On my table – there are flowers on my table. Would like to see the insider’s (meaning a person who spent her day inside) view of the petals of spring? Here, stare at these:
Monday, April 30, 2007
don’t
…even think you’ll get more than a hermit’s line here today. Despite the fantastic spring skies and, I’m sure, proliferating spring flora, I remain preoccupied with GETTING WORK DONE.
On my table – there are flowers on my table. Would like to see the insider’s (meaning a person who spent her day inside) view of the petals of spring? Here, stare at these:
On my table – there are flowers on my table. Would like to see the insider’s (meaning a person who spent her day inside) view of the petals of spring? Here, stare at these:
don’t
…even think you’ll get more than a hermit’s line here today. Despite the fantastic spring skies and, I’m sure, proliferating spring flora, I remain preoccupied with GETTING WORK DONE.
On my table – there are flowers on my table. Would like to see the insider’s (meaning a person who spent her day inside) view of the petals of spring? Here, stare at these:
On my table – there are flowers on my table. Would like to see the insider’s (meaning a person who spent her day inside) view of the petals of spring? Here, stare at these:
Sunday, April 29, 2007
a peachy day
Yes, really, peach blossoms, in Madison.
But who can even pay attention? Work. Work. Get it done. Finish it up. Work, damn it!
And this Thursday, finally, put a (temporary) stop to it, take a break. Fly away.
Where to? What for?
For the challenge of it. For the insights. For the people. And food.
Keep checking.
But who can even pay attention? Work. Work. Get it done. Finish it up. Work, damn it!
And this Thursday, finally, put a (temporary) stop to it, take a break. Fly away.
Where to? What for?
For the challenge of it. For the insights. For the people. And food.
Keep checking.
a peachy day
Yes, really, peach blossoms, in Madison.
But who can even pay attention? Work. Work. Get it done. Finish it up. Work, damn it!
And this Thursday, finally, put a (temporary) stop to it, take a break. Fly away.
Where to? What for?
For the challenge of it. For the insights. For the people. And food.
Keep checking.
But who can even pay attention? Work. Work. Get it done. Finish it up. Work, damn it!
And this Thursday, finally, put a (temporary) stop to it, take a break. Fly away.
Where to? What for?
For the challenge of it. For the insights. For the people. And food.
Keep checking.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
even the mall is beautiful
Outside Old Orchard mall; what's in a name...
Perhaps this is a stretch. But the day was so pretty, that there were almost as many people in parks and along the Chicago lakefront as in the malls.
I wasn’t shopping at the mall, not in the true sense of the word "shopping." I was attempting to find the one Pottery Barn store out there that would be compassionate enough to take back something of mine and, in so doing, save a few trees maybe.
I had purchased said item 18 months ago and never used it. I don’t want it. It is expensive (by my standards). It is useless to me. Yet it is still listed in the PBarn catalogue. Someone else may want it with the passion of a typical consumer convinced that only X item will do. But PBarn will not take the item back because..... it has sat in my closet for 18 months.
Why so long? I am a busy person and don’t get to the malls much! PBarn, loosen up already.
After a few hours of quasi-shopping, my Chicago host and I drove downtown just so we could chomp on the best burgers ever. Burgers and I -- now that is a rare encounter. Indeed, I eat burgers more rarely than I go to the mall. But my host eats burgers and so his word is more credible and he agreed. Just so you know, the best burger can be found here:
note Hop Haus
…and my selection, the French burger (with brie and moutarde and balsamic onions) looks like this:
Some people find cities claustrophobic. As if the buildings are closing in on them.
I was raised on cities, or at least in cities and all I can see is their splendidness (even as I so often need to leave them and wade in meadows).
I came back to Madison this evening. It doesn’t offer meadows, but it’s plenty green. Once April rolls into May.
even the mall is beautiful
Outside Old Orchard mall; what's in a name...
Perhaps this is a stretch. But the day was so pretty, that there were almost as many people in parks and along the Chicago lakefront as in the malls.
I wasn’t shopping at the mall, not in the true sense of the word "shopping." I was attempting to find the one Pottery Barn store out there that would be compassionate enough to take back something of mine and, in so doing, save a few trees maybe.
I had purchased said item 18 months ago and never used it. I don’t want it. It is expensive (by my standards). It is useless to me. Yet it is still listed in the PBarn catalogue. Someone else may want it with the passion of a typical consumer convinced that only X item will do. But PBarn will not take the item back because..... it has sat in my closet for 18 months.
Why so long? I am a busy person and don’t get to the malls much! PBarn, loosen up already.
After a few hours of quasi-shopping, my Chicago host and I drove downtown just so we could chomp on the best burgers ever. Burgers and I -- now that is a rare encounter. Indeed, I eat burgers more rarely than I go to the mall. But my host eats burgers and so his word is more credible and he agreed. Just so you know, the best burger can be found here:
note Hop Haus
…and my selection, the French burger (with brie and moutarde and balsamic onions) looks like this:
Some people find cities claustrophobic. As if the buildings are closing in on them.
I was raised on cities, or at least in cities and all I can see is their splendidness (even as I so often need to leave them and wade in meadows).
I came back to Madison this evening. It doesn’t offer meadows, but it’s plenty green. Once April rolls into May.
Friday, April 27, 2007
south of the border
Such good food, here, south of where I live.
Borders are funny lines drawn (sometimes, but not always, with hostility) by neighboring entities. So the fact that something is south of the border should not make much difference (esp. foodwise), but it does. Step south of the line and you are completely elsewhere.
South.
In Illinois.
Chicago.
Funky trendy Lincoln Square
Borders are funny lines drawn (sometimes, but not always, with hostility) by neighboring entities. So the fact that something is south of the border should not make much difference (esp. foodwise), but it does. Step south of the line and you are completely elsewhere.
South.
In Illinois.
Chicago.
Funky trendy Lincoln Square
south of the border
Such good food, here, south of where I live.
Borders are funny lines drawn (sometimes, but not always, with hostility) by neighboring entities. So the fact that something is south of the border should not make much difference (esp. foodwise), but it does. Step south of the line and you are completely elsewhere.
South.
In Illinois.
Chicago.
Funky trendy Lincoln Square
Borders are funny lines drawn (sometimes, but not always, with hostility) by neighboring entities. So the fact that something is south of the border should not make much difference (esp. foodwise), but it does. Step south of the line and you are completely elsewhere.
South.
In Illinois.
Chicago.
Funky trendy Lincoln Square
Thursday, April 26, 2007
the unfortunate realities of spring, the sublime flavors of spring
spring realities
spring creations (sadly, not mine)
the unfortunate realities of spring, the sublime flavors of spring
spring realities
spring creations (sadly, not mine)
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
a week in review: new technology
Ten minutes clicking “put in shopping cart” and giving credit card information for the acquisition of the smallest notebook around (Sony).
Fifteen minutes finding out which cell phone services are compatible with European networks.
One hour talking to various reps of the two major ones (Cingular and T-Mobile) to figure out what I need to link the new notebook via the cell phone to the Internet, especially in Europe.
One hour getting wrong information while talking to various reps about the above.
Not knowing that I was getting incorrect information, fifteen minutes giving mailing and credit card information for the acquisition of a cell phone that would, according to some, link my notebook to the world.
One hour taking new notebook and new cell phone to chosen provider to link the two under the purchased plan.
One minute to find out that this was completely incorrect and that nothing of what I had purchased would link me to anything beyond a computer with music stored on it.
Two hours talking to rep from new computer company (Sony) only to find out that I managed to purchase THE ONLY SONY ON THE MARKET that has a card linking it to cell technology of one of the providers (Sprint) that does not use European cell technology and therefore, for international purposes, is worthless.
Three hours surfing the Net, looking for ways to acquire aircards that would link my particular computer with cell systems in Europe.
Three hours and fifteen minutes for the beyond wonderful (Cingular, now the new AT&T) salesman to figure out a way to circumvent all problems, including the ever stubborn and have it her own way Windows Vista, and to put me on the map of France, to say nothing of the world, footloose and free, with my new (Sony) notebook and my aircard, never to be bothered by the absence of Wi Fi anywhere ever again. (This is not a time to ask -- at what cost??)
To be continued, of this I am sure.
Fifteen minutes finding out which cell phone services are compatible with European networks.
One hour talking to various reps of the two major ones (Cingular and T-Mobile) to figure out what I need to link the new notebook via the cell phone to the Internet, especially in Europe.
One hour getting wrong information while talking to various reps about the above.
Not knowing that I was getting incorrect information, fifteen minutes giving mailing and credit card information for the acquisition of a cell phone that would, according to some, link my notebook to the world.
One hour taking new notebook and new cell phone to chosen provider to link the two under the purchased plan.
One minute to find out that this was completely incorrect and that nothing of what I had purchased would link me to anything beyond a computer with music stored on it.
Two hours talking to rep from new computer company (Sony) only to find out that I managed to purchase THE ONLY SONY ON THE MARKET that has a card linking it to cell technology of one of the providers (Sprint) that does not use European cell technology and therefore, for international purposes, is worthless.
Three hours surfing the Net, looking for ways to acquire aircards that would link my particular computer with cell systems in Europe.
Three hours and fifteen minutes for the beyond wonderful (Cingular, now the new AT&T) salesman to figure out a way to circumvent all problems, including the ever stubborn and have it her own way Windows Vista, and to put me on the map of France, to say nothing of the world, footloose and free, with my new (Sony) notebook and my aircard, never to be bothered by the absence of Wi Fi anywhere ever again. (This is not a time to ask -- at what cost??)
To be continued, of this I am sure.
a week in review: new technology
Ten minutes clicking “put in shopping cart” and giving credit card information for the acquisition of the smallest notebook around (Sony).
Fifteen minutes finding out which cell phone services are compatible with European networks.
One hour talking to various reps of the two major ones (Cingular and T-Mobile) to figure out what I need to link the new notebook via the cell phone to the Internet, especially in Europe.
One hour getting wrong information while talking to various reps about the above.
Not knowing that I was getting incorrect information, fifteen minutes giving mailing and credit card information for the acquisition of a cell phone that would, according to some, link my notebook to the world.
One hour taking new notebook and new cell phone to chosen provider to link the two under the purchased plan.
One minute to find out that this was completely incorrect and that nothing of what I had purchased would link me to anything beyond a computer with music stored on it.
Two hours talking to rep from new computer company (Sony) only to find out that I managed to purchase THE ONLY SONY ON THE MARKET that has a card linking it to cell technology of one of the providers (Sprint) that does not use European cell technology and therefore, for international purposes, is worthless.
Three hours surfing the Net, looking for ways to acquire aircards that would link my particular computer with cell systems in Europe.
Three hours and fifteen minutes for the beyond wonderful (Cingular, now the new AT&T) salesman to figure out a way to circumvent all problems, including the ever stubborn and have it her own way Windows Vista, and to put me on the map of France, to say nothing of the world, footloose and free, with my new (Sony) notebook and my aircard, never to be bothered by the absence of Wi Fi anywhere ever again. (This is not a time to ask -- at what cost??)
To be continued, of this I am sure.
Fifteen minutes finding out which cell phone services are compatible with European networks.
One hour talking to various reps of the two major ones (Cingular and T-Mobile) to figure out what I need to link the new notebook via the cell phone to the Internet, especially in Europe.
One hour getting wrong information while talking to various reps about the above.
Not knowing that I was getting incorrect information, fifteen minutes giving mailing and credit card information for the acquisition of a cell phone that would, according to some, link my notebook to the world.
One hour taking new notebook and new cell phone to chosen provider to link the two under the purchased plan.
One minute to find out that this was completely incorrect and that nothing of what I had purchased would link me to anything beyond a computer with music stored on it.
Two hours talking to rep from new computer company (Sony) only to find out that I managed to purchase THE ONLY SONY ON THE MARKET that has a card linking it to cell technology of one of the providers (Sprint) that does not use European cell technology and therefore, for international purposes, is worthless.
Three hours surfing the Net, looking for ways to acquire aircards that would link my particular computer with cell systems in Europe.
Three hours and fifteen minutes for the beyond wonderful (Cingular, now the new AT&T) salesman to figure out a way to circumvent all problems, including the ever stubborn and have it her own way Windows Vista, and to put me on the map of France, to say nothing of the world, footloose and free, with my new (Sony) notebook and my aircard, never to be bothered by the absence of Wi Fi anywhere ever again. (This is not a time to ask -- at what cost??)
To be continued, of this I am sure.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
dinner
I had dinner with a friend tonight. We went to this place on State Street:
Good view, no? Is there a name for the phenomenon where two triangular structures align themselves in this way? Do you see it? -- a liquor store and the art center. How appropriate.
We were both hungry and the food is quite good here. We were curious about the portions and upon learning that "meat" means more than half a pound of meat, we decide to share.
We begin by also sharing a bottle of wine…
…then, in a moment of great independence, we each order a cup of soup. After this, we return to sharing: the steak dish, followed by a (shared) salad.
Would we like to see the dessert menu? No, not at all. We have no room for dessert. We have just finished a (shared) two course meal along with a (shared) salad.
What does this say about food portions in this town?
Good view, no? Is there a name for the phenomenon where two triangular structures align themselves in this way? Do you see it? -- a liquor store and the art center. How appropriate.
We were both hungry and the food is quite good here. We were curious about the portions and upon learning that "meat" means more than half a pound of meat, we decide to share.
We begin by also sharing a bottle of wine…
…then, in a moment of great independence, we each order a cup of soup. After this, we return to sharing: the steak dish, followed by a (shared) salad.
Would we like to see the dessert menu? No, not at all. We have no room for dessert. We have just finished a (shared) two course meal along with a (shared) salad.
What does this say about food portions in this town?
dinner
I had dinner with a friend tonight. We went to this place on State Street:
Good view, no? Is there a name for the phenomenon where two triangular structures align themselves in this way? Do you see it? -- a liquor store and the art center. How appropriate.
We were both hungry and the food is quite good here. We were curious about the portions and upon learning that "meat" means more than half a pound of meat, we decide to share.
We begin by also sharing a bottle of wine…
…then, in a moment of great independence, we each order a cup of soup. After this, we return to sharing: the steak dish, followed by a (shared) salad.
Would we like to see the dessert menu? No, not at all. We have no room for dessert. We have just finished a (shared) two course meal along with a (shared) salad.
What does this say about food portions in this town?
Good view, no? Is there a name for the phenomenon where two triangular structures align themselves in this way? Do you see it? -- a liquor store and the art center. How appropriate.
We were both hungry and the food is quite good here. We were curious about the portions and upon learning that "meat" means more than half a pound of meat, we decide to share.
We begin by also sharing a bottle of wine…
…then, in a moment of great independence, we each order a cup of soup. After this, we return to sharing: the steak dish, followed by a (shared) salad.
Would we like to see the dessert menu? No, not at all. We have no room for dessert. We have just finished a (shared) two course meal along with a (shared) salad.
What does this say about food portions in this town?
Monday, April 23, 2007
scenes from the (former) tobacco warehouse where I (currently) live: an evening in April
She stands on the balcony, sipping wine. He says things to her. She answers, with enthusiasm.
So why does he walk away? (She takes a sip, looks up and disappears.)
So why does he walk away? (She takes a sip, looks up and disappears.)
scenes from the (former) tobacco warehouse where I (currently) live: an evening in April
She stands on the balcony, sipping wine. He says things to her. She answers, with enthusiasm.
So why does he walk away? (She takes a sip, looks up and disappears.)
So why does he walk away? (She takes a sip, looks up and disappears.)
Sunday, April 22, 2007
The day
Say what you will, everyone should have a birthday where 1. they’re healthy 2. and the weather is grand. It also helps if it’s a week-end.
How to begin? Easy.
A chocolate croissant, a latte, an NYT story about a depressed NY chef.
Then, the market. Madison’s own. Uncomfortably crowded at times, but still, it is The Market.
People say that at this stage, the market is too dominated by flower sales. What’s wrong with flower sales?
Besides, there's always music to love and adore. Right? What, you don't like bagpipes?
Next, a bike ride. I ask my biking pal Ed to think of a good loop, and he does. First we travel from Brooklyn to Albany. Because he knows I like New York. Then, onto local roads that remind me that this is… not New York.
Happy cows; rare to see this pastoral scene outside happy cow countries
Oh, and as it’s my birthday, I ask for an official photo.
A quick return to Madison. I am so ready for a Caribbean therapy session at Cameo (the Spa on the Square). You know, I should have guessed it would include a soak in a tub. But with changing lights? The name for this part of the spa treatment: chromotherapy. Really. (It felt like a nice long bath with lots of New Age music and rainforest sounds in the background.)
But the mud pack was grand and the essential oils of this and the other were fantastic.
With smooth and supple skin, I walk across the Square, where EVERY set of Capitol steps is occupied by women in white.
she's checking her rear, he's thinking -- can I stand being married?
Time for the movie, In the Land of Women. You have to know that I have been amused by Meg Ryan since her Sally, then Sleepless, then French Kiss roles. So this would be an acceptable step in the Meg run of films. Even though she is more credible in comedy confection than in a serious rendition of a mother-daughter struggle. Still, it’s nice to look at a big screen again.
And finally dinner. At Sardine. I truly think it deserves the crowds. There is something quite right about it. And, unlike the 297 restaurants in NY closed last week for health violations, to my knowledge, Sardine has no rats, roaches or mice droppings. It feels so fresh in there! Honestly.
How to begin? Easy.
A chocolate croissant, a latte, an NYT story about a depressed NY chef.
Then, the market. Madison’s own. Uncomfortably crowded at times, but still, it is The Market.
People say that at this stage, the market is too dominated by flower sales. What’s wrong with flower sales?
Besides, there's always music to love and adore. Right? What, you don't like bagpipes?
Next, a bike ride. I ask my biking pal Ed to think of a good loop, and he does. First we travel from Brooklyn to Albany. Because he knows I like New York. Then, onto local roads that remind me that this is… not New York.
Happy cows; rare to see this pastoral scene outside happy cow countries
Oh, and as it’s my birthday, I ask for an official photo.
A quick return to Madison. I am so ready for a Caribbean therapy session at Cameo (the Spa on the Square). You know, I should have guessed it would include a soak in a tub. But with changing lights? The name for this part of the spa treatment: chromotherapy. Really. (It felt like a nice long bath with lots of New Age music and rainforest sounds in the background.)
But the mud pack was grand and the essential oils of this and the other were fantastic.
With smooth and supple skin, I walk across the Square, where EVERY set of Capitol steps is occupied by women in white.
she's checking her rear, he's thinking -- can I stand being married?
Time for the movie, In the Land of Women. You have to know that I have been amused by Meg Ryan since her Sally, then Sleepless, then French Kiss roles. So this would be an acceptable step in the Meg run of films. Even though she is more credible in comedy confection than in a serious rendition of a mother-daughter struggle. Still, it’s nice to look at a big screen again.
And finally dinner. At Sardine. I truly think it deserves the crowds. There is something quite right about it. And, unlike the 297 restaurants in NY closed last week for health violations, to my knowledge, Sardine has no rats, roaches or mice droppings. It feels so fresh in there! Honestly.
The day
Say what you will, everyone should have a birthday where 1. they’re healthy 2. and the weather is grand. It also helps if it’s a week-end.
How to begin? Easy.
A chocolate croissant, a latte, an NYT story about a depressed NY chef.
Then, the market. Madison’s own. Uncomfortably crowded at times, but still, it is The Market.
People say that at this stage, the market is too dominated by flower sales. What’s wrong with flower sales?
Besides, there's always music to love and adore. Right? What, you don't like bagpipes?
Next, a bike ride. I ask my biking pal Ed to think of a good loop, and he does. First we travel from Brooklyn to Albany. Because he knows I like New York. Then, onto local roads that remind me that this is… not New York.
Happy cows; rare to see this pastoral scene outside happy cow countries
Oh, and as it’s my birthday, I ask for an official photo.
A quick return to Madison. I am so ready for a Caribbean therapy session at Cameo (the Spa on the Square). You know, I should have guessed it would include a soak in a tub. But with changing lights? The name for this part of the spa treatment: chromotherapy. Really. (It felt like a nice long bath with lots of New Age music and rainforest sounds in the background.)
But the mud pack was grand and the essential oils of this and the other were fantastic.
With smooth and supple skin, I walk across the Square, where EVERY set of Capitol steps is occupied by women in white.
she's checking her rear, he's thinking -- can I stand being married?
Time for the movie, In the Land of Women. You have to know that I have been amused by Meg Ryan since her Sally, then Sleepless, then French Kiss roles. So this would be an acceptable step in the Meg run of films. Even though she is more credible in comedy confection than in a serious rendition of a mother-daughter struggle. Still, it’s nice to look at a big screen again.
And finally dinner. At Sardine. I truly think it deserves the crowds. There is something quite right about it. And, unlike the 297 restaurants in NY closed last week for health violations, to my knowledge, Sardine has no rats, roaches or mice droppings. It feels so fresh in there! Honestly.
How to begin? Easy.
A chocolate croissant, a latte, an NYT story about a depressed NY chef.
Then, the market. Madison’s own. Uncomfortably crowded at times, but still, it is The Market.
People say that at this stage, the market is too dominated by flower sales. What’s wrong with flower sales?
Besides, there's always music to love and adore. Right? What, you don't like bagpipes?
Next, a bike ride. I ask my biking pal Ed to think of a good loop, and he does. First we travel from Brooklyn to Albany. Because he knows I like New York. Then, onto local roads that remind me that this is… not New York.
Happy cows; rare to see this pastoral scene outside happy cow countries
Oh, and as it’s my birthday, I ask for an official photo.
A quick return to Madison. I am so ready for a Caribbean therapy session at Cameo (the Spa on the Square). You know, I should have guessed it would include a soak in a tub. But with changing lights? The name for this part of the spa treatment: chromotherapy. Really. (It felt like a nice long bath with lots of New Age music and rainforest sounds in the background.)
But the mud pack was grand and the essential oils of this and the other were fantastic.
With smooth and supple skin, I walk across the Square, where EVERY set of Capitol steps is occupied by women in white.
she's checking her rear, he's thinking -- can I stand being married?
Time for the movie, In the Land of Women. You have to know that I have been amused by Meg Ryan since her Sally, then Sleepless, then French Kiss roles. So this would be an acceptable step in the Meg run of films. Even though she is more credible in comedy confection than in a serious rendition of a mother-daughter struggle. Still, it’s nice to look at a big screen again.
And finally dinner. At Sardine. I truly think it deserves the crowds. There is something quite right about it. And, unlike the 297 restaurants in NY closed last week for health violations, to my knowledge, Sardine has no rats, roaches or mice droppings. It feels so fresh in there! Honestly.
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