I think being casually apathetic started in high school. Not really caring about others -- in a school context, in particular. I don't recall caring about bettering myself either. I think anti-depression drugs had a lot to do with that, looking back. Let's be honest: Zoloft, Effexor, etc have one goal: to even out the serotonin in your brain enough so you can function. They can and will make you numb as well. Just a disclaimer. Part of the process.
I probably could've been a better wife the first time around, as a result. I will continue dealing with that. I'm sorry that I wasn't mature enough to deal with what was brought to the table: from either end.
My point: you understand what has happened in life and you move forward. You learn what your body chemistry is so you can tell your kids what they might have to deal with. You figure out if you will be a good mom based on your experiences.
I started caring again because of love, "real love" and coming to the adult part of your journey in life. I'm just glad it was when I was 26 or so, not later on.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Dear Test Kitchen
I need to tell you why I am irked at you. Why we are upset at your condescension, your smugness at somehow...but not really...having the "corner market" regarding the good food of Kansas City.
We signed up, one of us new to Kansas and the Midwest, thinking a Test Kitchen would be exclusive, but not pretentious. We believed we'd be able to meet people who cared about cuisine. We instead learned that the Test Kitchen is available to whoever signs up; that the current email list is over 400 people. If you have Internet access, readily available cash, and believe that the Food Network is special, you too could be a part of a status symbol.
There is nothing Underground about this Supper Club. The Tastebud magazine let us know that.
We believed, somehow, that those in the trenches were involved, not those who seek to make a buck being trendy and available and...here it is again: exclusive.
At the outset, we knew the "selected" for each (on average) monthly event is 20 people. We did not know our chances would be less than 5%. This would've been good to know. A disclosure at the outset, shall we say.
When rejected, we did not wish to get the following rhyme:
"Although today was not your day,
and we had to give your seat away,
rest assured in just 30 days,
you'll have a new chance to come and play."
Right. Another .5% chance. For a menu that may or may not be disclosed. To those who may or may not give a damn.
The sad thing is, I will probably put my name in the lottery again. I'm curious about others who take the time and pay the money to spend time with a chef who produces great food. It is sad that such an event must be a gamble.
We signed up, one of us new to Kansas and the Midwest, thinking a Test Kitchen would be exclusive, but not pretentious. We believed we'd be able to meet people who cared about cuisine. We instead learned that the Test Kitchen is available to whoever signs up; that the current email list is over 400 people. If you have Internet access, readily available cash, and believe that the Food Network is special, you too could be a part of a status symbol.
There is nothing Underground about this Supper Club. The Tastebud magazine let us know that.
We believed, somehow, that those in the trenches were involved, not those who seek to make a buck being trendy and available and...here it is again: exclusive.
At the outset, we knew the "selected" for each (on average) monthly event is 20 people. We did not know our chances would be less than 5%. This would've been good to know. A disclosure at the outset, shall we say.
When rejected, we did not wish to get the following rhyme:
"Although today was not your day,
and we had to give your seat away,
rest assured in just 30 days,
you'll have a new chance to come and play."
Right. Another .5% chance. For a menu that may or may not be disclosed. To those who may or may not give a damn.
The sad thing is, I will probably put my name in the lottery again. I'm curious about others who take the time and pay the money to spend time with a chef who produces great food. It is sad that such an event must be a gamble.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Things My Parents Told Me About Food that Weren't True
Went to the Farmer's Market in Lawrence today and got to thinking about what my parents (actually my Mom now that i think about it) told me about food that was not true.
1. Red and yellow and orange peppers taste like green.
2. Spam is delicious.
>>Dad made me a Spam sandwich and one bite told me this was not true
3. English muffins travel well in lunch boxes.
>>I recently found out that English muffins are part of a category called "hide bread." Items in this group do not taste cooked unless they are toasted. I thought it was just me being picky, but it turns out that a lot of people don't like it either.
4. Allspice is a blend of cinnamon, allspice and clove.
>>it is actually a berry that is its own spice. You can make an approximation of allspice using these ingredients but its not the same thing.
5. You can freeze everything and it will be ok to eat once it is reheated.
>>I will let you use your imagination here. =)
1. Red and yellow and orange peppers taste like green.
2. Spam is delicious.
>>Dad made me a Spam sandwich and one bite told me this was not true
3. English muffins travel well in lunch boxes.
>>I recently found out that English muffins are part of a category called "hide bread." Items in this group do not taste cooked unless they are toasted. I thought it was just me being picky, but it turns out that a lot of people don't like it either.
4. Allspice is a blend of cinnamon, allspice and clove.
>>it is actually a berry that is its own spice. You can make an approximation of allspice using these ingredients but its not the same thing.
5. You can freeze everything and it will be ok to eat once it is reheated.
>>I will let you use your imagination here. =)
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Happy Anniversary to my Finnish friend!
So Rhia is celebrating her first anniversary of blogging over at http://www.evildressmaker.blogspot.com
Check her out! She translates to English. =)
Check her out! She translates to English. =)
Monday, June 29, 2009
Facebook Groups
I started a Group called Menudo is Delicious and I Love It. I am currently the only member, but I hope that more people will join. The problem is that many people don't think it is delicious. My family has tried it and they don't like it much. But I urge you to give it a try, especially if you are a fan of:
a)tripe
b)spicy foods
c) strong flavors (oregano, cumin, chili powder) in soup
I did find a place in Kansas City that has supposedly good menudo. I will have to go there soon.
Even my husband doesn't like menudo. He and I are going to start a Group called: "Our
Birthday is on a Holiday and That Makes Us Better Than You."
a)tripe
b)spicy foods
c) strong flavors (oregano, cumin, chili powder) in soup
I did find a place in Kansas City that has supposedly good menudo. I will have to go there soon.
Even my husband doesn't like menudo. He and I are going to start a Group called: "Our
Birthday is on a Holiday and That Makes Us Better Than You."
Monday, June 22, 2009
when I was little
This is a quiz translated from Finnish so some of the questions are kind of funny.
1. Where and when you were born?
At the (still) only hospital in Lawrence, KS
2. Do you have siblings?
My brother was born when I was 2 and a half and my sister when I was 4 and a half.
3. Were you in daycare?
Not in the traditional sense. Mom worked half days until we were school-age or so and we had babysitters frequently.
4. Did you have any pets?
no. I got my first guinea pig when I was in second grade.
5. Do you remember the time when kids didn't have any safety seats?
yeah, we fought over sitting shotgun all the time. there were no shoulder belts in the backseat, either
6. Did you have any favorite toy?
I had a lot of stuffed animals and a flying unicorn that I was convinced watched over me, i was fine with nothing else but my blankie and a few good books though
7. Do you remember what you were going to be when you grow up?
I wanted to be a cookbook writer or a language teacher or a lawyer
8. Were you invisible child or naughty and noisy?
I was pretty bad. Not compared to other kids but I had this ability to drive my parents crazy!
9. Were you wandering around other peoples yards to play with other kids, key hanging on your neck?
There were a lot of kids around so we always had someone to play with, especially when I was oh, 8 and younger
10. Did you sleep lights on?
No, but I couldn't sleep with the door shut
11. Your favourite kids program?
We watched Sesame Street, the Smurfs, Rainbow Brite, GI Joe, Punky Brewster (the cartoon version)
12. Do you remember your first day at school?
Very hazy but yeah...there was a lot going on and too much commotion...I remember just wanting things to start so I could go home again
13. Did you collect anything?
I had a rock and shell collection and a lot of colored pencils and things like that
14. Your favourite subjects?
I liked to read. i didn't really want to do anything else most of the time.
15. Were you bully at school or the one to be bullied?
I looked kind of funny so I was bullied or kind of a loner
16. Your hobbies?
reading, playing outside, watching TV, singing loudly, cooking whenever I was allowed
17. Your friends?
matt miller, melissa tacke, misty sterrett...there were others
18. Your favourite memory of lower classes event?
Anything quiet where I wouldn't be singled out or asked to do things in front of other people
19. What was your first teacher like?
mean and hateful =) They weren't always, I guess, but I do remember thinking wow, your job really sucks.
20. Did your parents have tough rules?
not really. manners at the dinner table were always really enforced. We always had to be happy or at least make conversation and if not, we had to go to the bathroom and "come out when we could be pleasant."
21. How did your family spend holidays?
We traveled around quite a bit. We went to Texas, Chicago, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and of course to family events nearby
22. Your favourite food as a kid?
I really liked almost everything. Sugary stuff tasted so much better back then.
23. Did people smoke inside back then?
I still remember hostesses at restaurants saying, "smoking or non-smoking section?"
24. What were you afraid of?
dark, fire, stepping on worms
25. Do you have your own kids now?
No, but when I do, I hope they read this
1. Where and when you were born?
At the (still) only hospital in Lawrence, KS
2. Do you have siblings?
My brother was born when I was 2 and a half and my sister when I was 4 and a half.
3. Were you in daycare?
Not in the traditional sense. Mom worked half days until we were school-age or so and we had babysitters frequently.
4. Did you have any pets?
no. I got my first guinea pig when I was in second grade.
5. Do you remember the time when kids didn't have any safety seats?
yeah, we fought over sitting shotgun all the time. there were no shoulder belts in the backseat, either
6. Did you have any favorite toy?
I had a lot of stuffed animals and a flying unicorn that I was convinced watched over me, i was fine with nothing else but my blankie and a few good books though
7. Do you remember what you were going to be when you grow up?
I wanted to be a cookbook writer or a language teacher or a lawyer
8. Were you invisible child or naughty and noisy?
I was pretty bad. Not compared to other kids but I had this ability to drive my parents crazy!
9. Were you wandering around other peoples yards to play with other kids, key hanging on your neck?
There were a lot of kids around so we always had someone to play with, especially when I was oh, 8 and younger
10. Did you sleep lights on?
No, but I couldn't sleep with the door shut
11. Your favourite kids program?
We watched Sesame Street, the Smurfs, Rainbow Brite, GI Joe, Punky Brewster (the cartoon version)
12. Do you remember your first day at school?
Very hazy but yeah...there was a lot going on and too much commotion...I remember just wanting things to start so I could go home again
13. Did you collect anything?
I had a rock and shell collection and a lot of colored pencils and things like that
14. Your favourite subjects?
I liked to read. i didn't really want to do anything else most of the time.
15. Were you bully at school or the one to be bullied?
I looked kind of funny so I was bullied or kind of a loner
16. Your hobbies?
reading, playing outside, watching TV, singing loudly, cooking whenever I was allowed
17. Your friends?
matt miller, melissa tacke, misty sterrett...there were others
18. Your favourite memory of lower classes event?
Anything quiet where I wouldn't be singled out or asked to do things in front of other people
19. What was your first teacher like?
mean and hateful =) They weren't always, I guess, but I do remember thinking wow, your job really sucks.
20. Did your parents have tough rules?
not really. manners at the dinner table were always really enforced. We always had to be happy or at least make conversation and if not, we had to go to the bathroom and "come out when we could be pleasant."
21. How did your family spend holidays?
We traveled around quite a bit. We went to Texas, Chicago, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and of course to family events nearby
22. Your favourite food as a kid?
I really liked almost everything. Sugary stuff tasted so much better back then.
23. Did people smoke inside back then?
I still remember hostesses at restaurants saying, "smoking or non-smoking section?"
24. What were you afraid of?
dark, fire, stepping on worms
25. Do you have your own kids now?
No, but when I do, I hope they read this
Sunday, June 21, 2009
In Kansas Now!
In the last month, I've quit my job in Wheat Ridge, E has graduated, we got married the same day and moved to Kansas 5 days later. I started my new job on June 1 and E started his new job on Friday.
I'd say the most fun thing we've done since we've been here was yesterday when we went to the Farmer's Market in Lawrence. Its huge! We got duck eggs, goat and lamb chops, radish pods (had never seen those before), green garlic, local raw goat cheese, baby crookneck squash...a lot of great stuff. We made lunch for Dad after. I think he liked most of it.
Today we are going to a Royals game. It has been so hot and humid out, but it'll be fun. Aud is moving to Columbia soon to start med school at Mizzou so its good time together. My birthday is in 2 weeks and I have it all planned out!!
I'd say the most fun thing we've done since we've been here was yesterday when we went to the Farmer's Market in Lawrence. Its huge! We got duck eggs, goat and lamb chops, radish pods (had never seen those before), green garlic, local raw goat cheese, baby crookneck squash...a lot of great stuff. We made lunch for Dad after. I think he liked most of it.
Today we are going to a Royals game. It has been so hot and humid out, but it'll be fun. Aud is moving to Columbia soon to start med school at Mizzou so its good time together. My birthday is in 2 weeks and I have it all planned out!!
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