I like to read–mostly fantasy.
Books piled all over the place might give this impression (a partially correct one). Mostly said books are fantasy novels, but I actually read more non-fiction than fantasy. I just usually grab them from the library.

I spend some of my time cooking.
My house is full of spices and oils and all sorts of things that must be combined in order to be consumed. Unless you are strange and like to eat basil straight out of the spice can. I won’t judge.

I love to travel and take photos of said traveling.
So say the photos on my walls and the map in the office.

I am a neat freak, but not a clean freak.
Everything is in its place, but the floor is always dusty.

I can’t grow any plants to save my life.
I have two of those windows that extend outward from the house and allow you to put plants in to soak up sunshine. I use them for books and photos. Never plants.

I’m lazy when it comes to yard work.
True. And evidenced by the giant piles of broken branches on either side of the yard, the half-pulled weeds in the side yard and the dog-dug hole in the center of the yard (leftover from the last tenant, not Luna).

I am high maintenance.
There are so many lotions and eye liners and shampoos and bath salts in my bathroom. You’d think I spend all my time in there. I don’t, but the impression isn’t totally inaccurate. I can get ready on a moment’s notice, but I’m totally high maintenance in other ways. Like expecting you to pay for dinner and give me your undivided attention and buy me things that sparkle.

The other lovely benefit of this is that I’m learning (albeit with some possible bumps along the way) how to make and publish and format an e-book. I expect the next attempt (which may be on the topics of taking your dog overseas, how to budget for backpacking in Europe or how to publish an e-book – that’s right: clever) to be even better.

This weekend was the annual Denver Zombie Crawl. If you don’t know what that is: it involves thousands of people dressed like zombies, a handful dressed as zombie hunters and a few brave souls who put large X marks on their backs. The zombies hunt those with X marks. The hunters hunt the zombies. And the X mark people just run around screaming and possibly end up with a concussion.

While we did not get so into the festivities as to dress up, BonBon, Relatively Dashing Roommate and myself did make our way downtown and settle in at a patio table along the 16th Street Mall–where the zombies would be parading at 4:00. We had martinis and prayed that no one would reach across and wipe blood on us. Which they did not. Thank God.

Then we watched (obviously with running commentary) as the zombies shuddered past. There was zombie Jesus and zombie pope, who happened to run into each other in front of our humble little temporary abode–hugging and pointing out scriptures to each other while people looked on cameras in hand. There were zombie superheroes, Batman and Cat Woman (though is Cat Woman really a super hero? Or is she a villain?), and one superhero that didn’t get the zombie memo and was wandering around with no blood or ripped clothing (perhaps Spiderman isn’t the brightest of the super crowd).

There were also plenty of teenage zombies, as you might expect. And also as you might expect, they were the ones who really got into the game part of the Zombie Crawl. We’d be chatting over our cocktails, not paying things much attention, when we’d hear a series of growls and pounding footfalls and turn to see fifteen zombie teenagers chasing one person who had the unfortunate idea to put an X on his back. Being as 16th Street is all concrete and teenagers are not gentle people, we were surprised not to see any ambulances on scene.

And, of course, plenty of zombie prom dates and zombie brides and slutty zombies trounced by. Usually the slutty zombies were underage, which makes life a little uncomfortable for the rest of us, I must say.

Our favorite zombie, though, must have been the redneck zombie: dressed in a coon huntin’ hat and plaid, he shuffled by, grunting to himself. While he was shuffling and grunting and being all zombie-like, his cell phone rang and he reached down to grab it. Relatively Dashing Roommate was sure that said zombie was about to break character and answer the phone. Instead, though, the zombie lifted the phone to his face and let out a “GRRRAAAAA” into the receiver. Funniest thing that happened all afternoon.

I took a bunch of pictures with high contrast for effect. Care to see them?

Well, those things along with the fact that I’ve been revamping my lifestyle a little (joining a gym, removing certain things from my diet – like soda) and going through my wardrobe (I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve had to throw out quite a few things because of holes and/or stains I’d been ignoring).

Anyhow, I’m thinking about fashion. And browsing fashion blogs for perhaps the first time ever. Don’t worry, I’m not going to start wearing some of the ridiculous things I saw in New York: giant peacock hats or jeans torn to shreds. I’m just…making some changes.

Here’s some of what I’ve found–and like:

1. Professional casual

2. Socks with sandals…and yet.

3. My favorite accessory.

4. Fancy, yet cool.

5. Chilly. Delightful.

See, not big changes. I’m still trying to accessorize with men. Any takers?

.Two.
Condoms are only 80% effective in protecting you from HIV. That means you’ve got a 20% chance of getting the virus if you are engaging in risky behaviors. Be careful, people.

.Three.
From the delightful, Sincerely Anna…How to Set Someone Straight.

- Malcolm Gladwell, What the Dog Saw

Did I mention I’m loving this particular long-form essay? Go get this book. Now. Seriously.

See, and there I had you thinking this would be an emotional entry. Nope. It’s about a soup party.

What’s a soup party? Well, in my mind it was inviting over a handful of people whose company I very much enjoy and making soups. A french onion soup (thus, the onions). A chicken and wild rice comfort soup. A sassy tortilla soup. And a dessert soup–cherry.

There’s something both comforting and exhausting about cooking. I love setting the table with my wild southwestern-colored plates and bowls and glassware. I love chopping vegetables with some music or a radio show or something on Hulu in the background. Letting the warmth and smells of the kitchen surround me. Throwing Luna a few small pieces of cheese and watching her reject a dropped onion.

And then I’m tired. Hoping for some relaxation.

Relaxation that will mostly have to wait–as this week I took on a new project. One I’d been after for a while. With a company that does work that really matters. And the first installment of my work is due today. So, here I’ll leave you for now, as I better get back to finishing it.

I leave you with the seed of an idea–for a soup party. With the picture of me in a tiny kitchen surrounded by red onions and Parmesan cheese and frozen corn and unsweetened cherry juice. And with the very strong smell–which still pervades the house–of onion and garlic.

In a few days maybe I’ll smell like a human again.

That manifesto week starts now. First, I’ll let you in on the inspiration for the Manifesto Fest by sharing my final email to these very clever folks:

Dear Kumquats,

I am writing you today because: A. you are all fabulous and B. in your fabulousness, you have agreed to write a manifesto for my FABULOUS MANIFESTO WEEK OF MANIFESTO-NESS!

Currently, I’m planning for this Manifesto Fest to happen the first week of May, but you can certainly send the manifestos sooner.

In case you’ve forgotten, the inspiration for Manifesto Fest came from this: http://www.kimmok.com/514799/THE-MANIFESTO-MANIFESTO

You should probably also read Wikipedia’s entry, because that’s where we Americans get our information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manifesto (I knew I liked the word Manifesto…and now I know why…it’s Italian!)

Need a manifesto example? The communists wrote one. http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1848/communist-manifesto/

You want another link? Okay. Puppies! http://cutepuppiespictures.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/cute-face-puppies.jpg

Now, go forth and be clever, be insightful, be hilarious or be someone who links to puppies. I am okay with all these things.

Please send your manifestos to me no later than May 1. Otherwise I will make you read the whole Communist Manifesto.

Much love & Manifesto-ambition,

Gigi

Making the meat rub:
Combine…
2 tbs salt
2 tbs sugar
2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tbs brown sugar
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
1/2 tsp onion powder

Making the skewers:
1. Cut the flank steak into thin strips. Rub with meat rub and let sit overnight in meat rub and its own juices.

2. Pour some red wine (create a small puddle at the bottom of the skillet, but don’t cover bottom) into the skillet and heat on medium high heat. Once hot, place steak strips in the red wine.

3. Watch steak strips and flip when you notice the edges browning. Simmer for another minute and remove steak immediately.

4. Spear on skewers and serve.

1. Place thin slices of brie side by side on one slice of bread, nearly covering the bread.

2. Place second piece of bread on top of cheese. With a small brush, brush top of bread with truffle oil, lightly.

3. Place sandwich in hot skillet with truffle-oiled side down. Paint the second side with truffle oil. Flip when first side is lightly browned. When second side is lightly browned and cheese is melted, place sandwich on plate and eat!

For extra fancy schmancy-ness, add prosciutto over the cheese and serve with tomato basil soup and/or a crisp white wine, like Kim Crawford from New Zealand.