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Monday, August 27, 2007

Tools…Never leave home without them!



This weekend I ended up in P-Town to visit some of my friends. What started as an exciting drive, turned into a bit of a dilemma. You see my car broke down.

As I was peacefully driving, the stereo blaring, I noticed that my battery light turned on. I figured it was nothing and that, once I reached P-town, I’d get a new battery. Well, after a few more minutes of driving, my car’s lights went out and so I pulled an emergency stop into a rest stop. I am very lucky because as soon as I pulled in, the car shut off immediately. When parking, I even had to use my emergency brakes to stop.

With all this happening all I could think of was, “Crap, what am I going to do? I’m in the middle of no where and the only thing I know how to do is open the hood of the car!”

So I did.

I looked around and saw cables and wires all while looking like I knew what was going on and, in order to show off to anyone who drove by; letting them know that I was no idiot…even though I was.

To add to this, my father’s words rapidly made it into my head, “son, don’t forget your tools, you never know when you’ll need them.” I ran to open the trunk hoping and praying they would be there even though, of course, I knew I forgot them.

I called home, and my dad told me it was the battery or the alternator.

I called my friend EG, who was on her way, and who told me it could be the battery or alternator…She called her dad, who was also in accord with her hypothesis.

And finally, we called my friend MA, who also said the same thing and who was on his way with his set of tools.

To make a long story short, my friends came and helped me. We bought a battery, and MA used his tools to install it. I drove to P-Town and then took it to the mechanic the next day to be repaired.

Lots of money later, my alternator is now fixed (crowd cheering in the background) and I have a new resolution for the year…I plan on learning more about my car.

I love my car, and if it’s sick…I’d like to make sure I can help it.

I will also make sure to never forget my tools lest I, myself, might once again end up, well, a useless tool.

Never forget your tools friends…Never.

To learn more about alternators and a plethora of other things in general please visit:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2001058_change-alternator.html

Apparently, the website claims it will show you “how to fix just about anything!”

We'll see about that.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Holy Cannoli and Guacamole!

I recently purchased a cook book called, Everyday Italian, from one of my favorite chefs, Giada de Laurentiis and I couldn’t be anymore excited. To many, chefs would not be on their top list for celebrity status, but me, I’m all about the cookin’ and those who like to do it.

Her book has many Italian recipes that I plan to try out and fuse together with my style in order to make my own edible works of art.

And my favorite part of cooking: having people over to try my creations. This of course, means that, “I’m a gonna have to make a party, No?”

“Yes!”

Besides Giada (we are on 1st name basis, of course), Jamie Oliver became my all-star Chef while I was in college. I first saw him on his hit show on the Food Network called the Naked Chef and I loved every minute of it. I actually own two of Jamie’s books, The Naked Chef takes off, and Jamie's Kitchen. I even had Jamie's Kitchen signed in Chicago when he stopped by at Marshall Fields for a book signing.

I was nervous to meet him and speechless when I shook his hand. It makes me laugh how star-struck I was.
My friend and roommate in college even took a picture of my momentous occation. He's actually a big fan himself.

I can honestly say I collect cookbooks like trading cards.


This leads me to my dilemma. After coming home with Giada in hand (ha!), I realized that I have a cookbook addiction. My library is full of them, and I can’t help not purchasing them because I love them all. There are Jamie’s, Giada’s, Mexican, Japanese, Vegetarian, Soups, Desserts, drinks, and Food Encyclopedias.


Each is so special, but hear me now: I cannot purchase anymore cookbooks. Period. End of Story!

That’s what I told myself 6 months ago too and now look where I am now. :)

Thursday, August 09, 2007

My Little Place



Hidden deep and away…



Far from the fears And sorrows of my soul…



I have a little place of my own.

***


A place where all my dreams come true.



Where the sun shines true and the sky is blue.
***
Where my friends all smile
***

And I can sink into a blanket of calm...







To ponder, wish, to dream…enjoy LIFE!




To smile like I mean it.

***

In my place I can scream, I can jump, and I can sail

On clouds that wrap around me like the embrace of a mother.
***

For this is where I am a king; unafraid to live.

Where I can walk on water.

***

In my place I’m free to be truly, completely, and utterly me.





And that is who I want to be— ME! —Completely free.

***


Lucky for me, that my loneliness longs to be found because my place is your place




Our place.


While deep and away,


Never distant.