Rowen has a bad habit of talking back to the television. I'm trying to watch Stonewall right now, and she keeps talking to the television.
it's a good thing i've watched it so many times that i have the entire film memorized.
mmk, time for an icy beverine and a cookie.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
success!
new brew recipe for the coffee has been a success! i am very excited, and now able to enjoy iced coffee beverages at a much more reasonable price. Oh, if only i didn't love my coffee so much! (this is probably an additional issue to my waistline, but why cut out one of my few pleasures?)
walking has once again commenced. yesterday was pretty miserable on the way TO work. not because of the heat, but because after two weeks of not walking, it took me 38min to get to work, when normally it would take me 28-30min depending on wait time at stop lights. i'm going to try to go for 6 miles (or about 9.5km) a day. we'll see how this works. - it's easy on work days, it's ~4 miles to and from work, and then in the evening, i walk with scott and rowen for about 2-3 miles. saturday and sunday will be another story.
during my walk, yesterday morning, i had one of my "moments of clarity" that so frequently happen when i walk. i realized/understood my love of octopi. i can relate to them. they use their ink as a form of defense, and i feel like MY ink is a form of defensive measure, too. i am sure that sounds terribly silly. but it makes sense to me.
for now, back to work.
walking has once again commenced. yesterday was pretty miserable on the way TO work. not because of the heat, but because after two weeks of not walking, it took me 38min to get to work, when normally it would take me 28-30min depending on wait time at stop lights. i'm going to try to go for 6 miles (or about 9.5km) a day. we'll see how this works. - it's easy on work days, it's ~4 miles to and from work, and then in the evening, i walk with scott and rowen for about 2-3 miles. saturday and sunday will be another story.
during my walk, yesterday morning, i had one of my "moments of clarity" that so frequently happen when i walk. i realized/understood my love of octopi. i can relate to them. they use their ink as a form of defense, and i feel like MY ink is a form of defensive measure, too. i am sure that sounds terribly silly. but it makes sense to me.
for now, back to work.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
so!
i'm currently starting another batch of cold press. i made a finer ground coffee this time, and increased the amount of coffee from 85g to 100g. i also decreased the water from 330ml to 250ml. so, hopefully i'll get a better coffee. i'll find out tomorrow!
also, i'm working on my Deutsch! a co-worker is helping me learn. hopefully by the time i get back to Detuschland, i'll be able to communicate better (auf Deutsch).
On that thought; I'll be going back in late May. (master plan, May 26-June 15) If all goes according to plan, I'll be leaving in 334 days. Huzzah! (is it sad that i'm already starting a countdown?)
Last two thing, I promise.
1) In case you haven't had it, Stevia. Wonderful. And for me, it's Stevia season, 'cos I love it in my iced tea.
2) After two weeks of not walking (sorry body!) I'll be going back to walking every day again! yay!
also, i'm working on my Deutsch! a co-worker is helping me learn. hopefully by the time i get back to Detuschland, i'll be able to communicate better (auf Deutsch).
On that thought; I'll be going back in late May. (master plan, May 26-June 15) If all goes according to plan, I'll be leaving in 334 days. Huzzah! (is it sad that i'm already starting a countdown?)
Last two thing, I promise.
1) In case you haven't had it, Stevia. Wonderful. And for me, it's Stevia season, 'cos I love it in my iced tea.
2) After two weeks of not walking (sorry body!) I'll be going back to walking every day again! yay!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
briefly
i got my new Rx on my glasses. they came in. i can see again! yay!
i've set my time off for late may/early june of next year for going back to Deutschland.
the dogs are barking so much, and i've got a massive headache.
goodnight.
i've set my time off for late may/early june of next year for going back to Deutschland.
the dogs are barking so much, and i've got a massive headache.
goodnight.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
other*
*note, if you worked with me, you'd understand the humour in my subject line.
i made a baked vegetable dish for dinner. i was awfully excited about it. for a few reasons.
1) it contained my [current] favorite german cheese, quark.
2) it [looked] incredibly appealing by the recipe.
3) it's veggies, cheese, and potatoes. how could that go wrong?!
well. it did go wrong. very, very, wrong. the main issue (i think) was the other cheese the recipe called for, a little demon called cambezola.
now, i'm not terribly fond of the bleu cheeses. something about seeing the mold (such dark mold) just kinda bugs me. plus, it's usually awfully pungent.
the research i did on this cambezola told me "very mild bleu" and "perfect for the unadventurous!" i figured that i'd be safe with this. oh! how i was wrong! or maybe how they were wrong? it was awfully strong. and i'm typically adventurous when it comes to cheeses. sans la bleu.
if i happen to make this recipe again, (which doesn't seem terribly likely, as i essentially wasted an entire tub of the illusive quark making it) i shan't be using any form of bleu cheese. i shall stick to a nice brie (rind removed) or perhaps camembert.
i made a baked vegetable dish for dinner. i was awfully excited about it. for a few reasons.
1) it contained my [current] favorite german cheese, quark.
2) it [looked] incredibly appealing by the recipe.
3) it's veggies, cheese, and potatoes. how could that go wrong?!
well. it did go wrong. very, very, wrong. the main issue (i think) was the other cheese the recipe called for, a little demon called cambezola.
now, i'm not terribly fond of the bleu cheeses. something about seeing the mold (such dark mold) just kinda bugs me. plus, it's usually awfully pungent.
the research i did on this cambezola told me "very mild bleu" and "perfect for the unadventurous!" i figured that i'd be safe with this. oh! how i was wrong! or maybe how they were wrong? it was awfully strong. and i'm typically adventurous when it comes to cheeses. sans la bleu.
if i happen to make this recipe again, (which doesn't seem terribly likely, as i essentially wasted an entire tub of the illusive quark making it) i shan't be using any form of bleu cheese. i shall stick to a nice brie (rind removed) or perhaps camembert.
Monday, June 6, 2011
a few thoughts
i attempted to make my own cold press coffee this weekend. my feelings
1) it is FAR too weak. recipe called for 85g of coffee to 1/3l of water. mix, let steep over night, and strain in the morning. THEN it called to dilute the coffee solution in half with water. i shall be adjusting.
2) it said to use a very coarsely ground bean. i'm going to go a bit finer than what i had.
3) i made my beverage with hemp milk. VERY good.
have you ever had hemp milk? if you haven't, give it a try!
other thoughts for the day
1) today is Rowen's "birthday" - she turns 2 today. now she can officially be considered an adult dog. she is certainly acting like it! we brought her to the pet store last night, and she picked out a new toy. a stuffed bear (and it was on clearance, too. my dog-ter is a fan of sales, like me!)
2) my throat hurts, or maybe it's my tongue. whichever, it's painful. and not much fun
3) i've had a headache since saturday morning, that hasn't gone away.
4) i found a random mushroom coral in my fishtank today. huzzah!
5) i'm tired. so i'm going to sleep incredibly early tonight.
1) it is FAR too weak. recipe called for 85g of coffee to 1/3l of water. mix, let steep over night, and strain in the morning. THEN it called to dilute the coffee solution in half with water. i shall be adjusting.
2) it said to use a very coarsely ground bean. i'm going to go a bit finer than what i had.
3) i made my beverage with hemp milk. VERY good.
have you ever had hemp milk? if you haven't, give it a try!
other thoughts for the day
1) today is Rowen's "birthday" - she turns 2 today. now she can officially be considered an adult dog. she is certainly acting like it! we brought her to the pet store last night, and she picked out a new toy. a stuffed bear (and it was on clearance, too. my dog-ter is a fan of sales, like me!)
2) my throat hurts, or maybe it's my tongue. whichever, it's painful. and not much fun
3) i've had a headache since saturday morning, that hasn't gone away.
4) i found a random mushroom coral in my fishtank today. huzzah!
5) i'm tired. so i'm going to sleep incredibly early tonight.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
top ten albums
i've decided to compile a top ten list of the best albums. at least in my opinion. these are not in any specific order. i picked these ten albums, because i enjoy EVERY single song on each album. i suggest giving every one of these albums a listen.
Antony and the Johnsons- I am a Bird Now
http://www.amazon.com/am-Bird-Now-Antony-Johnsons/dp/B000777J2S
Antony's voice is absolute beauty. there is no possible way to explain it. Antony is not for everyone, either. Hïr singing frequents into very high ranges, and ze uses molto vibrato. Hïr lyrics, deeply, profoundly touching.
Björk- Homogenic
http://www.amazon.com/Homogenic-Bjork/dp/B000002HPV/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1307070009&sr=1-1
i've loved this album ever since i first heard the song Bachelorette back in 1997. and the older i get, the more the entire album speaks to me. yet another artist whose voice is not for everyone, Björk consistently gives me goosebumps. this album flows together, something akin to one of the sagas.
Sigur Rós- Ágætis byrjun
http://www.amazon.com/Agaetis-Byrjun/dp/B004B5W27Y/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307070257&sr=1-1-fkmr0
It is impossible for me to describe the love i have of this album. it's like walking into a crisp white snowy forest. from Jonsi's voice, to the instrumental choices, my breath is taken away by the power of this album. it is impossible for me to listen to "only" one song.
Tori Amos - Boys for Pele
http://www.amazon.com/Boys-Pele-Tori-Amos/dp/B000002J88/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1307070644&sr=1-1
This album is an old reliable for me. i can always fall back to tori, and particularly this album. this album is like comfort food. a big plate of macaroni and cheese. tori has the distinct ability to send me into singing fits. it is impossible for me not to sing along.
M.I.A. - Kala
http://www.amazon.com/Kala-M-I/dp/B000TJ6CM2/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1307070888&sr=1-1
Most definitely my favorite hip-hop album. her voice, and her words, have the power to move mountains. she tackles issues that most people don't even know anything about, but she can still get those non-understanding to dance. she is powerful, intelligent, and ultra impressive.
Smashing Pumpkins - Melon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
http://www.amazon.com/Mellon-Infinite-Sadness-Smashing-Pumpkins/dp/B000000WA4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307071141&sr=1-1
Yet another "old reliable" album. this was, in fact, the first CD i ever (sort of) possessed. the pumpkins were (are?) innovative, and this album has as much import to me, as it did when i first heard billie corgan's voice over the radio.
Vitalic - OK Cowboy
http://www.amazon.com/Ok-Cowboy-Vitalic/dp/B0007Q6PW4/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1307071304&sr=1-3
Many of you probably don't know i'm into electronica. well, i am. particularly french electronica. and Vitalic is, at least as of today, the cream of the crop for me. there are a plethora of choices, but vitalic, and the way he uses his sounds. astounding.
Justice - †
http://www.amazon.com/Cross-Justice/dp/B000QCUB8I/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1307071507&sr=1-1
Ok, so, I had to pick another electronica album. Justice makes my ears super happy. and this album always gets me to dance. it could easily be considered an electronic opera. particularly D.A.N.C.E., which is essentially an homage to michael jackson.
Regina Spektor - Songs
http://www.amazon.com/Songs-Regina-Spektor/dp/B000009F38/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1307071668&sr=1-1
I first heard Regina's voice on a clip about her on NPR several years ago. I was driving between topeka and lawrence, and i heard a clip of the song Daniel Cowman and fell immediately in love. her voice, and her pianist abilities are absolutely brilliant. an aside, this album can easily be tied with Soviet Kitsch, or 11:11.
Godspeed You! Black Emporer - Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven
http://www.amazon.com/Lift-Skinny-Fists-Antennas-Heaven/dp/B00004ZD69/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1307071937&sr=1-2
I have my brother Michael to thank for introducing me to GY!BE, and I am absolutely grateful. this lengthy album is full of beauty and terror, all wrapped up in a dual disc package. the instruments reach fevered pitch, followed by eerie silences. the type of album that raises the hair on the back of your neck.
there you have it. my top ten. and i could probably pick more, but these ten, embody everything i love about music. this is, also, not a representative sample of all the types of music i listen to, only the albums that i can listen to, on a loop, for days on end.
Antony and the Johnsons- I am a Bird Now
http://www.amazon.com/am-Bird-Now-Antony-Johnsons/dp/B000777J2S
Antony's voice is absolute beauty. there is no possible way to explain it. Antony is not for everyone, either. Hïr singing frequents into very high ranges, and ze uses molto vibrato. Hïr lyrics, deeply, profoundly touching.
Björk- Homogenic
http://www.amazon.com/Homogenic-Bjork/dp/B000002HPV/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1307070009&sr=1-1
i've loved this album ever since i first heard the song Bachelorette back in 1997. and the older i get, the more the entire album speaks to me. yet another artist whose voice is not for everyone, Björk consistently gives me goosebumps. this album flows together, something akin to one of the sagas.
Sigur Rós- Ágætis byrjun
http://www.amazon.com/Agaetis-Byrjun/dp/B004B5W27Y/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307070257&sr=1-1-fkmr0
It is impossible for me to describe the love i have of this album. it's like walking into a crisp white snowy forest. from Jonsi's voice, to the instrumental choices, my breath is taken away by the power of this album. it is impossible for me to listen to "only" one song.
Tori Amos - Boys for Pele
http://www.amazon.com/Boys-Pele-Tori-Amos/dp/B000002J88/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1307070644&sr=1-1
This album is an old reliable for me. i can always fall back to tori, and particularly this album. this album is like comfort food. a big plate of macaroni and cheese. tori has the distinct ability to send me into singing fits. it is impossible for me not to sing along.
M.I.A. - Kala
http://www.amazon.com/Kala-M-I/dp/B000TJ6CM2/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1307070888&sr=1-1
Most definitely my favorite hip-hop album. her voice, and her words, have the power to move mountains. she tackles issues that most people don't even know anything about, but she can still get those non-understanding to dance. she is powerful, intelligent, and ultra impressive.
Smashing Pumpkins - Melon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
http://www.amazon.com/Mellon-Infinite-Sadness-Smashing-Pumpkins/dp/B000000WA4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307071141&sr=1-1
Yet another "old reliable" album. this was, in fact, the first CD i ever (sort of) possessed. the pumpkins were (are?) innovative, and this album has as much import to me, as it did when i first heard billie corgan's voice over the radio.
Vitalic - OK Cowboy
http://www.amazon.com/Ok-Cowboy-Vitalic/dp/B0007Q6PW4/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1307071304&sr=1-3
Many of you probably don't know i'm into electronica. well, i am. particularly french electronica. and Vitalic is, at least as of today, the cream of the crop for me. there are a plethora of choices, but vitalic, and the way he uses his sounds. astounding.
Justice - †
http://www.amazon.com/Cross-Justice/dp/B000QCUB8I/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1307071507&sr=1-1
Ok, so, I had to pick another electronica album. Justice makes my ears super happy. and this album always gets me to dance. it could easily be considered an electronic opera. particularly D.A.N.C.E., which is essentially an homage to michael jackson.
Regina Spektor - Songs
http://www.amazon.com/Songs-Regina-Spektor/dp/B000009F38/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1307071668&sr=1-1
I first heard Regina's voice on a clip about her on NPR several years ago. I was driving between topeka and lawrence, and i heard a clip of the song Daniel Cowman and fell immediately in love. her voice, and her pianist abilities are absolutely brilliant. an aside, this album can easily be tied with Soviet Kitsch, or 11:11.
Godspeed You! Black Emporer - Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven
http://www.amazon.com/Lift-Skinny-Fists-Antennas-Heaven/dp/B00004ZD69/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1307071937&sr=1-2
I have my brother Michael to thank for introducing me to GY!BE, and I am absolutely grateful. this lengthy album is full of beauty and terror, all wrapped up in a dual disc package. the instruments reach fevered pitch, followed by eerie silences. the type of album that raises the hair on the back of your neck.
there you have it. my top ten. and i could probably pick more, but these ten, embody everything i love about music. this is, also, not a representative sample of all the types of music i listen to, only the albums that i can listen to, on a loop, for days on end.
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