Queenkv’s Brainpickings

Exploring the other side of the rainbow

May 28, 2008

24 Hours

LAS VEGAS, NV – I’m waking up on my last day in Sin City. The Terrace Pointe Cafe at the Wynn has free wi-fi. We’re driving back to Nor Cal in a couple of hours.

At work, my co-workers complained about the civilians who chatted up their holiday plans: grilling, traveling and other ideas on how to enjoy their work-free day. I suppose folks in the TV news biz don’t like to be reminded that a federal holiday is simply another day in the newsroom.

This year, I got a chance to enjoy the holiday. That’s after surviving an 8-hour car ride to my second hometown, Vegas. The hubby and I promised ourselves we’ll fly next time.

We enjoyed yummy Filipino food on our first night in Vegas: kari kari, bbq beef, adobo, lumpia and more. My family also got a tasty mocha cake from Red Ribbon. Mark and I blew out our birthday candles for the snapping cameras. Yes, I’m not the only shutterbug in my family.

Yesterday, we had breakfast with my morning anchor from Topeka, KS. She sounds like she’s having a blast in this market - live shots, breaking news and anchoring the weekend morning show. We compared our experiences at our new stations and remembered the good ole’ days of Good Morning Kansas. There’s an amazing, talented group of folks working in our Topeka newsroom. I learned so much from them. I suspect they miss me as much as I miss them. Maybe.

Next - my hubby and I soaked up sun and atmosphere by the pool at the Wynn. I caught up with my Amy Tan book and sipped mojitos, Coronas and margaritas. Paradise.

Finally, we indulged in a tasty dinner at Craftsteak - Tom Colicchio’s restaurant and site of the season finale for the 1st season of Top Chef. The food geek inside me almost had a culinary orgasm as I followed in the footsteps of my favorite reality TV series.

I don’t want to go home, but I know we’ll come back soon.

Of course I have pictures of all this.
I’ll post them later.

February 12, 2008

70 Degrees

I love this warm February weather. I’m in a better mood with all the sunshine. Mark and I are just tickled with seeing 70 degree temperatures before March. I feel like I have more energy to do stuff in this t-shirt weather. This morning, I finished running 2 miles by Alamo Creek.

And this weekend, we explored the wine country in Lodi. My co-worker gave us free tickets to the Wine and Chocolate Festival. It was a lovely, romantic way to kick-off our Valentine’s Day holiday.



originally uploaded by queenkv.

We first stopped at the Michael-David Vineyard off Highway 12. I overheard folks from Sacramento and beyond drove down to this vineyard to restock on their vino supplies. I sampled the 2005 Earthquake Syrah by the duck pond. We learned that Lodi was all about the Zins. We enjoyed drinking every spot’s version of the Zinfandel.



originally uploaded by queenkv.

Here’s Mark getting friendly with the barnyard residents at Michael-David’s. This winery had beautiful grounds for outdoor picnics and lazy walks. I enjoyed the 2006 Heavenly Chard with its buttery finish. I also enjoyed the 2004 6th Sense Syrah with its rich tones of oak and berries.

January 31, 2008

Random Thoughts on Balut

I’ve been thinking about Balut. I think it’s time I try this Filipino delicacy. Hell, Mark already sampled it.



originally uploaded by queenkv.

I wonder if this is a good price for the half-hatched duck eggs. We found this vendor at the Fremont Farmers Market last September. Sadly, I had to catch a plane to Kansas that day…so we passed on the Balut.

This week, I stumbled on this informational blog entry on Balut aka Hot Vit Lon.

I remember eating them with my siblings, tapping on the egg shell with a spoon and then breaking the membrane underneath to sip at the flavorful liquid, which was broth like. Then we ate the solid stuff, which basically was the embryo. I don’t recall beak, bones or feathers, but they can be in there, depending on the age of the egg. We didn’t eat the hard white albumen. It was a kind of weird dare and that was it.

OK — some day I will try Balut. Maybe on my next trip home to LA…we’re thinking about doing a quick visit on President’s Day weekend. I know that falls in the middle of sweeps, but I happen to have that holiday off. Neato.

December 4, 2007

Homecoming

I woke-up in Vacaville this morning. It’s wonderful to be back in California. I know it’s grey, raining and a little dreary outside…but I’m thrilled to be home.



originally uploaded by queenkv.

I couldn’t have made this trip without Mark. He has been the road trip leader and our home provider. He’s been our rock. I’m grateful for his strength on this trip and for the next chapter in my career.



originally uploaded by queenkv.

On Day 3 of our Road Trip — we had a beautiful start in Salt Lake City. We were surrounded by salty water and shores after driving about 30 minutes away from the city. We also passed a few salt factories, like Morton’s, sitting on the far edges of the lake.

September 30, 2007

Homesick. Again

I flew in to Kansas City a few hours ago. On the flight, I watched 2 1/2 episodes from the first season of Grey’s Anatomy. I heart this birthday present. I found catching up on prime time sitcoms is a nice way to get through the trip back to the Midwest.

We packed a lot of great food, friends, dogs and road trips into this Golden State vacation. I think I clocked in more than 500 miles of driving over the last 4 days.

“Your travel life has the aspect of a dream.” - Agatha Christie

Like all good things, I had to return to life in Kansas: the newsroom, co-workers and Daisy! Crazy puppy. I wonder what she would think of my home state. California seems like a dream. Did I really walk through a farmer’s market selling orchids, white apricots and duck balut? Did I savor Serrano ham and sipped lemonchella mixed with grappa at a hip San Francisco bistro? Yes. I have the pictures to prove it. And I can’t wait to do it again.

Mark has one more week in beautiful California. Lucky guy.

August 7, 2007

A Rockin’ Good Time in Long Island

Watching a Travel Channel show on Los Angeles. I’m a sucker for specials that open up a window to open. L.A. Story, Top Chef Season 2, Shop Girl, Monk (for a window to the Bay Area) and pretty much anything for a glimpse of home.

This weekend, I indulged in the feel of home as my family headed to New York for Matt and Maria’s Wedding. I spent four days eating good food, meeting wonderful people and letting what’s left of my hair down.

It was a pleasure to be surrounded by family and celebrating my beautiful cousin and her Long Island family.



originally uploaded by queenkv.

Her baby, Mee-Jay, looked adorable in his tux!

May 19, 2007

Wrinkles


[Williamsburg, VA 2005]
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[Lucas, KS 2006]
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April 8, 2007

Happy Bunny Day!

I thought this would be the Easter Sunday when I get to prepare a lovely dinner for Mark and Daisy…and enjoy a relaxing celebration of Spring, the Lord and all that jazz.

Well, I fit in plenty of relaxing with a long nap in the middle of the day. Then I spent the early evening hours with my yoga practice and reading headlines. I hope these morning rituals will fool my body into waking up for my graveyard shift. Instead of enjoying the Easter holiday, I’m getting ready for work. Hello to the lonely hours in the newsroom, the scanner harping about mothers, sons, fathers and daughters smacking themselves around like a Jerry Springer show and guzzling 6 cups of coffee to stay awake until sunrise.

Bottom-line: I’m a team player, willing to step off my night shift to cover the morning show. Plus, some people were not cut out to be journalists.

Let’s move on to some happier thoughts, pictures and flavors.



originally uploaded by queenkv.

A happy moment from my morning, Daisy trying out her snazzy new shirt from my sister-in-law and family in Cali. She loves it! She really does!

January 30, 2007

Hot Toddy

Graveyard shifts and airplane travel helped break down my immune system earlier this month. I’m sure the plane was filled with germs from dirty children.

I ended up with a horrible sore throat and I lost my voice.

One person at worked asked, “Do you really need to talk to do your job?”

She was lucky I was feeling sick.



originally uploaded by queenkv.

I survived on cough drops and as much sleep as I can pack into my truncated days.

This hot toddy helped me sleep peacefully. The honey felt soothing on throat and the alcohol made everything blissful for a little period of time.

Queenkv’s Hot Toddy

  • 1 tea bag of Celestial Seasonings Madagascar Vanilla Red (Caffeine Free)

    • [but you could use any vanilla-flavor tea. And if you don't care about falling asleep, it can be caffeinated.]

  • Several teaspoons of honey
  • A shot or two of Jamesons Irish Whiskey

    • [If you're on a budget, Jim Bean's works. I like the sweet smooth flavor of the Irish stuff.]

    Mix hot water and the tea bag in a cup. Add a few shots of Jamesons (can be modified for your alcoholic preferences.) Mix in the honey. If you have lemon, add a squirt of lemon juice for some Vitamin C. Just before drinking, I also like eating a spoonful of honey. So good.

    Enjoy. Let the healing begin.

    January 6, 2007

    Return to Sin City

    Hello 2007.

    Time to make resolutions…and later bang my head against a wall for not keeping them. Still, I think I’m making some reasonable promises to myself.

    1. Get back to the gym - ASAP: I ate too much on my vacation and I expected that. When I’m in Cali and Vegas — I don’t want to miss out on flavors that I can’t get back in Vegas. But then I start missing my tummy-full cues and well, then my weight gets screwed. I came back with a nasty cold, so next week, I’ll be back on the treadmill.

    2. Assume the positive: In my brain, I know people are not out to get me and screw me over. But I’m paranoid and I tend to assume I’m annoying to people…thus…they wouldn’t mind if I fell on my face. So for this year, I’m assuming people are a little more alturstic than I give them credit for.

    3. Finish some short stories: I started several in 2005 and I haven’t touched them in a while.

    4. Get organized: Because I need some order in my life.

    So Happy 2007. Wish me luck!
    On to my fab vacation on the West Coast.

    We spent the last few days of our vacation in Las Vegas. We had some amazing food - plus all those yummy Filipino dishes at Ate’ Gigi’s house. I had a Lady Luck by my side at the penny slots. We walked through the Vegas intepretation of Paris, Italy and other cosmopolitan locales.

    Good times.



    originally uploaded by queenkv.

    This is the view from our Augustus Tower suite in Caesar’s Palace. My dad the reservations for us. He said the hotel clerk almost booked us into an older tower but he told her his daughter was visiting from Kansas. Apparently that swung in our favor and he scored this beautiful room with a view.

    He also gave us tickets to see Jerry Seinfeld doing stand-up at Caesar’s. We’re so grateful to my dad and his never-ending generosity. I told Mark as soon as I hit the jackpot - our parents will get a major slice of the booty. Maybe I’ll get really lucky on our next trip.

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