Breakfast is your most important meal of the day...but, if you're like me, you don't take time out in the a.m. to make anything. I finally found something I can whip up in just a couple of minutes and eat on the road.
1 egg
1 slice canadian bacon (or bacon or ham or sausage--whatever meat you prefer. CB just happens to be the healthiest option)
1 whole wheat english muffin
1 slice cheese (I use american, but use whatever you like best)
In a small bowl beat the egg with a little water, like you would for scrambled eggs. Pour the egg into a microwaveable container that's about the size of the english muffin. Season with salt & pepper.
Cook on high for 1 minute in microwave. Place cheese and meat on top of egg. Cook on high for one additional minute.
While you're doing this, pop the english muffin in the toaster to get it golden and crispy. Top the muffin with the egg, meat, cheese and VOILA! You have breakfast on the go. Add a piece of fruit and a milk chug and you have a well rounded meal.
Cost per serving:
Egg: $.08-$.10 (Tony's Finer Foods runs eggs for $.99 a carton most weeks)
Cheese: $.07-$.12 (Aldi's american cheese isn't very good, so I'd suggest spending the little extra to get a better brand of cheese)
English Muffin: $.30 (Aldi's english muffins are just fine and always really, really fresh because they get daily shipments)
Canadian Bacon: $.30-$.45 (Canadian Bacon is a little expensive, but again, it's the healthiest option)
Total cost for one sandwich: approximately $1 Total prep/cook time: about 5-10 minutes. You can always scramble up some eggs and keep them handy for a few days at a time instead of doing it each morning or you can even make a few in advance and warm them in the microwave (the muffin will get a little soggy and the eggs don't hold up as good, so I prefer not to go that route).
6.29.2009
6.22.2009
Another Brick in the Wall
Six or so years ago, when I was going through a very rough period in my life, a woman who’d basically been through hell and back, stepped up to the plate to help me out with very wise words and a whopping dose of reality.
One of the things I learned at that time, and have pretty much lived by from that point on, was that nine times out of ten, when someone tells you something they don’t like that you’re doing, about how you’re acting, or just who you are, it’s because they have the expectation that you should change to suit their wants and needs because you made them feel ‘bad, ugly, upset, angry, sad, etc.’.
The bottom line to this element of learning was that I need to take responsibility for what I do and IF I was going to tell someone how their words or actions affect(ed) me, I have to have an outright and clear self-knowledge that I'm doing it to get it off my chest, not with the expectation of change from them. They can opt to change because they want to and/or because they don’t like it whatever it is they were doing, saying, etc., but have never put that into so many words. Or, they can change just to suit my (or someone else's) expectations of them, which usually leads to resentment and anger on their part towards me (or someone else).
I took that lesson to heart, If I tell someone that I’m finding certain elements about them/our relationship wrong, I will most always preface it with the fact that I’m just getting it off my chest or in a more dire circumstance, let it be known that those are the reasons I need to step back from the relationship to reassess whether or not I think it works for me. I don’t ask for or expect any sort of change. I hope that they might come about--either via them changing what they're doing or me learning to accept them for who and what they are at that particular time.
Many times I won’t say anything because experience has taught me that it tends to get me nowhere---and that it’s much wiser to just determine, over time, whether or not I can contend with whatever the issue might be.
This isn’t a problem when there are one or two or even three fairly innocuous items that bug you—those can be dismissed or avoided fairly easily without detriment to the relationship. Sometimes they’re one off situations that aren’t repeated, so they’re not worth discussion. Sometimes they can simply become ‘off-topics’—things you just don’t do or discuss with that person.
But, when those dismissals, avoidances, and ‘off-topics’ start piling up in numbers and create the equivalent of a shoddily built brick wall, then there's a serious problem at hand. The bricks are stacked haphazardly with nothing in between to cement them together. The wall, over time, becomes pock-marked, chipped, cracked, and wobbly---and sooner or later a large portion or the whole thing comes tumbling down because the foundation of it wasn’t really ever there to keep it solid and in place.
In relationships this can take days, weeks, months, even years…and it happens in a LOT of relationships, whether we want to believe it or not. It doesn’t just have to be romantic relationships—it can easily happen with friends, family, even co-workers.
Conversely there are those friendships that regardless of a few chips and cracks, stand the test of time. There are mutual interests, common bonds, and similar outlooks that cause the rest of the wall to stand intact and allow the people involved to nurture and tend to the wall. These things provide the mortar to keep the bricks stable.
We all have a couple of them that fall into this category. And THESE are the ones in which we have to look at to base the others on. What about these relationships works? What makes them so solid?
Personally, I have three of these relationships, outside of family members. And the same thing holds true for all three of them: Effort and initiative is taken on both sides, fairly equally. E-mails, phone calls, IMs, and invitations are generated by me and the other person—not every day, sometimes not even every week or every month, but there is always an effort by both sides. Sometimes it’s merely to say hi, sometimes it’s to discuss the world around us, sometimes it’s to get things off our chests about our lives…but the communication is there and both sides have taken responsibility for it. And when it comes to actual invitations—they’re for real. Not just some tentative suggestion to get together in the future. Plans are made, solidified, and stuck on the calendar. Sure, sometimes they get changed due to circumstances, but overall, the plans happen because both sides felt it was important enough to make that time in their schedule without being wishy-washy or excuse ridden about it.There's an ebb and flow to these relationships because there's an ebb and flow to how up and down or lives can be, but they always go back to being stabilized within a fairly short amount of time.
For an impatient girl like me, waiting to see how much degradation that relationship ‘wall’ can withstand is highly anxiety-inducing (doesn’t help when one has an anxiety disorder to make this that much worse), especially when I’m trying to ignore my gut instinct and try to just ‘buck up little camper’ about a relationship. But, one other thing I learned is that you can bring other things into the equation to determine if that wall will crumble or if it will continue standing strong. How much time are you, and you alone, willing to spend tending to it over the long-haul? How does it compare to the ‘strong’ relationships in your life? How much equality based effort, energy, and time is being expended back at you? Those things determine how sturdy that wall really is…and it takes a bit of rational thought and logic to look at the big picture to determine if you want to stand there when the wall falls, if the wall can be shored up, or if it’s best to walk away before it drops on your head.
I recently made the decision to walk away from a wall that was pretty damn wobbly. The question I got most about it was ‘why did this come about so suddenly’. When I look back on things, it didn’t---those cracks and holes have been getting bigger and bigger for many months and I was just trying to ride it out. I was trying to salvage as much of the wall as I could without taking a sledgehammer to it and causing it’s demise. Many of us do this in hopes of it fixing itself...we wait and ponder and fret and worry, but we don't proactively make a choice.
But, as with most things, there was the straw that broke it and I decided I needed a break from the relationship and communication with that person. I made it clear that I needed a break to determine whether or not I could continue dealing with the relationships ‘as is’ without the expectation of change. Instead, by speaking up, even if not in the best way possible, I took the sledgehammer to it without realizing that’s what would happen—but in hindsight, the wall was weak from day one, thus it didn’t take much to knock it down.
I walked away from the rubble fairly unscathed.. A few emotional and ego bruises, the potential of a couple of intertwined friendships being possibly downsized because of making a choice that I’d known for months was the best choice for me.
And that is the biggest point in this lengthy note—sometimes making the best possible choice for yourself will have outcomes and create changes that you didn’t want or expect. What you have to do at that point is realize that these are things you have to accept. You can’t make choices for other people, you can’t expect them to make the choices you’d prefer—they’re ALWAYS going to function in what they feel is their best interest. And that’s how it should be—because, simply put, the only person who is going to take care of you is you. Other might help, give assistance, be there to bolster you, but at the end of the day, you have to go it alone with your decisions, your actions, and your beliefs.
I guess the point of this (beyond just needing to put it out there for myself) is that I know a lot of people who are trying to make some really tough decisions right now…some financially, some relationally, some professionally. All of them seem to get stuck in the rut of ‘other people’ regardless of what the decision is about—wondering how their choices will affect others, not making choices because someone else doesn’t want them to, or making what they know is the wrong choice just because they think someone else would want/like it. What they don’t do is consider what their lack of choosing (or choosing wrong) is going to do to them in the present and in the future.
What I’d say to them is take care of yourself first, make the decision that you believe-deep down-is the best one for you…the chips may not fall into place exactly as you’d hoped or idealized, but in the end, it will fall into place as it should.
The times I’m the most unhappy with my life is when I don’t follow that rule…and it’s something I need to always keep reminding myself of I made a tough decision this time around that at times makes me sad, sometimes angry, upset and hurt, but I know, deep down, it was the right decision for me in the long-run. And that's what counts...that logical and rational knowledge that you're taking care of the one person you have to live with day-in and day-out for the rest of your life--YOU!
One of the things I learned at that time, and have pretty much lived by from that point on, was that nine times out of ten, when someone tells you something they don’t like that you’re doing, about how you’re acting, or just who you are, it’s because they have the expectation that you should change to suit their wants and needs because you made them feel ‘bad, ugly, upset, angry, sad, etc.’.
The bottom line to this element of learning was that I need to take responsibility for what I do and IF I was going to tell someone how their words or actions affect(ed) me, I have to have an outright and clear self-knowledge that I'm doing it to get it off my chest, not with the expectation of change from them. They can opt to change because they want to and/or because they don’t like it whatever it is they were doing, saying, etc., but have never put that into so many words. Or, they can change just to suit my (or someone else's) expectations of them, which usually leads to resentment and anger on their part towards me (or someone else).
I took that lesson to heart, If I tell someone that I’m finding certain elements about them/our relationship wrong, I will most always preface it with the fact that I’m just getting it off my chest or in a more dire circumstance, let it be known that those are the reasons I need to step back from the relationship to reassess whether or not I think it works for me. I don’t ask for or expect any sort of change. I hope that they might come about--either via them changing what they're doing or me learning to accept them for who and what they are at that particular time.
Many times I won’t say anything because experience has taught me that it tends to get me nowhere---and that it’s much wiser to just determine, over time, whether or not I can contend with whatever the issue might be.
This isn’t a problem when there are one or two or even three fairly innocuous items that bug you—those can be dismissed or avoided fairly easily without detriment to the relationship. Sometimes they’re one off situations that aren’t repeated, so they’re not worth discussion. Sometimes they can simply become ‘off-topics’—things you just don’t do or discuss with that person.
But, when those dismissals, avoidances, and ‘off-topics’ start piling up in numbers and create the equivalent of a shoddily built brick wall, then there's a serious problem at hand. The bricks are stacked haphazardly with nothing in between to cement them together. The wall, over time, becomes pock-marked, chipped, cracked, and wobbly---and sooner or later a large portion or the whole thing comes tumbling down because the foundation of it wasn’t really ever there to keep it solid and in place.
In relationships this can take days, weeks, months, even years…and it happens in a LOT of relationships, whether we want to believe it or not. It doesn’t just have to be romantic relationships—it can easily happen with friends, family, even co-workers.
Conversely there are those friendships that regardless of a few chips and cracks, stand the test of time. There are mutual interests, common bonds, and similar outlooks that cause the rest of the wall to stand intact and allow the people involved to nurture and tend to the wall. These things provide the mortar to keep the bricks stable.
We all have a couple of them that fall into this category. And THESE are the ones in which we have to look at to base the others on. What about these relationships works? What makes them so solid?
Personally, I have three of these relationships, outside of family members. And the same thing holds true for all three of them: Effort and initiative is taken on both sides, fairly equally. E-mails, phone calls, IMs, and invitations are generated by me and the other person—not every day, sometimes not even every week or every month, but there is always an effort by both sides. Sometimes it’s merely to say hi, sometimes it’s to discuss the world around us, sometimes it’s to get things off our chests about our lives…but the communication is there and both sides have taken responsibility for it. And when it comes to actual invitations—they’re for real. Not just some tentative suggestion to get together in the future. Plans are made, solidified, and stuck on the calendar. Sure, sometimes they get changed due to circumstances, but overall, the plans happen because both sides felt it was important enough to make that time in their schedule without being wishy-washy or excuse ridden about it.There's an ebb and flow to these relationships because there's an ebb and flow to how up and down or lives can be, but they always go back to being stabilized within a fairly short amount of time.
For an impatient girl like me, waiting to see how much degradation that relationship ‘wall’ can withstand is highly anxiety-inducing (doesn’t help when one has an anxiety disorder to make this that much worse), especially when I’m trying to ignore my gut instinct and try to just ‘buck up little camper’ about a relationship. But, one other thing I learned is that you can bring other things into the equation to determine if that wall will crumble or if it will continue standing strong. How much time are you, and you alone, willing to spend tending to it over the long-haul? How does it compare to the ‘strong’ relationships in your life? How much equality based effort, energy, and time is being expended back at you? Those things determine how sturdy that wall really is…and it takes a bit of rational thought and logic to look at the big picture to determine if you want to stand there when the wall falls, if the wall can be shored up, or if it’s best to walk away before it drops on your head.
I recently made the decision to walk away from a wall that was pretty damn wobbly. The question I got most about it was ‘why did this come about so suddenly’. When I look back on things, it didn’t---those cracks and holes have been getting bigger and bigger for many months and I was just trying to ride it out. I was trying to salvage as much of the wall as I could without taking a sledgehammer to it and causing it’s demise. Many of us do this in hopes of it fixing itself...we wait and ponder and fret and worry, but we don't proactively make a choice.
But, as with most things, there was the straw that broke it and I decided I needed a break from the relationship and communication with that person. I made it clear that I needed a break to determine whether or not I could continue dealing with the relationships ‘as is’ without the expectation of change. Instead, by speaking up, even if not in the best way possible, I took the sledgehammer to it without realizing that’s what would happen—but in hindsight, the wall was weak from day one, thus it didn’t take much to knock it down.
I walked away from the rubble fairly unscathed.. A few emotional and ego bruises, the potential of a couple of intertwined friendships being possibly downsized because of making a choice that I’d known for months was the best choice for me.
And that is the biggest point in this lengthy note—sometimes making the best possible choice for yourself will have outcomes and create changes that you didn’t want or expect. What you have to do at that point is realize that these are things you have to accept. You can’t make choices for other people, you can’t expect them to make the choices you’d prefer—they’re ALWAYS going to function in what they feel is their best interest. And that’s how it should be—because, simply put, the only person who is going to take care of you is you. Other might help, give assistance, be there to bolster you, but at the end of the day, you have to go it alone with your decisions, your actions, and your beliefs.
I guess the point of this (beyond just needing to put it out there for myself) is that I know a lot of people who are trying to make some really tough decisions right now…some financially, some relationally, some professionally. All of them seem to get stuck in the rut of ‘other people’ regardless of what the decision is about—wondering how their choices will affect others, not making choices because someone else doesn’t want them to, or making what they know is the wrong choice just because they think someone else would want/like it. What they don’t do is consider what their lack of choosing (or choosing wrong) is going to do to them in the present and in the future.
What I’d say to them is take care of yourself first, make the decision that you believe-deep down-is the best one for you…the chips may not fall into place exactly as you’d hoped or idealized, but in the end, it will fall into place as it should.
The times I’m the most unhappy with my life is when I don’t follow that rule…and it’s something I need to always keep reminding myself of I made a tough decision this time around that at times makes me sad, sometimes angry, upset and hurt, but I know, deep down, it was the right decision for me in the long-run. And that's what counts...that logical and rational knowledge that you're taking care of the one person you have to live with day-in and day-out for the rest of your life--YOU!
6.19.2009
Bringin' the Happy
May and the early part of June were a time of a fair amount of upheaval, but things are sliding along much more smoothly now, for the most part. So, as my parting post for the week (since I still don't have the intartoobs at home), I give you my top ten HAPPY list:
1. I got hugs, kisses, and t-shirt signings from ALL members of Ha Ha Tonka
2. Found another person who is great fun to go to music shows with *waves at Roger*
3. Got moved into my apartment with no breakages and only one item lost (thus far)
4. Got to hang out with the fabulous Ellen & Andy & family, which just doesn't happen enough
5. Will be going to see BFF in a few weeks, which also doesn't happen nearly enough
6. Will be going home next weekend to see family and friends I haven't seen in ages
7. I 'think' I've lost another 2-3 pounds, if my scale at home is correct
8. Realized that Metal Shaker is 1 block from my apartment and a liquor store is also one block--sometimes a girl just needs music and/or beer to make the day complete
9. I paid a whopping $30 (plus tax/shipping) for my class reunion outfit---cheapskate wins again!
10. IT'S FRIDAY!!!!!
1. I got hugs, kisses, and t-shirt signings from ALL members of Ha Ha Tonka
2. Found another person who is great fun to go to music shows with *waves at Roger*
3. Got moved into my apartment with no breakages and only one item lost (thus far)
4. Got to hang out with the fabulous Ellen & Andy & family, which just doesn't happen enough
5. Will be going to see BFF in a few weeks, which also doesn't happen nearly enough
6. Will be going home next weekend to see family and friends I haven't seen in ages
7. I 'think' I've lost another 2-3 pounds, if my scale at home is correct
8. Realized that Metal Shaker is 1 block from my apartment and a liquor store is also one block--sometimes a girl just needs music and/or beer to make the day complete
9. I paid a whopping $30 (plus tax/shipping) for my class reunion outfit---cheapskate wins again!
10. IT'S FRIDAY!!!!!
6.15.2009
And...I'm In
After a week of no sleep, living off Lean Cuisine, and a cardboard jungle...I'm moved into the new pad where I'm going to get sleep, still living off Lean Cuisine, and continue being surrounded by a cardboard jungle. But, I did just move a few days ago, so that's really to be expected, ya know?
Anyway, the movers got me out and in within 2 hours. They were machines!
Friday night I hung out with Ellen, Andy and the kids for some tasty dinner. And to get my FABULOUS t-shirt for the Ha Ha Tonka show. I'm so excited that I will be the only one with this shirt---all custom like with a quote on the back and everything! SQUEEE!
So, back to the apartment---a few things need to be fixed, but they're minor and fairly insignificant. The building is really, really quiet---but the neighborhood has a lot of activity of the family variety. Kids yelling, adults calling for the kids, people just generally hanging out in their yards or on their stoops. I'm not used to it, but it's better than sirens and loud mufflers all the time.
I spent Sunday afternoon at the NorthCenter Ribfest--which has now gone the way of crazy-busy festivals. Peg, Brian, and wee E met up with me, we chowed down and then we intro'd E to the beauty that is Resi's for a final beer. I didn't last long due to being seriously tired and really not in the mood for the rude crowd at Ribfest (excuse me is a perfectly acceptable phrase to repeat over and over...it doesn't not fall in the same category of I'm Sorry, which gets diluted each time you repeat it within the same context.
It's sad, but every year I find myself less and less able to handle the shuffling, pushy crowds of festivals. And I mean sad, literally, because I used to love festivals of all sorts. I loved the hustle, the food, the music, the people watching. Now it just gets me agitated and angsty within an hour or so.
This weekend in the Highland Games on Saturday and hopefully some mass quantity unpacking during the rest of the free time. I need to feel like my place is a home--and my cats do to. They've been the whiniest beasts EVER since moving.
Oh yeah...I went to the Ha Ha Tonka show on Monday...that review will be up, with photos and a serious level of fangirly squee in the near future--I have to find my camera cord to download the photos. I will say it was a fantastic show, the crowd was totally into them, and I couldn't be happier for these guys to get such a solid fan base so quickly. Oh and I got my boobies signed by them, but that's a story to come later.
Anyway, the movers got me out and in within 2 hours. They were machines!
Friday night I hung out with Ellen, Andy and the kids for some tasty dinner. And to get my FABULOUS t-shirt for the Ha Ha Tonka show. I'm so excited that I will be the only one with this shirt---all custom like with a quote on the back and everything! SQUEEE!
So, back to the apartment---a few things need to be fixed, but they're minor and fairly insignificant. The building is really, really quiet---but the neighborhood has a lot of activity of the family variety. Kids yelling, adults calling for the kids, people just generally hanging out in their yards or on their stoops. I'm not used to it, but it's better than sirens and loud mufflers all the time.
I spent Sunday afternoon at the NorthCenter Ribfest--which has now gone the way of crazy-busy festivals. Peg, Brian, and wee E met up with me, we chowed down and then we intro'd E to the beauty that is Resi's for a final beer. I didn't last long due to being seriously tired and really not in the mood for the rude crowd at Ribfest (excuse me is a perfectly acceptable phrase to repeat over and over...it doesn't not fall in the same category of I'm Sorry, which gets diluted each time you repeat it within the same context.
It's sad, but every year I find myself less and less able to handle the shuffling, pushy crowds of festivals. And I mean sad, literally, because I used to love festivals of all sorts. I loved the hustle, the food, the music, the people watching. Now it just gets me agitated and angsty within an hour or so.
This weekend in the Highland Games on Saturday and hopefully some mass quantity unpacking during the rest of the free time. I need to feel like my place is a home--and my cats do to. They've been the whiniest beasts EVER since moving.
Oh yeah...I went to the Ha Ha Tonka show on Monday...that review will be up, with photos and a serious level of fangirly squee in the near future--I have to find my camera cord to download the photos. I will say it was a fantastic show, the crowd was totally into them, and I couldn't be happier for these guys to get such a solid fan base so quickly. Oh and I got my boobies signed by them, but that's a story to come later.
6.11.2009
Miss Cali to the Curb
It looks as if Carrie Prejean got the boot as Miss California. I've peripherally followed this whole thing, but didn't give it a ton of thought. The thoughts I did have?
1. If someone asks her an opinion on something she has every right to voice her opinion, regardless of what "stage" she is on when she does it and she shouldn't have gotten the backlash she did for just doing that and that alone. I don't agree with her sentiment, not in the least, but she has every right to state it.
2. On the other hand, don't go spouting your bible thumping, religious ways when you are a prime candidate for breaking more than one of those sacred 'seven deadly sins'--breast implants, yeah, I'd call that prideful...getting them to win a contest, yeah, that would fall under greed.
3. Also, don't go on about what a wholesome, good girl you are when dirty pictures are floating about---those things ALWAYS come back and bite you on the ass. ALWAYS!
4. If you're going to start acting as spokeperson for a narrow-minded, INACCURATE, organization...expect a swift, ugly and large backlash.
5. She probably should've been booted for the dirty photgraphs. But then again, I'm kinda glad she didn't--because I'd hate to see her rise to the levels that Vanessa Williams has thanks to getting her crown taken away--because at least Vanessa has some talent in that luscious frame of hers (hey, she's hot, even I can admit that!)
I give the pageant people some credit for being smart enough to let this stupid, vacacuous girl hang herself with her own rope. By doing all the things she did and then not fulfilling obligations, she got canned and nobody can really come back on the pageant officials/owners for it. Smoove move, people, smoove move.
1. If someone asks her an opinion on something she has every right to voice her opinion, regardless of what "stage" she is on when she does it and she shouldn't have gotten the backlash she did for just doing that and that alone. I don't agree with her sentiment, not in the least, but she has every right to state it.
2. On the other hand, don't go spouting your bible thumping, religious ways when you are a prime candidate for breaking more than one of those sacred 'seven deadly sins'--breast implants, yeah, I'd call that prideful...getting them to win a contest, yeah, that would fall under greed.
3. Also, don't go on about what a wholesome, good girl you are when dirty pictures are floating about---those things ALWAYS come back and bite you on the ass. ALWAYS!
4. If you're going to start acting as spokeperson for a narrow-minded, INACCURATE, organization...expect a swift, ugly and large backlash.
5. She probably should've been booted for the dirty photgraphs. But then again, I'm kinda glad she didn't--because I'd hate to see her rise to the levels that Vanessa Williams has thanks to getting her crown taken away--because at least Vanessa has some talent in that luscious frame of hers (hey, she's hot, even I can admit that!)
I give the pageant people some credit for being smart enough to let this stupid, vacacuous girl hang herself with her own rope. By doing all the things she did and then not fulfilling obligations, she got canned and nobody can really come back on the pageant officials/owners for it. Smoove move, people, smoove move.
6.09.2009
Valkyrie
Even though I'm not a fan of Tom Cruise, I have to admit the guy usually has pretty good taste when it comes to movie roles. Valkyrie is no exception.
I don't know if this movie would jive with people who don't have a mid-level or higher interest in WWII, but for someone who does (like me), then its pretty damn good.
Based on true events during WWII, the story is about a group of Nazi soldier who plotted to not only bring down, but kill Hitler and their numerous failed attempts and the eventual revelation of their plotting.
None of these soldiers are remotely endearing and you know damn well when push comes to shove, every one of them will cover their own asses before standing firm with their co-conspirators...or so you think. In the end, their sheer bravery and may I say chutzpah is moving.
Cruise does a fine job as von Stauffenberg with a stoic demeanor and only glimpses into his softer side--mainly when he's dealing with his family. I give him due credit on being able to pull this off when he's usually in roles in which he is allowed to run the gamut of emotions not only in his facial expressions but in his body language as well---those liberties aren't available in this movie.
This isn't a movie with a happy ending, but if you know anything about WWII, that's no surprise...but, it certainly gives one some insight into a small portion of the inner workings of the SS and Nazi regimes.
I don't know if this movie would jive with people who don't have a mid-level or higher interest in WWII, but for someone who does (like me), then its pretty damn good.
Based on true events during WWII, the story is about a group of Nazi soldier who plotted to not only bring down, but kill Hitler and their numerous failed attempts and the eventual revelation of their plotting.
None of these soldiers are remotely endearing and you know damn well when push comes to shove, every one of them will cover their own asses before standing firm with their co-conspirators...or so you think. In the end, their sheer bravery and may I say chutzpah is moving.
Cruise does a fine job as von Stauffenberg with a stoic demeanor and only glimpses into his softer side--mainly when he's dealing with his family. I give him due credit on being able to pull this off when he's usually in roles in which he is allowed to run the gamut of emotions not only in his facial expressions but in his body language as well---those liberties aren't available in this movie.
This isn't a movie with a happy ending, but if you know anything about WWII, that's no surprise...but, it certainly gives one some insight into a small portion of the inner workings of the SS and Nazi regimes.
6.08.2009
A tie-in to the job hunter tips
Larry Winget posted this about what you can, and more importantly should do if the money is running out
I suggest reading it here.
I suggest reading it here.
On the Cheap--Pasta w/ Meat Sauce
Spaghetti is the ultimate in stand-by meals for so many reasons: it's universally liked, it's filling, it's fairly healthy, and it makes plenty for leftovers!
Note: as you'll see with many recipes I toss up here, spices and herbs are ALWAYS involved. I suggest having a well-stocked reserve of dried stuff on hand for quick use. The staples should consist of: kosher salt, pepper, red pepper, oregano, basil, thyme, nutmeg, seasoned salt, steak seasoning, italian or pizza seasoning, and sage.
So here's your shopping list:
1 jar traditional spaghetti sauce (Aldi , $1.29 for a jar or Hunt's on sale for $.99 at Jewel/Dominicks).
1/2 pkg. ground turkey (Aldi, $2.49 for a 20 oz. package. Use the other half for something else--it's not frozen so you can feasibly freeze it for later use)
1/2 onion, coarsely chopped (Aldi, $2-3 for 3 lb. bag)
1-2 cloves garlic, minced, pressed, or zested
1 container mushrooms, sliced or diced (Aldi, $1.49)
2 T. honey (Aldi, $2.49)
Whole wheat spaghetti or other pasta (Aldi, $1.49 or $1.59)
Dried Basil, oregano, other seasonings to taste (personally, I prefer to use pizza seasoning as it contains all the herbs you want in one fell swoop, though I do add additional basil because I love it.
In 3 qt. pan or dutch oven: Saute onions until slightly transparent, add garlic and saute until fragrant. Add ground turkey and brown until done. Add spaghetti sauce and all preferred seasoning and honey. Simmer for one hour.
Cook pasta according to package directions and serve with sauce.
Aldi also has pre-made garlic bread in their freezer secton and parmesan cheese for those who like it. Me? I like slices of extra sharp cheddar with my meaty pasta!
Serve with a side salad (bags at Aldi) and you have a healthy, affordable, TASTY meal!
This should make at least 4 standard size servings, but lets break it into 3 bigger sized ones to calculate costs.
All total, you're looking at about $2.75 per serving.
WAY cheaper than Olive Garden...and in my opinion much tastier.
Note: as you'll see with many recipes I toss up here, spices and herbs are ALWAYS involved. I suggest having a well-stocked reserve of dried stuff on hand for quick use. The staples should consist of: kosher salt, pepper, red pepper, oregano, basil, thyme, nutmeg, seasoned salt, steak seasoning, italian or pizza seasoning, and sage.
So here's your shopping list:
1 jar traditional spaghetti sauce (Aldi , $1.29 for a jar or Hunt's on sale for $.99 at Jewel/Dominicks).
1/2 pkg. ground turkey (Aldi, $2.49 for a 20 oz. package. Use the other half for something else--it's not frozen so you can feasibly freeze it for later use)
1/2 onion, coarsely chopped (Aldi, $2-3 for 3 lb. bag)
1-2 cloves garlic, minced, pressed, or zested
1 container mushrooms, sliced or diced (Aldi, $1.49)
2 T. honey (Aldi, $2.49)
Whole wheat spaghetti or other pasta (Aldi, $1.49 or $1.59)
Dried Basil, oregano, other seasonings to taste (personally, I prefer to use pizza seasoning as it contains all the herbs you want in one fell swoop, though I do add additional basil because I love it.
In 3 qt. pan or dutch oven: Saute onions until slightly transparent, add garlic and saute until fragrant. Add ground turkey and brown until done. Add spaghetti sauce and all preferred seasoning and honey. Simmer for one hour.
Cook pasta according to package directions and serve with sauce.
Aldi also has pre-made garlic bread in their freezer secton and parmesan cheese for those who like it. Me? I like slices of extra sharp cheddar with my meaty pasta!
Serve with a side salad (bags at Aldi) and you have a healthy, affordable, TASTY meal!
This should make at least 4 standard size servings, but lets break it into 3 bigger sized ones to calculate costs.
All total, you're looking at about $2.75 per serving.
WAY cheaper than Olive Garden...and in my opinion much tastier.
List of Changes...
I've put forth some of the biggies, but here's the list of changes really makes one take a look at things. These are the dictates from the neuro.:
So, it's a bit more than I thought at the onset---and I've had some serious moments of being angry and sad about it, but again, when changes like this are forced upon you, it starts making you reevaluate a whole lot of other elements in your life.
I know the next few months are going to be difficult, but I'm feeling like I've got some control over things now---whereas before, when the migraines were plaguing me consistently without any known cause/reason, I felt like I couldn't control anything and pretty much gave up on most things out of pure frustration.
Now...off to control the pile of work on my desk that multiplies like bunnies!
- No caffeine after noon (and much preferred that caffeine is coffee/tea, not soda)--and within 3 months I'm to have eliminated soda completely
- No artificial sweeteners (equal, splenda, though Stevia and Agave are ok) and eliminate as much HFCS as possible
- Limited night-time driving--preferrably nothing over 1 hour at any given stretch
- No computer 2 hours before bed
- No television 1 hour before bed
- Absolutely NO MSG
- No, absolutely NO red wine
- Anti-anxiety meds MUST be taken in the a.m.
- Anti-seizure meds MUST be taken 30 minutes before optimal sleepy time
- No lighted alarm clock in room, which means I'll have to tape over the clock portion of my soundscape machine and get me a windy-uppy clock
- Black-out curtains or shades in bedroom to be closed all the time while sleeping (no sleeping with the shade open so I can have the window open
- Lose 30 pounds--minimum
So, it's a bit more than I thought at the onset---and I've had some serious moments of being angry and sad about it, but again, when changes like this are forced upon you, it starts making you reevaluate a whole lot of other elements in your life.
I know the next few months are going to be difficult, but I'm feeling like I've got some control over things now---whereas before, when the migraines were plaguing me consistently without any known cause/reason, I felt like I couldn't control anything and pretty much gave up on most things out of pure frustration.
Now...off to control the pile of work on my desk that multiplies like bunnies!
6.06.2009
The Beginning of the End
of being FAT! of living in the current space! of dealing with things/people that no longer bring much/if any positive to my life! At least that's what I'm telling myself.
This was my first full week on the 12 week challenge and I didn't do too bad. I lost 4.5 pounds (mostly water weight which is expected the first 2 weeks at least). I rode a total of 12.5 miles on my bike. I had one session with my trainer and have another one tomorrow.
I'm sore in places I didn't even know COULD be sore--but, as cliched as it is to say, it's a good sore.
The goal for this upcoming week is to get my food intake standardized at 5 meals a day. This is going to take a fair amount of pre-planning on my part---I typically get in two meals, sometimes one gargantuan one, so bumping that up to five is going to be a little tough.
And I have to up my water intake. Thankfully since the weather is getting warmer I have less of an aversion to drinking it.
In addition, thanks to the pages upon pages I received from the neuro. I also have to cut my caffeine back to 16 ounces a day (optimally) and only 8 oz. can come from soda. When I get paid, I"m so buying an iced tea pitcher for work so I can drink that instead of hot tea or hot coffee.
The apartment packing is coming along, semi-slowly because I can't seem to organize my system. This is odd because usually my packing/moving is fairly painless and organized. I think part of it is that I'm really trying to downsize a lot of my stuff and keep doing the do I keep it/do I get rid of it with much stuff. But, I'm getting there and have no doubt that I'll be 95% ready to roll when the movers get here next weekend.
Downsizing doesn't always just have to do with things, but with people too. With all the positive changes I've made of late, I found myself pondering my relationships more and more and what I want out of them. I came to the conclusion that what I want (which coincidentally is what I feel brings the positive to my world) and what I'm getting are two vastly different things. So, I've made the decision to be much more in-tune with what I know is good for me and get out-of-tune with doing things in a certain way just because that's how other people operate. Granted I don't do this all the time, but it seems that I'm making concessions a lot more than I should be when it comes to a lot of elements in my personal life. I realized that there were a few years in there that I was genuinely happy because I didn't change or maneuver myself as much. Ack, this is not coming out as clearly as I'd like--but here's an example. I want to go to see a movie, the 11 a.m. showing. I call friends, they don't want to go until later in the day. Deep down I know that means I'm going to get little done before and little done after because my day becomes choppy. But instead of acknowledging that and standing firm with my time--and the belief that I can and will go to the movie with/without others--I end up accepting the different time and throwing off my day in a way I didn't really want to. Which then makes me frustrated and cranky. I tell myself that it's compromise and being flexible, but hey--wait a minute, couldn't the other person do that just as easily? See where I'm going with this. So, if I have a set end-goal/result in mind I need to stick with it-regardless if it's at work, at home, or in my relationships. And if I'm ambivalent, then it doesn't matter what day/time/place--as long as I know what those are in advance.
Cuz see that's another one---a bazillion and one tentative plans come up but are rarely brought to fruition unless i follow up on them to get it to that point or if the final plan is made, it's made two hours before the 'thing' and usually by then i'm assuming it's a no go and then end up scurrying around to get ready to be there....nope,not working for me. i don't want to be rushed into things just because someone else isn't capable of pre-planning a little bit. If this means I'm doing a majority of things solo, I'm ok with that because I at least know what's happening and when it's happening. And people, 'let's do dinner/drinks sometime this week, month, etc.' is a suggestion--not.a.plan. Put some effort into it and you might be surprised what you get in return.
Which kinda, sorta (but not really) segways into something else--a serious amount of disconnect in my world. I feel like even my close friendships have come down to 140 character soundbites via twitter or brief blurbs on Facebook. And I'm not really liking it. Actually, I'm really disliking it. Having drinks and a leisurely Sat. afternoon with someone I haven't seen in ages really drove that point home yesterday. I love facebook for catching up with people afar, getting silly, and being entertained . But it seems kinda ridiculous for that to be the only way to communicate with with people who live in the same city as you---and honestly, a mass invite on the intartoobs is great for a large gathering with close friends and acquaintances--plus whomever they might want to bring, but when we can't even take the time to send a personal invite to close friends, that's pretty damn sad. So, I've vowed that I'm taking the time to call those I feel are close friends to see how they're doing, to actually invite them to do something, to find out what's going on in their lives...and if I know that person isn't phone avail. a lot of the time, then I'm going to send a personal (not mass out to everyone) e-mail with the same sentiments. Really, how long does it take to just check in with someone to let them know their in your thoughts? Not long, not long at all. And I greatly appreciate the ones who do with me--it makes me feel like they consider our friendship or relationship something that's worth a little extra effort. And that's a really good feeling at the end of the day.
And speaking of the disconnect--people do you really have to continually tweet, facebook, check e-mail when you're out with other people? Does that not seem just a little bit rude. I mean you'd think I was rude if I just opened a book and basically ignored you, so really why is engagin with a gadget any different? So, if you do this when you're with me and I get up and walk out--don't be surprised. (family emergencies, waiting for other peeps, or finding out where the hell we're going are some options that are acceptable, random need to stay in touch with your obsessions--not).
Ok, I must go pack some more...will post about seeing Neil yesterday (i wasn't nearly as Squee as I thought I'd be).
It's once again dawned on me that I wouldn't have to go through all this "change" if I'd just stick to what I know is right for me. I seem to make these same decisions about every 3-4 years---spend a year or so really sticking to them and then sliding back into bad habits. I need to treat this much like I do dating---if you don't make the same mistake twice, you never have to beat yourself up for it!
This was my first full week on the 12 week challenge and I didn't do too bad. I lost 4.5 pounds (mostly water weight which is expected the first 2 weeks at least). I rode a total of 12.5 miles on my bike. I had one session with my trainer and have another one tomorrow.
I'm sore in places I didn't even know COULD be sore--but, as cliched as it is to say, it's a good sore.
The goal for this upcoming week is to get my food intake standardized at 5 meals a day. This is going to take a fair amount of pre-planning on my part---I typically get in two meals, sometimes one gargantuan one, so bumping that up to five is going to be a little tough.
And I have to up my water intake. Thankfully since the weather is getting warmer I have less of an aversion to drinking it.
In addition, thanks to the pages upon pages I received from the neuro. I also have to cut my caffeine back to 16 ounces a day (optimally) and only 8 oz. can come from soda. When I get paid, I"m so buying an iced tea pitcher for work so I can drink that instead of hot tea or hot coffee.
The apartment packing is coming along, semi-slowly because I can't seem to organize my system. This is odd because usually my packing/moving is fairly painless and organized. I think part of it is that I'm really trying to downsize a lot of my stuff and keep doing the do I keep it/do I get rid of it with much stuff. But, I'm getting there and have no doubt that I'll be 95% ready to roll when the movers get here next weekend.
Downsizing doesn't always just have to do with things, but with people too. With all the positive changes I've made of late, I found myself pondering my relationships more and more and what I want out of them. I came to the conclusion that what I want (which coincidentally is what I feel brings the positive to my world) and what I'm getting are two vastly different things. So, I've made the decision to be much more in-tune with what I know is good for me and get out-of-tune with doing things in a certain way just because that's how other people operate. Granted I don't do this all the time, but it seems that I'm making concessions a lot more than I should be when it comes to a lot of elements in my personal life. I realized that there were a few years in there that I was genuinely happy because I didn't change or maneuver myself as much. Ack, this is not coming out as clearly as I'd like--but here's an example. I want to go to see a movie, the 11 a.m. showing. I call friends, they don't want to go until later in the day. Deep down I know that means I'm going to get little done before and little done after because my day becomes choppy. But instead of acknowledging that and standing firm with my time--and the belief that I can and will go to the movie with/without others--I end up accepting the different time and throwing off my day in a way I didn't really want to. Which then makes me frustrated and cranky. I tell myself that it's compromise and being flexible, but hey--wait a minute, couldn't the other person do that just as easily? See where I'm going with this. So, if I have a set end-goal/result in mind I need to stick with it-regardless if it's at work, at home, or in my relationships. And if I'm ambivalent, then it doesn't matter what day/time/place--as long as I know what those are in advance.
Cuz see that's another one---a bazillion and one tentative plans come up but are rarely brought to fruition unless i follow up on them to get it to that point or if the final plan is made, it's made two hours before the 'thing' and usually by then i'm assuming it's a no go and then end up scurrying around to get ready to be there....nope,not working for me. i don't want to be rushed into things just because someone else isn't capable of pre-planning a little bit. If this means I'm doing a majority of things solo, I'm ok with that because I at least know what's happening and when it's happening. And people, 'let's do dinner/drinks sometime this week, month, etc.' is a suggestion--not.a.plan. Put some effort into it and you might be surprised what you get in return.
Which kinda, sorta (but not really) segways into something else--a serious amount of disconnect in my world. I feel like even my close friendships have come down to 140 character soundbites via twitter or brief blurbs on Facebook. And I'm not really liking it. Actually, I'm really disliking it. Having drinks and a leisurely Sat. afternoon with someone I haven't seen in ages really drove that point home yesterday. I love facebook for catching up with people afar, getting silly, and being entertained . But it seems kinda ridiculous for that to be the only way to communicate with with people who live in the same city as you---and honestly, a mass invite on the intartoobs is great for a large gathering with close friends and acquaintances--plus whomever they might want to bring, but when we can't even take the time to send a personal invite to close friends, that's pretty damn sad. So, I've vowed that I'm taking the time to call those I feel are close friends to see how they're doing, to actually invite them to do something, to find out what's going on in their lives...and if I know that person isn't phone avail. a lot of the time, then I'm going to send a personal (not mass out to everyone) e-mail with the same sentiments. Really, how long does it take to just check in with someone to let them know their in your thoughts? Not long, not long at all. And I greatly appreciate the ones who do with me--it makes me feel like they consider our friendship or relationship something that's worth a little extra effort. And that's a really good feeling at the end of the day.
And speaking of the disconnect--people do you really have to continually tweet, facebook, check e-mail when you're out with other people? Does that not seem just a little bit rude. I mean you'd think I was rude if I just opened a book and basically ignored you, so really why is engagin with a gadget any different? So, if you do this when you're with me and I get up and walk out--don't be surprised. (family emergencies, waiting for other peeps, or finding out where the hell we're going are some options that are acceptable, random need to stay in touch with your obsessions--not).
Ok, I must go pack some more...will post about seeing Neil yesterday (i wasn't nearly as Squee as I thought I'd be).
It's once again dawned on me that I wouldn't have to go through all this "change" if I'd just stick to what I know is right for me. I seem to make these same decisions about every 3-4 years---spend a year or so really sticking to them and then sliding back into bad habits. I need to treat this much like I do dating---if you don't make the same mistake twice, you never have to beat yourself up for it!
6.03.2009
Hints for the Hunters...Job Hunters, that is
I may not have the best paying job in the world, but I can say that in my 15 years in the workforce, I've gone a total of 4.5 months being unemployed. I'm sure part of that is luck, but I also think that part of it is that when I was out of work, I strategized how I was going to search for something new.
So, these are the things that seemed to work for me.
Is this work and effort and a whole lot of time spent? You bet it is, but that shouldn't matter if you truly want to be employed.
So, these are the things that seemed to work for me.
- All of us have a variety of skills so resumes are not a one size fits all proposition, but neither do they have to be custom tailored for every job you're applying for. Using myself as an example I have always had three resumes: Administration, Meeting Planning, NFP Management. Each one highlights the tasks I did in that particular area, with other elements coming secondary and at the bottom of my job descriptions.
- If you've been in the working world for 3 or more years, ALWAYS put your work experience at the top, your education at the bottom. And after about 5 years, your GPA doesn't need to be included. At that point a majority of employers are looking for experience, not how well you did on your physics finals.
- Same goes for school oriented activities---they've really no bearing in the real world at that point unless you were a member of something that also has an adult element (the Human Resources Association has a student branch as an example). Instead list your professional memberships and volunteer activities that might apply to your position.
- DO NOT list volunteer organizations that could be perceived as political. I volunteer and serve on boards/committees for Planned Parenthood--I NEVER list this on my resume, it's too much of a hot button and even though they're not supposed to ask you about politics, but things like this are a dead giveaway of where you stand. I'm very proud of what I do for this organization, but I could easily be potentially interviewing with someone who wouldn't appreciate it at all.
- In these tough economic times one thing could seriously hinder you---being overqualified for a position. I know that truly sucks and you'd think someone would want an employee with great education/experience. Instead they see you as someone who's going to jump ship as soon as a better opportunity comes along. That may be so, and honestly it's not uncommon in this day and age, but you don't want them to know that in the least. So here's my rule of thumb: If they ask for high school education, leave off your bachelors or say something generic like "completed classes towards an XXXX. If they ask for a bachelor's and you have a masters...just leave it off. If you're very far along in your career, most places don't even look at the education aspect enough to put forth any lengthy questions or hardpressing questions. Does this sound shady? Yeah, a little, but it's a dog eat dog world out there for job hunters and you have to maximize your position as much as possible. Just don't go the other way and say you have a degree you don't....this is a sure fire way to hit the round file ASAP.
- References are great, but create extra work for the interview by having to call them. Give the interviewer 3 or more letters of recommendation and chances are you don't even have to worry about supplying references. Just be sure those letters are from previous employers or managers. Heck, if you're getting the boot from a job, negotiate that you receive those letters before your body leaves the office that last day...works too if you've been canned (I speak from experience here). Most bosses aren't out to sabatoge your career, they just don't want you in their office or drawing unemployment off them! The quicker you have a job, the quicker they've ridded themselves of you. Brutal I know, but it's the truth baby.
- Be realistic in your money expectations. Just because you made $50,000 as an XXX doesn't mean you're going to make that kind of money doing something different. Hell, chances are you aren't going to make that in the same field, in this economy. The best way to calculate it is to take the unemployment percentage in your area and deduct that amount from your previous salary. Example: unemployment in Chicago is 9%, deduct that and you come up with a salary of $45,500 based on that $50,000. This is going to be the more realistic salary to expect in a position similar to what you previously had. If you were fired from your previous position (not laid off for economic reasons, but actually fired), then take another 2% off that number. It's the penalty for the resume black-mark, unfortunately.
- If they ask for a salary expectation, give them a range of about $5000 with the low being an amount you can comfortably live on.
- This is a biggie: Treat your job search like a full-time job. Sending out five resumes a day is not going to cut it. My ultimate goal was to send 10-15 resumes a day with a portion of those being cold resumes unrelated to any ads. Yes, this will take some time and effort on your part to research companies you think you'd be interested in working for. In my case, I went to the library and pulled the list of all Associations in the Chicagoland area and sent resumes to any of them that looked like they might be viable. Doing this landed me two different jobs.
- Get your ass out of bed-EARLY. You want your e-mailed information to be seen? Then send it early in the a.m. This is when most hiring managers look at their e-mails because the rest of the day is to hectic with everything else they have to do. Send everything between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. Make your follow up calls, during those same times---don't call over the lunch hour and don't call at the end of the day when they're trying to eat or get the hell out of the office.
- Unless it specifically states not to in the ad...follow up your resume with a phone call (and all cold resumes should be followed-up). Just a simple statement to confirm your resume has been received and to ask if they would like any additional information. Let's face it---assertiveness sells, so the only way you're going to get in the door is to assertively sell yourself.
- This doesn't apply to a lot of areas, but in big cities, it's a major factor: Get over your commuting wants. Chances are you're going to have to spend a little additional time on the train/bus/el or in the car if you want a job. There are very few areas of Chicagoland that aren't accessible by train/bus/el. Those of us who drive deal with 1, 2, 3 hour commutes everyday, so thinking that just by taking public transport you should automatically be granted a straight shot commute on one bus/train to work is basically shooting yourself in the foot. Suck it up and deal with the fact that in the short-term you may have to contend with an hour, hour and a half commute each way. And if you get the interview don't bemoan the commute, for pete's sake--tell them it's going to be your chance to catch up on industry reading or doing your crosswords or winding down after a long day, but do not in any way make that commute sound like a negative.
- Cover letters---these are your opportunity to highlight the special. Make sure you include anything that you think would be prevalent to the job your applying for (best bet--highlight the first five things they require in their ad). By truly customizing this, you shouldn't need to customize your resumes for each job.
- REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW...EDIT EDIT EDIT One measly, tiny typo can blow it for you. So review your resume, review your cover letter, ask friends to review them, ask family members to review them. Whatever it takes to ensure you don't have a mistake in there that could blow the whole deal.
- Take the time to call any business or organization you're applying to and get the exact name (and spelling) of the person your resume should go to---even if the gatekeeper won't give out the person's e-mail address (electronic), you can still address your cover letter to them.
- If you're sending your information electronically...send it by mail too. Yes, in this day and age you'd think it wouldn't be necessary, but it seems to do the trick for a lot of people, including me many times. The reviewer gets a pretty, formatted piece of work to look at and it's a 2nd look at your resume with very little effort (and $.44 cents) on your part.
- If you're utilizing temp. agencies in your search, don't just use one or two. Sign up for as many damn agencies as you can possibly get into. And be willing to take short-term assignments, especially now that it's summer and prime time for vacations and people to be popping out the babies. You never know when a place falls might fall in love with you and want make a permanent hire.
- And PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE send a thank you e-mail, note, letter after an interview. A formal letter or e-mail is best, just to reiterate elements of the interview (shows you were listening) and to highlight the reasons you think you'd be a good fit for the organization.
Is this work and effort and a whole lot of time spent? You bet it is, but that shouldn't matter if you truly want to be employed.
6.02.2009
A Favorite Band...A Favorite Book
Very rarely do my two favorite elements in life--books and music--get the opportunity or chance to truly meld together in unexpected (to me) ways.
As most of the readers here know, Ha Ha Tonka become a favorite band on a favorite label after my very first time seeing them live. HHT blends together something many bands are too scared to try---driving guitars, powerful vocals, thumping drums, and (the outlier) beautiful, beautiful harmonies. I'll be posting a full-on review of HHT and their show at SubT in May and their CD release at Schuba's in June, after I see the June show!]
Their second release is titled "Novel Sounds of the Nouveaux South" and is their second endeavor with Chicago's own Bloodshot Records. I have high hopes that it takes the fabulousness of their first release and turns up the power--of lyric, voice, and instrument. If the show at SubT is any indication, I don't think I stand a chance of being even remotely disappointed.
The element that I just learned, via the release write up, is that their new album holds some foundation in Harold Bell Wright's early 1900's novel "Shepherd of the Hills".
I'm sure there are quite a few people in the Chicago area, along with the rest of the US who don't know much about this book. But if you grew up in the somewhat rural Midwest--specifically the lower half of Iowa, all of Missouri, the Southern portion of Illinois, Arkansas, and some of Kansas--you know about this book and have probably traveled to the Ozarks and watched the outdoor play.
Those of you who truly know me will "get" why I love this book so much. Outwardly it's a stoic, somewhat cold tale, but when you read closely and between the lines you feel the vast depth and level of emotion in the characters that Wright based on the people he met during his repeated stays in the Ozarks.
It's a story of deep and abiding love, regret, loss, pain, and most of all hope--eternal hope. It's about the best and worst in people---most of the time both residing in the same person.
I saw the play and read the book when I was 10 years old. For most kids, it was probably a bit too mature, but even back then I was reading faster and beyond what most other kids were reading. Though I probably didn't get the finer nuances of what the characters were dealing with, I knew it was a story with many layers that kept me turning the pages. In fact, I read the entire book (352 pages) in the six hour return trip to Iowa from our vacation in the Ozarks.
{as an aside, this was also the year I went on my first roller coaster ride--Fire in the Hole at Silver Dollar City. I didn't get on another roller coaster until i was 13, thanks the the fear that was imbedded in me from that ride--nothing like shooting into pitch blackness in an unsecured roller coaster car and then have gas propelled flames licking at you from all sides! Obviously safety was not the issue back then that it is today. But I digress...}
Over the years I think I picked up this book at least 20 times to read again...until it, along with all my worldly possessions, was stolen from my apartment my junior year in college. I've never replaced the book...something has always stopped me from buying a brand, spanking new copy of the well-worn, well-loved edition that I used to have....
I was happy, and nostalgically tearful, to learn that Ha Ha Tonka has opted to harness the beauty and emotion of that book and life in the Ozarks in their new release. I cannot wait to hear how it translates to song, to feel the power of that story in another medium that transports me ust as easily as any book can.
I was beyond excited about the upcoming release show, but now I'm truly over the moon. If I had that faded, tattered book...I'd take it with me and beg the guys to sign it, right along with the actors who signed it in 1981 when I first saw and read about the stranger, that shepherd of the hills, who brought a small mountain town together through is wisdom, forgiveness, and unconditional love.
As most of the readers here know, Ha Ha Tonka become a favorite band on a favorite label after my very first time seeing them live. HHT blends together something many bands are too scared to try---driving guitars, powerful vocals, thumping drums, and (the outlier) beautiful, beautiful harmonies. I'll be posting a full-on review of HHT and their show at SubT in May and their CD release at Schuba's in June, after I see the June show!]
Their second release is titled "Novel Sounds of the Nouveaux South" and is their second endeavor with Chicago's own Bloodshot Records. I have high hopes that it takes the fabulousness of their first release and turns up the power--of lyric, voice, and instrument. If the show at SubT is any indication, I don't think I stand a chance of being even remotely disappointed.
The element that I just learned, via the release write up, is that their new album holds some foundation in Harold Bell Wright's early 1900's novel "Shepherd of the Hills".
I'm sure there are quite a few people in the Chicago area, along with the rest of the US who don't know much about this book. But if you grew up in the somewhat rural Midwest--specifically the lower half of Iowa, all of Missouri, the Southern portion of Illinois, Arkansas, and some of Kansas--you know about this book and have probably traveled to the Ozarks and watched the outdoor play.
Those of you who truly know me will "get" why I love this book so much. Outwardly it's a stoic, somewhat cold tale, but when you read closely and between the lines you feel the vast depth and level of emotion in the characters that Wright based on the people he met during his repeated stays in the Ozarks.
It's a story of deep and abiding love, regret, loss, pain, and most of all hope--eternal hope. It's about the best and worst in people---most of the time both residing in the same person.
I saw the play and read the book when I was 10 years old. For most kids, it was probably a bit too mature, but even back then I was reading faster and beyond what most other kids were reading. Though I probably didn't get the finer nuances of what the characters were dealing with, I knew it was a story with many layers that kept me turning the pages. In fact, I read the entire book (352 pages) in the six hour return trip to Iowa from our vacation in the Ozarks.
{as an aside, this was also the year I went on my first roller coaster ride--Fire in the Hole at Silver Dollar City. I didn't get on another roller coaster until i was 13, thanks the the fear that was imbedded in me from that ride--nothing like shooting into pitch blackness in an unsecured roller coaster car and then have gas propelled flames licking at you from all sides! Obviously safety was not the issue back then that it is today. But I digress...}
Over the years I think I picked up this book at least 20 times to read again...until it, along with all my worldly possessions, was stolen from my apartment my junior year in college. I've never replaced the book...something has always stopped me from buying a brand, spanking new copy of the well-worn, well-loved edition that I used to have....
I was happy, and nostalgically tearful, to learn that Ha Ha Tonka has opted to harness the beauty and emotion of that book and life in the Ozarks in their new release. I cannot wait to hear how it translates to song, to feel the power of that story in another medium that transports me ust as easily as any book can.
I was beyond excited about the upcoming release show, but now I'm truly over the moon. If I had that faded, tattered book...I'd take it with me and beg the guys to sign it, right along with the actors who signed it in 1981 when I first saw and read about the stranger, that shepherd of the hills, who brought a small mountain town together through is wisdom, forgiveness, and unconditional love.
6.01.2009
Tilapia--On the Cheap
Ok people...today's lesson in CHEAP contains one word that ya'll need to live by/with---ALDI.
Aldi has a bad rep because it used to be the ghettoest of the ghetto stores. But let me give you a little detail on it--1. it's owned by the same folks who own Trader Joe's. 2. It's come a long way baby by stocking ground turkey, an entire case of frozen fishes/shellfish, Smithfield hams, hummus, feta, baby spring greens in a bag...the list truly is endless as long as you're willing to give it a try. Sure, there are some things that I don't necessarily love--their cheddar cheese for example, but then again Tillamook is the low end of what I'll accept for cheddar.
Aldi isn't the only store you need to be shopping...Trader Joe's, Tony's Finer Foods (excellent prices on meat/poultry/seafood), and any of the hispanic Supermercado's (great for fresh and inexpensive produce) in the Chicago area have items much less pricey than you'll find at your local Jewel or Dominicks.
Anyway, I digress.
Today, I'm bringing you a full meal based on Aldi's Frozen Tilapia fillets. These white fillets are individual sealed so you can pop out one or more, depending on how many you're feeding.
Since I'm a solo flyer, this recipe is for one person:
1-2 tilapia fillets (no need to thaw)
two slices of lemon, halved
spray a baking pan or skillet with non-stick cooking spray. place tilapia in pan, sprinkle with fresh-ground pepper, top with 2 lemon slice halves per fillet.
bake at 350 degrees until fish is opaque and flaky.
Serve with one or two of the following:
Aldi frozen asparagus spears, steamed for approx. 4 minutes (be sure to not over cook or else they're a little too squishy). toss with olive oil, garlic powder, italian seasoning
OR
1/2 bag of baby spring greens
1 t. olive oil
1 clove pressed or zested garlic clove
1 t. lemon juice
Heat olive oil in skillet. Add garlic, saute for about 30 seconds until it's aromatic, add baby spring greens and toss. Cook until wilted. Squeeze on lemon juice and toss to coat. Salt/pepper to taste.
Serve fish on top of bed of baby greens.
** Aldi's chicken flavored rice (basically rice-a-roni) goes well with this and usually makes enough for additional meals later in the week**
An approximate total on cost: frozen tilapia-$4.99 (bag has about 8 fillets, which equals approx. $.63 per fillet), asparagus spears, $1.59 (easily three servings in a bag, $.53 per serving), baby greens, $2.29 (the bag is one/two servings depending on how much you want), Chicken rice, $1.49 (easily 4 servings, $.37 per serving). The grand total for this meal with both the asparagus and greens: $4.45. That's less than $20 to feed four people a well-balance, nutritious meal. Heck, at that price, you don't even have to settle for teh 3 buck chuck!
Aldi has a bad rep because it used to be the ghettoest of the ghetto stores. But let me give you a little detail on it--1. it's owned by the same folks who own Trader Joe's. 2. It's come a long way baby by stocking ground turkey, an entire case of frozen fishes/shellfish, Smithfield hams, hummus, feta, baby spring greens in a bag...the list truly is endless as long as you're willing to give it a try. Sure, there are some things that I don't necessarily love--their cheddar cheese for example, but then again Tillamook is the low end of what I'll accept for cheddar.
Aldi isn't the only store you need to be shopping...Trader Joe's, Tony's Finer Foods (excellent prices on meat/poultry/seafood), and any of the hispanic Supermercado's (great for fresh and inexpensive produce) in the Chicago area have items much less pricey than you'll find at your local Jewel or Dominicks.
Anyway, I digress.
Today, I'm bringing you a full meal based on Aldi's Frozen Tilapia fillets. These white fillets are individual sealed so you can pop out one or more, depending on how many you're feeding.
Since I'm a solo flyer, this recipe is for one person:
1-2 tilapia fillets (no need to thaw)
two slices of lemon, halved
spray a baking pan or skillet with non-stick cooking spray. place tilapia in pan, sprinkle with fresh-ground pepper, top with 2 lemon slice halves per fillet.
bake at 350 degrees until fish is opaque and flaky.
Serve with one or two of the following:
Aldi frozen asparagus spears, steamed for approx. 4 minutes (be sure to not over cook or else they're a little too squishy). toss with olive oil, garlic powder, italian seasoning
OR
1/2 bag of baby spring greens
1 t. olive oil
1 clove pressed or zested garlic clove
1 t. lemon juice
Heat olive oil in skillet. Add garlic, saute for about 30 seconds until it's aromatic, add baby spring greens and toss. Cook until wilted. Squeeze on lemon juice and toss to coat. Salt/pepper to taste.
Serve fish on top of bed of baby greens.
** Aldi's chicken flavored rice (basically rice-a-roni) goes well with this and usually makes enough for additional meals later in the week**
An approximate total on cost: frozen tilapia-$4.99 (bag has about 8 fillets, which equals approx. $.63 per fillet), asparagus spears, $1.59 (easily three servings in a bag, $.53 per serving), baby greens, $2.29 (the bag is one/two servings depending on how much you want), Chicken rice, $1.49 (easily 4 servings, $.37 per serving). The grand total for this meal with both the asparagus and greens: $4.45. That's less than $20 to feed four people a well-balance, nutritious meal. Heck, at that price, you don't even have to settle for teh 3 buck chuck!
On the Cheap--A New Cynically Optimistic Weekly Installment
In these tough economic times, one of the hardest things to do is figure out how to make really tasty meals without spending all your hard earned bank...so, I've decided I'm going to do a weekly installment of "On the Cheap" meals. I'm not going to set a price on each meal, because that's always going to vary, but I'm going to give you some inexpensive and tasty treats that still leave enough money for a bottle of $3 Chuck!
Addictions Come In All Shapes & Sizes
Nettie posted a link to an article about Eminem and running. One of the questions in it was: "Still, it's a fascinating question: Is running "addictive"? Not in a cutesy, jokey way... but in a serious, potentially damaging way?"
I don't think the question should be at running but honestly at any endorphin raising, high- endurance sport....
Can it be damaging? Yes, it can for some people, I think. Physically people may push themselves so far beyond their boundaries that they end up with permanent injuries that affect them for the rest of their lives. Psychologically, I think it can take the place of far more harmful addictions--most people who work out get a "high" from it...endorphins and adrenaline are the body's natural answer to mood adjustment.
Do I think these "addictions" rank anywhere near addictions to sex, drugs, booze, etc. HELL NO. I think only a small number of people will truly allow it to negatively alter their lives--physically or psychologically.
And if I knew a drug addict who opted to become a running addict, I think I'd probably say more power to ya! Not only are you finding a natural way to make yourself feel better, but you're also taking a huge leap in stopping or even counter-acting all the awful things the drug addiction did to your body.
What about that could possibly be bad?
I don't think the question should be at running but honestly at any endorphin raising, high- endurance sport....
Can it be damaging? Yes, it can for some people, I think. Physically people may push themselves so far beyond their boundaries that they end up with permanent injuries that affect them for the rest of their lives. Psychologically, I think it can take the place of far more harmful addictions--most people who work out get a "high" from it...endorphins and adrenaline are the body's natural answer to mood adjustment.
Do I think these "addictions" rank anywhere near addictions to sex, drugs, booze, etc. HELL NO. I think only a small number of people will truly allow it to negatively alter their lives--physically or psychologically.
And if I knew a drug addict who opted to become a running addict, I think I'd probably say more power to ya! Not only are you finding a natural way to make yourself feel better, but you're also taking a huge leap in stopping or even counter-acting all the awful things the drug addiction did to your body.
What about that could possibly be bad?
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