O.K., so we didn't end up going out last night, which I kinda regret. We started watching Battlestar, which will ruin any & all plans that you may have. When we went to Za Zas for lunch today, we ran into Matt Quin & he was telling us how Velvet Kente slayed all of the competition at the Arkansas Times Showcase. I wanted to see it for myself. Too, I really wish that Eclipse Glasses had entered because I truly believe that they could've given V.K. a run for their money. Eclipse Glasses guys are too nice, I think. I'm going to have to give them a Patton-style speech to get them to get a little competitive. I'm just so mean.

Mayumi visited today. She was so kind & thoughtful enough to bring us little bits from her recent trip to Japan. Me & KMHD, we're really spoiled. It's true. I got a noren (curtain), furoshiki cloths, a pen/mechanical pencil combo, candy, socks, cherry blossom cupcake papers, rice paper zodiac placemats (You know, so I can have a dinner party!), and a cute little calendar.

The day was pretty average; we went to Sam's Oriental to stock up on basics: garlic, shallots, handmade tofu, coconut milk, etc. Then we drove the LR Marathon route to give Mayumi an idea of how long & treacherous it is; she is thinking of doing it. I hope she does! I'll ride my bike around town to cheer her on & you know, hold out water cups for her. Isn't that what we're supposed to do?

A beautiful day today! 64 degrees, no jacket required. I got my share of vitamin D, for sure. Hopefully it'll be a mild night. We're going to Collin's to enjoy his firepit & my cookies. Better get started.

The stars at night are big & bright (clap clap clap clap) deep in the heart of Texas!

PART I

23 January 2009

I've been very busy! So much that my house is in ruins & I'm exhausted. Things will be normal again come Monday. I'm really looking forward to this trip to TX. Just me & ATM.

How was your Obama Inauguration day? I watched Obama's (botched) swearing in w/ my boss & co-workers @ the office. I made chicken tortilla soup & key lime pie, so we could stay glued to the television during our lunch break. The rest of the day DRAGGED by. The cosmos obviously knew that I was anxious to go the the MLK, Jr. Commission's Inaugural Ball that eve.

At first, the Ball was boring, but after a few cocktails, we were dancin' & havin' laughs. Eclipse Glasses performed wonderfully! I had a proud moment where I stepped/line danced for the first time. F-U-N!

Eclipse Glasses:

Luke, Sydney, KMHD & Rachel:

You could be dancing...yeah!





We had a group shot taken. Totally hilare!



You know, I had a real hard time emoting in front of my boss/co-worker's. I guess I didn't feel a kindred spirit with them, even though they are Obama supporters. I held in all of my emotions & as soon as I rolled into my driveway @ home, I totally bawled. Because we've been treated like traitorous dogs for the past 8 years & for what?  I don't think I'm overstating or overreacting. I know President Obama means a lot of different things for everybody, but he is a massive relief for me. I love his brain!  Really, I sleep better at night knowing there is a smart person sitting as president.  He won't be able to fix much of anything, it's all very messed up, but he's smart & somehow, that makes it all a little better.  And Michelle! The girls! Science! The arts! The dark ages are over!  (Did he really say non-believers?!  Wau!)


Wednesday, was Zach's 26th birthday. He & KMHD came over and we feasted on artichoke dip, hummus, pita, panko chicken nuggets, a bell pepper tart, samosas & cupcakes.  An extremely varied menu, but it was what Zachariah wanted & it was all very good. The idea was to eat & watch the LOST premiere, but since SEC basketball takes precedence in our area, the plan was derailed. Well, not the eating part.  We tried watching cable television, but that was a total bust. We called it an early evening, we were all extremely tired anyway.  ZACH:  I hope you have a lovely, peaceful year.  

Here is some good news for people who can't won't let go of their Polaroids. I still have a Joycam w/ some film, but I use it for special SPECIAL SPECIAL occasions.  There is hope for Polaroid preservation yet.  To the do'ers!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

PART II

30 January 2009, post-break

Winter is totally kicking my butt.  I don't want to do anything!  The ideal day has become this:  Wake up right before mid-morning, about 9:30 a.m.  Put bird feed on the ground outside the bedroom window.  Make a quick breakfast of peanut butter toast, juice & coffee/tea.  Crawl back into bed & watch birds.  Fall asleep with either a cat or a book on my chest.

My brain & limbs need thawing.

It was only last week that I realized that I love sleeping.  I know, who doesn't love sleep?  Well, I've never been a sleeper-inner, I like having whole, full days.  Also, I'm a morning person.  But now, and I think it's a blend of winterness & getting older, I can't get enough of the zzz's!  It doesn't help that our bed is a total nest, making it difficult to rise.

So, our trip to Plano/Frisco, Texas, planned based around the purchase of a couch from IK3A, was pretty uneventful.  Plano & Frisco are high-end suburbs of Dallas.  They both have lots of shops & you have to drive everywhere.  The noted preferred mode of transportation?  SUVs, of course!  It kinda made LR, AR look forward-thinking & modern, despite our lack of a proper Whole Foods, our own urban sprawl, etc.  Speaking of Whole Foods, it was the only other shop I was stoked about.  The one here is so terrible, it doesn't even count.  At REAL Whole Foods, they have a killer deli.  The kind that is so bountiful, beautiful & varied, it's impossible to make up your mind what you want & you end up with 5 lbs. of food, which you will happily nosh on for days.

Lessons learned from TX trip:  1.  If you drive a long distance to pick up a couch, be sure the automobile you rented is big enough to haul it back.  Paying one-way rental fares is beyond pricey.  It's take-your-breath-away/shit-your-pants expensive.  2.  Make sure the rental has an auxiliary mode, so you can listen to the awesome podcasts, stories, etc. that you've downloaded to your 1pod for long distance trips.  It is the best way to pass time.  3.  You get what you pay for.  It's a truism.  Me & ATM, we don't put on airs when it comes to places to stay.  More often than not, if we can get a room at Motel 6, we will.  But, don't be surprised if your room has a roach problem.  AHEM.

We were very impressed with the motel's comforter:

Here is our bold new couch:

We picked this particular color because it best brings out the color of SOLO's eyes.  Actually this photo makes me a bit sad, her eyes are getting cloudy because she's getting old:

On our way out of town, we stopped by Whole Foods to get refueled.  I got a carrot-orange juice.  It inspired me to buy a juicer.  I've wanted one for a long time anyway.  I'm a low-end yuppie now!  Drink up!

By the way, juicing is awesome.  It is delicious & it being healthy is just a benefit.  I've been keeping it simple with apple, orange, ginger, carrots & beets.  I'll venture into the green juices real soon.  I don't know if it's psychological, but I do feel more healthy, especially when it comes to digestion.  Things have been running smoothly!

This evening, me & ATM are making homemade baked mac n cheese.  Then we're going to dumb Sticky Fingerz to watch the AR Times Showcase w/ Collin.  I'm hoping we run into folks we haven't seen since last year.  (Hello Keiko!  Hello Rett!)  If it gets boring, we're going to try to convince people to come back to our home to admire our new couch, I mean, hang out & have some laughs.  

Thoughts going out to Fayetteville people, still suffering the effects of an ice storm.  Stay warm!  And if you can get out of town & need a place to stay, come to our place!

P.S.

Stuff You Should Know podcast = Best podcast! Great for long drives.  It stems from this.

Highly recommended: Bittman's egg drop soup (Alannah, a good alternative to scrambled eggs for achy mouths!)  We came home from TX with no groceries.  I did have eggs, parmesan, broth & parsley, though.  Why eat ramen again ever?  This was healthier, heartier, delicious, etc.  I feel like a wedge of lemon would've been the perfect garnish.  Next time.

I'm taking a few more days off blogging.

MLK, Jr. Day/Day of Service

Woke up, made a pot of coffee & watched CNN Inaugural event coverage.  Today, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, is not only a day off work, it's a Day of Service.  We had plans to join some group to do landscaping work at the Harmony (Free) Clinic, but the organizer never called me back with details & info.  So, me & ATM grabbed a coupla trash bags and walked all over Argenta picking up garbage.  Next year, we will make a more organized effort to volunteer/participate.  We definitely want volunteering a more natural thing for us, to work it into our lifestyle, like recycling.  I like direct action work, though.  I don't like benefits to benefit benefits.  Too many middlemen & lots of time/$$ gets wasted in the process.  I may need to do some research before getting into it.  Will probably call Wes B. to inquire how Food Not Bombs LR is doing these days.

I am getting things done in a timely manner.  I finished tomorrow's lunch for the co-workers.  Chicken tortilla soup w/lime, cilantro & avocado for garnish.  I had to make key lime pie again, it's an office favorite.  I've got most of me & ATM's supper ready for this evening, too.  In a bit, I'm going to drag out my dresses & my tights to see what I'm going to wear to the Inaugural Ball tomorrow night.  THEN, I need to write a thank you note to Bootsie for picking up a really rad Dias de los Muertos art piece in Mexico for me.  THEN, I need to put Xmas photos on a disc for ATM's mum.  THEN, I need to get take a break, don't you think?  THEN, I need finish putting our supper together.  THEN, I need to get ready to go to kickboxing.  When I'm done with class, I'm hoping that I've gotten everything I need to do done, so I can just chill out for the rest of the evening.  

Being (North) Little Rock

I made a tasty mistake.  Instead of buying regular dark chocolate bars, I mistakenly bought dark chocolate bars with a soft creamy chocolate filling.  Would these work for chocolate chip cookies?  I was doubtful, wanting to go by the book, but ATM convinced me to be experimental & adventurous.  They turned out so well and I'd make them again!

POTENTIAL.  The Arkansas Sustainability Network is moving and Eclipse Glasses is seriously considering renting the building right after them.  I've claimed a small stake in the deal as well -- it would be nice to have a space away from home to do things.  Be it soap-making, baking (I'd have to supply a stove), wood-working, pot lucking or playing music, we would have a place of our own to do things!  Small shows.  Dance parties.  Activism meeting place.  Endless possibilities.  If all works out as planned, we're looking at moving in in March!

As you can see, there's an outdoor hang out area. Biergarten?  Herb garden?  I've got a grill to donate.  And you can see the Mansion in the background:

A room downstairs. ASN is in the process of moving out, so they have stuff everywhere.

A nook upstairs:

Upstairs:

It needs a little TLC, but I hang out with visionaries and I trust their judgment.  It's exciting because we won't just be living Little Rock, we'd BE Little Rock.  (And, NLR!)

Today, me, ATM, KMHD, Zach & Collin drove to Bauxite to celebrate Lunar New Year @ Bauxite High School & the temple.  2009 Year of the Ox!

KMHD. Please note the eggroll by her foot. Poor little fella!:

Watching karaoke!


Good eats:

Communal eating tables:

My mum! She sold Vietnamese coffees & fruit. She also served as the event's FIRST AID.:

Two sisters:

I totally made them line up for a photo a la vacation photo style:

Chuc mung nam moi!

The altar:

Collin making an incense offering:

ATM doing the same:


I'm worn out!

To-do:  

1.  I've got to make an Inauguration Day lunch for my workmates on Tuesday.  I'm thinking chicken tortilla soup and a key lime pie.  That means working up a list & going to the grocery store. 

2.  Get my Inauguration Ball outfit together.

3.  Kickboxing.  Sometimes I forget that I'm still in the class, no thx to holidays and week-long illnesses.  Me & KMHD are quitting soon, though.  I will then be taking up yogalates.  I'm totally not joking.

 

This Ain't No Picnic!

YESTERDAY EVENIN':
Well, it wasn't a picnic anyway. But, I'm pleased to announce that I'm back ya'll and I'm back ya'll and I'm backity back-ity back ya'll! (A little CB4 humor, modified.)

I tried going to work today, but it didn't go as planned. I think I'm not used to sitting in the upright position. 10 minutes of that and my ache starts to feel stabby and the face starts to swell. But, I went straight home, knocked back a coupla OTC pain meds and deep napped on the couch for a few hours. I was rudely awakened by the maintenance guy wanting to change the AC/H unit filter, but after the rudeness wore off, I realized that I felt much much better. I took it easy, reading my glossies, my Louis L'Amour novel & planning my next cupcake. (I miss baking!) From the couch, I took stock of things that needed to be done. 1. Put up the new shower curtain 2. Finish the kitchen up-do 3. Plan our trip to Texas , etc. I need to relieve my BF & co-workers of their taking care of me/covering me at the office duties. I need to reward them with something lovingly baked, they totally did me a solid!

TODAY:
Because I wasn't feeling well, it was hard for me to get excited about things. But, I'm real excited!

1. It's a 3-day weekend! (MLK, Jr. day on Monday. Respect.)
2. TET (Vietnamese New Year) is on Sunday! Happy New Year! Or, better yet, Chuc Num Nam Moi! My boss put in an order for 24 temple eggrolls. That's ridiculous.
3. Barack Obama Inauguration! It's really happening! Who is a happy citizen?
4. Netflix FINALLY delivered our Battlestar Galactica S.2. DVDs. I heart Starbuck & Capt. Apollo Adama.
5. IKEA/TX : This trip will probably be boring, BUT, we will be venturing into the Lone Star State. Could there be adventure? Maybe I'll invent some. Yee-haw!

I don't have too much planned this weekend. I'm gonna work on my kitchen and -----? Watch BSG. Plan things. Bake. Go to the temple. I'm so glad to be back!

I dreamed I dreamed

Pain is a really strange thing.  

I have just been released from the grip of extreme pain -- the kind that laughs @ prescribed pain killers.  Since Saturday night, I've been unable to sleep for more than two hours at a time.  My toothache forced me to toss and turn and try to find a comfortable position.  I moved my "sleep" station to the couch, so I wouldn't associate pain & illness with my bed.  I've been taking a recommended cocktail of hydrocodone, Tyl3nol 3xtra, Advil & an antibiotic.  The painkillers didn't take the pain away, they barely took the edge off.  Poor ATM would sit at my side with a helpless look on his face as I lay there squirming and making yuck noises. There was nothing we could do, but wait.  Add not being able to eat properly, nausea (all those pills) and lack of sleep, I kept thinking that I should just pull that tooth out and be done with it entirely.  

Finally, FINALLY this morning, about 11 a.m., I woke up (again).  But this time, I woke up from a dream, the first time I've dreamt since being ill!  To me, it was a sign that I was starting to feel better.  I sat up -- my tooth was aching, but not the usual sharp throbbing kind.  I stood outside for some fresh air.  I made a joke at ATM.  I pet my cat.  Aside from being starved and stinky, I felt an improvement. 

I'm not going to press my luck.  I'm gonna eat, shower & try to get some rest.  I've got some dreams to catch up on.    

Is it unusual to really crave sugar after being ill?

You guys, I have a toothache.  It's the same tooth that I got a root canal less than a year ago.  It's more annoying than anything, I really hate going to the dentist.  I'll have to call tomorrow & see if I can get an appointment for Tuesday.  In the meantime, I can't eat properly, I'm a bit cranky, and the right side of my head is sensitive.  This all came about very suddenly on Saturday.  I was in denial, but accepted my fate this morning.  

Speaking of Saturday, aside from my tooth beginning to hurt, I had a good day/evening.  I spent the day making snacks for the Hog game @ Heather & Zach's home.  All Bittman recipes, I made a veggie tray with homemade dip, a cheeseball & a key lime pie.  They were 1) experiments 2) delicious!  

I've spent some time researching Friso, TX.  Sounds like a place I'd never go on purpose.  I'm trying to figure out where we're going to eat and maybe be entertained -- bust.  I wish I had insider information.

Ugh, I feel so miserable right now.  Pardon.

I believe we're going to Heather & Zach's home to watch the Hogs game this evening.  Honestly, I don't know what is more exciting:  the game or the making of appetizers!?  I have some ideas swirling through my mind right now.  As usual, I'd like to make a sweet and a savory.  I'm looking at cheeseball, lime tart, stuffed mushroom, fruit salad & cookie recipes.  What's it gonna be?  Thinking about making a veg tray, too.  Roughage.

Having discussed our couch dilemma w/ KMHD, she just said, "Why don't you just drive to the closest Ik3a and pick it up?" DUH! I've got a mini-road trip to plan. Frisco, Texas. Never been there. But, me & ATM always manage to have a good time together whereever and whatever the circumstances.

I cut out of work early to clear my head.  I've been doing computer work all day, my mind is in jumbles.  

I'm craving sweets.  Something chocolate and something lime tarty, but not a combination of the two.  I may have to drag out the cookbooks this weekend.  

Speaking of weekend, this is an unplanned one, which makes me a bit anxious in that I like having things to do.  Really, it looks like it'll be a culinary experimental weekend. 

Gad, I'm sorry this is such a boring post.  I did wake up feeling boring this morning.

Found this on the Judge's desk:

'til Tuesday

1.  I'm pleased to report that my first night back to kickboxing was not so bad.  Master Lee did say he'll be easy on us this week & we'll do a lot of stretching to get us back into our routine.  

2.  Our sofa search continues.  Ik3a's shipping costs are crazy.  I am serious.  Nearly $400!  I am bummed that we have to keep searching, too, I have no idea where we're going to look for a couch that suits our style.  And I was already looking at couch pillows today.  So sad.

3.  My co-worker introduced me to Shack Up Inn. She & her husband will be staying there for Valentine's Day weekend. After hearing her talk about it and perusing the website myself, I'm pretty sure that I want to go there.  It is located in Clarksdale, Mississippi -- home of one Morgan Freeman. It's about 2.5 hours drive from Little Rock, so it's not that far. It sounds like fun. And Southern. Which is somewhat important to me. It took me a loooooooooong time to come to terms with my Southerness and my appreciation for it. Look at me & KMHD. Born & raised in Arkansas, but there are probably times where you wouldn't know it, us being raised by a Yankee (dad) and two foreigners (mum & stepmum). We managed to learn to speak the language and enjoy some customs (Go Hogs!), but we're still strangers in a strange land. Anyway, I'm straying from the topic of Shack Up Inn. Must do this! And we can go to Mr. Freeman's restaurant while we're in town.

4.  Does anyone have a killer gomae recipe?  We had some at Mt. Fuji the other night and it's been on the brain ever since.  I feel I can make it myself if I had a proper recipe that's been tried.

5.  I forgot to tell the NYE weird horse story.  After stuffing ourselves silly, we decided to get out of the cabin a bit, go walk around in the cold, look at the stars.  Me, KMHD & Collin are ahead of the others, almost out in the clearing a ways from the cabin.  We're standing there shivering, hearing some noises not too far away.  I heard them, but I was just trying to convince myself that I was being paranoid.  Out of nowhere, a horse emerges.  It really spooked me because she wasn't supposed to be there.  Also, the way she emerged and approached us was startling.  If you know me know me, you'd know that I love horses and have some experience with them.  I briefly took riding lessons and cared for horses (as well as burrows) in Colorado on my Aunt & Uncle's ranch.  Anyway, me & KMHD totally freaked and high-tailed it back to the cabin.  I was upset only because I got so upset at this weird horse.  I felt like I reacted in a primal way -- some unknown thing was coming at us from the dark!  Collin the Brave stuck around and said that as soon as it saw us, it went away.  Weird.

That's all I got.  It's cold!  I'm thinking of clearing away the dinner dishes, taking a shower & crawling into the nest.  

I post from bed!

Today wasn't just the "first day back" for work -- our kickboxing class restarted today.  Well, it was supposed to, but the weather is being somewhat inclement.  Somewhat in that there is ice accumulating everywhere, BUT the roads.  Class got cancelled.  In a way, I'm ecstatic to have another free evening to do anything/nothing, but at the same time, I feel like I've reverted back to a white belt over the holidays.  Yikes.  I need to bust a move.  I need to make a motion.  Repeatedly.

To "celebrate" having another free evening, I made turkey hot dogs with vegetarian baked beans (with added diced purple onion) slathered on top.  I know, GROSS!  I ate in front of Big TV (that's the name of our television that we received for Xmas) and watched America's Funniest Home Videos.  There was nothing sophisticated that was gonna happen no how!  Gawsh!  Aw shucks!

Hee:


So, I'm showered, stuffed to the gills (still!), and in bed w/ SOLO.  I love our warm nest!  I'm hoping that if I can't benefit from inclement weather, can I at least report to work late tomorrow morning? Please?!!!


This robin let me get close!


I really wanted a no frills chocolate cake w/ chocolate buttercream frosting, so I made one from scratch yesterday. It is a really involved process. Tastes nothing like boxed cake mixes or dried out yuck you get from bakeries. I'm going to brag on myself; it is really good! Of course it's Bittman! DUH RALPH!

We didn't eat THAT much, I left a large chunk of it with Collin & Delores.

I have so much to do.  I need to catch up on email correspondence for one.  Thankfully, my friends are tough as nails and don't need any coddling or babying from me -- we've got the understanding.  We probably couldn't make it w/o this understanding.  I promise to write back!  Eventually!

I'll give a care, starting tomorrow.  Hopefully late!

HAI GUYZ

Like the rest of yous guys, I'm still recovering from that super-fun winter break. THAT WAS AWESOME! Here's my Things-Done-Did list:

1. Got some R&R
2. Baked a bread
3. Hung out with ex-pats
4. House purged (We did a massive purging and are already working on our next batch)
5. Hung out with (g)old(en) friends

And here's my To-Do list:

1. Thank you notes
2. Order that couch
3. Purge! Let it go!
4. Finish kitchen revamp
5. Clear some space for our new President!

New Year's Eve is one of my favorite holidays. The other day, a friend asked, "What happened to the famous Little Rock NYE spirit?" It still exists, but has been refined; it is carried around individually or in intimate crowds, all over the globe, instead of Little Rock, en masse. We figured out what we like, who we love & where we want to be to ring in the new year. We grew up & into ourselves.

I don't know where you were, but I hope you had the best time.  I was in a cabin, in the woods, with ATM, KMHD & great friends.  This was our second meeting in Ferndale for NYE festivities.  I honestly hope it's a newfound tradition.  It has become a gourmand cook-off for the few of us who show.  There were only 6 of us, but we had enough food for twice that.  There were 16-17(?) items counted, ranging from fresh baked challah to venison meatballs to salmon rice balls to korrokke to artichoke dip.  I've already begun planning next year's menu!

Me * :

ATM * :

KMHD & General Chang * :

Collin * :

Gen. Chang & his granny blanket:


1 Jan 2009:

And we've another New Year to celebrate as Tet is just around the corner.  Its Year of the Ox, which is ATM's year!  We are going down to the temple as per usual.  We will totally get our fill of Vietnamese street food and games.  Need to see if people would like to accompany us!  

[All but three photos are by Shawn Miller.  He's so good!]