My Life as a Blog - Kindra79's Blog - Bakotopia

Free Coffee At Starbucks Today!

And you don't even have to vote contrary to what you might have been told previously! (But please do vote! Even if you have to write in your presidential nomination to feel like you made the right vote - Dr. Ron Paul!)

"Apparently, some party pooper pointed out this might violate election laws (providing goods in exchange for votes). So now—even better—the Wall Street Journal reports that Starbucks is giving away a tall cup of coffee to ANYONE who asks for it today, whether you voted or not! Yes we can! " http://www.cnbc.com/id/27533563

Still, I voted, and I picked up my free cup of drip coffee along with a pumpkin cream cheese muffin (oh my god, so good!).

Happy Halloween!

It's that time of year again ...

Must admit we go a little crazy in our department and the rest of the floor is either disturbed, fightened, or amused by us. One gal actually said, "Do I have to ride down the elevator with you?" as we were gathering to go to the first floor. I replied, "You betcha!"

Today I am servin my country by working as a regular soccer mom in a regular office with all my fellow mavericks, doin mavericky things. You can see Russia from my window!

Happy Halloween! Feel free to bring me candy - I'm starvin'!

I've never realized ...

Today I was surfing youtube for Sarah Palin on SNL. Some boob posted a video that began with part of the skit, but suddenly jumped into Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" video.

I've never realized just how strange that video is. Maybe it's just that his voice does not match his prepubescent image? It was even until recently that I actually saw the video (most of my life I grew up without cable in the house, so my MTV watching was minimal) and put a face to the voice. Each time I watch it I think it's a joke, or that it's not really him, but an actor lip singing to the voice ... but it is, and I find odd - disturbing - off? I don't know, it just doesn't settle right, like too much dairy in the morning.

Anyone else feel this way?

England - Day 7

Tuesday – September 9, 2008:

We caught an early train to Newton Abbot where his stepdad picked us up and took us to his and Jack's mom's home in Paignton Devon. I had a wonderful time with them, Jack's mom made us sandwiches and tea when we first arrived, then we all piled into the car and they took us to Oldway Mansion (built by the Singer family), Cockington (a very old village with a glass blower and blacksmith still in residence), and then to Torbay and the Carvery for dinner (the carvery is much like our idea of a buffet, except it's basically the items they have for a proper Sunday dinner ... roast, turkey, pork, veges, potatoes, leeks, gravy, yorkshire pudding, etc).

After that we digested at their home while Jack set up his mom's internet. As the sun set Jack and I began walking down to Paignton Pier where we had the mechanical gypsy read our aura's (strangely accurate). Then we went to a pub called the Spinning Wheel to have a drink and listen to live music for a bit before walking back and curling up in a nice soft guest bed with clean soft sheets.

Wednesday – September 10, 2008:

I woke up and took a nice shower (Jack's flat doesn't have a shower, I enjoy baths, but I prefer to shower before I take one since bathing seems like you are just washing in your filth and I have to take extra measures to rinse off afterwards as the water goes down the drain). We had a breakfast of tea and toast then headed back to the pier – first stopping at a juice shop where we hoped might sell carrot juice. As she gave me the strangest look she kindly offered fresh squeezed OJ instead. Seriously, I don't think carrot juice exists here.

Back at the Pier we picked up souvenirs (during my whole trip this was the only town that had the traditional ticky tacky souvenir shops) for the kids. Then to a nice coffee shop right on the pier before his mom and stepdad picked us up and took us to Brixham where we enjoyed the sites and ate fish and chips. Then they took us to the train station around 5. The train ride was really nice, about 2 hours long. Jack slept most of the way, but stuck one of his headphones in my ear when Forever and Blue Jeans began to play.

Thursday – September 11, 2008:

Thursday we were up early again to hit the road and head to Stonehenge then Portsmouth to catch the overnight ferry/cruise ship to La Havre, France. The drive was beautiful and the road literally runs into Stonehenge, we came up a hill, and as we hit the peak there it was below us - my breath was taken away. I joke that it is just a bunch of rocks, but really there is something about being so close to something that is so ancient. Admission isn't very expensive and it includes an audio tour, I'd like to go back again for an evening tour where they take you into the circle at sunset (that was booked solid). After an hour or so walking around the rocks we began the rest of our journey to Portsmouth. We arrived a few hours before we had to board the ferry so we enjoyed a full dinner at a nearby pub and made use of the free internet access. Around 8:30 we headed to the ferry port, qued, and were boarded around 10:00.

All of the cabins and flat sleeper seats were booked, so we had club class tickets - like train seats in a room they darken. Many people were prepared, they'd brought air mattresses to sleep on the floor. The light near us was by the door and had to remain on, the boat was also rocking a bit so there was a little metal bearing rolling back and forth in the door track. I have slept better on airplanes! After an hour or so of trying to sleep in the chair I grumbled that I was going to sleep on the floor. Jack joined me, we covered our heads with our coats, pulled our blanket over us, shared my travel pillow, and finally got about 4 or 5 solid hours of sleep.

Cider Fest 2008

My last night in England I was told was going to be spent at a field party in Somerset - near Wells and Chedder. I was also told we'd be camping. Erm, camping? Okay I'm all for camping, but when it's my last night and I have to catch a plane and travel 10 hours I don't want to smell like cider, dirt, and camp fire.

Fortunately my demands were met, Jack's friend's parents put us up for the night in a lovely guest room. Okay - now when I say field party I bet you all think, trucks and kegs in the middle of the foothills, right? That's what I expected.

Instead we pulled off the main road into a field that was wedged between some old buildings. There were apple trees scattered about, some had christmas lights or lanterns hanging in them, bags with candles were scattered about making a pathway to the blue and white circus tent in the middle of it all. The tent was equipped with lights, a stage, sound system, and 80 gallons of homemade cider. You had girl, she-he, man, and raw. I think the raw poisoned several of the boys as many looked like death the next day.

Still the evening was fantastic! There were fireworks, dancing, music, cider, food, and fun. Everyone who was anyone in the village was there, mom's, dad's, kids, and dogs. Here are the videos for your viewing pleasure! http://www.youtube.com/Kayk79

Photos from my trip

So I tried to update my blog several times in England, but the site wouldn't let me log on. Anyway, I'll update later, but for now here is a link to my photos if you'd like to have a look :) http://picasaweb.google.com/kindra79

Day 4 in England!

Even though it rains a lot and it's like as cold as Bakersfield in winter I LOVE it here!

Thursday – September 4, 2008: (clicks dates for photos)

The flight wasn't bad at all, I had a side aisle seat next to two brothers from Swindon who had just spent a few weeks in Florida. I slept at least 5 hours of the 9.5 hour flight – decongestant and champagne on take off quickly followed by a bottle of wine served immediately afterwards with my first meal at 34,000 feet will do that to you. I woke up for the second meal and drank water and made sure to get up several times until we landed.

I made it through customs pretty quickly; my friend Kerri from Philly met me at my terminal holding a name sign - that was so freakin awesome of her!

She'd flown in several hours earlier, took a bus to my terminal and waited for me so we could grab a drink before we parted ways on our own adventures. My friend Craig picked me up from the airport, the ride to Cheltenham was long with an accident somewhere ahead of us. We arrived at Jack's flat sometime after 6, the rest of the evening is a bit hazy from jet lag, but I freshened up, met a few of his friends that were already hanging out in the living room, had toast with marmalade (the only food item in the flat besides butter – I swear! – he is quite the bachelor complete with a mini fridge the size of a shoebox), drank half a glass of gawd awful cider, and then Jack sent everyone off so we could get to bed before 11 – he had to work in the morning.

Friday – September 5, 2008:

Since Jack was working our friend Craig took me out of lunch at a nice place called The Slug and Lettuce. I had an excellent vegetarian lasagnia that came with a side of bread and Rocket (arugula – or baby greens to us). We took a short walk in the rain while I took a few photos of the bizarre Centaur statue in the promenade. It began to rain harder so we hopped in the car and stopped by his friends house then he took me to the grocery store so I could pick up food supplies to prevent me from starving and so I could make a proper dinner. The grocery store was located near the GCHQ – it's like a giant government spy headquarters that is supposed to be hush hush, but everyone knows it is here.

When we arrived back at Jack's flat I went to cleaning the neglected kitchen. Jack called Craig while I was cleaning and Craig told me he said to stop – I refused, if I wanted to feed myself I had to clean. Garbage disposals are a wonderful invention – Jack's flat needs one. Finally I had sautéed garlic chicken, veges, and mashed potatoes ready for Jack and I when he arrived home – Craig had to run off to help his mom. After dinner we headed out with one of his many friend to meet up with Craig and several others as we pub crawled from the Frog and Fiddle to Après in the brewery (a club with way too much red lighting inside so you retreat to the outdoor sitting area which is fortunately heated), and lastly, Bentley's, a more upscale bar.

Saturday – September 6, 2008:

It was raining pretty heavy and I was pretty tired so we just had a relaxing day in, but I really enjoyed Jack's Saturday tradition of pork rolls from a shop down the road called "FEED" It is sliced pork on a fresh baguette with salt, pepper, and applesauce. He had to run to the bank before it closed and on his way back he picked up pork rolls and Appletiser's (a sparkling apple juice).

That evening we went to his sister's for a wonderful dinner of smoked duck served chinese style, with cucumber, spring onions, sauce, and "pancakes" to wrap and eat. That was so filling we hardly had room for the second course of rice and a chicken mixture to top it with (even though that was also really good). Fun meeting the family, wonderful people! Loved the farm, the atmosphere here kind of reminds me of Northern California. She made us crispy duck, and my wine glass was never empty - seriously. I have no idea how much I drank. His brother-in-law gave us a ride back into town and we called it an early night because as Jack nicknamed me … I'm two drink Kindra.

Sunday – September 7, 2008:

Today we went to a pub called Taylors for a light lunch. We had the oriental finger food plate – tempura veges and prawns with spring rolls. Then we walked to the grocery store to pick up Cream Puffs for dessert to take to his friend's flat.

Man can his friend cook! We ate a wonderful Sunday dinner - roast, potatoes, gravy, leeks, other veges, and yorkshire pudding (which I thought was a roll, later finding out that is actually Yorkshire pudding – it is SO good!). I had my first taste of British TV, the commercial's were pretty funny and I laughed when they called Easy off Bam – Easy off BANG!

Several friends wandered in and out, before Jack and I headed back to Jack's flat before it began to rain again (everything is walking distance, I love it!). Another friend came over with Conkers and taught me how to play a typical English game where you poke a hole through the conker (an inedible chestnut), tie a string through it and take turns trying to hit your opponents conker with your conker. Whoever's conker cracks first is the loser. We went to bed early before beginning a week of travel (Jack had the entire week off and everything was planned around football games – I am now officially a Tottenham fan).

Monday – September 8, 2008:

Jack has this week off, so he took me into Gloucester to see the Cathedral (this poor Abby has one heck of a history – originally founded in 681 AD – just to be destroyed by fire, rebuilt in 1089, consecrated in 1100, destroyed by fire just 22 years later, and rebuilt again. Finally in 1216 the slow rebuild was completed and it was chosen as the venue to crown young Henry III. This did not stop the building from again falling apart and being rebuilt or repaired throughout the years). They filmed parts of the Harry Potter films in the cloisters (I called them halls) that surround a garden.

I took a few photos of school boys running down them before we walked through the garden to the Abby coffee shop where I had my first taste of clotted cream – America needs clotted cream for our scones, it rocks! We also went into their 99p store which was really cool and I found Aidan a neat magnetic Bratz game. We'd parked near the docks which have been revitalized to attract people to the area, but you have to drive through a really crap area to get to them.

After that we headed to Cirencester where Jack grew up. We walked the park around the Abby, the ducks kept walking up to me assuming I was there to feed them, once they realized I didn't have any food they'd waddle off in duck disgust. Cirencester, like many other towns, is very charming. I love the architecture. Jack took me to his favorite pub, his teenage stomping ground, for a drink and snack then we visited a childhood mate of his before heading back to Cheltenham.

Back at the flat Jack made dinner – Bangers and mash … I was a bit afraid, but I'm willing to try anything (I even managed to choke down some scrambled eggs he had made that morning, even thought I hate eggs). Dinner was actually really good! A few friends stopped in and out before we called it an early evening. People drink and smoke a lot here. Guess we would too if it was such a social thing starting at 16.

Tomorrow it's a train to Devon to meet his mom and stay the evening, then back for the football (that's soccer for us Americans) game Wednesday evening.

Figured I'd get this out so later I don't forget! Mwah!

Help! I need movers!

I'm moving - yes, I'm abandoning the charm and haunts of Oleander for the lure of a pool and spa in a large quiet house on a cul-de-sac in the North East. I'm still Oleander's bitch ... I'm not selling my house, she won't let me.

This is what I need, I'm willing to pay, and if I can't find someone on here then I'll just call a moving company (but I'd love for someone here to help me out for a bit less, any money saved is a blessing! I'm also an excellent cook and would be happy to make you a dinner or two or three!) ...

I don't have very much furniture that needs to be moved, but there are a few cumbersome pieces. Specifically a large dresser with glass doors and an armoir with glass doors. So I'm thinking those special moving straps are the best bet and 2 big guys would do the trick. The bedroom set would need to be moved up a set of stairs in my new home. The rest of the furniture is pretty small and basic.

I'm looking to do this the last weekend of August or the weekend before that. I also do not have a truck - but if need be I can rent a U-haul, or maybe my sister will let me borrow her trailer and truck.

I'll love you forever! :)

Charity Work

The past few years I've begun actively recycling cans, glass, and bottles ... figured I could do something Green and make a little cash, right? This and other apparent behaviors I display has earned me the code name "The Bohemian" by my father.

That's not what this blog is about though ... it's about my several years of charity work. You know, collecting cans, stashing them in a trashcan until it's full, then letting some stranger into my yard in the middle of the night while I'm sleeping to take them away and make themselves a little bit of money.

I feel so violated.

The first time it was like, okay whatever - guess someone needs the money more than I do, and besides - my father had dumped the bags of cans I'd saved into the alley because he said they made my backyard look like a dump, yeah, he's a bit anal and doesn't come over anymore due to the fact I have 3 cans for recycling on top of a green waste and regular trash can.

Last night I felt a little angry, I'd been robbed! Robbed of my aluminum cans! What has the world come to?! Are can collectors so lazy now they just scope out backyards for people who recycle and then wait to collect when they see the can is nearly full? I wanted that can money! That was my can money! They also made off with my trashcan lid!

Then again, I guess someone needed it more than I did.

Drinko De Mayo!

Seconds, just seconds ago I realized how freakin dense I am. Or maybe blonde? No, I'll go with dense ... but I'll get back to that in a moment.

If you weren't at Fishlips last night, you missed out! I reserved a table for 10, my best friend, a few of her friends, my sister, and some Couchsurfers joined me. Or maybe it was just that much better after I'd had about as much beer as half my weight ... Oh the wonderful ways to drown out your single girl sorrows.

Which leads me back to being dense. So once again I've proven my theory that I have awful luck in the dating department. There was a guy I enjoyed spending time with, but he's a busy dude, so I figured the lack of hanging out was due to that. I've bumped into him a couple times and each time I'm told how hot I am. Um, thank you ... but why don't we hang out? Hello?! Earth to Kindra! He has a freakin girlfriend now!

Why can't guys just tell you these things? Instead of making excuses just give it to me straight, "Yeah, so I met this girl and we've become more serious" ... it's that easy. My feelings won't be hurt - what hurts is having my ego bruised when I figure out what's going on myself and feel like a complete dumbass for continuing to hit on the dude. Just let me know so I can retreat back to friend mode.

Arrgh! Men! Haha! Gotta love 'em ;)

Or not. ;P