does size really matter?

At work, I tend to break up my day with food consumption. When I arrive, I have oatmeal and coffee, followed by a mid-morning snack (usually yogurt) a couple hours later. A few hours after lunch, it's time for my afternoon snack, which is right before it's time to go home. This routine helps me be productive, helps me stay awake, and keeps me from being too grumpy or lashing out at my lovely coworkers. Today's afternoon snack, same as yesterday, was a little zip-lock bag full of baby carrots. I noticed that each baby carrot had a core, and I wondered about the genetic makeup of the baby carrot, which brings me to today's thoughts....

First, let's have some background. Carrots are rich in dietary fiber, antioxidants, and minerals. They're a good source of vitamin A (which comes from beta carotene-- the element responsible for the vibrant orange color of the carrot). People will say that if you eat too many carrots, your skin will turn orange. This is absolutely true! It's called hypercarotenemia (although common to poke fun at, this can lead to liver damage, and in extreme cases can cause tumors in the eye and then death).

Baby carrots were first introduced in the late 1980s, and are not a separate carrot species, as some of you may believe. In fact, it's the peeled and chiseled down ugly carrots that make up the perfectly round, 2 inch long "baby" carrots we are so fond of as finger food. This is kind of a nice idea, similar to recycling. No one wants to purchase ugly, bumpy, deformed carrots, and rather than throw them away or feed them all to our livestock (which would then turn our cows orange-- there's a lot of ugly carrots out there), we find a way to beautify the ugly carrots into cute, delectable (and pricey) snacks.

Carrots are supposed to be juicy, crunchy, sweet, and have a particular aroma. Baby carrots, however, lack these characteristics and are often much less flavorful than your normal full size carrot. So, why do we like them so much? They're easy- pre cut, pre washed, ready for consumption; and they're aesthetically pleasing- uniformly perfect.

Something to consider though- the ugly gnarled carrots that are chiseled away to form the popular "baby" carrot, is a variety of carrot known as the "Imperator." These carrots are bred to grow faster and ripen quickly, and coincidentally, only have 70% of the beta carotene of a normal carrot. So, in conclusion, size does matter. The bigger the carrot, the more nutrients you get.

730 days...

Today marks the 2 year anniversary of my employment with Company X. There’s no cake, no raise, no bonus (they never give bonuses of any kind); just simple underappreciated existence on their payroll. I guess I shouldn't complain since this position does give me the freedom to blog and play on facebook throughout my workday.

The past 2 years have gone by quickly. I got a dog (Koda), moved twice, played some softball, and took 3 courses- Intermediate Spanish 2, Microeconomics, and Graphic Design. At work, I've essentially hit a plateau in terms of professional growth. There's nothing more I can really learn (within my position) and nothing that can expand my abilities to lessen the excruciating boredom throughout the day. I code invoices, I draft contracts, I purchase software that I don't know the purpose for. I've been looking for a more appropriate position both within the company, and elsewhere for some time now. The fact that 2 years has passed, is almost like having the wind knocked out of me in slow motion. If something doesn't change soon, I'll feel like I've wasted my time here.

As much as I dislike my position there, every now and then, the people surprise me, and I realize they see me more than just their administrative support. One of my managers called me while she was out of the office the other day, just to say hello and chat about what's going on with her work load, which is interesting since I don't actually support her anymore. She just wanted to talk to me. Several of our contracted people will make it a point to come by and say hello, and chat about nothing in particular. Another friend from work made me her maid of honor for her wedding this August. I appreciate the people I work with. I see them every day, spend 50 hours with them per week. I speak to my parents maybe once every couple weeks, and I might have dinner with one of them once every 3 weeks... my roommate is more like a sister. It's interesting to become adults and realize that your social structure has transformed into a family of friends and coworkers, leaving blood relatives on the side lines (at least in my case).

my new hobby

As previously mentioned, I have a need for a hobby. I’ve come to realize I have a significant amount of free time on my hands and no particular direction to channel my energy. The dance class won’t commence for another 22 days. Even then, it will only take up 90 minutes of my free time per week. Therefore, I have solicited my friend David (guitar repairman / teacher at Dale Music) to help better my guitar-playing abilities. I do have a guitar, but it’s in need of some repair, so David will hopefully remedy that later tonight. It’s a Yamaha electric guitar, purchased at age 14 when I first started taking lessons in the ghetto Chatham Mall, which has since closed down. Coincidently, my guitar teacher then was also named David. At the time, I didn’t practice as much as I needed to because I was young, careless, and also on the lacrosse team (benched mainly), which took up most of my free time. Now, however, I don’t seem to have that problem. As good as my intentions may be, I don’t exercise, and I don’t read, and I don’t meditate. That being said, I do have time and the means to sit on my couch and play my guitar.

Last night David and I took a field trip to Guitar Center, where the employees seem to know the basics, and nothing beyond. Luckily, I had my own personal tour guide to show me all the guitars and explain the differences, and then the fun part—we got to play with a bunch. David was like a kid in a candy store, and I could tell I was feeding off his excitement. He was even excited about practicing with me every week. :) I also got some purple glittery guitar picks.

I have come to the conclusion that I would like an acoustic electric guitar—best of both worlds. I won’t have to hook up the amp to avoid the quiet twang of an unamped electric guitar. The sound quality will be just the same as if it were a normal acoustic. Of course if I were so inclined, I could easily hook it up and play really loud too. :)

As I perused the store I found a glittery guitar, which I got excited about, and another black one with a pink star on it. I came to my senses, though, and decided to find a more practical one. A Gibson Acoustic Hummingbird caught my eye (pictured above), and David picked it up and started playing. The sound was incredible. He handed it to me so I could get a feel for it and try it out as well. It felt good… but I was nervous... I had never held anything worth $1900 before. The Elvis Presley King of Rock Guitar would suit me well or the Elvis Presley Dove guitar (replica of his Las Vegas days) but “slightly out of my price range” would be an understatement (over $3000). The incredible cost of these guitars are unimaginable for me, but it makes the idea of purchasing the below pictured Fender guitar seem not so out of range, for $399. It has a tiki monkey on it. Who can say no to that??? (ignore the practicality statement above) I am saving my money so I can have this one…

radiohead- in rainbows

Radiohead's latest album, In Rainbows, was innovatively released online in October, available for download from their web site. Radiohead allowed fans to pay any amount for the album's download, or nothing at all. Commended on their anti-marketing endeavor for the album, the band later released the disc for sale on January 1st through TBD Records, hitting the charts at #1. Get the album! After 15 years in the industry, it's no wonder Radiohead has such a following. They will be planning a 2-part North American Tour this year, dates and venues to be announced later. Read The Future According to Radiohead (Rolling Stones article) here.

Led Zeppelin's return to Rock & Roll

Following John Bonham's untimely death at the age of 32 in September of 1980, Led Zeppelin broke up, not wanting to continue without their drummer. After 27 years, they came together in December for a reunion concert in London, performing with instant chemistry, with John Bonham's son, Jason, on drums. Reviews of the show described it as "brilliant" and "mind-blowing," thanks to the incredible amount of rehearsal time the band put in since May of 2007. Follwing such a successful reunion, guitarist Jimmy Page wants a world tour! Yay!!! Robert Plant is busy working on a project with Alison Krauss until September (Preview/Buy their recent album, Raising Sand), so the tour wouldn't get underway until likely the end of 2008, or 2009.

some disconnect

Among young adults, there is the glamorous ideal of a profession contrasted with the stark reality of every day responsibility; a massive attempt for youth to reach their dreams, to find what they're truly meant to do with their lives, yet hindered at the captivity of metropolitan life: paying out fortunes in rent and escalating expenses with a dwindling salary, together with the expectation of being able to sustain as self-reliant adults. This is the education of balance.


During the week, I lack motivation for anything other than sitting on the couch. If a guy came up to me and said he would put away my laundry, play with my hair, and make me mini burgers, I think I would marry him. I’m way to young for that though. Instead, I get out of bed at an indecent hour in the morning to drive in the cold to my less-than-satisfying job. I sit in a cubicle with my daily cup of coffee and oatmeal, and I think back to the recurring nightmare I had as a child where an old man had kids in cages and chained to the wall in some underground cave and forced me (as one of his prisoners) to eat poisoned oatmeal. On some level I wonder if my daily consumption of oatmeal in my cubicle is a form of self loathing. I’m not meant for this lifestyle. I spill my coffee, I break the printers, I play travel agent and book international flights for people with British accents, I order software that I have no clue was purpose it serves, and I attempt to keep my sanity via internet entertainment throughout the day.




Hobbies get you through phases like this. I want to take trapese lessons, but I have to wait til it's warmer. If David ever fixes my guitar, I could teach myself a couple songs, and just play them over and over and over. I've decided to take a dance class. 6 classes, and each class is an introduction to a different type of dance. I'd like to take interpretive dance. Be.... a tree. Be... a candycorn. Be..... a kumquat. Perhaps kung fu or tai chi would be more helpful, to channel my energy better.

tuna

Is the over-exploitation of the ocean's fish worth your tuna sandwich? No. Since 1950, only 10% of all large fish are left. Tuna is endangered, yet somehow still on the menu. According to National Geographic, demand and prices for large bluefin tuna soared in the 1970s, and "commercial fishing operations found new ways to find and catch these sleek giants. As a result, bluefin stocks, especially of large, breeding-age fish, have plummeted, and international conservation efforts have led to curbs on commercial takes. Nevertheless, at least one group says illegal fishing in Europe has pushed the Atlantic bluefin populations there to the brink of extinction." We will never have the population of large fish in the ocean that we had 60 years ago, but fishing in the current capacity really should end if we want to preserve the fish that are left. If rates continue, and fish mortality is not significantly reduced (some suggest by 50%), we will be looking at fish statues alongside the dinosaurs in the Natural Museum of History. Are any of you wondering how tuna are caught? It’s very claustrophobic.

Still have an insatiable taste for tuna? The New York Times stated yesterday that “six pieces of tuna-based sushi from most of the restaurants and stores would contain more than 49 micrograms of mercury. That is the amount the Environmental Protection Agency deems acceptable for weekly consumption over a period of several months by an adult of average weight.” Six pieces is not a lot...

Perhaps this is nature’s way of telling us to stop killing all the tuna!

Here are some tasty alternatives to your tuna consumption. If you want a tuna steak, have swordfish instead, another white fish with relatively the same consistency and texture when cooked. If you want a tuna salad sandwich, have a chicken salad sandwich. Not only is poultry not close to extinction, but you can mix in a larger variety of accoutrements to compliment the deliciousness of your meal.

As I am also a sushi consumer, let me say that the following pieces of sushi are just as delectable and can substitute the need for tuna sashimi and the largely popular spicy tuna roll: salmon, unagi, striped bass, shrimp, halibut, yellowtail, crab and California.

Fun Fact: Atlantic Bluefins are warm-blooded.

gotta love practical jokes

An art collaborative, Ztohoven, hacked into a Czech weather show to broadcast a fake atomic explosion. Watch the prank below.

“Not long ago a film that became a local hit, “Czech Dream,” documented a boondoggle by two young Czech filmmakers, who enlisted advertisers and publicists to devise a marketing scheme for a nonexistent supermarket. The movie’s goal, like Ztohoven’s, was to wag the dog: lampoon media manipulation and public gullibility. In the trailer hundreds of shoppers swarm a weedy field, rushing toward what they believe to be the store, which turns out to be a painted backdrop. The mushroom cloud, in a sense, upped the ante on the supermarket.” Read full article HERE.

thoughts of concern

Some of today’s young adults and teenagers are spoiled, self absorbed, and only seem to care about what may affect them personally, and nothing further. I agree that some people have the sense that their problems are the most important, because they are their own. There is little we have to complain about. Let me tell you, there is a larger responsibility we need to own.

As an adult, I dedicate my education and career to showing the world what we can do to better ourselves as the human race. This need is expressed through many avenues- music, television, film, literature. Visual art is my forte. People are drawn to things that are unlike themselves, it adds mystery to an already curious mind. Art evokes emotion, and much of it is meant to be disturbing on some level. However, the following is not art. It is truth. The following photographs and video clips are depictions of the reality in the Congo. If you are not aware already of the tragic happenings in other parts of the world, WAKE UP!

The neglected crisis in the Congo is described by the International Rescue Committee HERE.
The war in the Congo officially ended 5 years ago, and yet STILL the death rate has not improved! The crisis is clearly not over. The below photo, from the New York Times, is a child, 1 year old, at a feeding center for children in Goma. "A new survey estimates that 45,000 people continue to die each month in Congo." EACH MONTH!!! "The Congolese government spends just $15 per person each year on health care, according to the World Health Organization, less than half of what is recommended to provide the most basic but lifesaving care, like immunizations, malaria-fighting mosquito nets and hydration salts." Your lunch cost you one person's health care for a year. Read the full article HERE.



Congolese children of conflict:

In another New York Times article from October 2007: "Eastern Congo is going through another one of its convulsions of violence, and this time it seems that women are being systematically attacked on a scale never before seen here. According to the United Nations, 27,000 sexual assaults were reported in 2006 in South Kivu Province alone, and that may be just a fraction of the total number across the country. 'The sexual violence in Congo is the worst in the world,' said John Holmes, the United Nations under secretary general for humanitarian affairs. 'The sheer numbers, the wholesale brutality, the culture of impunity — it’s appalling.'" Read full article HERE.

Thankfully, there are organizations out there who are working to deliver aid to families and children displaced by conflict and civil unrest. You can help by donating your time and voice to these issues. Come together and promote public dialogue. If you care, it is your responsibility.

good example of animation creativity

Chihiro, a 10 year old girl, travels to another world full of magic, and begins working at a bathhouse for the gods of Japan's mythology. Reminiscent of both Alice in Wonderland, and The Neverending Story, this film is an amazing story of the progression to maturity. Watch the trailer below and then.... buy the DVD. It should be in your collection.

some animation history

Features of theatrical animated entertainment have certainly transformed over the years, paving the way for animated 30 minute prime-time shows like The Simpsons (the longest running prime-time animated series in history) and Family Guy (the massively popular show as it pushes the limits of decency with sexual innuendo and adult themes- quiet the rave among young and old adults alike). The Flintstones cartoon, aired from 1960 to 1966 on ABC, was the first thirty-minute cartoon to be aired during prime time. As a side note, the first couple shown in bed together on prime-time TV was Fred and Wilma. So thank you very much to Hanna-Barbera, the animated cartoon production company responsible for The Flintstones, which also gave us such classics as The Yogi Bear Show, The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo, and The Smurfs, many of which became icons of Western pop culture.


As my father would agree: animation, including Disney, Hanna Barbera, et al. is part of American literary history and should be taught in schools alongside Mark Twain.

my favorite sailor

Popeye was a great man with a most appropriate motto- “I am what I am.” This is a good thing to remember, since you are indeed what you are. You shouldn’t change for anyone and should be proud to be your unique individual. A week after the 79th anniversary of his first appearance in the comic strip, Thimble Theater, on January 17, 1929, I find it necessary to pay a small tribute to my favorite tough-guy sailor. To take a look at where everything started… After Thimble Theater moved from its initial focus of Olive Oyl and her boyfriend, Harold Hamgravy, it had a comedy-adventure style featuring Olive, Ham Gravy, and Olive's enterprising brother, Castor Oyl. Popeye was first introduced as a minor character, hired by Castor Oyl and Ham to crew a ship for a voyage to Dice Island, the location of a casino owned by the crooked gambler Fadewell. Castor intended to break the bank at the casino using the unbeatable good luck conferred by stroking the hairs on the head of Bernice the Whiffle Hen. Weeks later, on the trip back, Popeye was shot many times by a stooge of Fadewell's but survived by rubbing Bernice's head (the original source of his strength before he later benefited from the superhuman powers of spinach).

In 1933, the comic strip characters were adapted into a series of theatrical cartoon shorts for Paramount Pictures. In 1935, Popeye was deemed more popular than Mickey Mouse! Production continued through 1957. Many of you probably don’t know the following tidbits of information I’m about to share about the lovable animated tough guy who loved spinach, so enjoy. The cartoon character “Popeye” was actually based on a real person named Frank "Rocky" Fiegel, a tough guy who was quite similar to Popeye physically. Popeye, originally from his hometown of Sweethaven, is 34 years old, weighs 158 lbs, and is 5 feet 6 inches tall, and has superhuman strength when he eats spinach. Normally, Popeye can lift or press approximately 4,000 lb, and when amplified by spinach, he can lift or press about 36 tons. He also has a speech impediment (a common character-distinguishing device in early cartoons). Popeye's father, the degenerate Poopdeck Pappy, abandoned Popeye and did not share his son's moral righteousness. Popeye was married for over 77 years to Olive Oyl, and was the adoptive parent of Swee’Pea. He also had four nephews: Peepeye, Poopeye, Pipeye, and Pupeye.

Classic Cartoons

Animated shorts today do not carry the same merit as those from the early days… To be honest, I’m unimpressed with many of the animated films and shorts that children are watching. They are influenced by the ease of technology and mimic other writers’ ideas. Nothing is new or fresh anymore. The plots are lacking in imagination and morals, the animation seems lazy at times, and there seems to be no point other than pure juvenile entertainment.



Below I have attached some classic animated shorts I remember still being aired during my childhood. Animated television today also seems to lack in the originality that was showcased in some of the older series. The art of cartooning is its own genre and should be studied by today’s artists and writers.

Casey at the Bat (1946); followed by the sequel Casey Bats Again (1954)

Lambert the Sheepish Lion (1952)

Little Toot (1948)

Little Hiawatha (1937)

Pecos Bill (1948) Starring Roy Rogers
in parts 1, 2, and 3

the only reason i heart this valentine's day

black cat

January 26th- JUKEBOX THE GHOST (CD Release), BELLMAN BARKER, PASH

$10 Mainstage 9:00pm

1811 14th St. NW WDC 20009

Across the Universe

Across the Universe

is available on DVD February 5!
an emotional, imaginative and artistic film

one of my favorites

winter fun

January 27th Snowboarding Day! Wherever has the best/most snow, I will test out my new board. So excited! Trip to Boulder is officially planned for February 28th- March 3rd, so have to get in as much practice as possible before then! Kudos to Mary for the killer hookup for all my snowboarding needs!

Side Notes

I've realized this blog is a purposeful outlet to channel my boredom during the work day. Patience is not one of my characteristics. Because I have yet to hear the results of various interviews and applications, I am left to wait, and therefore I turn my attention to upcoming events that I find noteworthy:

Outlets of Young Existence

Tomorrow, January 17th is Laura’s birthday- she turns a quarter century! Dinner and drinks to commemorate her existence: an interactive feasting at Benihana followed by birthday drinks at Harp- the neighborhood bar. The festivities will continue Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday night. Sunday during the day Laura will finally get her long-awaited tattoo of a dove. I'll get something pierced too I guess, to be supportive and all. Then of course Monday is a holiday and the designated recovery day.

Rock & Roll Hotel - great venue, fun bands

There's something sexy about Rock & Roll... passionate, creative, and just out of my reach. I have my favorite bands, some essential songs to keep on the playlist, and I have my criticisms as well. It's all relative though, since I am as musically inclined as a goldfish. I took lessons when I was younger- saxophone and guitar. The songs I can play on the guitar I could count on one hand. Fortunately, you don't have to be a musical genius to appreciate fresh, original music at a great venue...

a blur between fantasy and reality

I'll preface this one with a warning- this is a disconnected grouping of thoughts, and definitely not the type of content intended, but it's going to happen tonight because I feel a need to share with the three people that might ever read this blog. An article in the New York Times discussed the falling-down of professions, namely lawyers and doctors, stated the following:

'One doctor responding to the American College of Physician Executives survey wrote: "I find it necessary about once every month or two to stay in bed for 24 to 48 hours. I do this on short notice when I get the feeling I might punch somebody." '

I can identify. I have the desire to physically take out my anger on a person on a regular basis, but I don’t take off work… I simply pretend it’s not there. However, lately I’ve been violently lashing out in my dreams, both at night as well as during the day when I zone out in my car during a long commute, or while I stare at the wall during a meeting at work. In my dreams, it’s all justified. Someone said something to offend me on purpose, or a stranger hurts a friend, or tries to hurt me, then I have permission to kick some ass. Granted, in my dreams, my violent outbursts are reminiscent of a movie-worthy ninja fight scene. Charlie’s Angels would be a good comparison, because my imaginary fighting ability is nowhere near that of Jackie Chan. Plus, the Angels get to wear fun costumes. In reality, I’m 5’2 and ¾ and my lack of physical strength would do little against an attacker. This would suggest that I need a “mental health day”… in all honesty, it’s nothing that a violent outburst followed by some hot chai and a piece of charcoal and paper can’t fix... I can tell you though, it’s a strangely liberating feeling to fully imagine kicking someone (who deserves it) in the face and watching them fall to the ground in defeat. Then I blink, and realizing the “someone” is still standing in between me and the coffee machine, taking their sweet time while asking me the same question they’ve asked me eight times before… it’s really as if there were two of me: one real, and one person I would like to momentarily be every now and then.

We all have unexplainable dreams from time to time, so I paid no attention to the increasing frequency until recently. I figured it out. So many people, including those closest to me, assume that I am this quietly delicate thing that needs protection from sarcasm and careless behavior. I'll be the first to admit that yes, some have taken advantage, but I've learned from those instances. I am quiet because I observe people. I assess situations before I speak or act, which is mistaken for shyness and innocence. Laura never wanted to be sarcastic around me because she thought it would hurt my feelings. I still don't understand where that reasoning came from. She does say though, that I am too smart for my own good, and sometimes "too deep or insightful for other people to handle." That may be true... at any rate, lately I've been drawn to proving to the outside world that I can handle anything thrown my way: [insert violent daydream here]. However, I can see why people view me this way. I'm not denying that I'm initially a quiet person, and I will admit to my naivety to an extent. There are things in my past that I do not share, and those things speak to my ability to handle particular situations. I'm not as fragile as people may think, but I'm an "adult," and I've decided that there's no need to outwardly attempt to prove myself. I'll stick with my white and pink snow jacket and pants, and get the "pretty" snowboard because I LIKE IT, and if anyone wants to say it's girly and dainty in any way... well they can just do that, I don't care anymore. I can be bad ass...(mike don't laugh) When I do reach the point of genuine anger in real life (which doesn't happen that often), the few who have witnessed it can attest to my ability to be hard core and not be someone you wanna mess with.

I think in the winter I tend to change my mind a lot. Sometimes I'll be very quiet and crave solitude. The next day I'll have giddy energy and want to be around all my favorite people and go out and have a crazy night. In the middle of that crazy night I may change my mind again and just want to sit outside and take a break. I make spur of the moment decisions and don't think of any repercussions. This can be good and bad. I do like to live in the moment, and enjoy what I can, when I can, because I'm young and it's worth it to have those experiences. I had a friend who was the one for me, at a time. We both needed that friendship then, and it served its purpose. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I don't regret anything, and to be honest, I appreciate my friends looking out for me the way they do; they have my heart. I owe them my sanity at some level as well, I'm sure. I am what I am, and I enjoy it.

to begin

i've hit a breaking point in fool’s paradise, playing this waiting game to see where i'll end up. though i have potential back-up plans, they bring little comfort since they won't alleviate the gut-wrenching disappointment if my initial plans don't work out. additionally, of course, there's the slight fear of telling anyone about my goals, because if i fail, i'd like to keep it as secret as possible. it honestly is exhausting at times to just act the way i should, expending all my energy to pretend to be in line with everything else. and then other times, i can't tell if i'm pretending or not. at any rate, by september i'll at least change my address... either Boston, Denver, New York, or i'll stay here in DC. (comments regarding which city would be best for a 1-2 year stay are welcome...)

i should mention that in general i find the act of blogging a bit egocentric and i only tend to frequent those that have something to offer- i.e. the posting of something interesting: videos, music, articles, products, etc. that said, i'll try to stream this blog in the same manner. this is in no way an attempt to have my personal life e-journaled for all to see and judge, as i'm sure there are few people who would be interested in knowing the small pieces of my daily life. at any rate, as i'm sure i'll use this outlet as some small mode of reflection, this is not to be categorized as a "diary"...