TAN #203: TANese New Year - Horsing Around (Page 68)

MOST people are.  Most people don't talk about what's REALLY the problem.  They won't say "I'm feeling ignored or stressed or alone which makes me sad and anxious".  They say "YOU TRAIN TOO MUCH AND DON'T FOCUS ON US!".  Then we think the training is the problem.  I always TRY to think of what the message REALLY is about - even though most of the time I just react and go with what is being said - training too much - then argue about that.  People tend to be reactionary when there is confrontation.  KNOWING to look at the cause instead of reacting to something said is much harder to implement than to talk about.  But I try.

I was a slow learner and my dad was a great example which I failed to notice.  It really is the little things that make a difference...

When I sense the wife is stressed, just a text saying "I'm proud of the hard work you do", or "your the best/most amazing such and such" (or whatever adjective you want) means a lot.  Flowers or some other fun gift - nothing too big.  Who doesn't like a gift out of the blue?  Spa day?  Couples massage (which is great for you too)...  Do something to take the load off that maybe you don't already do?  Cook or laundry? 

I'm shocked to see what a simple heart felt text can do to make the wife feel better when she is "losing" it.  Today, for example.  The wife has 4 gigs.  Gong to be a long day for her.  Part of me thinks, "well, she brought it on herself".  BUT, a text telling her how amazing and hard working she is and I'll have some good leftovers waiting for her?  Takes no time, costs nothing.  Suddenly I'm the best, most supportive husband EVER she brags about!

I'm not the kind that says you need to sweet talk or buy your way into peaceful situations, but the well timed text or flowers for no reason?  WIN...  Those are the things that would show you DO take an interest in her.  We take people for granted a lot.  Sometimes I forget what a good thing I have and think if I lost her, what would the last thing I want her to hear be?  What would I say if we were dating and trying to win her?  It's easy to let the normal day to day "wonderfulness" go unnoticed and focus on the stupid problem de jour - but I TRY to not let that happen.

Man, I'm rambling today.  Slow day at the office.

i won't touch either.  ribs SHOULD have bones in them.  i'm not quite sure what the McRib and BK rib are made of...

i DID go to mcdonald's for the first time in maybe 5 years last night.  i got an oreo mcflurry and it was awesome.

I'm on a culinary win streak over the last few days.

Last night?  High end Asian fusion bistro which served an amazing Lobster Pho...  Market price, so pricey, but oh so good.

The other night though?  Stuffed Salmon (I wish I could take credit, but I bought them pre prepared), baby spinach salad, then thought to add a teaspoon of old bay seasoning to the Quinoa while it cooked.  YUM!

Then to top it off, I created a Mezcal cocktail.  2oz tequila, 1oz roses, 1 oz triple sec, half oz mescal.  (Basically a margarita).  If you haven't tried Mezcal, it's a blue agave spirit but the agave is charred/smoked at the beginning of the process.  SO, if you can imagine chewing on a burnt match, that's basically what you get.  So yeah, an acquired taste (or love it or hate it), but that smokiness counter balances the sweetness of the other ingredients.  SO YUMMY!

OK, so tell me this.  How is it that I never even HEARD of quinoa until a couple years ago and now it's all over the place.  Has it been around and no one considered eating it (save the tree huggers!    )the first 42 years of my life?

This sounds like a whole lot of deliciousness!  

Interesting about the Mezcal flavour... something I'd like to try, but I don't think I'd buy a bottle of the stuff just to see if I like it... 

I've been eating quinoa for years - but Vancouver can be a pretty granola-y city, which is where I first had it. 

I can't believe I've actually got a race coming up... in a month and a half! 

Hopefully my swim will go somewhat better than this:

Swim

I usually don't click on links at work but I have NOTING to do today.  Weird week...  But that was good.  I would be laughing like his friend had I seen that.  That's crazy...

This sounds like a whole lot of deliciousness!  

Interesting about the Mezcal flavour... something I'd like to try, but I don't think I'd buy a bottle of the stuff just to see if I like it... 

I've been eating quinoa for years - but Vancouver can be a pretty granola-y city, which is where I first had it. 

Love me some quinoa.   I think it's popularity has risen dramatically in recent years due to articles in 'bon appetit' and 'Saveur' (and other similar magazines).

The 'quinoa putanesca' recipe that I'm pretty sure was posted in a TAN last year is absolutely incredible.

By the way, lunch with the GF today, lots of good talking.... all things are worked out.  It was really just a variation on what Kido was saying - the training wasn't the issue, it was that she felt that I felt the training was more important than her.  All part of learning each other, I suppose. And learning to communicate.

By the way, lunch with the GF today, lots of good talking.... all things are worked out.  It was really just a variation on what Kido was saying - the training wasn't the issue, it was that she felt that I felt the training was more important than her.  All part of learning each other, I suppose. And learning to communicate.

I just feel flushed and warm and like it's nappy time...  Know that feeling?

After a few glasses of wine...

Come to think about it.  It IS remarkably close to after a double bourbon on the rocks - but without the happy part.  maybe a double bourbon when you are allergic to it?

I also have an achy tooth.  It's like I got punched in the jaw for almost two weeks now and throbs when the heart rate goes up.  I called the dentist and they say I have a regular visit next week and can I wait so I'm giving it a go.  Long story, we THINK we know what the issue is (new crown), but I'm telling you, it feels different and I suspect something more too it.  Joy.

I'm hoping that your tooth and feeling the onset of being sick are unrelated. 

Come to think about it.  It IS remarkably close to after a double bourbon on the rocks - but without the happy part.  maybe a double bourbon when you are allergic to it?

I also have an achy tooth.  It's like I got punched in the jaw for almost two weeks now and throbs when the heart rate goes up.  I called the dentist and they say I have a regular visit next week and can I wait so I'm giving it a go.  Long story, we THINK we know what the issue is (new crown), but I'm telling you, it feels different and I suspect something more too it.  Joy.