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February Layoff part 2
Mar. 6th, 2023 09:41 amThursday morning, I made myself an extra cup of coffee because I felt it was needed!
I discovered that my flight back to tour is on SUNDAY, not Monday, so this layoff feels way too short now :(
There's still so much to do...mainly, making all those dang caramels.
I got started right after breakfast, but had a scary moment when I poured the cream too fast AND it was still too cold, so the sugar seized. I was afraid it might change the texture of the caramel, but kept going because heavy cream is $4 a pint right now and what if it turned out all right?
The texture did seem normal once it was setting, but we will see when it is cut.
I immediately did the second batch after washing dishes from the first.
It would have been nice to just do a larger batch in a bigger pot, but the new pot would need to conduct heat evenly and this did not seem like the time to test whether our ancient soup pot from Target was up to the task.
So, wash the dishes and do it all over again.
They look identical side by side. And hopefully they are.
Then lunch, data entry, writing two letters, and a little more packing.
I cracked open my box of circus memorabilia...
( CLICK HERE for circus memories )
We went for a walk in the late afternoon, talking about Jameson's upcoming musical projects.
Things in the entertainment world are really starting to get momentum now, and he'll be busy with music directing, programming, teaching, and performing all the way through the end of May. Not to mention his own studies as he continues his masters program.
I'm happy that he's got so many projects, but hope he doesn't overextend himself.
Back at the house we got cleaned up and made our last Hello Fresh kit together.
Cheddar-stuffed meatloaf with potato wedges and carrots.
Jameson formed the meatloaf while I washed and cut veggies.
I roasted the potatoes while he fried some onions for the topping.
It turned out great, though I only ate half because high calories.
----------------------------------------------------
Friday! Already.
Before breakfast I drove to Publix for strawberries and graham crackers for the overnight oats.
That gave me an excuse to stop at Wawa and get a hazelnut coffee :)
Back home and after breakfast, put together the strawberry cheesecake overnight oats.
It's pretty much the same recipe as the chocolate peanut butter; I'm just using a strawberry banana Core Power, cream cheese instead of peanut butter, and strawberries instead of chocolate shell. I also added a little lemon juice because some other recipes had it, and I do think it helps convey the "tang" that cheesecake has.
Tomorrow before serving I'll do a graham cracker crumble on top with sliced strawberries. Yum!
Then it was time to chop up my two big blocks of caramel.
Luckily I still had some precut wax paper wraps, so that saved me time with prep work.
First I cut the blocks into nine squares, then each square is cut into twelve.
I'll divide the pieces into snack ziplocs, each bag getting six pieces.
We have some vegans on our tour, and some people who don't like sweets, so I expect to have a little extra.
Those I'll give to the Cincinnati Dinner Train people.
When that was done, lunch, then I drove Jameson to his eye appointment because we expected them to dilate his eyes but they didn't, so we enjoyed each others' company and picked up his dry cleaning on the way home :)
The rest of the night was spent at our friend Lea's house, celebrating her husband Simon's birthday!
He's 50!
We left around 11 when it started getting rowdy.
I have a lot to do tomorrow, or it seems that way anyway.
--------------------------------------------------------
Saturday.
The strawberry cheesecake overnight oats were very good.
I topped them with crumbled graham crackers and fresh strawberries.
Next time I would incorporate some Greek yogurt for more richness, and a little strawberry jam in the topping.
While Jameson was at the gym I fertilized my bananas, went to the tailor to get my pants, did a load of laundry, and packed.
When Jameson got back I had a tax appointment over the phone and found out that I'd owe (not surprising, I did a lot of 1099 work this year) but it IS more than I expected because one of my W2s is for NY and even though I only spent three weeks or so working there, they want to charge me essentially as though I worked there the whole year.
My preparer didn't feel this was fair and neither did I, so he's looking into it.
After that, a very disappointing conversation with someone that I thought was a friend, but who used my post about circus memories (the photos above) to soapbox about his opinions on animal cruelty.
Did not once ask me how the animals were actually treated.
Did not ask how they are now, or WHERE they are now.
Used my comments section to repost the same old PETA propaganda videos and photos...because CLEARLY, having been a circus employee for five years, I would NEVER have seen any of THAT before.
I was angry and hurt, as usual (this happens a LOT). But ultimately, it's just disappointing.
It's disappointing that people really think that poorly of me.
People genuinely seem to think that I would work for a company for five years just standing around watching elephants get bashed over the head.
If you think so little of me--and if you can't be bothered to ask one single question about what being in the circus was REALLY like before throwing accusations around--then we are NOT friends.
Five years of my life. Those animals were, and continue to be, an important part of my circus family.
And if you think that edited YouTube videos, or unfounded PETA accusations, are going to overwrite the things that I experienced firsthand, you're out of your freaking mind. I will ALWAYS defend the professional, compassionate, and skilled vet techs who worked with Ringling's animals. They are good human beings who prioritize animal WELFARE over animal ideology. It was a privilege to see their work, and to interact with these animals.
Aaaanyway. I was in a bit of a sour mood as Jameson and I drove to Clermont.
But the weather was so nice, and the downtown area was so cute and fun, so I couldn't be ornery for long!
We found The Snack Plug, a little shop that had international and unique candy and chips and such.
We picked out some things and took our haul to a park bench to sample.
Three seafood flavored chips: spicy crayfish, garlic oyster, and prawn cocktail.
We liked spicy crayfish the best, and prawn cocktail the least (it was very tomato-forward).
The giant Skittles were good! The texture is a little different than normal Skittles but the flavor was the same, only BIGGER :p
Jameson got a strawberries n' cream Dr. Pepper which was very good.
My Peeps Pepsi was just meh.
We wandered some more and found loads of bakeries, crafts, a record store, thrift stores...really nice shops, and we had fun window shopping. For dinner we eventually settled on Pepe's Cantina because we were feeling nostalgic for Agave in Hartford (more circus memories).
They did tableside guac which was amazing, and we each got a fancy drink.
I had octopus al pastor tacos and they were phenomenal.
The flavor was great, and the octopus was tender, not rubbery at all. So good!
We walked off our meal outside, enjoying the lakeside views.
This one taken at a scenic overlook platform.
Soon it was time to drive back home so I could finish packing.
In the morning Jameson will take me to the airport.
I'm sad to leave so soon, especially with a longer run ahead on tour.
But, I'm trying to appreciate all of this. Because in June it'll be over.
----------------------------------------------------------
Sunday. We woke up early, loaded up the car, and Jameson took me to the airport.
I squeezed him extra hard, because it'll be three months before I see him again.
It doesn't get easier. But I'm glad we have the type of relationship that can withstand this.
Bought some eggs and coffee to go with wheat bread and blueberries that I'd brought from home.
The first flight was a layover in Ft. Lauderdale, but they had people continuing on to Nashville stay on the plane.
I've never gotten to do that before...it's wasn't anything special really, just got to choose a better seat.
In Nashville I missed our first company shuttle, so had to kill time at the airport for about an hour.
Then it was a two hour bus ride to the hotel in Paducah.
I was feeling antsy, so walked around the mall area and then to Walmart for a few food items.
Tomorrow is our first show after the layoff.
I unpacked and took it easy for the rest of the night, chatting with some people that I'll be spending time with in Cinci.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I discovered that my flight back to tour is on SUNDAY, not Monday, so this layoff feels way too short now :(
There's still so much to do...mainly, making all those dang caramels.
I got started right after breakfast, but had a scary moment when I poured the cream too fast AND it was still too cold, so the sugar seized. I was afraid it might change the texture of the caramel, but kept going because heavy cream is $4 a pint right now and what if it turned out all right?
The texture did seem normal once it was setting, but we will see when it is cut.
I immediately did the second batch after washing dishes from the first.
It would have been nice to just do a larger batch in a bigger pot, but the new pot would need to conduct heat evenly and this did not seem like the time to test whether our ancient soup pot from Target was up to the task.
So, wash the dishes and do it all over again.
They look identical side by side. And hopefully they are.
Then lunch, data entry, writing two letters, and a little more packing.
I cracked open my box of circus memorabilia...
( CLICK HERE for circus memories )
We went for a walk in the late afternoon, talking about Jameson's upcoming musical projects.
Things in the entertainment world are really starting to get momentum now, and he'll be busy with music directing, programming, teaching, and performing all the way through the end of May. Not to mention his own studies as he continues his masters program.
I'm happy that he's got so many projects, but hope he doesn't overextend himself.
Back at the house we got cleaned up and made our last Hello Fresh kit together.
Cheddar-stuffed meatloaf with potato wedges and carrots.
Jameson formed the meatloaf while I washed and cut veggies.
I roasted the potatoes while he fried some onions for the topping.
It turned out great, though I only ate half because high calories.
----------------------------------------------------
Friday! Already.
Before breakfast I drove to Publix for strawberries and graham crackers for the overnight oats.
That gave me an excuse to stop at Wawa and get a hazelnut coffee :)
Back home and after breakfast, put together the strawberry cheesecake overnight oats.
It's pretty much the same recipe as the chocolate peanut butter; I'm just using a strawberry banana Core Power, cream cheese instead of peanut butter, and strawberries instead of chocolate shell. I also added a little lemon juice because some other recipes had it, and I do think it helps convey the "tang" that cheesecake has.
Tomorrow before serving I'll do a graham cracker crumble on top with sliced strawberries. Yum!
Then it was time to chop up my two big blocks of caramel.
Luckily I still had some precut wax paper wraps, so that saved me time with prep work.
First I cut the blocks into nine squares, then each square is cut into twelve.
I'll divide the pieces into snack ziplocs, each bag getting six pieces.
We have some vegans on our tour, and some people who don't like sweets, so I expect to have a little extra.
Those I'll give to the Cincinnati Dinner Train people.
When that was done, lunch, then I drove Jameson to his eye appointment because we expected them to dilate his eyes but they didn't, so we enjoyed each others' company and picked up his dry cleaning on the way home :)
The rest of the night was spent at our friend Lea's house, celebrating her husband Simon's birthday!
He's 50!
We left around 11 when it started getting rowdy.
I have a lot to do tomorrow, or it seems that way anyway.
--------------------------------------------------------
Saturday.
The strawberry cheesecake overnight oats were very good.
I topped them with crumbled graham crackers and fresh strawberries.
Next time I would incorporate some Greek yogurt for more richness, and a little strawberry jam in the topping.
While Jameson was at the gym I fertilized my bananas, went to the tailor to get my pants, did a load of laundry, and packed.
When Jameson got back I had a tax appointment over the phone and found out that I'd owe (not surprising, I did a lot of 1099 work this year) but it IS more than I expected because one of my W2s is for NY and even though I only spent three weeks or so working there, they want to charge me essentially as though I worked there the whole year.
My preparer didn't feel this was fair and neither did I, so he's looking into it.
After that, a very disappointing conversation with someone that I thought was a friend, but who used my post about circus memories (the photos above) to soapbox about his opinions on animal cruelty.
Did not once ask me how the animals were actually treated.
Did not ask how they are now, or WHERE they are now.
Used my comments section to repost the same old PETA propaganda videos and photos...because CLEARLY, having been a circus employee for five years, I would NEVER have seen any of THAT before.
I was angry and hurt, as usual (this happens a LOT). But ultimately, it's just disappointing.
It's disappointing that people really think that poorly of me.
People genuinely seem to think that I would work for a company for five years just standing around watching elephants get bashed over the head.
If you think so little of me--and if you can't be bothered to ask one single question about what being in the circus was REALLY like before throwing accusations around--then we are NOT friends.
Five years of my life. Those animals were, and continue to be, an important part of my circus family.
And if you think that edited YouTube videos, or unfounded PETA accusations, are going to overwrite the things that I experienced firsthand, you're out of your freaking mind. I will ALWAYS defend the professional, compassionate, and skilled vet techs who worked with Ringling's animals. They are good human beings who prioritize animal WELFARE over animal ideology. It was a privilege to see their work, and to interact with these animals.
Aaaanyway. I was in a bit of a sour mood as Jameson and I drove to Clermont.
But the weather was so nice, and the downtown area was so cute and fun, so I couldn't be ornery for long!
We found The Snack Plug, a little shop that had international and unique candy and chips and such.
We picked out some things and took our haul to a park bench to sample.
Three seafood flavored chips: spicy crayfish, garlic oyster, and prawn cocktail.
We liked spicy crayfish the best, and prawn cocktail the least (it was very tomato-forward).
The giant Skittles were good! The texture is a little different than normal Skittles but the flavor was the same, only BIGGER :p
Jameson got a strawberries n' cream Dr. Pepper which was very good.
My Peeps Pepsi was just meh.
We wandered some more and found loads of bakeries, crafts, a record store, thrift stores...really nice shops, and we had fun window shopping. For dinner we eventually settled on Pepe's Cantina because we were feeling nostalgic for Agave in Hartford (more circus memories).
They did tableside guac which was amazing, and we each got a fancy drink.
I had octopus al pastor tacos and they were phenomenal.
The flavor was great, and the octopus was tender, not rubbery at all. So good!
We walked off our meal outside, enjoying the lakeside views.
This one taken at a scenic overlook platform.
Soon it was time to drive back home so I could finish packing.
In the morning Jameson will take me to the airport.
I'm sad to leave so soon, especially with a longer run ahead on tour.
But, I'm trying to appreciate all of this. Because in June it'll be over.
----------------------------------------------------------
Sunday. We woke up early, loaded up the car, and Jameson took me to the airport.
I squeezed him extra hard, because it'll be three months before I see him again.
It doesn't get easier. But I'm glad we have the type of relationship that can withstand this.
Bought some eggs and coffee to go with wheat bread and blueberries that I'd brought from home.
The first flight was a layover in Ft. Lauderdale, but they had people continuing on to Nashville stay on the plane.
I've never gotten to do that before...it's wasn't anything special really, just got to choose a better seat.
In Nashville I missed our first company shuttle, so had to kill time at the airport for about an hour.
Then it was a two hour bus ride to the hotel in Paducah.
I was feeling antsy, so walked around the mall area and then to Walmart for a few food items.
Tomorrow is our first show after the layoff.
I unpacked and took it easy for the rest of the night, chatting with some people that I'll be spending time with in Cinci.
-------------------------------------------------------------
