And look at that Easter bunny!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Easter Bunny on a Cupcake
We celebrated a co-worker's birthday today with Easter-themed cupcakes from Culinard Cafe -- I had the vanilla with chocolate frosting and the cake was the right kind of moist-dense that I like, and the frosting wasn't overpowering.
And look at that Easter bunny!
And look at that Easter bunny!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Time to Be More Like My Grandparents
No, I'm not saying I should sit around and watch sports, complete crosswords and play bridge. Though that does sound like fun to have a day like that every once in a while, I still can't play bridge.
I need to be more like my grandparents in that they didn't whine (to themselves or others) about how many years they have to work to get to where they want to be; they didn't feel entitled to anything; they did what needed to be done in order to live right and live well.
The last couple of years have been eye-opening for me. I'm reluctantly happy to agree that I'm the product of a generation who let themselves be deluded into thinking that if we got through school, did a couple of internships, we would find that sweet entry level job and flourish.
Well, I thought that I was immune to that delusion, but I've realized in the last year that I'm not. I was deluded that I wasn't deluded. Get it? I do now!
I'm at the point where I've got to step up and reinvest in my skill set to move forward into digital media, where I'd like to be.
It's time to tap into my self-motivation and suck it up. Like my grandparents would say, I'm the only one who's going to fight for me.
I need to be more like my grandparents in that they didn't whine (to themselves or others) about how many years they have to work to get to where they want to be; they didn't feel entitled to anything; they did what needed to be done in order to live right and live well.
The last couple of years have been eye-opening for me. I'm reluctantly happy to agree that I'm the product of a generation who let themselves be deluded into thinking that if we got through school, did a couple of internships, we would find that sweet entry level job and flourish.
Well, I thought that I was immune to that delusion, but I've realized in the last year that I'm not. I was deluded that I wasn't deluded. Get it? I do now!
I'm at the point where I've got to step up and reinvest in my skill set to move forward into digital media, where I'd like to be.
It's time to tap into my self-motivation and suck it up. Like my grandparents would say, I'm the only one who's going to fight for me.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Playing Hostess in B'ham Part I
Julie came to visit me yesterday -- hooray! She's the first friend that's been able to visit me since I moved here, so I was not only excited to see her, but also to play hostess.
It rained a lot on Monday, and it was supposed to rain again Tuesday, but God smiled upon Birmingham and it was a nice overcast day.
We had lunch at Bottletree Cafe, and it was pretty good. I had the Thunderbird sandwich with turkey, a red pepper mayo, Havarti cheese, tomato and lettuce on sourdough. This is probably my own doing, since they are known for their vegetarian items. But it sounded good! I chose the sweet potato fries as my side, and they could have been crispier. Julie had the veggie and rice burrito, and she really like it.
We headed over to What's on 2nd? which is a junk store downtown. And I don't mean junk as in trashy; it's an eclectic, overwhelming treasure store of all the things that people collect. They have an impressive collection of old postcards. I think every state in the U.S. was accounted for, and there were dozens for each one. They would be great to use for collages and decorating containers, table tops, etc.
The other items that caught my attention were the personal photos. There are several boxes of them all over the store. I found photos recording weddings, vacations, parties and just days of hanging out. It struck me as very odd that there were so many, illustrating so many intimate details of people's lives. How did those photos get into a junk shop? Did someone not want them? Wasn't there some family member who could keep them?
Afterward, I drove around and showed Julie around my neighborhood, and we spent part of the evening at the Summit. We spent some time in Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie, and I of course I wanted to buy most of each store. And then it struck me how many items I could recreate myself, or find elsewhere. Oh, brand brainwashing, you are so devious!
We had dinner at FLIP -- yum -- and went to Yogurt Mountain for dessert -- another yum. They sell frozen yogurt and your choice of toppings for 45 cents an ounce! Believe me, you get a lot, even for $3. There are 16 rotating flavors of yogurt according to the website, and a couple dozen toppings from cereal to candy to fruit.
I had a really good time Tuesday, and it was a little -- okay, very -- hard to go back to work. Taking the day off make me think it was Friday/the weekend. So, thanks Julie, for giving me a Tues-weekend-day!
It rained a lot on Monday, and it was supposed to rain again Tuesday, but God smiled upon Birmingham and it was a nice overcast day.
We had lunch at Bottletree Cafe, and it was pretty good. I had the Thunderbird sandwich with turkey, a red pepper mayo, Havarti cheese, tomato and lettuce on sourdough. This is probably my own doing, since they are known for their vegetarian items. But it sounded good! I chose the sweet potato fries as my side, and they could have been crispier. Julie had the veggie and rice burrito, and she really like it.
We headed over to What's on 2nd? which is a junk store downtown. And I don't mean junk as in trashy; it's an eclectic, overwhelming treasure store of all the things that people collect. They have an impressive collection of old postcards. I think every state in the U.S. was accounted for, and there were dozens for each one. They would be great to use for collages and decorating containers, table tops, etc.
The other items that caught my attention were the personal photos. There are several boxes of them all over the store. I found photos recording weddings, vacations, parties and just days of hanging out. It struck me as very odd that there were so many, illustrating so many intimate details of people's lives. How did those photos get into a junk shop? Did someone not want them? Wasn't there some family member who could keep them?
Afterward, I drove around and showed Julie around my neighborhood, and we spent part of the evening at the Summit. We spent some time in Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie, and I of course I wanted to buy most of each store. And then it struck me how many items I could recreate myself, or find elsewhere. Oh, brand brainwashing, you are so devious!
We had dinner at FLIP -- yum -- and went to Yogurt Mountain for dessert -- another yum. They sell frozen yogurt and your choice of toppings for 45 cents an ounce! Believe me, you get a lot, even for $3. There are 16 rotating flavors of yogurt according to the website, and a couple dozen toppings from cereal to candy to fruit.
I had a really good time Tuesday, and it was a little -- okay, very -- hard to go back to work. Taking the day off make me think it was Friday/the weekend. So, thanks Julie, for giving me a Tues-weekend-day!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Return of the Blogger
Omg, Canada won a medal! In hockey! Thank God for their dignity! I only laugh about this because of their Own the Podium (see this NY Times article and their site) campaign, and they still managed to be in third for medal counts. Don't make a committee, guys, just DO IT! But still, congratulations on the gold medal.
Watching the U.S. team get their medals is almost painful because they all look so pissed. As if they'd like nothing better than to skip the ceremony and skulk back to the locker room.
Now that I've really settled into Birmingham, I feel good about getting back into blogging. Between moving, getting used to working full-time, and creating new friendships, I haven't had much time to write!
Finally working in a paid position feels good, even though it's only for a short time. It's funny though, because I've worked full-time before, at an apartment complex, but I'm so much more tired at the end of the day here than I was at that other job. And, it's not as if I'm running around all day -- I sit at my desk and do research and call people!
Thankfully, the weather has gotten much better the last couple of weekends -- meaning, we can actually go outside and enjoy Bham. The first month and a half I was here, it rained/snowed/was generally awful weather every weekend. Lisa and I went over to English Village and sat outside one of the cafes, eating pastries, drinking coffee, and just enjoying the quiet and sun.
Today, we drove over to Oak Mountain State Park to explore. I expected the lake and trails, but I was surprised to see a stable offering boarding, lessons and trail rides, as well as a golf course. Supposedly, we could go swimming at the "beach" but I'm still a little skeptical. The lake's not that big, so I'm sure it gets crowded with swimmers, boaters, kayakers, etc. I may stick to the paddle boats.
Watching the U.S. team get their medals is almost painful because they all look so pissed. As if they'd like nothing better than to skip the ceremony and skulk back to the locker room.
Now that I've really settled into Birmingham, I feel good about getting back into blogging. Between moving, getting used to working full-time, and creating new friendships, I haven't had much time to write!
Finally working in a paid position feels good, even though it's only for a short time. It's funny though, because I've worked full-time before, at an apartment complex, but I'm so much more tired at the end of the day here than I was at that other job. And, it's not as if I'm running around all day -- I sit at my desk and do research and call people!
Thankfully, the weather has gotten much better the last couple of weekends -- meaning, we can actually go outside and enjoy Bham. The first month and a half I was here, it rained/snowed/was generally awful weather every weekend. Lisa and I went over to English Village and sat outside one of the cafes, eating pastries, drinking coffee, and just enjoying the quiet and sun.
Today, we drove over to Oak Mountain State Park to explore. I expected the lake and trails, but I was surprised to see a stable offering boarding, lessons and trail rides, as well as a golf course. Supposedly, we could go swimming at the "beach" but I'm still a little skeptical. The lake's not that big, so I'm sure it gets crowded with swimmers, boaters, kayakers, etc. I may stick to the paddle boats.
Friday, November 27, 2009
It's Black Friday! You know what that means...
Time to rip down those leafy, orangy, autumnal decorations and pull out Santa, the reindeer, your mini-nativity and wrestle with the itchy garland and the miles of lights you were too lazy to put away properly last year.
Every year without fail, we put up our Christmas decorations the weekend (okay, maybe the week) following Turkey Day. As I've grown older, I've looked upon this occasion with both delight and dread -- I'm suddenly fighting dual personalities. Who wants to spend the whole day decorating the house, inside and out? Well, me...but then again, why can't just put up the tree, hang up the wreaths in the windows and be done with it?
What is it about getting older that makes me want to simplify Christmas? Is it the fact that I'm no longer a child, and now I'm the one who's responsible for braving the mall to buy gifts, preparing the holiday meals? Or is it that I now understand how disgustingly commercial we've made Christmas?
As the years pass at my house, we put out less decorations, freak out less over the perfect holiday get together, and making our lives easier by not requesting as many specific gifts (I can pick out my own sweater, I would just appreciate a little money towards it's purchase).
And I don't feel bad about it. I'm happier making my friends a gift box of cookies and yummy desserts than buying them a present I hope they'll like. I'm happier spending my free time at home, with my friends and family, than at the mall.
Every year without fail, we put up our Christmas decorations the weekend (okay, maybe the week) following Turkey Day. As I've grown older, I've looked upon this occasion with both delight and dread -- I'm suddenly fighting dual personalities. Who wants to spend the whole day decorating the house, inside and out? Well, me...but then again, why can't just put up the tree, hang up the wreaths in the windows and be done with it?
What is it about getting older that makes me want to simplify Christmas? Is it the fact that I'm no longer a child, and now I'm the one who's responsible for braving the mall to buy gifts, preparing the holiday meals? Or is it that I now understand how disgustingly commercial we've made Christmas?
As the years pass at my house, we put out less decorations, freak out less over the perfect holiday get together, and making our lives easier by not requesting as many specific gifts (I can pick out my own sweater, I would just appreciate a little money towards it's purchase).
And I don't feel bad about it. I'm happier making my friends a gift box of cookies and yummy desserts than buying them a present I hope they'll like. I'm happier spending my free time at home, with my friends and family, than at the mall.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
A Collection of Thoughts
Time flies: Wow, so, in case you hadn't heard, Thanksgiving is here (here, meaning close enough that I can talk about it in the present tense) and you know what that means -- one more year has gone by. This one has been especially memorable for me since I graduated from college in May and have been struggling to find a place in my industry since then.
PETA shoots themselves in the foot again: Today, PETA suggested to Damon Evans (I really wish I could have heard his reaction) that instead of replacing Uga VII with another dog, UGA should build an animatronic Bulldog for our mascot. What? Clearly, none of the people working at PETA graduated from UGA, or this never would have been brought up.
They are glossing over a nearly 54-year tradition at UGA. These dogs are an institution -- they are lovable, friendly, and pettable -- and yes, they have health issues. We knew that. Did anyone really expect the current Uga to pass away? No. His predecessors all lived an average of 8 years (only one died under 9 years of age). The Seilers are certainly going through a rough time now, and with absolute confidence I can say that they love their dogs and if there's something they can do to help them, they will.
PETA shoots themselves in the foot again: Today, PETA suggested to Damon Evans (I really wish I could have heard his reaction) that instead of replacing Uga VII with another dog, UGA should build an animatronic Bulldog for our mascot. What? Clearly, none of the people working at PETA graduated from UGA, or this never would have been brought up.
They are glossing over a nearly 54-year tradition at UGA. These dogs are an institution -- they are lovable, friendly, and pettable -- and yes, they have health issues. We knew that. Did anyone really expect the current Uga to pass away? No. His predecessors all lived an average of 8 years (only one died under 9 years of age). The Seilers are certainly going through a rough time now, and with absolute confidence I can say that they love their dogs and if there's something they can do to help them, they will.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
RIP UGA VII
I arrived home today and my dad had horrible news he'd heard on Fox 5: Uga VII "Loran's Best" died suddenly today. My eyes nearly bugged out -- Uga was only a couple games away from finishing his second season, and only four years old. Bulldogs have serious health issues, I know, but by my estimation, all the Ugas have lived at least seven years.
This is sad news, especially for the Seiler family. I had the opportunity to interview three family members this past year for an article, and they truly care about their dogs. These dogs are beloved family pets, and for anyone who's grown up with dogs, you know what that feels like. It must be particularly difficult to lose two dogs so close together.
It's also a bit disheartening as a Dawg fan, because Uga is such an integral part of Gameday events, and in many ways, a representative of UGA as much as Michael Adams is. I don't know how many people know, but the Seilers and Uga are at every football game, individual college events, other miscellaneous sporting events, and other University festivities. And mind you, they come from Savannah, which is four-five hours from Athens.
My thoughts turn to the Seilers, and if you have a beloved pet of your own, give him or her and extra pat tonight.
Red & Black article
Athens Banner-Herald
AJC article
This is sad news, especially for the Seiler family. I had the opportunity to interview three family members this past year for an article, and they truly care about their dogs. These dogs are beloved family pets, and for anyone who's grown up with dogs, you know what that feels like. It must be particularly difficult to lose two dogs so close together.
It's also a bit disheartening as a Dawg fan, because Uga is such an integral part of Gameday events, and in many ways, a representative of UGA as much as Michael Adams is. I don't know how many people know, but the Seilers and Uga are at every football game, individual college events, other miscellaneous sporting events, and other University festivities. And mind you, they come from Savannah, which is four-five hours from Athens.
My thoughts turn to the Seilers, and if you have a beloved pet of your own, give him or her and extra pat tonight.
Red & Black article
Athens Banner-Herald
AJC article
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