Sunday, March 26, 2006

Killing me Softly

It's never easy being the new kid on the block. We hired a sales rep to take over my existing territory. We spent 4 days together her first week including a roadtrip to Las Vegas for a convention. It was a looooong drive. Not that she's unpleasant but perhaps overly "nice." I know more about her family and schnauzers than I really want. The spoon hanging from the nose trick is amusing if you're 7 years old. Maybe it's just me but when someone says that they love Thai food but then announces that they can't eat anything even the least bit spicy, it's an oxymoron. And no, I really don't need to see the digital photos in your cell phone. I'm not that good at feigning interest for very long. I've actually had to question myself if I come across as being too "nice." If so, somebody shoot me.

Mon 3/13:
$0 expensed welcome lunch for new employee at Acapulco for 10 ($100)
$0 leftovers for dinner
$45 gas

Tues 3/14:
$0 expensed buffet lunch for two at Lotus of Siam ($23)
$0 expensed round of drinks for three at Flamingo bar ($16)
$0 customer treated to dinner at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville ($20)

Wed 3/15:
$0 lunch inlcuded at tradeshow
$120 dinner for two at trendy Tao restaurant/nightclub at Venetian (wasabi crusted filet mignon)
$0 expensed two nights at Flamingo ($240)

Thurs 3/16:
$0 lunch included at tradeshow
$0 expensed snacks and drinks for drive from Las Vegas to Victorville ($7)
$0 expensed takeout dinner for two at El Pollo Loco ($13)
$17 beer and stuff from liquor store to celebrate with customer
$0 expensed overnight stay at Hawthorne Suites in Victorville for demo the next morning ($109)
$35 gas

Fri 3/17:
$0 breakfast included with hotel
$4 two milkshakes at Jack in the Box
$45 World's Best Travel Secrets book from International Living
$27 dinner for two at Avila's El Ranchito (beef taco and tamale combination)

Sat 3/18:
$4 takeout at Taco Bell
$63 groceries at Trader Joe's
$53 takeout dinner for 8 at Honey Baked Ham Company (ham, turkey, ribs, stuffing, cranberry salad, coleslaw)

Sun 3/19:
$76 groceries at Ralph's (saved $29 in coupons)
$36 groceries at Trader Joe's
$205 home accessories Robinsons May (last week before closing)
$260 5 more hourlong personal training sessions at 24 Hour Fitness
$0 prepared dinner (meatloaf)

Mon 3/20:
$3 Viet sandwich shop for lunch
$0 expensed dinner with customers at Maggiano's ($130 for 4, appetizer platter, chicken pesto, shells with garlic shrimp, chicken saltimboca, chocolate zuccoto cake, apple crostada with ice cream)

Tues 3/21:
$0 brought lunch
$0 leftovers for dinner

Wed 3/22:
$8 lunch at Russell's Seafood Palace (salt and pepper fish, chicken with garlic sauce, shrimp with snow peas, french style beef), ordered 4 entrees for 5 people and there was still plenty
$35 dinner with friend at Opah (crab cakes, split seafood salad and desserts)
$1015 Optoma Movietime dvd player/home theater projector with 92" screen from Buy.com (this is what happens you web surf at midnight)
$94 unlocked Smartphone on woot.com

Thurs 3/23:
$0 brought lunch
$0 leftovers for dinner
$40 two seasons of Three's Company DVDs and real estate book

Friday 3/24:
$12 lunch at Habana (lechon asado (lemon pork) with rice, black beans and plaintains)
$0 leftovers for dinner

Saturday 3/25:
$375 tax prep by CPA
$0 leftovers for lunch
$15 haircut
$34 dinner for 2 at Pomodoro Cucina (saved $7 with Entertainment card, grilled asparagus with pecorino and arugula, butternut squash ravioli, pasta pomodoro, spicy pomodoro with meatballs)
$110 pair of dress shoes at Off 5th Avenue
$4 takeout pastries for breakfast from Panera

Sunday 3/26:
$0 PB & J for lunch
$61 groceries at Ralph's (saved $47 with coupons)
$800 cal king Sealy mattress set (was on way to Sears for 50% sale and saw guys waving signs for a hole in the wall warehouse, got a way better deal)
$0 prepared dinner (tequila lima beef roast, Thai green beans, mashed potatoes with chives

Sunday, March 12, 2006

The most boring two weeks of my life.

A lot of Asian food over the last two weeks. Escrow closed on the sale of client's investment property so celebrated with dinner at Opah, where I had one of the best desserts ever. Looking back, it was an amazingly uneventful two weeks. Didn't go anywhere special. No big ticket purchases. Didn't plan any trips. Hmmm....going to have to really spend big bucks soon to make up for it!

Tues 2/28:
$0 lunch for 3 at Seafood World (dim sum, real estate client insisted on picking up bill)
$85 dinner for 2 at Opah (appetizer: prosciutto wrapped shrimp over salad caprese, salad: caesar salad with polenta croutons, entrees: hazelnut crusted halibut with papaya relish, shallot infused rotisserie chicken over root vegetables, desserts: pistachio profiteroles, vanilla creme brulee with fresh berries

Wed 3/1:
$12 lunch at George's Thai Bistro (pad cha, never had it before but it was the lunch special and delicious, stir fried tilapia with vegetables)
$0 leftovers for dinner

Thurs 3/2:
$8 lunch at Viet buffet (the best chicken wings ever)
$0 can of Campbell's for dinner after gym
$47 misc office gadgets and desk toys online

Friday 3/3:
$12 lunch at Thai Kitchen (beef larp, average, VERY slow service)
$43 gas
$6 bought colleague drink at The Clubhouse
$0 munchies for dinner

Sat 3/4:
$35 breakfast for two at Zov's (excellent!)
$23 Marshall's
$27 drycleaning
$8 Starbucks
$65 dinner for 2 at Pina's Bistro (highly rated but just above average)

Sun 3/5:
$80 massage at Tustin Health Spa
$2 baguette at Cream Pan
$72 groceries at Ralph's (saved $33 in coupons)
$0 prepared dinner

Monday 3/6:
$11 lunch at Russell's Seafood Palace (very tender cubed sauted beef with onions "French Beef", house special chicken and salt and pepper fish filets)
$27 groceries at Trader Joe's
$0 prepared dinner

Tuesday 3/7:
$0 colleague treated to takeout lunch (onigiri rice balls from Matsuwa Japanese Market)
$26 dinner for two at Dosa Palace (lamb curry, pan fried chicken in spices and garlic naan, saved $12 with Entertainment card)

Wed 3/8:
$0 expensed lunch, in-office demo with prospects
$0 prepared dinner

Thurs 3/9:
$0 brought lunch
$105 monthly orthodontist fee
$0 prepared dinner

Friday 3/10:
$9 lunch at Quan Pho
$7 3 desserts AND 3 iced coffees at Banh Mi Che Cali
$30 2 medium pizzas, hot wings and que papas Pizza Hut delivery

Sat 3/11:
$0 leftovers for lunch
$27 Marshall's
$11 2 tickets for Munich (pre-purchased discount tickets)
$12 Rubio's for 2

Sun 3/12:
$38 lunch for 3 at Viet restaurant
$28 supermarket (no coupons!)
$280 two months' interest payment and lawn maintenance payment to mom
$300 two months' interest payment to brother
$0 leftovers for dinner