Growin' on Up!

I have recently moved out of my parents house into my first apartment. Moving woes and landowner/roommate issues aside, it was a successful move out!  After getting everything set up in my room, I have turned my attention to the living room.  Yesterday, I purchased my first couch for $25!  It's a lovely shade of faded yellow with an alternating pattern of yellow stripes.  I am still looking for a kitchen table and chairs.  So if anyone has on they don't need, don't hesitate to hit me up! :)

My next step of moving out and growing up is cooking for myself.  I had to a lot of this when I was in South Africa, and not to toot my own horn, but I think I am a good, just inexperienced, cook.  In my repertoire of cooking abilities is various salads, pastas, soups, and grilled meats.  I find that I can follow instructions and make a mean chicken curry!  However, I am not satisfied with just these skills. I want to be able to sear steaks, stew veggies and bake pies.  All the while, adding to my blog about my adventures (and what will mostly likely include many misadventures) in my kitchen.

So, tonight, I am going to finish off salmon fillet, which will have to be pan seared because I don't have a George Foreman... yet!  I can chop up my lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes for nice side salad and maybe I will pick up a nice chardonnay to go with it.  In the mean time, I will be looking for further recipes that are quick and easy.  Epicurious.com is going to be my best friend when it comes to finding new recipes.  Thus far I have a profile and have been collecting things that look good and challenging.  I am going to try some foods from around the world, including some from my host country, South Africa!  I also found recipes for falafel, curry, tofu, veggies, fish, shellfish and various meats.  Wish me luck!

Santa Claus TM

This is clever.  A consulting firm based in the UK drafted a brand book for Santa this holiday season.  You should check it out! It's pretty funny!

http://www.quietroom.co.uk/santa_brandbook/

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season this year!  Good luck in 2011!

A couple of things for FAIL blog...

The DADT repeal!  I know everyone is frustrated about the vote (or lack thereof) on repealing DADT today.  It's both sad and aggravating that our governmental leaders are so casual about peoples right to serve their country as an open, out and proud individual.  Why would we want less from our military?

Also... Congress!  What a waste it is to have all these leaders meet and then have some conservatives just filibuster straight into another legislative session!  Our government is supposed to be making decisions and guiding our country to a better and more equal place.

The lack of coordinated leadership and cooperation on both sides of the fence is frustrating.  I can't honestly believe that these senators on the right are actually listening to their constituents either.  If most of the military is in support of repeal then why are we still debating this policy?  We are already cooperating with other militaries that have open individuals and it doesn't seem to affect military readiness in those countries.  It also doesn't seem to affect cooperation and coordination between troops from different countries.

I just don't understand.  When will we get rid our religious ideals and work in towards the love and understanding all religions say they preach?  Ugh...

Chicago Spire - DEAD!

My hopes of one day owning a condo in North America's tallest building have been shattered today.  The Chicago Spire, a building that was designed by Santiago Calivatra.  The Irish holding company, who owned the land on which the spire was to be built, filed for foreclosure today! :(

Too bad! Here is the article from a Chicago Tribune writer:

Chicago Spire Developer Loses Control of Site

And now here is a picture of my future home that will never be! :(

Pantone iPhone/iPad cases

This is probably the coolest case I have seen for iPhone/iPad!  They even have the Pantone color number on them.  It's too bad you cant get any color you want, otherwise I would look up the favorite shade of blue and order a case.  Except, I don't have an iPhone... yet! :)

Pantone iPhone/iPad cases

Scariest Ad I have ever seen! LOL

Reaching for a Heineken only to find it's not there! Scary!!!

Hi, I'm a Tea-Partier

Multitouch, is it the future?

We all remember 2002 movie Minority Report, staring Tom Cruise as the chief of the "Precrime" unit set in future DC, right?  Chief John Anderton, played by Cruise, uses this incredibly awesome, hi-tech computer by waving his hands in front of a monitor the size of his office wall.  I remember seeing that scene and thinking how cool it would be to work in an office with that computer!  That future, may not be as far away as one might think.

 

As we see more and more, multitouch technology is becoming more the norm as more companies like Google, Apple and Microsoft create devices that allows a user to use their fingers as the stylus or pointer.  So this begs the question: Is the multitouch technology, as seen in Minority Report and other science-fiction movies, the way of the future?  Gizmodo seems to think so! I ran across this article about Apple's new Magic Trackpad, which is undoubtedly cool and useful.  However, Gizmodo took it a step further, dreaming up how we as consumers want to interact with our technology.  A new paradigm for user interface is evolving around mutlitouch and fully databased-driven modal operating systems.

Check out the article and imagine how our future offices might look!

Apple Magic Trackpad: The Beginning of the End for Mac OS X

The GO! Team's 3rd Album

Mark your calendars for  February 8th, 2011!!! The GO! Team's much anticipated (well, at least by me...) is set to release!  I really hope this doesn't turn into another Missy Elliot where the release gets delayed... and delayed... and pushed  back... and canceled.

While  you're at it... check out their new website! 

The GO! Team Website

Prop 8: OVERTURNED!

Yesterday the landmark case, Perry v. Schwarzenegger, was over turned by a federal judge in California.  Proposition 8 over turned the law that allowed same-sex couples to get married in the state of California.  This over-ruling brings sends the case to the US 9th Court of Appeals and will ultimately get sent to the US Supreme Court where the decision should be made final.

Following is a link to the CNN posting about the buzz.  Check it out!

CNN: The Buzz on Prop. 8 Ruling

Prop. 8 Trial Decision

It's happening today! I will post a follow up on this land mark case and what this means for equality in our country!  However, for now check out the New York Times article.

New York Times: Decision Due on California's Prop 8.

Here is a link to the Human Rights Campaigns blog post about the issue.

HRC: Prop 8 Case Decision Expected TODAY!

The Kids Are All Right: A New Movie... is it really progressive?

Interesting stuff from the New York Times.  I really want to go see this movie, however I am skeptical about what it will say about same-sex families.  The authors in the debates bring up some pretty interesting points.  You should check it out!

Also, go see the movie!  Here is the preview:  The Kids Are All Right Trailer

NYTimes.com - Room for Debate:  It's a long way from "Brokeback Mountain" to "The Kids Are All Right," the critically praised film about a lesbian couple played by Julianne Moore and Annette Bening that is now being released nationwide.  As A.O. Scott wrote in his New York Times Review, the movie "starts from the premise that gay marriage, an issue of ideological contention and cultural strife, is also an established social fact."


That premise has been embraced by television for almost a generation, with gay characters and couples and parents dating at least to the dads depicted on "The Tracey Ullman Show" in the late 80's.  What effect have these portrayals played in gaining social acceptance for same-sex families? What role does a movie like "The Kids Are All Right" play in changing social perceptions?


New York Times: Room for Debate

Check it! The 808

The 808 on KRNU is my blog that will be an extension of my specialty show.  Check out my playlists, artist/album reviews and interest hip hop news.  If you guys have anything you want to hear on my show, want to share artists or just make general comments on my show you can make about my show.

Check it!

http://the808onkrnu.tumblr.com/

Crowdsourcing Your Supper

This sounds weird, but letting others cook and clean for you?! ...no, wait, that actually sounds kinda nice!  Check out this article from one of my favorite blogs.

 http://www.good.is/post/how-to-crowdsource-your-supper/

Hip Hop Radio - My Latest Adventure

I am currently interning with 90.3 KRNU, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's radio station. During a recent conversation with my station manager, I was discussing my love for beats and flows in hip hop music and culture.  The discussion ended the offer to host the hip hop specialty show next semester.

I have yet to come up with a name for my show and I am currently taking suggestions.  I would like to tie this into my blog: posting playlists, artists, lyrics, current hip hop news, interesting facts and leave room for comments and suggestions.

If you are unfamiliar with KRNU, you should check us out!  Here are links to our website and online streaming feeds as well as a few other places to keep up with KRNU news.

http://krnu.unl.edu

http://www.facebook.com/pages/903-KRNU/143556024999

http://twitter.com/903KRNU

If you guys want to hear someone on the air, post me a comment!