I'm so weird and inconsistent about how I feel about using and pronouncing words we got from other languages. My overall philosophy is trying to be down to earth and unpretentious, and progressive and I definitely think language exists to enable communication, and that's it. Language constantly evolves, and I don't like the idea that there are definite ways to say things or that grammar/punctuation rules is set in stone. It's helpful to maintain some standards for clarity, and I loooove copyeditors, don't get me wrong, but people who call themselves "grammar-nazis" are really annoying and self-righteous. It's like, you're getting so hung up on these rules, and they're only there to facilitate you in conveying ideas. If people understand what you're saying/writing, then stop being annoying.
Anyway, given what I just said, it really really bothers me when people doubly misuse pronouns. I don't care when people misuse them in the more common way of using the incorrect pronoun as the subject of a sentence (eg., "Bob and me went there yesterday."), but I just hate it when people overcompensate and decide that any time you talk about yourself and someone else, that you should always use the pronoun "I." As in "This is really important to Ralph and I." No no no no no. It's the overcompensation that gets to me, because people make a point of using the subject pronoun when there's actually a distinction on when you use each, and they're trying to sound intelligent and smart by using 'I' in all instances. They know some sort of rule exists concerning the use of different types of pronouns, but they don't actually know what they are. That's what that is.
It bothers me when people misuse other words, too, usually food. Especially bruschetta and panini. Panini means "sandwiches," soooo, when Matt says he's going to make himself a "panini sandwich," he's actually saying that he will have a "sandwiches sandwich." The mis-pronunciation of bruschetta doesn't bother me so much as the misuse. Bruschetta is the bread, NOT a tomato, olive oil, basil mixture. You can have bruschetta with any kind of topping you want, or you could even just eat the bread with no topping and no tomatoes at all, and you'd still be eating bruschetta!
Vahz, Vayse; enDIVE, ahn-deev, I don't actually care, I don't think we should be too hung up. Though, it makes sense to try to pronounce things in the way they originally were, but if you're American, and from the Northeast like me, you probably have a really obnoxious, harsh, nasal accent, and I sound stupid and obnoxious when I start pronouncing "croissant" as "kwasohhhhn." When I worked at the diner, I would pronounce "gyro" as "jai-ro," because when I said it correctly, no one understood what I was saying. Some people said it as "guy-ro," and anyone would have to admit, that's pretty bad, and we should look down on and shun those people.
What's my problem? I know that's how those words are used in America, and I know what I'm getting when I order bruschetta in a restaurant, but whatever. I also have no problem when someone says "axed" instead of "asked," because, you know what, in the year 3000, that's how it's going to be pronounced anyway. (Thanks to Futurama for that little peek into our destiny).
I still order drinks at Starbucks by their actual names. AKA "grahhn-day" for a Medium. My friend who worked there told me people often come in and order a "grand." We laughed a lot about that.
Basically, it's OK when I'm pretentious about certain words, but when other people do it, it's obnoxious and a huge turn-off. That's fair, right?
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Super Tuesday!
I'm so excited to vote it's ridiculous. I wish someone invited me to a party tonight to watch the returns come in and celebrate. My plan is to vote on my way home from work, go home, walk the dog, etc., then make up some pulled pork sandwiches and cole slaw (along with some weird ale Matt got with like 9% alcohol, so it's THICK) and watch the the cnn coverage for the rest of the night. Did you know they have the best political team ever? I didn't until Wolf Blitzer told me every 5 seconds without stopping. Slate and I are on the same page. FUN NIGHT! I'M SO EXCITED!!
Today was also the parade for the Giants, and basically a billion people from Jersey had to come through the Hoboken station and take the PATH to get in the city. They stampeded me as soon as the train doors opened, and I was forced to dramatically fight my way through the crowd to get through the station. Giants fans apparently do not understand train etiquette! That's the logical conclusion, right?
Before I worked in an office, I would mainly purchase comfortable clothes such as jeans and cotton shirts when I shopped. Now that I'm not really supposed to wear jeans, I try to buy things I can wear to work. This usually means slacks, button down shirts and practical shoes (since I walk like a mile, I don't want to ALWAYS have to bring an extra pair). I just realize today that I dress like a MOM!!!! Ahh. I need someone to help me find cute work clothes that make me look like I don't have two kids and drive a van.
My only savior are these:
If I put these on with a skirt or jeans, I actually look like a city person who really knows where she's going and knows all about what's goin' on. But I can't wear them every day!!
Today was also the parade for the Giants, and basically a billion people from Jersey had to come through the Hoboken station and take the PATH to get in the city. They stampeded me as soon as the train doors opened, and I was forced to dramatically fight my way through the crowd to get through the station. Giants fans apparently do not understand train etiquette! That's the logical conclusion, right?
Before I worked in an office, I would mainly purchase comfortable clothes such as jeans and cotton shirts when I shopped. Now that I'm not really supposed to wear jeans, I try to buy things I can wear to work. This usually means slacks, button down shirts and practical shoes (since I walk like a mile, I don't want to ALWAYS have to bring an extra pair). I just realize today that I dress like a MOM!!!! Ahh. I need someone to help me find cute work clothes that make me look like I don't have two kids and drive a van.
My only savior are these:
If I put these on with a skirt or jeans, I actually look like a city person who really knows where she's going and knows all about what's goin' on. But I can't wear them every day!!
Monday, February 4, 2008
Update
I stole this idea from Klosekraft, I love everything she does.
What I'm ...
...Reading: Perpetually catching up on my New Yorkers. Now that my commute is literally 7 min. on the train, I have no time in which my only option is to read, which is normally how I get it done. I've been forcing myself to sit down and do it, and the news is always about one month old. So right now, I'm reading all about how there's no way Hillary will ever win New Hampshire in the primaries, and other exciting things, etc.. I'm also in the middle of: Mere Christianity and The Poisonwood Bible (finally!). Mere Christianity is short, so I should be done soon, and the concept is really intriguing. I guess Lewis was a complete atheist at one point in his life, and converted to Christianity, and this book explains the truth in Christian beliefs based on moral law. So far, I'm on board with everything he's set up, so we'll see how it goes! I did recently read that it's Mike Huckabee's favorite book (puke).
...Watching: Just finished the second season of Dexter. AHH! If you watched the first season and wasn't too impressed, don't give up!! The second season was wonderful! The characters all get rounder and realer, including Dexter, which makes everyone more interesting, and it gets so suspenseful and scary! Only bad part: Lila, a really annoying new character who has the obnoxious Kiera Knightly thing going on with her jaw/lips and whose British accent sounds so forced that I had to look her up to see if it was even real. My private life will be consumed by Lost and Project Runway for the next couple weeks. Seinfeld is also another project.
...Cooking: Winter foods. I've been using the slow cooker a LOT. I'm trying to make us sick of all the slow roasts and stews and chilies before the weather gets hot and I don't want have the oven on. Winter greens have been great, which you already know all about. Once spring arrives, I'll be ready to GRILL and eat guac exclusively. Come on people! I don't always cook roasts and beef and mutton and comfort food! That's just what wintertime warrants!! Pretty soon I'll be totally spicin' it up, just wait!
...Planning: To help Matt get and prepare for a show at LITM (aka home of Cheesy Wednesday). This would be in late summer, and we really want this to happen! I'm also supposed to go to Spain in mid March with my sister, and I need to get down to business. Our cousin is studying in Sevilla, and the idea is that we'll stay there with her for a few days, visit another southern Spanish town (or do a couple day trips), and then go somewhere to Portugal, which I know nothing about. Does that mean we go to Lisbon? I need help. I'll probably just go to Rick Steve's. I think I have a free plane ticket, so this should be totally doable.
I'm also going to vote in the primary tomorrow. I'm so excited for this election, and since the Democratic race looks close in NJ, I'm definitely voting. I think I'm unafiliated right now, but NJ lets you declare at the polling place. So, I'll declare, vote for Obama, and then mail in a new registration form to unaffiliate myself. I don't want any more ridiculous propaganda than I already have.
...Knitting: I'm such a baby. I never do ambitious projects, and I whine about how long my dinky scarf is taking. It's about 1/3 done. I'll post a pic when it's half done. I'm really eager to start doing something fancier, so I'm going to have my sister come up and assist me in beginning a new project. I've been thinking of doing this. Wouldn't that be cool of me? I think I could def wear that sweater if I was a mom, so it should last a while. I'd even call it 'timeless,' wouldn't you? Claire says she thinks it's not too hard for me to tackle. We'll see!
What I'm ...
...Reading: Perpetually catching up on my New Yorkers. Now that my commute is literally 7 min. on the train, I have no time in which my only option is to read, which is normally how I get it done. I've been forcing myself to sit down and do it, and the news is always about one month old. So right now, I'm reading all about how there's no way Hillary will ever win New Hampshire in the primaries, and other exciting things, etc.. I'm also in the middle of: Mere Christianity and The Poisonwood Bible (finally!). Mere Christianity is short, so I should be done soon, and the concept is really intriguing. I guess Lewis was a complete atheist at one point in his life, and converted to Christianity, and this book explains the truth in Christian beliefs based on moral law. So far, I'm on board with everything he's set up, so we'll see how it goes! I did recently read that it's Mike Huckabee's favorite book (puke).
...Watching: Just finished the second season of Dexter. AHH! If you watched the first season and wasn't too impressed, don't give up!! The second season was wonderful! The characters all get rounder and realer, including Dexter, which makes everyone more interesting, and it gets so suspenseful and scary! Only bad part: Lila, a really annoying new character who has the obnoxious Kiera Knightly thing going on with her jaw/lips and whose British accent sounds so forced that I had to look her up to see if it was even real. My private life will be consumed by Lost and Project Runway for the next couple weeks. Seinfeld is also another project.
...Cooking: Winter foods. I've been using the slow cooker a LOT. I'm trying to make us sick of all the slow roasts and stews and chilies before the weather gets hot and I don't want have the oven on. Winter greens have been great, which you already know all about. Once spring arrives, I'll be ready to GRILL and eat guac exclusively. Come on people! I don't always cook roasts and beef and mutton and comfort food! That's just what wintertime warrants!! Pretty soon I'll be totally spicin' it up, just wait!
...Planning: To help Matt get and prepare for a show at LITM (aka home of Cheesy Wednesday). This would be in late summer, and we really want this to happen! I'm also supposed to go to Spain in mid March with my sister, and I need to get down to business. Our cousin is studying in Sevilla, and the idea is that we'll stay there with her for a few days, visit another southern Spanish town (or do a couple day trips), and then go somewhere to Portugal, which I know nothing about. Does that mean we go to Lisbon? I need help. I'll probably just go to Rick Steve's. I think I have a free plane ticket, so this should be totally doable.
I'm also going to vote in the primary tomorrow. I'm so excited for this election, and since the Democratic race looks close in NJ, I'm definitely voting. I think I'm unafiliated right now, but NJ lets you declare at the polling place. So, I'll declare, vote for Obama, and then mail in a new registration form to unaffiliate myself. I don't want any more ridiculous propaganda than I already have.
...Knitting: I'm such a baby. I never do ambitious projects, and I whine about how long my dinky scarf is taking. It's about 1/3 done. I'll post a pic when it's half done. I'm really eager to start doing something fancier, so I'm going to have my sister come up and assist me in beginning a new project. I've been thinking of doing this. Wouldn't that be cool of me? I think I could def wear that sweater if I was a mom, so it should last a while. I'd even call it 'timeless,' wouldn't you? Claire says she thinks it's not too hard for me to tackle. We'll see!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
super bowl = who cares
I am the best girlfriend ever. Thursday and yesterday I made shepherd's pie and then pulled pork sandwiches upon requests. If I was your girlfriend, you could just be like, "Anna, I feel like eating meaty casserole topped with crispy mashed potatoes tonight," and I'd be like "Coming right up, you!" The shepherds pie was meaty and juicy.
I cooked the pork in cider vinegar for 8 hours and then mixed in BBQ sauce, honey, mustard, and soy sauce, and it was the best thing I've made in my entire life. I also made delicious mustardy, non mayo cole slaw and collard greens.
I heard Wet Hot American Summer the musical might be coming out!
That's all, I have to watch 3 more episodes of Seinfeld now, (the real love of my life)!
I cooked the pork in cider vinegar for 8 hours and then mixed in BBQ sauce, honey, mustard, and soy sauce, and it was the best thing I've made in my entire life. I also made delicious mustardy, non mayo cole slaw and collard greens.
I heard Wet Hot American Summer the musical might be coming out!
That's all, I have to watch 3 more episodes of Seinfeld now, (the real love of my life)!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Major food update
This week was all about cheese for me. On Wednesday, I attended my favorite event of the week, "Cheesy Wednesday"! So, you order a beer and it comes paired with a plate of cheese, bread and grapes. Amazing -- I know, right!? I'll blog more on that later because I enjoyed myself too much and cannot write intelligently on this matter.
I love cooking seasonally, and I really wanted to try using some different greens for dinner than regular, boring ole' spinach. So I picked up some kale, swiss chard, and bok choy to use this week. Friday I made the kale. So easy, so cheap, so delicious!! All you need is: One bunch of kale, two cloves of garlic, one red onion, red wine vinegar, and olive oil.
Exhibit A:
I chopped the kale into strips and let it cook in boiling water for 10 min. Then I sauteed some red onion in the olive oil until it was soft, after which I added the garlic. Once it was smelling delicious and I could barely stand it, I added the kale to the pan to warm it back up. After a couple more minutes, it was done! I splashed on some red wine vinegar, and served it with herb-crusted chicken and wild rice (no big deal):
On to further, more important matters!
We hosted a fondue extravaganza/feast for the people I knew would appreciate it most. Melting Pot has nothing on me! Seriously, you couldn't pay me to waste 5 more hours of my life at that place for the pathetic excuse for fondue for which they have the audacity to charge you like $90/person.
Matt's not into the classic emmenthaler/greyeur combo because it's too "tangy," so I did gouda/smoked gouda with garlic, Amstel Light. Soooooooooo good. I also had like three times the amount of dippers, that were 100x better than what the ridiculous Melting Pot offers, and it took me 700x less time to make.
We dipped pumpernickel and semolina bread, broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, pretzels, green apples, grapes, and salami. I blanched the veggies for a couple minutes (key. Someone report this to MP). I bought the meat ends at Shoprite for the salami and was only charged like 2 dollars for a pound of salami (normally like $12/pound if you want to have the packaged sticks).
So, FIRST, I chopped everything up with a huuuge knife:
Then I melted the cheese and we ate for like 2 hours:
It was amazing. We're going to do a Guinness/aged cheddar fondue next!!!
One last thing. I would pay double or maybe triple to see any of the movies featured in Seinfeld (except for The English Patient). Prognosis Negative? Sack Lunch? Count me in!!!
I love cooking seasonally, and I really wanted to try using some different greens for dinner than regular, boring ole' spinach. So I picked up some kale, swiss chard, and bok choy to use this week. Friday I made the kale. So easy, so cheap, so delicious!! All you need is: One bunch of kale, two cloves of garlic, one red onion, red wine vinegar, and olive oil.
Exhibit A:
I chopped the kale into strips and let it cook in boiling water for 10 min. Then I sauteed some red onion in the olive oil until it was soft, after which I added the garlic. Once it was smelling delicious and I could barely stand it, I added the kale to the pan to warm it back up. After a couple more minutes, it was done! I splashed on some red wine vinegar, and served it with herb-crusted chicken and wild rice (no big deal):
On to further, more important matters!
We hosted a fondue extravaganza/feast for the people I knew would appreciate it most. Melting Pot has nothing on me! Seriously, you couldn't pay me to waste 5 more hours of my life at that place for the pathetic excuse for fondue for which they have the audacity to charge you like $90/person.
Matt's not into the classic emmenthaler/greyeur combo because it's too "tangy," so I did gouda/smoked gouda with garlic, Amstel Light. Soooooooooo good. I also had like three times the amount of dippers, that were 100x better than what the ridiculous Melting Pot offers, and it took me 700x less time to make.
We dipped pumpernickel and semolina bread, broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, pretzels, green apples, grapes, and salami. I blanched the veggies for a couple minutes (key. Someone report this to MP). I bought the meat ends at Shoprite for the salami and was only charged like 2 dollars for a pound of salami (normally like $12/pound if you want to have the packaged sticks).
So, FIRST, I chopped everything up with a huuuge knife:
Then I melted the cheese and we ate for like 2 hours:
It was amazing. We're going to do a Guinness/aged cheddar fondue next!!!
One last thing. I would pay double or maybe triple to see any of the movies featured in Seinfeld (except for The English Patient). Prognosis Negative? Sack Lunch? Count me in!!!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Race and other non-important issues
When discussing the authenticity of someone's black identity or the evils of promoting solidarity among women, I reeeeally want to hear the opinion of an old white guy. Yeah, he's definitely the one to go to for advice.
(He's the same brilliant man who enlightened us as to why women are incapable of being funny.)
(He's the same brilliant man who enlightened us as to why women are incapable of being funny.)
Friday, January 18, 2008
New hair
Hey guys! Guess what. I just got a celebrity-inspired haircut. It looks like this:
Yeah, it's great. I love it.
More later.
Yeah, it's great. I love it.
More later.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Lovely night to myself
I'm home for the night with a great big bowl of edamame, a glass of wine, and a puppy to snuggle with. This is the life!
I'm researching hairstyle photos to bring to my appointment tomorrow. What I really want is something funky and drastically different (because that's what I'm all about), but I'm a wimp. I'll bring a few photos and ask for the guy's honest opinion. Right now I'm considering thick bangs with layered length or a long bob with side bangs. Judging from my history with haircuts, I'll most likely be wearing a hat for the next 3 months.
At Whoorl, this lovely lady gives awesome solicited hair advice, and I WISH I knew about this earlier!
The Dunkin' Donuts ads playing lately are brilliant, and I can't stop thinking about them. It warms my heart to hear They Might be Giants used so appropriately. 'Doin' things is what I like to do' Is the most fitting inner soundtrack for daily life ever, especially because it complements my usual jingle for my life, "Sayin' things and doin' stuff," which also has a million possibilities!
OK, I'm going, because there's edamame to eat, wine to drink, Seinfeld to watch, and snuggling to be done!!
(Sorry for the crappy photo again, but I couldn't resist!!!)
I'm researching hairstyle photos to bring to my appointment tomorrow. What I really want is something funky and drastically different (because that's what I'm all about), but I'm a wimp. I'll bring a few photos and ask for the guy's honest opinion. Right now I'm considering thick bangs with layered length or a long bob with side bangs. Judging from my history with haircuts, I'll most likely be wearing a hat for the next 3 months.
At Whoorl, this lovely lady gives awesome solicited hair advice, and I WISH I knew about this earlier!
The Dunkin' Donuts ads playing lately are brilliant, and I can't stop thinking about them. It warms my heart to hear They Might be Giants used so appropriately. 'Doin' things is what I like to do' Is the most fitting inner soundtrack for daily life ever, especially because it complements my usual jingle for my life, "Sayin' things and doin' stuff," which also has a million possibilities!
OK, I'm going, because there's edamame to eat, wine to drink, Seinfeld to watch, and snuggling to be done!!
(Sorry for the crappy photo again, but I couldn't resist!!!)
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Starting my garden
First off, I'm so thrilled bring you my first post with photos. Because of camera troubles, the photos were taken via Photobooth on my Macbook, so they're not as lovely as they could be. Next time, when I have an expert to assist, they'll be even better!
About 6 weeks ago, Matt and I were taking advantage of the savings and quality goods at Target, when I came across a Chia Herb Garden set that includes everything you need to grow four different varieties of herbs! It only cost $20! Matt made fun of me for wanting it and might have even said that it was "ridiculous" and "stupid," but I don't really remember.
Anyway, he's gone for work for a while, so of course I went back to Target this weekend (twice). It was half price, and Matt was nowhere to be seen, soooo:
(Notice the fact that this is not an average, normal Chia set for everyday schlubs but a GOURMET Chia kit for fancy people like myself.)
I couldn't be happier! My future little herblings are currently are now sitting on top of the range with plastic bags over them to create a greenhouse-like environment.
Let's see how Matt feels when my dinner is flavored with delicious home-grown herbs and his is flavorless and bland.
The other exciting thing I'm working on is a new fancy scarf. My sister Claire helped me out with reading the pattern, since I usually figure things out without a pattern, and I'm really excited about it, even though it's slow in coming. It's an entrelac pattern, and it's really interesting to work on, because there's so much flipping back and forth instead of knitting all the way across, flipping, and knitting allll the way back (boooring!). I noticed last night that I was completing one section of blocks across for each episode of Seinfeld I was watching, so I'll probably have to watch all the seasons before this thing is done.
Also, I'm using variegated yarn, which I usually just hate, but because of the way it's made, the colors pool together and it looks kind of funky.
Let's hope it's all done before the weather gets warm so I actually have a chance to wear it this winter!
About 6 weeks ago, Matt and I were taking advantage of the savings and quality goods at Target, when I came across a Chia Herb Garden set that includes everything you need to grow four different varieties of herbs! It only cost $20! Matt made fun of me for wanting it and might have even said that it was "ridiculous" and "stupid," but I don't really remember.
Anyway, he's gone for work for a while, so of course I went back to Target this weekend (twice). It was half price, and Matt was nowhere to be seen, soooo:
(Notice the fact that this is not an average, normal Chia set for everyday schlubs but a GOURMET Chia kit for fancy people like myself.)
I couldn't be happier! My future little herblings are currently are now sitting on top of the range with plastic bags over them to create a greenhouse-like environment.
Let's see how Matt feels when my dinner is flavored with delicious home-grown herbs and his is flavorless and bland.
The other exciting thing I'm working on is a new fancy scarf. My sister Claire helped me out with reading the pattern, since I usually figure things out without a pattern, and I'm really excited about it, even though it's slow in coming. It's an entrelac pattern, and it's really interesting to work on, because there's so much flipping back and forth instead of knitting all the way across, flipping, and knitting allll the way back (boooring!). I noticed last night that I was completing one section of blocks across for each episode of Seinfeld I was watching, so I'll probably have to watch all the seasons before this thing is done.
Also, I'm using variegated yarn, which I usually just hate, but because of the way it's made, the colors pool together and it looks kind of funky.
Let's hope it's all done before the weather gets warm so I actually have a chance to wear it this winter!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
24 hours in Atlanta
If anyone can tell me why I should like Atlanta or anything positive about it at all, please do. My 24-hour-trip was a day too long.
I walked around for 2 hours trying to find something to do/eat, and all I got was: 1)gross and sweaty (it was upper 70s and humid), and 2) hit on by dozens of bums picking through trash downtown. Nothing was open except for a Hooters, and the place looked like a wasteland
Hence, I have no photos for you.
Also, someone needs to give airline pilots a list of things they should not say to over the loudspeaker to the passengers unless they are actually true. Our guy came on just before we were supposed to start the decent to Newark and said, "Well, we just dodged a bullet there." What??? AHHHHH!
You need to be as literal when making announcements while in flight. He really just meant that we almost got put into a holding pattern that would have lasted a while, but then shouldn't he have said that to begin with? The entire plane gasped, and I freaked out for 2 seconds.
I walked around for 2 hours trying to find something to do/eat, and all I got was: 1)gross and sweaty (it was upper 70s and humid), and 2) hit on by dozens of bums picking through trash downtown. Nothing was open except for a Hooters, and the place looked like a wasteland
Hence, I have no photos for you.
Also, someone needs to give airline pilots a list of things they should not say to over the loudspeaker to the passengers unless they are actually true. Our guy came on just before we were supposed to start the decent to Newark and said, "Well, we just dodged a bullet there." What??? AHHHHH!
You need to be as literal when making announcements while in flight. He really just meant that we almost got put into a holding pattern that would have lasted a while, but then shouldn't he have said that to begin with? The entire plane gasped, and I freaked out for 2 seconds.
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