CRUSH WITH EYELINER

WE HAVE COME FOR LIGHT, WHOLLY, WE HAVE COME.

New year, new boss. So far, it's been going eerily well. We've not encountered any major problems and any trifling issues get immediately quashed.  I find myself holding my breath from time to time in anticipation of the other shoe dropping.  Am I allowed to have a decent work environment?!

I get along with Judge Reif.  We're still getting to know each other, but he comes off as nice with a good temperament, and he is ready to serve Pulaski County.  He seems genuinely concerned with doing right by all y'all, so there's that. Our new office is great and I've got a new desk situation which makes work more tolerable.

Sit down. Stand up.

That said, I've got this incredibly mindless routine going on day in and out that goes something like this: WORK, WORK OUT, GET READY FOR WORK, GO TO BED, REPEAT.

And on weekends it's RISE AT A DECENT HOUR, DRINK COFFEE, TRY NOT TO EAT POORLY, WORK OUT, CLEAN HOUSE/DO THE LAUNDRY/MAKE GROCERIES/MAKE HEALTHY LUNCHES FOR THE WEEK, GET READY FOR WORK.

While I've got a feeling of accomplishment at my job, my life's got a Sisyphean vibe that I really don't like and don't want to be stuck in for too long. Please don't let another year or two turn into TEN. Right under my skin exists a layer of low-current mild anxiety because time is so slippy!

Too, dreams, they complicate my life.

At least the light is good in the office restroom.

ATM + I still try to do things we love and get out of town when we can afford to, but we're saving our pennies for the eternal kitchen renovation. 

Here i$ the tile that we in$i$t upon.  Eternal kitchen renovation!

Every once in awhile, the AR Times hosts a movie night at the Ron Robinson Theater in the River Market.  It's a great way to catch some classics on the big screen. Recommended.

Another trip to Memphis on the books. Caught another hot Riverkings match in Southaven, MS while we were over there. You know I'm into hockey, right? #GoHawks #GoPensGo

same//same

Parking lots ≠ progress

*

We tried the new Robata Ramen & Yakitori Bar, located in Overton Square. Pictured above is the eggplant tempura topped with spicy tuna, seaweed, scallions, and drizzled with eel sauce.  ETHEREAL. Oh, howI wish we had a little ramen shop in (N)LR, but you can still get a very good bowl at Mt. Fuji. The miso ramen is handclap emoji times 111.



I thought that deep fried garlic bulbs would be too good, but they're just alright.  I mean, honestly, you get a better result roasting them in the oven.


I could. Every day.



A thing we did differently this trip was visit thrift shops and flea markets.  No scores, but it was still pretty interesting.



I love that my stepmum still treats me like a kid.



wee



This is not my home, but I want it to be. Very good vibes, man.



ez



My latest acquisition from Cities In Dust.

XMAS IN SEATTLE 2014

I was suffering residual tiredness, congestion + cough for a long while after returning home, so it's a wonder that I somehow managed to dig deep and power through my entire Xmas holiday with an ear and throat infection. I even enjoyed myself! Thanks be to pho, lemon/honey/ginger tea, ibuprofen, decongestants, Stumptown coffee, and boxes of Kleenex. F'REAL.

Of course it is impossible to photograph the splendor of Seattle and the little details of my trip, but I gave it a go. 

We had the most perfect accommodations.  We stayed at my cousin My Tam's friend's house in West Seattle while she was on holiday in Florida.  We four - me, ATM, KMHD & My Tam - had our own bedrooms.  In fact, I had my own basement suite,  which is ideal for someone who is indisposed.  There is no luxury greater than privacy and space while on vacation with family.  Here is the view from my bed!  I spent a great deal of time watching the ferries and looking for whales.

Skyline view from the front window.  The house is set atop a hill that is jutting out into the sound.

Sun came out and lit up those Muppet-like trees.

First breakfast was from Bakery Nouveau.  My Tam explained how they beat the French at Frenching with their amazing baguettes and twice-baked almond croissants.  Here's proof. UFF. This place is dangerous.

Evening sun.

ATM was looking out the kitchen window through binoculars when he spotted these peeking peaks.  "Those aren't clouds," he exclaimed. When I finally saw them, it took my breath away. We're not accustomed to being near grand mountains. So good.

Resident feline Zuzu.

I love these two.

Official Xmas Eve Pic.  We don't just survive, we thrive! Photo by My Tam.  Dinner was 85% vegetarian, barring the scallops and shrimp.  Bless up to my accommodating family who knew KMHD has been meat-free for over half her life.  A lot of thoughtful AND delicious dishes.

Zuzu loitering and probably havin' a shit in the sitting area off my basement suite.

Having pets whilst on vacation is thee best.

One of my very favorite things to do whilst in Seattle is taking a ride on the ferry to Bainbridge Island.  The whole ferry scene/culture is fascinating to me. You can have a beer whilst riding!

Returning back to Seattle.

CAN WE LIVE HERE, PLEASE?

We had Xmas dinner at Fu Lin in the International District. One of my favorite meals during this visit.  Steamed juicy pork buns, ramen, Szechuan eggplant, veggie moo shuu, and sweet and sour chicken made from scratch.  There's no lukewarm pink goop, but a wonderfully tart, pineapple-sweetened sauce.  Too true.

The colors!  The flavors!  Every town needs a Chinatown.

Steamed juicy pork buns.

Popped in next door for dessert.

:3

I know I know I know that one shouldn't partake whilst on antibiotics, but a wee glass of Prosecco is medicine. Goes so well with Chinese food and cake!

The day after Xmas, we got oot and aboot.  Went to Pike Place Market like good little tourists because we really wanted some fresh curds from Beecher's and savory pastries from Piroshky Piroshsky, but you know what? I think we've outgrown PPM.  We don't have to go every. single. time we go to Seattle.  There are way too many neighborhoods to explore.  Like West Seattle. Anyway, we went to Fantagraphics and I unknowingly scored two signed comics, which is just plain awesome.

After our $hopping $pree, we drove to North Bend, WA + Snoqualmie Falls to take in the scene. Sigh. What a lovely drive.

 GOOD NEWS!  The pie quality at Twede's has improved! It was actually delicious!  They do need to work on their coffee game, though.  I mean you'd think the proximity to Seattle would positively influence the quality of their brew, but  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ .

North Bend has developed and grown so much since the last time we were there, it's almost overwhelming. I assume Seattle is getting too $$$ to live?

Too misty!

Back at the ranch.  ME-OW.

Atop the Viktoria.

That evening was unreal. We met the Viet fam for supper. Afterward, as were were all loading up to go our separate ways, this drunken asshole on a bicycle spit at me, my aunt, and my cousin as he pedaled by. Thankfully he missed. My Tam shouted "Sexy!" at him and he responded by calling her a "bitch" which enraged my uncle in a very scary way.  I put the youngsters in my uncle's SUV while KMHD & ATM tried to get the fella to go on his way while two of my aunts held my uncle back. They were literally hanging off of his neck! This bloke clearly wanted to have his ass kicked five different ways by five different members of my family because he decided to throw racial slurs into the mix. I don't know how he was convinced to leave, but he eventually did.  We somehow convinced my uncle to get in his car and not run over that turd and then we went to the bar for a much needed drink.  I learned this about myself: I will totally get in a street fight with my family if it came down to it.  UGH. Don't make me, people!  ANYWAY. We met Aigul, My Tam's friend from Kazakhstan at the bar. Afterward, we went to her high rise apartment and hung out on the roof.  Apparently you can fall more in love with Seattle.  Peep that quiet, empty PPM!

Gal brunch with My Tam, Aigul + KMHD @ Cafe Flora, suitable for vegetarians and vegans and even "regulars".  HIT ME!

Of course had to go back to the International District so we could be quintessential Vietnamese gals. We hit Uwajimaya, Daiso & the bubble tea shop.  Here's My Tam enjoying sweet grass jelly, served hot. YUMG. Love this face. She is the best person I personally know.

What did y'all get for Xmas?

The sun changes everything.

Last sunset of the trip.

The last thing we did on our trip was go to a Seattle Thunderbirds game in Kent, WA. They played the Portland Winterhawks whose sweaters look exactly like that of my beloved Chicago Blackhawks. We still root for the home team, though. I'm used to going to trifling hockey games in the south, so it was fun to go to a hot game in a stadium that was filled to capacity by hockey fans. Too, this was My Tam's first hockey game ever and it was such a blast to watch her take it all in. She really picked up on it quickly, too.  Honestly, she's so clever, you don't have to spend your life explaining things to her. I'll never forget this amusing night, especially her perf delivery of OH. MY. GOD. when she saw the goal keeper doing his pre-game warmups and stretches. ;)

This is my best sports shot ever. Look at all of the action!

After hockey, we went to the I.D. once more for Chinese take-out.  

Being at the airport at 4:30 am is a terrible thing. BUT, while waiting for to board the plane, I did get to see sweet sweet Corri's face on the tv.  I love that gal!

Good trip, 10/10, would do again.