Random This & Random That

A collection of thoughts, photos, funnies, and stories that I find interesting and worth while sharing.

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Check out my NEW Blog - Decor Loft

I've always had a love for design and decorating and as a way to expand on that love I've created DecorLoft.Tumblr.com - Check it out!  Maybe one day it will evolve in to something more...

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The Return of Saturn

It has been quite a while since I've blogged, I mean really sit down and write something out.  It wasn't till today while I was writing a post for work that I realized I had neglected my own blog.   In all fairness, I'm not sure where I would have fit it in.  This year has been packed, exciting, and full of changes.

I knew in January that this year was going to be big one, but had no way of telling just how big.  In the span of 5 months I got engaged, left a company I had worked at for nearly 5 years, started at a new company, began planning a wedding, and moved from LA to San Francisco.

I knew I needed a change and so I basically changed everything at once.  It's been refreshing, fun, and pretty nerve wracking at times.  I'm happy to report that I'm feeling pretty settled in the Bay Area, and looking forward to what the rest of the year has to offer- wedding planning, exploring a new area, and being the supportive fiancee as Bryce enters his first year of law school. 

A year ago when I told an acquaintance about my want for change, she explained that it was the Return of Saturn.  Not knowing much about astrology I decided to look it up, basically its when the planet Saturn comes back to meet your natal Saturn.  It generally take 29.5 years from when you were born (I just turned 28).  From what I read the Saturn return typically hits in your late 20's, and its impact is felt into your early thirties.  Anyone else experiencing this? 

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This song never gets old.  Just love it.

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I wear my heart upon my sleeve, like a big deal

Calvin Harris

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WHAT I WON’T MISS Dry skin Bad dinners like the one we went to last night E-mail Technology in general My closet Washing my hair Bras Funerals Illness everywhere Polls that show that 32 percent of the American people believe in creationism Polls Fox TV The collapse of the dollar Bar mitzvahs Mammograms Dead flowers The sound of the vacuum cleaner Bills E-mail. I know I already said it, but I want to emphasize it. Small print Panels on Women in Film Taking off makeup every night WHAT I WILL MISS My kids Nick Spring Fall Waffles The concept of waffles Bacon A walk in the park The idea of a walk in the park The park Shakespeare in the Park The bed Reading in bed Fireworks Laughs The view out the window Twinkle lights Butter Dinner at home just the two of us Dinner with friends Dinner with friends in cities where none of us lives Paris Next year in Istanbul Pride and Prejudice The Christmas tree Thanksgiving dinner One for the table The dogwood Taking a bath Coming over the bridge to Manhattan Pie

Lists of Note remembers Nora Ephron through her lists, from the last pages of her final book, I Remember Nothing: And Other Reflections.

Also see Ephron’s most timeless words on love, life, death,  and reading.

(via explore-blog)

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Carl Q. Christol

While I was attending UC Santa Barbara I worked a handful of part time jobs, many which involved wearing a bathing suit and standing by a pool. (If I only knew how lucky I was then). One of my jobs was at the Montecito YMCA where I worked as a lifeguard, swim coach, and swim instructor.  The Y was one of those places where you knew everyone who was a member, and they seem like a part of your life or an extension of your family.

There are a number of people who left a lasting impression on me at the Y, but one of my favorites was Carl. When I first met Carl he was about 92, nearly everyday like clock work he would arrive at about noon for lap swim.  I can still picture him shuffling in with his white bath robe and flip flops, in hand he would have his flippers which he wore throughout the majority of his swim. I don't think I ever took note of how far he swam, but he must have done at least 500 yards each day.

He would often chat with Edith (another one of my favorites at the YMCA) about current events and other happenings.  Edith was the one who filled me in on who Carl was and what he did.  Turns out he was a very well known Law Professor at USC, specializing in Space Law.  I remember being in awe when she told me that he had recently finished writing another book.  The last few months that I worked at the Y, Carl stopped coming in, Edith informed me that his family took away his car.  I was relieved that he was alive and well but couldn't help but feel bad that he was no longer able to make his daily swims.

Since I moved to L.A. I have thought a lot about the members of the Y, particularly the older members. Earlier this week I was thinking about Carl and felt the urge to look him up. I didn't know his full name So I Googled, "Carl USC Law Professor" and I found Carl Q. Christol. There were links to his books, interviews, and several articles titled: In Memoriam. He had passed away February of this year.

Here are a few of the articles:

USC's Article

Palisadian Post

Through these articles I learned more about the accomplishments and life of Carl Quimby Christol.  He was considered a pioneer in International Space Law, he was a Colonel in the Army during WWII, and a recipient of the Bronze Star.  He had a number of degree's and had taught all over the world. He published a handful of books, and was highly respected in his field.  It warmed my heart thinking about him and the long life he had lived. Carl will always be the story I tell when people say they are too old to do something.  I often think that people see age as an easy excuse to give up or not be active.  I only hope that I will be swimming laps everyday when I'm 94.

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Such a good one.

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Born on the island of Moloka`i, Hawaii, Zoe is the only known captive white (golden) zebra in existence. You can read more about her here.

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Zebra's have always been one of my favorite animals, and this took it to a whole new level. So awesome!

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Homemade Nutella... I think I have to.

I just ran across this recipe on a NPR article promoting making foods like cheese, mustard, and nutella-like spread in your own kitchen. Not only is it easy to do, but it's also kinda fun. I figured that this spread was a must.

Here's the recipe that was posted on the site, but I should add that I tried this recipe and I added milk (I used almond milk) because it wasn't at all smooth after I had finished the recipe. Milk did the trick and it was amazingly delicious. I also baked some no-knead bread, which was perfect with the spread.

Makes about 2 cups

1 1/4 cups hazelnuts

12 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

4 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Spread the hazelnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for about 12 minutes until slightly browned. Cool completely before using. (Rub the shell off the hazelnuts, note that not all will come off.)

Meanwhile, in a saucepan over simmering water melt the chocolate and the sugar, stirring until smooth and melted. Remove from heat and let cool.

In a food processor, grind the hazelnuts to form a paste. Add the oil, cocoa powder, vanilla and salt and process until the mixture is very smooth. Add the melted chocolate and pulse to blend well. If you prefer a smoother spread, force the mixture through a sieve to remove any bits of unprocessed hazelnuts.

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Veggie Meals

For the last month and a half I have had fun with trying new recipes that don't involve meat, as I have decided to cut it out of my diet for an undecided amount of time.  Some of the meal ideas have come from this great site I stumbled upon called, NotEatingOutinNY.com. I will talk more about this in another post as I have so much to say about the site and its creator.

Here are some of the meals that I have made.

Quinoa and Beet Salad (with almonds, dried apricots and, and green onions)

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Arugula and Parmesan.

And for a light lunch or snack...

Mango and Beet Salad

Cooking is quickly becoming one of my favorite new hobbies (as though I needed another) but in all honesty its a great one to have. I can't wait to share some more of my creations.

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I welcome the sun, the clouds and the rain The wind that sweeps the sky clean And lets the sun shine again

Brett Dennen

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Woody Allen's Paris

Over the weekend I was finally able to watch Midnight in Paris. I was dying to see it last year when it hit the theaters, I've wanted to see it even more after watching the American Master's documentary on Woody Allen, and since its up for Best Picture at this weeks Academy Awards I figured I better get on with it.

It was pretty much everything I hoped for an more. In all fairness it has the recipe to win my heart; I love Paris- check, I love the 1920's- check again, I love writers of the 1920's- check, and I love love stories-check, check, and check.

Owen Wilson's character is at a crossroads, he is struggling with the decisions to focus on writing a novel, or continue to pump out the screen plays he's become less enchanted with. His fiance wants the more stable of the two, and doesn't seem to concerned about his dreams. 

Paris enlightens Wilson's character in more ways than one, particularly when the clock strikes Midnight and he finds himself partying with Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1920's Paris, seeking writing advice from Hemingway, and sweeping Picasso's mistress of her feet. I can certainly see the draw to 1920's Paris, I for one have always wanted to attend one of the parties from F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby or the Beautiful and Damned. And they didn't call it the roaring 20's for nothing.

On top of the fun storyline, Woody Allen managed to find the most beautiful places in Paris making for some outrageously gorgeous scenes.

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Santa Barbara International Film Festival

A few weekends ago I attended the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Santa Barbara holds a very special place in my heart so I try to find any excuse to get up there, not that I REALLY need a reason. None the less I thought the film festival was the perfect excuse. After glancing through the schedule I decided on the 2nd to last day of the festival, and picked two films that caught my eye. 

The film that first got my attention was the The Artist, I have been dying to see it. It was showing at the Lobero Theater; one of California's oldest and continuously running theaters. Like most of Santa Barbara, the Lobero Theater dons Spanish Style Architecture. Inside, the theater has a very classic feeling with beautifully detailed ceilings. I really can't think of a better place to view this critically acclaimed, mostly silent, black and white film. I loved every minute of the screening and I can't wait to see if the film snags the Academy Award for Best Picture.

The second film I picked was Cafeteria Man, its a documentary on Tony Geraci and his quest to reform the Baltimore school lunch program. The film was a part of the SBIFF's new series called Screen Cuisine, which aims to hit on the relevant food issues and movements happening currently in our country and around the world. Cafeteria Man brought to light the problems with not only school lunches, but how people (children and adults) think about food. The film showcased the importance of food education in the school system, and eating/buying locally. This is such a relevant topic, and I loved the film!

Did I mention the weather was a perfect 75 degrees in sunny Santa Barbara? Doesn't get much better than that!

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Sans Meat

For almost a month now I have not consumed any meat, and six months prior to that I was what I like to call a flexitarian, which I define as having a diet mainly comprised of meatless meals, but allowing the occasional steak, fish, what have you (other people use this term too, and I'm not claiming to own it).

I've been hesitant to call myself a vegetarian, personally it seems kinda early to place a label on it. It's a little bit like a new relationship; I broke up with meat and things are getting pretty hot and heavy with vegetables, but we aren't in a committed relationship quite yet. It's still completely possible that meat and I will get back together. So for the time being, when people as if I am a vegetarian I will continue to say no and say I'm just going meatless for a while.

A perk to going meatless, more opportunities to have Acai bowls.

I have to say I am enjoying my meatless diet. Not only does it force me to try new things, but generally they are healthier. For example the other day I was at the Farmers Market in Hermosa Beach, In addition to the avocado's, asparagus, and grapefruit, I grabbed some lunch. In the past a farmers market lunch might consist of a BBQ chicken sandwich or a turkey dog, (cringe) just the thought of those meals make my stomach turn. Today I had an amazing tempeh spring roll and some fruit. Talk about a diet turn around.

I have had a small aching for food freedom, which is why I think I enjoyed the flexitarian status so much. (I had choices!) A few weeks ago I went to my favorite restaurant Mediterraneo, and I had to remind myself not to dive in to the Gambas (grilled tiger shrimp skewers), or the Croquettes (fried bechamel cheese and prosciutto). Those bite size tapas are so enticing. We shall see how long this lasts.

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Happy Valentines Day!

I ran across these funny valentines. They are not only historical but also full of puns, and who doesn't like a good pun?  See more here.

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I'm a big fan of these videos that keep popping up, Shit _____ Say (fill in the blank). It all started with Shit Girls Say and everyday since there seems to be a new one. The newest one that caught my eye was Shit People Say in LA, please tell me who hasn't felt this way when trying to find parking in LA?

Other favorites:

Shit Girls Say

Shit New Yorkers Say

Shit Yogi's Say

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treee

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Love this! Vonnegut is the man!