text:
NEWS - KING IN EUROPE 2013
King in Germany
Posted: March 15, 2014, 02:00:27
Here is a video Heyne (King's German Publisher) released today. It's from King's visit there (I was in Hamburg) and the new book.
Thanks to Hans
King's reading in Munich
Posted: December 5, 2013, 14:21:11
Here are a recording of King's Reading in Munich.
Thanks to Herbert West
King's reading in Paris
Here is the official recording of King's reading in Paris.
Meet & Greet with Stephen King 2013
The day started in Sweden the morning of November 20. To get to the airport there was a 2 hour drive. Then a little more than an hour on the plane and then another hour by bus and I was in Hamburg, Germany. I was there to see and meet Stephen King. It would be my second time to meeting him face to face. The first time was in London 2006 at a publishing party. This time I was invited by King's German publisher, Heyne, to attend a Meet & Greet followed by a reading.
The Meet & Greet attendees were supposed to be at the CCH (Congress Center Hamburg) no later than 6.30PM. If you were late there was no guarantee that you would get to meet King. I was there in good time and so were the others. No one wanted to take the risk of not getting to meet King. Upon arrival we got a wristband, the ticket to the reading and a name tag to wear to the Meet & Greet. Then we waited. At 6.30 we were escorted backstage where we were supposed to meet King in less than 30 minutes. While we waited we got snacks and drinks and some ate and some were way too nervous to even think about food.
I also got to meet a lot of people who saw my name on the nametag and recognized my last name and its connection to Lilja's Library. I had spoken to most of them but didn't recognize them until they approached me. And I'm so glad they did. It was a lot of fun put a face to an email address or a name. I didn't get all of your contact information but please don't be strangers. I'd love to talk to you more about King and the Meet & Greet. I also met some people from Heyne that I had also previously only spoken to through email and I was very happy to meet them in person and to get a chance to thank them.
And then it was time. King was about to enter and you could almost feel the tension in the room. People were looking in the direction from where we thought he would come, looking at each other with nervous smiles on our faces and then all of a sudden he was there. In the flesh.
King started with walking around shaking everybody's hands (some girls got hugs) before he stopped at the table where he would stand (it was the kind of table you stand by) so that we could all come up to him, say hi, get our books signed and shake his hand. Because he was running a few minutes late it was decided that he wouldn't dedicate any of the books but just sign his name. And then people started to approach him.
And I must say that King really is a natural at these things. He seems so relaxed and friendly and had a few words for everyone, posing for photos, shaking hands and so on. When it was my time I decided to get the German copy of Doctor Sleep signed. I had brought the Swedish edition of The Dark Tower 7 as well but since this was in Germany and since it was because of Doctor Sleep we were here I decided that that book would be a better memory. King signed it and when I asked for a photo he said "Of course".
I had asked my friend Anders to take the photo but at the same time the hired photographer that took photos during the entire event also took our photo which resulted in King looking at him and me at Anders. I did notice this though so I asked if he would take one more looking into the same camera and he agreed. Turned out to be a great photo. Then I shook his hand thanking him and that also got caught on photo. And my time was up.
The signings and photo taking continued until King finally said he soon had to go and that he would only sign a few more. And since I saw that people were starting to queue all over again with a second book I thought "well, I also have a second book…". So I put my Swedish Dark Tower 7 on the table. King signed it and said "OK, that's it. Thank you all" and left. The Meet & Greet was over but we had all enjoyed it and now we had a reading to attend.
We were let in first of all and had great seats reserved (thanks again Heyne). Fifth row center aisle just in front of King. Couldn't have been much better. The reading lasted for about an hour and forty-five minutes and again I was struck by how natural all this seems to King. He joked, talked, read and answered questions like he'd done it all his life. Most of the talk was about Doctor Sleep but King also talked about and idea he got while experiencing the traffic in Paris. The car he was riding in stopped for a traffic light and he was looking over at the people in the car next to him. So close but still they had no idea he was there. It was a totally different universe even though it was just a few feet away from him. He asked if we wanted to hear a story and the entire audience roared a "YES" and King continued "This is like pissing a good story out on the ground. Usually they're better if they just stay inside but I just love this concept." and then he told us the idea.
"So here's this guy who fly into La Guardia airport and his plane is late and he goes down to get his luggage and his luggage is of course the last one off the plane and the thing is he's coming to New York because although he's married he has a mistress and he told his wife his going to be home tomorrow but he's been detained on business. So he's all ready and gearing to go when he has all these things holding him back. So the plane is late, luggage is last, he goes out to the taxi, his at the end of the queue and he finally gets a cab and he goes into New York. As the cab pulls up next to another car he looks into it and sees a woman and a man sitting there and as he looks the man takes a razor out of his jacket and cuts the woman's throat. Well, what does this guy do now? I don't know..."
Besides King we also got to listen to the German audio book narrator David Nathan who read a bit from Doctor Sleep. I didn't understand much of what he read but he had a great voice for narrating books. We were also told that he is Johnny Depp's voice when he is dubbed into German.
The night was over and with two signed books and a great memory I returned to the hotel. It was a great event and Heyne arranged it very well. Thanks to you and to King off course!
King on German TV
King at Markus Lanz on German TV November 21.
And after King left in a Porsche.
Video from Hamburg press conference
King talks about Doctor Sleep at the press conference in Hamburg.
King at Ramstein Air Base
Here is a video from King's visit to Ramstein Air Base
King joined forces with the USO
Here are some photos from King's visiti to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, The USO Warrior Center at Ramstein Air Base on November 18, 2013. More photos can be found here.
Hamburg reading
Here is a clip from the Hamburg reading. It's not the entire thing though.
King in Hamburg
Here are some photos from last night in Hamburg and the TV show he attended for German TV.
King got an idea in Paris...
During the reading in Hamburg, Germany yesterday King asked us if we wanted to hear a new story that he got the inspiration to while driving in Paris. The entire audience roared a "YES" and King continued "This is like pissing a good story out on the ground. Usually they're better if they just stay inside but I just love this concept." and then he told us the idea.
The public roared with laughter and when asked if this really was a story he was thinking about writing King said it's still in his head and so far nothing's been written down but you never know. I for one though is looking forward to see where all this ends…
Lilja Meets the King
Today I was at a Meet & Greet with Stephen King.
I got two books signed (German Doctor Sleep and Swedish Dark Tower 7)
I got to shake the masters hand.
And a photo.
Thanks to King and everyone at Heyne who made this possible.
Here are two photos from King's reading in Hamburg tonight. He read, joked and told us about a new story that he got the idea to when he was in Paris. More info about that tomorrow...
Press conference in Hamburg
Here are two photos one from yesterday's reading and the other from today's press conference in Hamburg.
King's reading in München
Here are a few photos from King's reading in München.
Meet & Greet in München
King did a Meet & Greet in München
King at Heyne
King visits his German Publisher Heyne Verlag.
King has landed in Germany. Here is a photo from a reading at the Warrior Center earlier today.
Photos from Le Grand Rex
Here are some photos from the Le Grand Rex.
Thanks to Jana Simkova
King at Le Grand Rex
Here is a recording of Stephen King at Le Grand Rex Novebmer 16, 2013
King at Grand Rex
King did his last public event in France today when he did a reading at the Grand Rex. This is what meet the guests as they arrived. Books, books and even more books. Some of them signed.
Here is a photo from the event.
Thanks to club-stephenking.fr
King on French TV
Here is King on the TV show La Grande Librairie.
Either King has become very good in French or someone is translating what's said to him very fast.
Interview with King
French King interview.
King's interview with j'ai Lu
Here is a photo from King's interview with j'ai Lu.
King signing in Paris - update 9
Here are some more photos from the signing yesterday.
Here are some clips from the signing today.
A clip of King signing that at first can look quite boring but if you keep looking you will see how King takes his time with every fan, saying something, shaking a hand or two...despite the many signatures he did today.
Here is how long the line was.
King arriving at the signing.
Here are more photos from King's signing today in Paris that I found online.
Another photo from the signing. Not sure how many of the fans got their books signed or if it's over yet... I do want one of those shirts though...
King is signing...
According to King's facebook site there were over 3,000 fans in line for the signing...
King's press conference (video)
And here are the entire press conference.
First clip from the press conference
Here is a first clip from King at the press Conference yesterday. You can also see some great photos of King here.
The Telegraph about King in France
The Telegraph writes about King's visit to Paris.
Things are moving fast now. People at the site are guessing that there is about 500 in line now and you really need to hurry if you're planing on gonig.
Thanks to Mirjam Jonkman-Zwiggelaar who's right there in line.
A live update from the signing in Paris (still 3,5 hours away) is that it's about 300 people there so far. If King signes about 4 books per minute and signes for 2 hours he'll be able to do about 500 books. There is still time in other words if you want to meet the King but you better hurry...
King signing in Paris
About 75-100 fans is already (12 hours before it starts) waiting in line to get their books signed by King.
King's press conference in Paris
Here is an article about King's press Conference in Paris today.
King in Paris
One more photos from the press conference in Paris.
The press conference in Paris has started...
Stephen at the press conference in Paris.
King signing
Those of you going to King's signing tomorrow, here is where you'll meet him...
King in Europe 2013
King is in Europe. Here is his schedule. Do know about other appearances? Let me know.
November 12 (France):
- European press conference about 22/11/63 and Doctor Sleep.
- Book signing between 1.00 and 3.00PM at Mk2 Library, 128-162 Avenue de France, 75013 Paris, France. This is the only King will do during his visit.
- Exclusive interview report to JT 20h TF1
- Show "The Great Library, Special Stephen King." Live at 20:40 on France 5.
- 7-9am France Inter: Stephen King will be invited to the 7-9am show. According Telerama Stephen King participate in 8:20.
- The Mov. The radio announced Mov ': Stephen King will present live radio The Mov', Friday, Nov. 15, from 12 to 15h. It will be a special show in public, hosted by Thomas Rozec. There will be some listeners who will register on a registration form online. It will soon be online. You can ask questions on Twitter via the hashtag # KingLeMouv and possibly also by phone.
- Reading at 8:30 p.m. at the Grand Rex. Room capacity = 2800 people. During the evening, Stephen King will give a reading of his work, and a session of Questions / Answers to the public. And debate. Presented by Augustin Trappenard in the presence of Maxime Chattam.
November 19 (Germany):
- Stephen will appear at Krimifestival in Munich, Germany. Stephen will speak, read from his work and do a Q&A session after the program.
- Stephen will appear at the Harbour Front Literature Festival in Hamburg. He will speak, read from his work and do a Q&A session after the program.


text:
require 'spec_helper'

describe 'influxdb::server', :type => :class do

  default = {
    'bind_address' => ':8088',
    'retention_autocreate' => true,
    'election_timeout' => '1s',
    'heartbeat_timeout' => '1s',
    'leader_lease_timeout' => '500ms',
    'commit_timeout' => '50ms',
    'data_dir' => '/var/opt/influxdb/data',
    'max_wal_size' => 104857600,
    'wal_flush_interval' => '10m',
    'wal_partition_flush_delay' => '2s',
    'shard_writer_timeout' => '5s',
    'cluster_write_timeout' => '5s',
    'retention_enabled' => true,
    'retention_check_interval' => '10m',
    'admin_enabled' => true,
    'admin_bind_address' => ':8083',
    'admin_https_enabled' => false,
    'admin_https_certificate' => '/etc/ssl/influxdb.pem',
    'http_enabled' => true,
    'http_bind_address' => ':8086',
    'http_auth_enabled' => false,
    'http_log_enabled' => true,
    'http_write_tracing' => false,
    'http_pprof_enabled' => false,
    'http_https_enabled' => false,
    'http_https_certificate' => '/etc/ssl/influxdb.pem',
    'graphite_enabled' => false,
    'graphite_bind_address' => ':2003',
    'graphite_protocol' => 'tcp',
    'graphite_consistency_level' => 'one',
    'graphite_separator' => '.',
    'graphite_tags' => [],
    'graphite_templates' => [],
    'graphite_ignore_unnamed' => true,
    'collectd_enabled' => false,
    'collectd_bind_address' => 'undef',
    'collectd_database' => 'undef',
    'collectd_typesdb' => 'undef',
    'opentsdb_enabled' => false,
    'opentsdb_bind_address' => 'undef',
    'opentsdb_database' => 'undef',
    'opentsdb_retention_policy' => 'undef',
    'udp_enabled' => false,
    'udp_bind_address' => 'undef',
    'udp_batch_size' => 0,
    'udp_batch_timeout' => 0,
    'monitoring_enabled' => true,
    'monitoring_write_interval' => '24h',
    'continuous_queries_enabled' => true,
    'continuous_queries_recompute_previous_n' => 2,
    'continuous_queries_recompute_no_older_than' => '10m',
    'continuous_queries_compute_runs_per_interval' => 10,
    'continuous_queries_compute_no_more_than' => '2m',
    'hinted_handoff_enabled' => true,
    'hinted_handoff_dir' => '/var/opt/influxdb/hh',
    'hinted_handoff_max_size' => 1073741824,
    'hinted_handoff_max_age' => '168h',
    'hinted_handoff_retry_rate_limit' => 0,
    'hinted_handoff_retry_interval' => '1s',
    'reporting_disabled' => false,
    'conf_template' => 'influxdb/influxdb.conf.erb',
    'config_file' => '/etc/opt/influxdb/influxdb.conf'
  }

  context 'normal Ubuntu entry' do
    let :facts do
      {
        :osfamily => 'Debian',
        :operatingsystem => 'Ubuntu',
        :operatingsystemrelease => '12.04',
      }
    end
    it { is_expected.to contain_file('/etc/opt/influxdb/influxdb.conf') }
    it { is_expected.to contain_file('/etc/opt/influxdb/influxdb.conf').with_content(/bind-address = ":8088"/) }
    it { is_expected.to contain_file('/etc/opt/influxdb/influxdb.conf').with_content(/commit-timeout = "50ms"/) }
  end

  context 'override options for lmdb' do
    let (:params) {{ :retention_check_interval => '20m' }}
    let :facts do
      {
        :osfamily => 'Debian',
        :operatingsystem => 'Ubuntu',
        :operatingsystemrelease => '12.04',
      }
    end
    it { is_expected.to contain_file('/etc/opt/influxdb/influxdb.conf') }
    it { is_expected.to contain_file('/etc/opt/influxdb/influxdb.conf').with_content(/bind-address = ":8088"/) }
    it { is_expected.to contain_file('/etc/opt/influxdb/influxdb.conf').with_content(/check-interval = "20m"/) }
  end

  context 'add 0.9.3 specific wal options' do
    let (:params) {{ :version => '0.9.3' }}
    let :facts do
      {
        :osfamily => 'Debian',
        :operatingsystem => 'Ubuntu',
        :operatingsystemrelease => '12.04',
      }
    end
    it { is_expected.to contain_file('/etc/opt/influxdb/influxdb.conf') }
    it { is_expected.to contain_file('/etc/opt/influxdb/influxdb.conf').with_content(/wal-dir = "\/var\/opt\/influxdb\/wal"/) }
  end

  context 'without 0.9.3 options if version installed < 0.9.3' do
    let (:params) {{ :version => '0.9.2' }}
    let :facts do
      {
        :osfamily => 'Debian',
        :operatingsystem => 'Ubuntu',
        :operatingsystemrelease => '12.04',
      }
    end
    it { is_expected.to contain_file('/etc/opt/influxdb/influxdb.conf') }
    it { is_expected.to contain_file('/etc/opt/influxdb/influxdb.conf').without_content(/wal-dir = "\/var\/opt\/influxdb\/wal"/) }
  end

end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


It was the day before Thanksgiving. I was looking for something in the pantry when suddenly I found TWO boxes of Scharffen Berger Bittersweet chocolate. They practically jumped out of the cabinet, screaming for me to turn them into something magical. At least that's how I remember it.
I immediately knew I wanted to make some sort of candy.
I watched every episode of Top Chef Desserts this fall and saw them make little chocolate candies a lot. So that's what I wanted to make. But I know me, and I can sometimes bite off more than I can chew, so I thought I would start with something simple like a toffee-type candy. Or a brittle. The kind that has that carmel-butter flavor that just melts in your mouth.
It didn't take too long to find a recipe. When I saw the recipe for Chocolate-Almond Toffee in my 2010 Food and Wine Annual Cookbook I knew I had a winner! And lucky for me, these types of recipes don't call for many ingredients, just the basics - butter, sugar, chocolate, nuts, vanilla. Stuff I usually have on hand. This recipe is from Grace Parisi. Sr. Recipe Developer for Food and Wine Magazine. I've made some of her recipes before with success. So off I went.
There aren't that many steps to making toffee. All was well until I turned around to grab the camera to take one more picture when all of a sudden the mixture in the pot had gone from joyful bubbles to a blob. Waaaaaaaht the heck? I swear, I turned away from the pot for 5 seconds. 10 max. I knew the minute I started stirring it again that I messed up. The consistency was strange - all gloppy. So I cooked it for a few more seconds and took it off the burner to add the remaining ingredients. It had just reached the 300 temp. So what happened? waaaaaaaaah My toffeeeeeeeee!!!! boo hoo hoo.
It turned carmel brown color just like it was supposed to. Then something funky happened.
I poured it in the pan anyway. And what we ended up with isn't exactly toffee. It tastes amazing. But it never got hard. The consistency is more like frozen cookie dough. Which isn't a bad thing. Just not what I was expecting. So for you candy makers out there - did I cook it too long, or not long enough? Anyone know? Grace Parisi, are you out there? Any advice? She's probably shuddering at how I botched her toffee!
I forgot to spread the chocolate before I sprinkled the almonds on.
So they got buried in chocolate!
I only spread the chocolate on one side since I knew what I had was not quite right.
It was still still pretty tasty, though.
Of course we've been eating it. In fact it's all gone. The flavor was addicting. No one was complaining. Someday I'll give it a try again. I just need to give my waist about six months to recover!!! Or immediately wrap up the yumminess and give it away as gifts.
Shop, til you drop. Yeah!
We're off to Napa. I hope you also will be out and about shopping today.
Even if you're just buying a yogurt. You're supporting a small business.
Thank you. And HAVE FUN!!!!
So here we are, the day after Thanksgiving.
I'm still stuffed. Are you?
We started the day yesterday by going on an amazing hike with a ton of people from Elli's school. It was the 7th annual Thanksgiving morning hike. Our first time. It was an amazing way to start the day. I hope we're in town next year so we can join everyone again.
Everyone gathered at the Tennessee Valley Trail parking lot at 9:15am.
A pic of the moms!
The view from the top. Gorgeous.
Look how tiny everyone is!
I'm standing 2 feet from a drop off that is SCARY! To my left is the bunker below.
"Bunker with a view" is how they sold it to the soldiers!
WWII bunker covered in graffiti.
Can you believe this is where I live? A-mazing.
Time to walk off some of yesterday's dinner so I can eat some more. Ha!
Need a last minute pie recipe? This one is Yum-my.
My mother-in-law and Emeril Lagasse have the same recipe. I know this because last year I couldn't find her recipe (mis-filed in the recipe box) so I used Emeril's. I found Rose's this year and wouldn't you know, they are the same. Curious, isn't it? They're both from the south.....hmmmmm.....so credit whomever you want. I'm going to call it "Favorite Coconut Cream Pie."
It's easy, delicious, and tastes great as dessert (or for breakfast with a cup of coffee!) The custard is so yummy you won't be able to resist stealing a few spoonfuls. Just make sure you don't eat it all. Save some for the pie shell!
1. Prick the pastry shell all over and bake in a 350º oven until golden brown, about 12-15 minutes. Let cool.
1. In a saucepan, whisk the 2 cups of the milk and 3/4 cup sugar together.
2. Place the pan over medium heat and bring the liquid up to a simmer.
3. Whisk the egg yolks together.
4. Temper about 1 cup of hot milk into the egg yolks.
5. Whisk the egg mixture into the hot milk mixture.
6. In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in the remaining ¼ cup of milk.
7. Whisk the mixture into the hot milk. Bring the liquid up to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
8. Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until the filling is thick, about 4 to 6 minutes.
9. Take off the heat. Fold in the vanilla, coconut, and butter. Mix well.
10. Pour the filling into the prepared pan and cool the pie completely.
1. Using an electric mixer with a whip attachment, whip the egg white to soft peaks.
2. Add ¼ remaining sugar and whip the egg white to stiff peaks.
3. Spread the egg whites over the top of the pie.
Cooking the turkey on Thanksgiving is the easiest part of the meal. It doesn't take much to season the bird to create a delicious turkey. There are all kinds of ways to season and roast a turkey. I always use one of these oven bags. I found this box in the back of the cabinet so I'm all set for this year. Yeah!
Your turkey will come out perfect. No muss. No fuss. No basting. No worrying. Just season the bird, stick it in the bag and bake it according to the package instructions. It will be brown and moist and deeeeelicous.
I use the same recipe that I've used from the first time I ever made a turkey. It's from the Silver Palate Cookbook. It's really easy and makes a moist and delicious bird. You fill the cavity of the bird with sliced oranges, salt and pepper. Smear butter, salt and pepper all over the outside of the bird and squeeze oranges all over it too. Seal up the bag. Pop it in the oven. And let the magic happen.
I found a sweet potato recipe on the Silver Palate website that looks yummy. I'm going to attempt to make it tomorrow.
Doesn't it sound yummy!? The only problem is I bought yams. Not sweet potatoes. Is there a difference? And I don't have any spiced cranberry apple chutney. But I have apples and Cranberry. I'll figure something out.
Have a wonderful day tomorrow! Enjoy your feast and your time with friends and family.
My week started out great. The holiday campaign I did for my client was on the air. We had a nice relaxing weekend. I was energized for the week, and ready to start wrapping things up for my client - all was good in my work world.
Then all hell broke loose Monday afternoon and it's been a crazy, messed up stressful week. I'm so glad it's Friday. I don't think I could take much more. Plus I feel like I'm getting a cold - but I'm probably just worn out.
• Having a breakdown in the office is generally not a good thing, but this week it was. I'm getting more support and understanding from my peers that were giving me SH*&T.
• I am not good at billing.
• I have the most supportive family and friends ever.
• I could never, ever, bake like the chefs on Top Chef Desserts. No recipes? Right.
• I have great, supportive friends at the office. I will miss them.
• I'm a dork. I'm sitting in my living room, in the dark typing this at 6am.
That's it. I'm starting to sound like a loser. I need a Stuart Smally mirror. "I'm smart, I'm good enough. And darn it. People like me." Remember that from SNL? It always cracked me up.
Gotta get going. This was an unplanned project. Now I'm running behind.
Check it out. I discovered these lunch boxes on TheKitchn website over the weekend. They are made by a company based in NY called BUILT. Aren't they cute? What girl doesn't like lunch boxes that look like purses in cute patterns and colors. Why didn't I think of this?
They have a lot of different styles, sizes and fabric choices. They're all pretty girly. Although they do have some in solid colors that I think a guy might carry. Maybe. I can't see Don carrying it. It's a little too pursey for him. Not sure that's a word. But he is way too manly to carry a purse. And this looks like a purse. But some dudes out there might like it though.
I thought they were super cute. Elli saw them and said "Hey, my friends have those. I don't like them though." I couldn't get her to say any more than that. But I was kind of surprised. She wouldn't say any more when I tried to prod. So, huh. Not sure what the reasoning is. And she asked me not to write that she said that. Hmmmm. Now I'm even more curious. There is a story here. I must find out.
I was actually thinking of these for an adult, not a 4th grader anyway. I think using one of these lunch totes for work would definitely make my peanut butter sandwich taste so much better. Don't you agree?
They would make excellent Christmas presents or a gift for the teacher, too.
They also have cases for laptops, cameras, phones, wine bottles, water bottles and ipad. I would seriously carry it as a purse. For years I carried a huge Coach briefcase that was actually a diaper bag. I liked the built-in water bottle/baby bottle holders on each end. It was red leather. No one ever knew it was a diaper bag. I mean, I only pulled out the changing pad when I needed something cushy to sit on. KIDDING! Ha. It did come with one, but that was discarded immediately. There was one person that called me out on it. It was a stranger at the airport. She walked up to me and said, "Hey, I had that diaper bag. It's great isn't it?" DOH! Go away lady.
NOTE: All photos are the property of www.builtny.com. And I was NOT paid to write this post. I just think their stuff is cool and wanted to share it with you. So there you go.
I was at the store a few weeks ago and saw bits and pieces of a job that was in development in our workroom. The fabrics were gorgeous. I couldn't wait to see pictures of how it all came together.
Don installed it this week and I just have to show it off. Everything is custom built. The designer, Kathi Wicht, worked with Don to design this for her client. Anything is possible with a little imagination!
I don't know about you, but I'm really glad it's Friday. Last weekend was busy with Elli's birthday party/slumber party and it's been a really busy, stressful week. I'm ready to try and relax a little!
I want to give a big shout out to my friends and my family who are being so supportive of me right now. It means a lot to me. Even at my age, I need to be reminded that everything is going to be ok.
If you were here I'd bake you a little treat, or pour you a glass of wine.
I've recently spent a lot of time in this room. It's called an edit suite.
Elli has been here. She's been in the area called "the booth" recording commercials. You can see a music stand way in the back. That's "the booth" it's actually a soundproof room where the talent goes to read their lines. We need the window to see them so we can give direction and feedback. Imagine my little Elli in this room! It was awesome.
This is where the client and agency sit while the talent is in the booth and the engineer is at the controls. It's here that we make radio commercials and record voiceovers for TV commercials and movies. It's pretty cool and often really challenging. But most of the time it's just really fun. You do have to have a really good ear for the "good" takes and timing is everything when working with sound. But if you have a good team it's no big deal.
So what's my job in all this? I'm there making sure all the objectives have been met and the client is happy. I'm full of opinions. Sometimes they listen to me. And sometimes they don't. For some sessions I organize the talent (like I did for this campaign.) Other times the writer is in charge and I'm just there to lend an additional ear and confirm the copy points are made correctly. And every once in a while they let me pick the restaurant for lunch.
They always say when life gives you lemons make lemonade. Yeah! Lemonade. I love lemonade.
Well guess what? If this were really true we would have lemons busting out the windows. And we'd have so much lemonade you could put a tap on the front of the house where it would pour freely.
I won't go into all the details. But let's just say things have been a lot better here in the Mulkey household.
I'm not sure who we pissed off. But we did something to someone because bad news seems to be following us around and we can't shake it. We have family members that are ill, businesses that are hanging on by a thread and jobs that are going away.
It's astonishing how much bad luck we're having.
I know we'll get past this and it will all be a distant memory. So can we just fast forward to the good part? Because I'm a basket case of nerves. I'm not sure how much more I can take.
And why is it that every show on TV has a family, or couple, or business on the brink of collapse? This isn't making me feel any better. Some of my favorite shows have story lines like this, ie. Parenthood, The Good Wife, Mad Men, Apprentice....all have story lines around the economy. It's all just a little too close to home. I'm watching TV for a little comic relief from my world. I don't need to see it on TV. It's stressing me out. I guess I'll have to watch something else.
It's interesting. When you see shows like this and you're not in a similar situation you have all kinds of ideas on what the characters should do to improve/change their situation. You know what happens to me? I get an immediate shiver of dread from the top of my head to my toes and a knot in my chest that is the most sinking feeling ever. It's awful. So why do I watch these shows? Good question. For one, the story lines were not there in the beginning (except for The Apprentice). And two, I'm a creature of habit. I like these shows. And I shouldn't let them bother me. THEY ARE NOT REAL. Oy.
So please forgive me if you read a blog entry like this from time to time. You are my therapy. I don't want to be like the TV shows that drag you down. So I'll try not to go here very often. But it is what's happening in my life. So in the interest of keeping it real please bear with me.
I'm all ears if anyone has any FABULOUS news to share. (Or a job lead.) Bring it on!
Elli planned the menu for dinner. She wanted to have Spaghetti tacos because it's something she's wanted to try "her whole entire life."
What are spaghetti tacos you ask? Just what you think. Spaghetti stuffed in a taco shell. Regular spaghetti + regular taco shell = spaghetti tacos. Elli got the idea from a character named Spencer on the show iCarly.
Here's where it all started with Carly, Spencer, Sam from the iCarly show on Nickelodeon.
The NY Times has even written about these crazy tacos. Apparently they are becoming quite the phenomenon. Who knew?
And the verdict? The girls loved it! I mean really, what's not to love?
All I can say is there was a lot of laughter at the table. I do believe a good time was had by all.
And they ate it too!
It's Sunday afternoon. Don is napping/watching football. Elli is doing projects. I'm doing a little cleaning, straightening, web surfing, reading, etc. When I decide it's time for lunch. So I go in the kitchen to see what we have. Nuthin. hmmm. We have hot dogs in the freezer. Guess we're having dogs for lunch.
"Elli do you want a hot dog for lunch? I ask.
"No thanks. May I have mac and cheese, please?" she replies, in an ever so cheerful voice.
"Uh. No. We don't have any mac and cheese." I answer.
And then she gives me this really, really sad look with those BIG BROWN EYES. And I'm toast.
"Can you make some?" she says.
"No. We don't have any.................WAIT. I can make homemade mac and cheese. I'll use my mom's cheese sauce recipe and pour it over pasta. Hold on." I answer smiling. I didn't even try to push the hot dog some more. what a sucker!!!!!!!
Instead, I jump into supermom mode and whip out my moms cheese sauce recipe. Get some water boiling and bam. We're on our way to having mac and cheese.
Is this normal behavior? Do other mom's do this? Am I a complete freak of nature? I'm pretty sure my sister would not do this. But her kids only like Kraft Mac and Cheese. So she doesn't count.
Why do I feel this constant need to please everyone?
What would you have done? Would you have stuck to the original plan and made the hot dog or would you have made the mac and cheese? Or worse. Would you have gone to the store?
I dunno. It doesn't really matter. I just had a little out of body experience in the kitchen and my lazy self was watching super freak. And she was laughing. That's all.
So in the time it takes to make the pasta (~10 minutes) you can make the sauce. Voila! Creamy goodness for everyone to enjoy.
1. Melt butter in saucepan over low heat.
2. Blend in flour, salt and pepper. Cook over low heat, stirring until mixture is smooth and bubbly.
3. Remove from heat. Stir in milk.
4. Heat to boiling. Stirring constantly for about one minute until it starts to get thick.
5. Add cheese. Stir until melted.
6. Pour over hot pasta (that has been drained and returned to pan.).
This sauce also tastes AWESOME on vegetables - like broccoli. It was a staple in our house growing up. I can barely remember eating broccoli without this yummy cheese sauce.
"Mom.......your mac and cheese is THE BEST! Thank you, mommy." she says very sweetly, and then adds, "I get the red plate! It has more."
I have a special post today from my friend Noelle Walker. I met Noelle a long time ago when we were Delta Gamma college sorority sisters back at TCU. We reconnected a few years ago when I moved to San Francisco.
Some of you here in the Bay Area may recognize her from her work as an Emmy award winning TV reporter. In fact, she just interviewed Tom Brokaw before a Governor's debate. And she currently runs her own business called Scoop Media.
In her spare time she crochets amazing hats and scarves. So for those of you that just finished reading the article Killing off Supermom. You're in luck. Noelle is here to save us. So ladies (and gents), put down your knitting needles, set aside the beads and please, put down the be-dazzler. It's not "in" anymore anyway. I have the solution.
Hand made gifts. Made with love, from an old college friend.
My hands are stiff. Achy. The joints crack with every bend. I think of my Grammy, telling me not to hold the needle and yarn so tightly.
Grammy taught me to crochet when I was about 7 years old. With my little hands sweating over every stitch, she cooed over my miscounted, misfit creations. There is photo evidence tucked away in a box in a closet somewhere of me wearing my "designs". I vividly remember a crooked vest of burnt orange and gold (in my defense, it was the '70's) that I fashioned from my grandmother's scrap yarn pile. My mom cried when I insisted on wearing it to document my 2nd grade year. Grammy couldn't have been more proud!
It's been decades since I picked up a crochet hook, or thought about how to do a 1/2 double or seed stitch. So I don't know what gave me the idea to make a baby blanket for my oldest and dearest friend. It wasn't just left field, it was an idea that came from the left side nosebleed bleacher seats! I called Grammy, who's now 97, hoping she'd tell me to just go buy one and be done with it. Instead, she told me it was like riding a bike. She had all the confidence in the world that I could, indeed, make a BEAUTIFUL baby blanket. I had to ask if she remembered that horrible vest! She remembered it differently than I: perfect.
I had no clue the baby blanket would lead me down a road that wasn't even on my map. After years as a news reporter and media consultant/coach, the roads I travel lead to press conferences, crime scenes, and the occasional Hollywood star gone-to-jail-rehab-jail-rehab. When I picked up that crochet hook, I really went off the map!
I started making hats and scarves for friends' birthdays. A few of them told me I should sell them (sometimes you need friends to tell you you're better than you think you are), and "ta da!"... a business. In my case, it was just "ta": that's what I named my business. "Ta" is Australian slang for "thanks", something everyone who I gave one of my hats/scarves to said...genuine thanks. To them, I say ta for believing in me!
So here I am; crocheting my way to early arthritis, channeling my Grammy with every stitch. "Loosen your grip, sweetie..." "That's just beautiful..." (Smile).
ta accessories are available at The Store, Mill Valley in downtown Mill Valley, and by special order. Click here to email Noelle directly.
Noelle is kindly inviting everyone to a trunk show here in San Francisco featuring her crochet accessories, jewelry, and greeting cards/stationary.


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After getting past my initial nervousness I talked to Annette's secretary Allison, and learned that Senator Cleveland was interested in purchasing some of our 4oz soy candle tins to give as gifts for an event that she had coming up. Allison set up an appointment for the Senator and I to meet at a local coffee shop the next day, and after some preparation and excitement on my part I was ready to meet Senator Cleveland.
I arrived about ten minutes early, got my mocha and sat down. Senator Cleveland arrived a few minutes after I sat down, got herself a coffee, and after a brief introduction, we got down to business. After showing Senator Cleveland some samples of my candles, and talking for a bit, I learned that after winning the election in November, and taking office in January, she has to give her first big acceptance speech since taking office. At these speeches, It is a tradition to give gifts to your fellow senators and politicians in other districts, and the gifts you give are traditionally from your own district. In her case, she said she really wanted to give gifts that were handmade as well, and that is where our candles came in. Needless to say I was very excited to learn about what she was going to be using the candles for!
Overall my meeting with Senator Annette Cleveland went very well. After talking with her for 40 minutes about our families and lives I can say for certain that she seems like a genuinely caring, down to earth person who is passionate about what she does, and I wish her the best of luck in her Senatorial career.