Its Friday

So I'm on myspace now, despite the fact that it seems like 85% of the people are younger than me. I tell myself that its ok, age isn't anything but a number (except in the cases of certain boys I've dated) and I'm enjoying surfing and adding "friends."
I'll be back in Lawrence the night of April 12 for some R&R but mostly seeing Jodi and Kristen and Em and Mom and Dad and Peggy and then my sweet Grammy before going to Wichita for Grandpa's 80th birthday. I missed Grandad's due to something I can't remember and won't make that mistake again.
Just finished reading the eulogy Dad gave for Grandad and tears started flowing freely...I have a big regret that I didn't know him better. A part of me was always kind of nervous around him (which doesn't mean much, I am/used to be nervous around a lot of people) but I never knew what to say. He was mostly stoic and serious, until the last few years of his life.
It will be hard going to his house, knowing he won't be there and seeing Grammy in pain.
On a completely opposite note, there's a place to get (fairly) free-range elk and venison in a town nearby Wichita. Yum.
Last night was a really good time of homestyle cooking...class at Kitchen Affairs with my fave chef, Scott...all of his classes in the months to come are already spoken for, in terms of assistants. Grrrrr.
I think I'm catering tomorrow for my secret mentor, Cindy. yayay

Ways I Am Like a Man

But first, today's Word of the Day.
Jingoistic, a noun meaning "extreme nationalism characterized especially by a belligerent foreign policy; chauvinistic patriotism." Basically a country being a collective asshole to other countries.
I think I liked the word better when I didn't know what it meant. Now I'm singing the song about the dog named B-I-N-G-O except, you know.

Ways I am like a Man

1. I pick out my pants for work (from my closet) based on whether they are long enough that I don't have to wear socks. I don't like socks. Fashion just doesn't apply here.

2. Sometimes I find myself thinking think, "I wonder how the Jayhawks pulled out that victory?" when people are talking about their health problems or "getting old."

3. I've never had a manicure or pedicure and really think it is easiest and cleanest to keep nails short.

4. The girls I am friends with are special to me because there is no pettiness, jealousy, or needless conversation about why that outfit makes that girl look like a hooker.

5. I can't physically go shopping for more than 1 hour without it draining my energy.

This thing called MySpace

Is it good? I've never really looked at the site...its blocked here at work. Maybe a worthwhile way to meet people? I need a good picture of myself though.

At this Point

It is now the Friday afternoon before the weekend to be spent in Chicago.
I'm also taking the plunge and seeing if the good ol' local Courier & Press has any worthwhile food-type jobs for someone with no food experience.

Oh, won't you come with me on this journey through Classified land?
Let's see....Trade Show Cooking Host. That could be fun. Ahhh, its basically doing demos at trade shows and dinner parties. Have to purchase a "starter kit."

I saw openings at Cracker Barrel for a server, openings at the Red Geranium for servers/cooks/soux chefs. The latter would be tempting if not for the fact that its a 40 minute drive there and back...I'd rather not get into the commuting mode until September.

the last Olympic blog

...I think. I haven't gotten this into the Olympics since the '88 games in Seoul. I had such a madd crush on Greg Louganis. The shirtless Gillette man and catchy jingle just couldn't grab my 7 year old heart the way Greg could.

Anyhoo, highlights of the past day or so include a streaker at the U.S. curling match and Speedy Peterson, a quintuple-twisting freestyle skier. Can't wait to see the highlights.

So, Here I Am

I am here, at my usual place at 3:12 on a Thursday afternoon. I'm more reticent than bored, content with enjoying the pseudo-solitude than finding an activity to say I'm doing to break up the monotony. I'm looking forward to next Thursday afternoon which will be the day before a road trip to Chicago, for the beer fest (cask ale gathering, if you prefer) and a cozy dinner at Matsuyama with the 2 Skinny J's. Of course, I'm also looking forward to the time after David Pampuch's Fish Dish class tonight, when I can relax and watch the Olympics.

Life is made up of simultaneously enjoying the moment and looking forward to events. Of course, it is much easier to do the latter but I'm working on finding sweetness amid the salty, bitter and simply bland areas.

Olympic Update

Last night on PTI, Wilbon and Kornheiser were discussing whether ice dancing was improved by the fact that five different couples crashed and burned. I was thinking the same thing to myself before, but wasn't sure it would be ok to bring it up. At least to people at work, who most likely have their favorites picked out, lacy outfits and all.

I renounce my enjoyment of Bode Miller's antics. He's just lame now. Seems like all the media hype he disliked (and ironically, fed into) distracted him and made him into a big loser.

I've been interested in the other sports that you normally only see at the Olympics, like the skeleton and luge. I just don't get curling. After reading the Sport Explainers on the Sports Illustrated site, I thought i understand how the game is played. And then I forgot. I don't think I could get into it unless someone close to me was on a team. Or there was betting involved. Or something.

Sometime in my life I want to try the skeleton. Maybe when I'm old because then people would have to be polite regarding my reckless behavior.

Back

Its a little depressing to be back in Indiana now that I've gotten all excited about Colorado. I found out today that I got a scholarship to the school I'd applied to ~ Johnson & Wales in Denver. Its not a huge $ amount but better than "a stick in the eye," as my Dad would say. Here are some pictures that I found on the internet of the school. For some unknown reason, I didn't take any of the campus or Culinary Arts building. I will post about the Culinary Expo though. That was really neat.

This is the building that will be used for the 50-room hotel/event center that will be student-run. I (most likely) will have graduated by the time it opens.

A random picture of the Culinary Arts building, just to show how new and shiny it is. I think its 3-4 years old.

One of the dining rooms where I'll learn the art of "front of the house" service.

One of the courses I'll be taking is called Meat Fabrication which includes learning all the parts and uses of a cow, lamb, chicken and pig. They told us that we will start with a whole cow and "break it down" into different portions.

Can you tell I'm excited?

Outspoken

I've been kind of following the news coverage of the upcoming Olympics in Turin, which means I'm reading the press on the U.S. skeleton coach's alleged harrassment, an athlete who was going prematurely bald-used meds to grow hair-was accused of performance enhancing drugs, "The Flying Tomato" snowboarder, and...

Bode Miller

apparently he's an awesome downhill skier who's all like I'm too sexy for my Barilla hat. Day-um.
He's also recently discussed, among other things: athletes are punished for speaking their minds; the athletes' village at the Olympics isn't a "healthy living environment"; and his mixed feelings about U.S. Ski and Snowboard team's motto of "Best in the World!" — which he characterized as a 'clever marketing twist.'"

My favorite comment of Bode's was how hard a certain ski run is while intoxicated. =)
His attitude reminds me of a guy I grew up with, named Jesse. He almost always had a sneer on his face but had nothing interesting to say.

Changing the subject, I want to address those who think Wizard of Oz jokes are something that Kansans feel are amusing. Just go ahead and say something about Dorothy, Toto, 'not being in Kansas anymore,' or tornadoes to yourself, because you will be the only one laughing. We've not only heard every single one before, but feel they are lame to begin with. At least I do.

I'm gonna try to blog from Colorado but that might not happen, me lacking a laptop and all.

A Natural Departure

Very early Sunday morning Grandad succumbed to cancer. I wasn't surprised when my father called with the news, but am still struck by waves of sadness that seem to come from nowhere. After talking to Grammy, I've decided to go to Colorado as planned.

I find myself thinking of the last trip he and Grammy took us on, to Horn Creek Ranch (Sangre de Cristo mountain area)this summer. It was very relaxing and peaceful, except for one day - when we attempted to climb Horn Peak, the 289th highest mountain in Colorado. Which sounds less impressive than it is, being almost 14,000 feet.
It was a really tough hike, mostly because we didn't head this advice ~ "The loose scree on Horn's south slopes above the lower Dry Lake are to be avoided at all costs."
It was like climbing up a hill covered in marbles, over and over again.
Which slowed us down, which meant that we still had a thousand feet to go when it started lightening.
A picture of what almost was:

On Saturday afternoon, I'm going to find a nice cafe in Boulder and have a glass of merlot. Whenever we had a nice meal out, Grandad would have some. His mother made wine and from what I've heard, even the inexpensive merlot was tasty compared to it. I'm bringing a picture of my grandparents and will say a prayer for both of them.

What to Say, What to Say

I don't have a Word for the Day. I will take suggestions, if anyone is keen.
I've been thinking hard about what fifty words I could sum up my life in.

Here goes:
"I see the beautiful, the interesting and the worthwhile. I strive to understand how circumstances and events fit into the world. I take chances and time to enjoy. Spending time in worship and serving others brings me happiness and helps me learn more about myself and others. I'm an optimist."

Only four more days until I go to Colorado to investigate Johnson & Wales culinary program and apartments!
A picture of where I'll be:

Fifty Words or Less

On Sunday, Mr. S (co-owner of my fun workplace)'s philosophy regarding all meaningful experiences, ideas, etc. is that they must be able to be explained in 50 words or less to be worthwhile.
Regarding his life: "Every day, I read, I listen to good music, I smile at other people, I laugh out loud, and I give thanks that I can do these things. For the good I receive from life, I try to give full measure in return."

What's yours?
I will put mine up tomorrow.

Today's WoTD is exchequer. I read it in Harry Potter. Officially, it is Britain's national revenue department, but it can be used to mean financial resources or funds. Its pronounced ex-check-er.

Expunge

...the WoTD. Also Kim K's daughter's favorite word. Means to get rid of, purge, etc. I always get a vision of unclogging a toilet, but that's probably just me. Try saying it with the emphasis on different syllables. I think my favorite word is satiate.
I will post something more meaningful and perhaps more interesting later today.

Fob

This WoTD is a noun officially meaning a short strap, ribbon, or chain attached to a pocket watch. But fob is also a fancy word for keychain. Kind of like toupee is used instead of bad hairpiece.

Of My Own...

Volition, aka the Word of the Day meaning a conscious choice or decision. I first came across this word in college. It was used frequently by the guys in the schol hall next to mine to explain actions or events that unintentionally occured. For example, "I drank too much of that McCormick vodka last night, but it wasn't of my own volition."

Other things I know...
At first I was confused by the accusations that James Frey made events up in his quasi-memoir. But you know what, I'm more confused (and I use that word loosely) that he capitalized many more words than necessary to make an impact. That is the real crime, if you asked me. For example, "I heard the Rage come again, Booming in my Head." I made that up, but you get the general idea.

I want to print out articles about transgender issues to freak out my coworkers. I'm just that bored.

WotD and the Defector

Today's word is snit. Its a noun meaning "a condition of excited distress." I used it yesterday ~ snit is my favorite Word of the Day so far. Why are you in such a snit today?

Yesterday, it was reported on kusports.com that Micah Downs, a highly-touted freshman guard is leaving the Kansas Basketball team because of "personal issues." Rumors of homesickness, missing his girlfriend at home in Seattle, etc abound, but anyone who follows college b-ball has to consider that those issues might be smoke screens for a crybaby upset over a lack of playing time.

Squalor

...is the Word of the Day. I didn't do so well fitting yesterday's word into casual conversation. I want to blame it on the fact that I don't have a lot of conversations during the course of an average day. But it boils down to just forgetting.
Squalor is a noun meaning sordid dirtiness. Basically a condition in which you wouldn't want to live. Squalid would be the adjective form describing such, but the neat thing is, you can use that form to describe someone's moral choices. I wouldn't though...judge not, etc.
If you Google squalor, you can find an organization dedicated to helping those who live in such a situation (of their own accord) change their living conditions. If you contact them for assistance, please don't tell me.

Word of the Day

I woke up in the middle of the night and with the idea that every day I could feature a different word in my blog, and encourage readers to use it. At 2:30 am, I said to myself Emily, you are a genius. I think I smiled dreamily and rolled over after that.

Anyway, today's word is precipice. It is a noun, meaning a cliff or the brink of a hazardous situation. Say it to yourself and then out loud. Especially if you are mostly alone but there's a slight chance of someone hearing you say it.

Then try to work it in to casual conversation. As in, "My you seem to be standing at the precipice of being fired," or "Wow, look at the view from that precipice over there."

If you do this, please let me know. I will do my best and report back.

Catering

Today I worked a job honoring the managers of Toyota. There's going to be a new President of Toyota - North America and he met all of the catering crew. We had a large space to work in and the afternoon flew by. One of the workers was the daughter of the Main Caterer Lady and it was interesting to hear the conversations between the two 15/16 year olds. I remembered what it was like to be that age and to feel awkward and struggle for apathy in order to push the feelings of uncertainty and self-doubt away.

One of the topics at hand was the girl at the school dance who pushed her shirt up to her bra and her opposite, the girl who lacked rhythm and embarrassed those around her by trying to dance.

I'm pretty sure I would've made fun of these girls as well, worrying if I was at one extreme or the other. I also remembered how you couldn't just go up to a guy you liked and start making conversation ~ you had to have someone find out ~ if he was interested.
I don't know if life if harder now for those growing up than it was for me. I think a lot of the innocence is gone earlier.

Basically

So there's been some negative feedback regarding the pictures of attractive men I posted. I was tempted to post more, as a result. But I think I will go the educational route regarding men in today's entry. Dr. Palmer told me that 50% of all men will eventually get cancer, of some sort. I don't know the figures for women, sorry, but keep feeling your breasts for any changes. Anyway, here's a picture of what you need to get checked after you turn 40, if you have one:

That's right: your prostate. Dr. Palmer says that the procedure is painless and relatively embarrassing. She didn't laugh after observing her first one. I don't think.
There is a blood test you can take to make sure you don't have cancer, but "bumps on the prostate can cause problems too."

Anyhoo, I'm having a spectacularly good day after one of the worst weekends ever. Serious, life-altering events happened. Sickness, pain, self-realization, saying final goodbyes...
Sometimes words just don't work the way we want them to.

On the lighter side, don't go see Casanova unless you are with good friends who love to laugh. And a nice movie theatre helps as well.
Check your prostate. It might not thank you, but maybe others will?