I have decided, after an evening of beer and cookery, that what really makes me feel at home is cooking a nice meal.
I've felt great all evening. I mean, I got up for work at 3 PM and worked from 4-7. Felt thoroughly exhausted. I stopped by Daddy's and played some acoustics and I went home and I cooked. I broiled a steak with a cut up jalapeño pepper on top of it - seeped in some nice spicy juices - and I made mashed potatoes and cooked up some beans. The apartment smelled really delicious. I drank a beer. I ate my food.
I felt great. The weather was nice. Work didn't kill me. I ate some quality foods I made by myself. I could get used to a situation like this. There's still the dishes to do, but whatever. I'm feeling on top of the world. Or at least nearby to the top of it.
And another thing that I'm really enjoying about my job: it doesn't follow me home. When I punch out at nine in the morning, I know I don't have to grade or plan or stay after to re-administer tests. I can leave my work AT work, where it belongs. Makes it much more enjoyable. Also, none of my interactions are with angsty/whiny/punky teens.
On that note, I'm going to go nap. Also, I've been thinking about simplicity a lot lately. I'll update with an elucidating post in a couple of days.
Rock on, Garth.
Krister
29.8.07
27.8.07
Mark of Quality
Chain restaurant slogans are an important reflection of the experience to be found inside.
Applebee's, for instance, is "eatin' good in the neighborhood." It's short, it's got rhyme and it emphasizes that you'll be eating a) close to home and b) a tasty meal. Hooter's is fairly forward about what you'll find inside with their "Delightfully tacky, yet unrefined." IHOP insists that you will fulfill the craving that brought you to their door with "Come hungry, leave happy." Domino's reminds you that they deliver: "Get the door, it's Domino's." Olive Garden opens it's faux-italian arms to you in saying, "When you're here, you're family." And Denny's, purveyor of late-night grease entices with "Always open."
Wait. That's it? Always open? You can't boast warmth, cheer or even satisfaction from the experience? How about: When you come a-knockin' some disgruntled, chain-smoking waitress with her hair in a bun and her two previous husband's rings stashed at home will serve you a plate of runny eggs, soggy bacon and a mug of black coffee brewed with no love, no joy, just genuine despair.
I guess that probably wouldn't fit on a billboard.
And check the time stamp, I just woke up for work.
Applebee's, for instance, is "eatin' good in the neighborhood." It's short, it's got rhyme and it emphasizes that you'll be eating a) close to home and b) a tasty meal. Hooter's is fairly forward about what you'll find inside with their "Delightfully tacky, yet unrefined." IHOP insists that you will fulfill the craving that brought you to their door with "Come hungry, leave happy." Domino's reminds you that they deliver: "Get the door, it's Domino's." Olive Garden opens it's faux-italian arms to you in saying, "When you're here, you're family." And Denny's, purveyor of late-night grease entices with "Always open."
Wait. That's it? Always open? You can't boast warmth, cheer or even satisfaction from the experience? How about: When you come a-knockin' some disgruntled, chain-smoking waitress with her hair in a bun and her two previous husband's rings stashed at home will serve you a plate of runny eggs, soggy bacon and a mug of black coffee brewed with no love, no joy, just genuine despair.
I guess that probably wouldn't fit on a billboard.
And check the time stamp, I just woke up for work.
25.8.07
Chapter Twenty-Eight; in which our hero prepares to move
Moving blows.
I'm moving out to Portland and I'm really keen about that. I'm excited for my roommates. I'm excited for the job I have. I'm excited to live in this city.
But I've gotta drag all my shit our from Sebago. I've got to paint walls this bland grey (grey?) color (colour?). I've got to paint my floors a slightly blander gray.
Ah well. It should be good times. I'll be out with friends and working at a job that isn't eating my soul. My favorite difference from editing and teaching is that once I leave work, I've left work. I never have any grading or lesson-plans to do at home. True, had I been an efficient or wise teacher, I might've been able to lessen that load BUT the fact is that first year teachers have ass-loads o' work.
I am, however, going to need a second job. Part time at $10.50 an hour is simply not enough to pay the bills. So I'm thinking I should become a server somewhere or something. Maybe a job that can hook me up with a free meal. Or maybe Bull Moose is hiring? That'd be pretty groovy, I think. I'm not looking for a lot of hours, just some extra moolah coming my way.
I picked up Spoon's album Gimme Fiction. Great idea. I bought it on Wednesday, I think, and I've basically listened to it non-stop since then. Which of course means I'll burn out on it, but it's good times until then. Right now I have the song "Was it you?" stuck in my head and it's intermingling with M. Ward's "Four Hours in Washington" off Transistor Radio.
Good tunes. Good times.
PS. Charles Bukowski is pretty cool.
I'm moving out to Portland and I'm really keen about that. I'm excited for my roommates. I'm excited for the job I have. I'm excited to live in this city.
But I've gotta drag all my shit our from Sebago. I've got to paint walls this bland grey (grey?) color (colour?). I've got to paint my floors a slightly blander gray.
Ah well. It should be good times. I'll be out with friends and working at a job that isn't eating my soul. My favorite difference from editing and teaching is that once I leave work, I've left work. I never have any grading or lesson-plans to do at home. True, had I been an efficient or wise teacher, I might've been able to lessen that load BUT the fact is that first year teachers have ass-loads o' work.
I am, however, going to need a second job. Part time at $10.50 an hour is simply not enough to pay the bills. So I'm thinking I should become a server somewhere or something. Maybe a job that can hook me up with a free meal. Or maybe Bull Moose is hiring? That'd be pretty groovy, I think. I'm not looking for a lot of hours, just some extra moolah coming my way.
I picked up Spoon's album Gimme Fiction. Great idea. I bought it on Wednesday, I think, and I've basically listened to it non-stop since then. Which of course means I'll burn out on it, but it's good times until then. Right now I have the song "Was it you?" stuck in my head and it's intermingling with M. Ward's "Four Hours in Washington" off Transistor Radio.
Good tunes. Good times.
PS. Charles Bukowski is pretty cool.
1.8.07
IKEA Explained
For those of you who didn't know I am, and my father as well, named after a desk from IKEA.
Turns out there's a rhyme to their reason.
I'm not sure why, but I'm comforted by the fact that some day I may seat myself on a Knut and place my pen and paper on a Sven and start writing. And that I don't need to enslave a horde of friendly blonde folks to do it.
That Knut/Sven scenario also sorta sounds like it might come out of a S&M porn flick.
Oh, and I guess I'm back from Europe safe and sound but sans luggage. More updates later.
EDIT: Apparently, IKEA is discontinuing me or something. I'm a little pissed. BUT there's hope. I found another link to look at me (and dad) here. Enjoy.
Turns out there's a rhyme to their reason.
I'm not sure why, but I'm comforted by the fact that some day I may seat myself on a Knut and place my pen and paper on a Sven and start writing. And that I don't need to enslave a horde of friendly blonde folks to do it.
That Knut/Sven scenario also sorta sounds like it might come out of a S&M porn flick.
Oh, and I guess I'm back from Europe safe and sound but sans luggage. More updates later.
EDIT: Apparently, IKEA is discontinuing me or something. I'm a little pissed. BUT there's hope. I found another link to look at me (and dad) here. Enjoy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)