so here's the sigh of relief.
it's been a while since I last posted anything, but I just wanted to offer up my holiday greetings and well-wishes. Everything in my world is great. The first semester back in college since 05 ended with a 4.0 GPA. Good stuff as far as I'm concerned. The celebrations of the upcoming holidays will surely be a point of some stress, but all's well that ends well, right? It's for a good cause anyway.
Just the same, I'll go ahead and point out that one of my resolutions is to update this with a bit more of regularity. Anywho, Merry Christmahannukwanzikah or whatever you believe in.
12.21.2009
11.03.2009
a sigh of relief?
Not yet...
Congrats go out to Bill and Jen on their wedding. I don't think I had ever been to a wedding and reception (other than my own) that were nearly as enjoyable as this particular halloween event. My leg started bugging me last Thursday, but I ate enough ibuprofen to power through it... at least up until Friday afternoon or so. I'll live, I had just walked a bit more than I was used to.
Just the same, the wedding is over.. and I think there is a collective sigh from all of us that were involved. It was a great success, and I think that everyone had a really good time.
On another note, a good friend of mine lost his Dad this past week. We had a few beers in his honor last Wednesday night and the funeral is this coming Thursday. I don't really know how he's feeling exactly.. and probably won't. His dad was a great guy, and one of my coaches growing up through little league. It had probably been close to 10 years since I last saw the guy, but I knew his health was failing. It's strange how time flies. If nothing else, I guess I'm merely trying to push the opinion that we should reach out to those we care about regularly. There's no way of knowing when that last drop of sand falls from one end of the hourglass to the other.
Work. Work is ridiculously busy for the moment.. and will be through sometime next week. School is just the same. At least we can relax during the upcoming holidays, right?
....right?
I guess I'll be able to take a deep breath and relax sometime in January.
Congrats go out to Bill and Jen on their wedding. I don't think I had ever been to a wedding and reception (other than my own) that were nearly as enjoyable as this particular halloween event. My leg started bugging me last Thursday, but I ate enough ibuprofen to power through it... at least up until Friday afternoon or so. I'll live, I had just walked a bit more than I was used to.
Just the same, the wedding is over.. and I think there is a collective sigh from all of us that were involved. It was a great success, and I think that everyone had a really good time.
On another note, a good friend of mine lost his Dad this past week. We had a few beers in his honor last Wednesday night and the funeral is this coming Thursday. I don't really know how he's feeling exactly.. and probably won't. His dad was a great guy, and one of my coaches growing up through little league. It had probably been close to 10 years since I last saw the guy, but I knew his health was failing. It's strange how time flies. If nothing else, I guess I'm merely trying to push the opinion that we should reach out to those we care about regularly. There's no way of knowing when that last drop of sand falls from one end of the hourglass to the other.
Work. Work is ridiculously busy for the moment.. and will be through sometime next week. School is just the same. At least we can relax during the upcoming holidays, right?
....right?
I guess I'll be able to take a deep breath and relax sometime in January.
10.21.2009
my new addiction
So, I consider myself to be a foodie.. but I just like eating. There's a new restaurant reviews site out that I've grown addicted to. Urbanspoon. I have a profile on there where I've been posting a ton of reviews to places I've eaten, and if you wanted to.. you could sign up and be my friend.
You can either click the link below, or type it into your browser to set up and account, be my friend on there, and read my reviews.
http://www.urbanspoon.com/e/accept_friend/515417/570
You can either click the link below, or type it into your browser to set up and account, be my friend on there, and read my reviews.
http://www.urbanspoon.com/e/accept_friend/515417/570
10.13.2009
Well, this is an all-good broadcast. Things are, for a lack of a better phrase, all good. The broken leg has been cast free for a few weeks now. The leg that formerly held captive a piece of concrete is healing nicely, and I’ll do you all a favor by omitting a picture. Just trust me.
Work has kept me far beyond busy, considering what we’re all going through here in the office for the next three weeks or so… and what we did for the previous three weeks. The upcoming weeks will be easier with me being more mobile than previous three.
I still haven’t picked my bike back up, but first things first, right? We have to crawl before we can walk over to a dangerous murderous devil-cycle (tongue planted firmly in cheek here). I actually think I’ll have a good friend of the family ride it to the house for me, and then I can spend more of my time practicing. While the ride from Cox’s to the house is pretty simple, consider my nerves to still be somewhat shaken. Fear is a great self-control mechanism, but it doesn’t feel good to rely on it.
Life has been somewhat busy too. My classes are in full swing, and I’m remembering how much time you have to dedicate to become a successful student. I’m enjoying the courses I’m in as well, so I’m sure that helps with actually doing pretty well in them. I was able to get back into the kitchen as well. Being on crutches or in a cast isn’t very conducive to standing in the kitchen… and having a small kitchen doesn’t allow one to sit to do much either. Just the same, I dove into a full-fledged meal Sunday night. We had apples and white onion roasted with honey and apple cider vinegar, rosemary-thyme-salt-black pepper crusted pork chops, and oven roasted seasoned (salt, pepper, cumin, cinnamon, garlic powder) sweet potato home fries. It was a successful evening in the kitchen. I’ll have to get back in the swing of uploading pictures for you all as well. A text-only blog can be boring.
Work has kept me far beyond busy, considering what we’re all going through here in the office for the next three weeks or so… and what we did for the previous three weeks. The upcoming weeks will be easier with me being more mobile than previous three.
I still haven’t picked my bike back up, but first things first, right? We have to crawl before we can walk over to a dangerous murderous devil-cycle (tongue planted firmly in cheek here). I actually think I’ll have a good friend of the family ride it to the house for me, and then I can spend more of my time practicing. While the ride from Cox’s to the house is pretty simple, consider my nerves to still be somewhat shaken. Fear is a great self-control mechanism, but it doesn’t feel good to rely on it.
Life has been somewhat busy too. My classes are in full swing, and I’m remembering how much time you have to dedicate to become a successful student. I’m enjoying the courses I’m in as well, so I’m sure that helps with actually doing pretty well in them. I was able to get back into the kitchen as well. Being on crutches or in a cast isn’t very conducive to standing in the kitchen… and having a small kitchen doesn’t allow one to sit to do much either. Just the same, I dove into a full-fledged meal Sunday night. We had apples and white onion roasted with honey and apple cider vinegar, rosemary-thyme-salt-black pepper crusted pork chops, and oven roasted seasoned (salt, pepper, cumin, cinnamon, garlic powder) sweet potato home fries. It was a successful evening in the kitchen. I’ll have to get back in the swing of uploading pictures for you all as well. A text-only blog can be boring.
9.23.2009
numbered news
alright, so update.
The current state of affairs:
1. When I fell on the steps, a piece of the concrete the held the slate together decided to hang around in my leg. I had my leg cut up a bit this past Friday night to have the leftovers removed. Yeah, I didn't know why it was taking so long to heal. There was the reason.
2. The bike is finished being repaired. That makes me happy.
3. Today is the last day of Levaquin. Not a moment to soon as I'm feeling increasingly washed out and broken.
4. I didn't have an e.coli infection, but there were two different infections. Eschericia Hermannii was one and Leclercia Adecarboxylata was the other. The first is pretty regular, the second has seen as few as 10 cases in the last 15 years. Boy, do I feel special.
5. The cast comes off in one week, and...
6. This semester is going swimmingly. I'm actually enjoying the classes I'm taking online from ECU. It made "talk like a pirate" day that much more fun, sadly, no one was around to hear me talking like a pirate. C'est la vie, right?
9.15.2009
the longest month...
I’m a month and 2 days on crutches… as thankful as I am to be in the situation that I am, this is starting to suck. I have until at least the 30th to remain on said crutches. I took a tumble a week after the crash due to living on a hill, and I fell up some stone steps in my back yard. That put a nice gash in my right shin that called for some heavy duty (Cipro and Bactrim) antibiotics. I was on both for 10 days… twice a day… plus a topical antibiotic ointment (mupirocin) that I apply to the cut twice a day for 21 days. I went back to the urgent care last Friday because the gash didn’t look that much better, and am back on cipro for another ten days or so.
It’s kinda funny. Cipro with Bactrim isn’t that bad. I’ve dealt with it and noticed no side effects. By itself, Cipro is a bear of a antibiotic to take. It almost feels like my stomach lining is peeling away from inside.
…fun times. Apparently, Cipro works by causing your body to stop producing certain proteins that the bacteria likes to feed on. Scary. I’m taking something that halts my body from working.
Remind me to never, ever, for any reason, fall.. ever again.
It’s kinda funny. Cipro with Bactrim isn’t that bad. I’ve dealt with it and noticed no side effects. By itself, Cipro is a bear of a antibiotic to take. It almost feels like my stomach lining is peeling away from inside.
…fun times. Apparently, Cipro works by causing your body to stop producing certain proteins that the bacteria likes to feed on. Scary. I’m taking something that halts my body from working.
Remind me to never, ever, for any reason, fall.. ever again.
9.03.2009
Boo
8.27.2009
not a serious update!
Just the same, I discovered that our 1st anniversary weekend is the same as Beaufort's 300th Birthday. We'll be there for both the anniversary and birthday celebrations.
good times, good food, good wine, good company is coming soon...
good times, good food, good wine, good company is coming soon...
8.21.2009
I'm living out a stereotype.
3 Visits to a doctor (so far),
2 separate x-ray sessions (so far),
1 bottle of synthetic pain relief,
A cast,
2 borrowed crutches,
A clean break in the left fibula,
A scuffed elbow, knee, and gut,
A seriously bruised ego,
A new fender,
New seals,
New shift lever,
New rear sprocket cover,
New clutch lever,
New engine guard,
New left fork,
New battery cover,
New foot pegs…
But walking away from a motorcycle crash that involved me and my bike only is priceless.
I’m fine, albeit hobbled a bit. My docs have told me that the break was bad, but I was extremely lucky. 9 times out of 10, with the break that I have, apparently it pulls some ligaments loose and normally breaks the tibia as well. I can’t tell you how thankful I am to be the 1/10th that gets away with it. I can’t tell you how thankful I am for insurance that has been very good to me. I can’t tell you, again, just how lucky of an individual I am. I’m a new rider, and fell into a stereotype. Thankfully it wasn’t the stereotype that includes me not getting up at the end of the crash.
Will I get back on the bike again? Yeah, as soon as it’s ready and I’m able. Nothing can compare to being on the back of a bike like that. Nothing.
2 separate x-ray sessions (so far),
1 bottle of synthetic pain relief,
A cast,
2 borrowed crutches,
A clean break in the left fibula,
A scuffed elbow, knee, and gut,
A seriously bruised ego,
A new fender,
New seals,
New shift lever,
New rear sprocket cover,
New clutch lever,
New engine guard,
New left fork,
New battery cover,
New foot pegs…
But walking away from a motorcycle crash that involved me and my bike only is priceless.
I’m fine, albeit hobbled a bit. My docs have told me that the break was bad, but I was extremely lucky. 9 times out of 10, with the break that I have, apparently it pulls some ligaments loose and normally breaks the tibia as well. I can’t tell you how thankful I am to be the 1/10th that gets away with it. I can’t tell you how thankful I am for insurance that has been very good to me. I can’t tell you, again, just how lucky of an individual I am. I’m a new rider, and fell into a stereotype. Thankfully it wasn’t the stereotype that includes me not getting up at the end of the crash.
Will I get back on the bike again? Yeah, as soon as it’s ready and I’m able. Nothing can compare to being on the back of a bike like that. Nothing.
8.10.2009
I'm sunburnt, but feeling accomplished.
This past weekend wasn't just hot, it was sweltering. Now imagine having to spend the past 48 hours covered in jeans, boots, gloves, long sleeves, and a helmet... sitting atop a 250cc trainer bike... on a shade free blacktop training course. Granted, we weren't outside for the entire training, but for a good 5 hours of the day we were training and practicing a healthy handful of scenarios designed to test our control of the bike. There was a great amount of knowledge pumped into us, but it was definitely within reason.
Good stuff I say. RCC offers the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Beginning Rider's Course. Sure, other dealerships offer their own training, but this is the same course. If you've ever wanted to give riding a bike a try, do yourself a favor and take the course. 140 bucks covers everything that you'll need for the class. They supply the bike, helmet, and materials. Everything else is up to you (gloves, jeans, long sleeves, the willingness to learn.) Some will argue the cost of the class, I'm sure. It's less expensive than the course that a dealership will offer, and MUCH less expensive than repairs on you or the bike that you might lay down while you're learning on your own.
I passed, which I'm pleased with. The test is twofold. It's more than just a measuring of common sense as well. There is a riding technique test as well as a 50 odd question written test. The thing is, if you pay attention, there are no issues with the written. If you listen to, trust the judgment and instruction of the coaches, and follow their lead.. you'll be fine on the bike. If they say to turn your head as far as possible, do it. It works. If they tell you the bike is effectively a gyroscope, listen.. it really is. Thanks again Dom and Paula. I just didn't realize how much tiny body movements affect stability, or attempt to correct it.
That said, you won't see me on the highway anytime soon. You may catch me practicing skills testing in a local parking lot, or maybe riding to and from work.. but if you live outside of Asheboro, be patient as to when you'll see the new bike first-hand.
Also, a funny thing came up this past weekend. Think to yourself how you pronounce bicycle. Then think about motorcycle. Do you pronounce "cycle" differently? why? I caught myself snickering at the "motorsickle" pronunciation, but couldn't figure out why that was.
The only thing left to do now is head off to the DMV, grab an endorsement and pick up the bike tomorrow.
Good stuff I say. RCC offers the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Beginning Rider's Course. Sure, other dealerships offer their own training, but this is the same course. If you've ever wanted to give riding a bike a try, do yourself a favor and take the course. 140 bucks covers everything that you'll need for the class. They supply the bike, helmet, and materials. Everything else is up to you (gloves, jeans, long sleeves, the willingness to learn.) Some will argue the cost of the class, I'm sure. It's less expensive than the course that a dealership will offer, and MUCH less expensive than repairs on you or the bike that you might lay down while you're learning on your own.
I passed, which I'm pleased with. The test is twofold. It's more than just a measuring of common sense as well. There is a riding technique test as well as a 50 odd question written test. The thing is, if you pay attention, there are no issues with the written. If you listen to, trust the judgment and instruction of the coaches, and follow their lead.. you'll be fine on the bike. If they say to turn your head as far as possible, do it. It works. If they tell you the bike is effectively a gyroscope, listen.. it really is. Thanks again Dom and Paula. I just didn't realize how much tiny body movements affect stability, or attempt to correct it.
That said, you won't see me on the highway anytime soon. You may catch me practicing skills testing in a local parking lot, or maybe riding to and from work.. but if you live outside of Asheboro, be patient as to when you'll see the new bike first-hand.
Also, a funny thing came up this past weekend. Think to yourself how you pronounce bicycle. Then think about motorcycle. Do you pronounce "cycle" differently? why? I caught myself snickering at the "motorsickle" pronunciation, but couldn't figure out why that was.
The only thing left to do now is head off to the DMV, grab an endorsement and pick up the bike tomorrow.
8.05.2009
anniversary?
So yeah, as of yesterday, threemilesinmyshoes has existed for a year already. I can remember posting around the same time as the Asheboro ABC election... and to think, it's almost a year to the day that I started blathering on.
8.03.2009
7.27.2009
A Natty Greene's coming to Asheboro?
So, I overheard a rumor this past weekend. I'm not much for gossip, but if something like this were to happen, it'd be kinda neat. There is an empty building in downtown Asheboro at the intersection of sunset and fayetteville streets. Yeah, with the huge mural on the side that has been there as long as I can recall... that one. Well, according to a bird that I bumped into over the past weekend, there was a rumor floating around that the Natty Greene brewery/brewpub/restaurant was looking to move into that location.
Granted, it's just a rumor, but it would be more growth downtown.. and they have some fantastic food. I brought up the fact that the parking would be a bit to deal with, but was reminded that the original Natty Greene's in Greensboro has to deal with the same parking dilemma.
I guess we can just wait to see if the "FOR LEASE" banner is taken down.
Granted, it's just a rumor, but it would be more growth downtown.. and they have some fantastic food. I brought up the fact that the parking would be a bit to deal with, but was reminded that the original Natty Greene's in Greensboro has to deal with the same parking dilemma.
I guess we can just wait to see if the "FOR LEASE" banner is taken down.
7.20.2009
hope you all had your bagels...
...because another local business bites the dust.
it's a shame, too. Rumor has it that the owner cleaned the shop out over the weekend and has said nothing more about it to anyone.
it's a shame, too. Rumor has it that the owner cleaned the shop out over the weekend and has said nothing more about it to anyone.
7.14.2009
Some folks kill me.
We ventured out to David's again last night and only had my thoughts reinforced about how this could indeed be a lasting business venture if the owners maintain the current standards that they have set for themselves.
The food was outstanding, but I failed to snap any pics this time... I was too distracted by this couple with their baby.
10 minutes into dinner, a couple came in with their baby and sat near us. Let me preface this rant with this:
I don't have anything against babies. I do, however, have everything against parents that shouldn't have kids. This couple comes in, takes their menus, plops this tiny child into a kids seat, opens up a DVD player, and force-feeds the child Baby Einstein. So now, instead of a great conversation with my wife, mom, and sister, I get to see and hear (at full volume, nonetheless) flashing repetitive images and random odd noises.
...on a loop.
...during my dinner. The mother turns to a couple sitting near us and spouts off the following logic wiht my replies italicized:
"If she doesn't watch this, she screams. She screamed in the car until we turned it on for her."
Sounds, to me, like you should be paying more attention to your kid. She's chewing on part of the seat that the restaurant has provided you. While I have nothing but the best of hope and faith in the restaurant, to let a baby chew on a child's seat is just asking for trouble. Stay at home, many places do takeout. A few deliver. Better yet, cook for yourself.
"This is our first time here."
...and hopefully the last. I don't want to have to watch Baby Einstein while I have a conversation and great meal with my family. Had I wanted to be engulfed in that repetitive mess, I would've considered having a child by now. I haven't.
"We have a 45 minute drive to church."
I've gotta give her this one. If you're going to try to appeal to the masses in Asheboro, hit 'em in the Bible Belt. Good move on getting yourself out of a situation where you're clearly at fault.
Please, if you're kid screams unless they're being pumped full of Disney, figure out why. If it's an exaggeration to cover your bad parenting, don't toss out random excuses and try to get folks on your side by bringing religion into it.
It's not the norm for me to rant this early in the morning, I just haven't had my coffee yet... nor enough sleep last night.
The food was outstanding, but I failed to snap any pics this time... I was too distracted by this couple with their baby.
10 minutes into dinner, a couple came in with their baby and sat near us. Let me preface this rant with this:
I don't have anything against babies. I do, however, have everything against parents that shouldn't have kids. This couple comes in, takes their menus, plops this tiny child into a kids seat, opens up a DVD player, and force-feeds the child Baby Einstein. So now, instead of a great conversation with my wife, mom, and sister, I get to see and hear (at full volume, nonetheless) flashing repetitive images and random odd noises.
...on a loop.
...during my dinner. The mother turns to a couple sitting near us and spouts off the following logic wiht my replies italicized:
"If she doesn't watch this, she screams. She screamed in the car until we turned it on for her."
Sounds, to me, like you should be paying more attention to your kid. She's chewing on part of the seat that the restaurant has provided you. While I have nothing but the best of hope and faith in the restaurant, to let a baby chew on a child's seat is just asking for trouble. Stay at home, many places do takeout. A few deliver. Better yet, cook for yourself.
"This is our first time here."
...and hopefully the last. I don't want to have to watch Baby Einstein while I have a conversation and great meal with my family. Had I wanted to be engulfed in that repetitive mess, I would've considered having a child by now. I haven't.
"We have a 45 minute drive to church."
I've gotta give her this one. If you're going to try to appeal to the masses in Asheboro, hit 'em in the Bible Belt. Good move on getting yourself out of a situation where you're clearly at fault.
Please, if you're kid screams unless they're being pumped full of Disney, figure out why. If it's an exaggeration to cover your bad parenting, don't toss out random excuses and try to get folks on your side by bringing religion into it.
It's not the norm for me to rant this early in the morning, I just haven't had my coffee yet... nor enough sleep last night.
7.10.2009
7.09.2009
7.07.2009
7.05.2009
7.04.2009
6.27.2009
Saturday dinner adventures
6.24.2009
Dinner at home
alrighty.
roasted tomato, squash, zucchini, and caramelized onion. rosemary foccacia and grated parmasean on top.
you couldn't see it, but we did a cucumber salad. Rice wine vinegar, a dab of olive oil, carrot strips, sesame seeds, a little sugar.. and some sea salt.
...as well as a salad with dried cranberries, vinegar/olive oil dressing, chopped almonds and walnuts.
6.17.2009
Moms home cooking
Cucumber and Tomato marinated salad, sauteed squash, new potatos, corn on the cob, marinated and grill-panned chicken thighs, with watermelon and canteloupe to finish everything off.
Hungry yet?
6.16.2009
I knew that felt familiar...
We went to watch "The Hangover" this past weekend, and I have to admit that I really enjoyed it. Kristen and I don't get out to see a movie in the theater often enough... we normally rely on netflix to take care of our movie needs. Ever since there was a shooting at the blockbuster, I haven't exactly felt compelled to spend any amount of time there. Yeah yeah, it was a while back.. and could happen anywhere, but I don't see the point of going to a physical location for a movie if they will ship it to me.
... and back on track.
So the movie tracks three guys in vegas making an attempt to track down a their fourth pal. You see, he's getting married in 48 hours and somehow they have lost him during a night of drunken debauchery in Vegas. While you never see exactly 100% what happened in their room that night, you get a few ideas.
Just the same, the movie felt familiar. It was, for lack of a better comparison, a combination of these two films:
Take the worst (or best, however you view it) drug binge in history and add in a wholesome buddy comedy and you'll wind up with"The Hangover."
I think I still prefer Hunter Thompson's tale over the hangover, but I tend to have a penchant for awkward humor.
... and back on track.
So the movie tracks three guys in vegas making an attempt to track down a their fourth pal. You see, he's getting married in 48 hours and somehow they have lost him during a night of drunken debauchery in Vegas. While you never see exactly 100% what happened in their room that night, you get a few ideas.
Just the same, the movie felt familiar. It was, for lack of a better comparison, a combination of these two films:
Take the worst (or best, however you view it) drug binge in history and add in a wholesome buddy comedy and you'll wind up with"The Hangover."
I think I still prefer Hunter Thompson's tale over the hangover, but I tend to have a penchant for awkward humor.
6.15.2009
...since when is Asheboro getting a Waffle House?
I was shocked to death to not only see one almost completely built, but to see one that far from 220. I guess they're hoping to capitalize on the fact that traffic is stupid-busy on Dixie drive and will stay that way until the 64 bypass comes to pass.
I was shocked to death to not only see one almost completely built, but to see one that far from 220. I guess they're hoping to capitalize on the fact that traffic is stupid-busy on Dixie drive and will stay that way until the 64 bypass comes to pass.
The bagel shop is great, so is updating at a computer.
First things first, the bagel shop is great. I dropped by Saturday morning to pick up a handful of bagels and some cream cheese for our breakfast. Kristen manned the coffee pot at the house while I ventured out to pick up the wares from the bagel shop. It looks to be a rather simple setup. A huge pot to boil and a nice oven to bake. I fell in love with their hardware too.. it isn't often that you see Viking/Sub-Zero in their natural habitat.
I'm an everything bagel fan, and they do it right. Until Saturday morning, I had never tried a chocolate chip bagel, but they're rather tasty. More of a dessert bagel-type-thing for me. The Asheboro bagel shop does their fruit (cranberry/blueberry/cinnamon raisin) bagels a little differently. Instead of mixing the fruit in with the batter, it's formed more like a pocket. It works out quite well, though, and I think I prefer this preparation to that of the standard setup.
It would appear that my blog is turning into nothing except a showcase of what we eat. I have no problems, outright, with that... but I like to sit down at a computer every now and then to update as well. While blogging via blackberry is a lot of fun, it isn't quite the same as sitting at a full sized keyboard to pour out some thoughts.
I was a bit surprised to find an already-built Waffle House at the intersection of Dixie Drive and Cox Street... where the laundromat stood for years.
It was a productive weekend... in the sense that we were able to recharge our collective batteries. It was the first weekend that we had been home, together, in more than a month. Either Kristen was busy, I was busy, or we both were out.
We ate too much, didn't get involved with too much, and had a blast. The turkey burgers I posted yesterday were OUTSTANDING. If you want to give it a shot, toss a slice of
It's nice to sit back and focus on the fine art of enjoying the weekend.
I'm an everything bagel fan, and they do it right. Until Saturday morning, I had never tried a chocolate chip bagel, but they're rather tasty. More of a dessert bagel-type-thing for me. The Asheboro bagel shop does their fruit (cranberry/blueberry/cinnamon raisin) bagels a little differently. Instead of mixing the fruit in with the batter, it's formed more like a pocket. It works out quite well, though, and I think I prefer this preparation to that of the standard setup.
It would appear that my blog is turning into nothing except a showcase of what we eat. I have no problems, outright, with that... but I like to sit down at a computer every now and then to update as well. While blogging via blackberry is a lot of fun, it isn't quite the same as sitting at a full sized keyboard to pour out some thoughts.
I was a bit surprised to find an already-built Waffle House at the intersection of Dixie Drive and Cox Street... where the laundromat stood for years.
It was a productive weekend... in the sense that we were able to recharge our collective batteries. It was the first weekend that we had been home, together, in more than a month. Either Kristen was busy, I was busy, or we both were out.
We ate too much, didn't get involved with too much, and had a blast. The turkey burgers I posted yesterday were OUTSTANDING. If you want to give it a shot, toss a slice of
It's nice to sit back and focus on the fine art of enjoying the weekend.
6.14.2009
Turkey burgers
Good stuff for dinner. It helps when you have an ice cold fat tire to go with.
Happy sunday everyone.
the mayflower
It was a good night for me, bad night for fish.
The moonlight roll
Good stuff
6.13.2009
6.09.2009
Tuna melt tuesday
6.08.2009
beware of random upcoming posts
so.. a few updates.
I recently bought a blackberry. I'm a geek, so it fits. It allows me to post here, with pics.. instantly. I dig that.
Friday was a good/bad day. I tore a hole in a favorite shirt of mine, that was the bad. The good was that I got an acceptance letter from ECU. I was applying there to finish my degree through their online program. I hadn't heard anything back and was getting a bit antsy... but here we go.
I've never been so excited to fall back into debt.
I recently bought a blackberry. I'm a geek, so it fits. It allows me to post here, with pics.. instantly. I dig that.
Friday was a good/bad day. I tore a hole in a favorite shirt of mine, that was the bad. The good was that I got an acceptance letter from ECU. I was applying there to finish my degree through their online program. I hadn't heard anything back and was getting a bit antsy... but here we go.
I've never been so excited to fall back into debt.
6.07.2009
Burrito brothers is my hero
Yes. Please, and thank you.
6.04.2009
5.27.2009
a big upcoming wedding season
So we were married last September. We were planning on a Nov 1st wedding, with a rehearsal dinner on Halloween.. but it didn't work out. Actually, everything worked out better as it was.. so that's a plus.
Weddings are wonderful things to be a part of... until you get into the logistics behind them. We had a relatively small wedding, but you would've thought we were planning for 300 or so folks coming out... and now two of my friends are jumping into the same exact situation.
Adam Brown, a groomsmen, and buddy of mine from high school is getting married late this september in Florida. Thankfully, I don't have to dive into a tux for this one. Also, it's a nice trip to Florida for us. We'll be in Bradenton, over on the western coast of florida.. during prime hurricane season. Fun times. I know they're planning an indoor (in a church, nonetheless) ceremony, so that will help.
Bill and Jen (our pals in New Bern) are tying the knot on Halloween day.. outdoors.. in New Bern. I'll be the best man for this one, and I'm still avoiding a tux.. amazingly. They're planning on a rather large (in my opinion) ceremony of 150+ folks on the invite list. I know that the New Bern Convention Center is on hold for the reception, and that they're looking at catering options from this point. I'm a little jealous that they get to go through with a Halloween wedding, but I'm happy for 'em just the same.
Please, though.. no more weddings this fall... m'kay?
Weddings are wonderful things to be a part of... until you get into the logistics behind them. We had a relatively small wedding, but you would've thought we were planning for 300 or so folks coming out... and now two of my friends are jumping into the same exact situation.
Adam Brown, a groomsmen, and buddy of mine from high school is getting married late this september in Florida. Thankfully, I don't have to dive into a tux for this one. Also, it's a nice trip to Florida for us. We'll be in Bradenton, over on the western coast of florida.. during prime hurricane season. Fun times. I know they're planning an indoor (in a church, nonetheless) ceremony, so that will help.
Bill and Jen (our pals in New Bern) are tying the knot on Halloween day.. outdoors.. in New Bern. I'll be the best man for this one, and I'm still avoiding a tux.. amazingly. They're planning on a rather large (in my opinion) ceremony of 150+ folks on the invite list. I know that the New Bern Convention Center is on hold for the reception, and that they're looking at catering options from this point. I'm a little jealous that they get to go through with a Halloween wedding, but I'm happy for 'em just the same.
Please, though.. no more weddings this fall... m'kay?
5.26.2009
5.14.2009
so last night kinda sucked...
6 months ago I had my wisdom teeth removed under the expert care of William Rabe. He's a great oral surgeon and I would recommend him highly... so don't think that my rant has anything to do with him, his practice, or anything like that.
Now that the disclaimer is out of the way...
After having my teeth removed, I knew that there was the possibilty that the remaining teeth could shift around a bit after having opened up a bit of space in my mouth. What I didn't realize is just how bad it would hurt if, say, a molar decided to run amok.
Last night, I think that's what happened. The top left molar (I think that's the #1?) started hurting above the tooth up into my jawbone/ear/eye/etc. I've never had something persistantly hurt like that before... and that's even comparing it to post-surgical pain from the wisdom teeth. The only comparison I can think of would be someone banging a wall anchor into my molar and slowly spreading it open over the course of a few hours.
I thought that I would take advantage of the last percocet that I had from the oral surgery to help me doze off last night, but it didn't work. Yeah, a percocet didn't really cut through much of the pain at all. Not fun. After 3 or so hours with very very mild relief, I finally took 2 more advil and tried to sleep it off.
Miraculously, it isn't throbbing in my head this morning so far... but it does indeed feel... different. Here's hoping that tonight won't be a replay.
Now that the disclaimer is out of the way...
After having my teeth removed, I knew that there was the possibilty that the remaining teeth could shift around a bit after having opened up a bit of space in my mouth. What I didn't realize is just how bad it would hurt if, say, a molar decided to run amok.
Last night, I think that's what happened. The top left molar (I think that's the #1?) started hurting above the tooth up into my jawbone/ear/eye/etc. I've never had something persistantly hurt like that before... and that's even comparing it to post-surgical pain from the wisdom teeth. The only comparison I can think of would be someone banging a wall anchor into my molar and slowly spreading it open over the course of a few hours.
I thought that I would take advantage of the last percocet that I had from the oral surgery to help me doze off last night, but it didn't work. Yeah, a percocet didn't really cut through much of the pain at all. Not fun. After 3 or so hours with very very mild relief, I finally took 2 more advil and tried to sleep it off.
Miraculously, it isn't throbbing in my head this morning so far... but it does indeed feel... different. Here's hoping that tonight won't be a replay.
5.11.2009
mother's day weekend...
As far as Mother's Day goes, I think we did right by our folks.
Kristen and I took mom and my sister out Saturday to Ganache in Greensboro. If you've never been, I can absolutely recommend both lunch and dinner menus. I opted for a cup of she-crab soup with a bit of sherry on the side, and then a bowl of shrimp and grits. They were local stone ground grits and freshwater NC prawns with a few medallions of incredibly tender andouille sausage... and it was swimming in a red gravy and smoked gouda. I only wish I had carried my camera in to document it all. Kristen with with a gourmet Bayou mac and cheese: Fusilli pasta with smoked cheddar bechamel, sauteed giant prawn, and cajun breadcrumbs. Sis had their crabcakes served with Old Mill grits, a creole remoulade, and collard greens. The crabcakes were more spherical than I had imagined and almost convinced me that they were hush puppies.. until they were broken open to reveal some jumbo lump crab meat. Finally, mom dove in to a Tartlet Ganache. Veggies, egg, and cheese with a side salad. We were all sharing bites here and there from all of the plates, and I can outright openly recommend any of those four plates mentioned.
Dessert was a different world... 4 cups of Kona came out, followed by a 5 plates. We split one macaroon which was easily the size of an open hand. Sis had a piece of white raspberry chiffon cake, Mom went with a Mocha Cake (with kahlua laced buttercream), I had a piece of Bailey's chocolate crunch cake, and Kristen went with a piece of really good Key Lime Pie. We rambled around Greensboro for a bit longer, taking care of an ipod return at Best Buy and picking up a few things at Harris Teeter.
Again, I need to get my camera back out. Dinner saturday night was homemade hibachi steak and shrimp and fried rice with a local egg scrambled in it.
Yesterday was an outing to Bonefish and Henry's Gelato (try the chili chocolate if you go) in Aberdeen with Kristen's folks... and that's the reason I'm going try to put together my own version of Bang Bang shrimp for a salad tonight.
... maybe this time I'll have the camera out. I kinda need to snap some pics of the new truck too.
Kristen and I took mom and my sister out Saturday to Ganache in Greensboro. If you've never been, I can absolutely recommend both lunch and dinner menus. I opted for a cup of she-crab soup with a bit of sherry on the side, and then a bowl of shrimp and grits. They were local stone ground grits and freshwater NC prawns with a few medallions of incredibly tender andouille sausage... and it was swimming in a red gravy and smoked gouda. I only wish I had carried my camera in to document it all. Kristen with with a gourmet Bayou mac and cheese: Fusilli pasta with smoked cheddar bechamel, sauteed giant prawn, and cajun breadcrumbs. Sis had their crabcakes served with Old Mill grits, a creole remoulade, and collard greens. The crabcakes were more spherical than I had imagined and almost convinced me that they were hush puppies.. until they were broken open to reveal some jumbo lump crab meat. Finally, mom dove in to a Tartlet Ganache. Veggies, egg, and cheese with a side salad. We were all sharing bites here and there from all of the plates, and I can outright openly recommend any of those four plates mentioned.
Dessert was a different world... 4 cups of Kona came out, followed by a 5 plates. We split one macaroon which was easily the size of an open hand. Sis had a piece of white raspberry chiffon cake, Mom went with a Mocha Cake (with kahlua laced buttercream), I had a piece of Bailey's chocolate crunch cake, and Kristen went with a piece of really good Key Lime Pie. We rambled around Greensboro for a bit longer, taking care of an ipod return at Best Buy and picking up a few things at Harris Teeter.
Again, I need to get my camera back out. Dinner saturday night was homemade hibachi steak and shrimp and fried rice with a local egg scrambled in it.
Yesterday was an outing to Bonefish and Henry's Gelato (try the chili chocolate if you go) in Aberdeen with Kristen's folks... and that's the reason I'm going try to put together my own version of Bang Bang shrimp for a salad tonight.
... maybe this time I'll have the camera out. I kinda need to snap some pics of the new truck too.
5.08.2009
trucks and eggs.
I have a new truck! Well, new to me anyway. Excitement reigns in my little world right now. I'll post pics up a little later.
To celebrate, tomorrow I cook hibachi steak and chicken...
preceded only by a breakfast of incredible eggs, local bagels, and coffee... and a lunch (for mom's day / mom's birthday) at Ganache. Sunday will be more amazing eggs and an early dinner at Bonefish to do mother's day with Kristen's folks.
This weekend, I will be fat and happy.
To celebrate, tomorrow I cook hibachi steak and chicken...
preceded only by a breakfast of incredible eggs, local bagels, and coffee... and a lunch (for mom's day / mom's birthday) at Ganache. Sunday will be more amazing eggs and an early dinner at Bonefish to do mother's day with Kristen's folks.
This weekend, I will be fat and happy.
5.05.2009
Where did I go hide?
I'm not sure I could really say I've been as busy, but I've been slack. Things have been kind of busy though:
Back in mid april, we set out on a trip to Kitty Hawk. I had a work conference there, and Kristen made the trip out with me. Contrary to popular opinion, it's actually an awful location for a work conference. Being couped up for 7 to 8 hours a day in meetings and seminars wouldn't be as bad if I didn't know that the ocean was a stonesthrow away. It has been over 15 years since I've been out to the upper banks. I'm normally a southern banks kinda guy. Give me a quiet beaufort corner any day. The northern banks have turned into a "little boxes on the hillside" community from kitty hawk north. Every McMansion looks the same... and it's sad being able to pick out the home that have been there for 15 years. We climbed up the currituck light and the wild horses that used to run about have been replaced with tile rooftops, bmw's, and swimming pools.
Seriously? Swimming pools? You have water on both sides of you. I'm going out on a limb with the assumption that 60+ % of the homeowners in corolla/duck aren't exactly "local" either.
Despite my complaints, the trip was enjoyable. Kristen got to see Jockey's Ridge, we had great food, and effectively had a free room. No real copmlaints, aside from the 39,000 knowitalls there from new england while we were there.
I'm also shopping for a car... er, truck. I've been looking around for something different to drive for a while now, and thought I had settled on getting a motorcycle. Even had the color, make, model, specs and everything else figured out. That's what wish lists are for though. So yeah, a new vehicle. New to me, anyway. My honda has served me well. It saw a cross country trek to and from Denver, carried me back and forth to college, stood up to two different awful work commutes (from troy to biscoe, biscoe back to troy, troy to asheboro, asheboro back to troy all in a day / asheboro to candor) and is still rolling along. I've put 188k miles on it. It has never seen an accident / wreck. I'll surely miss it. On the upside, I've tracked down a 2007 Nissan Frontier. Odd, I've been having the most difficult time typing out "frontier" too... Hopefully, everything will be said and done by either the end of this week, or early next week.
Let's see here, what else have I missed:
- Petunia had been sick, and we think that it may be bladder stones. The vet has sent us home with some painkillers/anti-inflammatory meds for her.
- Go to the mellow mushroom if you're in greensboro and want better pizza than what you can get at some places. I still like Elizabeth's equally as well, but the mellow mushroom is a beautiful building down on S. Elm st.
- I've applied at ECU online to finish out my degree, so that's a plus.
Next time, I'll try to update more often.. that way I don't lose the tiny details.
Back in mid april, we set out on a trip to Kitty Hawk. I had a work conference there, and Kristen made the trip out with me. Contrary to popular opinion, it's actually an awful location for a work conference. Being couped up for 7 to 8 hours a day in meetings and seminars wouldn't be as bad if I didn't know that the ocean was a stonesthrow away. It has been over 15 years since I've been out to the upper banks. I'm normally a southern banks kinda guy. Give me a quiet beaufort corner any day. The northern banks have turned into a "little boxes on the hillside" community from kitty hawk north. Every McMansion looks the same... and it's sad being able to pick out the home that have been there for 15 years. We climbed up the currituck light and the wild horses that used to run about have been replaced with tile rooftops, bmw's, and swimming pools.
Seriously? Swimming pools? You have water on both sides of you. I'm going out on a limb with the assumption that 60+ % of the homeowners in corolla/duck aren't exactly "local" either.
Despite my complaints, the trip was enjoyable. Kristen got to see Jockey's Ridge, we had great food, and effectively had a free room. No real copmlaints, aside from the 39,000 knowitalls there from new england while we were there.
I'm also shopping for a car... er, truck. I've been looking around for something different to drive for a while now, and thought I had settled on getting a motorcycle. Even had the color, make, model, specs and everything else figured out. That's what wish lists are for though. So yeah, a new vehicle. New to me, anyway. My honda has served me well. It saw a cross country trek to and from Denver, carried me back and forth to college, stood up to two different awful work commutes (from troy to biscoe, biscoe back to troy, troy to asheboro, asheboro back to troy all in a day / asheboro to candor) and is still rolling along. I've put 188k miles on it. It has never seen an accident / wreck. I'll surely miss it. On the upside, I've tracked down a 2007 Nissan Frontier. Odd, I've been having the most difficult time typing out "frontier" too... Hopefully, everything will be said and done by either the end of this week, or early next week.
Let's see here, what else have I missed:
- Petunia had been sick, and we think that it may be bladder stones. The vet has sent us home with some painkillers/anti-inflammatory meds for her.
- Go to the mellow mushroom if you're in greensboro and want better pizza than what you can get at some places. I still like Elizabeth's equally as well, but the mellow mushroom is a beautiful building down on S. Elm st.
- I've applied at ECU online to finish out my degree, so that's a plus.
Next time, I'll try to update more often.. that way I don't lose the tiny details.
3.16.2009
thanks to my sister..
So my sis is turning another year older today. I did the same thing 15 days ago. I'll have to upload a pic or five of the cake she made for me. As my wife and I are on a diet, she put together a cake that resembled a salad.
Happy Birthday Sis. You're a quarter of a century old today...
Also, thanks to her ridiculously creative side, I now have a new desktop image on my computer at work. Her birthday cake
was from Creative Cakes here in Asheboro. While I would've loved to have made her a cake myself, I couldn't find the time (or enough modeling chocolate) to do it justice.
She had babies riding carrots. I love it. I think it's absolutely hilarious... and tasty too.
Speaking of computers, any of you folks that leave your computer running all the time.. or have constant internet access, I ask that you look into Folding. It's a distributed computing initiative that has been around for a while now. I know SETI had a program years ago, but I'm folding for Stanford University. Basically, they have a program where they send out different proteins to analyze to all of these folks that sign up for folding. The results of folding are helping advance the understanding of certain maladies (MS, etc). If you're interested in joining the cause, check out http://folding.stanford.edu
Happy Birthday Sis. You're a quarter of a century old today...
Also, thanks to her ridiculously creative side, I now have a new desktop image on my computer at work. Her birthday cake
was from Creative Cakes here in Asheboro. While I would've loved to have made her a cake myself, I couldn't find the time (or enough modeling chocolate) to do it justice. She had babies riding carrots. I love it. I think it's absolutely hilarious... and tasty too.
Speaking of computers, any of you folks that leave your computer running all the time.. or have constant internet access, I ask that you look into Folding. It's a distributed computing initiative that has been around for a while now. I know SETI had a program years ago, but I'm folding for Stanford University. Basically, they have a program where they send out different proteins to analyze to all of these folks that sign up for folding. The results of folding are helping advance the understanding of certain maladies (MS, etc). If you're interested in joining the cause, check out http://folding.stanford.edu
2.17.2009
Ah, Spring!
Ah, spring...
while it may be a time of odd weather, it's been a time of not feeling too terribly good, dieting, chipping a tooth, staying busy at work, valentines day trips to wilmington, gorging on food at the front street brewery, road trips, and getting back our official wedding pics (make no mistake, the delay was on us, not Julie).
If you'd like to take a look, I'll post a link to our photographers blog:
Our pictures!
Her name is Julie and we worked together for a bit at the Coffee Xchange back in the day. I dig her photo-style and that's why we hired her.
As for the Valentines trip, Kristen and I took a long road trip from home to the aquarium at Kure Beach, had dinner at the Front Street Brewery in Wilmington, and milled around on the waterfront before returning home. All in all, one of the best 12-hour-long days I've had.
while it may be a time of odd weather, it's been a time of not feeling too terribly good, dieting, chipping a tooth, staying busy at work, valentines day trips to wilmington, gorging on food at the front street brewery, road trips, and getting back our official wedding pics (make no mistake, the delay was on us, not Julie).
If you'd like to take a look, I'll post a link to our photographers blog:
Our pictures!
Her name is Julie and we worked together for a bit at the Coffee Xchange back in the day. I dig her photo-style and that's why we hired her.
As for the Valentines trip, Kristen and I took a long road trip from home to the aquarium at Kure Beach, had dinner at the Front Street Brewery in Wilmington, and milled around on the waterfront before returning home. All in all, one of the best 12-hour-long days I've had.
1.05.2009
super-duper-mega-update.
Over the past month and a half, it's been a whirlwind of activities for my household:
We adopted a new kitten. His name is Charlie and he was a FCAP kid. Well, we call him Charlie.. but they called him Hughie. Yup, he had brothers Dewey and Louie. He was one of those "I'm going to stay under the bed for 9 days or so" cats, but has lately grown to be a bit more interactive. I say that because he's most likely climbing the curtains and taunting Bella the pug right now.
My motherboard burned out on my computer at home a while back. I build computers. I used to obsessively play games on said computers. I've spent a solid week and a half trying to get all of my components ported over onto a new motherboard (evga 750i SLI for you geeks out there) and then tucked into a newer and much smaller case (coolermaster 330, again for the geeks). It's been a constant tinkering. I don't really have a "shop" that I can work in. I'd love to build things for around the house and fulfill my stereotypical husbandly duties... everyone needs a crooked spice rack afterall. Instead, i'm putting together a computer so we can watch Netflix on our TV now instead of paying the time warner overlords.
A good pal stayed with us for a few days during the holidays as well. Joey came down from Elizabethtown, PA to hang out with us for a few days. We demolished other folks with a bit of online Mario Kart Wii racing, ate way too much, enjoyed the wonderful world of Harry Potter in HD, and basically wasted a few hours of time together every afternoon.
I was able to swing by and see Tom Gray and pick up a few Christmas gifts while there. Thanks again friend, you've added smiles to our Christmas. The salt pig is a permanent fixture now, and we've already made use of everything we picked up.
I'm going back to school as well. As much as I've thought about it, if there is no addition to my education field on my resume within the next few years, I'll be disappointed. Experience only speaks so loudly against those holding $40,000 piece of paper with "they're more qualified than you" on it, right?
We got a new coffee grinder for christmas. My old grinder died and I was stuck back into the world of preground coffee. I need to get back into roasting my own again. Small batch coffee roasting and grinding makes the world go round. Plus, I figure I'll need more coffee if I'm up working on a degree.
So let's see here, what else?
Oh, if you know someone that needs a PA System, let me know okay? Post a comment with your email address or some way to get in touch with you.
I should have my glasses in one day this week... and because my forehead is continually growing, I think I may dive again into the "no hair" phase. I've shaved my head a few times since 2004 and really like the fact that I don't have to shampoo in the shower. Plus, there's never any worry about how my hair looks.
I just wish I could come to the head-shaving decisions when it isn't 34 and windy outside.
I guess that's what toboggans are for after all.
Hurray for a new year, right?
We adopted a new kitten. His name is Charlie and he was a FCAP kid. Well, we call him Charlie.. but they called him Hughie. Yup, he had brothers Dewey and Louie. He was one of those "I'm going to stay under the bed for 9 days or so" cats, but has lately grown to be a bit more interactive. I say that because he's most likely climbing the curtains and taunting Bella the pug right now.
My motherboard burned out on my computer at home a while back. I build computers. I used to obsessively play games on said computers. I've spent a solid week and a half trying to get all of my components ported over onto a new motherboard (evga 750i SLI for you geeks out there) and then tucked into a newer and much smaller case (coolermaster 330, again for the geeks). It's been a constant tinkering. I don't really have a "shop" that I can work in. I'd love to build things for around the house and fulfill my stereotypical husbandly duties... everyone needs a crooked spice rack afterall. Instead, i'm putting together a computer so we can watch Netflix on our TV now instead of paying the time warner overlords.
A good pal stayed with us for a few days during the holidays as well. Joey came down from Elizabethtown, PA to hang out with us for a few days. We demolished other folks with a bit of online Mario Kart Wii racing, ate way too much, enjoyed the wonderful world of Harry Potter in HD, and basically wasted a few hours of time together every afternoon.
I was able to swing by and see Tom Gray and pick up a few Christmas gifts while there. Thanks again friend, you've added smiles to our Christmas. The salt pig is a permanent fixture now, and we've already made use of everything we picked up.
I'm going back to school as well. As much as I've thought about it, if there is no addition to my education field on my resume within the next few years, I'll be disappointed. Experience only speaks so loudly against those holding $40,000 piece of paper with "they're more qualified than you" on it, right?
We got a new coffee grinder for christmas. My old grinder died and I was stuck back into the world of preground coffee. I need to get back into roasting my own again. Small batch coffee roasting and grinding makes the world go round. Plus, I figure I'll need more coffee if I'm up working on a degree.
So let's see here, what else?
Oh, if you know someone that needs a PA System, let me know okay? Post a comment with your email address or some way to get in touch with you.
I should have my glasses in one day this week... and because my forehead is continually growing, I think I may dive again into the "no hair" phase. I've shaved my head a few times since 2004 and really like the fact that I don't have to shampoo in the shower. Plus, there's never any worry about how my hair looks.
I just wish I could come to the head-shaving decisions when it isn't 34 and windy outside.
I guess that's what toboggans are for after all.
Hurray for a new year, right?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
