the x-y axis for those with math-trophy.

I never would describe myself a patient person.  Of course, if need be I can sit still for long periods of time without making a peep or moving a muscle.  However, when it comes down to it, if I set out to do something I expect nearly immediate gratification.  Lucky for me, my talents tend to populate the "fairly instant" quadrant of a plane ranging from "instant" to "ready sometime next year."  This is the case with one recent craft project that I have deemed "the orcas scarf."   

Sometime last year, I think it was January, my boyfriend and I embarked on a trip to the San Juan Islands.  The San Juans are remarkably beautiful islands in the puget sound that encapsulate exactly why the pacific northwest is so special.  Orcas Island is the largest and steepest of the islands and much to my surprise contains a number of small organic farms.  On our drive back to the ferry we elected to stop off at a local farm that advertised yarn.  Lucky for me I had just recently learned to knit.  I found a perfectly beautiful hand woven turquoise skein of yarn and snapped it up.  I started knitting the yarn last September and finished it about two weeks ago in a fit of rage.  I swear, the little ball of yarn would not die.  After four days of knitting four hours a day I finally hurled the ball across the room and stayed awake until I had knitted every last inch of the yarn I had unfurled across the expanse of my apartment.  After about six hours, and six or seven episodes of vintage "Beverly Hills 90210."  I am the proud owner of a turquoise scarf knitted in the very warm and cozy seed stitch.  I am also a former knitter.  

Unlike the scarf that took me 6 (yes, that's right, SIX!) months to finish, today I started baking caramel crunch bars at 3 o'clock and by 6 I had 50 delicious little bars cut and prepared for gifts or special treats for myself after particularly successful endeavors to the gym.    

I think about the quilts my grandmother made throughout her life or the fly fishing rods my father spends hours meticulously building and I get somewhat nostalgic that I have nothing to show for myself, that I have no tangible evidence of my creative talent.  Really, though, I know myself well enough that if something drives me to throttle a perfectly harmless inanimate object across the room that I should stick to something that offers the same creative satisfaction in a fraction of the time.  Thus, I cook.  

Is it bad that I prefer the instant gratification of two hours in the kitchen with nothing to show for my efforts an hour later or is it simply fine that I choose to refrain from endeavors in the long term quadrant ensuring less arthritis in the future?   

I'm not sure.  I'll get back to you after I get home from the gym.  

seeing and saying

Ever since the moment docwong opened her mouth in my Housing Design and Sustainable Community class in January 2004 I knew I wanted to be an urban planner.   At no other point in my undergraduate studies was classroom material clearly in line with my personal interests and concerns.  Obviously, I wanted to be involved in the public sector, I just didn't know how.  In that moment, I realized that how and where a city builds its buildings and housing, juxtaposing them with environment and society, affects commerce, economy, education and a number of other political factors.  In January I finally applied to graduate school.  A lot of factors went into my decision to apply this year.  Certainly, if I did not apply this year, it would happen at some inevitable point in the future, but the cosmos aligned.  I was/am out of work, I knew I wanted to return to school and realign my personal and professional priorities, and due to a newly regained sense of confidence I was mentally prepared to undertake the process.  

I applied to six graduate programs.  Five Urban Planning programs received my application materials and one Public Administration program.   It was arduous; I'm relieved to be done applying, but now I'm partaking in the hard part-- waiting for decisions.  I am suffering on the metaphorical bench; I cannot wait to get in the game.  

What do I do to populate the time?  Well, to be honest, I deal with my favorite bureaucratic department, that which operates to serve the unemployed: UI.  Part of their job is to monitor my weekly progress and ensure that I've applied for 3 jobs.  Yes, I know three isn't that many jobs to apply for, but with approximately 6 Washington counties suffering unemployment rates in the double digits, and a statewide unemployment rate hovering around 7%, finding three jobs I'm qualified for is incredibly difficult.  I've applied to be a medical coder, a neighborhood watch person, a parking attendant, and more than 50 other positions I might like to do.  So I wait around to hear back from these positions.  And, mostly, I don't.  

So I've taken to enjoying a lot of coffee, walks, novels, perfecting recipes for crackers (rosemary, pepper, cheddar, water, etc.), knitting, running, ellipticaling, and reacquainting myself with reality television.  Am I miserable?  Not at all, I'm actually quite happy.  For now, I deem opening my mail box torment, consider job listings a necessary evil, and view my day to day an excellent opportunity to relish my surroundings.  I'm making the things I love a part of my every day life, and I love it.  I am documenting it here: weseeweare.wordpress.com.  

abstract city

the abstract city's I Lego NY.  

roasted

I have decided it isn't worth the money, time or calories to prepare and eat things I don't love.  I decided this about green peppers about six months ago.  It was a good decision in my opinion.  Though green bell peppers are less expensive than their more mature red, orange and yellow siblings, they lack the sweet flavor of their counterparts.  I am all for saving money, but when it comes to my appetite, there are certain things one should never sacrifice and that is flavor.  Green peppers taste toxic to me--bitter and disgusting. 

I have made a little habit out of roasting vegetables lately.  After reading Molly Weizenberg's article on roast tomatoes in Bon Appetite last summer and Luisa Weiss's suggestion for roast peppers I've been on a tirade.  I incorporate roast vegetables into as many dishes as possible.  My favorite is toast with cheese and roast vegetables.  Pairing the tart sweetness of red peppers or tomatoes with chevre seems to be the most perfect combination.  But desiring a more fulfilling meal, I decided I would amp things up with a Mediterranean spin.  I paired a whole wheat penne with roasted peppers, eggplant, tomatoes and kalamata olives.  A delightfully delicious meal I suggest you try soon.

Roasted Vegetables and Whole Wheat Pasta

1 egg plant 

2 red peppers

1 14 oz. can san marzano tomatoes

10 kalamata olives

1/2 box whole wheat penne pasta

1/4 t. red pepper flakes, or to taste

1 T. oregano

1/2 t. sugar

2 tablespoons olive oil

salt

pepper

Roast Vegetables 

Cube eggplant into 1/2 dice, coat with 1/2 olive oil and salt and pepper.  Roast for 20 mins at 350 degrees, or until tender and flavorful.  

Halve each tomato and de-seed.  Place in a foil lined dish, sprinkle tomatoes with olive oil, oregano, and sugar.  Roast at 350 degrees for 1 hour, turning half way through.  Keep in fridge covered in olive oil.  

For peppers place two red peppers on a foil lined sheet in a 400 degree oven until they collapse (about one hour).  Remove from the oven, let cool, peel and remove insides and slice.

Boil pasta, halve olives, and mix with roast vegetables, chili flakes, and a little olive oil.  Serve with sauteed chicken, salad, or bread.