Date: 2009-09-01 23:41 Subject: on cooking Security: Public Mood: thoughtful

From Michael Ruhlman:

"I must here make a distinction that surely will be debated. Since we are unlikely ever to get rid of the unfortunate term “foodie,” I would be grateful if we could separate people who like to cook from foodies. I have nothing against foodies, I hope it's clear. But we should recognize that they are a distinct species, and some people are both foodie and cook. Foodies are the first to hit the newest restaurant, or to plan a trip based on restaurant destinations; they’re are the first to order the coolest new ingredient and make sure you know it. Foodies love to talk about food and cooking. Foodies watch food television with their pants around their ankles and buy The French Laundry Cookbook for the pictures. Foodie is a social distinction, not a judgment. Cooks, on the other hand, cook; they like to cook, they enjoy the work and like feeding others and take pride in various successes in the kitchen, whether it’s their first mayonnaise or a Rachael Ray recipe, and they are not daunted by failure. (There is a third species, someone who does not like to cook, but loves to eat. This is called being human.)"

This makes a distinction to me that I've always felt but could not describe. I am a cook, not a foodie. I like to talk about food, sure, but I don't watch food television, I strongly limit the number of cookbooks I have, I hardly ever hit the new restaurant first (mostly because I rarely eat out anymore), I rarely bother with the 'new' ingredient, etc. Sure I like trying a new food combination and talking about the jam I made last weekend, but it all really comes down to this: I just like cooking for people.

Date: 2009-08-18 21:22 Subject: I miss Wuj Security: Public Mood: sad

I had a very disturbing dream a few nights back. In it, Erick Wujcik was in my house, and just... disappeared. I kept trying to recreate the circumstances under which he disappeared, so that he could find his way back. It never worked.

It wasn't until I woke up that I remembered: he died last year.

Anyone have a good, high-res picture of him? I want to frame one and put it in a place of honor.

Date: 2009-08-08 14:17 Subject: you know you're tired when... Security: Public Mood: calm

...you put the whole coffee beans into the French press, skipping the grinder altogether.


*blink*


at least I didn't pour the hot water over them. caught myself, poured beans into grinder, and made coffee properly. took 3 cups to wake up this morning. I blame the rain.

Date: 2009-06-12 12:12 Subject: my memory is not working Security: Public Mood: annoyed

So, I was talking with someone once about how my sister and brother-in-law own a condo up in Breckinridge CO. This person expressed interest, asking if my sis rented it from time to time? I remember replying that I didn't know, but it seemed likely.

I just found out that they are actively looking for renters... and now I can't remember who was asking me about it. Stoopid brain.

Date: 2009-05-13 22:55 Subject: really too cool not to share Security: Public Mood: thoughtful

building geekery, from my alma mater no less: UM professor creates bendable, self-healing concrete

Date: 2009-05-06 08:46 Subject: hey lintra Security: Public Mood: sick

thought you might be interested in this: UM Professors work to keep the Ojibwe language and culture alive in Michigan

Date: 2009-04-22 22:28 Subject: pure silly Security: Public Location: home Mood: exhausted Music: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

and somehow very appropriate to share on Earth Day:

Date: 2009-04-22 15:34 Subject: Attn A2 foodies Security: Public Mood: busy

Local dish: Duc (Duke) and Janet Tang, owners of the local Ann Arbor restaurant Pacific Rim, have expanded their space by taking over the adjacent storefront, adding a full service bar and more dining areas. As part of their grand opening festivities for this new space, they are having an informal open-house tonight (04/22) and Thursday (04/23) from 6-9 PM. It is going to take place in the hall of the new space and will include the opportunity to sample some of Duc's finest appetizers for free. Swing by their lovely restaurant during this time - it is located at 114 West Liberty, north side of the street between Main and Ashley.

anyone want to go tonight? give me a call!

Date: 2009-03-05 16:23 Subject: hey locals we need your help! Security: Public Mood: frustrated

We're looking for anti-static packaging material so we can ship a hard drive to the data recovery place. J looked all over town yesterday and the mail shops don't seem to have any (!) so our only option is to buy a big roll of the stuff for $20 when we only need a small piece. Anyone have an anti-static bag or bubblewrap for shipping electronics that they don't need?

Date: 2009-02-23 07:50 Subject: attn: friends Security: Public Mood: tired

We had a major computer meltdown with our home computer last week, and consequently J and I will be without email at home for the foreseeable future. Please call instead!

Date: 2009-02-15 12:11 Subject: we gotta have SPICE! Security: Public

hey locals - I plan on making an order from Penzey's Spices shortly. email me if you're interested in getting something (or lots of things), and we can share the shipping costs.

Date: 2009-02-11 08:40 Subject: hey locals Security: Public Mood: sick

anyone need/want a dorm-sized fridge? my mom had one in her classroom, but doesn't need it anymore. it's in good working order, probably 8-10 years old. email me or respond here if interested, by end of day on Wednesday 2/11. thanks!

Date: 2009-02-03 11:05 Subject: ready, set, GO! Security: Public Mood: cheerful Music: Stereo MC's Tags: ambercon

I have a bit of time until matvey picks me up to go to the airport. I'm packed and mostly ready to go. Couple things to wrap up, including.... ACUS games! so here they are:

( Slot 5: Right Place, Right Time )

( Slot 7: Day of the Dead )

I know in the past I've asked locals not to sign up since I promise to run the games after the con. Well since that hasn't happened with last year's games, and we're almost at the next ACUS... my bad. Sign up if interested, and see ya on the flip side.

Date: 2009-02-02 13:10 Subject: when land uses conflict Security: Public Mood: thoughtful

some of the oddest images I've seen in a while: parking lots surrounding old cemeteries. I particularly like Crowley Mausoleum... "The homestead changed hands a number of times over the years and was eventually leased to a developer in the 1960s, who built a mall on the property. Unfortunately, to make a parking lot possible, the hill on which the cemetery stood had to be leveled, so the developer made the unusual decision to leave the graves at their original elevation, build a wall around them about 20 feet high and remove the surrounding earth. As a result, the only way to access the cemetery is through a locked gate and up a stairway. No one's sure who now has the keys."

Date: 2009-02-01 09:26 Subject: a plea for a ride to the airport Security: Public Mood: tired

hi all - I am looking for a ride to the airport on Tuesday 2/3 around 1 PM. I can go earlier or a little later than that if it is convenient for you. In return I am happy to make the driver dinner and/or the dessert of their choice after I get back.

(my previous ride was my dad, and since he totaled his car on Friday, he won't be driving anywhere!)

Date: 2009-01-30 14:52 Subject: bastards! Security: Public Mood: grumpy

My poor dear husband who has been sick of almost 2 weeks now has one activity that he really likes: playing City of Heroes on the computer. Yet whenever he enters a certain section of the game, it crashes. Last night I spent 3 hours going through and updating our computer, making sure we had all the most recent drivers for our audio and video cards, checking that we didn't have viruses, etc. Just ended up getting frustrated because at the end, it still crashed.

Silly me should have checked the game's website, where they say that our specific video card crashes in this area because a certain feature is enabled by default. Did they fix it so it wouldn't crash? of course not! it's up to us to find the info and fix it ourselves, assuming we can get on the game long enough to turn the feature off.

GRR! I hate fixing computers, especially when the fault lies with someone else & their laziness.

Date: 2009-01-24 13:53 Subject: tax season is upon us Security: Public Mood: awake

I have a trial CD of the 2008 edition of Turbotax. anyone interested?

Date: 2009-01-04 19:42 Subject: why it is hard for me to lose weight Security: Public Mood: full

my darling husband brought home 3 huge loaves of bread and 2 cakes from Zingerman's. all day-old, so not able to be sold, but still quite edible. we shared 1-1/2 loaves with our neighbors, and one of the cakes will go to work with me tomorrow. The rest, well, maybe we'll freeze some of it.

the cake we kept was their '07 heaven cake; we had small slices of it after dinner. OMG that was good...

seriously, once he stops working at Zing, we'll lose 5-10 pounds apiece.

Date: 2008-12-29 08:43 Subject: no news is good news Security: Public Mood: thankful

I am very glad to be able to say that we still have power, especially since our normal back-up plans - sheltering with my folks or with jvankirk and aular - wouldn't work. Hope the rest of you get power soon!