"The Shaggs Rock" written by Leetee on estrip.org

05/25/06 04:38 - 70ºF - ID#25636

The Shaggs Rock

This comment has no relevance to your post but rather your user sound. I know you think U2 sucks for whatever reason but I have to say that I think a three year old could create a better avant gard musical composition.

Sorry Lee, I've wanted to get the off my chest for a while.

Are you actually asking why i think U2 suck, or is that just a dis on my taste? If you want to know why i think they suck, i am very willing to tell you. But if it's a dis, then i guess all i have to say about that is those that live in glass houses shouldn't throw rocks. From what you have directly told me about your own taste, you "like everything". I, unfortunately, can't say the same thing... since we have already noted i don't like U2.

As for my user sound -- they, The Shaggs, are not, never have been or will ever be an avant-garde musical group. Check out my journal, (e:LeeTee,159) and

to find out about outsider music or the same journal and

to find out about The Shaggs.

In case you aren't in the mood to, or are so inclinded to be able to click a link, this is part of my journal, (e:LeeTee,159) :

And now, as i type this, i am listening to Philosophy of the World by the Shaggs (thanks to (e:Uncutsaniflush) for downloading it!) and i am loving it so much. How could i not love the atonal enthusiasm!?! How could i not love a song called "My Pal Foot Foot"? I can't! Since the song was inspired by a pet cat, if i ever again have a pet cat, i now want to name him or her Foot Foot.

I would love to hear the 3 year old that you think could create a better avant-garde musical composition. That would so rock!

Hmm... should i have some Wesley Willis as my next user sound?

Oh, and for the record, folks, i still can't hear usersounds (ok, i could if (e:Uncutsaniflush) did his geek thing on this 'puter too), and i thank each and every one of you for mentioning what and who your usersound is when you change it, or just 'cause you want to! :O)

mrmike writes at 03:52:25 05/26/06 - Comment #8217: Sorry I never mentioned it. My current sound is "Never Said I Loved You" by the Payolas. On the hunt of a new tune....

leetee writes at 07:43:28 05/25/06 - Comment #8181: I decided to "make this a post" because, as you stated, it had no relevance to the post you were commenting on. Since you didn't comment to me in private via a post-it note or an email, i thought it might be interesting to have a open conversation about it. I was also curious if your comment to me about the band U2 was a further dis on my taste or genuine curiosity or even just an offhand remark about taste.

I am aware of the dictionary definition of avant-garde, but thanks anyway for writing it out. You said that a "a three year old could create a better avant-garde musical composition" and my only point was that the Shaggs are not avant-garde. Not even by the definition you wrote out. They are rather "out there" (hence the term "outsider music", i reckon), i agree and i can actually understand why the term "avant-garde" might come to mind.

That's what's so interesting about taste. By your definition of judging "music by its effect in moving me spirituallaly, emotionally, or physically", is pretty much the same as mine.. and that is what The Shaggs do for me. I adore the unabashed enthusiasm, the pureness of the energy and i can imagine these teenage girls, encouraged by their father to become rock stars, pouring into their creations with all they have in them. My gut reaction to them is what fuels my taste.

As for Mozart.. i don't know enough about him to comment too much. I liked Mozart well enough, little too... hmm.. how did Gary Oldman say it in "the Professional? Too light and frilly? Something like that. I've always been more of a Beethoven fan.

But, Mozart was creating this avant-garde music at age 5, though? Not 3? Ah, what's a coupla years, eh?

Luckily, taste is all in the eye of the beholder. I have always had sorta off taste. And i don't expect anyone to share it. I guess it would be safe to say if you don't make me listen to U2, then i won't make you listen to The Shaggs. I can't listen to user sounds (no, dear, that wasn't a hint, honest!), so even if your user sound is U2, then i am "safe". I don't know how to turn off user sounds, but i am sure (e:Paul) or some of the other (e:peeps) might be able to tell you how to turn them off (or mine? how does that work?) if you ask. :O)

mrdt writes at 05:58:31 05/25/06 - Comment #8180: Just out of curiosity, why did you make this a post?

But anyway the music I heard whether the band classifies themselves as it or not is avant-garde. By definition avant-garde is described as original - being or productive of something fresh and unusual; or being as first made or thought of; "a truly original approach"; "with original music"; "an original mind." Maybe a lot of bands bang on instruments to make noise and yell some lyrics into the microphone with out any melody, harmony, rhyme or meter. Sure you could argue that a lot of bands lack one or two of those components but the song I just heard lacks them all which makes it "original" and "unusual." Maybe it's not avant-garde enough to be avant-garde, I don't know, just sounded that way.

As far as this music rocking, I have to say that it doesn't do it for me but that's just my taste. I usually judge music by its effect in moving me spirituallaly, emotionally, or physically.

Lastly, at the age of three Mozart's music ability became noticed when he started to create musical composition that could not have been taught to him. At age five he published his first works of Andante and Allegro, which at the time were both considered avant-garde.

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05/25/06 10:22 - 66ºF - ID#25635

Clear up Those Cluttered Patios

Now, smokers no longer have to go outside for a quick drag. Forget about freezing your arse off when you are drinking and need to leave and go out on the patio for a smoke!

A Frosty Brew to Help Smokers Quit?
July 13, 2005

STUTTGART, GERMANY -- How about the taste of combining beer with nicotine?
A new beer has been launched by German company Nautilus that claims to help smokers kick the habit by infusing nicotine into the brew.

Here's the whole story...

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05/23/06 10:08 - 48ºF - ID#25634

Bank Recomendations?

We hate out bank. I would like to say that the time some dude on the phone called me a fucking bitch was the last staw, but no, it was just the beginning. There was also the monthly call for about 6 months that i had to make because they took out 14 bucks too much for service charges. The manager also had the balls to ask my husband why he called when they didn't follow up on a timely issue. So, no more M&T Bank on Elmwood for us...

Anyone have an horror stories for a bank or branch we should stay away from? Or somewhere they are decent?

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05/19/06 07:17 - 54ºF - ID#25633

I'm A Food Geek

Last time we were in Toronto, i picked up a brochure for the Toronto Vegetarian Assoctiation.

Thought it would come in handy next time we are in the city and looking for new or different places to eat. It had a section saying their website had a fast food report. It was interesting to see how veggie friendly some of the fast food places are... or aren't. I saw the section on Subway and thought i would email Subway and ask about the ingredients in the veggie patties they sell here and in some regions. They don't carry them in Canada at all, as far as i can tell. I ended up emailing the Toronto Vegetarian Association and they changed the report slight to read

Subway
Updated May 2006. Leette emailed us to say: "Here in the US, in some random locations ... there are veggie patties."
I called their toll line, (800) 888-4848, and was told that they are testing these new products in rotating locations. Some Toronto locations are carrying them. The two new additions are the Gardenburger that contains cheese and egg white and the VegiMax that contains egg white. Subway emailed us the ingredients. There is no mention yet of the new veggie products on their website.
They have a vegan Veggie Delite described as: "a crunchy combination of garden fresh lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers, onions, olives and pickles and your choice of condiments served on freshly baked bread. It's like a salad sandwich." All of Subway's breads are egg and diary-free except three cheese breads that contain rennet of unknown origin. Their special sauces all contain egg yolk and/or milk ingredients except for the fat-free Sweet Onion Sauce. Their cookies all contain egg and milk products but are otherwise vegetarian.
See the AllergenChart.pdf (Canadian version at AllergenChartCAN.pdf) and ingredient list (Canada | US) for more information. See their website for more regions. You can call them at (800) 888-4848 to request more veggie options in your home town.

I also have another phood photo essay for ya'll. Yesterday, i tackled another one of my food fears. I have always wanted to try to make homemade lasagna. I know, some of you might think it's not that challenging to make. Well, for some reason, i was scared of trying and we always ate frozen ones. Not anymore. I must say, i am rather proud of the fact that, wihtout a recipe and just some basic ieads, i made a very yummy vegetarian 3 cheese lasagna.

And emptay pan, some dry noodles and a jar of sauce (well, you didn't think i was going to do the whole thing from scratch, did ya?)

The vegetables...

And the chopping begins...

Boiling noodles... i thought about a no boil recipe, but i just wasn't brave enough my first go round.

Oh, how clever; i just thawed the frozen spinach using a measuring cup and some of the boiling water from the pasta...

Noodles done.

Let the sauteing begin...

The 3 cheeses -- Low Moisture Mozzarella, Aged Provalone and Pecorino Ramano from Guercio's.

Ready to assemble. Cooled noodles, cooling veggies, cheeses and tomato sauce.

Assembled lasagna and messy kitchen (thank you again, (e:Uncutsaniflush) for being my chief bottle washer!)

Gotta let it rest for at least 5 minutes, more like 10 before cutting into it...

Finally. After about 3 hours, we can eat my creation.

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05/18/06 06:19 - 53ºF - ID#25632

Rocking Chair, e:Matthew?

Are you still looking for a rocking chair, (e:Matthew) ? (E:Uncutsaniflush) and i saw this one today and i didn't know if you would be interested or not. It's an unusual chair, and of course my photo hardly does it justice. Anyway, we saw it at a place called Niagara Frontiers (is that what it was called, Dear, you know how i am with names!) at the Summit Mall, if you're intereted, (e:Matthew) .

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05/16/06 07:59 - 57ºF - ID#25631

The Cabbage Roll Caper

Today at lunch, i mentioned to (e:Uncutsaniflush) that i would be ok with making something for dinner that requires use of the oven. Since we don't have a/c, i tend to make dishes that don't heat up the entire kitchen (and the house) come warmer weather days. I thought about making my vegetarian shepherd's pie.

Then, he came up with a brilliant idea. Cabbage rolls! I have never made them, so this would be a team effort. I needed (e:Uncutsaniflush) 's memory of helping his mom.... since we decided to go with her stovetop method, and not the method my grandma used (which she got from my grandpa's Ukrainian side of the family, most specificly, my great Auntie Mary). I called my mom with a few questions about how grandma did some things (she promised to send me a recipe, and i will try her way some time in the future) and (e:Uncutsaniflush) did some online research...

Off we went to Guerico's to get cabbage... and a few other things we needed or wanted that had little to do with tonight's dinner.

A side note on Guercio's. They had fiddleheads!

I wish i took a picture, but i didn't.. no one there, but the guy behind the counter and me and (e:Uncutsaniflush) even knew what they were. Oh, how i heard way too much about fiddlehead hunting when i was in Halifax!

OK, so, here goes... a photo essay of our Cabbage Roll caper....

Behold, the humble raw cabbage head.

And the rice cooker beginning it's cooking.

Chopping onion for the filling.

Boiling the cored cabbage in salted sugared water.

Partially cooked rice.

Pot lined with celery ribs.. and Boca, the "meat" part of the filling.

Assembled filling of "meat", rice, sauted onions and seasonings.

Boiled, deviened cabbage leaves ready to be rolled.

Action shot!

All ready in the pot.

After about an hour on the stove.

My plate of food.

(E:Uncutsaniflush) 's plate of food.

Half eaten pot of cabbage rolls.

Yuuummmmmm......... all done.

All things said, i think we did damn good. They were yummy and the cabbage was nice and tender. Next time, more salt...

hodown writes at 08:49:42 05/19/06 - Comment #7882: Those look seriously good, and they are rooled so nicely! Awesome job.

theecarey writes at 10:31:53 05/16/06 - Comment #7823: (e:libertad) --We actually call them Pigs in the Blanket too!

libertad writes at 10:13:21 05/16/06 - Comment #7821: Great post! I had to call my mother to ask her about this, because I remembered she used to make them. Now she hates cooking and I had to beg her to show me how to make them when I go to see her for Memorial Day. She called the dish Holupki or pigs in a blanket. I thought the pigs in a blanket were the little cocktail weenies with croisant rolls baked around them, but I was wrong. She got the recipe from my Great Grandma Swartwood. I'm going to ask my Lithuanian Grandmother if she has a recipe too.

twisted writes at 10:02:21 05/16/06 - Comment #7819: That is awesome! My Dad's wife, Jean (maybe I should refer to her as my step-mom here, but for reasons I have absolutely no basis for, I'm not ready for that yet) is making a family recipe book for her grand-daughter who is getting married next month. It includes all the traditional family recipes for Thanksgiving and Christmas, plus other family favorites, with pictures of the family member most associated with certain recipes. It's a great idea as a gift for someone about to become the head of their own household. Jean is really good at stuff like that. I have a feeling from her side of the family it may seem "pushy," but from my perspective, I can appreciate it. Isn't that always the way?

My family put together a family recipe book about 10 years ago which I still refer to. Jean is definitely taking it to the next level. Maybe by the time my niece gets married I'll be ready to take on the challenge. ;-)

kara writes at 09:21:30 05/16/06 - Comment #7817: Have you thought of using celery seed to enhance the celery flavor? Or instead of more tomator soup, a fresh ripe tomato or some canned diced tomatoes?
I am a closet food network junkie.

leetee writes at 08:46:09 05/16/06 - Comment #7816: Sorry to make you hungry, (e:Kara). They took about an hour, maybe an hour and a half for Walt and i to make them... but we didn't make that many... I got to rambling, so i emailed you our basic recipe. :O)

I don't know how to spell Polish words either, (e:Theecarey)! I wish i had a childhood memory of having or making cabbage rolls. My mom does, though... and i pumped her for info today!

Veggie Shepherds Pie just uses meat substitute, (e:Metalpeter)... like the Boca stuff in my pictures of the cabbage rolls. It's made from wheat and soy type stuff.

metalpeter writes at 08:33:54 05/16/06 - Comment #7815: Even though you didn't make it I love Shepards pie. What is better then ground beef covered by potatoes. It is hard for me to imagine a vegatarian version of that. As much as I try I just can't seem to grasp what it would be. I know at the verry least I would like the potatoe part.

theecarey writes at 08:15:41 05/16/06 - Comment #7813: Yum! Looks good, Lee :) We have gulumpkies (sp) once or twice a year. Actually, my mom makes them and I eat them, as she has been a vegetarian for 15+ years. While the meat alternative is good, this is the one time I truly prefer ground beef or turkey. As she used to eat meat cabbage rolls, having it any other way just isnt the same for her, so yeh, she usually makes it just for me. I need to learn the recipe and how exactlty to make them.
Making cabbage rolls is a fond childhood memory--and its really quite a process!! The whole house would smell of cabbage and we would make so many that that is all we'd eat for days (and giant platefuls at that!)--but not complaining, hehe.
Its a great cold weather food, so I better try to make some (with guidance of mom) before it gets hot out there!!

kara writes at 08:12:21 05/16/06 - Comment #7812: Those look incredible, and relatively easy to make. What seasonings do you use? Are they a leetee-family secret? And why does the sauce look tomato-y?
You made me hungry again and I just had dinner.

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05/15/06 08:38 - 56ºF - ID#25630

Gather Here

Everyone is doing it, so why not me? I wanted this song as a user sound, but my ripped mp3 was too big *pout* so i thought i would put it in gather, for those who are interested. One of my favies. (just so ya'll know, the song starts kinda soft like, but it will get loud and obnoxious if you give it a second). Good ole 1990's punk

Gather: 0966795001147739604

L7
Can I Run?

Are these sensible shoes on my feet
I wear my shades so our eyes don`t meet
I`m scared every fuckin` day
I wear my headphones so i can`t hear what you say

Can i run

Switch to paranoid from having fun
Will he use his hands, knife, or a gun
Knuckles are white, wrapped around my mace
Comes from living in a terrorist state

Can i run

When he`s following me
He`s not my brother, he`s my enemy
Is he behind the door or in back of the tree
Is he under the bed, is he in the back street

Can i run

So, instead of L7, (e:Uncutsaniflush) helped me with another song... My Pal Foot Foot by the Shaggs. :O)

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05/15/06 12:36 - 55ºF - ID#25629

what i know

isn't really a whole lot.

i have been told my whole life that i am too sensitive. recently, i was told that i am too sensitive for my own good. even more sensitive than the person telling me this, much to her amazement. being sensitive has lead me down unusual paths. i don't fit into the norm.

i know i overreact when i am hurt. i don't know how to act like all the people that have this all figured out. very rarely have i turned to someone and told them they hurt me. it's not that i don't think my feelings are valid or worthy. i just don't know how to do it. i don't want my reaction to be out of proportion. nor do i want to shut down.

the positive side to this is that i am also quick to be happy, to laugh, to jump for joy, to applaud and to just say 'yay'. i love being happy for other people just as much as i love being happy for myself. not always the norm, either. i can be the first to make a move to be silly in a room full of somber faces. i make an ass of myself in this regard. regularly.

lately, i have been wondering how much of who i am has affected my friendships. i don't have many. the few i have, i have had for a long time. i don't make friends easily. i am awkward. too guarded or too exposed. too wary. too talkative. or too silent. and, of course, too easily hurt. without the ability to handle the hurt well. i can also come across as too enthusiastic. too passionate about things others may see as mundane. my priorities might seem disproportionate. i don't know how to reach out in a way that makes sense to every one else.

i love the friends i have with every fiber of my being. their joy is mine. their sadness i share. my bestest friend in the whole wide world is also my biggest fan. i am fortunate that he is also my husband.

that's what i know right now. who knows what i might know in the future.

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05/12/06 07:41 - 67ºF - ID#25628

Beautiful Day!

Oh, how i hate to quote Bono (sorry, U2 fans out there.. can't help it, i think they suck, but i hear they are really nice guys), but it is such a great day out today. Nice cool breeze with a warm sun. Those are the kinda days that make me think of spring!

We had some errands to do today. Mostly, we needed to go downtown to pay our User Fee bill at City Hall. This time, we wanted to make sure we did not do it last minute, when everyone else is there. And, avoid lunch hour. Another big mistake. We also decided, on such a nice day, why drive there and back. Why not take the bus? We're right between 2 routes that would get us there in about 15 - 20 minutes.

City Hall was all decked out with tables selling what we assumed to be Mother's Day crafts on the main floor hallway. Nothing much there for my mom... and i already got and gave her the gift she's getting (dvd of the film The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill

).

We thought about going up to City Hall's observation tower. (E:Matthew)'s pictures inspire me to want to face that fear of heights i have. But alas, it is closed due to construction...

We hung around for a while, trying to figure out why there were so many cops and firefighters milling about, not letting cars drive on certain streets along Niagara Square. Eventually, i asked someone. Seems the courthouse received a bomb threat today. Yipes!

We walked around a bit. Too early for an (e:peep) sighting of (e:lilho) at a hotdog cart. But we were getting hungry. (e:Uncutsaniflush) mentioned a restaurant that sounded cool... "california mexican", i think is what he called the cuisine. After eating there, i agreed. It's on the corner of Chippewa and Delaware, street level in the Hampton Inn. Called Salsarita's. I had the most giantestest burrito i have ever seen (in real life.. but it looked similar to one i saw Ozzy eat on an episode of The Osbornes). Veggie choices are plenty, as are all menu options. I think that's their shtick. The place got packed. And, when i looked them up later while at home (yeah, i know, (e:Paul) i could have done it on the go if i had the right mobile device!) it turns out they aren't Californian at all! Place started in Charlotte, North Carolina.

I should have taken pictures, but i didn't think of it until mine was almost half gone!

We walked some more, and decided to head to the bus stop.. and the one we ended up at was a mere block away from the restaurant... and had choices. We decided to take the next bus that came. Either the Elmwood or the Grant. One is way closer, but we thought the extra walk wouldn't do us any harm if the Elmwood bus came first. And it did. We even had an (e:peep) sighting, but i thought it would have freaked out the whole bus if i yelled out "Hey Matthew!!" the tiny window up top.... Only took us 15 minutes to walk from Elmwood and Bird down to our place between Grant and Niagara.

After putting our feet up for a bit, we decided to do a bit of yard work before the promised rain storm gets here. Thank goodness we packed it in and had dinner or we would still be out there toiling.

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05/11/06 07:06 - 63ºF - ID#25627

Pug Pics

As i mentioned in my last journal, (e:LeeTee,173) i pug sat today... her human isn't home yet, but the poor thing just couldn't relax here, so i brought her back home so she could nap.

Anyhoo, here are pics...

Smart dog took an immediate liking to (e:Uncutsaniflush) !

She does this cute pose... i think she is used to being photographed!

And this cute lil head tilt when she hears something new (like maybe (e:Uncutsaniflush) playing his guitar) or something she likes (like the word "out").