tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64291901735659462882024-03-12T22:45:07.417-07:00overextractionLorienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883645235430655322noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6429190173565946288.post-57487076963725831562009-11-18T21:55:00.001-08:002009-11-18T22:19:32.564-08:00The last gasp of the twenties...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-RZquVd20uzvdyVulv14LLg_alVsQvMOwPSWTE8w2qbVEN8yuNz9OJoanq6lzio8JSfx_gwXUridpFimUi3WW_ugkQ1EGGig3Ngp0oI4YYkBfI_boQaXKuwQ48Ne6RUNTI3XeUY8Lf9K/s1600/ist2_111622-blank-tombstone.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-RZquVd20uzvdyVulv14LLg_alVsQvMOwPSWTE8w2qbVEN8yuNz9OJoanq6lzio8JSfx_gwXUridpFimUi3WW_ugkQ1EGGig3Ngp0oI4YYkBfI_boQaXKuwQ48Ne6RUNTI3XeUY8Lf9K/s200/ist2_111622-blank-tombstone.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405695500375579362" /></a><br />As the last moments of my twenties passes through my fingers like sand, I decided that perhaps it was appropriate to blog. Why? I guess it's because it's one of those moments I didn't see coming and I thought it might serve as a warning to others coming down the pike. I remember when I was a teen thinking that thirty was going to be this amazing right of passage...and maybe it is, but I'm currently failing to see it. It's nothing like I expected (late twenties going into the acceptance of my adult life), but at the same time it's better than I knew to imagine, so I guess there's always that. I'm in no way unhappy with my life, so don't be misled by what I'm about to say. <div>It's sad to see the twenties go. To know that they are truly over. The coming of age part of life is terrible and wonderful, filled with trials and tests of self. I could see how I could be glad that I have a much better idea of who I am than when I headed into the hot mess that is twenty. </div><div><br /></div><div>And at this moment I am 30 (7:20am is official to the sticklers). </div><div><br /></div><div>I don't know why 30 is so hard. It's the first time I have been inclined to not throw myself a party. I still don't know if it will happen to be honest. I know I am not alone. I've watched some of my closest friends turn 30 and most have seemed to approach it with reverence and a certain amount of dread. What is it about our culture that this age that is so scary? My status on facebook today was "Today is the last day of my twenties...ever". I got a fair bit of jeering from the younger crowd, but it was the older crowd that got me. Almost every one of them said something about that day for them. It was a sobering moment for the majority of them. But what is it?</div><div>I'm still unsure and I've been thinking about it all day. Is it that as long as there's a '2' in the front end of your age you still feel like you can get away with certain things? Is it that the '3' magically means that you are supposed to have something figured out by now? Jury's out. </div><div><br /></div><div>All I know is that me and the twenties had the best of times and the worst of times and I will miss you. I raise my lighter to you....</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Lorienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883645235430655322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6429190173565946288.post-48378725413434052792009-08-13T22:38:00.000-07:002009-08-13T23:20:27.039-07:00Living Alone- A week's perspectiveI don't know exactly who reads this anymore (since it has been months since my last post), but in case you are not aware, my roommate, Hope, moved out last week. She's starting this new and exciting phase of life (also a little scary) and I opted to stay behind in the house. I've only been alone for about a week, and I know I am barely used to it. In fact, I would venture to guess that I don't even know what exactly I have chosen for myself...not that it's a bad thing. Just that I'm still in the honeymoon/'lack of reality' phase. It still kinda feel like Hope just went out of town for a while. and took all her stuff. and her cat. At the same time, I'm doing things that contradict that line of thought, like painting her room and moving into it. Slowly moving things around to where I think they might work...making it my own. I thought I would be totally done with this by now...like 3 days later. Turns out that when you don't actually move it seems like an even more daunting task. I still have to clean my old room, a project that I meant to start 3 days ago and needs to be done by tomorrow night...I wanted to rearrange the kitchen wares a little bit and see if I found an even more efficient set up but I've barely managed to keep up with the dishes (but I have!). I have managed to watch 2.5 seasons of Gilmore Girls and 2 movies, go out for a bit and fix my internet. To some that might appear as a pathetic week, but to others it would be quite the accomplishment. It would be pathetic if I didn't carry a 45-50 hour work week and still maintain some semblance of a social life :) <div>Overall it's interesting, shifting things around without regard for the tastes and feelings of another person. I never really thought it would really bother the people I've lived with if I were, say, to move a poster or change the silver ware drawer. I just figured that they liked things a different way and would try to understand their systems and reasoning. Fascinating people study...strange, I know. I just like to figure out what makes people tick...see their perspectives and understand motivations. The thing is, it's been kinda hard moving stuff to where I want it. I've spent a lot of time paying closer attention to the wants of others and my little game of understanding that I look at all the walls and can't figure out where the Pisarro print should go. I still haven't moved anything in 3 of the rooms because I can't make sense of it all yet. The thing I felt I organized most of anything is the stack of dvds that I got from the library...because they will only be here for a week or two. I'm not sure where to put my clothes, as I am attempting for the 32nd time to actually use a dresser and closet like a grown up. </div><div>The happier part is that it's making me think of new leaves I can turn over, like the closet thing or what not so healthy groceries am I going to refrain from purchasing. I want to make this a warm, cozy and clean home that people love staying at...like a retreat from all the craziness. I really do love this place...broken air conditioner and all. It's fairly open but still cozy. The colors are great and help me to see how much like my dad I am even though I fought against becoming one of those people that painted their house all sorts of 'crazy' colors. I rebelled in my late teens by telling my dad I wanted to paint my bedroom white. The starkest whitest white I could find. Matte finish and all. Wow, I was a lame kid. </div><div>So, to sum it all up, this week has been good. Pretty peaceful and introspective. I need the introspection or I start to behave differently and my thoughts get all screwy. I start to lose my perspective since I enjoy the perspectives of others so often. I know this is more of a question of balance rather than having one over the other. I really do like trying to catch of glimpse of someone else's view on the world. It makes me appreciate some things in a whole new way that I would never have thought of. It helps me see the cause and effect for so many situations and how to avoid pitfalls along the way. When I can connect on an empathetic level with someone I am happier than any when I do anything else...like actual joy. It seems an important part of who I am, and something pretty unique to me. I rarely get the opportunity to connect with another person who does this sort of thing. It's something I think I will always be doing. I just need to keep my own perspective in mind a bit more. </div><div>Living alone is do be a little weird for a while, but I think in the end it will be very good for me. I don't know how long I will get to live this way, but I'm going to ride it out :) More perspective another day....</div><div><br /></div><div>Holly</div>Lorienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883645235430655322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6429190173565946288.post-33481348846605696912009-04-27T23:00:00.000-07:002009-05-01T15:09:16.187-07:00a different type of surveyThe computer is back in action and I thought I would kick stuff off with my favorite passtime- ye olde survey type thing...<div>Here are the requirements- <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">With as much creativity as you can muster, show your heart in: 1 picture, 1 poem, 1 song/piece of music, 1 phrase or quote, 1 piece of clothing, 1 place, and (just for fun) 1 Disney princess.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; "></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">1 picture </span></span></span></span></div><div><img src="http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/tt53/patacake2009/5cce70f9.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 124px; height: 83px;" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px;font-size:48px;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px;font-size:48px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">1 poem-</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px;">"O Fearless Squirrel ofTwilight"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px;">by- Nekropher O'Mans</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 20px; ">As the Ashes of the Autumn's Moon blow over, I am given to contemplate a squirrel. He does not fear the eagle of the night, nor Is he driven to madness by the thought of mutinous acorns. Ah! How simple life should be, were we Driven to contemplate the glory of nature as this Simple squirrel does. A sudden ray of thought enters my cavernous mind. The Squirrel does not fear the eagle of the night because Eagles are not nocturnal.</span><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">(taken from www.verybadpoetry.com)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">1 song/piece of music-</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px;">That was really hard. I finally settled in on-</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsD0FDLOKGA">The Aquarium from the Carnival of Animals (Saint-Saens</a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">1 phrase or quote-</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family:georgia;">Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not. ~Samuel Johnson</span><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">1 piece of clothing-</span></span></div><img src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/barrrrista/flippy.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 383px; height: 383px;" border="0" alt="" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;">1 place- </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><img src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/barrrrista/palace-fine-arts-ga.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 470px; height: 316px;" border="0" alt="" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;">1 Disney Princess-</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><img src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/barrrrista/sleeping-beauty.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 369px;" border="0" alt="" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2); ">I've always loved her best....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2);">So there you go!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2);">I'm outtie :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(50, 29, 2);">Holly</span></div>Lorienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883645235430655322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6429190173565946288.post-16633668333203323922009-04-25T22:29:00.000-07:002009-04-25T22:32:27.994-07:00GeezSo, I am still awaiting the phone call from my precious neighborhood Best Buy to tell me that my computer is ready and waiting for me. That really is the hold up. I'm sure that I would have posted at least 15 times by now. Nadine even tagged me in some survey (and God knows I am a total sucker for those). Nadine- I promise I will do it. <div><br /></div><div>I have nothing more to report for the moment, but I think anyone who is actually reading this should check out Pete's blog....two words- SPAM Jam. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's real</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Holls</div>Lorienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883645235430655322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6429190173565946288.post-7217522533161905402009-04-02T23:03:00.000-07:002009-04-02T23:13:20.828-07:00Breaking the SilenceSo, I haven't written anything in a very very long while. The computer I had been using had some issues, which are being resolved and I have managed to find a way to blog anyway. I don't really have a lot to say at the moment other than I am still alive. <div><br /></div><div>...</div><div><br /></div><div>Yeah. I got nothin.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a picture of my current pass time of sorts-</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLNS-DHgZUpDi8K7uM9XOVo7Y6aJjZa30jRohoUWlqzu7_JWiiBpR03h-Cb70LvNSlQuObDvQhPnuTToqjoow7jq8NzzV8qp3WekTwOikjY5uIAj6qlTYmagavBf9gEeur8UhyphenhyphenbJCTqvb/s200/david-tennant-doctor-who.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320344185727560770" /></div><div><br /></div><div>toodles</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Lorienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883645235430655322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6429190173565946288.post-79373873371651529072009-01-27T20:56:00.000-08:002009-01-27T21:28:58.234-08:00An uncomplicated life...In a moment of unintentional self discovery I came to understand how I deal with stress. My personal life very rarely stresses me out. It's generally work that gets under my skin, especially when it comes to this time of year- competition season. For those of you who are oblivious to exactly how nerdy the coffee world is, let me fill you in. <div>So, on an annual basis there are a myriad of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">barista</span> competitions (yes...it's real) that go on around the world. In the United States, these events are broken down into regions (10 in all) and one national (the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">SCAA's</span> United States <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Barista</span> Championship). The person who wins the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">USBC</span> gets to advance to being the only US representative in the World <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Barista</span> Championship, which is the highest level...at least until we discover alien races, for they will inevitably love coffee. </div><div>As far the rules and format, I could go on and on so I will simply direct the interested parties to do their own research <a href="http://members.scaa.org/train/usbc/default.aspx">here</a>. These events have been around since 2001 if my memory serves me correctly. My company has been involved pretty much since it's inception as one of the owners was involved in getting it off the ground. This will make my 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">th</span> year of being involved in some capacity (3 years competing and on my 5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">th</span> year of judging). </div><div>So, the Midwest Regional is this weekend and my boys have been practicing heavily for a few months now. Our company is actually growing and in a very exciting period of its history, but we are still a little on the smaller side staff wise. Everyone we have right now is stellar which makes it easier to handle growth, but there is plenty for everyone to do :) This has little to do with competition, except that my competitors are both key players outside of putting in their own time. No one is making anyone do anything...we are all there of our volition and love of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">barista</span> craft and a drive to perfect it. We are very fortunate to have bosses that are supportive and create opportunities such as this to further our personal education and goals (and I really DO feel that way). Expectations from the outside have started to be of less and less importance to me, which leads to the whole stress part. I want everyone to do well, I was to be of help to them through my experience and lending my own hands (to polish innumerable dishes). I also want to make sure that through out the time I am doing this that I'm not slacking off on my actual job duties. Even though it can be rough, exhausting, obnoxious, crazy ( I could keep going with the adjectives here) I still feel like it's manageable. That is, as long as my personal life isn't complicated. </div><div>So, that was actually the realization. That last sentence there. I'm not saying that my personal life is super challenging...not by any stretch. What I realized is that it has to be <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">entirely </span>uncomplicated. The most minor of complications gets me in a bit of a tizzy because I have unreasonable expectations of those who play more of a fun/relaxed role in my life. I forget that friends and family can't always be my 'chill zone' as I have come to see them as. They are just as human as me and some of them have way more stressful situations going on than I could even conjure up. Or, they have a different threshold or outlet for their own stress that may or may not be compatible with mine. Stress makes most people selfish. It makes me a martyr, which may be just as selfish, if not more so, when it manifests in a totally <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">unnecessary</span> way...</div><div>So yeah, just something I am mulling over right now. I need to relax and decompress in a way that I don't know that I have time for, but the only thing that is certain is that this won't kill me. So....there's that :) </div><div>Next- Is Holly manifesting signs and symptoms of a workaholic. Tune in next time...</div>Lorienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883645235430655322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6429190173565946288.post-71141649863275285482009-01-07T20:57:00.000-08:002009-01-07T23:06:23.282-08:00Bacon Cookies and GoodbyesSo, Pete left a couple of days ago for Hawaii...and for those of you who don't know, it's not a vacation. He's living there for a minimum of 6 months (as per the lease that he secured today) and gets to make coffee with an ocean breeze on his face. Not that I'm bitter. If you want to know more about his new and awesome hijinks check out the link for his blog on my sidebar (<a href="http://adventuresinthepacific.blogspot.com/">UnLandLocked</a>). In honor of the departure of my oldest friend, I will finally post about the bacon cookies experiment, the most successful of the savory/sweet concoctions. <div>So, the recipe was given to Pete and I by some of the people at Kaldi's (a coffee company out of St. Louis) when we were there for a jam early in November. We started talking about the bacon+chocolate candy bar and we found out there were plenty of people who were just as interested in this unorthodox mix as we were. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, the cookies themselves were actually bacon, oatmeal and butterscotch chip. The baking portion went well, as chronicled in these pictures...</div><div><br /></div><div>So first things first- bake off the bacon. We purchased 3 different types of bacon for this experiement- Thick cut hickory smoked, thick cut smoked, and regular hickory smoked. All were basted with a mixture of maple syrup and apple cider vinegar. mmm...</div><div><img src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/barrrrista/013.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 600px;" border="0" alt="" /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In the inevitable nibbling that went on as we took it off the baking sheets we decided that thinner cut was really the way to go, and the fattier the better. We then went about following the recipe and making the dough. Here it is after the first helping of bacon-</div><div><img src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/barrrrista/015.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 600px;" border="0" alt="" /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Stir it in!</div><div><img src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/barrrrista/017-1.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 597px; height: 800px;" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>After a taste, we quickly decide that it needs something...<br /></div><img src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/barrrrista/018.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 600px;" border="0" alt="" /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>More bacon!</div><img src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/barrrrista/016.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 600px;" border="0" alt="" /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We then let them bake for about 10 minutes-</div><img src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/barrrrista/020.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 600px;" border="0" alt="" /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>and while we wait, Pete can't help himself-</div><img src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/barrrrista/021.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 600px;" border="0" alt="" /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And the finished product-</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/barrrrista/022.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 600px;" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So that's bacon cookies in a nut shell. They were actually quite fabulous. Pete can put in his two cents via comments. If anyone wants the recipe, leave a comment and I will email it to you to try out. There are some things I have learned about baking with bacon-</div><div><br /></div><div>1-NEVER use bacon grease in place of oil or butter. It's not that it tastes bad, but it makes you feel funny later. </div><div>2-Don't think you need to balance out the bacon with darker chocolate or more butterscotch chips than the recipe calls for. Bacon honestly can't hold its own as well as you might think. Milk chocolate is a better vehicle than dark chocolate.</div><div>3-Tiny chunks of bacon are not as effective as medium sized chunks. It really doesn't take much sugar to drown it out (see #2)</div><div>4-Thinner cut/fatty bacon is better for baking than what you would normally choose to consume on its own. </div><div>5-Bacon has its limits. It's sometimes better as a pairing of sorts, rather than being integrated into something else.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, there you have it. That's bacon baking. I don't know if this will be of interest to anyone in particular, but if you are interested just let me know and I will provide you with a few ideas to get you started. </div>Lorienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883645235430655322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6429190173565946288.post-89913844170443125332008-12-30T22:26:00.000-08:002008-12-30T22:27:16.735-08:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: 'times new roman'; "><table border="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-size:6;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Reason, Season and Lifetime</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="color:#988C98;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">..</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">People always come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do.</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#988C98;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">..</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">When someone is in your life for a REASON,</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly.</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">They have come to assist you through a difficulty,</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">or to provide you with guidance and support,</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">to aid you physically, emotionally, or even spiritually.</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">They may seem like a godsend to you, and they are.</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">They are there for the reason you need them to be.</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#988C98;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">...</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time,</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#988C98;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">...</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Sometimes they die. Sometimes they just walk away.</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand.</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#988C98;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">...</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">When people come into your life for a SEASON,</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">They may teach you something you have never done.</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And like Spring turns to Summer and Summer to Fall, </span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">the season eventually ends.</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#988C98;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> ...</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway);</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas in your life.</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="100%"><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Thank you for being part of my life.</span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></span>Lorienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883645235430655322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6429190173565946288.post-12928102694808297602008-12-23T11:48:00.000-08:002008-12-23T12:04:46.026-08:00Where are you Christmas?So, Christmas is coming. In like 2 days. I realized that I haven't really had my 'Christmas moment' yet...you know that moment where it really feels like Christmas and that child-like excitement comes back for a moment. It usually happens before now, so I'm a little worried about it. I am starting to feel relief from the workload associated with the holidays when you work in the coffee biz. It's like relentless pulsing waves inundating your every thought. At least that's how it feels to me. A little stressful. Thank God it's ebbing. <div>I have also been trying to figure out what to get for people this year. Giving gifts is one of the highlights to my year. I really wish I had more time or money to devote to it. I have all these great ideas, but they are either to time consuming or expensive. I had a difficult time figuring out what to give to my little brother after the "BORING...GARBAGE" fiasco two years ago. He was six....I'm almost thirty. I guess I should give it up and let it go. I did have a fleeting thought of giving him a whole melange of baby Jesus's from a variety of nativity scenes. Just a box filled to the brim with Jesus so that I can say "tis the reason for the season" in his pouty little face, but, it was a momentary smart ass idea. I ended up getting him Battleship instead. Oh! and Spiderman slippers. </div><div>Other gifts are coming together more slowly. There are a couple in particular that I am trying to put a lot of thought towards, and they are coming along nicely...just slowly. There's another gift project that is starting to worry me, as I have very little control over it working out, but whatever happens, it will be sufficient. </div><div>So yeah, Christmas moment. I need you to come sooner than later. You only have 48 hours to bewitch me. </div><div>That's all for now. I will try to get a post out about the bacon cookies (that turned out to be <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">awesome </span>btw) very very soon. I've just been un-bloggish recently. Probably has something to do with WoW....</div><div><br /></div>Lorienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883645235430655322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6429190173565946288.post-64931050375368169672008-12-03T21:55:00.000-08:002008-12-03T22:57:43.667-08:00I usually hate the travel part of travel, but...Don't get me wrong, I do like going places. It's just the process of getting there that usually drives me insane. I would prefer a direct flight and any other device that means that I will get where I'm supposed to be without any unnecessary delay. Today my journey was broken into two flights: KC to Dallas and Dallas to LAX. When we arrived in Dallas, our gates got all switched around and then our plane was delayed about an hour because the alleged 'plane' was just pulling out of the alleged 'hangar' for an <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">hour</span>. I was a little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pissy</span> about that, but in retrospect it was actually worth it. Because of the delay I got to witness a wonder of nature. I have seen many sunsets, and they are one of my favorite things, but this trumped all. It looked something like this, but this doesn't do it justice...<div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUwgOpRLN2ahFeiFvzXiXax1q6UMvKy0Ofr-H2PusoPsnfGhlQSKYWyYNEfnZls3JtpZ3bJ-TyxJuw41Nl2x4J3eCtPjQ7R8yptWBL5UQvGf0TDF_01N1-6eTVWYkHCqVO1d9jr8I_EZX/s320/AirplaneSunset.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275817389894739682" /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The orange was the most vibrant version of orange I have ever seen. There was a shade of green that was almost <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">imperceptible</span> between the yellow and the blue and I could tell that every color (except white) was present. The moon was out and a 'star' that was so bright it had to be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Venus</span>. It was so amazing that I was captivated by it for ten full minutes. I think that the colors were a result of the elevation. I have looked online to see if I can find anything from the ground that is close and nothing holds a candle. </div><div><br /></div><div>That's all I got</div>Lorienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883645235430655322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6429190173565946288.post-24180777725671429802008-11-16T10:23:00.000-08:002008-11-16T10:38:03.488-08:00A day off...from everything but guiltSo, it's Sunday. I'm not where I should be, even though I don't have any plans. You know the feeling....where there's something you've been putting off or someone or some place you have been avoiding, but you talk yourself out of it time after time. I have at least a few of those that are backing up on me this morning. Church, my grandma's, and my parents' house. I'm not totally sure what my reservations are on any of those counts. It's not like I will encounter unpleasantries at any of those places, especially the latter. The only thing I can think of is guilt. <div>Competition season makes it easier to rationalize. I'm really busy. They all know I am busy. I know they understand. I drive a lot already, and I know they understand that. I guess what makes me guilty is that I don't really do much on Sunday. I sleep in a little (10:20 this morning). I make breakfast (in this case all I had to do was heat up some of my breakfast casserole leftovers). I indulge in some activity as I eat (today, New Moon...I couldn't stop myself). I take a shower at some point, as I rather enjoy being clean, for no one but myself. If I don't go anywhere, I will most likely finish the next installment of the dark teenage romance novel series...even though I bought it yesterday morning. </div><div>The guilt. It, however, will not go away. It will gnaw at me gently as I continue about my lazy day. I will continue to try to distract myself, be it through a book, movie, video game, or <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">blogging</span>. Ugh. </div><div>I'm going to go get my keys....</div>Lorienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883645235430655322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6429190173565946288.post-34446114525687073832008-11-12T17:08:00.000-08:002008-11-12T18:57:07.779-08:00Bacon Brownie ResultsSo, they were good. Definitely worth building on. I learned a few things, both about bacon and baking in general. Basically, this is how it went down-<div><br /></div><div>I used Duncan Hines dark chocolate brownie mix</div><div><img src="http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/resources/images/food/food-shopping/snacks-sweets/brownie-bake-off-2-08/overview/20725_thumb_brownie.jpg" /><br /></div><div>I bought a package of Tyson thick cut bacon</div><div><img src="http://www.tyson.com/Recipes/Image.aspx?id=1256&na=160x155" /><br /></div><div>I baked 8 slices of the bacon in the oven at the recommended temperature of 400 degrees <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Fahrenheit for about 15-20 minutes</span>. I put a sheet of wax paper under it to help catch the grease and keep the bacon from sticking to the pan.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><amendment- i="" would="" perhaps="" use="" this="" method="" but="" lightly="" spray="" it="" with="" non="" stick="" as="" was="" hard="" to="" get="" the="" bacon="" off="" paper=""></amendment-></span></div><div>After that was done I drained the grease off into a bowl (we'll get back to it in a minute) and took the bacon off the sheet and set it aside. </div><div>I then started making the brownie mix. It called for 3/4 cups water, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, and 2 eggs. I used the recommended water and eggs, but decided to substitute a mixture of the bacon grease and butter for the oil <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><amendment- i="" might="" just="" go="" to="" straight="" butter="" on="" this="" in="" the="" it="" was="" but="" with="" more="" slices="" of="" a="" better="" effect="" could="" have="" been="" achieved=""></amendment-></span>. They are in the same family basically. I mixed this until it was smooth and turned back to the beautiful bacon. </div><div>I chopped up the bacon (it was basically crisp) into small chunks and added it (a little more than 1/2 a cup) to the brownie batter, mixing it in thoroughly. I was unable to control myself and tasted a little of this concoction. It was sinfully delectable. </div><div>I chose to bake it in an 8x8 pan. It had the highest cooking time of 55 minutes. I was willing to wait. I have no reason that I chose this other than it seemed easier to watch and control if the process seemed to be going awry <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><amendment- this="" is="" where="" i="" learned="" about="" the="" pan="" you="" choose="" determines="" density="" of="" if="" want="" dense="" chewy="" use="" a="" longer="" are="" going="" for="" 8x8="" way="" to="" go=""></amendment-></span>. I turned the temp down to the recommended temp for the brownie mix and slipped it in the oven. </div><div>55 minutes later they were almost done. I let it bake a few minutes longer after they failed the 'toothpick test'. Finally, they were done.</div><div>After letting them cool from skin removing hot to still a little too hot to consume, I tasted....</div><div><br /></div><div>It wasn't <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">quite</span> rapturous, but it was fairly close. The play of rich chocolate against the savory bacon....the crisp slivers of bacon melted in my mouth as the soft brownie...this is starting to sound almost pornographic....</div><div><br /></div><div>So, all in all, I think this recipe could be improved upon. While it was amazing, I think it could be taken to a level of palate ecstacy unknown by man thus far. I will do further research. All I know so far- more bacon. </div><div><br /></div><div>Upon hearing this news, Pete was instantly jealous that I was jumping the gun, even though I claimed to be doing it as a preliminary trouble-shooting experiment for our BACing session Friday night. It was purely a sacrifice for the cause. Today, he sent me a picture of what I am calling the 'Poor Man's Bacon Brownie'...a cheap imitation of the true delight. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:48px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/barrrrista/BaconBrownie.jpg"><img src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/barrrrista/BaconBrownie.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">While it looks tempting, I've had the real thing, and perhaps it's better that you don't know what you're missing, Mr. Licata. It does (as stated in text message) still look like the best piece of sushi ever. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';"><div style="margin-top: 8px; margin-right: 8px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 8px; font: normal normal normal small/normal arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia;font-size:16px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So there you have it! More reports on the BACing experiments to come!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Holly</span></div></span></div></span></div>Lorienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883645235430655322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6429190173565946288.post-62007664104925418502008-11-11T18:23:00.001-08:002008-11-11T18:23:47.577-08:00Bacon Brownies<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><div style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; text-align: left; ">So, during last year's competition practice, Pete found a crazy chocolate bar while looking for crazy ingredients. It was <a href="http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/product/bacon_exotic_candy_bar/bacon_and_chocolate">Vosges Bacon + Chocolate</a>. While it retails for about $9 a bar, it's a sensory experience that any foodie should indulge in at least once. Her description of its creation reminds me of flavor experiences I had as a kid...accidently, of course, as I was a purist. <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(29, 29, 29); line-height: 14px; font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;">"I began experimenting with bacon + chocolate at the tender age of 6, while eating chocolate chip pancakes drenched in Aunt Jemima® syrup, as children often do. Beside my chocolate-laden cakes laid three strips of sizzlin' bacon, just barely touching a sweet pool of maple syrup. And then, the magic—just a bite of the bacon was too salty and I yearned for the sweet kiss of chocolate and syrup, so I combined the two. In retrospect, perhaps this was a turning point; for on that plate something magical happened, the beginnings of a combination so ethereal and delicious that it would haunt my thoughts until I found the medium to express it—chocolate. <br /><br />From there, it was just a matter of time…and what began as a love of salt and sweet quickly unraveled into an obsession. No sooner could I wait to unveil the royal coupling in solid bar form, a deep milk chocolate with bits and pieces of applewood smoked bacon and just a sprinkling of Alder salt. Really, what doesn't taste better with bacon?" <br />–Katrina</span><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(29, 29, 29); line-height: 14px; font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(29, 29, 29); line-height: 14px; font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia;font-size:16px;">So, in an effort of flavor exploration tonight, I am attempting to make bacon brownies. I know enough about baking to break the rules a little....bacon grease is close enough to butter, which is close enough to oil. If you can add chopped nuts to brownies, then why not add a little chopped bacon. So far I have only tasted the batter, as it is in the oven with forty minutes to go, but I will let my readers know how that goes...all 3 of them (if there are even that many). If it is delicious I will post the recipe for others to enjoy. In the mean time-</span><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://blahblahblog.files.wordpress.com/2006/09/bacon.jpg" /><img src="http://piesandbass.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/brownies1.jpg" /></div></div></span>Lorienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883645235430655322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6429190173565946288.post-42103434476539148582008-11-05T09:17:00.000-08:002008-11-05T09:19:14.527-08:00Post Election...<div>While everyone else was busy coloring their maps with red and blue crayon I went a slightly different route. This is how the map would have looked if Strong Bad had won...</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJM0xaWy6mgdf_GvwECyznqOPVjin5XzfOOo-f6y4DXx47bdfv8z6RxWPjj0Gt2sIT4n40KKvn17RnHuEIi44GfQTHDD1hC0loiWCIrPK2XIPLKN9Wm-oJrdlXAlxHZ8vTCFamlNLMztJW/s1600-h/PT's+Halloween.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJM0xaWy6mgdf_GvwECyznqOPVjin5XzfOOo-f6y4DXx47bdfv8z6RxWPjj0Gt2sIT4n40KKvn17RnHuEIi44GfQTHDD1hC0loiWCIrPK2XIPLKN9Wm-oJrdlXAlxHZ8vTCFamlNLMztJW/s320/PT's+Halloween.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265224006855565810" /></a>Lorienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883645235430655322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6429190173565946288.post-5248795310201893152008-11-04T08:20:00.000-08:002008-11-04T08:21:40.683-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaazt5SClrf5KiEwf4J26jAgKIai_zl-cGz6-vqNlz4uCwY3x10H6ugXDcX6tMRD2P1Uy3GxGQecxkS4JP3Q7R6VsuEBQdZQW6BY2pZj4y5uOesumhdQbdaQ5BIdBITsCt6U2MiXiFN5M/s1600-h/sb4prez.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span><br /><br /><img style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 277px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaazt5SClrf5KiEwf4J26jAgKIai_zl-cGz6-vqNlz4uCwY3x10H6ugXDcX6tMRD2P1Uy3GxGQecxkS4JP3Q7R6VsuEBQdZQW6BY2pZj4y5uOesumhdQbdaQ5BIdBITsCt6U2MiXiFN5M/s320/sb4prez.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264838134412068114" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204); font-weight: bold;">Yeah...that's right!</span><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div></div>Lorienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883645235430655322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6429190173565946288.post-15885941307123907452008-11-02T20:43:00.000-08:002008-11-02T20:59:32.503-08:00Worlds of Fun...well, sort ofSo I went to Worlds of Fun today with my roomate, Hope. It was fun, mainly because I hadn't been there in a long time and I had never been with her. There were some memories that came flooding back to me when I was there from previous trips, mainly having to do with one of my friend's boyfriends back in high school and his antics almost getting him thrown out of the park.<br /><br /><br />I have to say this- their customer service is a bit shoddy. Not that I expected 5 star service by any stretch of the imagination. I'm just talking basics. Like when I attempt to order the Ice Cream of the Future (since 1988) I expect to at least be asked for an order...not stare at 5 people who tell me to wait a minute when I'm the only one in line. Also, when I'm willing to pay $4.50 for a 32oz cup of ice water (and make it clear that I understand it's a rip off) I would think the person ringing me up would say "ok" instead of trying to make me drink a 20oz of Aquafina.<br /><br /><br />I did get a little people watching in. I have to say that it was refreshing to go there as an adult instead of a dumb teenage girl as I remember constantly judging other girls outfits and other such nonsense. I don't know why we do that. Hopefully we grow out of it. I know I have. One of my favorite things about some of the rides is when grown ups are on a ride that is suspends them where their legs are free. After many years of study I can definitively and empirically state that no one ever outgrows the urge to dangle their feet. It's a fact. I should make it a wikiality...<br /><br /><br />In summation, it was a good day. Far more exhausting than I remember, and some of the roller coasters had a different effect than they used to. The highlight of the whole event had to be the turkey leg-<br /><br /><a href="http://www.holenonefarms.com/graphics/turkeyleg_big.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 318px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 276px" alt="" src="http://www.holenonefarms.com/graphics/turkeyleg_big.jpg" border="0" /></a>Lorienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883645235430655322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6429190173565946288.post-15761749720582841282008-11-01T20:46:00.000-07:002008-11-01T21:16:35.327-07:00Oh competition...Week three. Geez. It already feels like week 8 in years passed. Not a terrible thing, as I was worried that I was starting it up too late. Both my guys are already very familiar with the format, so it's really already down to refinement. Sure...we have the dignature drinks ahead of us (ugh) and speeches to prepare, but that's the mutable part. It always is. It will be over again before I know it.<br />That's the thing that you always hear as a kid- "When you get older time will fly by before you know it." Even as you get into your twenties this doesn't entirely make sense and you just assume that they were wrong. Then one day- BAM! It's been a year it's been 10 years since you graduated high school. It's not a crisis, all right? It's just the truth. It feels so cliche to be feeling weird about being older, but if it's a cliche it has to be based on some form of reality. My last birthday feels like it was a few months ago and I still haven't finished Hope's birthday present (her birthday is in April). Christmas is coming and I haven't even started to think about what I might get for anyone, and have no intention of thinking about it for another month at least. Everything feels busy busy and has too much momentum. Choices seem like they fly at me all the time and I haven't had time to even consider the one I just made. I'm a little dizzy even thinking about it.<br />The upside is that it doesn't stress me out. It actually makes me have hope for my future. I've been waiting for some strange event to distinguish the 'beginning of my life' but I've finally accepted that it's here...a wild force that I can either ignore or ride like a wave. The second one sounds like it would take a whole lot less energy. At the same time, it seems like the possibilities my life has the potential to hold are amazing. I know there are many great things to come. If my life was a symphony, the musical themes would already be extablished and it would be moving into a variation of themes that wind in and out of eachother in ways that you wouldn't expect when you heard them individually. You know what I mean. When you are watching a musical and you've heard all these different songs and then they sing a song that incorporates everything you've heard into an amazingly constructed overlay of everything. It's almost overwhelming to hear and to think of how someone was brilliant to orchestrate it in such a way. And that's how I feel about my life right now...all the themes from throughout my life are starting to intertwine, revealing unnoticed relation to other aspects of my life. Not too shabby :)<br /><br />Well, that's enough of blog land for one day. I am ready to do other, more exciting things...like Guitar Hero or Hulu!<br /><br />~HollyLorienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883645235430655322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6429190173565946288.post-19386345740934463872008-10-29T18:54:00.000-07:002008-10-30T17:24:41.894-07:00Back to JoCo<div><br /><br /><br /></div><div>So, I decided earlier today that I was going to escape my normal confines of hippie-town and head a little further east to Leawood. Pete was working tonight (I think they scheduled him for 13 hours today) and I thought...why not? The place is kinda strange...deathly quiet and filled with giant flat screen televisions (2 of which make up their menu board). The one tv that could be used for actual entertainment is apparently a billboard for upcoming events (such as '<em>Speed Dating'</em> cause nothing says coffee like trying to find love in 2 minutes). There's also no art on the wall. It's kind of a coffee shop pet peeve of mine, but they just opened recently so I won't be too harsh on that one. They at least chose pleasant earthtone colors so it's ok without it. I'm drinking something called 'Black Lightning', which I had expected to be something akin to Ad Astra (our darkest blend ever that has a fragrance reminiscent to cat urine). It's actually 'not wretched'. That's the best endorsement I can give it at this point. Hey. When you're expecting cat piss and it's palatable it's easy to be impressed. While I refuse to actually name this coffee shop, I will post some pictures provided by my inside source.<br /><br /><a href="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/barrrrista/deathbycarrotcake-1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 304px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px" alt="" src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/barrrrista/deathbycarrotcake-1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><br /></div><div>This is 'carrot cake'. That is a jumbo muffin for reference. </div><div><br /><br /></div><div>Calories/slice- 2100, fat- 150g, protien- 21g?</div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/barrrrista/coffee.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 348px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 325px" alt="" src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/barrrrista/coffee.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This is what coffee looks like when you buy it from 'not PT's'....</div><div>well, that's not entirely true :) But <strong>definitely </strong>in this case.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/barrrrista/bagelcopia.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/barrrrista/bagelcopia.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>Bagels in a gross....why the hell not?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div>I'm not quite sure how he does it. I don't know that I could put aside my coffee ethics and work with coffee that can be described as 'not too bad' at best. I mean, I know that there are things in life that transcend great coffee. And for the record, I am in no way bashing his decision. I get the logic...I just don't know that I would be able to handle having access to free coffee that is clearly over roasted. I guess if there were a good purpose behind it and I felt like it was 'where I was supposed to be', it wouldn't matter...and I would find ways to drink good coffee. Anyway....<br /></div><div>So, my job where there is good coffee. It's crizazy right now. I am constantly exhausted and always scrambling to finish each day. I have to say that it is exciting. I have a hard time believing that I have actually been there going on nine years. It's rather incredible really...and I'm not even 30. When I look at the things I have done and places I have travelled to, I amazed at where this whole coffee thing has taken me. I have been to over ten states and Jeff is in the midst of planning my first trip to origin. I will be going to the Los Mercedes plantation in El Salvdor early next year. I also have to take a moment to realize my accomplishments. I generally sell myself short, but I have, by way of my activities and involvements, become more than just a coffee slinger. It's crazy to think about. Anyway...I am at a hoity toity event making direct trade coffees so I must go. I have been leaching off of the hotel signal :) (and also, I started this blog last night and decided I finally had time to finish it)</div><div></div><div>Till next time...</div><div></div><div>Holly</div>Lorienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883645235430655322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6429190173565946288.post-57097349308902655542008-10-28T19:49:00.000-07:002008-10-28T20:04:23.064-07:00And so it begins...I have not really thought much about blogging in a while. In the last couple of days though I have been rereading my old <a href="http://www.xanga.com/barrrrista">xanga post</a>. It made me remember how much I used to enjoy blogging, even though it is rather vain and somewhat pretentious. The thing is though, everyone has the capability to 'publish' themselves, and I am just one of those people who will always choose to do it on some level. So, enough with the introductory pleasantries, on with the blog!<br />Life...right now it's pretty good. I have been doing a lot with work and seeing the fruits of my labor over the years. I have also come to know a lot more about myself over the last year and am still surprised with the things I learn are in me. I see myself overcoming a great deal of my fears and short comings and I am excited at the possibilities that life has to offer. There are more things that I am ready for than I had ever thought could be. It's a rather optimistic mindset considering that our economy is spinning out of control and we are already entering (I don't care what anyone else says) a terrible recession. Yeah....that all sucks, but I have a strangely wonderful feeling about my future. We shall see...<br /><br />That's all for now!Lorienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883645235430655322noreply@blogger.com1