Cubes and Free Shoes

These packing cubes don't fall into any banned item categories, nor were they really allowed for in my "rules," such as they are, but they are for my vacation so... TOTALLY JUSTIFIED!! Yes... 2 sets, 1 in denim, as shown, and 1 in red. I didn't buy them at retail, they were on sale over President's Day wknd, which is why I decided to bite the bullet and snag them while they were cheap.As for the free shoes part of today's confession... well, I was gifted with a pair of leopard print Steve Madden platform heels today. (o_O) They kind of look like the ones below but with a light heel and slightly different front straps. I must say I was taken aback. One of my managers fell in love with them and bought them, but they didn't fit her right so she had me try them on... they fit well on me, so she snuck them under my desk while I was at lunch and told me they were an early present. Hahahaha. I don't know if I really like them that much yet since they're not really my style, but maybe I'll try them on with a few things and see if they grow on me. These were a GIFT, so they so do not count toward my shoe quota. =P I felt the need to to make this public anyway. Dunno why, really...

I've decided to relax my rule a bit. 2 meals out a week irregardless of lunch or dinner. I've found it hard mostly because of work envorment (i've turned them down so much it's starting to become o_O since they don't know the whole AE thing and probably don't need to know about it) so I've decided to make my rule a little more flexible. That being said, I've used up my 2 meals for the week.

INDIAN FOOD, DOGS, CREDIT CARD BILLS

arc here -


Indian Food
Today was the last day that a coworker was going to be a bachelor in the US. We took him out to lunch at Amber in Santana Row. It was there that I discovered one true thing I've learned about Indian food:

- All Indian Buffets Are Created Equal -

The reason I say this is Jade commented how Amber was actually really expensive, but the lunch buffet that they had out was the stereotypical list of food:

• lettuce/salad
• rice
• lentils
• tofu curry
• potato curry
• butter chicken
• tandoori chicken
• rice pudding dessert
  

The only thing that was different and noticeable about this buffet was the sea bass. I have to say the sea bass was swimming (pun intended) in a yellow sauce with onions and incredible spices and flavor. That and Amber's naan kicked fucking ass even though it was cold. Crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside.

But I will never again go to an Indian Buffet - not only did I feel like dying/sleeping/crashing after, it is just the same stuff.


Dogs
Today, I went to fill up my car. I pulled into the gas station, got to a pump and got out of my car.
I looked up and saw a big brown chocolate labrador staring at me with gold eyes. I froze for a second. It was at the pump right across from me, hanging out the driver's side window, paws draped on the door. I looked at the dog for another second before getting to pumping my gas.

I watched the dog for a little bit and realized he was waiting for his owner who went into the shop to buy a soda.

When the owner came back, this is what he said:
"Hey boy, have you been good?"

::head rub::

"Have you been behaving yourself?"

::scratches dog's chin::

"Have you been a good boy?"

::scritches back of ear::

"Get the fuck out of my seat."

::dog jumps into passenger side seat::

That threw me for a loop.


Credit Card Bills
I got my credit card bill for this month.

My December to January Bill was 500 or so, thanks to some last minute spending on shoes, a flash unit and going out to eat.

My January to December bill was 160.
53 bucks was necessary purchases including forced red t-shirt, carpet runner for the car, fastrak transponder, and bread and cheese during a photo trip.
45 bucks was from gas.
62 bucks - recurring netflix and rock climbing membership.

...

Uhhh....booyah?

Considering all my events, food and outings have been fairly constant - this is awesome news :)

I've never been happier to write the check to the Credit Card Companies.

switch

Went to the mall on Sat. to help the paternal unit pick up a gift for the maternal unit for the upcoming Hallmark holiday. Making her happy ensures the day goes by smoothly for everyone... so I volunteered to be the grunt.
Of course, while I was there, I couldn't resist the siren call of the cuuuuute open-toe canvas espadrilles I'd been eyeing for two weeks @ BR, so I bought them without further thought. I had rewards points... so they were 20% off...
Naturally it didn't occur to me until dinner @ Los Cabos with Arc, Toast & the Wen that -oops!- I'd made no allowances for such purchase.
So I stated on the spot that I was swapping the allowance I made for boots for the espadrilles. In the long run, that'll save me money anyway since boots are much pricier than said wedges.

Also, I went into Sephora and didn't buy anything that I wasn't allowed. And there were free samples. How awesome is that? Lemon, aren't you proud of me? I got my brows waxed @ Benefit but that doesn't count... and I resisted their sales pitch too. whoohoo ~ baby steps...

Tired of eating out

Update on where I've eaten last week. It's been finalized that all I spend money on...is fuel for my car, and fuel for myself, so here's a list of last week.

Cheveron Gas for my car.
For myself, I went to Las Vegas with a few of you guys but didn't order anything because I had already eaten at work and you guys over-ordered or something. Friday, I had 'xiao lung bao' at this one shanghai place in milpitas with some friends (their xiao lung bao is really good btw). For lunch I went to Pasta? with my coworkers. Saturday I went to dinner with parents at Aziza. So yup...lotsa eating and lotsa spending on food...-_____-.

Broke my Rule, but I guess it's for the better

Picked up a trackball mouse for use with my left hand at home and moving the current right-handed one to work. I figure that I'd rather spend the $25 now than you know, wait till my arm falls off.

I bought a skillet. No kitchen stuff, yes...but my nonstick everyday pan was getting a little scratched up, and with the added impetus of a lecture on oncology/cancer today...well. $24.95 (originally $80.00) at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-Classic-Non-Stick-Anodized-Everyday/dp/B000EP4AMK/sr=8-6/qid=1171244037/ref=sr_1_6/105-3239219-0417236?ie=UTF8&s=kitchen

I was clicking through the Urban Outfitters Sale section on the website (LOOKING FOR A GIFT, not for myself) and I found the Vans that I've been eyeing.

One step at a time.

Saizo was awesome but yeah, a little pricey...worth it though, it's not like there's a cheaper replacement for izakaya. Unless we cook it all ourselves, but with ingredients (QUALITY ingredients) costing what they do...I doubt it'd be that much cheaper. I also went to the dentist, to the tune of $185.

I got through Sunday and Monday without spending money. Coffee today. I wouldn't mind spending the money on it if I could be guaranteed some consistency. But, alas, the search continues. At least this cup was mostly drinkable. I also hit the grocery store and didn't spend too much on impulse buying. In for spinach & fruit, out with spinach, fruit, canned corn, and corn bread mix.

I made mini corn muffins with ham & cheese tonight for dinner. As a side to dinner really, but I ate five of them. Their awesomeness might only ever be acknowledged by myself, but eh, if I manage to be inspired by something and I like it, that's a success in my book. I think a moment of silence is appreciated as we remember the "Bac-fles" disaster...

Arc, can you explain the stickers? Like...will the DMV get more? Why is it necessary?

And California runs out of Clean Air Vehicle Stickers

motherfuck.

arc here -

Just found out today that the DMV has run out of clean air vehicle stickers for hybrids.

What sucks even more donkey balls is that to have been able to get the stickers for my car, I would've had to have gotten into an accident EARLIER.

Which just brings me to this point:

AllState Indemnity Corporation needs to fucking call me back. I have questions about the money they owe me for my loss of use and my medical bills. I've been calling them non-stop since yesterday, and to no avail.

We'll see how long this bullshit keeps going - if Miki Hirasawa just learned to read red from green and left from right, I wouldn't be a whining little bitch about the little issues that don't cosmically matter.

Ditto

I was going to put up a post...but arc beat me to it, so not much to post. I mean...we did the SAME damn things that day....with the exception of the extra burger needed to make me full that night. I swear...every time I've done izakaiya, I've needed 2 meals.

-theJade

Recent Spendings

arc here -

Saturday was the day for spending. ON FOOD. I ate all 3 meals, full fucking tilt.

And I gotta say, it was FUCKING AWESOME.

Jade, Toast and I went to Sutro Baths to take pictures and ate breakfast at the new China Town on the west side of SF.

A breakfast of chicken and mushroom porridge, BBQ pork bun, egg tart and walnut cookie (THAT'S FUCKING RIGHT, WALNUT COOKIE FTW) was 4.70, total. I'm going back there this Saturday for both photos AND breakfast.

Lunch was at a Chinese Bistro in Millbrae that Jade frequents. Had a baked pork chop spaghetti dish that was extremely filling. That was 10 bucks including tax and tip.

Dinner was at Saizo - an izakaiya place in Sunnyvale.
A LOT of people went - heck...I think everyone on this blog went.
Consequently everyone spent about 30 bucks on dinner. (50 for yours truly - thoroughly enjoyed the sake and calpico-hi :) )

And while it felt like my wallet was dying, I was SO HAPPY. SO SO HAPPY.

Next purchase - $8 bucks for my High Occupancy Vehicle stickers for my Prius.

What's the point of getting a Hybrid if I'm not taking advantage of all the fringe benefits?