Journaling on estrip is easy and free. sign up here

Theecarey's Journal

theecarey
My Podcast Link

12/18/2009 17:46 #50597

Less than a week
I'm behaviorally inconsistent this time of year. There aren't any expectations or traditions, so I'm pretty much a free agent when it comes to holidays. Even so, there is less than a week left and here are a few thoughts..

  • I like informal- laid back parties. I remember having some events last year that were more "uptight". I'd prefer to pretty much avoid that experience more often than not. I can blend in, have a "nice" time, but I am always happy it is over; like I had been holding my breath the whole time. As for the atmosphere of other parties, time is irrelevant and it is usually a surprise how much time had passed since arrival. Laughs are genuine, conversations and interactions feel authentic and later, I remember how grateful I am to have such cool friends and acquaintances
.
  • I put up a small tree and a few lights if only to light up the long evenings. I also like sparkly things.

  • I have my shopping done, but I only had a few people to buy for and that is never a stressful thing; usually just the traffic annoys me and the frustrated feelings emanating off of people. The perfect gift is something you want to give someone, not reading and scrambling around for something off of a "christmas list", right?

  • I have however, bought myself stuff. I don't get out to shop, really don't care for it, but once I am out (for others), I am much more inclined to buy for myself. Bought a bunch of movies at various places and some music. And lip gloss, of course.

  • I was going to make cookies, but I really don't need to. I'll just eat them. I'm so done with eating.

  • I mailed out some Christmas-holiday-festivus cards. It has been a couple of years since I last did that. I realize that I do not have addresses for snail mail. It took a little digging and asking around to get what I needed.

  • Still no snow. There are a few very light patches, but mostly still green. I wonder if that is what is needed to feel that holiday vibe?

  • Watched a few holiday themed movies. I think that is one of my favorite things to do. I really like, and own, Elf and The Holiday. There are others, but I have to rent them, which might be something to do this coming week.

  • tried a scalp massager (like that seen below). It is such a simple thing but feels so good. I bought one for my step dad, but I'm going to go back to the store and buy a couple more (one for me!).

image

  • Sherlock Holmes movie comes out on Christmas- if my plans are light, that might be something I go see.


How are your preparations coming along? ready?
tinypliny - 12/19/09 10:29
So is this in the "Beyond" section?
tinypliny - 12/19/09 10:12
I want to make cookies with you and (e:Heidi) - you two are the best in the trade! :-D
theecarey - 12/18/09 21:19
I get the giggles every time I see Buddy jump at the Christmas tree. Ferrel does well with this movie.
theecarey - 12/18/09 21:18
book link, trying this again:

:::link:::
theecarey - 12/18/09 21:15
(e:Lauren), I have not been accosted by any women at the mall, but if the chance arises and I see someone out to molest my scalp, I may enthusiastically allow it. :)

(e:Tinypliny), I bought the multi pronged scalp massager at "Bed Bath and Beyond" (for cheap!) Seriously, who wouldn't want one? Other gifts were more specific to the person- ie; books, jewelery, movies, household items.

oh hey, speaking of books, (e:MrMike), that book..http://www.buffaloheritage.com/audieu.html
"AUDieu: Buffalo Says Goodbye to the Aud" is at Barnes and Noble. There is also another cool WNY book by what appears to be by the same publishing company having to do with our weather (can't recall the name). That was fun to look at.

(e:Jenks), I would be inviting myself over to make cookies with you. It is fun and relaxing to make them. Giving or receiving cookies/goodies as gifts is great- it is fun to see what other people came up with.

(e:metalpeter) -I've never made or eaten fruit cake. Stores have already dropped prices on all that wrapping stuff, so go grab your tape and paper!
Going to the movies on Christmas is cool. Awhile back, for several years a few friends and I would meet up for a late movie and Dennys run, after the long day of family stuff.
metalpeter - 12/18/09 19:51
What no drunkin fruit cake making aw man, HA.

I need to finish up shopping after work and before hockey might get interesting but it is at two places so hopefully it will run smooth, think I still have paper from last year but need lots of tape and who knows what else really.

I really want to see that new Sherlock Holmes movie that might be a great idea of something to do after gifts. don't feel like going to anyone place really. Well unless of course there is some big making fruit cake get together,HA. Part of that is I know I'm going to have to work Sat. after Christmas. Hey 5 days work can't happen in 3 days really.
mrmike - 12/18/09 19:12
Skipping the cards, but making plans to see Holmes
tinypliny - 12/18/09 18:29
Where do get these massaging million legged gizmos? What else did you get for people? I LOVE listening to what people get - because the lazy part of me just goes and gets the exact same things for people them. Heheheh
jenks - 12/18/09 18:23
I am totally with you on the scalp massager. Those things are awesome.

I also agree about what the perfect gift is. I had so many ideas running around my head- but was wondering will they like it? do they need it? do they want it? And in the end decided a gift should be some little luxury that someone probably doesn't need, and would probably never buy for themselves- but would love to have. So as much as they may need/want a new winter coat- that is not the kind of gift that warms my heart. But I do love being old enough that I get more pleasure out of giving than receiving.

I was going to skip cookies for the same reason (do not need all that butter and sugar sitting around staring at me), but have now decided that they will make a good (cheap, yet personal) present for the zillion people that work in my office. And, I kind of like making them.
tinypliny - 12/18/09 18:15
Oh man, are you sure that is a scalp massager and not some disguised basement devil - because it sure looks like one!

And don't you love that scene when he presses ALL THE 56 (or whatever) buttons on the elevator because they light up. Hahaha Oh, and of course the mailroom dance!
lauren - 12/18/09 17:49
did you, by any chance, have an attractive woman with an accent accost you at the mall and molest your head with the scalp massager? if not, you should try it some time!

12/17/2009 00:14 #50582

battery powered christmas lights?
Where do I find those little strings of Christmas lights that are battery operated?

(e:matthew), I think some of your ferns have a set?


Thank you!



theecarey - 12/18/09 17:13
Thanks, Matthew!
matthew - 12/18/09 14:27
Mine came from walgreens. $3.99. I know that the walgreens near my house still has them.
theecarey - 12/17/09 23:49
when I first asked, I didn't know what kind of lights, just that they are battery operated. Then I went to a couple of stores, and I saw that most were the regular "christmas lights" style and there were a few that were teeny tiny, probably like what you mentioned. Target had a bunch of colored strands of battery operated Christmas lights. Then Rite Aid had some tiny ones. Craft stores would likely have had more options a few weeks ago as the stores are scant now.
jenks - 12/17/09 16:19
Like the teeny-tiny "rice" ones? If I remember right (which I may well not) I got mine at Michael's crafts a couple years ago.

12/15/2009 18:29 #50569

Filming Henry's Crime Street Closings
FYI!

Thought I would pass this information on as it might impact your commute somehow. Filming has begun on the movie, Henry's Crime. There will be street closings over the next few days in downtown Buffalo. For those curious, it will be a secured area with nothing to see.

Scenes for the movie "Henry's Crime" starring Keanu Reeves will be filmed at Main and Huron Streets on Wednesday, December 16th and Thursday, December 17th with a possible alternate date of December 18th. It will be necessary to suspend inbound and outbound train service between Church Street Station and Fountain Plaza Station between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. each day. Shuttle Bus service will be provided between Main at Church/Church Street Station and Main at Chippewa/Fountain Plaza Station. Trains will operate between Erie Canal Harbor Station and Church Street Station and between Fountain Plaza Station and University Station. Delays in schedules will occur both above around and in the tunnel on the dates and times noted above. The Niagara Frontier Transporation thanks patrons for their understanding and patience as they work to minimize delays during the filming. For more information, visit .

Street Closing Information: Huron Street between Pearl and Washington will be closed throughout the day. Pedestrians access to Main Street in the vicinity of Main and Huron will also be impacted. Please consider leaving additional time for your commute and travels through Downtown Buffalo on these days

.


metalpeter - 12/17/09 19:42
You Know what would be awesome is if they called the bank Gold Dome, in the movie. Yes I get that it might get confusing since that isn't the name of that anymore since they got baught out or what ever that was called but that would be a cool thing to do. The other thing is please someone from Buffalo take him to Club Diablo. Yes some movie was filmed there recently but unless you got there e-mails or followed their blogs you would have never heard about it. What a great place to Film A Horror Movie or at least use all the Diablo stuff then put it in the background.
mrmike - 12/16/09 10:03
That's perfect. Been on a few movie sets previous and that is a real apt description
theecarey - 12/15/09 21:40
(e:janelle), I hope your client is alright with the temporary change. Hopefully it won't throw him off too much.
tinypliny - 12/15/09 20:03
"For those curious, it will be a secured area with nothing to see"

Damn, that feels like a blunt knife twisted into my curious head. How did they know I was THAT curious?!!
janelle - 12/15/09 19:50
Yes, I found out about this today. I'm really annoyed. A lot of my clients take the metro rail. One of my guys just recently learned a route using the metro and this will totally confuse him.

12/14/2009 21:48 #50560

Eat Your Cake (edit)
At last nights potluck, a visually interesting chocolaty creation by (e:james) made me think of intestines. Please tell me there is a picture?

EDIT: YES! There is a picture of james' cake (snagged from (e:paul,50562)):
image

It was yummy! :)

Anyway, I quickly came to this conclusion as I had just been looking at pictures of tauntauns for (e:theecarey,50519) and had also found pictures (google images) of tauntaun themed cakes. (Just go with me here). Which brings me to..

I love Star Wars. I love Cake. But as a combo...?

(ok, sure. why not?)

image

image

image

and as a wedding cake!
image


theecarey - 12/15/09 21:30
Oh yeh, and (e:pyrcedgrrl) made me a dirty kitty litter cake was for my birthday a few years ago. No, four years ago. Wow!
(e:theecarey,35793)
:::link:::
theecarey - 12/15/09 21:25
Thanks, Peter. I just saw Paul's journal with it. I am adding the pic to this journal.
metalpeter - 12/15/09 21:21
That Is distrubing but no where near as much as that Kittie litter cake that was it you who made that for an (e:strip) event? I think Paul posted a Picture of it and if I ever finish reading journals tonight my pictures will go up in a few minutes.
lauren - 12/15/09 11:41
um, wow. :)
jason - 12/14/09 21:55
I'll take some fetus, please! Good photos.

12/12/2009 00:52 #50542

Sea Urchin
I was going through and organizing my phones picture files and looked at a bunch I had forgotten about. A bunch were from late summer. I know I still have some picture back posting that I want to do.

I share this picture only because it was truly a first time experience for me and my dinner date. I want to immortalize my only picture of it here. My quick conclusion is that I know I will not be ordering the following again.

So... sea urchin?
Have you ever had "uni"?
or when in Maine, "whore's eggs"?

What do you think of it- like it?

Uni are the two bottom pieces (from my phone, vague pic and colors are off):
image



Uni (oo-nee) is the Japanese name for the edible part of the Sea Urchin. While colloquially referred to as the roe (eggs), uni is actually the animal's gonads (which produce the milt or roe). Uni ranges in color from rich gold to light yellow, and has a creamy consistency that some love and is off-putting to others. It is nevertheless one sushi item that is in incredible demand around the world, which is reflected in its price. Sea Urchins are a rare treat for those who acquire a taste

.

above taken from:

I'm open to trying almost any sort of food if it is in front me. I ordered this out of curiosity and really didn't know what to expect.

The texture of this was bizarre. I don't even remember how it tasted.

First, it has an outer appearance of the texture of a tongue.
Second, once placed in mouth, you would think that chewing on it would make it smaller.
No. Mastication only made it grow. An intact custard-like swelling. And that right there is what turned me off.

Sadly, I am not part of the population that finds this to be a rare and exquisite treat. However, I do look back on the experience fondly.

google snagged images of sea urchin/uni
image

image
jbeatty - 12/12/09 09:13
Uni is downright disgusting when it is even the slightest bit old. I think that might be part of why many people don't like it. I really need to be in the mood to enjoy it. Given the price I usually abstain. Hamachi kama (yellowtail collar) on the other hand is one of my favorite things to eat, especially when the skin is crispy and they bring eel sauce.
jenks - 12/12/09 08:55
Yeah, I had uni once, and was not a big fan. We went with an older japanese guy from work and he ordered for us. He explained that uni is like a big deal fancy delicacy, but that not everyone likes it, and then watched, eagerly, as we tried. We all smiled politely and went "yum" but really- not so much.

The other thing he ordered us though was tuna cheek (hamachi, maybe?). It was delicious. He said it's often not on the menu, but if you ask for it they'll have it. (it's literally the cheek (equivalent) of a tuna. If I remember right, they bring out part of the head, and it's cooked, and you pull the meat of the bone. not as gross and disconcerting as you might think.)
paul - 12/12/09 01:43
It is the one sea thing I really do not like to eat. Who are the people that really enjoy it?