Racing commenced at two tracks in Japan: proceeds to go to tsunami/quake victims.

ita, did you use self-rising flour? Is it necessary?

I used 1 tsp of baking powder. Rose just fine. It's a decent, uninspiring chocolate cake (I halved the sugar). I suspect that if I'd had Nutella I'd snarfing this down and making another. As it is, I'm happy with it, and you can't beat the cleanup.

I have gone to Pilates and brunch and then the DH made me watch the first two eps of Spartacus, which he started watching while I was out the other night and wanted me to catch up. Blood and fucking seem to be the major themes so far.

Whoot. Surround sound is functional! I still have to find two other long screws, because the ones that came with the fixture are insufficient, and I don't want to use only two out of the four since there's a good deal of pressure on the panel. And the SO still needs to mount the last speaker, which I currently have wired directly in. But it's working, and it sounds badass!

Now I am starving, because I just now realized that in addition to missing the tea, I also missed lunch. All you can eat corned beef and cabbage? Hm.

My allergies have been so bad I had to bail on last nights plans (and fell apart cuz I felt so crappy and useless) and had to bail on this mornings ride. Lame!

I did make it to yoga and Bob made beer can chicken and I made sides including super indulgent smashed taters with cream and butter. Yum. Now maybe watch the Social Network maybe?

Nom. Sounds good.

Where did I put my phone? I had it earlier today when I was making hotel reservations.

Oh, right, it`s in the media closet attached to the sound system to test the installation. Dur.

Spent the last 3 hours doing my taxes. They are now efiled. I saved myself some money doing it this way, and comparing to last year's, pretty certain I didn't muck it up at all. Itemizing, aieeeee! But pretty much just from owning a home and a couple charity things.

My head hurts.

And I'm annoyed at TBI dude who stopped with his husky as I was trying to shepherd Loki inside (I saw them coming, and I don't trust his judgement, so we booked it back to the house. ) Of course he let the the dog see Loki as I was unlocking the door and it started straining and Loki freaked (he was between the screen door and the door - I was prepared to shut him in there in case just this happened and that's exactly what I had to do. ) Dude then tries to chat and I'm all GO AWAY I NEED TO GET THE CAT INSIDE HE'S FREAKED OUT AND DON'T YOU EVER DO THAT AGAIN. He goes off muttering to himself, all injured. I swear, I know he's got a TBI, I know you have to really enforce boundaries with him, but jesus.

Loki calmed right down and we were able to go back out later. If I see him walking his dog when I'm out, stuffing Loki into my shirt and bolting into the nearest house, even if it isn't mine.

I had an epic fail this morning. I was supposed to take the twins and go to the Senior Breakfast at Hard Rock Cafe (paying $11 for parking to boot). And I just couldn't face it. Instead, with my friend who was in town and crashing our place for the night, we went and had a breakfast at a small cafe. Mine was crunchy french toast with strawberries and nutella.

NOM NOM NOM.

Sara, I've had neighbors come over with their dogs to chat while the cats were out, and they're always like, "Oh, he doesn't bother cats." But the cats are bothered by HIM, dumbass.