Seven places I like to eat at anywhere

1. Zebbs - Rochester, NY -- Its the place that has Chocolate Pespi and good burger-type foods.
2. The Friendly Toast - Portsmouth, NH
3. Northampton Brewery - Northampton, MA
4. Anthony's Bistro - Plattsburgh, NY
5. Chef's Corner Bakery Cafe - Williston, VT
6. Kenney House - Sandown, NH
7. Upper Crust Bake House - Fredonia, NY

Can you tell I am a little hungry this fine Monday work day?

Seven places I like to eat in the Greater Portland area

1. Silly's - Washington Ave, Portland
2. Fajita Grill - Main Street, Westbrook
3. Tandoor - Exchange Street, Portland
4. Ben Kay - Commercial Street, Portland
5. Flatbread Company - Commercial Street, Portland
6. Sebago Brewing -- Any location - Gorham, Portland, South Portland
7. Casa Novello - Main Street, Westbrook
   

Seven small things that can make me happy on the turn of a dime

1. A really good pen. Right now Bic Exact Tips are the bee's knees.
2. Wrapping my cold feet up in a blanket.
3. New episodes of my favorite shows.
4. This one may be deemed predictable by Mr. Ham -- finding out anything Joss related.
5. Laughing my arse off over old stories or even new ones.
6. Having a big chunk of time to read really good books or journals.
7. A great cup of coffee. Or a good beer or glass of wine. Those three are interchangeable I guess.
   

Black Shoe Diary= one of the best things to happen to ninjas since the color black

I have been on a McSweeney's kick lately, and I love the first installment of the Black Shoe Diary so much, that I was gleaming with joy when there was a second one posted today. I applaud you Eric Feezell.

Here is an excerpt:

BLACK SHOE DIARY:THE DAILY MUSINGSOF SHURUKU UMEZAWA: JUNIOR SALESMAN, NINJA

Tuesday, November 7

Sales work is often taxing. From what I have ascertained thus far, average day for salesperson consists of arriving to work 15 minutes late, talking to clients about "golf" (still have not learned what this is—sales tactic?—must research), strategically availing oneself of copious break time, and generally being a sycophant. I often become embarrassed when I realize that I am among masters. Especially Stan Friedman, who dodges responsibility as skillfully as I dodge detection when sneaking into an enemy fortress.

I sometimes miss the simple days of my past: Assassination, espionage, and inflicting excruciating pain employing pressure-point technique. Alas.

Read them for yourself:
Installment One

Installment Two

Seven great things made by my crafty hands

1. Sling-bags. Carrie has traveled the world with hers -- well at least to Africa and a classy Walmart. And better yet, I ripped off the pattern from Old Navy!
2. Geekillows -- or at least that is what I would like to call them (geek+ pillow= geekillow!)-- for Torrey and Tony. Torrey's was this city landscape with a godzilla like monster eating a car embroidered on it. Tony's had this robot on it with the four commands stitched on it: Dance, Work, Sleep and Destroy.
3. Magic wands for my first staff. Sure, they might have been a little weird, but I loved making them. Some were topped with a campfire or a palm tree.
4. Crocheted blankets. I have made some different ones for other friends, but my favorite one was the Harry Potter one I made for D-Lo.
5. Fake baby shower invite for my friend Adam. He neglected to tell me he was engaged and I got a wedding shower invite. So, I sent him a fake baby shower one titled: Guess who's knocked up?
6. Redfish collage/painting for Adam. I took little pieces of red paper and collaged it into a fish and then painted words he had written onto it. It looks different at night and in day light. It was an unintentional by-product.
7. Crochet hook case for my sister. It was green -- so I think she liked it.
   

Seven observations/thoughts I had while home sick yesterday

1. Most day time commericials are aimed at the sad bastard crowd: baldness, hair removal, weight loss, dating sites, and allergy meds. I am just saying.
2. Does the world really need 5 hours of "Charmed"? Come on TNT! Let it rest!
3. Carrie was very right -- jam on your toast and a little bit of scrambled egg on it is quite nice.
4. I automatically equate ginger ale with being sick -- but in the soothing way.
5. My mother told me once that I was pretty when I had a fever. Thanks mom.
6. I still do not understand how people get hooked into home shopping networks. The hosts are just so irritating. Maybe my cold meds were not strong enough.
7. Having "In the Womb: Animals" on while you are napping can lead to some pretty trippy dreams. I kept on dreaming I was a midwife to some friends who where having puppies.
   

Seven songs that will not leave my mental playlist

1. Poison - BelBivDevoe
2. That Time - Regina Spektor
3. Oh Valencia! - The Decemberists
4. I Wish I Could go Back to College - Avenue Q
5. Float On - Modest Mouse
6. Handbags and Gladrags - Rod Stewart
7. Chocolate - Snow Patrol
   

I dedicate this to Jay Lewis

yeasty \YEE-stee\, adjective:
1. Of, pertaining to, or resembling yeast.
2. Not yet settled or formed; immature or incomplete.
3. Marked by agitation or change.
4. Frothy or trivial; frivolous.
5. Full of vitality; exuberant.

On Dictionary.com, this was the word of the day. I have this as my home page, and its always interesting to see what words pop up. A recent favorite: foofaraw. (And 25 points to the person that can place that word in a TV show over the last 10 years. Without websearch! And go!) Many years ago I made Jay a mix tape -- and in my infinite class and fine tastes, I named it: Still Yeasty After All These Years. It may be my finest contribution to the musical world. Ever.

Seven months I would love to relive

1. July 1996 -- that summer after the first year of college was just filled with good friends hanging out and some minor drama. I just remember it being really fun and spending alot of time at Mendon Ponds. Plus I worked at Lima Rec -- and I always loved that.
   
2. April 1998 -- Fred Fest in junior year. I believe there was an "incident" involving a chinese buffet place.
   
3. July 2005 -- Stonecoast graduation. Hanging out with my writer friends, graduating, living like a leisurely and stressed out college student all over again. Getting to see Jay. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince came out. Kevin and Kelly visited Maine too.
4. May 1999 -- Graduation from Fredonia. Granted it was sad, but hell that week of just being with people that make me laugh and be just zany -- amazing. Plus I do remember just spending alot of time outside basking in the warm Fredonia air. This is also the time I had my friend Carley highlight my hair and I kept on telling her, "Take bigger chunks!" And my graduation pictures ended up with me having almost Barbie-yellow hair.
   
5. April 1999 -- month leading up to the afore mentioned month. I also think I had a massive sprained ankle -- but the bruise was kinda cool. Plus, Fred Fest this year -- I ended up wearing a cereal box on my head for part of it. Also at the party where Brian Lewis obtained THE Goblet.
   
6. July 2004 - 2nd Summer Stonecoast residency. Also good shennanigans with the Dream Team.
   
7. December 1979 -- My 3rd birthday and Christmas. The pictures looked like I loved life like it was my job then. Plus matching nightgowns for me and my doll!
   

Seriously, I am still recovering from geek news after shocks

Joss Whedon has just been added to the esteemed list of guest directors that will be stopping by the offices of Dunder Mifflin this season. (Source: Give Me My Remote)

Harold Ramis (who started my young infatuation with uber-geeks with glasses at a very young age), then J.J. Abrams, the master mind behing shows that are more addictive than crack (hmmm.... except for Felicity). Now Joss!!!! Oh my sweet good god. It is more than this fangirl can handle. Bring it on!

Seven things I have liked about SNL recently

1. The constant Alec Baldwin vs Steve Martin battles. It reminds me of classic SNL and its always refreshing to see those pop up.
2. Dick in a Box. The digital shorts are by far outshining the whole rest of the show.
3. Musical performance by Christine Aguilera. That new song I have already silently admitted was catchy. Her and her dancers were in very tailored black suits. Not only were they very classy, they were pretty damn hot. Even if her hair was still way too big.
4. Amy Poehler. I think that she is just classic -- almost all of her skits get a small titter from me.
5. Andy Samberg. His genius is in the aforementioned digital shorts -- but he is still pretty funny.
6. Justin Timberlake is a funny bastard on this show.
7. The Alec Baldwin carpooling sketch. It was pretty subtle -- but I did like the Celine Dion bit. I hate her just as much and I can just see myself saying that to someone who's life was saved by her as in that sketch. (can you tell I was stretching to get to 7?)
   

Seven words I wish were more a part of my daily vocabulary

1. plenipotentiary: absolute or full, as power
2. bricolage: something made or put together using whatever materials happen to be available
3. skulduggery: dishonorable proceedings; mean dishonesty or trickery
4. galumph: to move along heavily and clumsily.
5. bravura: a showy or brilliant display
6. neophyte: a beginner or novice
7. pettifogger: a person who quibbles over trivia.

And this may just be the year of the seven. Expect more lists of seven. It just seems high enough to not cop out with the top five (or be too much in the top five trend crowd) and just enough below ten so that I am not over burdened with thinking of a whole ten.