Mountain Moo Moo-ving into the Digital Age
I was flipping through my latest issue of Real Simple last night when an article featuring Printing Press caught my eye. Printing Press is invitation software made by Mountain Cow and it's seems to essentially be a classier version of Print Shop. I remember loving Print Shop back in the good old pre-antitrust days of Microsoft with their DOS OS, the blinking orange screen, my Epson dot matrix and the inability to preview my creations. Despite all those technological hurdles, it was still one of the coolest things in grade school computing. Now this Printing Press software offers really cool templates including vellum overlays with ribbon holes, menu cards, place cards, postcards, folded cards, envelopes and you can even add your own digital pictures...which brings me to my next tidbit of related news...
...I received the digital camera I ordered from Amazon thanks to the generosity of plasticmom. A walk down memory lane brings me to my very first camera, one of those pocket cameras where you load Kodak cartridge film: two spools on either end with a flat piece connecting it. Then there was the endless series of 35mm cameras followed by an APS in college. I finally mustered the motivation to commit to a digital camera last week when I saw Jessica's cool and totally adorable Elph. So, long story short and I know looks aren't everything, I've now got my very own Elph and it sure is precious. Once I figure it all out and tidy up my office, I'm going to send plasticmom some digital pictures of my new office.
Thursday, July 31, 2003
Wednesday, July 30, 2003
My Sentiments Exactly
Onion article titled, "Area Man Knows All The Shortcut Keys." I hear ya Roger, it's a lot faster to use the shortcut keys and I use many of the Microsoft based ones daily. We also use a notepad type text program called V-Slick a lot at work and there's no shortcut key for print and it is very aggravating to have to go to the menu bar. However, my recent biggies for V-Slick are the Alt-T for find and replace and I also like the Alt-B to switch between various windows. Then there's the Alt-C for highlighting specific portions of text, Alt-L for highlighting entire lines, Pad-Plus for copy, Pad-Minus for cut and finally Insert for pasting. (While I realize only my co-workers will remotely enjoy this bit about V-Slick, like Roger my intention is to educate, not alienate...does that rhyme?)
Relevant Magazine article on "The Art of Making Care Packages." Very inspiring...If I wasn't at work, I'd be out shopping and packing and utilizing our postal system and supporting the USPS's overpriced sponsorship of a certain L. Armstrong. Like I've been saying, "my sentiments exactly."
Lastly, Jessica made these marvelous "Oatmeal Scotchies," oatmeal cookies with butterscotch morsels. They're sitting in my office because, undeservedly, I've apparently become the keeper of the cookie supply at work. I don't usually compulsively eat cookies because they're sitting on my desk, but these oatmeal scotchies may be my caloric downfall...how low can I fall? They're staring at me saying, "eat me, I'm so yummy."
Onion article titled, "Area Man Knows All The Shortcut Keys." I hear ya Roger, it's a lot faster to use the shortcut keys and I use many of the Microsoft based ones daily. We also use a notepad type text program called V-Slick a lot at work and there's no shortcut key for print and it is very aggravating to have to go to the menu bar. However, my recent biggies for V-Slick are the Alt-T for find and replace and I also like the Alt-B to switch between various windows. Then there's the Alt-C for highlighting specific portions of text, Alt-L for highlighting entire lines, Pad-Plus for copy, Pad-Minus for cut and finally Insert for pasting. (While I realize only my co-workers will remotely enjoy this bit about V-Slick, like Roger my intention is to educate, not alienate...does that rhyme?)
Relevant Magazine article on "The Art of Making Care Packages." Very inspiring...If I wasn't at work, I'd be out shopping and packing and utilizing our postal system and supporting the USPS's overpriced sponsorship of a certain L. Armstrong. Like I've been saying, "my sentiments exactly."
Lastly, Jessica made these marvelous "Oatmeal Scotchies," oatmeal cookies with butterscotch morsels. They're sitting in my office because, undeservedly, I've apparently become the keeper of the cookie supply at work. I don't usually compulsively eat cookies because they're sitting on my desk, but these oatmeal scotchies may be my caloric downfall...how low can I fall? They're staring at me saying, "eat me, I'm so yummy."
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
"Where are the cookies?"
This afternoon, I heard someone, who was trying hard not to sound alarmed, asking "Where are the cookies?" I looked out into the hallway to find Nina holding a cup of coffee in the vicinity of my office looking rather distressed. She calmed down after I informed her the cookie jar had been left in the lunchroom and there were still cookies left. She explained, "I've been looking forward to a cookie all day and they were no longer in your office and I thought maybe people ate them all before I got one." Poor Nina, she's having a stressful and hectic day (darn those freakin huge datasets)...glad to feed her cookies anytime.
Note: I've been keeping a cookie jar filled with homemade cookie in my office at work....this week it's oatmeal cranberry. One of these days, I'm going to find some time to make rolled sugar cookies.
This afternoon, I heard someone, who was trying hard not to sound alarmed, asking "Where are the cookies?" I looked out into the hallway to find Nina holding a cup of coffee in the vicinity of my office looking rather distressed. She calmed down after I informed her the cookie jar had been left in the lunchroom and there were still cookies left. She explained, "I've been looking forward to a cookie all day and they were no longer in your office and I thought maybe people ate them all before I got one." Poor Nina, she's having a stressful and hectic day (darn those freakin huge datasets)...glad to feed her cookies anytime.
Note: I've been keeping a cookie jar filled with homemade cookie in my office at work....this week it's oatmeal cranberry. One of these days, I'm going to find some time to make rolled sugar cookies.
Monday, July 28, 2003
Onion Rings
I spent last Saturday at the Nauset Beach with my housemates. I'm happy to report that the Nauset Beach restrooms are fairly clean and stocked with both toilet paper and with what smelled like Dial antibacterial hand soap. It was a fun day, but we were roasting because the sun was a bit too hot and the water was way too frigid causing my toes to hurt...ouch. We brought a cooler full of tasty lunch foods and snacks, but I spent much of the day coveting the onion rings other people were enjoying from the beach's snack bar, Liam’s. I kept salivating whenever I walked by a nearby towel where a box of half eaten cheese fries and onion rings had been abandoned. Finally, after smelling the intoxicating aroma of fried onion rings wafting from some wee toddler waddling on the beach with a box of snacks, I broke down and purchased the onion rings for myself along with a raspberry lemonade. Delicious Fried Goodness...I'm such a sucker for fried foods. After an ice cream cone, we hit the Lobster Hut for dinner, but having already eaten my onion rings, I passed on the fried seafood and got the broiled salmon instead. However, after visually examining and sampling some of my housemates' fried seafood...I'm happy to stamp the Lobster Hut's frying technique with a PSA, "Plasticann Seal of Approval": golden brown and crispy, but not greasy and lightly battered. While I did not sample the fried fish, my visual examination leads me to conclude that their fish and chips may be on par with my most favorite fish and chip place located just outside of "la la land."
I spent last Saturday at the Nauset Beach with my housemates. I'm happy to report that the Nauset Beach restrooms are fairly clean and stocked with both toilet paper and with what smelled like Dial antibacterial hand soap. It was a fun day, but we were roasting because the sun was a bit too hot and the water was way too frigid causing my toes to hurt...ouch. We brought a cooler full of tasty lunch foods and snacks, but I spent much of the day coveting the onion rings other people were enjoying from the beach's snack bar, Liam’s. I kept salivating whenever I walked by a nearby towel where a box of half eaten cheese fries and onion rings had been abandoned. Finally, after smelling the intoxicating aroma of fried onion rings wafting from some wee toddler waddling on the beach with a box of snacks, I broke down and purchased the onion rings for myself along with a raspberry lemonade. Delicious Fried Goodness...I'm such a sucker for fried foods. After an ice cream cone, we hit the Lobster Hut for dinner, but having already eaten my onion rings, I passed on the fried seafood and got the broiled salmon instead. However, after visually examining and sampling some of my housemates' fried seafood...I'm happy to stamp the Lobster Hut's frying technique with a PSA, "Plasticann Seal of Approval": golden brown and crispy, but not greasy and lightly battered. While I did not sample the fried fish, my visual examination leads me to conclude that their fish and chips may be on par with my most favorite fish and chip place located just outside of "la la land."
Friday, July 25, 2003
"Underwear is Everywhere, but mostly Underneath...." silly lyrics from the underwear song
This morning's WSJ middle column, "Fashion Emergency: How to Fix Downside of Low-Rise Pants...Darts and Shoestrings Help in Fight Against Gravity; Ms. Senter's Bending Tips." The "low rise" trend is the unspoken fashion (excuse my pun) pain in the a*# of our times. Everything is cut lower these days which is fine because I'm not exactly nostalgic for the days when waistbands came up to my rib cage and my belly felt horribly constricted, but it's getting a bit ridiculous. [I'm sure I'm violating the very spirit of "low rise" pants by citing as a benefit the ability to eat more without fear of feeling pants constriction due to the lower rise.] I don't deliberately purchase "low rise" apparel, but lower rises have become the norm and "low rise" is really really obscenely low. I recently purchased a pair of nice black pants for work and the rise was 50% of the rise on a pair of high waisted circa 1998 Khakis from my Goodwill pile. The fly on these black pants was like three inches and they weren't even hipster "my name is Britney and let's go clubbing" pants. What's a girl to do? The WSJ article had this funny bit about how significant others of "low rise" loving women are often most upset with the "accidental exposures" of unmentionables. One woman had to have a talking to with her boyfriend about how it was inappropriate for him to physically pull up her pants in public...now that's a laugh and a half.
This morning's WSJ middle column, "Fashion Emergency: How to Fix Downside of Low-Rise Pants...Darts and Shoestrings Help in Fight Against Gravity; Ms. Senter's Bending Tips." The "low rise" trend is the unspoken fashion (excuse my pun) pain in the a*# of our times. Everything is cut lower these days which is fine because I'm not exactly nostalgic for the days when waistbands came up to my rib cage and my belly felt horribly constricted, but it's getting a bit ridiculous. [I'm sure I'm violating the very spirit of "low rise" pants by citing as a benefit the ability to eat more without fear of feeling pants constriction due to the lower rise.] I don't deliberately purchase "low rise" apparel, but lower rises have become the norm and "low rise" is really really obscenely low. I recently purchased a pair of nice black pants for work and the rise was 50% of the rise on a pair of high waisted circa 1998 Khakis from my Goodwill pile. The fly on these black pants was like three inches and they weren't even hipster "my name is Britney and let's go clubbing" pants. What's a girl to do? The WSJ article had this funny bit about how significant others of "low rise" loving women are often most upset with the "accidental exposures" of unmentionables. One woman had to have a talking to with her boyfriend about how it was inappropriate for him to physically pull up her pants in public...now that's a laugh and a half.
Thursday, July 24, 2003
"I began at the top and have been making my way down ever since." Orson Welles
Whenever Nina bemoans not having already achieved all her artistic aspirations, I remind her that Orson Welles, whom she admires, certainly didn't live a happy and fulfilling life and neither did Mozart, despite having hit the big times by the time they were 25 and 6 respectively. Then again, one never thinks about the advances we’ve made in medicine and how we live longer these days. Sure Mozart was an accomplished musician and composer by age six, but if folks back then only expected to see age forty who now experience a life expectancy of eighty with the help of purple pills and organ transplants, then Mozart was really twelve years old when we think in terms of age to life span ratios…that’s a little less impressive. Since Orson lived to be seventy, Nina’s going to have to hit it big with a critically acclaimed film that's a box office flop and way ahead of her time by age thirty-five and expect to live until she’s a hundred in order to match Orson’s age to life span ratio, age twenty-five being when he made Citizen Kane. Fortunately for Nina, she's got lots of esoteric ideas and she seems to come from good genetic stock…at least her grandma Mimi bodes well for Nina’s life expectancy. Then again…who really wants to be washed up by the time they’re thirty, be known as a commercial failure, and not to mention appear bloated in nearly all their films…I suppose one who aspires to create art might take those odds.
Whenever Nina bemoans not having already achieved all her artistic aspirations, I remind her that Orson Welles, whom she admires, certainly didn't live a happy and fulfilling life and neither did Mozart, despite having hit the big times by the time they were 25 and 6 respectively. Then again, one never thinks about the advances we’ve made in medicine and how we live longer these days. Sure Mozart was an accomplished musician and composer by age six, but if folks back then only expected to see age forty who now experience a life expectancy of eighty with the help of purple pills and organ transplants, then Mozart was really twelve years old when we think in terms of age to life span ratios…that’s a little less impressive. Since Orson lived to be seventy, Nina’s going to have to hit it big with a critically acclaimed film that's a box office flop and way ahead of her time by age thirty-five and expect to live until she’s a hundred in order to match Orson’s age to life span ratio, age twenty-five being when he made Citizen Kane. Fortunately for Nina, she's got lots of esoteric ideas and she seems to come from good genetic stock…at least her grandma Mimi bodes well for Nina’s life expectancy. Then again…who really wants to be washed up by the time they’re thirty, be known as a commercial failure, and not to mention appear bloated in nearly all their films…I suppose one who aspires to create art might take those odds.
Wednesday, July 23, 2003
I'm still sticking to the Ben & Jerry's...for now at least
Courtesy of MGDub, a dessert that would make GJDubya proud...Conservative Ice Cream with flavors like "I hate the French Vanilla," "Smaller Governmint" and "Donald Rum Raisin." I initially thought the link was satirical and from The Onion, but no sir...it's bonefide. These ice cream names remind me of the burgers named after celebrities and politicians at Mr. & Mrs. Bartley's Burger Cottage: "The Ted Kennedy" & "The Julia Childs." On a culinary note, their burgers are awesome, their frappes (milkshakes) are delicious, particularly the Elvis frappe (Chocolate, Banana, Peanut Butter) and their Raspberry Lime Rickeys are quite refreshing.
Courtesy of MGDub, a dessert that would make GJDubya proud...Conservative Ice Cream with flavors like "I hate the French Vanilla," "Smaller Governmint" and "Donald Rum Raisin." I initially thought the link was satirical and from The Onion, but no sir...it's bonefide. These ice cream names remind me of the burgers named after celebrities and politicians at Mr. & Mrs. Bartley's Burger Cottage: "The Ted Kennedy" & "The Julia Childs." On a culinary note, their burgers are awesome, their frappes (milkshakes) are delicious, particularly the Elvis frappe (Chocolate, Banana, Peanut Butter) and their Raspberry Lime Rickeys are quite refreshing.
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
The Restaurant
Last night, Adam and I watched the first episode ofThe Restaurant on his TiVo...so much drama, tension, food, and FUN despite the self serving AmEx ads they kept showing featuring the resturant in "The Restaurant", Rocco's. Finally a reality show I don't feel guilty watching...although I have to admit the chef is cuter than I expected, but then again I was expecting a middle aged burly man with a gut and a beard...don't ask me why...I have no idea.
Last night, Adam and I watched the first episode ofThe Restaurant on his TiVo...so much drama, tension, food, and FUN despite the self serving AmEx ads they kept showing featuring the resturant in "The Restaurant", Rocco's. Finally a reality show I don't feel guilty watching...although I have to admit the chef is cuter than I expected, but then again I was expecting a middle aged burly man with a gut and a beard...don't ask me why...I have no idea.
Monday, July 21, 2003
A Food Cameo
Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu are dressed in goofy red, yellow and blue striped Hot Dog on the Stick uniforms while they're staking out the beach in the new Charlie's Angels movie. Hot Dog on a Stick sells freshly battered and fried corn dogs, ice cold lemonade, and cheese on a stick. They also sell fries, but they're subpar in my opinion. The stands originated in Muscle Beach, CA, but they are now found in most malls in the West. The corn dogs and lemonade is delicious and the uniforms are simply...priceless.
Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu are dressed in goofy red, yellow and blue striped Hot Dog on the Stick uniforms while they're staking out the beach in the new Charlie's Angels movie. Hot Dog on a Stick sells freshly battered and fried corn dogs, ice cold lemonade, and cheese on a stick. They also sell fries, but they're subpar in my opinion. The stands originated in Muscle Beach, CA, but they are now found in most malls in the West. The corn dogs and lemonade is delicious and the uniforms are simply...priceless.
Blueberry Pancakes
On Saturday, Adam and I went with a few of our friends to the Verrill Farms Blueberry Pancake Breakfast, fresh blueberry pancakes, sausage, bacon, coffee, hay rides, pony rides and even a blueberry pie eating contest. Unfortunately, we arrived late and completely missed the pie eating contest. Greg, who went with his wife Helen, reported that the pie eating contest was hysterical with kids and two adults jamming their faces into entire blueberry pies eating them without their hends. Bummer...sounds like a good time. The food was yummy and the store sold produce and freshly baked warm pies from the bakery. We also just missed seeing Greg & Helen at the farm because they were buying a warm Jumbleberry Pie in the store while we were eating our pancakes, but Greg says the pie was delicious. I had a coupon for free potato or macaroni salad with a purchase and felt really compelled to buy something, but I walked away emptyhanded. Next month, they're hosting a Corn & Tomato Fest where you can try 35 different types of tomatoes and 5 types of corn. While there isn't a pie eating contest scheduled, other forms of merriment, music & clown, will be provided.
Note: Adam and Ann are looking for a ride to the Corn & Tomato Fest.
On Saturday, Adam and I went with a few of our friends to the Verrill Farms Blueberry Pancake Breakfast, fresh blueberry pancakes, sausage, bacon, coffee, hay rides, pony rides and even a blueberry pie eating contest. Unfortunately, we arrived late and completely missed the pie eating contest. Greg, who went with his wife Helen, reported that the pie eating contest was hysterical with kids and two adults jamming their faces into entire blueberry pies eating them without their hends. Bummer...sounds like a good time. The food was yummy and the store sold produce and freshly baked warm pies from the bakery. We also just missed seeing Greg & Helen at the farm because they were buying a warm Jumbleberry Pie in the store while we were eating our pancakes, but Greg says the pie was delicious. I had a coupon for free potato or macaroni salad with a purchase and felt really compelled to buy something, but I walked away emptyhanded. Next month, they're hosting a Corn & Tomato Fest where you can try 35 different types of tomatoes and 5 types of corn. While there isn't a pie eating contest scheduled, other forms of merriment, music & clown, will be provided.
Note: Adam and Ann are looking for a ride to the Corn & Tomato Fest.
Window FX
My new office has a big picture window facing the hallway. The "gum bin" happens to be suction cupped to this large window and this weekend, I purchased new Crayola Window FX markers to write messages and (tastefully) decorate my window. These cool new markers are formulated for windows, mirrors and other glossy surfaces and can be washed off with water. While Nina is partial to the white, my favorite color is the green. My window currently reads "Chewy Chocolate Ginger Cookies (Please help yourself)." That would be referring to the new cookie jar I'm keeping in my office filled with homemade cookies.
My new office has a big picture window facing the hallway. The "gum bin" happens to be suction cupped to this large window and this weekend, I purchased new Crayola Window FX markers to write messages and (tastefully) decorate my window. These cool new markers are formulated for windows, mirrors and other glossy surfaces and can be washed off with water. While Nina is partial to the white, my favorite color is the green. My window currently reads "Chewy Chocolate Ginger Cookies (Please help yourself)." That would be referring to the new cookie jar I'm keeping in my office filled with homemade cookies.
Friday, July 18, 2003
Information Epidemics...Yikes
Tidbit from Zrad's hetero life partner, Zeith, who also attends BIT, Weblogs: a new way to
make friends and influence people.
Tidbit from Zrad's hetero life partner, Zeith, who also attends BIT, Weblogs: a new way to
make friends and influence people.
Beepy Key Cards
My new office now has those beepy key cards...how cool! For years we had swipe our cards at the building entrance and use regular keys for our office doors while nearly everyone else in our building (Biogen) had those beepy key cards attached to nifty retractable key chains. Corinna had one of those retractable key chains for her old job emblazoned with their corporate logo and I was so excited when I spotted it in her apartment, but then again sometimes I can be such a "square." I also had a swipe card in college and I was always envious of the tales Adam would tell of the newfangled beepy key cards at his college and how they could hold their wallets (sometimes while still in their back pockets) in front of the sensors to open their dorm doors…good times. Of course, older friends would speak of the ye olde days before swipe cards--- one would use an archaic second key to open the dorm door. Now that I finally have a beepy key card at work, maybe I should invest in one of those retractable key chains…I do love accessories.
My new office now has those beepy key cards...how cool! For years we had swipe our cards at the building entrance and use regular keys for our office doors while nearly everyone else in our building (Biogen) had those beepy key cards attached to nifty retractable key chains. Corinna had one of those retractable key chains for her old job emblazoned with their corporate logo and I was so excited when I spotted it in her apartment, but then again sometimes I can be such a "square." I also had a swipe card in college and I was always envious of the tales Adam would tell of the newfangled beepy key cards at his college and how they could hold their wallets (sometimes while still in their back pockets) in front of the sensors to open their dorm doors…good times. Of course, older friends would speak of the ye olde days before swipe cards--- one would use an archaic second key to open the dorm door. Now that I finally have a beepy key card at work, maybe I should invest in one of those retractable key chains…I do love accessories.
Thursday, July 17, 2003
Soup Nazi
It's interesting how the word "nazi" has become a part of our cultural lexicon. Everyone knows "the soup nazi" refers to a fanatical and perhaps maniacal soup purveyor on Seinfeld. His customers covet his delicious soups, but cower in fear hoping to escape his establishment with a cup of soup without incurring his wrath. Last night at my church small group, fitness instructors became the topic of conversation. While I'm certain there hasn't been a recent influx of goose-stepping fitness instructors who are members of a German fascist regime, certain unnamed (simply because I don' know the names) instructors at local Beantown gyms were dubbed, the "Yoga Nazi" and the "Spin Nazi." My friends had a difficult time remembering the masochistic unforgivingly relentless "Yoga Nazi's" Christian name because it seems everyone referred to her as the "Yoga Nazi." Some of my coworkers have surmised that invoking the name of "Hitler" will drastically shift, if not end, many an inane arguments. For example, an imaginary argument between three reoccurring characters from my Joke of the Day calendar:
Little Joey: I prefer Coffeemate Liquid Creamer to Half & Half for my coffee
Pearl: I drink my coffee black.
Shirl: I only use real cream in my coffee...that fake liquid creamer is an atrocity.
Little Joey: Well, that's something Hitler would say.
Pearl & Shirl: HUH!!!
It's interesting how the word "nazi" has become a part of our cultural lexicon. Everyone knows "the soup nazi" refers to a fanatical and perhaps maniacal soup purveyor on Seinfeld. His customers covet his delicious soups, but cower in fear hoping to escape his establishment with a cup of soup without incurring his wrath. Last night at my church small group, fitness instructors became the topic of conversation. While I'm certain there hasn't been a recent influx of goose-stepping fitness instructors who are members of a German fascist regime, certain unnamed (simply because I don' know the names) instructors at local Beantown gyms were dubbed, the "Yoga Nazi" and the "Spin Nazi." My friends had a difficult time remembering the masochistic unforgivingly relentless "Yoga Nazi's" Christian name because it seems everyone referred to her as the "Yoga Nazi." Some of my coworkers have surmised that invoking the name of "Hitler" will drastically shift, if not end, many an inane arguments. For example, an imaginary argument between three reoccurring characters from my Joke of the Day calendar:
Little Joey: I prefer Coffeemate Liquid Creamer to Half & Half for my coffee
Pearl: I drink my coffee black.
Shirl: I only use real cream in my coffee...that fake liquid creamer is an atrocity.
Little Joey: Well, that's something Hitler would say.
Pearl & Shirl: HUH!!!
Wednesday, July 16, 2003
Springtime for Hitler and Germany
MGDub and I caught The Producers last night with our Alumni club. We had a really fun time and Nina loves the original 1968 movie, but this posting is about how to measure sticky ingredients like glucose or molasses. My office physically moved locations this week so we all had to work from home on Monday and part of Tuesday. Nina and I "watched" Martha Stewart Living in the mornings while we worked from our respective homes. Yesterday's episode featured a homemade frozen yogurt recipe. They showed a nifty trick for measure very sticky glucose for the frozen yogurt. First, spray the measuring cup with PAM vegetable spray and then pour the sticky substance into measuring cup. The sticky stuff will plop right out of the cup leaving no sticky residue and inaccurate measurements. I'm going to give that trick a go next time I'm measuring gooey molasses for my cookies.
Nina's taped this morning's segment on decorating flip-flops...I can't wait to hear all about it.
MGDub and I caught The Producers last night with our Alumni club. We had a really fun time and Nina loves the original 1968 movie, but this posting is about how to measure sticky ingredients like glucose or molasses. My office physically moved locations this week so we all had to work from home on Monday and part of Tuesday. Nina and I "watched" Martha Stewart Living in the mornings while we worked from our respective homes. Yesterday's episode featured a homemade frozen yogurt recipe. They showed a nifty trick for measure very sticky glucose for the frozen yogurt. First, spray the measuring cup with PAM vegetable spray and then pour the sticky substance into measuring cup. The sticky stuff will plop right out of the cup leaving no sticky residue and inaccurate measurements. I'm going to give that trick a go next time I'm measuring gooey molasses for my cookies.
Nina's taped this morning's segment on decorating flip-flops...I can't wait to hear all about it.
Friday, July 11, 2003
TastyKake & Redbones
I couldn't resist the display of TastyKake HoneyBuns prominantly featured this week at my local Shaw's supermarket. I tried one yesterday and it was just OK, maybe they weren't as fresh as they are in Pennsylvania or maybe some of their other offerings are tastier. You can buy them over the Internet from the TastyKake store which is exciting because the Krimpets and the KandyKakes sound really yummy, but are probably loaded with lots of those hideous trans fats.
As for Redbones in Davis, the WSJ Weekend Journal featured it on their list of BBQ joints around the country. I do enjoy their pulled pork, but believe it or not...I often contemplate dropping by for just dessert because their caramel custard is excellent.
I couldn't resist the display of TastyKake HoneyBuns prominantly featured this week at my local Shaw's supermarket. I tried one yesterday and it was just OK, maybe they weren't as fresh as they are in Pennsylvania or maybe some of their other offerings are tastier. You can buy them over the Internet from the TastyKake store which is exciting because the Krimpets and the KandyKakes sound really yummy, but are probably loaded with lots of those hideous trans fats.
As for Redbones in Davis, the WSJ Weekend Journal featured it on their list of BBQ joints around the country. I do enjoy their pulled pork, but believe it or not...I often contemplate dropping by for just dessert because their caramel custard is excellent.
Thursday, July 10, 2003
On the Lam...
not really...I'm no Whitey, but I have been "legally" skirting jury duty for the past seven years and I've actually been called at least five times. For years I got away with the whole "I'm a student and I'm not in California, I can't possibly show up on the date you've requested," routine, but Massachusetts finally caught up to me. I'm still smarting over how they finally got me...it's got to be taxes I pay because I'm not registered to vote in MA, own a car in MA. have a MA driver's license, etc. As far as I'm concerned, I barely exist and should be vapor in the eyes of MA state government.
Having postponed my original assigned date from last February, I had to show up today to perform my civic duty. My panel got called around noon, but I got myself excused because of what I thought was a legitimate reason why I would not be impartial. Then I got dismissed for the rest of the day and I was actually excited to come back to work. Either I'm a big dork or I like my work...I'd like to think it's the latter.
My point is...I've done my civic duty and I'm exempt for three years...no longer do I live a life of darkness looking over my shoulder wondering when the next jury duty notice will come in the mail. I can now say, "Here's my official letter, I've already served...take that California...take that Massachusetts." I suppose the seven courses in American politics in college left me a bit disillusioned---now I'm just a cynical, but self aware because I used to be a political science major, free-rider. Hopefully with some intense re-education by means of listening to Schoolhouse Rocks America Rocks repeatedly, maybe I'll become a more responsible citizen. One can only hope.
not really...I'm no Whitey, but I have been "legally" skirting jury duty for the past seven years and I've actually been called at least five times. For years I got away with the whole "I'm a student and I'm not in California, I can't possibly show up on the date you've requested," routine, but Massachusetts finally caught up to me. I'm still smarting over how they finally got me...it's got to be taxes I pay because I'm not registered to vote in MA, own a car in MA. have a MA driver's license, etc. As far as I'm concerned, I barely exist and should be vapor in the eyes of MA state government.
Having postponed my original assigned date from last February, I had to show up today to perform my civic duty. My panel got called around noon, but I got myself excused because of what I thought was a legitimate reason why I would not be impartial. Then I got dismissed for the rest of the day and I was actually excited to come back to work. Either I'm a big dork or I like my work...I'd like to think it's the latter.
My point is...I've done my civic duty and I'm exempt for three years...no longer do I live a life of darkness looking over my shoulder wondering when the next jury duty notice will come in the mail. I can now say, "Here's my official letter, I've already served...take that California...take that Massachusetts." I suppose the seven courses in American politics in college left me a bit disillusioned---now I'm just a cynical, but self aware because I used to be a political science major, free-rider. Hopefully with some intense re-education by means of listening to Schoolhouse Rocks America Rocks repeatedly, maybe I'll become a more responsible citizen. One can only hope.
Wednesday, July 09, 2003
Cake Mix Doctor
Last night I gave my new Cake Mix Doctor book a whirl testing this coffee cake. Somehow my bundt pan is acting up and it's no longer non-stick which is problematic, but I brought in the bottom half of the bundt to work and my coworkers have been enjoying it. I didn't have pecans last night and I used dark brown sugar rather than light.
Coffee Cake
1/3 cup light brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 pkg yellow cake mix (no pudding in the mix)
1 pkg instant yellow pudding (smaller 3.4 oz size)
4 eggs
3/4 cup oil
3/4 cup water
1 tsp vanilla extract
-Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
-Prepare the pan, oiling and flouring it. (This is the part where my cakes suffer unsightly results)
-Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl until well combined
-Place pecans on the bottom of the pan so they can toast in the pan during the baking process
-Mix all the remaining ingredients in a mixer on low for one minute.
-Mix on medium for two minutes
-Pour 1/3 batter in pan, sprinkle in half of sugar/cinnamon mixture, add another 1/3 batter topping that with the other half of the sugar mixture and finally finishing it off with the last 1/3 of the cake batter.
-Bake for 58-60 minutes or until the top is golden brown and springs back when you touch it.
Unfortunately I don't really know how to get the cake out of the pan without destroying it, but it is pretty tasty and easy.
Last night I gave my new Cake Mix Doctor book a whirl testing this coffee cake. Somehow my bundt pan is acting up and it's no longer non-stick which is problematic, but I brought in the bottom half of the bundt to work and my coworkers have been enjoying it. I didn't have pecans last night and I used dark brown sugar rather than light.
Coffee Cake
1/3 cup light brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 pkg yellow cake mix (no pudding in the mix)
1 pkg instant yellow pudding (smaller 3.4 oz size)
4 eggs
3/4 cup oil
3/4 cup water
1 tsp vanilla extract
-Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
-Prepare the pan, oiling and flouring it. (This is the part where my cakes suffer unsightly results)
-Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl until well combined
-Place pecans on the bottom of the pan so they can toast in the pan during the baking process
-Mix all the remaining ingredients in a mixer on low for one minute.
-Mix on medium for two minutes
-Pour 1/3 batter in pan, sprinkle in half of sugar/cinnamon mixture, add another 1/3 batter topping that with the other half of the sugar mixture and finally finishing it off with the last 1/3 of the cake batter.
-Bake for 58-60 minutes or until the top is golden brown and springs back when you touch it.
Unfortunately I don't really know how to get the cake out of the pan without destroying it, but it is pretty tasty and easy.
Tuesday, July 08, 2003
Business Cards
My office is moving next week and today I received my third set of business cards in anticipation of our new home. I didn't get my first set of business cards until several months after I started working and I once had to doctor Nina's cards the day before I interviewed candidates at my alma mater. I spent the day assuring people, "I really do work here," but it looked a bit fishy since I had crossed out Nina's name and e-mail and handwritten my own with a black Sharpie.
Other than recruiting, I rarely use my business cards so now I'm rolling in unused outdated cards. Mostly I give them to plasticmom so she knows where to find me and as evidence to allay any fears she may have about whether I'm gainfully employed. While I've accumulated my third box of cards, Nina ultimately takes the prize among the analysts here having accumulated I think her fifth box of cards. I'm contemplating an art project using my cards. So what if we can't afford art for our walls, we can create our own with trash...v. avant-garde.
My office is moving next week and today I received my third set of business cards in anticipation of our new home. I didn't get my first set of business cards until several months after I started working and I once had to doctor Nina's cards the day before I interviewed candidates at my alma mater. I spent the day assuring people, "I really do work here," but it looked a bit fishy since I had crossed out Nina's name and e-mail and handwritten my own with a black Sharpie.
Other than recruiting, I rarely use my business cards so now I'm rolling in unused outdated cards. Mostly I give them to plasticmom so she knows where to find me and as evidence to allay any fears she may have about whether I'm gainfully employed. While I've accumulated my third box of cards, Nina ultimately takes the prize among the analysts here having accumulated I think her fifth box of cards. I'm contemplating an art project using my cards. So what if we can't afford art for our walls, we can create our own with trash...v. avant-garde.
Monday, July 07, 2003
J.P. Licks bought out my dearest Denise's in Davis Square
A sad day indeed, the future of my local homemade ice cream store is uncertain. Denise's has been purchased by J.P. Licks. I noticed the store hours and ice cream cake price list signage now read J.P. Licks. Will J.P. Licks keep my favorite Denise's flavors such as, "sex on the beach" sorbet (sounds racy, but it's delicious), peanut butter chip and others? Or will they supplant my favorite flavors with the uninventive, but premium and delicious, ice creams they sell at all their other locations? Whatever shall I do? Will Amanda still work there? I'm not even sure who she is or if that's her name, but Nina is convinced they went to high school together. Will they have to wear uniforms at Denise's, like those polo shirts at Kinko's...it's actually not a bad idea now that I think about it. I can do without the piercings, but that's just my li'l old unhip fuddy duddy conservative registered GOP opinion. Alas, I digress with the piercings and politics. I'm pleading, please don't take away my ice cream...I don't want to have to stockpile my favorite flavors...I simply don't have the freezer space and my roommates will be oh so upset.
A sad day indeed, the future of my local homemade ice cream store is uncertain. Denise's has been purchased by J.P. Licks. I noticed the store hours and ice cream cake price list signage now read J.P. Licks. Will J.P. Licks keep my favorite Denise's flavors such as, "sex on the beach" sorbet (sounds racy, but it's delicious), peanut butter chip and others? Or will they supplant my favorite flavors with the uninventive, but premium and delicious, ice creams they sell at all their other locations? Whatever shall I do? Will Amanda still work there? I'm not even sure who she is or if that's her name, but Nina is convinced they went to high school together. Will they have to wear uniforms at Denise's, like those polo shirts at Kinko's...it's actually not a bad idea now that I think about it. I can do without the piercings, but that's just my li'l old unhip fuddy duddy conservative registered GOP opinion. Alas, I digress with the piercings and politics. I'm pleading, please don't take away my ice cream...I don't want to have to stockpile my favorite flavors...I simply don't have the freezer space and my roommates will be oh so upset.
Plasticmom's very own Havaianas
Plasticmom requested her very own pair of Havaianas yesterday afternoon. I think she was hoping to appropriate a pair of red ones I'd left in her hotel room. However, red is my signature color and I've already broken them in with my weight so they're ultra squishy and have a nice imprint of my foot. She kept commenting about how the red ones were better than her new ones because they had the foot imprint. No way Jose...she'll have to break hers in herself.
Plasticmom requested her very own pair of Havaianas yesterday afternoon. I think she was hoping to appropriate a pair of red ones I'd left in her hotel room. However, red is my signature color and I've already broken them in with my weight so they're ultra squishy and have a nice imprint of my foot. She kept commenting about how the red ones were better than her new ones because they had the foot imprint. No way Jose...she'll have to break hers in herself.
Thursday, July 03, 2003
Boston Proper
A momentous and joyous occasion indeed, Baja Fresh opened in Boston Proper today at Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market. I was oblivious to Adam's ruse about meeting up at Faneuil Hall for lunch so he could pick up a watchband at the Swatch store. Adam promptly confessed that the watchband hadn't really come in, but SURPRISE (drum roll please) today was opening day for the long awaited Baja Fresh. Woohoo! I'm happy to report the Baja Chicken Burrito we shared was delicious. Krispy Kreme last week and now my beloved Baja Fresh, my life (at least the culinary desires of my heart) is almost complete.
A momentous and joyous occasion indeed, Baja Fresh opened in Boston Proper today at Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market. I was oblivious to Adam's ruse about meeting up at Faneuil Hall for lunch so he could pick up a watchband at the Swatch store. Adam promptly confessed that the watchband hadn't really come in, but SURPRISE (drum roll please) today was opening day for the long awaited Baja Fresh. Woohoo! I'm happy to report the Baja Chicken Burrito we shared was delicious. Krispy Kreme last week and now my beloved Baja Fresh, my life (at least the culinary desires of my heart) is almost complete.
Wednesday, July 02, 2003
Are they "Hip?"
While we were in DC, Corinna was kind enough to chauffer plasticmom and I to the mall so we could shop at the LL Bean store. The Tyson's Corner LL Bean is smaller than the Freeport, Maine company store, but still pretty impressive and very exciting for us non-camping, non-outdoor enthusiast, LL Bean fans. We stopped by Nordstroms and my mom purchased a pair of comfortable black, but not so much hip, ECCO walking sandals. While I was paying for the sandals at the cash register, I spotted a pair of red ones on the counter and a woman, around my mom's age, enthusiastically asked the sales person about the very sandals I was purchasing. Here is a reconstructed conversation:
EnthusedWoman: When did you get a new shipment of those sandals?
Salesperson: I’m not sure.
EnthusedWoman: I already have a pair, but I haven't seen all these other colors. What colors do you have?
SalesPerson: Black, Blue, Red, Beige.....
EnthusedWoman: I'll have to go take a look at them.
Flash Forward a few minutes...plasticmom is browsing the shoe sales rack and plasticann decides what the heck, why not try on a pair of red sandals just like plasticmom’s. EnthusedWoman catches plasticann trying on sandals:
EnthusedWoman: Excuse me, are those hip?
plasticann: Ummm...I don't know, but I'm not really someone who would know what's hip. They seem very comfortable.
EnthusedWoman: I know. I have a pair, but are they hip?
plasticann: My mom just purchased a pair and she seems to like them.
EnthusedWoman: Are they cool? Would you wear them?
plasticann: [desperately trying to deflect the questions and not wanting to offend EnthusedWoman who already owns a pair of the sandals in question] I don't own a pair, but my mom just got a pair.
After a while, she got fed up and left. The sandals were not exactly hip, but they looked nice and comfortable and most importantly, plasticmom really liked them. I didn't want to offend her, but I didn't want to lie either...a moral dilemma indeed. The problem is, hip is so nebulous...the line between "ironic" hip and not at all hip is really very fine. I suppose someone very hip could pull off these sandals, but I'm just not that hip.
While we were in DC, Corinna was kind enough to chauffer plasticmom and I to the mall so we could shop at the LL Bean store. The Tyson's Corner LL Bean is smaller than the Freeport, Maine company store, but still pretty impressive and very exciting for us non-camping, non-outdoor enthusiast, LL Bean fans. We stopped by Nordstroms and my mom purchased a pair of comfortable black, but not so much hip, ECCO walking sandals. While I was paying for the sandals at the cash register, I spotted a pair of red ones on the counter and a woman, around my mom's age, enthusiastically asked the sales person about the very sandals I was purchasing. Here is a reconstructed conversation:
EnthusedWoman: When did you get a new shipment of those sandals?
Salesperson: I’m not sure.
EnthusedWoman: I already have a pair, but I haven't seen all these other colors. What colors do you have?
SalesPerson: Black, Blue, Red, Beige.....
EnthusedWoman: I'll have to go take a look at them.
Flash Forward a few minutes...plasticmom is browsing the shoe sales rack and plasticann decides what the heck, why not try on a pair of red sandals just like plasticmom’s. EnthusedWoman catches plasticann trying on sandals:
EnthusedWoman: Excuse me, are those hip?
plasticann: Ummm...I don't know, but I'm not really someone who would know what's hip. They seem very comfortable.
EnthusedWoman: I know. I have a pair, but are they hip?
plasticann: My mom just purchased a pair and she seems to like them.
EnthusedWoman: Are they cool? Would you wear them?
plasticann: [desperately trying to deflect the questions and not wanting to offend EnthusedWoman who already owns a pair of the sandals in question] I don't own a pair, but my mom just got a pair.
After a while, she got fed up and left. The sandals were not exactly hip, but they looked nice and comfortable and most importantly, plasticmom really liked them. I didn't want to offend her, but I didn't want to lie either...a moral dilemma indeed. The problem is, hip is so nebulous...the line between "ironic" hip and not at all hip is really very fine. I suppose someone very hip could pull off these sandals, but I'm just not that hip.
Tuesday, July 01, 2003
Another indication of a classic plasticfamily vacation...
plasticann and plasticmom prioritize museum gift shops over actual museum exhibits. Usually I have to insist, practically plead, on visiting the gift shop when I'm with my friends, but with plasticmom, we always allot plenty of time for gift shopping. Sometimes we even hit the gift shop first and at times the litmus test for whether we visit a museum is, "Do they have a gift shop?" Woohoo!
plasticann and plasticmom prioritize museum gift shops over actual museum exhibits. Usually I have to insist, practically plead, on visiting the gift shop when I'm with my friends, but with plasticmom, we always allot plenty of time for gift shopping. Sometimes we even hit the gift shop first and at times the litmus test for whether we visit a museum is, "Do they have a gift shop?" Woohoo!
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