Thanks

This week was Thanksgiving. I did dinner again. We had a good turnout this year. Ronny, Nauber, and I of course. Nauber's friends Liliani and Darrell. Ronny's friend Dulci and her two daughters. My friend Shaun and her husband Ian. Nauber's coworker Nick. Ronny's kind-of-sort-of boyfriend also showed up later in the evening and ate the second drumstick, which Nauber was NOT happy about.

My turkey turned out good, as always. Also did a ham this year, turned out fabulous. Served it with an apple cranberry chutney (no cran sauce). Giblet stuffing, smoked gouda mashed potatoes, roasted beets, yams, roasted zucchini, broccoli and cauliflower with crumb topping, and gravy were the sides. The gravy didn't turn out well at all, but that was partly due to Liliani (who offered to help, so came early) trying to tell me I was 'doing it wrong' and taking over. She tried to change the beets, too, but I stopped her on that one, so they did turn out right (which I pointed out to her!). For dessert I did pumpkin cheesecake, mixed berry pie, and a black forest pie. Both Liliani and Dulci brought pave (a Brazilian pudding torte), though one was peach and one was pineapple. I like peach more than I like pineapple, so I liked the pave de pessago (the peach one) better.

My stove schedule was also messed up a bit because Liliani brought a jug of cider and wanted to mull it, so we had a pot with spiced cider, too. I had bought egg-nog, but it got sidelined by the cider.

Nick ended up staying over that night, and we watched Another Gay Movie 'cause he hadn't seen it before (if you watch it, make sure to get the "uncut" version - it's so much more raunchy!). Darryl Stephens is one of my all-time favorites:

Can I Has Careerpath?

Three interviews this past week! All will need a second round before any decisions. On Monday interviewed with HR for QA Director at a med device manufacturer in Holliston MA. Round two would be with the hiring manager, the owner. Small, family-owned business. It would add title and med device to my resume, but small fam-own manufacture SUCKS. And the commute to Holliston would be annoying. Tuesday was phone interview with QA Manager for QA Engineer position at electronics manufacturer in Woburn MA. Round two would be the in-person. Low position, still manufacturing, and the commute would be hellacious. This is the 'safety school' option. Wednesday was an interview with HR/Supervisor/Manager for a financial analyst job at TJX in Framingham. Low level, but huge up-side potential, and adding financial analyst to my skill-set! The second round would add in Asst VP and CFO, since I will be the sole dept representative sent to the distribution center in Las Vegas. That's right - relocation to Vegas, baby! The only real downside here is leaving my social network behind, tho both Brazilians are currently in "yeah we're going with you!" mode.
The other issue is that every single person I interviewed with came across as loving me except the Manager at TJX, and that's actually the job I want. The irony is that her issue is that she's not sure I really want This career, since it is so different from the trajectory my resume illustrated. I've said what I can, and sent her a thank-you message that same day to try to keep the interest level evident.
I will probably hear back next week from all three when they want to see me again for the next interview. I hope this all turns out Right!

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The birthday party last weekend was a success. Too much food, of course, and I didn't care for the brazilian snacks. Cris' friend Ney offered to do them. The kibbe and the coxinha were slightly better than Cleuza's, but I like her bolinhos and pastel much better. The bolinhos (fried little balls of cheese) had big green chunks of herbs in them - no idea which herb, but rather overpowered the yummy cheesiness. The pastel I prefer are the cheese and corn ones, he only made beef. Liliani did another Torta de pao (chicken cake!), and we rolled out dozens of docinhos. Most of them were new variations. Added pecans to the chocolate ones (yum!), rolled a strawberry piece inside, or added a bunch of pineapple to coconut ones.

Everyone also liked the porn star calendar in Nauber's room (I gave it to him earlier this year). November is a particularly good choice, Dario beck. The calendar is full nudity, but here's a more modest shot of him:

Festa dos Brasilieros

Nauber has been much better this week. Even accommodated a request of mine! Did make a snarky reply about paying me back when he gets a new boyfriend after I mentioned how he hasn't paid me for any bills since his mom was here.

But it is his birthday this weekend. As well as Cris. As well as Sergio. We are doing a joint party for Cris and Nauber together on Saturday at our place. Sergio was invited, but I have no idea if he will show up (Ronny invited him).

And yes, these three are Brazilian, too: