Here it is, more than five and a half years since my last post. What has changed?
Oh, so very much.
I finally lost some weight this year--about 15 pounds. Along with a job and a place to live.
I've started working out more. Two days a week I spin and swim for about an hour and a half.
Maybe more today, since I'm so very bummed right now.
Right. About that. I'm back in Maryland, living in my sister-in-law's basement. My brother, her late husband, died in early 2011, so that was a bummer. My mother died a year before that. Dark times, I tell you. On the bright side, I'm getting to know my niece and nephew by watching them from time to time and picking them up at school on Tuesdays.
I had a full time job last year, the first one since moving to New Hampshire in 1999, teaching music at a Jesuit school in Portland, ME. It involved a long commute, spoiled rotten high school kids and very little string music (but there was a bad choir, piano labs, intro to music and some interest in World Music Drumming). They decided I wasn't a good fit (women don't really need to work anyway, right?). Hit the bricks, lady.
So I spread the net wide and landed a part time gig teaching middle school orchestra in Harford County, Maryland. I thought I would be able to pick up some gigs and private students to fill in the gaps. So far, one gig and zero students. The pay is low and I just found out that I'm being docked half a day's pay this week for going back to New Hampshire to play a gig I had booked before I signed this contract.
Here in Maryland, in order to socialize, one must spend money. You can't meet a friend for coffee without spending at least $7. That sh*t adds up.
So, loneliness is setting in.
The days are getting shorter. The holidays are coming. Oh. Joy.
I will go now to the Hopkins Rec Center, where I splurged for a membership when I thought things would be great, to swim a mile and then spin a time trial. Let's see how I feel after that.
It would be nice to meet a friend after, but I only have $8 and will need to pay for parking.
I haven't been this destitute since college.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Monday, July 28, 2008
What I did on my summer vacation.
I've been away. For a week.
I know, I've been away from the smooth elephant for longer than that, but, hey, there are no rules, regulations or requirements--the beauty of your own private blog.
A synopsis of the past week:
Tuesday last: travel day, puttered around in the morning before the 2 hour drive to the airport, another 90+ minutes at the terminal, a short plane ride and arrival at the other end where I was met by my dad. Food was et, end of day one.
Wednesday: orientation for online course. arrived an hour early because I haven't driven around Balto for a couple of years. Day well spent. Drove home in pouring rain.
Thursday: day spent with mom. haircuts (first one for me in about 7 years), lunch and the evening spent at brother's. Did we have dinner? Oh, yeah--chicken wings and macaroni salad.
Friday: day spent in DC with friend. much (MUCH) walking--from the Smithsonian castle to the Lincoln Memorial and back. I saw all the memorials and monuments I never toured when I lived here. Two important discoveries: [1] the Mall is overrun with geese. The Canada kind. It occurred to me that it might be a good source of local food, but also might start a war with our neighbors to the north if anyone suggested it or took action. Goose poop everywhere. There, maybe something to be turned into an alternative energy . . .
[2] The Lincoln Memorial has an underground visitor's center with bathrooms. THAT is very important, especially when you're walking around in the hot sun sipping from a water bottle all day long.
We bought lunch items from the USDA Farmers Market (my latest kick since doing an article about them), went back to friend's house (where I met her adorable new kitten) and made sausage, pepper and onion sandwiches with the stuff we bought there.
Went home, probably had something for dinner, but who remembers these things??
Saturday: Putzed around in the morning and went to the Wine Festival that was close by in the afternoon with dad. It was hot, it was humid, and it was worse the next day (so it was good we went when we did). Two things here: hot, humid weather and two dozen sips of wine do NOT make for a pleasant afternoon and Maryland wines ain't all that.
There was one winery that was so disappointing, in retrospect I should have done one of those suprise spits when I tasted one particular white. It was almost brown, for starters. It smelled like burnt rubber and tasted like it, too. Is that an acquired taste? I won't bother to acquire that one, thank you very much.
Sunday: Spent two and a half hours at the Genius Bar at the mall getting my OS upgraded. Didn't cost anything, so I guess it was time well spent. But, man, do people spend money like it's going out of style! One guy was talking about the great deal he got on the floor model of a massage chair. Two thousand dollars instead of five. "I can justify two, but not five."
Really, dude? I can think of two thousand things I would spend two thousand dollars on before I spent it on a massage chair. Some people need to get out more.
Made tea for mom, dad and sister-in-law. Sister-in-law came over, we went furniture looking, came back and ate 'cause we were starving (and I didn't get around to having lunch since I was at the Genius Bar--where they don't serve any food).
Ran off to sister-in-law's (also brother's) to torture their babies. I'm very good at that.
Which brings us to today, Monday: last full day in town. Got up early to take the big nephew kayaking. Everyone too tired, so we went to a Chinese buffet for lunch instead. Day well spent.
Went to dinner with folks, watched a movie, now bed. Tomorrow is another travel day. Early to rise, get home take a nap.
Now, wasn't that fascinating?? Wait until I tell you about what I learned from my niecephews . . . .
I know, I've been away from the smooth elephant for longer than that, but, hey, there are no rules, regulations or requirements--the beauty of your own private blog.
A synopsis of the past week:
Tuesday last: travel day, puttered around in the morning before the 2 hour drive to the airport, another 90+ minutes at the terminal, a short plane ride and arrival at the other end where I was met by my dad. Food was et, end of day one.
Wednesday: orientation for online course. arrived an hour early because I haven't driven around Balto for a couple of years. Day well spent. Drove home in pouring rain.
Thursday: day spent with mom. haircuts (first one for me in about 7 years), lunch and the evening spent at brother's. Did we have dinner? Oh, yeah--chicken wings and macaroni salad.
Friday: day spent in DC with friend. much (MUCH) walking--from the Smithsonian castle to the Lincoln Memorial and back. I saw all the memorials and monuments I never toured when I lived here. Two important discoveries: [1] the Mall is overrun with geese. The Canada kind. It occurred to me that it might be a good source of local food, but also might start a war with our neighbors to the north if anyone suggested it or took action. Goose poop everywhere. There, maybe something to be turned into an alternative energy . . .
[2] The Lincoln Memorial has an underground visitor's center with bathrooms. THAT is very important, especially when you're walking around in the hot sun sipping from a water bottle all day long.
We bought lunch items from the USDA Farmers Market (my latest kick since doing an article about them), went back to friend's house (where I met her adorable new kitten) and made sausage, pepper and onion sandwiches with the stuff we bought there.
Went home, probably had something for dinner, but who remembers these things??
Saturday: Putzed around in the morning and went to the Wine Festival that was close by in the afternoon with dad. It was hot, it was humid, and it was worse the next day (so it was good we went when we did). Two things here: hot, humid weather and two dozen sips of wine do NOT make for a pleasant afternoon and Maryland wines ain't all that.
There was one winery that was so disappointing, in retrospect I should have done one of those suprise spits when I tasted one particular white. It was almost brown, for starters. It smelled like burnt rubber and tasted like it, too. Is that an acquired taste? I won't bother to acquire that one, thank you very much.
Sunday: Spent two and a half hours at the Genius Bar at the mall getting my OS upgraded. Didn't cost anything, so I guess it was time well spent. But, man, do people spend money like it's going out of style! One guy was talking about the great deal he got on the floor model of a massage chair. Two thousand dollars instead of five. "I can justify two, but not five."
Really, dude? I can think of two thousand things I would spend two thousand dollars on before I spent it on a massage chair. Some people need to get out more.
Made tea for mom, dad and sister-in-law. Sister-in-law came over, we went furniture looking, came back and ate 'cause we were starving (and I didn't get around to having lunch since I was at the Genius Bar--where they don't serve any food).
Ran off to sister-in-law's (also brother's) to torture their babies. I'm very good at that.
Which brings us to today, Monday: last full day in town. Got up early to take the big nephew kayaking. Everyone too tired, so we went to a Chinese buffet for lunch instead. Day well spent.
Went to dinner with folks, watched a movie, now bed. Tomorrow is another travel day. Early to rise, get home take a nap.
Now, wasn't that fascinating?? Wait until I tell you about what I learned from my niecephews . . . .
Monday, July 7, 2008
Thursday, July 3, 2008
To my viewing public:
(and especially, SuperJonMasteroftheUniverse(c)(tm)(r)
I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of concern from all my supporters who have missed my daily ramblings.
Two factors have kept me from writing more regularly. First, no one seemed to care for my garlic herb butter so I didn't want to inflict more cooking ideas on my adoring fans. Quite frankly, I would rather write about food and cooking than about starving and sweating.
Second, it turns out that I stumbled into a part time job writing news stories for money, so that is where all my writing time has gone. It also takes time to chase down quotes and information for these lucrative stories I'm writing, so I just haven't had time to spare.
As far as the weight loss goes, there are 2 pounds missing I hope I don't see again. Remind me to mention my theories on fiber. . .
Keep those cards and letters coming, folks, I thrive on your feedback!!
I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of concern from all my supporters who have missed my daily ramblings.
Two factors have kept me from writing more regularly. First, no one seemed to care for my garlic herb butter so I didn't want to inflict more cooking ideas on my adoring fans. Quite frankly, I would rather write about food and cooking than about starving and sweating.
Second, it turns out that I stumbled into a part time job writing news stories for money, so that is where all my writing time has gone. It also takes time to chase down quotes and information for these lucrative stories I'm writing, so I just haven't had time to spare.
As far as the weight loss goes, there are 2 pounds missing I hope I don't see again. Remind me to mention my theories on fiber. . .
Keep those cards and letters coming, folks, I thrive on your feedback!!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Mmm, breakfast . . .
. . . or a chapter for my new cookbook.
Okay, maybe every other day I'll write something. Sometimes there just isn't anything to write about. . .
But today, I had me a yummy breakfast.
First, on Wednesday I made a batch of my famous oatmeal sunflower bread, which I shared with my massage therapist (she's working on my shoulder and she gave me a nice discount). I used powdered buttermilk and a little too much water, but it rose beautifully and came out nice and tender. It makes the most delicious toast.
So there was that toast and one piece of bacon from a local humane supplier--nice and smoky.
And some cantaloupe and a cup of tea, and a single egg fried in my secret weapon--a garlic-herb-butter-olive oil blend. I keep a bowl of it on hand for whatever.
I use fresh herbs now because I have them in the yard (I hesitate to call it a garden because I haven't done any work out there besides some mowing this year). Chives, sage, oregano, basil and thyme (I wish I still had some parsley) chopped up fine with a couple tablespoons of soft butter, a couple of mashed garlic cloves, salt, pepper and at least as much olive oil as butter, usually a bit more, mixed up smooth, covered with plastic and kept in the fridge until I need it.
It goes on shrimp or veggies on the grill, slices of bread that go on the panini grill as an accompaniment to a dinner salad or pasketti, and of course in the frying pan for eggs. Check it out--I use half as much butter and get this amazing flavor. You really ought to try it. Let me know if you do.
Okay, maybe every other day I'll write something. Sometimes there just isn't anything to write about. . .
But today, I had me a yummy breakfast.
First, on Wednesday I made a batch of my famous oatmeal sunflower bread, which I shared with my massage therapist (she's working on my shoulder and she gave me a nice discount). I used powdered buttermilk and a little too much water, but it rose beautifully and came out nice and tender. It makes the most delicious toast.
So there was that toast and one piece of bacon from a local humane supplier--nice and smoky.
And some cantaloupe and a cup of tea, and a single egg fried in my secret weapon--a garlic-herb-butter-olive oil blend. I keep a bowl of it on hand for whatever.
I use fresh herbs now because I have them in the yard (I hesitate to call it a garden because I haven't done any work out there besides some mowing this year). Chives, sage, oregano, basil and thyme (I wish I still had some parsley) chopped up fine with a couple tablespoons of soft butter, a couple of mashed garlic cloves, salt, pepper and at least as much olive oil as butter, usually a bit more, mixed up smooth, covered with plastic and kept in the fridge until I need it.
It goes on shrimp or veggies on the grill, slices of bread that go on the panini grill as an accompaniment to a dinner salad or pasketti, and of course in the frying pan for eggs. Check it out--I use half as much butter and get this amazing flavor. You really ought to try it. Let me know if you do.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Now in Summer Mode
So, June went where?! I was . . . on vacation, yeah, no, wait, I was on assignment. Top secret, can't talk about it. Stuff and junk, you know.
Anyway, now that it is officially summer, what with the solstice out of the way and the local school kids finally out of school (their last day was June 24), I will be on an amazing new and improved schedule with time to bake bread and ride my bike and write, write, write. In fact, it looks as if I have fallen bass ackwards into a summer job with the local paper. They're short on writers and I'm short on meaningful employment--it couldn't have worked out better.
As for weight loss, I am currently experiencing watergate pains, as we used to call it back in the '70s when such things were in the news and what did we kids know? So progress has come to a stand still, but not for long.
But what about the bread, you ask? Well, I'm not on the Atkin's diet and if I'm making the bread from scratch, I'm burning a lot of calories just to have a slice. Not to mention the fact that I know what's in it 'cause I put it there . . .
Thanks to SuperJonMasteroftheUniverse (r) (c) (tm) for reminding me about the smoothness of the elephant . . .
Anyway, now that it is officially summer, what with the solstice out of the way and the local school kids finally out of school (their last day was June 24), I will be on an amazing new and improved schedule with time to bake bread and ride my bike and write, write, write. In fact, it looks as if I have fallen bass ackwards into a summer job with the local paper. They're short on writers and I'm short on meaningful employment--it couldn't have worked out better.
As for weight loss, I am currently experiencing watergate pains, as we used to call it back in the '70s when such things were in the news and what did we kids know? So progress has come to a stand still, but not for long.
But what about the bread, you ask? Well, I'm not on the Atkin's diet and if I'm making the bread from scratch, I'm burning a lot of calories just to have a slice. Not to mention the fact that I know what's in it 'cause I put it there . . .
Thanks to SuperJonMasteroftheUniverse (r) (c) (tm) for reminding me about the smoothness of the elephant . . .
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