Lazy Jessy's Freezer Pasta Salad

I'm about the laziest person you'll ever meet. I go out of my way to do the least amount of actual work possible. Take, for example, what I am planning to make for dinner for myself tonight, freezer pasta salad. I actually make it rather a lot because it is fast, easy, cheap, and reasonably healthy. Plus it gets rid of any veggies in my fridge or freezer that really ought to get used up. (Though I must admit to buying vegetables specifically for making this salad.) It also works well to use up that last little bit of salad dressing that has been in the fridge for however long. It isn't really a recipe but here's how I make it.

1 box of pasta (any kind will do, but I like little shells)

3 or 4 large handfuls of various kind of frozen vegetables (my favorites include peas, corn, green beans, and chopped broccoli)

1 or two heaps of chopped fresh veggies that need to be used up (red peppers, cucumbers, and onions happen into mine a lot)

Dressing or mayo (I usually use a combination of both)

Seasonings (I *love* McCormick's Garlic Pepper Grinder! But onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning blend, salt, and black pepper all work)

Put some water on to boil for your pasta. Fetch the colander/strainer and set it in the sink (or carry it around with you if you're as lazy as me.) Throw in your assorted veggies. Don't bother cooking them or thawing them. Cook the pasta. When it's done, pour the hot water over the frozen veggies in the strainer as you're draining the pasta. Dump the pasta in the strainer too. I usually just stick my hands in there and stir the pasta in with the frozen veggies. The hot pasta and the hot water thaw the veggies and the veggies cool the pasta at the same time. They should even out in a minute or so to a nice cool room temperature but you can also run cool water over the lot to do it faster. When everything is drained and thawed, dump it into a big bowl and add the mayo and dressing and seasoning to taste. I just add a little mayo and a little dressing (I like Zesty Italian or Balsamic Vinaigrette) and stir, then add more until it looks/tastes about right. You can get pretty creative with the seasonings. I sometimes throw in some grated or shredded cheese, or a can of chicken or tuna too. Best when eaten on hot days when the AC is broken. It's great the next day too.

Oh dear. Now I'm hungry. Guess it's lunch time. I think I'll take a pic of dinner tonight and add it in.

Some things I want to do some day

This is a random list, in no particular order, of some things I've always wanted to do but never got around to. I'd like to do them all some day. Of course, some are much easier and more feasible than others but they are all reasonably possible. It amused me when I was writing that most of them are 'places' rather than 'things' but I guess that makes sense in a way. I'm certain there are more things that should be on here, but these are the ones on my mind today.
In no particular order:

Ride a Greyhound bus -- I've always wanted to take the bus to someplace random. This is what pushed me to write up this list today. A Greyhound came in to work, and I was musing on all the different kinds of people that got off. It's such an interesting mix. People from all different backgrounds and places, riding the bus for a myriad of reasons. It just seems like a fun thing to do. I'd probably get a lot of crocheting done. The destination doesn't matter so much as the journey to get there.

Drive the Whole Length of Interstate 80 -- This one has been on my mind basically since I learned to drive. It always fascinated me that the highway that goes past my town also goes to San Francisco. I've traveled 80 from the eastern most end (the George Washington Bridge) as far out as the eastern edge of Illinois, but there is so much further to go! Maybe this one should wait for gas prices to be less stupid...

Visit Japan -- This trip is one of the least feasible, but also one I *really* want to do. It's very expensive to travel halfway around the world, but Japan is one of those places that I 'want to see before I die' that people talk about. I don't know when I'll get there, but I'll find a way, someday.

Skydive -- One of the two things on the list that isn't a travel item. I just think it might be fun to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. I'll probably hate it and never want to do it again, but I'll have done it. There is a place not far from where I live that offers lessons. It's expensive but not *that* expensive. I might need moral support for this.

Tongue piercing -- The other thing that isn't a destination. I've always wanted a piece of metal shoved through my tongue. The inhibitor on this one isn't funds or time but rather I kind of feel too old. Plenty of people who are my age have them, but most people do things like that in their teens. I'm also a bit concerned about my job and family. Sure, I'm 27 and old enough to do what I want, but I still respect their opinions. This one will probably happen before all the others. If I'm going to do it, I ought to do it before I get even older right?

See Alaska in the Summer -- Like the trip to Japan, I have no clue when this is going to happen. I just really want to get there someday. I think it would be neat to watch the sun set and then rise again really quickly. It'd probably be pretty cool to be there in the winter too.

Take a Cruise -- I've never been, and I think it'd be fun. Lots of time to read and crochet and relax. I'd have to bring an extra suitcase just filled with books though. And maybe another with yarn.

Of course, most of these would be much more fun with other people and at the moment, I'm pretty much out of people to kidnap. But that is ok. There is no time limit on this list. I just wanted to write them down so to remember them when I do find someone willing and able to be kidnapped.

In Mourning for Robert Asprin

While cruising the internet tonight, I've just learned that Robert Asprin passed away, unexpectedly on May 22. I'm a huge fan of his MythAdventures books and I think I'm still a little bit in shock. I'm just feeling so very sad that I won't be able to pounce on more of his books.

I'm not sure why I felt the need to write this here. I guess I just wanted to add my bit to the rest of his fans.

He will be missed.