blog

To cook more. But to put more of a fine point on it, to cook something interesting at least twice a month, hopefully once a week. By interesting, I mean something creative, not hard per se, but doing something out of the ordinary or never tried by me before. Like baking bread or making pasta, stuff like that. Hopefully, I can start adding again to my recipe collection. This week: butternut squash ravioli. Cross your fingers!

As Sunday comes to a close, I feel that somehow over the xmas holidays I managed to both find time to relax and time to get things accomplished. Though I am never ready to get back to the grind. It feels like there is still a lot left to do, but hopefully my new found motivation will lead me to getting most of that to-do list done even while not on holiday.

Heather and I spent the day cleaning out each others closets, getting rid of the clothes we just don’t wear anymore. I’ll admit it’s easier having someone help encourage you to do the right thing and get rid of that super pink skirt or to try and see old clothes in a new light. Of course this led to cleaning out all the shelves in the closet and every other drawer of mine in the apartment. It’s always hard at first to get rid of stuff, but I find after awhile it gets easier and in the end it’s very freeing to see this pile of stuff on the floor and a lot more space in your life. I’ve been struggling lately with this whole concept of having stuff and why we feel this compulsive need to have so much of it around. My goal is to become more minimalist but only in the loosest sense of the word. I’m sure it takes a whole lot of baby steps to get there, but for now I’m happy with the amount I’m getting rid of. Now the key is to not replace it with new things.

Muni came out with these cards called Translink to hopefully make our lives easier. Essentially, you put money on your card and every time you get on the bus just scan it on a machine and your bus fare is automatically deducted. No longer do you have to scrounge for change! You would think this would be the solution to all my problems and it is, when it works. Today I got on the bus and tried scanning my card and it wouldn’t work. The bus driver told me it wasn’t working and looked at my expectantly. I flat out told him I had no money for the bus fare and still he continued to look at me. I just shrugged as if to say, what do you want me to do. He finally just grumbled and while I’m not entirely that he was giving me the go ahead to sit down he definitely didn’t stop me when I did so. So while I think Translink is an awesome idea, it has to work. Otherwise Muni is going to lose a lot of money either because people won’t use the new and expensive system or people won’t be charged for fares all the time.

I thought perhaps if I throw them out there it actually might make me commit…

• write a three sentence blog post everyday (sorry if you’re anti!)
• take photos of blue ceramic cat almost daily (see the previous post)
• actually finish all my projects on my list as of today
• commit to the gym or some other regular fitness routine

• My landlord doesn’t know the zip code to their own property. Please make sure you corrected it, I still am getting mail with the wrong zip code, the mailman must think I’m retarded! 94107…
• There is an apartment I pass on the way to the train that has a blue ceramic cat sitting on the porch behind a gate. Every once in awhile it changes positions. Do they do this so it seems more real??

Originally this post was going to be an anti “do NOT fly US Air” type post, but I realized that saying that is slightly unfair. I instead decided to make this a more general “why airlines suck now” post and use my knowledge gained from flying four different airlines on my travels to Portland, Indiana, and back home. The contenders are Alaska, US Air, Northwest, and United. I know a lot of you already know I have supreme flight status on United and am very biased towards flying them but I’m trying to come from the perspective of the average person on United since that was what I was on the other airlines. To sum, for those who are impatient and don’t like my long winded monologues, Alaska wins by far. Now for those who are not so impatient…

I think US Air was by far the worst but the other two weren’t far behind. While I was expecting a checked bag fee on all airlines, the whole thing annoys me to no end. I feel like it’s so sort of conspiracy against passengers to limit the amount of liquid they can carry on a plane and yet they have to pay to check it. And we all know there is enough liquid in all of those 3ozs bottles in our plastic baggie to make a bomb. Aside from my personal feelings, Alaska was the only airline who does not charge for your first bag, kudos to you!! While in general the fee was only $15, some airlines are going to be raising it and some are even wanting to charge you more if you check your bag in person versus online.

The two things I was not expecting was 1) to pay to choose my seat 2) pay for drinks (and no not the fun kind). On both Northwest and US Air, if you wanted to pick certain seats you had to pay for it. Northwest charged as much as $35 for an exit row seat, and keep in mind this is per leg of flight. I’m not sure what United does in regards to this as I have my status. Alaska comes through once again and lets you pick your seats for free.

The only airline that actually charged for beverages was US Air. You can imagine my surprise when I learned this little tidbit, $2 for anything liquid including water. I did learn a small loop hole which is if you want to go green and keep some green ask for tap. They aren’t allowed to deny you water. Spread the word and help prevent peopl