Garden Update
Per the norm, the latest Garden Update is available at Tech Law Garden.
In other news, I'm much too busy with work and life to blog about law over at the professional blog in the last several weeks.
Yet somehow, I make time for the garden.
What does this say...?
July 7, 2010
Luxury
I'm making my way through Home Cheese Making, and encountered this lovely quote:
A small garden, figs, a little cheese, and, along with this, three or four good friends -- such was luxury to Epicurus.
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
I wholeheartedly agree.
Yeah, Nietzsche was an unapologetic misogynist (My personal favorite? Woman is not yet capable of friendship: women are still cats and birds. Or, at best, cows -- Thus Spoke Zarathustra).
But, ignoring that fault, dude was a fairly decent judge of quality when he focused on males.
I'm making my way through Home Cheese Making, and encountered this lovely quote:
A small garden, figs, a little cheese, and, along with this, three or four good friends -- such was luxury to Epicurus.
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
I wholeheartedly agree.
Yeah, Nietzsche was an unapologetic misogynist (My personal favorite? Woman is not yet capable of friendship: women are still cats and birds. Or, at best, cows -- Thus Spoke Zarathustra).
But, ignoring that fault, dude was a fairly decent judge of quality when he focused on males.
July 4, 2010
Book Review: Farm City -- The Education of an Urban Farmer
Oh, joy!
Novella Carpenter's hilarious book about running an urban farm by squatting on a vacant plot of land near her home in Oakland (aka Ghost Town Farm) is enjoyable from beginning to end.
I loved reading this book after Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. The similarities are obvious, but the differences are amazing.
In particular, I loved to read how the ghetto and Novella's cause co-existed and embraced each other and eventually led her, through her dumpster diving, to a symbiotic relationship with a high-class restaurant from the Chez-Panisse lineage.
It was refreshing to read stories directly conflicting with Barbara's classification of culture wars between city and country. Clearly, the culture conflict that bothers both Barbara and Novella is much more complicated than simple geography or socio-economic status, as the embracing of the farm by some in the inner city and the thoughtless country slaughterhouse story in Novella's book demonstrate.
Of course, I couldn't help but think that in the country, Novella would have no trouble finding someone to kill and butcher her pig. In the city, this was a true conundrum and she ended up driving 3 hours to pay someone to do it in a somewhat heartless way. In the country, hunters who do their own butchering regularly kill and butcher animals significantly larger than her pigs. No doubt, if I had pigs, I could get some books and ask brother to talk me through the more "you-know-it-when-you-see-it" portions of the process, or I could call some of daddy's or brother's friends and they'd do it for me -- one of them (a former electrical lineman and one-time butcher) might even be talked into letting us use his garage with the built-in drain hole where brother and his friends who can't afford professional butcher fees end up slaughtering their deer if I could bribe his wife to put up with it (and I'm guessing Grandma Sherry would let herself be bribed...).
This personal knowledge of the country is what made me side with Barbara, initially. But Novella's tale rings true to my experience in the hoods of Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco. Yes, I realize, the idea that there is or ever has been a hood where SOMA stands today is a bit difficult to process, but in 2000, I lived on an alley with a tent city. Granted, they were North Face tents. But they were still full of people with lighters under spoons and pipes who informed me that they'd protect my car because I was a nice neighbor.
Farm City is a book stuffed with Californian food history from the last several decades. If you are a bay-area or even Californian food history buff, this book will amuse you with its stories and additional color for things you thought you understood. The author studied for 2 years under Michael Pollan at UC Berkeley's school of Journalism, and yet, her message, story and voice are distinct enough from his that this fact is merely interesting, not an "of course she did."
This book is a gritty, honest, true-to-life tale of someone trying to live sustainably with an urban farm. It showed me that regardless of where you do it, my grandfather's saying was true, "Farming is the hardest business. You go bankrupt or, at best, it doesn't pay well. You only do it if you love it."
Oh, joy!
Novella Carpenter's hilarious book about running an urban farm by squatting on a vacant plot of land near her home in Oakland (aka Ghost Town Farm) is enjoyable from beginning to end.
I loved reading this book after Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. The similarities are obvious, but the differences are amazing.
In particular, I loved to read how the ghetto and Novella's cause co-existed and embraced each other and eventually led her, through her dumpster diving, to a symbiotic relationship with a high-class restaurant from the Chez-Panisse lineage.
It was refreshing to read stories directly conflicting with Barbara's classification of culture wars between city and country. Clearly, the culture conflict that bothers both Barbara and Novella is much more complicated than simple geography or socio-economic status, as the embracing of the farm by some in the inner city and the thoughtless country slaughterhouse story in Novella's book demonstrate.
Of course, I couldn't help but think that in the country, Novella would have no trouble finding someone to kill and butcher her pig. In the city, this was a true conundrum and she ended up driving 3 hours to pay someone to do it in a somewhat heartless way. In the country, hunters who do their own butchering regularly kill and butcher animals significantly larger than her pigs. No doubt, if I had pigs, I could get some books and ask brother to talk me through the more "you-know-it-when-you-see-it" portions of the process, or I could call some of daddy's or brother's friends and they'd do it for me -- one of them (a former electrical lineman and one-time butcher) might even be talked into letting us use his garage with the built-in drain hole where brother and his friends who can't afford professional butcher fees end up slaughtering their deer if I could bribe his wife to put up with it (and I'm guessing Grandma Sherry would let herself be bribed...).
This personal knowledge of the country is what made me side with Barbara, initially. But Novella's tale rings true to my experience in the hoods of Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco. Yes, I realize, the idea that there is or ever has been a hood where SOMA stands today is a bit difficult to process, but in 2000, I lived on an alley with a tent city. Granted, they were North Face tents. But they were still full of people with lighters under spoons and pipes who informed me that they'd protect my car because I was a nice neighbor.
Farm City is a book stuffed with Californian food history from the last several decades. If you are a bay-area or even Californian food history buff, this book will amuse you with its stories and additional color for things you thought you understood. The author studied for 2 years under Michael Pollan at UC Berkeley's school of Journalism, and yet, her message, story and voice are distinct enough from his that this fact is merely interesting, not an "of course she did."
This book is a gritty, honest, true-to-life tale of someone trying to live sustainably with an urban farm. It showed me that regardless of where you do it, my grandfather's saying was true, "Farming is the hardest business. You go bankrupt or, at best, it doesn't pay well. You only do it if you love it."
July 3, 2010
A Holiday Weekend
June was a whirlwind month for me.
At the law firm, I had to bill around 180-200 hours in a month before I really started to feel like work was pushing my life out the door.
As a solo, that number is much, much lower. I just totaled my billable hours worked for clients last month and it was a mere 139.5. But it felt like 220 at a law firm.
Business development, invoicing, making referrals, traveling to meet onsite -- all of these things were not required when I was an associate at a law firm, but now they are, and they take time (non-billable time, that is).
I definitely prefer my life as a solo over my life at the law firm, but a big end of quarter month is exhausting in either case.
Thankfully, my country's long weekend to celebrate its independence comes at the end of the fiscal quarter. And I'm off to a great start -- I decided not to attend any social events, and instead I'm sleeping in, gardening, doing chores, picking up our wine club shipment (4 months since we've last been in...), and in general puttering around the house without a schedule. It feels great.
Tomorrow, E & I will spend the fourth of July at home for the first time that either of us can remember in a long time. And, bonus, I get to share the celebration with my brother too!
June was a whirlwind month for me.
At the law firm, I had to bill around 180-200 hours in a month before I really started to feel like work was pushing my life out the door.
As a solo, that number is much, much lower. I just totaled my billable hours worked for clients last month and it was a mere 139.5. But it felt like 220 at a law firm.
Business development, invoicing, making referrals, traveling to meet onsite -- all of these things were not required when I was an associate at a law firm, but now they are, and they take time (non-billable time, that is).
I definitely prefer my life as a solo over my life at the law firm, but a big end of quarter month is exhausting in either case.
Thankfully, my country's long weekend to celebrate its independence comes at the end of the fiscal quarter. And I'm off to a great start -- I decided not to attend any social events, and instead I'm sleeping in, gardening, doing chores, picking up our wine club shipment (4 months since we've last been in...), and in general puttering around the house without a schedule. It feels great.
Tomorrow, E & I will spend the fourth of July at home for the first time that either of us can remember in a long time. And, bonus, I get to share the celebration with my brother too!
June 25, 2010
Time Keeps On Moving...
The inexorable march of the clock keeps going, and it is amazingly powerful.
I am shocked to learn that it has been more than 7 years in our house for E and me, meaning more than 7 years of BBQ season, capped with more than 3 months as a solo practitioner, and no more than 1 hour since my last discussion with a client who needed my help (I have several right now -- the end of the fiscal quarter makes me quite popular)...
I can't help but think I need to spend more time in pause. Breathing. Taking time. Being alive. Before life takes me (as it eventually takes us all).
The end of the fiscal quarter is a good time to look frenetic chasing of time in the face if you are a transactional attorney.
Because... Wow. It turns out, I need very little. So I'm not acting out of need. And yet. If I don't breathe and pay attention -- it sure feels like I need very much.
The inexorable march of the clock keeps going, and it is amazingly powerful.
I am shocked to learn that it has been more than 7 years in our house for E and me, meaning more than 7 years of BBQ season, capped with more than 3 months as a solo practitioner, and no more than 1 hour since my last discussion with a client who needed my help (I have several right now -- the end of the fiscal quarter makes me quite popular)...
I can't help but think I need to spend more time in pause. Breathing. Taking time. Being alive. Before life takes me (as it eventually takes us all).
The end of the fiscal quarter is a good time to look frenetic chasing of time in the face if you are a transactional attorney.
Because... Wow. It turns out, I need very little. So I'm not acting out of need. And yet. If I don't breathe and pay attention -- it sure feels like I need very much.
June 22, 2010
Happy Solstice!
Summer is here and bringing its usual treats: lots of social stuff.
Last weekend's trip to Sonoma with E's family was gluttonous, relaxing, and wonderful.
A 1999 Barolo we'd been storing was an excellent complement to the meat and dessert courses we shared with E's family for the father's day celebration at Cyrus.
Our wine fridge is restocked, and I have new favorite winery in Sonoma: Passalacqua -- gorgeous grounds, excellent small production wines that you can only buy on site, friendly staff, discounts for wine club membership, and reasonable prices, what's not to like?
Next weekend, I'm off to Seattle to run the rock 'n roll half marathon with a friend I haven't seen in several months. It'll be her first half, and I'm excited to share it with her.
And, of course, the end of the fiscal quarter is doing what it does: burying me with work.
So, I'll probably be fairly quiet on the blogfront until July (when I hope to have ripe tomatoes!).
Summer is here and bringing its usual treats: lots of social stuff.
Last weekend's trip to Sonoma with E's family was gluttonous, relaxing, and wonderful.
A 1999 Barolo we'd been storing was an excellent complement to the meat and dessert courses we shared with E's family for the father's day celebration at Cyrus.
Our wine fridge is restocked, and I have new favorite winery in Sonoma: Passalacqua -- gorgeous grounds, excellent small production wines that you can only buy on site, friendly staff, discounts for wine club membership, and reasonable prices, what's not to like?
Next weekend, I'm off to Seattle to run the rock 'n roll half marathon with a friend I haven't seen in several months. It'll be her first half, and I'm excited to share it with her.
And, of course, the end of the fiscal quarter is doing what it does: burying me with work.
So, I'll probably be fairly quiet on the blogfront until July (when I hope to have ripe tomatoes!).
June 16, 2010
Book Review: Animal, Vegetable, Mineral
When I called to E to read him yet another passage from this book the other night, he replied with a grin,
You've got a complete girl-crush on Barbara Kingsolver
And it's true. I've sincerely enjoyed all of the other books of hers that I've read. I've heard the complaint that her writing can be a bit preachy, and that may be fair. But since I don't find her gospel particularly offensive, when she slips in that direction, I tend to forgive her. Also, her later writings (such as this one, in 2007) have a much broader perspective and lack the lecturing that may have turned folks off in her earlier works.
But this book was different. This one was autobiographical, so I wasn't just enjoying her writing, I was actually enjoying her life. And, it just so happens that this portion of her life is the story of a rural-rooted urban-educated woman undertaking a food and farm adventure that is squarely after my own heart.
As a gardener and food enthusiast with a desire for scientific and empirical explanations for decisions in those areas, I couldn't wait to turn the pages to see what she'd show me next about the complexities of the food system that feeds us (the local food business, the multinational agribusiness, and the details you learn from growing, tending, harvesting, and preparing the majority of your own food).
On the whole, it was entertaining, educational, and inspirational. I can't wait to apply some of the recipes to my harvest this year.
Plus, her turns of phrase were often so clever and entertaining that I'd grin to myself with pleasure. She chose *that* word to describe *that*? How wonderful!
In short, this book was a joy for me. If you think it may be for you as well, I've included some of my favorite quotes to help you decide whether you'd like to dive in:
Plants have the karmic advantage of creating their own food out of pure air and sunlight, whereas we animals, lacking green chlorophyll in our skin, must eat some formerly living things every single day.
The antipathy in our culture between the urban and the nonurban is so durable, it has its own vocabulary: (A) city slicker, tenderfoot; (B) hick, redneck, hayseed, bumpkin, rube, yokel, clodhopper, hoecake, hillbilly, Dogpatch, Daisy Mae, farmer's daughter, from the provinces, something out of Deliverance. Maybe you see where I'm going with this. The list is lopsided. I don't think there's much doubt on either side, as to which class is winning the culture wars.
Wendell Berry summed it up much better than "blue and red" in one line of dialogue from his novel Jayber Crow, which is peopled by farmers struggling to survive on what the modern, mostly urban market will pay for food. After watching nearly all the farms in the country go bankrupt, one of these men comments: "I've wished sometimes that the sons of bitches would starve. And now I'm getting afraid they actually will."
On Italy:
It's a culture that sweeps you in, sits you down in the kitchen, and feeds you so well you really don't want to leave.
Here's to summer and making good use of the tomato recipes in this book!
When I called to E to read him yet another passage from this book the other night, he replied with a grin,
You've got a complete girl-crush on Barbara Kingsolver
And it's true. I've sincerely enjoyed all of the other books of hers that I've read. I've heard the complaint that her writing can be a bit preachy, and that may be fair. But since I don't find her gospel particularly offensive, when she slips in that direction, I tend to forgive her. Also, her later writings (such as this one, in 2007) have a much broader perspective and lack the lecturing that may have turned folks off in her earlier works.
But this book was different. This one was autobiographical, so I wasn't just enjoying her writing, I was actually enjoying her life. And, it just so happens that this portion of her life is the story of a rural-rooted urban-educated woman undertaking a food and farm adventure that is squarely after my own heart.
As a gardener and food enthusiast with a desire for scientific and empirical explanations for decisions in those areas, I couldn't wait to turn the pages to see what she'd show me next about the complexities of the food system that feeds us (the local food business, the multinational agribusiness, and the details you learn from growing, tending, harvesting, and preparing the majority of your own food).
On the whole, it was entertaining, educational, and inspirational. I can't wait to apply some of the recipes to my harvest this year.
Plus, her turns of phrase were often so clever and entertaining that I'd grin to myself with pleasure. She chose *that* word to describe *that*? How wonderful!
In short, this book was a joy for me. If you think it may be for you as well, I've included some of my favorite quotes to help you decide whether you'd like to dive in:
Plants have the karmic advantage of creating their own food out of pure air and sunlight, whereas we animals, lacking green chlorophyll in our skin, must eat some formerly living things every single day.
The antipathy in our culture between the urban and the nonurban is so durable, it has its own vocabulary: (A) city slicker, tenderfoot; (B) hick, redneck, hayseed, bumpkin, rube, yokel, clodhopper, hoecake, hillbilly, Dogpatch, Daisy Mae, farmer's daughter, from the provinces, something out of Deliverance. Maybe you see where I'm going with this. The list is lopsided. I don't think there's much doubt on either side, as to which class is winning the culture wars.
Wendell Berry summed it up much better than "blue and red" in one line of dialogue from his novel Jayber Crow, which is peopled by farmers struggling to survive on what the modern, mostly urban market will pay for food. After watching nearly all the farms in the country go bankrupt, one of these men comments: "I've wished sometimes that the sons of bitches would starve. And now I'm getting afraid they actually will."
On Italy:
It's a culture that sweeps you in, sits you down in the kitchen, and feeds you so well you really don't want to leave.
Here's to summer and making good use of the tomato recipes in this book!
June 10, 2010
Gilroy Delights
For Memorial Day weekend, E and I headed down to Monterey for a weekend away. Along the way, we decided to stop in Gilroy (you know, the Garlic Capital of the World?) for lunch.
Previously, my exposure to Gilroy had been a trip to the outlets to buy clothes for my summer associate gig, and a stop at the The Garlic Shoppe with E2 on one of our drives back from a visit to my gran.
This time, E and I headed to the downtown. I knew there was a Caltrain station, so I figured it had to have an adjacent downtown, just like most of the towns on the peninsula with historic train depots.
We couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised. First, it was a gorgeous sunny day, and we enjoyed our walk around the quiet downtown while searching for a lunch spot. Second, we quickly found our way to the The Pet Peddler (how great is that name? E could not stop snickering...) where I exclaimed for the millionth time, I want baby chicks:
They also had adults, to help me understand that baby chicks wouldn't always be this cute:
From there, we found our way to the Lizarran Tapas (Pinxtos) restaurant. It was, quite honestly, some of the best Spanish food I've ever had (including in Spain).
We both opted to start with a bowl of Salmorejo, which the menu described as a cold tomato and bread soup (like gazpacho):
More like gazpacho and an entree of meat and eggs and bread all in the same bowl. But damn... so delicious.
From there, we shared a Spanish charcuterie and cheese plate (which was probably completely unnecessary):
And, as if that wasn't enough, we also shared a dish of grilled octopus over potatoes (E can't help but order Pulpo -- it's his favorite):
We were full after the soup, but we forced ourselves to finish all of the meats, cheeses, and octopus because it was just that good. It didn't hurt that we had the courtyard to ourselves:
While we were slowly finishing the last bites, we enjoyed a tour of the restaurant. It turns out, the building was the original Gilroy City Hall:
Which means the bathroom experience is very unique:
and the wine cellar is the old town safe:
The server asked us where we were from when he saw me taking pictures, and when we told him, he seemed surprised. He asked why we chose to leave the highway and come into the town. And frankly, we didn't have a good answer other than, uhh... because we were hungry and it was on the way to Monterey and we didn't want to eat fast food. But next time, we'll have a much better answer. We'll say that we stopped, on purpose, on our way to Monterey, because this restaurant experience is so good that it is worth the pause on the drive.
Oh, and of course, I have to share gratuitous beach pictures from the trip.
The view from Highway 1, headed into Monterey Bay:
The view from the restaurant in the Best Western in Sand City (highly recommended for a stop on your way out of town):
The beach below the Best Western's retaining wall on the North end of Monterey Bay (looking across you can see the harbor and Pacific Grove):
Entering the beach from the immense protection of the retaining wall:
California is a wonderfully diverse and gorgeous place.
For Memorial Day weekend, E and I headed down to Monterey for a weekend away. Along the way, we decided to stop in Gilroy (you know, the Garlic Capital of the World?) for lunch.
Previously, my exposure to Gilroy had been a trip to the outlets to buy clothes for my summer associate gig, and a stop at the The Garlic Shoppe with E2 on one of our drives back from a visit to my gran.
This time, E and I headed to the downtown. I knew there was a Caltrain station, so I figured it had to have an adjacent downtown, just like most of the towns on the peninsula with historic train depots.
We couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised. First, it was a gorgeous sunny day, and we enjoyed our walk around the quiet downtown while searching for a lunch spot. Second, we quickly found our way to the The Pet Peddler (how great is that name? E could not stop snickering...) where I exclaimed for the millionth time, I want baby chicks:
They also had adults, to help me understand that baby chicks wouldn't always be this cute:
From there, we found our way to the Lizarran Tapas (Pinxtos) restaurant. It was, quite honestly, some of the best Spanish food I've ever had (including in Spain).
We both opted to start with a bowl of Salmorejo, which the menu described as a cold tomato and bread soup (like gazpacho):
More like gazpacho and an entree of meat and eggs and bread all in the same bowl. But damn... so delicious.
From there, we shared a Spanish charcuterie and cheese plate (which was probably completely unnecessary):
And, as if that wasn't enough, we also shared a dish of grilled octopus over potatoes (E can't help but order Pulpo -- it's his favorite):
We were full after the soup, but we forced ourselves to finish all of the meats, cheeses, and octopus because it was just that good. It didn't hurt that we had the courtyard to ourselves:
While we were slowly finishing the last bites, we enjoyed a tour of the restaurant. It turns out, the building was the original Gilroy City Hall:
Which means the bathroom experience is very unique:
and the wine cellar is the old town safe:
The server asked us where we were from when he saw me taking pictures, and when we told him, he seemed surprised. He asked why we chose to leave the highway and come into the town. And frankly, we didn't have a good answer other than, uhh... because we were hungry and it was on the way to Monterey and we didn't want to eat fast food. But next time, we'll have a much better answer. We'll say that we stopped, on purpose, on our way to Monterey, because this restaurant experience is so good that it is worth the pause on the drive.
Oh, and of course, I have to share gratuitous beach pictures from the trip.
The view from Highway 1, headed into Monterey Bay:
The view from the restaurant in the Best Western in Sand City (highly recommended for a stop on your way out of town):
The beach below the Best Western's retaining wall on the North end of Monterey Bay (looking across you can see the harbor and Pacific Grove):
Entering the beach from the immense protection of the retaining wall:
California is a wonderfully diverse and gorgeous place.
So Busy
But, there's an update on our garden over at Tech Law Garden.
And...
I've got grand plans to post about our Memorial day trip, soon...
But, there's an update on our garden over at Tech Law Garden.
And...
I've got grand plans to post about our Memorial day trip, soon...
June 2, 2010
Half the year in books
My goal of 20 books for 2010 is looking a little ambitious...So far, I've finished 7 books, and that includes the two I finished this weekend on our Memorial Day getaway (in other words, a few days ago, I was at a mere 5).
But, I think I'm going to try to pick up the pace, as I sincerely enjoyed myself the last few days. I love to read. And, I especially love to read books that my friends send to me.
The most recent thanks goes out to Arvay for her gift of Shanghai Baby and Zorro.
Yes, these are two very different books. But, Arvay knows me well, and I enjoyed both of them.
Shanghai Baby is a crazy tale of a foreign life lived by a young female author in a foreign city. The self-inflicted drama of the majority of the characters is unlike most of my experiences (or even observations), and the culture and backdrop are not my own, yet I found that it was told in a way that felt eerily familiar. It made me want to spend some time in Shanghai.
Zorro is Isabel Allende's mythical lyrical tale of adventure in the early 19th century that explains the origins of Zorro. It combines the Spanish missions in California, Native American magic, gypsies, fencing, pirates, secret societies, unrequited love, prison breaks, travel across the world, and more, all with linguistic flourishes that made me smile. It was a delightful escape.
I heartily recommend both books.
My goal of 20 books for 2010 is looking a little ambitious...So far, I've finished 7 books, and that includes the two I finished this weekend on our Memorial Day getaway (in other words, a few days ago, I was at a mere 5).
But, I think I'm going to try to pick up the pace, as I sincerely enjoyed myself the last few days. I love to read. And, I especially love to read books that my friends send to me.
The most recent thanks goes out to Arvay for her gift of Shanghai Baby and Zorro.
Yes, these are two very different books. But, Arvay knows me well, and I enjoyed both of them.
Shanghai Baby is a crazy tale of a foreign life lived by a young female author in a foreign city. The self-inflicted drama of the majority of the characters is unlike most of my experiences (or even observations), and the culture and backdrop are not my own, yet I found that it was told in a way that felt eerily familiar. It made me want to spend some time in Shanghai.
Zorro is Isabel Allende's mythical lyrical tale of adventure in the early 19th century that explains the origins of Zorro. It combines the Spanish missions in California, Native American magic, gypsies, fencing, pirates, secret societies, unrequited love, prison breaks, travel across the world, and more, all with linguistic flourishes that made me smile. It was a delightful escape.
I heartily recommend both books.
May 27, 2010
That Feels Great!
I took on an emergency client last weekend. I had to shuffle some family obligations, but it was a friend of a friend who needed some help and it was just the type of thing that I know how to do. We were able to get a good result on a very fast timeline.
Today, I received the following email:
Attached is the press release as promised.
Thanks again for everything, you were a life saver! I look forward to getting your bill :-)
I'm fairly certain it's going to be a long time before someone tells me they look forward to getting my bill again.
So, I'm savoring the moment. In fact, right now, I couldn't be more happy with my decision to become a solo practitioner.
I took on an emergency client last weekend. I had to shuffle some family obligations, but it was a friend of a friend who needed some help and it was just the type of thing that I know how to do. We were able to get a good result on a very fast timeline.
Today, I received the following email:
Attached is the press release as promised.
Thanks again for everything, you were a life saver! I look forward to getting your bill :-)
I'm fairly certain it's going to be a long time before someone tells me they look forward to getting my bill again.
So, I'm savoring the moment. In fact, right now, I couldn't be more happy with my decision to become a solo practitioner.
May 25, 2010
Happy Feet
So, my empirical study continues with a visit to Happy Day Spa in Sacramento.
I took my Mom for a belated Mother's Day treat on Sunday. She thanked me multiple times. Yay!
Much like my experience last week, this visit confirmed that reflexology-based foot massages that are actually full body massages in hiding are still my latest guilty pleasure. If you find one near you, please let me know and I'll see what I can do to combine a visit with you and a test. You know, in the name of scientific research.
My hypothesis: Reflexology-based foot soak massage shops are the most undervalued massage service available in California today.
I shall test as many as I can find to see if perhaps they vary in quality, cleanliness, lack of sketchy-massage-parlorness and that only some are truly undervalued and others are actually not worth the $30 (typical price, including tip) for the hour.
For a control group, I'm using my historical massage experience with traditional massage shops in the bay area. If you think you've got a high value massage service I should include in the test, please send it my way!
As for Happy Day Spa sacramento, the chairs were not as cool as the ones at my local joint, so we had to sit on the footstools for the back and shoulder massage at the end rather than laying flat on our stomachs. But, both Mom's masseuse and mine were very skillful and the open room was relatively quiet with whispers from the masseuses and instrumental musac.
We both left relaxed. Mom bought a 10-pack (which she will use at the new branch opening up closer to her home), which gets the price down to $18 per massage. After I complete my local survey, I suspect I may opt into a similar arrangement.
So, my empirical study continues with a visit to Happy Day Spa in Sacramento.
I took my Mom for a belated Mother's Day treat on Sunday. She thanked me multiple times. Yay!
Much like my experience last week, this visit confirmed that reflexology-based foot massages that are actually full body massages in hiding are still my latest guilty pleasure. If you find one near you, please let me know and I'll see what I can do to combine a visit with you and a test. You know, in the name of scientific research.
My hypothesis: Reflexology-based foot soak massage shops are the most undervalued massage service available in California today.
I shall test as many as I can find to see if perhaps they vary in quality, cleanliness, lack of sketchy-massage-parlorness and that only some are truly undervalued and others are actually not worth the $30 (typical price, including tip) for the hour.
For a control group, I'm using my historical massage experience with traditional massage shops in the bay area. If you think you've got a high value massage service I should include in the test, please send it my way!
As for Happy Day Spa sacramento, the chairs were not as cool as the ones at my local joint, so we had to sit on the footstools for the back and shoulder massage at the end rather than laying flat on our stomachs. But, both Mom's masseuse and mine were very skillful and the open room was relatively quiet with whispers from the masseuses and instrumental musac.
We both left relaxed. Mom bought a 10-pack (which she will use at the new branch opening up closer to her home), which gets the price down to $18 per massage. After I complete my local survey, I suspect I may opt into a similar arrangement.
May 18, 2010
Latest Guilty Pleasure
So, ever since I discovered the $25 1 hour face, arm, leg, back massage/foot soak/reflexology combo available from our local Chinese Reflexology/Massage Joint, I've been thinking about when I can go back.
But, then I learned there's actually a competitor near 99 Ranch, and I do need to stock up on Asian food.
Clearly, a scientific comparison is in order.
But, in the name of science, why stop with Mountain View? Apparently, there are several options in San Jose, Cupertino, and even, potentially, one in my childhood hometown.
I shall report back.
So, ever since I discovered the $25 1 hour face, arm, leg, back massage/foot soak/reflexology combo available from our local Chinese Reflexology/Massage Joint, I've been thinking about when I can go back.
But, then I learned there's actually a competitor near 99 Ranch, and I do need to stock up on Asian food.
Clearly, a scientific comparison is in order.
But, in the name of science, why stop with Mountain View? Apparently, there are several options in San Jose, Cupertino, and even, potentially, one in my childhood hometown.
I shall report back.
May 14, 2010
Sili Valley Week
I had a very stereotypical valley week.
Monday and Tuesday, I woke, worked out, worked for my start-up clients and fit in networking lunches. Monday, after a particularly frustrating morning, I also fit in a pre-lunch visit to Happy Feet in their new Mountain View location (Oh! How awesome are lazy boys interbred with massage tables for you to lay upon while beaten to a relaxed pulp by shiatsu-accupressure-influenced hands until your feet are removed for the hot water bath, treated to reflexology and you are finally turned to your belly for the final 20 minutes of back of the body massage/pressure, all in silent common room? Holy grail of massage value -- I'm telling you. Of course, there's no speaking to the masseuse in anything other than Mandarin, but no need, at least for me.)
Wednesday, I volunteered all day as a broken-Spanish (mine, not theirs) translator for a Puerto Rican team of adorably awesome high-schoolers at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, and then we hosted a BBQ for visiting Argentinian students (the PR team had to stay with their chaperons -- apparently, we do not appear trustworthy. [grin]).
Thursday, I worked more and attended the Google Annual Shareholder meeting.
And today, I woke to work for an hour and a half, then I took my favorite Friday yoga class, met with a former colleague for lunch in downtown San Jose, and worked from the Hacker Dojo in the afternoon (because I had too much work to do to attend the PhD defense of a friend at Stanford that E was able to attend).
This weekend? I've got a long run with E2 in Santa Cruz tomorrow AM while E bikes along the coast with J. Then we've got a wine tasting lunch in the Santa Cruz Mountain Wine Region at Beauregard and a 40th birthday party for a good work-friend in Palo Alto in the evening.
In short, I am in awe of the chaos and fast-paced life that we live. But, at the same time, we can do nothing more than appreciate the beauty and balance and lifestyle we can enjoy where we live. And I aim to do just that.
I had a very stereotypical valley week.
Monday and Tuesday, I woke, worked out, worked for my start-up clients and fit in networking lunches. Monday, after a particularly frustrating morning, I also fit in a pre-lunch visit to Happy Feet in their new Mountain View location (Oh! How awesome are lazy boys interbred with massage tables for you to lay upon while beaten to a relaxed pulp by shiatsu-accupressure-influenced hands until your feet are removed for the hot water bath, treated to reflexology and you are finally turned to your belly for the final 20 minutes of back of the body massage/pressure, all in silent common room? Holy grail of massage value -- I'm telling you. Of course, there's no speaking to the masseuse in anything other than Mandarin, but no need, at least for me.)
Wednesday, I volunteered all day as a broken-Spanish (mine, not theirs) translator for a Puerto Rican team of adorably awesome high-schoolers at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, and then we hosted a BBQ for visiting Argentinian students (the PR team had to stay with their chaperons -- apparently, we do not appear trustworthy. [grin]).
Thursday, I worked more and attended the Google Annual Shareholder meeting.
And today, I woke to work for an hour and a half, then I took my favorite Friday yoga class, met with a former colleague for lunch in downtown San Jose, and worked from the Hacker Dojo in the afternoon (because I had too much work to do to attend the PhD defense of a friend at Stanford that E was able to attend).
This weekend? I've got a long run with E2 in Santa Cruz tomorrow AM while E bikes along the coast with J. Then we've got a wine tasting lunch in the Santa Cruz Mountain Wine Region at Beauregard and a 40th birthday party for a good work-friend in Palo Alto in the evening.
In short, I am in awe of the chaos and fast-paced life that we live. But, at the same time, we can do nothing more than appreciate the beauty and balance and lifestyle we can enjoy where we live. And I aim to do just that.
May 9, 2010
A Sort-of-Hellish Sunday
After Yesterday's Bliss, I should have known I was in for a long day.
But, I had no idea, so I woke at a reasonable hour and put on my workout clothes and tried to lace my new running shoes from Zappos. Alas, the top right eyelet was broken on my left shoe. So, I sat at the computer, printed a return label, packaged up the shoes for return, and put on my old shoes.
Then, it started to rain.
So, instead of the planned workout, I started the day by filing an amendment to our taxes due as a result of receiving a corrected form 1099-Div from Ameritrade. 2 hours and multiple forms later, we were entitled to $8 from the Feds, and $3 from the state. I would have just let them keep the money if I could have kept my 2 hours. Seriously...
In the course of updating our forms, some financial investigations led me to realize that paying quarterly taxes wasn't just a requirement this year (which I knew), but we were *already late*, since I earned money in March, which is Q1, and estimated payments for Q1 were due in April. Good times.
So, I calculated those, printed the vouchers, and had the fun conversation with E about the big check we needed to write, like a month ago, (and the upcoming one of equal value in 5 weeks).
Somewhere in there, I fit in a quick trip to the farmer's market in the rain. Sadly, I confirmed that the good tomatoes are just not available yet.
At least I got some good asparagus spears, delicious strawberries, swiss chard, dill & fresh bread! Oh, and a kumamoto oyster from the fresh shucked-in-front-of-you oyster tent -- I consoled myself from the rain and taxes with the treat and justified it by reminding myself that oyster season would be over soon.
Where was I? Oh, yes, lamenting about my horrid day. Ignore the blissful break of the farmer's market and feel sorrow for me as I returned to my office and sat before the beast of Quickbooks for at least 5 hours. For about 4 weeks (February-ish), I incurred expenses on behalf of the business before I had a business bank account or business credit card. Reconciling and accounting for, and repaying myself for those amounts was the exact opposite of fun, I assure you. I am now very understanding of the reason for ridiculously detailed expense reports. I cannot wait to have enough business to justify handing the bookkeeping back to my bookkeeper.
Anyways, in the grand scheme of things, it really wasn't that bad of a day at all. Taxes are paid, tax payments and future due dates are known (instead of unknown dreads), bookkeeping is current, shoes will be returned and new ones are on their way, and while the run didn't happen, I did manage to fit in a 4 mile walk while chatting with R.
In short, it was a productive day, but nowhere near as cool as yesterday.
After Yesterday's Bliss, I should have known I was in for a long day.
But, I had no idea, so I woke at a reasonable hour and put on my workout clothes and tried to lace my new running shoes from Zappos. Alas, the top right eyelet was broken on my left shoe. So, I sat at the computer, printed a return label, packaged up the shoes for return, and put on my old shoes.
Then, it started to rain.
So, instead of the planned workout, I started the day by filing an amendment to our taxes due as a result of receiving a corrected form 1099-Div from Ameritrade. 2 hours and multiple forms later, we were entitled to $8 from the Feds, and $3 from the state. I would have just let them keep the money if I could have kept my 2 hours. Seriously...
In the course of updating our forms, some financial investigations led me to realize that paying quarterly taxes wasn't just a requirement this year (which I knew), but we were *already late*, since I earned money in March, which is Q1, and estimated payments for Q1 were due in April. Good times.
So, I calculated those, printed the vouchers, and had the fun conversation with E about the big check we needed to write, like a month ago, (and the upcoming one of equal value in 5 weeks).
Somewhere in there, I fit in a quick trip to the farmer's market in the rain. Sadly, I confirmed that the good tomatoes are just not available yet.
At least I got some good asparagus spears, delicious strawberries, swiss chard, dill & fresh bread! Oh, and a kumamoto oyster from the fresh shucked-in-front-of-you oyster tent -- I consoled myself from the rain and taxes with the treat and justified it by reminding myself that oyster season would be over soon.
Where was I? Oh, yes, lamenting about my horrid day. Ignore the blissful break of the farmer's market and feel sorrow for me as I returned to my office and sat before the beast of Quickbooks for at least 5 hours. For about 4 weeks (February-ish), I incurred expenses on behalf of the business before I had a business bank account or business credit card. Reconciling and accounting for, and repaying myself for those amounts was the exact opposite of fun, I assure you. I am now very understanding of the reason for ridiculously detailed expense reports. I cannot wait to have enough business to justify handing the bookkeeping back to my bookkeeper.
Anyways, in the grand scheme of things, it really wasn't that bad of a day at all. Taxes are paid, tax payments and future due dates are known (instead of unknown dreads), bookkeeping is current, shoes will be returned and new ones are on their way, and while the run didn't happen, I did manage to fit in a 4 mile walk while chatting with R.
In short, it was a productive day, but nowhere near as cool as yesterday.
Recipe for A Perfect Saturday
Wake early, rested, to perfect weather and a quick enjoyable view of the garden on the way out the door.
Get coffee and head to a beautiful local 10K. See local friends you didn't know would be there, meet their baby, and catch up for half an hour before the race. Run harder than you expected through hills to catch much better views than you realized were available. At the point where you most want to walk up the steps cut in the trail, encounter a mom with a jogging stroller who gives you the perfect excuse to walk and help her carry the stroller up the steps.
Long shower.
Bike downtown with E for a 2-hour outdoor brunch in perfect weather with wine at a local mediterranean food restaurant.
Nap.
Watch a hilariously cheesy movie where English is spoken in hell, Spanish on earth, and French in heaven while shelling fava beans that you harvested from the remaining plants before they were sacrificed for the compost pile (see the tall plants in the front box that are falling over? They are now a memory.)
Continue to shell fava beans while watching an hour of the Ken Burns documentary on the National Parks.
(Good thing favas fix nitrogen into the soil and plant matter for great composting. Because otherwise, the labor necessary to get to the edible portion would not be worth the ridiculous work of shelling and re-shelling. Here's the entire take after about 2.5 hours of lazy work by me, aka post de-podding, but pre-2nd shelling of the skin:)
Prepare an impromptu dinner of angel hair pasta and pesto made from random bits of deliciousness that were hiding in the kitchen (antipasti, croutons, 5 chili preserves, anchovies, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, what?).
Eat pasta and continue to enjoy the National Parks documentary. Fall asleep to images of beautiful nature on husband's lap.
Eventually move to the bed. Sleep. Well.
Ahhhh...
Wake early, rested, to perfect weather and a quick enjoyable view of the garden on the way out the door.
Get coffee and head to a beautiful local 10K. See local friends you didn't know would be there, meet their baby, and catch up for half an hour before the race. Run harder than you expected through hills to catch much better views than you realized were available. At the point where you most want to walk up the steps cut in the trail, encounter a mom with a jogging stroller who gives you the perfect excuse to walk and help her carry the stroller up the steps.
Long shower.
Bike downtown with E for a 2-hour outdoor brunch in perfect weather with wine at a local mediterranean food restaurant.
Nap.
Watch a hilariously cheesy movie where English is spoken in hell, Spanish on earth, and French in heaven while shelling fava beans that you harvested from the remaining plants before they were sacrificed for the compost pile (see the tall plants in the front box that are falling over? They are now a memory.)
Continue to shell fava beans while watching an hour of the Ken Burns documentary on the National Parks.
(Good thing favas fix nitrogen into the soil and plant matter for great composting. Because otherwise, the labor necessary to get to the edible portion would not be worth the ridiculous work of shelling and re-shelling. Here's the entire take after about 2.5 hours of lazy work by me, aka post de-podding, but pre-2nd shelling of the skin:)
Prepare an impromptu dinner of angel hair pasta and pesto made from random bits of deliciousness that were hiding in the kitchen (antipasti, croutons, 5 chili preserves, anchovies, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, what?).
Eat pasta and continue to enjoy the National Parks documentary. Fall asleep to images of beautiful nature on husband's lap.
Eventually move to the bed. Sleep. Well.
Ahhhh...
May 7, 2010
Vicarious Adventure
A friend of mine is packing up all of her stuff and moving to Homer, Alaska to work this summer.
I'm going to enjoy reading about her travels, and bet you might too.
So, if you're looking for some entertainment this summer check out Clarke Photo Goes to Alaska.
A friend of mine is packing up all of her stuff and moving to Homer, Alaska to work this summer.
I'm going to enjoy reading about her travels, and bet you might too.
So, if you're looking for some entertainment this summer check out Clarke Photo Goes to Alaska.
May 5, 2010
Whatever You Do, Do It Well
Brother came home with donuts yesterday. Not just any donuts, however, Psycho Donuts:
Yes, those are individually placed and frosted Captain Crunchberries, graham crackers, and oreos.
Apparently, they take their marketing fairly seriously, and they have a padded room.
I pretty much never eat dessert at home. But, I enjoyed a donut for dessert, and it was amazing.
Brother came home with donuts yesterday. Not just any donuts, however, Psycho Donuts:
Yes, those are individually placed and frosted Captain Crunchberries, graham crackers, and oreos.
Apparently, they take their marketing fairly seriously, and they have a padded room.
I pretty much never eat dessert at home. But, I enjoyed a donut for dessert, and it was amazing.
April 30, 2010
Airship Ventures -- Best Birthday Present Ever!
For E's 30th birthday, we went on a trip on our local Zeppelin.
It was easily an order of magnitude cooler than I expected (and he was thrilled).
The view of any part of the beautiful state of California from 1,000 - 2,000 ft. above is not to be discounted. There were several points during the trip where I was speechless with appreciation for just how gorgeous our state is.
It didn't hurt that we had the airship to ourselves:
(Apparently, these flights are usually booked full, but we lucked out and were treated like a private charter, with 2 pilots and a flight attendant).
Of course, I wouldn't stop working, even though it was E's birthday, so finally, he threatened to throw me out:
Once I understood the importance of the situation, we were able to calmly appreciate the beauty of highway 1:
The Pacific Ocean:
And the size of the ship against the backdrop of the military base where we landed:
I would do it again in a heartbeat.
There are 3 functional Zeppelins in the world. Our trip was piloted by the only female Zeppelin captain in the world, Captain Kate (with back-up from Captain Jim):
If you are looking for an awesome California experience, I cannot recommend them enough. Also, their sister-company in Germany is booked solid 6 months in advance. I suspect, based on the names they dropped about previous passengers that the Californian ship (EUREKA!) is not that far behind.
So, if this is the type of thing that is interesting to you. E and I recommend you go now. It was awesome.
For E's 30th birthday, we went on a trip on our local Zeppelin.
It was easily an order of magnitude cooler than I expected (and he was thrilled).
The view of any part of the beautiful state of California from 1,000 - 2,000 ft. above is not to be discounted. There were several points during the trip where I was speechless with appreciation for just how gorgeous our state is.
It didn't hurt that we had the airship to ourselves:
(Apparently, these flights are usually booked full, but we lucked out and were treated like a private charter, with 2 pilots and a flight attendant).
Of course, I wouldn't stop working, even though it was E's birthday, so finally, he threatened to throw me out:
Once I understood the importance of the situation, we were able to calmly appreciate the beauty of highway 1:
The Pacific Ocean:
And the size of the ship against the backdrop of the military base where we landed:
I would do it again in a heartbeat.
There are 3 functional Zeppelins in the world. Our trip was piloted by the only female Zeppelin captain in the world, Captain Kate (with back-up from Captain Jim):
If you are looking for an awesome California experience, I cannot recommend them enough. Also, their sister-company in Germany is booked solid 6 months in advance. I suspect, based on the names they dropped about previous passengers that the Californian ship (EUREKA!) is not that far behind.
So, if this is the type of thing that is interesting to you. E and I recommend you go now. It was awesome.
Linguistic Milestone
Apparently, my Spanish is finally good enough that the staff at our local Mexican joint feel free to speak with me entirely in Spanish. It's been a long time coming.
Tonight, one of the servers greeted me with a pat on the shoulder:
Hola. Amiga. Estas muy bonita! Estas esperando bebe, non?
Culturally, this is not something this server would ever say to an English-only customer.
So, I was flattered.
But also, it would appear that I'm not the only one who has noticed the 5 extra pounds I'm carrying...
Good Times.
Apparently, my Spanish is finally good enough that the staff at our local Mexican joint feel free to speak with me entirely in Spanish. It's been a long time coming.
Tonight, one of the servers greeted me with a pat on the shoulder:
Hola. Amiga. Estas muy bonita! Estas esperando bebe, non?
Culturally, this is not something this server would ever say to an English-only customer.
So, I was flattered.
But also, it would appear that I'm not the only one who has noticed the 5 extra pounds I'm carrying...
Good Times.
April 27, 2010
Adjustments
It turns out, I still work weekends.
Evenings.
Early mornings.
Who knew? I thought when I quit the law firm, by default, I'd bought myself a year or two of lull. You know, time to build up the practice.
I can't complain about being wrong. My practice is busier than I dreamed it would be, and so much earlier than I expected.
But, wow. Unbeknownst to me, I am learning that I secretly dreamed of and pre-enjoyed weekends and mornings and evenings and relaxation.
I'm only now realizing how strong those dreams were while I mourn their loss. This weekend, E and I took a 3 day weekend away. I worked Saturday AM but managed, through guilty herculean efforts, to avoid the computer the entire time until Monday evening. In exchange for that privilege, I had to send many emails from my phone apologizing, promising responses, and fretting about my failure to set an appropriate out-of-office message.
Today, I didn't fit in my run. I woke early, but instead of running, I worked. All day, I cranked away on legal stuff, with "breaks" for networking and meeting with the bookkeeper (Who laughed at my receipts from my first month vis-a-vis my initial estimate of my annual collections -- It would appear I was a bit too conservative...).
As E pointed out, I am personally experiencing the hyper-growth shock that many of my successful startups have experienced. I will need to hire soon. The whole experience is very educational. And I am thankful.
It turns out, I still work weekends.
Evenings.
Early mornings.
Who knew? I thought when I quit the law firm, by default, I'd bought myself a year or two of lull. You know, time to build up the practice.
I can't complain about being wrong. My practice is busier than I dreamed it would be, and so much earlier than I expected.
But, wow. Unbeknownst to me, I am learning that I secretly dreamed of and pre-enjoyed weekends and mornings and evenings and relaxation.
I'm only now realizing how strong those dreams were while I mourn their loss. This weekend, E and I took a 3 day weekend away. I worked Saturday AM but managed, through guilty herculean efforts, to avoid the computer the entire time until Monday evening. In exchange for that privilege, I had to send many emails from my phone apologizing, promising responses, and fretting about my failure to set an appropriate out-of-office message.
Today, I didn't fit in my run. I woke early, but instead of running, I worked. All day, I cranked away on legal stuff, with "breaks" for networking and meeting with the bookkeeper (Who laughed at my receipts from my first month vis-a-vis my initial estimate of my annual collections -- It would appear I was a bit too conservative...).
As E pointed out, I am personally experiencing the hyper-growth shock that many of my successful startups have experienced. I will need to hire soon. The whole experience is very educational. And I am thankful.
April 22, 2010
It Gets Harder
Yoga is unlike any *sport* I've ever done.
I've had a pseduo-regular yoga practice for about 10 years. And a pseudo-zen philsophical practice for a little less than 20 years.
In the last 3 years or so, I've tried to step up my commitment to yoga and combine it with my zen practice as well. Recently, as a result of starting my own law practice (I'm practicing quite a bit these days!) and managing my own schedule, I've been able to return to a regular studio-based yoga practice -- which is awesome.
The thing about Yoga that is completely different from any other regular physical activity in which I've engaged is that the longer I practice, the more difficult it becomes.
Not in a bad way.
Quite the opposite.
It's just that with every additional day of practice, I learn more things I can focus on, pay attention to, and isolate in each pose.
As a result, I now find even the most basic class to be very difficult.
When I started, I only sought out advanced classes because it was the only way I could exhaust myself into a state of relaxation. Now, I can take an hour long class for people who have never done yoga that allows for many rest breaks and never deviates from the basic fundamental poses and I'll still find it challenging and rewarding. In fact, sometimes I find myself dripping with sweat in these basic classes even more than in a more advance class, as a result of breathing deep yoga breaths, paying attention to where my mind is, where my eyes are focused, and what the various muscle groups are doing because they hold the poses for so long while allowing the new students to get used to them.
Today, I've found that no matter what type of class I take, if I go to the studio, by the finishing sequence I'm always exhausted and relaxed.
I find it very comforting to realize that this is a practice that I will be able to have for the rest of my life. The well-rounded combination of a mental, spiritual, and physical practice means that even when I am very old or sick I will be able to find some aspect of the practice to challenge me.
I am grateful.
Yoga is unlike any *sport* I've ever done.
I've had a pseduo-regular yoga practice for about 10 years. And a pseudo-zen philsophical practice for a little less than 20 years.
In the last 3 years or so, I've tried to step up my commitment to yoga and combine it with my zen practice as well. Recently, as a result of starting my own law practice (I'm practicing quite a bit these days!) and managing my own schedule, I've been able to return to a regular studio-based yoga practice -- which is awesome.
The thing about Yoga that is completely different from any other regular physical activity in which I've engaged is that the longer I practice, the more difficult it becomes.
Not in a bad way.
Quite the opposite.
It's just that with every additional day of practice, I learn more things I can focus on, pay attention to, and isolate in each pose.
As a result, I now find even the most basic class to be very difficult.
When I started, I only sought out advanced classes because it was the only way I could exhaust myself into a state of relaxation. Now, I can take an hour long class for people who have never done yoga that allows for many rest breaks and never deviates from the basic fundamental poses and I'll still find it challenging and rewarding. In fact, sometimes I find myself dripping with sweat in these basic classes even more than in a more advance class, as a result of breathing deep yoga breaths, paying attention to where my mind is, where my eyes are focused, and what the various muscle groups are doing because they hold the poses for so long while allowing the new students to get used to them.
Today, I've found that no matter what type of class I take, if I go to the studio, by the finishing sequence I'm always exhausted and relaxed.
I find it very comforting to realize that this is a practice that I will be able to have for the rest of my life. The well-rounded combination of a mental, spiritual, and physical practice means that even when I am very old or sick I will be able to find some aspect of the practice to challenge me.
I am grateful.
April 19, 2010
Fruits to Come
Sunday, after a fairly hard-core 9 miles with E2, I came home to garden obsessively alongside E, who built yet another garden box for our yard.
After 8+ hours of labor, we're done (more or less) with the summer garden planting.
Pictures will show up on Tech Law Garden once they are available, but in the meantime, let's celebrate that there are very few things in the world more exhausting than manually turning, shoveling, moving, and amending soil.
In other news, I expect to sleep well this week, and, I think this year's garden may be the best one yet!
Sunday, after a fairly hard-core 9 miles with E2, I came home to garden obsessively alongside E, who built yet another garden box for our yard.
After 8+ hours of labor, we're done (more or less) with the summer garden planting.
Pictures will show up on Tech Law Garden once they are available, but in the meantime, let's celebrate that there are very few things in the world more exhausting than manually turning, shoveling, moving, and amending soil.
In other news, I expect to sleep well this week, and, I think this year's garden may be the best one yet!
April 18, 2010
Big Monday
A law suit that was filed by a student group when I was a law student is making its way to the United States Supreme Court for oral arguments tomorrow.
The law -- she is slow, at times. As a student, I had thought this was a cut and dried issue. As a lawyer, several years later, I laugh at my confidence back then. I now know that this issue was a fight waiting to happen, and that anyone with the resources to fight it could have taken the opportunity (as the CLS did) to make it a long, difficult, resource-intensive argument, no matter what the outcome.
It's times like these that I wish I lived in Washington DC. I'd love to be in the courtroom tomorrow and hearing the arguments in person. Some day I'll cross that todo off the list...
A law suit that was filed by a student group when I was a law student is making its way to the United States Supreme Court for oral arguments tomorrow.
The law -- she is slow, at times. As a student, I had thought this was a cut and dried issue. As a lawyer, several years later, I laugh at my confidence back then. I now know that this issue was a fight waiting to happen, and that anyone with the resources to fight it could have taken the opportunity (as the CLS did) to make it a long, difficult, resource-intensive argument, no matter what the outcome.
It's times like these that I wish I lived in Washington DC. I'd love to be in the courtroom tomorrow and hearing the arguments in person. Some day I'll cross that todo off the list...
April 14, 2010
Roasted Cauliflower with Bacon, Baby Carrots, Leeks, Mustard, and Bread Crumbs
This recipe is currently winning the 2010 unofficial home-based contest for unexpected awesome (and it puts some of the last of the Spring Harvest to use).
-1/4 lb bacon, chopped into 1 inch strips
-2 Leeks, chopped into 1 cm rounds
-1 head cauliflower, chopped into florets of 1 inch X 1 inch X 0.25 inch
-2 T fancy German non-sweet mustard (pick your favorite mustard from a talented friend, if you can)
-1/2 lb. miniature carrots from the garden
-2 C. bread crumbs
-fancy salt flakes (pick your poison)
-Pre-heat oven to 450F.
1. Chop leeks and cauliflower. Scatter throughout pan. Place dry in oven.
2. Sauteé bacon on medium. Cover to preserve liquid in addition to grease. Add chopped leeks after bacon has started to release grease. Add mustard, stir. Cover.
3. Once leeks are completely translucent, layer bacon, leeks, mustard, etc. over slightly browned cauliflower. Return, uncovered, to oven for 20 minutes.
4. Stir all layers to ensure even coating of bacon grease and any other spices that have been added to you taste. Layer baby carrots, salt flakes, bread crumbs, and a sprinkling of olive oil on top. Return to oven for 20 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and serve immediately. Add black pepper and salt flakes for texture to taste.
This recipe is currently winning the 2010 unofficial home-based contest for unexpected awesome (and it puts some of the last of the Spring Harvest to use).
-1/4 lb bacon, chopped into 1 inch strips
-2 Leeks, chopped into 1 cm rounds
-1 head cauliflower, chopped into florets of 1 inch X 1 inch X 0.25 inch
-2 T fancy German non-sweet mustard (pick your favorite mustard from a talented friend, if you can)
-1/2 lb. miniature carrots from the garden
-2 C. bread crumbs
-fancy salt flakes (pick your poison)
-Pre-heat oven to 450F.
1. Chop leeks and cauliflower. Scatter throughout pan. Place dry in oven.
2. Sauteé bacon on medium. Cover to preserve liquid in addition to grease. Add chopped leeks after bacon has started to release grease. Add mustard, stir. Cover.
3. Once leeks are completely translucent, layer bacon, leeks, mustard, etc. over slightly browned cauliflower. Return, uncovered, to oven for 20 minutes.
4. Stir all layers to ensure even coating of bacon grease and any other spices that have been added to you taste. Layer baby carrots, salt flakes, bread crumbs, and a sprinkling of olive oil on top. Return to oven for 20 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and serve immediately. Add black pepper and salt flakes for texture to taste.
April 8, 2010
My Patron Saint: Santa Chiara di Asisi
When I lived in Italy, my language school took weekend cultural excursions every week. And, one weekend, we went to Assisi.
Ordinarily, I paid the fee and visited the relics wherever we went.
But in Assisi, I was overwhelmed by the number of Catholic nuns, many of whom hailed from very poor countries and had saved for years for the privilege of visiting Saint Claire. It just felt wrong for me to get in line with them and try to appreciate the holiness and wonder attributable to her relics when they considered their visit a pilgrimage and mine was a stroke of luck due to a bus that brought me there through no planning or forethought of my own.
Years later, I was sworn in as an attorney at the California Mission of Santa Clara. At the time, I was thankful, emotional, and asked for a blessing on my future career, but I paid no heed to the role of Santa Clara in that day, other than to note that it was the name of the location where the big emotional event occurred.
Today, I found myself back at the Church with time to spare before an event sponsored by the affiliated law school. Much to my surprise, I was compelled to go in, to breathe and cross myself with holy water, to kneel (with my laptop at my side) and say a prayer of thanks for the career blessings I am currently experiencing, and just generally, to say thanks and ask for blessings for life, and love, and the opportunity to grow in the face of everything I've been given, and all of the things that one feels thankful for when in a spontaneous spiritual state.
I left, emotionally buoyant -- as if my trip into the Church was something that was fundamentally correct -- pleased with myself that I had taken the time to do it (an amusing feeling for a self-proclaimed buddhist to feel while walking out of a Catholic Church after performing a Catholic ritual).
And then, on my way out, as I walked to my event, I saw the placard explaining that Mission Santa Clara was the first Californian Mission dedicated to a female saint. All of a sudden, the unexplained reverence and connection I felt in this place felt even more right. I am deeply Californian. My family worked this land for five generations to earn me the right to become a college educated female who didn't have to work the land. And yet, my hobby is the garden. I have found that I am inexorably connected to the land.
The Missions of California are such a part of the story of the California land that it makes sense that I, as a Californian, would feel connected to them. And, to feel a stronger connection to the first female-dedicated mission, well, duh, as a female, that makes sense. But, today, after reading the placard explaining that Mission Santa Clara was the first Mission dedicated to a woman, I finally remembered that I had seen first hand, in her burial grounds, the reverence that Santa Chiara can invoke. And, I recalled that I had so much respect and awe for the love that she invoked, that I abstained in favor of the pilgrims.
So, tonight, I am feeling an indescribable sense of awe for the circle of life and our experiences and how they can weave together to create a wholeness we could not have imagined. Through no planning of my own, I visited her burial grounds long before I knew her Mission would be a part of my career. Upon my return to the US, I opted to live down the street (the El Camino Real) from her Mission. At the beginning of my career, I unknowingly asked for blessings in my career and thanked the powers that be for my luck in a house of worship built in her name. And today, again, when I felt grateful, I walked into that same house of worship and performed ceremonies I haven't felt the need to perform since the last Catholic wedding I attended.
I guess she is my patron saint.
What a great thing to learn.
When I lived in Italy, my language school took weekend cultural excursions every week. And, one weekend, we went to Assisi.
Ordinarily, I paid the fee and visited the relics wherever we went.
But in Assisi, I was overwhelmed by the number of Catholic nuns, many of whom hailed from very poor countries and had saved for years for the privilege of visiting Saint Claire. It just felt wrong for me to get in line with them and try to appreciate the holiness and wonder attributable to her relics when they considered their visit a pilgrimage and mine was a stroke of luck due to a bus that brought me there through no planning or forethought of my own.
Years later, I was sworn in as an attorney at the California Mission of Santa Clara. At the time, I was thankful, emotional, and asked for a blessing on my future career, but I paid no heed to the role of Santa Clara in that day, other than to note that it was the name of the location where the big emotional event occurred.
Today, I found myself back at the Church with time to spare before an event sponsored by the affiliated law school. Much to my surprise, I was compelled to go in, to breathe and cross myself with holy water, to kneel (with my laptop at my side) and say a prayer of thanks for the career blessings I am currently experiencing, and just generally, to say thanks and ask for blessings for life, and love, and the opportunity to grow in the face of everything I've been given, and all of the things that one feels thankful for when in a spontaneous spiritual state.
I left, emotionally buoyant -- as if my trip into the Church was something that was fundamentally correct -- pleased with myself that I had taken the time to do it (an amusing feeling for a self-proclaimed buddhist to feel while walking out of a Catholic Church after performing a Catholic ritual).
And then, on my way out, as I walked to my event, I saw the placard explaining that Mission Santa Clara was the first Californian Mission dedicated to a female saint. All of a sudden, the unexplained reverence and connection I felt in this place felt even more right. I am deeply Californian. My family worked this land for five generations to earn me the right to become a college educated female who didn't have to work the land. And yet, my hobby is the garden. I have found that I am inexorably connected to the land.
The Missions of California are such a part of the story of the California land that it makes sense that I, as a Californian, would feel connected to them. And, to feel a stronger connection to the first female-dedicated mission, well, duh, as a female, that makes sense. But, today, after reading the placard explaining that Mission Santa Clara was the first Mission dedicated to a woman, I finally remembered that I had seen first hand, in her burial grounds, the reverence that Santa Chiara can invoke. And, I recalled that I had so much respect and awe for the love that she invoked, that I abstained in favor of the pilgrims.
So, tonight, I am feeling an indescribable sense of awe for the circle of life and our experiences and how they can weave together to create a wholeness we could not have imagined. Through no planning of my own, I visited her burial grounds long before I knew her Mission would be a part of my career. Upon my return to the US, I opted to live down the street (the El Camino Real) from her Mission. At the beginning of my career, I unknowingly asked for blessings in my career and thanked the powers that be for my luck in a house of worship built in her name. And today, again, when I felt grateful, I walked into that same house of worship and performed ceremonies I haven't felt the need to perform since the last Catholic wedding I attended.
I guess she is my patron saint.
What a great thing to learn.
April 6, 2010
Losing Your Balance is Contagious
Last night, during our home Yoga practice, E and I both started wobbling in tree pose. Soon enough we were both wobbling more and more and finally, we both fell.
E commented:
Unbalance is contagious
And, in that wacky mind-state that yoga can sometimes produce, I thought
That is true.
Yoga teaches us to focus on our own breath, to maintain our inner calm, and to stay with the yin and yang of our own breath in the midst of the chaos that our mind thinks our body or the outside world is throwing at us.
But, if you are anything like me, you find that it is much easier to focus on your own breath when you are in a room full of other people practicing intently, focusing on their own breath as well, insulated from the madness outside the yoga sanctuary.
Several of my yoga instructors have talked about taking your yoga practice with you, outside the studio, into every day life. And no doubt, that is the ultimate goal -- to breathe and have perspective so you can be calm and peaceful while moving throughout the storm of everyday life.
But, I've also heard many instructors talk about the importance of regularly coming to a class. The importance of giving yourself a supportive community, an instructor, and a space where you feel immediately calm -- where you can focus and breathe and increase the strength of your practice.
E's comment made me realize that these two goals -- 1) to take your yoga practice with you into the chaos; and 2) to seek a supportive peaceful environment where you can deepen your practice -- are not at odds.
Just as unbalance in the yoga studio is contagious, so it is in real life. So yes we can seek to bring our balanced perspective and life with us wherever we go and with whomever we interact. But, it is important to recognize that while we are developing our sense of balance, we need to be mindful of our environment -- we will find it easier to be balanced in a supportive peaceful environment (with supportive, peaceful people). Similarly, we may need to limit our time in unsupportive, chaotic environments if we find that we are "catching" the unbalanced energy that often exists there.
Alright, that's enough new age hippy crap for now.
Last night, during our home Yoga practice, E and I both started wobbling in tree pose. Soon enough we were both wobbling more and more and finally, we both fell.
E commented:
Unbalance is contagious
And, in that wacky mind-state that yoga can sometimes produce, I thought
That is true.
Yoga teaches us to focus on our own breath, to maintain our inner calm, and to stay with the yin and yang of our own breath in the midst of the chaos that our mind thinks our body or the outside world is throwing at us.
But, if you are anything like me, you find that it is much easier to focus on your own breath when you are in a room full of other people practicing intently, focusing on their own breath as well, insulated from the madness outside the yoga sanctuary.
Several of my yoga instructors have talked about taking your yoga practice with you, outside the studio, into every day life. And no doubt, that is the ultimate goal -- to breathe and have perspective so you can be calm and peaceful while moving throughout the storm of everyday life.
But, I've also heard many instructors talk about the importance of regularly coming to a class. The importance of giving yourself a supportive community, an instructor, and a space where you feel immediately calm -- where you can focus and breathe and increase the strength of your practice.
E's comment made me realize that these two goals -- 1) to take your yoga practice with you into the chaos; and 2) to seek a supportive peaceful environment where you can deepen your practice -- are not at odds.
Just as unbalance in the yoga studio is contagious, so it is in real life. So yes we can seek to bring our balanced perspective and life with us wherever we go and with whomever we interact. But, it is important to recognize that while we are developing our sense of balance, we need to be mindful of our environment -- we will find it easier to be balanced in a supportive peaceful environment (with supportive, peaceful people). Similarly, we may need to limit our time in unsupportive, chaotic environments if we find that we are "catching" the unbalanced energy that often exists there.
Alright, that's enough new age hippy crap for now.
April 3, 2010
The Glory of the Unscheduled
This weekend, for the first time in about 6 months, after 5:30 PM on Friday, I had no obligations scheduled until Monday at 9:30 AM.
Sure, E2 and P may stop by on their way through town on Sunday and we may need to celebrate their engagement properly and ooh and ahh over the ring in person, but that's just a maybe and if they don't have time or we aren't here, no big deal.
In short, I can't believe how relaxed I feel. It is a glorious, wonderful feeling. And how have I used this time, you may ask?
Just perfectly, so far!
First, on Friday night, I spoke to R on the phone, uninterrupted for almost 2 hours.
Saturday morning, after waking to ensure brother was in good hands, I cleaned out my email box, cleaned the kitchen a wee bit and headed out for a solid 8.5+ mile run. It was slow, but steady, and not so slow as to be anything other than an obvious step on the return to my former (pre-sciatica) fitness level.
This afternoon? Impromptu lunch with friends followed by lots of todo list crossing off, gardening, and garden planning.
Tonight? Another impromptu meal with friends at a local izakaya (I love living in such an immigrant rich community).
And tomorrow? Perhaps some yoga with B, perhaps not. But definitely a medium/short run and catch up session with B before lunch. Brother, E and I had planned to head to the local farmer's market to shop and plan the week's menu and eat brunch, but given the predicted rain -- it'll likely be just me quickly raiding the farmer's market stalls and a mellow afternoon at home doing more work and personal chores.
Basically, I'm elated to be living such a normal (impossible to be late because there's nothing scheduled) life this weekend.
It has been entirely too long.
This weekend, for the first time in about 6 months, after 5:30 PM on Friday, I had no obligations scheduled until Monday at 9:30 AM.
Sure, E2 and P may stop by on their way through town on Sunday and we may need to celebrate their engagement properly and ooh and ahh over the ring in person, but that's just a maybe and if they don't have time or we aren't here, no big deal.
In short, I can't believe how relaxed I feel. It is a glorious, wonderful feeling. And how have I used this time, you may ask?
Just perfectly, so far!
First, on Friday night, I spoke to R on the phone, uninterrupted for almost 2 hours.
Saturday morning, after waking to ensure brother was in good hands, I cleaned out my email box, cleaned the kitchen a wee bit and headed out for a solid 8.5+ mile run. It was slow, but steady, and not so slow as to be anything other than an obvious step on the return to my former (pre-sciatica) fitness level.
This afternoon? Impromptu lunch with friends followed by lots of todo list crossing off, gardening, and garden planning.
Tonight? Another impromptu meal with friends at a local izakaya (I love living in such an immigrant rich community).
And tomorrow? Perhaps some yoga with B, perhaps not. But definitely a medium/short run and catch up session with B before lunch. Brother, E and I had planned to head to the local farmer's market to shop and plan the week's menu and eat brunch, but given the predicted rain -- it'll likely be just me quickly raiding the farmer's market stalls and a mellow afternoon at home doing more work and personal chores.
Basically, I'm elated to be living such a normal (impossible to be late because there's nothing scheduled) life this weekend.
It has been entirely too long.
March 31, 2010
Roasted Mustard Pork-Chops Over Winter Veggies
Easy and delicious made-up recipe from the contents of our fridge, served to guests. Good Mustard is the key.
-1 pork chop per person
-port mustard from Heavenly Mustards
-1 cabbage, chopped
-1 cup leftover vegetable minestrone
-3 leeks from the garden, chopped
-olive oil
1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Layer cabbage and leeks in a baking dish
3. Pour minestrone over cabbage and leeks
4. Lather both sides of each pork chop with a liberal layer of mustard, place on top of veggies.
5. Drizzle with olive oil.
6. Bake for 20 minutes. Drizzle with more oil.
7. Bake for 10 minutes. Drizzle with more oil. Turn to broil.
8. Broil for 5 minutes.
9. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Easy and delicious made-up recipe from the contents of our fridge, served to guests. Good Mustard is the key.
-1 pork chop per person
-port mustard from Heavenly Mustards
-1 cabbage, chopped
-1 cup leftover vegetable minestrone
-3 leeks from the garden, chopped
-olive oil
1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Layer cabbage and leeks in a baking dish
3. Pour minestrone over cabbage and leeks
4. Lather both sides of each pork chop with a liberal layer of mustard, place on top of veggies.
5. Drizzle with olive oil.
6. Bake for 20 minutes. Drizzle with more oil.
7. Bake for 10 minutes. Drizzle with more oil. Turn to broil.
8. Broil for 5 minutes.
9. Serve immediately and enjoy!
March 29, 2010
Tomatoes in Waiting
The latest post at Tech Law Garden shows the current state of the tomatoes.
All 362 of them.
But, what I'm most excited about are the varietals we're growing this year. After much experimentation last year, we determined that tomatoes with more flesh and less liquid were better for many of the uses we enjoy such as canning, sauces, roasting, salsas, etc.
Don't get me wrong -- nothing, and I mean nothing, can compete with a big juicy liquid-filled tomato in its prime during the height of tomato season. It's just that if you want to do something other than eat it raw, the liquid starts to be less and less useful, and this is balanced against the fact that the plants can only take up so much liquid, so production is lower for high-juice tomatoes.
Accordingly, we jettisoned many of last year's higher juice/gel-sac tomatoes in favor of more paste tomatoes. If it's a repeat, it's come from seeds I saved because we felt it was on the high end of quality when taste, heartiness, and production were taken into consideration. This year's 28 grown-from-seed entrants are:
-Amish Paste (new)
-Black Cherry (1-1 1/2 inch diameter cherry repeat)
-Black from Tula (medium/large purple from saved seeds)
-Brown Berry (3/4 - 1 inch diameter brown repeat)
-Coustralee (ruffled, large, pink, repeat)
-Federle (new)
-Green Giant (huge green-when-ripe beefsteaks, repeat)
-Green Zebra (small green and yellow striped globes, repeat)
-Health Kick (new, high lycopene)
-Heinz 2653 (new)
-Howard German (new)
-Husky Cherry Red (compact, hearty, determinate, disease resistant, good for lower sunshine locations, repeat)
-Japanese Black Trifele (dark brown shouldered pear shaped tomato with potato leaves, delicious repeat)
-Kentucky Beefsteak (huge, orange, prolific, favorite, repeat)
-Mini Carol from seeds saved from fruits grown from Knapp's Fresh Veggies (sweet, early producer, orange minis, repeat)
-Orange Russian 117 (red-orange/yellow striped beauty, medium/large, repeat)
-Powers Heirloom (new)
-Principe Borghese (new)
-Purple Calabash (new)
-Purple Russian (new)
-Roman Candle (new)
-Sun Sugar (sweet and delicious saved for repeat, although supposedly a genetic hybrid, so perhaps not..)
-Super Marzano (prolific red paste tomato that does well in pots with sufficient calcium, VFNT (disease resistant), repeat)
-Sweet Horizon (orange oxheart, repeat)
-Thessoloniki (red juicy taste test winner in our home, medium sized, repeat)
-Top Sirloin (largest tomatoes from last season, huge red beefsteaks, late bloomers, amazing, repeat)
-Viva Italia (new)
-White Oxheart (white oxheart with amazing sweetness and acidity, a favorite, if not the favorite from last year, repeat)
The latest post at Tech Law Garden shows the current state of the tomatoes.
All 362 of them.
But, what I'm most excited about are the varietals we're growing this year. After much experimentation last year, we determined that tomatoes with more flesh and less liquid were better for many of the uses we enjoy such as canning, sauces, roasting, salsas, etc.
Don't get me wrong -- nothing, and I mean nothing, can compete with a big juicy liquid-filled tomato in its prime during the height of tomato season. It's just that if you want to do something other than eat it raw, the liquid starts to be less and less useful, and this is balanced against the fact that the plants can only take up so much liquid, so production is lower for high-juice tomatoes.
Accordingly, we jettisoned many of last year's higher juice/gel-sac tomatoes in favor of more paste tomatoes. If it's a repeat, it's come from seeds I saved because we felt it was on the high end of quality when taste, heartiness, and production were taken into consideration. This year's 28 grown-from-seed entrants are:
-Amish Paste (new)
-Black Cherry (1-1 1/2 inch diameter cherry repeat)
-Black from Tula (medium/large purple from saved seeds)
-Brown Berry (3/4 - 1 inch diameter brown repeat)
-Coustralee (ruffled, large, pink, repeat)
-Federle (new)
-Green Giant (huge green-when-ripe beefsteaks, repeat)
-Green Zebra (small green and yellow striped globes, repeat)
-Health Kick (new, high lycopene)
-Heinz 2653 (new)
-Howard German (new)
-Husky Cherry Red (compact, hearty, determinate, disease resistant, good for lower sunshine locations, repeat)
-Japanese Black Trifele (dark brown shouldered pear shaped tomato with potato leaves, delicious repeat)
-Kentucky Beefsteak (huge, orange, prolific, favorite, repeat)
-Mini Carol from seeds saved from fruits grown from Knapp's Fresh Veggies (sweet, early producer, orange minis, repeat)
-Orange Russian 117 (red-orange/yellow striped beauty, medium/large, repeat)
-Powers Heirloom (new)
-Principe Borghese (new)
-Purple Calabash (new)
-Purple Russian (new)
-Roman Candle (new)
-Sun Sugar (sweet and delicious saved for repeat, although supposedly a genetic hybrid, so perhaps not..)
-Super Marzano (prolific red paste tomato that does well in pots with sufficient calcium, VFNT (disease resistant), repeat)
-Sweet Horizon (orange oxheart, repeat)
-Thessoloniki (red juicy taste test winner in our home, medium sized, repeat)
-Top Sirloin (largest tomatoes from last season, huge red beefsteaks, late bloomers, amazing, repeat)
-Viva Italia (new)
-White Oxheart (white oxheart with amazing sweetness and acidity, a favorite, if not the favorite from last year, repeat)
March 28, 2010
March 23, 2010
March 20, 2010
Reason Number 10,004,079
Why my husband is awesome?
He religiously looks up the ISS passes over our hometown, and insists that we go outdoors to view them when they are good.
So, tonight, while at our local Mexican Joint with H and O and baby-in-the-oven, we all ran outside at 8:17 PM to view the bright ascent of the ISS across the sky. Our hasty departure caused many of the waitstaff to follow us, and they were impressed enough to run around back and clear out the kitchen so that they could see it too.
E proceeded to show pictures of the ISS on his phone and explain its purpose, height, speed, etc, to all within earshot who stopped by our table to ask what? why? how come?
I was so proud.
Also, it was one of the best viewings I'd ever had, so it was very cool to share it with all of these folks who'd never seen it before (and many who'd never even heard of it).
Why my husband is awesome?
He religiously looks up the ISS passes over our hometown, and insists that we go outdoors to view them when they are good.
So, tonight, while at our local Mexican Joint with H and O and baby-in-the-oven, we all ran outside at 8:17 PM to view the bright ascent of the ISS across the sky. Our hasty departure caused many of the waitstaff to follow us, and they were impressed enough to run around back and clear out the kitchen so that they could see it too.
E proceeded to show pictures of the ISS on his phone and explain its purpose, height, speed, etc, to all within earshot who stopped by our table to ask what? why? how come?
I was so proud.
Also, it was one of the best viewings I'd ever had, so it was very cool to share it with all of these folks who'd never seen it before (and many who'd never even heard of it).
March 17, 2010
Smart Reader?
There is something very disturbing about the fact that a smart grid energy meter in silicon valley looks like this:
I swear I saw something like this next to Buck Rogers in a Sci-Fi flick as a kid, no?
There is something very disturbing about the fact that a smart grid energy meter in silicon valley looks like this:
I swear I saw something like this next to Buck Rogers in a Sci-Fi flick as a kid, no?
March 15, 2010
Nitroglycerin Paste is Serious Stuff
So, I'll spare you the details, but I thought you might like to know that one recent morning, at around 5 AM, I ended up with nitroglycerine paste on my hands without realizing it.
I can now report that nausea, sweating, tunnel vision, numb hands and feet, feeling that you are going to pass out, and moaning are all symptoms of severe low blood pressure. I'm shocked that I didn't pass out as my blood pressure was 55/30 or something along those lines when E measured it.
The good news is that if you wash your hands (or rather, in my case, have your husband hold you upright while he washes your hands because they don't work), you very quickly return to normal.
Moral of the story: wear gloves both while applying the paste *and* while removing it, even if you are using what you believe to be a sufficient barrier to remove the cream. Also, probably a good idea to wash your hands after each step just to be sure. Next time...
So, I'll spare you the details, but I thought you might like to know that one recent morning, at around 5 AM, I ended up with nitroglycerine paste on my hands without realizing it.
I can now report that nausea, sweating, tunnel vision, numb hands and feet, feeling that you are going to pass out, and moaning are all symptoms of severe low blood pressure. I'm shocked that I didn't pass out as my blood pressure was 55/30 or something along those lines when E measured it.
The good news is that if you wash your hands (or rather, in my case, have your husband hold you upright while he washes your hands because they don't work), you very quickly return to normal.
Moral of the story: wear gloves both while applying the paste *and* while removing it, even if you are using what you believe to be a sufficient barrier to remove the cream. Also, probably a good idea to wash your hands after each step just to be sure. Next time...
March 13, 2010
Brrrr..... Beautiful
Grand Teton National Park (yes, the French Trappers named it after tatas) is the only national park with an airport in the middle. So, the landing and take-off views are amazing, if a bit surreal:
The national park service has maintained Alaskan-style army snow-shoes from the 1940s that park visitors use, which contributes to the general lost-in-time feel of the undeveloped wilderness (that is occasionally interrupted by the 757s overhead):
Every morning, I looked out my window to see this:
The one day I was able to ski, it was a white-out. But I did manage to sneak in a few views of the entire valley from the mountain between the fog and snow patches:
And, it seemed like every day, no matter where we went, we were presented with a majestic view of one sort or another:
I'm not normally the kind of person who loves the winter. But I must admit, there was something very calming about the constant stark beauty of the cold and the muffling quiet from the snow.
I heart Grand Teton National Park.
Grand Teton National Park (yes, the French Trappers named it after tatas) is the only national park with an airport in the middle. So, the landing and take-off views are amazing, if a bit surreal:
The national park service has maintained Alaskan-style army snow-shoes from the 1940s that park visitors use, which contributes to the general lost-in-time feel of the undeveloped wilderness (that is occasionally interrupted by the 757s overhead):
Every morning, I looked out my window to see this:
The one day I was able to ski, it was a white-out. But I did manage to sneak in a few views of the entire valley from the mountain between the fog and snow patches:
And, it seemed like every day, no matter where we went, we were presented with a majestic view of one sort or another:
I'm not normally the kind of person who loves the winter. But I must admit, there was something very calming about the constant stark beauty of the cold and the muffling quiet from the snow.
I heart Grand Teton National Park.
March 10, 2010
Different, but the same
Last night, I sent my final contract for the day to a client at 10:48 PM -- not so different from working at the firm.
Except, of course, I also fit in my run in the AM, opened my business bank account, had lunch with E, and fit in a post-work run/walk with B -- definitely different from working at the firm.
I'm very much looking forward to a month from now when the majority of the start-up administrative stuff is complete and I can just focus on working for my clients and self-education when I'm *working.*
Last night, I sent my final contract for the day to a client at 10:48 PM -- not so different from working at the firm.
Except, of course, I also fit in my run in the AM, opened my business bank account, had lunch with E, and fit in a post-work run/walk with B -- definitely different from working at the firm.
I'm very much looking forward to a month from now when the majority of the start-up administrative stuff is complete and I can just focus on working for my clients and self-education when I'm *working.*
March 6, 2010
The Great Race
Well, after months of preparation, I'm finally out on my own as a solo practitioner.
I'd planned to spend the first week away from the firm on vacation. And, I did. Somewhat.
But I also ended up with many more requests for work than I expected. And you can't really start a business with "no." So, I worked, and relaxed in Jackson Hole and ate good food, and worked out and got a massage, and even went skiing on the last day.
Despite all of my preparation, I had several surprises (do doubt the first of many), and I had to scramble to manage them.
Today, my thoughts are with our friends who are starting the 24 Hours of LeMons in the hilarious rebuilt 1986 Nissan 300ZX.
Their entry is titled, "Church of the Lost Cause" and you really should check out the pictures of the car.
Despite all of their preparation. I'm certain they are in for several surprises as well. I can't wait to hear their stories
Well, after months of preparation, I'm finally out on my own as a solo practitioner.
I'd planned to spend the first week away from the firm on vacation. And, I did. Somewhat.
But I also ended up with many more requests for work than I expected. And you can't really start a business with "no." So, I worked, and relaxed in Jackson Hole and ate good food, and worked out and got a massage, and even went skiing on the last day.
Despite all of my preparation, I had several surprises (do doubt the first of many), and I had to scramble to manage them.
Today, my thoughts are with our friends who are starting the 24 Hours of LeMons in the hilarious rebuilt 1986 Nissan 300ZX.
Their entry is titled, "Church of the Lost Cause" and you really should check out the pictures of the car.
Despite all of their preparation. I'm certain they are in for several surprises as well. I can't wait to hear their stories
February 25, 2010
Almost There
Finishing up a legal practice at a law firm.
Opening my own practice.
Helping E start his second business.
Networking like crazy.
Managing other life stuff.
Healing from sciatica and not really keeping a steady work-out schedule (which typically helps me stay energized).
I have not been this physically exhausted in years.
Tomorrow is my last day of work at the firm. I realized today when someone asked me that I am actually too tired to feel anything about that reality. Not relief. Not excitement. Nothing. I'm certain I will feel something, someday. But right now? I'm just very happy to go to sleep for the first night in a long time before 1 AM.
Finishing up a legal practice at a law firm.
Opening my own practice.
Helping E start his second business.
Networking like crazy.
Managing other life stuff.
Healing from sciatica and not really keeping a steady work-out schedule (which typically helps me stay energized).
I have not been this physically exhausted in years.
Tomorrow is my last day of work at the firm. I realized today when someone asked me that I am actually too tired to feel anything about that reality. Not relief. Not excitement. Nothing. I'm certain I will feel something, someday. But right now? I'm just very happy to go to sleep for the first night in a long time before 1 AM.
February 22, 2010
Nature's Fractals
Check out the latest garden post at Tech Law Garden.
Delicious Mandelbrot sets.
In other news, I got my quote for malpractice insurance back today. I can breathe now. It's painful. But doable. Phew...
Check out the latest garden post at Tech Law Garden.
Delicious Mandelbrot sets.
In other news, I got my quote for malpractice insurance back today. I can breathe now. It's painful. But doable. Phew...
Broken Incentives
If you want to talk about the power of incentives and the power of rationalized, terrible behavior: after the Defense Department had had enough experience with cost-plus percentage of cost contracts, the reaction of our republic was to make it a crime for the federal government to write one, and not only a crime, but a felony.
And by the way, the government's right, but a lot of the way the world is run, including most law firms and a lot of other places, they've still got a cost-plus percentage of cost system.
-Charlie Munger The Psychology of Human Misjudgment
If you want to talk about the power of incentives and the power of rationalized, terrible behavior: after the Defense Department had had enough experience with cost-plus percentage of cost contracts, the reaction of our republic was to make it a crime for the federal government to write one, and not only a crime, but a felony.
And by the way, the government's right, but a lot of the way the world is run, including most law firms and a lot of other places, they've still got a cost-plus percentage of cost system.
-Charlie Munger The Psychology of Human Misjudgment
February 19, 2010
Spaghetti Squash & Recovery
Tonight, after a long day of work following a long week to boot (the simultaneous winding down and gearing up of a law practice is exhausting!), E and I opted for a simple dinner:
-bread
-garlic, spicy pepper infused olive oil (a hand-made gift from S)
-fancy salts (a Christmas gift from E's sister)
-baked spaghetti squash
-balsamic vinegar
-spices (black pepper, paprika, cumin, to the individual taste)
-wine
We mixed the various ingredients according to our preferences and enjoyed the simplicity, happy to be home without a work day tomorrow.
Brother, not surprisingly, found this meal a little too bay area for his taste, and opted for a bowl of ramen. In case you didn't know, ramen technology has advanced significantly in the last 10 years. The modern ramen brother prefers involves no less than 3 packets, including something called, "soup booster." I have to assume (and it smells as if) these advances are better than the dry cups of noodles that I preferred to eat without cooking in the bone lab in the mid 1990's, but I haven't yet ventured to confirm my suspicion.
And now, after sending out my last marked up contract for the day, preparing dinner for E, and confirming that the laundry really is just going to wait 'til I get back into town on Sunday, I'm ready to relax -- I've got a couch beckoning me with my book and a People magazine with my name on it (literally).
Tomorrow, I will wake early to run before heading to my hometown to drop off brother for a day with friends while I head to one of sister's many wedding related events.
Did you catch that? After much icing and anti-inflammatories, I can finally run again! Yay! The sciatica is officially on the mend and I've gone for two runs of > 2 miles each, so far, without negative side effects. As badly as I want to bump it up to 3, 4, 5, or even 6 miles, I'm trying to remember that a slow increase is most likely to save me future pain and increase the likelihood that I can continue to run.
And, I'm not going to lie. While there are too many reasons to count that make me feel as if this move is the right one for me, one of the things I'm most looking forward to, with respect to being a solo practitioner, is calendaring and keeping my commitments to exercise every day.
So, I need to exercise enough restraint that I can take advantage of that option once it's available.
Wish me luck!
Tonight, after a long day of work following a long week to boot (the simultaneous winding down and gearing up of a law practice is exhausting!), E and I opted for a simple dinner:
-bread
-garlic, spicy pepper infused olive oil (a hand-made gift from S)
-fancy salts (a Christmas gift from E's sister)
-baked spaghetti squash
-balsamic vinegar
-spices (black pepper, paprika, cumin, to the individual taste)
-wine
We mixed the various ingredients according to our preferences and enjoyed the simplicity, happy to be home without a work day tomorrow.
Brother, not surprisingly, found this meal a little too bay area for his taste, and opted for a bowl of ramen. In case you didn't know, ramen technology has advanced significantly in the last 10 years. The modern ramen brother prefers involves no less than 3 packets, including something called, "soup booster." I have to assume (and it smells as if) these advances are better than the dry cups of noodles that I preferred to eat without cooking in the bone lab in the mid 1990's, but I haven't yet ventured to confirm my suspicion.
And now, after sending out my last marked up contract for the day, preparing dinner for E, and confirming that the laundry really is just going to wait 'til I get back into town on Sunday, I'm ready to relax -- I've got a couch beckoning me with my book and a People magazine with my name on it (literally).
Tomorrow, I will wake early to run before heading to my hometown to drop off brother for a day with friends while I head to one of sister's many wedding related events.
Did you catch that? After much icing and anti-inflammatories, I can finally run again! Yay! The sciatica is officially on the mend and I've gone for two runs of > 2 miles each, so far, without negative side effects. As badly as I want to bump it up to 3, 4, 5, or even 6 miles, I'm trying to remember that a slow increase is most likely to save me future pain and increase the likelihood that I can continue to run.
And, I'm not going to lie. While there are too many reasons to count that make me feel as if this move is the right one for me, one of the things I'm most looking forward to, with respect to being a solo practitioner, is calendaring and keeping my commitments to exercise every day.
So, I need to exercise enough restraint that I can take advantage of that option once it's available.
Wish me luck!
February 14, 2010
Frustrating Data Points
I'm making my way through the very informative whitepaper from Illuminate Ventures: High Performance Entrepreneurs: Women in High Tech.
In general, it's full of all sorts of positive information and trends in directions that should make people in favor of gender equality happy. The comparison of the Indian entrepreneur experience in Silicon Valley to the female entrepreneur experience is interesting, in particular.
However, the report acknowledges that the picture is as rosey as it is because it's focused in the U.S. Outside the U.S., the picture is very different. Including in the UK, which surprised me:
In the United Kingdom, for example, majority female-owned businesses pay significantly higher margins on loan terms than male-owned businesses (2.9 percentage points versus 1.9 percentage points)
And, one data point I found interesting, regardless of gender, was on the overhead associated with seeking venture capital versus debt:
Women who succeeded in gaining equity funding reported contacting 25 to 30 potential equity investors, roughly five times the level of contacts required for women to gain debt financing.
It's a good read, if you like this sort of thing.
I'm making my way through the very informative whitepaper from Illuminate Ventures: High Performance Entrepreneurs: Women in High Tech.
In general, it's full of all sorts of positive information and trends in directions that should make people in favor of gender equality happy. The comparison of the Indian entrepreneur experience in Silicon Valley to the female entrepreneur experience is interesting, in particular.
However, the report acknowledges that the picture is as rosey as it is because it's focused in the U.S. Outside the U.S., the picture is very different. Including in the UK, which surprised me:
In the United Kingdom, for example, majority female-owned businesses pay significantly higher margins on loan terms than male-owned businesses (2.9 percentage points versus 1.9 percentage points)
And, one data point I found interesting, regardless of gender, was on the overhead associated with seeking venture capital versus debt:
Women who succeeded in gaining equity funding reported contacting 25 to 30 potential equity investors, roughly five times the level of contacts required for women to gain debt financing.
It's a good read, if you like this sort of thing.
February 12, 2010
The Last Push
I'm up early, busting my butt to finish entirely too much work this week.
Yesterday, I received a call from a client informing me that I'll be needing to finish a project for him over the weekend.
And Monday? The holiday? I'll be working that day too.
All of this is part of my commitment to leave the firm on the best terms I could. Things are busy, which is great for them. And a colleague in my group is out on paternity leave, so there's more work than normal to be divided in his absence.
So, I'm buckling down and being a team player who bills like crazy to get the work done.
But it's very difficult to be working on getting my new firm up and running while managing the transition of my existing firm clients to new associates and to be simultaneously getting the work they need me to do done.
I'll be very excited when I can focus entirely on my new firm. Oh, and my marriage, and family, and friends and health, and all the other little things that I've let fall quite a bit by the wayside lately.
I'm up early, busting my butt to finish entirely too much work this week.
Yesterday, I received a call from a client informing me that I'll be needing to finish a project for him over the weekend.
And Monday? The holiday? I'll be working that day too.
All of this is part of my commitment to leave the firm on the best terms I could. Things are busy, which is great for them. And a colleague in my group is out on paternity leave, so there's more work than normal to be divided in his absence.
So, I'm buckling down and being a team player who bills like crazy to get the work done.
But it's very difficult to be working on getting my new firm up and running while managing the transition of my existing firm clients to new associates and to be simultaneously getting the work they need me to do done.
I'll be very excited when I can focus entirely on my new firm. Oh, and my marriage, and family, and friends and health, and all the other little things that I've let fall quite a bit by the wayside lately.
February 7, 2010
Coming up from behind (or underneath)
The Saints Did It.
Who doesn't love the underdog?
And, in keeping with that spirit, I spent the entire game putting seeds under potting soil for this Summer's garden (and our friends).
The Saints Did It.
Who doesn't love the underdog?
And, in keeping with that spirit, I spent the entire game putting seeds under potting soil for this Summer's garden (and our friends).
February 5, 2010
Changes
I've decided to start my own law practice.
I've given notice to the firm and have set my last day, but in the meantime, there are a ton of details to manage and things to do and learn. First, there's leaving while preserving as much goodwill with the firm as possible. I've been pleased with how well this has been going, and have been impressed, yet again, with what a great group of attorneys I work with -- they have been very encouraging and supportive. Then, there's transitioning my existing clients to other attorneys at the firm who will replace me in a manner that is professional and leaves them with a good impression of me. And then, in the background, there's all the stuff I need to get in place to actually get my own firm up and running...
Given that I need to have a digital social network in place to help recruit clients once my firm is up and running, this blog has finally ceased to be the main outlet for my written thoughts. These days, I'm adopting a multi-pronged approach with Facebook, Twitter, and a professional blog about legal topics in addition.
So, my life is very full right now. Full of family, friends, work, networking, and preparing for the next big professional move I'll be making.
Also, due to sciatica, I've gone longer without running in the least few weeks than I have since 2003. I miss the runs, but the slow relief I'm feeling in the pain is worth it. I should have stopped running earlier. I do look forward to getting back into my running shoes at some point (and possibly even training for another marathon next year), but for now, I'd just love to be out of pain.
The change in all of these patterns I've known for so long feels very odd to me. And, they explain why I'm being quieter than normal on the blog.
Onward!
I've decided to start my own law practice.
I've given notice to the firm and have set my last day, but in the meantime, there are a ton of details to manage and things to do and learn. First, there's leaving while preserving as much goodwill with the firm as possible. I've been pleased with how well this has been going, and have been impressed, yet again, with what a great group of attorneys I work with -- they have been very encouraging and supportive. Then, there's transitioning my existing clients to other attorneys at the firm who will replace me in a manner that is professional and leaves them with a good impression of me. And then, in the background, there's all the stuff I need to get in place to actually get my own firm up and running...
Given that I need to have a digital social network in place to help recruit clients once my firm is up and running, this blog has finally ceased to be the main outlet for my written thoughts. These days, I'm adopting a multi-pronged approach with Facebook, Twitter, and a professional blog about legal topics in addition.
So, my life is very full right now. Full of family, friends, work, networking, and preparing for the next big professional move I'll be making.
Also, due to sciatica, I've gone longer without running in the least few weeks than I have since 2003. I miss the runs, but the slow relief I'm feeling in the pain is worth it. I should have stopped running earlier. I do look forward to getting back into my running shoes at some point (and possibly even training for another marathon next year), but for now, I'd just love to be out of pain.
The change in all of these patterns I've known for so long feels very odd to me. And, they explain why I'm being quieter than normal on the blog.
Onward!
January 18, 2010
Winter, Food, and Garden
A while back, there were only 2 sunshines in the next 10 days of weather icons. The rest were all pictures involving some amount of raindrops.
Yay, water!
Boo, being stuck indoors and no sunshine (which turns me into a royal grump).
Thankfully, during one weekend of rain, A came to visit for a Sunday run, and she brought foodstuffs to make us an awesome fried apple pancake.
Literally, this is the first true pancake that I'm aware I've ever had. First you make it on the stove in a pan (by frying apples in butter!), and then you add some batter and bake it in the oven like a cake. It puffs up like a souflee and then deflates.
Definitely one of the better novelty winter food experiences I've had in a long time. Thanks A!
And finally, one of the greatest things about living in a super-temperate climate? And getting lots of water from the sky? The winter garden!
Including transplanted Tatsoi from my sister's seedling flat that she left me after she took me to the winter gardening class at Love Apple Farm for my birthday:
And Broccolli! We love it!
And Napa Cabbage & Bok Choy?
And baby tiger cauliflowers (which are now much more reasonably sized and almost ready to eat):
And let us not forget the sad-looking garlic shoots, that will impress us with their scapes this summer:
And then, there are the leeks. I harvested 3 in the rain tonight. In the dark. Getting muddy while digging them out. I love garden leeks.
And finally, you can see that hope springs eternal. Because I have a pot of arugula. I've made myself some delicious salads from it. But from sister's flat of sown seedlings, I had so many to transplant that I couldn't help but try to make it work despite the dead of winter (albeit a Californian one). So wish me luck:
.
Tonight, for dinner, we're having a brocolli-leek soup. The brocolli florets and the leeks are home grown. The half-and-half, butter, and cheese? that comes from Safeway, except for the fancy cheese. And the marjoram comes from our herb box. But, bonus, it's Friday, and there's little else required for a delicious meal and a full evening of relaxation.
Happy Delicious Winter Veggies to all and Welcome to the Weekend!
A while back, there were only 2 sunshines in the next 10 days of weather icons. The rest were all pictures involving some amount of raindrops.
Yay, water!
Boo, being stuck indoors and no sunshine (which turns me into a royal grump).
Thankfully, during one weekend of rain, A came to visit for a Sunday run, and she brought foodstuffs to make us an awesome fried apple pancake.
Literally, this is the first true pancake that I'm aware I've ever had. First you make it on the stove in a pan (by frying apples in butter!), and then you add some batter and bake it in the oven like a cake. It puffs up like a souflee and then deflates.
Definitely one of the better novelty winter food experiences I've had in a long time. Thanks A!
And finally, one of the greatest things about living in a super-temperate climate? And getting lots of water from the sky? The winter garden!
Including transplanted Tatsoi from my sister's seedling flat that she left me after she took me to the winter gardening class at Love Apple Farm for my birthday:
And Broccolli! We love it!
And Napa Cabbage & Bok Choy?
And baby tiger cauliflowers (which are now much more reasonably sized and almost ready to eat):
And let us not forget the sad-looking garlic shoots, that will impress us with their scapes this summer:
And then, there are the leeks. I harvested 3 in the rain tonight. In the dark. Getting muddy while digging them out. I love garden leeks.
And finally, you can see that hope springs eternal. Because I have a pot of arugula. I've made myself some delicious salads from it. But from sister's flat of sown seedlings, I had so many to transplant that I couldn't help but try to make it work despite the dead of winter (albeit a Californian one). So wish me luck:
.Tonight, for dinner, we're having a brocolli-leek soup. The brocolli florets and the leeks are home grown. The half-and-half, butter, and cheese? that comes from Safeway, except for the fancy cheese. And the marjoram comes from our herb box. But, bonus, it's Friday, and there's little else required for a delicious meal and a full evening of relaxation.
Happy Delicious Winter Veggies to all and Welcome to the Weekend!
January 11, 2010
Red Lentil Salad
MMM... winter comfort food. Enjoy!
-1 package (approx 2 cups) red lentils
-1/2 red onion chopped
-3 cloves garlic, minced
-6 pieces bacon, chopped
-1 12 oz. can stewed tomatoes
-2 T dijon mustard
-2 T pickled horseradish
-1 bunch spinach, washed, stemmed, and divided into 3 beds
-sea salt
-finishing coarse salts (a fancy selection of various colored crystals that were a holiday gift from E's sister and her husband)
1. Place bacon, onions, and garlic in a pan. Cook on medium-high heat until bacon is starting to brown and onions and garlic are see-through.
2. Add lentils, stir.
3. Add tomatoes, stir and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Cover with water (approx 1-2 cups), continue to stir and cook on medium heat.
5. Add sea salt to taste (approx 2 tsp for me), stir, cover and leave on medium heat stirring every 2-3 minutes until water is almost evaporated.
6. Stir in mustard and horseradish. Taste. (If lentils are too hard, add another 1/2 cup water and cover to simmer for 5 mintues.) Once lentils are al dente, Remove from heat, stir, and cover.
7. Arrange spinach as a bed, and plate the lentil salad over the spinach. Dress with fancy salts of choice.
Enjoy Immediately!
MMM... winter comfort food. Enjoy!
-1 package (approx 2 cups) red lentils
-1/2 red onion chopped
-3 cloves garlic, minced
-6 pieces bacon, chopped
-1 12 oz. can stewed tomatoes
-2 T dijon mustard
-2 T pickled horseradish
-1 bunch spinach, washed, stemmed, and divided into 3 beds
-sea salt
-finishing coarse salts (a fancy selection of various colored crystals that were a holiday gift from E's sister and her husband)
1. Place bacon, onions, and garlic in a pan. Cook on medium-high heat until bacon is starting to brown and onions and garlic are see-through.
2. Add lentils, stir.
3. Add tomatoes, stir and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Cover with water (approx 1-2 cups), continue to stir and cook on medium heat.
5. Add sea salt to taste (approx 2 tsp for me), stir, cover and leave on medium heat stirring every 2-3 minutes until water is almost evaporated.
6. Stir in mustard and horseradish. Taste. (If lentils are too hard, add another 1/2 cup water and cover to simmer for 5 mintues.) Once lentils are al dente, Remove from heat, stir, and cover.
7. Arrange spinach as a bed, and plate the lentil salad over the spinach. Dress with fancy salts of choice.
Enjoy Immediately!
Right to Forget?
It appears that France is considering legislation that would require online data to be deleted/removed after a certain amount of time.
Ignoring the pragmatic implementation issues, assuming a government could actually make this law work -- the debate raises several very interesting policy and culture issues.
-How long and how far should information about our former actions follow us?
-If it's true, should anyone be allowed to say it? What if it's their opinion, but it's quite terrible as it concerns you? What if it was true at some point in the past but may not be so anymore?
-Are we, as an Internet culture, moving to being more forgiving of each other's transgressions, because, hey, who doesn't have some unfortunate party pictures available somewhere on the Internet?
-Or, are we, as an Internet culture, moving to a policed information state, where we have a right to control where our reputations are made and modified. Where we get to protect ourselves from the information related to our former transgressions, because, hey, at some point we all should be able to move on, overcome, and forget our past misdeeds.
-And how does this debate take into consideration the reality that most people find horrifically negative facts about a person to be much more interesting (and therefor higher on the search results) than any (and possibly all) counterbalancing healthy, normal, well adjusted facts?
It's questions like these, and more, that have kept me for so long from being completely open with my identity on this blog.
Lately, though, I can't help but feel that the ship has sailed. I feel as if the Internet has evolved to a place where I have 2 binary options -- I can stay fully engaged in the culture and join the transparency, or I can continue to seclude myself and slowly remove myself from and miss out on many of its newer benefits.
Thoughts?
It's a doozy.
[UPDATE: And, the same day I wrote this, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg claimed Privacy is no longer a social norm.]
It appears that France is considering legislation that would require online data to be deleted/removed after a certain amount of time.
Ignoring the pragmatic implementation issues, assuming a government could actually make this law work -- the debate raises several very interesting policy and culture issues.
-How long and how far should information about our former actions follow us?
-If it's true, should anyone be allowed to say it? What if it's their opinion, but it's quite terrible as it concerns you? What if it was true at some point in the past but may not be so anymore?
-Are we, as an Internet culture, moving to being more forgiving of each other's transgressions, because, hey, who doesn't have some unfortunate party pictures available somewhere on the Internet?
-Or, are we, as an Internet culture, moving to a policed information state, where we have a right to control where our reputations are made and modified. Where we get to protect ourselves from the information related to our former transgressions, because, hey, at some point we all should be able to move on, overcome, and forget our past misdeeds.
-And how does this debate take into consideration the reality that most people find horrifically negative facts about a person to be much more interesting (and therefor higher on the search results) than any (and possibly all) counterbalancing healthy, normal, well adjusted facts?
It's questions like these, and more, that have kept me for so long from being completely open with my identity on this blog.
Lately, though, I can't help but feel that the ship has sailed. I feel as if the Internet has evolved to a place where I have 2 binary options -- I can stay fully engaged in the culture and join the transparency, or I can continue to seclude myself and slowly remove myself from and miss out on many of its newer benefits.
Thoughts?
It's a doozy.
[UPDATE: And, the same day I wrote this, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg claimed Privacy is no longer a social norm.]
January 9, 2010
A Legal Perspective on Inter-Personal Relationships
Often, when things go wrong between colleagues, friends, or family, one party says to the other, "I'm so sorry, but, I didn't mean it. You know I didn't mean to do it. Right? It was an accident!"
This statement is a plea for forgiveness, and a hope that all will return to normalcy.
In US common civil law, this statement would be a defense against intentional misconduct. But, it would be useless against a claim of gross negligence and negligence.
Gross Negligence is a conscious and voluntary disregard of the need to use reasonable care, which is likely to cause foreseeable grave injury or harm to persons, property, or both.
Negligence, rather, is a mere failure to exercise reasonable care.
In our inter-personal relationships, I fear we are often too binary -- looking for intentional harm or assuming that without intention, the non-harmed party must be innocent.
But if we adopt the US common civil law standard, if we are careless with those we should be caring for, then we are responsible for the harm we cause them by our carelessness.
And, if (for whatever reason) we consciously and voluntarily disregard the need to use reasonable care in our relationships (for example, when the other party has asked us to pay attention to something that hurts them and we choose not to pay attention to it in our treatment of them), then we are grossly negligent, and we are even more culpable for their harm than if we just failed to exercise reasonable care.
If 2009 taught me anything, it was that I needed to stand up for myself when people (professionally, personally, and in the family) were harming me without intention. On accident.
They didn't mean it. They were not bad people. I love them.
But, at the end of the day, even if the other party doesn't mean it, if their actions harm you, they harm you. And, we all have a duty to avoid negligence (and gross negligence) when it comes to care of ourselves.
Often, when things go wrong between colleagues, friends, or family, one party says to the other, "I'm so sorry, but, I didn't mean it. You know I didn't mean to do it. Right? It was an accident!"
This statement is a plea for forgiveness, and a hope that all will return to normalcy.
In US common civil law, this statement would be a defense against intentional misconduct. But, it would be useless against a claim of gross negligence and negligence.
Gross Negligence is a conscious and voluntary disregard of the need to use reasonable care, which is likely to cause foreseeable grave injury or harm to persons, property, or both.
Negligence, rather, is a mere failure to exercise reasonable care.
In our inter-personal relationships, I fear we are often too binary -- looking for intentional harm or assuming that without intention, the non-harmed party must be innocent.
But if we adopt the US common civil law standard, if we are careless with those we should be caring for, then we are responsible for the harm we cause them by our carelessness.
And, if (for whatever reason) we consciously and voluntarily disregard the need to use reasonable care in our relationships (for example, when the other party has asked us to pay attention to something that hurts them and we choose not to pay attention to it in our treatment of them), then we are grossly negligent, and we are even more culpable for their harm than if we just failed to exercise reasonable care.
If 2009 taught me anything, it was that I needed to stand up for myself when people (professionally, personally, and in the family) were harming me without intention. On accident.
They didn't mean it. They were not bad people. I love them.
But, at the end of the day, even if the other party doesn't mean it, if their actions harm you, they harm you. And, we all have a duty to avoid negligence (and gross negligence) when it comes to care of ourselves.
January 6, 2010
De-Anonymization Warning #2
A while back, I hinted that I may be joining the Freakishly Free Open Kids.
I asked for those who didn't want me to link to them in the event that my meat-space identity might hint at their identity to let me know they'd like to be removed.
But, I think what I'm actually going to do is remove all linked blogs.
I'll re-link you if you request it.
And I'd really like you to request it.
But as of today, in preparation for the potential un-masking, I have no linked blogs. Please help me fix that by asking to be linked.
Cheers,
BT
A while back, I hinted that I may be joining the Freakishly Free Open Kids.
I asked for those who didn't want me to link to them in the event that my meat-space identity might hint at their identity to let me know they'd like to be removed.
But, I think what I'm actually going to do is remove all linked blogs.
I'll re-link you if you request it.
And I'd really like you to request it.
But as of today, in preparation for the potential un-masking, I have no linked blogs. Please help me fix that by asking to be linked.
Cheers,
BT
January 5, 2010
2009: The year in books
Well, here we are again -- 2009 is done and I get the opportunity to review my literary consumption and think about what it says about how I spent my spare time in the year. The total for this year is a meager 20 books, but like prior years, they correctly indicate where many of my spare thoughts were allocated.
1. Savannah: a Gift for Mr. Lincoln by John Jakes -- I read this while on our trip for New Years in Savannah and appreciated the historical perspective while enjoying the scenery about which I was reading.
2. Mr Muo's Traveling Couch by Dai Sijie -- the second book by Dai Sijie I've had the pleasure of reading, thanks to Arvay. Great cultural literary tourism. Highly enjoyable.
3. How to Grow World Record Tomatoes by Charles H. Wilber -- Very educational for the intrepid tomato gardner (me).
4. Heirloom: Notes from an accidental tomato farmer by Tim Stark -- Awesome story by someone who clearly loves tomatoes as much as, if not more than, me. Excellent read if you dream of farming.
5. Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh -- An excellent introduction to Thich Nhat Hanh's philosophy, received as a gift from a friend, and very much enjoyed as a companion to my regular Zen readings.
6. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert -- Important enough for me, personally, to inspire its own post.
7. The Man Behind the Microchip by Leslie Berlin -- great story of innovation in the valley and the problems encountered by those on the Autism spectrum. And yet... I couldn't make it through more than half the book without leaving it in Atlanta and feeling relief that I wouldn't have to finish it...
8: A trip to the Beach by Melinda Blanchard & Robert Blanchard -- this is the book I replaced #7 with. It was the perfect dream of opening a restaurant on an island that one should read while on vacation. Definitely recommended if you are going to Anguilla or elsewhere in the British West Indies..
9. The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. So many thoughts and struggles and philosophies and clever navel gazing fictional tricks. So hard to condense into reviews. A gift from bear that I thoroughly enjoyed.
10. Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson. A gorgeous story of immigration, cultural blending and friction, history, war, outsiders, seafaring people, and more. Poignant, but lovely.
11. Giant Tomatoes by Marvin H. Meisner. The title says it all. I learned quite a bit about the megabloom, pollination, and why perhaps bigger isn't actually better, nor may it be alligned with what I want. So, very educational.
12. Sick Pupply by Carl Hiaasen. Look, it's Carl Hiaasen. It was a dirty, guilty, satisfying pleasure. What?
13. Non-Violent Communication by Marshall B. Rosenberg. You've got to read something to compensate for the Sick Puppies of the literary world. So this was my Selection and it served me quite well, actually.
14. Waiting for White Horses by Nathan Jorgenson. This was a book I took from my father's collection. The story of friendship, duck hunting, and aging parents tugged at my heartstrings. It tugged so much that I gave it to brother before I finished the book and long before he asked for it...
15. Miss Pettigrew lives for a day by Winifred Watson (http://www.amazon.com/Miss-Pettigrew-Lives-Persephone-Classics/dp/190646202X) -- so fun. One of the more entertaining escapist tales I've read in a while.
16. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Anne Shaffer and Annie Barrows -- I learned more about WWII than I wanted to from this book. But it is a testament to it that I kept reading. Well done Ms. Shaffer -- the characters are stuck in my memory unlike many I encounter in my reading.
17. Remembering the Bones by Frances Itani -- I love grandmothers. A dying grandmother in the benevolent turmoil of the painful honesty of her last thoughts. An interesting structure of vignettes, and a nice read.
18. Solo by Choice: How to Be the Lawyer You Always Wanted to Be by Carolyn Elefant -- Knowledgeable take on the industry but full of almost unacceptable grammatical and linguistic errors...
19. The ZooKeeper's Wife by Dianne Ackerman -- I never totally realized, on an analytical level, just how horrid WWII was toward Jewish people. Yes, it's a stupid thing to write. But, this book is the first thing I've ever read that helped me understand that slavery and its aftermath, the most horrid black mark on the US historical context, is NOTHING compared to the mass death and destruction visited upon Jewish people in Poland during WWII. This personally based story of what happened does us all a favor by driving home the point in images and anecdotes where we might fail to understand with mere unrooted words.
20. The Garden Primer by Barbara Damrosch -- it's a classic. I read as much of it cover to cover as I could over the year. So I'll claim it now, because, in truth, I almost read the whole darn thing. I'm just that into gardening these days. I honestly only skipped the chapters on trees and shrubs, and I even read some interesting-to-me excerpts of those chapters as well.
21. The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. Simply the best book I read all year. Elegant. Struggling meandering philosophical and linguistic thoughts rooted in the mundane day-to-day class struggles of Paris, told in a gloriously simple first person manner through two cranky intelligent protagonists (with hints of Japanese culture to spice it up)...This book was written to push all my pleasure buttons.
Given the two half books above, I hit 20 books for the year despite the turmoil. Not bad. I think I'll persist in that same goal for the first year of the new decade.
Well, here we are again -- 2009 is done and I get the opportunity to review my literary consumption and think about what it says about how I spent my spare time in the year. The total for this year is a meager 20 books, but like prior years, they correctly indicate where many of my spare thoughts were allocated.
1. Savannah: a Gift for Mr. Lincoln by John Jakes -- I read this while on our trip for New Years in Savannah and appreciated the historical perspective while enjoying the scenery about which I was reading.
2. Mr Muo's Traveling Couch by Dai Sijie -- the second book by Dai Sijie I've had the pleasure of reading, thanks to Arvay. Great cultural literary tourism. Highly enjoyable.
3. How to Grow World Record Tomatoes by Charles H. Wilber -- Very educational for the intrepid tomato gardner (me).
4. Heirloom: Notes from an accidental tomato farmer by Tim Stark -- Awesome story by someone who clearly loves tomatoes as much as, if not more than, me. Excellent read if you dream of farming.
5. Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh -- An excellent introduction to Thich Nhat Hanh's philosophy, received as a gift from a friend, and very much enjoyed as a companion to my regular Zen readings.
6. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert -- Important enough for me, personally, to inspire its own post.
7. The Man Behind the Microchip by Leslie Berlin -- great story of innovation in the valley and the problems encountered by those on the Autism spectrum. And yet... I couldn't make it through more than half the book without leaving it in Atlanta and feeling relief that I wouldn't have to finish it...
8: A trip to the Beach by Melinda Blanchard & Robert Blanchard -- this is the book I replaced #7 with. It was the perfect dream of opening a restaurant on an island that one should read while on vacation. Definitely recommended if you are going to Anguilla or elsewhere in the British West Indies..
9. The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. So many thoughts and struggles and philosophies and clever navel gazing fictional tricks. So hard to condense into reviews. A gift from bear that I thoroughly enjoyed.
10. Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson. A gorgeous story of immigration, cultural blending and friction, history, war, outsiders, seafaring people, and more. Poignant, but lovely.
11. Giant Tomatoes by Marvin H. Meisner. The title says it all. I learned quite a bit about the megabloom, pollination, and why perhaps bigger isn't actually better, nor may it be alligned with what I want. So, very educational.
12. Sick Pupply by Carl Hiaasen. Look, it's Carl Hiaasen. It was a dirty, guilty, satisfying pleasure. What?
13. Non-Violent Communication by Marshall B. Rosenberg. You've got to read something to compensate for the Sick Puppies of the literary world. So this was my Selection and it served me quite well, actually.
14. Waiting for White Horses by Nathan Jorgenson. This was a book I took from my father's collection. The story of friendship, duck hunting, and aging parents tugged at my heartstrings. It tugged so much that I gave it to brother before I finished the book and long before he asked for it...
15. Miss Pettigrew lives for a day by Winifred Watson (http://www.amazon.com/Miss-Pettigrew-Lives-Persephone-Classics/dp/190646202X) -- so fun. One of the more entertaining escapist tales I've read in a while.
16. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Anne Shaffer and Annie Barrows -- I learned more about WWII than I wanted to from this book. But it is a testament to it that I kept reading. Well done Ms. Shaffer -- the characters are stuck in my memory unlike many I encounter in my reading.
17. Remembering the Bones by Frances Itani -- I love grandmothers. A dying grandmother in the benevolent turmoil of the painful honesty of her last thoughts. An interesting structure of vignettes, and a nice read.
18. Solo by Choice: How to Be the Lawyer You Always Wanted to Be by Carolyn Elefant -- Knowledgeable take on the industry but full of almost unacceptable grammatical and linguistic errors...
19. The ZooKeeper's Wife by Dianne Ackerman -- I never totally realized, on an analytical level, just how horrid WWII was toward Jewish people. Yes, it's a stupid thing to write. But, this book is the first thing I've ever read that helped me understand that slavery and its aftermath, the most horrid black mark on the US historical context, is NOTHING compared to the mass death and destruction visited upon Jewish people in Poland during WWII. This personally based story of what happened does us all a favor by driving home the point in images and anecdotes where we might fail to understand with mere unrooted words.
20. The Garden Primer by Barbara Damrosch -- it's a classic. I read as much of it cover to cover as I could over the year. So I'll claim it now, because, in truth, I almost read the whole darn thing. I'm just that into gardening these days. I honestly only skipped the chapters on trees and shrubs, and I even read some interesting-to-me excerpts of those chapters as well.
21. The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. Simply the best book I read all year. Elegant. Struggling meandering philosophical and linguistic thoughts rooted in the mundane day-to-day class struggles of Paris, told in a gloriously simple first person manner through two cranky intelligent protagonists (with hints of Japanese culture to spice it up)...This book was written to push all my pleasure buttons.
Given the two half books above, I hit 20 books for the year despite the turmoil. Not bad. I think I'll persist in that same goal for the first year of the new decade.
January 3, 2010
I am allergic
To dogs.
To everything with fur, really.
But Dogs are where it hurts me.
Puppies, this trip to my hometown.... Uggh... I must choose between cuddling the cuteness and hives. I hate it.
At my mom's house, her dog is generally well behaved. He leaves me alone. And she cleans vigorously. But still. I get asthmatic. Dog dander and my lungs are not a good combination.
This trip, however, I barely had any issues (particularly after the early AM runs).
I suspect this conversation explains it all:
[Mom, at the doggy groomers]: Please give her a good wash. Everything. The shampoo. The works. My daughter is coming for the holidays, and she is allergic...
[Groomer]: Oh... an allergic family member! I'm so sorry. Perhaps you'd like to opt into our Super Duper Vacuum the Dog's Dander after the Shampoo Treatment?
[Mom]: Oh? Really? You vacuum the dander? I bet my daughter would be happy about that. Please do...
[Mom]: Look at Merlin! He's never looked so clean, so shiny, so well groomed. He's never smelled so good!
[Me]: Happy to help! Seriously, thanks mom. I can already tell the difference.
And there you have it -- you can take your dog to the groomers to have it treated with some sort of dander vacuum to prep for the visit of allergic folks. Who knew?
To dogs.
To everything with fur, really.
But Dogs are where it hurts me.
Puppies, this trip to my hometown.... Uggh... I must choose between cuddling the cuteness and hives. I hate it.
At my mom's house, her dog is generally well behaved. He leaves me alone. And she cleans vigorously. But still. I get asthmatic. Dog dander and my lungs are not a good combination.
This trip, however, I barely had any issues (particularly after the early AM runs).
I suspect this conversation explains it all:
[Mom, at the doggy groomers]: Please give her a good wash. Everything. The shampoo. The works. My daughter is coming for the holidays, and she is allergic...
[Groomer]:
[Mom]: Oh? Really? You vacuum the dander? I bet my daughter would be happy about that. Please do...
[Mom]: Look at Merlin! He's never looked so clean, so shiny, so well groomed. He's never smelled so good!
[Me]: Happy to help! Seriously, thanks mom. I can already tell the difference.
And there you have it -- you can take your dog to the groomers to have it treated with some sort of dander vacuum to prep for the visit of allergic folks. Who knew?
January 1, 2010
Happy New Year!
My plan was to drop brother at a party, enjoy a good meal with E, and to sleep my way into 2010.
I accomplished all of these things, and more, except the sleeping through.
First, we arrived to the growing threat of a party at T&H's construction lot and later, their current house. Brother's grin grew bigger with each new guest, and we smiled to leave him to what promised to be a huge party of his friends (many of whom haven't seen him in 6 months) in his honor.
As for the meal, I think BigDon may have intervened. We had reservations, but they were 6 blocks away and I was tired and without a coat. So, we called the nearest Italian restaurant to our hotel and were pleased to learn that they had room for us on no notice (of course, we were a bit early -- "yes, I would love a 6:45 PM reservation, thank you!"). The decor was modern and the smells delicious when we entered, but it was the appropriately decadent menu and the awesome people watching that really made the night of celebration.
Why yes, I would love to start my meal with a light appetizer of burratta and prosciutto di san daniele [Mmmmmm.... salty, fatty, goodness]
Wow -- I had no idea sequins were so popular right now!
I think I will have the hand made gnochi with chanterelles, lobster and truffle oil in a cream sauce
Talk about comfortable in your own skin ... don't look now, but at the table next to the party of men in suits and women in strapless dresses, there is a woman wearing a mu-mu that has a mustache...
And I will have the hand made pappardelle with beef sauce
As you can imagine, between the food's quality, good service, all the views, and the reasonable prices, we were having a lovely night. But then, (and this is where I think BigDon intervened) in walked the V's! We were thrilled for the opportunity to catch up with them before their meal, and then joined them when we were done to enjoy fun conversation about our families, friends, and the impending arrival of their new little one while they finished their dinners. What a coincidence! Of all the restaurants in the entire Sacramento area, even though they live in Folsom, they elected to dine early, downtown, at the restaurant we chose by nothing other than proximity to our hotel.
As promised, I was in bed and asleep long before midnight. I believe I put my book down and kissed E goodnight before 11 PM. So great!
At midnight, the revelry woke me so I could join E at the window and watch the fireworks over the capital building through our window with E's arm around my shoulder.
And then, I promptly returned to sleep to start the New Year this morning rested, relaxed, and with motivation to hit the gym bright and early.
Here's to 2010!
My plan was to drop brother at a party, enjoy a good meal with E, and to sleep my way into 2010.
I accomplished all of these things, and more, except the sleeping through.
First, we arrived to the growing threat of a party at T&H's construction lot and later, their current house. Brother's grin grew bigger with each new guest, and we smiled to leave him to what promised to be a huge party of his friends (many of whom haven't seen him in 6 months) in his honor.
As for the meal, I think BigDon may have intervened. We had reservations, but they were 6 blocks away and I was tired and without a coat. So, we called the nearest Italian restaurant to our hotel and were pleased to learn that they had room for us on no notice (of course, we were a bit early -- "yes, I would love a 6:45 PM reservation, thank you!"). The decor was modern and the smells delicious when we entered, but it was the appropriately decadent menu and the awesome people watching that really made the night of celebration.
Why yes, I would love to start my meal with a light appetizer of burratta and prosciutto di san daniele [Mmmmmm.... salty, fatty, goodness]
Wow -- I had no idea sequins were so popular right now!
I think I will have the hand made gnochi with chanterelles, lobster and truffle oil in a cream sauce
Talk about comfortable in your own skin ... don't look now, but at the table next to the party of men in suits and women in strapless dresses, there is a woman wearing a mu-mu that has a mustache...
And I will have the hand made pappardelle with beef sauce
As you can imagine, between the food's quality, good service, all the views, and the reasonable prices, we were having a lovely night. But then, (and this is where I think BigDon intervened) in walked the V's! We were thrilled for the opportunity to catch up with them before their meal, and then joined them when we were done to enjoy fun conversation about our families, friends, and the impending arrival of their new little one while they finished their dinners. What a coincidence! Of all the restaurants in the entire Sacramento area, even though they live in Folsom, they elected to dine early, downtown, at the restaurant we chose by nothing other than proximity to our hotel.
As promised, I was in bed and asleep long before midnight. I believe I put my book down and kissed E goodnight before 11 PM. So great!
At midnight, the revelry woke me so I could join E at the window and watch the fireworks over the capital building through our window with E's arm around my shoulder.
And then, I promptly returned to sleep to start the New Year this morning rested, relaxed, and with motivation to hit the gym bright and early.
Here's to 2010!
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