So that last post was depressing. Real, but depressing. I'm still bitter just seeing the title...regardless--my blog is itching for some warm thoughts and balance. Call it "a remedy" to the recent cruelties of the physical world (the thermometer currently reads 33F with an -8 windchill...do the math). BURR.
So tonight:
A table setting for 4. Yay! Family meal
--Zitti & Mini Meatballs from scratch with homemade tomato sauce, shallots, oregano and basil
--Oven Roasted whole heads of garlic and sliced baguette
--Spring Greens (haha...as if they'll really make the cold weather warmer) with yellow pear tomatoes, and a lemon-cilantro vinaigrette
...time to get meatball-making. Ciao!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Lost and Found
So I'm not really a fan of cats....I've had a cat. He was a Christmas gift when I was 6....dad brought him home from work one night, (a residence-hall-confiscation-kitty!)... I named him Happy. He was an all black kitty, with green eyes and a little white patch on his tummy. He was a good cat in his youth--very playful...loved balls of tinfoil, string, and the 'Nip. But he was rather owly in his later years--not nearly as affectionate. Maybe I was too rough on him while he was a young kitty. Well...maybe my sister, brother, and I were too rough on him while he was a young kitty. Maybe it was the addition of a new four-legged pet with a tail when he was 13.....her name was Gracie. But I highly doubt it was the dog that made Happy ditch his namesake...she loved him even when she was a tumbling, curious, chewing, pointy eared ball of CUTENESS. When Gracie came to the house, we put them in the same room together and blocked all exits....I remember it so well:
Happy scowled for awhile in the corner as if he were annoyed and pouting. Gracie eventually left the human attention and went over to check him out. He sat next to the wall, staunch and not in the slightest intimidated by the pink collared push-over of a puppy ambling toward him. She trotted right up to him, sniffing the air as she approached. He rose to all fours, towering over her a good 3 inches, and flicking his tail slowly from side to side. Gracie moved toward his tail, and with one swift right paw--he swatted her little nose and she went rolling. And then she knew--it was his house :o) (Not that she would care in 2 and a half years when she was bigger than him)
Anyways. All that to say I am a pet lover, and have owned a cat and a dog, and a fair share of fish that I'd won at various county fairs from tossing ping pong balls into floating jars 8 feet away. I, however, am not a big fan of felines.
But today, while I was at work---on perhaps the coldest day of this winter (with freezing rain, a chilling wind, and a predicted 4-7" of snow/freezing precipitation in the next 48 hours) I found a box under the shelter of an eave. It was 3 P.M. and now I feel terrible that I didn't notice it when I'd arrived in the morning. Inside was a shivering orange cat, a can of food, and some newspaper....it was uncollared and skittish. I was mad. I'm still mad. Who does that?!?!? IT IS FREEZING OUTSIDE!!!! I called the police. An officer came to try and bring it to the station, they'd found a temporary holding location to take it to. Sadly, the cat was too frightened---I'm assuming by the thoughtless act of abandonment, the owner was perhaps abusive and inattentive to make the cat that fearful of human contact---and scampered beneath an ice cooler.
I'll be surprised if the cat is there in the morning...I hope it's left in search of food and a warmer place...like the Subway down the street...or a heating vent behind the Hair salon. Sad....my blankets don't feel as warm as they normally do.....
Happy scowled for awhile in the corner as if he were annoyed and pouting. Gracie eventually left the human attention and went over to check him out. He sat next to the wall, staunch and not in the slightest intimidated by the pink collared push-over of a puppy ambling toward him. She trotted right up to him, sniffing the air as she approached. He rose to all fours, towering over her a good 3 inches, and flicking his tail slowly from side to side. Gracie moved toward his tail, and with one swift right paw--he swatted her little nose and she went rolling. And then she knew--it was his house :o) (Not that she would care in 2 and a half years when she was bigger than him)
Anyways. All that to say I am a pet lover, and have owned a cat and a dog, and a fair share of fish that I'd won at various county fairs from tossing ping pong balls into floating jars 8 feet away. I, however, am not a big fan of felines.
But today, while I was at work---on perhaps the coldest day of this winter (with freezing rain, a chilling wind, and a predicted 4-7" of snow/freezing precipitation in the next 48 hours) I found a box under the shelter of an eave. It was 3 P.M. and now I feel terrible that I didn't notice it when I'd arrived in the morning. Inside was a shivering orange cat, a can of food, and some newspaper....it was uncollared and skittish. I was mad. I'm still mad. Who does that?!?!? IT IS FREEZING OUTSIDE!!!! I called the police. An officer came to try and bring it to the station, they'd found a temporary holding location to take it to. Sadly, the cat was too frightened---I'm assuming by the thoughtless act of abandonment, the owner was perhaps abusive and inattentive to make the cat that fearful of human contact---and scampered beneath an ice cooler.
I'll be surprised if the cat is there in the morning...I hope it's left in search of food and a warmer place...like the Subway down the street...or a heating vent behind the Hair salon. Sad....my blankets don't feel as warm as they normally do.....
Friday, December 5, 2008
Jingle Jingle Jingle... :o)
It occurred to me tonight, while I was making a Candy Cane Martini, that I am pretty dam good at what I do. And even though I confidently blurt out answers when I'm asked "where" and "how" I learned to bartend, I have to wonder myself sometimes...."how the heck do I do this?"
Then I remember the stack of magazines in my room of Gourmet, Bon Apetit, and Wine Spectator, and the 3 different folders of Bookmarks on my Firefox browser that are chalk full of cocktail recipes, and links to websites, forums, etc. ranging from estate vineyards, to brewing, and successfull Google Search hits.
And then remember the notebooks I have tested myself with, reciting and writing recipes from memory until they literally are "memorized"....proportions, ingredients, and mixing steps, as well as glasses, garnishes etc...
Oiy. I will say this: I like it when my pockets jingle and my wallet bulges... :o) Which is why I'll love this weekend.
Do I miss Christmas At Luther?? Umm....not a whole lot actually. I've seen/been in this big production for the past 10 years of my life....annnnnnd it's streak that would have been neat to maintain, but I need a break. I'll watch the edited and recorded version 3 or 4 times in a few weeks.... PBS Dec. 22 9 P.M. C.S.T. Check it out.
Oh...and how could I forget:
Introducing the one and only: Norman.
Then I remember the stack of magazines in my room of Gourmet, Bon Apetit, and Wine Spectator, and the 3 different folders of Bookmarks on my Firefox browser that are chalk full of cocktail recipes, and links to websites, forums, etc. ranging from estate vineyards, to brewing, and successfull Google Search hits.
And then remember the notebooks I have tested myself with, reciting and writing recipes from memory until they literally are "memorized"....proportions, ingredients, and mixing steps, as well as glasses, garnishes etc...
Oiy. I will say this: I like it when my pockets jingle and my wallet bulges... :o) Which is why I'll love this weekend.
Do I miss Christmas At Luther?? Umm....not a whole lot actually. I've seen/been in this big production for the past 10 years of my life....annnnnnd it's streak that would have been neat to maintain, but I need a break. I'll watch the edited and recorded version 3 or 4 times in a few weeks.... PBS Dec. 22 9 P.M. C.S.T. Check it out.
Oh...and how could I forget:
Introducing the one and only: Norman.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
News and such and Nothing's In Particularzez
I have a new mouse. It's name is Norman. It is fast, clean, and sleek. Norman cost me $70, but it was money well spent. He travels well, stays warm in my coat pockets, and is extremely hassle-free!!! I like my things to have names. I think Norman is quite attractive....
I know: It's weird. "Sue me."
Christmas @ Luther week----> means lots of out of towners, lots of old friends returning, lots of drinks to be mixed and tips to be made. Sounds like my kinda weekend! Which, remember, starts on Wednesday and ends on Sunday in my world. :o)
....Norman is waiting for me. Pictures to come shortly!
I know: It's weird. "Sue me."
Christmas @ Luther week----> means lots of out of towners, lots of old friends returning, lots of drinks to be mixed and tips to be made. Sounds like my kinda weekend! Which, remember, starts on Wednesday and ends on Sunday in my world. :o)
....Norman is waiting for me. Pictures to come shortly!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving UGH.
11-27-08 11:38 P.M.
I can think of few things more frustrating than coming down with the flu on Thanksgiving at your relatives' house. Never experienced it? Let me tell you, It SUCKS. Everyone else gets to eat, drink, and spend family time together while you are quarantined to the far corners of the house...attic or basement you choose.
Bleeehhhh....Back to my air mattress, pile of pillows, blankets, and unfortunately the most nauseating feeling from head to toe that I've experienced in 10 years.
Okay wait, 1 quick thought:
I think it's true, and a little bit discomforting, "You don't know what you have until it's gone." [At this moment good health comes to my mind]
Livable wages.
A HOUSE.
$20 to fill up a tank of gas in your car.
Shoot you have a car?!
Shoot you can Drive a car?!?! You don't walk to work? Wait a minute?!
You don't carry water for miles back to your house? What's a faucet?! Wait, your water is clean?
I do think people are "thankful" on this day. I just wonder "what?" it is that they--we--are thankful for. The truth is, a portion of the world population, much larger than any of us would truly want to ever precisely know, didn't have the means/ability to travel and be with family today/this weekend. Or spend an absurd amount of money on so much food [and ridiculous material goods on Black Friday like millions of people will in about....5-6 hours] that they have leftovers for the next 3 days...which is often wasted/thrown away.
Today, even though I spent the majority of my afternoon/evening/night in complete discomfort, I'm thankful that all of my preparations and cooking was enjoyed by the rest of my family and relatives. Hooray. Everything turned out just right. So, many thanks for great food. I'm thankful for my jobs, my travels, my families, for music. For knowledge. Books. For ambition. For liberation and those who work towards equity and opportunity to the marginalized, who pick up the slack for all of us who falter in activism. Especially Thankful for those workers...
For laughter. Journals. Over sized fuzzy blankets. And drugs that make sick people feel better. For silence and peace.
I am thankful for Ava Sun-Hee Howell, who was born at 11:03 P.M. on 11-23-08!!!!!!! I hear November 23rd is a good birthday date in the calendar year. Shameless picture borrowing....she's beautiful.
I live a cushy life, with lots of love and support....
For Jeremy. Mrs. Wilson. Drew. Lindsey. Tricia. Caitlin. KAMP. Choson. Obama. Jordan and Jeanette. And Gracie. :o)
Happy Thanksgiving....
I can think of few things more frustrating than coming down with the flu on Thanksgiving at your relatives' house. Never experienced it? Let me tell you, It SUCKS. Everyone else gets to eat, drink, and spend family time together while you are quarantined to the far corners of the house...attic or basement you choose.
Bleeehhhh....Back to my air mattress, pile of pillows, blankets, and unfortunately the most nauseating feeling from head to toe that I've experienced in 10 years.
Okay wait, 1 quick thought:
I think it's true, and a little bit discomforting, "You don't know what you have until it's gone." [At this moment good health comes to my mind]
Livable wages.
A HOUSE.
$20 to fill up a tank of gas in your car.
Shoot you have a car?!
Shoot you can Drive a car?!?! You don't walk to work? Wait a minute?!
You don't carry water for miles back to your house? What's a faucet?! Wait, your water is clean?
I do think people are "thankful" on this day. I just wonder "what?" it is that they--we--are thankful for. The truth is, a portion of the world population, much larger than any of us would truly want to ever precisely know, didn't have the means/ability to travel and be with family today/this weekend. Or spend an absurd amount of money on so much food [and ridiculous material goods on Black Friday like millions of people will in about....5-6 hours] that they have leftovers for the next 3 days...which is often wasted/thrown away.
Today, even though I spent the majority of my afternoon/evening/night in complete discomfort, I'm thankful that all of my preparations and cooking was enjoyed by the rest of my family and relatives. Hooray. Everything turned out just right. So, many thanks for great food. I'm thankful for my jobs, my travels, my families, for music. For knowledge. Books. For ambition. For liberation and those who work towards equity and opportunity to the marginalized, who pick up the slack for all of us who falter in activism. Especially Thankful for those workers...
For laughter. Journals. Over sized fuzzy blankets. And drugs that make sick people feel better. For silence and peace.
I am thankful for Ava Sun-Hee Howell, who was born at 11:03 P.M. on 11-23-08!!!!!!! I hear November 23rd is a good birthday date in the calendar year. Shameless picture borrowing....she's beautiful.
I live a cushy life, with lots of love and support....
For Jeremy. Mrs. Wilson. Drew. Lindsey. Tricia. Caitlin. KAMP. Choson. Obama. Jordan and Jeanette. And Gracie. :o)
Happy Thanksgiving....
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Twin Cities Terrorist, Catostrophic Golden Gopher Massacre, Ooot N ABooot
So I went to the Twin Cities this past weekend to watch the Hawkeye-Gopher football game. The last Gopher game in the Metrodome.
What I witnessed, was tragic. Sad. Embarassing...and I loved every second of the 55-0 drumming the Hawkeyes put on the Gophers. HERE's to YOUm, y many Minnesotan friends who constantly give me the razz-matazz for being from Iowa and thus apparently not as cool or as "good" of a human as they are. Congratualtions on your 4 game losing streak to close out your season Gophers... College football. Who cares about it. Me.
Meanwhile. The Hawks are looking forward to a warm weather bowl game... Do I enjoy savoring this horrifically beautiful loss for the Gophers? Do I enjoy recalling the streams of maroon and gold clad Gopher fans heading forlornly to the aisles and exits midway through the 3rd quarter? Yes. Yes I do.
Not enjoyable:
Entering the Metrodome last night, I was standing in line with what felt like a million other fans, the majority being Hawkeye Faithfuls, and the 5 other guys I went to the game with. "For some reason unknown to me," the 5 of them managed to walk right through the security and ticket takers no fuss. I on the other hand was forced to empty all of my coat and jean pockets, the entire contents of my wallet, and got patted down head to toe. Apparently I fit the profile of a suspicious/dangerous individual. I kid you not, that really happened. Racial Profiling? It's really hard to say for certain. At any rate, it was uncomfortable and made me LATE to the opening kickoff. AND THAT made me MAD.
Summation of Weekend:
--Awesome time in downtown Minny with 1000s of Happy Hawkeye fans amidst a sea of embarrased Gopher followers, altogether drinking away the awful/glorious memories of the game earlier in the night.
www.the508mpls.com
www.solera-restaurant.com
--A temporary fulfillment and subsiding in the hunger pangs for Korean food the past 2 months
http://mirrorofkorea.com/
--A Menu squared away for Thanksgiving--HOORAY!
--A peek into TC Real-Estate...eesh.
http://www.skyscapecondos.com/
What I witnessed, was tragic. Sad. Embarassing...and I loved every second of the 55-0 drumming the Hawkeyes put on the Gophers. HERE's to YOUm, y many Minnesotan friends who constantly give me the razz-matazz for being from Iowa and thus apparently not as cool or as "good" of a human as they are. Congratualtions on your 4 game losing streak to close out your season Gophers... College football. Who cares about it. Me.
Meanwhile. The Hawks are looking forward to a warm weather bowl game... Do I enjoy savoring this horrifically beautiful loss for the Gophers? Do I enjoy recalling the streams of maroon and gold clad Gopher fans heading forlornly to the aisles and exits midway through the 3rd quarter? Yes. Yes I do.
Not enjoyable:
Entering the Metrodome last night, I was standing in line with what felt like a million other fans, the majority being Hawkeye Faithfuls, and the 5 other guys I went to the game with. "For some reason unknown to me," the 5 of them managed to walk right through the security and ticket takers no fuss. I on the other hand was forced to empty all of my coat and jean pockets, the entire contents of my wallet, and got patted down head to toe. Apparently I fit the profile of a suspicious/dangerous individual. I kid you not, that really happened. Racial Profiling? It's really hard to say for certain. At any rate, it was uncomfortable and made me LATE to the opening kickoff. AND THAT made me MAD.
Summation of Weekend:
--Awesome time in downtown Minny with 1000s of Happy Hawkeye fans amidst a sea of embarrased Gopher followers, altogether drinking away the awful/glorious memories of the game earlier in the night.
www.the508mpls.com
www.solera-restaurant.com
--A temporary fulfillment and subsiding in the hunger pangs for Korean food the past 2 months
http://mirrorofkorea.com/
--A Menu squared away for Thanksgiving--HOORAY!
--A peek into TC Real-Estate...eesh.
http://www.skyscapecondos.com/
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Dreaming Dangerously?
I question whether I dream too much. [if the frequency with which I dream is bad] And I find myself in somewhat of a conundrum, division of reason from rational. I often wonder if I am a Greedy Dreamer. Or if I'm just greedy in general. Thoughts in this blog, stemming from a multitude of points:
-from the Economics of the Present day
-The possible Economics of the Future
-the truths of Capitalism in the Free World (and perhaps more importantly the secrets as well)
-reflections on living in a Third World Country...
A dream that's really strangling me lately:
Someday I would love to have 2...3...restaurants. Jeeze. haha--laughing at myself..."enough said, The rest of this post is null and pointless...I'm greedy." Or 1 would be fine. I'd love it for the challenges of owning and maintaining my businesses, for the pleasure of making food for people...I'd love it for "all the right reasons" [passion for cuisine, service to others, sharing of self, and the educational opportunities I could provide people while dining in my restaurants]. Educational opportunities like buying and eating locally, sustainably....eating healthy and balanced meals... I would love it for the insatiably daunting hours and unspeakable labor required. TRULY. I WOULD. I DO ALReady. I think I could cook for 48 hours and not even blink. I bet I could cook for 3 days and not even blink... i mean...I don't sleep as it already is, so sleep deprivation wouldn't be an issue. And dammit I want to be SUCCESSFUL. As in "WOAH. Wow. Nationally renowned."
Why stop there Jackson. Who am I kidding, I would love it for the cushy amenities that come with the territory....the wine vineyard estate land that I have partial ownership of in Napa, not to mention the envious real estate in Tuscany that I afford and the house that I bought and restored on it... The trips that I take for both business and pleasure...the privileged destinations and eateries I add to my tally-list.....[this is where most of my dreams typically turn]
BUT: I see danger in pursuing such a dream. The danger of losing site of the marginalized...the danger in becoming part of the problem rather than a solution....the danger in becoming "yet another beneficiary of fame & fortune" and being so consumed in the career that got me there that I lose track of the REST that is me. *Because dear god, I hope Hope hope HOPE freakin' HOPE, that I am more than "a Chef...a Restaurateur....a business owner." I Hope that " I " am more than a Tuscan Villa. More than VIP status at French Laundry in Yountville, Napa, CA. http://www.frenchlaundry.com/
I hope that the " ME of the future" includes a drive for Activism toward justice, education, music, community, FAMILY, and WORLD. In environmental responsibility. In equal opportunity. In livable wages. In the basic necessities of LIFE.
*Inhale.
And so, I try to convince myself that I'd do something radical years down the road. Something fullfilling. Something that rids me of the guilt for the years of narrow-scoped, self-centered lifestyle it would seem I'd have led. My dream includes retirement to a third world country..maybe Namibia...maybe a different African nation...or South American or Latin American...where I would simply take the "Big Business USA Money that I'd earned/invested/obtained".....and start pumping it into their societies....building roads. and schools. hospitals. things that we take for granted....paying teachers...buying BOOKS and Educational Materials.....SHOES....Pencils....NOTEBOOKS/paper.....
It's a great dream...but a dream that scares the hell out of me. For all the right and wrong reasons. To pursue or Not to Pursue...that is the question.
-from the Economics of the Present day
-The possible Economics of the Future
-the truths of Capitalism in the Free World (and perhaps more importantly the secrets as well)
-reflections on living in a Third World Country...
A dream that's really strangling me lately:
Someday I would love to have 2...3...restaurants. Jeeze. haha--laughing at myself..."enough said, The rest of this post is null and pointless...I'm greedy." Or 1 would be fine. I'd love it for the challenges of owning and maintaining my businesses, for the pleasure of making food for people...I'd love it for "all the right reasons" [passion for cuisine, service to others, sharing of self, and the educational opportunities I could provide people while dining in my restaurants]. Educational opportunities like buying and eating locally, sustainably....eating healthy and balanced meals... I would love it for the insatiably daunting hours and unspeakable labor required. TRULY. I WOULD. I DO ALReady. I think I could cook for 48 hours and not even blink. I bet I could cook for 3 days and not even blink... i mean...I don't sleep as it already is, so sleep deprivation wouldn't be an issue. And dammit I want to be SUCCESSFUL. As in "WOAH. Wow. Nationally renowned."
Why stop there Jackson. Who am I kidding, I would love it for the cushy amenities that come with the territory....the wine vineyard estate land that I have partial ownership of in Napa, not to mention the envious real estate in Tuscany that I afford and the house that I bought and restored on it... The trips that I take for both business and pleasure...the privileged destinations and eateries I add to my tally-list.....[this is where most of my dreams typically turn]
BUT: I see danger in pursuing such a dream. The danger of losing site of the marginalized...the danger in becoming part of the problem rather than a solution....the danger in becoming "yet another beneficiary of fame & fortune" and being so consumed in the career that got me there that I lose track of the REST that is me. *Because dear god, I hope Hope hope HOPE freakin' HOPE, that I am more than "a Chef...a Restaurateur....a business owner." I Hope that " I " am more than a Tuscan Villa. More than VIP status at French Laundry in Yountville, Napa, CA. http://www.frenchlaundry.com/
I hope that the " ME of the future" includes a drive for Activism toward justice, education, music, community, FAMILY, and WORLD. In environmental responsibility. In equal opportunity. In livable wages. In the basic necessities of LIFE.
*Inhale.
And so, I try to convince myself that I'd do something radical years down the road. Something fullfilling. Something that rids me of the guilt for the years of narrow-scoped, self-centered lifestyle it would seem I'd have led. My dream includes retirement to a third world country..maybe Namibia...maybe a different African nation...or South American or Latin American...where I would simply take the "Big Business USA Money that I'd earned/invested/obtained".....and start pumping it into their societies....building roads. and schools. hospitals. things that we take for granted....paying teachers...buying BOOKS and Educational Materials.....SHOES....Pencils....NOTEBOOKS/paper.....
It's a great dream...but a dream that scares the hell out of me. For all the right and wrong reasons. To pursue or Not to Pursue...that is the question.
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