I went to renew registrations and realized I hadn't read the notice and needed a smog check. Got it done but, man, some years I can't help but miss Oregon's multiyear and cheap car registration.

Trader Joe's had (oh, please, don't be past tense) Hatch Valley Salsa that I grabbed a jar of when I saw. It's holy mother of yum amazing. But when I was grocery shopping on Sunday, no salsa.

The guy did point me to frozen bags of partially processed (fire-roasted and chopped but not actually cooked, so they need to be brought to at least some temp, maybe 165. The bag says.) Hatch chiles. I grabbed four. He laughed and said they weren't going anywhere. Which made me paranoid so I snagged two more. I'm going to get a big chunk of pork and let them get to know each other in a slow cooker for a while.

How so delicious, Hatch Valley?

That sounds delicious, Cass. I almost bought a jar of the Hatch salsa but I was worried it would be too hot for my kids, so I opted to get the one they eat instead. sigh. Low on the list of sacrifices I make for my kids, but still....

My coworkers are on their own until Dec 4!!

There a 75% chance I'm gonna come back to a mess.

Oh that sounds good, Cass. I think I got some of the salsa last time I was at TJ's.

No thinking about work while you are gone, sarameg!

I hope to see you while you're in CA, sarameg.

BTW, still can't open my lunch. Made do with leftover Halloween candy.

Maybe running hot water over the top, -t? Like, that would make it expand just slightly?

Yay, sarameg! Enjoy your freedom!

TSA, I'm glaring at you

They were very nice to me this summer traveling with my expired license. She told me they wouldn't give me a hard time until it was expired a year. I was left thinking I must really look non-threatening.

I think cold water might be better, -t. Although leftover Halloween candy also sounds good.

DMV has always been a nightmare for me. I still don't get how, in many many places in this country, driving can be considered a privilege anymore when there's minimal public transportation.

It's almost down to room temperature, now. It was pretty hot when it got stuck. Maybe if I heat it up the inside will pressurize, but then it will be too hot to hold on to and try to unscrew the lid (how I got into this pickle in the first place). I'm really surprised the seal is that good, it's just a plastic lid on a mason jar, but it seems to be.

The candy was tasty but not satisfying (Snickers lies!). I think I will pick up some takeout on the way home to make up for my trouble.