tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3693942680154879462024-03-13T13:44:15.220-05:00Just JessI'm on a great adventure!Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-69086585042911988382016-02-19T13:38:00.001-06:002016-02-19T13:38:10.028-06:00Long time no.....How has it been 3 years since I visited my little blog! It seems like everyday I tell myself to write and suddenly a lifetime of adventures have gone undocumented!<br />
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I have no hope of chronicling 3 years today, so I will, as in so many aspects of my life, start fresh yet again....<br />
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It is 2016! Wowee! This year, I turn 39, which seems like it should feel important, but it doesn't.<br />
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What does feel important is the huge sense of personal change I recognize in myself since that last blog post! Professionally, I've grown into my work in a way it seemed I never would. Personally, I've had a rough go - fluctuating in health, drive, interests, and energy more dramatically than the characters in an after school special.<br />
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So, what do I tell you, now that I am, for the moment, back?<br />
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Nowadays I:<br />
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1. Play ukulele - who would have ever guessed! I even have a YouTube channel!<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKt0_gBvQmAel7DgQJgs3FA">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKt0_gBvQmAel7DgQJgs3FA</a><br />
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2. Ride my bicycle every day! - It's my favorite part of the day!<br />
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3. Eat really badly and enjoy it! - I finally realized I am allowed to be happy and fat at the same time!<br />
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4. Swim! - Every morning, in fact - to balance out all that delicious food!<br />
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5. Have 3 cats, but one is new. We lost our Annie a couple of years ago, and now we have wild monster Harriet keeping all of us on our toes!<br />
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6. Sail as often as possible! - I've conquered (for the most part) my anxiety on the water!<br />
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That's my update for now, let's see if I can get this going again!<br />
Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-40957506160624154462013-06-17T08:15:00.001-05:002013-06-17T08:15:39.802-05:00I feel like a movie star!"Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen." - Conan O'Brien<br />
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Hello all!<br />
I just wanted to let you know that I was featured on a stunning blog, penned by a wonderful friend of mine who came to visit me in NOLA last week! Not only does her camera have magical properties, she is one of the most energizing and fun people I know! <a href="http://desperatenglishteachers.blogspot.com/2013/06/jess-haley-takes-st-charles.html" target="_blank">Check me out here</a>, and take a peek at the rest of her clever meanderings as well!<br />
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Have a wonderful Monday!<br />
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Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-66798079689317510832013-06-07T15:50:00.001-05:002013-06-07T15:50:37.849-05:00What I did on my Summer Vacation (Spoiler: the answer is - eat and drink too much)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Before the madness of summer school begins next week, Husband and I decided we needed a little road trip to fulfill our vacation quota for the season. We hadn't been up to Kentucky to see family in a while and also needed to stop off in our old, Mississippi stomping grounds to pick up some equipment for Husband's summer research.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">First, we drove to Kentucky (12 hours, wah-waaaah), where we enjoyed food and drinks with good friends and family. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On Sunday, my family drove to Eminence, Kentucky to have some nerd fun at the <a href="http://www.kyrenfaire.com/" target="_blank">Kentucky Highland Renaissance Festival </a></span><br />
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This festival is set in 13th century Scotland, complete with King Robert the Bruce, traditional celebrations, bards, jousts, and comedy shows. My whole family attended as did my very best friend from high school. All in all, an excellent reunion!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun, family-friendly mud show</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It ain't faire until I've got a turkey leg!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It ain't faire without a mug of cider and a rocking pig!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's my kick-ass brother. We both got the costuming gene.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long live the Bruce!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sir Tristan of Scotland (most importantly wearing the fleur de lis)</td></tr>
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After 3 days in Kentucky, it was time to move on. We headed south to Oxford, Mississippi, where Husband and I spent 10 pretty much awesome years studying and working at the University of Mississippi and meeting genuinely amazing people we very seriously consider family. Surprisingly, I didn't take ANY pictures of my time with friends! I guess I was so tied up in conversation that I just didn't think about it (it couldn't have had anything to do with wine...). I should just mention the wonderful places we visited and recommend:<br />
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- <a href="http://citygroceryonline.com/" target="_blank">City Grocery</a> - Best place in town for a martini on the balcony!<br />
- <a href="http://ajaxdiner.net/Ajax_Diner/Welcome.html" target="_blank">Ajax Diner</a> - Recently voted "Best of the Best," 'nuff said. GO THERE.<br />
- <a href="http://citygroceryonline.com/restaurant" target="_blank">Boure</a> - I was really impressed with the big, new venue for this old favorite!<br />
- <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-LeveeCellar-Oxford/190193510997714?v=info" target="_blank">The Cellar</a> - go there if you want to watch 12 year old frat boys call eachother "Bra"<br />
- <a href="http://www.squarepizza.com/" target="_blank">Square Pizza</a> - go there after an evening on the town for the best pizza ever!<br />
- <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bottletreebakery" target="_blank">Bottletree Bakery </a>- Best ginger scone and homemade granola! (and everything else!)<br />
- <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theblindpigoxford" target="_blank">The Blind Pig</a> - Go there for good live music and pool!<br />
- <a href="http://www.voltataverna.com/Volta_Taverna/Welcome.html" target="_blank">Volta Taverna</a> - Go there for Mediterranean cuisine and delicious margaritas! (seriously)<br />
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From Oxford, we headed into the Mississippi Delta for some archaeology and music in Clarksdale, home of the Blues!<br />
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First, we had to get some work done. By "work," I mean I took some pretty pictures and then returned to the car to read about zombies while Husband set up a digital, globally oriented grid at the site.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenic View from the top of an Indian Mound</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Husband gets his coordinates set!</td></tr>
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After checking into our downtown Clarksdale hotel, we walked around in search of libation. First, we had some snacks and drinks at the <a href="http://www.stoneponypizza.com/" target="_blank">Stone Pony </a>(I'd never been there) a casual pizza-and-beer place with excellent movie-themed trivia on Wednesday nights!<br />
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After that, we wandered over to Morgan Freeman's blues club, <a href="http://www.groundzerobluesclub.com/" target="_blank">Ground Zero</a>. I have to say, I've always loved this place, but it's gotten really touristy and the band playing put me in the mind of Tropical Isle, not the true blues capitol of the world.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I forgot my coozie. #hatetouchingcoldthings</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We look good, but the band sounds awful!</td></tr>
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We didn't stay at Ground Zero long. Determined to find better music, we wandered towards Red's juke joint. There was no music that night, but Red was there and regaled us with tales of celebrities and annoying tourists. It was pretty awesome and authentic, hence I took no photos, obviously.</div>
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After our night in Clarksdale, it was time to head home. But not before one final, and very important, pit stop: <a href="http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/6620" target="_blank">The Jim Henson Museum in Leland, Mississippi</a>!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most awesome photo op ever!</td></tr>
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The Jim Henson Museum is very small, but packed full of memorabilia, actual original Muppet props, as well as biographic info and photos of a young Jim Henson, growing up in Mississippi. <br /><br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original puppets from Spirits of the Cloud Forest</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Animal!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Kermie!</td></tr>
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The museum is magical, and it was a perfect way to end our trip!</div>
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Now we're back home, but, of course, our adventures aren't over! I have lots of trouble to get into soon, so stay tuned!</div>
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Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-33949496915047004842013-06-07T14:29:00.000-05:002013-06-10T13:19:12.888-05:00Breaking into Summer: Crawfish Extravaganza!<br />
<dt class="quote" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px; margin-left: 50px; margin-right: 100px;"><a href="http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/31275.html" style="color: #454545; text-decoration: none;" title="Click for further information about this quotation">Summer afternoon - Summer afternoon... the two most beautiful words in the English language. </a>- Henry James</dt>
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</dd>To celebrate the beginning of summer (well, weather, anyway), good friends J and D hosted a gigantic crawfish boil and invited all the best people (and dogs) in the neighborhood.<br />
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I had a little double-boiling accident with my petit four icing, so I showed up to the party with a tray full of ugly and a grimace, but, it turned out all my anxiety was for naught! Everyone loved the little cakes, even if they did look like a 3 year old made them!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d4thBCNVQOM/UbIj3eV8jfI/AAAAAAAABCY/RZhCM-SlapY/s1600/31+may+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d4thBCNVQOM/UbIj3eV8jfI/AAAAAAAABCY/RZhCM-SlapY/s320/31+may+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ugly, yet delicious Petit Fours!</td></tr>
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Sangria in the shade with my best girlies!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wpH3mqWGmOs/UbIj4ntsdJI/AAAAAAAABCo/dZ6QGZhhUvo/s1600/31+may+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wpH3mqWGmOs/UbIj4ntsdJI/AAAAAAAABCo/dZ6QGZhhUvo/s320/31+may+9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friendship Photos!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NH89IpRD2LU/UbIj3lxlrXI/AAAAAAAABCg/sOH1Q7friIs/s1600/31+may+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NH89IpRD2LU/UbIj3lxlrXI/AAAAAAAABCg/sOH1Q7friIs/s320/31+may+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roxie stayed in the middle of the circle for maximum foot-petting potential!</td></tr>
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Three rounds of boil later, we all had teary eyes and burning lips, but big smiles on our faces!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zXZxsXm7T-c/UbIj3fC5IWI/AAAAAAAABCQ/uC2OxbdWVRQ/s1600/31+may+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zXZxsXm7T-c/UbIj3fC5IWI/AAAAAAAABCQ/uC2OxbdWVRQ/s320/31+may+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And now for the main event: Yum!!!</td></tr>
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Happy summer, y'all!</div>
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Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-45021889141156514032013-06-07T11:31:00.001-05:002013-06-07T11:49:56.309-05:00A new anniversary tradition!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;">It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life. ~Rita Rudner</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;">Just a couple of weeks ago, it was our 4th/14th anniversary (4 years ago, we got married on our 10th anniversary)! I can't believe it!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;">For the second time, Husband and I decided to spend our anniversary on Pensacola Beach, at the luxurious Holiday Inn resort! We can only go for one night, so we try to cram in as much excellent food/drink/beach/pool time as possible!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;">We arrived and checked in to our hotel, then immediately tossed away our shoes and strolled down the beach to <a href="http://thedockpensacola.weebly.com/" target="_blank">The Dock</a> for a Miami Vice (half pina colada-half strawberry daiquiri)!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E4Cuf0-rvtI/UbIMOBghUTI/AAAAAAAABAM/eb5CjkXCOk8/s1600/23+may+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E4Cuf0-rvtI/UbIMOBghUTI/AAAAAAAABAM/eb5CjkXCOk8/s320/23+may+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">After that, it was time to hit the sand!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm on a beach!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YKH0EW6OWAM/UbIM31iQ58I/AAAAAAAABAc/BwMyyvjE-sU/s1600/24+may+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YKH0EW6OWAM/UbIM31iQ58I/AAAAAAAABAc/BwMyyvjE-sU/s320/24+may+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach hooping is hard work!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B12MXZv1anU/UbIM5d2nJTI/AAAAAAAABA0/aV667C8_csE/s1600/24+may+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B12MXZv1anU/UbIM5d2nJTI/AAAAAAAABA0/aV667C8_csE/s320/24+may+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Husband goes for a swim!</td></tr>
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After all that hard work, we needed some dinner! We headed back down the beach to our favorite casual dining establishment, appropriately named <a href="http://www.crabswegotem.com/" target="_blank">Crabs on the Beach</a>!<br />
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After gorging ourselves on grilled seafood, fresh salads, and margaritas, we strolled for a bit to appreciate the skyline.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3tkndgi1lig/UbINrrrrrTI/AAAAAAAABBM/gTY9XspmrM4/s1600/24+may+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3tkndgi1lig/UbINrrrrrTI/AAAAAAAABBM/gTY9XspmrM4/s320/24+may+14.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We can't wait to ride the ferris wheel next year!<br /><br /></td></tr>
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There was loads more beach and pool time the next morning!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yMZ_Jw84jyE/UbIO2FfSq2I/AAAAAAAABB8/MdW7EtQkaR0/s1600/24+may+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yMZ_Jw84jyE/UbIO2FfSq2I/AAAAAAAABB8/MdW7EtQkaR0/s320/24+may+16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tOvblQWg6tM/UbIOLrcPxSI/AAAAAAAABBc/zF-R8ou25Go/s1600/24+may+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tOvblQWg6tM/UbIOLrcPxSI/AAAAAAAABBc/zF-R8ou25Go/s320/24+may+9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nerds on the beach!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YIqz7cbNTj0/UbIOLbUj-YI/AAAAAAAABBY/Sjas4sICT8Q/s1600/24+may+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YIqz7cbNTj0/UbIOLbUj-YI/AAAAAAAABBY/Sjas4sICT8Q/s320/24+may+10.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out at the hotel bar</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XCPI35OiJ0Y/UbIObt5po9I/AAAAAAAABBs/khv_Ysr3TeM/s1600/24+may+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XCPI35OiJ0Y/UbIObt5po9I/AAAAAAAABBs/khv_Ysr3TeM/s320/24+may+19.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lazy River pool and hot tubs are my favorite!</td></tr>
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It was ALMOST a perfect trip...until this happened....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iG1gA3Q4mFE/UbIOpkn2U2I/AAAAAAAABB0/JeYBWReG5L4/s1600/24+may+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iG1gA3Q4mFE/UbIOpkn2U2I/AAAAAAAABB0/JeYBWReG5L4/s320/24+may+20.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't worry! A friendly surfer-dude with a big truck pulled us out!<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Well, nothing can ever be absolutely perfect. It was a wonderful way to celebrate all our amazing journeys together. I'm so glad this is our new anniversary tradition!<br />
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Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-23410542119915479192013-05-20T11:00:00.001-05:002013-05-20T11:00:57.309-05:00His Holiness the Dalai LamaBe kind whenever possible. It is always possible.<br />
- His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama<br />
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This weekend, Husband and I were offered tickets to another amazing, decadent, and satiating event...no, not a fancy dinner gala! This time, we had the opportunity to hear His Holiness the Dalai Lama speak at Tulane University's 2013 Commencement ceremony.<br />
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Commencement took place in the Superdome! It was my first time inside, I'm somewhat ashamed to admit. Husband pointed out the disparity in my embarrassment meter, as I regularly and unabashedly tell people that I play Dungeons and Dragons...but I digress...The Superdome! It's so big! And confusing! And we sat WAY UP HIGH, so my pictures don't really do it a lot of justice.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bfv1b-e3M28/UZpAq4nIc7I/AAAAAAAAA_o/bRZlhhCgh-o/s1600/20+may+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bfv1b-e3M28/UZpAq4nIc7I/AAAAAAAAA_o/bRZlhhCgh-o/s320/20+may+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the ceremony to begin.<br />Is anyone else weirded out when they put dresses on chairs?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rGFsrazkmdM/UZpAsWSQE8I/AAAAAAAAA_4/FoY_n2mThTg/s1600/20+may+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rGFsrazkmdM/UZpAsWSQE8I/AAAAAAAAA_4/FoY_n2mThTg/s320/20+may+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The procession. Also a good reference to how high up we were.</td></tr>
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I should note that, while not represented in pictures, the speech given by Tulane president Scott Cohen was extremely moving. He emphasized the importance of hope in troubling times. His closing remarks had me all misty eyed. I paraphrase: Hope didn't die in Boston. It didn't die in Sandy Hook. It didn't die in Hurricane Sandy or Katrina, and it didn't die on Frenchman Street.<br />
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This was the only reference today (or really in many days) to the Mother's Day shootings here in New Orleans which has had me seriously thinking about violence and how we use language to categorize violent acts. This may seem cruel and simplified, but it's what I've come up with: If violence is perpetrated by a white person, it is a tragedy. If violence is perpetrated by a "brown" person, it is terrorism. And if violence is perpetrated by a black person, it is what? Expected? Street violence? Someone else's problem? These words are imbued with prejudice, as is our framework for thinking about violent crime. I don't know how to express how I feel about this problem, or how to solve it, but I will be seeking out people who may have the ideas or power to do so.<br />
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So, after the president's moving and thought provoking speech, there was a speech by a graduating doctoral student that was so contrived I wanted to gag. But, in the spirit of compassion and hope, I will refrain from publishing negative impressions here. Instead, I will move on to the words of the Dalai Lama himself.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l1v0ce0ewAc/UZpArAt-AwI/AAAAAAAAA_s/CMJdaXxVqVs/s1600/20+may+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l1v0ce0ewAc/UZpArAt-AwI/AAAAAAAAA_s/CMJdaXxVqVs/s320/20+may+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His Holiness Speaks</td></tr>
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First, let me say, that being a language teacher, while fulfilling and exciting, sometimes annoys the hell out of me. Case in point, His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama is, obviously, a second (or likely 3rd or 4th) English language speaker. Most of the beautiful quotes you edit into a waterfall photo to post on Facebook have been translated by professional interpreters and written in a way to make them more poetic. In real life, his English is halted, simplistic, and heavily-accented.<br />
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In many ways, I think hearing him speak is absolutely more powerful for exactly those reasons. He doesn't have (or <i>need</i>) complex grammar or excessive adjectives to express his teachings. Everything about his message is simple, smoothed down to the most basic of words: peace, trust, hope, patience, compassion. It's beautiful. It's powerful...<br />
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And it is completely outside my power to not try and pick apart his accent for ideas about how to help my Asian students with particular sounds. I can't stop recognizing patterns of language mistakes that my students make and immediately try and figure out why? how? It's so frustrating. Especially when you are trying to clear your mind to welcome a message of hope.<br />
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But I managed to still find the Dalai Lama's message. He began by talking about hope. Hope, he insists, leads to trust. If people can only trust each other, if they aren't afraid of each other, there can be peace. The only way, he says, we can really trust each other, is if we stop thinking that we are better or worse than other people. I paraphrase - Whenever I meet someone I think he is just a person, but so am I, so I am glad to meet him.<br />
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His Holiness encouraged students to not value their education too highly. Education alone is not enough, in fact, it can be dangerous. Education plus compassion leads to inner peace, which also allows people to trust each other and find peace.<br />
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It was very inspiring. You can watch the whole thing here (the Dalai Lama's speech begins at 5:30):<br />
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Afterward, Husband and I took a walk through the French Quarter and reflected on the idea of equalizing how we categorize people. It is amazing how much negativity we project onto the world without realizing it. In a matter of hours, we'd busted ourselves making snide comments about people's clothing, tourists' ignorance to local customs, even each other's choices for lunch - giant hamburgers from the <a href="http://www.clovergrill.com/" target="_blank">Clover Grill.</a>..don't judge, we're not Buddhists.<br />
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So, we're going to focus on positive thinking this week. Hope, compassion, peace. I'll let you know next week how we do!<br />
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Here are some beautiful, professional photos of the event, borrowed from the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TulaneU" target="_blank">Tulane University Facebook page:</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His Holiness and Tulane President Scott Cohen Second Line into graduation</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dalai Lama and Dr John, who also received an honorary degree</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His Holiness speaks of hope, peace, and compassion</td></tr>
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<br />Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-344779399239144012013-05-09T14:16:00.000-05:002013-05-09T14:16:00.961-05:00And now back to our regularly scheduled sewing...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #101010; line-height: 40px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. - Abraham Lincoln</span></span><br />
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Whew! The spring semester is over, and all teachers and students are alive and accounted for! It has been the most whirlwind year (possibly ever in my entire life) so far, and I really can't complain because, barring some horrible illnesses and mild anxiety attacks, all the mayhem has been of the most positive variety.<br />
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The one thing that I do truly feel has suffered so far this year is my creativity. I've been so busy working and being social and working and being more (too?) social, that I haven't made ANYTHING in months! Once my final grade reports were submitted, it was time to remedy this problem!<br />
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First, I caught up on the epic pile of mending that had been sitting on my dryer for, no lie, a year. That done, I moved on to my WIP pile. First up, a red plaid, princess-seamed, goth column dress I snagged at a thrift store ages ago. In general, I hate a column silhouette. I think unless you are 6'5" and weigh 85 pounds, it's just a super non-flattering look. So, I spent about 3 hours seam ripping 6 of the skirt seams out to just below the waist. Then I cut black godets to give the dress some much needed flare!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That was a LOT of seam ripping.</td></tr>
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Unfortunately, I don't have an "after" photo for you yet, but as soon as I wear it, I will post one! Needless to say, the dress is much improved in my estimation and it was an important first project after a long crafting hiatus!<br />
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Next! Good friends T and Z needed matching seersucker shirts for an upcoming fundraising event! <a href="http://www.ogdenmuseum.org/events/sippin/index.html" target="_blank">Sippin' in Seersucker </a>is a super fun fete sponsored by the <a href="http://www.ogdenmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Ogden Museum of Southern Art</a>. There's live music, craft cocktails, and gourmet snacks from several local restaurants. We went last year and it was a blast! T and Z got a hold of a really fun, fruity seersucker print! Here are the final products!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Z's flirty fruity safari top! She's actually going to wear it with a red belt.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T's fruit adventure shirt! The buttons are stylized watermelon!</td></tr>
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As payment for the shirts, T and Z are generously taking us to the event with them! I won't have time to purchase/make a new dress, so I'll be sporting the same green seersucker dress I made last year. I'm normally dismal about costume repeats, but, since I've lost 25 pounds since last year's Sippin' I'm actually really excited to alter the dress and do a little before/after set up for you in my next post! I'll also make sure to post pics from the event and the fruity duo! Until next time!<br />
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<br />Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-28883898679984967142013-04-30T12:54:00.000-05:002013-04-30T12:54:14.592-05:00Another Feast!<br />
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<dt class="quote" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px; margin-left: 50px; margin-right: 100px;"><a href="http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/27746.html" style="color: #454545; text-decoration: none;" title="Click for further information about this quotation">If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.</a> - J.R.R. Tolkien</dt>
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<dt class="quote" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px; margin-left: 50px; margin-right: 100px;"><br /></dt>
<dt class="quote" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px; margin-left: 50px; margin-right: 100px;">While still adding extra exercise time to my routine to make up for the decadent diversion I last shared with you, I was recently invited to participate in another extraordinary culinary experience - a Dinner Lab.</dt>
<dt class="quote" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px; margin-left: 50px; margin-right: 100px;"><br /></dt>
<dt class="quote" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px; margin-left: 50px; margin-right: 100px;">Before the dining extravaganza, Husband and I went to The Kerry in the French Quarter, one of our favorite Irish pubs, to hear some dirty, rockin' bazouki music from our friend, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bethodist?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_blank">Beth Patterson</a>. </dt>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fxyYmSFXLUc/UX_nA1naGJI/AAAAAAAAA40/bth9cLqJkTw/s1600/IMG_3772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fxyYmSFXLUc/UX_nA1naGJI/AAAAAAAAA40/bth9cLqJkTw/s320/IMG_3772.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Show me on the Doll</td></tr>
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<dt class="quote" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px; margin-left: 50px; margin-right: 100px;"><br /></dt>
<dt class="quote" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px; margin-left: 50px; margin-right: 100px;"><a href="http://www.dinnerlab.com/" target="_blank">Dinner Lab</a> is an underground supper club that combines all the most unique and wonderful things about New Orleans: diverse architecture, a spontaneous spirit, and adventurous cuisine!</dt>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KZ1MjACT0-o/UX_nIOm6wxI/AAAAAAAAA5E/-O6iB7P4rgE/s1600/IMG_3774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KZ1MjACT0-o/UX_nIOm6wxI/AAAAAAAAA5E/-O6iB7P4rgE/s320/IMG_3774.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the festivities to begin at Studio 3</td></tr>
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<dt class="quote" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px; margin-left: 50px; margin-right: 100px;">The venue of this particular Dinner Lab (and the reason Husband and I were generously invited as guests), was <a href="http://www.studio3inc.com/" target="_blank">Studio 3</a>, a good friend's art studio and warehouse. It's an amazing location and space, filled with wonderful art and other oddities. I was completely impressed with how efficiently the Dinner Lab team set up a temporary kitchen, bar, and dining room! Speaking of the bar...</dt>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F6nEWOWg_0M/UX_nIHRoP4I/AAAAAAAAA48/12SD8MItrhk/s1600/IMG_3773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F6nEWOWg_0M/UX_nIHRoP4I/AAAAAAAAA48/12SD8MItrhk/s320/IMG_3773.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sojou Mojito, anyone?</td></tr>
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<dt class="quote" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px; margin-left: 50px; margin-right: 100px;">The chef du jour was Jae Jung, who is a chef at <a href="http://domenicarestaurant.com/" target="_blank">Domenica</a>. She told us of her South Korean childhood, her culinary inspirations, and she presented 5 courses of exquisite North Korean cuisine:</dt>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chef Jae Jung</td></tr>
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<dt class="quote" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px; margin-left: 50px; margin-right: 100px;"><br /></dt>
<dt class="quote" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px; margin-left: 50px; margin-right: 100px;"><br /></dt>
<dt class="quote" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px; margin-left: 50px; margin-right: 100px;">First Course: Goolin Mandoo (Pork Dumpling, beef broth, caramelized spring onions)</dt>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aBXJbDHhoas/UX_pnOxMiEI/AAAAAAAAA5k/9-ATtcnph_4/s1600/IMG_3779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aBXJbDHhoas/UX_pnOxMiEI/AAAAAAAAA5k/9-ATtcnph_4/s320/IMG_3779.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I could eat this every day forever.</td></tr>
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<dt class="quote" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px; margin-left: 50px; margin-right: 100px;">Second Course: Gosoo moochim (Cilantro/Watercress salad, sesame vinaigrette)</dt>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gD48RDLL_As/UX_p5fzXHJI/AAAAAAAAA5s/xIc-U2uWwtc/s1600/IMG_3783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gD48RDLL_As/UX_p5fzXHJI/AAAAAAAAA5s/xIc-U2uWwtc/s320/IMG_3783.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So light and delicious!</td></tr>
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<dt class="quote" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px; margin-left: 50px; margin-right: 100px;">Third Course: Dweji jokbal (Braised pig's feet, radish kimchi, Korean salted shrimp)</dt>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j0sa5V3GYWU/UX_qLjjrIQI/AAAAAAAAA50/nSsATZ_xHeM/s1600/IMG_3786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j0sa5V3GYWU/UX_qLjjrIQI/AAAAAAAAA50/nSsATZ_xHeM/s320/IMG_3786.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No punches pulled on this dish. So amazing!</td></tr>
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Fourth Course: Hamhung naengmyun (Spicy potato starch cold noodle, fermented chili paste sauce, pickled cucumber, Asian pear, brisket, hard boiled egg)</dt>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nvCZp7sP0Zs/UX_qbsVRsLI/AAAAAAAAA58/3YvhjmtNUAQ/s1600/IMG_3789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nvCZp7sP0Zs/UX_qbsVRsLI/AAAAAAAAA58/3YvhjmtNUAQ/s320/IMG_3789.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<dt class="quote" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px; margin-left: 50px; margin-right: 100px;"><br /></dt>
<dt class="quote" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px; margin-left: 50px; margin-right: 100px;">Final Course: Hwajeon (Spring flower-pressed rice pancake, yuzu syrup, green tea caramel, Louisiana strawberry compote, black pepper creme fraiche)</dt>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wo4UZtUQWZg/UX_qm_EPcMI/AAAAAAAAA6E/A9kWqNcuIKI/s1600/IMG_3794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wo4UZtUQWZg/UX_qm_EPcMI/AAAAAAAAA6E/A9kWqNcuIKI/s320/IMG_3794.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a very "Asian" dessert, which made the crowd response a little mixed, but I loved it!<br />
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<dt class="quote" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px; margin-left: 50px; margin-right: 100px;">We were so impressed with the service, food, and atmosphere! And besides all that, we enjoyed meeting an amazing and diverse group of people as well as having some quality time with good friends. We will definitely be investigating becoming members of Dinner Lab; such an interesting concept! What an excellent evening! I really sometimes can't imagine how my life could get any better!</dt>
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Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-62100261075386317262013-04-19T15:55:00.000-05:002013-04-19T16:00:16.389-05:00A Decadent Diversion"Conduct yourself in life as at a feast"<br />
- Epictetus<br />
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Warning: Don't read this post if you are hungry or prone to outbursts of prandial jealousy.<br />
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Yesterday, I was gifted the most excellent of opportunities - the chance to indulge in the blissful company of my best friend and a lot of gourmet food and drink!<br />
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Since my partner-in-crime "Banacek" started a job serving downtown at the lovely Grand Isle restaurant, our schedules have been tragically diverse. Neither of us have felt very crafty or adventure-y so far this year, and now we know why - we NEVER SEE EACH OTHER!<br />
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Well, we remedied that in an epic way at our star dinner at Grand Isle! The pictures tell the story:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UXxXPDMyHBE/UXGl9fmbTkI/AAAAAAAAA2k/NucKnRj3iw0/s1600/19+april+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UXxXPDMyHBE/UXGl9fmbTkI/AAAAAAAAA2k/NucKnRj3iw0/s320/19+april+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I-10: A Hemingway-style daiquiri with a New Orleans twist</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V-Ab6K4UGXU/UXGmBQLNCqI/AAAAAAAAA3s/wSv2N9hBC9Y/s1600/19+april+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V-Ab6K4UGXU/UXGmBQLNCqI/AAAAAAAAA3s/wSv2N9hBC9Y/s320/19+april+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starter 1: Boiled Shrimps! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fRWWcU0PnYU/UXGmCTj1-RI/AAAAAAAAA4E/ZUS0ZnpO2p8/s1600/19+april+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fRWWcU0PnYU/UXGmCTj1-RI/AAAAAAAAA4E/ZUS0ZnpO2p8/s320/19+april+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starter 2: Charcuterie Plate! (2 types of Italian salami, duck pate, <br />
pepper jelly, pickles, and the most delicious head cheese)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4mP0is1EMjE/UXGmDNqEBfI/AAAAAAAAA4M/u2hJTeDli-g/s1600/19+april+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4mP0is1EMjE/UXGmDNqEBfI/AAAAAAAAA4M/u2hJTeDli-g/s320/19+april+5.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't remember what this cocktail was called, but it was delicious!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WW8-fGqnm8M/UXGmCvRUukI/AAAAAAAAA4I/_bExd2OLjg8/s1600/19+april+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WW8-fGqnm8M/UXGmCvRUukI/AAAAAAAAA4I/_bExd2OLjg8/s320/19+april+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crabmeat Salad with Green Goddess dressing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5er6yiQlAfs/UXGl9DLNBqI/AAAAAAAAA2w/OswvPJiJGls/s1600/19+april+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5er6yiQlAfs/UXGl9DLNBqI/AAAAAAAAA2w/OswvPJiJGls/s320/19+april+12.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Champagne!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4dixgGLfFjQ/UXGl9Ap2iJI/AAAAAAAAA2o/GogjKxoRZNY/s1600/19+april+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4dixgGLfFjQ/UXGl9Ap2iJI/AAAAAAAAA2o/GogjKxoRZNY/s320/19+april+11.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can I possibly eat anything else?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-axtY9ZtB8MM/UXGmEtCC5_I/AAAAAAAAA4k/AJMellSRAuk/s1600/19+april+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-axtY9ZtB8MM/UXGmEtCC5_I/AAAAAAAAA4k/AJMellSRAuk/s320/19+april+9.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This brisket requires a pony tail, apparently</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zQo1GzkcUbI/UXGmDV7YZNI/AAAAAAAAA4c/l3KYbGD0VX0/s1600/19+april+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zQo1GzkcUbI/UXGmDV7YZNI/AAAAAAAAA4c/l3KYbGD0VX0/s320/19+april+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh Gulf Tuna with Horseradish Cream, <br />
Sauteed Spinach and Sweet Potatoes: Ordered Super Rare, of course!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TGVX2CaKy7o/UXGl-o0MboI/AAAAAAAAA3I/JDNAJy19sNY/s1600/19+april+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TGVX2CaKy7o/UXGl-o0MboI/AAAAAAAAA3I/JDNAJy19sNY/s320/19+april+14.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We hadn't even finished our champagne when our Port arrived.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YYeZuLJ-EfQ/UXGmDg0kpmI/AAAAAAAAA4g/lE6_VDmi1_k/s1600/19+april+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YYeZuLJ-EfQ/UXGmDg0kpmI/AAAAAAAAA4g/lE6_VDmi1_k/s320/19+april+7.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoked and Braised Beef Brisket with Lyonnaise Potatoes and Smothered Green Beans</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u2IWk-eFGCg/UXGl_x6HEeI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/j2Y9X9ysKuU/s1600/19+april+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u2IWk-eFGCg/UXGl_x6HEeI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/j2Y9X9ysKuU/s320/19+april+16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rum Cheesecake makes for a happy girl!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lSk2tn3xxj4/UXGmAoSnxxI/AAAAAAAAA3o/DTw2QxCvWL8/s1600/19+april+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lSk2tn3xxj4/UXGmAoSnxxI/AAAAAAAAA3o/DTw2QxCvWL8/s320/19+april+19.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here comes Max to save the day!....<br />
or offer us yet another gourmet cocktail sampler - Fresh Lemon Drops</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j6tgvrNenOU/UXGl_vS2EQI/AAAAAAAAA3M/BQferkhGed0/s1600/19+april+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j6tgvrNenOU/UXGl_vS2EQI/AAAAAAAAA3M/BQferkhGed0/s1600/19+april+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f2Qtao7Egwc/UXGmBwBW8EI/AAAAAAAAA30/cDxt_y8N_iI/s1600/19+april+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f2Qtao7Egwc/UXGmBwBW8EI/AAAAAAAAA30/cDxt_y8N_iI/s320/19+april+20.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmm, we aren't driving home, are we...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pQ1OZ8jRyCY/UXGl-pVBqzI/AAAAAAAAA3E/BZhREitTGCs/s1600/19+april+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pQ1OZ8jRyCY/UXGl-pVBqzI/AAAAAAAAA3E/BZhREitTGCs/s320/19+april+15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flourless Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-51DHI-uhKKc/UXGmAIb2g_I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/hl-xu3UZCck/s1600/19+april+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-51DHI-uhKKc/UXGmAIb2g_I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/hl-xu3UZCck/s320/19+april+18.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well, if you insist...</td></tr>
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Everything was delicious. The service was superb (Thanks, Max!). It was one of the most excellent days ever. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go run about 5,000 miles to justify my own gluttony...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JInk_zslgME/UXGl-NW3QmI/AAAAAAAAA3A/ugANZc0oSY8/s1600/19+april+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JInk_zslgME/UXGl-NW3QmI/AAAAAAAAA3A/ugANZc0oSY8/s320/19+april+13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even my cutlery is happily food-coma-ed.</td></tr>
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<br />Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-23828952689936752432013-04-15T14:48:00.002-05:002013-04-15T14:48:54.428-05:00Festival Season BeginsDo not dream your life, but instead live your dream.<br />
- Mark Twain<br />
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So, I guess this return to blogging hasn't started out too hot, but that's mainly because April is high festival season in New Orleans!<br />
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Over the last 3 weeks, the weather has gotten all spring-y, so there's lots of outdoor parties and events to attend!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wGH9jvHj_I0/UWrY2nJcZjI/AAAAAAAAA1U/FvfOfMB9k-s/s1600/IMG_20130402_170004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wGH9jvHj_I0/UWrY2nJcZjI/AAAAAAAAA1U/FvfOfMB9k-s/s400/IMG_20130402_170004.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuesday, 2 April 2013 - Bookworm Happy Hour at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/AlineStreetBeerGarden" target="_blank">Aline Street Beer Garden</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ELp090OUefI/UWxYg-f1G_I/AAAAAAAAA2I/E979WlQOZOU/s1600/15+april+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ELp090OUefI/UWxYg-f1G_I/AAAAAAAAA2I/E979WlQOZOU/s400/15+april+6.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friday, 12 April 2013 - First daiquiri of the season!</td></tr>
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At the Best Chefs of Louisiana fundraiser, we gorged ourselves on gourmet food and cocktails!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BtE4LCH-x5k/UWrY4FkvH9I/AAAAAAAAA1c/mW3S5hEOI8Y/s1600/20130408_192727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BtE4LCH-x5k/UWrY4FkvH9I/AAAAAAAAA1c/mW3S5hEOI8Y/s400/20130408_192727.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monday, 8 April 2013 - Generations Hall</td></tr>
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At the Freret Street Festival, there was perfect weather, delicious, unhealthy food, strawberry basil margaritas, music, and hoops for everyone to enjoy! I bought my first hoop and am practicing every day, so expect hula updates in the future!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saturday, 6 April 2013 - Freret Street Festival, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/JennetteHoops" target="_blank">Jenette Hoops</a><br /><br /></td></tr>
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French Quarter Festival is, like, the biggest free music festival ever! After showing a group of students around, my co-worker and I cut loose for some fun!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K57eZxm8-rs/UWxYgUHCHKI/AAAAAAAAA2E/oNx37AHDtWU/s1600/15+april+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K57eZxm8-rs/UWxYgUHCHKI/AAAAAAAAA2E/oNx37AHDtWU/s400/15+april+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friday, 12 April 2013 - Woldenberg Park</td></tr>
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Last weekend, Bryan and I also attended the penultimate New Orleans Hornets game against the LA Clippers. We lost the game, but it was really fun! Next season, the Hornets will be the Pelicans, and I look forward to attending more NBA games!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friday, 12 April 2013 - New Orleans Arena</td></tr>
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In between all these exciting spring events, we've been up to being our usual, hyper-social selves. Every week we have regular gatherings with friends to watch nerdy television, play music, play board games, and talk about books! Yay, spring! Can't wait to see what happens next!</div>
Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-59113454128883131782013-03-30T07:31:00.001-05:002013-03-30T07:32:01.963-05:00Daytrippin'<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/33909.html" style="color: #454545; text-decoration: none;" title="Click for further information about this quotation">What is life but a series of inspired follies? The difficulty is to find them to do. Never lose a chance: it doesn't come every day.</a> - George Bernard Shaw</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px;">New Orleans is the only place I've ever lived where I wasn't constantly trying to think of somewhere else to go. We've traveled less since moving here than any other time in my life. Granted, there are economical concerns that affect how much we can get out, but also, New Orleans is a very successful incubator for it's fervent fans. We have everything here we need and don't feel (too much) like we're missing out on anything....well, almost anything....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; line-height: 19px;">Many times people have asked me if I feel like New Orleans is missing something, and I always immediately reply "yes!" </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; line-height: 19px;">A beach.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; line-height: 19px;">That's what New Orleans is lacking.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; line-height: 19px;">So, for Good Friday, the last day of this fly-by spring break, Husband drove me to Grand Isle, Louisiana so I could get my toes in the sand. It was a wonderful day trip! Now I just have to get myself motivated to go running, wash dishes, and do all those less exciting Saturday morning activities...</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--WiuBc9YYD0/UVbaooPnNqI/AAAAAAAAA08/pYZx7LR5tRo/s1600/29+march+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--WiuBc9YYD0/UVbaooPnNqI/AAAAAAAAA08/pYZx7LR5tRo/s320/29+march+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-35518676761849224722013-03-17T19:40:00.001-05:002013-03-17T20:02:39.423-05:00When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too - Paulo CoelhoAlmost 2 years ago, I stopped blogging.<br />
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I'm not certain why. A day or two went by, and then a week, when I hadn't blogged, and, after a while, it seemed unimportant.<br />
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A while later, I tried to start another blog, with a cheesy gimmick, thinking I could return to regular blogging in a quirky and clever way...but I didn't.<br />
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Now I'm back. I don't know why. Perhaps because I've had pneumonia and am suffering from cabin fever.<br />
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But I'm back. I don't know for how long. I'm not even going to try and catch you up on 2 years of amazingly adventurous living. I'm just going to offer the most important info to set the scene for my present existence.<br />
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1. Husband is almost done with school!....Well, the class/comprehensive exam part anyway...He still has to write a book, but what's the big deal? He's worked so hard and I'm SO excited for him to be in the home stretch, working on the research he feels so passionately about!<br />
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2. I'm 2 years smoke free! And wicked proud of it! I am still struggling to lose all the weight I gained after I quit, but I feel healthy and strong and I even work out 6 days a week now! <br />
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3. I'm full time at work and loving my job more every day!<br />
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4. I am still obsessed with crafting, sewing, and pursuing all things creative<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made a new vampire Marie Antoinette costume for me and the Lestat costume for Bryan, we ended up meeting a lot of like-minded folk at an amazing Studio 3 Halloween party!</td></tr>
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5. I have re-found my life-long obsession with reading, so look for book reviews and updates on my book club, the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/343363075743193/" target="_blank">Literary Lushes</a>, in the future.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jm_-WEPZzcQ/UUZeZy9xoqI/AAAAAAAAAx0/CJOiMdsF4pQ/s1600/got.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jm_-WEPZzcQ/UUZeZy9xoqI/AAAAAAAAAx0/CJOiMdsF4pQ/s320/got.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Current Obsession</td></tr>
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6. I'm full-on paleo-living these days. I still love baking and candy-making, and I'm slowly teaching myself to merge my dietary needs with my friends desire for desserts!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SbWSci3qIXA/UUZg3qii6lI/AAAAAAAAAyU/IxrMfYDJZtc/s1600/20081125_choco_33_Chocolate_Covered_Bacon-s500x375-100151-580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SbWSci3qIXA/UUZg3qii6lI/AAAAAAAAAyU/IxrMfYDJZtc/s320/20081125_choco_33_Chocolate_Covered_Bacon-s500x375-100151-580.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmmm, chocolate covered bacon...</td></tr>
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7. I still live in New Orleans, the most excellent city in the world, by my humble estimation, so look for news of all my spring time adventures! <br />
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8. My goal for the summer is to get a tattoo of one of my cats. Rufus Jehoshaphat Sourbutts is the most excellent cat-puppy ever!<br />
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9. I am even more of an extreme nerd than you remember!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Already counting down until the next New Orleans Comic Con!</td></tr>
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I'll try to post here as I create, experience, question, and transform my adventures!....that is, if I stick around this time!<br />
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So, here I am. Back. Hello, again, blogosphere! Now that I think about it, I've really missed you!<br />
<br />Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-81590315443355434832011-05-01T20:14:00.000-05:002011-05-01T20:14:10.502-05:00Rufus had the right idea today....<br />
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It's been a super lazy Sunday around here. Though Jazz Fest is rampaging on across town, Bryan's exams (and my desperate need for a summer job) kept us close to home this weekend. This week, as a whole, was relatively low key on the adventure front. But even a girl like me needs a break from all the fun-ness every once in a while. Here are a few of the things I did get up to this week...in no particular order(not pictured: Wednesday matinee movie: The Bells of St Mary's!)<br />
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On a walk in the park, McCoy and I spotted a van with this (and other) fabulous bumper stickers. The van was from <a href="http://www.porticoconstruct.com/">Portico Construction</a>, and I loved all the affirmative slogans plastered on it, some of which were quite lengthy. But I mostly loved the simplicity of this one. It's almost screaming, "I dare you!" huh?....Or maybe it was just me...<br />
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So, I've once again embarked on an over the top diet plan which seems to be slowly *but surely* working....HOWEVER...just as I laid off the dieting for the Best Chefs Fundraiser I mentioned in my last post, I laid off for Easter....AND HOW!!!! I made these muy deliciosos cake truffles from this Recipe Rhapsody <a href="http://reciperhapsody.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/cake-pops-2/">recipe</a> They were truly divine!....and I have sworn to not make them again until I have a much more robust work out ethic...<br />
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So much of the last two weeks (well, the semester in general) has been spent *helping* B get through finals. By *helping,* I mostly mean staying out of his way, and trying not to distract him too much with my epic hours of television-watching...But every once in a while, the best *help* he can get comes from our Annie (the oldest of our furry children).<br />
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Also this week, I got an impromptu phone call from Banacek, who needed me to come and help her move a coffin.....yep.<br />
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Don't be totally creeped out, she's turning it into a fab bookshelf!<br />
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This one is a warning pic. I'm OCD and on a complex diet. Much of my little brain's capacity is almost constantly preoccupied with food these days. The above pic is the amazing lunch I had a few days ago: baked chicken with fresh oregano and rosemary from my garden, turkey sausage, and a bit of fresh pureed tomatoes. The salad is fresh spinach with basil, mint, and tarragon (also from my garden), a tiny bit of blue cheese crumbles, and a couple of sliced grapes. Clearly this was my major chowdown for the day, and totally worth it!<br />
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This coming week, I'll be preoccupied with trying to find a summer day job. Cross your fingers that I can find a casual restaurant/bar where people will want to throw money at me 4 or 5 days a week!Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-39037049696579766282011-04-30T10:56:00.000-05:002011-04-30T10:56:06.314-05:00He not busy being born is busy dying...A delayed post<b><i>Ok. So, this is an entry I actually wrote almost two weeks ago, and apparently saved it as a draft, but forgot to post. So, read on as if it were actually April 19th…</i></b><br />
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Whew! I’ve survived McCoy’s 30th birthday festivities! And, while I still firmly believe that birthdays are better if they are 4 days long instead of 1, I am EXHAUSTED! <br />
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Yesterday, a friend and I experimented with spray paint, and it was super fun! We saw <a href="http://youtu.be/9nOE6g0G63Q">this video</a> about creating mystical universes with multiple layers of spray paint. We also decided to add our own chaotic nature to the “art” by including magazine pics, beads, glitter, and whatever else struck our fancy.<br />
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Then we went home to get dolled up to go downtown to sing karaoke…among other things! I’m not sure I’ve ever talked about my experience with Bourbon Street, perhaps (unfortunately) the most distantly-famous New Orleans landmark. <br />
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Hanging out on Bourbon Street is not something we do with any regularity. The Quarter is expensive in comparison to our neighborhood, and certain parts of it (Bourbon in particular) are always jammed up with drunken tourists who have lost all sense of social decorum. I do often notice that I appreciate this touristy city center more than most of my local friends. I value how important tourism is for our city, and I actually have many times met some amazingly cool people who would be immediately written off as “tourists” by many. And, as all of us who are not born and raised “yats,” I started off my New Orleans journey as a tourist on Bourbon Street many years ago. <br />
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All that being said, Bourbon Street does NOT adequately represent the French Quarter, much less the city of New Orleans. We all get very frustrated when visitors don’t make the effort (minimal, truly) to explore other parts of the city and leave with the impression that everyone in town parties 24-7 at neon bars and seedy strip clubs. PS – We don’t.<br />
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HOWEVER, most locals I know will agree, for a serious tongue-in-cheek birthday throw down, the Quarter is a super fun option! So, for Day Three of McCoy’s Super Rad 30th Birthday Weekend of Doom, we headed downtown for some Technicolor cocktails and karaoke! <br />
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Fortunately, I work at a religious institution and have off all of Holy Week, so it wasn’t a problem for me to step out on Sunday night….or Monday night…..or Tuesday night, the next night in my chronicle…<br />
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Tuesday, 19 April was the day I had been waiting for for two months! <br />
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The Best Chefs of Louisiana fundraiser event!!!!<br />
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All you could eat, drink, and experience, and all by some of the most talented chefs in the world! This event provided me with experiences I would never have otherwise. While I will likely visit one or more of these chefs' restaurants at some point, I was able to sample them all for less than a dinner at any one restaurant! So delicious! So fun! I'm gonna leave you with some pics of the decadence! Hooray!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x2Bb-n3TMNY/Tbwl6uPNp8I/AAAAAAAAApE/CjaSRcNT8iU/s1600/chef%2B26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x2Bb-n3TMNY/Tbwl6uPNp8I/AAAAAAAAApE/CjaSRcNT8iU/s320/chef%2B26.JPG" /></a></div>Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-18175321201931486242011-04-17T10:08:00.000-05:002011-04-17T10:08:35.152-05:00There is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval.Well, this week has been a little quieter than the last few...but just a little!<br />
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After my bike was stolen, I spent two days in quite a funk. I was pouty and whiny, and, in general, not much fun to be around. <br />
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Fortunately, Wednesday came quickly. McCoy and I made our usual lunchtime trek to the Prytania Theater, where we watched "Laura," a great noir film starring Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney. I love watching these classic films every Wednesday. It provides me with an amazing sense of nostalgia and a desire to create beautiful things, to be around beautiful things, and to adopt a more romantic perspective in general. <br />
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We decided to take a break from our usual Wednesday trek to the zoo/aquarium since I'm off work all next week. So, I went home to sew! I've made two wearable muslins this week out of some good quality thrifted bedsheets. I plan to make several summer dresses from multiple patterns, in search of the perfect pattern for this fun Day of the Dead fabric I got at Joann's. I don't plan to make this dress until I've lost a bit more weight, but I want to have the perfect pattern picked out! <br />
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I'm pretty happy with both of them, though I'm definitely leaning more toward the halter pattern for the skull fabric. Something really strange happened with the zipper on the green dress, but that's fixable. Both dresses fit well and the fabric is soft and breathes really nicely...important, as "spring" in New Orleans has already brought +90 days!<br />
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All that sewing put my brain back in a peaceful place. My good friend, Pickle Freak, loaned me her bike so I can still get around and be exercised, and the last half of my pre-spring break week at work was quite enjoyable. <br />
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Tomorrow is McCoy's 30th birthday, so a full weekend of fun celebrations has already begun! Friday, Bryan and I hosted McCoy, Banacek, Pickle Freak, and the Equalizer for a birthday cookout and crawfish feast! I made two birthday cakes: one for McCoy, and a belated one for my sweet husband, who didn't get one for his b-day a few weeks ago (*pouty face: I'm a terrible wife!!!*). <br />
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Crawfish Feasting! Oh, and hey! Don't my plants look great?<br />
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Jac's "Happy Super Rad Birthday Weekend of Doom" Cake: Lemon with Cream Cheese frosting and gummy creatures<br />
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Bryan's "Creed Sux" belated birthday cake: Chocolate Fudge with Coconut Pecan frosting and chocolate Ichthus fish<br />
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Yesterday, the birthday festivities involved going to the Convention Center to watch a taping of WHEEL OF FORTUNE!!!! It was so fun and interesting! I can't blog about details until the episodes actually air, but plan for a more detailed account mid-May!<br />
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Today's fun will commence in the French Quarter, where karaoke will happen. Oh yes! I'm ashamed to say that I haven't been to karaoke, not once, since we moved here! So, expect hilarity in the form of pictures and commentary soon!Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-28767932348316188252011-04-12T11:59:00.000-05:002011-04-12T11:59:27.422-05:00Hasty, apologetic catch-up post: The Final ChapterI really am going to try and not to get so behind on posting from here on out, but there’s just so little time and so much to do!!!! I hope you’re having a great week! Here's the last of my catching up posts, and this one has a little good news, and a LOT of SAD!!!! You have been warned...<br />
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Last weekend was the French Quarter Festival! It's a huge, 4-day extravaganza of great music at 20 stages throughout the Quarter....and it's FREE! I must admit, I did not properly partake of the festival this year, only watching one band perform (The Pinettes, an all-female brass band!), but I still had an extremely busy weekend!<br />
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Saturday morning, my friend Pickle Freak and I had way too much fun with spray paint and cheap, plastic flower pots! Look at the transformation of this ugly, green mess (rescued from a neighbor's trash bin) into shiny red happiness! Now my little garden is colorful and cheery!<br />
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I also made this fabulous Empire Strikes Back dress! Oh yes, folks! I re-found my stash of childhood bedsheets!!!<br />
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Sunday, I lazed around with the TMC Elizabeth Taylor marathon and some fancy cheeses!!!!<br />
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BUT.....THEN THE WORST THING EVER HAPPENED IN THE NIGHT!!!!!!<br />
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My beautiful little green bicycle, Sally, was STOLEN RIGHT OFF MY FRONT PORCH!!!! I was (and still am a bit) devastated. Sally is, by all accounts, a worthless bike (the basket is worth more than the actual bike)....WORTHLESS TO ANYONE BUT ME!!! I truly loved my little friend. She got me through quitting smoking, and we've spent time together every single day! Bikes get stolen with extreme frequency here, and I'm not even overly surprised that someone finally noticed the craptastic cable lock I was using. And I feel extremely petty for being so sad about this loss, but I can't seem to help it. There will be another bicycle for me one day. And a better lock. Until then, thanks, Sally, you were a good bike. Farewell.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bBGF7paOjYo/TaSCWeFTocI/AAAAAAAAAns/uYl8xoh1RVs/s1600/foodfest%2Bbike.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bBGF7paOjYo/TaSCWeFTocI/AAAAAAAAAns/uYl8xoh1RVs/s320/foodfest%2Bbike.JPG" /></a></div>Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-36403189352455343132011-04-12T11:29:00.001-05:002011-04-14T17:36:04.000-05:00Hasty, apologetic catch-up post: Take 3I can't believe how behind I've gotten on this blog! Argh! <br />
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Okay, where was I?<br />
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Last week was just as hectic as every week before (surprise, surprise!)<br />
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Early in the week, a friend and I created a unique and sporty bridesmaid dress for her to wear to a very unconventional wedding this weekend!This picture truly doesn't do it justice, though I will admit the construction was a little hasty.<br />
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Wednesday was, as always, THE DAY OF ADVENTURES AND GENERAL WINNING, during which Banacek, McCoy and I took in a classic film (San Francisco starring Clark Gable and Jeanette MacDonald), champagne, and a trip downtown to the Audubon Insectarium! <br />
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Banacek’s work schedule is changing, so it was her last Wednesday adventure day, but have no fear! McCoy and I will gladly add another ladies’ day to our weekly schedule to accommodate such an important member of the Adventure Team!<br />
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We had ENTIRELY too much fun at the Insectarium. Looking at bugs, taking pictures of bugs, climbing on giant fiberglass bugs, eating bugs....YES, EATING BUGS! It was all just super! But I think we may have frightened some of the employees! <br />
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Okay, I think I can catch it all up in one more post before another Wednesday of adventure arrives tomorrow!Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-13158201245379648882011-04-12T11:14:00.000-05:002011-04-12T11:14:22.263-05:00Hasty, apologetic catch-up post: Take 2The Freret Street Market is a regular monthly market, but last Saturday marked the Freret Street Festival, a great kick off to street market season! Local artists and crafters shared their wares with the world! I bought this A-MA-ZING embroidered Bearded Lady Yearbook Photo! I almost DIED when I saw it and had to take it home with me!<br />
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There was carnival food, of course, as well as more fancy schmancy food offerings!<br />
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Two stages showcased several live music acts, and, to top it off, at the end of the day there was a roller derby bout in the parking lot of a local thrift store! Hoorah!<br />
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Oh, and I finally made some more stuff! The apron is from a vintage pattern which I now officially HATE, as it is so detailed and complex I could make a dress much faster. For the red market day dress, I used an old pattern I had re-sized from a now long-gone-and-forgotten proper pattern. Both are from refashioned bedsheets. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wryIeFRbtYQ/TaR3twgJmrI/AAAAAAAAAkU/5s2RUbj7tiE/s1600/freret%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wryIeFRbtYQ/TaR3twgJmrI/AAAAAAAAAkU/5s2RUbj7tiE/s320/freret%2B1.JPG" /></a></div>Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-45148302459799819802011-04-12T10:58:00.000-05:002011-04-12T10:58:05.159-05:00Hasty, apologetic catch-up post: Take 1Spring in New Orleans is full-on festival season!....I mean, it’s not like we don’t have festivals year round, but April is offering day after day of <a href="http://www.neworleanscvb.com/calendar/index.cfm?action=results&sdate=&edate=&keyword=&catID=15">potential adventures</a> packed three or four deep! <br />
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Last Friday night (oops! Two Fridays ago now, I AM behind on my posting!), I went to a friend’s birthday happy hour! It was a super good time (too good, I might have said the next day)! I am so grateful to have met such amazing people since I moved here!<br />
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Somehow, I managed to get up early that Saturday morning without much of a hangover (quitting smoking has helped dramatically in the hangover department), and traveled with friends down to the Crescent City Farmers Market, it’s Saturday morning location is downtown in the CBD. I was able to buy fresh strawberries and stock up on my plants for the season! A woman who saw me with my giant plant purchase called me the "Muses of Plants!"<br />
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After the market, McCoy, the Equalizer, and I took the streetcar to the French Quarter for the 2011 Road Food Festival. Royal Street was lined with dozens of tail-gating tents, each offering unique and delicious-sounding treats! <br />
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As if we didn’t gorge ourselves enough at Road Food, McCoy and I couldn’t resist a crawfish feast in my backyard on Sunday morning. The sun was out, and it was just a perfect time! After pigging out on spicy, salty deliciousness, we played the fun and grotesque "Pose the Crawdad Corpse" game!<br />
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As you’ve seen, the Adventure Team and I have taken to going to the noon Classic Movie Matinee at the Prytania Theater. Two weeks ago, the selection was Giant, and, in tribute to the late, great Elizabeth Taylor, we smuggled in champagne and a strawberry cream cheese pie! Don’t worry, we support local business (we got drinks and popcorn too!) Wow, does living in this town make it difficult to be on a diet!<br />
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I even made that blue cotton dress just for the occasion!<br />
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The rest of that week managed to be only slightly mundane, as I live in the town of Winning, and even Thursday afternoon bike rides are beautiful and made of fun! But, Saturday morning, New Orleans was ready to get its festival on again!Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-44655105626635436422011-03-27T17:36:00.001-05:002011-03-27T17:39:46.970-05:00We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes openA POSSIBLE NEW BLOGGING ADVENTURE: A couple of years back, my best friend and I waxed drunk about having our own reality show, called “Jess and Jill Do Belize.” It was going to be a tasteful mix of educational documentary a la Time Team America (showing our day jobs as Mesoamerican archaeologists) and Taradise (documenting pretty much what you’d expect). We even pitched our idea to a couple of Discovery Channel guys over a keg of cheap beer one night, but to no avail. That show just wasn’t in the cards for us…PS - Did you know my gallant husband was IN Time Team America? Yeah, he's pretty much awesome!<br />
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But today, I was reminded of that little adventure-y dream by a dear friend, who I like to call McCoy. McCoy and I, along with gal pals Banacek and Magnum (I’m Fletcher), go on near-daily adventures in this, the most made-of-fun city on Earth! We’ve done so much in the last week, it’s almost too epic to post about here, so I’ll just make a quick list:<br />
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Super Sunday Festivities!!!<br />
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Banacek and Fletcher’s Crawfish Feast!<br />
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McCoy and Fletcher Take the Zoo by Storm!<br />
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Champagne with Strawberries at the Prytania Theater Classic matinee, Double Indemnity!<br />
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McCoy, Banacek, and Fletcher Tour the Aquarium!<br />
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And, of course, there are too many happy hours to document! In fact, since I started writing this draft, I've had 60 amazing Facebook pictures worth of fun, so watch out for new posts soon!<br />
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Oh, yeah. And I got a haircut and a new tattoo with money I would normally spend on cigarettes!!!!<br />
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So, McCoy came by my office on Thursday to discuss our plans to try and get ourselves in to the upcoming <a href="http://www.wheeloffortune.com/tickets/batonrouge2011/print/">Wheel of Fortune tapings at the Convention Center</a> (<a href="http://www.thelocalvoice.net/icyphoenix/printview.php?f=18&t=738&start=0">McCoy beat the hell out of Wheel of Fortune two years ago</a>, officially making her my most famous friend ever!!!). We decided to take an impromptu picnic in the park because the weather was TOO PERFECT.<br />
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While enjoying our admittedly jealousy-inspiring lives, we discussed how awesome it would be if our jobs were just to BE US. If we could get paid to explore the city and write about it, it would be the most awesome thing ever!<br />
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Well, it was only lunchtime, so we hadn’t been drinking yet, and couldn’t actually convince ourselves that this was a realistic idea. <br />
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However, we did decide that it would be a great idea to start a new blog, where we document daily our biggest and smallest New Orleans adventures. We’ll write about our food, our sunburns, free excursions, splurges, shopping (ok, window shopping, who am I kidding), drinking, crafting, taking photos, meeting cool people, meeting not-so-cool people, and, in general, everything we do and see that represents why we love this town so much and why all of you should love it too! We'll be operating on a teeny-tiny little shoestring budget, so that anyone could replicate our journeys. What do you think?Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-19701053356477526192011-03-27T16:32:00.001-05:002011-03-27T16:37:56.653-05:00Every human being is the author of his own health or diseaseAs of today, I am 20 days smoke free, and I’m feeling fabulous about it!!!<br />
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Clearly, quitting smoking is still an annoying effort, but I’m keeping my head up, and trying to focus my frustrated energy on developing new, positive, healthy habits. I’m trying to fill in the empty space in my personality which used to contain my “smoker-ness” with other traits and identities. <br />
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1. GETTING FIT: The first thing I knew I had to develop was a way to counteract the inevitable quitting-smoking-weight-gain monster. Here’s the problem…I HATE, LOATH, DESPISE, AND ABOMINATE EXERCISE!!! I truly wish I was one of those folks who get into ugly footwear, grunting, soreness, the feeling of utter defeat, and all other athlete’s foot ridden things and emotions found at the gym. Clearly, I am not.<br />
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However, I genuinely enjoy being “active.” I love dancing, riding my bicycle, walking in the park, swimming, and many other activities that potentially burn calories, but do not happen exclusively for the purpose of burning calories.<br />
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So, I’ve been riding my little bike, Sally, to work every day and usually around the park or neighborhood after that. I’ve been averaging around 10 miles a day on my bicycle, which, granted, isn’t that much, but it’s a start. And, most importantly, it’s fun!<br />
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2. CREATIVE WORK IS PLAY: One great tragedy of my smoking cessation is my creative life. I haven’t sewn one thing in almost three weeks! Part of my problem is that I don’t want to make myself anything new until I lose some weight. The other part of my problem is that I can’t seem to get motivated to make anything for anyone else either (though I have a few people waiting for things, yipes!). Maybe I’m still too burned out from Mardi Gras Mayhem. Hopefully I’ll have some creations to share soon. I’m planning to get some work done this week.<br />
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3. YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT: In addition to my fitness goals, I do not delude myself into thinking I can continue shoving gummy bears and bread into my pie hole (mmmm, pie…) every time the thought of a cigarette crosses my mind. Two weeks ago I started back on my Oprah-inspired “No Whites” diet. I did this a couple of years ago with substantial success. But then a girlfriend came to town for a visit, looking BEYOND FANTASTIC. She spent the span of several glasses of wine explaining to me the concept of the <a href="http://primalblueprint.com/">Primal Blueprint</a> (a diet similar to the Paleolithic Plan, but more realistic for us modern folk…..AND IT LETS YOU EAT CHEEEEEEESSSSEEE!!!) Clearly, I’m going to give it a shot!<br />
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4. THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER: I don’t know if I’ve ever documented my lamentations over the state of our backyard. I can't complain, even having a backyard space in the city is unbelievably lucky. And it’s a great, large space, but it’s been filled over several times with now-broken concrete, has zero shade, and just isn’t pretty to look at. BUT, I’m determined to have a few cookouts this summer, and, if nothing else, it’s a great place to enjoy a few pounds of freshly boiled crawfish from the local fish market. <br />
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Last weekend, some girlfriends and I went to the 2011 Home and Garden Expo at the Convention Center.<br />
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And, I picked up a few pretty living things for the backyard! Now, it’s much more pleasant! I still need an umbrella for shade and a few more things, but I’ll share a photo when I get it as pretty as possible!<br />
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I’m keeping myself as busy as possible, and trying to do so in healthy ways. It truly helps that my life in New Orleans is so freaking amazing! Oh, and it’s a double post day, so stay tuned!!!Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-87576657102600896592011-03-15T13:55:00.000-05:002011-03-15T13:55:04.075-05:00Just cause you got the monkey off your back doesn't mean the circus has left townSo, the elephant in the room that I haven’t blogged about yet is my latest attempt to quit smoking. It may still be much too early to divulge my progress (I’m cigarette free for only 8 days), but, in the hopes of reinforcing my own resolve, I think I’m going to blog about my journey so far. <br />
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If you’ve been here before, I’d love your input and encouragement, and if you’re trying to quit too, I hope I can encourage you as well! <br />
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Let me preface: <br />
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I am not a casual, social, or sometimes smoker. I am a HARD CORE smoker. I love smoking, and do it as often as is possible. If I’m in a bar, it is likely I will consume an entire pack of cigarettes. I’ve been witnessed many times to have a cigarette hanging out of my mouth, lighter in hand, well before I exit a building, ready to fire it up the second I’m outside (think Patsy from AbFab) I think smoking is sexy. I think it is cool. I love the taste, smell, and feeling of smoking cigarettes. I secretly like it when strangers tell me it’s gross and that I should quit. I am also not stupid, and know how terrible cigarettes are for my health. <br />
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I decided quite a while back that I would try to quit smoking after Mardi Gras. Don’t worry, it wasn’t because of Lent (y’all know that the only things I like about church are the creepy statues and wine samples), but because I knew that I would have 5 solid days after Fat Tuesday before I had to return to work. I could lock myself in the house as long as necessary and slowly work myself back into the public sphere before jumping back into my regular routine.<br />
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Sequestering myself for at least two days was the first and most important part of my quitting strategy. So much of smoking is habit building. There are certain things that I do in my life that I have a truly difficult time separating from cigarettes. This is true for all smokers. I knew I needed to clearly identify my most salient smoking associations so that I could avoid/target them strategically. For me, the things most difficult to separate are: food/cigarette, talking on phone/cigarette(s), class break/cigarette, BEING OUTSIDE/CIGARETTE…yeah, I told you I was in a bad way. <br />
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So I stayed inside and did not talk on the phone. I played computer games. I ate candy, bread, pickles, and whatever else I wanted for the first two days. I also was a horrible bitch toward my husband…fortunately he is a very patient soul.<br />
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My biggest, most frightening moment during my first nicotine-free days actually ended up becoming my strongest ally in battling the cravings. I had an out-of-body/mind moment when I saw myself: mouth jammed full of candy, fingers jittering on the keyboard as I played my 780th game of tetris in an attempt to distract myself from the constant, annoying whining going on inside my head, becoming more and more frustrated, paranoid, and, quite frankly, sad. I managed to reach out and catch one of the discontented thoughts spinning around in my brain so that I could see it more clearly. It was a worry; a big ole squiggling, screeching worry…<br />
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...that no one would like me anymore if I quit smoking...<br />
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...That I would cease to be fun, desirable, needed, or maybe even noticed. My fear was that I would cease to be myself. The identity that I had so carefully nurtured as a teenager and become proud of as an adult was in jeopardy because cigarettes had almost always accompanied its development. I never had a job, went on a date, fell in love, felt anguish, traveled alone, drove a car, etc, etc, etc…without “being” a “smoker.” The majority of my icons and role models, from old movie stars to subculture paragons, either smoked or hung out in glamorously smoky venues. I had constructed a large chunk of my identity around an unhealthy, chemical stimulant. This realization completely terrified me, and put me in a stubborn sort of mindset. I am now totally determined to become a “nonsmoker.” <br />
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Here’s the biggest problem…I don’t know how to “be” a “non-smoker.” <br />
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This is the tricky part to explain to people. Even though I am horrified at how I felt my personality was so affected by cigarettes, that realization doesn’t offer me a solution to the problem. I still don’t feel quite like myself. The best thing I’ve come up with so far is to think of myself in a state of liminality, of metamorphosis; still me (at least mostly), but evolving into something *hopefully* more fun, more desirable, more cool. <br />
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After the worst days (the first 3 for me) were over, I let my husband convince me to go out for one glass of wine at a nonsmoking bar. It was still very stressful for me, but I was proud to walk home, smelling fresh and feeling successful. I cut back on my junk food consumption and sat on my front porch with a crossword puzzle a few times. I have been out several times now, had drinks, been around my smoking friends, even went to the St Patrick’s Parade, and I’m doing ok. I've almost completely cut out the junk and am doing a pretty strict two week diet to battle the natural bulging likely to occur when you cut out 20 years of chemical metabolism. I'm riding my bike every day. I think I may even be getting a bit of my sense of smell back. That feeling like I’m always a step away from myself, that there’s something missing, hasn’t gone away yet, and I don’t anticipate it ever will; at least not any time soon. But I’m just beginning this journey, and I’m feeling optimistic about it. <br />
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As for continuing the mission: <br />
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So far, I have a three part mantra, which I attribute much of my current success to:<br />
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THE THREE RULES TO REMEMBER<br />
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A very kind friend/professor/fellow quitter gave me these three ideas to keep in mind whenever times get a little tough. I cannot thank him enough.<br />
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1. The urge to smoke WILL pass, whether you smoke or not.<br />
2. Think about what you are gaining, NOT what you are giving up<br />
3. No Exceptions (nicotine or smoke in ANY form or amount will send you backsliding)<br />
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It really has helped me, though number two has proven to be the hardest! Oh, and I can always listen to my favorite songs to keep me motivated! Why yes, I am still a complete nerd, nicotine or not. <br />
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A little motivational Dokken?<br />
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Super hardcore workout/health inspiration?<br />
<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4LfuBSw038w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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There's always the best song in the history of the world ever?<br />
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<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5_sfnQDr1-o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-45519248817590055782011-03-15T12:46:00.000-05:002011-03-15T12:46:01.576-05:00I really enjoyed the last scene at the Ewok celebration after the battleOkay, back to the Mardi Gras chronicles…We are still reveling in the relaxation that comes after the end of a 12 day long party...<br />
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I knew Sunday would be a very long day, with 5 parades running back to back! I also knew our fabulous parade-watching spot would be doubly busy and extra early at that! So, I sucked it up and went to stand on the corner 3 hours early! At first it was lame, but then my brother came to join me, and I met a bunch of nice folks, and soon the Bacchus Sunday madness was on! Before I knew it, I had been standing on the street almost 13 hours and was desperately in need of a foot massage and food, so I called it a night, leaving just half way through the final parade of the day.(Oh, and ANDERSON COOPER threw my girlfriend beads!)<br />
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Fortunately for those of us who were hard core about seeing every last moment of the weekend’s festivities, Monday was a working day for most people, so no big parties or parades were planned to begin until the evening. Whew! Bryan and I spent the day recuperating and cleaning the house, which had become quite the sparkly sty over the weekend. By 4:00, I was ready to hit the street yet again! We watched Proteus and Orpheus (always celebrity encrusted: this year, the cast of Treme and Fleichmann from Northern Exposure!!!!) <br />
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And FINALLY, at 6 am on Tuesday, 8 March 2011, my alarm informed me that it was time to get ready for one more, full-on day of balls-to-the-walls fun-ness!!!<br />
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I was disappointed with my costume (especially since it was the only one I actually finished), but really love my new green wig!!! And, of course, I was totally stoked to experience my first ever ZULU parade!!!<br />
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It was CRAZY, Y’ALL!!!! Zulu starts really early, and for good reason! It’s so popular, that if they held it in the evening there is no way the streets could hold all the people! As it was, at 8am, the crowds were 40 people deep! Fortunately, my good friend, Pickle Freak, had managed to stake out a prime piece of Zulu real estate!<br />
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AND I caught a Zulu Coconut!!! This whole tradition of screaming and reaching for parade riders to hand you trashy trinkets and painted fruits may seem strange to out-of-towners, but it’s as normal here as ass cracks in Wal-mart! Zulu coconuts are among the most coveted of Mardi Gras throws, so I’m very proud of mine, especially since it was given to me, not for screaming and pushing, but for asking politely!<br />
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Unfortunately, I did not have the tiniest bit of energy left to watch the final big parade (Rex). This was disappointing, as I had been the most true parade goer all season long, but I genuinely couldn’t stand up any more. I couldn’t carry one more string of beads, wave at one more float, or take even one more picture. So, I said farewell to my fellow parade enthusiasts, stumbled home on my sore, swollen feet, put out my last cigarette (more on that in the next post), sat on the couch, and drifted into happy nap land. <br />
The End.Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-53133170822019218192011-03-15T12:20:00.000-05:002011-03-15T12:20:46.993-05:00Damn everything but the circusLast Tuesday marked the end of the 2 celebration/preparation-filled months known as Carnival Season. Festivities specifically associated with “Mardi Gras” went on for 12 days! There has really been entirely too much going on to chronicle it all here, so I’m going to focus on a few (okay, more than a few) highlights. <br />
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I don’t have many pictures from the first weekend of parades I attended with some friends (Sparta, Pygmalion, Carrollton, and King Arthur), but here’s a couple of memorable moments!<br />
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Wednesday, the 2nd marked the beginning of the major parades, starting with Druids, which I watched with some fab folks!<br />
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Thursday was one of the biggest nights on the parade calendar, featuring Babylon, Chaos, and Muses back to back! Muses is the oldest all-female Mardi Gras Krewe, and their signature throw is a hand-decorated shoe! Clearly, I wanted one! I dressed as Marie Antoinette, bought a king cake, and made a sign while my students were taking a test!<br />
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I ended up handing out the cake to random spectators instead of trading it for a shoe, so I ended the night shoeless, but had an amazingly wonderful time!! My brother drove into town later that night to join us in our celebrations!<br />
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Friday morning, we threw a Mardi Gras Party for the students! We made a king cake, played Mardi Gras themed games, and crowned our own King and Queen!<br />
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Then it was home again, home again to do some last minute costume preps and get ready for more parades! My brother made a sweet hat, and I threw together a “saloon wench” inspired look of sorts to watch Hermes and Krewe de Etat!<br />
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After the parades, we trekked uptown to catch one of our favorite bands (the Old 97s) at Tipitina’s. The opening act, Those Darlin’s, was rockin’ too!!<br />
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Saturday, we watched the Krewes of Iris and Tucks, from our now infamous parade spot: just two blocks from our house and one block from the Mayfair, ensuring we always have drinks/restrooms! Also, I made friendly with the cops early on, so that I would always be able to have my primo spot right out front!<br />
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Saturday night there were no parades, and a huge rainstorm, so after pigging out with friends at the Mayfair, Bryan and I came home for a much needed nap…<br />
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…and then got up and met one of my best girlfriends to cab it up to the Marigny to experience a true cultural treat: ACROCATS!!!<br />
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It was MORE THAN FUN!!!! After a late night breakfast at the St Charles Tavern, we caught a ride with a super nice, convertible-driving Tulane student (thanks, Ben!!!), which pretty much ended our evening on a truly fabulous note!<br />
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Okay, that leaves Sunday through Tuesday to recap, but I’m going to stop this epic post right now before your eyeballs start to bleed!<br />
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I hope you had an amazing Mardi Gras wherever you are!Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369394268015487946.post-77895767902649175782011-03-01T13:25:00.001-06:002011-03-01T13:31:52.853-06:00Throw me somethin, Mister!It’s Mardi Gras time, y’all!!!<br />
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I’ve spent the last few weeks frantically preparing costumes, and now, Carnival season is finally hitting its crescendo this week! Fortunately, I have good friends, moonshine, and a fail safe publication to guide me!<br />
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So far, I’ve seen 4 parades, collected more than my fair share of baubles, hung out with hundreds of friends, and, in general, had a BLAST!!! Super Fun-ness FTW!!!<br />
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Most costumes are still in the works, even now, in the eleventh hour. But here's some pics of our progress...<br />
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Well, heck. All of a sudden, my computer is throwing a little tantrum....hmmm, WELL THEN! I promise a full-on EXTRAVAGANZA ELEGANZA when this week is done! HAPPY MARDI GRAS, Y'ALL!!!!!Just Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15112893366843206986noreply@blogger.com2