No Vowels and Many Obscure Consonants

Central Heat Isn't Anything To Sneeze At, Either

2012-01-17T20:22:00.000-08:00

One thing I have grown to adore about Seattle, and my neighborhood specifically, is snow days. It snows in Seattle about twice every winter. I can only describe the feeling as gleeful. How many things in your life can you describe with that word? Well, I don't have many, so I appreciate this. When it snows in Seattle, pretty much everything shuts down. The city can't be counted on to prep

What makes me tick (lately, y'know, because I'm fickle)

2011-09-29T22:22:00.000-07:00

The Joy the Baker PodcastCorn, Tomato, and Avocado Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing - Well, I'm not making it so much anymore now that it's getting to be fall-y out, but I probably made this about 15 times over the summer, and it is GOOD and EASY (like me (haha just kidding)).Boot Camp - Actually, this makes me HURT more than tick, but I like it anyway... I'm kicking the asses of EVERYONE on the

What I'm reading (because I sure as hell am not writing)

2011-08-22T23:34:00.000-07:00

I went to a songwriting workshop at 826 Seattle a few weeks ago, mostly because the instructor was John Roderick of The Long Winters, and he's a very smart and talented guy. Before anyone gets all excited, nearly nothing came of this. I have never had the desire to be a songwriter, and I still don't. I thought maybe it would kick me into some sort of alternate universe where I was inspired to

Little things

2011-05-02T23:23:00.000-07:00

1) Walks around Green Lake.2) These soups.3) Big earrings.4) Flash mobs.5) Chicken Bahn mi.6) Vampire Weekend.7) Slam poetry.8) Old pictures.9) Eudora Welty.10) Spring.

Before I even knew myself

2011-04-23T09:11:00.001-07:00

New friends bring new perspective. You don't know what you don't know until a new person in your life tells you about their experiences. New people become old friends faster than you realize.But I'm so equally thankful for the old friends, the people who knew me before I even knew myself. The people who have watched my adamant declarations of like and dislike, of love and hate, and nod along when

2011-03-14T03:04:00.001-07:00

The episode was ending.I don't remember the plot, don't have the emotional stamina to go back and find out. The kids were singing that song my sister played by the pool at my aunt's house last summer when I'd gone home to visit. I was just back from there, though for a very different reason. I was just raw.The song went on, gaining energy. The kids clapped and danced and joined the singing. Their

Sunrise, Sunset

2011-01-29T23:02:00.000-08:00

Scene: AMC showed a clip from Fiddler on the Roof in a commercial for the same movie. I, therefore, had If I Were A Rich Man stuck in my head. When I have songs stuck in my head, I sing them.HD: What is that from?Me: Fiddler on the Roof. HD: The old one or the new one?Me: What do you mean, the old one or the new one?!HD: Isn't the new one in 3D?!Me: !

In it

2010-10-21T23:48:00.000-07:00

We are all dealing with our own things. What is important is that we remember that, and try to provide the perspective needed to get each other out. And we will always get out, and be stronger for it.

2010-05-27T21:03:00.000-07:00

HD and I met at work in September of 2006; his manager was showing him the kitchen around the corner from my office where the sodas were. It was his first day. I walked in to rinse out my coffee cup and his back was to me; he was picking out a bottle of orange juice. His manager said, "Sheri, this is HD, our new API technical writer." HD turned around and was smiling so warmly, the kind of smile

Maybe he should do some work for Planned Parenthood?

2010-04-11T11:38:00.000-07:00

Scene: Watching this funny video by Merlin Mann.Me: Haha! It's things like this that make me see how it would be fun to have a baby.HD: Yeah, but that's not the point of having a baby.

Link: Foodspotting

2010-01-17T10:37:00.000-08:00

Foodspotting - A brand new website for posting photos of specific dishes at restaurants. It needs it's iPhone app to release, and it needs more people to add to it!

Overheard on the bus

2010-01-14T19:02:00.000-08:00

A blonde little boy about 3 years old was riding the 41 home with his dad tonight. He was such a good little boy, perfectly happy to play excitedly with his daddy's iPhone, occasionally exclaiming at whatever he was seeing onscreen. Who knows, maybe it was nothing. His dad was so nice, just watching the boy play and talking to him quietly.By the time we crossed Van Ness on Union Street, the boy

So this is the new year

2010-01-13T23:32:00.000-08:00

I'm looking at people around me and hoping, in this new year and decade, that I'm not alone in my desire that everyone be good to one another.People on the street, on the bus, don't smile at one another. Their faces are cold, but my (perhaps naive) desire is that this is just a protective front, that they don't want to appear vulnerable. I watched a girl stride confidently onto the bus last week

Dark Was the Night

2009-10-04T23:03:00.001-07:00

I'm a little obsessed with music. I'm not going to go as far as to say I'm like John Cusack in High Fidelity, where I'm so distracted by music that I lose sight of what's happening around me, but I do tend to form soundtracks for occasions and moments most normal people wouldn't really think of. Like a Driving Along the Ocean mix, or a Rain mix, or my Evening mix (it's very specific).Music speaks

Shilling

2009-09-28T23:44:00.001-07:00

Scene: Hanging out, surfing the net.HD: Have you ever thought the text in Firefox was too small?Me: Uhhh...HD: There's an add-on for that.Me: Uh....HD: Please use my add-ons! Be my add-on buddyyyyyy!Me:

Dalicious

2009-09-28T20:08:00.000-07:00

That was horrible. Don't ever let me title a blog post like that again. Seriously.Day 2 of No Grocery Shopping: Leftover Dal Makhni! The best thing about this? I didn't have to make it!HD made this Saturday night. I think. Might have been Friday. Who can remember these things? All I know is, Indian food is like Italian food in that it's even better left over. Dal is lentils, and this dish is

Making Something from Nothing

2009-09-27T19:29:00.001-07:00

Why is it that my kitchen cupboards are so full that I have to buy organizers so that I can stuff more in, yet I'm at the grocery store what seems like every other day?That convenience food... man, I'll tell you. Trader Joes may be inexpensive and convenient, but they are chock full of crap you never knew you needed. Like simmer sauces (all of which are delicious, don't get me wrong) and instant

A stroll through the neighborhood

2009-07-25T00:24:00.001-07:00

It's been horribly winterlike here this week. HD and I took a walk through the neighborhood last weekend and he grabbed some very nice shots.

Confidential to Dahling

2009-07-16T12:53:00.000-07:00

Weren't you looking for these?

HAIR!

2009-04-24T09:53:00.000-07:00

Sheri:http://tvwatch.people.com/2009/04/24/photo-when-blago-met-speidi/Sheri:WTF?Sheri:Isn't that one of the signs of the apocalypse?Britt:It is, Matthew 11:2....straight from the scriptures!Sheri:"So a hot girl, a douchebag, and an impeached governor walk into a bar..."Britt:LOL!Britt:I can't WAIT to watch this show!Sheri:I don't know what the rest of the joke is, but the punchline is going to

There's no beating... deeeeep cleeeeaning.

2009-04-05T11:40:00.000-07:00

HD is in San Jose helping a friend move (a friend I'm hoping will return the favor in a couple of months). He woke up early to head down there yesterday morning, and after I drank a pot of coffee, I got the wild idea to clean the cabin.I feel like I'm sitting in a staged photo shoot right now for Elle Decor."Here's Sheri at home in her Girl-Scout-cabin-cum-pied-a-terre, enjoying a cup of coffee

Thriller

2009-03-11T15:36:00.000-07:00

Scene: Last night, driving back from dinner in Point Reyes Station. HD is telling me about his upcoming trip to visit his brother on the East Coast.HD: So my brother asked me, um... ... what time I'm getting in on Friday.Me: Uh, what did he really ask you?HD: Nothing.Me: He did not ask you when you're getting in on Friday, so out with it.HD: Well, he asked me if I'm bringing

Just south of Nonsense and east of WTF

2009-02-24T14:47:00.000-08:00

Scene: It's after lunch, and I'm reassigning some defects to my friend Britt. We're discussing the matter over IM.Britt: I actually knew you meant defects, I was playing dumbBritt: I'm good at thatBritt: If I may toot my own hornMe: I'm confused why you would play dumb about something like that, but who am I to judge? We must get our jollies where we can.Me: In these turbulent economic

Just can't get enough

2009-02-01T01:17:00.001-08:00

I got an iTunes gift card for Christmas from my aunt and uncle. It was a much-needed drink after a long musical drought. Here's what I've been listening to lately.Cat Power - Dark End of the Street [EP]I started to appreciate Cat Power after her cover of Sea of Love for the Juno soundtrack. Her latest EP is 6 more covers, all of which just make me want to put on a black feather boa, turn the

Cookin'

2009-01-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

We're having an Inaugural Potluck at work tomorrow (my instigation). I'm bringing quiches.HD got a new camera, so he was playing with it while I cooked. Here are a couple of shots. I'll post the recipe tomorrow, if I find out it turned out well.

Gratuitous hiking shots

2009-01-18T21:57:00.000-08:00

So, my group at work has an annual summit to discuss what we're going to work on in the coming year. We brainstorm, we laugh, we get to see a couple of our remote employees who work at home in other timezones, we compliment the size of each others' dictionaries. It's a geeky good time. I look forward to it every year.Well, we do this summit for 3 days, with the 3rd day set aside for an "offsite",

New and Cold

2009-01-17T09:01:00.000-08:00

The end of this week has been emotionally draining to monumental proportions*, so after work Thursday I drove to my favorite flower shop and had them make me a bouquet. Isn't it weird and pretty? I felt bad for the corkscrewy ones on the sides, so I told the florist I wanted them.It is absolutely bloody freezing outside. Well, ok, it is freezing outside, but I don't want to get into a pissing

Happy New Year

2009-01-11T09:37:00.000-08:00

December 6 was my last post? SRSLY? How sad.My company gives us a "Week of Rest" between Christmas and New Years every year. Well, since that was a particularly well-positioned week this year, we got 2 weeks. Weeks of Rest, I've been calling it. I was barely home. I spent a week in Sacramento with the family, laughing and having a really great, relaxing time. I haven't been that relaxed back home

Mmmm... puddingy.

2008-12-06T21:08:00.000-08:00

I'm baking. This is why I love weekends... it's Saturday night, 9 pm; I'm sharing a very boozy hot chocolate with HD (Bailey's Irish Cream: The Reason For the Season), and I'm concocting dessert when we didn't even eat dinner (lunch at 3:00, don't worry, Dad).Yesterday was the 2 year anniversary of HD and my first date at My Thai in San Rafael. To celebrate, I made reservations at Pesce in

Treeeeeee!

2008-12-06T19:45:00.000-08:00

After I got my hair cut today (shorter than it's ever been), HD helped me pick out a Christmas tree. I had that sucker in the tree stand and strung with lights in 10 minutes flat. I think it's a new record.My cabin smells amazing right now. There's really nothing like the smell of a noble fir. It warms even the most grinchy of hearts.The plan tomorrow is to put up the outdoor lights, and maybe

2 years

2008-12-05T10:09:00.000-08:00

You're my best friend and I hope for many more years to come.मुझे तुमसे प्यार है.

In which I lobby for a position at Martha Stewart Omnimedia, apparently

2008-12-04T23:18:00.000-08:00

I just want to drink coffee in my cabin all day and decorate for Christmas and knit and make cute paper ornaments and bake cookies and breads and write cards to people I haven't seen in a long time and go to Seattle and watch Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks movies and Love, Actually and string cranberries and gather pinecones from the redwood just off my brick path and make soups and I'm pretty sure this lack

Back in the saddle

2008-11-30T19:06:00.000-08:00

My my, it's so... quaint... up here in Northern California. I mean, honestly, what does a girl have to do to get an uber-luxury car around here?Apparently that bad boy is one of several this guy owns (it was parked in front of his boutique on Rodeo).HD and I spent most of the day Friday in search of celebrities. HD kept pointing at plain old beautiful people wearing odd clothes and saying, "Is

Quick, distract her with something shiny and declare squatters rights

2008-11-24T10:53:00.000-08:00

This house is my dream. SRSLY.

I think it's time to make Milwaukee mine!

2008-11-23T10:33:00.000-08:00

My friend Garen sent this, and now that I'm done crying with laughter, I'm passing it along.A friend of Garen's made this, and I have to say, I'm extremely jealous of this person's talent.

How to Use RSS

2008-11-23T09:52:00.000-08:00

I am posting this as a public service to my friends and family who may not know about the wonder of RSS. If you don't know about RSS, take a few minutes and watch this video. It will change your life.Or at least the way you slack off.

This is for my sister

2008-11-23T09:30:00.000-08:00

*Edited from original post: dang it! There's no internet video of him doing Single Ladies! Jack, seriously, find someone who has that episode on TiVo. Funniest. Skit. EVAAAAAAR.

I don't even know who you ARE

2008-11-11T10:44:00.000-08:00

Scene: This morning, driving to work on 5th street in San Rafael. HD is in the passenger seat of my car. Someone from Guide Dogs for the Blind is doing some training with a cute yellow lab. There's a dump truck parked on the right side of the road just ahead of the woman and dog.Me: Look at the dog!HD: Don't hit that truck.Me: I was nowhere near that truck.HD: You almost hit that truck. That's a

Go vote; don't make it come down to this.

2008-11-04T15:07:00.001-08:00

Just about over Coldplay

2008-11-03T00:09:00.000-08:00

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/10/25/opinion/20081025_opart.html

Whassup

2008-10-28T23:02:00.000-07:00

Got this from my aunt; good stuff!Also, if you haven't yet carved your Jack O'Lantern, why not rock the vote at the same time?

Curing the dining room

2008-10-26T15:49:00.000-07:00

I'm still working on the Apartment Therapy 8-Week Cure. Right now I've kind of gone down a rabbit hole with what I call the dining room area. The old round glass-top pedestal table and folding chairs just weren't working out for me:The glass top slipped all over the placeThe floor under the table is uneven, so that made the glass top slip even moreI do beadwork, which doesn't really work on a

Gleeful

2008-10-21T11:06:00.001-07:00

Just one of those days where I'm glad to be who I am, where I am. I hope you're having a great day too.I'm also having a deep, deep hankering for a flight to Seattle. Hmmm.

Give me that yellow jersey

2008-10-17T11:31:00.000-07:00

IM conversation with HD, in which he recommends a bike for me:HD:http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=39271&eid=121 something like thisMe: I like it! No disc brakes on that one Good price thoughHD:yes road style comfort bikes don't have discsMe: WHAAA?! As a rule?HD: as a weight saving step and lack of requirementMe: Does Lance go without disc brakes? I think not!HD:Lance who?Me:

Fleet Week

2008-10-16T10:22:00.001-07:00

Just posting a few pictures from Fleet Week '08, as viewed from the Warming Hut at Chrissy Field. Well, mostly. HD and I walked from there down to the Yacht Club at the Marina to watch the Blue Angels.My mom and dad did the same thing the next day, and from what I hear, they had as great a time as we did!Pardon my lack of posts the last few days, I've been down with a nasty, head-spinning cold (I

Oh gosh, I wasn't elected, I just DID that...

2008-10-12T19:22:00.001-07:00

Hey, Sara Benincasa? Can you be my friend please?Apparently, she will no longer be vlogging on her YouTube channel, but will now be vlogging on The Huffington Post's humor website! Yay!

The Cure: The Interview

2008-10-11T10:08:00.000-07:00

I mentioned the Apartment Therapy 8-Week Cure a few days ago; the first task of The Cure is to answer a questionnaire about your personal tastes. Well, it's your lucky day; I'm doing my questionnaire right here!FavoritesActress: Audrey Hepburn, Julianne Moore, Diane KeatonActor: Colin Firth, Bradley WhitfordWriter: Richard Russo, Ray Carver, Lorrie MooreArtist: Marc Chagall, Natasha WescoatMusic:

This one goes out to you, Dahling!

2008-10-09T14:34:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, doesn't it just make your heart SING?!

Misty May-Treanor's injury makes me a little nauseous

2008-10-07T15:10:00.000-07:00

Can you imagine tearing your achilles tendon?

I have a fever, and the only prescription is....

2008-10-06T23:21:00.000-07:00

Not more cowbell.Actually, I've been working hard at getting the cabin to be the sanctuary I know it can be. It's small, but actually very cozy. And not that craigslist-is-full-of-liars-this-place-is-a-hole-why-is-my-shower-door-butting-into-my-oven kind of cozy, but actually very comfortable with good energy and woah, who let Deepak Chopra and Oprah into my blog?Apartment Therapy, one of my

Woo hoo! It's raining!

2008-10-04T09:21:00.000-07:00

Wow, do we need this. In honor of this natural phenomenon, I give you my Rain playlist.1. I Love the Rain the Most - Joe Purdy2. Shelter From the Storm - Bob Dylan3. Rain City - Turin Brakes4. And It Stoned Me - Van Morrison (or David Gray's cover)5. Rain and Snow - The Be Good Tanyas6. January Rain - David Gray7. Sunshower - Chris Cornell8. Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain - Willie Nelson9. I Can't

I know this much is truuuuuuuue...

2008-10-02T17:02:00.001-07:00

Dude, this song just came on my iPod.Here's what I know is true:This song kicks so much assSpandau Ballet kind of sounds like Tears for FearsThis song makes me think of Steve Buscemi

Learn yourself somethin'

2008-10-02T10:18:00.000-07:00

Are you wondering why the federal government is giving money to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac instead of paying off your mortgage?Me too. Sounds like a win-win. Not that I have a mortgage. But they can cover my rent if they want. Or at least a new pair of Danskos and a coat.But that's besides the point. If you don't understand the "mortgage crisis" (as I didn't), This American Life teamed up with

Worst Week

2008-10-01T23:39:00.000-07:00

This show is uncomfortably hilarious. Like that way that Michael Scott makes you squirm every time he enters the conference room on The Office. You can tell what's going to happen, except what happens is always way funnier than you could have imagined.Here's the pilot. You can thank me later.

Poppin' fresh

2008-10-01T09:59:00.000-07:00

I went to Sacramento for a family dinner last night, and had a great time (and great food; my dad made homemade corn tortillas for chicken tostadas, and my Aunt Pat's apple cake is always a hit). I was telling my mom and sister about a video HD and I took a while ago, so I'm going to post it here for your viewing pleasure.

Peer pressure

2008-09-27T13:30:00.001-07:00

Scene: Thursday afternoon, in the hallway at work. Hindude, another iPhone user and I are trying to persuade my friend Britt to buy an iPhone. She played with mine earlier in the week and fell in love.iPhone Friend: Britt, when are you getting your iPhone?Me: Yeah, Britt, when?Britt: Shut up you guys!iPhone Friend: What's the matter? Don't you want to be cool like us?Me: Yeah, everybody's doing

People who brunch

2008-09-27T13:15:00.000-07:00

Hindude and I made brunch, set the table on the deck, and ate like civilized adults this morning.Table settings courtesy of my Aunt Pat and Uncle Ed. They gave me the adorable blue floral placemats and plates for my 27th birthday.Menu:Biscuits, made with Alton Brown's "Instant" Pancake Mix, cold butter, and nonfat milk (I made these bad boys), topped with butter and blackberry preserves OR

It takes a village to hug a tree

2008-09-26T09:06:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess a Sequoia anyway.I learned about WikiaGreen from ecofabulous, and I immediately added a bunch of entries about the Marin Farmer's Market Association. One of the admins asked me to be an admin, and I regretfully declined as I can't even imagine what a timesuck that would be, but I promised to contribute more when I could.If you have the gumption, add your local farmer's markets, or

I just locked myself out of my car

2008-09-25T19:37:00.001-07:00

Yes, I'm in the house (thank you, HD, for not locking the door when you left this morning) but my only form of communication is my desktop computer, hooked up to the TV. I left the whole purse in the passenger seat, with the iPhone, and my laptop as well.Ooooh, I hear HD in the driveway... now I can call AAA!That's right, I'm an idiot, kids! And apparently I need a landline more than I thought!

Birthday in St. Helena

2008-09-24T13:52:00.001-07:00

We got out of the house a bit later than expected this morning. The thrill of still being in pajamas at 10:30 on a Wednesday was just too much for us. So, we didn't make it to the gardens I posted yesterday. Instead, we went to St. Helena.Ahi tuna burger and sweet potato fries at the original Taylor's Refresher nom nom nom (top picture).Dean and Deluca and ogled the produce (TWSS)Proposed - and

30 candles

2008-09-23T22:57:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow (well, today legally, but tomorrow technically) is the Hindude's birthday. We're taking the day off from work and going up to Sonoma to check out some gardens (yes, he likes visiting gardens... don't you wish your boyfriend was a dork like mine?) and the itinerary includes:Luther Burbank Home and Gardens in Santa RosaCornerstone Art Gardens in SonomaIt's so great to live in an area with

Blatantly obvious

2008-09-23T15:12:00.000-07:00

Scene: Stinson Beach, last Sunday. I'm laying on the beach towel, Hindude is sitting in his sand chair. I get up, stretch, and start walking toward the water to look for non-existent seashells.HD: Where are you going?Me: Uh... Japan?HD: Ok.(3 minutes later, I walk back to the towel, wet up to my knees from an overachieving wave)HD: Japan's wet, huh?

Behold the beauty

2008-09-22T22:25:00.000-07:00

Oh, the wonder, the magic, the unadulterated distraction from pretty much everything I could be doing BESIDES playing with the damn thing.