True story.
A women is visiting her mother in the hospice. Her mother has been fighting the good fight against multiple myloma and is on a strong cocktail of pain killers. The daughter who has been by her bedside for the last year goes to see her before going out that night. Before she can even ask her mom about how the day has gone, her mom looks at her and says "you going out in that". And they spend the next 10 minutes fighting over her outfit, as they have been doing since she was 16 and her mom stopped buying her clothing.
We can't change our mothers. They are our mothers. Life gave them no instruction book when they had us.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
HFCS
I have been on a cable high this weekend. TV TV TV. Its lovely.
Until, I saw these:
Just disgusted.
Until, I saw these:
Just disgusted.
Friday, September 26, 2008
tgif...i feel like poo
Seriously, this was the hello I got from Cherry over messenger this morning. One I read it, I had to concur. Its been a long week.
I had the Omani now Aussie Kleins over. Tuesday I met them at Kerry's house. At one point in the night we were sitting around the dinner table, and I started to do mental head math.
Lee, Kerry's husband, I met freshman year of college - 15 yrs
Pam, college roommate, I actually met in eigth grade - 19 yrs
Jason, Pam's husband who I went to private school with, I met in seventh grade - 20 yrs
Kerry, old church friend, I met in 4th grade at sunday school - 23 years
Just crazy to know people this long. And when we get together, its like no time has passed. Pam and Jason just live down the street, not in Brisbane. I'm the real me. I tell my stories about being pranked by 8 year olds and thinking its a booty call and the toilet with the dryer. We make fun of old people we knew in college. It was great.
We figured out when I could come to visit them. I fear it might not be until 2010, but they will be there for while. They went through a big lifestyle change. In Oman, Pam had a maid 3 days a week and drove an SUV. Now in Brisbane they only have one car and their choices were all diesel or hybrids, and the maid comes every two weeks. I think she is still trying to figure out her way around.
So, I stayed up late talking with them Tuesday and Wednesday. Last night I got home and was so drained I put my head down for a short nap. I woke up 3 hours later. Needless to say, last night I did not get to bed until 2 am. I was just not sleepy. Now I'm paying for it!
One thing I have to say is that Jason gave me some wise words of advice that I'm keeping with me. I need to live more for the moment and not always be so thrifty. "Life is too short to live for Ikea shelving". Yes. I agree!
I had the Omani now Aussie Kleins over. Tuesday I met them at Kerry's house. At one point in the night we were sitting around the dinner table, and I started to do mental head math.
Lee, Kerry's husband, I met freshman year of college - 15 yrs
Pam, college roommate, I actually met in eigth grade - 19 yrs
Jason, Pam's husband who I went to private school with, I met in seventh grade - 20 yrs
Kerry, old church friend, I met in 4th grade at sunday school - 23 years
Just crazy to know people this long. And when we get together, its like no time has passed. Pam and Jason just live down the street, not in Brisbane. I'm the real me. I tell my stories about being pranked by 8 year olds and thinking its a booty call and the toilet with the dryer. We make fun of old people we knew in college. It was great.
We figured out when I could come to visit them. I fear it might not be until 2010, but they will be there for while. They went through a big lifestyle change. In Oman, Pam had a maid 3 days a week and drove an SUV. Now in Brisbane they only have one car and their choices were all diesel or hybrids, and the maid comes every two weeks. I think she is still trying to figure out her way around.
So, I stayed up late talking with them Tuesday and Wednesday. Last night I got home and was so drained I put my head down for a short nap. I woke up 3 hours later. Needless to say, last night I did not get to bed until 2 am. I was just not sleepy. Now I'm paying for it!
One thing I have to say is that Jason gave me some wise words of advice that I'm keeping with me. I need to live more for the moment and not always be so thrifty. "Life is too short to live for Ikea shelving". Yes. I agree!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Best bathroom in Dallas
This topic was of such importance, I had to give it a blog of its own.
Sunday night at Tei An, after 2 or 3 Ichibans, I had the need to use the facilities. I walked over to the entrance by the bar, and this women was just standing in the doorway in semi-shock.
She looked at me and exclaimed "Have you ever seen those before?" And then pointed to the stalls. The doors were glass. You could look through and see the toilet. She was in shock. She said "someone can see you."
I immediately knew what was up. I had seen these doors on CSI Miami. For once, my addiction to this show paid off. I told her they were special glass and demonstrated. When you locked them, the glass immediately fogged up, and you couldn't see through.
So, that mystery solved. I went into one stall, locked the door, watched the glass fog up, and turned around to the toilet. It looked different. I sat down and noticed under the toilet paper roll there was some sort of control panel. Of course I had to start pushing buttons.
First, I discovered the seats heated up. Granted, its september in Dallas. So, this option is not necessary at this time, but I kept thinking this would be lovely December.
Secondly, I began playing with the "wash" buttons. Lets just say the toilet has a sprayer and you can push buttons that have it spray from different angles. I had fun with all the angles, but eventually it got old. So, then I turned on the dryer.
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A TOILET WITH A DRYER??
Crazy.
I looked it and it was a Toto. Totos are the cadillac of toilets. This thing is their Escalade. Amazing.
Of course after I was done, I went to the very cool sink with the spigot that had a sensor and turned on and off by itself etc.
Overall, an absolutely fabulous experience I would gladly do again.
Sunday night at Tei An, after 2 or 3 Ichibans, I had the need to use the facilities. I walked over to the entrance by the bar, and this women was just standing in the doorway in semi-shock.
She looked at me and exclaimed "Have you ever seen those before?" And then pointed to the stalls. The doors were glass. You could look through and see the toilet. She was in shock. She said "someone can see you."
I immediately knew what was up. I had seen these doors on CSI Miami. For once, my addiction to this show paid off. I told her they were special glass and demonstrated. When you locked them, the glass immediately fogged up, and you couldn't see through.
So, that mystery solved. I went into one stall, locked the door, watched the glass fog up, and turned around to the toilet. It looked different. I sat down and noticed under the toilet paper roll there was some sort of control panel. Of course I had to start pushing buttons.
First, I discovered the seats heated up. Granted, its september in Dallas. So, this option is not necessary at this time, but I kept thinking this would be lovely December.
Secondly, I began playing with the "wash" buttons. Lets just say the toilet has a sprayer and you can push buttons that have it spray from different angles. I had fun with all the angles, but eventually it got old. So, then I turned on the dryer.
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A TOILET WITH A DRYER??
Crazy.
I looked it and it was a Toto. Totos are the cadillac of toilets. This thing is their Escalade. Amazing.
Of course after I was done, I went to the very cool sink with the spigot that had a sensor and turned on and off by itself etc.
Overall, an absolutely fabulous experience I would gladly do again.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Tei An
Sunday night, Adam took to a private dinner for his Japan America society at Tei An. I guess they are usually closed on Sunday, but they opened up for this group. I knew it was located in the new Southland building, but was unsure exactly where. We parked across the street and found it easily.
Walking in, I immediately loved the space. It kind of reminded me of the Kimball. I am a big fan of when architects are about to make concrete beautiful. Louis Kahn mastered that as did Lloyd Wright. We actually discussed this a bit over dinner.
Anyway, the space is small, but they have used it well. Very minimal with ambient lighting. We went to the bar area first and discovered they have Kirin Ichiban on tap. Score 1 for Tei An.
We mingled a bit and found a good spot to sit in one of the half booths. We perused the menu and decided upon onigiri and tempura for appetizers. I was set on not having any sushi that night. I eat that all the time.
The onigiri was delicious. I devourced my two quickly. We had the seaweed and the smoked salmon. Adam liked both, but he thought the smoked salmon was a bit strong. Next came the tempura. We had the combination which consisted of shrimp, mushrooms and mixed veggies. Shrimp tempura is always a test for me. Some places really make it too oily. Both Adam and I agreed this was the lightest/best we had had in a good long while. The tempura mushrooms were my favorite. I never see that. Unfortunately, I ate this green thing I assummed was squash but was actually a pepper. Much Ichiban was called for to wash that down.
Next came the curry udon. We meant to specify soba but we god udon. I'm not complaining. It was delicious. The broth alone was bowl licking worthy. I didn't, but I wanted to.
We splurged on dessert and got the black seasame mouse and this chocolate lava cake kind of thingy. It was a very light cake and it had this odd white filling. It was delicious, but I kept referring to the filling as goo. No clue what else to call it.
Overall a very very good meal. I need to go back and actually partake of the soba, since it is a soba restaurant.
But I just have to say, if you ever go there, go to the bathroom. It is seriously, the best bathroom in Dallas. SERIOUSLY. But I will save that story for later.
Walking in, I immediately loved the space. It kind of reminded me of the Kimball. I am a big fan of when architects are about to make concrete beautiful. Louis Kahn mastered that as did Lloyd Wright. We actually discussed this a bit over dinner.
Anyway, the space is small, but they have used it well. Very minimal with ambient lighting. We went to the bar area first and discovered they have Kirin Ichiban on tap. Score 1 for Tei An.
We mingled a bit and found a good spot to sit in one of the half booths. We perused the menu and decided upon onigiri and tempura for appetizers. I was set on not having any sushi that night. I eat that all the time.
The onigiri was delicious. I devourced my two quickly. We had the seaweed and the smoked salmon. Adam liked both, but he thought the smoked salmon was a bit strong. Next came the tempura. We had the combination which consisted of shrimp, mushrooms and mixed veggies. Shrimp tempura is always a test for me. Some places really make it too oily. Both Adam and I agreed this was the lightest/best we had had in a good long while. The tempura mushrooms were my favorite. I never see that. Unfortunately, I ate this green thing I assummed was squash but was actually a pepper. Much Ichiban was called for to wash that down.
Next came the curry udon. We meant to specify soba but we god udon. I'm not complaining. It was delicious. The broth alone was bowl licking worthy. I didn't, but I wanted to.
We splurged on dessert and got the black seasame mouse and this chocolate lava cake kind of thingy. It was a very light cake and it had this odd white filling. It was delicious, but I kept referring to the filling as goo. No clue what else to call it.
Overall a very very good meal. I need to go back and actually partake of the soba, since it is a soba restaurant.
But I just have to say, if you ever go there, go to the bathroom. It is seriously, the best bathroom in Dallas. SERIOUSLY. But I will save that story for later.
Monday, September 22, 2008
My equilibrium is shot
Friday night I agreed to tromp over to Addison and partake in Octoberfest. It was not what I expected at all. It was a fair. I walked past the midway and all the bright lights, and I got so excited. I love rides. Love them love them.
I ran over to the Bier Garten (Beer Garden) and asked if we could go on the Ferris Wheel. My friends who I was meeting up with said they wanted to eat first. So, we had some of Chamberline's roast pork on a potato pancake, very good. I also had some of the skillet potatoes and a beer. Actually, besides the massive amounts of salt I ingested, it was an overall good meal.
Finally, we walked over to the rides. We decided to go on the swings first. I was stoked. I love love love rides. But I should point out, it has been a while since I had ridden them.
At the time we were swiming around, I was in nirvana. All the bright lights against the dark sky. The feeling of weighlessness. It was fantastic. Like flying.
And then the ride stopped, and we hobbled off. I was feeling a little weird. My head had a knot in it, and I just wasn't feeling that good. I had to sit down. Within five minutes, I was running for the port o potty. Oh, it was bad! Not as bad as my first Austin City Limit were I passed out outside the port o potty from heat stroke, but pretty up there.
I just felt awful. What had happened? Was I officially old? I stated right then and there no more rides for me. I went to bed around 1 and didn't wake up until almost noon on Saturday and my head and body were still messed up. The rest of the weekend I had that inner cloudy feeling.
I want my childhood back!
I ran over to the Bier Garten (Beer Garden) and asked if we could go on the Ferris Wheel. My friends who I was meeting up with said they wanted to eat first. So, we had some of Chamberline's roast pork on a potato pancake, very good. I also had some of the skillet potatoes and a beer. Actually, besides the massive amounts of salt I ingested, it was an overall good meal.
Finally, we walked over to the rides. We decided to go on the swings first. I was stoked. I love love love rides. But I should point out, it has been a while since I had ridden them.
At the time we were swiming around, I was in nirvana. All the bright lights against the dark sky. The feeling of weighlessness. It was fantastic. Like flying.
And then the ride stopped, and we hobbled off. I was feeling a little weird. My head had a knot in it, and I just wasn't feeling that good. I had to sit down. Within five minutes, I was running for the port o potty. Oh, it was bad! Not as bad as my first Austin City Limit were I passed out outside the port o potty from heat stroke, but pretty up there.
I just felt awful. What had happened? Was I officially old? I stated right then and there no more rides for me. I went to bed around 1 and didn't wake up until almost noon on Saturday and my head and body were still messed up. The rest of the weekend I had that inner cloudy feeling.
I want my childhood back!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Oh the anticipation
I have many things I'm looking forward to:
1) Vietnam. We are working on visa's as we speak. I'm booking hotels in Hanoi this weekend. We are reviewing Halong Bay junks. I think we are going to take a food tour one day and a cooking class.
Could it get any better???
2) Soba tasting at Tei An Sunday - Adam is on the board of the Japan America Society, and he told me that they were having this event a couple of weeks ago. I'm glad we signed up early. 65 people are coming. My knowledge of soba is extremely limited. Seriously, my knowledge of Japanese food in general is limited. I have spent so many years focused on sushi, that I completely disregarded the rest of diet.
I've been slowly but surely working my way through the items on the wall at Sushiyama, but I think its time I took it a step further.
3) DaKleins formerly in Oman and now Australia are coming to visit - They are taking three weeks off to visit the family in Houston and are being ever so sweet to drive up and visit me and Kerry early next week. Pam is in the middle of a cat SNAFU with Sammi and a bit down, but we can cheer her up. I think Sammi is trapped in Oman at the moment because they will not export him to Australia. Or it might be that Australia does not want an Omani kitty. Either way, he is in limbo and currently being snuck under the border to Dubai. Cross your fingers Australia is ok with Dubai kitties.
4) If I had written this yesterday I would have added my excitement about doing dinner at Charlie Palmer last night. While the food was devine, I had issues with the service. It wasn't horrible. Don't get me wrong, but when someone is paying that much for dinner, I guess I expect the service level to be 10 notches higher. You shouldn't have to ask twice for your martini.
But I discoverd the next new item for the State Fair. Lobster corny dogs. They brought that out and everyone devoured them. Served with dijon mustard. A little bit of fried heaven.
1) Vietnam. We are working on visa's as we speak. I'm booking hotels in Hanoi this weekend. We are reviewing Halong Bay junks. I think we are going to take a food tour one day and a cooking class.
Could it get any better???
2) Soba tasting at Tei An Sunday - Adam is on the board of the Japan America Society, and he told me that they were having this event a couple of weeks ago. I'm glad we signed up early. 65 people are coming. My knowledge of soba is extremely limited. Seriously, my knowledge of Japanese food in general is limited. I have spent so many years focused on sushi, that I completely disregarded the rest of diet.
I've been slowly but surely working my way through the items on the wall at Sushiyama, but I think its time I took it a step further.
3) DaKleins formerly in Oman and now Australia are coming to visit - They are taking three weeks off to visit the family in Houston and are being ever so sweet to drive up and visit me and Kerry early next week. Pam is in the middle of a cat SNAFU with Sammi and a bit down, but we can cheer her up. I think Sammi is trapped in Oman at the moment because they will not export him to Australia. Or it might be that Australia does not want an Omani kitty. Either way, he is in limbo and currently being snuck under the border to Dubai. Cross your fingers Australia is ok with Dubai kitties.
4) If I had written this yesterday I would have added my excitement about doing dinner at Charlie Palmer last night. While the food was devine, I had issues with the service. It wasn't horrible. Don't get me wrong, but when someone is paying that much for dinner, I guess I expect the service level to be 10 notches higher. You shouldn't have to ask twice for your martini.
But I discoverd the next new item for the State Fair. Lobster corny dogs. They brought that out and everyone devoured them. Served with dijon mustard. A little bit of fried heaven.
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