4 courses (4 centuries in Spain),
24 dishes (including vegetarian options),
128 seated for banquet...

~2 dozen intrepid members of the Culinary Guild, comprised of Alpha Cooks, Sous Chefs, Team Garnish, Team Dishwashers, Minion Primus and Minion Secundus busting their arses all day cooking & prepping...

receiving a standing ovation & round of ( Read more... )

Honestly and without exaggeration, 2009 was such a sucky year for many of us, myself definitely included in that one.  Too many deaths of loved ones, loss of jobs, health catastrophes, etc.  Mark and I decided before the end of 2009 that we are going to take the offensive and take back our happiness in 2010.  We've decided that this is 2010: The ( Read more... )

I was trying to find a way to express what I want/feel for the new year. It's already been explained in this poem, Desiderata. More specific thoughts will follow in a later post...

Happy New Year to all those I love. If you're reading this- that's you. {{hugs}}

The Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,

and remember what peace there may ( Read more... )

Most of you will be in bed already when I post this, as we're 3 hours behind you over here on the left coast. Figure I'll post an update from what I was up to over the weekend, just in case there's anyone out there who hasn't been getting enough posts on their friend's lists to read lately ( Read more... )

For all those who share in the loss of a wonderful soul, Tasha's Wolfie...


( Read more... )

I've recently reconnected with a lot of my buddies from the Marine Corps. I love Facebook. It has been a great time talking with them on fb and reminiscing about when we were stationed together at MCAS Beafort, SC. We're now even talking of trying for a "reunion" next year around St. Patty's Day ( Read more... )

You know how sometimes people on your friendslist post about stuff going on in their life, and all of a sudden you think "Wait a minute? Since when were they working THERE? Since when were they dating HIM/HER? Since when?" And then you wonder how you could have missed all that seemingly pretty standard information, but somehow you feel too ashamed ( Read more... )

Thank you to all who have served and/or continue to serve in the armed forces around the world.

Here's some interesting tidbits about famous people who have served in the U.S. military forces.  Some you may be surprised to see listed:

http://www.military.com/veterans-day/these-guys-served.html

http://www.military.com/veterans-day/famous-veterans.htm

( Read more... )

Ok, I haven't posted here in like forever.  Loooong story.  Since my last post, somewhere in the middle of June, I've spent almost 2 full months away from home (accumulated), and just returned to Seattle from a cross country drive from NJ to Washington state with my sister.  3200 miles total, including detours, adventures, and true road miles ( Read more... )

I posted this on facebook, but some of you are not on there or don't go there often, so I thought I'd share this randomness on LJ.  Feel free to post this to your LJ and give us some insight into your random thoughts, if you feel like it... :)


1. My ex...is an idiot to ever have let me go

2. Maybe I should....be more productive some days

3. I love.... ( Read more... )