05.04.08
Posted in In My Life
at 11:37 am
by Eric
There is a mob of pink pulsing through the streets of my neighborhood this morning. I wish I could take an aerial photograph. A stream of pink steadily winding its way through DC, all in the name of breast cancer awareness. The normal honks of impatient cab drivers are today drowned out by an onslaught of positive cheers. I have a great view from my roof deck.
I spoke to my parents this morning, both doing well, and went to the Farmers’ Market for fresh chicken livers and a variety of produce — yum. I have music. I have books on food (surprise, surprise). I virtually slapped my brother during a video chat before he spontaneously jetted off with his European posse to an Italian destination. Julius and I are on the roof deck, bodies spread to receive the sun — needless to say we’re both all smiles. I’ll hopefully get to cook for Jess this afternoon, her schedule permitting, and will see friends this evening. What more could I possibly ask for? Ok, at the moment, perhaps a bottle of chilled, refreshing Rosé.
I was not made for a life without warmth and sunshine — for my GBDness and mood. Hence my gratefulness towards this amazingly beautiful day, full of warmth, sunshine (of two kinds), and clear skies, and for my day off from the kitchen to thoroughly enjoy it.
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04.11.08
Posted in Julius Maximus
at 11:10 am
by Eric
Guess what little mostly black, part white, stunnin’ like his daddy, stinky-butt turns 1 today!
Jess picked up a dog cake from a local dog shop, Doggystyle. I wonder how many canine cakes they actually sell. I feel I might be surprised at the answer. Besides cake, he’ll have the joy of ripping up a brand new, oversized stuffed animal. Besides a pair of my sneakers, for him there is no greater joy. Pics to come.
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02.10.08
Posted in A Little Random, In My Life
at 2:24 pm
by Eric
Every city has its unique characteristics that combine to give it a sense of charm. Despite a general lack of fashion sense and the diagonal streets (so fondly referred to as “the bastard streets”) that sporadically intersect our otherwise-normal grid layout (causing immense confusion for visitors, but a speedy way across town for locals), DC is an outstanding city with so very much to offer. An august balance of concrete and nature (we thankfully still have an abundance of trees), countless free museums, national monuments, and events, and, probably of most importance to me, a continuously improving and certainly evolving restaurant scene.
But it’s not in every major city in the world that residents face a daily possibility of being run off the road — legally. As if dealing with countless moron drivers isn’t adequate contention and the reason for raised car insurance rates, I present to you an element privy mostly to DC life — the motorcade.
The symphony (albeit deafening and not one most would care to hear) of sirens is heard across city quadrants. As vehicle after vehicle of armored, completely blacked out Suburbans barrels down the street behind a barricade of flashing lights, cars, one after the other, are bullied to the curb by the onslaught of a police motorcycle unit.
Is it The President or some other person of political significance, say a congressman or foreign diplomat? Or perhaps all of the flashiness and attention is merely a facade and Mr. and Mrs. Important drive unnoticed across town in an unassuming vehicle. That’s how I’d do it — an unassuming, yet heavily armored, motorcade of 2-3 vehicles: a windowless van to house “the cargo” and your standard FedEx truck for the boys with the big toys (read: guns).
On an early morning walk with Julius just last week, traffic in our neighborhood was unusually heavy and the murmur of a helicopter for aerial views circled above. While the traffic could be anything, one comes to understand the meaning of a helicopter, specifically in the NW quadrant of DC — a motorcade reached a temporary destination and it’s somewhere nearby.
This certainly wasn’t the first time — a hotel just 2 blocks from my house is often consumed by a sea of political activity: a dozen motorcycle cops, a 1/2 dozen more squad cars, 4-5 armored Suburbans, and Secret Service agents steadily packing the perimeter, a wired ear piece being their only distinction from any bloke in a suit. Then there is the S.W.A.T detail — an ora of arrogance and pride — a 1/2 dozen men hanging off the side of an armored SUV, their shades a sign of collectiveness, as they stare at you, hoping you’re the one stupid enough to finally let all their training pay off.
All in a day here in DC.
My 4th Mac convert, or in proper Apple terms “Switcher”, became official today, as Jess received her custom MacBook this morning via FedEx. It’s just like her, less the curls — quite the little package. ;-P
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02.05.08
Posted in A Little Random, In My Life
at 10:41 pm
by Eric
What’s the value in having a life list if the tasks are never completed? The concept is meant to serve as motivation to do something with yourself — to avoid the all-too-easy monotony of life if you let it. I need to return to those little life dreams I’ve managed to push aside. It’s simple — take time to make yourself feel good.
I went out this evening and, in an act of near desperation, nearly ate a bug. What? It’s on my list of things to do — #4 on my life list, in fact. But tonight my better judgement prevailed. Besides, eating a bug in such a fashion would entirely negate the significance of having ever wanted to eat one in the first place.
Thankfully I’ll have several opportunities this year to scratch off a few items — 2008 is the year of the life list. And perhaps, I’ll get around to eating that bug. But not just any little critter. It’s far more than that. I envision a roadside stand on a sweltering hot day in Thailand. A short, elderly Thai woman with years of hardship on her face stands across from me, separated only by a proud display of her daily preparation of deep fried delights — bugs.
I’m not sure why my postings suddenly fell off last November. Perhaps it was the coming holidays and all that came with them this year. There were certainly topics to talk about — recent travels, future travel plans, a restaurant I’d give my right arm (if it weren’t so valuable as a cook) to work at, and, as always, our adventures with Julius Maximus.
Anyhow, more to come…
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