Neglect and frustration resolved by demonstrating how to use a tortilla...

Today I saw a comment on my google reader and thought, MY BLOG!, as if I was actually calling out with an outstretched arm, "my Baby!"  This sudden feeling caught me by surprise, for a few reasons.  After that immediate inward gasp, I tilted my head like a dog puzzling over a riddle.  Huh? Oh yeah, I totally have a blog.  That I think about, but rarely post on.  Because I am a) terribly boring b) terribly busy AND c) terribly terribly lazy.  Or none of those.  OK, all of those.  Both, whatever.  When bloggers I follow (especially bloggers I know personally) do not blog for long periods of time I feel neglected.  [-Partially because I am the neediest reader on earth.]  I never think that anyone feels this same way about my blog.  [Because I am also very self absorbed. -especially when it comes to my computer time, which I have to slip into my day, and feel a huge sense of entitlement about.  My attitude is: I am checking my facebook and those monsters my kids can wait two minutes for me to tell them not to climb ladders left in the hallway, or suffer the natural consequences.  That'll teach them.  Or me...]  My attitude about my blog, when I haven't blogged in a long time is that I had just as well stay away.  That I should avoid it like a tenacious creditor, or a bowl of olives (which make me sick, delicious as they are).

But here I am.  Today.  Several days late, pockets empty, eyes slightly downcast.  Did you miss me?  Even a little bit?  I am going to pretend you did, I am imagining that, indeed, you thought to yourself the other day, What happened to Committed Recycler? Did she start throwing steel cans into the regular garbage, and in a deep shame spiral abandon her blog forever?  Or more likely, since odds are we are, in fact, blood relatives, are you thinking, Even if my sister needs to spend more time cleaning her freaking kitchen, seriously, how long does it take to post a blog?  [OK, that's what I would think about them, if they had a kitchen that looked like mine when I visited them.]

So.... what have I been up to?  Lots and Lots.  -Of nothing, and something and stuff.  Honestly, we have been struggling financially.  Due to my own craziness I am suffering from an over load of money saving suggestions from the internet that do not apply to me, since I already employ them, or are simply too far for me.  I, personally NEED the good toilet paper, and have decided that basic cable and home internet access are well worth the cost (vs the price of other entertainment options, and I do require consistent internet access for my college courses).  I do not need advise on shopping strategies, how to buy a car, save electricity, etc.  I wasn't able to find used or cheap books for school this semester.  I paid full price for three books.   It is insane to me that I had to do that. I have hundreds and hundreds of books, and, aside from gifts, I would say I've purchased less than twenty books new and most of those on sale or with a gift card.  So, I have been managing two books short for my classes, by going to the school library to use the copies at the reference desk, we have been getting a lot of help from friends and family with our car troubles, and transportation issues.   Also, my brother in law agreed to cut my hair as soon as our schedules allow.

Part of the reason I have kept away from this blog is that I feel full of complaints.  I am sure no one wants to hear my petty woes, again, including me.  So, for some comic relief:

Instructions on how to use a tortilla -pictures and text.  (Really!)  

My favorite Mexican restaurant in Japan had this on every table.

It killed me every time.  I resisted the persistent urge to shove the sign into my bag, (-mostly because I knew I would want to come back and have the carnitas plate again someday-) settling, instead, for a photo.