I dream about food.... with such frequency that sometimes I wonder if it's unhealthy, or if I should have my mind focused elsewhere (and sometimes I probably should). I dream about vegetables and produce, the progression of growing seasons, irrigation and landscaping.....the insatiable smells of standing smack dab in the middle of a 100 square foot herb garden in full bloom....
Tonight at the restaurant, I opened up the walk-in cooler and jumped up and down when i saw a box of big 'ole fresh limes. Limes.....seriously. I'm not so sure something like that should make a guy as excited as I was. I guess they were just sooooo green and bright.....I was just blown away.
Mind, body and soul, inside and out....I am a foodie. A chef [in the making]; one who feeds others....
Inescapable.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Solving a Jigsaw
Today was one of those days. Of "those days", which day was today? *That phrase is so generic...so murky and vague. It was the type of day where routine/everyday happenings and things stand out against their all too familiar backgrounds and surroundings. Where subtleties laid waiting to surprise me, and the "what if's" , "just maybe's" , and "it could happen's" craned their necks, and found their posture.
Humans. We are so funny.. and whimsical. and INTERESTING. Much of our days becomes subconscious repetition/routine and it's easy to miss the brief pause Mr. T gives between smiling and waving at me every Tuesday morning near the coffee shop. I've always noticed it....but have continually missed the significance in it until today.
Great day for the record books. A great day. Days like today are worth remembering, worth recalling tomorrow, worth talking about on the weekend. They're worth blogging about---all because of their ironically insignificant components juxtaposed to their larger whole.
Every day's a new day....
Humans. We are so funny.. and whimsical. and INTERESTING. Much of our days becomes subconscious repetition/routine and it's easy to miss the brief pause Mr. T gives between smiling and waving at me every Tuesday morning near the coffee shop. I've always noticed it....but have continually missed the significance in it until today.
Great day for the record books. A great day. Days like today are worth remembering, worth recalling tomorrow, worth talking about on the weekend. They're worth blogging about---all because of their ironically insignificant components juxtaposed to their larger whole.
Every day's a new day....
Sunday, January 25, 2009
New Year's Resolutions
I think one can conduct a brief survey of friends, strangers or family and surmise: You either love 'em or hate 'em [N.Y.R's] .
In a previous post from a few weeks ago, I'd mentioned something to the effect of "Habbits are so hard to break--that's why they're habbits [for better or worse]. And N.Y.R's are often hated for being such a pain in the ass to formulate. They force us to acknowledge our undesirable personal qualities/characteristics we've either developed or exacerbated.....or both!?!?!"
In years past I've had long lists and other years my lists have ceased to exist. This year I have a list. 20 some days into 2009 and I'm pleased to say that my list is "Still in tact." A verbatim, sneek peek into some of Jackson's 2009 NYR's:
(in no particular order or priority)
-- Volunteer "ME" (mind/body/and/or soul) monthly
-- Read Everyday
-- Pray
-- Write letters
-- Dream with courage
-- Recipe portfolio
-- Create your Best KAMP ever
-- Sibling relationships
-- Inspire
-- Define necessities and accessories
-- Pursue Adventure
-- Create Memories
-- Give voice to the voiceless, the poor in spirit, Remember the Least of us....cultivate peace
-- Foster friendships
I think they're worth consideration...
In a previous post from a few weeks ago, I'd mentioned something to the effect of "Habbits are so hard to break--that's why they're habbits [for better or worse]. And N.Y.R's are often hated for being such a pain in the ass to formulate. They force us to acknowledge our undesirable personal qualities/characteristics we've either developed or exacerbated.....or both!?!?!"
In years past I've had long lists and other years my lists have ceased to exist. This year I have a list. 20 some days into 2009 and I'm pleased to say that my list is "Still in tact." A verbatim, sneek peek into some of Jackson's 2009 NYR's:
(in no particular order or priority)
-- Volunteer "ME" (mind/body/and/or soul) monthly
-- Read Everyday
-- Pray
-- Write letters
-- Dream with courage
-- Recipe portfolio
-- Create your Best KAMP ever
-- Sibling relationships
-- Inspire
-- Define necessities and accessories
-- Pursue Adventure
-- Create Memories
-- Give voice to the voiceless, the poor in spirit, Remember the Least of us....cultivate peace
-- Foster friendships
I think they're worth consideration...
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Surgery Side-effects & Aftermath
What feels like long ago, I had a bit of a mishap on a soccer pitch. It resulted in some extensive O.R. time (operation room) and a 3 year recovery and physical rehabilitation process. Needless to say, I feel like somewhat of an expert [at least a well-versed, experienced individual] on the inner hospital procedures, operations, and all the "maintenance" required after being sliced, diced, sewed, stiched, and stuck with needles filled with various drugs [some HEAVENLY, others...not so much], scalpels, and surgical scissors.
* I'm impressed I could actually write all those things, down... generally, I can withstand quite a bit of physical and mental pain, but when it comes to surgery/hospital/doctor related things, I'm a big wanny. Even hearing those words, [Surgical scissors....scalpels] makes me shudder and feel queezy. buuuh.
Well---as much as I would enjoy glorifying the battle scars I still bear, and recounting their epic tales of infliction, this post is for my brother. Being born with a cleft lip and palate his surgery stories, while in quantity and Total $$/"bills paid" probably out-sum my own, are not nearly as "cool" as mine. (My own list is comprised of horrific youth dog bite incidents, massive scrapes & scabs from high speed biking wipe-outs, black eyes and absurd bruises from sports injuries, and a pair of really really broken bones) But his are every bit as real and challenging to me as my own. He got home yesterday, after a 9 hour, consecutive-procedures stint in the O.R. @ Gunderson Lutheran LaCrosse. Will leave out the gory details and simply list: jaw plates, tooth, plastic surgeon, sewing.
Watching him sit on the couch all day in his pj's, wrapped up in bandages and dressings on his nose and lip, and dosing in and out from the precription drugs he's on---it's an excrutiatingly painful reminder of how annoying and how cruddy post surgery is.
Pain aside, there are 2 factors that really compound the frustrations of Post-Op-Life.
1.) Food & Diet (and this obviously is a huge deal to a foodie like myself. Not a big deal, a HUGE deal). You can't eat stuff....you slurp it. or drink it. You have no apetite. When meals come to you in deconstructed, blended form....they're not too appealing. And in Brandon's case, it's painful as well (oral surgeries make this normally enjoyable part of one's day, NOT enjoyable.) Think open mouth wounds ----> avoid salty acidic foods. The worst part, is that while your own diet takes a divebomb to the lowest levels of canned soup, applesauce, pudding, and "mush like concoctions", everyone around you continues to enjoy things like crispy, thin crust pizza, hamburgers (the big fat, hand formed kind that sit about 4" high on the plate), and the holy grail of munchers: Chips & Salsa. *Personally, I don't like giving up cereal....but I can't stand cereal when it's soggy.....and that is how one eats cereal when they've had oral surgery; Soggy. bleh.
2.) Bed rest. Surgery is physically draining. You lose weight. Lots. (Hooray, some people think.....NO.) I predict Brandon will be 10-15 pounds lighter in about 2 months...sad. He's already a skinny little boy. I mean, he's a tough cookie...he's just lean, and shaving 10-15 lbs. makes him look......peaked. *This partially due to the previous item, Food and Diet. The other crappy thing about Bed Rest, is that it takes about 2 or 3 days before it's better termed Bed-RestLESSNESS. Your back hurts in places you didn't know existed from uncomfortable, pillow elevating postures and sleeping positions. ie. Bran. currently has to sleep sitting up. Your eyes hurt (a consequence of too much tv/dvd's, books, and the sensitive effects of anesthesia finally wearing off). and Your social life takes the largest hit. Activity is limited and for guys like B & myself, becoming a spectator sucks.
sympathizing with Brandon, who's 18th Birthday is a week away. Poor kid. I'd make him some good soup, but it'd probably just piss him off...
* I'm impressed I could actually write all those things, down... generally, I can withstand quite a bit of physical and mental pain, but when it comes to surgery/hospital/doctor related things, I'm a big wanny. Even hearing those words, [Surgical scissors....scalpels] makes me shudder and feel queezy. buuuh.
Well---as much as I would enjoy glorifying the battle scars I still bear, and recounting their epic tales of infliction, this post is for my brother. Being born with a cleft lip and palate his surgery stories, while in quantity and Total $$/"bills paid" probably out-sum my own, are not nearly as "cool" as mine. (My own list is comprised of horrific youth dog bite incidents, massive scrapes & scabs from high speed biking wipe-outs, black eyes and absurd bruises from sports injuries, and a pair of really really broken bones) But his are every bit as real and challenging to me as my own. He got home yesterday, after a 9 hour, consecutive-procedures stint in the O.R. @ Gunderson Lutheran LaCrosse. Will leave out the gory details and simply list: jaw plates, tooth, plastic surgeon, sewing.
Watching him sit on the couch all day in his pj's, wrapped up in bandages and dressings on his nose and lip, and dosing in and out from the precription drugs he's on---it's an excrutiatingly painful reminder of how annoying and how cruddy post surgery is.
Pain aside, there are 2 factors that really compound the frustrations of Post-Op-Life.
1.) Food & Diet (and this obviously is a huge deal to a foodie like myself. Not a big deal, a HUGE deal). You can't eat stuff....you slurp it. or drink it. You have no apetite. When meals come to you in deconstructed, blended form....they're not too appealing. And in Brandon's case, it's painful as well (oral surgeries make this normally enjoyable part of one's day, NOT enjoyable.) Think open mouth wounds ----> avoid salty acidic foods. The worst part, is that while your own diet takes a divebomb to the lowest levels of canned soup, applesauce, pudding, and "mush like concoctions", everyone around you continues to enjoy things like crispy, thin crust pizza, hamburgers (the big fat, hand formed kind that sit about 4" high on the plate), and the holy grail of munchers: Chips & Salsa. *Personally, I don't like giving up cereal....but I can't stand cereal when it's soggy.....and that is how one eats cereal when they've had oral surgery; Soggy. bleh.
2.) Bed rest. Surgery is physically draining. You lose weight. Lots. (Hooray, some people think.....NO.) I predict Brandon will be 10-15 pounds lighter in about 2 months...sad. He's already a skinny little boy. I mean, he's a tough cookie...he's just lean, and shaving 10-15 lbs. makes him look......peaked. *This partially due to the previous item, Food and Diet. The other crappy thing about Bed Rest, is that it takes about 2 or 3 days before it's better termed Bed-RestLESSNESS. Your back hurts in places you didn't know existed from uncomfortable, pillow elevating postures and sleeping positions. ie. Bran. currently has to sleep sitting up. Your eyes hurt (a consequence of too much tv/dvd's, books, and the sensitive effects of anesthesia finally wearing off). and Your social life takes the largest hit. Activity is limited and for guys like B & myself, becoming a spectator sucks.
sympathizing with Brandon, who's 18th Birthday is a week away. Poor kid. I'd make him some good soup, but it'd probably just piss him off...
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Lost Now FOUND!
This day, honestly could not have been any better!!!!
I'm reading one of the greatest books I've ever read, my dinner party was absolutely wonderful, and MY GLASSES HAVE BEEN FOUND!!!!!!!!!!!!! Granted, they're 160 miles away in Minneapolis, but at least their location is known.
And Gracie loves me..........and we're watching movies tonight. Just the two of us.
such a good day. such a good good day....how fortunate.
I'm reading one of the greatest books I've ever read, my dinner party was absolutely wonderful, and MY GLASSES HAVE BEEN FOUND!!!!!!!!!!!!! Granted, they're 160 miles away in Minneapolis, but at least their location is known.
And Gracie loves me.....
such a good day. such a good good day....how fortunate.
In Father's Footsteps
My glasses are still lost, but I've found something much more important. Something of higher value than some chic designer frames...
The other day I finally started a new book. It is a book that I was skeptical of...and just couldn't seem to lift the cover on for a few months now. "Why" this has been, I'm not completely certain...a variety of personal reasons I guess.
At any rate, it's my Father's first published book called "Life at the Crossroads: Reflections from a Country Store." I'd leave a synopsis and brief summary of the content, but to do so I think would cheapen a reader's first time experience...and I think it'd cheapen the words my father has chosen within. In short though, it's his memories and stories from his childhood, and the lessons he's learned from the humble farm and country store he grew up on. I feel so proud of him. And I'm impressed. Not only with the result but with the path he's walked to get where he is now. And I've had the vantage point to see him, hear him, observe him....under go some challenging life changes from the time he started to the time it hit the press back in October. I'm halfway through it, and I feel like I'm learning things about my Father that I've always known, but have never known. And that's a rewarding and incredible feeling that I wish I could more accurately describe.
The ways he presents his ideas...his vocabulary and word choices...even his punctuation, reminds me of HIM. My dad. It's him---and the stories are him...some of them I've heard so many times, even I could recite them ---> and I've enjoyed predicting "what he'll include" and "what chapter[of his life] comes next."
I'm laughing at myself, because I've never been so eager to blog as I am right now!
The book is the essence of my father: sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, contemplative, humble......and full of love.
Someday, if I ever have a family, I hope I'm like my dad and his first book.
The other day I finally started a new book. It is a book that I was skeptical of...and just couldn't seem to lift the cover on for a few months now. "Why" this has been, I'm not completely certain...a variety of personal reasons I guess.
At any rate, it's my Father's first published book called "Life at the Crossroads: Reflections from a Country Store." I'd leave a synopsis and brief summary of the content, but to do so I think would cheapen a reader's first time experience...and I think it'd cheapen the words my father has chosen within. In short though, it's his memories and stories from his childhood, and the lessons he's learned from the humble farm and country store he grew up on. I feel so proud of him. And I'm impressed. Not only with the result but with the path he's walked to get where he is now. And I've had the vantage point to see him, hear him, observe him....under go some challenging life changes from the time he started to the time it hit the press back in October. I'm halfway through it, and I feel like I'm learning things about my Father that I've always known, but have never known. And that's a rewarding and incredible feeling that I wish I could more accurately describe.
The ways he presents his ideas...his vocabulary and word choices...even his punctuation, reminds me of HIM. My dad. It's him---and the stories are him...some of them I've heard so many times, even I could recite them ---> and I've enjoyed predicting "what he'll include" and "what chapter[of his life] comes next."
I'm laughing at myself, because I've never been so eager to blog as I am right now!
The book is the essence of my father: sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, contemplative, humble......and full of love.
Someday, if I ever have a family, I hope I'm like my dad and his first book.
Monday, January 19, 2009
LOST and LONG GONE
I am annoyed. Arguably angry, and antagonized. That's right, antagonized. By my own stupid carelessness....
I lost my glasses. And this wasn't just any pair of glasses..... I went ahead and spent a ridiculous $230 on them. All on the simple notion that a) "I wanted new, darker, thicker frames" and b) I was "due" for a new pair of glasses.
In truth, they can only be so many places, and I probably haven't looked nearly hard enough or thought nearly long enough on "where else" they may be. But my frustration is presently too great for me to overcome and reach a point of mental clarity and rationale.
I've got a dinner menu to plan. Letters to write. And books to be read....and a checklist to check off. So dumb. So dumb. So long gone....shit.
I lost my glasses. And this wasn't just any pair of glasses..... I went ahead and spent a ridiculous $230 on them. All on the simple notion that a) "I wanted new, darker, thicker frames" and b) I was "due" for a new pair of glasses.
In truth, they can only be so many places, and I probably haven't looked nearly hard enough or thought nearly long enough on "where else" they may be. But my frustration is presently too great for me to overcome and reach a point of mental clarity and rationale.
I've got a dinner menu to plan. Letters to write. And books to be read....and a checklist to check off. So dumb. So dumb. So long gone....shit.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Free Friday
I was given a Friday night off. It was glorious.
I spent it reading books, recipes, browsing magazines and reconnecting with some old scores I'd written long ago....which made me think about my time conducting and marching in highschool. Watching Corps and competitions...studying field shows and transitional material.
Take the next 2:38 of your life and watch this.
Best Adjectives:
Focused.
Zoned-IN
Siiiiiiick (in a spectacular kind of way)
and my personal favorite---the one which I resort to in my most-utter-moments-of-dire-disbelief: cha?!?!shit..me..
Blue Coats Knock OUT
Okay you know you want some more:
Blue Coats Closer Night
Blue Coast Closer Afternoon
I spent it reading books, recipes, browsing magazines and reconnecting with some old scores I'd written long ago....which made me think about my time conducting and marching in highschool. Watching Corps and competitions...studying field shows and transitional material.
Take the next 2:38 of your life and watch this.
Best Adjectives:
Focused.
Zoned-IN
Siiiiiiick (in a spectacular kind of way)
and my personal favorite---the one which I resort to in my most-utter-moments-of-dire-disbelief: cha?!
Okay you know you want some more:
Blue Coats Closer Night
Blue Coast Closer Afternoon
Friday, January 16, 2009
Oldies Radio Rant
KVIK 104.7- FM K-Viking-Gold is a local radio station here in Decorah. I do not like their station. Nor their DJ's. Nor their radio shows. Nor their advertisements. Nor much of their music. It's just BAD FREAKIN' RADIO.
Their genre of music is Classic Hits...."oldies." I'm a Generation X child of the late '80s, and while my parents both grew up during the '60s and '70s (and '80s) raising me on everything from the Beach Boys, Elton John, Pat Benetar (yes I said it) Dire Straits, Kansas, Led Zepplin, The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, etc.... I don't really connect with this music.
Frustratingly, this is the radio station that plays at the store when I'm working---like right now. Having to listen to this station nearly 3-4 days a week, week after week, probably has much to do with my disdain for their station. No, I take that back. Their station sucks, and their lack of diversity is the reason why I dislike their station SO VERY MUCH. And their DJ's sound STUPID....that and they play HORRIBLE renditions of the Star Spangled Banner EVERYDAY precisely at NOON. ***I really don't care how un-Patriotic that may make me sound....really don't. I don't need to hear the Star Spangled Banner sung by a half dozen local 9 year olds in their breathy-pitchy-tone-deaf-key-modulating-voices... In fact: (and Maybe I'm going to burn in the bowels of Dante's Inferno for saying this) I've been known to turn OFF the radio when the National Anthem comes on...
It's the same playlist OVER and OVER and OVER....AND OVER! "Classic Hits." The genre doesn't seem like that constricting, that rigid....there HAVE to be MORE songs out there than what they play...
anyways. I've resorted to iTunes Radio, XM Satellite radio, and youtube playlists I've created to maintain sanity while at the store. Yes I'll listen to Journey, and toe tap to Earth Wind and Fire and Fleetwood Mac...but Small Doses.
If ever I am driven to unhealthy drinking habbits, it won't be due to the fact that I work @ a Wine and Liquor store & bartend....rather the fact that this music makes me want to open a double magnum of Cabernet and finish it as quickly as possible.
Their genre of music is Classic Hits...."oldies." I'm a Generation X child of the late '80s, and while my parents both grew up during the '60s and '70s (and '80s) raising me on everything from the Beach Boys, Elton John, Pat Benetar (yes I said it) Dire Straits, Kansas, Led Zepplin, The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, etc.... I don't really connect with this music.
Frustratingly, this is the radio station that plays at the store when I'm working---like right now. Having to listen to this station nearly 3-4 days a week, week after week, probably has much to do with my disdain for their station. No, I take that back. Their station sucks, and their lack of diversity is the reason why I dislike their station SO VERY MUCH. And their DJ's sound STUPID....that and they play HORRIBLE renditions of the Star Spangled Banner EVERYDAY precisely at NOON. ***I really don't care how un-Patriotic that may make me sound....really don't. I don't need to hear the Star Spangled Banner sung by a half dozen local 9 year olds in their breathy-pitchy-tone-deaf-key-modulating-voices... In fact: (and Maybe I'm going to burn in the bowels of Dante's Inferno for saying this) I've been known to turn OFF the radio when the National Anthem comes on...
It's the same playlist OVER and OVER and OVER....AND OVER! "Classic Hits." The genre doesn't seem like that constricting, that rigid....there HAVE to be MORE songs out there than what they play...
anyways. I've resorted to iTunes Radio, XM Satellite radio, and youtube playlists I've created to maintain sanity while at the store. Yes I'll listen to Journey, and toe tap to Earth Wind and Fire and Fleetwood Mac...but Small Doses.
If ever I am driven to unhealthy drinking habbits, it won't be due to the fact that I work @ a Wine and Liquor store & bartend....rather the fact that this music makes me want to open a double magnum of Cabernet and finish it as quickly as possible.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A Tuesday Unlike Others
"Continual Pleasant Surprises" would be the best way to summarize this day, January 13, 2009.
I haphazardly hit my alarm this morning, subconsciously knowing I should have gotten up but, none the less, tugged the comforter up over my head scrunched into a ball and slept on to try and finish a dream I'd been in the middle of.
Pleasant Surprise #1: (9:18 A.M.) I woke up just about an hour and a half later without a 2nd alarm, plopped back into reality as the credits and "The End" began to roll across the completion of my dream. Blinked my eyes, double checked my phone, thought, "Wow--that dream was so good, if there were a sequel I would have been late to work," and got up, made toast and jam, showered and even made it to the bank and ran a few errands before 10. Yes!
Fast Forward 3 hours.
Pleasant Surprise #2: (12:22 P.M.) I receive a call from my other boss confirming me to bar tend for a Chamber [of Commerce] Member event hosted at the restaurant this evening. Excellent. These are typically downtown business owners and they all don't mind pumping some more money into one another's respective businesses. And I was the fortunate beneficiary from this. $75 in tips + Wage. It's no lottery, but it's $75 in tips + Wage that I wouldn't have had otherwise...and for that I am pleasantly surprised. Besides. Even that amount of money can Stretch a Very Long ways in a given circumstance. 4 words---> Third World Exchange Rate.
Fast Forward 7 and a half hours.
Pleasant Surprise #3: (7:45 P.M.) I'm invited out for dinner at a different restaurant with my bosses (spreading business within the community) and we end up meeting my OTHER employers there. And we all have a great time. And then my boss picks up the bill. And I'm just wowed.
So nice. So kind. So entertained.
Also. I got new shoes in the mail today...I ordered them. And while I was a little upset they came from California instead of from a Mall/warehouse located somewhere out of the Midwest perhaps---I'm happy they're here! And Now my feet won't be cold!!!! But I'll still wear my Adidas....I've had them since 10th grade, and I really can't part with them....
I haphazardly hit my alarm this morning, subconsciously knowing I should have gotten up but, none the less, tugged the comforter up over my head scrunched into a ball and slept on to try and finish a dream I'd been in the middle of.
Pleasant Surprise #1: (9:18 A.M.) I woke up just about an hour and a half later without a 2nd alarm, plopped back into reality as the credits and "The End" began to roll across the completion of my dream. Blinked my eyes, double checked my phone, thought, "Wow--that dream was so good, if there were a sequel I would have been late to work," and got up, made toast and jam, showered and even made it to the bank and ran a few errands before 10. Yes!
Fast Forward 3 hours.
Pleasant Surprise #2: (12:22 P.M.) I receive a call from my other boss confirming me to bar tend for a Chamber [of Commerce] Member event hosted at the restaurant this evening. Excellent. These are typically downtown business owners and they all don't mind pumping some more money into one another's respective businesses. And I was the fortunate beneficiary from this. $75 in tips + Wage. It's no lottery, but it's $75 in tips + Wage that I wouldn't have had otherwise...and for that I am pleasantly surprised. Besides. Even that amount of money can Stretch a Very Long ways in a given circumstance. 4 words---> Third World Exchange Rate.
Fast Forward 7 and a half hours.
Pleasant Surprise #3: (7:45 P.M.) I'm invited out for dinner at a different restaurant with my bosses (spreading business within the community) and we end up meeting my OTHER employers there. And we all have a great time. And then my boss picks up the bill. And I'm just wowed.
So nice. So kind. So entertained.
Also. I got new shoes in the mail today...I ordered them. And while I was a little upset they came from California instead of from a Mall/warehouse located somewhere out of the Midwest perhaps---I'm happy they're here! And Now my feet won't be cold!!!! But I'll still wear my Adidas....I've had them since 10th grade, and I really can't part with them....
Monday, January 12, 2009
Surviving Mother Nature
The recent wintery mess that has taken a serious grip upon NE IA has reminded me of how powerful, how awesome Creation is. How Literally WILD it is.
*Don't worry, I'm going somewhere with this:
Enter Discovery Channel. It's easily one of my favorite things to watch. And recently they have brought back what I think will forever be one of the most educational, entertaining, and important series ever created: Planet Earth. Someday I'll spend 3 or 4 blog entries explaining my opinions on the value behind Planet Earth, but not tonight.
I'm focusing on a different DC series: Yep. You better believe it. Man vs. Wild starring Bear Grylls. The show requires a bit of a stretch of the imagination. Put a man and a camera crew out in the rawest, wildest places on Creation with only a canteen, army knife, a bit of flint and the clothes on his back to show you the wondrous thrills of survival and the incredibly daunting obstacles an individual would face if truly "lost" in each episode's scenarios. Traversing through environments from jungles to desserts, to mountains and vast plains....all the while on foot/make shift rafts/canoes...
As a person who loves adventure, I think back to my childhood growing up involved with the Boyscouts of America program. (laugh laugh laugh--- certainly some oddities about the program but it was good father-son time etc.) It certainly fed my appetite for outdoor education, nature identification, survival techniques and community service. I'll admit I'm no Eagle Scout, but I've spent enough time in wilderness locations and grew up around some really intelligent Nature/Creation Experts, and over my life have absorbed much of what I've observed and heard them speak about.
So while the guy knows vast more about nature's mysterious wonders of the world, On my home turf (aka the Upper Midwest) I think I could take on Bear's tv challenges..
Fire. Food. Shelter. Done...maybe I'll take a hiatus for a few days and drop myself into the Northwoods of Wisconsin this summer or trek Michigan's UP.
More than likely I'll just keep watching DC's M vs. W and live vicariously. But then again: I'm all for Vacations.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Fish Frenzy: A Sushi Lover's Paradise
I like fish. Catching them. Watching them. Cleaning them. Cooking and Eating them.
I think it's the texture...I'm big into texture in my food. And a large influence on texture is temperature. Even subtle temperature differences completely change the texture of certain foods.
Segue: SUSHI.
More specifically sashimi. It's soft. cool. smoothe. And depending on the cut and/or fish--- meaty, firm, light, or chewy. I won't use the term "rubbery" with sashimi---contradictory connotation to my infatuation with this dish.
Okay. So here's a website I like to just go watch and browse..and dream of someday buying and using their products.
http://www.honolulufish.com/index.php
P.S. I've totally considered making up a false business/restaurant name and using my home address to ship to....
I think it's the texture...I'm big into texture in my food. And a large influence on texture is temperature. Even subtle temperature differences completely change the texture of certain foods.
Segue: SUSHI.
More specifically sashimi. It's soft. cool. smoothe. And depending on the cut and/or fish--- meaty, firm, light, or chewy. I won't use the term "rubbery" with sashimi---contradictory connotation to my infatuation with this dish.
Okay. So here's a website I like to just go watch and browse..and dream of someday buying and using their products.
http://www.honolulufish.com/index.php
P.S. I've totally considered making up a false business/restaurant name and using my home address to ship to....
The Unseen
Okay, just one more post....I really can't resist:
The Great Thing: Virtually no-one is up at this time of day/night.....which means these stars and this gigantic sky, these millions of snowflakes falling silently to the ground, these hidden secrets of the world are mine, and perhaps MINE alone.
The Sad Thing: Virtually no-one is up at this time of day/night.....which means these stars and this gigantic sky, these millions of snowflakes falling silently to the ground, these hidden secrets of the world are mine, and perhaps MINE alone.Virtually no-one is up at this time of day/night....
It's a Dramatically Ironic Beauty. Someone, somewhere, some way is absorbing this too....
Reference: Hebrews 11:1....
The Great Thing: Virtually no-one is up at this time of day/night.....which means these stars and this gigantic sky, these millions of snowflakes falling silently to the ground, these hidden secrets of the world are mine, and perhaps MINE alone.
The Sad Thing: Virtually no-one is up at this time of day/night.....which means these stars and this gigantic sky, these millions of snowflakes falling silently to the ground, these hidden secrets of the world are mine, and perhaps MINE alone.Virtually no-one is up at this time of day/night....
It's a Dramatically Ironic Beauty. Someone, somewhere, some way is absorbing this too....
Reference: Hebrews 11:1....
Patience and Potential
I get the warm fuzzies when I think about this for long, deep periods of time:
I am becoming a better cook, and better person every passing day.
:o)
THAT, is a good note to end this day upon.
I am becoming a better cook, and better person every passing day.
:o)
THAT, is a good note to end this day upon.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Gracie-isms
Tonight as I opened the front door when I got home from work, my dog was waiting at the top steps. She lifted her head and wagged her tail as I greeted her, just anticipating the scratch between the ears she knew she'd get. Gracie is approximately 10 years old (you can do the Dog year conversion if you choose...I don't really believe in that)--but her actual age is somewhat of a mystery to our entire family. No one can quite remember when we got her, let alone how old she was when we did (she's a pound puppy).
In her younger years Gracie was a playful little thing. She would scamper around the house weaving in and out of table legs and under coffee tables, pausing at the sliding glass door in the back to survey and assess the ongoings of the backyard and gardens before trotting to the front living room windows to do the same. Come the snowy months she loved going outside and leaping through the snow when it was chest high on her.
Now a days she's quite lazy, spoiled, and far less active. During the winter months she typically lays around most of the day. She has a couple preferential locations for sprawling, atop the foot of my parents' bed, and the top steps of both our front and back door. Translation: Gaurd Dog! In the right habitat (which is 95% of the time) Gracie is about as carefree as you can get. The other 5% she deems to "maintaining her territory"...pacing the fence line to her yard, and "protecting" family members when encountering other doggies or people on walks. She lives the "Good Life" getting treats from my mom as she pleases, constantly perfecting her "look at my big brown eyes mommy" look. As a result from her spoiling, she will follow my mom EVERYWHERE in the house now, ignoring commands anyone else gives her--it's almost disgusting. On sunny days she'll migrate from sunny spot to sunny spot throughout the day. She still likes walks in the spring, and especially laying around in her yard during the fall months chasing leaves and getting in 2 or 3 excellent doggy dreams in an afternoon.
Anyways. As I approached the top step her wagging intensified, as I reached down to scratch her between the ears she bolted down the steps between my legs! The mail and car keys in my right hand went flying into the air, my bag slid off my left shoulder and proceeded to crash down the half flight of stairs like a slinky hitting every single possible step---my poor lap top and new Christmas books inside--and I ended up in a heap where she had just been...my coat now covered in her hair (she sheds year round).
Gracie never even looked back to admire her wake of desctruction, envelopes and my magazine subscriptions strewn about. Nope. She was far too busy chowing down on the treat my mom had pulled from her coat pocket.
And then I realized one of my wildest fears was real. My mom brings doggy treats to work with her.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Unwinding
A long Sunday morning of slow business.... equivocates to a bored cook.
Thusly:
The remainder of the afternoon will consist of a football game on silent, a book, Minnesota Public Radio and a plop on the couch in the sunny spot....
and Slippers.
Thusly:
The remainder of the afternoon will consist of a football game on silent, a book, Minnesota Public Radio and a plop on the couch in the sunny spot....
and Slippers.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
2009
It's a New Year.
I can't get over how weird it is to write '09 or 2009....
Habbits can be so hard to break. Perhaps this is why New Year's Resolutions can be such a pain in the ass to formulate. They force us to acknowledge our individual shortcomings and imperfections.
Luckily for me, I'm perfect and don't need to make any this year...
Bahaha. Perhaps I'll dissect some of my Resolutions in the next few posts...
I can't get over how weird it is to write '09 or 2009....
Habbits can be so hard to break. Perhaps this is why New Year's Resolutions can be such a pain in the ass to formulate. They force us to acknowledge our individual shortcomings and imperfections.
Luckily for me, I'm perfect and don't need to make any this year...
Bahaha. Perhaps I'll dissect some of my Resolutions in the next few posts...
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