WARNING: Whiny rant ahead
How does one know when to say, "No, that's enough, I've spent enough time doing this?"
I am chronically wondering if I could have tried harder, despite the futile energy it feels it is taking up. I mean really, how much is too much?
I am also driven by the concern that what if it really has not been hard enough? Physical energy can be quatitatively estimated. Emotional energy can only be evaluated qualitatively, and thereby is looked upon by others arbitrarily, and can be judged as such. I know I shouldn't be concerned what people think about that, but hello, that's me!
Worse yet, how do you know when to come back to it with a fresh mind and try again? I can't help but feel that this emotional/mental fatigue is a consequence of taking a break, and then feeling personally guilted into resuming the battle as opposed to really having cleansed the original incident from myself.
Just feeling mentally/emotionally discouraged (although physically I'm quite wiped as well, but that's another story). I'll get over it. However, I really hate feeling torn between what is enough and what isn't.
*Cross-posted over at my normal blog as well.
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05/09/2010 18:24 #51531
Questions questions questionsCategory: rant
04/25/2010 22:02 #51453
On a roll...Category: food
Can you tell I'm enjoying myself today?
QlinArt
These Vietnamese imperial rolls need a little work. I cheaped out and used typical egg rolls wrappers in lieu of the rice wrappers, which I don't mind too much. However, they definitely need some zing, pizazz, something! I think round 2 will involve introduction of some garlic or oyster sauce, and some chilis.
Between the two dishes today, I have leftovers for virtually the entire week. At least for all my lunches this week!
Man, I'm not even sure if I'll be able to squeeze in some tater tot casserole at this rate before making Scotch eggs this weekend.
QlinArt
These Vietnamese imperial rolls need a little work. I cheaped out and used typical egg rolls wrappers in lieu of the rice wrappers, which I don't mind too much. However, they definitely need some zing, pizazz, something! I think round 2 will involve introduction of some garlic or oyster sauce, and some chilis.
Between the two dishes today, I have leftovers for virtually the entire week. At least for all my lunches this week!
Man, I'm not even sure if I'll be able to squeeze in some tater tot casserole at this rate before making Scotch eggs this weekend.
04/25/2010 16:13 #51449
Lentil flairCategory: food
GENTLEMEN! BEHOLD!!!
I BRING YOU...
SOUP!!!
Lentil & pasta soup, actually!
(Passions to pastry)
Very delicious. This was my second run making this recipe. I was intending to swap half of the orzo in it for barley, but I realized at the last second that I no longer possessed any barley. However, I've been exchanging the lemon juice (which I do not have presently) for lime juice (which I do), and it has tasted just fine as such.
I've recently gained a striking interest in lentils, having tried them for the first time at Amy's Place a couple weeks ago. I cannot believe I haven't tried them before, for as tasty as they are. Regardless, I've lined up a slew of recipes with which to eat them, so I'm hoping they will all be delicious!
P.S. Here's the reference to my introduction (if you didn't already catch it).
I BRING YOU...
SOUP!!!
Lentil & pasta soup, actually!
(Passions to pastry)
Very delicious. This was my second run making this recipe. I was intending to swap half of the orzo in it for barley, but I realized at the last second that I no longer possessed any barley. However, I've been exchanging the lemon juice (which I do not have presently) for lime juice (which I do), and it has tasted just fine as such.
I've recently gained a striking interest in lentils, having tried them for the first time at Amy's Place a couple weeks ago. I cannot believe I haven't tried them before, for as tasty as they are. Regardless, I've lined up a slew of recipes with which to eat them, so I'm hoping they will all be delicious!
P.S. Here's the reference to my introduction (if you didn't already catch it).
janelle - 04/26/10 10:50
Red lentils are different from the lentils you probably made. They start out looking pink/red, but cook down into this soft orange mush. I was completely shocked the first time I cooked them and had to check to see if I had done it right. And they have a different flavor than other lentils.
Red lentils are different from the lentils you probably made. They start out looking pink/red, but cook down into this soft orange mush. I was completely shocked the first time I cooked them and had to check to see if I had done it right. And they have a different flavor than other lentils.
himay - 04/25/10 21:58
Re: (e:janelle) - I can't say that I have. This is my first time really taking a stab at anything "lentils." Is there a pretty distinct difference between some of them?
Re: (e:tinypliny) - I've yet to make it over there, despite my friend's recommendation to check it out. However, I'm quite impressed by the Lexington Co-op's big bulk-pouring containers of them1. I never really checked it out much before, but lentils were one of the items I was not expecting to see!
Re: (e:janelle) - I can't say that I have. This is my first time really taking a stab at anything "lentils." Is there a pretty distinct difference between some of them?
Re: (e:tinypliny) - I've yet to make it over there, despite my friend's recommendation to check it out. However, I'm quite impressed by the Lexington Co-op's big bulk-pouring containers of them1. I never really checked it out much before, but lentils were one of the items I was not expecting to see!
janelle - 04/25/10 21:27
Have you tried red lentils, yet? I cook up a batch of red lentils and then eat with a dollop of yogurt and some caramelized onions.
Have you tried red lentils, yet? I cook up a batch of red lentils and then eat with a dollop of yogurt and some caramelized onions.
libertad - 04/25/10 17:04
That looks good. I think I will try it.
That looks good. I think I will try it.
tinypliny - 04/25/10 16:53
You tried lentils for the FIRST TIME a couple weeks back?!! You are not really from this planet, are you?
(hehehe... Check out spice market/super bazaar someday. They have a minimum of 25 different kinds of lentils and dried legumes.
You tried lentils for the FIRST TIME a couple weeks back?!! You are not really from this planet, are you?
(hehehe... Check out spice market/super bazaar someday. They have a minimum of 25 different kinds of lentils and dried legumes.
04/04/2010 12:41 #51326
All things blueberry (again)!Category: blueberries
Anyone ever tried this wine before? I picked it up at Gates Circle as they were out of the blueberry wine from Niagara Landing. Thinking about popping it open tonight for dessert to finally just try it out.
jenks - 04/05/10 17:10
non-alcoholic, but on the blueberry note- I just saw an ad on TV for an Ocean Spray blueberry juice. Not cran-blueberry or anything, just straight blueberry. I can't wait to try it.
non-alcoholic, but on the blueberry note- I just saw an ad on TV for an Ocean Spray blueberry juice. Not cran-blueberry or anything, just straight blueberry. I can't wait to try it.
dragonlady7 - 04/04/10 20:07
Along with most of Pleasant Valley's line (which includes a delicious, if slightly overpowering, vanilla sherry), it's at Premier in the sherry/cordial/port aisle.
Meads are tasty but not always sweet, though most of the ones you can get in stores are because that's what people expect. Just because it's made of honey doesn't mean it'll be sweet-- but people want it to be, so they make it that way. I've had some wonderful dry meads; generally rather harsh on the first taste, they improve as you drink more, not because they breathe I don't think but more because your mouth gets used to them. Mmm.
I have no blueberry recs but would love to drink more blueberry things, myself!! Mmmm.
Along with most of Pleasant Valley's line (which includes a delicious, if slightly overpowering, vanilla sherry), it's at Premier in the sherry/cordial/port aisle.
Meads are tasty but not always sweet, though most of the ones you can get in stores are because that's what people expect. Just because it's made of honey doesn't mean it'll be sweet-- but people want it to be, so they make it that way. I've had some wonderful dry meads; generally rather harsh on the first taste, they improve as you drink more, not because they breathe I don't think but more because your mouth gets used to them. Mmm.
I have no blueberry recs but would love to drink more blueberry things, myself!! Mmmm.
himay - 04/04/10 19:08
Let me rephrase that. My fingers auto-corrected "many" from "any" in my head. I haven't tried any ports. I'm all for it, however.
Let me rephrase that. My fingers auto-corrected "many" from "any" in my head. I haven't tried any ports. I'm all for it, however.
himay - 04/04/10 19:03
Any idea where I might find that locally in Buffalo? I haven't tried many ports, but I'm all about anything with blueberry in it!
Any idea where I might find that locally in Buffalo? I haven't tried many ports, but I'm all about anything with blueberry in it!
zobar - 04/04/10 13:32
It's probably quite good but, being about half mead, it's going to be a bit different than a full blueberry wine. I've had their 'traditional mead' before and as I recall it was quite good and, naturally, quite sweet.
If you're a blueberry person and a port person but not a stodgy port traditionalist, I might recommend Pleasant Valley Keuka Blue. It's a port made completely from blueberries, and I like it a lot.
- Z
It's probably quite good but, being about half mead, it's going to be a bit different than a full blueberry wine. I've had their 'traditional mead' before and as I recall it was quite good and, naturally, quite sweet.
If you're a blueberry person and a port person but not a stodgy port traditionalist, I might recommend Pleasant Valley Keuka Blue. It's a port made completely from blueberries, and I like it a lot.
- Z
03/22/2010 23:38 #51248
PeekabooMy fridge is loaded with leftovers to feed me through this weekend (and then some, likely).
I really want to make some veggie fried rice, as I don't want my peppers and garlic to go bad!
I never thought I'd get too overzealous on the cooking, but sometimes I forget I'm only feeding one. Ack!
Currently stocked:
Crockpot's worth of beef stroganoff and egg noodles
1.5 casserole dish's worth of homemade mac'n'cheese (I overestimated with the bechamel and ended up having to make a small second dish's worth)
A quart or two of spaghetti sauce (I ought to freeze it), since I finally finished over the leftover spaghetti this morning.
Sorry I haven't stopped around much. As (e:tinypliny) put it, I've got a blog elsewhere. I sort of frequent that more. Oops. *blush*
I really want to make some veggie fried rice, as I don't want my peppers and garlic to go bad!
I never thought I'd get too overzealous on the cooking, but sometimes I forget I'm only feeding one. Ack!
Currently stocked:
Crockpot's worth of beef stroganoff and egg noodles
1.5 casserole dish's worth of homemade mac'n'cheese (I overestimated with the bechamel and ended up having to make a small second dish's worth)
A quart or two of spaghetti sauce (I ought to freeze it), since I finally finished over the leftover spaghetti this morning.
Sorry I haven't stopped around much. As (e:tinypliny) put it, I've got a blog elsewhere. I sort of frequent that more. Oops. *blush*
tinypliny - 03/23/10 00:31
heh.. Sorry for being terrible on the music front. I have been intending to listen to your new stuff for a complete month now but never got Armstrong out of my head.
I guess there is not too much point apologizing when so much water is about the bridge - and the bridge has sort of dissolved and sharks have gnawed through the girders.
I too have a steamy affair elsewhere. ;-) :::link:::
heh.. Sorry for being terrible on the music front. I have been intending to listen to your new stuff for a complete month now but never got Armstrong out of my head.
I guess there is not too much point apologizing when so much water is about the bridge - and the bridge has sort of dissolved and sharks have gnawed through the girders.
I too have a steamy affair elsewhere. ;-) :::link:::
(e:paul): Then I probably got it about the way I wanted it worded. It's a handful of things in my life (work and relationships primarily) that seem to just be wearing me out, and they're all a similar situation of "do I keep working/dealing with it," or do I "just start ignoring it/them."
(e:tinypliny): Unfortunately, my subconscious assertiveness doesn't kick in until sometime after the situation has been dealt with. I've got remarkable after-the-fact reasoning and reactions, but some part of myself doesn't pull it into focus quickly enough in the situation as it's happening. I'm slowly bringing those two together, but frustration quickly sets me back; it's hard to keep my cool together when I need a quick resolve before things make themselves worse.5
Maybe you like repairing your house, Paul? :) Maybe it's like this interest-on-the-backburner that you like but can't justify the time being spent on it and the returns that you are getting.
I have no idea what the focus of your issue is but I could take this entire journal word for word and be talking about trying to repair my house and it would apply perfectly.
You should listen to the small subconscious assertive voice that definitely sounds like the right thing to do.
hEY, your "normal" blog is looking pretty good now. :-)
Now, for some biased answers to your abnormal blog here.
Depends. If you like what you are doing and expect promising results on the horizon, chase it with more positivity. If not, just wrap it up, make the best of it, hunt for more fertile pastures.
If you feel its draining your energy, then you definitely don't like it. Stop. Reevaluate. Wrap up. Start anew.
It's hard enough when you feel out of energy - any kind of energy. Time to step away.
You can't force a fresh mind. If you feel something is promising enough, fresh ideas and way to get them will suggest themselves to you in time - because you believe in the potential of the idea.