After Hours

Skip to 19 minutes in, if you'd like to hear the interview with my friend Ben. Maybe someday Ben's success with his art will inspire me to do art again........

After Hours: Our Favorite Blogs! - Reviews by PC Magazine

Lights Please

i love this.  sometimes i forget the power behind the word "Savior," but it all comes back to me when i hear linus recite Luke 2.  as linus says: "that's what Christmas is all about."

vancouver, washington: not canada

Vancouver, Wash. Is Talking Tough to Itself - NYTimes.com

Free to Be... You and Me

If you knew me in the 90s, you know how much I love this. This link is to the full 45 minute video and it.....is......awesome (note: I haven't watched it, so the quality may be sketchy).
Dailymotion - Free to Be... You and Me (1974) - a Music video

congrats

congrats to my friend ben whose blog (see "false facts" link on the left) has been named one of PC Mag's favorite blogs.

Our Favorite Blogs 2009 - Blogs 21-30 - Reviews by PC Magazine

The Gospel According to Kelly

I love this woman. If you haven't seen her on The City yet (mtv.com), just fast forward the lame stuff and check out her scenes.

So is Kelly Cutrone on a Meth Binge? | ImBringingBloggingBack

i don't even know what i want to do when i grow up...

Recession intensifies GenX discontent at work - Yahoo! News

what rock was i under?

i have been gradually working through the tv series buffy the vampire slayer and just finished the 5th season.  each season, i wonder "why in the world did i not watch this show when it was on the air?"  sure, the series came out around the time i went to grad school, but i'm pretty surprised with myself since this show has such a cult following and i'm totally into shows that have cult followings.  at least i'm watching now, right?  to make up for lost time, i even watched the cheesy movie starring luke perry and kristy swanson.  note to potential fans: the tv show is so much better.  it's like thinking new scooby doo cartoons may be as good as the originals (with the equation: new scooby doo = buffy movie = much less awesome)

acorn squash with wild rice

here's a recipe i'm stealing from joy - she made it a few thanksgivings ago.  i don't even have an official recipe, but i'm making it for dinner this week.

my chart

i find this fascinating.  for more info on this stuff, go to http://www.cafeastrology.com

Movie: The Rape of Europa

I had no idea this was part of the history of European art. I must have missed that section in my Art History class. I recommend this documentary.

The Rape of Europa - About the Film Story

emo

today is halloween at work, and i decided to dress up. for over a decade, i have been channeling my inner angela chase (from the show my so-called life) so what better way to celebrate today than by wearing a red wig and flannel?

i love angela because she is innocent, emotional (feels things deeply), romantic, creative, and has a hard time being anyone other than herself (though she may not really know who "herself" is). i identify with her in so many ways. so today, i don my red wig and look forward to when my friend sam (dressed as rayanne) can get into shenanigans with me and gina (dressed as ricki).

thai tofu veggie wrap

so, i am learning that not all my recipes are healthy. this one is ok. definitely something you'd want to eat as your large meal of the day. i just made it and it was very tasty. i can't believe this is my first foray into cooking tofu!

America's Safest Cities

If only the average January temp wasn't 6 degrees....

America's Safest Cities - Yahoo! Real Estate

other peoples' thoughts.......

......on art.

Penne w/ Asparagus Pesto

I got a food processor for my birthday and haven't used it a lot so I decided to pick a recipe from one of my cookbooks that I'd be able to use my processor to make. I think this turned out quite well. After calculating the nutrition and seeing how much the recipe actually makes, I recommend having this with chicken (or fake chicken, if you are me) and spreading it out into at least 6 servings instead of 4. Also, it's really garlicky, so if you don't like garlic, you probably would benefit from using only 1 clove. Enjoy!

Need a Realtor?

If you or someone you know is looking for a realtor in Portland, Bonnie is your best choice (in my humble opinion). Check out "my fans" and "more testimonials" to see what my friends Brad, Moira, and I, along with some other clients, have to say.

BONNIE ROSEMAN with RE/MAX equity group, inc.:

speed dating

My old office mate and I giggled about this for an entire afternoon.

New Moon trailer

*note: if you haven't read New Moon and plan to read it, I suggest you not watch this clip. It may have spoilers.

everyones-favorite-drink-named-after-a-cause-of-death

As soon as I knew what it meanth, I thought this was an extra weird name for a drink. But this website is just the right level of weird...don't get lost for too long.

everyones-favorite-drink-named-after-a-cause-of-death.jpg (JPEG Image, 502x600 pixels) - Scaled (96%)

12 new recipes

So, it looks like there are 13 weeks left in the year (yikes!). I was looking at my vegetarian cookbooks yesterday and realized I haven't tried any recipes in them for a while. So I am committing to make 1 new recipe each week for the rest of the year from those cookbooks, starting today (though today's recipe comes from the internet, but next week i'll start with the cookbooks). I'll blog them and let you know what I think.

This week's recipe is in honor of fall and the cool weather. I give it 4 out of 5 stars, when eaten in the right context.

Pumpkin Peanut Butter Soup
4 T. unsalted butter
4 c. pumpkin pie filling
2 c. sweet potatoes (pureed)
1 c. peanut butter
6 c. vegetable broth
1 t. salt
1 t. pepper

Melt butter over medium heat. Add pumpkin, potatoes, and peanut butter and mix together. Add broth, salt, and pepper, and stir until smooth. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer 20 minutes. Serves 8 (1 cup servings).

My review:
This is a rich and sweet soup. My stock pot (or whatever it is called) is little, so I could only fit in 4 c. of broth (which is fine, because had I put in 6 c. I'd have been stuck with half a carton of broth - for some reason Fred Meyer only has veggie broth in large quantities, no cans). So, anyway, it may not be as rich and thick if you use the full amount of broth. This soup is pretty sweet and I would recommend it as a side dish or appetizer along with savory foods. It would make a great side for thanksgiving dinner, in place of yams with marshmallows. It's not the healthiest, so if you serve it as a side you also will be sure to eat less.

Enjoy!

How To Care For Introverts

How To Care For Introverts | The Best Article Every day

IBBB is back tomorrow!

Like Jesus Returning to the Earth to See if There Will Be 6 More Weeks of Winter…I’m Back. I’m Offically Bringing Blogging Back. I Finally Understand the Name of My Blog. | ImBringingBloggingBack

h2o

about a month ago, i got a pamphlet in the mail for our local community centers and for some reason, i read it instead of tossing it directly into the recycling. i was looking for art or cooking classes, but instead what jumped out at me was the pool schedule. as i read the water aerobics summaries, i thought back to 2001 when i would get up at 5:45 am in the cold of winter (and by "cold" i mean ARCTIC TUNDRA 30 BELOW ZERO IN SD weather) to go to the Y to swim laps with tammy and lara. oh, did i mention i did this when i was an RD and was usually up until midnight each night, if not later? that said, i didn't dwell on the pain of going...instead, i remembered how much we enjoyed those morning swims. and how much i love swimming in general.

after some inquiries with friends and coworkers to find someone to go with (i won't try something new on my own...that's crazy talk!), i went last week with a coworker. WE LOVE IT. it is so great - very low key, but a great workout - and the ladies who lead it and attend are great. and i'm doing something in the community. and it means i leave work on time!

now excuse my, i must practice my moves before i head to water aerobics tonight. :)

high fidelity

if you know me well, you know that i love the movie high fidelity (mainly for the jack black - john cusack interactions). one of the continual conversations is to name your "top 5 ______". ever since i've seen that movie, i've kept a running tally of top 5 lists, but usually i can't fill the whole top 5. it's a commitment to say things are your "top 5 favorite ever" (which is how i read the "top 5 lists").

that said, i have completed one of my lists! here it is:
------------
TOP 5 ALBUMS OF ALL TIME

Counting Crows: August and Everything After
I met this album in college, thanks to my brother. Mr. Jones is the main hit on this album, and I love it every time, but it's not my favorite song on the album. I prefer the more melancholy anthems Anna Begins and Raining in Baltimore. I also love Sullivan Street and Rain King (the latter becoming much more beloved for me after seeing Adam Duritz play a long version on the piano when I saw them in concert at The Gorge).

Lisa Loeb: Tails
I WANT TO BE LISA LOEB. Seriously. I dressed as her for a Rock Star party once (the one where Scott dressed as Britney, Brad dressed as Madonna, Jillian, Kimmy, and Crystal dressed as Wilson Phillips, and Philip demonstrated his Britney dance skillz). So, Lisa Loeb is, to me, an amazing singer. I fell in love with her when Stay was on the RB soundtrack (see top 5 #3 below). I belt that song out whenever I hear it. But she's no one-hit wonder. Songs I listen to over and over: When All the Stars Were Falling, Sandalwood, and Alone. This album came to me when I was studying art, and I loved that I knew what she meant when she said "...and we think about The Garden of Delights..." Also, did I mention, I WANT TO BE LISA LOEB.

Reality Bites Soundtrack
In 1994, I was itching to experience more of the world than Sioux Falls, South Dakota allowed. I watched The Real World and watched MTV. I loved seeing stories of people with different backgrounds, beliefs, and values than me. I dyed my hair with Rit dye. I got funky Malcom X glasses. I had a kick-ass Green Day t-shirt that I thought was totally rebellious to wear on my conservative Christian campus. I realize now: I was a budding hipster in an age when I didn't even know what a hipster was. When the movie Reality Bites came out, a few friends and I fell in love with the story line and the characters. But my favorite thing in the movie (besides the character Troy Dire and the witty dialogue): Jeanine Garafolo's bedroom decor and wardrobe. The soundtrack, to me, is a musical representation of her fabulous style. And BTW, if I ever find a Charlie's Angels lunchbox, I will carry it like a purse in an attempt to channel Vicky Minor. Favorite songs on the album: My Sharona (especially now that it makes me think of dancing HARD with Danyelle at USF dances) and Tempted (which makes me think of Amy Heck doing "The Sprinkler" dance).

REM: August and Everything After
I don't have words. This is classic music, to me. I love Man on the Moon, the hit, but my favorite song is Night Swimming. There is something about that piano that draws me in every time - maybe it's just my love for ballads, or maybe it reminds me of all the boys I crushed on who played piano. All I know: I love the song enough that it was my ringtone from 2003-2005 until I broke my phone. I also have a new found love for "Find the River". There's something peaceful to me about that song. Sidenote: REM was the band that helped me discover that I giggle whenever songsters drop the F-bomb. Michael Stipe, I *heart* you ALMOST as much as I *heart* Adam Duritz. ALMOST.

dcTalk: Jesus Freak
Ok, you can mock me for including a dcTalk album here, but this album came out when I was in college, a time when I listened primarily to Christian music with the exception of the above albums, Smashing Pumpkins, The Cranberries, and a few others here-and-there. Jesus Freak was cutting edge in the Christian music world...it paved the way for that music genre to be much more hip and less sappy and terrible sounding. It had an edge. They were influenced by Nirvana on this album (just check out Toby Mac's cardigan in the pics). Jesus Freak, of course, was a hit that I loved (college friends will probably remember dancing HARD with me when we could get Jon Michaels the deejay to play it). But my favorite song on this album has always been Colored People, from the first several notes to the very end. This album represents the days I was "livin' in the hood" (to quote my good friend Tammy) yet still loving Jesus. And I still have my Freak shirt that we made for their Jesus Freak tour concert.
------------
So the funny thing about these albums: I came across all of them when I was in college. I'm sure loving these albums has to do with me "becoming myself" in that phase of life. I am sure I love these albums because the songs bring me back to being carefree, playing with great friends, and living life creatively. Whatever the reason, I "love you so bad", Top 5 Albums of All Time! :)

Funniest clip of The Office ever

This is my all-time favorite clip of the office. Watch for the part where I believe Phyllis is laughing but tries to cover it with a cough and for Creed's "afraid for my life" face - which I like to rewind and watch over and over.

The Office - Stress Relief - Video - NBC.com

Raw Mulberry Jam Cookies

if you have a food dehydrator, I highly recommend making these. my friend hillary introduced them to me and I made a batch this week. they are tasty, but not too tasty - just one is exactly enough to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Raw Mulberry Jam Cookies

The world is ending Part #478903

(i just stole the title of this blog from what my friend said to describe the link below.....it was too good to not use as a title :) ).

Dr. Frank's What's-it: just a question to anyone who has read this book is it in old english or mordern understandable english? if so i want it but it sounds like it's just the original version with a different cover

Vancouver apartment fire

There was a huge fire in my old apartment complex that makes me really glad I no longer live there. It was a good place, good management, but some of the tenants were a little questionable. Glad I got out when I did! I'm sad to hear how many people don't have renters insurance...get a policy if you don't have one: it's not very expensive!

Vancouver apartment fire out, aftermath | KATU.com - Portland, Oregon | Local & Regional

Seriously?

If we are seriously talking about the clothing of our president instead of real news? We need to stop acting like our president is George Clooney. Who cares what he wears; what matters is how he leads our country.

The Buzz Log - Obama on Mom Jeans: "They're Comfortable" - Yahoo! Buzz

Buffy vs Edward (Twilight Remixed)

This is funny. I just started watching Buffy for the first time and like it much more than the Twilight books / movies.

Buffy vs Edward (Twilight Remixed)

(team Jacob!)

heal the world

mock me if you want, but these were 2 of my favorite MJ songs of all time. i don't necessarily think they're his best, but i love them.

MJ Memorial: We are the World + Heal the World

and for the record, if i was on the stage, i'd be the white kid with no rhythm and oblivious to my lack of rhythm.

Waffles

YouTube - nkotbdotcom's Channel

Does Birth Order Shape Our Personalities?

If I do a PhD, this is one thing I may want to study. I have been fascinated with the concept of Birth Order impacting our personality for years - ever since I worked with an RA team with 5 first borns.

Does Birth Order Shape Our Personalities? - DivineCaroline

The 3/50 Project

The 3/50 Project ::: Home

Infinite Summer

i'm doing this. because I'm a joiner and my friend jim sent it to me and he likes cool things. this is going to potentially be a colossal challenge for me because i have a hard time finishing books that bore or challenge me. it took me three check-outs from the library to finish three cups of tea and that's a book i gave 5 stars on goodreads. so, you may read some blogs about this book to keep me engaged.

and that said, this may be the best and easiest read yet. maybe even easier than hp: the deathly hallows.

Infinite Summer

in closing, i tried to spell colossal about seventy times and had to look it up on dictionary.com. who invented that spelling? unless it was God or Dr. Seuss, i'm pissed.

auntie ann and uncle brad

brad and i took care of eden while bill & joy went out yesterday. we had a great time taking care of the niece and took a few pics.

Raw Ice Cream

Today one of my friends introduced me to a few "raw" foods, including raw ice cream.

Raw foods are foods that are not cooked or processed - they are all natural.

My friend makes lots of raw foods using just a food processor, food dehydrator, fresh ingredients, and TLC. Today, we made raw ice cream and I wanted to share it with you - it's very tasty. Just freeze any fruit you want to use. I'd recommend bananas if you like them since they are the most creamy fruit we could think of. For non-banana people like me, a suggestion is mango, or cherry, or a combination of them both. Thaw the frozen fruit for about 5-10 minutes and them blend them in your food processor or blender. Add a little bit of water if you need to. It will eventually be the consistency of home-made ice cream. You can serve it with coconut, chopped nuts, and/or a combination of raw chocolate and pure maple syrup (to counter the bitterness of the raw chocolate). Or just eat it plain. It will taste like sorbet. :)

Total Eclipse of the Heart: Literal Video Version

Funny stuff.

YouTube - Total Eclipse of the Heart: Literal Video Version

DeVry Replaces GM on S&P

DeVry Replaces GM on S&P - Yahoo! Finance

Support the locals: Soupcycle

So, a few blogs ago I mentioned supporting local business. I have decided to start doing this more intentionally, little-by-little, even if it involves spending a few extra dollars.

Last week, I decided to sign up for Soup Cycle. I believe this business is connected in some way to one of my coworkers, which is why they make weekly trips to our office to deliver soups. I've decided to join. The basic premise: they make fresh, organic soups from local produce and deliver it to us via bicycle. So not only are we supporting local farmers and this small business, there is little environmental impact from the deliveries since they deliver on bike. I figured the small cost would be worth it since I'll get to eat soups I wouldn't make myself, the food is fresh and healthy, and it saves me a little time.

If you live in Portland, I recommend you sign up!

Soupcycle

Team Jacob!

OK, so I read the Twilight books and didn't love them, but I liked them enough to be into the movies. Here's the trailer for the next movie. I am one of about 6 people in the world who have chosen to be on Team Jacob instead of Team Edward (don't ask...you'll get it if you read the books). The two best parts of this trailer: when Edward throws Jasper across the room to protect Bella and when Jacob turns wolf at the end. This movie may actually be good.

Bite Into the 'New Moon' Trailer

Everytime someone laughs at one of Dane Cook's jokes, a bee dies.

This is my favorite False Fact so far.

False Facts - Everytime someone laughs at one of Dane Cook's jokes, a bee dies.

Recipes for spring / summer

I made this salad for Memorial Day yesterday. It was tasty. I substituted water chestnuts for the bean sprouts and omitted the mushrooms ('cause they're gross).
Eastern Rice Salad

Also, I started drinking green smoothies again tonight. Here are 2 recipes I'd recommend.

1 cup fresh spinach
1 apple, cubed
1 pear, cubed, or 1 cup mango, cubed
8oz water
blend on "liquefy" until liquid

1 cup lettuce (or other green)
1-2 cups watermelon, cubed
1-2 cups strawberries
sugar, if you are on sugar, to add a little sweet (i go without the sugar)
blend on "liquefy" until liquid

Yummmmmmmmmmmmm................

a little more...

...GLEE for you. i am in love with this video (because of the song).
Glee: "Don't Stop"

Also, i just ordered a digital camera from Best Buy (I made a trip to their store and of course they didn't have the one I want in stock, and it was also on sale online, so I have to wait a week...anyone have suggestions for a store I should support instead of Best Buy? They are such bait-and-switchers!) So hopefully this means I'll be posting some pictures on this blog again (and not pictures I have taken with the camera on my laptop :) ).

So glad it's a 3-day weekend...tomorrow will be filled with relaxing and then some time with friends.........

might i recommend...

...GLEE. totally cheesy, but i loved the premiere episode tonight (it helped that they sang one of my favorite songs of all time). here's a trailer; i assume the episode will be posted online and rerun to death over the summer to hook you for when it actually airs in the fall.

Glee Promo

enjoy. :)

My city...I love Portland

A friend forwarded me this NY Times article about Portland. The picture at the beginning is the perfect image to describe this wonderful city.

Frugal Portland - NYTimes.com

locally-owned

before i blog, a quick "shout out" to kirsten and colin, geo metro owners. i think you guys should challenge my dad to a race for pink slips (a la grease) to see who wins. :)

tonight i went to my favorite vegetarian restaurant in town, the bay leaf on division and 50th-ish. i was sad to see that of the 20-ish tables, there were only 3 tables with customers at them......the rest were empty. wha?? the bay leaf food is tasty asian goodness! i am worried that the kind owners will go out of business, so i am going to commit to stopping in for dinner on the way home from work every few weeks to do my part in keeping a local business running. i do the same by purchasing an americano every day at kobos, the coffee shop across the street from my office at work. i'm not perfect (i do still shop at fred meyer and target), but every little bit counts, right?

*sidenote: thanks to kimmy, i tried something new on the menu. in fact 2 new things. both were eggplant dishes and both were ooh la la.

what local businesses do you support in your community? i realize some of my frugal friends don't like to spend money, but i'd encourage you to find ways to give money to your community and your local small business owners when you do spend. sometimes it's actually a good thing to spend money. my dad, and all other small business owners, thank you.

in closing, which of my portland friends wants to join me at the bay leaf, and when should we go?

geo metros...

...should not be allowed on the freeway. they drive slower than my dad's 190? Chalmers, and at least that car looks good.

i realize the metro only made me get home about 90 seconds later than if it hadn't been in front of me, but it's really the principle. i mean, my 1980 chevrolet monza went tons faster than a metro. ok, not tons, but faster. wow, that was a great car...

(the red one looks exactly like mine did):

livin' in the hood

in college, the days when tammy said i was "livin' in the hood" with my green day t-shirts, my malcolm x glasses, and my attempts to dye my hair blue with rit dye, i was so creative and in tune with my emotions. i loved my life and i loved being weird and expressing outwardly what i was feeling on the inside.

cut to me today: corporate job, sitting at a desk all day, staring at outlook and dialing numbers over and over on my cisco phone, coaching as "coach-bot" with some moments of creativity as i create training stuff. this is not where i thought i'd be 10+ years later. with my re-corporatization over the last 3 years (i did a brief stint at "wells fargo e.f.s" right after college), i have become terribly out of tune with my emotions and stress, just working away each day creating those coaching call widgits (that was a reference to dr. staggers' horrid u.s. history class, if you usf-ers can recall).

my creative self has nearly died. and now i am pulling out the creativity defibrillator and restarting it. i've been carrying around the book "the artists way" for several years, after "stealing" it from warren hall when we cleaned out the storage rooms one year. this week i finally started the 12-week process of rediscovering my creative self through daily "morning pages" and weekly "artist dates".

warning: this could lead to more blogging, some painting, pushing the dress code envelope at work, creating music in "garage band" on my computer (thanks, jim, for the introduction), more mismatched sock / shoe combos, new crazy glasses, more random creations from bryan ko's old business cards, more extended ellipses and CAPITAL LETTERS when i blog or post on facebook. WHO KNOWS. the sky is the limit.

more to come..................!!!!

Bumblebee

I'm now on a team at work called Transformers (most of the team works with Game and Simulation Programming students). As part of my hazing, I took a transformers test to see which transformer I am. :)

I AM
67%
BUMBLEBEETake the Transformers Quiz

Bumblebee
As an Autobot spy, Bumblebee is the ultimate robot in disguise. What he lacks in size and strength, he makes up for with courage. He enjoys the company of humans and would do anything for his Earthly friends.

Like Bumblebee, you are good by nature. But beware because mischievous thoughts sometimes tempt you. You show no aptitude to become the commander of the Autobots. In addition, you stick to the basics and don't need all the encumberances of modern technology.

spring

i'm going to try to start posting here again. no promises, but i'll try.

things of spring to note:
*the Regal Beagle is open. i spent a large chunk of time last weekend cleaning off my furniture covers so that i could put them into storage clean (so as not to rot over the winter). i have only had 1 guest so far, but i may cristen it with a mini-party soon.
*i got a new haircut a few weeks ago and have gotten a lot of compliments. it must look good.
*i am trying to read more. including the "finish what you started" new years resolution i set for books a few years ago. i still have a lot of books to finish, but i'm using the library to give myself some variety. i recently finished the 4 books in the twilight series (i give the series a C+ but would recommend you read it if you like sappy crap or just want something juvenile that doesn't use your brain). i also just read 1984 by george orwell - trippy - and three cups of tea - inspiring, and something i'd recommend for all. next up i'm reading sense and sensibility / pride and prejudice / mansford park (all in 1 book i checked out) and the picture of dorian grey. i'm going old-school for the next few weeks.
*as i type this, i'm breaking a self-care rule i set for myself. i'm trying to shut of my tv and computer at 9pm and go to bed between 10 and 10:30. i will follow through in a few short minutes...only 30 minutes late. :)
*i planted new stuff in my big giant pots on my patio and this year, i planted most of the flowers and stuff from seeds. so i head out every day to see the progress. though it's slow, the snow peas are starting to get big, and the mint plant (which i bought already in bloom) is doing well. i put some mint in hot water today for some tasty tea.
*nicole, dayna, and mindy came to town this weekend to celebrate nic's birthday. we had a nice urban family + dayna dinner on friday night and we had a night on the town last night that included mint/820, bowling, and tasty food in ne portland.

ok, that's all the wild and crazy stuff in my world right now.

'Midwest' Discovered Between East And West Coasts

A funny article from The Onion (read: it's meant to be funny) sent to me by a friend.

'Midwest' Discovered Between East And West Coasts | The Onion - America's Finest News Source

'Clue' will be a movie again. Why?!

A link worth posting - apparently they're making another live action movie based on the board game Clue. The 80s version is one of my FAVES EVER, and this link even includes my favorite line from Madeline Kahn "I hated her so much there were flames...on the side of my face..." haha!

'Clue' will be a movie again. Why?! | PopWatch Blog | EW.com