doppler

This is what I miss, the rumble of spring that comes out of nowhere:



ps. Spoiler alert for BSG. Stop reading now! But I was reminded of one of my favorite photographs (in fact, my monitor background image) after watching the finale. I always thought it was kinda like what you'd find when no one was around to spoil it and there was enough space to wander:



150,000 years ago..

G-Star love

I forgot I took this pix while on vacation.



Could use a big dose of that again, I have to say.

Stop making sense

A couple of random observations on this Monday.

I've been reading this series on grief in Slate. It's sort of nice/interesting to be able to read about that process from a more detached distance; and by detached, I mean able to recognize the feelings without having to feel them all over again. And by distance, I mean that it's less of an open wound that never scabs over and more of a pale full-body scar that you wear, reminding you of what happened. Or something like that.

I tweeted about two people who have been hit by the Metro; one was by choice, the other I'm not entirely sure but the circumstances suggest as much. Two things: 1) I've always been conflicted about suicide - I'm libertarian in my belief that people with free will ought to be able to make this choice if they want, though I understand that most folks who choose it are not in the best frame of mind to exercise that free will = a sad situation all around and 2) if someone chooses this option, I think it's unforgivably selfish to involve other people in the act - as callous as it sounds, don't make someone else do your dirty work - the Metro operators have to live with being indirectly involved in ending someone else's life. Not fair.

Finally and definitely unrelated to above, I took the Washington Flyer bus from the airport last night when I got back in town. (Aside: I must note the fact that it takes less time for me to fly to Canada than it does to drive the 18 miles from Chantilly, VA to Arlington, VA at 830am on a weekday - this is not hyperbole, it is truth). The bus driver happened to be one of those women who has made a choice I personally would/could not make, despite my heretofore undisclosed libertarian leanings. This picture offers a pretty accurate depiction of said choice.

The following thoughts crossed my mind in about this order: What's that clicking noise? What does she have on her hands? Oh, wow, those are her nails. Dang, they're long. Like Guiness Book long. I guess that clicking noise is from her nails touching together. While she takes tickets. She is going to take my ticket. How will she grab it? Clicking. I feel nails. On.My.Arm. ! Don't panic - think about the Habs, think about Celine Dion, no, stop, no Celine. Ok, she's driving now. Clicking. How can she turn the wheel without breaking a nail? For that matter, how can she: push a button? text with any speed? write with a pen/pencil? type? pick her nose? um, pleasure herself? not scare small children when she waves? On the other hand, she can: mix her drinks without a stir stick; easily hail five taxis instead of one; scratch that itch in the middle of her back that's always been out of reach; fix her weave and mine at the same time; be her own set of clicky castanets; be a hit at the club when someone's pinky nail breaks and there are no backup cocaine delivery systems in place; point out the obvious in a roundabout, curved way so as not to make someone feel picked upon; and serve salad at dinner parties - no muss, no fuss. Thank god this ride is over.

And with that, I leave you with this: La fois suivante, nous arriverons dans la piscine plus tôt!

Home of the 1994 Celine Dion wedding

Bonjour from Old Montreal:



Aside from a day almost lost due to (my ever-present) headache, this trip has been lovely, with my Canadian tour guide taking good care of me. Squeezing a tiny bit of sight-seeing in, but mostly indulging in vice/hedonism = eating/drinking/lounging/etc and by etc, I mean plus also attitude adjustment of the horizontal hanging out variety. Of which to say that I appreciate the hospitality of our friends up north. Especially when they speak french for me on occasion and go out for beers in their SB jacket. No complaints from me.



Time to go lounge about and enjoy a late afternoon drink. Adieu to you!

ETA: They love their hockey up here. Also, I miss you.

Manos

Speaking of hands over on Hobocamp, here's a good song for you: Manos.

And second of all, my mini-vacation starts in T-minus 48 hours. I'm going north for some serious R&R + etc = major attitude adjustment. As I understand it, Montreal is still in the thick of winter but no matter. I can assure you that I will not be blogging/tweeting/texting/emailing. I will be lounging about, enjoying Quebec-style hospitality with a certain Canadian habitant. French will be spoken. Allonge' will be sipped. Poutine will at least be considered. Et les mains. Most definitely.

Potomac

Two dogs, wet and stinky:

No one asks you to explain

I was sitting in an (over-priced) hotel restaurant for lunch today, when lo and behold, this song came on over the sound system. Much like the decor in the restaurant, I was transported back in time to the 70s. Seriously, when was the last time you heard that song unless you are a Helen Reddy fan like myself?? Some of you are saying never, the rest of you are saying 1978.

That's really all I have to say about that and my day, other than I was an unwilling participant in touchy feely 'small group discussions and breakout sessions'. More of the same tomorrow. Where's that magic radio when you need it, I ask?

Crossing fingers

Shhhh, don't scare it away...



I will be live-tweeting throughout the WINTER STORM WARNING! Oh you better believe it..



I ask for very little during the winter except an occasional snow situation, so I will be tiptoeing lightly today so as not to cause the system to push off to the east and bypass us completely. I am, as ever, cautiously optimistic.

Let's see, what else? I tweeted about making quite possibly the best fucking beef vegetable stew ever made last night. Upon having leftovers for lunch today, I have confirmed that statement. I'm not bragging, I'm just sayin' and what I am saying is this: Haters to the left, you don't even want to thrown down on my stew.

Other things:

1. Battlestar Galactica is killing me softly with Starbuck's song. Gah! That show, so good. Only three more episodes = tragedy.

2. I am almost finished with this this book. I've basically had this sitting on my bedside nightstand for like, oh, 4 years? As with most non-fictiony books, I like to read a little at a time etc etc which means I have multiple books going at once and it takes a long time to finish something, but I just discovered that I am almost done with this one. If you are into plate tectonics (like I am, hello), then you will most certainly enjoy this book. I like wrapping my head around the fact that the continental makeup of the earth has gone through at least 4 major migrations dating back as far as a billion years ago and that rocks and the elements within them are able to tell that story. What's even freakier is thinking about a time before continents were even able to form, when the earth was just a boiling mass of iron mantle and how oxygen played a major role in creating the elements and subsequent rocks, but also life. The end. Anyway, yes, it's a very good book if you're into that geek shit, which I am.

3. The work weeks have been long and I am closing in on being burned out by it all. Plus also the headaches have returned - I suspect the implants are starting to wear out and the robot brain is giving up the ghost. I turned down several social invitations this weekend because quite honestly, I just needed to tune in/turn off. Very much in need of a getaway to another country.

4. Hello, we are under a WINTER STORM WARNING, stock up supplies now!! This city will be shut down for DAYS (or until it hits 60 next weekend)!

Sun day

Sharing a beam:

My Magic Hat = awesome

Hi friends and neighbors! First off:



I'll tell you what! I have found the answer to your prayers.

Let me ask you these few simple questions:

1. Have you had a headache that has lasted for 7+ days, give/take a few?

2. Has the economy/foreclosures/unemployment/TAINTED PEANUTS! brought you down?

3. Have you been attacked by a chimp high on Xanax and green tea lately?

4. Are your Habs on a 10 game losing streak?

5. Has TAFKAP ever told U 2 act your age, mama, not your shoe size?

If you have answered yes to any of the following, I have found the exact thing that will make everything all better! Behold:



Yes, it's a Magic Hat hat! I put this sucker on today because it was chilly/rainy/cold, and I have to tell you, all my cares melted away and frankly, I felt no pain. It's magic! Plus also reversible!



Now, I'm not really a believer in magical thinking, but I have to say, my headache has gone away as a direct result of wearing this hat. AND I have not had my face chewed off by a chimp! That, my friends is proof positive. I rest my case. My job here is done. Make of this what you will. Goodnight!

zephyr winds that blow on high..

It's a tad windy out there tonight. I was just sitting here e-filing my taxes with Turbotax (why did no one tell me it was so easy? I would have done this years ago!) when the wind blew and there was a decidedly thumpy sound upon the roof of our apt bldg.

I went out on the patio and saw that basically, a rather large tree had uprooted and fell against the place. No damage to my apt, but looks like the roof's a little worse for wear. At least the roof is not on fire, as I do not need any water because I would much rather let the motherfucker burn. You with me, old skool gangstas?

ANNNYWAYYY, I have some photographic evidence to present to you, because I'm just that kind of gal.

First, a picture of the tree in better times:



Alas, the tree was not wearing a LifeAlert(tm):



If a tree falls in DC and no one hears it over the stimulus package debate, does it make a sound?

Do you wish it was me?

I'm kind of obsessed with this song right now. Ignore Dave.

Plus also I like his hair, it's messy in the right way.




Come pick me up
Take me out
Fuck me up
Steal my records
Screw all my friends
behind my back
With a smile on your face
And then do it again
I wish you would...

Styling Plus Also Profiling

Hello to you. Here is my question: Why can I not travel to California without LL Cool J playing on loop in my head? If you figure that out, please to let me know.

So yes, I am off tomorrow to the lovely confines of southern Cal for a week of work + probably eating/drinking/beach/70+ degrees etc etc. Should be a good time, though the days will be long and discussion will revolve around data, which quite frankly for the geek in me is a good time. I make no apologies. I will also be building in some QT with the beach + ocean.

I do have to say that I am fine with leaving the semi-winter of DC (which as we know is not really wintery at all and also ppl here cannot deal like they can in Chicago) to go someplace warm. I do appreciate living in places that have four seasons, but it is also nice to visit places where it's summer all year round. Maybe that is why people in CA are so..well, how they are. Too much warm weather and paradise-like conditions + threat of devastating earthquakes causes people to turn into the real housewives of the OC. I don't know. And I'm only kidding - I love the CA and their many and varied human species.

I'll be posting pictures while I'm there, I'm sure. Because as you know, there will be dancing + prancing + grinning + romancing. Yeah, I don't think so.


ETA - Wed: So I'm in a conference room during a break. These are the pix I took yesterday when we went out for lunch - nothing too exciting but I was hoping to capture the feeling of it being warm. 75 degrees = ok by me. Tomorrow it's supposed to rain, alas/alack.

Foiled again

The Weather Channel is personally mocking me on their weather blog today:


2:52 pm ET
Pretty weak in terms of snowfall: If you like snow and you live in New York City, Philly, Baltimore, or D.C., then you are not a very happy person. Check out the graphic below and you'll see what we mean:



If you talk to person from Syracuse they would probably point and laugh at the lousy snowfall numbers above. Syracuse has had 93.2 inches of snow since December 1 and already nearly 3 feet of snow in January alone.

So if there is a lot of local media hype in Philly and New York, you know the reason why. You folks can handle the forecast snow amounts that we're predicting but it's infrequency of the snowfall that is making this winter storm newsworthy in the Northeast.

By the way D.C. and Baltimore, looks like there'll be little snow or sleet for you guys from this storm.

Yeah, I'm living on good time island here - not enough weather change for me!

ETA: Breaking! We are actually receiving white precipitation in quantities substantial enough to cover the ground. City grinds to a halt! Snow dogs rejoice! Miracles do happen, Timmy!

Yes I can!

Well, two posts in two days = new record for me in 2009, which isn't say much. I happened to notice that in the 4 years that I've been blogging here, 2008 was my least prolific. No one cares of course, just a bit of self-observation.

Here is also something that I have noticed in the last year or so: I never answer my phone anymore. Like I actively do not answer, no matter who is calling. It's really weird for me and I am not quite sure what is up with that. I have to be in a very specific mood to answer the phone and apparently, I am rarely in said mood. I kind of want to change my voicemail message to suggest that if someone wants to tell me something, to email or text b/c I rarely listen to my voicemail too. No secret, but I am not the Great Communicator these days. Does not mean I love you less.

Which is all to say that because I am not blogging or yakking on the phone today, I will be doing something I have been avoiding since I moved to this area almost 2 years ago. 2 years of not unpacking a bunch of boxes or hanging pictures or attempting to make this place feel like more than a storage unit.

So today I am going to reclaim my living room and attempt to figure out what I have in those boxes, sort, and find a relatively unobtrusive place to store stuff. Granted, I do not have the room to put all this stuff away, but I can at least consolidate and move to my office or closets. I am also going to hang some pictures/art on the walls. This is my goal and activity for today. It is all a part of my attempt to reframe my life on the positive side while I'm here.

Operation Resolution Fulfillment: Bitch less, do more.

ETA: Well, after ~17 hours and a new president later, I have finally achieved my goal of reclaiming my living room/life. Literally, I have been living among boxes for far too long and inspired by Obama's call, I have taken responsibility. Everything has a place and if it didn't work, much like many obsolete bullshit Bush programs, it was cut. Unfortunately, I didn't have my stud finder here (and since Viv was not available as its replacement given her skill at finding studs), I was unable to hang pictures on the wall. They are ready to go however. All in all, a great 4 days off. Extra bonus points: Obama!

Before:



After:

Nature's tiny jewel

On the coming eve of our nation's historic moment, I pause to share with you a gift found within the bounty of our land. Behold:



Found wholly contained within a red pepper, it's nature's little micro-peen.



I now return you to your regularly scheduled Obamania celebration. Carry on..

Take me to the riot

Holla. So let's see, Christmas happened. And then the New Year came/went. I made a resolution to bitch less and as a result, I have nothing to left to say! Heh. Actually, things are ok, I am staying positive, all is well etc etc.

I will say, though, that I am getting a little concerned by what are in essence dire warnings from the DC peeps about THE HUGE CROWDS EXPECTED and how public transportation will be AT CRUSHING LEVELS and the city will be in virtual GRIDLOCK ROADS CLOSED TRAINS PACKED and how people should expect to STAND FOR 8 HOURS SHOULDER TO SHOULDER with other people. ps. TAINTED MILK! And so on, along those lines. Every day the papers/radio/internets around here have inauguration updates and planning tips (e.g., "Uh, yeah, you probably don't want to leave your house, sorry" - DC Metro).

ETA: For those that think I'm exaggerating about TAINTED MILK!, here is a link to download the 9 page press release entitled: 2009 Presidential Inaugural Law Enforcement and Public Safety Public Affairs Subcommittee Announces Joint Transportation Plan which details road closures and warnings about taking your babies or grandmas to the event.

Having never been in this city for such an event, I am already prepared for the worst. The good thing is that they are giving us Inaug day off, which hello, if people actually had to commute into work you might as well forget it. So my particular plan is to lay in about four days worth of provisions next Friday and hunker down. Thus, as much as I love people and being in huge crowds and jammed on trains and forced to touch strangers, I will be passing on attending any of these historic events. Sorry, you will not be receiving any Twits from me on the frontlines reporting on Sasha's pigtails or Joe B's facelift.

As an aside, yesterday, WTOP online reported on the girls' first day of school and this was an actual sentence in the news: "Sasha was carrying a pink Trans backpack by Jansport and wore a brown coat and her hair in pigtails". Now those kids are dang cute, but wha?? If this town is so giddy and in love with the Obamas, why don't they marry them? Ah, it's ok, after 8 years of hell, even a pink Jansport looks a little like heaven. It's kind of cute the way people are here, they almost seem..dare I say, happy? I have even heard laughter on the Metro of late. Actual human sounds signaling happiness. No one makes a peep on those trains usually. Yeah, it's weird. Oh well, it's a New Year and people are allowed to hope/change/be happy. I know I have signed up for that myself.

So yes, aside from work and attempting to engage in life a bit more, that's what's been going on here. Good times, good times..

Oh and one more thing, I am clearly more in touch with my feelings than normal because this video makes me want to shed a wee tear and find my own elephant:



Goodnight!

A feeling you can't find

Variations on a theme.

Dri - Two are One



Metric - Too Little Too Late



Bright Eyes - Gold Mine Gutted



Death Cab for Cutie - Grapevine Fires

The trip to Jalu

One day we had to advance in the teeth of the storm, and I saw how it could destroy a caravan. Of course, one has to keep moving slowly. To stop means to be drowned by the sand. The camels instinctively know this and continue to advance in spite of the tormenting blast..

Sometimes, however, toward sunset, when we had been battling for hours against the seemingly interminable bombardment, the wind would stop dead, as if a master hand had given a signal. For an hour or more the fine sand and dust would settle slowly, like a falling mist. Afterward the moon would rise, and under the pale magic of its flooding light, the desert would assume a new aspect. Had there been a sandstorm? Who could remember? Could this peaceful expanse of loveliness ever be cruel? Who could believe it?...


-- A.M Hassanein Bey, Crossing the Libyan Desert. 1924.

Beef Bourguignon Liveblog II: Electric bugaloo

Hi friends, it is Saturday night and I am in the mood to cook. Last night I had plans and intentions and motivations, but instead I made Kraft Dinner (as they call it in Canada -- but they also call a wool winter hat a touque up there so who knows what's up north of the border I say). Tonight, however, I am in the mood for full-fledged cooking, hello.

So I am making beef bourguingnon, even though it is not snowing here or that cold - there is a promise of a dab of freezing rain in the DC area which means of course that you may as well forget about going out because traffic will be snarled even in your driveway and/or apartment complex parking lot and/or life. So thus, it is time for a little relaxing slow cooking situation with beer and red wine and beef and french influence.

And I will be liveblogging the whole situation! What could be more fascinating? Will someone from Australia be refreshing their screens at work to follow along? (Like isn't it 2pm last Friday there or something? Who knows). Anyway. Oh and FYI, this will take a few hours to cook so if you want a fast dish, this is not it.

ps. If you are meat-squeamish, you will want to fast-forward to someplace else. I will be taking pictures of beef cooking. I know, sorry Bossie.

On with the show. First a pix of the necessary ingredients (and a confession that I am stealing this recipe from Jacques Pepin - I'm kinda doing a little cut/paste here to be honest):



# 2 pounds lean beef chuck
# 1 tablespoon butter
# 2 tablespoons olive oil
# Salt
# Pepper
# 1 cup finely chopped onion
# 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
# 1 tablespoon flour
# 1 bottle of red wine
# 2 bay leaves
# 1 sprig fresh thyme
# 15 cipollini or pearl onions
# 15 cremini mushrooms
# 15 baby carrots
# 1/4 cup water
# Dash of sugar
# Chopped fresh parsley

Please note: You will also need several Magic Hat #9 beers and music to assist you otherwise you will fail. I'm sorry.

More to come...

1. Cut the meat into 8 pieces.Preheat the oven to 350°. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter with 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a cast-iron pot that is attractive enough for the table (Ed: My pot is neither attractive enough for the table nor is it cast-iron. I shall, however, call it black because I am a kettle and that's what we do). Arrange the meat in one layer in the pot, and season it with salt and pepper. Cook on top of the stove over high heat for about 8 minutes, browning the meat on all sides.

Looks like this:



2. Add 1 cup of finely chopped onion and 1 tablespoon of finely chopped garlic. Cook over moderate heat for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 1 tablespoon of flour. Mix in well so that the flour doesn’t form lumps.

Looks like this:



3. Stir in 3/4 bottle of red wine, 1.5 cups beef broth. Add 2 bay leaves, a sprig of fresh thyme, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Stir well and cover.

Looks like this:



More to come...

4. Place the pot in the oven and continue to cook for about 1 1/2 hours; the meat should be soft and tender and the liquid properly reduced. At this point, you may want a little snack and another beer while you check your email and the weather channel for the next 1.5 hours.

Looks like this:



More to come..

20 more minutes to go. Did you know that every Magic Hat bottlecap has a little saying underneath it?

Looks like this:



More to come..

5. Combine the onions, mushrooms, carrots in a skillet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1/4 cup of water and a good dash each of sugar, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes; at this point, there should be practically no water left. Uncover and cook over high heat, sautéing the vegetables until nicely browned on all sides, about 4 minutes.

Looks like this:



More to come..

And because I cannot deny my Midwestern heritage, I am serving this over some egg noodles. Yes this is probably French blaspheme, but life sometimes asks you to improvise a little and my mom was of French Acadian descent in Louisiana (who I did not know were Greatly Expulsed from Canada in 1775! Those bastards!) so I think I should be given special dispensation to blend my culture. I thank you not to oppress my people, Jacques Pepin!

Here is what the finished product looks like - and with that I bid you adieu!