I've had this mad rush of productivity that came over me on Saturday and still seems to be in play today. I think it's hormone-related, but am doing my best to run with it while it's here. Accomplishments? May seem ordinary, but when you consider I was at a bachelorette party from 4:300pm until 3am-ish on Saturday (woke up on Sunday around 10:30am), I think this is a good list:
- Upstairs bathroom cleaned
- Downstairs bathroom cleaned
- Kitchen cleaned, including floor
- Five loads of laundry washed, folded, and partly put away (I don't put Matt's clothes away)
- Grocery shopping completed
- Made a tomato-cucumber salad
- Did the news (for Sunday)
- Took cans back for refunds
- Took care of the compost
- Some general straightening downstairs
This has carried over to work, too. But that's helped by the fact that my boss is out of town this morning at a meeting so it allows me to get some stuff sorted, including finally being able to use his computer for some bank stuff. It's a good Monday so far! I'm not looking forward to the big crash that I know will come in a day or two.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Party Girls
Jen's Bachelorette Party
Friday, August 08, 2008
Friday Excitement
It's been that kind of week when date night has digressed into probably just going home and going to bed. To sleep. Well. Uh. Nevermind. Nothing to look at here, folks. Carry on.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Congressman Higgins in town for Announcement About WRFA
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Coffee Drama
The latest drama in regards to Gary Templin vs. Labyrinth Press Company (not an actual court case).
Wedding #2 of the Summer
Matt and I took off for the rural hills of Norwich, NY this past weekend for the vow renewal by family friends Janine and Kabir. We learned our lesson from the past few years of attending other weddings and built in some buffer travel time.
This means that Friday night found us in Rochester. It being Friday, that meant date night, hence why none of our Rochester friends heard a peep from us about being in town. Sorry guys! The pictures are below.
Saturday, if we had time to stop, we would have pulled over and taken many pictures of a scene of Sophomore (Official Site) being filmed on a side street off of the street I grew up on. But alas, we had quite a drive ahead of us so we hit the thruway and then the back roads. If I wasn't driving, I would have taken some pics of the gorgeous views on Route 20 once you get off Route 81 from Syracuse.
The wedding was held on our friend's grandparent's farm. They don't actually farm, but rent their 13 acres of land to someone else to grow corn. There was some concern about the weather since it had poured that morning. The groom's "executive decision" was to still hold the ceremony under the tree by the old chicken coop. In the end, the weather held, the ceremony only started a little over a half hour late, I played well, and it went very nicely.
The professional wedding photos
The local EMT's and a Ladder Truck showed up, sirens blaring and lights flashing near the end of dinner. Turns out "Poppa" is good buddies with all of them, so that provided much amusement for the wedding party. As if that wasn't enough of a distraction there was also horseshoes, some sort of frisbee game, a bean bag game, and much later on a very large, loud game of "flip cups." Did I mention dancing? There was a bit of that too since the DJ was a friend of the family and he was staying overnight. With all the driving, we crashed pretty early (12:30am). We heard the next morning that some drama happened amongst some of the boys who were camping overnight, but it was all good.
Sunday we had a cook-out breakfast at the farm. I finally got a look at the grandparent's pre-Civil War house that is still heated by a wood burning stove, has dirt floors in the cellar, and a large hide-away spot in the attic we believe was used for the Underground Railroad. We then got on the road again to travel up to Utica where we met up with my friend Lynn and her boyfriend for dinner. Somehow, I managed to drive back to Rochester, where we promptly fell asleep after attempting to carry on some sort of conversation with my parent's whose eyes also were drooping.
Thank god for built in recovery days. Matt drove us back to Jamestown early Monday so we could pick up our dogs from the kennel without being charged for another full day. I slept most of the afternoon, waking up only to go to Wegmans to pick up groceries. A fabulous weekend!
This means that Friday night found us in Rochester. It being Friday, that meant date night, hence why none of our Rochester friends heard a peep from us about being in town. Sorry guys! The pictures are below.
Saturday, if we had time to stop, we would have pulled over and taken many pictures of a scene of Sophomore (Official Site) being filmed on a side street off of the street I grew up on. But alas, we had quite a drive ahead of us so we hit the thruway and then the back roads. If I wasn't driving, I would have taken some pics of the gorgeous views on Route 20 once you get off Route 81 from Syracuse.
The wedding was held on our friend's grandparent's farm. They don't actually farm, but rent their 13 acres of land to someone else to grow corn. There was some concern about the weather since it had poured that morning. The groom's "executive decision" was to still hold the ceremony under the tree by the old chicken coop. In the end, the weather held, the ceremony only started a little over a half hour late, I played well, and it went very nicely.
The professional wedding photos
The local EMT's and a Ladder Truck showed up, sirens blaring and lights flashing near the end of dinner. Turns out "Poppa" is good buddies with all of them, so that provided much amusement for the wedding party. As if that wasn't enough of a distraction there was also horseshoes, some sort of frisbee game, a bean bag game, and much later on a very large, loud game of "flip cups." Did I mention dancing? There was a bit of that too since the DJ was a friend of the family and he was staying overnight. With all the driving, we crashed pretty early (12:30am). We heard the next morning that some drama happened amongst some of the boys who were camping overnight, but it was all good.
Sunday we had a cook-out breakfast at the farm. I finally got a look at the grandparent's pre-Civil War house that is still heated by a wood burning stove, has dirt floors in the cellar, and a large hide-away spot in the attic we believe was used for the Underground Railroad. We then got on the road again to travel up to Utica where we met up with my friend Lynn and her boyfriend for dinner. Somehow, I managed to drive back to Rochester, where we promptly fell asleep after attempting to carry on some sort of conversation with my parent's whose eyes also were drooping.
Thank god for built in recovery days. Matt drove us back to Jamestown early Monday so we could pick up our dogs from the kennel without being charged for another full day. I slept most of the afternoon, waking up only to go to Wegmans to pick up groceries. A fabulous weekend!
Saturday, August 02, 2008
My Parents - The Party People
Friday, August 01, 2008
Drinks at Java's
Dessert!
Date Night - Travel Edition
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Drinking & Practicing
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Celebrating Our Fourth Wedding Anniversary
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Matt on the Chadakoin
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Take a movie... add your own stuff...
What happens when you mix in a little early 80's nostalgia with a mostly serious movie?
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Kill With A Kiss
So I almost made my husband go into anaphylactic shock tonight.
I had gotten some sushi from Wegmans because we were doing our own thing for dinner while Matt buried himself in school work. It was a spicy roll which includes cooked shrimp.
I had just finished eating when Matt emerged from his office and came downstairs to find more beverages. We chatted as I rinsed out the sushi tray and put it in the recycling bin. Then I gave him a big kiss before he was about to head back upstairs. I rummaged around the fridge for something when he cried out, "Oh no!!"
"What?" I asked, looking around the kitchen to see what was causing his anxiety.
"You had sushi!" he said, frowning.
I stared at him, "Yeah. So?" I frowned back and then realized what he meant, "OH MY GOD! Are you okay????"
He immediately went to the sink and started rinsing out his mouth with water from the tap. Then he went upstairs, calling down to ask if we had any Listerine. When I answered in the negative on that one, he came back down looking unhappy.
"My lips are tingly and my tongue is swollen a little," he said.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't even thinking," I pleaded.
"No. Don't worry. I wasn't either. I even watched you clean up the stuff too," he said.
And that, folks, is how I almost unintentionally killed my husband tonight.
I had gotten some sushi from Wegmans because we were doing our own thing for dinner while Matt buried himself in school work. It was a spicy roll which includes cooked shrimp.
I had just finished eating when Matt emerged from his office and came downstairs to find more beverages. We chatted as I rinsed out the sushi tray and put it in the recycling bin. Then I gave him a big kiss before he was about to head back upstairs. I rummaged around the fridge for something when he cried out, "Oh no!!"
"What?" I asked, looking around the kitchen to see what was causing his anxiety.
"You had sushi!" he said, frowning.
I stared at him, "Yeah. So?" I frowned back and then realized what he meant, "OH MY GOD! Are you okay????"
He immediately went to the sink and started rinsing out his mouth with water from the tap. Then he went upstairs, calling down to ask if we had any Listerine. When I answered in the negative on that one, he came back down looking unhappy.
"My lips are tingly and my tongue is swollen a little," he said.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't even thinking," I pleaded.
"No. Don't worry. I wasn't either. I even watched you clean up the stuff too," he said.
And that, folks, is how I almost unintentionally killed my husband tonight.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
There's always ice cream
Friday, July 18, 2008
It's a Beautiful Day In the Neighborhood
A funny thing happened when we held our garage sale over the Fourth of July holiday. I saw, and spoke to, more of my neighbors over two days than I sometimes do in months. I watched, with great interest, as one neighbor collaborated with another to pull huge bush stumps out of the ground in front of his house using rope and a truck. Over the course of this project, there were 2 trucks involved, rope, shovels, and about half the neighborhood and my garage sale browsers watching anxiously as the guy driving the truck spun his wheels trying to yank this monstrous bush out. Eventually, they were successful.
Another neighbor down the road came back a couple times to buy lamps, telephones, shoes, and other items for her sister who was moving into a new apartment around the corner.
Later in the day, a neighbor we rarely talked to came over from across the street to let us know he and his family were going out of town for a week and asked us to keep an eye on his house. It turns out his next door neighbor has caused some problems for them in the past.
When I was growing up, I generally knew the last names at least of the neighbors on our block, including those who lived on the cul-de-sac nearby. There was even an annual neighborhood clam bake that was held out at Hamlin Beach State Park every September.
Now I'm lucky if I even recognize the people who drive up and down the road next to our house as neighbors. I may know a first name of a couple, but in most cases I don't know my neighbors. Some of this is due to the fact that the house next door and directly across the street are rental properties. People don't generally hang around in the same location for long in this city. The other issue is that the main tool to getting to know our neighbors is enclosed. It's hard to call out a hello to people walking by when they can't hear you through the glass of your enclosed porch.
I see the value in knowing who your neighbors are. Sometimes I don't mind the anonymity though. It's the introvert in me that doesn't feel comfortable going over and introducing myself to people I've lived next to for three years but still don't know what they look like. At the same time, I think I'm missing out on that feeling of being in a community where you have someone you can turn to in times of need, like being able to borrow a snow blower when yours suddenly dies as Lake Effect snow dumps on your driveway. And sometimes I think, "Well, maybe I'll just make more of an effort to say hello to people when I see them outside." I suppose that would require me to spend some more time outside, wouldn't it?
Another neighbor down the road came back a couple times to buy lamps, telephones, shoes, and other items for her sister who was moving into a new apartment around the corner.
Later in the day, a neighbor we rarely talked to came over from across the street to let us know he and his family were going out of town for a week and asked us to keep an eye on his house. It turns out his next door neighbor has caused some problems for them in the past.
When I was growing up, I generally knew the last names at least of the neighbors on our block, including those who lived on the cul-de-sac nearby. There was even an annual neighborhood clam bake that was held out at Hamlin Beach State Park every September.
Now I'm lucky if I even recognize the people who drive up and down the road next to our house as neighbors. I may know a first name of a couple, but in most cases I don't know my neighbors. Some of this is due to the fact that the house next door and directly across the street are rental properties. People don't generally hang around in the same location for long in this city. The other issue is that the main tool to getting to know our neighbors is enclosed. It's hard to call out a hello to people walking by when they can't hear you through the glass of your enclosed porch.
I see the value in knowing who your neighbors are. Sometimes I don't mind the anonymity though. It's the introvert in me that doesn't feel comfortable going over and introducing myself to people I've lived next to for three years but still don't know what they look like. At the same time, I think I'm missing out on that feeling of being in a community where you have someone you can turn to in times of need, like being able to borrow a snow blower when yours suddenly dies as Lake Effect snow dumps on your driveway. And sometimes I think, "Well, maybe I'll just make more of an effort to say hello to people when I see them outside." I suppose that would require me to spend some more time outside, wouldn't it?
Thursday, July 17, 2008
"Super Clyde 3" Coming to the Reg Lenna Civic Center
Jamestown resident and friend, Kipp Reynolds, will premier his full-length film, Super Clyde 3, this Sunday at the Reg Lenna Civic Center.The film has been described as an action, science fiction, comedy about a young spatula wielding super hero who comes out of retirement to save his brother.
Kipp has spent the last year and a half working on the project. He's drawn on a large pool of talented friends to act in and help produce the film.
When I asked if audience will ever have the opportunity to be delighted by Super Clyde 1 and 2, he laughed and admitted there was no Super Clyde 1. The consensus is that he may go back and do a Super Clyde 1 much in the vein of the Star Wars prequels.
If you want to share the experience of seeing this movie hit a big screen, pre-sale tickets are being sold at the Reg and Labyrinth Press Company. They're only $3 pre-sale, $5 at the door the day of the show. The movie begins at 2pm at the Reg Lenna Civic Center in downtown Jamestown. See you there.
Super Clyde 3: The Trailer
Super Clyde 3: Official Website
Post Journal: Super Clyde 3
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Blog Share Guest Post
I'm hosting an anonymous Blogger today as part of Blog Share. Many thanks to -R- for undertaking this project again even while being pregnant. I hope you enjoy and bestow many comments on the guest post below:
I almost don't want to write about this, but not for the reason that you all probably think. I'm not particularly ashamed or embarrassed or afraid. Instead, I feel like it is a story that has been told in so many forms and mutations that it is no longer even remotely original. And also: I sound whiny, because there are countless other women with stories worse than mine - stories that horrify rather than cause one to sit back and go "hmm", which is basically what I do when I think about it.
But, here goes. After all, this is something I have never written on my own blog, and therefore it makes it perfect blogshare material.
I lost my virginity unwillingly.
No, it wasn't rape. Not in the traditional sense. I know I sound bratty in saying this, because of course I don't wish I had been raped, but in some ways I wonder if that would have made it easier to deal with, simply because I could then have classified the experience, categorized my anger, made some level of sense of it all instead of wondering whether my distress over the situation was abnormal, whether I was too sensitive or just plain silly.
Here is my story.
I was in college (shut up. I was a late bloomer), living in an apartment off-campus with one of my best friends. She was tall and thin and gorgeous and all the boys loved her. I was short (well, I felt short compared to her) and plump-ish and had never had a boyfriend but was fun-loving and easy to talk to. Together, we made a great team, sort of: we would drink lots and go out to one of our favorite bars (fake i.d.s safely tucked into our wallets, of course), and I would strike up conversations with boys who inevitably flirted with my friend while I continued chatting with some other guy that I assumed didn't like me.
(We can talk about how unhealthy that sounds and how moronic I was to assume such things at a later date).
After one particularly drink-filled night, I ended up talking to our cute neighbors' friend (who I had a raging crush on) while my roommate chatted it up with one of the cute neighbors. When the bar closed, my roommate and I came home in the wee hours of morning, after which I promptly fell asleep. The remaining details are a bit hazy, but what I know is this: later that night, my roommate was awakened by the sound of a knock at the door. She opened it to find our neighbors' friend on the doorstep, asking for me.
Excitedly, she came into my room and woke me up. "Neighbors' Friend is here and he wants to hang out with YOU!" she said. Thrilled, I invited him into my room.
Presumably due to the mass quantities of boxed wine that I had consumed in the hours before, I don't remember much else. I remember talking and playing music. I remember making out. I remember making out heavily, and I remember saying, "Um...wait a second. What is happening here?" I remember the confusion that ensued as I learned that what I thought was his finger was actually not, and the awkwardness that followed as I realized we were having sex and asked him to stop.
On the one hand, he is not a bad guy, because when I asked him to stop, he did. On the other hand...what kind of guy has sex with someone who is so drunk or passed out that she doesn't even know she is having sex?
I don't know. To this day, I don't know whether to blame him, to blame myself for not telling him, "hey, why don't you come back at daylight and we can actually talk?", to blame myself for drinking so much, to...well, think any number of other things.
My roommate didn't understand why I was such a mess in the months afterwards, and I never felt like I could talk to her about it without her being perplexed. I think she thought I was being a drama queen. Who knows? Maybe I was. We ended up moving out and growing apart when our lease was up, but have become friends again in more recent years. It wasn't all due to our inability to talk about this event, and after so much time has past, I don't even remember why we stopped being friends. Still, we haven't talked about the night our cute neighbors' friend came over and asked for me, ever again.
And so, there it is. When I count up how many people I have slept with, I omit one. I don't think it counts.
I almost don't want to write about this, but not for the reason that you all probably think. I'm not particularly ashamed or embarrassed or afraid. Instead, I feel like it is a story that has been told in so many forms and mutations that it is no longer even remotely original. And also: I sound whiny, because there are countless other women with stories worse than mine - stories that horrify rather than cause one to sit back and go "hmm", which is basically what I do when I think about it.
But, here goes. After all, this is something I have never written on my own blog, and therefore it makes it perfect blogshare material.
I lost my virginity unwillingly.
No, it wasn't rape. Not in the traditional sense. I know I sound bratty in saying this, because of course I don't wish I had been raped, but in some ways I wonder if that would have made it easier to deal with, simply because I could then have classified the experience, categorized my anger, made some level of sense of it all instead of wondering whether my distress over the situation was abnormal, whether I was too sensitive or just plain silly.
Here is my story.
I was in college (shut up. I was a late bloomer), living in an apartment off-campus with one of my best friends. She was tall and thin and gorgeous and all the boys loved her. I was short (well, I felt short compared to her) and plump-ish and had never had a boyfriend but was fun-loving and easy to talk to. Together, we made a great team, sort of: we would drink lots and go out to one of our favorite bars (fake i.d.s safely tucked into our wallets, of course), and I would strike up conversations with boys who inevitably flirted with my friend while I continued chatting with some other guy that I assumed didn't like me.
(We can talk about how unhealthy that sounds and how moronic I was to assume such things at a later date).
After one particularly drink-filled night, I ended up talking to our cute neighbors' friend (who I had a raging crush on) while my roommate chatted it up with one of the cute neighbors. When the bar closed, my roommate and I came home in the wee hours of morning, after which I promptly fell asleep. The remaining details are a bit hazy, but what I know is this: later that night, my roommate was awakened by the sound of a knock at the door. She opened it to find our neighbors' friend on the doorstep, asking for me.
Excitedly, she came into my room and woke me up. "Neighbors' Friend is here and he wants to hang out with YOU!" she said. Thrilled, I invited him into my room.
Presumably due to the mass quantities of boxed wine that I had consumed in the hours before, I don't remember much else. I remember talking and playing music. I remember making out. I remember making out heavily, and I remember saying, "Um...wait a second. What is happening here?" I remember the confusion that ensued as I learned that what I thought was his finger was actually not, and the awkwardness that followed as I realized we were having sex and asked him to stop.
On the one hand, he is not a bad guy, because when I asked him to stop, he did. On the other hand...what kind of guy has sex with someone who is so drunk or passed out that she doesn't even know she is having sex?
I don't know. To this day, I don't know whether to blame him, to blame myself for not telling him, "hey, why don't you come back at daylight and we can actually talk?", to blame myself for drinking so much, to...well, think any number of other things.
My roommate didn't understand why I was such a mess in the months afterwards, and I never felt like I could talk to her about it without her being perplexed. I think she thought I was being a drama queen. Who knows? Maybe I was. We ended up moving out and growing apart when our lease was up, but have become friends again in more recent years. It wasn't all due to our inability to talk about this event, and after so much time has past, I don't even remember why we stopped being friends. Still, we haven't talked about the night our cute neighbors' friend came over and asked for me, ever again.
And so, there it is. When I count up how many people I have slept with, I omit one. I don't think it counts.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Blog Share Participants
Here is the list of everyone participating in tomorrow's Blog Share:
Vent Vox
Turn On The Stars
Trudie - Life After AC
Swimming With Sharks
Stefanie Says
Shhh! Librarian-In-Training
Sauntering Soul
Sass Attack
Reflections in the Snow Covered Hills
Red Red Whine
Our Simplicity
One New Duck
Oh My Seven
The Occasional Truth
No Lady
Nancy Pearl Wannabe
Muse On Vacation
Messing With Texas
Melliferous Pants
Lizland
Live Work Dream
Just Below 63
Jonniker
Heidikins
Full of Snark
Face Down
Ex Everything
Everything I Like Causes Cancer
Did I Say That Outloud?
The Daily Tannenbaum
The Coconut Diaries
Citystreams
Catheroominations
Bright Yellow World
Breath Smiles Tears
And You Know What Else
Alyndabear
3 Carnations
Vent Vox
Turn On The Stars
Trudie - Life After AC
Swimming With Sharks
Stefanie Says
Shhh! Librarian-In-Training
Sauntering Soul
Sass Attack
Reflections in the Snow Covered Hills
Red Red Whine
Our Simplicity
One New Duck
Oh My Seven
The Occasional Truth
No Lady
Nancy Pearl Wannabe
Muse On Vacation
Messing With Texas
Melliferous Pants
Lizland
Live Work Dream
Just Below 63
Jonniker
Heidikins
Full of Snark
Face Down
Ex Everything
Everything I Like Causes Cancer
Did I Say That Outloud?
The Daily Tannenbaum
The Coconut Diaries
Citystreams
Catheroominations
Bright Yellow World
Breath Smiles Tears
And You Know What Else
Alyndabear
3 Carnations
Monday, July 14, 2008
BlogShare: July 2008 Edition
I am once again participating in the latest Blog Share this week (Original Info. Here).
Tuesday night (or whenever I get it), I will be uploading a post by a special Guest Blogger. I also will be linking all the participating bloggers in a post so you can check out all the exciting stuff people had to say this round.
The first time I did this, my Guest Blogger had a rather interesting post about dealing with bodily functions while stuck at the border.
Tuesday night (or whenever I get it), I will be uploading a post by a special Guest Blogger. I also will be linking all the participating bloggers in a post so you can check out all the exciting stuff people had to say this round.
The first time I did this, my Guest Blogger had a rather interesting post about dealing with bodily functions while stuck at the border.
Little Road Trip
As you can see from the pictures below, Matt, Hector, and I got out of Chautauqua County for a few hours yesterday and headed straight for the waterfront in Erie, PA.
We took a look at the reconstructed version of the Flagship Niagara, grabbed a bite to eat at Smuggler's Wharf, then walked around Dobbins Landing where I spotted Rum Runners from a viewing platform. We sipped a few drinks there and people watched until the sun started setting. Since I was the designated driver at this point, I insisted on finding our way back to Peach Street so we could get gas and a Krispy Kreme. Yes, I'm still obsessed about the fresh version. I tried to order two, but the drive-thru window girl was playing the part of "Julia's Conscious" because she only gave me one (only charged for one).
I want Emma to know I invoked her name a couple of times, especially when Matt and I mused about doing another mini-holiday in Erie sometime. That most likely won't happen until next summer though with how crazy our schedules are into the Fall. I can't believe it's been five years since that last holiday.
We took a look at the reconstructed version of the Flagship Niagara, grabbed a bite to eat at Smuggler's Wharf, then walked around Dobbins Landing where I spotted Rum Runners from a viewing platform. We sipped a few drinks there and people watched until the sun started setting. Since I was the designated driver at this point, I insisted on finding our way back to Peach Street so we could get gas and a Krispy Kreme. Yes, I'm still obsessed about the fresh version. I tried to order two, but the drive-thru window girl was playing the part of "Julia's Conscious" because she only gave me one (only charged for one).
I want Emma to know I invoked her name a couple of times, especially when Matt and I mused about doing another mini-holiday in Erie sometime. That most likely won't happen until next summer though with how crazy our schedules are into the Fall. I can't believe it's been five years since that last holiday.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
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This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!
To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.
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Saturday, July 12, 2008
Summer Sounds
As much as I despise trying to sleep in humid weather, one thing I do love on those less sticky evenings and days is waking up to ambient noise. There's something so relaxing about emerging from slumber and listening to birds outside the window, neighbors trying to get lawn mowers started, leaves making a shh-shh noise in the wind, and feeling a light breeze cooling my forehead from the overhead fan. I'll take that any day over the ca-chunk-buzz of my air conditioning unit cranking on after its internal thermometer has determined that the room has gotten too warm.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
1601
I just realized my 1,600th post on here was to copy/paste a video I liked that was Star Wars related. I guess it just goes to show how far blogging has come along from the days when I used to bitch about it being so hot out that I couldn't dream of drinking coffee. Oh wait. I save those sentiments for Twitter now.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Capitalizing On A Holiday Weekend
As Sunday evening falls, I'm taking a much needed breather from the past week. It was a successful week in many ways. The run down:
Last Weds./Thurs.: I spent those two days prepping for our garage sale and getting the house ready for my parents and two aunts. Matt and I switched "date night" to Thursday and hit up Forte for dinner. We originally had planned to get to bed early due to the garage sale the next day, but we let our friends coerce us back to Forte for some live music and alcohol. We stayed out much longer than we had planned because of all the fun.
Friday: One of the things helped me have fun all Thursday night was some coffee at Forte that was kindly served up by Nick Dean. It did the trick too well. I didn't sleep much between the time we got home and the time I had to get up. Visions of grabbing a hangover sandwich from Timmy Ho's for Matt were dashed when I mistakenly opened one of the garage doors to put something inside around 7:45am and then forgot to close it. That meant I had my first customers at 8:10am. The sale moved at a steady pace from that point forward. Both our families descended on our house in the afternoon and we ended day one of the garage sale with a massive Italian sausage, Asian coleslaw, potato salad, salad, and chocolate cake dinner. Later on, we took my parents and aunts out to Wells Bay to watch the fireworks on Chautauqua Lake and hang out by a bonfire.
Saturday: I started the garage sale at 8:30am by marking down almost everything by half. My intent was get as much sold as possible so I would have less to cart off to any of the donations sites around town. It was a good strategy since we made an acceptable profit even after expenses. My dad and Matt spent a chunk of the day hanging the two chandeliers pictured below. We took my family out to Bemus Point for dinner at the Casino that night and came back to the house for some beers on the porch.
Sunday: Not much to report other than a late breakfast with my family at home, saying our good-byes, and then running to the store to get some miscellaneous items for the week.
Some people have asked if our house seems to big for just the two of us, especially since we don't plan to have kids, but after this weekend I'd have to say it's just fine. I love that we can have our families over and not feel like we're climbing over each other. It also was obvious that my aunts really enjoyed being on a mini-holiday even with helping us out with the sale. I feel really great about how the whole weekend worked out.
Last Weds./Thurs.: I spent those two days prepping for our garage sale and getting the house ready for my parents and two aunts. Matt and I switched "date night" to Thursday and hit up Forte for dinner. We originally had planned to get to bed early due to the garage sale the next day, but we let our friends coerce us back to Forte for some live music and alcohol. We stayed out much longer than we had planned because of all the fun.
Friday: One of the things helped me have fun all Thursday night was some coffee at Forte that was kindly served up by Nick Dean. It did the trick too well. I didn't sleep much between the time we got home and the time I had to get up. Visions of grabbing a hangover sandwich from Timmy Ho's for Matt were dashed when I mistakenly opened one of the garage doors to put something inside around 7:45am and then forgot to close it. That meant I had my first customers at 8:10am. The sale moved at a steady pace from that point forward. Both our families descended on our house in the afternoon and we ended day one of the garage sale with a massive Italian sausage, Asian coleslaw, potato salad, salad, and chocolate cake dinner. Later on, we took my parents and aunts out to Wells Bay to watch the fireworks on Chautauqua Lake and hang out by a bonfire.
Saturday: I started the garage sale at 8:30am by marking down almost everything by half. My intent was get as much sold as possible so I would have less to cart off to any of the donations sites around town. It was a good strategy since we made an acceptable profit even after expenses. My dad and Matt spent a chunk of the day hanging the two chandeliers pictured below. We took my family out to Bemus Point for dinner at the Casino that night and came back to the house for some beers on the porch.
Sunday: Not much to report other than a late breakfast with my family at home, saying our good-byes, and then running to the store to get some miscellaneous items for the week.
Some people have asked if our house seems to big for just the two of us, especially since we don't plan to have kids, but after this weekend I'd have to say it's just fine. I love that we can have our families over and not feel like we're climbing over each other. It also was obvious that my aunts really enjoyed being on a mini-holiday even with helping us out with the sale. I feel really great about how the whole weekend worked out.
Recycled Lights Times Two
Recycled Lighting
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Garage Sale-ing The Fourth
For about four to five years, Matt and I have been saying we're going to have a garage sale to get rid of some of the excess stuff we have in our house. That day has come.
Friday, July 4th and Saturday, July 5th from 9am to 4pm we are holding a garage sale at our house.
I just finished organizing all our stuff inside the garage since it's raining out. I've managed to fill up six tables and then resorted to arranging other items in boxes under the tables. And this is before my parents and in-laws bring over their own stuff tomorrow.
Yes. This will be a family affair. On top of holding a garage sale, we will also have my parents and two aunts staying with us Friday to Sunday.
Items we are selling include 2 televisions, children's books (beginning reader to Young Adult), paperback/hardcovers, stereo, women's clothing/shoes/purses/jewelry, Easter and Christmas decorative items, telephones/portable cd players, houseware items (we have 3 cheese graters!), some toys, a hot pink & purple 10-speed bike, and a god knows what else.
If you want to stop down to check it out, send me an email at muzenews(at)gmail(dot)com and I'll email back the address. Otherwise, you're stuck looking for our signs that we'll hopefully put up tonight.
Friday, July 4th and Saturday, July 5th from 9am to 4pm we are holding a garage sale at our house.
I just finished organizing all our stuff inside the garage since it's raining out. I've managed to fill up six tables and then resorted to arranging other items in boxes under the tables. And this is before my parents and in-laws bring over their own stuff tomorrow.
Yes. This will be a family affair. On top of holding a garage sale, we will also have my parents and two aunts staying with us Friday to Sunday.
Items we are selling include 2 televisions, children's books (beginning reader to Young Adult), paperback/hardcovers, stereo, women's clothing/shoes/purses/jewelry, Easter and Christmas decorative items, telephones/portable cd players, houseware items (we have 3 cheese graters!), some toys, a hot pink & purple 10-speed bike, and a god knows what else.
If you want to stop down to check it out, send me an email at muzenews(at)gmail(dot)com and I'll email back the address. Otherwise, you're stuck looking for our signs that we'll hopefully put up tonight.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Green Addition
I've been looking for a way to compost at our house in a way that doesn't take up a lot of real estate, but is a contained unit. Fortunately, I found out our local Cornell Cooperative Extension office was selling these units. Home Depot had been selling them at one time, but stopped.
I had to move some flagstones that had been propped up against the back of our garage to get this in place, but I'm pleased so far with the location. Now I just have to remember to save materials to put into it.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Miley Wants You to See Her Again
The whole Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus phenomena is on the peripheral of my consciousness most days, but I couldn't escape her latest song that's being played on our local pop station. It's pretty damn catchy so I went looking for the video and found this (see below). Can someone confirm that the blond is Miley? Just wondering because she gets horizontal with the slightly cute but greasy-haired boy at the end of the vid.
Oh yeah. And this goes out to PreppyGirl because I know her daughter is a Hannah Montana fan and I'm willing to take bets that she sings along to this one as well in the car.
Oh yeah. And this goes out to PreppyGirl because I know her daughter is a Hannah Montana fan and I'm willing to take bets that she sings along to this one as well in the car.
Weeping Over Sad Puppehs & Kittehs
I wasn't much of an animal person until we got Buddy, our adorable black lab. In fact, I loved him so much that I was compelled to adopt Zak, lest he have no family to call his own after his original family moved to a Central American country.
Unfortunately, this leads to many pile-of-mush moments when I see cute dogs, cats, otters, or other Awwwww!-worthy creatures. It also means that I dissolve into a mess of tears whenever this commercial comes on tv:
Inevitably, I go wailing after my puppies and try to give them big hugs while they bewilderedly try to get away from their crazy mommy.
Unfortunately, this leads to many pile-of-mush moments when I see cute dogs, cats, otters, or other Awwwww!-worthy creatures. It also means that I dissolve into a mess of tears whenever this commercial comes on tv:
Inevitably, I go wailing after my puppies and try to give them big hugs while they bewilderedly try to get away from their crazy mommy.
Just Swell
I forgot about a notso awful side effect of adding artificial hormones to my body.
(Looks Down)
Matt isn't complaining either.
Maybe I should buy more v-neck shirts.
(Looks Down)
Matt isn't complaining either.
Maybe I should buy more v-neck shirts.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Awesomely Bad Pop Songs In Movies
I'm known to like several awesomely bad pop songs. I am that girl in the car next to you totally rocking out to "Shake Your Love" by Debbie Gibson. For that reason, this scene is one of the reasons why I love Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle:
Friday, June 27, 2008
Watching The Sun Set on Chautauqua Lake
Hanging out in Lakewood's park on Chautauqua Lake. I won't promise there won't be smooching.
Misty Mists Are Now Called Artic Freezes
Date night. The high school edition. Part three- Dairy Queen.
Onions & Hot Sauce Don't Make For Good Kissing Breath
High school date night part one- Johnny's Lunch.
Kickin' It Old Skool for Date Night
If the weather holds, "date night" will include Johnny's Lunch, miniature golf and ice cream tonight. I haven't relived this quintessential high school kind of date since, well, high school. All that will be missing is the awkward fumbling in the front seat of a car afterwards. Ahhh, the benefits of being married and owning a house.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Seven Year Itch
I would like to wish my blog a Happy 7th Birthday today!
After giving it some thought, I realized that if my blog were an actual child, she would probably just be finishing First Grade. That would mean that my blog would be able to read and do basic arithmetic.
My blog, based on personal experience, also would be able to ride a bike without training wheels and walk to school by herself.
I would like to thank my "big sisters" in the blogsphere, Jenny and Meg, for uploading interesting content in a visually appealing manner consistently enough that it inspired me to start this site.
After giving it some thought, I realized that if my blog were an actual child, she would probably just be finishing First Grade. That would mean that my blog would be able to read and do basic arithmetic.
My blog, based on personal experience, also would be able to ride a bike without training wheels and walk to school by herself.
I would like to thank my "big sisters" in the blogsphere, Jenny and Meg, for uploading interesting content in a visually appealing manner consistently enough that it inspired me to start this site.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Day One
Matt would like me to let all of you know that my hormones are officially out of whack and that I'm a lot of fun to deal with right now.
(smiles sweetly)
(smiles sweetly)
Monday, June 23, 2008
Menacing Clouds of Rain, Hail, & Thunder
The Pill - A TMI Post
I've shared my opinion about the Pill and other forms of birth control back in April.
Women? How many of you have a regular cycle without any assistance of medicine or operations? Just wondering.
I got sick of irregularity. It's one thing if you never have your period. Which wasn't so bad as a teenager and then in some later years. It's another thing if it never goes away. Which is no fun when you're married and want to spend time with your husband.
With that in mind, I grit my teeth this afternoon and placed the call to my doctor to ask for a prescription. We talked briefly on the phone to clarify some points before she placed the order to my pharmacy of choice.
The next three months should be fun as my body gets used to new hormones. Apologies in advance for any weird hormonal outbursts.
Women? How many of you have a regular cycle without any assistance of medicine or operations? Just wondering.
I got sick of irregularity. It's one thing if you never have your period. Which wasn't so bad as a teenager and then in some later years. It's another thing if it never goes away. Which is no fun when you're married and want to spend time with your husband.
With that in mind, I grit my teeth this afternoon and placed the call to my doctor to ask for a prescription. We talked briefly on the phone to clarify some points before she placed the order to my pharmacy of choice.
The next three months should be fun as my body gets used to new hormones. Apologies in advance for any weird hormonal outbursts.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Mass Conspiracy
I innocently flip channels and come upon Nine Months starring Hugh Grant and very pregnant Julianne Moore.
I switch the channel and My Cousin Vinny is on and it's the scene with Marisa Tomei wearing a bodysuit, stomping her foot, yelling "And my biological clock is ticking LIKE THIS."
Mass conspiracy, I tell ya'.
I switch the channel and My Cousin Vinny is on and it's the scene with Marisa Tomei wearing a bodysuit, stomping her foot, yelling "And my biological clock is ticking LIKE THIS."
Mass conspiracy, I tell ya'.
I Should, I Wish, I Love
I was tagged by Mr. Nighttime, which sounds a lot dirtier than it really is.
In turn, I'll be tagging Galoot, Makkaio, Mr. Social, Jessye, and Battlemaiden.
My ex... is someone I still talk to. That goes for most of them.
Maybe I should... not procrastinate. I'll get back to you on that.
I love... my husband, family and friends. Blah Blah Blah. Know what? I really love a good cuppa tea.
People would say... I'm a bit of a nerd. That comes from all the blogging, twittering, social networks, and news watching I engage in daily.
I don't understand... narrow views of life, people, and the world around us.
When I wake up in the morning... I best operate if I immediately take a shower and then get a cuppa tea or coffee in me. I'm of little to no use otherwise.
I lost... my sense of passion for some things in life. I've been slowly working on trying to regain that for more than a couple months. It's going very slow.
Life is full of... painfully, happy moments that are to be relished with anguish.
My past is something... I remember much about, sometimes too much.
I get annoyed when... I feel I am being condescended to, or I can't get a straight answer from people (Mr. Nighttime said that perfectly!!)
Parties are... something I have to be in the mood for. When I am, almost nothing can keep me from having an awesome time.
I wish... I could do what I love in this area and earn a living wage.
Dogs... are my babies. Nothing better than hugging my dogs and rubbing their ears.
Cats... are okay. Entertaining.
Tomorrow... is Monday. I'm trying to forget so that I don't start mentally planning the week... too late.
I have a low tolerance for... willful ignorance.
If I had a million dollars... some would be used toward debt (school loans, car loan, other crap), but then I would set aside a good chunk for retirement. At least that would be some stress off there. I assume there would be some leftover to do whatever with. I'm torn between the sensible (replace my beloved Tercel and get work done on the house) and taking Matt on a vacation we can't otherwise afford right now (Ireland).
I'm totally terrified of... that which I have no control over. That's my best explanation for why I worry so much.
In turn, I'll be tagging Galoot, Makkaio, Mr. Social, Jessye, and Battlemaiden.
My ex... is someone I still talk to. That goes for most of them.
Maybe I should... not procrastinate. I'll get back to you on that.
I love... my husband, family and friends. Blah Blah Blah. Know what? I really love a good cuppa tea.
People would say... I'm a bit of a nerd. That comes from all the blogging, twittering, social networks, and news watching I engage in daily.
I don't understand... narrow views of life, people, and the world around us.
When I wake up in the morning... I best operate if I immediately take a shower and then get a cuppa tea or coffee in me. I'm of little to no use otherwise.
I lost... my sense of passion for some things in life. I've been slowly working on trying to regain that for more than a couple months. It's going very slow.
Life is full of... painfully, happy moments that are to be relished with anguish.
My past is something... I remember much about, sometimes too much.
I get annoyed when... I feel I am being condescended to, or I can't get a straight answer from people (Mr. Nighttime said that perfectly!!)
Parties are... something I have to be in the mood for. When I am, almost nothing can keep me from having an awesome time.
I wish... I could do what I love in this area and earn a living wage.
Dogs... are my babies. Nothing better than hugging my dogs and rubbing their ears.
Cats... are okay. Entertaining.
Tomorrow... is Monday. I'm trying to forget so that I don't start mentally planning the week... too late.
I have a low tolerance for... willful ignorance.
If I had a million dollars... some would be used toward debt (school loans, car loan, other crap), but then I would set aside a good chunk for retirement. At least that would be some stress off there. I assume there would be some leftover to do whatever with. I'm torn between the sensible (replace my beloved Tercel and get work done on the house) and taking Matt on a vacation we can't otherwise afford right now (Ireland).
I'm totally terrified of... that which I have no control over. That's my best explanation for why I worry so much.
Saturday Night Is All Right
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Solstice Party at My Parent's House
Friday, June 20, 2008
Lunch on Lake Ontario
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Thursday, June 19, 2008
My Biological Alarm Clock Needs a Better Snooze Button
For these past couple months, there have been these subtle nudges by my hormones that have threatened to totally upend my sense of balance and happiness with life.
I thought that my mere will and desire to remain child-free could outwit biology. Unfortunately, my body has other ideas and has begun a kind of mental and physical warfare to try to break me down and succumb to evolution.
It started innocently enough when pictures of babies started to make me smile. Then, I began to get a strong urge to pick up my friend's babies and hold them for a little bit. I thought, "No big deal. Babies are cute. Even cuter when you can hand them back to their mom and dad."
I did my own version of a support group by reading child-free blogs and related stories. I'd toast myself for being able to spontaneously meet up for a drink and intelligent conversation at my favorite bar for a drink with friends, something I know would be almost impossible with a child.
Still, I found the topic creeping into conversations. I questioned Matt worriedly over dinner while out for "date night" about how he really felt about us not having kids. I started worrying that maybe I was being defective in not wanting to have kids.
Then the dreams started. I went from daytime worrying to the line of questioning continuing well into my dreams about whether I still thought not having a kid was a good idea. Half the dreams left me with a defeatist attitude of, "Well, maybe I should just give in and do it."
Then this week, I held our friend's 3-month old son. Suddenly, I didn't care that he looked like he wanted to spit up all over me. I walked around, lightly swaying him in my arms, as he looked around interestedly. Unlike other times I've been near babies, he didn't cry or give me dirty looks. For a moment, I thought, "Wow. This is kind of cool."
Then his 1 and a half year old brother let loose an ear piercing shriek that sent all my maternal urges into hiding for at least a few weeks.
I suspect this relief is temporary and am trying to steel myself against the future onslaught of urges to reproduce. Wish me well.
I thought that my mere will and desire to remain child-free could outwit biology. Unfortunately, my body has other ideas and has begun a kind of mental and physical warfare to try to break me down and succumb to evolution.
It started innocently enough when pictures of babies started to make me smile. Then, I began to get a strong urge to pick up my friend's babies and hold them for a little bit. I thought, "No big deal. Babies are cute. Even cuter when you can hand them back to their mom and dad."
I did my own version of a support group by reading child-free blogs and related stories. I'd toast myself for being able to spontaneously meet up for a drink and intelligent conversation at my favorite bar for a drink with friends, something I know would be almost impossible with a child.
Still, I found the topic creeping into conversations. I questioned Matt worriedly over dinner while out for "date night" about how he really felt about us not having kids. I started worrying that maybe I was being defective in not wanting to have kids.
Then the dreams started. I went from daytime worrying to the line of questioning continuing well into my dreams about whether I still thought not having a kid was a good idea. Half the dreams left me with a defeatist attitude of, "Well, maybe I should just give in and do it."
Then this week, I held our friend's 3-month old son. Suddenly, I didn't care that he looked like he wanted to spit up all over me. I walked around, lightly swaying him in my arms, as he looked around interestedly. Unlike other times I've been near babies, he didn't cry or give me dirty looks. For a moment, I thought, "Wow. This is kind of cool."
Then his 1 and a half year old brother let loose an ear piercing shriek that sent all my maternal urges into hiding for at least a few weeks.
I suspect this relief is temporary and am trying to steel myself against the future onslaught of urges to reproduce. Wish me well.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Have You Seen Jamestown's Newest Bookstore?
Monday, June 16, 2008
Help Firefox Set A World Record
The folks at Mozilla are trying to set a World Record tomorrow for most software downloads in 24 hours.
Kinda silly, but seeing as how Firefox as been my preferred browser of choice since at least 2005 you know I'll be joining in the fun.
Addendum: Hmmm. It's 7:35am EST on June 17th and the main download page for Firefox is still showing only the old version to download. Maybe it goes live at noon? Here's a news article to amuse yourself with in the meanwhile.
9:15 A.M - Get Your Firefox 3 Download Here!
9:16 A.M. - Okay... that seems buggy, as in it won't open for me. Will try later.
9:19 A.M. - Here's the deal. Firefox 3 isn't live until 10 AM PDT. Which means sometime this afternoon here on the East Coast (1pm? I forget how daylight savings time affects everything). For more information, go here. Apparently, you can't direct link or ftp the download in order to qualify for the World Record.
5:03 P.M. - Have cleared my cache, refreshed the page, tried different pages and everything I find on Mozilla says Firefox 2. Nice going guys. Way to ruin your big download day. (rolls eyes)
6:47 P.M. - Karl left me a comment before I could update this post because I was too busy configing Firefox 3 on my home computer. According to other stuff I've read, I'll still be able to make the download record thing tomorrow morning for my work computer. So hooray for that.
Kinda silly, but seeing as how Firefox as been my preferred browser of choice since at least 2005 you know I'll be joining in the fun.
Addendum: Hmmm. It's 7:35am EST on June 17th and the main download page for Firefox is still showing only the old version to download. Maybe it goes live at noon? Here's a news article to amuse yourself with in the meanwhile.
9:15 A.M - Get Your Firefox 3 Download Here!
9:16 A.M. - Okay... that seems buggy, as in it won't open for me. Will try later.
9:19 A.M. - Here's the deal. Firefox 3 isn't live until 10 AM PDT. Which means sometime this afternoon here on the East Coast (1pm? I forget how daylight savings time affects everything). For more information, go here. Apparently, you can't direct link or ftp the download in order to qualify for the World Record.
5:03 P.M. - Have cleared my cache, refreshed the page, tried different pages and everything I find on Mozilla says Firefox 2. Nice going guys. Way to ruin your big download day. (rolls eyes)
6:47 P.M. - Karl left me a comment before I could update this post because I was too busy configing Firefox 3 on my home computer. According to other stuff I've read, I'll still be able to make the download record thing tomorrow morning for my work computer. So hooray for that.
Friday, June 13, 2008
RIP : Tim Russert
I just received via several twitters the news that Tim Russert died of an apparent heart attack at age 58 this afternoon.
This is his last story, filed today: Russert: Vigilance needed on campaign claims.
This is his last story, filed today: Russert: Vigilance needed on campaign claims.
Tourism Blog
The Chautauqua County Visitor's Bureau has started hosting a blog that will eventually be connected to their main site.
Add it to your RSS feed to see what Executive Director Andrew Nixon has to share with us.
Add it to your RSS feed to see what Executive Director Andrew Nixon has to share with us.
The Aftermath of Clark's Book
I've been meeting up with a few people for a casual book-club over the book Go by John Clellon Holmes over the past month. This past Tuesday, I suggested that we probably have a Paul Hobbes kind of character in our midst, singling out a guy I frequently see around town who is constantly writing. The discussion led to this silly kind of end story below:
Title: The Aftermath of Clark's Book
A few months later, Clark's book came out and became a dizzying success. At one point, some Hollywood types were throwing around the names of Kim Kardashian and Denise Richards as possibilities to portray make-out girl. The success surprised not just Clark, but everyone else in Smythport. Apparently, all those hours Clark seemed to isolate himself writing over his beer were really him recording his account of the humanity that weaved in and out of Coda every night. And even though he had changed names and places, it dawned on people where they stood in his fictional world. That created some new drama for a few weeks, leaving the regulars at Coda to form awkward huddles around the bar. Ultimately, some couples split, leaving the broken halves to glare at each other over glasses of syrah and IPA. But after awhile, people began to mellow or just slip back into the faux reality they had built around themselves of drinks, drugs, and disco.
Title: The Aftermath of Clark's Book
A few months later, Clark's book came out and became a dizzying success. At one point, some Hollywood types were throwing around the names of Kim Kardashian and Denise Richards as possibilities to portray make-out girl. The success surprised not just Clark, but everyone else in Smythport. Apparently, all those hours Clark seemed to isolate himself writing over his beer were really him recording his account of the humanity that weaved in and out of Coda every night. And even though he had changed names and places, it dawned on people where they stood in his fictional world. That created some new drama for a few weeks, leaving the regulars at Coda to form awkward huddles around the bar. Ultimately, some couples split, leaving the broken halves to glare at each other over glasses of syrah and IPA. But after awhile, people began to mellow or just slip back into the faux reality they had built around themselves of drinks, drugs, and disco.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Reflections on a Gift of a Watermelon Pickle
While taking our afternoon constitution around and around the third floor of our building, a co-worker and I started talking about some baking plans. We talked about pies and making itty-bitty one-bite versions. And then we talked about making jam.
I loved freezer jam as a kid. My mom and I would go out to Phillips Road in Webster and spend a morning at a U-Pick gathering basket upon basket of warm strawberries. I would proudly hold up large berries I found that were almost obscene with how deep red and luscious they looked.
Later in the day, we would begin the cleaning process. I would be set at the kitchen table with a paring knife, wooden cutting board, and two bowls. One would hold the washed strawberries, the other the strawberries after I quartered them. Every so often my mom would check in and admonish me to cut especially large berries into smaller pieces before pouring cupfuls of white sugar onto the growing pile of cut-up redness.
My next job was to decimate the berries, sugar and some lemon juice into a sugary conglomeration. When my mom wasn't looking, I'd dip a finger in to taste the fresh tartness and refined sugar exploding in my mouth. That flavor could instantly remove me from a frigid Autumn day to sitting at the kitchen table, watching a cutting board turn red with sweet juice underneath my careful hands that turned fruit into childhood memories.
Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle Received from a Friend Called Felicity
- John Tobias
During that summer
When unicorns were still possible;
When the purpose of knees
Was to be skinned;
When shiny horse chestnuts
(Hollowed out
Fitted with straws
Crammed with tobacco
Stolen from butts
In family ashtrays)
Were puffed in green lizard silence
While straddling thick branches
Far above and away
From the softening effects
Of civilization;
During that summer--
Which may never have been at all;
But which has become more real
Than the one that was--
Watermelons ruled.
Thick imperial slices
Melting frigidly on sun-parched tongues
Dribbling from chins;
Leaving the best part,
The black bullet seeds,
To be spit out in rapid fire
Against the wall
Against the wind
Against each other;
And when the ammunition was spent,
There was always another bite:
It was a summer of limitless bites,
Of hungers quickly felt
And quickly forgotten
With the next careless gorging.
The bites are fewer now.
Each one is savored lingeringly,
Swallowed reluctantly.
But in a jar put up by Felicity,
The summer which maybe never was
Has been captured and preserved.
And when we unscrew the lid
And slice off a piece
And let it linger on our tongue:
Unicorns become possible again.
I loved freezer jam as a kid. My mom and I would go out to Phillips Road in Webster and spend a morning at a U-Pick gathering basket upon basket of warm strawberries. I would proudly hold up large berries I found that were almost obscene with how deep red and luscious they looked.
Later in the day, we would begin the cleaning process. I would be set at the kitchen table with a paring knife, wooden cutting board, and two bowls. One would hold the washed strawberries, the other the strawberries after I quartered them. Every so often my mom would check in and admonish me to cut especially large berries into smaller pieces before pouring cupfuls of white sugar onto the growing pile of cut-up redness.
My next job was to decimate the berries, sugar and some lemon juice into a sugary conglomeration. When my mom wasn't looking, I'd dip a finger in to taste the fresh tartness and refined sugar exploding in my mouth. That flavor could instantly remove me from a frigid Autumn day to sitting at the kitchen table, watching a cutting board turn red with sweet juice underneath my careful hands that turned fruit into childhood memories.
Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle Received from a Friend Called Felicity
- John Tobias
During that summer
When unicorns were still possible;
When the purpose of knees
Was to be skinned;
When shiny horse chestnuts
(Hollowed out
Fitted with straws
Crammed with tobacco
Stolen from butts
In family ashtrays)
Were puffed in green lizard silence
While straddling thick branches
Far above and away
From the softening effects
Of civilization;
During that summer--
Which may never have been at all;
But which has become more real
Than the one that was--
Watermelons ruled.
Thick imperial slices
Melting frigidly on sun-parched tongues
Dribbling from chins;
Leaving the best part,
The black bullet seeds,
To be spit out in rapid fire
Against the wall
Against the wind
Against each other;
And when the ammunition was spent,
There was always another bite:
It was a summer of limitless bites,
Of hungers quickly felt
And quickly forgotten
With the next careless gorging.
The bites are fewer now.
Each one is savored lingeringly,
Swallowed reluctantly.
But in a jar put up by Felicity,
The summer which maybe never was
Has been captured and preserved.
And when we unscrew the lid
And slice off a piece
And let it linger on our tongue:
Unicorns become possible again.
Little Brother
Very quick post before work.
Track down Little Brother by Cory Doctorow (Amazon.com).
Cory put it up free here.
I read it last night, all in one night. I can't remember the last time a book grabbed me that hard that I stayed up late in order to finish. It's excellent, scary, and a very interesting piece of literature. HUGE hat-tip to this post by Wil Wheaton for ultimately convincing me to give the book a look. If you blogged about this book, please leave me a comment because I know I saw the link to the free pdf of it somewhere and I'd like to hug you.
Addendum: The hugs go to Luis. You rock!
Track down Little Brother by Cory Doctorow (Amazon.com).
Cory put it up free here.
I read it last night, all in one night. I can't remember the last time a book grabbed me that hard that I stayed up late in order to finish. It's excellent, scary, and a very interesting piece of literature. HUGE hat-tip to this post by Wil Wheaton for ultimately convincing me to give the book a look. If you blogged about this book, please leave me a comment because I know I saw the link to the free pdf of it somewhere and I'd like to hug you.
Addendum: The hugs go to Luis. You rock!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Hop, Hop.. Hop, Hop.. Hop On Down...
Something made me do a search on "House of Guitars" on YouTube tonight and I practically wept with joy as reminders of my hometown flooded my computer screen:
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
New York State Backs New Kind of Coal Power
Fresh from Governor Paterson's press conference in Jamestown this morning comes this story:
State Plans New Kind of Coal Plant
Of course, Walter Simpson has an opinion and is quoted here. But I find it hard to take a hypocrite's opinion too seriously.
Nick Dean from the Jamestown Post-Journal posted this video from the press conference:
Addendum: I added a round-up of news and blog posts below and will probably update this for the next few days.
News Round-Up:
Gov. Paterson's Press Release
Praxair Press Release
6/11/08 Articles
Tonawanda News: ERIE COUNTY NOTEBOOK: Clean coal on the move, but not in Tonawanda
Jamestown Post-Journal: State Backing
Jamestown Post-Journal: State, Local Officials Respond To Announcement
Buffalo News: ‘Clean coal’ plant for Jamestown boosted
WIVB: Major supporter for Jamestown coal power plant
WBFO: Governor Supports Plans for Jamestown Power Plant
6/10/08 Articles
Governor supports BPU clean coal project with $6 million grant
Buffalo News: Governor backs Jamestown coal power plant, described as breakthrough in clean power
Environmental Advocates of NY: ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS CALL ON NY GOVERNOR TO DITCH PLANS FOR COAL POWER PLANT
Crain's New York Business: Governor pushing "clean coal" experiment
WGRZ: Governor Paterson Supports Advanced Coal Power Plant in Jamestown
Reuters: NY to support carbon burial demonstration plant
Newsday: Paterson supports cleaner coal plant in Chautauqua County
CNN Money: NY gov supports cleaner upstate coal plant
Albany Times-Union: Environmentalists call new coal plant costly waste
Blog Round-Up
1490 Newsblog: Paterson Visits Jamestown; Announces Power Plant Plans
Nick Dean (Post-Journal): Gov. David Paterson during Tuesday's BPU announcement
Politics on the Hudson: Paterson Backs Coal Plant In Western NY (Updated)
Re-ENGERGIZE BUFFALO: New Coal Power-Advance or Big Mistake?
the BUFFALOg: Jamestown Power Plant A Go?
Monday, June 09, 2008
Beware - Cuteness Ahead
I love watching otters. Too cute. Hence why they are such a threat to other animals that try to claim the "cuteness" title:
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Twit-what?
I find I have to explain what Twitter is to a lot of people. I guess the obsession with blogging and texting hasn't quite reached a critical mass in this area yet. Anyway, I found this nifty little explanation:
When it comes to practical application, here's a site that gives librarians some ideas for how to use Twitter.
But this video fits in quite naturally with how I feel about twittering, although I still insist on doing it (warning - language):
When it comes to practical application, here's a site that gives librarians some ideas for how to use Twitter.
But this video fits in quite naturally with how I feel about twittering, although I still insist on doing it (warning - language):
BPU's Clean Coal Power Project & Environmentalists' Motives
A few weeks ago, the Jamestown Post-Journal ran an article about some disparities between how environmentalists viewed the proposed clean-coal project at the Jamestown BPU and the proposed clean-coal project at the NRG Huntley plant in Tonawanda, NY.
The article pointed to an article written by Walter Simpson titled, "Reflections on NRG Energy’s Huntley Coal Power Plant Proposal And a Few Comments about Stopping Coal-Burning in Jamestown."
Hypocritical?
Read both and decide for yourself.
The article pointed to an article written by Walter Simpson titled, "Reflections on NRG Energy’s Huntley Coal Power Plant Proposal And a Few Comments about Stopping Coal-Burning in Jamestown."
Hypocritical?
Read both and decide for yourself.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Congratulations Jade & Dave!
Our friends, Jade & Dave, are getting married today at the Hall of Philosophy at Chautauqua Institution. I have the honor of providing some music for the ceremony. I also get to watch my wedding veil make a reappearance since the one Jade had intended to borrow from her future sister-in-law was accidentally melted when the lender tried to iron out the wrinkles.
These two are a fun couple and I wish them all the happiness for the years to come.
These two are a fun couple and I wish them all the happiness for the years to come.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Voice Your Support For Gay Marriage
Found this via this page:
Gov. David Paterson told state agencies on May 14 that New York must recognize same-sex marriages performed in Massachusetts, Canada and other places where they are legal. The directive should provide gay couples with as many as 1,300 rights afforded to married heterosexuals, including the ability to collect health and pension benefits, being admitted as “close family” in a hospital room and transferring a business license.
On June 3rd, a Christian legal organization says it has sued to stop New York from recognizing same-sex marriages legally performed in other states. The Alliance Defense Fund says it filed its lawsuit Tuesday in a court in the Bronx. Several Republican state senators are named as party to the suit. The Arizona-based legal group filing the lawsuit has intervened elsewhere in gay marriage and religious freedom cases.
Governor Patterson is doing a poll on whether people support his decision. Take 5 seconds to lodge your support, just call 1-518-474-8390. You will talk to a live person from the Governor's office during business hours.
Just say "I support the Governor's position on same sex marriage," then give them your 5 digit (New York) zip code.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
A Night of Ease
This pose to my left is generally how you will find me any given night around 9:30-10:30 p.m. as I wait for news scripts.I'll have the iPod scrobbling for last.fm, the headphones on to listen to my library in shuffle mode, and whatever random articles I might need on hand for a blog post. That spiral you see on the desk is open to the entry I copied for yesterday's post.
Tonight is rare in that I got everything buttoned up by 8:30pm. So Matt and I ran to WRFA to quickly get everything done so we could get a drink downstairs with a side of political banter with a friend. I love these relaxed kind of nights.
Vert Is Dead
New blog in town.
Vert Is Dead
It's about skateboarding/skateboarders in case you don't get the ref'.
(HT to Nick Dean for finding this first)
Vert Is Dead
It's about skateboarding/skateboarders in case you don't get the ref'.
(HT to Nick Dean for finding this first)
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Adolescent Dreams
Around age 14, I decided I wanted to distance myself from my classmates in every way possible, so I started creating in my mind the idealized life for the adult version of me.
While girls I knew were watching Beverly Hills 90210 and hanging posters of New Kids On The Block on their bedroom walls, I took to plastering my bedroom walls with reproductions of paintings by Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, and other assorted French Impressionists. I threw myself into practicing violin. While I started to listen to more classical music, I also started to reach out to more non-pop music renderings. It was during this time that I saw this video:
I thought, "That's what I want to be like! That woman is so cool! I want to hang out where that video takes place!" Being a dedicated journal-writer, I then put this to paper,
While girls I knew were watching Beverly Hills 90210 and hanging posters of New Kids On The Block on their bedroom walls, I took to plastering my bedroom walls with reproductions of paintings by Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, and other assorted French Impressionists. I threw myself into practicing violin. While I started to listen to more classical music, I also started to reach out to more non-pop music renderings. It was during this time that I saw this video:
I thought, "That's what I want to be like! That woman is so cool! I want to hang out where that video takes place!" Being a dedicated journal-writer, I then put this to paper,
"In my dreams I would live in a Cape Cod house by a large lake or ocean. The town and city I live in would be small, not busy. I would paint, play violin, write poems - you know. Things like that and I would sell my paintings, play violin in concerts. For a real job I would be an art teacher at the local school. The winters would be cold like Rochester and hot like Washington D.C. If I found the right person, maybe I would marry. Life would be simple - I hope."Seventeen years later, I laugh as I realize that I not only ended up in a small city by a large lake, but practically the same location as the place I thought was so cool in that 10,000 Maniacs video. While I never had the talent to be an artist for a living, I do still get to play my violin in concerts. And, the best part is that because I moved here I found that right person, and married him. I suppose it's those simple things that I'm most happy to have subconsciously accomplished.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Summer in the City
It may hit 90-degrees this Friday, although mid-80s is a better bet right now. Here's my list of things I like about warmer (or hotter) weather:
- It's finally not too cold for ice cream/gelato/sorbet (she says as she eats another spoonful of pink grapefruit sorbet)
- Air that's heavily scented with flowers, charcoal grills, and fresh cut grass
- Wearing sandals with everything and not wearing nylons
- Cucumber water on especially hot, sticky days
- Getting dinner from the Mediterranean Bar at Wegmans (dolmas, hummus, baba ghanough)
- Mojitos on the floating bar by the Village Casino or wine on the front porch of the Lenhart Hotel in Bemus Point
- Lots of awesomely bad pop tunes that were written with summer in mind
- Smokers and non-smokers hanging out in front of Forte
- Father's Day at my aunt & uncle's campsite in Holland (bucket margaritas, swimming in a pool that overlooks a forested valley, and jello salad)
- Any party that involves jello/marshmallow salad
Sunday, June 01, 2008
World's Fastest Violinist
From Violinist News:
German-born David Garrett set a world record on UK children's TV program Blue Peter on Wednesday by playing Flight of the Bumble Bee in 66 seconds. Modestly, he said that the secret was slow practice for over 20 years.
The "Bumblebee" part is 5 minutes, 40 seconds in:
My favorite bit is when he gets one of the show presenters to play part of Madonna's latest single on the violin. Too much fun.
German-born David Garrett set a world record on UK children's TV program Blue Peter on Wednesday by playing Flight of the Bumble Bee in 66 seconds. Modestly, he said that the secret was slow practice for over 20 years.
The "Bumblebee" part is 5 minutes, 40 seconds in:
My favorite bit is when he gets one of the show presenters to play part of Madonna's latest single on the violin. Too much fun.
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Cutting to the Scene with the Pixie
Ten years ago, I decided to do one of the most drastic things I had ever done to my hair. I went from a long style (below collarbone) to a p...
