Shine On, Sunfish

2012-01-19T22:37:00.000-08:00

There will be a picture post soon, I promise. Until then, here are a few lessons from the past two weeks:

1) Wear flats when going to Catholic Mass.
2) Never underestimate a child's excitement at being able to melt things. Especially colorful things.
3) Never underestimate a dog's excitement at being able to sneak into the kitchen and eat all of your tuna salad in the span of 3.7 seconds.
4) You can never have too many reusable tote bags. This is especially true when you clean out your library and realize that you have 46 pounds of books to carry to your local book shop.
5) Cleaning out spiderwebs is a gross and creepy task, but it's best to do it quickly and not think about it too much. This is actually true for most gross and creepy tasks in life.
6) Adding a piece of bacon to soup makes a world of difference.
7) Hide chapstick and hand lotion all over your house, car, and workplace, because you will inevitably think of it only when it is not in reach.

<3 Jessica

First week down...

2012-01-09T09:04:00.000-08:00

I think I have finally decided what this blog will be about.

It's taken about a year, but I think that I am going to use this space to chronicle my quest for a better life.

I don't mean that to say that the life I lead now is bad by any means. I am more fortunate than 99 percent of the rest of the world. I have a good paying job, a wonderful husband who loves and supports me, an adorable 1940's bungalow, a cat and a dog to share it with, a town with a low crime rate and tons of things to do (as long as you don't want to be out past 10...), my health (mostly), some disposable income and not a lot of debt, and several exciting hobbies. I am able to read and write, I have clean water and a fully stocked refrigerator available to me at all times. I was born an American, and have the rights and freedoms that come with that. I have parents who love me and who I actually like, a brother with whom I have a great relationship, and lots of friends near and far. To complain about my life when I could be so much less fortunate would be not only ludicrous, but disrespectful to those billions of people who have it so much worse than I do.

I mean "better life" in the sense that even if things are great, they can always be better. I hope to start projects, try new things, and overall be a more interesting, interestED person. This will hopefully chronicle my blazing glories as well as my tragic failures.

The first week of 2012 was a tumultuous one. I started the year full of optimism, rang in the New Year with a delicious meal at a local Japanese Steakhouse with friends (and only suffered mild guilt at the huge price tag), saw The Muppets (I really enjoyed it, probably an 8/10), and spent the rest of the night playing cards with our friends James and Sherrie. The next day was our traditional family Lord of the Rings Marathon, and then it was back to work.

I was not ready to go back to work. When I had endless free time to fill with shopping, gardening, housework, cooking, and hobbies, I was a generally happy person. I don't know if it was the years of outdoor ed or what, but I am not very good at time management. I work until the job is done. For this 20 hour a week job, I am putting in 40. It's exhausting, and it makes me cranky. So, the rest of the week was filled pretty much with work (it was a bad week for the kids too... one of those weeks that really makes you feel like a failure as an educator, because you can't even get them to listen to ONE SENTENCE.)

I did manage to cook some dinners... we are LOVING the Kale and Edamame Pesto from one of my favorite food blogs, Herbie Like Spaghetti. Super interesting and quite healthy! We also enjoyed some Easy Black Bean Soup from Girl Food... also healthy! Getting new recipes is a lot of fun. Even more so when they fit the three requirements I have for weeknight dinners: Quick, Tasty, and Healthy! Needless to say, I have been using my immersion blender like a mofo.

Sunday was my first time going to church in a LONG time. It was mass, and it wasn't a particularly interesting one, but I can tell that it's the right decision. Not to get all Jesus-y for a bit, but my whole life I have struggled to find a church that works for me because of my religious upbringing. There is a pride that comes with feeling superior to everyone else, and that is dangerous. It's easy to pick at churches and find what is wrong with them, but to paraphrase my dear C.S. Lewis, sometimes it's not about what your church can bring to you, but what you can bring to your church. Anyway, we'll see how it goes, but I am definitely going to keep it up. Plus, it was nice to have another thing to do with the Husband. :)

ANYWAY, my goals for this week:

Get the library cleaned and organized!
Make this picture frame for my bedroom:

Keep working on organizing computer files.
Find some new music on iTunes.
Keep working on the Basement - almost there! Pictures to come when it's finished being cleaned.

Also, Thursday will be my first work out/lunch with mom, and Date Night on Friday with "On the Verge" at the MCFTA (I am stoked) and LaZeez for dinner. Yay!

Jessica

Resolve... or lack Thereof...

2012-01-01T08:20:00.000-08:00

I don't have the best resolve. I have always been pretty good at rationalizing my behavior and silencing that little voice inside that thinks that I really have better things to do than watch entire seasons of Desperate Housewives on Netflix. I am an expert at half-asleep math (the extremely rapid and accurate mental math of the person who wants to calculate the very last minute they can get out of bed without getting fired). The amount of time I spend procrastinating is really sort of sickening as an adult woman. I am not saying this to be funny - I am actually pretty embarrassed at my ability to let myself off the hook again and again.

It should not be a surprise, then, that I have never been good at New Year's Resolutions. I am sure that you are thinking, 'of course not... NYRs are only something you drunkenly boast about on New Year's Eve. They have sort of become a national joke.' But the sad fact is, I really start each year with the best of intentions. Even though a year mark is nothing but an arbitrary timeline, I secretly believe every time that this year will be different, that this year I will finally get it all together and become the person I have always wanted to be.

So this year - THIS YEAR - will be different.

Here are the reasons that I am excited about 2012:

My first out of the country experience will be an awesome one - Austria, Hungary, Germany, Czech Republic. It's happening. It's paid for. It's the best Christmas gift ever, and I am stoked. Y'all may not realize, but I have been travel-obsessed since middle school, and sat patiently watching while literally every one of my friends and acquaintances had fabulous European/Australian adventures. I am not even a little embarrassed to cheer: it's finally my turn, beeyotches! Yeah, beeyotches. I am bringing it back.
Avenue Q at the MCFTA. It's probably a horrible idea to get my hopes up, given my history with this establishment, but I can't help but think that Kate Monster is a part that was made for me. If my age and physical appearance is stopping me from getting leads, let's see someone rationalize my way out of playing a PUPPET.
A new tapas place and wine bar sourcing local food opening up. I love new restaurants, tapas, and local food, so this is obviously a good thing for a town where the culinary claim-to-fame was once that we still had a Bennigans.
Friends moving to Midland. Our friends James and Sherrie (who are expecting their daughter in a couple of weeks, which is also exciting) could very possibly be purchasing a home in the Midland area, which is pretty much the most exciting thing ever. Having friends here would improve this town SO MUCH, and we love them and their kids.
Potentially (sssh! Don't tell the in-laws!) starting a family. This is a big, scary, nauseating bundle of awesome that I don't really want to talk more about, because I don't like to get psyched up about things that might not happen. Okay, that's a lie, I totally like to get psyched up about things that might not happen (see: rest of this list), but for some reason not this. It's probably a weird privacy thing that lets me air all my shortcomings on a public blog, but won't let me talk about having babies. Oh well, let's not analyze that too much.

So 2012 will be a big year. Hopefully for more reasons than just these, though, because THIS IS THE YEAR: this is the year where everything will be different, and I will finally find a way to exercise some self-discipline. I will get in relative control of my life, and finally become the person I have always wanted to be. Here's how:

Throw out more stuff. This is actually a mid-year resolution that is continuing, because it is a slow process and I have hoarder tendencies and a cluttered aesthetic. Last year I worked on my living room and kitchen through the year was awesome, and I literally closed out the basement yesterday morning (a daunting task that included the gathering, cleaning, and removal of over 50 garbage bags and at least 6 boxes of costumes, props, and old clothes that had found their way down there. It's like our house has doubled in size.) This year I would like to finish decluttering the den, mud room, and garage. (NOTE: Upon re-reading this, I realized that I actually do sound like a hoarder. The basement was by far the worst place in my house because of all the costuming I used to do. We aren't drowning in junk, and I can find my cat and dog with ease.)
Finish household projects. Husband and I have this horrible tendency to get projects nearly to the finish line and quit once they're good enough. This year we need to get good trim in the bathroom, wall off the window, put in the fan, trim the doors in the kitchen and mud room, and secure and finish off the dog yard. Also, I would like to get one of the biggies done this year - new windows or new siding, unless the roof springs a leak or the water heater goes or something.
Lose 60 pounds by May. Those of you who haven't seen me in a long time, or see me often and haven't noticed, may not be aware that I have gained 75 pounds in the three years since moving to Midland. It's a pretty shocking number, and I am just recently coming to terms with it, as I have never been a dieter and have always thought of myself in the heavy/normal range. My goal last year was to stop the gain, and I can safely say I did that, yo-yoing around the last 15 pounds for the last 6 months and coming out 7 pounds under my heaviest weight. I know everyone says they want to lose weight for their NYRs, but if I am even considering becoming pregnant, I definitely want to be in better physical shape before that happens. I also want to look good in my vacation pictures, but that's neither here nor there. Here's my plan:

I need to lose 12 pounds a month. That's 3 pounds a week, ambitious but doable. Honestly, I am not concerned about numbers as much as I am overall health and fitness, so even if I were to gain 20 pounds of muscle, I am not going to freak out (except I might look like a girl Arnold Schwarzzanegger, and I am not wild about that idea.)
I am signing up for Zumba 2 nights a week. I have done Zumba before, and found it to be fun and a great workout. My mom and I will definitely be doing one night, and I am hoping I can find a friend to come another night.
I am doing a two-birds, one-stone deal by visiting my mom once a week for lunch, and using their home gym equipment.
Cooking better food. Last year I experimented with some great recipes that have found thier way into our rotation. I hope to keep it up this year!
Eating out once a week. Last year I wanted to eat at only local restaurants. This worked in the sense that we found some great local restaurants that have quickly become our favorites. It did not, however, cut down on the "I'm too tired to cook, let's have Taco Bell," situations that arise whenever I am working late or in a show. This is also where our disposable income goes: see next item.

Save more money. We used to be pretty good at this (and lets face it, I am the offender here), but since I have been working I haven't had the guilt-check that stops me from buying the things I want. We have a good plan for spending, I just need to stick to it. And we need to eat out less.
Write. I hope to blog more, I definitely want to start writing again. It's surprising how something that used to be a huge part of your life can vanish in just a few short years. Also, reading - I am sure I read less books last year than in any other year of my life. I probably finished four or five. I used to do that in a week.
Make time for God. This is something that I am also embarrassed about - sometimes the things that are the most important are the things that you set aside when you get busy. I'd like to give God 5-10 minutes every morning, hopefully to bring more focus to my day.
Get out more. Walking and hiking is one of my favorite things to do, but this year I was a total hermit. Also, my poor dog has not been getting the amount of walks that he grew accustomed to when we were new and zealous dog owners.
Keep in better touch with friends. I feel like I am an all-or-nothing kind of person - I probably hang out with old friends more than most adults in my age-range (partially because of the swinging child-free lifestyle that I am currently enjoying), but my ability to just drop a note or call is horrible.
Date night. I would like to make one of our eating-out nights a date night. After four years of marriage, you start to run out of things to talk about when you go only to restaurants that have TVs in them.
Enjoy more. This is always a resolution every year, and every year I do relatively well, but fall short of say, Color Me Katie or Bohemian Musings. I am never going to live in a New York Loft or sing in an all-girl band, but I can still find a little bit of joy or happiness in every day, and if I can do that, I will be a success.

Looking over the list, it's a lot. Don't ever say that I wasn't ambitious. But do you know the one thing that I think eats up the most of my time that could be used productively? The thing that keeps me from writing, hiking, calling up an old friend, reading a book, having an adventure, trying a new restaurant, or taking a new class? TV, particularly Netflix. It is sort of shocking how MUCH time I spend watching TV. It's another thing I am honestly embarrassed about. I, being a bookish, indie sort of person, should be the one turning my TV into a fish tank or something, not sitting on the couch in front of it for hours and hours every day. I have a suspicion that when people say that they don't have time for things, it's largely because of that. I know it is for me. And it really can't continue like that.

<3 Jessica

Can't Let it Pass By...

2011-10-31T07:10:00.000-07:00

It's been a while! With "Trailer Park" closing (a success; I got great reviews, which is always nice) and "Miss Nelson" picking up (the kids are a lot of fun, and I am really enjoying myself!), things have been crazy in the evenings! Weddings and Senior Pictures on the weekends and a few out-of-town visits with dear friends have left me with very little free time... it takes some getting used to.

The job is going well. It's a great fit, and while it can be frustrating or tiring on a day to day basis, it can also be hilarious, enjoyable, and rewarding. That's working with kids for you.

Sometimes not updating a blog for a while can leave it seeming like a daunting task - so much to backlog, so much to cover. I felt the need to break the ice, so to speak - things are going well, but I need to get back to a normal rhythm of life. So, I shall leave you for now with some fall photos! Michigan in autumn can't be beat.

Oh Goodness!

2011-09-11T13:48:00.000-07:00

This past week was the start of school, and therefore the start of my new job. It was exhilarating and exhausting, frustrating and fabulous. It was strange getting back into the swing of things with older kids, and we still have a long ways to go, but overall I am sleepy but excited.

Now it's just a matter of getting my life organized again. I had developed a little rhythm in my years of housewifery, and going back to a job that keeps me out of the house Monday-Friday, 6-6 (10:30 on rehearsal days...) means that all of the other aspects of my life, house, dog, hobbies - they're all up in the air! I have had a lot of fun clothes shopping, though - I can't remember the last time I bought any new clothes, so that was quite a scene. So, for the next few weeks, I'll be working on getting re-organized and trying to find some time to spend with Husband!

And, of course, the furry children.

<3 Jessica

Life

2011-09-05T16:42:00.000-07:00

Summer sped by at an unbelievable pace. Here I am cuddled up in the computer chair with my cardigan and scarf, candles lit, kettle on the stove... it's my favorite month! God has really provided for my family this past summer - just a week after I left my job at the school of music, I heard from an acquaintance about an amazing new opportunity with thier education group, Meta4. Rodney may have a new opportunity on the horizon as well. Photo sessions are picking up, the squash are ripening in the garden, it's almost time for apples and bonfires... I don't know what it is about this weather and this time of year, but I am feeling really optimistic.

Whelmed.

2011-07-27T11:47:00.000-07:00

Long time no see! I've been feeling... whelmed recently? An annoying pattern of listless and unmotivated to feeling the crushing weight of all of the things that I have to do stacking up on top of me.

I'm quitting the School of Music. It started out as a nice way to get a few extra bucks and work with kids, and quickly became a large stressor and time-pit. I think I'll be better off working part-time retail or something (something I don't have to care about, because I don't have good boundaries when it comes to work.) All I know is that when I finally decided to do it, it felt like a huge weight was lifted.

For those of you who don't know, Husband and I live a more traditional lifestyle. He works and pays the bills, I do odd jobs and take care of the house/animals/future children. The problem is that the odd jobs (theater, photography, etc.) easily take over and make the housey things take the back burner. But if Husband is the one paying the bills, and my jobs just make extra money for us, then it's not really fair for me to be putting all of my energy into them long-term. Now for theater or photography, this works fine. I can spend a couple of months really invested in a show, or a full day on a photo session. But for the School, it was becoming something that, in order to do my best at, I was having to spend countless hours working on with no end in sight...

So, making that decision has helped. I still have a few loose ends to tie up with CCC's show, loan payments and dry cleaning and such. I'm working on cleaning out the basement and putting my best vintage finds on Etsy, which is also incredibly time-consuming if you want to have a nice shop with good pictures. During my hiatus the peas all died, and the garden has become quite overgrown. The carrots seem to be doing well, and the squash is out of control, so this year hasn't been a total bust... but still not what I had hoped for. We also haven't done any of the household projects yet that we had planned. It's partially been finances and partially the fact that I can't really do it by myself, and now that Husband is back at the prison his hours are much more rigid. I need to start planning for the Peanut Gallery show I am directing in the fall, and I am debating auditioning for a show in Saginaw that some friends of mine are directing. I had several editorial shoots that I really wanted to get done this summer (and time is passing quickly!), and I need to get a website up and running for that. I think next year in lieu of focusing on CSOM, I will be putting more energies into the photography, making it legit and such. I do want some sort of outside job, as it is very nice to have extra money, and Husband and I enjoy eating out.

Sometimes, too, having a social life seems like more a chore than anything else. Having friends and outside interests has always been a priority for me, but in the post-collegiate world it becomes increasingly harder to manage. I still have the problem with location - the real friends that we want to hang out with all live 30 min. + away, whereas local friends are usually more tiring. I'm not a soccer mom type, and I never will be. I'm not big into celebrities or pulp news, and I don't watch reality TV (well, except ANTM, but we'll just ignore that for the sake of the point.) I'm not queer about men; this is a difficult one to describe - a local friend of mine recently began dating, and her friends (who are some of the more tiresome people) are so QUEER about it. Like, "tee-hee, you LIKE him!" It's ridiculous and embarrassing for all involved. I've never been one to have "token" friends (I have this AFRICAN AMERICAN friend, you see... One of my BEST FRIENDS is GAY!), and I sort of look down on people who do. I have many gay friends and several friends who are black, but I am not friends with them because I think it will make my life more like Sex and the City. I don't name drop. I don't think that I am more important than I am, nor do I think that this town is so COSMOPOLITAN. I don't think Pure Romance parties are SO MUCH FUN, and on the other side of it, I am not interested in drinking the night away with toothless hicks at some townie bar on M-20. This makes relationships difficult to maintain, as there is usually an hour or so travel time involved in hanging out. I sincerely love having dinners with friends, or just casual visits. I have this vision in my head of Saturday night dinners where we get together, cook, laugh, drink, and have a good time. Where our kids grow up together. I don't think that is such a unobtainable goal. It just seems increasingly harder to find.

It's just such a balance - working from home can be super exhausting, with no real end in sight. I can usually handle it better than this, but recently (perhaps due to the unbearable heat as well!) I've just wanted to curl up and wait for it to pass. Moving seems more and more appealing (again - I have such a love-hate relationship with this town). Oh well. I'm sure this too shall pass.

-Jess

2011-06-18T16:31:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thrown a party and nobody came? Now imagine that that party took 6 straight weeks of preparation and $1500. Guh.

If I make a goal, who gets the point?

2011-06-16T08:13:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, a friend told me that he was proud of me. It was a very odd feeling. I've always been fiercely individual. My work ethic tends to lean "nose to the grindstone" as opposed to "squeaky wheel gets the oil." I often found myself getting passed over for recognition because I don't really seek it. I am not patting myself on the back, just making an observation - honestly, I have found this to be a weakness in many fields, the inability to sell yourself.

The friend who complimented me works with inner city children in Texas. He is an art teacher who started his own after school program for at-risk youth. He just finished his master's degree.

Here I am, one step above a college dropout with a messy ponytail eating a molasses cookie for breakfast blogging at 10:30 in the morning on a weekday. I don't think I am a poster child for success.

The show opens tonight. We don't feel ready to me. Things will be fine - we have some really great actors, and it's a funny script - but I don't feel that this show is up to my standards as a director/producer, and I am disappointed in myself. I miscast a few people, which I haven't ever done before. Our time frame was really tight before we had several setbacks, and it's really difficult working with so many volatile personalities (who are all volunteering or donating to us... so the question of how much to demand is always at the back of my mind.)

In all the bustle of the last couple of weeks, I have been neglecting the garden. (As a side note, I don't know what to call it - urban homestead sounds pretentious and clunky, but garden brings up images of old ladies in sun hats cultivating hydrangeas...) Some of the herbs are looking downright wilty, and the strawberries are dead and gone. I'm worried that the cherry tomatoes aren't getting what they need, and the pea trellis needs to be finished NOW. I have no idea how people manage a full time job and a full time farm (although I do think one full time job would be easier than three creative part time jobs.)

I am frustrated with the Housemate. He lives like a pig, and the dog keeps getting into his room because he can't seem to figure out how to shut the door after himself. The last time the dog apparently ate 25 bone-in chicken wings. He could have died. He still might. The thought of losing him is scary enough, but the reaction from Housemate was more of anger at the DOG. The dog can't open doorknobs. If your room is being accessed, it's because you aren't closing the door all the way. I hate when people don't just admit that they were wrong and try to be proactive about solutions to the problem. They have to dance around the issue and try to shirk off blame. It has been happening in a lot of areas in my life, so this particular instance is really getting to me.

Photography is a joy. I only hope that I get more business - I worry about expansion. Everyone oohs and aahs over the pictures, but finding the time in their lives to get their own pictures is another story. There is something so immensely satisfying about it... maybe it appeals to the organizer in me. It's like cataloging beauty. Which probably sounds crazy to anyone who doesn't share my particular mix of right and left brained-ness.

I have been utterly neglecting the school. I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew. I am already on shaky ground with my skill level...

And all the while, as part of me is working toward this great sense of community, the other part gets nervous when, say, people at the farmer's market start remembering me, or I see kids from the school out and about. Part of me likes the anonymity of being backstage - the hard worker that nobody knows about. I guess it's less pressure. Once you're out there in the spotlight, it's make it or break it time.

I don't really know what the purpose of this post is. I guess in my life I am trying to deprogram myself from being so goal oriented. That sounds odd, as it is what our culture is all about, and I definitely think that micro-goals are important. But the plain fact is, life isn't a race. It's not a game, and there are no winners or losers. We just have to do the best we can with the time we have.

And I don't want to miss anything.

Warm days, old friends...

2011-05-29T17:33:00.000-07:00

Mike is a great friend of mine from my Outdoor Ed. days. This past weekend he came up for a visit, and I got to show off Midland a bit. There may be many things about this quirky little town that I dislike (see old blog posts), but there are also many things about it that I LOVE. We spent a great day visiting the local Indian restaurant, used book store, downtown shops, and my favorite coffee shop. The next day we visited my favorite place in the world: the Chippewa Nature Center.

The fact that the Chippewa Nature Center can exist and be as well-funded and well-maintained as it is says a lot about what a community values. It is an amazing piece of land with passionate, well-educated staff. I loved working at their day camp, and hope someday to have a part-time job as one of thier naturalists.

It was great to spend time with Miker again - talking to someone about common passions is very important, and there aren't a lot of wilderness junkies in the area (at least that I know of.) I would really love it if he were to get a job at the Nature Center's preschool and land in the area for a while!

Do Re Mi...

2011-05-28T08:48:00.000-07:00

We finally got the piano moved in! Now I can practice my lovely music ALL DAY LONG, which Husband LOVES. The strains of RE-RE-RE DO-MI-SOL over and over again are not maddening at all. I am currently working my way through our Harmony Road 2 book, which puts me at about the level of one of our five year olds. (I am exaggerating, but only mildly.)

The Children's School of Music is pretty awesome. I am easily the worst pianist (to be fair, I have never taken music lessons outside of school, and wasn't even in band...) This frustrates me, because I like to be the best at everything. I feel like it's very important to be prepared and work my hardest at what I do - I partially learned it working Outdoor Ed... being obsessively prepared with a million and one things to do when things go wrong. It's important when you work with kids.

The problem is, my musical "bag of tricks" is so much smaller than my teambuilding or nature hiking ones. I had a great time working Nature Day Camp, was confident and awesome because I had so much experience. Music is a much more technical thing, and being enthusiastic and good with kids isn't enough. I have always had the background knowledge in nature and cultural history - add literature, and you have my passions. My musical knowledge is much more organic, and I am a little frightened that I will accidentally give a kid the wrong information.

I think my niche here is going to be in recruiting and running the young children's programs/music on the go programs. I find my confidence and skills with infants and toddlers is already skyrocketing compared to what it was (I definitely was not a baby fan prior to this job), and the more I do it, hopefully the better I get. We teach them the building blocks of rhythm and tone... but hopefully I can do more. If I can teach kids to love music, to have fun with music... and then the more experienced musicians can give them the knowledge they need.

That's my plan anyway.

Rabbit Season...

2011-05-26T09:21:00.000-07:00

Our plan for this year was to get the garden up and running, and make it productive. If all goes according to plan, our next step will be raising meat rabbits.

I have never raised rabbits, and frankly don't really care for them as pets; that may be why I found it easy to make the jump to the idea of rabbits as a food source. They are ideal for urban homesteads, since they are quiet and don't need much space. Their manure makes an excellent fertilizer (it is the only manure that won't "burn" plants if put directly into the garden), and their pelts are nice too. Apparently they are relatively easy to kill and dress, which makes them an excellent starter animal.

But there was one problem - we had never eaten rabbit before. That seemed the most important thing to consider if we were seriously considering them as our first livestock. Luckily the last time I was at the Farmer's Market the Amish man was there (don't get me started on the Amish man's booth... I spend at least $10 more if he's there than if he isn't.) He sells cheese, eggs, granola, and meat... lo and behold, he carries rabbit!

I found this recipe online (combined a few, actually... most called for heavy cream soups or sour cream, and we're trying to be more healthy...)

INGREDIENTS:

Rabbit meat, dressed.
Herbs and Garlic
Worcestershire sauce
Plain yogurt
1 can vegetable or chicken stock
Carrots and Potatoes, quartered and rinsed.

Put all ingredients into the slow cooker and cook for 8 hours on low. Meat should be under or nearly submerged in the broth - add water to mixture if the broth isn't high enough.

This was really tasty! Rabbit tastes a bit like a VERY lean pork to me - there was virtually no fat, which means that the meat can run a bit dry (most people fry or slow cook it for this reason), but it also means that if you're picky about fat on food (Husband and I both HATE to eat a piece of fat...) rabbit might be the meat for you! The meat fell right off of the bone, and most of it was edible. I think next time I might coat the rabbit in the yogurt before the spices, as this might keep more moisture trapped in the meat.

Overall, if more people ate rabbit (or other low-impact livestock) and kept the cows for the special occasions, the planet (and our bodies) would be in MUCH better shape right now!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

2011-05-21T09:36:00.000-07:00

I think I can safely say that the garden is IN. It took a LONG time, especially trying to fit it in on nice days (in Michigan... hah...) that I am not working or rehearsing. But I plugged away, and took my space from this:

To this:

I had to rip out that scrubby tree (it was too close to the house anyway, we were worried about root damage to the garage) and I used scrap wood and twine to build a trellis for my peas.

First I transplanted the sage, chives, and thyme that lived from last year out of the main garden space and into planters (actually, old storage ottomans, which I think make very cute planters!).

I planted the pepper seedlings (the only ones I grew from scratch that didn't get leggy in the uneven sun of my den or squashed by my cat, who seems to think that anything new in the house has potential to be an amazing bed. Peppers like it hot and sunny, and they don't handle cold well. In Michigan we had snow well into April, so I thought it would be good to put these guys into pots and set them on the front steps and driveway - I can move according to the sun and still be able to move them in in case of a sudden cold snap. Their first day I moved them too far from the house, though, and I think an enterprising squirrel killed off a few more of them!

My main garden space was kind of a disaster. This one took a couple of years to even make functional, as someone before us had left it a pile of unruly myrtle (an aggressive viney plant) and mysterious stumps/concrete buried throughout. With a lot of weeding and elbow grease, it was finally ready for herbs last year. This year, it's all veggies.

The pots contain tomatoes... There's a big concrete foundation under the spot where the planters are, so I had to put in planters to make use of the shallow space. This year I planted several types of squash, peas, spinach, broccoli, and carrots in the main garden space. I have the peppers and tomatoes (cherry and beefsteak) in planters, and the new herbs in cute vintage baskets that may end up mounted on the walls if we finish enclosing the deck a bit more. The verdict is still out on the strawberries - I bought a few of those pre-made planters, and they don't seem to be doing well. I'm excited to see how the summer goes, and hope to continue transforming our lot into something amazing!

Blueberry Muffins with Honey

2011-05-20T23:45:00.000-07:00

One of my biggest goals this summer is to improve the quality of the foods Husband and I eat. I love living in a town that has an amazing Farmer's Market (see past raves about that...), and there are several smaller-scale markets nearby. The problem, of course, is what do you do with all of this bounty once you've made the purchases? Too often my compost bin bulges with all of the fruits and vegetables I had every intention of using... until the idea of ordering a pizza seemed more appealing.

That being said, I plan to really make the most of fruits and vegetables this season. My homesteading plans are underway, the plants and herbs are in the ground, and now I need to make sure that I will make use of them! Anyway, here's a favorite family recipe for amazing blueberry muffins!

INGREDIENTS:

1 Egg (Beaten)

3/4 Cup Milk

3/4 Cup Blueberries

1/2 Cup Oil

2 Cups Flour

1/3 Cup Sugar

3 Tsp. Baking Powder

1 Tsp. Salt

Brown Sugar to Top

Rinse your blueberries under cold water!

Mix all wet ingredients.

I used 3/4 cup honey instead of 1/3 cup sugar to sweeten the muffins. I love the subtlety of the sweetness... and honey has amazing health benefits and NEVER goes bad!

Add the dry ingredients and blueberries. I added 1/2 of the blueberries, mixed them in, and then added the rest... it makes some of the berries mushy and flavors the batter, and others whole.

Bake at 400 degrees Farenheit for 20 minutes. When the muffins have been baked for a few minutes, pull them out and top them with brown sugar. This makes a lovely crusty top! I waited a bit too long with this, my first batch, so the sugar didn't stick as well as I would have liked.

2011-05-16T18:41:00.000-07:00

A new little person has come into the world this past weekend. I know it sounds cheesy, but every birth is really quite a small miracle - one minute there's a little thing inside of you jumping on your kidneys, and the next that little thing has a face and a voice and a personality. It's amazing.

Along the lines of new life, the home has really sprung to life recently - I fenced in the raspberries, the apple tree is finally in bloom, and the garden is officially in. I love my backyard in the spring.

Even though my yard is horrible and full of violets and grubs, it's so pretty! And the grubs attract all sorts of birds and small mammals (my first time mowing I got a rare above-ground glimpse of a little gray mole!) So, even though I try to keep the front yard neat and tidy, I have sort of married myself to the beautiful chaos of the backyard.

2011-05-10T22:21:00.000-07:00

Husband and I have been rewatching Arrested Development for the past few days. Every time I watch it it reminds me again why it is my favorite television show... why I hate the networks for cancelling it (and wonderful shows like it) and why I hate the American public for just sitting back and letting it happen. And yet, with the delightful narration of Ron Howard and the little ukulele theme tume leading the way, I can still sit back and bask in the glory of it for the two and a half seasons that it DID exist. In honor, I shall list my favorite television shows.

1) Arrested Development (2003-2006). Follows the trials and tribulations of the ridiculously self-involved Bluth clan. When patriarch George is arrested for "light treason," good son Michael must try to keep the family and the business held together. This is pretty much the greatest comedy show ever written. So many jokes crammed into every episode that, even on the fifth or sixth viewing, you are catching something else. Jokes that honor the long-term viewers while not feeling exclusive to new viewers. Characters that are simultaneously completely over-the-top, and completely like your own family. Pure joy.

Favorite Character(s): It's a tie between Tobias and The Narrator... but pretty much every character is horrible and lovable and hilarious. Oh yeah, and Barry Zuckercorn. And the bad-news doctor.
Favorite Story Arc: Mrs. Phyllidia Featherbottom! Also really enjoyed Maeby as a studio exec.

2) Pushing Daisies (2007-2009). When Ned is a boy, he discovers that he has the ability to bring dead things back to life with just a touch. Unfortunately, a second touch from Ned kills the subject again, and this "gift" causes Ned to become an odd but earnest young piemaker with no real attachments in his life save his Golden Retriever, Digby. When he hears of the untimely death of his childhood sweetheart, Chuck, he can't resist bringing her back to life - no matter what the results. Described as a "Forensic Fairy Tale," there has never been anything quite like Pushing Daisies. I want to LIVE in this show! It is magical, mysterious, dark, funny, and ultimately extremely cheerful.

Favorite Character(s): Olive! Also Emerson Cod and the Aunts.
Favorite Story Arc: Get thee to a Nunnery... or Rent-A-Friend!

3) The Venture Brothers (2003 - Present). Twins Hank and Dean live with their hulking bodyguard Brock Samson and thier father Rusty Venture - a former child genius and boy adventurer a la Johnny Quest, now a balding, pill-popping dismal failure living off of his brilliant father's glory. This adult animated show ruthlessly lampoons old Hannah-Barbara cartoons, while maintaining a brilliant storyline and a massive cast of brilliant characters. Almost too clever for its own good... almost.

Favorite Character(s): This is TOO hard! If forced, I might have to say Dr. Girlfriend and The Monarch... Although my favorite FAVORITE guest moment HAS to be Dr. Dugong... and I love all the old Jonas Venture bits...
Favorite Episode: "The Family that Slays Together." Parts 1 and 2.

4) My Name is Earl (2005-2009). Earl Hickey is a deadbeat, small-time criminal who wins the lottery, but is immediately hit by a car. In the hospital he hears Carson Daly talking about Karma on television, and Earl makes a decision to turn his life around. With the mantra of "Do good things, good things happen," Earl and his brother Randy revisit their troubled pasts and try to make amends for the things they did wrong. A top-notch ensemble, unique characters, and hilarious and heartwarming writing made this show a never-miss!

Favorite Character(s): Joy and the Crabman! Close second to Randy.
Favorite Story Arc: Crabman's secret past!

5) Seinfeld (1990-1998). "A show about nothing." This mother of the modern comedy follows the lives of comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his self-obsessed friends as they go about thier trivial lives. Absolutely brilliant, and hasn't lost anything over the years!

Favorite Character(s): George and Elaine. Puddy.
Favorite Episodes: The Parking Garage, The Fusilli Jerry, The Marine Biologist, The Rye

6) Quantum Leap (1989-1993). In attempting to create a time travel device, Dr. Sam Beckett accidentally becomes trapped in the past. He "leaps" into the body of another person, and must "put right what once went wrong" before he can "leap" away. His best friend Al is the only one who can communicate with him, in the form of a hologram that only Sam can see and hear. This amazing sci-fi show expertly combined humor, mystery, action, romance, and uplifting stories. With a regular cast of only two, Al and Sam carry the show with a wonderful chemistry. A classic.

Favorite Character(s): Al. But Sam is great too!
Favorite Episodes: Catch a Falling Star, What Price Gloria?, Good Night Dear Heart, The Leap Home, Black on White on Fire... sooo many.

7) Futurama (1999-Present) Phillip J. Frye is a loser in the year 1999... but when he is accidentally frozen and transported 1000 years into the future, he meets a hilarious group of misfits at a space delivery service owned by his senile great-great-great-great-grandnephew, and finds that maybe the year he was born in wasn't the year he was meant to be in. Filled with great guest stars and awesome homages to classic science fiction, this adult animated show is a must-watch!

Favorite Character(s): Zap Branigan! Also Dr. Zoidberg. And Richard Nixon.
Favorite Episodes: Branigan Begin Again, Cyber House Rules, A Head in the Polls, How Hermes Requisitioned his Groove Back.

8)Flight of the Conchords (2007-2009). Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement are the two members of New Zealand's fourth most popular folk-parody band, The Flight of the Conchords. Transplanted to America, they try to make it big in the city. This is an odd little musical show, quirky and supremely deadpan. It has great songs and a clever supporting cast!

Favorite Character(s): Murray!
Favorite Episodes: Bowie, The Actor, The New Cup

9) Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969). Captain James T. Kirk leads his crew on a mission of deep space exploration and adventure. I can't really describe how much I love this show... it was the first science fiction show to fully realize the potential of the genre to make us look at our own time, our own issues differently. It broke barriers in regards to race as well, showcasing characters from many origins working together. It had the first interracial kiss ever broadcast on TV! It had groovy 60's babes, melodramatic fight scenes, and WILLIAM SHATNER. I acknowledge that parts of this show haven't aged well (especially graphics and costumes), and some episodes are downright silly, but it remains one of my favorites to this day!

Favorite Character(s): Mr. Sulu!

Favorite Episodes: The City on the Edge of Forever, Return to Tomorrow, Bread and Circuses, The Menagerie

10) King of the Hill (1997-2010). Hank Hill is just your average hardworking middle-class Texan - but his friends and neighbors are anything but normal. Hank and his wife Peggy deal with the mundane aspects of life while trying to raise thier son Bobby in a world that, at times, seems to have lost all common sense. This show is a gem - the characters are so real they feel like friends, and the show at times seems to be the only one that weighs in on political issues and current events while maintaining humor, optimism, and dignity.

Favorite Character(s): Khan and Minh! I also have a strong love-hate thing with Peggy.

Favorite Episodes: High Anxiety, I Don't Wanna Wait for Our Lives to be Over, That's What She Said, The Redneck on Rainey Street, Orange you Sad I Did Say Banana?, Peggy's Magic Sex Feet

I seem to have a thing for animated shows and sci-fi. I also noticed that this is disproportionately comedy-heavy... I just feel like no matter how good a drama is, I'm never going to re-watch it like I will with a comedy.

2011-05-08T23:55:00.001-07:00

Peanut is wondering why we are still awake at this hour.

2011-05-08T21:52:00.000-07:00

Now that Husband has gone back to work at the prison, he's on second shift. This throws a bit of a kink into my prior blogging schedule - he likes to use the computer in the mornings. Perhaps that is a good thing? Anyway, a bit of a backlog going on, but hopefully I will get it sorted!

In honor of the spring cleaning inside and out that has been going on, I'd like to take a moment to mention my FAVORITE cleaning products in the world. Method brand products smell GREAT, are made with natural ingredients, aren't animal tested, are made with recycled packaging, and aren't really that expensive compared with other brands. The bottles are pretty, and apparently you can even DRINK the solvents without hurting yourself! I have been using mine for nearly a year now, and I always feel like my bathroom and kitchen are getting the best sort of clean. I can't wait to try the detergent when I need new stuff.

The Tub and Tile on the far right is the best thing ever!

2011-05-05T12:09:00.000-07:00

It's been a while... again. I've been taking advantage of the lovely weather and getting the garden in (more info on that later.) Working outside in the sun and air is SO fulfilling... I feel justified in my hour of Paper Mario or a good book at night before going to sleep really tired. I don't have much time for this blog because I am off to work and then AUDITIONS again (more on this later as well!), but I would just like to give thanks for a moment that I am able to pick up a few extra hours and some "breathing room" cash working with lovely people who really care about kids and music. I am starting to feel useful at the School, and that's something that's very important to me. Here's hoping that our summer camps fill out, and we get lots of new families for the fall!

I can't believe I am already thinking about the fall! Three-years-ago Jessica would have had nothing in mind beyond a canoe trip or concert in August! It's amazing how the days and weeks fill up as you get more involved in your community. Sometimes it's irritating - I just want to walk my dog, garden, cook, and relax. But it's a nice feeling, too...

2011-05-02T22:55:00.000-07:00

A few stills from behind the scenes of Restoration Theater's Shakespeare by Victoria...

Brian as Shakespeare gets carried away...

Katie as Elizabeth berates Dana as the Dark Lady while Brian laughs...

Kyle as Marcellous hides behind David as Horatio during a ghostly encounter.

Katie as Senator Webley muses to Allison as Miss Lawford

I as Miss Hartington am scandalized by Kyle's drunken butler.

This new group works out of Creative 360, a neat little art center in Midland. They aim to interpret free domain (classic) works in a more modern environment. The art in the background is a free exhibit in the building... it is all done by Armin Mersmann, a nationally recognized graphite artist from Midland. It's pretty amazing stuff!

This was my favorite work of his at the exhibit - it's titled "Occasional Angel." You can't get the full scope of how amazingly detailed his work is without seeing it in person. Definitely worth stopping in to 360 before the exhibit closes!

Let The Yoke Fall From Our Shoulders

2011-04-23T22:37:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, I have really been grooving on the newest album by my favorite artists, The Decemberists. The album is a folksy, pastoral love letter to American roots, and is the perfect Spring/Summer soundtrack. In January Husband and I and our friends Fran and Josh were supposed to see the band live in Royal Oak, but due to a surprise "Snowpocalypse" it was rescheduled for April! I have caught every tour since Picaresque, and, as usual, was not disappointed.

Beautiful backdrop!

As I mentioned to Fran, half of the fun of going to a concert is seeing the band you love live. The other half is seeing what sorts of people also love the bands you love. I feel that no matter what sort of concert I am going to, there are a few types of fellow concertgoers who always seem to find me.

The Overly Emotional Fangirl. Standing quietly by herself, hand on heart, eyes wide and brimming with tears. She knows all the words. She is in another world.
The "This is Our Song" Couple. In between every song, the couple in question becomes so romantically charged by the concert experience that they tackle each other in a fit of passion, oblivious to the crowd around them.
The Encroacher. They start out behind you, but somehow by the end of the concert they rudely stand in front of you with thier cell phone raised up taking pictures (or worse, video!) right in front of your face.
The Inappropriate Bromance. Some guy loves - like, REALLY loves the lead singer. He is in the front few rows reaching high above the other fans - so close he could almost touch them. He yells out "jokes" and attempts to banter with the lead singer between songs. He addresses the lead singer by first name. He cries out the names of the songs he would like to hear.
The Drunk Grinding Girls. Somebody mentioned that there would be music and a bar. They don't usually care about the band, but are just excited to slut out with thier girlfriends in public. Often seen with a nondescript red plastic cup in one hand grinding up on whomever happens to be closest. Can also be identified by piercing shrieks emanating from them after every song.

This last group is the funniest at a concert like the Decemberists. It's really odd to watch someone dirty dance to songs about labor disputes in Montana or fantasy butchers who murder naughty children in thier beds.

2011-04-20T14:05:00.000-07:00

This morning I read an entry from one of my favorite blogs, Hyperbole and a Half. She inspired me to think about the way my dog sees the world:

I think dogs make frequent use of exclamation points. On our walk today we worked on "heel." He did pretty well - when he realized that I was talking to him, and there were no squirrels plotting against him.

On a more serious note, when training it's easy to forget that dogs don't understand sentences. They can understand certain words, visual cues, and sound effects... but they can't put those together like we can. For example, as I reached into the car to get his treats out of my purse for the walk, I found myself saying "No car." as he got up into the front seat. Now Lance understands "No" (sort of) to mean "Stop". (I actual find a loud "Ah ah ah!" noise to be more effective in getting him to stop whatever he's doing.) He knows what the car is. But he can't figure out that "No Car" means that we are not going to be going for a car ride. He can't put those two words together.

When training, it's important to keep things clear, be consistent, and keep rewards frequent but not predictable. Hopefully in a couple of weeks he'll associate coming to me to mean that he is getting treats... and I MIGHT be comfortable enough to take him to the dog park...?

In other news, spring cleaning has taken the house by storm. We got a nice new computer desk with much more space for organizing junk... I've switched out the fall/winter clothes with the spring/summer ones (even though it's been SNOWY...) and organized our downloaded TV Shows. I am currently procrastinating tackling the dreaded basement - it'll be quite a task, as I have LOADS of costume pieces that I won't be keeping...

I've also cleaned house on Facebook - deleted "friends", apps, groups... junk that I don't use, talk to, or enjoy. I've reached a point where I find that Facebook is the most negative and unproductive thing in my life... so I'm trying to limit my time to two times a day (once in the morning, once in the evening) and focus more on my blogs, my house, Dog, Husband, friends and hobbies. I've deleted another string of people (now I've got mostly actual friends, theater contacts, and a people that I just really like or find interesting even though I wouldn't call them friends.)

I love purging my life of useless stuff. It's definitely the only thing that keeps me from being a hoarder.

2011-04-14T09:40:00.000-07:00

It never fails - Hell week hits and I am GONE. I have several exciting things to share, including Husband's triumphant return to Corrections, my first attempt at making Hummous (it exceeded my expectations, although they were low), hanging out with the Brother, and Michael Chabon's Summerland (my latest book). But alas, all of those will have to wait, because I need to finish taxes for this past year (business-wise... our sister in law's mother does our personal taxes, and she is nothing short of a wizard) and HR 1 soon after. Then final dress and probably out to eat with cast. So you can see how things stack up. :-/

2011-04-12T08:16:00.000-07:00

15 minutes on Facebook this morning. A new record.

Now to see if I can stay off of it until tonight.

2011-04-11T19:20:00.000-07:00

Sleeping in late
Long walk with Dog
Talkin' bout Jesus with Husband
Grocery shopping at local market - and I remembered to bring my reusable bags!
Watching Battlestar Galactica (we are almost done with season 1)
Singin' THIS DOG IS AWESOME
Griling
Quick and simple rehearsal

A pretty good day.

Spring Fashion 2011

2011-04-10T21:01:00.000-07:00

Okay, so despite the part of me that is woodsy farm and nature girl, there is another part of me that loves clothes. A lot. I try to strike the balance by getting MOST of my wardrobe from Salvation Army - this works for me because it is cheap and allows me to switch out items fairly regularly, with a few nice solid basic pieces thrown in. I can also find amazing vintage pieces, and I love clothing that is unique and well-made.

Every season I start to take notice of the things that are striking my fancy - I am not too concerned with mainstream fashion, although I do read some fashion blogs and am generally aware of basic trends... I try to make my decision based on what I like. I like to come up with a color palate, not just because I am obsessive and like making lists, but because it helps to narrow down choices. For those of you who have entered the world of thrifting, it's easy to get lost in the immensity of a big store where shirts are $1 apiece. Having laser focus is important!

Anyway, here is my palate and some top picks for Spring 2011!

Colors: Gray, Olive Green, Cream, Dusty Rose, Slate Blue/Navy

I have been looking for a great pair of Oxfords!
Can't live without a gray cardigan.
I have been very into long pendant necklaces lately, especially simple vintage ones layered with each other. So much cuter than the huge cluttery necklaces that are so popular nowadays.
Crochet is back! I have a white open vest that I am very excited about wearing.
My navy trenchcoat has been nearly a part of my body this spring.
I would kill for this Vivienne Westwood plaid dress. I love the angles, colors, and dimension. I am mad for plaid.
I love Target's Long And Lean line of tanks and tees.
A crisp khaki shirtdress is a great addition to any wardrobe.
I am in love with lace for spring. So romantic and crafty. I also hardly ever leave the house without a scarf.
I have this exact vintage plaid skirt. I love the look of a long wooly plaid that hits just below the knee, paired with a modern simple top.
I know the big sunglasses are a bit of a hipster thing now, but I love them.
Dusty Rose is a great color that has recently been relegated to 80's bridesmaid dresses. Lets bring it back!
I have slowly been accepting blazers into my wardrobe. They must be long, sleek, and tailored. I HATED the boxy silhouettes from a few years back.
Skinny jeans are great for girls with good legs (and maybe not-so-good middles!). It's not about the size, but the shape of your body.
I love simple stretchy skirts for casual warm days.

There are always a few trends that I can't really jump on as much as I would like to - being a somewhat large woman, I try to avoid anything that isn't tailored or is too clingy in unflattering places. Sometimes you just have to accept that a lovely gauzy tunic top looks great on a slim girl, but isn't for you. Honestly, she's probably thinking the same thing about your fab 60's style corset dress. :)

A Happy Post

2011-04-09T22:20:00.000-07:00

I figured since I have been in a foul mood the past few days, it was about time for some sunshine - and today agreed with me! It was mid-60's with pretty puffy clouds... I had a lovely afternoon with my dearest friend, and finished my book!

Fran always reminds me of one of my favorite artists, Brian Andreas. I discovered him years ago, and visiting his website never fails to make me smile. I adore his style, his one or two sentence stories, and even his slightly-creepy angular illustrations.

Here are some favorites:

You're the strangest person I ever met, she said & I said you too & we decided we'd know each other a long time.

There are things you do because they feel right & they may make no sense & they may make no money & it may be the real reason we are here: to love each other & to eat each other's cooking & say it was good.

I'd like to leave you with something valuable, he said. You probably already have, I said, but we take most of our lives to remember that, even in the best of times

she sang like snowflakes on my tongue, bright & sharp with the forgotten promises of spring

It came on her without thinking that she was the exact age as her mother was & no matter what, it would have been hard to leave & suddenly all the generations gathered around her in that small kitchen & held her close & they would have blocked the light if they had not come filled with their memories of love.

these are all connected in surprising ways, but no one wants to admit it because they couldn't get away with as much stuff

This is a tree on fire with love, but it's still scary since most people think love only looks like one thing instead of the whole world

If you were smart, you'd probably spend more time stretching, he said & I said, If I were really smart, I'd probably spend more time just sitting in the shade drinking lemonade

2011-04-05T10:12:00.000-07:00

Sometimes blogging seems like so much work...

The page sits in front of you waiting to be filled, the cursor blinks mockingly.

I am typing on a new keyboard that Husband won in a raffle at a LAN party (he is not quite the king of nerds... but he's at least a Duke or something.) It makes a pleasant sound as I type.

I am making Scalloped Potatoes and Ham for dinner, as we have plenty of potatoes and a little turkey ham that is getting old. I've never made it before, so we'll see. I have been in a mood recently. I find that when I am in the middle of a lot of things for theater, I eat like crap and don't really have energy to do the housey/wifey things that I normally somewhat enjoy. I think I have officially overcommited myself this spring, and am looking forward to the Delta show being done so I can relax and enjoy the little parts that I have in the other two shows.

I need to make a new house rule: I can do ONE volunteer project a season. I may have accidentally become one of those people who are involved in everything and are always complaining about their lack of time.

Things that make me feel good:
Photography
Reading
Shopping
Hiking
Music
Cooking
Good Friends
Board Games
Work (usually)
Gardening
Watching shows or movies with Husband
Travel
Design
Playing with Dog
Being in a show that I love
Volunteering
Jesus

Things that make me feel drained:
Costuming
Eating Crap
Politics
Dealing with people that I don't like, or are high drama
TV on All the Time
Constant Cleaning
Being Repetitive
Bad Weather
Internet Fights
Being Lazy
Sleeping too Much
Having too many balls in the air
Restless Dog

Many of my problems are self-created (in fact, all of them but the weather and the constant cleaning... one belongs to colliding weather fronts/God, the other to messy Husband and Housemate.) When I think of one of the most important things about life, it's to be active. Not physically (although yes, probably that too), but to take your own life by the wheel and really live it. It's too easy to be lulled into the day-to-day drudgery... work, home, TV, repeat...

My goal is to kick this week's ass. It's gonna happen. :)

Doggie Racism

2011-04-01T10:17:00.000-07:00

So yesterday after my unexpected Midland rant I was feeling restless so I decided to visit my favorite places... I had some delicious Tikka Masala for lunch, and walked over to Sleepy Hollow Bookshop to pick up some used treasures (I got The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, which has been on my list for years!) Listening to the iPod and walking in the cool spring sun was making me feel pretty good about life again. I decided to take Sir Lance for a really long walk, as he had missed the last few days.

We ended up at a local park - I wasn't sure about dog rules, but there were no signs posted and pawprints in the dirt, so I figured it was okay. Lance is still young and EXTREMELY friendly, so he sometimes jumps up on people... I am trying to get him used to being around people without attacking them with kisses, so I figured a park was a great place to do that.

Let me pause for a moment to talk about the Halti:

When we adopted Lance the foster recommended that we use this head harness to walk him. It corrects dogs who pull at the leash by automatically turning them to the side. Dogs wearing a Halti or Gentle Leader can pant, lick, drink, pick up sticks, bark, and probably bite... this is NOT a muzzle, and it is NOT cruel. Those are the two opinions that you receive, however, when walking your dog with it. People either look at you in horror, as though you've brought a vicious beast into their midst, or talk about what a cruel owner you are to have trapped your dog's mouth like that.

Don't get me started on unsolicited advice, it was the topic du jour with a pregnant friend of mine a few weeks ago.

Now, because I am a responsible dog owner and not stupid, I would never release my dog in a park that is not fully fenced, or contains small children. He, as I said, has not yet mastered the art of not jumping on people, and has in fact knocked down one of my friends' children (who was completely unharmed, except for a thoroughly licked face.) I understand, however, that some people don't like dogs, or are afraid of them. I was walking my dog in the park on his Halti, with a leash and his collar. When we got near the playground (we never went onto it, but just the sidewalk next to it.) he began to try to dart over to the people (wagging tail, upright ears - he wanted pets and treats!), but I continued walking him past them. It was overall a good learning experience for him. A boy on the playground came over (he was about 10 years old) and asked if he could pet the dog. I told him that he might jump up, but the boy had a boxer at home and was fine with it. Lance had calmed down nicely and the boy was petting his ears... I was answering the usual "how old is he, what type of dog is he?" questions, and mentioned that he was part shepherd, part APBT (American Pit Bull Terrier).

I must have said the magic word, because suddenly an older man walks up to me and says "I have grandkids on this playground, you better take that pit bull away."

I explained to the man that I had him restrained while trying to pay attention to the boy that was still petting my dog. (No matter how friendly your dog is, never trust him with a stranger to the point where you are no longer paying attention - the stranger could do something to your dog, or your dog could do something to the stranger.) As I said, I am a responsible dog owner.

The man abruptly leans over my dog... Lance jumped up, of course (wagging tail and pit bull smile), and the man lurched back and said "It don't matter if you have him, he just almost got my finger! Take that pit bull away!" I said I understood his position (what else was I to say? It was a public park!) And kept my attention on the boy. The man walked away a bit, grumbling "You better understand..." and the boy started to talk about how mean the man was. I explained to him that some people hear a certain breed of dog and they get scared. When I said this, the man came back to me and asked for my name. He began threatening me, saying that he was going to call the city about a "Pitbull at the Playground." (The headlines write themselves, don't they?)

Well, I didn't want to A) Make the boy who was petting my dog think that I had done anything wrong, or that there was anything wrong with "Pit Bulls." B) Make this man think that he had scared me by threatening to call the city. I am a taxpayer and homeowner and have just as much right to be at the park with my leashed dog as he does with his grandkids. Or C) Start a fight/frighten people with my dog. So I again told the man that I understood him and that he was welcome to call the city if he liked, and continued with the boy for a few minutes until the man had left. I then took my dog and continued on my walk, literally shaking with anger.

This lead me to an interesting and heartbreaking look into Breed Specific Legislation (BSL), Dog Fighting, Dog Attacks, and the much-maligned American Pit Bull Terrier and 30 or so other breeds that get lumped into the term "Pit Bull."

I can't thoroughly go into all of the sites I visited and the heartbreaking stories I read. Family pets shot by police officers because they resemble a "pit bull." People hiding their dogs from the light of day for fear they would be confiscated, which of course leads dogs to be dangerously unsocialized. Dogs victimized and abused by well-known celebrities that were able to return and live triumphant lives, even when their abuser received a slap-on-the-wrist and returned to his celebrity status. Families in Ohio (a death zone for Pit Bull-Type Dogs) forced to give their pets to an advertised no-kill shelter, only to find months later that they had given their dogs to a hoarder so they could starve and die in a filthy hellhole. A backyard breeder and probable dog fighter keeping his animals chained to car axles in a little dirty lot, with a green sludge bucket for water and an old drum or shanty for shelter. Feeding optional.

But I would like to address some concerns and myths about this breed, one of the most popular in America. If you would like some good reading, follow the Bad Rap Blog, hosted by the people responsible for the triumphant rehabilitation of Michael Vick's fighting dogs, as well as countless other animals victimized by thier owners.

Pit Bulls were bred to fight.

Pit Bull Type Dogs were originally used for all sorts of work, as they were a mix of many types of dogs. They were used for farm and stock work, as they are very strong, bull and bear baiting, and, yes, fighting.

They are an unsafe breed of dog and will "turn on you."

In general, dogs as a species do not "turn on you" or bite for no reason. Often they give warning signs that are misinterpreted or ignored. Most bites, particularly bite-related fatalities, are to small children who often do not know how to "read" a dog. Never leave young children alone with any dog (A Pomeranian tragically killed a baby in this article), and teach your children at an early age to be respectful of animals and how to read dog warning signs.

Pit Bulls have a locking jaw.

Experts have examined the skull of pit bulls and have found no structural differences between that and any other breed of dog. There is no locking mechanism. Pit Bulls were specifically bred for a trait called "gameness..." the ability to plow through pain and discomfort to accomplish the task they set out to do. This trait makes them exceptionally loyal and willing to put up with anything to please their owners, but has probably led to the locking jaw myth.

Pit Bulls have more bite pressure than any other dog.

Many tests, including one by Dr. Brady Barr of National Geographic, have been performed testing dog bite PSI (Pounds per Square Inch). The average domestic dog ranks at about 230 PSI. The highest an APBT scored was 235 PSI... a German Shepherd ranked in at 238 PSI, and a Rottweiler ranked in at a whopping 328 pounds PSI.

Pit Bulls attack more often than any other breed.

This is a big issue. There is no doubt that some pit bulls attack people, have mauled or killed children, seniors, and occasionally adults. However, actual statistics on dog bites are limited and subject to interpretation. Many people do not go in to the hospital for minor dog bites, and the media loves to run wild with killer pit bull stories - not as much with vicious Dalmatians or roving bands of Chow Chows.
Many people have difficulty identifying a true pit bull. As I mentioned before, there are about 30 different breeds that are commonly mistaken for Pit Bulls, which ideally are about 40 pounds and truly are a medium-sized dog. Often large dogs like Boxers, Mastiffs, Rottweilers, and even Labradors can be mistaken for Pit Bulls. The name has sort of become synonymous with "big scary dog." Also, a mixed dog can be mistaken for a certain breed when it actually is a different one - the only way to really tell is to run a blood test, which never happens.
Pit Bulls are a very popular dog, particularly in urban areas, and are often associated with "Thug Culture." Think of it this way - when 101 Dalmatians came out, there was a huge upswing in the demand for dalmatians. This led to irresponsible breeding which led to an unsound temperament in many dalmatians today. It also led to more families buying cute spotted puppies for their children at Christmas without thinking of the time and energy owning such a dog would take. These dogs grew up and were unwanted, often restricted to backyards and unsocialized because their owners wanted a status symbol instead of a dog. The same thing is happening today - people want pit bulls because of the stigma attached to them - they spend little to no time in caring for the dog, socializing it, or training it. They parade it around with a wire basket muzzle and a studded collar, they buy inbred beasts with massive chests and heads, and they chain it up in the backyard or barricade it in the house with some alarming "beware of dog" signs because they think it makes them hard. Then of course the dog gets out and there's a powerful untrained animal roaming the streets. This is definitely a problem - even ONE dog attack is too many! But it's not really the dog's fault, is it?
It stands to reason, then, that when there are a lot of pit bull type dogs, there would be more attacks by them as opposed to, say, a shar-pe, which is relatively rare. It also stands to reason that a larger or more powerful dog such as a PBTD, Rottweiler, or Doberman would recieve more calls or reports of attack than a vicious little terrier (of which there are plenty.) Because the terrier can only do so much damage, the reports of attacks are much less.

If a dog attacks animals, it will attack humans.

Human aggression and animal aggression are two completely different things. PBTDs are generally predispositioned to fight other animals (as are most terriers). You should never leave your dog alone with a strange dog, or any animal for that matter. That does not mean that you can't have more than one dog, or even a cat (my dog and cat get along just fine most of the time, although she still needs to show him who's boss every once in a while). However, most PBTD's are extremely non-human aggressive (occasionally to exuberance, which can result in lap jumping or knocking small children over). Often in pit fights the people are in the pit with their dogs. They reach their hands right into the fight to pick up their animal and are not bitten. Animals that would attack humans were thought of as a liability and were selected against.

Breed-Specific Legislation is an effective way to keep people safe from dog attacks.

As with much legislation, BSL is quite ineffective. People who are likely to be responsible dog owners will shy away from the breed because of the massive fines and liabilities inherent in it, but unscrupulous people will continue to backyard breed, dog fight, what have you and just keep it more underground than it already is. BSL implies that the fault lies with the breed of dog, and not with the owner, so irresponsible owners will continue to practice their bad habits on other breeds of dog, until any large dog physically capable of damage is illegal entirely.
BSL is too vague and unpredictable to be effective. What constitutes a Pit Bull? The three breeds who commonly are considered Pit Bulls, or the nearly 30 other breeds that often look like or resemble a pit bull? What percentage of mixed breed with Pit Bull is acceptable? What if your Labrador or Rhodesian Ridgeback resembles a PBTD? Would my dog be liable because his shepherd body is attached to a pit-ish face?
BSL makes it difficult for service dogs (canine police, seeing eye dogs, search and rescue dogs, and therapy dogs), which are usually large or potentially dangerous breeds. PBTD's make great therapy dogs.
BSL not only makes it illegal or difficult to adopt or buy a PBTD, but it makes it illegal or difficult to own the ones that are already in the city. Many family pets are killed or sent to other homes, where their well-being is not ensured. This case in Ohio is incredibly heartbreaking, and photos are quite graphic.
BSL encourages a witch-hunt mentality and provides ammunition for neighborhood feuds.

When I found out our dog was part Pit, I found this website VERY educational. Dogs are not for everyone, and they require a lot of extra work. Be sure you research your breed thoroughly before deciding on one that's right for you. Pit Bull Type Dogs and other "dangerous" breeds make great pets, family members, and friends for the right owner... but when neglected, like any other dog, they can lead to heartbreak.

There's no quick-fix way to deal with this problem. Western society does not view animals in a healthy way; to us they are commodities to be bought and sold, beaten, and stripped of dignity... or else they are equivalent or the same as humans, precious beings to be idolized and treated like spoiled children. In order to stop the 80 or so deaths and more disfigurements every year from dog attacks, we need to re-think our views on family pets - their purposes, their rights, and their instincts. We need better training and help for potential dog owners, and stronger enforcement and punishments for animal neglect and abuse. We were put on this earth as its protector, its guardian. And we are failing.

2011-03-31T09:05:00.000-07:00

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?

2011-03-31T08:46:00.000-07:00

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.

2011-03-23T10:16:00.000-07:00

You have to find the joy in little surprise snow days... even if it IS nearly April. And it DOES cancel a busy day of important rehearsals and work. AND you could really use the money...

All New Snow! Yikes!

Miss Peanut would like some food...

Sir Lancelot's saucy wink

2011-03-22T11:19:00.000-07:00

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

2 pieces of Fried Bacon
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!

2011-03-20T10:48:00.001-07:00

Spring is coming!

2011-03-15T14:20:00.000-07:00

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...

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!

Gentlemen -- We only live once!

2011-03-14T22:51:00.000-07:00

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?

2011-03-14T12:19:00.000-07:00

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.

Reflections...

2010-12-14T09:50:00.000-08:00

Does it seem like as you get older, your world gets smaller?

Perhaps I should explain. I've been feeling a natural pull toward home recently - theater, cleaning, cooking, yardwork, decorating, photography, playing with kids, doggy parenting, wifey business, and casual visiting with friends and family have pretty much been my life for the past six months. This is strange, because I feel like I have always been a very outwardly focused person - historically, I love meeting new people, visiting new places. I was always the friend who would drop everything for an impromptu trip downstate for a visit. I would think nothing of driving 2+ hours for a day trip, just because.

I guess I have been feeling a definite pull recently, the sort of pull you get when you are moving into a new phase of your life. I felt it upon graduation, I felt it after leaving OEE, and I felt it after the move to this small, quirky community. The problem is, I have NEVER handled change well. I cling to the familiar long after I should have let go. I am definitely an earthen-type person - steady, calm (but full of life), slow to move but stubborn once I've reached where I should be. I think maybe I have let others' opinions of what I should be affect me more than I would like to admit. When I think of what I really want in life, it reflects a great deal more of craft, home, and hearth then it does glamour and nightlife. If one of my friends were telling me this, I would be fully supportive... life is a series of stops on a road, not a highway after all. But why is it that my heart is so resistant to the idea of that life for myself?

I am too focused on others. I have always lived vicariously through my more dramatic acquaintances. It's like I want to have it all - a lovely comfy home, wild and exciting travel, massive parties and small meals with friends. It's this dichotomy that has ALWAYS been frustrating for me - if I had a goal, I could aim for it. "My heart seeks the hearth. My feet seek the road. A soul so divided is a terrible load." --Bruce Coville

The post-holidays winter has always felt like a bit of a chrysalis for me. Our Michigan winters are famous for being long, dark, and bitterly cold. They are the perfect time to pause, reflect, and curl up under a cozy blanket with a husband and some furry friends. When the spring finally arrives, I guess we'll see what emerges.

"Wanderer Above The Sea of Fog" by Caspar David Friedrich

New Addition

2010-11-15T06:54:00.000-08:00

We finally took the plunge. Yesterday we went to Petsmart for their Adopt-a-Thon weekend, and we came home with a new member of the family: Sir Lancelot. He is a Shepherd/Bull Terrier mix (although I think he looks a bit like a Basenji in the face, and his mannerisms/bark are sort of like one too...) We adopted him from a lovely woman in Harrison, MI named Dawn, and her obvious compassion and love of animals actually brought tears to my eyes. With some foster homes, I have kind of had the impression that they would rather keep the dogs themselves than give them up to a good home, especially if that good home wasn't EXACTLY what they had in mind. Dawn was very up front and honest, but also flexible and understanding. I could tell immediately that she wanted what was best for Lance. When we went to take him home, she gave him a cuddle and a speech about "loving his new people" that actually made me cry. There are so many wonderful people in the world who are doing great things - if you are looking for a new pet in your family, PLEASE adopt!

Not only did we get to support someone who is doing wonderful things and give a dog a home, we actually got an AMAZING dog. He is already housebroken and knows basic obedience. He comes when we call, he doesn't snap at other dogs, and he has a sweet and loving disposition - he cuddles right up next to you no matter where you're at in the room. He has a clean bill of health (although he does have dermaditic mange, which flares up when he gets stressed - Dawn gave us his medication for it, and it was nice not to have that be a surprise!)

I am COMPLETELY at a loss as to how ANY human could be neglectful or abusive to such a beautiful and loving creature! He is 8 months old, so he is still in many ways a puppy (although we don't expect him to get any bigger). He is playful, and VERY curious about our other furry child in the house: Miz Peanut.

We knew going into this that the divine Miz P is quite a diva - she has never handled other animals in the house very well, although she did manage to live with Rodney's old roommate's rottweiler when she had to. Every time she catches a glimpse of him she puffs up and begins a horrid moaning sound - which of course, interests him. When he gets even slightly close to her, she growls and swats at him - and his reaction is a peculiar indignant yodel/bark. He doesn't seem to understand that she doesn't like him, and he's already been swatted four times. Dawn told us to let her swat away - that he would eventually learn... so here's hoping that things calm down in the next few days!

Random Fact-a-Thon

2010-11-08T08:20:00.001-08:00

Hoo boy. I knew this would happen. It's been two months. But you know what? I'm not going to let it get me down! Onward and upwards!

Here's a list of random facts that has been making it's way around facebook. It'll have to do until I come up with something more interesting to say...

1. I am 25. COINCIDENCE???

2. I have never been out of this country, but I love to travel.

3. Sometimes I think really random and slightly poetic things that are not really appropriate to work into daily conversation, but if you catch me at the right time, I might say them anyway.

4. I adore reading, and if you're one of those "Proud to hate Reading" types, I think a little bit less of you. Sorry.

5. I am slowly attempting to fool my tastebuds into thinking I like vegetables. Thus far I have succeeded with asparagus, broccoli, tomatoes (on sandwiches), and zucchini (which I now love.)

6. I wish I could work outdoor education every single day.

7. Star Trek! The Original Series!

8. I am TERRIBLE at small talk, and usually hide if I see people I know in random places so as not to be forced into it.

9. I LOVE JESUS!

10. Contrary to most Michiganders, I actually like the winter quite a bit.

11. I play the digeridoo. Pretty regularly.

12. Most of my best friends live far away from me. This makes me a sad panda.

13. I prefer skirts to pants. I also LOVE leggings, but do not believe that they are a pants substitute unless you are wearing a very long shirt, or are at home.

14. I would wear a scarf every single day.

15. Sometimes I overestimate my craftiness. I am in awe of crafters, and wish my life was that full of whimsy and vintage lace. Also I like to read blogs about more fascinating and colorful people than myself, because I find it very inspirational, even though it sometimes makes me feel bad. I also find TV shows about hoarders to be motivational, and sometimes I like to watch Animal Cops and cry.

16. Photography makes me very very happy. So does singing and acting. And painting. I love art! Also coloring books.

17. Animals! Let's go to the zoo!

18. I really appreciate diversity in all things. I love meeting new people, especially different types of people. And PARTICULARLY superheroes. So if you know any superheroes...

19. I am pretty critical, but in a good way. Gushing and false praise bug me, so if I compliment you, you better believe it!

20. I looooove Husband. It is a thing of quiet beauty, our relationship. (<---See, strange mood sayings.)

21. I am ALL about efficiency.

22. I am very interested in pop culture throughout the years. I love nerdy slang and vintage kitsch.

23. I am extremely uncoordinated, and am a terrible dancer. I usually only dance at weddings, and that is quite a sight, I can assure you. Particularly when Husband and I improvise a routine to something like "Tik Tok" by Ke$ha.

24. <3 Local, <3 Indie, <3 Community.

25. I am super optimistic most of the time. Other times I am a poop sandwich. You can learn the signs pretty easily. But I might go from 0 to Poop Sandwich pretty quickly, so watch out.

G-L-A-M-O-R-OUS...

2010-09-10T10:23:00.000-07:00

The past week has been NICE. Not particularly exciting; lunching with friends (and playing with thier children, natch.), preparing for and executing a Labor Day garage sale(No small task), revisiting some favorite old recipes, a few Sound of Music rehearsals (I am on Soprano One, and my range is going to be KILLER by the time I'm done. Hopefully.) I've had some lovely photo sessions, and am steadily improving with my Sony by my side (Lesson number one, don't underestimate the importance of light. It's worth getting up an hour earlier.)

Rodney has started working at Hemlock SemiConductor, where our housemate also works. It's not a particularly exciting job, and we're actually making a bit less than we would be on unemployment, but it was time. It's incredibly nice to have him out of the house - it makes seeing him a special time, and he is the type of person who really benefits from the structure of a traditional job.

On that note, I think I have finally figured out "what I want do to when I grow up." We were visiting the Saginaw Children's Zoo a few weeks ago, and when I passed a little education pavillion, my heart pulled toward it. Outdoor Education is what I love. I don't think I could be happy in a traditional classroom setting.

Which means what, exactly? I'm not sure yet, but it's comforting to feel like some progress is being made. :)

And, so this isn't text-only, here's me trying tapas for the first time... looking boob-tastic, might I add...

Backlogged...

2010-09-04T08:04:00.001-07:00

...Cheered at a Frog Jumpin' Contest...

...Met a Goat...

...Seen Scooby Doo get arrested...

...Enjoyed a Board Game Night...

...Cooked Summer Squash...

...Beached Out...

...Built a city on Rock and Roll...

...Acted like kids in a candy shop...

...Seen my cat do this a lot...

Been to Hogwarts...

Learned not to feed the plants...

...Seen a dog ordering Taco Bell...

...Enjoyed a delicious apple cider slushie...

...Received a shiny new recycling bin...

...Been a director...

...Burned things with friends...

2010-09-03T10:14:00.000-07:00

So, writing a blog can be sort of daunting. You let it slip just a few days, and all of a sudden the task of backlogging your activities seems like a horrible chore instead of a fun way to pass the time...

But yesterday night I noticed that my new tube of toothpaste has a screw on top instead of a flip off top. And that seemed like it was worth remembering.

Busy Busy Busy...

2010-07-20T21:31:00.000-07:00

I know updates have been infrequent at best, but I'm in the middle of what we in the theater world call "Hell Week" for my summer show, "Little Shop of Horrors." In two more weeks my other summer show, "The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood." will also go up - so for the next few weeks, theater is definitely taking over my life. It's a great job, but tiring... I've also got an application in to the library for an assistant position, so here's hoping! So, life trucks on, but hopefully things will calm down in the next few weeks and I can update more!

Canoeing the Platte

2010-07-11T20:45:00.000-07:00

There are few things that I enjoy more than a good road trip. Luckily Summer in Michigan nearly always involves outdoor fun within a few hours. Rodney, my brother Brian, my cousin Joey and I took off on a sunny Saturday morning for an exciting canoeing trip.

We stopped in Traverse City for the Cherry Festival (but mostly drove around lost). We also went to the beach, which was glorious. We stayed at my uncle's house, played some board games late into the night (my dad almost killed us all with a bug fogger...) The next morning we canoed the upper Platte, which is a great, challenging river. All in all it was a grand weekend!

Patriotism swells in the heart of the American Bird...

2010-07-04T22:10:00.000-07:00

I had a simply marvelous 4th of July. Grilling with my family, then wandering around a local park (we met a truck driver with a Shar-Pe who immediately whipped out his phone and showed us pictures and videos of him for at least 10 minutes) and of course, fireworks. Happy Birthday America!

I looove the Farmer's Market...

2010-07-03T08:18:00.000-07:00

There's something so inspiring to me about small-scale farmers. What a scary, rewarding, difficult, interesting way of life. I feel like they've picked up on something we've all missed - closeness to the land. When I was working outdoor education , I used to be so in tune with the seasons. Outside, rain or shine, snow or heat! Now that people are creating artificial habitats for themselves, what are the consequences? We live in a land of concrete and metal, and sometimes I'll go a whole day without going outside except for a walk to the car. What do we miss out on, never touching the earth or seeing the sky?

One day we'll find the land we've been looking for. Rodney will find another secure job, and we'll start our own little farm. If you're interested in this sort of thing like I am, I can't reccommend this book enough! It's full of amazing information on recapturing lost traditional skills, from building your own cabin to pioneer crafts...

Until then, though, I'll have to make do with an occasional stint to the Farmer's Market.

10 Summer Must-Haves...

2010-07-01T12:18:00.001-07:00

This summer I've broken out some old favorites, and have discovered some new ones. You'd think that at the age of 24 I would already have known about this wonderful, versatile fruit that simply screams summer... but number one on my list is a new addition - The Lemon.

Of course, everyone knows about a glass of classic lemonade, but this summer I've been adding them to everything: chicken, fish, green beans, strawberry ice cream... They add a delicious freshness to tired recipes, and as a bonus the rind is a great cleaner and deodorizer! Literally rub the juiced lemon onto tough grease, go over with a damp cloth, and marvel at the clean.

I live and die by my old Box Fan. On a cool evening the air smells so good, and the sound really takes me back to being a child. In a highly air conditioned world, it's much healthier to breathe natural, fresh air that helps your body maintain its' ambient body temperature. Many people keep thier houses colder in the summer than they do in the winter! Air conditioners are bad for the enviroment, and they may even contribute to obesity!

Target's Long and Lean Tank Tops have become my new favorite summer threads. Basic, cool, comfy, and the perfect length - they're easy to accessorize, and at$9 apiece, who could say no?

One of my favorite albums this season has been Blitzen Trapper's "Furr" (2008). There's something terribly summery about their fiddles, jangly percussion, and pleasantly twangy voices; it's got a nice indie rock vibe if you're leery of pure folk music. The title track has quickly become one of my favorite songs.

A great summer vegetable is the lovely Zucchini. Its crisp texture and mild flavor are a complimentary side dish to any meal. They're great steamed or grilled with a little sea salt and olive oil - just be sure not to overcook them to mush!

I bought two Reversible Skirts at the Gap... four years ago? I can't live without them. They're super comfy, a good length, and fun colors. Unfortunately they've been discontinued, and this skirt from Mango is the closest thing I can find...

1960's group Peter Paul and Mary are such mellow, fun folkies - perfect for relaxing on a porch with a good book.

Grilling is one of our favorite summer pastimes. The husband has become quite the grillmaster, and he has a super-secret marinade that I am willing to share with you...

Butter
Oil
Minced Garlic
Soy Sauce
Lemon Juice

Tenderize steaks, and be sure to marinate for at least an hour.

Neutrogena's Cooling Sunblock Spray is my favorite sun block. It's light and smells nice, and because of the cooling effect it is something that I look forward to reapplying. You can buy it here or at your local shopping center.

Lying in the Grass is something I try to do every single day. Seriously. Just take 5 minutes when you get home from work, find a nice grassy spot, and relax. It'll be worth it, I promise!

I hope you use these or your own ways to make the most of the long days, warm weather, and clear skies!

Surprise!

2010-06-30T09:24:00.001-07:00

So I was recently thinking, "I should get into blogging..."
I like writing, and have recently been missing a certain joie de vivre in my life that recording the day-to-day events might rekindle...
I made my way to blogspot.com...
And realized...

I actually already have a blog. Whoops.

Lets see if it takes this time... :-D

(More to come)