The search for the perfect queso

Apparently, the proprietors of my favorite watering hole have never heard the phrase, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." They've hired a new chef and fancied up the menu. Instead of a basic BLT, there's now the avocado BLT. Instead of nachos -- a pile of tortilla chips smothered in cheese, tomatoes and onions -- there are tostado nachos: three tortilla strips covered in I don't know what because I refuse to order them.

The place has always had a specials board with "fancier" options which I've heard were quite good. Chet's favorite was the cumin-crusted catfish. Oh, he never ordered it. He just liked giving it an alternate pronunciation by moving that hyphen forward two letters. Anyway, word at the bar is that the new chef is trying to make a name for himself. That's all fine and good, but I think he should remember he's at a neighborhood pub. Most patrons are there for alcohol and fat. Perhaps with a side order of cholesterol.

The worst of it is, to my great dismay, they've changed the recipe for what was once the best queso I've ever had. Now it's spicy, but not flavorful, and it comes topped with pico de gallo. Murder for those of us who are avoiding tomatoes.

So, Tuesday I began my quest for the perfect queso. Place #1 was Gloria's. Queso here is good, and the margaritas are super cheap and good. Place #2, which I have visited once and will have to try again soon, is Margarita Ranch. Queso here is great, and the margaritas are good, but not cheap.

I haven't found a store version that is a good enough substitute. The one time I made some at home, it was awful. I'll have to find another recipe. But until then, I'll continue my mission in fine drinking establishments in the area.

He said it

Last night on the phone, Chet told me he loves me. It's official. He mentioned it on Tuesday while we were out drinking, but he said it in the middle of a conversation about how it's been on the tip of his tongue, but he was afraid it was too soon to say it. He almost said it Friday morning, but chickened out. It was, "I love. Oops." Nut.

We were talking on the phone Friday night, and he said, "I love you." I waited a beat, then gasped and said, "You aren't going to say 'Oops'?" He said, "I told you on Tuesday, but you forgot." I said, "I didn't forget. You said it in mid-conversation so that didn't really count." And then, of course, I said, "I love you, too, [Chet]."

Thanksgiving kitty

I made a new addition to the family yesterday. One of the professors at work was giving away kittens, and I decided that Marica needs a pal. Marica isn't so sure that it's a good idea yet, but I'm sure she'll come around.

Say hello to Sophie.

Week 2

Next set of Project 365 pics are up.

Which tarot card are you?

I saw this on Lass's page. My result had so many references to rebirth and moving on I thought it was kind of freaky.

You are Judgment Happiness, Content, Joy. Judgment is related to the Hebrew letter Shin, which is fiery and spiritual. A break from the past, going forward. With Fire as its ruling element, Judgment is about rebirth or ressurection. The idea of Judgment Day is that the dead rise, their sins are forgiven, and they move onto heaven. The Judgment card is similar: it asks the resurrected to summon the past, forgive it, and let it go. There are wounds from the past that we never let heal, sins we've committed that we refuse to forgive, bad habits we haven't the courage to lose. Judgment advises us to finally face these, recognize that the past is past, and put them to rest, absolutely and irrevocably. This is also a card of healing, quite literally from an accident or illness, as well as a card signaling great transformation, renewal, change.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Safe

Okay, I didn't get dumped. Chet called the next morning like nothing happened. We talked about it some last night. I told him that I was worried that he was going to dump me because of that issue. He said that he's not concerned about it. Tonight he said that there's nothing from my past that would make him stop seeing me, unless I used to be a guy. Whew!

Heaven help me

For the first time, I'm honestly afraid Chet is going to dump me. I had to tell him something about my past that I was dreading telling him. It came up in conversation and he asked me directly. I couldn't lie. I have already evaded the truth twice before using my own personal technicalities. Because he asked directly, the use of technicalities was out, but he also discovered said technicalities. He said, "So you distinguished between x and y?" which means he might think I lied.

I asked him how bothered he was by the thing. He didn't really answer. He said he doesn't know why people do that, but everyone seems to. I told him that wasn't really an answer, but I didn't want to press it. I suspect he'll have to mull it over. I'm sure he's disappointed.

I'm scared. I'm replaying this in my head, and I don't think it could have gone any other way. Well, actually I could have told him about it at the beginning when the topic first came up. Then I wouldn't have so much invested. But at that time, I thought it was too soon to share something so personal. A catch-22.

I just know that I couldn't have lied to him. That wouldn't be right. I wonder what he's going to do.

Project 365

My first entries in my Project 365 are up. This has turned out to be a lot harder than I thought it would be. At this point, I'm still trying to come up with something relatively meaningful for each day, but as you'll see I don't always succeed. Something tells me that a few months into this and there will be shots of my feet, the television, or carpet lint just to make the quota.

Anyway, follow my progress here.

Happy Birthday to me!

Yay, I'm 34 today! I don't feel any different. I like birthdays, though, because it means PRESENTS! This is the only day I get to be totally selfish and it's condoned. I like getting Christmas presents, but for the most part I've given as well as (or better than) I've gotten. (Do not lecture me on the joys of giving. I know, I know, it is better to give than to receive, but it's my birthday. Cut me some slack!) I'm neither a mother nor a father, so those days are out. I'm neither a boss nor an administrative professional, so those days are out, too. Valentine's Day? What's that?

So, to repeat, in case you missed it: Today is my birthday and I hope to get lots of good stuff! Ooh, the phone is ringing. Let the birthday wishes begin!