The new "A" in the sidebar is a link to Richard Dawkins "OutCampaign." I think it's more important now than ever, to be absolutely open and clear about one's atheism. Not to waffle and hedge about it, in order to make other people feel comfortable. Our cultures spends so much time making sure that people of all religions feel good about themselves as long as there is some religious affiliation or even the desperate claim of being 'spiritual'. But 'god forbid' someone takes an active, informed, well thought out claim that they do not believe in God. From Slate:
"Many Americans doubt the morality of atheists. According to a 2007 Gallup poll, a majority of Americans say that they would not vote for an otherwise qualified atheist as president, meaning a nonbeliever would have a harder time getting elected than a Muslim, a homosexual, or a Jew. Many would go further and agree with conservative commentator Laura Schlessinger that morality requires a belief in God—otherwise, all we have is our selfish desires. In The Ten Commandments, she approvingly quotes Dostoyevsky: "Where there is no God, all is permitted."
Religious people often have a misguided belief that atheism is a negative, selfish, grim and morally corrupt way to be. That somehow, unless you answer to God, you are less capable of goodness and kindness. I think, however, a far more difficult person to answer to is yourself. Dostoevesky is correct in the quote Schlessinger uses, misguidedly, that "Where there is no God, all is permitted". Isn't it a much better way to be, to do good and kind things out of goodness and kindness, not out of fear of recrimination - because all is permitted and you can choose to be good and kind? Isn't it far more magical that this world functions, exists and grows all on it's own, with all it's amazing creatures, plants, organisms, systems, etc., than to believe that someone essentially waved his hand and created it just so? Isn't it far more elegant to study the world around you, learn about it and question it, be skeptical of it, and try to understand it and take responsibility for yourself in it than to lazily suggest it's all up to someone else?
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Yesterdays adventure and why the "revoke the LDS tax exempt status" idea is stupid.
2 things.
My adventure yesterday:
I rode up to the top of a big hill (the locals called it a 'mountain') and down again, through the woods, with intermittent blizzarding, in search of a lost pony, Trixie, who is about the size and colour of a deer. We spent about 4 hours looking for her - at one point following her tracks for about half a mile - before giving up and turning around. We came to the edge of a clearing we had gone through several times already, when Raina stopped and swung her head to the right, ears pricked. Trixie was standing several yards away, partially hidden by trees. We shook the grain bucket and called her name. She paused and then burst towards us trotting that big trot that very excited horses have, with her tail raised high and her neck arched. She plunged her nose into the grain bucket, we put a halter over her and took her home.
Silly pony! She had spooked at some sheep the day before and literally run for the hills.
second thing.
Some friends on Facebook have joined a group called 'Revoke the LDS Church's Tax-Exempt Status' the grounds for this being that since they asked their congregations to participate campaigning in favour of California's Proposition 8, this was a violation of the statutes requiring seperation of church and state and therefore they should no longer be tax-exempt.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is small potatoes. It is also, I fear, an example of 'jumping on the morally outraged bandwagon'. I say that 'I fear' this because it is exactly this kind of pants wetting, energy wasting, misguided enthusiasm that results in liberals getting nothing done other than a tiz-woz. It's what the conservatives hate about liberals. It's also what lost the Prop 8 fight (the loonies won because they did not waste time clinging to themselves, being outraged and targetting people who already had their vote; they targeted the undecideds in the middle of the state who so unclear on what the matter at hand was, they were led to believe it was about "teaching gay marriage in schools").
I am just as appalled as the next person that some people feel that the sanctity of their own marriage is somehow threatened by men being allowed to marry men or women being allowed to marry women. I was angered that Utah was, essentially, able to change California's constitution. I kept my residency in California partially so I could vote againste Proposition 8 - I am a Californian at heart and I intend to return there. I am also usually not one to cry out "Stop picking on the Mormons!". I find the basic tenants of their religion - the misogyny, the racism, the rampant breeding and and virulent spreading of misinformation - offensive. But let's look at the big picture. The line between church and state is so blurred in this country, is so wrought with loopholes and hypocrisies, that asking the government to take away the LDS Church's tax-exempt status is like walking up to a group of bullies beating someone up and asking only one of them to stop, then walking away, leaving the rest to pound it's victim into the dirt; In short, it's Pointless.
Let's not pick on just the Mormons. Let's pick on all religions. Let's get rid of tax exempt status for all churches, unless they can prove that they truly fall into the category of a non profit organisation. There's a lot of people out there making a lot of money by that are taking advantage of others in the form of tithes or donations or whatever you want to call it. They do it by convincing people that they need to buy their own salvation. They do it by taking advantage of people who are poor, uneducated and scared. It's time that this ridiculousness stopped being virtually sanctioned by the government, and it's time churches, all churches, stopped getting their way with people who aren't idiotic enough to be a part of them.
My adventure yesterday:
I rode up to the top of a big hill (the locals called it a 'mountain') and down again, through the woods, with intermittent blizzarding, in search of a lost pony, Trixie, who is about the size and colour of a deer. We spent about 4 hours looking for her - at one point following her tracks for about half a mile - before giving up and turning around. We came to the edge of a clearing we had gone through several times already, when Raina stopped and swung her head to the right, ears pricked. Trixie was standing several yards away, partially hidden by trees. We shook the grain bucket and called her name. She paused and then burst towards us trotting that big trot that very excited horses have, with her tail raised high and her neck arched. She plunged her nose into the grain bucket, we put a halter over her and took her home.
Silly pony! She had spooked at some sheep the day before and literally run for the hills.
second thing.
Some friends on Facebook have joined a group called 'Revoke the LDS Church's Tax-Exempt Status' the grounds for this being that since they asked their congregations to participate campaigning in favour of California's Proposition 8, this was a violation of the statutes requiring seperation of church and state and therefore they should no longer be tax-exempt.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is small potatoes. It is also, I fear, an example of 'jumping on the morally outraged bandwagon'. I say that 'I fear' this because it is exactly this kind of pants wetting, energy wasting, misguided enthusiasm that results in liberals getting nothing done other than a tiz-woz. It's what the conservatives hate about liberals. It's also what lost the Prop 8 fight (the loonies won because they did not waste time clinging to themselves, being outraged and targetting people who already had their vote; they targeted the undecideds in the middle of the state who so unclear on what the matter at hand was, they were led to believe it was about "teaching gay marriage in schools").
I am just as appalled as the next person that some people feel that the sanctity of their own marriage is somehow threatened by men being allowed to marry men or women being allowed to marry women. I was angered that Utah was, essentially, able to change California's constitution. I kept my residency in California partially so I could vote againste Proposition 8 - I am a Californian at heart and I intend to return there. I am also usually not one to cry out "Stop picking on the Mormons!". I find the basic tenants of their religion - the misogyny, the racism, the rampant breeding and and virulent spreading of misinformation - offensive. But let's look at the big picture. The line between church and state is so blurred in this country, is so wrought with loopholes and hypocrisies, that asking the government to take away the LDS Church's tax-exempt status is like walking up to a group of bullies beating someone up and asking only one of them to stop, then walking away, leaving the rest to pound it's victim into the dirt; In short, it's Pointless.
Let's not pick on just the Mormons. Let's pick on all religions. Let's get rid of tax exempt status for all churches, unless they can prove that they truly fall into the category of a non profit organisation. There's a lot of people out there making a lot of money by that are taking advantage of others in the form of tithes or donations or whatever you want to call it. They do it by convincing people that they need to buy their own salvation. They do it by taking advantage of people who are poor, uneducated and scared. It's time that this ridiculousness stopped being virtually sanctioned by the government, and it's time churches, all churches, stopped getting their way with people who aren't idiotic enough to be a part of them.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Apple tarts and red cardinals
More deliciousness was created in my kitchen yesterday as I made and subsequently ate an apple tart with a cream cheese filling.
I did this in order to avoid folding the laundry in the living room, although one can argue (and I certainly did, to myself) that the apples needed to be used and that laundry...well laundry is always going to be there. In fact, it's still there. And I'm going to go and ride, so it will be there a while longer.
Ithaca is amazingly, eerily and strangely beautiful right now. All the leaves have come off of most of the trees, leaving roads and paths and electrical wires visible where once they were hidden away. The footpath that leads along our Fall Creek is now completely exposed and noticeable from the street (which some how makes it seem less magical) and has a thick carpet of bright yellow leaves (which somehow makes it feel more magical). Since all the insects have stopped their buzzing, chirping and rattling and because we've had a lot of rain, we can hear the waterfall at night. It's much fuller and more energetic, almost angrier than when we first arrived, which makes me think that the crippling humidity and unbearable heat had perhaps made the waterfall a little lazier as it had made me not want to leave the couch.
We have a red cardinal and his mate that have visited our back garden twice now. They're quite cheerful and spend there time either flitting across the garden with the sparrows or else sitting patiently in a big yellow bush.
I did this in order to avoid folding the laundry in the living room, although one can argue (and I certainly did, to myself) that the apples needed to be used and that laundry...well laundry is always going to be there. In fact, it's still there. And I'm going to go and ride, so it will be there a while longer.
Ithaca is amazingly, eerily and strangely beautiful right now. All the leaves have come off of most of the trees, leaving roads and paths and electrical wires visible where once they were hidden away. The footpath that leads along our Fall Creek is now completely exposed and noticeable from the street (which some how makes it seem less magical) and has a thick carpet of bright yellow leaves (which somehow makes it feel more magical). Since all the insects have stopped their buzzing, chirping and rattling and because we've had a lot of rain, we can hear the waterfall at night. It's much fuller and more energetic, almost angrier than when we first arrived, which makes me think that the crippling humidity and unbearable heat had perhaps made the waterfall a little lazier as it had made me not want to leave the couch.
We have a red cardinal and his mate that have visited our back garden twice now. They're quite cheerful and spend there time either flitting across the garden with the sparrows or else sitting patiently in a big yellow bush.
Friday, November 7, 2008
We're all going to be let down.
So I suppose I should comment on this election thing, seeing as it was quite a historical moment. I'm riding the current optimism wave as best I can, but to be honest:
I think Barack Obama is a smart man. He ran his own campaign, made smart choices and as far as foreign policy is concerned, at least it's no longer as embarrassing to travel to foreign countries. He at least appreciates the concept of diplomacy and we can finally rid ourselves of this ridiculous idea that America is somehow superior to the rest of the world or at least shed the fear based need to present itself that way. With Obama as president and winning as he did with such a resounding victory, we can sort of say "Um...yeah, those last 8 years... we're, really really sorry. Look, we've tried to fix it." This is opposed to McCain/Palin which would be like giving the rest of the world a big middle finger. I mean any vice president who gets prank phone called by a Montreal radio host with an outrageous accent and overly personal topics of conversation can't have a grip on reality. I mean has she ever had a conference meeting?? With anyone?? Let alone with someone important?? And anyone as deceitful as someone like McCain would not show any foreign country that the US is worth dealing with:
But and here's the secret: Obama won't be as great as we all want him to be. He's going to let us down within the year and we'll all be terribly, terribly sad.
I think Barack Obama is a smart man. He ran his own campaign, made smart choices and as far as foreign policy is concerned, at least it's no longer as embarrassing to travel to foreign countries. He at least appreciates the concept of diplomacy and we can finally rid ourselves of this ridiculous idea that America is somehow superior to the rest of the world or at least shed the fear based need to present itself that way. With Obama as president and winning as he did with such a resounding victory, we can sort of say "Um...yeah, those last 8 years... we're, really really sorry. Look, we've tried to fix it." This is opposed to McCain/Palin which would be like giving the rest of the world a big middle finger. I mean any vice president who gets prank phone called by a Montreal radio host with an outrageous accent and overly personal topics of conversation can't have a grip on reality. I mean has she ever had a conference meeting?? With anyone?? Let alone with someone important?? And anyone as deceitful as someone like McCain would not show any foreign country that the US is worth dealing with:
But and here's the secret: Obama won't be as great as we all want him to be. He's going to let us down within the year and we'll all be terribly, terribly sad.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
I want one of these
Okay, I realise that this might not be the most exciting idea, but I really want a root cellar in the off the grid, partial subsistence farm that Ryan and I want to build.
Stores of food for the winter and a place to store the pickled things! Like very advanced squirrels!
Stores of food for the winter and a place to store the pickled things! Like very advanced squirrels!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Ravioli!
Last night I made ravioli from scratch, in continuing with this winter's obsession with squash.
I used this recipe for the pasta and these instructions for ravioli-ising it, it only required regular flour and eggs, which I had on hand. I also ended up adding a lot more water than the recipe recommended, to get the dough to the correct consistency. For the ravioli-ising, I think next time, I would use wax paper in order to be able to roll the pasta thinner than I was able to (or Ryan was able to, after I got tired of it). That way, one could pick up the second sheet more easily, for the "covering of the first sheet" step and also, one could use less flour which would make the sheets stick together more easily.
For the filling, I sliced a butternut squash in half, scooped out the seeds and stringy stuff (reserving the stringy stuff for stock and and the seeds set to soak in salt water overnight to be ready roasting and snacking on) put it face down in a baking dish in quarter inch of water. I put it in the oven at 375, for about 45 minutes. Once that was done, I scooped out the flesh into a bowl and mashed, adding about 2 tablespoons of butter, salt to taste, fresh ground black pepper to taste, oregano to taste and about half a cup to a cup of flour. I added 4 cloves diced garlic (you could add less if you don't like garlic) that I had tossed it in the frying pan with some butter, on a lowish heat, so as not to cook but not brown it.
This all got stirred vigorously until it was smooth and then turned into ravioli. It made enough for dinner last night (served with sauteed onions and broccoli in olive oil) and another batch to freeze for another evening when I have less time.
It was time consuming but quite fun and also delicious. I started thinking about all the other sorts of ravioli I could make: eggplant, fresh pea, red pepper, pretty much anything with a nice strong flavour that goes well with pasta.
I'll post pictures when I have a bit more time.
I used this recipe for the pasta and these instructions for ravioli-ising it, it only required regular flour and eggs, which I had on hand. I also ended up adding a lot more water than the recipe recommended, to get the dough to the correct consistency. For the ravioli-ising, I think next time, I would use wax paper in order to be able to roll the pasta thinner than I was able to (or Ryan was able to, after I got tired of it). That way, one could pick up the second sheet more easily, for the "covering of the first sheet" step and also, one could use less flour which would make the sheets stick together more easily.
For the filling, I sliced a butternut squash in half, scooped out the seeds and stringy stuff (reserving the stringy stuff for stock and and the seeds set to soak in salt water overnight to be ready roasting and snacking on) put it face down in a baking dish in quarter inch of water. I put it in the oven at 375, for about 45 minutes. Once that was done, I scooped out the flesh into a bowl and mashed, adding about 2 tablespoons of butter, salt to taste, fresh ground black pepper to taste, oregano to taste and about half a cup to a cup of flour. I added 4 cloves diced garlic (you could add less if you don't like garlic) that I had tossed it in the frying pan with some butter, on a lowish heat, so as not to cook but not brown it.
This all got stirred vigorously until it was smooth and then turned into ravioli. It made enough for dinner last night (served with sauteed onions and broccoli in olive oil) and another batch to freeze for another evening when I have less time.
It was time consuming but quite fun and also delicious. I started thinking about all the other sorts of ravioli I could make: eggplant, fresh pea, red pepper, pretty much anything with a nice strong flavour that goes well with pasta.
I'll post pictures when I have a bit more time.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
More cats!
In continuing with today's cat theme, the following was a post on today's Ithaca Freecycle Digest:
-
RECEIVED: cat absorber
Posted by: "C--------------- S----------------" ---------@yahoo.com
Wed Oct 29, 2008 10:50 am (PDT)
thank you so much for drop it off to our home and may god be with you alway amen c-------
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Back to topReply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (1)
Ahh! A fluorescing cat!
F'reals!
"Named Mr Green Genes, he look likes a six-month-old cat but, under ultraviolet light, his eyes, gums and tongue glow a vivid lime green, the result of a genetic experiment at the Audubon Centre for Research of Endangered Species in New Orleans." - From the Telegraph
I wonder if Frank Zappa had any idea?
"Named Mr Green Genes, he look likes a six-month-old cat but, under ultraviolet light, his eyes, gums and tongue glow a vivid lime green, the result of a genetic experiment at the Audubon Centre for Research of Endangered Species in New Orleans." - From the Telegraph
I wonder if Frank Zappa had any idea?
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Homeless people walking around in pant suits.
When I first heard that Sarah Palin spent that ridiculous amount of money on clothes for the campaign trail and that "It was always the intent that the clothing go to a charitable purpose after the campaign"according to a campaign spokesperson, all I could think about was homeless people walking around in pant suits.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Scarf
Injury update: I stayed mostly immobile today and yesterday and as a result am in much less pain. HOWEVER. I feel like a lazy slob as a result of this, so am not sure which is worse.
Ryan however, has never worn scarves. Apparently he isn't constantly cold, like I am. Of course I start knitting again and start having all these fantasies of knitting all my Christmas presents for everyone. Socks! Bags! Felted Slippers! Watch out, friends and family members! Start practicing masking your disappointment with fake smiles as well as the phrases, "Well, it's the thought that counts really. She meant well."
I discovered this by Googling '100% biodegradable except as defined by California' after Ryan pointed it out on the label of the packet of 120 "faeces bags" (as they are written on our shopping lists) that we bought today. How depressing.
***
My husband has asked me to knit him a scarf. I love scarves. I love scarves so much that I have one of those Ikea shoe holder things just for scarves...I also have them for the various pairs of shoes I own, but that's another entry.Ryan however, has never worn scarves. Apparently he isn't constantly cold, like I am. Of course I start knitting again and start having all these fantasies of knitting all my Christmas presents for everyone. Socks! Bags! Felted Slippers! Watch out, friends and family members! Start practicing masking your disappointment with fake smiles as well as the phrases, "Well, it's the thought that counts really. She meant well."
***
In other news, I have just learned that there are two kinds of biodegradable when it comes to biodegradable plastic bags for dog shit. The kind that actually biodegrades and the kind that is labeled "Biodegradable (except as defined by California)."I discovered this by Googling '100% biodegradable except as defined by California' after Ryan pointed it out on the label of the packet of 120 "faeces bags" (as they are written on our shopping lists) that we bought today. How depressing.
Monday, October 20, 2008
further injuries to my person
To add insult to injury to pre-existing injury (the broken rib is from a few days ago), I have a problem of an indelicate female nature, in the form of a mild UTI.
After drinking a bunch of cranberry juice (which is fine, because I love it) and monitoring my discomfort, much in the same way that La Nina does in this entry, I finally asked Ryan to drive me to the drugstore, to get some of that stuff that makes your pee orange (I had to ask Ryan to do it, because, I remind you, I cannot turn my head left which makes driving a rather precarious activity).
I found the pharmacy version of Phenazopyridine Hydrochloride, called "Urinary Pain Relief" - very succinctly titled I might add. When I went to purchase it, after a bit of a kerfuffle about the bag, he said,
"Have a nice evening."
And I thought, clearly, based on my one purchase, my evening has been anything but nice. That's the one thing you can be sure of, when someone is purchasing a product labeled "Urinary Pain Relief." But I suppose one can't make assumptions like these, after all, I may have been purchasing them for someone else. I'll never forget my horror, when purchasing condoms at Target once, when the cashier (female) picked up the box, examined it and then exclaimed, loudly,
"Oh, I've never tried these. Are they good?"
As if they were candy or something. I mumbled something to her about not have tried them either and then fled the store and my shame.
After drinking a bunch of cranberry juice (which is fine, because I love it) and monitoring my discomfort, much in the same way that La Nina does in this entry, I finally asked Ryan to drive me to the drugstore, to get some of that stuff that makes your pee orange (I had to ask Ryan to do it, because, I remind you, I cannot turn my head left which makes driving a rather precarious activity).
I found the pharmacy version of Phenazopyridine Hydrochloride, called "Urinary Pain Relief" - very succinctly titled I might add. When I went to purchase it, after a bit of a kerfuffle about the bag, he said,
"Have a nice evening."
And I thought, clearly, based on my one purchase, my evening has been anything but nice. That's the one thing you can be sure of, when someone is purchasing a product labeled "Urinary Pain Relief." But I suppose one can't make assumptions like these, after all, I may have been purchasing them for someone else. I'll never forget my horror, when purchasing condoms at Target once, when the cashier (female) picked up the box, examined it and then exclaimed, loudly,
"Oh, I've never tried these. Are they good?"
As if they were candy or something. I mumbled something to her about not have tried them either and then fled the store and my shame.
Injured and watching Stephen Fry Documentaries.
I have a cracked or sprained rib and woke up this morning unable to turn my head to the left. After a hot bath and 2 aspirin, taken with watered down cranberry juice, I settled down to watching Stephen Fry documentaries. The first was about his secret life as a manic depressive, which was entertaining, but didn't really give me much information that I wasn't already aware of with regards to depressive disorders.
I am now on to Stephen Fry in America, which should prove interesting. The first episode starts with him driving from New England all the way to Washington DC.
Why is it that British comedians get old and then start making documentaries?
I am now on to Stephen Fry in America, which should prove interesting. The first episode starts with him driving from New England all the way to Washington DC.
Why is it that British comedians get old and then start making documentaries?
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Ice Wine
I went wine tasting with Larke this weekend. It was so wonderful to see her and really exciting to find local wine I enjoyed!
We had a Cabernet Franc Ice Wine from Sheldrake Point Winery (Larke and I decided that we need vacation homes in Sheldrake Point, by the way) that was unbelievable. I'm still thinking about how delicious it was. We made our way all the way round Lake Cayuga and I think we are at the autumn "peak" where all the trees are in the midst of changing colours and the hills are a sort of tortoise shell of oranges, reds, pinks, maroons, purples, greens, yellows - it's truly everything everyone's ever told you about Autumn on the east coast. Wine tasting in the Finger Lakes costs a dollar a tasting and the whites are actually quite reasonable (I even bought a bottle of Miss Chevious from the Lucas Vineyards - which is maybe the first time I've ever bought a bottle of white wine that wasn't expressly for Nikki). Sheldrake Point even had some real red wines that tasted like red wines are supposed to - the others generally left a little to be desired. They were not full bodied enough and the wine didn't "sit on your tongue" as Larke put it, the way you want a red wine to. For some reason I have yet to find a Pinot Noir from here that is the right colour.
We went to dinner at Just A Taste, a tapas place that I've been meaning to try and was excited that we finally had a good reason to go there.
All in all, a very successful weekend.
We had a Cabernet Franc Ice Wine from Sheldrake Point Winery (Larke and I decided that we need vacation homes in Sheldrake Point, by the way) that was unbelievable. I'm still thinking about how delicious it was. We made our way all the way round Lake Cayuga and I think we are at the autumn "peak" where all the trees are in the midst of changing colours and the hills are a sort of tortoise shell of oranges, reds, pinks, maroons, purples, greens, yellows - it's truly everything everyone's ever told you about Autumn on the east coast. Wine tasting in the Finger Lakes costs a dollar a tasting and the whites are actually quite reasonable (I even bought a bottle of Miss Chevious from the Lucas Vineyards - which is maybe the first time I've ever bought a bottle of white wine that wasn't expressly for Nikki). Sheldrake Point even had some real red wines that tasted like red wines are supposed to - the others generally left a little to be desired. They were not full bodied enough and the wine didn't "sit on your tongue" as Larke put it, the way you want a red wine to. For some reason I have yet to find a Pinot Noir from here that is the right colour.
We went to dinner at Just A Taste, a tapas place that I've been meaning to try and was excited that we finally had a good reason to go there.
All in all, a very successful weekend.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Moving to Idaho
So...I don't know if it's because I'm spending time in a former communist country, or because I've been noticing how strenuously Sarah Palin is branding dissent as "Unamerican", or if it's because I'm expecting my period tomorrow and that usually guarantees one day of feeling completely hopeless, but I am suddenly scared about the possibility of America becoming a police state in the near future. And this didn't help at all:
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/09/army_homeland_090708w/
"They may be called upon to help with civil unrest and crowd control"
Um, anyone want to join me in buying fireams and forming a separatist militia in Idaho? Or something?
My friend La Nina sent that out today. I'm sure it was partially in response to all the uproar about Barack Obama's alleged ties to a Bill Ayers. I read about/saw it on the BBC news site - Sarah Palin smugly shrugging that she'd read about it in the New York times (like she reads the New York Times. Like she even reads). So smug, yet unable to do the math to calculate that Barack Obama was 8 years old when Bill Ayers was blowing up buildings. It was a little sickening to see how excited she was because she didn't really know what she was excited about, she was like a child who'd been given a pat on the head by a normally inattentive parent. The worst part though, the absolute worst part, is that it doesn't matter to the McCain campaign that no media person or anyone with a brain will take her seriously. All that matters is that there are some idiots - plenty of idiots (people cheering when she "revealed" this "dramatic" piece of sensationilistic tripe that has no bearing on anything whatsoever) - that will actually believe that this piece of information means Barack Obama has the intentions and connections to blow up the Pentagon.
ARRRGH. I've complained about it before and I'll complain about it again: WILLFUL IGNORANCE.
For extra creepiness, because it's nearing Halloween and I have yet to find anything scarier than this picture:
(I guess they have to use a lot of fake tanner in Alaska because of the lack of sunlight part of the year? Maybe it's a safety thing, being that orange, so you don't get shot? This is a seriously weird picture.)
http://www.armytimes.com/news/
"They may be called upon to help with civil unrest and crowd control"
Um, anyone want to join me in buying fireams and forming a separatist militia in Idaho? Or something?
My friend La Nina sent that out today. I'm sure it was partially in response to all the uproar about Barack Obama's alleged ties to a Bill Ayers. I read about/saw it on the BBC news site - Sarah Palin smugly shrugging that she'd read about it in the New York times (like she reads the New York Times. Like she even reads). So smug, yet unable to do the math to calculate that Barack Obama was 8 years old when Bill Ayers was blowing up buildings. It was a little sickening to see how excited she was because she didn't really know what she was excited about, she was like a child who'd been given a pat on the head by a normally inattentive parent. The worst part though, the absolute worst part, is that it doesn't matter to the McCain campaign that no media person or anyone with a brain will take her seriously. All that matters is that there are some idiots - plenty of idiots (people cheering when she "revealed" this "dramatic" piece of sensationilistic tripe that has no bearing on anything whatsoever) - that will actually believe that this piece of information means Barack Obama has the intentions and connections to blow up the Pentagon.
ARRRGH. I've complained about it before and I'll complain about it again: WILLFUL IGNORANCE.
For extra creepiness, because it's nearing Halloween and I have yet to find anything scarier than this picture:
(I guess they have to use a lot of fake tanner in Alaska because of the lack of sunlight part of the year? Maybe it's a safety thing, being that orange, so you don't get shot? This is a seriously weird picture.)
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Redemption! Acorn Squash! Apologies!
I have redeemed myself. Tonight I made the most perfect meal I've made to date. Not only was it delicious, it turned out exactly the way I'd planned it and looked beautiful too! You'll have to believe me because we ate it before I could think to take a picture of it.
I have given it the fancy title of Autumnally Themed Galette or How I Redeemed Myself From The Last Cooking Disaster* and it is based on this recipe.
Crust:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
Pinch salt
8 Tbsp cold unsalted butter, diced
1 large egg, slightly beaten
Filling:
1 Acorn Squash, peeled (this is annoying and tricky but possibly with a potato peeler and sharp knife)
1 Crispin apple (any good baking apple would do, I happened to have Crispin apples handy - complain as I do about Ithaca, the apples here are plentiful and delicious)
1 small yellow onion, peeled but leave the root intact to hold it together (I love onions, but they don't really like me very much - this recipe allows thorough cooking though, which always helps mellow them out)
3 tbsp melted butter (I melted mine in a bowl suspended in boiling water as I do not have a microwave)
1 tbs1.5 tsp zata (you can just use thyme or thyme and rosemary or whatever. Fresh would be best. I used zata because I had no thyme, rosemary or anything really like that. Plus zata is delicious. The amount is approximate)
salt (to taste, I have no idea how much I put in, maybe 1.5 teaspoons?)
fresh ground black pepper (I started with about a teaspoon of peppercorns)
2 teaspoons real mustard (the dark coloured stuff with actual mustard seeds in it, none of this bright yellow crap. The original recipe called for more, but I really hate when mustard overwhelms things that are a little sweet already. This amount provided enough bite without making it too mustardy)
1/4 cup grated sharp chedder (what I had in the fridge - stilton or bleu would go wonderfully as well)
Measure out the flour in a large bowl and stir in the salt. Add the butter and mix with a pastry knife or fork until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal with a few bean-size bits of butter in it. Add the egg and mix it together more. The dough should be a little crumbly. If the dough seems very dry (as mine did), add a few drops of water, bit by bit, as you mix it in - do not over water. Bring the dough together by hand - if this is proving difficult, add a few more drops of water as needed. Form into a ball, the dough should be flaky but still sticky enough to do this. Flatten dough into a disk about 6 inches in diameter, wrap in plastic, and let rest in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (I did 1.5).
Once you the spinach is sufficiently wilty, serve it along side the galette for a great contrast.
*Samantha from Earthbound Farm commented on that entry where I grumble and groan about the butternut squash gnocchi recipe. She said that they had taken the recipe down until they could further test it. I'd like to say that I really appreciate the attentiveness and it furthers my faith in Earthbound Farm, even beyond their delicious boxed salads that I used to buy when I lived in California - theirs was the only packaged salad that I have ever found to be satisfactory. I would take them on airplanes with a 3 oz container of homemade dressing and be ever so happy. I did not mean my blog entry to reflect anything negative about the company, merely that I had had an unsatisfactory experience with that particular recipe - which I wouldn't have even tried, had I not felt it came from a good source.
I have given it the fancy title of Autumnally Themed Galette or How I Redeemed Myself From The Last Cooking Disaster* and it is based on this recipe.
Crust:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
Pinch salt
8 Tbsp cold unsalted butter, diced
1 large egg, slightly beaten
Filling:
1 Acorn Squash, peeled (this is annoying and tricky but possibly with a potato peeler and sharp knife)
1 Crispin apple (any good baking apple would do, I happened to have Crispin apples handy - complain as I do about Ithaca, the apples here are plentiful and delicious)
1 small yellow onion, peeled but leave the root intact to hold it together (I love onions, but they don't really like me very much - this recipe allows thorough cooking though, which always helps mellow them out)
3 tbsp melted butter (I melted mine in a bowl suspended in boiling water as I do not have a microwave)
1 tbs1.5 tsp zata (you can just use thyme or thyme and rosemary or whatever. Fresh would be best. I used zata because I had no thyme, rosemary or anything really like that. Plus zata is delicious. The amount is approximate)
salt (to taste, I have no idea how much I put in, maybe 1.5 teaspoons?)
fresh ground black pepper (I started with about a teaspoon of peppercorns)
2 teaspoons real mustard (the dark coloured stuff with actual mustard seeds in it, none of this bright yellow crap. The original recipe called for more, but I really hate when mustard overwhelms things that are a little sweet already. This amount provided enough bite without making it too mustardy)
1/4 cup grated sharp chedder (what I had in the fridge - stilton or bleu would go wonderfully as well)
Measure out the flour in a large bowl and stir in the salt. Add the butter and mix with a pastry knife or fork until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal with a few bean-size bits of butter in it. Add the egg and mix it together more. The dough should be a little crumbly. If the dough seems very dry (as mine did), add a few drops of water, bit by bit, as you mix it in - do not over water. Bring the dough together by hand - if this is proving difficult, add a few more drops of water as needed. Form into a ball, the dough should be flaky but still sticky enough to do this. Flatten dough into a disk about 6 inches in diameter, wrap in plastic, and let rest in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (I did 1.5).
For the filling: Halve and core the apple. Cut each half into 8 wedges and put them in a large bowl. Slice the squash about 1/4 inch thick and add to the bowl. Cut the onion into wedges; some of the wedges may not hold together, but that's okay. Add the onion to the bowl. Add the melted butter, zata, salt and pepper to taste, and toss gently to combine.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Roll the dough on a lightly floured work surface into a 12-inch disk, the dough should be about 1/4 inch thick. Transfer the dough to a baking sheet and brush with mustard. Starting 2 inches from the edge, arrange the slices of apple, squash, and onions, alternating and forming overlapping circles. You may have leftover filling, as I did. You can either roast them on their own or reserve them for a second galette or toss them in a soup or do whatever you like.
Fold and pleat the dough over the edges of the filling. Bake until the crust is deep golden brown, and the apple, squash, and onion are tender and caramelized, about 35 minutes. Scatter the cheese over the filling and bake until melted, about 5 more minutes. Cool the galette briefly, then cut into wedges and serve.
I served it with diced tomatoes, spinach and diced garlic that I steamed quickly while the galette was in the melted cheese step - I tossed the garlic in a cast iron skillet with some olive oil, then tossed in the diced tomatoes. Then I tossed in de-stemmed spinach leaves (put the stems in your container in the freezer that you keep for stock flavoury bits), squirt a bit of lemon juice over it. The liquid from the tomatoes both steams the spinach and, because it's acidic, picks up a some of the iron from the skillet. That combined with the high iron content of the spinach makes this a very good source of iron for those of you who are in need of it.Once you the spinach is sufficiently wilty, serve it along side the galette for a great contrast.
*Samantha from Earthbound Farm commented on that entry where I grumble and groan about the butternut squash gnocchi recipe. She said that they had taken the recipe down until they could further test it. I'd like to say that I really appreciate the attentiveness and it furthers my faith in Earthbound Farm, even beyond their delicious boxed salads that I used to buy when I lived in California - theirs was the only packaged salad that I have ever found to be satisfactory. I would take them on airplanes with a 3 oz container of homemade dressing and be ever so happy. I did not mean my blog entry to reflect anything negative about the company, merely that I had had an unsatisfactory experience with that particular recipe - which I wouldn't have even tried, had I not felt it came from a good source.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Axel F and Williams-Sonoma styrofoam
Last night I spent about an hour with Ryan trying to cram our "new" mini couch in to the spare room. We ended up [sssh!] taking part of the door frame out because our house was built 100 years ago and I guess people were narrower then.
A fat person could not live in our house. Yesterday I was carrying bags of styrofoam packing material (damn you Williams-Sonoma! Can't you think of a friendlier way to pack wedding presents than stuffing the boxes full to the bring with such guilt-giving material??) and imagining what it would be like were those bags of styrofoam actually unshiftable collections of fat, attached to my body and yes, you would not be able to maneuver comfortably from the front door to the living room, nor would you be able to enter the spare room or reach the closet in the bedroom.
Morbid? Yes. But it was for science.
We took the bags of styrofoam to a dumpster near Wegman's because Ithaca has this really strange way of collecting garbage where they charge you by the amount as well as weight. You have to buy tags for each collection, which on one hand works great because we never had enough garbage in Palo Alto for weekly collection, but we had to pay for it anyway. This way, we put it out when we have enough and stick a tag on it and they pick it up. The tags are for 35 lbs of garbage per bag/can. The silly thing is, they will not take your garbage if it is more than 35 lbs, even if it's all in one can. This leaves you the difficulty of having even more garbage the next time - this has happened to our neighbour twice now. They don't even give you a "warning" as I'm sure they would in the litigious neighbourhoods of Palo Alto, they just leave your garbage. And if you have lots and lots of lightweight garbage (ie styrofoam), you have to put multiple tags on it anyway, despite it being under the weight limit by a lot, because it has to fit in so many conatainers. I'll be damned if I have to pay $16 for the garbage men to take away 5lbs of styrofoam! So we went dumpster hunting and were successful in thoroughly shirking our responsibility, in the name of being cheapskates, all the while pretending that we were doing something highly illegal instead of marginally immoral and that "Axel F" from Beverly Hills Cop was playing in the background.
A fat person could not live in our house. Yesterday I was carrying bags of styrofoam packing material (damn you Williams-Sonoma! Can't you think of a friendlier way to pack wedding presents than stuffing the boxes full to the bring with such guilt-giving material??) and imagining what it would be like were those bags of styrofoam actually unshiftable collections of fat, attached to my body and yes, you would not be able to maneuver comfortably from the front door to the living room, nor would you be able to enter the spare room or reach the closet in the bedroom.
Morbid? Yes. But it was for science.
We took the bags of styrofoam to a dumpster near Wegman's because Ithaca has this really strange way of collecting garbage where they charge you by the amount as well as weight. You have to buy tags for each collection, which on one hand works great because we never had enough garbage in Palo Alto for weekly collection, but we had to pay for it anyway. This way, we put it out when we have enough and stick a tag on it and they pick it up. The tags are for 35 lbs of garbage per bag/can. The silly thing is, they will not take your garbage if it is more than 35 lbs, even if it's all in one can. This leaves you the difficulty of having even more garbage the next time - this has happened to our neighbour twice now. They don't even give you a "warning" as I'm sure they would in the litigious neighbourhoods of Palo Alto, they just leave your garbage. And if you have lots and lots of lightweight garbage (ie styrofoam), you have to put multiple tags on it anyway, despite it being under the weight limit by a lot, because it has to fit in so many conatainers. I'll be damned if I have to pay $16 for the garbage men to take away 5lbs of styrofoam! So we went dumpster hunting and were successful in thoroughly shirking our responsibility, in the name of being cheapskates, all the while pretending that we were doing something highly illegal instead of marginally immoral and that "Axel F" from Beverly Hills Cop was playing in the background.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Breast milk and arguing with hippies.
Apparently there's been a saga going on with regards to the breastmilk ad I saw on Craiglist:
Reply to: see below
Date: 2008-09-30, 8:38PM EDT
re breast milk..
Reply to: see below
Date: 2008-09-30, 8:38PM EDT
THAT IS JUST GROSS, AND I DO BELIEVE YOU REALLY SHOULDN'T DO THAT.MAYBE AGAINST HEALTH CODE.. SOMEONE SHOULD CALL HEALTH DEPT.AND HAVE SOME ONE ELSE FEED THEIR BABY YOUR BREAST MILK, UMMM NO.. NOT RIGHT... THROW IT AWAY.
I've complained before about people who TYPE IN ALL CAPS when placing an ad. Usually the ads written in all caps are the ones that make the least sense. Anyway. There was a response:
Reply to: see below
Date: 2008-10-01, 8:30AM EDT
I'm sorry you are offended. I am trying to help someone in our area who would like to give their baby the best milk they can and can not breast feed themselves. Where do you think babies in NICU's get their milk from when the mothers are not able to BF. Most NICU's try not to give formula's (at least the one's i know.) that way they give their child the best start they can. You can buy BM threw banks so no it's not illegal to sell it. You want my medical records, i am clean and have been. They test you every pregnancy for any STD's or anything else you can transmit.
to the one who posted the link. Thanks...I never got a response from them when i did try and donate with them
Damn hippies, arguing without having all the facts again. It's still gross, no matter how wonderful you think it is - who knows what kind of crap you eat, drink or smoke and why should anyone believe you when you say otherwise?
I've complained before about people who TYPE IN ALL CAPS when placing an ad. Usually the ads written in all caps are the ones that make the least sense. Anyway. There was a response:
Those who are bashing my Breast milk
Reply to: see below
Date: 2008-10-01, 8:30AM EDT
I'm sorry you are offended. I am trying to help someone in our area who would like to give their baby the best milk they can and can not breast feed themselves. Where do you think babies in NICU's get their milk from when the mothers are not able to BF. Most NICU's try not to give formula's (at least the one's i know.) that way they give their child the best start they can. You can buy BM threw banks so no it's not illegal to sell it. You want my medical records, i am clean and have been. They test you every pregnancy for any STD's or anything else you can transmit.
to the one who posted the link. Thanks...I never got a response from them when i did try and donate with them
Damn hippies, arguing without having all the facts again. It's still gross, no matter how wonderful you think it is - who knows what kind of crap you eat, drink or smoke and why should anyone believe you when you say otherwise?
***
One time I got in an argument with a hippy who told me paying attention to politics was a waste of time - that the real path to change was communal meetings with other people, in the mountains and in the forest. He'd just got back from a "gathering" in New Mexico that was so awesome, I wouldn't believe. I told him that hanging out with your friends in the desert, smoking pot and talking about yourself for a week sounded like a lot of fun but it certainly wasn't an instrument for the sweeping reform this country needs. He said I didn't understand the power that can be created at gatherings. I asked him what they had accomplished during this particular gathering that he had just returned from. He said it was just the love that they all grew together. I said giggled and said no, that was from the mushrooms. He told me I didn't get it. I told him he was taking the easy route. It's disheartening and depressing to follow politics but going and hiding in the desert while your whole world is coopted by evil millionaires is irresponsible. He gave me a disgusted look. Or maybe it was disgusting. He did have horrible greasy dreads and hadn't showered or changed his clothes (admittedly! he admitted it!) in about 3 weeks.
***
Addendum!
Reply to: see below
Date: 2008-10-01, 9:18AM EDT
Studies have found that breast fed babies are healthier through life than non breast fed babies. They have less infections and colds and overall health and brain function is better. Hats off to you girl'! If you can produce it good for you and god bless the babies that get iT!
Breast Milk Is Best!
Reply to: see below
Date: 2008-10-01, 9:18AM EDT
Studies have found that breast fed babies are healthier through life than non breast fed babies. They have less infections and colds and overall health and brain function is better. Hats off to you girl'! If you can produce it good for you and god bless the babies that get iT!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Cooking, cocaine and 419 scam baiters.
Butternut squash bread a success! Ryan made it, so I do not know the recipe but I do know that there are two loaves of bread sitting on my oven, one is a braided loaf with cinnamon, sugar and butter (3 of my favourite things!) inside it and the other is a delicious crusty normal loaf. It was a great way to save my pathetic gnocchi dough - I -think- he just added yeast to my floury eggy squashy mixture. Yum.
I really love cooking. It satisfies the creative leanings I have as well as accommodates my tendency to ignore instructions. I would love to go to cooking school, but I have no inclination to be a chef. Shitty hours for shitty pay plus it's a high stress job. Most of the people in that sort of business that I've known have had real problems with cocaine and other stimulants. I knew one cook who would keep lines of the stuff ready in the big freezer. He and his friend would sneak back and do lines between orders. They thought that one of the busboys was stealing from them so they (in a typical coke head move - vindictive and poorly thought out) laid out a line of bleach or something else similar in consistency and colour. The busboy reappeared after a few minutes with his eyes red as tomatoes and streaming tears. Some fucked up retribution, that.
This reminds me of an episode of This American Life I was listening to yesterday about the 419 scam baiters. I have to say that I admired Ira Glass even more after listening to it. Previously, I had thought the 419 baiters to be funny and great examples of vigilante justice. One scambaiter got 2 West Africans to do the entire Monty Python Dead Parrot sketch. But as I listened to these people talk about what they did - getting a guy to go all the way to Darfur without food or money and then lying to him about his mother dying, all for the promise of $200,000 - made me feel a little sick. I thought that they were being a little childish. $200,000 may be pittance to us, but it's a lifetime of wealth for someone in his position. I realise that they are scamming scammers and the point of what they do is to drag out the scam as long as possible, tieing up the scammers time so that they are unable to scam unwitting, lonely, (stupid) people out of money. (Take a shot for every time I used the word "scam" in that sentence). But it's one thing to lead someone (who, yes, is trying to steal from you and yes, is probably a very nasty, unpleasent person) on for days and days and days, making him do humiliating things, it's quite another to send him to possible death, arguing, well, he was an idiot for getting suckered in the first place (which he could then turn around and say about the morons who do send him their life savings in an effort to free King Charles Xavier N'Dogo Felepwe). But anyway. Ira told them that he didn't think it was very funny to send a man into such a dangerous situation. I agreed (maybe I'm getting old??). Even watching the Monty Python sketch - fairly innocuous stuff - was hard, whether or not I think they are getting what they deserve. However, nobody deserves endangerment.
***
I really love cooking. It satisfies the creative leanings I have as well as accommodates my tendency to ignore instructions. I would love to go to cooking school, but I have no inclination to be a chef. Shitty hours for shitty pay plus it's a high stress job. Most of the people in that sort of business that I've known have had real problems with cocaine and other stimulants. I knew one cook who would keep lines of the stuff ready in the big freezer. He and his friend would sneak back and do lines between orders. They thought that one of the busboys was stealing from them so they (in a typical coke head move - vindictive and poorly thought out) laid out a line of bleach or something else similar in consistency and colour. The busboy reappeared after a few minutes with his eyes red as tomatoes and streaming tears. Some fucked up retribution, that.
***
This reminds me of an episode of This American Life I was listening to yesterday about the 419 scam baiters. I have to say that I admired Ira Glass even more after listening to it. Previously, I had thought the 419 baiters to be funny and great examples of vigilante justice. One scambaiter got 2 West Africans to do the entire Monty Python Dead Parrot sketch. But as I listened to these people talk about what they did - getting a guy to go all the way to Darfur without food or money and then lying to him about his mother dying, all for the promise of $200,000 - made me feel a little sick. I thought that they were being a little childish. $200,000 may be pittance to us, but it's a lifetime of wealth for someone in his position. I realise that they are scamming scammers and the point of what they do is to drag out the scam as long as possible, tieing up the scammers time so that they are unable to scam unwitting, lonely, (stupid) people out of money. (Take a shot for every time I used the word "scam" in that sentence). But it's one thing to lead someone (who, yes, is trying to steal from you and yes, is probably a very nasty, unpleasent person) on for days and days and days, making him do humiliating things, it's quite another to send him to possible death, arguing, well, he was an idiot for getting suckered in the first place (which he could then turn around and say about the morons who do send him their life savings in an effort to free King Charles Xavier N'Dogo Felepwe). But anyway. Ira told them that he didn't think it was very funny to send a man into such a dangerous situation. I agreed (maybe I'm getting old??). Even watching the Monty Python sketch - fairly innocuous stuff - was hard, whether or not I think they are getting what they deserve. However, nobody deserves endangerment.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
[annoyed grunt]
I made really good gnocchi the other night. I used a combination of this recipe and this recipe, from Heidi Swanson's blog, 101 Cookbooks (I did not make peach gnocchi but I did bake the potato instead of boiling). Heidi has a great blog and I've gotten many ideas from it. I was so excited about the gnocchi as well as about the butternut squash I stuffed the other night that I thought I would combine the two.
I used this recipe from Earthbound Organic Farm's website, because it seemed the simplest. It also was a terrible recipe and I don't recommend it. The squash did not drain at all and the dough ended up all floury and lost all of the squash flavour, because I had to add so much flour in order to try and get it to a reasonable consistency, which I never actually achieved - we tried one dumpling because the "dough" was so questionable. I think that the recipe required the dough to be wetter than the potato version I previously made which would be fine, except that if I'd used the dough that would have resulted from following the exact instructions (less flour and assumably more butternut flavour), I would have been pouring it into the water instead of scooping it. Bollocks to that! Ryan's turning it into butternut squash bread as I type. Jerks.
In addition to that attempt, we pickled mushrooms yesterday and I'm soaking onions in brine for pickling tomorrow.
I used this recipe from Earthbound Organic Farm's website, because it seemed the simplest. It also was a terrible recipe and I don't recommend it. The squash did not drain at all and the dough ended up all floury and lost all of the squash flavour, because I had to add so much flour in order to try and get it to a reasonable consistency, which I never actually achieved - we tried one dumpling because the "dough" was so questionable. I think that the recipe required the dough to be wetter than the potato version I previously made which would be fine, except that if I'd used the dough that would have resulted from following the exact instructions (less flour and assumably more butternut flavour), I would have been pouring it into the water instead of scooping it. Bollocks to that! Ryan's turning it into butternut squash bread as I type. Jerks.
In addition to that attempt, we pickled mushrooms yesterday and I'm soaking onions in brine for pickling tomorrow.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Music
A few days ago, Ryan hooked up my record player and receiver (vintage 1970's - with tubes!!). It was a wonderful surprise to come home to, especially because now I can exact my revenge on my downstairs undergrad neighbours that insist on coming home at 1am, blasting their stereo system and smoking cigarettes. Unfortunately, I do not own any Kylie Minogue on vinyl (yet!), so my revenge will not be complete.
Today I listened to Blood On The Tracks and I started thinking about all the music phases I've gone through.
1. Ages 6-10. The Beatles. That was pretty much it.
2. Age 10. I discover Faith No More and The Red Hot Chili Peppers.
3. Age 12. I discover Green Day. The deep fondness I have for punk rock is rooted. I still don't really like the Ramones very much though. Surprising (horrifying for some, I know), but give me Social Distortion or the New York Dolls anyday. I also discover that I like the bass and funk music.
4. Age 13. I discover that Green Day kind of sucks, but George Clinton is pretty cool. I'm still ridiculously into the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I have my first kiss at a Duran Duran concert (I'm sure there's a Facebook club for this) and spend a lot of time listening to 80's music and watching the Big 80's while talking to Sara on the phone. I still love Duran Duran and all that goes with it. I wish I could have had the Talking Heads play at my wedding.
5. Age 14 - 17. I listen heavily to funk influenced music and stuff that is "technically" good. Buckethead, Praxis, etc. I can't really listen to that stuff anymore, I find it a little cloying. The Red Hot Chili Peppers consistently let me down. I tried to listen to a Primus album the other day and it just didn't feel right.
6. Age 18-19. I discover Glam Rock. A (so far) life long love affair has begun. I went on a date once with a guy principally because he looked like Marc Bolan. I think David Bowie should be president. I also start listening to poppier music that somehow doesn't typically make it on to the radio - things like Blonde Redhead and Ween.
7. Age 20-22. I live with Jay, Casey and Anna in Santa Barbara. It's at this point I discover Nick Drake, Cat Power, Elliot Smith, Yves Montand, Zoot Sims, Manu Chao. I become further enamoured of Ween, T Rex, David Bowie, Lou Reed, The Velvet Underground, the Flaming Lips, Beck, Air and the Violent Femmes among other bands. I start listening to everything I can get my hands on that Matador Records puts out (particularly Yo La Tengo, Belle & Sebastian and Arab Strap) and also listen to the best music radio program ever broadcast, Morning Becomes Ecletic with Nic Harcourt. I also began a fascination shibuya-kei music, electro-lounge and start listening to samba and bossa nova like mad. I develop a slight crush on João Gilberto as well as fantasize about learning Portugese. I started going to LA a lot to see shows as well as going to every live show I can possibly make it to in Santa Barbara and Ventura. I start to hate Phish and all things reggae. I also start building my vinyl collection.
8. Age 22-25. In addition to continuing listening to everything in the last phase, I have a boyfriend who wails on the harmonica. He reintroduces me to Bob Dylan and introduces me to Muddy Waters. I leave Santa Barbara and resume going to shows in San Francisco.
9. Age 25-6 months ago. Because he wails on the harmonica, I go with the then boyfriend to meet a friend of my friend Jessie, who has an old style, finger picking blues band he's trying to get together. I break up with the boyfriend but continue going to John's house nightly to hear the music and drink beer. I learn to love Etta Baker, Son House Robert Johnson and Mississippi John Hurt in addition to old time, hokum and bluegrass. I start going to as many shows as I can afford. Some notable shows I went to during this time: Ween (4th time), Flaming Lips (3rd time), Old Crow Medicine Show, Air, Chris Cotton & The New Hokum 3's, Deerhoof, Cat Power, Bob Dylan (notable only because it was Bob Dylan, Ladytron. It was at the Bill Graham and I just don't really go to shows at large venues - what's the point?).
10. I leave Palo Alto Investors and no longer have money for concerts. John Henry's Farm plays at my wedding. Then I move to Ithaca. There are some good vinyl stores here, but I'm too broke to shop in them.
This is just a short summary. I could go on and on, but the point is: I'm excited about my record player being up and running again.
Today I listened to Blood On The Tracks and I started thinking about all the music phases I've gone through.
1. Ages 6-10. The Beatles. That was pretty much it.
2. Age 10. I discover Faith No More and The Red Hot Chili Peppers.
3. Age 12. I discover Green Day. The deep fondness I have for punk rock is rooted. I still don't really like the Ramones very much though. Surprising (horrifying for some, I know), but give me Social Distortion or the New York Dolls anyday. I also discover that I like the bass and funk music.
4. Age 13. I discover that Green Day kind of sucks, but George Clinton is pretty cool. I'm still ridiculously into the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I have my first kiss at a Duran Duran concert (I'm sure there's a Facebook club for this) and spend a lot of time listening to 80's music and watching the Big 80's while talking to Sara on the phone. I still love Duran Duran and all that goes with it. I wish I could have had the Talking Heads play at my wedding.
5. Age 14 - 17. I listen heavily to funk influenced music and stuff that is "technically" good. Buckethead, Praxis, etc. I can't really listen to that stuff anymore, I find it a little cloying. The Red Hot Chili Peppers consistently let me down. I tried to listen to a Primus album the other day and it just didn't feel right.
6. Age 18-19. I discover Glam Rock. A (so far) life long love affair has begun. I went on a date once with a guy principally because he looked like Marc Bolan. I think David Bowie should be president. I also start listening to poppier music that somehow doesn't typically make it on to the radio - things like Blonde Redhead and Ween.
7. Age 20-22. I live with Jay, Casey and Anna in Santa Barbara. It's at this point I discover Nick Drake, Cat Power, Elliot Smith, Yves Montand, Zoot Sims, Manu Chao. I become further enamoured of Ween, T Rex, David Bowie, Lou Reed, The Velvet Underground, the Flaming Lips, Beck, Air and the Violent Femmes among other bands. I start listening to everything I can get my hands on that Matador Records puts out (particularly Yo La Tengo, Belle & Sebastian and Arab Strap) and also listen to the best music radio program ever broadcast, Morning Becomes Ecletic with Nic Harcourt. I also began a fascination shibuya-kei music, electro-lounge and start listening to samba and bossa nova like mad. I develop a slight crush on João Gilberto as well as fantasize about learning Portugese. I started going to LA a lot to see shows as well as going to every live show I can possibly make it to in Santa Barbara and Ventura. I start to hate Phish and all things reggae. I also start building my vinyl collection.
8. Age 22-25. In addition to continuing listening to everything in the last phase, I have a boyfriend who wails on the harmonica. He reintroduces me to Bob Dylan and introduces me to Muddy Waters. I leave Santa Barbara and resume going to shows in San Francisco.
9. Age 25-6 months ago. Because he wails on the harmonica, I go with the then boyfriend to meet a friend of my friend Jessie, who has an old style, finger picking blues band he's trying to get together. I break up with the boyfriend but continue going to John's house nightly to hear the music and drink beer. I learn to love Etta Baker, Son House Robert Johnson and Mississippi John Hurt in addition to old time, hokum and bluegrass. I start going to as many shows as I can afford. Some notable shows I went to during this time: Ween (4th time), Flaming Lips (3rd time), Old Crow Medicine Show, Air, Chris Cotton & The New Hokum 3's, Deerhoof, Cat Power, Bob Dylan (notable only because it was Bob Dylan, Ladytron. It was at the Bill Graham and I just don't really go to shows at large venues - what's the point?).
10. I leave Palo Alto Investors and no longer have money for concerts. John Henry's Farm plays at my wedding. Then I move to Ithaca. There are some good vinyl stores here, but I'm too broke to shop in them.
This is just a short summary. I could go on and on, but the point is: I'm excited about my record player being up and running again.
Stock I
I've decided to experiment with making my own stock. I think it will end up being a useful thing in the kitchen and really not very hard as I peel a lot of vegetables anyway. The first attempt is on the stove right now (right next to the pickling mushrooms cooking in their vinegary, salty, lemony brine!). I used:
Squash pulp
Potato peelings
Top of a tomato
Carrot peelings
Courgette peelings
The outer fleshy bit of an onion
Mushroom stem ends
Peppercorns
2 Bay leaves
Leftover garlic and chili peppers from the pickled green bean brine
Very appetizing, I'm sure.
For the water base, I boiled some and poured it into the dish I roasted the vegetables in for lunch and left it for awhile, so that I was able to pick up the left over starchy garlicky olive oily goodness that would have been washed down the drain.
I'll strain the mixture and freeze the liquid in ice cube trays, for use later. Cheap vegetable stock! Yum!
Squash pulp
Potato peelings
Top of a tomato
Carrot peelings
Courgette peelings
The outer fleshy bit of an onion
Mushroom stem ends
Peppercorns
2 Bay leaves
Leftover garlic and chili peppers from the pickled green bean brine
Very appetizing, I'm sure.
For the water base, I boiled some and poured it into the dish I roasted the vegetables in for lunch and left it for awhile, so that I was able to pick up the left over starchy garlicky olive oily goodness that would have been washed down the drain.
I'll strain the mixture and freeze the liquid in ice cube trays, for use later. Cheap vegetable stock! Yum!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
2 Penguins & Stuffed Butternut Squash
Two penguins are walking along an iceberg. The first penguin looks at the second penguin and says,
"You look like you're wearing a tuxedo."
The second penguin replies,
"Maybe I am."
-----------------------------
I'm still in Ithaca. Nothing much happens here, so I don't have a lot to report. Instead I must resort to silly jokes and Alfred Hitchcock movies.
-----------------------------
I've been looking for employment beyond pony jockey (we went to a horse show on Sunday! Fun!), but have thus come up unsuccessful. Blame the economy, the fact that I am surrounded by The Nothing (at least it feels that way sometimes) or that I got a fairly useless degree.
-----------------------------
Oh wait, there was something. I made stuffed butternut squash this evening. I sort of made up the recipe, so I wanted to document it:
Butternut Squash
Olive oil
Garlic (minced, 4 cloves)
Onion (chopped, 1 small)
Spring Onion (sliced, eh...half a cup?)
Veggie Ground (3 tbs)
Cheddar Cheese (grated, half cup - maybe more)
Salt
Pepper (fresh ground)
Slice squash in half and then cut of the long bit above the bulb. Once you've scooped out the seeds, you should have a nice bowl shaped squash. Drizzle the "bowls" with olive oil and bake in the oven for maybe half an hour (til they're cooked...) at around 400 degrees. In the meantime, peel the "stems" of the squash and dice. Heat up olive oil in a pan, add onions and garlic. Once the onions have become a little translucent, add the diced squash and spring onions. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Once the squash has softened a little bit, add the veggie ground. Cook until delicious.
Remove squash bowls from oven once they are done. Spoon in the stuffing, pack it as firmly as you can, as it will shrink a little in the oven. Cover the stuffing with grated cheese, put back in the oven to bake for another half hour.
Remove and serve with a nice salad made out of tomato, bell pepper and avocados that your friend Margo sent you from California, because you're too poor to buy them in Ithaca. Enjoy!
"You look like you're wearing a tuxedo."
The second penguin replies,
"Maybe I am."
-----------------------------
I'm still in Ithaca. Nothing much happens here, so I don't have a lot to report. Instead I must resort to silly jokes and Alfred Hitchcock movies.
-----------------------------
I've been looking for employment beyond pony jockey (we went to a horse show on Sunday! Fun!), but have thus come up unsuccessful. Blame the economy, the fact that I am surrounded by The Nothing (at least it feels that way sometimes) or that I got a fairly useless degree.
-----------------------------
Oh wait, there was something. I made stuffed butternut squash this evening. I sort of made up the recipe, so I wanted to document it:
Butternut Squash
Olive oil
Garlic (minced, 4 cloves)
Onion (chopped, 1 small)
Spring Onion (sliced, eh...half a cup?)
Veggie Ground (3 tbs)
Cheddar Cheese (grated, half cup - maybe more)
Salt
Pepper (fresh ground)
Slice squash in half and then cut of the long bit above the bulb. Once you've scooped out the seeds, you should have a nice bowl shaped squash. Drizzle the "bowls" with olive oil and bake in the oven for maybe half an hour (til they're cooked...) at around 400 degrees. In the meantime, peel the "stems" of the squash and dice. Heat up olive oil in a pan, add onions and garlic. Once the onions have become a little translucent, add the diced squash and spring onions. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Once the squash has softened a little bit, add the veggie ground. Cook until delicious.
Remove squash bowls from oven once they are done. Spoon in the stuffing, pack it as firmly as you can, as it will shrink a little in the oven. Cover the stuffing with grated cheese, put back in the oven to bake for another half hour.
Remove and serve with a nice salad made out of tomato, bell pepper and avocados that your friend Margo sent you from California, because you're too poor to buy them in Ithaca. Enjoy!
Friday, September 19, 2008
3ish
Yesterday we made dinner with the neighbours. They made spring rolls (delicious!) and we made the pad thai and the apple pie. Cosmo spilled my beer on me which was alright, he's only 3ish.
On Wednesday, I went and rode some more. After I was finished riding her and was leading her back to the barn, Mira spooked sideways and in the air at a Barbie Jeep. She sort of jumped right into me and stepped on my thigh, creating a large bruise. It was alright though, she's only 3ish.
On Wednesday, I went and rode some more. After I was finished riding her and was leading her back to the barn, Mira spooked sideways and in the air at a Barbie Jeep. She sort of jumped right into me and stepped on my thigh, creating a large bruise. It was alright though, she's only 3ish.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Raina
Here's me, trotting around on Raina. She's for sale if you're interested. Quite reasonably priced too for what she can do, she's just out of shape at the moment (as am I):
I'm taking her to a little show on Sunday. I also went along with Ryan and volunteered at this weird bike place in Ithaca, trying to get parts for my new old bike.
I'm taking her to a little show on Sunday. I also went along with Ryan and volunteered at this weird bike place in Ithaca, trying to get parts for my new old bike.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Vincent Price Cooks Pork Chops
Found this song on April Winchell's site. It's a mix using samples from Vincent Price's cooking tutorial LPs from the 1970's. If you or anyone you know owns a copy of these, I will Gladly Pay Top Dollar. Friends, family, if you really love me: that is what I want for Christmas, Birthdays, etc.
I think it's maybe the funniest thing I've ever heard. There is more hilarity here, including actual entire recipes from the LPs.
I think it's maybe the funniest thing I've ever heard. There is more hilarity here, including actual entire recipes from the LPs.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Awful, awful woman.
Someone must stop this awful, awful woman. She's a menace and I'm certainly not comfortable with her being a 72 year old heartbeat away from the presidency and neither should you!
Just read this editorial she wrote in the NYT about why polar bears should not be on the endangered species list. Note how she never actually tells you what reasons there are not to, just that she doesn't think we should.
OR how about this YouTube video of her standing on stage while her pastor or whoever claims that Alaska is a refuge state for after the rapture:
Note the poor grammar and nonsensical statements. ("Let's give the Lord a hand for our Governor!") Can you imagine the kind of people that take that sort of language seriously? They must be drooling morons!! There aren't strong enough words for that kind of stupidity!!
This hockey mom, average joe bullshit I find intensely irritating. I don't want my leaders to be average joes like the rest of America. I want them to be smart, open minded, quick witted and WELL READ. I want them to be able to name a philosopher besides Jesus Christ (who is arguably not a philisopher). I want them to have traveled and seen the world. I don't want a sniveling, vindictive little shrew who can't see past the end of her own nose.
That is all.
Just read this editorial she wrote in the NYT about why polar bears should not be on the endangered species list. Note how she never actually tells you what reasons there are not to, just that she doesn't think we should.
OR how about this YouTube video of her standing on stage while her pastor or whoever claims that Alaska is a refuge state for after the rapture:
Note the poor grammar and nonsensical statements. ("Let's give the Lord a hand for our Governor!") Can you imagine the kind of people that take that sort of language seriously? They must be drooling morons!! There aren't strong enough words for that kind of stupidity!!
This hockey mom, average joe bullshit I find intensely irritating. I don't want my leaders to be average joes like the rest of America. I want them to be smart, open minded, quick witted and WELL READ. I want them to be able to name a philosopher besides Jesus Christ (who is arguably not a philisopher). I want them to have traveled and seen the world. I don't want a sniveling, vindictive little shrew who can't see past the end of her own nose.
That is all.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Hurricane Ike
Hey Tal, how did the storm treat you? Are you okay?
A
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Yup, we are ok. House is in good shape, but crazy winds and rain, streets are flooded, trees are down, roof tiles everywhere. No power, no water, but we have supplies, so we are ok! We took some pics, I'll send them when we have internet again. Lots of love, tal
-----------------------------------------------------------------
!!!
A
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Yup, we are ok. House is in good shape, but crazy winds and rain, streets are flooded, trees are down, roof tiles everywhere. No power, no water, but we have supplies, so we are ok! We took some pics, I'll send them when we have internet again. Lots of love, tal
-----------------------------------------------------------------
!!!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Words I Hate
I hate it when people use the word "hubby". I think it's demeaning. It's irritating the same way the word "preggers" is. It's like when people refer to themselves as their pets "mommy" or "daddy." It is the same passive avoidance of labeling something what it is, because somehow, in this puritanical and American society, that's considered forward or even offensive. It makes people uncomfortable.
I think it's sick and weird to claim parenthood of your pet - I can almost guarantee your pet doesn't think you're it's mother and I also can't understand why one wouldn't call their husband "my husband." "Hubby" is awkward to say, just as many syllables as "husband" and gives one a sort of uncomfortable feeling of forced intimacy - which is another weird thing that is all too rampant.
I realise some of my best friends use this sort of vernacular but I still don't understand it.
---------
Another word I hate: "Proactive"
I hate it because it means nothing. It's just space filler on the myriad of job descriptions or something for your boss to ask you to be, when they have no idea what they're doing themselves.
I blame Steven Covey for the inexcusable proliferation of this word. My senior class had to take a course called 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teenagers, for reasons that were never fully explained to us. That was where I heard this word first. He instructed us, through his series of workbooks and lesson plans to be "proactive" as well as "shift our paradigm." Nice, pretty, daring words from a Mormon. Keep Sweet!
I realise that I have known a lot of people who were probably instructed to Keep Sweet or who's sisters, mothers and possibly wives were instructed so. I hope for everyone's sake that they didn't. What an insulting thing to say to someone.
--------------------
Back to pets. I hate when breeders combine 2 breeds of dogs and then name them some annoying combination of the 2 breeds names.
Labradoodle.
Cockapoo.
Golden Doodle.
I don't care how friendly or hypoallergenic these breeds are supposed to be the names are moronic. They're not cute or clever or amusing in the least. Maybe I should be "proactive" and suggest something else. What's wrong with Labrador Poodle? As in Doberman Pinscher? Or naming them after some region where they are bred? Or the activity for which they are bred? Perhaps these are too traditional and doesn't appeal to the breeders self-endowed ideals of their own uniqueness.
--------------------------
Crapspeak. A Business Lexicon.
I started collecting words and phrases when I worked for The Hedge Fund. One partner in particular was guilty of loudly shouting these annoyances across the office, the same way he would raise his voice when mentioning a famous persons name, at the same time looking around to see if anyone had heard him.
"Well, Alice, I'd like you to keep this fundraiser stuff on the downlow. Don't mention to anyone that your working on this stuff for the GAVIN NEWSOM FUNDRAISER." [shifty eyed glance around the office. "Oh yeah, YVES BEHAR may be comeing by the office later. Could you coordinate that?"
Crapspeak phrases include:
"Circle back"
"touch base"
"ping"
"shoot you an email"
the word "love" in regards to setting up meetings, conferences and phone calls
I guess this entire entry all stems of my frustration with mediocrity and the conscious acceptance and embracing of it. People who don't believe that not reading is something to be ashamed of. People who think that being uneducated is something to be proud of. The same people who want their politicians to be "average" and "just like them." I'd better stop writing. I could go on all night.
I think it's sick and weird to claim parenthood of your pet - I can almost guarantee your pet doesn't think you're it's mother and I also can't understand why one wouldn't call their husband "my husband." "Hubby" is awkward to say, just as many syllables as "husband" and gives one a sort of uncomfortable feeling of forced intimacy - which is another weird thing that is all too rampant.
I realise some of my best friends use this sort of vernacular but I still don't understand it.
---------
Another word I hate: "Proactive"
I hate it because it means nothing. It's just space filler on the myriad of job descriptions or something for your boss to ask you to be, when they have no idea what they're doing themselves.
I blame Steven Covey for the inexcusable proliferation of this word. My senior class had to take a course called 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teenagers, for reasons that were never fully explained to us. That was where I heard this word first. He instructed us, through his series of workbooks and lesson plans to be "proactive" as well as "shift our paradigm." Nice, pretty, daring words from a Mormon. Keep Sweet!
I realise that I have known a lot of people who were probably instructed to Keep Sweet or who's sisters, mothers and possibly wives were instructed so. I hope for everyone's sake that they didn't. What an insulting thing to say to someone.
--------------------
Back to pets. I hate when breeders combine 2 breeds of dogs and then name them some annoying combination of the 2 breeds names.
Labradoodle.
Cockapoo.
Golden Doodle.
I don't care how friendly or hypoallergenic these breeds are supposed to be the names are moronic. They're not cute or clever or amusing in the least. Maybe I should be "proactive" and suggest something else. What's wrong with Labrador Poodle? As in Doberman Pinscher? Or naming them after some region where they are bred? Or the activity for which they are bred? Perhaps these are too traditional and doesn't appeal to the breeders self-endowed ideals of their own uniqueness.
--------------------------
Crapspeak. A Business Lexicon.
I started collecting words and phrases when I worked for The Hedge Fund. One partner in particular was guilty of loudly shouting these annoyances across the office, the same way he would raise his voice when mentioning a famous persons name, at the same time looking around to see if anyone had heard him.
"Well, Alice, I'd like you to keep this fundraiser stuff on the downlow. Don't mention to anyone that your working on this stuff for the GAVIN NEWSOM FUNDRAISER." [shifty eyed glance around the office. "Oh yeah, YVES BEHAR may be comeing by the office later. Could you coordinate that?"
Crapspeak phrases include:
"Circle back"
"touch base"
"ping"
"shoot you an email"
the word "love" in regards to setting up meetings, conferences and phone calls
I guess this entire entry all stems of my frustration with mediocrity and the conscious acceptance and embracing of it. People who don't believe that not reading is something to be ashamed of. People who think that being uneducated is something to be proud of. The same people who want their politicians to be "average" and "just like them." I'd better stop writing. I could go on all night.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Tonsillitis.
Last night Ryan said that he'd managed to scrape weird white stuff of his tonsils. Now I have tonsillitis. I'm not sure how he exhibited primary symptoms and yet I managed to be the one to be sick, but there we are. I mean I didn't even take his last name, I certainly don't want his illness.
Tonsillitis is something my mother had a lot as a child and (I think) my brother did too. I had it frequently as well. I wonder if my kids will have it often. I wonder if I'll have kids, first of all.
I don't think people get their tonsils out anymore, as it was determined a bad idea to mess around with people's immune systems. But my mother had hers out and she was given strawberry ice cream as a result.
Which is such a classic story, it's practically a meme. It also makes me think about how much I love my mother.
Tonsillitis is something my mother had a lot as a child and (I think) my brother did too. I had it frequently as well. I wonder if my kids will have it often. I wonder if I'll have kids, first of all.
I don't think people get their tonsils out anymore, as it was determined a bad idea to mess around with people's immune systems. But my mother had hers out and she was given strawberry ice cream as a result.
Which is such a classic story, it's practically a meme. It also makes me think about how much I love my mother.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Black Eyed Susies
Is my new favourite band this week. I saw them at a bar called Castaways that had a vaguely nautical feel, despite the fact that we are about 230 miles away from the ocean. The nautical feel wasn't overwhelming, it was just enough to feel a little desperate. Mostly it was just a bar for locals, which was what I had been looking for. It was the after party for something called Beerfest, which I had not gone to, not being able to afford the luxury of a ticket. I'm such a cheapskate lately - I made us go an hour early, to avoid a cover charge (I'm cheap about cover charges in general though, I think paying more than $5 to get in somewhere is exorbitant and won't do it unless there is live music in the place that I know I want to see, because then I can equate it as a ticket price in my head) and I nursed my beer for as long as I could, before breaking down and buying another one.
The headlining band was terrible. I didn't stay for them, I only know they were awful based on their 50 minute sound check. They were called Hubcap and were so unoriginally poppy that they were boring. Not a creative spark in a one of them and they took themselves so seriously that it was palpable. There is nothing worse than a pop band that takes themselves too seriously. You're playing pop music. I mean really - you're whinging away on your guitar, playing at a bar, not quite in the downtown neighbourhood of Ithaca, NY where the words "Men" and "Women" are written in rope on the bathroom doors - how seriously should you really take yourself? It was a little painful because I could also tell how nervously excited they were to be playing a show, almost like a 16 year old boy going on a date where he's pretty sure he's going to get laid for the first time. I'm sure that was why they took 50 minutes to do their sound check - probably mistaking their nervousness for appropriate anal retentiveness that "real musicians" should have.
Give me the gritty old timers or at least people who play old time that are just happy to be playing their music whereever they might happen to be. On the side walk, on someone's porch, just for the joy at plucking those strings. I saw a homeless man in Santa Barbara once with my friend John Henry. We sat and watched him play slide guitar for an hour on the boardwalk.
The Black Eyed Susies were refreshing after that terrible sound check. They showed up, late, got up on stage, played one song to check their vocals and then after a short break, put up a tight, polished performance. 3 women having a great time, just happening to be in front of an audience, playing mountain music and blues on the banjo, upright bass and guitar.
The headlining band was terrible. I didn't stay for them, I only know they were awful based on their 50 minute sound check. They were called Hubcap and were so unoriginally poppy that they were boring. Not a creative spark in a one of them and they took themselves so seriously that it was palpable. There is nothing worse than a pop band that takes themselves too seriously. You're playing pop music. I mean really - you're whinging away on your guitar, playing at a bar, not quite in the downtown neighbourhood of Ithaca, NY where the words "Men" and "Women" are written in rope on the bathroom doors - how seriously should you really take yourself? It was a little painful because I could also tell how nervously excited they were to be playing a show, almost like a 16 year old boy going on a date where he's pretty sure he's going to get laid for the first time. I'm sure that was why they took 50 minutes to do their sound check - probably mistaking their nervousness for appropriate anal retentiveness that "real musicians" should have.
Give me the gritty old timers or at least people who play old time that are just happy to be playing their music whereever they might happen to be. On the side walk, on someone's porch, just for the joy at plucking those strings. I saw a homeless man in Santa Barbara once with my friend John Henry. We sat and watched him play slide guitar for an hour on the boardwalk.
The Black Eyed Susies were refreshing after that terrible sound check. They showed up, late, got up on stage, played one song to check their vocals and then after a short break, put up a tight, polished performance. 3 women having a great time, just happening to be in front of an audience, playing mountain music and blues on the banjo, upright bass and guitar.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Heaven
Oh kids! I've been riding again!
There's a lady a little over half an hour from here that lets me ride her horses! She has baby horses! Between yesterday and today, I "backed" 2 year old. His first time and mine! Yay!
There's a lady a little over half an hour from here that lets me ride her horses! She has baby horses! Between yesterday and today, I "backed" 2 year old. His first time and mine! Yay!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
A snippet
Here's a snippet of my Ithaca Life:
Today I saw a man in the grocery store with a scraggily grey beard and scraggily grey hair who looked immuno-compromised, banging on a cardboard box shouting to his wife/daughter/grandaughter/girlfriend/ who knows, "They don't have my soda!" - he looked really angry about it. Not that this wouldn't happen in a California, it's just the sort of thing that has happened more frequently since the move. Then the check out girl asked me what exactly my kale was and I wanted to cry.
Today I saw a man in the grocery store with a scraggily grey beard and scraggily grey hair who looked immuno-compromised, banging on a cardboard box shouting to his wife/daughter/grandaughter/girlfriend/ who knows, "They don't have my soda!" - he looked really angry about it. Not that this wouldn't happen in a California, it's just the sort of thing that has happened more frequently since the move. Then the check out girl asked me what exactly my kale was and I wanted to cry.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
4pm GMT
Today is the day I will have completed 27 revolutions around the sun. I will begin my 28th in 1 short half hour, 4pm Greenwich Mean Time.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Staunching homesickness
I had a great dream two nights ago. I don't remember much of it except that Ryan and I had a pet boa constrictor and get this: it's name was Rocky Balboa! I'm making puns in my subconscious!
--------------------
In other news, I am bored and miss the CA. I have been nursing my homesickness. Luckily my friends happen to post things on YouTube that make me feel like I was still there!
Here you go, you can join in too! Grab a beer!:
.
.
Try and ignore the stupid camera angles.
.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Craters of the Moon
The next stop on our trip was Craters of the Moon National Monument. This place was miles and miles and miles of lava bed. Besides the fact that it was awestrikingly amazing, it was virtually deserted, which added to the ambiance of the place. It was really quiet and a little windy, it really felt other worldly. Ryan compared it to Mordor, because he's a geek and I compared it to a more realistic Lost In Space backdrop, because, well, I like camp.
Now that I've confessed those less than flattering things about the two of us, I will let the pictures do an infinitely better job of expressing how awesome (in the traditional, Webster's English Dictionary use of the term) this place was:
That's Jeeves "burying" a bone. I think I may have the most eccentric dog on the planet.
Now that I've confessed those less than flattering things about the two of us, I will let the pictures do an infinitely better job of expressing how awesome (in the traditional, Webster's English Dictionary use of the term) this place was:
And here's the best part:
That's Jeeves "burying" a bone. I think I may have the most eccentric dog on the planet.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
After the Fat Woman
After meeting Jeanette, we went home and Ryan made a delicious blackberry pie. Jan made us an amazing cocktail, called the Adult Beverage, because she occasionally invites her non-alcoholic sister and husband over for "Adult Beverages." Here are her instructions, in their entirety:
Enjoy!
JQ's Summer Tonic (Adult Beverages)
To get started you will need:
1. A cocktail shaker or a sturdy glass like an ale glass
2. A jigger or other measuring device
3. Something to smash the ingredients against the ice . . . if you do not have a wooden muddler, a wooden spoon works very well
4. A juice squeezer is convenient, or simply squeeze the heck out of the fruit to get maximum juice
Ingredients
Vodka - does not have to be great vodka (I use Absolut)
rosemary
lemon balm
lemon juice
sugar
Preparing the tonic (an individual serving at a time):
Start by putting broken or chipped ice into your cocktail shaker (filling only about a third of the container) and add the following ingredients:
- One slightly rounded teaspoon of white sugar (a simple syrup would be probably be better, but I don't bother)
- The juice of one medium sized lemon (more or less, depending on taste)
- Use one long sprig of fresh rosemary. If using the stuff from the grocery store, it's typically dry/not as fragrant, so you might want to use two sprigs.
- 6-8 large leaves of lemon balm (or double if the leaves are tiny)
Break up the rosemary into little bits (roughly an inch or so in length). If the sprigs are especially woody, you should remove the leaves and minimize the amount of wood you put into the shaker. The leaves of the lemon balm can be randomly torn to reduce the time required to bring out the maximum essence. Smash the ingredients together to bruise the leaves and release the oil all over the ice bits -- it should smell really nice before adding the liquid. Add 6 ounces of vodka, cover and shake until the cocktail shaker is really cold in your hands. Strain the tonic as you pour it into a martini glass.
Variation on the theme: If you want to make a tall cocktail, you can add a little 7-Up to the mixture and serve in a highball glass over ice.
If you want to make the cocktail pretty, garnish with a small twist of lemon rind, a paper thin slice of lemon, or a small sprig of lemon balm. If you want to dress it up even more, you could wipe a lemon wedge around the edge of the glass and dip it in sugar before adding the beverage and garnish.
If you cannot find any lemon balm, you can substitute with fresh mint. If somebody suggests that the cocktail is a "yummy mint mojito," let them know they are mistaken because mojitos are traditionally made with rum.
Warning: these tonics are refreshing and it is easy to consume 2-3 while enjoying good conversation. At 6 ounces each, it does not take long to become "over the limit" with respect to driving anywhere.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
The first thing I hate about Ithaca
Found the following on Craigslist today, while searching for furniture:
Reply to: sale--------@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-08-23, 12:28PM EDT
Hi, I have a ton of breast milk left from when i was breast feeding my 16 month old son. It is all packaged in 6oz packages and kept in a deep chest freezer (in the bottom)My son doesn't drink anymore, and i don't want it to go to waste. It needs to be used up by late October/early November (that is the 1yr mark)
I put a lot of time and effort in to freeze this milk for my son and hopefully someone else will be able to use it.
I am asking $2.00 per package, but am open to offers.
If anyone is interested, please email me ASAP
If the large contingent of girls afflicted with PGWD (Pretty Girl With Dreads) syndrome (crying shame, that) weren't a big enough clue, nor the dirty boys on skateboards or really a host of other things, I think this ad is a fair indication that I now live in a hippie town. AGAIN. I don't intend to move to these places - I don't even like reggae. Santa Barbara was irritating enough I'm not sure I'll be able to handle this.
I've already been next to tears for the last 2 days - I have reached a standstill with the unpacking as we have run out of furniture (as we don't really have any) and Ithaca absolutely sucks on the largest possible scale for buying furniture. We were warned of this before we came and now have found it to be not just the case, but ridiculously so. There's ONE furniture store in town and it's unfinished furniture, which would be fine, except I'm not paying $400 for a dresser that I then have to put 6 hours worth of work into myself.
The nearest Ikea is 4.5 hours away and the shipping costs make that option prohibitively expensive. Ryan is literally sitting next to me drawing plans to make shelving because that has become our only option as I tearfully and adamantly - and rightfully, as I hope you'll agree - said NO the fabled milk crate solution.
I've found the first thing I hate about Ithaca.
Meanwhile, here are some more pictures from the trip:
Jeeves learns to swim! Poorly!
So happy!
Self explanatory (we were in Boise)
Frozen BreastMilk - $2 (Harford)
Reply to: sale--------@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-08-23, 12:28PM EDT
Hi, I have a ton of breast milk left from when i was breast feeding my 16 month old son. It is all packaged in 6oz packages and kept in a deep chest freezer (in the bottom)My son doesn't drink anymore, and i don't want it to go to waste. It needs to be used up by late October/early November (that is the 1yr mark)
I put a lot of time and effort in to freeze this milk for my son and hopefully someone else will be able to use it.
I am asking $2.00 per package, but am open to offers.
If anyone is interested, please email me ASAP
If the large contingent of girls afflicted with PGWD (Pretty Girl With Dreads) syndrome (crying shame, that) weren't a big enough clue, nor the dirty boys on skateboards or really a host of other things, I think this ad is a fair indication that I now live in a hippie town. AGAIN. I don't intend to move to these places - I don't even like reggae. Santa Barbara was irritating enough I'm not sure I'll be able to handle this.
I've already been next to tears for the last 2 days - I have reached a standstill with the unpacking as we have run out of furniture (as we don't really have any) and Ithaca absolutely sucks on the largest possible scale for buying furniture. We were warned of this before we came and now have found it to be not just the case, but ridiculously so. There's ONE furniture store in town and it's unfinished furniture, which would be fine, except I'm not paying $400 for a dresser that I then have to put 6 hours worth of work into myself.
The nearest Ikea is 4.5 hours away and the shipping costs make that option prohibitively expensive. Ryan is literally sitting next to me drawing plans to make shelving because that has become our only option as I tearfully and adamantly - and rightfully, as I hope you'll agree - said NO the fabled milk crate solution.
I've found the first thing I hate about Ithaca.
Meanwhile, here are some more pictures from the trip:
Jeeves learns to swim! Poorly!
Still swimming poorly! This time with Maggie!
So happy!
Self explanatory (we were in Boise)
Friday, August 22, 2008
Boise, Idaho and Blackberry Pie
Part 2
Boise, the City of Trees.
Boise was, well Boise. We stopped in another town outside of Boise to visit with a wonderful friend of Ryan's - she lives in a rather conservative neigbourhood:
Her neighbours stole her Obama sign 7 times from her lawn and once from off of her roof.
Another time, she was on her roof, fixing her satellite dish, listening to Rossini when she over heard her neighbour saying to his wife:
"There she goes with that Jew music again."
Which is something that could only be said by someone so astoundingly ignorant that you just have to laugh. Or cry. What the hell is the world coming to?
The local police told her (she is friendly with them) to tell people she was Catholic (she is not in a position to start any "Let's educate the natives" campaigns for personal reasons), so she leaves a Christmas tree up year round (this irritates the Mormons) and hangs a cross by her front door.
She really, really hates it there but cannot leave for reasons beyond her control.
She lost a grand daughter and had a neighbour come over repeatedly and evangelise at her. At first she attempted to be polite but when she was getting ready to leave for the funeral, the woman appeared again, arms outstretched, eyes closed, saying,
"She is with God now. Oh I can't wait for the day that I am with the Lord!"
Ryan's friend: "Come over here, I'll help you get there."
ANYWAY.
Visiting Boise is much better than that place. It was really, really hot though.
Jan rented a small SUV and took us around the place. In the afternoon, I went with her over to her neighbours house.
Jeanette lives across the street from Jan and has the most amazing garden. The front has pots of wild strawberries that melt across your tongue, just about as sweet as you can handle. The front of the house has a trellis with a grape vine growing across and the grapes were just about green, underneath of which were squash plants with squash sat like hens eggs waiting to be discovered. If you walked around the back of the house, into the rectangular back garden, the fence to your left also supported more grape vines - this one of a different variety than the one in the front- and the other side of the garden had a vegetable patch with different varieties of tomato, cucumber closest to the house. A little further towards the end, about halfway down, was a blueberry bush. Closest to the house was a wild tangle of different herbs, particularly lemon balm not to mention mint and different sorts of sage.
Down the middle of the yard was another trellis and then a patch of hoed and turned soil, where the asparagus was growing. The trellis held a huge blackberry bush and it was this that we had come to the garden for. Huge blackberries the same length as the width of my palm grew in fat bunches, looking as though the were ready to burst. You had to be careful picking them because they were so tender and ripe that some of the drupelets would break and stain your hand, although my finger tips were stained wine red soon anyway.
So in this magical garden lives Jeanette, who tends it as best she can. She weighs 496 lbs. She knows it to this accuracy because she has herself weighed at the recycling center before she goes to the doctor. When I first saw her, she was sitting on a stool by her back door amongst the herbs, leaning on her walker. Most of her body was shrouded in a faded, shapless, black cotton dress. It was a short sleeve dress, so you could see her thick upper arms, laden with fat that slowly diminished into tiny, delicate hands which matched her little snub nose that seemed out of place on her round, fat swathed head. Her head was shaved bald and what grey stubble she had was sparse anyway. She had a delicate pinkness to her skin that I've only seen on fat people and it was damp with the moisture of the Boise humidity.
The way she tends her garden is to sit on her stool and give orders as to how she wants things. She hires a boy to come and do as she says and I think Jan does a fair bit for her: when we arrived our payment for picking her blackberries was to move her sprinklers around the asparagus. She wasn't very clear in her directions and rather than telling us she wanted 3 sprinklers amongst the asparagus, she simply started giving confusing step by step instructions, so it took us 20 minutes instead of 5.
She was quite frank about her situation, mentioned the palett that she had her chair on in the living room, the boyfriend who shot her in the stomach which was the catalyst for her current condition, and her various ailments. At one point, Jan disappeared into the house to get another container for the abundance of blackberries - our little colander was not even half big enough to contain them, Jeanette looked at me very earnestly and said,
"It's a shithole in there. Really. A real shithole."
Jan reappeared, we gathered more blackberries and she and I discussed the pie I planned to ask Ryan to make when we went back to Jan's.
The pie was delicious.
Ludicrously tragic? Or just tragically ludicrous.
The Capitol
"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?"
Boise, the City of Trees.
Boise was, well Boise. We stopped in another town outside of Boise to visit with a wonderful friend of Ryan's - she lives in a rather conservative neigbourhood:
Her neighbours stole her Obama sign 7 times from her lawn and once from off of her roof.
Another time, she was on her roof, fixing her satellite dish, listening to Rossini when she over heard her neighbour saying to his wife:
"There she goes with that Jew music again."
Which is something that could only be said by someone so astoundingly ignorant that you just have to laugh. Or cry. What the hell is the world coming to?
The local police told her (she is friendly with them) to tell people she was Catholic (she is not in a position to start any "Let's educate the natives" campaigns for personal reasons), so she leaves a Christmas tree up year round (this irritates the Mormons) and hangs a cross by her front door.
She really, really hates it there but cannot leave for reasons beyond her control.
She lost a grand daughter and had a neighbour come over repeatedly and evangelise at her. At first she attempted to be polite but when she was getting ready to leave for the funeral, the woman appeared again, arms outstretched, eyes closed, saying,
"She is with God now. Oh I can't wait for the day that I am with the Lord!"
Ryan's friend: "Come over here, I'll help you get there."
ANYWAY.
Visiting Boise is much better than that place. It was really, really hot though.
Jan rented a small SUV and took us around the place. In the afternoon, I went with her over to her neighbours house.
Jeanette lives across the street from Jan and has the most amazing garden. The front has pots of wild strawberries that melt across your tongue, just about as sweet as you can handle. The front of the house has a trellis with a grape vine growing across and the grapes were just about green, underneath of which were squash plants with squash sat like hens eggs waiting to be discovered. If you walked around the back of the house, into the rectangular back garden, the fence to your left also supported more grape vines - this one of a different variety than the one in the front- and the other side of the garden had a vegetable patch with different varieties of tomato, cucumber closest to the house. A little further towards the end, about halfway down, was a blueberry bush. Closest to the house was a wild tangle of different herbs, particularly lemon balm not to mention mint and different sorts of sage.
Down the middle of the yard was another trellis and then a patch of hoed and turned soil, where the asparagus was growing. The trellis held a huge blackberry bush and it was this that we had come to the garden for. Huge blackberries the same length as the width of my palm grew in fat bunches, looking as though the were ready to burst. You had to be careful picking them because they were so tender and ripe that some of the drupelets would break and stain your hand, although my finger tips were stained wine red soon anyway.
So in this magical garden lives Jeanette, who tends it as best she can. She weighs 496 lbs. She knows it to this accuracy because she has herself weighed at the recycling center before she goes to the doctor. When I first saw her, she was sitting on a stool by her back door amongst the herbs, leaning on her walker. Most of her body was shrouded in a faded, shapless, black cotton dress. It was a short sleeve dress, so you could see her thick upper arms, laden with fat that slowly diminished into tiny, delicate hands which matched her little snub nose that seemed out of place on her round, fat swathed head. Her head was shaved bald and what grey stubble she had was sparse anyway. She had a delicate pinkness to her skin that I've only seen on fat people and it was damp with the moisture of the Boise humidity.
The way she tends her garden is to sit on her stool and give orders as to how she wants things. She hires a boy to come and do as she says and I think Jan does a fair bit for her: when we arrived our payment for picking her blackberries was to move her sprinklers around the asparagus. She wasn't very clear in her directions and rather than telling us she wanted 3 sprinklers amongst the asparagus, she simply started giving confusing step by step instructions, so it took us 20 minutes instead of 5.
She was quite frank about her situation, mentioned the palett that she had her chair on in the living room, the boyfriend who shot her in the stomach which was the catalyst for her current condition, and her various ailments. At one point, Jan disappeared into the house to get another container for the abundance of blackberries - our little colander was not even half big enough to contain them, Jeanette looked at me very earnestly and said,
"It's a shithole in there. Really. A real shithole."
Jan reappeared, we gathered more blackberries and she and I discussed the pie I planned to ask Ryan to make when we went back to Jan's.
The pie was delicious.
Ludicrously tragic? Or just tragically ludicrous.
The Capitol
This was in that town outside of Boise. I realise it's hard to see so I'll describe it to you: beat up junker truck with a sticker illustrating "Calvin" of "Calvin and Hobbes" praying to a cross. He also had a bumper sticker that read "Real Men Love Jesus." I'm making a frowny face right now.
"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?"
And finally, my hero, Maggie the Moocher.
Monday, August 18, 2008
For Heavens Sake, Jeeves!
Hello, hello.
I've moved from my beautiful west coast to the strange and exotic east coast. Part 1 of my travels:
The departure.
We spent our last day in Palo Alto meeting with the landlord and then making kimchee with my brother and finally our answer to cup o noodles garbage (diced zuchini, carrots and whatever other vegtable that is good just barely cooked tossed into a hot miso broth - or whatever other quick broth you might like and quick cooking noodles, such as rice or buckwheat) soup for my mother, brother and Margo and David who came to wish us safe journeys, with champagne and gas cards - I thought it was quite exemplery of who they are: Margo bringing the fun and David bringing the practicality. It was touching to see how excited he was for us and really hard to say goodbye to Margo.
We started our trip by heading to Sacramento to spend 2 days with Ryan's family, which I'm very glad we did. As we'd put off making actual route plans, save telling one or two people we'd be dropping in on them, we took some time (with our newly acquired >free< Gordon Cole out of my head. "I'M ON MY WAY TO BEND, OREGON. OFFICIAL BUSINESS. REAL HUSH-HUSH. GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU."
Anyway. The drive up was beautiful. We stopped in Klamath Falls and ate nutritional yeast on bread with olive oil and TapatÃo sauce. There was a drunk guy using his mac at the table next to us: he kept burping loud beer burps and then looking in our direction.
After Klamath, we headed up to Bend, which I'd heard nice things about. Unfortunately, the camp ground was maybe the worst of the whole trip: we were sandwiched between a family that had 2 annoyng terriers ("Harley" and "Muffin" - I learned this because it was shrilly yelled out a number of times) and 3 annoying children (the perpetrators of the shrill yelling) and a British family with 2 sullen faced hipster kids that sat watching a movie on a laptop until it was time to leave the campgrounds and go for pizza. From my notebook: "It seems that a lot of people like to drive to the edge of regular civilization and sleep next to their car, feeling it to be a positive, healthful venture for them and their children. Jeeves feels the same way as I do about the fatties surrounding us, but is more vocal about it."
There was a beautiful river nearby, where we took Jeeves, allowed him to relieve himself and then forced him to go swimming. Then we made him sleep outside because he was so filthy. The next day, we packed up, took him to the river and then jumped back in the car and headed to Boise, Idaho, to visit 2 friends.
He was so filthy afterwards we forced him to sleep under the rainfly. He was not happy about this.
Here are some photos from the trip so far:
Urinal in Oregon
I've moved from my beautiful west coast to the strange and exotic east coast. Part 1 of my travels:
The departure.
We spent our last day in Palo Alto meeting with the landlord and then making kimchee with my brother and finally our answer to cup o noodles garbage (diced zuchini, carrots and whatever other vegtable that is good just barely cooked tossed into a hot miso broth - or whatever other quick broth you might like and quick cooking noodles, such as rice or buckwheat) soup for my mother, brother and Margo and David who came to wish us safe journeys, with champagne and gas cards - I thought it was quite exemplery of who they are: Margo bringing the fun and David bringing the practicality. It was touching to see how excited he was for us and really hard to say goodbye to Margo.
We started our trip by heading to Sacramento to spend 2 days with Ryan's family, which I'm very glad we did. As we'd put off making actual route plans, save telling one or two people we'd be dropping in on them, we took some time (with our newly acquired >free< Gordon Cole out of my head. "I'M ON MY WAY TO BEND, OREGON. OFFICIAL BUSINESS. REAL HUSH-HUSH. GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU."
Anyway. The drive up was beautiful. We stopped in Klamath Falls and ate nutritional yeast on bread with olive oil and TapatÃo sauce. There was a drunk guy using his mac at the table next to us: he kept burping loud beer burps and then looking in our direction.
After Klamath, we headed up to Bend, which I'd heard nice things about. Unfortunately, the camp ground was maybe the worst of the whole trip: we were sandwiched between a family that had 2 annoyng terriers ("Harley" and "Muffin" - I learned this because it was shrilly yelled out a number of times) and 3 annoying children (the perpetrators of the shrill yelling) and a British family with 2 sullen faced hipster kids that sat watching a movie on a laptop until it was time to leave the campgrounds and go for pizza. From my notebook: "It seems that a lot of people like to drive to the edge of regular civilization and sleep next to their car, feeling it to be a positive, healthful venture for them and their children. Jeeves feels the same way as I do about the fatties surrounding us, but is more vocal about it."
There was a beautiful river nearby, where we took Jeeves, allowed him to relieve himself and then forced him to go swimming. Then we made him sleep outside because he was so filthy. The next day, we packed up, took him to the river and then jumped back in the car and headed to Boise, Idaho, to visit 2 friends.
He was so filthy afterwards we forced him to sleep under the rainfly. He was not happy about this.
Here are some photos from the trip so far:
Urinal in Oregon
I love kitschy motel signs. Love 'em, love 'em, love 'em.
This is what our dear little dog did for the entire trip.
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