Something I Won't Share

During my time in Philadelphia, I fell in love with a lot of new food.  In all of my travels, I have to say that Philadelphia's food offerings still rate up there amongst the best of the best.  There is a lot of diversity and a lot of delicious goodness to be had. 

As a starving graduate student, it's not often that the budget allows for indulgences such as eating out.  But, with strong will and determination, I would manage to eek out the extra cash.  And besides a sushi flop, I can't think of any instances of serious disappointment. 

The restaurant that I will never forget and often long for is now known as Mikado Thai Pepper.  At the time, it was just the Thai Pepper Restaurant, and since then, it combined with the Japanese restaurant conveniently located next door.  When I moved, I had not had much Thai food.  In fact, I only recall one brush with it in Pittsburgh prior (and couldn't tell you the name of the place if that's any indication).  But, I stumbled across the Thai Pepper, and it became my weekly comfort food.  Two of the simplest menu selections, the spicy noodle (which has an incredibly yummy sauce with fat noodles, ground chicken, red and green pepper strips and basil leaves) and basil fried rice (just as it says with chicken), challenged me each week to save enough cash to go pick up carry out on Friday night and have study meals through the weekends.  While I ate this very combination for more weekends than I could count, the Thai Pepper remains a guaranteed stop on any return trips to Philadelphia.  

A good friend of mine who I met in my earliest days in Philly and who also happens to be a huge Thai Pepper fan, has said of me that I'm one of the most giving people she knows but I will not share my Thai Pepper food.  While my initial reaction to this was to fight it, I have to say it's the truth.  I don't want to go and share either dish.  In fact, I think I've even rejected offers to split.  I want every delicious and flavorful bite to myself, and this includes any and all leftovers.  If I could figure out a way, I would absolutely have these dishes delivered to my West Virginia doorstep.   

Resisting the (Impulsive) Fast Food Urge

I think of myself as a fairly fortunate person when it comes to eating habits.  Some genetic something determined that I would, for the most part, really enjoy fresh and healthy foods.  This does not mean I don't have my junk and unhealthy cravings.  Sometimes, it's all I can do to fight the urge to hit the McDonald's or Wendy's drive-thru windows.  And sometimes, I cave.

Most weeks, I try to plan out some semi-healthy meals for the week.  Admittedly, breakfast and lunch choices, given the work schedule, don't leave me in love or craving more.  But, I've found a general rotation of things that satisfies nutritional needs and that are satisfying enough.  Dinners, however, are extremely challenging.  I do my best to come up with some delicious Sunday dinner each week that will provide at least a couple or few nights of leftovers.  But, as life would have it, that can't always happen.  So, I've started being less stubborn about this and a little more flexible in finding quicker (less gourmet) choices.  One of my recent favorites has been burgers (using Laura's lean beef), a serving of Green Giant's amazingly delicious baby brussel sprouts in butter sauce (a favorite of Weight Watchers) and any brand of sweet potato fries.  I see this meal as one of the closest in perfect balance--a solid serving of pretty healthy protein, an appetizing veggie and a small indulgence.

However, in my dinner trials and tribulations, I've realized how difficult it is to eat healthy and also economically.  One of  my hugest gripes, based on the above sample quick meal, is having to buy a package of at least 8 hamburger buns in order to indulge in this meal.  How ridiculous is this?  I've tried to be as thoughtful as possible and coincide lunch choices that require buns with dinner choices that do, but do you realize how much time this takes to figure out?  And how much of the fun is taken out of the process?  Sure, I could freeze the remaining buns, but who really enjoys a defrosted bun?

This leads me to how sneakily fast food swoops in as the most awesome choice ever.  You can literally get one of anything, eliminating waste.  You can make an impulsive choice, literally striking whatever fancy hits you at the moment of consumption, eliminating all of the time and bother of planning meals.  And, the topper, is that you can usually make this really awful choice for cheaper than what your nibbles would've cost otherwise.  So, why is our nation's girth growing at a record rate as more and more fast food restaurants pop up everywhere?  Because the task of resisting the impulsive fast food urge is one of monumental challenge in this world seemingly and ironically more obsessed with health each day.  We can live longer and healthier lives.  We just need to be counterculture to do so and resist the tantalizing fast food urge.

Spring Sports

Every year around this time, a rush of spring excitement arrives for me.  I'm a rather big fan of winter, so it's not necessarily the changes in weather.  Instead, it's the excitement surrounding spring sporting events.  My two favorite, in particular, are March Madness and The Masters Golf Tournament.  

March Madness holds my attention because the games are amazingly fresh and underdogs so often prevail.  One never knows around what bracket corner they may find a new upset, so perpetual tuning in is so worth it.  And it's that general spirit of hope that accompanies such play.  I also have what seems to be a genetic predisposition to romanticize any and all institutions of higher education for unknown and usually unfounded reasons.  The carefully landscaped campuses, studious faculty and students, libraries offering walls and walls of knowledge; they all take me to this magical place that I'm pretty sure is the exact destination colleges and universities want me to go so that I'll purchase their game gear (or perhaps attend there, as was the case of the unbelievably perfect appearance of Villanova and its surrounding royal suburbs).  So, I love the tournament because it calls to my attention institutions I may or may not already know of, and it motivates me to learn something about those places.

The Masters is super fun because, again, you never really know for sure who may win.  The final day of play is always super exciting, and most times, the smells of spring are in the air, which makes for a lovely backdrop to the beautifully groomed course at Augusta.  I can smell spring here in West Virginia and see a more accurately matched visual through the shots of electric greens and offering of florals and trees.  Also, I see myself more with the level of patience of Happy Gilmore rather than the true masters in the area of golf, so I really enjoy watching them demonstrate their skills.

So, during this year's season of spring sports, I will watch with zeal as usual.  I will mourn the close of the excitement and immediately look to baseball and football (always such a long wait) to fill the void left.

Furry Friday Edition

Today was a big day!  Lotus the Cat and I introduced our newest furry family member to our happy little clan.  Tucker the Goldendoodle joined our household, and I couldn't be happier with the initial hours of his first day. 

The process of searching for and finding the right pup was fun from the beginning.  After finding Renee the Breeder at Yesteryear Acres, I knew phase one of the search was complete.  Renee exudes nothing but happy and positive vibes when it comes to her dogs, and she and her husband and three children have made the doodle breeding business into an incredibly warm and loving family business.  The dogs are all as much a part of their family as each human member is, which is what I envisioned for my own canine companion.

I started exchanging e-mails with Renee at the end of November, and by the time I received her announcement for the arrival of Tucker's litter, I knew I was ready to take the plunge.  Since confirming my puppy the second week of January, I've literally counted down the days until his arrival.  A further demonstration of my anticipation manifested this week as a "sleeps" countdown.  So, beginning Sunday, I had 5 sleeps until picking up my new baby Tucker.  Every week between his birth and arrival, Renee would provide new pictures, so Monday picture days also became exciting events that stirred anticipation as early as Fridays before.   

After an incredibly fun trip to visit the puppies last weekend, the fun continued on today's journey to meet Renee and retrieve Tucker.  My mom and young nephew joined me, and we started the day off with fresh donuts and plenty of laughter.  After an uneventful drive home, Tucker and I settled in with Lotus.  I wasn't sure how Lotus would react, but he put his game face on and was a trooper.  He showed initial moments of trepidation, but I pet his head and encouraged him to fully explore Tucker, which he did, and that was the end of the trepidation.  This may be his equivalent of "fake it till you make it," but I'm pleased with his ability to do so.  Tucker appeared almost relieved to see a fellow four-legged furry friend, so it looks as though a happy friendship will blossom. 

Today has been a humble reminder of how much love is in this world to embrace, and it can be found in the smallest little packages.  I can't wait to watch Tucker grow and discover more of the world, and with any luck, this will prove a very happy and healthy forever home for him.

A Guilty Pleasure Revealed

It's no secret to people I know.  I am a die-hard American Idol fan.  I've tried and failed to allow a season to pass, unwatched.  This season, however, I find myself to be incredibly entertained by Heejun Han, a top-24 contestant from New York. 

First, I love Heejun's voice.  I think part of it is that what comes out of his mouth is not really like anything I would imagine coming out.  He's a great singer, and I really look forward to seeing where he goes throughout the season. 

Perhaps more, though, I L-O-V-E his quirky personality.  As if the fact that he works with disabled children in real life wouldn't make you love him anyhow, the guy has such a subtle and deadpan sense of humor, I'm never sure whether he's serious or really messing around.  He constantly makes everyone giggle.  His interactions with cowboy Richie Lawson were particularly funny during group week.

He also gets incredibly nervous with each performance, wigglin' his arms like crazy to shake it out, but then he belts it out, and you'd never know he was at all rattled.  And perhaps the best?  Heejun reveals his incredibly tender and humble nature every time he makes it to the next round.  He cries like a baby each time, as if surprised that he's actually making it.

I can't wait to watch this season's contestants (especially my favorites) as they make their way through the competition.  Please, America, I beg you to leave something other than two country singers standing.  Embrace the unique!!!  

Lessons of the Antrim Rope Bridge

During the summer between my junior and senior years in college, I joined a six week study abroad program in Dublin, Ireland.  I kiddingly refer to this time as a glorified vacation because I didn't need any of the credits for graduation.  But soon afterward, I realized it was probably the richest experience of my entire college education, if not my entire life.  I was reminded of this time this past weekend, and there was one moment in particular that sticks with me as probably the most profound of the trip.

Pictured above is the Antrim coast of Ireland, and if you look really close, there is a rope bridge (the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge) that spans the space between that little island and the mainland.  A couple of friends and I took a day to go on a tour of the Antrim coast, and this was one of our stops along the way.  The bridge's framework is all rope and includes wooden steps along the way.  These rope bridges were built years and years ago near fishing communities so that the fishermen could more easily access the best fishing and regularly check their nets.  The scary part?  The drop down to the rocky coastline below is somewhere around 75 feet.  The fluidity of the rope infrastructure and massive plummet potential have a way of intimidating some.  But, we braved the danger and crossed.  When I reached the other side, I realized I could see Scotland from where I stood.  This, for whatever reason, made me stop and evaluate just how big and amazing the world is and how few moments have made me stop and feel that way.  It was also a very humbling moment because it made me realize how very small I am, as an individual, in this world.  Something about sitting on the coast of one country and looking across a huge watery expanse at another country really spoke to my core.  The overwhelming message?  It's not all about us.  There's so much more.

Ironically, the fact that we can turn on the television and see live feed from virtually anywhere on the planet makes this realization hard to grasp sometimes.  There are those surreal moments of watching war and conflicts abroad unfold as cameras roll.  There are the scenes of extreme poverty and illness that plagues communities the world over.  But, what is less frequently captured is the magic that the world has to give.  The sheer joys of better understanding our planet and all of its landscapes.  So, don't let the tube fool you.  Get out there and see what you want--whether that's lands abroad or destinations across state, city or county lines.  The first-hand experiences will be life-altering and humbling for sure.              

Public Commodities (with Human Spirits)

All of the news swirling since the death of beloved singer, Whitney Houston, has only added to my long-time thoughts surrounding celebrity culture.  Don't get me wrong, I understand that each and every television personality, movie star, pop icon, etc., has made a choice to take the path to stardom.  But, I guess it's the culture of how that celebrity is received that pains me on a regular basis.  The news media consistently fuels this growing encroachment of personal space.  And it's even more disappointing to think that people feel vindicated in wanting to know such information.  It's fine to mourn the loss of a celebrity, to celebrate their contributions to the industry, but isn't there a line that we should respect?  A line where the celebrity ends and the universal humanness begins?  A line where we can recognize that this was a real person who really died and that there are real people really hurting as a result?   

I found it to be rather ironic a few days ago when, on Good Morning America, Nancy Grace was scolded for her public speculation surrounding Whitney Houston's death, suggesting she had been pushed underwater.  Dan Abrams lit into her, asking why she simply would not take back what she had said or apologize for it.  But, what I wonder is how Nancy Grace's wild speculations are any different from the countless disrespectful comments and interviews that have aired across all news outlets since the singer's death.  CNN, Fox News, CBS, NBC, ABC and others have all grabbed the opportunity to speculate on countless topics not at all respectful during this time.  For instance, we've had a number of anonymous "eye witnesses" who apparently watched Whitney down countless numbers of alcoholic drinks in the morning hours the week before her death.  We've also got "insiders" who have openly commented on everything from her handling of finances to her every move leading up to the incident.  So, I guess my reaction to Dan Abrams trying to set Nancy Grace straight is one of indifference.  With such a sad state of media ethics across the board, how can you possibly wrong someone who only blends in with the antics that have been routinely employed for, what is now, way too long.  Nancy Grace embellishing her explanation of the death investigation is no different than all of the other outlets embellishing the factual reports on Houston's death.  Just as we don't need Grace's speculation (aka fiction) about certain aspects of the death investigation process (aka fact), we don't need [insert any reporter's name]'s stories of Houston's erratic behavior (aka fiction) that may or may not have led to her death (aka fact).  Surely, we can all see this parallel. 

In times of crisis and tragedy, it seems forgotten that these people are human at the core.  Sure, they have raked in unthinkable amounts of money for their talent(s) (or lack thereof), but they are truly owed the same respect and consideration that each of us is owed.  All it takes is a few minutes of stopping and reflecting on one of your own personal losses to put into perspective what Houston's family and many others have gone through at the hands of "reporting."  Is there some positive effect that can come out of us learning of Whitney's last days and financial situation?  Do we really need to see pictures of her room service table and bathroom floor time and time again?  Perhaps, someday, we will learn to relinquish our rights to scrutinize every aspect of the lives of these public commodities in the spirit of human kindness, empathy and respect and react to all instances of media mishaps the same as Dan Abrams reacted to his colleague, thus marginalizing such reporting practices.      

Bobbing for Books

I find it a very difficult task to choose books to read.  I have a very small selection of writers and stories that sit so near my heart, and there have been piles of others that, due to probably slightly unreasonable expectations, have fallen short.  The complicating factor is that I often need time after completing a read to really decide if the book falls into the favorites or not-so-favorites section.  The other complicating factor, as of late, is finding the will to force myself to get all the way through a book even if I'm not really feeling it.

Some other obstacles in this process come to mind.  Not all books have great covers, so a first impression may label them as dull, uninteresting, too wacky, not wacky enough, etc.  Not all books have great authors, so an interesting story may not bloom in all of its glory.  Not all books have a great story, so there may be a fantastic author behind it, but the story may be incredibly bad.  And this list can go on for what seems like forever.

My latest read was The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides.  As I dove into this book, I wasn't convinced I should be spending my time on it.  However, since it brought me a certain amount of sadness to reach the end, it obviously resonated with me on some level.  While this book probably will not go down as one of my all-time favorites, it struck me as I finished it up that I had become incredibly invested in the story's characters.  The story was not terribly complicated, but through the introduction and development of its characters, an enormously impressive texture resulted.  

So, the next time your book is falling flat on its face for you, take a moment to think about the characters you've met and whether any one of them may, in the end, reward you for continuing the journey.            

Dear Saint V

Some get chocolates or flowers,
Some get candies or cards,
Others find a way through the hours,
And choose their heart to guard.

But, on this sweetest day,
I reflect on love worldwide,
And hope that there is a way
To somehow unite the divide.

And so to Saint V, I render these requests,
Hoping he can lend the tools from his loving treasure chest.

Abate our worldly sorrows,
Let our collective love shine.
Bring us to our knees with hope,
Replace despair with the divine.

And when today winds down and the next morrow comes,
Remind us of our mission, our mission to love as one.

Winter Blues

And now for a shocking confession.  I am mourning the loss of old fashioned winters.

Over the past couple of months, the mere trickle of a few snowflakes has stirred great excitement.  But, that excitement has been very short-lived because instead of bringing their friends, those flakes were the long and the short of what winter has had to offer.  I am, by far, a better equipped person for the winter months than the summer months.  If it weren't for being such a huge fan of sunshine, I would take winter year round.  I am the champion wimp of all wimps in extreme heat, and I can't even be quieted by air conditioning because I'm not a lover of that either.  The artificial cold is always too cold, and the extreme heat is suffocating.  It doesn't help that I'm borderline albino, so the sun is not kind to my skin even when I slop on the best and strongest sun protection.

Some of my fondest memories from childhood are those when the snow fell...and fell...and fell.  I was lucky enough to grow up in a neighborhood that offered amazing terrain for sled-riding and also close proximity to local businesses, like a video rental store, drug store and fast food joint.  So, once old enough, we'd venture out into the snow, play and then walk to where we could to exploit the guilt-free pleasures of snow days.  In fact, I'm not sure where I got the money, but I clearly remember purchasing my copy of The Beatles Anthology 1 on one such jaunt because the video store happened to carry it.

As I grew up, I started to love going out into the snowy days and nights to listen and observe.  The quiet to be found after a really good snow is hard to capture in any other setting.  And then there are the amazing sights--piles of snow accumulating in the most amazing places, performing high-wire acts, birds in search of vittles, the splendid greens peeking through the otherwise white canvas.  And then there was my trip to Colorado, during which I got to see my first ever hoar frost (picture at right).  Amazing!

And so, as the days and months wear on, I hope that Old Man Winter will graciously give the Ohio Valley at least one solid dose of his grandeur this year.  Kids need to be reminded of the magic of snow days, and we adults need to be reminded of what wonderful gifts nature affords us year round. 

Choices, Choices, Choices

I'm not sure it's always been the case, but as a modern-day American, I feel like I have a plethora of options, regardless of what decision is at hand.  I would say, in most cases, that this is fabulous and even a sign of progress.  But, are there times when not so many options would be better?

I encountered this question as I shopped for a new digital camera.  Not only are there a zillion makes to choose from, but there are a dozen considerations to first narrow down before you can even start deciding on a maker and model.  There's point and shoot under $200, point and shoot over $200, compact zoom, extended zoom, advanced compact, compact mirrorless, dSLR for entry-level, mid-level and enthusiast as well as the full-frame dSLR.  And just like cars, it seems like every new year, if not half or quarter year, will bring with it a whole new set of models and improvements.  So, while the decision to invest in a new camera was seemingly simple, the next step of actually choosing a camera seems so incredibly complex.   

Sometimes it's nice to only have an "A" or "B."  Even throwing a "C" in there can make things a little crazy.  But, I wonder if this seemingly complex state of choices is just a manifestation of our ever-evolving world.  For instance, before there were digital cameras and life was a little less busy and advanced, were there zillions of new options all the time when considering a simple camera purchase?  Before there was the internet, were there infinite ways to find the exact shirt or other random item you wanted?  Were people as overwhelmed by every single choice as we can be today?

It's these moments that the phrase "keep it simple" seems way out of step with where the world is today.  It's also these moments that remind me of how the stage is set to make it really easy to forget to be grateful for the everyday small stuff.  With so many choices and so much "noise," it is so easy to be distracted and move on to the next complicated choice.  Today, I will observe as many "choice intermissions" as possible.  It's okay to take a break.          

Best Practices in Being Human

You probably don't recognize the man in the image above.  I wouldn't have before last week.  He's democratic senator Ed Murray from Washington state.  One morning last week, as I was driving in to work, I heard a story on NPR, detailing the recent passage of a bill in Washington, which would legalize same-sex marriage there.  Granted, there's all kinds of chatter in the news right now on this topic, especially today after the federal appeals court in California determined the voter-approved ban on gay marriage there to be unconstitutional.  But, my reflections tonight are not on all of that buzz, they are focused on the words of Truth that Senator Murry declared as the Washington bill was being passed.

The senator was quoted as saying the following:

[Lawmakers who vote against gay marriage]"...are not, nor should they be accused of bigotry...Those of us who support this legislation are not, and we should not be, accused of undermining family life or religious freedom...Marriage is how society says you are a family."

I found this statement to be profound because it was an expression of tolerance too seldom heard--in politics or any other sphere of our modern-day society.  After thinking further about the words uttered, I decided I think this statement deserves to be counted as a best practice in politics.  In legal marketing, we often refer to and encourage the sharing of "best practices."  As such, we often discuss our experiences with one another, pointing out issues encountered and resolved, obstacles happened upon and overcome, etc.  Overall, best practices (and especially the communication of best practices) places everyone on the same plane of knowledge, encourages success in approach and places an undeniable focus on the common goals we share.

Sen. Murray's statement above places everyone on the same plane.  We're all human, and we all will require tolerance from someone (or a bunch of people) at one point or another.  His approach demonstrates a willingness to encourage success, regardless of differences, and that success would be in the form of living peacefully and equally.  Is there anyone who doesn't want that? 

In politics today, it's very rare to actually witness peaceful conciliation of partisan differences.  But, I think Sen. Murray did this amazingly well with his words above.  It places a hugely controversial topic on such a basic level of human understanding.  For any given moral priority or personal freedom, we should all be willing to exchange with one another and respect differences.  I'll give anyone their religious freedom and worry-free happiness in return for my personal freedom and worry-free happiness.  See how this works?  Tolerance.  Understanding.  Best practices in being human.     

 

The Wondrous Weekend

Weekends--what everyone lives for, Monday through Friday.  I don't know if everyone is the same about them, but I know in my own case, they're an obsession.  I wake up each day, thinking about how much closer I have gotten to its start.  I go to sleep each night, again reassuring myself that it is almost here.  I've never heard anyone be excited about weekdays.  Unless, that is, a weekday stands for an early entry into their weekend.  A few friends and I regularly celebrate "hump day" Wednesdays, but I definitely don't embrace them as I do Friday night, Saturday or Sunday. 

I think weekends fit into the "supply and demand" concept common in consumerism.  It's what we get least of, so we naturally want more.  When we are given more, we just want more again.  Is this a genetic slip in all of us?  Are we programmed to only want what we cannot have?  To always view the grass as being greener on the other side?  What a conundrum! 

I wonder if it's possible to tackle time, and the busy way of life, and embrace a weekend way of living seven days a week.  I don't know about your weekends, but mine are marked with contentment through cooking what I want, coming and going as I want, taking moments I don't normally take to appreciate the everyday light in my world and lots of other breathable things.  I think I will tackle this.  Yes, work will consume lots of hours it doesn't on the weekend, but as I've learned through an amazing boss with an amazing outlook, those hours don't have to be filled with stagnancy and unhappiness or stress.  Full-time weekends.  I like it.

Punxsutawney...Donald?

It is not a common occurrence that A Tribute to Life post will include blatant political instruction.  However, I have to beg of you, vote for whoever you want in the upcoming presidential election.  But, please, whatever you do, please do not look to The Donald as your voting compass.  I would argue that you should probably do your research and vote based on your own conclusions, not necessarily voting based on any one's endorsement.

This man is a towering figure in popular culture.  He has a reality television show (the sole thing keeping him from running for president, so maybe, just maybe, once May comes, he'll toss his hat in), he is a business mogul, he has a litter of children and has had numerous wives, he has bad hair, he relentlessly pursued further on the Obama birth debate (as if this country should prioritize that in the last portion of Obama's presidency and at an otherwise pretty busy time of real concerns).  You can do better.  Seriously.  Be bold. 

In fact, on this day of annual celebration of Groundhog Day, perhaps we can just quickly ask Punxsutawney Phil to let us know which Republican should be on the ticket.  Now that sounds like a more acceptable solution.