Having yet the ability to call myself a survivor of a Mid-Western winter, I continuously taunt and torture myself, checking Austin's weather & reading the Austin Sub-Reddit. I'm a masochist.
Also, the Mid-Western winter is a cruel beast. We've finally crawled out of the wasteland that is 30 and below temperatures. Who knew people could survive -11 degree weather. Seriously though, I'm not made to live in these conditions. This really wasn't detailed out in the relocation package. So we're idling in the 50s right now; however people don't seem anymore hopeful and light-hearted. Probably because the sun hasn't returned from its ever-too-long hiatus. Winter's wear is starting to show. We've fought the good fight, and we're tired. The temperature's become more bearable, but our spirits have already been muted. It's a dreary picture; this one I paint. Now we wait. Toleration holds us steady. Hope keeps us waiting. When will this ever end!?
In actuality, I write not to gripe; the carefully veiled purpose of this post resides in this link.
3.11.2010
3.02.2010
iMeme Back Story
The quiz below was created for a "weekly work quiz." It was not met with the grand enthusiasm I was expecting. For me, these memes hold cherished memories of laughter. I thought I'd share and challenge any and all who dare.
So far, the high score goes to Clay Rogers (Co-worker) with 85%.
So far, the high score goes to Clay Rogers (Co-worker) with 85%.
2.17.2010
A Tribute to Taste Buds
I didn't know Roger Ebert started battling cancer in 2002 .
His words haven't stopped. His voice continues to reverberate. His readers still look to his words for guidance.
Ebert's jaw is gone and cannot remember what he last tasted, what he last spoke. Read the article.
An incredible realization, how much of my day is devoted to the tastes I reminisce of and the tastes I'm looking forward to, I think life would be a little dimmer if flavors and textures eluded my tongue.
My foray into the culinary world has been more than limited up until these past few months. Expeditions that start in the markets and grocery stores do end up more than often successful in the confines of my spartan kitchen, but the excitement of future adventures has not yet waned. The next mission may have to be Korean jigae (soup). Having moved to Kansas City, MO from Austin, TX, I do miss the variety and diversity of dining options. Perhaps this is what's spurring my newfound culinary independence. Regardless, I must find a source for Korean supplies. I've found kimchee, but I still need the right chili, tofu and stone bowls. There's nothing quite like the bits of crunchy rice you get from the bottom of a stone bowl. Friend and former co-worker Stephen Liao is wandering into KC for some excitement KC-styled, this probably means lots of BBQ. Perhaps I can convince him to accompany me on this one.
Next, I plan on assisting Ms. Sarah Connole on her quest to master the venerable French macaron. I'll be her forever devoted fan if she pulls this one off. I'm already dreaming of all the flavors and colors these little treasures will (hopefully) embody. MMmmm
His words haven't stopped. His voice continues to reverberate. His readers still look to his words for guidance.
Ebert's jaw is gone and cannot remember what he last tasted, what he last spoke. Read the article.
An incredible realization, how much of my day is devoted to the tastes I reminisce of and the tastes I'm looking forward to, I think life would be a little dimmer if flavors and textures eluded my tongue.
My foray into the culinary world has been more than limited up until these past few months. Expeditions that start in the markets and grocery stores do end up more than often successful in the confines of my spartan kitchen, but the excitement of future adventures has not yet waned. The next mission may have to be Korean jigae (soup). Having moved to Kansas City, MO from Austin, TX, I do miss the variety and diversity of dining options. Perhaps this is what's spurring my newfound culinary independence. Regardless, I must find a source for Korean supplies. I've found kimchee, but I still need the right chili, tofu and stone bowls. There's nothing quite like the bits of crunchy rice you get from the bottom of a stone bowl. Friend and former co-worker Stephen Liao is wandering into KC for some excitement KC-styled, this probably means lots of BBQ. Perhaps I can convince him to accompany me on this one.
Next, I plan on assisting Ms. Sarah Connole on her quest to master the venerable French macaron. I'll be her forever devoted fan if she pulls this one off. I'm already dreaming of all the flavors and colors these little treasures will (hopefully) embody. MMmmm
1.31.2010
Crazy Thought needs attention.
What if there was a show called: America's Next Top Ninja?
I'd watch that.
I'd watch that.
O Democracy.
Capitol Hill is at odds, and it has been for some time. Our Legislature represents us, the people, but yet has no idea who we are. Politicians are more or less born and bred nowadays; they aren't the average American, you and me. Is that where the problem lies? Has Capitol Hill become so out of touch with the mission intended for them by our founding fathers? They've become so entrenched in the anxieties and demons of popularity, of re-elections, of appearances and legacy and party affiliations.
Finger pointing is easy. Politicians aren't elected to make changes; they're elected to bring our voices to the public forum, to make the changes WE vote for. So the question now is: how have we let Congress float away from us? They fret over their seats, their positions and their re-elections, because their constituents decide if they get to stay. They get on their soap boxes and rally with their catch phrases and shiny resumes, so that we may ensure their status quo.
Our power, the power of the people, are our voices, our opinions. This then translates to our votes: to not vote is to not care. To not care is to not know. TO not know is ambivalence and laziness. Do I think everyone should vote? No. An ill-informed, manipulated vote is a vote sways the people's cause, but there's no firm, valid metric to gauge who is ill-informed, miss-informed and informed. Democracy's not perfect. Nothing is.
So what of ambivalence? Every person has cares in this world. Should they be truly ambivalent to all things in life, then they've ceased to be a contributing member to society. So what of it? Where did it come from? People rally for their favorite sports teams; they rally when their favorite TV shows get canceled. So what about public policies incite such deference?
We've lost sight of our community. Public policies touch most everyone's lives: for better or for worse. The decisions that seem good and beneficial for all will inevitably hold consequences for some. That's the price we pay for the diversity that defines this country. In turn, we have allowed the plight of this country and its citizens: our friends, families and neighbors become lost in our personal wants and needs. I'm not saying these personal factors need to be shoved aside; most of an individual's opinions and wants are shared by others. Instead, I'm saying that we have lost sight of the bigger picture. Very few understand what that is anymore and what that means. I'm not sure I even know. Bottom line: people aren't willing to make the sacrifice for that bigger picture anymore: there is no single "greater good" for this country anymore.
People identify themselves with their families, their communities and their beliefs; all these things, we can share with others. You find allies in those you share an Alma mater with; you find these people at sporting events, in your office, at your community gym. More or less, the average person finds this unification and this sense of identity with others on a significantly small scale compared to the size of this country. I feel as if the identity and the name of being an "American" has become just that: a name. Don't get me wrong, there's still pride, but more than pride: there is a palpable sense of being disjointed.
Finger pointing is easy. Politicians aren't elected to make changes; they're elected to bring our voices to the public forum, to make the changes WE vote for. So the question now is: how have we let Congress float away from us? They fret over their seats, their positions and their re-elections, because their constituents decide if they get to stay. They get on their soap boxes and rally with their catch phrases and shiny resumes, so that we may ensure their status quo.
Our power, the power of the people, are our voices, our opinions. This then translates to our votes: to not vote is to not care. To not care is to not know. TO not know is ambivalence and laziness. Do I think everyone should vote? No. An ill-informed, manipulated vote is a vote sways the people's cause, but there's no firm, valid metric to gauge who is ill-informed, miss-informed and informed. Democracy's not perfect. Nothing is.
So what of ambivalence? Every person has cares in this world. Should they be truly ambivalent to all things in life, then they've ceased to be a contributing member to society. So what of it? Where did it come from? People rally for their favorite sports teams; they rally when their favorite TV shows get canceled. So what about public policies incite such deference?
We've lost sight of our community. Public policies touch most everyone's lives: for better or for worse. The decisions that seem good and beneficial for all will inevitably hold consequences for some. That's the price we pay for the diversity that defines this country. In turn, we have allowed the plight of this country and its citizens: our friends, families and neighbors become lost in our personal wants and needs. I'm not saying these personal factors need to be shoved aside; most of an individual's opinions and wants are shared by others. Instead, I'm saying that we have lost sight of the bigger picture. Very few understand what that is anymore and what that means. I'm not sure I even know. Bottom line: people aren't willing to make the sacrifice for that bigger picture anymore: there is no single "greater good" for this country anymore.
People identify themselves with their families, their communities and their beliefs; all these things, we can share with others. You find allies in those you share an Alma mater with; you find these people at sporting events, in your office, at your community gym. More or less, the average person finds this unification and this sense of identity with others on a significantly small scale compared to the size of this country. I feel as if the identity and the name of being an "American" has become just that: a name. Don't get me wrong, there's still pride, but more than pride: there is a palpable sense of being disjointed.
1.28.2010
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