Remember how I got paid to watch a tv show? Apparently I was in the minority and most people liked it because it’s a new show on TBS. I don’t know why they’re bothering; it’s not going to make it a full season. You can mark my words.
Month: November 2006
Food and drink
We didn’t really do much today. I had a taste for Mongolian beef, so we headed over to our favorite Vietnamese restaurant for lunch. We were psyched that we got parking right in front of the place until we noticed they were closed, for Thanksgiving! I was in shock because I didn’t think the Vietnamese celebrated the holiday.
That threw us off, so we sat there for several minutes trying to think of somewhere else to eat. Still coming up empty, we decided to drive around until we saw something that sparked our interest. You won’t believe where we ended up: Steak and Shake. I’ve only eaten there twice before and the last time I decided I hated it. I don’t know if it was the full-color ad I saw recently, but I started thinking that maybe we should give it another try. I’m really happy we did too because their chili mac supreme is delicious. The last time I had chili like that was over three years ago at Skyline Chili in Cincinnati and it was awful. I’m not sure what possessed me to try it again but I’m very glad I did!
After our late lunch (which was the only real meal we ate today), we went to the grocery store for some shredded lettuce so I can make tacos this weekend. While there Joe decided he felt generous this holiday season and we got a few gift cards for his niece who lives in Arizona. We also picked up some Kahlua after Joe spotted it on sale. We’ve never had it before, but my Mom let me borrow this Kahlua recipe book that my grandmother once owned and we wanted to try it. I must say, that is some good shit! We mixed it with amaretto and milk and wow! I want to try it over vanilla ice cream now.
Oh man am I in trouble! I’ve completely screwed up my sleeping schedule and I only have two days to try and readjust before I go back to work. Last night I was wide awake until 3:30 am and even then I only went to bed because I knew I should. I told myself I’d be in bed by midnight tonight but now I’m not so sure considering how close it is to midnight already. I really am a night owl by nature but due to my work schedule I live under the guise of a early bird.
Black Friday
It’s official: the holiday shopping season is finally upon us. Did you get up at the butt-crack of dawn, race to your favorite store, and fight the other shoppers to get great deals? We didn’t.
Hell, we didn’t go to bed until the butt-crack of dawn! Then I got up at 10 am and ordered presents online. I’m not totally against Black Friday shopping (although I can’t tell you the last time I participated), I’m just never in the market for anything that’s on sale. Besides, I admit that like this article over at MSNBC states, I’m more towards the side of viewing it as “an obnoxious and distasteful display of unrestrained consumption.” Just the thought of all those people clamoring like animals over DVD players gets my heart racing. The closest thing we came to that insanity was last year after Christmas going to Target to buy wrapping paper 50% off. That was enough stress for me, thank you.
Do you budget for Christmas present-giving? We do, although it’s not a rigid budget. Typically we spend between $100-$125 on each of the kids, $25-$50 on each of our parents, and under $100 for each other.
My mom gave us money yesterday to buy presents for the kids and one other for her. I guess when you get to be her age the joy of giving is surpassed by the aggravation of finding something to buy. She gave us $30 for each of the kids so I ordered a GBA game for each of them. At least that’s taken care of! I couldn’t believe she gave us $100 each, however. I don’t have a clue what I’m getting Joe since I used up all the good ideas myself. I’m shocked because I don’t think she gave us that much last year. Besides, it seems so … wasteful. Not to mention the fact that I feel guilty since I make more money than my dad and I’m not supporting five people. I’m inclined to spend $50 on Joe and use the other $50 to buy a gift card at Target which we’ll then use on groceries. My mom hates when we do that, but that’s what usually happens as we have a hard time spending money on gifts just for the sake of it.
I know many of you probably have your Christmas trees and decorations up by now but I can’t do that until after Thanksgiving. Poor Thanksgiving doesn’t get enough respect as it is. All the stores put out Christmas stuff right after Halloween as if Thanksgiving doesn’t even exist. It’s so sad. Besides, I get so sick of the Christmas stuff that by the time the actual day comes around I’m already over it. Therefore, this year we’re not putting up the tree or decorations until December 17th. Oh the horror, I know!
Stranger Than Fiction
We went to see Stranger Than Fiction today but Let’s Go To Prison started playing instead.
Thinking maybe we somehow went into the wrong theater, Joe left to find out what was going on. It took management a bit to turn off the film, so while I waited for Joe to return, I started getting into it. I like the line, “if I had a nickel for every time I’ve been incarcerated, I’d have fifteen cents”. LOL!
Eventually Joe came back along with an employee who said we had to switch auditoriums. As we left, however, one employee was talking to another employee on her walkie talkie. He was saying they were going to start the movie we wanted to see shortly. However, no one could seem to get straight which theater it would be playing in, particularly because instead of having the guy confirm the theater number, the girl kept asking him, “so does everyone have to switch auditoriums or not?” Considering he wasn’t right there, he probably wasn’t sure what auditorium we were in to begin with! At that point Joe looked around and remarked, “I can picture the Benny Hill music playing” and one lady laughed in response.
Eventually we ended up back in the original auditorium and the correct movie started five minutes later. The film was quite good, by the way. Will Ferrell continues to amaze me with his talent. Not many “goofy” actors could pull off the role with the believability that he did. And while the movie wasn’t a comedy per se, it was very entertaining and endearing.
Burritofication in progress
How sad is it that I’m excited to learn that a Chipotle is coming to the immediate area? Sure, there’s one about 6 miles away, but their guacamole sucks, so we broke up.
I got a little rush this week when we passed the Michael’s and I saw a sign in the window of an empty building that said ‘burritofication in progress’. Perhaps we can mend our relationship after all!