The funniest thing I have seen in weeks...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 10:09 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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And yes, I told her that to her face tonight when she signed my copy of her third book.

Go read her books ... NOW! I don't care if you have to drag your ass to whatever skanky ass library your town has. If they don't have copies, beat the purchasing librarian with a copy of Kitchen Confidential from that smug prick Anthony Bourdain until he/she agrees to get you one.

Here's your handy-dandy, convenient checklist to make sure you don't forget to read a single side busting word:

Book One: Bitter is the New Black : Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass,Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office

Book Two: Bright Lights, Big Ass: A Self-Indulgent, Surly, Ex-Sorority Girl's Guide to Why it Often Sucks in the City, or Who are These Idiots and Why Do They All Live Next Door to Me?

Book Three: Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist's Quest To Discover if Her Life Makes Her Ass LookBig, Or Why Pie is Not The Answer

Posted by: Princess Cat at 09:43 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Well ... since I'm actually going out tomorrow night, there's a chance people might stop by and read what I don't write here. I figure it should probably be some cryptically sad song lyrics. I can't really promise anything will be interesting though...

The biggest updates in my life? I have finally joined the Wii generation. In fact, I was actually able to purchase one two weeks in a row. (yes, I bought two ... no, they weren't both for me ...)

There are only two downsides to having a Wii (and I'm pretty sure there really are only two downsides to owning this gloriously beautiful machine).

First, life seems to understand that you now have a Wii and suddenly creates a list of responsibilities that you feel disproportionately more guilty for neglecting than you did before if you do not complete them before you begin wielding the awesome controller.

Second, you have to come off the money for the games ... F'ing nintendo. (I'm not cheap, I'm frugal!)

Other updates? I seem to have developed some type of kindness parasite. I think it is taking over the decision making sectors of my brain. In fact, I'm finding myself doing good deeds left and right. Making change for a guy on the bus, giving a woman back her glasses that she forgot on the train, freezing in line for and hour and a half for someone else's Wii since I knew she'd never get one ... I'm scared. Maybe we should set up a foundation in the name of finding a cure?

Oh, and I hate quotation marks. They should be banned from all written communication. Air quotes will be allowed to survive ... unless they are misused and the conversational airwaves become overrun with them. In that case, they must die as well.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 09:25 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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Thanks T1G ... Nothing like someone wishing you a happy holiday three weeks early (appropriately in anticipation that I might not blog during that time) to remind you that you have forgotten to include your far away friends in your every day life.

Well I definitely got some news on Friday that was worth sharing ... more...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 10:15 PM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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I've finally gotten around to it ... a lovely pic of Miss D and her new hubby from their wedding two weeks ago

As you can see, they are a very cute couple :-)

Posted by: Princess Cat at 08:36 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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My blog lapsed ... AGAIN ... but it was for good reason this time ...

I was out of town, in the middle of nowhere, with no where to be but one place... more...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 09:56 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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The fam is in town ... the part that doesn't turn everything into a major drama and actually knows how to have a good time, that is. We should be out having a good time seeing the city for the next few days.

Unfortunately for you guys (and this blog ) that means another weekend of no posting.

Maybe some pics of the kids when I get back though

Posted by: Princess Cat at 02:37 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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A couple of people have been checking in lately to see how I'm doing ...

So sorry to have left you worried, but I have run away and I'm never coming back. Ok, not really ... unfortunately it is only temporary.

I have been enjoying some time in the old stomping grounds ... slipping on the boots again and doing a little dancing, some In N Out, a trip to Sea World, carne asada and the best tortillas on the planet, margaritas at a beachside bar...

Are you sure I have to go back?

Posted by: Princess Cat at 12:39 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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Looks like karma hasn't totally quite forgotten me just yet. In fact, I had free Toby Keith tickets fall in my lap this weekend and one kick ass time.

Two years ago, I pushed my entire schedule for the evil, dreaded cross-country move so that my friend and I could go see Toby Keith's Throwdown Tour together in the very amphitheater where we had first met (also a country concert). She and I showed up looking all cute in our gear ... sans beer, sans lighter, sans cigars, sans binoculars ... we were just so excited to see Terri Clark and Toby Keith that everything else just went out the window.

This time, I enlisted the help of another friend of mine and three of us had a good ol' time singing along to Toby's Hookin' Up and Hangin' Out Tour. We remembered warm clothes, money for beer, binoculars (which we didn't use), sandwiches and snacks. We were effin' prepared this time.

Neither of my friends knew who Joe Nichols was though ... until we got there. Once he started playing Brokenheartsville, Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off, and the like ... then they knew who he was.

I'll tell you right now though ... I am not a passive concert goer AT ALL. I am on my feet, shakin my booty, singin the songs, and goin' nuts. It is one of those times when the dancing around the room in my underwear, singing along to the radio, pretending its me on stage Â… actually gets seen in public. But hell, I'm having a good time ... so what if I look like a total doof in the process.

I will note that I came prepared with my blue bandana to both concerts though ... and when Toby sang about his little Whiskey Girl (blue bandana tied all up in her hair) ... I was right there waiting for him to take me home.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 10:10 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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1 Sounds like karmic punishment to me, listening to all that crappy music and all ...

Posted by: Professor Chaos at October 09, 2006 10:34 PM (wocp8)

2 Howdy gal! Glad to see they got a little bit of country in D.C. and you had a good time I'm doing my best on this side of the pond to keep a little bit of Texas country alive here in London. Hope your new place is helping to keep you happy! Jared

Posted by: Jared at October 10, 2006 11:31 AM (mtrxn)

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The Princess Palace (I thought I'd try it out ... see how the name sits...) finally has cable. It only took about 10 phone calls since Tuesday to my "friend in the digital age" to get it done and they haven't even finished all the installation yet. But, I've got my stories back and Sheila's gone wireless ... well, abandoned the CAT 5 anyway.

I still haven't managed to find the camera yet, but when I do ... I've got the most amazing sight to show you. Walking by last night, just after dark in the brisk fall air, it was emphatically perfect.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 05:35 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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It's official... I am a "homeowner"

As of Friday, the settlement paperwork was signed (no thanks to my hangover...)

As of Saturday, I was having chinese take out and sleeping in the new master bedroom

As of Sunday, I have a welcome mat, a flashlight, a fire extinguisher, and hand-me-down furniture

As of Monday, maybe something will be put away ...

I don't have the net set up at the new place yet, but I am still paying rent for the old place so I have net there. Sheila and the beloved desk will migrate over sometime this week.

Coming soon ... PICTURES!!!!

Posted by: Princess Cat at 08:11 PM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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The house is almost entirely packed now.

I spent yesterday taking pictures off the walls. The corkboard is gone, the magnetic white board is gone too. All my princess items are put away. Even the stuffed animals are off their ledge and in a box.

But somehow five things managed to keep their place on the wall a little bit longer.

1. My cowboy hat
2. B&W view of waves crashing in the moonight
3. My beautifully framed diploma from UCSD
4. The Marine Corps Flag
5. The American Flag

I guess that tells you where my priorities are in life.

What do your walls say about you?

Posted by: Princess Cat at 01:13 PM | Comments (10) | Add Comment
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My trip up to the bizzare state of Penn went really well. I say bizzare because they don't seem to have heard of so many seemingly normal and useful things ... such as, radio ... toilet seat covers ... or water balloons. WTF? Personally, I blame the Dutch.

The drive was much shorter than anticipated, both coming and going. That didn't stop me from getting antsy, achey, and overall stir crazy (as my CD collection rather blows and someone has failed to send their XM receiver down to me) but still ... better to feel that way for as little time as possible.

Here are pics of the men I went all that way to see:

Little Man T (4 m/o)

Big Man D, the birthday boy (2 y/o) **

It was a good time with the extended family. No drama. No death. Lots of laughs. Children playing. Plenty of food I had no business eating (and it was YUMMY!). I just may adopt them as my more immediate family for a while.

**Yes, that is a mohawk he's sportin in the pic ... or as he calls it a "ho-hawk." It was even dyed blue the day I arrived.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 04:07 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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I took a page out of the blogosphere's very own Mr. Hospitality's book this weekend and hosted a blogmeet at home.

It was a fantastic turnout. The usual suspects graced my humble abode, I finally got to meet Professor Chaos, Sabre (and her friend), Lysander's other half, and even host a couple tykes.

Of course there was more food than anyone could possibly eat ... cuz duh, feeding people is what I do (wings anyone?) ... plenty of interesting conversation to go around ... the obligatory twat talk that comes with having a gyn as a friend ... and an amazing recitation of Office Space

I think I just might do this again, what do you say guys? I'll even try to plan a surprise guest for the next one.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:27 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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I wish I could say it ain't my day to care, but I'm not there just yet. Give me a couple more days, hopefully just til mid-day tomorrow, and I'll be set for a while.

I came home to a bunch of last minute fix-its that I should have taken care of before I left, but I put them off. So today is a bit of panic, but I think I have myself organized well enough that the stress is probably unwarranted.

The burial was very brief and very good for all of us. Her casket was perfectly her, elegant and simple, cream with pink accent flowers painted on it. The cemetary was beautiful with flowers decorating nearly every gravemarker as far as you could see. And greatest of all, she is back with her son Kevin that died as a young child.

Times like the past couple of days in rural Indiana are almost enough to make me wish I were even less of a city girl. Friends of hers opened up their home to the entire family and friends they'd never met. We all had supper and dinner together. We had the freshest garden food and desserts only country hands could dream of making. There was a love and tenderness among strangers that I can't say I've felt in any recent memorable past.

It was exactly what her small town soul would have wanted.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 02:51 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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In case you haven't noticed yet, there are posts up all over the 'sphere about a very elusive man running lose around the central and southern parts of the country. If you find him, please proceed with caution and do not attempt to approach him alone. He goes by the name of That 1 Guy. more...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:48 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Tonight's dinner was fantastic ... in a way that caught me completely off guard. I mean, fantastic!!

I don't really do recipes per se ... I'll take culinary suggestion from them ... but I was going on the fly with this one. I didn't really know what to expect and I was way outside my comfort zone on this main dish. But I'm telling you, it rocked!

Chicken Sausage w/Leeks

1 package of spiced apple chicken sausage, fresh (about 5 brat-sized sausages)
1 med Vidalia onion, sliced
2 leeks, sliced
1 med granny smith apple, peeled and sliced
1/4 c apple cider vinegar
3/4 c apple cider
1 trusty, handy-dandy cast iron skillet (or whatever it is that you use)

In a couple tablespoons of oil, brown the sausages over medium heat. Remove from the pan. Add onions and leeks, sauté until softened (about 5 mins) Add apples, sauté stirring constantly until soft (about 2 mins). Return sausages to the pan. Add apple cider vinegar and apple cider and continue cooking until sausages are done and the liquid has reduced by at least half.

Plate and serve!

So so yummy, tangy and sweet Â… Mmm Mmm!
And I have some for lunch tomorrow. ;-)

My full menu:
Chicken Sausage w/ Leeks
Polenta w/ Sundried Tomato & Basil Cheese
Cauliflower & Snap Peas

Posted by: Princess Cat at 01:11 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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My day certainly did not turn out at all how I had intended it to.

My original plans were to go with two friends and join the masses of tourons (tourists, to those of you who aren't local) for fireworks on The Mall. Last night, my girl called and cancelled on me. I called this morning to try to talk her into it but she wasn't having it. So, since she was bummed, I said we'd hang at her place. She wasn't having that either. Well shit ... these two were damn near the only ones in town and they were bailing on me. WTF?

Instead ...

I had Mexican food, rolled in some dirt, almost got killed, bleached the crap out of my kitchen, had Japanese food, discussed vaginas, and THEN got to watch fireworks. more...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:05 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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This is still one of my favorite holidays...

I miss the days as a kid when I would wake up early and watch the parade, making sure to get a good candy catching place right on the curb, then going to the local park and having a big neighborhood BBQ & picnic, playing with squirt guns and water balloons all day to stay cool ... of course having a good fireworks spot claimed earlier in the day with a couple of blankets on the hill above the baseball diamond ... because the fireworks were always the best part ...

It was our day of independence from our parents in some ways. We got to be kids all day, we had our own blanket strategically separate from theirs, and no one looked at us crosswise for it all day. We felt like grown ups for a day, I guess.

So go out and enjoy your picnic, BBQ, local get together, or whatever festivities you have planned.

I'll be having a beer, mulling over my memories, waiting for the fireworks ...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 09:35 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I've been in a lot of places that experience good ol' thunderstorms ... the Central Plains, the Pacific Northwest, Florida ... but last night here in DC was perhaps the most wicked thunderstorm I've ever seen.

It was too loud to sleep through so I laid in bed reading as it pounded away outside. The lightening kept my room lit for hours and the thunder cracked so strongly that it shook the walls of my condo.

Surprisingly though, we never lost power and I didn't see any damage in my neighborhood this morning.

Guess nature is just funny that way.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 02:07 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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