tour guide preparation

I had confirmation today that family will visit over the next holiday weekend, and I am so stoked. We'd already talked about a couple of things to do, but now that the schedule's firming up, I'm starting to mentally put together a basic agenda. Now, keep in mind she's been to DC before, many years ago, some of the obvious stuff we can skip. Except the memorials as the WWII memorial wasn't up when she was last here, so we'll go see that. And I thought today that her trip might be a good time to finally go up into the Washington Monument...something else I haven't done in the last four years.

Other options? While scoping out the Spy Museum, I saw this thing for Spy at Night, which might be kind of cheesy, but for visiting family, it might be the right amount of cheese. And then of course there's Georgetown, and some of the other neighborhoods that she may not have seen while last here doing mainly touristy type things. And of course...dinner at my favorite Ethiopian place. That's a type of cuisine that I don't think has hit her city yet.

I know, I know...I have time. But it's a lot of fun to plan. It's a good chance to also do some things I haven't done before, like that Spy at Night. I'm open to other suggestions as well!

what's in a name?

So the Sears Tower (which has not housed Sears for over a decade) will soon be...ok, will probably still be known as the Sears Tower, but will technically be the Willis Tower. Reading this article yesterday, I got to thinking about name changes for landmarks. The article even mentions that it could take about 20 years for the new name to catch on. And chances are, that will happen after a huge ad campaign, otherwise...people would probably just keep referring to it as the Sears Tower.

Two years ago when I was in Montana, I'd learned that the Big Mountain ski resort was to be renamed to the Whitefish Mountain Resort. Why? I don't think I got a confirmed answer to that. But the few people I talked to still referred to it as Big Mountain, and said those they knew would as well. I even saw some signs that had been posted that said it was still Big Mountain, or something to that effect (hey, it's been two years!). And then there was the oh-so-clever "The Mountain formerly known as Big."

I don't think the mountain got any smaller.

And then of course there are city changes, or country changes...what brings on these changes? Especially in instances where one name may be so ingrained in our minds that it's going to take an investment of time and money to make the change. Words of wisdom?

"Even Old New York was once New Amsterdam.
Why they changed it I can't say
People just liked it better that way.

Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople"

-Istanbul (Not Constantinople)
They Might Be Giants

writing playlists

Last night I put together a playlist (though incomplete as I still have some CDs to go through), that would help with the mood while rewriting some scenes and making some edits. And...so far I have to say that it really does help. I've sorted through some songs while working on one particular scene...and was able to really get that scene to convey what I wanted. Or so I think, anyway.

Here are some of the songs I've found particularly useful:

Mummer's Dance - Loreena McKennitt
Diamonds and Rust - Joan Baez
Fable - Robert Miles
Before I'm Dead - Kidney Thieves
Truly - Delerium
Is This Real? - Lisa Hall
Standing Still - Jewel

This is just a sampling, of course. And I think a few of these will probably show up in other playlists for other books. I've always listened to music when writing, except if I've gone out to Starbucks for a little writing sessions. And I've found that when I'm home, I definitely get more writing done listening to...the right kind of music.

While going through a bunch of these CDs, I also came across some really fantastic songs that I haven't listened to in awhile. I'm really looking forward to putting those on my iPod for the week.

I'll just have to try to refrain from singing aloud with some of them.

baseball

I went to a baseball game this past week. Nationals vs. Reds. And though it was a pretty uneventful game by sporting standards (at least until the rain delay was over, but I didn't stay for that), it was still fun. And for the most part, the rain held out until the ninth inning. There was a spurt kind of early on where I did pull out my umbrella for a little bit, but it wasn't bad.

I went with my writer's group for a break away from our normal meetings. And no matter the sport, I've since learned that there is something to going to a sporting event with several friends or family, or friends of the family. It's being up in the stands, with all the fans, the classic fanfare foods and yes, even the oh-so-classy beer in plastic bottles.

I have not been converted to baseball though, I feel a little sorry to say. But it is not for want of trying! This was my fourth game. I've been to two Rangers games back in Dallas, although I guess in all fairness I should say I don't remember a whole about those. And then I went to a Nationals game at RFK shortly after moving here. Perhaps if I had someone explain everything to me, much like the last Cowboys game, I'd understand the game better and enjoy it. Although...baseball doesn't strike me as confusing as football. Sorry. It looks like a pretty straight forward game.

I know, I know. What do I know?

But the real question. Would I go to another one? Yeah, I think so. With the right people, of course. And hopefully without the rain. Do you know strange rain looks though when you look up at it falling down when you're pretty high up? It was kind of cool, the first time. But then later on when it came in torrents...not so much.

Who's up for a DC United game?

sunday morning

Mmmm....I love the smell of fresh basil. I was buying it for a different recipe, and knew I would only need a small portion of the bunch I was buying, and so I ended up buying a couple of different items for different recipes to use up more and more of the fresh basil. I would have to say that's one of my favorite herbs.

And not a bad way to start out a day. I feel almost like I'm giving away a secret, but grocery shopping on Sunday morning is really one of the best times to do it. The store isn't very crowded so there's no rushed feeling. I was able to get a lot of great fresh fruit to try a new recipe: Fresh Fruit Parfait with Lemon-Poppy Seed Yogurt. Not a particularly difficult recipe, but perfect for Sunday morning. That along with an iced vanilla coffee...can we do Sundays more often? I'd vote for that.

In other news, I have a couple of book recommendations coming up. I finished up The Count of Monte Cristo the other day, and I have to say it didn't take me as long to read as I first thought. Probably because it's so incredibly good you just get sucked up in the story and the time just flows by.

rain

If I'm not mistaken, all this rain we've been having really should have come in April, right? We had quite a bit of rain in May too, and I remember thinking that it went "April showers bring May flowers," not the other way around. Last night I thought it wasn't raining when I left the office, but it poured. Thankfully, the rain came in light, thin sheets.

At least until I was halfway home and the skies opened up. I even stopped a few minutes under an awning. I had my umbrella, but really at that point, it wasn't doing any good.

To say that I was drenched would be an understatement. And of course....the rain practically stopped just a few blocks from home.

Complaining aside, the thunderstorm did make for a very enjoyable evening once I was home with the windows open and changed into dry clothes made specifically for lounging. And the rain is great also for beauty. Did you go out around DC last weekend? Everything was so green and absolutely beautiful! I took some of the best photos, I think, that I've taken of DC in awhile. Several other times it's been a little overcast, or the colors weren't as vibrant, or what have you.

I have some photos up from last weekend. I had initially planned on just going to the Freer and Sackler Galleries for their new exhibition, but after that I ended up walking around the tidal basin and then down around the mall. I don't think it's supposed to rain this weekend, so I'm looking forward to being out again. But if the rain can just hold off or take a breather on my way to and from work today, that would be wonderful.

reading aloud

It's one tip I've heard numerous times to help one improve one's writing. Read it aloud. This will give an idea of how it sounds and if it flows more. We read things silently one way, but then when read aloud, it may sound as natural as it could.

I haven't read much of my own work aloud. I have read aloud sections in my French books or some French poetry when I'm trying to improve my French. Similar concept, I guess. It helps me speak some French without necessarily thinking about it. But my own work is something a little different.

I feel odd reading aloud in the privacy of my own room (why, I don't know...it's not like anyone can hear me). Maybe it's because since there's no one listening, I'm strangely aware of the sound of my own voice. But it's helping. I've read a few paragraphs of a short story that always seemed ok in my head, but reading them aloud...well, it's making me rethink the word order. And maybe this is a good exercise. Maybe by the time I've finished reading through the short story, the sound of my voice won't seem so foreign and I'll be able to conquer the book.

Maybe.

And it'll be interesting to see how the short story reads once I've made some edits based upon hearing it read aloud.

weekend

So, how was your weekend? Mine? Well, only one way to describe it, really.

Do I need to say much more? Do I wish I was still there? Yeah.

I spent a few, too short days at the beach on the Gulf side of Florida this weekend for my best friend's wedding. There was no question of going down there, really, and not just because it was the beach, but because this is a friend I have really known all my life...for about 20 years. When I thought about it...I can't remember not knowing her.

Having friends like that is really a great thing. The internet has made staying in touch much easier. You can drop a quick email, chat or trade facebook messages. And since facebook and MySpace and all of that has become so popular, I've reconnected with many people I knew in high school and even before that. Which is great. But this stuff didn't really get very popular until near the end of my college days (back when certain universities belonged to facebook only), but my friend and I stayed in contact then. We talked and of course saw each other in breaks from school, even though we were about 1,500 miles apart with our respective schools.

And you know...on that, I have another friend of mine, a college friend, who I have not seen in about five years. And we stay in contact by phone (*gasp!* imagine that!). Sure, we're friends on these online networking sites, but rarely do we trade a message that way. There's really nothing like catching up, and every time we talk, either with her or with my friend who was married over the weekend, it's like we'd just seen each other. Even though the last time may have been six months ago, or five years ago.

I started off writing about my weekend and then ended up talking about how great it is to be in close contact with my two really good friends. But I guess that's the great thing about stream of consciousness. And though the internet has made staying in contact so much easier, there's still something to be said for working towards that contact by phone or letters. I don't know...it's just...it's nice. And it's worth that extra step of a phone call or taking the time out to write an actual letter.

But back to my friend's wedding. In a nutshell, the wedding was beautiful and it was so very much my friend. She is a very laid back kind of girl, and the beach ceremony really fit with that. We lucked out and the weather was incredible! I'm so glad I was able to make it down to the beach, not just for a very nice change of scenery, but to share that special day with her.

And it was a pleasure and an honor to have been asked to have been a part of it.

korbel and bittersweet music

The past two years when I've been back home for the holidays, I've seen the Korbel commercial many, many times. And every time I watched it, I just thought "wow...I love that song."But of course, I had no idea what it was. Yes, the greatness of the internet meant that I could probably find out what it was had I really had my heart set on it.


Only, I didn't think about it whenever I was around a computer with an internet connection. I thought about looking up whenever the commercial came on, or at random moments if I heard a song that sounded somewhat similar.

So this takes us to last night. I was watching an episode of Moonlight (since Anne Rice back in junior high, I've always had a thing for vampires) and there was this song that I thought, "wow, this is a great song. I wonder what it is." And since I was on my computer, I did a quick search for music from Moonlight, and eventually stumbled upon the details: Mating Game by Bittersweet. I downloaded the song from iTunes and, when it finished, sat down to listen to it.

And after the opening, I realized it was the song from the Korbel commercial.

And that made my night.

48 hour film project

I know...it's been awhile. But it's also been a little busy, but in a really good way. In mid-April, I went to visit some family further out in Virginia, and, like last time, incorporated some sight-seeing into the trip. One stop was something that, also like last time, I had apparently seen when I was little but I have no recollection of it. Surprisingly that was Luray Caverns. The other place was new to me, and that was Madison's home, Montpelier.

I hope to have pictures up soon. I've been working on editing through them the last couple of weeks when i had some free time, and also resizing some of them so they're not quite so huge. There are a lot. Mainly of Luray, and I'm weeding through them. I mean...how many pictures of stalactites do you need?


So last fall I wrote about working on a film for one weekend, and how much fun it was to do. And I was really looking forward to doing it. Last weekend the 48 Hour Film Project took place in DC, on a slightly tighter deadline than the National Film Challenge, but just as much fun.

It started on Friday night and I got the basic outline of a story after about an hour's worth of brainstorming with the cast and crew, and then I was sent off on my own to write a story. No pressure, right? It was really good, because during some of the writing period I'd chat with our Director and DP and others in the crew and we'd flesh out the story some more, and ultimately I was really happy with the story.

I will say that I wish I'd brought my camera with me! I meant to, only forgot early Saturday morning as I was getting ready to head out to filming. We had some really cool locations that have sparked some other ideas. And again, it's just so interesting and a lot of fun to watch the process of a film getting made, and also to be a part of the process.

I just have to ask if there's going to be another one before the fall? Anyone?

baking on a holiday

Maybe it's all those Christmas and Easter dinners, but even when I don't have somewhere to go or other people to cook for, I still feel the need to spend time in the kitchen. Granted, I do like spending time in the kitchen anyways, experimenting with new ingredients and trying out new recipes, along with working with tried and true ones. And today was no different.

Firstly, I started out with a long-promised recipe for my office: Fried Nutella Ravioli. The result? Yum. Oh, so yum. Speaking with some friends, I said that I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out, and that I should haven't said anything about bringing it in until I knew how it turned out. But as someone pointed out...it's fried and it's Nutella...how could it not turn out? Too true.

And not to worry. It turned out delicious, if I may say so. I did forget the garnish of fresh mint leaves, and while I think it tastes ok without, I can imagine that the fried ravioli would taste even better with sugared mint leaves. I think the mint would add a nice crisp, freshness.

Other than preparing the ravioli, they didn't take too long to cook and definitely didn't make a mess. I was a little concerned about the hot oil splashing, but I guess I used a deep enough pot. A little later in the afternoon I had another project: a coffee cake with dried apricots, pine nuts and sliced almonds. I've made this once before, and loved it. I thought this time around I would make it for family, since I'm going to see them in a few days.

I haven't tried it yet, but it came out of the oven looking nice and toasted on the top. And I'm hoping it will taste like the last time. If it does, then I'm sure the family will enjoy it with some coffee. Hope you all had a nice Easter Sunday as well!

western review

So last weekend I watched Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid after having the film recommended to me by someone I know and trust. And his opinion didn't disappoint. After watching it, I have to say that for the most part, I really enjoyed it. I have only one real beef with the film, and I'll get that out of the way first.

There's this scene with Etta and Butch riding around on a bicycle (the new invention of the future!), and I had a problem with the pop music playing over this montage: "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head." Ok, so granted I just looked up the song, and it was written just for the movie and won an Oscar. It just...it didn't really sound very Western. And so that really kind of took me out of the movie for a little bit.*

But that was really about it. Otherwise, the banter between Paul Newman (Butch) and Robert Redford (Sundance) was excellent. And Redford had such a presences, even though he maybe only said about ten words throughout the movie. Ok, maybe a few more. I'd like to say more, but I'm curious first. I was told that after I watched it, I would be informed of a bit of trivia about the movie and Butch and Sundance. So I think I'm going to wait for that.

One more movie I can now say I've seen. You know how there are just some movies that you feel you really should have seen because it seems like everyone else has? I've been going through a lot of the "classics" that way on my Netflix list. Some have been absolutely terrific, and others...well, not so much. But we'll see what kind of trivia I learn now that I've seen it.

heat

I turned on my heat last night, for the first time in awhile. I've been enjoying that crisp, coolness that spring winds bring, but last night...I don't know, it was a little too cool with a little less crispness.

And what was this about possible snow flurries last night? I heard that just as I was about to fall asleep and tried to juxtapose snow flurries with that beautiful warmth and sunshine that we had over the weekend. Hmmm....

I have this slightly lighter but still warm trench that I've been wearing (well, except over the weekend when I didn't need a coat at all!), and I'd really kind of like to put it away for good. At least I haven't needed my wool coat again (knock on wood).

Growing up I was all about the cold weather. I wanted more of it. But that was before I moved somewhere where it's cold for slightly longer stretches than I was used to. Now I'm all about the sunshine and the warm weather. Is there anything better? Well, with that caveat that the humidity stays away. If I'm going to spend a lot of time outside, I'd rather not have my hair frizz.


*As an edit, when I looked over the blog, the bottom page is all about snow. What a difference a month makes. And how different that looks!

2009 Cherry Blossoms

I spent yesterday first down at the Japanese Street Festival and then around the Tidal Basin to see the cherry blossoms, despite the crowds. The festival was larger, and more crowded, than I'd expected. I've been down there for the Turkish festival in the fall, which occupies less street space. But it made sense, the size. So many people are in town for the cherry blossoms and the cherry blossom festival. But after checking out the festival some, which had some great jewelry and paintings, and then also had a fun karaoke tent and game tent (no...I didn't sing), my friends and I head to the tidal basin to look at the cherry blossoms. With all the people at the festival, one would think the tidal basin wouldn't be so crowded, but...you'd be wrong. It was packed! And it was beautiful weather, for the most part. There was some business with the wind, but that was bearable. Although it did make it really, really cold when I headed home after some sushi and sake. I survived though.

I can't recall if I went down to see the cherry blossoms last year. It's one of those things when you're not around, you can think that you can miss them. And I mean this, of course, as a very general you. You've seen them once, you've seen them all kind of thing. At least, that's kind of what I've been thinking leading up to this weekend. I've gone down and seen them at least twice. And did I really want to brave the mad crowds to see them again?

Would I do it again next year?

Yeah, I would. Because they're beautiful! And next year I'm going to take a little picnic. I would have been happy to just sit nearby with the sun pouring through the pale pink petals, the wind rippling across the water and maybe, if the wind blows just right, some of the music from the stage set up in front of the Jefferson Memorial. It's one of those things that I really should take advantage of while I live here. I don't have to plan a trip far in advance to ensure a decent ticket price or to find a hotel room and rent a car, all of that.

And it was also one of those weekends when I just kind of thought "huh...I'm really lucky to live here."

Now granted, that may change during another unbelievably hot and humid summer weekend, but for now as I'm sitting here looking through pictures of cherry blossoms with my window open and my apartment only slightly chilled, I enjoy it and can wonder why I would ever want to leave.

westerns

I have homework this weekend. And no, it's not homework from any classes I'm taking. I graduated a couple of years ago, and while I have taken some language classes since then, I'm not taking any currently. I have homework from my father. Hahaha...and yes, I'm grinning while I type this.

Hmmm...I guess I should explain.

I spoke with him last weekend and got to ask a few basic questions about basic military organization. Long story short: I had a very brief question about injuries and a wounded man receiving water that I was curious about and while receiving my answer, I figured I'd ask a couple of other questions I was curious about. I was in the last 100 pages of The Naked and the Dead and it really helped with my understanding. Anyway...somehow we moved from that to Westerns.

And apparently the one Western that I have to see, and haven't yet, is Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. And there will be some trivia information I hear after I watch it. So...like a dutiful daughter I have netflixed the movie and will watch it probably tomorrow night or Saturday evening.

You know what? I'm really looking forward to it too. I actually had it on my netflix list awhile back, but took it off after my list was far too incredibly long (I like shorter lists because I like the feeling of making progress while seeing the numbers drop...don't ask). So this was a really good reason to put it back on there.

I'll let you know what I think about it. I mean...it's a Western with Paul Newman and Robert Redford. And it comes very highly recommended from someone who's opinion I trust, especially with movies. I'm already thinking I'll like it.

So...I guess it's not really homework, is it?

spring?

Wow. What a beautiful weekend. Were you out enjoying it? I definitely was. Sure, I had some errands to run, but I was also out just walking around aimlessly for awhile before those errands. Spring is still kind of a new phenomenon to me, kind of like fall. Though I'm now on my third spring, technically. In Texas we had...maybe a day or two. And since there wasn't this period of about three months (give or take a couple of weeks) at least of really cold weather...those days weren't as appreciated.

But regardless...isn't it so nice to be out and feeling the sun on your skin? And the sun with that nice, cool, spring breeze. Ok...I'd rather spend most of today outside as well. Or the next several, but there will be plenty of time I'm sure.

I definitely wasn't the only one. The restaurants with sidewalk areas were nearly all spilling over into the streets with people waiting for tables. And there were many more people out than I've been used to seeing.

Hope you were able to enjoy it! I'm already looking forward to next weekend to spend my afternoons outside again. Assuming it's nice again.

St. Patrick

Ah...so Tuesday is the glorious, great green day in March when so many people are Irish (either to get a kiss or to not get pinched). But much like Valentine's Day...there's not a lot about tomorrow that's actually related to the saint. Ok, maybe Ireland. And shamrocks...and by a stretch with the two of those...green. Any snakes going to be out and about tomorrow? And what do snakes have to do with anything?

Ok, that last one I still haven't quite figured out.

From what I've gathered, not much is known. There are, of course, a few basic facts that can be attributed to, let's say a year...give a take a couple. But one thing that has been established is that St. Patrick's first introduction to Ireland was as a slave. From a Roman family, he was kidnapped from Britain and taken to "Erin" to herd sheep. During the six years of his slavery, he turned to religion to help him through, and the legend says he had a dream that told him to leave for the coast, which he did, and there he was able to convince sailors to take him back to his family. Shortly after, he began his ordination studies.

After becoming a bishop, he was sent back to Ireland to spread his religion. And this he did successfully, in part, some argue, because he was so familiar with the people, their customs and their language due to his earlier enslavement.

Forty years later...he died on March 17, 461.

May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.

More on St. Patrick:
The man behind the green beer and myth
St. Patrick Catholic Encyclopedia
Saint Patrick Wikipedia

silence...

So after posting my snow pictures I kind of disappeared, but not by any means on purpose. You see...several hours after posting my snow pictures...my laptop died. And was dead for about a week. Somehow over the weekend my friend brought it back (yay!). He says it in part fixed itself, but considering how it didn't fix itself Tuesday, I'm still giving him credit.

I've been a little afraid to get started on some writing since it was brought back to life, waiting for it to pass away, for real this time, at any moment before my new one reaches me and gets all set up. But it's a cold, overcast day...one of those great days for writing. Plus, my writer's group had some great suggestions last week that I'd like to play around with.

I do need to run to the store too. With St. Patrick's Day coming up I'd like to continue my fairly new tradition of making some Irish soda bread. I make mine without raisins, though I'm a little curious to try it with raisins. And in honor of the day...

Health to you and yours; to mine and ours
If mine and ours ever come across you and yours,
I hope that you and yours will do as much for mine and ours
As mine and ours have done for you and yours.

snow

Ok, so yesterday I'm talking about gelato and how I can't wait for it to open so I can get gelato any time I want (is my joy at this new venture coming through yet?) and then it snows, taking my mind far off ice cream of any kind.

But it was so nice to have an unexpected snow day, and then of course to hang out at home, where it was warm and enjoy the snow falling. Though of course, I didn't do that for too long. I did somehow manage to convince myself to go out around and take some pictures. Though it was a little too cold to go all the way down to the mall again and take pictures in the snow.

And the best part was coming back home, changing into warm sweats with my heat cranked up and making some hot chocolate from Williams Sonoma. I was tempted to go back to ACKC, but at that point I was already closer to my apartment and was cold! Besides, I hadn't made the Williams Sonoma hot chocolate in awhile, and I could make that from the comfort of my own kitchen.

Anyway, it's back now to editing and writing. I'm working on editing a chapter that I think I'll submit to my writers' group, and then I've also had a story in the back of my mind that I'm kind of playing around with. It's still YA, but it's different from the series I'm working on, and so far I really like the two main characters. Who knows, maybe I'll have a chapter for my group for thoughts.

ask and you shall receive

A few people who know me know of my love for gelato. Ok, even if you don't know me, I think I've mentioned it here a few times. However, there really aren't any gelateria places in my neighborhood, at least not that I've found. There are several relatively nearby, but a metro ride away and something that would take planning. Not waking up or hanging out in my apartment and thinking...hmmm...I'd really like some gelato right now.

And yes, I can and have bought some delicious gelato from Whole Foods, but it's not the same thing.

So imagine my delight when walking home the other night I happened to look into a tiny little store and seeing the sign that some gelateria was opening soon.

It will be a very exciting day when it opens. Yes, to reiterate, it is the little things in life.