Because I believe in worthy causes, I thought that I'd share this organization that's doing great work. Common Cents is currently having an exhibit in Rockefeller Center called the Penny Harvest Field. According to their site, they are "an educational, not-for-profit organization, which specializes in creating and managing service-learning programs for young people." Isn't that great!
So far they have collected over 100 million pennies. And the pennies are on display at Rock Center from now until New Year's Eve, 9am-9pm, located north of the tree. Anyone want to go on a field trip to go see it?
12.12.2007
12.10.2007
and speaking of naughty....
I know how some of you feel about this already, but I had a fun time watching The Golden Compass. I'm sure I would have felt differently if I had read the books, but I liked it because: a) it had beautiful production elements, b) because I can't remember laughing so hard during a one-on-one battle, and c) Daniel Craig (look at those pursed lips).
Faith and I both whole-heartily agree that Mr. Craig is a tall glass of sexy, with a dollop of whipped cream. Yum. Oh wait, Faith says to make that one a Venti. We just think that his piercing blue eyes, his intense personality, and his overabundance of sex appeal make up for the handle bars on the side of his head. But then again, God put those ears on his head like that for a sexual reason and we say hallelujah.
As for the rest of the movie, it was fine and I had a good time with everyone. It didn't help that every time Liz laughed it only confirmed that it was okay to laugh at what I already thought was funny. I was so worried at first that if I laughed ipj would get mad at me, but he giggled a bit too. All in all, it was worth the company.
naughty or nice
Which one are you? To find out, take this quiz. When I took it, it said that I "need(ed) to try harder, cause (I'm) slipping a little down the Nice list." Whatever!
So, if you're not satisfied with the results, like me, then take this one. It was discovered that I was only 51% naughty. Maybe it's a bad day for me.
Not good enough? Try this one. It said that I was relatively good. Well, I'm relatively sure that the scoring is skewed.
How about this one? It determined that I was nice. Finally! A score a respectable girl like me can live with.
So, if you're not satisfied with the results, like me, then take this one. It was discovered that I was only 51% naughty. Maybe it's a bad day for me.
Not good enough? Try this one. It said that I was relatively good. Well, I'm relatively sure that the scoring is skewed.
How about this one? It determined that I was nice. Finally! A score a respectable girl like me can live with.
12.09.2007
short and not so sweet
For those of you who may not know (gee whiz, here I go assuming that none of you know this) but the cupcake battle is experiencing an armistice (what a great freaking word). It's as if we are all on an extended legal holiday. Nice.
Until today. The theater I work at was having a fundraising benefit, complete with hors d'oeuvres, gift bags, balloons, etc, etc, etc. There was also an offering of free ice cream. When my boss told me that the ice cream was available for staff I began to have sugarplum fairy visions of last years ice cream extravaganza (which featured individually packed portions of Cold Stone Creamery). I grinned from ear to ear upon the though of french vanilla mixed with Reese cups and caramel. So I volunteered to gather a couple of afternoon treats for Isaac and me.
What initially was a smorgasbord of 9 promised choices turned into 4 bland options of hand scooped Ben and Jerry's. Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking an ice cream horse in the mouth and I love Ben and Jerry's, but where was the chocolate chip cookie dough? The chubby hubby? Phish food? Half - baked!!!!!!!!???????
After I coolly asked the unhappy scooper for 2 orders of mint chocolate chip, I brought the ice creams back to my office and quietly ate my scoop before the mini heater melted what was left of my sweet dream.
Until today. The theater I work at was having a fundraising benefit, complete with hors d'oeuvres, gift bags, balloons, etc, etc, etc. There was also an offering of free ice cream. When my boss told me that the ice cream was available for staff I began to have sugarplum fairy visions of last years ice cream extravaganza (which featured individually packed portions of Cold Stone Creamery). I grinned from ear to ear upon the though of french vanilla mixed with Reese cups and caramel. So I volunteered to gather a couple of afternoon treats for Isaac and me.
What initially was a smorgasbord of 9 promised choices turned into 4 bland options of hand scooped Ben and Jerry's. Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking an ice cream horse in the mouth and I love Ben and Jerry's, but where was the chocolate chip cookie dough? The chubby hubby? Phish food? Half - baked!!!!!!!!???????
After I coolly asked the unhappy scooper for 2 orders of mint chocolate chip, I brought the ice creams back to my office and quietly ate my scoop before the mini heater melted what was left of my sweet dream.
12.07.2007
forgotten holiday
There is an upcoming holiday that everyone should know about. It's more important than Christmas and more gratifying than spinning the dreidel during Chanukah. Tomorrow, December 8th, is National Chocolate Brownie Day. Yay!!!!!
To celebrate, mix your batter, bake your brownies, and add a dollop of fresh whipped cream. Share this holiday with the ones you love... or as least the ones who'll understand.
And, to inspire you to make great brownies, below is a recipe I found that I think is perfect for this particular month.
Peppermint Bark Brownies
1 cup butter, plus more for greasing dish
4 squares unsweetened baking chocolate, chopped
2 cups sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chopped peppermint bark
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and grease a 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Line the dish with a piece of parchment paper that extends up beyond the edge of the pan on the 2 wide sides of the dish and lightly grease the parchment. The paper will serve as handles when you are ready to remove the brownies from the pan.
In the top of a double boiler or in a microwave, melt the chocolate and butter until completely smooth. Add the sugar, flour, eggs, and vanilla and stir to blend. Stir in the peppermint bark and transfer to the prepared baking pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center just comes out clean - it's ok if there are a couple of small fudgy crumbs adhering to the toothpick. It's better to undercook these slightly than overcook them - these brownies are meant to be fudgy.
Transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely. Using your hands, lift up firmly on the parchment paper pieces and transfer to a flat surface. (If the paper is stubborn, run a thin knife around the edge of the pan, or loosen the brownies slightly with the help of an offset spatula.) Cut the brownies into 2 1/2-inch squares and serve at room temperature.
Peppermint Bark:
12 ounces good quality white chocolate, chopped
24 hard peppermint candies
Melt the white chocolate in a double boiler over medium heat or in a microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth. Be careful not to scorch the chocolate.
Place the peppermints in a resealable food storage bag and, using a rolling pin, tap the candies to break into small pieces. Place the crushed candies into a strainer with medium holes and shake over another bowl - only the very large pieces should remain in the strainer. Add the melted chocolate to the small pieces and stir to combine.
Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and pour the chocolate-candy mixture onto the paper. Using a rubber spatula, spread smooth to a thickness of about 1/4-inch. Press the large peppermint pieces onto the top of the mixture and transfer to a refrigerator to firm.
When firm, break the bark into bite-size pieces and place in an attractive serving bowl or package in airtight containers to give as gifts. Serve at room temperature.
This is best refrigerated if kept for any length of time.
To celebrate, mix your batter, bake your brownies, and add a dollop of fresh whipped cream. Share this holiday with the ones you love... or as least the ones who'll understand.
And, to inspire you to make great brownies, below is a recipe I found that I think is perfect for this particular month.
Peppermint Bark Brownies
1 cup butter, plus more for greasing dish
4 squares unsweetened baking chocolate, chopped
2 cups sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chopped peppermint bark
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and grease a 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Line the dish with a piece of parchment paper that extends up beyond the edge of the pan on the 2 wide sides of the dish and lightly grease the parchment. The paper will serve as handles when you are ready to remove the brownies from the pan.
In the top of a double boiler or in a microwave, melt the chocolate and butter until completely smooth. Add the sugar, flour, eggs, and vanilla and stir to blend. Stir in the peppermint bark and transfer to the prepared baking pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center just comes out clean - it's ok if there are a couple of small fudgy crumbs adhering to the toothpick. It's better to undercook these slightly than overcook them - these brownies are meant to be fudgy.
Transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely. Using your hands, lift up firmly on the parchment paper pieces and transfer to a flat surface. (If the paper is stubborn, run a thin knife around the edge of the pan, or loosen the brownies slightly with the help of an offset spatula.) Cut the brownies into 2 1/2-inch squares and serve at room temperature.
Peppermint Bark:
12 ounces good quality white chocolate, chopped
24 hard peppermint candies
Melt the white chocolate in a double boiler over medium heat or in a microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth. Be careful not to scorch the chocolate.
Place the peppermints in a resealable food storage bag and, using a rolling pin, tap the candies to break into small pieces. Place the crushed candies into a strainer with medium holes and shake over another bowl - only the very large pieces should remain in the strainer. Add the melted chocolate to the small pieces and stir to combine.
Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and pour the chocolate-candy mixture onto the paper. Using a rubber spatula, spread smooth to a thickness of about 1/4-inch. Press the large peppermint pieces onto the top of the mixture and transfer to a refrigerator to firm.
When firm, break the bark into bite-size pieces and place in an attractive serving bowl or package in airtight containers to give as gifts. Serve at room temperature.
This is best refrigerated if kept for any length of time.
12.06.2007
tales from the cryptic
Have you ever wanted to do something really badly? And the more time that passes the more you want to do it ? And there was an opportunity to do it and you went for it? And it was really great and awkward at the same time? It was great because it's what you wanted to do but it was awkward because the circumstances were all fucked up? But when you think back on it it was, like, awesome? And you kinda wish you had the guts to do it earlier? But you don't regret doing it? And you wonder if it will happen again?
Just asking.
Just asking.
12.05.2007
oops, I did it again
The following phone conversation took place today between 3pm and 4pm.
woman - Hello?
me - Hi, do you know who this is?
woman - No.
me - (in a creepy small voice) Hello, it's me, bitch!
woman - What?!
me - (starting to realize it's not the person I intened to call) Is this Noemi?
woman - You have the wrong number. (hangs up)
woman - Hello?
me - Hi, do you know who this is?
woman - No.
me - (in a creepy small voice) Hello, it's me, bitch!
woman - What?!
me - (starting to realize it's not the person I intened to call) Is this Noemi?
woman - You have the wrong number. (hangs up)
12.03.2007
mmmmm,...seasonal goodness
This is a picture of B.F. Clyde's Cider Mill in Stonington, CT. I've never been there, but this is the best picture I could find to illustrate my post.
I love cider mills.
Better yet, I love what's produced at cider mills. Apple butter, apple sauce, apple juice, and of course apple cider. Candy apples, dried apples, apple pie, apple cider doughnuts, apple bread. Insert Forrest Gump reference here.
But I'm all about the apple butter.
On toast, muffins, spoons, fingers (mine, you dirty minded pervs), fruit, nuts, ice cream, crackers. You get the picture.
So, if any of you must buy me a Christmas present I will humbly accept a case of apple butter and I will act pleasantly surprised. Well,... I will be genuinely surprised if someone ACTUALLY gets me a case of apple butter.
let it woe
Most of you know that I volunteer for an emergency advocacy group. I've been doing this for 4 years and every shift for the 4 years (with the exception of a few months off for school related issues) I have been called in to various hospitals in my borough to do that voodoo that I do so well. My shifts have mainly been the late night , "were sorry ma'am, but we can't see your patient right now because we had a couple of stabbings and heart attacks come into the ER," ones. It's been rough, but rewarding work.
During my most recent shift I found myself saying that I didn't want to volunteer today and that I hope that I don't get called in for a case. I got called in 10 minutes before my shift started, it took an hour to travel 5 miles to the hospital, and at the end of the night (at least it was before midnight) I called security to get them to remove a couple of reporters. The rest of the night I slept on my couch (as to not disturb my husband), with a lamp light on, with my cell phone clutched in my hand on vibrate so I can be sure not to sleep through a call. I couldn't sleep because I woke up every 5 minutes or so thinking that a call is coming in. I'm paranoid. Something tells me that's not exactly healthy.
So, after a week of playing phone tag, I finally talked to my volunteer coordinator today regarding how I feel about the work. I told here that I love the organization and the people there, and that I don't want to give it up. In short, I can't work the night shifts any longer. I feel really bad because it's hard to find people to volunteer their time for a 12 hour night shift. Also, because I found this organization at a time when I was out of work and didn't have much of a direction in my life. With out this gig, I'm pretty positive that I would have never gone back to school and I would still be working a union job stressing myself into the psych ward at Bellview.
Anyway, to steal from MNS, today's lesson: you are no good to others if you're not good to yourself first. Cheezzzzy, yes. True, yes. But why couldn't I believe that until now?
During my most recent shift I found myself saying that I didn't want to volunteer today and that I hope that I don't get called in for a case. I got called in 10 minutes before my shift started, it took an hour to travel 5 miles to the hospital, and at the end of the night (at least it was before midnight) I called security to get them to remove a couple of reporters. The rest of the night I slept on my couch (as to not disturb my husband), with a lamp light on, with my cell phone clutched in my hand on vibrate so I can be sure not to sleep through a call. I couldn't sleep because I woke up every 5 minutes or so thinking that a call is coming in. I'm paranoid. Something tells me that's not exactly healthy.
So, after a week of playing phone tag, I finally talked to my volunteer coordinator today regarding how I feel about the work. I told here that I love the organization and the people there, and that I don't want to give it up. In short, I can't work the night shifts any longer. I feel really bad because it's hard to find people to volunteer their time for a 12 hour night shift. Also, because I found this organization at a time when I was out of work and didn't have much of a direction in my life. With out this gig, I'm pretty positive that I would have never gone back to school and I would still be working a union job stressing myself into the psych ward at Bellview.
Anyway, to steal from MNS, today's lesson: you are no good to others if you're not good to yourself first. Cheezzzzy, yes. True, yes. But why couldn't I believe that until now?
12.02.2007
ornaments, and garland, and sleet, oh my!
Christmas time, for me these days, has a bit of a surreal quality to it. I grew up in Florida and never saw real snow until I moved up here in 2001. We had real Christmas trees and garland and traditional decorations and the parade and all of that. But Christmas never had that Norman Rockwell quality to it that I thought all the little boys and girls in the northern states got to experience. But to be able to experience the sterotypical qualities of the holidays (ie. snow, cold weather, chunky sweaters, fuzzy scarves et al) is a new experience for me.
Now that I'm here, I can't help but to notice that Christmas doesn't excite me as much as it used to. Perhaps it is because I am either at work or school during most of my waking hours, but would this excite you during the holidays? Well, I'm sure that would excite you no matter the time of year. When I saw him in Times Square after Thanksgiving I couldn't help but think, "What? No wreath?" But then I thought, "where would he hang it?"
I have yet to put up my faux tree, or as I like to call it my everlasting evergreen. I have lots of decorations that need to be hung and displayed and that will helpfully get me back into a holiday sort of mood. It's also something that's in the mind too. I started to get into the Christmas feeling today by listing to Isaac's Charlie Brown Christmas c.d. The fresh untouched snow that I walked on this morning helped too. It's a start.
Now that I'm here, I can't help but to notice that Christmas doesn't excite me as much as it used to. Perhaps it is because I am either at work or school during most of my waking hours, but would this excite you during the holidays? Well, I'm sure that would excite you no matter the time of year. When I saw him in Times Square after Thanksgiving I couldn't help but think, "What? No wreath?" But then I thought, "where would he hang it?"
I have yet to put up my faux tree, or as I like to call it my everlasting evergreen. I have lots of decorations that need to be hung and displayed and that will helpfully get me back into a holiday sort of mood. It's also something that's in the mind too. I started to get into the Christmas feeling today by listing to Isaac's Charlie Brown Christmas c.d. The fresh untouched snow that I walked on this morning helped too. It's a start.
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