Super Size Me 1950's Style

Last Thursday (yeah...sorry for the delay in blogging) G, Money, and I went to The Silver Diner! We've been meaning to get there for a while now cause Money had a $5 off coupon (it's the little things that drag us to different establishments for dietary consumption). Our original attempts were thwarted by a New Kids on the Block Concert - I just don't feel any need for further explanation on that one.

The Silver Diner is a 50's style like 'diner'. You've got the jukebox, the all American food, the 'nice' boys and girls as your servers with their clean appearance who like to do the Twist. Except for the one kid who had purple clips in the back of his hair...I've narrowed the reasons down to two things, his hair was getting too long but he hadn't had time to get it cut to the appropriate length so he thought, "I have dark hair, no one will notice if I borrow my little sister's purple clips and clip my hair back so it looks like I have short enough hair" (in which case, he would be wrong, they stood out like nobody's business). The other option is that he doesn't belong in the 1950's setting, for one reason or another, I'll leave the conclusions up to you.

Anywho, let's talk about the Silver Diner experience. First, super friendly, soon to be BFF waitress comes over (I forgot her name though which is typical for me when I get a BFF so suddenly). She asks us what we would like to drink and as usual I say 'water'...then she brings this thing!

Thanks to Money for using the phone to show actual size. Ketchup bottles can be tricky since they come in several different sizes. And yet, I still didn't feel like the true size was being properly represented. So I took a picture with the gargantuan glass.

And unfortunately my gargantuan man hands don't help to show the enormity of this cup. It's an experience that may have to be lived in person rather than vicariously through me.

G's salad comes out and we begin to realize that we may have accidentally entered into Giant Land, where everything is bigger. Hopefully the smell of deep fried food and the root's of America's obesity problem can thwart the Giant from smelling our blood and making us his next meal...oh if only I had my magic beans!*
Here is the cucumber from the salad

Thanks again to the ketchup bottle and cell phone for stepping in.

Chicken-pot, chicken-pot, chicken-pot-pie!** Next came G's pot-pie...the thing was freaking huge! All you can really see in the picture is the crust, which she had to move to another plate just so she could properly eat the thing. Of course, also shown in the picture is the ketchup bottle, cell phone, and the crotchety old man (who by the way, went out to eat with three of his buds and not one of them spoke).

It was quite an experience. G kept putting quarters into our little table juke-box which feeds through to the music in the restaurant and though we were there for quite some time we only heard two of the songs. ...Maybe if we had gone when it was less busy we could have heard more.

I got the chicken fingers (as usual) but I think I'm going to say that at this resturant you should go for the burger (or the pot-pie if that floats your boat). Chicken fingers were not their strong point. The water however...amazing. I drank and drank and drank and she never had to fill it up.

*Jack and the Beanstalk
**An episode of "Just Shoot Me"

He has been sent first to tempt you. But it's not too late. You must push him from you, expel him! Trample down the perversion of nature!

So today Money sent me a link to the coolest set of "My Little Ponies" that planet earth has ever seen!!!!

All of them are so much fun, but really the winner would have to be this little guy.

Looking at the pictures is almost like a game too, "Can you name the Hollywood reference?"

Gimme! Gimmie! Gimmie!

So, for review "The 2010 Birthday List":

• Shiny, pretty, dishwasher safe chop sticks
• The Edward Scissorhands My Little Pony

New Diet Plan

Thursday - Japanese Steak House

Monday - Chinese Family Style Restaurant


What is wrong with me!? Just kidding. So, as you can guess I have eaten two foods out of my comfort zone in a week.


Monday night we went to P.F. Chang's for Amber's birthday. I had checked out the menu beforehand and was a little nervous about what I would eat, and then our waitress said that they order for the table...which made me more nervous at first, but then I realized I wouldn't have to deal with any unwanted food on my plate, so I started to get excited.


Then I found the chopsticks in my napkin and was even more excited, if that were even humanly possible. Tip for a birthday present (I know it's months and months away) but I would like a nice pair of chopsticks, because I rather enjoy eating that way. Not cheap little wood ones I stole from Kabuto's but nice, smooth, shiny ones that I desperately wanted to steal from P.F. Chang's. Don't steal them from P.F. Chang's though, be a trooper and actually buy them for me. You know, if you want to, I'm not forcing gifts from people, just giving ideas because by the time my birthday comes back around I won't remember what I wanted.


Digression.


I also felt as though I should have perfect posture while eating with chopsticks and Minh told me that good posture was a sign of wealth...so pretty much I was stinkin' rich for the evening.


Pretty much I have no idea what I ate. I think I had kung pao chicken and some kind of sweet steak (which I didn't love-love but the chicken was good). There was this one thing, I really wish I remember what it was called, but Minh and Bryan were trying to get me to eat one and I asked what was inside (I really don't like surprises) and Bryan said it was probably pork because it tasted like sausage. Last time I take his word for it, I think he might have a sinus problem, because I cut it in half so I wouldn't have to stick the whole thing in my mouth and risk not liking it but being stuck with it in my mouth (I'm gagging just thinking about it). Turns out that there was shrimp inside. This girl don't do seafood...I mean, I'm picky, but I'm working on that...I'm trying to try new things, but sea food is not on the list of acceptable endeavors. So the only cool thing that came out of that was I picked it up with my chopsticks (before I cut it open) whereas everyone else had to stab theirs.


I love chopsticks. So much so that when we had cake for dessert (Ukrop's cake...yea!) I used them to eat my entire cake. I think they help you eat slower and therefore you don't over indulge. New diet plan - eat everything with chopsticks.

Habachi Steak

Today we had lunch at Kabuto's. That's right, the finicky eater went to a Japanese Steak house. Not only that, but I used my chop sticks the whole time. I have never successfully used chopsticks before so today was pretty exciting for me. I don't know if I held them right, but I used them to eat my whole meal.

It was really cool because they cook your food right in front of you, and the chef pretty much performs for you. He does a little ditty on the stove with his utensils and then he puts some cooking oil on the surface in the shape of a smiley face (which quickly cooked away) and then he put some other liquids on there and without warning he tries to melt your face off! I don't think I could have backed up fast enough! But luckily everyone still had their eyebrows. It was really neat and the food was good, of course I had a special order of white rice, and I didn't touch the veggies but the Habachi steak was really good...and like I said, I ate it with chopsticks.

Afterwards we checked out the fish pond in the lobby and the fish was huge! I tried to get a picture but these must be Aborigine fish (they believe that their souls will be stolen if there is a picture taken of them). Then I went into the bathroom and there was a bottle of Scope Mouthwash on the counter, with little Dixie cups in a basket. I couldn't resist and I went ahead and used it, despite the fact that I had orderless food for lunch. It was pretty cool, quite the experience.

This is when you know I am itching to write but have nothing of importance to write about, I talk about using chopsticks and rinsing my mouth out in a restaurant bathroom.

Harlem Globetrotters in Richmond!

Ha-ha! I thought I just saw their bus go by Eastbound I-64 (from the office window) but I thought, nah!!
Turns out that the Globetrotters will be at the Richmond Coliseum tonight at 7:00 p.m. They must have just gotten into town, or are headed to the Coliseum to practice. Closest I've been to famous people (just an interstate, a retention pond, and basic components of a building standing in my way...oh and the fact that they were probably traveling past at 70 mph).

More than a little bummed I didn't know about this before...I'm telling you, I am more determined to know what's going on!

For example, NKOTB (New Kids On The Block for those of you who weren't as cool as me growing up) will be here the 18th, also at the Richmond Coliseum. This city is hopping!

Literary Larry

Last night G and I went to the "literary" class, at least that's what Jeremy/Andrew called it when he called me to reschedule it. See, last week G and I were supposed to go to a class about the do's and don'ts of contacting publishers and agents. Due to the massive amounts of snow (it wasn't that bad) the class was canceled, though Jeremy/Andrew didn't inform us of that. So we got there shortly before 7 and some teenage boy with horrible customer service sat at the desk while G and I debated who would ask where the class was. Finally, I won, and G asked and the kid tells us the class is canceled.

So Monday Jeremy/Andrew calls to reschedule and he tells me that the class will just be combined with the other publishing class that they were going to have this week anyway. Pretty much G and I get two classes for the price of one. Insert infomercial here, "Buy now and you'll get these two classes, an $80 value for only $39.99!!! ...in other words $40). Then he says something about how Joanne would focus more on the class that we had signed up for because that got the greater response.

We get there this time and G informs me that it's my turn. So I ask the lady (skipping over teenager from last week) and then someone just interrupts! What's the matter with the human race these days? It happens all the time! Or is that just me? Am I invisible or something? At work people always come up and interrupt when I am talking to someone, and it's not like they have a pressing matter, it's just as unimportant as what I was talking about, but it's the principle of the matter, it's about manners. ...oops. Getting back on track now.

So then teenage boy picks us up when he's finished what he was doing. He starts to look up the class (though in retrospect I'm trying to figure out how difficult that really should have been for him cause he was looking for quite some time). A lady comes to the desk and asks if she is in the right room to be teaching the publishing class. "Joanne" I almost say cause Jeremy/Andrew told me Joanne was the teacher. Teenager tells her that she is, and then he looks at us and we nod and follow the teacher. I don't think we were trying to be sneaky, but it wasn't like we jumped right in and said, "Hey, we're in your class!" rather we quietly fell in line. She stopped and turned to us with a smile, "Are you here for the class?" Yes. So we are best friends and we all get in the elevator and go to the second floor. We go into the boardroom (a long room with a long table and nice chairs) and we sit down, expecting that somehow we are just the first people. Then someone comes in and checks in with Joanne and she says, "There should be one more." One more? One more...group? I found it hard to believe that there would only be three people in the class. I had expected more people...call me crazy. So my mind races back to what Jeremy/Andrew had said, that our class got a greater response, that response was 2, it was G and me. Well, other aspiring author didn't show up (probably didn't get the phone call). It also explains how Jeremy/Andrew was so good about recalling our names! He only had three to work with! Cause when I called to confirm that the reschedule was fine I said, "And I signed up my friend at the same time and she's okay with the reschedule too." and he asks, "Gretel?" and I'm thinking, "You're good!" Now I know better.

Oh and we learned that Monday night is when Joanne found out that she was teaching, so at least it wasn't just us that they were horrible with contacting. Also, on our way into the building we passed some people in the parking lot, I think they were women (not sure) and I nodded towards them and told G to remember their faces, they were going to be in our class (and as you already guessed they weren't). Turns out that there was Gilligan's Island....the musical going on in the theater downstairs. But I'm sure that if that weren't happening they would have signed up for the class...they looked "the writer" part.

Wow...all of that just to get into the classroom - now details on the class.

Uh, well, not really details...more feelings. I'm scared to death now, I mean I was scared to begin with, but it's worse now. BFF Joanne could have said, "If you want to get published it can happen" a million times but it wasn't going to make me feel good when she got going on and on about how hard it is, the dangers of certain types of publishers, the risks, and how I had to explain why I was the only person who could write what I was writing. Well, how do you say, "Cause I'm the only one weird enough to think this stuff up" in a professional way? All I could think is what I usually think when I look through the fiction section at the book store, "What in the world makes my book equal or better than these?" "What makes mine worth printing?"

She told us about query letters and synopsis that we'd have to write to send to publishers and agents to give them the simplified version of the story. The query letter is where you put a sample of the best of your writing. It's also what the publisher will probably use for the back of the book, so it's got to hook them.

BFF Joanne told us that she hoped she didn't scare us and then G told BFF Joanne that I was the scared one. Thanks G. But she was right. Besides, it's probably best to be more grounded in this. I'll tell you what, I'm going to start practicing Query letters and synopsis even if I never send them anywhere, I've got to write the back of my book!

I should have known it would be difficult, I don't know why I keep expecting life to get easier. She talked about getting published in magazines and such, just to build my "writing background". I mean the high school magazine doesn't really cut it anymore, so I think I'm going to try and do that again...we'll see what I can write up to send to magazines for their perusal and rejection. I figure it might be time to harden myself for rejection. A drawer full of rejection letters is better than nothing if you ask me.

Also, I figure if all else fails I can at least get a copy of it in print for myself and a few loved ones, cause now I know the way.

Oh, best part. In the middle of the class a police officer opens the door and looks in. Joanne tells him we're the only ones there and he nods and leaves. Creepy, not that the cop came in, but who was he looking for? If a cop is looking for you then you probably aren't a good person. A few minutes later a different cop opens the door and peaks in (and as I recall he was really cute, but I could just have a thing for men with dark hair in uniforms). So we all look at each other and asked amongst ourselves if we should be locking the door. Then, not very long after a third one comes into the room with this big goofy grin on his face and looks around and Joanne says, "we really are the only people in this room." He smiles (or rather just kept smiling), nods and leaves. Now we know something is up and Joanne goes to investigate and then G and I joke that they are playing hide and seek...crazy police officers! Joanne can't find them, they've disappeared but at least we aren't worried about an attacker since the last one just seemed so happy.

That's my evening!

My city

Today I was looking up things to do in Richmond. It's a good idea to have a collection of things that can be done in case a friend from out of state drops by on the fly (what does that mean anyway? "On the fly"). That and my friend, Minh, has nothing to do this week (VCU's Spring Break) and asked me to save him. He said that I have lived here longer and that's when for the 47th time since I've graduated from college I realized I don't know much about my own city. Could be my fear of the city and the fear to travel it's streets alone...and really, that could be the only thing I have going for me. I wanted to present a whole list of why I don't know my city but that might be it.


I have done things around the city and had a good time, but I always had someone like Rub or Emily R. to guide my way. Otherwise I'd probably circle the city a thousand times and not even know I'm doing it (which I did when Breanna came to visit). So here are some things I have found mixed with things I have done.



First off we have the Edgar Allen Poe museum. It's best to go here before you go on a ghost tour through Richmond (where Rub keeps trying to catch orbs or faces on her camera). I like ghost stories....I don't want to catch any on film, I might have a heart attack. The building is just creepy, and when Breanna and I went we were the only two people taking the tour. The buildings (there are a few actually) are very old and I have to say that people back then were much shorter...or they didn't have ladders so they did what they could (but they had ladders, what am I saying? Crazy...if Egyptians can build pyramids certainly Virginians can build some houses).





I think the creepiest part of the tour is when you go into one of the back buildings and you go upstairs to listen to probably the weirdest reading of "The Raven". Nothing special is done, but the narrators voice gives me the creeps. It didn't help that on the ghost tour they talk about the room across the hall from where you listen to the recording and how it's haunted. Not that I believe that stuff or anything...but...whatever. Anyway, so that's always an option.



Next we have the Virginia Holocaust Museum. Which is another thing that creeps me out.



There's this room you go into and there are two ways to move forward with the tour from there. One, you go into this creepy, dark tunnel where you can barely see your hand in front of you or two - you look around long enough until you find a creepy, dark hallway that you can at least kind of see and walk through that instead.



When the weather is nice outside there is always Maymont Park. I like the park part, I'm not a big fan of the little zoo thing. I guess they overdid it when I was younger, or maybe I just always thought it was boring.





While I was searching I found this little gem. You can rent one of these and go on a two and half hour tour around the city. "See places you just can't see from a car." Operating one of these would make it totally worth it...especially wearing the helmet.


I can see myself now! It will be just like Gob on Arrested Development!


In the end of course these are activities that you do if you have the day off, most things close by 4 o'clock. So we will probably go see a movie or something in the evening, just to get him out doing something. But I have begun my list of things to do when I have time off and a friend visiting. Isn't that exciting!?

P.S. don't think I forgot about the ghost tour, if I could find one happening in Richmond right now I would drag Minh to one of those, but the website didn't say anything about Richmond Ghost Tours right now...darn them.

Snow Day...Finally!!!

Last Sunday it snowed and snowed and snowed. Then on Monday it just kept on snowing! I love snow!! So I was pretty excited. Until Tuesday when I had to actually go out in it.

Don't you worry though, six days later there is no trace of snow and it's like mid-April outside. That's the weather for ya!

So here are pictures for your perusal.

First: We have Chubbers training to be a sled dog. A few more months and we'll be ready to move to Alaska - or certain parts of Canada. I won't be able to drive the car so if he really wants dog food he'll have to work for it.

Chubbers doesn't really like the snow.

Chubbs was so ready to go outside until I opened the door and he saw this! That's him hesitating to go outside. I had to pick him up and take him out (I'm not about to let him have accidents inside)

Beautiful!

The snow gave me a hankering to make some Christmas cookies...but I settled for oatmeal butterscotch instead. Mmm...they were so good!

Well, that's it. Hope you enjoyed.

Houses

What do you think?
I'm not buying a house just yet, but a girl can dream right? I'd already have a dryer from Heather and Ed, and I have a couch...that's got to count for something right?