Leaving Here, Arriving There

2011-11-09T14:26:00.001-08:00

betsy

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2011-11-09T14:15:00.003-08:00

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2011-11-09T14:15:00.001-08:00

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2011-11-09T14:02:00.001-08:00

Officially Home

2011-04-27T17:18:00.001-07:00

I have a room.
In that room, i have a bed.
All my stuff is unpacked.
I am almost feeling settled.

I got word from work that i am definitely going to be staying in the NoCo, which is so rad. It's sort of been the plan for a while now, but there have been plans before and then at the last minute they change. I haven't really been letting most folks know that it was happening because it's the worst when everyone gets pumped about some big big news and then at the last minute something falls through creating a huge let down.

I am pretty excited about hanging out in the woodsly goodness with my peoples. Some folks just have roommates, but when your roommates are your two BFFLs(best friends for life) then you got yourself a family, and that's pretty sweet.

One of the most expert things about knowing you are going to be in one place for awhile is the ability to make plans. House guests, live music, road trips, gardening, crucials. All good things. All Happening.
Expert!

Hollers and Shout outs!

2011-04-12T05:08:00.000-07:00

To all the MPLS peoples that hung out hard this past week. And i mean that seriously. When it comes to being gracious and generous hosts, Shawn and Meryl at the Louderhorn inn take it all the way to Eleven. A full week of hanging out with some seriously rad people. Thanks to Adam W. for hooking me up with a bicycle to ride all week. Times would have been less fun if i had to ride the bus everywhere. The weather was awesome and i rode almost everyday with a rotating cast of rad-ness(Adam W, then other Adam and his Moustache, a couple days with Rebecca, and then the birthday weekend grand finale with Shawn, Meryl, Rebecca, and Adam and his Moustache.) The only day that i didn't ride was on Shawn's birthday(he's thirty now) and this happened:

YUP! This is what i got for Shawn's birthday. The start to the freshest Goonies chest piece ever. I can't wait to finish it. One Eyed Willie, Doubloon with crossed "candle" and baby ruth, come on so fresh. Believe it or not the generosity didn't end there. One week of city living and now this is happening. Robot phone expertism.

That's right....Mr. cucch no longer has to be a t9 textpert.

The scary part about it is how easily i have adapted. The city boy might have oozed out a little baby bit.

Times were had, and they were all good. I am back in CT now, and i will be making the journey north to the woodsly goodness in a few days, but i think mpls has earn a special place in my heart.

Something fun!

2011-04-02T09:13:00.000-07:00

Two Days left up here in Canada. One day of work today, and then i'm on vacation again. Yesterday was thew first of april. This year is already twenty-five percent gone. I feel like i gotta make some moves and get stuff done instead of just moving around. That's the plan atleast, but only time will tell what's actually going to happen. I do know that i am flying into minneapolis on monday which is going to be rad, and then i am spending a few days in CT to see family and up my pie and falafel counts which are dangerously low. Then i'm heading north to one of the few places where life sort of makes sense to me.

I had a couple days off this week, in a row. It was kinda exciting i guess, and a lot of folks would be super pumped about a chance to go shred the gnar on the mountain tops. I'll go skiing,but i don't really care about it and my whole life definitely doesn't revolve around skiing or riding. The only riding i care about is my bike which is on the right coast, where i would prefer to be. Over the course of this winter season i have spent almost 3 months in beautiful whistler, without doing anything fun really. i mostly just spent my time working, so on tuesday i went ziplinig. I spent a few hours in the old growth forest of whistler gliding on cables from tree top platforms. It was fun. There were five runs, and the longest cable was 2000 ft long. Between my dinosaur of a computer, and molasses moving internet speeds uploading a video is just not happening. I guess you'll just have to take my word for it that it was fun.

Pasta Challenge

2011-03-21T19:03:00.000-07:00

What do y'all know about decrees?
Unfortunately, once you make one, you have to follow through. Those are the rules. No matter how inane it is. Like a pasta challenge. 1.32 pounds of pasta, half a jar of sauce, and half a brick of tofu eaten in 30 minutes or less.

Was i successful? This after just fifteen minutes...

And all that food was in my belly hole in 27 minutes. Do you know the meaning of the word, EXPERT?

Sometimes i wish there were more vegan competitive eating competitions. Don't get me wrong, i love the amateur challenges i setup for myself, but if only i could go PRO.
I'm still a little upset that the T's place challenge never happened when we were in Minneapolis. One hour and One Veggie Combo! Is anyone up for that when i come back in April?

Almost Here!

2011-03-20T10:20:00.000-07:00

Spring is just about sprung. In a about six hours it will be official(7:21 pm, on the right coast.) Skies are clear, birdies are chirping, and all the little woodland crittures are out and about. I got a sweet cruiser here in whistler, so first day of spring riding is most certainly in order. Hopefully, folks have been looking up the last few nights because you wouldn't want to miss out on all the heavenly glory that is the super moon. It's been claimed that the moon has no effect on people, but i believe the last few days of loco lunacy proves otherwise. It's definitely been some March Madness, and if i was baller i would be the MVP, between lunatic hollering and posting those big numbers at work. That's right three 13 hour days in a row. That's a Triple Double, word! I have today off, which means i only need to go to work for two hours. So Expert!

Not Just a Want...

2011-03-16T09:36:00.000-07:00

It's a Must-ache. Especially if you want to look this handsome. It's what you need. No beard, Just stache.

My day off was cold and rainy, so all i wanted to do was hang out and east grilled cheese with tomato soup. My main problem is there is no good fake cheese dealer up here. No one could hook it up. I had to blaze my own path. Thank goodness for thousands of dollars of veggie chef training. Noochie blast paste with thin slices of tofu, avo, and tomatoes. Expert!

Extra nooch blast on the soup too.

On the Move

2011-03-15T08:37:00.000-07:00

An object in motion, stays in motion. Maybe that's why i can't stay in one place for longer that 7 seconds. It's science. I tried to just stay in the NoCo for the winter, but now i'm back in whistler for the third time this season. Expert! It's nice to know that if i have to jam i can fit all the essentials for my life in a bag and be out, but its depressing to think about all the special treats that are boxed up in basements and garages of friends and family. I think the hardest part about leaving people i care about is i never feel certain about if and when i'll make it back. I'm never houseless, but most of my adult life i have been homeless. I want to find my home.

site specific routine

2011-03-14T09:50:00.000-07:00

I just had a super expert week in Minneapolis helping Albert and Shawn with their art show(Never Quiet, Never Soft). It was super rad. I met a whole heap of super cool people, and ate, or rather over-ate (because it's not really eating that i believe in, its definitely over eating)at sooooooo many vegan places. Daily vegan scones and coffee at Mayday became a thing, and i was a little stressed if it didn't happen. Check out this video of just one meal at the the Seward Cafe, which is really 3.5 meals for regular humans. Vegan Expert(e???)!!!!!

I had to leave the Twin Cities (sadness), and what even worse is that i am not back in the woods with my main people. I may be full to the brim Al-ex-bertness, but my guersh and loafie count is low. I would prefer to be having the most dyno-mite breakfast(tea and toast aka TNT) with my Noco family. It happens everyday, because that is what you do in the woodsly goodness. I also ride my bike everywhere when i live free or die. Car or no car i ride my bike like an expert all seasons. Instead i'm Back in Whistler, which means i'm at the coffee shop in the Nita Lake Lodge drinking soy mochas and doing the USA Today crossword online. I will probably be smashing down pints of drip coffee at work and be living off of cliff bars.
That is my Whistler life.
On the vineyard it was home brewcha and yerba mate all day, everyday.
Living on maui for the second time started a daily dinner (atleast 5 night/week)of a pint of bbq tofu from the best grocery ever Mana foods and an avocado with S & P, ho' Sauce, and maple syrup. It might sound a little gross, but it's a flavor 'splosion...in your mouth. All flavor receptors on your tongue get a treat.
On planet krypton (CT) my most favoritest and probably grossest regular eating habit is a toasted bagel with fake butters and bread and butter pickles sandwich. That is a definite flawless victory.

Better Late than never...

2010-09-26T12:52:00.000-07:00

I decided that i am going to basically start writing on a quarterly basis, because that's about as much time as i want to dedicate to something that rarely gets read. The seasons and the changing of the seasons is for me a meaningfully way to denote the passage of time, so that when the updates will happen. Except i already missed the first day of autumn. Sept. 22 @ 11:09 eastern time was the big moment. The day and the night were even steven. now the darkness of night will triumph over daylight for the next few months.

This summer was pretty crazy on the vineyard. it was pretty much 80 plus work weeks fueled by a steady diet of Homebru-cha. Brewing kombucha is fun. right now i am drinking a white tea with pomegranate and chrysanthemum, i am getting ready to bottle a green tea with acai berry, and i am making the tea for a batch of black currant black tea and a batch of mint black tea, both of which will be ready in about a week. I found another gallon jar, so a third flavor may be in the works as well.

The one nice thing about the Flatbread here is that we share the building with a night club, so after a long day of work the party came to me. Black sheep, Arrested Development, Joe Pug, Grace Potter, and Ben Taylor with John Forte were the highlights for me.

Life on the vineyard is starting to slow down, as the season comes to an end. I actually get days off now, although i don't always feel like i can take the time off. When i'm in work mode i feel like i can focus on little else. This means there was not nearly enough bike riding and beach time as i would have liked, but there was some.

I am really excited about all the winter squash that is starting to show up in my csa farm share. i have a pair of delicata squash that i am hoping to use in a nice curry.

Albert and Jessica are coming for a visit in a couple of days with is really cool. Although they don't believe it, i do actually have time off to hang out which will be really nice.

I have just a little over a month left here, and i am planning on filling my off time with fall bike rides, yoga, cooking, and all the other stuff i haven't done in the last two to three months.

I'm not one hundred percent sure where i am going next, but there is potential for a very exciting winter....

talk to you on the shortest day of the year.

Happy Summer

2010-06-21T12:53:00.000-07:00

Today is the day. The first day of summer, officially at 7:28 EDT. The longest sunshine-y day with the shortest night. On the down side the days are only going to get shorter from here on out until winter. The heat definitely got turned on too, because it is hot, hot , hot outside.
Lea came to hangout this weekend. Fun was had. Beaches, farmer's market, and check out this sweet find at a yard sale.

That's a 5 dollar hand crank wheat grass juicer. Total score. Between wheat grassing and making my own Kombucha and ice cream, i'm gonna be pretty busy this summer.
Check out the first batch of Cuccha Bucha. i made it with black chai tea.
Six Flavors of vegan ice cream. Cinnamon Chai, Chocolate peanut butter, Coconut chocolate chip,
Strawberry(made with local berries), Vanilla, and cookies and cream. I have a batch of coffee that is just waiting for the ice cream bowl to freeze.
I feel like there aren't going to be enough hours in the day for all the big action i want to have happen. The restaurant is going to open in 10 days, which means i'm only going to have less time to make all the magic happen.

Working for the weekend!

2010-06-11T08:58:00.000-07:00

More like the weakend because i am off for two whole days, and no one is coming to visit me on my island. So sad. luckily i have about two quarts of homemade vegan cookies n cream ice cream to drown my sorrows in. Whistler was all about cinnamon buns, lot and lots of buns, but i have a feeling the vineyard gonna be ice cream. I mean seriously, summertime vacation island living has to be heavily infused with some scream. i also got everything to hang up my hammock this weekend which means i will be relaxing so HARD. In other news....
if you don't know about NQNS, you better learn about it. Quick

Clay Day! Clay Day!

2010-06-07T10:29:00.000-07:00

Here's a self portrait of me in my birthday cowboy hat. Thanks again to Bert and guersh for that. We celebrated my birthday last tuesday. Just guersh, bert, lea, and me. The lovely ladies made me a carrot cake which was delicious and nutritious. It's got carrots in it, so it must be good for you, especially since it was vegan. Vegan equals good for you. Always. That was my prebirthday party. Here are some photos of the Oven at the newest Flatbread on Martha's Vineyard, which was built on my actual birthday. Multi colored clay is what's poppin'.

I was covered head to toe in clay, and i forgot my camera, so no in progress photos. This is the final product. Now we wait, and in 4-6 weeks pizza will be happening. I know some people think that Birthdays are suppose to be big parties, but mine came and went without all the hoopla and it was great. I pretty much just hung out with Lea all day, and weekend for that matter. I got some phone calls, helped build an oven, went out for dinner, strolled on the beach and ate vegan gelato. Actually, my whole weekend was pretty great, but now it's time to actually start working. I guess i shouldn't really be complaining since the last time i did any real work was over a month ago. I have lots of bike parts, which i am hoping will become fully operation cycling machines in the next couple of days.

On a Boat...

2010-05-23T07:16:00.000-07:00

Life is ever changing. Especially when it comes to the plans in my life. I'm up in woods that are so good right now in the new Hampshire, and i was getting ready and mentally preparing for the vida loca that is city living. I was getting amp for hanging out with all them Bo Sox fans in beantown. That was until i found out that the Martha's Vineyard restaurant is a go. Instead i'll be on a boat in about a week to go the Vineyard. Luckily, i got those nice white boat shoes last summer because they sure will come in handy. It would be ridiculous to believe i have all the details, but it's looking like a June first departure from the mainland.

Blossoming Lotus

2010-05-06T10:28:00.001-07:00

I am in Portland Oregon visiting my buddy bradley. Hospitality is when you say you're gonna be in town a couple of days, and your friend says great i'll make sure we get you a bike for your time here. Last night we ate an epic feast at the blossoming lotus, an all vegan, partially raw food joint. I have eaten at their Kuauii restaurant which doesn't exist anymore, and actually totally forgot that this place did existed. So as we rode up to the restaurant i was completely delighted, and the food did not disappoint. I'm here for a couple of days, which is gonna be awesome. Sorry for the lack of pictures, but i forgot my camera. i wont' let it happen again.

A kid in a Candy Store...

2010-05-03T14:04:00.001-07:00

It's what i feel like when ever i go to a good health food store or food Co-Op with an epic bulk food section. Davis, CA has Got They. I really like health food stores. Even though they are mostly the same everywhere i go, i am drawn to them. I've been Hanging out with Dave O. the last couple of days and feasting has been what's up. In San Francisco we at at a great South Indian joint called Dosa, dos times because it was that good, and we also at at Millennium which is amazing high end vegan cuisine.The whole meal was great but the dessert were definitely above and beyond.
I actually graduated from the same class as the Pastry Chef there. Today started with me making some vegan cinnamon buns and david making some zucchini bread for his morning class, then i went to Delta of Venus the "cool kid" coffee shop with good vegan eats and free internet. I really hope this trip keeps the good food coming my way.

Back to the Motherland!

2010-04-25T18:14:00.000-07:00

In six days i'll be in California. The state of my birth. I will be hanging out with my good friend Dave O. I fly into San Francisco on May Day. I'm pretty excited o start my holiday. Train traveling across the USA. Work has been kinda slow, so it's been nice to actually be able to take it easy a bit. I made some off the meter, on fly, no recipe chocolate chip mac and coconut scones today. The trick was the maple syrup wash at the end to make it extra shiny and sweet. I have quite a lot to do before i go, but i'm not too stressed because i would be denying my infinite nature if i didn't just wait until the last minute to do it all. I love the last minute, which is actually just the perfect moment to do whatever needs doing. No yoga today. I now have 5 days to do 7 classes to complete my 30 day challenge. Totally feasible. This has been a bit of a ramble, but that's how i roll sometimes.

Ever Changing

2010-04-22T20:54:00.000-07:00

You can't do anything in the future. It is only in the present that you can actually accomplish anything. As most people know, i make a lot of plans. Those plans are also ever changing up until the very last minute, when i am actually doing whatever it is that i am actually doing. I am fairly certain that i m leaving Canada on May day. That's because i am not allowed in the country anymore. I have had big plans for a three week holiday forming for a while now, but i don't know how it is all actually going down. The original plan was a train trip across the USA, but i guess we don't know until it is actually happening. Stay tuned. In other news....

Last night Dead Prez rocked the house. I can't believe that their album Let's get Free came out a decade ago. It's still bigger than Hip Hop.

Simon Says

2010-04-21T01:28:00.001-07:00

Get the F* Up.... I saw Pharoahe Monch Tonight which was amazing. His set was not nearly long enough, but he did Oh no!, My life, Desire, and ended with Simon Says. I am going to see Dead Prez tomorrow, which will be equally awesome. Although i have been having totally sweet hip hop experiences, yesterday was a sad day for hip hop. Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal; the GURU passed away. RIP Keith Elam.

Spring Cleaning...

2010-03-20T09:10:00.000-07:00

Today is the day of the equinox. The night is exactly as long as the day. From here on out for the next few months the days are growing. Today was also the day i did some spring cleaning of my face.
All of this glorious beard is gone. I also cleaned up the mop up top, to the point where i don't even look like me anymore. It's kinda creepy.
Happy Spring everyone.

all dang day!

2010-03-11T17:30:00.000-08:00

Snowing! all night and all day long. I was really getting used to the nice spring time weather, but now Ma Nature is deciding that more snow and cold is needed. It's definitely not helping out my situation over here by the swamp.

M cubed

2010-03-04T15:56:00.000-08:00

It was super nice out again today, and i went for a little bike ride. The bike i am riding is in serious need of a tune-up because i felt like i was just chuggin' along. Even so it was still nice to riding. I can't wait to get back on a single speed though. Mountain bikes with gears are harshing my infinite nature. There is a possibility that i might see Against Me! tonight, but obtaining tickets is proving to be more difficult that i would have expected. I got tattooed again. probably one more sitting of touch up and the unicorn piece will be done, but this what it looks like so far.
Mythical, Magical, Majastic.

February in review

2010-03-03T12:39:00.000-08:00

Apparently no one told the weather that spring doesn't officially get sprung for another 17 days, because it is warm sunny hoodie only weather outside. I came down with a serious case of Olympic fever during the month of February, which is why there were zero post. So i figured one big update was in order. The Month started out with Raekwon from the Wu-tang Clan, and i couldn't think of a better way to begin Black History Month.
The two guys holding peels are Canadian ski Jumpers that came into the restaurant to eat, and the only way i think of embarrassing them, while simultaneously annoying the staff was to make everyone pose for a photo. i think it worked.
The Mountain on a Bluebird day.
My Friend Carla seems to know everyone in town, and she got us into some Salomon party with some mostly naked painted models.
Big city cupcakes makes vegan cupcakes on the weekend.
A day of skiing and watching the women's downhill.
American Skier Lindsey Vonn on here way to a medal.

My friends Nicole and kelly at the medals ceremony. Our Lady Peace played a show, and it was kinda like a timewarp to 1995, but it was still fun.
I also went and saw the two man bobsled with my buddy Robbie. It is ridiculous fast.
I also got to see the Legendary Roots Crew. Jimmy Fallon Came out first and covered the theme to the Fresh Prince of Bel Air as Neil Young. Then the Roots played and awesome show that was followed up by Questlove Deejaying a set at a local bar which was great.
There was a bunch of other stuff that went down as well, but this was just a few of the highlights.

tree hugging hippie

2010-01-29T21:43:00.000-08:00

Here i am being a literal and figurative tree hugger. Had i been wearing patcholi there would have been no question that i was being a total hippie.

I rode a bus and took a ferry to Vancouver Island on my weekend, just to hang out with some big old trees. I hung out with ancient cedars and douglas firs, some of which were well over 800 years old, so i guess i might be a hippie even if i don't do drugs or listen to phish.

The notches in this tree stump is where old time loggers inserted boards, so they could chop the tree where it is good and straight.

The largest tree in the forest was 9 meters in diameter and 76 meters tall.

Hanging out with those big old trees is awesome. I am grateful that some of these old growth forest still exist, but it sure does make me sad how quickly they are disappearing. I wonder why a tree isn't valuable enough to just be, and is only as valuable as the number of board feet or paper it could be turned into.

bungeeeeeeeeeee

2010-01-25T20:50:00.000-08:00

When your a kid your folks always ask you,"If your friends jump off a bridge would you?" Apparently the answer is yes. I totally and willfully jumped off a perfectly good bridge. It was a big fun Creekbread event. Almost the entire staff showed up to take the plunge. Free falling 160 ft is ridiculous. It is definitely a rush, and there is something to be said for just completely letting going as you step off the platform and begin to fall. here are a few pictures, but hopefully more will becoming.

here i am trying to psyche myself up.

This is me wondering what i got myself into? But you only live once, unless you believe in reincarnation.

GPOs

2010-01-23T21:16:00.000-08:00

Today was a day full of GPOs or Great Photo Opportunies, so one would think there would be more than just words here. You would be wrong. Even though i found giant old cedars and it was a bluebird day with the sun hitting the mountains just right, there are no photos. I took my camera out of my bag two days ago, and forgot to put it back. oh well.
Today was a day off, which means it started with big breakfast.
Homefries and pannies.
My pancake recipe is near perfection.
Light and fluffy.
I also got a good 15-20 mile bike ride in today which was great.

Magical and Mythical

2010-01-20T19:18:00.000-08:00

I got tattooed today for the first time in a long while. A GIANT unicorn on my ribs. Robin at Black Ohm Tattoo, here in whistler is making this magic happen. I'm definitely pretty psyched.

grillin' like a villian

2010-01-17T20:50:00.000-08:00

My friend from SLC sent me this totally crunk to death strawberry lollipop. Who knew you could be gangsta and a sucker at the same time, but this candy definitely does just that. Recognize!

Nothing all day

2010-01-16T15:24:00.000-08:00

I had the day off today, and i was gonna do a bunch of stuff. So far it's not looking too good. It's three thirty and all i've done is drink coffee, make, and eat some pancakes. The coffee, a soy mocha to be more precise, was free and delicious. My pancakes were super light and fluffy. I've been perfecting this recipe since being in whistler and it is dang good. I'm just not motivated to do anything, but a lazy day every now and again is okay i guess. I will surely report back if something magical and exciting goes down, but don't hold your breath.

My New Haircut

2010-01-13T23:38:00.000-08:00

Jager-Bombs!!!!
Not really. I might be peoples, but more the woodsly goodness variety. Neither bridge nor tunnel for me folks. I actually got my hairs cut from Amanda aka Whistler's whistling barber. She tried to trim my beard too. I wasn't havin it. I told her she could shape it so i didn't look like a crazy unibomber, not to take off any length. This beard doesn't come off til spring time.
Normally i go to my homegirl Elsah for the fresh cut, and even though it looked like my head had sprouted some wings, there was no way i was flying all the way to the NoCo.
Today was good though. What started out as a lazy day became pretty productive. It really is amazing what one can get done without work getting in the way. After sleeping in, i went to the grocery and got breakfast supplies. Since i am not a huge drip coffee fan, i stopped of at the coffee shop for a soy mocha. My buddy Seb works there and makes them jauns so nice. Then i got cooking Flax and pumpkin seed bread turned into vegan Freedom toast(f that french stuff, i'm American) with fresh organic bananas and a blueberry sauce. A short bus ride later and i was getting the haircut mentioned earlier. I even took a yoga class today. When i got home i video spoke to my older bro Dougie and his wife, and then my folks too. I finished a book, made vegan sausages and some crazy bean dish over some rice for dinner. Dinner was delicious, but way to itisy to discuss any further. Now i'm blogging which i am a little behind on my one a week minimum goal that i set for myself, but i will catch up.

Some Picture of Whistler

2009-12-10T17:55:00.000-08:00

I had the day off today. The Plan was to take the bus to Pemberton to go to the health food store because i need to get the nooch. I missed the bus, so that plan fizzled out pretty quick. It all worked out though because i rode my bike for the first time in easily a month. I went into the village to get the x-mas shopping done. It's getting down to the the last minute for me if i am going to get everything shipped out in time. It was a real clear day, so it was real cold, but also a real good day to take some photos. i know mama cucch always want more photos so here are a few. These are just pictures taken randomly along the valley trail.

My hair was particularly insane last night as i was getting ready for bed, so i thought it was necessary to document. real life y'all!!!

Rabbit, Rabbit

2009-12-01T20:02:00.001-08:00

I remembered to say it first thing of the new month, which means it'll be a lucky December for me. I made cinnamon buns again last night, which made for a delightful breakfast this morning.

As fate would have it...

2009-11-30T22:05:00.001-08:00

I would enjoy a tofurkey during this thanksgiving weekend. On friday i went to the big grocery store in town, and there was one left. I when home and started cooking, and at 11:30 pm i had second thanksgiving. and it was tasty. I have been enjoying it all weekend long until tonight. Tofurkey four nights in a row. I cooked up them dumpling that come with tonight too. Sooooooooo much better than thouse tempeh drumsticks that they used to give you. Gross.

On saturday i made some cinnamon buns, and went to a concert at night.

I saw this band the trews. They are apparently a big deal in Canada, but i don't know how many people outside of Canada know about them. It's all kinda funny to me. US pop culture is so pervasive that i can make some refrence and all the Canadians, Ausies, and Kiwis know what i'm talking about, but it just doesn't work the other way around. These folks will tell me about some famous band or movie from their country, and i wonder if it's so famous how come i don't know about it? I could name famous Canadians or Australian, but that only because i know them from hollywood movies or Jeopardy.

it's all about the sides

2009-11-26T21:51:00.000-08:00

A day of gratitude if you live in the states, but just thursday if you're in Canada. I am thankful for all my family and friends, and for telephones that allow me to chat with them from across the country. Tonight's dinner had it all...except the turkey of course. Stuffing was on the list. typically i prefer cornbread stuffing, but i had whole wheat bread in house, so that's what i made. Extra buttery garlic potatoes were mashed all up too. Oven roasted sweet potatoes with brown sugar and balsamic glazed brussel sprouts rounded out the plate. Then it was all covered in the most important part, the gravy. The only lame part is the clean up which i have been putting off for hours now. So many dirty dishes.

Here's a pictue of me on top of the mountain. i went skiing for the first time since high school on monday. Mountains are way bigger out here than in connecticut. Once i got to the top. I said to myself, "self there's only one way down." Then after another few minutes of getting my nerve up. Off i went. It was a good day.

Lim. Ed. Spe. Ed.

2009-11-18T23:08:00.000-08:00

You heard right. check out this limited, special edition Hoodie. Only 3 of it's kind, and i got one of them. You know i got they.
Totally sweet. It's snowing more. The ski lift that is very close to where i live is opening this weekend, which probably means more work for me. Maybe i will get a day off so i can actually go skiing, but that is most likely asking way too much. I made some rock blocks tonight. capital D- lightful. Thanks mister rock for encouraging and enabling vegan gluttony.

Petroleum wrapped produce

2009-11-11T19:57:00.000-08:00

It really gets my goat that often times if you buy organic produce in the grocery it is covered in plastic and stickers. I buy organic because i want to limit the amount of chemicals that i put in my body, as well as into the environment. It is counterproductive to not use chemical fertilizers in making a cucumber, and then turn around and wrap it in plastic that is made up of chemicals. Cucumbers make their own packaging. The peel. Nature is so smart. I hate having to choose between extra packaged organics or not packaged conventional produce. It also seems silly to me that oil based chemicals being sprayed onto our food is the conventional way of doing things.

And another thing...Don't label food as traditional or authentic if it has any of the following ingredients: propionic acid, phosphoric acid, dextrose, fumaric acid, cellulose gum, sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, and calcium propionate. All of these were in the corn tortillas that i purchased. I thought corn tortillas were pretty much corn flour, water and salt. Appartently i was wrong, and i got to each a bunch of weird chemicals. Atleast the veggies were organic. I had no idea taco night would be so complicated.

Tangents

2009-11-09T13:34:00.000-08:00

Have you ever gone off on a tangent, before you even really started your first idea, statement, action, etc. Yesterday's blog was supposed to be about falafel. I scoured the whole whistler village for some, it was what my soul needed. When the town of whistler wouldn't give it to me i had to make it myself. I went to the grocery and got all the pertinent ingredients. lemons, tomatoes, cucumbers, tahini, garlic, and parsley because i go OG style, which means no lettuce. I don't even want to know what lettuce is when i am making falafels. So i got it all, made it all, documented it all, and finally ate it all. I was satisfied and happy. I woke up the next morning ready to write about it, and next thing i know i rambling about plans. what the F. My tangent made me a whole day late, but i guess after all that trouble i was able to move on from my falafel quest, which is what made it so easy to forget. But i was suprised to not see pictures of falafels on my blog, because i totally thought that's what i wrote about. Nope. Sorry. Try again. Which is exactly what I am doing now. So here they are in all their deliciousness.
Switching gears a bit. I found this piece of wood that looked like an eye about three weeks back. It was so awesome, that i let it hang out on the oven, but this piece of wood was not reaching its full potential, and that's when it hit me(probably because i just saw a Bon Jovi interview earlier in the morning) A Blaze of Glory!

Making Plans

2009-11-08T09:40:00.000-08:00

I'm always making big plans.... whether or not they actually come to fruition is another story. All the plans ever made that are not yet completed ebb and flow, with the addition of new big action. Some I make happen, but others just fade away or are replaced by the next big idea. I truly believe that all these plans will eventually happen. Every now again for no explicable reason, one of my schemes will seep out of the deep recesses of my mind. It starts as a passing thought, and snowballs into a near monomaniacal episode. This big plan will be all i can think about. I usually dream big, but that just means a larger disappointment when a plan doesn't activate. You see activation is really important, but won't happen if the right ingredients aren't present. The trick is getting all the right ingredients to make a life that's totally sweet.

double dose

2009-11-07T09:47:00.000-08:00

It's snowing out. Big Clumpy flakes, each one so very unique and special. I am pretending that i am in new hampshire, by listening to this american life on nhpr. Technology is something i find useful, but i don't like being too reliant on. Anyway, what goes great with snowy npr listening is a double dose of chocolate, or as a not very smart old roommate likes to call it ka-kowy, she probably still swears that's how it's pronouced. For the record....it's not. Brownies and hot chocolate, the breakfast of champions. I still haven't figured out what i am the champion of yet. I brought a whole plate of brownies to share with the folks i work with.

Last night i had some buffalo tofu with balsamic and nooch(that's nutritional yeast for those not in the know) oven roasted brussel sprouts. They taste like farts in your mouth. Delicious. They were also BC local and on sale. Come on, how could i not get they, so i got they.I have so many phone calls to make. i am probably the Champion of not keeping in touch with friends, and the the people that i care about. Yay me. I win.

The other side

2009-11-05T13:59:00.000-08:00

I feel like I have been a total a-hole to most people since I got back from the NoCo. Woodsly Goodness Withdrawal y’all. After a weekend of the goodness, it’s hard to leave. It’s even harder to relate to regular life, when you have had a taste of the good life. So…why is it that I keep running away from the places where I feel a sense of community and camaraderie? I probably don’t have an answer, at least not a good one. I guess it’s just part of my infinite nature to run. Far and hard…. I only ever want to stay someplace when I’m doing well. I rather not let my other side show, which is why I am feeling the need to go. Somewhere, anywhere as long there is no one that I know. I am a bit concerned about how long I may be in Canada. I don’t really like not knowing how long I will be someplace. I like to know when I’ll be able to escape.

The Grind

2009-11-03T21:24:00.000-08:00

Right Back at it.
12 hours of work today. Luckily the first half was pretty mellow, and i got to ease into the day because i was a busy busy bee for the second half. It's supposed to be the slow season. I was super stoked to see that my good buddy Evan had me well stocked up for the day, which is why i didn't prep a dang thing. Had i known we were going to make about 100 pies today, i probably would have done something. How was i to know we haven't done more than 50-60 breads tops. Anyway it all worked out.

Cereal for dinner tonight. One of my all time favorites. Kashi Organic Cinnamon Harvest.

The mountains are looking real awesome. Snow capped and all. The trees look like they have been dusted with powdered sugar. delicious!

Interogation station

2009-11-02T18:35:00.000-08:00

I mean seriously, who wouldn't want to let this guy into their country....
Could it be that i looked a little bit like a crazy person?
or maybe i look a tad muslim these days?
But it probably because threading together a bunch of half truths and omitting even more actual truths makes for an interesting all be it inconceivable story. Getting into all the dets right now is probably not the best idea. What matters is i am back in whistler, and that i wasn't asked to leave, but i did get asked a lot of questions about doing drugs which always makes me laugh.

And now introducing the new Mr. and Mrs. Carocci.

This weekend was a whirlwind. Lots of flying and driving driving, but also some mega hanging out. Seriously, I left Whistler on thursday at 4 pm arrived in portland maine friday morning at 10, and I left this morning at 3 am east coast time, and just got in to my condo at 6 pm whistler time. It was all worth it though. I got to hang out with some of my most favorite people, and share in their special day. We cooked a bunch of great vegan food, that i think even the meat eaters like. All the traveling was worth it, i would have been sad to miss the festivities.

Indian Feast

2009-10-13T20:34:00.000-07:00

In honor of Canadian Thanksgiving aka Columbus Day(silly canadians). I decided to have indian food for dinner, and just like Hannibal i love it when a plan comes together. So last night at work i order my food at 9:10 for an estimated 10 pm deliver at the restaurant, so i could leave and go eat at home. Food arrives at 9:58 i pay the man, say my goodbyes and i am out the the door at 10. By quarter after 10 indian food in my belly. I figure since it was a trade route to China and Indian that Columbus was looking for, when he stumbled this continent. Discovering a whole continent that was never lost and had already been found by viking is definately worthy of a day off and sweet shopping sales. Not to meantion with out this discover whole civilazations and peoples might still exist, but instead they got wiped the F off the planet. Sounds like a party.... to me?

Deal of the Century!!!!

2009-10-09T22:50:00.000-07:00

This weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving, but i have been lovingly referring to it as Fake Thanksgiving. I don't know if the Canadians really like that too much. They will just have to deal, because i'm from America aka the greatest country in the Universe, and we celebrate real thanksgiving is in November when it should be. Anyway, in Whistler this weekend they have a "turkey sale", which is like a massive gear sale of last year's stuff. Skis, snowboards, Jackets, everything one would need for fun in the snow. Since i left my winter jacket in CT against my mother's better judgement, i decided to check it out because it is getting dang cold up here. As usual if you ask nicely, and it's something you truly need, the universe delivers. The Sweetest deal ever.
I am fully ready head to toe to play in the snow. I even got an ugly purple hat and snow pants.

Bring on the coldness Whistler, now i'm ready.

Furious Feasting

2009-10-09T11:02:00.000-07:00

Last night i Tsunamied up some veggie sushi. Cucumber roll, Avocado roll, Veggie roll, two Inaris, Veggie tempura, and a side of rice. Just because i'm a skinny vegan, doesn't mean i can't eat.

Diagnosis Delicious!

Buddha Blessed

2009-10-07T20:22:00.000-07:00

My friend Penny was trying to get me tickets to see the Dalai Lama speak in Vancouver. It didn't work out, but it was opening night of the restaurant, so probably for the best. This is the second time i've come close to seeing the Dalai Lama, but because of restaurant openings missing the mark. I guess it just isn't meant to be yet. Penny felt bad for not being able to get me tickets, so she got me some prayer beads blessed by the Dalai Lama. It was very thoughful, and i am grateful.

First Light

2009-09-17T08:10:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday we i got to light a fire in the oven for the first time. it's supposed to be a small fire, but it did start to rage at one point. The restaurant is really coming along.
How many people can you fit in a clay oven? The answer is 6.
Blessing the oven with sage
small fire started
look at me and my fire building skills
Now that's a respectable fire.
And that's out of control, but don't worry i am a trained professional.

Reclamation Exclamation

2009-09-10T17:16:00.000-07:00

So i got this mug from this guy from Montana. Yes it is a mason jar. Also reclaimed copper wire and old bike tires. The salvaged ply wood handle is cut with a saw that runs on bike power! A magical magnet is some how attached to the glass to hold the lid. Don't ask me how, i already told you it's magic.
WOW! Now that's a mug...

Fear of Facial Hair Commitment

2009-09-07T15:24:00.000-07:00

As i was contemplating whether i should just grow my winter beard, or try something new, i realized my fear of commitment affects every facet of my life. Here is a brief overview of some of places i've been, and the facial i was rocking while there. There are some holes in the documentation of my travels and facial hair experiments, but this a pretty good sampling from just before AK to the present.

North Conway:April 2008
AK: May 2008
AK: June 2008
I was a moustachi-o man for the rest of the summer. Where i started to really perfect the art of waxing and curling the stache. Then during my time in Salt Lake City the Moustache era came to an end. It was a sad day when i shaved down to an even stuble to start the growth of a winter beard.
Connecticut: November 2008
Maui: Feb 2009
North Conway: April 2009

Wallingford: May 2009
Vermont: July 2009

Whistler, BC: August 2009
Whistler, BC: September 2009
I still don't know what will come next. Any suggestions???

Robo-bobotronic

2009-09-06T09:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday i did something i thought i'd never do... I purchase the most gear heavy bike to date. I typically am a purist when it comes to bikes, as most of you know. Whether it's fixed or free, there is only one gear. The frame is rigid, chromoly steel because steel is real. Plus some simple brakes, either cantilever or caliper. I love the simple pleasure of riding a simple bike. In whistler it's all about components, shifters, and extreme riding, which is why finding a simple bike is a chore. Also with the climb i have to do every day to get home from work, i am top secretly grateful for gears. So although the bike is a hard tail(i just couldn't go the full suspension route), it's got bells and whistles. I'm talking many gears, disc breaks, front suspension, aluminum frame. I feel a little bit like i have gone over to the dark side. Even though i know it's a bit wrong and evil, the allure of the power is too strong. I am being pulled toward techno-complicated and away from contented simplicity. I am becoming a Bike Sith, just like Darth Vader, i'm more robot than human when i ride now. That is why my plan is to paint the bike matte black. Here a picture of my Specialized as it is right now.
The path toward the dark side is a slippery slope. I hope i can find the light after my time mountain biking in Whistler.

Tragedies averted....

2009-09-02T14:00:00.000-07:00

That's right. A pair of tragedies. First off, i almost sent a little squirrel to rodent heaven. Bombing down the hill today, the very cute albeit little bit dim creature just would not get out of the way. Split second maneuvers. I sure am glad i didn't hit the tiny critter. Not only is that very un-vegan, but on a bike you are gonna really feel that minuscule mini speed bump. Second tragedy involves the bike as well. Apparently someone is trying to sabotage me because the quick release lock was disengaged on the front tire of the bike. It wasn't until i bombed the entire way down the hill that i realized this. 3 miles down a hill, with my front tire just waiting for the opportunity to jump out of the fork. I made it, Crisis averted.

What do you all know about my vegan sausage. Get your minds out the gutter kids. Version 1.0 of the newest creation is off the meat hooks. I made some, and had spaghetti with tomato sauce and spicy sausage. If you don't know...you better learn about it.

Rabbit, Rabbit....

2009-09-01T10:18:00.000-07:00

The first words uttered this morning. Just doing what i can to ensure a whole month of good fortune. The gods must have been battling early in the morning. Thunderous rumbles and grumbles for sure. Nothing like a bike ride in the rain to start your day. Really i kinda miss the days of all weather riding. i feel like i've gone soft in my old age. It's time to toughen up a bit. In other news i found banjo strings today in the village, so it looks like lady luck is in my corner for now at least. The oven in the restaurant is coming along.

That's some serious stonework. The Keystone is huge. That's what she said.

Allium sativum

2009-08-31T16:13:00.000-07:00

Garlic. It's definitely in my top five, and with this much garlic it's definitely going to be playing a roll in tonight's dinner. I'm not certain of the menu, but the anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial bulb that is 100% pro-flavor explosion is on it.

Feast on this

2009-08-30T07:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday i was early to rise. Like 5 AM early. I was so exhausted the night before i ended up crashing out before i could finish prepping for the Feast of the Mountains. I prepared enough food for 500, but ended up only serving like 250-300 which means i have a lot of cucumbers left over. An organic heirloom tomato and roasted beet salad in a berry vinaigrette on a lemon cucumber slice finished off with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.

The table was simple. That's what happens when a plan gets thrown together last minute with little time for planning, and almost no access to car except to bum rides from people. So you borrow a vase from a friend, fill it with flowers from a flower shop along the way, take some tiles from the construction site that will soon be the restaurant, and presto! You have a simple but good-looking table setup. Would i have liked to have a little more? You bet, but i also love working with what i have and scavenging for an event. That's when you you can get creative. With a full kitchen i would have been serving on boring serving platters like everyone else.
So after a long day, when i got home i had a local organic salad for dinner. Then i treated myself to a cuban cigar and a soak in the hot tub. Not bad for a dough throwing kid from South Hamden.
MY CUBANS!!! Cigar are definitely a luxury item in Canada. There is like a 250% markup from US prices because of all the taxes. So a $10 stump is like $25, but it's made in Cuba. I could almost taste the communist revolution. Not really, but it was relaxing.

Making Food

2009-08-28T15:52:00.000-07:00

Warm potato fennel salad over organic greens with a candied ginger vinaigrette. I am attempting to actually cook and make food a few times a week, even though it is way easier just eat out when your eating alone. I'm about half and half right now, but i would like to be cooking more. I am sure with the farmers' Market coming up on Sunday that there will be some inspiration to cook. Last night's creation was all from the market. Tonight I will be preparing all the food for Feast in the Moutains tomorrow. Time to get cooking...

Food is love

2009-08-27T09:11:00.000-07:00

Food is Love. People and chefs specifically have said it probably since the beginning of time. It's trade marked in the USA, but the restaurant i'm in now is in Canada. So up here Food can be love for everyone, not just the guy who trade marked it. To me, food is love, means creating a dish for a Saturday event in the farmers market stall on Wednesday. That is exactly what happened yesterday at the Pemberton Farmers' Market. Tomato and roasted beet salad in a ginger tamari dressing on a lemon cucumber medallion finished off with toasted sesame seeds or possibly an organic carrot confetti. Everything was purchased from two local organic farms, now that is Love. Hopefully it works out well. Preparing food for 500 people in a condo kitchen should be interesting. Even more hilarious will be when i roll up to the event in a taxi cab if i can't find a ride.
I am borrowing a bike until i secure my own, and yesterday was the first day on a bike in a long time. The couple mile ride up to where i am staying took a half hour last night, and 10 minutes this morning to get back to work. the ride twists and turns straight up the mountain. I should be in shape in no time. All i'm saying is thank goodness for gears. I thought i was single speed for life until i met this hill.

Finally there was another facial hair trim this morning. I haven't decided if i a going to continue the civil war chops looks or just grow a winter beard.

What's in a name...

2009-08-25T16:54:00.000-07:00

I walked along the Valley Trail from Whistler Village to the Creekside where the restaurant is going to be today. The trail goes along all these amazing lakes. It's definitely rad. I broke a banjo string and still no bike. I think that it's all going to work out though. I'm not too worried that's for sure. Whistler is bear country, but i haven't sighted one yet, not even the P-Town kind. Just kidding. Because of my dietary choices a new nickname has emerged over the last couple of days. Bark boy, or Barky for short. No love for the crunchy granola eating vegans. I really hope it doesn't stick.

Oh Canada!

2009-08-24T16:15:00.000-07:00

I made it to the left coast of Canada. The trip was long but good. It started out with and early wake up and ride from my good friend Albert to Tamworth. From there I catch a ride down to Manchester airport to take a little 16 seat propeller plane to Toronto. I tell you what, you haven't experience turbulence until you're getting thrown around in a teeny tiny plane. The next flight to Vancouver was thankfully a bigger plane, but someone did almost die on the flight. EMTs were rushed onto the plane as soon as we landed. The drive from Vancouver to Whistler is probably now in my Top 5 all time drives. The ride up is that beautiful.
Yesterday was a big day at the local farmers' market, and today was a lot of working on a computer and receiving kitchen equipment. Anyway, here are some pictures of the view from the condo that i am staying at.

I may have my bike situation worked out which is really good, but we will see how it all shakes out.

Folkin' Amazing

2009-08-05T14:43:00.000-07:00

I went to George Wein's Newport Folk Festival. The festival was celebrating its 50th year.

Langhorne Slim

Billy Bragg

Ben Kweller

Avett Brothers
Tom Morello the Night Watchman

Pete Seeger and his grandson Tao
I also saw Iron and Wine, The Decemberist, Tom Morello, Gillian Welch and bunch of other folks.

I'm just saying that folk music
plus falafels

plus dell's frozen lemonade equals a great day. Don't worry i poured a sip of dell's out for my Rhodes Island homies(i got you D.O.)
I wish i had more pictures, but my batteries were starting to go about half way through the day, so i had to decide what was picture worthy. Everytime i go to a show and see/hear live music i remember how much i love it. There were parts of the day that were down right spiritual. I mean i really had a moment or something. I should probably go to more shows, but it always seems like such a hassle, even though i am never disappointed when i do actually motivate to go.

I also spent two days with my folks who are pretty great. A day a the beach, and a day kayaking. All and all it was a great little mini vacation. I don't know all the deets yet, but it looks like i'll be shipping out in a couple of weeks for Whistler, BC. I am definitely grateful for the time i have had with family and friends on the east coast. I am also starting to get excited about seeing some new places.

RI, Beaches!!!

2009-07-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

i rode my bike for the first time in weeks yesterday. Between rainy days and work days, there just wasn't ever a time to make it happen. It was real nice to have a day pedaling around. Tonight is a work night, which is less exciting. i really would prefer not to go in and start at 3 and work until late at night.
i am going down to RI for a couple of days this weekend. Folks plus folk music plus beaches and swimming should equal good times.

vision quest.

2009-07-29T07:05:00.000-07:00

Last night i smoked a cigar with albert to commemorate our time in the the vacation house, which is quickly coming to an end. Then the guersh an i did face masks, making me look like some kind of creepy lagoon creature. i think the tobacco smoke and clay must of activated something because i had some f-ed up dreams. Like a shaman on a vision quest. A fitful night of tossing, turning, and strange dreaming. unfortuately, i have not yet deciphered the meaning of it all. i guess i shouldn't quit my day job, and become a shamanistic dream warrior just yet.

We're going on a moose hunt...

2009-07-22T02:14:00.000-07:00

When vegans go on the hunt, we usually just shoot animals with our cameras. Besides being a whole lot more humane, it is also way less messy. Albert, the girls(maple and harvest), and i went traveling down the Kancamagus highway last night because it is a known moose hot spot. I had some heinous flatulence, which i told the girls was going to attract the moose and bring them to us. They are getting too old and smart to fall for something as dumb as that, but it made for a good laugh, and we did see a moose up close and personal after i dropped one particularly stinky bomb. The pictures aren't great because it was a bit rainy and getting dark. This is my first video attempt, so bare with me an hopefully it works.

The lovely ladies of CT go home this morning. It certainly is a bummer. They are two cool little kids.

Regular Boy's Haircut

2009-07-07T18:04:00.000-07:00

My homegirl Elsah hooked me up proper with a new haircut. So now i'm looking even more handsome than ever. Much gratitude for that my friend.

It was a rainy day off, but Albert, Jessica, Casey and i drove out to Portland, ME for a gluttonous feast at the Green Elephant Vegetarian Bistro. No pictures, but 8 apps and 4 entrees is a lot of food. I'm not scared though, a chocolaty round 2 is about to begin in a few minutes, and it's gonna be awesome. I guess i should just go nuts with the chocolate treats because the dentist will already know that i have not been flossing, and eating my fair share of treats. Dental Hygiene is important, and unfortunately i am past due. I think that an hour of reefing on my teeth and gums tomorrow with sharp metal objects is going to leave them very sore and a bloody mess for sure.

Second Half

2009-07-01T09:23:00.000-07:00

It's hard to be positive and UP, when it keeps raining DOWN. Soggy starts to the the second half of the year, and the 10 day forecast isn't showing a whole lot of bright spots. I did see my old friend the sun for like half a second yesterday, but he was gone just as quick. Lately, that's how i've been living my life. I show up somewhere for a hot minute, and gone just as quick. Everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Reliving the small town reality up here in the Live, Free or Die State, reminds me of how much i like that "everybody knows your name" life. Also being a little bit more stationary would mean that i would have way fewer excuses as to why i've put so much of my life on pause. That's probably why i keep moving. Not much can be expected from a dough throwin' rollin' stone. Perpetual movement, but never moving foward. Just stuck on repeat. I feel like it's time to make moves. Move forward. I don't really know what that means. I have to move towards something instead of always running away, but towards what? I'm still searching, but fear i will never be found. Not all who wander are lost, some are just running away....

i want to ride my bicycle

2009-06-22T10:13:00.000-07:00

The heron that i ride is epic. It's a super fun little bike. It is not meant to live all caged up in a sad basement, but it is right now. I've got big plans for this bike too. Gears. I hope that it is not just because i am getting older that i feel as though i need a bike with more than one speed. Really it is that i want to go on some serious multi-day rides and going over mountain passes with a single speed/fixie is waaaaaaaaaaaaay tougher than i'll ever be.

Anyway, very little riding has been happening with this soggy spring and summer start. Now, i'm not just some fair weather rider typically, but have you ever ridden with a saturated leather saddle. Talk about the soggy bottom boys. It's just no fun, and this is the only bike i have with me right now.

Hate is not a crime.

2009-06-11T14:08:00.000-07:00

I personally think that committing an act of violence against another person solely because of their race, color, creed, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation is completely whack. But the motive for committing a crime should not mean that extra bonus penalties apply. We live in a country where freedom of speech is protected(for the most part). I am grateful for that fact. If some uses that freedom to spew hate, that is their right, whether it is right or wrong. If folks have hate in their hearts and want to yell about it from the mountain tops, then word, and if you don't like what these peoples are saying....YELL BACK!!! It's allowed. If folks act upon those thoughts and ideas that's when there's a problem, and justice should be served. The punishment should be for the crime and not for the crimes motive because aren't most crimes, "hate crimes". People don't murder or beat someone up because they're BFFs. Or do they?

Facial hair Experiment.

2009-06-08T05:22:00.000-07:00

Some folks got an email with this title, but no picture. It was going to be a sorta sneak preview, but instead they just got a confusing email. My technological computing skills are unmatched when compared to infants. Actually even babies probably got me beat. It's cool though, i'm not worried about that.

Any thoughts?

In other news, i'm down in wally world(CT) for the next couple of days. Belated birthday celebrations with my family. My drive down was definitely disturbing. Spring time driving always gets me sad because of all the cute little critters lying on the roadside. I saw two racoons, one possums, a pair of marmoty looking critters, a squirrel, a deer, some kind of bird, and a couple of unidenifable friends. It brings me much sorrow. Sorry friends of the woods for crowding your space and driving metal death boxes over you.

I've been driving alot since i got back from maui, and its real lame. Don't get me wrong seeing family and friends is totally sweet, but being a car drivin', gas guzzlin' guy has got me less psyched. Some changes have got to be made soon. This is not the life for me. Having huge ecological feet is gross even if you do know what they say about dudes with big eco-feet.

Decided to celebrate....

2009-06-06T13:51:00.000-07:00

After deciding that sitting in a hotel room in Bedford, Ma all night watching cable was probably not the best way to spend my birthday, i came to the conclusion that i was going to throw myself a surprise party. so i got a vegan chocolate cake and some blueberry pop to surprises my homies albert and jessica. It was great. I got there about 8 we hung out a bit before i conked out at about 11. Five fifteen a.m. came mighty quick, and i was back on the road to work this morning. I really did have a good time, and it was waaaaaaaaaaaay less depressing compared to sitting in a room by myself. I did get stopped by madision police at 5:21 this morning. I've been borrowing my folks car, and its got some brake lights that are always on and some that aparently are never on. I guess i also crossed over the doulbe yellow line a tiny bit. My brothers call me swerves because of my ability to drive like a drunk person while being completely sober. Anyway, mr. officer was nice enough to not give me a ticket. And bonus, he didn't mention anything about the unpaid parking ticket from aroung 2006, when i decided that since i was going to hawai'i i didn't really need to give the state of new hampshire any money. Sweet. Mr. officer was a little curious as to why a guy in new hampshire was driving to work in mass, in a car not register in his name with connecticut tags, while holding a hawai'i liscense, but i just explained to him, that's how i roll.

thanks to all my peoples sending birthday wishes. They are truly appreciated, and i will tallk to you all soon.

Hello Saturn

2009-06-05T13:41:00.000-07:00

So i have officially traveled around the sun 29 times. That's right, today is my birthday. Thanks to my mama bear because i'm pretty sure she did most of the work, my pops definitely helped out too. I just showed up, that was my only part. Saturn Return is between 27- 30 years old. It takes the ringed planet about 29.5 years to make its orbit, so it should be pretty dang close to where it was when i exited the womb. This is when one supposedly becomes a real life adult, astrologically speaking. I've been feeling it. Tumultuous times, and the need for some big changes. I sure hope the mothership beams me the plan for the big action.

I've never really believed in making a big deal about my birthday. To me it's just another day, and if anything i go out of my way to make it Extra ordinary. I'm like an ultra party pooper. I don't even know what a celebration is... But i do believe in cake, and i will mostlikely eat some of that tonight.

Bonus Round!!!!

2009-06-04T17:17:00.000-07:00

Looks like Bedford, MA can't get rid of me that easily, or rather i can't get get out of there easily. I thought that this week was it, but psyche. I don't know all the details yet, but one more week seems to be the forecast. Capital A, Awesome for my face.

Trenches

2009-05-29T18:49:00.000-07:00

I work hard. My folks definitely instilled in me a good work ethic. I go above and beyond most of the time, but i also believe that if you are doing what you're supposed to then there is no reason to freak out when things get a little hectic. 30 minute ticket times means we're real busy. If co-workers are doing what they are supposed to be doing, there is no need to frantically run around micromanaging every little thing. Having that "in the trenches" attitude doesn't help the situation. Micromanaging usually translates to getting in the way. If you want the dupes to go away, then get out of my way and let me do my job. Be observant of what's going on, and if a fire needs to be lit under some slow poke coworker's tush, grab a match. Until then, back up off of me. I don't need you to tell me that that ticket times are getting high because i'm in the weeds with a full board. I KNOW the times are high, and i'm killing dupes one pie at at time. Relax, this isn't Nam, and we are not in the trenches. Let's just make some pies and have a good time.

Air-mazing Guitar Prowess

2009-05-28T14:30:00.000-07:00

Last night i went to the regional qualifier for the US Air Guitar Championship. I've never seen so many Grown a$$ people taking not playing an instrument so seriously. It was awesome. The competition was judged on three parts: technical skill, stage presence, and "airness." You may be asking what airness is, but you'll know it when you see it. Trust me. But, no more words because here are a few of the competitors:

This is just a glimpse into the world of Air Guitar. You had to be there in order to truly comprehend the awesomeness.

Grillin and Villians

2009-05-25T16:49:00.000-07:00

Summer has unofficially began. I started mine hanging out with family and eating balsamic marinaded portabellas cooked on my Father's newly christened grill. We spent the day at Paradise Country Club or "the club" as we colloquially called it. My Family been going there for about two decades, and it was pretty rad growing up and having a place to hang out with a pool, and a bunch of kids to cause a ruckus with.

I was less excited about the uber republicans that were picnicking with us. People talking about how Democrats should stop blaming the last administration for the state of finnacial FUBAR that is the American economy is completely rediculous to me. I'm pretty sure the rampant military spending of the last 8 years has something to with the current situation. Correct me if i'm wrong but after Clinton left office the country wasn't in debt. I am not saying i argee with Democrats or Republicans, but don't just spew some D-baggery. Know what you're talking about, before you say that the current president never even lived in Hawai'i because he did. Also, please don't speak to me in a condesending tone about my decisions and lifestyle choices. If you don't agree just be respectful and keep your mouth shut. That's what i did. I was polite, even though i disagree with your views and choices. When it comes to politics i have become more of a radical libertarian. Freedom of Choice. You do your thing and, i'll do mine. As long as no one is infringing on my basic inalienable rights, rock out.

living first, and working last, and beating the day before it's past.

2009-05-23T18:33:00.000-07:00

Today was a day of epic awesomeness. After work i jumped on my bike, to embark on a magical journey. The first part was to find the Minuteman Bikeway, which goes from Bedford to Cambridge. The second part was to find Wheeler's Ice Cream Shop. An all vegan ice cream joint that i found out about on the inter-web. Cherry vanilla milkshake....yes please, and small dish of chocolate peanut butter ice cream as well. d to the lish. It was also my my first longish bike ride of '09 season. Forty-five or so miles. YAY!!! My legs are screaming at me now, and i suspect they will still be yelling tomorrow. Along the way, i got up close and personal with a giant raven that was only a couple a feet away from me. I also stop into one of the bike shops along the way because i lost the cap that holds the grip tape onto my handle bars. "Merry Christmas" to me the shop owner told me as he handed me a pair for free. On my way back hotel, i stopped off at the Whole Foods and got some pb & j ingredients. i just finish some of those sandwiches up right now. Call me Lonestar if you want, but raspberry is my jam. Don't get me wrong i'll get down with most jams, but please no grape jelly.

I'll be comin' round the mountain...

2009-05-21T21:42:00.000-07:00

That's right. It's finger pickin' good y'all... My brand newbie banjo arrived today. If you're wondering if i'm the type of dude that will drive five plus hours round trip, to pick up a banjo and eat indian food with my homies? You can bet your sweet tush i am. I'll fight through mass rush hour traffic because it's better than staying put and becoming the mayor of Baby Town. I'll bring the mutha' uckin' ruckus, bluegrass style. Wu-tang! speaking of which, the ride home (read: back to the hotel that i sleep in.) was a super caffinated hip hop head nodding extravaganza. 88.9 at night. the emerson college radio station's nightly hip hop show. so fresh the other djs say damn. Listening to dre, nas, ice cube, mos, and common was way awesome. so was learning my fisrt three chords, i can't play them well, but i've only been playing the banjo for twenty minutes, so cut me some slack jack.

It's getting there

2009-05-20T19:37:00.000-07:00

My facial hair adventures are really coming along. It takes time, patient, training, and product. I'm now officially a Club Man, and no this does not mean you will see me out at the bars. It does mean that my moustache is becoming more awesome daily.

the best part about these products is that one whiff, and i am transported back in time. The smell is quintessential old time barber shop. It makes me happy, but also worried that Salvatore Bug Eyes, and his comb scissors are going to rip my hair out. If you ever got your hair cut at the Hamden Barber Shop on Dixwell you know that fear. You know all the hoping and wishing that goes into his chair not being the empty one when you are next up. Even Stinky Tony is better than Bug Eyes because atleast he gives a good cut, but i digress.
The moustache wax is great.

Because it makes this magic happen.
A face only a mother could love. I am also in desperate need of a cut, but you can bet it won't be by Salvatore.

Wastefulness

2009-05-16T15:42:00.000-07:00

My current lifestyle has got me on the move. I like moving around. In the last 12 months, i've lived in 3 states, and i am currently residing in the new england area. I say this because i don't really feel like i am living anywhere right now. i stay in a hotel for 4 nights in mass, and then go either to my folks home in ct or more often up to the woodsly goondness to stay in nh. It is not completely condusive to simple living. On the one hand i am traveling light, and living out of a back pack is relatively simple. On the other hand i' ve been eating way more prepackaged food, using lots of gas, doing a bunch of driving, and watching to much tv. I am extremely addicted to television, and it has taken every ounce of will power to not watch, and i still turned it on for a bit on thursday night. This week i have drastically cut back from the previous two weeks. It is hard for me to do stuff just a little bit. For me, moderation is like communism, great in theroy, but in practice it just doesn't work. So this week has been about trying to change my hotel hanging out habits. There has been more smoothies, bike rides, exercise, and listening to music. I even made it to the actual city of Boston this week. Instead of wasting time in front of the tele, there has been way more life living. I think things are moving into a more positve realm, and i hope it last a while.

It's Magic Time

2009-05-14T14:38:00.000-07:00

You know i got the Magic Bullet because you never know when you're gonna need to get your smoothie on. This bad Larry has come with me to SLC, Paia, Bedford, and you can bet international smoothies will be happening up in BC if i ever get there. Today's treat was chocolate peanut butter banana-rama with a bunch of crunchy hippie powders and algaes added to kick it up a nothch. BAM!!!!

Last Night i went to see Atmosphere and Brother Ali at the House of Blues in Beantown. The show was great, but i am still always amazed when i got to hip hop shows and see no black people. It's just weird. I think i seriously saw about 7. The performers weren't even black. Hip hop culture has officially been co-opted by white suburban kids trying to act real urban. I really like hip hop, but i definately do not try to act the part of a hip hopper. I was wearing khakis, a button down shirt, and boatshoes. I also think i might have offiically became an old person. Not only did i pay money to park my car, but i was fully content to enjoy the show from the second floor where it was less crowded instead of pushing my way all the way up to the stage. What happened??? I don't know, but i think i am okay with it.

It's Back...

2009-05-12T12:07:00.000-07:00

There has been no demand for it. In fact probably quite the opposite, so it's pretty unpopular too. I don't really care. It gets the thumbs up from me. Both of them. Moustaches are dope. I actually used a real razor, and not just the electric beard trimmer. I haven't done that in almost three years. my face feels cold, most likely because i look so dang cool. Tonight i am going to eat some New Haven pizza at The Spot. Pepe's y'all. So so good. My pie count is real low. I'll get to see Albert, Jessica, Harvest and Maple.... that makes me excited. Good times.

Back to the Moustache. Here are some before and after photos. From burly mountain man beard

to smoothed faced, smooth operating Mr. Moustachio.
Atleast i made sure that i don't look completely creepy in this picture. Sweet.

Briny Bull Crud

2009-05-11T08:35:00.000-07:00

The city of saltiness strikes again.....i was very excited when i came down to my folks house in CT to find a letter from the Government of UTAH saying that they want more money from me. It's awesome that while getting underpaid while living and working in SLC, my boss also incorrectly filed my tax info. Now i get to give even more cash to them, meaning i am still paying for my decision to go there. I had to see about a girl, and now this is happening. Broken hearts and busted bank accounts. Word.

Mock Duck, Real Good???

2009-05-06T18:34:00.000-07:00

I found this snooping around Albert and Jessica's Cabinets.
Mock Duck courtesy of THEMICHAELHOLMES. He's always been into the creepiest foods available. If it's vegan i usually have no fear. I will try any fruit, vegetable, legume, or grain out there. I am also not scared of creepy fake meat products. I know that these processed foods are probably not the best food optiopn for me, but sometimes they just taste so dang good.
So i cooked up some fake duck with real spinach, onion, pineapple and tomatoes, and i was certainly pleasantly surprised.

Good for my face.

When i got into work today i saw some friendly Canada Geese and their babies. they are too cute, and also very real. No mock goose here.

Detox

2009-05-06T04:47:00.000-07:00

Hanging out with Albert and Jessica equals extreme gluttony and excess. It is so good for my face, but less good for my belly guts. Yesterday was filled with mucho "huevos" rancheros, dos burritos gorditos, cookies, tea, and a bunch of other extra special treats. Going to Albert's house is like when your a kid going to Grandma's house. It is always well stocked with treats to scavenge and find. Ice cream treats, pretzels, chips, candies, cookies, you name it. Its probably here, and my will power is only strong enough to resist what i can't see. I can easily not eat candy beans if they are not in my sights, but once i am locked in on the target....total anhilation. i eat them until each and everyone is gone. That's my move. I am going back down to Bedford, MA to work and to detox. I do have some homemade cookies for the road, but i will eat like a regular person for a few days until i head back up north. My face might not be as happy, but my guts will thank me.

So So Sorry Cecil

2009-05-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

Mt. Cecil

Today i should be in Anchorage doing the "Big Shop" at Costco. Last year it was like 8 of those huge carts of food. It was awesome. Instead i made a choice. I don't believe that there are right or wrong choices. Just the choices we make and the willingness to accept the consequences for those choices. Every time it comes to a big decision i always second guess myself. We probably all do. I chose, what i believe is more stability with a job that allows me to move around over the freedom and uncertainty that seasonal work provides. I think i made the more grown up choice, and that choice means i will not be working in Cooper Landing, AK this summer. It makes me sad. So Sorry Cecil, and hopefully we will meet again sometime soon.

sanguinis y'all

2009-03-29T20:00:00.000-07:00

or guinis for short. or sandwiches if you speak regular person. they are so good. put some fake meat and real veggies between a couple slices of whole wheat, and you got yourself a meal. for the last week i have been overwhelmed by the joys of a sandwich made well. it started with a craving for a tBLT that's tempeh bacon lettuce and tomato. then i had all these supplies and not much time left on the island so i have to use it up.... i have been consuming many vareties of tofurkey sliced deli meats. and they all bang right off the meter. in fact i think i am going to munch up a sanguini right now....

final countdown!!!

2009-03-28T19:51:00.000-07:00

4 days until i leave for the east coast.... i am getting very excited for new england spring time bike rides, easter with my family, and lots of serious hanging out time with all my east coast peoples. maui been pretty fun this time around, but i am definitely looking forward to an east coast recharge. i have already been preparing myself for the longest trip ever. maui to salt lake city to atlanta to hartford. that's so many flights. for now i am making sure i spend atleast a little bit of each day on the beach before i go. my plans for the immediate (next 6-9 months) future are a bit fluid right now. hopefully i will know what's up in the next few days, but it looks like maybe some extra east coast time.... which will be pretty exciting. we shall see.

#40...is so good

2009-02-11T15:05:00.000-08:00

the so so fresh mint y'all. the sign says it all. so good.

there it is, in all its glory. #40 citrus spare rib.

i got a mangosteen today. what a weird fruit. i actually had to dot com how to eat it. thank goodness for a web that goes world wide.

after cutting through the purple skin which is pretty tough, the edible part of the fruit is revealed. it's white and looks like garlic cloves.

the fruit is really sweet. i really enjoyed it, but it is quite a bit of work for 5 little sweet cloves of fruit.

yum....

no house but many homes

2009-02-07T06:01:00.000-08:00

home is where you hang your hat. at least that what daniel larusso told me in 1984. after the last couple of years of travelling around i really am finding this to be more true than ever. most of the time where ever i go, i am going home. obviously CT is home. i just spent some time there with my folks and my brother, sister-in-law, and nephews patrick and jack. watching little kids grow up is pretty awesome.
i also spent a bit of time up in the mount washington valley. i am grateful for the people i have met up there. going to north conway is also going home. there is my original flatbread family, and my transplanted ct homies albert and jessica. Chinese Food, fires, cigars, portland and many good conversations.
and now i am back on maui. paia is amazing. it's definately good to be back. word travels fast though on tiny islands...i ran into a bunch of people yesterday, and being on the island less than a day everyone was like i heard you were back.
look at that hair cut....so handsome????
"double Shakas" brah! my luggage is still coming supposedly, so i got me some new slippahs and board shorts yesterday, making the beach more comfortable.
and you know i already went to mana foods twice. BBQ tofu is off the chain.
i swear it is more a delicious than it looks in this to go container.

i will enjoy my tropical home for a few months, and then it will be time to hang my hat in the last frontier....

Walden

2009-01-25T10:16:00.000-08:00

i started to re-read walden again... thoreau is amazing. 3 pages in, and there are so so many quotable quotes. i think that depending on where you're at different ones stick with you, but i guess that's like anything. you find a deeper meaning in something, if you are searching for something deeper. lately, i have once again been trying to figure out what the heck i am supposed to do with my life. is the path that i'm on really the journey i want to take? do i just keep circulating to appear productive? am i just trying to hide my failures behind a vail of movement? do i just create a situation where i have to think about the moment and what needs to happen next, therefore not ever having to stop and think about what really needs to be done? will i ever just figure it out? be sorta kinda happy with the choice made? what is holding me back from accomplishing what i want to do?

then i pick up walden again and read, and reread the same quote over and over and over again.

"Public opinion is a weak tyrant compared with our own private opinion. What a man thinks of himself, that is which determines, or rather indicates, his fate."

it really hit a chord. it's been resonating all morning. i believe that the only thing that has ever held me back, is myself. my opinion of myself, which may have be molded and shaped by outside influences, but ultimately my own.

so what comes next? i don't know exactly. is the rerun that has been my life going to become some new episodes? or am i doomed to some groundhog day repeats forever?

2009-01-16T13:41:00.000-08:00

my first train.

somewhere in ut.
me.
colorado river.
red rocks in colorado.

farm in iowa.
bridge just past harpers ferry.
outside of the dc train station.
inside the train station in dc.

jefferson memorial.

train traveling...

2009-01-15T17:21:00.000-08:00

i kinda forget how huge this country. when i fly its like teleporting. i get on a plane. fall asleep. and then magically at my destination. across the whole country in mere hours. on a train for three days you really get to see how vast, open and wild a lot of the country still is. i got to see the colorado river, the rockies, coyotes, fox, elk, deer, bald eagles, farms, horses, llamas, and cows. iwent thru a six mile long tunnel. i meet a lot of people. riding the train seems to be a very social form of travel... i meet polical activist/ communtiy organizers, pastors, missionaries, homeless kids looking for a new start with relatives, travellers, peace corp volunteers, a few for real crazy people, and many more. during my layover in dc i went on a mini tour, ate chinese food, and went to a muesem. there are lots of preparations going on in that town for the new prez. many chairs and bleachers being set up for all the spectators. all and all it was a really great trip. i enjoyed my time, and i saw a lot of country. my little bro got me a sweet new camera for x-mas(thanks stephen), but i am having trouble downloading the photos from the trip. pictures will come as soon as i figure it out.

short, cold, but good

2009-01-04T12:12:00.000-08:00

i rode my bike today to work... it was super cold this morning, like icicles on my beard cold. it was a short ride, a couple of miles each way. but it was good. the sun was shining and after a couple of weeks of walking around town, it felt real nice to be on two wheels. bicycles equal freedom.

going home...

2009-01-03T14:12:00.000-08:00

my tickets are purchased.
i leave slc on january, 12th, and i will be in new haven, ct on january 15. i will be taking the california zephyr to chicago. then i will go to washigton dc on the capitol limited. finally after a considerable layover i will depart the capital of the the us of a on the northeast regional to pistol wavin' nueva haven. riding the train for three days across the country. what a way to travel. i think it was a combination of a watching a lot of dargeeling limited, a dude from work talking about taking amtrak to the east coast, and feeling like i just really need three days all by myself before figuring out what's next. adventure. train traveling. to my peoples on the east coast, i'll see you real soon.

enjoying my time in oh nine

2009-01-01T15:57:00.000-08:00

fresh starts....
new beginnings....
more joy...
less stress...
coming out my bag when necessary....

merry winter

2008-12-20T20:52:00.000-08:00

at 7:04 am sunday it will offically be winter in the northern hemisphere. the shortest day of the year. day will only get longer from here on out. also only 4 more years until the winter solstice of 2012. the day the mayan calander ends. some predict doomsday, while other predict something else. maybe the collective consciousness of the human species will be raised. maybe it will be the turning point, that points people to the light. it's darkest before the dawn. it may be that people have to weather four more years of even darker times, but after that just like the winter solstice itself, it will get lighter. it will be better. either way you should live for now because in life the death is the only guarentee. be who you want to be. live how you want to live.

i make-a the pizza

2008-12-09T23:28:00.000-08:00

i don't just like making pizza....i love it. every tuesday night at sage's cafe is pizza night, so instead of making the regular menu i get to make pizza all night long. it's totally sweet. vegan pizza is so rad. pizza feeds the body and the soul. it's real food for real people. hand made. made with love. it's funny i have all this cooking training and experience, but i could probably be content making pizza for a good long while. i love pizza.

flying fun times

2008-12-03T07:17:00.000-08:00

it's wednesday, and the airlines claim that my bags should be arriving today. after a couple of days of delays and rerouting, i actually believed that my bags were going to arrive with me. the whole time standing at the baggage carousel i patiently waited. i kept telling myself the next bag would be mine. but that's not exactly what happened.
after delays in hartford due to weather and engine trouble i got to spent the night at the cincinnati airport holiday inn. it was pretty sweet; a free night at the hotel, a complimentary XL t-shirt and toiletries, and even seven whole dollars to spend on food. i'm not going to lie the food voucher didn't go very far, but how much isthere to eat for a vegan stuck in the airport in the nati. not so much. i opted for the smoothie king. a half way decent smoothie, but by no means fit for royalty. luckliy, my flight schedule got all rearranged , and i was now flying to chicago before making it to my ultimate destination salt lake city. i say luckily because not only would that make my trip longer, but i was flying right into a storm, therefore increasing the chances of missing another connecting flight. which is exactly what happened, but my man phil from delta airlines hooked me up with a just in case, backup flight on american airlines. it was a good thing, because by the time we actually left cincinnati, my flight to slc was already leaving chicago.
i did finally make it, and it wasn't to terrible of a day. i made a bunch of single serving friends. conversation definitely helped pass the time. i am amazed by what people will tell complete strangers, but it makes sense because if you are never going to see a person again you can unload some heavy stuff, without having to worry about judgment and fear of being constantly judged by the listener. some of my most favorite people are the ones who get psychotic and start wile out like they are the only one stuck in the airport. talking about how they will never fly (insert airline here.) like the weather wouldn't have delayed you if you flew on another airline. just relax. you'll get there when you get there. kinda like life. it's all gonna work out, even if you get rerouted to a bunch of unexpected cities, even if you get delayed going to your final destination, or you arrive without your stuff. it all about the journey, and you will eventually show up where your supposed to be. the timing just has to be right. and what you think is the right time, and what the universe thinks is the right time might be different. so just relax.

the wheel of death

2008-11-13T14:57:00.000-08:00

it looks harmless enough... a wheel with two handles.
but, alas! it is the wheel of death.
when i was in ak i would used the wheel of death most mornings during the daily manager meeting. i was feeling like i wanted to cause my abdominal muscles some severe pain, so i acquire a wheel today. feel the burn.
two days off, with lots of bike riding and eating many flavors of mexico. all hail seitan enchiladas last night, and nachos for lunch today. trial one of vegan nacho cheese sauce was met with some success, but it still needs some perfecting.