Cell block cuisine

"I Cook for Myself Alone" contains 100 recipes selected by Marc Haeberlin, who runs the Michelin three-starred l'Auberge de l'Il at Illhauserm near the German border... prisoners have created imaginative meals on a shoestring - BBC

Sounds like it could be an interesting cookbook to peruse, sadly though, he has not been able to a publisher for the book.

photography.

I look at collections like these: a. b. c. And I am awe stuck. I wish I had their ability of capturing those moments both extraordinary & ordinary. I wish I had their talent and capacity of communicating emotion, thought and human sentiment in a format that transcends the barriers of language. I wish that I wasn’t so shy, so timid, and that I had more confidence of my own capabilities such that one day I could take photos like these.

Too Fast

I've got to wonder who will use this car and where, but sometimes it's the creation that's important.

Hmm, now is that true? Is creation without purpose of value? I suppose some art could be considered to fulfill that criteria.
Is there benefit in creating a mousetrap better than other mousetraps? And continuing to build better mousetraps?
Certainly it is difficult to create in a vacuum. What is used in the creation of a faster car might have uses elsewhere. Some of the technical requirements might result in breakthroughs elsewhere.

So perhaps my question is flawed from the start, and that no creation can be without purpose. Or maybe my definition of creation is flawed. Perhaps invention might be better.

In any case, back to the car. For those who want one without paying the million dollar price tag...

So which is it?

I've just seen two articles about file sharing.
One says it is on the decline thanks to the lawsuits, etc.
The other says it has risen.

Either way it's interesting. But both ways? That's a little much.

Personally I continue to contend that I dl music that I wouldn't buy. Mind you, I haven't dl music in a while, since nothing current interests me. About the closest I would come would be to pick up Great Big Sea's latest album.

Logistics

Have been sitting staring at the screen, pondering the logistics of fitting fourteen people into one tiny room, about one tiny table and two benches, for one large supper. What we really need are the Fab Five, just for one day, to get this party organized and maybe spruce up our flat a bit. Sadly though I have not yet found a way to convince them to venture north of the border. So. How do you fit fourteen people, about a tiny table for a night of decadent gastronomy?

Love, love, love...

They say love makes the world go round. They say love makes everything right. But what good is love if you don't express it. If you don't tell the ones you love how much you really care for them. This week is we are celebrating the second annual Blogger Love-In. So get out there and tell each of the blogs you read why you love them so much. Once you have done that go to Eka’s and let her know that you are part of the Love-In. Which is sort of like a sit-in but with a lot more touchy-feely action goin' on.

Right click and save the image and link back to Eka's.

To all of you who have graced our lives during the past few years, thank you. You make this a community and a place that we enjoy sharing with you all. We love you, and squish you and appreciate the time you have taken to read our words.

All together now!

Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love.
There's nothing you can do that can't be done.
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game
It's easy.
There's nothing you can make that can't be made.
No one you can save that can't be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be in time
It's easy.
All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love.
All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
There's nothing you can know that isn't known.
Nothing you can see that isn't shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.
It's easy.
All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
All you need is love (all together now)
All you need is love (everybody)
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.

- Beatles

Brrr.

Would someone be so kind as to tell me what happened to spring. It's cold out there. Cloudy. Windy. And frigid. The kind of cold that nestles in your bones, and stiffens your joins. It's on days like this that I'd give almost anything for a fireplace.

Lifting Heavy Pieces of Metal

Well, back at the gym after a short intentional hiatus.

The gym is good.

Finished 8 weeks and at that point for me, it felt like a good time to take a break and change things up in my routine. Something that is well recommended not only to keep from being bored of the same routine all the time, but also to make sure the muscles do not get used to the routine either. Because as soon as that happens, they stop getting stronger.

But I'm more interested in gym type phenomena than anything else right now.

I've been trying to lift weight without paying any attention to what others around me do, it doesn't matter, and for the most part I am happy lifting my small pieces of metal. It can be a bit disconcerting to see someone curling more weight than I am bench pressing, but there it is.

Ego. Have to be careful about that. Just let it go and know that in the fullness of time you will get stronger. Because if you try and force it, you are going to get hurt.

I've done a bit of reading about different training methodologies out there, and it has been interesting, but once I get to the gym I generally just throw on more weight than last time and give it a go. But I have dabbled with things such as dynamic training, in which less than maximum weight is put on but the movements are done much more dynamically. So instead of 40lbs of weight done slowly, 30 are done faster. So that the muscles are pushed as if they were lifting 40lbs. Interesting and supposed to train the muscles to move faster; an analogy I read was trying to jump on a table by moving the muscles slowly - doesn't work.

I suppose what follows will be the bulk of this post.

Been hearing from various women about their desire to tone. It's funny because I've also heard things about not wanting to become bulky either. So in reading I saw a number of interesting things.

Toning is just muscles visible due to lower body fat. If a lot of cardio reduces body fat and there are no muscles, no tone. And the way to get those muscles is to lift weights and cause the mucles to work, not to do a million crunches.

I heard from someone else that weight machines are for guys. That was rather amusing, but really not true for the above reasons. Not everyone who touches a free weight or a weight machine (not a Bowflex or those kind) will become Arnold-like.

Personally speaking, I've increased my maximum weight liftable for every muscle I work, chest, back, shoulders, legs, arms but haven't really bulked up. Better definition is about all. That's without changing my diet much, perhaps eating a bit more and taking extra protein after going to the gym.

The extra protein is to help feed the muscles. And it's something I read was not done enough by women who workout. Among other problematic practices or lack thereof.

Which is really a shame. Because a lot of women will spend a lot of energy, time and for little results. There are some interesting articles on the same site as the links I have posted which respond to specific questions about women and training. And that's a good thing.

It's a sad thing to see women worried about results, methods, and being scared of what might help them achieve some of their goals more effectively than the standard grind.

A few quotes from some of these articles:

"combination of low total calories, aerobic exercise, and decreased protein intake will cause the body to literally strip muscle off of your body."

"adding weight training into your workout routine will not make you look more masculine and is essential for long-term fat loss."

"women have a similar biological ability to develop strength as men do, but will not acquire the same muscle mass due to hormonal differences."

"There is really no such thing as the "best" form of cardio. Physiologically, your heart can’t tell the difference between cycling, stair climbing, or running on a treadmill."

An interesting link on cardio or not cardio.

"ALWAYS eat within 90 minutes of completing your workout. If an alternative energy source is not made available following glycogen depletion, your body will begin catabolizing muscle protein."

Well, good enough for now.

Basically I wanted to say that women shouldn't be afraid to lift weights. And that they might even gain more of what they are looking for if they do.

Ep 3

Star Wars Episode 3: I am not going to go see it in theatres.

I just read this quote, "But the preview will not divulge all the secrets of the film, which will be released in cinemas in May next year."
I have to wonder, what `secrets' there could be?
Anakin becomes Vader.
Obi-wan lives.
Palpatine is the Emperor.
The Jedi get basically wiped out.
Please see Episode IV for more.
Um... well... unfortunately I find little else compelling enough to watch it.
And as I mentioned, I don't intend to purchase the original trilogy with the new Greedo shoots first scene included.

All of which is rather disappointing considering how cool Star Wars was when it first came out.

With the Daisies. Part II

Cloudy. Fuzzy white poufs of condensed water streaked with grey grace the morning sky. Moist, cold clamminess caresses skin, promises of rain later in the day. A breeze whooshes past. The strong earthy smell of spring caught up in it whirl. Soft rays of the sun fight through the clouds. Breathing in. Awaking. Renewal. Spring.

For Steve:

Dead Parrot Sketch: Excerpt.

... Mr. Praline: Now that's what I call a dead parrot.

Owner: No, no.....No, 'e's stunned!

Mr. Praline: STUNNED?!?

Owner: Yeah! You stunned him, just as he was wakin' up! Norwegian Blues stun easily, major.

Mr. Praline: Um...now look...now look, mate, I've definitely 'ad enough of this. That parrot is definitely deceased, and when I purchased it not 'alf an hour ago, you assured me that its total lack of movement was due to it bein' tired and shagged out following a prolonged squawk.

Owner: Well, he's...he's, ah...probably pining for the fjords.

Mr. Praline: PININ' for the FJORDS?!?!?!? What kind of talk is that?, look, why did he fall flat on his back the moment I got 'im home?

Owner: The Norwegian Blue prefers keepin' on it's back! Remarkable bird, id'nit, squire? Lovely plumage!

Mr. Praline: Look, I took the liberty of examining that parrot when I got it home, and I discovered the only reason that it had been sitting on its perch in the
first place was that it had been NAILED there.

(pause)

Owner: Well, o'course it was nailed there! If I hadn't nailed that bird down, it would have nuzzled up to those bars, bent 'em apart with its beak, and
VOOM! Feeweeweewee!

Mr. Praline: "VOOM"?!? Mate, this bird wouldn't "voom" if you put four million volts through it! 'E's bleedin' demised!

Owner: No no! 'E's pining!

Mr. Praline: 'E's not pinin'! 'E's passed on! This parrot is no more! He has ceased to be! 'E's expired and gone to meet 'is maker! 'E's a stiff! Bereft of life, 'e
rests in peace! If you hadn't nailed 'im to the perch 'e'd be pushing up the daisies! 'Is metabolic processes are now 'istory! 'E's off the twig! 'E's kicked the
bucket, 'e's shuffled off 'is mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisibile!! THIS IS AN EX-PARROT!!

(pause)

Owner: Well, I'd better replace it, then. (he takes a quick peek behind the counter) Sorry squire, I've had a look 'round the back of the shop, and uh,
we're right out of parrots.

Mr. Praline: I see. I see, I get the picture.

Owner: I got a slug.

(pause)

Mr. Praline: Pray, does it talk?

Owner: Nnnnot really.

Mr. Praline: WELL IT'S HARDLY A BLOODY REPLACEMENT, IS IT?!!???!!?

Owner: N-no, I guess not. (gets ashamed, looks at his feet)

Mr. Praline: Well.

(pause)

Owner: (quietly) D'you.... d'you want to come back to my place?

Mr. Praline: (looks around) Yeah, all right, sure.

[own one now. 'cause I really wasn't expecting this when I went looking for the skit.]

With the daisies

Brain has abandoned ship. It can be found outside frolicking in the sun, flitting from one flower to the next, playing with the butterflies.

… ooh pretty sparkly happy colours…

“Inches”

Pulled out one of my driving CDs this morning, Any Given Sunday (Vol. II). It had been sitting on our CD rack for quite a while; unloved, untouched and unplayed, as I’ve not gone driving in a long while. I had forgotten that I quite enjoy the CD. It has a bit of everything on it. Old style blues in the smooth tones of Ella Fitzgerald, a little bit of soul in the vocal stylings of Nina Simone, R&B, funk, and what I like to call, “wake up music” OR “pumped up music”. All in all a good long road ahead, travelling CD. [Another favourite road CD is the Hackers. Don't ask. It just is.]

There is a motivational, do or die speech from the movie that Al Pacino gives, entitled “Inches” [sample track]. I love Al Pacino voice in this piece, there is a rawness to it that gets you revved up, ready to go out into the world and fight for every inch that life has to offer.

It may well be trite, it may well be one giant cliché, but on some days the speech just fits.

Awkward requests.

Bras have an uncanny ability of twisting out of shape such that they become uncomfortable devices of torture at the most inopportune moments. [i.e. when there is no discreet place to go to, to fix the bloody thing] This results in weird and awkward requests to fellow female coworkers if they would be so kind as to circumspectly untwist the torture device. I always feel slightly odd requesting this of people I don’t really know. Good friends no problem, but asking acquaintances that I sort of know always leaves me feeling mildly embarrassed as I am never sure how they will take the request. So, what do you do when your brassier becomes the torture device from hell?

Drooling DVDs

Not to be confused with odd banjo music and DVDs. But I am interested in the future deliverence of the following DVDs this year.

April 13:
B5: Fifth Season - won't pick it up, but will eagerly borrow!

April 20:
League of Their Own (Special Edition)

April 27:
Big Fish - didn't see it but Munin will undoubtedly want to grab when it gets cheaper.
Love Actually - really well done romantic comedy. Must get.

May 4:
Calendar Girls - Helen Mirren good stuff.

May 11:
Robin Hood - not the Mr Kevin I'm a Stick Costner version. One that might be much better, have to see. A good Robin Hood is a very good thing indeed.

May 25:
Bubba Ho-Tep - I am constantly amused at this movie. Don't know about owning it, but I find the fact that it has a commentary track done by Bruce Campbell in Elvis character very amusing.
Frasier (3rd Season) - We're on a Frasier kick, it's great to watch, although often painfully so.
LOTR is coming out this day as well, but we'll wait for the Special Edition later in the year.
Underworld (Limited) - A director's cut is coming out with commentary including cast members. The question has come up as to why it wasn't released in a two DVD set instead of like this, but perhaps it will be released in that format later.

June 1:
Coupling Season 3 - Haven't picked up the other two seasons, but it is such a great and funny show.

June 8:
A-Team Season 1 - No. I won't pick it up, as it will undoubtedly be way more painful than can be handled, but I enjoy the thought immensely.
Quantum Leap Season 1 - Ditto on this one.

July 27:
Sledgehammer Season 1 - Oh what a funny show this one is in my memory. Tempting to give in and see if memory serves or suffers.

September 7:
Alias Season 3 - We don't watch much of Alias on DVD anymore. It's not a light show, perhaps that's why. You can't just put it in and laugh away a bit of time. Still, it is a good show.

September 21:
Not touching this one with a thousand foot lightsaber:
Star Wars Trilogy.
Why? Because Greedo shoots first. Dumb, ruinous decision Mr Lucas. Greedo has shot you in the foot.

That's all I have for now.
Looks good.
And if any of this has corrupted the reader and encouraged the purchase of any of these DVDs, I apologize and will no doubt do so again when seen in line with our copies.

Insanely busy

Due to impending layoffs our contract with “the company” ends in a week and designs that were due at the end of the month are now due a day before we leave. Saying that we are busy is an understatement, and to be honest I am not sure that we are going to be able to finish up the designs before we leave. But c’est la vie not much we can do about that. As for what is going to happen after this contract, I don’t know, which leaves me feeling angsty, nervous and snappish. I don’t deal well with unknowns, especially when the unknown is going to affect my ability to pay rent. Lets just hope that our company has something already lined up and that things at "the company" will pick up soon so that we may grace them with our presence once again.

Until the madness stops, I give you pictures, some truly gorgeous pictures* and a promise to pop in sporadically to vent, kvetch and leave scribblings, mild ravings and off beat notes about life in general.

excerpts

From one of my favourite books, which was oddly enough, one of those in a pile close at hand.

Ishak had induced obedience to his treatments by the gravity of his manner and the weight of his sonorous, beautiful voice. ~ The Lions of Al-Rassan. Guy Gavriel Kay

via Ni Vu Ni Connu.
1. Pick up a book.
2. Turn to page 23.
3. Pick out the fifth sentence.
4. Post it to your blog with these instructions.

Note to self # 3562

When rifling through a stack of paper do not position your fingers such that the fine edge leaves a painful paper cut right at the spot where your skin meets your nail.

...and...
From a friend and because it made me smile. large coffee to go...* Enjoy.

*Warning: Explicit language. Maybe not be work safe.

Easter.

Breasts

A word of caution: those of you who feel that the topic of breasts will leave you feeling squeamish, affronted, uncomfortable or just plain old huffy, please do not click “continue reading Breasts”. Instead we suggest that you either read another entry, use the blogroll located on the right to escape the topic and find another site or simply close the browser. Still here? Well then on to the topic at hand: Breasts

Even though I possess a set of my own, breasts remain a mystery to me. Not their function, or their shape and size, but what leaves me in a state of constant perplexity is the difference between a healthy breast versus one that may be a little ill. I am constantly poking, prodding and feeling them to make sure that all is as it should be.

The haven’t changed much in the 15 odd years that I have had them, and yet the lumps and bumps that I encounter always leave me wondering if what I find is normal breast tissue or something that really shouldn’t be there. Anytime a ‘new’ anomaly is found they are further poked and prodded, by myself and then Hugin [What? Second opinions are important.] until they are left abused and bruised.* Sadly, I must confess that my breasts are not they only ones that are abused. Hugin’s, though anatomically not the same, have become some form of comparison study just so that I can ensure myself that the weird knotty masses that I meet are indeed those of bulging [cough]weak[cough] muscles tissue. Yes, I am a woman in need of much help

I have looked at diagrams, articles and tried almost every self breast examination chart out there, and I still am not sure if a: I am doing it right and b: if what I encounter on my weekly [read daily] forays is suppose to be there. I have held discussions with other woman to determine if they too have difficulty in determining what should or should not be, and if they go through the same monthly queries of is this right? The answers are yes, and not as often.

One can almost say that I am obsessed with the health and well being of my breasts. But in my defence I can only say, that I rather be one poke ahead then many behind as I’ve become rather attached to my chest, petite as it may be. I am hoping that they will stay with me for as long as I live even though as a teenager I fervently wished that would just go away.

What I truly need is for someone to take me aside and show me exactly how a proper boobie examination is done; explaining what is normal, what is not and what happens to breast during that time of month. ‘Cause I know mine sure as hell change and I am never positive if they are suppose to be doing that or not.

Insights, comments and techniques are welcome.
poke. prod. pokity poke. jab!

?!?

Gods what a week! Stress, too much work, not enough employees and more layoffs on the horizon. I think that this pretty much sums up my day! Tomorrow, we'll be expecting much of the same . Tonight, I am going to huddle up in the couch, with lots of blankets, a large strong drink, my love, and Babylon 5. I'm going to pretend that the world known as crazy technical contracting employment does not exist...

Chiquita. Sending you lots of hugs and snuggles. Chin up girl. It will all work out in the end!

Tartan Day 2004

We only have a little tinsey smidgen of Scottish in our heritage. So remote and tiny a speck that you need a magnifying glass to find it, but we sure do love our single malts. Happy Tartan Day to all.

Quote of the evening.

“…some days I close my eyes and pretend I’m a big fat juicy pork chop.”

The context of the quote wishes to remain anonymous such that the sources innocence may be protected. The source has pleaded the fifth and refuses to comment, citing that any retort, explanation or further justification of the above would only result in further criminalization of said individual.

Rubber Ducky...

...you're one one or me!

Via the yummy Da Goddess

if anyone's feeling generous... hint. hint. fluttes eyelashes at Hugin

Grocery List

Well thanks to Neil Gaiman's site, a list of grocery lists for perusal.

I believe mine was rather mundane last time I wrote it down.

Just call Miss oblivious

My boss passed by me desk, looked at me perplexedly and inquired if I truly enjoyed working with my screen at full brightness. I hadn’t noticed that when they moved my computer the brightness had changed, nor did I notice how washed out the colours were. All I can say in my defence is…umm… that…erm… sadly nothing valid comes to mind. Even the, ‘I was top caught up in my work to notice’ seems a feeble and sad excuse. However, I can honestly say is that changing the brightness sure does make a huge difference on the eyes. Now if y’all be so kind, I am going to go and hide in my little bright corner.

Interesting Fact

Talking on the cellphone, sitting in front of my monitor while blowing a raspberry causes the display to waver according to the style of raspberry; slower for deeper raspberry and faster for more high pitched.

Cool. :P