I feel good today.
Monday, a co-worker at the food bank gave me a couple of boxes of cookbooks. She's trying to downsize.
Yesterday, Gwendy and Sara came over to go through them with me. They each brought wine. After golf, Gil came over, then Dale followed George in. The party started. The phone rang. Beth asked if we were home and could they drop something by.
Bill and Beth brought smoked salmon and cream cheese. I even had capers!
Sara called Nate and told him to bring himself over.
Voila! From three of us looking at cook books to an instant party!
One of the many things I love about living here is having friends close enough by that these things CAN happen.
I feel as if I am more open to possibilities here. Of course, not having to get up and drive 30 miles through Southern California traffic to work helps too.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Thought for the Day -- Good or Bad?
It occurred to me today that I myself, as a percentage of the entire population of the planet am so infintesimal that I may not actually exist. Even if EVERYONE who knows me is added to the equation, the percentage is still too small to register on most hand-held calculators. (In fact, is there a hand-held that can register the population of the earth as a whole number?)
So, as a point of perspective, is that good or bad?
Neither, I suspect. Why should a moral value (good or bad) attach to a percentage number?
Morality does not depend on percentages. Morality is the ultimate undefinable.
A "Good" person may do a bad thing. A "Bad" person may do a good thing. Somethng done with good intentions may have a bad outcome. The reverse is also true. What I preceive as a good and moral act may be preceived by another party as the opposite.
Think about it. When you watch television, almost all of the speakers use the same voice, the same accent. Occasionally, a different speech pattern will be introduced for effect. (frequently comic) Our usage, our structure, our English has become homoginized. That is good. It means that a phrase can be understood in every part of the country.
But what have we lost? Once upon a time, a Southerner, a New Englander and a Mid-westerner were all very, very readily identifiable by their speech. Today, we all sound alike.
Guys - remember when every year, car models changed, and ever line of cars was entirely distinct?
Good, or bad?
Or is it simply the way things are?
Thought for the day: Even if, in a global population perspective, I don't exist, I still want to be myself and perhaps make some difference in the people around me by what I say, what I do, and what I blog.
So, as a point of perspective, is that good or bad?
Neither, I suspect. Why should a moral value (good or bad) attach to a percentage number?
Morality does not depend on percentages. Morality is the ultimate undefinable.
A "Good" person may do a bad thing. A "Bad" person may do a good thing. Somethng done with good intentions may have a bad outcome. The reverse is also true. What I preceive as a good and moral act may be preceived by another party as the opposite.
Think about it. When you watch television, almost all of the speakers use the same voice, the same accent. Occasionally, a different speech pattern will be introduced for effect. (frequently comic) Our usage, our structure, our English has become homoginized. That is good. It means that a phrase can be understood in every part of the country.
But what have we lost? Once upon a time, a Southerner, a New Englander and a Mid-westerner were all very, very readily identifiable by their speech. Today, we all sound alike.
Guys - remember when every year, car models changed, and ever line of cars was entirely distinct?
Good, or bad?
Or is it simply the way things are?
Thought for the day: Even if, in a global population perspective, I don't exist, I still want to be myself and perhaps make some difference in the people around me by what I say, what I do, and what I blog.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Manners
When do you speak out, and when do you remain silent?
In a social situation, an individual makes a statement that you, personally find offensive. Do you say anthing? Do you take that person aside later and explain that their statement offended you?
These things are/can be incredibly nuanced.
Years ago, when I was still working, I attended a "Diversity Day" observance. Throughout the day, various ethnicities and cultures that we regularly encountered in the workplace did presentations. Most of the presentations were cultural. There were songs and dances by a variety of groups.
Before lunch, a prayer was offered by one of the Native American presenters. The prayer was evangelical Christian.
Why would I find this offensive?
REGARDLESS of my own beliefs, this was a gathering celebrating a multiplicity of cultures. I found the prayer to be highly exclusive as a reflection of multi-culturalism. There were persons there who were not evangelical, nor even Christian.
I also found it offensive that a Native American who had been invited to share something of their culture that had not been assimilated into western european culture was evidencing a rejection of any pre-anglo religious beliefs and practices they might have still retained.
I said nothing. I did nothing. I did not even discuss it (until now).
Was I a coward?
Subsequent to the observence, a co-worker commented very derogatorily regarding two of the different dance troups. With respect to one, he opined;"I could do that dance. There was nothing to it!" The steps might have been simple. But his demeaning it indicated that he took away NO comprehension of the type of culture where such a dance would develop.
With respect to the second troup, my co-worker stated that if we had heard one of the (absloutely outstanding) dancers speak, we would have known that he was gay. (This co-worker was extremely homophobic.)
I have always regretted that I did not speak out to my co-worker. Whether or not the dancer was straight or gay had NO bearing whatsoever of a striking performance.
I was a coward. My co-worker's comments offended me. There I had NO excuse for not stating that the simplicity of the steps of a dance might have indicated the hardships of the life in a culture where such a dance developed. The sexual orientation of a dancer takes nothing away from the admiration of the performance.
So, the question remains, when I hear somone espousing a position that is not representative of EVERYONE in the room, should I speak up, or just quietly wince and castigate myself later?
In a social situation, an individual makes a statement that you, personally find offensive. Do you say anthing? Do you take that person aside later and explain that their statement offended you?
These things are/can be incredibly nuanced.
Years ago, when I was still working, I attended a "Diversity Day" observance. Throughout the day, various ethnicities and cultures that we regularly encountered in the workplace did presentations. Most of the presentations were cultural. There were songs and dances by a variety of groups.
Before lunch, a prayer was offered by one of the Native American presenters. The prayer was evangelical Christian.
Why would I find this offensive?
REGARDLESS of my own beliefs, this was a gathering celebrating a multiplicity of cultures. I found the prayer to be highly exclusive as a reflection of multi-culturalism. There were persons there who were not evangelical, nor even Christian.
I also found it offensive that a Native American who had been invited to share something of their culture that had not been assimilated into western european culture was evidencing a rejection of any pre-anglo religious beliefs and practices they might have still retained.
I said nothing. I did nothing. I did not even discuss it (until now).
Was I a coward?
Subsequent to the observence, a co-worker commented very derogatorily regarding two of the different dance troups. With respect to one, he opined;"I could do that dance. There was nothing to it!" The steps might have been simple. But his demeaning it indicated that he took away NO comprehension of the type of culture where such a dance would develop.
With respect to the second troup, my co-worker stated that if we had heard one of the (absloutely outstanding) dancers speak, we would have known that he was gay. (This co-worker was extremely homophobic.)
I have always regretted that I did not speak out to my co-worker. Whether or not the dancer was straight or gay had NO bearing whatsoever of a striking performance.
I was a coward. My co-worker's comments offended me. There I had NO excuse for not stating that the simplicity of the steps of a dance might have indicated the hardships of the life in a culture where such a dance developed. The sexual orientation of a dancer takes nothing away from the admiration of the performance.
So, the question remains, when I hear somone espousing a position that is not representative of EVERYONE in the room, should I speak up, or just quietly wince and castigate myself later?
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Decadence, here I come!
Had dinner at a French resturant. For desert, had a crepe aux trois creme. FABULOUS!! So, I want a recipe for trois creme. Googled it. No luck. Will have to try on my own.
What is it? A combination of cream cheese, sour cream and heavy cream with lemon zest.
I'm figuring on making minature cream puffs, filling them with trois creme and dusting them with powdered sugar (perhaps with a touch of lemon zest in the sugar as well.
Sound good?
What is it? A combination of cream cheese, sour cream and heavy cream with lemon zest.
I'm figuring on making minature cream puffs, filling them with trois creme and dusting them with powdered sugar (perhaps with a touch of lemon zest in the sugar as well.
Sound good?
Monday, November 30, 2009
The 3/50 Project
My niece in Wake Forrest, NC is soon opening a new business. On her facebook page, she referenced the 3/50 project. What she said sounded interesting, so I looked it up.
What three locally owned business would you miss if they were gone?
The key is LOCALLY owned. The project has statisticts about what dollar amounts remain in a community from purchases at a national (or even multi-state) chain as opposed to a fully local business.
They then encourage you to spend $50 per month at the LOCAL enterprises.
More figures follow as to the dollars that remain in the community.
The web site also has flyers for the local businesses to use to promote the concept.
I spent over $50 today at a local business. My gym is local, and my membership each month is $40. Of course, the Country Club is locally owned. We pay our monthly dues, and probably more than $50 a month on food and beverages (small club, no resturant, no food minimum)
But I suggest that you google "the 3/50 project" It could be the start of something very, very good in your community.
What three locally owned business would you miss if they were gone?
The key is LOCALLY owned. The project has statisticts about what dollar amounts remain in a community from purchases at a national (or even multi-state) chain as opposed to a fully local business.
They then encourage you to spend $50 per month at the LOCAL enterprises.
More figures follow as to the dollars that remain in the community.
The web site also has flyers for the local businesses to use to promote the concept.
I spent over $50 today at a local business. My gym is local, and my membership each month is $40. Of course, the Country Club is locally owned. We pay our monthly dues, and probably more than $50 a month on food and beverages (small club, no resturant, no food minimum)
But I suggest that you google "the 3/50 project" It could be the start of something very, very good in your community.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Yes, it's the little things....
When the joker took my purse, he also took my course card with my number for entering my golf scores! Damn!! He could be posting scores to my number and messing up my handicap!!!
So many, many details to consider.
Had to re-key the house and the car. Had to get a new dirver's license. Luckily, our proof of insurance expired on Saturday and we had not yet put the new ones into our wallets. So that was one item that DIDn't cause a problem.
Thought Bank could just put a watch/hold on the series of checks that were in the check book. No such luck. Tomorrow, I have to get a new checking account. Only problem is direct deposit of my pension. Found PIN in retirement paperwork to change routing numbers.
Had to buy a new purse and wallet. Normally, a new purse is a long-considered purchase. I like to really, really think about a main purse and how it and I fit together. Not this time. Cheapo that will do. For now at least. Who knows, I may learn to love it.
Only other potential problem is medical insurance card. And I have a Dr. appt on Monday, the 30th. Don't know if I have a duplicate card here somewhere or not.
But, on the VERY bright side, George's neice Christina and her husband Peter will arrive on Tuesday or Wednesday for an extended stay! Life really does look good!!
So many, many details to consider.
Had to re-key the house and the car. Had to get a new dirver's license. Luckily, our proof of insurance expired on Saturday and we had not yet put the new ones into our wallets. So that was one item that DIDn't cause a problem.
Thought Bank could just put a watch/hold on the series of checks that were in the check book. No such luck. Tomorrow, I have to get a new checking account. Only problem is direct deposit of my pension. Found PIN in retirement paperwork to change routing numbers.
Had to buy a new purse and wallet. Normally, a new purse is a long-considered purchase. I like to really, really think about a main purse and how it and I fit together. Not this time. Cheapo that will do. For now at least. Who knows, I may learn to love it.
Only other potential problem is medical insurance card. And I have a Dr. appt on Monday, the 30th. Don't know if I have a duplicate card here somewhere or not.
But, on the VERY bright side, George's neice Christina and her husband Peter will arrive on Tuesday or Wednesday for an extended stay! Life really does look good!!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Sometimes we encounter these little problems...
My purse was stolen today. I was at the food bank for a photo of us getting a check from a local group. The food bank itself was not open. We work out of the annex (rec room) of a local church. The seniors were having an event to box cookies to send to the troops. Thanks to the mail drive, we had gotten in a truck load of food that was totally eclectic. After the picture was taken, some of us who work with the food bank were moving the food drive into the storage room, trying to sort it out an stocking the (almost) empty shelves.
I left my purse on a table in the front (public) area.
Later, my purse was missing.
Two of the other people had seen an individual who was not affiliated with either group (the food bank or the seniors) who was sitting by the door. Someone even asked him what he was doing there. "Waiting for my ride" That individual is the prime suspect. My purse was leather, and could be either a purse or a back pack.
I spent the afternoon calling credit cards, banks, gas cards, etc. Mostly a pain.
George has currently forbidden me from returning to the food bank.
First thing tomorrow, we have to go to the bank, tell them what outstanding checks are valid, and get a new checking account. Of course, his Social Security and my pension are direct deposited. FUN!! Then, since my car keys are also missing, as well as the remote keyless thingie, must call and find out how to re-key car (a Saturn, with nearest dealership 90+ miles away now) etc.
Oh yes, did I also mention that my drivers license is gone? Another thing to replace.
What else was in there? An OLD folding umbrella, a tube of SPF 30 sun-screen, a picture of George taken in 1964 (which I can't replace), my CA bar card (maybe THAT will give someone pause) and, unfortuneatly, an address book. I have to e-mail a bunch of friends to ask them to re-mail me their snail-mail addresses.
Fun, fun, fun.
Thank God, I hadn't taken my cell phone with me!
First hope was that the jerk had only taken the cash and would toss the rest. No such luck. He (?) was on-line, down-loading stuff and charging it to one of my cards when I called to cancel that card! Of course, with a down-load, you need at least an Appellate Court decision to get the ISP to divulge any information. Fat chance!
So now, I need to re-key my car, the truck and my house. In the meantime, the house alarm is set at all times!
Ain't life grand?
I left my purse on a table in the front (public) area.
Later, my purse was missing.
Two of the other people had seen an individual who was not affiliated with either group (the food bank or the seniors) who was sitting by the door. Someone even asked him what he was doing there. "Waiting for my ride" That individual is the prime suspect. My purse was leather, and could be either a purse or a back pack.
I spent the afternoon calling credit cards, banks, gas cards, etc. Mostly a pain.
George has currently forbidden me from returning to the food bank.
First thing tomorrow, we have to go to the bank, tell them what outstanding checks are valid, and get a new checking account. Of course, his Social Security and my pension are direct deposited. FUN!! Then, since my car keys are also missing, as well as the remote keyless thingie, must call and find out how to re-key car (a Saturn, with nearest dealership 90+ miles away now) etc.
Oh yes, did I also mention that my drivers license is gone? Another thing to replace.
What else was in there? An OLD folding umbrella, a tube of SPF 30 sun-screen, a picture of George taken in 1964 (which I can't replace), my CA bar card (maybe THAT will give someone pause) and, unfortuneatly, an address book. I have to e-mail a bunch of friends to ask them to re-mail me their snail-mail addresses.
Fun, fun, fun.
Thank God, I hadn't taken my cell phone with me!
First hope was that the jerk had only taken the cash and would toss the rest. No such luck. He (?) was on-line, down-loading stuff and charging it to one of my cards when I called to cancel that card! Of course, with a down-load, you need at least an Appellate Court decision to get the ISP to divulge any information. Fat chance!
So now, I need to re-key my car, the truck and my house. In the meantime, the house alarm is set at all times!
Ain't life grand?
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Some of My Best Friends Are....
Why is the above phrase indicative of a bigoted mind?
I took to analyzing it. A person I regularly have contact with had commented on an event which involved a member of a minority. The comments my contact made regarding that person were, frankly, racist. I knew, if called upon it, the person would respond, "Some of my best friends are (minority)". And, I will acknowledge, this person does have 'best friends' who are (minority). So, why is the phrase bigoted?
I changed it. I changed it to match ME. "Some of my best friends are redheads" What does that mean?
1. Redheads are (somehow) inferior to me.
2. I am a 'good' person because I associate with them.
Some of MY best friends are NOT hetrosexual!!! Therefore, I am OBVIOUSLY a great person for associating with these 'degenerates'!
BULL AND PUCKY!!!
People who are my friends are just that -- MY FRIENDS. Their color, their sexual orientation, their gender, their hair color, their lack of hair are simply ways of describing them.
Try this one "Some of my best friends are bald" That's really great if you know someone undergoing chemotherapy!!!
Turn the mirror around. Look at what you are saying from the other side. Yes, sometimes we all are sexists or racists or follicle-impairedist. I will be humanist -- Most of my best friends are people. (A couple of others are cats!)
I took to analyzing it. A person I regularly have contact with had commented on an event which involved a member of a minority. The comments my contact made regarding that person were, frankly, racist. I knew, if called upon it, the person would respond, "Some of my best friends are (minority)". And, I will acknowledge, this person does have 'best friends' who are (minority). So, why is the phrase bigoted?
I changed it. I changed it to match ME. "Some of my best friends are redheads" What does that mean?
1. Redheads are (somehow) inferior to me.
2. I am a 'good' person because I associate with them.
Some of MY best friends are NOT hetrosexual!!! Therefore, I am OBVIOUSLY a great person for associating with these 'degenerates'!
BULL AND PUCKY!!!
People who are my friends are just that -- MY FRIENDS. Their color, their sexual orientation, their gender, their hair color, their lack of hair are simply ways of describing them.
Try this one "Some of my best friends are bald" That's really great if you know someone undergoing chemotherapy!!!
Turn the mirror around. Look at what you are saying from the other side. Yes, sometimes we all are sexists or racists or follicle-impairedist. I will be humanist -- Most of my best friends are people. (A couple of others are cats!)
Saturday, November 14, 2009
As Winter Approaches
Cold weather makes me want to start baking. I have recipies for bread, for cake, for pie. And of course, I have a trove of cookie recipies.
What else do I want to cook?
I have a lovely recipie for oxtail soup. It takes two days to make, and now I have two refrigerators, so I can let it chill overnight to de-fat. I also turned my recipie for chile verde into a really good green chile stew. My beef stew I just do in the crock pot.
What shall I cook?
I collect recipies. I keep notebooks of them. Many I have never tried. Sometimes I deliberately take out and try something new. Sometimes I'm inspired to see what I can do with what I have on hand. Sara told me about a web site where you put in the ingredients you have available and it gives you recipies using those items. I've got to ask her for the web address on that one.
I need to find a good recipie for rabbit stew. Of course, a lot of people don't like hare in their stew. Sorry, I just had to!
What else do I want to cook?
I have a lovely recipie for oxtail soup. It takes two days to make, and now I have two refrigerators, so I can let it chill overnight to de-fat. I also turned my recipie for chile verde into a really good green chile stew. My beef stew I just do in the crock pot.
What shall I cook?
I collect recipies. I keep notebooks of them. Many I have never tried. Sometimes I deliberately take out and try something new. Sometimes I'm inspired to see what I can do with what I have on hand. Sara told me about a web site where you put in the ingredients you have available and it gives you recipies using those items. I've got to ask her for the web address on that one.
I need to find a good recipie for rabbit stew. Of course, a lot of people don't like hare in their stew. Sorry, I just had to!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Why do I cook?
In a sense, this blog is me exploring me. So, I yam what I yam -- sorry Popeye, you don't look like a sweet potato to me.
Why do I enjoy cooking?
Cooking is a form of art. It is creative.
There are a couple of differences between cooking and traditional art.
1. Once the audience experiences the cooking art, it is gone. An ultimate performance art. The experience, the appreciation extinguishes the art.
2. Like bad art, bad cooking (like good cooking) comes out as shit in the end.
To analogize to acting --- cooking is live theater. Painting is filmed performance. One exists ONLY while being experienced. The other is around for millions to enjoy. One is for the few, the other is for the many.
They can't even be valued the same. Every year, George and I watch Casablance on Valentines day. Every year, I make lasagna for George's birthday dinner. Maybe they are the same, because every year, they are also different. Our lives infuse values to our experiences. I may bake the same recipie for something many times. But each time it is eaten (whether by me alone, by me and George, or by me and a group of friends) the experience is different.
Why do I enjoy cooking?
Cooking is a form of art. It is creative.
There are a couple of differences between cooking and traditional art.
1. Once the audience experiences the cooking art, it is gone. An ultimate performance art. The experience, the appreciation extinguishes the art.
2. Like bad art, bad cooking (like good cooking) comes out as shit in the end.
To analogize to acting --- cooking is live theater. Painting is filmed performance. One exists ONLY while being experienced. The other is around for millions to enjoy. One is for the few, the other is for the many.
They can't even be valued the same. Every year, George and I watch Casablance on Valentines day. Every year, I make lasagna for George's birthday dinner. Maybe they are the same, because every year, they are also different. Our lives infuse values to our experiences. I may bake the same recipie for something many times. But each time it is eaten (whether by me alone, by me and George, or by me and a group of friends) the experience is different.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Who is my audience?
Am I writing for you or am I writing for me?
Am I writing for me and granting you voyeur privlidges?
After all, if I know there is an audience, won't my strip-tease be more seductive?
Ok, Ok, I heard you all laugh. I'll put my metaphorical clothes back on.
The question is still there. Of course, it's tied to the previous post. (There! now I've include bondage and exotic dancing in a description of writing! How me!)
So this is one post that, while it might make you smile, won't do a whole lot to improve the world.
Am I writing for me and granting you voyeur privlidges?
After all, if I know there is an audience, won't my strip-tease be more seductive?
Ok, Ok, I heard you all laugh. I'll put my metaphorical clothes back on.
The question is still there. Of course, it's tied to the previous post. (There! now I've include bondage and exotic dancing in a description of writing! How me!)
So this is one post that, while it might make you smile, won't do a whole lot to improve the world.
Why Blog?
Why did I decide to start a blog? "Why not?" is the easy answer. What am I trying to do here? Record my thoughts for the benefit of all? So what? Why are my thoughts any better than yours or perhaps those of Samuel Pepyes?
I always equated keeping a diary for future generations as a hope for empty imortality.
Do I truely believe that someone, somewhere will read my words and become a changed or better person for it?
HAH!!
All right. Our Puritian heritage (whether or not any of our ancestors came from New England) has so permeated our culture that we all seem to believe that we have an obligation to 'improve' some part of the world around us. Our music, our education, our recreation is all tinged with the 'make it better' syndrome. "Make a difference!" That's a frequent slogan of improvement associations and drives.
So, I am writing a blog to improve the world around me.
B**ls**t.
There are people; entertainers, scientists, politicians, crusaders who can and do make a difference to large numbers of people. There are people who change the world. Their names are known, elementary schools in their home towns are named after them, if they do enough, streets in ever major city in the country are named in their honor.
Hello! That ain't me, and it probably ain't you.
Do I, can I make a difference? Yes, BUT. I'm not going to change the world. My contribution, like those of most people is smaller. It is individual. I can bring pleasure to people around me (Ok, I can bring grief too)
So I blog to let myself know where I am, perhaps where I have been, and where I might go next. By blogging, I may manage to occasionally record those thoughts I really don't want to loose. And by blogging, I give my friends the access IF THEY WANT IT to those thoughts also.
It is a little, tiny way of improving the world. I share my thoughts, you add yours to them, and perhaps, just perhaps, we create a change in one or two minds, that changes from a negative (It's getting dark and dreary so early) to a positive (did you see last nights sunset --breathtaking!)
So there my friends, is my blogging "Mission Statement"
I want to twist your mind to the "Bright Side" of the force!
I always equated keeping a diary for future generations as a hope for empty imortality.
Do I truely believe that someone, somewhere will read my words and become a changed or better person for it?
HAH!!
All right. Our Puritian heritage (whether or not any of our ancestors came from New England) has so permeated our culture that we all seem to believe that we have an obligation to 'improve' some part of the world around us. Our music, our education, our recreation is all tinged with the 'make it better' syndrome. "Make a difference!" That's a frequent slogan of improvement associations and drives.
So, I am writing a blog to improve the world around me.
B**ls**t.
There are people; entertainers, scientists, politicians, crusaders who can and do make a difference to large numbers of people. There are people who change the world. Their names are known, elementary schools in their home towns are named after them, if they do enough, streets in ever major city in the country are named in their honor.
Hello! That ain't me, and it probably ain't you.
Do I, can I make a difference? Yes, BUT. I'm not going to change the world. My contribution, like those of most people is smaller. It is individual. I can bring pleasure to people around me (Ok, I can bring grief too)
So I blog to let myself know where I am, perhaps where I have been, and where I might go next. By blogging, I may manage to occasionally record those thoughts I really don't want to loose. And by blogging, I give my friends the access IF THEY WANT IT to those thoughts also.
It is a little, tiny way of improving the world. I share my thoughts, you add yours to them, and perhaps, just perhaps, we create a change in one or two minds, that changes from a negative (It's getting dark and dreary so early) to a positive (did you see last nights sunset --breathtaking!)
So there my friends, is my blogging "Mission Statement"
I want to twist your mind to the "Bright Side" of the force!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Roblogin-robin starts
Well my friends, and woe, my foes!! YES Some things are so easy even I can accomplish them! Hence, THE BLOG OF ROBIN! now aren't you sorry I have your e-mail address!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
