Ben-Hur

(Eric has hijacked Jessie's blog as she sleeps through the 2nd half of Ben-Hur.)

In high school, we watched Spartacus in World History class. In fact, we watched it for weeks because our teacher, Mr. Seymour, had a habit of nodding off, and when he did, someone would invariably get up and rewind the video. Lest ye think public school failed me however, note that Jessie got to watch not only Spartacus, but Ben-Hur, in Catholic school. And she was paying extra for that education.

Anyway, I'm catching Ben-Hur for the first time during TCM's Oscar week. And I have to say... its pretty much like Spartucus without the Kirk Douglas chin dimple. Which, strangely, I mean in a good way.

Sound Guy

Tiny Magnet groupies tonight! Thought I'd post now in case we don't get back in time to post before the day is out. They've decided to have an early show since all their friends are old though. :) Love it.

I am sort of forming a thing for vintage music in Spanish. I especially like the old school Mexican stuff, but my Spanish teacher just decorated the walls in old Spain Spanish record covers and it thrilled me. I got a list of people to look up. I know. I'm getting more less cool.

Easy Peasy Wonton Soup

I swiped this recipe from traderjoesfan.com. I thought it was most tasty:

Saute half of a medium yellow onion in some canola oil
When translucent add,
1-2 cloves garlic, chopped
1-2 Tablespoons of fresh ginger, julienned
Cook another minute.
Add 1 box of vegetable broth
When hot, turn heat down to simmer
Add
1 bag Chicken Cilantro WonTons, frozen
1/2 cup frozen peas.
Slow simmer till heated thru about 6-8 min.
Garnish with Soy sauce.

Gong Bath

Allison put out an invite to a gong bath at the studio where she does yoga. As you may know, I cannot pass up trying new things.
You: What's a gong bath?
Me: Pretty relaxing (though I discovered that I may be the only person on Earth who doesn't like the sound of the gong). You lie on the floor and a gong player goes to town for a good while. It felt like a slumber party (especially when people started snoring) (and I swear someone was eating Cheetos). LK said it felt like a church lock-in (but with a gong) and then she flicked me in the arm.

A little homemade writer's retreat with LK this week.

Sandwich loaf with pickled cheese?
A sturdy jello mold?
But what to eat when the sun don't shine?
But what to eat when it's cold?

The warehouse club, condensed and stacked,
Sells pop-top cans in a group.
Salt and milk and rubbery bits
It's cream of mushroom soup.

One can of water, one gas range stove,
One carefully licked lid.
It's not just the glue in a casserole
It's for adding Saltines and for being a kid.

J.H.
February 21, 2010

Things I might have taken a photo of today:

1. A whole family of deer passing through our backyard
2. A catfight at Costco
3. Adam's tasty (and beautiful) calzones
4. The boy scout going door to door collecting toilet paper (for a food pantry) for his eagle badge
5. A big white classic mobster car picking up the bride and groom after a wedding at the church behind our house

But I didn't. I need to get motivated again.

Speaking of laughing

I just got off the phone with my friend Mitch. He wanted to bounce around some ideas he has for his comedy sketch writing class. And I tell you what. I just spent the last half hour in stitches. I think he said that his show will be up at Second City several Fridays in May. Folks, in May, hit Second City on a Friday.

Can I just say that the show Modern Family makes me laugh things through my nose. It's classicness happening right in front of us.

Good Mail Day

Got the cutest little handmade panda from Sarah H. today.

Mugs

My valentine and I went to see "American Buffalo" at the Steppenwolf today. I thought it was stellar. Not to mention that Tracy Letts (Pulitzer Prize winning playwright) was in it. (Fun!) I even snuck a photo of the set which I also thought was stellar. It was all junk store and "there's nothing out there." I hope you can see it someday.
Over and out good buddies. Sweetheart dreams to you.

Many thanks to the lovely Cristin for treating me to tea at The Drake today. It was a perfect, sunny (albeit winter) day for good company, a hot cup, and a brisk walk in our beautiful city.

Did I mention that the Valentine's Day barbecue is cancelled?

Sometimes I get spammed in the comments of this blog. The spam has been getting better and better. But this new one takes the cake.

"Yes indeed, in some moments I can bruit about that I jibe consent to with you, but you may be inasmuch as other options.
to the article there is even now a definitely as you did in the downgrade delivery of this beg www.google.com/ie?as_q=privacy shield 3.0 69 ?I noticed the utter you have in the offing not used. Or you use the dark methods of helping of the resource. I possess a week and do necheg"

I was kindly invited to a "Women's Enrichment Morning" at the retirement home where I teach memoir classes. I was touched that they invited me (especially since I didn't quite fit in due to my lack of white hair) and I had a lovely time. The morning ended with lunch. Right away I noticed that in the dining room every place was set with what I thought was a piece of cake. I declared to anyone who would listen that "It's my kind of people who are smart enough to begin a meal with dessert!" My dear lunch companion (Viv) whispered to me that it was probably sandwich loaf. Sandwich loaf. Let me repeat that. Sandwich loaf. It was the single most awesome lunch I've ever had. It was not the tastiest. Not the most refreshing. Not even remotely the most swallowable. But I was delighted to be eating something that could have only been invented in the 50s. I tried so hard all during the meal to not pull my camera out that I couldn't even hold a normal human conversation. But I won the battle and only let my finger twitch toward the zipper on my bag and alas, this photo is just stolen off the internets. But it looked exactly like that. And just seeing a photo of it again makes me want to toss my cookies. In the most glorious way.

My dear (not so) old dad took this photo and sent it to me today. It is a.) hilarious and b.) a taste of what is headed to Chicago. I don't know whether to laugh or to cry.

#40

Something else I love about winter is Sam Adams Winter Lager. It really is my very favorite beer. They should put it out in summertime too. And I think 40 is enough stuff to love about winter. I think I'm out. I'm breaking up with winter now.

Can't talk now. Things are getting serious around here.

Hats off to Adam for this find. Now if only we could get Wes to direct every summer blockbuster. An understated The Incredible Hulk with a few poignant slow motion scenes and a good soundtrack might have done it for me. You could even keep Edward Norton.

Oh Springtime Where Art Thou?

Just got back from the church choir Christmas party. I know it's almost Valentine's day. But I think they have it right. Christmas is way less stressful when it doesn't take place at Christmastime.

There were two men having drinks in a bar.
One said to the other, "I think I lost an electron."
"Oh really," said the other, "are you sure about this?"
"I'm positive."

Dear Andrea posted to me today THIS clip from Project Runway where my long lost twin is currently a shining star. Every so often someone tells me I look like so-and-so and I'm like yeah sure I guess so. But this one actually gave me the whoa dudes.