Utah has a state gun. I'm so proud.

Randomly, dinner conversation tonight was all about driving stick shifts.

Dinner itself was a Hurricane Roll. Who ever thought to put lingonberry sauce on sushi? But it was kind of genius.

Portland - Jade is delicious. I brunched at this placelast time I was up there and it was (a) great and (b) not crowded on a Saturday morning. Lovely teacups, too, all different patterns and styles.

Thanks for the recs!

I am planning to start hardcore dieting AFTER Labor Day. Normally I'd start after my birthday, but I had a whole "eat delicious bad for me things in New Orleans" plan...

CRAP! I totally started RIGHT before my birthday! AND before our Santa Fe anniversary trip. This is a Bad Plan.

This post was brought to you by: I am much sorer now than I was this morning and I expect to be sorer still in the morning.

Oh, The Country Cat [link] makes their own jerky and sausage and whatnot, pretty swanky meats. I think I've only been there for breakfast for some reason, but two thumbs up. And Bipartisan Cafe is near there for pie, and pastrygirl for cakes.

I still haven't been to Voodoo Donuts. Weird.

Nora - Archer is always the right choice.

msbelle - don't stress! First day is just the first day. You're both trying to do your best and figure things out. She'll be fine just getting into a rhythm with Mac.

ION, I had a long conversation tonight with one of my closest college friends, Alison, and it was just great. Much cackling. And it helps that she's got teenagers too so we can compare notes.

She taught me one of the most valuable virtues of friendship: to hate anybody that hurts your friends.

I've just been having this conversation! My diet is moderation because no way in hell could I actually have the wherewithal to adhere to an actual plan of depravity. Though I guess I do, out of sheer laziness. But it is nummy! During the day, I munch on a couple pieces of fruit, a couple of fruit & nut granola bars, a snack pack of kettle corn from TJs or Pirate's Bootie, usually a single serve of fat free greek yogurt and honey and berries. Dinner is spinach, goat cheese, balsamic and berries ( will have to switch to apples soon, and goat cheese doesn't play as nice with those so it's out) and some sort of meat (currently, basil pesto chicken sausage works.)

But when I have the option of bleu cheese bacon burgers with sweet potato fries and several generous glasses of merlot at a nearby dive with friends? Yeah, whatever. It's not every day, it's not every week. I won't regret it.

I could handle a plan of gustatory depravity. Bring it on!