Binkomonster!: Mewling

Yep. 3 day weekend, and finally, on the last day, Im on the deck in the morning, with a cup of tea, and the sun shining on my feet. Those them there plants? Yea they aren't dead yet. Hee. No in fact they are growing quite nicely. It's a little on the cool side this morning, but quite comfortable. Taking the opportunity to relax before what we know will be another killer week. Yesterday, finally able to get the castle SCRUBBED clean from top to bottom. Laundry is done. Veepee's quarters are organized. We are set until the new desk comes and we have more upheaval. And today? Cooking at home, going to checkout a new park, and then of course, doing some work later tonight. The castle cleaning was certainly theraputic on a number of levels. The OCD itch got scratched, but more importantly? It allowed a chance to think and reason through all of the anxiety being felt about the new gig for 'tha man'. The anxiety continued this morning of course. For some reason, just reading through email seems to set it off. Don't know why. The formula for success is still the same (boil it down to simplest parts, fix it, make everyone see). Yet for the first time in a long time... there is nervousness. There is the feeling of 'gosh, do I have to do this all myself'? There is the 'oh man, gotta get this done in the next 5 days, YIKES'. And really? These are all self-induced. No one is waiting with a checklist in hand to see it all done by Friday. Well, except maybe for the peer set (but that's another challenge). Maybe it's the fact that the new gig is going to eat away at Binkomonster time, which is more precious than gold, diamonds or platinum these days. The VeePee is picking up new skill sets faster than the blink of an eye, and the desire is strong to not want to miss one microsecond. Ahh the tug. Isn't this what the 'Mommy Wars' are all about? And yet, it is important to skirt the literature and not pay attention. Once you get sucked in, the opposing points of view do nothing more than to create more consternation and confusion, which is not something that is needed right now. Clarity. As much of it as possible. Funny, the thought was 'if we could bottle clarity and sell it, think of the riches!' Yet, in some sense, is that not what 'consultants' and CEOs do? Consultants, Life Coaches, Lifestyle Organizers... this is what they are all shilling no? Decluttering your life, getting down to simplest pieces, and getting to the 'answer'. All for $n dollars an hour. Hmmm.
Last night? Made 4 different (very small) martinis for the CEO.
1. Candy Apple Martini
2. The Can Can Martini
3. Regular Martini
4. Um... don't remember now, some kind of fruity martini..
Numbers 1 and 2 were a big hit. (and that's probably because actual other bottles of liquor were pulled off the shelf to make them... some St. Germain, a bit of Chambord...)
We'll have to do some more experimentation next week. Like say, with some rum (been craving Pina Colada's and Mai Tai's for some reason lately... probably so that we can use those awesome Shag Tiki mugs which are collecting dust).
But for tonight, a nice mellow Chardonnay should do the trick.
And a few chapters of Umberto Eco.
Happy Monday.

For as good as yesterday was, today, well, it's not as good. Short summary? The man. House burning down. Usual crappy fires. The CTO is tired. The saving grace? Home again at the castle, with the VeePee. One sunny little smile and giggle and the weight of the corporate world slides off like dust into a top of the line Miele. Bork-ed one of the fresh starts today (good meals, lots of water, but fell prey to a donut). What is there that can be said? You approach the counter with the best of intentions (how about the granola parfait, or better yet, the fruit cup?) and then, you see it. Sitting there next to the danish. Partially obscured by the walnut bread. A corner touching the almond croissants. The twist donut in all its doughy, fried, sugary coated glory. You are rendered powerless. (Ahem, Ill take one with a decaf latte please?)
The gym is on the menu tomorrow. Promise. All 2 hours of it. Cardio. And weights. And stretching.
Tonight the CEO has promised some kind of 'dinner surprise'. As long as there is a glass of red wine waiting with it, there will be happiness. And we know there is good ice cream hiding in the freezer, and caramel sauce too. Ugh. Must. Stop. Now.
If we could wish for the perfect dinner this evening, it would be this:
Oysters.
With toasted french bread.
Maybe with some butter/garlic.
With a barbecue sauce on top.
And make it about 2 dozen to start.

And what would the meal be without the perfect liquid complement? That of course would be this here:
The Binkomonster Chardonnay. Also known as Pyewacket. The label and romance copy are done and in the hands of expert formatters. Soon, we should be seeing the artwork not just in digital pixel format, but on the bottles as well. And then of course those bottles should be gracing the Binkomonster shelves. We've got 25 cases to work through. That in addition to the remainder of the Monstrus Syrah which at last count stood at 20something cases.