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Archive for May 5th, 2008

Falafel Failure

Last week, I set out to make some delicious, healthy falafel. You might have caught wind of that in Mark’s earlier entry. I’m not a great cook. I can bake like Betty Crocker, but cooking? Not so much. This, however, was from-the-box falafel. Combine the mix, some water, and some olive oil in a bowl, let it sit for 15 minutes, roll it into balls, and fry it. Not too complicated. Except…. for me, apparently.

I set out to make something like this:

I rolled each little falafel ball just right, and then I cranked on the gas stove to heat the oil for the frying. And this is what happened:

The falafel balls slowly began disintegrating!  Until….

FalafelMush!!!

Bummer.

I had to dump it in the back yard.

I’ll let Mark do the cooking from now on.

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Monday Morning & I’m Tired

Last week was our first week back from China. Looking through the entries and photos and video… we did a lot of stuff. That was a really busy first week. This week doesn’t look like it’ll be any less busy and… according to our calendar of events, the rest of the month is packed with activities. I think what we have on there will stay, but we’re gonna try to not add anything else. Besides. We’re both traveling out of state these next few weekends and attending graduations (Phoenix, and then Baltimore, and then back here in Atlanta).

PLUS - I have a new top secret side project that I’m working on, school is back in full swing, and paying off debt while preparing to move. The paying off credit card debt is a huge relief - my tax return this year nearly knocks that whole thing out. So now I just have my car, and of course, the $35,000 for school (doing the calculations, I should graduate just before the wedding next year in May). But it’s funny how the relatively small amount of CC debt being erased is a huge lift. Oh yeah. AND I’m focusing on the exercise/running again.

I’m really going to need to keep my space and find that center - or else burn out. And while I probably wouldn’t all-out-fail, I would be able to get by - but I’m trying to not do that this time around. I’m trying not to just get by and only achieve a moderate level of success - I really want it to be my best. I really want to put forth my best efforts during the next few months and years and on. Everything up to this point has simply been in preparation for the next period, and although we don’t always get a clean starting point (such as my 30th birthday next year), we should be looking forward and making progress.

So instead of this continual state of ’stumbling forward and making progress’ that I’ve been in for most of my life, I figure I’ll push things harder. Because I can. I really, really can. Sure I’ve been getting B’s lately in all of my classes - but I’ve also only spent roughly 4 hours a week on school. It’s just… with the understanding that the margin of difference between good and excellent is very small, but the rewards for being excellent are exponentially greater - I really need to push and get to that point of being excellent - because the rewards (and not just financially) are much greater than what you get by simply being ‘good’.

Additionally, I need to add my practice of reiki to the list of things I’m focusing on - because it’s a seriously awesome acquired gift and to not develop the skills would be such a waste.

And while I have my big grin, and shouting Anthony Robbins voice going, I also want to say that y’all are awesome, we like hearing from you, and if you’re reading this, thanks from Leah and me. We are fortunate enough that most of you guys reading this are also our friends - and even for someone like me who’s never kept many friends around on purpose - it’s all appreciated.

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Cinco de Drinko!

Time is short and I’m tired. Luckily, I have lots of photos and even some video of our Cinco de Drinko excursion yesterday. After all of the rain on Saturday, it was a gloriously sunny day here in Atlanta. We drove around lots and eventually made our way to our friend Lauren’s new swanky high rise apartment. We had a great time - but I think we’re gonna cut back and slowdown on the partying - or rather, space them out more - it’s all a good time but damn, we need to focus! ;-) in the best sort of way - and as long as we have the energy, targeting that balance is a good spot to aim for.

And finally, this video includes Leah Rapping, a Mechanical Bull (much more difficult than I thought it would be)… and our friend Kit applying a sticker on Gretchen.

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