Thursday, December 27, 2007

Happy Christmas













Hope yours was great. Mine was indescribibly fantastic.
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Friday, October 19, 2007

Inculcate

meganthemechanic


The word of the day: to teach through repetition.

Sunday, September 30, 2007

The Smell of Fall

My busy life is finally starting to relax some. Today I had largely to myself, which I needed desperately but took grudgingly. I haven't wanted to be alone in my house much lately - probably because I feel like there is still so much it needs to make it my "home" and not just a place I crash and I can't make the comfort improvements needed. Yet, today I yearned for roommates, or atleast the kind of social interaction that doesn't required invitation and logistical issues.

I lost my camera in August so no photos for a while. I might scour (new over-used word in my lexicon) the intraweb to look for pretty pictures and ideas, whatnot, but just so you know, that's why no fun Megan photography for a while.

I love the Fall, the smell of the leaves, the warm air with a little cool undertone, Cidermills, Halloween, Pumpkin Pie, Apple-glazed Cornish Hens, the sound of leaves crackle and crunching underfoot.

Last night, we went to the Art Battle. The concept: Artists are supplied one 4'x4' piece of plywood and they have to make the best Art on it possible in three hours. It was inside this old building and packed with indi-kids. Byob. Probably the most fun ever at an art show. Actually, I would say definitely - not probably. The winner was Makin' it Rain. I hope Gabe can buy it.

I've been thinking of painting lately- seriously enough to have acquired stretcher bars, Gesso and Fabric to paint on - and collected inspiration. Now I just have to collect some ambition and will to stay home to do it. We'll see if that happens.

Sunday, July 29, 2007

What a crazy wedding!

Sample of the Betties

In an effort to save money, I decided to bring hard boiled eggs to work instead of paying $4 for a tiny cup of watermelon and strawberries. Being me, running late, I just stuck an egg in each pocket of my coat and headed off to work. I put my coat where I normally do and worked my little heart out for, oh, an hour and a half or so when I remembered, "I have eggs!". Remembering where I had them however, my enthusiasm faded. You see, I usually sit on my coat at work. My eggs - flat. Cracked shell, squashed whites, pocket lint occupying the inner crevices of the yolk, regretful frown. $4 Strawberries and Watermellon, Please.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Bruise, Booze, Books and.... teeth

PICT0052

Finally, after years of waiting, I have a tooth, there, between the front and the fang. Oh, how I have wanted you so badly and now you are here. Oral surgery is awful. Eating after oral surgery is awful. Having to take your teeth out to eat is more awful so I can bear the surgery and the eating.

Afterwards, I really needed some Goodwill time. I was hoping for some sweet art as Ana always finds but the pickins were slim. I did purchase some great books: The World of Words: Vocabulary for College Students, The Complete ROUND-THE-WORLD COOKBOOK: Recipes gathered by Pan American Airways staff from 81 countries they serve, Reasoning and Improving your Reasoning (uber textbooky), Trust Us, We're Experts!: How industry manipulates science and gambles with your future (authors of Toxic Sludge Is Good For You!), Capitalism for Beginners (more graphic novel than text book really), Looking at Philosophy: the unbearable heaviness of philosophy made lighter (has lots of entertaining drawings). I am certainly looking forward to curling up next to my fake fireplace and reading those.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Better than last week, for sure!

In May, Erin M. and I went garagesale-ing in the Winchell neighborhood. The merchandise was of the expected caliber and we toddled along at a merry pace. Then, from under a heap of crocheted pot holders and kissing dutch figurines, shined a glimmer of metallic band. It read "KitchenAid". (double-take) wha???? KitchenAid? Like in the best mixer ever KitchenAid? I scuttle to look for the price (thinking somewhat disappointedly "probably $100- 150")... The ragged torn masking tape read $10.00... WHAT?! Is it broken?! The tending woman said no and asked if I wanted it to which I replied "um.. Definitely!" She proceeded to pull out the original box with all attachments, complimentary cookbook, warrenty information and pamphets about ordering my very own personalized engraved mixing bowl. I handed her a fresh ten and marched (well struggled really, they are quite heavy!) triumphantly and disbelief-bourne to my car with the best Garage sale purchase ever in the history of Garages.
The End.

Well, not quite... The first thing I made with the mixer was salmon loaf (Delicious). However, the mixer is so proficient that instead of just mixing the ingredients, it pureed my Salmon and everyone at work thought I was eating catfood.

I visited my new doctor today. It was a pretty standard lets-get-to-know-eachother visit. He seems quite competent and asked me questions I couldn't answer (knowing more about my medical "characteristics" than I do is quite a feat, indeed.) and one that I inadvertently lied to answer (oops, he'll find the answer soon enough anyway I guess, not that it matters.) Then, as celestial retribution for said lie, he ordered a blood draw, right there on the spot. I hate blood draws. All's well in the end as I left with my B12 shot (aka liquid awesomeness) and peace of mind. Thank you Health Insurance, you are the best.

Any movie rental suggestions? Anyone?

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

The next day

This is my living room. Having space of my own is of paramount importance in my life. The most common root of anxieties I have felt over the last several years has been my lack of undivided personal space. For the first time ever, I have an apartment all to myself. I was apprehensive at first because moving to a new city and living alone seemed... lonely. And it is at times but the benefit on my psyche is profound. Not to mention my apartment is totally gorgeous.

When I finally got Internet several weeks ago, I had fun intentions of blogging several times a week... FAILED! Well, I will make a better effort as it dawned upon me this afternoon why I have such trouble sitting down and doing it. It is not for a lack of things to say... I have a constant running commentary putzing along between my ears all day long and even though none of those amazing and enlightening thoughts stick around when I actually sit down to type - that is not the reason. The reason turns out to be that I am intimidated by other's more eloquently written and witty blogs. Well, that's a lame reason if you ask me. Its time to stop hiding from the better, more challenging talents of others. So, Voile! The first step is discovery, Check. Now for the action.

Bisteeya
Most Delicious Moroccan Chicken Pie
(seriously, make it)
Whole Chicken (3lbs) cut up into atleast 4 parts
1 stick of butter
3 teaspoons ground Cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground Cumin
1 teaspoon ground Ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground Turmeric
1/2 teaspoon Saffron Threads (soaked in 2 tablespoons warm water)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 cup Chicken Stock
4 eggs
1/2 cup Chopped Cilantro
3 Tablespoons Chopped Parsley
1/3 cup chopped almonds
3 Tablespoons powdered sugar
1 package of Filo (phyllo) dough (12oz)

1. In a small bowl, add 2t of the Cinnamon and all the other spices to the chicken stock and stir until mixed.
2. Melt 1/4 stick Butter in a large pot, add the chicken and the chicken stock/spices and let simmer for 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked.
3. Remove chicken from sauce and set aside to cool. When cool enough to handle, remove skin and bones. Shred the meat into thin strips.
4. Bring the liquid in the pot to a simmer and add eggs, stirring constantly. The mixture will get crumbly when its done. Add the Chicken, Cilantro and Coriander and season with Salt and Pepper. Remove from heat.
5. Crush the almonds into crumbles and mix with the remaining cinnamon and powdered sugar.
6. Melt the remaining butter in a bowl. On a round pizza sheet lay out one sheet of Filo dough. Brush with butter and apply another sheet of dough on top but at an angle, brush with butter. Keep laying the filo dough on top in a pinwheel pattern until there are 8 sheets or so layed down. The edges of the filo dough should hang off the edge of the pizza sheet. Pour the chicken mixture ontop of filo. Spread evenly, then sprinkle almond mixture on top. Fold the edges of the filo over the filling. Lay 8 sheets of filo on top in the same fashion as before with butter between each sheet. Tuck the edges under the bottom layers of Filo so the pie is a nice round parcel.
7. Bake at 350F for forty minutes and eat it because its delicious!

This is one of my favorite dishes. It takes a little time to make but its wonderful.
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Thursday, June 28, 2007

Connecting to the connected

First dress in my new city, new apartment. It's blue and white polka dots with red ric-rac. Who loves ric-rac? I LOVE IT. and, maybe it will marry it.
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Saturday, April 21, 2007

cookie cutter mouth

I took some lovely photographs specifically for posting here but, alas, I have forgotten my card reader.

I am home again for a check up after my implant surgery last week. It went most swimmingly as the doctor said I could have the temporary crown immediately after I have my brackets removed (the second week of May). This seem like a lot of todo about one tooth - one that was pulled for no better reason than its status as a babytooth - it wasn't infected or twisted or otherwise compromised- it was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now I have a titanium post implanted in my upper jaw and I am throughoutly excited about have my braces off and a new temporary crown followed by a permanent crown on that tooth and the one next over as well. I fret, though, that my teeth will become too straight and boring - like everyone else's - as if in a suburban subdivision of orthodontic clones.

Meijer has been a great place to work so far. I feel as though I am drowning in work and then more is poured on non-chalantly by various other departments but I like it. I love to tackle big demanding projects. My buyer tells me she is more than pleased with my vision and taste level so I am confident in the work I am doing. I have a large cubical - much to large for just me (they obviously are unaquainted with my ability to occupy, in full, any (and every available) space) - so a new product development assistant started Monday at her desk adjacent to mine. She is quite sweet - but I love my space- so to make up for it the tech guy delivered and setup TWO large (i mean HUGE) flat screen monitors and a tablet/stylis mouse getup for me. I am delighted and completely spoiled already. Thank you, all, for buying all those delicious meijer groceries - so that I can have an awesome workstation.

I don't, however, have cable tv (or even rabbit ears), a radio (thanks sharkwash... no npr..boo), a newspaper, or this delightful information vehicle called the internet (I can check my email at work but that is IT people...). SO I did not even know there was a horrific school shooting until Thursday (yes, the day before last) and I thought it was only two people dead until last night when Franta informed me otherwise. I am hopelessly disconnected for a while - please don't feel neglected - I probably just don't know your phone number. I will try to update weekly when I am home.

(btw, comments posted here are sent to my email so I will be able to read them.)
Until next week... (or so)

Sunday, April 08, 2007

S-NOOOO!-wy Easter

PICT0073

I moved. I live in Grand Rapids. It is a really nice change as I have lived in Kalamazoo all of my life. I am inprocess of furnishing my wonderfully quaint apartment in Heritage Hill. I am working a part of the newly created Art Department at Meijer. The job is demanding and challenging and great. I like it.

I do not have internet yet so my online presence will be limited for a while. I also will be saving up for a new laptop as mine has commited itself to difficult (if not impossible) repair. So, in the meantime, call anytime!

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Dice

The position was offered and I accepted. Gladly. Mostly, I am excited about living like a real adult. Having an apartment, a salary, furniture, self-sufficiency. Thursday and Friday, I spent all day looking at apartments that ran the gamut of unforgettablility - as in ugly to immaculate. None were the one, unfortunately, but two were acceptable. I am so so eager to move. The wait is heavy and long but I can see the end. I have two more hopefully places to view on Monday Morning so I will have a place to live for sure by Monday Evening.

In the same April theme, "Moving", I move into my cubicle on Monday, April 2nd and begin my career in fashion. This is really the perfect place for right now; it is out of Kzoo but close enough to not have to totally redo my life (find new doctors, new friends, new state tax systems...). My mouth is almost complete but there is still work to be done and I would like to have that out of the way before I move out of Michigan.

Note: Do not eat a bag of movie theater popcorn, a box of dots, a Mr. Pibb soda, a slice of Martini's Pizza and mozzarella tomato antipasto within a two hour span. ever. (This is nearly as awful as vinegar and chocolate together.)

Thursday, March 15, 2007

March Hair

March Hair

My static state has yet to change (as that IS it's inherent nature). I am still waiting to hear back about the position I am interested it. The prospect of living outside of my parents home excites me with every baby step taken toward new employment.

In other news, after longing for it desperately, I am permmed. To all you neigh-sayers - I love it. I love curly hair. alot. and as a result, my spirits are instantly lifted the second I finger through the bouncy coils springing from my own head. Thank you, Mother.

In other other news, Duncan has cancer. It's not terribly serious, fortunately - we just have to be diligent about having future incidences removed promptly. He is confused about why he can't wear his collar (which he loves) but we can't possible explain to him that it's because he has twenty surgical staples embedded in his neck.

I had something about the weather typed here but I just can't talk about it anymore. It seems like all I ever talk about is the weather... I think it results from my eagerness to escape from my currently monotonous days into some new duties and environments. I am packing up everything, including my conversational topics, in the hopes for the change to come faster. I also think I am having a harder time inviting people to be more personal with me. I am building walls against my better judgement. Let's hang out soon and I can practice being a better friend to you.

Friday, March 09, 2007

The E-Collar

E-Collar


Elizabethan, that is.
Duncan was groggily terrified after his surgery. They performed several more operations than even I expected. He is in rough shape but looking up (well, looking straight mostly, with the e-collar on his head).

The interview went well, I was not yet offered a position but the deal sweetened and my appetite whetted in return. I hope to hear something this week. I am considering the prospect of living on my own (sans roomies...) for the first time. If you know me, you might be aware that I am terrifed of the dark and of sleeping alone in a house. I intend to conquer that fear, post haste, and dominate the whole of my own apartment. If any of you know of a good place to live in GR, enlighten me.

A hint of spring is on the wind this morning and duly welcomed. It has been a low, dark winter.

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Please hold for sustainability...

waiting for sustainability...

So my laptop had a minor issue last August. I took it to be repaired. Seven months have drifted by... not that slowly, really. Not having a computer makes one feel quite out of the modern age. So anyway, - my laptop is still broken- the minor problem is now an unappoachably expensive problem and I am tired of waiting around for it to be fixed so I can return to my pre-computer-depraved normalcy. Time for a new blog.

I received my tax return and bought myself a dressfrom! YAY! I have wanted a dress form badly for a long time but they are incredibly expensive. Erin pointed me to a company, Studio Rox, who sells them for reasonable prices (along with lots of other exciting equipment and mannequins). Also, with my tax return, I am fixing my car (it has a bad noise emanating from the front right tire... scary) and flying to Los Angeles.

Aside from the dressform arrival, Thursday will be extraordinarily busy. Duncan is going in for surgery in an attempt to save his hearing, neck and leg from tumors. He has been pretty sick lately. He developed lots of small black spots and is loosing his hair. I hope he comes out alright and that he does not become a monster of basic need from anesthesia as I did. I have an for-real-this-is-serious-life-happening interview (the outcome of which I will post later).





Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Test post

This is a test. T E S T I N G!
The end.