Photo safaris in the asphalt jungle

Here's T.

and here's B.

...who are my photo safari (phrase coined by B.) compatriots. Lately we have been lurking on the streets taking pictures of various types. And eating Japanese curry...which causes gas, by the way.

Here is some of T.'s handiwork:

And here's some of B.'s:

And some of mine...

Roasted Beets w/ Walnut Gorgonzola Dressing

I found this recipe (click on "Roasted Beets.." above) on the internet when looking for a way to use up walnuts and it's both delicious and nutritious (I assume). Serve it over fettucine maybe, or today I ate it over ziti. I also buy the beets with the greens on, trim and cut them, and throw them in to the pasta cooking water toward the end of the cooking time. Mixing the gorgonzola and cream in the blender might cause some consternation..try using "pulse" and scraping repeatedly; I added extra cream to make it work better. Go easy when you add the dressing and beets to the pasta, because the flavor can be strong if you get too much dressing to pasta. I don't know if this would be a kid-friendly one...? Maybe not Lindsey-friendly, either (she who prefers Kraft macaroni and cheese and Top Ramen). And men who eat only meat and potatoes might be frightened by the gorgonzola in this. Everyone else will love it!

Here's my Sunday lunch today:



With both yellow and red beets...Good stuff!!

Last Friday, I dragged Deanna and Tony and their friend Glen along with me to listen to a band (Au Revoir Simone) at The Troubadour. Then Deanna and I abandoned Tony and Glen and I got absorbed in taking pictures in random spots in the club. Deanna was good enough to "stand here," "look at me," "look up," "chin down," etc. and be my model, since that was more interesting than taking repetitive pictures of the band and I'm too hesitant to snap pics of strangers. I didn't end up really listening to the band so I basically I paid $12 for the privelege of taking pictures. Hm. But, I learned some things when I took a look at my results, which is usually how it goes and what helps me do the research to find out how to get better. My shutter speeds were too slow for the most part for low light so some of these blown up show evidence of camera shake. I tinkered with the one with bright backlighting in Photoshop to make it look a little more cool. I tried to post a picture of the band but Blogger hates those pictures for some reason and it won't upload them.

My new nom de guerre

Bom da da bom! Here it is: I've been reborn...as Winnow D. Asael! Although the voting was divergent, Winnow came in first, Sloane was seconding, and the rest of the votes were all over the place. So I hope you can learn to love me as Winnow, those who wanted Sandea and Wanda and Nilda and Wenila, etc.!

So my next question for my blog audience is...do you want me to use your real name when I refer to you on my blog...? You might want your anonymity, too. Another question is whether you feel comfortable with me listing a link to your blog, since that might matter to you, too. Let me know your feelings by leaving a comment. Just in case this informs you better, this is envisioned as being a blog for family and friends but not random people who I don't know too well. I'm trying to get the blog etiquette refined here....

Also, after doing some twiddling and fiddling and trying not to cuss, I figured out how to add music to my blog. Here's a picture of the lead singer of Fujiya and Miyagi maybe singing this song! I saw them recently and took the pic.

A blogger seeks her name

About having my real name out there on the internet..for indefinable reasons, I'm just not comfortable with the idea. So I'm polling you, my family and friends, to help me create a new cyberspace alter ego. She must have a neat name...SO...I've recombined a special grouping of letters to come up with the following monikers and I ask for you to vote for your favorite. I WASTED A LOT OF TIME COMING UP WITH THESE NAMES SO PLEASE, I need everyone's participation!

I can be:

• "Wanda Winsloe"
• "Winnow D. Asael"
• "Delia W. Wasona"
• "Sandea Winslow"
• "Linda W. Sawe"
• "Wendi A. Lawson" (don’t vote for this one…it’s boring)
• "Lawna W. Edison"
• "Londa Weinsaw"
• "Wenila Dawson"
• "Wilda Al-Newson" (Western/Middle Eastern hybrid surname)
• "Wildana Weson"
• "Lawnda Ewison"
• "Nilda W. Newsao" (Portuguese surname)
• "Wanila Weldson"
• "Alina W. Weldson"
• "Danila W. Ewson"
• "Sloane W. Dwain"

Roll these names around on your tongue and come up with the one you think will serve me best. Next time you hear from me, I will reveal my new identity! Until then, Cheerio!