b l o g o r e l l i

18,492 --> Out

Only after I performed a fairly lackluster version of Cho's traditional Birthday Questions at dinner with The Prof last night did I see Kevin Kelly's muy interasante post today about his Life Countdown. The explanation of his "project" (basically literally counting his days until death) intrigues me...

"My hope was that a reckoning of my numbered days would help me account for how I spend each precious 24 hours, and to focus my attention and energy on those few tasks and projects I deem most important to me. Indeed, it might help me decide which ones are most important, which is the harder assignment.

What I wanted was a great big flashing sign that would show up on my computer and shout out to me how many days I had remaining. Then I would try to use my blog to record what how I spent the day to keep me honest. A wasted day would reveal its loss in the empty lower count the next day. I figured that mounting an automatic personal countdown sign should be pretty easy, and something that others might want to do as well."

Coming up on my own transition to 30, I decided that Kelly's reasoning might enhance my current state of soul searching. According to Kelly's procedure, which I followed, and assuming the general Life Expectancy Table he referenced is fairly correct, I will live to be 80.5 years old, which puts my date of death (based on my birthday of November 16, 1977) at Sunday, May 16, 2058. As of today, I have 18,492 days (or 50 years, 6 months, +51 days) left in my life.

Guess I better book that birthday trip soon.

Friday MeMe: Rawk Stallone Blogorelli

This story is just TOO good not to throw out for a MeMe...

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand authorities have blocked a couple's bid to officially name their new son "4real," saying numerals are not allowed.

Pat and Sheena Wheaton said they decided to name their new baby "4real" shortly after having an ultrasound and being struck by the reality of his impending arrival.

"For most of us, when we try to figure out what our names mean, we have to look it up in a babies book and ... there's no direct link between the meaning and the name," Pat Wheaton told TV One on Wednesday. "With this name, everyone knows what it means."

But when the parents filed the name with New Zealand's Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, they were told names beginning with a number were against the rules.

Come on! Are New Zealanders fucking insane-o or what? I think only Icelanders could beat them at their own special game of crazy. 4 real. Tee hee. Here's the saddest thing in the story:

If no compromise has been reached by July 9, the baby will be registered as "real," officials say.

"Real" what? Real baby? What a letdown someday when Real finds out his/her name could have been the magically awesome "4real."

So, ante up -- what name would you give your child that the government of New Zealand might ban?

BLOGORELLI
All I've ever wanted was to have a child and name him "Gus." Hell, I'd even name a girl "Gus" at this point. But "Gus" is far too normal a name in this case
- 2Chillin?
- 723PMS SpecialMix (you could say the first name like '723Pims")

Friday MeMe: Walk the Walk

A new website, Walk Score uses a "patent-pending algorithm" to help people find places to live that have most of life's daily needs and recreations within a comfortable on-foot distance. What makes a neighborhood utterly walkable? According to Walk Score:

A center
Density
Mixed income
Parks and public space
Accessibility
Well connected, speed controlled streets
Pedestrian-centric design
Close schools and workplaces

The site admits that there are factors its equations do not take into account, but I still love the idea of having a resource to point out nearby restaurants, stores, parks, etc (especially when one has just moved to a new place, like me.) Plus, they have a whole section on why walking every day is so important, which I find endearing because contemporary Americans are definitely less walk-centric than Europeans, and I think we could take a hint from our counterparts over the pond, no?

Just to prove a point to myself either way, I did a walk score of my old place in Somerville and the new apartment -- and The Roz is more walkable! Well, only 91 versus 89, but still a comfort to someone like me, who is fickle about loving her new location as much or more than the old 'hood.

How about it, Inter-net...what's your Walk Score?

Friday MeMe: Till Return Policy Do Us Part

Salon.com has a fascinating article which profiles reporter Rebecca Mead's new book about matrimony, "One Perfect Day: The Selling of the American Wedding". A few interesting factoids:

- Last year, the average American ceremony cost $27,852; the average dress, $1,025
- Most brides (30 percent) plan their weddings for 7 to 12 months
- An average of 189 guests attends a wedding.
- Three styles define today's bride:
"Traditional princess bride" – a young woman with parents active in the planning and financing of a once-in-a-lifetime, fairy-talewedding
"Traditional independent bride" – financially independent, plans her own wedding, often with the help of the groom; blends tradition with her own style
"Nontraditional independent brides" – typically marries later or was married

(those last three courtesy of Hallmark)

Cho and I were just discussing "weddings as big business" this past week. We both have upcoming nuptials to attend, and we are continually stunned (her, as an eloper, and I, as a non-married) the extent to which a couple's "special day" is commercialized. I'm particularly shocked at how much these shingdigs cost -- $20,000+?!?! Reeeeaaally? It seems, in many ways, the whole affair..."from the diamond ring to the honeymoon -- were invented or co-opted by the wedding industry and neatly repackaged as established conventions."

It's almost wedding season, so...

FRIDAY MEME: Any good stories from past/upcoming weddings? Or, any opinions on the wedding industry and their manipulative marketing?

BLOGORELLI: I am very much looking forward to the upcoming season. The Prof and I are invited to 6 celebrations! As for any past stories, my Weddingpalooza of two years ago offered lots of good times...which can be found here, here, and here.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Friday MeMe: Oh, The Places

There's basically nothing in Connecticut that might persuade me to take a trip there exclusively (versus driving through the state to get to something better in a more alluring location)...until now. Philip Johnson's Glass House is opening to the public for the first time in 50 years, with an Inaugural Gala Picnic on June 23.

"This 47-acre site, with buildings designed in each decade of Philip Johnson’s life, represents a survey of architecture, art, and landscape design from the second half of the twentieth century."

The images on the website are certainly striking enough to persuade me to make the three-hour day trip from Boston to New Canaan. If I did go, I'd  definitely opt for the two hour end-of-day tour, which "includes access to the Glass House, Brick House, Painting Gallery, Sculpture Gallery, and Da Monsta. This tour allows more time in each location and encourages visitors to sketch and photograph." The $40 seems justified to be able to amble at one's own pace and take photos. However, the $25 tour that lasts 90 minutes also seems fine.

Thinking about visiting The Glass House makes me remember that there are a bunch of day trips leftover that I never got to take last summer. I haven't been the NYC in years and never, ever to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket. So...

FRIDAY MEME: Summer daytrippers...to where do you hope to go forth and travel in the next four months?

BLOGORELLI:
- The Glass House
- The Edward Gorey House
- Martha's Vineyard and/or Nantucket
- Portsmouth for a cozy weekend w/The Prof
- Brimfield!

Friday MeMe: Down the Hatch

P. Natty reminded me that spring/summer outdoor cocktail hour is upon us by sending the delish-sounding mint julep recipe (below, from the New York Times.) Also, I'm cultivating apple mint in my kitchen window box, so I can't wait to use its leaves in the recipe.

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MINT JULEP
(recipe adapted from Chris McMillian, Library Lounge, Ritz-Carlton Hotel, New Orleans

12-15 fresh mint leaves, plus one sprig for garnish
2 ounces peach syrup, like Monin
2 1/2 ounces bourbon
superfine sugar

1. Place mint and 1/4 ounce peach syrup in julep cup or 8-10 ounce old fashioned glass and gently crush leaves with wooden muddler, working them up the sides of the glass

2. Loosely pack glass with finely crushed ice, then add bourbon. Drizzle remaining peach syrup on top and garnish with mint sprig loosely dusted with sugar

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Yummo!

FRIDAY MEME: Spring/summer cocktail of choice? (any recipe links appreciated as well)

BLOGORELLI: I always love a nice strong gin or vodka tonic on a warm day. Other favorites for the season include drinking ice cold champagne while reading on my buidling's stoop (one of my favorite summer Saturday activities.) However, this year I also want to try making drinks that combine Southern Sweet Iced Tea with liquor. First experiment? This recipe with...rum? bourbon?

(below, some pics of this year's kitchen window sill and fire escape gardens

Friday MeMe: Sending Peevies Up My Spine

This morning, my co-worker mentioned that she is starting a "Pet Peeves " list. I don't know if this document will serve as a sort of warning to those of us who know her or merely something for her to think about on the T. I remarked that I was living one of my pet peeves at that very moment: my knee socks didn't reach above the tops of my boots; I hate the way boot insides feel against bare legs.

Turns out that my co-worker shares the boot peeve. I'm curious to know what else really gets under her skin because, to me, these little things that have the capacity to drive each of us silently crazy are a "tell' to the most secret parts of our personalities.

FRIDAY MEME: List your pet peeves (this may be a repeat topic, but one that's worth an update)

BLOGORELLI:
- Boot insides against bare legs
- Loud eating (mostly crunchy foods)
- Car dealerships putting their branding on cars they sell, usually a sticker or non-removable medallion
- Having my eye on some product and an acquaintance buying it before I can
- Sniffling but not blowing one's nose
- Talking on a cell phone in ANY enclosed small area
- Obnoxiously shameless self-promoters
- 'Lazy' walkers (you know them, the ones who meander left and right, go fast them slow and basically seem undirected in walking and life)
- Ridiculously loud sneezers

Friday MeMe: The Thaw

Happy Earth Day!

So, according to the weather reports (see Weather Channel graphic below,) we are about to have the first sunny and fairly warm weekend in what seems like months (at least here in The Bean). I cannot wait.

A simple one today...

FRIDAY MEME: Are you doing anything to celebrate Earth Day and, otherwise, what are your plans for the weekend?

BLOGORELLI: Well, I'm still recycling, which is basically my new year-round contribution to the Earth. Besides wearing short sleeves for the next two days, I also plan to:
– set up my fire escape garden
– finally meet Lydia!
– polish and clean a vintage table that I'm selling on Craigslist
– give Vinny a spring cleaning
– go hiking with The Prof

Friday MeMe: Life List

A few days ago The Polish Princess, an avid watcher of the "Ellen" show, and I had a discussion about a recent topic: life lists. Apparently, it's a concept that will thread throughout season 4 of the show:

"This season on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show,' Ellen takes on her Life List, a detailed account of all the things she has always wanted to accomplish.  From learning to use a computer and speaking a new language, to just trying to be more patient, Ellen checks off her to-do list all season long.  And viewers and celebrities get in on the action too as Ellen encourages her audience and guests to set their own goals and accomplish them right along with her. Throughout the season, Ellen keeps viewers updated on the progress of her Life List and the show has created a community where viewers and celebrities can share their life lists with Ellen and each other."

Here's the Life List Community intro page. Anyway, The PP loved the idea and immediately made her list. I'm working on a list too. In my mind, these lists don't need to have hundreds of entries, or include gradiose things that most people just say they want to accomplish to impress others. In fact, I think a Life List is more sincere and achievable with small and simple yet impactful things. Finally, no cheating by listing imminent events AND the list should keep growing and changing with one's life.

FRIDAY MEME: What are a few entries on your Life List?

BLOGORELLI:
– organize *just one* album of photos
– learn to play either the accordian or drums
– pay off my credit card debt
– live abroad, even if only for a month

Your turn...

Friday MeMe: An Orange By Any Other Name

A week or so ago, The Dairy Queen made a great suggestion in the Comments about The Professor and I's Spring Break Mini-Vacation to Pittsburgh:

"I love using the analogy of 'The Orange' as that moment when you shoulda known that a relationship would go bad. I've had plenty of 'Oranges' in my day that I still kick myself for not getting a clue earlier.

I think we need a phrase for that epiphany moment when you realize you got a good one though who would peel an orange (or whatever) for you... I'm sure you've had many with the Prof by now. Maybe this is a future Friday MeMe."

In honor of Easter, let's get all positive and fresh-starty and do a little groupthink (tee hee)...

FRIDAY MEME: What is "The Orange's" perfectly wonderful opposite?

BLOGORELLI: I've been riding on the negativity of "The Orange" for so long that it's hard for me to imagine what I would define as the moment I knew something actually went right, in a relationship or life situation...plus, I don't really like fruit. Hmm. The only thing I can think of is "The Cheese" because I found out that "The Orange" is actually employed in the cheese department of an organic supermarket. Cho pointed out that I likely wouldn't be content as the longtime steady of dairy peddler. I told The Prof (after relaying The Orange story to him) and he jovially remarked, "Just think, you could be with someone who works with cheese; instead, you're with me...I'm just cheesy."

Perfection. Plus, I LOVE CHEESE <wink wink.>