Listen to a Chinese Opera without wincing. I realize it's very cultural and all that, but the sounds that are made as "singing"...DAMN.

My mom sent me a DVD collection of the Peking Opera. I believe she got it for pledging a donation to PBS or something, because she cannot possibly have listened to this and sent it on as a gift. Well...unless she's mad at me. I might have done something to piss her off, which would explain her giving me a collection of costumes, makeup, and absolutely amazing sounds made by the performers. It's very much like watching a car accident. In slow motion. And Dolby digital surround sound. I am almost certain that it's not ancient at all, and they came up with this a a means of torturing spies during the cold war.

I will try to explain - Car alarm...cat at a groomer's...children being murdered...train wreck...none of these can properly explain some of the chilling sounds made by the performing artists during a Chinese Opera. I admit it's quite a talent to make these noises, I am certain that Jim Carey is green with envy over some of the noises produced and combined with the facial expressions...wowza. I just cannot get over the alien sounds...my ignorant western ears are in pain!

I wish I could learn to appreciate this ancient art, but I am drowning in ignorance. What do you all think? Love it? Hate it? Just. Don't. Get it?

Holiday Half-Time

Whew.

So for a quiet Christmas at home things sure have been busy. We have a new roof leak to deal with that sprung up last week; Steve is on the roof as we speak with the guy who is making the repair, so we will be 750 clams poorer. I'm glad we didn't overindulge with gifts this year, bleh.

Christmas Eve was spent at our neighbor's house, where they have an annual party. Rita made ham, turkey and all the fixings, we ate like pigs. Towards the later part of the evening we all ended up in the basement (finished with a tiki bar, pool table and entertainment corner) playing "Left-Right-Center" when we ran out of Corona. Steve ran up to the gas station on the corner and ran into his brother Fred and his wife Suzanne who were dropping off Christmas cookies for us! Steve brought them back to the party where Rita heaped food onto plates for them, and they joined in the games. Afterwards they followed us the quarter-mile back to our house where we ate cookies, caught up, and drank hot buttered rum. They didn't leave until almost 2am and it was an awesome surprise to spend Christmas eve with them.

Christmas day was quiet, Sam got a good amount of loot from us, Santa, his dad and grandparents. I got Steve some nice sweaters, the Sunrise Earth DVD set, Frasier Fir scented candles from Thymes, (I got them for him last year as a joke gift-it was really more for me but he liked the smell so much he actually requested it again) and I filled his stocking with his favorite candy (M&M's and Resses' Peanut Butter Cups). Steve got me a gorgeous wool coat from Victoria's Secret, it has big buttons and and a really smart collar. He also got me a gift certificate for Borders so I can go get the new Dido album, a mortar and pestle for grinding spices, a cute wool hat, ear warmers, and some fuzzy black gloves. I made out like a bandit, IMO. We had a few friends over for supper; I roasted a turkey that I brined, and then coated with an herb seasoning (let me know if you want the recipe-it ROCKS!), made garlic mashed potatoes, stuffing, warm Brussels sprouts with pancetta and balsamic vinegar, cranberry chutney, and hot rolls. Chuck made an apple pie and traditional Figgy Pudding with Hard sauce. Figgy pudding is something you either love or hate, I happen to like it-especially with hard sauce! It was a pretty laid-back dinner, and we all had a nice time with our friends.

On Friday Steve got called in to go to one of the plants in MA for the day and fix some financial issues, so I stayed home and cleaned house. I was pretty pissed off about this because Steve left in such a hurry he didn't see my purse, car keys and cell phone in the front seat so I was somewhat cut off from civilization, but I got some cleaning done and played Disney Monopoly with Sam so it wasn't such a bad day, but I wish Steve didn't have to go to work.

On Saturday we took almost half of the toys Sam got for Christmas and donated them at St. Josephs for the kids who were in hospital. One of our favorite family TV shows is John and Kate Plus Eight on TLC; Sam loves watching the kids because they are just a little younger than he is. In a recent episode, the family went to St. Jude's hospital and gave a donation and some coloring books and CDs to the sick kids, and Sam decided that next year he wants to donate to St. Jude. I am so proud of him for being concerned for those in need, I hope this is a habit that continues to grow and flourish.

Yesterday we went to Steve's brother Bob's house where Bob and his wife Paula had a smorgasbord of goodies set out for us to much as we all caught up with each other and watched football. There were at least five giant platters of sweets but I managed to behave myself and only eat two bite-sized chocolate cookies. Go, me! Dinner was sausage and cheese Zitti, home baked Mac'n'Cheese with ham and tomatoes, and classic Lasagna. Delicious! We didn't get home until after 11pm but we had a lot of fun.

So today....Well, Steve's home watching over the repairs to the roof, Sam's playing at a friend's house and I am going to start taking down some of the house decor. I always leave the tree up until New Year's, but some of the table and wall decorations can come down now.

*deep breath*

We both have the rest of the week off, as does Sam so we are thinking of heading to Ithaca. I haven't made any firm New Year's Eve plans, but we have an invite to go to Bambino's in Auburn with the crew. It's likely that's what we will end up doing, but I think first on my list is to have a nap, catch up on some work emails, and maybe sneak in a hot bath somewhere. Tonight we are heading over to East Syracuse to have supper at the Clam Bar with all of Steve's remaining family that's in town. It's been a whirlwind these past few days, but I've had fun...let the rest of the festivities commence!!!

And in other news...

The snowstorm we got yesterday in central NY was a doozy, but it didn't stop us from going out to May Memorial to see Teada in concert, YAY!

I LOVE Irish folk music, and this group is one of my favorites. They only come to the US from Ireland once a year so we put forth a pretty big effort to go catch them when we can. Chuck, Tom and Kathleen went to the concert as well, and we all bought our own copies of an Irish Christmas CD. Afterwards, we met up at the Dark Horse tavern for some good snacks and a cocktail. I've decided I don't like vodka-or rather, it doesn't like me because after ONE cocktail (vodka dirty martini) several glasses of water, and a full plate of food I felt like crap the next morning.

Anyhow, this weekend is devoted to some last minute shopping if I can find the motivation to actually go to the mall, mailing off cards and packages, baking, tidying up, and enjoying time indoors now that the weather's turned foul. I hope everyone's having a lovely holiday season! Until next time, be good, kids!

*sigh*

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081220/ap_on_re_us/gay_marriage_lawsuits

Excerpt:

The Yes on 8 campaign filed a brief arguing that because the new law holds that only marriages between a man and a woman are recognized or valid in California, the state can no longer recognize the existing same-sex unions. The document reveals for the first time that opponents of same-sex marriage will fight in court to undo those unions that already exist.

"Proposition 8's brevity is matched by its clarity. There are no conditional clauses, exceptions, exemptions or exclusions," reads the brief co-written by Kenneth Starr, dean of Pepperdine University's law school and the former independent counsel who investigated President Bill Clinton.

The campaign submitted the document in response to three lawsuits seeking to invalidate Proposition 8, the constitutional amendment adopted last month that overruled the court's decision in May that had legalized gay marriage in the nation's most populous state.

Both Attorney General Jerry Brown, whose office is scheduled to submit its own brief to the court Friday, and gay rights groups maintain that the gay marriage ban may not be applied retroactively.

My comment:

This is absolute *crap.* We do not have ex post facto law in this country for a reason. And now these bigoted asshats want to judicially annul legal marriages?

Okay, you folks who were in favor of Prop 8 -- here's a question for you. Which of *your* rights shall we put to majority vote. Is it okay to judicially annul your marriage because, say, you got married outdoors instead of in a church? Because *that,* people, is the real slippery slope that this represents. Keep your baloney about pedophilia, polygamy and incest -- those are red herrings. The real slippery slope comes when someone can take away your rights because they think you are icky.

There is only one other instance in history which I have been able to find that is comparable: the Nuremberg Laws.

Is that really where you want to position yourself?

It's all about the parties!

Steve's office Christmas party is tonight at Pascale's Restaurant and Wine bar; I'm verah excited. The party last year was at the same place, and it was most excellent. I am looking forward to seeing Heather, who is the wife of one of Steve's partners (Greg) and she also sails. In fact, she was at Harbor Fest for Sail Oswego Regatta as crew on Shebeen, so it was fun to wave as we passed each other on the race course. I'm also looking forwad to seeing Rita who is a bookkeeper and her husband Jim, who are also our neighbors down the road; and Kathleen, who is Tom's long time girlfriend. Good times.

Realization Meme (for FUN!)

I've come to realize that my hair: is finally getting longer and that permanently straightening it was a Very. Big. Mistake.

I've come to realize that my heart: isn't as badly damaged as I thought it would be after surviving a divorce.

I've come to realize that my job: is pretty nice-I'm lucky to work remotely with minimal time in the office.

I've come to realize that when I'm driving: I am much slower than most NY drivers.

I've come to realize that I need: to stop being so critical of myself.

I've come to realize that I've lost: several bad habits, both physically and emotionally and I try hard every day to stay on the right track.

I've come to realize that I don't like it when: I am labeled. Labels are for clothes, not for people.

I've come to realize that money: is not the root of all evil, and it's actually a nice thing to have if it is earned or exchanged with honor and honesty.

I've come to realize that certain people: have really tuned out. And that is a pity.

I've come to realize that I'll always: CARPE DIEM!

I've come to realize that yesterday: is water under the bridge and I need to continue to move forward .

I've come to realize that my mom: is my best friend.

Before I went to sleep last night I realized: that "holy crap, it's December!".

I've come to realize that when I woke up this morning: that cold floors are horrible first thing in the morning.

I've come to realize that right now I am thinking: I need to drink another two glasses of water.

I've come to realize that my dad: is a pretty good friend.

I've come to realize that today: I wish I could hug all of you in person.

I've come to realize that tonight: I am cooking beef something-or-other and spinach and cheese pie-nom!

I've come to realize that I really want: Sam to get better. Poor bug.

I've come to realize that life: is exactly what you make of it.

I've come to realize that my friends: are the stars lighting my path through dark times. I love you all-here in NY, out in CO and CA, and everyone on the f-list.

Happy Holidays

My two cents-sine everyone keeps talking about it.

Last night on Jon Stewart, he noted to Huck that the religious rights and choosing of religions are protected. The right to choose whom you love and marry, are not.

Stewart: "Marriage has evolved greatly over those five thousand years, from a property arrangement, polygamy. We've redefined it constantly. It used to be that people of different races could not marry. It strikes me as very convenient to go back to the bible and say, 'Hey man, we gotta look at the way they define marriage.'"

Huck: "If we change the definition, we really would have to change it to accommodate all lifestyles. I mean, we'd have to say to the guy in west Texas who had twenty-seven wives 'that's okay'"

Ummm... no, Huckleberry... you don't. I'd settle for a definition of two individuals of the legal age of consent entering into a legal and binding partnership - how's that for a nice, easy to understand, top-level definition? The vast majority of the people who are pushing for equal rights in this arena are not trying to get polygamy accepted as part of the definition of marriage so quit trying to push that on us as a lame excuse as to why you're against updating the definition. Quit saying that people are going to marry animals. Quit quoting marriage as the most sacred institution in this country when the divorce rate is so fucking high. Why don't you admit to the opinion that you believe homosexuality to be a disease, the Devil's Work or a fad or a genetic mutation that the "victims" should either be cured or wiped out?

Huck: "There is a big difference between a person being black and a person practicing a lifestyle."

Ummm... no, being gay isn't a lifestyle you bigoted, ignorant, asshat. It's about gender preference, it's about who you love, it's not some "fad" or "lifestyle" that you can turn on and off like a switch. It's not some secret kink - it's about the qualities that you are attracted to being in someone who happens to be of the same gender. Have you ever even tried talking to a homosexual about what it's about? Have you ever actually given them a fair chance to explain their preferences?

If people say Gay Marriage is wrong because God and the Bible say marriage means one man and one woman, how come THEIR choice of THEIR religion overshadows someone else's so-called "choice" in behaviour? Assuming of course it is a choice, which i don't think it is?

But even if you think being gay is a choice people make, being religious is also a choice people make...So how come one trumps the other?

If I can have several groups of Jehovah's Witnesses in my house over the course of my life and openly and calmly discuss the differences between our religious beliefs without either of us calling the other wrong or trying to convert the other, you can sure as hell get off your moral high horse and try to do the same with people of a different gender preference. Even for a lot of religious people who believe that being gay is a "choice" and you can just as easily "choose" the correct lifestyle as decreed by God (the God of their choice I might add), it's interesting that their RELIGIOUS choice and rights preclude the rights of someone else. It's a completely circular argument.

As for me, I think being gay is like being blue-eyed. You can wear contacts to hide it, but inside, you're still blue-eyed. In which case, forcing a religiously prescribed choice on someone else who has none is even more of a disservice. And whether or not a person thinks being gay is or is not a choice, I don't think 'God Says So' should be the argument lobbied against Gay Marriage when religion and God are also choices and rights protected equally by the constitution.

Stewart: "Religion is far more of a choice than homosexuality. The protections that we have for religion? We protect religion and talk about a lifestyle choice. That is absolutely a choice. Gay people don't choose to be gay. At what age did you choose not to be gay?"

Game. Set. Match.

Angie's World-Famous December ONLY! Fudge

I only make this recipe in December, otherwise I'd be swamped with requests for it all winter long. It's super easy, and there are a lot of variations you can try yourself. I'll include some after the base recipe.

Ingredients

1 can (15oz) evaporated milk
1 cup butter, plus 2-4 tablespoons for greasing pans
4 cups of granulated sugar
1 12 oz. package of semi-sweet chocolate chips (use the best kind you can get-the better the chocolate the better the taste)
1 7-10 oz milk chocolate bar, cut into pieces (again, use the best you can find)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup toasted, chopped walnuts
1 jar (7-ish oz) marshmallow fluff

Prep a 13 x 9 pan by lining it with foil and buttering the bottom well.

Butter the sides of a large sauce pan (I use a stock pot) 3/4th the way up the sides. Stirring continuously, heat the butter, evaporated milk, and sugar until it comes to a boil. Continue cooking and stirring CONSTANTLY on medium heat for ten minutes.

Take the pan off the heat and add the rest of your ingredients. Mix well and pour into the 13 x 9 pan. Allow the pan to cool in the fridge for about a half hour, then score it into 1x1 inch pieces, and let it stay in the fridge overnight. It will make 90-ish pieces of fudge.

You can also:

Omit the nuts completely if you hate them or are allergic.

Omit the nuts, and add chopped up candy can and half a teaspoon of mint extract for mint-chocolate fudge.

Use peanut butter chips and peanuts instead of a milk chocolate candy bar and walnuts for peanut butter fudge.

Use toffee chips, with or without the walnuts.

Use your own favorite nut-one of my friends likes to use chopped macadamias.

Use a dark chocolate candy bar and almonds instead of milk chocolate and walnuts, and sprinkle the fudge with toasted coconut for an almond joy fudge.

Just use your imagination, you really can't go wrong. Also, if you use this recipe PLEASE let me know how it turned out-I am always tweaking my recipes so I truly appreciate any feedback!

Ok here we go

So I haven't figured out how to streamline my LJ blog with this one, I'll try to figure it out later. I'll just pick up here and run with it. If you want the back story, check out:

www.angielabrie.livejournal.com

That will give you all the details, other than that I'm just going to post as usual ;o)

Good times!