Sam Pony

Nina Simone

2011-11-30T20:28:00.004-06:00

Oh Nina Simone I know how you feel. I know the fish in the sea does as well, because we are very happy together. The river knows too, but don’t tell the fish. You know how it is Nina. Oh and Nina don’t you like how it feels when you get out the shower, wrap up your wet hair in a towel then smoke a cig? Yeah, I do too.

Curiosity killed the cat

2011-09-13T21:19:00.001-05:00

I keep getting a call from a random number. They call once a day at different times without leaving a message. I know this means it is either a telemarketer or someone calling me to let me know I am being cheated on. It has been happening for two weeks. I know curiosity killed the cat. I wish that didn't happen because I would have the cat answer my phone.

MEOW!

Inappropriate food

2011-06-12T09:56:00.000-05:00

So it has been well documented on my blog that I don't cook. I often graze on what ever is in my cabinets and frigid when I am left to fend for myself. I also do not know when it is inappropriate to eat days old leftovers or food that is past it's stamped sell by date. Mr. Pony does a lot of sniffing of food for me. I admit that a few times I have poured milk in my coffee only for him to open the frigid a few hours later, sniff and proceed to dump out the carton. This usually gives me an immediate stomach ache, but no real illness yet...

Well the other day I had a delightful night having sushi with a friend. We had a few pieces left so I decided I'd bring them home for Mr. Pony. I usually bring him leftovers even though he scoffs at them, but some how they disappear every time. Either he is eating them or I have a sleep walk/eating issue. (I am okay with both of these scenarios.) Anyway, I left the doggie bag in my car. Mr. Pony found it the next day and left it on our counter to remind me of my forgetfulness. I came home and dumped it in our compost bin. When he saw the open container with no sushi he thought I ate it. Can you believe that?

I can too.

Contents of my pocket

2011-06-11T16:25:00.001-05:00

I lost my wallet. Well, I actually don't have a wallet or purse but I lost the contents that would usually be in a wallet. No weird charges have been made on my account. Correction, no weird charges that I didn't make are on my account, so I guess I will have to start cleaning.

All recent pockets have been checked, my closet is clean, but still no wallet contents found. I did find $23 so I am going to head to the coffee shop.

I returned from the coffee shop and averted a crisis. My pile of money and plastic cards were hiding under my "to be recycled" items on my kitchen counter.

I can't believe I wasted all that time cleaning my closet.

I don't need a wallet right?

Do you want to know what tastes good?

2011-06-04T11:59:00.001-05:00

SUMMER

Multiple choice

2011-05-19T08:47:00.002-05:00

Why is there tin foil wrapped around this tree?

A. It is hot new trend, tin foil tube top for your tree.
B. The tree is protecting it's thoughts from aliens, the CIA and Bob Saget.
C. Ma' Pony's invention to prevent those damn neighborhood cats from getting at the robin's babies.

Win your very own with a correct answer. Prizes will be awarded in one week.

I am pro-drowning

2011-05-15T10:38:00.000-05:00

The EPA is requiring Chicago to clean up the Chicago River, which basically means they have been told to take additional treatment steps before dumping sewage in the river. Seems like a good idea right. Well some top water reclamation district officials have opposed the effort because if the water is safer to swim in more people will drown. I never thought I would be pro-drowning, but I am.

There is a great article in the Chicago Tribune:
EPA: Cost to clean up river wouldn't break the bank $7 per household per month would be maximum hike, analysis says

Bravo!

2011-05-13T20:27:00.000-05:00

As the older gentleman, with his own cushion and arm that twitched to the beat said, "Bravo!" Composer Mason Bates, "The B Sides" was performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra last night. It was an amazing night.

The Civil Wars

2011-05-11T18:56:00.002-05:00

Pro-cras

2011-05-08T20:02:00.000-05:00

Today is the first day of the rest of my life, but so is tomorrow. Let's regroup then.

Hobbies

2011-03-27T09:50:00.001-05:00

My hobbies:
1. Writing
2. Gardening
3. Eating
4. Drinking

My boyfriend's hobbies:
1. Ju Jitsu
2. Cooking
3. Picking me up when I am too drunk to ride my bike home
4. Collecting bail money

Paperless

2011-03-22T20:38:00.002-05:00

It takes a lot of paper to be a paperless.

Flight of the Bumble-Bee

2011-03-12T11:15:00.000-06:00

Food I get to eat V

2011-03-09T19:06:00.000-06:00

Braised oxtail with brown rice, onions, celery and green peppers.

Bone in

Bone out.

Meaning?

2011-03-08T21:08:00.000-06:00

We are all search for meaning.
Life has meaning.
Right?

We spend all are time living so it must be for some purpose.
We would be doing something else besides living if it didn't mean something.
Right?

Sometimes we find meaning. It feels great.
Then we blink and it's gone.
We will find it again.
Right?

Things that meant so much, now 10 years later mean nothing.
If it meant something then, shouldn't it mean something now?

It meant something.
Right?

Todd "I'm going to skip that word" Stroger, hooray!

2011-03-07T07:25:00.000-06:00

Oh Todd Stroger. I remember the first time a saw your pretty face. You were on television being accused of having your employees campaign for you during work hours. You eloquently corrected that silly reporter. Go Todd! Then that sneaky report started snooping around. Jerk! As he walked out of your office he saw your employee stuffing envelopes with your campaign letters.* Obviously she was on a break! (I screamed that my television.)

Remember when you were talking about the important food desert issue? That was awesome! Someone put together the attached video so the world could hear your speech.

I was really afraid the "media" wouldn't cover any more of your adventures, but I was pleasantly surprised when I opened my Chicago Tribune this morning -

Stroger wants to collect unemployment

Todd you are wonderful. Keep up the good work.

*I don't recall exactly what happened, but it was really similar.

My Hood - The Hand Chair Edition

2011-03-06T07:28:00.001-06:00

Do you have one of those really fun hand chairs laying around and don't know what to do with it? Well why not mount it on your wall so it looks like God's hand? Perfect.

Food I get to eat IV

2011-03-05T15:41:00.000-06:00

Today Mr. Pony whipped up a huge patch of tuna salad. Ingredients involved Tuna, olive oil, green peepers, celery, and dill pickles.

My mercury count - Low

Brunch today - Tuna salad, salad and cottage cheese

Lupper - Tuna salad on flat bread with tomato and the 7 year Wisconsin Cheddar I just smuggled over the border.

Mercury count - Jeremy Piven

My hood - The Human Hair Edition

2011-02-28T16:38:00.000-06:00

I know it's hard to find so if you need some let me know I'll pick it up for you.

Food I get to eat III

2011-02-27T10:59:00.000-06:00

Sunday mornings are my favorite. Especially when I get to drink coffee and watch CBS Sunday Morning. Nothing is better. It is a Pony Family tradition learned from Pa' Pony.

Today I had a delicious omelet with queso fresco, sauteed onions and cilantro. Simply, just like my favorite Sunday mornings.

Ma' Pony visits the Chicago Art Museum

2011-02-26T09:45:00.002-06:00

This past rainy Sunday I visited the Chicago Art Museum with Ma' Pony. Ma' Pony was a volunteer picture lady for my elementary class. She exposed myself and fellow classmates to works of art and explained the meaning. Looking back it was a really cool program.

Our main reason for the visit was to experience Marc Chagall's America Windows. His stain glass window is mesmerizing. While I was mindless admiring the pretty window Ma' Pony was figure out the meaning. We checked her interpretation against they description on the wall, they all were correct except for the last panel. She thought is was a tribute to the Titanic sinking. What do you think? Look at the far right of the last panel.

The Art Institute claims the sinking of the Titanic is actually people dancing. I think they are just trying to cover up the true meaning. The bottom right is the Titanic and the people above it are floating in the water. You decide for yourself.

It seemed our other reason for the visit was to be called ma'am and told not to do things. I was told not to take photos several times. Apparently they frown upon taking photos of photos. Ma' Pony likes to get way to close to art. I think we heard "ma'am don't touch" about 247 times and it was a surprise to her every time. She was also told not to touch a window treatment. I am not sure if they "guard" knew it wasn't a piece of art. Ma' Pony held in her Bitch comment until we got into the next room.

Ma' Pony was impressed with the pritzker pavilion, which the art museum has an excellent view of, even on a gloomy, February day. I told her how the area used to be really ugly with below grade train tracks. She seemed to think the $450 million price tag was worth it, since almost half was covered by private donors. She asked if Oprah donated any money. I told her I didn't think so. While rolling her eyes she said, of course she only buys presidencies. Ma' Pony was once a supporter of Oprah but her getting involved in the 2008 presidential campaign and not for the first strong female candidate was the end of their relationship. Oprah may not care but Ma' Pony is boycotting her.

This will come as a surprise to no one but there was a lot of wonderful art. We especially liked Gerhard Richter's ICE, seen below.

However, the Peter Fischli David Weiss: Questions, the Sausage Photographs, and a Quiet Afternoon Exhibit was not enjoyed by Ma' Pony. "This is what people do when they have no talent. They come up with a gimmick and hope it sticks. It must have worked. All these people in here are spending their time looking at crap thinking it's art." I snapped the below photo only to be told "Ma'am photography is not allowed in this room." Ma' Pony responded with, "Don't worry I don't even want to look at it let alone take a photo."

We spent a very enjoyable day wandering around. I recommend if you go to the museum to become a member before going. Members get to skip the line to get in, they can bring guests for "free", it is tax deductible and they get other discounts and perks. Become a member.

Smuggling

2011-02-24T08:08:00.002-06:00

I am a smuggler. Last night I crossed the border with New Glarus, 7 year old Cheddar, a belly full of grass feed beef that was an amazing cheeseburger from the Old Fashion in a previous life and a smile on my face put there by my friends Mike and Andy.

Food I get to eat II

2011-02-20T19:18:00.002-06:00

Dinner
Steak sous-vide with shallots, red wine vinegar, oil and garlic.
A side of brown rice, cauliflower and lentils with turkey.

Add the good stuff...

Delicious. The fat melts in my mouth.

Garfield Park Conservatory

2011-02-19T17:16:00.003-06:00

Up close:

Vadim Repin

2011-02-19T12:03:00.001-06:00

Vadim Repin played with Chicago Symphony Orchestra last week. It was so good I thought I would share.

Chicago Symphony Center

2011-02-18T23:04:00.001-06:00

Food I get to eat

2011-02-13T22:26:00.002-06:00

I live with an amazing cook. I eat really well, unless of course I have to fend for myself. Left on my own I usually eat a handful of cereal, a piece a cheese, a couple of pickles and whatever else I can find to graze on.

Thankfully I was not left to fend for myself. Dinner tonight was stew, made from veal stock that was simmering on our stove all day yesterday. The brown rice, black beans and hominy was left over from last night's build your own taco bar. Goat and collard greens were added to the left overs and veal stock.

I poured the wine myself.

ANTS!

2011-02-12T17:30:00.003-06:00

While living in Costa Rica I spent countless hours watching leaf cutter ants. I first noticed a long green line on the sandy ground. To my surprise the line was moving. Closer inspection revealed ants carrying leaves. As we followed the line we found the bush they were decimating. It was really beautiful to watch. Although the bush would probably disagree.

Now back in the States I spend countless of hours watching TV. I think my countless hours are better spend watching ants.

MY PHOTOS

Leaf cutter ants up close

Ants carrying their leaves down the tree

That green line is all ants carrying leaves

Let's see how long you watch.

Here is a cool video about leaf cutter Ants.

You still want more?

Fun with taxes

2011-02-11T18:38:00.001-06:00

I saw this while I was preparing my taxes.

Lovely.

How about the weather?

2011-02-03T16:45:00.000-06:00

The thing about weather is that everyone talks about it.

If there is a lull in the conversation, how do we fill it? Weather.
If we are meeting someone for the first time, what usually comes up? Weather.
What affects everyone? Weather

So, if there is a major life threatening storm coming all the media needs to do is what it does every day, update the 5 day forecast. A lot of people will read it, more people will talk about it and eventually everyone will know. In a 22 minute newscast 5 minutes does not need to be about weather. The news in Egypt take up more time than a snowstorm. Yes it is snowpocalypse. Word will spread. Snow happens every year. Major storms have happened in most adults memories so they know how to react. Major upheavel in Egypt happens less often than snowpocalypse. Please report on it like it is snowpocalypse.

It's snowing

2011-02-01T18:02:00.000-06:00

I hope we are able to communicate with the people in Egypt just how much snow we are getting. I know they have a lot of unrest right now, but they need to be aware of snowpocalypse. This storm better not disrupt our access to the Internet or other forms of communication. If they do we need to march in the street to tell the snow they can't oppress us any more. I sure hope Egypt supports us!

Indian Head Shake

2011-01-08T17:05:00.003-06:00

Watch on full screen mode and pump up the volume. Seriously.

Mushroom Hunting Door County Wisconsin 2010

2011-01-07T21:51:00.003-06:00

Bluing Bolete

Words of wisdom from Mama Pony

2011-01-06T17:32:00.000-06:00

Mama Pony: "That's why you have a significant other, so you can throw them under the bus. Then they can throw you. It's a good relationship."

Anything?

2010-12-08T21:27:00.002-06:00

I mean to say a lot of thing but I remain silent.

If I mean to say something but I don't does it mean anything?

Right Now

2010-11-23T20:03:00.001-06:00

I'm typing right now.*

*This statement was true at the time but is probably not true as you are reading it.**

**Well actually if it is currently any day Monday through Friday between the hours of 7am and 5pm it quite possibly could be true.***

***Do you really care?****

****Deeply.

Bald is beautiful

2010-11-10T21:22:00.001-06:00

Switching around the TV the other day, I came across my favorite show in high school, Star Trek The Next Generation. I know. I know. I had a huge crash on Jean-Luc Picard. God I loved him. Yes that probably explains why I didn't date much in high school

This memory shook lose my childhood crush on....

Daddy Warbucks. I watched Annie over and over again. Which reminded me of my favorite movie from childhood, The Ten Commandments. Staring my biggest crush of all...

Rameses II, Yul Brynner. I would get so excited every Easter because I knew all 5 hours of The Ten Commandments would be on TV. My unending consumption of peeps probably played a role in the heightened excitment I felt.

I guess it makes since I ended up with a bald man. Man, I'm sure glad I turned out to be attracted to bald guys instead of old dudes.

Funny? Yes.

2010-11-10T19:59:00.001-06:00

My Dad is funny

2010-11-06T09:55:00.000-05:00

My parents are Republicans.
I am not.

I texted my father on election night to tell him I voted for Mark Kirk, a Republican for the US Senate.
Here is my father's text back.

"Who is this? Samantha if you've been abducted by aliens blink the North star twice at 8pm! We'll find you no matter what.

We love you and we'll get you back no matter what the cost."

Life

2010-09-23T10:30:00.000-05:00

Alive.
Live. Live. Live. Live. Live. Live. Live.
Day. Day. Day.   Day. Day. Live. Live.
Day. Day. Day.   Day. Day. Day. Live.
Day. Day. Day.   Day. Day. Day. Day.
Dead.

Choose Life

2010-08-31T16:07:00.002-05:00

I agree with the sign. These people really should have read the sign. If only they read the sign.

Seen in Shannon, IL.

Statistics

2010-08-19T21:47:00.002-05:00

Statistics are meaningless until you are the statistic.

Sustainable

2010-08-10T20:50:00.002-05:00

Um. I think there might be a problem with our society when we need to put sustainable in front of words like farming and energy. I would think everything we do should be sustainable. I thought our children are our future. If Michael Jackson was right wouldn't we want to leave this world atleast how we found it. I would like to be a sustainable human being, but I don't know if that is possible anymore.

It is so wonderful how corporations hop from country to country seeking cheaper and cheaper labor. I really appreciate it when the local labor force tries to form unions because of the horrible working conditions and the company fights it or leaves. Um maybe we are all humans beings. Yes your $5 t-shirt is awesome, but it cost a lot more than $5. Someone who was working in a rural environment is now working in a factory for $5 a month, so you can buy an awesome shirt for $5. That is not sustainable.

Be a sustainable human

Night fishing by the fire

2010-07-28T08:29:00.000-05:00

Still. Silence.
Plop.
Crank.
Still. Silence
Crackle.
Pop.
Still. Silence.
Look at that Star.
That's a plane.
Still. Silence.
Whizzzzzz
Got one.
Crank.
Whizzzzzz
Catfish

Donuts

2010-07-22T11:01:00.000-05:00

I love donuts and they love me. People are always trying to tear us apart. They don't know what it is like when it is just the two of us. Donuts really care about me. They make me feel so good. People may tell me how bad donuts are for me, but I don't care.

"Donuts will give you a heart attack."
Not my donuts.

"Donuts will make you fat"
My donuts will still love me when I am fat.

"Donuts are just in it for your money."
Well I'm just in it for the donuts.

Pappy Van Winkle

2010-07-19T19:51:00.001-05:00

I am spending some Sam Pony time with Pappy tonight.

I don't know why I want to be a whiskey drinker but I do. Maybe it's the 1/4 of my genes that originated from Gaelic Country screaming for attention. Whisky comes from a Gaelic word meaning "water of life." Who wouldn't want to drink the water of life? Although I think I may need a new glass to live up to it's definition. I'm thinking the holy grail from The Last Crusade.

Thankfully my parents were not whisky drinkers so I didn't have any bad experiences as a teenager. My first real taste of whiskey came from my boyfriend offering me a sip of apple juice. Hilarious, yes. Tasty, no. Since that first experience 5 years ago I have been slowly sipping whiskey.

Like all of us I have been attaining tastes my whole life. I acquired my taste for beer through a lot of hard work. I started at the bottom with kegs and kegs of natural light. My participation in rugby facilitated my love of beer. It is tradition for the home team to throw a party after the game for the visitors. These gatherings involved many boat races, flippy cups and rugby songs. All of which are very fun and require a lot of beer. Today I am certified beer snob with a city that supports my snobbery.

My taste for tea was acquire from a visit to a friend's tea garden in India. My love of coffee was realized while living in Costa Rica for 3 months. I would love to visit Ireland or Scotland, but I don't think that is in the cards anytime soon.

I guess I will have to continue spending time with Pappy in Chicago. I have learned that one classic ice cube (a perfect square) is Pappy's best friend. I think kissing whiskey by a fire may accelerate my enjoyment of whisky, but that will have to wait until this winter.

Cheers.

Life Pollution

2010-07-10T01:00:00.000-05:00

We are afraid and maybe we should be. Our economic growth may be based on fear. I am a strong believe that light pollution is a serious pollution. Stars are beautiful and scary at the same time. They are an unknown that reminds us how small we really are. It is a loss to our everyday life to not be able to see them illuminate in all their glory every night. I live in Chicago and to see the Milky Way a 2 hour car ride is necessary. I understand that crime lurks in darkness, but maybe a loss of human curiousity lurks in the light. Stars are beautiful. Let them shine. Crime occurs. Darkness probably does not cause crime.

My Favorite Things

2010-06-28T20:02:00.002-05:00

People wearing funny costumes while being sad.

Mushroom Monday

2010-06-21T10:36:00.002-05:00

Black Trumpets

Some type of blue mushrooms.

Coral Mushrooms

A Mother's Love

2010-06-16T12:17:00.000-05:00

Opening my parent's refrigerator in front of my mother invariably leads to her listing off the contents for me. I am pretty sure my mother is aware I am not blind, but we have never had this conversation. A quick reaction to her list is absolutely necessary. Otherwise, the contents of the freezer and surrounding cabinets will also be listed off. Again, act quickly. Grab an apple, hot dog, stick of butter, anything, and shove it in your mouth. Otherwise, be prepared for a full discourse on her dislike of grocery shopping or "your father's" current eating habits. You've been warned.

THINGS ARE GOING TO BE OKAY...

2010-06-15T08:56:00.000-05:00

Or not.

Those are the two outcomes from millisecond to millisecond. One is everyday life. One changes everyday life in an instant.

I will make it through this intersection or not.
My Toaster Strudel will complete it's journey to my stomach or not.
I will be combined from the genes of two attractive, kind, rich individuals in a stable region of planet Earth or not.
All my activities will be successfully completed in the shower or not.

These deep thoughts are brought to you by Joan Didion's, The Year of Magical Thinking. It's a heavy book that doesn't physically weigh very much.

I hope you complete all your activities in the shower today.

Scenes from the next...

2010-06-08T20:30:00.005-05:00

Like any good TV show, I wish my day ended with scenes from the next.

Next time will Sam Pony eat that sandwich?
Tune in tomorrow to see if Sam Pony drinks that entire bottle of wine in the dark by herself.
On the next the Sam Pony the most shocking rose ceremony ever.
Bang!
Boom!
Pow!
Will our Sam Pony survive?

Editing

2010-05-26T13:56:00.000-05:00

Reality television has shown us that it takes a lot of film and editing to make life watchable. Which may be why Jesus was always turning water into wine. Can you imagine watching every one's life? Boring.

LOST

2010-05-25T22:07:00.001-05:00

It seems LOST has left us with more questions than answers, which sadly is how I think life will end for me. Although if God is a real thing I hope it has thought out this whole life thing more than the writers of LOST. It would be a shame if like LOST the initial story was extended because it kept getting renewed. I guess that could explain some things I find unexplainable, like anteaters, the filet-o-fish sandwich, how planes fly, the election of George W Bush, and the re-election of George W Bush.

Bettye Lavette

2010-05-20T19:41:00.003-05:00

Oh Bettye. I love you and your white leather jump suit. I love that the city of Chicago hired a white plump girl in a long jean skirt to sign your performance at Chicago's Blues Fest. By sign I mean sign language. I love that you included her in your show. She danced and signed with you as you sang the blues. You are my Joy. Also deaf people that show up to music shows are my Joy.

Bettye you have no right to not be playing blues fest. I want you back. The city of Chicago wants you back. The plump white girl wants you back.

For some reason she is playing The Morton Arboretum on August 18th. Who wants to join the trees, Bettye and me?

Accessories

2010-05-16T20:25:00.000-05:00

Electronic devices like cell phones and computers should have a breathalyzer accessory. You could set your drunk level to lock you out.

Bucktown Happy Thoughts

2010-05-16T10:41:00.001-05:00

I had a bad day

2010-05-14T18:07:00.003-05:00

I had a bad day today, but everything is relative. Yes, our contract required us to be completed with our work today. Yes, all we had to do today was straighten a leaning hydrant. No, it didn't happen. Yes, I had to eat a crow. Yes, it tastes exactly how you are thinking. Yes, it is going to take a long time to stop tasting crow in my mouth.

Okay now a reality check. No I don't live in country where I wouldn't even have the possibility of doing the work that I do. No, I don't worry about basic necessities. No I do not share a heart and arm with my hotter twin sister. Man, can you imagine? She would always get the guy and I would always be in the room.

Never mind, today was a great day.

Mortality

2010-05-11T19:54:00.000-05:00

I just learned that I am a mortal. This is very disturbing.

India - Things I miss

2010-05-07T20:48:00.001-05:00

2. TEA

I knew tea before I visited India, but I didn't know how great tea was until India gave me the full introduction.

Our first day in India we arrived late at night to our home base, Siliguri, India. The jet lag was heavy. We all succumbed to slumber early. Mike and I awoke early the next day. Our waiters were marvelous, but there was a language barrier. The easiest thing to order was tea. The tea was the best I ever had. I drank 5 cups that morning. Nice to meet you tea. Is it to early to say I love you?

We were in tea country and as luck would have it our gracious host's family had a tea estate. We spent a peaceful day meandering through the tea garden. It ranks among the calmest days of my life. It was a joy to walk the grounds. Drinking tea in a tea garden is surreal. I recommend it to everyone.

We were spoiled. The tea was amazing, but as we traveled west ordering tea did not mean we received "tea." You see we were all tea snobs now. We had sipped tea in an actual tea garden. Just because a tea bag has the Taj Mahal on it does not make it Indian tea. We were aghast. How could they serve us a tea bag when I ordered Darjeeling tea. Should I send it back? Thinking about it now I guess expecting great tea in Rajasthan is like expecting amazing oysters in Wisconsin.

I miss drinking tea in India. I miss my morning cup of tea (or 5) with my two Mikes

India - The Himalayas

2010-05-04T20:54:00.004-05:00

I told myself and my fellow readers I would write about my India experience every day this week. Then a drank one of my first cups of coffee since returning from India in January. This common beverage does strange things to me. I only "slept" for one hour Sunday night before I was jolted awake at 5am for work. I know it sounds far fetched, but it is true which is why after discovering tea in India I cut it out of my life. Except it worked wonders for a recent 40 mile bike ride.

This will be a surprise to no one, but I have to say it, the Himalayas are colossal. Even the foothills are scary big. The great part about driving in the Himalayas is you experience how scary big they are by just looking out your passenger window at the shear cliff inches from your car tire. Shoulders, guard rails, proper lanes, tentative drives and lights don't get in the way. You remain well aware of the constant danger you are in as you are hurled up and down the mountain, which helps to make one really appreciate the beauty of the Himalayas.

Our driver, Kalu was excellent. He had no fear. It calmed me knowing the thought of imminent death was not on his mind like it was on mine. In India, having a driver, if you own a car is common. I learned that most cars driving the roads through the Himalayas drive this route often and there is a code these drivers follow. Although I didn't appreciate this code when we encountered a broken down truck on the mountain top road. We tried to squeeze by it the same time as an oncoming truck. We were bumper to bumper and Kalu didn't hesitate a second. He threw it into reverse and floored it. I would think since we were closest to the edge we would allow the other truck to back up. It would be the safest thing to do but I guess there was a slight head bop or something to let Kalu know it was his turn.

The Himalayas are speckled with Buddhist monasteries. I was luck enough to visit two. I think if I grew up in the awe inspiring Himalayas I would probably be Buddhist. I grew up in the Midwest which is probably why I am agnostic.

The monasteries are quite appealing. The monks walking around in their red ropes are very cool. The children in their monk robes are adorable. I was told that it is a tradition that the youngest son in a Buddhist family is sent to the monasteries to become a monk. That sounds like a really altruistic tradition. The catholic tradition (requirement) is to donate 10% of your salary to the church. Which compared to the Buddhist tradition seems paltry.

Which makes me wonder. Should I give my last born (or first if it ever happens) to a cause near and dear to me? Would the Sierra Club teach my youngest to run the with wolves, plug piping carrying pollutants into our rivers or master the US court system for environmental causes by the age of 12? Would the Planetary Society be interested in shooting my six year old into space? I am not sure what NPR would do with a 6 year old but I am sure they will think of something amazing.

Some of the photos are courtesy of my friend Lisa Monroe. I would send you to her photo website, but she doesn't have one. She is quite the painter. I would post a link to see her paintings, but she doesn't have one. I do have a photo of one her amazing paintings, which reminds me of India. So I will post it here.

India - Things I miss

2010-05-02T11:05:00.004-05:00

1. Sari shopping

I hate shopping, which is why most of my clothes were purchased by others. On the weekends I usually wear the same outfit all weekend. If I didn't have a job I would probably only have one outfit. Damn you necessities.

Our sari shopping experience began as we entered into a store of color. We were lead to a comfortable couch as our sales staff removed their shoes to start the show. We sat sipping ambrosial tea while beautiful fabric was flung in the air before us. As the fabric floated to the ground I had a childlike sense of happiness. The vibrant colors laying atop each other captivated me as fabric continued to fly above our heads. When the show was completed we each pointed to our piece of the rainbow. One size fits all (for real). No changing rooms. No need to face yourself in a mirror with a strange, awkwardly fitting garment on your body. It's my kind of shopping.

I have been back from India for 3 months. I have found it difficult to express my experience. They only word I have come up with is overwhelming. People usually ask if it was overwhelming in a good way or a bad way. I respond with just overwhelming. I will force myself to write for the next week about my experience before even more of it has been lost.

Death

2010-04-29T07:32:00.001-05:00

Have you ever had a dream where you feel death upon you? You know you are going to die. You feel it. Then you just wake up. Is that what death in this life is? I can't wait to see where I "wake up." Strike that. I can wait, but I am interested.

TV

2010-04-28T20:38:00.002-05:00

My father loves TV. It's one of his hobbies. One of his other hobbies is "horizontal thinking." To non-Pony's that means sleeping. Whenever that 52" box illuminates he tends to participate in both of his hobbies. He never sleeps for more than 10 minutes but some how continues to be interested in whatever he is watching. If we turn the channel he wakes up saying, "Hey I'm watching that!" He also wakes up asking for my sweet mother to rewind to to the point he fell asleep. It probably explains why they are still married, my mother will hit rewind. Which means a 2 hour movie takes 4 hours. Is the "secret" to a lasting marriage hitting rewind?

Child Proof

2010-04-25T10:30:00.000-05:00

Seen at 3 Floyd's Dark Lord Days.

This child's toy appears to be a prescription bottle. Reasons for allowing your child to play with one;

1. You are training your child to open child proof bottles in order to sue when she is able to open them.
2. You are teaching your child to not accept any limitations.
3. It says it's child proof so what is the harm?
4. You can't wait to brag to your friends that your child can open child proof bottles.

Soundtrack

2010-04-24T23:56:00.000-05:00

I wish my life had a soundtrack. Then I would realize when the big moments are in my life. Like when I am sitting on the train thinking. If I had a soundtrack I would know I was thinking about things that were transitioning my life or if nothing played I would know it was just life. Then I would know I should change my thinking so things would transition and I could listen to some tunes.

Signs of spring on my street

2010-04-20T18:25:00.003-05:00

Beautiful flowers are in bloom.

Neighborhood improvement projects have started. Fresh concrete is being poured. Wait a minute.

Como Esta?

2010-04-19T21:25:00.001-05:00

Muy asi asi.

THE UNEXAMINED LIFE IS NOT WORTH LIVING

2010-04-09T22:01:00.004-05:00

"The unexamined life is not worth living." -Socrates
Sounds simple right? Examine your own life as you live it, but what is the proper application to do this examining? I guess a pen and paper could work. No, that seems complicated. I could use Microsoft Word. Better yet I'll put it on Facebook. Nothing is worth doing unless everyone knows about it right? Maybe I should tweet it. No don't be ridiculous this examination will require more than 144 characters. I know I'll have a blog. No that is just obnoxious.
Surprise, after Googling the above quote I believe I am supposed to sit quietly and think.
Cool. I'll just put on some soothing music. Well this American Life is on maybe I'll just listen to that while I figure out my past, present and future. Darn, I've already heard this one. I missed 30 Rock last week. I'll just watch it on Hulu while my examination takes place. It will help fill in the lulls of thinking.
Oh quiet my head wth no distractions? Oh I couldn't do that. I am pretty afraid of the places my head will go if I have nothing to distract it. God what did people do 100 years ago? All they had was lulls to think. Scary.
Well that is enough examining for me. I’m going to bed. Good night.

Activities

2010-04-09T07:30:00.002-05:00

Activities can be so much fun.
My favorite activities are fun activities.
Hooray.

Who would Jesus bomb?

2010-04-07T10:29:00.000-05:00

I just saw a great bumper sticker, “Who would Jesus bomb?”

It drives me insane that people are not up in arms over the number of innocent Afgans and Iraqis we as a nation have killed in our war efforts. These people have friends and families that loved them.

I have nothing funny to say. It just really bothers me.

Life

2010-03-29T19:56:00.000-05:00

My Mother has decided since none of her three children have produced any grandchildren for her, she will adopt her own grandchildren.

CABBIES

2010-03-24T22:00:00.002-05:00

I don't know what it is really, but cabbies are the easiest people to talk to for me. Normally I would be really shy meeting and talking with someone new, but apparently if you drive a vechicle and I pay you money it is a breeze. For some reason I love talking shop with cabbie drivers. I seem to really connect with the difficulty in depending on Friday and Saturday nights to pay the rent. Just saying.

Genius

2010-03-22T18:30:00.002-05:00

The person that designed the Dairy Queen sign is genius. I want to stop for a blizzard everytime.

Fun with animals

2010-03-20T21:15:00.000-05:00

I am highly allergic to cats and dogs. So each of my two sisters had a cat while I was growing up and my mom had a dog. Here are two of my favorites things I did to pay them back.

1. I would put mayonnaise on my dogs snout in a location that he could never quite reach. I licked and licked but could never get it. I think it was probably the happiest moment in his life. My mother on the other hand would totally disagree. When ever we had mayonnaise on the table she would say, "you better not put mayonnaise on the dogs noise." I always did, because it was so damn funny.

2. My sister rescued an emaciated kitty, which become the fattest, laziest cat. I never saw it move at a higher pace than a mosey until one of the funniest days in my life. That day I received a helium filled balloon probably to recognize a very significant achievement in my life. I don't remember the achievement that resulted in that helium filled balloon but I do remember tying the string around my sister's fat cat. It terrified him so much he took of running. He was obviously not used to running because he slammed into the wall, meowed, then backed up and ran into the wall again. It continued for awhile; wall, meow, wall, meow, wall, meow, wall, meow, then for some reason my sister stopped the fun. I probably should have received a helium filled cat balloon for that achievement. Meow.

WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A WAY, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT

2010-03-17T08:42:00.004-05:00

My sister desired a cute kitten like nothing else. Yes of course like any 7 year old she would take full responsibility of being a kitty owner. Yes she would feed her every day and clean her litter too. No my parents did not believe it. They decided to have a “test run” with a shorter life span animal that would be sequestered to a cage.

She received a Guinea Pig for Christmas, which she named Christmas. She loved and cared for that animal for whole 2 weeks. Then the animal was moved to the back room and basically forgotten until she tragically died. I will not go into the circumstance of her earlier death. Well actually I am not allowed to until the trial has been completed.

Of course my sister was quite distraught. Due to the frost Christmas was placed in a shallow grave for her eternal rest. We woke the next morning to my sister screaming, “Christmas is all over the back yard.” Apparently our neighbor’s dog dug up her final resting place and decided to spread some Christmas cheer.

My sister got her kitty.

Feat of the Day

2010-03-11T21:10:00.003-06:00

I had quite the experience on the Metra the other day. I rode the train from Harvard to Chicago with a man who got on the train with a full 2 liter of RC cola and left the train with an empty 2 liter of RC cola. He was focused like a well trained athlete. He didn't listen to music, he didn't read anything, he didn't even look out the window. He had a 2 liter bottle of RC cola and that was his focus. He drank it like it was no big deal he had a 2 liter bottle of RC cola, but I knew it was big deal. He didn't panick and drink it all during the first 15 minutes of the time. No, he timed it perfectly. He started with full RC cola and finished is last sip of RC cola as we arrived at the Oglive Transporation Center. He never visited the facilities. He drank his RC cola. I chatted with him for a bit, but we both knew he was just being kind. His focus was his RC cola and I applaud him for a job well done. I can only hope the next time I ride from Harvard to Chicago I get to experience the feat of drinking a 2 liter of RC cola during one train ride.

SOMETIMES

2010-03-10T21:11:00.002-06:00

Sometimes I don’t want to wake up

Sometime I just want to sleep

Sometimes I wake up

Sometime I can’t sleep

Sometimes it is nice out and I stay inside.

Sometimes it is gloomy out and I go outside

Sometimes isn’t all the time, but it is sometimes.

WHY

2010-03-09T21:16:00.000-06:00

Like any good 6year old, I find myself asking why a lot. I have learned to stop asking why at work, because the question never seems to have a good answer. If I just do it without understanding the logic it makes the work day smooth.

I ask myself why I'm here a lot. Maybe the answer is just because. It is probably as good an answer as any.

Baby Names

2010-03-07T23:35:00.001-06:00

Boy - Ichabod Girl - Ichaboda
Boy - Bingo Girl - Binga
Boy - Guy Girl - Gal
Boy - Orange Girl - Apple
Boy - Hussein Girl - Husseina
Hermaphrodite - Sam

PRIVATE CALLER

2010-03-01T08:44:00.003-06:00

Why do you call? Does anyone ever answer? Do you really want to talk to someone that answers their phone when it comes up private?

You crazy bo.

Zamboni

2010-02-26T18:10:00.003-06:00

If I had an opportunity to drive a zamboni I would take it. Dam the consequences.

SLEEP

2010-02-25T21:35:00.000-06:00

I love sleep. It is one of my favorite activities. That probably sounds pretty sad to most people, but it sounds really good to me. People usually stay out because they don't want to miss anything. I leave the party earlier because I don't want to miss any sleep.

When I start a new job or activity I love I will be on time or earlier for probably the first 2 weeks. After that I am always late. Which makes me think if I was offered a million dollars to wake up at 6 am every morning, that 2 weeks in I would be laying in bed at 5:58 am telling myself I can make a million dollars another time. Sleeping is the best choice for me.

Make Up

2010-02-21T15:39:00.000-06:00

Reasons I don't wear make up;

1. It takes me 10 minutes to get ready for work. If I wore make up it would take 15 minutes. I would rather sleep the extra 5 minutes.

2. I started to wear make up when I had my first "real" job after college. I found when I didn't have time to put make up on in the morning (see above) people would tell me I looked really tired. I decided to stop wearing make up so when I was actually tired I could put make up on to look normal.

3. I am cheap.

4. I think people should be comfortable being themselves. Plus I am really hot so I really don't need make up. Atleast that is what I tell myself.

5. I should say something about animal testing or synthetic chemicals, but I don't really know anything about it.

Leslie Hall

2010-02-20T13:56:00.001-06:00

A friend and I stumbled into Subterranean last Friday after a late dinner. We must of have been attracted by the gem sweaters worn by those attending the show. Thankfully I had a few drinks at dinner or I never would have paid $12 for a band I didn't know. Once again my drinking has paid off. The smile never left my face once internet sensation, Leslie Hall took the stage. I am surprised I never heard of her since my boyfriend does a lot of "research" on the internet. He says he is looking at funny videos, but now I don't know if I believe him.

Check her out at http://www.lesliehall.com/.

LIFE

2010-02-17T08:59:00.000-06:00

I wonder if our Hunter and Gatherer ancestors questioned their position in life like we do.

I enjoy hunting, but how many buffalo do I really need to kill in my life? I know it necessary to eat, but there has to be more to life. Maybe I’ll become a Gatherer. I think I might be happier as a Gatherer. Berries are really delicious.

I MISS YOU

2010-02-13T21:34:00.001-06:00

I miss my crazy neighbors.

Neighbor #1.  Annie and Jane were awesome drunks. They were constantly falling down the 20 stairs leading to their apartment above ours. We would wake to find loose change, chapstick and sometimes even a bloody Annie outside our door.

Neighbor #2.  Mary was collecting her mail when she was randomly punched in the face by a girl she didn't know. I guess I don't really miss my neighbor but the random punching girl.

Neighbor #3. I had a weird feeling that someone was living in our building's utility closet. My suspicion was confirmed when I came home and saw smoking seeping out of the bottom of the door. My landlord and boyfriend knocked on "their" door, but there was no answer. After they kicked in the door I found out I was wrong, there were 2 people living in our utility closet. We offered to bring them to a shelter, but the woman said she was stabbed in a shelter a month ago.

Neighbor #4. Meth Girl. I am pretty sure she was a meth head.  We would constantly hear her scream at her boyfriend and food delivery men. "You forgot my mother fucking coke. Fuck you!"  I awoke at 3am because there was a weird flash coming from outside. I looked out the window to find Meth Girl having a photo shoot of herself on our porch. She also left her door wide open one day and was shocked to find someone stolen her bike. So she installed obviously fake cameras outside her doors. I think she may have gone to jail or just disappeared. Her friend ended up squatting at her place. He eventually stabbed my other neigherbor in the leg. Good times.

My current neighbors are very boring. I guess my neighborhood has changed.

ALONE

2010-02-12T09:18:00.003-06:00

One of the hardest things in my life is realizing I am alone and somehow learning to be okay with it. As a child I had a fear that I was making all this up. When I say everything, I mean everything; my family, earth, the universe. I imagined waking up in “the void” and being alone. It turns out I was right.

Read - Anything Beyond The Universe? New Theory Changes Our Destiny

It also turns out I was a weird little girl, with kick ass bangs.

GOOGLE

2010-02-12T08:48:00.000-06:00

Someone landed on my blog from googling "pony rape mom." How awesome is that?

Gross

2010-02-05T20:34:00.000-06:00

Some people think having reading material in the bathroom is gross. I think not having reading material in your bathroom is gross. What the hell are you doing in there if you are not reading? Gross.

HELL

2010-02-02T08:38:00.003-06:00

I don't know about you, but Hell always sounded bad to me. However after being in India where waiting is an everyday part of life, I believe waiting to get into hell is worse.

RETIREMENT

2010-01-09T09:02:00.002-06:00

Most people save their money to buy wonderful, necessary things. I save a majority of my salary so I can quit at any given moment. I think retirement is a waste while you are old. I retire every 2 – 3 years.

My first brush with retirement was after graduating from college. I decided to backpack through Europe before I started looking for a “real” job. It was an eye opening experience. Just as military service is required for every Israeli Citizen. Every American Citizen should be required to take a break between college (high school) and a 40 – 60 hours work week, 2 weeks of vacation and an ever increasing co-pay to experience life. Life after college shouldn’t involve $2k of debt to own wonderful things. Let’s start life after college with $2k in debt for experiences.

I retired two more times after my initial stint. My last retirement involved moving to Costa Rica to help out our friends while they took care of a hotel in the middle of nowhere on the Pacific Ocean for 3 months. Our days consisted of waking up, then making breakfast for the hotel guests. Well, when I say making breakfast, I have never made anything anyone would want to eat, but I did serve them the food my boyfriend made. Next on the agenda, spend time with the ocean, have sex, take a shower, then a nap. To close out the day we gathered fresh fish, vegetables, and fruit for the night’s dinner. Mike cooked shirtless and I served shoeless. When service was over we would drink a beer and visit the ocean, the moon and the stars then go to bed listening to the ocean. I learned life is best with good food, people and pura vida.

I have spent the last two years working a wonderfully challenging job that I have really enjoyed but also had extreme amounts of stress that I am not sure I know how to deal with. Maybe the way to deal with it is to hunt for mushrooms throughout the country for the next 6 months.

I would be crazy to leave such a great job, but maybe I will become crazy if I don't.

Ghosts of Indulgences Past, Present and Future

2010-01-07T19:59:00.002-06:00

My Adolesence - Sticks of Butter aka Candy Bars
My Teens - Sugar and Sleep
My 20s - Beer
My 30s - Whiskey
My 40s - Wine
My 50s - Marijuana
My 60s - Hallucinogens (Mushrooms, etc)
My 70s - Pharmaceuticals (Imagine what they will come up with in the next 40 years)
My 80s - Sugar and Sleep
My 90s - Melted Butter Soup and Death

Life

2010-01-05T20:18:00.003-06:00

Ah, good beer is so good.

Visit Annette's Flickr Page Here.

Life

2010-01-04T21:18:00.000-06:00

Life would be more interesting to ourselves if instead of seeing everything through our eyes we saw it like we were the star of a movie. I would think we would watch a lot less tv because watching ourself watch tv would be pathetic.

HAVE A TWISTED NEW YEAR

2010-01-01T09:25:00.002-06:00

DEMOCRATIC SPIRIT

2009-12-19T23:28:00.003-06:00

David Foster Wallace - "A Democratic Spirit is one that combines rigor and humility, i.e. passionate conviction plus a sedulous respect for the convictions of others."

Can we all agree that having cancer should not be a reason for a person to fill for bankruptcy? Our healthcare system is broken. I have certain insurance because I have a certain job. If I come down with a certain disease I can cerntainly not get insuranced if I leave my certain job. Certainly this is bullshit.

No Republican voted for the healthcare bill. Republicans did not offer a viable alternative to the democratic bill. Their vote seems to hope for failure of the democratic bill, so they can get elected. Where is the "Democratic Spirit?"

Dem. Sen. Nelson your conviction that you do not want the government to pay for aboration sounds legit until you also get additional money for your state out of the deal. Are you against the government paying for an abortion or do you really want additional money for your state because you want to get re-elected. You are a fuck too. Did you fight to oppose the government paying for viagra? Fuck you.

Our government is supposed to be our government. Yes you are red and I am blue, but we all Americans. There needs to be more Purple.

Great Recession 4th of July

2009-12-04T20:08:00.001-06:00

Dear Chicago,

As we are all aware the city is having some cash issues. While selling off our public assets may raise funds it also raises eyebrows, as it should. We propose to have the greatest 4th of July show ever, while saving the city tons of cash. Let the masses of gases bonded by gravity be taken in by our eyes during their journey of billions of years be the show. Only our brave Mayor Daley can pull it off, unplug the entire Midwest. Let the stars shine and the Midwest blackout. Let's not Rio De Janeiro out do us again.

Sincerely,
People Against Light Pollution

LOOPHOLES

2009-12-01T09:27:00.000-06:00

Good news! The League of Wealthy Christians built a needle large enough to fit a camel.

"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God" - Mark 10:25

DEATH

2009-11-30T22:39:00.000-06:00

We have all heard this crazy idea that we are going to die, but most of us don't really know that we are going to die. What death doesn't realize is how important we are in our life. We are the main character dam it.

We all deal with death in different ways. Some of us eat right, excerise, work hard, basically do everything right as if this some how prevents a bus from hitting us tomorrow. Some of us touch the door knob three times, count every footstep taken and never let our food touch to ensure everything will be just fine. Some of us believe in religion which means death won't be a death but a rebirth. Hooray! I believe in the bus.