Sunday Sundries

[offbalance]

- I spent a good chunk of the day with redstapler. Always a recipe for a good day, especially when you add gaztherat to the mix (and a liberal application of Daria). I so need the boxed set - I don't miss the incidental music at all, which just goes to show how well that show was written.

redstapler and I had brunch at Oak & Iris beforehand. It was delicious. A++, would nom again. Also, it had a really nice vibe and staff. AND signs that said "No running and screaming allowed." <3

- Also:
Me: also, I managed to hurt my foot with bread yesterday. WITH BREAD.
redstapler: I...what?
Me: I bought this baguette from Whole Paycheck on Thursday. So, yesterday I cut a few pieces off to nom on and then put the loaf back in the fridge in its bag. Only, it slid through the bag, and the pointy part of the baguette hurt the soft part of my instep. I think this qualifies me for a Tonks badge.
redstapler: ...ow. And lol.

(I am going to miss the hell out of her when she moves.)

- Last night j_bkl and I caught the rescheduled Kings of Convenience show at Webster Hall. They were awesome. I was only dimly aware of maybe one of their songs prior to last night, but that didn't matter one bit. The music was really incredible - each member played acoustic guitar and sang with really incredible harmonies. They also had one of the best opening acts I've seen in ages, a west coast band by the name of Franklin For Short that I loved so much I ran down and bought their album (a real vinyl one with a download coupon) before the set was completely over. Their music, to me, sounds like what it would be like to drive down the Pacific Coast Highway with no traffic, the sun in the sky and the wind in my hair. J described their sound as "the love child of Jackson Browne and Death Cab for Cutie." I think that's accurate. And, they joined the Kings for a few songs too, which was a nice blending of styles.

- I had my first CSA pickup this week! It was a few hours late (the delivery truck had some trouble), but I still was able to pick up and enjoy some incredible greens! We got arugula, broccoli rabe, spinach, lettuce, and japanese turnips. I made a dish with the broccoli rabe friday and I've slowly been eating the arugula, and I have designs on that spinach, do I ever. It's so exciting to have so much green to enjoy!

- Those of you who follow me on Facebook may have noticed that I've been goofing off with Foursquare recently. It's dumb, and/or it's fun, depending on your worldview. If it really offends you, blame redesigner, he's the one who talked me into it. It has no point whatsoever, it's kind of the digital version of "Yes, but have you got a flag?" I've wasted time on worse. For now, I'm enjoying it.

- I have jury duty tomorrow. It's Federal Court, which I've heard is more organized than Supreme/City court. We shall see.

- After reading this article which was linked on weddingplans, I reserved this book at the library. I'm kind of loving how there's a growing number of people out there who are as disgusted as I am with these overblown, insanity-fest weddings that try to be a combination of prom night, new year's eve, the academy awards and a three-ring circus. I'm even gladder that the disgust is building into backlash, and I'm looking forward to reading it to see what Miss Manners has to say about fighting this insanity and throwing a nice affair anyhow.

- I didn't get the above book for my kindle because my new kindle rule is that if I can get it for free at the library with not too long of a wait, that's what I do first. If the library doesn't have it or the wait is ridiculous, then, I can kindle. But there's no point spending money when you don't have to. (that said, I did make a donation to the Brooklyn Public Library in order to hopefully help with their budgetary shortfall.)

- Further on the wedding front: I realized that I'm nervous about going wedding dress shopping. I'm nervous because of how you have to shop for one. See, most (if not all) of my shopping is done in stores where very few salespeople lurk. I prefer to be left to my own devices to browse, examine, try on and what have you. 99% of the time I don't need help, other than to accept a friendly offer to start a dressing room for me or to ring up my purchases (or maybe zip/unzip the occasional zipper). But, a wedding dress must be bought in a really old-fashioned, particular way that involves making an appointment, going to a showroom, having an appointed salesperson select things for you and be up your nose the entire time. I hate this style of shopping, mostly because I feel insanely pressured by it. It's not just me obtaining items I need or want. It's about me worrying about this person in front of me, and how their livelihood depends on a sale, and how if I spend a few hours looking and don't see anything I want, I will have deprived them of a customer who might have bought something and/or the all-important commission/mortgage payment/rent/etc. And, I'm sure this person, smelling blood in the water, will push this to make a sale, as is their way (the scorpion always bites the turtle, after all). I was a little more worried about it before than I am now, though. I talked to my mom about it. She'd originally said that while she'd love to go dress shopping with me, but I shouldn't worry if I just wanted to go myself or with friends, because she wouldn't be hurt and insulted and it's all about what works best for me and all that. Now, that was never an issue, I love shopping with my mom and I always have fun doing so (mom and I have had a blast grocery shopping together, for crying out loud.). But after telling her this, she said I shouldn't worry about ANYONE pressuring me into buying anything, because that shit wouldn't fly on her watch. (also, quasisonic wouldn't let that go down on her watch either, to be fair).

(and yes. I also know that I don't HAVE to buy dresses this way, I could just order them off the internet. But, I don't know exactly what dress I want, and I want to be able to try a bunch on, and it's a much bigger pain in the ass to ship wedding dresses back and forth from China than it is to suck it up and bring a protective entourage into a bridal boutique with me.)

- Speaking of buying things off the internet, I need sandals like woah. I've not had much luck this season. Not much is appealing to me. Best keep looking, I guess.

Comments

[stacyinthecity.livejournal.com]

I will go to O&I with you sometime!

Love the rule #1 at the bottom of the article you linked to. :)

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

Ooh! That would be fun!

Me too. I loved all the rules, but that one in particular.

(I also have the feeling that there are LOTS of things to dream about in life...why just dream about a wedding?)

[quasisonic.livejournal.com]

You are quite right. I'm not letting any salesperson get "up your nose" i will be dismissive to them. Basically throw them out or tell them every time they interject with an unsolicited opinion, the chance of our buying from them personally will go down a percentage. This is only if they are rude to you of course. And god help them if they say anything mean about you.

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

Most of them aren't rude, though. They play on emotions, fears, dreams - they're horribly manipulative.

Although, I'm sure some are rude, too.

[quasisonic.livejournal.com]

I consider those actions RUDE. No catty bitch is getting at you.

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

Just keep the pointy weapons at home. I've actually read the assault statute.

[firynze.livejournal.com]

Japanese salad turnips ROCK. They're my favourite part of early CSA. I have a bunch in my lunchbox to nom on today!

I can't decide whether I'm terrified by the concept of wedding dress shopping, or delighted. I've always wanted a bespoke tailored suit, made the old-fashioned way with trying on and pinning and all that, and wedding dress shopping seems the female equivalent. But having someone all up in my face about my choices and buying this and getting that and don't you want to spend more...ew. No thanks.

Good thing I just shop vicariously through my friends. And then occasionally copy by hand the dress they decide on for them, heh.

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

blergeatkitty says all you need is some olive oil, and to roast them, and the turnips come out heavenly. What do you do?

There's no reason you couldn't, or shouldn't, get an awesome bespoke suit for yourself. But yeah - the upsell is what I'm dreading.

Hee. My mom has already threatened to take the duchess satin by the horns...

[firynze.livejournal.com]

...I cut them up and eat them raw. Seriously. They're crunchy and sweet and a little tangy and OM NOM NOM EATIN TINY TURNIPS.

Someday I shall get an awesome bespoke suit. But that will cost more than my theoretical wedding dress, I guarantee you.

(I'm making my friend Hope's wedding dress. There is going to be SO MUCH TULLE INVOLVED, zomg)

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

Ooh! Good to know!

(I fear tulle.)

[firynze.livejournal.com]

Hope's dress design is GORGEOUS. Simple fitted A-line with a surplice bodice, but then a tulle overlay over the whole thing, and the tulle forms the straps of the bodice, criss-crosses and laced down the back, and then forms the train.

It's the only way I'd be able to stand that much tulle, even on someone else.

[rubytramp.livejournal.com]

Once you have chossen a dress see if you can get it more less $$$$ on the ebay machine. I don't know if you are going traditional but if you aren't go vintage or jcrew or anthro. Remember, it's you wedding and you can wear whatever the hell you want.

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

Ebay has been one I've been keeping an eye on, along with the many bridal-gown-resale sites out there (they are legion).

I don't even know what I want. It changes every day.

[queenmother49.livejournal.com]

David's Bridal, while all sales are final, you can browse without being harassed. Also, I would be willing to go with you in large part b/c I would be willing to tell them to screw off for you. :)

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

Ooh, good to know. There is a dress at David's that I like very much, but the "real people" picture's I've seen of it are not nearly as pretty as the "model picture." So we shall see.

You enjoy telling anyone to screw off. It's what I love best about you. :)

[angelicillusion.livejournal.com]

Um so remember when we'd get our hair done together on occasion? And I showed you a picture of a style that looked like someone took a weedwacker to it and thought it might look cute and you said NO ABSOLUTELY NOT! That's pretty much how dress shopping would be if I were with you (if you wanted me to tag along). Also just from wedding dress experience with a friend you know your perfect dress when everyone that sees you in it cries. And if the sales people are good they will know this and not attempt to pressure you into something that you don't like/doesn't fit your style/doesn't see perfect for you. <3