Owning up to Dreams and Desires

At the beginning of the year, I decided I needed to take action and begin working on my goals and dreams. I bought a day planner, but not just any day planner an "Action Day" planner. It not only holds what I have planned for the day, but my yearly goals, and sections for each week that I am "supposed" to write in to achieve these goals.

So it was that at the end of January 09, I began this planner, and it is today (October 09) that I am beginning to review it. The last goal that I wrote down was "I want to own up to my dreams and desires." With the hope that "I will feel I live a good and fruitful life." I wrote that I would achieve this by, "Just Do It! This is the year to put yourself out there!" ...

What was I thinking, "Just Do It!". A Nike slogan, and I truly dislike running. It's painful on my body, my joints begin to ache, my muscles burn in ways that make me not want to move or do another thing for the day, and lets just face it: It is exhausting! I didn't expect that owning up to my dreams would generate a Marathon I wasn't anticipating to run.

But I must say that even with this ridiculous slogan, it is a goal well worth undertaking. We discuss our aspirations in our youth and then at some point either fall into what we perceive society has structured for us, or we hide ourselves away and continue to wish and hope things will change, or we step out the front door and take our first step on the long run that we may not win.

I have placed myself in each of these "either" "or" situations, and I am happy to say that at this moment my foot is beginning to leave the threshold of the front door, I may even go as far as saying that the door is shut behind me, though my hand is still grasping tight. To own up to something is take responsibility, to take praise if all goes well, but also to take fault and blame if it does not.

Like I said, in our youth we discuss our aspirations. I did this a lot. And it is difficult when people I knew from high school, or even my undergraduate studies, ask me what I am doing now. Because we can all talk a big talk when we want to, but it is our choices to act which truly bring fruition. And it is a long run from action to achievement. But we must realize that we don't always have to go on the run on our own.

So here I must thank a few people. My core knitting girls: You let me be me and provide support whenever needed, you let me sit in silence while I stitch or you let me ramble on about my day, worries, goals, tid-bits, or what have you, when I just can't be silent any longer. You allow me to explore new things like dancing, river trips, or just a plain fun night out on the town when least expected. To my friends who have been with me for years: You have gone through the mood swings, listened to the talk, and I hope now you will see the action. To my family: Mom you always put things in perspective. And yes I am scared of success, because with it comes responsibility and it intimidates me, I don't want to fail. To Dad, thanks for teaching me that when you fall off your bike, you just have to get back up again, and if you fall down the mountain at least you attempted the climb.

So here I come, (1) volunteer work--in progress, (2) stepping outside and putting myself in unfamiliar territory in a city I am so familiar with--a continuing movement, (3) owning up to myself and my passions--never going to end, (4) walking that first mile and ready to begin jogging the second--Oh Yeah! "Just Do It!"**, (5) never writing your last goal to be "to own up to your dreams and desires"--IT SHOULD ALWAYS BE THE FIRST!--corrected.

**Note to self: You may hit a bump in the road, or trip over your shoelace while sprinting the last mile, but never let that stop you from getting up, taking a moment and a sip of water, to finish the race. It wasn't the Hare that won, it was the Tortoise who persevered and kept going. Follow your dreams: "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you may land among the stars."

Pear Pecan Bread

This is a very simple recipe that is so wonderful I didn't even have time to take photos because I ate it all. Actually, it got wrapped up and given away as gifts but I liked it so much I thought I would share it with you.

Ingredients:

1 c. sugar

1 c. brown sugar

3 c. flour

1/4 t. salt

1 t. baking soda

1/4 t. baking powder

1 t. cinnamon

1/2 t. ground cloves

1/2 t. nutmeg

3/4 c. chopped pecans

1 c. oil

3 eggs

1 T. molasses

3 t. vanilla

2 1/2 c. chopped up pears

Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl until well blended. Place in two bread pans (or six mini bread pans) that are well greased. Bake at 325*F for approximately 45 minutes or until knife comes out clean. Share with friends and family.

Cherry Marinade

For all those out there that love to eat meat, this is a great little marinade or glaze (I don't know the technical terms) that I came up with which was delicious on the pork loin roast I had thawed in my fridge. Though I think it would go great with a nice steak on the BBQ!

Ingredients:
1 small onion or scallion
1/2 c. fresh basil
1/3 c. fresh cherries (pitted or you will kill your blender)
2 T. fresh lemon juice
1/4 c. olive oil
1 T. balsamic vinegar

Place everything in a blender (liquids first) and whirl to your hearts content. Top over desired meat (that has been lightly salted) and prepare to liking.

A Kid, a Chicken, and a 30 something

You know you have an issue with something when you have to fight off the urge to tell a nine year old in Smith's Market Place the advantages of getting married later in life. Today, I recognized the fact that maybe I wasn't as prepared for my 30's as I thought. While I perused the most recent Rachel Ray cooking magazine, I overheard a child ask a woman. "What's your name?"

This is a basic question that seems harmless enough, but has the tendency to lead to more complex simple questions. The child followed with, "How old are you?" The woman's response, "I'm 30 years old, that's old isn't it." (No. It is not for those of you out there that are thinking the woman was right.)

And then came the fatal question, direct from the child's mouth. "How many kids do you have?"

"None."

It should have been fine, and I realize there are many people in this world that are thirty and don't have kids. But it must be stated that I live in Utah, were sad to say, it seems to be an anomaly to be 30, female, and not be married with children.

It was the child's way of saying, "None! You don't have one son or daughter?" as if she might go into shock at any moment. As I made the effort to control the urge to shout, "Come off it kid, we're not that old, we have plenty of time." I recognized a nagging issue I had put in the back of my mind, that even a nine year old could recognize.

Certain aspects of the last few weeks came sweeping over me:
1) I have been hit on by more older men (and when I say older I mean around 30 years older than myself) in the last few weeks. The typical response from them when asked, "And can I get you anything for dessert tonight?"--it should be stated that I am a server--is, "I'd love to have you for dessert." Really guys, at any age this is not the best pick-up line.

2) My attempt to cook a whole chicken turned into a chic flick fiasco. In short, I was running back and forth from my apartment to my neighbors with a chicken in a roasting pan, my downstairs in total darkness due to the fact that I blew an electrical fuse, my mother laughing hysterically at me while I ran, because, of course, I thought I should hold my cell phone between my ear and my shoulder as I carried a whole half cooked chicken across the lawn. I didn't have a date insight, and I realized that whenever the chicken was finished cooking I still didn't know how to carve the damn thing. (Book to be written for the future I'm sure :))

3) I had a strange feeling that being part of the High School Musical film would be fun, the only problem was that I didn't know if I could still pull off playing a giddy teenager.

And there I was, stunned as always at how much youth can teach an adult. You will be proud to hear that I did hold my tongue. I continued flipping the pages of the magazine, looking for my next culinary adventure, acting as if the child's words had not affected me. And I realized that 30 just brings a lot more questions and thus far not to many solid answers.

Dreams, Goals, and Applications

The past few days have been very interesting. I have been pushing myself to gain a career. This means resume after resume, cover letter after cover letter, e-mails after e-mails have been made. It's almost a full time job to find someone that will hire you. And lately the response has all been the same--NOTHING. No note to say thanks for your interest, but sorry we can't/won't be hiring you. Just NOTHING. It becomes a bit frustrating to say the least, and yet my pursuit continues.

Then last night, I sat on top of a mountain side late in the wee-hours of the morning with two wonderful friends, and a bunch of strangers, to watch as rocks came skidding into the atmosphere. Treats in a picnic basket, a blanket, and fresh baked cookies helped me open my eyes to the heavens. As we sat staring to the darkened sky, even the glitter of stars couldn't be as enjoyable, as laughing together when joke upon joke came from our mouths. I realized something. I was content. I came home and as I entered that portal of a door to my lonely sanctuary I call home, I spoke aloud and said, "Well, I just had the perfect day." And I realized it was true.

This morning I woke-up and took my time with everything I did. Even my morning cereal was a delight to be enjoyed. And as I followed my feet down the hill on 200 South, I thought about my dreams, my goals, and which applications to send out next in the sweltering heat.

My thought it is that I need to become something. It is probably everyones dream to be admired for what they do. To make a name for themselves. To be given the chance to shine. And then I sat outside with my raspberry Italian soda (with a splash of cream) and opened my computer to check my e-mail only to find yet again, NOTHING.

And so I walked home. Hot and sweaty, thinking what to do next. How do I get a response. A response of any kind. And as nothing came to mind I sat in my room, in the heat, and zoned in front of the T.V. Wanting cooler temps I found a movie to go to and drove downtown to sit in air-conditioning to watch Julie & Julia.

It was a good movie, a good one. Maybe it was the love of cooking, maybe it was the refreshing air, maybe it was the buttered popcorn. Who knows but when I walked out of the theater and into the cool summer night air, I realized something. It's not about becoming someone, its recognizing that you already are someone. I do shine. I am somebody.

I already have a name for myself, and it is one that people don't usually forget. On the mountain top last night, I was me, laughing, eating, and gazing into an environment I hold so dear, and a friend told me I was her Mom away from Mom. In the past I hated this statement. I didn't want to be the Mom of my friends. But this afternoon I realized it's not about the title, it's about the nature. I am a caring person that wants to experience and share the world around them with others. I am a girl who tries to always put others first. And I am a person who wants to help others achieve their dreams.
Now all this might sound very ME, ME, ME, but as Julie said in the movie, "Isn't that what a blog is." So this blog is for me. My name is Denver and I already have more than NOTHING.

Fresh Cherry Far

So there is a long story behind making this dessert, but I will spare you the details here. To make a long story short, it was more than worth the wait. This is probably my favorite dessert I have made in my life, and that is saying something because I like my desserts. Hope you find it delicious too.

Ingredients:
2 cups milk
3 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar
5 T. unsalted butter
1/2 t. vanilla extract
dash salt
3/4 c. flour

1 c. fresh cherries (pitted and cut in half)
1/3 c. dried cranberries
1/2 c. water
1/3 c. Triple Sec

Powdered sugar

In a blender place milk, eggs, sugar, butter, vanilla, and salt. Blend for one minute. Add in flour and whirl around until mixed. Place in your refrigerator to chill for at least 3 hours or over night. (I recommend over night).

In a sauce pan place cherries, cranberries, and water. Bring to boil and cook until water is almost all evaporated. Add in triple sec. Return to boil. Place fruit mixture in bowl and let sit until at room temperature. (This can also be done the night before).

Butter cake pan and dust with flour. Place parchment paper on the bottom. Re-blend flour mixture and place in cake pan. Sprinkle fruit mixture over all the mixture. In a 375*F oven, place cake pan on bake sheet on center rack. Cook for an hour or until a knife comes out clean from the center.

Cool completely. Run knife along edge of cake and then transfer to serving dish. (This is a two step process. Place plate over cake, tip over until free of pan, then place serving dish on bottom of the dessert and tip over again.) Dust the top with powdered sugar and serve. Makes a great breakfast too.

Basil and Apple Rolled Chicken

Ingredients:
1 chicken breast (makes enough for 2)
1 apple (sliced thin)
1 clove garlic (minced)
fresh basil leaves
salt and pepper
oil

Butterfly chicken all the way through. Pound out each half until flat. Salt and pepper each side of chicken. Sprinkle on one side with garlic. Place apple slices along with basil on chicken and roll. Pinch chicken together with toothpicks. Heat oil in skillet and place chicken inside. Brown each side of chicken. Press down with pan lid, or such, until chicken is fully cooked. Enjoy.

I sided this with an easy cucumber and tomato salad that was drizzled with red wine vinegar and oil with a bit of salt and pepper to taste.

Cornmeal Chicken with Fresh Salsa

This is by far the easiest recipe I know. Plus the fresh salsa is perfect for using your summer garden.

Ingredients:
1 Chicken Breast (serves 2)
corn meal
water
Plain yogurt


Fresh Salsa:
Tomato
Jalapeno
onion
garlic

Take chicken breast and cut butterfly all the way through. Pound out each side until flat. Place in water and then move to cornmeal and coat each piece of chicken. Fry in skillet until well browned and cooked through.

Make Salsa. Cut everything in chunks and stir together.

Place chicken breast on plate. then side with salsa. Add small dish of plain yogurt to dip chicken in when eating.
Enjoy!

Herb Stuffed Chicken

Ingredients:
2 Chicken Breasts (Butterflied but not cut through)
1/2 cup cottage cheese
Fresh rosemary
Fresh Chives
1/2 to 1 Garlic Clove (minced)
salt and pepper to taste
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
Splash oil


In a bowl place cottage cheese, rosemary, chives, and garlic. Stir together and add lemon juice.

Butterfly chicken breasts and season with salt and pepper. Stuff each chicken breast and then pinch shut (toothpicks can really help with this). In a skillet brown each side of chicken. Place in baking pan and cook at 350*F until chicken is cooked through. Add lemon wedge to plate to top over chicken when eating. Enjoy.

Southwestern Chicken Goulash

When you are tight on money, my best advice to you is: Look in your cupboards and your fridge and have fun creating something for dinner.

This might not look that great, but it sure tasted good. Plus, it made enough that I was able to eat for a few days and give some to my hungry neighbor.

Ingredients:
1 chicken breast (cut in pieces)
1/2 can corn
1/2 can diced tomatoes
1/2 can black beans
1 c. rice
3/4 c. white wine
3/4 c. water
1/2 c. salsa
1/4 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
salt and pepper to taste
splash oil

Brown chicken in large sauce pot. Remove chicken and place rice in pan. Allow to heat then add wine and water. Allow to boil. Add in tomatoes, corn, black beans, and salsa. Season with cumin, salt, and pepper. Bring back to boil and top with chicken pieces. Cover and cook until rice is done. (Around 30 minutes).

Stir and cover with cheese. Heat for another 10 minutes on warm. Then serve and eat.

Wisdom Teeth: Gone Baby Gone

Day 3 after (they said this would be the day I saw the most swelling, you decide)

Day 2 after

Day 1 after

Right after the dentist in the car riding home. I got a laugh out of my face, hope you do too.

Right before the dentist with my mom who was nice enough to ride me to and fro, plus stay with me for a few days to wait on my every need. Thanks Mom!

So recently I had my last two wisdom teeth pulled. Found it funny that I had my wisdom taken from me after I finished my Masters degree, so I kept the teeth and have named them Bachelors and Masters. Here is a brief look at the changes of my face size through the week. (I am happy to report that all is back to normal now)

Pork Chops with Rice and Yams infused with Pear Juice

So I must say I found this dish delicious. And thankfully it was very easy.

Ingredients:
Pork chops (enough for people serving)
1 or 2 Yams/Sweet Potatoes
1 or 2 Onions (I used the medium sized yellow onion)
1/2 cup to 1 cup rice (again dependent on the number of people serving)
1 garlic clove
1/2 teaspoon fresh marjoram
1 Tablespoon fresh basil
salt and pepper
3/4 cup pear nectar (I find this in the Mexican food isle at my store)
1/4 cup water
Butter

In a casserole dish place to one side chopped up yams, to it's side place chopped up onion (I like these to be good sized pieces), to its side line the rice then place the pork chops to the side of the rice. Top the chops with salt and pepper and garlic. Sprinkle herbs all over. Top each location with a bit of butter. Pour in the pear juice and water. Cover with aluminum foil and place in a heated 350* F. oven for 50-60 minutes or until everything is cooked to your tastes.

Chocolate Moose

Ingredients:
12 oz bittersweet chocolate in chunks (I used 3 bars of Ghirardelli 60% Cacao)
¼ cup flavored coffee
1 strawberry (this is used for a bit of extra flavor so if you don’t want it, don’t use it)
¼ teaspoon vanilla paste
¾ cup whole milk
4 large egg yolks
2 Tablespoons sugar
A pinch of salt
2 cups whipping cream (with extra to whip for the top)

Warm chocolate with coffee, strawberry, and vanilla until chocolate begins to melt. Set aside. Warm milk in a saucepan but don’t boil. In a small bowl whisk egg yolks, sugar, and salt until mixed. Pour a little bit of the warm milk into the egg mixture and stir, then place full egg mixture into rest of milk. Stirring continuously, heat on low until milk and eggs begin to thicken. (This is the hardest part because you don’t want it too thick. I moved the pan to the side and waited until the mixture began to film on the sides. Meaning the milk didn’t drip down. Hope that makes since, it was a guess on my part too, but it ended up forming just fine).

Once milk and eggs have thickened pour over top chocolate. Whisk until smooth. Set aside to cool briefly. Whip cream until lightly formed. When chocolate mixture is cool, but not set, fold in whip cream—1/4 mixture at a time. Fold until there is no white showing. Place in fridge for at least three hours to form (moose can be in the fridge for up to three days). Serve in your favorite dessert dish topped with a spoonful of whip cream and any fruit you like if desired.

Easy Breaded Chicken

This is one of my family’s favorites. We have recently adapted it a bit. But I have been eating this since I was a kid. (Mind you I am still a kid at heart).

Ingredients:
Chicken Breasts (1 chicken breast will feed 2 people. Base # of chicken breasts to those you are feeding).
Bread crumbs (I use Progresso Italian Style)
Oil
Lemons

Take one chicken breast and cut it in half butterfly style. Place the two halves in-between two pieces of plastic wrap and whack with a pot until thin. (I wanted to call this “Get Your Aggression Out Chicken” but decided against it.) Continue process with the rest of the chicken breasts you have. Place bread crumbs in a shallow dish big enough to fit pounded chicken. Dip chicken in water and then into bread crumbs.

Heat oil hot in a skillet. Test oil by sprinkling a few bread crumbs in. If they sizzle then put chicken breasts in to brown both sides. Heat your oven and place chicken in a oven safe dish to keep warm while you finish browning the rest of your breaded chicken.

Serve with a few slices of lemon to squeeze on the chicken. Great with a bit of red wine vinegar or ketchup as well.

Chocolate Strawberry Cake

This is the easiest cake recipe I know and I am always making changes to it. My friends came over for this one, and we enjoyed it with a nice bottle of Pinot Noir. Thanks for the sweet memories guys.

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 ½ cups sugar
2/3 cup shortening
2 eggs
A pinch of salt
½ cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup boiling water
1 ½ teaspoons almond extract
16 oz fresh strawberries (cut up to size desired, save a few for garnish)
Splash of full flavored molasses

Place all ingredients in a bowl. Mix well but do not beat. Place in desired size cake pans that have been buttered and lightly floured (I like to make one large circle cake and then the rest of the cake mix is placed in mini loaf pans so friends can take it home easily). Bake in oven at 350*F. for approximately 30 minutes.

This also makes for a great breakfast in the morning. ☺

Rosemary and Garlic Chicken with Rice

This is a fun and quick recipe. Your ingredients will vary on the number of people you are preparing for.

Ingredients:
Chicken Breast (de-boned)
Olive oil
Balsamic
Garlic cloves
A few fresh sprigs rosemary
Salt and Pepper

Rice


Place chicken in Tupperware. Top with balsamic, olive oil, chopped garlic and chopped rosemary add a bit of salt and pepper. Cover container and shake well. Place in refrigerator to marinade.

When ready to cook throw chicken on BBQ or place in skillet. Take extra marinade and heat in a saucepan. Make whatever rice you like. (I like a light and fluffy white rice, but wild rice would be great for this too). Once marinade is heated place cooked rice into it and mix.

Food is ready when chicken is cooked through. If you want garnish it with a bit of cilantro or left over rosemary. Enjoy! You know I did.

Turkey and Bean's Soup

This is a good hearty soup that will keep you going.

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground turkey breast
1 onion
2 cloves garlic
Salt and pepper
(I used the left over cooked turkey and onion mix from the stuffed pastry I made last night for my soup. But directions are for starting from scratch)
1 can black beans
1 can white beans
1 can diced tomatoes
1 small can of chicken stock
Water
Cilantro and Chives for garnish

Sautee chopped onions and garlic in a medium saucepan until golden. Add turkey and cook thoroughly. Season with a bit of salt and pepper. Add diced tomatoes and black beans with juice. Strain white beans until clean of all juice. Fill can with beans still in it with water, pour into saucepan. Add can of chicken stock and heat until lightly boiling. Chop a small amount of cilantro and add it in. Stir it all together. All to lightly boil again until steaming hot. Pour into bowl and serve topped with a sprig of fresh cilantro and fresh chopped chives. Enjoy!

Freeze all extra for a day down the road.

Celebrating 30 and a walk on Cannon Beach.

Yes, it's true. I am now thirty. For my birthday it was drinks and a very heated Catch Phrase competition. A week later, I continued my celebration in Oregon. Walking the beach, listening to the waves wash on shore, and working on getting acquainted with my book again.

Besides finding out that I need to get my wisdom teeth out, and the massive tooth pain while on vacation, 30 is going great from the start. Enjoy the photos.

Stuffed Puffed Pastry

The great thing about this dish is that you can decide what you want to put inside it. I must thank Elisabeth for cooking for me the last night I was in Innsbruck, Austria. Using the same idea, she prepared a delicious treat that gave me energy for the next leg of my journey over seas. So have fun with what you prepare. Here is the recipe I came up with for the night. (Enough for two meals if your single, or for a family of four).

 

Ingredients:

Puffed Pastry sheet (buy these in the frozen section of your grocery store)

1 lb. Ground Turkey Breast (Jeannie O is my favorite)

1 onion

2 cloves garlic

Olive oil

Fresh basil chopped

Green beans (frozen is fine)

1 can Diced tomatoes (You will only use a bit of this so have a dish to save the rest)

Salt and pepper

Cheese (I didn’t have any in my fridge but I think it would have been nice to add).

 

Place oil in a skillet and heat. Chop onions and garlic and toss into hot oil. Allow to golden. Add turkey meat. As turkey is cooking, toss in half of your freshly chopped basil. Add salt and pepper. Cook thoroughly. 

While turkey is cooking take out the thawed puffed pastry. (If you are single you will only need to use one sheet, for a family use both that come in the pastry package). Place puffed pastry on a cookie sheet and fold out to full size. (I would use parchment paper on the bottom of the cookie sheet in case the ingredients boil over).  Take remainder of basil and sprinkle over the middle section of puffed pastry providing space on the ends to fold later. Then take green beans and layer on top of basil. Spoon diced tomatoes over green beans. When turkey is fully cooked spoon turkey and onion mix over the tomatoes. (Save extra turkey and onion mix in fridge to make a delicious soup the next day). Fold in the edges of the puffed pastry and then fold sides up and pinch to make something that looks similar to a calzone.

Place wrapped pastry in a 350* F oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until puffed pastry is golden brown and cooked.  Serve on a plate and enjoy. I liked it with a glass of wine, but you decide. 

Vegas with the family!

Well, I left Thursday evening with my parents to head for Vegas where my uncle lives. My sister and uncle were waiting at the airport to pick us up. On our way back to Richard's house, I had the experience of eating Popeye Chicken for the first time. Arriving at the house we talked and then had a nice little sleep. Day two was interesting it took some time to get out of the house, but once Rob (my Dad's brother, my uncle) arrived we were talking again and left the house to go to the Santa Fe Casino. No money was won by anyone, but playing Keno with Dad and Shannon was a lot of fun. Day three, the girls (Shannon, Mom, and me) headed out on our own. After a long walk, a rest, we went shopping on the strip, had a makeover done, and then gambled and had dinner at New York New York. Home late at night, we finished the night off with the guys playing pool at Richards house. Day four was the Valley of Fire, a nice drive, beautiful sceanry, and a little hike. Then it was off to the Alliente Casino for a buffett and more gambling. Day five Rob headed out, then the family palyed a bit of "Mazedia," (an Italian game we think one of our uncles made up when he came back from Italy but that the family has loved playing for ages) then just a bit of relaxing in the sun before we went back to the airport to arrive in Salt Lake City with snow (again). No money won on the trip, but we had a lot of fun all the same. Enjoy the photos. (By the way this post was written in March and I am just getting to posting it).

The Inauguration of Obama

Today marks a moment in history for my life and many others. I made a point last night to set my alarm clock so I would wake early. As the multiple buzzers rang there was a part of me that truly wanted to let my head rest on that pillow and forget about turning on the T.V. And then there was that voice that comes every so often saying, you will regret not seeing this. And so my hand moved to the T.V. (which may I state is still not ready for the digital change) and I allowed the words and images to wake me. As I watched our 44th president be sworn in, I couldn't have been happier. To see the man smile like he did made a wait lift from me. Who knows if it is because I was ecstatic to see the change from Republican to Democrat. Or maybe it was just that Bush was leaving. What I do know is that Obama looked elated in times that have become somewhat daunting to the American people. 

So much talk is given by the media, but when it is gradually viewed in your own city one begins to question. I have as late seen more homeless on the street. Just the other day, I viewed two men in clean clothes digging through the massive trash cans behind my work. I wondered how a person could do that, and if I was in the same situation would that be my fate to live. Almost at age thirty the world is just beginning to come into focus. There is still more to learn and much to do. I live a life that I am realizing has many luxuries, but I have no idea where it is going. Obama as president begins to give me a little more hope. I have two college degrees. And yet I can't find a job in my field (the economy showing me its toll). I have a job, but no health care (an irony I still find ridiculous). My bills (including my student loans) take over 80% of my wages a month, and I haven't been to the grocery store in ages. 

And yet, I see hope. Obama was correct. Freedom does come with a price. I enjoyed today, watching the mass of people in D.C. all together, in unity, there to see a historic movement. I would like to say I was there in heart. But now I ask myself what I will do to help. To make change occur. For Obama, though president now, is still just a man. He cannot succeed in what we each want for him. There will be disappointment if we expect him to do it on his own. I acted by voting, I acted by watching his Inauguration, now I have to act to make the changes I see for myself and this country. I am not good at everything, but this year my goal is to release my talents onto the world. I am a writer and a thinker. I am a traveler and a talker. And in some ways, though not officially, I am a teacher. I want to help. I want to act. And so I write this post for anyone to see. Our nation is united today, I hope tomorrow brings the same. My hope for this president and his (first) term is that our country be viewed by the world in a better light. That the economy and business does not take over the needs of people. That our country find the need for all to have health care, because it is a right to live. I also hope, that education be available to those who want it and we work to create jobs that fit each individual. 

But my greatest hope for Obama, and this country, is that he, and we, can maintain that smile and excitement shown all through the nation today. Let the fear pass us by, and may we move forward to helping not only ourselves but others. Change is here if we help it proceed. 

Long Time No Write

Harry and the Potter's and the Harry Potter Alliance motivating people to vote!

New Car. Honda Fit

So it's been awhile since I last posted on this thing. I guess I should do a bit of up dating. Well, after June the economy some what took a dive, and it seems as if the most difficult thing to do at the moment is find a job in my field or my interests. If anyone has ideas or thoughts on how to better this situation please send them my way. Rode my bike for awhile in the summer and now it is cold and wintry so I have begun my hibernation phase of eating lots of food and sleeping extra long hours. Sipping on hot beverages and reading seems to be the activity of choice at the moment. 

So the recap of major events: Saw Harry and the Potters perform at wonderful Kilby Court. Obama became the new President Elect (soon to be President). Went to a few other concerts including the Cold War Kids and a Halloween night with Martin Sexton. Bought a new car. And well, the holidays where great. Thanksgiving cooking was different this year with me behind the stove. Christmas tree was a lot of fun to get. And the cookie party was a blast. The new year was wrung in with many different friends (of whom I all love), and I even gave a few new year's kisses to strangers. 

I know I have forgotten many things, but I guess I'll put them down later. As for now, I give you a smattering of photos for your viewing pleasure.