Things and Stuff....

[juliebata]

It wasn't a good week or a bad week, it was just a week.

Food: My first attempt at a stir-fry. I once had a science teacher who would give you credit for what he called a "good wrong answer" if you were on the right track. I still don't know what the hell I'm doing, it's all guesswork, but I keep getting better, and I still haven't burned the place down! I was in the mood for meat, red meat, so there I was at the store, having never bought a hunk of red meat in my life. I found a package of some sort of steak, thinly sliced, that I thought I could cut up and put in my stir-fry. Was this the right kind? I had no idea. The thought of touching it was gross, but I was hungry, and determined, and at least I didn't have to kill it myself! (moo..) A while ago, I picked up a bottle of sauce that sounded like it would go well with steak and veggies in a stir-fry, so off I went, cooking and guessing. The end result was definately edible, but the sauce didn't mesh as well as I had hoped. The steak was actually quite good, it turned out really tender. I guess I got lucky.

Taxes: Done, mailed and forgotten, unless I get a letter from the feds saying we screwed something up. Dad did all the number crunching, he's good at it. I got off a little easier this year than last, when I got the job last summer, I had them take a few extra dollars out for taxes each paycheck. As it is, the feds got $550, the state $150. Half of my remaining savings. Alimony is a two-edged sword, without that money, I'd starve, but it counts as taxable income, so I get hit hard at tax time. I'm thinking of trying to get a second job to help pay for Wiscon. Still looking for two more hotel room-mates, by the way...

Friday night: Was very nice. It was my friend Pat's birthday. Pat is another Busy Person who I hardly ever get to see. She called me up and said that it was her birthday on Friday, so let's go do something! We ended up just putzing around at the mall for a few hours, wandering into stores, talking about everything. She's leaving to go on a very long trip around the world in May, and has many things to do before she goes. She was looking at things in the stores like hiking boots and polarized sunglasses. We had a lesiurely dinner, and she told me that she doesn't believe all my friends think I'm pathetic. But she is worried about me. That was nice to hear. I'm worried about her, leaping off into the unknown.
I'm really going to miss her. She's going to sail around this big, scary world on a tall ship with a bunch of strangers. I would never do that in a million years! But I envy her having something that she wants to do so badly, something to work hard and sacrifice for. I've never had a goal like that. I've never had any real goals at all. I feel like pond scum right now...

Dogs: On my way home from Pat's house, I remember that I said I'd
look in on my brother's dog while he's out of town. I live the closest to him. He hired pet sitters to do the feeding and walks, but this dog is unbelievably attached to Steve, he gets depressed and mopes whenever he's away. He's not interested in strangers.
My work schedule would make it too hard for me to help out in the mornings. Besides, this dog really needs to meet some new people! But I agreed to stop in a few times, so the dog, Brady, could see a familiar person. Imagine living in a two bedroom apartment with a Shetland pony. Brady is a HUGE dog, a yellow lab, golden retriever mix. He's incredibly friendly, mellow, sweet tempered, good natured and obedient. He's always shedding and a bit smelly too, but I just love him! A kiss from him is always welcome, and I got several last night when I stopped over!

I've spent my entire Saturday afternoon writing this, now I'm going to go eat something. I might try one of those A-Z question things later, but I'll have to go back and find one to copy the questions. I like to read them when other people do them, they can sometimes tell you a lot of interesting things about another person. But then I get all self concious again and think I'm too boring, and no one will care about my answers.
I need an ice cream break....
-Juliebata

Comments

[green-amber.livejournal.com]

I'm slightly amazed at these food posts. You'd never bought red meat? you'd never made an amelette before, wasn't it? What have you been EATING all your life?? Surely not takeaway or ready meals every single night?? Did your ex (es?)do all the cooking? But even so, there's been a gap, right? Didn't you have to do any cooking, of any kind, at home, with your mum? When I moved outI knew how to do all the normal kinds of respectable bourgeois cooking - very red meat heavy - plus al the simple stuff, like omelettes etc - I did howevere have to teach myself how to do stir fries and authentic curries, oriental soups, etc etc as these were not in my mum'd repertoire - so I chuckled at this. Make sure NOT to buy any red meat for stir fry that's designed to be stewed - don't know what you call it in the States - braising meat? stewing steak? - it sure won't stir fry :-) Fillet & sirloin will but is a waste of money. here I buy rump (English phrase) or poke's eye steak(Scottish phrase). have you got a cook book??!

exactly

[replyhazy.livejournal.com]

The grocery store closest to juliebata's house, the Sentry, is really good about labeling their pre-cut-up meat. I know they sell some specifically for stewing, because I've bought it (and, okay, made shish kabob out of it. But it was good).

Personally I think she should pick some of her favorite restaurant meals and learn how to make them. For me.

[renniekins.livejournal.com]

I understand about the meat thing...I am intimidated by any kind of raw meat. So I just eat it when I go out. I can't actually cook, not for real...although I can sort of put together stuff sometimes. Sounds like you're becoming quite brave and adventurous in the kitchen...good for you!

Oh, and maybe you should spend some time coming up with some goals for yourself. Why not, after all?

[bibliofile.livejournal.com]

For stir fries I found this stuff that makes them taste wonderful (to me, anyway): House of Tsang's Wok Oil. It's cooking oil infused with several spices (garlic), etc., so it gives whatever you're cooking a nice flavor.

Oh, and the stuff green_amber's talking about is called stewing meat here.