You never stop learning. I'm glad there's no homework at this stage of the game. Here are a few of the things I learned in 2012:
1. Honey Boo Boo is not cute.
2. Everybody loves "Downton Abbey."
3. The new "Two and a Half Men" is just as funny as the old "Two and a Half Men."
4. There aren't enough hours in the day when you are retired.
5. Dog biscuits don't have much flavor.
6. Eating out is not as appealing as it used to be.
7. There is little worse than one of Hillary Clinton's bad hair days.
8. The end of the world is never coming, so be responsible and take care of this Earth.
9. Blogging rarely makes anyone famous, but you'll force yourself to write a few times each week. You'll have fun and keep up with the kooky news. You might even amaze, amuse, and astound your friends.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Thursday, December 27, 2012
What Happened to "What's Your Sign?"
"What's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?"
"Where have you been all my life?"
"I hope you know CPR, because you take my breath away"
"What's your credit score?"
Okay, so it's not a pick up line yet, but I just read that the under 40 crowd is asking for credit scores on first dates. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/perfect-10-never-mind-ask-015017521.html It seems those with good credit don't want to be unequally yoked to those with poor credit. Perhaps this latest recession and the practice of airing way too much on Facebook and Twitter (and possibly blogs) has made some people bold enough to ask really personal questions, and convinced those questioned that they should answer.
First dates are really interviews. Each party sizes the other up in terms of good looks, chemistry, social status, and mutual interests. For some, the process of dating is an end unto itself. For most though, dating is the screening and selection process for finding a mate. I read an article written by a woman who had more than a hundred first dates over the course of a year or two. Her goal was to find a husband, settle down, and raise a family. She announced to dates right off the bat that she was looking for a husband, not playing the field. I've also heard about people for whom having children is a top priority. Suitors not interested in children needn't plan on a second date.
If dating proceeds to marriage, what could be the undoing of the relationship? Well, most arguments are over money. Maybe asking for a credit score up front is a smart idea, before you are so involved you feel like you can't walk away. Usually the party with the good credit is the one doing the asking. Just consider that the person questioned might lie. To quote the TV character Dr. Gregory House, "Everybody lies." They do. They really do. By the time you gain access to your true love's credit card statements, you might already be married. What if a man claiming to have a score of 790 asks a woman with a score of 835 to reveal her number? She might be suspicious that she has just shared drinks and dinner with a con man. She might throw out any number lower than his, or even make herself look irresponsible to determine if he likes her or her credit worthiness. Everybody lies.
If having healthy finances is your deal breaker, go ahead and ask during that first date. Blurt it out as long as you are prepared for any number of reactions and as long as you are willing to be known as the ass who asks people their credit scores. It's a better idea, if you like a person, to get to know them and their credit score over time.
"Where have you been all my life?"
"I hope you know CPR, because you take my breath away"
"What's your credit score?"
Okay, so it's not a pick up line yet, but I just read that the under 40 crowd is asking for credit scores on first dates. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/perfect-10-never-mind-ask-015017521.html It seems those with good credit don't want to be unequally yoked to those with poor credit. Perhaps this latest recession and the practice of airing way too much on Facebook and Twitter (and possibly blogs) has made some people bold enough to ask really personal questions, and convinced those questioned that they should answer.
First dates are really interviews. Each party sizes the other up in terms of good looks, chemistry, social status, and mutual interests. For some, the process of dating is an end unto itself. For most though, dating is the screening and selection process for finding a mate. I read an article written by a woman who had more than a hundred first dates over the course of a year or two. Her goal was to find a husband, settle down, and raise a family. She announced to dates right off the bat that she was looking for a husband, not playing the field. I've also heard about people for whom having children is a top priority. Suitors not interested in children needn't plan on a second date.
If dating proceeds to marriage, what could be the undoing of the relationship? Well, most arguments are over money. Maybe asking for a credit score up front is a smart idea, before you are so involved you feel like you can't walk away. Usually the party with the good credit is the one doing the asking. Just consider that the person questioned might lie. To quote the TV character Dr. Gregory House, "Everybody lies." They do. They really do. By the time you gain access to your true love's credit card statements, you might already be married. What if a man claiming to have a score of 790 asks a woman with a score of 835 to reveal her number? She might be suspicious that she has just shared drinks and dinner with a con man. She might throw out any number lower than his, or even make herself look irresponsible to determine if he likes her or her credit worthiness. Everybody lies.
If having healthy finances is your deal breaker, go ahead and ask during that first date. Blurt it out as long as you are prepared for any number of reactions and as long as you are willing to be known as the ass who asks people their credit scores. It's a better idea, if you like a person, to get to know them and their credit score over time.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Post Apocalypse
The world is still spinning. Life goes on. Since I'll be around to enjoy it, I decided to apply a decal to my bathroom wall. That was the final step toward completing my homage to canines theme in the hall bath.
I ordered the decal online from Dali Decals. http://dalidecals.com/ They have a huge assortment of decals from which to choose, or they can do custom orders. I decided I wanted to use Lord Byron's quote about dogs, "In life the firmest friend, the first to welcome, foremost to defend." As I plowed through the multitude of fonts from which to chose, I discovered one called Byron. A check of Lord Byron's signature indicated that this font is actually a reproduction of the poet's handwriting. How cool would it be to quote the Baron in his own handwriting? Next, I had to decide where to place the decal and how large to make it. If the room were configured differently, I might have run the quote along the top of one wall, like a wall paper border. That idea wasn't working, so I decided to hide the decal behind the door. Though it reflects a bit in the mirror, one has to go into the bathroom and close the door to read the writing on the wall.
The customer service people at Dali Decal were quick to respond to my every question. They confirmed and reconfirmed the layout of the words, the punctuation, and the sizing of the decal. It arrived within a few days, and it was perfect. The decal comes with installation instructions and a little plastic squeegee tool for smoothing out air bubbles. The Dali site also has a video showing how to install decals.
Wall words, like star decor, aren't for everybody, but I like the decal. Maybe it will keep me from repainting quite so frequently. Mike hopes.
I ordered the decal online from Dali Decals. http://dalidecals.com/ They have a huge assortment of decals from which to choose, or they can do custom orders. I decided I wanted to use Lord Byron's quote about dogs, "In life the firmest friend, the first to welcome, foremost to defend." As I plowed through the multitude of fonts from which to chose, I discovered one called Byron. A check of Lord Byron's signature indicated that this font is actually a reproduction of the poet's handwriting. How cool would it be to quote the Baron in his own handwriting? Next, I had to decide where to place the decal and how large to make it. If the room were configured differently, I might have run the quote along the top of one wall, like a wall paper border. That idea wasn't working, so I decided to hide the decal behind the door. Though it reflects a bit in the mirror, one has to go into the bathroom and close the door to read the writing on the wall.
The customer service people at Dali Decal were quick to respond to my every question. They confirmed and reconfirmed the layout of the words, the punctuation, and the sizing of the decal. It arrived within a few days, and it was perfect. The decal comes with installation instructions and a little plastic squeegee tool for smoothing out air bubbles. The Dali site also has a video showing how to install decals.
Wall words, like star decor, aren't for everybody, but I like the decal. Maybe it will keep me from repainting quite so frequently. Mike hopes.
 |
| Sorry about the reflections and glare. |
 |
| This looks like Mardi flying through the back yard. |
Friday, December 21, 2012
The End of the World
Today is supposed to be the end of the world, or maybe it's just the end of a cycle. Or maybe it's not the end of anything, just another day that the earth completes a rotation.
I did contemplate beginnings and endings today. There's the end of childhood innocence, the end of our school days, divorce, retirement, the death of our parents or a spouse. With every ending, except our death, we get to begin again. New journeys bring new knowledge, new experiences, new responsibilities. We don't have to wait for the universe to force a situation on us. We can make our own new beginnings by changing jobs, quitting that bad habit, or improving our diet and doing exercise.
Don't wait until New Year's Day to make a resolution. Start now. And if the world ends at midnight, you only had to go without chocolate for a few hours!
Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsxavPANO8s
I did contemplate beginnings and endings today. There's the end of childhood innocence, the end of our school days, divorce, retirement, the death of our parents or a spouse. With every ending, except our death, we get to begin again. New journeys bring new knowledge, new experiences, new responsibilities. We don't have to wait for the universe to force a situation on us. We can make our own new beginnings by changing jobs, quitting that bad habit, or improving our diet and doing exercise.
Don't wait until New Year's Day to make a resolution. Start now. And if the world ends at midnight, you only had to go without chocolate for a few hours!
Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsxavPANO8s
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Copy Cat Mickey Gilley's Vegetarian Chili
I cook vegetarian entrées when my veg friends come for lunch. I decided to try to reproduce the vegetarian chili I had at Mickey Gilley's Restaurant in Las Vegas. The menu listed some of the ingredients. I identified several other ingredients as I ate. The rest of it, I would have to improvise.
This is my version:
2 Carrots - I julienned, you could dice.
1 Medium Onion, chopped
2 Stalks of Celery, chopped
1 Large Red Bell Pepper, chopped
2 Medium, Green Long Hot Peppers, chopped - Remove the seeds and disgard.
1 Can Red Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
1 Can Pink Beans, rinsed and drained
1 Can Black Beans, rinsed and drained
3- 14-1/2 ounce (by weight) Cans of Vegetable Broth
2 - 14-1/2 ounce (by weight) Cans of Diced Tomatoes - I used Hunt's Petite Diced Tomatoes with no extra seasonings.
1-1/2 Tsp. Cumin Seeds
1/2 Tsp. Ground Cumin
1/8 Cup + 1 Tbs. Chili Powder
1/2 Tsp. Black Pepper
2 Cloves Garlic, minced
2 Tbs. Flour
Canola or Olive Oil
Pour some oil into a big pot and heat. Add carrots, onion, celery, red and green peppers and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add vegetable broth and tomatoes and stir. Add the beans and stir. Add the spices and garlic and stir again. Simmer for 30 minutes. Get a small container with a lid. Put the flour in the container, add about 4 ounces of cold water and shake the living daylights out of it. Pour this liquid thickener into the chili. Stir constantly as the chili gently bubbles. You might have to turn up the heat a tad. Cook and stir for about 10 minutes. Your chili is done, but you might want to serve it the next day. Dishes like this always taste better the next day.
I served my chili with brown rice and corn muffins. You could add saltines, tortilla chips, shreaded cheese, or sour cream. My friend brought iced tea flavored for the Christmas season. In addition to the regular tea bags, she added one Celestial Seasonings Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride tea bag. So much better than the beer I had with my original Gilley's chili!
Try this one. It's yummy.
 |
| Mickey's Chili |
This is my version:
2 Carrots - I julienned, you could dice.
1 Medium Onion, chopped
2 Stalks of Celery, chopped
1 Large Red Bell Pepper, chopped
2 Medium, Green Long Hot Peppers, chopped - Remove the seeds and disgard.
1 Can Red Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
1 Can Pink Beans, rinsed and drained
1 Can Black Beans, rinsed and drained
3- 14-1/2 ounce (by weight) Cans of Vegetable Broth
2 - 14-1/2 ounce (by weight) Cans of Diced Tomatoes - I used Hunt's Petite Diced Tomatoes with no extra seasonings.
1-1/2 Tsp. Cumin Seeds
1/2 Tsp. Ground Cumin
1/8 Cup + 1 Tbs. Chili Powder
1/2 Tsp. Black Pepper
2 Cloves Garlic, minced
2 Tbs. Flour
Canola or Olive Oil
Pour some oil into a big pot and heat. Add carrots, onion, celery, red and green peppers and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add vegetable broth and tomatoes and stir. Add the beans and stir. Add the spices and garlic and stir again. Simmer for 30 minutes. Get a small container with a lid. Put the flour in the container, add about 4 ounces of cold water and shake the living daylights out of it. Pour this liquid thickener into the chili. Stir constantly as the chili gently bubbles. You might have to turn up the heat a tad. Cook and stir for about 10 minutes. Your chili is done, but you might want to serve it the next day. Dishes like this always taste better the next day.
I served my chili with brown rice and corn muffins. You could add saltines, tortilla chips, shreaded cheese, or sour cream. My friend brought iced tea flavored for the Christmas season. In addition to the regular tea bags, she added one Celestial Seasonings Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride tea bag. So much better than the beer I had with my original Gilley's chili!
Try this one. It's yummy.
 |
| My Chili with Brown Rice, Mini Corn Muffins, and Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride Iced Tea |
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Ha, Ha
I've been reading A Prairie Home Companion Pretty Good Joke Book. Some of them are real groaners. Some are pretty good. They have a whole section of Iowa jokes. Who knew? The winner of Survivor Philippines is from Iowa. If you've won a million dollars, you should be able to take a joke, so here goes:
Why don't they take coffee breaks in Iowa?
It takes too long to retrain them.
What do they call 100 John Deeres circling a McDonald's in Iowa?
Prom night.
Did you hear about the skeleton they found in the closet on the Iowa State campus last weekend?
He was the winner of the 1965 hide-and-seek contest.
How about the Iowan who went to the library and checked out a book called How to Hug?
He got home and found out it was volume seven of the encyclopedia.
And in the interest of fairness:
The reason New Yorkers are depressed is because the light at the end of the tunnel is New Jersey.
Ba-dum ching!
Why don't they take coffee breaks in Iowa?
It takes too long to retrain them.
What do they call 100 John Deeres circling a McDonald's in Iowa?
Prom night.
Did you hear about the skeleton they found in the closet on the Iowa State campus last weekend?
He was the winner of the 1965 hide-and-seek contest.
How about the Iowan who went to the library and checked out a book called How to Hug?
He got home and found out it was volume seven of the encyclopedia.
And in the interest of fairness:
The reason New Yorkers are depressed is because the light at the end of the tunnel is New Jersey.
Ba-dum ching!
Monday, December 17, 2012
Feminism and the Top Ten
I'm a feminist. Not just a yeah-I-agree-with-that-in-theory kind of feminist, but a card carrying, bra burning, I-can-do-anything-you-can-do-better kind of feminist. Is this still necessary? Have we reached the day of true equality for both men and women? Should I throw out that copy of Our Bodies, Ourselves that I've had since college? I entertained these somewhat weighty thoughts after listening to Pink on the car radio.
My, how song lyrics have changed since I attended a school dance. Remember Shelley Fabares' "Johnny Angel" and Lesley Gore's "It's My Party?" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWBljCO0JQk and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsYJyVEUaC4 Don't you want to smack those two back to reality? Thank Goddess that Miss Gore had a change of heart with her 1964 release, "You Don't Own Me." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNb-8gLcXLs Also in 1964, Gale Garnett sang about limiting love affairs to 365 days. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxZI0Cxaq20 I wonder if she would have considered renegotiating the contract at the end of the year? She could have kept her feminist dignity and her man that way.
Lot's of people think Helen Reddy's "I am Woman" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGMESM8JKOg was the first feminist anthem. She released this song in 1972. Just a month before, John Lennon released "Woman Is the Nigger of the World." With a title like that, it's easy to see how Helen made number one, and John's song went pretty much nowhere. Still he made a point. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS78MX8Zmdk
Coming back to present day, I was listening to Pink. Whether it's "Stupid Girls," or "Trouble," Pink is no Shelley Fabares sitting around mooning over a dreamy Johnny Angel. She might "Try" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTCDVfMz15M or she might blow the loser one last kiss http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOlYDcuyrbo . She's a wife and a mother, and her boobs are natural. Pink, Alecia Beth Moore, was born in 1979, perhaps the child of a feminist mother.
The road to success is rarely easy for men or women. Maybe things aren't truly equal, but I think it's getting closer. When that day comes women AND men can be anything they want to be.
My, how song lyrics have changed since I attended a school dance. Remember Shelley Fabares' "Johnny Angel" and Lesley Gore's "It's My Party?" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWBljCO0JQk and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsYJyVEUaC4 Don't you want to smack those two back to reality? Thank Goddess that Miss Gore had a change of heart with her 1964 release, "You Don't Own Me." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNb-8gLcXLs Also in 1964, Gale Garnett sang about limiting love affairs to 365 days. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxZI0Cxaq20 I wonder if she would have considered renegotiating the contract at the end of the year? She could have kept her feminist dignity and her man that way.
Lot's of people think Helen Reddy's "I am Woman" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGMESM8JKOg was the first feminist anthem. She released this song in 1972. Just a month before, John Lennon released "Woman Is the Nigger of the World." With a title like that, it's easy to see how Helen made number one, and John's song went pretty much nowhere. Still he made a point. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS78MX8Zmdk
Coming back to present day, I was listening to Pink. Whether it's "Stupid Girls," or "Trouble," Pink is no Shelley Fabares sitting around mooning over a dreamy Johnny Angel. She might "Try" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTCDVfMz15M or she might blow the loser one last kiss http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOlYDcuyrbo . She's a wife and a mother, and her boobs are natural. Pink, Alecia Beth Moore, was born in 1979, perhaps the child of a feminist mother.
The road to success is rarely easy for men or women. Maybe things aren't truly equal, but I think it's getting closer. When that day comes women AND men can be anything they want to be.
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