I know you were all waiting on pins and needles to see how the dinner out with my high school friend and his fiancee went.
Well, it was lovely. I realized later I hadn't seen him for four years (!) but we fell in to talking just like old times. That's the greatest thing about really good old friends is that you can pick right up as if no time had passed.
He gave me this great book called "A Short History of Nearly Everything", which is science writng, which I do too, so it was a great present.
His fiancee was great too. I heartily approve. So nice to see good friends so well matched. You want your friends to be happy in marriage and I'm sure they wil be. They work well as a couple already.
Well, I gotta go, we're going to run some errands. More later!
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Travel = Food
A friend of mine whose opinion I respect read this blog and said that the entries from the trip were all about food, as if that was a negative. But isn't that what travel is all about? I go out so much more often when I am traveling, and sample such varied cuisine, and I want to share it with you. I do enjoy food, and probably think about it too much since I'm on a diet, so it is possible that I am leaning on the food too much. But heck, this is my blog and I can do whatever I want, right? So, food it is!
Do you agree? I'd love to hear from you and see if the comment section works.
Do you agree? I'd love to hear from you and see if the comment section works.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Ellicott City
My mom, my college friend and I all went to Ellicott City today. We walked through the cutest part, a narrow kinda cobbled street lined with antique shops, cafes, and tarot/fairy-themed shops.
For lunch we ate at a vegetarian cafe called Sarah and Desmond. It is a three story place and we ate on the second floor. The top one is for children because there are toys there and space for kids to run around. I loved it. I had the "Bella Donna" sandwich, as did everyone in our party, but they had 1/2 sandwich and soup. The "Bella Donna" is a marinated and grilled portabella (which by the way is spelled several ways. Look it up!) mushroom with spinich and gorgonzola cheese. Yummy!
We also wandered in and out of lots of stores. Easter is comimng up - I can tell because of the decided bunny rabbit theme to these stores. I was tempted to buy a laser carved rock that said "Luck" in Chinese characters, but instead I bought a pin that had the maryland flag on it and said "Maryland", because I collect cloissonne pins from places I travel.
Have you seen the Maryland flag? It is heraldic, with a yellow and black checkerboard in alternate corners and red flur-du-lis or something in the other corners. Very Impressive.
We came home and just hung out and watched Oprah, which was fun. Orlando Bloom was on, and us three ladies much approved of that.
Tonight we are having sushi with a friend of mine from High School and his fiancee. Looking forward to it!
For lunch we ate at a vegetarian cafe called Sarah and Desmond. It is a three story place and we ate on the second floor. The top one is for children because there are toys there and space for kids to run around. I loved it. I had the "Bella Donna" sandwich, as did everyone in our party, but they had 1/2 sandwich and soup. The "Bella Donna" is a marinated and grilled portabella (which by the way is spelled several ways. Look it up!) mushroom with spinich and gorgonzola cheese. Yummy!
We also wandered in and out of lots of stores. Easter is comimng up - I can tell because of the decided bunny rabbit theme to these stores. I was tempted to buy a laser carved rock that said "Luck" in Chinese characters, but instead I bought a pin that had the maryland flag on it and said "Maryland", because I collect cloissonne pins from places I travel.
Have you seen the Maryland flag? It is heraldic, with a yellow and black checkerboard in alternate corners and red flur-du-lis or something in the other corners. Very Impressive.
We came home and just hung out and watched Oprah, which was fun. Orlando Bloom was on, and us three ladies much approved of that.
Tonight we are having sushi with a friend of mine from High School and his fiancee. Looking forward to it!
Monday, March 27, 2006
Eat Your Cannoli
We are going to have cannolis for dessert! We got them at an Italian bakery and it is very hard not to eat them before our tacos. Luckily, now it is now 45 minutes later and we have eaten our tacos and will soon eat the cannolis, which we got at a very popular Italian bakery in Little Italy, Baltimore. I can't wait!
We have been at Berkeley Springs this last night. We were able to stay the night with my Aunt and Uncle, who live on ten acres in the woods. We had a lovely time and it was so good to see them.
Last night we ate at Teri's, a wonderful restaurant in downtown Berkeley Springs. The walls are covered with art work that is created by the wait staff. Some of it is painted, it welded, some woven. One painted depicted 4 elderly ladies enjoying skydiving. The canvas measured 3 feet by 5 feet and looked very impressive. I loved it.
The food was yummy too. I had crab cakes, which were full of crab without much filler. We all had different kinds of seafood and it was all lovely. Then for dessert I had what they called a "Kentucky Derby", which was like a "slice of pie" shaped chocolate cookie, which also had pecans and coconut. So yummy!
We spent the rest of yesterday and today looking at the cute shops downtown, when we weren't hanging out at the house and chatting. I enjoyed all of it. Lots of interesting shops. Berkeley Springs is a very artistic.
Oh, here are the cannolis. Bye!
We have been at Berkeley Springs this last night. We were able to stay the night with my Aunt and Uncle, who live on ten acres in the woods. We had a lovely time and it was so good to see them.
Last night we ate at Teri's, a wonderful restaurant in downtown Berkeley Springs. The walls are covered with art work that is created by the wait staff. Some of it is painted, it welded, some woven. One painted depicted 4 elderly ladies enjoying skydiving. The canvas measured 3 feet by 5 feet and looked very impressive. I loved it.
The food was yummy too. I had crab cakes, which were full of crab without much filler. We all had different kinds of seafood and it was all lovely. Then for dessert I had what they called a "Kentucky Derby", which was like a "slice of pie" shaped chocolate cookie, which also had pecans and coconut. So yummy!
We spent the rest of yesterday and today looking at the cute shops downtown, when we weren't hanging out at the house and chatting. I enjoyed all of it. Lots of interesting shops. Berkeley Springs is a very artistic.
Oh, here are the cannolis. Bye!
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Alternate Ending
Well, we went to Washington D.C. today to join in the Cherry Blossom Festivities, but it has been cold here recently and they weren't really out yet. But we still had a good time.
I'm staying with my sophomore year collge roommate and her husband. They graciously drove us all the way from Baltimore to D.C. for the day. We were blessed with gorgeous weather today, mild temps that were easily braved with a trench coat and in and out of the sun. We took it easy, parking up by the Capitol Building (free parking on weekends! Yeah!) and walking done the mall. We stopped in first at the National Botanical Garden, where they were having a special orchid show. There are some beautiful ones, unusual pitcher type ones or spotted ones. It was so nice and warm in there, kept nice and humid for the good of the flowers. So beautiful!
Then we went to the Native American Museum and ate at the cafe, which I highly reccommend. They have it laid out in sections, with each one serving food from the Native American tribes of a region of the United States. I had some from the Southwest: a tamale and a piece of blue corn bread. It was actually blue, and tasted a little like gingerbread. Yummy.
Next we tried to see the souvineer postcard and stamp at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, but it had closed at three! Three, I tell you!! I had forgotton to check the time on the net before hand, so it is all my own fault, but still. Who closes at three?! We got a good walk in though.
After that we walked down the entire mall to the Lincoln Memorial, taking pictures along the way and looking at the kites flying as part of the Kite Festival. Apparantly there was a marathon this morning too, but it was over by the time we got there. Lots happening today.
Finally we went to the FDR memorial, which was even more cool than I expected. Lots of waterfalls and engraved quotes on redish granite. As you walked through it you traveled through his four terms, around corners and by waterfalls. There was braille everywhere, and at one place lots of raised faces and scenes so the blind could experience some of the messages of the memorial. I hadn't really realized he was president for so long - 1933 to 1945. I knew he had worked on both the Depression and World War II, but I had never really thought about how that meant it was more than 10 years. The memorial flowed well, and not just because of the water. I liked it more than I expected even.
Ok, that's enough, I have bored you now I'm sure. Congrats for making it thus far! I'm off to bed.
I'm staying with my sophomore year collge roommate and her husband. They graciously drove us all the way from Baltimore to D.C. for the day. We were blessed with gorgeous weather today, mild temps that were easily braved with a trench coat and in and out of the sun. We took it easy, parking up by the Capitol Building (free parking on weekends! Yeah!) and walking done the mall. We stopped in first at the National Botanical Garden, where they were having a special orchid show. There are some beautiful ones, unusual pitcher type ones or spotted ones. It was so nice and warm in there, kept nice and humid for the good of the flowers. So beautiful!
Then we went to the Native American Museum and ate at the cafe, which I highly reccommend. They have it laid out in sections, with each one serving food from the Native American tribes of a region of the United States. I had some from the Southwest: a tamale and a piece of blue corn bread. It was actually blue, and tasted a little like gingerbread. Yummy.
Next we tried to see the souvineer postcard and stamp at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, but it had closed at three! Three, I tell you!! I had forgotton to check the time on the net before hand, so it is all my own fault, but still. Who closes at three?! We got a good walk in though.
After that we walked down the entire mall to the Lincoln Memorial, taking pictures along the way and looking at the kites flying as part of the Kite Festival. Apparantly there was a marathon this morning too, but it was over by the time we got there. Lots happening today.
Finally we went to the FDR memorial, which was even more cool than I expected. Lots of waterfalls and engraved quotes on redish granite. As you walked through it you traveled through his four terms, around corners and by waterfalls. There was braille everywhere, and at one place lots of raised faces and scenes so the blind could experience some of the messages of the memorial. I hadn't really realized he was president for so long - 1933 to 1945. I knew he had worked on both the Depression and World War II, but I had never really thought about how that meant it was more than 10 years. The memorial flowed well, and not just because of the water. I liked it more than I expected even.
Ok, that's enough, I have bored you now I'm sure. Congrats for making it thus far! I'm off to bed.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Spring is Here!
Here's a poem I heard ages ago:
Spring has Sprung!
The grass is Ris'!
I wonder where the Birdies Is?
It feels right for today. Just a few days ago here in the San Francisco Bay Area we had hard rain and showers, even thunderstorms, which are rare for this area. Today though the world had decided to fully flaunt springtime. All the trees were budding out and the grass is thick and green. So lovely! A fitting day on which to start Spring Break.
I'm traveling out to Baltimore to see friends and relatives this week. I'l be there all Spring Break but it still feels like a whirlwind trip because I have so many people to see. It also looks like the weather will be much colder, maybe even snow on Saturday, when we are planning on going to the cherry blossom festival in D.C. It would be neat to see snow-flurries against the blooms, as long as not many are knocked off. Should be fun in any case.
I'll try to keep you updated on my trip.
Spring has Sprung!
The grass is Ris'!
I wonder where the Birdies Is?
It feels right for today. Just a few days ago here in the San Francisco Bay Area we had hard rain and showers, even thunderstorms, which are rare for this area. Today though the world had decided to fully flaunt springtime. All the trees were budding out and the grass is thick and green. So lovely! A fitting day on which to start Spring Break.
I'm traveling out to Baltimore to see friends and relatives this week. I'l be there all Spring Break but it still feels like a whirlwind trip because I have so many people to see. It also looks like the weather will be much colder, maybe even snow on Saturday, when we are planning on going to the cherry blossom festival in D.C. It would be neat to see snow-flurries against the blooms, as long as not many are knocked off. Should be fun in any case.
I'll try to keep you updated on my trip.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
You're a Writer Now
i went to a great seminar this evening about the writing profession. It was filled with useful information about the mechanics of getting articles published. He gave us all the tricks so we could appear like professionals our first time out.
My favorite piece of advice boiled down to this: you are a writer when you think you are a writer. Not when you first get published, or when you get your first idea accepted, not even when you finish your first article. The profession begins when you intentionally say "I am a writer. That is the central focus of my life." And from this intention flows all the practical rigamarole that leads to publication and even more personal confidence when you answer, "I'm a writer" to the question, "What do you do?"
Another great piece of advice he had was that professionals sell, then write, while amateurs do it backwards. The pros write to editors with story ideas and only put in the effort of writing when the idea is accepted. This makes so much sense I'm surprised I didn't think of it before. Why write an article on spec? Better to know that someone wants it, and have already negotiated what sort of tone and direction is appropriate, before you set down to write.
The exception is newspapers. They run on such a tight timeframe that sending out a manuscript cold is OK.
I'm so excited about writing now (he was a very motivating speaker) that I want to sit down right now and get an article from my Shamrock to Kiwi blog and send it out to 10 newspapers. But, alas, it is bedtime. Maybe tomorrow.
My favorite piece of advice boiled down to this: you are a writer when you think you are a writer. Not when you first get published, or when you get your first idea accepted, not even when you finish your first article. The profession begins when you intentionally say "I am a writer. That is the central focus of my life." And from this intention flows all the practical rigamarole that leads to publication and even more personal confidence when you answer, "I'm a writer" to the question, "What do you do?"
Another great piece of advice he had was that professionals sell, then write, while amateurs do it backwards. The pros write to editors with story ideas and only put in the effort of writing when the idea is accepted. This makes so much sense I'm surprised I didn't think of it before. Why write an article on spec? Better to know that someone wants it, and have already negotiated what sort of tone and direction is appropriate, before you set down to write.
The exception is newspapers. They run on such a tight timeframe that sending out a manuscript cold is OK.
I'm so excited about writing now (he was a very motivating speaker) that I want to sit down right now and get an article from my Shamrock to Kiwi blog and send it out to 10 newspapers. But, alas, it is bedtime. Maybe tomorrow.
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