There Will Be No Blogging
For a while. It's getting into the ramp-up to Thanksgiving and I've got a pretty serious health problem that will probably be taking up a lot of time as well. Though it will be interesting to learn about the exciting field of wound closure. Something new. To me.
UPDATE: The wheels of medicine grind exceedingly slow. I have an appointment at the Wound Healing Center on Monday next. Today I have to get out and get my scrip filled.
UPDATE: Running on Keflex and water. I have made my lower leg the honorary eighth dwarf: Weepy. Yeah, gross. Sorry. Just sucks to be me right now. This, however, a condition I would gladly wish on my worst enemy. INTRADAY UPDATE: A very good friend came over to help get some sustenance and, despite my revulsion at consuming anything, I drank a glass of milk and ate a Lean Cuisine meal. Also had some diet Dr Pepper which was like nectar. It's easier to hydrate with a fluid that goes down like silk. And apart from all the leg rot, I'm feeling better. The prickly rash I'm developing (contact dermatitis, but to what?) is not helping.
Showing posts with label navel-gazing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label navel-gazing. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
When It's Not A Mitzvah
I have often posted about those moments in everyday life that can be taken as bestowals of small blessings. To put a Tom Lehrer-ish gloss on it, I'll quote him: "Life is like a sewer. What you get out of it depends on what you put into it." As Onslow would say, "Oh, noice!" I try to find the nugget of grace in the passages of time but some times, there's really just not a nugget in there, which is not to say that there's evil "afoot." But little annoyances crop up and being able to just sigh and not get bent out of shape may be as much as we can ask of ourselves.
Of course I have a case in point that brings this moment of reverie on. To wit: a bathroom rug. I've had a nice, fluffy, long bathroom rug in front of the dual sink in the master bath for ... oh heck, a long time. But, in the way of the world, it did need to be washed. I tossed it in with a few items of clothing and ran the wash in my usual way. Bzzzt! Wrong. The agitator must have thought it was a Volsican because there was great hurt and mischief. Un hunh, all torn up. To quote another icon of literature: Oh bother!
First, one load of clothes was all fuzzed up with the pieces of rug that had been torn loose. But it wasn't too bad. I let the dryer take care of the majority of that and just hand plucked any remaining pieces when I brought the clothes up. And second, I did need another rug. I first looked at the web site of "Bed, Bath & Beyond" so I could just shop locally and I didn't see what I wanted, as best as I could tell. So I went to The 'Zon. Well, it was a bit of risk since I couldn't bring all the tactile senses to bear but I saw a rug that looked right, had good if not overwhelming reviews and was on the order of half the price of the one I was looking at on the BB&B page. Click.
So, I now have the rug down and it's good. Really quite good. My previous rug was "non-slip" in a very real sense - I practically had to roll it up and re-lay it to move it. And it had an overlap of its corner with the corner of the rug in front of the shower. I was never thrilled about that little foot-catching lump. The new rug is not as long, it will move a bit but it can be pushed into position yet has sufficient mass so that it doesn't (I'm quoting everyone today) slip slide away.
I kind of like the new rug better but I can't say there's any blessing when I have to drop a few sawbucks that I shouldn't have had to, had I known the way the old rug would 'respond' to the washer. Bastiat in action. And a lesson learned. I will wash the new rug one pf these days but it will be in a load by itself and done only on gentle cycle. And my fingers will be crossed.
In other news, I decided to try the electric shaving experience after looking at some of the new "nanotech" shavers and my first shave with my new Panasonic wet/dry shaver feels incredibly promising. To shave without using hot water and while attending to other (ahem!) "chores" simultaneously? Seems like a good thing. I will keep the five knife razor for occasional intense face ripping shaves but with the new electric, I just may have a lifetime supply of blades from my last foray at Costco.
UPDATE: On first impression, I'd have to say that the electric shaver is remarkably good. The old "tongue on the upper lip" test yields full marks for smoothness and hair removal. It'll take me some time to get used to the nuances (I'm still a little shaky with getting the sideburns right) but it looks like I'll be an electric boy from now on.
I have often posted about those moments in everyday life that can be taken as bestowals of small blessings. To put a Tom Lehrer-ish gloss on it, I'll quote him: "Life is like a sewer. What you get out of it depends on what you put into it." As Onslow would say, "Oh, noice!" I try to find the nugget of grace in the passages of time but some times, there's really just not a nugget in there, which is not to say that there's evil "afoot." But little annoyances crop up and being able to just sigh and not get bent out of shape may be as much as we can ask of ourselves.
Of course I have a case in point that brings this moment of reverie on. To wit: a bathroom rug. I've had a nice, fluffy, long bathroom rug in front of the dual sink in the master bath for ... oh heck, a long time. But, in the way of the world, it did need to be washed. I tossed it in with a few items of clothing and ran the wash in my usual way. Bzzzt! Wrong. The agitator must have thought it was a Volsican because there was great hurt and mischief. Un hunh, all torn up. To quote another icon of literature: Oh bother!
First, one load of clothes was all fuzzed up with the pieces of rug that had been torn loose. But it wasn't too bad. I let the dryer take care of the majority of that and just hand plucked any remaining pieces when I brought the clothes up. And second, I did need another rug. I first looked at the web site of "Bed, Bath & Beyond" so I could just shop locally and I didn't see what I wanted, as best as I could tell. So I went to The 'Zon. Well, it was a bit of risk since I couldn't bring all the tactile senses to bear but I saw a rug that looked right, had good if not overwhelming reviews and was on the order of half the price of the one I was looking at on the BB&B page. Click.
So, I now have the rug down and it's good. Really quite good. My previous rug was "non-slip" in a very real sense - I practically had to roll it up and re-lay it to move it. And it had an overlap of its corner with the corner of the rug in front of the shower. I was never thrilled about that little foot-catching lump. The new rug is not as long, it will move a bit but it can be pushed into position yet has sufficient mass so that it doesn't (I'm quoting everyone today) slip slide away.
I kind of like the new rug better but I can't say there's any blessing when I have to drop a few sawbucks that I shouldn't have had to, had I known the way the old rug would 'respond' to the washer. Bastiat in action. And a lesson learned. I will wash the new rug one pf these days but it will be in a load by itself and done only on gentle cycle. And my fingers will be crossed.
In other news, I decided to try the electric shaving experience after looking at some of the new "nanotech" shavers and my first shave with my new Panasonic wet/dry shaver feels incredibly promising. To shave without using hot water and while attending to other (ahem!) "chores" simultaneously? Seems like a good thing. I will keep the five knife razor for occasional intense face ripping shaves but with the new electric, I just may have a lifetime supply of blades from my last foray at Costco.
UPDATE: On first impression, I'd have to say that the electric shaver is remarkably good. The old "tongue on the upper lip" test yields full marks for smoothness and hair removal. It'll take me some time to get used to the nuances (I'm still a little shaky with getting the sideburns right) but it looks like I'll be an electric boy from now on.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Having Received The Art Book
In my long post below I mentioned the art book of my late friend. Well, it arrived in the mail today and it's fascinating to see the works I'd never seen before. But what's most intriguing to me are the self portraits at the end of the book. They are so severe. Is this really how she saw herself? I recall that face smiling more than anything else but I did see her in social settings conducive to conviviality so perhaps my perception is skewed.
I am, though, immeasurably delighted to have this as I now have a tangible, physical connection to her. I can recall her quick, cat-like eyes as I look at her self portrait. I can recall the smile even as I see the picture of lips pulled straight. And in one picture, I can see her mother in her more than I ever realized. My delight has the taste of bittersweet. I have a little something to keep her in memory but I'm left without her in a vastly deeper way. I will probably miss her all the more for having this wonderful show catalog.
Oh, and she was the only human being I've ever known who could tie a bowline with her feet.
In my long post below I mentioned the art book of my late friend. Well, it arrived in the mail today and it's fascinating to see the works I'd never seen before. But what's most intriguing to me are the self portraits at the end of the book. They are so severe. Is this really how she saw herself? I recall that face smiling more than anything else but I did see her in social settings conducive to conviviality so perhaps my perception is skewed.
I am, though, immeasurably delighted to have this as I now have a tangible, physical connection to her. I can recall her quick, cat-like eyes as I look at her self portrait. I can recall the smile even as I see the picture of lips pulled straight. And in one picture, I can see her mother in her more than I ever realized. My delight has the taste of bittersweet. I have a little something to keep her in memory but I'm left without her in a vastly deeper way. I will probably miss her all the more for having this wonderful show catalog.
Oh, and she was the only human being I've ever known who could tie a bowline with her feet.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Back In The Saddle
For the last two days I've been internet-compromised. My Verizon FiOS service was done in by the big Sunday storm in the NoVa. I'm not complaining I must say as my power never went out and power in the hot weather is the thang iffn yew know whut ah mean. But I was two days without television service (apart from one tv on the broadcast service ), phone service and the inarwebz. But my iPhone actually stood in the breach and did a fully adequate job. I'd hate to have to live off that level of 'net accessibility but for a brief time, it was OK.
My main regret is that I picked up the phone when the storm came pounding to give Lycurgus a call from the heart of big weather (we both dig big weather) and I was confronted with that eerie lack of dial tone where one's phone turns into a tin can that echoes into the ear what the microphone picks up. (cue ominous music ... kill ominous music)
That being as it may, the Verizon tech came today and in about 20 minutes had me up and firing on all cylinders. I'm glad to be back. Now, if I can get the Subaru dealership to get my radio functioning properly and all the info in the new stereo set properly (day, date, time, that sort of thing), I'll be a happy camper. And I'm getting macadamia nuts from The 'Zon tomorrow. What if I made maple ice cream with macadamia nuts?
For the last two days I've been internet-compromised. My Verizon FiOS service was done in by the big Sunday storm in the NoVa. I'm not complaining I must say as my power never went out and power in the hot weather is the thang iffn yew know whut ah mean. But I was two days without television service (apart from one tv on the broadcast service ), phone service and the inarwebz. But my iPhone actually stood in the breach and did a fully adequate job. I'd hate to have to live off that level of 'net accessibility but for a brief time, it was OK.
My main regret is that I picked up the phone when the storm came pounding to give Lycurgus a call from the heart of big weather (we both dig big weather) and I was confronted with that eerie lack of dial tone where one's phone turns into a tin can that echoes into the ear what the microphone picks up. (cue ominous music ... kill ominous music)
That being as it may, the Verizon tech came today and in about 20 minutes had me up and firing on all cylinders. I'm glad to be back. Now, if I can get the Subaru dealership to get my radio functioning properly and all the info in the new stereo set properly (day, date, time, that sort of thing), I'll be a happy camper. And I'm getting macadamia nuts from The 'Zon tomorrow. What if I made maple ice cream with macadamia nuts?
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Sigh Heaved
Tired today. Luckily, nothing is pressing me today. I was going to have my dear, dear friends Teh Wilmington Boyz in for a visit but there is health trouble and that visit will have to wait. Say a prayer for Ed, if you will. Our time here is brief, no need to speed the plow.
Yesterday was a bit of running around in the rain, a visit to Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center (if you're ever in the market for a guitar, see Bill Brooks at Chuck's, he's done right by me but then I go with a guy who's probably bought a nice car's worth of axes). Lunch at my local Don Pablo's (Messican type food that can be best described as "acceptable"). An at-home wherein the new guitars were restrung and set up with sweet, slinky low actions by the Guitar Nazi and his best bud who's visiting from Colorado. Then a bite of dinner at a hole-in-the-wall Thai place and finally home where I tried to do some work on the computer and was practically cross-eyed with that kind of tiredness that leaves you bouncing between sleep and wakefulness.
I think today calls for a nap. And coffee. I'll probably use my last package of mix to make jalapeno cornbread muffins and, if I gin up the gumption, some grocery shopping. I need a good supply of Cherry Coke Zero.
Tired today. Luckily, nothing is pressing me today. I was going to have my dear, dear friends Teh Wilmington Boyz in for a visit but there is health trouble and that visit will have to wait. Say a prayer for Ed, if you will. Our time here is brief, no need to speed the plow.
Yesterday was a bit of running around in the rain, a visit to Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center (if you're ever in the market for a guitar, see Bill Brooks at Chuck's, he's done right by me but then I go with a guy who's probably bought a nice car's worth of axes). Lunch at my local Don Pablo's (Messican type food that can be best described as "acceptable"). An at-home wherein the new guitars were restrung and set up with sweet, slinky low actions by the Guitar Nazi and his best bud who's visiting from Colorado. Then a bite of dinner at a hole-in-the-wall Thai place and finally home where I tried to do some work on the computer and was practically cross-eyed with that kind of tiredness that leaves you bouncing between sleep and wakefulness.
I think today calls for a nap. And coffee. I'll probably use my last package of mix to make jalapeno cornbread muffins and, if I gin up the gumption, some grocery shopping. I need a good supply of Cherry Coke Zero.
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Damn It
I awoke this morning pressed under the weight of unremembered dreams. It feels like the medieval torture where increasing numbers of stones are piled on until the breath is crushed out then the muscles and bones can not open the lungs to take more air in. But since it's a pressure of mind, an insubstantial thing, all the crushing weight only forces out tears. So I wake up, as Kang or Kodos once put it, leaking ocular fluid yet there's no reason why. Though, of course, there always is.
I suppose if I remember the dreams, it was a night as full of dreams as it was of lack of sun, it may become clear. I've had dreams like that. I even remember some of them. I'm not going to write them here. I'm just going to mention them.
UPDATE: On top of that, today's "Live from the Met" is seriously not to my taste: Berg's "Lulu." Too non-melodically modern for my taste. The story's engagingly perverse though (link will take you to Wikipedia where it's all laid out - and I do mean "laid"). Oh well. After a string of several wonderful broadcasts, the last of the season hits a clinker for me. There are those who like this sort of thing and more power to them. No! Less power to them. Just a little bit of power to them. Not enough to power to screw up the opera broadcasts for me. Tomorrow, the glorious Renée Fleming in my on-going opera babe series.
I awoke this morning pressed under the weight of unremembered dreams. It feels like the medieval torture where increasing numbers of stones are piled on until the breath is crushed out then the muscles and bones can not open the lungs to take more air in. But since it's a pressure of mind, an insubstantial thing, all the crushing weight only forces out tears. So I wake up, as Kang or Kodos once put it, leaking ocular fluid yet there's no reason why. Though, of course, there always is.
I suppose if I remember the dreams, it was a night as full of dreams as it was of lack of sun, it may become clear. I've had dreams like that. I even remember some of them. I'm not going to write them here. I'm just going to mention them.
UPDATE: On top of that, today's "Live from the Met" is seriously not to my taste: Berg's "Lulu." Too non-melodically modern for my taste. The story's engagingly perverse though (link will take you to Wikipedia where it's all laid out - and I do mean "laid"). Oh well. After a string of several wonderful broadcasts, the last of the season hits a clinker for me. There are those who like this sort of thing and more power to them. No! Less power to them. Just a little bit of power to them. Not enough to power to screw up the opera broadcasts for me. Tomorrow, the glorious Renée Fleming in my on-going opera babe series.
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Low Level Sick
I'm dealing with one of those low-level illnesses that manifests itself in a number of ways that make my life not a living hell but kind of a living heck. Something is troubling my GI tract and I have absolutely no idea what it is but it severely interfered with my enjoyment of the NCAA championship game last night. I'm lucky enough to not have had anyone around because my moaning and groaning would have been just super annoying. It annoyed me and I was the one doing it.
It really doesn't help that the temp locally has gotten way too hot, way too fast. It's getting up to the 90s today and I'm going to turn on the AC. Last night my bedroom was around 80 degrees when I tried to sleep and it dropped all of three degrees overnight. Even with a ceiling fan, this doesn't work for me. Ah well. Kvetching about feeling rotten is a lousy past time and here I am subjecting my vast readership to it. My apologies.
On the traditional other hand, I got to see Duke take its fourth national title against a helluva Butler team. I was hoping to see the Blue Devils take about a 12 point lead and just nurse it all the way to the end but Butler would not let that happen. I think there's a picture of the Butler team pasted into dictionaries all over America where the definition of "scrappy" is. If it had been anyone other than Duke, I would have been pulling for Butler. But it wasn't. So I didn't.
I'm more than a little surprised. I though Duke was good enough to be a Final Four team and that's the level I pegged my expectations. But for a change, this team got steadily better through the season to the point they moved the trophy down I-15 to Durham. Where it belongs. Heh.
Now that's all you're going to hear about that from me. I promised myself I'd swear off hoops blogging this year and I think I held pretty well to that. But a championship must be acknowledged.
I'm dealing with one of those low-level illnesses that manifests itself in a number of ways that make my life not a living hell but kind of a living heck. Something is troubling my GI tract and I have absolutely no idea what it is but it severely interfered with my enjoyment of the NCAA championship game last night. I'm lucky enough to not have had anyone around because my moaning and groaning would have been just super annoying. It annoyed me and I was the one doing it.
It really doesn't help that the temp locally has gotten way too hot, way too fast. It's getting up to the 90s today and I'm going to turn on the AC. Last night my bedroom was around 80 degrees when I tried to sleep and it dropped all of three degrees overnight. Even with a ceiling fan, this doesn't work for me. Ah well. Kvetching about feeling rotten is a lousy past time and here I am subjecting my vast readership to it. My apologies.
On the traditional other hand, I got to see Duke take its fourth national title against a helluva Butler team. I was hoping to see the Blue Devils take about a 12 point lead and just nurse it all the way to the end but Butler would not let that happen. I think there's a picture of the Butler team pasted into dictionaries all over America where the definition of "scrappy" is. If it had been anyone other than Duke, I would have been pulling for Butler. But it wasn't. So I didn't.
I'm more than a little surprised. I though Duke was good enough to be a Final Four team and that's the level I pegged my expectations. But for a change, this team got steadily better through the season to the point they moved the trophy down I-15 to Durham. Where it belongs. Heh.
Now that's all you're going to hear about that from me. I promised myself I'd swear off hoops blogging this year and I think I held pretty well to that. But a championship must be acknowledged.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
The Obligatory Oooog Post
Not feeling well today. I believe I ate something that has started to claw its way out of me like an alien facehugger but much further along the alimentary canal. The saving grace is the eternal wisdom that "this, too, shall pass." But it gets really ugly about it while doing so. Oh bother. I keep thinking that if I eat the right thing, this will ease up a bit but I have no idea what the right thing is. So I may just have to move slowly through my day at home, watching some basketball, doing some laundry, cleaning the kitchen. If I had a hot tub, i would definitely be in it right now. But I don't. So I'm not.
Otherlywise, I hope you are have a good early spring Sunday. Last night was the first night of having a window open all night long and I think I heard the peepers a couple of days ago when I drove past some open space near my previous abode. So I have to say that spring is well and truly here. And massive congratulations to Northern Iowa for their incredible win over Kansas in the NCAA Tournament. Good show!
Not feeling well today. I believe I ate something that has started to claw its way out of me like an alien facehugger but much further along the alimentary canal. The saving grace is the eternal wisdom that "this, too, shall pass." But it gets really ugly about it while doing so. Oh bother. I keep thinking that if I eat the right thing, this will ease up a bit but I have no idea what the right thing is. So I may just have to move slowly through my day at home, watching some basketball, doing some laundry, cleaning the kitchen. If I had a hot tub, i would definitely be in it right now. But I don't. So I'm not.
Otherlywise, I hope you are have a good early spring Sunday. Last night was the first night of having a window open all night long and I think I heard the peepers a couple of days ago when I drove past some open space near my previous abode. So I have to say that spring is well and truly here. And massive congratulations to Northern Iowa for their incredible win over Kansas in the NCAA Tournament. Good show!
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Light Posting
There won't be much on PoW for the next several days as I'm immersing myself in the arcana of IRS regs and the arrival of the ACC tournament. But a couple of things of note in this springing time - I turned off the heat in the house today. I probably could have done it a couple of days ago but didn't think of it. Today is just so pleasant outside that my hand to the thermostat was forcéd. For my internal seasonal calendar, there are a few special days: turning off the heat, opening the window overnight and peepers day. One down, two to go.
Also, should anyone be ordering anything from the Hanes website, I have a $1.99 shipping code for the next 30 days which I won't be using: #103060. Might save you a couple of bucks if you're planning to buy.
UPDATE: Unbelievable! You won't believe where this URL takes you: http://5z8.info/REFINANCE-NOW_r9k5t_whitepower
There won't be much on PoW for the next several days as I'm immersing myself in the arcana of IRS regs and the arrival of the ACC tournament. But a couple of things of note in this springing time - I turned off the heat in the house today. I probably could have done it a couple of days ago but didn't think of it. Today is just so pleasant outside that my hand to the thermostat was forcéd. For my internal seasonal calendar, there are a few special days: turning off the heat, opening the window overnight and peepers day. One down, two to go.
Also, should anyone be ordering anything from the Hanes website, I have a $1.99 shipping code for the next 30 days which I won't be using: #103060. Might save you a couple of bucks if you're planning to buy.
UPDATE: Unbelievable! You won't believe where this URL takes you: http://5z8.info/REFINANCE-NOW_r9k5t_whitepower
Friday, February 26, 2010
Whoa II
I dunno ya know? There's something about this cold (albeit not arctic) combined with the continuing high winds that's just whipping me. I feel wrung out like a well-used dishcloth. I will admit that a hot shower awaits and that will probably add to my well-being but still, this wind just does something inimical to me.
At least part of the problem is that I don't sleep at all well when my bedroom wall is being slapped around like a domestic violence victim. I can sleep through a fair amount of noise but when you combine it with the pressure changes this weather brings, it has a greater effect.
So, what's to be done? I think I'll have to fall into one of those coma-naps this evening while wrapped in a quilt. I'd have my steaming cuppajoe but at the moment I'm lacking my dairy agent so I must go shopping for that treat. Although a brief run through the Mickey D's drive through for one of their cups of same is a definite possibility.
I hope you're having a good day!
I dunno ya know? There's something about this cold (albeit not arctic) combined with the continuing high winds that's just whipping me. I feel wrung out like a well-used dishcloth. I will admit that a hot shower awaits and that will probably add to my well-being but still, this wind just does something inimical to me.
At least part of the problem is that I don't sleep at all well when my bedroom wall is being slapped around like a domestic violence victim. I can sleep through a fair amount of noise but when you combine it with the pressure changes this weather brings, it has a greater effect.
So, what's to be done? I think I'll have to fall into one of those coma-naps this evening while wrapped in a quilt. I'd have my steaming cuppajoe but at the moment I'm lacking my dairy agent so I must go shopping for that treat. Although a brief run through the Mickey D's drive through for one of their cups of same is a definite possibility.
I hope you're having a good day!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
No Blogging For You!
Blog Nazi that I am. No, actually I'm just feeling out of sorts today. Not sick. But not not sick. Off kilter. Not at peace with the universe. Grumpy. Annoyed. Need an IV of Kenya AA coffee stat! Look elsewhere for your fill of information and moral uplift today. As I will.
It's windy like hell outside though the temp seems to be promoting melting in the sunshine. This is akin to those bright, too-sharp in the glare autumn days that I call "headache weather." Not exactly such but, as I said (weren't you paying attention?) akin to. Luckily the only out I have to go is some shopping at either Safeway or Costco. I haven't decided yet. As if it matters.
Urgh. I hope you have a nice day.
UPDATE: And so what did we learn today? I never got out of the house to shop but I facilitated a woodworking project a friend of mine is undertaking. And he brought me a $4 sub from Harris-Teeter which was freaking awesome! Tomorrow I'm going to my localest H-T (totter into the Teeter?) and signing up for their in-store card. And I'm going to have another sub for lunch. Oh hells yes I am. I may even take a picture of it for thees here blog. Blog Nazi that I am.
Blog Nazi that I am. No, actually I'm just feeling out of sorts today. Not sick. But not not sick. Off kilter. Not at peace with the universe. Grumpy. Annoyed. Need an IV of Kenya AA coffee stat! Look elsewhere for your fill of information and moral uplift today. As I will.
It's windy like hell outside though the temp seems to be promoting melting in the sunshine. This is akin to those bright, too-sharp in the glare autumn days that I call "headache weather." Not exactly such but, as I said (weren't you paying attention?) akin to. Luckily the only out I have to go is some shopping at either Safeway or Costco. I haven't decided yet. As if it matters.
Urgh. I hope you have a nice day.
UPDATE: And so what did we learn today? I never got out of the house to shop but I facilitated a woodworking project a friend of mine is undertaking. And he brought me a $4 sub from Harris-Teeter which was freaking awesome! Tomorrow I'm going to my localest H-T (totter into the Teeter?) and signing up for their in-store card. And I'm going to have another sub for lunch. Oh hells yes I am. I may even take a picture of it for thees here blog. Blog Nazi that I am.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Nuts!
By the Power of Greythumb!
Last night I was trying to peel a recalcitrant (by way of a slight desiccation) turnip and managed to skim a nice little bit off the left side of the tip of my left thumb (looking at it nail up). So after red-wetting a fair amount of gauze, I'm down to a reasonable sized bandage on my new flattop finger (well, half-fade is more like it) and I found that putting the hand into a nitrile glove and cutting away all but the thumb actually works much better at keeping the band-aid clean and the finger useful. The nitrile gloves are grey, thus the first line of the post, you see.
Grrrr. I took my revenge by eating the turnip. It was good.
By the Power of Greythumb!
Last night I was trying to peel a recalcitrant (by way of a slight desiccation) turnip and managed to skim a nice little bit off the left side of the tip of my left thumb (looking at it nail up). So after red-wetting a fair amount of gauze, I'm down to a reasonable sized bandage on my new flattop finger (well, half-fade is more like it) and I found that putting the hand into a nitrile glove and cutting away all but the thumb actually works much better at keeping the band-aid clean and the finger useful. The nitrile gloves are grey, thus the first line of the post, you see.
Grrrr. I took my revenge by eating the turnip. It was good.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Sigh
It's muzzable weather here in the NoVa - rain and sleet, grey skies, cold with that penetrating edge that wet brings to winter weather. Survivable of course, but iconic in the sense that Lycurgus has identified "Virginia weather." Ah well, time to take as hot a shower as I can stand, break out a new blade and scrape face to the point of pseudofolliculitis barbae, cook up some oatmeal and coffee and scramble a couple of eggs in a knob of butter and catch up on reading. I believe I finally managed to corral the ingredients for the honey-wheat berry bread I didn't make before. Filling the house with the smell of baking bread would be a very good thing.
Which brings to mind my latest small experiment - bacon popcorn. My first batch was good but not what I wanted. I started with rice bran oil in the popper and added some bacon grease to the mix. What I found was that the fresh popcorn has so much flavor that the bacon became a trailing flavor, a hint o' bacon in the aftertaste. Despite its low smoking point, I'm going to have to try using pure bacon grease to pop a batch. Keep in mind though, that "Whirley-Pop" maker takes between one and two tablespoons to pop a batch. That's not much for a big fluffy bowl of corny goodness. And besides, it's bacon.
In other news, I just ordered a Dell Mini 10v refurb and an 8GB flash drive to geek it up and make myself a "Hackintosh." It's a project I've been wanting to undertake out of pure cussedness and seeing a coupon for 15% off a Dell refurb made me pull the trigger. I'll report on it as it happens.
Have a great day, those of you who don't have to deal with the greys and perhaps I can scare something really worth posting about over the weekend.
It's muzzable weather here in the NoVa - rain and sleet, grey skies, cold with that penetrating edge that wet brings to winter weather. Survivable of course, but iconic in the sense that Lycurgus has identified "Virginia weather." Ah well, time to take as hot a shower as I can stand, break out a new blade and scrape face to the point of pseudofolliculitis barbae, cook up some oatmeal and coffee and scramble a couple of eggs in a knob of butter and catch up on reading. I believe I finally managed to corral the ingredients for the honey-wheat berry bread I didn't make before. Filling the house with the smell of baking bread would be a very good thing.
Which brings to mind my latest small experiment - bacon popcorn. My first batch was good but not what I wanted. I started with rice bran oil in the popper and added some bacon grease to the mix. What I found was that the fresh popcorn has so much flavor that the bacon became a trailing flavor, a hint o' bacon in the aftertaste. Despite its low smoking point, I'm going to have to try using pure bacon grease to pop a batch. Keep in mind though, that "Whirley-Pop" maker takes between one and two tablespoons to pop a batch. That's not much for a big fluffy bowl of corny goodness. And besides, it's bacon.
In other news, I just ordered a Dell Mini 10v refurb and an 8GB flash drive to geek it up and make myself a "Hackintosh." It's a project I've been wanting to undertake out of pure cussedness and seeing a coupon for 15% off a Dell refurb made me pull the trigger. I'll report on it as it happens.
Have a great day, those of you who don't have to deal with the greys and perhaps I can scare something really worth posting about over the weekend.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Baby Got Back
Baby being me! Sometimes life serves up a slice where the cake is no lie (which reminds me - have you ever had red velvet cheesecake? It's red velvet cake layered with cheesecake and it is amaaazing) and the last few days were freakin' wonderful. A good out of town trip, doing things way outside the comfort zone (I mean, visiting friends in Delaware and going to a little totally Eye-tie restaurant that I wouldn't have found with a raging hunger and a Baedecker) that are just fabulous. I don't know if I'll do quite the same things ever again but I sure am glad I stepped out for a bit. And now I'm flapping my digits at my usual keyboard and running a couple loads of wash. All the 'settle back in' things.
SPECAT: Love you dolly girl. You should be an instructor at Hogwarts, you're so magic.
Baby being me! Sometimes life serves up a slice where the cake is no lie (which reminds me - have you ever had red velvet cheesecake? It's red velvet cake layered with cheesecake and it is amaaazing) and the last few days were freakin' wonderful. A good out of town trip, doing things way outside the comfort zone (I mean, visiting friends in Delaware and going to a little totally Eye-tie restaurant that I wouldn't have found with a raging hunger and a Baedecker) that are just fabulous. I don't know if I'll do quite the same things ever again but I sure am glad I stepped out for a bit. And now I'm flapping my digits at my usual keyboard and running a couple loads of wash. All the 'settle back in' things.
SPECAT: Love you dolly girl. You should be an instructor at Hogwarts, you're so magic.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
I Can See Clearly Now
I was planning on doing a little posting yesterday but after being toasted on Sunday, I was flying blind yesterday. My eyes were just a mess all day long - it's as if they were simultaneously too dry and producing gunk at the same time. I was needing lots of light to read and it was just so much more comfortable to keep the orbs closed. (shrugs) Today is all right. I might actually get something done for a change.
And my lesbian girlfriend is in town so we'll probably get together for lunch or something like that. And if you don't get the phrase: she is on the other team but she's a sweetheart and we have been incredible friends almost from the moment we met. She's a Floridian so our chances to share time are limited.
UPDATE: Quite a lovely time, really. We wound up having diner at the Sweetwater Tavern, one of my favorite local haunts. I had "Tex-Mex Eggrolls" for starters (two words: yuh um!) and though I was tempted for a moment by the prime rib, I knew I couldn't do any more than a burger. I opted for sweet potato fries for the first time and I must say they are a vastly preferable choice to the regular fries or even the delicious mashed version Sweetwater serves - more fully flavored, crisp exterior fry on a substantial starchy core. Nice. My companion chose a salmon dish which had flash fried yucca strips. To be honest, on looking at them, I thought it was a pita chip of some kind but the skin down the side showed that it wasn't. Even after tasting a bite I didn't identify it as yucca. Which is not entirely a bad thing.
But the best part of the whole evening was the catching up. I believe that is the way it should be with friends.
I was planning on doing a little posting yesterday but after being toasted on Sunday, I was flying blind yesterday. My eyes were just a mess all day long - it's as if they were simultaneously too dry and producing gunk at the same time. I was needing lots of light to read and it was just so much more comfortable to keep the orbs closed. (shrugs) Today is all right. I might actually get something done for a change.
And my lesbian girlfriend is in town so we'll probably get together for lunch or something like that. And if you don't get the phrase: she is on the other team but she's a sweetheart and we have been incredible friends almost from the moment we met. She's a Floridian so our chances to share time are limited.
UPDATE: Quite a lovely time, really. We wound up having diner at the Sweetwater Tavern, one of my favorite local haunts. I had "Tex-Mex Eggrolls" for starters (two words: yuh um!) and though I was tempted for a moment by the prime rib, I knew I couldn't do any more than a burger. I opted for sweet potato fries for the first time and I must say they are a vastly preferable choice to the regular fries or even the delicious mashed version Sweetwater serves - more fully flavored, crisp exterior fry on a substantial starchy core. Nice. My companion chose a salmon dish which had flash fried yucca strips. To be honest, on looking at them, I thought it was a pita chip of some kind but the skin down the side showed that it wasn't. Even after tasting a bite I didn't identify it as yucca. Which is not entirely a bad thing.
But the best part of the whole evening was the catching up. I believe that is the way it should be with friends.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Dogged Days of Summer
It's turned nasty hot in the last couple of days and I'm delightfully tired after hosting for several days. Lois is the kind of house guest anyone would want - my guest room is cleaner then when she arrived. (goalloprah) Girl, if you're that good a guest, you can stay at my crib any ol' time!(/goalloprah)
Also the week looks busy with a ship load (you thought I was going say something different, didn't you? yeah, I knew ya did) of quotidian things to do and my adopted family in Western Maryland is having one of their massive field parties this Saturday. Fun, fun, fun and there's no T-bird for daddy to take away.
So expect more blogging next week from me. Maybe the EM and Paul can pick up a few more days of fun 'n' games and viddies.
It's turned nasty hot in the last couple of days and I'm delightfully tired after hosting for several days. Lois is the kind of house guest anyone would want - my guest room is cleaner then when she arrived. (goalloprah) Girl, if you're that good a guest, you can stay at my crib any ol' time!(/goalloprah)
Also the week looks busy with a ship load (you thought I was going say something different, didn't you? yeah, I knew ya did) of quotidian things to do and my adopted family in Western Maryland is having one of their massive field parties this Saturday. Fun, fun, fun and there's no T-bird for daddy to take away.
So expect more blogging next week from me. Maybe the EM and Paul can pick up a few more days of fun 'n' games and viddies.
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