A little bit of Michigan

Yesterday, I stopped off at the post office to pick up a package my mom shipped... expecting simply some pictures of their new kitty and the goods to get dad's birthday invites out. But what I didn't expect was 6 bottles of Faygo soda. Since the weather had started turning nice, I went looking for a Diet Grape soda, which in Michigan, is Faygo. However, Faygo is a locality and not readily available in the East. Sadly, though, I was not able to find an equivalent... so I asked mom to be on the look out and pick up some Diet Grape and Diet Redpop for when I come in June. Lo and behold, I have 6 nice bottles waiting for the sunshine to return to the east.

Holy Bats and Rats

I joked this week that Take Your Child to Work Day should really involve the real lunchtime experience by which you ransack your wallet for the vending machine and scarf down a bag of chips and a soda in between meetings and conference calls... but that isn't entirely accurate every day either. Case in point, the photos I've included from my Friday lunch session. A 30 minute trip to the mall proved most successful... with my co-worker getting shoes for her play, us getting a Subway and these fine photos. It may be hard to see, but the sign on Batman's belt says "Don't Touch." I'm assuming they had some problems with people wondering if the Caped Crusader's codpiece was real??

The other photo, you may wonder, is that a rat? And why yes, it is--a very large, inflatable rat. The men standing around it are union workers protesting the Doubletree construction--they've been out on and off for weeks and all that is clear is they want better work conditions and more money--the heart of any strike. But, what is clear is that this group of no more than 10 guys have two very large and inflatable rats. I only wish the brown one had been out on Friday as well.

The birds and the bees

In more thrilling and sit-at-the-edge-of-your-seat excitement balcony news, it seems that we have a nest of bees nearby... bees as big as birdies. Fortunately, my boys have learned that while the bees are much larger, come much closer and are significantly slower than the birds, they do not make a good catch. One has had to learn the hard way on multiple occassions, but this spring, the lesson seems to have stuck. Now, if only the boys would not view the container garden I have going as a salad bar... but one thing at a time....

Views in my backyard

Now that the weather is nice, I've been spending much more time on my balcony and seeing quite a lot of interesting and peculiar behaviours of my neighbors.

Aside from Hillary's outburst about Iran (which was practically in my backyard, and a little more than concerning), there has been a rash of interesting observations.

It started with the little boy whizzing in the courtyard.

Followed by a very tall dude who looks like he could have been member of the Monkees pacing back and forth along the sidewalk holding a piece of paper.

This last weekend, a woman was sunbathing topless in the courtyard.

Yesterday morning, a woman walked to her mailbox, opened it, placed a letter in it, locked it and then took a picture with her cell phone.

Then there is me; whom I am certain my neighbors regard as a little peculiar in my own right, wading through the shrubbery chasing a bratty, orange kitty who continues to jump balcony.

Planting in Phila.

Typically speaking, if you were to hear of someone wielding a pick-axe in the park, a not-so-pleasant picture might spring to mind; however, that was me, and about 20 other volunteers yesterday as part of the Wissahickon Restoration in Fairmont Park. I volunteered through TerraMar Adventures, which in and of itself is a cool organization (which I will be going deep sea fishing next month through). So, we paired up -- your truly with an actress turned brain surgeon (no kidding) and we started to dig a hole... and ran into a wicker root structure of another tree. So we moved to a new location; another massive root structure. So, we are advised to start a third hole up on a hill. The good news is that there were not many roots, but since the area we were planting was once home to some kind of armory, there was A LOT of rock. I spent more time swinging the pick-axe than hoisting a shovel... but we got the tree in the ground and named it Minerva.

White bread panic

Friday afternoon, in need of sustenance, I stopped at Wawa because you can custom order yourself a nice sandwich without the pain of talking to the person making the sandwiches in front of you (technology: removing all social interactions as quickly as possible). This is actually an advantage to me as I am the classic pain in the ass order-placer; in fact, they probably invented touch screens order systems so they would not have to deal with people like me... who want whole wheat, not toasted, with no cheese and pickles and horseradish, but just some salt and pepper on the tomato... and actually, I have it all presented in front of me for review to ensure that I have selected everything just-so. I get my ticket, pay for my sandwich, pick up my sandwich and happily head off to a random park to eat and soak in the sunshine.

I get all situated, I get my water bottle nestled into a nice rest, I open the wrapper to my sandwich and I am sure let out an audible gasp of shock and horror--WHITE BREAD!!

Panic, truly and with no exaggeration, ensued. I was faced with the conundrum of WHAT to do... Wawa was a aways away now and I had white bread. I looked around to see if anyone else was noticing this situation, but all were blissfully unaware.

I ran through the options in my head...
**scrap the whole thing.
**pick off the bread and eat the contents.
**wrap it back up, take it home and swap bread.

Then, I reexamined, maybe it wasn't white bread and I was just sun-shocked. No, it was definitely white bread... white, paste slathered on either side of my turkey, becoming more and more pliable by the moment with the juice of the pickles and horseradish seeping...

A thought then occurred to me that I *could* just eat it that way. I think I laughed a little at that notion then I nervously, but bravely, took a small bite. Reassured that I did not, immediately explode, I proceeded (with extreme caution) to eat my sandwich, which by all other measures was extraordinary.

I admit, every so often, I contemplated some of the other options, but I figured millions of people eat white bread everyday, and they don't have any visible defects. Mostly, it was just very strange to have such a startling and stark white sandwich, but secondly, I hadn't eaten white bread in years before that moment... and I wager a guess, it will be years before I do so again.

Recovered!

Well, this week found me with some kind of terrible stomach bug... BUT the good part was that it all cleared up in time for the beautiful weather.... sunshine and bordering on 90 degrees. I might have worked through the flu, but I took time off Friday afternoon to play in the sunshine (judging from the traffic, many did the same). An important lesson, however, was learned thusly: On the first very warm, very sunny day of the year, creepy old men with their mid-life crises cars are also out washing their cars, sweating all over the place while eyeing you to see if they can catch a cleavage shot.

Welcome Warm

Today was the kind of day, that if I wasn't on the tail-end of a stomach virus, I would have enjoyed the evening on the balcony with a nice glass of wine rather than a warm ginger ale. But, I still partook of what has become a spring-time ritual... the reading of Hunter Thompson's The Rum Diary--or at least the start of the re-reading. I always find a new nugget, or find that something jumps out at me that didn't before, which is why one reads a story more than once... and so I share with you all, in the event that it strikes something for you, too.

At the same time, I share a dark suspicion that the life we were leading was a lost cause, that we were all actors, kidding ourselves along on a senseless odyssey. It was the tension between these two poles--a restless idealism on one hand and a sense of impeding doom on the other--that kept me going.

Caught up in plenary indulgence traffic

This morning I thought I would head over to Whole Foods for some hemp protein, flax seed and a perusal of gluten free product--I was also hopeful for some apricots, but it was not to be. Typically, when I get this itch on a Sunday, I go early, before the church crowd descends on the store in s fury of righteousness and forgotten manners. But, I was surprised, not only by the number of hapless people meandering through the store with no particular aim, but also the insane amount of traffic.

That was this morning, and as I watch the news this evening, I have learned that traffic was such, and likely the number of people out, because the Catholic Archdioceses was holding its concluding celebration at neighboring Villanova. BUT, what I learned was that today was also the last day that plenary indulgence would be offered. It almost makes me want to toss in my DVD of Dogma.

Cuban Reform

BBC News reported this weekend that Raul Castro has expanded on some of the reforms of his brother Fidel -- especially in terms of agriculture. While I am sure this is not enough for the US to lift its embargo (remember we only do business with communist countries that poison us), it doesn't go uncriticized by Fidel. The article notes:

But in a separate article, Fidel Castro criticises what he terms people who worship selfishness.

Referring to a report on wealth disparities in Romania - a former Communist country - he warns of the dangers of easy access to consumer goods.

In the United States, Castro is pretty much considered on par with El Diablo, but any rationale person reading his rhetoric can see easily that he is of reasonable mind. I mean, what has the easy access of consumer goods done for the US... or any country really, other than to promote child slave labor, bad trade agreements and criminal activities at both high and low end.

Not to say that I'm anti-democracy--that isn't really true, but I don't think it works, either.

Is Obama an Elitist?

As I was reading a headline off yahoo that grabbed my attention (outside of the 10 day forecast, of course), I am left snickering a little at the big to-do in the political campaigning world that has droned on for far too long already... and by far too long, I don't mean primaries, I mean the year leading into them. Barack Obama made the following statement last Sunday at a fundraiser:

"It's not surprising, then, they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

I've maintained, far before any statement referring to voters as bitter was uttered, that Obama, while a smooth, sexy talker, was arrogant as all get out. Frankly, I haven't seen many a politician who wasn't arrogant, and tell me that Bush isn't an elitist? Quite frankly, some of our best (and worst) presidents have been arrogant and elitist... so why the big to do? Well, because our girl Hilliary's ability to nab the nomination is on the line, McCain is worried about his ability to beat Obama should he get the nom and because whether we like it or not, there is some truth to Obama's statement.

The end result here, sadly isn't to address the real needs of the folks that Obama references, it is to pose, calculate and bend Machiavellian strategies into fury of super delegates and delegates. AND THAT is the root cause of really what Obama was getting at... elitist or arrogant or whatever, I'll give credit where it is due--at least he gets that part of it.

Fabulously Exhausting Weekend...

Yesterday morning, following my new, weekend morning ritual of steel oats and fruit, I headed off to explore Valley Forge. Being as that it IS only about 7 miles from me, it seemed like the thing to do as the weather was defying all predictions and it was partly cloudly, which also means partly sunny, and the air had that morning coolness that was verging on the perfect kind of spring day. Valley Forge simply has some spectacular views, occassionally obsconded by a monument. And at one point I had to wonder how the folks living below the National Park felt about cannons aimed at their homes, but the wonderment passed quickly.


Upon entering, I decided it would be prudent to obtain a map and so I walked into the Welcome Center where I was greeted by a gentleman who likely bore witness to the 1777-78 encampment, but deliciously seated next to him was my George Washington. You may not recall that when I first moved to the area, I was in the Valley Forge area (as I am most weekends) picking up weekly needs from Trader Joe's when the most spectacularly beautiful George Washington was in front of me picking up lunch before heading to work. Seems while yesterday he was not in costume, he still, in fact, works at the Park. If the fabulous hiking wasn't incentive enough...

Meanwhile, it looks like today bodes to be another sunny day, if not chillier... well at least this morning. A perfect day for laziness.

New Twist on an Oldie

I am utterly exhausted, but in the good, springtime kinda way... more on that after I've had a night of sleep. But, I have popped in here to share with you all a new, healthy twist on an old favorite... Peanut Butter Ball. Traditionally, these gems are packed with sugar and stuff, but in need of a sweet, and having cashed in my sugar ticket for the day, I went concocting.

About 1 cup of chunky natural peanut butter
about a half cup of agave nectar (or honey)
A dash of vanilla
a handful of sunflower seeds
About 3-4 cups of rice crispies cereal.

Mix well, chill and use a small cookie scoop to form into a nice bite-sized treat.

Until later... mahalo

Playing in Phila.

Yesterday found me exploring Morris Arboretum. I, of course, went in coldest part of what turned out (eventually) to be a nice day. But Spring in the Arboretum was evident and I enjoyed my couple hours there, despite the cloudiness and accompanying chill.

Delighted by the Arboretum (and that it is a mere 5 miles away), I had also discovered on my way there a little restaurant I had not noticed before (but has been there for some time). And so, on the way home, I stopped off for what was a delightful serving of Persian fare. In fact, I am still thinking about the awesome lunch and wondering if the dinner menu is as comparable. Finding good Middle Eastern food since I have been in Phila has not always been easy. I have discovered a few other places to try, but this was by far exceptional. Although, I do have to admit, the hummus was not great... but then hummus isn't Persian, and even so it really wasn't bad.

Wait until he finds out God doesn't have guns...

According to the news media today, Charleton Heston has died, at age 84... reasons undisclosed. I'm going to guess that the fact that he was 84 played a large part... but since spokesman for the family isn't saying; so I"m left to my own devices and imagination--HIV complications?

The Power of Oats

As I sit here, finishing up my large bowl of steel cut oats, thinking, isn't this what people feed horses?

Actually, I had to laugh a little when a few months ago, the cardiologist who was assessing my suddenly higher levels of LDLs and Total Cholesterol level said I should consider eating oatmeal. Reality is, I was already eating oatmeal. And if you are one of the many people curious as to why oatmeal is recommended as a cholesterol reducing food--it is because it is high in fiber and low in fat. Fiber helps remove cholesterol from the bloodstream.

As for the cardiologist, we debated for a good 10 minutes on the efficacy of alternative approaches to him prescribing a statin to me to lower my cholesterol (which, it wasn't all that high, but with genetic components working against me he felt it would be necessary). In the end, he agreed to allow me to try alternatives... and it did work for me--I lowered my total cholesterol by 30 points in 6 weeks and will be able to avoid prescription medication for the time being. And what was surprising is that while most people have to lower the fat in their diet to lower their cholesterol, I had to increase it in mine... needless to say, a scary concept for me to wrap brain cells around.

I suppose it is important for me to note that the alternatives that I utilized are not entirely supported by scientific research with any kind of consistency. But, I've come to conclude in my dealings with the medical profession is that not always do the numbers fit. This is really significant to remember when dealing with a medical professional who tells you that your numbers don't fit your symptoms as he would expect and therefore, there is nothing wrong. Soldier on, patient, the cookie cutter has 50 patients to see today.

4 Minutes

While I have Madonna's latest single rolling through my head, I can't help but think about the absurdity of the notion that Madonna and Justin Timberlake (with Timbaland) having 4 minutes to save the world. It's amusing to me, anyway.

And another pondering I have, albeit not new, is when will Justin Timberlake stop whoring himself? And is Timbaland his pimp?