The One Disadvantage to Vacation

Well, now that I think of it, there are actually at least two - when one is a sports fan whose team has gone to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The original thought I had relates to food. Having two days in between trips (any combination of business and vacation you prefer) really doesn't leave enough time for grocery shopping. Not that there's much to buy when one is away again for four days. The problem here can be summed up with one question: What do I eat?

Last month was a pretty frugal month for me, for which I pat myself on the back. Even though I didn't spend much while I was on vacation, and May is not even two weeks old, this month I appear to be reverting to my old pattern of going out to eat too frequently. Throw in a couple hockey games, a few meetings with friends, and self-defense classes and before I know it, it will be the weekend and I haven't eaten at home once in a whole week.

Which leaves me with coffee, donuts and the occasional sandwhich during the day, in an effort to save some cash.

The Capitals forced Game 7 last night!!! Which is very exciting and thrilling and anxiety-producing all at once (they MUST defeat the Penguins again tomorrow night)... and also means one more night without time to grocery shop and one more meal out.

But hey, for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, I'm definitely not going to complain. I might have mentioned this before, but I'm a little addicted. So much so in fact, that I cancelled a previous engagement for Wednesday, in order to watch... ahem. GO CAPS!!!

Fruit Salad As The New Pasta (or Bread, or Couscous)

The last time I went grocery shopping, I hadn't eaten enough fruits and vegetables in recent weeks, so I found myself checking out blueberries, strawberries and bananas. I'm not a huge fan of melons, grapes (I go through phases) and all the other normal fruit-salady fruits - or what're commonly considered fruit-salady fruits, anyway - but was pleasantly surprised to find a new love: the base for my own version of the Fruit Salad. Someday I"ll add pineapples, maybe some mango... lots of possbilities exist for delicious, melon-free salads. I've been eating the combination for about four days straight. Unfortunately, am all out of both strawberries and blueberries now, but that just means next time I'll have to buy more!

So I love this idea so much that yesterday I forgot to eat any carbs for lunch, and by two in the afternoon, was starving! Had to buy some crackers and Nutri-grain bars (I fall in and out of like with those). I remembered today, but still the greater part of my lunch consisted of fruit. It has become my new must-have, cannot-live-without food staple.

My only regret is that none of these fruits are currently in season, and bananas aren't grown locally (Tropics in DC anyone? Though it might feel like it in summer, we're not even close. Though I wonder if anyone has ever tried growing bananas here...). Ever since university, I've been attracted to locally-grown produce, and the idea of eating what's available and in season locally. It cuts down on a lot of waste (think gasoline for trucks, refrigeration of those same trucks), and sometimes even the cost of the produce. It also just seems fresher. Hasn't taken a cross-country trip in a refrigerator to get to your local grocery store.

However. Alongside this preference lives the knowledge that when technology and global commerce did not allow for cross-country shipments of "fresh" produce, communities only had what was grown locally. Meaning, no bananas for DC. Ever. No oranges, except maybe at Christmas. No berries until they were in season. And one thing that has come with the global economy, is more opportunity for better health. Nobody in first-world countries worries about scurvy anymore (at least unless you're one of those people who never eats fruits or vegetables, which I find extremely sad). And that's only one example.

So I'm going to take advantage of the opportunities I have to eat exotic fruits, even if they aren't in season or available anywhere but the tropics. And I'll try to remember next winter about my passion for fruit salad (does anyone else eat fewer salads, fruit or otherwise, in winter?)

If anyone has ideas about what fruits and veggies are in season right now in the mid-Atlantic region, please share!

In other, unrelated news, the Capitals won Game 7 in the first series of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Rangers and are going on to Round 2!!! One grunge match against the Pittsburgh Penguins, coming right up. I have another favorite player as of the start of the postseason: Simeon Varlamov. What a stud!

Fashion For Everyone and Sandwich Bags for All Time

I finally started going through my old emails, most of which are the subscription type (newspapers, fashion deals, etc) and I found two fascinating articles.

The first article, about the show What Not To Wear, which I occasionally enjoy watching, describes the tactics used by the hosts of the show, and defines the goal of the show. One of the reasons I enjoy watching it is how harsh they can be about their subjects' pre-makeover wardrobes. The other reason is the more obvious - they point out really great tips for looking good (not just stylish) whatever one's size or shape, or style preference. The article interviews one of the hosts, Stacy London, who, among other things, believes that style is confidence-boosting.

The second article contains no advice at all - it simply describes a new product that I Must-Have. Seriously. The idea is so genius that it's waiting for a patent, according to the article. Really, it says it all. All I'll write here is that the product is an innovation on packing lunches. I'll say it again. Genius.

On a final, unrelated note, the Washington Capitals forced Game 7 against the New York Rangers!! I'll be skipping Krav class on Tuesday to watch it, most likely.... Here's hoping Henrik The King falters again, and the Caps defense keeps up the pressure. Also, good luck Varly.

Giving Life

I gave life today. And no, not in the pregnant/giving birth sort of way. Not that. By "Give Life" I mean the (new?) ad campaign the Red Cross is using for donating blood.

It was my first time. So I worried a lot beforehand, because I do that about things I don't know/understand. I like to know the procedures before I actually commit. Kind of like my sister when she was a toddler or a little older, who freaked out at the hospital until the doctor told her he was going to stitch her forehead back together. Once she knew what was going to happen, she calmed down and even helped strap herself to the cot.

Lots of friendly people at the donation site. The health history part was amusing because the ... volunteer? medic? helping me kept cracking jokes through his stuffed up nose. "Where is your blood pressure?" (how does one answer that question?) Oh and my favorite: "Can I just see your other arm to make sure you're not shooting drugs".

The whole watching-your-blood-drain-out-of-your-arm-into-a-plastic-bag is very surreal. But aside from the needle prick and the pressure from the arm band, not too unpleasant. I didn't get a blanket though. Good thing I had my puffer vest on, otherwise that would have been a problem. It didn't take very long to actually bleed a pint of blood, though the whole process took me two hours.

At the end, they practically pushed orange juice into my hand, told me to sit and wait for fifteen minutes, which I had trouble doing, because I was anxious to find out if they were still offering Caps tickets. Which I totally scored. WOOT! Double the reward. Oh, I almost forgot about my Peter Bondra bobblehead. He's cute. He even came with a hockey stick. The guy in front of me chose an autographed bobblehead instead of the tickets. Silly man. What's an autograph to the game?

Went to the pub to watch the Caps defeat the Bruins in OT in Boston this afternoon. Though we're still behind them in the Eastern Conference, and Jersey's coming up fast, I see a glass half full.

But enough random rambling.

Shootouts... and Really Bad Eggs

So lately I've been thinking through a few things, mostly involving the near future: where I'm going to live next year, how to work out the 6 months interim between the day I don't have a job anymore (at this point, obviously I'll think of something) and the time my lease runs out; what I want to study, when I want to get my graduate degree, and where I want to do that; and most immediately (and more interestingly than all the others), where am I going to go on vacation this year? And how many vacations can I fit in...

More on all of that later. For now, this article has a bit in common with the last I posted in that it's depressing and frustrating. It is relevant to the long involved sentence above in that I may change my current vacation plans as a result.

The apartment search is looking rather grim, because the city and neighborhood of my choice apparently has one of the highest median income rates in.the.country. Which leaves me on the poor end of the scale. It's slightly discouraging to realize I qualify for tax-credit communities for the first time in my life. My choices are: live with roommates, or find another town. It's going to be a tough decision.

I haven't even gotten to the point of thinking constructively about school yet, so that's going nowhere fast. Which is kind of okay for now.

Went to the Capitals vs. Flyers game last night. The fans had an Incredible time of it. The Caps played better defensively than they can, Jose Theodore was stunningly on his game tonight (YAY THEO!!) - so much so that on the way out, fans chanted "Theo Theo...", which doesn't happen often. Though the offense didn't really click, that doesn't mean the fans didn't. Boy, did we have fun. Especially warring with the Flyers fans:

(Flyers fans): Let's Go Flyers"
(Caps fans, in overlapping fashion): "Flyers SUCK"

Ah yes. We yelled, chanted and cheered till we were hoarse, and clapped till our hands tingled.
And good times were had by all.

...

Except for maybe the Flyers. Vengeance is sweet, especially served cold, over ice. Or so I hear.

Welcome 2009!!

Happy New Year!

I had a great time last night, but must confess I didn't have fun as green-ly as I could have. What with the weather (Chicago/St Andrews style winds and cold, cold temperatures), high heels and a nice dress, I opted not to walk much - and took taxis instead. I did Metro in to the city, and shared my taxi with others, but in warmer weather I hope to walk/Metro more. Unless I forget to invest in lower-heeled shoes. Which could happen.

The first taxi ride involved much hilarity - we called two, and got them after some confusion ... but there were nine of us. Which made the second cab awkwardly full. Our driver, a character, muttered about getting into trouble for having four people squished uncomfortably into the back seat, and asked one of us to duck down. So three of us took turns, the guy maintaining that it would give the game away to have one guy in the back, then just girls, and then a guy again when he traded ducking positions with one of us girls. I laughed so hard I cried, and most likely smudged my oh-so-carefully-applied mascara.

New Year's Day I plan to spend home, watching plenty of sports on TV (two hockey games and soccer and the Rose Bowl!!) Maybe I'll walk to the grocery store, and maybe I'll starve... In all, a greener day in the transportation department.

Post 55: Wherein the Author Finds She Has Too Many Books, and Resolves to Walk to the Library Instead

As usual this holiday season I've received at least one gift card to Barnes and Noble, a present that is always welcome, no matter how many times I receive it. I will always use a gift card on books. Most people who know me, know this.

My dilemma this year is as follows: I live in a tiny room, with only one bookshelf and one wall shelf. Although in my childhood room my books overflowed the bookshelves, I had four of them. And more space for overflow, such as windowsills, a window seat, and a very large desk. (NB: I have many many more books than I will ever need!) I occasionally bring even more books to my apartment from my childhood home, but have to start moving them the other way or my room will be positively overrun by books! Furthermore, I have decided (finally) to start cleaning out my room in my mom's house. So I need to stop buying books. Seriously. Being not only a reader but a bibliophile and a pack rat complicates this goal.

So how do I spend this gift money without buying more books? DVDs are a good alternative. There are even a few I want. Though I shouldn't start stocking up on DVDs, either.

Instead of buying books, I'm going to attempt to borrow more from the library. Even if it does mean I have to spend even more time outside in the cold, walking to and fro. Walking is good, it's healthy. So is fresh air. Which I will be telling myself every time I go.

Doesn't solve my gift-card/too-much-stuff problem, but it might prevent me from buying all the books I'd like to read, and I can focus my attention and money on buying the books I really will read more than once, and will really love. Some of the books I've taken off my old shelves this holiday have made me wonder why in the world I had to have them years ago. Others, old friends, read at least half a dozen times, will hopefully be with me until I settle down, wherever/whenever that happens.

Randomly, I don't think I've mentioned that I was completely impressed by Simeon Varlamov's first two games between the pipes in the NHL - and am looking forward to seeing him in net again soon! What a talented young man.

A Day in the Life of a Young Granny

Last night the Caps played again in California. This time against the LA Kings. Originally, the game was scheduled to start at 10. I'm pretty positive about that. But it's like those dreams I sometimes have, where later I convince myself what happened in my dream happened in real life- only it didn't. Conversations about those dreams are super-fun and occasionally awkward.

To get back to the point, I found out last night at 10:04pm that I had to wait "another 26 minutes" until the game started. Blargh. I have enough trouble staying up to watch the first period when the game begins at 10. I pretty much had no chance last night. Because I'm a granny, and I need at least 7 hours of sleep to function properly the next day.

Lately I've been getting annoyed with the Capitals announcers, because they're all about "color", I think it's called. Sure, the trivia and jokes make the game more entertaining to watch when the games themselves lack action and excitement, but seriously, they almost never announce the actual plays in the game. So, based on my experience when I was out at IKEA last week, I tried to listen to the radio coverage of the game. (Last week I was at IKEA again, my favorite store. We were out late, and then with traffic and accidents on the Beltway would have missed most of the game were it not for the AM radio.)

Turns out the radio is a few seconds ahead of the TV.

So I watched some of the first period, and when the little voice in my computer screamed "he scores!" I looked up, only to think I'd missed the play. A few seconds later I saw the goal. Duh.

After the first period I turned off the TV and got ready for bed, listening to the game in my room. Tried to stay awake another 20 minutes, which isn't that long... and completely failed. I'm going to blame my new down comforter.

So I hear that the Caps were still in the game in the third period, which is good to know considering the final score of 2-5.

Environmental Do-Gooding

I planted my first tree today! Got up before the sun, made my way to DC to work with Casey Trees, an organization that helps restore the urban tree canopy. Good thing they had coffee, and even though I arrived early, I didn't have to wait long for a hot cup. Styrofoam-ish, but what can you do. I hope eventually the improvements I make by helping to plant trees outweighs the styrofoam cups I've used. Though next time I may bring my own mug.

Our tree was perfect. Well, nearly. Straight, but with a slightly crooked trunk, nearly deep enough in the ground. We had to deal with massive root systems left behind by ground cover and an earlier generation of trees. Lifted out a root-and-dirt carpet about 5 inches deep at one point. The trees our team planted were sugar gum, which I'd never heard of before, but they're quite pretty with star-shaped leaves and closely resemble the maples that we were replacing.

I learned how to use a pick-ax. Not sure I'm entirely comfortable with them, but they're not difficult. Just want to be careful not to puncture anyone. Could cause a nasty wound.

Got dirty and looked like a vagabond on the Metro ride home, and didn't feel the cold for at least an hour, we were working so hard. That's the first time in a long time I've had a chance to play in the dirt. All for a charitable cause, too. Can it get any better?

In the end, I can't write enough positive things about this new experience. Furthermore, I'm proud of having accomplished something as unique as planting a tree. What a great and productive way to spend a Saturday morning. Probably this is something I'll do more than just the once.

Before I sign off, a nod to Tyler Sloan, who tonight scored his first NHL goal while playing for the Caps in Dallas. Let's Go Caps!

Happy Discovery of America Day!

"In fourteen-hundred-ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue..." yadda yadda yadda. Today was a federal holiday. Those of us who work for the government and didn't go to work to have the day after Thanksgiving off, well, didn't have to go to work today. No matter that there doesn't seem to be any real point to it. There's nothing to celebrate, like our country's independence, no feasts to be prepared and then shared, no presents to be given... it's just a day off. For some of us. I'll admit, up front, that I love having three-day weekends and I wouldn't want to get rid of Columbus Day, because that would bring the total down to nine. And I want as many holidays as I can get!

However.

Most people know by now that Columbus did not actually discover the North (or even South) American continent, but a tiny island (in comparison) called Hispaniola. Or rather, which he named Hispaniola. Strong work there, Chris. Not only that, but he wasn't even aiming for a new world! Some might say that whether or not he succeeded - in his actual goal or in discovering the New World - he brought awareness of the new world to Europeans. Sure. Obviously they didn't know about it prior to his visits, because he claimed to be the first. And didn't even imagine when he got there that where he was wasn't, in fact, India. Furthermore, other explorers discovered the "new world" centuries before Columbus. Take Lief Eriksson, for example. Lived five centuries before Columbus and established a colony in Canada.

My point is, Columbus is given more credit than he probably deserves. Not that he doesn't deserve any, he just isn't the only important explorer. In light of the above, why not call it "Discovery of America" Day, and teach the elementary students about all the sightings and discoveries of America. These days, being politically correct is so important. The name for this holiday could better describe the important historical event, in my opinion. While we're at it, why don't we celebrate the establishment of all the various colonies? Who's for it, eh?

P.S. The Caps won today, "spanked" (a word I heard from a disappointed Vancouver fan on the Metro ride home) the Canucks with a score of 5-1. Sat four rows from the boards today, where the players seem much, much bigger than they are from the 400 level sections, and where the action is even more exciting. Shiny.

News Bulletin

Good news! The allergies I ranted about in my last post have mostly subsided. I don't want to jinx anything (cross your fingers and no, I'm not superstitious), but they have been at a very manageable level for the past few days. It appears that the change in allergy meds worked.

In other good news, I finally put up a shelf in my room. Very excited, because now I have a place for some of my extra books and my oxygen, clean-air producing houseplants. Which are all thriving, so far. Now, about my pumpkin... that might be a different story. I write "might" because I've been neglecting it yet again, and don't have any idea how it's faring. :(

Tomorrow I'm going to see the Capitals play the Vancouver Canucks!!

Lastly, I recently took one step closer to playing a greater role in saving the planet by signing up to volunteer in the area! Some weekend in the near future I look forward to helping clean up the Anacostia river. Among other things.

That's about it for this broadcast, check back later for more.

Filling in the Gaps Between Now and Nashville

Dear Readers,
(yes, all four of you!)

My sincerest apologies for disappearing for so long. While in Nashville, I had very limited access to the internet. I came back, found myself very busy, and then came down with a cold.

(As I watch the debate: entitlements? And who hasn't given up on social security already? Who seriously expects change without having to pay for it? There's an old saying about free lunch...)

In between now and Nashville, I have spent time in diverse ways. I'm going to start from the end, and work my way back to the beginning. This weekend, I went hiking in the Shenandoah. The main point of the expedition was to catch the predatory bird migration; according to my guidebook, thousands of hawks can be seen flying overhead in one day. Unfortunately, all we saw were black vultures circling high above us. The hike was short but sweet, and challenging, as that was day 2 of the cold. The trees have started turning here in Virginia, but I will need to go again when the leaves change and become even brighter. Nature is without a doubt the best part about hiking; it helps calm and center me, and lifts some of the stress from my life. The combination of dirt, sun, trees, fresh air, birdsong and insect noises creates a soothing environment. It also serves as an excellent reminder of the reasons to make changes to help save the environment. Fortunately, this time I did not run into any spiderwebs.

The cold started late on Friday night after I went out in Dupont Circle, to a lovely little wine bar called Veritas, which has fantastic customer service, a low-lit, pleasant atmosphere, and an obliging behind-the-scenes DJ. They even have wines from the very inclusive selection on tap! Had a lovely evening there with a friend. Space was limited, so we ended up sitting with two very nice young women at a small table. A very fun, but late evening.

Thursday was special. Thursday a coworker invited me to a Washington Capitals Season Ticket-Holders party at Six Flags in Maryland, where I got a hat signed by some of the players. Woot! Woot!

The rest of my life since Nashville has included much work, nearly enough sleep, and sadly enough, lots of television.

Yours truly,
Me