I'm feeling pretty blah. Headache and heartache.

The Princess is going to have surgery on Tuesday for what we think are two separate benign growths, one in her mouth and one on her chest. The one in her mouth is almost certainly an epilus, since she had one before and the vet told us it might grow back (it did, almost exactly one year later) and the one on her chest is probably a lipoma, a common fat deposit, neither of which are anything to worry about, but still, she is my baby. The lipoma is too small to do a needle biopsy, but rather than waiting and watching it, we've decided to take it out as she's going to be asleep anyway....

I've got a busy weekend planned, too. Exgaucho Ben is coming down and we're going to the Dodger game with him and Bill and some of their friends on Saturday. Ben leaves on Sunday, and my parents will be here Monday and Tuesday. We're going to the Dodger game with them on Monday night because my Dad has never been to Dodger stadium.

So if you don't see anything new in this space, don't panic. We're just busy.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 12:24 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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So DH asked for stuffed peppers the other night. Which was weird. I personally believe less is more when it comes to bell peppers, but hey, whatever, it was his first day at work.

So I went looking around the internet and here's what I came up with:
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups water
1 cup uncooked white rice
3 large green bell peppers, halved and seeded
1 - 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 onion, diced
garlic powder to taste
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
1 jar your favorite spaghetti/marinara sauce (~27 oz)
2 cups finely shredded mozzarella cheese
________________________________________
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add rice and stir. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
3. Place green bell peppers in a medium saucepan with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes. Remove peppers from the water and set aside in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
4. In a large saucepan over medium heat, brown the ground beef; drain. Return to heat and mix in onion, cooked rice, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Pour in tomato sauce and mix thoroughly. Let simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
5. Spoon the meat mixture onto each half of the green peppers. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until mixture begins to turn golden brown.
6. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top of each stuffed pepper. Return to the oven and bake until cheese is lightly browned, about 5 to 10 minutes.

There will be PLENTY of the meat mixture unless you chose the world's largest peppers to stuff, so feel free to fill them up to the brim

Posted by: caltechgirl at 02:59 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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1 Nah. Easiest ever is to stuff them with corned beef hash and top with cheddar. However, this version looks a bit healthier.

Posted by: B. Durbin at September 12, 2005 07:12 PM (XDml5)

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Well, it went well. This was a second interview for the same position I interviewed for earlier. This time I got to meet with the Chair, who of course has to approve any new hires. The meeting went well and he introduced me to the business manager, who would be my go to person once I get hired in terms of both pay and class scheduling. So that was good. He also told me he'd be meeting with the person I interviewed with earlier and the business manager to talk about getting things rolling or not.... but I think they want me. The distance between Pasadena and the University is the only factor against me, so they might need to schedule me around the traffic, although, in my previous interview he told me that wouldn't be a problem.....

He did tell me that they will meet soon because they need to get all their ducks in a row, so I'm hoping that means I'll be working this quarter.....

So keep those fingers crossed until I hear back one way or the other.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 01:10 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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1 Good luck!

Posted by: Sissy at September 08, 2005 06:13 PM (uXS+O)

2 A little late in commenting... but my fingers are crossed!

Posted by: vw bug at September 09, 2005 04:27 PM (jYKSz)

3 Fingers never came uncrossed...

Posted by: Bou at September 09, 2005 07:05 PM (5JHEt)

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I have a job interview tomorrow later this morning for what I think is the job I really, really want. It may be a different job, or it may not be what I thought, but in any case, if it is the one I think it is, I need all the cosmic good vibrations I can get, so any prayers, good thoughts, good wishes, or just good vibes would be appreciated in the morning around 11 am PDT.

At this point, I could really use the job, and getting the one I want is just a bonus.

Also, thanks to Jen and Beau for reminding me that these things happen in His time, not mine. I had just read this post about half an hour before the phone rang. I've been dealing with the same challenges as Beau, just a little more urgently, since I don't have a job or school right now. I just need to keep reminding myself that faith brought me home and faith brought me a house and faith found DH a wonderful job at a great school with neat coworkers. Now I just need to keep having faith that my turn will come soon.

I'll let you all know tomorrow how it's going.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 01:15 AM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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... as I have been often of late, if I didn't say happy birthday to two of my favorite MuNuvians, Ted of Rocket Jones and Boudicca of Boudicca's Voice

Posted by: caltechgirl at 01:05 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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DH's class roster arrived. Here are the numbers:

Period 1 32 7th grade
Period 2 30 8th grade (Advisory)
Period 3 (prep & conference)
Period 4 38 8th grade
Period 5 31 8th grade
Period 6 28 8th grade
Period 7 27 8th grade

38!!!! The room only seats 32. There are 4 extra seats at what should be a workstation table, for a total of 36 in a PINCH.

And people wonder why teachers leave the profession so quickly....

Posted by: caltechgirl at 02:08 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Soon to be added to the blogroll: Tolkien Geek

Gary is blogging his way through the Lord of the Rings series, chapter by chapter, as he rereads the books. Interesting commentary and Tolkien trivia interspersed throughout.

Fellowship of the Ring starts here with the Prologue to Book 1.

Don't worry, you're not behind, the most recent entry is only Ch. 3.

(h/t those llama dudes)

Posted by: caltechgirl at 11:48 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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1 I hated reading those books. They were horribly written and the editing was terrible. It was a good story, it just needed to be done by a better writer.

Posted by: Contagion at September 07, 2005 12:03 PM (Q5WxB)

2 Heresy!! But I like you anyway

Posted by: Ith at September 07, 2005 03:31 PM (zLZ4E)

3 Oh, yeah... it is a great website. I went over last week. LOTR Geek Heaven! I read them about once a year, but it's made me want to read them again a bit earlier than usual.

Posted by: Ith at September 07, 2005 03:32 PM (zLZ4E)

4 Ith, I think there is a support group for people like you. You know, they like to torture themselves.

Posted by: Contagion at September 07, 2005 05:10 PM (M8Swz)

5 Actually, reading the books gives me a great sense of peace. They meant a great deal to me when I was 16 and read them for the first time and helped me more than I can say dealing with some really tough times. I can still count on that sense of peace everytime I pick up the book and start reading those familiar words.

Posted by: Ith at September 08, 2005 11:36 AM (zLZ4E)

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This is awesome!

A comparison of the scale of the ships from nearly all of your favorite Sci-Fi worlds. There are also a couple of real ships thrown in for comparison.

You know what they say about men and the size of their vehicles.....
So what does that say about this guy? I guess that would also explain the light saber....

(h/t Harvey)

Posted by: caltechgirl at 11:17 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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So taking about the drumline reminded me of the movie Drumline. Which I really like. The funny thing about me and movies is that because I refuse to waste time on predictable situations, and I hate watching characters fall into embarrassing situations that I knew were coming, a lot of movies just don't make the cut for me. Even in good movies there are parts that I skip or fast forward because they make me squirm.

Thinking about Drumline made me think of movies that I like that I was certain I was going to hate (in many cases thanks to the USA and TNT networks). Here's a partial list, feel free to add your own in the comments:

Drumline
The American President
Nothing to Lose
Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo
From Hell
The Searchers
Goldeneye

More later when I think of them...

Posted by: caltechgirl at 10:52 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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So I'm sitting here in DH's classroom. Tomorrow is the first day of school, and we're taking care of the last few odds and ends in getting the room ready: putting up the last few posters, getting rid of an extra filing cabinet, moving the tables around. DH himself is in a Pow Wow with two of the other middle school science teachers, planning for Science Fair,

But I digress. One of the more interesting things I learned in my neuroscience education was that sense memory, especially smell memory, is stronger than any other. As I sit here in the classroom waiting for DH, the school marching band is on the practice field, getting ready for football season. The band room must be nearby as well, because I could hear the drum line from the moment they started the cadence.

It about gave me chills.

For 2 years in high school (until my schedule got too full with AP classes) I was in colorguard. Some of my best friends were in the band, so it was like I never left. Just hearing the band reminded me of sweaty afternoons on the practice field, tripping in holes, arms aching from lugging a 40 pound shield around all day.

In college, neither of us was in band, but DH's best friend was an active member of the Spirit of Troy USC Trojan Marching Band, and wherever we went with him, there was always the band. We'd sit next to the band at football and hockey (yes, the band went to hockey games).

In any case, the drum line isn't so bad. A little slow at the end of the cadence, but all together, so you wouldn't be able to tell if you were simply a casual observer. It's actually quite comforting.

I actually miss those days. And yes, if you run into me in an elevator on a rainy day, I AM doing a colorguard flag routine with my closed umbrella

Posted by: caltechgirl at 10:42 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Long time readers will remember Roy Hallums, the American hostage held in Iraq for nearly a year. Well. word came today that Roy has been freed!

Rusty Shackelford, who has done so much to get Roy's story out there, has the details.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 10:16 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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it doesn't cost you a dime!

RomeoCat of Cathouse Chat is donating $5 for each comment up to a maximum of $300 for each of these charities:

The Red Cross here

or

Soldiers' Angels Operation Katrina here.

Click through and leave her a comment on each post, it's for a good cause!

(h/t Bad Harvey)

Linked to rusty's fatwa-a-thon

Posted by: caltechgirl at 03:39 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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I can't take it anymore. I'm not gonna write about it anymore.

Foamy says it better than I ever could. (some R-rated language).

"I find it f*cking sad that a f*cking animated squirrel has more sympathy than the actual human beings who are reporting it......"

(h/t JR via Margi)

Posted by: caltechgirl at 01:02 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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This week's Carnival of the Recipes is up, hosted by Dave of The Glittering Eye.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 11:32 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Yesterday's blog for Katrina was a smashing success, according to NZ Bear:

WooHoo!!!!

Keep up the good work!

Posted by: caltechgirl at 10:37 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Have you given something?

Time?
Blood?
$$?

Thousands of people have lost their lives and as many as a million have lost EVERYTHING they had, including friends and family members.

But you can help, by making a donation.
See the extended entry for details: more...

Posted by: caltechgirl at 11:58 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Soldier's Angels has set up a fund specifically to help deployed soldiers and their families who live in the affected areas.

Operation Katrina Soldier's relief fund has been set up to

"help our soldiers and their families cope with and recover from this devastation. Your donation will help these families obtain essential personal items, temporary shelter and any other needs that can be met. Soldier's Angels will also work to provide information to the soldiers concerning their families whereabouts and needs. Now is the time to help protect those who have given up so much to protect us.

Click here for more info or to donate!

Posted by: caltechgirl at 11:37 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I am beyond disgusted by the wild-animal-Lord-of-the-Flies behavior in NOLA.

--Fires are being set near the Super Dome

--Shots were fired at National Guard rescue helicopters

--Looters are taking money, jewelry, and credit cards off of DEAD BODIES

--Riots nearly erupted as people pushed and shoved to get on the evacuation busses

--1500 cops have been switched from rescue duty to law and order duty because so many looters are out in the streets with GUNS

May I be politically incorrect for a moment? When you hear stories like these its almost EASY to understand why people in the South still use the N-word. And in this case it applies to the selfish fucking assholes of ALL RACES who are out there wasting resources, shooting each other, and having little regard for what their actions mean to everyone else in the area.

It almost makes me wish they would lose someone they love because a cop had to come out and take their gun away, rather than save that loved one.

Looters should be shot on sight. In the head. Take all the food, water, diapers, blankets, etc. that you want. I understand your need to survive. But TVs? Jewelry? Looting CORPSES????

These people don't deserve the help that's being offered to them.

Holy shit I sound like Rob.....

Posted by: caltechgirl at 10:29 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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I have been thinking of my trip to New Orleans. It was for a conference, but I also spent my birthday there during the trip, and I can't help but think of the afternoon of my birthday, and the 45 minutes my friend Heather and I spent at the Cafe du Monde, eating beignets and drinking Iced coffee, talking and laughing and having a wonderful time. It was one of the best times I've ever had on my birthday.

In honor of that day, straight from the Cafe du Monde, Beignets:

1/4 cup lukewarm water
1 package active dry yeast
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable shortening (shortening, not oil)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup boiling water
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 egg, beaten
4 to 4 1/2 cups unsifted all-purpose flour
vegetable oil for deep frying (at CdM they use Louisiana Cottonseed Oil)
confectioners' (10X, powdered) sugar (lots and lots and lots!!!!)

Pour the lukewarm water in a shallow bowl and sprinkle the yeast over it. Allow the yeast to rest for 3 minutes, then mix well. Set in a warm, draft-free location (ie: an unlighted oven) for 10 minutes or until the yeast bubbles up and the mixture has almost doubled in bulk.

Meanwhile, combine the granulated sugar, shortening and salt in a deep mixing bowl. Add the boiling water and stir with a wooden spoon until thoroughly mixed and the beignet mixture has cooled to lukewarm. Add the heavy cream, the yeast mixture and the egg. Add 2 cups of flour, and when it's completely incorporated, beat in up to 2 1/2 cupsmore flour, 1/4 cup at a time. Add only enough flour to make the beignets dough smooth and not sticky. When the beignets dough becomes too stiff to stir with the spoon, work in the flour with your fingers.

Pour vegetable oil into a deep fryer to a depth of 2 or 3 inches and heat the oil until it reaches a temperature of 360 degrees f. If your deep fryer doesn't have a thermostat, check the temperature with a deep-frying thermometer.

Gather the beignets dough into a ball, put it on a lightly-floured surface and pat into a rectangle about 1" thick. Dust a little flour on both sides of the beignets dough and roll it out, lifting and turning after each pass, until the rectangle is about 1/4" thick and about 25" long by 10" wide. If your beignets dough sticks to the surface, lift it with a metal spatula and sprinkle more flour under it.

With a sharp knife, cut the dough into 10 square beignets and deep fry, 2 at a time, immediately by dropping them into the hot oil and turning them over with a slotted spoon the moment they rise to the surface. Continue frying, turning the beignets often. until the beignets are crisp and golden on all sides, about 3 to 5 minutes. When they are done, transfer the beignets to brown paper or paper towels to drain. Immediately sprinkle with the confectioners' sugar and serve while still warm. Use the picture (above) as a guide for how much confectioner's sugar to use!

Posted by: caltechgirl at 10:07 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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IMAO of all places posts a letter "from" Casey Sheehan to his mom.

This hits the nail on the head:

"...But here's the thing,[Mom,] I chose to go to Iraq. I re-enlisted in 2004, when all the arguments against the war there are now were already out there. I also volunteered for that mission in which I got killed. I was a grown man, and I made my choices. Maybe they were stupid choices and I got duped into this whole thing - I certainly didn't mean to die - but they were my decisions and I thought what I was doing was right.
...
You know how back when I was a kid you used to spit on napkin and wipe my face in front of my friends and I'd get all embarrassed? Well, this whole "Camp Casey" thing is like that times a million. I know you don't mean it that way, but you make it sound like I was some dumb kid led by the pied piper to Iraq. I knew exactly what I was doing, though, and I wasnÂ’t a kid. Now, through your camp, my name is associated with all this people I wouldn't want anything to do with - people I don't think are your real friends either. Then the media has all these statements from you and everyone is trying to make it sound like you're some nut when I know youÂ’re just trying your best to do right by me."

Well said, even for a ghost.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 09:20 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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