10pm supper for one: Red quinoa "fried rice."

(In order of appearance in my pan...) shallots, asparagus, oyster mushrooms, artichoke hearts (frozen), white corn (frozen), pine nuts, prosciutto, a tiny bit of Parmesan cheese, and of course, red quinoa.

Quite possibly the most nutritious meal evarr, making up for the delicious cabeza and carnitas tacos I had for lunch today.  Quinoa is the only grain that contains complete protein, is high in fiber, full of antioxidants, and super delicious.

Dear Corn Refiners Association: Are you nuts?

I might be a bit late getting on board this train, but you must forgive me; my insufferable yuppie-ness meant I refused to buy a TV for the past four months, since I sold Garry's old 200-pounder and moved to my tiny studio.  So I have been living in a cave, or under a rock, for a while.  I finally got this giant 40" Samsung on Black Friday, which looks totally out of place but has nevertheless become the focal point of the whole apartment and gives me strange comfort when feeling lonely at night.

The channel I've been watching the most is, of course, the Food Network (followed closely by the Style network, but they are not quite as good-natured).  In fact, we did not once step out of my apartment the entire day on New Year's Day, opting instead to watch about 10 hours of the "Who Will Be the Next Iron Chef?" marathon (I was rooting for the crazy-eyed Indian guy who was super creative).

ANYWAY.  Today, while watching Alton Brown's Good Eats (of all shows!), I saw this absurd commercial sponsored by the Corn Refiners Association as part of their "Sweet Surprise" ad campaign:

My eyes nearly bugged out of my head - I thought it was some kind of sick joke.  Were they kidding?  "It's made from corn, doesn't have artificial ingredients and, like sugar, is fine in moderation."

Now I am not one to support refined sugar either, but this was ridiculous.  I love the tagline especially: "Get the facts.  You're in for a sweet surprise!"  It sounds like a pedophile luring unsuspecting youngsters into dastardly deeds.  At least the actresses were good (great comic timing!).

Besides, everyone knows a Mexican Coke just tastes better because it's made from sugar instead of that nasty high-fructose corn syrup.

In case you haven't gotten enough of the sweet surprise, here's Ads 2 and 3 from the campaign:

Need a bathroom clock: Modern clocks under $25

I'm taking the oodles of time I don't have and putting some finishing touches on the tiny mouse-hole (as my mom calls it) studio apartment I've lived in for 4 months.  One things I realized I needed was a bathroom clock, for two reasons: 

  • I need to keep track of the time when I'm taking a shower or a No. 2.
  • I have too much framed art as it is, and wanted to introduce a more sculptural element into the bathroom's decor.


A few other conditions I wanted to meet as I embarked on my search for the perfect clock:
  • It does not make sense for me to spend more than $25 on a clock at this stage in life.
  • Much of my decor is already a bit flowery, so I wanted something sleek and anti-froufy.
  • There isn't a ton of color in the bathroom so I wanted a spot of color, but this is not a necessity.
  • I would prefer something with numbers, just because it's easier.
The sad thing is, there are really a limited number of places one can look for cheap clocks.  Happily though, I found enough of a selection that I think one of these will work.  Question to you: which one should I buy?

Side note: If you have a lot more $$ to spend on a clock, you might want to check out the super cool modern designs at Diamantini & Domeniconi.

Wtf are these things I saw at Target?

No, seriously, what are they?  We already established that some pretty comical things can be found at Target.  But I saw these on the seasonal shelf and had to snap a picture because they are so bizarre.

I can only assume they are Valentine's Day related decorative crap, but like - are they plants?  Lollipops?  They come in small pots, look sort of like rosebushes covered in fake gummy heart-shaped candy.  The weirdest part was the clear-ish frost covering the hearts that made them look like something you find out in the deep-sea ocean.  What will they think of next?

2010 To-Do List (hopefully more reasonable this time)

Travel
  • Asia: Japan (visit Asta-Pasta) OR Hong Kong and one other Chinese province I haven't been (Sichuan, Xinjiang, Tibet, Fujian)
  • Domestic: New Mexico, DC area, New Orleans/Texas, NYC OR Hawaii.
  • Local: LAKE TAHOE IN THE SUMMERTIME. And perhaps a local weekend camping trip.
  • Bonus: Europe OR South America (Argentina/Brazil/Chile/Peru OR Spain/Italy/Turkey/Greece OR Costa Rica)
  • Bonus: Winter Olympics in Vancouver!
Health & Wellness
  • Seriously, sleep 7+ hours at least 3x/week.
  • Do something active 1-2 times a week (join a class if I have to), and hike 1x/month.
  • Strengthen my bum knee - 20 pounds (hey, baby steps).
Finance
  • Invest.
Spiritual/Personal Growth
  • Pray, early and often
  • Give 10%.
  • Attend a smallgroup at least 2x/month
  • Cultivate charity, patience, serenity, and grace (in other words, stop talking and complaining so darn much)
  • Find one regular, long-term, and meaningful volunteer activity (identify by February 2010)
  • Read: The Far Pavilions, Malcom X, Confederacy of Dunces, Bluebeard, The Master & Margarita, Dune
  • Watch: Brazil, The Orphic Trilogy, M, finish Buffy: Season 7, Chariots of Fire, Rocky
Personal Projects

I did it! I finished Wuthering Heights.

I think it's maybe only the 4th novel I've actually gotten through in the last 6 years or so.  Twilight series and other fantasy/sci-fi novels do not count.  Yes, I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to reading, even though I've been a fantasy/sci-fi junkie since I was a kid.

Anyway, having read the book now (which I somehow never read throughout my high school and college educations - also have never read Moby Dick which is kind of a travesty for an American history/literature major), I absolutely do not understand people who look at Heathcliff as a romantic hero.  It just makes no sense.  Sure he was tortured and misused as a child, but come on.  I've rarely encountered a character so vile, so selfish, so manipulative, so abusive, and so vengeful and cruel.  I imagine we, the readers, have a relationship with Heathcliff the way some women might have with an abusive husband/boyfriend, making excuses for him when there is really no excusing his deplorable behavior.

In contrast, my favorite character was Hareton Earnshaw, of course.  And his mutton chops!

Thoughts on charity: Ideas for year-end giving?

Something I have been trying to improve in the last few years has been making a conscious effort to give in ways I've found difficult in the past.  Two very concrete ways I think I can be more charitable is in 1) attitude and 2) money.  One area in which I find it easy to be charitable, in comparison, is time, a resource I unfortunately have a tendency to squander as well.

A quote about charity from Maya Angelou's "Letter to my Daughter" that stuck with me went something like this: 

The charitable say in effect, 'I seem to have more than I need and you seem to have less than you need. I would like to share my excess with you.' Fine, if my excess is tangible, money or goods, and fine if not, for I learned that to be charitable with gestures and words can bring enormous joy and repair injured feelings.

I found this statement powerful, as it pointed out to me a clear gap between where I am, now, and where I should be, or want to be.  Part of it is just wanting to be a more decent human being but most of it is wanting to be a better Christian, and do a better job of living up to the character God expects from me as I walk in the world (though I fail miserably, most of the time).  I try not to impose my beliefs on others (ironically enough, I felt a bit oppressed the other day when talking to a couple of rabidly atheist friends), and especially through this blog, but this particular topic is impossible to separate from my faith.

I will probably explore the subject of charity through kindness in another post, but for now I want to explore the more traditional or popular notion of charity, that being charitable with my money.  Firstly, I don't think it is only up to the rich to be charitable. Back in my Hollywood days when I was making pennies, I found it very difficult to part with my money because it truly was hard-earned, and scarce besides.  I am not proud of it, because I do think it's important to give, even if it is a little, especially to cultivate a 'habit' of giving.  When I complained to a friend several years ago about how difficult it was to tithe on such a low income, she looked at me squarely and asked, "won't it be more difficult when you are making more money and 10% means $8,000 instead of $2500?"

I don't think I've even gotten to the point where I am giving 10%, but looking back, it probably is a bit easier now that I'm living a little more comfortably.  At any rate, the end of the year is a good chance for me to look back and "true up."  

And so, I put this question to you wise folks: if you were inclined to give, where would you give it? The easiest answer for me is my old church in Mountain View, which I believe is doing some truly good and amazing work, from workshops that help people managing their debt to support groups for women with a relative who is incarcerated.  

But this year I'd like to expand the possible list of recipients, not only for my personal giving but for anyone who's reading this, who might be interested in giving as well.  I also prefer to focus on organizations that aren't traditionally popular among the wealthy or otherwise "chic."  I'm especially interested in learning more about organizations that focus on seniors and the elderly, as they seem to comprise a relatively ignored population (sure not as popular as babies, women and various specific diseases).  

Here's a list of organizations I find compelling, but I'd love to hear of some other worthy organizations you might have come across:
  • wikipedia.org
  • Kiva.org
  • Asylum Access (helps those oppressed by political turmoil navigate the legal systems in their country of refuge)
  • Doctors Without Borders and Reporters Without Borders
  • WWF (that would be World Wildlife Fund, not Worldwide Wrestling Federation)
  • The Mango Tree
  • Heifer International
  • American Red Cross
  • Union of Concerned Scientists
  • World Vision
Update: Wow thanks everyone for all the additional suggestions!  Here are some more ideas from various people:
  • CityTeam Ministries (homeless outreach in SF and other major cities)
  • Glide Memorial Methodist Church (homeless outreach in SF) - interesting I'd never heard of it before.
  • SEED schools
  • Polaris Project
  • Arlington Free Clinic
  • Childrens Hunger Fund
  • Education Pioneers
  • Dress for Success
  • e3 Partners
  • A Single Drop
  • UNICEF
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • William J. Clinton Foundation
  • Amnesty International
  • Just a Drop
  • Room to Read
  • Taproot Foundation

The Na'vi: Hot or Not?

So I know they were designed to be appealing to moviegoers. I think one review called them "familiar yet pleasingly exotic." I am not even sure what it means to be pleasingly exotic, but I think that hits the nail on the head. You feel really weird looking at these strange creatures and yet you find yourself strangely drawn in.

via treehugger.com

Non-sequitur: Why do tribal chiefs ever only seem to have daughters?  Why don't they ever have sons in the movies?

I'm not really sure what does it for me - the super obvious resemblance to Native American and African tribes? The hugely expressive cat-eyes and human-like mouths? The way you can readily recognize the human actors who played them? The sensually exposed blue skin? Their raw physicality? Whatever it is, it's the stuff of dreams.

That said, when I got out of the IMAX theater tonight, I called Garry and said it gave me the creepin' willies to watch avatars make out, let alone have 'avatar sex.' I'm not sure why, but I think it has something to do with my feeling that such shameless displays of affection are specifically a figment of Western filmmaking, and these creatures seem decidedly non-Western.