Lovely Rita, Meter Maid

Does anyone else love that Beatles song? I'm scared about Hurricane Rita though. My great-aunt, uncle and cousins have had to evacuate their Gulf and Galveston homes...
I'm so very excited about the weekend. Even though it is just about Thursday, I'm eagerly awaiting the second shift at my second job.
This Sunday afternoon, I'm assisting Chef Jean Pierre (he doesn't even have a last name, how cool is that) while he makes Mosaic of Shrimp with Tomatoes Concassé, The Veal Loin à la Normande w/Lemon and Poppy Seed Tagliatelle Pasta and Orange Créme Brûlée with Rhubarb Compote. It seems entirely appropriate that there would be wine with this meal, hopefully someone will bring it?
Anyway, more United Way "Fair Share" gift inputting tomorrrow, sorting toiletries for Armed Forces (that should be going to Katrina victims btw) and I'm on to bigger, better and at least, not promoting Corporate America to everyone.
Until next Monday. :(

Meeting Lucy or A Night of Great Beer and Food

I'm a touch late blogging about last weekend, but definitely want to write about the amazing experience I had. The 10+ hours of flying became an afterthought, the fellowship, atmosphere, beer and food were that sublime. I got to the Cathedral Hill hotel about 2:30, checked in and then met my mentor, Lucy Saunders, for the first time.
Lucy has a incredible wealth of food and beer knowledge and I love how understated she is. So many brewers, foodies, etc. are so "in your face" about all they know and who they've met. I was more impressed by her unassuming manner and could listen to her talk all day.
We met with Chef Bruce (I think that leaving out the chef part is like calling your doctor Jim or whatnot) and went over the menu and found out what beers were going to be there.
The Beer List
21st Amendment - Watermelon Wheat*
Bear Republic - Black Bear Stout*
Black Diamond - Wild Rice Ale
Drakes - Denoginizer
Half Moon Bay - Devils Slide Summer Ale
Lagunitas - Maximizer*
Moonlight - Reality Czech Pils (my favorite)
Russian River - Damnation
Triple Rock - Titanium Pale

*Did not try

The event was not billed as a dinner but rather as a selection of appetizers. I figured out that if you were hungry, you needed to arrive on time and be ready to grab food while it was available. If not, you probably wouldn't get to try everything. Luckily, I was sitting in just the right place and had the proper eager-and-desperate-for-food look on my face.

I could go on and on about the food...All of it was delicious.

GRILLING WITH BEER MENU
Cured, Skewered and Seared Salmon with Sweet Dill Mustard Sauce - my favorite
Porter Lime Marinated Grilled Baby Lamb Chops
Lagunitas Imperial Stout Marinated Kurobuta Pork Skewers w/Bear Republic Brown Ale BBQ Sauce
Grilled Marinated Steak Skewers with Point Reyes Blue Cheese Aioli & Grilled Yellow Pepper Catsup
Damnation Brined Grilled Eggplant
Display of Artisanal Cheeses (and Fruit)
Cream of Grilled Wild Mushroom Soup in Asian Spoons (a spoonful just wasn't enough!)
Grilled Heirloom Green Zebra Tomato Gazpacho with Dungeness Crab - possibly my lease fave, was just served too cold
Butter-Poached Gulf Prawns with Grilled Heirloom Tomato Cocktail Sauce

Lucy gave me a book called Recipes Into Type, which tells you how to write cookbooks so that they are put together correctly and easy for the reader to follow. I'm enjoying it and will be testing at least one of her recipes this weekend.
As soon as I get my photos developed/on the computer, I will post them.
An awesome weekend, thanks so much Lucy!

Mysterious Letting-Go

Earlier today, I saw Larry at the administrative assistant's birthday party. Five minutes ago, we're informed that Larry is no longer with the company. Barry, the VP in charge, is not an easy man to work for, so there's no doubt in my mind that played into it. I am curious and concerned because Larry always said hello if we passed in the halls, was a good Businessnetics teacher and seemed more open-minded and practical than almost everyone else in the marketing department.

I wonder what exactly one has to do to get fired from this place. Openly disagreeing with management? Exposing corrupt practices?

Larry's wife is in the Newcomers' Club. I'm sad for both of them, as well as their two young daughters.

Where I'm Going on Friday...

Yes, I'm excited. The flights are going to be long but it'll be worth it!!

Hurricane Relief Efforts

This is Blog for Relief Weekend-I signed up to donate to Noah's Wish (http://www.noahswish.org/index.htm) They train volunteers to rescue animals from disaster-type situations. A team has been sent to Slidell, Louisiana (across the lake from New Orleans) to reunite pets with owners or find animals that are stranded

Put the ball in the hole

You know the Adam Sandler movie "Happy Gilmore"? There are some really classic quotes and today, one came to mind. Mostly because of the way I'm spending my time at work.
The Scene - Happy's Grandma is in a nursing home because her home was taken by the IRS. While Happy is trying to win golf tournaments to get her house back, she is forced to make quilts.

Nursing Home Orderly (Ben Stiller): Good news, everybody, we're extending arts and crafts time by four hours today.
Happy's Grandma: My fingers hurt.
Nursing Home Orderly: What's that?
Happy's Grandma: My fingers hurt.
Nursing Home Orderly: Oh, well, now your back's gonna hurt, 'cause you just pulled landscaping duty. Anybody else's fingers hurt?... I didn't think so.

For those of you that don't know, my arm is broken. And this is Candy-Gram week. Basically, employees pay a dollar to get a candy bar and a message sent through interoffice mail. It is an extremely popular fundraiser with hundreds of Skittles, Starbursts, 3 Musketeers, etc forming a wall within my cubicle.
The money goes to United Way, which makes the task somewhat worthwhile, but the repetitive motion of cutting and folding, stuffing and sealing is wearing on me. Just a few minutes ago, I fell off my chair while reaching for a package of Snickers. So I figure I probably feel like Happy's Grandma. But I could certainly deal if Ben Stiller was here.

Mega M&Ms My Sweet Patoot

Why?
Just because its bigger does not mean its better. I do not crave a large candy shell. The smallness was what made them wonderful. BAH!

And a joke...
"Every year I sit at the table in front of a bowl of candy corn like I've never seen it before. 'Ooooh corn that tastes like candy.' So I try some. Son of a bitch, it tastes like crap! AGAIN!" ~ Lewis Black

Before I Forget

I survived the visitation and the funeral. Just "being there" wasn't as hard as the need to decompress alone, which is just a part of being me. Working out, which is almost as good as reading or watching Lewis Black solo, helped me reunite with my inner calm.
A story
In September of 1930, a baby boy was born. His father loved prize fighting and wanted to name the child Jack Dempsey. The boy's mother disliked the idea and said so. The father said "What if we name the child William Harrison instead?" The mother, not knowing the full story, agreed. Turns out that the substitute was Jack's real name.

Today we said goodbye to this man, who I first wrote about here - http://esro.blogspot.com/2005/05/bargain.html

I do want to mention that in my March 18th post, I knew something was up was up with Rafael Palmeiro. Slug.

Achilles heel

I really have a problem (it makes me uncomfortable) when people are hurting or upset and there is nothing I can do to ease the pain. Just "being there" is the hardest because I start to feel really itchy and nauseous. I believe that my feelings stem from not having a lot of experience dealing with situations where I can't say or do something optimistic to coax out a smile or laugh. My parents sheltered me from situations where I would have to face others' sorrow. Maybe because they feel uncomfortable in these situations as well. I'm not sure.

So today I will go to a visitation and tomorrow, a funeral. The second I've gone to and the first in over a decade. I will be supportive and try not to show anxiousness on my face. During and after, I'll be honest with myself and see if I can understand and change the way I feel and become more empathetic.

Me and Char

Aren't we cute together?

Oh yeah

Your Love Number is

9 You are a peaceful person, and you tend to have calm, stable relationships.Connecting deeply is another skill of yours, and you tend to know lovers well.Trusting and laid back, you are an easy person to love.Love can be a little blinding for you, so open your eyes a little more!

What Is Your Love Number?

Old vs. New

I got a new (used) car this past weekend...'03 Saturn ION...automatic everything, shiny silver. Got a fairly good deal on the Hoss, as I've taken to calling her. She's definitely the nicest car I've ever owned. Ol' Blue wasn't perfect -- had some dings, wasn't especially stylish, was lived in and used. She was definitely me though, a car that suited me. I feel like a car shouldn't be who you are, shouldn't devastate you if it somehow gets smashed on the way to work, one benign Wednesday morning. So I don't really miss Ol' Blue, she lacked any kind of musical ability. I'm just saying, don't confuse me with the Hoss.

meme-ories

Word for word, the questions sent to me from Applewhite, http://whoatetheapple.blogspot.com/

1) What state would you love to live in beside to Indiana? Colorado, somewhere by Salida
2) What is your favorite flower? One of those flowers in the desert that only blooms when it rains
3) Describe your breasts in one word. smallishnuisance
4) Who is your biggest celebrity crush? I was going to say Zach Braff, but he's gradually being replaced by Jeremy Sisto
5) How did you find my blog? Hellish Harlot ~ I think she has a crazy inferiority complex

For you... what's up with you and evercurious? Whats the farthest you've ever run for fun or competitively? Does your love of Christian Bale movies extend to Little Women?

Weekend Update

This past weekend was so much fun and way too short. We saw Sam Bush and his band play at the Lincoln State Amphitheatre on Friday night. I've never seen anyone shred on a mandolin before, it was such a treat. The concert was bizarre in a very free-flowing, almost natural way. By natural, I mean that the band was really cool with the crazy hippie superfan yelling things at them throughout the show and the Shangri-La backdrop behind them (I think there's a production of South Pacific going on). At one point, members of the band rode around the stage on bicycles. I'm definitely going to see about getting some of Sam's albums at the library or half.com.
Saturday was the Newcomers' Club outing at Ellis Park. I'd never seen horse racing before, it was kind of underwhelming but some of the guys really got into the betting aspect of it. I've not decided whether I think it is cruel to horses to race them, but it seems like they have a pretty good life (however short it may be though).
Last night was the company's Night at the Otters, the gift card giveaway worked well, the lack of Zooperstars (google it) didn't but mostly because the game lasted 14 innings and the fireworks finally happened about 10 pm.

Hard-hitting News

Yes, this is from my hometown newspaper. No, I would not pay money...for it or to see the subject of the story.
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2005/jul/26/amputee_happy_be/?city_local

Meme alert

To be honest, I don't know what meme means. I know they are usually not especially wanted questions that are sent by another blogger. No one I know blogs or feels comfortable sending me a meme. So I found one at zazzafooky.com via one of my favorite blogs, The Anchored Nomad. Anyway, here goes:

1. My uncle once: raced my ex-aunt back to their house (in the car) going faster than I would like to say publicly.

2. Never in my life: have I read a Harry Potter book all the way to the end.

3. When I was five: it was hard for me to remember which hand was my right and which was my left. (No one showed me the "left makes an L trick!")

4. High School was: a time of anger, cynicism and uncertainty

5. I will never forget: the look on my dad's face when he was unfairly fired from his job

6. I once met: a man who was very nice but also more annoying than any other person I can think of.

7. There’s this girl I know: who needs happiness more than any other person I know. I miss her and value our conversations.

8. Once, at a bar: I had a really gross shot called Buttery Nipple. Never again.

9. By noon I’m usually: thinking about food and a stout drink

10. Last night: my pet rat Lenin died, I'm ashamed that I wasn't strong enough to put him to sleep before he got to that point.

11. If I only had: the peace that surpasses understanding and the faith to accompany it

12. Next time I go to church: I will be a couple weeks older than I am now

13. Terry Schiavo: Made me very sad and frustrated

14. What worries me most: the tragic and unexpected occurring, also being old and alone

15. When I turn my head left, I see: red Sour Patch Kids, three yellow folders, a Diet Mountain Dew and my purse

16. When I turn my head right, I see: my office phone, headphones and other sundry boring things

17. You know I’m lying when: My face turns red and can't look you in the eye

18. What I miss most about the eighties: crawling on orange carpet and vintage MTV, wind-up Winnie the Pooh toy

19. If I was a character written by Shakespeare, I’d be:
someone in Much Ado About Nothing

20. By this time next year: I will be cooking for some percentage of my income

21. A better name for me would be: Charlotte

22. I have a hard time understanding: why religions that preach love and tolerance lead to hate and animosity

23. If I ever go back to school I’ll: take more classes that I will have to truly work hard to understand and party only after finishing the necessary work

24. You know I like you if: I ask your opinion about something related to me and ask for your help

25. If I won an award, the first person I’d thank would be: TAR for making sacrifices on my behalf

26. Darwin, Mozart, Slim Pickens & Geraldine Ferraro: misunderstood, genius, funny name that I've used to describe what I get, a female role model

27. My advice: take care of yourself, show love whenever possible and be discerning

28. My ideal breakfast is: both sweet and savory ~ a delicious omelet with avocado and other craaazy ingredients, a crisp belgian waffle with lots and lots of fresh strawberry sauce plus Grand Marnier and whipped cream on top, fresh Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee

29. A song I love, but do not have is: anything by Jimmy Chamberlain Project

30. If you visit my hometown, I suggest: visiting Free State brewery and having a picnic by Potters Lake

31. Tulips, character flaws, microchips & track stars: Are for a spring wedding, unfortunately necessary, used to track lost pets, and have incredible muscle mass.

32. Why won’t people: always be honest with themselves

33. If you spend the night at my house: I'll make you dinner, unless you are named Sean and are a newly-transplanted Seattle resident.

34. I’d stop my wedding for: nothing that I can think of

35. The world could do without: spam of all kinds

36. I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: be forced to eat it or do anything else related to Fear Factor

37. My favorite blonde is: any of my Southard cousins

38. Paper clips are: scarce when you need one the most

39. If I do anything well, it’s: offering a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on

40. And by the way... sometimes I'm optimistic to the point of being really annoying

Since last time...

I've made peace with living in Evansville. Its been almost two years since I moved here and I figure its about time I stop being stubborn and accept that I'm here for whatever duration. I had an awesome time in Colorado getting to know my family better and pushing my body to the limit climbing a mountain. I turned 24. I found out how sexy a French-Canadian accent is. I listened to Raffi for the first time since I was 5 or so and remembered what it was like to resist going to sleep with every fiber of my little being. "Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene, I'll see you in my dreams..."

Let me tell you a tale

Children, gather 'round your old Grandma Em and I'll tell you a story from my youth. In those days, Grandpa and I lived in Evansville. You've heard me speak of those times as "the dark years." Anyway, there came a time every year in late June (this was before the land was annexed to Canada) when a gathering called the Freedom Festival was held. Hydroplane boat races, acrobatic air shows and above all, children, lots of cheap beer and drunk rednecks.
Now, I know you are thinking, Grandma you crazy! But I actually lived where this happened and was done in the name of those who died protecting and serving our country.
Anyway, the main reason why this Festival disgusted me is that part of my "job" was to recruit volunteers to sell buttons to those wanting to attend. I thought it would be impossible to get people to stand outside in 95 degree heat and be around some of the most obnoxious drunk people ever for 4 hour stretches.
But people would fight each other and lie about signing up to volunteer, just so they could get the free gate passes. There was no reasoning with these people who would almost beg.
Now children, enough storytelling for today.

A different weekend

I'm back to the grind today, but the memories of this weekend are keeping me entertained. I went down to Chattanooga, TN (about a 4 hour drive if all goes well) for a Ratebeer gathering but mostly to see my bro. Er's living/working in Atlanta this summer and its hard to know when I'll see him next. Anyway, we drank a ton of good beer and he got to meet people named Iceman and Shag and CaptainCougar. I wish there was a picture of me getting thrown into the pool. I didn't bring any clothes to change into, so the next day's ride home was a little soggy. I'll see if I can find any pics to post.

What I've learned

in the past couple of days:
Yoplait Chocolate Mousse yogurt is pretty good, but for the calories you're better off going to TCBY.

In Australia, they call the people/company that move you to a new home,
"removalists." Much better than being called "moving men", don't you think?

It sucks when you are jealous of one of the best friends you have is moving to a better place. Especially when that place is called Cincinnati.

Lewis Black is a very funny man and I can't exactly explain why. Is he angry all the time?

There are keys that will unlock your car door but won't start the engine. AND these genius piece of metal are magnetic, so you can stick them to the hot undercarriage of your Saturn and never have to wait for the AAA man again.

We are where we are for a reason. The trick is being happy and content with the reason, the purpose, and the the length of time at that location.