They've found mercury in some high fructose corn syrup! Just in case you didn't know. I think it might take more than a lame commercial to fix this one...
Of 55 tested consumer products containing corn syrup, 1/3 of the contained mercury. In case you don't know, exposure to mercury over long periods of time causes brain damage. Perhaps you all remember Alice and Wonderland's "Mad Hatter"? Well, he was made because they used to dip hates in mercury to give them a shiny iridescence, but the fumes and absorption made him (and others) go nuts.
How did the mercury get in our syrup? Apparently, caustic soda, used to separate corn starch from the kernel, has been produced in chlorine plants which results in mercury contaimination.
Now, I worked in a chemistry lab. I know how careful you have to be with mercury. We had a hood completely dedicated to it... couldn't use the hood unless you were directly using the mercury or disposing of waste mercury. To "inactivate" mercury, there was a tedious process of chemical additives (like EDTA) and still it was not safe, persay. It was still considered a haz mat.
Interested in the products they tested? Here is a list http://www.healthobservatory.org/library.cfm?refID=105040
Now, I am really considering kicking the corn syrup habit....
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
picture hangers
I'm working on not spending any money and having great success... I only pay my loan payments and other misc bills. This project resulted from needing something to do in between job applications (oh, I've written probably a billion cover letters in the last month) and not having a lot of money to spend on that "something to do."
Cost Analysis:
Hangers - $1.00 from goodwill
Paints - $1.00 from joann
Birds - $2.00 from michaels
Photos - $2.00 from walgreens
Mattes - $4.00 from michaels
GRAND TOTAL = $10
I saw this on someone's blog at some point a few months ago, I didn't have the link or even remember anything about it really. I freestyled.
Cost Analysis:
Hangers - $1.00 from goodwill
Paints - $1.00 from joann
Birds - $2.00 from michaels
Photos - $2.00 from walgreens
Mattes - $4.00 from michaels
GRAND TOTAL = $10
I saw this on someone's blog at some point a few months ago, I didn't have the link or even remember anything about it really. I freestyled.
Friday, January 23, 2009
raw diet anyone? for animlas I mean...
I am seriously considering switching my cats to a BARF (Bones and Raw Food--unfortunate acronym, I know) diet. I'm a little overwhelemed with it all at the moment, so I'm soliciting advice if anyone knows anything about it.
Right now, the kittens are on IAMS but a suspect Sprocket has a slight grain allergy which makes his eyes goop up after he eats and Rio is a little on the tubby side. Both of these things are supposed to improve on a BARF diet, not to mention just general health and life span improvements. These (and other animals) are the only children I'll ever have, so I want them to have the best and most nutritious food out there.
If I decide BARF isn't going to work out for whatever reasons, I'll at least switched them to human-grade canned food and supplement it sometimes with a chicken wing or other meaty goodness. I won't make the switch until I get a job and their current bag of cat food is gone (~2+ mo), but I think it is so complex that I better get a jump on it now.
Oh, and I think I'm going to try and potty train them so I stop having to waste all this litter to prevent Rio from being naughty. Man, it would be awesome... and I have the time to do it...
Right now, the kittens are on IAMS but a suspect Sprocket has a slight grain allergy which makes his eyes goop up after he eats and Rio is a little on the tubby side. Both of these things are supposed to improve on a BARF diet, not to mention just general health and life span improvements. These (and other animals) are the only children I'll ever have, so I want them to have the best and most nutritious food out there.
If I decide BARF isn't going to work out for whatever reasons, I'll at least switched them to human-grade canned food and supplement it sometimes with a chicken wing or other meaty goodness. I won't make the switch until I get a job and their current bag of cat food is gone (~2+ mo), but I think it is so complex that I better get a jump on it now.
Oh, and I think I'm going to try and potty train them so I stop having to waste all this litter to prevent Rio from being naughty. Man, it would be awesome... and I have the time to do it...
why do we hate on sugar? a rant of epic proportions.
I absolutely find the commercials about high fructose corn syrup ridiculous. Everytime I see one, I become filled with irritation. Way to simplify a complex topic to push your agenda. As if corn isn't relied on for EVERYTHING in our diets, let's encourage people to believe the only thing questionable about using corn syrup is it's nutritional value. These commercials go something like this:
Man: It has corn syrup... you know what they say about that...
Woman: That its made from corn? and that it's perfectly safe when enjoyed in moderation! and that it is nutritional equal to sugar!
(Man happily chomps down on the popsicle, having been convinced that it is okay!)
Hmm... funded by the Corn Refiners of America... they have no bias... do they? Well, I'll be sure to trust them. I cannot claim to be corn syrup free, but I certainly don't think it is wise for me to injest it "in moderation." Whatever that means. It is nearly impossible to enjoy a "moderate" intake when 90% of sweet foods are laced with the stuff.
If you want sugar, you need to eat natural sugar. I realize there is some social issues related to cane sugar harvest--don't get me wrong, but limit your consumption to start with and we can mitigate a lot of these issues.
Sugar substitutes, while proven to be okay at normal levels of intake, are illogical in this day of organic produce. Hailed as healthier than sugar... is it really? I just feel incredibly awkward about diving into something that is made out entirely out of chemicals (Splenda is not actually made from sugar, they got sued for that, in case you didn't know).
Kevin used to use these quite a bit to curb the diabetic high blood sugar response, but I hate them (taste and synthetic chemicals), and now, they only appear in his diet cola.... not that I ever had to fight him on this. He just never bought any since we moved.
I guess this may sound hipcritical since I don't live a life devoid of chemical influence, but I'm trying to cut it down (see Cleaner Cleaners), and a few extra calories hardly seems worth the risk of eating chemicals.
I'm wary of corn. This is part of the reason I don't eat meat anymore. You look around and see fields and fields of corn, but have you every stopped to think how bizarre it is to have all that corn that humans never eat. In case you didn't know, those corn fields grow flint corn NOT sweet corn. Flint corn is just ground up and used as animal feed to bulk up our animals quickly so they can be slaughtered for profit.
The reason I stopped eating meat has very little to do with animal rights (as much as I'd love to claim animals shouldn't be eaten, I can't) and more to do with the environmental impacts their production has. We have come to eat a disproportionately large amount of meat, so at the very least, we should cut down the amount of mass produced meats we eat (beef, chicken, turkey, etc). The idea that it "isn't a main dish without meat in it" is ludicrious.
I'm not preaching about vegetarianism, it isn't for everyone--it was very easy for me because I rarely ate meat anyway. But, everyone should consider eating less meat (2-3x a week? 1x a day? whatever you can do), hunting for their own meat, eating organic meat, or locally raised so you can make sure your personal philosphy aligns with the producers.
Which leads me to genetic engineering... commonly hailed as the cure to world hunger. Yes, my tomatoes last a few more days, and we can grow corn in tighter rows to increae yield per acre. Curing world hunger isn't a matter of quantity. There is more than enough food produced to feed the world.... it is a matter of equity and availablity. The poor don't get food because the rich hog it all or make it inaccessible to them. So, we can engineer all the nutritionally enriched rice we want, but really the question is why is anyone eating a diet of rice and rice alone?
Ethanol introduces a slew of new problems. Hailed as the cure to our fuel problems--at least for awhile... we might be realizing the flaws in our logic. This further adds to hunger problems. More and more farmers are switching from food crops to grow corn because the Ethanol business has increased the price of corn so dramatically. As a result, the amount of food production will eventually decrease to a point where we won't have enough for everyone... just something to think about.
I realize I simplified many complex topics ala Corn Refiners of America; however, these are my personal thoughts, not something I'm throwing on the TV to boost business or convince people to trust my product. There is a myriad of sides and considerations for all these topics. The best you can do is research topics that matter to you and find where your concerns lie and stay true to what you believe. If you aren't worried about Splenda, fine. If you thing GMOs aren't petrifying, go for it.
--end rant--
Man: It has corn syrup... you know what they say about that...
Woman: That its made from corn? and that it's perfectly safe when enjoyed in moderation! and that it is nutritional equal to sugar!
(Man happily chomps down on the popsicle, having been convinced that it is okay!)
Hmm... funded by the Corn Refiners of America... they have no bias... do they? Well, I'll be sure to trust them. I cannot claim to be corn syrup free, but I certainly don't think it is wise for me to injest it "in moderation." Whatever that means. It is nearly impossible to enjoy a "moderate" intake when 90% of sweet foods are laced with the stuff.
If you want sugar, you need to eat natural sugar. I realize there is some social issues related to cane sugar harvest--don't get me wrong, but limit your consumption to start with and we can mitigate a lot of these issues.
Sugar substitutes, while proven to be okay at normal levels of intake, are illogical in this day of organic produce. Hailed as healthier than sugar... is it really? I just feel incredibly awkward about diving into something that is made out entirely out of chemicals (Splenda is not actually made from sugar, they got sued for that, in case you didn't know).
Kevin used to use these quite a bit to curb the diabetic high blood sugar response, but I hate them (taste and synthetic chemicals), and now, they only appear in his diet cola.... not that I ever had to fight him on this. He just never bought any since we moved.
I guess this may sound hipcritical since I don't live a life devoid of chemical influence, but I'm trying to cut it down (see Cleaner Cleaners), and a few extra calories hardly seems worth the risk of eating chemicals.
I'm wary of corn. This is part of the reason I don't eat meat anymore. You look around and see fields and fields of corn, but have you every stopped to think how bizarre it is to have all that corn that humans never eat. In case you didn't know, those corn fields grow flint corn NOT sweet corn. Flint corn is just ground up and used as animal feed to bulk up our animals quickly so they can be slaughtered for profit.
The reason I stopped eating meat has very little to do with animal rights (as much as I'd love to claim animals shouldn't be eaten, I can't) and more to do with the environmental impacts their production has. We have come to eat a disproportionately large amount of meat, so at the very least, we should cut down the amount of mass produced meats we eat (beef, chicken, turkey, etc). The idea that it "isn't a main dish without meat in it" is ludicrious.
I'm not preaching about vegetarianism, it isn't for everyone--it was very easy for me because I rarely ate meat anyway. But, everyone should consider eating less meat (2-3x a week? 1x a day? whatever you can do), hunting for their own meat, eating organic meat, or locally raised so you can make sure your personal philosphy aligns with the producers.
Which leads me to genetic engineering... commonly hailed as the cure to world hunger. Yes, my tomatoes last a few more days, and we can grow corn in tighter rows to increae yield per acre. Curing world hunger isn't a matter of quantity. There is more than enough food produced to feed the world.... it is a matter of equity and availablity. The poor don't get food because the rich hog it all or make it inaccessible to them. So, we can engineer all the nutritionally enriched rice we want, but really the question is why is anyone eating a diet of rice and rice alone?
Ethanol introduces a slew of new problems. Hailed as the cure to our fuel problems--at least for awhile... we might be realizing the flaws in our logic. This further adds to hunger problems. More and more farmers are switching from food crops to grow corn because the Ethanol business has increased the price of corn so dramatically. As a result, the amount of food production will eventually decrease to a point where we won't have enough for everyone... just something to think about.
I realize I simplified many complex topics ala Corn Refiners of America; however, these are my personal thoughts, not something I'm throwing on the TV to boost business or convince people to trust my product. There is a myriad of sides and considerations for all these topics. The best you can do is research topics that matter to you and find where your concerns lie and stay true to what you believe. If you aren't worried about Splenda, fine. If you thing GMOs aren't petrifying, go for it.
--end rant--
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
Kevin's End of the Year Reflections
end of 2008 reflection survey
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before? Watched TV in the Pacific time zone, voted in the Pacific Time Zone, pet kitties in the Pacific Time Zone (which is surprisingly vastly different!)... got my haircut in BOTH the Central AND Pacific Time Zones!2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Didn't make one, aside from my always resolution of being awesome. And let me just say, mission accomplished.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? I don't believe so. Although I'm hopeful Sprocket and Rio will soon do that... but ever since we got them spayed and neutered, my hopes have dropped.
4. What countries did you visit? America!
5. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? A job... in the pacific time zone, the ability to no longer make jokes about being in a different time zone, a brick of cheese.
6. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory? Mamma Mia came out July 18th. Never before has so much Icelandic pop music been jam packed into such large movie theatres. I did not see the movie until November though... the sheer Abba-ness of it almost frightened me away.
7. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Getting to Seattle without a car accident, kitty vomit or highjacking. Although at the hotel we stayed in before moving into our apartment, I think I was almost involved in a hostage taking situation.
8. What was your biggest failure? Not immediately finding a job... but then again who can do that nowadays?
9. Did you suffer illness or injury? Still have diabetes. It was my plan to go all Halle Berry on that and be cured of it by now. Alas, I remain betic-ed.
10. What was the best thing you bought? My 2008 Corolla S is completely awesome. It sips fuel, goes fast and looks really cool.
11. Whose behavior merited celebration? Rio, for finally learning how to talk. And if there were a question for whose behavior merited shame, it would also go to Rio... for the same reasons.
12. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? None I can think of.
13. Where did most of your money go? Car. Rent. Food. Can there ever be anything else?
14. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Finding places in Seattle to play frisbee with random people I don't know.
15. What song/album will always remind you of 2008? The sound of my MP3 player dying on me and forcing Best Buy to give me $250 as a result was equivalent to the sounds angels make. Also, Raina listened to a lot of Josh Ritter. I rode with her occasionally and heard it a lot.
16. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. Happier or sadder? About the same.
ii. Thinner or fatter? Thinner!
iii. Richer or poorer? Poorer.
17. What do you wish you'd done more of? Working out. Wii Fit is great... but it could be so much more.
18. What do you wish you'd done less of? Driving. Seriously, when in Madison I commuted 90 miles every day. When coming to Seattle, I think we drove several million miles. And the Seattle drive had meowing kitties!
19. How will you be spending Christmas? By saying "Man, 2009's Christmas is sooo much better than 2008's!"
20. Did you fall in love in 2008? No.
21. How many one night stands in this last year? None!
22. What was your favorite TV program? Showtime's double dose of Dexter and Californication worked out quite well.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? No, I can't get up the emotions to hate someone.
24. What was the best book you read? The Mental Floss History of the World, because I enjoy nerdy things.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? I also added Josh Ritter to my rotation.
26. What did you want and get? My Corolla, a continued ability to breath oxygen, someone to play frisbee with (Raina), and enough nachos to fill a lunar module!
27. What did you want and not get? One of those non-Target-based Seattle jobs.
28. What was your favourite film of this year? Sadly, I didn't get to see many. Of the ones I saw, "Iron Man" was pretty fun.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I went to Applebee's with Raina and her mom. I turned 6 months before my 24th and a half birthday.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? They say, "A taco a day keeps the doctor away," and I think never has this statement been more true than 2008 showed.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? "Stuff I had in 2007, but worn a year later."
33. What kept you sane? Raina, the internet, black tar heroin, and kitties
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you like the most? Me.
35. What political issue stirred you the most? Many of the stories involving healthcare reform had the ability to burn my biscuits.
36. Who did you miss? Family.
37. Who was the best new person you met? Some of the people at Target are actually pretty cool. Although, "best," I'm not actually sure of who it may be.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008: Any time Jones Soda makes a seasonal pop, it's bound to be awful. Avoid.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: "I still remember that time when we were dancing We were dancing to a song that I'd heard Your face was simple and your hands were naked I was singing without knowing the words"
In 2008 did you:
1. Go to a party? Yup
2. Try something new? Everyone does.
3. Have someone change your life? Seattle Ho!
4. Tell your family and friends you love them? Yes.
5. Buy something extravagant? My car is both practical and extravagant!
6. Do something nice for you? Yup.
7. Do something terribly wrong? Nothing that I can think of, outside of stabbing that hobo. But he kind of asked for it, you know, with the way he was looking at me... with his eyes.
8. Move? Seattle Ho?
9. Go to a concert? Several. Started out as one of the best concert going years with Bruce, Stu, Josh and New Pornographers in the front part of the year. Only to peter out and I haven't seen anything since July.
Best of the Year:
1. Party: Mifflin Street was fun this year.
2. Show: Jeopardy never fails to entertain.
3. CD: I really really really liked Ryan Adams' "Cardinology." I mean, I'm already a fan of the man, but this album launched past the muck of "Easy Tiger," "Jacksonville City Nights" and placed up with some of the finest of his career.
4. Movie: Iron Man
5. Song: "Wolves" by Josh Ritter
6. Experience: Being told I "kick ass" by a client.
7. Concert: You can't ever top a Bruce Springsteen concert. Ever.
8. Book: Ken Jennings' book was vastly entertaining.
9. Month: July or August!
10. Day: February 30th
Hopes for 2009:
1. Predict something that you think will happen in 2009? People will forget that it's no longer 2008 for up to a month.
2. What do you hope changes about your country? Everyone gets happier.
3. What do you hope for yourself? I get employed by a company that likes me as much as I like them.
4. What do you hope for your family? General happiness. Everyone finds where they're going and is truly in a good spot.
5. What do you hope for your best friends? Keep on rockin' in the free world.
6. What do you hope for the rest of your friends? See above.
7. Do you think any amazing medical advances will be made? Hopefully.
8. What is your hope for 2009? It rocks!
During 2008:
Where were you when it began: A cabin in Brainerd.
Did you stay up: Always do.
What was your new year wish? Is that the same thing as a resolution?
How many girlfriends: One.
Broke up: No.
Have any crushes?: RAINA!!!!!!!!
Care to mention names? See above.
New friends: Plenty.
Win anything? I did surprisingly well in Vegas, despite nursing a drink that was larger than some countries.
Best place you went to: Las Vegas
Worst place you went to: Portland, OR.
Happiest moment: No idea.
How was your birthday: Fun for everyone involved.
Party? Not all that much. And most of it was good clean wholesome fun.
recipe: aloo phujia
Aloo Phujia is an Indian-esque potato dish, but isn't really curry-esque which is good for people like me who hate curry (tumeric is evil). The potatoes really mellow out all the spices and it tastes Indian without being overly powerful. This again was adapted from an allrecipes.com. Serve with basmati rice if desired, or if you are totally a culinary rebel, you can use instant long-grained white rice (it is what we had)!
Aloo Phujia
Serves 4 - 6
1 onion, chopped
2 tbs vegetable oil
3 Idaho potatoes, peeled and cut into small cubes (1/4")
5 roma tomatoes or 2 regular tomatoes, diced
1/2 tsp salt or to taste
1/2 tsp cayenne peper
3/4 tsp tumeric
1/3 tsp cumin
1 cup frozen peas
1. Brown onion in oil over medium heat in medium saute pan.
2. Stir in all the seasonings (tumeric, pepper, salt, cumin).
3. Add the potatoes and cook on medium for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
4. Add tomatoes, cover pan and cook until potatoes are soft, about 10 minutes. Stir only a few times because the steam is really what gets the potatoes to soften up nicely. During the last two mintues, throw in the frozen peas.
I imagine you could add pretty much any vegetable to this, like carrots, or leave out the peas if you don't like them. Also, if you like a more saucy, curry like dish, diced canned tomatoes with some of the juice would probably achieve that for you. According to allrecipe.com reviews, it tastes better the next day, but I really didn't notice a difference!
Aloo Phujia
Serves 4 - 6
1 onion, chopped
2 tbs vegetable oil
3 Idaho potatoes, peeled and cut into small cubes (1/4")
5 roma tomatoes or 2 regular tomatoes, diced
1/2 tsp salt or to taste
1/2 tsp cayenne peper
3/4 tsp tumeric
1/3 tsp cumin
1 cup frozen peas
1. Brown onion in oil over medium heat in medium saute pan.
2. Stir in all the seasonings (tumeric, pepper, salt, cumin).
3. Add the potatoes and cook on medium for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
4. Add tomatoes, cover pan and cook until potatoes are soft, about 10 minutes. Stir only a few times because the steam is really what gets the potatoes to soften up nicely. During the last two mintues, throw in the frozen peas.
I imagine you could add pretty much any vegetable to this, like carrots, or leave out the peas if you don't like them. Also, if you like a more saucy, curry like dish, diced canned tomatoes with some of the juice would probably achieve that for you. According to allrecipe.com reviews, it tastes better the next day, but I really didn't notice a difference!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
end of 2008 reflection survey
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before? Lots of things--drove across country, pet a bob cat, returned to las vegas with friends, and more.
2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I didn't have any that I can remember. I usually don't make resolutions because I don't see the point in waiting for a new year to do something, why not just do it right away?
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? My half-brother (Trevor) and his wife (Laura) had a baby girl (Olivia).
4. What countries did you visit? None.
5. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? I would love to get my dogs (Alaskan Malamute, Pit Bull, and Pointer), but Kevin said I can only have 2 at a time. Additionally, I would like 2 more cats, a house, to kick off my saltwater aquarium, and find a job that I love (which I only lacked in the last half of 2008).
6. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory? November 4th was pretty epic.
7. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Graduating from college and executing my move away from the cold.
8. What was your biggest failure? I don't know that I failed too badly, at least not enough that I can recall a fail.
9. Did you suffer illness or injury? No, I don't even think I had any cavities!
10. What was the best thing you bought? I got a really nice pair of Eagle Optics Ranger SRT binoculars which were probably my biggest splurge--worth every penny though.
11. Whose behavior merited celebration? I'm not sure! Probably, Kevin since I spend the most time with him.
12. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? My old boss, the sea witch. Not a very nice person at all.
13. Where did most of your money go? Tuition, student loans, moving expenses, and rent.
14. What did you get really, really, really excited about? I was excited about my trip to Las Vegas, Seattle, and Portland, but mostly I get excited about a lot of little things like the cute porcupine and owlie decorations I got at Target for 3 dollars!
15. What song/album will always remind you of 2008? Oh, that's so difficult! Josh Ritter something or other because I got into him this year or Barracuda because Kevin demanded that be his ring tone on my new phone.
16. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. Happier or sadder? Sadder, but not much. I just wish I had a job, allowing me to enjoy Seattle more.
ii. Thinner or fatter? Fatter, but again, not by much. 5 pounds, but I lost it before Christmas but probably have since gained it back.
iii. Richer or poorer? Pooerer, most definitely!
17. What do you wish you'd done more of? Enjoyed Madison, went out more with those people. Worked more, the money would be nice now and I miss the work I did there.
18. What do you wish you'd done less of? Arguing with people.
19. How will you be spending Christmas? Belated--went back to Minnesota and spent it with both sides of my family.
20. Did you fall in love in 2008? No.
21. How many one night stands in this last year? Haha, none.
22. What was your favorite TV program? This is always so hard, but I'll go with House MD.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? No, I don't hate many people... especially ones I've known for more than a year.
24. What was the best book you read? I really liked: Dwellings by Linda Hogan, Pigeons by Andrew Blechman, and Voyage of the Turtle by Carl Safina. Pretty much any books about the environment and nature that are written with a little bit of heart.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? I didn't really discover these, but Josh Ritter, Stuart Davis, and Aqualung are new to my music folder.
26. What did you want and get? New friends, a great wildlife season, a summer job with the Department of Agriculture monitoring the populations of endangered species.
27. What did you want and not get? Paid wildlife rehab position and a dog.
28. What was your favourite film of this year? Iron Man was just really well done. And finally, Robert Downey Jr. makes his comeback--I've been waiting!
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 21! I flew to Las Vegas for leg three of our two-week summer trip, and spent the night with my friends Amanda and Laura who came down from MN to celebrate. It was a fantastic time!
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Moving to Seattle and getting jobs immediately!
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? I don't have a fashion concept. I pretty much wear whatever is comfotable, cheap, and I like.
33. What kept you sane? Friends, being busy, and being able to take a minute to relax.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you like the most? Hugh Laurie, Lisa Edelstein, Ed Shultz and Obama.
35. What political issue stirred you the most? Reading the responses McCain and Obama had to the questions National Wildlife Federation asked of them really made me disheartened.
36. Who did you miss? I miss spending time with my Madison and Mankato friends.
37. Who was the best new person you met? Oh... I can't pick!
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008: You have to make things happen for yourself rather than waiting for someone to give you the opportunity. Also, learn as much as you can.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: I don't know! "Let the rain fall, I don't care."
In 2008 did you:
1. Go to a party? Of Course.
2. Try something new? Yes.
3. Have someone change your life? Yes.
4. Tell your family and friends you love them? Yes.
5. Buy something extravagant? Nothing too nice.
6. Do something nice for you? Of Course.
7. Do something terribly wrong? No.
8. Move? Yes.
9. Go to a concert? Yes.
Best of the Year:
1. Party: The wildlife center end of th
2. Show: House MD
3. CD: I don't really buy CDs so I have no clue.
4. Movie: Iron Man
5. Song: "Temptation of Adam" by Josh Ritter
6. Experience: Petting a Bobcat :)
7. Concert: Josh Ritter? I don't even know if that was this year or not.
8. Book: Didn't I alredy answer a lot of these?
9. Month: July or August!
10. Day: I'm not sure.
Hopes for 2009:
1. Predict something that you think will happen in 2009? Someone will come to Seattle to visit!
2. What do you hope changes about your country? People will become more concerned about the harm we cause to our planet and ourselves.
3. What do you hope for yourself? I get a job!
4. What do you hope for your family? Everyone gets what they deserve and desire.
5. What do you hope for your best friends? They keep on living great lives.
6. What do you hope for the rest of your friends? Same as above.
7. Do you think any amazing medical advances will be made? Probably, they happen every year!
8. What is your hope for 2009? It is better than 2008.
During 2008:
Where were you when it began: I think I was in Brainerd at a cabin with friends.
Did you stay up: Yes.
What was your new year wish? Didn't have one.
How many boyfriends: One.
Broke up: No.
Have any crushes?: No.
Care to mention names? No need.
New friends: Plenty.
Win anything? Something in Vegas but I gambled it back into the system.
Best place you went to: Las Vegas
Worst place you went to: Portland, OR.
Happiest moment: No idea.
How was your birthday: Everything I hoped for!
Party? Not much. I've fallen away from that.
2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I didn't have any that I can remember. I usually don't make resolutions because I don't see the point in waiting for a new year to do something, why not just do it right away?
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? My half-brother (Trevor) and his wife (Laura) had a baby girl (Olivia).
4. What countries did you visit? None.
5. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? I would love to get my dogs (Alaskan Malamute, Pit Bull, and Pointer), but Kevin said I can only have 2 at a time. Additionally, I would like 2 more cats, a house, to kick off my saltwater aquarium, and find a job that I love (which I only lacked in the last half of 2008).
6. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory? November 4th was pretty epic.
7. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Graduating from college and executing my move away from the cold.
8. What was your biggest failure? I don't know that I failed too badly, at least not enough that I can recall a fail.
9. Did you suffer illness or injury? No, I don't even think I had any cavities!
10. What was the best thing you bought? I got a really nice pair of Eagle Optics Ranger SRT binoculars which were probably my biggest splurge--worth every penny though.
11. Whose behavior merited celebration? I'm not sure! Probably, Kevin since I spend the most time with him.
12. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? My old boss, the sea witch. Not a very nice person at all.
13. Where did most of your money go? Tuition, student loans, moving expenses, and rent.
14. What did you get really, really, really excited about? I was excited about my trip to Las Vegas, Seattle, and Portland, but mostly I get excited about a lot of little things like the cute porcupine and owlie decorations I got at Target for 3 dollars!
15. What song/album will always remind you of 2008? Oh, that's so difficult! Josh Ritter something or other because I got into him this year or Barracuda because Kevin demanded that be his ring tone on my new phone.
16. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. Happier or sadder? Sadder, but not much. I just wish I had a job, allowing me to enjoy Seattle more.
ii. Thinner or fatter? Fatter, but again, not by much. 5 pounds, but I lost it before Christmas but probably have since gained it back.
iii. Richer or poorer? Pooerer, most definitely!
17. What do you wish you'd done more of? Enjoyed Madison, went out more with those people. Worked more, the money would be nice now and I miss the work I did there.
18. What do you wish you'd done less of? Arguing with people.
19. How will you be spending Christmas? Belated--went back to Minnesota and spent it with both sides of my family.
20. Did you fall in love in 2008? No.
21. How many one night stands in this last year? Haha, none.
22. What was your favorite TV program? This is always so hard, but I'll go with House MD.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? No, I don't hate many people... especially ones I've known for more than a year.
24. What was the best book you read? I really liked: Dwellings by Linda Hogan, Pigeons by Andrew Blechman, and Voyage of the Turtle by Carl Safina. Pretty much any books about the environment and nature that are written with a little bit of heart.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? I didn't really discover these, but Josh Ritter, Stuart Davis, and Aqualung are new to my music folder.
26. What did you want and get? New friends, a great wildlife season, a summer job with the Department of Agriculture monitoring the populations of endangered species.
27. What did you want and not get? Paid wildlife rehab position and a dog.
28. What was your favourite film of this year? Iron Man was just really well done. And finally, Robert Downey Jr. makes his comeback--I've been waiting!
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 21! I flew to Las Vegas for leg three of our two-week summer trip, and spent the night with my friends Amanda and Laura who came down from MN to celebrate. It was a fantastic time!
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Moving to Seattle and getting jobs immediately!
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? I don't have a fashion concept. I pretty much wear whatever is comfotable, cheap, and I like.
33. What kept you sane? Friends, being busy, and being able to take a minute to relax.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you like the most? Hugh Laurie, Lisa Edelstein, Ed Shultz and Obama.
35. What political issue stirred you the most? Reading the responses McCain and Obama had to the questions National Wildlife Federation asked of them really made me disheartened.
36. Who did you miss? I miss spending time with my Madison and Mankato friends.
37. Who was the best new person you met? Oh... I can't pick!
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008: You have to make things happen for yourself rather than waiting for someone to give you the opportunity. Also, learn as much as you can.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: I don't know! "Let the rain fall, I don't care."
In 2008 did you:
1. Go to a party? Of Course.
2. Try something new? Yes.
3. Have someone change your life? Yes.
4. Tell your family and friends you love them? Yes.
5. Buy something extravagant? Nothing too nice.
6. Do something nice for you? Of Course.
7. Do something terribly wrong? No.
8. Move? Yes.
9. Go to a concert? Yes.
Best of the Year:
1. Party: The wildlife center end of th
2. Show: House MD
3. CD: I don't really buy CDs so I have no clue.
4. Movie: Iron Man
5. Song: "Temptation of Adam" by Josh Ritter
6. Experience: Petting a Bobcat :)
7. Concert: Josh Ritter? I don't even know if that was this year or not.
8. Book: Didn't I alredy answer a lot of these?
9. Month: July or August!
10. Day: I'm not sure.
Hopes for 2009:
1. Predict something that you think will happen in 2009? Someone will come to Seattle to visit!
2. What do you hope changes about your country? People will become more concerned about the harm we cause to our planet and ourselves.
3. What do you hope for yourself? I get a job!
4. What do you hope for your family? Everyone gets what they deserve and desire.
5. What do you hope for your best friends? They keep on living great lives.
6. What do you hope for the rest of your friends? Same as above.
7. Do you think any amazing medical advances will be made? Probably, they happen every year!
8. What is your hope for 2009? It is better than 2008.
During 2008:
Where were you when it began: I think I was in Brainerd at a cabin with friends.
Did you stay up: Yes.
What was your new year wish? Didn't have one.
How many boyfriends: One.
Broke up: No.
Have any crushes?: No.
Care to mention names? No need.
New friends: Plenty.
Win anything? Something in Vegas but I gambled it back into the system.
Best place you went to: Las Vegas
Worst place you went to: Portland, OR.
Happiest moment: No idea.
How was your birthday: Everything I hoped for!
Party? Not much. I've fallen away from that.
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