Holiday Recap (and recipe)

Ah, the discovery of winter. 

I'm fairly certain that I am not the only one that feels blindsided by the sudden and drastic temperature drop. Summer melded into a mild fall. The trees shed their leaves gracefully, filling yards and streets. Causing less graceful gripes from Alex. 

"Its such a danger to bicyclists."

He's right, too. He's actually come up with a concept for creating jobs as well as getting the leaves cleaned up. Give the homeless shelters the resources and right to give a certain amount of money to every person that brings in a bag of leaves. He thinks it would create a desire to work for a living as well as help aid in keeping our streets safe. I'm sure I'm leaving out details here and there, but its the general gist.

Regardless of his brilliance, from our drive home from Trader Joes and his gripes to now, it feels as though we've lost over 10 degrees of warmth. Matters also aren't made much better by being indoors for me. Home is cold, work is cold, my one solace in the last week and a half has been staying with Alex's parents over the holiday. I was actually a little too warm, but I welcomed getting sweaty while I sat and watched TV and drank hot tea. Granted, its never bothered me, though I would rather be doing something that warranted drenching my clothes in salty, bacteria ridden water. Like running. 

It was nice to feel my toes again, though.

It was nice to simply be with family for the holidays. I missed my own, but Alex's family is a very good substitute. Its a big meal with friends and family and joy and laughter. We had turkey and tofurkey, creamed onions, mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes with ginger, stuffing, and lots of bread and home-made jams. I was going to contribute creamed corn this year again, but opted for an hors d'oeuvre instead.

Citrus Marinated Olives (I only made half of this recipe)

Total Time: 15 minutes plus chilling 24 hours

Makes 5 3/4 cups

2 lemons

1 orange

6 cloves garlic (I used 5 for a half recipe)

1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp. dried thyme (I substituted rosemary because we apparently didn't have thyme)

2 lbs. assorted brine-cured olives, drained

You can find the olives in jars, but Alex and I went to our local froo-froo groceries and got them in bulk at the olive bar. I'd be willing to bet someone near you is as froo-froo as Zupan's.

Directions:

1. From each lemon, cut three 3/4 inch wide strips peel; place in 1-quart saucepan. Grate any remaining peel from lemons and place in large bowl. From orange, cut three 3/4 inch wide strips peel and add to saucepan. Grate any remaining peel from orange, and add to lemon peel in bowl.

2. Peel garlic and cut each clove in half. Crush with side of a chef's knife. Add garlic, oil, and thyme (or rosemary) to saucepan, and heat on low until hot but not smoking, about 1 minute. Remove saucepan from heat; let stand 10 minutes.

3. Place olives in bowl with grated peels. Pour oil mixture over olive mixture, and toss to coat well. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate olives at least 24 hours to allow flavors to develop, stirring occasionally. (or place olives in large self sealing plastic bag, turning to coat olives well. Seal bag, pressing out excess air. Place bag on plate and refrigerate olives, turning bag occasionally.) (I used a tupperware to store)

4. Serve how you desire or put in jars to give as gifts. Store in refrigerate for up to 1 month.

Each 1/4 cup About 70 calories, 0g protein, 2g carbohydrate, 8g fat, 1g fiber, 0 mg cholesterol, 645 mg sodium

After such a great deal of good food, its high time I got a bit more of the right kind of sweating in. But I'll save that for next time. I am getting ready to head out and see a friend from Eugene.

All my love!

Short and Sweet: Well, Not So Short Anymore

This is what I originally wrote on Saturday night:

I know I am supposed to write tonight or tomorrow, but I've got to admit, I'm not really feeling it. My to do list grows longer and longer with less and less time before I start school again. The things on my mind seem to double every few days or so, and managing a blog seems to be one of the first things to go out the window when I can't fit everything into my mental calendar.

If only I could fake a sense of humor about life when I don't feel much of one. :)

Last Sunday, Alex and I did manage to get our bedroom put together finally (for the most part, I still have some clothing to put away). My mom sent me a flower arrangement that matched the decor (purple and green). I know it sounds over done, and it might be in way, but I think it still works and looks simple enough. It could be simplified further if we wished. I will have to take pictures when we finish, as I have promised for the entire apartment. It honestly just hasn't happened yet. I'll have to put in some work here soon, though, since I want it looking its best when my mom and sister come up. 

I do believe that's all the peppiness I have in me for one entry. Next week I will have a Thanksgiving entry that should be more lively!

Cheers! and Happy Holidays!

My new additions for Sunday Morning:

Alex and I have the bedroom looking far more perfect, and I have some other things I realized I could write about. Well, just one topic, but the topic is plural, so that makes it things... I think.

Books.

Books, books, books. I love books. I love many kinds of books. And I find myself spending a considerable amount of money on them lately. I am not sure what day it was last week, it must have been Tuesday, but I went to take my usual midday break from work, and while I was headed towards Target, I saw a Barnes and Noble on the way. I may have skidded the tires in a sudden change of direction. Sure, I could have turned around and come back, but books. I was too excited about the books!

I walked through all my favorite parts, though I could not find the graphic novels (probably for the best). I spotted the sign for the magazines and trotted my buns in that direction. I've had an irrational love affair with magazines lately. I've found them intriguing, delightful, and usually feel like their a guilty pleasure since I've been focusing on those domestic ones. "Real Simple", "Family Circle", "Dwell" (some would say its more artsy than domestic, but its about living spaces... you don't get more domestic than that, no matter how artsy you claim to be), and sometimes I'll even read "Ladies Home Journal". Maybe I could blame these magazines for the culprit of my apartment displeasure. Who knows?

The problem with heading toward the magazines, however, was that there was a small shelf set up, like a infinite mote between myself and those shiny racks of glossed, cardstock covered indulgences. On this small shelf was what Barnes and Noble called "Barnes and Noble Series Classics". Ooooooh. Claaaaaassiiiiiiiics. 

If there's one other kind of reading material besides graphic novels and magazines that I have an unhealthy obsession with, its classics. Barnes and Noble is a sly mistress, for not only were these classics, but because they were "store brand" as it were, they were cheap. Very cheap. Too cheap.

I bought four.

"The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum

"A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" by James Joyce

"The Jungle Books" by Rudyard Kipling

and

"Lord Jim" by Joseph Conrad (whose writing I fell in love with in "Heart of Darkness")

My book escapade continued on Friday. You would think that taking in your car to have the oil changed (because I really don't want to do it in the middle of the street in the rain) is innocent enough. But no. Drew the conniving clerk from Firestone, managed to see in my face my addictions (or the book sticking out of my purse), and said slyly, as if just in passing "Powell's books is just two short blocks up, if you'd like to go read there. Not that our waiting room isn't nice, but Powell's has more character." Oh does it now, Drew! You fiend!

So, my car being man handled by strangers, I took my leave of Drew and Firestone and trotted my ever trotting buns up to Powell's. The dangerous thing about Powell's is that they have an impeccable selection of graphic novels. Not always well organized, but that's part of the fun of a new/used bookstore; searching in the musty isles for some lost treasure that no one else has perchanced upon. The only problem with my theory of musty isles, is that the graphic novel section in Powell's is in the same room as their crowded coffee shop. And Everyone knows where it is.

That's okay. It didn't stop me from buying three graphic novels, a scone, and a matte latte (a tea based latte). And maybe a few stocking stuffers.

The three graphic novels, you ask?

"Flight: Volume Four" by multiple artists/authors

"Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return" by Marjane Satrapi (I read the first one after a friend/student of mine gave me her copy from her literature class)

and

"Sandman Volume One: Preludes and Nocturnes" by Neil Gaiman

The last is a series that I have heard about for years now. It's original copyright is from 1988, with a few additional copyrights for different covers, introductions, etc. Most people rave about

 this series and this artist/author. Its about time I got into a new artist, I think, as Michel Gagne has slowed down his productions lately (though he always has a piece for the "Flight" volumes).

If anyone wants to buy me further volumes of "Sandman" feel free. Here's a link, though you could always ask your friendly enabler at Borders or B&N to help you find this series (actually, Amazing Comics by Target would be far more helpful in this area and for more enabling, too, though I think I'm the only one that needs enabling in this area)

But enough about books. Here are some pictures of our bedroom:

Happy Holiday again! I'll see you soon!

Apartment of Almost Doom (title dedicated to Deb and Scott, and all the happy memories of friends and fun)

First and foremost, I added a new little gadget on the right side of this page over there. Just below my blog postings per month you'll find four links to sites that make my heart smile. I go here when I am bored or just wishing to get away for a few minutes and regroup. All of them seem to provide a glimpse into some aspect of my geekiness and/or crudeness. I hope someone else gets some glimmer of happiness in their hearts from reading them.

Web comics aside, life has been pretty crazy lately. The details aren't necessary, but the result has been many a day with said webcomics, and also turning the bathroom into my project. Its a decent enough bathroom, but I am attempting to make a more homely room of this one than our last. In Eugene, our bathroom was part photo-lab, part bio-lab; the bio-lab portion obviously meaning the interesting growth patterns we were so very lucky to observe. Now, we have a new bathroom and are more capable of starting from scratch here. I've done a thorough job with cleaning lately, though it needs a touch up again, and I've accessorized very nicely, I believe. Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, and a little creativity have coalesced into something pretty neat, I think. I currently need to stitch-witch a piece of fabric into a little curtain for hiding the TP and CL, get a new piece of hardware for the medicine cabinet so it will stay closed, add a few more girl accessories and then just upkeep. Sounds simple enough, I think.

Also on the projects list is a TV stand made from the remaining pieces of our IKEA bookshelf that we turned into a desk, which will match nicely in the room it belongs in. This would be our IKEA-tastic office in which almost every piece of furniture is from IKEA, the only exception being a table that should go back into our bedroom and be replaced by my upgraded IKEA dining table.  This dining table has high hopes of becoming a work table, the only necessary addition being some sort of storage bin underneath for my sewing machine, portfolio, light box, maybe a laptop, and whatever else doesn't have a home here. Oh, speaking of the dining/work table, I forgot that my dining chairs, which are not IKEA are currently in this room... but I would like to upgrade those to *THESE* (p.s.  that was a link for the chairs I want). Alex, unfortunately hates these. But, he got to choose the other chairs in the room. It only seems fair. I also like the idea of a rug for "Alex's chairs" to go on in a sort of bright teal, as well as a simple white sheer curtain for the window. 

Actually, if we could get this room done, I would be one happy girl (this, sadly, includes cleaning out the closet as well). Well, maybe I take that back; if we could get the apartment looking as fabulous as I know we can, then I would be a happy girl. 

To make a telling confession, the unfinished apartment is a big problem with me. It doesn't seem to be any one person's fault, its just not finished. We've all got our own schedules, and anytime anything gets accomplished it has to be a very self-motivated accomplishment. I've never been a good self-motivator, and while Alex is academically... he isn't domestically. Sam? I have no idea; she seems good at self- starting when inspired. I suppose that's how we all are, a little spark of inspiration and *boom* progress.

But, I think that's it for my apartment and life update, as, going any further into this would go the way of bitchy rants. And a promise is a promise: no bitchy rants allowed. :)

I love and miss you all, and I am looking forward very much to Thanksgiving with Alex's family, and a visit from my Mother and sister (and brother-in-law) in December. Of course, I am really ecstatic about going back to California for Christmas! 

Its been a pleasure updating you, I will see you all again next week.... or else.  

I Hope No Astrologists Read This

My Gawd! Its been a long week. I'm certain that it was not a full moon at any point in the last 6 or 7 days, but it seems that something astrologically askew must have happened. Jupiter passing in the sun of Venus? Mars in retrograde in the third moon of Pluto, which is a asteroid, not a planet, much to your disappointment I am sure. Uranus and Saturn looking at you sideways through the hole in the Hubble Telescope? Its got to be something like that I'm sure.

Many of mine and Alex's friends and aquaintances have also witnessed such phenomenon of bad weeks. Bad weeks had by all! Perhaps nothing astrological is amiss, and Saturn isn't given you funny looks, but we all just drank too much. It was quite the party for us all between Halloween and the Elections. Portland doesn't need much of an excuse to drink ("Oh, Saturn's checking you out, I'll drink to that!").

Regardless of the cause, I'm certain that half the city is sitting at home thinking that they'd rather sleep from now through tomorrow than go out and possibly make things worse for themselves. This would actually mean that the bars would be half as full as they are normally.... Hmm.... Things to ponder.

Despite the not so hot week (literally and slangularly (i.e. deriving from slang)) I did get a chance to eat out at a fabulous Ethiopian restaurant yesterday with Alex and our friend David. David is a cool guy, and even though I am often left on the side lines listening to ramblings on everything from spinning records to fixie riding to photogrpahy, he still manages to be good company. We all shared a vegan sampler platter, which you have to eat with your hands, of course (just like in the recent rehash of Sabrina, although I believe Harrison Ford was winning the babe over Moroccan food... lucky bitch).

If I thought anyone I knew could put up with the resulting digestive discourse I would insist that we go when you (whoever you are) are up here next. 

Lets see, bad week mentioned: Check.

Ethiopian Food: Check.

Oh! Oh, you're gonna love this. I promise. Wait for it.... Wait for it... You are NOT waiting, I can tell. Fine, just skip right ahead, don't mind my pause for effect.  *Artistic Guffah*

I worked outside today. Instead of sitting inside next to my space heater answering phones I sat in a cold metal chair watching the drizzle to downpour from under the overhang of the school. I did not do this because I thought it would be fun. The plumbing in our building has decided it hates its life and would like an assisted suicide. This involves tearing back the carpet, breaking up the concrete floor, digging up the pipes and replacing them. And they thought they would be done with this job by this morning. Silly plumbers. 

My choice today was endure warm, dank air indoors or bone chillingly cold air outdoors. I personally chose the cold above the wet dirt and chemical floor cleaner smell. Luckily I only worked half day, and hopefully this will be done by Tuesday... and it will be warmer on Monday.

On top of a half day's work I cleaned the bathroom from floor to ceiling, and I wish that was just a euphemism. In fact, I never completely finished getting things in order in there. Ugh! Is housework ever done?!

That was a rhetorical question.   

Special Election Post

It came to my attention during my visit home this past weekend, that not many of my family and friend's have shared my political views. I will merely state the facts of my city's reaction to Obama's win.

This city blew up last night. On a drive to my roommate's birthday party, I was listening to his speech on the phone with a good friend of mine, but in passing a large intersection I heard honking and commotion. On the corner of this intersection was a woman fervently waving an American flag at the passing cars. Everyone knew, most seemed excited. This was not where it stopped.

My drive home took me down a very prominent street in our corner of the big city, and in the heart of this "downtown" stood a crowd on either side of the street cheering, waiting. When the light would change these throngs of excited folks would dance across the street to the music of car horns and screams of joy and laughter. For the remainder of the evening at home, car horns could be heard across the city raising their voices in excited approval. 

Portland, and I am sure Eugene, are now facing the news of other political outcomes, as I am sure everyone is. While most of our elections turned out in the same favor as Obama's, our US Senate race is very close. It's still a party over here, but a slightly subdued one. 

I would feel very similarly in California to wake up to a likely Yes on 8. But that's another story for another time and place. 

Kelliver's Travels

I'm a travelin' fool! Currently, I find myself sitting on my parent's couch, watching television and engrossed in the internet: just like old times.

I suppose you'd like to know the highlights of my adventure. Well, if you must know, you must.

Highlights to date:

Well, I'm here! .... Yeah, that sums it up.

But seriously, lets have ourselves a good old breakdown, and yes, I do realize this is a little redundant from my last entry, but... eh. Deal.

So, dark and early Thursday morning, I arose to set out for the airport. Poor Alex, he'd have quite the long day ahead of him. I suppose both of us would, but I would have a family reunion to keep my tired mind occupied. First stop, Wild Oats with my mom (the only one around for my arrival). We bought some acidophilus and my mother picked up a supply of her favorite hand soap. Details, details. While waiting for my sister to arrive and head to lunch at our favorite Lebanese restaurant, I went to my grandmother's house. We had a good conversation and I got to loan her my book from last entry's review.

Lunch, shopping, new clothes, huzzah! Then I was able to give my father his birthday card and we headed out to see the musical Wicked. Now, I'm disappointed to say that I was, well, disappointed; at least at first. I made a grave mistake, grave indeed. While the novel was a very creative and modern story, it had a few moments that seemed as though the author was trying too hard. Also, it was NOT written to be a musical. Modern often equal dark, severe, stark, shocking. Its something we've come to expect from anything resembling modernism. If you have ever read Ayn Rand's Fountainhead, you might imagine the story being a Hugh Ferriss illustration in paperback form. Wicked is modern. It also kind of reminded me of that movie about those two reporters that uncovered the Watergate scandal. Therefore, Wicked = Watergate Scandal + Hugh Ferriss/Roark. Musical potential? Only if its akin to Cannibal the Musical. My point? Reading the novel first is a "grave mistake".

The disappointment subsided when I reminded myself that this was meant to be an upbeat tale that any age group could enjoy, and one that most parents' would not keep their child from. The equivalent of any Disney Movie with respect to the original tale. Pocahontas, anyone?

But all kidding aside, the performance was masterfully done, the music very well composed and catchy, and the stage art truly breathtaking. It helps that the uber art deco nature of the Pantageous Theatre was the perfect match to the set design and you could imagine that they had almost designed it specifically for this performing arts center and no other.

I slept well that night in my old bed, though not in my old room and woke up early to take a two hour tour with a fearless crew of halloween/birthday partiers. My old roommate and one of my best friends celebrates her birthday on the same day we celebrate the holiday of Saint High-Fructose-Corn-Syrup. Though an over-21 halloween party revolves more around candy in a cocktail glass, it is candy none-the-less and probably has a similar affect on adults that a magnificent sugar high has on a 5 year-old. Cheers to inhaling five pounds of fun sized sugar bomb bars in shiny wrappers while watching the Scooby Doo Fright Fest Special, or whatever the hell they call it today.

The party was a blast. We hit up Dave and Busters and I convinced a good many of our crew that a drink called the "Naughty Redhead" was worth several rounds. Yes, I did first try it because of the word Redhead. I'm a sucker for anything referring to my unique feature. If you're wondering what exactly constitutes a "Naughty Redhead", allow me to illuminate you: jagermeister, peach schnopps, and cranberry juice. Equivalently, the word delicious works too.

Slightly inebriated video games tend to be the most fun, and simultaneously the most frustrating. Granted, and I'm not sure how, the redheads didn't last for long. I won 2,230 tickets exactly, and only used 210 of them on glitter lipgloss. Why not?

Today was more productive, but not as much fun, as I once again set out to complete my residency affidavit. My mother has informed me that I have to mention how amazing she is. This is an accurate statement, I must admit. She has always managed to ground me while in the midst of an endeavor such as this _____-ing application. I went through by item and made copies and organized my materials, then set out to file my FAFSA. Productivity indeed!! She's good at it, far better than I, in fact.

If you're hankering for another equation, lets just say that My Mom = Amazing.

Home made soup for dinner, god I miss that. Nature's seasoning. A walk to the local froo-froo grocery store. Relaxing in my spot on the couch in the living room. Like I never left. I miss home so much... I still have to remind Alex how much he had better appreciate my presence in Oregon. He does. It doesn't make this easier.

Perhaps one day I will move back. Perhaps not. In the meantime, I'll continue to preach the good name of Oregon in the hopes that everyone will just follow me up there instead.

I can dream.