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Posted by
Becky
comments (3)
Last year for my birthday, my mom gave me a Rival Lunch Crock. I had never heard of them before, but she'd heard of them through some cooking listserve she's been on for a hundred years. People raved about them and when she went to order me one, they were even on back order.
If you work in an office, I cannot recommend this highly enough. You plug it in at your desk, heat your food without waiting in line to use a grody microwave, and eat straight from it (at least I do - why dirty a second dish?).
It's super-simple. There's not even an on/off switch. You plug it in to turn it on and unplug it to turn it off. It's not a full-on crockpot - it warms food but won't cook it - but it does heat pretty slowly. I usually plug it in around 90 minutes before I want to eat. By the time I'm ready for lunch, it's the perfect temperature.
The thing that blows my mind is that while your food is heating, you can't smell it. I don't know how they do it. I've heated a bunch of different kinds of soup, black beans & rice, and even taco meat. And I can't smell it. I use it mostly for soups, but I tried pierogies in it once with decent results.
Cleanup is crazy easy. Nothing sticks to the metal insert, even after cooking in there all morning. There is a flexible lid that fits the insert, underneath the colored plastic one shown in the picture. The instructions indicate you can carry your food to work in the insert, and leave the outer case at your desk. I don't trust the insert lid enough to do this. I need spillproof.
This is not a sponsored post. I just really like this thing & wanted to share.
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| image courtesy amazon.com |
It's super-simple. There's not even an on/off switch. You plug it in to turn it on and unplug it to turn it off. It's not a full-on crockpot - it warms food but won't cook it - but it does heat pretty slowly. I usually plug it in around 90 minutes before I want to eat. By the time I'm ready for lunch, it's the perfect temperature.
The thing that blows my mind is that while your food is heating, you can't smell it. I don't know how they do it. I've heated a bunch of different kinds of soup, black beans & rice, and even taco meat. And I can't smell it. I use it mostly for soups, but I tried pierogies in it once with decent results.
Cleanup is crazy easy. Nothing sticks to the metal insert, even after cooking in there all morning. There is a flexible lid that fits the insert, underneath the colored plastic one shown in the picture. The instructions indicate you can carry your food to work in the insert, and leave the outer case at your desk. I don't trust the insert lid enough to do this. I need spillproof.
This is not a sponsored post. I just really like this thing & wanted to share.
Posted by
Becky
comments (1)
I've gotten this year off to a decent start with respect to reading. I actually got through several books in the first month, after despairing in December that I never had time to read and when I did, I couldn't pay attention to anything. So I want to chronicle it while I'm on a roll, and hopefully get a better record of what I liked/disliked than just my goodreads ratings (pretty much everything gets a 3 star rating from me there, and I almost never comment. So it's maybe less than useful for reflection/reference purposes).
Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir, by Jenny Lawson. I really, really liked the beginning of this book. By the end, I just couldn't take it anymore. Part of it might have been that I got to a point where I was reading stories I was already familiar with from her blog, or maybe I just have to do The Bloggess in small doses with long breaks in between. I don't know. I actually quit before finishing, but I'm counting it as read anyway because of the blog-reading. And then I had to quit her blog, and unfollow her on twitter. I'll go back, I'm sure, I just overdosed or something.
The Reformed Vampire Support Group, by Catherine Jinks. Decent YA take on vampires; a group has sworn off drinking human blood & formed a support group led by a non-vampire priest. They end up rescuing a werewolf who's been held captive & made to participate in dogfights. Which leads to...
The Abused Werewolf Rescue Group, by Catherine Jinks. Not as good. I listened to the audiobook, which I think decreased my enjoyment significantly (a couple of the voices were super annoying). And it seems like it's written for a younger young adult than the previous book was. I listened to almost all of it but turned it off in a fit when the voices got to me. If I do many more of these lists, you will eventually notice a trend of me getting within reach of finishing a book and then chucking it. Or not getting far at all, and chucking it. I have very little patience, and there's too much else to read, to stick with stuff I don't like. Anyway.
The Ramen King and I: How the Inventor of Instant Noodles Fixed My Love Life, by Andy Raskin. Have you read books liked Yes Man or The Year of Living Biblically? This is very similar. The author makes it his quest to meet the inventor of instant ramen noodles, and in the meantime, his romantic life is a complete mess. Unrelated, yes, but you see how he deals with each thing parallel-ly. Yes, that is a word.
Sharp Objects, by Gillian Flynn. I liked this better than Gone Girl. I didn't love it. I thought the story was interesting but not compelling. Like, I feel like I went through both of these books superficially, never getting drawn in at all. It all felt very matter-of-fact. Maybe it's me, I don't know. But I will say this: girlfriend knows her way around sociopaths.
The Maze Runner, by James Dashner. I really, really, really liked this. Oh, MAN, was it good.
Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir, by Jenny Lawson. I really, really liked the beginning of this book. By the end, I just couldn't take it anymore. Part of it might have been that I got to a point where I was reading stories I was already familiar with from her blog, or maybe I just have to do The Bloggess in small doses with long breaks in between. I don't know. I actually quit before finishing, but I'm counting it as read anyway because of the blog-reading. And then I had to quit her blog, and unfollow her on twitter. I'll go back, I'm sure, I just overdosed or something.
The Reformed Vampire Support Group, by Catherine Jinks. Decent YA take on vampires; a group has sworn off drinking human blood & formed a support group led by a non-vampire priest. They end up rescuing a werewolf who's been held captive & made to participate in dogfights. Which leads to...
The Abused Werewolf Rescue Group, by Catherine Jinks. Not as good. I listened to the audiobook, which I think decreased my enjoyment significantly (a couple of the voices were super annoying). And it seems like it's written for a younger young adult than the previous book was. I listened to almost all of it but turned it off in a fit when the voices got to me. If I do many more of these lists, you will eventually notice a trend of me getting within reach of finishing a book and then chucking it. Or not getting far at all, and chucking it. I have very little patience, and there's too much else to read, to stick with stuff I don't like. Anyway.
The Ramen King and I: How the Inventor of Instant Noodles Fixed My Love Life, by Andy Raskin. Have you read books liked Yes Man or The Year of Living Biblically? This is very similar. The author makes it his quest to meet the inventor of instant ramen noodles, and in the meantime, his romantic life is a complete mess. Unrelated, yes, but you see how he deals with each thing parallel-ly. Yes, that is a word.
Sharp Objects, by Gillian Flynn. I liked this better than Gone Girl. I didn't love it. I thought the story was interesting but not compelling. Like, I feel like I went through both of these books superficially, never getting drawn in at all. It all felt very matter-of-fact. Maybe it's me, I don't know. But I will say this: girlfriend knows her way around sociopaths.
The Maze Runner, by James Dashner. I really, really, really liked this. Oh, MAN, was it good.
Posted by
Becky
comments (1)
Happy New Year! My 2012 Year In Review:
1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?
1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?
Resigned from my full-time job to go somewhere else. I'd been there over 11 years & the place I worked before, I was laid off. I'd never given notice before. It was wonderful.
Attended Easter Service at the same church as the Obamas. Stood RIGHT NEXT TO the President while I was waiting in line for Communion.
Attended Easter Service at the same church as the Obamas. Stood RIGHT NEXT TO the President while I was waiting in line for Communion.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't really make resolutions.
I don't really make resolutions.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
A couple of close-ish friends, but I haven't seen the babies yet. No one in my immediate family or closest circle.
A couple of close-ish friends, but I haven't seen the babies yet. No one in my immediate family or closest circle.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
I didn't leave the US this year.
I didn't leave the US this year.
6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
More, better time with J. While he was unemployed he made money officiating sports, which meant he was gone each night before I got home from work, and worked all day Saturdays. I was often in bed before he got home, or I'd have to try to stay awake to get 15 minutes of face time with him. It sucked.
More, better time with J. While he was unemployed he made money officiating sports, which meant he was gone each night before I got home from work, and worked all day Saturdays. I was often in bed before he got home, or I'd have to try to stay awake to get 15 minutes of face time with him. It sucked.
7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June 18, the day I turned in my letter of resignation; July 10, my first day at the new job;
June 18, the day I turned in my letter of resignation; July 10, my first day at the new job;
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting a new job
Getting a new job
9. What was your biggest failure?
I can't think of anything? That sounds douchey, doesn't it?
I can't think of anything? That sounds douchey, doesn't it?
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope
Nope
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My car - a 2001 BMW. It has needed some stuff repaired on it since I got it and I'm now BFFs with everyone at the local dealer's service department. But in spite of all that, I love it. And it gets like 50-55% better gas mileage than the hoopty truck I was driving before.
My car - a 2001 BMW. It has needed some stuff repaired on it since I got it and I'm now BFFs with everyone at the local dealer's service department. But in spite of all that, I love it. And it gets like 50-55% better gas mileage than the hoopty truck I was driving before.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My sister's kids. All 4 of them are just so fun and cool and awesome and each in such different ways.
My sister's kids. All 4 of them are just so fun and cool and awesome and each in such different ways.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and/or depressed?
Seeing as this was an election year, there is a long, long list.
Seeing as this was an election year, there is a long, long list.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Buying and fixing up a used car.
Buying and fixing up a used car.
15. What did you get really excited about?
New job, new car, hearing that They Might Be Giants is touring again & getting my ticket for next March's show before they sold out.
New job, new car, hearing that They Might Be Giants is touring again & getting my ticket for next March's show before they sold out.
16. What song will always remind you of 2012?
"When Will You Die" by They Might Be Giants. It came out a year or two ago but it was on a CD I listened to a lot while driving to & from work and it is just an awesome song.
"When Will You Die" by They Might Be Giants. It came out a year or two ago but it was on a CD I listened to a lot while driving to & from work and it is just an awesome song.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier
b) thinner or fatter? A teensy bit thinner. But thinner nonetheless
c) richer or poorer? Richer
a) happier or sadder? Happier
b) thinner or fatter? A teensy bit thinner. But thinner nonetheless
c) richer or poorer? Richer
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Reading. Once I switched from riding the bus to work to driving, I lost an hour a day of reading time & I've had a hard time making it up. I need to get it back into my routine.
Reading. Once I switched from riding the bus to work to driving, I lost an hour a day of reading time & I've had a hard time making it up. I need to get it back into my routine.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Sitting on the couch. I had a very sedentary year.
Sitting on the couch. I had a very sedentary year.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
We had J's kids, my mom, my sister & her kids over to our house. I set up some stuff to graze on and we hung out a couple hours. Then later I went to my sister's and my brother came over there.
We had J's kids, my mom, my sister & her kids over to our house. I set up some stuff to graze on and we hung out a couple hours. Then later I went to my sister's and my brother came over there.
21. What was your favorite TV program?
The League, Sons of Anarchy, Archer
The League, Sons of Anarchy, Archer
22. What were your favorite books of the year?
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Holy crap, was that a fun book.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Holy crap, was that a fun book.
The Fault In Our Stars by John Green.
23. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I don't know if I'd call this a great musical discovery, but I can't help singing along to One Direction.
I don't know if I'd call this a great musical discovery, but I can't help singing along to One Direction.
24. What were your favorite films of the year?
The most fun I had seeing a movie this year was Magic Mike, but that was mostly due to the company (Shelly, Kori, Sara & I saw it on our trip to Toledo this summer).
The most fun I had seeing a movie this year was Magic Mike, but that was mostly due to the company (Shelly, Kori, Sara & I saw it on our trip to Toledo this summer).
Two I saw recently on Netflix and loved were Bernie, with Jack Black & Shirley McClaine; and Mary & Max, which is a claymation movie that had me doing the ugly cry like nobody's business.
25. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 39, and I took the day off work and went shopping. Then J & I went out for dinner.
I turned 39, and I took the day off work and went shopping. Then J & I went out for dinner.
26. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If J had had a full-time job. We got by pretty much OK, but being unemployed is stressful, yo.
If J had had a full-time job. We got by pretty much OK, but being unemployed is stressful, yo.
27. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
I don't think I have one, but I did get a little more bold this year. I started wearing skirts & dresses to work occasionally when I got the new job, and the last dress I bought was RED. And I love it.
I don't think I have one, but I did get a little more bold this year. I started wearing skirts & dresses to work occasionally when I got the new job, and the last dress I bought was RED. And I love it.
28. What kept you sane?
Crochet, my cat, twitter, the fact that Nicole is now old enough that she & I can roll our eyes with each other when her dad is being a nut about something.
Crochet, my cat, twitter, the fact that Nicole is now old enough that she & I can roll our eyes with each other when her dad is being a nut about something.
29. What political issue stirred you the most?
This wasn't an issue per se, but the way money was spent on this year's election and the fact that for the most part, the big spenders ended up not being able to buy it anyway, was of great interest to me.
This wasn't an issue per se, but the way money was spent on this year's election and the fact that for the most part, the big spenders ended up not being able to buy it anyway, was of great interest to me.
30. Who did you miss?
Some of my former co-workers. I'm still in touch with a lot of them but mostly through email and I really miss just dialing their extensions to bullshit.
Some of my former co-workers. I'm still in touch with a lot of them but mostly through email and I really miss just dialing their extensions to bullshit.
31. Who was the best new person you met?
Kori & Sara; my friend Paul's partner Justin, who declared us "BFF Besties" about 5 seconds after we were introduced; and some of my new co-workers.
Kori & Sara; my friend Paul's partner Justin, who declared us "BFF Besties" about 5 seconds after we were introduced; and some of my new co-workers.
32. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
If you're gonna go, go big. Buy the red dress.
If you're gonna go, go big. Buy the red dress.
Posted by
Becky
comments (3)
I have half a mind to write a bunch of bullet-point updates to stuff, but I just know that each bullet point would be like 250 words long, and that kind of defeats the purpose of bullets. So, here's a series of unrelated full-length paragraphs:
I got sent to Chicago last week, on very short notice, to train people in a small law office my firm is acquiring. I found out 2 days before I went that (1) several people who worked at the small law office at the time would no longer be working there once it became part of my firm; (2) they would still be in the office when I got there to train the ones who were staying; (3) we were seen as "the Huns coming in to take over" by some of them (words used by my COO in getting me ready for my trip); and (4) I was being sent ALONE. And then I peed my pants.
It all turned out OK, even good. There were several awkward passing-each-other-in-the-hall moments with one dude who was not being kept on, as I had to meet with his secretary, the lawyers in the offices on either side of his, and so on. But that was as bad as it got. THANK CHRIST.
This whole situation did give me the opportunity to make a joke in a meeting that had my boss laughing so hard his face turned red (I told the COO that when she showed up in Chicago on my second day there, I was going to tag her & run out. Not the most hilarious thing ever uttered, but maybe people don't say things like that to her on the reg? Everyone laughed, the boss particularly hard, it goes in the win column for me).
***************
I had another dream about Hot Bill in which we were both perfectly well-behaved, goddammit. I want to shake my dream self and yell at her "YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING IT!!!"
Speaking of Hot Bill, I sent him an email a few weeks ago after I had heard from Paul, who's going through some hard times. He & his husband are separated, but living in the same house - a house they're renting where the one they own is up for short sale in the hopes that they can avoid foreclosure. And he had recently gone through a 30-day rehab of some sort to quit drinking. So I told Bill all this, and he called Paul, and then emailed me back to say it was the saddest conversation they'd ever had and he couldn't cheer Paul up at all. He then wrote "I wish I could FedEx him my shoulder." And then I died.
***************
J got contacted by 2 headhunters last week - the first time he's heard from anyone in MONTHS. One of them is someone he actually used to work with, so hopefully that will give him some kind of edge. He got his resume updated and sent to both of them, and today the former co-worker was going to submit it to one of the coolest companies in the world. I gasped when he told me where it was. So please, please cross your fingers, throw salt over your shoulders, toss a virgin into a volcano... my man needs a fucking J.O.B.
Posted by
Becky
comments (4)
So I've been at the new job a little over 2 months now. For the most part, the new girl feeling has worn off, and I'm still liking it quite a bit. I've visited a few of our offices and met a lot of people and so far, no assholes. So that's good.
I've had so many things I want to talk about that I don't know where to start. So I'm thinking maybe I'll just do a bunch of short posts as I have time (or energy. I am kind of beat by the end of most days). So here goes.
I spent a week & a half in our Toledo office and 2 other guys traveled there with me - Bryan* and Dave. The first time I met Bryan, I really thought he was going to be this job's gay husband. He is very particular about his appearance; he obviously fusses over his hair to make sure it's perfect and he dresses very carefully. He had creases ironed into the sleeves of his POLO SHIRTS FTLOG. Also, he lives in the Gayborhood. But then I found out that he lives with his girlfriend. But then I found out that he has lived with her for 10 years and has no intention of marrying her. So I don't know, maybe I read him wrong, or stereotyped, but maybe the waiters who hit on him made me feel not so off-the-mark.
Bryan is this amazing combination of naive and self-important. He's 29 which is young already but he comes off as about 24, like this is his very first job. But then he talks & acts like he's auditioning for the role of Your Next Boss. I walked in to ask him a question one morning while he was talking to our consultant, and he basically made it into a Team Meeting where we had to come up with a game plan for the day. The day that was pretty much just like every other day, and that he really had no reason to take charge of. He loves the sound of his own voice and he often starts conversations with a statement like "Busy day!" and you're like, "Uh, really?" and if you talk for 5 more minutes he'll make a comment about how quiet it is. So the whole busy thing is really just to let you know how important/busy/integral he is.
Bryan once told a story about how he'd just returned from his "annual" visit to Toledo, and then said "You know, I go about once every 4 weeks." And that about sums him up. For now.
Dave is very cool and very funny and even though he & I work in the same office we hardly ever see each other. He & Bryan & I went out to lunch one day & I was asking them about the hotel they were staying in since it was different from mine. Basically I wanted to know if they got Bravo on their TVs because I would totally switch hotels to get to see Real Housewives. Then I asked if they'd heard of the LodgeNet app - where you can program your phone to remote control your hotel TV. And I said "It's awesome - you don't have to touch that disgusting hotel room remote!" And Dave said, "Well, it's not usually disgusting until I'm done with it." Aaaand, I love Dave.
That's all for now - more soon, but not too much, I don't want to cramp up or something.
*Names changed to protect me if they ever find this blog. I just hope I remember who is who.
I've had so many things I want to talk about that I don't know where to start. So I'm thinking maybe I'll just do a bunch of short posts as I have time (or energy. I am kind of beat by the end of most days). So here goes.
I spent a week & a half in our Toledo office and 2 other guys traveled there with me - Bryan* and Dave. The first time I met Bryan, I really thought he was going to be this job's gay husband. He is very particular about his appearance; he obviously fusses over his hair to make sure it's perfect and he dresses very carefully. He had creases ironed into the sleeves of his POLO SHIRTS FTLOG. Also, he lives in the Gayborhood. But then I found out that he lives with his girlfriend. But then I found out that he has lived with her for 10 years and has no intention of marrying her. So I don't know, maybe I read him wrong, or stereotyped, but maybe the waiters who hit on him made me feel not so off-the-mark.
Bryan is this amazing combination of naive and self-important. He's 29 which is young already but he comes off as about 24, like this is his very first job. But then he talks & acts like he's auditioning for the role of Your Next Boss. I walked in to ask him a question one morning while he was talking to our consultant, and he basically made it into a Team Meeting where we had to come up with a game plan for the day. The day that was pretty much just like every other day, and that he really had no reason to take charge of. He loves the sound of his own voice and he often starts conversations with a statement like "Busy day!" and you're like, "Uh, really?" and if you talk for 5 more minutes he'll make a comment about how quiet it is. So the whole busy thing is really just to let you know how important/busy/integral he is.
Bryan once told a story about how he'd just returned from his "annual" visit to Toledo, and then said "You know, I go about once every 4 weeks." And that about sums him up. For now.
Dave is very cool and very funny and even though he & I work in the same office we hardly ever see each other. He & Bryan & I went out to lunch one day & I was asking them about the hotel they were staying in since it was different from mine. Basically I wanted to know if they got Bravo on their TVs because I would totally switch hotels to get to see Real Housewives. Then I asked if they'd heard of the LodgeNet app - where you can program your phone to remote control your hotel TV. And I said "It's awesome - you don't have to touch that disgusting hotel room remote!" And Dave said, "Well, it's not usually disgusting until I'm done with it." Aaaand, I love Dave.
That's all for now - more soon, but not too much, I don't want to cramp up or something.
*Names changed to protect me if they ever find this blog. I just hope I remember who is who.
