Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Climbing on the soapbox...
Sometimes here at Brandy de la casa I tend to get a little serious when I dig out the soapbox and speak my mind. It's not the norm because this isn't a political blog or a space just to rant, but since it is MY place it tends to happen from time to time.
I can be a little opinionated.
And by "little" I really mean a lot.
The story about the Harvard professor is old news. Or so you would think, but I keep hearing about it & frankly I find it completely ridiculous that anyone, especially the President is wasting his time on this.
Newly released audio tapes show that the neighbor who called 911 never said "black men" as previously reported, which is good for her since I've read that she has received a lot of flack for supposedly saying that.
This morning Jessie Jackson was on the CBS Early Morning show to discuss this event and the new information. He must have said "racially motivated" 3 or 4 times. His interview was right after they played the audio of the 911 call so I have to ask...
What about that call was racially motivated?
Nothing.
Not one thing in that call indicated what race the possible burglar was, so one could access that there was no way for the police officer to know before arriving on the scene. And yet with this factual knowledge Mr. Jackson still referred to the incident as "racially motivated".
Why do people like this add fuel to the fire? Oh yes, it's because it gets them on TV.
It sickens me that the media allow people like this to be an "expert" on a situation that he has no first hand knowledge of. He's no more an expert than I am on the subject. Neither of us were there and the opinions that we have formed are just that - opinions.
Here's my opinion based on the information that I have received:
The neighbor was concerned about a possible break in. So many people "turn the other cheek" these days, I would have been grateful that my neighbor was thoughtful enough to call the police.
The policeman involved was doing his job. He didn't know the professor from Adam and was required to ask for identification. He was obligated to clarify the situation and it was the professor that said the "racially motivated" statements.
It was the professor that overreacted & was subsequently arrested for his behavior. Later the charges were dropped so there is no pending litigation against the professor or the policeman, and yet he could not let it go.
The whole thing is so blown out of proportion that even the President has involved himself. As if he doesn't have more important things to worry about, he is going to meet with the professor & officer to "have a beer" on Thursday.
Give me a break!
How many veterans has the President invited to the White House for a beer? How many sit downs has he had with people that are facing foreclosure?
None that I know of.
Now don't misunderstand me. I'm not so ignorant that I believe that people don't discriminate because of race. They do. Just as people judge others because of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and pretty much any reason that makes one different.
It's unfortunate & sad but it happens.
It just didn't happen in Connecticut, at that house, on that day.
I can be a little opinionated.
And by "little" I really mean a lot.
The story about the Harvard professor is old news. Or so you would think, but I keep hearing about it & frankly I find it completely ridiculous that anyone, especially the President is wasting his time on this.
Newly released audio tapes show that the neighbor who called 911 never said "black men" as previously reported, which is good for her since I've read that she has received a lot of flack for supposedly saying that.
This morning Jessie Jackson was on the CBS Early Morning show to discuss this event and the new information. He must have said "racially motivated" 3 or 4 times. His interview was right after they played the audio of the 911 call so I have to ask...
What about that call was racially motivated?
Nothing.
Not one thing in that call indicated what race the possible burglar was, so one could access that there was no way for the police officer to know before arriving on the scene. And yet with this factual knowledge Mr. Jackson still referred to the incident as "racially motivated".
Why do people like this add fuel to the fire? Oh yes, it's because it gets them on TV.
It sickens me that the media allow people like this to be an "expert" on a situation that he has no first hand knowledge of. He's no more an expert than I am on the subject. Neither of us were there and the opinions that we have formed are just that - opinions.
Here's my opinion based on the information that I have received:
The neighbor was concerned about a possible break in. So many people "turn the other cheek" these days, I would have been grateful that my neighbor was thoughtful enough to call the police.
The policeman involved was doing his job. He didn't know the professor from Adam and was required to ask for identification. He was obligated to clarify the situation and it was the professor that said the "racially motivated" statements.
It was the professor that overreacted & was subsequently arrested for his behavior. Later the charges were dropped so there is no pending litigation against the professor or the policeman, and yet he could not let it go.
The whole thing is so blown out of proportion that even the President has involved himself. As if he doesn't have more important things to worry about, he is going to meet with the professor & officer to "have a beer" on Thursday.
Give me a break!
How many veterans has the President invited to the White House for a beer? How many sit downs has he had with people that are facing foreclosure?
None that I know of.
Now don't misunderstand me. I'm not so ignorant that I believe that people don't discriminate because of race. They do. Just as people judge others because of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and pretty much any reason that makes one different.
It's unfortunate & sad but it happens.
It just didn't happen in Connecticut, at that house, on that day.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Cherry-o!
This weekend I channeled my inner Martha Stewart & worked it in the kitchen. Not only did I make strawberry freezer jam (YUM!!) but I made an awesome fresh cherry cobbler for dessert last night.
I'm posting the recipe today...far, far away from Trim the Fat Thursday cause I don't want to sabotage anyone.
Except for myself apparently.
I found this recipe on Allrecipes.com and modified it a little based on some of the reviews. The original recipe can be found HERE.
Here's what you'll need:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup milk (I used skim & it worked fine.)
3 cups pitted cherries (I used Bing since they were on sale last week; that's why I decreased the amount of sugar.)
1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp lemon juice (Guesstimate since I just squirted directly in the bowl.)
Tip: Wear gloves & old clothes to pit your cherries. Cherry juice WILL stain your hands & it's quite messy.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Place the butter into a 9x13 pan and insert in oven to melt. Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder & milk. In a separate bowl mix the cherries, sugar, flour & cinnamon. Remove the pan from oven and add the batter. DO NOT STIR. Then add the cherries evenly over the batter. Again DO NOT STIR.
It will look a little like this.
Bake for 50 minutes or until golden brown.
I realize that nothing about this picture says "golden brown" but the crowd was anxious for dessert so I didn't take any pictures before serving.
I'm one of those weird people that like crisp edges so I loved the corners where the butter almost fried the dough, however I would have liked a little more "cobbler" to go with the cherries.
Next time I might divide the recipe into two smaller pans, increasing both the cherries and the batter a little. And I would also cut my cherries in half. They didn't cook as much as I would have liked because they were so big. That's what she said.
Cherry cobbler & True Blood = The perfect way to end my Sunday
I'm posting the recipe today...far, far away from Trim the Fat Thursday cause I don't want to sabotage anyone.
Except for myself apparently.
I found this recipe on Allrecipes.com and modified it a little based on some of the reviews. The original recipe can be found HERE.
Here's what you'll need:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup milk (I used skim & it worked fine.)
3 cups pitted cherries (I used Bing since they were on sale last week; that's why I decreased the amount of sugar.)
1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp lemon juice (Guesstimate since I just squirted directly in the bowl.)
Tip: Wear gloves & old clothes to pit your cherries. Cherry juice WILL stain your hands & it's quite messy.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Place the butter into a 9x13 pan and insert in oven to melt. Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder & milk. In a separate bowl mix the cherries, sugar, flour & cinnamon. Remove the pan from oven and add the batter. DO NOT STIR. Then add the cherries evenly over the batter. Again DO NOT STIR.
It will look a little like this.
Bake for 50 minutes or until golden brown.
I realize that nothing about this picture says "golden brown" but the crowd was anxious for dessert so I didn't take any pictures before serving.
I'm one of those weird people that like crisp edges so I loved the corners where the butter almost fried the dough, however I would have liked a little more "cobbler" to go with the cherries.
Next time I might divide the recipe into two smaller pans, increasing both the cherries and the batter a little. And I would also cut my cherries in half. They didn't cook as much as I would have liked because they were so big. That's what she said.
Cherry cobbler & True Blood = The perfect way to end my Sunday
Friday, July 24, 2009
My first senior moment
Let me apologize in advance for my absence today but I'll be doing the "parent thang" this morning & taking the teen for his senior pictures.
We are NOT taking this outfit.
I'd say this is the first of many tasks ahead of us this school year. Senior pictures, college choices, scholarship applications, auditions, etc., etc., etc.
It's exciting and sad all at the same time. Exciting to know this time next year he will be headed to college and sad for us because he'll be headed to college.
I just pray that my meds keep on working & that I have the patience to deal with all of it.
~sigh~
This parenting gig ain't for lightweights.
We are NOT taking this outfit.
I'd say this is the first of many tasks ahead of us this school year. Senior pictures, college choices, scholarship applications, auditions, etc., etc., etc.
It's exciting and sad all at the same time. Exciting to know this time next year he will be headed to college and sad for us because he'll be headed to college.
I just pray that my meds keep on working & that I have the patience to deal with all of it.
~sigh~
This parenting gig ain't for lightweights.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
"Trim the Fat" Thursday
Welcome to another TTFT where I didn't meet my goals!
Blah.
This is what I had planned on doing this past week:
1. Drink 4 glasses of water a day.
A lot of water was consumed this week- everyday in fact. But I know that it wasn't 4 glasses everyday. Blah.
2. Buy NEW vitamins.
I DID buy some new vitamins. They still suck ass, but not nearly as much as the others. They are smaller than my original multivitamins & I don't have to chew them so I'm trying to suck it up and just do it.
3. Take vitamins everyday.
Did & done.
4. Do 20 minutes of exercise 3-4 days a week.
Um, here is where my miserable FAIL comes in. I don't have any excuses...I just simply don't enjoy exercise. I might have even been lazier this past week then normal.
I have to find something to motivate me to get off my butt. It's stupid & frustrating because I know I need to do it, but the "doing" it part is not appealing.
Blah.
Goals this week:
1. Drink 4 glasses of water a day.
2. Take vitamins everyday.
3. Do 20 minutes of exercise 3-4 days a week.
4. Start tracking what I'm eating.
I'm keeping the top 3 & I have a feeling it will always be on my list. As for #4, it's time to take a look at what I'm eating. I'm not going to count calories this week, but I want to see when I'm eating.
By the time I get home in the evenings I'm starving & that means I overeat at dinner time. Not something I want to do so I've got to work that out somehow.
So how did you do this week?
If you are participating in "TTFT" don't forget to link up at Angie's place!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
I'm Blitzing...but not very well
For all of you that are friends with me on Facebook, you may have noticed my current obsession with Bejeweled Blitz.
Probably because you've been spanking my ass at it.
Seriously, Kat what's your secret? How do you get scores that high? Jayme, maybe you can shed some light since you've also surpassed my score.
I NEED to know the secret. S & I are in a fierce competition to be the ultimate winner in our house. We've been battling it out for the last few days...first me on top, then him, then me, then him.
Is it getting hot in here or is it just me? *Ahem*
As of bedtime on Monday S was in the lead, but then a miracle happened. The tournament ended yesterday; meaning that all the scores reset.
Hallelujah!
Yesterday I played that game so many times my eyes crossed, but I managed to get to 45,500. Still so far from the 50k medal that I wanted. SO. BAD.
Although it was enough to stay ahead of S.
For one day anyway.
What's your current obsession? Are you competitive?Will you still love me if I never reach 50k?
**In case you missed my "hellz yeah" message on FB, I just scored over 64,000! Hey S- stuff that in your pipe and smoke it!**
Probably because you've been spanking my ass at it.
Seriously, Kat what's your secret? How do you get scores that high? Jayme, maybe you can shed some light since you've also surpassed my score.
I NEED to know the secret. S & I are in a fierce competition to be the ultimate winner in our house. We've been battling it out for the last few days...first me on top, then him, then me, then him.
Is it getting hot in here or is it just me? *Ahem*
As of bedtime on Monday S was in the lead, but then a miracle happened. The tournament ended yesterday; meaning that all the scores reset.
Hallelujah!
Yesterday I played that game so many times my eyes crossed, but I managed to get to 45,500. Still so far from the 50k medal that I wanted. SO. BAD.
Although it was enough to stay ahead of S.
For one day anyway.
What's your current obsession? Are you competitive?
**In case you missed my "hellz yeah" message on FB, I just scored over 64,000! Hey S- stuff that in your pipe and smoke it!**
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Summer Vacation-Part II...The Haunted Version
After touring the battlefields at Gettysburg (Part I found here) we went into town. We had dessert before dinner (YUM!) & then decided to do a ghost walk.
The Dobbins House tour was recommended
so at dusk this guy took us around town to different places, giving us more of a history lesson than a "ghost" story. (Obviously I do NOT recommend the Dobbins House tour.)
Even though it was pretty eerie walking around at night, his stories weren't doing much to scare me so I started taking pictures.
He had spoken about orbs and I was determined to catch some on my camera.
(Click to enlarge)
This is S walking away and you can barely see an orb to the right. But then in the next frame the same orb is still there but very bright.
I knew that some of my pictures had orbs, but it wasn't until I downloaded them that I saw how many. I would say 98% of my pictures had at least one orb in it.
How freaky is that?!
So tell me, do you believe in ghosts? How about orbs? Do you think they are spirits or "just dust" as some believe?
The Dobbins House tour was recommended
so at dusk this guy took us around town to different places, giving us more of a history lesson than a "ghost" story. (Obviously I do NOT recommend the Dobbins House tour.)
Even though it was pretty eerie walking around at night, his stories weren't doing much to scare me so I started taking pictures.
He had spoken about orbs and I was determined to catch some on my camera.
(Click to enlarge)
This is S walking away and you can barely see an orb to the right. But then in the next frame the same orb is still there but very bright. 
I knew that some of my pictures had orbs, but it wasn't until I downloaded them that I saw how many. I would say 98% of my pictures had at least one orb in it.
How freaky is that?!
So tell me, do you believe in ghosts? How about orbs? Do you think they are spirits or "just dust" as some believe?
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