Talk to the Goat
Awesome post -- I'm at once inspired, hungry, wincing from your pain, and laughing. What more can I ask for from a post on a nice Saturday afternoon? I'm in total agreement on the baked potato -- it is but a vehicle to transport mounds of butter, sour cream, and chives to my eagerly awaiting taste buds.
Oh, and "And what better way to relate to my new neighbours than to sit on my veranda drinking from a paper bag?" is the best. Line. Ever.
Oh ouch, that blister is nasty. Baked potatos don't sound a bit interesting to me today...brownies on the other hand, or oatmeal cookies heaped with raisons....
Ouch to the blister.
Sounds like the new neighborhood is an adventure.
I loooove baked potatoes. Much more than steak although I've never liked sour cream. Or chives.
Honey, you and Ms. Mac have to get together and form an official Mutual Blister Admiration Society.
Enjoy yourselves! Just don't invite me to your meetings, and don't bother posting any more photographic evidence, okay?
All that walking making you hungry? I LOVE potatoes and could live FOREVER on them. There were a few years after me and grandma discovered a new tater recipe that nobody considered the meal done till someone had made THOSE taters!
So I am with you on the potato.
The potato is the Jan and steak is the Marcia? You realize that is pure culinary genius, right? Does that make the green beans Alice and the salt that is on them Sam the Butcher? Looking back now that didn't sound right, did it?
I walk as often as I can. I usually end up developing most of my posts while I walk.
Looks like things are changing for you. It's good to think positvely about them.
Hope things continue to improve for you.
It feels so good to get out and explore your new surroundings doesn't it? A surprise around every corner.
Potatoes are practically the only veggie my husband will eat (besides a plain salad) so we have them quite often around here. Can you believe he doesn't like sour cream?
First off, a family-sized bottle of vodka is ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS a wise investment. (ALWAYS.)
Secondly, walking around in a big city is one of my absolute FAVORITE things to do. Unfortunately, I no longer live in a major city, and so things are not packed as tightly making walking somewhat less interesting.
I'm glad you're making the most of good weather and getting out and about, and smiling at people.
Oh, and if I were an ugly boxy shirt, and I knew I was unloved, I would probably not like to be worn all the time, because then I gotta be washed and dried, and go through all the effort of trying to look cute when everyone else knows I'm not... Seems like too much bother to be worn if there is no love.
Lordy, what are you wearing on your feet to create a blister like that? Better fitting socks and shoes should be a high priority for your next perambulation...
Don't forget the Bac-O-Bits with the sour cream on those baked spuds...
So you glowed!
Marvellous.
More resting is in order. Sometimes it can be almost unbearable to stay still, but you must. You must.
Sacriligious!
I would never put simulated bacon on or even near my food!
OGO - no. I simply don't believe it.
Antipo - I'm sorry. I know it's gross. Every time I scroll down I get a little shiver of disgust. But as a girl who gets them constantly, I feel the need to take stock.
p.s. I realize it's not even a real blister - a blister is a bubble of skin that forms a cushion around a sore spot...obviously, the part that would have formed the bubble has fallen off and is hanging there at the bottom, and now it's just raw skin.
Come on, don't tell me that's not neat!
I just ate, but now I want a baked potato with sour cream and cheese and bacon bits.
Oh my that looks sore! It's making my entire skin surface retract just thinking of the pain. 
You're smiling at everyone, you're so cool. I wish more people would have smiled back at you though. Here's a big one from me. 
Baked potatoes are one of my biggest excuses to eat sour cream!
I dunno. I like ranch dressing better than sour cream
oooh. i've HAD those blisters and man do they suck.
what kinda vodka would you buy? i think it's an investment, rather than an expense, but then i'm the one that chooses wine or beer over all sorts of other things. ;P
well we're all walking around aren't we Jay? I love it! Now, the important but as-yet-unasked question: will you be saving that little piece of blister skin on your bulletin board?
I had a blister just like that once. I grabbed an exacto-knife and popped it. When I bent over to pick up my sock, I forced my chest to the knife, burying it in my left nipple.
Eight stitches later I was a good as new.
I am a big smiler. And it makes people really uncomfortable. Which, basically thrills me, because that's funny. There are the people that turn around and look behind them, there are the guys that get the "oh yeah, she totally digs me" head bob, there are the ones the furtively remove eye contact and walk faster... good fun, smiling.
That blister scares the shit out of me. Yikes.
As does the x-acto knife in the nipple.
I always enjoy a good walk - it is instant calm for me.
Oooh I'm sorry about the blister. That looks kinda nasty. I love walking too... especially around markets with lots of activities bustling That pizza place thing made me laugh... reminds me of Starbucks in every corner where I live.
That's one big blister, there!
I'm amazed that only one woman smiled back. I wonder if the ration would be the same if a man walked around smiling at people, or if it would be the other way around.
Ow. That is a ripper of a blister, and I think it's fine for you to call it a blister, even though it's popped already. I've only ever got them like that from bushwalking, but i hated them.
It's weird smiling at people, hey? They often just don't get it. I think Aus and Canada have some things in common.
Joy - unfortunatley, the bulletin board and the skin have been left behind.
Your neighbourhood sounds alive. Wonderful. And to take the time to explore by foot: divine. I do a lot of that, in flip flops so my heels are blister free!
And the poor blouse. Yes. I do that with clothes. If I've invested in something I have to get value for money even if it makes me miserable and gets me laughed at. It just has to be worn with me chanting 'I do like it, it is good'.
I lie to myself a lot, but so far haven't noticed.
bared your soul and your blister
i'm southwest of you and in my neighborhood, we all smile back
I just discovered your blog this morning - what a pleasant, Sunday morning surprise to have with my coffee! I enjoyed reading several of your posts and will definitely be back.
Now take care of that foot! OUCH
Aunt Joan sounds like one of my Southern relations 
First off, that citrus smell is a good sign, you probably don't have scurvy. NICE!
I notice the smile back/say good morning or hello thing at work all the time. If someone fails to return the smile or hello, I alternate between immolating then in my mind or tripping them and then giving them an indian burn or purple nurple they'll never forget.
What a wonderful description of your new neighborhood! Well, except for the dang blisters. LOL If I were there I'd buy you a big bottle of vodka and sit on the stoop drinking with you while we watched the world pass us by.
Your friends and commenters are SO NICE! Very encouraging and able to relate to your posts. Oh! You went for a walk? How lovely! Oh! You got a blister? That sucks! Oh! You want potatoes? Me too!
But I can't help but wonder about the elephant in the room.
What happened, Jay? Why are you in a new neighbourhood? What's happened to your marriage?
I've been enjoying your site for a long time. You're a great writer. I'm not such a great commenter. But I've been checking often, wondering what's really going on. Can't you say?
The key to your future happiness is the fact that bulletin board and the "skin" were left behind. :>)
I like the photo of the baby blister and his mama.
I just discover your blog, you're such a great writer, funny, hillarious. I'll come back often, you're in my favaorite now.
Walks... I used to do those a lot in my neighborhood. Trouble was they usually occurred at 2 in the morning so I put a stop to them before I was stopped and thrown into the pokey by the random drive-by cop car.
Another very enjoyable post. Thanks.
I'm glad you got out to explore. It sounds like a very cool place. Get the vodka. You deserve it.
that blister is a bastard.
I love your writing! When I read your blog I feel like I'm experiencing everything that you did...the tastes, the smells...everything. My feet even hurt after seeing the pic of your blister. Ouch. I swear if you want some comfy walking shoes, wear Crocs. I know they're horribly hideous...but sooo comfy. I actually own 2 pairs. I know I'm not in-style, but my comfort is more important to me. Btw...I have shirt that I hate, yet wear all the time too. But I have a different reason. I save my 'good' clothes for going out, or special occasions, and wear the clothes I kinda hate, the rest of the time. I'm going to die with a closet full of 'good' clothes that have never been worn. I have issues.
Sorry for the long rant.
New neighbourhood, new roommate, new blister.
Adventure ahead.
Keep your head up Mylady.
hmmmmm,
great writing as usual.
glad to know that you have roof over the head.
walking is good.
open sore blister's suck.
indulging is carbs and vodka is sometimes necessary.
...but i don't really think you've bared your soul...
xo
I was in Toronto a few years ago for "Sars-Fest." It is an absolutely wonderful city! I loved it, and need to get back there again some day.
I love to walk too! Gord and I do that a lot ... just aimlessly walk. That's why I love Toronto ... so much to see!
That's some nasty blister you've got on your foot, Girl! Take care of it. Ouch!
what better way to relate to my new neighbours than to sit on my veranda drinking from a paper bag?
You`re pretty funny ...for a girl.
Ow, ow ow. My heel is having sympathy pains.
And the HUNGER? The HUNGER. Ack..I am so craving a baked potato as I write this. I do so love the backed potato...not too much into the sour cream....just some butter...but the skins are what I would kill for.
Take care of those feet Jay. I look forward to your next post.
Yes, Toronto is fine and dandy, and the good news is: we're now disease free!
Woah, first of all you have a LOT of comments. haha
I hope your foot heels!
I smile at animals as well as people, so if anyone is counting, I'm good with everything, even the squirrels.
-P
Mmmmm. Baked potatoes = Food of the Gods.
Perhaps that's why Toronto is not a smiley town, the people aren't eating enough baked potatoes.
Okay,
The blister is a doozy and worthy of a photograph. The boxy shirt, I bet it is comfy. If you wanted to make it feel special you could adorn it with a belt around the waste.
Now, you like a baked potato, well try this.
Twiced Bake potato
Bake the potato
Slice open lengthwise in half and remove innards
Mix innards with Smoked Guoda (sp?) grated, half and half or cream, butter, sour cream (tons), spices of your choice, even chives, and mash it all up and restuff. Pop into the oven until hot and bubbly. Best twiced baked tater ever, I SWEAR!!!
ouch to the blister! I get them all the time too - let me know if you figure out a way to either prevent or fix them! (a painless way, please)
Aiiiii. Now I know what Birkenstocks are made for.
Elephant in the room, indeed!! Of course, we're curious, and I feel wrong even asking cause like... if you wanted to tell us, you'd tell us.
Though I went through this thing with my blog awhile back, where I felt like I needed to explain every little thing so people understood all my posts and then you forget why you're writing... granted, it's public, but not necessarily FOR the public.
So in any case... I had only found your blog a couple months ago, and I love it, and I even read through all the archives one rainy Sunday afternoon. I'm happy that whatever it was that happened, you're doing well and having positive thoughts and whatever it was that happened, it's really none of our business.
Gad. I'm craving baked potatoes now.
Ouuccchhh....no..no...YOOOUUCCCHHHH!! That hurts just to look at that thing girl. That you can even smile while that is on you foot says a lot. Huummm, it's 7:20 am...is that too early for a baked potato??????
I really like your posts
The title is a little misleading tho...golden showers?!?!?! LOL
Good luck on your Smile Toronto project altho i'm not really surprised not a lot of ladies smiled back...hopefully you'll be able to convert them soon :D
Drats!!!!! I just left a long flattering comment that was lost!
Get some "Moleskin" for your blister.
Keep smiling!!!!!!!!!!!11I love your project.
March 19 is that post I wanted you to read of mine. Consider yourself retroacively tagged.
That blister looks a bit painful, definitely a reason to invest in the family size bottle of vodka and drink away the blister pain.
I'm with you on baked potatoes being a vehicle for sour cream. That's what I had for dinner last night and it was quite exquisite. Coming in a close second only to a freshly baked sweet potato, skinned and mushed up with a little butter and black pepper.
Umm yeah, apparently I am hungry today, someone cut me off from food rambling!
I don't understand the sweat to glow relationship. Then again, I'm not a woman.
Ouch! the blister, though the vodka will help that.
Baked potatoe, yum.
Glad to see you back up and running again. Not literally speaking here. Just a figure of speech. That blister looked like it hurt. You know people are the friendliest of species. I have no idea why. Oh well. Well hope you are feeling better than you were last week and that slump doesnt come again for a very long time. Later N.
If you smiled at me, I would certainly smile back.
BTW, I hope to have something in the mail for you this week. Don't want you to think I've forgotten.
Crap! I need to go change the rotation of my ugly shirts. Guilt will now rule my fashion sense. Thanks.
I would have smiled back at you! I love it when people smile at me for no apparent reason.
OUCH! Your poor foot!
unreal more people don't smile...bummer
I too wear clothes cause I feel sorry for them...
I could do without the picture of your blister..yuck..you're wierd, but you knew that.
Just letting you know I was here and listening.
D.C. is that way, too. No smiling. No eye contact whatsoever. I moved away and smile at people now. As soon as I go back to visit, I'm scowling and staring at a non-existent point several feet ahead of me. I hope your new locale doesn't drive the smile from your face, though.
Oh, and fun anti-blister tip: stick one of those old lady corn pads (the donut shaped sticky ones) to the part of your foot where your shoe rubs before you walk. You won't get a blister.
Speedy recovery! Haha. Your opening paragraph about orange scented skin reminded me of an article I read a few years go. I don't feel like searching for it now, but it was about how drinking an abundance of Sunny D can turn your skin orange. Some kid did it in Asia.
ouch - for foot.
the smile thing...
i do that.
7am on my way home.
no one smiled for months
now a few regulars even say hello.
not bad going...
oh, the man on the bike waves even from the otherside of the carpark...
ouch again...poor you.
One word! OUCH! ~ jb///
I'll bring the butter - the REAL butter - none of that margerine crap. You bring the sour cream. MMMMM!
I"m guessing the next post will have a lot to say about limping? I adore you Jay, email me if you need anything.
since you read my husband's blog, i know that YOU know things are pretty rough around here. although i don't really know you, it sucks to hear that things are rough for you as well. i remember the post about you and love and the way you love jason. i wish i had love like that and i hope you're not losing yours. i have been filled in a little as to what's going on and if you need anything, please know you can email me even if it's just to vent. i've been through a lot in my young life and whatever it is you're going through i can (unfortunately) probably relate.
best to you!
mrs. k
owie. Me? I sweat. like a pig. Never was a girlie girl.
I love a little baked potato with my butter & sour cream...and yes, vodka IS a necessity. I vote yes.
those blisters remind me of the sunburn t got in the d.r.-- except they're not oozing large amounts of crusty yellow fluid.
perhaps you could cinch that boxy shirt with one of those hideously trendy corset belts! then you'd really be hip. ewww.
Its probabaly a sex thing. If you were a guy, maybe more girls would smile back but other men would be taken aback O__o
Its weird. But I can just quickly estimate, I smile at people everyday (I got used to it from where I work), most people smile back if it is accompanied with a "Hi".
About 6/10 people I meet will smile back. I didn't think Toronto was that unfriendly. =(
As always, your voice is impeccable, disarming, engaging, though I hate to be a literary critic almost as much as I hate to not be able to dance in public without severe embarrassment.
If a Haitian oil drum with bloodlust isn't your cup of tea, maybe I could get a handle (Chicagoan for 1.75 L) of decent vodka through Canadian customs?
As for the vodka, many contributions to the arts are tax deductible, and a penny withheld from killing Iraqis, Iranians, Afganis, and Somalis is a penny earned.
I am reading between the lines and I think I understand what has happened and If I'm right then I wish you the best of luck. You do have one thing going for you that most people do not have. You have hope and you have your writing. Who else could make me feel sorry for a shirt? Keep buying those pretty panties and ugly blouses, they will last longer than the Vodka.
Take Care and keep on keeping on!
The Cake Lady
One word:
moleskin
Glad to hear you're out walking. Your neighborhood sounds ripe for the blog topic picking. Score!
Any chance we could see online versions of some article(s) you've sold?
I’m glad you are getting familiar with your new surroundings. But sorry about the blister – ouch! Looks painful. Good for you with the Smile campaign!! Not too surprised by the results.
No, I didn't buy the vodka. Ultimately, it's just not in the budget, (it costs about hte same as 10 subway rides!) and I know that if I had it, it would be happiness for one night, and then hangover city the next day. Plus, if you have everything you want, what will you dream of at night?
I don't know how it works in Canada, but here I'm pretty sure with a blister like that you are eligible for disability payments. You won't have to work until your heel grows back.
Their is cheap vodka, trust me, you think I have ever heard of the Bankers Club.
And I always thought it was Glisten, not Glow
That picture is nasty!
There is no cheap vodka in this province, baby. Our liquor stores are run by the government, and all they sell is name brand.
Oh Jay, you and your crazy walking ways.
Sounds like you live in a great place!
love yr insights! your new neighborhood sounds very cultural and interesting. I know I would not be bored there. I love walking too... seeing the sights and sounds and just... breathing it all in.
Commenting by HaloScan
