Sorry about this, but I have to rant and get some things off my chest. And it would be really nice to just get all of my pet peeves out in one place. Maybe even get rid of them? We shall see, won't we?
Things That Irritate the Beejeebers Out Of Me
1. Rude Jackasses - quit being rude!!! Does it ever improve your day to be rude to others? I think not. Quit It.
2. People who make stupid blanket statements as fact and won't listen to reason: Here is an excellent example. I was making idle conversation with a man the other day and he said the dumbest thing ever. Actually he started with a medium dumb statement and then it went all down hill after that. Here is how the conversation went:
Me - "What kind of sandwich did you get?"
Dumb Guy - "I got the veggie. But as soon as Lent is over, I am back in the meat!"
**Note, he seems to think Lent is for suffering through not actually learning something and applying it to his everyday life.
Me - "I decided to up my giving to the homeless during Lent and make pots of soup at home to cover the cost." I said this thinking he might catch on.
Dumb Guy - "I NEVER give anything to the homeless. You know they all live in the suburbs and drive in to town and park a few blocks from where they panhandle. Those guys make more begging on the side of the road than I do!"
Me - "You must be misinformed. I don't think that happens at all."
Dumb Guy - "Well, maybe not as much here. But where I am from, it happens all the time. And not only that, they just use the money for drugs and alcohol."
Me - "Where are you from?"
Dumb Guy - "Indiana. And don't go to Ohio. It sucks."
Me - in my head, WTF???
See what I mean?
3. Non-recycling, Non-composting people: Come on people! Get with the program! When you throw something away, there is no away! Use the green bins your city gives you. If you follow the Rachael Ray method of having a scrap bowl when you cook, you already have a semi-compost bucket thing going in your kitchen. Why not just go bury that stuff in your flower bed? If you want this message to hit home, look for the reality tv series-documentary on BBC America called Dumped. They took a bunch of people who thought they were going on a reality show and dropped them off at the landfill and made them live there. You would be appalled at what all is thrown away that is perfectly usable.
4. The Guy who pulls up next to me at a traffic light with his windows down and bass blaring so loud that my car shakes and I can't hear my own tunes. I very nicely have my windows up not wanting to subject others to my (very excellent) choice of music. Not to mention my own singing along. Turn down your bass, jackass!!!
5. Flaky people: You know the ones. The ones who don't hold up their end of the relationship. The ones who never call you. You always have to call them. You always have to make the plans. You always have to do the driving and the making all the effort. The ones who don't follow through. Those people. As a matter of fact, while I am thinking about it, I don't know why these people aren't #1 on my list! Do your part or you may find yourself dropped.
6. Teeny tiny street signs with teeny tiny little letters that you can't read till you get into the intersection and then you are in the wrong lane to turn. This city is FULL of crappy small street signs and loads of REALLY LONG STREET NAMES in little teeny letters like this:
Jones-Maltsburger Rd.
Lockhill-Selma St.
Vance Jackson Rd.
Jackson Keller Rd.
Fredericksburg Rd.
See what I mean? What is the deal with all the 2 name street names anyway? If you are going to name all the streets really long names, MAKE BIGGER SIGNS!
7. People who drive too fast in a residential area. You should never drive more 20 or 25 mph in a residential area. My neighborhood is littered with really OLD people, a few small children and slow-moving cats. Granted, I know it can be fun to fly down the hill at a breakneck speed but at the risk of losing one of my cats or my 70+ year old neighborhood spy, not so much. Slow down. At least on my street. You never know when I am going to be sitting out front with a pump-action bb gun filled with rock salt.
Ok, I think that is it for today. If I go any further I will just get myself all worked up and I have to go out in public today. That wouldn't be a good thing! Someone would be getting a ration of ##$& and I guarantee it wouldn't be me. So I will release all those annoyances and smile and hopefully have a great day.
Wish me luck!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Mexico Lindo
I wanted to do a post of Things I love or miss about Mexico, but it's just too hard. Most times I feel in my heart that I was born in the wrong country; I was meant to be a Mexican. Mexico is like coming home.
Mr. Big Ed and I talk about retiring to Mexico. I look online at Mexican real estate all the time. So many of my treasured possessions are Mexican. I don't think I can count all the things about Mexico that I love.
And if you ever want to get me all riled up just start trash-talking Mexico. Everyone has one of those stores of their sister's friend's cousin who went to Mexico for Spring Break and got harassed by either the cops or the locals. Then everyone who hears it assumes all Mexicans are corrupt thieving bastards. I am here to tell you that is not the case. Of course there are some corrupt thieving bastards! But you certainly don't have to travel more than 5 miles from your own home to find some home-grown CTB's. Some people just set themselves up as targets by their own naivete or by disregarding common practice of travel. My sister told me about a trip she took with a huge group of parents and gymnastics competing teenagers to Europe and some of the silly rich Texas moms didn't understand about traveling without wearing their 5+ carat diamond rings, earrings, gold jewelry, designer purses and the like. It's kinda like people who don't realize to visit St. Peter's Cathedral or any mosque or temple anywhere in the world you can't just show up in a tank top and shorts. It is just not respectful. So, back to Mexico, if you go to Cancun for Spring Break and act a fool and drink like a fish you might expect someone will try to take advantage of you. If you go to a different country and have an open mind and pay attention to how things are done there and don't go out of your way to call undue attention to yourself, you probably won't have those kinds of problems and you might even learn something while having a good time.
Mexican people are some of the nicest in the world. Mexican culture is family oriented and full of celebrations. What is better than Mexican food? Nothing, that's what. Mexico gave the world corn, squash, avocados, peppers of all kinds, tequila, chocolate, vanilla, tomatoes, tortillas, Cantinflas, El Chavo and Luis Miguel. Not to mention Raquel Welch, Anthony Quin, Ricardo Montalban, Fernando Lamas, Vicki Carr, Rita Hayworth, mariachi music, Days of the Dead celebrations, the best silver jewelry, Talavera pottery (I know it came from the Spaniards who got it from the Moors, but Mexico has put their own stamp on it), and you see how this list can get out of hand?
Some people have a picture in their minds of Mexican life that is not very positive and full of bad stereo-types. My picture is of a family that comes together each day around 2:30 when the kids get picked up from school and has the big family meal of the day and then a siesta till about 4:30 when the dad goes back to work till around 7 p.m. I love this. The whole family together in the middle of the day before everyone is tired and worn out from the stresses of work and all that. One of my favorite times in Mexico is the Sunday brunches at the Camino Real hotel in Guadalajara that go on and on till about 5 or 6 in the afternoon! There was so much wonderful food, freshly squeezed orange juice, fresh yogurt with fruit and granola, Mexican hot chocolate (the best in the world), and clowns and games for all the kids. This is a great way to spend a Sunday.
The discussion of retiring to Mexico is never about "if" it's more about "where". Mexico is huge and the geography is diverse enough to have something for everyone. It's just too hard to pick one locale! Someday we want to be in Guadalajara, a gorgeous big city with lots to offer, other times it is in Oaxaca a much smaller town with completely different feel to it. Sometimes it is in the Yucata'n by the ocean, and other times it is in the mountains like in Zacatecas. Who knows? We will keep researching and narrowing down the possibilities. One thing is for sure, retirement in Mexico is sure to be relaxing and going at the right pace!
Mr. Big Ed and I talk about retiring to Mexico. I look online at Mexican real estate all the time. So many of my treasured possessions are Mexican. I don't think I can count all the things about Mexico that I love.
And if you ever want to get me all riled up just start trash-talking Mexico. Everyone has one of those stores of their sister's friend's cousin who went to Mexico for Spring Break and got harassed by either the cops or the locals. Then everyone who hears it assumes all Mexicans are corrupt thieving bastards. I am here to tell you that is not the case. Of course there are some corrupt thieving bastards! But you certainly don't have to travel more than 5 miles from your own home to find some home-grown CTB's. Some people just set themselves up as targets by their own naivete or by disregarding common practice of travel. My sister told me about a trip she took with a huge group of parents and gymnastics competing teenagers to Europe and some of the silly rich Texas moms didn't understand about traveling without wearing their 5+ carat diamond rings, earrings, gold jewelry, designer purses and the like. It's kinda like people who don't realize to visit St. Peter's Cathedral or any mosque or temple anywhere in the world you can't just show up in a tank top and shorts. It is just not respectful. So, back to Mexico, if you go to Cancun for Spring Break and act a fool and drink like a fish you might expect someone will try to take advantage of you. If you go to a different country and have an open mind and pay attention to how things are done there and don't go out of your way to call undue attention to yourself, you probably won't have those kinds of problems and you might even learn something while having a good time.
Mexican people are some of the nicest in the world. Mexican culture is family oriented and full of celebrations. What is better than Mexican food? Nothing, that's what. Mexico gave the world corn, squash, avocados, peppers of all kinds, tequila, chocolate, vanilla, tomatoes, tortillas, Cantinflas, El Chavo and Luis Miguel. Not to mention Raquel Welch, Anthony Quin, Ricardo Montalban, Fernando Lamas, Vicki Carr, Rita Hayworth, mariachi music, Days of the Dead celebrations, the best silver jewelry, Talavera pottery (I know it came from the Spaniards who got it from the Moors, but Mexico has put their own stamp on it), and you see how this list can get out of hand?
Some people have a picture in their minds of Mexican life that is not very positive and full of bad stereo-types. My picture is of a family that comes together each day around 2:30 when the kids get picked up from school and has the big family meal of the day and then a siesta till about 4:30 when the dad goes back to work till around 7 p.m. I love this. The whole family together in the middle of the day before everyone is tired and worn out from the stresses of work and all that. One of my favorite times in Mexico is the Sunday brunches at the Camino Real hotel in Guadalajara that go on and on till about 5 or 6 in the afternoon! There was so much wonderful food, freshly squeezed orange juice, fresh yogurt with fruit and granola, Mexican hot chocolate (the best in the world), and clowns and games for all the kids. This is a great way to spend a Sunday.
The discussion of retiring to Mexico is never about "if" it's more about "where". Mexico is huge and the geography is diverse enough to have something for everyone. It's just too hard to pick one locale! Someday we want to be in Guadalajara, a gorgeous big city with lots to offer, other times it is in Oaxaca a much smaller town with completely different feel to it. Sometimes it is in the Yucata'n by the ocean, and other times it is in the mountains like in Zacatecas. Who knows? We will keep researching and narrowing down the possibilities. One thing is for sure, retirement in Mexico is sure to be relaxing and going at the right pace!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Weekend ramblings
Old friends are arriving tomorrow that we haven't seen in forever, so Mr. Big Ed and I are excited about the upcoming week and visiting with them. It's kind of strange doing this with no kids here. I guess we really are grown up and mature, let's face it, we are old. Old enough to be empty-nesters, that's for sure.
Last weekend was when I had to feed and stir the infamous Amish friendship bread starter and then separate out portions to pawn off on my friends and bake some of it. I decided to bake twice as much and freeze some of the baked goods rather than annoy 3 friends. This way only 1 person every 10 days gets a new starter. Good thinking right? Well, I did the first batch the way the recipe said and baked it in a Bundt rather than 2 loaf pans. I had no clue that I only own 1 loaf pan! I wonder where the others are? Hmmph, I know EXACTLY where they are. Living with some no-good, sorry, low-down, pencil-neck thief of a mover. Those @##$#$$%% DASTARDLY DOGS who work for all the moving companies we have ever used seem to think they can supplement their income with ill-gotten gains from my boxes. Don't even get me started on how much I despise those thieving bastages.
Back to the baking day, so the second batch we divided into 2. One half I put Mexican cocoa powder, cinnamon and ground chiles in and then sprinkled liberally with Ghirardelli chocolate chips. This went into the Lone Loaf Pan. The other half got diced up apples (Granny Smith of course) and chopped pecans and then went into a muffin pan. It made a dozen muffins perfectly. These things baked forever. And somehow they came out and were still nice and warm right after dinner! I sure wish I could take credit for planning that!
My sister and her bff Jenny (867-5309) were here for dinner so we all had delicious warm cakes with fresh made whipped cream and played Rummy for hours. Doesn't that sound nice? Don't you wish you were here? Especially Rachel Pie, except I know what kind of card shark she is! She would have kicked our asses all over the room and then probably eaten the rest of the cake just to show us. (Oh, I am loving this visual!!!)
So, today is just feeding and stirring of the starter and Monday will be baking day. Any suggestions of variations I should try this time? Think about it and let me know.
I think I will be making a BIG to-do list today. The Spring Fever is hitting an all-time peak and I have got to get some of the things swirling through my brain down on paper so that I can organize them some way. Every where I look I see something that needs to be gone through, organized or neatened up in some way. You would think with all the damn cats draped over things you wouldn't notice the clutter and disarray. Not so much.
I was more than a little peeved at the "All New Survivor Episode". Come on people! We know a filler re-hash of the last 15 days when we see one. Granted, since Survivor has gone Hi-Def it doesn't much matter what they are showing, it is all espectacular! Someone has got to get rid of that pompous wiener Coach. I swear if I was out there with him, those crocodiles would be having a good meal whether it was him or me. How many adjectives can you think up to describe him? I'll wait. Get a pen and paper. Still writing? Me, too!
For a really long time now, I have a few websites I check out every morning while I am drinking my really big Tony Parker mug full of tea (Go Spurs Go) and reading my email. One of which is http://wherethehellismatt.com I have watched Matt dancing all over the world since he started this back in 2005. The music that goes with the latest 2008 version is so beautiful, your heart will swell. And just when you think you can't take any more of this, go to: http://www.freehugscampaign.org/index.php?categoryid=1 I love the Free Hug Guy! So, finally after years of this, I signed up on Free Hug Guys site to represent my area with the Free Hug campaign. I will let you know what that actually means and entails when I hear from them. Now you know what I am doing every morning while drinking my tea and reading email.
Now that I am all Mr. Rogers-y and thinking what a beautiful day in the neighborhood it is, I am going to get a legal pad and start my list. Have a great weekend, I intend to.
Last weekend was when I had to feed and stir the infamous Amish friendship bread starter and then separate out portions to pawn off on my friends and bake some of it. I decided to bake twice as much and freeze some of the baked goods rather than annoy 3 friends. This way only 1 person every 10 days gets a new starter. Good thinking right? Well, I did the first batch the way the recipe said and baked it in a Bundt rather than 2 loaf pans. I had no clue that I only own 1 loaf pan! I wonder where the others are? Hmmph, I know EXACTLY where they are. Living with some no-good, sorry, low-down, pencil-neck thief of a mover. Those @##$#$$%% DASTARDLY DOGS who work for all the moving companies we have ever used seem to think they can supplement their income with ill-gotten gains from my boxes. Don't even get me started on how much I despise those thieving bastages.
Back to the baking day, so the second batch we divided into 2. One half I put Mexican cocoa powder, cinnamon and ground chiles in and then sprinkled liberally with Ghirardelli chocolate chips. This went into the Lone Loaf Pan. The other half got diced up apples (Granny Smith of course) and chopped pecans and then went into a muffin pan. It made a dozen muffins perfectly. These things baked forever. And somehow they came out and were still nice and warm right after dinner! I sure wish I could take credit for planning that!
My sister and her bff Jenny (867-5309) were here for dinner so we all had delicious warm cakes with fresh made whipped cream and played Rummy for hours. Doesn't that sound nice? Don't you wish you were here? Especially Rachel Pie, except I know what kind of card shark she is! She would have kicked our asses all over the room and then probably eaten the rest of the cake just to show us. (Oh, I am loving this visual!!!)
So, today is just feeding and stirring of the starter and Monday will be baking day. Any suggestions of variations I should try this time? Think about it and let me know.
I think I will be making a BIG to-do list today. The Spring Fever is hitting an all-time peak and I have got to get some of the things swirling through my brain down on paper so that I can organize them some way. Every where I look I see something that needs to be gone through, organized or neatened up in some way. You would think with all the damn cats draped over things you wouldn't notice the clutter and disarray. Not so much.
I was more than a little peeved at the "All New Survivor Episode". Come on people! We know a filler re-hash of the last 15 days when we see one. Granted, since Survivor has gone Hi-Def it doesn't much matter what they are showing, it is all espectacular! Someone has got to get rid of that pompous wiener Coach. I swear if I was out there with him, those crocodiles would be having a good meal whether it was him or me. How many adjectives can you think up to describe him? I'll wait. Get a pen and paper. Still writing? Me, too!
For a really long time now, I have a few websites I check out every morning while I am drinking my really big Tony Parker mug full of tea (Go Spurs Go) and reading my email. One of which is http://wherethehellismatt.com I have watched Matt dancing all over the world since he started this back in 2005. The music that goes with the latest 2008 version is so beautiful, your heart will swell. And just when you think you can't take any more of this, go to: http://www.freehugscampaign.org/index.php?categoryid=1 I love the Free Hug Guy! So, finally after years of this, I signed up on Free Hug Guys site to represent my area with the Free Hug campaign. I will let you know what that actually means and entails when I hear from them. Now you know what I am doing every morning while drinking my tea and reading email.
Now that I am all Mr. Rogers-y and thinking what a beautiful day in the neighborhood it is, I am going to get a legal pad and start my list. Have a great weekend, I intend to.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
TV show updates and wonderings
Well, I just said how wonderful Sunday night t.v. is and now The L Word is gone, Secret Diary of a Callgirl is done for the season, The Tudors hasn't started back up yet, Big Love is almost done for the season, Tool Academy is over, I think there are only 2 more Desperate Housewives, so it is all on Amazing Race to keep Sunday night entertaining!
I was glad that the blonde stewardess girls got booted this past week. They weren't my favorite pair. Since they were back in India (yet again) and showing these American Racers the poverty there, why don't the challenges ever have to do with helping out? Wouldn't that be a better use of time than having them beg for money and who knows what happens to that? Have the challenge be at a charity and show us the website so that we can all make donations after the fact to help out. Make some good come out of this show, people! It can't be that hard! Don't just show them how difficult life is in other areas; go the next step and give them a way to turn their feelings into action.
I am really looking forward to the new season of the Tudors. By my count, ole King Henry is up to his 3rd wife, so we have a few more wives/seasons to go. Jonathan Rhys Meyers is doing a bang-up job. Too bad they had to go and cut off Anne Boleyn's head, cause she was outstanding in that role! I could have stood a little more of watching that scheming, conniving little tart! Usually right before a new season starts up, the networks tend to show the last season in its entirety so you are good and up-to-date before it starts. So if you haven't seen this, look for it on Showtime.
I was really disturbed by the last Intervention. It had to be one from Texas, too. Why, oh why, do the strange ones come from Texas? This poor lady wasn't addicted to a substance, but rather a behavior. She hit herself. It kept showing her going in the bathroom and just punching the shit out of herself and really saying horrible things to herself. That was about the saddest thing I have ever seen. I sure hope she makes it.
Dancing with the Stars: Oh boy, oh boy. Just when you think there will only be one really untalented, uncoordinated person each season, they bring 3 or 4 of them in!!! Do they test these people to see how bad they are before they cast them? This season makes me feel like I could be on there and not be the worst one there! And believe you me, that is something. My top 2 right now are Gilles I Am Oh So Handsome and Suave Marini and the girl from The Bachelor, what's her name? They are both doing really well, and amazingly they are probably the least known and consequently have the smallest fan base. I might have to make this the season I actually call in and vote! And poor, poor Steve Wozniak. God bless him. He is making Jerry Springer look like Fred Astaire, not an easy feat there!
Biggest Loser: What in the world was that stupid Let's All Gang Up On Helen and Tara challenge? That was terrible!!!! I didn't like that at all. It is always obvious who is friends with who and how they are going to vote, but to bring it out like that was just mean spirited. I am glad that backfired. I don't like bullies.
That's about it for this past week. No Survivor last week to talk about. Next time . . . .
I was glad that the blonde stewardess girls got booted this past week. They weren't my favorite pair. Since they were back in India (yet again) and showing these American Racers the poverty there, why don't the challenges ever have to do with helping out? Wouldn't that be a better use of time than having them beg for money and who knows what happens to that? Have the challenge be at a charity and show us the website so that we can all make donations after the fact to help out. Make some good come out of this show, people! It can't be that hard! Don't just show them how difficult life is in other areas; go the next step and give them a way to turn their feelings into action.
I am really looking forward to the new season of the Tudors. By my count, ole King Henry is up to his 3rd wife, so we have a few more wives/seasons to go. Jonathan Rhys Meyers is doing a bang-up job. Too bad they had to go and cut off Anne Boleyn's head, cause she was outstanding in that role! I could have stood a little more of watching that scheming, conniving little tart! Usually right before a new season starts up, the networks tend to show the last season in its entirety so you are good and up-to-date before it starts. So if you haven't seen this, look for it on Showtime.
I was really disturbed by the last Intervention. It had to be one from Texas, too. Why, oh why, do the strange ones come from Texas? This poor lady wasn't addicted to a substance, but rather a behavior. She hit herself. It kept showing her going in the bathroom and just punching the shit out of herself and really saying horrible things to herself. That was about the saddest thing I have ever seen. I sure hope she makes it.
Dancing with the Stars: Oh boy, oh boy. Just when you think there will only be one really untalented, uncoordinated person each season, they bring 3 or 4 of them in!!! Do they test these people to see how bad they are before they cast them? This season makes me feel like I could be on there and not be the worst one there! And believe you me, that is something. My top 2 right now are Gilles I Am Oh So Handsome and Suave Marini and the girl from The Bachelor, what's her name? They are both doing really well, and amazingly they are probably the least known and consequently have the smallest fan base. I might have to make this the season I actually call in and vote! And poor, poor Steve Wozniak. God bless him. He is making Jerry Springer look like Fred Astaire, not an easy feat there!
Biggest Loser: What in the world was that stupid Let's All Gang Up On Helen and Tara challenge? That was terrible!!!! I didn't like that at all. It is always obvious who is friends with who and how they are going to vote, but to bring it out like that was just mean spirited. I am glad that backfired. I don't like bullies.
That's about it for this past week. No Survivor last week to talk about. Next time . . . .
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Things I miss about Argentina
Argentina, what to say? Buenos Aires is just the most beautiful, cosmopolitan city full of the the most beautiful people. What's not to love?
1. Pasta - Since everyone you meet in Argentina claims to be first generation of Italian descent, pasta is a BIG deal. There are aisles dedicated to dried pasta and others to fresh pasta at the grocery stores. This is in addition to the pasta markets where you get fresh made canneloni, stuffed shells, raviolis, sorrentinos with every kind of filling.
2. Mate' - This is really not something I miss because I can buy it here. But the whole mate' ritual is what is missing not being in Argentina.
3. Bife de Chorizo - Americans just don't cut up cows the same way. We don't feed and grow our cows the same way. We will never be able to duplicate a fabulous, juicy grass-fed bife de chorizo like they have there. What a shame!
4. Chimichurri - You know how here you get chips and salsa on your table at damn near any restaurant? In Argentina you get chimichurri which is so good!!!
5. Ice Cream - the whole Italian gelatto thing. They make a deep dark chocolate ice cream and offer you raspberry syrup to put on it that will make you think you just died and went to heaven.
6. Antiques - Antique shopping in Argentina is a delight. There is so much to see and buy.
7. Freesia - There were some people who farmed near my kids' school and in the spring they came selling the freesia they grew. Never have I smelled freesia like these. I always bought at least 2 bunches. So beautiful to look at, too.
8. Strawberries - The same farmers grew strawberries and they were outstanding.
9. Kapok trees - The little area we lived in had huge kapok trees. I had never seen a kapok before that.
10. Pampas grass - Seeing it growing wild gave me that "knock yourself on the side of the head and say, I could've had a V-8" moment. THAT's why they call it Pampas Grass!! It is from the pampas!
11. Recoleta - This is the most high-falutin' area of Buenos Aires. The Central Park of B.A., if you will. The Recoleta Cemetary (home of Eva Peron's body) is here, The Museo Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Museum), the Saturday Hippie Fair, the best restaurants, musicians, etc.
12. San Telmo, this is the area with all the antique shops. Gotta love that!
13. El Tigre - right on the water, lots of artisans, vendors, the best olives!
14. Garapinada - Vendors with big round copper vessels that they cook sugar in till it is a beautiful brown liquid and then add in almonds, pecans or other nuts and coat them. They sell you a bag of freshly made, still hot sugared nuts that you can walk around and eat while you continue shopping, people-watching, sight-seeing, or whatever.
15. Iguazu Falls - One of the top wonders of the world. See it from both sides, the Argentine side and the Brazilian side. Be sure to feed the cuatimundis. Too cute!!
This list is getting long and I haven't even scratched the surface, so I will stop for now. I am enjoying making lists of things I love and appreciate instead of things that irritate me and piss me off. I will get back to being surly in a day or so, but for now I am enjoying my little stroll down Happy Memory Lane!! Thanks for joining me.
1. Pasta - Since everyone you meet in Argentina claims to be first generation of Italian descent, pasta is a BIG deal. There are aisles dedicated to dried pasta and others to fresh pasta at the grocery stores. This is in addition to the pasta markets where you get fresh made canneloni, stuffed shells, raviolis, sorrentinos with every kind of filling.
2. Mate' - This is really not something I miss because I can buy it here. But the whole mate' ritual is what is missing not being in Argentina.
3. Bife de Chorizo - Americans just don't cut up cows the same way. We don't feed and grow our cows the same way. We will never be able to duplicate a fabulous, juicy grass-fed bife de chorizo like they have there. What a shame!
4. Chimichurri - You know how here you get chips and salsa on your table at damn near any restaurant? In Argentina you get chimichurri which is so good!!!
5. Ice Cream - the whole Italian gelatto thing. They make a deep dark chocolate ice cream and offer you raspberry syrup to put on it that will make you think you just died and went to heaven.
6. Antiques - Antique shopping in Argentina is a delight. There is so much to see and buy.
7. Freesia - There were some people who farmed near my kids' school and in the spring they came selling the freesia they grew. Never have I smelled freesia like these. I always bought at least 2 bunches. So beautiful to look at, too.
8. Strawberries - The same farmers grew strawberries and they were outstanding.
9. Kapok trees - The little area we lived in had huge kapok trees. I had never seen a kapok before that.
10. Pampas grass - Seeing it growing wild gave me that "knock yourself on the side of the head and say, I could've had a V-8" moment. THAT's why they call it Pampas Grass!! It is from the pampas!
11. Recoleta - This is the most high-falutin' area of Buenos Aires. The Central Park of B.A., if you will. The Recoleta Cemetary (home of Eva Peron's body) is here, The Museo Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Museum), the Saturday Hippie Fair, the best restaurants, musicians, etc.
12. San Telmo, this is the area with all the antique shops. Gotta love that!
13. El Tigre - right on the water, lots of artisans, vendors, the best olives!
14. Garapinada - Vendors with big round copper vessels that they cook sugar in till it is a beautiful brown liquid and then add in almonds, pecans or other nuts and coat them. They sell you a bag of freshly made, still hot sugared nuts that you can walk around and eat while you continue shopping, people-watching, sight-seeing, or whatever.
15. Iguazu Falls - One of the top wonders of the world. See it from both sides, the Argentine side and the Brazilian side. Be sure to feed the cuatimundis. Too cute!!
This list is getting long and I haven't even scratched the surface, so I will stop for now. I am enjoying making lists of things I love and appreciate instead of things that irritate me and piss me off. I will get back to being surly in a day or so, but for now I am enjoying my little stroll down Happy Memory Lane!! Thanks for joining me.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Things I miss about Chile
This is going under some of my favorite things, but specific to Chile. The 3 years we lived in Chile were some of the best years we have had. We did lots of fun things, went places, had great friends, organizations, shopping, and the BEST seafood in the whole world. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a lying dog.
So, this is a list of things I miss about Chile:
1. Cafe' Helado - in other countries this translates into Iced Coffee, which is okay. But in Chile this is an espectacula'r concoction of cold coffee, vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup, whipped cream. Good Lord, I can feel the pounds just packing on my thighs thinking about it.
2. Te' con leche - kind of the same thing here. In other places just a plain old boring cup of tea with milk added. In Chile they heat and froth up a big mug of whole milk and dunk the tea bag directly into the milk, no water to dilute the frothy richness. That is just plain heaven in a mug!
3. Porotos Granados - wonderful summer peasant-y comfort food. Fresh shelled cranberry beans, big winter squash/pumpkin, corn right off the cob and basil. The South American equivalent of the Native American Three Sisters.
4. Basil - Speaking of basil, nowhere have I ever experienced basil like you get in the summer in Chile. The whole grocery store smells like it!
5. Picorocos - these are Chilean barnacles, and they taste like a cross between sweet crab meat and lobster meat. What could be better?
6. Ave Palta sandwiches - This is a chicken salad and avocado sandwich that is so much better than the sum of the parts.
7. Sushi - yes, I have had good sushi in other places, but the fact is the seafood is so good and so fresh in Chile, how could the sushi not be outstanding?
8. Wine!!!!!! Are you wondering why this isn't number 1 on the list? So am I! Wine, vineyards, wineries, it is all so much a part of life in the Santiago area that it can easily be a "given".
9. The Andes Mountains - Please! What could be more breath-taking than looking out your window and seeing the snow-capped mountains of the Andes?
10. Vina del Mar and the rest of the Chilean coastline - Well, if the mountains aren't working for you one day, you can always just drive an hour or two west to the coast and enjoy the complete change of scenery. I guarantee if you were to take pictures of the coast and show them to people from northern California they would all think the photos were local.
11. Public transportation - taxis anywhere, anytime. Buses all the time, subway that is easy to navigate and use all over downtown. Easy, peasy.
12. The Lake District - Just across the mountains from Bariloche in Argentina is the Lake District of Chile. Seemingly every tiny town has it's own German Club where you can get the best German food outside of Deutschland. From Mount Osorno to the lakes to the bright turquoise rushing rivers to the German architecture, this area is like its own little world. A tiny little Europe smack in the middle of Chile. I don't think I have ever seen anything as breath-takingly beautiful.
13. Asparagus - back to food. Sorry! But there is something about the asparagus in Chile that is almost addictive. Way more flavorful than the stuff I get here, or have had anywhere else.
14. Machas a la Parmesana - Machas are a razor clam and when baked with a bit of white wine and Parmesan cheese on them, they will truly make you want to sit right up and slap your mama.
15. Scallops with the coral attached - why can't we get these here in the US.? Beautiful and delicious, I love the scallops in Chile.
I know, it looks like all we did was eat our way through the country; but this is just a few things off the top of my head that I miss. Maybe next time I will list places to go, or things to do. Right now, this is what came to me. Maybe I shouldn't be posting when it is dinnertime?? Hmmm?
Next post will be things I miss about Argentina. I am already getting my mental list ready for that one!
So, this is a list of things I miss about Chile:
1. Cafe' Helado - in other countries this translates into Iced Coffee, which is okay. But in Chile this is an espectacula'r concoction of cold coffee, vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup, whipped cream. Good Lord, I can feel the pounds just packing on my thighs thinking about it.
2. Te' con leche - kind of the same thing here. In other places just a plain old boring cup of tea with milk added. In Chile they heat and froth up a big mug of whole milk and dunk the tea bag directly into the milk, no water to dilute the frothy richness. That is just plain heaven in a mug!
3. Porotos Granados - wonderful summer peasant-y comfort food. Fresh shelled cranberry beans, big winter squash/pumpkin, corn right off the cob and basil. The South American equivalent of the Native American Three Sisters.
4. Basil - Speaking of basil, nowhere have I ever experienced basil like you get in the summer in Chile. The whole grocery store smells like it!
5. Picorocos - these are Chilean barnacles, and they taste like a cross between sweet crab meat and lobster meat. What could be better?
6. Ave Palta sandwiches - This is a chicken salad and avocado sandwich that is so much better than the sum of the parts.
7. Sushi - yes, I have had good sushi in other places, but the fact is the seafood is so good and so fresh in Chile, how could the sushi not be outstanding?
8. Wine!!!!!! Are you wondering why this isn't number 1 on the list? So am I! Wine, vineyards, wineries, it is all so much a part of life in the Santiago area that it can easily be a "given".
9. The Andes Mountains - Please! What could be more breath-taking than looking out your window and seeing the snow-capped mountains of the Andes?
10. Vina del Mar and the rest of the Chilean coastline - Well, if the mountains aren't working for you one day, you can always just drive an hour or two west to the coast and enjoy the complete change of scenery. I guarantee if you were to take pictures of the coast and show them to people from northern California they would all think the photos were local.
11. Public transportation - taxis anywhere, anytime. Buses all the time, subway that is easy to navigate and use all over downtown. Easy, peasy.
12. The Lake District - Just across the mountains from Bariloche in Argentina is the Lake District of Chile. Seemingly every tiny town has it's own German Club where you can get the best German food outside of Deutschland. From Mount Osorno to the lakes to the bright turquoise rushing rivers to the German architecture, this area is like its own little world. A tiny little Europe smack in the middle of Chile. I don't think I have ever seen anything as breath-takingly beautiful.
13. Asparagus - back to food. Sorry! But there is something about the asparagus in Chile that is almost addictive. Way more flavorful than the stuff I get here, or have had anywhere else.
14. Machas a la Parmesana - Machas are a razor clam and when baked with a bit of white wine and Parmesan cheese on them, they will truly make you want to sit right up and slap your mama.
15. Scallops with the coral attached - why can't we get these here in the US.? Beautiful and delicious, I love the scallops in Chile.
I know, it looks like all we did was eat our way through the country; but this is just a few things off the top of my head that I miss. Maybe next time I will list places to go, or things to do. Right now, this is what came to me. Maybe I shouldn't be posting when it is dinnertime?? Hmmm?
Next post will be things I miss about Argentina. I am already getting my mental list ready for that one!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
A little of this, a little of that
Yesterday was St. Paddy's Day and I tried several times to post something new and my keyboard was acting all weird and it never worked. Today seems good (knocking on wood so I don't jinx that!) so here goes!
Sunday night I saw the reunion show of all the Tools from Tool Academy and I have to say, I think most of those guys and some of the girls are all STILL TOOLS! Maybe a tool can't change it's handle? or purpose? or some other thing that makes this like "a leopard can't change it's spots". Whatever. Anyhoo, the one guy with the horrible Flock of Seagulls 1980's hairdo who started the show with one girlfriend and then had another girl show up and claim she was the real girlfriend was there with BOTH the girls. It turns out he isn't with either one (that's cause he is a TOOL!!) and while they are interviewing him and the has-been girlfriends a new girl shows up and announces that she is pregnant with his baby! Ha! I love it! Thank heavens none of the other girlfriends wanted him, but this one didn't really want him either. What I want to know is how on earth this guy who looks like a total douche with such bad hair gets girls all the time? How does this happen? Are there that many girls out there who have no self esteem at all who would buy in to his line of bullshit? Apparently there are. At least wherever it is he lives.
The couple who won and got married are still married and seem happy. And they announced there will a new season coming this year. So stay tuned for even more Tools!
I am still not over the lame last episode of The L Word and I can't say any more than that because Rachel Pie has not bothered to watch it yet and we haven't discussed it and done a thorough post-mortem. And until that happens, my lips are sealed. So Rachel Pie, quit playing around with your going to classes, your doing homework for hours each day, your going to see friends, your going to the grocery store, all that silly stuff you do that keeps you from watching this show and talking to me. :) Priorities and all that.
I ordered my new Mah Jongg cards for the year and I can't wait till they get here! New hands to play, woo hoo! Lordy, do I lead an exciting life.
Early this morning I was looking out my front window and watching the birds. We have more variety of birds in this neighborhood than I have ever seen. And there were at least 3 new little cardinals flying and hopping around the trees. They must be little fledglings that hatched already. And they were so cute! What is cuter than a red cardinal? So as I was looking out I was also making a mental note to not let the cats out today so that the birds have a fair chance, and I noticed that right in front of my face on the window screen was a giant, huge spider. All this time I was looking at what was at a distance and not noticing what was up close. That spider was huge! Either a huge spider or a small tarantula. I am going to have to go out there and check it out. And regardless, the cats are definitely NOT going out today! Too bad for them.
It is bright and sunny and warm out today and all the more apparent that Spring has sprung. I am having Spring Cleaning dreams. In my dreams I am an organizing fool. In real life, not so much.
Sunday night I saw the reunion show of all the Tools from Tool Academy and I have to say, I think most of those guys and some of the girls are all STILL TOOLS! Maybe a tool can't change it's handle? or purpose? or some other thing that makes this like "a leopard can't change it's spots". Whatever. Anyhoo, the one guy with the horrible Flock of Seagulls 1980's hairdo who started the show with one girlfriend and then had another girl show up and claim she was the real girlfriend was there with BOTH the girls. It turns out he isn't with either one (that's cause he is a TOOL!!) and while they are interviewing him and the has-been girlfriends a new girl shows up and announces that she is pregnant with his baby! Ha! I love it! Thank heavens none of the other girlfriends wanted him, but this one didn't really want him either. What I want to know is how on earth this guy who looks like a total douche with such bad hair gets girls all the time? How does this happen? Are there that many girls out there who have no self esteem at all who would buy in to his line of bullshit? Apparently there are. At least wherever it is he lives.
The couple who won and got married are still married and seem happy. And they announced there will a new season coming this year. So stay tuned for even more Tools!
I am still not over the lame last episode of The L Word and I can't say any more than that because Rachel Pie has not bothered to watch it yet and we haven't discussed it and done a thorough post-mortem. And until that happens, my lips are sealed. So Rachel Pie, quit playing around with your going to classes, your doing homework for hours each day, your going to see friends, your going to the grocery store, all that silly stuff you do that keeps you from watching this show and talking to me. :) Priorities and all that.
I ordered my new Mah Jongg cards for the year and I can't wait till they get here! New hands to play, woo hoo! Lordy, do I lead an exciting life.
Early this morning I was looking out my front window and watching the birds. We have more variety of birds in this neighborhood than I have ever seen. And there were at least 3 new little cardinals flying and hopping around the trees. They must be little fledglings that hatched already. And they were so cute! What is cuter than a red cardinal? So as I was looking out I was also making a mental note to not let the cats out today so that the birds have a fair chance, and I noticed that right in front of my face on the window screen was a giant, huge spider. All this time I was looking at what was at a distance and not noticing what was up close. That spider was huge! Either a huge spider or a small tarantula. I am going to have to go out there and check it out. And regardless, the cats are definitely NOT going out today! Too bad for them.
It is bright and sunny and warm out today and all the more apparent that Spring has sprung. I am having Spring Cleaning dreams. In my dreams I am an organizing fool. In real life, not so much.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
My Doula work
It surprised me when I realized I have not written anything about my being a birth doula. It is hard to even call it "work", it is more of a calling. Being a birth doula and doing my best and giving all I can for each of my clients is the most rewarding thing I have ever been paid to do. Funny how the best jobs are the ones that don't pay in $$ but in satisfaction.
I have been doing doula work for a long time but only in the last 4 years have I done the training and the hard work to get certified to perform my doula duties. (Gotta love that little turn of phrase! Doula Duties) Since then I have worked with dozens of moms and their babies. I remember each of them and hope that my memories of them don't fade too much with time.
One thing that strikes me is how on occasion I feel a huge "growth spurt" rather than a soft, gradual learning with each birth. Does that make sense? I have learned so much each and every labor. No one tells you that. No one explains how much you will gain by being there and witnessing each woman's struggle and strength to birth her child. Women are amazing. And it would really be nice if more of them would just trust themselves to instinctively birth the way their bodies were meant to. And it would be even nicer if they were given the support to do this from their birthing team, be they doctors, midwives, nurses, husbands, mothers, best friends or whoever. There are loads of well-meaning people in attendance who unknowingly undermine mom's intentions. I find that really sad when it happens and you can just see the mom's confidence disappear. Doesn't set her up for a successful beginning as a mother, does it?
Before this starts sounding all maudlin, what I want to do is list some things I have learned by being a doula.
1. I say this to each of my clients " If you don't know your choices/options, you have none"
Educated yourself!
2. A light touch is worth more than 100 words.
3. Women are amazing and stronger than they know.
4. I love men who cry at their child's birth.
5. The more I learn, the more I know about how much MORE I have to learn!
6. Having the right energy in the room lessens the pain and the fear, conversely a little of the wrong energy will just suck the confidence right out.
7. I love midwives and their dedication to their clients.
8. The range of care by ob/gyns is huge! Talk to your doctor and make sure you are both on the same page regarding the care you want and don't want.
9. Never assume anything. Make a birth plan but use it as an instructional, flexible guideline. Nothing is set in stone.
10. I say this to all my clients, too. Never in the course of all time has there ever been you, the mom-to-be and this baby about to be born, ever. We can make lots of plans and hypothesize about how the birth will go, but since you are unique we will go with the labor that nature gives us. Be flexible. Flexibility is the key to being a good parent, so let's start now.
11. The absolute best thing you can do for your child is to breastfeed. No question. There is too much evidence about the immediate and long-term benefits to both mom and baby for you not to work at it.
Eleven is a good number to stop at. I feel better having addressed this lack of posting. And I just want to say I love my clients. Each and every one of them.
I have been doing doula work for a long time but only in the last 4 years have I done the training and the hard work to get certified to perform my doula duties. (Gotta love that little turn of phrase! Doula Duties) Since then I have worked with dozens of moms and their babies. I remember each of them and hope that my memories of them don't fade too much with time.
One thing that strikes me is how on occasion I feel a huge "growth spurt" rather than a soft, gradual learning with each birth. Does that make sense? I have learned so much each and every labor. No one tells you that. No one explains how much you will gain by being there and witnessing each woman's struggle and strength to birth her child. Women are amazing. And it would really be nice if more of them would just trust themselves to instinctively birth the way their bodies were meant to. And it would be even nicer if they were given the support to do this from their birthing team, be they doctors, midwives, nurses, husbands, mothers, best friends or whoever. There are loads of well-meaning people in attendance who unknowingly undermine mom's intentions. I find that really sad when it happens and you can just see the mom's confidence disappear. Doesn't set her up for a successful beginning as a mother, does it?
Before this starts sounding all maudlin, what I want to do is list some things I have learned by being a doula.
1. I say this to each of my clients " If you don't know your choices/options, you have none"
Educated yourself!
2. A light touch is worth more than 100 words.
3. Women are amazing and stronger than they know.
4. I love men who cry at their child's birth.
5. The more I learn, the more I know about how much MORE I have to learn!
6. Having the right energy in the room lessens the pain and the fear, conversely a little of the wrong energy will just suck the confidence right out.
7. I love midwives and their dedication to their clients.
8. The range of care by ob/gyns is huge! Talk to your doctor and make sure you are both on the same page regarding the care you want and don't want.
9. Never assume anything. Make a birth plan but use it as an instructional, flexible guideline. Nothing is set in stone.
10. I say this to all my clients, too. Never in the course of all time has there ever been you, the mom-to-be and this baby about to be born, ever. We can make lots of plans and hypothesize about how the birth will go, but since you are unique we will go with the labor that nature gives us. Be flexible. Flexibility is the key to being a good parent, so let's start now.
11. The absolute best thing you can do for your child is to breastfeed. No question. There is too much evidence about the immediate and long-term benefits to both mom and baby for you not to work at it.
Eleven is a good number to stop at. I feel better having addressed this lack of posting. And I just want to say I love my clients. Each and every one of them.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Superstitious
It's Friday the 13th for the 2nd month in a row. That happens when Feb. lines up just right. And when I was a kid this was a BIG deal. We were all over those superstitious signs and things! No stepping on cracks for fear of breaking mothers' backs, no walking under ladders, if you said the same thing at the exact same time as a friend you had to yell JINX!, you know, the usual lame kid stuff. People didn't tempt fate on Friday the 13th.
Does any of this still hold true for you? Do you now walk under ladders? Do you pay attention when a black cat crosses your path? How about sidewalk cracks? Mom's back not your concern anymore?
And . . . how many new superstitions have you picked up along the road of life? For example, in Mexico it's really bad to comment on how pretty something is and then to not touch it, that opens that pretty thing up to the mal de ojo (evil eye) and is just asking for something horrible to happen to it. When you see a cute baby, don't say "Oh, what a precious baby!" and then not touch or hold the baby. That would be the equivalent of leaving the baby underneath a ladder with a black cat on Friday the 13th, for heaven's sake!
I always throw a bit of salt over my left shoulder when I spill some. I pick my feet up when driving over a railroad track. I scratch the roof of my car when I run a yellow light. I can't imagine any scenario when I would ever need to walk underneath a ladder instead of around it, but I don't think I would do it. Am I the only one singing Stevie Wonder right now? I bet I am not!! I have been really careful to not break mirrors. Another thing I picked up in Mexico is that it is bad luck to put your purse on the floor. Keeping up with these things could occupy a lot of your time if you thought about them rather than doing them on auto-pilot.
Do superstitions bother you? Do you think they are contrary to your religious or spiritual teachings? Are they acknowledging other forces in the universe? Sometimes I think it is good to look at things we "always do because we have always done them" and think about why. Why do we do them? What purpose does following it serve? Be mindful of your actions and what they mean to you and what they say about you.
I will continue to walk around ladders, I will continue to throw salt over my shoulder, and I will do my best to not break any mirrors. And to my mama, you're welcome and I hope my kids are as careful with my back. :)
Does any of this still hold true for you? Do you now walk under ladders? Do you pay attention when a black cat crosses your path? How about sidewalk cracks? Mom's back not your concern anymore?
And . . . how many new superstitions have you picked up along the road of life? For example, in Mexico it's really bad to comment on how pretty something is and then to not touch it, that opens that pretty thing up to the mal de ojo (evil eye) and is just asking for something horrible to happen to it. When you see a cute baby, don't say "Oh, what a precious baby!" and then not touch or hold the baby. That would be the equivalent of leaving the baby underneath a ladder with a black cat on Friday the 13th, for heaven's sake!
I always throw a bit of salt over my left shoulder when I spill some. I pick my feet up when driving over a railroad track. I scratch the roof of my car when I run a yellow light. I can't imagine any scenario when I would ever need to walk underneath a ladder instead of around it, but I don't think I would do it. Am I the only one singing Stevie Wonder right now? I bet I am not!! I have been really careful to not break mirrors. Another thing I picked up in Mexico is that it is bad luck to put your purse on the floor. Keeping up with these things could occupy a lot of your time if you thought about them rather than doing them on auto-pilot.
Do superstitions bother you? Do you think they are contrary to your religious or spiritual teachings? Are they acknowledging other forces in the universe? Sometimes I think it is good to look at things we "always do because we have always done them" and think about why. Why do we do them? What purpose does following it serve? Be mindful of your actions and what they mean to you and what they say about you.
I will continue to walk around ladders, I will continue to throw salt over my shoulder, and I will do my best to not break any mirrors. And to my mama, you're welcome and I hope my kids are as careful with my back. :)
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Deja Vu all over again
I can't believe I am being sucked back into the vortex of 1980. This was when I was first tricked into taking a small container of Amish Friendship Bread starter. You see where I am going with this? Yep, it's 1980 all over again and I have a new little starter sitting on my kitchen counter where I normally have a big glass canister of kombucha brewing. The kombucha is hibernating in the fridge for a while as I got bored with having to take care of it all the time. So now I am taking care of a bread starter instead.
How did I let myself get into this again? What was I thinking? Good Lord! What's next? Am I going to crimp my hair and put some ankle warmers on? Shall I find a sweater with big ole shoulder pads? Am I going to start listening to Wham? Madonna? Hall & Oates?
I just looked through some recipe files and got out the recipes I had from way back when for the Amish Friendship breads so I can vary them because I can see my kitchen being over-run with starters and breads and cakes and pancakes and anything else you can stick that starter in. If I come calling, don't hide and pretend you aren't home. I will find a way to get you sucked into the Land of Starter, too!
For some reason I am now in the mood to watch The Breakfast Club. With a scrunchy in my hair!
How did I let myself get into this again? What was I thinking? Good Lord! What's next? Am I going to crimp my hair and put some ankle warmers on? Shall I find a sweater with big ole shoulder pads? Am I going to start listening to Wham? Madonna? Hall & Oates?
I just looked through some recipe files and got out the recipes I had from way back when for the Amish Friendship breads so I can vary them because I can see my kitchen being over-run with starters and breads and cakes and pancakes and anything else you can stick that starter in. If I come calling, don't hide and pretend you aren't home. I will find a way to get you sucked into the Land of Starter, too!
For some reason I am now in the mood to watch The Breakfast Club. With a scrunchy in my hair!
Monday, March 9, 2009
TV show updates & comments
Ok, so tonight was the series finale of "The L Word". I don't want to spoil it for anyone but I didn't really get it. If you did, please feel free to let me know. To me it was kind of like the end of the Sopranos, all these years of watching and then the last year all this lead up to the big huge finale that for me just. . . . fizzled. Same thing here tonight. I have to give this episode a grade of a B or even B-, sorry I was not dazzled.
And then it was the finale/graduation of the Tool Academy! Now, that was a hoot! Actually, a hoot and a half. ***Here is a spoiler. If you by chance haven't seen the end of this and still want to be surprised as to the outcome stop reading here. Do not go to the next paragraph.
Now that I have cleared out those who haven't yet seen the ending, here is what happened. I was right, that little skinny boy Josh just had to be patient and bide his time and all the maroons around him imploded. Good job, Josh! And Ashley. The end where he got to graduate was really moving since the poor guy hadn't actually ever graduated from anything before this. But then, when he got down on one knee and gave Ashley a new ring (apparently paid for by the show) that seemed like it was the icing on the cake for them. But NO! There was more! Who woulda thought? The Tool Academy had a beautiful wedding planned for them with their families there and boatloads of flowers and a dress and according to Josh "some guy playing a harpoon" that was really a harp. Ha! Now that was funny!
Somehow The Tool Academy people found the only minister in the world who was willing to use the word Tool in the vows about 1,350,000 times. :) I laughed out loud and almost had to rewind and watch some of it in slow motion it was so damn funny. Don't miss next week when they will have the Tool Academy Reunion and we get to see which couples are still together or still broken up or whatever and if any of the changes were lasting for these tools. Honestly, this show ranks right up there with my favorite show, My Big Redneck Wedding for cheesy appeal. If you haven't seen that one, please, please, make a point of seeking it out on your channel guide. You won't be sorry! Seriously, this is just the funniest show on t.v.
Sunday night has become a good t.v. night with The L Word (r.i.p.), Desperate Housewives, Cold Case, The Amazing Race, Big Love, The United States of Tara, Secret Diary of a Callgirl, and The Tudors starting back up soon.
Speaking of Amazing Race: what gives that none of them seemed to know that C H E K H O V spelled out the name of a Russian playwright? Where did these people go to school? Did these people go to school? I think it is really cute that Phil is trying to sign to Luke when they get to the mat, don't you? I wish they would change the rules where if your teammate is Victor and being a jackass you can vote him off and bring in a better partner! :) His poor sister, I really feel bad for her. It reminds me of the Asian father/daughter team from last time. I can't remember their names right this minute, but he was even more arrogant and headstrong than Victor.
That's it for Sunday night t.v. updates. Thanks for tuning in. See you next week, same Bat time, same Bat channel. :)
And then it was the finale/graduation of the Tool Academy! Now, that was a hoot! Actually, a hoot and a half. ***Here is a spoiler. If you by chance haven't seen the end of this and still want to be surprised as to the outcome stop reading here. Do not go to the next paragraph.
Now that I have cleared out those who haven't yet seen the ending, here is what happened. I was right, that little skinny boy Josh just had to be patient and bide his time and all the maroons around him imploded. Good job, Josh! And Ashley. The end where he got to graduate was really moving since the poor guy hadn't actually ever graduated from anything before this. But then, when he got down on one knee and gave Ashley a new ring (apparently paid for by the show) that seemed like it was the icing on the cake for them. But NO! There was more! Who woulda thought? The Tool Academy had a beautiful wedding planned for them with their families there and boatloads of flowers and a dress and according to Josh "some guy playing a harpoon" that was really a harp. Ha! Now that was funny!
Somehow The Tool Academy people found the only minister in the world who was willing to use the word Tool in the vows about 1,350,000 times. :) I laughed out loud and almost had to rewind and watch some of it in slow motion it was so damn funny. Don't miss next week when they will have the Tool Academy Reunion and we get to see which couples are still together or still broken up or whatever and if any of the changes were lasting for these tools. Honestly, this show ranks right up there with my favorite show, My Big Redneck Wedding for cheesy appeal. If you haven't seen that one, please, please, make a point of seeking it out on your channel guide. You won't be sorry! Seriously, this is just the funniest show on t.v.
Sunday night has become a good t.v. night with The L Word (r.i.p.), Desperate Housewives, Cold Case, The Amazing Race, Big Love, The United States of Tara, Secret Diary of a Callgirl, and The Tudors starting back up soon.
Speaking of Amazing Race: what gives that none of them seemed to know that C H E K H O V spelled out the name of a Russian playwright? Where did these people go to school? Did these people go to school? I think it is really cute that Phil is trying to sign to Luke when they get to the mat, don't you? I wish they would change the rules where if your teammate is Victor and being a jackass you can vote him off and bring in a better partner! :) His poor sister, I really feel bad for her. It reminds me of the Asian father/daughter team from last time. I can't remember their names right this minute, but he was even more arrogant and headstrong than Victor.
That's it for Sunday night t.v. updates. Thanks for tuning in. See you next week, same Bat time, same Bat channel. :)
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Short Rant on Daylight Savings Time
I really despise Daylight Savings Time. It is just about the dumbest thing that was ever invented. I think we can all agree to that.
Lots of people (I almost typed "folks", and caught myself because that is one of those words people over-use that irritate the beejeezus out of me. All politicians say folks when they are trying to pretend to be one of the people rather than a rich person who has never been just one of the "folks" they are elected to represent) say we should just pick one direction to go with Daylight Savings Time and leave it there. That always leaves the proponents of the other time pissed off. Here is my grand idea to make everyone happy, including myself: Move the clock just half an hour and LEAVE IT THERE! Quit screwing with people's internal clocks! No one likes this. What would be wrong with just going halfway and meeting in the middle and then we are all happy?
I love my half hour meet in the middle plan. It is genius in it's simplicity. If only the folks in my district would elect me I would implement this.
Lots of people (I almost typed "folks", and caught myself because that is one of those words people over-use that irritate the beejeezus out of me. All politicians say folks when they are trying to pretend to be one of the people rather than a rich person who has never been just one of the "folks" they are elected to represent) say we should just pick one direction to go with Daylight Savings Time and leave it there. That always leaves the proponents of the other time pissed off. Here is my grand idea to make everyone happy, including myself: Move the clock just half an hour and LEAVE IT THERE! Quit screwing with people's internal clocks! No one likes this. What would be wrong with just going halfway and meeting in the middle and then we are all happy?
I love my half hour meet in the middle plan. It is genius in it's simplicity. If only the folks in my district would elect me I would implement this.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Some of my favorites
I decided today instead of ranting about things that annoy, irritate and otherwise bug the hell out of me, I would make a list of some of my favorite things, words, foods, etc.
Words I Love and Want to Make a Comeback:
Groovy
Wench
Swill, as in "Bar Wench, we need more ale to swill over here!"
Hither
Hie, as in "Hie thee hither Bar Wench, our flagons are empty again"
Peachy keen
Dastardly
Yes, of course you are right
Thank you
Balderdash!
Smells I love:
Vanilla
Patchouli
Sandalwood
Peeling citrus
Jergen's original cherry almond scent lotion
Johnson's baby lotion, baby shampoo, etc.
Ozone smell just before it rains
Mountain air
Frying tortillas for tacos
Raspberry
The smell of the car exhaust in Mexico, I know, but somehow it holds great nostalgia for me and makes me feel like I am home.
Coconut, like in the suntan lotions
Foods I love:
Mexican Sabritas Adobadas (the BEST potato chips in the world!)
Sonic fresh limeade slushie
Cheese enchiladas
Asparagus
Pickled okra
Garlic damn near any way you can have it
Ripe tomatoes right out of the garden
Eggplant
Misc. things I love:
Writing letters
Receiving letters (this is NOT the same as a Fwd. email joke, random crap)
Snuggling at night with my Lester Buster, the best cat snuggler ever
My extra large Tony Parker insulated mug for the biggest cuppa tea ever!
Altoid Smalls Peppermint flavor (I think I might be addicted to these)
Getting a pedicure
A new (old) book, especially an antique cookbook with lots of notes handwritten in the margins.
Touching everything in a yarn shop
Phone call out of the blue
Crocheting or knitting things (probably another addiction)
Beautiful wooden crochet hooks
Spinning wheels
Browsing antique stores
Learning something new
Helping a woman through birth
Of course, this isn't a complete list. Who has the time for that? This is just a few things off the top of my head. But it made me smile a lot to put them down and really think about each of these items as I did so. I hope reading this list makes you smile and think of some favorite things of your own. Have a really wonderful weekend and as always: Pray for rain!
Words I Love and Want to Make a Comeback:
Groovy
Wench
Swill, as in "Bar Wench, we need more ale to swill over here!"
Hither
Hie, as in "Hie thee hither Bar Wench, our flagons are empty again"
Peachy keen
Dastardly
Yes, of course you are right
Thank you
Balderdash!
Smells I love:
Vanilla
Patchouli
Sandalwood
Peeling citrus
Jergen's original cherry almond scent lotion
Johnson's baby lotion, baby shampoo, etc.
Ozone smell just before it rains
Mountain air
Frying tortillas for tacos
Raspberry
The smell of the car exhaust in Mexico, I know, but somehow it holds great nostalgia for me and makes me feel like I am home.
Coconut, like in the suntan lotions
Foods I love:
Mexican Sabritas Adobadas (the BEST potato chips in the world!)
Sonic fresh limeade slushie
Cheese enchiladas
Asparagus
Pickled okra
Garlic damn near any way you can have it
Ripe tomatoes right out of the garden
Eggplant
Misc. things I love:
Writing letters
Receiving letters (this is NOT the same as a Fwd. email joke, random crap)
Snuggling at night with my Lester Buster, the best cat snuggler ever
My extra large Tony Parker insulated mug for the biggest cuppa tea ever!
Altoid Smalls Peppermint flavor (I think I might be addicted to these)
Getting a pedicure
A new (old) book, especially an antique cookbook with lots of notes handwritten in the margins.
Touching everything in a yarn shop
Phone call out of the blue
Crocheting or knitting things (probably another addiction)
Beautiful wooden crochet hooks
Spinning wheels
Browsing antique stores
Learning something new
Helping a woman through birth
Of course, this isn't a complete list. Who has the time for that? This is just a few things off the top of my head. But it made me smile a lot to put them down and really think about each of these items as I did so. I hope reading this list makes you smile and think of some favorite things of your own. Have a really wonderful weekend and as always: Pray for rain!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
You'll never guess what I've been doing
No, I am sure no one will guess what I have been doing. Especially not Rachel Pie! She won't guess *this* because she HATES it when I do this. Ha!
That means I have been looking at the local Siberian Husky Rescue sites again. I can't help myself. I love my Husky so much and I would love to have enough of them to pull a sled. My own little dog sled team! Wooo Hoo!! Of course I would have to have wheels on my sled since there is never any snow here. Why do I find myself looking at those sites? It's like I am drawn to them. Someone on the outside just looking at this might say something insane like "LisaPie, why on earth don't you just go rescue a Husky and enjoy it?" To that person I would have to come to my senses and tell them that in addition to the beautiful Husky I already live with, the Princess Nikita Babushka, there are 2 other dogs and 5 cats. Only a certifiable person would actively seek out MORE pets!
In my defense, Princess Nikita Babushka is the only one of this herd that I went looking for and actually paid good money for. Well, that's almost a lie. I did go look for and pay way MORE money for Maxwell Banks II, the old grouchy Schnauzer that is Mr. Big Ed's dog. He was a birthday gift. But all the others are foundlings. We have acquired pets in 4 different countries and if we had lived in 5 or 10 different countries, I can take a wild stab in the dark as to how many MORE pets we would have acquired!
So, this dropping off of pets on my doorstep or near my home is not limited to the current home, this happens everywhere. People need to get over thinking of pets as disposable items and not as living, breathing beings. Jackasses! This is something that I just can't abide. You take on a pet and it is exactly the same as having a 2 year old toddler in your home for the next 20 years. Be prepared for that responsibility and don't take it lightly! I can't stress that enough.
I know most houses look better and more homey with a cat or a dog draped over something, but seriously people! if you can't deal with the feeding, the vet bills, the walking, the interacting and exercising part of it, then you are not a good pet person. Get a plant.
And so I keep looking at the Husky rescue sites wondering how can there be that many people in the world who don't understand what it is to take on the care of another living creature and then just give or throw them away. All these Huskies deserve better. If I won the lottery I am afraid I would buy a lot of property and end up with my little wagon/sled team of rescued Huskies with my Princess Nikita Babushka as the lead dog. I think she would love to be the lead dog in charge of a bunch of other dogs since she is quite the bossy little Princess who always has to have the last word.
I do love my Husky. Instead of adopting another one right now I think I might just make a donation to a rescue group so they can keep doing the good work they are doing. Rachel Pie, never fear, I have not turned your room into a Pink Princess Palace for Nikita yet. And I will do my best to just look at the pictures of the rescued Huskies and pray for them and their foster families. And I will make that donation.
That means I have been looking at the local Siberian Husky Rescue sites again. I can't help myself. I love my Husky so much and I would love to have enough of them to pull a sled. My own little dog sled team! Wooo Hoo!! Of course I would have to have wheels on my sled since there is never any snow here. Why do I find myself looking at those sites? It's like I am drawn to them. Someone on the outside just looking at this might say something insane like "LisaPie, why on earth don't you just go rescue a Husky and enjoy it?" To that person I would have to come to my senses and tell them that in addition to the beautiful Husky I already live with, the Princess Nikita Babushka, there are 2 other dogs and 5 cats. Only a certifiable person would actively seek out MORE pets!
In my defense, Princess Nikita Babushka is the only one of this herd that I went looking for and actually paid good money for. Well, that's almost a lie. I did go look for and pay way MORE money for Maxwell Banks II, the old grouchy Schnauzer that is Mr. Big Ed's dog. He was a birthday gift. But all the others are foundlings. We have acquired pets in 4 different countries and if we had lived in 5 or 10 different countries, I can take a wild stab in the dark as to how many MORE pets we would have acquired!
So, this dropping off of pets on my doorstep or near my home is not limited to the current home, this happens everywhere. People need to get over thinking of pets as disposable items and not as living, breathing beings. Jackasses! This is something that I just can't abide. You take on a pet and it is exactly the same as having a 2 year old toddler in your home for the next 20 years. Be prepared for that responsibility and don't take it lightly! I can't stress that enough.
I know most houses look better and more homey with a cat or a dog draped over something, but seriously people! if you can't deal with the feeding, the vet bills, the walking, the interacting and exercising part of it, then you are not a good pet person. Get a plant.
And so I keep looking at the Husky rescue sites wondering how can there be that many people in the world who don't understand what it is to take on the care of another living creature and then just give or throw them away. All these Huskies deserve better. If I won the lottery I am afraid I would buy a lot of property and end up with my little wagon/sled team of rescued Huskies with my Princess Nikita Babushka as the lead dog. I think she would love to be the lead dog in charge of a bunch of other dogs since she is quite the bossy little Princess who always has to have the last word.
I do love my Husky. Instead of adopting another one right now I think I might just make a donation to a rescue group so they can keep doing the good work they are doing. Rachel Pie, never fear, I have not turned your room into a Pink Princess Palace for Nikita yet. And I will do my best to just look at the pictures of the rescued Huskies and pray for them and their foster families. And I will make that donation.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Random Weekend Stuff
I was quite surprised to see that Paul Harvey of radio fame had died. He was 90 years old, so I am not sure why I would be surprised at his death. But he was an icon and I guess I never thought of him aging. I hope that there will be someone who puts his commentaries online or compiles them on cd or mp3 format for future generations. He will be greatly missed and his passing leaves a great hole that can't be filled.
Saturday Mr. Big Ed and I went to a symposium on environmental issues, energy saving, housing and business and such at the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center: http://www.esperanzacenter.org/
I attend many functions, speaker events, music, plays and things at the Esperanza and I think they are one of the most worthy non-profits in this city. The Peace Market they sponsor on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving is the only place I will go on Black Friday that is shopping related.
Anyhoo, this particular event opened up a lot of food for thought and hopefully that gets translated into action.
Sunday we drove up to Kerrville to see Sparky and spend the afternoon with him. It is so dry and everything is still dead and brown. No green tips of anything sprouting. This drought is serious. It has been close to 18 months or more with no rain to speak of and they are now saying that soon we will go to Stage 4 restrictions. I don't know what that means, but it does sound ominous doesn't it? It is now March and we should have had enough precipitation to see the beginnings of all the lovely Texas wildflowers, but no. If you believe in rain dances, please do one for us.
This means that I have to get busy with my gray water recycling. I have been picturing and trying to work this out in my head for a long time now, and now it is time to implement and take action. There has to be an easy way to get the water from my washing machine out to my rain barrel. I will be getting more information on how to do this. I also want to start pumping the shower and bath water out to the garden. That should be easier to do. I will be sure to post how these projects end up and I hope to remember to start photographing these things as they develop.
Saturday Mr. Big Ed and I went to a symposium on environmental issues, energy saving, housing and business and such at the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center: http://www.esperanzacenter.org/
I attend many functions, speaker events, music, plays and things at the Esperanza and I think they are one of the most worthy non-profits in this city. The Peace Market they sponsor on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving is the only place I will go on Black Friday that is shopping related.
Anyhoo, this particular event opened up a lot of food for thought and hopefully that gets translated into action.
Sunday we drove up to Kerrville to see Sparky and spend the afternoon with him. It is so dry and everything is still dead and brown. No green tips of anything sprouting. This drought is serious. It has been close to 18 months or more with no rain to speak of and they are now saying that soon we will go to Stage 4 restrictions. I don't know what that means, but it does sound ominous doesn't it? It is now March and we should have had enough precipitation to see the beginnings of all the lovely Texas wildflowers, but no. If you believe in rain dances, please do one for us.
This means that I have to get busy with my gray water recycling. I have been picturing and trying to work this out in my head for a long time now, and now it is time to implement and take action. There has to be an easy way to get the water from my washing machine out to my rain barrel. I will be getting more information on how to do this. I also want to start pumping the shower and bath water out to the garden. That should be easier to do. I will be sure to post how these projects end up and I hope to remember to start photographing these things as they develop.
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