Kiss me like you mean it

So I have always had this preconceived notion about quirky personality traits or mannerisms... "signature moves" if you will. Mostly that they are either developed over time as a default of who you are or they sort of sneak in based on your environment and that sort of validates the slight shift especially if it something sort of antithetical to who you seem to be...

There are qualities or mannerisms that I wish I had as defaults and whenever I meet someone who pulls it off I am instantly jealous. But I feel sort of false adopting these "facets" because it seems like you can't just start doing something like that in the middle of already being somewhere. Sort of like sitting down halfway through an episode of CSI, you spend the rest of the time trying to figure what hell happened that someone would need to shoot a gun into an apple to figure it out. Maybe it's just me.

These include:

cheek kissing at goodbyes*
wearing red lipstick everyday
using heartwarming pet names for friends and managing to not have it sound fake or forced

I often look at moving to a new place as an opportunity to incorporate something new into my personality so it will seem that I just arrived that way. But so far, none of these have stuck... I was telling someone the other day how I wished I had been wearing red lipstick daily for like the last few years and how can I just start doing that?! She, of course, thought my logic was ridiculous and said, "You just do!"

We're travelling to Alabama this weekend for big southern wedding and it's going to be great. I'm a bridesmaid which means mimosas all day for the next 3 days. Alabama, expect to have red lip prints all over your cheeks, cutie!

*No seriously! I met this one girl for all of an hour and she totally kissed everyone (including me) on the cheek when she left and I was completely charmed. I'm also a sucker for hand kissing.

Easter Celebration

So yesterday was Easter and it totally snuck up on us. I never even had a Cadbury egg or a Peep in preparation! I guess I could go hit up Target and load myself down on Easter candy seconds... Walgreens is pretty good for Easter candy too and I walk past one everyday on the way to work though I think the Cadbury eggs might melt during my walk. Gross, Phoenix.

Anyway, we celebrated by going to our church, the movie theater. We saw The Bank Job and I felt a little better about Jason Statham's career. I really like him and I don't care that he plays the same guy in every movie. Transporter 1 and 2? Please. Snatch, yes! Italian Job? (Yes, I know it was a remake.) So-so, though that part where Seth Green is doing the voice over for the conversation between Jason Statham's character and some girl he's conning is particularly hilarious. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, also good. Cranked? Meh. The Bank Job- pretty good. I think I'm really digging this trend of movies that are based on actual events that happened in the 70s. Though it did seem a little like Sexy Beast what with the drilling and the stealing and cockney. I could watch heist movies all day, really. And Saffron Burroughs face.

Then we came home and made dinner. (Good job, cell phone camera.) We've been getting our nerd on a whole lot lately and the DVR is full of PBS shows. It's sort of sick. But Best Recipes in The World, Everyday Food and The History Detectives are a lethal combination that render Matt and I slaves to the television... PBS is our Kryptonite. There. I've said it.

But, Everyday Recipes was a surprising find on PBS and a fun substitute for the Martha Stewart Living show of old that I loved watching every Sunday in high school. With my mom. Does anyone remember her Christmas special where she made that ginger bread house with Miss Piggy? Classic!

Her magazine lately, while visually pleasing is sort of elementary and repetitive to me (I have to say it's gotten a lot better since she was released from prison.) I've tried recipes from her magazine and they always end up sort of off in some way. BUT! This Everyday Food is like a slam dunk every time. It's great because the show is 5 recipes that are meant to be done over the course of one week and you could watch the show, write a grocery list and be set for dinner for 5 days. Refreshingly realistic.

Last night I made a version of Everyday Food's Stuffed Chicken and Sauteed Broccoli Rabe

So here's my version, adapted from theirs:

Ingredients:

For chicken + stuffing
2 or 4 (depending on how many of you there are) chicken breasts with skin
1/2 cup basil finely chopped
1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, finely choppped
2 cloves garlic chopped (I used one chubby shallot instead)
1 tsp orange zest
salt and pepper
1 wedge of Fontina (I used Gouda because Trader Joe's did not have Fontina but I would recommend a harder cheese than Gouda if Fontina's not your bag) cut into quarters lengthwise

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
2. Use a really sharp knife to cut a pocket in the chicken for the stuffing + cheese. I would say go close to the bone (if you have bone in) or a good lower middle if it's boneless and make it about 3-4 inches deep and about 1-2 inches wide, depending on your stuffing likes
3. Mix up the chopped basil, tomatoes, shallot or garlic, lemon zest, add some salt and pepper
   
4. They suggest putting the stuffing in first, then putting in a wedge of cheese like an edible cork. All my cheese oozed out which could be due to a few things: using a softer cheese than advised or not "sewing" it shut with a toothpick. I think the next time I make this I might either put the cheese in first or on top of the bed of stuffing.
   
5. They suggest using a toothpick to close the pockets, I just sort of tucked the skin in the pocket like an envelope. Arrange the chicken skin side up and rub with olive oil, and season generously with salt and pepper. Roast for about 30 to 35 minutes. Let chicken rest 5 minutes; remove toothpicks before serving (if you used them) or you can leave them in like a meat version of that cake with the little plastic baby in it but this time everyone's a winner!
   

Broccoli Rabe with Yellow Peppers

Ok, so I totally used a bag of mixed chard from Trader Joe's. I find it exceptionally hard to find broccoli rabe, it eludes me every time. I think maybe it doesn't exist. But if you can find it- follow these directions (they suggest boiling the rabe because it's kind of bitter and this releases some of the bitterness):

1. Cut broccoli rabe into 11/2 -inch lengths; set aside. Pour enough water into a 12-inch skillet to reach a depth of 3/4 inch. Bring to a boil; season with salt. Add broccoli rabe, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3 minutes. Drain. Set aside.
2. Dry skillet; add oil and heat over medium-high. Add bell peppers; cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Add broccoli rabe; cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.

If you use chard or another hearty green (you could even substitute sauteed spinach or roast some asparagus instead) you can just throw it in some olive oil and sautee it. I found that chard takes a little longer because it is so dense but it has a great flavor and is super good for you (in your face, spinach!)

I used yellow and orange peppers which was colorful amongst the green and purples of the chard. Also, since chard takes a bit, I cooked both the peppers and the chard together and left it a little tender. I used a generous amount of olive oil, salt and pepper. About 8-10 minutes altogether.

Matt said that it was a very "earthy tasting meal." I prefer to think of it as Spring Equinox-y.

A Good Night

Last night I

had 3 drinks but only paid for 2
learned how to roll a cigarette
met Dick Van Dyke's grandson to whom I as introduced after he danced for the entirety of the song "Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious" as played for him by the DJ.

PSA

In case you were wondering what the perfect music for walking to work might be, I have the answer for you:

Beck's entire Midnite Vultures album. It's really hard to suppress the overwhelming desire to dance the whole way there. But I triumphed.

Lorenzo Cabrerra/A series of sudden and unexpected events

So a few weeks ago, my truck was stolen. I came home from work at about 5:15 p.m. and parked where I normally do. It was there when Matt got home around 6 p.m. Then we went out to do some errands around 7 p.m. The funny thing is that I don't remember if my truck was in its spot then or not. It's something you just assume will always be there. I parked in our apartment building's parking lot. Where I always do. I have an affinity for a certain spot in which someone has scrawled (most likely with a Sharpie) in jagged lightning-bolt styled letters "KILL WHITY" (spelled just like that). I think this is hilarious. Often Matt and I fight over the spot and if I'm not parked in it, he probably is.

We got home at 9 p.m. As we pulled into the lot, I noticed my truck was missing. I first questioned if I actually drove it home, but I totally remembered parking it... So okay. This is a new experience. I was pretty stunned. Matt found the non-emergency phone number for the Phoenix PD and I called to file a report. An officer is on the way. In the meantime I call my insurance company. I do not have comprehensive insurance and therefore none of my loss (whatever it may be) will be covered by them. The woman is nice, sympathetic.

The officer comes and takes the report. He is also nice. He informs me that they have my car. Apparently, it was pulled over earlier in the evening. For suspicious behavior. It has been impounded because the guy driving it did not have a license. In Phoenix, when you are caught driving a car with a suspended/no license, your car is automatically impounded for 30 days. They didn't know he was driving a stolen car at the time it was impounded. The officer asks me if I know a "Lorenzo Cabrerra." I do not.

He gives me all the paperwork that comes with making a police report and being the victim of a crime. I thank him. He leaves.

Twenty minutes later, he calls to say that Lorenzo Cabrerra is in custody. I guess when they pulled him over and confiscated my truck, ol' Lorenzo had some drugs on him. The officer tells me he is going to the jail to add the stolen vehicle charge to the list of offenses. This all seems to be happening so fast. Matt does some research on Phoenix car theft. I guess they usually only recover about 9% of stolen vehicles. I am trying to grasp feeling "lucky" right now.

The officer calls again. This time to ask the name of my husband, the guy I'm living with. My boyfriend, I ask? Matt. The officer tells me that Lorenzo says that a guy named Jerry lives in our apartment building and gave him the keys to the truck to pick up someone. Lorenzo had a set of what they call "jiggle keys." These are filed down keys made for stealing cars. They can be forced into an ignition, and used to start the car. My truck is 14 years old and a prime candidate for this. I tell him I don't know a "Jerry." Nor do I have an extra set of keys just lying around. Damn you, Jerry.

That's the end of the phone calls for the evening. I get a ride to work the next morning. I feel vulnerable and annoyed but also amused by the whole turn of events.

To make a long story short, I spend a few days of the next week at the Phoenix PD trying to get my truck of impound since I didn't do anything to put it there. I have to attend a "hearing" which is just me telling my side of the story so they have documentation. I have to do deal with a lot of bureaucracy and almost have to pay a $150 administration fee for all this. They wave the fee since the car, while not reported stolen at the time of impound, was stolen at the time given the "jiggle keys." I get my money back. I spend about 4 hours there, total. It is painful, exhausting and irritating. I feel hamstrung as a citizen, disempowered and voiceless as a victim of a crime. I keep trying to imagine how much worse it'd be if I didn't have resources like friends to drive me to work, an understanding employer who lets me take all this time off to get this right again, good language comprehension skills, no children to pick up, a partner to share expenses with... The list goes on.

I finally get my truck out of impound, though I had to pay the $25 towing fee and $12/day storage fees, total: $113.00. It has been pillaged to the utmost. When all is said and done, there have been about $2000 of damages done in the short time Lorenzo had it in his possession. My car is not worth that.

As a result of all of this, I have made the choice to give up having a car. I have been walking to work-- which we thankfully live close enough for me to do so reasonably. We are going to break our lease and move. For the 4th time in less than a year. This new place is in a nice neighborhood even closer to work and a much more aesthetically pleasing walk.

It has been a ridiculous turn of events which lead me to choosing not to buy a new car. I don't drive that much and Matt's car is new and dependable. I have always felt that a car signified independence. I got a great deal of comfort from the safety in knowing I would always be able to get away if the situation warranted it. I have felt strongly about this since I can remember. I think that the combination of living in much more urban environment and being in a healthy, longterm relationship have helped me in letting go of this mindset. We have been talking marriage for quite awhile now so I know full well where this relationship is going. I enjoy walking to work and Matt picks me up in the evening or I get a ride with someone else. Things could be much worse for me.

I feel empowered in my decision where a few weeks ago; I felt angry, scared and victimized. I am lucky to live in a part of the city where walking to work is feasible and safe. I am independent again. I am doing something proactive for the environment. I have also been thinking about my attachment to Things. While I wouldn't recommend getting your car stolen, but suddenly losing things sort of checks your priorities. I know that I am in a place where I am able to have this perspective while not being overcome and burdened with the inconvenience and I'm not going to lie, it still totally sucked. I don't like doubting the safety of my home, my loved ones, my things, the integrity of my neighbors. But both Matt and I are safe, I will recover and things will be okay. And while I'm not going to thank Lorenzo, per se for this bit of light at the end of the tunnel, but maybe he has the capacity to look at his series of choices and do something differently as well.

Just as soon as he gets out of jail.

Neighbors

When I play Justin Timberlake in the morning, it makes the illegal dogs next door howl continuously.