Our First RSVP

Today we got our first RSVP from grandmother... so it's one yes so far :)

The Last of the Invites

Today we mailed out the last of the Invites. These were the ones that were going to Harry's family in Austria and a friend in England. I had to take them to the post office to get exact postage so they went out a few days after the everyone elses.. now we wait for the RSVP's.

"Green and Tangerine on Red" by Mark Rothko

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

The fourth of 4 Rothko paintings in the Rothko Room viewed by Jay Rolfe at the Phillips Collection is "Green and Tangerine on Red" painted in 1956. The others were painted in 1953, 1954, and 1957. This one is on the left wall from the door, opposite "Green and Maroon." This photo is also a little blurred, a result of no flash and a handheld camera in a dimly lit room. In fact, with the poor lighting, it's amazing the photos came out as well as they did.

The point of the Rothko room is to provide an environment so the viewer can have an experience viewing them. The Rothko room suceeds in the eyes of artist Jay Rolfe. The paintings are such an overwhelming presence in the room that one can't ignore them, and one can have the intimate experience the artist and the gallery intended.

This post completes the 4 Mark Rothko paintings of the Rothko room at the Phillips Collection in Washington DC. The other 3 were posted the past 3 days.

Remember this?

...do you remember in 1999 hearing this song and thinking, this is so lame..but um, wish it was around for my graduation. :D
I don't know why but I have been thinking about this song lately, so I had to track it down and here it is. ;) peace enjoy

Remember this?

...do you remember in 1999 hearing this song and thinking, this is so lame..but um, wish it was around for my graduation. :D
I don't know why but I have been thinking about this song lately, so I had to track it down and here it is. ;) peace enjoy

Remember this?

...do you remember in 1999 hearing this song and thinking, this is so lame..but um, wish it was around for my graduation. :D
I don't know why but I have been thinking about this song lately, so I had to track it down and here it is. ;) peace enjoy

PSA: FREE CONE DAY

Today is Free Cone Day at most Ben & Jerry's, readers! Search HERE for your local scoop shop, and be sure to click "Find only shops that participate in Free Cone Day."

Do not go to Free Cone Day without clicking HERE.

You deserve to make informed decisions. It may not have a dollar price, but it certainly has a cost.

Last warning: Lines get long on FCD. Be patient!

*I in no way specifically promote Ben & Jerry's as the official ice cream of my blog, but when something is free, I usually eat it. It's not a very discriminating policy.

"Ochre and Red on Red" by Mark Rothko

Today Jay Rolfe posts the third of 4 paintings from the Rothko room of the Phillips Collection in Washington DC. "Ochre and Red on Red" was painted in 1954 and was displayed on the near end wall of the room. The colors were quite dramatic. It was quite an experience sitting on the bench, the only furniture, in the middle of the small room only a few feet from the large painting, and experiencing it. It's today's photo of the day.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Manic Monday

I know today was going to be a rough day.. and it didn't disappoint. Well the day started off nice enough. I got to mail about 2/3's of our ceremony invites. But everything changed when I got to work. I won't go into details needless to say it was a very busy and stressful day that didn't end until 10:30pm.

It's kind of scary if this is what's to come of this job. On top of planning our commitment ceremony, planning Harry's family arrival for three weeks during the ceremony, working on a network show, dealing with car issues and to top it off health issues.

Just gotta keep telling myself to breath and enjoy every free moment of stress-free down time I get.

Mark Rothko "Green and Maroon"

Artist Jay Rolfe viewed all 4 of Mark Rothko's paintings in the Rothko room of the Phillips Collection. The one featured in yesterday's post, "Orange and Red on Red," was at the far end of the room from the entrance. This one, "Green and Maroon," was on the right hand wall. The photo is a little blurry, due to no flash permitted and handheld camera only, as you can see by comparing with yesterday's post.

"Green and Maroon" painted in 1953 is the first of these 4 painted by Rothko. Here is today's photo of the day, Rothko's "Green and Maroon."

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Ceremony Invites

Today while we watched TV Harry and I prepared the 50 + invites to our commitment ceremony. We stamped the RSVP, printed address labels and licked over 50 envelopes. We plan on mailing out the majority of them on Monday. We are still trying to get address of some folks.

You don't realize how fast your list of invites grows. You want to invite everyone you know but since we are having it in our backyard we are limited on space.

Torchwood

Harry and I were finally able to sit down and watch some more Torchwood. I have all 13 episodes of the second season but so far we have only been able to watch up to episode 5. Today we watched episodes 6 through 10. All I have to say is WOW... first of all they added Martha from the third season of Doctor Who to Torchwood (episodes 6, 7 & 8) and she was a great addition. There is a OMG moment at the end of episode six and kind of sets ups a major story plot in the next few episodes. I enjoyed episodes here and there from season one of Torchwood, but this season two has been nothing but the best. I can't wait to finish up the series. And I look forward to season three.

Mark Rothko "Orange and Red on Red"

Jay Rolfe was impressed with the Rothko room at the Phillips Collection in Washington DC. It was a small, poorly lit room with 4 large Rothko paintings, one on each wall. The idea was a place to contemplate the paintings. Rothko said he painted large pictures to be "intimate," so the viewer would feel like he was in it rather than outside the experience. Rothko said he was expressing basic human emotions, and that the "people who weep before my pictures are having the same religious experience I had when I painted them."

Today's photo is one of the 4 large Rothko paintings in the Rothko room, "Orange and Red on Red." It does really seem to require large size and an in person viewing experience to appreciate it. It was painted in 1957.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Jaleo

Jaleo is a local tapas place, partly put together by Jose Andres, the man behind many James Beard awards and nominations AND some of the most fantastic and innovative restaurants in the area. You (collectively, or at least E, who is reading) know I cherish the opportunity to try a bunch of things instead of being limited to one dish. I'll tell you what T and I had on a recent visit, whether the dish stood out, and if I'd order it again.

Manzanas con hinojo y queso Manchego: Sliced apples and fennel with Manchego
cheese, walnuts and sherry dressing
This was fresh and crunchy; if it had a little more apple and a touch less fennel I'd order it again.

Coles de Bruselas: A warm salad of Brussels sprouts, apples, apricots, grapes and Serrano ham
Despite my attempt to avoid the ham in this dish, the smell of it was overwhelming. Sadly, the aroma transported to me to when I'm in my mother's pantry and open a cookie jar full of Sophie's dog treats--I suppose they are made of the same material. I didn't really catch anything but sprouts and ham, the fruits were lost to me. I wouldn't order it again.

Coliflor con olivas y frutos secos: Sautéed cauliflower with green and black olives and dried dates
This was yummy--the cauliflower florets were tiny and not soft enough for my liking, but the sweet sauce derived from the dates was REALLY good, especially when sopped up with bread. Order on!

Rape con puré de berenjenas: Seared monkfish over an eggplant purée and finished with black olive oil
The monkfish was tasteless, but the eggplant puree beneath was AWESOME--I wanted just a bowl of that and some bread! Don't order again as long as the monkfish is still the main to-do.

Salmón a la plancha: Seared salmon with a relish of green olives and capers
This was good, but tiny and not super memorable.

Seared scallops with a traditional sauce from the Canary Islands
This sauce was yum. Order it!

Pastel Vasco con helado de leche merengada: Basque cake with semolina cream, cinnamon-vanilla sauce & ice milk
THIS WAS MY FAVORITE THING THE ENTIRE NIGHT! I love dessert, but it's not usually my favorite part of a meal at a restaurant, because many restaurants have scrumptious dishes and "OK" sweets...it's not their specialty, and I have high standards. This cake was divine. We were hesitant about the cream because we didn't want anything to heavy, but Spanish desserts are customarily very light. The sauce, the ice milk (as opposed to ice cream), it all came together beautifully. It was such a perfect ending to a meal that was otherwise interesting, but not to-die-for.

I think I want to go to back with a group of friends and order all of the desserts--I wanted the hazelnut chocolate torte, too! Who's in?

Jaleo
Arlington, Bethesda, DC
Metro: Blue/Yellow Line to Crystal City, Green/Red/Yellow Line to Gallery Place/Chinatown, Red Line to Bethesda

Piet Mondrian "Painting No. 9"

Piet Mondrian is one of Jay Rolfe's favorite modern painters. His signature paintings of a white square, rectangle, or diamond set off with some black lines and small blocks of color in one or more of red, yellow, and blue (the primary colors) are simplicity itself. The Mondrian at the Phillips Collection in Washington DC has more black lines than most, but still fits the signature style. It was painted from 1939-1942 and is titled "Painting No. 9."

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Henri Matisse "Interior With Egyptian Curtain"

The second Matisse painting at the Phillips Collection that artist Jay Rolfe saw recently is the 1948 painting "Interior With Egyptian Curtain." It's also a large painting, as is the painting of yesterday's post "Studio, Quai St. Michel," and again features an interior and an outdoor landscape seen through a window. "Interior With Egyptian Curtain" is remarkable because it was painted in 1948, a time late in Matisse's life when he was sickly and did little artistically besides cut-outs. It's today's photo of the day.

Artist Jay Rolfe has a special appreciation of legendary painter Henri Matisse because he gave up law to pursue art as did Jay Rolfe.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Father Son Penis Size Relationship

Of the ghosts ...

All we have faced some element of someone past, including his own in more than one occasion.

There are ghosts that appear occasionally to remind us just how much we've changed and grown, what we have learned and improved.

There are ghosts that appear with greater frequency with adverse intent.

There are ghosts that we bring to this with the sole purpose of being a point of comparison with the actions of those who affect our present.

I think the ghosts should be just some of the attitudes of people who passed through our lives by marking it in some way, fulfilled a cycle and left. That is all. There should be more.

I think the ghosts should be only a few situations that we left a scar that will probably remain with us for some time.

I believe in the responsibility that comes with bringing ghosts of the past to compare with this.

I believe in the freedom of each one of us if allowed ...

More Wedding Stuff

Today I picked up address labels and stamps (100) for the invitations. Not only did I have to get stamps for the invitations but also for the RSVP post cards that hopefully everyone will return to us letting us know they will be joining us. We have to get these cards out this weekend to hit our three-month mark. Lots of work getting all this together but it's fun at the same time.

So we have our invitations/RSVP cards done, we have chosen a caterer, we know what kind of cake we are getting, we mapped out the backyard and figured out how many table and chairs we can get back there and we have a photographer. So far so good.. a few more details to work out and three months to do it in.

Writer's Block

Weird enough, I've had half a dozen people ask me this week what I do if I get writer's block. So here are my top 5 things to alleviate blockage of the brain:

1) Go for a walk
2) Torment my dog
3) Eat my weight in peanut butter
4) Eat my weight in salt and vinegar chips
5) Pick up my cell and talk to absolutely anybody who will answer

Henri Matisse "Studio, Quai St. Michel"

Artist Jay Rolfe viewed Henri Matisse's 1916 painting "Studio, Quai St. Michel" at the Phillips Collection in Washington DC recently. It contains a recurrent theme, a window which reveals the outside. This was mentioned in Monday's post (4/21/08) of Pierre Bonnard's "The Open Window," along with the use of a variety of colorful patterns. Another familiar element of "Studio, Quai St. Michel" is the reclining nude. This is a quite large canvas, and very impressive when seen in person. It is today's photo of the day.

Artist Jay Rolfe has a special appreciation of Henri Matisse as well as Pierre Bonnard, both the legendary painters mentioned in today's post, because both gave up law to pursue art as did Jay Rolfe.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Women's fancy shawl...

...this is also a good video of some good dancing fancy shawl...look at the feet. It's not like here in Cali, this is what I guess you would call a "down home" video. ;) peace

Women's fancy shawl...

...this is also a good video of some good dancing fancy shawl...look at the feet. It's not like here in Cali, this is what I guess you would call a "down home" video. ;) peace

Women's fancy shawl...

...this is also a good video of some good dancing fancy shawl...look at the feet. It's not like here in Cali, this is what I guess you would call a "down home" video. ;) peace

Work is kind of kicking my ass!

Believe me, I am trying to kick back but it's not working. I only have a few weeks left in this position and then my contract is up and I am being tugged apart from different people clamoring to get their projects finished before my end date. People, relax...life is wonderful and so am I, it'll happen...my way. I don't need IM's, phone calls, emails etc. I know what needs to be done and I am on top of it, you are messing with my euphoria that engulfs me when I think of walking out on my last day knowing I will not grace those doors again. That guard shack, the turn style, the locked doors only opened with my badge. The cubicle where I never get to talk to anyone face to face or even on the phone (well except recently people have been calling)...my communication is just IM an email...IM and email....IM AND EMAIL!! I am a people person! I look forward to my next job, office gossip...lunch with co-workers actually using my voice to talk to someone face to face. Ahhh...life will be good. Until then, I wish I was able to come home to one of these guys and just rest my head and be told...everything is going to be ok. ;) peace

Work is kind of kicking my ass!

Believe me, I am trying to kick back but it's not working. I only have a few weeks left in this position and then my contract is up and I am being tugged apart from different people clamoring to get their projects finished before my end date. People, relax...life is wonderful and so am I, it'll happen...my way. I don't need IM's, phone calls, emails etc. I know what needs to be done and I am on top of it, you are messing with my euphoria that engulfs me when I think of walking out on my last day knowing I will not grace those doors again. That guard shack, the turn style, the locked doors only opened with my badge. The cubicle where I never get to talk to anyone face to face or even on the phone (well except recently people have been calling)...my communication is just IM an email...IM and email....IM AND EMAIL!! I am a people person! I look forward to my next job, office gossip...lunch with co-workers actually using my voice to talk to someone face to face. Ahhh...life will be good. Until then, I wish I was able to come home to one of these guys and just rest my head and be told...everything is going to be ok. ;) peace

Work is kind of kicking my ass!

Believe me, I am trying to kick back but it's not working. I only have a few weeks left in this position and then my contract is up and I am being tugged apart from different people clamoring to get their projects finished before my end date. People, relax...life is wonderful and so am I, it'll happen...my way. I don't need IM's, phone calls, emails etc. I know what needs to be done and I am on top of it, you are messing with my euphoria that engulfs me when I think of walking out on my last day knowing I will not grace those doors again. That guard shack, the turn style, the locked doors only opened with my badge. The cubicle where I never get to talk to anyone face to face or even on the phone (well except recently people have been calling)...my communication is just IM an email...IM and email....IM AND EMAIL!! I am a people person! I look forward to my next job, office gossip...lunch with co-workers actually using my voice to talk to someone face to face. Ahhh...life will be good. Until then, I wish I was able to come home to one of these guys and just rest my head and be told...everything is going to be ok. ;) peace

Georges Braque "The Shower"

Artist Jay Rolfe has seen a lot of Georges Braque paintings. MoMA has quite a few from his cubist period and shortly after. "The Shower" which is in the Phillips Collection in Washington DC was painted in 1952. Rolfe doesn't recall seeing a painting from this late in his career. And it's clearly recognizable as a landscape. It's the photo of the day.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Fancy Shawl, Crow Hop

...here is a pretty good vid of a crow hop. You all know I'm about being traditional but this actually is not that bad, old school wise.

Fancy Shawl, Crow Hop

...here is a pretty good vid of a crow hop. You all know I'm about being traditional but this actually is not that bad, old school wise.

Fancy Shawl, Crow Hop

...here is a pretty good vid of a crow hop. You all know I'm about being traditional but this actually is not that bad, old school wise.

Working Out at Night

It's sooooo hard working out. Getting up everyday and doing 45 minutes of cardio on the elliptical is tough. I know it's good for me and I need to really try and lose some weight but man I dread it every morning.

Well I woke up today and wasn't feeling so hot so I decided to work out at night right before I go to bed. Wasn't sure I would have the energy after the long day at work but surprising it was a pretty good workout and man I fell right to sleep afterwards. I'm going to try it this way for a while and see how it works..

Georges Braque "The Round Table"

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Georges Braque, along with Pablo Picasso, started and starred in Cubism in the late oughts and early teens of the 20th century. "The Round Table" painted in 1929 is definitely post-cubism. It's an attractive painting with a flat picture plane and cubist influences. This painting is at the Phillips Collection in Washington DC.

This ain't right....

...no really, it's not.
;)peace

This ain't right....

...no really, it's not.
;)peace

This ain't right....

...no really, it's not.
;)peace

Pierre Bonnard "The Open Window"

Another painting by Pierre Bonnard in the Phillips Collection in Washington DC that artist Jay Rolfe liked is "The Open Window" painted in 1921. It is as much an interior as a landscape, so it wasn't included with the three large landscapes. It is a subject Henri Matisse often painted, an open window and the inside and outside of it. It also has many patterns in the interior in the style of Matisse. The color palette is a little different from Matisse. Still, it's a beautiful painting, and our photo of the day for today.

Artist Jay Rolfe has a special respect for Pierre Bonnard because Bonnard, like Jay Rolfe, Henri Matisse, Wassily Kandinsky, and Paul Cezanne, gave up law to pursue art.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Euro Market

K said, "We love the coffee at Euro Market." Months went by before I decided to have breakfast at EM--a turkey and egg sandwich on whole wheat and fresh squeezed orange juice. As in, I watch the person cut 4 peeled oranges in half and put them into a machine, then BAM! Juice. It's amazing. When I take the first sip I feel transported to a warmer, more exotic place, the sort of locale where gleeful children dive into abundant mountains of fresh produce. The last sip can be a little tart, a heads up for those who want to crinkle your noses in advance.

But don't stop visiting after breakfast.

All wraps come with lettuce, tomato (cut up, not shoved in there), lettuce (shredded), sprouts (!), cucumbers, pesto, special sauce, and a swipe of cream cheese spread used to stick the wrap closed. J noticed that the starch was minimal in my meal, as opposed to the typical wrap these days where I accidentally fill up on the wrapper that's wound around 1/2 inch thick. More turkey for me, please! EM has tons of sandwiches, every which way different types and flavors of breads and wraps, interesting spreads, and overall happiness. They also sell wine and beer (singularly by the bottle, too) and funky imported European candies and chocolates. Looks are deceiving for this tiny gem!

Wow, how could I almost sign off without telling you that they have BREYER'S ICE CREAM! The saddest part of Euro Market is that it's at the base of an apartment building that is not mine.

FYI, Pesach/finals time will bring fewer posts temporarily, but maybe a recipe or two. My Euro Market experience is a pre- (and will be a post-) Passover indulgence.

Euro Market
2201 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA
Metro: Orange Line to Court House

Doctor Who

Just watched the third episode of the fourth season of the New Doctor Who and I am loving this season so far.. three really AWESOME episodes. The latest was The Planet of the Ood. Again Catherine Tate continues to impress me. She is the heart of the new season. I'm really looking forward to more of this season.

Pierre Bonnard "The Terrace"

Pierre Bonnard was a famous painter (from the post-imprerssionist era) who gave up law to pursue art, just like Henri Matisse, Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Cezanne, and Jay Rolfe.

The third of the large Pierre Bonnard landscapes that artist Jay Rolfe saw at the Phillips Collection in Washington DC last weekend is "The Terrace" painted in 1918. It's a beautiful painting when seen in person. The photo of the day is "The Terrace" by Bonnard.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Rolling sculpture

The most unusual piece of rolling sculpture artist Jay Rolfe saw this morning at the weekly car nut get together was a fly yellow Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina. A barchetta is an open car without a top, not the top down, but there is no top. So nice weather is required. The 550 Barchetta Pininfarina is a limited edition Ferrari, only 448 were made for the world, and is basically a Ferrari 550 Maranello with the top taken off and nice farings behind the head rests. It's a beautiful car, and the yellow stitching on the black leather interior really set that off nicely.

Today's photo is of the limited edition Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina. This car led the drive through the countryside after the meeting at the coffee shop parking lot.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Pierre Bonnard "The Palm"

Artist Jay Rolfe posts the second of the three large landscapes by Pierre Bonnard he liked at the Phillips Collection in Washington DC. It is titled "The Palm" and was painted in 1926. Bonnard was a post-impressionist painter who gave up law to pursue art, just like Jay Rolfe, Henri Matisse, Wassily Kandinsky, and Paul Cezanne.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Aunt Joyce's Birthday

Today is the birthday of one of my favorite Aunts. Joyce and I grew up together and we have always been very close. Hope you have a great Birthday Aunt Joyce. Hugs

Pierre Bonnard "The Riviera"

One of the revelations of the Phillips Collection for artist Jay Rolfe was the three large Pierre Bonnard landscapes. Rolfe was familiar with smallish interior scenes, sometimes with people, that Bonnard painted in almost pastel colors. Bonnard's large, lavish landscapes were a revelation. Rolfe found them beautiful. Jay Rolfe has a special feeling for Pierre Bonnard as he, like Rolfe, Matisse, Cezanne, and Kandinsky, is one of those artists who gave up law to pursue art.

Today's photo of the day is Bonnard's "The Riviera" painted in 1923. In person, the canvas is large and the colors are beautiful.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Release Day!

Today is the release day for THE SPECIALISTS: THE WINNING ELEMENT.

Run, don't walk, to your nearest book store!

My Niece at her first powwow...

...ok well not her first but her first where she is dancing. She's the one with the blue star shawl and the white rabbit hair ties bouncing around. LOL ;) peace

My Niece at her first powwow...

...ok well not her first but her first where she is dancing. She's the one with the blue star shawl and the white rabbit hair ties bouncing around. LOL ;) peace

My Niece at her first powwow...

...ok well not her first but her first where she is dancing. She's the one with the blue star shawl and the white rabbit hair ties bouncing around. LOL ;) peace

Working out

It's so tough getting up and working out on the Elliptical machine. I decided that I would do 45 minutes everyday. I did plan on doing it twice a day once in the morning nad once at night but that might be a bit much to start with. I have found that if I watch Star Trek or Firefly it makes my time go back faster. Each hour long episode runs about 45 minutes so it's perfect. It's been three days and so far so good.

Van Gogh "House at Auvers"

The past two posts have been two of the three Van Gogh paintings artist Jay Rolfe viewed at the Phillips Collection recently. The third Van Gogh at the Phillips Collection is an attractive landscape, "House at Auvers," painted in 1890. The variety of Van Gogh paintings is impressive. The Phillips is such a rich collection of paintings. Jay Rolfe is looking forward to going again.

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Van Gogh "The Road Menders"

This is the latest step of artist Jay Rolfe on his Journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You may view some of Jay Rolfe's signature style, his innovative 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas paintings, on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Artist Jay Rolfe thinks the three Van Gogh paintings in the Phillips Collection are quite different from each other. They are all on the large side. I believe this is the largest. "The Road Menders was painted in 1889, and is dramatic when seen in person.

Have you been to the Hobbitville Gardens?

Welcome to
Hobbitville Gardens…
where adventure grows wild!



THE PIXIE CHICKS

Buy the eBook now at

For a quartet of girlfriends known as the Pixie Chicks, life takes on a delicious new flavor when their normal Friday night walkabout through the Hobbitville gardens reveals secrets and adventures previously unimagined. Who knew the statues were portals to similar, magical gardens around the world? Or that only a select few can travel by statue and fewer still can arrive at their desired point? These four will reach for the stars despite the risks of the unknown to embrace an adventure suitable only for the boldest of teens.

Who is Regan Black?
Regan Black has been indulging her imagination since the moment she discovered the magic of pencil and paper. She's won awards for both her poetry and her adult adventure novels, despite the chaos of managing a husband, two children and a home that could serve as a domestic petting zoo. With two retired greyhounds (give or take a foster), two cats and three birds, she's learned to craft her stories with one hand on the keyboard and one on whoever is in need of affection. If she's not writing, you'll most likely find her reading, gardening, playing with the pets or doing yoga to recover from all of the above. Thanks to the wonders of technology, you can always find her at www.reganblack.com.

New Job

Well today I started my new job. I'm the Post Production Supervisor for a new NBC reality/game show called "America's Toughest Jobs". It's currently set to air in the summer of 09' but that can always change.

The first day was fairly quiet. I spent about six hours just trying to get my computer up and running. In the end we got it up and everything seems to be in order. It's always kind of crazy at the beginning of the shows. We are still setting up edit bays and such. Hopefully in a few weeks things will be running smooth.

Ghar-E-Kabab

No! It's not a kabab place! Not that there's anything wrong with that...

According to an on-site sign, and declarations on the menu and web site, Ghar-E-Kabab is organic. This Indian-Nepalese eatery is relatively new to downtown Silver Spring, an area with no shortage of restaurants.

Dishes are served in the same tiny copper bowls as this place Jordaan in Amsterdam, where I ate possibly THE BEST Indian food ever. J was there, he can attest.

For dinner we all shared chicken vindaloo (avoided--too spicy for me), lamb curry, chicken saag, and aloo ghobi (potatoes and cauliflower), and paratha (of which we wish there were more). The texture of the lamb was great--lamb is tricky, sometimes it's kind of chewy, but not here. The chicken saag was especially yum, I love saag (spinach) in a serious way. We started with samosas (2 in an order), and great tiny round pakoras--one order came with 4-6ish, so they were very shareable. Taj Mahal beer delighted half of the table, and I recommend trying it on your next visit.

None of us were feeling particularly gluttonous, but if we were we would have went for a thali, a platter that comes with small servings of just about everything. If you're sharing and want all the things on the thali, you can probably get a greater variety-bang-for-the-buck.

Service was commendable. Our waters were re-filled often, and although the place was packed when we arrived, we were told we would be seated in just 5 minutes--and we were.

For a local ethnic eatery, they have an awesome web site.

I don't recommend Ghar-E-Kabab for ECH or BLC, who, after returning from Bangalore, have sworn off all Indian food (possibly forever).

Ghar-E-Kabab
944 Wayne Avenue
Silver Spring, MD
Metro: Red Line to Silver Spring

Today's Weather...

...was HELLA hot, ok for the first hot day of the season anyways. If I didn't have so much to do today, I would have loved to hangout at the beach with these guys!! Enjoy! ;) peace