Queenkv’s Brainpickings

Exploring the other side of the rainbow

December 31, 2006

What was up with 2006?

It’s snowing now and we’re waiting to see if it’s cold enough to stick on the ground.

Back from my Christmas vacation to Vegas, LA and San Francisco. I felt relaxed with my break from work and my graveyard hours. I caught up with my friends in the Bay Area, traded gifts with my family and caught Jerry Seinfeld at Caesar’s. Also gained a little weight from all too much good food. I just wanted to taste all the flavors that I can’t get in the Bible Belt of Kansas. So my first New Year’s Resolution — hit the gym as a soon as possible.

My vacation was also a little exhausting. We did a six-hour drive from San Francisco to LA. We did a four-hour drive from LA to Vegas. I tried to cram plenty of cool experiences into my week aways from work. Naturally, I have too many pictures and I’ll get around to posting them soon.

It’s the last day of 2006. We’ve lived in Kansas for more than a year - exploring the sights, flavors and sounds of the Midwest. I’ve hit my year-anniversary at work….living like a vampire and producing our morning news show. I even managed to a visit another country this year. 2007 is just around the corner and I’m looking forward to another rocking year - working hard and playing harder. Before the ball drops in the Little Apple- here’s another look a 2006.

December 22, 2006

Already gone…

It’s gloomy outside, but I could already feel the warmth of Mark’s hug. I’m already in San Francisco, drinking in the beautiful Christmas lights. I’m already tasting the amazing selection of food and drinks in the city by the bay.

December 19, 2006

Finding Comfort

Last Friday, I came home with tears in my eyes.
I felt frustrated about work and tired of sleeping by myself with Mark away in Cali. Daisy sensed something was wrong. Instead of pawing at me to play fetch with her Binkie , she climbed into my lap and rested her head on my chest. She had no idea how that sweet act melted away all the bad vibes and my gloomy mood. I loved staring into her dark brown eyes, full of unconditional love. There are times when she drives me crazy with her puppy ways. And there are times like this when I’m amazed at her capacity to give love. We had a fantastic weekend, chasing after other doggies at Bark Park and chilling with chick flicks like Bridget Jones Diary andSerendipity. She likes Hugh Grant…sighing when he came on the screen. My Daisy just like the scoundrels, I guess.



originally uploaded by queenkv.

Before Mark left, I worked on this Chili Mac recipe from a bag of Martha Gooch Pasta. I made enough for leftovers this week…very tasty.

It’s a pain to cook for myself because I tend to prepare large quantities of food. But when Mark is gone — I cook to distract myself, to find comfort in familiar flavors and to stimulate my mind with culinary challenges.

It’s a better outlet for my loneliness instead of simply ordering take out from a fast food joint. I suspect it’s a healthier choice as well.

December 9, 2006

Warmer Days

My Amazon.com Wish List I’m trying to catch up on some episodes of Six Feet Under on Bravo. I love how syndication thrives on cable television, but I’m bummed how it heavily censors HBO programming. I’ve also updated my wish list on Amazon…..it’s that giving time of the year and this list helps give folks an idea of what I’m hoping to get.

I like being surprised on gifts, but I also think it’s a good idea to be straightforward with gift wishing. Back in the day, Santa knew I wanted a Cabbage Patch Doll….they used to be big, like Tickle Me Elmo and SonyPlaystation. On Christmas Day, I got a note from Santa…saying he didn’t forget about the doll and promised to deliver it in February. Fair enough. I just like knowing…

It’s 30 degrees in Topeka and I’m sipping coffee. So, I wanted to remember warmer days in San Diego. So here are more pictures from Jennie’s and Scott’s wedding.



originally uploaded by queenkv.

A tasty cake! They also saved part of it to eat on their one year anniversary. It’s tradition.

December 8, 2006

Xmas in Topeka 2006

This is our first Christmas with Daisy. It’s about 25 degrees in Topeka and windy. I am still cold. This is our second Christmas in Kansas and I feel a little more isolated than the year before. My graveyard shift places me in a different world from the people I know at work and at Bark Park. It’s nice to have creative freedom at work, but I miss out on the camaraderie of a busy office.

Decorating the apartment for the holidays helped me feel good…like I’m part of the human race again. Thank God Mark is here.



originally uploaded by queenkv.

Mark found this lovely Norfolk Island Pine at Dillions. It’s adorable and it fits on my desk!! Maybe next year we will try a real tree that sits on the floor. But this year…I’m worried Daisy might consider a tree on the floor as a new spot to mark her territory.

December 7, 2006

Infamy

65 years ago, Japan launched a sneak attack on Pearl Harbor and forced the United States into World War II. I’m happy I managed to get this story into my show today.

I’ve always been intrigued by the war…probably because of how many members of my family have survived that period of of history. My thesis at Berkeley pivoted on the role of Filipinos in World War II. My friend John let me borrow several books about the warpropaganda against the Japanese. In high school, I met an Austrian woman who married a German officer in order to save the lives of Jews hiding in the servant quarters.

December 6, 2006

Snowfall

Here’s what’s left of our snowstorm from last week. Some folks at work thought it would be a big deal. We had several school closings to report in the area — but it didn’t last long. I did not enjoy driving on the icy streets….so I took things nice and slow on the side streets. I did not enjoy digging my tires out of the ice. That was also not cool.



originally uploaded by queenkv.

December 1, 2006

Reflections on Thanksgiving

I’m used to celebrating Thanksgiving with a lot of people. This year, I had the folks who mattered most to me in Topeka - inside the kitchen: Mark and Daisy. We had a lovely holiday. In the tradition of my working experience, we did a Thanksgiving lunch. Sometimes I thought having to work on the holiday was a great excuse for my family to chow down early. I’m grateful Mark and Daisy were flexible to modfiy their feasting time to my work schedule. They rock my world!



originally uploaded by queenkv.

We figured a turkey would be too much…so I whipped up my parents’ chicken adobo.

Stillness



originally uploaded by queenkv.

This is my entry for this week’s Photo Friday challenge: “Stillness”
This is the end of a fall day in Holton, Kansas.