Regular readers of this blog know that I've rhapsodized about, thrown superlatives at, sung the praises of and waxed poetic on the subject of the donuts at the Lake Oswego Farmers Market. Finally, the rest of the world should begin to take notice. (And yours truly is even quoted at the end of the article - it's quite possible that the word "cakey" is made up, but you all know what I mean.)
The bad news is that the family is on vacation this week and next, meaning the droves of people who will flock to the market this Saturday will leave donut-less and disappointed. The good news is that they'll be back in two weeks, at which point at least those of us who have been regular fans - I mean customers - can get our donut fix again.
03 August 2006
Some Italian While You Wait
I have another post about our trip to Bend (god, what was that, three weeks ago now?) in the offing, but in the meantime (until I get my shit together to finally edit it), here are a couple idiomatic expressions from my trusty old Italian phrase-a-day calendar:
Sono sano come un pesce.
"I'm fit as a fiddle." - literally, "I'm as healthy as a fish."
Ha cambiato bandiera!
"He switched sides!" - literally, "He changed flags!"
Sono sano come un pesce.
"I'm fit as a fiddle." - literally, "I'm as healthy as a fish."
Ha cambiato bandiera!
"He switched sides!" - literally, "He changed flags!"
01 August 2006
Whose dumb idea was this?
From today's American Progress Report:
"Disney's ABC television network has dropped plans to produce a Holocaust-themed miniseries" overseen by Mel Gibson, who reportedly went on an anti-Semitic tirade after he was arrested for DUI last week.What nincompoop thought letting Mel Gibson oversee a "Holocaust-themed miniseries" was a good idea in the first place?!?
31 July 2006
Cat Videos
Rather than spread these out over time, I'm going to foist them all on you at once. So those of you who are anti-cat can skip this whole post. Heck, you might as well just skip the whole blog, as I'm not sure I want any anti-cat people around here... (I'm kidding. Mostly.)
But more to the point, for those of you who find the little furballs endlessly amusing, you'll enjoy this wee collection I've found (mostly on Frytopia) and been storing up...
Expensive Cat Toy - I laughed out loud at this one, mostly being thankful that wasn't my laptop.
Cat in a Bottle - Well, that about speaks for itself, now doesn't it?
Moos Attack - Even with the word "attack" in the title, the music got me. I'm a total sucker.
Ultimate Fighting Cats - I love that some people have this much time on their hands.
Sleepy Cat - That is one tired kitten...
Fox on Trampoline - Okay, it's not a cat, but this is so cute. And now I want a pet fox.
But more to the point, for those of you who find the little furballs endlessly amusing, you'll enjoy this wee collection I've found (mostly on Frytopia) and been storing up...
Expensive Cat Toy - I laughed out loud at this one, mostly being thankful that wasn't my laptop.
Cat in a Bottle - Well, that about speaks for itself, now doesn't it?
Moos Attack - Even with the word "attack" in the title, the music got me. I'm a total sucker.
Ultimate Fighting Cats - I love that some people have this much time on their hands.
Sleepy Cat - That is one tired kitten...
Fox on Trampoline - Okay, it's not a cat, but this is so cute. And now I want a pet fox.
28 July 2006
Cutting Back
There was a time in my life when I was unhappy with nearly everything I was doing. At that point, cutting something out of a busy schedule would have been easy. At this point, however, when everything in my life is fun and exciting and interesting, I hate that I have to cut something out... So I'm just cutting back instead.
This fall I'm going to go back to teaching one night a week as opposed to two, which should help. This term I've been teaching one level one class and one level two class, and the level two class was my first attempt at it... I feel, overall, that I'm doing the students some good - but not enough. I'm not confident enough in the material to be teaching it at the moment, and although I could certainly get to a higher confidence level, I don't have the time to devote to it.
So, starting in the fall, I'll be teaching one class a term, and only level one. Maybe I'll eventually get back to teaching level two, maybe not - for now, at least, it's a relief and a half to have only one class coming up next term.
This fall I'm going to go back to teaching one night a week as opposed to two, which should help. This term I've been teaching one level one class and one level two class, and the level two class was my first attempt at it... I feel, overall, that I'm doing the students some good - but not enough. I'm not confident enough in the material to be teaching it at the moment, and although I could certainly get to a higher confidence level, I don't have the time to devote to it.
So, starting in the fall, I'll be teaching one class a term, and only level one. Maybe I'll eventually get back to teaching level two, maybe not - for now, at least, it's a relief and a half to have only one class coming up next term.
25 July 2006
Summer Roll
So, it was hot recently here. The rule for all of my food when it's hot is that it cannot be cooked. That means I'm either eating salad or sushi - so on Friday night, we went out for sushi after spending some blissful time in an air conditioned movie theatre. One of the rolls on the menu was called a "Summer Roll," so we figured we'd give it a try.
It was gorgeous - crab meat, tuna and (I think) salmon, avocado and mango wrapped in a thin layer of crispy and sweet cucumber. Dee-lish. And purdy, don'tcha think?
It was gorgeous - crab meat, tuna and (I think) salmon, avocado and mango wrapped in a thin layer of crispy and sweet cucumber. Dee-lish. And purdy, don'tcha think?
24 July 2006
Curly Girl
Many years ago, in the folly of youth, I used to dye my hair black. And then I'd get it permed. It was huge with frizz. But I wanted curl, dammit, and with hair down to my waist, the weight never gave the curls a fighting chance. Then, more recently, my fabulous genius-of-a-hairdresser said that she would not both color and perm my hair. She said it would be too damaging. I settled on color, because I've always wanted to be a redhead, and she's been doing a fine job in that department. I settled for straight hair, and I was fine with the decision.
And then we cut to this past weekend, when it was so ungodly hot here that I became the girl who takes a couple cold showers every day just to cool off. I obviously wasn't about to blow-dry my hair after that, so it air-dried. And it did a funny thing. It curled.
Apparently my genius-of-a-hairdresser cut my hair in such a way that it curls if I don't blow-dry it. Who knew?!?
And then we cut to this past weekend, when it was so ungodly hot here that I became the girl who takes a couple cold showers every day just to cool off. I obviously wasn't about to blow-dry my hair after that, so it air-dried. And it did a funny thing. It curled.
Apparently my genius-of-a-hairdresser cut my hair in such a way that it curls if I don't blow-dry it. Who knew?!?
22 July 2006
Driveway Explosives
So, I'm a little behind... But if I'm being positive about things, I could say this makes holidays like July 4th last longer. Are you buyin' it? I hope so...
Before we went to the Lake O fireworks at the swim park, our new friends Nino & Patricia (well, more Nino than Patricia) set off some fireworks in their driveway with the help of their friends Jason & Codi (again, more Jason than Codi). Truth be told, Codi & I sat on the steps of the house, well out of firing range, with our cameras in hand. Patricia made sure the hose was turned on...
Nino's inner child comes out as he prepares to light something loud and/or colorful.
The smoke bombs were my favorites; they were really pretty, and - blissfully - perfectly quiet.
When the first spinny thing (and yes, that's a technical term) was let loose on the driveway, it didn't spin because of the cobbled surface. The ever-creative Jason ran inside and came out, all MacGyver-like, with a contraption to hold it above the driveway. When it didn't work as he'd planned, he opted to hold the thing himself. In this picture, he's clearly pleased with his ingenuity (it worked like a charm)...
...then he made the mistake of moving downwind... Ah, well, for those of us who were merely spectating, the boys put on a nice show.
Before we went to the Lake O fireworks at the swim park, our new friends Nino & Patricia (well, more Nino than Patricia) set off some fireworks in their driveway with the help of their friends Jason & Codi (again, more Jason than Codi). Truth be told, Codi & I sat on the steps of the house, well out of firing range, with our cameras in hand. Patricia made sure the hose was turned on...
Nino's inner child comes out as he prepares to light something loud and/or colorful.
The smoke bombs were my favorites; they were really pretty, and - blissfully - perfectly quiet.
When the first spinny thing (and yes, that's a technical term) was let loose on the driveway, it didn't spin because of the cobbled surface. The ever-creative Jason ran inside and came out, all MacGyver-like, with a contraption to hold it above the driveway. When it didn't work as he'd planned, he opted to hold the thing himself. In this picture, he's clearly pleased with his ingenuity (it worked like a charm)...
...then he made the mistake of moving downwind... Ah, well, for those of us who were merely spectating, the boys put on a nice show.
20 July 2006
Ten. Frickin. Years.
Today is the 10th anniversary of Chris' and my first date, and even though we have a "new" anniversary (the actual wedding), I'm not willing to give up on this one. I mean, I've now spent a decade with this man, and I want that recognized, dammit...
Seriously, I can't believe it's been ten years. Sometimes I feel like the time has just flown by, and others I feel like we've been together even longer. At any rate, this momentous date is causing me to reflect on the past just a tad... For those of you who already know the story of our first date, you can stop reading now. For those who don't know it, enjoy.
July 20, 1996
Chris had asked me out under duress from my then-employer (a mutual friend who kept trying to set us up), so I'm not sure either of us had terribly high hopes for the evening. I'd been in band rehearsals all day and was exhausted, so when Chris suggested (over the phone) that we go to a sushi restaurant, the fact that I'd never eaten sushi didn't cross my mind. I said, "Sure, sounds fine!" Then I hung up and though, "Oh, lordy, I hope they have something that's not raw..."
We went to Obi in Old Town, after an aborted attempt to eat at a place I'm still not convinced does anything but line people up outside its doors for hours on end (Saburo in Sellwood), and I did end up ordering teriyaki chicken... But my lone bravery gene made a rare appearance that night, and I did try Chris' sushi. And it wasn't bad. I've since come to love it, too...
The highlight of dinner, however, was when Chris popped a shrimp's head in his mouth, facing out, and moved it around with his tongue while saying (in a high-pitched Mr. Bill voice), "Oh nooo! Don't eat me! Nooo!" I swear, I just looked at this loony man sitting next to me and thought, "What in the hell am I doing here?!?" But he made me laugh, and that obviously counts for something.
After sushi we went for coffee up on Hawthorne, and when the guy behind the counter asked for Chris' name, he said, "Fidel," without skipping a beat. My double-take gave him away, unfortunately, and he had to explain that was his coffee name. He liked watching peoples' reactions when the barista yelled, "Fidel!" across a crowded cafe. I think he and the barista came up with a coffee name for me that night, but I don't remember it for sure - it might have been Bianca. It doesn't matter, because I never used it after that.
After coffee, he drove me home. And even after the whole shrimp's head thing and the Fidel thing, I still went out with him again. And again. And so on. Until we've arrived at what Chris has taken to (lovingly?) calling the Ten Frickin' Year Anniversary.
So, Happy TFY Anniversary, hon.
Seriously, I can't believe it's been ten years. Sometimes I feel like the time has just flown by, and others I feel like we've been together even longer. At any rate, this momentous date is causing me to reflect on the past just a tad... For those of you who already know the story of our first date, you can stop reading now. For those who don't know it, enjoy.
July 20, 1996
Chris had asked me out under duress from my then-employer (a mutual friend who kept trying to set us up), so I'm not sure either of us had terribly high hopes for the evening. I'd been in band rehearsals all day and was exhausted, so when Chris suggested (over the phone) that we go to a sushi restaurant, the fact that I'd never eaten sushi didn't cross my mind. I said, "Sure, sounds fine!" Then I hung up and though, "Oh, lordy, I hope they have something that's not raw..."
We went to Obi in Old Town, after an aborted attempt to eat at a place I'm still not convinced does anything but line people up outside its doors for hours on end (Saburo in Sellwood), and I did end up ordering teriyaki chicken... But my lone bravery gene made a rare appearance that night, and I did try Chris' sushi. And it wasn't bad. I've since come to love it, too...
The highlight of dinner, however, was when Chris popped a shrimp's head in his mouth, facing out, and moved it around with his tongue while saying (in a high-pitched Mr. Bill voice), "Oh nooo! Don't eat me! Nooo!" I swear, I just looked at this loony man sitting next to me and thought, "What in the hell am I doing here?!?" But he made me laugh, and that obviously counts for something.
After sushi we went for coffee up on Hawthorne, and when the guy behind the counter asked for Chris' name, he said, "Fidel," without skipping a beat. My double-take gave him away, unfortunately, and he had to explain that was his coffee name. He liked watching peoples' reactions when the barista yelled, "Fidel!" across a crowded cafe. I think he and the barista came up with a coffee name for me that night, but I don't remember it for sure - it might have been Bianca. It doesn't matter, because I never used it after that.
After coffee, he drove me home. And even after the whole shrimp's head thing and the Fidel thing, I still went out with him again. And again. And so on. Until we've arrived at what Chris has taken to (lovingly?) calling the Ten Frickin' Year Anniversary.
So, Happy TFY Anniversary, hon.
17 July 2006
Various & Sundry Amusing Tidbits
By which I mean two. These came in last week via the American Progress Report. The first is just one of those shake-your-head moments (like the head of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission who was also recently driving while drunk), while the second made me giggle aloud.
Enjoy.
"Beer magnate and former Republican U.S. Senate candidate Pete Coors was arrested on a drunken-driving charge and is due to appear in court next week."
Mr. T answers a question for a TV Land viewer: "Mr. T, why do you pity the fool?" Mr. T: "That is a good question and a legitimate question. And I'm the man to answer it. You pity the fool because you don't want to beat up a fool."
Enjoy.
"Beer magnate and former Republican U.S. Senate candidate Pete Coors was arrested on a drunken-driving charge and is due to appear in court next week."
Mr. T answers a question for a TV Land viewer: "Mr. T, why do you pity the fool?" Mr. T: "That is a good question and a legitimate question. And I'm the man to answer it. You pity the fool because you don't want to beat up a fool."
16 July 2006
From Denver to Newport
A few weeks ago, a college friend of mine from Denver graced us with her presence for a few days... And, since she lives in a land-locked state (the poor girl), she wanted to go to the beach. We had to abort our trip to Lincoln City when a traffic accident closed the road, but we ended up making it to Newport for a beautiful - if terrifically windy - day.
Kim doing her best South Park Kenny impression.
The same gang, different backgrounds... (L-R) Kim, me, Steph (the Denver girl) & Toni - we met freshman year, and have been friends ever since. Incidentally, we don't always look quite so windblown.
Kim doing her best South Park Kenny impression.
The same gang, different backgrounds... (L-R) Kim, me, Steph (the Denver girl) & Toni - we met freshman year, and have been friends ever since. Incidentally, we don't always look quite so windblown.
14 July 2006
Parson's Porridge & Orange Toes
I'm writing this from sunny Bend, Oregon, where Chris & I are this weekend for the Cascade Cycling Classic... While Chris is racing, I'm on a mini-vacation.
We got in last night, had dinner and a quick walk around downtown, and I already know a few shops I want to go back to later. I treated myself to a pedicure today (hence the orange toes), after a lovely breakfast on the patio (hence the porridge), so I can't try on any of the cute shoes I found at a shop around the corner... At least not until tomorrow. I think the park is also within walking distance, and I think there are swans there, too. So, maybe I'll wander down there later.
At the moment, though, I'm enjoying the hotel's free wifi in one of its four lovely courtyards, under the shade of an umbrella - which is necessary, as it's supposed to be 87 degrees today. And at some point I'm hoping to get some pictures up here for you... I've got shots from weeks ago that I hadn't even had time to get onto the computer until just now, so I've got some catching up to do.
One funny aside - for anyone who says the US isn't a soccer nation, we were stopped on our little walk last night by two people because Chris was wearing one of his "ITALIA" jackets. Both times, they said, "Hey, Italia! Congratulations!" So, at least some people are paying attention.
Alrighty, that's about it for now. I'm taking pictures this weekend, too, so eventually - really, eventually - you'll see them. I promise. Until then, just know that I mean well, even if I am getting quite lazy.
We got in last night, had dinner and a quick walk around downtown, and I already know a few shops I want to go back to later. I treated myself to a pedicure today (hence the orange toes), after a lovely breakfast on the patio (hence the porridge), so I can't try on any of the cute shoes I found at a shop around the corner... At least not until tomorrow. I think the park is also within walking distance, and I think there are swans there, too. So, maybe I'll wander down there later.
At the moment, though, I'm enjoying the hotel's free wifi in one of its four lovely courtyards, under the shade of an umbrella - which is necessary, as it's supposed to be 87 degrees today. And at some point I'm hoping to get some pictures up here for you... I've got shots from weeks ago that I hadn't even had time to get onto the computer until just now, so I've got some catching up to do.
One funny aside - for anyone who says the US isn't a soccer nation, we were stopped on our little walk last night by two people because Chris was wearing one of his "ITALIA" jackets. Both times, they said, "Hey, Italia! Congratulations!" So, at least some people are paying attention.
Alrighty, that's about it for now. I'm taking pictures this weekend, too, so eventually - really, eventually - you'll see them. I promise. Until then, just know that I mean well, even if I am getting quite lazy.
09 July 2006
CAMPIONI DEL MONDO
Italy has won the World Cup.I am utterly hoarse from all the screaming at the television. I'm exhausted, my head is killing me and my neck is stiff. My pulse was racing throughout the entire fricking match.
And I'm beyond happy.
photo from La Gazzetta dello Sport
06 July 2006
A Lake O Fourth
Chris & I went to a barbecue at the house of some new friends on Tuesday, and met two of their friends as well (A Fourth of New Friends!); it was a mostly relaxing day. Chris had to miss the whole meal, unfortunately, to do a bike race - he's training for a three-day race in Bend next weekend, and couldn't miss it as a training race - and rejoined us only just before the fireworks over the lake.
I didn't bring my camera to the lake (my pictures of the driveway explosives coming later), but one of our companions did. His pictures from the fireworks display are here and here. It was a great show, I was just tired and wishing it wasn't a "school night." And now, as I'm finally nearing another weekend (and days when I can take naps - hooray for naps!), I can't believe how much I need a weekend after the four days off I had only a few days ago... How time flies, whether you're having fun or not. Thank goodness I'm mostly having a blast.
I didn't bring my camera to the lake (my pictures of the driveway explosives coming later), but one of our companions did. His pictures from the fireworks display are here and here. It was a great show, I was just tired and wishing it wasn't a "school night." And now, as I'm finally nearing another weekend (and days when I can take naps - hooray for naps!), I can't believe how much I need a weekend after the four days off I had only a few days ago... How time flies, whether you're having fun or not. Thank goodness I'm mostly having a blast.
03 July 2006
I'm Still Watching the Tour...
I had a very heavy heart last Friday when I last checked in here - and in many ways I still do - about the state of cycling, my favorite cyclist's name on a list I don't want it on, etc. But over on that other wee blog, I wrote this.
I've made a decision to keep watching bike races and keep believing the guys who claim to be clean, unless and until it's proven otherwise. Cynics say every sport is full of dopers, and they're probably right. But if I don't continue believing that cycling is a beautiful sport, I'm not sure what I'm left with. Golf? I don't think so.
So I hope the cycling fans out there will keep being fans, and keep believing in the beauty and the grace of the sport. I think if enough of us say that we don't want our favorite cyclists to be super-human, only to ride their best, maybe they'll hear us. Maybe.
I've made a decision to keep watching bike races and keep believing the guys who claim to be clean, unless and until it's proven otherwise. Cynics say every sport is full of dopers, and they're probably right. But if I don't continue believing that cycling is a beautiful sport, I'm not sure what I'm left with. Golf? I don't think so.
So I hope the cycling fans out there will keep being fans, and keep believing in the beauty and the grace of the sport. I think if enough of us say that we don't want our favorite cyclists to be super-human, only to ride their best, maybe they'll hear us. Maybe.
30 June 2006
There Are No Words for This Heartbreak
I am completely heartbroken this morning. I feel like I've been kicked in the stomach. This is not a way to start a Friday, nor is it a way to start a Tour de France.
There's been an ongoing investigation in Spain into a doping scandal which has now reached its ugly tentacles into the peloton - so high up in the peloton, in fact, that the race will start tomorrow 30 riders short (there are a couple of news links over here). This alone would be deeply saddening to any cycling fan, but the news gets worse for this cycling fan - among the riders either suspended by his team or just not allowed by race organizers to start is my favorite rider, Ivan Basso.
I am gutted.
Also among those not starting tomorrow is Jan Ullrich, the other Tour favorite, who has been suspended by his team. The team statement sounded ominous - they say that with the evidence they've been shown, they suspended him immediately. I nearly started to cry when I read that this morning. I haven't seen a similar comment from Basso's team, but I'm sure it's coming. And then I probably will cry.
I said a couple of years ago, when I first became a Basso fan, that if he - a man I considered to be a decent human being above all else - ever turned out to be a doper, I'd lose faith in the sport entirely. I'm trying to hold out hope (these are only allegations, after all, and no one's been tried yet), but I'm preparing to be crushed. And after that, I'm not sure how I'm going to feel about this sport.
There's been an ongoing investigation in Spain into a doping scandal which has now reached its ugly tentacles into the peloton - so high up in the peloton, in fact, that the race will start tomorrow 30 riders short (there are a couple of news links over here). This alone would be deeply saddening to any cycling fan, but the news gets worse for this cycling fan - among the riders either suspended by his team or just not allowed by race organizers to start is my favorite rider, Ivan Basso.
I am gutted.
Also among those not starting tomorrow is Jan Ullrich, the other Tour favorite, who has been suspended by his team. The team statement sounded ominous - they say that with the evidence they've been shown, they suspended him immediately. I nearly started to cry when I read that this morning. I haven't seen a similar comment from Basso's team, but I'm sure it's coming. And then I probably will cry.
I said a couple of years ago, when I first became a Basso fan, that if he - a man I considered to be a decent human being above all else - ever turned out to be a doper, I'd lose faith in the sport entirely. I'm trying to hold out hope (these are only allegations, after all, and no one's been tried yet), but I'm preparing to be crushed. And after that, I'm not sure how I'm going to feel about this sport.
29 June 2006
Summer Hours
I've been at my wits' end lately trying to keep up to date with everything in my nutty schedule. The summer term began this week, which means I've got two nights of teaching each week plus the class I'm taking... And this is on top of my two part-time day jobs (which make up a little more than one full-time job). I've also taken on writing for a cycling blog, which, while a total blast, is really time-consuming and something I can only do in my free evenings (which I have fewer and fewer of). Plus I'm still trying to keep updating this blog as close to daily as I can, and I've got a lingering thought that I should be reading a little bit more about our vacation this fall - heck, reading anything at all would be nice, as I haven't had time to pick up a book in weeks...
Did I mention that there is, occasionally, laundry and grocery shopping to be done at my house as well?
All this is to say that, based on the suggestion of a friend, I'm going to adopt "summer hours" here at Andiamo. That doesn't mean I won't be posting at all, only that I won't make it my personal mission to update the site every day like I've been trying to do. I hope you'll bear with me and come back when my calendar clears a bit... Especially as I'm planning to do some honest-to-goodness travel blogging from our September trip.
I only wish that with these summer hours came a colorful beverage with an umbrella in it... Alas, I'd probably have to make it myself...
Did I mention that there is, occasionally, laundry and grocery shopping to be done at my house as well?
All this is to say that, based on the suggestion of a friend, I'm going to adopt "summer hours" here at Andiamo. That doesn't mean I won't be posting at all, only that I won't make it my personal mission to update the site every day like I've been trying to do. I hope you'll bear with me and come back when my calendar clears a bit... Especially as I'm planning to do some honest-to-goodness travel blogging from our September trip.
I only wish that with these summer hours came a colorful beverage with an umbrella in it... Alas, I'd probably have to make it myself...
28 June 2006
A Fiesta for a Fortieth
Our friend Lynn turned 40 a couple weeks ago, and we went to her birthday bash that weekend. It was a fiesta-themed shindig, complete with a birthday piñata. Lynn eventually gave up with the blindfold nonsense and, at the urging of the crowd, stabbed the thing to death. We were all rewarded for her violence.
27 June 2006
Getting Smarter
Ever since a trip to France in 1999, I've wanted a Smart Car. Chris told me then that they'd never make it into the US market because they'd never pass crash tests. Well, apparently they've figured that whole crash test thing out, because reports say Daimler-Chrysler will be introducing the tiny vehicles to the US market early in 2008. Get me on a list now...
26 June 2006
Schedule Madness
My over-the-top schedule got a boost into the stratosphere this weekend with a visit from a college friend from Denver. It's been a busy few days, and it's unlikely to calm down anytime soon... When she leaves, my summer classes start. So - my apologies for the lack of posts here the past few days, and a request that you bear with me as I try to figure out when exactly I'm going to have time to do all these things I've said I'll do...
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