Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

A friend and I went to the MLK tribute last night which was really good. Sounds of Blackness did the music and Paul Rusesabagina spoke about his experiences in Rwanda. His story inspired Hotel Rwanda which is an excellent movie if you haven't seen it. In honor of the holiday, here are a few pictures from last year when I was en route from New Orleans to Minneapolis over the King weekend and stopped at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. It is the Lorraine Motel where Dr. King was assassinated in 1968. Overall, a really good museum although there is a wing about the assassination which I don't like because I feel it doesn't honor King in any way but rather glorifies James Earl Ray and is a little too CSI style.






In other news, it's been COLD. They say it's been the coldest that it's been in five years but I feel like it's not that insane. I think that's due to the fact that I don't need to walk much and can stay home quite a bit. I have been going to the gym but on Wednesday I officially became one of those crazy people that goes for a run when it's below freezing. We had run club and our coach Cory ran with me and it wasn't half bad. We only did two miles because of the cold but it was definitely tolerable. Everybody looked a bit crazy when they came back with frozen eyelashes and such but overall, a good night. I'm still debating doing the Frozen Half Marathon next weekend and I probably won't decide until a day or two in advance based on the weather and other outside factors.

Cooking

I'm guessing that you're sitting down but if not you should do so now because after a lot of pushing from friends and lots of consideration by me, I used my stove! I know it's a novel concept for me but one I've been considering for months and finally did. For Christmas I received a baking dish that I could use and a Target card so I went grocery shopping the other day. I have been reading Animal Vegetable Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver so I couldn't bring myself to purchase meat from the grocery store so I went to Local Dlish which sells farm fresh meat, produce and other locally made items. I purchased chicken on Thursday which is when it is delivered so I know it was walking around just a day or two before on a farm which is much better than having shared a 6x8 room with 1000 other chickens. I used a recipe I found online and it turned out pretty well. I did have to run upstairs to steal some pepper from Mandy after I realized that I had two containers of salt and zero of pepper so that will be an item to add to my list of future purchases. At long last, after almost 2 1/2 years in my apartment, the oven has finally been used! i was even on a roll and made some muffins afterwards that I had a mix for. Fiber One Apple Cinnamon and they turned out too (although baking hasn't ever been a real problem for me anyway, I just never do it).
I know that for most people this stuff isn't blog worthy but for anybody that knows me, it's earth shattering! Have a great day!

2009

Oh my gosh, I didn't realize it had been so long since I had updated the blog. I called this "notquitedaily" for a reason but not quite monthly is ridiculous. I guess it was right before New Orleans that I last posted and then I just got a little crazy with work and now without work. I had been doing contract work and due to the economy, the company I was working at had to let all the contractors go so as of December 19, I am without an income. With the holidays it wasn't the worst timing but now I'll be getting probably a bit stir crazy as the rest of the world gets back into the routine and I am without one. Well, I can't say I'm without a routine as I have the gym and television. I'm definitely addicted to both.
New Orleans was great as usual. The food is unreal there. Luckily we did a lot of walking so we didn't gain too much weight. We also worked with St. Bernard Project for two days which was a lot of fun and very rewarding.
Yes, I know I need pictures. I'll get some New Orleans photos loaded up and post them soon hopefully.
Oh, a recommendation for a book and author: I got a Barnes and Noble gift card for my birthday (thanks Erika)and picked up Barbara Kingsolver's "Animal Vegetable Miracle" and (like everything she writes) it is awesome. Definitely makes a person appreciate the farmer's markets even more. I also gained some kitchen items (thanks Amanda) and am going to try to take up a bit of cooking. I need some ingredients first so I'll be heading to Target sometime in the next few days after I look at a few recipes. I'll definitely keep you posted on that as that's a whole new adventure for me.
Happy 2009!

Off to NOLA

Today I'm heading to New Orleans with two friends for the Thanksgiving holiday. We are doing a few days of volunteering for the St. Bernard Project, running a Turkey Day race, sightseeing and of course, eating... The food there can't be beat. I'm hoping to go out for Italian tonight to a great restaurant I went to last January. I don't remember exactly where it is or the name of it but I think I can find it with just a little guidance from the B&B owners. Here's hoping! Happy Thanksgiving!

Veteran's Day

A few years ago I read an article about an American going into a small country church in France that was especially poignant. A woman asked if he was American and when he said yes, she said thank you. He then noticed that she had been at a very well cared for memorial that said something to the effect of "In honor of America and in gratitude to her and her 50,000 sons who now and forever rest in France." (I know the number is off but it was a big one.) I have searched for that article and cannot find it anywhere but wanted to share the sentiment. The story above is about a new Canadian tradition which I thought was really nice. Brian Williams and NBC News do a good job I think of honoring the soldiers. Williams especially loves sharing stories of Medal of Honor recipients on his blog.

In more mundane news, I'm very excited because I purchased cross country skis yesterday and I start lessons tomorrow. The first few weeks are dryland training and then around Thanksgiving time we hope to have actual snow. It's something that I've always wanted to learn how to do so I'm excited that this winter I'll get the opportunity.

I've also been continuing my training for the Frozen Half in January. Yesterday we did six miles which felt great for the most part although a little Tiger Balm really helps too. I learned about Tiger Balm when I was in Cambodia on a cycling trip and knew that it was hard to find outside of Southeast Asia but luckily our world is more global because you can now get it at Walgreen's. I can feel my muscles tingling right now from it. Nice!

A New Day

I think this video speaks for itself. I love the message and wasn't sure about the song at first but now I can't get it out of my head.

GO VOTE!!!