Blinky Lights and Shiny Objects

The forecast for tonight includes 4 to 8 inches of snow. March: in like a lion, out like a Laser Alien Mutant Bovid.

On the countertop: five over-ripe bananas left over from the bunches I brought into work for my birthday. In my cookbook collection: "Perfect Light Desserts: Fabulous Cakes, Cookies, Pies, and More Made with Real Butter, Sugar, Flour, and Eggs, All Under 300 Calories Per Generous Serving" . On page 77: Banana Loaf Cake , which uses EXACTLY 5 bananas. I followed the recipe as written, but didn't have the right size loaf pan. So, I used a muffin scoop to portion into 17 cupcakes instead, reducing the baking time to 30 minutes. HOLY COW THESE ARE GOOD!

Yesterday we watched Robocop - the unrated version - on Blu-ray over at the Pikafoop abode. That is an obscenely violent and completely gross movie. I was a little concerned I'd get nightmares. Last night I dreamed that I had gone on a trip to explore a jungle canyon and had FORGOTTEN my CAMERA.

In anticipation of my new computer arriving next week, I've been downloading programs ahead of time. I plan on using the downgrade option to XP Professional, and also adding a Linux partition. Here's what I've got collected so far: Ubuntu and Kubuntu (I'll try both from the Live CD before choosing which one to install) Bibble Pro for both Windows and Linux (already have it on Mac, they set up the licensing so you only pay once per user for Pro) Adobe Reader for both Windows and Linux AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition iTunes 8 (my Mac running 10.3.9 is stuck at iTunes 7 ) Mpix publishing software Flickr Uploadr Lego Digital Designer TI-89 Titanium applications (NERD!) Firefox Thunderbird I tried to download the Google Pack , but was repeatedly thwarted because I am using my Mac. Google kicks you out of the Windows download area and into a " here's what works on YOUR computer, loser " area if you aren't on a Windows computer. I sent a "suggest...

Big shopping score tonight: This KitchenAid blender at our local Bed Bath and Beyond has a price tag of $119. I used a 20% off coupon from the mail for $24 off. I used three Discover cash-back bonus gift cards for $75 off. AND there is a $20 rebate on the model right now. $24 + $75 + $20 = $119 so I just had to pay sales tax. Banana-Oatmeal smoothies for breakfast tomorrow! (My old el-cheapo blender is no longer with us after an ice-cube and frozen-berries mixture didn't blend .)

DSCN1745 Originally uploaded by prismglass Cozumel was AMAZING. I managed to spend time actually relaxing on an actual beach with an actual tropical drink in my hand. San Miguel is a vibrant, friendly town, fun during the day and still hopping at night. We got to see one of the Carnival parades on our last night there. Hotel Flamingo worked out really well for us. We will NEVER go on a cruise, based on the behavior of the passengers on land and our reaction to a particularly rough ferry ride. I spoke some Spanish, and some Spanglish, but mostly English. Getting pesos out of the ATM and using those instead of USD saved us a lot of money. Plus, we realized that a bottle of beer was cheaper than a bottle of water at restaurants. I ate fish, shrimp, fish wrapped in banana leaf, shrimp stuffed inside a chile relleno, fish tacos, guacamole, and "Mexican salsa, very hot." You'll even see a few pictures of the cats at the seafood restaurants, begging at the tables for s...