Just a few things to get out of my head so I can sleep tonight :)
Did I say I was done with my former employer? Well, it looks like that observation might have been premature. I got another deposit, though looking at it, they may just be paying out my remaining vacation. I'm debating whether or not I'm going to contact HR about this. Not like I'll actually talk to anyone...
Cool day today with the present employer. One of our employees works with the summer service team at NWMC, and is going with the team to Siberia this summer. He's leaving this weekend, so we threw a pot luck lunch to bid him farewell.
Damon's.... Gooooood.... mmmmmmmmmmm.............
In other news, I've been doing some pre-emptive tech support tonight. We received a new computer we've ordered for Amy's mom, and I've been spending the evening pimping it out. AV, anti-spyware, firewall, plugins, OpenOffice... Good stuff.
Colin Mochrie is one of the funniest human beings on the planet.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Friday, May 26, 2006
A Taste of Summer
To my mind, there's nothing that embodies summer like baseball. Tonight, Amy and I went to our first game of the summer. Granted, it was the Columbus Clippers, not my beloved Akron Aeros or the love of my baseball life, the Cleveland Indians, but it was baseball, and baseball is nearly always a good thing.
Now, there are some rules that go along with going to a professional baseball game. First, unless there is an illness or some major calamity, you stay until the end of the game. I'll be flexible for those of you with kids, but for adults not accompanied by children, you are obliged to stay, regardless of the score, regardless of the weather. Carl and I stayed at an Aeros game that was ultimately called by SNOW, and we did it gladly, BECAUSE THAT'S JUST WHAT YOU DO (and walked the 10 miles to and from the game, up hill, with nought on our feet but cardboard, and nought to warm us but the love of the game).
Second, it's OK to ask questions if you don't understand something. Perfectly acceptible. But, you should wait to ask between pitches, or preferably, between innings. Again, kids are an exception, but you should try to teach them this very important rule (says the guy without kids).
Third, baseball means eating a hot dog. Unless you're a vegetarian or have some sort of allergy, there is absolutely no excuse for not eating a hot dog. Just man up and do it! Yeah, it's going to be way overpriced, but that's one of the things you have to accept for love of the game. And, there's a right way to dress up your dog, too. Unwrap said dog, and smother it in stadium (or ballpark, if that's what you got) mustard. None of that sissy yellow stuff! By time you quit adding mustard, there should be equal parts (by weight) mustard and dog. On top of the mustard, if it's available, go the onions. Cram on as many as the dog can hold, and then add more. If you do it right, everyone within a 100' radius should be gasping for breath, and you should have horrible indigestion by the middle of the second inning.
Fourth, fer cryin' out loud, one or two beers is OK, but for the love of all that is good and right, the baseball stadium is not a kegger. Stop drinking after the third inning or second beer, whichever comes first. The beer really isn't all that good, anyway.
That's it. Now go out and enjoy our national pasttime!
Now, there are some rules that go along with going to a professional baseball game. First, unless there is an illness or some major calamity, you stay until the end of the game. I'll be flexible for those of you with kids, but for adults not accompanied by children, you are obliged to stay, regardless of the score, regardless of the weather. Carl and I stayed at an Aeros game that was ultimately called by SNOW, and we did it gladly, BECAUSE THAT'S JUST WHAT YOU DO (and walked the 10 miles to and from the game, up hill, with nought on our feet but cardboard, and nought to warm us but the love of the game).
Second, it's OK to ask questions if you don't understand something. Perfectly acceptible. But, you should wait to ask between pitches, or preferably, between innings. Again, kids are an exception, but you should try to teach them this very important rule (says the guy without kids).
Third, baseball means eating a hot dog. Unless you're a vegetarian or have some sort of allergy, there is absolutely no excuse for not eating a hot dog. Just man up and do it! Yeah, it's going to be way overpriced, but that's one of the things you have to accept for love of the game. And, there's a right way to dress up your dog, too. Unwrap said dog, and smother it in stadium (or ballpark, if that's what you got) mustard. None of that sissy yellow stuff! By time you quit adding mustard, there should be equal parts (by weight) mustard and dog. On top of the mustard, if it's available, go the onions. Cram on as many as the dog can hold, and then add more. If you do it right, everyone within a 100' radius should be gasping for breath, and you should have horrible indigestion by the middle of the second inning.
Fourth, fer cryin' out loud, one or two beers is OK, but for the love of all that is good and right, the baseball stadium is not a kegger. Stop drinking after the third inning or second beer, whichever comes first. The beer really isn't all that good, anyway.
That's it. Now go out and enjoy our national pasttime!
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Guitar Lessons
A few weeks ago, I played and sang for the wedding of a friend back home in NE OH. The singing went as well as ever, maybe better, but I was sickened by my guitar playing. Now, I've never been terribly strong, though I can usually strum my way through well enough. Unfortunately, the song I played required finger picking, and I failed miserably. So, I've decided to do something about it. I'm going to try guitar lessons once again.
I took lessons once before, right after I moved to central Ohio. I think I gave my instructor the wrong impression of a) my skills and b) my intent, because the only instruction I got in three months was "explore your guitar." Ummm.... not helpful. If I knew how to do that, I wouldn't have been there.
So, this time around, after I explained my background, I told Roger, my instructor, "I'm sick of how I play. Teach me from scratch." He hasn't quite done that, but this time around I have lots of scales, lots of chords and lots of theory. In fact, it's a little bit of overload. But it's good. I feel like I have actual things to work on, and I really feel like I'm going to improve this time.
I took lessons once before, right after I moved to central Ohio. I think I gave my instructor the wrong impression of a) my skills and b) my intent, because the only instruction I got in three months was "explore your guitar." Ummm.... not helpful. If I knew how to do that, I wouldn't have been there.
So, this time around, after I explained my background, I told Roger, my instructor, "I'm sick of how I play. Teach me from scratch." He hasn't quite done that, but this time around I have lots of scales, lots of chords and lots of theory. In fact, it's a little bit of overload. But it's good. I feel like I have actual things to work on, and I really feel like I'm going to improve this time.
10,171 steps
Finally a day over 10,000 steps. Woo Hoo! Yard work and a long walk is all that I needed.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Pizzaritos
Yep, that's right. Pizzaritos. A burrito using pizza toppings. Pizzaritos are great for those situations where you and yours want pizza but can't agree on what toppings you want. They are easy and pretty quick to make, and you don't even need any special equipment.
Ingredients:- 2 burrito-sized tortillas
- your favorite pizza toppings
- your favorite pizza sauce (for dipping)
Hardware:
- two cast iron skillets (one should fit inside the other)
The Method:
Heat both skillets over high heat till they're pretty darned hot. Warm each tortilla about 30 seconds per side until nice and flexible, then lay on your counter and fill with your favorite pizza toppings. Chop up larger ingredients before hand (makes things easier), and don't overfill, or you'll have trouble wrapping. Wrap your pizzarito by folding over the sides, then flip the end closest to you over your fillings and roll. Once you've got both pizzaritos rolled, take both skillets off the heat, place the pizzaritos flap-side down in the larger skillet, and put the smaller skillet on top of the pizzaritos. Let sit for about 5 minutes. While the pizzaritos are heating through, heat up your pizza sauce for dipping.Yummm....
Or you could try pizzadillas, which are quesadillas with pizza toppings. Same concept, slightly different in execution. You throw a tortilla in a hot skillet, throw on toppings, throw a tortilla on top, then put another hot skillet on top. Couldn't be easier.
Now, I'm special and have two largish cast iron skillets. If you don't and decide to try doing this, lemme know how you compensate for the lack of skillet(s).
Friday, May 19, 2006
McCormick and Schmick's
With Amy's retirement, we're able to have lunch together once in a while these days. It's very nice, seeing my sweetie in the middle of the day. Today, we had lunch at McCormick and Schmick's, a very fine seafood restaurant near my place of employment. I gotta say, very tasty. I had a tilapia dish that was scrumptious, and Amy had an open-faced crab and shrimp sammich that was really good. Of course, with the prices they charge, it darned well better be. If you have a McCormick and Schmick's around and a large supply of loose change, I'd recommend it heartily. Go for lunch, though. I'd be afraid of what they'd charge for dinner...
The End of the Ordeal
I'm finally done with my former employer (at least until I have to do taxes next year). After writing a pretty furious letter to HR, they finally caught the Clue Bus, finished the termination process, and took back the two paychecks that they should never have given me. No, I wasn't mean or vulgar (though I was sorely tempted), I just stressed that it showed a marked lack of competence to still be paying me a month after my resignation and two weeks after I called and explicitly told them that they could stop paying me.
I am kinda hoping for an exit interview, though. I think that'd be kinda fun :)
Thursday, May 18, 2006
My what big eyes you have....
We went to the eye doctor today... my eyes were dialated and wow are they sensative. Now I have worn glasses since 2nd grade and this is the first time I can remember having this strong of a reaction. O well nothing a few hours won't fix. Hope everyone likes the new frames ... if not blame Tom he picked them (hee hee)
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Monday, May 15, 2006
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Happy Mother's Day
Happy Mother's Day to all. Quiet evening after spending the day with family. We watched the last episode of West Wing. Sap that I am I cried... I am going to miss that show.
Friday, May 12, 2006
I *WISH* I was done
... with my former employer, that is. Two weeks after my last day, I received a deposit of another full paycheck. I called the HR department, and they told me that noone had told them that I had resigned. They assured me that things would get straighened out, and someone would contact me to let me know what to do with the funds. I never heard back, never heard back, never heard back, so I called again on Wednesday. They gave me a name and number of the person who was handling things, so I called and left a voice mail and specifically asked for a return call.
Of course you know, noone ever called.
So, I checked my account balance tonight. You guessed it. Another paycheck.
I suppose that this proves that they're consistent. They didn't do crap for me when I was an employee. Why should they care about me now that I'm not?
I'M DONE!
Today is my last day of employment :) Yes, I have been given the opportunity to say -"see ya" to a bad situation. I was in a department at large national bank where I was just a number and it was all about my production. New (micro) management since late last year has made it a hard few month. I am so blessed with this opportunity to take a break and figure out what I want to be when I grow up. I am taking the summer off and going to attempt to figure that out. A big thank you to Tom for his encouragement to take this leap and his support of this adventure.
I Work For a Start-Up
You know you work for a startup when you have several 15 hour work days in the first three weeks of work.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Trip to the Library
Stopped at the library today and checked out three books:
The Woman Who Waited by Andrie Makine - It is 182 pages and the book height is small so I expect an easy read.
I have no idea what it is about but I have enjoyed past books by David Baldacci so I picked up Camel Club.
Finally, I am trying something new with this library visit. I typically read fiction. Well I decided I need to expand my world so I am branching out. I decided to work my way thru the Alphabet in the Autobiography/Biography section.. I will read one book for each letter. Representing the "A"'s is Madam Secretary, A Memoir by Madeline Albright
Check back for book reviews in an upcoming post. :) Amy
The Woman Who Waited by Andrie Makine - It is 182 pages and the book height is small so I expect an easy read.
I have no idea what it is about but I have enjoyed past books by David Baldacci so I picked up Camel Club.
Finally, I am trying something new with this library visit. I typically read fiction. Well I decided I need to expand my world so I am branching out. I decided to work my way thru the Alphabet in the Autobiography/Biography section.. I will read one book for each letter. Representing the "A"'s is Madam Secretary, A Memoir by Madeline Albright
Check back for book reviews in an upcoming post. :) Amy
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Clarification
Typically, you can find steel cut oats in the ethnic section of your local megamart. You won't find it in your cereal aisle with the rolled oats (bad bad bad).
Just so you know...
Just so you know...
Overnight Oatmeal
Back in the day, I never thought I liked oatmeal. Probably because I never had it, or I never had it done right. However, Alton Brown of Good Eats fame showed me the joy of oats done right. Instead of using the insipid rolled oats, he makes his oatmeal from steel cut oats, also called Irish oats, Scottish oats, or pinhead oats. The problem always was that it takes anywhere from 30-45 minutes to make, so I couldn't have my oats most mornings. But, I found an overnight recipe somewhere along my cullinary travels and modified it for my own evil... errr... selfish purposes (for all his wonders, Alton's crock pot method doesn't work for me). I still don't eat it often, since it's a little heavy to have before a workout, but on days I don't work out, it's wonderful. I shall now share my wisdom with you.
Overnight Oats Done Right
Serving Size: 1
Ingredients:
1/4 c oats (steel cut oats, NOT ROLLED OATS!!!)
A smidgen of butter/margarine
3/4 c water
1/4 c (or less) milk
1/3 c dried fruit
Method:
1. Bring the water to a boil.
2. While the water is coming to temperature, melt your smidgen of butter in a small saucepan.
3. Once the butter is melted, add the oats to the saucepan and toast lightly.
4. Once the water has reached a boil, pour into the oats and remove the oats from heat.
5. Cover the oats tightly, and let stand overnight.
6. In the morning, add the milk and dried fruit to the oats.
7. Cover the oats tightly, and cook over medium to medium-high heat until they reach your preferred consistency.
I personally like my oats a smidge on the dry side, so I usually leave them on the heat for 10-15 minutes. You might like your oats a little soupier, so adjust your cooking time accordingly.
Enjoy!
Overnight Oats Done Right
Serving Size: 1
Ingredients:
1/4 c oats (steel cut oats, NOT ROLLED OATS!!!)
A smidgen of butter/margarine
3/4 c water
1/4 c (or less) milk
1/3 c dried fruit
Method:
1. Bring the water to a boil.
2. While the water is coming to temperature, melt your smidgen of butter in a small saucepan.
3. Once the butter is melted, add the oats to the saucepan and toast lightly.
4. Once the water has reached a boil, pour into the oats and remove the oats from heat.
5. Cover the oats tightly, and let stand overnight.
6. In the morning, add the milk and dried fruit to the oats.
7. Cover the oats tightly, and cook over medium to medium-high heat until they reach your preferred consistency.
I personally like my oats a smidge on the dry side, so I usually leave them on the heat for 10-15 minutes. You might like your oats a little soupier, so adjust your cooking time accordingly.
Enjoy!
Monday, May 08, 2006
Welcome
Welcome to our lives. We sit here on our couch, night after night, watching TV and surfing the 'net. So of course, we decided to share the wisdom that all our couch sitting has afforded us. We hope you'll enjoy your stay.
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