Masthead (39k image)
Tuesday, November 29th

Wine...my 2¢

Jon
11.29.05 @ 03:58 PM CST
listening to: Don & Mike
feeling: Good. Jittery because I drank too much coffee.

Okay, here's my 2 cents on the Beaujolais. It was too light. It was too acidic. It was sweet, but had little or no body. It was like drinking white wine. It was very odd. After it had aired out it was better.

I also drank way too much of it. I think I had four glasses. I don't think I meant to.

Anway, Jocelyn described waking up paranoid, and I had a nightmare about someone shooting paintballs into our bedroom from outside and then taking a picture of me, naked, while I was fending them off with my shiny new AutoCocker (which I don't have). I also slept in until like 9 am, which is not all that common for me nowadays.

The dream in and of itself was odd...and I wish I knew where it came from. The wierd part was that I could hear myself babbling in my dream. It was like I was yelling at this guy, but without any consonants, or at least, no percussive sounds coming out of my mouth. I got very frustrated with my innability to express myself in my dream, which made me yell louder.

At any rate, it was really odd. I don't think I'll be getting any of that wine again anytime soon.

On the other hand, we did find some that we really like, so, Nicole, check this one out when you get back to the states: Rosemont Estates Shiraz. I think it's an 03.

 

in agreement

Nicole
11.29.05 @ 12:29 PM CST
listening to: silence is bliss
feeling: a little stressed

So I would just like to state that I am in agreement with a couple of the most recent blogs, and instead of just attaching my two sense to there thoughts I figured I would just let you all know. I think that a wine blog would be interesting, although I currently cannot afford to drink many different fine wines I have grown to appreciate that there are many different types of wine and sometimes the more expensive ones don't actually taste better, unless you like a dry red wine.

On to my second note, I would have to agree with Jon that losing weight for the sack of losing weight sucks. It is so much easier to lose wieght when you have a goal. Recently I have been off my diet to allow myself to enjoy the many splendors of Italian food but as of yesterday I started recording my meals again and when I get home I plan on sticking to a strict diet, but just by writing it all down I am already eating better. Anyway, I like to pretend that I have goals some times just to get myself motivated, it may sound silly but whatever works. So good luck Jon.

 

Wine Blog

Jocelyn
11.29.05 @ 10:53 AM CST

Jon and I are getting into wine. It's fun to explore the isles full of wine, read descriptions, pass judgments on the labels and make our decision. We are going to create (Jon is going to create) a Wine Blog. Until that happens, I feel I should share with you are recent experience with a Georges Dubeuf Beaujolais Nouveau. Jon had seen something on TV that made him want to try it and Kathe came down praising its sweetness. So, we buy a bottle. Jon and I try it out Sunday night. (Perfect for watching Desperate Housewives and stringing popcorn/cranberry garland)

Our Review:
First 5 minutes: too fizzy and light.
1/2 in to drinking: mellowed out nicely....but still too light for my taste.
6am the next morning: Why am I including this time period? Because we both were affected by this wine in negative ways. I was already awake and paranoid that my car was stolen, that people stole all of Jon's computer stuff, that I was going to wake up late for a morning appointment, just overall stressed. While I'm laying there awake and debating with myself if I should go check on my car, Jon starts moaning in his sleep, LOUDLY. Moaning isn't the right term. It was more like upset babbling. It turns out he was having a nightmare about some guy shooting paint balls at him in bed and then Jon got his paint ball gun and starting shooting at him and yelling at him, hence the babbling in his sleep.

Overall review: We'll pass on this wine again due to our stressed delirium.

Monday, November 28th

Food

Jocelyn
11.28.05 @ 05:09 PM CST

Jon mentioned the BBQ and Thanksgiving Feast that took place while Jeff and Kathe were here. What I wanted to add to it is that Kathe and I tore it up in the kitchen. We made a pork and orange stew with potato and sage fritters. It was delish. For Thanksgiving we made risotto balls with a gooey warm mozarella center. I also made cranberry sauce with apples and walnuts which taste better and better with every passing day. Jon made killer mashed potatoes with garlic buttermilk and a touch of cream. It was so tasty. My next adventure in the kitchen will be a chicken soup with soba (buckwheat) noodles.

 

So...I've decided to take up my Marker again.

Jon
11.28.05 @ 12:43 PM CST
listening to: LoveLine
feeling: Good.

1111 (34k image)
As you all know, Jeff and his girlfriend Kathe visited this week, and it's had a curious side effect...beyond the eating too much and the gaining 6 lbs because Jeff wanted to go on a BBQ tour of DFW and it being thanksgiving and all.

As some of you know, I am in the middle of a long weightloss thing here, and I said a while ago that I would start playing paintball again when I have lost the weight.

Well, because of Jeff's visit, I've decided to go back to the sport a little early, but as a rec player, and I am using my illustrious return to competetive play as a training goal.

I am excited about this. I used to play a lot. I had a lot of fun. I ran a lot. I weighed 215 the summer that I played on the circuit. I want to get there again...and one of my problems is that I hate working out to "be healthy." I need to train for something. I need to improve in order to do something, and I need to compete. It's a lame-ass part of my personality, but it's there whether I like it or not.

So, I am going back to paintball. Please support me. It's the only team sport I've ever really liked. It's just too bad that I sold my kit to pay for the 50 Foot Ninja recording. You'll notice that there are a lot of new P-Ball related items on my amazon wishlist.
wink

 

It's About Time

Jocelyn
11.28.05 @ 08:23 AM CST

I think the last time I posted anything, I blabbered about Christmas music and how I wasn't ready for it. Oh how times have changed. We put up our first christmas tree ever. I wasn't aware of how many ornaments I had. Mom mom has been giving me ornaments off of her tree for years. We did pretty well for our first year covering it. It's quite a sight to see. Chili pepper lights, popcorn and cranberry garland, and a stuffed snowman is gently sitting on the top of the tree. I gave Frosty a truly texan look and put a cowboy hat on him.The front of the house is gently decorated with christmas, a few wreaths and string of garland with lights on it frames the door. We even have a nativity set and some other christmas themed items strewn about. Having to wear a jacket this morning also helps with getting into the season. Yesterday it was 80ish and windy, today sunny and high of 64. brrrr. I guess it is time to post a christmas list. I'll work on it and get back to everyone. Maybe I can even get my family to come on and look at it.

 

my wish list

Nicole
11.28.05 @ 04:07 AM CST

so i forgot to send my wish list home with mom and dad. So here it is, I have set-up an amazon account and that is stuff that I want and really really want. So the most important aspects are... Singing in the Rain (dvd), S,M,L,XL (book), I-pod nano (and no i don't want a shuffle, if I did I would have bought it for myself by now, I can't do the file exchange with the shuffle because I can't control which piece of memory the stick chooses to put out) they are cheaper through apple and the 4gb is only $30 more than the 2gb so ..., i would like some gifts slips to get stuff for the apartment, such as 50 dollars towards a tv (from bjs), 50 dollars towards a dresser from ikea (most likely or target), and 50 dollars towards some chairs (tables are under control). That's it, that's all that I want. All of the other stuff is cool and it would be nice to have some day but these are the most important items for this year, and I would like to thank mom and dad who already bought me one gift, my italian suite. (sorry if I ruined the surprise for anyone). I'll try to post my list later but right now I've got work to do. plain

Friday, November 25th

The trip

Bernie
11.25.05 @ 11:20 AM CST
feeling: still tired!

The trip was fabulous. I wanted an adventure and I definitely had one. It was great to have Nicole and Kevin guide us a round on Thrusday and Friday. I am sure we saw a lot more because we weren't constantly consulting a map on how to get to the next spot. In hind sight, I wish we had spent one more night in Naples and taken the train on Tuesday morning.
Planning the trip in itself was a huge education. In some ways it was very beneficial to know where neighborhoods were because I had done the research on good places to stay and places to avoid. We really felt like we got a neighborhood feel rather than just a hotel and top tourist stops type of trip. That being said, the next time we go to a country where few speak English I might spend at least some of the time with a tour group. It would be more relaxing to let someone else worry about what bus to take. HCC offers several travel abroud trips now. We might try one of those in the future. We also are considering the scenic trip down California and the Alaskan cruise. As dad and I plow through our 50's, we figure it's now or never.

Nicole did not give me a Xmas list.....no, I didn't lose it.


Wednesday, November 23rd

Mom and Dad

Nicole
11.23.05 @ 07:48 AM CST
feeling: not too bad

So mom and dad are back in the United States of America and I will be in 20some odd days. It's kind of scary that it's almost over. Although I can definately state that people are ready to go home, but there is a part of me that is not ready to leave. I have this feeling like when I walk down a street Rome changes everyday. While I'm not certain if it is the new foot steps of the 10,000 tourist that followed that same trail the day before or if the city and I are finally getting to know each other. Anyway, I am looking forward to some of the comforts of the United States, such as skim milk, no fat cheeses, mac n' cheese (there is no cheddar here), etc.

But back to mom and dad, I think that they had a good time. My roommates enjoyed the visit and feel like they understand why I am the way that I am, a little bit better now.

I talked to mom yesterday and she seemed to be doing fine, although her talk-ative nature means that she misses are frequent chats, which she got back for the week that they were here. She said that although dad had a good time, she might never get him to come back to Europe, which is too bad. Because I gotta tell ya that I'll be back! Hopefully often more than not. Paris is beautiful, London was rainy but also very nice, Berlin was German but still nice, and Venice is my second love. Don't worry Kevin is okay with me loving a city right after him.

Well I should be working on a paper, that I lost my research to yesterday, so I guess that I will get back to work. See you all soon, and talk to you even sooner. hehe

Monday, November 21st

Jeff & Kathe

Jon
11.21.05 @ 10:10 AM CST
listening to: The View (Star Jones is SCARY!)
feeling: Good.


Thursday, November 17th

How To: Post WishList Links on the Blog

Jon
11.17.05 @ 02:56 PM CST
listening to: Pugs & Kelly
feeling: Good. Jeff & Kathe come tomorrow!

Okay, so, it's a little confusing to get your hands on the actual link from Amazon...so I have put together a little How-To on how, uh, to do that.

It's below the fold, because the graphics are big...so that things are legible.

Wednesday, November 16th

Christmas Lists...

Jon
11.16.05 @ 11:43 AM CST
listening to: Pugs & Kelly
feeling: Fine. Sleepy. Excited. Whatever.

Okay, for Christmas lists, I would suggest that we all post it to the blog, or build it in Amazon, or both.

I keep an extensive wishlist (several, actually) on Amazon. I will post a "top ten" or something on the blog. What I would suggest is that we each start a 'blog entry called "[name]'s Christmas List" and put the bulk of the list 'below the fold.'

Also - For electronics and stuff, or anything really specific, it's really helpful to list manufacturer's part numbers. It's a confusing world out there. Especially if you want something where it matters, like junk for your iPod or Digital Camera.

BTW - There will be a bunch of outlandish shit on mine. If you win the lotto between now and christmas, I expect that you buy me outlandish shit.
wink

 

More on Christmas

Nicole
11.16.05 @ 01:38 AM CST
feeling: fine myself

So I have to agree with Joc that it is too early to be doing all of this Christmas stuff, but overhear there is no intermediate holiday. So, there has been Christmas stuff in the windows of some stores since before Halloween. I mean most stores waited until the day after Halloween but I mean give me a break, October to December is a long time.

On another note, I will be sending home my christmas list with mom and dad, seeing as they leave right before Thanksgiving and I think that it would be easier this way. And in case they lose it, as mom keeps losing things since they've been here, I will make it a blog entry or something.

As for my final and unrelated note, I dyed my hair back to brown last night so be prepared for a dramatic change in the pictures.

Tuesday, November 15th

Christmas

Jocelyn
11.15.05 @ 03:36 PM CST

Christmas music is on the radio already! Not even a sprinkling of christmas music, but a constant stream of chrismas music. Is this new for this year?

Did it put me in a good mood? NO The instant that I heard it I was dissapointed. I get sick of the christmas music every year. Why start early this year just so I can get sick of it even earlier?

I love christmas, i even have favorite christmas songs (Jingle Bells by Barbara Streisand is one of them) I love drinking hot beverages, I love shopping for people and getting into the Christmas spirit. But there is a time and place for it. November 14th is not the time for it.


 

the home stretch

Nicole
11.15.05 @ 12:32 AM CST
feeling: pretty good

So it is officially the home stretch. Mom and Dad got here fine, I am making them dinner tonight, a long with my roommates, Kevin, and Jenny (who asked me to pay her back in food instead of money). It should be fun, I know that I am making chicken, potatoes, pasta, and either soup or salad, but I haven't entirely decided how to make any of them specifically. Anyway, I have also been getting back my midterm grades, and between my 100 on the first quiz and my 96 on the midterm I am no longer feeling the need to freak out about film class. Then I have gotten a check on my paper, and a A (90-95) on my midterm essay and an 87 on my midterm multiple choice (of which there is only an essay for the final so I'm not worried their either). And as for my Thursday class, I go to class and I got a 10/10 on paper phase one and 24/30 on the midterm so also not to worried. Today I get back my last midterm and it is the only class grade that goes back so I am a little worried because no one did esseptionally well, atleast from what I've heard, plus the A students are getting C's and the C students are getting B's so .... They value work over here differently. But it is also a theory class so it is natural, since most people have never had one, for them to have difficulty with it. Now if I got a C I am going to be pissed, even though I got a B on the last test I am trying to do better, not worse.

Anyway, I will be home in about a month. And then Jon and Joc will be visiting MD before you know it and then Kevin and I will be moving into our new apartment and back to work, which is kind of scary because I just registered for classes yesterday and it wasn't pretty. crazy

But on a high note all is well in the world of Kevin and Nicole. We are just the way the pictures show us, happy and healthy in where ever the wind takes us. hehe

Sunday, November 13th

Dinner and PJs

Jon
11.13.05 @ 11:26 PM CST
listening to: Cartoon Network
feeling: Sleepy

I had a nice night tonight, and, in an effort not to always ramble on about depressing, heavy, intellectual crap, I am going to talk about that instead.

It started with dinner. Dinner was good. It was one of those things where Jocelyn and I decided to make a big expiramental dinner by suggesting pieces. She wanted pasta, artichokes, and red pepper flakes (WTF?). I added that I wanted to use a creamy tomato sauce (it's alfredo sauce and spaghetti sauce mixed together. I should call it Alfretti Sauce, or Spagredo.) We didn't have any parm, and I decided that we needed to add meatballs to the mix, so we went to the grocery store.

I'll never really understand it, but grocery shopping with my bride is fun. We've always gone grocery shopping together as a pass-time. I know. It's odd.

We also picked up an apple crisp boxed mix and some low fat ice cream, and we picked up some fresh tortellini too.

It all came together nicely. Creamy, spicy, cheesy, meatball-y. It was awesome. Very satsfying. Then we watched TV and ate apple crisp in our pajamas.

I wore my 'Hef' PJs that my mom made me a few years ago. That's right. My Mom made me Pimp-Js.

Friday, November 11th

on our way

Nicole
11.11.05 @ 01:28 AM CST
feeling: not bad

So mom and dad are on their way to Italy as we speak. They should be landing in a couple of hours, I think that they arrive at noon in Sorrento but I could be wrong. And then Kevin and I will be meeting them pretty late. We got the 7pm train to Naples and then we have to get a local train out to Sorrento. I'm excited about seeing them, and Pompeii.

Today also marks the end of the worshop and thank God for that. I mean it was an interesting experience and I wouldn't trade it just because I learned that I can be a calm individual and that I can get by with International relations if I have to but ... I don't know if I will ever want to. I am pretty confident that my group will finish today but if not then they have to finish it tomorrow, but I know that I will finish my part and that is all that matters to me right now. I am a little nervous about not having enough materials but there is nothing that I can do about that seeing as materials are so expensive over here. I would hate to have design here.

Well that's all for now. Watch out for new pics of Pompeii and mom and dad.

Thursday, November 10th

People

Nicole
11.10.05 @ 01:42 AM CST
feeling: no, just no

So there are a few things about people that I don't understand, and no this is not a cultural thing. When you tell a person something, like my parents are going to be here all next week, the go oh okay and then they realize that you probably won't be available for whatever expidition that they want to plan for that week. So if they want you to come they should plan it for a different week. But no, that is not true. So I am just wondering, do people in general only think about themselves all the time, half of the time, or sometime? Because lately it seems that it is all the time. And while I might just be thinking about myself in this scenario it doesn't end here but we don't have the web space for that entry.

If anyone that reads this encouters me today, back off. Because I am not happy. plain angry, grr (plain angry---which is bad on the Nicole scale).

All that I'm asking is that next week people stop asking me to go everywhere we haven't been because we might miss it if we don't go this week, by the by we have 5 more weeks after this one, and we just got back from other countries no duh we haven't covered Rome. We wouldn't have covered Rome if we just stayed here. Ahhhh.

Now off to the workshop for international misunderstandings, yeah.

Wednesday, November 9th

It's started again...

Jon
11.09.05 @ 08:44 AM CST
listening to: LoveLine
feeling: BITCHES!

Okay, so one of the consequences of getting your website ranked higher and higher in the search engines is that all of a sudden your e-mail becomes visible to spammers.

I know, totally lame. I have good Spam/Filtering in place, so ordinarily it doesn't bother me.

Today, however, I got a spam/virus (whatever) e-mail from my favorite source, the "Silly Name Bandit."

I wrote about this a while ago. Apparently it is a virus or a robot that someone set up, but it sends you messages with silly names in the "From" box.

Today's name is Blackballs H Campgrounds. Awesome.

Tuesday, November 8th

Up too Early

Nicole
11.08.05 @ 12:18 AM CST
feeling: blah

So last night I reset the time on my clock and set my alarm and now I am up an hour earlier than I meant to be so either I can't tell time, as I woke up before my alarm, or I can't set a clock. But either way 7am is way to early when I don't have to leave until 9am for the international workshop.

Oh yeah this "great international workshop", should never have been moved from Venice! Because the exhibits include the students work from the years before in Venice and this thing sucks. But then again the students there were just detailing one thing, whereas we are creating little towns within Rome. Each group has a town program, and only a week to complete their town. Beside the fact that the kids "put in charge" have no interesting ideas. I mean, the guy put in charge of my group (which is me and two other people, including this guy) is only a second year and doesn't know how to draw an architectural diagram. This isn't even breaking into the Italian work ethic, which even the girl admitted that Italians are lazy, and even though the guy is from Belgium, he doesn't have the drive of an american. Because we are used to being up all night doing work, and the quality that is on the model we would have had done after the first day not after a week. But then again it a group project and they always take atleast twice as long.

I know it will be a good experience, and it is helping the Workshop association decide how to restructure to workshop in order to draw more people in and extend the workshop so that each group can afford to concentrate on smaller elements, like the early groups who all worked together on one building/town instead of my seciton that has been devided into 2 groups of 2 and 1 group of 3. Anyway, I'm trying to keep an open mind, especially because they are being very kind and speaking to me in English.

I'm sure everything will be fine. Today we are going to start really building, although it seems as though it might not all work out. But then again you never know. At least I have learned when to keep my mouth shut so that I won't create any large arguments.

Monday, November 7th

Nothing

Bernie
11.07.05 @ 07:25 PM CST

The pictures are great and so is the commentary. I almost feel like I'm there!

Jocelyn, you didn't tell us about the wedding!

This weekend the weather in Maryland was fabulous. 75 degrees, and the leaves are finally beautiful. There are actually a lot that still have green leaves.

We are hoping that it won't rain the entire time we are in Rome, but that's the chance you take when you go in November.

Sunday, November 6th

Comments...

Jon
11.06.05 @ 10:24 PM CST
listening to: Desperate Housewives (God bless TiVo).
feeling: Fine. Saucey and sleepy.

Hey Dad! How about, instead of making a comment on someone else's entry, make your own entry telling us all about your new job?

Seriously, tell us all about it, you punk. wink

Friday, November 4th

Back Early

Nicole
11.04.05 @ 03:58 PM CST
feeling: yeah

So I never thought that I would have missed Rome but I did. So I am to tired to tell you what went on this past week but I will tell you that I am not allowed to make arrangements for vacation because I apparently can't count the amount of days that are in October, which I now remember is 31. Anyway, we did Berlin in a day and that Bruxelles is a new and odd place that we got to see by accident. But all is well and I am home. I will be calling people tomorrow, when I can buy a phone card. But for now good night smile

Thursday, November 3rd

Nicole

Jocelyn
11.03.05 @ 09:55 AM CST

When does Nicole come back?

Nicole when you do come back, whats going on with the riots in Paris?

Tuesday, November 1st

The Essence of Business?

Jon
11.01.05 @ 09:05 PM CST
listening to: House [MD]
feeling: Drunk

Is it unethical to charge someone to do something that they could do themselves if they spent any amount of time investigating it? Is it unethical to charge someone a fee to use a free service on their behalf?

Or is it the essence of a good business?

I have always tried to provide a service that no one else could, because they are not me...but perhaps I should be doing the other.