Thought-O-Scope : Random Brain Waves

Thinking is Free

2010-02-13T18:53:00.003-06:00

I have averaged less than five hours of sleep this past week. In part, my busy schedule is to blame, but mostly, it's my bizarro version of insomnia.

Today I went to the WORT FriendRaiser Potluck in Sauk City. Hosted by the Free Congregation of Sauk City. The event was a huge success, thanks to all of the attending community members, the CAB members (I swear I am not tooting my own horn here), and the members of the WORT programming.

The middle-eastern themed food spread included tabouli, hummus, spinach phyllo dough pastries, samosas, lentil soup, chili, cranberry bread, and much much more. Another highlight of the event was Madison Home Brewers sampling some delicious home-made beer.

The drive to Sauk City was absolutely gorgeous, really, one could not hope for a better way for a community gathering. It was brisk but sunny, and it reminded me (as I forget sometimes, especially in the winter) just how beautiful Wisconsin is. And it got me thinking, as I assessed how many times and in how many different ways I have criss-crossed my way across Wisconsin terrain -- I never would have thought years ago that I would be proud to think of myself as a Wisconsinite. It's an odd feeling. I wondered what this place looked like 500 years ago, 1000 years ago... Also, I drive too much.

Driving me Mad.

2010-02-11T17:12:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow I am going to Milwaukee to represent a friend on a Speeding violation. There has been a lot of driving in my recent past and also forecasted in my immediate future, which makes me nervous because my car is less than reliable. Sooner or later I will have to face the music and buy something less spazzy.

Last night Turtle made delicious dinner for me -- Wild Rice Medley, Salmon Fillet, and Asparagus. It was to die for. Tonight on the menu -- leftover wild rice medley spruced up with some shrimp and lemon juice. And maybe a salad. Just maybe.

I Want to Paint it White

2010-02-09T09:52:00.002-06:00

There's a snowstorm going on outside. Unheard of, I know. Especially in this state, this time of year. Despite mother nature's whimsical insistence on painting everything fluffy white, I shoveled and got to work early. This weather is a good time for reflection. If you have the time for that sort of thing. I don't. I am working all day. I would reflect tonight, but I have resolved to go sledding instead.

On the dinner menu tonight: Salad. Big one. With lots of stuff in it. Stay tuned.

Rediscovering your Roots

2010-02-09T09:49:00.002-06:00

Wow. I forgot about this place. Now that I remember, don't expect much, but I may just make a comeback.

A lot has changed in the past year or so. Many things have stayed the same. So it goes. Welcome back.

Of Ticks and Other Parasites

2009-06-25T10:07:00.001-05:00

I got bitten by a tick a few weeks ago. Shortly afterward, I began to develop a rash. At first it just looked like an allergic reaction, but then it started looking scary, so I went to the doctor yesterday knowing exactly what would transpire -- antibiotics for Lyme Disease. It's not the end of the world, but now I am nauseous perpetually thanks to the antibiotics, and also tired and cranky because of the damn Lyme. Here's to hoping it all goes away very soon.

I would walk 500 miles...

2009-03-31T20:10:00.002-05:00

I walked about 5 miles today. That's not all I did today, but it seems like my biggest accomplishment. I also worked 8.5 hours and worked out at the gym. But I think I am proudest of the walking, and also of the fact that I used to hate walking and rarely did it, but over the past 3 months I have really grown to love it. Funny how we sometimes grow to love the things we used to hate and grow to hate the things we used to love... Then again, some tastes remain fairly unchanged throughout our lives...

I made sweet sweet curry last night. Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato were the main attractions, along with lemon grass, coconut milk, green curry paste, and peanut butter. It turned out well, but I miss the mango I had added last time -- had no mango on hand this time around.

On the menu tonight -- *drum roll* -- leftover curry! Yes, I know, not the most exciting choice, but I am tired and lazy and feel like bumming around the couch for an hour and then going to bed. I will supplement my leftovers with a salad of greens and tomatoes (plus miscellaneous veggies), olive oil, ground pepper, and balsamic vinegar. That's sure to spice things up.

I also want to mention that I can't wait till the weather warms up just a little bit more so I can dig out my tent and head out to Devil's Lake. I have been thinking about camping constantly as of late...

A-maze

2009-03-30T08:22:00.005-05:00

I had the most amazing day on Saturday in celebration of my Monumental Event. Most of the credit goes to Turtle, who planed the entire day. It should not come as a surprise that the things that stand out the most are the delicious items we consumed throughout.

Woke up late (I get excited when I can can manage to do that!), lounged around, and then Turtle and I made eggs, bacon, and roasted potatoes. The meal was, of course, competed with coffee and cream -- yum!

After some general early afternoon laziness and watching a few episodes of futurama, we proceeded to walk over to the Cafe, where we indulged in a shared gyro sandwich (best in town) and a glass of wine for me and a beer for Turtle.

A brief stop at the grocery store netted us some filet mignon steak for later in the evening. At this point it began lightly snowing (!!). We headed over to Sundance Cinemas to see "Sunshine Cleaning". We got there about 90 minutes early (not an accident) so we walked across the street to David Bacco's Chocolate place where we shared three of the most amazing truffles I have ever sampled.

Before the movie started we grabbed a drink at the bar inside Sundance -- the bar was beautifully decorated and sparsely populated. I wanted to try the Absinthe martini but they were out, just as well since I later remembered that Absinthe tasted like anise, which I hate. So instead I ordered a Cosmo (they actually use Cointreau!) and Turtle ordered the Caiprinha on my recommendation -- I had read about the cocktail but had never tried it. Unfortunately, Turtle did not like his brazilian drink, so I traded drinks with him as I thought it was rather tasty, though perhaps better suited for a really hot summer day. Right before the start of the movie, we bought one more round of drinks - a Cosmo for me (I got to drink it this time) and a beer for Turtle, and we headed into the theater -- YES! you can drink your cocktails right inside the movie theater! And the arm rests come up too!

The film was amazing -- I don't do movie reviews, so I won't get into the details, but I will just say that it made me laugh, cry, and fall in love with the characters all at once. It was real, warm, and uplifting sans the "artificial sweetener" present in most films being made in this day and age.

When we got out of the theater, we were greeted by about 4 inches of snow (SNOW!) which we scraped off the car happily, knowing it was certain to be the last of the season (well... maybe just one more, right?). Then we went home, made a delicious filet mignon with a side of asparagus, drank a glass of our favorite red wine, and watched another movie.

It was a night to remember!

Rock my World

2009-03-28T10:19:00.003-05:00

The sushi last night was superb, even if there was a slight oversight in not purchasing any wasabi.

After we ate sushi, we played rock band, which I had never played before, or even heard of before, so it was an entirely new experience. Given that I refused to "push buttons in a pre-determined order", I got the mic. It was fun, but now I have "hungry like the wolf" stuck in my head, which is less than awesome.

The First Day of the Rest of My Life (or something on that order)

2009-03-27T15:11:00.003-05:00

I headed over to my favorite local pub today for lunch, and I ate an entire Reuben sandwich. It was superb, but now I am still entirely too full, and it's been 3 hours.

In other news, I will be making sushi tonight with a friend. I am very excited. On the menu -- spicy tuna, California, and .... ?? whatever else we think of, I suppose.

Commencing Project "Happiness"

2009-03-26T20:49:00.001-05:00

Good lord, what a day, but at least it's almost over.

Countdown to Freedom

2009-03-26T07:24:00.004-05:00

So the oatmeal thing didn't work out. Instead I made "leftovers breakfast" mashed up a leftover burger from the other night and fried some mashed potatoes and onions and the burger meat in a skillet. It turned out well.

I didn't have time for lunch, but for dinner I made my "signature" salad and teriyaki chicken. Teriyaki chicken is super easy to make -- cut chicken into little pieces, marinade in teriyaki sauce for as along as you can (overnight is best, but half an hour is enough) and then dump the chicken along with the marinade into a large skillet or wok. Add a little lime juice and a little honey and let that puppy simmer till the chicken is cooked. Then add broccoli and a handful of almonds, cook for one more minute under a cover (to lightly steam the broccoli) and TADA! Serve over rice. Or, you know, without rice if you don't feel like making it.

Incidentally, my first "visit" to jail was pretty awesome. I like jail. But you know, it could just be my perspective. I also like clients that are just a little off the beaten path. Something alluring about that... Or maybe I should sleep more -- seriously running a sleep deficiency here. Time to get out of bed and make that oatmeal.

Loosing Cohesiveness -- Commence Zombie Sequence

2009-03-25T08:34:00.006-05:00

Even thought I went to bed around 11 last night, I didn't actually fall asleep until after 4:00, and then woke up to my phone ringing at 8 am -- it was a new client calling me from jail, I was planning on going to see him today anyway, but I guess he beat me to the "first contact".

I am thinking about my traditional weekday breakfast -- whole oatmeal with an apple and cinnamon and 16 oz of french press coffee. I find that combo to be the most effective for the daily grind of the "working days" -- the complex carbs of the oatmeal balanced by the sweet tartness of the apple and complemented by the kick in the ass only caffeine can provide on a morning such as this. If only I could will myself out of bed. Big day ahead, more sleep would have been nice.

Dinner Thoughts

2009-03-24T21:38:00.007-05:00

I was very hungry tonight when I got home. And also very tired. So I had to make dinner quickly, and here is what I made:

Tilapia and Assorted Veggies

I put 2 piece of tilapia in a pyrex-type oven dish with a few drops of olive oil, juice of half a lemon, and Magic Seafood Seasoning mix. Baked for 10 minutes or so.

Additionally, I cut up large pieces of the following vegetables, and threw them in another pyrex-type oven dish and added some olive oil and a 1/4 cup of red wine and some chipotle pepper and salt. Baked for approximately 10 minutes as well.

Broccoli

Red Bell Pepper

Snap peas

Mushrooms

Tomato

Zucchini

Red Onion

It was YUM.