Someplace that's green

I took Jason's Rav4 to Jiffy Lube today to get the oil filter replaced. I left there feeling pretty darn good about my car knowledge. I was right that it takes an extra quart of oil, that it required a special tool to change the filter, and that the transmission fluid was low. Yay! I was chatting with the guy there about my class and learning to change the oil. At the end (the "here's what else is wrong with your car" part), he told me that both air filters need to be replaced, and that I can do that myself, told me where to purchase them, and showed me how to remove the glove compartment and get inside the dashboard to replace the second filter. Neat! I can remove a glove compartment!

Cars are so much cooler when I understand them better. I admit that the thought has crossed my mind that being a mechanic would be a lot more fun than sitting at a desk all day.

Last week in Auto Mechanics class we talked about all the different fluids in cars, what they do, and where to find each of them under the hood. I learned that transmission fluid is red and stinky, and oil is very light colored and not stinky; it only turns black when it gets old and dirty.
This week we learned how to change oil. I got under a car! I love the hands-on style of the class – there are only five of us, so we took turns and each of us did our own while the instructor pointed out differences between the vehicles and answered our many questions. She’s very cool. I don’t think I have ever met a woman who is a professional mechanic before. I had recently taken my car to Jiffy Lube so I brought in Jason’s Rav4 – it was the newest vehicle of any of them and gave us some difficulty. Sadly, we’re taking her to Jiffy Lube tomorrow, since I changed the oil but we didn’t have the right tools to get the old filter out and it needs to be replaced. I also had some trouble reading the dipstick and need practice at that. (How can it be low on one side and high on the other when it’s the same stick?) I am having a lot of fun learning this stuff. I may still take my car to Jiffy Lube, but it’s nice to know that much more about what’s going on in the engine. I now have a roll of those neat blue paper towels for the car to make checking my oil easier. Upcoming topics: changing tires, windshield wipers, spark plugs, and jumping a battery.

I signed up for a class in March about medicinal plants (no not that kind of medicinal, this is Utah) and how to make salves and stuff. It sounds fascinating. This summer I hope to get into an outdoor rock-climbing class. I am hoping that our trips to the gym will make the first day of climbing easier than when I tried it the first time. I’ve only done it indoors on marked routes before so this will be an entirely new challenge.

I decided to work through my muffin recipes and make them all, plus maybe come up with some new ones. I’ve only made one batch so far because I keep forgetting ingredients, but I’ll get there.

In Warcraft, I switched my paladin from Holy to Retribution – I really don’t like healing and I’d rather not keep being asked to. Hitting things with a stick, that I like. :) Plus it is interesting to learn the fights from a different perspective – I have tanked and healed just about everything now, but have not done much dps. I helped to down Festergut in ICC-10, which was pretty cool. I like ICC and will enjoy it a lot more once more guildies know the fights and are geared for them. Getting there slowly.
My DK hit 77 this morning. Only three more levels! Also, only 17k more rep to grind for Exalted status with the Sha’tari Skyguard and the Nether Ray mount and pet. The two February holidays are the last that Jason and I need to complete the “What A Long Strange Trip It’s Been” achievement for the Violet Proto-Drake.

My computer has decided that it hates me and sometimes won’t boot. Today one of those times. I gave up and shut it off and played on my laptop. In between the last not-booting and this one, I plugged in my thumb drive and backed up the most important things that I’d be upset if I lost, just in case I have to wipe the drive or send it someplace to get it fixed. Still a pain though.

Life is treating me well, I am loved, and I am a happy girl.

"My advice for those interested in pursuing photography:
Let people know what you are doing
Have a passion for what you are photographing
It’s not who you are, it’s not who you know – It is who knows you."
~ Pep Bonet, Photographer

Today I decided to use the cake mix that has been in the back of the cupboard since the beginning of time. A while back I saw a magazine picture of a coffeecake that involved a cake mix and a can of cherries, which I happen to have - this came to mind, so I found the recipe online. I thought it was yellow cake (my favorite) and instead it is lemon cake. The end result tastes like Fruit-Loop cake. I haven't decided whether I like it yet but am still eating it so maybe I do. Really I just wanted an excuse to eat the canned cherries some other way than straight out of the can, because it takes serious willpower not to do that. Love the canned cherry goodness.

To convert an Excel Serial Date (40179) into a real date (01/01/2010):

=Text($A$1,"d/m/yyyy")

Also works as the format "yyyy-mm-dd", the dashes are not a problem.

Lemon-Yogurt Grilled Chicken.
( Recipe under the cut. )

matrixleap and hugglemonster, as two writers I think you should friend each other. I am enjoying reading both of your posts; very different styles and perspectives.

Dice!

I couldn't get the lighting quite right but overall mostly happy with the results.

I love you guys.

Subject/First Line of the first (or close to first...) post in each month this year.

January: Sitting at Genie's Cafe waiting for breakfast.

February: Simple Pleasures. (I like this one so much here is the whole entry)
Some simple pleasures this morning:
Hot black tea with honey
Looking up the weather in Honolulu
The strong wet smell of rain greeting me while walking out to my car
Wearing my black boots and purple tank-top
Malt-o-meal for breakfast with brown sugar and cinnamon
My Paladin kicking lots of butt
Friends who are artistic and inspiring
And most especially, Jason being caring and understanding while I am stressed about work, and knowing exactly when I need extra loving to unwind.

March:
Things that make me smile:
Long hugs
Romantic movies
Warm socks
Blazers kicking the Lakers’ butts
Powdery snow
Something I learned today: BBQ sauce should not be mixed with mayonnaise.

April:
It’s beautiful and grey and rainy/snowy outside. I’m stuck at the office and can’t enjoy the nice weather. Sadness! I’m sitting at my desk with no shoes on though and that’s nice. Mentally I am at home with Jason’s soft comfy bathrobe wrapped around me. I am feeling warm and loved.

May:
I got one of my photographs made into a Mother's Day card. My first photo in print!

June: Scattered Thoughts
Firstly, my neck hurts. I am in great need of a long hot bath and a massage.

July: Happy Thoughts
I remembered this morning that this week marks one year since I moved to Utah.

August: "Vacation"
I had a lot of fun in Portland. It's hard for me to do so much with limited time without ending up stressing about all of the other things I'm *not* doing, but I did get to see a lot of people and do all of the things I wanted to. Well, almost all. ;) I admit that I am glad to be home and back to normal.

September: Just Because
Jason brought me flowers yesterday. He loves me!

October: Quiet Apartment
I just got back from dropping Jason off at the airport. I am pretty pleased with myself for driving back home with no directions... and really no idea how to get back, but I figured I don't have to be at work for a few hours at least so not a problem. Turned out it was pretty easy. Super cool lightning storm on the way there, which fortunately lightninged itself out by the time I got home so the planes are safe. Stopped at Burger King for an egg and cheese croissant, as is my tradition when I'm up so freakishly early. Actually I have been up since 3:15, so my brain is confused as to whether to go back to bed or leave for work.
Tomorrow I drive to the airport again, and meet Jason in Florida. Sandy beaches here I come! Tonight is going to be weirdly quiet and lonely.

November: Reading
Wheel of Time book 12 shipped from Amazon yesterday. I am a happy girl. I suspect I'll have to decline some upcoming raids.

December: I'm Alive!
This morning was a bit different than other mornings. I am not used to clearing 5+ inches of snow off of my car… and then driving to work. Today’s drive to work was an adventure.


2009 Summary:
My theme this year is "Life is Good". There are so many things I am thankful for. Hugs to all of you!

Any Portland friends on the west side of the willamette river, do not drink the water. E coli warning on the news for municipal water supply.

I just went to purchase the two Blizzard pets - Little KT and the Panda Monk - and the monk is SOLD OUT. *Cries*

Little KT is mine now.

Wheel of Time book 12 shipped from Amazon yesterday. I am a happy girl. I suspect I'll have to decline some upcoming raids.

Anyone in the Portland area interested in adopting a snuggly cute kitten? A friend of mine rescued them, and they are now 8 weeks old and house-trained.

http://fivelittlecats.blogspot.com/ for pictures and more info about each of the kittens.

SO. CUTE.

This morning I declared today to be Adventure Day. I put on a long flowy dress to cover the sunburned legs, covered yesterday's blister with a bandaid before putting my sandals on, and headed out to see what I could discover.

The grass here is hard to walk in. The blades are very wide and flat like in Hawaii, but it's very spongy and sinks when I take a step, even where it is not wet. I found some little touristy shops and bought myself a cute little purse.

I was walking along the boardwalk when large dark clouds appeared on the horizon; it looked a bit like three funnel clouds to me, but my camera wouldn't pick them up and they slowly lifted up away from the ground so I guess it was ok. The restaurant I was walking past started unrolling heavy plastic sheets and tying them around poles so their outdoor seating became enclosed. The sun went away (celebration!) and it got very windy. All of the flags were standing straight out as if made of cardboard, not even flapping. I took the opportunity to head to the beach for more pictures of the sand. The sun stayed hidden until I was already heading back and had plenty of shade to walk in. Thank you universe! I even saw some of the suicidal sidewalk lizards that Jason told me about.

For a late lunch, I stopped back at that restaurant for fish & chips with a pale ale, which I quickly determined that I liked a lot but didn't drink much since it seems to hit me harder when I have been in the sun. The fish was good, nice little place called Backwater.

Now, back to the hotel to get some rest and possibly do some crossword puzzles.

Article on Portland Time Travel Day. Thanks go to beatnikbetty!

I'm listening to the Les Miserables soundtrack and relaxing. Jason is in the kitchen doing... something... and the apartment smells of fresh basil and roasting garlic. Went out and got a massage today, Jamba Juice, watched Persepolis, lots of snuggling. Discovered the goodness that is fresh figs with dark chocolate. Enjoying every moment. Life is so good.

I am very happy. :)

I really want to give the rest of my small appliances googly-eyes now.

Okay, I give in to peer pressure. I now have a Facebook. Whether I will check it and/or remember the password remains to be seen, but I have one.