So...
What would you say if I told you that I was dating someone who is 14 years my senior, twice married (once divorced, once widowed) and the father of 3 kids (15 & 13 - from the first marriage, 5 - from the second marriage)...
Yeah, that's what I thought you'd say.
Monday, April 24, 2006
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Too Pink?
What do you think of the new layout? Too Pink?
I was feeling kinda devilish this morning. I might change it back.
I was feeling kinda devilish this morning. I might change it back.
Interesting
I received this from a friend and thought it was very interesting fodder for contemplation.
To realize
The value of ten years:
Ask a newly
Divorced couple.
To realize
The value of four years:
Ask a graduate.
To realize
The value of one year:
Ask a student who
Has failed a final exam.
To realize
The value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
To realize
The value of one month:
Ask a mother
Who has given birth to
A premature baby.
To realize
The value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize
The value of one minute:
Ask a person
Who has missed the train, bus or plane.
To realize
The value of one-second:
Ask a person
Who has survived an accident.
Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more when
You can share it with someone special.
To realize the value of a friend or family member:
LOSE ONE.
The origin of this letter is unknown
To realize
The value of ten years:
Ask a newly
Divorced couple.
To realize
The value of four years:
Ask a graduate.
To realize
The value of one year:
Ask a student who
Has failed a final exam.
To realize
The value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
To realize
The value of one month:
Ask a mother
Who has given birth to
A premature baby.
To realize
The value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize
The value of one minute:
Ask a person
Who has missed the train, bus or plane.
To realize
The value of one-second:
Ask a person
Who has survived an accident.
Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more when
You can share it with someone special.
To realize the value of a friend or family member:
LOSE ONE.
The origin of this letter is unknown
Monday, April 17, 2006
Bicoastal
Sometimes I'll see a picture of San Francisco or get an email from a friend out west and I'll remember how much I really do like SF...not enough to settle there for the rest of my life mind you, but enough that I wish there was a way for me to be completely bicoastal. Isn't there some sort of job or life out there where I can basically live part of the year in NY (spring and autumn) and part of the year in SF (winter and summer)?
Friday, April 14, 2006
After the marathon
After running for 5 Hrs, 6 minutes.
Don't worry, I'd already walked about a mile prior to this picture being taken.
Don't worry, I'd already walked about a mile prior to this picture being taken.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Fini
Things have been crazy...but just wanted to post a quick note that I did finish the marathon!
Time: 5:06
I was hoping for a sub-5 marathon but I hit a major wall at mile 22!
Well, I now have a goal for my next marathon...and yes, there will be a next!
It was so much fun!
More to come in another post...complete with embarassing picture.
Time: 5:06
I was hoping for a sub-5 marathon but I hit a major wall at mile 22!
Well, I now have a goal for my next marathon...and yes, there will be a next!
It was so much fun!
More to come in another post...complete with embarassing picture.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Bonjour
Apologies for my typing mishapes. These French keyboards are a bit different than what I am used to.
So I'm in Paris...just days away from the marathon. It was cold this morning when I arrived. 2 degrees C or about 36 degrees F. Brrrr....
More later.
So I'm in Paris...just days away from the marathon. It was cold this morning when I arrived. 2 degrees C or about 36 degrees F. Brrrr....
More later.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Joining the Army
Just a quick shout out to my girl MF for joining the blogging ranks. Give her some love and read up on what my lifestyle could have been if I had stayed put in SF.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Damn Bible Beaters
This is from the NY Times "Dear Diary" column which runs every Monday morning.
Dear Diary:
The other day on the A train, a large man dressed in a camouflage sweatsuit was being grilled by a woman about not going to church enough.
He defended himself, saying he showed his devotion to God through his actions, but the woman wasn't satisfied.
She said he had to go to church to win his place in heaven.
Just then, a young woman about 30 feet away doubled over and collapsed.
The man in camouflage was the first on his feet to help her. He propped her head with his backpack and sat on the floor to hold her hand while he directed others to alert the conductor.
When the train stopped at 14th Street, the conductor announced that there would be a delay for a sick passenger, and the man's church friend rushed across the platform to catch a local train.
Meanwhile, he continued to sit with the young woman, holding her hand.
After the police helped her off (she was a cancer patient), the man put on his earphones and returned to his pew in the greater church of New York.
Aaron Garretson
Dear Diary:
The other day on the A train, a large man dressed in a camouflage sweatsuit was being grilled by a woman about not going to church enough.
He defended himself, saying he showed his devotion to God through his actions, but the woman wasn't satisfied.
She said he had to go to church to win his place in heaven.
Just then, a young woman about 30 feet away doubled over and collapsed.
The man in camouflage was the first on his feet to help her. He propped her head with his backpack and sat on the floor to hold her hand while he directed others to alert the conductor.
When the train stopped at 14th Street, the conductor announced that there would be a delay for a sick passenger, and the man's church friend rushed across the platform to catch a local train.
Meanwhile, he continued to sit with the young woman, holding her hand.
After the police helped her off (she was a cancer patient), the man put on his earphones and returned to his pew in the greater church of New York.
Aaron Garretson
Friday, March 10, 2006
Green scents
I was down in Philly on Wednesday and Thursday and decided to go for a nice 6 mile run along the Schukyll River. It was lovely...in the mid 50s or so. And during my run I caught a whiff of the undeniable scent of Spring Green. You know that smell...fresh, pungent, and exact.
Yummy...I'm ready for hiking weather!
I LOVE seasons!
Yummy...I'm ready for hiking weather!
I LOVE seasons!
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Which is harder?
This weekend I have to:
Do my 20 miles training run.
And
File my taxes.
I can't decide which will be more difficult.
Do my 20 miles training run.
And
File my taxes.
I can't decide which will be more difficult.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Another reason to smile this St. Patrick's Day.
Trader Joe's to open in NYC on St. Patrick's Day
Hee hee...
And in other related news...what do you presume a person is thinking when they send along the following email to a woman they are trying to woo via Internet Dating? Mind you this is a first contact email...
"Good morning! I like your profile and would love to meet you!I am off today and was thinking of going to a spa to relax.Maybe you would like to join me? Michael"
LOL...and the hilarity continues.
Hee hee...
And in other related news...what do you presume a person is thinking when they send along the following email to a woman they are trying to woo via Internet Dating? Mind you this is a first contact email...
"Good morning! I like your profile and would love to meet you!I am off today and was thinking of going to a spa to relax.Maybe you would like to join me? Michael"
LOL...and the hilarity continues.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
18 Miles
This is not a pretty picture but I was having fun with my camera. This is what my feet looked like after running 18 miles today. Not to shabby.
I think I may actually finish this marathon after all. Of course, this is what I say now.
I think I may actually finish this marathon after all. Of course, this is what I say now.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Jammy Jam
So, here are the pictures of the much discussed jam.
I tried really hard to make these more vibrant but alas interior lighting won't allow it. Everything kinda looks alike. But rest assured that in this picture I have one each of the following:
Strawberry Rhubarb Key Lime
Blueberry Lemon Plum
Blackberry Raspberry
Mission Fig Rhubarb
Cranberry Plum
Shiro Plum Peach Nectarine
They may not look very pretty but they taste damn fine!
I tried really hard to make these more vibrant but alas interior lighting won't allow it. Everything kinda looks alike. But rest assured that in this picture I have one each of the following:
Strawberry Rhubarb Key Lime
Blueberry Lemon Plum
Blackberry Raspberry
Mission Fig Rhubarb
Cranberry Plum
Shiro Plum Peach Nectarine
They may not look very pretty but they taste damn fine!
Drum roll please: Home Sweet Home
Here is a pic of my somewhat unkempt apartment. A few interesting things to note:
1. Yes, that really is a huge 5 gallon empty metal Hello Kitty tin on my dining room table. Long story...may post about it at some point.
2. You can see the blue screen of my laptop on the couch.
3. Yes, that is MTV on the TV.
4. If you look really closely to the coffee table you may see a few containers consisting of still warm, freshly made apple butter & walnut granola with currents, dried cherries, dried strawberries, dried blueberries, dried figs, and coconuts. Yummy! It was one of those lazy weekend nights.
5. That weird white and orange arc next to the piano is my mom's christmas present to me - a accupressure health hula hop...and yes, it hurts.
6. In the distance you can see the one plant that I've been able to keep alive for 6 months now!
1. Yes, that really is a huge 5 gallon empty metal Hello Kitty tin on my dining room table. Long story...may post about it at some point.
2. You can see the blue screen of my laptop on the couch.
3. Yes, that is MTV on the TV.
4. If you look really closely to the coffee table you may see a few containers consisting of still warm, freshly made apple butter & walnut granola with currents, dried cherries, dried strawberries, dried blueberries, dried figs, and coconuts. Yummy! It was one of those lazy weekend nights.
5. That weird white and orange arc next to the piano is my mom's christmas present to me - a accupressure health hula hop...and yes, it hurts.
6. In the distance you can see the one plant that I've been able to keep alive for 6 months now!
Painting: She and He
This was one of the first pics I took with my new digital camera. This is a picture of a painting I have hanging in my apartment. It is titled She and He and was painted about two years ago. It was probably the second "real" painting I completed. Objectively speaking it's not that good but I like it and I guess that's all that really matters.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Good health
's uAll this hubbub about the new study that suggests that a low fat diet does not help to prevent certain types of cancer and heart disease is so very frustrating. Beyond the fact that the study has so many limitations ( 1. They were studying women in their 50s. Who knows what sort of mess these women made of their bodies prior to joining the study. 2. They made no distinction between good fats and bad fats. 3. They only tracked these women for 8 years. 8 years in nothing in the lifespan of a person.) the study reinforces the notion that what you put in your mouth is the only influencer on your overall health. That's just a whole lot of bunk if you ask me. What about the amount of stress you deal with on a day to day basis, or how about the quality of your relationships with loved ones?
My personal philosophy on good health and preventing illness is thus:
1) Move, work out, and get yourself sweaty. You don't have to run marathons but a good romp around a dance floor can do wonders. Some nice, moist, bed creaking sex would also do the trick.
2) Love freely and take time to cultivate your relationships. Hugs, hugs, and more hugs! Never underestimate the power of human contact.
3) Learn to put things into perspective. I'm not gonna tell people to minimize stress...in this day and age, stress is kinda a given. However, with the right perspective things don't seem nearly as bad or insurmountable as first thought.
4) Find something that helps you quiet the mind. This can be prayer, meditation, playing a musical instrument, painting, hiking, counting pennies...whatever.
5) Don't stress too much about the food you eat. Yeah, it's better to eat food that is whole and not processed...but you know what, I'm not gonna stress if I eat a slice of pizza either. Everything in moderation...with the occassional piece of Junior's cheesecake. Oh, and if a food is a color that does not occur naturally in nature it may be best to avoid it. One other thing...learn to cook. You'll thank me later.
6) Drink lots of water.
7) Continually teach yourself new things...helps prevents the crazies as you get older.
8) Sleep lots.
9) Keep telling yourself that you're beautiful...even if you don't always believe it. And if that doesn't work, repeat to yourself "Bo thinks I'm a hottie and pretty damn amazing!" And you know what, I do!
10) Learn to disagree, speak up, and don't bottle everything inside. No matter how hard you try, not everyone is gonna like you at all times. You gotta get used to this and get over it.
11) Make up your own damn rules about life. Who the heck am I to tell you how you should live your life. However, don't adopt society's rules (like thinking feeding your kids chicken nuggets everyday is ok) and pretend that they are your own.
And there you go, Life 101 by Bo.
My personal philosophy on good health and preventing illness is thus:
1) Move, work out, and get yourself sweaty. You don't have to run marathons but a good romp around a dance floor can do wonders. Some nice, moist, bed creaking sex would also do the trick.
2) Love freely and take time to cultivate your relationships. Hugs, hugs, and more hugs! Never underestimate the power of human contact.
3) Learn to put things into perspective. I'm not gonna tell people to minimize stress...in this day and age, stress is kinda a given. However, with the right perspective things don't seem nearly as bad or insurmountable as first thought.
4) Find something that helps you quiet the mind. This can be prayer, meditation, playing a musical instrument, painting, hiking, counting pennies...whatever.
5) Don't stress too much about the food you eat. Yeah, it's better to eat food that is whole and not processed...but you know what, I'm not gonna stress if I eat a slice of pizza either. Everything in moderation...with the occassional piece of Junior's cheesecake. Oh, and if a food is a color that does not occur naturally in nature it may be best to avoid it. One other thing...learn to cook. You'll thank me later.
6) Drink lots of water.
7) Continually teach yourself new things...helps prevents the crazies as you get older.
8) Sleep lots.
9) Keep telling yourself that you're beautiful...even if you don't always believe it. And if that doesn't work, repeat to yourself "Bo thinks I'm a hottie and pretty damn amazing!" And you know what, I do!
10) Learn to disagree, speak up, and don't bottle everything inside. No matter how hard you try, not everyone is gonna like you at all times. You gotta get used to this and get over it.
11) Make up your own damn rules about life. Who the heck am I to tell you how you should live your life. However, don't adopt society's rules (like thinking feeding your kids chicken nuggets everyday is ok) and pretend that they are your own.
And there you go, Life 101 by Bo.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Money...Money...Money...(insert Abba song here)
Oh...I've been soooooo good. So good about not buying myself new toys and new shiny things that make me go weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
But I finally cracked and went on a mini shopping spree this weekend. I ended buying myself a Garmin Forerunner 201 and I got it at quite the steep discount because they have come out with a newer model (the 205). My sister has this one and highly recommends it. With all the extra running I've been putting in for the Paris Marathon, I thought I would treat myself.
On the marathon front, after losing 3 weeks in early January due to the germies, I'm back in full Paris Marathon training mode. I did 7 miles on Saturday and another 12 on Sunday. I did the 12 miles in about 1:45. So just under a 9 minute mile. 15 miles is on my slate for the weekend. I'm hoping that the weather holds. I HATE running on treadmills. My goal is to get a complete a 4 hr marathon. Knock on much wood.
But this wasn't the end of my shopping fiasco...I purchased this baby yesterday....a Canon Powershot S80!!! Hee Hee Hee....
So this may very well become a photo blog very, very soon....
I also ended up taking advantage of the NY tax free week and purchased a load of snazzy running gear. My old running gear was very very old and needed replacing. I'm really loving Nike's line of Compression Pro Dri-Fit stuff. So light, so wicky, so layery...nice.
But I finally cracked and went on a mini shopping spree this weekend. I ended buying myself a Garmin Forerunner 201 and I got it at quite the steep discount because they have come out with a newer model (the 205). My sister has this one and highly recommends it. With all the extra running I've been putting in for the Paris Marathon, I thought I would treat myself.
On the marathon front, after losing 3 weeks in early January due to the germies, I'm back in full Paris Marathon training mode. I did 7 miles on Saturday and another 12 on Sunday. I did the 12 miles in about 1:45. So just under a 9 minute mile. 15 miles is on my slate for the weekend. I'm hoping that the weather holds. I HATE running on treadmills. My goal is to get a complete a 4 hr marathon. Knock on much wood.
But this wasn't the end of my shopping fiasco...I purchased this baby yesterday....a Canon Powershot S80!!! Hee Hee Hee....
So this may very well become a photo blog very, very soon....
I also ended up taking advantage of the NY tax free week and purchased a load of snazzy running gear. My old running gear was very very old and needed replacing. I'm really loving Nike's line of Compression Pro Dri-Fit stuff. So light, so wicky, so layery...nice.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Oscar Season
I think this is the first time in the history of the Oscar's that yours truly has seen 3 out of 5 Best Picture nominations. And...and...I was already planning to see the other two anyway...Munich and Good Evening and Good Night. I suppose one could chalk this up to an increase in my movie watching...but I don't think that's it. I think it's because for the first time in quite sometime the Oscars actually nominated some fine, fine cinema.
Crash...good
Capote...good Philip Seymour Hoffman...very good
Brokeback Mountain...very good
Crash...good
Capote...good Philip Seymour Hoffman...very good
Brokeback Mountain...very good
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
The family
Ain't my family the cutest!!! This picture was taken on Christmas. And this picture wasn't even planned. It was one of those, run get in the picture sort of deals.
I've got problems
Seriously folks, can anyone please explain why I would spend $36 purchasing a pretty vintage camera when I refuse to pay for a cab at 3am on a Saturday night in the pouring rain?
Sometimes I just don't make any sense.
Sometimes I just don't make any sense.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Not done changing
Bruce Barton once wrote "When you're through changing, you're through!"
I've resisted the swell of digital photography for too long. I realized last night after spending hours upon hours drooling over the vintage cameras on ebay that I was traveling in the WRONG direction. So I think I'm going to do it...I think I'm gonna get me a cute little Canon Powershoot SD500. I really want one of those snazzy Digital SLRs but that is just way out of my pricerange...for now.
However, I will still fondly collect my much loved vintage cameras...
How can you turn your back on a sexy sexy camera like this.
I've resisted the swell of digital photography for too long. I realized last night after spending hours upon hours drooling over the vintage cameras on ebay that I was traveling in the WRONG direction. So I think I'm going to do it...I think I'm gonna get me a cute little Canon Powershoot SD500. I really want one of those snazzy Digital SLRs but that is just way out of my pricerange...for now.
However, I will still fondly collect my much loved vintage cameras...
How can you turn your back on a sexy sexy camera like this.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Living in close quarters
One thing that people never mention about living in New York is the strange phenomena of mass sickieness. It seems that any virulent strain of cold or other illness tends to strike the entire city around the same general 2-3 week period. I suppose that's what you get when you take 8 million people and shove them together on a little island and force them to ride in tiny little poorly ventilated pods underground where millions of hands grab and strain at the two anemic silver poles that are supposed to prevent you from spilling onto the floor in a heap of down clothing. What ever I had during the first two weeks of this month seems to be striking everywhere. I bet sales of Kleenex are through the roof!
Don't forget to take your Vitamin C.
Don't forget to take your Vitamin C.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Happy Happy Joy Joy!!!!!
There is a God!
And if she happens to live in Manhattan, she can now do her grocery shopping at Trader Joe's!!!
It's official - TRADER JOE'S IS OPENING A STORE IN THE CITY!!!!!
I'm floating on cloud 9.
I can now get an endless supply of my much loved rice crackers, natural peanut butter, and tamari almonds without schlepping to Long Island.
I may throw an all Trader Joe's cocktail party after its grand openning to celebrate this foodie heaven!
And if she happens to live in Manhattan, she can now do her grocery shopping at Trader Joe's!!!
It's official - TRADER JOE'S IS OPENING A STORE IN THE CITY!!!!!
I'm floating on cloud 9.
I can now get an endless supply of my much loved rice crackers, natural peanut butter, and tamari almonds without schlepping to Long Island.
I may throw an all Trader Joe's cocktail party after its grand openning to celebrate this foodie heaven!
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Tasting the salty wind
I need an adventure. It's been too long since I last wandered and explored with impunity. I need to get lost for awhile. I need to listen to my own instincts.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
The deafening march of progress
Yet another sign that the world is trying to tell me something.
Nikon Plans to Stop Making Most Cameras That Use Film
I'm pretty sure that 70 or 80* years from now they'll find my cold, dead body clutching my old film SLRs to my chest.
(*And yes, I do plan to live until I'm 100 or 110...at the least!)
Nikon Plans to Stop Making Most Cameras That Use Film
I'm pretty sure that 70 or 80* years from now they'll find my cold, dead body clutching my old film SLRs to my chest.
(*And yes, I do plan to live until I'm 100 or 110...at the least!)
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Sickie, Sick, Sick
It's amazing how much mucus a human body can make. I think I've gone through two boxes of Kleenex since last Friday. I'm done with this cold. Done I say!!!!
And it's also amazing how pudgy one can get just sitting around for 8 days.
Geez louise.
And it's also amazing how pudgy one can get just sitting around for 8 days.
Geez louise.
Friday, January 06, 2006
Restless
Episode 63: Wherein our heroine gets sick and can't practice yoga or go to the gym.
Voice in head: You know you're being kinda a beotch.
Me: Shut-up
Voice in head: Are you sure it's not all psychosomatic?
Me: I really am sick.
Voice in head: Couldn't it just be the whole N*** situation?
Me: It's definately not related to the whole N*** situation.
Voice in head: How can you be so sure?
Me: Cause...
Voice in head: ...
Me: ...
Voice in head: You know, sometimes I just don't get you.
Me: Don't worry, sometimes I don't get myself either.
I definately need to heal up and get my arse back on the yoga mat.
Voice in head: You know you're being kinda a beotch.
Me: Shut-up
Voice in head: Are you sure it's not all psychosomatic?
Me: I really am sick.
Voice in head: Couldn't it just be the whole N*** situation?
Me: It's definately not related to the whole N*** situation.
Voice in head: How can you be so sure?
Me: Cause...
Voice in head: ...
Me: ...
Voice in head: You know, sometimes I just don't get you.
Me: Don't worry, sometimes I don't get myself either.
I definately need to heal up and get my arse back on the yoga mat.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Happy New Year!
"I know we are
We are the lucky ones
Dear"
- Bif Naked
I hope all of you are safe, warm, happy, and loved...I know I am!
Happy New Year!
Love You
Special kisses go out to AI, LB, and EC for all their love this weekend and for their sympathetic ears and plentiful hugs. Extra special kisses to AI and LB for sharing their special, precious wee ones with me.
We are the lucky ones
Dear"
- Bif Naked
I hope all of you are safe, warm, happy, and loved...I know I am!
Happy New Year!
Love You
Special kisses go out to AI, LB, and EC for all their love this weekend and for their sympathetic ears and plentiful hugs. Extra special kisses to AI and LB for sharing their special, precious wee ones with me.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
The Dear John Letter
Dear 2005,
You know what...I had such hope for you. I thought this year would be so different. We started on such a good foot. But you know what...
YOU ARE ONE MOODY, BIPOLAR MOTHERF*CKER!
Yeah we had some great moments...like that time with the car and those sheets and how about that night with the brownies, the drill, those shelves, and the hot wax...you know what I'm talking about. Don't try to get all bashful on me now. You're just as guilty as I am.
But oh the lows...oh the lows...what were you thinking!!!!
I gave you so much of my body, my soul, my love, my creativity, and most of all my heart. And what did I get for all of my generosity...a battered heart, weary and heavy.
So that's it...I'M DUMPING YOU!
It's over and nothing you can say will make me change my mind. I've got to move on. You'll see...this is the best thing for both of us.
And anyway, I've met someone new. His name is 2006. Under different circumstances I think you'd actually like him. The two of you aren't all that different.
So anyway, you need to come over and get all of your crap. I'm keeping the books and the DVDs. Oh yeah, I'll need my keys back and don't even try to get them copied. The doormen have been notified and are keeping an eye out for you.
Bo
You know what...I had such hope for you. I thought this year would be so different. We started on such a good foot. But you know what...
YOU ARE ONE MOODY, BIPOLAR MOTHERF*CKER!
Yeah we had some great moments...like that time with the car and those sheets and how about that night with the brownies, the drill, those shelves, and the hot wax...you know what I'm talking about. Don't try to get all bashful on me now. You're just as guilty as I am.
But oh the lows...oh the lows...what were you thinking!!!!
I gave you so much of my body, my soul, my love, my creativity, and most of all my heart. And what did I get for all of my generosity...a battered heart, weary and heavy.
So that's it...I'M DUMPING YOU!
It's over and nothing you can say will make me change my mind. I've got to move on. You'll see...this is the best thing for both of us.
And anyway, I've met someone new. His name is 2006. Under different circumstances I think you'd actually like him. The two of you aren't all that different.
So anyway, you need to come over and get all of your crap. I'm keeping the books and the DVDs. Oh yeah, I'll need my keys back and don't even try to get them copied. The doormen have been notified and are keeping an eye out for you.
Bo
Thursday, December 29, 2005
There is great risk
There is great risk when you ask to be loved
To accept fingers run through your hair for what they are
an expression of care and a desire to comfort
There is great risk when you ask to be loved
To lay the full lengths of your body side by side and
enjoy the warmth, the unparalleled warmth, of another human being
There is great risk when you ask to be loved
To remember kisses and caresses, feel hand on flesh and thigh and beyond
even more acutely when no one shares your bed
There is great risk when you ask to be loved
To accept fingers run through your hair for what they are
an expression of care and a desire to comfort
There is great risk when you ask to be loved
To lay the full lengths of your body side by side and
enjoy the warmth, the unparalleled warmth, of another human being
There is great risk when you ask to be loved
To remember kisses and caresses, feel hand on flesh and thigh and beyond
even more acutely when no one shares your bed
There is great risk when you ask to be loved
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
100 Things about me: 90-81
90. I own 41 pairs of shoes. I counted them last night. But I only wear about 9 on a regular basis.
89. I can read backwards as quickly as I can read forwards. Chalk this one up to my dyslexia.
88. I bit my nails until I was 24. I still pick at my cuticles but only when I'm bored.
87. I've been going to the same hairdresser since I was 22. Antonio at Avalon Salon. I don't know what I'd do without him.
86. I'm a stockpiler. I like to stockpile everything. You will always find extra toothbrushes, hair clips, bottles of shampoo, and bags of brown sugar in my apartment.
85. I used to have a two and a half octave vocal range. Now I'm down to about two. Does this mean that I'll be down to one and a half octaves by the time I'm 50?
84. I may or may not have a secret identity and I may or may not be keeping a secret blog that may or may not chronical the more dubious activies I partake in.
83. I once broke a boy's finger in the third grade. There was this kid, Billy Graham, who kept making fun of my friend and I. One day he just wouldn't quit his taunting. I think he was trying to make my friend cry. At one point he started pointing his finger right in my friend's face. It was all too easy. I just grabbed his finger and twisted it back and snap. I threatened to really beat him up if he told anyone about what I did. I think he told the teacher that he broke it while playing basketball. I really don't feel bad about this. He was very annoying and he tormented me from about the first grade to the fourth grade.
82. I stopped eating hot dogs in second grade. Blame it on Billy Graham. He did some really weird things with his hot dog (in hindsight it was all very homoerotic). In anycase, I couldn't eat them after one particularly graphic and horrific lunchtime episode.
81. My first kiss was with this young black boy with a bit of an acne problem. He was tall, skinny, ebony skinned, and wore glasses. He also sang tenor in the choir. Ahhh...my propensity for the artsy boys started young.
89. I can read backwards as quickly as I can read forwards. Chalk this one up to my dyslexia.
88. I bit my nails until I was 24. I still pick at my cuticles but only when I'm bored.
87. I've been going to the same hairdresser since I was 22. Antonio at Avalon Salon. I don't know what I'd do without him.
86. I'm a stockpiler. I like to stockpile everything. You will always find extra toothbrushes, hair clips, bottles of shampoo, and bags of brown sugar in my apartment.
85. I used to have a two and a half octave vocal range. Now I'm down to about two. Does this mean that I'll be down to one and a half octaves by the time I'm 50?
84. I may or may not have a secret identity and I may or may not be keeping a secret blog that may or may not chronical the more dubious activies I partake in.
83. I once broke a boy's finger in the third grade. There was this kid, Billy Graham, who kept making fun of my friend and I. One day he just wouldn't quit his taunting. I think he was trying to make my friend cry. At one point he started pointing his finger right in my friend's face. It was all too easy. I just grabbed his finger and twisted it back and snap. I threatened to really beat him up if he told anyone about what I did. I think he told the teacher that he broke it while playing basketball. I really don't feel bad about this. He was very annoying and he tormented me from about the first grade to the fourth grade.
82. I stopped eating hot dogs in second grade. Blame it on Billy Graham. He did some really weird things with his hot dog (in hindsight it was all very homoerotic). In anycase, I couldn't eat them after one particularly graphic and horrific lunchtime episode.
81. My first kiss was with this young black boy with a bit of an acne problem. He was tall, skinny, ebony skinned, and wore glasses. He also sang tenor in the choir. Ahhh...my propensity for the artsy boys started young.
Things to be done before the new year
HiddyHo young pirates. I hope you had a good holiday regardless of what you celebrate. It's almost 2006 and there are lots of things I need to do before the new year begins. Here's a partial list:
1. Scrub down and clean up the old homestead. I'm talking getting on my hands and knees and getting into those corners that don't normally get cleaned, like that little space between the floor lamp and the piano that I don't bother with cause it would mean that I'd have to move the lamp and the guitar and the speaker.
2. Sell off some of my losing stock so that I can report the loss on my income tax.
3. Send out all of my charitable giving. Why is it that I always wait until the last second to do this?
4. Sort through my closet and thin it out a bit. A woman always needs some space for her wardrobe to grow.
5. Go to the eye doctor and get a new perscription for my contacts.
Hope you have happy plans for the Eve of 2006.
1. Scrub down and clean up the old homestead. I'm talking getting on my hands and knees and getting into those corners that don't normally get cleaned, like that little space between the floor lamp and the piano that I don't bother with cause it would mean that I'd have to move the lamp and the guitar and the speaker.
2. Sell off some of my losing stock so that I can report the loss on my income tax.
3. Send out all of my charitable giving. Why is it that I always wait until the last second to do this?
4. Sort through my closet and thin it out a bit. A woman always needs some space for her wardrobe to grow.
5. Go to the eye doctor and get a new perscription for my contacts.
Hope you have happy plans for the Eve of 2006.
Friday, December 23, 2005
100 Things about me: 100-91
To make up for the recent lack of posts I thought I'd play a fun little game called "100 random things about Bo". I hope you have as much fun reading this as I had thinking up these things:
Here is 100 - 91
100. I'm a blanket stealer.
99. I once stole a tube of lipgloss in the 7th grade. I still feel guilty about this.
98. I can crack all the knuckles in my toes by just wiggling them.
97. I can't sleep with clothes on. Regardless of the weather, I need to sleep nekkid. When forced to "sleep" in clothing (because I'm a guest or sharing my bed with a friend) I typically don't fall asleep. I just sort of lay there for 7 hours.
96. Once, while running a half marathon, I pooed in my shorts...but just a little...just a little. I REALLY REALLY REALLY had to go and there just wasn't any place to go. Anyone who has ever run any long distance can symphatize with the sudden urge to poo that accompanies a very hard run.
95. I'm kinda obsessive of double checking that my toaster oven/stove/rice cooker are turned off. I once travelled all the way home during my lunch break to double check that they were all off. I'm afraid that as I grow older this will become a major problem.
94. I can do a full split and then bend my back leg and place the top of my head in the sole of my foot...but only on my left side.
93. I have performed some sort of sexual act in all of the following locations: a concert tent at the Coachella Festival, a bathroom in a nightclub in Berlin, an elevator (well, several elevators), an office in an investment bank located in the Wall St. area, backstage of Hill Auditorium, in Central Park...but surprisingly enough I've never had sex in the back seat of a car or in a movie theater.
92. I have been known to open a bag of cookies and chomp away whilst waiting to checkout at the grocery store.
91. I can't watch scary movies of any kind nor can I watch violence of any kind.
Here is 100 - 91
100. I'm a blanket stealer.
99. I once stole a tube of lipgloss in the 7th grade. I still feel guilty about this.
98. I can crack all the knuckles in my toes by just wiggling them.
97. I can't sleep with clothes on. Regardless of the weather, I need to sleep nekkid. When forced to "sleep" in clothing (because I'm a guest or sharing my bed with a friend) I typically don't fall asleep. I just sort of lay there for 7 hours.
96. Once, while running a half marathon, I pooed in my shorts...but just a little...just a little. I REALLY REALLY REALLY had to go and there just wasn't any place to go. Anyone who has ever run any long distance can symphatize with the sudden urge to poo that accompanies a very hard run.
95. I'm kinda obsessive of double checking that my toaster oven/stove/rice cooker are turned off. I once travelled all the way home during my lunch break to double check that they were all off. I'm afraid that as I grow older this will become a major problem.
94. I can do a full split and then bend my back leg and place the top of my head in the sole of my foot...but only on my left side.
93. I have performed some sort of sexual act in all of the following locations: a concert tent at the Coachella Festival, a bathroom in a nightclub in Berlin, an elevator (well, several elevators), an office in an investment bank located in the Wall St. area, backstage of Hill Auditorium, in Central Park...but surprisingly enough I've never had sex in the back seat of a car or in a movie theater.
92. I have been known to open a bag of cookies and chomp away whilst waiting to checkout at the grocery store.
91. I can't watch scary movies of any kind nor can I watch violence of any kind.
Day 3 and the strike is over
I'm sure you've all heard the good news...the strike is over. Walking around this afternoon (I'm feeling better today...still a little sicky but I've never been one to sit in my apartment for days in a row, I need to get out) I even saw a few buses already rolling. It'll be nice to get my sidewalks back. I love to wander the city...it may be one of my favoritest pastimes...but the crowds as of late have made good wandering nearly impossible.
One thing this strike has reinforced is how very civil and well-behaved New Yorkers are. We can walk for miles, cram into cabs, and sit in gridlock and hardly any reports of bad behavior. Now that's what I call a city!
One thing this strike has reinforced is how very civil and well-behaved New Yorkers are. We can walk for miles, cram into cabs, and sit in gridlock and hardly any reports of bad behavior. Now that's what I call a city!
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Just call me sick
I'm sick! I guess my body didn't much appreciate the 4 hours of walking in 20/30 degree weather I did yesterday. It's crazy. There are so many people walking around in the streets. And the news is just strike talk 24-7. If you were watching the news in NYC one would assume that the rest of the world has come to a halt.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
STRIKE
I'm sure all of you have read about the NYC transit strike by now. It's weird to conceive that there are no subways running underfoot. Weird. I'll keep you posted about my experience. Wish me luck, I'm going to try and get into work on Wall St.
Friday, December 09, 2005
Coldplay
There is just something about Coldplay's "Fix You" that makes me want to cry.
Fix You
When you try your best but you don't succeed
When you get what you want but not what you need
When you feel so tired but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse
And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
And high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
I will try to fix you
Tears stream down on your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down on your face
And I..
Tears stream down on your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down on your face
And I..
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
Fix You
When you try your best but you don't succeed
When you get what you want but not what you need
When you feel so tired but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse
And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
And high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
I will try to fix you
Tears stream down on your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down on your face
And I..
Tears stream down on your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down on your face
And I..
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
COOOOOOOOKIES!
I had the girls over this weekend to bake some Christmas cookies...and boy did we bake. 20 dozen cookies to be precise. That's 240 cookies!!!! or about 5 lbs of flour, 3 lbs of butter, and 3 lbs of sugar.
We baked: Iced Cut-out cookies, Chocolate Crackle Cookies, Mexican Wedding Cookies/Russian Tea Cookies (or as we started calling them Polish Ham cookies), and Snickerdoodles.
Pictures of our little holiday bakeoff will be posted shortly.
We baked: Iced Cut-out cookies, Chocolate Crackle Cookies, Mexican Wedding Cookies/Russian Tea Cookies (or as we started calling them Polish Ham cookies), and Snickerdoodles.
Pictures of our little holiday bakeoff will be posted shortly.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Thanksgiving 2005
Hope all who celebrate the big-T had a good one.
Here's a snippet of a conversation I had with the mommy that might shed a bit of insight into my Thanksgiving 2005. The phone convo took place sometime last week.
Mom: Guess what?
Me: What?
Mom: We're having Thanksgiving at your place!
Me: My place?
Mom: Yup!
Me: Ummm...okay. Thanks for the one week warning.
Mom: You're welcome.
Yes, I had the whole Lee clan over for some turkey and crudite. Actually, it was much more elaborate than that. After about 4 hours of cooking my sisters, mom and I created the following:
Lemon roasted chicken (my family doesn't like turkey much)
Carmalized onion mac & cheese
Cornbread-mushroom stuffing
Kale with garlic & pepper
Sweet corn
Good-ole green bean casserole
The famous Lee family mashed potato with leeks
Jap Chae (korean noodles with veggies)
Wild mushrooms with onions korean style
Sauted morning blossoms korean style
Homemade gravy
White rice (we are korean afterall)
Grilled salted salry (it's a type of fish)
It was the perfect celebration of Neo-Korean-American tradition. I'm just amazed that 4 grown women were able to cook a full Thanksgiving meal in my tiny NY sized kitchen. Take note that all the food prepared was eaten by a total of 5 people. Yeah, we over did it just a bit...but we do that every year.
In other Thanksgiving news, I finally saw the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. I live about 4 blocks from the proceedings so it was just a quick 10 minute walk to the route. Those floats are huge! The parade is much more impressive when seen with your own eyes. TV just doesn't do it justice.
All in all it was a lovely day filled with family and laughter.
This year I'm thanksful for all the things I'm always thankful for...you...yeah, that's right...YOU! Love you!
Here's a snippet of a conversation I had with the mommy that might shed a bit of insight into my Thanksgiving 2005. The phone convo took place sometime last week.
Mom: Guess what?
Me: What?
Mom: We're having Thanksgiving at your place!
Me: My place?
Mom: Yup!
Me: Ummm...okay. Thanks for the one week warning.
Mom: You're welcome.
Yes, I had the whole Lee clan over for some turkey and crudite. Actually, it was much more elaborate than that. After about 4 hours of cooking my sisters, mom and I created the following:
Lemon roasted chicken (my family doesn't like turkey much)
Carmalized onion mac & cheese
Cornbread-mushroom stuffing
Kale with garlic & pepper
Sweet corn
Good-ole green bean casserole
The famous Lee family mashed potato with leeks
Jap Chae (korean noodles with veggies)
Wild mushrooms with onions korean style
Sauted morning blossoms korean style
Homemade gravy
White rice (we are korean afterall)
Grilled salted salry (it's a type of fish)
It was the perfect celebration of Neo-Korean-American tradition. I'm just amazed that 4 grown women were able to cook a full Thanksgiving meal in my tiny NY sized kitchen. Take note that all the food prepared was eaten by a total of 5 people. Yeah, we over did it just a bit...but we do that every year.
In other Thanksgiving news, I finally saw the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. I live about 4 blocks from the proceedings so it was just a quick 10 minute walk to the route. Those floats are huge! The parade is much more impressive when seen with your own eyes. TV just doesn't do it justice.
All in all it was a lovely day filled with family and laughter.
This year I'm thanksful for all the things I'm always thankful for...you...yeah, that's right...YOU! Love you!
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
I don't feel a thing
This article from the NY Times about people in there 20s and 30s self-medicating on psychiatric medication caught my eye:
Young, Assured, and Playing Pharmacist to Friends
Okay, besides the obvious, that being that I can't believe there are people out there who so wantonly and callously abuse perscription drugs...Hello people!!! You're screwing around with your brain chemicals!!!...when did it become the goal of people to be perpetually happy and content?
So you feel a little sad and depressed or maybe you can't sleep for a few days. We're not wired to be happy all the time. Experiencing sadness, even depression, anxiety, and fear are all components of being a human. Of course, if you have a chronic debilitating level of any of these, by all means seek professional help and get the drugs you need (I say this because I don't want you to confuse my comments with Tom Cruise)...but I highly suspect that none of the people mentioned in the article really need the drugs. Come on, if you're lying to you doctor and exaggerating your symptoms in order to get a perscription you probably don't need the drugs.
Feeling a range of emotions is a good things...sloshing through a day and throwing yourself the occassional pity party is a'ok. Gosh, I'd be pretty damn afraid of anyone who didn't.
Non-sequitor: Sorry for the low volume of blogs in the last month. I'm kinda distracted right now...it's all good...just a little distracted. 30 is turning out to be pretty damn exciting.
Young, Assured, and Playing Pharmacist to Friends
Okay, besides the obvious, that being that I can't believe there are people out there who so wantonly and callously abuse perscription drugs...Hello people!!! You're screwing around with your brain chemicals!!!...when did it become the goal of people to be perpetually happy and content?
So you feel a little sad and depressed or maybe you can't sleep for a few days. We're not wired to be happy all the time. Experiencing sadness, even depression, anxiety, and fear are all components of being a human. Of course, if you have a chronic debilitating level of any of these, by all means seek professional help and get the drugs you need (I say this because I don't want you to confuse my comments with Tom Cruise)...but I highly suspect that none of the people mentioned in the article really need the drugs. Come on, if you're lying to you doctor and exaggerating your symptoms in order to get a perscription you probably don't need the drugs.
Feeling a range of emotions is a good things...sloshing through a day and throwing yourself the occassional pity party is a'ok. Gosh, I'd be pretty damn afraid of anyone who didn't.
Non-sequitor: Sorry for the low volume of blogs in the last month. I'm kinda distracted right now...it's all good...just a little distracted. 30 is turning out to be pretty damn exciting.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Distracted attention
It's amazing how life can sometimes move forward and fall into a certain space without you realizing it. You wake up one day, look around and realize you're 30, have a lovely home, a nice job, two new white hairs, a new boy who puts up shelves and cooks you an occassional dinner, and a cranky right hip. Doesn't it always seem that it's when your attention is distracted and focused on silly little things that life somehow figures itself out for you?
Monday, October 24, 2005
Just a thunk
Ain't it amazing how consuming a new person can be. Particularly if you are remotely attracted to this new person.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Birthday wishes from my sisters
My family is weird, silly, laid back and very comfortable. This is the email my older sent me this morning (with my little sister cced):
Subject: You are old with an o
you are old old very old now....
In response, my little sister wrote:
yup, much much older than me.
I, inturn, responded to both of them with this:
Yes, but I am still younger than *****(my older sister)….and I can touch the back of my head with the sole of my foot…how many 21 year olds can do that?
Subject: You are old with an o
you are old old very old now....
In response, my little sister wrote:
yup, much much older than me.
I, inturn, responded to both of them with this:
Yes, but I am still younger than *****(my older sister)….and I can touch the back of my head with the sole of my foot…how many 21 year olds can do that?
Witness to the pre-dawn
Here's my birthday poem. Please keep in mind this is only my first draft...it'll probably go through several iterations before it's any good.
Witness to the pre-dawn
Time observed mid-flight
When all seems still and lush
When the susurrus of whispers
become
Overwhelming cascades of laughter
And old men wait patiently
On corners and stools
For the inevitable passing
And the inevitable longing
Here is where we know
That love finds its home
Were Chinese neon lights flare
Into multicolor dimensions
Enticing us to come and savor
And suck marrow from the bone
_________________(Such an overused metaphor…But accurate and vivid)
Witness to the pre-dawn
Time observed mid-flight
When all seems still and lush
When the susurrus of whispers
become
Overwhelming cascades of laughter
And old men wait patiently
On corners and stools
For the inevitable passing
And the inevitable longing
Here is where we know
That love finds its home
Were Chinese neon lights flare
Into multicolor dimensions
Enticing us to come and savor
And suck marrow from the bone
_________________(Such an overused metaphor…But accurate and vivid)
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
My last post as a 20something...
Cause tomorrow I turn 30!
Wow, I wish I had something more profound to share. Tonight I will write my annual birthday poem.
Wow, I wish I had something more profound to share. Tonight I will write my annual birthday poem.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Welcome Back
This morning I woke up to the sound of someone humming. Having not fallen asleep with anyone next to me, this sort of freaked me out. It took me about 5 seconds to realize that I was the one humming!!! And I was humming the theme song to the sitcom "Welcome Back, Kotter". I haven't the slightest idea what I was dreaming about and what role the theme song to "Welcome Back, Kotter" had but it couldn't have been all bad. The song is quite cute and lovely. Here are the lyrics:
Welcome back,
Your dreams were your ticket out.
Welcome back,
To that same old place that you laughed about.
Well the names have all changed since you hung around,
But those dreams have remained and they're turned around.
Who'd have thought they'd lead ya (Who'd have thought they'd lead ya)
Here where we need ya (Here where we need ya)
Yeah we tease him a lot cause we've hot him on the spot, welcome back,
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back.
Welcome back,
Your dreams were your ticket out.
Welcome back,
To that same old place that you laughed about.
Well the names have all changed since you hung around,
But those dreams have remained and they're turned around.
Who'd have thought they'd lead ya (Who'd have thought they'd lead ya)
Here where we need ya (Here where we need ya)
Yeah we tease him a lot cause we've hot him on the spot, welcome back,
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back.
Friday, October 07, 2005
Nice vs. Kind
Have you ever thought about the difference between someone who is "nice" vs. someone who is "kind"?
Is a person who is nice also kind? Is a person who is kind also nice? Can a person be nice without being kind? Can a person be kind without being nice?
Here are a few definitions for you:
Nice: adj; pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance; socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous
Kind: adj; having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior; characterized by mercy, and compassion
I recently started dating a certain person - oh about 5 weeks ago - who is very nice. Midwestern boy, good moral fiber, hard worker etc... etc... He opens doors, says thank you to waitresses, insists on paying for meals, plays with dogs on the street. Given all his positive traits, one would think that I'd be very happy to be dating this person. However, over the last 5 weeks (and 9 dates) I'm finding myself becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the boy. It's not just a "I'm not attracted to you and don't feel a click" sort of disinterest, it's far more of an internal gut dissatisfaction that borders on a "Don't date this guy anymore, he's no good." sort of thing. Then it dawned on me last night while I was out on a long run. He's a very nice person but he's not kind. DUUUUUUUUUDE!
I thought about this all night and came to this conclusion. Nice is something that can be taught and learned. It is, in its essence, superficial and based on transitiory actions. Kind is far more internal in nature and speaks to a persons ability for empathy and genuine desire to be merciful and helpful. A person can be nice without any genuine desire to help or heal.
Just a general thunk for the day.
Suffice it to say that I won't be going out on anymore dates with this boy.
Is a person who is nice also kind? Is a person who is kind also nice? Can a person be nice without being kind? Can a person be kind without being nice?
Here are a few definitions for you:
Nice: adj; pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance; socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous
Kind: adj; having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior; characterized by mercy, and compassion
I recently started dating a certain person - oh about 5 weeks ago - who is very nice. Midwestern boy, good moral fiber, hard worker etc... etc... He opens doors, says thank you to waitresses, insists on paying for meals, plays with dogs on the street. Given all his positive traits, one would think that I'd be very happy to be dating this person. However, over the last 5 weeks (and 9 dates) I'm finding myself becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the boy. It's not just a "I'm not attracted to you and don't feel a click" sort of disinterest, it's far more of an internal gut dissatisfaction that borders on a "Don't date this guy anymore, he's no good." sort of thing. Then it dawned on me last night while I was out on a long run. He's a very nice person but he's not kind. DUUUUUUUUUDE!
I thought about this all night and came to this conclusion. Nice is something that can be taught and learned. It is, in its essence, superficial and based on transitiory actions. Kind is far more internal in nature and speaks to a persons ability for empathy and genuine desire to be merciful and helpful. A person can be nice without any genuine desire to help or heal.
Just a general thunk for the day.
Suffice it to say that I won't be going out on anymore dates with this boy.
The sweetest song ever written
I'm not generally a White Stripes fan. I don't like their music. I don't like the way they dress. And although I have been accused of sun-phobia, even I think Jack is just too darn pale. However, their song "We're going to be friends" is just about the sweetest song ever written. I loved it from the moment I first stumbled upon it a few years back. I've been listening to it on repeat along with the other songs on my 'Songs that make me happy' mix. I think this is the 4th time I've heard it this evening. Why am I listening to my 'Songs that make me happy' mix, you ask? Cause I'm in a really good mood and sometimes good moods require happy music. Plus, I was doing a bit of cleaning and happy music always makes the process a bit easier. The mix also includes:
Dixie Chicks - Wide Open Spaces
Jason Mraz - I'll Do Anything
Petula Clark - Downtown (my all time favorite song in the world!!!!)
Cat Stevens - The Wind
John Denver - Rocky Mountain High
Paul Simon - Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard
Natasha Bedingfield - These Words
Salt & Pepa - Shoop
Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock - It Takes Two
Iz - Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World
Ben Harper - Blessed to Be a Witness
Sade - It's Only Love That Gets You Through
Paul Simon - Under African Skies
OutKast - So Fresh and So Clean
Billy Bragg & Natalie Merchant - I Was Born
Now if that list of songs doesn't make you smile, I don't know what will?
Lyrics to "We're Going to Be Friends"
fall is here, hear the yell
back to school, ring the bell
brand new shoes, walking blues
climb the fence, book and pens
i can tell that we are gonna be friends
walk with me, suzy lee
through the park, by the tree
we will rest upon the ground
and look at all the bugs we've found
then safely walk to school without a sound
well here we are, no one else
we walked to school all by ourselves
there's dirt on our uniforms
from chasing all the ants and worms
we clean up and now it's time to learn
numbers, letters, learn to spell
nouns, and books, and show and tell
at playtime we will throw the ball
back to class, through the hall
teacher marks our height against the wall
and we don't notice any time pass
we don't notice anything
we sit side by side in every class
teacher thinks that i sound funny
but she likes the way you sing
tonight i'll dream while i'm in bed
when silly thoughts go through my head
about the bugs and alphabet
and when i wake tomorrow i'll bet
that you and i will walk together again
cause i can tell that we are going to be friends
Dixie Chicks - Wide Open Spaces
Jason Mraz - I'll Do Anything
Petula Clark - Downtown (my all time favorite song in the world!!!!)
Cat Stevens - The Wind
John Denver - Rocky Mountain High
Paul Simon - Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard
Natasha Bedingfield - These Words
Salt & Pepa - Shoop
Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock - It Takes Two
Iz - Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World
Ben Harper - Blessed to Be a Witness
Sade - It's Only Love That Gets You Through
Paul Simon - Under African Skies
OutKast - So Fresh and So Clean
Billy Bragg & Natalie Merchant - I Was Born
Now if that list of songs doesn't make you smile, I don't know what will?
Lyrics to "We're Going to Be Friends"
fall is here, hear the yell
back to school, ring the bell
brand new shoes, walking blues
climb the fence, book and pens
i can tell that we are gonna be friends
walk with me, suzy lee
through the park, by the tree
we will rest upon the ground
and look at all the bugs we've found
then safely walk to school without a sound
well here we are, no one else
we walked to school all by ourselves
there's dirt on our uniforms
from chasing all the ants and worms
we clean up and now it's time to learn
numbers, letters, learn to spell
nouns, and books, and show and tell
at playtime we will throw the ball
back to class, through the hall
teacher marks our height against the wall
and we don't notice any time pass
we don't notice anything
we sit side by side in every class
teacher thinks that i sound funny
but she likes the way you sing
tonight i'll dream while i'm in bed
when silly thoughts go through my head
about the bugs and alphabet
and when i wake tomorrow i'll bet
that you and i will walk together again
cause i can tell that we are going to be friends
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Some new music
Here are a few new albums that I've been seriously digging.
Throw Down Your Arms - Sinead O'Connor
A concept that I wasn't entirely sold on until I picked this up. Take one part reggae standards + one part unique celtic vocalizing, stir in some truly smooth production and you get some seriously grooving music.
Dimanche e Bamake - Amadou & Mariam
Afro-rock at its best. Amadou & Mariam, a blind couple from the Ivory Coast with over 30 years of music under their belts, create an incredibly bouncy, tuneful album that includes the best of salsa, traditional African rhythms and beats, reggae, R&B, blues, and lots of other multi-culti flares.
Late Registration - Kanye West
What can I say? I love me some Kanye.
Throw Down Your Arms - Sinead O'Connor
A concept that I wasn't entirely sold on until I picked this up. Take one part reggae standards + one part unique celtic vocalizing, stir in some truly smooth production and you get some seriously grooving music.
Dimanche e Bamake - Amadou & Mariam
Afro-rock at its best. Amadou & Mariam, a blind couple from the Ivory Coast with over 30 years of music under their belts, create an incredibly bouncy, tuneful album that includes the best of salsa, traditional African rhythms and beats, reggae, R&B, blues, and lots of other multi-culti flares.
Late Registration - Kanye West
What can I say? I love me some Kanye.
From Gross Domestic Product to Gross National Happiness?
This nifty article from the NY Times examines a movement to expand how we precieve the wealth of a nation.
Anyone want to move to Bhutan with me?
A New Measure of Well-Being from a Happy Little Kingdom
(excerpt)
"The goal of life should not be limited to production, consumption, more production and more consumption," said Thakur S. Powdyel, a senior official in the Bhutanese Ministry of Education. "There is no necessary relationship between the level of possession and the level of well-being."
Anyone want to move to Bhutan with me?
A New Measure of Well-Being from a Happy Little Kingdom
(excerpt)
"The goal of life should not be limited to production, consumption, more production and more consumption," said Thakur S. Powdyel, a senior official in the Bhutanese Ministry of Education. "There is no necessary relationship between the level of possession and the level of well-being."
Year One Recapped
Hello my loved ones. I just realized this afternoon that this blog is a year old! My what a year. I feel like I just started this little journal and already she is a year old. My first blog entry was a bit of a recap, review of my year in (and out) of SF. I thought it would be a nice legacy to recap this past year - the good, the really good, and the few things that made me cry. I find that this recap helps me appreciate all that I have learned and how much I am loved. Here we go:
> Probably the thing that occupied most of my mindspace - I purchased a home.
> And a lovely red couch!
> Grew my dreams a bit wider.
> Fell in love - deeply, completely - for the very first time. And learned to fall out of love - not quite as completely but I'm getting there.
> Joined the board of a nifty non-profit.
> More importantly, I gained a dear friend, mentor, and partner in arms via the board.
> Completed yet another yoga teacher training (that makes 4!)
> Started teaching two weekly yoga classes.
> Taught myself to make JAM!!!! I've made 6 batches so far - Strawberry Rhubarb, Mission Fig Rhubarb, Peach Nectarine Plum, Raspberry Blackberry, Blueberry Lemon Apricot, & Plum.
> Used this same knowledge to can some nice summer peaches (and hopefully make some apple sauce in the very near future.)
> Started taking piano lessons again...after 15 years of nearly zero playing!!!!
> Started teaching undergraduate management courses at a couple of real and virtual universities.
> Wrote three poems that I'm really proud of. Well, I wrote a ton more but the rest are just not very good.
> Started (but have yet to finish) two new paintings.
> Finished a successful first year at my job.
> Completed 10 media interviews and got quoted at least 6 times in various media outlets.
> Signed up for the Paris Marathon in April 2006. Let the training begin! Wait...it already has.
> Took my yoga practice further.
I'd say it was a pretty good year.
BTW...T minus 16 days till my 30th!
> Probably the thing that occupied most of my mindspace - I purchased a home.
> And a lovely red couch!
> Grew my dreams a bit wider.
> Fell in love - deeply, completely - for the very first time. And learned to fall out of love - not quite as completely but I'm getting there.
> Joined the board of a nifty non-profit.
> More importantly, I gained a dear friend, mentor, and partner in arms via the board.
> Completed yet another yoga teacher training (that makes 4!)
> Started teaching two weekly yoga classes.
> Taught myself to make JAM!!!! I've made 6 batches so far - Strawberry Rhubarb, Mission Fig Rhubarb, Peach Nectarine Plum, Raspberry Blackberry, Blueberry Lemon Apricot, & Plum.
> Used this same knowledge to can some nice summer peaches (and hopefully make some apple sauce in the very near future.)
> Started taking piano lessons again...after 15 years of nearly zero playing!!!!
> Started teaching undergraduate management courses at a couple of real and virtual universities.
> Wrote three poems that I'm really proud of. Well, I wrote a ton more but the rest are just not very good.
> Started (but have yet to finish) two new paintings.
> Finished a successful first year at my job.
> Completed 10 media interviews and got quoted at least 6 times in various media outlets.
> Signed up for the Paris Marathon in April 2006. Let the training begin! Wait...it already has.
> Took my yoga practice further.
I'd say it was a pretty good year.
BTW...T minus 16 days till my 30th!
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Korean Feminist Movement: An Oxymoron
For all of you who ceasesly wonder why I try to distance myself from my Korean heritage...here's another reason. This is so incredibly screwed up. Especially the part about feeling overweight.
Thank god my parents decided to leave that backward, soul crushing peninsula when they did.
Korean Women Among Region’s Most Insecure: Poll
Korean women are among the most insecure about their looks in Asia and thus the most open to plastic surgery, a survey suggests. The poll of 2,100 women across Asia by Unilever showed only 33 percent of Korean respondents satisfied with their appearance, the second lowest among nine countries surveyed following Japan. Of Korean respondents, 43 percent said they were overweight.
More than half or 53 percent of Korean women answered they considered having plastic surgery, the highest among surveyed countries. The cosmetic surgery rate of Korean women is already the world’s highest with 17 percent. A staggering 80 percent of plastic surgery patients said they were dissatisfied with the results.
About 42 percent of respondents appeared to put more weight on the opinions of men than their own, saying their confidence in their looks was mostly affected by their husband’s or boyfriend’s opinion. Nearly all or 98 percent of Korean women said men value a woman’s looks above everything else. Ham In-hee, a sociology professor at Ewha Women’s University, says women in patriarchal societies tend not to respect themselves. She said Korea was seeing a vicious circle whereby men who have the power in the media ceaselessly reproduce their ideal type of woman, and women try to fit themselves to that ideal.
PS: Sorry for my recent silence. I'll hopefully have more time for posting in the near future.
Thank god my parents decided to leave that backward, soul crushing peninsula when they did.
Korean Women Among Region’s Most Insecure: Poll
Korean women are among the most insecure about their looks in Asia and thus the most open to plastic surgery, a survey suggests. The poll of 2,100 women across Asia by Unilever showed only 33 percent of Korean respondents satisfied with their appearance, the second lowest among nine countries surveyed following Japan. Of Korean respondents, 43 percent said they were overweight.
More than half or 53 percent of Korean women answered they considered having plastic surgery, the highest among surveyed countries. The cosmetic surgery rate of Korean women is already the world’s highest with 17 percent. A staggering 80 percent of plastic surgery patients said they were dissatisfied with the results.
About 42 percent of respondents appeared to put more weight on the opinions of men than their own, saying their confidence in their looks was mostly affected by their husband’s or boyfriend’s opinion. Nearly all or 98 percent of Korean women said men value a woman’s looks above everything else. Ham In-hee, a sociology professor at Ewha Women’s University, says women in patriarchal societies tend not to respect themselves. She said Korea was seeing a vicious circle whereby men who have the power in the media ceaselessly reproduce their ideal type of woman, and women try to fit themselves to that ideal.
PS: Sorry for my recent silence. I'll hopefully have more time for posting in the near future.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Kinda Cool
Wanna know what's kinda cool?
Unexpectantly bumping into a certain person and realizing that you and everything is totally okay.
Yeah...that's kinda cool.
Unexpectantly bumping into a certain person and realizing that you and everything is totally okay.
Yeah...that's kinda cool.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Furniture has now arrived!
I have furniture!!!!! And it's quite lovely. It's moments like this when I wish I had a digital camera. I wish I could share the loveliness with y'all. Well, that just means you'll have to come and visit.
Hopefully soon.
Hopefully soon.
Friday, September 02, 2005
Some Real Talk
Wow...this interview with Ray Nagin, Mayor of New Orleans, is probably the most candid I've ever heard from a politician.
The transcript and audio file on CNN.
The transcript and audio file on CNN.
Can I create public policy too?
When exactly did the FDA become a public policy making insitution? If the morning after pill is safe, what exactly is holding up their decision to make it available over-the-counter? Oh yeah, something to do with protecting minors.
Here's an interesting read from The Seattle Times.
Here's an interesting read from The Seattle Times.
Life in the Bottom 80 Percent
This editorial is from the New York Times...
Life in the Bottom 80 Percent
Economic growth isn't what it used to be. In 2004, the economy grew a solid 3.8 percent. But for the fifth straight year, median household income was basically flat, at $44,389 in 2004, the Census Bureau said Tuesday. That's the longest stretch of income stagnation on record.
Economic growth was also no elixir for the 800,000 additional workers who found themselves without health insurance in 2004. Were it not for increased coverage by military insurance and Medicaid, the ranks of the uninsured - now 45.8 million - would be even larger. And 1.1 million more people fell into poverty in 2004, bringing the ranks of poor Americans to 37 million.
When President Bush talks about the economy, he invariably boasts about good economic growth. But he doesn't acknowledge what is apparent from the census figures: as the very rich get even richer, their gains can mask the stagnation and deterioration at less lofty income levels.
This week's census report showed that income inequality was near all-time highs in 2004, with 50.1 percent of income going to the top 20 percent of households. And additional census data obtained by the Economic Policy Institute show that only the top 5 percent of households experienced real income gains in 2004. Incomes for the other 95 percent of households were flat or falling.
Income inequality is an economic and social ill, but the administration and the Congressional majority don't seem to recognize that. When Congress returns from its monthlong summer vacation next week, two of the leadership's top priorities include renewing the push to repeal the estate tax, which affects only the wealthiest of families, and extending the tax cuts for investment income, which flow largely to the richest Americans. At the other end of the spectrum, lawmakers have stubbornly refused to raise the minimum wage: $5.15 an hour since 1997. They will also be taking up proposals for deep budget cuts in programs that ameliorate income inequality, like Medicaid, food stamps and federal student loans.
They should be ashamed of themselves.
Life in the Bottom 80 Percent
Economic growth isn't what it used to be. In 2004, the economy grew a solid 3.8 percent. But for the fifth straight year, median household income was basically flat, at $44,389 in 2004, the Census Bureau said Tuesday. That's the longest stretch of income stagnation on record.
Economic growth was also no elixir for the 800,000 additional workers who found themselves without health insurance in 2004. Were it not for increased coverage by military insurance and Medicaid, the ranks of the uninsured - now 45.8 million - would be even larger. And 1.1 million more people fell into poverty in 2004, bringing the ranks of poor Americans to 37 million.
When President Bush talks about the economy, he invariably boasts about good economic growth. But he doesn't acknowledge what is apparent from the census figures: as the very rich get even richer, their gains can mask the stagnation and deterioration at less lofty income levels.
This week's census report showed that income inequality was near all-time highs in 2004, with 50.1 percent of income going to the top 20 percent of households. And additional census data obtained by the Economic Policy Institute show that only the top 5 percent of households experienced real income gains in 2004. Incomes for the other 95 percent of households were flat or falling.
Income inequality is an economic and social ill, but the administration and the Congressional majority don't seem to recognize that. When Congress returns from its monthlong summer vacation next week, two of the leadership's top priorities include renewing the push to repeal the estate tax, which affects only the wealthiest of families, and extending the tax cuts for investment income, which flow largely to the richest Americans. At the other end of the spectrum, lawmakers have stubbornly refused to raise the minimum wage: $5.15 an hour since 1997. They will also be taking up proposals for deep budget cuts in programs that ameliorate income inequality, like Medicaid, food stamps and federal student loans.
They should be ashamed of themselves.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Some thoughts on New Orleans
Like many of you, I've been pretty much glued to the TV watching the constant stream of suffering flowing out of New Orleans. Gosh, where do I begin. I can't be coherent so here are some observations.
- There seems to be some serious media bias in the coverage of the "looting". In one instance there was a picture of a couple of black people carrying away bags of supplies, the accompanying caption called the individuals looters. In another picture a few white people were wading through water with bags of supplies. These individuals were described as looking for bread. Can we all say unconscious racism and bias?
- Based on the images coming out of New Orleans one would think that the entire population of New Orleans is black and uneducated. This is obviously not the case. They said that 20% of the population of New Orleans remained in town after the city was ordered to evacuate. I suspect the people who remained did so not voluntarily but because they had no means to leave - no car, no money. The people who are now stranded in the Superdome and the New Orleans Convention Center are the poorest, most desperate portion of society. These are people who have lived a life of disenfranchisement. They lived on the most frayed edges of society before the hurricane hit, barely thriving in our racially divided society...and now they are pushed even further down the social laddar. If New Orleans ordered a mandatory evacuation why didn't they provide some means for the poorest to also leave. The one lesson this hurricane has taught us: if you are poor you will be left behind. This disaster lays bare the reality of race and poverty in this country - a reality that most fair-weather liberals and conservatives refuse to accept. I suspect that the struggle to rebuild from these events will be far more difficult and prolonged than anyone can comprehend.
- Why are people making such a broohaha about people looting supplies that are ostensibly destroyed and unsalvagable to begin with? The shoes being looted wouldn't have been salvagable, nor the food supplies. Just a thought.
- Although I know the government says they are doing everything to help New Orleans, from my perspective it does seem to be taking an extremely long time to get aid to New Orleans. If 400,000 can evacuate a city in less than 2 days (that would be the 80% of the city who were able to get out before the hurricane) why is it taking over 4 days to transport the 50,000 stranded in the Superdome and Convention Center?
Just some of my thoughts about everything that is going on. Ultimately, even though I know this is happening in my own country and even though I've visted New Orleans in the past, somehow I feel very detached from the drama unfolding down south. Was this what people felt when they observed the events of 9-11? 9-11 was so real for me and something I lived with on a daily basis for almost 6 months (the fires burned for about that long and you could smell the stench in the air continously). Was 9-11 just a very bad movie for the rest of you?
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Hurricane Katrina
Please donate if you can. American Red Cross
If you can't, please take a moment to send some good prayers to the region.
If you can't, please take a moment to send some good prayers to the region.
A new generation of jam
I know...I know...another blog about jam. I should really just rename this blog "The house of jam".
Anyway, it's your own darn fault for coming back. You don't have to, you know.
Well, in any case, since you're here I might as well tell you what I've been thinking about. The other day while browsing through my local Indian grocery store, Kalustyan's (I live by Little India on Lexington and dropped in on monday night to pick up some spices I needed for a biryani I planned to make) I came upon a little collection of interesting flavorings and essences...jasmine essence, rose water, etc...
Doesn't blood orange marmalade with jasmine and rose sound divine?
Or
Fresh fig with orange blossom and cardamom essence.
I've run out of jam jars (I originally bought two dozen) but I've just put in an order for two dozen more. I'll be back up to my jam making ways in about 5 - 7 business days...actually make that 2. I placed the order about a week ago.
I also came across coconut essence. I've been toying with the idea of making a pineapple-coconut jam for sometime but feared that the amount of dry coconut I'd have to use to impart a noticable coconut flavor would leave the jam horribly fiborous. Now, I think a pina-colada jam might be possible...without all the bits that could get stuck in your mouth.
BTW, if you can think of other unique/interesting jam suggestions I'm all ears.
Anyway, it's your own darn fault for coming back. You don't have to, you know.
Well, in any case, since you're here I might as well tell you what I've been thinking about. The other day while browsing through my local Indian grocery store, Kalustyan's (I live by Little India on Lexington and dropped in on monday night to pick up some spices I needed for a biryani I planned to make) I came upon a little collection of interesting flavorings and essences...jasmine essence, rose water, etc...
Doesn't blood orange marmalade with jasmine and rose sound divine?
Or
Fresh fig with orange blossom and cardamom essence.
I've run out of jam jars (I originally bought two dozen) but I've just put in an order for two dozen more. I'll be back up to my jam making ways in about 5 - 7 business days...actually make that 2. I placed the order about a week ago.
I also came across coconut essence. I've been toying with the idea of making a pineapple-coconut jam for sometime but feared that the amount of dry coconut I'd have to use to impart a noticable coconut flavor would leave the jam horribly fiborous. Now, I think a pina-colada jam might be possible...without all the bits that could get stuck in your mouth.
BTW, if you can think of other unique/interesting jam suggestions I'm all ears.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
SS in town
SS has been in town and while I can't say I've been the best host, it's been great seeing her! I realize I'm not the biggest party person...I don't like going clubbing and that sort and I really don't like much of the city's party scene...a little too velvet rope for me. Sometimes I wonder why I'm so enamored by the city.
For whatever reason I've gone to bed later and later each night. The first night was 1am, the next 3am and last night 5am. Crazy.
Anyhoo, I've also been able to work a little cooking into the mix. I made some zucchini-carrot-coconut-walnut bread and I'm probably going to make some banana-coconut bread tonight. I'm also roasting some organic tomatoes (from my CSA) that I'll combine with some fresh mozzarella, organic zucchini, stock, and organic roasted garlic for a nice pasta dinner tonight for the two of us.
EC, if you are reading this, please come over...I've got a whole loaf of zucchini bread waiting for you in my fridge!
For whatever reason I've gone to bed later and later each night. The first night was 1am, the next 3am and last night 5am. Crazy.
Anyhoo, I've also been able to work a little cooking into the mix. I made some zucchini-carrot-coconut-walnut bread and I'm probably going to make some banana-coconut bread tonight. I'm also roasting some organic tomatoes (from my CSA) that I'll combine with some fresh mozzarella, organic zucchini, stock, and organic roasted garlic for a nice pasta dinner tonight for the two of us.
EC, if you are reading this, please come over...I've got a whole loaf of zucchini bread waiting for you in my fridge!
Saturday, August 27, 2005
How to make jam
Several of you have emailed me with various questions related to jam. Most of them are in the vain of "Is jam making hard?" "How do you make jam?" "Have you made any jam recently?"
Given this line of questioning, I thought I'd write a bit about the jam making process. Although I'm still quite the novice, I have made 5 batches now and the whole process seems to get easier and easier each time. Thus, for those of you who might want to make your own jam, here is my advice and notes from what I've learned.
The jam making process is actually two separate processes; jam making and sterilization.
The first thing to do is clean and sterilize any and all tools and jars you plan to use. Wash everything; jars, lids, jar band, wide mouth funnel, ladles, jar tongs, in warm soapy water. Place a big (minimum 20 quart capacity) pot on the stove and fill it with enough water so that it will cover the jars with at least one inch of water. You don't want the jars to touch the bottom of the pot so either use a jar rack or a round cake cooling rack on the bottom of the pot. Bring the water to a boil and put the jars and bands in the boiling water. Boil for a minimum of 10 minutes to ensure complete sterilization. Take the jars out with the jar tongs and the bands (this is where a lid remover comes in handy) place them on a clean towel (this prevents thermal shock). Prevent touching them with your hands (contamination) and allow them to cool.
Make the jam. As a rule of thumb I've found the following recipe suits my taste. 5.5 cups of fruit (whatever you want), 4.5 cups of sugar, the juice and rind of 2 or 3 lemons (depending on how acidic your fruit is), one pouch of liquid pectin. Place the fruit , sugar, and lemon juice and rinds in a big pot (make sure it's big...jam foams a lot in the beginning and you don't want spillage.) Bring everything to a rapid boil and then turn down the heat until you get a rolling boil. About 2 or 3 minutes into the process mix in all the pectin. Boil for the next 10 - 30 minutes until you get the consistency you want. Remember that jam is thinner when its hot so you don't want it to the exact consistency it would be when cold. It should be a bit thinner. A good way to test the consistency is to put a small plate in your freezer before you begin making the jam. When you're ready to test take the plate out and put a small amount of warm jam on the plate. Place the plate in the fridge for about 20 seconds. Take the plate out and test the consistency. This will be the consistency of your jam. If it's still a little runny boil the jam a bit further. Once your jam is the right consistency get ready to work quickly.
Approximately 10 minutes before the jam is ready place the jar lids in the pot of hot water. Boil for 10 minutes to warm up the gummy sealant on the lids. Take the lids out of the water with the lid remover. And let them dry a bit. Avoid touching them with your hands.
Using the sterilized wide mouth funnel and ladle, ladle the hot jam into the sterilized and dry jam jars. Fill the jars to about 1/3 inch of the rim. You want to leave some space - this space creates the vacuum seal. Repeat with all the jars. Using a clean wet cloth, wipe the rims of the jars clean. Place the sterilized lids and then use the bands to the secure the lids in place. Only tighten the bands finger tight. Using the tongs place each jar in the pot so that they don't touch each other. Boil the jars for about 15 minutes. Avoid jostling the filled jars to much after this point. Once the 15 minutes are up take the jars out carefully and place them on a towel. Allow them to cool fully before handling them. About 5 minutes after the jars come out of the boiling water you should start hearing little "clinking" noises. This is the sound of the vacuum seal forming. It's a gooooood thing.
You should now have 6 beautiful 8oz jars of jam. They should last indefinitely although i've read that you should replace the lids once a year if you plan to store them for a very long time. But who can keep homemade jam around for that long!
Happy jam making...if you are so inclined!
Given this line of questioning, I thought I'd write a bit about the jam making process. Although I'm still quite the novice, I have made 5 batches now and the whole process seems to get easier and easier each time. Thus, for those of you who might want to make your own jam, here is my advice and notes from what I've learned.
The jam making process is actually two separate processes; jam making and sterilization.
The first thing to do is clean and sterilize any and all tools and jars you plan to use. Wash everything; jars, lids, jar band, wide mouth funnel, ladles, jar tongs, in warm soapy water. Place a big (minimum 20 quart capacity) pot on the stove and fill it with enough water so that it will cover the jars with at least one inch of water. You don't want the jars to touch the bottom of the pot so either use a jar rack or a round cake cooling rack on the bottom of the pot. Bring the water to a boil and put the jars and bands in the boiling water. Boil for a minimum of 10 minutes to ensure complete sterilization. Take the jars out with the jar tongs and the bands (this is where a lid remover comes in handy) place them on a clean towel (this prevents thermal shock). Prevent touching them with your hands (contamination) and allow them to cool.
Make the jam. As a rule of thumb I've found the following recipe suits my taste. 5.5 cups of fruit (whatever you want), 4.5 cups of sugar, the juice and rind of 2 or 3 lemons (depending on how acidic your fruit is), one pouch of liquid pectin. Place the fruit , sugar, and lemon juice and rinds in a big pot (make sure it's big...jam foams a lot in the beginning and you don't want spillage.) Bring everything to a rapid boil and then turn down the heat until you get a rolling boil. About 2 or 3 minutes into the process mix in all the pectin. Boil for the next 10 - 30 minutes until you get the consistency you want. Remember that jam is thinner when its hot so you don't want it to the exact consistency it would be when cold. It should be a bit thinner. A good way to test the consistency is to put a small plate in your freezer before you begin making the jam. When you're ready to test take the plate out and put a small amount of warm jam on the plate. Place the plate in the fridge for about 20 seconds. Take the plate out and test the consistency. This will be the consistency of your jam. If it's still a little runny boil the jam a bit further. Once your jam is the right consistency get ready to work quickly.
Approximately 10 minutes before the jam is ready place the jar lids in the pot of hot water. Boil for 10 minutes to warm up the gummy sealant on the lids. Take the lids out of the water with the lid remover. And let them dry a bit. Avoid touching them with your hands.
Using the sterilized wide mouth funnel and ladle, ladle the hot jam into the sterilized and dry jam jars. Fill the jars to about 1/3 inch of the rim. You want to leave some space - this space creates the vacuum seal. Repeat with all the jars. Using a clean wet cloth, wipe the rims of the jars clean. Place the sterilized lids and then use the bands to the secure the lids in place. Only tighten the bands finger tight. Using the tongs place each jar in the pot so that they don't touch each other. Boil the jars for about 15 minutes. Avoid jostling the filled jars to much after this point. Once the 15 minutes are up take the jars out carefully and place them on a towel. Allow them to cool fully before handling them. About 5 minutes after the jars come out of the boiling water you should start hearing little "clinking" noises. This is the sound of the vacuum seal forming. It's a gooooood thing.
You should now have 6 beautiful 8oz jars of jam. They should last indefinitely although i've read that you should replace the lids once a year if you plan to store them for a very long time. But who can keep homemade jam around for that long!
Happy jam making...if you are so inclined!
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Something in the air
I think there is some weird bad injury mojo lingering in the air. Everyone seems to be falling or injuring themselves recently. Maybe its the tormented, confused souls of all the victims of those recent airline crashes causing chaos. Who knows.
My darling SS has been to the emergency room 3 times in the past week. My boss injured herself on an exercise machine and I dislocated my left ankle when I accidentily stepped on some uneven pavement last night. To top it all off, my ankle wouldn't pop back into place so after about a minute I had to do the unthinkable and literally shove my talus (ankle bone) back into place. Pretty fricking awful. I now have just enough mobility to hop between my bathroom, my kitchen, and my living room.
On the brightside, I get to work from home for the next couple of days.
My darling SS has been to the emergency room 3 times in the past week. My boss injured herself on an exercise machine and I dislocated my left ankle when I accidentily stepped on some uneven pavement last night. To top it all off, my ankle wouldn't pop back into place so after about a minute I had to do the unthinkable and literally shove my talus (ankle bone) back into place. Pretty fricking awful. I now have just enough mobility to hop between my bathroom, my kitchen, and my living room.
On the brightside, I get to work from home for the next couple of days.
Monday, August 22, 2005
Weekend roundup
After spending nearly all of last week in Boston (interesting town. Its best feature is my friend CK), I came home to my semi-messy apartment and promptly jumped into a crazy, fun weekend of merriment. First off was a great girl day with AC whom I hadn't seen in nearly 7 months! Then it was off to see Sufjan Stevens at the Bowery Ballroom. The Castanets opened and they were not good. Actually, they were quite painful. Sufjan Stevens finally hit the stage around midnight and made up for the Castanets. He was quite brilliant. I had loads of fun. I didn't get home until 2:30 in the AM and stayed up until 4 just doodling about. After a lazy Sunday day I met up with the parents and sister for some quality dinner. I gave away 4 jars of jam to the family. Now I'm down to 13 jars of jam.
In other news, the brilliant SS is touching down in NYC on Thursday night. I'm sure I'll have a least a few tales of debauchery by the end of the week.
In other news, the brilliant SS is touching down in NYC on Thursday night. I'm sure I'll have a least a few tales of debauchery by the end of the week.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
A few things I would like to do...
Here are a few random things I would like to do (some near-term, some a bit longer-term). This is not an exhaustive list.
- Travel to Antarctica
- Have sex outside during a warm summer thunderstorm (having sex in the backseat of a car is also kinda up there)
- Run the NYC Marathon
- Shave my head bald (just cause)
- Learn to drive a stick
- Finish my MFA
- Learn to decorate a cake and pull sugar
What sort of idosyncractic things would you like to do?
- Travel to Antarctica
- Have sex outside during a warm summer thunderstorm (having sex in the backseat of a car is also kinda up there)
- Run the NYC Marathon
- Shave my head bald (just cause)
- Learn to drive a stick
- Finish my MFA
- Learn to decorate a cake and pull sugar
What sort of idosyncractic things would you like to do?
Monday, August 15, 2005
Zero to Sixty
Last Thursday, while sharing dinner with AI and LA, AI shared this bit of wisdom about relationships (as told to her by our mutual friend DB).
"Relationships are like driving a car. When you try to go from zero to sixty in two seconds you have to grab the wheel hard and really work to control the car. When you are going that fast any pebble or bump in the road can make you swerve off into a ditch. When you accelerate slowly...zero to twenty, twenty to forty, and forty to sixty...the little pebbles and bumps in the road are easy to deal with and don't affect you much."
I thought this was pretty wise stuff and I thought I'd share it with y'all.
"Relationships are like driving a car. When you try to go from zero to sixty in two seconds you have to grab the wheel hard and really work to control the car. When you are going that fast any pebble or bump in the road can make you swerve off into a ditch. When you accelerate slowly...zero to twenty, twenty to forty, and forty to sixty...the little pebbles and bumps in the road are easy to deal with and don't affect you much."
I thought this was pretty wise stuff and I thought I'd share it with y'all.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Thunderbolts of Lightening...
Wow...what interesting weather we've had here in NYC these past few days. It's been HOT and HUMID...basically melting weather. But now a cold front is moving in and colliding with the warm front, perfect conditions for a good old thunderstorm. Warm summer thunderstorms are one of my most favorite weather occurrences. Thunder, lightening, the sound and smell of rain...what more can you ask for. My windows are thrown open and I'm sitting by the window listening, watching, and smelling the drama that is transpiring outside. If it's still raining later on I may go for a long summer rainstorm run. I love those runs the most. I can't go out just yet because I have a huge pot of peach, nectarine, shiro plum jam boiling away on the stove. I got a gigantic load of summer fruit this week in my CSA. I have to cook down the jam a bit more before I can jar it, seal it, and sterilize it. Then I shall strap on those running shoes for my run.
This was fun weekend. It was a mini-vacation weekend for me. I took Friday off and am also off tomorrow as well. The fun started on Thursday evening. I had AI and LA over for dinner (I fed them lots of veggies) and then we talked about boys, broken hearts, tentative hearts, remaining open to love, and what attending Union Theological Seminary is like. All very inspiring stuff. I laughed, I feed, I shared love...what more can a girl ask for. I spent the rest of the weekend practicing yoga, writing poetry, playing really bad acoustic guitar, sketching painting ideas, cooking some more, attending a sample sale (and scoring a beautimous winter coat...it has strawberries on it! but in a very elegant, fashion forward sort of way), having more friends over, attending a lovely UU church, and meeting up with another for a tasty brunch. A very good weekend indeed.
Alas, in reviewing my last paragraph I realize that I fail horribly when it comes to living up to the stereotype of the hot, sexy, single girl about town. No late nights of drunken debauchery, no kissing of random boys, no waking up not knowing what I did the previous night.
Eeeehhhh...I'm not all that concerned. I'm happy and surrounded by much love. What more can a girl ask for?
This was fun weekend. It was a mini-vacation weekend for me. I took Friday off and am also off tomorrow as well. The fun started on Thursday evening. I had AI and LA over for dinner (I fed them lots of veggies) and then we talked about boys, broken hearts, tentative hearts, remaining open to love, and what attending Union Theological Seminary is like. All very inspiring stuff. I laughed, I feed, I shared love...what more can a girl ask for. I spent the rest of the weekend practicing yoga, writing poetry, playing really bad acoustic guitar, sketching painting ideas, cooking some more, attending a sample sale (and scoring a beautimous winter coat...it has strawberries on it! but in a very elegant, fashion forward sort of way), having more friends over, attending a lovely UU church, and meeting up with another for a tasty brunch. A very good weekend indeed.
Alas, in reviewing my last paragraph I realize that I fail horribly when it comes to living up to the stereotype of the hot, sexy, single girl about town. No late nights of drunken debauchery, no kissing of random boys, no waking up not knowing what I did the previous night.
Eeeehhhh...I'm not all that concerned. I'm happy and surrounded by much love. What more can a girl ask for?
Thursday, August 11, 2005
I'm MESSY!!!
Why do people assume that I'm neat? and why are people always surprised to see that my apartment/desk/purse are horribly cluttered?
Throughout my life, people have always expressed amused shock/pleasure upon seeing how cluttered and messy my apartment and/or desk are. As my dear, dear NG stated when seeing my apartment during senior year of college "I love it! You're messy. It makes you so human!" Is there something about my personality that communicates a certain anal persnicketiness? Do I really come off as that pulled together?
I've never been much for tidying up (as EC can attest.) I can leave unwashed laundry lying around for weeks (my ample underwear drawer is evidence of this. I'd rather buy more than wash what I have!) I can leave a stack of books on top of my kitchen table for months without reshelving them. The only thing I can't stand is a messy bathroom and kitchen and dirty dishes. I must do dirty dishes!
I'm messy and I don't much care. I don't think messy is a terrible character flaw. Smoking...that's a bad character flaw. Dirty socks...not so much. Then again, I know tons of people who would argue otherwise.
Throughout my life, people have always expressed amused shock/pleasure upon seeing how cluttered and messy my apartment and/or desk are. As my dear, dear NG stated when seeing my apartment during senior year of college "I love it! You're messy. It makes you so human!" Is there something about my personality that communicates a certain anal persnicketiness? Do I really come off as that pulled together?
I've never been much for tidying up (as EC can attest.) I can leave unwashed laundry lying around for weeks (my ample underwear drawer is evidence of this. I'd rather buy more than wash what I have!) I can leave a stack of books on top of my kitchen table for months without reshelving them. The only thing I can't stand is a messy bathroom and kitchen and dirty dishes. I must do dirty dishes!
I'm messy and I don't much care. I don't think messy is a terrible character flaw. Smoking...that's a bad character flaw. Dirty socks...not so much. Then again, I know tons of people who would argue otherwise.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Zucchini bread success
Success! I ended up making the equivalent of 6 loaves of zucchini bread this weekend. Four loaves were baked on Saturday with my dear friend EC acting as sous chef and then I made two more loaves on Sunday night.
Sunday nights loaves were a real dousy too. I decided to see if I could make a low-fat, low-sugar version of the bread. I used only 3/4 of the sugar called for in the recipe, replaced all the oil with apple sauce, and used 4 egg whites instead of the required 3 eggs. The crazy thing is that I think the loaves I made on Sunday night were infinitely better than the ones I made on Saturday night...and Saturday's batch was delicious to begin with.
So, I now only have about 2 lbs of yellow squash to eat through. Keep those fingers crossed that I don't get any more squash.
In the mean time I have about 2 lbs of cucumbers, 2 lbs of tomatoes, 5 lbs of potatoes, 1 lb of baby carrots, and 3 lbs of onions to eat through. Ack!
Sunday nights loaves were a real dousy too. I decided to see if I could make a low-fat, low-sugar version of the bread. I used only 3/4 of the sugar called for in the recipe, replaced all the oil with apple sauce, and used 4 egg whites instead of the required 3 eggs. The crazy thing is that I think the loaves I made on Sunday night were infinitely better than the ones I made on Saturday night...and Saturday's batch was delicious to begin with.
So, I now only have about 2 lbs of yellow squash to eat through. Keep those fingers crossed that I don't get any more squash.
In the mean time I have about 2 lbs of cucumbers, 2 lbs of tomatoes, 5 lbs of potatoes, 1 lb of baby carrots, and 3 lbs of onions to eat through. Ack!
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Trouble with a capital "T"
Sometimes, I really wonder what is wrong with me. How do I get myself into these sorts of messes? Good lawd. Someone have mercy on my soul.
(Wicked little grin ;-)
(Wicked little grin ;-)
Friday, August 05, 2005
Zucchini bread anyone?
So, I finally figured out what I'm going to do with the remaining 6 lbs of zucchini and summer squash I have. I'm baking Zucchini Pineapple Walnut bread & muffins this weekend. I'll probably end up making a double batch since I have so much zucchini!
I'll be home on sunday night and baking. Give me a call and swing on over if you want a taste. Otherwise, the bulk of the goods will either be wrapped up and tucked away in the freezer or brought to my office to feed the masses.
My poor freezer. It is currently home to the following frozen items:
- 2 containers of Veggie Stew
- 1/2 a frozen Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie (baked 2 weeks ago)
- 1/2 quart of frozen blackberries (from last weekend)
- 6 carrot cake muffins (baked about 3 weeks ago)
- 1 container of Korean curry
and in the very near future - one or two loafs of zucchini bread.
I really need a family to feed pronto.
I'll be home on sunday night and baking. Give me a call and swing on over if you want a taste. Otherwise, the bulk of the goods will either be wrapped up and tucked away in the freezer or brought to my office to feed the masses.
My poor freezer. It is currently home to the following frozen items:
- 2 containers of Veggie Stew
- 1/2 a frozen Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie (baked 2 weeks ago)
- 1/2 quart of frozen blackberries (from last weekend)
- 6 carrot cake muffins (baked about 3 weeks ago)
- 1 container of Korean curry
and in the very near future - one or two loafs of zucchini bread.
I really need a family to feed pronto.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
On Loss and Letting Go
It is with extreme sadness that I inform you that I have lost something very precious and dear to me. It was with great difficulty that I let her go. She was hanging in there for so long. She wanted to stay with me but alas her time had come. So, last night, after much debate, I did it. I let her go.
Who is she, you ask?
The toenail on my right big toe.
You're probably thinking...."Eeeeeewwwwwww, why did you share that with us?"
Well...I think it's kind of amusing.
See, here's the story. About three weeks ago I did a crazy, long, wonderful run. I was out running for about 3 hours and covered 17 miles. Don't ask me what motivated me...I really don't know. I like to run (which all of you know already.) And sometimes I just need to go out there and run and sometimes it just feels so good and I continue to run until I'm completely exhausted. It was that kind of run. Anyway, about a day later, my big toe nail started hurting. Hmmm...,I thought, that's not good. A few days later, my toe started swelling a bit. Still not good. A few days after that the swelling went away but I started noticing a certain "looseness" occuring in the toe nailbed. Hmmm...weird, I thought. Then about two weeks ago I noticed that my entire nail was no longer attached to the nailbed. It didn't hurt or anything, it was just detached. I wondered how long this would go on. Well, I have an answer now. Last night when I was taking my post yoga shower my toenail finally decided to say goodbye. It wasn't painful, it wasn't very eventful...she just sort of fell out. Weird.
Anyway, now I have no toenail on my right big toe. I wonder if another will grow in? What if one doesn't? Will I be big toenailless for the rest of my life?
It looks pretty funny actually. As many of you know, I like to keep my toenails painted a nice fire engine red. Keeps my feet and my soul happy. Anyhoo, it's kinda weird to look down and see 9 sparkly red toes and one dud. Should I paint a little square red box on my flesh? It's so weird. It's also incredibly amusing. I'm kinda giddy (if you can't tell from the tone of this post.)
Who is she, you ask?
The toenail on my right big toe.
You're probably thinking...."Eeeeeewwwwwww, why did you share that with us?"
Well...I think it's kind of amusing.
See, here's the story. About three weeks ago I did a crazy, long, wonderful run. I was out running for about 3 hours and covered 17 miles. Don't ask me what motivated me...I really don't know. I like to run (which all of you know already.) And sometimes I just need to go out there and run and sometimes it just feels so good and I continue to run until I'm completely exhausted. It was that kind of run. Anyway, about a day later, my big toe nail started hurting. Hmmm...,I thought, that's not good. A few days later, my toe started swelling a bit. Still not good. A few days after that the swelling went away but I started noticing a certain "looseness" occuring in the toe nailbed. Hmmm...weird, I thought. Then about two weeks ago I noticed that my entire nail was no longer attached to the nailbed. It didn't hurt or anything, it was just detached. I wondered how long this would go on. Well, I have an answer now. Last night when I was taking my post yoga shower my toenail finally decided to say goodbye. It wasn't painful, it wasn't very eventful...she just sort of fell out. Weird.
Anyway, now I have no toenail on my right big toe. I wonder if another will grow in? What if one doesn't? Will I be big toenailless for the rest of my life?
It looks pretty funny actually. As many of you know, I like to keep my toenails painted a nice fire engine red. Keeps my feet and my soul happy. Anyhoo, it's kinda weird to look down and see 9 sparkly red toes and one dud. Should I paint a little square red box on my flesh? It's so weird. It's also incredibly amusing. I'm kinda giddy (if you can't tell from the tone of this post.)
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Veggie Stew
Food manufacturers really need to start making single people size packages of food staples.
Sunday night was cooking night for me. I made some hummus and a big pot of veggie stew. I had most of the staples in my house for the hummus - chickpeas, garlic, olive oil, roasted green onions, salt, pepper, lemon - but no tahini. I went to the grocery store to pick some up. The only size they had was a 16oz tin. All I really needed was 3 or 4 tablespoons of tahini, not 16oz. I went to another grocery store hoping they would have a slightly smaller container - no luck. After visiting a total of 4 grocery stores I finally gave up and purchased the 16oz. tin. What exactly am I supposed to do with the extra 15 ozs of tahini? I made some salad dressing last night in a desperate attempt to use a bit more of the sauce but I'm still left with 13 ozs of the stuff (give or take.)
The veggie stew turned out marvelous. I was trying to use up most of my veggies from my weekly CSA run. Last week I got 8 lbs (!!!!) of squash. Needless to say my veggie stew had squash. It also had eggplant, green peppers, new potatoes, carrots, garlic snape, spring onions, and peas - all organic! I also added a little tofu for protein and some white wine for flavor. It was all thickened with a little butter. Yummy! The only problem I have now is that I have enough veggie stew to feed a very large family...for a week!
Sunday night was cooking night for me. I made some hummus and a big pot of veggie stew. I had most of the staples in my house for the hummus - chickpeas, garlic, olive oil, roasted green onions, salt, pepper, lemon - but no tahini. I went to the grocery store to pick some up. The only size they had was a 16oz tin. All I really needed was 3 or 4 tablespoons of tahini, not 16oz. I went to another grocery store hoping they would have a slightly smaller container - no luck. After visiting a total of 4 grocery stores I finally gave up and purchased the 16oz. tin. What exactly am I supposed to do with the extra 15 ozs of tahini? I made some salad dressing last night in a desperate attempt to use a bit more of the sauce but I'm still left with 13 ozs of the stuff (give or take.)
The veggie stew turned out marvelous. I was trying to use up most of my veggies from my weekly CSA run. Last week I got 8 lbs (!!!!) of squash. Needless to say my veggie stew had squash. It also had eggplant, green peppers, new potatoes, carrots, garlic snape, spring onions, and peas - all organic! I also added a little tofu for protein and some white wine for flavor. It was all thickened with a little butter. Yummy! The only problem I have now is that I have enough veggie stew to feed a very large family...for a week!
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Hot Sun + Warm Berries + Good Friends = Happiness
Kahlil Gibran wrote:
"And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter and the sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed."
Ah, blackberry picking was delightful. It was truly an opportunity for the sweetness of friendship to flourish. I've posted a few pics from the weekend (courtesy of the artist eye of KC) on flickr. Click on the picture to see a few more from the trip. Alas, the only regret is that GS couldn't join us due to malfunctioning technology. No worries though. There will be an autumn apple picking run to delight in.
My intention was to make blackberry jam but those little berries are soooo tasty and I very well may end up eating them all before I get around to making the jam.
All in all, a great Sunday activity. Friends, berries, laughter, and really yummy homemade spinach quiche (courtesy of MK).
"And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter and the sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed."
Ah, blackberry picking was delightful. It was truly an opportunity for the sweetness of friendship to flourish. I've posted a few pics from the weekend (courtesy of the artist eye of KC) on flickr. Click on the picture to see a few more from the trip. Alas, the only regret is that GS couldn't join us due to malfunctioning technology. No worries though. There will be an autumn apple picking run to delight in.
My intention was to make blackberry jam but those little berries are soooo tasty and I very well may end up eating them all before I get around to making the jam.
All in all, a great Sunday activity. Friends, berries, laughter, and really yummy homemade spinach quiche (courtesy of MK).
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