I don't like to brag, I don't like to boast, I just tell em I like toast

I have a confession to make. But I feel that before hearing this confession, you need to know some history.

If you will recall, I've only had roommates since June. This has required some adjustments on my part, especially when it comes to common areas. You know, things like agreeing on a temperature at which to set the thermostat, whether we're sharing food, what to say when a roommate hears you having sex, whatever.

Anyway, some of these adjustments have affected me from time to time. Like waking up trying to strip because it was so hot in the apartment.

But the one that surprised me the most happened before work one day. Before I leave, I like to make a little something to eat for on the way. That way I can sleep a little longer and still get to work like normal.

One of the first mornings we were all living together, I put two pieces of bread in the toaster. Whole wheat toast! and juice! is one of my favorite quick breakfasts, if you can believe that. So I'm busying myself around, getting my juice, snagging the butter from the fridge, setting the paper towel on the counter.

I heard the toaster pop up and turned to grab the butter knife, but then had to stop. From the depths of this delightful contraption, where I usually find a mostly nutritious breakfast, I saw a great disappointment. In place of my toast were two charred briquettes. I didn't quite know what to do. I don't like burnt toast. At all. It actually kind of grosses me out. Similar to people on camping trips who think the best way to cook a marshmallow is by setting it on fire. Ew. If I want to taste something burning, I'll stand over a bonfire, thankyouverymuch.

When I got to work, I discussed this issue with a coworker. We determined that I had a roommate who was a premature toaster. That she would be in a hurry, push the lever down, and prematurely cancel the toast to speed the process along. This works as well as baking a sheet of cookies for 10 minutes at 500 degrees, versus 20 at 350. Which is to say it doesn't.

And it was at that moment I realized what I am about to confess to you now. I hope that you do not judge me too harshly, and accept that I am human, and thus, fallible.

So here goes.

I am a toast racist.

I know, I know, the shock must surely be getting to you all right now. But I can't help it.

I don't like toast that's too dark. It's like eating burnt driftwood.

I don't like toast that's too light. It's like eating stale bread.

But toast that's just right? The perfectly browned slice of heaven, still warm enough to soak up all the buttery goodness and hold it tightly until I take that first bite? Well that my friends is just glorious.

Friends, friends, friends, friends, how many of us have them?

I had originally intended to write all about my birthday weekend today. But an email I received this morning made me decide to put it on hold until later this week.

Today I got to work, opened my email, and was absolutely blown away to discover that a friend of mine is getting divorced. She's been married since July. This July.

The choice wasn't her's. I won't go into more details than that, but I am beyond displeased with the situation.

I don't know what I can do for her besides listen, and the "fix it" part of my brain is SO not ok with that. It makes things even more difficult with her living in CollegeTown, three hours away.

My heart is broken today for her.

But dammit, didn't she make an absolutely beautiful bride? I think so too.

Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes, how do you measure a year in the life?

So because I never really celebrate blog anniversaries, or number blogs completed, etc, it's sometimes difficult to gauge just how things have changed or how time has progressed. Yet, there is a day every year that makes it impossible to forget that time is in fact moving forward and not back (though my friend Leprechaun still tries to say that he's aging backwards a la Benjamin Button). That day every year is obviously my birthday.

This year people have made a relatively big deal about it. They say that 25 is worthy of a big celebration. I don't necessarily disagree, but I haven't had big celebrations ever. The Nurse's (did I ever mention she was my roommate now? Because she is) friend Casper and my friend DG both offered to plan festivities with one stipulation. I was not allowed to try to find out what was going on. So I have no clue. None. And the only thing anyone has been telling me is, "Don't worry, you'll have fun." I'm sure I will, but dammit, not knowing is frustrating. I blame my mother for these control freak issues. And I've told her so.

Anyway, celebrations aside, last year I wrote this list about the things that made me smile. What has been on my mind lately is just how drastically some things changed over the last year. I don't really speak to DCLawyer anymore, my cousins and niece have gotten so much bigger (the baby cousin in that picture? Yeah, he's the one dressed as an Ewok from two posts ago....fat, fat baby), and politics aren't at the forefront of my brain.

So I figured that this year, I'll do my best to write out 10 things that have changed in the last year. Here goes.

1. I moved. In with roommates. One is amazing. One is ok for the most part.

2. I got a permanent job with my company. No more worrying about employment being terminated without warning, benefits, vacation. I work very hard, and I also do my damndest to keep in mind just how fortunate I am to be in this position. I mean, I'm 25...and I have a pension. Weird, right? I don't take for granted what I have, and I will do whatever I can to keep it.

3. I lost a best friend and gained a best friend. I've only spoken to Chevelle once since Labor Day. It's sad to think about not really being friends with someone you have been for nearly a decade. But at the same time, I gained a best friend in DG. She's been an absolute amazing friend, and back in September she moved home to Chicago. But she will be here this weekend. Today actually. Holy shit, she'll be here today!!!

4. My waistline changed. After a workout challenge with my family, I lost an inch off my true waist and two inches off the "innertube" part of one's body. That compounded with my being able to work out 6 days a week for three months and not have my knee blow again pretty well made my October.

5. My zune upgraded from my pretty pink 8G to a more adult (I guess) black 30G. That's a lot of freaking music. A lot of freaking GOOD music.

6. I've found new favorite beers and have learned that I LOVE beers from Germany. Love them. My favorite of the ones I've found recently is called a Franziskaner hefeweizen, with the Tucher coming in second. Love me some wheat beers.

7. Four of my close friends have gotten married (with another one tying the knot in December). And I've been able to be there for all of them. As cynical as I may be sometimes, these weddings were beautiful and gave me maybe a dose of optimism that I needed.

8. I went back on birth control. And woah buddy, that first month was ridiculous. I think I called Nic or DG at least twice a week in tears for no good reason. I believe one call to DG was because someone had honked at me, and I had collapsed into a complete mess. I mean, if that doesn't scream mental stability I don't know what does. I'm much, much better now. I feel normal and don't have the desire to rip the face off of anyone who so much as looks at me wrong.

9. I met and became friends with one of the most well-known radio DJs in St. Louis. He's one of the coolest guys I know.

10. I had the time of my life. This summer, even with as busy as it was, stacks up to one of the best summers ever. Since I got out of college, I don't really think of years in terms of semesters and summer break, but there was something about the warm weather this year that brought out quite a bit of fun. All the road trips and baseball games and family events and spending time with some of the coolest people and best friends a girl could ask for, well, it made for some memories I'll cherish forever.

Also, in case there was ever a debate, see how big my niece is getting? Adorable, isn't she?

I'm a loser baby, so why don't you kill me?

I lied.

Work is swamped today, so my actual thoughtful post will be tomorrow.

Bah ba badadababaaa, badadababaaa, badadadum

Star Wars theme, get it? No? It is, I promise.

And I used this title because LOOK HOW FREAKING CUTE MY COUSIN IS AS AN EWOK!!! His older siblings were Darth Maul, Obi Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Princess Leia. And were almost as adorable as this. Those cheeks!! I could munch them right off. Not kidding.

If you recall, I do in fact love Ewoks, and once drunkenly asked my step-dad for one for Christmas.

Also, I'm trying really hard to post more. I've been called out here and on facebook (thanks Spiff), so I'm working on it. Not daily, but hey, whatever works, right?

Right.

I promise to have one tomorrow. Promise.

Food, glorious food

Show of hands from everyone who is so very excited for Thanksgiving?

Yeah, me too.

I mean, there can't be anything better than absolutely gorging yourself on Mama's best home cooking, right? Right. But this year is shaping up to be different. Why? Because I'm an adult. Who doesn't live at home. And has a decent paying job. You might be wondering how that is different from the last two Thanksgivings. Mostly it stems from me saying, "Hey, do you need me to bring anything?" Whoops. Apple pies, here I come.

Anyway, because I so love the holiday foodstuffs, I have been thinking about lots of foodstuffs in general. Now, I try to eat relatively healthy. Not the whole organic route (that's a different rant entirely), not the low fat varieties (ew), but just healthy. And I've found that being in the stores, trying to stay healthy, leads me to observe what other people are buying.

I love when I walk past an obvious bachelor. Frozen pizzas and a six pack of beer. Nice. For the record, that was my Saturday night, so no judgement here. I'm just saying. It does, though, make me wonder what people think when they look in my basket. Orange juice? Where's her vodka? Macaroni and cheese with dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets? Someone has a child at home. Brownie mix, two bottles of wine, and a bag of mini Reese's peanut butter cups? Ooh, don't talk to her for the next week.

Well, as is normally the case, this train of thought just takes off. Completely. Towards the various personalities we assume patrons of different food establishments have. Taco Bell at 3 in the morning? They're coming home from a bar. Taco Bell at 3 in the afternoon? Well, they're just unhealthy. Or at least that's what I'm assuming they're thinking. After a particularly strong craving for a certain cheesy gordita crunch, I found myself driving away from the building averting eye contact with anyone and everyone. Like, ooh, don't look at me, I'm unhealthy. Who cares that recently I've been working out six days a week? Who cares that I'm at probably my healthiest weight in years? I am a Taco Bell purchaser, thus unhealthy.

No, this probably doesn't make any sense, but think about it. There are certain places, certain foods that have one stereotype or another attached to it.

Stereotype for Thanksgiving?

Who cares. Those mashed potatoes are mine.

Holiday, celebrate

So, I found out just this week that all three of my best friends will be here for my birthday.

Let the celebration commence.