Ok, so it's not much of an update--I've been busy, yo! As clearly much of the rest of my neighborhood has been judging by the lull in posts lately. Last night after working out--lifting weights like a weakling--I stopped by Central Market and ordered a little margherita pizza to go for dinner. While waiting I wandered around and over toward the bakery...and I gave into temptation. I bought a loaf of French artisan bread, then started snacking even as I waited for my pizza.

I tore bits off and ate it--the bread, not the pizza--all the way on the drive home. It was so good. So. So. GOOD. The crusty, nutty outside layer and the soft, fluffy white inside. Bite after bite, mouthful after mouthful, was absolute heaven. I ate about half of it.

And then I realized...bread is my favorite food. Not chocolate. Not even my grandma's enchiladas. Just bread, of all kinds and cuisines. Crusty French bread, earthy multigrain country bread, rye bread, wheat bread, pita bread, naan, knobs of shiny Italian goodness, sourdough...you name it, I love it. And I can't help myself. Yes, I admit it.

My name is Vanessa, and I'm a bread-aholic.

And I am so hungry all of a sudden...I think I need some protein.

[Incidentally, in my sleepiness last night I forgot to put the bread in the fridge and just left it on the edge of the counter. This morning I found it on the floor--obviously pulled down my kitties. While it was still in the plastic, I hadn't put the twist tie back on and the possibility that the kitties had been nibbling was too much for even this bread lover to chance. I tossed the rest of it. I shall just have to buy more soon.]

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A day of working from home is almost over. I quieted my hunger (a little) with a yummy bowl of oatmeal. The weather is springy today and should be summery tomorrow--breezy, warm, and perfect for going out on the town. I should be very cheery, but I'm feeling a bit blue...or maybe just tired...but the feeling drove me to sit down and scribble a bit of a journal out and so here I am.

I had planned to try to finish this other project for my consulting gig in the next few hours so I could try to get into Austin by about 9, but right now I'd rather put my pjs on and just relax for a bit before starting to work again, only that will put me behind on finishing the project. What to do, what to do...

PJs are totally winning out. I'd have to be home early anyway. Plus, I did want to try running again tonight, but...ugh, I'm so tired. Of course, tomorrow I'm taking a half day from work to watch a co-worker's band and then intend to stay downtown anyway, and there's no way in hell I'm going to work a run in then, so I suppose it all works out. PJs now, work, run tonight, sleep.

I would also like to get a pizza from Papa Murphy's and eat the entire thing tonight, but I think that is a bad idea from a nutritional perspective. In this lead up to the Cap 10k, and other events I still haven't decided on, I'm trying especially hard to eat really well. I wouldn't call it a diet, but I am definitely wearing a nutritionist hat lately and eyeing everything through a pie chart of fats, carbs, and proteins. The other issue is that I am trying to stay hydrated, so I'm drinking water like it's my job and hitting the ladies room with corresponding frequency.

My apologies for the inane details. I actually do have topics of substance to write about, but I'm just not up to the task right now. Maybe I'll tackle those things on Monday in a sort of weekend-in-review post. 

One new development I'm not too tired to mention...I have started doing yoga in the morning first thing when I wake up. It may sound a little strange, but I like to do it in my master bathroom (which I keep very clean and is of a decent size) where the window faces east and the light increases with the sunrise. I don't put my contacts in or wear my glasses, but instead just run through my routine in semi-blindess. This sensory deprivation seems to make it easier for me to focus and to relax at the same time. It's very curious, but it works wonders for me. So far this week, the thought that I can do some yoga if I can get up in time is what has actually moved me out of my bed on time. Yes, I'm actually getting comfortable with yoga and not feeling like I want to cry when I do it. Of course, my morning routine is very simple and the poses are very modified, but I am looking forward to learning more as soon as I can. Thank you again to electric firefly and shush now for their encouragement a while back.

Ok, well that's all for now. SXSW will have to wait for tomorrow. And since I don't want to cook, I think Papa Murphy's is going to get some of my money in just a little while. I'm not actually going to eat the whole thing tonight though--if I did, I'd miss out on my other favorite way to start the day...cold pizza right out of the 'fridge!

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It's Academy Awards night and I haven't seen a single one of the films that are nominated this year. No really, not a single one--and I'm not talking about the big five, I mean every category. For shame. Oh well, I've been, shall we say, busy. Perhaps I will spend the next couple of weeks catching up, and then stay caught up in the coming year.

I have, however, been reading like a mofo this year, [Side note: What in the hell is up with Travolta's hair? I'm watching the red carpet pre-show and he looks like the old Moss Man action figure from He-Man.] but I've been completely non-committal--you know, reading several books, sometimes half a dozen or more, at a time. One of the books that I picked up a loooong while ago, and then immediately put down, was Eat, Pray, Love. I thought, at first, 'Aw Jesus, a book by a divorcee about a divorce and her journey back from it...I don't need to read that shite right now.' A wee bit reactive and negative, perhaps, but it was probably a good idea not to dive in while the wound was still bleeding. I'm up to my neck in it now, though--the book, that is--and I'm loving it. I highly recommend it if you are interested in any of the following: good food, Italy, religion, yoga, India, love, divorce, good food, men...did I mention good food?

Simple_and_divine

One particular passage inspired my early evening meal today, which I lovingly gathered at the store and then arranged so prettily on the plate that I just had to take a picture--as I'm often wont to do these days. Feast your eyes, my lovelies.

No, I didn't eat everything. I tried, but there was no way. (Plus, it just looked so nice all piled up like that.) At least half the sliced meats went to my doggies, and though I made it through the goat cheese, I left the mozarella mostly alone. The bread and strawberries and most of the asparagus is in my belly, along with some Topo Chico and dark chocolate (not pictured). 

The earlier part of the day was spent running a few errands in the loveliest of Austin spring weather--78 degrees or something like that--and an impromptu meet-up with friends at Birds on Lamar for a trim. (My bangs are no longer impairing my vision like a shaggy dog.) And now I'm vegging on the sofa, watching Jon Stewart, and being thankful that such a simple day can leave me happy and sated.

Ready_for_my_closeup

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