajar. The person in the stall realized I had entered the bathroom, made some noise, and closed and locked her stall. Then, once done with her business, while I was brushing my teeth, she opened the stall door. Normal procedure if finished... except she had not completely zipped and buttoned her pants!

Come on, lady! This is a public restroom!