kids will be kids (and make crappy music)

Ugggh. I just spent an inordinate amount of time trying to figure out what "crunkcore" was, flipping through a couple blogs, and have returned with only a handful of observations:
-it might be best described as "post-emo-core"
-it apparently evolved from Hot Topic
-i can't tell if most of the kids involved are straight-edge or candy-rolling ravers
-it's a hyper-ironic blend of emo-core (a la the band "The Devil Wears Prada" or perhaps "Underoath" as I remember them), techno music, "crunk" rap, talking about sex, tight pants, tattoos, and neon colors

Anyways, it was sort of amusing and disheartening to realize that lots of the kids I find loitering around the nearby high school probably listen to this ish.

I feel like such a self-righteous curmudgeon but I guess the kids have got to be kids and make their own mistakes.

Sewing machine

Yesterday I pulled out the sewing machine my mother-in-law gave us and attempted to sew up the blown-out crotch of my favorite work pants. Like all the other things I do so infrequently, I had to reteach myself how to do what I wanted to do: thread a bobbin (?); re-thread the machine; then figure out how to use it. After maybe an hour, I had completely sewn up the 1-inch hole. Bam!

Pumped on my success, I trimmed a couple hedges around the house, and weeded some garden beds. Bam!

I went on a quick bike ride to pick up some lunch--bam!--and even went on a short run--bambam! We even walked our dog, twice! SUPER BAM!

I don't think any of that really happened in the order I just described, but needless to say we got some stuff done.
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The weather is getting breezy around here and it seems like Summer is getting ready to pack up and head south. A new season is always a little bit exciting, but I'm not thrilled for Summer to end.

Weekend updater

Good morning internet!

This weekend I did a whole lot of over-due weeding, especially in my lawn and in the garden beds in the front of our house. I picked my first bright red "mariachi hybrid" pepper, though, I admit, I haven't tasted it yet. It promises to be a mildly hot pepper. What's strange is all the mature peppers seem to be splitting all over. I'll try to take a photo to show what I mean. I believe it's probably due to over-watering and expect that it shouldn't really compromise the taste.

Basil is going MF-ing wild and I realize I need to harvest a bunch and make some pesto.

I have 4 heads of Romaine lettuce that are 'bout ready to eat--they have been growing so well thanks to the afternoon shade provided by the tomato and pepper plants. I'm thinking about direct-sowing a few rows in an empty spot in the garden.

Out of the 8, only one kale plant is growing in those peat pots I started a couple weeks ago. Very disappointing. I'm going to try to start a few more because I know they can survive through overnight frosts.

The grocery store-bought mint I transplanted is doing AWESOME. It freaking exploded and is probably 3x larger than it was when I bought it. I pruned a branching stem of it and crushed some leaves in ice water.

Speaking  of transplanting, the oregano and lamb's ear cuttings I buried both seem to be surviving. Hopefully they'll establish some roots before winter hits.
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Meanwhile, mornings are getting really chilly and it feels like summer is starting to fade. I wore a winter jacket to walk our dog before work today.

Hopefully I'll get our compost pile turned soon, adding sticks to the bottom and perhaps even a couple sections of PVC pipe with drilled holes to increase aeration. That's a big goal to complete before winter...

Art, clotheslines

Went to "Urban Scrawl" with C and J&M. Beautiful weather for sure. Met up with a couple friends--not close friends, but people i think are cool and just about the only people who live around Columbus that aren't family that I occassionally communicate with and share some commonalities with. Ever since seeing "I Love You, Man" I'm super self-conscious about my interactions with other "dudes." I'm pretty sure I'm gonna end up calling someone Jobin, or something as ridiculous.
Anyways, I was pumped to see kids skating, hear a punk band playing, and then watch a bunch of people paint on a disjointed wall of plywood.

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Speaking of sustainability...
I am on a list to get emails from a local sustainability group. The last email included a link to this group about clotheslines: Drying For Freedom. I think clotheslines are wonderful, and as far as I understand, many communities ban them. I haven't looked at the website yet, but I'm sure there info in there about it. I'm pretty sure my town bans them, and I've been contemplating putting one up anyway. I think some neighbors down the way have one....
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What else?
I don't know.

Tomorrow

you see that? skateboard comp sponsored by Alien Workshop and Habitat
i feel like i always miss things like this that happen around the city
Can't wait
"I will see you there, or see you on another time"

Suits

This past weekend I went to a wedding in Cincy. I pulled out the one suit I own and wear maybe twice each year. Holy crap it fits so poorly. I remember going into Mens Warehouse... Wearhouse? Whatever. I told dude I wanted some slim, flat front pants. Not sure how I let him convince me that what I was buying looked good. That suit is huge. Baggy as shit. I was really annoyed that I had bought that suit a few years ago.

Anyway, I decided to look up the suit I once saw in a JCrew catalog a while back. Daaaaaamn. They have a nice suit up in there, slim, and lookin fresh. I don't know about suits, but when I'm ready to drop $600 on a suit, that's where I plan to go.

While I'm on the subject, and I almost hate saying it, JCrew has got some fresh clothes. Like, super nice. And a fine collection of wool sweaters, I might add. I would seriously care to buy some ish from there.

For some reason I've just been on this kick to buy a ton of shit. Like I just am on the prowl for stuff. Maybe I'm super bored. Not sure why. I guess the least I could do is ride my bike. Maybe go get some stuff done around the house that obviously needs to be done... Anyone have this recurring problem of wanting to buy stuff you don't really need?

You know what is stupid?

Miracle Whip making commercials that are edgy.

"We are Miracle Whip, and we will not tone it down"

No, you are a condiment. Shut up.

Also stupid, apparently you can watch this particular video on Facebook. I think it's called the Miracle Whip Anthem.

Fail.

Mo' problems

I had a bit of my morning off today so I spent a little time in the garden. I was super excited to find a new butternut squash (~5 inches long) growing on one of the many vines reaching out way beyond the garden bed. I decided I'd rather see the fruit growing on the mulch so I lifted it up, thinking the spindly vine it was hanging on would come too. My mistake. Instead, the fruit snapped off as easy as if it were a twig of a dead branch. The problem was the vine, with its many tendrils, had affixed itself to the grass in our yard, rendering it stuck there.

Many expletives were emitted.

[Note to self: next year plan on accommodating the large vines of the butternut squash. Also, look into trimming the vines--I wonder if that will keep the plant more compact and robust. Currently the different branches look skinny and pathetic and I don't have faith that the whole plant will live for much longer--especially since I've already killed two young fruits on this one plant so far.]

I did harvest another yellow squash, though. I think this is number three.

I spent the rest of my time trimming back lamb's ear, sage, and oregano; I'm conducting an experiment on establishing cuttings of oregano and lamb's ear...

Work, dirt

While it seems like I have more complaints about my job than one should, days like today make up for the bad ones, a hundred times over. Most of my day were spent establishing a prairie garden outside of the big wall-to-wall/floor-to-ceiling window that is the back side of our office. Alongside our intern, I turned over sod, loaded dirt from my house (stockpiled from our patio construction) in two trips, unloaded the dirt, spread it out, then planted a few preliminary plants. While we were loading dirt into the truck I was also able to let Aldy run free in the backyard and do his business. With the addition of some more flowers, we'll have a pretty impressive prairie garden blossoming below our bird feeder, to provide more food and habitat for native wildlife. It reminded me how inspiring my boss can be and how nice it has been to work for a small company that allows me to work on such cool projects.

Health, science

I haven't had much to say lately. I read all "my blogs" (kinda like watching "my stories"), which have actually become a bit boring. I even scan through the blog-rolls of those blogs. I flip through the lists of bikes on Craigslists between Cincinnati and Cleveland. Sometimes I peek at Pittsburgh and Indianapolis.

Otherwise, work has been pretty busy lately and will continue to be busy for the rest of the summer. Allergy season has begun and I already feel the start of a sinus infection. Dammit.

Meanwhile, the one thing that has been fluttering around my headspace has been health care reform. What a nightmare. Right when I think I understand what's going on, I realize I have no clue. Meanwhile, I've managed to absorb some of the noise from the far-right Republicans, and insofar as I associate with leftish Democrats, I tend to let it really bother me. I've got this tendency to take shit so personally and get bent out of shape about stupid things. And usually it's just stupid, petty, trivialities.

The big stuff? I just don't get it. Policies and economics aren't my forte. That's why I dove into science and biology. It's all about facts. Facts and laws of nature. Indisputable (I guess, theoretically, haha). For the most part, opinions are left out of it. Of course, you can use it to justify opinions about stuff like climate change and vegetarianism. Overall, I deal really well with science and it makes beautiful, harmonious sense in my head.

So, I guess until I feel like I understand political theories and economic philosophy, I'll try to avoid it and be cautious to form opinions.

As for now, I'm assuming universal, public-option health care sounds pretty respectable, reform seems essential, and people worried about government spending should focus attention on ending our wars [tip of the hat to Only One Manda for making that point]. In the meantime I'll try to follow what's going on, beneath the shouting and soundbites. If there's one thing I don't trust, it is the lot of insurance companies. I've heard enough horror stories about getting shafted or getting dropped at times when insurance should step up.

Thieves in the garden

Something ate all my swiss chard. WTF?!

I think it's rabbits, but can't be sure. I'm so bummed

Wealth Underground & backyard farming

The crew over at The Wealth Underground Farm of Portland, Oregon, have unloaded a couple more visual treasure chests of the bounty that has emerged from the fertile depths of their backyard.

The operation that Chris, Nolan, and Brooke (with the help of their friends and community) have established is a true inspiration to me.

If I could go "balls to the walls," as they say, my backyard farmstead would include the following: one or two sugar maple trees for sugaring (=maple syrup, right behind the house for summertime shade), goats for milk, cheese, and lawn mowing, chickens for eggs, and maybe even some bees for honey. I don't have a sugar maple tree and couldn't get one to grow quick enough; I probably don't have the space for a goat; and I'm sure I don't have the temerity needed to raise a colony of bees. But it's a pretty sweet visual in my mind's eye. That leaves chickens but besides C's objections there very well may be some newish local codes that prohibit such a wholesome pastime.

Surprise!

Today I realized a different variety of tomato was growing amidst one of my Roma plants. Surprise! A "Purple Cherokee" volunteer had tricked me into thinking it was a second stem of the one plant I had buried in my garden. I had been a little bummed that I had planted four tomato plants and all of them were a variety of Roma-sized paste tomatoes. The Purple Cherokee is a dark color--nearly purple throughout, with a splash of dark green at the top. It's a big round tomato, a slice of which fits perfectly on a sandwich or hamburger... I had planted this variety last year and a seed made it's way into our garden via one of a variety of ways--though I suspect it was hiding in some "compost" that I spread in the bed this Spring. My compost is hardly what it should be--I haven't put the right ingredients in the right order and I'm sure it doesn't heat up to the point that it is actively decomposing anything really. Oh well.

I guess it just sows that it's never too late in the growing season to be surprised by something.

Planting: Kale

Yesterday (8/13) I started one tray of kale (8 plants).

Hopefully these grow quickly! They should be ready to eat by...late October??? I've never planted something so late. It makes me nervous

bats

The other night, C and I rode our bikes to the gym. Afterward we split off and I went to the grocery store and she rode home. Back on the path from the store it was dusk and I realized I was seeing bats flying through the "corridor" eating bugs, dive bombing as low as my head a couple times. Naturally, bats do this over streams lined with trees, eating bugs that are flying over water. The bike path is pretty similar to a stream in that it is an unvegetated, flat surface that opens up some room between the trees on either side--perfect for bats.

Anyways, I'm as fascinated with bats as I am with hawks, so I was pretty pumped.

Recipe: Fresh salsa + Supplies

There are a billion ways to make fresh salsa--the simplest way is what I whipped up late last night:
- Roma tomatoes ("Fresh salsa" variety, lots of meat, less guts, intended for salsa)
- Red onion, diced
- Cilantro, fresh, chopped
- Garlic, minced
- Salt, to taste

I wish I had some hot peppers ready to be added... but I don't. My boss was telling me about his "rainbow salsa" which uses lots of colors of tomatoes (different varieties). I ate some today at lunch and it was great. So refreshing. I would care for it to be a little more spicy next time.
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Today I stopped by the hardware store and bought some "potting mix" and a package of 32 small peat-pots for seed starting. I plan on starting a handful of kale plants, more spinach, maybe lettuce, and possibly some swiss chard... These tiny peat-pots are perfect for transplanting. By the time you have a suitable seedling, the peat is really easy to tear apart so you don't end up losing the potting soil from the fragile roots that aren't hairy enough to hold on to it.

Recipe: Kale-Avocado-Raisin salad

Honest Fare
Can't wait to try this one...

Movie: Taken

Spoiler Alert! (kinda)

Saturday night we rented Taken. I'd say it's a cross between True Lies (father = spy, daughter = kidnapped), Dark Knight (outrageous violence), any of the "Bourne" movies (impressive fighting skills), and Slum Dog Millionaire (a window into the depressing state of the world, including corrupt officials, human trafficking, and mobs).

Overall I'd say the whole thing is like one big trick question, in light of America's role on the world's stage. There's a point in which the protagonist (name? I don't remember) is torturing a "bad guy" for information--an effort to find his daughter and get her back. I was pretty sure that at some point Dick Cheney was going to pop into the screen and be all "See? You, too, can believe torture is justified! Gotcha!"

I guess C's aversion to violent movies had me questioning every fight scene where it was obvious that every karate chop to the neck and every bullet to the heart of a "bad guy" was supposed to rouse the audience with adrenaline and a sense of victory for the good guy. The fighting scenes are numerous and relatively brief. The writers just speed through a lot of violence to resolve the plot. Granted, they need to figure out how to get our hero from Point A to B, so there's a lot to get done in an hour and a half. Whatshisname's history is also revealed early--a government "prevent-er" (?) which means he is basically a G.I. Joe (think Jason Bourne, Steven Segal, Chuck Norris).

I couldn't help but feel like perhaps it was military propaganda in many parts. I will admit, I share that awe for the "do anything to protect my family" sort of attitude that leads so many action-movie heroes to annihilate bad guys and aliens and robots and countries...

Anyway, I'm left here feeling guilty about the pleasure I found in this guy seeking (and getting) vengeance to save his daughter from the grip of straight up evil. All I could say to placate C after she was so disturbed by the violence was "I would do that for you."
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In case you've seen Taken, I suggest immediately watching "What Happens In Vegas" or checking out these Chuck Norris facts:
- Superman owns a pair of Chuck Norris pajamas.
- Chuck Norris can slam revolving doors.
- When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.
- Death once had a near-Chuck-Norris experience.
- Chuck Norris once had a heart attack; his heart lost.
- The quickest way to a man's heart is with Chuck Norris's fist.

Recipe: Pizza Sauce

Today I called "Nanny"--my grandmother-in-law--to get a homemade pizza sauce recipe. When she realized I was using home grown Roma tomatoes and basil she was really hyped. She explained how her mother made pizza sauce when she was growing up.

In a nutshell, it involved boiling the tomatoes, peeling them, then cooking them down with garlic, basil, and salt.

I already wish I would've cut out the tough "white part" where the stem attaches, before boiling them down. Also, I missed the part about squeezing out most of the juice/seeds before cooking the tomatoes with garlic, basil, and salt... So it's a bit juicy.

My plan is to fill one or two freezer-safe zip-lock bags and freeze them for the next round of homemade pizza--another awesome recipe passed down from Nanny.

To be honest, the sauce is still cooking, so I have no clue how it will turn out, but I'll write an update when I do.

Imagination

This is probably one of the coolest, inspirational things I've seen recently: Halo by Aissa Logerot
(found @ GetBuck, reblogged from CarLovely)

Just like you would shake a can of paint to keep it flowing, you shake this to recharge the light. I can't hardly contain my fascination with this. Simple things that, once revealed, are so dumb-foundingly brilliant and obvious.

Inspirational.

I've been spray painting a lot in my garage lately, on found canvases and found wood. By "a lot" I mean more than "not" which has been the status over the past three years. Mostly I'm just draining half-empty cans of junk paint, experimenting with any caps I have remaining, trying to regain any can-control I might have ever had (which doesn't say much). I've never enjoyed art so much as when I've had a can of paint in my hand. It's seriously the most satisfying art I've ever made. Unlike a tiny, pencil-like brush that involves slight movement of your wrist, aerosol paint involves full body movements and larger than life painting. Just don't forget your mask...

Bike

awesomeness

(found @ trackosaurusrex)

Over the weekend I was trying to "jerk" (it's a dance, get up on it) and Terry said it looked like I was trying to ride a bicycle when I was trying to do the reverse running-man...

Maybe I was just trying to do this instead... Ha

Fabric

I wouldn't admit I'm obsessed with clothes, but I occasionally find clothing companies that really impress me enough that I care to follow them like the lurker I am. In some instances the company uses great, unconventional materials (i.e. merino wool; recycled fabrics); in other cases, the garments are hand made. In all cases, the products appear to be high quality and durable.

In no particular order, here are a few I have enjoyed, in different ways--though, to be honest, some of these I've never experienced personally... An asterisk (*) indicates something I've used well

Mountain Khakis* (Alpine Utility Pants: perfect in every way; soft twill, double knees, gusseted crotch, trade-mark double pocket, triple stitched; utility/phone pocket; superior alternative to Carhartt)

Mountain Hardwear* (among other things, the Epic [rain] jacket: large hood with visor, large pockets, waterproof chest pocket, long sleeves, armpit zips)

Swrve Cycling Apparel - for as cool as their clothing is, their website is terrible and inconsistent, and their logo is wack. That said, I would really love to have their soft shell pants, soft shell Milwaukee hoody, and any of their knickers...

Octopus Inc.* (Soft-brim cycling cap: fold up to fit it into your back pocket; hand made, local, customizable. Awesome.)

Icebreaker* (Apollo Beast merino wool t-shirt: unbelievably comfortable, considering donating all other t's to Salvation Army...) - wool clothing. Period.

Cadence - great website, one of a kind cycling-related garments and art. I hope to test something of theirs soon

Rapha - I've posted about this company before; a gentleman's cycling outfitters; maybe too much "boys club" nostalgia, but definitely quality. Leather, wool... Built to last and look classy doing it. Supposedly starting a women's line soon

Outlier - American version of Rapha; stuff for gentlemen; pricey but seemingly well crafted. Wool, soft shell...

Freeman Transport - okay, okay, it's a bike manufacturer, but they've put out some soft-goods worthy of attention and I anticipate they'll be making more...

Howies - not available in the U.S. Everything looks amazing though. Great materials (i.e. hemp, wool...), great cuts. Although recently bought out by Timberland, still managed by founders
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I'm sure there are other companies, but these are stand-outs...

Sunflowers: Epitome of Summer

As early as early last week, our row of sunflowers finally erupted with massive sunflower faces. Broad, sandpapery leaves hang from the burly, callous stalks that stand erect like lamp posts, and five feet up, burdensome flowers nod forward. The yellow ray flowers burst out from the fragrant brown disk--a shrine to the sun. This signals that we're knee-deep in summer.

I planted one row of this sunflower mix in the raised bed, behind the strawberry patch, alongside the garage. I think only as many as 12 germinated. Next year I will have to plant more, and earlier.

This is not the ideal place for sunflowers, either. After noon, the garage (to the west of the raised bed) shades the plants completely--this might also explain why they are smaller and later than other sunflowers I've seen around.