Alien Spouse

Busy Morning.

This morning was pretty much laid out for me - I simply had to make alterations to next semester's schedule; essentially tailoring a skeleton timetable to fit the requirements of the registrar whilst trying to accommodate the preferences of the faculty. This is not as much fun as it sounds.

I was about two hours into the data splurge when one of the professors ran in to my office to tell me a student had fallen on the stairs and might have broken her ankle. The tricky part then was to report the accident to campus police and then the emergency services just based on those few words.

Is the patient conscious? I think so,because she was able to say her ankle felt broken. Is there any bleeding? That wasn't mentioned at all, and I think it would have been if there were any blood, so probably not. How old is the patient? Errrr.... It's a student, so, late teens to early twenties is statistically a good bet. Is the patient male or female? The professor said she, so female. It turned out that I had been right on all of that - The patient was a woman who had her 24th birthday last week, and she was both conscious and not bleeding. I'm like Sherlock Holmes!

I was waiting outside when the paramedics arrived, and I took them to the stairwell to accident site and I stayed to help if I could. They were great, and soon had her splinted and in the back of ambulance. I went back to my office, and pulled up her records for the accident report, and I also e-mailed her so hopefully I'll hear if she's ok. Fingers crossed!

AA/AA.

Should you be wondering how you would get one of Doc C's delicious macaroons, I am delighted to tell you it is now as simple as joining our University's Atheist and Agnostic association.

Doc was asked to be their faculty sponsor (all student organizations are required to have one) and this week he baked for the meeting. I'm planning to contribute various different things over the next few weeks so I can perfect my Halloween party buffet items! Yay for the Atheist and Agnostic Association!

It turns out the wages of sin, or, at least, disbelief are home-baked treats.  

Winter is coming.

Much as the end of Winter is signalled by a specific Groundhog leaving it's burrow, so too is the on-set of colder weather heralded by Edith Cavell-Cat's re-discovery of the cat tower.

At least, it is in our house.

 

Kitty Pride.

I read recently (on Wikipedia) that the reason Sanrio don't usually give Hello Kitty a mouth is because "without the mouth, it is easier for the person looking at Hello Kitty to project their feelings onto the character" and that "the person can be happy or sad together with Hello Kitty." I've just never pictured Hello Kitty as being a great solace during times of difficulty myself, but maybe she is to somebody.

I think the addition of the glasses make Hello Kitty look more scholarly, but also as if she will not take any nonsense. A fine role-model for any professional woman I'm sure you'll agree.

Today I am wearing jeans and a t-shirt (that both fit!) topped off by a waistcoat with a Nerd Hello Kitty badge on it. I happened to be wearing almost exactly the same thing when I was in a slightly awkward situation a week or two ago and I must say that I felt equal to the challenge because I had Nerd Hello Kitty in my corner (not to mention I was better dressed - Which I hesitate to note because it sounds a bit self-congratulatory, possibly outright bitchy, but, none the less, that was my honest opinion).

Self Motivation.

There are days when you feel like you made a real effort, damn it, and no-one seems to have noticed; so then you start to wonder why you bothered. These are the times when I seriously consider carrying a small banner saying something along the lines of:

"I forced myself to get up today, &, whilst I don't expect a medal for that, I would like to feel like it was worth it. Please be nice to me."

It needs to be a bit more succinct, but equally it's hard to get across that exact set of sentiments in less than 140 characters.

Of course sometimes you have to just accept that your sacrifice may be the more noble for being unremarked, and simply make sure you have something you really like for lunch.  I had one job which got to the point that I was buying Wagon Wheels at lunch to put in my desk drawer, and then I only allowed myself to eat it if I came into work the next morning. The weirdest part about that? I don't particularly like Wagon Wheels (they are large cardboardy discs of biscuit, sandwiched with marshmallow and then coated in cheap milk chocolate), and had never before, or indeed since, eaten Wagon Wheels, so I have no idea why that motivated me.

Also, even though my sinusy head cold thing is much better my period started today. Ha bloody ha Universe! There's nothing quite like feeling like you are on the mend from one thing, only to immediately to find something totally different is attacking your midriff. sigh.

 

Stupid Head Cold Thingy.

Today I stayed at home and drank a lot of warm drinks, mostly ginger tea but also hot water with fresh lemon and a squeeze of honey it.

I think I feel better, but then I thought that on Friday and spent my weekend paying for it! We met Randy and Laura for brunch on Sunday, and I was only slightly more chatty than you average Romero zombie; most of the time I'd mis-heard what people were saying anyway, so in the end I just focussed on eating my potatoes.

Today I lay on the sofa with Edith and read, and also watched two delightfully cheesy sci-fi movies that TiVo had randomly taped. I didn't realise that it was the first and the third of a trilogy until quite a way into the latter, but I honestly don't think it made too much difference to my enjoyment. There were random explosions and occasional witty banter, and that was good enough for me!

Now I'm making a big stew pot of lentil soup with as many vegetables as I could throw in it. It's also ot garlic and ginger in it, so I feel positive this will have me operating at full power in no time. I expect I'll go to work tomorrow, my general rule of thumb wih head colds is as soon as you can breathe with your mouth closed again, then you are passably fit for human interaction.

Trying Something New.

It should be bloody illegal to feel ill at the weekend! Stupid bloody head cold!

Today Doc C and I went for a walk, so that I didn't feel totally sedentary, then we went to the supermarket and I got Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold (lemon), Alka-Seltzer Plus Night (lemon), lemon-and-honey throat lozenges, ginger tea, a bag of lemons and a neti pot.

I'd never used a neti pot before, but it felt like a really god idea to try irrigating my nose with a mild saline solution. I won't lie it's a weird feeling to pour warm water through your nose, but it really did help me to breathe more easily for a little while at least. I'm defitely going to do it again when I get ready to go to bed this evening, having a stuffy nose makes it so difficult to sleep.

Ugh. I hate having a cold.

Plans for the Weekend.

I went to work today, because I was feeling a fair bit better and I knew that there was work to be done on next semester's schedule. I feel very noble, particularly as since I got home this evening my sore throat seems to be bent on developing into a full-on head cold.

On a more positive note Doc C also picked up a large stack of brown paper parcels from the post office; books I'd requested from Goodreads.

So this weekend will probably be spent curled up with a book, as I sit in front of the fire with a never-ending mug of tea.

Turning Colours.

Autumn! Woot! Woot!

Unexpected Side Effect.

I feel better this evening, my throat is not as sore as it was and my ears have stopped aching in sympathy; plus I sound far less croaky and Dalek-like. I think the key is plenty of warm drinks through out the day, and if one of those drinks happens to be an early evening Hot Toddy, that is very beneficial too.

Before I went to bed last night I took a dose of liquid Nyquil, last time I took Nyquil it was in caplet form and I didn't like it - but I'd forgotten that apparently. In the middle of night I woke up, just like last time, but this time I had a new sensation and the only way I can describe it is that it felt like my face was strobing. It was just a wave-like feeling radiating out from the tip of my nose, and it was not pleasant. So I'm not doing that again. Please remind me if I seem like I might have forgotten that again!

Wednesday.

I came early with a sore throat and now I have a hot toddy buzz. That is all.

Mmm... Garlicky...

I have finally got the hang of baked aubergine (it's a very American dish, so it's usually called "eggplant parmesan" - I just can't do it myself), thanks to Sophie Dahl's first cookbook, and Doc C even likes this version where as he could never see the point of this particular meal before.

One of the best parts of making this is that it's really delicious with home-made garlic bread, and that's a treat we've not had for a while. It isn't that we're totally eschewing carbs, but equally we aren't training for any marathons in the near future, so there's absolutely no need to carb-load on pasta AND bread.

So garlick bread is back in the meal plan! Hoorah! I use a loaf of fresh French bread baked that morning at our amazing local bakery, and that bread is delicious in itself, so it's hugely tempting to eat the whole baguette in one meal - but I've been freezing half, which is hugely restrained, don't you think?

Red and Black.

You have got to appreciate working in an office where people bring you flowers.

One of our faculty has a side line in floristry, so these were originally bridesmaid's bouquets from a wedding this weekend. I do think this arrangement is lovely, but I will admit that the minute I saw the red and black colour scheme I knew that I would be using them after they had wilted as part of my Halloween decoration scheme.

Yay for multi-tasking flowers!

No Virtual Pain, No Virtual Gain.

One thing I really like (usually) about my Zumba video game is that it's very encouraging, the instructor voice overs prefer positive re-enforcement so you get praised for replicating the movements (or at least jumping around enough in a close approximation). The avatars also like to make sure you stay hydrated, and occaisionally remind you to drink water in between routines; this also gives you a few seconds more time to grab a drink and be back on your mark for the next song.

I was getting really annoyed at my virtual trainer for not giving me a drink break, which just meant whenever I did have some water I missed the first few moments of a set. I got so annoyed that I said "I bloody hate you!" just as I gave my hips a particularly vengeful shake, thereby activating the trainer to apparently reply "Good!" in a sadistically cheerful voice.

Sometimes this game is a little too realistic.

Nero Greenback Visits Appalachia.

When we were walking yesterday I was taking photos of tree roots, and I notices a fuzzy white caterpillar. I think this is a picture of it's head, but I'm not really positive of that.

Anyway, I think it's Baron Greenback's evil pet, Nero, or at least a close relative. Could someone in London pop a note in Danger Mouse's letter box please, or perhaps e-mail Penfold?

(By the way I made none of these jokes at the time because Doc C has never seen "Danger Mouse". I know! Can you imagine?)

The Weekend in Review: 18th September.

The Good: Doc and I went for a really long walk to Linville Falls, and discussed ideas for the Halloween party as well as this morning's particularly entertaining episodes of "Celebrity Ghost Stories". I love "Celebrity Ghost Stories" so I get TiVo to record it every weekend, and watch it whilst having breakfast on Sunday mornings. This is because Doc C is quite disdainful of the show, but none the less I very much enjoy it; mainly because it's fascinating how much you find out about the people telling the stories and how many hotels in America are haunted by murdered brides.

The Bad: I woke up at 6:30 this morning, through no fault of my own, it was all Edith's idea. She miaowed outside our bedroom door, until I got up and came downstairs. I actually put on my work out clothes first, so I could do some Pilates, but then I fell asleep on the sofa with both cats snuggled up on me. I think that's exactly what Edith was hoping for, but personally I'd have preferred to stay in bed.

The Ugly: The stripy grey t-shirt that I bought last Autumn, and really loved, is somehow enormous and totally shapeless on me now. I mean, yeah, I've lost some weight but mysteriously this is the only thing that looks like you could fit two of me into it.

The Fabulous: Nutella.

Pizza and Tardis.

This evening we are going to eat pizza and watch "Doctor Who" with Randy, whilst Laura is away. Don't worry she knows that we're cheating on the TV viewing whilst she's not here, but, I won't lie, it does feel wrong to be watching River Song without her.

As for pizza, Randy and Doc C share a love of Hawaiien, so they always have that. I have recently discovered Mellow Mushroom's Mega Veggie, this is a "Red Sauce base pizza with Mozzarella, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Spinach, Green Peppers, Mushrooms, Onions, Black Olives, Roma Tomatoes, Broccoli, Feta, Banana Peppers, Artichoke Hearts and Tofu." which is delicious once you ditch any form of pepper from it; tofu on a pizza I can handle peppers (other than jalapeño)? No, not for me thanks.

Internet : The Return.

The Internet is back at the Alien Spouse house! Yeah Baby!

Doc C tells me there was actually something wrong with the cables, so it wasn't the modem as we had been told the last couple of times this happened. So despite our modem being black-listed, apparently, it still hasn't been replaced which is a bit weird, but ok as long as it keeps on working. So fingers crossed, eh?

Whilst the engineers from Charter were here Edith stayed curled up on the ottoman, but Doc had a nasty few minutes when he couldn't find Nancy and he thought she might have scampered away. It turns out that Nancy didn't actually make a break for freedom, but rather that she was hiding under the futon in the study. Poor little scaredy cat! She's fine now, and has spent a fair few minutes this evening happily chewing on the straps that fasten Doc's courier bag. Because that is Nancy's idea of a rockin' good time.

Sneaky Office Blogging - Shhhhhh!

Doc C has called Charter and made an appointment for a house call tomorrow morning - So I am hoping against hope that we will have blissfully uncomplicated internet access this weekend.

Apart from that it's been a fairly quiet day in the office, hence the quick blog break, but I am really looking forward to going home because we've got last night's "Top Chef: Just Desserts" Willa Wonka reunion special to watch. Squee!

Also, red lipstick. I don't want to wear it everyday, but, when I do feel like it, I find it makes me quietly confident and happy. Useful to note.

Tech Issues. Again.

Nerd Hello Kitty (my new key cap) would like to apologise for this very short post by text, but we have no internet connection here again. Nerd Hello Kitty sighs.

The Art of Queueing.

It is super annoying to have happily written a post that you think is quite funny, and then discover that your internet connection is on the blink and you therefore cannot post it. This is most frustrating on any day of the week, but on a Monday night when you have entirely failed to write anything on your blog since Thursday it's particularly galling. Good thing I spoke to Moth this weekend or she would be sending the Royal Marines to my home address to check on my health. Anyway, the story I was going to write was the result of a slightly taxing day and a headache that, rather than getting better when I got some sleep, instead went on to wake me up at 2 in the morning.

Suffice to say the blog post was probably slightly more grumpy than funny; it was an anecdote about queueing to pick up a prescription at the chemist and two women standing really close to me in the queue whilst they chatted about a friend's singing voice (according to them it's beautiful, unless she's trying to sing "Respect", because, apparently, white girls should not try to emulate Aretha). This anecdote then became a meditation on whether it's a peculiarly British thing to want a small bubble of personal space, particularly when being asked personal questions (such as "Are you pregnant?") by a dispensing pharmacist. Honestly the musical critics behind me were practically leaning on me at this point!

Obviously I didn't say anything to them, that might have caused a scene, but they certainly got a dirty look as I left. Maybe I should offer evening classes in how to wait for your turn politely?

Oh Good Grief!

Oh Good Grief! No internet access? How am I meant to express my opinions on Miss Universe?

Coins and Doors.

It's been a while since I mentioned quirky cultural differences for a British woman living in America, but as it happens I have noticed two this week.

First of all, American coins don't have their denomination on them in figures, which doesn't sound too bad, does it? However when instead they are labelled something singularly uninformative, such as "dime", AND the relative size of the coins is of no help either, well, it's confusing. It reminds me of being quite small and my Grandad telling me a sort of maths riddle that was totally incomprehensible to me because the whole thing centered around The Old Money and, as a thoroughly decimal child, I had no idea what a shilling was worth.

The second thing is closed office doors seem to freak Americans out. My office is right off the main entrance to a five storey building which means that between classes the hallway is packed with students and it gets really noisy. Being right next to two sets of double doors also means it retains no heat at all, so all things considered I prefer to keep the door closed. There is a window in my door, so people can see me at my desk from outside, but even with that and a laminated sign that says "Please Come In!" people will still act as if the closed door is intimidating and say they weren't sure they were allowed in. Oh for crying out loud - It's not as if the damn thing is locked! Come in! Come in!

These are both odd things to my mind, but even odder is that it took me so long to realise. For quite a while I thought I was being really unobservant about the coins, until I mentioned it to friends and they immediately inspected the change in their pockets for the non-existent numerals. As for the door thing, I can only assume that Americans are all part feline and merely abhor an a blocked escape route.

Ooh! Shiny!

I have had a scathingly good idea for Halloween party invitations. It will require a specialist paper stamp, two different colours of card, swizzle sticks and, possibly, faux pearls. I'm still thinking about that.

This calls for a trip to the craft store, as soon as possible. Which would be after work tomorrow evening, and tomorrow being Wednesday, this means a detour on the way home from the pub; this may result in some interesting impulse purchases. Glitter-rama!

White (Chocolate) Bones.

Today's plans to stay in my pajamas and play "Portal 2" all day were modified slightly when it became clear that I needed to get more baking soda and vinegar to unclog the drain in the bath, so I got dressed and we went into town. Now if we were forced to go into town for boring things, then we were also going to look at Halloween stuff. I know it's barely even September, but the Halloween goods are on display already and I need to get the good stuff before it runs out. I've learnt from previous years that leaving the Halloween shopping until the day before results in a disappointing amount of orange plastic junk, and none of the good chocolate.

This year we are having a cocktail party with the theme of Suburban Nightmare, this only requires a very simple costume for me which I already have pretty much got together, and so now I'm focusing on the menu. I definitely want to make cupcakes with something poking out of them, and I think that something is going to be a miniature bone or two. I bought the mold this afternoon, and have successfully made two white chocolate skeletons.

I also got mini-cookie cutters to make hors d'oeuvres of grave stones crackers and cheese slice ghosts; as well as a baking tray which is supposed to make molded bone-shaped cookies, although I'm thinking of using that to make bone-shaped cheese straws.

Doc C is also getting into our theme, and has had some really good ideas for the decorations and ambiance of the house. This is going to be such a fun project to work on with him!

Weekend Status Report.

The Good: I am reading Donna Tartt's "The Secret History" and loving it. It's sort of a murder mystery with academic overtones, but whodunnit is never any sort of a puzzle. It's gripping.

The Bad: The weather this weekend has been really humid and sticky, my least favourite kind of weather personally. I cannot wait for Autumn proper to kick in with some nice crisp mornings.

The Ugly: The cream that the dermatologist prescribed causes a rash to flare up on my chest, and so it suddenly feels as though every single t-shirt I own has a scoop neck to it which hits me in just exactly the wrong spot. Yesterday I discovered that wearing a scoop neck backwards creates a boatneck at the front which conceals and protects the itchy bumpiness. This will look intentional with most of my tops; the exception being henleys, so if you should happen to notice that I have a row of buttons down my back, can we just pretend it's a new fashion trend from Europe or something?

The Fabulous: Monday is Labour Day, it's like Bank Holiday Weekend, and I have finally treated myself to a copy of "Portal 2" so I intend to be spending several hours of my day off in my pajamas playing that, with occasional breaks for coffee and toast.

Overly Full.

I. Have. Eaten. Too. Much. Coconut. Fried. Rice. With. Prawns.

MSG and carbohydrate coma imminent.

Pre-Halloween Jitters.

I'm already thinking about Halloween, as ever; particularly this year thought because we are seriously considering having a cocktail party. I already have a theme in mind, so I've pulled out my Martha Stewart Halloween specials to find suitably spooky nibbles and drinks that would work with that.

First and foremost we are going to need black vodka to make all the drinks look inky and forbidding, and there are so many cookie cutters and cake trays available that my head is already spinning from all of the options.

That's just the refreshments, we also need to decorate the house and come up with co-ordinating costumes. Now I'm starting to worry that I've let this too late, and two months just won't be enough time!