Is my Blu-ray player remembering where each and every disc was stopped? I think it does! How cool is that?! I love technology most of the time. I was disappointed to discover that one of the web cameras I bought was not plug and play like the other cameras I bought. I am not looking forward to returning it. I hope it is easy. I really need to get on that. I don't know how long I have. Eeek! So little to do, so much time to do it and all I want to do is nothing! Yay!
Turns out I had until March 22 - and it was pretty easy - they charged me some shipping, but I am ok with that. Getting it out of my hands was the important thing to me. I will make due with two cameras for the time being.
For some reason I have been thinking about the Dragon Riders of Pern series. I think the technology is there to make the movie now. And it might be a great franchise movie. I might just have to read all 111 of them again at some point. (Ok, so there are only 22 or 24 or 25 or something) (And it turns out that movies and such have been attempted for years - but a new one was started in 2014 - at least the writing bit was...)
We have had a weird weather day. Nice in the morning, blizzard in the afternoon turning to a snowfall of snocone consistency precipitation and it is getting warmer throughout the night - to a high of 37. Since the sun isn't shining and the wind is blowing pretty heavily, I don't think much melting, sadly, will go on. Poo. Yay weather!
Finished Live From New York. It was compiled back in 2002 or so - so it is a bit out of date. I was amazed at the people who have gone through that show. A lot of talent. I am glad that I read it. Big book! 500+ pages. Eeek. I still have another book I got from the library, but what I really want to read are the aforementioned Pern books. Ok, there are a few other books that I would like to read, mostly parts of series. There is one series that I was reading a while ago - I wonder if another book came out in that series. It is supposed to be the last, but I don't think it can be with the rate that the story has been progressing. What do I know. Brandon whatshisname managed to tie up The Wheel of Time series in three books when it looked like there ought to be another six.
Showing posts with label WOT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WOT. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Reading Bingelet!
I go through these once in a while. I haven't read much of anything on paper in quite a while. I can't actually think when I last sat and read a book. I tried a few months ago, but ended up taking the books back to the library unread. Got an audio book of one of them instead. Anyway, recently, a friend, Daniel (who doesn't read this) suggested a book to me - historical fiction, which I like: The Skystone. The first in a series of books about 300ish AD in England. Good stuff. While I was reading this, the 14th book of the Wheel of Time Series arrived on my porch. I decided to finish the library book first, before starting the Ultimate WOT book.
Mini reviews: The Skystone was enjoyable to me for few reasons. First, it is fiction - I like fiction. More than fact. More than the "real" world. Second, it is historical fiction - with which one gets a sort of glimpse into what life in the past might have been like. In this case, it is about Britain as it changes from a Roman land to an independent land. I like stuff about Rome. If you haven't seen the series "Rome" from HBO, and you like that kind of stuff, definitely check it out! And lastly, I actually like the characters. Yay. So I have gone ahead and requested the second book from the library system.
A Memory of Light - the 14th book in Robert Jordan's fantasy series. I have written about it here before - I think in conjunction with listening to the books on audio. I started reading the series in 1994 when I found a secondhand copy of Eye of the World on the shelf of a bookstore in Dallas, TX. I read a bunch of it before realizing that it was part of a series. And that the series wasn't done. It was because of this series that I semi-vowed to never read a series again that wasn't complete before I picked it up. I went and found the other three books that were out at that time and began the patient-ish slog through all the rest through the years. 23 years later (from when the series was first published) the series is done, despite Robert Jordan dying back in 2007. I think I had read somewhere that Robert Jordan had written one of the last chapters before dying - I know that he had written copious notes, and had discussions with his wife and others about what his ideas were for the end of the series. Anyway, it was a thoroughly enjoyable book - a few bits here and there seemed rushed and forced, but overall, the book was a nice ending to the series. I will read it again in the not so distant future. And will buy the audio book when it comes down in price a little bit. For anyone who has put of reading the series because it wasn't finished, the water is fine, come on in!
Yay reading!
Mini reviews: The Skystone was enjoyable to me for few reasons. First, it is fiction - I like fiction. More than fact. More than the "real" world. Second, it is historical fiction - with which one gets a sort of glimpse into what life in the past might have been like. In this case, it is about Britain as it changes from a Roman land to an independent land. I like stuff about Rome. If you haven't seen the series "Rome" from HBO, and you like that kind of stuff, definitely check it out! And lastly, I actually like the characters. Yay. So I have gone ahead and requested the second book from the library system.
A Memory of Light - the 14th book in Robert Jordan's fantasy series. I have written about it here before - I think in conjunction with listening to the books on audio. I started reading the series in 1994 when I found a secondhand copy of Eye of the World on the shelf of a bookstore in Dallas, TX. I read a bunch of it before realizing that it was part of a series. And that the series wasn't done. It was because of this series that I semi-vowed to never read a series again that wasn't complete before I picked it up. I went and found the other three books that were out at that time and began the patient-ish slog through all the rest through the years. 23 years later (from when the series was first published) the series is done, despite Robert Jordan dying back in 2007. I think I had read somewhere that Robert Jordan had written one of the last chapters before dying - I know that he had written copious notes, and had discussions with his wife and others about what his ideas were for the end of the series. Anyway, it was a thoroughly enjoyable book - a few bits here and there seemed rushed and forced, but overall, the book was a nice ending to the series. I will read it again in the not so distant future. And will buy the audio book when it comes down in price a little bit. For anyone who has put of reading the series because it wasn't finished, the water is fine, come on in!
Yay reading!
Saturday, September 29, 2012
More Media
I have been working through as much media as my brain and eyes can manage. I recently watched all of Lost and was not overwhelmed. I enjoyed it, just not wowed. Currently I am watching the reboot of Battlestar Galactica, which, over all, I am also enjoying. I think I am about to finish season three. Next up, maybe Farscape. The piece of one episode I watched once didn't impress me all that much - but it gets a lot of raves, so I am pushing it up my list a bit.
I also am always trying to keep mom entertained. Most recently, I made mom watch Inglorious Basterds. It was surprisingly good. I hadn't realized it was a Quentin Tarantino movie when I requested it from NetFlix. A little on the violent, bloody side - but I think that mom enjoyed it overall as well. She has problems with movies the plots of which are too complicated. We might have to watch more sitcoms and kids movies - though I don't enjoy explaining humor to her. Sigh.
We watched Emma together - which I had seen before - not sure if she had or not. And I let her watch Remains of the Day on her own - I had seen it before and wasn't too interested in seeing it again. I keep offering to put on one of the Madagascar movies for her, but she hasn't taken me up on it yet. (Thank you Jeff!)
On the xBox front, I have finished with Fallout, New Vegas for the time being. Though I do sort of hate going back to games once I finish them...The great thing about that game, was that there was lots of time spent waiting for things to load - which gave me a lot of time to sort. Ok, sort of a mixed blessing, but I don't like to just sort. It gets a bit boring - though I do enjoy the satisfaction of emptying boxes and recycling lots of paper! Right now I am playing an RPG called Risen, which is ok, not great.
Audio books. I haven't been able to bring myself to read a real book in a long time. I was miffed to see the other day, that the last book in the WOT series has been postponed again. It was supposed to be out in March - then in November and now it is January, 2013. Eeek. Anyway, I have been listening to some classics and then some of whatever pops into my hand at the library. Speaking of which, I need to head to the library soon and replenish my supply!
Netflix versus Hulu vs Cable - I don't like commercials - well, that isn't strictly true - I do like some commercials sometimes. I would, as I have mentioned before I believe, watch a network that just had commercials on it. Not all the time, but occasionally for a while. I don't enjoy bad commercials. And I don't enjoy commercials breaking up a show I am watching. I like continuity, not choppiness. So, I don't enjoy commercial television if I can avoid it. I don't pay for Hulu Plus, so it gives me commercials. Poop. That leaves Netflix which is my friend, currently.
Speaking of commercial Television - I try not to get sucked into new shows if I can avoid them. I love Sherlock Holmes, so I thought I would try the new Sherlock show - Elementary. I was not thrilled. I don't think I will go out of my way to watch it again.
And look, my eyeballs (and eardrums) haven't rotted away to nothing. Yet.
I also am always trying to keep mom entertained. Most recently, I made mom watch Inglorious Basterds. It was surprisingly good. I hadn't realized it was a Quentin Tarantino movie when I requested it from NetFlix. A little on the violent, bloody side - but I think that mom enjoyed it overall as well. She has problems with movies the plots of which are too complicated. We might have to watch more sitcoms and kids movies - though I don't enjoy explaining humor to her. Sigh.
We watched Emma together - which I had seen before - not sure if she had or not. And I let her watch Remains of the Day on her own - I had seen it before and wasn't too interested in seeing it again. I keep offering to put on one of the Madagascar movies for her, but she hasn't taken me up on it yet. (Thank you Jeff!)
On the xBox front, I have finished with Fallout, New Vegas for the time being. Though I do sort of hate going back to games once I finish them...The great thing about that game, was that there was lots of time spent waiting for things to load - which gave me a lot of time to sort. Ok, sort of a mixed blessing, but I don't like to just sort. It gets a bit boring - though I do enjoy the satisfaction of emptying boxes and recycling lots of paper! Right now I am playing an RPG called Risen, which is ok, not great.
Audio books. I haven't been able to bring myself to read a real book in a long time. I was miffed to see the other day, that the last book in the WOT series has been postponed again. It was supposed to be out in March - then in November and now it is January, 2013. Eeek. Anyway, I have been listening to some classics and then some of whatever pops into my hand at the library. Speaking of which, I need to head to the library soon and replenish my supply!
Netflix versus Hulu vs Cable - I don't like commercials - well, that isn't strictly true - I do like some commercials sometimes. I would, as I have mentioned before I believe, watch a network that just had commercials on it. Not all the time, but occasionally for a while. I don't enjoy bad commercials. And I don't enjoy commercials breaking up a show I am watching. I like continuity, not choppiness. So, I don't enjoy commercial television if I can avoid it. I don't pay for Hulu Plus, so it gives me commercials. Poop. That leaves Netflix which is my friend, currently.
Speaking of commercial Television - I try not to get sucked into new shows if I can avoid them. I love Sherlock Holmes, so I thought I would try the new Sherlock show - Elementary. I was not thrilled. I don't think I will go out of my way to watch it again.
And look, my eyeballs (and eardrums) haven't rotted away to nothing. Yet.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Now what?
I am a little sad today. Not in a depressed sort of way, but forlorn. I finished three things recently and am at a loss on what is next and how to proceed. (Not really, but it makes for thrilling blogging, doesn't it?) The things I finished were - the Sixth Season of Bones - that is all that Netflix currently has streaming - they have disks for the Seventh Season, but I haven't taken that plunge yet - the last published book of the Wheel of Time Series - goodness, a lot happened in that book - and it was left with a few major cliff hangers. I had thought I had timed it really well, to be finished with the series again just as the last book was released. Only to find out recently (as I think I mentioned in the past) that the book had been delayed until January 2013! I should live so long! I think it is some sort of anniversary thing - poop, though. The third thing I finished, finally, was the Knights of Amular - Reckoning. Eh. I liked Skyrim better.
Doors close, doors open. So far, nothing has wandered in on the book/Audio book front and I am open to suggestions and thoughts. I do like Science Fiction and Fantasy best, but will try to read most anything suggested. So, suggest away!
As for gaming, I have started LA Noire - a 40s period game which, so far, has been interesting (I played about half an hour last night). I am liking it so far - built by the people who do Grand Theft Auto. I still have a few others that are sitting on my shelf waiting to be played, but I think this one will be entertaining.
As for watch to watch on Netflix next, I am taking this opportunity to watch Jekyll. Saw the first episode last night. Interesting.
Ooh, made some more candy last night. Sesame candy. Not something I can eat lots of, like the Almond Butter crunch - but good anyway! And pizza. Sigh. One day I will make a nice, round, happy pizza. This one was a smidge over done, but still tasty.
Doors close, doors open. So far, nothing has wandered in on the book/Audio book front and I am open to suggestions and thoughts. I do like Science Fiction and Fantasy best, but will try to read most anything suggested. So, suggest away!
As for gaming, I have started LA Noire - a 40s period game which, so far, has been interesting (I played about half an hour last night). I am liking it so far - built by the people who do Grand Theft Auto. I still have a few others that are sitting on my shelf waiting to be played, but I think this one will be entertaining.
As for watch to watch on Netflix next, I am taking this opportunity to watch Jekyll. Saw the first episode last night. Interesting.
Ooh, made some more candy last night. Sesame candy. Not something I can eat lots of, like the Almond Butter crunch - but good anyway! And pizza. Sigh. One day I will make a nice, round, happy pizza. This one was a smidge over done, but still tasty.
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| Pretty on the way to the reading on Thursday night |
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| Pre cut candy |
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| Post cut candy |
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| Not so round, yet tasty, pizza |
Monday, April 2, 2012
Spinach Pockets! (Spanikopita sort of)
Thank you Cate for your directions. I had planned on making Spinach Triangles (as Cate calls them) and asked her for her recipe. I didn't use it exactly, but it was a start! Wow, there was a lot of butter used! Good thing I love butter. I wonder how well they reheat. My mom and I only ate about six of them and I think I made sixteen. I still have a lot of filling leftover. I guess I need to make more and freeze them. Apparently they freeze just fine. Goodness, the phyllo dries out quickly! Good thing I was forewarned to keep them covered and moist! Yippee!
Today is Monday! Yippee! I really need to get through a pile (literally) of crap. Tax time is looming and Karl, my brother, is doing the hard work for us. Have I mentioned lately that I really don't like money. Perhaps that is why I have so little of it. Over the years I have worked on this issue with no definitive results. Sigh and glarg. Anyway, the deadline for signing up for my mom's 60th reunion is coming up quickly too. So that is two things I need to accomplish today. And I want to mail my Daily Challenge friend Laura a few of my almond rocas. I figure four is plenty, they are so rich! And she lives an amazingly healthy lifestyle, so I will be surprised if she eats more than one of them...I can do this - it is only three things, though they all are made of of many smaller tasks. I would rather sit and work on my programming all day.
Right now, I am working through a new to me book. It is pretty good, not perfect, but not bad. I might even find out how to fix a few of the problems I am having with my first project - the concentration like game. And that makes me happy. I like to fix problems. I have, sadly, been reading really depressing things about publishing apps. Oh well, nobody buys my books, so if nobody buys my apps, it will be par for the course. Won't stop me from putting them out there, though...
Currently, I am listening to the 13th Wheel of Time Book. I have only read it once and only recalled the very highest points. It is great to be able to listen to it and get a lot more out of it. I may just have to listen to it again. And I am still frustrated that the last book's publication date was changed from March of this year to January of 2013. Grrr.
Saw two more Deadwood episodes this weekend. Wild Bill is dead, which is sad. And still watching Bones. I am on Season 5 I think. Maybe Stargate next...
Today is Monday! Yippee! I really need to get through a pile (literally) of crap. Tax time is looming and Karl, my brother, is doing the hard work for us. Have I mentioned lately that I really don't like money. Perhaps that is why I have so little of it. Over the years I have worked on this issue with no definitive results. Sigh and glarg. Anyway, the deadline for signing up for my mom's 60th reunion is coming up quickly too. So that is two things I need to accomplish today. And I want to mail my Daily Challenge friend Laura a few of my almond rocas. I figure four is plenty, they are so rich! And she lives an amazingly healthy lifestyle, so I will be surprised if she eats more than one of them...I can do this - it is only three things, though they all are made of of many smaller tasks. I would rather sit and work on my programming all day.
Right now, I am working through a new to me book. It is pretty good, not perfect, but not bad. I might even find out how to fix a few of the problems I am having with my first project - the concentration like game. And that makes me happy. I like to fix problems. I have, sadly, been reading really depressing things about publishing apps. Oh well, nobody buys my books, so if nobody buys my apps, it will be par for the course. Won't stop me from putting them out there, though...
Currently, I am listening to the 13th Wheel of Time Book. I have only read it once and only recalled the very highest points. It is great to be able to listen to it and get a lot more out of it. I may just have to listen to it again. And I am still frustrated that the last book's publication date was changed from March of this year to January of 2013. Grrr.
Saw two more Deadwood episodes this weekend. Wild Bill is dead, which is sad. And still watching Bones. I am on Season 5 I think. Maybe Stargate next...
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| Buttered phyllo |
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| Some spinach triangles being folded |
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| Pretty! |
Monday, February 27, 2012
Burn me!
"Burn me" is a curse in the Wheel of Time Series! I am still listening to the books although I haven't mentioned them in a long while. Love that series, despite it's issues. I think that Robert Jordan (or whatever his real name was) was going to make it a 30 book series when he passed over. He digressed from following the main story to exploring a few other side plots. Well, mainly the whole Elayne trying to become Queen stuff was just not that pertinent. I don't really care about the people contesting against her for the throne. Some of the other stuff is sort of important, like her dealing with more of the original lot of black sisters...anywho...
Burn me! Literally! Last night I decided to make breakfast for dinner - a frequent occurrence here in Geneva on Sundays at Chez Schoen-René. And last night I decided to try to make hash browns the easy way - and they turned out pretty well. At least mom asked for seconds. I think next time I will add the onions a little later and later still will add green pepper. If I have any. Which I normally do not, but anything is possible. So, when putting the potato parts into the hot bacon grease, I plopped and dropped instead of placed and burned my fingers a little bit. Nothing too horrendous - though it is the first damage to myself that I have done in a while. I don't like damaging myself.
Mom seems to be improving. Can that be? I don't see how. Still, she seems to remember more stuff in the near past than she has. Like movies we have seen and things we have done. How weird is that? And why is that? In any case, she still has her personality, which is great! Maybe she just isn't deteriorating as far as I can tell.
Today we are going to the doctor's office. Mark Ryan. Maybe he can recommend another eye doctor for mom since she really didn't enjoy Dr. Ross all that much last time. She still goes on about what a waste of time that appointment was (and I tend to agree). And while at the hospital, I am going to ask around for a social worker. Juliet suggests I speak with one - she did at a hospital in Maine. I think I have looked before and didn't find one at the Geneva Hospital. But I will look again in earnest and see what, or who, I can find.
I know that most of you (both of you?) know that I am writing a second blog - my writing blog. Although I only post there sporadically, it is there. Next, I am starting a Political Blog. Not that I am particularly "political." I am still trying to figure out what "political means" - me, I am just interested in figuring out what I think about issues. It will help when I walk for the presidency.
Burn me! Literally! Last night I decided to make breakfast for dinner - a frequent occurrence here in Geneva on Sundays at Chez Schoen-René. And last night I decided to try to make hash browns the easy way - and they turned out pretty well. At least mom asked for seconds. I think next time I will add the onions a little later and later still will add green pepper. If I have any. Which I normally do not, but anything is possible. So, when putting the potato parts into the hot bacon grease, I plopped and dropped instead of placed and burned my fingers a little bit. Nothing too horrendous - though it is the first damage to myself that I have done in a while. I don't like damaging myself.
Mom seems to be improving. Can that be? I don't see how. Still, she seems to remember more stuff in the near past than she has. Like movies we have seen and things we have done. How weird is that? And why is that? In any case, she still has her personality, which is great! Maybe she just isn't deteriorating as far as I can tell.
Today we are going to the doctor's office. Mark Ryan. Maybe he can recommend another eye doctor for mom since she really didn't enjoy Dr. Ross all that much last time. She still goes on about what a waste of time that appointment was (and I tend to agree). And while at the hospital, I am going to ask around for a social worker. Juliet suggests I speak with one - she did at a hospital in Maine. I think I have looked before and didn't find one at the Geneva Hospital. But I will look again in earnest and see what, or who, I can find.
I know that most of you (both of you?) know that I am writing a second blog - my writing blog. Although I only post there sporadically, it is there. Next, I am starting a Political Blog. Not that I am particularly "political." I am still trying to figure out what "political means" - me, I am just interested in figuring out what I think about issues. It will help when I walk for the presidency.
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| Homestyle Hash Browns |
Thursday, December 29, 2011
O Christmas Tree...
When is the "right" time to take the Christmas tree down? I am aiming for sometime in the New Year, (2012) though when exactly I am not sure.
I think my book tour plans are firming up - I was thinking that much more than a week in a hotel at a time would be difficult on mom and probably too expensive especially with the lackluster sales that Diary of a Plate Addict seems to be having. I think I will make the first two legs about a week each. So, maybe three days at each Saucer, instead of a week at each. I will write to Jeff (manager of the Raleigh Saucer) and see if he thinks this is a good plan - and if he is still willing to help me contact the other Saucers. Though, the first two I am fairly familiar with - Charlotte and Columbia. My current thought is to leave on Friday, January 20 and to return to Geneva around the 29th or 30th depending on whether we stop overnight on the way back or not. Then a similar trip to Tennessee in March. Then maybe a trip to Texas in April. NY in May for mom's birthday. June - a trip west - Maybe across the top to hit Kansas City going - and other points on the way back - like Las Vegas, San Francisco and any other place where there is somebody who is interested in getting together.
Yesterday was beer day at the lovely Beef and Brew. Yippee for beer day! I had three beers - all Ambers - Ithaca's Cascazilla, Sacket Harbor's War of 1812 and Widmer Brothers - Drop Top. It is always nice to see Lorraine and Tiffany. Ran into Melissa, a woman who is moving back to Geneva after being out in the world for a while. And generally just had a pleasant time. My thoughts on my beer blog progress - but I haven't actually asked anyone to participate yet. Maybe I will wait until I finish all of the beers at Beef and Brew before asking...
I also cooked mexican food for dinner last night - chicken quesadillas, rice and refried beans. I cooked the rice from memory last night and added a smidge too little water - so it was too dry - but ok. It might make good fried rice tonight for Chinese dinner (egg rolls). I think I could stand to buy some more spinach, since my Daily Challenge today was to eat something with omega three in it - like spinach...
You do know that comments are encouraged, right?
Photos from December 28, 2011:
I think my book tour plans are firming up - I was thinking that much more than a week in a hotel at a time would be difficult on mom and probably too expensive especially with the lackluster sales that Diary of a Plate Addict seems to be having. I think I will make the first two legs about a week each. So, maybe three days at each Saucer, instead of a week at each. I will write to Jeff (manager of the Raleigh Saucer) and see if he thinks this is a good plan - and if he is still willing to help me contact the other Saucers. Though, the first two I am fairly familiar with - Charlotte and Columbia. My current thought is to leave on Friday, January 20 and to return to Geneva around the 29th or 30th depending on whether we stop overnight on the way back or not. Then a similar trip to Tennessee in March. Then maybe a trip to Texas in April. NY in May for mom's birthday. June - a trip west - Maybe across the top to hit Kansas City going - and other points on the way back - like Las Vegas, San Francisco and any other place where there is somebody who is interested in getting together.
Yesterday was beer day at the lovely Beef and Brew. Yippee for beer day! I had three beers - all Ambers - Ithaca's Cascazilla, Sacket Harbor's War of 1812 and Widmer Brothers - Drop Top. It is always nice to see Lorraine and Tiffany. Ran into Melissa, a woman who is moving back to Geneva after being out in the world for a while. And generally just had a pleasant time. My thoughts on my beer blog progress - but I haven't actually asked anyone to participate yet. Maybe I will wait until I finish all of the beers at Beef and Brew before asking...
I also cooked mexican food for dinner last night - chicken quesadillas, rice and refried beans. I cooked the rice from memory last night and added a smidge too little water - so it was too dry - but ok. It might make good fried rice tonight for Chinese dinner (egg rolls). I think I could stand to buy some more spinach, since my Daily Challenge today was to eat something with omega three in it - like spinach...
You do know that comments are encouraged, right?
Photos from December 28, 2011:
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| Book Eight of WOT! Woo hoo! |
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| Anew Daily Challenge friend is going to Costa Del Sol, so I thought of her... |
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Maybe, just maybe
I can see why people over medicate others. I am, minorly, tempted to put mom back on the Aricept 23. The Aricept 10 mom is actually now getting up for lunch and initiating outings! Today, she wanted to go to BJs! Eeek! But that is for tomorrow. For today, we have yesterday's news. dit dit dit, dah, dah, dah...
dit dit dit (by the way)
Anyway, what exciting happened yesterday? It was Friday, wasn't it? Oh, yes, we went to our Monthly (or thereabouts) outing to Friendly's. No matter how much mom says she likes my food, or thinks I am a great chef (which isn't true), I think that she secretly would rather eat out at Friendly's every other day. Or maybe once a week. If we were weller off, I wouldn't mind not cooking. Though I do actually enjoy it. And, as I have said aforetimes, hand washing dishes. I ordered and received book seven of the Wheel of Time Series - the beginning of the three books in which a week or two passes. 1800 pages and a week passes. Sigh. Anyway, that helps to make the time more pleasant in the kitchen.
I also had a meeting with my language partner from Spanish Class. Sebastiano is a very nice gentleman who is here teaching Italian. Apparently they only have one semester of Italian, mainly to prep kids who are heading to Italy on a semester abroad program. Maybe I will take Italian from him next year. Anything is possible. Anyway, I needed a partner for the oral presentation and rather than put myself and any of the kinder through that, I grabbed him. Yippee! I haven't done anything on it, but plan to do some tomorrow. It isn't for another two weeks...
And that is about it. Toasty towels, did I mention those? That is one of the things that I love about the winter here in Geneva, is radiators and therefore, toasty towels! Yippee! Getting out of the shower and drying off with a toasty towel - there isn't much better!
Ok, time to post this sucker! Have a good one, blogophiles!
Photos from November 18, 2011:
dit dit dit (by the way)
Anyway, what exciting happened yesterday? It was Friday, wasn't it? Oh, yes, we went to our Monthly (or thereabouts) outing to Friendly's. No matter how much mom says she likes my food, or thinks I am a great chef (which isn't true), I think that she secretly would rather eat out at Friendly's every other day. Or maybe once a week. If we were weller off, I wouldn't mind not cooking. Though I do actually enjoy it. And, as I have said aforetimes, hand washing dishes. I ordered and received book seven of the Wheel of Time Series - the beginning of the three books in which a week or two passes. 1800 pages and a week passes. Sigh. Anyway, that helps to make the time more pleasant in the kitchen.
I also had a meeting with my language partner from Spanish Class. Sebastiano is a very nice gentleman who is here teaching Italian. Apparently they only have one semester of Italian, mainly to prep kids who are heading to Italy on a semester abroad program. Maybe I will take Italian from him next year. Anything is possible. Anyway, I needed a partner for the oral presentation and rather than put myself and any of the kinder through that, I grabbed him. Yippee! I haven't done anything on it, but plan to do some tomorrow. It isn't for another two weeks...
And that is about it. Toasty towels, did I mention those? That is one of the things that I love about the winter here in Geneva, is radiators and therefore, toasty towels! Yippee! Getting out of the shower and drying off with a toasty towel - there isn't much better!
Ok, time to post this sucker! Have a good one, blogophiles!
Photos from November 18, 2011:
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| Toasty towel! |
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| Eeek, snow on my car! Whatever will I do?! :) |
Saturday, October 1, 2011
I Have (the) Proof!
I guess that is the biggest news. Yesterday I received the two proofs I ordered of Diary of a Plate Addict. It looks great! True, there are some things that need attention - nothing huge - but certainly things that could be fixed. One that isn't a biggie, but I would like to address, is plates being re-used over and over - there are at least 5 instances of plates being re-used instead of new plates being used. One plate is used three times even! Anyway, it is great to see it all printed out! Now I am having doubts that anyone besides my friends and near acquaintances will buy a copy. Sigh. Leaning towards heading down to Raleigh at the end of the month of October at this point - if Heather and I can turn the book around before then.
Money is pretty tight right now - isn't that always the case - and I would like to spend a lot more - order copies of Bar Dreams, make a t-shirt, order business cards and of course order copies of Diary of a Plate Addict. My initial order for Bar Dreams was 500 copies and those lasted me most of 5 years. Sigh. I just have no idea if anyone who doesn't know me will want a copy. Sure it is a pretty book, but is it worth $20 to them? We will see, I guess.
Meanwhile, on other fronts, mom is doing passably well. She seems to have shifted her schedule from mornings to evenings - not getting out of bed until afternoon at the earliest. And that reluctantly. She is often up when I go to sleep. Sigh. She is also complaining of lots of ills. Who knows which are real and which are just more cries for sympathy. We went to get her blood tested for her doctor's appointment on Monday. I don't know if they will have the results by then. There was a really attractive (ok, so she was 21) receptionist there. Whatever. We also went to the dentist because mom lost a crown. Neither of us want to spend the $2500 to put a new crown back on. Unfortunately (?) the dentist wasn't open on Friday. What is that about? I also mailed Heather her copy of the proof. She ought to get it Monday.
Oh, I wrote two women on Plenty of Fish. Neither wrote back. Well, one of them I didn't expect to. The other I had some hopes for. Looked a little like my friend Jeanie. But nada. Which is not surprising. Me, I always write back at least once, even if I find the person to be less than appealing. Heck, they took the time to write - and I don't write "I don't think we are a match" - because what the heck do I know? Maybe their next email will blow me away and I will fall head over heels in love with them. Anything is possible (much is unlikely).
The plan is to go out to dinner. I think mom is getting tired of my cooking. We shall see if she is up to it. (The weather is way too icky for the time of year to go out after all...)
By the way, we did break the record for views of the blog last month - 2003! Onward to 3000 views a month. I guess I need a few more followers. :)
Pictures from September 30, 2011:
Money is pretty tight right now - isn't that always the case - and I would like to spend a lot more - order copies of Bar Dreams, make a t-shirt, order business cards and of course order copies of Diary of a Plate Addict. My initial order for Bar Dreams was 500 copies and those lasted me most of 5 years. Sigh. I just have no idea if anyone who doesn't know me will want a copy. Sure it is a pretty book, but is it worth $20 to them? We will see, I guess.
Meanwhile, on other fronts, mom is doing passably well. She seems to have shifted her schedule from mornings to evenings - not getting out of bed until afternoon at the earliest. And that reluctantly. She is often up when I go to sleep. Sigh. She is also complaining of lots of ills. Who knows which are real and which are just more cries for sympathy. We went to get her blood tested for her doctor's appointment on Monday. I don't know if they will have the results by then. There was a really attractive (ok, so she was 21) receptionist there. Whatever. We also went to the dentist because mom lost a crown. Neither of us want to spend the $2500 to put a new crown back on. Unfortunately (?) the dentist wasn't open on Friday. What is that about? I also mailed Heather her copy of the proof. She ought to get it Monday.
Oh, I wrote two women on Plenty of Fish. Neither wrote back. Well, one of them I didn't expect to. The other I had some hopes for. Looked a little like my friend Jeanie. But nada. Which is not surprising. Me, I always write back at least once, even if I find the person to be less than appealing. Heck, they took the time to write - and I don't write "I don't think we are a match" - because what the heck do I know? Maybe their next email will blow me away and I will fall head over heels in love with them. Anything is possible (much is unlikely).
The plan is to go out to dinner. I think mom is getting tired of my cooking. We shall see if she is up to it. (The weather is way too icky for the time of year to go out after all...)
By the way, we did break the record for views of the blog last month - 2003! Onward to 3000 views a month. I guess I need a few more followers. :)
Pictures from September 30, 2011:
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| The first proof! |
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| Star wars Pringles! |
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| Listening to the fifth book of the WOT series |
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| Dinner |
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
82!
I got an 82 on my Spanish in-class composition. How exciting is that? I have no idea how he graded it, since mine had so much red on it, I can hardly read what I wrote. In any case, that is exciting. And if I type it up and correct it, I can add up to three points. Every little point will help. Yippee! I must admit, that I do think of dropping the class all the time. And I am pretty sure I am not going to take a class in the Spring. I may go to the Spanish table at lunchtime, though, someday. Today, I have been very tired, so I didn't go. My allergies are acting up, big time. And that makes my sleeping not very restful. Poo. And I don't like to take medicine for allergies...Sigh.
Heather turned Diary of a Plate Addict around. Now we just need to get it uploaded and a couple of copies printed for us to proof. We are getting very close. Maybe even on track for an October release! That would mean, all things working out, that I will be in Raleigh for a week selling the book. That would be awesome! I don't know what I am going to do with mom. Perhaps Bosey would be willing to take her in for a week. Or one of my other friends or relatives. Karl is out of the question. Juliet is so far away. Ernst and Betty already have so much on their plates. Well, if worse comes to worst, we will just have to get a hotel together in Raleigh for a week. Anyway, that is still a couple of weeks away. I am still thinking I will print 300 copies and see how many I can sell. Hopefully, I will run out. That would be great! I also need to order some copies of Bar Dreams in case people want a copy of that. Can you tell I am excited?
Mom was very excited about the premier of "Unforgettable" which, sadly, was quite boring. Poppy is pretty, but that is about all that is good about the show. My Hulu cue got filled up suddenly with episodes of Eureka and Warehouse 13! I am very excited about those! And listening to the WOT book continues. I am dreading, a bit, slogging through the middle books, but they are what they are!
Did I mention that I got mom a baby monitor. Well, I got it for me. Since mom seems to be spending more time abed, I got it so that I could be in the study and still hear her if she needs me. Yippee.
Ok, time to take mom to her last Physical Therapy session for a while. Yippee!!
Pictures from September 20, 2011:
Heather turned Diary of a Plate Addict around. Now we just need to get it uploaded and a couple of copies printed for us to proof. We are getting very close. Maybe even on track for an October release! That would mean, all things working out, that I will be in Raleigh for a week selling the book. That would be awesome! I don't know what I am going to do with mom. Perhaps Bosey would be willing to take her in for a week. Or one of my other friends or relatives. Karl is out of the question. Juliet is so far away. Ernst and Betty already have so much on their plates. Well, if worse comes to worst, we will just have to get a hotel together in Raleigh for a week. Anyway, that is still a couple of weeks away. I am still thinking I will print 300 copies and see how many I can sell. Hopefully, I will run out. That would be great! I also need to order some copies of Bar Dreams in case people want a copy of that. Can you tell I am excited?
Mom was very excited about the premier of "Unforgettable" which, sadly, was quite boring. Poppy is pretty, but that is about all that is good about the show. My Hulu cue got filled up suddenly with episodes of Eureka and Warehouse 13! I am very excited about those! And listening to the WOT book continues. I am dreading, a bit, slogging through the middle books, but they are what they are!
Did I mention that I got mom a baby monitor. Well, I got it for me. Since mom seems to be spending more time abed, I got it so that I could be in the study and still hear her if she needs me. Yippee.
Ok, time to take mom to her last Physical Therapy session for a while. Yippee!!
Pictures from September 20, 2011:
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| I got $1.00 back from Rite Aid! Go me! |
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| Is that a picture of mom on the cover of this box? :) |
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| A store bought dinner - California Rolls, gyoza and ravioli - though I did put my al fredo sauce on the raviolis... |
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Feels like Saturday!
I don't know why, but it feels like Saturday. Perhaps it is because I don't have class today. Who knows. Anyway, I like it. I got up late and have mainly just puttered around. Later I am doing laundry, food shopping and cooking. Yippee!
Yesterday was a Spanish Day! Spanish Class, a buenos entonces lesson, Spanish Lab and a little bit of Spanish Tutoring with Magnificent (though slightly sick) Molly. Lots of Spanish. We didn't get our compositions back in Spanish class. And we had another quiz in Lab. I hope I did better than last time. Anything is possible.
And that is about all that I did, actually. I couldn't figure out what to do for dinner so I got food at McDonald's. Big Mac for me and a fish sandwich for mom. Yes, we do eat fast food occasionally. I try to only do it once a month or so. I saw the coolest machine or device there. See the picture below.
I am listening to the WOT book as often as I can, now that I have made up my mind to do so. Listening to book four, with many more to go. Yippee!
Oh, I got the draft of Diary of a Plate Addict that Heather sent and checked the corrections. A few slipped by, but 99% of them were done. I got the corrections back to Heather and am hoping for a quick turnaround.
Ok, time to do laundry!
Pictures from September 19, 2011:
Yesterday was a Spanish Day! Spanish Class, a buenos entonces lesson, Spanish Lab and a little bit of Spanish Tutoring with Magnificent (though slightly sick) Molly. Lots of Spanish. We didn't get our compositions back in Spanish class. And we had another quiz in Lab. I hope I did better than last time. Anything is possible.
And that is about all that I did, actually. I couldn't figure out what to do for dinner so I got food at McDonald's. Big Mac for me and a fish sandwich for mom. Yes, we do eat fast food occasionally. I try to only do it once a month or so. I saw the coolest machine or device there. See the picture below.
I am listening to the WOT book as often as I can, now that I have made up my mind to do so. Listening to book four, with many more to go. Yippee!
Oh, I got the draft of Diary of a Plate Addict that Heather sent and checked the corrections. A few slipped by, but 99% of them were done. I got the corrections back to Heather and am hoping for a quick turnaround.
Ok, time to do laundry!
Pictures from September 19, 2011:
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| I love sky pictures |
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| The sidewalk work is all done but the drying! |
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| This is the cool device - it pops out one top at a time - how cool is that? I wonder how much it saves them each year! |
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Happy Saturday!
I haven't figured out what to do today. Maybe something will appear. I do know that I should do some homework - Spanish, of course. Maybe some food shopping...
Anyway, Cate, my friend and housemate, sent me one of my CD players so that I can listen to the Audio Books of the Wheel of Time books when not in the car. Or when my car's stereo is acting up. Which does happen frequently, sadly. I think the last book in the series is supposed to be coming out in November which is really soon! Is time flying for anyone else? I have already been here in Geneva for five months. Wow! And I still don't know what I am doing. Oh well. Life goes forward.
I didn't do a lot yesterday - mom had PT - she got ready two hours early. Then blamed me for being ready too soon. Sigh. I think we have two more visits next week and that will be it for the time being. Should I make mom exercise on her little exercise machine everyday? Thoughts?
Oh, I did have my Spanish in-class composition. I think I did ok. Better than I did on my quiz at least. And I made leftovers for dinner. Eggrolls and pasta. Finally finished all of the frozen eggrolls. Yippee! I guess it is time to make fresh ones. I can hardly wait. And I made brownies. Not my favorite box - maybe I will look for a different one when I go shopping today. I guess the most important thing I did was to answer Heather, my designer for Diary of a Plate Addict, and her questions. Yippee for questions! It took longer than I thought to get them all answered satisfactorily, since I did need to give her some graphics.
Ok, it is really hard to listen to the book and to type at the same time. So much for trying to multi-task.
I hope you all have a happy weekend!
Pictures from Friday, September 16. 2011:
Anyway, Cate, my friend and housemate, sent me one of my CD players so that I can listen to the Audio Books of the Wheel of Time books when not in the car. Or when my car's stereo is acting up. Which does happen frequently, sadly. I think the last book in the series is supposed to be coming out in November which is really soon! Is time flying for anyone else? I have already been here in Geneva for five months. Wow! And I still don't know what I am doing. Oh well. Life goes forward.
I didn't do a lot yesterday - mom had PT - she got ready two hours early. Then blamed me for being ready too soon. Sigh. I think we have two more visits next week and that will be it for the time being. Should I make mom exercise on her little exercise machine everyday? Thoughts?
Oh, I did have my Spanish in-class composition. I think I did ok. Better than I did on my quiz at least. And I made leftovers for dinner. Eggrolls and pasta. Finally finished all of the frozen eggrolls. Yippee! I guess it is time to make fresh ones. I can hardly wait. And I made brownies. Not my favorite box - maybe I will look for a different one when I go shopping today. I guess the most important thing I did was to answer Heather, my designer for Diary of a Plate Addict, and her questions. Yippee for questions! It took longer than I thought to get them all answered satisfactorily, since I did need to give her some graphics.
Ok, it is really hard to listen to the book and to type at the same time. So much for trying to multi-task.
I hope you all have a happy weekend!
Pictures from Friday, September 16. 2011:
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| Brownies - these were good but not great. |
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| Work moves forward on the paving project. I still don't understand why the colleges or the city wouldn't do this... |
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| Fresh made grape juice! Yum! |
Monday, September 5, 2011
Some Good Days...
And some bad days. My mom had a bad day yesterday. She was not feeling well, for real, and stayed in bed most of the day. She did finally get out of bed for dinner. Yippee! I don't really know what to do for her when she is having one of those days. Sigh.
My day, on the other hand, was pretty good. I too took the day off, but instead of doing nothing, I did a good bunch. I ate lunch. I paid a lot of bills, my own and mom's. I read some of the latest book in A Song of Fire and Ice series. (Some people love these books - I like them - I still like Wheel of Time better.) I worked on Spanish by watching a video, reading in the book and eventually going to meet with a TF - teaching facilitator? She was a new one to me, Jade. Very nice - we went over my homework and then went through the first section of the first chapter of the text book. That is what I am doing to help myself catch up to the where we actually are in Spanish 102.
For dinner, we had left overs. Mom had lunch, basically - some quiche. I had pizza from the night before. Yippee! Later in the evening, it was game night chez (or casa) Charles. A good turnout. Charles, Pat, Daniel, Nick (Charles' brother) and me! We played one of Charles' favorite games: Race for the Galaxy. It was pretty complicated at first. Luckily we played all of our cards face-up. And Daniel basically played my hand for me. I chose the initial strategy, and was lucky with some cards, but it was mostly him. And we won! Woo hoo!
I don't know if you all know this, but I am actually taking at least one picture a day. That is the ostensible reason for me posting everyday, to have a context in which to post a picture. I think after a year, I will probably slow down the posting pace. And may not take a picture everyday. We shall see if either of those occur.
Pictures from September 4, 2011:
My day, on the other hand, was pretty good. I too took the day off, but instead of doing nothing, I did a good bunch. I ate lunch. I paid a lot of bills, my own and mom's. I read some of the latest book in A Song of Fire and Ice series. (Some people love these books - I like them - I still like Wheel of Time better.) I worked on Spanish by watching a video, reading in the book and eventually going to meet with a TF - teaching facilitator? She was a new one to me, Jade. Very nice - we went over my homework and then went through the first section of the first chapter of the text book. That is what I am doing to help myself catch up to the where we actually are in Spanish 102.
For dinner, we had left overs. Mom had lunch, basically - some quiche. I had pizza from the night before. Yippee! Later in the evening, it was game night chez (or casa) Charles. A good turnout. Charles, Pat, Daniel, Nick (Charles' brother) and me! We played one of Charles' favorite games: Race for the Galaxy. It was pretty complicated at first. Luckily we played all of our cards face-up. And Daniel basically played my hand for me. I chose the initial strategy, and was lucky with some cards, but it was mostly him. And we won! Woo hoo!
I don't know if you all know this, but I am actually taking at least one picture a day. That is the ostensible reason for me posting everyday, to have a context in which to post a picture. I think after a year, I will probably slow down the posting pace. And may not take a picture everyday. We shall see if either of those occur.
Pictures from September 4, 2011:
There is it, the fifth book in the series!
Ready to play Race for the Galaxy!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Totally Tuesday
It was such a Tuesday yesterday. I mean, everything came in twos.
Ok, no, it didn't. I just thought that would be funny. Was it?
Hi, how are you? I am fine. Thank you for the box of chocolates...
Moving on. Tuesday was a pleasant day in the world we know as Augustus's world. Ran more errands, without mom. This started a bit frustratingly, due to my flaky CD player in my car. Sometimes, without rhyme nor reason (that I have been able to ascertain) it won't read my CD. So I try ejecting and re-inserting until it works. I even bang, ineffectually, on the front of the player. Sigh. But it started working - so I got to listen to the Wheel of Time book. Yippee! Then it was bank, library, dollar store and Staples.
I don't like the little plastic baskets I got at the dollar store - I was looking for some sort of way to organize the re-usable plastic bags shelf. Hmm. I will keep working on that. At Staples, I got two little tripods in hopeful anticipation that I will, one day, get a video camera. I am still waiting on advice from my nephew Kyle about which ones might be appropriate. I don't know how long I will have to wait. Trying to exercise patience...
Oh, forgot one errand - I stopped at Wegman's to get advance tickets to the State Fair. Not sure what day we are going to go, but we are going to go. Mom changed her mind and then changed back again about going. We shall see how it transpires.
We got the kitchen painted! Well, one wall. Dave, a contractor for our handyman, Don, came and did a great job painting the last kitchen wall. I got to clean a little bit, which is always good. And today I get to rehang all the things that were taken down, though not everything will go back up...
The big excitement yesterday was trying a new-to-me restaurant: Ports Market and Cafe located a little way down the West side of Seneca Lake from Geneva. I have wanted to try this place for a couple of years. Sadly, it didn't live up to my expectations. First off, we had to wait - even though we had reservations. Not long, but it seemed longer perched on chairs in their entry way. Then, we waited again before a server, Nancy, came to greet us. I like the Saucer rule of 30 seconds to greet your table - even if you can't really do much for them, at least you can greet them! That set the pace for the evening, though. A lot of waiting. True, everything is made to order, but still. I don't generally mind waiting, but it was incredible loud in the restaurant as well. I mean, I couldn't speak in a normal voice and have my mom hear me and she was sitting across a teeny table. The food that we ate was all tasty and pretty. We shared a cup of mushroom soup - lots of port or something in it. Yum. Mom had a seafood stuffed halibut entree with smashed potatoes and veggies - I had a shrimp pasta dish - (I didn't really like the sauce) with a side of veggies (that were mostly undercooked) and garlic bread (mine is better). I would have liked to have had dessert, but mom was ready to go, so we left. All in all, it seems like an ok place foodwise - just not a place I will eagerly return to.
Pictures from August 16, 2011:
The kitchen wall "before."
The kitchen wall "after."
Ports Market and Cafe.
Ok, no, it didn't. I just thought that would be funny. Was it?
Hi, how are you? I am fine. Thank you for the box of chocolates...
Moving on. Tuesday was a pleasant day in the world we know as Augustus's world. Ran more errands, without mom. This started a bit frustratingly, due to my flaky CD player in my car. Sometimes, without rhyme nor reason (that I have been able to ascertain) it won't read my CD. So I try ejecting and re-inserting until it works. I even bang, ineffectually, on the front of the player. Sigh. But it started working - so I got to listen to the Wheel of Time book. Yippee! Then it was bank, library, dollar store and Staples.
I don't like the little plastic baskets I got at the dollar store - I was looking for some sort of way to organize the re-usable plastic bags shelf. Hmm. I will keep working on that. At Staples, I got two little tripods in hopeful anticipation that I will, one day, get a video camera. I am still waiting on advice from my nephew Kyle about which ones might be appropriate. I don't know how long I will have to wait. Trying to exercise patience...
Oh, forgot one errand - I stopped at Wegman's to get advance tickets to the State Fair. Not sure what day we are going to go, but we are going to go. Mom changed her mind and then changed back again about going. We shall see how it transpires.
We got the kitchen painted! Well, one wall. Dave, a contractor for our handyman, Don, came and did a great job painting the last kitchen wall. I got to clean a little bit, which is always good. And today I get to rehang all the things that were taken down, though not everything will go back up...
The big excitement yesterday was trying a new-to-me restaurant: Ports Market and Cafe located a little way down the West side of Seneca Lake from Geneva. I have wanted to try this place for a couple of years. Sadly, it didn't live up to my expectations. First off, we had to wait - even though we had reservations. Not long, but it seemed longer perched on chairs in their entry way. Then, we waited again before a server, Nancy, came to greet us. I like the Saucer rule of 30 seconds to greet your table - even if you can't really do much for them, at least you can greet them! That set the pace for the evening, though. A lot of waiting. True, everything is made to order, but still. I don't generally mind waiting, but it was incredible loud in the restaurant as well. I mean, I couldn't speak in a normal voice and have my mom hear me and she was sitting across a teeny table. The food that we ate was all tasty and pretty. We shared a cup of mushroom soup - lots of port or something in it. Yum. Mom had a seafood stuffed halibut entree with smashed potatoes and veggies - I had a shrimp pasta dish - (I didn't really like the sauce) with a side of veggies (that were mostly undercooked) and garlic bread (mine is better). I would have liked to have had dessert, but mom was ready to go, so we left. All in all, it seems like an ok place foodwise - just not a place I will eagerly return to.
Pictures from August 16, 2011:
The kitchen wall "before."
The kitchen wall "after."
Ports Market and Cafe.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Beer Day in Maine - Take One
Juliet, my sister, said that she would help me to have time off by myself and she has been true to her word! Hurrah! Yesterday was, mostly, such a day. We all got up and did our morning things before heading off to see family friends - the Flory's. Jane has a house on beautiful Lake St. George - not too far from Belfast. I must admit, even with my much vaunted sense of direction, I did get a smidge lost. So I stopped and asked for directions. The people were very kind, finding a phone book and letting me use their phone to call information. Jane gave me the last bit of directioning that I needed. I just hadn't gone far enough around the lake. Sigh.
Susan, Jane's elder daughter, was up visiting, which was part of the reason that we chose to go when we did. I haven't seen Susan in years and years. She is great and I am glad that we got the chance to reconnect. She had lent three vintage pictures to Juliet from a time when we were all in Maine together - Susan, Sarah, Karl, I, Brunhilde and a man named Joe (who has, sadly, apparently passed away). I have scanned them and they will make an appearance somewhere. Anyway, we hung out for a while, met the next generation - Tim and Jack - and then I toddled off in search of adventure.
I did a lot of driving all over Maine yesterday. Seriously. I was in the car for about 5 hours would be my guess. Though it didn't seem that long. The roads were mostly back ones, the scenery was lovely and I got to listen to my book. I finally got through book 3 of The Wheel of Time (The Dragon Reborn). The great Robert Jordan slow down hasn't yet occurred in the books. I think that doesn't begin until book 7.
First stop, Agawam. Wow, what a blast from the past. Everyone was very friendly (almost children of the corn friendly) and the current "Chief" actually wandered the camp with me and told me all sorts of things - about buildings that had been changed, and changes in policy - they don't play gold bars anymore! Eeek!! And reminded me that naming all the campers was called the long walk. I did that at least two years that I was there. No more water skiing - which is a good thing, I think. I forgot to go to Nature Trail. Poop. Oh well - I went into all the cabins that I had inhabited and only one had a plaque from my year - and that was barely legible. Sigh. Couldn't or didn't find a ghost rock, which isn't surprising since they get shuffled every year. Lots of memories came back - mostly excellent. If I ever have boy children, they will have the opportunity to go to Camp Agawam. I wonder if Karl ever offered his boys that opportunity.
Next stop, Sunday River Brewing in Bethel ME. Kelley, our server at Sebago, had recommended this place. I was not thrilled over all. Don't get me wrong, I had a lovely time. Jennifer, my server, was sweet as sweet can be. Willow, the manager on duty was very nice - and she said she will vote for me in 2024 (I think I am up to 20 votes so far - only a few million to go!). I had their beers - nothing too exciting - and some lobster fritters - interesting thought and well executed - but I think that lobster needs a very light batter if you are going to do that - something like tempura - otherwise the delicate flavor of the lobster gets lost. Oh well.
Willow suggested Bray's in Naples, so I headed there. Yup, a little backtracking, but I was up for it. I was hoping for some better beers. I found the place and it was pretty well occupied. There was an open seat at the bar and I snagged it. Soon, a nice guy named Ron came and sat and we chatted a good bit. They only had four of their won beers on tap - the other two were not currently available. All were decent. That is a place I will have to go again, maybe later in the year if Juliet will have us - when the tourists are not so rife. I met a nice woman named Stephanie and gave her a card. Sigh.
Then I toodled home - and did not stop at Gritty's in Lewiston - though I probably should have. Maybe another day. Mom and Juliet and Paul were still up - so we chatted a bit - then they went to bed and I worked on the puzzle for an hour. I am doubting that I will finish it. Poop.
Ok, then, Pictures from July 28, 2011:
Jane, Susan and Mom.
A view of Agawam.
The Main(e) Entrance of Sunday River.
An entrance to Brays in Naples, ME.
Susan, Jane's elder daughter, was up visiting, which was part of the reason that we chose to go when we did. I haven't seen Susan in years and years. She is great and I am glad that we got the chance to reconnect. She had lent three vintage pictures to Juliet from a time when we were all in Maine together - Susan, Sarah, Karl, I, Brunhilde and a man named Joe (who has, sadly, apparently passed away). I have scanned them and they will make an appearance somewhere. Anyway, we hung out for a while, met the next generation - Tim and Jack - and then I toddled off in search of adventure.
I did a lot of driving all over Maine yesterday. Seriously. I was in the car for about 5 hours would be my guess. Though it didn't seem that long. The roads were mostly back ones, the scenery was lovely and I got to listen to my book. I finally got through book 3 of The Wheel of Time (The Dragon Reborn). The great Robert Jordan slow down hasn't yet occurred in the books. I think that doesn't begin until book 7.
First stop, Agawam. Wow, what a blast from the past. Everyone was very friendly (almost children of the corn friendly) and the current "Chief" actually wandered the camp with me and told me all sorts of things - about buildings that had been changed, and changes in policy - they don't play gold bars anymore! Eeek!! And reminded me that naming all the campers was called the long walk. I did that at least two years that I was there. No more water skiing - which is a good thing, I think. I forgot to go to Nature Trail. Poop. Oh well - I went into all the cabins that I had inhabited and only one had a plaque from my year - and that was barely legible. Sigh. Couldn't or didn't find a ghost rock, which isn't surprising since they get shuffled every year. Lots of memories came back - mostly excellent. If I ever have boy children, they will have the opportunity to go to Camp Agawam. I wonder if Karl ever offered his boys that opportunity.
Next stop, Sunday River Brewing in Bethel ME. Kelley, our server at Sebago, had recommended this place. I was not thrilled over all. Don't get me wrong, I had a lovely time. Jennifer, my server, was sweet as sweet can be. Willow, the manager on duty was very nice - and she said she will vote for me in 2024 (I think I am up to 20 votes so far - only a few million to go!). I had their beers - nothing too exciting - and some lobster fritters - interesting thought and well executed - but I think that lobster needs a very light batter if you are going to do that - something like tempura - otherwise the delicate flavor of the lobster gets lost. Oh well.
Willow suggested Bray's in Naples, so I headed there. Yup, a little backtracking, but I was up for it. I was hoping for some better beers. I found the place and it was pretty well occupied. There was an open seat at the bar and I snagged it. Soon, a nice guy named Ron came and sat and we chatted a good bit. They only had four of their won beers on tap - the other two were not currently available. All were decent. That is a place I will have to go again, maybe later in the year if Juliet will have us - when the tourists are not so rife. I met a nice woman named Stephanie and gave her a card. Sigh.
Then I toodled home - and did not stop at Gritty's in Lewiston - though I probably should have. Maybe another day. Mom and Juliet and Paul were still up - so we chatted a bit - then they went to bed and I worked on the puzzle for an hour. I am doubting that I will finish it. Poop.
Ok, then, Pictures from July 28, 2011:
Jane, Susan and Mom.
A view of Agawam.
The Main(e) Entrance of Sunday River.
An entrance to Brays in Naples, ME.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Lucky 26
Hi Laura Grant, follower number 26! Welcome - I will try not to be too terribly boring and repetitive. Please, feel free to comment. (That goes for the rest of you as well!)
Relaxing day yesterday. I did everything I wanted to do. Yippee! Cleaning out the back of the car for the upcoming trip to Connecticut was great! I had so much crud accumulated in there. Poor trunk. I had a felt shirt, a t-shirt, two hoodies, four towels, two space blankets, and well, I could go on. Suffice to say that it is all out for the time being. Some will go back in, some will not. Sadly, I didn't find the set of disks from one of the audio books that went missing. Oh well. I will have to either replace those or buy a whole new audio book. On that subject, I still don't understand why Winter's Heart - book nine of the Wheel of Time Series, costs so much more in audio than all of the other books. Most of the others range in price from $25 to $50. That particular one - the cheapest I have seen it is $90! Eeek! And it isn't any longer than the 6th book (33 cds). And the sixth is in the $35 price range. Grrrr. Sorry for the digression.
I went to FLCC (Finger Lakes Community College) and discovered that many of my basic requirements can be taken care of from my previous schooling! Yippee! That will mean only having to take the core classes to get my exciting AA degrees. All it takes is applying, getting transcripts, jumping through hoops. I don't enjoy hoop jumping - and I still am not able to hula hoop but that is a different thing entirely... - but I will start the process when I get back from Connecticut. We aren't going to be gone long at all....
I also had some new-to-me beer. Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy - Wheat Beer and Lemonade. Drinkable, which is the main thing. I can see how it would be cooling on a hot day. I didn't know that Shandy was a style of beer. Learn something knew, well, you know the saying...
Ok, time to pack and hit the road!
Photos from July 14, 2011:
Pretty! I especially like the little yellow flower (weed?) peeking out...
The contents of the trunk - pre-sorting.
I don't have a camera currently that can capture this image - of the moon and its reflection in the lake. Maybe one day I will have such a camera again...
Relaxing day yesterday. I did everything I wanted to do. Yippee! Cleaning out the back of the car for the upcoming trip to Connecticut was great! I had so much crud accumulated in there. Poor trunk. I had a felt shirt, a t-shirt, two hoodies, four towels, two space blankets, and well, I could go on. Suffice to say that it is all out for the time being. Some will go back in, some will not. Sadly, I didn't find the set of disks from one of the audio books that went missing. Oh well. I will have to either replace those or buy a whole new audio book. On that subject, I still don't understand why Winter's Heart - book nine of the Wheel of Time Series, costs so much more in audio than all of the other books. Most of the others range in price from $25 to $50. That particular one - the cheapest I have seen it is $90! Eeek! And it isn't any longer than the 6th book (33 cds). And the sixth is in the $35 price range. Grrrr. Sorry for the digression.
I went to FLCC (Finger Lakes Community College) and discovered that many of my basic requirements can be taken care of from my previous schooling! Yippee! That will mean only having to take the core classes to get my exciting AA degrees. All it takes is applying, getting transcripts, jumping through hoops. I don't enjoy hoop jumping - and I still am not able to hula hoop but that is a different thing entirely... - but I will start the process when I get back from Connecticut. We aren't going to be gone long at all....
I also had some new-to-me beer. Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy - Wheat Beer and Lemonade. Drinkable, which is the main thing. I can see how it would be cooling on a hot day. I didn't know that Shandy was a style of beer. Learn something knew, well, you know the saying...
Ok, time to pack and hit the road!
Photos from July 14, 2011:
Pretty! I especially like the little yellow flower (weed?) peeking out...
The contents of the trunk - pre-sorting.
I don't have a camera currently that can capture this image - of the moon and its reflection in the lake. Maybe one day I will have such a camera again...
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