Recent Obsessions: Podcast Mania!

This photo has nothing to do with my post. Don't judge, it's almost the weekend and I'm gettin' antsy!

I love my new job. It tends, though, to be research and email heavy. This means that if I don't watch it while I'm working I'll basically fall into a meditative-like trance that numbs my mind.

What's been my savior the past few weeks? Podcasts!

I've been hearing about these things for years, but had never listened to one. But then, back in January, I found Girl on Guy, a podcast from comedian and talk show host Aisha Tyler.

I was immediately addicted.

There are literally tons of podcasts out there, but here are the ones keeping me sane as I research my days away.

1) Girl on Guy: Funny, profane, insightful discussions with Tyler and a host of actors, comedians, chefs and other public figures.

2) The Mental Illness Happy Hour: Oh. My. God. Anyone dealing with any kid of mental issue (depression, panic disorders, sexual dysfunction, schizophrenia...) or dealing with someone else who has mental issues WILL FIND SOMEONE ON THIS PODCAST WHO HAS SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I think this podcast is really important for people who feel fucked up, alone and unsolvable.

3) By the Way: One of the best parts of this podcast is listening to host Jeff Garlin's insane laugh as he talks to famous friends. The episode with Conan O'Brien is a hit.

I have to say, one of the best parts about these conversations is hearing how accomplished people (many of whom had horrible backgrounds or are living with psychological troubles) got to where they are and hearing about their creative process.

Here's another list of the podcasts I'm hoping to get into soon.

1) Nerdist
2) Star Talk Radio Show (what can I say, I'm an astronomy/physics geek)
3) Channel Surfing (I'm also a TV geek)
4) WTF with Marc Maron

Give some of these links a try when you have a tedious task to complete or even when nothing good is on TV. You won't be disappointed.

Recent Obsessions: Kimbra

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I pride myself on finding new music and rediscovering old musical favorites. This is one of the reasons I started doing Music Monday; to help some of the artists I enjoy find new fans and to keep a curated list of songs/bands/music I love. I'm confident that something we'll never run out of is new music to listen to!

I stumbled across Kimbra last week while goofing off on YouTube. She's either from Australia or New Zealand (I'm getting conflicting Google reports on that), but it really doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is her amazing voice and unbelievably cool songs.

Right now there's only an EP available in North America, but you can best believe I'll be keeping an eye out for when her CD goes on sale here. Take a look, listen, and be awed:

Recent Obsessions: Scott Naturals

I know it seems odd to become obsessed with a roll of paper towels, but dammit! These are awesome!

HUBS and I had been using generic paper towels after becoming addicted to Viva but giving them up to save some household supply dough. I was shopping at Walgreens and saw that they had a six pack of Scott Naturals for $4, so I figured trying them out wouldn't be a big deal.

I was wrong. It was a huge deal! I've found the perfect paper towels, people!

At first, I hated them. They are as hard as the day is long, my friends. But, it turns out that that's a feature instead of a bug. I'd advise against wiping your mouth with them unless absolutely necessary, but they are amazing for:

1) Hand washing dishes
2) Scrubbing the stove
3) Cleaning cat barf off the carpet
4) Wiping down dirty kitchen walls
5) De-grubbing baseboards
6) Carrying cat kibble

I'm sure there are more uses that I haven't thought of yet. The key thing you should know? You can wet them and scrub away for several minutes before the barest hint of a tear will appear.

I know. AWWWWESOOOOOOOMMMMMMME.

Recent Obsessions: 100% Dark Amber, Bitches!

Did you guys know about real, 100% pure maple syrup? What? You did? And you didn't tell me!? Geez...and I thought we were friends.

When I heard on Dr. Oz that the real stuff has all kinds of nutrients and other goodnesses (yes, that's what I said) I decided we could at least give it a try. The problem was that the real stuff is kinda expensive as food items go.

They can't just throw some high fructose corn syrup, maple essence and caramel color together to get it. Oh, no. They've got to tap a tree at the right time of year and then clean out the nature gunk, or some such shit. That takes work, so you have to pay for it.

Well, we finally had the cash and low syrup reserves last week to spring for the real stuff. Let me tell you, if you don't know. That. Is. Some. Awe. FUCKING. SHIT! It was better than any stupid 'pancake syrup' I've ever had. And it wasn't just syrupy. It tasted like there was nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon and other spicy goodness floating around in there. Just...so so so so so damn good!

I don't believe I can go back to the fake stuff. No sir.

Recent Obsessions: Pinterest

Websites start up all the time, and I usually roundly ignore them. I mean really, how many faux-social sites do I need in my life? Facebook, flickr, You Tube, Blogger, MySpace, Friendster (Does anyone pay attention to that one anymore?), Kaboodle...

I generally believe enough is enough when it comes to this stuff. But...last week I was reading one of my blog faves and she wrote about Pinterest. It works much the way I suspect tumblr does; you put a thingie (I know, real technical) in your Internet favorites bar, and then every time you come across a pic of something you like online you can Pin It, save it to a Pin Board you create and keep it forever and always.

I joined up a couple days ago because I frequently save web pages to my favorites when all I want is one image. Really? I'm quite enjoying having all my web faves in one spot. Give it a shot, you might find you like it.

Tuesday Tipday Wednesday: For Your Kitchen, Or, Home Ownership Can Drive You Batty

Monday's exhausting night led into an even more exhausting Tuesday. A two and a half hour nap was brought on by what can only be described as Home Repair Despair.

As I was feeding the stray cats that morning, a neighbor pointed out to me that (wait for it...) our gutters were falling down! Looks like last week's snow has melted and refrozen just enough to clog our gutters and then drag them down from the heft. The panicked anger that followed really cannot be described.

After I found someone to come out and do an estimate, I called PT to vent and broke down like the champ I am: crying hysterically, yelling, pacing the floor and barely speaking coherently from all the not-being-able-to-quite-catch-my-breath. Why so freaked out, you wonder? Well, last weekend I was setting about fulfilling 2011 goal #5, when I did the math and realized that after paying off all those credit card bills last fall, HUBS and I will still be behind (by $32.20) when the 401k money runs out.

This means that we will, once again, have negative cash left after paying all our bills. No money for groceries, toothpaste, cat food or entertainment. None. So, once the 401k train has left the station, we'll be fucked yet again. And now we have a home repair to attend to. I was hoping it would cost no more than $120, but I can deal with the $385 first estimate to replace all the gutters with stronger ones.
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Well, on to today's tippy goodness. I told you last week how much I've come to lovelovelove Mad Hungry? Well, there's been one negative side effect: I think I'm addicted to cookbooks, because now I want every cookbook ever written. EVER.

I have spent countless hours since buying MH trolling Amazon for other cookbooks. I'm reading reviews and excerpts, comparing prices at other sellers and getting giddy from the thought of buying them. Now, since I haven't actually finished MH, I have been able to restrain myself and haven't bought a single thing. But, if chopping, peeling and measuring is your idea of a good time, today's tip comes courtesy of my current cookbook wish lists above and below.



So, what cookbooks do you love?

Recent Obsessions: Man V. Food!

I guess I don't need to tell you that eating is very important, and that eating well is even more important. Now, something that's necessary for the soul, if not always the body, is a good, curative, fun meal out.

You know that feeling you get when you walk into a restaurant with the perfect ambiance for your mood and perfect company by your side. You get a really good waitress or waiter, someone who knows how to walk the delicate tightrope that is attentiveness minus cloying-ness. You look at the menu and everything sounds so good it's hard to decide. But when you finally do, and the meal arrives deliciously piping hot before you, isn't it bliss? Like, one of the best things that's ever happened to you?

HUBS and I love going out to eat at what we like to call bring-me-some-food-bitches-! restaurants. (FYI, we would never say that to someone who could defile our victuals.) Being waited on is a nice feeling that most of us don't get to indulge in all that often. Combine that luxury with good (preferably inexpensive) food and you've hit the foodie mother lode.

In the weeks since Thanksgiving, where I was reintroduced to Man V. Food via my mom's cable subscription, I have watched at least two episodes on Netflix view-it-now almost every day. Except for that one day when I watched eight. In a row.

Here is why I love this show: it's the perfect combination of travel, food porn and awe. The host visits three different eateries per city and always ends with a ridiculous food challenge guaranteed to either entertain or horrify. Above is the first part of his visit to my hometown, St. Louis, and below is the second half. I hope everyone who loves eating out loves my recent obsession. Enjoy!