off prozac

Well, I got off off Prozac randomly.  That's right, I stopped taking my antidepressants just because.  I didn't put any thought into it, I just forgot to take it two nights in a row and kind of just went with it and now it's been almost two weeks.

ta ta!

And also, yes, I'm writing about it on the internet.  Maybe I'll be embarrassed someday, but if you're reading this, you either know me and love me, or don't know me... in which case it doesn't matter if I'm going on a rogue too-much-information spree, now does it?

Sometimes I wonder why certain things are taboo.  It's just life.

Reasons Why This Is Fine
Minimalism - I'm not sure if this is part of my obsessive kick to just get rid of everything (physical, fiscal, and time consuming) in my life that I don't need, or what.  I don't like carrying pills around with me.  I hate taking trips to CVS -I just do, even to buy non-medication, because of all the fluorescent lights and depressed employees and useless beauty products and idiot tabloid magazines.  I have always thought going to the psychiatrist was pretty useless (no offense to my doctor, who I actually like) because it consists of a 15 minute appointment every six weeks where you answer the same questions about sleeping and mood on a scale of 1-10, and you pay $30 every time, plus the actual medication costs $15.
No Insurance - All of the above just became so much more expensive.  If I have to blow cash and time in a free clinic for medication, I should probably chose the most important stuff (aka birth control).
I'm Possibly Fine - I feel pretty good these days.  I quit a job that wasn't right for me a few months ago, and now I'm writing and learning about houses, which I like.  There isn't a reason for me to be sad now.  But since I'm naturally a little sad sometimes, I can deal with it by through yoga, doing stuff I enjoy, hanging out with my friends, and drinking a lot (kidding!).
Side Effects - I think the meds were why I was tired all the time, which was in itself very depressing.  And I had shaky hands.  Has that ever happened to anyone else?  I looked like an alcoholic.

Contingency Plan
If I start feeling terrible, I have two months of 40mg pills saved up.

So Far
I had an all-out idiot snot-nosed crying session on Sunday due to something my boyfriend said, and I don't even remember what was so offensive now.  It sounds like a bad thing, but it felt good to cry after all these years of being a bit of a robot.  Of course, I'm hoping it was a one-off symptom of the pills leaving my system.  Other than that incident, I have a ton of energy and am enjoying my slightly lighter purse and lack of nighttime pill obligations.

condiment corner - hot sauce and lime

I'm stating the obvious here, but you can put hot sauce on anything for an extra kick.  If your food is too bland, too healthy, not salty enough, not fun enough (because my food must be fun!), then fear not.  I keep a few bottles of potent red condiments on hand at all times.  I mean, I don't transport them with me, but they're always in the kitchen, waiting behind a cupboard, listening for me to approach.  Yeah.

And if you can put hot sauce on it, you'd best believe you can additionally add some lime.  In my head, I said this last sentence like a Power 106 radio announcer.  But anyway, lime!  You'll feel like it's summer time in Mexico with that combo.  Limes are so cheap.  Buy ten for a buck anywhere.


Have I already written this exact same post?  I'm getting deja vu.

Personal confession time - I used to be a salt addict.  I over-salted everything I ate for a couple of years to the point where I couldn't really enjoy food if a salt shaker or bottle of soy sauce wasn't within arm's reach.  This started my first year of college when I was trying to enjoy the bland dorm food, though I've always had a proclivity for savory over sweet dating back to my cheese snacking middle school days.  And it wasn't just salt, it was any condiment that was around.   I've already mentioned soy sauce herein.  I've already written a separate treatise on ranch dressing a few months ago.  So I don't know what happened, but I gave up the shaker and the accompanying addiction to condiments.  Now I think it's fine to use hot sauce in lieu of the maniac addiction of my early 20's, though yes I do realize salt is an ingredient in most hot sauces.

My favorite snacks that go with hot sauce:

• Popcorn - it's weird, because you CAN eat popcorn without butter!  Just put lime & hot sauce on it!
• Eggs - sunny side up, scrambled, hard boiled, whatever
• Chicken
• Fish
• Rice
• Fruit salad (not joking - cut up some cantaloupe, watermelon, cucumber, add lime, hot sauce, chili powder)
• Nachos
• French Fries
• Corn on the cob
• Quesadillas 
• Breakfast burritos
• OK, so anything with corn, eggs, or potatoes is what I think I'm trying to convey.
• Beer!
• Bloody Mary

When my friends and I lived in Argentina, we brought a Costco sized bottle with us from California and kept it under our beds because it became so popular in the hostal where we stayed that it became impossible to store in the kitchen.  We used it with empanadas (cheesy pastries), of which are sorely lacking in my current part of the world.

My top five favorites:

1. CHOLULA.
My love.  Cholula and I will be together forever and no one can tear us apart.
Made in Jalisco, Mexico.
Thicker consistency than most Mexican hot sauces.
More expensive at grocery stores than other comparable products (~$5 compared to $2), but I regret it every time I downgrade for something else.
Perfect amount of spice.  I can use it liberally without fear of making food too spicy to eat.
Salt + vinegar + chili pepper
I would use this on any dish, regardless of country of origin.




2. TAPATIO
Made in Vernon, CA - the company owners are from Jalisco, Mexico.
This is what I use when Cholula isn't around.
Slightly more spicy than Cholula.
Readily available in breakfast cafes across the US.
Best with your typical breakfast potatoes and omelet plate.




3. TABASCO
Another Mexican hot sauce made in the United States.
Tastes like it has the highest vinegar content.
Thin consistency.
Muy espicy.
Most widely available in US supermarkets and diners, and one of the cheapest brands.
Best when it's your only option.



4. SRIRACHA
Asian in the house!
link to blurb from gourmet.com
Link to recent NY Times article
This sauce is having a major pop culture moment.
Contrary to urban legend, this is made in California.  The company owner is Chinese born in Vietnam.
This is often referred to as "rooster sauce" and has gained a cult following nationwide for it's iconic green-capped bottle and ability to mix with seemingly any entree.
Garlic + chili flavor
Thick consistency that mixes well with rice.
This is my dad's favorite.  He calls is Nak Lam sauce and I don't know why.




5. CRYSTAL
Louisiana style sauce that will come with your fried chicken and waffle order.
If you buy it in a grocery store, it will be the cheapest option.
Way hot, way vinegary.
Lots of different brands with the Louisiana designation, but Crystal is the most recognized.



These are my favorites because they are plentiful in California, but I'd love to hear different suggestions from here and other parts of the world!  What are your favorite sauces?

projects

For the most part, these involve real estate, writing on the internet, and helping out my boyfriend.

- Landscaping architecture project for the barren courtyard in my Pasadena apartment building.  Xeriscaping.  I had never heard if it before today.  Side project.

- Find shoelace for boyfriend's rollerblades so I can coerce him to go outside with me on weekends.  It's not like you can just put a normal shoelace in there.  He has these special 'blades (of course) that will require me to call the manufacturer.  And yes, my boyfriend rollerblades.  He's really good at it, too.

- Update the real estate blog, make it more of a model professional blog so that I can put it on my résumé.  I want a ghost writing, freelancing bloggy-gig.

- Choose book for June book club.  I am hosting!  Everyone is invited!  Bring a bottle of wine and your sassy opinion.

- Work on blog for my bf's business.  Side project.

- Do real estate agent stuff.  There are at least twenty thousand things in this sub category, including but not limited to making flyers, market research, calling people I know, mailing stuff to people I don't know, getting a name badge and car magnet (ick but I have to), and setting up auto emails to potential buyers.

- Somewhat related to above, find a multi-unit income property for my boyfriend to buy.

- Renew California real estate license.  

- Presents for my dad.  Father's Day is around the same time as his birthday.  The only thing he can ever think to ask for is golf balls, but I just don't want to gift that on the general principle that it is SO BORING.  I like unique gifts.  But with dads it's like... what do they want?

- Figure out how to camp (aka get people to loan me supplies) before mid June trip.

- Finish Count of Monte Cristo.  97% done and I wish I could say that I understand why people love this book.  Maybe once I'm actually done with it, the guilt for lack of reading comprehension will be out of my life.

- Go through my closet to figure out like ten good realtor outfits that will make me look like a pro without sacrificing my need to look a little bit weird.  It's not exactly a formal business.  There is no dress code because everyone works for themselves as independent contractors, so I've seen jeans/cons/t-shirts and more trendy but comfortable looks like long skirts and flats.  The older set tends to be suited up.  This is because you want people to know that you're respecting them and taking them seriously, and also because you want people to think you're making mad money.  I get it.  But every time I put on pumps and a button up white shirt with a jacket and understated earrings, I'm like... "NO".  And I usually carry around old cow purses that were probably from a halloween costume, so I have never considered looking wealthy to be high on my priority list.  So IN SHORT, I have to look put-together and stylish without buying new clothes (bc of $) while staying true to my thrift shop heart.  Fashion project.  This is possibly my favorite on the list.

introversion defined

From HERE....

body paint

Here's some pretty stuff to look at in this link.





For my next birthday (which is -btw- not actually coming up), can we take psychedelics and use body paint and have a shirt-optional roll-around party?

Life goals, y'all.