Queenkv’s Brainpickings

One of my favorite memories from my skating days: listening to the Zamboni crunch ice and rolling the ball over my initials on Centipede. I felt like kicking some butt on the ice after I see “KIS” next to the highest score on the screen.

Guarding my blocky shooter and firing at the slithering centipede was one way I stayed warm between freestyle sessions.

I suppose I’m a child of the 80s. Last year, we had a blast at the Atari Game Night in Davis.

Now – I’m counting down to December and the opening weekend of Tron: Legacy.

I am totally excited about this remake. The trailer looks amazing. I’m also crossing my fingers. I hope it doesn’t destroy all the things that made the original movie awesome.

Imagine raising $75,000 to save this whimsical landmark.
Only in San Francisco.

Brian Goggin’s "Defenestration", originally uploaded by threecee.

I stumbled on the Brian Goggin’s Defenestration project over on Laughing Squid.

ABC 7 also covered Goggin’s fundraising party. I enjoyed the soundbite with the lady who wanted to save the toaster. Seeing the toaster hanging on a wall cheers her up daily.

I’m sure this appliance and its crew of hanging furniture, tools and gadgets would make anybody smile.

Hubby’s working at home. Yah! It’s a pleasure to see him after my graveyard shift. After I finished up an episode of Bleach, I stumble into his room.

Me: “I’m ready for a hug….this could be exciting”

I let myself slump into his arms, basking in his strength and comfort.

Him: “Felt like you were about to fall over.”
Me: “I know. That was the exciting part.”

So sleepy.

Wet day in Sacramento. It was a pleasure to swap out my skirt, tights and the rest of my newsroom uniform for sweats. Now, on the couch with my Daisy and sipping ginger ale with Don Julio Anejo. Good times.

Channeling my inner Martha Stewart.
Since I’m freelancing, between jobs and spending plenty of time at home, I’m challenging myself in the kitchen.

Thanks to Serious Eats, I tried out this French technique with fish: Cod en Papillote. The foil helped cook the cod fillets perfectly. Unfortunately, I used salted butter. That, plus a generous pinch of salt made this dish too salty for my palate.

I missed waking up with my Daisy this morning. I spent the night in Berkeley after working on a wine tasting event in Palo Alto.

Not only is she a wonderful source of warmth, she makes me feel special as we cuddle. It’s nice to wake-up in the middle of the night and feel her chin on my shin.

I wonder if she missed me. One thing that put a smile on my face – this adorable promo for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Trying to convince my puppy to drink some water.
She’s panting up a storm after our last run by Alamo Creek. She starts strong, but she doesn’t know how to pace herself.

Before the run: She’s a furry ball of energy when she sees me in my running pants and tiny socks. After the run, she gives me this look: “What part of “lap dog” don’t you understand?” I know cocker spaniels are typically pampered pets, but Daisy has energy to burn. Plus – she has the sad look on her face when I leave her behind for longer runs.

My parents have been doing a lot of traveling in the last few months.

In November, they won a cruise vacation. It sounded like a relaxing way to explore the western coast of Mexico. My dad brought back several bottles of tequila and snapped some beautiful pictures at sea. Together – they had plenty of good food, bright sunshine and warm memories.

Now – they’re somewhere over the Pacific. This journey has brought together my mom’s side of the family.

(Side note: The job hunt, social media video projects and Google Reader distractions have pushed me behind on this blog and my little videos. I’m playing catch-up. I’m also grateful for everything that’s keeping me busy while I live a life of leisure in Cow Town)

Good times in Vacaville: We rang in the New Year at home with our friends. Our last meal of 2009: Beer-can chicken, salad, garlic bread, lasagna and plenty of sparkling wine & beer.

When we hook up – that usually means plenty of good eating and drinking. Someone said we should spend the New Years weekend eating every three hours.

Mission Accomplished.

On the first day of 2010 – we had something to satisfy meat lovers, savory cravings and sweet teeth. I loved the scent of bacon grease and sourdough pancake batter taking over my kitchen. My Daisy enjoyed watching Mark and Andrei work off the cork on the bottle of Barefoot Brut Sparkling Wine. We had to have our mimosas with the first meal of the New Year.

First Day of 2010 from Kris Vera-Phillips on Vimeo.

Here’s my entry for today’s Photo Friday Challenge: “Damaged“.

This is what’s left of the Zeisz Brewery in Placerville.