It has been a while since I wrote anything on this blog of mine. Well, I have started my new job at the Library of Congress! Very happy with that development, as poverty got real old. Can't really claim to be an activist currently, but I can say I am a proud former activist. I am considering pulling together a big fundraiser for heroic whistleblower Bradley Manning, but other than that -- no real activism/organizing. I am focused on doing my job and spending time with my best friend: Bruno. How was that for an introduction?
OK, every morning, I am exposed to Homeland Security Director Janet Napolitano urging commuters to report any suspicious activity they may witness within the Metro system. It just has a very eerie and paranoid feel to it -- Big Sister is looking out for us, and watching us. It's also a blatant reminder that this country has changed a lot since my childhood (the national anthem still mentions "home of the brave," right?) This as news reports of peace activists in Chicago and Minneapolis have had their homes swarmed by FBI agents confiscating computer hard drives and other materials. Yes, we have something to be afraid of -- peace activists. I am sort of expecting an FBI agent to come visit us here in College Park. Another incentive to get out of the activism gig -- in addition to jail time, big fines, inter-movement bickering, and the reward of seeing little to nothing come of our efforts.
I am a financial supporter of activist organizations I believe are truly making a positive difference (Coal River Mountain Watch and Courage to Resist), but I am now a working man. I enjoy the archival work I am doing, and I'm working with some interesting documents at the LoC. And the salary is not bad and the health insurance is included. Time to work five days a week and enjoy the weekends with Bruno -- going to the dog park, sleeping in, gaming with friends. Simple hedonistic pleasures sound pretty good now.
Speaking of which, Bruno absolutely loves the dog park. We have joined and he is proudly sporting his College Park Dogpark tag shaped like a fire hydrant. I think it was definitely worth the annual fee, as Bruno is truly a social dog. He loves running in a pack, and it makes me happy to see him in a state of bliss (it also helps tire him out). It's a good place, good people, great dogs!
Bruno is just wonderful and we share a love, not that different from a parent-child relationship. He still sometimes pees in unwanted places when very excited, but he's improving (I am sure my housemates are glad with this development). Dogs give and receive love so much more easily than humans do -- and they are basically very uncomplicated (it's refreshing).
So, maybe I will start a new Internet Radio Show, and maybe you will see me at a protest once every couple months. But I am ready to live a quieter and simpler life here in College Park.
It was nice to have Desiree, David, Malachy and Gael over for dinner the other night. We cooked a three-course meal for our friends. Here's the recipe I basically used:
* 1/4 cup butter
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1/2 large onion, finely chopped
* 2 large tomatoes, sliced and peeled
* 1 tablespoons coriander
* 1 tablespoon cumin
* 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
* salt and ground black pepper to taste
* 2 small red chili peppers sliced
* 1 head cauliflower, broken into small florets
* 2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
1. Heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, first add the coriander. Add the onion and tomatoes (after quickly boiling to remove skins); cook and stir until tender. Season with cumin, turmeric, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
2. Add the cauliflower and potatoes to the pan, and stir to coat with spices. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Stir occasionally.
Until next time. Maybe my next entry will be more passionate about a cause, or perhaps I will discuss my ongoing D&D campaign (run by yours truly), or the brand new Darwin's World campaign (run by my buddy Mike)...
OK, every morning, I am exposed to Homeland Security Director Janet Napolitano urging commuters to report any suspicious activity they may witness within the Metro system. It just has a very eerie and paranoid feel to it -- Big Sister is looking out for us, and watching us. It's also a blatant reminder that this country has changed a lot since my childhood (the national anthem still mentions "home of the brave," right?) This as news reports of peace activists in Chicago and Minneapolis have had their homes swarmed by FBI agents confiscating computer hard drives and other materials. Yes, we have something to be afraid of -- peace activists. I am sort of expecting an FBI agent to come visit us here in College Park. Another incentive to get out of the activism gig -- in addition to jail time, big fines, inter-movement bickering, and the reward of seeing little to nothing come of our efforts.
I am a financial supporter of activist organizations I believe are truly making a positive difference (Coal River Mountain Watch and Courage to Resist), but I am now a working man. I enjoy the archival work I am doing, and I'm working with some interesting documents at the LoC. And the salary is not bad and the health insurance is included. Time to work five days a week and enjoy the weekends with Bruno -- going to the dog park, sleeping in, gaming with friends. Simple hedonistic pleasures sound pretty good now.
Speaking of which, Bruno absolutely loves the dog park. We have joined and he is proudly sporting his College Park Dogpark tag shaped like a fire hydrant. I think it was definitely worth the annual fee, as Bruno is truly a social dog. He loves running in a pack, and it makes me happy to see him in a state of bliss (it also helps tire him out). It's a good place, good people, great dogs!
Bruno is just wonderful and we share a love, not that different from a parent-child relationship. He still sometimes pees in unwanted places when very excited, but he's improving (I am sure my housemates are glad with this development). Dogs give and receive love so much more easily than humans do -- and they are basically very uncomplicated (it's refreshing).
So, maybe I will start a new Internet Radio Show, and maybe you will see me at a protest once every couple months. But I am ready to live a quieter and simpler life here in College Park.
It was nice to have Desiree, David, Malachy and Gael over for dinner the other night. We cooked a three-course meal for our friends. Here's the recipe I basically used:
* 1/4 cup butter
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1/2 large onion, finely chopped
* 2 large tomatoes, sliced and peeled
* 1 tablespoons coriander
* 1 tablespoon cumin
* 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
* salt and ground black pepper to taste
* 2 small red chili peppers sliced
* 1 head cauliflower, broken into small florets
* 2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
1. Heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, first add the coriander. Add the onion and tomatoes (after quickly boiling to remove skins); cook and stir until tender. Season with cumin, turmeric, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
2. Add the cauliflower and potatoes to the pan, and stir to coat with spices. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Stir occasionally.
Until next time. Maybe my next entry will be more passionate about a cause, or perhaps I will discuss my ongoing D&D campaign (run by yours truly), or the brand new Darwin's World campaign (run by my buddy Mike)...
Comments
Did you know I've actually reported 'something suspiscious'? In all likelyhood it was just a bag of some homeless person's clothes or whatever but I pointed it out to the station manager.