Category Archives: life

Screw Thursday Thirteen – Let’s Try to Podcast (not!)

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I am not a geek. I’m just a cheap imitation of one.

No really. I spent all damn day between the tutorials and the actual editing of my CC interview with Megan Crane. Then the hubby comes home, offers to help with one little bit and the next thing I know, he wants me to totally re-edit from scratch because *this one* has better sound quality. So I did. And yes, I knew it would take me longer than the 10 minutes it might take him. Thankfully, I still had my time stamp notes.

Of course, when I was finished he basically just asked me why it sounded like content was missing (it was) and then complained that my editing sucks – all of course, leaving me on the verge of tears (to be fair, he didn’t say it “sucks” but you know, it still hurt to hear since I’d at it for 2 hours tonight on top of all.damn.day already). So I threw a very mature fit ranting that my first edit was much better and why couldn’t I just use the original one. I’m sure he didn’t believe me, but at this point we were left with two options; I go back to the original edit or he completely takes over and edits everything (or the third option, I just flat out lose it).

My stubborn, Taurean pride stepped in, of course, I and chose to go back to the original edit (since it wasn’t missing major chunks of content). So two hours later it’s finally good to go. Now of course, he needs to upload it to the server, then install a plug in on the blog and THEN, finally, I can post the damn thing and walk away. What a major event. I knew there was a reason I wanted to have a margarita with dinner and not that diet pepsi.

I have to be honest here, I’m just not sure it’s worth it. While I love the concept and the interviewing process, I just don’t seem to have what it takes for editing. My eyes, ears and fingers just don’t seem to want to work together (much like with video games). And sometimes I just have a hell of a time wrapping my head around technological crap.

And now it’s 1:10 AM and he’s got it up on the site. Only he of course doesn’t like the sound quality, so he’s doing a quick overall edit (for the second time, mind you – full circle back to the original mess that had me in tears…or so it might seem). I’m exhausted from being locked in the un-air conditioned room all damn day in this crazy heat taxing my brain. I just want a good book and my bed.

So yeah, while I might appear to be a computer geeky gal, really, I’m just a poser. How sad is that?

Giada, How Could We Have Never Met?

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I’ve just recently starting watching Giada De Laurentiis and Everything Italian. In fact, I first started watching her just this past week after stumbling on the Weekend Getaway episode when she was up in Santa Barbara (I’ve only been to SB twice now and I’ve yet to really do anything touristy so I’m always open to new ideas and suggestions).

Previously, I just to live by whatever everyone’s gal, Rachael Ray said. But then, she just got a little too much going on and was everywhere and started to get on my nerves a bit. And well, let’s face it, she can be a bit extreme with that exuberant personality of hers. But I have to say, she really taught me to get comfortable in the kitchen and I have her cookbooks to prove it – LOL. And because I feel like I’m in the sharing kind of mood, here’s my go to, non-summer, RR recipe, Mini Meatball Soup – though by now, I just improvise.

Nowadays though, I’m spending some time getting to know Giada and letting her teach me a few new tricks in the kitchen. She really has some simple, easy recipes with minimal ingredients. She’s mind kind of gal too, she loves her cheese! I’m not so sure how she can manage to keep her clothes so spot-free without an apron, but whatever.

Really how good does this, Caramelized Pancetta and Fennel Salad sound? I’m always looking for new simple, yet tasty salad ideas and the simpler, the better. I think this would be just perfect for book club or a potluck.

Caramelized Pancetta and Fennel Salad

Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
User Rating: 5 Stars
1 bulb fennel, halved and cut into 1/2-inch wedges
5 slices pancetta
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
5 ounces (about 6 to 7 cups) mixed salad greens
Red Wine Vinaigrette, recipe follows

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, toss together fennel, pancetta, garlic, brown sugar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place the ingredients on the baking sheet in a single layer. Cook until the pancetta is crisp and the fennel is caramelized, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes.

In a large bowl, place the salad greens, crumbled pancetta, and caramelized fennel. Toss the salad with the Red Wine Vinaigrette and serve immediately.

Red Wine Vinaigrette:
2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Mix the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a blender. With the machine running gradually blend in the oil. Season the vinaigrette, to taste, with more salt and pepper, if desired.

Yield: scant 1/2 cup
Prep Time: 5 minutes

Buzzzzz! I Did it Again

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Once again I’m hopped up on too much caffeine. This time around it’s thanks to the lovely folks at Starbucks and their damnable, little bottles of frappuccino. I’d be concerned except I really don’t drink all that much caffeine on a regular basis. Must be like drinking alcohol and that how building a tolerance thing. So now I’m bouncing around and I seem to be having trouble focusing enough.

Thing is, I have crap to do! I have a podcast (for lack of a better term) to clean up for tomorrow’s CC blog – my interview with author, Megan Crane. Heck, first I have to learn how to use Garageband to edit the damn thing. Then I have to write up Friday’s Think Globally, Eat Locally post for the CC blog – I don’t normally participate much in the CC blog, I’m more of a behind the scene kind of gal – not to count my basic CC stuff that I’ve got to do. And, I have to faux-hem my curtains for the living room – about freakin’ time!

Not exactly the best time to be buzzing around!! Focus baby, focus!

Pay it Forward

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I will send a gift to the first THREE anyone who leave a comment here requesting to join this PIF exchange. You will receive it within 365 days (actually probably less than that). The only thing you have to do in return is “pay it forward” by making a similar agreement on your blog.

The “gift” you send doesn’t have to be handmade, but it can be – it can be something written, something drawn or designed, something that reminded me of you, icons, photos, goodies, whatever.

Just so you now that you’ll be safe, I highly doubt that I’d “write” something for you, so no poetry or fanfic sort of stuff. Nor will I serenade you with song, but that’s just me.

Just make sure you comment with a legit email account (which I believe is the only way you can comment) and I’ll contact you for an address. What a great way for strangers and lurkers to come out of the closet and let me get to know you.

I Love Me Some Jason Bourne!

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcAh-AxXex8]

So I’m doing the happy dance over here! We finally saw Bourne Ultimatum. We tend to not go to movies opening weekend since here in LA, things can get crazy with monster lines and crowds and whatnot. But we held off until Saturday to see it. Last week had to be one of the most painful weeks for me knowing that I was *this* close to being able to continue with the Bourne story. The hubby promised me that we’d see it over the weekend, so I patiently waited.

In anticipation, I watched Bourne Identity and Bourne Supremecy to get me back in the loop. I’m so glad I did to since the storyline was a little hazy in my mind. I knew the main details, spy guy has dissociative amnesia with kinesthetic memories and everyone is trying to kill him. But really, I forgot what a great movie it was. I loved how the beginning of this movie started with the end (kinda) of the last one. That was cool, very cool.

I have to say though, as good as the movie was – and it was good – I’m feeling quite let down. I was hoping for a little more Nicky and a little more back story. I swore I knew that Nicky and Bourne would end up together, but not like this. I was hoping for more. And there is more, I just know it. They totally glossed over things when she said how it was “different” with him, back in the coffee shop.

So the good thing…I’m seeing one more movie!! Doesn’t mean it will happen, but dammit, if they want me to be happy and fulfilled here, they’ll do it. Most folks tend to find it surprising that I really love this genre – action films, spy flicks, hell if I know – especially when it’s done well. Really, even if this type of movie isn’t your thing, check it out, you won’t be disappointed. Just don’t sit too well or the speed chases and flying cars will freak you out (or it could just be me).

Chocolate Rain – It’s Called Viral for a Reason

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I can admit it, we’re geeky enough in our home that we watch G4. In particular, we watch Attack of the Show (I’ll be even more honest, and admit that I have a girl crush on Olivia Munn – what’s not to love). Here’s one of their favorite (and now viral) youtube videos. I’m warning you, it’s just the kind of ditty that you might have trouble getting out of your head.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwTZ2xpQwpA]

Another Thing About Living in SoCal – Earthquakes!

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Last night, around 1:00AM, we had a A 4.5 quake in Chatsworth. I can’t say it’s my first – my first was a rolling one while at work in Alhambra shortly after I moved here. And there have been a few others that I’ve missed – one while I w as driving. But wow, I felt this one. I thought it was (somehow) the pupster shaking up the bed with his scratching, but then the hubby called out to me to tell me it was a quake. Freaky!

Our friend called mere seconds later to see if we felt it. Of course, having been involved in the Northridge quake, she doesn’t much like them. Let alone like them when she’s gimpy and can barely walk straight.

Which of course reminds me, yet again, that I need to work on that emergency kit and we need a back up plan of action. Guess I know what I’ll be doing today *sigh*

I Want to be Samantha Brown When I Grow Up

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She travels the world. She stays at the best hotels. She knows Walt Disney resorts like the back of her hand. She’s got the world’s best job. What’s not to love? Who wouldn’t want to be her best friend? Or better yet, who wouldn’t want to be her? Samantha Brown rocks, I tell ya.

I first became aware of her when I lived with my roommate. We’d pretty regularly hunker down and watch the Travel Channel for hours on end. But to be honest, I haven’t watched her in a few years. But I’m making up for lost time now (and as a side note, I don’t know what I ever did before the almighty DVR came into my life!) I’ve been recording her Latin America shows, but I’ve yet to sit down and watch any.

Instead, I’ve been watching her Passport to Europe shows. And of course, I’ve found a gazillion places that I just need to visit. For example, when we get to Spain (and dammit, we will get to Spain!) I now know that I will need to visit Valencia along with visiting my friend in Madrid, heading over to Barcelona and of course, Mallorca. Don’t even get me started on France and the UK. Hell, even Helsinki looks like fun.

All she needs to do now is do a series on spas and I’ll be lost. Or maybe I’ll just start stalking her so I can be her new best friend. Really, I think we have a lot in common. And now you can even take her on the road with you when you’re out traveling. Sounds like a plan to me.

Unseasonably Cool

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Right now, we’re experiencing some unseasonably cool temps here in SoCal. It’s a nice respite from the crazy hot days we’ve been experiencing. So instead of highs in the high 90’s, we’re talking highs in the mid to high 80’s. In fact, right now it’s a mere 73 with a slight breeze. Perfection. Times like this I wish I had a hammock to lay out in while reading a great book and sipping on something great to drink (which reminds me, I’d like to find some recipes for some infused simple syrups). So let’s just say that this girl will not be stuck inside hiding behind the (wimpy) AC. And with the windows actually open, I can hear someone practicing their violin (second time in two days, two separate towns, interesting).

Maybe I should take my camera out today and hit up that old sign storage lot I’ve been eying. Ooh, I need a farmer’s market as well. I was gifted some fresh basil so I’d like to make some panzanella – yum!