Showing posts with label random. Show all posts
Showing posts with label random. Show all posts
21 April 2012
I am aliveeeee
Wow, more than a month has passed. Sorry about that. Here are some random photos to make up for my little disappearing act. All but the adorable dachsunds (French!) are snapshots from life recently. Enjoy!
12 January 2012
What Day is it?
I'm all discombobulated due to my off-kilter weekends. I know it's Thursday but it's technically a Wednesday for me.
After a much needed gray and rainy day (although I would have loved a really major storm), the heat wave has broken, the skies are blue again and you can leave the house without feeling like you're taking a walk through some serious urban rainforest. My plants are happy (although I've been drowning them for the past week+) and I am happy. We can finally roll up the hardcore wooden window shades that are so prevalent here. In their defense they really do help to block out heat/blazing sun.
What's new? Well, not much, unless you consider a lack of fans, irons and other home appliances news. Due to the ever-strict controls/restrictions on importations, there is now a dearth of typically common items (such as fans, irons and other small appliances) .... and the prices have also skyrocketed due to the shortage. An average price of AR$180 has now boomed up to AR$350. No this is not a joke.
José's mom went to to Frávega (their motto: "primeros, siempre!" confuses me. I also think that Frávega is the exact same as Garbarino and the other "casa" that sells the same overpriced shit like ovens and stereo systems) a couple of months ago. Their iron had broken and she needed a replacement. So she goes on over to the 21st century futuristic type store and asks for an iron. Not a tall order, right? Wrong. The salesman informs her that they only irons they still have in stock are non-steam irons - aka the ones our grandmothers lovingly used like hot steel bricks that will pretty much burn the crap out of your entire wardrobe. That's right. No more steam irons, he said. "Due to the import restrictions, ma'am." No more explanation, no apology, nothing. That is pretty common here anyway - the shrug your shoulders "Qué va a hacer?" attitude that you can't do anything to change the system so don't waste your energy worrying about it.
I am sending some serious prayers to the Big Man upstairs that our blender, iron, washing machine, food processor, life don't break anytime soon ... Because if there is one thing that pisses me off more than a scarcity of something, it's having to pay 3x as much "just because."
Some fun links:
Top Baby Names in Argentina for 2011
Lisbon, Warts & All (a nice short piece about my new favorite city)
Fudgy Mint Brownie recipe - Make these for me and I will love you
After a much needed gray and rainy day (although I would have loved a really major storm), the heat wave has broken, the skies are blue again and you can leave the house without feeling like you're taking a walk through some serious urban rainforest. My plants are happy (although I've been drowning them for the past week+) and I am happy. We can finally roll up the hardcore wooden window shades that are so prevalent here. In their defense they really do help to block out heat/blazing sun.
What's new? Well, not much, unless you consider a lack of fans, irons and other home appliances news. Due to the ever-strict controls/restrictions on importations, there is now a dearth of typically common items (such as fans, irons and other small appliances) .... and the prices have also skyrocketed due to the shortage. An average price of AR$180 has now boomed up to AR$350. No this is not a joke.
José's mom went to to Frávega (their motto: "primeros, siempre!" confuses me. I also think that Frávega is the exact same as Garbarino and the other "casa" that sells the same overpriced shit like ovens and stereo systems) a couple of months ago. Their iron had broken and she needed a replacement. So she goes on over to the 21st century futuristic type store and asks for an iron. Not a tall order, right? Wrong. The salesman informs her that they only irons they still have in stock are non-steam irons - aka the ones our grandmothers lovingly used like hot steel bricks that will pretty much burn the crap out of your entire wardrobe. That's right. No more steam irons, he said. "Due to the import restrictions, ma'am." No more explanation, no apology, nothing. That is pretty common here anyway - the shrug your shoulders "Qué va a hacer?" attitude that you can't do anything to change the system so don't waste your energy worrying about it.
I am sending some serious prayers to the Big Man upstairs that our blender, iron, washing machine, food processor, life don't break anytime soon ... Because if there is one thing that pisses me off more than a scarcity of something, it's having to pay 3x as much "just because."
Some fun links:
Top Baby Names in Argentina for 2011
Lisbon, Warts & All (a nice short piece about my new favorite city)
Fudgy Mint Brownie recipe - Make these for me and I will love you
06 January 2012
Heat Stroke
happy Friday everyone. It's so hot. I know, I sound like every other porteño in BA complaining about the heat. But it's true. Suddenly after Christmas the temps just shot up and now we're all in a literal oven (often times you'll see on the news "La ciudad es un horno!!" - the city is an oven. Thank you, newscasters).
This is pretty standard for January, and most people are chilling out on the beach anyway, so those of us left here to work and melt are the only ones who suffer. It's doable if you can manage to avoid having to get anything done between the hours of 11am and 4 pm when it's usually hottest. Not going to lie, I haven't even gone to the post office because the 4 block walk will leave me dripping. Sad and pathetic, but true. (Most people tend to cancel their plans when it's pouring rain here, so it's on par with local culture. Let's go with that)
It doesn't help that the air conditioning DOES NOT WORK in my office. Sure, the section next to ours has nice cold air blowing, and so does everyone else in the entire building. But does the little section belonging to the Buenos Aires Herald have functioning a/c? NO. That is why I am in a horrible mood. In the past couple of weeks the heat has been bearable since there are tons of fans blowing around to keep their air from becoming completely stagnant. But yesterday was another story. I couldn't concentrate, I felt miserable, and I could barely get through an hour without going downstairs to the bar to bask in their frozen paradise. Truth. I can't imagine what it must be like to work in one of those crazy Chinese sweatshop factories where it's over 100 degrees and you can't take a break (dramatic association but hey, when you think your brain is frying that is what you start to do).
We were actually allowed to leave work early because of the heat. 9:30 PM and "ok, it's too hot, you can go home" - music to my ears since I'm still adjusting to getting home at 10:30 every night. You can bet I was out of there before Martín had finished his sentence.
What else? Well, I'm officially a total thyroid cancer expert, at least when it pertains to Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. All I have been doing for the past week has been covering her "illness" and the media frenzy that is set up outside the hospital. It's annoying. There are literally HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE CAMPED OUT - and have been for the past 3 days - waving their stupid political flags, images of CFK with her dead husband Néstor and baby Jesus statues praying for her recovery. News flash kiddos - she has recovered! The surgery went off without a hitch and now she's just hanging out in a hospital gown before she gets flown in her helicopter to her house. Then she's off to her family estate in El Calafate until her leave of absence ends. Boring! Also, who pays these people to camp out?
Tonight we're going to El Almacén de los Milagros for dinner and I am crazy excited. It's supposed to be a lovely little bistro experience, and I love that it's close by in Recoleta. Driving to Palermo gets repetitive and annoying sometimes, so I am happy when cool new spots pop up in the neighborhood.
Today was the 12th day of Christmas so it's time to take the Christmas tree down. I think I might make José do that - I'm bound to end up in a puddle on the floor.
This is pretty standard for January, and most people are chilling out on the beach anyway, so those of us left here to work and melt are the only ones who suffer. It's doable if you can manage to avoid having to get anything done between the hours of 11am and 4 pm when it's usually hottest. Not going to lie, I haven't even gone to the post office because the 4 block walk will leave me dripping. Sad and pathetic, but true. (Most people tend to cancel their plans when it's pouring rain here, so it's on par with local culture. Let's go with that)
It doesn't help that the air conditioning DOES NOT WORK in my office. Sure, the section next to ours has nice cold air blowing, and so does everyone else in the entire building. But does the little section belonging to the Buenos Aires Herald have functioning a/c? NO. That is why I am in a horrible mood. In the past couple of weeks the heat has been bearable since there are tons of fans blowing around to keep their air from becoming completely stagnant. But yesterday was another story. I couldn't concentrate, I felt miserable, and I could barely get through an hour without going downstairs to the bar to bask in their frozen paradise. Truth. I can't imagine what it must be like to work in one of those crazy Chinese sweatshop factories where it's over 100 degrees and you can't take a break (dramatic association but hey, when you think your brain is frying that is what you start to do).
We were actually allowed to leave work early because of the heat. 9:30 PM and "ok, it's too hot, you can go home" - music to my ears since I'm still adjusting to getting home at 10:30 every night. You can bet I was out of there before Martín had finished his sentence.
What else? Well, I'm officially a total thyroid cancer expert, at least when it pertains to Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. All I have been doing for the past week has been covering her "illness" and the media frenzy that is set up outside the hospital. It's annoying. There are literally HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE CAMPED OUT - and have been for the past 3 days - waving their stupid political flags, images of CFK with her dead husband Néstor and baby Jesus statues praying for her recovery. News flash kiddos - she has recovered! The surgery went off without a hitch and now she's just hanging out in a hospital gown before she gets flown in her helicopter to her house. Then she's off to her family estate in El Calafate until her leave of absence ends. Boring! Also, who pays these people to camp out?
Tonight we're going to El Almacén de los Milagros for dinner and I am crazy excited. It's supposed to be a lovely little bistro experience, and I love that it's close by in Recoleta. Driving to Palermo gets repetitive and annoying sometimes, so I am happy when cool new spots pop up in the neighborhood.
Today was the 12th day of Christmas so it's time to take the Christmas tree down. I think I might make José do that - I'm bound to end up in a puddle on the floor.
29 December 2011
Linky Dink
Go to these websites and have a lovely day
30 Most Important Dogs of the Year
Save Image As
Life in an Indian Slum
30 Most Important Dogs of the Year
Save Image As
Life in an Indian Slum
28 December 2011
"Don't You Have Anything to Say?"
Apparently not, since I have been lazy on the blogging front for the past two months.
Things have been busy - with my trip to DC for Thanksgiving, starting a new job at the Buenos Aires Herald, hibernating around Christmas to pretend that it wasn't really happening - so I've neglected you all. Not that anyone really cares except for Deb, maybe Doug and that's it.
Anyway. BA is hot, sunny and all the rest but at least this year our power didn't go out for 3+ days like it has in the past. Christmas Eve was fun - José's family is very small and everyone is over the age of 80, so it wasn't what I am used to or what I prefer, but we had a good time. Argentine Christmas food is notoriously disgusting (look up "pionono" and "vitel thoné" and try not to squirm) but this year I managed on champagne and prosciutto. And bread. Still had a massive hangover the next day though. Should have eaten more bread.
Christmas Day was a pleasant surprise. Our dear friends Bree and Spero - who are about to finish up their yearlong assignment here - invited us to join them at an American-esque food feast with other Embassy people. I wasn't sure what to expect and when we arrived, there were more than 30 people, massive amounts of meat on the grill, homemade tortillas, spicy salsas that made my heart sing, a roasted suckling pig, and tons of other goodies. It was heaven!!! I am thinking about that spread right now and wish I could go back in time and eat some more. Though it wasn't like a "real" Christmas - I'm sorry but Christmas in the summertime will never feel authentic to me - it was a really nice way to feel a bit more connected and to spend some time with fellow Amuricans in the southern hemisphere.
Josey and I treated ourselves to a mini staycation with an overnight stay at the Mio hotel in Recoleta. I just wanted to get away, without having to go anywhere, and since things here are just so damn expensive we went the non-traditional route for gifts and just splurged on this. The hotel was really great - it's owned by the Catena family so it's kind of wine-themed. All of the doors are made of French oak, and each room has a huge oak bathtub made of a single piece of wood. The beds were super comfy and you even have "on-tap" wines and champagne right there in the mini bar! The only thing I would have added would have been a pool ... When I went to the hotel's inauguration party there was a terrace space that was open to all guests. However when we went back up there on Sunday to check it out we magically couldn't get out there. I'm not sure if it was because my brain wasn't functioning or because they changed things up. Oh well.
So what else? Work is fun, I like being required to watch the news and stalk Twitter during work hours. I'm still adjusting to the whole 4pm-10pm thing -- Especially like last night when I had to stick around until almost 11 because the President announced she has (benign) thyroid cancer -- but it's not the end of the world. At least I have all day to do things like garden and mill about.
We will be having a big fiesta at ours for New Year's and I am looking forward to not having to go anywhere to be surrounded by strangers. I am an urban misanthrope.
Ok I think I've brought you up to speed. Consider us re acquainted (I don't even know if I spelled that right ... my English is shot). Talk soon, need a bit of mint tea right now.
Things have been busy - with my trip to DC for Thanksgiving, starting a new job at the Buenos Aires Herald, hibernating around Christmas to pretend that it wasn't really happening - so I've neglected you all. Not that anyone really cares except for Deb, maybe Doug and that's it.
Anyway. BA is hot, sunny and all the rest but at least this year our power didn't go out for 3+ days like it has in the past. Christmas Eve was fun - José's family is very small and everyone is over the age of 80, so it wasn't what I am used to or what I prefer, but we had a good time. Argentine Christmas food is notoriously disgusting (look up "pionono" and "vitel thoné" and try not to squirm) but this year I managed on champagne and prosciutto. And bread. Still had a massive hangover the next day though. Should have eaten more bread.
Christmas Day was a pleasant surprise. Our dear friends Bree and Spero - who are about to finish up their yearlong assignment here - invited us to join them at an American-esque food feast with other Embassy people. I wasn't sure what to expect and when we arrived, there were more than 30 people, massive amounts of meat on the grill, homemade tortillas, spicy salsas that made my heart sing, a roasted suckling pig, and tons of other goodies. It was heaven!!! I am thinking about that spread right now and wish I could go back in time and eat some more. Though it wasn't like a "real" Christmas - I'm sorry but Christmas in the summertime will never feel authentic to me - it was a really nice way to feel a bit more connected and to spend some time with fellow Amuricans in the southern hemisphere.
Josey and I treated ourselves to a mini staycation with an overnight stay at the Mio hotel in Recoleta. I just wanted to get away, without having to go anywhere, and since things here are just so damn expensive we went the non-traditional route for gifts and just splurged on this. The hotel was really great - it's owned by the Catena family so it's kind of wine-themed. All of the doors are made of French oak, and each room has a huge oak bathtub made of a single piece of wood. The beds were super comfy and you even have "on-tap" wines and champagne right there in the mini bar! The only thing I would have added would have been a pool ... When I went to the hotel's inauguration party there was a terrace space that was open to all guests. However when we went back up there on Sunday to check it out we magically couldn't get out there. I'm not sure if it was because my brain wasn't functioning or because they changed things up. Oh well.
So what else? Work is fun, I like being required to watch the news and stalk Twitter during work hours. I'm still adjusting to the whole 4pm-10pm thing -- Especially like last night when I had to stick around until almost 11 because the President announced she has (benign) thyroid cancer -- but it's not the end of the world. At least I have all day to do things like garden and mill about.
We will be having a big fiesta at ours for New Year's and I am looking forward to not having to go anywhere to be surrounded by strangers. I am an urban misanthrope.
Ok I think I've brought you up to speed. Consider us re acquainted (I don't even know if I spelled that right ... my English is shot). Talk soon, need a bit of mint tea right now.
21 December 2011
2011 in Animal Photos
Buzzfeed always posts random/fabulous/fun lists of things, many of them involving animals. So of course I was thrilled to see "The 50 Best Animal Photos of 2011" Here are some of my favorites.
07 December 2011
06 December 2011
back in BA
Ok so after my Thanksgiving food coma and subsequent last minute soaking up of all things America, I haven't been blogging lately (but have tried to remain dutiful to my dear Panza Porteña). Anyway, hello hello! It definitely feels good to be back where the weather is warm - although it does nothing to get me into the Christmas spirit - and back with Josey. My trip home was much needed, though, and I got a lot done in just 2 weeks' time. Would have loved to popped up to New York to see more friends but there's always next time!
What was waiting for me in Buenos Aires upon arrival? José had filled the apartment with gardenias (jasmines), my favorite spring flower, so that was lovely. Outside of our little nest though, it seems that things are slowly descending into chaos. The Government has decided to lift 100% of all subsidies on gas/water/electricity, but only in certain neighborhoods. You win a prize if you guessed that it's the nicer/"wealthier" areas that are the victims of CFK's new measure. The subsidies in fact were put in place after the economic fallout of 2001, so while they're not totally "necessary" anymore the idea of lifting them 100% completely and not gradually comes as a shock / annoyance to everyone. I think what bothers me the most is how obviously specific it is at targeting "the haves" - apartment buildings with amenities (like the big towers in Puerto Madero and the newer buildings in Barrio Parque, etc) are specifically called out.
Another gem- the AFIP revoked 318 people's "monotributo" status (those who are self-employed, like freelancers, but pay taxes based on their reported incomes) because they had made trips to places like the US and Europe several times in the past year but "their income didn't justify." Additionally, these people "are known to live in exclusive gated communities and own luxury brand cars." The fact that these things are happening makes me feel like I'm either living in some backwards place from the Cold War era or Argentina is some new post-apocalyptic Nanny State that feels it's OK to manipulate these sorts of things.
Anyway, we've also been to the Polo match semifinal last week, and José ran yet another 10k race successfully. My favorite part of the weekend was lounging poolside and catching some rays - I was getting a little pale for my own good in DC - while reading a good book.
It's a 4-day weekend here, thanks to the birthday of the Virgin Mary and there are lots of fun things on the horizon. A delayed Bengal to celebrate my return and 6 months of married life (!!!), a wine tasting with Anuva Wines (more info will be on the food blog), and some other cool things brewing. I can't believe Christmas is in 19 days. What?
What was waiting for me in Buenos Aires upon arrival? José had filled the apartment with gardenias (jasmines), my favorite spring flower, so that was lovely. Outside of our little nest though, it seems that things are slowly descending into chaos. The Government has decided to lift 100% of all subsidies on gas/water/electricity, but only in certain neighborhoods. You win a prize if you guessed that it's the nicer/"wealthier" areas that are the victims of CFK's new measure. The subsidies in fact were put in place after the economic fallout of 2001, so while they're not totally "necessary" anymore the idea of lifting them 100% completely and not gradually comes as a shock / annoyance to everyone. I think what bothers me the most is how obviously specific it is at targeting "the haves" - apartment buildings with amenities (like the big towers in Puerto Madero and the newer buildings in Barrio Parque, etc) are specifically called out.
Another gem- the AFIP revoked 318 people's "monotributo" status (those who are self-employed, like freelancers, but pay taxes based on their reported incomes) because they had made trips to places like the US and Europe several times in the past year but "their income didn't justify." Additionally, these people "are known to live in exclusive gated communities and own luxury brand cars." The fact that these things are happening makes me feel like I'm either living in some backwards place from the Cold War era or Argentina is some new post-apocalyptic Nanny State that feels it's OK to manipulate these sorts of things.
Anyway, we've also been to the Polo match semifinal last week, and José ran yet another 10k race successfully. My favorite part of the weekend was lounging poolside and catching some rays - I was getting a little pale for my own good in DC - while reading a good book.
It's a 4-day weekend here, thanks to the birthday of the Virgin Mary and there are lots of fun things on the horizon. A delayed Bengal to celebrate my return and 6 months of married life (!!!), a wine tasting with Anuva Wines (more info will be on the food blog), and some other cool things brewing. I can't believe Christmas is in 19 days. What?
08 November 2011
On The Market
Jenna Lyons - J. Crew creative director and newfound(?) lesbian - and her husband have put their amazeballs Park Slope brownstone on the market as part of their divorce proceedings. Apparently Lyons is / was / whatever having an affair with another woman and was found out over the summer. Bye bye brownstone. I die for this house - who doesn't? So if you want to drool a bit over your keyboard click here for some more pictures (or just re-read any of your past issues of Domino, Lonny et al). Anyway, there really isn't much purpose to this post except to stare at the interior of the home of a freshly separated couple (sad) so we can relive our glory days, aka her awesome wall of shoes.
06 November 2011
Love this Photo
Be back in DC in 11 days ... Cannot wait!
02 November 2011
My Friends Know Me Very Well
In the last three days I have received these photos via email from two friends of mine. Let's just say that they know me pretty well (although I don't do a very good job at hiding my obvious interest in DOGS!)
The yoga-posing Frenchie reminds me of Fran's Yoda and the doxie looks like he's about to throw himself out of a plane! Love.
01 November 2011
BUNNIES !!!
These photos don't need much introduction. Here are some of my favorite snaps from the 2011 European Rabbit Hopping Championship (Yes, that is a real event).
Online Shopping
I forgot how much I LOVE TO BUY THINGS ONLINE. You can't really do it here in BA so it's like this suppressed addiction that is a slippery slope.
Inspired by this slideshow on Refinery 29, I snagged the dress featured in the photo (but in black). The nude was all sold out! And there was just ONE left in the black ... and it was on sale. I feel like the Internet gods were shining down on me just now. woops. It's just so damn easy to buy things online. I can't wait to try it on when I'm home in just two weeks! Now let's just hope it fits.
Inspired by this slideshow on Refinery 29, I snagged the dress featured in the photo (but in black). The nude was all sold out! And there was just ONE left in the black ... and it was on sale. I feel like the Internet gods were shining down on me just now. woops. It's just so damn easy to buy things online. I can't wait to try it on when I'm home in just two weeks! Now let's just hope it fits.
17 October 2011
Dog vs. Cat Diary
10 October 2011
Forget Halloween for Humans
I have been feeling less than inspired since a) moving to a country where Halloween is not sacred as in the US, and b) graduating from college and leaving my insanely fun/creative roommates. One year we went as Lawn Ornaments (I was the reindeer made of Christmas lights, another girl was a flamingo, and we also had a lawn gnome, a bird bath...) and the next we went as Celebrities Who've Been to Rehab. I love group costumes! They're so much more fun than "slutty policewoman." What? That isn't even a real thing.
Anyway, part of my obsession with dogs also has to deal with dogs in costume. Refinery 29 just posted this slideshow of DOGS IN HALLOWEEN COSTUMES !!!! Enjoy my favorites:
Anyway, part of my obsession with dogs also has to deal with dogs in costume. Refinery 29 just posted this slideshow of DOGS IN HALLOWEEN COSTUMES !!!! Enjoy my favorites:
29 September 2011
Shopping is Never an Easy Venture
Today I went to pick up some wine and champagne for a Bachelorette Party that we're hosting at my apartment tonight. Katie is getting married on Saturday and we plan to celebrate her last days as a singleton with plenty of bubbly and guacamole (although I should probably stay away from the champagne as I overdid it at the weekend).
Shopping for certain things in Argentina is always an adventure. Underwear, for example. Sure it's a strange thing to discuss, but it's such a bizarre experience anytime I walk into a shop here. Everything is hidden away in boxes - it's not like Victoria's Secret (clearly not the most dignified of shops in the US, but something everyone can use as a reference point) where underpinnings are laid out on tables and hanging from little racks. In Buenos Aires, everything is folded into a small cardboard box so you have to ask for assistance any and every time you want to see something. They have catalogs that you can peruse to pick out things you like - mind you, the models are busty, curvaceous and almost always in ridiculous situations (like dressed as flight attendants, well, inside a plane, but dressed in a leather bra and garter set). When the sales assistant is an older man, things get interesting. Just try to imagine yourself in this situation and you'll see why I bring all of my lingerie and unmentionables in from the United States.
Across the street from underpantsland is the neighborhood grocery store. I go here several times a week and prefer to give them my patronage over the big chain (Disco) that always puts me in a bad mood. It's like their cashiers make an effort to be insanely slow when in the check out process. Eline (the small market) has friendly staff, a good fruit/veg selection and a semi-creepy butcher who knows how to wield a sharp knife. I went in today to get the wine and champagne but was bummed when I realized that their selection was pretty limited. I almost abandoned my semi-full cart in order to go to Disco with a heavy heart, but I bought 90% of what I needed there and then started Part 2 of my shopping saga. I got a few bottles of white wine at Disco and donezo.
It's impossible to estimate how long you'll be gone running errands - a simple trip to the market could take more than an hour if you go at a peak time or your cashier is totally useless. Picking up a few simple pairs of underwear leads to an opening of Pandora's box (semi-literally) as you rifle through tiny cardboard boxes of individually packed thongs/boyshorts/briefs/etc.
Oh, Argentina ...
Shopping for certain things in Argentina is always an adventure. Underwear, for example. Sure it's a strange thing to discuss, but it's such a bizarre experience anytime I walk into a shop here. Everything is hidden away in boxes - it's not like Victoria's Secret (clearly not the most dignified of shops in the US, but something everyone can use as a reference point) where underpinnings are laid out on tables and hanging from little racks. In Buenos Aires, everything is folded into a small cardboard box so you have to ask for assistance any and every time you want to see something. They have catalogs that you can peruse to pick out things you like - mind you, the models are busty, curvaceous and almost always in ridiculous situations (like dressed as flight attendants, well, inside a plane, but dressed in a leather bra and garter set). When the sales assistant is an older man, things get interesting. Just try to imagine yourself in this situation and you'll see why I bring all of my lingerie and unmentionables in from the United States.
Across the street from underpantsland is the neighborhood grocery store. I go here several times a week and prefer to give them my patronage over the big chain (Disco) that always puts me in a bad mood. It's like their cashiers make an effort to be insanely slow when in the check out process. Eline (the small market) has friendly staff, a good fruit/veg selection and a semi-creepy butcher who knows how to wield a sharp knife. I went in today to get the wine and champagne but was bummed when I realized that their selection was pretty limited. I almost abandoned my semi-full cart in order to go to Disco with a heavy heart, but I bought 90% of what I needed there and then started Part 2 of my shopping saga. I got a few bottles of white wine at Disco and donezo.
It's impossible to estimate how long you'll be gone running errands - a simple trip to the market could take more than an hour if you go at a peak time or your cashier is totally useless. Picking up a few simple pairs of underwear leads to an opening of Pandora's box (semi-literally) as you rifle through tiny cardboard boxes of individually packed thongs/boyshorts/briefs/etc.
Oh, Argentina ...
28 September 2011
Awkward School Portraits
September is an appropriate month to recall those days of elementary and middle school portraits that caused so many of us anguish. Documenting our most unflattering years in all their glory, these photos could then be ordered in any variety of formats: magnets, gigantic headshots, stickers!!! However bad my pictures seemed to be at the time, nothing can top these images ... Thanks to NBC for the slideshow
21 September 2011
Cat Yodeling
Cats scare me (because they always seem to want to attack me, sensing my fear), but I am not ashamed to proclaim my love for weird cat videos ... I mean, who doesn't enjoy watching these things? Regardless, Advanced Cat Yodeling cracks me up because my dear Godmumsy Carolee used to make her Lily squeal and yodel like a feline accordion. For some reason I find this utterly hilarious. So I decided to let you all in on the fun. Once you start, you just can't stop.
05 September 2011
My 25th Year
Alright so I'm jumping the gun a tad on this whole birthday thing. But hey, what can I say? It's in my nature. If I recall correctly I used to prepare my family for my birthday about a month out (as if my mom weren't aware of the day I was born...), so let's just say I'm following my own example.
This year my birthday feels more noteworthy since I'm turning 25. Yep, a quarter century. As Deb would remark "I feel like you've been 25 for 10 years" (Thanks), which does ring true. To be honest I was actually cooler, or at least acted more like a 25 year old, when I was younger. Weekends were spent at the Black Cat and the 9:30 Club, I worked for XM Radio (summer intern = full-time employee, sure, but, not), and I was definitely much more "up to date" on what was on the Shortlist of Cool.
So, despite the fact that I'm no longer a harbinger of hip, I can't help but feel that turning 25 is like crossing over some strange threshold that changes the rules of the game. I can definitely say for a fact that the Quarter Life Crisis really does exist. Suddenly you start to think: "What have I been doing since I graduated from college three years ago?" "Is this job I'm doing right now going to be an indicator of the rest of my life?" "I still don't really know how the 'real world' works; who on Earth will explain that to me?"
Needless to say, I've been getting existential lately (perhaps it's the remnants of my philosophy degree) thinking about all of these things and more. Ok, so I got married this year. That's a pretty big accomplishment, and one that makes me happy. But I still am living in a 3rd world country (Sorry, 'Tina) and am all over the map, career-wise. It's hard not to think that at very best, my experiences here will congeal into something worthwhile (and lucrative) in the years that come, but you can't be too sure. Hell, Argentina could plummet into crisis in the next year or so (I'm actually counting on it), so how can I even plan ahead when I can't be sure what will happen tomorrow?
I shouldn't be in a rush. I should enjoy my 20s as a time to explore, to discover my strengths and learn from my shortcomings. To try wacky things and to throw myself into a new project with reckless abandon. And I'm doing that, to a certain extent. But how to reconcile that when what seems like "the rest of your friends" (clearly, everyone EVER) are on a much more steady, stable path. With a paycheck. And benefits.
However, I've always been the kind of girl who follows her own drummer (Hello, magenta hair at an all-girls Catholic school) so God knows why I'm worrying about these things now. I am blaming it on turning 25, that gnawing sensation that you're supposed to be a "responsible adult," whatever that means. One day I'll wake up and be 30, living in the proverbial basement of my parents' house (although Deb would probably love if we lived in her basement, so perhaps not the best metaphor) and have nothing to show for myself. That's a pretty common fear these days.
Snap out of it, I know. No need to wallow in self-pity. I should celebrate these 25 years as some sort of victory, right? That my entire "adult" life (aka life post-college, because let's be honest, college life is not real in any way, shape or form) I've lived abroad, managed to find interesting work and also meet my husband (who's pretty darn cool, I have to say) .... When you think about it, it's not so bad.
Part of the fun is figuring things out along the way. At least that's what I've learned while living in Buenos Aires. Planning too much or too far in advance won't get you anywhere; things are bound to change anyway. Go with the flow. Wing it. Improvise. Live in the moment. Whatever you want to call it, let's agree that it's about enjoying the things that life throws our way.
Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday to me. If you'd like a copy of my Wish List I can send it to you. Just let me know.
PS: Thanks to Theresa for sending me this article from the NYT about our plight!!!
This year my birthday feels more noteworthy since I'm turning 25. Yep, a quarter century. As Deb would remark "I feel like you've been 25 for 10 years" (Thanks), which does ring true. To be honest I was actually cooler, or at least acted more like a 25 year old, when I was younger. Weekends were spent at the Black Cat and the 9:30 Club, I worked for XM Radio (summer intern = full-time employee, sure, but, not), and I was definitely much more "up to date" on what was on the Shortlist of Cool.
So, despite the fact that I'm no longer a harbinger of hip, I can't help but feel that turning 25 is like crossing over some strange threshold that changes the rules of the game. I can definitely say for a fact that the Quarter Life Crisis really does exist. Suddenly you start to think: "What have I been doing since I graduated from college three years ago?" "Is this job I'm doing right now going to be an indicator of the rest of my life?" "I still don't really know how the 'real world' works; who on Earth will explain that to me?"
Needless to say, I've been getting existential lately (perhaps it's the remnants of my philosophy degree) thinking about all of these things and more. Ok, so I got married this year. That's a pretty big accomplishment, and one that makes me happy. But I still am living in a 3rd world country (Sorry, 'Tina) and am all over the map, career-wise. It's hard not to think that at very best, my experiences here will congeal into something worthwhile (and lucrative) in the years that come, but you can't be too sure. Hell, Argentina could plummet into crisis in the next year or so (I'm actually counting on it), so how can I even plan ahead when I can't be sure what will happen tomorrow?
I shouldn't be in a rush. I should enjoy my 20s as a time to explore, to discover my strengths and learn from my shortcomings. To try wacky things and to throw myself into a new project with reckless abandon. And I'm doing that, to a certain extent. But how to reconcile that when what seems like "the rest of your friends" (clearly, everyone EVER) are on a much more steady, stable path. With a paycheck. And benefits.
However, I've always been the kind of girl who follows her own drummer (Hello, magenta hair at an all-girls Catholic school) so God knows why I'm worrying about these things now. I am blaming it on turning 25, that gnawing sensation that you're supposed to be a "responsible adult," whatever that means. One day I'll wake up and be 30, living in the proverbial basement of my parents' house (although Deb would probably love if we lived in her basement, so perhaps not the best metaphor) and have nothing to show for myself. That's a pretty common fear these days.
Snap out of it, I know. No need to wallow in self-pity. I should celebrate these 25 years as some sort of victory, right? That my entire "adult" life (aka life post-college, because let's be honest, college life is not real in any way, shape or form) I've lived abroad, managed to find interesting work and also meet my husband (who's pretty darn cool, I have to say) .... When you think about it, it's not so bad.
Part of the fun is figuring things out along the way. At least that's what I've learned while living in Buenos Aires. Planning too much or too far in advance won't get you anywhere; things are bound to change anyway. Go with the flow. Wing it. Improvise. Live in the moment. Whatever you want to call it, let's agree that it's about enjoying the things that life throws our way.
Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday to me. If you'd like a copy of my Wish List I can send it to you. Just let me know.
PS: Thanks to Theresa for sending me this article from the NYT about our plight!!!
04 September 2011
Welcome to the 90s, Mr. Banks
Or let's try welcome to 2011, Paige.
After 7 long years with my beloved PowerBook G4, she's been pushed into retirement. Let's just call it the Seven Year Itch. I actually didn't have much of a problem working with Microsoft Office 2004 and an OS that was at least 3 generations behind. I'm a loyal kind of girl and I couldn't find too many good reasons to break up with my perfectly functional - if not a little battered - PowerBook.
We went off to college together, typing up philosophy reports and sending emails while downloading music illegally (what was that program called that soon after inception became illegal/defunct?), clogging the hard drive with thousands of pictures from football tailgates and theme parties. She even came with me to Argentina, where I spent 6 months drinking Malbec and occasionally studying at UCA. Through thick and thin we were in it together.
Then I realized that when you want to update your Skype and a scary message that screams "New software not supported on system architecture" you're in trouble. What does that even mean? Architecture? But isn't this a computer? It happened again with Photoshop, and after some file conversion issues ... I reached a boiling point.
It's not you, really. It's me. We've grown apart. You don't satisfy my needs anymore. Sure, we've been though so much together, the good times and the bad, the late night thesis sessions and the compilation of photos for my "inspiration" folder. But I feel like we're just two ships passing in the night these days. I can't take you anywhere - literally, if I unplug you you throw a fit and turn off within 25 minutes - so I feel stifled. Time to move on.
Now I'm typing away on a MacBook Pro from last year that my Dad parted with in order to maintain my sanity. I feel like a modern woman of the 21st century now! Backlit keyboard! Glossy and sharp display! Skype for the new age.
I've hit a little bit of a roadblock, however. File and data transfer from seven years together. It's the equivalent of cleaning out "your stuff" from the house after a divorce. I definitely should have written my name in my books! (Annie Hall reference, anyone?) Despite what you might think, I'm not the most tech-savvy girl on the block. Today I've already had about three temper tantrums trying to get the damn Bluetooth to work!!!!
Maybe these are the consequences for breaking off a relationship so late into the game. My little PowerBook is going to make me work if I want to leave her. And that's ok with me. It's only fair to give her the respect she deserves. We catapulted ourselves into young adulthood together, after all.
It's been a good run.
RIP 2004 - 2011
After 7 long years with my beloved PowerBook G4, she's been pushed into retirement. Let's just call it the Seven Year Itch. I actually didn't have much of a problem working with Microsoft Office 2004 and an OS that was at least 3 generations behind. I'm a loyal kind of girl and I couldn't find too many good reasons to break up with my perfectly functional - if not a little battered - PowerBook.
We went off to college together, typing up philosophy reports and sending emails while downloading music illegally (what was that program called that soon after inception became illegal/defunct?), clogging the hard drive with thousands of pictures from football tailgates and theme parties. She even came with me to Argentina, where I spent 6 months drinking Malbec and occasionally studying at UCA. Through thick and thin we were in it together.
Then I realized that when you want to update your Skype and a scary message that screams "New software not supported on system architecture" you're in trouble. What does that even mean? Architecture? But isn't this a computer? It happened again with Photoshop, and after some file conversion issues ... I reached a boiling point.
It's not you, really. It's me. We've grown apart. You don't satisfy my needs anymore. Sure, we've been though so much together, the good times and the bad, the late night thesis sessions and the compilation of photos for my "inspiration" folder. But I feel like we're just two ships passing in the night these days. I can't take you anywhere - literally, if I unplug you you throw a fit and turn off within 25 minutes - so I feel stifled. Time to move on.
Now I'm typing away on a MacBook Pro from last year that my Dad parted with in order to maintain my sanity. I feel like a modern woman of the 21st century now! Backlit keyboard! Glossy and sharp display! Skype for the new age.
I've hit a little bit of a roadblock, however. File and data transfer from seven years together. It's the equivalent of cleaning out "your stuff" from the house after a divorce. I definitely should have written my name in my books! (Annie Hall reference, anyone?) Despite what you might think, I'm not the most tech-savvy girl on the block. Today I've already had about three temper tantrums trying to get the damn Bluetooth to work!!!!
Maybe these are the consequences for breaking off a relationship so late into the game. My little PowerBook is going to make me work if I want to leave her. And that's ok with me. It's only fair to give her the respect she deserves. We catapulted ourselves into young adulthood together, after all.
It's been a good run.
RIP 2004 - 2011
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