JD Salinger died today, at the age of 91. And while I haven't picked up Catcher in the Rye in years, I am still mourning the loss as if I knew the man.
Salinger may have been a recluse, but his work was some of the most influential writing that was ever put into the hands of young Americans. Name one person who didn't read Catcher in the Rye. Name one person who did read it and wasn't affected. Holden Caulfield was one of the most memorable and real characters of any work of literature, and he helped bring literature back to the masses of high school students who were turning towards other forms of media.
You may not have read his other novels, or you may have been turned off by the man's personal life, but you can't deny that he affected you.
January 28, 2010
January 27, 2010
I Love the Internet (Links I Love!)
While I was unemployed for a period of time this summer (almost four months) I found myself with a lot of time on my hands.
Even though I spent time at the gym or hanging out with a friend who was teaching summer school, that left a lot of hours of alone time. I did spent at least two hours a day applying for jobs, but that still left me with an exorbitant amount of "free time." I plowed through a new book almost every day, got obsessed with Mafia Wars on Facebook, discovered Twitter, and then mostly trolled the internet for interesting things to read.
I always started my internet meanderings with CNN.com, and one day I came across this article and literally found myself clicking through each and every site.
My top two from this list are:
Awkward Family Photos
I also love (though it's not on that list) Passive Aggressive Notes - because we've all had that roommate....
But one day a friend took a Facebook quiz entitled "Ben and Jerry's Flavor or Pottery Barn Paint Color" and I said to myself "Hmm... that's interesting. I should check out that website."
Well, that took me to the wonderful world known as MentalFloss.com
Billed as a site where "Knowledge Junkies get their fix" this is an entire website (blog, trivia, quizes, etc) dedicated to random tidbits of information. Want to know the background on the State of the Union Address? What about the men behind the alcohol (Jim, Jose, and Jack to name a few), Take a quiz entitled "Ben and Jerry's Flavor or Band I found on Myspace?" or "Doogie Howser's Diary Entry or Random Twitter Update?"
This site is updated several times a day, but be warned, once you get on the site, you will find yourself clicking through to read more and more.
In fact, I've been working on a mailing at work that requires me to HAND FEED envelopes through our printer, but since i have to feed an envelope every twenty seconds or so, I can't really accomplish any other work. What do I do? I go on Mental Floss and read and read while my left hand feeds the printer. That's what I call multi-tasking.
What are some of your favorite time wasting links?
January 25, 2010
Me, My Stories, and a little thing I call Geek.
Ah yes, television. I love TV. I love being able to cuddle up on my big armchair, wrapped in my 1970s era crocheted throw, snacks piled on the table before me, without a care in the world except what I have waiting for me on my DVR. (I especially love it when it's cold and rainy outside.)
I hate saying it, but I REALLY love watching TV alone. It sounds silly to say I enjoy watching TV alone, because I love sharing everything with my friends and family. I am constantly laughing out loud when reading books or articles, with the hope that whoever is around will ask, "What's so funny?" (This rarely happens.) But the thing about watching TV alone is that I never have to be concerned about whether the person I am with is also enjoying the show. I can laugh when I think it's funny. I can turn it off if I don't like it. I can have it as loud as I want, or as quiet. I can make a mess of the table in front of me, or I can eat my perfectly cut cheese with crackers and no one asks for a bite. I can fall asleep in the chair without a moment of awkwardness. Watching my stories is my time.
That all said there are certain shows I like to watch with people. Ghost Hunters, for example, is best enjoyed in a dark room, with my sister, and no food. When you are eating, you are not giving the show your full attention. And GH needs your full attention. I also enjoy sharing Lost with my sister. But let's be honest, you have to watch Lost with someone – every one has a theory and these theories must be voiced. Lifetime movies are best watched with another person – then you don’t feel quite as lame.
There are two shows that I absolutely adore sharing with others – Top Chef and How I Met Your Mother. Top Chef began as an hour that I could spend with my former roommate Beth, then turned into my alone time, and recently has begun resurfacing as a show I can enjoy with my friend Michelle. Beth and I bonded over the show when we met a contestant from the second season as a food demonstration. Ever since then, I’ve been addicted. When Beth moved back to Philly, I found myself lacking a cooking partner, and a fellow Top Chef fan. It wasn’t until a season or two ago that Michelle and I realized our mutual interest, and began watching together when we could. I also text my sister’s ex-boyfriend, Josh, while I watch, as we tend to like the same contestants.
Now. How I Met Your Mother might just be my current favorite show. I enjoy it most while with my friend Leyla, who helped feed my addiction after my friend Jenna showed me an episode from season two. I was instantly hooked. After spending countless hours on the Internet scouring for free episodes, Leyla (who I had only recently met) invited me over to watch her DVD copy of the third season. Not only was a wonderful friendship born, but a viewing partner was born as well. Yes, I enjoy the show alone, but gosh darn it, it’s much more enjoyable when I have Leyla, with her adorable laugh and excellent taste in wine, by my side.
Of course, you’re now asking, well what the heck does Emily like to watch alone? Oh, you know, those horribly girly shows: Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty, Greek -to name a few. I also watch Glee with my sister and roommate. That is a show you should not watch alone.
I don’t watch nearly as much TV as I used to. Now I find myself watching a whole lot of movies with the boyfriend, or episodes of Family Guy and
January 22, 2010
Makin' the (Pita) Dough
I know I mentioned it before, but I am totally digging on this meatless monday thing I'm doing this year. I'm sure it will be difficult at times, but right now I love being able to make and eat new foods.
Well, not only am I trying to eat vegetarian one day a week, I'm also trying to save money. When Monday rolled around two weeks ago, I wasn't planning on grocery shopping for at least another week and I had very few high-protein low-fat foods laying around. I knew I had a can of chickpeas in the pantry, so I thought I'd try my hand at making falafel (which, when it is good, is one of my favorite things to eat). I had all of the (relatively inexpensive) ingredients for the falafel patties (chickpeas, herbs and spices, an egg, and some panko). The problem? I had no pita!
As anyone who has ever eaten a falafel or gyro, you know that often times the pita is the best part. It's not anything like the dry, bland pocket bread you ate as a kid (don't get me wrong, I love a good pita pizza when camping or a pita tuna melt), it is something soft and chewy and light, with a lot of flavor.
So I set out to find (and make) an delicious pita recipe. I hopped on to my favorite recipe web site, typed Pita Bread in to the search bar and came up with this recipe. I tweaked it a little bit (used 2/3 white flour, 1/3 whole wheat), and was so impressed when it turned out to be really tasty. The first one off the stove was gobbled up by my boyfriend in about 2 seconds. In fact, that night he ate a dinner of just pita bread and some tomato sauce.
That night was January 11th. We ate leftover pita bread for three days, I made more dough to share with some friends this Monday, and I made another batch for a potluck dinner that I had to go to this evening.
I'm serious. You need to make this recipe and then eat all of the pita. Don't share. You too will become obsessed with this super cheap/easy/tasty recipe!
The Recipe: 1 packet of yeast
1 1/2 c warm water
2 tsp sugar
3 c flour (I did 2 cups white, 1 whole wheat)
1 tbsp nonfat dry milk powder
1/2 tsp salt
6 tbsp oil (I used a good olive oil)
1 1/2 c warm water
2 tsp sugar
3 c flour (I did 2 cups white, 1 whole wheat)
1 tbsp nonfat dry milk powder
1/2 tsp salt
6 tbsp oil (I used a good olive oil)
Directions
1. Mix sugar, water, and yeast together and set aside to proof (10 minutes)
2. In your mixing bowl, combine other dry ingredients.
3. Once the yeast is foamy, add to dry ingredients along with oil. Mix well.
4. You may need to add some more flour or water, to get a slightly stiff/tacky dough. If you're using a stand mixer, you want the dough to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
5. Turn dough out on to a floured surface and knead (or, if you're me, just let the dough hook on the mixer do it's thing. You don't need to kneed for a long time. 5-10 minutes should be fine.
6. Divide dough in to 18 egg sized balls and place on a floured surface. Cover and let rest for 20 minutes.
Cooking:
1. Roll dough balls (one at a time) between two sheets of wax or parchment paper. You want to roll at least 1/4 inch thick.
2. Place each dough sheet on to a preheated skillet (medium low) and cook until it bubbles
3. Flip over and continue cooking until slightly golden brown.
4. Place pita in a large plastic bag to keep warm and moist while you cook the rest of the dough.
You can also freeze the dough after it rises (I flattened the dough balls slightly and layered them between plastic wrap). When you're ready to cook, let them defrost and come to room temperature before rolling out then cook as directed above.
1. Mix sugar, water, and yeast together and set aside to proof (10 minutes)
2. In your mixing bowl, combine other dry ingredients.
3. Once the yeast is foamy, add to dry ingredients along with oil. Mix well.
4. You may need to add some more flour or water, to get a slightly stiff/tacky dough. If you're using a stand mixer, you want the dough to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
5. Turn dough out on to a floured surface and knead (or, if you're me, just let the dough hook on the mixer do it's thing. You don't need to kneed for a long time. 5-10 minutes should be fine.
6. Divide dough in to 18 egg sized balls and place on a floured surface. Cover and let rest for 20 minutes.
Cooking:
1. Roll dough balls (one at a time) between two sheets of wax or parchment paper. You want to roll at least 1/4 inch thick.
2. Place each dough sheet on to a preheated skillet (medium low) and cook until it bubbles
3. Flip over and continue cooking until slightly golden brown.
4. Place pita in a large plastic bag to keep warm and moist while you cook the rest of the dough.
You can also freeze the dough after it rises (I flattened the dough balls slightly and layered them between plastic wrap). When you're ready to cook, let them defrost and come to room temperature before rolling out then cook as directed above.
January 21, 2010
Four (Other) Things
Taking a page from Diana's book, I too shall write a short passage about the four things that are making me geek out major right now.
1. Vintage/Retro Clothing
Much like my counterpart, I love dresses. And skirts. And cute shoes. I have a sick obsession with the website, ModCloth. So sick, in fact, that over the span of 2.5 months this past fall, I spent over $1000 on it. Yes folks, that's how much I geeked out. However, it resulted in me getting gems such as these:
Lovely, aren't they? I won't show anymore now, you'll have to wait until I geek out about the site later.
2. Cambridge Culinary School
I'm not geeking out about the school as much as the Back-to-Basics course that I am taking there. The class is six weeks long, once a week, for fourish hours. We study things such as knife skills, eggs, entrees, soups, etc. My teacher's name is Dave, and he's pretty easy on the eyes, and therefore I get to combine pretty boys with cooking. I'm enjoying it a lot. Plus, I am gaining great skills to assist with my dream of becoming an amateur chef.
3. Coffee
Yes, I know. But coffee is so, so, so, so, soooooooooooo good. I am currently looking into buying a grinder and a big ol' french press, but moolas is tight. My little brother got me coffee for Christmas, a pound of the best smelling coffee EVER called "Hair Bender". I am drooling in anticipation of drinking said coffee. I'll let you know how it goes.
4. The Gym
I might write an entire entry about this, but I am truly obsessed with my new gym. I go to Healthworks, a Boston-based women only gym. It's right around the corner from work, and has a sauna and a hot tub. SOLD. Plus, I got two free personal training sessions just by signing up. I've worked with Shauna twice, and am excited to start my regime so I can look like this:
Except I don't tan.
There are so many other things I am geeking out about, such as: my friend Leyla, book club, books in general, nachos, etc etc. I'll write about them later (well maybe not Leyla, cause that'll probably creep her out.)
1. Vintage/Retro Clothing
Much like my counterpart, I love dresses. And skirts. And cute shoes. I have a sick obsession with the website, ModCloth. So sick, in fact, that over the span of 2.5 months this past fall, I spent over $1000 on it. Yes folks, that's how much I geeked out. However, it resulted in me getting gems such as these:
Lovely, aren't they? I won't show anymore now, you'll have to wait until I geek out about the site later.2. Cambridge Culinary School
I'm not geeking out about the school as much as the Back-to-Basics course that I am taking there. The class is six weeks long, once a week, for fourish hours. We study things such as knife skills, eggs, entrees, soups, etc. My teacher's name is Dave, and he's pretty easy on the eyes, and therefore I get to combine pretty boys with cooking. I'm enjoying it a lot. Plus, I am gaining great skills to assist with my dream of becoming an amateur chef.
3. Coffee
Yes, I know. But coffee is so, so, so, so, soooooooooooo good. I am currently looking into buying a grinder and a big ol' french press, but moolas is tight. My little brother got me coffee for Christmas, a pound of the best smelling coffee EVER called "Hair Bender". I am drooling in anticipation of drinking said coffee. I'll let you know how it goes.
4. The Gym
I might write an entire entry about this, but I am truly obsessed with my new gym. I go to Healthworks, a Boston-based women only gym. It's right around the corner from work, and has a sauna and a hot tub. SOLD. Plus, I got two free personal training sessions just by signing up. I've worked with Shauna twice, and am excited to start my regime so I can look like this:
Except I don't tan.There are so many other things I am geeking out about, such as: my friend Leyla, book club, books in general, nachos, etc etc. I'll write about them later (well maybe not Leyla, cause that'll probably creep her out.)
January 20, 2010
Four Things
So as my first post, I thought I'd write a short post about four things that make me geek out right now.
1. Dresses with pockets.
Right now I LOVE these things so hard. Do I own a dress with pockets right now? Nope. Do I want one (or five)? YES! I don't know what it is about a cute girly dress with pockets, but I covet.
Take, for example, these dresses (Mori Lee and modcloth respectively)
Aren't they awesome? There is something that is so simple and comforting about having pockets on a dress! In fact, I was wedding dress shopping with a friend when we even came across a wedding dress with pockets at David's Bridal. Amazing.
2. Glee
Ok, I know it's on hiatus until April, but this show is stuck in my brain. I have downloaded the songs on to my iPod, and I even follow @gleeks on Twitter. This show is everything that the drama nerd inside of me loves. Music! Choreography! Geeks triumphing over evil! If you like any of these things, you should be watching this show. CATCH UP!
3. Jen Lancaster
I am sure that Emily will agree with me that Jen Lancaster is amazing. She is a high powered exec turned unemployed broke person turned successful author. Her memoirs "Bitter is the New Black," "Such a Pretty Fat," Bright Lights, Big Ass," and "Pretty in Plaid" are funny and poignant and she feels the exact same way I do about Rachel Ray*! I find myself laughing out loud at everything she writes on her blog, on twitter, and in her books. Buy them. You won't be sorry.
4. Meatless Monday
Every few years I seriously debate turning vegetarian. Then I get a craving for a hamburger or some chicken and that's over. I've got a few friends that are vegetarian (and some that are even vegan, but that's a whole other level) So as part of my "resolutions" for 2010, I've decided to institute one meat-free day a week. Did you know that going meatless one day a week can help out not only your own health but the environment as well? Check out MeatlessMonday.com for more details. For me, I'm LOVING getting to try to eat new things. I even made (from scratch) baked falafel and pita bread for dinner last night.
*I am not someone that "hates" a lot of things, but Rachel Ray is up there. Right next to pickles (sorry Snooki).
1. Dresses with pockets.
Right now I LOVE these things so hard. Do I own a dress with pockets right now? Nope. Do I want one (or five)? YES! I don't know what it is about a cute girly dress with pockets, but I covet.
Take, for example, these dresses (Mori Lee and modcloth respectively)
Aren't they awesome? There is something that is so simple and comforting about having pockets on a dress! In fact, I was wedding dress shopping with a friend when we even came across a wedding dress with pockets at David's Bridal. Amazing.
2. Glee
Ok, I know it's on hiatus until April, but this show is stuck in my brain. I have downloaded the songs on to my iPod, and I even follow @gleeks on Twitter. This show is everything that the drama nerd inside of me loves. Music! Choreography! Geeks triumphing over evil! If you like any of these things, you should be watching this show. CATCH UP!
3. Jen Lancaster
I am sure that Emily will agree with me that Jen Lancaster is amazing. She is a high powered exec turned unemployed broke person turned successful author. Her memoirs "Bitter is the New Black," "Such a Pretty Fat," Bright Lights, Big Ass," and "Pretty in Plaid" are funny and poignant and she feels the exact same way I do about Rachel Ray*! I find myself laughing out loud at everything she writes on her blog, on twitter, and in her books. Buy them. You won't be sorry.
4. Meatless Monday
Every few years I seriously debate turning vegetarian. Then I get a craving for a hamburger or some chicken and that's over. I've got a few friends that are vegetarian (and some that are even vegan, but that's a whole other level) So as part of my "resolutions" for 2010, I've decided to institute one meat-free day a week. Did you know that going meatless one day a week can help out not only your own health but the environment as well? Check out MeatlessMonday.com for more details. For me, I'm LOVING getting to try to eat new things. I even made (from scratch) baked falafel and pita bread for dinner last night.
*I am not someone that "hates" a lot of things, but Rachel Ray is up there. Right next to pickles (sorry Snooki).
Yes! A Blog!
Oh, I guess since Emily posted about herself, I should likely do the same.
I'm currently the Fundraising Coordinator for a multi-disciplinary arts festival in Maryland (born and raised though I went to college in Connecticut and graduate school in Alabama). Though I really enjoy just about every other art form, I LOVE (and can majorly geek out on) theatre. I grew up going to see plays and musicals, acting in school and community productions, and then went on to study theatre in college. When I was eight and people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said "be an actress" without any hesitation. Well after exploring all sides of the stage, I found myself working towards a career on the business side. I even have an MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in Theatre Management/Arts Administration from the University of Alabama/Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
I don't get to see much by way of theatre these days, but that doesn't stop me from keeping up with what's going on out there in the industry. I hope to remedy that situation in the next year or so.
Just like Emily, I love food. While I enjoy cooking,I seriously seriously seriously love baking. I own about a dozen cookbooks dedicated solely to baking all sorts of goodies - bread, cake, pie, tarts, cheesecake, muffins. You name it, I'll bake it. My friends have even started giving me baking challenges (bagels! mini pies inspired by HP6!) and baking-related gifts (pocket pie maker!), knowing whatever I make they'll likely get to taste.
I've got a boyfriend who I call "boyfriend" too (how odd that we both affectionately call our significant other by their title, rather than name). Keith and I met while I was in grad school, and he moved up here with me after my graduation. We're both pretty awesome, and he even finds me funny (most of the time). I find him to be incredibly sarcastic and charming - a disarming combination.
I have so many ideas in my head about things to geek out on, and I can't wait to get started!
I know I speak for Emily when I say I hope that you will read our blog and comment your pretty hearts out!
Want to "guest geek"? Drop us a note and let us know your topic! If we like it, we'll give you the thumbs up to write away!
I'm currently the Fundraising Coordinator for a multi-disciplinary arts festival in Maryland (born and raised though I went to college in Connecticut and graduate school in Alabama). Though I really enjoy just about every other art form, I LOVE (and can majorly geek out on) theatre. I grew up going to see plays and musicals, acting in school and community productions, and then went on to study theatre in college. When I was eight and people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said "be an actress" without any hesitation. Well after exploring all sides of the stage, I found myself working towards a career on the business side. I even have an MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in Theatre Management/Arts Administration from the University of Alabama/Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
I don't get to see much by way of theatre these days, but that doesn't stop me from keeping up with what's going on out there in the industry. I hope to remedy that situation in the next year or so.
Just like Emily, I love food. While I enjoy cooking,I seriously seriously seriously love baking. I own about a dozen cookbooks dedicated solely to baking all sorts of goodies - bread, cake, pie, tarts, cheesecake, muffins. You name it, I'll bake it. My friends have even started giving me baking challenges (bagels! mini pies inspired by HP6!) and baking-related gifts (pocket pie maker!), knowing whatever I make they'll likely get to taste.
I've got a boyfriend who I call "boyfriend" too (how odd that we both affectionately call our significant other by their title, rather than name). Keith and I met while I was in grad school, and he moved up here with me after my graduation. We're both pretty awesome, and he even finds me funny (most of the time). I find him to be incredibly sarcastic and charming - a disarming combination.
I have so many ideas in my head about things to geek out on, and I can't wait to get started!
I know I speak for Emily when I say I hope that you will read our blog and comment your pretty hearts out!
Want to "guest geek"? Drop us a note and let us know your topic! If we like it, we'll give you the thumbs up to write away!
Oooo, A Blog!
So, Diana and I decided to start a blog. The purpose? To geek about anything we wanted. It's like a tell all for whatever fleeting thought we have in our pretty little brains. Want to write about what we ate for dinner? CHECK. Want to bitch about how they ruined The Lovely Bones? Fine by me! Want to drool over Taylor Lautner's abs (the boyfriend calls him Sir Abirondacks or something) without judgement? Rock on!
Needless to say, I'm a tad excited.
Should I talk about myself? Why not?
In a nutshell:
I am a sales rep for a book publisher. Books are my life, both professionally, academically, and personally. I own over 600 books (I know, that's nothing to some people) and the number keeps growing. In addition to books, I love food. Eating it. Making it. Critiquing it. Looking at pictures of it. Really, if food is involved, I'm there. Currently, my favorite food is a tie between Eggs Benedict and nachos. Yeah, I know.
I have a boyfriend named Joshua whom I call "boyfriend" a lot. He is very tall. I am not. We're an adorable couple. I'm much funnier than he is, but he is far more intelligent.
I go to grad school, but only for a few more months. Then I am free to spend all my energy working. YAY!
I am so used to Twitter that I tend to write in short sentences. See my last two paragraphs.
Oh, there is so much more I could tell you about me, but why spoil it now. I have several more entries to write.
Later gators.
Needless to say, I'm a tad excited.
Should I talk about myself? Why not?
In a nutshell:
I am a sales rep for a book publisher. Books are my life, both professionally, academically, and personally. I own over 600 books (I know, that's nothing to some people) and the number keeps growing. In addition to books, I love food. Eating it. Making it. Critiquing it. Looking at pictures of it. Really, if food is involved, I'm there. Currently, my favorite food is a tie between Eggs Benedict and nachos. Yeah, I know.
I have a boyfriend named Joshua whom I call "boyfriend" a lot. He is very tall. I am not. We're an adorable couple. I'm much funnier than he is, but he is far more intelligent.
I go to grad school, but only for a few more months. Then I am free to spend all my energy working. YAY!
I am so used to Twitter that I tend to write in short sentences. See my last two paragraphs.
Oh, there is so much more I could tell you about me, but why spoil it now. I have several more entries to write.
Later gators.
January 1, 2010
C'mon and blog with us!
We'd love to grow our little community of bloggers!
If you have a topic you think we should "geek-out" on, or have any comments or questions, just send an email to our gmail account.
Want to write your own "geek-out" entry? We think you should! Write a post of about 500 words (more or less), and email it to us along with any pictures that you may want to include in the post. Our goal is to post a "guest blog" entry once a week.
If you have a topic you think we should "geek-out" on, or have any comments or questions, just send an email to our gmail account.
Want to write your own "geek-out" entry? We think you should! Write a post of about 500 words (more or less), and email it to us along with any pictures that you may want to include in the post. Our goal is to post a "guest blog" entry once a week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)