There are more cards but I can't get them to upload right now. I guess there will be yet another posting later. Grrr
Monday, April 06, 2009
This weekend's creativity
There are more cards but I can't get them to upload right now. I guess there will be yet another posting later. Grrr
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
My Baby
So I'm in love with my new baby.
She's white
Ultra sleek 13"
Intelligent
Portable
Companionable
and best of all, fast.
I've had her for all of 2 days and even though I didn't get to play with her much initially, I more than made up for it yesterday and today. I wonder what tomorrow will bring. Her initials are M.A.C. *grins*
So as I sit here, I remember why I dislike blogging. It's not the creative (or in my case, lack of) aspect, it's trying to put down the jumble that is in my brain into something that makes sense. I've always disliked writing, far too often I get caught up in the mechanics (which are always incorrect) to allow any sort of enjoyment come through.
A few minutes ago the chime went off on my phone telling me that I had received a new piece of email. The enjoyment of that lasted all of 2 seconds. Do I care that RGIS is hiring again? This is the same company that I had to wait around 3 days to schedule an interview for, all the while they kept bombarding my inbox with letters saying that they want me to pick a time. That is all well and good, however maybe someone should have updated their website to show something for us to choose. There was only one slot open of course so I had no choice but the kicker is that it was 2 weeks down the road. What annoys me most in retrospect is that the interview was on a Monday however late Friday evening I received an email from their HR department saying that they didn't have any more job openings in my area. Jimminy Crickets. So I phoned them up early Monday morning to be told that yes, that is correct they are focusing on the people they've already hired and what's even worse, the lady I was supposed to have an interview with wouldn't even be in for several more days. The gentleman on the phone assured me that they would keep my information and let me know when to set up an interview if they were doing another round of hirings in the near future.
It will be interesting to see whether I do indeed get a phone call or email from them, however I'm not sure whether I'd want to work for a company with those business practises. I did fill in a job application online on Monday for Books A Million, so we shall see if I hear anything from them. With all of this free time on my hands, you would think that I would write some piece of software to just populate the same fields that I keep seeing on all of these application forms. I haven't quite gone that route, instead I have been keeping depression at bay by sticking my nose in whatever book I'm currently reading. That is keeping me grounded thus far, nothing like a good book to transport one elsewhere.
Off to continue reading Undead and Unworthy by MaryJanice Davidson.
She's white
Ultra sleek 13"
Intelligent
Portable
Companionable
and best of all, fast.
I've had her for all of 2 days and even though I didn't get to play with her much initially, I more than made up for it yesterday and today. I wonder what tomorrow will bring. Her initials are M.A.C. *grins*
So as I sit here, I remember why I dislike blogging. It's not the creative (or in my case, lack of) aspect, it's trying to put down the jumble that is in my brain into something that makes sense. I've always disliked writing, far too often I get caught up in the mechanics (which are always incorrect) to allow any sort of enjoyment come through.
A few minutes ago the chime went off on my phone telling me that I had received a new piece of email. The enjoyment of that lasted all of 2 seconds. Do I care that RGIS is hiring again? This is the same company that I had to wait around 3 days to schedule an interview for, all the while they kept bombarding my inbox with letters saying that they want me to pick a time. That is all well and good, however maybe someone should have updated their website to show something for us to choose. There was only one slot open of course so I had no choice but the kicker is that it was 2 weeks down the road. What annoys me most in retrospect is that the interview was on a Monday however late Friday evening I received an email from their HR department saying that they didn't have any more job openings in my area. Jimminy Crickets. So I phoned them up early Monday morning to be told that yes, that is correct they are focusing on the people they've already hired and what's even worse, the lady I was supposed to have an interview with wouldn't even be in for several more days. The gentleman on the phone assured me that they would keep my information and let me know when to set up an interview if they were doing another round of hirings in the near future.
It will be interesting to see whether I do indeed get a phone call or email from them, however I'm not sure whether I'd want to work for a company with those business practises. I did fill in a job application online on Monday for Books A Million, so we shall see if I hear anything from them. With all of this free time on my hands, you would think that I would write some piece of software to just populate the same fields that I keep seeing on all of these application forms. I haven't quite gone that route, instead I have been keeping depression at bay by sticking my nose in whatever book I'm currently reading. That is keeping me grounded thus far, nothing like a good book to transport one elsewhere.
Off to continue reading Undead and Unworthy by MaryJanice Davidson.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Creative juices started trickling
Every time I know that I'm moving to a new city I always join some of the local groups online. Some of these groups are about support while others are informational. Right after I moved to Savannah I started looking for some sort of creative/artistic group to join, it was either that or get rid of all of the art supplies that I've been lugging around from place to place.
Several weeks ago I joined a local group and have traded emails with the group and individual members. Normally one can be quite suspect as people generally don't come off as friendly as they sound in words and after reading several times "they are a great group of gals" one only had to think that I was entering a den of piranha's and I was that day's unsuspecting meal. One of the ladies offered to pick me up and drive me to the meeting so that I would know how to get there and back. I can really appreciate someone who is self confident enough to write that they don't want to come off as a "crazy person", even jokingly.
I must say that K, the lady I met first was as nice and friendly as a person could hope for. Sometimes when you meet someone initially there is this halted silence where no one knows what to say next. That didn't happen. The ladies that I did meet today were all super friendly and not mis-represented at all. I will remember a few people from today, L, the two J's, K, B, D and a few others. I can't wait until next month. Funnily enough, they all think I'm quiet. That is just because I was trying to be productive and think. Just wait until they get to know be better. Hehehehehe
Anyway, I made a couple of Christmas cards and a couple of birthday cards. I really need to streamline what I want to make and then make sure I get stamps and papers to make those and then go from there. I am somewhat happy with the cards that I made today, I still have a few bits of tinkering and sprucing up to do but I will leave that for tomorrow or the next day. Depending on how comfortable I feel, I may take some photos of my work. Hopefully over a period of time I'll be able to see some improvement.
Several weeks ago I joined a local group and have traded emails with the group and individual members. Normally one can be quite suspect as people generally don't come off as friendly as they sound in words and after reading several times "they are a great group of gals" one only had to think that I was entering a den of piranha's and I was that day's unsuspecting meal. One of the ladies offered to pick me up and drive me to the meeting so that I would know how to get there and back. I can really appreciate someone who is self confident enough to write that they don't want to come off as a "crazy person", even jokingly.
I must say that K, the lady I met first was as nice and friendly as a person could hope for. Sometimes when you meet someone initially there is this halted silence where no one knows what to say next. That didn't happen. The ladies that I did meet today were all super friendly and not mis-represented at all. I will remember a few people from today, L, the two J's, K, B, D and a few others. I can't wait until next month. Funnily enough, they all think I'm quiet. That is just because I was trying to be productive and think. Just wait until they get to know be better. Hehehehehe
Anyway, I made a couple of Christmas cards and a couple of birthday cards. I really need to streamline what I want to make and then make sure I get stamps and papers to make those and then go from there. I am somewhat happy with the cards that I made today, I still have a few bits of tinkering and sprucing up to do but I will leave that for tomorrow or the next day. Depending on how comfortable I feel, I may take some photos of my work. Hopefully over a period of time I'll be able to see some improvement.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Hello 2009
I guess I can't complain too much really about 2008. 2008 was brought in with family and friends (and a lot of food) although not exactly how I expected it and saw 2008 out with family and friends (and didn't eat as much as I did the last NYE).
The last year has seen a lot of ups and downs (more than your average rollercoaster ride) and I am thankful that it is over with. Far too much money was spent on travelling. Between going back and forth to see my father since his release from the hospital after his stroke and accompanying him to FL for his checkups and a couple of side trips here and there (Amsterdam, I'm coming back to see you). But in retrospect I wouldn't have changed a dime of it. It just means that I'm broke and have to go back to work, not to mention that I am sure my brain has shriveled up with not having been working. I am hoping that will change soon enough.
I made some new friends last year, got reaquainted with some old ones and managed to see others I hadn't seen in what feels like forever. That isn't to say that I haven't lost touch with some, whether that is good or bad is still yet to be determined, but some of those have been quite painful for one reason or another. Deep down I'm not ready analyse why that is.
One thing I will equate with 2008 is loss. I don't know if it is because I've been paying more attention or whether it was just that profound because they were so close together but more than any other year it's been a rather painful year for me with friends dying.
So while I'm clearing out the remnants of 2008, I am hoping that 2009 will be better.
Books I read in 2008 (100):
More than a mistress - Mary Balogh
The Broker - John Grisham
Infidel - Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Second Chance - Danielle Steel
No Humans Involved - Kelley Armstrong
Haunted - Kelley Armstrong
Charmed and Dangerous - Candace Havens
A Man to call my own - Johanna Lindsey
Marriage most Scandalous - Johanna Lindsey
Christmas Wishes - Debbie Macomber
Dead Girls are Easy - Terri Garey
Every Which way but dead - Kim Harrison
72 Hour Hold - Bebe Moore Campbell
A Darker Shade of Crimson - Pamela Thomas-Graham
Lilith's Dream - Whitley Strieber
Bitten - Kelley Armstrong
Target Underwear and a Vera Wang Gown - Adena Halpern
The Golden Compass - Philip Pullman
The Ravenscar Dynasty - Barbara Taylor Bradford
Catering to Nobody - Diane Mott Davidson
Dime Store Magic - Kelley Armstrong
Consent to Kill - Vince Flynn
You've been warned - James Patterson
Industrial Magic - Kelley Armstrong
Never Seduce a Scoundrel - Sabrina Jeffries
A Year of Pleasures - Elizabeth Berg
A Fistful of Charms - Kim Harrison
The Interruption of Everything - Terry McMillan
Dead until Dark - Charlaine Harris
Carpe Demon - Julie Kenner
The Dark River - John Twelve Hawks
The Devil who tamed her - Johanna Lindsey
The Fifth Vial - Michael Palmer
Broken - Kelley Armstrong
Living Dead in Dallas - Charlaine Harris
I Heard that song before - Mary Higgins Clark
The Hindi-Bindi Club - Monica Pradham
Pandora's Daughter - Iris Johansen
Do you promise not to tell - Carol Higgins Clark
The Oath - John Lescroart
The Wedding Night of an English Rogue - Jillian Hunter
Trace - Patricia Cornwell
Origin - Diana Abu-Jaber
Venus - Jane Feather
Bungalow 2 - Danielle Steel
Shadow Prey - John Sandford
Chosen Prey - John Sandford
The Hanged Man's song - John Sandford
The Appeal - John Grisham
Sizzle and Burn - Jayne Ann Krentz
Strangers in Death - JD Robb
Personal Demon - Kelley Armstrong
The Outlaw Demon Wails - Kim Harrison
Second Sight - Amanda Quick
The Accidental Pope - Raymond Flynn
White Lies - Jayne Ann Krentz
Unnatural Exposure - Patricia Cornwell
The Last Precinct - Patricia Cornwell
Yours Until Dawn - Teresa Medeiros
Quicksand - Iris Johansen
Blood Noir - Laurell K Hamilton
A Lick of Frost - Laurell K Hamilton
Blow Fly - Patricia Cornwell
Veil of Roses - Laura Fitzgerald
The Accidental Vampire - Lynsay Sands
Vampires are Forever - Lynsay Sands
Nobody's Baby - Jane Toombs
Millionaire and the Mom - Patricia Kay
The Kiss - Elda Minger
Hot Stuff - Janet Evanovich
Mine Till Midnight - Lisa Kleypas
Firestorm - Iris Johansen
Too Many Brothers - Roz Denny Fox
Lord of Sin - Madeline Hunter
Bloodlines - Dinah McCall
Behind Closed Doors - Shannon McKenna
Edge of Midnight - Shannon McKenna
Who Wants to be a Sex Goddess - Gemma Bruce
Who Loves Ya, Baby? - Gemma Bruce
Twilight - Stephenie Meyer
New Moon - Stephenie Meyer
Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer
Engaging Men - Lynda Curnyn
All I want for Christmas is a Vampire - Kerrelyn Sparks
Lost Lady - Jude Devereaux
Night's Master - Amanda Ashley
Unleash the Night - Sherrilyn Kenyon
The Dream-Hunter - Sherrilyn Kenyon
A Bite to Remember - Lynsay Sands
Vampire, Interrupted - Lynsay Sands
The Alexandria Link - Steve Berry
Standing in Shadows - Shannon McKenna
One Silent Night - Sherrilyn Kenyon
Acheron - Sherrilyn Kenyon
Devil May Cry - Sherrilyn Kenyon
Blood Brothers - Nora Roberts
Hotter Than Hell - Kim Harrison
Once Bitten, Twice Shy - Jennifer Rardin
The Hollow - Nora Roberts
The Becoming - Jeanne C. Stein
The last year has seen a lot of ups and downs (more than your average rollercoaster ride) and I am thankful that it is over with. Far too much money was spent on travelling. Between going back and forth to see my father since his release from the hospital after his stroke and accompanying him to FL for his checkups and a couple of side trips here and there (Amsterdam, I'm coming back to see you). But in retrospect I wouldn't have changed a dime of it. It just means that I'm broke and have to go back to work, not to mention that I am sure my brain has shriveled up with not having been working. I am hoping that will change soon enough.
I made some new friends last year, got reaquainted with some old ones and managed to see others I hadn't seen in what feels like forever. That isn't to say that I haven't lost touch with some, whether that is good or bad is still yet to be determined, but some of those have been quite painful for one reason or another. Deep down I'm not ready analyse why that is.
One thing I will equate with 2008 is loss. I don't know if it is because I've been paying more attention or whether it was just that profound because they were so close together but more than any other year it's been a rather painful year for me with friends dying.
So while I'm clearing out the remnants of 2008, I am hoping that 2009 will be better.
Books I read in 2008 (100):
More than a mistress - Mary Balogh
The Broker - John Grisham
Infidel - Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Second Chance - Danielle Steel
No Humans Involved - Kelley Armstrong
Haunted - Kelley Armstrong
Charmed and Dangerous - Candace Havens
A Man to call my own - Johanna Lindsey
Marriage most Scandalous - Johanna Lindsey
Christmas Wishes - Debbie Macomber
Dead Girls are Easy - Terri Garey
Every Which way but dead - Kim Harrison
72 Hour Hold - Bebe Moore Campbell
A Darker Shade of Crimson - Pamela Thomas-Graham
Lilith's Dream - Whitley Strieber
Bitten - Kelley Armstrong
Target Underwear and a Vera Wang Gown - Adena Halpern
The Golden Compass - Philip Pullman
The Ravenscar Dynasty - Barbara Taylor Bradford
Catering to Nobody - Diane Mott Davidson
Dime Store Magic - Kelley Armstrong
Consent to Kill - Vince Flynn
You've been warned - James Patterson
Industrial Magic - Kelley Armstrong
Never Seduce a Scoundrel - Sabrina Jeffries
A Year of Pleasures - Elizabeth Berg
A Fistful of Charms - Kim Harrison
The Interruption of Everything - Terry McMillan
Dead until Dark - Charlaine Harris
Carpe Demon - Julie Kenner
The Dark River - John Twelve Hawks
The Devil who tamed her - Johanna Lindsey
The Fifth Vial - Michael Palmer
Broken - Kelley Armstrong
Living Dead in Dallas - Charlaine Harris
I Heard that song before - Mary Higgins Clark
The Hindi-Bindi Club - Monica Pradham
Pandora's Daughter - Iris Johansen
Do you promise not to tell - Carol Higgins Clark
The Oath - John Lescroart
The Wedding Night of an English Rogue - Jillian Hunter
Trace - Patricia Cornwell
Origin - Diana Abu-Jaber
Venus - Jane Feather
Bungalow 2 - Danielle Steel
Shadow Prey - John Sandford
Chosen Prey - John Sandford
The Hanged Man's song - John Sandford
The Appeal - John Grisham
Sizzle and Burn - Jayne Ann Krentz
Strangers in Death - JD Robb
Personal Demon - Kelley Armstrong
The Outlaw Demon Wails - Kim Harrison
Second Sight - Amanda Quick
The Accidental Pope - Raymond Flynn
White Lies - Jayne Ann Krentz
Unnatural Exposure - Patricia Cornwell
The Last Precinct - Patricia Cornwell
Yours Until Dawn - Teresa Medeiros
Quicksand - Iris Johansen
Blood Noir - Laurell K Hamilton
A Lick of Frost - Laurell K Hamilton
Blow Fly - Patricia Cornwell
Veil of Roses - Laura Fitzgerald
The Accidental Vampire - Lynsay Sands
Vampires are Forever - Lynsay Sands
Nobody's Baby - Jane Toombs
Millionaire and the Mom - Patricia Kay
The Kiss - Elda Minger
Hot Stuff - Janet Evanovich
Mine Till Midnight - Lisa Kleypas
Firestorm - Iris Johansen
Too Many Brothers - Roz Denny Fox
Lord of Sin - Madeline Hunter
Bloodlines - Dinah McCall
Behind Closed Doors - Shannon McKenna
Edge of Midnight - Shannon McKenna
Who Wants to be a Sex Goddess - Gemma Bruce
Who Loves Ya, Baby? - Gemma Bruce
Twilight - Stephenie Meyer
New Moon - Stephenie Meyer
Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer
Engaging Men - Lynda Curnyn
All I want for Christmas is a Vampire - Kerrelyn Sparks
Lost Lady - Jude Devereaux
Night's Master - Amanda Ashley
Unleash the Night - Sherrilyn Kenyon
The Dream-Hunter - Sherrilyn Kenyon
A Bite to Remember - Lynsay Sands
Vampire, Interrupted - Lynsay Sands
The Alexandria Link - Steve Berry
Standing in Shadows - Shannon McKenna
One Silent Night - Sherrilyn Kenyon
Acheron - Sherrilyn Kenyon
Devil May Cry - Sherrilyn Kenyon
Blood Brothers - Nora Roberts
Hotter Than Hell - Kim Harrison
Once Bitten, Twice Shy - Jennifer Rardin
The Hollow - Nora Roberts
The Becoming - Jeanne C. Stein
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Review of 2007
Once again I can't believe that we're into another year. More than any other year in the last 5, this last one had some very high highs and some very low lows.
On the low end of the spectrum was my father's stroke near Halloween which caused me to spend over a month in Miami at the Hospital with him. While I am fortunate to have been able to spend the time there with him I would have rather spent quality father-daughter time under different circumstances. Which brings me to the highs...
My highest highs were my parents visiting this summer and our usual travelling. Not to mention when R and I went to Budapest and Athens. I got back in touch with some friends I hadn't heard from in years, some of which are like family so that was fairly exhilirating. Some of the renewal of friendships were due to my father's stroke. There is nothing like hearing from people all over the planet who you've known for most of your life calling you up to see how you're holding up and even coming to visit (was really just luck more so than flying out specifically). I was also able to meet one of the people who I have spent untold hours online chatting to, and that was an unbelievable experience. Sometimes it's heartening to know that you can get along with someone offline as well as online. I guess it just means I'll be talking to them that much more.
While I think I may have missed some, here are the books I read in 2007 (50).
Creation in Death - J.D. Robb
The Royal Mess - MaryJanice Davidson
Dance of the Gods - Nora Roberts
Morrigan's Cross - Nora Roberts
Anansi Boys - Neil Gaiman
The Truth about the Tycoon - Allison Leigh
The Unlikely Father - Cynthia Thomason
The Millionaire's Cinderella Wife - Lilian Darcy
The Borrowed Ring - Gina Wilkins
Season of the Witch - Natasha Mostert
Wildcard - Rachel Lee
H.r.H. - Danielle Steel
The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
At Risk - Stella Rimington
The 6th Target - James Patterson
The Harlequin - Laurell K Hamilton
A Fine Night for Dying - Jack Higgins
Just Rewards - Barbara Taylor Bradford
The Secret Supper - Javier Sierra
Taming the Tiger Within - Thich Nhat Hanh
Exile - Richard North Patterson
Undead and Uneasy - MaryJanice Davidson
Step on a Crack - James Patterson
Single in Suburbia - Wendy Wax
The Year of Yes - Maria Headley
The Bright Side of Disaster - Katherine Center
Burnt Sienna - David Morrell
The River Knows - Amanda Quick
Simply Unforgettable - Mary Balogh
My Three Husbands - Swan Adamson
My Spy - Christina Skye
To Distraction - Stephanie Laurens
Two Little Girls in Blue - Mary Higgins Clark
Without Sin - Charles Smithdeal
False Impression - Jeffrey Archer
Fortune's Fool - Mercedes Lackey
Dead Witch Walking - Kim Harrison
For a Few Demons More - Kim Harrison
The Good, The Bad, and the Undead - Kim Harrison
Sleeping Beauty - Phillip Margolin
The Traitor - Stephen Coonts
Stalemate - Iris Johansen
Mistral's Kiss - Laurell K Hamilton
The Book of Names - Jill Gregory & Karen Tintori
Honeymoon - James Patterson
Shopaholic & Sister - Sophie Kinsella
Dearly Devoted Dexter - Jeff Lindsay
Darkly Dream Dexter - Jeff Lindsay
Love Walked In - Marisa de los Santos
Strange Candy - Laurell K Hamilton
On the low end of the spectrum was my father's stroke near Halloween which caused me to spend over a month in Miami at the Hospital with him. While I am fortunate to have been able to spend the time there with him I would have rather spent quality father-daughter time under different circumstances. Which brings me to the highs...
My highest highs were my parents visiting this summer and our usual travelling. Not to mention when R and I went to Budapest and Athens. I got back in touch with some friends I hadn't heard from in years, some of which are like family so that was fairly exhilirating. Some of the renewal of friendships were due to my father's stroke. There is nothing like hearing from people all over the planet who you've known for most of your life calling you up to see how you're holding up and even coming to visit (was really just luck more so than flying out specifically). I was also able to meet one of the people who I have spent untold hours online chatting to, and that was an unbelievable experience. Sometimes it's heartening to know that you can get along with someone offline as well as online. I guess it just means I'll be talking to them that much more.
While I think I may have missed some, here are the books I read in 2007 (50).
Creation in Death - J.D. Robb
The Royal Mess - MaryJanice Davidson
Dance of the Gods - Nora Roberts
Morrigan's Cross - Nora Roberts
Anansi Boys - Neil Gaiman
The Truth about the Tycoon - Allison Leigh
The Unlikely Father - Cynthia Thomason
The Millionaire's Cinderella Wife - Lilian Darcy
The Borrowed Ring - Gina Wilkins
Season of the Witch - Natasha Mostert
Wildcard - Rachel Lee
H.r.H. - Danielle Steel
The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
At Risk - Stella Rimington
The 6th Target - James Patterson
The Harlequin - Laurell K Hamilton
A Fine Night for Dying - Jack Higgins
Just Rewards - Barbara Taylor Bradford
The Secret Supper - Javier Sierra
Taming the Tiger Within - Thich Nhat Hanh
Exile - Richard North Patterson
Undead and Uneasy - MaryJanice Davidson
Step on a Crack - James Patterson
Single in Suburbia - Wendy Wax
The Year of Yes - Maria Headley
The Bright Side of Disaster - Katherine Center
Burnt Sienna - David Morrell
The River Knows - Amanda Quick
Simply Unforgettable - Mary Balogh
My Three Husbands - Swan Adamson
My Spy - Christina Skye
To Distraction - Stephanie Laurens
Two Little Girls in Blue - Mary Higgins Clark
Without Sin - Charles Smithdeal
False Impression - Jeffrey Archer
Fortune's Fool - Mercedes Lackey
Dead Witch Walking - Kim Harrison
For a Few Demons More - Kim Harrison
The Good, The Bad, and the Undead - Kim Harrison
Sleeping Beauty - Phillip Margolin
The Traitor - Stephen Coonts
Stalemate - Iris Johansen
Mistral's Kiss - Laurell K Hamilton
The Book of Names - Jill Gregory & Karen Tintori
Honeymoon - James Patterson
Shopaholic & Sister - Sophie Kinsella
Dearly Devoted Dexter - Jeff Lindsay
Darkly Dream Dexter - Jeff Lindsay
Love Walked In - Marisa de los Santos
Strange Candy - Laurell K Hamilton
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Photographs
Me hiding from the wind at Brandenburg Gate (Berlin, Germany)
Castel Sant' Angelo (Rome, Italy)
The following photos are taken in the town where I live.
A view of the bridge
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Review of 2006
2006 was mostly a good year for me. I learnt a lot about myself, more than I probably wanted to know, but hey, we're not all perfect.
I've made several new online friends this past year and not all of them were as they seemed. While I don't think they're inherrently dishonest, I think that sometimes we all put our best foot forward and that in itself can be quite deceiving. We all have our good points and our bad points and to almost negate the bad ones, well that's what the issue is.
I think that online I tend to be a little less circumspect with those people I choose to spend my time with. I guess that's because I'm not getting the non-verbal cues that help me decide. Due to that, I can spend a lot of time with someone before finally getting the picture and then sometimes it's hard to just back away without it being too noticeable.
Several months ago (I swear it felt like weeks) my gf T and I were talking about how we judge people. That we judge people by our own standards (yeah, who else are we gonna judge them by) and yet we are disappointed when people don't (or can't) live up to them. That doesn't mean that these people are all bad, just means that we wouldn't make the choices they've made. Whether that's because of our past experiences, moral convictions or what. Sometimes it just makes these people less desirable as friends in our eyes and yet there's something inherently sad about that. We can't always surround ourselves with carbon copies of ourselves, I know that for one, I'd get sick of myself. *grins*
This last year has made me realise a lot of things about people in general. Even as adults we can still behave like high schoolers. That sometimes we don't live by the golden rule, or maybe the golden rule has clauses that only we know about. It's sad that the things that should draw us closer tends to push us far away from one another.
So this year I must say I've been thankful for the friends I started off 2006 with and ended 2006 with. I'm thankful for family that I've gotten to know better in 2006 and still strive to continue to know. I'm thankful for the people who've listened to me bitch and moan and don't think I'm a witch all of the time. For those people who don't let me take myself too seriously and have the courage to tell me that.
While I think I may have missed some, here are the books I read in 2006 (98).
Bride for a Night - Patti Berg
Weekend Warriors - Fern Michaels
Undead and Unemployed - MaryJanice Davidson
Undead and Unappreciated - MaryJanice Davidson
Undead and Unreturnable - MaryJanice Davidson
Undead and Unpopular - MaryJanice Davidson
Chill of Fear - Kay Hooper
Agatha Raisin and the Love from Hell - M.C. Beaton
A Most uncommon degree of popularity - Kathleen Gilles Seidel
Shopaholic ties the knot - Sophie Kinsella
When Bruce met Cyn - Lori Foster
Amber Room - Steve Berry
Jane Austen in Boca - Paula Marantz Cohen
Death of a Nag - M.C. Beaton
Hunting Fear - Kay Hooper
Hot Ice - Cherry Adair
Baby Proof - Emily Giffin
Micah - Laurell K Hamilton
Sleeping with Fear - Kay Hooper
Agatha Raisin and the love from Hell - M.C. Beaton
To Have and to hold - Jane Green
Simply Love - Mary Balough
24-Karat Kids - Judy Goldstein & Sebastian Stuart
Danse Macabre - Laurell K Hamilton
Rosie Dunne - Cecelia Ahern
Some Nerve - Jane Heller
In the Mood - Suzanne MacPherson
My favorite husband - Pam McCutcheon
Double Standards - Judith McNaught
Baby don't go - Susan Andersen
Almost a lady - Jane Feather
Tallchief - Sharon Sala
It's in his kiss - Julia Quinn
Undead and unwed - Mary Janice Davidson
Almost like being in love - Christina Dodd
Are you afraid of the dark? - Sidney Sheldon
Marker - Robin Cook
Blood Memory - Greg Iles
In the Mood - Suzanne Macpherson
A Stroke of Midnight - Laurell K Hamilton (re-read)
Prior Bad Acts - Tami Hoag
State of the Union - Brad Thor
Retribution - Jillian Hoffman
The Fairy Godmother - Mercedes Lackey
Falling Awake - Jayne Ann Krentz
Council - Greg Tobin
One Good Knight - Mercedes Lackey
Conclave - Greg Tobin
Confessions of a Shopaholic - Sophie Kinsella
Match me if you can - Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Rage - Jonathan Kellerman
Vanishing Acts - Jodi Picoult
Good In Bed- Jennifer Weiner
Blowback - Brad Thor
The Rule Of Four - Ian Caldwell, Dustin Thomason
Bookends - Jane Green
The Undomestic Goddess - Sophie Kinsella
Little Earthquakes - Jennifer Weiner
Adored - Tilly Bagshawe
Can You Keep A Secret - Sophie Kinsella
All Night Long - Jayne Ann Krentz
Ice Queen - Alice Hoffman
Breaking Point - Suzanne Brockmann
Capitol Murder - William Bernhardt
5th Horseman- James Patterson
Lie by Moonlight - Amanda Quick
Perfect Nightmare - John Saul
Glory in Death - J.D. Robb (re-read)
Naked in Death - J.D. Robb (re-read)
If you could see me now - Cecelia Ahern
Lovers and Players - Jackie Collins
At First Sight - Nicholas Sparks
Truth or Dare - Jayne Ann Krentz
Love and Other Impossible Pursuits - Ayelet Waldman
Lipstick Jungle - Candace Bushnell
The Surgeon - Tess Gerritsen
The Traveler - John Twelve Hawks
The Sinner - Tess Gerritsen
On The Run - Iris Johansen
The Wizard of London- Mercedes Lackey
Anyone But You - Jennifer Crusie
Metro Girl - Janet Evanovich
The Camel Club - David Baldacci
Heartbreaker - Julie Garwood
4th of July - James Patterson
Slow Burn - Julie Garwood
Vanish - Tess Gerritsen
Death du Jour - Kathy Reichs
White Hot - Sandra Brown
Nighttime is my Time - Mary Higgins Clark
Devil's Corner - Lisa Scottoline
The Price of Silence - Kate Wilhelm
The Fire Rose - Mercedes Lackey
Countdown - Iris Johansen
Kill the Messenger - Tami Hoag
Eldest - Christopher Paolini
Drums of Autumn - Diana Gabaldon
Eragon - Christopher Paolini
I've made several new online friends this past year and not all of them were as they seemed. While I don't think they're inherrently dishonest, I think that sometimes we all put our best foot forward and that in itself can be quite deceiving. We all have our good points and our bad points and to almost negate the bad ones, well that's what the issue is.
I think that online I tend to be a little less circumspect with those people I choose to spend my time with. I guess that's because I'm not getting the non-verbal cues that help me decide. Due to that, I can spend a lot of time with someone before finally getting the picture and then sometimes it's hard to just back away without it being too noticeable.
Several months ago (I swear it felt like weeks) my gf T and I were talking about how we judge people. That we judge people by our own standards (yeah, who else are we gonna judge them by) and yet we are disappointed when people don't (or can't) live up to them. That doesn't mean that these people are all bad, just means that we wouldn't make the choices they've made. Whether that's because of our past experiences, moral convictions or what. Sometimes it just makes these people less desirable as friends in our eyes and yet there's something inherently sad about that. We can't always surround ourselves with carbon copies of ourselves, I know that for one, I'd get sick of myself. *grins*
This last year has made me realise a lot of things about people in general. Even as adults we can still behave like high schoolers. That sometimes we don't live by the golden rule, or maybe the golden rule has clauses that only we know about. It's sad that the things that should draw us closer tends to push us far away from one another.
So this year I must say I've been thankful for the friends I started off 2006 with and ended 2006 with. I'm thankful for family that I've gotten to know better in 2006 and still strive to continue to know. I'm thankful for the people who've listened to me bitch and moan and don't think I'm a witch all of the time. For those people who don't let me take myself too seriously and have the courage to tell me that.
While I think I may have missed some, here are the books I read in 2006 (98).
Bride for a Night - Patti Berg
Weekend Warriors - Fern Michaels
Undead and Unemployed - MaryJanice Davidson
Undead and Unappreciated - MaryJanice Davidson
Undead and Unreturnable - MaryJanice Davidson
Undead and Unpopular - MaryJanice Davidson
Chill of Fear - Kay Hooper
Agatha Raisin and the Love from Hell - M.C. Beaton
A Most uncommon degree of popularity - Kathleen Gilles Seidel
Shopaholic ties the knot - Sophie Kinsella
When Bruce met Cyn - Lori Foster
Amber Room - Steve Berry
Jane Austen in Boca - Paula Marantz Cohen
Death of a Nag - M.C. Beaton
Hunting Fear - Kay Hooper
Hot Ice - Cherry Adair
Baby Proof - Emily Giffin
Micah - Laurell K Hamilton
Sleeping with Fear - Kay Hooper
Agatha Raisin and the love from Hell - M.C. Beaton
To Have and to hold - Jane Green
Simply Love - Mary Balough
24-Karat Kids - Judy Goldstein & Sebastian Stuart
Danse Macabre - Laurell K Hamilton
Rosie Dunne - Cecelia Ahern
Some Nerve - Jane Heller
In the Mood - Suzanne MacPherson
My favorite husband - Pam McCutcheon
Double Standards - Judith McNaught
Baby don't go - Susan Andersen
Almost a lady - Jane Feather
Tallchief - Sharon Sala
It's in his kiss - Julia Quinn
Undead and unwed - Mary Janice Davidson
Almost like being in love - Christina Dodd
Are you afraid of the dark? - Sidney Sheldon
Marker - Robin Cook
Blood Memory - Greg Iles
In the Mood - Suzanne Macpherson
A Stroke of Midnight - Laurell K Hamilton (re-read)
Prior Bad Acts - Tami Hoag
State of the Union - Brad Thor
Retribution - Jillian Hoffman
The Fairy Godmother - Mercedes Lackey
Falling Awake - Jayne Ann Krentz
Council - Greg Tobin
One Good Knight - Mercedes Lackey
Conclave - Greg Tobin
Confessions of a Shopaholic - Sophie Kinsella
Match me if you can - Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Rage - Jonathan Kellerman
Vanishing Acts - Jodi Picoult
Good In Bed- Jennifer Weiner
Blowback - Brad Thor
The Rule Of Four - Ian Caldwell, Dustin Thomason
Bookends - Jane Green
The Undomestic Goddess - Sophie Kinsella
Little Earthquakes - Jennifer Weiner
Adored - Tilly Bagshawe
Can You Keep A Secret - Sophie Kinsella
All Night Long - Jayne Ann Krentz
Ice Queen - Alice Hoffman
Breaking Point - Suzanne Brockmann
Capitol Murder - William Bernhardt
5th Horseman- James Patterson
Lie by Moonlight - Amanda Quick
Perfect Nightmare - John Saul
Glory in Death - J.D. Robb (re-read)
Naked in Death - J.D. Robb (re-read)
If you could see me now - Cecelia Ahern
Lovers and Players - Jackie Collins
At First Sight - Nicholas Sparks
Truth or Dare - Jayne Ann Krentz
Love and Other Impossible Pursuits - Ayelet Waldman
Lipstick Jungle - Candace Bushnell
The Surgeon - Tess Gerritsen
The Traveler - John Twelve Hawks
The Sinner - Tess Gerritsen
On The Run - Iris Johansen
The Wizard of London- Mercedes Lackey
Anyone But You - Jennifer Crusie
Metro Girl - Janet Evanovich
The Camel Club - David Baldacci
Heartbreaker - Julie Garwood
4th of July - James Patterson
Slow Burn - Julie Garwood
Vanish - Tess Gerritsen
Death du Jour - Kathy Reichs
White Hot - Sandra Brown
Nighttime is my Time - Mary Higgins Clark
Devil's Corner - Lisa Scottoline
The Price of Silence - Kate Wilhelm
The Fire Rose - Mercedes Lackey
Countdown - Iris Johansen
Kill the Messenger - Tami Hoag
Eldest - Christopher Paolini
Drums of Autumn - Diana Gabaldon
Eragon - Christopher Paolini
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Happy New Year
I can't believe that it's been 6 months since I last posted. While I know it's been a LONG while, I can't believe it's been almost 6 months. Where has the time flown to?
I'm still here and still somewhat sane, which really is somewhat of an achievement given last year. All I will say is, I know what the "seven year itch" is all about.
I kind of dropped the ball after September 2006 and I guess I never really picked it back up, shame on me.
While I'm still reading, not as voraciously as I normally am, I haven't quite kept up with my listing as I should have. I will try and do better this year.
2/3 of my Christmas cards were sent out and the other 1/3 still haven't gotten cards (not even written or addressed or any of that good jazz). They will be getting regular cards (if I can find them) with pictures of the little one (that's all I'm waiting on really, to do that).
I did buy birthday cards (in October sometime) to send out for this year, but for the life of me I can't find them. I did look some but I need to look some more.
I'm on a hunt for a digital camera. While I'd love to digital slr, somehow I find it's not feasible at this juncture. Thurgil was nice enough to suggest one, only thing that was mentioned as being a cause for concern are the quality of pictures taken in low light. Still looking doing research (more like pulling my hair to see how far/hard I can pull it before it comes out) and welcome any suggestions.
I'm still here and still somewhat sane, which really is somewhat of an achievement given last year. All I will say is, I know what the "seven year itch" is all about.
I kind of dropped the ball after September 2006 and I guess I never really picked it back up, shame on me.
While I'm still reading, not as voraciously as I normally am, I haven't quite kept up with my listing as I should have. I will try and do better this year.
2/3 of my Christmas cards were sent out and the other 1/3 still haven't gotten cards (not even written or addressed or any of that good jazz). They will be getting regular cards (if I can find them) with pictures of the little one (that's all I'm waiting on really, to do that).
I did buy birthday cards (in October sometime) to send out for this year, but for the life of me I can't find them. I did look some but I need to look some more.
I'm on a hunt for a digital camera. While I'd love to digital slr, somehow I find it's not feasible at this juncture. Thurgil was nice enough to suggest one, only thing that was mentioned as being a cause for concern are the quality of pictures taken in low light. Still looking doing research (more like pulling my hair to see how far/hard I can pull it before it comes out) and welcome any suggestions.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Reflection
As I gaze into the pond that is life, all of the beauty and wonders that is nature frame the bewitching eyes below.
The eyes bespell and create a sense of confusion in me. I want to look away, but I dare not. Just who am I looking at, myself or someone else.
The reflection doesn't look like me, but it feels like me, it feels like home.
*written 2006*
Recently I've made some new online friends. Do I feel the need to qualify that they're online as opposed to local, of course not. However I do feel that online friends tend to be in a completely different calibre than the everyday run of the mill people I encounter. Is this good or bad, no, just different.
For me I tend to put up with more garbage from people in my immediate surroundings than I ever would from people online. Is that a bad thing, certainly not. It just means that I tend to be less "true" to me. Of course this mostly has been since I've been married. The marriage has nothing to do with it per se, just that being that my spouse is in the military, you never know who you'll see again and it can be more like being back in high school with the "I can't be friends with you cuz my friend doesn't like you".
Okay where am I going with this. I don't know if it is the age gap or something else, but I find that most of the people in my immediate locality (wherever that may be) and I have very little in common. Apart from the fact that we live in the same area is the only thing that brings us together. Would I choose those same people as friends in another situation, certainly not. This isn't to say that these are bad people, because they're not. The situation being what it is, I deal with the cards that are dealt and make the most of it.
This brings me back to my new online friends. These are people I choose to talk to (although I'm sure at times they'd rather I talk less) and we have "real" conversations about "real" things and not the "what are we drinking tonight and where are we going". While the latter is appropriate on occasion, it gets old after the 10th day in a row.
So thank you to MJ, Fi and BW (order in which I met you) for reviving my belief that even though it's rarely come by (for me at least) there are people out there who you can make a connection with.
The eyes bespell and create a sense of confusion in me. I want to look away, but I dare not. Just who am I looking at, myself or someone else.
The reflection doesn't look like me, but it feels like me, it feels like home.
*written 2006*
Recently I've made some new online friends. Do I feel the need to qualify that they're online as opposed to local, of course not. However I do feel that online friends tend to be in a completely different calibre than the everyday run of the mill people I encounter. Is this good or bad, no, just different.
For me I tend to put up with more garbage from people in my immediate surroundings than I ever would from people online. Is that a bad thing, certainly not. It just means that I tend to be less "true" to me. Of course this mostly has been since I've been married. The marriage has nothing to do with it per se, just that being that my spouse is in the military, you never know who you'll see again and it can be more like being back in high school with the "I can't be friends with you cuz my friend doesn't like you".
Okay where am I going with this. I don't know if it is the age gap or something else, but I find that most of the people in my immediate locality (wherever that may be) and I have very little in common. Apart from the fact that we live in the same area is the only thing that brings us together. Would I choose those same people as friends in another situation, certainly not. This isn't to say that these are bad people, because they're not. The situation being what it is, I deal with the cards that are dealt and make the most of it.
This brings me back to my new online friends. These are people I choose to talk to (although I'm sure at times they'd rather I talk less) and we have "real" conversations about "real" things and not the "what are we drinking tonight and where are we going". While the latter is appropriate on occasion, it gets old after the 10th day in a row.
So thank you to MJ, Fi and BW (order in which I met you) for reviving my belief that even though it's rarely come by (for me at least) there are people out there who you can make a connection with.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Miffed...
Weather is still dreary. Slowly getting better.
AFN isn't going to air any of the worldcup games. Hoping I can get to see at least one game live *shrugs*.
Have 36 disks of 42 left to catalogue. These are Rob's music, so I'm finding a few songs that I'll put in my MP3 player.
New computer and laptop are now on the wireless network. Too bad we can't see each other.
Have spare room/office to organize. Basement looks a lot better than it did 3 weeks ago.
AFN isn't going to air any of the worldcup games. Hoping I can get to see at least one game live *shrugs*.
Have 36 disks of 42 left to catalogue. These are Rob's music, so I'm finding a few songs that I'll put in my MP3 player.
New computer and laptop are now on the wireless network. Too bad we can't see each other.
Have spare room/office to organize. Basement looks a lot better than it did 3 weeks ago.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Time certainly flies
It is hard to believe that it's been over 2 months since I last blogged. Where does the time fly?
In the last couple of months:
The computer that I had to resurrect after hubby deployed finally died.
Had to buy another one, that was some feat considering I'm in Germany and selections are quite limited (esp if you're German is poor).
Mad preparations were done in preparation of hubby and his company returning from deployment. Preparations were done both at home, at the company and a few other places.
Some of the same issues I had with B upon her father's departure resurfaced with about the same time frame as his return. While I did excuse a lot of it (erm, too much probably) when he initially left, there were no excuses to be had upon his return.
Weather had finally started to warm up and the sun was shiny, now it's gotten cold, overcast and dreary again. It's supposed to be a high of 59F and a low of 44F today with marginally warmer temperatures through Tuesday. I don't know what is going on. First it started to warm up, then there were sheets of yellow everywhere (pollen like it was going out of style). Now there's less pollen and more icky weather.
In the last couple of months:
The computer that I had to resurrect after hubby deployed finally died.
Had to buy another one, that was some feat considering I'm in Germany and selections are quite limited (esp if you're German is poor).
Mad preparations were done in preparation of hubby and his company returning from deployment. Preparations were done both at home, at the company and a few other places.
Some of the same issues I had with B upon her father's departure resurfaced with about the same time frame as his return. While I did excuse a lot of it (erm, too much probably) when he initially left, there were no excuses to be had upon his return.
Weather had finally started to warm up and the sun was shiny, now it's gotten cold, overcast and dreary again. It's supposed to be a high of 59F and a low of 44F today with marginally warmer temperatures through Tuesday. I don't know what is going on. First it started to warm up, then there were sheets of yellow everywhere (pollen like it was going out of style). Now there's less pollen and more icky weather.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Thankful...
As you well know, it's been a while since I've been around to update regularly. It's not that I don't have the time but it's the desire that is the problem. I sit back and think to myself about who is (or isn't) going to read this and it being a waste of time and then I realise that I'm doing this for me. The fact that someone reads or even comments is quite incidental and more of a plus than a requirement.
I've been going to the gym with my neighbours for about 3 weeks now. Something always seems to happen that means instead of the 3 times a week workout, it always ends up being twice a week. This week was no different.
After Wednesday's workout we went to the dining facility to eat. I had a $20 bill with me but when I went to pay, I could only find a $1 bill. Thankfully Sara loaned me $2 so I was able to eat lunch with them. The other lady we we work out with found my $20 later on after we got home so on Thursday I went to get change for Sara. While I was doing that Sara got involved in some sort of crisis.
While I won't go into details about this other person's crisis, I just want to say that I'm thankful for being mentally healthy. I cannot even imagine having to take medications to keep me sane and functional. The fact that some of those medications may have side effects that aren't listed that can make life intolerable is something else. While I feel sympathy for this other person, I am thankful that it is one of those things that I don't have to worry about.
This could have all been avoided if said medical professionals had listened when she explained before. Somehow I would hope that if she pressed the issue and refused to accept their answer that it would have happened differently, but I doubt it. I just hope that from now on, that these same people really listen when their patients tell them something.
I've been going to the gym with my neighbours for about 3 weeks now. Something always seems to happen that means instead of the 3 times a week workout, it always ends up being twice a week. This week was no different.
After Wednesday's workout we went to the dining facility to eat. I had a $20 bill with me but when I went to pay, I could only find a $1 bill. Thankfully Sara loaned me $2 so I was able to eat lunch with them. The other lady we we work out with found my $20 later on after we got home so on Thursday I went to get change for Sara. While I was doing that Sara got involved in some sort of crisis.
While I won't go into details about this other person's crisis, I just want to say that I'm thankful for being mentally healthy. I cannot even imagine having to take medications to keep me sane and functional. The fact that some of those medications may have side effects that aren't listed that can make life intolerable is something else. While I feel sympathy for this other person, I am thankful that it is one of those things that I don't have to worry about.
This could have all been avoided if said medical professionals had listened when she explained before. Somehow I would hope that if she pressed the issue and refused to accept their answer that it would have happened differently, but I doubt it. I just hope that from now on, that these same people really listen when their patients tell them something.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Gym Naps
For the last 3 weeks I've been going to the gym 2x a week instead of three and this week is no different.
I figured out that when I get home from the gym and have a nice hot bath, the only thing I want to do after that is sleep. So today I figured I'd try something different. I went and had a decent shower and washed my hair and settled down with my lunch and my book. The next thing I know I'm drifting off to sleep. Go figure.
Had a fairly decent workout today. I did upper body workout, 20 minutes on the treadmill (with about a minute of jogging) and then 20 minutes on the bike along with 2 sets of stretches. I guess the run got my heart rate up good as I was sweating furiously after that.
Doesn't help that today it snowed briefly. It ended up being rather chilly outside today that when we walked into the gym we were cold. That didn't last for long. After that job I was sweating buckets and buckets.
I figured out that when I get home from the gym and have a nice hot bath, the only thing I want to do after that is sleep. So today I figured I'd try something different. I went and had a decent shower and washed my hair and settled down with my lunch and my book. The next thing I know I'm drifting off to sleep. Go figure.
Had a fairly decent workout today. I did upper body workout, 20 minutes on the treadmill (with about a minute of jogging) and then 20 minutes on the bike along with 2 sets of stretches. I guess the run got my heart rate up good as I was sweating furiously after that.
Doesn't help that today it snowed briefly. It ended up being rather chilly outside today that when we walked into the gym we were cold. That didn't last for long. After that job I was sweating buckets and buckets.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Oh happy day
Well today has been a good day.
I went to the library and I got all but 1 book that's on my reading list (I need to get this list smaller).
From there I went by the post office and not only did I get mail, but my cargo pants came in (need to return the other one), a netflix came in and also I got a card from a friend. Yippee!
I went to the library and I got all but 1 book that's on my reading list (I need to get this list smaller).
From there I went by the post office and not only did I get mail, but my cargo pants came in (need to return the other one), a netflix came in and also I got a card from a friend. Yippee!
Friday, March 17, 2006
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Food
No matter what the conversation starts off with, before the end of the conversation is over, the subject of food always comes up.
I love food, I love talking about food, I love trying new food. For me, food is to be enjoyed, savoured, relished, not something to wolf down as you're running from one place to the next.
As I was reading the email from my mother this morning, she mentioned going to Bayside for dinner last night. Normally when she tells me about where she's going for dinner, she has to tell me where it is or what the restaurant used to be called before as things are always changing, restaurants moreso.
I would have to say, my all time favourite type of restaurant is Indian. While I'm of Chinese descent and have been raised eating Chinese food, I don't like most Chinese restaurants. As most people who know me could tell you, I'm a food snob. I find that the more popular chinese restaurants do not serve authentic chinese food. Presumably making slight variations to appeal to the masses is what drives these restaurants. While I can understand that and appreciate that they have families to feed and clothe, I don't have to frequent such establishments.
In 1999 I had to go to Baltimore for a work-related conference and I was lucky enough to have a friend who lived in Baltimore. One of the places he took me to was The Helmand restaurant which serves Afghan food. I can still remember my first taste of the dish I had and how it melted in my mouth and it was the best tasting thing I'd ever had. I still rave about that restaurant and I know if I'm ever in the Baltimore area that's the first place I'd go. It is too bad that the restaurant hasn't figured out a way package their food for shipment as I'd be ordering constantly. Several weeks later I receive a package from Amazon, this same friend had sent me an Afghan cookbook.
Last year during Lent, one of my friends took me to an Ethiopian restaurant in Tuscon. She had been there before and had raved about the food. Since I'm up for trying different cuisines off we went. While being somewhat sparsely decorated, Zemam's more than made up for in food. It was quite a bit different eating with only ones fingers but believe me, I soon relished not being hindered by utensils. After I got home that evening I went looking up recipes. Unfortunately I haven't been brave enough to try them yet.
So this brings me full circle to this restaurant. In my email to my mother today I told her that everytime I'd been to that location, there was always a different restaurant there and I can't figure out why (apart from some traffic issues) it doesn't do better. Maybe they should have a different kind of restaurant there. Their menu should have a few regular items but a change of cuisine maybe once a month. Maybe have a guest chef in for a week or two to cook different types of food. I can't speak for all chefs but I would think that maybe a good way to see the world. The cuisines I can see right now would be something like Indian, Ethiopian, Moroccan, Afghan, Korean, Middle Eastern etc.
I know that as long as it wasn't terribly expensive, I'd go to that restaurant. Sometimes there's a comfort in knowing ahead of time what you'll order, but other times it's nice to have a different change of pace.
I love food, I love talking about food, I love trying new food. For me, food is to be enjoyed, savoured, relished, not something to wolf down as you're running from one place to the next.
As I was reading the email from my mother this morning, she mentioned going to Bayside for dinner last night. Normally when she tells me about where she's going for dinner, she has to tell me where it is or what the restaurant used to be called before as things are always changing, restaurants moreso.
I would have to say, my all time favourite type of restaurant is Indian. While I'm of Chinese descent and have been raised eating Chinese food, I don't like most Chinese restaurants. As most people who know me could tell you, I'm a food snob. I find that the more popular chinese restaurants do not serve authentic chinese food. Presumably making slight variations to appeal to the masses is what drives these restaurants. While I can understand that and appreciate that they have families to feed and clothe, I don't have to frequent such establishments.
In 1999 I had to go to Baltimore for a work-related conference and I was lucky enough to have a friend who lived in Baltimore. One of the places he took me to was The Helmand restaurant which serves Afghan food. I can still remember my first taste of the dish I had and how it melted in my mouth and it was the best tasting thing I'd ever had. I still rave about that restaurant and I know if I'm ever in the Baltimore area that's the first place I'd go. It is too bad that the restaurant hasn't figured out a way package their food for shipment as I'd be ordering constantly. Several weeks later I receive a package from Amazon, this same friend had sent me an Afghan cookbook.
Last year during Lent, one of my friends took me to an Ethiopian restaurant in Tuscon. She had been there before and had raved about the food. Since I'm up for trying different cuisines off we went. While being somewhat sparsely decorated, Zemam's more than made up for in food. It was quite a bit different eating with only ones fingers but believe me, I soon relished not being hindered by utensils. After I got home that evening I went looking up recipes. Unfortunately I haven't been brave enough to try them yet.
So this brings me full circle to this restaurant. In my email to my mother today I told her that everytime I'd been to that location, there was always a different restaurant there and I can't figure out why (apart from some traffic issues) it doesn't do better. Maybe they should have a different kind of restaurant there. Their menu should have a few regular items but a change of cuisine maybe once a month. Maybe have a guest chef in for a week or two to cook different types of food. I can't speak for all chefs but I would think that maybe a good way to see the world. The cuisines I can see right now would be something like Indian, Ethiopian, Moroccan, Afghan, Korean, Middle Eastern etc.
I know that as long as it wasn't terribly expensive, I'd go to that restaurant. Sometimes there's a comfort in knowing ahead of time what you'll order, but other times it's nice to have a different change of pace.
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