Dear Feist,
We need to talk. Actually, I have some things to say, and you need to listen. I brought my car to you because you were close to my workplace. You see, my car was overheating and bringing my car to you for a fix would allow me to go to work. I've had water pumps replaced before--I know it shouldn't have taken more than a few hours.
On the first day, you called me with a sort of sensible-sounding estimate. Sure, $470 is a lot of money, but the last water pump I replaced cost me $400, and you, Feist, said my belts need replacing. Things made sense. I trusted you. I should have just driven away while I could...
I have to tell you, I began to doubt that I could trust you completely when you told me, at the end of the first day, that the parts you ordered for my car hadn't arrived. I got a small boost of confidence when you offered to loan me your Jeep Cherokee so I could drive around over the course of the weekend. I was grateful to you, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw you had left 3/4 of a tank of gas for me.
On Saturday, I had to visit you again to pick up something I had left behind. My heart skipped a beat in a different way when one of your creepy mechanics cornered me in the parking lot and told me my poor car needed an additional $1,000 in work. I left you, but you stayed in my thoughts for the rest of the weekend.
On Monday, Feist, you called in the afternoon to say you weren't done with my car. I thought this was odd, since the last time I had this done to a car, it only took about 7 hours. 'Maybe Feist is having a tough time letting go', I thought.
On Tuesday, I didn't hear from you. Finally, I couldn't wait any more. I broke down and called you, but instead of ending things, things got more complicated. 'Things' weren't finished. I left in the Jeep Cherokee, unfulfilled.
Finally, on Wednesday, you called me. It took you quite some time, but you sounded so happy to hear my voice. 'It's over', you said, and I thought our relationship was really coming to an end this time.
I went to you for what I thought was the last time. You charged me a little more than what I had expected and got upset when I questioned it, but we worked through it. I was ready to leave you. I got in the car. With bated breath, I turned the key...
...but the car wouldn't let me leave. It wanted desperately for us to be together. I went back to the store, and you came out to look at the car again. It started, but I wasn't ready to go. I told you it had never had this problem before, that it had always been easy to leave, and you reassured me everything was going to be OK. Although I had been hurt before, I trusted you.
I got home. Late at night, I got the urge to test out your theory. I bundled up when I should have been sleeping and went outside. Because I trusted you, I wasn't nervous...
...but the car wouldn't go. You told me you'd take me back, and I had no choice but to go with you.
Feist, I want to leave you, to forget that I've ever met you, but you won't let me. Please, please, let me go.
Yours forever (apparently),
Christina
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Picosa? More like Stupid-cosa!
Hi again! I know what you're thinking--two posts in one day? Yes, well, I have a good reason. I mean, it's as good a reason to blog as any reason to blog. Chris and I just went to the WORST restaurant we've EVER been to! It's a little thrilling to say that actually. I can't wait to write about it, hence the late-night blog.
OK, here we go. So, this afternoon, Chris and I decided to use a gift certificate we'd gotten to Picosa, so I called to make a reservation. I think I should have been alerted to how bad things were going to be by the fact that, when I asked for a table at 7:30 or 8, the guy laughed and said "Oh, no problem, you can come either time!" in a way that implied he didn't expect anyone to be there.
Anyway, we arrived and realized the street parking available was lined with meters that are monitored every day until midnight. That's not the restaurant's fault, but it's just an irritation. We fished as many quarters as we could find out of our pockets, purses and jackets, which bought us 1 hour and 15 minutes. I thought that should be enough time to go in and have a moderately-paced dinner.
We were seated at 8:00. No one acknowledged us after that for awhile. We sat there for about 15 minutes before a sweet but sort of harassed-looking waitress came over to take our drink orders. I ordered a vodka tonic and Chris got a bottle of beer. I'm not a certified bartender, but I don't think those drinks require 20 minutes to make. Why we had to wait that long is a bit of a riddle wrapped in a mystery. Finally, they arrived, sans glass of water, which just meant that I drank my drink like water and spent a portion of the evening in a boozy fog. This, I think is why I didn't mind waiting almost an hour for my first course. Chris had duck empanadas with some sort of sauce-trio (one of which was orange and, surprise-surprise, tasted of oranges), and I had a shrimp, scallop and asparagus thing that was pretty OK. Midway through his first course, Chris commented that his empanadas tasted like a chicken bake, which is a British fast-food thing, like a hand-held chicken pot pie. In any case, it wasn't a compliment. When the waitress eventually got to our table to clear the plates, she informed us we should keep our silverware (just like at Grandma's on Thanksgiving!).
After our little dishes, we got a plate of tacos to share. The waitress brought out a single plate, but then offered to go back and get a second plate. Not wanting to ask too much of her, and not wanting to wait that long, we just said we'd share. Now...tacos aren't really a thing that you can eat without a plate underneath you. We ended up taking turns eating. My tacos (beef and veggie) were pretty bland. The beef one tasted like taking a big bite of a roast beef dinner with sour cream. Even the guacamole was bland. Chris looked decidedly disappointed while eating the pork and chicken tacos. When it was over, the waitress didn't come over for another 20 minutes. At that point, our meter had run out about 20 minutes ago. I did one more search for quarters, but found none. Chris took a pitiful handful of change to the bar and had it converted into two quarters, which bought us 30 more minutes at Picosa. We needed them.
We decided to use the rest of the gift certificate, even though every ounce of ourselves were urging us to drop the payment on the table and run away. The poor waitress came back and we ordered a piece of tres leche cake. When it arrived almost 25 minutes later, it was good, but by then we were just ready to leave.
In short, the food was alright and the service was teeeerrrrriiibbbblle! Just effing terrible!
That's all. Happy Sunday!
xo
OK, here we go. So, this afternoon, Chris and I decided to use a gift certificate we'd gotten to Picosa, so I called to make a reservation. I think I should have been alerted to how bad things were going to be by the fact that, when I asked for a table at 7:30 or 8, the guy laughed and said "Oh, no problem, you can come either time!" in a way that implied he didn't expect anyone to be there.
Anyway, we arrived and realized the street parking available was lined with meters that are monitored every day until midnight. That's not the restaurant's fault, but it's just an irritation. We fished as many quarters as we could find out of our pockets, purses and jackets, which bought us 1 hour and 15 minutes. I thought that should be enough time to go in and have a moderately-paced dinner.
We were seated at 8:00. No one acknowledged us after that for awhile. We sat there for about 15 minutes before a sweet but sort of harassed-looking waitress came over to take our drink orders. I ordered a vodka tonic and Chris got a bottle of beer. I'm not a certified bartender, but I don't think those drinks require 20 minutes to make. Why we had to wait that long is a bit of a riddle wrapped in a mystery. Finally, they arrived, sans glass of water, which just meant that I drank my drink like water and spent a portion of the evening in a boozy fog. This, I think is why I didn't mind waiting almost an hour for my first course. Chris had duck empanadas with some sort of sauce-trio (one of which was orange and, surprise-surprise, tasted of oranges), and I had a shrimp, scallop and asparagus thing that was pretty OK. Midway through his first course, Chris commented that his empanadas tasted like a chicken bake, which is a British fast-food thing, like a hand-held chicken pot pie. In any case, it wasn't a compliment. When the waitress eventually got to our table to clear the plates, she informed us we should keep our silverware (just like at Grandma's on Thanksgiving!).
After our little dishes, we got a plate of tacos to share. The waitress brought out a single plate, but then offered to go back and get a second plate. Not wanting to ask too much of her, and not wanting to wait that long, we just said we'd share. Now...tacos aren't really a thing that you can eat without a plate underneath you. We ended up taking turns eating. My tacos (beef and veggie) were pretty bland. The beef one tasted like taking a big bite of a roast beef dinner with sour cream. Even the guacamole was bland. Chris looked decidedly disappointed while eating the pork and chicken tacos. When it was over, the waitress didn't come over for another 20 minutes. At that point, our meter had run out about 20 minutes ago. I did one more search for quarters, but found none. Chris took a pitiful handful of change to the bar and had it converted into two quarters, which bought us 30 more minutes at Picosa. We needed them.
We decided to use the rest of the gift certificate, even though every ounce of ourselves were urging us to drop the payment on the table and run away. The poor waitress came back and we ordered a piece of tres leche cake. When it arrived almost 25 minutes later, it was good, but by then we were just ready to leave.
In short, the food was alright and the service was teeeerrrrriiibbbblle! Just effing terrible!
That's all. Happy Sunday!
xo
10 Things that Happened This Week
10. My car began to overheat, which lead to me taking it in to the garage, which lead to them estimating it would cost over $470 to fix. NOOOOOoooooo!
9. The new girl started at work. For some reason, they hired the 'fresh-out-of college' girl who lives in a house with 8(!) other people over someone with a Master's degree and lots of experience. Um...what?! Granted, I may be biased because I know and like the person they turned down, but I just can't see what happened here. (Don't worry, I'm being nice to her. We're just busy and we need her to 'get it' soon, and I'm concerned, that's all.)
8. My mom's nice friends hosted my very first bridal shower on Tuesday. It was nice--we watched Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (which surprised me by being sort of really enjoyable) and they gave me presents! Who knew that all you had to do to get new home accessories was find the right person and commit to them for the rest of your life?
7. I was sick on Wednesday. I took my first sick day at the new job and just laid in bed and felt feverish. Gross.
6. Alison gave me a bunch of clothes she was going to donate. Two days this week, I've worn what I call 'Alison outfits'.
5. Chris and I joined the YMCA. I'm going to Body Pump with Dessia this morning. I swear, I've heard more about Body Pump in the past 2 years (yes, I heard about it in Scotland!) than anything else. I'd estimate 57% of my conversations in the past 2 years have somehow included at least one mention of Body Pump. I am expecting the exercise equivalent of crystal meth.
4. Speaking of crystal meth, Chris has got me watching Breaking Bad, which is a show about a high school chemistry teacher who, because he is diagnosed with lung cancer, begins to cook crystal meth with a former student in hopes of leaving a lot of money behind for his family.
3. I walked 4 miles during my lunch break yesterday to get a Michael Pollan book from the library.
2. Chris and I went to Twilight: New Moon last night. I am embarrassed. It was AWFUL.
1. I went to a wedding planning meeting and had to choose between white and ivory linens. I chose white.
9. The new girl started at work. For some reason, they hired the 'fresh-out-of college' girl who lives in a house with 8(!) other people over someone with a Master's degree and lots of experience. Um...what?! Granted, I may be biased because I know and like the person they turned down, but I just can't see what happened here. (Don't worry, I'm being nice to her. We're just busy and we need her to 'get it' soon, and I'm concerned, that's all.)
8. My mom's nice friends hosted my very first bridal shower on Tuesday. It was nice--we watched Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (which surprised me by being sort of really enjoyable) and they gave me presents! Who knew that all you had to do to get new home accessories was find the right person and commit to them for the rest of your life?
7. I was sick on Wednesday. I took my first sick day at the new job and just laid in bed and felt feverish. Gross.
6. Alison gave me a bunch of clothes she was going to donate. Two days this week, I've worn what I call 'Alison outfits'.
5. Chris and I joined the YMCA. I'm going to Body Pump with Dessia this morning. I swear, I've heard more about Body Pump in the past 2 years (yes, I heard about it in Scotland!) than anything else. I'd estimate 57% of my conversations in the past 2 years have somehow included at least one mention of Body Pump. I am expecting the exercise equivalent of crystal meth.
4. Speaking of crystal meth, Chris has got me watching Breaking Bad, which is a show about a high school chemistry teacher who, because he is diagnosed with lung cancer, begins to cook crystal meth with a former student in hopes of leaving a lot of money behind for his family.
3. I walked 4 miles during my lunch break yesterday to get a Michael Pollan book from the library.
2. Chris and I went to Twilight: New Moon last night. I am embarrassed. It was AWFUL.
1. I went to a wedding planning meeting and had to choose between white and ivory linens. I chose white.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Top Ten
Chris says if I want more people to read my blog, I should write a few 'top ten' lists. Apparently, lists in general are a hot commodity on the Internet. But since I don't really mind the fact that it's mostly just Chris and Mary that read this, I thought I'd write a 'top ten' list about them.
So...here are my top ten favorite things about Chris and Mary.
10. Almost every day, Chris offers to get out of bed at the crack of dawn, even though he doesn't need to, to make me breakfast and/or to pack a lunch for me.
9. Mary and I can have an entire conversation with our eyes and facial expressions. This ability develops only after 20 years of friendship.
8. Chris likes to play with me. I come home most days to Chris wanting to play cards or Monopoly or Mario Brothers with me. I feel really lucky to have someone who loves and likes me and wants to play games with me.
7. The look I gave Mary in Mexico when I saw something in front of me that was shocking, which, without a single word, prompted an "I know!" from her.
6. Chris lets me put my ice-cold feet against his warm legs in bed.
5. Mary moved in, then out...and then back into an apartment because I needed her to. She still speaks to me. THAT is friendship.
4. Chris always fills up my water bottle for me before bed, every single night, so when I wake up thirsty I always have a drink waiting.
3. Mary shares her family with me. We lived together at her house and laughed all the time, and her mom loved having us both there (at least that's what she said).
2. Chris gets along well with my family. More often than not, I find him and my mom cracking up together. My family all love him and everyone thinks I made the right choice. (I agree!)
1. Mary likes Chris, and Chris likes Mary. Best. Thing. Ever.
So...here are my top ten favorite things about Chris and Mary.
10. Almost every day, Chris offers to get out of bed at the crack of dawn, even though he doesn't need to, to make me breakfast and/or to pack a lunch for me.
9. Mary and I can have an entire conversation with our eyes and facial expressions. This ability develops only after 20 years of friendship.
8. Chris likes to play with me. I come home most days to Chris wanting to play cards or Monopoly or Mario Brothers with me. I feel really lucky to have someone who loves and likes me and wants to play games with me.
7. The look I gave Mary in Mexico when I saw something in front of me that was shocking, which, without a single word, prompted an "I know!" from her.
6. Chris lets me put my ice-cold feet against his warm legs in bed.
5. Mary moved in, then out...and then back into an apartment because I needed her to. She still speaks to me. THAT is friendship.
4. Chris always fills up my water bottle for me before bed, every single night, so when I wake up thirsty I always have a drink waiting.
3. Mary shares her family with me. We lived together at her house and laughed all the time, and her mom loved having us both there (at least that's what she said).
2. Chris gets along well with my family. More often than not, I find him and my mom cracking up together. My family all love him and everyone thinks I made the right choice. (I agree!)
1. Mary likes Chris, and Chris likes Mary. Best. Thing. Ever.
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