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January 31, 2003
The Americanization of the Scone
It's no wonder that Europeans don't like Americans. Political reasons aside, we just have a tendancy to turn good things bad. Take, for example, the scone. I know the scone as a dry and crumbly treat, not too sweet and great with coffee or tea. Enter Dunkin Donuts, now introducing a moist scone. You mean a funny shaped muffin? Because that's what a scone would be if it wasn't dry. No one would ever suggest a dry crumbly muffin. Why? Because that's a scone! These new scones pack an average of 450 calories, which is nothing compared to the the 710 calorie coffee cake muffin.
Posted by kafi at 06:31 AM | Comments (0)
January 29, 2003
I've Upgraded Again!
The experience wasn't as painful as I thought it would be. With a little patience and tenacity I finally was able to install Movable Type on my server. I don't quite know why it magically started working, but I am pleased that I will be able to take advantage of it's perks. It may take awhile to completely update everything, but no worries there. All of the hard work has been done.
The best part is that I did it all on my own. Still trying to figure out though why the site loads so slowly.
Posted by kafi at 03:58 PM | Comments (0)
January 28, 2003
Anger Management
Anger Management - too many things gone wrong
Anger Management - too many things to do
Anger Management - not enough solutions
Breathe
Breathe
Breathe
Starting the day with crappy coffee is no way to begin the morning. Looking for kickboxing class or video. Time to begin writing in journal again. Making date with Rodney Yee tonight. Me, him and 90 minutes of yoga.
Okay, I am allowing myself a brief daydream. I'm in New Orleans. The early morning dew accentuates the heavy scent of the roses growing in the garden I pass on my way to the cafe. Slightly overwhelmed by the number of options, I choose a simple cup of coffee and deep fried treats. I take a seat outdoors and inhale the steam of the french roast coffee. As I nibble on a beignet, the temperature outside rises. I am smiling.
Posted by kafi at 10:20 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 27, 2003
Arghhhh! PowerPoint!
Traumatize your children with powerpoint presentations? One mother uses it to discipline her kids. I personally can't stand the software (one of very few things Tufte and I agree on). I cringe at the sight of them. Having worked with Brand Management at my last company, I have become very brand sensitive. So, when I go to a staff meeting with multiple presenters and see non-branded, animated slides, my back prickles. I know that these presenters all meant well, but once you distract me with a dancing cactus, don't expect me to take anything you say seriously. If you don't sign your business emails with smiley faces and place clipart in your memos, why do you feel the need to entertain an audience with dancing vegetation?
I challenge companies to put away the powerpoint presentations. Recently, I attended a brown bag luncheon on running meetings and the use of powerpoint came up. Many of the meeting participants were in agreement that 9 times out of 10 it is unecessary, with the exception being the presentation of highly technical or complex material. In other words, adults should feel free to speak to other adults without bullets and animations sprayed across a screen. At the most interesting meetings/presentations I have attended, the presenter engaged his/her audience, not a projector.
Posted by kafi at 10:19 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 26, 2003
$800k Condo for Sale
My vision of hardwood floors and large sunny trading spaces inspired rooms is beginning to blur. Depression set in as I browsed the homes for sale section of the Post. Everything listed online was either unaffordable or undesireable. Maybe I was expecting a miracle, given that the DC real estate market has been completely unaffected by the recent economic downturn. The market is hotter than it's ever been with $800k condominiums becoming the norm. Even the price of a parking spot one of these condos is outrageous at $25k! However, considering monthly parking in DC costs the average commuter about $25k over the course of 2 years, maybe it isn't so outrageous afterall. But $800k is a rich price for one as thrifty as myself. Not to mention completely unattainable. But I do have a couple things going for me:
1. I don't necessarily have to live in the District, since the nearest city (Baltimore) is only 30 miles away.
2. I don't need a lot of space since I don't own a lot of stuff, and don't intend on that changing anytime soon
But I do have some requirements:
1. Safe neighborhood
2. Hardwood floors
3. Sunny roooms
4. A decent kitchen, or at least one with potential
Unfortunately all I have right now is an apartment across the river in the burbs. It's home for now but the search will go on.
Posted by kafi at 10:18 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 24, 2003
The Art of Cooking
As I work towards improving my cooking skills, I have learned a few things. Learning how to make good pad thai has taught me that recipes are merely guidelines on how to make a dish, not strict requirements. On my third attempt at making this dish I nailed it. Boyfriend and Roommate raved for days. This time I had strayed from the recipe. I was using the dish as barter to get ingredients, fresh baked cookies, wine, etc.
I already knew what pad thai tasted like because I grew up eating it. I just didn't know the intricacies of the flavors and how they should come together. So I tasted my sweet and sour and sour sauce, choosing to make it spicer and more sour than the recipes called for. I seasoned my paper thin slices of chicken with a little soy (unorthodox, but tasty) and I added way more fish sauce and garlic then the recipe called for. When it was all said and done, I had created a masterpiece.
Lesson of the story? Trust your instincts when you cook, because if the finshed product sucks, it most likely was something you did or something your used while cooking. *case in point, the roommate makes yummy cookies, except when the ingredients are a little out-dated and then they taste, well old.
Posted by kafi at 10:17 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 22, 2003
Cancellations in Progess
Today I am in stealth re-organizing mode. I was on hold for 10 minutes for a domain name issue and then another 16 minutes to cancel my isp (because I found a better provider). Wouldn't you know the moment I try to cancel my web hosting plan and move my domain name, my web hosting company's web site is down! At least I know they didn't go out of business because I spoke to a customer service rep today.
Posted by kafi at 10:17 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Simon Says
Okay, I didn't even know that American Idol was coming on TV last night. When Kevin reminded me, I wasn't even planning on watching it. But then he reminded me that the show is funny. And I laughed so hard last night that my stomach hurt. Am I going to watch it tonight? Of course, I wouldn't miss it. I can always use a good laugh.
Posted by kafi at 10:16 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 20, 2003
Amid Parades and Protests
With the protests downtown this weekend and the Martin Luther King Jr. parade, DC has been a city re-awakened. It's not the most happening of cities, so when something happens, it kind of wakes the city up.
The parade was everything a celebration is supposed to be. Lots of families, tons and tons of kids and an endless line of drums, tassles and pom poms. The mayor even made an appearance. I'd comment on that, but with all of the heckling he got as his car inched by the crowd, he's probably had enough for the day.
Posted by kafi at 10:15 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
What's Right in the World?
Life seems to be out of whack right now. I mean life in general. Bush sending C. Rice and C. Powell to the Sunday morning talk shows to speak about our impending war situation. The google logo for Martin Luther King Jr. day. The Osbournes. That awards show last night and that grown woman, underfed, wearing a ballerina outfit. At least Tampa Bay is in the Superbowl.
Today I will start my week by attending a Martin Luther King Jr. parade. My hope is that by celebrating someone who has done some good in this world, I will be inspired to do some good of my own. Because the world needs it.
Posted by kafi at 10:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 19, 2003
Cold Angry Sqirrels
Baby, it is cold outside! Yesterday it hit a balmy 25 degrees and today is supposed to be warmer, but I am not feeling it. My fingers are freezing as type away sitting a couple feet from the window, with the heat on. Ohhh, it's going to be a long cold winter.
I've even noticed the squirrels aren't taking to these blustery cold days either. The little black squirrel that is up every morning when I leave for work, hiding his nuts and tending to his business was mad the other day. Me thinks the grey squirrel tried to steal his loot because the black squirrel was chasing him up and down trees, across skinny branches and all over the lawn in front of the apartment. This was no mating ritual, I sensed anger in his eyes. Anyway, I think the cold weather has all of the little animals (chipmunks, possums, and squirrels) a little concerned. The past few winters have been very mild and now we could possibly be facing a blizzard next month (according to the Farmers Almanac). Sixty-one days until spring and counting.
Posted by kafi at 10:13 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 17, 2003
AOL Time Warner
Can Dick Parsons turn AOL Time Warner around? Hopefully he can infuse the AOL part with a little more Time Warner and the company will be a little more merged. Parsons plans "to maximize AOL Time Warner's tremendous potential." If he can do that, maybe then some of that AOL crap can be replaced with useful content. (I'd also like AOL and Microsoft to play together nicely in the sandbox so my roommate's computer would stop crashing.)
Posted by kafi at 10:13 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Intro to XML
As part of my PDP (Professional Development Plan) at work, I decided to take a technology course to keep my skills up to par. I chose XML for a variety of reasons. First to learn exactly what it can do, how it does it, and to see if it is something I would ever use at work. The answer to last question is probably no. The class did cover a great deal of material and we received 2 large binders full of class notes exercises, accompanied by a CD-ROM. The instructor didn't hesistate to let us know that anything and everything we needed to know about XML could be found at World Wide Web Consortium. I wonder how many people would have still taken the class if they had known that?
I found the content I learned in class very interesting, but the class itself was a little dry. However, I did manage to stay awake (unlike the guy sitting next me) and I made it through the 4 days of training (we lost one guy after day 2). Attending training is always interesting if you look at it as a study in human social behavior:
The Instructor
A gregarious fellow. likes being in charge, completely dominates all conversation unless he asks you a direct question and is looking for an answer. He mentioned owning a business a couple times, I guess he feels that validates him and his knowledge of the course material, which is fine. He's also extremely helpful and in true programmer style, will always go the extra distance to figure out the answer to a problem.
The Programmer
Upon first glance, I knew two things: this guy was not a manager and he wasn't married. Middle-aged and slouchy, with slight wet-hand BO and overgrown haircut and facial whiskers, he didn't bat an eye when I reached for the keyboard we shared to do our assignments and took charge. Aside from the BO, the only other thing I found annoying about him was that he was a low talker. As he called out(in a whisper) the scripts I needed to write, I couldn't hear him, even though he was just inches from my ear.
Although the training was satisfactory, I couldn't help but wonder why a major IT training company was still using an overhead projector and film to teach a class. Maybe my expectations of some high tech presentation were a little too high. The lack of internet connectivity for checking email was slightly irritating. I hate missing several days at work and then coming back to a bloated email box. I know why they do it - so that people like me won't do stuff like this while they are in class.
Introduction to XML: 4 out of 5 stars
Posted by kafi at 10:12 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 13, 2003
Joeisms - Joe Millionaire
Eat my brains out.
what brains?
I'm looking for a self-sufficient girl; someone who can take care of herself.
she has no choice if she decides to be with Joe, although $19k is above the poverty threshold.
I know she's not my type, but she's hot.
boys will be boys.
This girl is going to have to love me for me, not the money.
no comment. I don't have the time or energy to go near this one.
Posted by kafi at 03:37 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 11, 2003
In and Out of Focus
After running errands with Kevin's mom this morning, we went to the National African Art Museum to take in a little culture. Of all the museums on the Mall, this one in particular always seems to have excellent exhibits. By excellent, I mean that every time I leave I feel enriched. I don't walk out thinking to myself, wow that was some beautiful art. I leave having learned something more about Africa, about art and even sometimes myself. The latest exhibit, In and Out of Focus was a gallery show of photographs of central Africa from 1885-1960.
A vast majority of the photos were taken in the Congo. Upon first glance, one would believe these frontal and profile posed photos were portraits, but in fact they were not. They are an example of the "type" photography that was taking place during this time period to support race theories. Having learned this at the beginning of the exhibit, I found it very difficult to appreciate many of the photographs. As we walked past one photo, a Bastille Day celebration, I commented to Kevin how sad it was that they were celebrating Bastille Day. But is that any different than African Americans celebrating the Declaration of Independence? In some ways, no, because both countries are celebrating revolutions that brought about changes in government so that the people rule themselves and make their own decisions. In America I celebrate the 4th of July, but I am not celebrating my personal and historic declaration of independence.
Posted by kafi at 10:08 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 09, 2003
Carlos
Carlos Santana is so cool. I prefer his earlier tunes, but it's cool that he's been pumping out albums and touring for the past 30 years. He'll be in DC in June. I'll be where he is.
Posted by kafi at 10:07 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Nature's Bleach
Against my better judgment, I have fallen in love with a product that destroys the environment. Shower cleaner has changed my life. For whatever reason, I could never keep the shower clean. Most bothersome were the water knobs, that only glistened after a good scrub down and a little bleach. But everyday shower freshness comprises the environment.
So what does a girl who is trying to to save the environment do? I went to Save the Bay to find environmentally sound ways to clean the house and the world (or at least the Chesapeake Bay). What I found were two options for keeping the tub tidy: a borax mixture and a vinegar with baking soda method. So it looks like my next trip to the grocery store will include the following: balsamic vinegar for marinades, red wine vinegar for sauces, white wine vinegar for salad dressing and white vinegar for tubs. I should add that the white vinegar will also clean my glass, mirrors and drains. Nature's all purpose bleach. Actually Heloise did a lab experiment a while ago with vinegar and found that it had the same disinfecting properties as bleach. But the smell! The smell!
Posted by kafi at 10:06 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 08, 2003
Fixed!
Finally, I was able to eradicate all of those nasty errors that had been plaguing my site!
Posted by kafi at 10:05 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 07, 2003
Now Playing
The new CD has successfully fixed my mood. Thanks JT.
Posted by kafi at 10:03 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Good Morning. No.
Since I was up until 1:00am last night and I am in a terrible mood, I thought about abstaining from writing anything this morning. But then I started to think about food, and how Meg reminded me that I can take online courses at the CIA (Culinary Institute of America). Is this this brightening my spirits? Not quite. But I brought my earbuds and Justified with me to work today. That should do the trick.
Posted by kafi at 10:03 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 05, 2003
Guilty Pleasures
Yesterday I helped the roommate with her website and in return she drove us to Target for a few household staples. A few hours later, we were jamming to Justified, belting out "cry me a river. uh uh uh uh uh." Hello are we 12? I sure felt 12, without of course the braces and training bra. Just for the record though, I did get the album on sale. Unfortunately, that was not our only pre-teen moment. As I picking up nail polish remover, roommate was desperately seeking out Lord of the Rings calendars with the requirement that the calendar showcase both the Elves and Gollum. She was unsuccessful. But our search will continue.
Posted by kafi at 02:24 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Minty Porn
Wonder if the roommate is aware that www.puremint.com is a Japanese porn site? I don't think so.
Posted by kafi at 10:01 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 02, 2003
Happy New Year, Happy New Blog
The new year came in quietly for me. So quietly in fact that I didn't notice, but that might have been because I was sleeping. I actually enjoyed the experience having of an uneventful evening. No surprises, no disappointments. We opted for pizza in lieu of a fancy expensive dinner at our favorite tapas restaurant. On a sad note, I discovered my favorite Turkish restaurant has closed. I was mistaken. They are expanding into the space next door and will be selling Turkish rugs and housewares! It was the restaurant of choice for our serious couple discussions and our anniversaries. Plus they had the best damn pita bread on Capitol Hill. Their spinach stuffed chicken topped with bechamel rivaled Kevin's, whose recipe I have since appropriated. So long, Anatolia and thanks for some good times.
Posted by kafi at 09:59 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack