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05 December 2011
12 November 2011
A Satisfying Good Meal
Just because I am a poor college student doesn't mean I eat like one.
What I made:
pork chop marinated in apple cinnamon barbecue sauce
homemade mashed potatoes
sage flavored stuffing
and a glass of milk for chase it down
Where it came from:
pork chops from the store, frozen in a freezer for a few weeks (I freeze all my meats so they can last)
potatoes were in the drawer. They keep very well, so they've been around for a while
stuffing from a box
milk from a jug
End Results:
The pork chops were good. They were so thick, so I had them cook on medium-low heat while the potatoes boiled. I flavored them with a new seasoning mom told me to get, and I liked the end result. The potatoes could have used butter or gravy or another type of flavoring, they were quite bland. And not mashed that well. But it was my first time, so I forgive myself. The stuffing was great! I love stuffing. I need to start making stuffing for every meal. And I love milk. Milk and stuffing for dinner tomorrow? Perhaps.
Recipe?
Nope, sorry. It's all really easy to make -- the trick was juggling everything.
 |
| Some people have standards. Mine for food are quite high. |
pork chop marinated in apple cinnamon barbecue sauce
homemade mashed potatoes
sage flavored stuffing
and a glass of milk for chase it down
Where it came from:
pork chops from the store, frozen in a freezer for a few weeks (I freeze all my meats so they can last)
potatoes were in the drawer. They keep very well, so they've been around for a while
stuffing from a box
milk from a jug
End Results:
The pork chops were good. They were so thick, so I had them cook on medium-low heat while the potatoes boiled. I flavored them with a new seasoning mom told me to get, and I liked the end result. The potatoes could have used butter or gravy or another type of flavoring, they were quite bland. And not mashed that well. But it was my first time, so I forgive myself. The stuffing was great! I love stuffing. I need to start making stuffing for every meal. And I love milk. Milk and stuffing for dinner tomorrow? Perhaps.
Recipe?
Nope, sorry. It's all really easy to make -- the trick was juggling everything.
01 November 2011
Traitorous Cats!
So my little brother and his roommate came to visit for Halloween weekend.
The first night they stayed over, Squee (the friendly cat) walked out from my roommate (codename) Rick and slept at my little brother's feet. I'm sure Lil Bro was slightly nervous about this, being eye-swellingly allergic to cats, but at least his feet were warm.
In any case, Rick walks out to see her cat sleeping with the guest and she makes and goes "Traitor!" Because Squee always sleeps with Rick. And if he doesn't sleep with Rick because she's not around, he sleeps with me.
And Squee looks back at her like "What? I do what I want; I'm a freaking cat."
So the moral of the story is, your cats may or may not sell you out for no discernible reason. Disheartening, isn't it?
The first night they stayed over, Squee (the friendly cat) walked out from my roommate (codename) Rick and slept at my little brother's feet. I'm sure Lil Bro was slightly nervous about this, being eye-swellingly allergic to cats, but at least his feet were warm.
In any case, Rick walks out to see her cat sleeping with the guest and she makes and goes "Traitor!" Because Squee always sleeps with Rick. And if he doesn't sleep with Rick because she's not around, he sleeps with me.
And Squee looks back at her like "What? I do what I want; I'm a freaking cat."
So the moral of the story is, your cats may or may not sell you out for no discernible reason. Disheartening, isn't it?
20 October 2011
Warm Penguin is Warm
I can't get enough from this picture:
According to this article from Animal Tracks on Today, a knitting shop in New Zealand called out for local knitters to knit sweaters for blue penguins who get caught in oil spills. The shop is called Skeinz based in Napier, New Zealand (link to Skeinz home page).
I find this adorable and heartwarming. New Zealand's TV3 News says there are now more than enough sweaters for the penguins (link to TV3 News Report).
Here are some more pictures of penguins wearing sweaters.
All together now:
According to this article from Animal Tracks on Today, a knitting shop in New Zealand called out for local knitters to knit sweaters for blue penguins who get caught in oil spills. The shop is called Skeinz based in Napier, New Zealand (link to Skeinz home page).
I find this adorable and heartwarming. New Zealand's TV3 News says there are now more than enough sweaters for the penguins (link to TV3 News Report).
Here are some more pictures of penguins wearing sweaters.
 |
| http://www.adorablog.org/2005/11/how_to_knit_a_s.html |
 |
| http://www.adorablog.org/penguins/ |
All together now:
d'aaaawwwwww
14 October 2011
Life's Too Short
- to read bad books
- to listen to your parents
- to hold back at karaoke night
- to NOT kick your roommate in the balls
- to clean your room
- to panic
- to under-appreciate everything you have
- to listen to just one album at a time
- to silence your inner child
- to do homework
- to not post on your tumblr/twitter/blogger/etc.
- to worry what others think of you if you sing on the street
- to not hum to yourself
- to not submit your story to the journal
- to anger your cat
- to play fair
- to finish a crossword puzzle
- to live cheaply
- to drink cheap booze
- to scare your cats from the counter
- for writer's block
- to live in a plain room
- to not buy that piece of jewelry
- to make excuses
- to say no to anime
- to walk past the man with a "FREE HUGS" sign
- to cancel the furry convention
If life is but a dream, it better be lucid.
08 October 2011
PubCom Challenge
When I'm not doing schoolwork, I spend the majority of my time with the organization WUD Publications Committee, that which we call PubCom. WUD stands for Wisconsin Union Directorate and is pretty much the umbrella organization for all student programming in the Union, including the outdoor and recreation clubs, the movies shown at Union South, the programming for the Union Theater, the bands that perform on one of three stages, etc etc etc. PubCom spearheads the literary aspect of this with three online journals, a creative writing workshop, and four printed journals. It's a big group.
My own involvement includes leading two things: the creative writing workshop Working Title and the fiction blog UW Flash Fiction. In addition, I participate in weekly PubCom meetings and only recently signed up to help with a scary storytelling event for Halloween. It's a busy life, but I love it.
Last meeting, we were introduced to two programs that will help us students on a professional level. The first is a mentorship program that partners an interested PubCom member with a professional in the field they wish to go into, and it doesn't have to be in publishing. The second is a program that will help interested members build a professional portfolio. This second program is called the PubCom Challenge, which also suggests it's a bit of a competition. I will admit I suggested we have awards at the end of the school year for most professional, best design, most content, etc. Awards add to the "challenge" that comes with the name.
What does this mean for me and this blog? My plan is to use this already existing blog in my own professional portfolio. That means one of two things will happen to this site. The first is that it goes over such extreme renovations you won't even recognize it anymore. Well, you might, but there's the possibility that it won't be recognizable. The second is that it will be discarded altogether for me to start from scratch and create a new space for myself.
This is just a warning, so you readers know. If you suddenly see a tab with my resume/CV and another with things I've designed and yet another specifically for writing samples (both creative and professional), don't be alarmed. I'm a senior on the cusp of graduation, and something like this may or may not be helpful for my future career.
Speaking of careers, I have an interview with the senior editor at Tor Books on Monday. As in, an interview for an internship. An internship under the senior editor at Tor Books.
Life is a field of opportunities. If you look for the right ones, you will find them.
My own involvement includes leading two things: the creative writing workshop Working Title and the fiction blog UW Flash Fiction. In addition, I participate in weekly PubCom meetings and only recently signed up to help with a scary storytelling event for Halloween. It's a busy life, but I love it.
Last meeting, we were introduced to two programs that will help us students on a professional level. The first is a mentorship program that partners an interested PubCom member with a professional in the field they wish to go into, and it doesn't have to be in publishing. The second is a program that will help interested members build a professional portfolio. This second program is called the PubCom Challenge, which also suggests it's a bit of a competition. I will admit I suggested we have awards at the end of the school year for most professional, best design, most content, etc. Awards add to the "challenge" that comes with the name.
What does this mean for me and this blog? My plan is to use this already existing blog in my own professional portfolio. That means one of two things will happen to this site. The first is that it goes over such extreme renovations you won't even recognize it anymore. Well, you might, but there's the possibility that it won't be recognizable. The second is that it will be discarded altogether for me to start from scratch and create a new space for myself.
This is just a warning, so you readers know. If you suddenly see a tab with my resume/CV and another with things I've designed and yet another specifically for writing samples (both creative and professional), don't be alarmed. I'm a senior on the cusp of graduation, and something like this may or may not be helpful for my future career.
Speaking of careers, I have an interview with the senior editor at Tor Books on Monday. As in, an interview for an internship. An internship under the senior editor at Tor Books.
Life is a field of opportunities. If you look for the right ones, you will find them.
11 September 2011
So Today Was My Birthday
I had spent my entire weekend at Geek.kon, so I was already there when I woke up. My friends and I signed up for a Tea Party where we had to solve a mystery. The Tea Party was on an airship with a time engine. The Time Engine broke so the airship can only go back in time and not forward and the professor who created and manned the airship disappeared into the time stream. So it was up to us, the guests, to figure out where and when the professor landed. I take pride in the fact that I was the one who guessed correctly.
What made it better was my having my sonic screwdriver on me. People asked why I couldn't fix the engine with that, and I said it didn't work on gears. Even so, I felt like the Doctor. And the family sitting next to me agreed. It was a good way to start the morning.
Then we went to the boffer room, where we got to hit people with foam weapons. Hitting people with foam weapons = all sorts of fun. Enough said.
Earlier in the weekend, my friends and I were oogling Tasty Peach Studios. I had my eye on three pairs of earrings but could only buy one. My friends bought the other two as presents for me.
Other cool things at the con involved my playing Mega Man II in the game room. Mega Man is the video game of my childhood, so it was all sorts of nostalgic (and an excellent distraction for my friends to sneak away to buy said presents). Then there was a concert by I Fight Dragons which was fun. This was cut short by our need to return to campus.
Upon arrival to my room, I found several things. The first was my Computer Actual, with printing capabilities and a DVD drive and a really big screen and kind of in need of a new keyboard. But I love it even though the webcam is glitching. I didn't realize how much of a luxury a large screen is until I was using a Netbook for a long time. Mom and Dad also sent along an antique tea set from Japan they got as a gift when they got married. You could call this a form of regifting, but I think after so many years it becomes a moot point. Either way, I had half a pot of green tea as I read for creative writing after dinner. It was good tea in a good pot. And now I have to host a tea party.
My roommates also gave me a few presents. I love my roommates. And I love my friends. But most of all, I love my family. We know each other so well.
What made it better was my having my sonic screwdriver on me. People asked why I couldn't fix the engine with that, and I said it didn't work on gears. Even so, I felt like the Doctor. And the family sitting next to me agreed. It was a good way to start the morning.
Then we went to the boffer room, where we got to hit people with foam weapons. Hitting people with foam weapons = all sorts of fun. Enough said.
Earlier in the weekend, my friends and I were oogling Tasty Peach Studios. I had my eye on three pairs of earrings but could only buy one. My friends bought the other two as presents for me.
 |
| Aren't they all sorts of adorable? |
Other cool things at the con involved my playing Mega Man II in the game room. Mega Man is the video game of my childhood, so it was all sorts of nostalgic (and an excellent distraction for my friends to sneak away to buy said presents). Then there was a concert by I Fight Dragons which was fun. This was cut short by our need to return to campus.
Upon arrival to my room, I found several things. The first was my Computer Actual, with printing capabilities and a DVD drive and a really big screen and kind of in need of a new keyboard. But I love it even though the webcam is glitching. I didn't realize how much of a luxury a large screen is until I was using a Netbook for a long time. Mom and Dad also sent along an antique tea set from Japan they got as a gift when they got married. You could call this a form of regifting, but I think after so many years it becomes a moot point. Either way, I had half a pot of green tea as I read for creative writing after dinner. It was good tea in a good pot. And now I have to host a tea party.
My roommates also gave me a few presents. I love my roommates. And I love my friends. But most of all, I love my family. We know each other so well.
07 September 2011
In Answer to the Question at the End of This Video
The thoughts expressed in the following video pertain to my answer so please watch it before you read my answer.
Is my quest heroic?** First, I will define these terms as I think of them, and then I'm going to answer my question based from those definitions.
I think of a quest as a great adventure that takes place throughout the life of a character. At the end of their life and beyond they have achieved greatness, which is a position of great personal respect for themselves and the people in their lives. Harry Potter is an example of a contemporary quest. The Odyssey is an ancient quest. Quests can also come in small forms. In Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen, the quest of the main character is to find a place to call home. Gatsby's quest in The Great Gatsby is to be happy and go back to the time of innocence when he first met Daisy before the war. The quest of Magpie in The Faeries of Dreamdark: Blackbringer is to rid the faerie realm of the Blackbringer. By bringing in these different stories, I can now identify a quest as a personal goal to which I aim to achieve. At the end of my quest, I hope to grow as a person and hopefully earn the respect of my peers and anyone else with whom I interact with.
I have several goals in my life. I want to implement a blog about writing to be maintained by my creative writing group. When I settle down in a city with a career, I want to buy a Mac desktop and run the latest version of Windows on it. I want to buy a parrot and teach it tricks and have it sit on my shoulder as I write. I want to live on the West Coast solely because I've never been there before. I want to intern at a literary agency and hopefully start a career as a literary agent. I want to work in the science fiction sect of the publishing world.
Now, is my quest heroic? I think of a hero as someone who saves a life not because they had a social obligation but because they had the opportunity to do so and they took it. From that alone, I say my quest is not heroic. For one thing, I dodge calls from the American Red Cross who want me to donate blood every three months or so. I do not interact with people in need on a regular basis. Neither do I actively seek out charities and charitable organizations for which I can be a part of. If you do not think this disqualifies me as a hero, then please say so in the comments. But I do not think of myself as a hero.
Is my quest heroic? No, my quest is not heroic.
I feel no shame in this. My personal goals are my own and are created based on what will make me happiest. The fact that I do not do charity work does not mean that I am a bad person. I smile and say hi to people I know on the street. I apologize for doing something wrong. I feel guilty for something as innocent as spitting from a tall building (there were no passersby directly underneath. I checked.) I assured a police officer today that I will spread the word to my roommates to be on the lookout for terrorists. My roommate gave me a weird look, but I still passed the word even though I thought it was ridiculous as well. (Who would want to attack a UW football game? If you're going to attack Wisconsin, you attack a Packer game or Sturgeon Bay. That is, those are the places I would attack.) Also, I had a dog approach me while I was on vacation and plop down on my foot. I figure if a dog likes me that much, I can't be too bad. Can't I?
In any case, I am confident in my goodness as a person and I do not think my quest is heroic. That is the answer to my question.
** I didn't exactly finish The Great Gatsby so I feel unqualified to answer the other question.
Is my quest heroic?** First, I will define these terms as I think of them, and then I'm going to answer my question based from those definitions.
I think of a quest as a great adventure that takes place throughout the life of a character. At the end of their life and beyond they have achieved greatness, which is a position of great personal respect for themselves and the people in their lives. Harry Potter is an example of a contemporary quest. The Odyssey is an ancient quest. Quests can also come in small forms. In Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen, the quest of the main character is to find a place to call home. Gatsby's quest in The Great Gatsby is to be happy and go back to the time of innocence when he first met Daisy before the war. The quest of Magpie in The Faeries of Dreamdark: Blackbringer is to rid the faerie realm of the Blackbringer. By bringing in these different stories, I can now identify a quest as a personal goal to which I aim to achieve. At the end of my quest, I hope to grow as a person and hopefully earn the respect of my peers and anyone else with whom I interact with.
I have several goals in my life. I want to implement a blog about writing to be maintained by my creative writing group. When I settle down in a city with a career, I want to buy a Mac desktop and run the latest version of Windows on it. I want to buy a parrot and teach it tricks and have it sit on my shoulder as I write. I want to live on the West Coast solely because I've never been there before. I want to intern at a literary agency and hopefully start a career as a literary agent. I want to work in the science fiction sect of the publishing world.
Now, is my quest heroic? I think of a hero as someone who saves a life not because they had a social obligation but because they had the opportunity to do so and they took it. From that alone, I say my quest is not heroic. For one thing, I dodge calls from the American Red Cross who want me to donate blood every three months or so. I do not interact with people in need on a regular basis. Neither do I actively seek out charities and charitable organizations for which I can be a part of. If you do not think this disqualifies me as a hero, then please say so in the comments. But I do not think of myself as a hero.
Is my quest heroic? No, my quest is not heroic.
I feel no shame in this. My personal goals are my own and are created based on what will make me happiest. The fact that I do not do charity work does not mean that I am a bad person. I smile and say hi to people I know on the street. I apologize for doing something wrong. I feel guilty for something as innocent as spitting from a tall building (there were no passersby directly underneath. I checked.) I assured a police officer today that I will spread the word to my roommates to be on the lookout for terrorists. My roommate gave me a weird look, but I still passed the word even though I thought it was ridiculous as well. (Who would want to attack a UW football game? If you're going to attack Wisconsin, you attack a Packer game or Sturgeon Bay. That is, those are the places I would attack.) Also, I had a dog approach me while I was on vacation and plop down on my foot. I figure if a dog likes me that much, I can't be too bad. Can't I?
In any case, I am confident in my goodness as a person and I do not think my quest is heroic. That is the answer to my question.
** I didn't exactly finish The Great Gatsby so I feel unqualified to answer the other question.
05 September 2011
My Current Favorite Authors
If you ask me my favorite author, I usually say an author whose book I recently read, or I'll say an author whose latest book is coming out soon. And because I'm talking about this now, I'm going to give you a list of authors who I've either recently read or who have books coming out soon. Therefore, the following are now my favorite authors until they are no longer. All book titles are linked to their page on Goodreads and series names are linked to the first book in the series. In no particular order:
Laini Taylor
Ms. Taylor wrote The Faeries of Dreamdark and Lips Touch Three Times. I loved Dreamdark because of the dialogue and the simple language that said so much in so few words. The descriptions were beautiful in their simplicity. Furthermore, you might as well have plucked the land of Dreamdark from the edge of your dreams because it probably was. But my favorite parts were the dialogue. The faerie slang was so natural I found myself saying "Jacksmoke" every time I needed to swear.
I'm currently reading Lips Touch and it's just as fabulous. Lips Touch is a series of three novellas about kissing. The creativity behind the magical worlds baffles me. These are the sort of worlds that make you think "This is so obvious. Why didn't I think of it first?" Like the Dreamdark books, the descriptions are simple and beautiful and the similes barely expand more than five words. But those five words tell so much.
Ms. Taylor's latest book, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, comes out later in September. I'm very, very excited to read it.
Holly Black
Ms. Black writes the Curse Worker series which includes White Cat and Red Glove. Both are about Cassel Sharpe, a young man whose family works closely with a mob crime lord. Cassel's voice in both books sucks you in and keeps you there. He is real, rounded, knowingly makes bad decisions, looks at girls, critically thinks about the mysteries surrounding his life, and really needs a hug. His love life is the most painful and defining part of his character. I also love the world of the Curse Worker series and how the world is defined through Cassel's actions. Small things like his feeling of vulnerability when his gloves are off really sets the tone for the rest of the world.
Sadly, the third installment Black Heart won't be released until April 2012.
Scott Westerfeld
Author of the Midnighters and Uglies series, Mr. Westerfeld's latest series follows two teenagers in the middle of an alternate World War One. The moment you crack open Leviathan, you don't look up until you finish Behemoth. The characters might as well jump out of their illustrations. Their worries are worries one would legitimately have while on board an air vessel made out of a whale. And the illustrations are beautiful --- detailed and expressive and able to be stared at for long periods of time without tiring of them. If you're going to read anything by Mr. Westerfeld, read Leviathan and it's sequel Behemoth. The world is believable and riddled with English slang and German curses. You won't be disappointed.
The last book in the series, Goliath, is released later in September.
John Scalzi
I recently read Fuzzy Nation, which is a reboot of H. Beam Piper's Little Fuzzy written in the Golden Age of Science Fiction. I haven't read the original, but I highly enjoyed the remake. The main character was such a jerk to everyone he met, and his character was consistent throughout the entire novel. His character was what really made the connection with me. Another part was the actual storytelling itself. No detail was left unresolved. When a character is mentioned, he bears no significance until later in the story even if you don't realize it. Those kinds of details always fascinated me, because the author is introducing you to a fact that you'll probably forget until later when it is brought up again. It is my dream to write a story with something like that in it.
Also, John Scalzi has my dream job. He is a freelance writer with a weekly column at Filmcritic.com about science fiction movies, has several novels out including the Old Man's War series, Agent to the Stars, and The Android's Dream. He's president of the SFWA (Science Fiction Writers of America -- which nominates and votes for the Hugo Awards). AND he maintains the blog Whatever, which has been running since 1998. Dude does a lot. I want to be just like him when I grow up, down to the famously geekly best friend. (No, really, he's close with Wil Wheaton.)
Laini Taylor
Ms. Taylor wrote The Faeries of Dreamdark and Lips Touch Three Times. I loved Dreamdark because of the dialogue and the simple language that said so much in so few words. The descriptions were beautiful in their simplicity. Furthermore, you might as well have plucked the land of Dreamdark from the edge of your dreams because it probably was. But my favorite parts were the dialogue. The faerie slang was so natural I found myself saying "Jacksmoke" every time I needed to swear.
I'm currently reading Lips Touch and it's just as fabulous. Lips Touch is a series of three novellas about kissing. The creativity behind the magical worlds baffles me. These are the sort of worlds that make you think "This is so obvious. Why didn't I think of it first?" Like the Dreamdark books, the descriptions are simple and beautiful and the similes barely expand more than five words. But those five words tell so much.
Ms. Taylor's latest book, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, comes out later in September. I'm very, very excited to read it.
Holly Black
Ms. Black writes the Curse Worker series which includes White Cat and Red Glove. Both are about Cassel Sharpe, a young man whose family works closely with a mob crime lord. Cassel's voice in both books sucks you in and keeps you there. He is real, rounded, knowingly makes bad decisions, looks at girls, critically thinks about the mysteries surrounding his life, and really needs a hug. His love life is the most painful and defining part of his character. I also love the world of the Curse Worker series and how the world is defined through Cassel's actions. Small things like his feeling of vulnerability when his gloves are off really sets the tone for the rest of the world.
Sadly, the third installment Black Heart won't be released until April 2012.
Scott Westerfeld
Author of the Midnighters and Uglies series, Mr. Westerfeld's latest series follows two teenagers in the middle of an alternate World War One. The moment you crack open Leviathan, you don't look up until you finish Behemoth. The characters might as well jump out of their illustrations. Their worries are worries one would legitimately have while on board an air vessel made out of a whale. And the illustrations are beautiful --- detailed and expressive and able to be stared at for long periods of time without tiring of them. If you're going to read anything by Mr. Westerfeld, read Leviathan and it's sequel Behemoth. The world is believable and riddled with English slang and German curses. You won't be disappointed.
The last book in the series, Goliath, is released later in September.
John Scalzi
I recently read Fuzzy Nation, which is a reboot of H. Beam Piper's Little Fuzzy written in the Golden Age of Science Fiction. I haven't read the original, but I highly enjoyed the remake. The main character was such a jerk to everyone he met, and his character was consistent throughout the entire novel. His character was what really made the connection with me. Another part was the actual storytelling itself. No detail was left unresolved. When a character is mentioned, he bears no significance until later in the story even if you don't realize it. Those kinds of details always fascinated me, because the author is introducing you to a fact that you'll probably forget until later when it is brought up again. It is my dream to write a story with something like that in it.
Also, John Scalzi has my dream job. He is a freelance writer with a weekly column at Filmcritic.com about science fiction movies, has several novels out including the Old Man's War series, Agent to the Stars, and The Android's Dream. He's president of the SFWA (Science Fiction Writers of America -- which nominates and votes for the Hugo Awards). AND he maintains the blog Whatever, which has been running since 1998. Dude does a lot. I want to be just like him when I grow up, down to the famously geekly best friend. (No, really, he's close with Wil Wheaton.)
03 September 2011
A Funny Thing Happened on the Drive Back Home
I grew up with a mother where anything less than ten miles over the speed limit was normal. It was a weird time during the summer when I went back. Apparently, the cops in my hometown have started cracking down on speeding. Mom did everything in her power to stay at the speed limit, and here's why.
My older brother is riding in the passenger seat with my mom driving. They get pulled over and my brother is cracking up. Mom being pulled over isn't really big news especially since she's always let go with warnings. But not this time. By now, the cops should at least recognize the car and the license plate. He thinks she's in for it, and I admit that it is pretty funny.
So the policeman comes and asks to see my mom's license. She shows it through her wallet, and the policeman asks her to remove it so he can take it back to the car.
Here's another anecdote about my mother --- her wallet is stuffed to the rafters. Don't ask me what's in there, but there's a few cards from various places, membership cards, cash, coupons, receipts. She almost needs a mini-purse to fit all the things she wants to carry in her wallet. Instead, she usually gets the biggest wallets she can find. And they're still hard to zip closed.
So it doesn't really surprise me when Mom can't pull her driver's license from her wallet. My brother tries, and fails. And the policeman tries and fails as well. Finally giving in, the policeman goes back to the car to get a pad of paper to copy mom's information. No, she wasn't getting away just because her license was stuck. Here are ways around that.
The officer returns and copies the information, and then he goes back to his car. Mom and my brother sit in the car for a while. A few minutes later, the policeman returns.
But he doesn't have a ticket.
He says the printer in his car isn't working, so he's going to let her off with a warning. I think my brother balked or something because, dude, mom gets away with everything. She's just that awesome.
31 August 2011
I'm Jack Holloway and I speak for the Fuzzies
**this post contains strong language
Finished reading Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi over breakfast, and by over breakfast I mean I sat the table for an extra hour reading. Scalzi's style is simple and levelheaded. Jack Holloway is the perfect asshole. Fuzzies are awesome and adorable at the same time. I read it in about two days (between work shifts and other matters at hand). You all should read it.
My favorite character is Judge Solton. Her entire attitude towards everybody --- protagonist, antagonist, dog, what-have-you --- is a simple "Not you idiots again." She doesn't take shit from anybody. Her position as a judge gives her the ability to see through lawyerly manipulations. And her employer, which isn't ZaraCorp, means she's not prone to bribery and other corporate sneaks. She's probably the biggest badass in that entire book. I love her.
Fuzzy Nation --- go read it because a dog blows up a cliff. Seriously.
Finished reading Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi over breakfast, and by over breakfast I mean I sat the table for an extra hour reading. Scalzi's style is simple and levelheaded. Jack Holloway is the perfect asshole. Fuzzies are awesome and adorable at the same time. I read it in about two days (between work shifts and other matters at hand). You all should read it.
My favorite character is Judge Solton. Her entire attitude towards everybody --- protagonist, antagonist, dog, what-have-you --- is a simple "Not you idiots again." She doesn't take shit from anybody. Her position as a judge gives her the ability to see through lawyerly manipulations. And her employer, which isn't ZaraCorp, means she's not prone to bribery and other corporate sneaks. She's probably the biggest badass in that entire book. I love her.
Fuzzy Nation --- go read it because a dog blows up a cliff. Seriously.
17 August 2011
Chicken Marinade with Potatoes
serves one. Modify recipe for multiple mouths.
Ingredients
- one chicken breast, thawed
- olive oil
- Italian dressing
- Mrs. Dash Garlic and Herb spices
- two (2) red potatoes, washed
- handful of baby carrots
- one ciabatta bun
Preparation
Pour olive oil onto cooking pan and add Italian dressing on it. Heat burner to medium heat. Place chicken on top of olive oil and dressing mix. Sprinkle Mrs. Dash herbs (or another blend of spices of your choosing) on top of still-raw chicken, then add Italian dressing on top of that. Let cook, flipping occasionally.
Heat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and place bun inside. Let warm until chicken and potatoes are finished.
Chop potatoes as desired. Pour olive oil into second pan and set to medium heat. Add potatoes and carrots. Keep mixing these around until fully cooked. Keep moving around until chicken is cooked through.
*note -- add rosemary to the potatoes for extra flavor.
Remove chicken, potatoes and carrots, and bun from oven. Set on place and eat.
Ingredients
- one chicken breast, thawed
- olive oil
- Italian dressing
- Mrs. Dash Garlic and Herb spices
- two (2) red potatoes, washed
- handful of baby carrots
- one ciabatta bun
Preparation
Pour olive oil onto cooking pan and add Italian dressing on it. Heat burner to medium heat. Place chicken on top of olive oil and dressing mix. Sprinkle Mrs. Dash herbs (or another blend of spices of your choosing) on top of still-raw chicken, then add Italian dressing on top of that. Let cook, flipping occasionally.
Heat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and place bun inside. Let warm until chicken and potatoes are finished.
Chop potatoes as desired. Pour olive oil into second pan and set to medium heat. Add potatoes and carrots. Keep mixing these around until fully cooked. Keep moving around until chicken is cooked through.
*note -- add rosemary to the potatoes for extra flavor.
Remove chicken, potatoes and carrots, and bun from oven. Set on place and eat.
12 August 2011
Death Note Super Spoiler
I started watching Death Note this week. A dangerous task because I should really be packing and cleaning when I'm not at work or figuring out how to get rid of all my food before Sunday. But anyway, it's an awesome show. I'm all like
There are many spoilers that can happen within this show, but there is one spoiler that tops them ALL. I call it the Super Spoiler. So then the SUPER SPOILER happens, and now I'm debating about whether I want to continue watching it or not.
But friend (codename) Walter said, "I don't know if [super spoiler] was genius or dumb." And now I feel I have an intellectual obligation to finish the series and state my opinion on the matter.
I also just want to say that the episode in which the Super Spoiler happens is beautiful. At least for me. There may or may not have been a yaoi fangirl moment, some failed Christian symbolism, and squeals of glee.
Not that I'm glad about Super Spoiler, it's just that when stories take a Turn For The Awesome I get really excited and Turns For The Awesome are typically very sad moments.
There are many spoilers that can happen within this show, but there is one spoiler that tops them ALL. I call it the Super Spoiler. So then the SUPER SPOILER happens, and now I'm debating about whether I want to continue watching it or not.
But friend (codename) Walter said, "I don't know if [super spoiler] was genius or dumb." And now I feel I have an intellectual obligation to finish the series and state my opinion on the matter.
I also just want to say that the episode in which the Super Spoiler happens is beautiful. At least for me. There may or may not have been a yaoi fangirl moment, some failed Christian symbolism, and squeals of glee.
Not that I'm glad about Super Spoiler, it's just that when stories take a Turn For The Awesome I get really excited and Turns For The Awesome are typically very sad moments.
06 August 2011
Where I've Been
I've been here, for the most part, reading blogs and watching YouTube and generally having a good time. There was nothing interesting to say, so I didn't post for the sake of posting.
In lieu of this watching, my computer went down. Strictly speaking, I fried the motherboard via a big bowl of milk at breakfast, which is always a nice thing to do to your computer. But don't worry, things are working out and I'll be using a tiny netbook until I get my 17.5" screen back. I'm working up to it by renting 13" MacBook Pros from my university. On which I'm able to use Windows. For the record, I really dislike Mac Laptop mice. That's about my only reasonable complaint, and a story for another post.
In addition to this, I just finished finals for summer classes. Well, summer class, since the only thing left to finish for me was Kendo. I did pretty well, I guess. After the final, we did a Balloon Battle, where we had balloons taped to the three targets we can hit. One guy attempted to get my kote (wrist) with the force of his entire being, and missed a good three times before I yelled at him. He ran away after that. Shows him. I mean, seriously, it doesn't take THAT much force to pop a balloon. So now my arm is sporting this giant bruise right under my shoulder. Try sleeping on that. (No seriously, I can't lay on my right side now. It sucks.)
And now I'm moving. Yay! It's nothing big, like from one city to another. Even so, my reasonably navigateable mess is now a reasonably navigateable mess in boxes. Except for that pile of library books next to my bed, but let's not get into that.
For all intents and purposes, I'm pretty much moving about twenty blocks away, but it's okay, because now I'll be closer to campus. I can take a free SAFE RIDE bus home when it gets dark out and it's too cold to ride my bike. I'll be waking up especially early to drunken awesomeness outside my apartment because I'll be a block away from the football stadium. And what's probably the best part, I'll just be living with two other people so I know who to yell at if someone doesn't do the dishes. Likewise, they know who to yell at if someone doesn't sweep the floor, but at least we get along otherwise.
Also, I finally got a public library card a few weeks ago, and I've seriously been checking out graphic novels by the half-dozen. They're mostly Batman, but I've also read some Nightwing, the entirety of Scott Pilgrim, and the first four volumes of Red River. I've also read White Cat by Holly Black in a day. Which I call a record of some kind because normally a book that size would take me two days. But I guess I was just that eager to get through it.
I'll post again when there's something to say.
In lieu of this watching, my computer went down. Strictly speaking, I fried the motherboard via a big bowl of milk at breakfast, which is always a nice thing to do to your computer. But don't worry, things are working out and I'll be using a tiny netbook until I get my 17.5" screen back. I'm working up to it by renting 13" MacBook Pros from my university. On which I'm able to use Windows. For the record, I really dislike Mac Laptop mice. That's about my only reasonable complaint, and a story for another post.
In addition to this, I just finished finals for summer classes. Well, summer class, since the only thing left to finish for me was Kendo. I did pretty well, I guess. After the final, we did a Balloon Battle, where we had balloons taped to the three targets we can hit. One guy attempted to get my kote (wrist) with the force of his entire being, and missed a good three times before I yelled at him. He ran away after that. Shows him. I mean, seriously, it doesn't take THAT much force to pop a balloon. So now my arm is sporting this giant bruise right under my shoulder. Try sleeping on that. (No seriously, I can't lay on my right side now. It sucks.)
And now I'm moving. Yay! It's nothing big, like from one city to another. Even so, my reasonably navigateable mess is now a reasonably navigateable mess in boxes. Except for that pile of library books next to my bed, but let's not get into that.
For all intents and purposes, I'm pretty much moving about twenty blocks away, but it's okay, because now I'll be closer to campus. I can take a free SAFE RIDE bus home when it gets dark out and it's too cold to ride my bike. I'll be waking up especially early to drunken awesomeness outside my apartment because I'll be a block away from the football stadium. And what's probably the best part, I'll just be living with two other people so I know who to yell at if someone doesn't do the dishes. Likewise, they know who to yell at if someone doesn't sweep the floor, but at least we get along otherwise.
Also, I finally got a public library card a few weeks ago, and I've seriously been checking out graphic novels by the half-dozen. They're mostly Batman, but I've also read some Nightwing, the entirety of Scott Pilgrim, and the first four volumes of Red River. I've also read White Cat by Holly Black in a day. Which I call a record of some kind because normally a book that size would take me two days. But I guess I was just that eager to get through it.
I'll post again when there's something to say.
16 July 2011
Saturday Morning Adventure
Today's adventure is brought to you by my roommates Rick and Far.
Last night, Rick asked if I wanted to get a work out and help the community by helping her pull up wild parsnip in a park this morning. I said sure, why not, and she said "we're leaving the house by 8:30a."
This morning we left at 8:30a. Far drove us and on the way, he commented about his clutch, but I wasn't paying attention because his car is loud and the scenery was unfamiliar so I was looking at that.
But we get to the park where there was less wild parsnip pulling than anticipated. You see, Rick volunteered to help a to-be Eagle Scout for his project since her internship project is in the same area anyway. And when we met with the Eagle Scout and the guy who maintains the trails, there was significantly less parsnip-pulling than I thought and more of a general "This is my idea. Let's work out the nitty-gritty details." More of a survey of the area and a discussion on what they can do and how they'll do it. And me, having little if any interest in any of this, pulled out my phone and started playing cribbage. Indeed, I'm that classy.
I did, however, pull up one parsnip plant. My duty was done, and Rick laughed when I told her so.
While we were out, Far's clutch completely gave out on his way back to the house. He called his dad who we'll call Mr. Far. Mr. Far and Far came to pick us up when we were done. Then we drove to Far's car, hooked it up to the back of Mr. Far's van, and towed the car all the way to the next town where Mr. Far lives. And it is at the Far House where the car will be fixed over the weekend.
While at the Far House, we chatted for a bit, mostly about how they'll fix the car and how we'll get back home. Mrs. Far is making part of a costume for Rick for a Renaissance wedding in September. So the women will be doing that while the boys tinker with the car. Oh happy day. In any case, we lunched on enchiladas before Mr. Far dropped Rick and I back at the house. Rick has to do something at the library and I really have no purpose in being at the Far House. I mean, I only brought my phone with me. It only lasts for so long, you know?
And that was my roundabout adventure of the day.
Last night, Rick asked if I wanted to get a work out and help the community by helping her pull up wild parsnip in a park this morning. I said sure, why not, and she said "we're leaving the house by 8:30a."
This morning we left at 8:30a. Far drove us and on the way, he commented about his clutch, but I wasn't paying attention because his car is loud and the scenery was unfamiliar so I was looking at that.
But we get to the park where there was less wild parsnip pulling than anticipated. You see, Rick volunteered to help a to-be Eagle Scout for his project since her internship project is in the same area anyway. And when we met with the Eagle Scout and the guy who maintains the trails, there was significantly less parsnip-pulling than I thought and more of a general "This is my idea. Let's work out the nitty-gritty details." More of a survey of the area and a discussion on what they can do and how they'll do it. And me, having little if any interest in any of this, pulled out my phone and started playing cribbage. Indeed, I'm that classy.
I did, however, pull up one parsnip plant. My duty was done, and Rick laughed when I told her so.
While we were out, Far's clutch completely gave out on his way back to the house. He called his dad who we'll call Mr. Far. Mr. Far and Far came to pick us up when we were done. Then we drove to Far's car, hooked it up to the back of Mr. Far's van, and towed the car all the way to the next town where Mr. Far lives. And it is at the Far House where the car will be fixed over the weekend.
While at the Far House, we chatted for a bit, mostly about how they'll fix the car and how we'll get back home. Mrs. Far is making part of a costume for Rick for a Renaissance wedding in September. So the women will be doing that while the boys tinker with the car. Oh happy day. In any case, we lunched on enchiladas before Mr. Far dropped Rick and I back at the house. Rick has to do something at the library and I really have no purpose in being at the Far House. I mean, I only brought my phone with me. It only lasts for so long, you know?
And that was my roundabout adventure of the day.
10 July 2011
Google+
I consider myself a child of Google. Sort of. A lot of my Google-usage has been in college, but that's the stage in life where you experiment with everything and the kitchen sink, right? So when Google announced Google+, I had to try it out. And so, I venture into another realm of social networking.
I really hope Google+ takes off. But you know, social networking sites come and go. Remember when MySpace was big? I never really had one, but I had a xanga, the first of all the blog sites. Then there was Facebook. And now Twitter, Tumblr, and Google+. These things keep on evolving. And every time something new is introduced, people seem to hop it like a kid at Christmas. Because, really, that's kind of what it is. Look Internet, here's a brand new toy for you to play with!
I admit kid-at-Christmas, although a cliche phrase, accurately describes my current attitude towards +. I want to know how this will work once people settle into it and start using it for their everyday lives. Then I'll give a full and accurate review on it. Or something. I'm not really a tech person. So, like any blogger, I'll just give my opinion on it and continue on with my life, with or without +.
One day, I hope there comes a social networking site that outlasts them all. Don't you think it'll be neat to have a social networking site where you can creep on your parents while they were in college to see all the stupid stuff they did? It would put a perspective to life, I think. Look, here's my mom drunk at a party. Wow, I did that exact same thing last weekend. Or maybe something like should be left better for a personal epiphany looking through old photos. But wait, that's what Facebook already does, doesn't it?
Even so, I hope it's Google that outlasts them all. Those guys seriously kick butt. I use them for everything!
I really hope Google+ takes off. But you know, social networking sites come and go. Remember when MySpace was big? I never really had one, but I had a xanga, the first of all the blog sites. Then there was Facebook. And now Twitter, Tumblr, and Google+. These things keep on evolving. And every time something new is introduced, people seem to hop it like a kid at Christmas. Because, really, that's kind of what it is. Look Internet, here's a brand new toy for you to play with!
I admit kid-at-Christmas, although a cliche phrase, accurately describes my current attitude towards +. I want to know how this will work once people settle into it and start using it for their everyday lives. Then I'll give a full and accurate review on it. Or something. I'm not really a tech person. So, like any blogger, I'll just give my opinion on it and continue on with my life, with or without +.
One day, I hope there comes a social networking site that outlasts them all. Don't you think it'll be neat to have a social networking site where you can creep on your parents while they were in college to see all the stupid stuff they did? It would put a perspective to life, I think. Look, here's my mom drunk at a party. Wow, I did that exact same thing last weekend. Or maybe something like should be left better for a personal epiphany looking through old photos. But wait, that's what Facebook already does, doesn't it?
Even so, I hope it's Google that outlasts them all. Those guys seriously kick butt. I use them for everything!
08 July 2011
I need this shirt:
This one, in case you were wondering:
The link for said shirt can be found here, in case you wanted to get one for yourself. Also, check out this guy's blog, because he's absolutely HILARIOUS!!! Seriously, I've been laughing at it for about two hours now. It was hilarious after half a bottle of wine and some vodka, and it's still hilarious after two hours of copious amounts of water.
Which is to say that no matter what state you're in, you're going to laugh your butt off.
And why isn't this viral yet? Seriously? Something this awesome and only less than 500 people are following him? That's just insane. Internet, you disappoint me.
 |
| "I hope I am a good enough writer that some day dwarves will kill me and drink my blood for wisdom" |
Which is to say that no matter what state you're in, you're going to laugh your butt off.
And why isn't this viral yet? Seriously? Something this awesome and only less than 500 people are following him? That's just insane. Internet, you disappoint me.
03 July 2011
Fly Away Home
I apparently saw Fly Away Home in theaters when I was little. I don't remember seeing it in the theater, but I have had a soft spot for it all my life. So last night, it was on really late at night and I stayed up to watch it.
Mom went to bed, our friend of the family goes to bed, and I'm all alone in a dark living room. Just me and the movie. And then my brother comes home.
"What are you watching?" he asks.
"Fly Away Home."
"Is it a sad movie?" He gestures to his face to show that I don't look all right.
"No, but I always c-cry at the end." I gesture to the TV to show that a teenager leading her flock of geese in a small plane to a reservation that'll be destroyed for development if she doesn't show up is the most moving thing ever.
Did I mention she flies the last leg by herself because her father crashes in his plane? And then she has a crowd of people banking on her arrival at the reserve? And she doesn't even know the way save for the quick instructions of her dad and the frantic motions of some ladies on a street in a small town. And you know how far she's come from the girl mourning her mother to being the mother of a flock of geese. And her father had just told her she's like her mother who didn't let anything get in the way of her dreams either. Seriously, it's enough to make anybody weep.
Here is the song played in the final scene. Just this alone is enough to make me cry.
Mom went to bed, our friend of the family goes to bed, and I'm all alone in a dark living room. Just me and the movie. And then my brother comes home.
"What are you watching?" he asks.
"Fly Away Home."
"Is it a sad movie?" He gestures to his face to show that I don't look all right.
"No, but I always c-cry at the end." I gesture to the TV to show that a teenager leading her flock of geese in a small plane to a reservation that'll be destroyed for development if she doesn't show up is the most moving thing ever.
Did I mention she flies the last leg by herself because her father crashes in his plane? And then she has a crowd of people banking on her arrival at the reserve? And she doesn't even know the way save for the quick instructions of her dad and the frantic motions of some ladies on a street in a small town. And you know how far she's come from the girl mourning her mother to being the mother of a flock of geese. And her father had just told her she's like her mother who didn't let anything get in the way of her dreams either. Seriously, it's enough to make anybody weep.
Here is the song played in the final scene. Just this alone is enough to make me cry.
01 July 2011
Happy Canada Day
According to a girl at work (who lived in Canada for the better part of her childhood), one day, the United Kingdom asked Canada if they wanted to be their own independent nation. And Canada said, "Okay. That'll be great." And that's how Canada broke off from the UK.
Happy Canada Day, everybody!
This is by no means an accurate account of actual events. The story expressed in this post are for entertainment purposes only and should not be taken seriously. So go ahead and have a little laugh.
Happy Canada Day, everybody!
This is by no means an accurate account of actual events. The story expressed in this post are for entertainment purposes only and should not be taken seriously. So go ahead and have a little laugh.
30 June 2011
A Lesson from Kendo
Tsukahara Bokuden founded the school of Kashima Shinto Ryu in the 15th century. He was a well-respected man, known for his swordsmanship. Back then, it was customary for swordsmen to travel across Japan and learn techniques from different dojos. Lessons were learned, techniques were spread. Men who knew the art of the sword were treated well by everyone, and not because they could easily cut off your ears.
Tsukahara traveled with a large entourage of students. One evening, they were on a boat for a party, having a good time. A drunken ruffian walks up to Tsukahara and asks what style of sword he uses.
"I use the style of no sword," Tsukahara told him.
The ruffian didn't believe him. "I challenge you to a sword fight," he said.
They agreed that a fight could not happen on the boat, so they found an island nearby. The ruffian was the first to disembark, and Tsukahara ordered the boat to cast off without him. And so Tsukahara tricked the ruffian into spending the night on an island in the middle of the lake, without a fight.
In Kendo, you do not seek out fights. You only fight when you have to. Tsukahara didn't have to fight the drunk ruffian, so he didn't.
Tsukahara traveled with a large entourage of students. One evening, they were on a boat for a party, having a good time. A drunken ruffian walks up to Tsukahara and asks what style of sword he uses.
"I use the style of no sword," Tsukahara told him.
The ruffian didn't believe him. "I challenge you to a sword fight," he said.
They agreed that a fight could not happen on the boat, so they found an island nearby. The ruffian was the first to disembark, and Tsukahara ordered the boat to cast off without him. And so Tsukahara tricked the ruffian into spending the night on an island in the middle of the lake, without a fight.
In Kendo, you do not seek out fights. You only fight when you have to. Tsukahara didn't have to fight the drunk ruffian, so he didn't.
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