I am currently really into Great Lakes Myth Society
. Compass Rose Bouquet is a great album for the day-to-day... it makes me excited for spring and ready for summer.I love friend days. Why is it I have to travel at least 1/2 hour to have them?
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Also, Peanut sat on my seedlings. I am thinking I might just ground sow everything but the peppers and tomatoes...
I am currently really into Great Lakes Myth Society. Compass Rose Bouquet is a great album for the day-to-day... it makes me excited for spring and ready for summer.
I love friend days. Why is it I have to travel at least 1/2 hour to have them?
I am currently really into Great Lakes Myth Society
. Compass Rose Bouquet is a great album for the day-to-day... it makes me excited for spring and ready for summer.I love friend days. Why is it I have to travel at least 1/2 hour to have them?
Now that The Full Monty is over, I am reflecting on my involvement at the local community theater.
It's quite a beast, and not surprisingly it is abnormally clique-ish... if any of you have ever been to Midland, you will know that that is a feature of this small town with big-city aspirations. It is also quite unfriendly (not mean or rude, just not really welcoming.) Nobody seems to acknowledge or care that you are there. This is also typical of Midland... in fact, the Center is a good sampling of the city as a whole.
To be fair, I am a strange age group for them. I am a bit younger than most of the established people, and definitely older than the high school/just graduated age group. We don't have kids, so we don't have that common thread, and many couples with children feel uncomfortable hanging out with couples without children (it's the same with single people and couples.)
This isn't necessarily a bad thing. I perform for my own fulfillment - if I make new friends, great, but it's not my primary goal. I love having a social life, particularly one that Husband and I can share, but I have plenty of long-distance friends that are very dear to me. The problem is that I find the whole situation to be rather exhausting - I often have to chuckle at jokes that I am not a part of/do not find funny, and sit through a barrage of name dropping that would shame a courtier at Versailles. There's a tremendous amount of backstabbing (so much so that, like when I was in high school, there are no defined cliques at all - though people may be friends, they have no qualms doing hurtful things to each other behind backs). Whether through laziness or honor, I am like my mother - I speak plainly and avoid people I don't like. I'm not saying I don't gossip, but I definitely try not to say anything behind backs that I wouldn't say to faces. I find a lack of the genuine tiring, and when I come home I just want to curl up on the couch and watch TV.
When speaking to a local friend about this, she mentioned that her solution was to try and create her own small group of friends who always auditioned together. I have thought about this... but most of the people that I truly like in the area are in Bay City (or are one of the constant stream of auditioners who rarely get reasonable parts, regardless of talent.)
A few weeks ago I visited a friend in Grand Rapids, and when talking with one of his friends (a new acquaintance,) he asked me about Midland, and I realized that I am not really proud to be living here. I thought I would be - it's a nice town with great schools, tons of activities (for its size), good jobs, and some really extraordinary places (Farmer's Market, Chippewa Nature Center, LaZeez... I would miss all of these so much if I moved!). But there is really no arts culture to speak of - probably because most people my age either have moved to larger cities or begun raising families immediately after high school. There is a tremendous drought of young, enthusiastic people in this city, perhaps also because ART springs from ADVERSITY, and in Midland there really isn't much of that. Crafters, yes. Musicians, yes. But passion... not so much.
I miss DIFFERENCES. I love meeting people who think and act differently (in fact, many of the people I like at the Center are those who are disliked or mocked by most of the others because they are quirky.) It's not just racial diversity (although I miss that too), but diversity of thought and action, beliefs. We can learn so much from people who aren't like us, and we can make ourselves better people. I love people who are passionate about something, whether that be science or art, economics or literature. Here I feel like most people I meet are aimless, having families and jobs (even good ones) with no commitment, no decisions. Is that most lives? Just a string of events that happen to you until you die? I reject that - life is more, life is choices and change, ships passing in the night or staying forever. Life is growth.
Frankly, I think I am living here for my unborn children. In my head I think I have it that Midland schools are abnormally good, and that there is an abnormal amount of things for a child to do in the area. Honestly, that may be true (I feel like I had a normal education, and many of my acquaintances and even Husband have told me horror stories about other districts) but it's silly to think of something like that when we aren't pregnant, and probably won't be for a year or two at least. And honestly, my kids will be MINE... so they probably would have the same problems with this area that I do.
Well, this sort of turned into a rant about Midland as a whole instead of just the MCFTA... but like I said, it is pretty representative of all that this community has to offer.
I guess I am still conflicted about this city, although I have been here for so long, as a teen and an adult... There are so many great things... but I think ultimately the problem is that, unlike so many depressed areas like Saginaw or blue collar areas like Bay City, Midland doesn't really WANT to change.
It's quite a beast, and not surprisingly it is abnormally clique-ish... if any of you have ever been to Midland, you will know that that is a feature of this small town with big-city aspirations. It is also quite unfriendly (not mean or rude, just not really welcoming.) Nobody seems to acknowledge or care that you are there. This is also typical of Midland... in fact, the Center is a good sampling of the city as a whole.
To be fair, I am a strange age group for them. I am a bit younger than most of the established people, and definitely older than the high school/just graduated age group. We don't have kids, so we don't have that common thread, and many couples with children feel uncomfortable hanging out with couples without children (it's the same with single people and couples.)
This isn't necessarily a bad thing. I perform for my own fulfillment - if I make new friends, great, but it's not my primary goal. I love having a social life, particularly one that Husband and I can share, but I have plenty of long-distance friends that are very dear to me. The problem is that I find the whole situation to be rather exhausting - I often have to chuckle at jokes that I am not a part of/do not find funny, and sit through a barrage of name dropping that would shame a courtier at Versailles. There's a tremendous amount of backstabbing (so much so that, like when I was in high school, there are no defined cliques at all - though people may be friends, they have no qualms doing hurtful things to each other behind backs). Whether through laziness or honor, I am like my mother - I speak plainly and avoid people I don't like. I'm not saying I don't gossip, but I definitely try not to say anything behind backs that I wouldn't say to faces. I find a lack of the genuine tiring, and when I come home I just want to curl up on the couch and watch TV.
When speaking to a local friend about this, she mentioned that her solution was to try and create her own small group of friends who always auditioned together. I have thought about this... but most of the people that I truly like in the area are in Bay City (or are one of the constant stream of auditioners who rarely get reasonable parts, regardless of talent.)
A few weeks ago I visited a friend in Grand Rapids, and when talking with one of his friends (a new acquaintance,) he asked me about Midland, and I realized that I am not really proud to be living here. I thought I would be - it's a nice town with great schools, tons of activities (for its size), good jobs, and some really extraordinary places (Farmer's Market, Chippewa Nature Center, LaZeez... I would miss all of these so much if I moved!). But there is really no arts culture to speak of - probably because most people my age either have moved to larger cities or begun raising families immediately after high school. There is a tremendous drought of young, enthusiastic people in this city, perhaps also because ART springs from ADVERSITY, and in Midland there really isn't much of that. Crafters, yes. Musicians, yes. But passion... not so much.
I miss DIFFERENCES. I love meeting people who think and act differently (in fact, many of the people I like at the Center are those who are disliked or mocked by most of the others because they are quirky.) It's not just racial diversity (although I miss that too), but diversity of thought and action, beliefs. We can learn so much from people who aren't like us, and we can make ourselves better people. I love people who are passionate about something, whether that be science or art, economics or literature. Here I feel like most people I meet are aimless, having families and jobs (even good ones) with no commitment, no decisions. Is that most lives? Just a string of events that happen to you until you die? I reject that - life is more, life is choices and change, ships passing in the night or staying forever. Life is growth.
Frankly, I think I am living here for my unborn children. In my head I think I have it that Midland schools are abnormally good, and that there is an abnormal amount of things for a child to do in the area. Honestly, that may be true (I feel like I had a normal education, and many of my acquaintances and even Husband have told me horror stories about other districts) but it's silly to think of something like that when we aren't pregnant, and probably won't be for a year or two at least. And honestly, my kids will be MINE... so they probably would have the same problems with this area that I do.
Well, this sort of turned into a rant about Midland as a whole instead of just the MCFTA... but like I said, it is pretty representative of all that this community has to offer.
I guess I am still conflicted about this city, although I have been here for so long, as a teen and an adult... There are so many great things... but I think ultimately the problem is that, unlike so many depressed areas like Saginaw or blue collar areas like Bay City, Midland doesn't really WANT to change.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
This is one of my favorite quick and easy recipes - and it's actually Husband's favorite dinner! I found it in the back of my mom's recipe box and added a few of my own twists... When I cook, it's very free-form - all numbers are flexible and to taste.
Veggie Curried Rice:
1/3 cup Olive Oil
1 tsp Minced Garlic
2 tbsp mild Curry Powder
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
Sprinkle of Sea Salt
Dash of Black Pepper
1 Zucchini
1/2 Green Pepper
1 cup Raisins
1 Carrot
1/2 lb Chicken Tenderloin
Sautee Garlic in Olive Oil until fragrant - add curry powder, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Mix into a sauce, and add Chicken. Cook through.
Dice vegetables. Add carrots to chicken to cook until tender. Add zucchini, pepper, and raisins, coat with sauce.
Add to rice. I used instant white rice because it is fast and easy, but this would be yummy with brown or basmati rice as well! This can easily be a vegetarian dish.
Typically we have this with Naan (I'm so glad Meijer carries it now!), but a few nights ago, I attempted a stuffed chicken recipe that I wasn't altogether pleased with, and I had some leftover stuffing. I made a sort of improvised, very American Samosa...
American Samosa:
1/2 cup Ricotta cheese
1/8 cup Parmesan Cheese
1/8 cup Spinach, Diced
1 stalk Celery, Diced
1/2 Carrot, Grated
1/2 Carrot, Grated
2 pieces of Fried Bacon
1 egg
1 egg
1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper
Sea Salt to taste
Mix all ingredients, place inside a halved flour tortilla (this was what I had available at the time). Pin tortilla shut with a toothpick and deep fry until golden brown.
This was surprisingly delicious (You can see it in the upper left corner of the picture above. The original stuffing was pretty bland, so I added the Cayenne which spiced it nicely but not too much. I am a well-known spice baby. I think if I make these again I'll really embrace the Samosa idea and add some chunky cooked cauliflower and eliminate the Parmesan altogether.
Anyway, that's what's for dinner!
Mix all ingredients, place inside a halved flour tortilla (this was what I had available at the time). Pin tortilla shut with a toothpick and deep fry until golden brown.
This was surprisingly delicious (You can see it in the upper left corner of the picture above. The original stuffing was pretty bland, so I added the Cayenne which spiced it nicely but not too much. I am a well-known spice baby. I think if I make these again I'll really embrace the Samosa idea and add some chunky cooked cauliflower and eliminate the Parmesan altogether.
Anyway, that's what's for dinner!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
I've been interested in homesteading for quite some time... it's something that really appeals to me, the self-sufficiency and being in tune with the seasons. I have dreams of grapevines and honecombs, fresh eggs and warm growing things... but since I live on a city lot, I have always kept those dreams in the future.
Recently I visited a good friend in Grand Rapids who is quite the naturalist. On a visit to Barnes and Noble I picked up Your Farm in the City: An Urban-Dweller's Guide to Growing Food and Raising Animals
. It's an amazing resource! It has totally inspired me to rock out my garden and make the most of my space this year - in fact, in light of the (slightly) warmer weather, I went seed shopping and got some planting done...
Recently I visited a good friend in Grand Rapids who is quite the naturalist. On a visit to Barnes and Noble I picked up Your Farm in the City: An Urban-Dweller's Guide to Growing Food and Raising Animals
. It's an amazing resource! It has totally inspired me to rock out my garden and make the most of my space this year - in fact, in light of the (slightly) warmer weather, I went seed shopping and got some planting done...
I can't believe that the little sprouts are already poking out! It's only been three days! Hopefully the carrots, tomatoes, and peppers catch up with the broccoli and spinach!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Gentlemen -- We only live once!
A few shots from behind the scenes of The Full Monty...
 |
| Marci puts on the finishing touches... I love the cute dogtags of her kids! |
 |
| Sonja discusses hair options with Ethan. |
 |
| Cara rolling hair like a pro. It's a shame I wasn't a teen in the 80's - my big hair skills would be much better. |
 |
| Trena and her daughter.... She seems to be having a moment. |
 |
| Pam's ready for her night out. |
 |
| Me and Josh! |
 |
| Uncle Sam... Or Uncle Keno? |
There's something wonderful about old friends - they remind you of who you were, and who a part of you still is.
It's a spring day, I am sitting at my computer listening to "The King is Dead"
and cuddling with my dog. I am catching up on blogs and thinking of several friends old and new. I just got done with an exhausting week of dress rehearsals and shows for The Full Monty: The Broadway Musical
... my hair is exhausted from teasing and my eyes are red from constant mascara. I have another busy week ahead of me, with mask-making, costuming, work, photography, and more shows this weekend...
But for this moment, life is pretty perfect.
It's a spring day, I am sitting at my computer listening to "The King is Dead"
and cuddling with my dog. I am catching up on blogs and thinking of several friends old and new. I just got done with an exhausting week of dress rehearsals and shows for The Full Monty: The Broadway Musical... my hair is exhausted from teasing and my eyes are red from constant mascara. I have another busy week ahead of me, with mask-making, costuming, work, photography, and more shows this weekend...But for this moment, life is pretty perfect.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)