Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Old Ladies: Not as Sweet as You Might Think
I went to the walk-in clinic last Friday. After about a week, my sinuses were finally bothering me enough to go see a doctor.
You know who is at the doctor's office at noon on a Friday?
Old people. Lots of them.
I ended up being there about 3 hours total. I had been in the waiting room over an hour before they even took my information.
At least they had good magazines.
The TV in the waiting room was showing the Olympic Women's Doubles Badminton gold medal game. It was the Chinese vs. the Koreans.
When the Chinese won, the little old lady in the corner blurted out her disapproval.
"Awww shit!"
Maybe she was getting sick of seeing China win all those medals. Maybe she had some money on the Koreans. I don't know. But apparently, she felt strongly enough about the outcome of the match to let the room know of her disapproval.
I went to the walk-in clinic last Friday. After about a week, my sinuses were finally bothering me enough to go see a doctor.
You know who is at the doctor's office at noon on a Friday?
Old people. Lots of them.
I ended up being there about 3 hours total. I had been in the waiting room over an hour before they even took my information.
At least they had good magazines.
The TV in the waiting room was showing the Olympic Women's Doubles Badminton gold medal game. It was the Chinese vs. the Koreans.
When the Chinese won, the little old lady in the corner blurted out her disapproval.
"Awww shit!"
Maybe she was getting sick of seeing China win all those medals. Maybe she had some money on the Koreans. I don't know. But apparently, she felt strongly enough about the outcome of the match to let the room know of her disapproval.
I Don't Think They're Bike Path Regulars...
I got my "Long Run Sunday" in on Sunday morning.
I ran over to the bike path. There was a... um... bigger... family there on bikes.
I was running 10 minute miles... and keeping pace with them.
They were stopping every 1/4 mile to look at birds and stuff (and because the mother was out of breath).
For some reason, this was hilarious to me.
Fat Lady on Bike (pulled over): What kind of bird is that?! You don't get birds like that around here!
Me (without breaking stride): I'm pretty sure that's a Great Blue Heron.
It's there all the time.
I got my "Long Run Sunday" in on Sunday morning.
I ran over to the bike path. There was a... um... bigger... family there on bikes.
I was running 10 minute miles... and keeping pace with them.
They were stopping every 1/4 mile to look at birds and stuff (and because the mother was out of breath).
For some reason, this was hilarious to me.
Fat Lady on Bike (pulled over): What kind of bird is that?! You don't get birds like that around here!
Me (without breaking stride): I'm pretty sure that's a Great Blue Heron.
It's there all the time.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Delayed Gratification
I love summer, but I miss baking during the summer months. I usually can't stand spending too much time in the kitchen with the oven on.
Today was only in the 70s here, so I fired things up. I tried the New York Times "36 hour" cookie recipe. You make the batter, then let it sit in the fridge for 36 hours. It's supposed to let the ingredients get to know each other a little better.
I made the batter Tuesday morning. I also made sure I cleaned out anything in the refrigerator that might affect the cookie dough taste before storage (Old onions? Gone.)
First, I should say that I modified this recipe slightly. I had bread flour, but I had to substitute all-purpose flour for cake flour. I used a whole bag of Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips AND 1/2 a bag of Nestle Toll House Semi Sweet Chocolate Chunk Morsels. I also added pecans.
So what's the verdict? It was a pretty tasty cookie. I liked the sea salt sprinkled on top. The salty taste sets you up for the sweet (Jen described it as having "bite").
I also liked using "golf ball" sized cookie batter chunks. It made for a nice thick cookie.
I've never used this recipe before, so I can't really say if letting it sit made a difference. The batter had a nice strong vanilla smell when I took off the plastic wrap.
Additional research may be needed.
I love summer, but I miss baking during the summer months. I usually can't stand spending too much time in the kitchen with the oven on.
Today was only in the 70s here, so I fired things up. I tried the New York Times "36 hour" cookie recipe. You make the batter, then let it sit in the fridge for 36 hours. It's supposed to let the ingredients get to know each other a little better.
I made the batter Tuesday morning. I also made sure I cleaned out anything in the refrigerator that might affect the cookie dough taste before storage (Old onions? Gone.)
First, I should say that I modified this recipe slightly. I had bread flour, but I had to substitute all-purpose flour for cake flour. I used a whole bag of Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips AND 1/2 a bag of Nestle Toll House Semi Sweet Chocolate Chunk Morsels. I also added pecans.
So what's the verdict? It was a pretty tasty cookie. I liked the sea salt sprinkled on top. The salty taste sets you up for the sweet (Jen described it as having "bite").
I also liked using "golf ball" sized cookie batter chunks. It made for a nice thick cookie.
I've never used this recipe before, so I can't really say if letting it sit made a difference. The batter had a nice strong vanilla smell when I took off the plastic wrap.
Additional research may be needed.
Friday, August 01, 2008
Fatherhood Report 8/1/2008
You probably haven't heard from me as much in the last year. That's because I'm a dad now. (If you think you're still hearing from me too often, well then I don't know what to tell you...)
This is my son. He's got my nose (and he's not giving it back). I understand that there's nothing less interesting than other people's kids, so you're totally excused if you want to bail on this post at this point.
He was born last October. He's a little over nine months old now, so he's been on the outside longer than he was on the inside.
He's a blast. When he's in a good mood, which is most of time, there's nothing more fun than spending time with him. His favorite activities include putting things in his mouth, playing ball, baths, throwing things on the floor, grabbing the dog, small engine repair*, and yelling. And pooping. Always with the pooping.
When he's sad, there's nothing sadder. A teething baby is the saddest thing the world. He's got two teeth in so far, so I'm guessing there's going to be a lot more of that pain to come.
I wouldn't trade fatherhood for anything, but it definitely takes its toll on you. There has been no point in the last nine months that I would consider myself "well rested". The only thing I asked for on Father's Day was a little time to take a nap.
I've learned a lot in the last year or so. Parenthood changes you. It makes you a different person. It some ways, it's much harder than I expected. In other ways, it's really not that bad. You figure out what works and what doesn't. It gets easier as you go.
The other happy discovery this year was the big bump in our tax return. The government totally gets off on you having kids. They give you a ton of money back in the spring. Damned if I know why.
But the biggest thing you realize is how much free time you used to have. If you're a parent, you know what I'm talking about. And you're never getting that free time back.
If you're not a parent, go outside! Right now! It's Friday night! Stop reading this post and go do something fun!
*may not actually be true
This is my son. He's got my nose (and he's not giving it back). I understand that there's nothing less interesting than other people's kids, so you're totally excused if you want to bail on this post at this point.
He was born last October. He's a little over nine months old now, so he's been on the outside longer than he was on the inside.
He's a blast. When he's in a good mood, which is most of time, there's nothing more fun than spending time with him. His favorite activities include putting things in his mouth, playing ball, baths, throwing things on the floor, grabbing the dog, small engine repair*, and yelling. And pooping. Always with the pooping.
When he's sad, there's nothing sadder. A teething baby is the saddest thing the world. He's got two teeth in so far, so I'm guessing there's going to be a lot more of that pain to come.
I wouldn't trade fatherhood for anything, but it definitely takes its toll on you. There has been no point in the last nine months that I would consider myself "well rested". The only thing I asked for on Father's Day was a little time to take a nap.
I've learned a lot in the last year or so. Parenthood changes you. It makes you a different person. It some ways, it's much harder than I expected. In other ways, it's really not that bad. You figure out what works and what doesn't. It gets easier as you go.
The other happy discovery this year was the big bump in our tax return. The government totally gets off on you having kids. They give you a ton of money back in the spring. Damned if I know why.
But the biggest thing you realize is how much free time you used to have. If you're a parent, you know what I'm talking about. And you're never getting that free time back.
If you're not a parent, go outside! Right now! It's Friday night! Stop reading this post and go do something fun!
*may not actually be true
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