Current mood: praises be
Considering the levels of worry, sequential nights full o' nightmares, sharing of stress, late-night heart to hearts (yes, plural, to the tune of "up till 4 AM", no wonder I was having nightmares), the nagging, and the atmosphere of heightened and artificial expectations, meet the parents has got nothing on meet the siblings!!! Let's just say I haven't been here in quite a while...Madness, hatred, flailing of limbs, and hurling of invectives and furniture fortunately did not ensue. Thank goodness that's over with!!!!!!!! (Artificial gaiety and friendliness are a bit wearing and creepy. Let's just all go back to our normally grumpy and comfy selves!)
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Christmas Dinner
Currently: breathing in the aroma of turkey stock
General consensus: Best looking and tasting holiday meal I've put on the table, excepting the rather overwhelming quantity of food. I guess practice does make closer to perfect! However, I learned a Valuable Lesson about not counting children under 5 as "people" when calculating expected numbers of servings. I also learned that starting the food prep the night before is an invaluable step towards preserving sanity, "cool," and the required quantity of clean dishes to get through the cooking on The Big Day. In addition, I need to get me some nice serving dishes. A laden table looks rather wonderful when food is beautifully and thoughtfully arranged on decorative dishware of complementary and contrasting colors. Finally, I learned that care for small children takes precedence over food prep (??!!) and that the little ones are good at and smug about robbing me of my kitchen slaves. Argh! So, food synopsis:
Everything was served HOT without being rewarmed! I am so proud! It is really hard to do that!!
Turkey, 13.5-pounder, rubbed with scallions, onions, and a ruddy buttload of Chinese 5-spice, which includes MSG, 1.5 sticks of butter under the skin, sprinkled with salt and pepper, 3ish hours @ 325 degrees, finished with the last half hour at 400 degrees, 1st few hours with foil on. Verdict: Extremely flavorful, juicy meat, nicely browned skin, lots of butter juice. (Folks rather liked the "more Chinese-tasting" turkey. 5-spice was a hit, but folks were strangely thirsty for hours and days following...)
Tomato and roasted red pepper soup, served with a dollop of cream and a sprinkling of parsley. Thanks TJ's! I offered to make a homemade soup, but TJ's soup was requested. Verdict: Enjoyed by all, though T prefers the straight tomato soup. Great presentation, looked "all fancy." (DO NOT SPRINKLE WITH A LOT OF PARSLEY. A little goes a loooooong way...)
Sweet potatoes, roasted in foil for ~ 1.5 hours on a baking sheet, super-soft and very well done. Verdict: Who knows? They looked good, but there was too much food and no one even tried these. Next time, only making 1!!!
Butternut squash risotto, half baked and mashed, half sauteed (in olive oil, onion, garlic, salt and pepper), swirled in last minute to a standard risotto (onion, garlic, olive oil, chicken stock, cream, butter, parmesan, and romano) base. Stir, stir, stir. Verdict: My first risotto kicked booty!!!!! Perfectly al dente, rich and creamy with very little cream, subtly sweet yet savory squashy flavor, gorgeous fall-winter orangey color, fantastically dense yet smooth mouthfeel. Excellent recipe, great execution, PITA-amount of work, but completely worth it! Only flaw - does not keep At All. Must eat while fresh, do NOT make extra. (This is how white people eat rice? Strange-looking but - Hey it's good! It's great! Can I have some more??!!)
Mashed potatoes, one bag of Yukons, butter, cream, chicken stock, salt and pepper, boiled then mashed. Verdict: MUCH better than T-day; Yukons made all the difference -fluffier, tastier, more-potatoe-y, while holding the creamy mashed texture without becoming grainy. Very nice, people ate quite a bit, and quite worthwhile keeping the HALF GALLON in leftovers.
Mushrooms, steakhouse style, sauteed in olive oil with onions, garlic, sherry (well, rice wine), and finished with butter, salt, and pepper. Verdict: Good. Made about twice as many as T-day, so we wouldn't run out. However, the greater quantity was more difficult to cook down to "dry," when all the flavors are packed in the mushrooms themselves, and not in the juice. Still a welcome addition to the meal and folks enjoyed them. Likely will become a staple, but make slightly less.
"Au jus," turkey drippings and butter, plus added ~ 2 cups of chicken stock. Still hard to capture, but worth every drop! Verdict: Now considered a staple and absolutely essential by all. Per usual, barely enough to go around, especially when people starting pouring it over their food like gravy. (AU JUS, FOLKS! NEARLY PURE BUTTER! FOR THE DIPPING!)
Green beans, sauteed with garlic in olive oil and "au jus," finished with toasted almonds slices and salt and pepper. Verdict: Crisp, almost underdone. Again, made too much, since afraid of running out a la T-day. Sauteeing up smaller batches is easier and tastier, though people enjoyed them.
Spinach and mushroom quiche, with um, spinach and sauteed mushrooms, swiss and gruyere, eggs, cream, salt and pepper, in a store pie shell. Verdict: I though it was underseasoned but otherwise quite good. Great for breakfast the next day, but especially when there weren't 3 other quiches to eat. Simple and tasty, but I didn't really think it went well with the other dinner food. Looked good on the table, but did not need it, food-volume wise, though a few people tried it at dinner.
Antipasti - Artichokes, olives, mozzarella, and red peppers. Thanks, A&S! Verdict: Again, barely touched, but looked very nice on the table. Perhaps next time get charcuterie for the appetizer plate? A&S is The Pork Place, after all...
Tiny toasts, with brie and sun-dried tomato spread. Thanks, TJ's! Verdict: (Why do I keep serving cheese to Chinese people? I like it, but they really don't.) Delicious and a rather excellent market find for appetizers to serve to a different crowd.
By request, apple upside-down cake, with vanilla ice cream, with sauteed apples, toasted almonds, and yellow cake "bottom." Verdict: (Very nice as long as you don't use SALT instead of SUGAR!!!!! Gah, I can still taste that awful concoction!!! But I am very glad that I tasted it before baking it and calling it done...) Good but sweet, with crumbly cake (a texture I don't particularly care for, but everyone else seems to love it) bottom. Thank GOD! I made it the night before, but it turned out that we didn't even get to dessert on Christmas Day...
Assortment of hulled berries and fresh whipped cream. Prepped but didn't get to eat. Verdict: Too much d*mned food!
Biscotti, cookies, and fruits for chocolate fondue. Prepped but didn't get to eat. Verdict: Seriously, too much food!!!
Best part about a "kids Christmas" is cooking and eating in pajamas!!!
General consensus: Best looking and tasting holiday meal I've put on the table, excepting the rather overwhelming quantity of food. I guess practice does make closer to perfect! However, I learned a Valuable Lesson about not counting children under 5 as "people" when calculating expected numbers of servings. I also learned that starting the food prep the night before is an invaluable step towards preserving sanity, "cool," and the required quantity of clean dishes to get through the cooking on The Big Day. In addition, I need to get me some nice serving dishes. A laden table looks rather wonderful when food is beautifully and thoughtfully arranged on decorative dishware of complementary and contrasting colors. Finally, I learned that care for small children takes precedence over food prep (??!!) and that the little ones are good at and smug about robbing me of my kitchen slaves. Argh! So, food synopsis:
Everything was served HOT without being rewarmed! I am so proud! It is really hard to do that!!
Turkey, 13.5-pounder, rubbed with scallions, onions, and a ruddy buttload of Chinese 5-spice, which includes MSG, 1.5 sticks of butter under the skin, sprinkled with salt and pepper, 3ish hours @ 325 degrees, finished with the last half hour at 400 degrees, 1st few hours with foil on. Verdict: Extremely flavorful, juicy meat, nicely browned skin, lots of butter juice. (Folks rather liked the "more Chinese-tasting" turkey. 5-spice was a hit, but folks were strangely thirsty for hours and days following...)
Tomato and roasted red pepper soup, served with a dollop of cream and a sprinkling of parsley. Thanks TJ's! I offered to make a homemade soup, but TJ's soup was requested. Verdict: Enjoyed by all, though T prefers the straight tomato soup. Great presentation, looked "all fancy." (DO NOT SPRINKLE WITH A LOT OF PARSLEY. A little goes a loooooong way...)
Sweet potatoes, roasted in foil for ~ 1.5 hours on a baking sheet, super-soft and very well done. Verdict: Who knows? They looked good, but there was too much food and no one even tried these. Next time, only making 1!!!
Butternut squash risotto, half baked and mashed, half sauteed (in olive oil, onion, garlic, salt and pepper), swirled in last minute to a standard risotto (onion, garlic, olive oil, chicken stock, cream, butter, parmesan, and romano) base. Stir, stir, stir. Verdict: My first risotto kicked booty!!!!! Perfectly al dente, rich and creamy with very little cream, subtly sweet yet savory squashy flavor, gorgeous fall-winter orangey color, fantastically dense yet smooth mouthfeel. Excellent recipe, great execution, PITA-amount of work, but completely worth it! Only flaw - does not keep At All. Must eat while fresh, do NOT make extra. (This is how white people eat rice? Strange-looking but - Hey it's good! It's great! Can I have some more??!!)
Mashed potatoes, one bag of Yukons, butter, cream, chicken stock, salt and pepper, boiled then mashed. Verdict: MUCH better than T-day; Yukons made all the difference -fluffier, tastier, more-potatoe-y, while holding the creamy mashed texture without becoming grainy. Very nice, people ate quite a bit, and quite worthwhile keeping the HALF GALLON in leftovers.
Mushrooms, steakhouse style, sauteed in olive oil with onions, garlic, sherry (well, rice wine), and finished with butter, salt, and pepper. Verdict: Good. Made about twice as many as T-day, so we wouldn't run out. However, the greater quantity was more difficult to cook down to "dry," when all the flavors are packed in the mushrooms themselves, and not in the juice. Still a welcome addition to the meal and folks enjoyed them. Likely will become a staple, but make slightly less.
"Au jus," turkey drippings and butter, plus added ~ 2 cups of chicken stock. Still hard to capture, but worth every drop! Verdict: Now considered a staple and absolutely essential by all. Per usual, barely enough to go around, especially when people starting pouring it over their food like gravy. (AU JUS, FOLKS! NEARLY PURE BUTTER! FOR THE DIPPING!)
Green beans, sauteed with garlic in olive oil and "au jus," finished with toasted almonds slices and salt and pepper. Verdict: Crisp, almost underdone. Again, made too much, since afraid of running out a la T-day. Sauteeing up smaller batches is easier and tastier, though people enjoyed them.
Spinach and mushroom quiche, with um, spinach and sauteed mushrooms, swiss and gruyere, eggs, cream, salt and pepper, in a store pie shell. Verdict: I though it was underseasoned but otherwise quite good. Great for breakfast the next day, but especially when there weren't 3 other quiches to eat. Simple and tasty, but I didn't really think it went well with the other dinner food. Looked good on the table, but did not need it, food-volume wise, though a few people tried it at dinner.
Antipasti - Artichokes, olives, mozzarella, and red peppers. Thanks, A&S! Verdict: Again, barely touched, but looked very nice on the table. Perhaps next time get charcuterie for the appetizer plate? A&S is The Pork Place, after all...
Tiny toasts, with brie and sun-dried tomato spread. Thanks, TJ's! Verdict: (Why do I keep serving cheese to Chinese people? I like it, but they really don't.) Delicious and a rather excellent market find for appetizers to serve to a different crowd.
By request, apple upside-down cake, with vanilla ice cream, with sauteed apples, toasted almonds, and yellow cake "bottom." Verdict: (Very nice as long as you don't use SALT instead of SUGAR!!!!! Gah, I can still taste that awful concoction!!! But I am very glad that I tasted it before baking it and calling it done...) Good but sweet, with crumbly cake (a texture I don't particularly care for, but everyone else seems to love it) bottom. Thank GOD! I made it the night before, but it turned out that we didn't even get to dessert on Christmas Day...
Assortment of hulled berries and fresh whipped cream. Prepped but didn't get to eat. Verdict: Too much d*mned food!
Biscotti, cookies, and fruits for chocolate fondue. Prepped but didn't get to eat. Verdict: Seriously, too much food!!!
Best part about a "kids Christmas" is cooking and eating in pajamas!!!
Saturday, December 23, 2006
I sing of thee
Current mood: giddy
Oh EZ Pass, oh EZ pass,
Your booths are so inviting.
Oh see me drive, so quick and sure,
Through nonexistent traffic.
I haven't stopped, but once this night,
nor witnessed yellow blinking lights,
Oh EZ Pass, "Toll has been paid,"
You are a sight delightful!!
**************************
(Jeezum crow, why did I wait 4 years to get one??!!)
Oh EZ Pass, oh EZ pass,
Your booths are so inviting.
Oh see me drive, so quick and sure,
Through nonexistent traffic.
I haven't stopped, but once this night,
nor witnessed yellow blinking lights,
Oh EZ Pass, "Toll has been paid,"
You are a sight delightful!!
**************************
(Jeezum crow, why did I wait 4 years to get one??!!)
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Gamer delight
Current mood: cue the nostalgia
When I first started playing board games with this group, I thought it would be kind of lame. I really liked the people and wanted to spend more time with them, but boards games seemed like such a geeky, indoor, homey (and possible hokey) way to spend a weekend night - pretty much the kind of entertainment I was running away from (my past, my childhood, what have you). At first, I pushed for Sundays and afternoon, but was mostly vetoed by the majority. In the beginning, I didn't really like these games of "strategerie" and got easily confused (selective memory for detail is NOT a good thing in this context) and frustrated. I did, however, always enjoy the gathering of collegial spirits, the FOOD!, and the general camraderie.
And yet, last night marked the passing of a bona fide era in my life. I've been hanging out with these people, playing new and old games, chatting and chomping the night away, and loving just about every minute for nearly 4 years. First off, HOLY CR*P! does time fly by, and secondly, I'm really going to miss some of my closest friends. Folks have come, gone (well, mostly gone), and been born, guests have dropped in, but the core of our little group has stayed intact for far longer than usual D.C. probability (people only live here for 2-year stints, right?!). Thirdly, I guess my inner slight nerdiness was neither so "inner," nor so slight. I love games!!!! Of course, my liking grew in direct proportion to how well I understood the game. (I'm still, um, unhappy when I play badly or when I lose, ahem, tantrums.) Now that we are no longer a minimum of three, random games of Settlers, Puerto Rico, Risk, Trains, and Allahambra are far less likely to happen, and definitely not in our usual configuration for a long, long time. And that is an unqualified sad thing. Either I've come a long way, or haven't gone anywhere at all, and I don't really care which it is. I'll really miss you guys!!!!!!!
When I first started playing board games with this group, I thought it would be kind of lame. I really liked the people and wanted to spend more time with them, but boards games seemed like such a geeky, indoor, homey (and possible hokey) way to spend a weekend night - pretty much the kind of entertainment I was running away from (my past, my childhood, what have you). At first, I pushed for Sundays and afternoon, but was mostly vetoed by the majority. In the beginning, I didn't really like these games of "strategerie" and got easily confused (selective memory for detail is NOT a good thing in this context) and frustrated. I did, however, always enjoy the gathering of collegial spirits, the FOOD!, and the general camraderie.
And yet, last night marked the passing of a bona fide era in my life. I've been hanging out with these people, playing new and old games, chatting and chomping the night away, and loving just about every minute for nearly 4 years. First off, HOLY CR*P! does time fly by, and secondly, I'm really going to miss some of my closest friends. Folks have come, gone (well, mostly gone), and been born, guests have dropped in, but the core of our little group has stayed intact for far longer than usual D.C. probability (people only live here for 2-year stints, right?!). Thirdly, I guess my inner slight nerdiness was neither so "inner," nor so slight. I love games!!!! Of course, my liking grew in direct proportion to how well I understood the game. (I'm still, um, unhappy when I play badly or when I lose, ahem, tantrums.) Now that we are no longer a minimum of three, random games of Settlers, Puerto Rico, Risk, Trains, and Allahambra are far less likely to happen, and definitely not in our usual configuration for a long, long time. And that is an unqualified sad thing. Either I've come a long way, or haven't gone anywhere at all, and I don't really care which it is. I'll really miss you guys!!!!!!!
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Administrative weasels!
Current mood: exasperated
I have just applied to Virginia Tech for the fourth time in 6 years. Even though I'm already a student, with accoutrements such as a Hokie ID and a student number, the computer system's extreme ADD or Momento-ness requires reapplication and processing every so often. I'm sure it has nothing at all to do with the big, fat application fee collected each time. It's particularly annoying because the online application engine kicks you out every so often, so you have to rewrite all your answers to the silly essays questions, (which I'm not smart enough to save, because I don't really think about saving application materials for a school which I already attend).
Why do you want to pursue graduate work? Why this field?
Well, let's see. You're holding 12 credits and approximately $6,000 worth of schooling hostage and I'd really like see some tangible benefits - say, a sheepskin? Eventually? That's be quite nice. I thought I'd just continue in this department, of which I am already a member, so thanks for asking.
Sigh.
I have just applied to Virginia Tech for the fourth time in 6 years. Even though I'm already a student, with accoutrements such as a Hokie ID and a student number, the computer system's extreme ADD or Momento-ness requires reapplication and processing every so often. I'm sure it has nothing at all to do with the big, fat application fee collected each time. It's particularly annoying because the online application engine kicks you out every so often, so you have to rewrite all your answers to the silly essays questions, (which I'm not smart enough to save, because I don't really think about saving application materials for a school which I already attend).
Why do you want to pursue graduate work? Why this field?
Well, let's see. You're holding 12 credits and approximately $6,000 worth of schooling hostage and I'd really like see some tangible benefits - say, a sheepskin? Eventually? That's be quite nice. I thought I'd just continue in this department, of which I am already a member, so thanks for asking.
Sigh.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Thai food:2, me:0
Current mood: sluggish
I should just break down and learn how to use fish sauce and tamarind paste. If I weren't such a slave to Thai takeout, then I would have lots more $ to play with.
At least it's delicious!
I should just break down and learn how to use fish sauce and tamarind paste. If I weren't such a slave to Thai takeout, then I would have lots more $ to play with.
At least it's delicious!
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Early resolution
As we enter the holidays proper, I want to make an early New Year's resolution. During this hallowed season of reindeer and elves and shiny things, for office-dwellers and party-goers, there is a near-constant supply of food available. All the time, everywhere you look, free, cheap, easy. I want to try and only eat things that are genuinely delicious, and not just, well, there. Mere existence and proximity should not be food's most recommending factors. I want to try and save calories for actual splurges, rather than, hey, why not?-treats. That third brownie scrounged from the 5th-floor conference room really doesn't have much going for it and doesn't actually taste very good. Neither do stale cookies from the other group's holiday party. And I don't even like candy canes!!! Hopefully, just reminding myself that about this resolution will be enough to rein myself in a bit. That way, I can actually enjoy Christmas dinner and January RW, rather than groaning, ugh, more food??!!
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Paper is done!!!
Current mood: take that, bizzatch!
Yippee!!!!!
One more week of class and then I'm off for 5 months. Intellectual stimulation is great and all but SCHOOL'S OUT!!! has got to be one of the top ten best feelings!
Yippee!!!!!
One more week of class and then I'm off for 5 months. Intellectual stimulation is great and all but SCHOOL'S OUT!!! has got to be one of the top ten best feelings!
Sunday, December 3, 2006
The difference being...
Current mood: whimsical
Will Ferrell in Stranger Than Fiction.
Will Ferrell in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.
The dichotomy in his performances between the two is enough to hurt my head, and yet, still be oddly impressive. Go see Stranger Than Fiction. It's the most charming, oddball, and interesting films I've seen in a long time. Also? A great date movie.
Friday, December 1, 2006
Smile!
Current mood: Time to get down to business
Wow, cheeze, am I a whiner. First, let me put in a huge plug for Alieve. When I gave in to the sweet, sweet bliss of pain relief medication, I could actually feel the moment the stuff hit my nervous system. Ahhhhhhhhhhh, what a difference. Note to self: when muscles or bones are hurting, the way you carry yourself to minimize the pain tends to exacerbate, not relieve, the underlying problem. Hence, after you were properly medicated to be mostly pain free (and a bit whee!!!), you were able to move about much more naturally (and less crab- or bear-like) and worked out whatever muscle was knotted up in your back. Thus the lesson, take your meds, fool!
So now, tralalala, all is right with the world. My back is, well, back! And Fedex hath delivereth my missing packages! Albeit 2 weeks later, after swearing up and down that they didn't exist and I must have lost them myself because, noooo, Fedex never makes any mistakes or loses packages and hey, I saw Castaway, so don't give me that! and obviously I'm not at all bitter…anyway, so - happy again. Now, if only this term paper would write itself, then life really would be full of unicorns and sunshine.
Wow, cheeze, am I a whiner. First, let me put in a huge plug for Alieve. When I gave in to the sweet, sweet bliss of pain relief medication, I could actually feel the moment the stuff hit my nervous system. Ahhhhhhhhhhh, what a difference. Note to self: when muscles or bones are hurting, the way you carry yourself to minimize the pain tends to exacerbate, not relieve, the underlying problem. Hence, after you were properly medicated to be mostly pain free (and a bit whee!!!), you were able to move about much more naturally (and less crab- or bear-like) and worked out whatever muscle was knotted up in your back. Thus the lesson, take your meds, fool!
So now, tralalala, all is right with the world. My back is, well, back! And Fedex hath delivereth my missing packages! Albeit 2 weeks later, after swearing up and down that they didn't exist and I must have lost them myself because, noooo, Fedex never makes any mistakes or loses packages and hey, I saw Castaway, so don't give me that! and obviously I'm not at all bitter…anyway, so - happy again. Now, if only this term paper would write itself, then life really would be full of unicorns and sunshine.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
small roar, big whimper
Current mood: owieowieowieowie
WFT??!! is wrong with my back? I was walking along, happy like clam, and all of a sudden, my back completely falls apart! Right now, there is a sharp, lancing pain in my lower back that feels like angry gnomes are stabbing me with pointy sticks while laughing maniacally, with their beady red eyes dancing with mad anticipation...ahem, anyway. My entire lower half? She hurts. A lot. When I walk, the radiating pain feels like my hips are going to shatter. I've had back pain before, but usually for a good (or at least plausible) reason, with some buildup and warning. This? Is weird. Like nothing I've felt before (and really don't care to experience ever again. Are you listening, Pain Gods?). Is this what is it means to be old? 28 is MEAN!
(HA! Birthday me was such a happy, dreamy twit. THIS is what life is like! Bah humbug!)
WFT??!! is wrong with my back? I was walking along, happy like clam, and all of a sudden, my back completely falls apart! Right now, there is a sharp, lancing pain in my lower back that feels like angry gnomes are stabbing me with pointy sticks while laughing maniacally, with their beady red eyes dancing with mad anticipation...ahem, anyway. My entire lower half? She hurts. A lot. When I walk, the radiating pain feels like my hips are going to shatter. I've had back pain before, but usually for a good (or at least plausible) reason, with some buildup and warning. This? Is weird. Like nothing I've felt before (and really don't care to experience ever again. Are you listening, Pain Gods?). Is this what is it means to be old? 28 is MEAN!
(HA! Birthday me was such a happy, dreamy twit. THIS is what life is like! Bah humbug!)
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Bandit = me
*Sigh* what a wonderful birthday! (As I type, late into the night, at the office, working on the homework that I've neglected over the holidays, paying for the indulgent times I've had in the past few days.)
I'm very lucky to have so many people that care about me and I feel deeply grateful for my friends and family. Not only do they put up with "my birthday is the most important day of the year. To everybody! In the universe!" attitude mostly with grace and wry (and occasionally slightly mean, but I can't fault them on it, really, 'cause GOD I can be obnoxious) humor, but they are generous to boot! And yet, despite this year's gift pile being pretty much the greatest haul of all time, the most exciting element of the day was that I got to celebrate it on the actual day of occurrence. Outside the home. In no turkey context (or lingering aroma) whatsoever. *Swoon* My birthday has a sad tendency to be lost in the Thanksgiving brouhaha, so getting to celebrate with more than just family (not that there's anything wrong with that, but sometimes, you want non-family fussing over you!) is a rare treat. The last day-of celebration, as far as we could recall, went all the way back to my 17th birthday! In other words, far too long ago...
It was a lovely day, filled with (wonderful, fabulous) friends, fun, and food, little driving, and no drama. Perfection. Can't wait to see if the rest of 28 will follow suit!
I'm very lucky to have so many people that care about me and I feel deeply grateful for my friends and family. Not only do they put up with "my birthday is the most important day of the year. To everybody! In the universe!" attitude mostly with grace and wry (and occasionally slightly mean, but I can't fault them on it, really, 'cause GOD I can be obnoxious) humor, but they are generous to boot! And yet, despite this year's gift pile being pretty much the greatest haul of all time, the most exciting element of the day was that I got to celebrate it on the actual day of occurrence. Outside the home. In no turkey context (or lingering aroma) whatsoever. *Swoon* My birthday has a sad tendency to be lost in the Thanksgiving brouhaha, so getting to celebrate with more than just family (not that there's anything wrong with that, but sometimes, you want non-family fussing over you!) is a rare treat. The last day-of celebration, as far as we could recall, went all the way back to my 17th birthday! In other words, far too long ago...
It was a lovely day, filled with (wonderful, fabulous) friends, fun, and food, little driving, and no drama. Perfection. Can't wait to see if the rest of 28 will follow suit!
Monday, November 27, 2006
Musings from the road
Current mood: zoom zoom. yeah, I wish.
In no particular order:
In no particular order:
- Driving more than 1,200 miles in less than 1 week just too much, especially when driving it alone.
- Singing in the car is good. Singing loudly to country (the music of pain, yes, but curiously enough, also of driving) is better. Belting to show tunes (I favor Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat) is best, especially when accompanied by dramatic two-handed gestures that evoke mild to moderate alarm in those driving next to you.
- $10 in tolls for 10 hours isn't fun, but acceptable. $40 in tolls for approximately the same time/distance is not.
- F#$%^&* phone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- I sing in the car a lot to keep myself company. Humming or mouthing along to new songs on the radio can be fun. It's a bit appalling, however, when you find youself proclaiming that I want to Smack That! or vowing that I doan' want no minute man! (though, can't help but agree here. I just might not want to share that with the general public quite so gleefully). Then I waffle around thinking, Hey, great bass to EW! What are those kids singing these days! and God, I'm old. And a prude. Yuck!
- My favorite part of driving is the Vroom! Vroom! acceleration after the tolls. Yeah, V-6, and not afraid to use it! I shudder (tremble!) to think what I would be like with a V-8 engine *dreamy sigh.*
- 4 hours is a mite too long to spend sitting in traffic in Maryland, especially at midnight on a Tuesday before Thanksgiving, and maybe, just maybe, the stress of it all could be enough to induce actual tears of rage and frustration.
- God, I need an EZPass. What's wrong with me????? Why don't I just get one already??!!
- The Big Dig was a seriously bad idea. Highways shouldn't look like crazy spaghetti.
- Yikes, I'm 28 and therefore OLD and yet, yay! my birthday is here!!!
- 4.5 hours from Long Island to home - now that's why we drive fast. Oh yeah, babee!!
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Reunion
Current mood: Can't, and don't want to, go back
Wow, misery - so not worth the drive. Poor turnout, wrong turnout, and um, interesting clothes (okay, that part was fun - leopard print!). Terrible food, few teachers, and crazy DJ (the Six Flags old guy is scary, not funny). Oh, and I'm still a spazz that can't speak coherently with "adults" (eh, outburst much?) without feeling like I'm in trouble. Not really the most productive use of my $, time, and anticipation (But I did get a nifty pen!). From now on, the old guard can gather on its own - on the up side, now I think we will...
Also? Being at (childhood) home alone (for the 1st time, I think) at night is weird and kinda spooky.
Wow, misery - so not worth the drive. Poor turnout, wrong turnout, and um, interesting clothes (okay, that part was fun - leopard print!). Terrible food, few teachers, and crazy DJ (the Six Flags old guy is scary, not funny). Oh, and I'm still a spazz that can't speak coherently with "adults" (eh, outburst much?) without feeling like I'm in trouble. Not really the most productive use of my $, time, and anticipation (But I did get a nifty pen!). From now on, the old guard can gather on its own - on the up side, now I think we will...
Also? Being at (childhood) home alone (for the 1st time, I think) at night is weird and kinda spooky.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Tired
Current mood: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, but not while driving...
In the past two weeks, I've been in VA, MD, KY, OH, IN, IL (x3!!), CA, DE, NJ, NY, CT, MA, and RI. HATE my car now.
In the past two weeks, I've been in VA, MD, KY, OH, IN, IL (x3!!), CA, DE, NJ, NY, CT, MA, and RI. HATE my car now.
Friday, November 24, 2006
T-day menu rundown
Current mood: Full! Pleased! Tired! Dirty! Kinda smelly! Buzzed!
Best turkey yet, according to me and the not-so-wee, filled, bellies around me. Table looked gorgeous, not too many leftovers, and lots of oohs and aahs. What more could a Thanksgiving day chef-general ask for?
On deck:
Turkey, 13-pounder, rubbed with scallions, onions, and steak seasoning, 1.5 sticks of butter under the skin, sprinkled with salt and pepper, 3.5 hours @ 325 degrees, 1st half with foil on. Verdict: Beautifully juicy, nicely browned skin, lots of butter juice. (Chinese people ate white meat! And liked it! Woohoo!)
Sweet potatoes, roasted in foil for ~ 1 hour, with plates to catch the drippy juices (only took three years of "Hey, what's that burning smell?" to remember to do this). Verdict: Good, not too soft or hard, could have probably used a little more time to get v. soft and gushy.
Mashed potatoes, one bag of reds, butter, cream, sour cream, chicken stock, salt and pepper, boiled then mashed. Verdict: Okay, not quite the creamy consistency I like, a little grainy. Gets cold very fast, but better with the "au jus." Maybe use whites or Idahos next year?
Mushrooms, steakhouse style, sauteed in olive oil with onions, garlic, sherry (well, rice wine), and finished with butter, salt, and pepper. Verdict: SO GOOD. Definitely stands up as its own dish and was gobbled up pretty much instantly. Dad made a face at the saltiness, but I noticed he didn't leave any on his plate. Next year make twice as much!
"Au jus," turkey drippings and butter, plus added ~ 2 cups of chicken stock. Still hard to capture, but worth every drop! Verdict: Barely enough to go around for dipping, even with stock addition! How did we do it before??? Highlight of the plate, absolutely essential. Stock did not dilute much; perhaps add a bit more next year to up the volume.
Green beans, sauteed with garlic in olive oil and "au jus," finished with toasted almonds slices. Verdict: Crisp even after 2 times in the pan to keep warm. Looks great on a white plate. Gone fast. Next time wait till last, last minute, so I don't have to reheat them.
Roasted (microwaved) chestnuts, scorched all to h*ll, but luckily with no burning smell. Maybe next time we'll get the timing right! Verdict: Chestnuts? What chestnuts?
Green and yellow squash, roasted, with sauteed onions, with olive oil, cumin, salt, and white pepper. Verdict: Cooked too long, veg got soft and released too much juice, a bit mushy, probably didn't help being reheated twice. Flavor okay. Not really a hit, but people were good about eating their vegetables, so mostly gone.
Antipasti - mushrooms, zucchini, olives, mozzarella, and red peppers. Thanks, Uncle Guiseppe's! Verdict: Big hit with younger crowd, vinegar probably a bit much for more asian (than say, me) folks.
Strawberry shortcake, with whipped cream and cream biscuits. Verdict: Instant classic, everyone likes, v. pretty, not too sweet. Cream biscuits in holiday shapes v. cute.
Apple upside-down cake, with vanilla ice cream, with sauteed apples, toasted almonds, and yellow cake "bottom." Verdict: Good but v. sweet, but great presentation and smelling like cinnamon heaven. Thanksgiving should always have something cinnamon coming out of the oven!
Next: What to do for Xmas?????
Best turkey yet, according to me and the not-so-wee, filled, bellies around me. Table looked gorgeous, not too many leftovers, and lots of oohs and aahs. What more could a Thanksgiving day chef-general ask for?
On deck:
Turkey, 13-pounder, rubbed with scallions, onions, and steak seasoning, 1.5 sticks of butter under the skin, sprinkled with salt and pepper, 3.5 hours @ 325 degrees, 1st half with foil on. Verdict: Beautifully juicy, nicely browned skin, lots of butter juice. (Chinese people ate white meat! And liked it! Woohoo!)
Sweet potatoes, roasted in foil for ~ 1 hour, with plates to catch the drippy juices (only took three years of "Hey, what's that burning smell?" to remember to do this). Verdict: Good, not too soft or hard, could have probably used a little more time to get v. soft and gushy.
Mashed potatoes, one bag of reds, butter, cream, sour cream, chicken stock, salt and pepper, boiled then mashed. Verdict: Okay, not quite the creamy consistency I like, a little grainy. Gets cold very fast, but better with the "au jus." Maybe use whites or Idahos next year?
Mushrooms, steakhouse style, sauteed in olive oil with onions, garlic, sherry (well, rice wine), and finished with butter, salt, and pepper. Verdict: SO GOOD. Definitely stands up as its own dish and was gobbled up pretty much instantly. Dad made a face at the saltiness, but I noticed he didn't leave any on his plate. Next year make twice as much!
"Au jus," turkey drippings and butter, plus added ~ 2 cups of chicken stock. Still hard to capture, but worth every drop! Verdict: Barely enough to go around for dipping, even with stock addition! How did we do it before??? Highlight of the plate, absolutely essential. Stock did not dilute much; perhaps add a bit more next year to up the volume.
Green beans, sauteed with garlic in olive oil and "au jus," finished with toasted almonds slices. Verdict: Crisp even after 2 times in the pan to keep warm. Looks great on a white plate. Gone fast. Next time wait till last, last minute, so I don't have to reheat them.
Roasted (microwaved) chestnuts, scorched all to h*ll, but luckily with no burning smell. Maybe next time we'll get the timing right! Verdict: Chestnuts? What chestnuts?
Green and yellow squash, roasted, with sauteed onions, with olive oil, cumin, salt, and white pepper. Verdict: Cooked too long, veg got soft and released too much juice, a bit mushy, probably didn't help being reheated twice. Flavor okay. Not really a hit, but people were good about eating their vegetables, so mostly gone.
Antipasti - mushrooms, zucchini, olives, mozzarella, and red peppers. Thanks, Uncle Guiseppe's! Verdict: Big hit with younger crowd, vinegar probably a bit much for more asian (than say, me) folks.
Strawberry shortcake, with whipped cream and cream biscuits. Verdict: Instant classic, everyone likes, v. pretty, not too sweet. Cream biscuits in holiday shapes v. cute.
Apple upside-down cake, with vanilla ice cream, with sauteed apples, toasted almonds, and yellow cake "bottom." Verdict: Good but v. sweet, but great presentation and smelling like cinnamon heaven. Thanksgiving should always have something cinnamon coming out of the oven!
Next: What to do for Xmas?????
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Ahem, I'm fine. And how are you?
Current mood: don't worry, be happy!
After I sneeze a couple of times (complete with face-covering and "excuse me" on my part), the woman next to me (who does not say "bless you" in any of its incarnations) looks over, stiffening slightly, and asks, rather challengingly, "Are you sick?" Her tone and posture are already blaming me for the potential ruin of her Thanksgiving, but I assure her that I'm merely reacting to the dander from the dog that has just left the waiting area. She continues, "but you sound sick. Are you sure it's just allergies? That dog was so little." (As if!) I try to reassure her that I'm very sensitive and she huffily replies, "oh" and turns away from me.
Gotta love the people. Let the Happy Holidaze begin!
After I sneeze a couple of times (complete with face-covering and "excuse me" on my part), the woman next to me (who does not say "bless you" in any of its incarnations) looks over, stiffening slightly, and asks, rather challengingly, "Are you sick?" Her tone and posture are already blaming me for the potential ruin of her Thanksgiving, but I assure her that I'm merely reacting to the dander from the dog that has just left the waiting area. She continues, "but you sound sick. Are you sure it's just allergies? That dog was so little." (As if!) I try to reassure her that I'm very sensitive and she huffily replies, "oh" and turns away from me.
Gotta love the people. Let the Happy Holidaze begin!
Wednesday, November 8, 2006
Ruminations on betrayal
Current mood: a little less shiny
Guileless. Transparent. Trusting. Naive, even. Not exactly the list of survival traits one would self-select in a cutthroat environment. Regardless, those are the traits that I'm stuck with. Luckily, despite living in the big, bad, world, I exist in a fairly safe and supportive environment. Which makes, however, intrusions on this security even more shocking and upsetting.
I tend to believe the best in people. I trust that people say what they mean, and will ask me for what they need and want of me. I assume that people either like, or at least do not dislike me, unless they are overtly hostile (though a little snark never did anyone any harm). While ordinary subtleties aren't exactly lost on me, sometimes the layered meaning is lost is translation and all I can see is the surface. Folks that I'm close to know this and learn to work around it, and sometimes use it for fun at my expense. No skin off my back; it's just the price I pay for being refreshingly (so sayeth I) oblivious.
In the workplace, due to some less than harmonious experiences, I've learned to actively seek feedback and make clear to supervisors that communication lines must be extraordinarily open. While I can learn to anticipate and predict certain requests, I much prefer simply being asked to do necessary tasks. I've stressed that I don't respond well to passive aggression (well, I did phrase it slightly better than that) and that letting me know immediately when I make mistakes or gaffes is far more effective than bringing it up 8 months later in a review.
I travel a lot in teams, so it's important that we all get along. While some of my coworkers drive me crazy on the road (driving hog! fussy food restrictions!), for the most part, I thought everything was going swimmingly well. I acknowledge that I'm the junior person on the team and that I'm still essentially and constantly in training mode, so I have no problems with mid-course corrections or instruction.
Which is why, when a person I thought liked me and that I admired very much (almost as a mentor) reamed me in a hotel hallway, complete with personal invectives and actual shouting, I was a bit more than nonplussed. Perhaps even devastated. I'd had no idea that anything was wrong, because she hadn't given me the slightest sign (the night before, at her suggestion, we went for a scenic drive and leisurely meal). Earlier that week, during my review at the home office, I'd found out that she'd had certain concerns - I thought we had addressed those as soon as we began our trip. Which made it worse, when I called in to our superiors and found out that her story had reached the roost first, complete with professional aspersions which weren't mentioned during the actual screamfest. To add insult, she'd also brought my boss into the loop.
I have no idea if she intended to set off the chain of disciplinary action that ensued. Since she was not a part of it, I can't be sure. However, I can say that I now view coworker relations with a more (at all!) jaded and cautious eye. Having never really experienced prior backstabbing behavior, I can say that it is shockingly unpleasant and unexpected. Maybe another person would have been more cynical and vigilant and at least unsurprised, but I'd never imagined that others would go of their way to make things difficult for me. I'd assumed that adults could be open, honest, and communicative about the thoughts and expectations (at least in a professional sphere. I'm not Pollyanna, after all), but I was most definitely wrong. This is a lesson that I'm very sad to have learned.
Update: While the principals involved agreed to keep the matter quiet within the loop, I just found out that another member of our group knows about (and was surprised by) the incident, and the only person who would have told was...
Guileless. Transparent. Trusting. Naive, even. Not exactly the list of survival traits one would self-select in a cutthroat environment. Regardless, those are the traits that I'm stuck with. Luckily, despite living in the big, bad, world, I exist in a fairly safe and supportive environment. Which makes, however, intrusions on this security even more shocking and upsetting.
I tend to believe the best in people. I trust that people say what they mean, and will ask me for what they need and want of me. I assume that people either like, or at least do not dislike me, unless they are overtly hostile (though a little snark never did anyone any harm). While ordinary subtleties aren't exactly lost on me, sometimes the layered meaning is lost is translation and all I can see is the surface. Folks that I'm close to know this and learn to work around it, and sometimes use it for fun at my expense. No skin off my back; it's just the price I pay for being refreshingly (so sayeth I) oblivious.
In the workplace, due to some less than harmonious experiences, I've learned to actively seek feedback and make clear to supervisors that communication lines must be extraordinarily open. While I can learn to anticipate and predict certain requests, I much prefer simply being asked to do necessary tasks. I've stressed that I don't respond well to passive aggression (well, I did phrase it slightly better than that) and that letting me know immediately when I make mistakes or gaffes is far more effective than bringing it up 8 months later in a review.
I travel a lot in teams, so it's important that we all get along. While some of my coworkers drive me crazy on the road (driving hog! fussy food restrictions!), for the most part, I thought everything was going swimmingly well. I acknowledge that I'm the junior person on the team and that I'm still essentially and constantly in training mode, so I have no problems with mid-course corrections or instruction.
Which is why, when a person I thought liked me and that I admired very much (almost as a mentor) reamed me in a hotel hallway, complete with personal invectives and actual shouting, I was a bit more than nonplussed. Perhaps even devastated. I'd had no idea that anything was wrong, because she hadn't given me the slightest sign (the night before, at her suggestion, we went for a scenic drive and leisurely meal). Earlier that week, during my review at the home office, I'd found out that she'd had certain concerns - I thought we had addressed those as soon as we began our trip. Which made it worse, when I called in to our superiors and found out that her story had reached the roost first, complete with professional aspersions which weren't mentioned during the actual screamfest. To add insult, she'd also brought my boss into the loop.
I have no idea if she intended to set off the chain of disciplinary action that ensued. Since she was not a part of it, I can't be sure. However, I can say that I now view coworker relations with a more (at all!) jaded and cautious eye. Having never really experienced prior backstabbing behavior, I can say that it is shockingly unpleasant and unexpected. Maybe another person would have been more cynical and vigilant and at least unsurprised, but I'd never imagined that others would go of their way to make things difficult for me. I'd assumed that adults could be open, honest, and communicative about the thoughts and expectations (at least in a professional sphere. I'm not Pollyanna, after all), but I was most definitely wrong. This is a lesson that I'm very sad to have learned.
Update: While the principals involved agreed to keep the matter quiet within the loop, I just found out that another member of our group knows about (and was surprised by) the incident, and the only person who would have told was...
Wednesday, November 1, 2006
Shake, shake, shake
Current mood: kind of ooky
Heh, I'm reminded of the evilness of the pure sugar infusion that can result from consuming an entire bag of Chewy Spree. Yes, unfortunate things can occur when too much of one sugar item is eaten. However, when you mix things up and consume many types of sugar (cake, cookies, chocolate, and sour candy), all is well. At least, that's my theory for today, as I suffer the unpleasant, but generally benign (and well-deserved) aftermath of Sugar Tsunami 2006. Hopefully, I won't need to do more than feel guilty and apologize to my stomach (and nervous system).
Since I couldn't sleep, for obvious reasons, I decided to watch one of the many library movies that I had hanging around. As much as I like Liam Neelson, I think Kinsey was a bit of an odd choice for Halloween night. However, I have to say that I really enjoyed the movie, strange swinging couple behavior and all. The "Fuller Brush," sex-talking boys were amusing, especially Chris O'Donnell, looking very clean-cut, young, and recently McVetted and yet being kind of a nasty (in the highly-sexed way) character. Some of the sex questions were silly, but mostly they were funny and a bit heartbreaking. It's sad to think that we haven't progressed all that much since that era, how people are still not being particularly well educated about their own bodies, and how others are still fighting tooth and nail to keep it that way. Sigh. Sugar deflation...
Heh, I'm reminded of the evilness of the pure sugar infusion that can result from consuming an entire bag of Chewy Spree. Yes, unfortunate things can occur when too much of one sugar item is eaten. However, when you mix things up and consume many types of sugar (cake, cookies, chocolate, and sour candy), all is well. At least, that's my theory for today, as I suffer the unpleasant, but generally benign (and well-deserved) aftermath of Sugar Tsunami 2006. Hopefully, I won't need to do more than feel guilty and apologize to my stomach (and nervous system).
Since I couldn't sleep, for obvious reasons, I decided to watch one of the many library movies that I had hanging around. As much as I like Liam Neelson, I think Kinsey was a bit of an odd choice for Halloween night. However, I have to say that I really enjoyed the movie, strange swinging couple behavior and all. The "Fuller Brush," sex-talking boys were amusing, especially Chris O'Donnell, looking very clean-cut, young, and recently McVetted and yet being kind of a nasty (in the highly-sexed way) character. Some of the sex questions were silly, but mostly they were funny and a bit heartbreaking. It's sad to think that we haven't progressed all that much since that era, how people are still not being particularly well educated about their own bodies, and how others are still fighting tooth and nail to keep it that way. Sigh. Sugar deflation...
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Oblivious much?
Current mood: little shaky...
I was attempting to bake last night and the stupid batter would not de-lumpify. I was stirring and stirring (while watching Heroes, so I really didn't notice exactly how much time was passing by until the end), but the mix refused to smooth out. Finally, I noticed that the lumps were rather uniform in size and shape and I looked at the mix description a little more closely - yep, triple chocolate cake has chips in the mix...
Argh. Stupid batter, huh?
Triple-chocolate cupcakes with pick cream-cheese icing? Luscious!
And a baby shower for a little girl? Like pink exploded.
This is going to be by far the worst sugar day of the year.
I was attempting to bake last night and the stupid batter would not de-lumpify. I was stirring and stirring (while watching Heroes, so I really didn't notice exactly how much time was passing by until the end), but the mix refused to smooth out. Finally, I noticed that the lumps were rather uniform in size and shape and I looked at the mix description a little more closely - yep, triple chocolate cake has chips in the mix...
Argh. Stupid batter, huh?
Triple-chocolate cupcakes with pick cream-cheese icing? Luscious!
And a baby shower for a little girl? Like pink exploded.
This is going to be by far the worst sugar day of the year.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Survival of the fittest
Current mood: chagrined and alarmed and pleased
So, instead of a dramatic "I hate you," "Well, I hate you more!" goodbye scene with the parents that we had last time, it was an even more GULP!!-inducing, "Wow, everything we need is here, including you (aw). Is that townhouse across the way for sale?"
Yikes! Really can't win.
Next time, no fun for you!!!!
So, instead of a dramatic "I hate you," "Well, I hate you more!" goodbye scene with the parents that we had last time, it was an even more GULP!!-inducing, "Wow, everything we need is here, including you (aw). Is that townhouse across the way for sale?"
Yikes! Really can't win.
Next time, no fun for you!!!!
Saturday, October 21, 2006
The land of passive agriva
Seriously s*cks. If you don't tell me what I did wrong, or that I'm annoying you, or that you hate me in general, how exactly am I supposed to know? Not a mind reader. Strap a pair on and tell me how you feel! I don't care how fragile and tired you are - if you're going to chew me out for a whole week's worth of pent-up aggression, at least do me the courtesy of being specific. Telling me that I s*ck is not particularly productive...
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Wretched, wonderful food
This has been the most mixed bag food weekend of my entire life, skewing significantly to the negative. My stomach is sad, but it was bound to happen after all this time, right? Friday night, we tried to find a supposedly high-quality Chinese/sushi buffet. We thought we were at the right location but it was most assuredly NOT. Greasy platefuls of "Eh [shrug], we may as well eat," later, we were VERY sorry. Worst Chinese ever, and since I already separate out real Chinese food from Americanized Chinese food, it was pretty bad. We didn't actually get sick, but we were extremely uncomfortable afterwards...
The next night we tried to get actual sushi. In theory, not so much of a high-risk venture. In actuality, however, it's pretty terrible when you're hungry, can see food, and they just won't give it to you. We were sitting across from the sushi chef and saw him scrutinize our order, scrunch up his face, and decide to work on the orders of every table in the place that sat down after us. An hour and a half later, with several flagging downs of the waiter and the manager, no one could help us. Apparently, sushi chefs are part of an autonomous collective and cannot be controlled when they run amok. (Bah, angry!!!) So we attempted to get food at some random Mexican place down the street, which was also a mistake. One plate of bean burritos returned to the kitchen and a sizzler plate of stringy beef and tomatoes (hey, I was starving at this point) later, seriously bad things were starting to happen in the stomach arena and I was sick for the rest of the night. Bleah.
Well, we weren't smart enough to listen to karma (though we did leave the bad-luck shirt at home), so we tried for three times a charm at the Melting Pot. Now, sometimes I'm a bit of a food snob about chains, but I have nothing against chains that offer something unique and do their shtick well; plus there's the huge bonus of corporate and national consistency, which is very appealing after the miseries suffered at the hands of the independents. And, I have to say, I've got nothing on the Melting Pot exact deep sense of gratitude and satisfaction. Not only did they give us perfectly good food and LOTS of it (oh boy, that flaming turtle is a dessert of beauty), but the service and environs were quite pleasant and the evening ticked by with flawless predictability. As they say in Mastercardland, PRICELESS.
The next night we tried to get actual sushi. In theory, not so much of a high-risk venture. In actuality, however, it's pretty terrible when you're hungry, can see food, and they just won't give it to you. We were sitting across from the sushi chef and saw him scrutinize our order, scrunch up his face, and decide to work on the orders of every table in the place that sat down after us. An hour and a half later, with several flagging downs of the waiter and the manager, no one could help us. Apparently, sushi chefs are part of an autonomous collective and cannot be controlled when they run amok. (Bah, angry!!!) So we attempted to get food at some random Mexican place down the street, which was also a mistake. One plate of bean burritos returned to the kitchen and a sizzler plate of stringy beef and tomatoes (hey, I was starving at this point) later, seriously bad things were starting to happen in the stomach arena and I was sick for the rest of the night. Bleah.
Well, we weren't smart enough to listen to karma (though we did leave the bad-luck shirt at home), so we tried for three times a charm at the Melting Pot. Now, sometimes I'm a bit of a food snob about chains, but I have nothing against chains that offer something unique and do their shtick well; plus there's the huge bonus of corporate and national consistency, which is very appealing after the miseries suffered at the hands of the independents. And, I have to say, I've got nothing on the Melting Pot exact deep sense of gratitude and satisfaction. Not only did they give us perfectly good food and LOTS of it (oh boy, that flaming turtle is a dessert of beauty), but the service and environs were quite pleasant and the evening ticked by with flawless predictability. As they say in Mastercardland, PRICELESS.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Stressed
Current mood: need to sleep
I seem to be stressed - haven't gotten to sleep before 5 AM in more days than is strictly necessary, that is, more than 1. I'm not sure why. I often travel, and I often travel back to back weeks, but this time, the to-do list just seems extra daunting and I'm much more worried than usual that I forgot to do/get/bring something. Maybe the homing instinct is starting to kick in. I hope not, because work expects to get quite a few more years of travel out of me, and I'm just starting to get to go to the better places. I'm soooo tired of going to Sacramento...
I seem to be stressed - haven't gotten to sleep before 5 AM in more days than is strictly necessary, that is, more than 1. I'm not sure why. I often travel, and I often travel back to back weeks, but this time, the to-do list just seems extra daunting and I'm much more worried than usual that I forgot to do/get/bring something. Maybe the homing instinct is starting to kick in. I hope not, because work expects to get quite a few more years of travel out of me, and I'm just starting to get to go to the better places. I'm soooo tired of going to Sacramento...
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Please be October the 14th
Current mood: ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!
So I can stop being afraid of my god-d*mned TV. That stupid The Grudge trailer plays constantly, comes on with no warning (there should really be a warning before they're allowed to play that sh*t on TV) and scares the cr*p out of me. Every so often I have to shriek/close my eyes/turn away from the screen, which interrupts the not-afraid flow of the evening. I'm still having nightmares from The Ring (when The Ring II commercials were playing on TV, I was having the same problem, but those commercials did not run for NEARLY as long as this set) and am really tired of freaky little children beasties trying to crawl out of my television to get me. GO AWAY! I am NOT kidding. Stupid Friday the 13th. Whose idea was it to make up another creepy holiday, anyway?
So I can stop being afraid of my god-d*mned TV. That stupid The Grudge trailer plays constantly, comes on with no warning (there should really be a warning before they're allowed to play that sh*t on TV) and scares the cr*p out of me. Every so often I have to shriek/close my eyes/turn away from the screen, which interrupts the not-afraid flow of the evening. I'm still having nightmares from The Ring (when The Ring II commercials were playing on TV, I was having the same problem, but those commercials did not run for NEARLY as long as this set) and am really tired of freaky little children beasties trying to crawl out of my television to get me. GO AWAY! I am NOT kidding. Stupid Friday the 13th. Whose idea was it to make up another creepy holiday, anyway?
Monday, October 9, 2006
Is it really morning?
Today during my morning beauty ritual, I tried to moisturize my eye. Gah, I hate the sunshiny AM.
And ow.
And ow.
Saturday, October 7, 2006
RTC vs. RTS
So, in a smackdown, which Ray's would win? While I've only been to both restaurants exactly one time, I have to say that I want to lick Michael Landrum's, um...steak...up and down. Seriously. The man knows his meat. He even has the approval of my New York sister (one bite of filet, eyes rolling back in head, that is the best meat I've ever had...) beginner food snob! I've had the lamb, eggplant cake (you don't understand, this was crispy/chunky/chewy awesomeness), the NY strip, spiced cashews, cress salad, bellini, olive puffs, key lime pie, Malbec, duck fat parsnip spread, deviled eggs filled with steak tartare, hot chocolate, filet, Caesar salad, mashed potatoes, milk chocolate mousse, broccoli, brandied mushrooms, the chateaubriand, syrah, and the spinach. While all of these things are well and very, very good, the essential ingredient in each meal was and shall always be, the steak. And since I can get the steak in Arlington without the suffering that is the Beltway at rush hour, cough, I mean, all times of the day, I think I have to opt out of RTC. I think it's entirely possible that I'll be lured back for the Maryland-specific tidbits and desserts!, but for now I think I'll settle (HA!) for the original RTS.
Wednesday, October 4, 2006
What the...?
Current mood: eyeballs glued to the talking picture box
Holy moly, when did TV get good again? I swear, I am NBC's b*tch!! I thought, when Alias and TWW ended and the WB died, since I don't watch 24 in real time, that I would be free from the tyranny of network TV. And, while House and those Desperate Housewives haven't really fired my interest this season, I am helpless like a puppy at the onslaught of thoughtful and blatantly shock- and suspense-ful dramedies. Both episodes of Heroes have had me jumping up and down in antici...............................pation and squealing at the glorious goriness. If it stays good like this, I'll be hopelessly addicted, which will slightly piss me off, because I really don't handle cliff-hanger serials very well when I can't get the whole season at once. And, while Heroes is kind of a weird lead-in, I definitely stay for Studio 60's own merits. I loves me some non-Josh Bradley Whitford, and Matt Perry isn't exactly a slouch, either! Now, all I need on Mondays are new episodes of Medium, and I'll have a full-night NBC sweep! Friday Night Lights is probably the finest non-movie TV I've ever seen, which is going to be a serious problem, because it conflicts with Gilmore Girls, which is so not sucking this season. Meanwhile, the Lostarama continues, and then all of a sudden it's Thursday again. I'm still amused by Grey's Anatomy, but the real winners that night are Ugly Betty (fresh! new! heartwarming!) and ER. I was THISCLOSE to giving up on ER and watched it out of sheer habit last season, but the old warhorse has gotten a new wind and has recaptured my interest. Plus, if I'm not careful, I think I could totally get sucked into the alterna-Buffyverse of Veronica Mars. Seriously, I'm going to put in some major couch time this year.
And I thought that I would have nothing to watch when I got rid of cable! Perhaps it's time to break down and get a recording device...thingy so I won't be chained to my TV all year...
Holy moly, when did TV get good again? I swear, I am NBC's b*tch!! I thought, when Alias and TWW ended and the WB died, since I don't watch 24 in real time, that I would be free from the tyranny of network TV. And, while House and those Desperate Housewives haven't really fired my interest this season, I am helpless like a puppy at the onslaught of thoughtful and blatantly shock- and suspense-ful dramedies. Both episodes of Heroes have had me jumping up and down in antici...............................pation and squealing at the glorious goriness. If it stays good like this, I'll be hopelessly addicted, which will slightly piss me off, because I really don't handle cliff-hanger serials very well when I can't get the whole season at once. And, while Heroes is kind of a weird lead-in, I definitely stay for Studio 60's own merits. I loves me some non-Josh Bradley Whitford, and Matt Perry isn't exactly a slouch, either! Now, all I need on Mondays are new episodes of Medium, and I'll have a full-night NBC sweep! Friday Night Lights is probably the finest non-movie TV I've ever seen, which is going to be a serious problem, because it conflicts with Gilmore Girls, which is so not sucking this season. Meanwhile, the Lostarama continues, and then all of a sudden it's Thursday again. I'm still amused by Grey's Anatomy, but the real winners that night are Ugly Betty (fresh! new! heartwarming!) and ER. I was THISCLOSE to giving up on ER and watched it out of sheer habit last season, but the old warhorse has gotten a new wind and has recaptured my interest. Plus, if I'm not careful, I think I could totally get sucked into the alterna-Buffyverse of Veronica Mars. Seriously, I'm going to put in some major couch time this year.
And I thought that I would have nothing to watch when I got rid of cable! Perhaps it's time to break down and get a recording device...thingy so I won't be chained to my TV all year...
Tuesday, October 3, 2006
I need curry
Current mood: experimental
I've been experimenting with red curry paste. Some time ago, I realized that most restaurants use canned coconut milk and commercial pastes to concoct their delightful curries; if I were to break down and buy said items, I too could create lovely curries in the privacy of my own home at a fraction of the cost. Of course, that would mean having to admit to myself that I crave something as fat-laden as coconut milk. Ice cream, chocolate, butter, candy - these things I have no problem buying, but coconut milk? Fat food of the devil! (I feel the same way about avocadoes.) Annnnnnyway...things that I have learned about the art of making my Very Own Curry:
- curry paste + coconut milk does NOT = red curry (there's, like, 10 other things that need to go into the mixture, so said my taste buds)
- for the love of pete, stop wearing white clothes to cook red things!!!!!!!
- thai holy basil (or, Holy! Thai! Basil!) is NOT the same as regular or Italian basil
- fish sauce = nasty smelling!!! (as in, what is wrong with this stuff and why would I ever put it in, on, or near food?)
- oh yeah, eggplant shrinks exponentially when you cook it, so we'll be needing a bit more of that
- sigh, food at home never tastes like restaurant food, and I am almost positive that's it's merely a function of (acceptable-in-front-of-my-eyes) butter content
Other than that, the experiments have been very successful, except for having generated a need for severe gym time, as I have been consuming hitherto-unforeseen quantities of the devil's milk.
I've been experimenting with red curry paste. Some time ago, I realized that most restaurants use canned coconut milk and commercial pastes to concoct their delightful curries; if I were to break down and buy said items, I too could create lovely curries in the privacy of my own home at a fraction of the cost. Of course, that would mean having to admit to myself that I crave something as fat-laden as coconut milk. Ice cream, chocolate, butter, candy - these things I have no problem buying, but coconut milk? Fat food of the devil! (I feel the same way about avocadoes.) Annnnnnyway...things that I have learned about the art of making my Very Own Curry:
- curry paste + coconut milk does NOT = red curry (there's, like, 10 other things that need to go into the mixture, so said my taste buds)
- for the love of pete, stop wearing white clothes to cook red things!!!!!!!
- thai holy basil (or, Holy! Thai! Basil!) is NOT the same as regular or Italian basil
- fish sauce = nasty smelling!!! (as in, what is wrong with this stuff and why would I ever put it in, on, or near food?)
- oh yeah, eggplant shrinks exponentially when you cook it, so we'll be needing a bit more of that
- sigh, food at home never tastes like restaurant food, and I am almost positive that's it's merely a function of (acceptable-in-front-of-my-eyes) butter content
Other than that, the experiments have been very successful, except for having generated a need for severe gym time, as I have been consuming hitherto-unforeseen quantities of the devil's milk.
Sunday, October 1, 2006
The Breakfast Club's big brother
In college, there was this 80s band called The Breakfast Club that played the frat house circuit on a ~monthly basis. Despite the fact that their sets, hair, and pirate costumes (sweat stains and all, ew...) never changed, their party was always the biggest of the night. Other houses wouldn't even book "good" bands that night, because there just wasn't much point in trying to compete. Girls and guys alike, dressed up (80s attire) and dressed down (typical yuppie attire), squeezed in close (nauseatingly close) to pump fists in the air, headbang, jump around, and walk like an Egyptian. While I had as much fun as everyone else begging Eileen to just come on, already (that sounds dirty. I hope the song isn't dirty. Wait, it isn't, right?), I always wondered if we were the only generation of 80s-obsessed kids keeping the flame alive (eternal), and if the craziness (seriously, the clothes? my eyes! my eyes!) would die down once we were too old to, er, rock.
Turns out, not so much. The Legwarmers have a ridiculous following, and have taken to always playing two shows in a row, because the first one kept selling out. And while I thought that 2 consecutive shows would make it easier to get tix, silly me, both nights were out! I can understand why - the crowd runs older, but these folks are determined, if for one night only, to show that they haven't lost all their juice quite yet. Oh the headbands - and the hair! Sideways ponytails as far as the eye can see! Scream-singing! Leggings! Fist pumping! The cell-phone-waving to the ballads (cell phones are the new lighters)! Tacky prom dresses! And do not forget, and make sure to watch out for, the scissor kicks!!! Quite a scene...and to top it all off, the band has got its numbers down pat and are very good at reproducing the sound and the energy of the originals. When they played the Run DMC version of Walk This Way, I thought I'd died and gone to dance heaven. Today, my feet hurt, my neck hurts, I have a raging headache (thanks, 4 P's for the cider) and my arm feels oddly disjointed...as if I'd been throwing something (my fist!) all night...
Turns out, not so much. The Legwarmers have a ridiculous following, and have taken to always playing two shows in a row, because the first one kept selling out. And while I thought that 2 consecutive shows would make it easier to get tix, silly me, both nights were out! I can understand why - the crowd runs older, but these folks are determined, if for one night only, to show that they haven't lost all their juice quite yet. Oh the headbands - and the hair! Sideways ponytails as far as the eye can see! Scream-singing! Leggings! Fist pumping! The cell-phone-waving to the ballads (cell phones are the new lighters)! Tacky prom dresses! And do not forget, and make sure to watch out for, the scissor kicks!!! Quite a scene...and to top it all off, the band has got its numbers down pat and are very good at reproducing the sound and the energy of the originals. When they played the Run DMC version of Walk This Way, I thought I'd died and gone to dance heaven. Today, my feet hurt, my neck hurts, I have a raging headache (thanks, 4 P's for the cider) and my arm feels oddly disjointed...as if I'd been throwing something (my fist!) all night...
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Red, red everywhere
And crystal, bountiful balconies, beautifully-dressed (and significantly less beautifully-dressed) people and that hushed, less-chattery background noise that comes to be when people are trying to act less tacky than usual and are surrounded by the finest sound-eating materials the taxpayers' $ can buy...
So, I like the opera. Funny faced-overacting, mind-blowing voices and easy-to-follow plot. What's not to like? I do think I'm more of an opera buffa, Italian-lite-type girl, rather than a Wagnerian fan. Opera seria is just a little too heavy, too big, too long for my taste. Gianni Schicchi is a very manageable length, almost too short, much like the evening's opening performance. What I found really strange was that every person that I mentioned opera attendance to, every single one claimed to like opera. That really surprised me, and mayhap we will test that theory some time...
More importantly, I went out on a Friday!!! That is a something that hasn't happened for a while, as I usually go home to be floppy and watch the TV I've taped over the week. It was actually a ton of fun and content-wise, was very much like a Very Good Date. Except, our time sipping drinks while overlooking the water, under a smiling moon, with gently wafting breezes, was engaged in depressing political debate, rather than more setting-appropriate banter. Sigh. I get it, fun things only happen under the most platonic of circumstances.
So, I like the opera. Funny faced-overacting, mind-blowing voices and easy-to-follow plot. What's not to like? I do think I'm more of an opera buffa, Italian-lite-type girl, rather than a Wagnerian fan. Opera seria is just a little too heavy, too big, too long for my taste. Gianni Schicchi is a very manageable length, almost too short, much like the evening's opening performance. What I found really strange was that every person that I mentioned opera attendance to, every single one claimed to like opera. That really surprised me, and mayhap we will test that theory some time...
More importantly, I went out on a Friday!!! That is a something that hasn't happened for a while, as I usually go home to be floppy and watch the TV I've taped over the week. It was actually a ton of fun and content-wise, was very much like a Very Good Date. Except, our time sipping drinks while overlooking the water, under a smiling moon, with gently wafting breezes, was engaged in depressing political debate, rather than more setting-appropriate banter. Sigh. I get it, fun things only happen under the most platonic of circumstances.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Not a city girl
Current mood: glug. urpy. grumpy. stressed.
HATE THE METRO. HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3.5 hours to get from hither to thither on the metro (well, and back again, in all fairness). Nevermind that it was a long distance - that was way too long. I could have gone to bloody NYC!!! I'm not a big fan of the metro due to the motion sickness I get even when it's running smoothly and quickly, so the underground stop and go game we played in the train car today was so. not. fun. And the not-so-brief moments of A/C and lighting loss? Total claustrophobia. Ack.
HATE THE METRO. HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3.5 hours to get from hither to thither on the metro (well, and back again, in all fairness). Nevermind that it was a long distance - that was way too long. I could have gone to bloody NYC!!! I'm not a big fan of the metro due to the motion sickness I get even when it's running smoothly and quickly, so the underground stop and go game we played in the train car today was so. not. fun. And the not-so-brief moments of A/C and lighting loss? Total claustrophobia. Ack.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Glad to be back at the office
Current mood: content
Even if it weren't for the ever-ready internet connection or the network files at my fingertips, the nice people to wave to, chat up, and eat lunch with, the comfort of my almost-ergonomic chair, and unfailing net of tech support (HEART you guys!), the arcane ritual of "plant dusting" would be enough to make me come back to the office :)
Even if it weren't for the ever-ready internet connection or the network files at my fingertips, the nice people to wave to, chat up, and eat lunch with, the comfort of my almost-ergonomic chair, and unfailing net of tech support (HEART you guys!), the arcane ritual of "plant dusting" would be enough to make me come back to the office :)
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Old fogey
I turned down the chance to go see John Stewart perform in order to hang out with my friends at home. Regardless of my good reasons for doing so (wiped out by red eye, rudeness for cancelling previously existing plans, need to eat food that was not cooked by the corporate machine, no $), I felt old and lame. But okay with it. Guess I really am getting old!
(But hey! Playing games, eating good food, and enjoying the company of good friends isn't lame!)
(Except when it is.)
(Get over it, you're old!)
(But hey! Playing games, eating good food, and enjoying the company of good friends isn't lame!)
(Except when it is.)
(Get over it, you're old!)
Friday, September 15, 2006
Completely inappropriate things for hotel staff to say
Current mood: infuriated
You know that new Dixie Chicks song, the one about being hoppin' mad and not ready to make nice, i.e., still aching to bop someone in the nose? Yeah, that's how I feel towards Comfort Inn hotel staff about now:
"Oh, I'm not from around here. You'll have to look that up in the phone book." THRICE! (In answer to, where can I find a gym/food/FedEx?)
"Well, FedEx doesn't pick up here. You'll have to call them." (Um, this is a hotel, right? YOU bloody call them.)
"Oh, is this your package? My shift just started, so I don't know who was handling it, but I'm sure someone called FedEx and they'll come get it tomorrow." (Well, I wanted it to go out TODAY. That's the whole point of priority overnight!)
"The Internet is closed." [As her homework books are strewn about the terminal.] Well, I can't access the WiFi you so generously provide, and I need to turn this in for work. "I'm sorry, you'll have to come back tomorrow." [Blood pressure unable to rise further] Hurt! Maim!! Kill!!!
Aaaaaaand that's when I rolled my eyes, collected my package to ship out my own d*mn self, and stomped back to my room. There was no calling of names, of managers, or general mayhem, because I was 99.99% certain that I wouldn't be able to maintain an icy and precise outraged demeanor, and no one really takes hysterically shrieking/sobbing/tantrumming/ironically laughing harpies seriously. A pity, that.
You know that new Dixie Chicks song, the one about being hoppin' mad and not ready to make nice, i.e., still aching to bop someone in the nose? Yeah, that's how I feel towards Comfort Inn hotel staff about now:
"Oh, I'm not from around here. You'll have to look that up in the phone book." THRICE! (In answer to, where can I find a gym/food/FedEx?)
"Well, FedEx doesn't pick up here. You'll have to call them." (Um, this is a hotel, right? YOU bloody call them.)
"Oh, is this your package? My shift just started, so I don't know who was handling it, but I'm sure someone called FedEx and they'll come get it tomorrow." (Well, I wanted it to go out TODAY. That's the whole point of priority overnight!)
"The Internet is closed." [As her homework books are strewn about the terminal.] Well, I can't access the WiFi you so generously provide, and I need to turn this in for work. "I'm sorry, you'll have to come back tomorrow." [Blood pressure unable to rise further] Hurt! Maim!! Kill!!!
Aaaaaaand that's when I rolled my eyes, collected my package to ship out my own d*mn self, and stomped back to my room. There was no calling of names, of managers, or general mayhem, because I was 99.99% certain that I wouldn't be able to maintain an icy and precise outraged demeanor, and no one really takes hysterically shrieking/sobbing/tantrumming/ironically laughing harpies seriously. A pity, that.
Monday, September 11, 2006
What glass ceiling?
Turns out, I am a sexist pig. Or maybe not, who can tell these days? All I know is that I started when I heard the pilot's distinctly female voice come over the intercom. Now, I didn't actually think any disparaging thoughts in the context of competence or ability, I was just surprised. But then I was annoyed at myself for being surprised. And then I was annoyed at myself for being annoyed because I can't actually remember being on a plane with a female pilot, so why would it be wrong to note a genuine first? Next, I chewed off my own tail worrying this to death with my own brand of guilty circular thinking. All that matters is that, in the end, I was surprised to be flown by a woman, and that made me a little sad.
***************************
I'm not sure if it was the flight or the date, but the plane was nearly empty today - very unusual in these days of booking to over-capacity. I'll admit that I was extra thankful when my flight touched down without incident. I so did not tell my mother what days I was traveling this week.
***************************
I'm not sure if it was the flight or the date, but the plane was nearly empty today - very unusual in these days of booking to over-capacity. I'll admit that I was extra thankful when my flight touched down without incident. I so did not tell my mother what days I was traveling this week.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
You can still smoke in Ohio
I hadn't heard it in such a long time that the syllables felt foreign to my ear and I couldn't quite think of the appropriate response, settling for the ever-elegant, "eh?" with an eyebrow quirk and a bit of a frown. My friend smoothly answered, "Non, please," and we were led past wafty diners and a well-shrouded-bar to the non-smoking section. No additional ventilation, no wall barriers, no signs proclaiming sure death and heavy fines. For an easterner that spends a significant amount of time in California, where it is barely legal to smoke in your own home, the scene came as quite a shock. "You mean...people can smoke in public here?" My friend's reply was quick and sardonic, "well, here in Ohio, people still have the freedom to exercise their rights."
Now, while I personally benefit greatly from the Great Smoking Ban, I have to agree with the tone of this sentiment. When D.C. and a lot of Maryland decided to ban smoking in restaurants, I'll admit that I both rejoiced and groused. Now, my smoking friends couldn't stink up the table, and I wouldn't even have to be a whiny priss! On the other hand, my friends would be forced to leave the table and ostracized in the cold (or humidity), merely to indulge in a perfectly legal and socially acceptable adult behavior. We don't even have the option to patronize a facility in the District that could let us choose an acceptable environment. Though I am an interested student of public health, I'm not sure how far I'm willing to go to actually curtail or ban certain personal freedoms to promote the welfare of many. (Though I need to think about which freedoms I think should be inviolate and which are actually privileges, rather than rights.) There leads the slippery slope towards genuinely scary Big-Brother government actions in overseeing "what's best" for the people.
Saturday, September 9, 2006
And then they spin
While I'm not convinced that I need to go more than once a year, I think a yearly pilgrimage to the Cirque du Soleil (still the only "circus" I've ever been to) is becoming quite necessary. Oh the magic, the physical virtuosity, the cheap thrills and genuine chills! The stunning feats of physicality and theatrical surprise make me chortle and clap like a little girl. Perhaps I could do without some of the just plain strange (read: European sensibilities at work!!!) costuming and song choices, and oftentimes, the somewhat extraneous background performers (who are usually just spinning, or running around, or waving body parts about aimlessly).
So far, I've visited the worlds of Varekai (psychedelic, hopped-up bugs) and Quidam (crazy, angry, and adorable Madeline with her fine, feathered friends). Probably skipping the D.C. tour of Corteo. Would really, really like to get out to Vegas to see "O," or one of the other, bigger, permanent shows.
Real shows come to Cincinnati!!! Who knew? (I'm such a coastal snob!!!)
So far, I've visited the worlds of Varekai (psychedelic, hopped-up bugs) and Quidam (crazy, angry, and adorable Madeline with her fine, feathered friends). Probably skipping the D.C. tour of Corteo. Would really, really like to get out to Vegas to see "O," or one of the other, bigger, permanent shows.
Real shows come to Cincinnati!!! Who knew? (I'm such a coastal snob!!!)
Thursday, September 7, 2006
Delicious, delicious toast
Current mood: happily working away
I hardly ever buy bread, so my opportunities to eat toast are few and far between. Which is probably a good thing, because that allows me to forget how much I LUVS me some hot, (WELL-) buttered toast (Ummmm, cinnamon raisin, italian white bread, hearty multi-grain...) and that it's not entirely impossible for me to eat a whole loaf in an orgiastic day of toast-consuming frenzy. What was that thing about not binging again?
Also? Work goes by a lot quicker with a glass (or three) of wine in hand. This working from home thing has some serious perks.
Wednesday, September 6, 2006
I love jet skis
Current mood: Everything hurts, except for my sh*t-eating grin
This is what I sound like when I get to drive: "HahahahahahahahaaaaiiiiieeeeeeeeeeewhoooooohoooooaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhOW!!" A trip to vowel city on continuous loop. That's pretty much what I sound like when I'm a passenger as well, except at a slightly higher pitch and volume, since I can't anticipate what's going to happen next. It's like I CAN'T NOT make sounds. Also, 40 mph on choppy water is FAST, yo.
TODAY my throat is raw.
This is what I sound like when I get to drive: "HahahahahahahahaaaaiiiiieeeeeeeeeeewhoooooohoooooaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhOW!!" A trip to vowel city on continuous loop. That's pretty much what I sound like when I'm a passenger as well, except at a slightly higher pitch and volume, since I can't anticipate what's going to happen next. It's like I CAN'T NOT make sounds. Also, 40 mph on choppy water is FAST, yo.
TODAY my throat is raw.
Sunday, September 3, 2006
Cedar Point
Not that I spend much time debating the finer points of the Best. Amusement. Park. On. Earth, but I'm surprised that more people don't talk about this place, while there's plenty of hype about the Evil Disney Empire and the ex-Magic Mountains. I've heard that the peninsula upon which TONS and TONS of rides rest is literally sinking into the bay because there is just so much d*mn steel! And, dude, I believe it. The rides are carefully planned to take up every available bit of air, land, and water space. EVERYTHING sits on pylons of some sort, and they have a good number of the top ten tallest and fastest coasters. When we were first driving up, the Milleniun Force was staring me in the face, and I had to swallow a big GULP, because I'd never seen a roller coaster that came *quite* so close to 90 degrees...on both sides...that is, until I actually got inside the park, where the Dragway stands in all of its glory, with its perfectly UP and perfectly DOWN trajectory...and did I mention the 120 mph blast off? Yeah, HUGE GULP.
Anyhow, not only are the rides exciting/exhilirating/totally scream-inducing (of course, for me, that's not really saying much. I scream my fool head off all the time.), but you're on the beach! Some of the lines you stand in are only feet away from the water and people's parked jet skis and discarded sand-castle-building accoutrements. I had the luck and the privelige of riding the Magnum (a lot of roller coasters have names that sound curiously like condom brands/types. Coincidence?) right about sunset on a gorgeous, sun-drenched day. As we were climbing up, I couldn't take my eyes off the horizon, where the sun was going down on the water (heh) in a blaze of multihued glory. I kept trying to get my seatmate to look at the sunset - I was so occupied in looking around that I failed to notice when we our car started to tumble off the peak, so it went something like this...*tugs on sleeve* "No, but look over atAIIIIIEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!"
Let's see, what else. Had my first funnel cake. Remind me to never eat a whole funnel cake by myself ever again. While it was greasily delicious, I was a little too grateful that our next line was nearly two hours long. Ooh, and salt water taffy is YUM! Except for the nasty licorice-flavored pieces. Those things really need a key. I had NO voice by the end of the night, so I just HAD to salve my raw, maltreated throat with some dippin' dots. They were medicinal!
Oh, and because I wasn't made to say it enough times this weekend: I apologize for discounting Cedar Point as "Good enough for Ohioans," because it really is the best amusement park In The World.
Anyhow, not only are the rides exciting/exhilirating/totally scream-inducing (of course, for me, that's not really saying much. I scream my fool head off all the time.), but you're on the beach! Some of the lines you stand in are only feet away from the water and people's parked jet skis and discarded sand-castle-building accoutrements. I had the luck and the privelige of riding the Magnum (a lot of roller coasters have names that sound curiously like condom brands/types. Coincidence?) right about sunset on a gorgeous, sun-drenched day. As we were climbing up, I couldn't take my eyes off the horizon, where the sun was going down on the water (heh) in a blaze of multihued glory. I kept trying to get my seatmate to look at the sunset - I was so occupied in looking around that I failed to notice when we our car started to tumble off the peak, so it went something like this...*tugs on sleeve* "No, but look over atAIIIIIEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!"
Let's see, what else. Had my first funnel cake. Remind me to never eat a whole funnel cake by myself ever again. While it was greasily delicious, I was a little too grateful that our next line was nearly two hours long. Ooh, and salt water taffy is YUM! Except for the nasty licorice-flavored pieces. Those things really need a key. I had NO voice by the end of the night, so I just HAD to salve my raw, maltreated throat with some dippin' dots. They were medicinal!
Oh, and because I wasn't made to say it enough times this weekend: I apologize for discounting Cedar Point as "Good enough for Ohioans," because it really is the best amusement park In The World.
Saturday, September 2, 2006
Night on the town
Current mood: feeling like a well-trained (and very full) monkey
Dining with parents that are not yours. It's an interesting experience - you feel like you're on display and it requires a lot more thought than dining with your own family. Shall I be funny? Must keep it clean. Time to listen intently. What to order? 2nd glass of wine? 3rd glass of wine? Will it offend the vegetarians if I really, really want to eat the baby sheep? Not everyone is gettiing dessert, but that souffle looks good...are they watching me eat? Judging what/how much I eat? How to thank them enough for taking me out? How much is thanking TOO profusely? Do I have greenery in my teeth? Do I have to finish chewing completely before I reply? But they are looking at me like they want me to say something - NOW.
Suffice it to say, I don't dine out much with parents that aren't mine, and mine are super easy. Stare at each other without talking, idle comment on the decor/service/available selection of Chinese food ('cause, what else are we going to go out for?)/your day or snide remark about a sibling. Chew, chew, chew. Stare, look around, stare. Easy! At home, it's even easier, because the droning of the TV alleviates any need to talk...
Dining with parents that are not yours. It's an interesting experience - you feel like you're on display and it requires a lot more thought than dining with your own family. Shall I be funny? Must keep it clean. Time to listen intently. What to order? 2nd glass of wine? 3rd glass of wine? Will it offend the vegetarians if I really, really want to eat the baby sheep? Not everyone is gettiing dessert, but that souffle looks good...are they watching me eat? Judging what/how much I eat? How to thank them enough for taking me out? How much is thanking TOO profusely? Do I have greenery in my teeth? Do I have to finish chewing completely before I reply? But they are looking at me like they want me to say something - NOW.
Suffice it to say, I don't dine out much with parents that aren't mine, and mine are super easy. Stare at each other without talking, idle comment on the decor/service/available selection of Chinese food ('cause, what else are we going to go out for?)/your day or snide remark about a sibling. Chew, chew, chew. Stare, look around, stare. Easy! At home, it's even easier, because the droning of the TV alleviates any need to talk...
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Reggaefest
Current mood: fare thee well
While the crowd was large, loud, and intensely cheerful, I just wasn't in the reggae mood. I'm not sure if it was the mugginess, the fact the I was not drunk or otherwise chemically altered, or that I just don't like the music, but likely, my first Reggaefest will be my last. I did like the second group, Ozomatli - their crowd-working and energy was infectious,and I couldn't help but join in. But I think a lot of that had to do with their Latin and world-beats rhythms. When it got back to the hard-core reggae with Bunny Wailer (the cutest, funniest, little old guy), I immediately lost interest again. I suppose, if I had wanted to get the real experience, I should have stayed for the Marleys but I just wasn't feeling it.
Ah well, my last concert of the season went out with more of a whimper than a bang, but there's always next summer! See you later, Wolf Trap!
Friday, August 25, 2006
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Current mood: raw, exposed, and a little carpal-tunnely
Some days I feel beautiful - I am adorable, my clothes and hair hang just so, my cheek dimples irresistibly, and my smile lights up the world. Other days, not so much - I'm sloppy, pocky, and skin-shiny, and my dragonlike demeanor (and breath, let's be honest) does nothing to improve the view. However, even on the best days of brimming confidence and a swaying walk (which are necessarily high-heel-days) my parentally- and societally-induced issues about looks and perceived self-worth come are always lurking just below the surface, ready to come roaring to the fore. While I know, logically, that most days I look like, well, the average of me, and the extreme highs and lows are mostly in my own head, my perception of myself can have a profound affect on my moods, mindset, and thoughts.
I don't know if it's just me, but others' perception of me strongly affect my perception of myself. And I don't mean, on the street, stranger-others ('cause seriously? Different strokes for different folks and all), but those others I already know; coworkers, friends, family, etc. An officemate's passing remark about my pretty hair can significantly improve my day's outlook. Correspondingly, the knowledge that a family member thinks rather...little of my looks, is a burden that I nurse every single day. (BTW, yes, I'm fully aware of how incredibly vain and vapid I am for dwelling on this when there are many, any! more important topics to ponder, but sometimes I can't help the direction my thoughts trend.) And yet, curiously, the closer a friend is, the less believable I find his/her positive opinion on my physical appearance (though the negative still counts for full price!). I think, somewhere in my warped brain, that close friends, the family that you get to choose, are required, through the mutual love bonds you share, to find you attractive. Probably because for me, the bonds of affection, interest, and attraction (or perception of attractiveness) are so inextricably linked.
Enter the role significant others.
They somehow manage the escape the relative discounting of the close-friends'-opinions-rule. I think that in general, I choose to be with people that find me provocative, special, and wondrously attractive (Nope, don't date much, but when I do, it's good.). Understandable and predictive of human, nature, correct? That, through the reflection mirrored in his eyes, I can catch a glimpse of the better parts of me. (And yes, well aware that these are therapy-worthy issues and blah blah blah, no one will love if you can't love yourself-cakes. No worries, I do value and esteem and even love myself, see above occasional perception as queen of the universe.) Of all the people in the world, he wants me, because I'm better, nicer, smarter, and cuter than the rest. And, because of his regard, I am sanctioned in my feeling that I am not ordinary - that I have a beauty, both within and without, that is worthy of individual worship.
I think at the core, this feeling of specialness is why all people choose their mates. (The initial choosing, anyway - the compatibility required for daily living is nonessential to this discourse.) At least, I hope they do. So, the question for today is, if I don't feel this way, why would I stay in that relationship?
Some days I feel beautiful - I am adorable, my clothes and hair hang just so, my cheek dimples irresistibly, and my smile lights up the world. Other days, not so much - I'm sloppy, pocky, and skin-shiny, and my dragonlike demeanor (and breath, let's be honest) does nothing to improve the view. However, even on the best days of brimming confidence and a swaying walk (which are necessarily high-heel-days) my parentally- and societally-induced issues about looks and perceived self-worth come are always lurking just below the surface, ready to come roaring to the fore. While I know, logically, that most days I look like, well, the average of me, and the extreme highs and lows are mostly in my own head, my perception of myself can have a profound affect on my moods, mindset, and thoughts.
I don't know if it's just me, but others' perception of me strongly affect my perception of myself. And I don't mean, on the street, stranger-others ('cause seriously? Different strokes for different folks and all), but those others I already know; coworkers, friends, family, etc. An officemate's passing remark about my pretty hair can significantly improve my day's outlook. Correspondingly, the knowledge that a family member thinks rather...little of my looks, is a burden that I nurse every single day. (BTW, yes, I'm fully aware of how incredibly vain and vapid I am for dwelling on this when there are many, any! more important topics to ponder, but sometimes I can't help the direction my thoughts trend.) And yet, curiously, the closer a friend is, the less believable I find his/her positive opinion on my physical appearance (though the negative still counts for full price!). I think, somewhere in my warped brain, that close friends, the family that you get to choose, are required, through the mutual love bonds you share, to find you attractive. Probably because for me, the bonds of affection, interest, and attraction (or perception of attractiveness) are so inextricably linked.
Enter the role significant others.
They somehow manage the escape the relative discounting of the close-friends'-opinions-rule. I think that in general, I choose to be with people that find me provocative, special, and wondrously attractive (Nope, don't date much, but when I do, it's good.). Understandable and predictive of human, nature, correct? That, through the reflection mirrored in his eyes, I can catch a glimpse of the better parts of me. (And yes, well aware that these are therapy-worthy issues and blah blah blah, no one will love if you can't love yourself-cakes. No worries, I do value and esteem and even love myself, see above occasional perception as queen of the universe.) Of all the people in the world, he wants me, because I'm better, nicer, smarter, and cuter than the rest. And, because of his regard, I am sanctioned in my feeling that I am not ordinary - that I have a beauty, both within and without, that is worthy of individual worship.
I think at the core, this feeling of specialness is why all people choose their mates. (The initial choosing, anyway - the compatibility required for daily living is nonessential to this discourse.) At least, I hope they do. So, the question for today is, if I don't feel this way, why would I stay in that relationship?
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Class is in session!
Current mood: Whee! And I'm not even in a Mini!
It begins again, and I'm wicked excited. I don't remember bring this excited for the first day of school back as a kid - I was a nerd, but not that big a nerd, and in those days, kids were actually allowed to roam free and have fun during the summers. However, now that I'm going to school purely for edification and entertainment purposes (interspersed with much cursing and why am I doing this? Homework s*cks!!!), I find I look forward eagerly to the start of each class. Of course, the start is where I can still imagine the best of teachers, the most stimulating of discussions, and the fiercest and funnest classmates, before I'm brought back to cold, hard, and often disappointing reality.
Anyway...I disregarded two other classes that I was supremely interested in taking in favor of Public Health: History, Policies, and Politics, which, in my "can't do an MPH in the Virginia system so dang it, I'll cobble together my own-" mentality and its topical focus on environmental health, made a perfect fit. Can't wait to see what unfolds.
And, as an added bonus, I'm down in Old Town once a week, and I never get to eat there! Eamonn's fish and chips (and curry sauce!!!) are looking like a very dangerous hitch in the get-in-better-shape-in-time-for-the-reunion plan!!!!
It begins again, and I'm wicked excited. I don't remember bring this excited for the first day of school back as a kid - I was a nerd, but not that big a nerd, and in those days, kids were actually allowed to roam free and have fun during the summers. However, now that I'm going to school purely for edification and entertainment purposes (interspersed with much cursing and why am I doing this? Homework s*cks!!!), I find I look forward eagerly to the start of each class. Of course, the start is where I can still imagine the best of teachers, the most stimulating of discussions, and the fiercest and funnest classmates, before I'm brought back to cold, hard, and often disappointing reality.
Anyway...I disregarded two other classes that I was supremely interested in taking in favor of Public Health: History, Policies, and Politics, which, in my "can't do an MPH in the Virginia system so dang it, I'll cobble together my own-" mentality and its topical focus on environmental health, made a perfect fit. Can't wait to see what unfolds.
And, as an added bonus, I'm down in Old Town once a week, and I never get to eat there! Eamonn's fish and chips (and curry sauce!!!) are looking like a very dangerous hitch in the get-in-better-shape-in-time-for-the-reunion plan!!!!
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Oh, a hoop. May I please jump through it? Pretty please? I can do that thing with the cherry...
I'm not sure if it's the D.C. internet dating scene, or internet dating in general, but the amazing pickiness (and sometimes, to be true, not) of the hot D.C. internet studs is genuinely puzzling. (Though I'm sure the D.C. women are equally maddening. Portfolio and pedigree, please.) Of course there are those who really just want a living breathing, female with female parts. Not too much to ask, right? I mean, understandable. Others though...ooh asian? What kind? With an accent? From where? Will you... And after the chill, I'm from Boston, camaraderie has been established, there are the normal questions, where did you got to school? For your grad degree? What do you do? For fun? On the Hill? How tall? How old? Dupont or AM? Skinny? Colors? (Dude, I'm asian. Next.) Do you like to ski? What's your take on Dave Matthews? The Clash? Brittany? W? What about Ethiopian food? Wine or beer? Neither - next...and so on. And at any time, any of these answers can lead to a precipitous cutoff in communication. Did he leave work? Or is he not answering evermore? What exactly did I say that turned him off from my obvious magnificence? Where did I give the wrong answer? When exactly did I confirm that I'm not the perfect goddess of his internet dreams?
So, I got tapped on Friendster the other day. I signed up back when everyone was sending out invitations, put up the bare essentials of info and a picture, and forgot about it - haven't updated or been on the site in years. So when a seemingly personable young fellow with non-hideous pictures and a mildly interesting profile emailed me, I was surprised, but amenable to chatting. We exchanged a few notes back and forth - nothing particularly sparky, but kind of entertaining (hey, at work, everything non-work-related is interesting). Until I answered the dealbreaker question, what part of Arlington are you in? To which I honestly answer, Oh, I moved out of Arlington a year ago. Not far, though... And that was the end of that - haven't heard from him since. I'm really not upset, just confused and a bit amused. I mean, this is a dealbreaker, considering that you like my pictures, profile, and other charming emails? Not being within walking distance is really a criterion now? Mystifying. Seriously, dude? You're trolling for women on the internet. Are you sure you want to limit it to your actual neighborhood? Isn't that sort of beside the point?
Heh. And then I remember, I once rejected a guy for being too funny on email (not my kind of humor). Internet dating is really rough, man. To each his own!
So, I got tapped on Friendster the other day. I signed up back when everyone was sending out invitations, put up the bare essentials of info and a picture, and forgot about it - haven't updated or been on the site in years. So when a seemingly personable young fellow with non-hideous pictures and a mildly interesting profile emailed me, I was surprised, but amenable to chatting. We exchanged a few notes back and forth - nothing particularly sparky, but kind of entertaining (hey, at work, everything non-work-related is interesting). Until I answered the dealbreaker question, what part of Arlington are you in? To which I honestly answer, Oh, I moved out of Arlington a year ago. Not far, though... And that was the end of that - haven't heard from him since. I'm really not upset, just confused and a bit amused. I mean, this is a dealbreaker, considering that you like my pictures, profile, and other charming emails? Not being within walking distance is really a criterion now? Mystifying. Seriously, dude? You're trolling for women on the internet. Are you sure you want to limit it to your actual neighborhood? Isn't that sort of beside the point?
Heh. And then I remember, I once rejected a guy for being too funny on email (not my kind of humor). Internet dating is really rough, man. To each his own!
Monday, August 21, 2006
In which I learn a valuable lesson about power washers
Current mood: Someday you WILL be clean!
I like to try to be self-sufficient and energy-conserving whenever possible. These days, that includes walking to places that are remotely close by (which must defeat a hefty dose of late summer laziness that has overcome me) and doing more things for myself in the home, such as hand-washing delicate clothing, nail care, etc.
A friend has pointed out that this approach doesn't maximize my time utility (i.e., counting how much I could have been paid for that hour, had I been working). My dad actually seconds this in a class-conscious way, telling me that, since I'm now a "professional," I should pay others to do distasteful or boring chores, such as cooking and cleaning. This makes me think uncomfortably of Jane Austen books where people only participate in such activities that are suited to their "station," and makes me both giggle and groan, because that's exactly what my father, child in a British-colonized land, means. Also, I don't really think of all my time as "time I could have been making $," so it doesn't really bother me that I could more efficiently pay someone else to do my chores. There's an odd, peasanty, DIY streak I have that takes pride in trying to do things for myself. Even if those things don't come out very well.
Anyway...this weekend I thought it would be entertaining to wash my car. I've never really tried this, but I've seen people washing their cars at my housing complex and I wash dishes all the time, so therefore, piece of cake, right? Armed with a big sponge, a bucket, a chair to stand on, and some car detergent (Is this stuff really that different from other types of detergent? Why do we have so many different kinds of detergent available? Isn't it all just soap?), I drove over to the car washing station and set up shop. It was rather warm out, so playing with the hose and foam was kind of fun - at first.
My car is white, I drive on the highway quite a bit, and I have to park at home under a big tree, so it's usually pretty grimy from bugs and birds. (Whose idea was it to get a white car?! Stupid white car!!) I was dutifully scrubbing and scrubbing, bottom to top, with little effect. Even with the protective layer of dirt removed, the car wasn't noticeably cleaner. It was as if, bugs having sacrificed their lives to make those stains, created permanent monuments to their glorious deaths. Same for the "temples" of bird, um, "essence." (Ew. Washing a car is nasty, yo!) That crap (literally) would not come off!!! And then there was the trifecta of water, exposed skin, and heavily breathing (scrubbing is hard work!) human. Bing - instant mosquito attractor! It's hard to concentrate when you're constantly paranoid that horrid little suckers are landing on you. So, on occasion, I was wildly spraying the hose and doing the swatting dance, trying to chase away the mosquitoes. Unfortunately, as I tried to spray them away from my head, I got my ear instead. AEEEEEEIIIIIIIII!!! (And lots of swearing, which wasn't really well received at the pool, because it was full of kiddies and moms and definitely within hearing distance.) For the record, pressurized water cannon to the ear = very bad.
I had intended to climb onto the chair to scrub the roof of the car. Except, when washing bottom to top, as instructed, you're covered with foam and quite wet by the time you reach the roof. At this point I was at least sensible enough not to attempt to wash the roof - I was already slipping and sliding in my flip-flops on the ground! Too bad that left a wide more-dirty strip at the very top of the car, where I can't reach. Ah well, no one looks at the tops of cars.
I guess that wet and soapy girl, while in reality is just dripping and itchy, with soap-stung eyes, seems to be great entertainment for the neighborhood. Several cars drove by more than twice. (Seriously, stop and help, or go away. I'm covered in bug guts and bird poop, people!!!)
Verdict: 5 bug bites, not fun, aching ear, icky neighbors, and car still crusty. Not my finest hour. Car wash, here I come!
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Full, full, full
And poor. Restaurant week has wiped me out again! It was delightful, as usual, and a good chance to catch up with some people, but really doesn't save that many dining dollars, especially when you go out to eat far more often than usual.
So, Viridian, Corduroy, and Colvin Run, oh my! You were great, but it's back to chicken and salads for the next few weeks. And the gym. Oh yes, a lot of gym time...
Friday, August 18, 2006
Thai Square
Current mood: full. again.
I'm glad that Tom S. isn't hyping it anymore, because it's now safe to go back! While they are still busy, it's possible to get seated at some point in the evening, and they are now willing and able to fill takeout orders in a reasonable length of time.
When I eat here, I'm reminded of how much I enjoy eating simple, homey, Thai food. None of this bland, oversauced, and terribly underspiced poor excuses that they've been serving up at some of the many, many random Thai joints that have popped up (I do appreciate the attempts to use clever names, though I've wondered why no one has yet tried Thai Me Up!) as Thai food has increased significantly in popularity with the masses.
Last night we had three dishes: pad see ew with beef, eggplant with chicken and basil, and catfish with chilies and eggplant. The noodles were dry-fried, with just enough sauce and grease to caramelize the noodle edges. Yum! I like that they use Chinese broccoli, as is right and proper, instead of regular broccoli.
We had told the server, "spicy is good," in response to her concerned query about our choices. However, the (chunks of asian) eggplant and basil chicken dish, while bursting with basil goodness, was not exactly searing to the palate. (But how do I justify deep-frying my vegetables, if I don't get a restaurant to do it!) The dish was delicious, but mild. Maybe next time I'll tell them that "spicy is necessary."
The catfish was fried (thin steak slices) and served with thin slices of those cute, green, baby (Thai?) eggplants, a lot of basil, and the same basic brown sauce, with the crucial addition of a generous amount of chilies. While the flavor was excellent (and definitely needed rice to ensure consumer comfort), I have to say that my enjoyment of the dish was reduced somewhat because of the effort involved in finding and removing the spine and other bones. Each bite required rather delicate chewing to avoid stabby points of fishy revenge. I understand, though, that this might not be a problem for others.
Great service - friendly but unobtrusive. My water glass barely had time to dip below full (key for me when chilies are involved) before it was refilled.
Ummmm, Thai comfort food.....
Thursday, August 17, 2006
SNAKES ON A MOTHER_______ PLANE!!!
I'm having a lot of fun sending out those Samuel L. Jackson messages... I have no idea if I'm going to see the movie or not. Frankly, John.Tucker.Must.Die is higher on my list of movie priorities, but the hype around this movie really cracks my sh*t up ;-)
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Viridian
Current mood: satiated
So, I went into this dining experience with sort of an attitidue about "spa food." They try to limit the amount of added fats, and concentrate on seasonal and healthful, as well as delicious, dishes. This is a great idea in theory, as long as the flavor stays intact.
The dining room is beautifully modern, though very, very light-on-bright-white during the daytime, and warms up considerably as the night progresses. The patio is a very comfortable place to enjoy a meal - I don't generally care for dining outside in DC, but Logan Circle isn't yet *quite* as busy as other parts of the city, so we weren't sucking down fumes with our food.
I wasn't sure what to make of the arugula pesto, which comes out to accompany the focaccia bread. I'm still not sure if I liked it, as I just couldn't wrap my mind around a non-nut? (I think) "pesto," but others at the table seemed to like it. The onion jam tasted vaguely like tamarind chutney to me, (am I on crack? Is that what properly confit-ed onions are supposed to taste like?), spread very easily on the bread, and was gone in mere moments.
The tuna and streak tartar appetizer was tasty and generously apportioned (em, each was about the size of a small can of cat food - I'm sorry, but that analogy is stuck in my head and I can't think of a better one). The (fresh, high-quality, not-at-all fishy) tuna was chopped and very lightly dressed with herbs, and the yolky steak mash paired nicely with a tangy mustard sauce. This dish was served with several homemade, seasoned crackers. In contrast, the scallop appetizer only had one scallop. The disparity in portion size was surprising, but there was more than enough tartar to share.
For mains, we tried the trout, the barramundi, artic char substituted for the red trout, and the lamb. All enjoyed their entrees, which prominently featured vegetable or fruit-spiked sauces and sides. The phrases "bright," "summery," "light," and "coulis" kept springing to mind. However, the feelings inspired by the different tastes, while all kind of generically "good," were not as memorable as the pretty and colorful presentation of the dishes. I guess am partial to strong flavors, or maybe I just miss my finishing pat of butter.
Desserts included the champagne sorbet, the flourless chocolate cake, the citrus cake, and the lemon and lime bars. The lime bar was extremely tart and verrrry easy to gobble up. The lemon bar was less tart, but still retained a lemony, fruity essence. The citrus cake was strangely unheavy and mildly flavored, and went well with a luscious-and-yet-also-oddly-light orange cream.
Overall, I liked it, though going into the experience I wasn't really sure I would. Sometimes, I feel that I eat out so I don't have to know exactly how much oil and butter is going into the creation of my meal, but it's nice to have an option that can deliver diverse flavors on a slightly lower (in theory, anyway) caloric budget.
So, I went into this dining experience with sort of an attitidue about "spa food." They try to limit the amount of added fats, and concentrate on seasonal and healthful, as well as delicious, dishes. This is a great idea in theory, as long as the flavor stays intact.
The dining room is beautifully modern, though very, very light-on-bright-white during the daytime, and warms up considerably as the night progresses. The patio is a very comfortable place to enjoy a meal - I don't generally care for dining outside in DC, but Logan Circle isn't yet *quite* as busy as other parts of the city, so we weren't sucking down fumes with our food.
I wasn't sure what to make of the arugula pesto, which comes out to accompany the focaccia bread. I'm still not sure if I liked it, as I just couldn't wrap my mind around a non-nut? (I think) "pesto," but others at the table seemed to like it. The onion jam tasted vaguely like tamarind chutney to me, (am I on crack? Is that what properly confit-ed onions are supposed to taste like?), spread very easily on the bread, and was gone in mere moments.
The tuna and streak tartar appetizer was tasty and generously apportioned (em, each was about the size of a small can of cat food - I'm sorry, but that analogy is stuck in my head and I can't think of a better one). The (fresh, high-quality, not-at-all fishy) tuna was chopped and very lightly dressed with herbs, and the yolky steak mash paired nicely with a tangy mustard sauce. This dish was served with several homemade, seasoned crackers. In contrast, the scallop appetizer only had one scallop. The disparity in portion size was surprising, but there was more than enough tartar to share.
For mains, we tried the trout, the barramundi, artic char substituted for the red trout, and the lamb. All enjoyed their entrees, which prominently featured vegetable or fruit-spiked sauces and sides. The phrases "bright," "summery," "light," and "coulis" kept springing to mind. However, the feelings inspired by the different tastes, while all kind of generically "good," were not as memorable as the pretty and colorful presentation of the dishes. I guess am partial to strong flavors, or maybe I just miss my finishing pat of butter.
Desserts included the champagne sorbet, the flourless chocolate cake, the citrus cake, and the lemon and lime bars. The lime bar was extremely tart and verrrry easy to gobble up. The lemon bar was less tart, but still retained a lemony, fruity essence. The citrus cake was strangely unheavy and mildly flavored, and went well with a luscious-and-yet-also-oddly-light orange cream.
Overall, I liked it, though going into the experience I wasn't really sure I would. Sometimes, I feel that I eat out so I don't have to know exactly how much oil and butter is going into the creation of my meal, but it's nice to have an option that can deliver diverse flavors on a slightly lower (in theory, anyway) caloric budget.
Monday, August 14, 2006
Bow down to Bela!
Current mood: jammin'
I think my most overused phrase in the past few days has been, "Bela is a banjo god." Standard answer to, "Who is this BEELAH guy, and what is a Flecktone, anyway??" I've been talking about the concert enough that non-interested folks probably want to beat me with something pointy, but it would be worth it. This was probably my favorite concert this summer, similar to how Bela Fleck, Jean-Luc Ponty, and Staley Clarke in Trio! (which I fondly refer to as the the night of the three maestros plus little Jake, of the adorable ukelale) was my favorite concert last year.
In a nod to the seamless quality of jam band music, the performers played a neat trick so the music never had to stop. The stage was set up with all their instruments from the very beginning (which did make me wonder, why exactly do they need dueling drumkits?) and at each set change, the new performers would make their way onstage, joining in the playing already in progress, and the then the original performers would slowly drop out and casually leave the stage. Awesome. If you weren't watching, you would never notice the players had changed!!!
Marc Broussard has himself a hot voice! That scratchy, low, and soulful sound is perfectly suited to the booty music he favors (first song went something along the lines of, "shake your booty"). It was fun and entertaining, but was taken to a whole new level whenever Bela came out for a guest spot, and then -man! That's why people make bootlegs and go to live shows! Yeah!
Umphrey's McGee sound like a college band. Maybe not so much a band from the college scene as one that a lot of college-aged kids listen to. During this set I noticed an upspike in the sweet, sweet smoke drifting around the park. Deep inhale = noncontact high!
The best part was definitely towards the end, when all three bands were tooling away together, with Marc belting out Stevie Wonder songs for all his booty's worth. Four hours of nonstop, amazing music, wine and brownies, perfect weather, great company, lots of dancing, ah...bliss.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Eh, at least some of it came out well
Current mood: dinner parties take work!!
Yesterday's menu:
- cassava bread
- broccoli and toasted almond soup
- spinach salad w/ balsamic vinaigrette dressing
- corn bread
- angel hair pasta tossed with tomatoes, chicken, olives, and mushrooms
- brownies
The brownies are easy, because I'm lazy and bake from the box. Now, this is a choice, as I've baked brownies from scratch many a time, but really do find the taste and convenience factor of the boxed mixes to be acceptably high. The only trick is to pull them out early enough, so they will be fudgy and gooey, and they came out particularly well this time. I'd threatened to stop making brownies, because the past few times, hardly any got eaten, so this time my friends managed to convince me that they still deserve brownies by consuming half the pan on the spot!
The soup was also good, though I made the mistake of trying the blend hot liquid (ow! d*mn! splat everywhere!), so it wasn't as smooth as I'd wanted it to be. This got raves, as I intended it to (some of my friends are very reliable for kudos!). The pasta was meh; could probably have used some fresh herbs, and the corn bread was a tad dry. This was sort of a puzzler for me, as I always use the same recipe and it usually comes out better, but perhaps my cornmeal is getting old (um, I think it's a holdover from my last apartment, and since my insurance is coming due again...) and cranky. The salad was fine (even grape tomatoes have flavor in the summer!)
The real disappointment was the cassava bread. I'd baked them the night before, and was pleased at their springy texture and cheesy flavor, but it turns out that they don't age well at all. Even stored in an airtight box, they went stale far quicker than I'd anticipated Ah well, next time I won't cut corners and I'll bake them fresh(er).
Yesterday's menu:
- cassava bread
- broccoli and toasted almond soup
- spinach salad w/ balsamic vinaigrette dressing
- corn bread
- angel hair pasta tossed with tomatoes, chicken, olives, and mushrooms
- brownies
The brownies are easy, because I'm lazy and bake from the box. Now, this is a choice, as I've baked brownies from scratch many a time, but really do find the taste and convenience factor of the boxed mixes to be acceptably high. The only trick is to pull them out early enough, so they will be fudgy and gooey, and they came out particularly well this time. I'd threatened to stop making brownies, because the past few times, hardly any got eaten, so this time my friends managed to convince me that they still deserve brownies by consuming half the pan on the spot!
The soup was also good, though I made the mistake of trying the blend hot liquid (ow! d*mn! splat everywhere!), so it wasn't as smooth as I'd wanted it to be. This got raves, as I intended it to (some of my friends are very reliable for kudos!). The pasta was meh; could probably have used some fresh herbs, and the corn bread was a tad dry. This was sort of a puzzler for me, as I always use the same recipe and it usually comes out better, but perhaps my cornmeal is getting old (um, I think it's a holdover from my last apartment, and since my insurance is coming due again...) and cranky. The salad was fine (even grape tomatoes have flavor in the summer!)
The real disappointment was the cassava bread. I'd baked them the night before, and was pleased at their springy texture and cheesy flavor, but it turns out that they don't age well at all. Even stored in an airtight box, they went stale far quicker than I'd anticipated Ah well, next time I won't cut corners and I'll bake them fresh(er).
Wednesday, August 9, 2006
"Dwarves are very upsetting"
Current mood: frantically washing my face
(It's from Into the Woods, get over it.)
You know what else is very upsetting? The light pen of doom!!! I thought I was being good to my skin; exfoliating occasionally, dermatologist-prescribed face wash, SPF-enriched moisturizer almost every day... Well, I've had a lot of root canals and at that moment, when the lady with the unidentifiable accent was highlighting my facial flaws and berating me for my "pomples," I would have much rather been undergoing dental surgery than looking into my clogged pores. EW!! Nasty!! Now I remember why I hate makeup stores and their ilk...
4 pore strips (OUCH!), an exfoliation session, a face-scrubbing session, a cucumber face mask, quite a bit of toner, and a ton of moisturizer later... scr*w it, I can't really see the problems without the light pen, so the obvious answer is...
Monday, August 7, 2006
Saturday, August 5, 2006
Perplexment
Current mood: much head-scratching, but no hotel fleas thank god
So, if you complain to someone about a behavior, the person changes said behavior, in somewhat (more than less) the manner you prescribed, and it turns out that you don't like that either, do you have the right to complain (again)? When is it time to sit back, shut your trap, and be glad the other person is trying? Am I just a big, whiny, meanie?
Friday, August 4, 2006
Round up
Current mood: I'm back!!!!
* Yesterday I got to tour a facility where they process photographic film. D*mn, do we take a lot of pictures(!) and yes, someone really does look at your photos as they are being developed. Keep it clean, people! But the fun part came when we were passing through the storeroom and we encountered an item that I just had to comment on. I asked the manager what the large bags of what appeared to be tiny, tiny condoms had to do with photo processing. He just smiled and let me know that, no, his employees do not need "a lot of very small prophylactics" to do their work, but that they do need finger shields in order to not leave fingerprints behind as they peer at our vacation pics. Who knew?
* I was having a perfectly lovely nap in the sun out by the pool (I love working! Working is fun!) when an evil child had to come and break the peace. I guess it wouldn't have been socially acceptable to yell at the (extremely LOUD, splashy, whiny) child or tell his parent to mind his kid, but I really, really wanted to. Instead, I left in an untanned huff. I don't think they noticed. Ugh.
* Allison Janey will always be my sweet C.J., but I was impressed to hear her convincing version of a shrieking, harpy b*tch. Not tones you heard out of her a lot on The West Wing, but perfectly suited for the cute animated flick, Over the Hedge. Her sound was so different from the dulcet tones she uses in the fake White House that I almost convinced myself that it wasn't her. Good show of range.
* Over the Hedge and Mission Impossible III. This flight pretty much flew by. Hardy har har. I guess they were making up for me having to watch 16 Blocks (Hey - United loves Bruce Willis!) twice in two weeks. Bleah. I'm glad I finally got to see the JAbrams version of MI, but I am so over Tom Cruise. He's not as pretty as he used to be, and he sort of runs funny. Which he seems to do a lot in his movies nowadays.
* Getting up at 4 AM always hurts, no matter the time zone.
* In the land of no cable (my house), I will no longer get to watch World Series of Poker events that I don't understand. (Blind Man's Bluff is fun, but how the heck does the low card game work?) Sadness.
* The people movers at Dulles kind of look like Imperial transporters from Star Wars. It never fails to make me giggle, which is a valuable thing during a time when I'm typically falling-down tired. No (work) travel for a few months, yeah!!!
* Yesterday I got to tour a facility where they process photographic film. D*mn, do we take a lot of pictures(!) and yes, someone really does look at your photos as they are being developed. Keep it clean, people! But the fun part came when we were passing through the storeroom and we encountered an item that I just had to comment on. I asked the manager what the large bags of what appeared to be tiny, tiny condoms had to do with photo processing. He just smiled and let me know that, no, his employees do not need "a lot of very small prophylactics" to do their work, but that they do need finger shields in order to not leave fingerprints behind as they peer at our vacation pics. Who knew?
* I was having a perfectly lovely nap in the sun out by the pool (I love working! Working is fun!) when an evil child had to come and break the peace. I guess it wouldn't have been socially acceptable to yell at the (extremely LOUD, splashy, whiny) child or tell his parent to mind his kid, but I really, really wanted to. Instead, I left in an untanned huff. I don't think they noticed. Ugh.
* Allison Janey will always be my sweet C.J., but I was impressed to hear her convincing version of a shrieking, harpy b*tch. Not tones you heard out of her a lot on The West Wing, but perfectly suited for the cute animated flick, Over the Hedge. Her sound was so different from the dulcet tones she uses in the fake White House that I almost convinced myself that it wasn't her. Good show of range.
* Over the Hedge and Mission Impossible III. This flight pretty much flew by. Hardy har har. I guess they were making up for me having to watch 16 Blocks (Hey - United loves Bruce Willis!) twice in two weeks. Bleah. I'm glad I finally got to see the JAbrams version of MI, but I am so over Tom Cruise. He's not as pretty as he used to be, and he sort of runs funny. Which he seems to do a lot in his movies nowadays.
* Getting up at 4 AM always hurts, no matter the time zone.
* In the land of no cable (my house), I will no longer get to watch World Series of Poker events that I don't understand. (Blind Man's Bluff is fun, but how the heck does the low card game work?) Sadness.
* The people movers at Dulles kind of look like Imperial transporters from Star Wars. It never fails to make me giggle, which is a valuable thing during a time when I'm typically falling-down tired. No (work) travel for a few months, yeah!!!
Thursday, August 3, 2006
Happy
Currently: not hungry yet, but not deathly ill anymore either
Heh, I actually saw someone eating one of the corn dogs for breakfast! Happiness! I, myself, had two bowls of miso soup. Yum - and exactly what the doctor ordered for my ailing, unhungry belly. It really was an interesting breakfast selection...
Also for the happy ledger, my flesh doesn't *quite* feel like it's going to fall off my bones anymore. I'll try to remember the feeling next time I complain about deep-body aches...
Ooh, and I get to go home tomorrow!! And I don't have to work this weekend!!! What did I do to deserve such bounty! Yay.
Wednesday, August 2, 2006
That's not exactly, er...sunshine
Currently: smelly
So, I got to inspect a place where they make seaweed salad and *other* seafood products. It was sort of interesting, being queasy in the first place (my body has decided to stop traveling well. Right now.), and walking into a room full of defrosting octopus parts. The wave of scent wasn't quite a stench, but it was nearly more than my poor, overwrought stomach could handle. What didn't gross me out was walking on flying fish roe (the really itty-bitty, orangey-red roe). There were small puddles of it lying around, and walking over it (in our plastic booties, double hairnets, lab coats, and safety goggles - whoa, were we smokin'!) was kind of like walking on tiny, tiny bubble wrap. Hee, neat! I may or may not have walked (jumped, slightly) deliberately over several puddles, to the great amusement (and likely exasperation) of my fellow inspectors...
So, I got to inspect a place where they make seaweed salad and *other* seafood products. It was sort of interesting, being queasy in the first place (my body has decided to stop traveling well. Right now.), and walking into a room full of defrosting octopus parts. The wave of scent wasn't quite a stench, but it was nearly more than my poor, overwrought stomach could handle. What didn't gross me out was walking on flying fish roe (the really itty-bitty, orangey-red roe). There were small puddles of it lying around, and walking over it (in our plastic booties, double hairnets, lab coats, and safety goggles - whoa, were we smokin'!) was kind of like walking on tiny, tiny bubble wrap. Hee, neat! I may or may not have walked (jumped, slightly) deliberately over several puddles, to the great amusement (and likely exasperation) of my fellow inspectors...
Tuesday, August 1, 2006
Six inches of heaven or h*ll?
Current mood: drawn to the dog
Corn dogs for breakfast - someone at the airport Marriot has a fun time planning the continental breakfast buffet! Though I have to say, I'm mysteriously tempted to eat one. Or at least say I did. Last week's travels saw my first ballpark frank. Perhaps this is a sign that I'm meant to encounter hot dogs of the world as I roam the country...
Monday, July 31, 2006
Belt it,sister
Current mood: pleasantly surprised
Trisha Yearwood was much better than expected. Now, I like country music, but she's a bit more of a crooner than I usually care for. But as soon as she got on stage, mocking her own "maturity," everything about her (except, maybe hair color, and that's OK) screaming "real woman," I warmed up quite a bit (heh. full humidity, 80 something in the dark, and no breeze to speak of - I hate summers in a swamp). The bonus about being a "mature" performer on the circuit means that you've had plenty of time to perfect your stage presence and you know how to work your (rather extended and enthusiastic) fan base. She's tall, generously proportioned, and has a soothing, yet wry demeanor. This was in stark contrast to her opener, Danielle Peck, who was young, wiry, frenetic, and overly rehearsed in her audience banter (though with a nice voice). Mrs. Brooks has a lusty, throaty voice that sallies forth effortlessly and hangs in the air - it's a pleasure to listen to, and I stayed a lot longer than I'd planned.
Fun over, I'm off to San Jose!
Trisha Yearwood was much better than expected. Now, I like country music, but she's a bit more of a crooner than I usually care for. But as soon as she got on stage, mocking her own "maturity," everything about her (except, maybe hair color, and that's OK) screaming "real woman," I warmed up quite a bit (heh. full humidity, 80 something in the dark, and no breeze to speak of - I hate summers in a swamp). The bonus about being a "mature" performer on the circuit means that you've had plenty of time to perfect your stage presence and you know how to work your (rather extended and enthusiastic) fan base. She's tall, generously proportioned, and has a soothing, yet wry demeanor. This was in stark contrast to her opener, Danielle Peck, who was young, wiry, frenetic, and overly rehearsed in her audience banter (though with a nice voice). Mrs. Brooks has a lusty, throaty voice that sallies forth effortlessly and hangs in the air - it's a pleasure to listen to, and I stayed a lot longer than I'd planned.
Fun over, I'm off to San Jose!
Friday, July 28, 2006
Ugh
Current mood: rolling rolling rolling
Maggiano's last night. First time. 10 courses. Ow, ow, ow. Sorry, belly.
Maggiano's last night. First time. 10 courses. Ow, ow, ow. Sorry, belly.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Seriously, we heard you the first 30 times
Current mood: are you pregnant? really? no way!
I have a coworker that is completely in love with her pregnancy. She's really cute about it, but mentions being "the pregnant girl," or that she's "eating for 2!" (chirp chirp) or the something or other is happening "because [I'm] pregnant" at least every 5 minutes. No really, I timed it. Turns out it is possible to talk about wastewater and (food, and driving, and drinking, and TV, and working out, and baseball, and...) pregnancy in the same breath. I thought about turning it into a drinking game, but even if I weren't at mile-high elevation or I had the enzyme to metabolize alcohol, I'd still be one drunk puppy and probably too wasted to work. It's one thing to be in the office and hear this, maybe 1-2 hours a day. But at a conference, with meals, and mandatory entertainment? That's 12 hours plus!
I have a coworker that is completely in love with her pregnancy. She's really cute about it, but mentions being "the pregnant girl," or that she's "eating for 2!" (chirp chirp) or the something or other is happening "because [I'm] pregnant" at least every 5 minutes. No really, I timed it. Turns out it is possible to talk about wastewater and (food, and driving, and drinking, and TV, and working out, and baseball, and...) pregnancy in the same breath. I thought about turning it into a drinking game, but even if I weren't at mile-high elevation or I had the enzyme to metabolize alcohol, I'd still be one drunk puppy and probably too wasted to work. It's one thing to be in the office and hear this, maybe 1-2 hours a day. But at a conference, with meals, and mandatory entertainment? That's 12 hours plus!
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Tub time
Current mood: I'll be taking a bath...
Let me say that I wish this were my room all the time. I'm not usually quite so enthusiastic about my travel lodgings, but this Hyatt completely rocks (excepting for having to pay for Internet. Boo!)!!! The Cali-king bed is just the right plushy-firm and big enough for a party, the leather chairs are loungey, the workout room, complete with personal TVs (with plug-in headphones, lemon or lime water, and chilled and dry towels provided), running track, and tennis court is just downstairs, and the tub, oh my god!, the bathtub is perfection!!!!
Tannish granite finish. Built-in shelving. A ledge going all the way around the tub, with angled edges for your bathing comfort. A massaging showerhead. And. And! The curved shower rod that makes the already-spacious tub area (yes, it's really a bathing area) feel like your personal, screened-off pool.
Awwwwwww, yeah!
Let me say that I wish this were my room all the time. I'm not usually quite so enthusiastic about my travel lodgings, but this Hyatt completely rocks (excepting for having to pay for Internet. Boo!)!!! The Cali-king bed is just the right plushy-firm and big enough for a party, the leather chairs are loungey, the workout room, complete with personal TVs (with plug-in headphones, lemon or lime water, and chilled and dry towels provided), running track, and tennis court is just downstairs, and the tub, oh my god!, the bathtub is perfection!!!!
Tannish granite finish. Built-in shelving. A ledge going all the way around the tub, with angled edges for your bathing comfort. A massaging showerhead. And. And! The curved shower rod that makes the already-spacious tub area (yes, it's really a bathing area) feel like your personal, screened-off pool.
Awwwwwww, yeah!
Monday, July 24, 2006
On the road again
Current mood: cable it up
June was a really nice break from business travel. Too bad I have to pay it back in spades...Denver today. The flight is so much shorter than that to Cali. I always think of Colorado as west-coastish, but the flight time says differently. I could really get used to half-length flights...
It's sort of the land of the bland. Choices for dinner involved mostly different burger toppings. One thing I had missed was my monthly dose of cable TV. World Series Poker, endless reruns of Crossing Jordan, and several types of Law & Order. Also, Disney channel quality movies such as Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior. (No Cadet Kelly, but sufficiently amusing, if for nothing more than the teen queen hair & makeup.) Tomorrow I will be forced to partake of the so-called Great American Pastime, in which it's an exciting game if nothing happens and can theoretically last forever. Rah rah rah, woohoo, etc. Are the Rockies a real team?
June was a really nice break from business travel. Too bad I have to pay it back in spades...Denver today. The flight is so much shorter than that to Cali. I always think of Colorado as west-coastish, but the flight time says differently. I could really get used to half-length flights...
It's sort of the land of the bland. Choices for dinner involved mostly different burger toppings. One thing I had missed was my monthly dose of cable TV. World Series Poker, endless reruns of Crossing Jordan, and several types of Law & Order. Also, Disney channel quality movies such as Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior. (No Cadet Kelly, but sufficiently amusing, if for nothing more than the teen queen hair & makeup.) Tomorrow I will be forced to partake of the so-called Great American Pastime, in which it's an exciting game if nothing happens and can theoretically last forever. Rah rah rah, woohoo, etc. Are the Rockies a real team?
Sunday, July 23, 2006
RSC
Current mood: big grin
Not the Royal Shakespeare Company, but the Reduced Shakespeare Company. I did want to go, mostly because my friend did, but to be honest, when I read the description, I thought, "three guys on a stage? How interesting could that be?" Well, for the hyper at heart, the slightly-or-more ADD, and the just generally silly, this is a great show. Prop improv comedy gold, for the most part. And I was really pleased to learn just how much of the complete history of America (abridged) could be crammed into 90 minutes. Oh, and there was a Newt sighting!
Not the Royal Shakespeare Company, but the Reduced Shakespeare Company. I did want to go, mostly because my friend did, but to be honest, when I read the description, I thought, "three guys on a stage? How interesting could that be?" Well, for the hyper at heart, the slightly-or-more ADD, and the just generally silly, this is a great show. Prop improv comedy gold, for the most part. And I was really pleased to learn just how much of the complete history of America (abridged) could be crammed into 90 minutes. Oh, and there was a Newt sighting!
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