hey... been in the midst of some home improvement projects the last week or so. we got granite countertops installed a couple months ago and the yellow paint that was in there looked so nauseating with them that i was finding it hard to muster the inspiration to cook. the countertops are a bit difficult to explain. the background i guess is white. there are gray and black dapples all over it, and the odd blob of taupe. the walls used to be this obnoxiously lemony yellow, which went fairly well with what was there.
because of my culinary difficulties, i decided i had to do something about it. so i bought 2 gallons of ralph lauren paint, a taupe shade called hopsack. perfect name for it btw. it's gonna look pretty damn tight in there when i finally get it finished.
of course, i couldn't just stop with the kitchen. it being all sweet was going to make everything around it look good and shitty, so i had to paint the laundry/mudroom area and the adjoining bathroom as well. all various intensities of the same shade.
anyhoo... i don't know if i've blogged about this restaurant wen'l and i have been going to for lunch the last couple months. it's called turner new zealand and i have been dropping about a bill for lunch + cocktails + tip. it's all organic and free-range and check out the damn website. i dare you to check out their menus. best damn beef, lamb and seafood i've ever had.
i just made a reservation for our first dinner there, for friday the 13th. we're celebrating it. dinner ought to set me back close to $200 and i don't mind a bit. i'm thinking of having the either the lamb porterhouse or the filet mignon and lobster. or perhaps the bouillabaise. who knows?
we've been eating dinner out a lot lately, and getting way too much takeout. it sux.
and... i have to find someplace new to have breakfast on saturdays. we usually go to cerritos and have breakfast at this place called mimi's cafe. it's right by the trader joe's and they have crab cakes benny, which totally rocks. however, i've been going a bit mental there lately, and i think i should avoid the place for awhile. see, it's where wen'l and i would go to take a breather from dealing with my mom, back when she was sick and even more so after we found out she was dying. i was actually crying yesterday morning, and it made me feel like a total ass.
bleh... god i'm rambling and i'm not even hi.
01 October 2006
07 September 2006
the cat whisperer
that would be my cousin debbie. she came and abducted the feral kittens today. couldn't get mommy kitty just yet tho... she's going to require a dose of feline valium. she's going to be back for her tomorrow hopefully.
she's acting bereft without the babies. they're six weeks old, though, and she's got them practically weaned.
i wish she could understand that her babies will have a much better life this way. they really are quite adorable, and deb won't have any trouble finding them all a good home. i just hope once the mom is caught (and fixed, oh yes), that she will calm down enough to be deprogrammed.
cross yer fingers kids!
she's acting bereft without the babies. they're six weeks old, though, and she's got them practically weaned.
i wish she could understand that her babies will have a much better life this way. they really are quite adorable, and deb won't have any trouble finding them all a good home. i just hope once the mom is caught (and fixed, oh yes), that she will calm down enough to be deprogrammed.
cross yer fingers kids!
04 September 2006
an update on the post below
well well well... that'll be the last time i try to write up a post in word and then copy & paste into blogger! the formatting sucks deep-fried ass on the post below!
least that's the only thing about that post that sucked. the cheesecake rocked our world, yo! i just have a couple tips i wanted to add for anyone contemplating making it. if you don't have a stand mixer, i suppose you could use a hand mixer, but only if it's got a decent amount of power. making this or any cheesecake properly involves a whole lot of mixing, and i'd hate to think of the fatigue and muscle strain a person could suffer tring to mix it by hand. also, scrape down the sides and bottom of your work bowl frequently. the batter, if you will, should be mixed till completely homogenous. lumpy cheesecake would suck the aforementioned deep-fried ass.
and... use the best chocolate you can find/afford. this cheesecake was not cheap to make (it had about $30 worth of crap in it), and i spose it would have been lovely with a decent brand of chocolate chips rather than the perugina chocolate bars i used... thankfully i wasn't in the position where i had to find out. if $30 is a bit spendy for an everyday dessert for you too, save it for a special occasion or for people who will appreciate the effort.
wen'l and i went to my cousin debbie's and her wonderful (gawd i never know wot to call her... girlfriend? wife? shit, they've been together for like 20 yrs and shit!) s.o. nancy's place for dinner last night and took this. they both said it was the best cheesecake they'd ever had. i was quite stoked, to say the least.
sooo... if you make, enjoy and share it with people who deserve it!
least that's the only thing about that post that sucked. the cheesecake rocked our world, yo! i just have a couple tips i wanted to add for anyone contemplating making it. if you don't have a stand mixer, i suppose you could use a hand mixer, but only if it's got a decent amount of power. making this or any cheesecake properly involves a whole lot of mixing, and i'd hate to think of the fatigue and muscle strain a person could suffer tring to mix it by hand. also, scrape down the sides and bottom of your work bowl frequently. the batter, if you will, should be mixed till completely homogenous. lumpy cheesecake would suck the aforementioned deep-fried ass.
and... use the best chocolate you can find/afford. this cheesecake was not cheap to make (it had about $30 worth of crap in it), and i spose it would have been lovely with a decent brand of chocolate chips rather than the perugina chocolate bars i used... thankfully i wasn't in the position where i had to find out. if $30 is a bit spendy for an everyday dessert for you too, save it for a special occasion or for people who will appreciate the effort.
wen'l and i went to my cousin debbie's and her wonderful (gawd i never know wot to call her... girlfriend? wife? shit, they've been together for like 20 yrs and shit!) s.o. nancy's place for dinner last night and took this. they both said it was the best cheesecake they'd ever had. i was quite stoked, to say the least.
sooo... if you make, enjoy and share it with people who deserve it!
03 September 2006
if you like choklit...
and i know you do, or you probably wouldn't be reading this particular blog...
i present to you my latest creation, chocolate cheesecake with a macadamia nut crust, drenched in gooey chocolate ganache:
crust:
5 oz (1¼c) roasted macadamia nuts
½ c panko
¼ c sugar
2 T flour
¼ t salt
3 T butter, melted and slightly cooled
pulse nuts in food processor fitted with metal blade till the consistency
of very coarse bread crumbs. combine in bowl with the remainder of
dry ingredients, and pour the butter pretty fairly evenly over the mixture.
stir till well combined and pour into the bottom of a 8½-10" springform pan.
if making for cheesecake, do not blind bake. if making for a pre-cooked filling,
blind bake in a 350° oven for 15-20 min, or until golden brown.
chocolate cheesecake
2½ lb cream cheese, @ room temperature
1½ t vanilla extract
contents of 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
1 c sugar
3 T flour
1 c mascarpone
8-9 oz semisweet chocolate, melted and slightly cooled
3 eggs
in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese, vanilla (both
kinds) and sugar till light and fluffy. add the flour and mix on low to incorporate, making
sure to scrape down the sides of the work bowl. add the mascarpone and melted, cooled
chocolate, and mix very well to combine, and again, scrape down the sides and bottom of the
bowl. when it's smooth and homogenous, add the eggs, one at a time, while mixing on low speed.
scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix till very smooth. pour mixture into your prepared crust.
if your springform pan is light in color, bake in a 350° oven for 50 mins to 1 hr and 10 mins. if your
springform pan is dark in color, reduce heat to 325° and bake for the same amount of time.
when the center is almost set, the cheesecake is done. remove to a wire rack and allow to come to
room temperature, then place in fridge overnight, or for at least 4 hrs.
chocolate ganache
this step is not absolutely necessary, but it is a delicious addition to your cheesecake, and it
will hide any cracks that may have developed as your cheesecake cooled.
4¾ oz semisweet chocolate - i used 1½ bars of perugina semisweet - chopped very fine
4 oz heavy cream
place chopped chocolate in a small, heavy bowl. bring the cream just to a boil over medium heat.
pour hot cream into chocolate. allow to sit for a minute or so, and then stir till well combined. spoon over
cheesecake (or whatever else you might like), and spread to evenly cover the top.
i present to you my latest creation, chocolate cheesecake with a macadamia nut crust, drenched in gooey chocolate ganache:
crust:
5 oz (1¼c) roasted macadamia nuts
½ c panko
¼ c sugar
2 T flour
¼ t salt
3 T butter, melted and slightly cooled
pulse nuts in food processor fitted with metal blade till the consistency
of very coarse bread crumbs. combine in bowl with the remainder of
dry ingredients, and pour the butter pretty fairly evenly over the mixture.
stir till well combined and pour into the bottom of a 8½-10" springform pan.
if making for cheesecake, do not blind bake. if making for a pre-cooked filling,
blind bake in a 350° oven for 15-20 min, or until golden brown.
chocolate cheesecake
2½ lb cream cheese, @ room temperature
1½ t vanilla extract
contents of 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
1 c sugar
3 T flour
1 c mascarpone
8-9 oz semisweet chocolate, melted and slightly cooled
3 eggs
in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese, vanilla (both
kinds) and sugar till light and fluffy. add the flour and mix on low to incorporate, making
sure to scrape down the sides of the work bowl. add the mascarpone and melted, cooled
chocolate, and mix very well to combine, and again, scrape down the sides and bottom of the
bowl. when it's smooth and homogenous, add the eggs, one at a time, while mixing on low speed.
scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix till very smooth. pour mixture into your prepared crust.
if your springform pan is light in color, bake in a 350° oven for 50 mins to 1 hr and 10 mins. if your
springform pan is dark in color, reduce heat to 325° and bake for the same amount of time.
when the center is almost set, the cheesecake is done. remove to a wire rack and allow to come to
room temperature, then place in fridge overnight, or for at least 4 hrs.
chocolate ganache
this step is not absolutely necessary, but it is a delicious addition to your cheesecake, and it
will hide any cracks that may have developed as your cheesecake cooled.
4¾ oz semisweet chocolate - i used 1½ bars of perugina semisweet - chopped very fine
4 oz heavy cream
place chopped chocolate in a small, heavy bowl. bring the cream just to a boil over medium heat.
pour hot cream into chocolate. allow to sit for a minute or so, and then stir till well combined. spoon over
cheesecake (or whatever else you might like), and spread to evenly cover the top.
06 August 2006
happy birthday mom
she would have been 62 today.
been a weird day, and now i'd like to talk... but my husband is sacked out on the crouton (what we call the futon in our office, don't ask) behind me. he's the world's worst snorer. is that a word?
anyhow, the poor dear.. he left me the biggest pain in my ass piece of cookware we own: the mario batali super deep lasagna pan. the cook's illustrated that arrived on friday says the thing weighs eleven pounds EMPTY. i think my biceps have a nice pump on them at the moment.
i made macaroni and cheese for dinner tonight. best i've ever made i think. anyhoo, w/o further ado, here's the recipe:
5 T unsalted butter
5 T all-purpose flour
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 t freshly ground nutmeg
¼-½ t cayenne pepper
2 T dry white wine
1 qt half and half (you could use milk... make it whole milk tho)
salt and pepper, to taste
1 lb pasta (we used fusilli tonight, but anything corkscrewesque or even the old standby, elbows, would work), cooked slightly less than al dente
½ c bread crumbs
2 T butter, cut into small pats
preheat oven to 375°.
in a 4-5 qt deep sauce-type pan or dutch oven, over medium heat, melt the butter. add the garlic, cayenne, and nutmeg and when fragrant, add the flour. stir frequently and allow to cook 2-3 mins. if it starts getting too brown, back off slightly on the heat. you're cooking out the raw taste of the flour. add the wine and whisk. next, add about 1-2 cups of the half and half, and whisk vigorously till incorporated. add the rest of the half and half and whisk well.
raise the heat a skosh, still whisking frequently, till your brand-new bechamel sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. kill the heat and in about 4 batches, add the cheese, whisking to incorporate each batch before adding another.
butter the bottom and sides of a 13x9 or so casserole and pour the pasta into it. add the sauce and stir to combine. scatter the bread crumbs over the top and add the small pieces of butter. bake on the middle rack of your oven for 30-35 mins. if the top isn't brown enough for your liking, turn on the broiler and give it a couple of minutes.
remove from oven and allow to sit 15 min or so before serving.
we had that and a dark green salad for dinner. it was quite lovely.
night!
been a weird day, and now i'd like to talk... but my husband is sacked out on the crouton (what we call the futon in our office, don't ask) behind me. he's the world's worst snorer. is that a word?
anyhow, the poor dear.. he left me the biggest pain in my ass piece of cookware we own: the mario batali super deep lasagna pan. the cook's illustrated that arrived on friday says the thing weighs eleven pounds EMPTY. i think my biceps have a nice pump on them at the moment.
i made macaroni and cheese for dinner tonight. best i've ever made i think. anyhoo, w/o further ado, here's the recipe:
5 T unsalted butter
5 T all-purpose flour
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 t freshly ground nutmeg
¼-½ t cayenne pepper
2 T dry white wine
1 qt half and half (you could use milk... make it whole milk tho)
salt and pepper, to taste
1 lb pasta (we used fusilli tonight, but anything corkscrewesque or even the old standby, elbows, would work), cooked slightly less than al dente
½ c bread crumbs
2 T butter, cut into small pats
preheat oven to 375°.
in a 4-5 qt deep sauce-type pan or dutch oven, over medium heat, melt the butter. add the garlic, cayenne, and nutmeg and when fragrant, add the flour. stir frequently and allow to cook 2-3 mins. if it starts getting too brown, back off slightly on the heat. you're cooking out the raw taste of the flour. add the wine and whisk. next, add about 1-2 cups of the half and half, and whisk vigorously till incorporated. add the rest of the half and half and whisk well.
raise the heat a skosh, still whisking frequently, till your brand-new bechamel sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. kill the heat and in about 4 batches, add the cheese, whisking to incorporate each batch before adding another.
butter the bottom and sides of a 13x9 or so casserole and pour the pasta into it. add the sauce and stir to combine. scatter the bread crumbs over the top and add the small pieces of butter. bake on the middle rack of your oven for 30-35 mins. if the top isn't brown enough for your liking, turn on the broiler and give it a couple of minutes.
remove from oven and allow to sit 15 min or so before serving.
we had that and a dark green salad for dinner. it was quite lovely.
night!
01 August 2006
almost two weeks
since my last post.
i am w/o a doubt the worst blogger ever.
the funeral was last wednesday. mom wanted all the catholic rituals. the rosary the night before the funeral, and the mass and such. i gave the eulogy. we had barely gotten underway and the priest, a *father doug*, called me to the altar. i got about halfway through and choked up like a little bitch. i sucked it up and finished though, and afterward everyone was telling me what a good job i'd done.
i had an amazing mom. having plenty of great shit to say about her made writing the thing easy, but actually getting it out of my mouth was hella hard.
the thing that's got me weirded out the most is that i haven't totally lost my shit yet. i was at the doc (for something totally unrelated) last friday and we talked about what happened. she said sometimes there's a delayed reaction to a death when one has been an active caretaker. that it makes you a little hard, because you have to get a little hard to do what i'd been doing. i shouldn't beat myself up about not dissolving into a puddle of tears so soon afterwards. she wants to see me again in three months, both for the unrelated back problems and to check up on my state of mind. we talked for a good 45 mins.
i heart my doc. our insurance coverage is changing today. different company. first thing wen'l did when he heard about this change (a change due to escalating costs with the original company, something about a 30% increase in premiums, and don't even get me started about THAT shit) was see if we could still have the same doc. luckily for us, she accepts pretty much everything. i would hate to have to start all over with another doc, one who wouldn't give me an hour of uninterrupted time if i needed it.
i'm glad all my mom's family have gone home and are pretty much leaving me alone now. i love em all, but they are so oppressively religious that being around them lately has been a chore i didn't want or need. they were all losing their minds, the ones who think mom's in a better place, and wondering why i wasn't psychotic with grief because i'm an atheist (and they all know it now). i don't think she's in a better place. i think if she could have been healthier, there's no doubt she'd rather still be here. she wasn't in any big hurry to die till she found out she was going to, you know?
anyhow, life is trying to get back to normal. the kitchen floor still needs mopping. the feral cat who calls my backyard home has given birth to a new litter, probably the morning of the funeral. the heatwave has moved eastward. the sun still shines, and i still see my mom in it.
i am w/o a doubt the worst blogger ever.
the funeral was last wednesday. mom wanted all the catholic rituals. the rosary the night before the funeral, and the mass and such. i gave the eulogy. we had barely gotten underway and the priest, a *father doug*, called me to the altar. i got about halfway through and choked up like a little bitch. i sucked it up and finished though, and afterward everyone was telling me what a good job i'd done.
i had an amazing mom. having plenty of great shit to say about her made writing the thing easy, but actually getting it out of my mouth was hella hard.
the thing that's got me weirded out the most is that i haven't totally lost my shit yet. i was at the doc (for something totally unrelated) last friday and we talked about what happened. she said sometimes there's a delayed reaction to a death when one has been an active caretaker. that it makes you a little hard, because you have to get a little hard to do what i'd been doing. i shouldn't beat myself up about not dissolving into a puddle of tears so soon afterwards. she wants to see me again in three months, both for the unrelated back problems and to check up on my state of mind. we talked for a good 45 mins.
i heart my doc. our insurance coverage is changing today. different company. first thing wen'l did when he heard about this change (a change due to escalating costs with the original company, something about a 30% increase in premiums, and don't even get me started about THAT shit) was see if we could still have the same doc. luckily for us, she accepts pretty much everything. i would hate to have to start all over with another doc, one who wouldn't give me an hour of uninterrupted time if i needed it.
i'm glad all my mom's family have gone home and are pretty much leaving me alone now. i love em all, but they are so oppressively religious that being around them lately has been a chore i didn't want or need. they were all losing their minds, the ones who think mom's in a better place, and wondering why i wasn't psychotic with grief because i'm an atheist (and they all know it now). i don't think she's in a better place. i think if she could have been healthier, there's no doubt she'd rather still be here. she wasn't in any big hurry to die till she found out she was going to, you know?
anyhow, life is trying to get back to normal. the kitchen floor still needs mopping. the feral cat who calls my backyard home has given birth to a new litter, probably the morning of the funeral. the heatwave has moved eastward. the sun still shines, and i still see my mom in it.
19 July 2006
of all the fucking days to do this, blogger!
my heart is broke
but i have some glue
help me inhale
and mend it with you
"dumb", nirvana
my mom died this morning. she was 61. she went peacefully.
i will write more later.
but i have some glue
help me inhale
and mend it with you
"dumb", nirvana
my mom died this morning. she was 61. she went peacefully.
i will write more later.
13 July 2006
life 2 hrs at a time
that's an accurate description of mine lately. my mom's getting soo very close now.. close enough that she's asking how long it's going to take and apologizing for taking so long. talk about having your heart pulled still beating from your chest.
anyway, i'm going to have to go move her in a few. i just wanted to vent or bawl or something. i've got to have it all sucked up by the time i go move her though. it would kill me to have her see it or hear it in my voice that what she's going through is more than i can handle. she needs to be able to let go of this world... the least i can do is not make her worry and think she needs to hang around.
i haven't quite caved under the weight of it yet. i've got a wonderful husband, and my dad and brother and i are rallying around each other and around her. i think it helps. also, there has been help. mom's family is all gone home now, but my dad's sister has really stepped up the plate.
i'm not going to bore you with the details of an impending death. she's knocking, if you know what i mean.
i've asked for it before, and i'll ask for it again. whatever you pray to, if you do, mention my mom...
anyway, i'm going to have to go move her in a few. i just wanted to vent or bawl or something. i've got to have it all sucked up by the time i go move her though. it would kill me to have her see it or hear it in my voice that what she's going through is more than i can handle. she needs to be able to let go of this world... the least i can do is not make her worry and think she needs to hang around.
i haven't quite caved under the weight of it yet. i've got a wonderful husband, and my dad and brother and i are rallying around each other and around her. i think it helps. also, there has been help. mom's family is all gone home now, but my dad's sister has really stepped up the plate.
i'm not going to bore you with the details of an impending death. she's knocking, if you know what i mean.
i've asked for it before, and i'll ask for it again. whatever you pray to, if you do, mention my mom...
09 July 2006
beans beans, they're good for yer heart!
i haven't blogged a recipe in like forever, and i know y'all have lots of cookouts left this summer... so here goes!
wen'l is smokin some ribs for dinner. my aunt made some german potato salad. i'm about 20 mins away from taking some glorious baked beans out of the oven.
1 2½-3½ qt bean pot or covered casserole (i use my 3.5 qt le creuset *french* oven)
1 lb beans (such as great northern, but any smallish white bean will work)
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ lb salt pork
1 medium onion - peeled and ends cut off
4 T sugar
½ c molasses
1 t dry mustard
1 t salt
soak beans overnight. in the morning, preheat oven to 300°. place the
baking soda in a dutch (or *french*) oven and fill half way with water. bring to a boil
and add the beans. gently boil for 10 minutes. drain beans in a colander and run
cold water through them. set aside.
dice the salt pork (available in the bacon section of the grocery store)
into 1 inch squares. put half of the salt pork on the bottom of the bean
pot, along with the onion. put beans in the pot. put the remaining salt
pork on top of the beans.
mix the sugar, molasses, mustard, salt and pepper with 3 cups of hot water
and pour over the beans. cover pot with lid and place the pot into the
preheated oven. bake for 6-6½ hours. check pot periodically to check the
amount of liquid. add water to the beans slowly as needed to keep them
moist; do not flood them. remove the pot from the oven and serve.
wen'l is smokin some ribs for dinner. my aunt made some german potato salad. i'm about 20 mins away from taking some glorious baked beans out of the oven.
1 2½-3½ qt bean pot or covered casserole (i use my 3.5 qt le creuset *french* oven)
1 lb beans (such as great northern, but any smallish white bean will work)
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ lb salt pork
1 medium onion - peeled and ends cut off
4 T sugar
½ c molasses
1 t dry mustard
1 t salt
soak beans overnight. in the morning, preheat oven to 300°. place the
baking soda in a dutch (or *french*) oven and fill half way with water. bring to a boil
and add the beans. gently boil for 10 minutes. drain beans in a colander and run
cold water through them. set aside.
dice the salt pork (available in the bacon section of the grocery store)
into 1 inch squares. put half of the salt pork on the bottom of the bean
pot, along with the onion. put beans in the pot. put the remaining salt
pork on top of the beans.
mix the sugar, molasses, mustard, salt and pepper with 3 cups of hot water
and pour over the beans. cover pot with lid and place the pot into the
preheated oven. bake for 6-6½ hours. check pot periodically to check the
amount of liquid. add water to the beans slowly as needed to keep them
moist; do not flood them. remove the pot from the oven and serve.
03 July 2006
thank you cee-lo
i packed a few of my belongings
left the life that i was living
just some memories of it
mostly the ones i can't forget
whenever you need me i'll be here
until then my dear
i'm going, i'm going, going, going there
don't ask me to make time
to travel back and forth
let nature take its course
maybe i'm open from all this ocean air
and if it wasn't for you i'd be without
a care setting sail to st. elsewhere
- "st. elsewhere", gnarls barkley
i think i got this cd just in time.
left the life that i was living
just some memories of it
mostly the ones i can't forget
whenever you need me i'll be here
until then my dear
i'm going, i'm going, going, going there
don't ask me to make time
to travel back and forth
let nature take its course
maybe i'm open from all this ocean air
and if it wasn't for you i'd be without
a care setting sail to st. elsewhere
- "st. elsewhere", gnarls barkley
i think i got this cd just in time.
02 July 2006
about #37 below...
the five things i always have with me? keys, bling, etc? a pack of smokes was one of them. i need to replace it with something. anything really.
my mom is laying in a hospital bed set up in her dining room, dying. we got the news i've been dreading for so long now last thursday. her poor body has done all the fighting it's capable of, and now it's time for the shuffling to commence.
o to be tied so temporarily to this mortal coil, knowing one's time is about to be up... and my poor mother is only 61 years old. everyone is on their way to see her. the rest of her siblings (her second oldest sister, a retired nurse, has been here for almost a month doing much of the heavy lifting of taking care of her) are on their respective ways here now.. so much to say and so very little time to say it.
i am luckier than some in that my relationship with my mother hasn't been terribly contentious. nothing beyond the normal teenage shit that lasted about 3 weeks before i came to my senses. it's making it harder for me now, though. i have so much to lose with her death. what am i going to do without my biggest cheerleader? how am i going to hold it together and be of some help to the many who will feel her loss like the keenest kind of knife wound? and how am i going to have anything left for myself? i've lapsed into this surreal pragmatism, and i can't seem to help it.
my mind is on autopilot right now, and it's probably best for me to continue to indulge myself. the losing my shit is inevitable, but it's not going to do anyone, least of all myself, any good for now.
for now, i am comforting myself with the knowledge that, by rights, she should have died 9 years ago when she was first diagnosed with cancer. a cure was not possible because of the circumstances... metastatic lung cancer can be at best managed. it turns out it was always with her. perhaps it took everything she's been through this year to make it rear it's ugly, and lethal, head, but i can't think about that now. it WAS managed, though, and she had 9 more years with us. 9 more years to see her kids become who they were meant to be, 9 years with her husband. 9 years to rediscover her own family, and bond once again with her sisters and brother.
i am so grateful she got to see me meet, fall in love with, and marry my precious wen'l. it gives me great comfort to know she thought him worthy of her firstborn. it breaks my heart too, though, because of the deep love shared by the two of them is making the inevitability of her death so hard for him.
i know you all know i'm an atheist. i also know there's a whole lot of people tonight who could really use a prayer, and if you're of the heart and mind to do that, please say one for all of them. for all of us.
my mom is laying in a hospital bed set up in her dining room, dying. we got the news i've been dreading for so long now last thursday. her poor body has done all the fighting it's capable of, and now it's time for the shuffling to commence.
o to be tied so temporarily to this mortal coil, knowing one's time is about to be up... and my poor mother is only 61 years old. everyone is on their way to see her. the rest of her siblings (her second oldest sister, a retired nurse, has been here for almost a month doing much of the heavy lifting of taking care of her) are on their respective ways here now.. so much to say and so very little time to say it.
i am luckier than some in that my relationship with my mother hasn't been terribly contentious. nothing beyond the normal teenage shit that lasted about 3 weeks before i came to my senses. it's making it harder for me now, though. i have so much to lose with her death. what am i going to do without my biggest cheerleader? how am i going to hold it together and be of some help to the many who will feel her loss like the keenest kind of knife wound? and how am i going to have anything left for myself? i've lapsed into this surreal pragmatism, and i can't seem to help it.
my mind is on autopilot right now, and it's probably best for me to continue to indulge myself. the losing my shit is inevitable, but it's not going to do anyone, least of all myself, any good for now.
for now, i am comforting myself with the knowledge that, by rights, she should have died 9 years ago when she was first diagnosed with cancer. a cure was not possible because of the circumstances... metastatic lung cancer can be at best managed. it turns out it was always with her. perhaps it took everything she's been through this year to make it rear it's ugly, and lethal, head, but i can't think about that now. it WAS managed, though, and she had 9 more years with us. 9 more years to see her kids become who they were meant to be, 9 years with her husband. 9 years to rediscover her own family, and bond once again with her sisters and brother.
i am so grateful she got to see me meet, fall in love with, and marry my precious wen'l. it gives me great comfort to know she thought him worthy of her firstborn. it breaks my heart too, though, because of the deep love shared by the two of them is making the inevitability of her death so hard for him.
i know you all know i'm an atheist. i also know there's a whole lot of people tonight who could really use a prayer, and if you're of the heart and mind to do that, please say one for all of them. for all of us.
62 Questions.. ganked from... (click this title)
1. How old do you wish you were? The age I am, even with current circumstances.
2. Where were you when 9/11 happened? Asleep when the first plane hit, not when the second one did. Then I was staring at the tv in total disbelief in the family room.
3. What do you do when vending machines steal your money? Kick them.
4. Do you consider yourself kind? Yes, and what's going on right now has only made me kinder.
5. If you had to get a tattoo, where and what would it be? It would be a design I saw in the liner notes of a Temple of the Dog cd, around my left ankle. It would detract from a scar I have there.
6. If you could be fluent in any other language what would it be? I'd like to be fluent in Spanish again. Dreaming in another language is way cool.
7. Do you know your neighbors? Yes... on the west is a sweet older Japanese woman who lost her husband a few years back. On the east is the best example of poor white trash I've ever laid eyes on.
8. What do you consider a vacation? An afternoon out of the house at this point.
9. Do you follow your horoscope? I read it. I don't follow it.
10. Would you move for the person you loved? Of course, but he likes it here too.
11. Are you touchy feely? With the right person, perhaps too much so.
12. Do you believe that opposites attract? They might, but the more you have in common the better your chances.
13. Dream job? Host of a highly-rated show on Food Network and bestselling cookbook author.
14. Favorite channels? Food Network, HBO
15. Favorite place to go on a weekend? Out to breakfast with my husband.
16. Showers or Bath? Showers. Baths take way too much time.
17. Do you paint your nails? Yes. I've been known to paint both sets. I think my nails look better naked though.
18. Do you trust people easily? Um, no.
19. What are your phobias? No phobias.
20. Do you want kids? No.
21. Do you keep a handwritten journal? Since I got my first computer, I can barely use a pen. What do you think?
22. Where would you rather be right now? On the porch having our nightly cocktail and conversation. More about the ritual in my next entry.
23. What makes you feel warm and safe? A big hug from my Wen'l.
24. Heavy or light sleep? That depends on how medicated I am.
25. Are you paranoid? Not usually.
26. Are you impatient? I think I invented impatience.
27. Who can you relate to? My husband.
28. How do you feel about interracial couples? I am going to quote the Tense Teacher... "You love whom you love".
29. Have you been burned by love? So many times I'm surprised I wasn't scorched for life.
30. What's your life motto? May the road rise with you.
31. What's your main ringtone on your mobile? I have different rings for different people.
32. What were you doing at midnight last night? Wen'l and I were indulging ourselves with some very maudlin conversation.
33. Who was your last text message from? I don't text.
34. Whose bed did you sleep in last night? My own.
35. What color shirt are you wearing? Baby blue. It's my jammies.
36. Most recent movie you watched? "An Inconvenient Truth"
37. Name five things you have with you at all times? Purse, keys, cell phone, a pack of smokes, and my wedding ring.
38. What color are your bed sheets? Right now, they're navy blue and white gingham.
39. How much cash do you have on you right now? Less than $10. Major purchase today.
40. What is your favorite part of chicken? The wing.
41. What's your favorite town/city? Long Beach, CA.
42. I can't wait till... so many things, but mostly, till my mom's suffering ends.
43. Who got you to join MySpace? Julianne, my best pal/stepcousin.
44. What did you have for dinner last night? Chicken fajitas.
45. How tall are you barefoot? 6 feet.
46. Have you ever smoked crack? Hell to the no!
47. Do you own a gun? Um, I think they should be illegal. Does that answer your question?
48. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? An icy-cold Coca-Cola.
49. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex? My big brain. Or my culinary skills. I haven't decided yet.
50. Do you have A.D.D.? Um, no? My dad has that market cornered in my family.
51. What time did you wake up today? 8:00 am.
52. Current worry? That my mom is going to linger and suffer.
53. Current hate? Too many to mention.
54. Favorite place to be? Wherever my Wen'l is.
55. Where would you like to travel? Spain, Italy.. fuck it, ALL of Europe. Australia. New Zealand. And, there's a whole bunch of this country I've never seen. I'd like to fix that.
56. Where do you think you'll be in 10 yrs? Parentless, but still with Wen'l. Living in Long Beach.
57. Last thing you ate? A Niman Ranch hot dog. It was the bomb. If you have a Trader Joe's in your area, check em out!
58. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't sing in the shower. My own ears couldn't take it.
59. Last person that made you laugh? The DigitSlut!
60. Worst injury you've ever had? I was thrown through the windshield of a moving vehicle and landed face-first on the 91 Freeway. Massive head trauma. I still have headaches from it.
61. Does someone have a crush on you? Does my husband count?
62. What is your favorite candy? Michelle's Handmade Marshmallows.
2. Where were you when 9/11 happened? Asleep when the first plane hit, not when the second one did. Then I was staring at the tv in total disbelief in the family room.
3. What do you do when vending machines steal your money? Kick them.
4. Do you consider yourself kind? Yes, and what's going on right now has only made me kinder.
5. If you had to get a tattoo, where and what would it be? It would be a design I saw in the liner notes of a Temple of the Dog cd, around my left ankle. It would detract from a scar I have there.
6. If you could be fluent in any other language what would it be? I'd like to be fluent in Spanish again. Dreaming in another language is way cool.
7. Do you know your neighbors? Yes... on the west is a sweet older Japanese woman who lost her husband a few years back. On the east is the best example of poor white trash I've ever laid eyes on.
8. What do you consider a vacation? An afternoon out of the house at this point.
9. Do you follow your horoscope? I read it. I don't follow it.
10. Would you move for the person you loved? Of course, but he likes it here too.
11. Are you touchy feely? With the right person, perhaps too much so.
12. Do you believe that opposites attract? They might, but the more you have in common the better your chances.
13. Dream job? Host of a highly-rated show on Food Network and bestselling cookbook author.
14. Favorite channels? Food Network, HBO
15. Favorite place to go on a weekend? Out to breakfast with my husband.
16. Showers or Bath? Showers. Baths take way too much time.
17. Do you paint your nails? Yes. I've been known to paint both sets. I think my nails look better naked though.
18. Do you trust people easily? Um, no.
19. What are your phobias? No phobias.
20. Do you want kids? No.
21. Do you keep a handwritten journal? Since I got my first computer, I can barely use a pen. What do you think?
22. Where would you rather be right now? On the porch having our nightly cocktail and conversation. More about the ritual in my next entry.
23. What makes you feel warm and safe? A big hug from my Wen'l.
24. Heavy or light sleep? That depends on how medicated I am.
25. Are you paranoid? Not usually.
26. Are you impatient? I think I invented impatience.
27. Who can you relate to? My husband.
28. How do you feel about interracial couples? I am going to quote the Tense Teacher... "You love whom you love".
29. Have you been burned by love? So many times I'm surprised I wasn't scorched for life.
30. What's your life motto? May the road rise with you.
31. What's your main ringtone on your mobile? I have different rings for different people.
32. What were you doing at midnight last night? Wen'l and I were indulging ourselves with some very maudlin conversation.
33. Who was your last text message from? I don't text.
34. Whose bed did you sleep in last night? My own.
35. What color shirt are you wearing? Baby blue. It's my jammies.
36. Most recent movie you watched? "An Inconvenient Truth"
37. Name five things you have with you at all times? Purse, keys, cell phone, a pack of smokes, and my wedding ring.
38. What color are your bed sheets? Right now, they're navy blue and white gingham.
39. How much cash do you have on you right now? Less than $10. Major purchase today.
40. What is your favorite part of chicken? The wing.
41. What's your favorite town/city? Long Beach, CA.
42. I can't wait till... so many things, but mostly, till my mom's suffering ends.
43. Who got you to join MySpace? Julianne, my best pal/stepcousin.
44. What did you have for dinner last night? Chicken fajitas.
45. How tall are you barefoot? 6 feet.
46. Have you ever smoked crack? Hell to the no!
47. Do you own a gun? Um, I think they should be illegal. Does that answer your question?
48. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? An icy-cold Coca-Cola.
49. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex? My big brain. Or my culinary skills. I haven't decided yet.
50. Do you have A.D.D.? Um, no? My dad has that market cornered in my family.
51. What time did you wake up today? 8:00 am.
52. Current worry? That my mom is going to linger and suffer.
53. Current hate? Too many to mention.
54. Favorite place to be? Wherever my Wen'l is.
55. Where would you like to travel? Spain, Italy.. fuck it, ALL of Europe. Australia. New Zealand. And, there's a whole bunch of this country I've never seen. I'd like to fix that.
56. Where do you think you'll be in 10 yrs? Parentless, but still with Wen'l. Living in Long Beach.
57. Last thing you ate? A Niman Ranch hot dog. It was the bomb. If you have a Trader Joe's in your area, check em out!
58. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't sing in the shower. My own ears couldn't take it.
59. Last person that made you laugh? The DigitSlut!
60. Worst injury you've ever had? I was thrown through the windshield of a moving vehicle and landed face-first on the 91 Freeway. Massive head trauma. I still have headaches from it.
61. Does someone have a crush on you? Does my husband count?
62. What is your favorite candy? Michelle's Handmade Marshmallows.
26 May 2006
and a couple links
21 May 2006
feast or famine
another in one day.. and so soon thereafter!
wen'l is making pizza for dinner. yay! every pizza i have is the best one i ever had. i'd post his recipes, but i have no idea what they are. he makes the best damn crust though, and as we all know, the success or failure of a pie depends on the crust. his sauce is wicked good too. i know he uses a big can of san marzano tomatoes and separates the fruit from the juice so he can reduce the juice to a lovely almost syrup.
lots of fresh herbs, some garlic... i'm sitting here drooling thinking about it. i'm having pepperoni, sausage, onions and garlic on mine. my breath is gonna be so sexy!
wen'l is making pizza for dinner. yay! every pizza i have is the best one i ever had. i'd post his recipes, but i have no idea what they are. he makes the best damn crust though, and as we all know, the success or failure of a pie depends on the crust. his sauce is wicked good too. i know he uses a big can of san marzano tomatoes and separates the fruit from the juice so he can reduce the juice to a lovely almost syrup.
lots of fresh herbs, some garlic... i'm sitting here drooling thinking about it. i'm having pepperoni, sausage, onions and garlic on mine. my breath is gonna be so sexy!
k.. once a week turned into 11 days
but here i am anyway. i have a bit of a buzz going, and i'm listening to green day. "minority" to be exact.
i want to be the minority
i don't need your authority
down with the moral majority
'cause i want to be the minority
well, i think i'm actually the majority these days, whether i want to be or not. our dear leader's poll numbers are hovering in the low-30's, no? that's the kool-aid drinkers. i so want to ask one of them what particular flavor it is. they scare me to death. how exactly is it that this small percentage of the actual population is so able to advance its agenda? they get the republicans in congress talking about all sorts of bullshit, near and dear only to them? gay marriage/adoption/who knows what else next. abortion. immigration.
the image of us abroad is that we're nosy, racist, insufferable pricks who like to wage unnecessary and unethical wars. i know i am none of those things. i couldn't think of denying someone the ability to have what i have, and i think being married is the most wonderful thing in the world. my marriage is not threatened by anything outside of it, and certainly not by a same-sex couple being married. as far as immigration goes, we are fucking here because of immigrants. i suppose since we don't need italian masons to build our churches and the sons of irishmen to patrol our streets anymore that we won't take whoever comes here, in droves.
i love my country and i am shamed by it. i am shamed by the fact that the busybodies who feel they have to repress every *wicked* sexual urge they have; who have to keep my favorite intoxicant illegal because they have no idea how to use anything without binging on it; who are afraid to live and afraid to die are the ones who get to set this country's course.
and how they think they're any damn different than the theocracies in the middle east is completely beyond me.
i want to be the minority
i don't need your authority
down with the moral majority
'cause i want to be the minority
well, i think i'm actually the majority these days, whether i want to be or not. our dear leader's poll numbers are hovering in the low-30's, no? that's the kool-aid drinkers. i so want to ask one of them what particular flavor it is. they scare me to death. how exactly is it that this small percentage of the actual population is so able to advance its agenda? they get the republicans in congress talking about all sorts of bullshit, near and dear only to them? gay marriage/adoption/who knows what else next. abortion. immigration.
the image of us abroad is that we're nosy, racist, insufferable pricks who like to wage unnecessary and unethical wars. i know i am none of those things. i couldn't think of denying someone the ability to have what i have, and i think being married is the most wonderful thing in the world. my marriage is not threatened by anything outside of it, and certainly not by a same-sex couple being married. as far as immigration goes, we are fucking here because of immigrants. i suppose since we don't need italian masons to build our churches and the sons of irishmen to patrol our streets anymore that we won't take whoever comes here, in droves.
i love my country and i am shamed by it. i am shamed by the fact that the busybodies who feel they have to repress every *wicked* sexual urge they have; who have to keep my favorite intoxicant illegal because they have no idea how to use anything without binging on it; who are afraid to live and afraid to die are the ones who get to set this country's course.
and how they think they're any damn different than the theocracies in the middle east is completely beyond me.
10 May 2006
i so suck
been a nasty couple months, kids. mom's home from the hospital but taking care of her and sundry are eating up a significant chunk of my time. what little time i've had to actually have a life, i've tried to have one. my husband has been an absolute rock during this whole mess.
she's getting better, but slowly. i think her improvement was more impressive when she was still at the rehab hospital. she was doing pt and had knowledgable staff round the clock. i feel like we're all winging it in a way out here in the real world. i was sort of put in charge of providing her food (no surprise, eh?). it's been basic but healthy fare, good protein and plenty of vitamins, etc. also, i've had to keep a pretty sharp eye on her sodium intake, because of the chf. i've kinda figured out how to give her a bit of a splurge once in awhile even.
i've been doing an italian feast every sunday night, for the sopranos. the stuffed shells with arrabbiata have been my favorite thus far, and i'll post the recipe for that soon.
i'm gonna feel like a total old lady for saying this, but.. i have sciatica. it's made taking care of ma and doing all this standing up cooking a real fuckin treat, lemme tell ya. i really do need to get serious about doing my p.t. i've got a very understanding doc, and she's made sure i'll have a steady stream of meds. i also need to get real about getting rid of some girth. cooking all healthy for mom has at the very least knocked off close to 10, but there's a whole lot more i could be doing.
ppl are telling me i need to work out just so i'll have the pep to do what i need to. perhaps i should. i have an mp3 player and i could squeak outta momsitting for an hour i'm sure.
and, i am going to make it a habit to post at least once a week. this 2 months away shit sucks balls.
she's getting better, but slowly. i think her improvement was more impressive when she was still at the rehab hospital. she was doing pt and had knowledgable staff round the clock. i feel like we're all winging it in a way out here in the real world. i was sort of put in charge of providing her food (no surprise, eh?). it's been basic but healthy fare, good protein and plenty of vitamins, etc. also, i've had to keep a pretty sharp eye on her sodium intake, because of the chf. i've kinda figured out how to give her a bit of a splurge once in awhile even.
i've been doing an italian feast every sunday night, for the sopranos. the stuffed shells with arrabbiata have been my favorite thus far, and i'll post the recipe for that soon.
i'm gonna feel like a total old lady for saying this, but.. i have sciatica. it's made taking care of ma and doing all this standing up cooking a real fuckin treat, lemme tell ya. i really do need to get serious about doing my p.t. i've got a very understanding doc, and she's made sure i'll have a steady stream of meds. i also need to get real about getting rid of some girth. cooking all healthy for mom has at the very least knocked off close to 10, but there's a whole lot more i could be doing.
ppl are telling me i need to work out just so i'll have the pep to do what i need to. perhaps i should. i have an mp3 player and i could squeak outta momsitting for an hour i'm sure.
and, i am going to make it a habit to post at least once a week. this 2 months away shit sucks balls.
16 March 2006
heh... i'm a couple hrs early
well well well kids... by the time you're reading this, it's st. patrick's day, the one day of the year we all get to be irish.
i don't know what your plans are for the day, but i know mine don't include making corned beef and cabbage. it's not irish! if you want to have an authentic irish dinner, i suggest having a liquid meal of several pints of guinness. :)
mom's in a rehab hospital out in orange now. she's doing a lot better. she's getting occupational and physical therapy, and i'm very impressed with the facility and its staff. thanks for all the good thoughts, gentle readers. it's been a tough couple weeks for all of us, but she's out of the woods now and your support has meant the world to me.
anyhoo, i'll write more later. after i've had my *authentic* irish dinner. *snort*
12 March 2006
yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
after a 21 month long absence, they're back!
i'm cooking a big meal for the occasion, lasagne alla napoletana. lotta steps involved in making it, but omg, it's sooooo worth it.
so, w/o further ado:
ragu napoletano
¼ c olive oil
1 lb boneless pork shoulder, cut into chunks
1 lb beef chuck, cut into chunks
salt and pepper
1 red onion, finely chopped
¾ c dry red wine
2 28 oz cans san marzano tomatoes, with their juices, passed thru a food mill
8 oz sweet italian sausage
pinch hot red pepper flakes
in large dutch oven, heat olive oik over medium heat till smoking. season the pork and beef with salt and pepper and sear in batches till dark golden brown. transfer to a plate.
add the onion to the pot and saute, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to loosen any brown bits, until golden brown and very soft, about 10mins. add the wine and browned meat chunks, tomatoes, sausages and red pepper flakes and bring just to a boil. reduce heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2½ to 3 hrs. remove from heat, remove the meats and sausages, and set aside. adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper and allow to cool.
polpette alla napoletana
3 c day old bread, cut into 1" cubes
1¼ lb ground beef
3 eggs, beaten
3 cloves garlic, minced
¾ c freshly grated pecorino romano
¼ c finely chopped italian parsley
¼ c pignolias, toasted
½ t salt
½ t pepper
¼ c olive oil
in a shallow bowl, soak the bread cubes in water to cover for 20 mins. drain the bread cubes ans squeeze out the excess moisture.
in a large bowl, combine the beef, bread, eggs, pecorino, parsley, pine nuts, garlic, salt and pepper and mix until just blended. with wet hands, form the mixture into 12-15 large meatballs.
in a large, heavy bottomed skillet, heat the olive oil over med-hi heat until almost smoking. add the meatballs, working in batches, and cook, turning occasionally, until deep golden brown on all sides, about 10 mins per batch.
lasagne alla napoletana
1 lb dried lasagna, cooked and cooled enough to handle
2 T olive oil
RAGU NAPOLETANO, sausages sliced ¼-½" thick, meats reserved for another use
3 c ricotta (whole milk please!)
POLPETTE, cut in half
1 c freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano
1 lb mozzarella di bufala campagna, cut into ½" dice
preheat oven to 350°. assemble lasagne in 9x13x4" dish. spread ½ c ragu over the bottom of the dish, then top with a layer of pasta, a layer of ricotta, a layer of polpette and sausage, and a layer of parmigiano. continue thusly till you run out of ingredients. top with the mozzarella.
bake 1 hr and 15 mins. let rest 15-30 mins before serving.
09 March 2006
umm...
i've made some decent food lately. i'll have an assload of recipes to post here as soon as i get em typed up.
i'm even cooking tonight. some lovely clam chowdah cuz it's all icky and gray and fixing to rain, but my mind's not really on it, and my heart is certainly not in it.
my mom's in the hospital with a host of problems... supraventricular tachycardia, congestive heart failure, and a bedsore so heinous it's going to require surgery. she's been in a week, and none of those problems have been brought under control thus far.
back in january she had a heart attack, complete with cardiac arrest. she was having chest pains. they came and went. she had my dad take her to the emergency room, only to turn him around when they let up. they were back before they got there though, so my dad turned around and headed back to the e.r. she infarcted in triage.
what's scary is she looked a lot better the night she had the heart attack than she does right now. she's gotten much weaker and she looks like she's given up hope. i don't think she's had more than an hour of sleep in one stretch in the week she's been there.
i feel helpless in a way i didn't know was possible. i don't work outside the home, and there's only so much housework and laundry and errands to do in a day. i have way too much time on my hands to worry about her. i'd like to go upside the head of her doctor... not for what's going on with her heart, they're doing everything they can for her, and their options are somewhat limited by her poor health. it's that someone allegedly ordered an air mattress for her 4 days ago, for the bedsore, and it's yet to show up.
i don't have an m.d. but i do know she'd be better off if she could get some fucking sleep! i've bitched at the appropriate parties and NOTHING has changed.
if you, gentle reader, are the praying kind, say one for my mom? i know i don't *believe*, but she does.
i'm even cooking tonight. some lovely clam chowdah cuz it's all icky and gray and fixing to rain, but my mind's not really on it, and my heart is certainly not in it.
my mom's in the hospital with a host of problems... supraventricular tachycardia, congestive heart failure, and a bedsore so heinous it's going to require surgery. she's been in a week, and none of those problems have been brought under control thus far.
back in january she had a heart attack, complete with cardiac arrest. she was having chest pains. they came and went. she had my dad take her to the emergency room, only to turn him around when they let up. they were back before they got there though, so my dad turned around and headed back to the e.r. she infarcted in triage.
what's scary is she looked a lot better the night she had the heart attack than she does right now. she's gotten much weaker and she looks like she's given up hope. i don't think she's had more than an hour of sleep in one stretch in the week she's been there.
i feel helpless in a way i didn't know was possible. i don't work outside the home, and there's only so much housework and laundry and errands to do in a day. i have way too much time on my hands to worry about her. i'd like to go upside the head of her doctor... not for what's going on with her heart, they're doing everything they can for her, and their options are somewhat limited by her poor health. it's that someone allegedly ordered an air mattress for her 4 days ago, for the bedsore, and it's yet to show up.
i don't have an m.d. but i do know she'd be better off if she could get some fucking sleep! i've bitched at the appropriate parties and NOTHING has changed.
if you, gentle reader, are the praying kind, say one for my mom? i know i don't *believe*, but she does.
01 March 2006
re: *cranking a blaster*
Freethinker said: Your blog should have "Smell-o-vision" installed ... but NOT for this post!
12:04 PM
yes, my blog SHOULD have smell-o-vision... but then y'all would have my weight problem too. i eat like royalty and have the figure to prove it. *lol*
Eden said: you should know I come and look at this photo a little too often
2:31 PM
umm... that's kinda scary Eden. i know your feelings about the shrub are similar to mine, and, well... i don't think i ever need to look at that pic again. not only cuz it's fairly obvious that chimpy is rippin a fluffy one, but because of the look on his cunty wife's face. i always suspected laura was a bitch, but when i first saw that pic, i knew the rigamarole about men wanting to marry mommy might be true.
i have something scary of my own to add, however. one night, after eating like royalty, i was sitting out on the porch with Wen'l having a smoke. needing to fart in the worst way. sooo... i did the guy thing and lifted an ass cheek and out it came!
that's not the scary part tho. the scary part is that i felt like i'd been cheated. that the whole lifting one side of one's ass trick was handed down from fathers to sons, and to hell with the daughters. somehow we had it in our heads that they were making a big production out of their flatulence, and we suffered needlessly in our ignorance.
last night i was having another smoke on the porch with Wen'l, and i said this: "if i ever had a daughter, i'd teach her the fart trick." and i would, just as soon as she was able to comprehend.
12:04 PM
yes, my blog SHOULD have smell-o-vision... but then y'all would have my weight problem too. i eat like royalty and have the figure to prove it. *lol*
Eden said: you should know I come and look at this photo a little too often
2:31 PM
umm... that's kinda scary Eden. i know your feelings about the shrub are similar to mine, and, well... i don't think i ever need to look at that pic again. not only cuz it's fairly obvious that chimpy is rippin a fluffy one, but because of the look on his cunty wife's face. i always suspected laura was a bitch, but when i first saw that pic, i knew the rigamarole about men wanting to marry mommy might be true.
i have something scary of my own to add, however. one night, after eating like royalty, i was sitting out on the porch with Wen'l having a smoke. needing to fart in the worst way. sooo... i did the guy thing and lifted an ass cheek and out it came!
that's not the scary part tho. the scary part is that i felt like i'd been cheated. that the whole lifting one side of one's ass trick was handed down from fathers to sons, and to hell with the daughters. somehow we had it in our heads that they were making a big production out of their flatulence, and we suffered needlessly in our ignorance.
last night i was having another smoke on the porch with Wen'l, and i said this: "if i ever had a daughter, i'd teach her the fart trick." and i would, just as soon as she was able to comprehend.
28 February 2006
NOOoooOOOoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Associated Press
Updated 5:50 p.m. ET Feb. 28, 2006
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Boondocks, the black comic-strip family living in white suburbia, are going on vacation.
Aaron McGruder, the cartoonist behind the strip syndicated in about 350 American newspapers, said Tuesday he would take about six months off beginning in March.
wtF? he's going on vacation?!?
26 February 2006
forever roasted pork...
... courtesy of michael chiarello and mario batali.
the lasagna pan on the left is the part courtesy of mario batali, and you can find it @ http://www.italiankitchen.com/store/site/product.cfm?id=AFBB2CD4-475A-BAC0-51D3BD90D967DC71&fid=AFBB2CE4-475A-BAC0-573F6A92411FF8A4
the recipe is the part courtesy of michael chiarello. don't it look too scrumptious for words? my husband cooked it. i only dealt with the sides tonight. i just wanted to share because pork shoulder is a very economical piece of meat, and if it's cooked properly, it is the most succulent, delicious thing you'll ever eat. anyone from the south who's had pulled pork knows what i'm talking about.
anyhow, you could serve this with any sort of green veg and just about any kind of starchy side dish... polenta, gnocchi, roasted potatoes... you name it, it would probably work well with this pork.
so, without further ado, here's the recipe:
4 pounds pork shoulder, butt end, boneless (have your butcher bone it for you if you're not sure of your butchering skills)
2 T extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
1½ t finely chopped fresh sage leaves
gray salt and freshly ground black pepper
about ¼ c fennel spice, recipe follows
bring pork to room temperature by removing it from refrigerator 1 to 2 hours before cooking.
preheat the oven to 275°F.
heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot. add the onions, cover pan, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until light brown. be patient, and don't turn up the heat. add the sage and season with salt and pepper. cook until the onions cease throwing off water, about 3 minutes. remove from heat, allow to cool on plate.
open up the pork roast and spread a good amount of the fennel spice and add the onions directly to the middle of the roast. fold the roast back over the onions and tie closed with kitchen string. season well all over with the remaining fennel spice.
arrange the meat in the lasagna pan, drizzle with more olive oil and cook until the meat is very tender, about 8 hours. it is ready when it pulls away easily if picked at with a pair of tongs. it is often easiest to cook the meat overnight, or put it in the oven in the morning and let it cook all day. it does not need to be attended. you'll want to, because it will smell so good you won't be able to keep your face out of it, but it really requires no more work at this point.
fennel spice rub:
1 c fennel seeds
3 T coriander seeds
2 T white peppercorns
3 T kosher salt
put the fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and peppercorns in a heavy pan over medium heat. watch carefully, tossing frequently so the seeds toast evenly. when light brown and fragrant, pour the seeds onto a plate to cool. they must be cool before grinding, or they will gum up the blades if you use a coffee grinder. if you're truly patient though, you could use a mortar and pestle.
pour the seeds into the coffee grinder and add the salt. grind to a fine powder, shaking the grinder occasionally to redistribute the seeds. store in a tightly sealed glass jar in a cool, dry place, or freeze.
yield: about 1¼ cups
22 February 2006
i suck, yo!
4 slices bacon, cut into ¾" pieces
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 T unsalted butter
2 t ground cumin
3 T all-purpose flour
4 c chicken stock
1 large potato, peeled and cut into ¼" dice
½ c heavy cream
10 oz package frozen corn kernels
½ lb sharp cheddar, grated
pepper and salt (if necessary)
cook bacon in a 3 quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring, until crisp and transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
add onion and butter to fat in pan and cook, stirring, until onion is softened. add cumin and cook, stirring, 1 minute. add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. whisk in broth and bring to a boil, whisking occasionally. add potato and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 8 minutes. stir in cream and corn and return to a simmer. add cheddar, stirring just until cheese is melted (do not let boil), and season generously with pepper.
serve topped with bacon.
i'm serving with grilled cheese sandwiches... extra sharp cheddar on english muffin bread from trader joe's.
should be yummy. :)
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 T unsalted butter
2 t ground cumin
3 T all-purpose flour
4 c chicken stock
1 large potato, peeled and cut into ¼" dice
½ c heavy cream
10 oz package frozen corn kernels
½ lb sharp cheddar, grated
pepper and salt (if necessary)
cook bacon in a 3 quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring, until crisp and transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
add onion and butter to fat in pan and cook, stirring, until onion is softened. add cumin and cook, stirring, 1 minute. add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. whisk in broth and bring to a boil, whisking occasionally. add potato and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 8 minutes. stir in cream and corn and return to a simmer. add cheddar, stirring just until cheese is melted (do not let boil), and season generously with pepper.
serve topped with bacon.
i'm serving with grilled cheese sandwiches... extra sharp cheddar on english muffin bread from trader joe's.
should be yummy. :)
14 February 2006
happy valentine's day kids!
so... tom cruise, of jump the couch infamy, and katie holmes have allegedly bitten the dust.
she remembered which louis vuitton or kooba bag she stashed her brain in, i say.
anyhoo, i sit here @ 3:14 pm with lunch for my husband's entire office in the oven. well, the entire office minus the owner, who had back surgery last week. asian-style braised short ribs (recipe to follow), jasmine rice, and assorted asian-style veggies in a soy sauce-based glaze.
i have to do the short ribs in shifts.
here's the recipe:
5 pounds beef short ribs, cut into 4-ounce portions
1 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
6+ cloves garlic, peeled and smashed (i usually put in about 9)
1 (5-inch) stalk lemongrass, halved and smashed (be careful and use a very sharp knife)
1 tablespoon peeled and minced ginger
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 quart water
1/2 cup sliced green onion bottoms, white part only
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 cup fresh blood orange juice
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons finely grated blood orange zest, for serving (you DO have a microplane, no?)
sliced green onion tops, optional for garnish
preheat the oven to 350°. in a wide stockpot or dutch oven, combine the short ribs, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, lemongrass, ginger, brown sugar, water, green onion bottoms, crushed red pepper, and ¼ c of the orange juice. make sure that the stockpot is deep enough so that the short ribs are submerged in the liquid. bake the short ribs, covered, for about 3 hours, or until the meat is tender and falling off the bones.
remove the short ribs from the braising liquid and cover to keep warm. increase the oven temperature to 425°. drain the fat off of the cooking liquid and discard. place the remaining braising juices in a medium saucepan with ¼ cup of the hoisin sauce and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. reduce the liquid until only about 1¼ cups remain. strain through a fine-meshed strainer, discarding the solids.
stir in the remaining 2 T of orange juice and the lemon juice. return the short ribs and the reduced sauce to the stockpot or dutch oven, coating the short ribs well with the sauce. bake for 15 minutes, until the short ribs are heated through and slightly glazed.
serve hot over jasmine rice. season each portion with the orange zest and garnish with the green onions if desired.
and remember... guns don't shoot people... vice presidents shoot people!
she remembered which louis vuitton or kooba bag she stashed her brain in, i say.
anyhoo, i sit here @ 3:14 pm with lunch for my husband's entire office in the oven. well, the entire office minus the owner, who had back surgery last week. asian-style braised short ribs (recipe to follow), jasmine rice, and assorted asian-style veggies in a soy sauce-based glaze.
i have to do the short ribs in shifts.
here's the recipe:
5 pounds beef short ribs, cut into 4-ounce portions
1 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
6+ cloves garlic, peeled and smashed (i usually put in about 9)
1 (5-inch) stalk lemongrass, halved and smashed (be careful and use a very sharp knife)
1 tablespoon peeled and minced ginger
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 quart water
1/2 cup sliced green onion bottoms, white part only
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 cup fresh blood orange juice
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons finely grated blood orange zest, for serving (you DO have a microplane, no?)
sliced green onion tops, optional for garnish
preheat the oven to 350°. in a wide stockpot or dutch oven, combine the short ribs, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, lemongrass, ginger, brown sugar, water, green onion bottoms, crushed red pepper, and ¼ c of the orange juice. make sure that the stockpot is deep enough so that the short ribs are submerged in the liquid. bake the short ribs, covered, for about 3 hours, or until the meat is tender and falling off the bones.
remove the short ribs from the braising liquid and cover to keep warm. increase the oven temperature to 425°. drain the fat off of the cooking liquid and discard. place the remaining braising juices in a medium saucepan with ¼ cup of the hoisin sauce and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. reduce the liquid until only about 1¼ cups remain. strain through a fine-meshed strainer, discarding the solids.
stir in the remaining 2 T of orange juice and the lemon juice. return the short ribs and the reduced sauce to the stockpot or dutch oven, coating the short ribs well with the sauce. bake for 15 minutes, until the short ribs are heated through and slightly glazed.
serve hot over jasmine rice. season each portion with the orange zest and garnish with the green onions if desired.
and remember... guns don't shoot people... vice presidents shoot people!
10 February 2006
*cranking a blaster*
i ganked this pic and the title of this post from http://swilltopower.blogspot.com/, but the pic was
also on the front page of the los angeles times...
look closely at the shrub...
"goddammit george, you can't fart at her funeral!"
27 January 2006
a recipe for laine
k, the other night i made what i called chicken marsala ravioli for dinner. to perfectly recreate the meal i made, one would need to be a member of costco. i got the ravioli already made. grilled chicken and mozzarella (the fresh kind even). however, any sort of fresh chicken-filled ravioli or tortelloni would work.
what i did was create the sauce.
i put a gallon of water on to boil. while it was getting hot, i assembled the sauce:
i sauteed a pound of sliced button mushrooms (i'd have gotten at least half criminis cept they looked like shit that day @ the supermercado) in 2 T of butter and 1 T of olive oil in the biggest pan i have. it's 14", and remember, i'm one of those übersnobs who normally cooks with extra-virgin. i'm with mario batali on that one. i didn't salt and pepper them till they were almost done. you're looking for good, even caramelization before anything else goes in. i also minced up 4 cloves of garlic and added it with the s&p.
when the water boils, add 2-3 T of salt to the water and cook your pasta according to pkg. directions.
i used a big slotted gizmo to remove them from the pan, and poured in ½ cup of marsala. i used sweet, but dry would work too. i scraped up anything that might have stuck and over med-hi heat, reduced it to a thick syrup. then i added about 1 cup of chicken stock. out of a box. *lol* let that reduce by about half. then add a pint of cream. stir frequently over med-hi heat till the sauce reduces enough to coat the back of a spoon.
add the now-cooked pasta to the sauce, and lower heat. allow to cook over your lowest low heat about 5 mins.
i served it with some blanched haricots verts that i tossed in a couple tablespoons of unsalted parma butter.
it was a most excellent meal.
i'm gonna do a roasted and glazed pork tenderloin, roasted asparagus and risotto for dinner tonite.
i'll post that stuff too.
what i did was create the sauce.
i put a gallon of water on to boil. while it was getting hot, i assembled the sauce:
i sauteed a pound of sliced button mushrooms (i'd have gotten at least half criminis cept they looked like shit that day @ the supermercado) in 2 T of butter and 1 T of olive oil in the biggest pan i have. it's 14", and remember, i'm one of those übersnobs who normally cooks with extra-virgin. i'm with mario batali on that one. i didn't salt and pepper them till they were almost done. you're looking for good, even caramelization before anything else goes in. i also minced up 4 cloves of garlic and added it with the s&p.
when the water boils, add 2-3 T of salt to the water and cook your pasta according to pkg. directions.
i used a big slotted gizmo to remove them from the pan, and poured in ½ cup of marsala. i used sweet, but dry would work too. i scraped up anything that might have stuck and over med-hi heat, reduced it to a thick syrup. then i added about 1 cup of chicken stock. out of a box. *lol* let that reduce by about half. then add a pint of cream. stir frequently over med-hi heat till the sauce reduces enough to coat the back of a spoon.
add the now-cooked pasta to the sauce, and lower heat. allow to cook over your lowest low heat about 5 mins.
i served it with some blanched haricots verts that i tossed in a couple tablespoons of unsalted parma butter.
it was a most excellent meal.
i'm gonna do a roasted and glazed pork tenderloin, roasted asparagus and risotto for dinner tonite.
i'll post that stuff too.
25 January 2006
you must check this out!
the 50 most loathsome people of 2005.click the title of this post for the url.
i found a link to this @ http://heyjennyslater.blogspot.com.
my husband wondered how it got narrowed to 50. that i don't know... what i do know is all 50 of those mofos belong on the list.
i found a link to this @ http://heyjennyslater.blogspot.com.
my husband wondered how it got narrowed to 50. that i don't know... what i do know is all 50 of those mofos belong on the list.
yes i know...
it's feast or famine with me, ain't it?
i'm cooking tonight. something i think is going to turn out just delicious. i got some ravioli stuffed with grilled chicken and cheese and various herbs and i'm making a marsala sauce with mushrooms and wot not. gonna serve it with some sauteed haricots verts in a shallot/sauvignon blanc reduction.
yes, i know... dinner will get me drunk.
i'll post the recipes when i know for sure dinner was a success.
i'm cooking tonight. something i think is going to turn out just delicious. i got some ravioli stuffed with grilled chicken and cheese and various herbs and i'm making a marsala sauce with mushrooms and wot not. gonna serve it with some sauteed haricots verts in a shallot/sauvignon blanc reduction.
yes, i know... dinner will get me drunk.
i'll post the recipes when i know for sure dinner was a success.
learn to swim!
you know... all one would need to do to stay in shape is try to play "ænima" by tool on drums once a day.
some say a comet will fall from the sky
followed by meteor showers and tidal waves
followed by fault lines that cannot sit still
followed by millions of dumbfounded dipshits
and some say the end is near
some say we'll see armageddon soon
i certainly hope they will
i sure could use a vacation
cuz all i'd think about is how some people in this country, no in this fucking world, feel the need to ram their religion down my throat. down anyone's throat. i have but one thing to say to people like that. anyone who feels the need to hold himself up as a paragon of his particular mythology probably isn't such a good example of it.
and those fucking biblethumping wingnut christians in this country? the man they purport to worship was a communist. probably one of the purest examples of communism ever. how they've allowed themselves to get so wound up about gay marriage and abortion i'll never know. i don't think those would have been huge concerns of his in a world where people still starve and fall ill, and die in vain for the financial bottom line of the obscenely rich.
am i wrong about WWJD?
some say a comet will fall from the sky
followed by meteor showers and tidal waves
followed by fault lines that cannot sit still
followed by millions of dumbfounded dipshits
and some say the end is near
some say we'll see armageddon soon
i certainly hope they will
i sure could use a vacation
cuz all i'd think about is how some people in this country, no in this fucking world, feel the need to ram their religion down my throat. down anyone's throat. i have but one thing to say to people like that. anyone who feels the need to hold himself up as a paragon of his particular mythology probably isn't such a good example of it.
and those fucking biblethumping wingnut christians in this country? the man they purport to worship was a communist. probably one of the purest examples of communism ever. how they've allowed themselves to get so wound up about gay marriage and abortion i'll never know. i don't think those would have been huge concerns of his in a world where people still starve and fall ill, and die in vain for the financial bottom line of the obscenely rich.
am i wrong about WWJD?
01 January 2006
:(
i am the world's worst blogger. i will have something new for y'all shortly.
hope everyone had a lovely late december. i'm still so pissed at all those fox news types that i can't even say *holidays* anymore.
more soon i promise!
hope everyone had a lovely late december. i'm still so pissed at all those fox news types that i can't even say *holidays* anymore.
more soon i promise!
23 November 2005
happy thxgiving kids!
i know i shouldn't be so thankful when our president makes an ass of himself. it's #19 on my list of things to be thankful for though.
have a good one everyone and remember... if you're going to mow on the turkey, designate a driver!
pic courtesy of http://socialitelife.com
17 November 2005
i'm the undisputed queen of chicken stock, yo!
yes kids, you know it's that time of year when i break out the biggest stock pot i have and, well... make the whole house reek of thanksgiving. i'm sure the recipe is somewhere on my blog, but i'll post it again:
4 lb chicken backs, wings, or other parts that are as bony as they are meaty
3 med onions, quartered
4 ribs celery, roughly chopped
4 carrots, roughly chopped
4-5 intact garlic cloves
10 sprigs fresh thyme
good handful italian parsley
2 bay leaves
10-20 whole peppercorns
put all ingredients in the largest pot you have and cover to 1" deep with COLD water. cover pot and place over medium heat just until bubbles break the surface. remove lid and lower heat to low. you don't want it to ever cook any harder than bubbles breaking the surface. cook 8 hrs and remove the chunks with a spider or other straining utensil and then pour through the finest strainer you have into a very large bowl. it will remove the herby bits and whatever scuzz might still be lingering in the stock. place bowl containing stock into an ice bath and cool until the stock begins to take on a jello-like consistency.
using a ladle, fill large ziploc bags with the stock and freeze till needed.
tomorrow... tips on making the best pumpkin pie ever!
4 lb chicken backs, wings, or other parts that are as bony as they are meaty
3 med onions, quartered
4 ribs celery, roughly chopped
4 carrots, roughly chopped
4-5 intact garlic cloves
10 sprigs fresh thyme
good handful italian parsley
2 bay leaves
10-20 whole peppercorns
put all ingredients in the largest pot you have and cover to 1" deep with COLD water. cover pot and place over medium heat just until bubbles break the surface. remove lid and lower heat to low. you don't want it to ever cook any harder than bubbles breaking the surface. cook 8 hrs and remove the chunks with a spider or other straining utensil and then pour through the finest strainer you have into a very large bowl. it will remove the herby bits and whatever scuzz might still be lingering in the stock. place bowl containing stock into an ice bath and cool until the stock begins to take on a jello-like consistency.
using a ladle, fill large ziploc bags with the stock and freeze till needed.
tomorrow... tips on making the best pumpkin pie ever!
i just saw the word boob used as a verb
as in... *ms. x just administered a drive-by boobing of señor y*
ha!
anyhoo... busy day today... makin a grip of chicken stock for next thursday. the house just reeks of thanksgiving.
heard from someone for the first time today, thru a comment i left on someone else's blog. there's a new comment down at the entry about the ichthys n'chips car plaque? i should just go ahead and post the url for it while i'm thinkin about it. click the title of this post to visit the site that's sellin em.
i'll post more later. some tips for quality entertaining and menu suggestions for the big meal!
ha!
anyhoo... busy day today... makin a grip of chicken stock for next thursday. the house just reeks of thanksgiving.
heard from someone for the first time today, thru a comment i left on someone else's blog. there's a new comment down at the entry about the ichthys n'chips car plaque? i should just go ahead and post the url for it while i'm thinkin about it. click the title of this post to visit the site that's sellin em.
i'll post more later. some tips for quality entertaining and menu suggestions for the big meal!
04 November 2005
my first...
one year ago today, i gave and received one of these. yes kids, it's our first anniversary. the traditional gift for the first anniversary is paper... o yes, kids, my favorite kind of gift! the kind that folds! i will, upon request, provide an address for you to send any lovely, foldable gifts. :)
anyhoo... getting married was without a doubt the smartest thing i ever did. wen'l has been the absolute best husband. he rubs my feet whenever i ask, he doesn't give me shit about my continued unemployment... i could go on for days.
i want to thank you from the bottom of my heart mr. sexson. thank you for accepting my proposal, thank you for marrying me that windy november day, thank you for cooking your great big heart out 2 days later so our friends and family could join in our celebration.
thank you most of all for your patience and understanding. you're the best husband a girl could ever hope for. happy anniversary baby.
*smooches and hugs and wotnot*
25 October 2005
19 October 2005
o wot a happy day!!!!!
from yahoo! news:
AUSTIN, Texas - A state court issued an arrest warrant on Wednesday for Rep. Tom DeLay, requiring him to appear in Texas for booking on state conspiracy and money laundering charges.
yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AUSTIN, Texas - A state court issued an arrest warrant on Wednesday for Rep. Tom DeLay, requiring him to appear in Texas for booking on state conspiracy and money laundering charges.
yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
another ganked meme...
(sorry piggyhawk.blogspot.com!)
my answers are the ones that are in BOLD PRINT.
i am bisexual.
i've consumed alcohol.
i've run away from home.
i have lied to my parents about where i am.
i don't like bush because he is dumb.
i don't like bush with my own reasons to back it up.
i am for bush.
i listen to political music.
i collect comic books.
i am shorter than 5'5".
i think i'm ugly.
i shut others out when i'm depressed.
i open up to others easily.
i am keeping a secret from the world.
i watch the news.
i own over 5 rap CDs.
i own an iPod or MP3 player.
i own multiple designer purses, costing over $100 apiece.
i own something from hot topic.
i own something from pac sun.
i own something from the gap.
i own something from abercrombie.
i own something i got on e-bay.
i love disney movies.
i am a sucker for hair/eyes.
i don't kill bugs.
i curse regularly.
i paid for that cell phone ring.
i am a sports fanatic.
i have "x"s in my screen name.
i've slipped out a "lol" in a real conversation.
i love spam.
i bake well.
i would wear pajamas to school.
i have a job.
i love martha stewart.
i am in love with love.
i am guilty of tYpInG lIkE tHiS. *
i am self conscious.
i like to laugh.
i smoke a 1/2 pack a day.
i liked perks of being a wallflower.
i liked go ask alice.
i have cough drops when i'm not sick.
i can't swallow pills.
i can swallow about 5 pills at a time no problem.
i eat fast food weekly.
i have many scars.
i believe in ghosts.
i can't sleep if there is a spider in the room.
i am really ticklish.
i bite my nails.
i am comfortable with being me.
i play video games.
i'm single.
i'm in a relationship.
i'm married.
gotten lost in your city.
saw a shooting star.
wished on a shooting star.
saw a meteor shower.
i had a serious surgery.
gone out in public in my pajamas.
i have kissed a stranger.
hugged a stranger.
been in a fist fight.
been arrested.
laughed and had milk or another drink come out of your nose.
pushed all the buttons on an elevator.
made out in an elevator.
swore at your parents.
kicked a guy where it hurts.
been close to love.
been to a casino.
been skydiving.
broken a bone.
skipped school.
saw a therapist.
played spin the bottle.
gotten stitches.
drank a whole gallon of milk in one hour.
bitten someone.
been to niagara falls.
gotten the chicken pox.
kissed a member of the same sex.
crashed into a friend's car.
been to japan.
ridden in a taxi.
shoplifted.
been fired.
ever had a crush on someone of the same sex.
had feelings for someone who didn't have them back.
stole something from your job.
gone on a blind date.
had a crush on a teacher.
celebrated Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
been to europe.
slept with a co-worker.
been married.
gotten divorced.
had children.
been to africa.
driven over 400 miles in one day.
been to canada.
been to mexico.
been on a plane.
seen the rocky horror picture show.
thrown up in a bar.
eaten sushi.
been snowboarding.
been skiing.
met someone in person from the internet.
been to a moto cross show.
gone to college.
graduated college.
done hard drugs.
had someone cheat on you.
miss someone right now.
taken painkillers when you didn't need them.
smoked weed.
snorted cocaine.
ate shrooms.
inhaled nitrous.
been in love.
cheated in a relationship.
woke up crying.
cried yourself to sleep.
peed from laughing.
had sex.
had sex in a car.
had sex in public.
had sex in the shower.
had sex in a sibling's bed.
had sex in a parent's bed.
my answers are the ones that are in BOLD PRINT.
i am bisexual.
i've consumed alcohol.
i've run away from home.
i have lied to my parents about where i am.
i don't like bush because he is dumb.
i don't like bush with my own reasons to back it up.
i am for bush.
i listen to political music.
i collect comic books.
i am shorter than 5'5".
i think i'm ugly.
i shut others out when i'm depressed.
i open up to others easily.
i am keeping a secret from the world.
i watch the news.
i own over 5 rap CDs.
i own an iPod or MP3 player.
i own multiple designer purses, costing over $100 apiece.
i own something from hot topic.
i own something from pac sun.
i own something from the gap.
i own something from abercrombie.
i own something i got on e-bay.
i love disney movies.
i am a sucker for hair/eyes.
i don't kill bugs.
i curse regularly.
i paid for that cell phone ring.
i am a sports fanatic.
i have "x"s in my screen name.
i've slipped out a "lol" in a real conversation.
i love spam.
i bake well.
i would wear pajamas to school.
i have a job.
i love martha stewart.
i am in love with love.
i am guilty of tYpInG lIkE tHiS. *
i am self conscious.
i like to laugh.
i smoke a 1/2 pack a day.
i liked perks of being a wallflower.
i liked go ask alice.
i have cough drops when i'm not sick.
i can't swallow pills.
i can swallow about 5 pills at a time no problem.
i eat fast food weekly.
i have many scars.
i believe in ghosts.
i can't sleep if there is a spider in the room.
i am really ticklish.
i bite my nails.
i am comfortable with being me.
i play video games.
i'm single.
i'm in a relationship.
i'm married.
gotten lost in your city.
saw a shooting star.
wished on a shooting star.
saw a meteor shower.
i had a serious surgery.
gone out in public in my pajamas.
i have kissed a stranger.
hugged a stranger.
been in a fist fight.
been arrested.
laughed and had milk or another drink come out of your nose.
pushed all the buttons on an elevator.
made out in an elevator.
swore at your parents.
kicked a guy where it hurts.
been close to love.
been to a casino.
been skydiving.
broken a bone.
skipped school.
saw a therapist.
played spin the bottle.
gotten stitches.
drank a whole gallon of milk in one hour.
bitten someone.
been to niagara falls.
gotten the chicken pox.
kissed a member of the same sex.
crashed into a friend's car.
been to japan.
ridden in a taxi.
shoplifted.
been fired.
ever had a crush on someone of the same sex.
had feelings for someone who didn't have them back.
stole something from your job.
gone on a blind date.
had a crush on a teacher.
celebrated Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
been to europe.
slept with a co-worker.
been married.
gotten divorced.
had children.
been to africa.
driven over 400 miles in one day.
been to canada.
been to mexico.
been on a plane.
seen the rocky horror picture show.
thrown up in a bar.
eaten sushi.
been snowboarding.
been skiing.
met someone in person from the internet.
been to a moto cross show.
gone to college.
graduated college.
done hard drugs.
had someone cheat on you.
miss someone right now.
taken painkillers when you didn't need them.
smoked weed.
snorted cocaine.
ate shrooms.
inhaled nitrous.
been in love.
cheated in a relationship.
woke up crying.
cried yourself to sleep.
peed from laughing.
had sex.
had sex in a car.
had sex in public.
had sex in the shower.
had sex in a sibling's bed.
had sex in a parent's bed.
13 October 2005
ganked from http://piggyhawk.blogspot.com... look, i even left the caps!
and since not capitalizing my responses would look, umm... stoopid?
Favorite Beatles song: "Tomorrow Never Knows"
Favorite solo song by a former Beatle: "Imagine"
Favorite Rolling Stones song: "Gimme Shelter"
Favorite Bob Dylan song: "The Times They Are A Changin"
Favorite Pixies song: "Gigantic" or "Monkey Gone to Heaven"
Favorite Prince song: "When Doves Cry"
Favorite Michael Jackson song: umm... none?
Favorite Metallica song: "Blackened"
Favorite Public Enemy song: "Bring the Noise"
Favorite Depeche Mode song: "World in My Eyes"
Favorite Cure song: "Hot Hot Hot!!!"
Favorite song that most of your friends haven't heard: "Too Many Puppies" by Primus.
Favorite Beastie Boys song: "So Whatcha Want" or "Root Down"
Favorite Police song: "J'aurais Toujours Faim de Toi"
Favorite Sex Pistols song: "Pretty Vacant"
Favorite song from a movie: "Birth Ritual" by Soundgarden ("Singles") or "Wave of Mutilation (the surf one)" by Pixies ("Pump Up the Volume")
Favorite Blondie song: "Dreaming"
Favorite Genesis song: umm... I'm gonna take a pass on this one too.
Favorite Led Zeppelin song: "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You"
Favorite INXS song: "Don't Change"
Favorite Weird Al song: Ya know, I never have understood the appeal of the Weird One.
Favorite Pink Floyd song: "Hey You"
Favorite cover song: "Hallelujah", the Jeff Buckley version.
Favorite dance song: "Stinkfist" by Tool... it's a looooooooong story.
Favorite U2 song: "Drowning Man"
Favorite disco song: "Le Freak" by Chic.
Favorite The Who song: "Baba O'Riley"
Favorite Elton John song: "Daniel" or "Rocket Man"
Favorite Clash song: "I Fought the Law"
Favorite David Bowie song: "Suffragette City"
Favorite Nirvana song: "Come As You Are"
Favorite Snoop Dogg song: "Gin and Juice", but as done by Phish.
Favorite Ice Cube song: "Wrong Nigga to Fuck Wit"
Favorite Johnny Cash song: "Ring of Fire"
Favorite R.E.M. song: "Fall on Me" or "Perfect Circle"
Favorite Elvis song: "Suspicious Minds"
Favorite cheesy-ass country song: "Little Boxes" by Malvina Reynolds.
Favorite Beatles song: "Tomorrow Never Knows"
Favorite solo song by a former Beatle: "Imagine"
Favorite Rolling Stones song: "Gimme Shelter"
Favorite Bob Dylan song: "The Times They Are A Changin"
Favorite Pixies song: "Gigantic" or "Monkey Gone to Heaven"
Favorite Prince song: "When Doves Cry"
Favorite Michael Jackson song: umm... none?
Favorite Metallica song: "Blackened"
Favorite Public Enemy song: "Bring the Noise"
Favorite Depeche Mode song: "World in My Eyes"
Favorite Cure song: "Hot Hot Hot!!!"
Favorite song that most of your friends haven't heard: "Too Many Puppies" by Primus.
Favorite Beastie Boys song: "So Whatcha Want" or "Root Down"
Favorite Police song: "J'aurais Toujours Faim de Toi"
Favorite Sex Pistols song: "Pretty Vacant"
Favorite song from a movie: "Birth Ritual" by Soundgarden ("Singles") or "Wave of Mutilation (the surf one)" by Pixies ("Pump Up the Volume")
Favorite Blondie song: "Dreaming"
Favorite Genesis song: umm... I'm gonna take a pass on this one too.
Favorite Led Zeppelin song: "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You"
Favorite INXS song: "Don't Change"
Favorite Weird Al song: Ya know, I never have understood the appeal of the Weird One.
Favorite Pink Floyd song: "Hey You"
Favorite cover song: "Hallelujah", the Jeff Buckley version.
Favorite dance song: "Stinkfist" by Tool... it's a looooooooong story.
Favorite U2 song: "Drowning Man"
Favorite disco song: "Le Freak" by Chic.
Favorite The Who song: "Baba O'Riley"
Favorite Elton John song: "Daniel" or "Rocket Man"
Favorite Clash song: "I Fought the Law"
Favorite David Bowie song: "Suffragette City"
Favorite Nirvana song: "Come As You Are"
Favorite Snoop Dogg song: "Gin and Juice", but as done by Phish.
Favorite Ice Cube song: "Wrong Nigga to Fuck Wit"
Favorite Johnny Cash song: "Ring of Fire"
Favorite R.E.M. song: "Fall on Me" or "Perfect Circle"
Favorite Elvis song: "Suspicious Minds"
Favorite cheesy-ass country song: "Little Boxes" by Malvina Reynolds.
07 October 2005
28 September 2005
k... i snorted so hard it hurt.
seen in the comments on the *delay indicted* thread on dailykos.com:
* [new]
The plural for "booze" is... (4.00 / 11)
"Bush Family Picnic."
by Jujuree on Wed Sep 28th, 2005 at 09:52:28 PDT
* [new]
The plural for "booze" is... (4.00 / 11)
"Bush Family Picnic."
by Jujuree on Wed Sep 28th, 2005 at 09:52:28 PDT
12 September 2005
no text necessary
copyright mike luckovich, 09/04/05, as it originally appeared in the atlanta journal-constitution.
09 September 2005
we're looking for wide-open spaces high above the kitchen
is that a great line or wot?
friday random 10:
1. "world where you live" - crowded house.
2. "j'aurais toujours faim de toi" - the police.
3. "little boxes" - malvina reynolds.
4. "blue rondo ala turk" - dave brubeck.
5. "jesus of suburbia" - green day.
6. "me and julio down by the schoolyard" - paul simon.
7. "vietnow" - rage against the machine.
8. "waiting room" - fugazi.
9. "bring on the dancing horses" - echo and the bunnymen.
10. "welcome to the occupation" - r.e.m.
friday random 10:
1. "world where you live" - crowded house.
2. "j'aurais toujours faim de toi" - the police.
3. "little boxes" - malvina reynolds.
4. "blue rondo ala turk" - dave brubeck.
5. "jesus of suburbia" - green day.
6. "me and julio down by the schoolyard" - paul simon.
7. "vietnow" - rage against the machine.
8. "waiting room" - fugazi.
9. "bring on the dancing horses" - echo and the bunnymen.
10. "welcome to the occupation" - r.e.m.
what could have been
from jj32's diary @ http://dailykos.com
About 140 people - mostly elderly and infirm - arrived Saturday at McGhee Tyson Airport on a chartered mercy flight from hurricane-ravaged New Orleans, welcomed to East Tennessee by a bright sun and a host of medical professionals straining at the reins to help their fellow human beings without regard to whether they were on the clock.
The displaced hurricane victims came to Tennessee on a hastily arranged flight, accompanied by doctors and carrying whatever they had in boxes, bags or, in one case, an old suitcase tied up with rope.
Former Vice President Al Gore arranged the flight and was on board, but he declined to take credit for the airlift, fearing it would be "politicized."
The patients and evacuees arrived aboard an American Airlines MD-80 about 3:15 p.m. The unloading process took almost two hours, as some walked hesitantly down a staircase beneath the rear of the aircraft. Others were rolled down a ramp from the front of the plane to waiting wheelchairs. Personnel from Rural/Metro and the Tennessee Air National Guard volunteered their services, as did others, to get the patients and evacuees loaded onto buses or ambulances for the ride to area hospitals to be assessed medically before going to a Red Cross shelter.
Gore chose not to speak to the assembled media, but he was seen in a black T-shirt and jeans moving rapidly from one side of the plane to the other assisting with the off-loading operation.
fuck i'm angry. how can i not be when all i do is think of everything we could have avoided the last 5+ years? think of all the americans who could have died differently. 9/11/2001 would have been any other september 11th, and almost 3,000 people would have gotten to go home after work. there would have been no war in iraq. close to 2,000 more already who would have been afforded the opportunity to live a long life. hurricane katrina was destiny. if it hadn't been that particular hurricane, it would have been another, but FEMA wouldn't have been folded into a *department of homeland security* and rendered a joke in the process. the budgets for flood control in greater new orleans wouldn't have been decimated. and president gore sure as shit wouldn't have waited damn near a week to get the ball rolling.
no, he would have kept james lee witt around to head that particular cabinet-level department, and its budget wouldn't have been slashed to pay for tax cuts for the obscenely wealthy.
have a good look at the man. does he look groomed for his photo op? uhh... no. he looks like he's spent the last several hours helping to unload an airplane. can you imagine chumpy, erm... chimpy doing that? "but i'll get all sweaty and besides, i only wear hickey freeman!"
i want a president willing to get red in the face for me goddammit! how come it is that so many people in this country voted for the son of a bitch currently occupying 1600 pennsylvania ave, washington d.c. 20050?
son of a bitch, indeed. i'm sure you've all heard about the remarks of chimpy's mom. god, what a fucking cunt! i can just hear her saying "don't let them touch anything and get their poor people's smell all over it!"
that particular pomme didn't fall very far from the tree, now did it?
k... now for the portion of today's installment where i pimp for your ca$h: if you haven't already, or if you have and can afford more, please get yer ass over to http://redcross.org or http://oxfam.org or http://noahswish.org or any other organization providing care and comfort for the victims of that bitch katrina and give em some of yer hard-earned dinero.
tyvm.
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