time to dust off this oldie
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November 2007
2007.11.30
Mmm, gingerbread Pop-Tarts! - what a great way to end November
SuziJane sez,
These are sooo good! The filling is icing, and they're dusted with sugar. Plus, they smell heavenly!
she also sez, This photo is public photo found at SuziJane's Flickr
and thus ends for me NaBloPoMo 2007
I'll miss <-----------------
2007.11.29
Consumed
the always awesome RedZilla, as she does on occasion, took an inane QotD about Black Friday shopping and turned it into an essay on mindless gift-giving and charitable options. go read the post if you haven't.
I started to leave a comment there but it got too long, so I decided it to make a post out of it.
I am always amazed at the frenzy of shoppingshoppingshopping every Christmas; it has been many years and I'm amazed anew each time. and is not only the shopshopshop but the stress and the panic and the "omfg, I forgot to get a gift for my sister-in-law's parents!". that ain't for me. I got enough to do as it is.
several years ago teh SO and I made an announcement: henceforth we get Christmas gifts to the kids (defined as "have-not-finished-high-school" and each of our mothers. that's it. it took a few years for our respective families to accept our stance and there were some awkward moments, with sisters and sisters-in-law handing us "our present" and getting nothing in exchange but a gentle reminder of our stance. eventually everyone learned to not get us gifts.
in the last few years I've been delighted to hear my mom say "we have too much stuff, don't get us anything. if you want to, make a donation to Code Pink or the International Red Cross" which I'm more than happy to do. I am also glad that for the last two years my 11-year-old niece has requested her gift be a donation to Unicef.
we give locally, mostly to God's Pantry and to Hospice; I think this year we'll add Heifer International and Kiva.
2007.11.28
I wonder, I wonder, I wonder...
...whether the Annapolis conference on Middle-East peace is Bush's attempt to get a Nobel Peace prize.
like that guy, what'shisnamefromTennessee.
2007.11.27
groaner of the day
A woman opened her refrigerator and saw a rabbit sitting on one of the shelves.
the woman asked, "What are you doing in there?"
The rabbit replied, "This is a Westinghouse, isn't it?", "Yes", she said.
"Well," the rabbit said, "I'm westing".
2007.11.26
the tale of Pepper or "woe, woe is me!"
a few posts ago I wrote about the uneasy peace (momentarily) achieved by the three feline roommates , erm, combatants. some commenters asked about Pepper,(aka Dr. Pepper, Peperito) the tuxie-cat.
I now realize I had not formally introduced Pepper to my thoushundr tens of readers. teh SO wrote about Pepper here. is a good tale, go read it.
if you don't feel like clicking, here's Pepper's tale, retold.
Pepper lived, along with two other cats, with JoAnne, my mother-in-law. pretty decent life for a cat as JoAnne was a dedicated cat lover. or as some may say, a CCL. all three cats were in- and out-doors. when JoAnne died this Summer, the other two cats were easily scooped up and taken by a family friend. but not Pepper. no siree. he decided to go feral. and for over two months, either teh SO or one of his sisters will go by JoAnne's trailer to leave food and water for Pepper; rarely they'd get a quick glimpse of him and then he'd be gone.
after two months of paying the rent and still unable to catch Pepper we were starting to think we never would; at which time Pepper, having taken his sweet time, decided he was ready to go home and walked right up to my sister-in-law Tammy. and from her to us.
Pepper walks on velvet little feet. I cannot hear him. teh SO calls him "the ninja kitty who skulks sneaks around the house". Pepper doesn't meow, he cries. a lot. a plaintive little cry with a question at the end. he misses JoAnne. so do we. Pepper purrs. a lot. sometimes while crying. he also likes to plop himself right on top of the keyboard. while I'm writing. Pepper also walks across the keyboard. he is trying to say something and I'm too obtuse to understand.
we made [tig]
w00t for the group!
2007.11.25
Now that Thanksgiving is over
I don't have much to report, actually.
did a bit of shopping - not too early - mostly looking at the HDTVs.
sat around. a lot.
it was good
I <3 Thanksgiving. it is truly a peaceful holiday. if only because everyone is too stuffed to argue.
I'll take it.
I <3 Thanksgiving. it is truly a peaceful holiday. if only because everyone is too stuffed to argue.
I'll take it.
2007.11.24
fudge! fudgefudgefudgefudge
a picture essay:
first, get your ingredients together -
for walnut fudge (note 1) for peppermint fudge (note 2)
empty can of condensed milk into a medium saucepan and set over a low heat
add chocolate chips and melt together
fold in walnuts or/ crushed mints
mix thoroughly and pour on pan lined with parchment paper
let chill at least 2 hours or overnight
unmold and cut -
fudge is gooooooood
note 1: ingredients for walnut fudge
1 can of condensed milk - 14 oz
18 oz ( 3 cups) chocolate chips - I like to use 12 oz (2 c) chips and the other 6 oz unsweetened or semi-sweet chocolate squares. the chocolate chips can be dark, semisweet, milk, a mixture...whatever you think will work
2 c chopped walnuts (or almonds. or pecans) can be less or omitted completely, to taste
a splash (1-2 tsps.. vanilla extract)
pinch of salt
note 2: ingredients for peppermint fudge
1 can of condensed milk - 14 oz
18 oz ( 3 cups) chocolate chips - I like to use 12 oz (2 c) chips and the other 6 oz unsweetened or semi-sweet chocolate squares. the chocolate chips can be dark, semisweet, milk, a mixture...whatever you think will work
1 c crushed starlight mints or candy canes
a splash (1-2 tsps.. peppermint extract)
pinch of salt
edit 12/02/2007@1540: added ingredients and quantities (notes 1 and 2)
2007.11.23
hey Oprah, here's an idea
Winfrey
spent most of the hour-long "favorite things" episode giving the
audience thousands of dollars worth of merchandise. But the episode
also featured a few highlights of Winfrey's tour of Macon last week and
a performance from Josh Groban, who sang "Silent Night" and "It Came
Upon A Midnight Clear."
as per the article above, you just ran the 2007 edition of your "Oprah's favorite things" episode, where each person in the studio audience gets gifted with the entire set of what your staff has determined to be *your* favorite things.
!yay! and all that for the winners. w00t.
it is my understanding that you and your staff carefully pick the audience that gets to attend this annual gifting extravaganza. this year the audience was composed of people from Macon, Georgia (the show was also taped there), to thank them for consistently giving your show its highest ratings in the entire country. good for them.
here's my thought: for next year, consider the folks from NARAL Pro-Choice America for the "Oprah's favorite things" show. these people work hard to keep abortion safe and legal, and they don't get the thanks they deserve. being in your show would be a start.
2007.11.22
an uneasy peace
in celebration of Thanksgiving, witness something never-seen-before
Princess Hank
Pepper aka Dr. Pepper aka Peperito
Steven Elizabeth
they thank you for your attention and wish you a most
joyful holiday - or a most joyful Thursday, if you are
outside the U.S.
2007.11.21
in the true spirit of Thanksgiving...
have a good one everyone! think of us, your invisible internets friends before the tryptophan hits.
...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....
...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....
2007.11.20
Interspecies snorgling, Bluegrass style
nice article about barn cats in the local rag. some of the cats came along with trainers or other horse folks. some came by themselves. some cats have been around for years, some are new arrivals.
as always with cats, there are no rules. check the photo picture galleries for a lovely slide show (click on "Barn Cats", the top link).
2007.11.19
wha? where am I? where I've been?
Your past life diagnosis:
I don't know how you feel about it, but you were female in your last earthly incarnation.You were born somewhere in the territory of modern Portugal around the year 1150. Your profession was that of a teacher, mathematician or geologist.
Your brief psychological profile in your past life:
Inquisitive, inventive, you liked to get to the very bottom of things and to rummage in books. Talent for drama, natural born actor.
The lesson that your last past life brought to your present incarnation:
The world is full of ill and lonely people. You should help those, who are less fortunate than you are.
Do you remember now?
no, not really.* can't say I remember any of this. but don't blame jay - even if he started it
check yer own here
* sowries
2007.11.18
iza not Sunday...
iza Caturday
eshpecialy if ther iza icecreems
eshpecialy if ther iza icecreems
2007.11.17
the sad story of Megan Meier and the fuckers who drove her to kill herself
this is so sickening. but I must read about it, think about it, and most importantly, tell my 11-year-old niece about it.
it won't be easy.
the sad story of Megan's death was first reported in the St. Charles Journal; for some unfathomable reason, the paper declined to name the adults who had teased and tormented Megan. this refusal caused a great deal of anger, and teh internets being what they are, amateur sleuths put together bits and pieces from the St. Charles Journal article and were able to name the despicable person: a neighbor of Megan's, Lori Drew (comment # 6).
Lori Drew is an adult, and her daughter and Megan had been friends but had a fallout.
if you can handle it, please read the whole sordid story: share it.
2007.11.16
Brilliant! Just brilliant, b-r-i-l-e-a... damn good idea!
oh, excellent! the plan includes opening military air space to create a "Thanksgiving express lane" as it were.
uh-uh. and it will be implemented flawlessly, right? I mean, these is the same crew that brought us teh TSA ....
methinks the big problem with flying these days have more to do with issues on the ground, many involving the aforementioned *cough* TSA, *cough*, airport congestion, flight overscheduling, etc. than what happens when planes are on the air.
also, shouldn't teh-idjet-in-chief not be more concerned with oh, the situations in the Middle East, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Turkey...p'haps he confused "Turkey" with the upcoming "Turkey day"
2007.11.15
liveblog the eight (eight?!) democratic presidential debate
uh? gosh, the eight debate already? and the first one to
happen when I have nothing to do + have the TV on + have a PC close
by. so might as well try to do this.
I am rusty, so don't expect 100% coverage; jump in and comment at will.
updates will appear under this picture
if I find something worth posting
if I find something worth posting
...............and that's a wrap. thanks for staying up with us folks....
10:08: Q. Sen. Clinton, diamonds or pearls? HC: both
10:02: Q. how will you unite the country behind you? BO: stop bipartisanship. HC: I united New Yorkers and I can unite the country JB: I have 30 years of experience, Republicans respect me, I can get the Republicans and Democrats together. BR: base US foreign policy on diplomacy. joint solutions, dealing with Palestine and Jerusalem.
9:50: Q. oooooooo! would you require that Supreme Court nominees support a woman's right to an abortion:
JB: NOTE: long-ass rant. I have no idea something about dog-catchers CD: NOTE: waffle, waffle DK: supports woman's right to choose, but will actively work to reduce the number of abortions. HC: Yes.based on right to privacy BO: Yes. based on right to privacy. JE: Yes. based on right to privacy and the validity of Roe vs. Wade.
9:45: Q. what are you going to do about the Baby Boomers? BO: I'll use the money from stopping the Iraq war to shore up benefits. also remove the cap ($97,000) on taxing SS benefits. HC: move back towards fiscal responsibility as it was under Bill Clinton. ;)
9:41: Q. about linking immigration and terrorism. BR: support immigration, against the fence, better collaboration with Mexico. CD: I voted for the border wall because it is needed NOTE: he speaks Spanish fast! and weird! I didn't understand that rant at all
9:36: Q. about the Patriot Act. DK: I voted against the Patriot Act. 'cos I read it. [zing!] JB: the Patriot Act has been perverted.
9:35: Q. profiling of American citizens of middle-Eastern descent JE: under my administration there'll be no profiling, no torture, no Guantanamo, NOTE: and ponies for everyone!!
9:33: Q. remove salary disparity between soldiers and mercenaries contractors? BR: bring back everyone, soldiers and contractors. provide health care and mental health care to veterans
9:24: real AMurricans. with questions! a mom wants to know if her son (Iraq veteran) will have to go fight a war in Iran. JB: we need to ratchet down the winds of war. slow down. HC: I voted for the Iran resolution b/c we need active diplomacy in Iran and not let it fester. JE: "Bush, Cheney, and the Neocons" <--- sounds like a band, no?
BO: we need to get out of Iraq. and Iran. meet with our enemies. I shouldn't have missed the vote, that was a mistake.
9:23: ...and we are back... whee.........zzzzzz.
- finally a break. this is getting a bit boringk. oooooooooooo, next, actual voters!!! gah
9:11: Q. are you exploiting gender? HC: No. I'm not attacked for being a woman, but for being ahead {BIG applause] America is sooooooooo great we can have an AFRICA-AMERICAN, a LATINO, and a WOMAN running for President. NOTE: Hil, you forgot the cripple. you are welcome
9:08: Q. energy, $100/barrel oil, nuclear energy. but what to do with the waste? BO: don't want nuclear waste in Illinois, or Nevada. we need to do "research". when pressed, pulls the "we will do it and be optimistic" card.
BR: research should be to focus in renewable sources.
8:58: Q. who is responsible for the poisoned Chinese toys mess? DK: "those who voted to open trade to China. we knew China had no environmental, safety policies". kick some ass, Dennis! JE: "US trade policies are a disaster and only benefit the *big corporations*." HC: "NAFTA did not deliver as promised" CD: "not against trade agreements. there should be a moratorium on Chinese imports" BO: "we should send US inspectors to China, setup guidelines" JB: under our trade agreements we have every right to end trade with China. why havent' we? it's Bush's fault"
8:53: Q. is the Iraq surge working? BR: "one American death is too many. surge not working, benchmarks are not met. 2/3 of Iraqis want us out" DK: "No. our occupation fuels the insurgency. I have voted against the Iraq war 100% of the time." BO: " the surge is (kinda) of working because of sheer strength. but policies are not working. we need to speak to our enemies.
8:42: Q. is US security worth us keeping supporting Pakistan who is breaking human rights? JB: I've talked to the players in Pakistan, we need to move away from concentrating our aid to the military. BR: we are not keeping our priorities; support to Pakistan must be based on Musharraf respecting Human Rights, or cut the aid off. JE: Pakistan is an example of America's adhoc foreign policy, not coherent, not longterm, not international. BO: we have failed miserably at achieving anything in Pakistan. CD: US security is more important than international human rights (hey! dissenting opinion from the group! guts!!) HC: agrees with CD. US interests above all; but is not an either or situation. we should have expected more from Pakistan from our aid, Musharraf must be challenged and encouraged/pushed towards improving human rights in Pakistan
8:35: Q. should teachers get merit pay raises based on student performance? NOTE: national and state teacher unions are against this CD: No, and rant against No Child Left Behind. DK: I support unions, daddy was a truck driver BR: minimum wage for all teachers, teachers need to be respected HC: I support school-based (not individual) merit raises. education is a team effort JB: teachers can give themselves merit raises by furthering their own education
8:30: Wolf tries again: do you support DLs for illegal immigrants? Yes or No? JE: No. Chris Dodd: No. BO: Yes. HC: No. Dennis K: people are not illegal, they are undocumented [zing!] BR: Yes, because is a matter of public safety. JB: No.
8:30: Wolf Blitzer is an insistent little dog, aint' he?
8:29: nice dodging, BO, on the driver's license issue
8:27: so, BO, how do you deal with illegal immigration? "border security...prosecute employers...teach'em English...send them to the back of the line...shed light on the situation" nothing new there
8:26: Dennis gets a word in! Dennis, Dennis, Dennis, Dennis!
8:25: Bill Richardson gives peace a chance
8:23: Chris Dodd gets asked a question. how nice. "Americans are worried. Washington does not pay attention"
8:22: Edwards gets a chance to speak "there's poverty in America, yall"
8:20: Biden is playing coy. "ooooo, you want little ol' me to speak?"
8:16: ouch. HC accuses JE of using "Republican tactics"
8:15: Edwards kicks HC down. calls her on supporting the Iraq war, lobbyists, etc. JE is getting under HC better than BO could. does not look good for Obama
8:13: oooooo, fight!
8:12: HC tears back into BO "my health care plan is better than yours. na,na,na,na,nah"
8:11 Barack tears into Hillary.
8:10: Hillary is wearing an asbestos pantsuit? uncomfy
8:09: 1st question to Clinton. "senator, are you a waffler?"
8:06: awww, how cute. all posing together for the class picture
8:02: whoa. they are bringing the candidates in one at a time. like if they were basketball players, or sumethin
8:00pm: Wolf Blitzer just said "this is the first presidential debate
ever held in Nevada" - gee, I wonder why? do you suppose it has
anything to do with Nevada miving their primary to January 19th?'
7:59pm: just enough time to get an adult beverage. brb
I'm in danger of becoming a fangirl
and if I do, I want it made clear is all. her. fault
last night apropos of nothing, she mentioned it was the premiere of "Project Runway" or as cp calls it: "Pwoject Wunway".
I've been unaware of PW until then and decided to correct the situation. which has now put me in the thrall and spell woven by this man:
I'm not sure I'll ever be the same.
for a kickass recap of last night's PW's premiere, check out Valley (now Beltway) Girl Intelligentsia's post.
for a trip out to "where no designer had gone before" check out this post by W.B. Mook's
happicat doesn't care about fashion.
unless is used to wrap cheezburgers <----------------------------------
2007.11.14
interesting way to screw (ahem: tax) New Yorkers
Val watch out! they is messing wit yer Amazon!
I must admit it is a cunning plan: to consider participants in "affiliate programs" in-state salespeople? genius. evil genius, but genius nevertheless.
the Google Image Search (GIS) meme - some NSFW
From bookmole comes The Google Image Search Meme. nice time killer, thanks
The rules:
1) Answer questions and type into google image search (GIS) NOTE: as "safe search" is off, some of the picture results are very much NSFW
2) Post any picture from first results page Post the first picture that comes up.
1 - Age at Next Birthday
2 - A Place I'd Like to Travel
3 - My Favourite Place
4 - My Favourite Objects
5 - My Favourite Food
6 - My Favourite Animal
7 - Your Favourite Colour
8 - The Town Where I Was Born
9 - The Town Where I Live Now
10 - Name of a Past Pet
11 - First Name of a Past Love
12 - My Best Friend's Nickname
13 - My Screen Name / Nickname
14 - My First Name - NSFW - scroll down if you must see.
15 - My Middle Name
16 - My Surname - NSFW - scroll down if you must see
17 - Bad Habit of Mine
.18 - My First Job
19 - My Grandmother's Name
20 - My College Major
2007.11.13
cheese, glorious (California) cheese
some of my VOX neighbors live in Northern California (or have in the past); I occasionally envy them and daydream of one day living near San Francisco Bay. my reasons are were many: the left-wing politics, the winterless climate, the marvelous restaurants, the cultural renditions. but among those reasons none related to cheese.
'til now.
all the fault of the imps at wine.woot.com, who having apparently ran out of wine, decided to offer Point Reyes Original Blue Cheese. which looks like this:
I am seriously thinking of moving to the Bay area just because you can buy this cheese in stores. it is goooooood.
it leaves my previous favorite American blue cheese, Maytag blue, at a quite respectable but quite definite second place.
...yet another reason to envy those of you fortunate enough to live in Northern California.
2007.11.12
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Music posted on this site is for sampling purposes.
If you like what you hear, buy the artists CD/mp3/vinyl, go to their shows, buy the t-shirt, get the band some beers after the show.
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e-mail: jockeyfullofbourbonblog(at)gmail(dot)com
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