laptop batteries?

Waaah!!! Oh noh! My laptop went nuts on me! It won't turn on. I'm soooo doomed! All my files are in there, and I so wish that the files can still be recovered, otherwise I will cry for sure!!! Even all my digikits are there! huhuhu.... I wanna die.....

I hope its just on vacation mode, and I hope everything will be all right tomorrow....

Grapefruit Bitters

I used a wine bottle to do the steeping. Lindz thought that making bitters would be a cool idea, and, by golly she was right. This bottle contains six feet of grapefruit zest (three grapefruits' worth), some grains of paradise, coriander, rosemary, ginger and Everclear.

It should be quite a potent cocktail sharpener. I added a bit of sugar syrup after straining it 24 hours later.

There is no end to the permutations of home made bitters.

Summer Food Triptych

A few days ago, I made Italian Bread Salad;

Yesterday, Independence Day, we ate, drank and loafed all day. A group of us went out to breakfast at Cracker Barrel. We drank Dale's Pale Ale next to a friend's pool after that. Next, we came home and started cooking. I smoked some ribs, roasted some sweet peppers for a lovely assortment of appetizers that Lindz assembled, and made some mojitos. Among the many things we ate were artichokes:

Bryan made a fine, patriotic cheesecake, which we enjoyed with some Michigan Port:


It was a fine Fourth. Lindz, our guests and I strolled to our nearby lake to discover neighbors shooting off really cool, not exactly legal fireworks. I regret that I was too busy watching them, talking and drinking to run back to the house and get the camera.

It is truly a fine thing to be an American.

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Fox Outdoor Products Dakota Backpack, Black

Brand : Fox Outdoor

Sales Rank :

Color : Black

Amazon.com Price : $27.02

Features Fox Outdoor Products Dakota Backpack, Black

Large main compartment with drawstring top and storm flap
Three pockets with quick-release buckle flap closures
Adjustable padded shoulder straps

Descriptions Fox Outdoor Products Dakota Backpack, Black

Large main compartment with drawstring top and storm flap. Three pockets with quick-release buckle flap closures. Adjustable padded shoulder straps.

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Car Maintenance

Ok, so today I had the new car scheduled for maintenance, its actually the third maintenance schedule for the 10,000km or 6months PMS (whichever comes first).  The sad thing about it is the mileage is only at 3,000 km. But since this is something we have to deal with because of the warranty, then it has to be done at the dealership.  Good thing about it is that hubby told the service advisor to use mineral oil instead of synthetic oil.  I mean, who needs expensive oil for 3 months use and like another 1000 km?  We barely use the car, I use it daily for a 4km trip to and from the office, so really, by how much can you really tire the car out, right.  So anyway, from the initial quotation of P 8,960, the actual bill came out at P5,894.47.  Whew, that's a whopping P2,000 off by just using mineral oil instead of synthetic oil.  The joys of having a husband who knows he's way around cars.  Now what I have to prepare for next is the next PMS, which comes around December. Whew another 5000 I think. :-(  Looking on the positive side, at least I am not paying for any amortization.  So this is enough I guess. :-)  Count your blessings, right?

Scallops for Christmas Eve (updated)

Addendum: I didn't elaborate on the meal when I posted this picture. The repast consisted of these scallops (I put them on a mesh rack in a sheet pan and cooked them in a 400 degree oven until they felt done; they came out pretty well) with a wee drizzle of lemon butter, roasted asparagus with pecans and balsamic/maple glaze, parmiggiano risotto, a very tasty, snappy Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne that Bryan brought (That was superlative stuff: granny smith apple, croissants, a hint of caramel, and fine bubbles. It's what Champagne drinking should be). Dessert consisted of Christmas cookies and an apple tart.

still searching for the prepaid plus

i've found a place near the office that sells the sim cards for the landline prepaid plus, unfortunately its still out of stock and I would have to wait probably for a longer time now. Its sad because I like the features of the sim, its like having a cellphone with a landline number. Really cool if you ask me. I still have an old SE750i with a micro sd that I can still use with the landline plus sim, plus some memory to catch some more pics. I sometimes use the pics for some office work, though I honestly don't know if my office laptop accepts the micro sd as a removable drive. And I haven't found any trick yet to access it. :-p nevertheless, I will still keep looking for the landline plus sim, something I really know I want.

4 years and counting

It has been more than four years of marriage. Its not perfect, definitely, we were like any other couple. We fight, we encounter problems along the way. But in our marriage, there's always love, and laughter.

We have a long way to go, and more upsides and downsides to come, but as long as there is love, I'm sure we can conquer them all.

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Canvas Hydration Pack and 2L Hydration Reservoir for Sport, Travel and Outdoor Events (17 3/4" H x 9 3/4" W x 2 3/4 D)

Brand : Heavy Hydration

Sales Rank : 158044

Color : Bright Blue

Amazon.com Price : $29.99

Features Canvas Hydration Pack and 2L Hydration Reservoir for Sport, Travel and Outdoor Events (17 3/4" H x 9 3/4" W x 2 3/4 D)

Natural Canvas Exterior, Nylon Interior - (Durable yet Lightweight)
Dimensions - 17 3/4" H x 9 3/4" W x 2 3/4" D, Max Capacity 100 oz
Standard 2 Liter BPA Free Water Bladder System (67 oz) with Bite-and-Lock Value
Thick Padded - Mesh Back Panel and Adjustable Backpack Straps (Allow for Air Flow)
Also Included: Adjustable Chest Straps, Carry Handle, Extra Front Pocket

Descriptions Canvas Hydration Pack and 2L Hydration Reservoir for Sport, Travel and Outdoor Events (17 3/4" H x 9 3/4" W x 2 3/4 D)

The Heavy Hydration canvas hydration pack with the 2 liter hydration reservoir is made with quality natural canvas, hand woven and can be waxed with Otter Wax for better repellency against moisture and water.




This hydration pack comes with a standard 2 liter BPA free water bladder, but can easily fit a 3 liter water bladder. By removing the bladder the hydration pack becomes a great canvas day pack for any adventure.




Other features include padded adjustable straps, padding for back comfort and support, light weight, durable, an integrated carry handle (on the top), and a second small pocket in the front for any valuables while on the go. There are also straps to secure across your chest for jogging or running.




It's great for on the go travels, school, sports, and other outdoor activities.




We recommend hand washing your canvas hydration pack with a non-abrasive soap and allow for air drying if it gets dirty.




Instructions for Water Bladder


The rubber bite: When you receive your water bladder the rubber bite will be factory sealed. Simply remove plastic from the bite valve. There is a pre-cut slit on the tip of the rubber bite for liquids to flow through the hose to mouth. Pinch the ends of the rubber bite to break the pre-cut slit and create the hole (in pictures).




Unlocking the valve: The valve will be locked when you receive it. This feature stops the flow of when not in use. To unlock the valve pull from where the hose connects to the valve, and where the valve connects to the rubber bite. You should see the valve extend which means it is in the unlock position (in pictures).

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IKEA is open in North Carolina

Lindz and I visited the new Charlotte IKEA store. It is grand and glorious, and it was crowded. Not once, not even once, were we out of earshot of a crying child. It was still the IKEA experience, but with the overcrowded amusement-park element added. One child was shrieking as if someone was sawing his arms off.

We got a cabinet for the television, something we had been talking about for a long time. The old wire shelves that housed the tv and stereo are gone, the last vestige of our leftover furniture that looked more appropriate for a college dorm. We're trying to make it look like adults live here.

Speaking of adulthood, why is it so hard to make a living? I'm very thankful to have a job, and particularly thankful to have moved from a lame job to a better job in such uncertain times. But it's sucking the life out of me. It's too bad one has to spend so much of one's life toiling as opposed to enjoying and creating. It's still early days, but this new job is definitely demanding. It's quite a bit better than the alternative.

I hope it gets better soon. Perhaps the U.S.A. will regain a bit of the backbone that it has always bragged about having. Some new roads, bridges and windmills might be a welcome side-effect to all this spending.

But enough about my struggle with the malaise of a broken world. How about some lamb?

This was an end slice. Deeper inside, it was stuffed with pureed dried apricots, rosemary, almonds, garlic, and I can't remember what else.

SmokeDroid Strikes Again

Some Salmon spent 24 hours in the fridge, buried in salt, sugar and black pepper. I invoked the powers of SmokeDroid, and this is the result:

I drank Carolina India Pale Ale, and the music was Cornershop, The Police, AC/DC and Band of Gypsys.

The salmon is pretty friggin' tasty.

Reviews for Northstar Mil Spec Shooters Heavy Canvas Bag, Black

Northstar Mil Spec Shooters Heavy Canvas Bag, Black

Brand : Northstar Mil Spec

Sales Rank :

Color : Black

Amazon.com Price : $26.66

Features Northstar Mil Spec Shooters Heavy Canvas Bag, Black

Heavy Duty Quality 22 oz. Canvas
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Hard bottom and D - rings with adjustable multi-swivel shoulder strap
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Descriptions Northstar Mil Spec Shooters Heavy Canvas Bag, Black

The Shooters Bag is made of heavy weight 22 oz. cotton canvas bag with large self repairing nylon coil zipper, hard bottom, "D" rings, adjustable multi-swivel shoulder strap. Main compartment measures 12" x 9" x 6" and the six outside individual pockets (3 on each side) measure 4" x 8" x 2". Available colors: Black, O.D. Coyote and Army Digital.

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Charleston

Lindz and I drove down to Charleston for a wedding this past weekend. After 4 1/2 hours of easy, unexciting driving, we arrived in that handsome town. The ceremony was held in the French Huguenot Church:
Here's the exterior of the church:
From there, we proceeded to the reception at the Aquarium. You can see the Ravenel Bridge in the background, and the USS Yorktown is out of frame to the right.
Aquatic life surrounded us (there were sharks swimming by the buffet). Here is the bride dancing with her dad as the fish look on:
Lindz and I did some serious walking the next day. There were characterful old buildings and streets in every direction. This is an overgrown old graveyard next to a church, a spot we found after wandering through and old wrought iron gate.

It seems like we ended up with few pictures, and they don't do the town justice. The weather was perfect, if a tad muggy, and we had most of a day to wander. We did some fine eating, too....

Entertainment for a Rainy Afternoon

We like bing cherries. They just happen to go well with cabernet sauvignon.

After years of denouncing it as a unitasker, I purchased a cherry pitter. We like it. I haven't used it on olives yet, but we like this thing anyway. Preliminary tests indicate that this gadget will shoot a cherry pit six feet.

I also finally got us corn picks. A household isn't really established until your guests can hold a cob of corn in style.

Yep, we're happenin' people. We finally got a new dishwasher this afternoon; what better than a good cherry pittin' session to follow that?

Another one

Another day of swearing, but this one went up satisfactorily. Today I spent some time up in the attic, also known as Itchy Hellish Realm. I needed to locate and reinforce a particular part of the soffit in order to support a cabinet full of dishes (the next stud over was 1 3/4" too far to the right to be of any help, of course). Boo hoo for me. I bring this crap on myself.

Anyway, we are very satisfied with the results.

And now it's time to fix the damaged dishwasher drain tube. After that, perhaps a cocktail or three....

Lunch Break

Testimony to my newly found laziness: I am now at the office for the 3rd consecutive day during lunchbreak.  I don't know if its because I'm pregnant that's why I'm lazy or its because I've no shopping money right now, but I don't really feel like walking out the door during lunch breaks as I usually would, up until last week.  Now I want to just stay in the office and hug my cute pillow during the break, get a shut-eye for 15-minutes, and then wake up still sleepy at 1pm.
Oh, and I'm really happy that so far, there are no pregnancy symptoms yet.  Last time I didn't get any, I'm hoping this time its the same, a few cravings here and there, and then some throwing up a FEW times is ok.  I did that for like less than 5 times during my first pregnancy and I'm hoping its the same thing now.
Oh, I'm glad I am back to blogging now.  Hopefully, I'll be able to write down my experiences from now on, its something I miss doing, but now I resolve to write again.  I want my second pregnancy to be just as memorable as the first one.

fitness first

My husband likes to invest in gym equipment ever since we got married. Just after we got married he bought a home gym that took up a huge amount of space in our living room and later on in the bedroom. When we moved to our own home he then bought a stationary bike, which, unfortunately, is also gathering a lot of dust particles in our room. We don't have a gym room so the stuff is parked in our bedroom, with the bed being in between the bike and the gym. Uncanny. I'm more inclined to think that I want us to have a much, much smaller fitness essentials, such as a Kettlebell, which won't take up so much space in our home. Of course, it not like I want or need it now, but for those thinking about getting them a home gym, consider getting something small and light.

The Wedding in Jamaica

The ceremony took place on top of a seaside cliff at the resort, officiated by a Jamaican minister:


The afternoon was overcast, but a glorious sunset broke through right at the end. A great shot of a very handsome wedding couple, I think:


The reception, with all its eating, drinking, dancing and jubilant noise took place in the resort's restaurant:


Part of the celebration was a box of Cuban cigars. Here's a slightly blurry shot of me enjoying an excellent Cohiba and a bit of rum. It was an excellent cigar. Stupid embargo.

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Stansport Cotton G.I Rucksack (Black)

Brand : StanSport

Sales Rank : 395550

Color : Black

Amazon.com Price : $26.84

Features Stansport Cotton G.I Rucksack (Black)

Made of extra heavy weight cotton canvas by overseas contractor to rigid U.S. Government specifications
Grommet drawstring top opening to large main chamber
Three outside covered pockets with strap and buckle closure
Top flap has four built in accessory loops, Double reinforced shoulder straps
Size: 17" high x 13" wide x 6" depth

Descriptions Stansport Cotton G.I Rucksack (Black)

The Stansport Cotton G.I. Style Rucksack is made of heavy weight cotton canvas. It features a grommet drawstring top opening and a large main chamber. The three outside pockets have a strap and buckle closure. The top flap has four built in accessory loops and the double shoulder straps are reinforced.

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Merry Christmas

Yeah, you read it right. I said "Merry Christmas," not "Happy Holidays."

This was my brother's first North Carolina Christmas. He has been elevated in status because my wife made him a stocking:

He made our Christmas Eve even more merry by bringing Ollie over, complete with a red collar. Christmas cat is a decadent yuletide treat.

I made some pain a l'ancienne, a delayed-fermentation bread from The Bread Baker's Apprentice:

The dough sits overnight in the refrigerator. I made boules for Christmas dinner.

Here they are, fresh out of the oven (by the way, these pics were taken with our new, impossibly tiny, fabulously feature-laden digital camera given to us by Lindz's folks):

And here is how the boules were used. Bryan made a rich seafood newburg (full of scallops, shrimp and crab), and we put it in bread bowls. It was delicious, and it brought back memories of Christmases past. We drank a tasty Rutz pinot noir with it.

Bryan, in his Christmastime extravagance, made the mythical Bee Pie. Lindz has heard about this pie for years now, and Bryan decided to bring forth the legend so she could actually have some.

She liked it. By the end, we were full and dazed in that old-timey Noel way.