A Shameless Plug For PEPY and Better World Books

A shameless plug for PEPY and Better World Books

Yes, the picture above depicts the power source to the world's best blog, Etneral Domnation (congratulations guys!).  And no, I did not buy the converter from IKEA (which has been an obsession, along with a little e-reader).  

The PEPY Ride

I risked electrocution to get this post powered, and accordingly I feel I have earned the discretion of a shameless plug (and terrible pun).  While we are at it, make it two.  First, if you want to make a year-end donation, and get the write-off for the 2010 tax year, or you are simply [a saint and] interested in learning about a wonderful organization, I would be ever so grateful that you consider The PEPY Ride.  

Better World Books

Additionally, if you have a hankering to buy books, please use Better World Books.  Your hard earned dough supports global literacy projects, including partners of PEPY.  Bonus, the prices are right, the books are righteous, and there is free shipping around the globe.

Meanwhile, may you 23 + my rouge-and-random-checkers have a safe and happy new year.  Off to Portugal, back in 2012 if I can resist Eternal Domnation for that long!  Until then...happy reading!

Keeping it G-Real This Christmas

Keeping it G-Real this Christmas!!!

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, my two front teeth!  Really?  I mean, wouldn’t you at least ask for a full set of molars?  I judge and make bad jokes.  It is just that Christmas, and all that it stands for, is now behind us and I suppose we have to ask ourselves: did we get what we wanted for Christmas? 

I must say that I did, but not so much in the way I expected it. 

Probably an unrealistic item on my wish-list, but going into this Christmas all I wanted was an undivided conversation with each member of my family.  Twenty minutes, me and you, family member – we can sneak our chat in between two layers of peppermint bark (that red tin is my water cooler).

London Snow and Santa Smells Like Beef and Cheese

Congratulations, World's Best
Cup of Coffee!
Great job, everybody!

Snow fell on London and our little neighborhood, Fulham, is covered by a not-so-warm blanket of fresh powder and ice.  Funky little euro cars are a slipping and a sliding and it is downright wonderful to spend an entire afternoon in our quaint IKEA pad.  Elf is on the telly, and a little touch of Kahlua in our instant-coffee seals the deal: Christmas season has officially graced the Giuliani Temporary Household.

An observation, if I may: stirring said coffee and liquor with a pen is oddly enjoyable.  Try it.

Happy Holidays from all of us at eternal domnation (i.e., me)!

One Sheet and Two Towels to the Wind

Four plates; mini-water cups; bowls; forks, knives and spoons makes our kitchen routine pretty easy.  Eat and drink, wash, and repeat.  If laziness calls, eat and drink, eat and drink, then wash and repeat.  There is really no other option and to be honest it is comforting.  Could you imagine emptying out your kitchen and replacing your cutlery and fine Ikea china with only 4 sets of each?

It is not an extra mug, it is a chalice
and it was used by...Bloody Hell!

In addition to the above, we have five coffee mugs that are on constant rotation.  Generally there is one in the cupboard and four on the drying rack.   This is great, but also unsettling.  Why five when everything else is four?  If I were Benjamin Franklin Gates in National Treasure 3, would I gleam something important from this extra mug (“extra mug” is just fun to say, and it is now noted in my Future Band Names folder)? 

In the meantime, we have settled into our daily lives, and we are simply used to having the extra mug around.  We no longer question on a daily basis, “why five?”  But maybe we should (cue music)…

Ikea Handle the Truth!

Now I am not one to complain, living aboard the Ikea cruise ship has been a dream come true for me.  Who hasn't walked around Ikea and told themselves that they could totally live in that 500 sq ft apartment?  Many a times between meatballs, that was exactly what I told myself - and now, well we are living that perverse dream.  Our little flat is decked out with Ikea furniture, cookware, and appliances.  So many compartments to keep me organized!    

Score: IKEA 1 - Dominic 0

With our appliances, comes the oft hysterical instructions.  Is that a man or a polar bear?  If you have put together a table, shoe rack, or scrapbook storage box from the giant blue and yellow retailer than you know exactly what I am talking about.  This is totally fine when you are building something you dragged out of the self-service warehouse since there is generally only one right way and they give you the tool to make it happen.  You finish the funky-cheap-ass table and show it off to anyone who will pay attention to you, voila!  

I found the Swedish comic book pictures a little more challenging during my first attempt to do the wash.  The towels were soaking wet and when it was all said and done I found the soap unharmed and mocking me from the safety of its little soap rack.  I would like to point out to you, Ikea washing machine, that it was Ikea towels that you failed to wash with that unused soap biscuit.  You let down your own kind, not me.  

You see, I will get you next time little stencil man!

Life is all about trial and errors here in Her Majesty's Kingdom, and I am really enjoying the ride.  Now on to happy writing...