sqdsnuh

things

2010-09-30T08:35:00.000-07:00

a lot has happened since i last posted. a layoff, a new job, a new position at the old company, a new apartment, several new critter additions, the end of a relationship, a waffley period of single confusion, new social developments and the blossoming of a new relationship (which by the way is going wonderfully, thankyouverymuch).

i started freelancing, which i am currently working to expand my opportunities on. the world of freelance writing is quite an interesting one, as i have recently discovered. i am currently considering taking a gender-neutral (or possibly even male) pseudonym for this purpose. it seems, oh so surprisingly, that the world is more willing to take seriously the words of an anonymous male than a self-identified female. /end rant

this summer has been a good one! (and not only because i practically forced it to be) i went to comicon in philly, where i met some of my beloved star trek heroes, i had a nice vacation in ocean city and reconnected with some old friends, i went on a camping/hiking trip to a beautiful spot in the Appalachians, and am about to take a road trip to see a great band in an interesting place i have never been to before with someone wonderful. even though the summer started on a sour note, it has been simply fantastic so far and i am even excited for fall. it's time to start knitting again!

i got a new lens and a tripod and have been experimenting with long exposures and star photography, which is fun.

there have been lots of great kitchen experiments recently which are improving with each permutation. and now that i am free to include various exotic cheeses in my repertoire, it will only get better! i have been making lots of curries and steaks and whatnots. things with mushrooms and risotto. and now i am hungry.

the holiday season is creeping right around the corner and i could not be more excited. i can't wait for thankmas and quadsgiving! oh the foods will be marvelous. i hope we get a deep freezer before then.

Obama Drama

2009-04-14T20:50:00.000-07:00

i need to come clean.

i am 100% pro legalization of marijuana.

this may sound silly to you, but i have several very solid reasons why which will not be elaborated on here at this time. if you would like to know what they are, email me and i will be glad to tell you. the issue i am taking odds with here is the fact that our elected representatives appear to consider our wishes humorous and misguided. if i am not mistaken, the job of an elected representative is to REPRESENT the wishes of their constituents. that is the whole point of representative democracy. someone correct me if i am wrong here.

on March 25th of 2009, our newly elected President held a press conference dealing with the results of an open national online open forum on issues everyday americans wanted to address. (for more info visit, change.org)

the number 1 topic happened to be the decriminalization and/or legalization of cannabis and how it could potentially boost the economy and improve public welfare. apparently, our President found this concept laughable despite the fact that it was such a major concern to the average american. contrary to what he implied during the election advertisement heydey, he is siding with the rest of the old "boys club" on an issue clearly vital to a significant portion of the voting base rather than actually carrying out the wishes of his voters.

enjoy that change?

yes we can.

Happy V-Day!!!

2009-02-14T13:56:00.000-08:00

My Darling Man and i are cooking up a delicious dinner this evening. i love teaching him cooking stuff, it makes me feel so domestic. tonight we are having:

Kir Royale

Creamy Asparagus Soup with Seared Scallops

Beef Tenderloin and Filet Mignon with Bordelaise Sauce, Caramelized Carrots and Shallots

roasted garlic and herb mashed potatoes, and vegetables (brussels sprouts, carrots, asparagus, and green beans)

and

Chocolate Fondant a la mode for dessert.

it smells SO FUCKING GOOD in here right now!

Rest In Peace Edward

2009-02-10T15:34:00.000-08:00

Edward was a wonderful rat. she knew her name, and came when you called it. she loved doing tricks for treatsies. she loved avacados, kix, captain crunch, peanut butter, chocolate, pizza, tortilla chips, and cigarettes. she was always the most rambunctious rat of the mischief. every day, i could count on seeing her little nose by the door waiting for our morning adventure. she was the first one i saw upon waking, the one who was waiting to kiss me after a bad day at work, and the last person to say goodnight when i went to bed. she was my heart rat, and i will never forget her. i still cant believe that she is gone. i will miss her gimme hands and her circus jumps and finding her in my bed/the couch/ the bathroom with random treasures (ezample: her with a cookie or half slice of pizza in my bed). i will never forget you edward, i love you more than i ever thought a person could love a rat, and i will miss you every day. Rest In Peace Edward, You are Loved and Missed.

fin.

2009-01-30T17:49:00.000-08:00

the trip is over.

its good to be home.

i miss the desert, but i'm glad to see trees again.

the desert

2009-01-10T15:00:00.000-08:00

Im deep in the south of new mexico. This is the land on ridiculously oversized belt buckles and cowboy boots and mariachi radio stations. The cigarettes are 3.50 max, and the suns glare is so harsh it hurts to look at the sky. There are tumbleweeds everywhere. Tumbleweeds! I never thought I would see them in person. It looks like dried mud puddles from the air, and you can see the trails of every trickle of water that ever crossed the land. Were driving 75 and still under the speed limit! What does this strange landscape hold in store?

sudden travel

2009-01-09T08:39:00.001-08:00

View Larger Map

i am the grinch

2008-12-24T09:46:00.000-08:00

this is turning out to be the crappiest christmas ever. i fucking hate this arbitrary holiday and the fact that i am forced to participate in it. this fucking sucks.

sleepytime musings

2008-12-09T22:09:00.000-08:00

I have developed a paranoia that my bed will collapse onto me while I sleep. However, I am too lazy/tired to do anything about it right now. It might be the turkey talking. But if the top bunk kills me in my sleep, for the record, I totally saw it coming. Damn ikea bed.

happy birthday Tom!

2008-12-07T10:31:00.000-08:00

today is Tom Waits' 59th birthday! Happy birthday Tom, heres to hoping you still dont wanna grow up! thanks for the wonderful music!

tonight i'll be sipping some whiskey, listening to Toms 45s and remembering columbus.
hopefully i'll run into the Gin Soaked Boy.

TO: past me FROM: future me

2008-12-04T18:12:00.000-08:00

do not be afraid. do not fear the influence of the actions of others on YOUR LIFE. do what you know is *right* and be *strong* because none of this can take your will if you don't allow it. think to the future. *don't behave like a fucking asshole*. if you are about to do something you think twice about, Ask yourself: "would a fucking asshole do that?" and if the answer is yes, DON'T DO IT. if you wouldn't do it in person, or on video, in front of your mother, DON'T DO IT. do not be afraid to Voice Your Opinion, it is the strongest weapon you have. SPEAK for yourself and do not let anyone or anything intimidate you into silence. but also know when to keep your mouth shut. question authority. question dogma. question motive. use critical thinking. study programming when you first want to, and don't let anyone talk you out of it. value the ones that love you for who you are and not what you can give. be firm and impassive. do not fear winter. Subaru's are not coming to get you. teach, but do not study to teach. do not take that "year off", it is the beginning of a "career off". do not live with someone you hardly know. do not shelter riffraff. learn binary. do not ignore your problems. do not go to that park with that boy. do not speak to the uniformed man. do not fear. do not compromise yourself for another. do not let yourself believe that anthers disregard makes you unworthy of respect. work hard, and you will appreciate what you have. work harder, and you might deserve it. don't work too hard for someone who profits off your labors, especially if they do not appreciate the fact that their income is thanks to you. do not look back with regret, only lessons learned.

winter is here

2008-11-21T20:11:00.000-08:00

today i woke up to snow. i am normally not a big fan of snow, especially now that i am deep in dirty suburbia, but there is just something so enticing about the first flurries that finds me watching at the window for endless stretches of time. the light and airy, delicate flakes fluttering about, it makes me want to be wrapped in a thick comforter sipping clam chowder. i should stock up soon, it feels like a very cold winter this year. maybe this year i will try to make clam chowder from scratch.

as it gets colder and colder, so do i. i hate the bone-deep chilly feeling i have all winter, even central heating is not robust enough to keep me comfy. its always been so, i must be exceptionally hot-blooded. the doctors have always said so anyway. in winter i feel like i am walking around with a fever constantly, a 4 month fever. my poor feetsies.

the lovely snow blues are creeping up on me again. i can feel the days getting shorter with each moon pass. soon i'll be in full blown hibernation mode and crabby as hell. the little things are starting to get to me as they tend to do when the warmth leaves the sunlight. i get morose and melancholy. i turn into a sleepy mama-bear. its strange, i feel torn between the compulsion to want to be alone and curl up in a den somewhere, and the strong desire to fold myself into the warmth of another. the battle rages on. hopefully my hunny will catch on soon that i need his snuggles more than ever right now, but i doubt it. it would do no good to come right out and say so. his life is so full of busy and important things that he doesnt notice those little bits of me looking sideways at him at odd moments anymore. i don't so much mind, i know he has a hustling bustling life full of interesting folks and captivating activities, but sometimes i miss the way it was. i hope he finds his way back to my heart soon. i long for those close moments, early morning snug in bed with frost on the windows, and secret kisses on sleepy lashes. i dont think it will ever be that way again, and i have come to terms with it, i have accepted it, it is... "O.K.", but i still think about those days. now it has turned into something different and new-ish. a sort of plateau. we have both settled into our separate roles, and now that he lives farther away, those roles have become even more distinct. i guess this is what it feels like to "grow up". thats what my mother would tell me, i think. i have tried different things lately, in silly attempts to recapture his attention, but we are where we are. i feel like for him, it is more of a comforting convenience state, a dependable familiarity. for me, i don't really know what it is., except that i want our love to grow and not wallow. transformation i could handle, loss i could overcome, but stagnation is a misery i cannot take. it is a long suffering death. but the more attempts i make unnoticed, the less i want to try, and resign myself to a lifetime of quite moments waiting at the window. i feel like a victorian widow. who knows what the new year will bring? certainly, more snow.

have been crafting of late. knitting, sewing, baking, and more. i made a giant foldy-pen to let the ratties run wild in. its really fun to just hang out in there with them climbing all over me. they seem to enjoy it quite a bit. albus has a bump under her arm that worries me, so we will be going to the vet soon again, and i will bring edward for good measure since she is also at that scary age of blossoming tumors. expecting surgery soonish. i hope my sweet girls will be ok.

frosty is in the delights of new company. i really want this to work out for him. he deserves someone to treat him right, and lord knows he has had his fair share of waiting. i think we are all trying not to count chickens on this one, but i have very high hopes, and so far have not been disappointed. his new found affection is going through some hard times right now yet is still unfailingly wonderful. i wish there was some way we could be more supportive of his situation, but at the moment it seems he just needs time and space to process everything, which i respect.

ah, winter. you are the unrequited suitor, every year spurned, never fail to return. someday i hope to greet your approach with an open heart and a warm hearth, but until then... hold off on the snow until you are serious.

strange ebay journeys

2008-11-18T09:18:00.001-08:00

in continuing my ebay travels, i have bore witness to many strange things for sale on the interwebs. here are some examples that amused me:

a host of, apparently, "rare" used beverage containers from thailand:
http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-EMPTY-THAI-ENERGY-DRINK-KRA-TING-DANG-CAN-TIN_W0QQitemZ220313664424QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item220313664424&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A15%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-EMPTY-THAI-BOTTLE-MILK-Free-Ship_W0QQitemZ220313664462QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item220313664462&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A15%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-USED-EMPTY-THAI-WATER-PAPER-CUP-Free-Ship-NR_W0QQitemZ320318771651QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item320318771651&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A15%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

http://cgi.ebay.com/USED-EMPTY-THAI-BOTTLE-WATER-2-LITRES-Free-Ship_W0QQitemZ320318771306QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item320318771306&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A15%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Sweet & Hot Teenage Asian LLLOOOVVVEEE

jokes for donations (proceeds go to local animal shelters)

somebodys moustache

a LUCKY marble!

a hobo's antique whiskey bottle, dreams inside
i actually found a really cool blog from this. check it out:
I AM NOT AFRAID OF WINTER

an ALMOND OF LOVE (this is actually pretty common, i find these all the time)

your very own song, custom made to your specifications

a steaming pile of revenge

haunted spirit ring! hopefully payable by a course in web design

an answer

this mans life ... dont know about this one...

stephans soul

apparently you CAN buy friends

your story!

ghost dog

sagebrush

facebook friend

four leaf clovers!

florida in a tube

dead frog

california dirt

a casket key (for all the necros out there)

a serenade

a pothole

winter is here

2008-11-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

no!
i hate it when this time of year rolls around. its too crisp and cold for my liking in suburbia. it might be different if i had forest to stroll in, but here its just nasty and cold. bleh. i had better step up my knitting projects.

i got a whole slew of craft supplies to keep me busy for a while. i got a sewing machine! w00t! i sewed the ratties a sweet honeycomb hammock out of fluffy bright green and purplr fleece, and they love snuggling in it. i also made a tunnle, but they havent really seemed interested much so far.

got all the food ready for turkey day and i am rarin to go there. black friday is gonna suck though, ill be working from 9am to midnight and then going straight to VA to see family. but ill have the weeked off, and tons of good food, so im sure i wont be in too terrible of a mood.

hate the weather, love the holidays.

IDEA

2008-11-11T19:42:00.000-08:00

PROPOSED FINANCIALLY BENEFICIAL / AMUSING ACTIVITY:

ALTERNATIVE HALLOWEEN COSTUMES FOR SALE

for example:

-a door. maybe there is something interesting inside? maybe not?
-orange jews
-chick magnet
-chairman moo
-an elbow/big toe/belly button or other random non-genital body part. or be genitals, whatever floats your boat.
-native tongue (this could have several designs, ranging from silly to morbid)
-whorled peas (we have all seen the bumper stickers)
-a horses ass
-top hat
-flenser (LOL)
-randomly generated sidekick
-the palin baby name generator

more/concept images to be posted!

election results live!

2008-11-04T15:38:00.000-08:00

Sqd costume

2008-11-03T11:29:00.000-08:00

here is my halloween costume. its a squid hoodie that frosty made me for my birthday. yay! its a pretty crappy picture taken from my camera phone, so you cant really make out the tentacles too well. use your imagination.

stuffy stuff

2008-11-03T09:43:00.000-08:00

things have been crazy lately. helping the boyfriend move and settle into his new place. getting used to the new routine. new critters that i will have to write about. cooking experiments. reading new and interesting things. meeting new folks. work, work, work and soon, more WORK.

sheesh.

i've been looking at a lot of crafting sites/blogs and dang, it makes me want to create stuff. somehow i got into the habit of never having time to make neat things anymore, and i hate it. i need to start forcing myself to take time for creativity. i need a tangible outlet for all these ideas, concepts, and spontaneous brain explosions. i need to start knitting again, more. i have got a huge box of wonderful yarns calling me forlornly from my craft shelf that i have been blocking out for too long. i'm going to try to make at least 5 things this month. its about time for my annual matching hat/scarf frenzy, and i want to experiment with mittens this year. i wish i had a person to help me learn this crap, there is too much lost in translation from written instructions, and it gets overwhelmingly complicated real fast. i need to make a few cat-hats to warm up my knitting memories. i need to get ahold of some needles.

i also have been missing painting, so i think i will devote some time to that soon. i've been mulling around some ideas for turning one of my paintings into a series. maybe i'll work on that this week.

i've been doing cooking experiments, which have been very satisfying. last week, i made a super romantic fantastic dinner for the boyfriend (aka: MDM) consisting of delicious spice-crusted swordfish steaks, roasted/grilled vegetables, and delicious shells in a creamy herbed-mushroom sauce. (fresh shiitakes! yum!) we ate it with some delicious wine, and it was a great evening.
i made enough for leftovers, wonderful with Spanish rice.

a few weeks prior, i made a big crab feast at his new place. crab cakes, hot crab dip, fry chips, fresh baked bread, a yummy feast!

i made some pumpkin rolls which turned out delicious, so next i will be playing around with variations of this with other squash/carrots/different spices, etc.

i found a mouth waveringly enticing recipe for chocolate chocolate chip banana bread, which i will try. i might make another batch using dark chocolate and nuts as well. i cant wait!

we have new critters at the zooquarium!
a new rattie girl, names princess buttercup, that we rescued from petsmart. she had been alone there for far too long, and i am glad we grabbed her, because she is just the sweetest thing ever. so cuddly! my only regret is not bringing her home sooner! now we have 6, and the cage is looking a bit not-big-enough-for-my-tastes. we may be rigging up a new cage and tunnel system soon to give them more leg room. its fine as it is now, the cage we have now is plenty huge, but i am of the "too much room is preferable to simply sufficient" philosophy.

we also have a new turtle! her name is Lois, and she is technically a tortoise, being a box turtle. we were given her by a coworker who saved her from her dog, and her kids wanted to keep her as a pet. after about a week she decided she couldn't handle her properly and gave her to us, knowing we are turtle lovers and would take good care of her. we made her a BIG pen and she seems to be quite happy there.

whew, that was a lot of typing. i have a horrendous cut on my thumb and it hurts so im done writing for now.

squiddy stuff

2008-11-03T08:22:00.000-08:00

found this great artist, Lana Crooks. she does fabric art and uses lots and lots of tentacles! her stuff looks great. i wish i was in the area so i could go to her exhibit.

cookin up a storm!

2008-10-24T10:21:00.001-07:00

so this payday i went on a huge grocery binge and got soooo many good things to eat. last night i was in a cooking frenzy! i grilled/broiled up some salmon steaks and big fat shrimps with some yummy fresh veggies. i found that we apparently have a wok, and a pretty nice one, so i used it to grill/stir fry some asparagus, white button and shiitake mushrooms, and big chunks of green and red bell peppers. they came out sooo nicely, with the perfect crisp and a nice bit of carmelization on the outside, just the way i like it. add a bit of spanish rice and this is the best lunch I've had in a good while.

then i made some pumpkin rolls! they are so yummy, and now i have a few ideas for variations i want to try. i may even make them tomorrow in the wee hours. for now, here is my recipe for delicious pumpkin rolls:

i adapted this from the libbys recipe.

the cakey part:

1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 large eggs
2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/3 cup pumpkin (i used pumpkin pie mix this time, because i like it spicy and that's what we had. next time i will be using pure, unadulterated, roasted fresh pumpkin.)

creamy filling:

2 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, at room temperature
2 cup powdered sugar, sifted (i only had one cup, so i added a 1/2 c of regular sugar and it came out fine.)
12 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Powdered sugar (optional for decoration)

you mix the dry ingredients (all except the sugar) together and set aside.
then you mix all the wets and the sugar into a big frothy soup, and fold in the dry mix. mix it up until its like pancake batter. spread into a large rectangular pan, mine were about 13-15 inches and i got 3 rolls. bake at 375 and start checking it at about 10 or 11 minutes. you want it to be done but not get too dry on the edges. it should be springy and spongy.

let it cool. while its cooling mix up the creamy delicious filling part. you might want a bit extra because you will be stealing bits from the bowl.

you will want to lay down some waxed paper or a sugared towel for this part. put the cakey thing on it.
when its all mixed up take the frosting and spread it onto the cakey thing. then you can use the towel to roll it up into a log. its like cinnamon rolls. now when you slice it it will be all pretty and spiraled inside.

now you are free to wrap it in plastic wrap and stick it in the fridge. i made 3 from this recipe. one i started eating immediately, but they are better when they are chilled and have a chance to set. i brought one to work for everyone to sample. (its gone now) and i froze one for later. now i have a ready made pot luck item! w00t! (or next week when i have midnight munchies )

next try i will experiment with a few ingredients. this time i didn't have cloves so i used nutmeg, which turned out quite yummy, and i added a dash of almond extract. i also like to add chopped nuts inside on top of the frosting before i roll it up. texture is good. i think i might make a roll using some carrot cake type ingredients, and one using some squash. i have high hopes for this.

Adventures in Ebay

2008-10-09T11:19:00.001-07:00

i have become quite the traveller in this epic land of late. i have been working lots of long overtime hours at work, about half of which are consumed by perusing random ebay items. i bought a ton of stuff last week, and now the packages are steadily rolling in. its like christmas!

so far i have received:

Typing Gloves- it gets really cold in my office, and i have poor circulation. my hands are constantly frozen so i got these great gloves from LuxuryDivas to keep them warm while typing.

a Squid Girl comic- i know nothing about this comic, but i couldn't resist! bought fromGuffeyGirl152

a REALLY AWESOME BOB DYLAN CD- a promo copy of his carnegie 63 show. got it from TheFink69 , who is incidentally, a really cool dude.

2 Tom Waits albums- i got Alice and Real Gone, both special editions and in sealed, mint condition. since i already have these tracks in digital form, i just have to try not to open these for a few decades. unless i decide to buy listening copies... bought from Jahshalala and very well shipped.

Abbey Road in Goooold- because i am a super Beatles dork. and this is a wonderful album. and everybody needs a little bling bling, yanno? got from Jho72con gifts and collectables.

Tom Waits, The Heart Of Saturday Night- from JrMozart . i love this album. it was the first of Tom's records i ever purchased, years ago, which i stupidly gave to a romantic interest who was also a fan. this is a (much better condition) replacement. this came in a huge box filled with solid foam! the record is in GREAT condition! i cant wait to give it a listen!

Magical Mystery Tour Memories- a rockumentary about the making of Magical Mystery Tour. I'm gonna watch it when i get home! thanks numbersee at SmallPriceBigStore!

and my most exciting item yet, a UKULELE!!! - its a Hohner HU212* and it is in excellent condition, from sstoys2. i tuned it up and learned to play a G major chord! w00h00! i will love jamming out on this baby. yay!

its water, i swear

2008-10-09T10:22:00.000-07:00

i assure you, my friends
that spot on my pants is not pee.
i was overtaken by too much vigor
while washing my hands, you see.

Squiddy's Kitchen Creations: Cooking With My MAMA!!!

2008-10-08T14:27:00.000-07:00

the latest and long-awaited installment in Squiddy's Kitchen Creations is COOKING WITH MY MAMA! i love my mama, she taught me mostly everything i know about cooking, and fostered a natural love of yummy things and making yummy things from the time i was a baby. i don't get to see her nearly as much as i want to these days, so when i had the opportunity to spend a weekend with her, i jumped at the chance. we would be house-sitting for my aunt and uncle, who are also very cool, and would have all the yummy materials we would need to cook up a storm. yay!

so Friday, i arrived ready to make... PIZZA!

i brought my bread machine to mix up the dough while we played guitar hero.
when it was done, we started working on the toppings! This is a slightly-fuzzy shot of my beautiful MAMA and my most excellent roomie, FrostyPants.

mmm...

there are few things so sweet as a pan of sizzling bacon!

Frosty is spreading sauce on his crust. his is better looking than mine.

then, we chopped up the peppers: the mushrooms, and the tomatoes.
here is my mama makin bacon! isn't she lovely?
and here is Frosty spreading again. he likes the sauce. heh.

MMMMMmmm... there are few things as sweet as a pan of sizzling bacon!

for my pizza, i chose baby bella mushrooms, bleu cheese, tomatoes, bacon, olives, and a bit of fresh basil and green pepper, all on a hearty homestyle sauce.

then i added Mozzi and some Olives. Yum!

and then... BACON! and it is ready!

here is Frosty's pie, pre mozzy:

not sure how i missed getting more shots of his, take my word that it was beautiful and delicious.
here is mine, a bit over cooked, but still yummy. i couldnt wait to eat it and thus:

and here is frostys perfect bubbly pizza, not overcooked:
Verdict: Guilty! (of being scrumptious!)

***

the next morning, mama and i decided to make a big breakfast fry-up!

we started with excellent cappuccinos from my aunts AMAZING wonder-filled caffeine dispensary:i have never tasted such magnificence in home coffee. ill bet that machine costs more than a car!

first: taters

next: onions and mushrooms. not pictured: green peppers. home fries are yummy!
those are hard-working hands.

two of my favorite veggies!

now for my favorite part. this is a great brekkie item that Frosty taught me. its fun to make, and yummy too! i call it Birds Nest / Eggs In A Basket.

first you need a nice hot fry pan:some BUTTER: (because if you use margarine or some other such abomination, you clearly have NO SOUL. don't even say PAM in my presence. Bacon Fat, however, is perfectly acceptable.now get the pan nice and sizzly with a good butter coating. don't burn it, baby, sizzle it.
now check on those taters, sizzling away. mmm, yeah! even the cheddarwurst is trying to sneak in there! you wait your turn, you naughty sausages.
time for the onions to go in. if you put them in before the potatoes have fried a bit, they get too crispy. and by crispy, i mean burned to charcoal.
now slap some bread on that sizzly pan that's been waiting.
and make a cookie-cutter type circle in it, like so. i usually use a small-mouthed glass, but you can use a cookie cutter/shot glass/jar or whatever. you want the hole to be about 2.5 inches or so, enough to hold the egg and still keep the structural integrity of the bread intact. press it down, and the pan will toast the bread under the rim making it easier to pull out.
now you have your nest. now put the egg in before the bread gets TOO toasty, or it ll burn.

i like to let it cook for about 10-15 seconds and then scoot it around a bit so it doesn't stick.i like to add some veggies in there so i can eat them while i cook. I'm a piggy like that. now you can see a good solid egg white on the bottom, so its time to flip. carefully!

ah, i was distracted at some point or maybe the heat was a bit high. the edges shouldn't look quite this dark. it ll still taste good though!
meanwhile, the home fries are still sizzling away. normally, you would make the eggs after the fries are done, but i got excited, so sue me.
this is what the finished product looks like:

hopefully yours will be a bit less burnt, and have a nice, thick-gooey yolk center. yum!

now for the sausages! i really have a strange aversion to most ground meat items, but my one exception is cheddarwurst. god i love that stuff.

slap em in the pan,

and roll em around until they re nice and sizzly, and the skins start to split a bit. covering them is a good idea. i also like to add a dash of water to the pan really quick before the lid goes on, to make it nice and steamy in there. it helps the process.
perfect!

fries are done! take them out and plate them!

excellent! everything smells so good! even winnie wants to get in on this.

muaha! too bad you have no opposable thumbs! more for me!

i have no pictures of the final spread because, well, i ate it all before i remembered to photograph it. but it was GOOD!

i cant wait to cook with my mama again!

fancy pants dance

2008-09-28T10:06:00.000-07:00

So this weekend I have spent my time off doing family stuff with My Darling Man and his kin. I don't mind that really, but there have been awkward moments. Today is THE (COUSINS!!!) WEDDING. That means fancy shoes and fancy pants. (No, I am not wearing that dress no matter how much you want me to freeze my ass off and wave my nipples at your aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. "So lovely to meet you!") it also means hair-doing type activities and makeup which I am awful at. I never really learned that stuff, and its just silly to me. (But I do clean up nice when required.) It also also means being surrounded by hundreds of total strangers while trying not to freak out from social awkwardness and not get noticed and simultaneously making a good impression because, hey, I want them to think I am the wonderful Dreamy Charming and Witty Perfect Woman for My Darling Man and not just some freaky-ass chick he met at work. So ill get all glammed up, wobble around in pumps, hope my boobs don't pop out, worry that the crap on my face is smeared, try not to say anything wierd, attempt to make nice with kind strangers, and try like hell not to get too nervous at the reception and drink Too Many Cocktails and dance/fall/faux pas or otherwise draw attention to/make a fool of myself in front of everyone.

Deep breath.

Its all worth it because I love My Darling Man very dearly, and I want them to know that too. Hopefully he realizes this. I love you MDM!

WHOMP

2008-09-18T12:28:00.000-07:00

DEpressed, repressed, opressed, confessed, useless, doneness.

Oktapodi

2008-09-13T14:56:00.000-07:00

Today Is A Very Good Day.

2008-09-07T10:47:00.000-07:00

well, i start my new job tomorrow, and i could not be more thrilled!
today was supposed to be my last day at the current department but when i went in, they had already taken me off the schedule, so i got a surprise day off! w00t!
my desk is cleaned out, and i am ready to start my new position. yay!

Squiddy's Kitchen Creations: FIESTA!!! part 2

2008-09-02T22:27:00.000-07:00

so tonight i am making the delicious beans and rice to go with my fiesta meal! (chicken quesadillas, squiddy's special salsa, queso, guacamole and chips)

the beans
day 1
this beans recipe is just sort of a wing-it type deal. take a pot o beans (maybe 3 or 4 cups, dry)
if they are fresh, proceed with the day 2 cooking and whatnot part.

if dried, take the beans and put them in a large container, preferably one with a lid. make sure they only fill the container less than halfway, i like to use a very large jar or a pitcher for this. then add water. you need to double the volume with liquid, and then some. (i like a 1:3 ratio) the beans will soak up all the water overnight and double of triple in size. you want there to still be water on top after they expand. add more after a few hours if you like.
give the rice a similar treatment, but add a bit of salt, (bacon salt!), garlic, rosemary, and ginger and stir it up well so the rice is coated under the water.

day 2: cooking and whatnot

look at the beans! they are so big and plump now! give them a good rinse or two, then plop them into a big pot with a tablespoon or two of bacon grease and/or butter and a good clump of minced garlic. add a bit of salt (bacon salt!) and pepper, and whatever spices you want to use, and pour in enough water to cover with about an inch or two extra. *use chicken stock here for extra yummyness, but watch the salt.

simmer for an hour or two or three, stirring every 15-20 minutes. you want a nice chunky, creamyish consistency. add peppers, onions, meat or whatever during this period. (im not really a sausage person, but i imagine it might be ok with this recipe. if you want to go the chili route, add sausage and more tomatoes or whatever. bleh. sometimes i throw in some roasted chicken). i like to add some stewed tomatoes, a jalapeno, a habenero, a bell pepper, and half an onion, plus some basil, rosemary, and cilantro. (cubed, of course.)

cook the rice while this is going, you don't really need to rinse it, just drain well before putting into a (separate) pot. add some butter and water to cover, stir well, cover and simmer till done.

eat beans and rice topped with shredded cheese together with some quesadillas, guacamole, salsa, queso and chips!
its delicious!

Squiddy's Kitchen Creations: Fiesta!

2008-08-31T23:27:00.000-07:00

this is one of our favorite meals. its relatively easy and so so yummy!!! our fiesta dinner consists of chicken quesadillas, tortilla chips and queso, guacamole, and mango salsa and sometimes squiddys special black beans and rice. this is a great meal if you've got hungry guests to feed. the ingredients are pretty flexible so you can add or delete things as you wish and tune the spices and chilies to suit your own tastes. it doesn't take long to prepare, the chopping is the biggest part of the ordeal. if you can recruit one of your hungry guests to chop vegetables while you prepare the food, you're good to go! now send someone on a corona run and lets get cookin!

for the quesadillas:

dice the following:

2 medium/large chicken breasts
1 large green bell pepper (or a bit of a yellow/red/green combo)
1/2 clove garlic
1 large tomato
1 medium onion
2 ears corn, shaved
1 large jalapeno chili
1/2 to 1 large habanero chili, depending on taste
3 large basil leaves, shredded and minced
juice of 1/2 lemon and 1/2 lime
3 bushy stems of cilantro
3 or 4 generous handfuls of shredded cheddar and mozzarella and monterey jack/pepper jack cheese
salt and pepper to taste

mix in a large bowl. heat a large pan and coat generously with butter. on medium high bring to a sizzle, then place a large tortilla on and cover pan. after 30 seconds, cover tortilla generously with a thin layer of cheese and an even layer of the quesadilla mixture and cover with a second tortilla. you can also only fill half and fold the tortilla. cover and heat on medium for a few minutes until cheese is nice and melty. cut into wedges and serve.

for the tortilla chips:
fry in a thin layer of butter a few tortillas ripped into pieces until nice and crispy.

for the queso:
dice and combine the following:

1/4 onion
1/2 large tomato
1/4 clove garlic
1 jalapeno chili
1/2 habanero chili
4 or 5 handfuls cheddar/monterey jack/pepper jack/mozzarella
salt and pepper
*bacon salt

heat and add a few dollops of whole milk/half and half/heavy cream slowly. simmer until creamy. YUM!!!

for the guacamole: this part is my favorite. i like the avocado chunks to be mashed nicely, but still about 50% chunky after stirring. 1" cubes seem to do the trick for this. the chilies give it a nice rosy bite, the bell pepper adds a good hint of crunch and the tomatoes cool it down. don't forget the lemon and lime juice, or it'll turn brown on top real quick. when you fridge this, cover the surface of the guacamole with plastic wrap, which will help it stay nice and green.

dice and combine:

3 large ripe avocados
2 ears corn, shaved
1 large onion
1 large bell pepper
2 large tomatoes
1 clove garlic
3 sprigs cilantro
3 basil leaves
1 or 2 jalapenos
1/2 to 1 habanero
juice from a lemon and a lime
salt and pepper

stir until about half the avocado is mashed but mixture is still chunky. chill in fridge.

for squiddys special salsa:::

1 large bell pepper
2 ears corn, shaved
3 large tomato
1 medium onion
1 clove garlic
2 jalapenos
1 or 2 habeneros
cilantro, salt and pepper
lemon and lime juice
1 mango
1 peach
a few berries (i use strawberries, raspberries and blueberries)
some lemon and lime zest
1 Tbsp sugar or honey
1 tsp salt, more to taste
a dash Marsala wine
a dash vinegar

dice and combine all but a handful of mango, peach, and tomato. set aside.
take the reserved fruits and add a sprinkle onion, citrus juice, and a few pieces of chilies and saute on high heat for a minute or two with a dash of vinegar and a sprinkle of sugar and salt.
you want to soften up the mango pieces but let them get a bit singed and caramelized on the outsides. once the mango chunks start to get soft and mashy when you stir, add the berries, the sugar, salt and pepper, zest, and a healthy dash Marsala. and stir, then cover and simmer for a few minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning or sticking to pan.
when nice and caramelized but still a bit runny, combine with the chopped salsa mixture and stir for a few minutes, then chill.

the thing i love about this salsa is that it has a nice robust flavor, the sweetness contrasts to the spiciness of the chili's so nicely. its great to eat right out of the serving bowl, but the flavor develops even more yumminess when its been chilled a while.

pair these items with some rice and beans, and you've got yourself a fiesta!!!

busheviks

2008-08-29T05:24:00.001-07:00

At Least I Can Say I'm Not Surprised

2008-08-28T19:04:00.000-07:00

what a fucking ASSHOLE.

a comment on reddit summed it up pretty nicely:

"so, basically, in spite of the trampling of the constitution, the disregard for our rights, the wars of aggression, the lies, the treasure squandered, the blood spilt, we are no safer today than we were 09-13-2001...?

if that is the case, we should just shut down the entire anti-terror operation. it clearly has failed, will continue to be a failure, and i don't really like throwing good tax money after bad.

then the criminally incompetent masterminds of this fiasco should be held accountable for their fuck ups, preferably with life prison sentences."

the only thing i can really add to that is: criminal prosecution, conviction, and hanging for High Treason

YAAAAAAYYY

2008-08-28T14:07:00.000-07:00

i had an interview today, and got offered the position within a few hours! yaaayyyyyy!!!!!
and now i will be able to GET A VEHICLE!!!!! more yayyyy!!!!

i'm gonna go celebrate hard tonight.

YYYYAAAAAAAAYYYYYY

ps- !

Squiddy's Kitchen Creations: things i need for my kitchen, part 2

2008-08-27T20:54:00.000-07:00

Wine Glasses i loves me some wine! but i have been drinking it out of my flying dog pint set which just feels wrong, so i need some wine glasses. and on that note...

A Corkscrewall i have is a shitty dollar store corkscrew that is broken in half. before that you could observe me in my tiny kitchen, hacking away frustratedly at a bottle with a screwdriver and pliers for 20 minutes before i got access to that sweet nectar. (bonus points for extra bits of cork floating around in it. its fiber. yum!) but now i have half a corkscrew. hopefully someday i will have a WHOLE corkscrew! i need a good corkscrew!

A Chef's Knife my current good knife came from the dollar store as well, and is a bit flimsy. i need one of these babies! or even a whole set!

A Deep Freeze Chesti like to cook a lot, as i have mentioned. part of this includes freezing meals for future eating. usually these are lunches to take to work, so that i dont have to spend money on fast food. i have found that in general, eating only food that you cook yourself from scratch is a whole lot cheaper, more healthy, and more fun, so i try to do it as often as possible. (although i admit i have a particularly obscene fondness for the taco bell)
i need a big chest freezer to store all my extra shit in. the booze takes up enough room.

a microplane graterthese are great and dont muck up yr knuckles. nuff said.

Squiddy's Kitchen Creations: Things I Need For My Kitchen, Part 1

2008-08-27T10:08:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my Kitchen! watch out for flying objects, keep your elbows tucked in, and BYOB, cos its crazy cooking time!

today i will be writing about things i need for my kitchen (as you may have noticed from the title. how smart you are! lets continue)

i live in what is technically a one bedroom apartment, so as you can imagine, our kitchen is rather small and humbly-equipped. we have a sink, a stove, and a bit of counter, and that is about it. the rest we make up for in creativity, ingenuity, and flair! pretty much all of my cooking equipment and utensils have been inherited from loving friends and family, and a few from those nice folks at the thrift store down the street. actually... now that i think of it, i cant really recall any object in our kitchen which was purchased new. so we really do... make do. that is not to say that it prevents us from making delicious food though. oh ho ho no. DEE-RICIOUS is how we roll down at Squiddy's Happy Critter Cottage. (or as the boyfriend calls it, the ZooQuarium)

so this is the beginning of what will be a sort of wish list for my kitchen, which undoubtedly will grow exponentially over time.

i just started the list this morning, and its already a page long, so this might be typed in installments, as i am at my desk in the cube farm currently.

here goes.

A Mortar and Pestle i cant tell you how many times a week i say to myself "damn, i wish i had a mortar and pestle to grind/mash/mix this crap" and yet i somehow always forget to buy one. i am a big fan of herbs and spices, and a bigger fan of fresh herbs and spices, preferably grown and picked from my garden seconds before use. (yes that's right, i have a garden in a tiny apartment. i rock.)
i want to get one soon, but i will be sticking to either porcelain or granite as they are more durable and tend not to absorb stains/odors/flavors as much as those horrid wooden ones. soapstone is out of the question. i am quite rough on my tools. rough but loving. like your moms prom date.
here are some online.

A Wok i love cooking in woks! its wonderful! these round-bottomed pans are so versatile, they heat so nicely, and the surface area is way larger than a normal frying pan since you can use the sides too. great for any fried or sauteed thing you can come up with, and you can even use them to steam veggies or meat in combination with a steaming basket! i really need a wok.

A Cast Iron Skillet cast iron cookware is great for frying and high-heat/slow cooking for long periods of time. it is a pan that will grow with you as it ages, developing a better coating over time for great non-stick and seasoning properties. a good cast iron skillet is the pride of a kitchen. i have a very small one, at home, but it is one of those crappy cracker-barrel ones, and not much bigger than a chicken breast really, so it isn't very versatile. i need a big deep frying pan like the mama had.

A Rice Steamer i know, you can cook rice in a regular pot. but it sucks. it burns. its always too mushy, or really dry. but with these, its almost always perfect. plus, you can use them to steam veggies, meat, or even as a slow cooker! rice steamers are awesome.

A Chef/Butcher/Chopping Block i love to cook with fresh ingredients, so i usually do a good bit of chopping, slicing, dicing, and julienning by the time I'm ready to cook. at the moment i have a small (6x8) beveled glass cutting board, which does the job, but is quite loud. also, i am always waiting for that one fateful blow that will shatter it. it washes quite easily, and it has an embedded photograph taken by my beloved room-turtle, but that's about the best i can say about it. i have been eyeing up the chopping blocks online for some time now, and i hope to eventually acquire one of those fancy pants Chopping Block Kitchen Islands one day, once i have a stationary home and larger kitchen. (i can dream) but for now I've got my sights set on something like this.

More Counter Space as i said before, there isn't much to be had in my current setup. whats there is already partially taken up by a dish rack, coffee pot, and microwave. if our kitchen was bigger, i would get an island, but its barely big enough for 2 people as it is. i need more surface area!!!

A Double Sink it would be easier not having a dishwasher if i had one of these.

and now it is time for me to get lunch. more kitchen wishes later.

Squiddys Kitchen Creations: An Introduction

2008-08-27T09:12:00.000-07:00

i LOVE to cook. cooking for me is akin to a really fun experiment in chemistry and physics, only you get to EAT your results! yum! i think my love of cooking was born early in my childhood. some of my very earliest memories involve food, and as i come from a very large family of folks who lived in many various places throughout europe for a good portion of their lives, there was always an abundance of crazy delicious dishes every time the family got together. i remember watching my opa toss pizza dough from my highchair and playpen. i remember the family fall honey and berry harvest at my aunt and uncles farmhouse which was always the start of a wonderful weekend-long cooking extravaganza involving a kitchen full of cooks, a house full of children, and so many good foods you couldnt count or try them all. i remember standing on a dining room chair to reach the kitchen counter so that i could perform various "food experiments", an activity which my mama inexplicably encouraged no matter how much of a mess i made, and how bizarre the resulting "recipes" were. she taught me that it was perfectly fine to try different things together and experiment with various cooking methods and so on, but also that i must eat what i make, because otherwise its just "playing around", and my mama was not fond of waste. she educated me on the basics of cooking and food safety so that i would know enough not to make something poisonous or undercooked, and made sure that i knew to come to her if i ever had a question about anything. in fact, this is one of the things i most love and respect my mother for, her persistence in always giving me a full and honest answer to any curiosity i might have, to the best of her knowledge and abilities, and avoiding at all possible costs the dreaded "because i said so" or "that's just the way it is" response. (although i suspect this may have been partly due to my steadfast refusal to simply accept these sort of answers and instead question the matter further, on of my most enduring and endearing qualities. this one is also most likely rubbed off from her. thanks mom!) i have always thought this was the main reason i became so interested in science at such a young age, a cultivated insatiable curiosity of the natural world.
but that's a tale for another day... moving on back to the COOKING!!!

i still do a great many "food experiments" only now they are pretty much all delicious. (and i make a bigger mess!) so in order to exercise my blogging discipline, and further my recent efforts at regularity (not the fiber kind) i will be writing about my various kitchen capers (not the pickled kind). first up is Squiddys Kitchen Creations: Things I need For My Kitchen, Part 1.

Bon Appetit!

the catalyst

2008-08-23T10:12:00.000-07:00

sometimes there is a moment where you realize that you have been fooling yourself. seeing only what you wanted to see, and hearing only what you wanted to hear. the problem with this is you are usually the last person to see it.

tentacle jewels

2008-08-20T08:34:00.000-07:00

these octo jewelry pieces are so cool!!!
i want them all!

go check out this etsy store!

the Holy Trinity: Southwestern Breakfast Vodka Trio

2008-08-19T14:04:00.000-07:00

lately i have been experimenting with Infused Vodkas.
i have so far had much success with Cocoa Infused Vodka, Lemon and Lime Vodka, Lemon Vodka, Lime Vodka and Ginger Infused Vodka. I have found a whole lot of ruckus on the web over Bacon Vodka, and a load of other Scrumptious Bacon-ey Things, which will be addressed later. however, my Roommate and I have come up with the most wonderful of all alcohol mixes, what i refer to as "The Holy Trinity" : The Southwestern Breakfast Trio (or as i call it, Breakfast Of Champions).

this consist of Bacon Vodka, Jalapeno Vodka, and Corn Vodka.
the Bacon we had wanted to try, since seeing the idea on the internet. the jalapeno was my own idea, being a chili head. after i made it i googled jalapeno vodka and discovered that i am not the only one to think of this GENIUS idea. the corn vodka was all his idea, but i works extremely well paired with the other two. this is what i call "The Breakfast of Champions: the Southwestern Vodka Trio" and it is, for lack of a better adjective, AWESOME!

the bacon vodka smells questionable at first, but goes down smooth with a robust meaty finish. it is literally like drinking liquid bacon! i was excited, then skeptical, then ASTONISHED at how delectable is really is. it is great alone, but even better in a Holy Trinity Shot.

the jalapeno vodka is the most amazing thing i have ever ingested, with the exception of Absinthe (for obvious reasons). it tastes like a crisp bite of a freshly picked pepper, but subdued enough to drink with food, warms the throat but doesn't water the eyes, and tastes nothing like vodka at all. seriously, it is the most wonderful thing since cocoa vodka and sliced bread. for the full deliciousness effect, i suggest taking shots and chasing them with quesadillas or hot dogs. or more jalapeno vodka. :) this is worth drinking by itself.

the Sweet Grilled Corn Vodka tastes... well, it tastes like corn! corn on the cob, like a picnic. not the most expected thing, but rounds off the trio quite nicely with a sweet, cool finish.

the best way to drink these is The Holy Trinity Shot, where you pour 1 full shot of each and slam them down.
its a great post work reboot, or even better as a festival breakfast.

SquidFire!

2008-08-19T08:47:00.001-07:00

this.

is.

awesome.

COLOSSAL SQUID is coming for yooooou!

2008-08-19T08:30:00.000-07:00

here is a post by Tacky Raccoons (a very cool blog-thing) about my favorite of all squids: the mighty Mesonychoteuthis Hamiltoni, or the COLOSSAL SQUID. you should all quake in fear of these guys... they have razor-sharp serrated swivelling hooks in each sucker, get lots bigger than the more famous Giant Squid (architeuthis dux) and supposedly are capable of shredding several pounds of meat per minute off anything unfortunate enough to be caught in their loving arms.

i also liked the quip about macadamias at the end of the post. i can tell you personally, there is a very good reason they sell them pre-shelled. those fuckers are hard to crack!!! i ordered some raw macadamias from nutsonline earlier this year, and still have half a bag left, as i can only manage to get a few out with a hammer, a rock, and a good deal of effort. (and lots of noise. the neighbors now think i am crazy, but what else is new)

but boy are they delicious.

Talking Squids In Outer Space: The Pinnacle of Sci-Fi

2008-08-19T08:05:00.000-07:00

Apparently, Margret Atwood once commented that "Oryx and Crake" isn't real science fiction, because sci-fi is "talking squids in outer space" and things that have not been invented yet. i remember reading a bit of this book way back when, and now i really want to reread it in full after having read the wikipedia entry linked above. i have had a few conversations recently about remembering bits of the story, and how intriguing it was, but frustratingly could not remember enough details to deduce the title or author. ill be going to the library soon!
anyway, her comment about squids in space led some people to wonder, "how many sci-fi books are there with talking squids in space? or on earth, for that matter?" and thus: talkingsquidsinouterspace.com was born.

this is a wicked compendium of sci-fi books involving (obviously) talking squids in outer space. this is everything i could have hoped for! they even have squidliographies and daily links to neat ceph-stuff.

go check it out!!!

ps- i just love todays story of the day "sheena 5" by Stephen Baxter
its about a super-intelligent squid with a super brain gen-gineered by NASA.
ive got a friend called sheena who will get a kick out of this...

Giant Squid Condoms?

2008-08-19T08:04:00.001-07:00

this is cute, but wouldnt you need a multi-pack???

MAD SCIENTIST DAY CAMP

2008-08-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

the Mad Scientist Day Camp is something i wish had been around when i was a kid. it sounds excellent! heck, i would go there now if i could.

the people

2008-07-11T21:03:00.000-07:00

The only thing I enjoy about being around other people is to hear how consistently full of shit they are.

Happy Independance Day

2008-07-04T07:57:00.000-07:00

Glitter And Doom

2008-06-28T20:23:00.000-07:00

I just left the show, and I have to say that was the most wonderful, amazing, incredible thing I have ever experienced. What a fantastic showman.

TWO MOTHERFUCKING ENCORES, BITCHES!!!

I need to soak it in for awhile.
Ill be at the bar.

grapes of wrath and tangerines of decay

2008-06-26T06:10:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed that you can buy lots of different sorts of fruit juices in jugs and cans and whatnot, from the dry goods section at room temperature, but orange juice is always refrigerated. I wonder why that is?

Tom Waits For No Man! (or squid)

2008-06-25T19:27:00.000-07:00

I am SO GODDAM EXCITED to see the fantastical genius Tom Waits this Saturday at the Ohio Theatre.

This may well be a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I cannot express properly with words how ecstatically anxious I am. I feel like its fucking Christmas Eve.

the carribean monk seal is extinct.

2008-06-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

Goodbye, Carribean Monk Seal.

we're sorry.

2008-06-03T10:30:00.000-07:00

Fuck the FED. Im sick and tired of being treated as a substandard citizen, or as if my hard earned money is worth nothing, simply because I am not in your little bank club. Fuck you for not cashing my checks and fuck you for making it so hard to use my own damn money. Its things like this that make me glad I do not give my business to your fascist bank branches. Why should I give all my money to an organization that is just going to turn around and have the audacity to charge me money for the use of my own money. FUCK YOU ALL

trip the fuck out

2008-06-03T09:32:00.000-07:00

disco squid

2008-05-19T07:27:00.000-07:00

The White Handed Gibbon has been declared Extinct.
this was wonderful:

Severn Suzuki

happy world rat day!

2008-04-04T09:10:00.001-07:00

its world rat day everyone! lets take the time to appreciate our furry friends today by showering them with affection and treatsies! i'll be baking a tiny cake for our ratties today.
usually, when we tell folks that we have pet rats, their reaction is "eew! gross! why would you want rats for pets?!" most people associate rats with vermin and plague. well if you or anyone you know has had pet rats, you will know that they are intelligent, affectionate, clean, and entertaining pets. i have had a few hamsters and even mice before, and i have to say i like the rats best of all. they smell less, are friendlier, and you can train them and play with them almost as you would a little doggy. we often joke that they remind us of tiny monkeys, the way they behave mischievously and demonstrate their smartness so much. they are adorable and we love them.

so in honor of world rat day, here are some educational rat-related links:

World Rat Day- info on the holiday
herorat.org- these rats help find old landmines and save lives every day! hero rats!
Rat Assistance and Teaching Society- a great resource of info on pet rats
My Pet Rat- more rat info, lots of cute pictures
Rat Info Sheet- almost everything you need to know about raising a rat

threes

2008-04-02T14:36:00.000-07:00

THIS reminded me of some weird memories... view my comment at bottom

this TED talk by david gallo has some amazing footage of cephalapods and bioluminescent deep-sea organisms.

and THIS scared the crap out of me... mainly because they are hateful, ignorant, bigoted sentiments i have heard mirrored all too often in real life. i may consider arming myself soon.

great freeware RPG

2008-04-01T20:39:00.000-07:00

i am so addicted to this game!!! i like it as much as zelda, and it has a pretty big fan community of developers, with lots and lots of new content and bonus levels/mini game sequels a decade after release.

Dink Smallwood

DIY: HD ultra-macro "indie film" lens

2008-04-01T20:35:00.000-07:00

this is a great DIY video for a cheap and easy ultra macro effect lens for your video camera.
try it out!

DIY: HD Ultra-Macro

a feeling of weirdness; interacting with other creatures

2008-03-30T15:43:00.000-07:00

a paper i found today discussing the training of dolphins in humanoid vocalisations got me to thinking about how we as a species treat other creatures in our environment, and in turn the environment itself.

the author states that throughout the experiments, he and his coworkers expreienced a seemingly direct correllation between the success of the training and the trainers confidence in the outcome. (and the possible perception of this belief by the dolphin)

he also notes the implications in our treatment of and communication with other creatures and our search for extra-terrestrial life:

"It is not a question of whether we are emotionally prepared in the long run to confront a message from the stars. It is whether we can develop a sense that beings with quite different evolutionary histories, beings who may look far different from us, even "monstrous," may, nevertheless, be worthy of friendship and reverence, brotherhood and trust."

FIRST POST

2008-03-30T14:53:00.000-07:00

this blog is empty.
here is a walrus.

(from DarkRoastedBlend)