The World of Nonny Nu

Goodbye, TWoNN!

2010-03-31T14:30:00.000-07:00

It's time for a new start. Please join me and Mr. Nonny Nu at The Nu Warren. Hope to see you there!

Happy Birthday to Willy Wonka !!

2010-03-16T17:14:00.001-07:00

I'm sure that this cake will not taste as good as anything you would bake, Willy Wonka, but I hope you will enjoy it. Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Woo II

2010-03-07T20:55:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Woo

2010-03-07T19:43:00.000-08:00

Hi Guys

It is a special occasion. It is Woo's birthday this month. She came to our house spring of 96' as a puppy. She was about 2 months old and someone didn't want this special puppy. We were lucky that she chose our house to wander into. The rest is history.

Woo is short for Gimawoo. That's black-sesame-porridge in Chinese.

She's a well travel dog. She's been to Hawaii and swam at the North Shore. She's been to Kansas. Unlike Todo, she didn't get swept away by the tornado. She went back to California for awhile. We were back together summer of 08'.

Since then, we've been to New Mexico camping, the Petrified Forest, Black Walnut Canyon, Yellowstone, Rushmore, etc. She's now in Georgia. She lets me sleep in her bed at night. She enjoys the company of Baysee (another dog I adopted from the Humane Society. His birthday is around Halloween). They play all day long when I'm working. Or should I say she boss him around all day.

She's 14 years old and going strong. She's queen of the house.

She enjoys her stroller. When Bays and I go jogging, he drag and I push Woo on the stroller. But, she's not one to just sit and enjoy the scenery. For the last 1/3 mile of our jog, she likes to get off the stroller. She would stretch, roll on the grass, and take her time walking back to our car.

Help me say Happy Birthday to this old girl.

Sugar Snap Peas

2010-02-20T12:18:00.000-08:00

Cl. Panic gave me two sugar nap pea plants about a month ago and they have now doubled in size. I created a scaffolding out of coffee stirrer sticks using Coach Nelson's glue gun. They look so happy! Soon, they will be ready for harvest and we can sneak them into hot pot!

Update (3/9/2010):

Update (3/11/2010):
OMG! My first sugar snap pea has arrived!!

Update (3/15/2010):
Three more peas have come in! Earmarked for L. Woods, Cl. Panic, and Green Thumbs. See if you can find them!

Update (3/16/2010):
Oh, no! My peas have competition! Below are Cl. Panic's peas. Note the net. It is from Daiso, the Japanese dollar store. The peas are looking great. I expect Cl. Panic to bring in a yummy sugar snap pea salad soon.

Happy Birthday to Midge!

2010-02-19T11:16:00.001-08:00

Oh, dear Midge,

You are nearing middle age at such a fast rate! I remember when I was your age. The time just flew. So, have a piece of cake (Cl. Panic chose this one especially for you!), sit back, and watch the years roll by. See ya on the other side!

Wheeeeeee!!!

*slides down other side of hill*

Your favorite aunt,
nn

Real Refugees of Washington, D.C. (Episode 4)

2009-11-11T15:29:00.000-08:00

"Missing"

Emotions are low and the sisters are irritable as Ca Loc ends her visit and returns home. The remaining five visit historic Alexandria for a trolley ride and some very good Thai food. But, even good food isn't enough to stop Jean Cutter and 3-Fish from playing "Missing."* On their own, Wah Toh, MonkeyPig, and Nonny Nu traipse around Alexandria walking along the coblestone streets, admiring gas lamps, visiting George Washington's old haunts, and watching a colonial fashion show. While admiring the beautiful clothing of ladies, gentlemen, and children (including the detailing), it is established via a few cryptic text messages that "Missing" had commenced. But, the two groups find each other at an old crypt, and end up having a great time anyway.

*"Missing" is a game regularly played by a certain maternal figure in the Nu family (normally during a "pageant") whereby the figure pouts, goes off on her own, and screws up everyone else's day because everyone is busy looking for her instead of having fun together. Jean Cutter and 3-Fish were first time players of "Missing" but they played exceptionally well.

Happy Veterans' Day !!

2009-11-11T14:51:00.001-08:00

Thank you to all the veterans out there for serving our country and keeping us safe. (This includes you, MonkeyPig and The Scorpion!)

Happy Belated Birthday, Tiferelia!

2009-11-04T21:01:00.000-08:00

Happy 29th, Tiferelia!! I have chosen a "hot cake" for you and also some haikus!

Tell me, dear sister,
Is there time in your schedule
For fixing me food?

Yankees hit two nine
One day after you did, Tif
You guys could be twins

Oops, they're two seven
You are older after all
Don't cry--we love you

Also, from Mr. Nonny Nu...

sister 'o my loins
it is twenty-nine again
happy birthday tif

dearest tiffany
today we honor your life
pass the potatoes

years become ashes
tif turns back her birthday clock
batting eyelashes

Real Refugees of Washington, D.C. (Episode 3)

2009-11-04T20:19:00.000-08:00

“Full House”

Finally, all six of the sisters are together. Concerned about her food options, Jean Cutter loads up on breakfast and prepares to face a day of no Chinese food. Arriving in Arlington, the sisters try to purge the laughter from their systems and don reverent faces for the somber scenes of Arlington Cemetery, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Eternal Flame, and the tram ride. The sisters hoof it over the Potomac and picnic on its bank, realizing Jean Cutter’s fear that she should have packed food provisions for this trip. Eyebrows are raised when MonkeyPig does a strip tease in front of the Lincoln Memorial, but the mood is lifted over a game of chance when five of the sisters bet when 3-Fish would emerge from reading all the text within the memorial itself (spoiler: MonkeyPig won and got to pick the restaurant for dinner). A long walk on the mall and a visit to the Vietnam War Memorial and Washington Monument later, the sisters head to Union Station to celebrate Ca Loc’s and Wah Toh’s birthdays. The day ends with a visit to the Jefferson Memorial where Jean Cutter is moved by the Founder's dedication to his country. This emotion is short-lived, however, as we will see in Episode 5 ("How dare you, DC?").

Next time: Jean Cutter and 3-Fsh play "Missing."

Bonus: We ate at an American bistro at Union Station and Jean Cutter thought the pickings were emaciated. Guess how many minutes it took for Jean Cutter to figure out what she wanted on the menu? (click here for the answer after you make your guess)

Happy Belated Birthday, Green Thumbs McGillicutty!!

2009-11-04T17:04:00.000-08:00

What do you get for a person who bought 10 apple trees for her birthday? A candied apple cake, of course! Happy birthday, Green Thumbs. May your apple trees grow tall and in beautiful shapes.

I Love You, Sushi.

2009-10-11T10:58:00.000-07:00

For my one and only Sushi, a haiku on the second anniversary of the Darkest Day...

Little white muff paw
Unfurling to reach for me
Veiled eyes grinning true

Real Refugees of Washington, D.C. (Episode 2)

2009-10-05T21:41:00.000-07:00

"What Shops Do They Have At The National Mall?"

The above question is asked by 3-Fish when the ladies visit the Capitol on a tour guided by someone from Sen. Brownbeck's office and rub elbows with DC's elite as they dine on reduced-priced buffet at the Dirken Senate Building. Nonny Nu makes a quick stop by the Supreme Court for a short photo op, but a visit to the National Cathedral is cut short when The Jean Cutter arrives. Tensions rise when the Jean Cutter is not met at the airport, and is instead instructed to get to the hotel on her own and that dinner will be from McDonald's. Fortunately, there is a culinary happy ending when the real dinner is revealed to be clams in black bean sauce and assorted other Chinese food items.

Awesome sights in this episode: underground trolly/subway system connecting important buildings in DC; center in the original basement of the Capitol from which the entire city radiates, as designed by city planner, L'Enfant; Capitol's dome; purple eggs at a local grocery store.

In the next episode, 3-Fish determines the menu without knowing it, and The Jean Cutter is moved by history. Ca Loc, however, remains unimpressed with the city.

Mystery Photo 1: Who is this and what is she doing?
Mystery Photo 2: Where is Mr. Nonny Nu in this photo taken inside the Hart Senate Building?

The Real Refugees of Washington, D.C. (Pilot)

2009-09-17T19:40:00.001-07:00

"Invasion"

In the pilot episode, the audience is introduced to the Nu Sisters. Nonny Nu arrives in DC and rendezvous with MonkeyPig at a local watering hole. Not wishing to be left out, Ca Loc confronts them at the bus stop, but ends up in a compromising position. The threesome are quickly joined by 3-Fish and Wah Toh, as they invade the capitol through the bus and the underground subway systems. Even the Navy Memorial was not prepared for such an invasion, and bowled over laughing as the sisters attempted to locate various countries on its world map. Undeterred, the Nu Sisters returned to their hotel room to plot another attack on the city.

Next time: Jean Cutter arrives in DC.

Squirrels II

2009-09-17T09:26:00.000-07:00

A couple months ago, I reported that the Nu Residence was experiencing squirrel problems. There were many suggestions for how to deal with the squirrels, but the best one so far was a suggestion from Green Thumbs McGillicutty--Don't Cat Squirrel Spears!

Don't Cat spears are really anti-cat devices, but also work against squirrels. The incidence of squirrel attacks have diminished greatly after I installed these spears, as witnessed by Mr. Nonny Nu. After weeks of sustaining attacks, the plants were getting depressed. But, recently, buds started appearing (9 gardenia buds and 2 lily buds), so this was an especially critical time to implement a new plan. Don't Cat Squirrel Spears were immediately applied to the planter and nailed down tight.

I am very happy with this!

Happy Birthday to Mr. Nonny Nu !!

2009-09-01T16:24:00.001-07:00

Happy birthday, my little ursa minor! You have been such a good bear to me, always watching over me and making sure that I am okay. You are the best, and I am glad to have met you way back when. Can you believe we've known each other for nearly 15 years? It seems like yesterday because we have so much fun and laughter. Here's to another 15 years!

I hope you like this cake. This is the first time in TWoNN history that an offered birthday cake is an ACTUAL cake--yes! I have had this cake since this morning and will be bringing it home now, bb!!

Your non,
nn

I <3 Willy Wonkaby Cl. Panic, on location guest blogger

2009-08-22T19:18:00.000-07:00

You see, Mr. Wonka was kind enough to send a care package to the trial team -- and boy did it make our day.

Although it's tough to rival the baked goods available at the local truck stop, Mr. Wonka kindly packed some of the best damned peanut butter cookies I've ever had.

Thanks Mr. Wonka!

Backyard Petting Zoo (Trial Edition)

2009-08-22T19:01:00.000-07:00

Oh, Nature! We are stuck in a hotel all day, but are we deprived of our outdoor friends? No, siree. Please say warm hello to Cow Moth:

Cow Moth has stayed with us for two days now and is officially adopted. He invited two of his pals, Furry Moth and Preying "Manty" Mantis, for a nightcap.

Trial: Shelving

2009-08-15T11:24:00.000-07:00

We have gone to an entirely different state for trial and the associates at Nu, Nu, & Nu LLP have already been deprived of their shelving. We have commandeered an entire floor of a hotel, and used some of the rooms for offices. There are 3-4 people per office. In my office, there are 3 other associates (including Cl. Panic and L. Woods). We only had ONE shelf for the four of us who are sharing an office. But, guess what? A partner "needed" extra shelving so we were deprived.

However, the very resourceful Cl. Panic and L. Woods would not be stopped! Check out our new and very unique set of shelves:
Associates 1, Partners 0

Happy Birthday to sluggy !!

2009-08-11T14:23:00.000-07:00

Another year, another trail of slime, sluggy!! I hope you have a wonderful day with the people who are special in your life. Here is a cake to celebrate:
It was really hard to find a slug cake, so I hope you enjoy it. Many more slimy trails!

Happy Birthday to Man from U.N.C.L.E. !!

2009-08-05T15:44:00.001-07:00

I great big "happy birthday" to a dear friend, Man from U.N.C.L.E. I got all dressed up for it.

Haven't heard from you for a while, Man. I hope you and your little bro are doing well. Enjoy the little cake and strawberry. Please remember to brush your teeth afterward.

Your pal,
nn

Happy Belated Birthday to Skillet Girl !!

2009-08-05T15:35:00.000-07:00

Oh, Skillet! You are a sweet little girly girl. I know you are! Happy 2nd birthday! Here is a cake that looks just like you.

Now, be a good girl and stop running away.

Love,
Momma

Happy Belated Birthday to Kashy Boy !!

2009-07-15T11:02:00.000-07:00

I'm such a bad mom. I forgot to post a birthday wish for my Kashy. Well, here it is: I wish you a long and happy life, little one. May your meows be heard for many years.

But, he did get some cake recently (also recent photos of The Boy):

Happy Birthday, Cl. Panic!!

2009-07-13T12:09:00.000-07:00

Wow! You are eleven years old today. How does it feel??

I hope you have a wonderful birthday while at work today and that you eventually get your fish tacos. In the meantime, feast on this very special Apple cake that I baked for you.

Long Live Panic!

P.S. A-Dog--those cranraisin and oatmeal cookies were awesome, as usual!

Goodbye, Chuck !!

2009-07-08T19:45:00.000-07:00

2007-2009

Today, Chuck passed away. He had been battling popeye for about a week, and gasping. I think it might have been tuberculosis. He just gave out. Poor guy. I was a bad mom. I will be bringing him home to bury under a tree. Photos will be posted later (closed casket).

I will miss seeing his black face every morning. He really connected with a lot of people at NNN. I only told a few people today, but so many more expressed their condolences and their grief when word got out. Chuck touched many people.

In honor of Chuck, I have set my Outlook to say "Chuck" whenever I get email.

I miss you already, sweetie!!

UPDATE...

Here are two of Chuck's last photos taken less than a month ago:

This evening, we had a small burial ceremony in the back porch. I did the burying. Mr. Nonny Nu looked on. Chuck was a good kid. We hope you like your final resting place, boy.

Goodnight, Chuck.

Happy Birthday to Ca Loc!!

2009-07-02T23:01:00.000-07:00

Today is Ca Loc's birthday! According to Nu Sisters' lore, Ca Loc has many hidden talents, one of which is playing the drums. You'd never think that by looking at her now! So serious, with those laser eyes...

But, Big Sister Ca Loc, thank you for always being there and caring for all of us young 'uns. We can always depend on you to give us good advice and good food. Happy Birthday!

Squirrels

2009-06-26T00:15:00.000-07:00

I have a squirrel problem.

We have a flower planter in front of the new Nu Residence. It originally had a few bamboo plants but, due to the townhouse being empty for quite a while before the Nus moved in, the bamboo had become bamdead. So, for the past few weekends, the Nus have been working to dig up the bamboos for removal. Those suckers are stubborn! Not only do they have pretty massive root structures, their roots also grow lengthwise so that they form a network just under the surface of the soil.

We were finally able to remove all of them so we bought some nice flowers last weekend and planted them in the flower planter. See how nice they turned out? There were Asian lilies, snap dragons, feathers, gardenia, and some other kinds of lilies.

But, all is not well in the Land of Nu. Why, you ask? SQUIRRELS. Look at what they are doing to my flowers. They dig them up--see the dirt on the edge of the planter? That dirt wasn't there last night when I went to sleep. The squirrels also chomp off the buds. Now, I don't mind if they ate the flowers, but they just bite off the flowers and leave them laying around to mock me. The thing that worries me the most, though, is the fact that the squirrels are exposing the roots of my plants. I get up every morning to find little piles of dirt on the ground next to the flower planter and pretty deep holes in the flower beds themselves.

What can I do about this? Cl. Panic suggested that I employ a bb gun, but I don't exactly want to hurt the squirrels. Just keep them out of my flowers. Does anyone know of anything that will keep squirrels away without killing or hurting them??

Pen Conspiracy, Part II

2009-06-22T10:33:00.000-07:00

See Pen Conspiracy, Part I.

Sir Walter Scott once wrote:

Oh, what a tangled web we weave,
when first we practice to deceive.
Marmion, Canto vi. Stanza 17.

Conspiracies are very much alive at Nu, Nu, & Nu, LLP. Why, just the other day, I reached for a yellow highlighter in my pen receptacle and found this instead:
Notice anything strange? Yes, it's a green highlighter camouflaged as a yellow highlighter. My first thought was that the ink had expired. Yes, I know. Mr. Nonny Nu will no doubt have a comment about me being a dingaling.

At the time, I was dumbfounded, but I quickly regained my composure and thought, "Who the hell could have done this?" I recalled that Cl. Panic had recently done some experimentation on Sharpie highlighters and that I had left a comment expressing skepticism at his abilities on his post. I also knew that we have a colleague at NN&N who shares a passion for pens. (Let's call her the L. Woods, just for kicks.)

I immediately took the yellow green highlighter down the hall to L. Woods, who expressed complete surprise:
nn--Dude, check this out!!
LW--What is it?
nn--It's a yellow highlighter that has green ink in it!!
LW--No way! Lemme see...
*LW hands nn a sheet of paper**
*nn lays down a thick green highlight out of the yellow highlighter*
LW--omg, that's cool.
nn--Isn't it?
LW--Totally! Where did you get that??
nn--I found it in my pen thing! I bet Cl. Panic did it.
LW--Why would he do that?
nn--Hm...you know what?? I specifically said on the blog that I didn't believe he could do this!

After this conversation, I walked back to my office and turned off my computer for the night. At that point, I heard a scream come from the L. Wood's office. Then she called my desk phone. But, seeing as how I was done for the day, I thought I'd just drop by her office on my way out. When I got there, she was BRIGHT RED with laughter and embarrassment.

LW--OMG, nn, can you delete the email I just sent you without reading it, PLEEEEEEEEZZZZZZE???? I meant to send it to someone else but sent it to you by accident. PLEEEEEEZZZZZEEEE?
nn--Um, what is it about?
LW--*sigh* Okay, I'll tell you, but you can't let Cl. Panic know that you know because I'll lose my super spy status.

With very little torture involved, L. Woods spilled the beans. Here's the email, folks:
Yes, it's practically Spy vs. Spy here at NN&N. Very interesting. However, I did receive this as a birthday present this morning!

Happy Birthday to Sushi Cat and ogunsgirl!!

2009-06-22T10:20:00.000-07:00

Oh, Sushi! It's your birthday again. You're still the bestest kitty in the world. The two newbies are getting better (especially the grey one), but there is a very special place in my heart that only you could fill. Happy birthday, kitty. Let's you and me share this fish cake like old times...
To ogunsgirl: How time flies! We've known each other for over six years now and have become such good friends. You are always there for me! Hm. Let's see. Last year, I believe it was chocolate. So, I hope you like crab this year!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NONNY NU!

2009-06-22T06:08:00.000-07:00

A simple Birthday Message for You.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUZ!

The Sharpie Liquid Accent ConspiracyI call shenanigans!by Cl. Panic, guest blogger

2009-06-13T21:16:00.000-07:00

I'll start by saying that I'm a pretty big fan of all things Sharpie. And the folks as Sanford have been great about replacing their products on the rare occasion that they fail prematurely.

Those who know Cl. Panic know that Cl. Panic is a bit of a pen nut. Not enough of a pen nut to have a blog about pens, but enough of a pen nut to read the blogs of others that are more pen-nutty (or creative) than I.

As it turns out, I really like the Sharpie Liquid Accent highlighters. Nice bright colors, free-flowing ink, and no stuttering to slow death -- the mostly-clear barrel lets you now when you're about to be highlighter-less. Unfortunately Nu, Nu & Nu, LLP doesn't stock such high-end fare in the supply cabinet. Just cheap-ol' no-name highlighters that fade from fluorescent yellow to dingy, washed-out yellow after a few days on paper.

Not surprisingly, my penchant for the Liquid Accent is shared with at least one co-worker, and at least one bigger pen-nut. After reading a comment over on Good Pens, I decided I'd try to refill one of the Liquid Accent highlighters. You'd know, save the earth and all.

Refill you ask? How in the hell . . . . Well, I have a bottle of Noodler's fluorescent ink that I've been using in a refillable fountain pen to annotate really boring TPS reports and to prepare for my meetings with the Bobs. It rocks. And so that comment got me thinking: I have a bottle of ink and an empty Liquid Accent. This can't be so hard . . . .

Out came the pliers (this thing was NOT easy to open) . . . wait. Hold on. What the hell? It turns out that the Sharpie Accent has a false bottom. Or false middle. Or whatever. And not in a good "the money's hidden under the false drawer bottom" kind of way.

It just so happens that the false bottom is hidden by the trendy graphics on the barrel of the highlighter! I inserted a straw into the cavity to illustrate the treachery (ironically marking the end of the barrel with a black Sharpie).

It turns out that these run out of ink so quickly not just due to my over-highlighting, but because they come from the factory about half full!

I call shenanigans.*

The clever black barrel design. The nearly impossible-to-open end cap. All part of the great Sharpie conspiracy? The world may never know.

* Granted my now-empty Sharpie Accent wasn't a recent purchase. Perhaps the Sharpie folks have since changed their ways. But given the wide-spread occurrence of Grocery Shrink Ray, I somehow doubt it.

R.I.P. Grasshopper

2009-06-04T17:40:00.000-07:00

David Carradine passed away. I loved him in Kung Fu and also Kill Bill. But, mostly Kung Fu. He always seemed so at peace with himself. I'm very surprised that he hanged himself.

*moment of silence*

Music of the Week: Return by OKGo

2009-06-01T23:35:00.000-07:00

So, a bunch of us are stuck at Nu, Nu, & Nu LLP because expert reports are due. I'm just chugging along and listening to my music. Return comes on. Don't know why, but this song always reminds me of Sush. I miss you, kitty.

Return by OK Go
Now its years since your body went flat and even memories of that
are all think and dull, all gravel and glass. But who needs them
now -- displaced they're easily more safe --
the worst of it now: I can't remember your face.

Return.

For a while, with the vertigo cured, we were alive -- we were pure.
The void took the shape of all that you were, but years take their toll,
and things get bent into shape...
Antiseptic and tired, I can't remember your face.

Return.

You were supposed to grow old. Reckless, unfrightened, and old,
you were supposed to grow old.

Return. You were supposed to return.

Calendars In The Mail

2009-05-27T12:59:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone! Yesterday, I mailed out the TWoNN calendars. So, you all (with the exception of three people who haven't confirmed their addresses) should be receiving them soon. Check your mail boxes! They are pretty good this year.

The calendar covers the TWoNN calendar year (4/15/2009 to 4/14/2010). Each month focuses on a word that was submitted by a TWoNN citizen a few months ago. I hope you enjoy them, and I will try to get the next one to you on time.

Happy Memorial Day!!

2009-05-25T09:46:00.001-07:00

What do you all think of my outfit today? I love it. It took some time to put together, but I believe it was worth the time. I feel pretty!

Precious Moments

2009-04-21T15:24:00.000-07:00

No, I haven't blogged in a long time. It's because I was buried under MOUNTAINS of work (ask Cl. Panic and Green Thumbs if you don't believe me). But what has dragged me out of the bleary-eyed just-wash-enough-clothes-to-get-me-through-the-week mode that I've been in? The almost indescribably creepy concept that is Precious Moments.

You all know what I'm talking about. Those figurines of angelic children with the large eyes? Yeah, those. But you must be wondering why these precious and momentous little things should creep me out, right? Okay, I'll tell you.

I received this email today from Midge:

Without reading the URL, I just clicked on the link and was greeted with this. "What's so creepy about that??" Right. Just bear with me. So, as you all know, 3-Fish is Midge's and Midge's Sister's mom. She is also MonkeyPig's and my sister. We all love her, but 3-Fish sometimes does things that are, well, to say the least, unexplained. 3-Fish lives in Kansas and there are not any Disneylands or Magic Mountains there. Instead, they have Silver Dollar City and the aforelinked Precious Moments Park.

Now, I have nothing against SDC. I love SDC. I remember eating a very tasty turkey leg at SDC. They also had great rides. But, PMP is another matter entirely. I was never creeped out by Precious Moments until I went to the park one time when MonkeyPig, Jean Cutter, and I were visiting the Fishes in Kansas. We parked, we got out of the car, paid for admission, and was allowed onto the grounds. Now, what do you think is the first thing that greets me? The thing that sets the tone for the entire visit?

A COMPLETELY SILENT, LIFE-SIZED PRECIOUS MOMENT INDIVIDUAL FLOATING TOWARD ME WITH ITS GINORMOUS EYES.

I thought I was having a Donnie Darko moment. If I am not mistaken, I swear I heard a low hum that didn't seem to have a source as the PMI otherwise noiselessly approached. I don't know if it was because the size, dead silence, and hover of that thing was totally unexpected, but that has creeped me out for over a decade. I believe that everyone else on the visit had the same reaction and are probably traumatized by that thing, too. Okay, with the exception of 3-Fish, who just loved the visit. *rolls eyes*

Hair

2009-03-29T23:23:00.000-07:00

One of the magazines that we subscribe to is GQ. I know that this is for guys, but I love this magazine. I really like the articles, but I love the "advice" columns and the new gadgets articles. A problem I've always had, though, is with the ads because there are so may fem models in them.

I was trolling the GQ site and saw that Edward Cullen was going to be on the cover of the April issue. (Have you read his wife's autobiography??) Normally, Mr. Nonny Nu reads the issue and then passes it along to me, but this month was different. I called dibs on it at the beginning of March. Since we were moving, I was really antsy that it would be misdirected. Anyhow, it arrived this week without a hiccup.

Now. Take a look at the Burberry ad on the back of the issue:

What is going on with the dude's hair?? I could barely contain my laughter around Zac Ephron's 'do. I mean, can a man get any prettier than that? But, that was until I saw the Burberry ad. That's some hair. Oh, cripes. I was just now trying to imagine what the hair looks like from the back. Yikes. Is there a split down the middle of that guy's head with all the hair brushed forward? I don't get it. I'm just glad Mr. Nonny Nu doesn't have enough hair to do his hair that way. Thank goodness for small favors.

Chuck at Work

2009-03-24T18:37:00.000-07:00

Due to several attempts on Chuck's life, we have made the painful decision to let him leave the nest and strike out on his own. When Stubbie passed away, Chuck had expressed interest in a career at Nu Nu & Nu, LLP. Here is his big chance.

The new Nu residence wasn't working out for Chuck. He was initially placed upon the living room's fireplace mantel, which is his usual spot. Unfortunately, Skillet was caught a few times on the mantel cozying up to Chuck, and that made Chuck somewhat uncomfortable. One day, Skillet's intentions became plain when she was caught on the mantel peering into Chuck's room and her right arm was wet. That's when we had to move Chuck. But, the only safe place was a built in bookcase in the corner of the house where there wasn't a lot of light or foot traffic. At that time, Chuck started becoming lonely and depressed. So, Mr. Nonny Nu sent in Chuck's resume and Chuck got the job.

Chuck's first day was mostly orientation, and you could tell that he was sad. In fact, the first words out of Stubbie's Godmother this morning were, "He looks sad." I think he will snap out of it once he gets settled in and makes some new friends. It was a good sign when he ate a late lunch.

Good luck, Chuck!

So long, Backyard Petting Zoo and Castle...

2009-03-17T08:27:00.000-07:00

Well, it's official, the Nus are completely moved out of the castle and into a cottage alongside a meadow. I turn in the keys today to the landlord. It was time to go, but still makes me sad. I won't miss the castle all that much, but I already miss our Backyard Petting Zoo. I don't think I've been sadder to leave a place before. I kept telling myself that it would be fine, but now that the time is really upon me, I am close to tears.

Last week, as we were moving in earnest, Slim came around and demanded to know what was going on. (We had tried to tell him weeks ago, but he never really got the message until things started really disappearing from the rooms.) At the time, I was the only one in the house (here's the last time Slim saw the Nu Kitties), so I let him in and let him wander around (he had done that before back in Sushi's time). I think he got the picture when he saw all the furniture, and the bear and kitties gone. I spent some time with him and petted him. So sad. Skitty was there, too. After all while, they did their usual sunning, but Slim also put on a floor show to commemorate the occasion. It will be really sad to look out the window and not see my Slim boy there.

We will miss you Slim, Skitty, Blind Kitty, Not Blind Kitty, Neighborhood Kitty, Possum Family, Raccoon Family, Skunk, Beamer, Mascii, and all the other kitties who visited sometime. Take care of yourselves, and don't fight. But, Slim is the most special of them all. He was there from the beginning. We will really miss you Slimmy, and we will always remember you like this:
Take care.

Should I be concerned?

2009-03-10T14:01:00.000-07:00

Last year, my office mate and dear friend, Stubbie, passed away. But, Stubbie has left us only in spirit to go to the Pearly Gates, for he is still with us in body.

Lately, as I was sweeping Stubbie's crypt, I noticed some yellowish/moldy goo peaking out from the soil. This was a month ago. So, I thought I needed to change out the soil, which also meant ditching Stubbie. That I really didn't want to do. When I dug into the soil, I only saw yellow goo on the upper levels, so I thought I could fix the situation by replacing the upper level of the soil without having to remove Stubbie's body. That was two weeks ago.

Well, yesterday, I came into the office and found a bright yellow form emerging from the soil. It looked like a mushroom to me, but I couldn't be sure. So, I consulted Cl. Panic who found the situation interesting. Today, you can definitely tell that it's a shroom.

So, should I be concerned? For those of you who are "familiar with shrooms," is this thing going to start spewing toxic spores? If so, when? Because I want to keep it around for a couple more days just to see what it does.

3/10/2009:

My New Favorite Ice Cream Flavor

2009-03-04T16:32:00.001-08:00

Mr. Nonny Nu will hate me for this because he hates cherries, but I love cherries and my favorite ice cream flavor is Baskin-Robbins' Cherries Jubilee. Coach Nelson and I went to get some dumplings for lunch today and, as is our custom, we visit the local BR for dessert. I'm not much for chocolate and definitely not for white chocolate, but I love me some fruit. In the past, I have stuck with the sherbets. The last time I went, I got the Very Berry Strawberry. But, this time, I wanted something different. I had always shied away from the Cherries Jubilee because of the hint of rum (as you all know, I don't do alkeehall because I'm allergic), but I went for it today. It was great! Chock full of plump cherries! Mild cherry flavor in the ice cream itself. Loved it. I'm gonna order that again next time.

Desperately Seeking Nonny

2009-02-28T09:01:00.000-08:00

An Open Letter to Nonny Nu; Nu, Nu & Nu, LLP; Family, Friends, Colleagues and Associates of The Nus:

Man from U.N.C.L.E. (that would be me referring to myself in an affected third person) has been checking for updates to TWoNN for over a month and has not observed any changes to the blog since January 19th, and he is beginning to be desparately worried. Since he is not privvy to all the Sillycone Valley happenings (even with his vast links to the underground) at Nu Headquarters, and is often in a remote location doing what he does (and that activity is very murky) some Nu News would be greatly appreciated.

Yes, before silence fell over TWoNN like a drunk to the gutter, there was hasty mention of newly ascribed territories and expansion of the Nu Empire - but no formal announcement, press release or even Sluggy Gossip has been forthcoming. There was also brief discussion of malaise and health, but Man from U.N.C.L.E. would pray to think that silence was related more to the former than the latter. He hopes that All is well with the Nus.

Happy Birthday to MonkeyPig!!

2009-01-18T18:19:00.000-08:00

Another year, Piggy, another year. Locations have changed, but you are still up to the same thing:
What do you have to say for yourself?

Go, Cards!!!

2009-01-18T12:08:00.001-08:00

61 years, people! Arizona has waited 61 years to get to the NFC Championships. The bird has matured--it might have lost that insane "That's it, now you've gone too far" glint in its eyes, but it is replaced by a reasoned determination.

OMG! TOUCHDOWN CARDINALS!!

UPDATE:

(artwork by Nonny Nu, copyright 2009)

The Most Dangerous Thing About Rabbits...

2009-01-14T10:28:00.000-08:00

...is that they like to silflay. Here is an account of what happens when kitties are removed from the environment and rabbits are left to silflay without interruption:

(From Yahoo!)

Removing cats to protect birds backfires on island

By MICHAEL CASEY, AP Environmental Writer Michael Casey, Ap Environmental Writer Tue Jan 13, 9:18 am ET

BANGKOK, Thailand – It seemed like a good idea at the time: Remove all the feral cats from a famous Australian island to save the native seabirds.

But the decision to eradicate the felines from Macquarie island allowed the rabbit population to explode and, in turn, destroy much of its fragile vegetation that birds depend on for cover, researchers said Tuesday.

Removing the cats from Macquarie "caused environmental devastation" that will cost authorities 24 million Australian dollars ($16.2 million) to remedy, Dana Bergstrom of the Australian Antarctic Division and her colleagues wrote in the British Ecological Society's Journal of Applied Ecology.

"Our study shows that between 2000 and 2007, there has been widespread ecosystem devastation and decades of conservation effort compromised," Bergstrom said in a statement.

The unintended consequences of the cat-removal project show the dangers of meddling with an ecosystem — even with the best of intentions — without thinking long and hard, the study said.

"The lessons for conservation agencies globally is that interventions should be comprehensive, and include risk assessments to explicitly consider and plan for indirect effects, or face substantial subsequent costs," Bergstrom said.

Located about halfway between Australia and the Antarctic continent, Macquarie was designated a World Heritage site in 1997 as the world's only island composed entirely of oceanic crust. It is known for its wind-swept landscape, and about 3.5 million seabirds and 80,000 elephant seals arrive there each year to breed.

The cats, rabbits, rats and mice are all nonnative species to Macquarie, probably introduced in the past 100 years by passing ships. Authorities have struggled for decades to remove them.

The invader predators menaced the native seabirds, some of them threatened species. So in 1995, the Parks and Wildlife Service of Tasmania that manages Macquarie tried to undo the damage by removing most of the cats.

Several conservation groups including the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Birds Australia said the problem was not the original eradication effort itself — but that it didn't go far enough. They said the project should have taken aim at all the invasive mammals on the island at once.

"What was wrong was that the rabbits were not eradicated at the same time as the cats," University of Auckland Prof. Mick Clout, who also is a member of the Union's invasive species specialist group. "It would have been ideal if the cats and rabbits were eradicated at the same time, or the rabbits first and the cats subsequently."

Liz Wren, a spokeswoman for the Parks and Wildlife Service of Tasmania, said authorities were aware from the beginning that removing the feral cats would increase the rabbit population. But at the time, researchers argued it was worth the risk considering the damage the cats were doing to the seabird populations.

"The alternative was to accept the known and extensive impacts of cats and not do anything for fear of other unknown impacts," Wren said. "Since cats were eradicated, the grey petrel successfully bred on the island for the first time in a century and the recovery of Antarctic prions has continued since the eradication of feral cats."

Now, the parks service has a new plan to finish the job, using technology and poisons that weren't available a decade ago.

Wren said plans to eradicate both rabbits as well as rats and mice from the island will begin in 2010. Helicopters using global positioning systems will drop poisonous bait that targets all three pests. Later, teams will shoot, fumigate and trap the remaining rabbits, she said.

Some of the earlier critics are now behind this latest eradication effort, saying it should help the island's ecosystem fully recover because it would remove the last remaining invasive species.

"Without this action, there will be serious long-term consequences for the majestic seabirds which nest on the island including the four threatened albatross species, and for the health of the island ecosystem as a whole," said Dean Ingwersen, Bird Australia's threatened bird network coordinator.

"We believe that the process they are going to follow uses best practice for this type of work," Ingwersen said. "And that all possible ramifications have now been considered."

(emphasis added)

tsk tsk...

What's going to be in Nonny Nu's office?by Cl. Panic, guest blogger and bearer of gifts

2009-01-12T17:15:00.000-08:00

Our friendly rabbit isn't usually one to brag. But over a Nu, Nu & Nu, LLP, she was recently promoted to Grand Moff of Sector Group Delta. Along with the distinction comes the promise of long hours and Cup-O-Noodle feasts.

To recognize her achievement, and since she'll be in need of companionship, I intend to present her with this gift on Wednesday at noon (GMT-8).

But since everything on TWoNN requires a twist ... the TWoNN community is eligible to steal the package (white elephant style) by guessing its contents (in the comments) before Wednesday.

食粥食飯睇你.

Rotten Robbie

2009-01-06T14:27:00.001-08:00

I have a question about the Rotten Robbie gas stations. Is this a major brand name chain or something? Because I've noticed that they charge even more than, say, Shell or Chevron. Check it out.

Exhibit A
There's a Rotten Robbie on Saratoga that's just down the street from a 76 station and a Chevron station. The 76 and Chevron stations are both in the heart of a busy shopping center, yet Rotten Robbie is selling their gas for 4 cents more per gallon than either the 76 and Chevron stations.

Exhibit B
There's a Rotten Robbie on DeAnza with a Chevron just a block away. Chevron has a carwash where actual people hand wash your car for you. Yet, Rotten Robbie is again selling its gas for 4 cents more per gallon, even though it is farther away from the 85 than the Chevron. Sure, there are the Arco and US Gas stations that are selling the gas for $2.05 (6 cents more per gallon) than Rotten Robbie, but they are right off of the 85.

So, how is Rotten Robbie getting away with this and why would people go there instead of the cheaper Chevron down the road? Do they offer massages while you wait or free tote bags? What gives?

Random Stuff (courtesy of Mr. Nonny Nu)

2009-01-06T13:50:00.000-08:00

If you work at Nu Nu & Nu LLP, and if you walk past my door, you will sometimes hear me laugh out loud. The reason is because I receive stuff like the photos below from Mr. Nonny Nu.

OMG, cute sloth!

Secret Project: Girl Name

2009-01-06T00:15:00.000-08:00

Okay, I need a girl name. Choose one from below or choose the "other" option and suggest one in a comment. The girl name has to be of a girl that I don't know. The only exception is "Carrie," but I like that one.

Poll closes Jan. 13, 2009 at 12:15 AM (PST).

Calendars

2009-01-05T16:46:00.001-08:00

It's time to create the calendars. I need twelve nouns. You can post one noun per comment, limit 2 nouns per person. Go.

Chinese Idiom of the Day V

2009-01-05T14:46:00.000-08:00

Other editions of Chinese Idiom of the Day:
Chinese Idiom of the Day I
Chinese Idiom of the Day II
Chinese Idiom of the Day III
Chinese Idiom of the Day IV

Chinese New Year is January 26. In honor of the occasion, I will be posting a Chinese idiom each day until CNY in the scrolling marquee at the top of the blog. I've done the first one (畫蛇添足) and provided the literal translation (Draw snake, add legs.). I have also provided the meaning (You are being unnecessarily extravagant and spoiling the whole thing in the process.).

Now, it's your turn--guess its meaning! (Good luck to the non-Cantonese speakers out there, mwahahahahahahahaa!!!)

P.S. There will be a "click me" link in the marquee that will bring you to this blog entry.

Sample: 畫蛇添足 (Draw snake, add legs.)
Meaning: You are being unnecessarily extravagant and spoiling the whole thing in the process. (credit: Nonny Nu)

Jan. 5: 食得鹹魚, 抵得渴 (Eat the salted fish, stand the thirst.)
Meaning: You've made your bed, now lie in it. (credit: Freelance Midget)

Jan. 5: 等你, 蛇都死 (Wait for you? Even a snake will die.)
Meaning: ...take a long time... (credit: Mr. Nonny Nu)

Jan. 5: 我食鹽多過你食米 (I eat salt more than you eat rice.)
Meaning: I have more experience than you. Or sadly, I am older than you. (credit: Q-Ma)

Jan 6: 塞錢入你袋 (Put money into your pocket.)
Meaning: Give someone advice or tip. (credit: Cl. Panic)

Jan 12: 過橋抽板 (Cross bridge, pick up and retain board)
Hint: This refers to a bridge that consists of a single board.
Meaning: To abandon or screw over someone. (credit: Q-Ma)

Jan. 15: 先斬後奏 (Execute first, and then notify the king.)
Meaning: _____

Update on the Non

2009-01-05T11:12:00.000-08:00

I'm sure you're wondering what the hell has happened to the rabbit, aren't you? Well, I've been wondering whether I should talk about it on the blog because you people actually know me. But, I'm secure enough in our friendship that I've decided to come out with it.

I guess I'm a bit bummed. Have been for a while. Not sure why. It's just a feeling of being lost and a failure and a fraud. A general feeling of malaise. Last night, on The History Channel, they had a thing on the Seven Deadly Sins and the one I'm committing right now is sloth, btw. Anyhow, there you have it. That's why I haven't been writing. I am normally a very optimistic person, and even when I have slumps, they usually disappear within 3-4 hours. A day, max. But, I'm just not sure why I am not shaking this.

Mr. Nonny Nu says that I should make an effort to actually make this a new year, a new beginning. I'm trying. But all that is just reminding me of how old I am and that time is marching on.

I am betting that you've all heard of Twilight (the movie) and have also heard of the Twilight series (the books). (Wow, I'm really spilling all my guts now, but that will be my New Year Resolution--to be more truthful and write more about my feelings this year on the blog.) I have a very rich imagination and the only thing I have not been able to fantasize about are married and unavailable men (I just don't feel right doing that). I'm talking about the innocuous fantasies like when Christian Bale opens the door for you or has dinner with you. Get your minds out of the gutter. The girls will know what I'm talking about.

Okay, back to the story. So, Midge and I went to see Twilight in early December. I had low hopes for it, thinking that it was a teeny bopper flick, which it was. But, the story itself was so interesting, that I bought the book that night and finished it the next day. I then finished the entire series in the next week (three additional books).

Alright, don't laugh, but I'm gonna let you in a ridiculous secret. I am not waiting for some vampire to bite my neck. What is troubling me is that I can't even imagine myself in that storyline because those characters are so dang young. I mean, I feel completely ridiculous. Wow, that has never happened to me before, not being able to put myself in a storyline, no matter how removed from reality it is. And because of what? Age. I'm 33.5, and absolutely nothing exciting has ever happened to me. No hostage situation, no bank robbery, no nothing. I can't even say it's going to go downhill from here because there is no lower score on the Excitement Scale than the one my life has right now. And, no, I'm not talking about my life at this point. I'm talking about my entire life.

Kill me now.

On a lighter note, I am starting a new project and will be running some polls throughout the next several months to ask for your opinions on the project's direction. Your input will be greatly appreciated.

Munchos

2008-11-19T12:57:00.000-08:00

These are my all time favorite chips. Yes, siree bob! Unfortunately, my usual local distributor (Walgreens) has stopped stocking it so I have to find another way to take care of my fix. I even checked out 7-11 but they have stopped carrying it, too!

Oh, my dear little Munchos, where have you gone?? I miss your salty, oily, crunchity goodness...

*cries to the heavens*

Anywho, in searching for a pic of Munchos, I discovered that I am not alone, and that Munchos has quite a fan following! It even has its own Wikipedia entry. Look at those Yahoo! hits! Apparently, they are from the 70's. I knew I loved that decade!! Too bad most of my life during the 70s was spent in Vietnam and a refugee camp in Malaysia where they didn't have Munchos. And, the part that was spent in the US was during a time when chips were a luxury. I remember 3-fish picking me up from school when I was small and walking home with me. She'd buy me a small bag of chips (not Munchos--I didn't discover Munchos until 1995) and I'd have to suck on the chips instead of bite on them (to make them last longer). Oh! Wah Toh used to drive me to school when I was younger in the morning and she'd buy me a single McDonalds hashbrown and I'd nibble on it slowly. Fun times!!

Okay, back to Munchos. So, I didn't have the pleasure of personally meeting Munchos until 1995. I remember the day. I was driving from Cal-Poly, Pomona to North Hollywood to see Mr. Nonny Nu (this was before we got married). It was quite a long drive, nearly 40 miles, so I decided to stop at an Arco AmPm foodmart to get something to chomp on while I drove. I had seen that shiny, orange bag before, but I never bought it because, well, it looked not appetizing. But, I thought I'd just give it a try. So, I bought a bag of Munchos and a bag of BBQ Ruffles as back up. When I wrapped around my lips around that first Muncho, OMG, it was pure food ecstasy. I could feel the salt and oil seeping into my blood stream. Yes, it's that salty and oily. I've been hooked ever since. Did I also eat the Ruffles? Yes, I did, but that's beside the point.

OMG, those bastards at Frito-Lay... I just looked up Munchos on their site and the nearest place that carries them is 42 miles away. Grrrrrrrr...

Hang on. I have to mourn for a moment.

...Hold, please...

Okay. It's okay. I might be able to get them on Amazon!! And, yes, I'm getting the box of 64.

OMG, VH1, really? REALLY??

2008-11-17T16:46:00.000-08:00

If you haven't noticed already, I think that Charm School is a pretty neat program. It combines the trashiness of reality TV with self-improvement. The premise is: take a group of trashy girls from previous TV dating shows and try to teach them some manners. The thing that is different about this show compared to most other reality shows is that the winner should have improved themselves more than the other contestants. It's a show about improvement. (So is Celebrity Fit Club, which I also love.)

This season, the headmaster is Sharon Osbourne, who I LOVE LOVE LOVE!! She is the daughter of Ozzy Osbourne's ex-manager, and she actually got into quite an argument with her dad when she fell in love with Ozzy and married him. Her dad naturally stopped managing Ozzy, and Sharon took the reigns. Well, the rest is history. I think of her as a very astute woman who is able to see through "women's wiles." (You know that she has handled a few groupies in her time.) So, when they announced that Sharon Osbourne would be the headmaster, I was head over heels because I thought that these girls wouldn't be able to pull anything over her eyes.

But, the most recent episode has started me wondering. There is a troublemaker on the show by the name of Lacey. She gets into others' personal space, and when they react by pushing her off of them, she accuses them of hitting her. She does this to various people, but her main target is a girl named Dallas. On Rock of Love, Dallas was kicked off the show because she pushed Lacey very hard, causing Lacey to bump her head on a kitchen counter. But, this was only because Lacey was on her like white on rice (see, e.g., photo above). Well, on the most recent episode of Charm School, Lacey pulled the same thing, except she actually splashed a drink on Dallas. Through it all, Dallas kept her cool and did not initiate any physical contact with Lacey.

Unfortunately, Lacey and Dallas were shortly after paired as a team to create a PSA. Dallas was understandably upset, after being recently assaulted and battered by Lacey. It was no wonder that she gave less than 100% to their project. At elimination, Sharon Osbourne completely disregarded all testimony (not just from Dallas) of Lacey's behavior, and instead kicked off Dallas based solely upon her failure to give 100%.

Now, the rules do not require the headmaster to eliminate a contestant based solely upon the contestant's performance on the weekly project, which seems to be what Sharon did. So, I'm now really disappointed that Sharon bought in to Lacey's BS. But, did she? Or, was Lacey kept on for ratings?

(OMG, I can't believe I just blogged about this. But, it's too late now. I wrote the whole thing already and I'm going to post it.)

So, what do you guys think?? I think I'm going to be crushed if Sharon Osbourne gets duped by this chick.

Happy Belated Birthday to Green Thumb McGillicutty!!!!

2008-11-03T12:16:00.001-08:00

"Dearest" Green Thumb,

We at Nu, Nu, & Nu, LLP were engulfed in charting work this weekend and I just completely forgot to flip the calendar and missed your birthday. Please accept my "most heart-felt" "apologies!" I am also "very sorry" that you cannot partake in the charting "festivities" since you are on "maternity leave." But, oh, well, maybe next time, right? To make up for my lateness, I have used four exclamation points instead of the usual two in the title of this blog post. Plus, please help yourself to the TWO chart cakes below!

"Love,"
nn

New Commenting Procedures

2008-10-22T17:44:00.001-07:00

Whoa! I just noticed that the commenting process has changed since a week ago. They have the textbox right there for you to write in your comment! I've updated the instructions up top accordingly.

Chinese Swan Lake

2008-10-15T23:20:00.000-07:00

Wow! You guys have to watch this (courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. 3-Fish! It's the Chinese Circus doing their rendition of Swan Lake. They should have used this chick in the Olympics instead of the infants. I bet it really hurt when she stood on that one guy's skull. I know this because whenever Skillet or Kash stand on me with their little pointy feet, all of their weight is supported on four points and it's like having someone stab you with a dowel. Can you imagine how much pressure she's putting on that guy's head?? Ouch. Of course, only the Chinese would come up with something so artful, incredible, and ridiculous at the same time. Hey, I wonder how it will look if I stand on one toe on the top of your head? Let's try it!

The Joy of Eating Porridge

2008-10-12T22:57:00.000-07:00

When you are sick, do you eat chicken noodle soup? If you do, you are most likely not Chinese. Chinese people eat porridge when they are sick. This is our "comfort food." I'm not sure what Western porridge is made of, but Chinese porridge is just rice and water. You simmer one part rice to about five parts water and end up with this:

Tsohk = Porridge = Yum!

It's bland, sure, but that's the beauty of it. Now, porridge can be prepared with all sorts of stuff in it, like beef, seafood (teng tsai, which means "little boat"), roast duck with thousand year old egg*, anything you want! But, when little Chinese children (hereinafter, "Chinettes") are sick, their parents cook "white porridge" (bak tsohk) for them. That's just plain porridge with nothing in it. Okay, they'll add a little salt to give it some flavor. Okay, okay, you beat it out of me. They might add a little bit of ground beef and chopped onions, too. If the Chinettes are good.

Anyhow, that's what I like to eat when I'm sick. But, I like to eat tsohk even when I'm not sick! Surprised? Well, I like to eat bak tsohk when there are good accompaniments to be had. Now, look at what I packed for my lunch tomorrow to go with the bak tsohk that I bought for only $1 today:

Bamboo shoots with chili oil
Gluten with peanuts
咖哩齋鮑魚 trans: Curry Cha'i Pow Yu, a.k.a. Braised Gluten (Seitan Tidbits)**
四川辣腐乳 trans: Szechuan Brand Fermented Bean Curd (chunk) in Dressing with Chili***

But, here's the piece de resistance: Wah Toh's Homemade Fried Silver Fish. I received this in the mail last week, along with two Ding Dong towels. I wanted to open that thing up and eat the whole jar. But, no, I showed some self restraint and made preparations. I visited the newly opened Chinese market**** and bought all that stuff listed above just so that I could have some accompaniments for this little slice of heaven. So, add a humungous apple from 3-fish, and I am all set for tomorrow!

*Okay, if you want the skinny on the thousand year old egg, then read this. Look at how beautiful it is! Yeah, the whites (that have now turned a transparent coffee color) has the texture of Jell-o, and the yolk has a creamy texture and tastes like fermented salt. Don't knock it till you try it.

**Good grief. Isn't that the most useless translation you've ever seen? Here's the real poop: It's fake abalone in curry sauce.

***HAHHAHAHAHAA!!! OMG, okay, whenever I buy this stuff, I only look at the Chinese. I never really looked at the English translation until now, and you know what? I never thought of the liquid inside the jar as a "dressing!" Not sure why, but that is just hilarious to me! I actually had some trouble trying to open that jar (I had to heat the lid and tap it and really add some elbow grease). But, I didn't ask Mr. Nonny Nu to help me open it because he would completely freak out if he saw what it was. Yeah, that's why I thought I'd just keep it to myself. *crinkles nose* *nods*

****Look what you can do with some instant noodles, romaine lettuce, Chinese beef balls, and a microwave at work. I got so many of my childhood favorites!

One Year Later

2008-10-11T15:40:00.000-07:00

I love you so much, Sushi. It just breaks my heart to remember all of the wonderful times we had together, and all the times you comforted me when I couldn't rely on anybody. But you were there, and you were always there for me. You are a special kitty, and I don't think I'll ever find a kitty like you.

Oh, noes!

2008-10-10T10:16:00.000-07:00

Well, it finally happened, folks. Dolly got a small ding on the driver's door. It wasn't me! Someone did it to her. It's not too bad, though. It's really a very small dent that you can only see if the light strikes her just right and your line of vision has to be almost parallel with the surface of the door to see it. But, still...

Oh, gross!!

2008-10-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

Remember when we last talked about restroom stalls? Freelance Midget recently sent me an article about them. It's SOOOOO GROSS!!! Here it is. Apparently, my favorite "near last" stall at the office isn't so great since it's used more often than the first stall. But, that first stall is just too "exposed" for my tastes. I mean, nobody can see me in there, but still. It's the first one! I just can't do it. I just can't!

Is it so wrong?

2008-10-06T11:05:00.000-07:00

Okay, folks, I have a confession to make. I have very little experience dancing. In fact, I would categorize myself in the "don't know how to dance" category. Sure, I have my little "moves" that I do around the house, but it's not really something that people should be exposed to. But, ever since I got the Richard Simmons DVDs, I think I've really improved! I am now proficient at the Cha Cha. I can do the stir and the rumble. I am okay at doing the X's. So, here's the question I have for you: Is it so wrong to learn to dance from Richard Simmons?? I think I look pretty good.

So long, Paul.

2008-09-27T16:30:00.000-07:00

Sad news, everyone. Paul Newman passed away yesterday. This makes me a very, very sad rabbit. Here is a nice article about his life and career. Here is my favorite photo of him:

Holy Moly!!

2008-09-22T21:35:00.001-07:00

When you get in bed and turn out the lights, do your eyes glow red like the numbers on your alarm clock? Do yellow puffs of sulfur seep out of your pores every few seconds like a Glade plug-in? For the women, during the day, do you find that you have to adjust your headband because your horns make headband placement difficult? If you answered yes to any of these questions, boy, do I have the answer for you!

Take a look at what I saw this Sunday when I was getting breakfast! Yes, it is an exorcism van, my friends, cruising the San Francisco Bay Area. I was ready to see The Church Lady unloading her synthesizer from out of the sliding side door. I have kept the photos at 100% their size so that you can see all the messages written in the style of those pastel candy Valentine hearts:

Was ist das?

2008-09-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, I have been doing the Rosetta Stone German lessons. So fun!! But, was ist das?
Why, it's a before and after photo of the teriyaki dove that Cl. Panic gave to me to sample last week. Yum! You know that it's a rare treat when someone gives you something to eat and says, "Watch out for the bb's." When asked how the dove was de-feathered, Cl. Panic drew a diagram of a dove on my whiteboard:
(emphasis added in red). He explained that doves are not so much de-feathered as they are just skinned. There's a "soft spot" on the dove right below the breast. All you have to do is grab it and pull its skin right over its shoulders (like when humans take off a t-shirt--except someone is doing this for you and it's a skin t-shirt). Once the "t-shirt" is removed, everything else seems to go along with it except the wings and the breast. So, what you do is chop one wing off so that you can identify it as a dove when you transport it. These birds are so accommodating! Their bodies are so easily converted into a carry-out version!

Second Careers?

2008-09-15T11:15:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I happened upon some surreptitious second careering. What I mean is, I think that some people might be engaged in careers outside of their known ones. For example, as I was shopping for groceries, I came across this:
It appears that our dear old Midge is not only a financial analyst, but also has a second career making and selling "crunchy corn sticks." Not to be outdone, Green Thumbs McGillicutty seems to be capitalizing on her horticulture skills by opening the below establishment:
Should Midge's employer be made aware of this competing area of interest that is taking up so much of Midge's time? ("New studmuffin," my ass...) And, is this the real reason that GTM will be "taking some time off, starting next week??"

9/11

2008-09-11T11:13:00.000-07:00

Not sure how to greet everyone on this day. "Happy 9/11" isn't quite appropriate. Anyhow, I am wearing a red, white, and blue outfit today, as is customary for me on 9/11. But, here is an interesting and special thing I found for this occasion. As some of you may have already discovered, there is a project called "Post Secret" in which anonymous people send in postcards with their secrets written upon them. Here is the weekly updated site and here are the archives. I was surfing the archives when I found this:

Richard Simmons

2008-09-08T00:14:00.000-07:00

I really love this guy. Richard Simmons is so genuine and so caring. He has a show on Sirius on Sundays and I love to drive around town on errands and listen to him call up people and cheer them up. I just ordered "SuperSweatin': Party Off the Pounds" and "SuperTonin': Totally Tonin'" (with the rings, of course). The only thing that is bumming me out is that it will take 2-4 weeks for delivery! I will be sticking with Yoga for Beginners until then.

Here is Richard testifying in front of Congress (can you believe he is 60 years old?). I know that this may come across as a bit over the top to some, but I think it is coming from the heart. And, I think his idea is great.

Here is the link for Richard's Fit Kids Bill. And, here is Richard talking about the bill on David Letterman:

Happy Birthday to My Favorite >o:3 !!

2008-09-01T14:05:00.001-07:00

Oh, Mr. Nonny Nu!! You are such a good little bear. You maul and you growl and you flay without disregard, and all because you love the little rabbit. Yes, it's true. You make me laugh 23/6, and who can ask for more? You are the biggest cartoon I ever met. Here's to another 39 years! I hope you like the cake. You mentioned that that was a beautiful cake some time ago.

Happy Birthday, little bear!

Happy Birthday to Wah Toh!

2008-08-22T14:55:00.001-07:00

Please join me in wishing Wah Toh a very happy 25th birthday!

I have so many fond memories growing up with Sister #2. She used to pick me up from kindergarten, and then take me to eat fish ball noodle soup:
^^That photo doesn't even do it justice because the FBNS that we got at Uncle Ball's (trust me on this) had fish balls that were sliced and fried before they were added to the soup. SO GOOOOD... I am drooling as I am writing this. Anyhow, Wah Toh took me to eat when our family was at our poorest. But, if you know Wah Toh, you will know that there is always a "food budget," so we would go about once a week. Then, after we ate this, we would go home to eat dinner! HAHAHAHHAHA!!! Isn't that wild?? I was not to say a word about it, but the secret comes out when I don't eat my actual dinner. Teehee...

Wah Toh, I hope you will like the FBNS that I cooked for you (above) as well as the butterfly cookies below.
Happy Birthday!

Is it just me?

2008-08-21T16:01:00.001-07:00

You may all already know about the age controversy brewing over in Beijing about the possibility that the Chinese female gymnasts are not quite 16 years old (the age requirement for this year's Olympics). So far, there have only been allegations based upon documents that were not created by the Chinese government. Now, Stryde Hax has found what appear to be official Chinese documents indicating that He Kexin is not 16 years old. The IOC has finally ordered an official investigation into this issue.

But, my beef is not with her age. My beef is with her last name--"He." In reading these articles about He, I find myself re-reading sentences because my first reading misleads me into believing that "He" is used as a pronoun. Halfway through the sentence, I realize that they are talking about "her," so I have to retrace my steps and re-read the sentence again. Is it just me?

Stryde Hax's investigation is definitely quite juicy. He may be stripped of her medals.

SEE??

Should I be concerned?

2008-08-19T16:27:00.000-07:00

I received an interesting email this afternoon from Mr. Nonny Nu. Apparently, he has been keeping something from me and finally wanted to come clean. So, I opened the attachment and, after a few moments of surprise and contemplation, I still didn't know what to do. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? How should I respond to his email? Should I be concerned?

Oh, this might help--here's the attachment.

Oh, My Rabbit Eyes...!

2008-08-17T21:59:00.000-07:00

I went to the optometrist last Friday, and you know what they told me? I have UV damage on the whites of my rabbit eyes. So, now, I have to wear sunglasses when I'm outside. True to my refugee self, I have purchased a $9.99 UV blocking pair of sunglasses from Target. It's pretty cool. I don't usually wear sunglasses, but I like these rose colored ones. Also, I tested them out on Mr. Nonny Nu and he has approved, which is a rare reaction to a refugee purchase.

Rowing? ROWING???

2008-08-16T13:35:00.000-07:00

Geez, Louise. Hours of rowing coverage and yet they only show the last half of the last set of the gold medal match of Badminton?? Cripes. What elitist jackass planned the weekend coverage? We are bored out of our minds on the Olympics right now, but can't turn the channel because track is coming on "any minute now." What a crock.

Nastia Liukin: "Take that, underage bitches!"

2008-08-15T22:41:00.000-07:00

Okay, maybe she didn't really say that, but you know she was thinking it. Congratulations to Nastia Liukin, my new go to girl (after Svetlana retired), for winning the All-Around gold medal! I know that Shawn Johnson was the favorite, but I have been cheering for Liukin since the qualifications. The team competition the night before had left a bad taste in my mouth, but I was really glad to see Nastia stick her vault and then kick ass on the uneven bars. Her balance beam and floor exercise routines were the most graceful of all the competitors.

Here is the video of all of her routines.

Yay, Nastia!

P.S. OMG, the Nus are watching track right now and there's a Chinese guy, with glasses on, getting ready to run the race. The conversation is as follows:

NN: "So, is he going to run with glasses on??"
Mr. NN: "Well, he's going to run with Blacks on. That's his real problem."

Sure enough, dude comes in last.

Happy Birthday to sluggy!

2008-08-11T14:36:00.001-07:00

Please join me in wishing a very happy birthday to our favorite home improvement-er, sluggy! Never underestimate this limbless, eyeless entity, because she has been known to show up to work with an acid mark on her forehead from acid cleaning her deck. Here's to another 87 years, sluggy!

Crime Wave at the Nu Residence

2008-08-10T15:41:00.000-07:00

The economy's downturn has created uncertainty and unrest in the citizenry. The Nu residence has not been immune to this, as we experienced a crime wave in our neighborhood recently. For example, we have noticed suspicious people (one man on a bicycle and another fat lady in a Lexus SUV) sneaking a peek at our neighbor's flowers across the street. Flower thieves? We think so.

Most troubling is the bad influence these degenerates have on the local children. One morning, I discovered that our happy home was burglarized and the criminal later returned to the scene of the crime. In an attempt to curtail further burglaries, the Nus now store their non-can items of interest on top of the fridge, out of the reach of certain individuals.

Finally, the Nus are also taking a proactive approach by profiling--individuals who are known to have a propensity for committing assault and battery are being detained indefinitely (67 at last count).

Happy Birthday, Man from U.N.C.L.E.!!

2008-08-05T10:44:00.000-07:00

For the man who bares his soul through a microphone and a karaoke machine, happy birthday to my dear friend, Man from U.N.C.L.E. (I'm going to call you "Chris" for this post, though, because "Man from U.N.C.L.E." couldn't fit on the cake so I had to write "Chris" instead).

Long, long ago, on a message board far, far away, I met Chris and we have pretty much been friends ever since. No, like with ogunsgirl, Chris and I have never actually met, but we are thick as thieves. From what I understand, Chris lets it all out when he walks onto the stage. He simply embodies the music. Don't believe me? Check out the following pics I found of Chris on the Internet... (It was really tough finding these actual photos of Chris since he is from U.N.C.L.E. and we don't really even know his true name.)

Here is Chris doing his rendition of Aretha Franklin's "Natural Woman."

Here is Chris singing the vocals and backup for "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'."

In this photo, Chris (right) sings the harmony for the theme song to 射雕英雄傳 (Legend of the Condor Heroes).

Finally, here's Chris doing Eminem's "Lose Yourself" (I *think* that might be Chris' little brother next to him).

Happy birthday, Man from U.N.C.L.E.!!

Happy Birthday, Skillet Girl!!

2008-08-04T11:11:00.000-07:00

Please join me in wishing our favorite grey cloud a very very happy first birthday! I remember that fateful day when I went to the local kitty jail to bail *someone* out. She was a cutie pie from the start--look at that face! She and Kash became quick friends and are now inseparable.

Skillet still feels like she is made of cast iron, but I think that's just the way she is built. She's all muscle! She has always been an active kitty, so it has been difficult to get her to sit still for a good portrait:

Sometimes, though, she has graciously posed for the camera. Lately, her favorite activities have been the removal of the carpeting from the top of her play tube (where she likes to perch and people-watch), and to harrass her "birdie" (the green toy). Skillet likes to play fetch with her birdie. She will "bring back the birdie" if we throw it away from her! When we are busy, however, she will throw the birdie with her little paws and play fetch by herself, too. Either way works for her. Oh, I forgot. Skillet has a third favorite activity--catching bugs and eating them. So, here's a dream cake for our birthday girl:

Happy birthday, little Skillet girl!

Operation Red Paintby Sushi Cat (guest blogger)

2008-07-20T19:50:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone!

This week welcomed another victory for the Feline Revolution. Auntie MonkeyPig was visiting so I took her and Momma to the big bridge in the city that has been painted red in honor of the Feline Revolution. The humans (poor idiots) call this the "Golden Gate Bridge," but of course their eyesight isn't as sharp as the eyesight that felines are blessed with (we kitties are able to distinguish red from gold, for example). As a feline operative, I arrived with the crowning glory for the bridge...Chairman Meow's stamp of approval:

Long live Chairman Meow!

Your comrade,
Sushi Cat

Happy Birthday to Cl. Panic and Kashy Boy!!

2008-07-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

Please join in me in wishing Cl. Panic and Kashy Boy a very happy birthday!

July 13 is the happy day, but I am actually posting this on Monday so as not to spoil the surprise of a Beard Papa breakfast feast for Cl. Panic. Unfortunately, the slacker is "out of the office" today (read: too hung over from the previous 48 hours of partying to work). Willy Wonka has also baked cupcakes that will be partook by all sans Cl. Panic. Anyhow, happy second 29th birthday, and here is a photo of some Beard Papa cream puffs that will be joining the banana in my stomach:

On the home front, Kashy Boy enjoyed a quiet first birthday. Can you believe it?? Our little boy is one year old. I can't believe how time has flown. The morning was spent cozying up with Skillet and watching the comings and goings in the backyard. The afternoon was spent stretched out on the foyer rug. But, nighttime was spent frolicking in the new tube toy.

Happy birthday little boy!!

Happy Birthday to Ca Loc!!

2008-07-02T11:38:00.000-07:00

I hope you have a wonderful birthday. May your eyes emit laser beams forever! Here is a birthday banana for you (inside joke--Ca Loc once ate an entire bunch of bananas from the family altar back in Vietnam).

Music of the Week: Father and Son (Cat Stevens)

2008-06-27T16:54:00.000-07:00

Do you know that song by Cat Stevens called "Father and Son?" I love that song. Of course, I love the lyrics and the melody and the arrangement. But, I LOVE the way Cat Stevens sings the father parts different from the way he sings the son parts. It reminds me so much of the differences between adults and children. The children are always in a rush to get into things, but the adults try to step back, gauge the situation, and mull it over before diving in. What a constant struggle it is between parents and children! The risk averse and the risk takers--both wanting the same thing, just with different approaches. It's too bad that each side feels alone, even though they are probably working toward the same goal. This song just verbalizes this situation for me.

Father
Its not time to make a change,
Just relax, take it easy.
Youre still young, thats your fault,
Theres so much you have to know.
Find a girl, settle down,
If you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but Im happy.

I was once like you are now, and I know that its not easy,
To be calm when youve found something going on.
But take your time, think a lot,
Why, think of everything youve got.
For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not.

Son
How can I try to explain, when I do he turns away again.
Its always been the same, same old story.
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen.
Now theres a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.

Father
Its not time to make a change,
Just sit down, take it slowly.
Youre still young, thats your fault,
Theres so much you have to go through.
Find a girl, settle down,
If you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but Im happy.
(son-- away away away, I know I have to
Make this decision alone - no)
Son
All the times that I cried, keeping all the things I knew inside,
Its hard, but its harder to ignore it.
If they were right, Id agree, but its them you know not me.
Now theres a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.
(father-- stay stay stay, why must you go and
Make this decision alone? )

The Feline Revolutionby Sushi Cat (guest blogger)

2008-06-26T10:42:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone!

My days of retirement have not been wasted. As you all probably know, we felines always have something cooking. Momma and Daddy have always understood that I have deeply rooted Catmunist ideals. Well, today, I have finally accomplished my first act for The Feline Revolution! Check it out, folks:

Long live Chairman Meow!

Best regards,
Sush

[edit] I have reported to Chairman Meow the following:

Most Benevolent Chairman Meow,

Your wisdom confirms what my inner kitty has been telling me all along. I am happy to report that I have accomplished my first act for the Feline Revolution. I have spread the Revolution to the human-run Netflix headquarters, located at 100 Winchester Cir., Los Gatos, California. I thought that would be the most appropriate location for my first contribution to the Revolution. The humans here are wonderfully enlightened to the superiority of the Feline. Everywhere, there are feline-friendly establishments. We are welcome here.

Yours sincerely,
Sushi Cat

Happy Birthday to ogunsgirl and Sushi!

2008-06-22T08:00:00.001-07:00

Join me in wishing happy birthday to ogunsgirl and Sushi!

Did you know that ogunsgirl and Nonny Nu have a lot in common, other than their birthdays? A few common things are: we both previously drove green cars, we both recently had a cat who we LOVED but who became lost or passed away, and we both got two new cats when we really intended only get one! There are other common things that happen to us that would really blow your mind, but they're not really fit for public consumption. I hope that you will like this daisy-encrusted cake that I baked for you, ogunsgirl!

Next is Sushi cat! Honestly, we don't really know when the bestest kitty in the world was born, since she was a stray, but June 22 seems to be a good date. For Sushi, I have selected a lemon jelly donut. She's such a card! I had heard recently, however, that Sushi has been quite busy taking over the world. No joke, people. I believe she has started her own blog under the pen name "Chairman Meow." I have already purchased some CM stickers and will try to stick them on prominent SF landmarks. Mr. Nonny Nu and I have always known that Sushi is a pinko commie. But, she's our favorite pinko commie!! We love you Sush!

Boston (Day 2)

2008-06-21T17:13:00.000-07:00

Rise and shine! It's only 5:00am and we are already getting ready to go out the door. Yep, 5:00am EST. Now, what would get us West Coast night owls up at this time of the morning? Only one thing other than food--live reenactment of the Battle of Lexington! The Battle of Lexington is reenacted each year on April 19 to commemorate the April 19, 1775, battle that started the American Revolutionary War. And, it starts on the dot at 6am. We called the Lexington City Hall beforehand and they advised us to arrive by at least 5:30am to find parking. So, we hit the road a little a bit after 5am.

We were a bit worried that we wouldn't know exactly where the reenactment would take place. But, we needn't have worried. We drove into town as the sun was coming up, and we saw herds of people making their way in the same direction to Lexington Green. We parked and joined the throng of people, many of whom were carrying ladders. We figured out what the ladders were for when we got to the green.

The area in which the reenactment would be performed was roped off. It was a path that ran from a street onto the green and through the houses that bordered the green. It was kinda hard to find a good spot to see (since we didn't bring a ladder) but we finally found a pretty good spot right in front of a house. Unbeknownst to us, this turned out to be the center of a key scene in the reenactment. Of course, I failed to video that part.

Several colonists were hanging out in front of the house. All of a sudden, a colonist rode up on horseback and asked for the lieutenant living in the house. The lieutenant was summoned from the house, and the colonist on horseback reported that the British were coming! (Okay, he didn't use those words but that was the gist of what he said.) The lieutenant instructed the surrounding colonists to assemble on the green. A drummer appeared from the side of the house, started drumming, and led the way to a spot farther away on the green and out of our line of vision:

Not long afterward, we heard the drumming of the British and we saw the redcoats come marching down the green. They were even pushing a couple of colonists who had been captured along their route:

The redcoats marched passed us and there wasn't anything we could see anymore, but we could hear gunshots, shouts, and sounds of scuffling. MP and I moved to another location and got a better view of the battle:

What community participation! There were so many people walking with us and who were already there before us. It was really neat to be a part of such a group and you could really feel the energy in the crowd. We had such a blast!

When the Lexington portion of the reenactment was over (there was a similar reenactment in Concord), it was about 7am, a perfect time for Dunkin' Donuts. We got some kwawfee and donuts and drove to Concord. We went to Walden Pond State Reservation and made our way toward Walden Pond. What a wonderful idea, don't you think? Lexington battle, followed by an early breakfast walking along the trails surrounding Walden Pond. Here is the map, but it is unfortunate that *someone* lost the map while we were deep into the woods. Nevertheless, we charged on--we don't call ourselves "Thelma and Louise" for nothing.

Anyhow, let's just focus on what we saw before and after the map disappearance. We found Walden Pond. It was very tranquil and there was someone fishing. Apparently, the tide was still high. Even though it was mid-April, Spring was only just beginning to show up at Walden Pond. There was some vegetation that reminded me of my goal to have hot pot in our hotel room. There was also some moss that I had never seen before. We also saw some ducks who were building a huge nest. Then, MP commented that, only in America would the state run electricity into the middle of a forest so that a small shack could partake in the utility. We also found the site of Henry David Thoreau's cabin where the chimney foundation was marked. Here was the view that Thoreau would have seen from his cabin. When we got back to the parking lot, we saw a replica of Thoreau's cabin (inside), and we took a group photo.

What happened next in Salem can only be described as "uncomfortable." MP felt that all three spots that I had chosen to visit sucked (pirate museum, witch museum with reenactment, and witch museum 2). I will admit that the pirate museum was a dud. However, witch museum with reenactment was great. These people reenacted a portion of the Witch Trials directly from the transcripts, and they really got into it. However, because these two points of non-interest were so dull, according to MP, that we decided not to visit the third, even though we had already paid for it in a combo tour purchase. Now, this is a big deal ("this" = MP not consuming what she has paid for). So, instead, we went to visit Nathaniel Hawthorne's house and also the house upon which he had based his novel, The House of Seven Gables.

MP was unimpressed. We drove to visit a lighthouse of her choosing, but even though we didn't get to see the lighthouse, we saw some falcons for the movie, The Proposal, which was being filmed near the lighthouse at the time. (Those falcons were so cute--they looked like they were wearing pants!) We didn't see any stars, though. MP was so unimpressed with my planning that she made sure to set the agenda for Day 3 before going to bed that night (only she and Hermie talked it over and excluded me).

Vietnamese Chicken Salad

2008-06-09T12:37:00.000-07:00

Did you know that Chinese people don't eat salads? Well, by that, I actually mean that salads are not authentic Chinese cuisine. Vietnamese people eat all sorts of salads though, and since my family is half Vietnamese and come from Vietnam, we grew up eating this salad (which I am having for lunch today).

Ingredients:
1 cup cabbage shredded
1/3 cup shredded chicken (just plain chicken, no spices)
1/8 cup onions sliced thinly
10 leaves mint coarsely cut

3 tablespoons water (warm)
1 tablespoon sugar
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 teaspoon fish sauce (to taste)
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoon Sambal Oelek ground fresh chili paste (the one with the green plastic cap and rooster)

The ingredients for the dressing are listed in the order in which they should be added. Combine the sugar and water first (the water should be warm so that the sugar will melt easily). Then add the lemon juice and vinegar. You should taste each step to see that it tastes right, but most of you will not know what it's supposed to taste like anyway so I'm really only talking to my sisters, who already know how to make this dish. *sigh*

But, the point is that when you get proficient at this, it's really a dressing that is to your taste, so the amounts won't really matter. In fact, I don't really know if those are the correct amounts or even the amounts I used. I only approximated what I used, so you will have to experiment on this yourself.

Please remember to TOSS THE SALAD, and then lit it sit for about 5-10 minutes before you eat it so that the veggies soak up the flavors.

I was invited to Green Thumb McGillicutty's house for dinner a couple weekends ago and this is what I brought! There was a lot of leftovers, though.

Boston (Day 1)

2008-06-07T18:11:00.000-07:00

MonkeyPig and I are each others' favorite sister. It's true. We love to hang out with each other even more than we love to hang out with our other sisters, if that is even imaginable. It has been a while since we went on a road trip, so we went to Boston for a 6 day, 7 night, Thelma and Louise-style extravaganza. I even got a brand new camera. It worked out great!

MP arrived in Boston late Saturday night and I arrived early Sunday morning (around 5am). But, even though MP was only in Boston for a few hours, she had already located Chinatown. Our first stop, in fact, was at a Chinese bakery (since it was so early, that was the only thing that was open. We got a few "Big Baos" (they really were big), and we went on our way back to the hotel for a couple hours of sleep before the festivities began. That's MonkeyPig to the right, refreshed from her beauty sleep.

So, first things first, right? Yes. We went back to Chinatown to get some breakfast. Of course, we wanted to go "yum tsa" (literally, "drink tea" meaning eat dim sum). So we walked around trying to figure out which restaurant to choose. Along the way, we found a Chinese McDonalds and a Dunkin' Donuts (left) and a fresh produce stand (bonus points to anyone who can identify this spiny fruit). Finally, we decided on Empire Garden. It was less than MMD--they couldn't even get the veggies right! Very disappointed.

OH, this might be a good time to introduce "Hermie." Hermie is a GPS device we call Hermie "Hermie" because Hermie is smart like Hermione in the Harry Potter series, but also because Hermie can be both female or male (Hermie has two voice options). MP just LOVES and TRUSTS Hermie. Here they are having a meeting to discuss plans before we head out from the Chinese restaurant.

We decided to take The Freedom Trail, which is a 5 mile long trail through the city of Boston where you can see a bunch of historical landmarks. It was very informative, but I believe a large part of it was due to our guide being awesome. Our guide played the role of James Otis. Yeah, that name didn't ring a bell with me either. Our guide told us all about him, though. Otis was the a lawyer in Boston in the 1700s and advocated that taxation without representation is tyranny.
He was a part of many of the discussions that formed the basis of the Declaration for Independence and Constitution. However, in an unsuccessful assassination attempt, Otis was bludgeoned on the head and he was never the same afterwards. Very unfortunate. But, his ideas and goals remain. So, off we went on the tour (you just follow the red line or the double bricks)...

Boston Commons We started at the Boston Commons, which is a plot of land set aside by Boston long ago for public use. Back in the day, anyone could just start making speeches here and lively debate would ensue.

Boston City Hall
Boston shows support for its home team. Of course, now that we are in the championships, Go Lakers!

Park Street Church
Built in 1809, this church is one of the oldest in the nation.

Historical Cemetary
This cemetary included the graves of many patriots and historical figures, including John Hancock, James Otis, Paul Revere, Mother Goose, Robert Paine, Sam Adams, and the "victims" of the Boston Massacre (more on that later).

North Church
This was the church where the lantern hung indicating that the British were attacking by land ("one of by land, two if by sea"). Also, there is a nice plaque in the sidewalk explaining the historical significance of the church (I was standing next to the plaque when I took the photo to the left). When we got there, there was another tour guide with his group. There was also a display for the current soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Latin School
This was a very old school founded in the 1830s. Here's the front view and a close up of Benjamin Franklin's statue.

The Old Corner Bookstore
This is an old bookstore. The structure was built in 1711, and became a bookstore in 1829. Hawthorne, Longfellow, Stowe, Emerson, and Thoreau was published out of this bookstore.

Old South Meeting House
This is the meeting house where the Boston Tea Party idea was hatched.

Old City Hall
This is the old city hall building. Back in the mid-1900s, Queen Elizabeth came for a visit and stood in the balcony waving to people. At that time, she was presented a check for 33,000 pounds, the tax owed on all the tea that was dumped into the Boston Harbor (no interest). The check was never cashed.

Site of the Boston Massacre
Just across the street (not even, really, this is on a median in the middle of the street) from the old city hall is the site of the Boston Massacre. The Boston Massacre described by the American (or, Colonial) press of the day as being a massacre of 6 children by British soldiers. According to the press, the British soldiers came upon the children and just mowed them down. But, fact is even stranger than fiction. The 6 children were really teenagers who were throwing snowballs laced with rocks and glass at three British soldiers. Soon, a mob of over 300 colonists arrived and were taunting the soldiers with shouts of "shoot, shoot, shoot." The soldiers raised their rifles to defend themselves but did not shoot. Unfortunately, at the same time, a fire had broken out at a nearby homestead and some people in the mob yelled "fire." That's when the soldiers, mistaking the colonists' screams of "fire" for a command from their commanding officer opened fire. The soldiers were later acquitted of murder, but this, of course, was not widely reported.

Paul Revere's House
Just around the corner is Revere Mall (and then the Old North Church). Here's MP serving as a frame. What was neat was that the sun was going down at this time, and we noticed that this area had working gas street lamps.

Old Ironside

Bunker Hill

We ended the tour and said goodbye to our wonderful tour guide. But, we were tired so we rested for a bit in a small park. MP, being the slut that she is, started flirting with some dude there. However, when he mentioned something about being a Starbucks fan and a huge discussion ensued. Eventually, they kissed and made up.

By this time, I almost lost my appetite, but not quite (it takes a lot for me to lose my appetite). So we headed to a Malaysian food restaurant (Layang). This place was AWESOME!

Old v. New

2008-05-25T14:34:00.000-07:00

I've finally gotten a chance to take a breath, and one of my favorite things to do is take a book with me to a restaurant and just read and eat by myself. I just love doing that. So, I went to Barnes and Noble to get a new batch of books. I selected Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell, and Dracula by Bram Stoker. So far, Dracula has completely captured my attention. I can see why has lasted over a hundred years (it was first published in 1897) and will probably last for another hundred years (easy). Sex and the City is not bad, but it's no Dracula.

Music of the Week: We Are The Champions (Queen)

2008-05-24T23:58:00.000-07:00

When it comes to bands, I'm usually all about the lead guitarists and have almost no interest in the vocalists. But, the one and only vocalist who I absolutely love is Freddie Mercury of Queen. This is because he can actually sing (instead of "screaming"). Plus, he is such a showman. I mean, take a look at this video of Queen performing "We Are The Champions." Audacious lyrics, yes, but who could have the confidence to pull it off and make you believe while wearing a black and white, chest-baring unitard? Only Freddie Mercury.

I've paid my dues -
Time after time -
I've done my sentence
But committed no crime -
And bad mistakes
I've made a few
I've had my share of sand kicked in my face -
But I've come through

We are the champions - my friends
And we'll keep on fighting - till the end -
We are the champions -
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions - of the world -

I've taken my bows
And my curtain calls -
You brought me fame and fortuen and everything that goes with it
-
I thank you all -

But it's been no bed of roses
No pleasure cruise -
I consider it a challenge before the whole human race -
And I ain't gonna lose -

We are the champions - my friends
And we'll keep on fighting - till the end -
We are the champions -
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions - of the world -

Other favorites...

Under Pressure

We Will Rock You

Killer Queen

Somebody to Love

What Happened?

2008-05-24T23:31:00.000-07:00

It almost seems like I dropped off the face of the Earth--I know! But, I have been so busy with work since coming back from Boston that I have honestly not had time to blog. Sorry! Things seem to be calming down, though, so there should be more happening here.

Do I need to refrigerate this?

2008-05-13T15:06:00.000-07:00

So, I have embarked on a healthier eating journey. Today, I had a salad of mixed greens, alfalfa sprouts, beets, tomatoes, and grilled chicken with Newman's Own Balsamic Vinaigrette. Roughage, you know? It was pretty tasty.

Now, check out the ingredients of the salad dressing. Nothing that seems to need refrigerating. Yet, the bottle says "Refrigerate After Opening." Do you guys think that's just on there to be safe? I don't want to refrigerate my dressing. I think I'm just going to keep it on my shelf. What do you think?

Hello!

2008-05-12T09:40:00.000-07:00

Hi, everyone!

Sorry, I've been AWOL lately. The two weeks after coming back from Boston have been very, very busy work weeks, and then I took this weekend off from everything.

One thing has been weighing heavily on my mind, though. It has to do with little Sushi. A few weekends ago, I was chatting with one of my neighbors. She also has a kitty, and we discovered that we were going to the same mobile vet. Her kitty, like Sushi, is on the older end of the spectrum, and was very not used to going outside and seeing strangers. So, a mobile vet was ideal. The neighbor informed me that she had felt uneasy about the mobile vet's competence, so she bit the bullet and took her kitty to a regular vet down the street (our area is very pet friendly and is loaded with vets).

Based upon the mobile vet's analysis, my neighbor's kitty was prescribed some ear medication for a "slight infection." But, when the new vet examined the kitty, the new vet said that the medication should not have been prescribed because the ear drum could not be seen. A more indepth examination and test was done, and it turned out that the infection was not slight. New medication was prescribed and the kitty's hearing (once thought lost) has been regained! Furthermore, the other things that the new vet prescribed have given "new life" (my neighbor's words) to her kitty. The kitty is more lively now and have begun to do things that she had long ceased to do. The diminished mobility that was thought to accompany old age was apparently due to extended periods of just not feeling 100%.

After hearing this, I was of course ecstatic for my neighbor. However, I now feel very upset about not taking Sushi for a second opinion. My poor kitty. All I did was feed her regular stuff available from any supermarket and commercial places like PetsMart. I should have looked around for better food like I am feeding the Nu kitties now. I love and miss Sushi so much. And, now, I have yet another thing to feel like shit about regarding how I treated her.

I'm sorry to be such a Debbie Downer, but I just have to get that off my chest. I know you guys will tell me that I shouldn't blame myself, but we will all know that I should have brought her to a proper vet for a second opinion.

nn

It's Spring! by Cl. Panic, paper planter

2008-05-11T13:25:00.000-07:00

Some time ago I was invited to attend a wedding, but was unable to do so because it occurred during the dark days. Normally I hate weddings. But let me tell you, I really wanted to go to this one. Because it would be the wedding to end all weddings. Planned over a week in the Virgin Islands, I knew that my former roommate (the bride) would not be outdone. She used to party in Hollywood and knew about all of the fancy-pants denim brands that only women, fashionable gay men, and straight men that live in Hollywood know about.

Anyway. The invitation came in a box. A box! The fact that this wedding would occur on a white sandy beach in paradise was underscored by the seashells included inside the box, and pentagonal cards listing the activities (golfing, snorkeling, etc.). Those cards, in turn, were wrapped in a thick paper that claimed to be impregnated* with seeds and encouraged the recipient to plant it.

I decided to test those claims. The paper had been sitting on my desk for nearly a year. But the other afternoon I cleaned out an old pot, tossed in some soil, added the card and gave it a liberal sprinkling. That was on May 3d.

Yesterday there was noticeable progress. The paper actually sprouted! Look at this photo from May 10:
And by this morning (May 11) there were three more shoots making their way toward the sunlight.
I can't wait to see how these turn out. I'm guessing they'll be wildflowers, but since they were sent from San Diego, you never know what may sprout!

* The bride, however, was not impregnated at the time that the invitations were sent.

Goodbye, Stubbie

2008-04-30T17:47:00.000-07:00

Today, Stubbie was laid to rest in a flower pot all his own. Here is a haiku for my dear friend:

Stubbie, dear fishy,
To the Pearly Gates you go.
Be yourself always.

Sad News -- Stubbie is Gone

2008-04-29T11:27:00.000-07:00

I am very sad today because I received a text message from Stubbie's Godmother telling me that Stubbie had passed on. Cl. Panic's secretary found him early this morning. He had still been swimming around and around last night when I left to go home. Poor thing. I don't think I'll get another fish. Instead, Cl. Panic had the brilliant idea of getting two plants and putting Stubbie at the bottom of one of them. That's just what I'll do.

Memorial services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 4pm PST in my office. All are welcome.

300 Movies You Must See Before You Dieby Man from U.N.C.L.E. (guest blogger)

2008-04-28T17:53:00.000-07:00

Okay. So I am sitting in my doctor's office today for a 10:15 appointment. It's 12:15 and the office lobby still is littered with 4 of the same fools who were waiting when I got here at 10:00. I've exhausted the fine literature in the lobby and my mind needs distraction from the boiling rage I feel simmering just below the surface. The last selection on the rack is the May 2008 edition of Maxim Men's Magazine. Are you familiar with its content? If not, here's the magazine's home page (http://www.maxim.com/ ). This is not my favored reading material, but the slim pickens of distractible stimuli are leaving me with a choice of counting the moles on left arm of the sniffling lady on my right (then distinguishing which ones have hair growing out of them) or diving into cover girl Elisha Cuthbert's tell-all secrets.

What draws my attention is the Header declaring that Maxim Editors have determined the 300 Movies that Every Red Blooded American Male Must See Before He Dies! So I go for it, figuring that the Editors of Maxim have very puerile evaluation skills and I can boost my ego by being a sophisticated movie snob in comparison to their selections. Well, in thumbing through their list I surprisingly found my tastes to follow closely with theirs. I quickly jotted down the list of movies knowing that because I had found something that actually captured my interest it would not fail that the Doctor would see me within the next 13 seconds.

COMEDIES:
Monty Python and The Holy Grail
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy
The Big Lebowski
Kingpin
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America...
This Is Spinal Tap (MY LOVE FOR NIGEL TUFNEL IS WELL KNOWN)
Airplane!
Animal House
American Pie
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Bachelor Party
Bananas
Beverly Hills Cop
Blazing Saddles
Caddyshack
The Cannonball Run
Clerks
Dazed & Confused
Duck Soup
Dumb and Dumber
Election (THERE ARE SOME JARRING SCENES IN THIS FILM- I THINK IT"S THE EDITING)
The 40 YearOld Virgin
Ghostbusters
Groundhog Day (BET YOU DIDN"T KNOW THAT GROUNDHOG DAY WAS MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY, BUT NOT BECAUSE OF THIS FILM)
Happy Gilmore
Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
It's A Mad, Mad, Mad World
The Jerk
Modern Times
The Nutty Professor
Office Space
Old School
The Pink Panther Strikes Again
The Princess Bride
Raising Arizona (ONE OF MY FAVORITE SCENES IN MOVIES OCCURS HERE)
Sixteen Candles ("NO MORE YANKY MY WANKY -THE DONGER NEEDS FOOD!")
Some Like It Hot
Trading Places
Vacation
Wedding Crashers
Wet Hot American Summer
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
Young Frankenstein

WAR:
The Bridge on the River Kwai
Dr. Strangelove (PETER SELLERS WAS A GREAT CHARACTER ACTOR)
The Deer Hunter
Apocalypse Now
Black Hawk Down
The Dirty Dozen
Gallopoli
The Great Escape
M*A*S*H
Platoon
Saving Private Ryan

SO BAD THEY'RE GOOD:
Showgirls
Glen or Glenda?
Airport 1975
Barbarella
Battlefield Earth
Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls
Death Race 2000
Phantom of the Paradise
Reefer Madness
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
The Toxic Avenger

REBELS:
Cool Hand Luke (IN SCHOOL PLAYS I PATTERNED MY CHARACTER ON STROTHER MARTIN'S FROM COOL HAND LUKE)
Taxi Driver
Sid & Nancy
Easy Rider
Billy Jack
Dirty Harry
Dirty Mary Crazy Larry
Ferris Beuller's Day Off (BELEIVE IT OR NOT, FERRIS WAS TOO MUCH OF A SMART-ASS FOR ME TO LIKE HIM)
The Graduate
A History of Violence
The Hustler
The King of Comedy
Network
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
Raging Bull
Risky Business
Smokey and the Bandit
Three Days of The Condor
Trainspotting

CLASSICS:
The Adventures of Robin Hood
Lawrence of Arabia
Kind Hearts and Coronets
Ben-Hur
Casablanca
Double Indemnity
Metropolis
The Night of the Hunter (ROBERT MITCHUM IS GREAT HERE)
On The Waterfront
The Third Man
Touch of Evil
Vertigo (HERE'S A BIT OF TRIVIA I DON"T THINK I'VE EVER TOLD NN. JIMMY STEWART IS MY FAVORITE ACTOR OF ALL TIME)
White Heat
The Wizard of Oz

SCI-FI/FANTASY: (JEEZ! I NEVER REALIZED I LIKED SCI-FI SO MUCH)
The Empire Strikes Back
Starship Troopers
2001: A Space Odyssey
Alien/Aliens
Back to the Future
Blade Runner
Children of Men
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
E.T.
King Kong
Planet of the Apes
Star Wars
Terminator/T2

HORROR:
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Night of the Living Dead
Carrie
The Exorcist
The Fly
Halloween
Jaws
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Psycho ("IT'S MY MOTHER!", TH EXPLANATION MANY GAY GUYS USE)
Rosemary's Baby
The Shining (JACK AT HIS WEIRDEST)
28 Days Later

WESTERNS:
Jeremiah Johnson
The Searchers
The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE FILMS, THE EPITOME OF BUDDY MOVIES)
High Noon
High Plains Drifter
Tombstone
True Grit
Unforgiven
The Wild Bunch

BUDDY MOVIES:
The Last Detail
Top Gun (HAVE TO COMMENT ON THE HOMOEROTIC SHIRTLESS VOLLEYBALL SCENE)
Superbad
Deliverence
American Graffiti
The Blues Brothers (HAS INSPIRED GREAT KARAOKE)
Breaking Away
Glengarry GlenRoss
The Goonies
Lethal Weapon
The Right Stuff
Saturday Night Fever
The Shawshank Redemption
Stand By Me
Stripes
Swingers
The Warriors

ACTION:
Rocky I - IV
The Matrix
The Road Warrior
Batman
Batman Begins
Battle Royale
Bourne Trilogy
Braveheart
Clash of the Titans
Die Hard
Enter the Dragon
Face/Off
First Blood
48 Hrs.
Gladiator
The Incredibles (I HATED THIS MOVIE)
Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Predator
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Speed
Spider-Man

NON-GRATUITOUS NUDITY:
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Wild Things
Carnal Knowledge
Angel Heart (CREEPY SUBJECT MATTER, THIS ONE DISTURBS ME, DENIRO AND ROURKE ARE GREAT)
Body Heat
Boogie Nights
Coffy
Jackass:The Movie
McCabe & Mrs. Miller
Mulholland Drive
Poison Ivy: The New Seduction
Revenge of the Nerds
10

ART HOUSE:
A Clockwork Orange
City of God
Annie Hall
Withnail and I
Midnight Cowboy ("I"M WALKIN' HERE!")
Badlands
The Bicycle Thief
The Conversation
Do The Right Thing (I REALLY LIKE SPIKE LEE MOVIES, THIS IS MY FAVORITE S.L. FILM)
Elephant Man
The Last Picture Show
Repo Man
Rushmore
Short Cuts
There Will Be Blood

MINDBENDERS:
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Akira
Beetlejuice
Blue Velvet
Brazil
Donnie Darko
Edward Scissorhands
Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind
Fight Club
Memento
Pink Floyd:The Wall
The Manchurian Candidate

COPS:
Bullitt
To Live and Die in L.A.
Hard Boiled
Bad Lieutenant
Chinatown
The Departed
Donnie Brasco
Fargo (MADE THE PHRASE "I THINK I'M GONNA BARF" COMEDY GOLD)
The French Connection
RoboCop
Se7en
Shaft
The Silence of the Lambs
The Untouchables

CRIMINALS:
The Godfather I & II
No Country For Old Men
Reservoir Dogs
Bonnie & Clyde (MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE MOVIE!!!)
Atlantic City
Bad Boys
Bloody Mama
The Boys from Brazil
Boyz N the Hood
Carlito's Way
Casino
Crimes & Misdemeanors
Dog Day Afternoon
The Getaway
Get Carter
GoodFellas
Heat
A History of Violence
In Cold Blood
The Long Good Friday
Mean Streets
Midnight Express
Natural Born Killers
Pulp Fiction
River's Edge
Scarface
Sexy Beast
Sin City
Super Fly
True Romance

So there you have it. My doctor didn't call me in just about 13 seconds into copying the list, more like 13 minutes, but I scrambled nonetheless to abbreviate, hyphenate, and conjugate these film titles before I had to go to the exam room. By the time I got to the exam room my hand was about to fall off and a blister extended from my second knuckle on my pinky down the side of my hand to my wrist from the furious transcribing action of my hand flying over the mag and the notebook I was writing in. I have taken the time to italicize the movies which I've seen. I think there are 185 in all that I've seen. Ironic that the Man from U.N.C.L.E. never really considered himself to be that much of a man. Are there ones on the list that you think I must see? Are there some not on the list that you would recommend over the list?

Boston --- vacation of countless tours (all paid with money)

2008-04-27T20:45:00.000-07:00

Day 1:

I picked up Nonnynu around 5 am. Went to Chinatown. The only thing that was open was two bakeries. We got two big pork steam bow...ate...went back to Hilton and napped until about noon.

We got introduced to Dunkin Doughnut. Boston should not be call Beantown. It should be called Dunkintown. In every corne, therer is at least two Dunkin Doughnuts...even in Chinatown!!! It really dwarfed the chicken feet that we ate for lunch.

Freed0m Trail was great. Thanks to my friend at work's recommendation. The tour was done through role-play. We had some sort of colonial guy who said "...taxation without representation...". We saw all kinds of colonial stuff and learned a lot of history. It was worth the price. He was really informative. Paul Revere didn't do all those stuff the poem says. We finished the rest of the unpaid tour on foot -- saw Bunker Hill and Old Ironside (I think). Interesting to know that there are still gaslights at certain really old part of Dunkintown.

When we were near the Boston Common, there was an unusual looking "bus shelter". It was a long hallway made of glass. Each pane of glass is about 4-5 foot wide and about 2 stories tall. There were six of these. It was actually in memory of the victims of the holocaust -- the New England Holocaust Memorial. (OK, I can't claim authorship to this really nice looking picture. Its way beyong the scope of practice of my cheapo camera). http://nehm.org/design/ to learn more about this memorial.

The numbers on the glass were the number (like a prisoner's number) of each of those died under Hitler's "maw jeung"...a very solem moment. "Maw Jeung"...Nonnynu, that could be your next Chinese idiom.

We ended the day with a Malaysia Dinner.

Day2:

That night..ok...we are still pre-Day2, Nonnynu told me to get up early so we can go to Patriot Day at Lexington. I shoot the route with Hermie (the name of my GPS). It was only 20 some miles from where we stay. Keep with the family tradition...I told her that if people actually get there by 4:30, I will chop my head down so she can sit on it. Needless to say, I owe her a stool in the form of my head.

The Patriot Day parade was great. The town people were really into it. They had muskets, horses, the British Redcoats. middle-age men with real beer-belly and everything. Between watching people's butt cracks, back of their necks, top of their hair, we saw some of the parades and got the idea how the war for America Independence got started...I'm proud to be an American...

Next year, instead of packing the hot plate, pack a ladder.

After that we went to Dunkin, got coffee and ate our stale Chinese cake from Day1.

We hiked Waldon pond. That was great. We over estimated the "pond" because someone lost the map while taking a pee-stop (I will respect that person and not put their name on this site for humiliation) and hiked to some sort of river. Whenever Hermie didn't come along, we got more than totally lost. Luckily, a kind mountaineer pointed us to the right direction. We hacked our way through nats and mosquito for another hour before getting back to our car.

The rest of the day was filled with fun-filled tours at Salem. It was so fun and authentic that I wonder why historians don't go those these people for help with their history books. Nonnynu even made a good suggestion to get the combination 3 - tours package....Kill me...We suffered through 2 of those tours. All the time, I was hoping for Samantha to wiggle her nose to beam me out.

The high-light of the afternoon was the trip up Cape Ann to eat fresh boiled shrimp and see how rich people live.

Boston (Synopsis)

2008-04-23T21:09:00.000-07:00

I don't have time to give you full explanations of where we went, but here is a short listing of what MonkeyPig and I have been (and will be) up to. I'll probably do full entries on some of these places in the future.

Sunday
Boston, MA: Freedom Tour led by a James Otis impersonator.

Monday
Lexington, MA: Battle Green reenactment of The Shot Heard Around the World

Concord, MA: Waldon Pond

Salem, MA: witch history, House of Seven Gables, Hawthorne House

Tuesday
Providence, RI: Benefit Street

Portsmouth, RI: Green Animals Topiary Garden

Jamestown, RI: Beavertail Light House

Wednesday
Cape Cod, MA: Highland Light House

Hyannis, MA: Lobster dinner

Hyannisport, MA: Beach front properties

Thursday
Plymouth, MA: Fried clams from Lobster Hut

Plymouth, MA: Plimoth Plantation

Friday
Newport, RI: Mansions

Norwood, MA: Last Supper at a great Indian restaurant (Minerva)

Happy Birthday to Lucy's Mom !!

2008-04-18T03:56:00.000-07:00

Please join me in wishing a very happy 27th birthday to Lucy's Mom! I hope you like the cake. Lucy helped pick it out.