What You’ve Missed

 

February marked the first anniversary of my residence in Austin.  And what a year it’s been.

I’m still around.

Are you?

How’s life treating you anyway?

 

I make no excuses.

I’ve been busy.  I work.  A lot.

I play a lot less these days.  Therefore I am somewhat absentee here. But I’m still around.

 

I have recently come to realize I get approximately one hour of fresh air every day – if I’m lucky. Not all at once.  On break and between jobs I am usually sitting outside, reading.  But practically an hour.

Sort of like a prisoner.

Not that I would dare complain about being gainfully/ over-employed or compare my jobs to prison.  Not in the least.

[Already, I digress]

One of my favorite things about sitting outside downtown is how sound bounces off the buildings.  How, in the off hours, it is so normal and unrushed without seeming desolate. 

In my blogging interim, some things I’ve seen during those precious hours:

* Boy scouts invading in parade form.   Which was a little creepy.  I was unsure whether or not to wrap my head in foil and hide in a dumpster.  Then they were gone.

* A man on what would have been a normal bicycle, except for its absurd height.  I’ve seen my share of compensatory trucks, but bicycles are new territory.

* A woman running in a tshirt advertising vodka.    (Motivation, perhaps? I don’t judge.)

* A pack of tiny canines, wearing clothes to match their owner, inhibiting segwayers.   

 I now lead a lifestyle that requires of me an appreciation for every moment of peace and solitude.  That demands I make the most of 5-10 minute intervals of normality.  Or sleep…   That could so easily suck my will to truly live, but instead awakens in me lately more joy in the details of every day than I have known in a long while. 

 

For perspective, I site the recently concluded South By Southwest (SXSW) Festival.  Two weeks of mass culinary hysteria tested the minds, hearts and bodies of everyone within miles of a restaurant in this city.   The grueling, never ending onslaught felt at times like outright warfare with the public.  Business was booming.  Working two kitchen jobs for the duration taught me more about myself and why I’m doing this than anything to date.   And yes, I LOVE it.  Even more now.

 

Some other things you’ve missed:

New local art, by Brett Scarola

 

*  I finished Level One sommelier coursework.  [Cooler than it sounds.  Trust me.]

* I am a diploma-wielding culinary school graduate. I worked instead of going to the graduation ceremony.

* I’ve had a weirdly fortuitous run of encounters lately, including a food photographer and blogger, a micro brewer, a couple who are starting their own winery, a chef starting a farm to table restaurant, the general manager of a very reputable bistro, and a woman whose husband is executive chef of a test kitchen.

I spent a day in that test kitchen.  Everything you think you know about commercial food is questionable at best.  The precision with which every change is researched and decided on a chain menu is painstaking.  And SO cool.  I really dig the science of food, the business of food. 

Some of these encounters were born of my tendency to sit at counters or bars and chat with people.  Some of them have led to me visiting new places.

Three of them (and, hopefully, counting) have even allowed me unplanned kitchen tours.  Just for kicks. Just because I asked.

Less foodish activities:

* Visiting the laptop pound to replace my broken down hunk of plastic.   They were all lined up in locked cages, waiting for homes.  It was pitiful.  I couldn’t take them all.

* I am slightly bionic, having had a dental implant.   I now feel I know basically everything there is to know about the dental implant business.  That tiny piece of titanium was acquired through some seriously demanding processes.  But it is apparently “looking awesome,” my periodontist loves me, and while it was expensive, it was an overall shockingly decent experience.  Just in case any of you ever find yourselves wondering.

*It’s that time of year again.  I may have gone overboard –

*I’ve been on WordPress (intermittently, I know) for a year.  Also a surprisingly great experience.  Thank you to all of you lovely, interesting, funny, thoughtful people who make it so.

 

Tell me, what have I missed?

 

Art Depicts Physics

The ARC Centre of Excellence for Particle Physics at the Terascale held a contest called “Collision,” in which artists (including some physicists) submitted artwork depicting physics. How cool is that?

 

After CERN’s hadron collider,  courtesy of Pagan Metcalf

AWOL

It’s been a while, my 2 semi-interested readers. 

Shame on me.

When last I blogged in earnest, I was sussing through my educational decisions and dilemmas.  I have also done a lot of existential dusting and sorting in the last month and have come out a  more enlightened and satisfied person. So there’s that.

As far as school is concerned, it seems our ever dwindling class of (for now) 6 is a bona fide bunch of culinary badasses. Who knew?   We knocked out a kickin’ spread for our grand buffet day this week

 

and are pushing our way through the sustainable block.  From here on, it’s all about doing what we now know we can.  The one drawback we seem to have?  Baking.  As evidenced in a previous blog, I am well aware baking will never be my strong point.  As it happened, our decorating day in the last baking block fell on my birthday.  I frosted myself a Dr Suess inspired monstrosity (sad and laughable – but I’m ok with that)

 

 

then went on to plate some fairly passable desserts.

 

 

Outside school, I’ve indulged in several noteworthy live music experiences lately. They include the Will Callers at Waterloo, The Wheeler Brothers and Whiskey Sisters at Blues on the Green,[loved the music, fought the crowd and heat]  Symphony In the Park on the Long Center lawn,

 

 

 The Taming of the Shrew [hilariously well done with period music] and my favorite of the bunch – and birthday present to myself – The Tedeschi Trucks Band at Austin City Limits. A friend came along, and I managed to control my impulses well enough to keep my panties on all evening.  The band was exhausting, dancing at every possible opportunity, throwing one big, musically miraculous stage party.  I love Derek Trucks… sigh… He is the great guitar god of my generation.

 

 

My parents were back in town after the melee, visiting for a quick post-birthday weekend, during which my air conditioning was on the fritz and I was suffering from overheated crankiness. (Hello, Walley World). Nevertheless, it was, as always, great to actually see them and visit, and we managed to squeeze in some shopping, art perusal, a museum, and good food.

The Austin Art Garage is exactly what it advertises – a warehouse style housing of local art.  But they are pleasantly displayed and the artists up when we visited were all appealing in different ways.

The Natural History Museum had super cool information and thematic floors. Some of my favorites included

Dinoturtles

 

 

Meteorites

 

 

And this guy

 

 

Now that the AC is once again functional, I’m thinking of things to cook and to do the next time I am lucky enough to entertain guests.  Any suggestions out there?  Throw them my way! And tell me, friends, family, bloggers, what’s shakin’ in your world lately?

 

 

 

 

Museums and May

Yesterday was International Museum Day. When I discovered that fact, I couldn’t have been happier to have the perfect excuse to plunder Austin on exhibit. That’s just the nerd I am.

To observe the occasion I decided to visit a couple of local spots – a difficult choice, given the volumes housed in the area, not to mention state.

But there are more days in the year. More weekends to fill. More blogs to post at some later date. For now, a brief sidetrack:

(After driving my otherwise reasonably temperature controlled vehicle around town for an hour or so) It’s mid May. Balls to that!

Back on track –

I settled on the Austin Museum of Art’s Arthouse – one of two locations housing its works, and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. Both, as it turns out, illuminating and entertaining choices.

When I stepped into the Arthouse, I was personally welcomed by its staff, briefed on the exhibits, and told admission fees were waived in celebration of Museum Day. (Classy first impression, check!)

The first exhibit, “Constructed Landscapes” by Seher Shah, was both aesthetically interesting and intricate in its simplified form.

Oh hell, I’m no art critic. But I did like it. Here it is:

Then I wandered into a short film exhibit, featuring Cinthia Marcelle and Tiago M Machado’s “O Seculo.” It was about ten minutes of trash being chucked into a street, complete with sound. I’m told it represents the industrial growth of the twentieth century. I consider myself a thoughtful, fairly open minded person in these matters. I sat through it twice, just to give myself time to mull it over. I get it – sort of. But the mundane presentation left me underwhelmed. Maybe that was the point.

A still:

Finally, the interactive work titled “Temporary Insanity” by Pinaree Sanpitak consisted entirely of varying orb-like shapes meant to represent the female form, which responded to movement by rocking, humming, and creating their own rhythm. A concept I would have enjoyed exploring on my own… as it was, I found myself in the company of polyester-pantsed, sensibly shoed seniors who clapped, stomped and shouted at the artwork in an attempt to coax responses.

“Pearl, which one you wanna talk to?”

Oh well.

On second thought, what a fabulous idea for a children’s experience. Field trip, anyone?

Next stop, the Bullock Museum, featuring the “Story of Texas.” The three level building houses a comprehensive history of the state, from native roots

to pirates – or rather, their remains

to missions

and the moon.

I was one of about 5 people NOT there to see the IMAX version of the new Star Trek movie… Although that would be cool, too. I found it a very well presented experience, far more impressive than even swelling Texas pride, more informative and thoughtful than so many stereotypes might offer. I feel all citizens, no matter where, should make the effort to learn about the places they inhabit. I know I plan to continue to do so.

Thinking back, there are other places that made big impressions on me over the years. A short list of some of my favorites:

The Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, FL

The Hershey Museum, Hershey, PA

The Ben Franklin Museum, Philadelphia, PA

The Smithsonian Museum of Art and National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C.

The Delta Blues Museum, Clarksdale, MS

The D-Day Museum, New Orleans, LA

The Pink Palace Museum, Memphis, TN

The American Textile History Museum, Boston, MA

The Natural History Museum, Salt Lake City, UT

The Field Museum, Chicago, IL

There are too many!

What are some of your favorite museums? Maybe they’ll be next on my list.

The Dangers of Vanity and a Few Shameless Plugs

This weekend was action packed, my friends! Nevermind the week, during which I cooked spectacular dishes from the Americas (I did, and they were). Nevermind the perfect, gorgeous, otherworldly springtime outside my doors and windows. Nevermind the regular hilarity with which life happens to me. For now, let’s just talk weekend, shall we?

My vanity is a paradoxical creature. It exists in such a way that I care enough to do something, but I don’t care enough to spend more than about five minutes on said thing. (Bright-ass lipstick diverts multitudes of attention from the rest of the laziness). That being said, some of you are going to feel my pain when I say, “You know how every now and then you see a look or trend you think you might want to try, and then you try it?”

Enter blue eyeshadow, stage left.

How I thought I’d look:

(photo credit: glamour.com)

How I actually looked:

(photocredit: Hollywood.com)

That’s all I have to say about that.

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, I’ve been shopping for new art. I recently received some beautiful – and tres cool – photographs taken by a talented artist who blogs on this site. I couldn’t be happier to have them displayed in my living room. They are the perfect addition to my space:

To check out this amazing man’s work, look up Gedartis on WordPress, and also click here: http://gedartis.wordpress.com/category/geda-fotografia/.
{Shameless Plug #1}

Last night I went to the Rodriguez concert here in town. If you are unfamiliar, check out “Searching For Sugarman.” {Shameless Plug #2} His story is fascinating, and he is one cool cat. Not to mention a talent to bowl over the stoniest of musical folks. A treat I’m lucky not to have missed!

Today, I attended a ladies’ tea party.
My neighbor – a wonderful person who has kindly taken me under her wing – {Shameless Plug #3, and no, she has not read my blog}and her friends have hosted this event every May for the past five years, during which we all wore fancy hats, had a teacup exchange, chitted and chatted with delightful and interesting people, ate divine finger foods, and of course, drank the finest of teas.
Yes, it really was just like that. No, I am not embellishing or omitting.
My tablemates were lovely. No one gave in to the urge to jump on the trampoline. And my language didn’t get away from me even once. A fine time was had by all:

My teacup from the exchange

This hat was meant for me, truly. (We found each other courtesy of the pagepage shop on etsy)
{Shameless Plug #4}

The rest of my weekend that is of any note happened in the tiny park down the street, the coffee shop I haunt:

{Shameless Plug #5}

and my own backyard. Lots of reading, playing with the dogs, thinking on life, and breathing in the spring air. Sometimes those are the most important things we can do.

Honestly, who could resist this face?

{My dog, Toby – Final Shameless Plug}

What’s important to you these days?

Moon Over Austin

Perspective is a tricky thing.

I’ve been exploring art lately.

I think it is generally accepted (as far as society is concerned, for what it’s worth) an artist’s job is not only to reflect himself or herself through any given piece, but also to allow the viewers to see themselves, whether differently or in the familiar.  That is an artist’s gift to us, in part.

Given this, my questions crop:  What, in turn, do the pieces with which I identify say about me?

The ones I choose to display in my home or office?  The ones I don’t, because someone might get the “wrong impression”?  OK, you’re right. I don’t have any of those…  But other people do.

I’ve been weeding out prints that no longer fit my outlook or the home I wish to substantiate.  I’ve had some happy run ins with pieces and people which are aiding my artistic evolution. I’ve been more thoughtful about the things I display because I genuinely enjoy them.

How important is this?  I don’t really know.

 

On the school front ~    The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of steak, bourgonnione, veal piccata, sweetbreads, leg of lamb, farro, pork ribs, fish and shellfish.

Turns out I am a pro at slapping flesh in a pan and sautéing it appropriately.  Fish fileting by school standards…mmm… it’s hit or miss.  Gravlax brought a Green Eggs and Ham moment for me over salmon, which I have never loved.  Cured, I find it perfectly palatable.  Flounder was magical, but my favorite dish so far, with flavors of home:

 

 

( I made the mignonette and shucked some myself).

Friday was a challenge, leaving me wondering, once again, why it is I’ve chosen to pursue this line of education.  Some of us went out for beers, asses handed to us by a rough day in the kitchen, and I realized how much I appreciate being surrounded by people who love and think about food in so many of the ways I do. We have different experiences and approaches, different goals, but the value of being a part of this group isn’t lost on me.

 

Extracurriculars ~ I found a mediocre sports bar that promises to always broadcast the Braves for me.  With their record at 5-1 I want to see all I can!  The team is off to a dynamic start, and I for one haven’t missed a single trade or retiree.  (Wait, did I just say that?  YEAH I did).

 

I caught the Sons of Fathers appearance at Waterloo Records this week.  Their take on the roots movement is fresh, and I found some of their live performances more impressive than their recorded counterparts.  {We all know I bought the album}.  I also saw Liz Morphis’s jazz session at Evangeline. She sang exactly what she should have, and sang it simply and well.  What more could I ask?

 

Midweek I hit The Bakehouse just to get out of the house.  I love their small bar, which is constantly packed with regulars.  But can somebody please tell me what’s wrong with this picture?

 

 

That’s right.   Highchairs.  In a bar.  It makes me chortle to myself every time… 

 

Side note ~  I had friends in for the weekend.  I subjected them to my cooking, but also took them down South Congress, and stayed up later than anyone should catching up on life. The only thing I have to relate from the weekend to you is, sometimes the moon just needs howling.

 

One last laugh ~ My first tax return in over a decade came in the mail this week:

 

 

Now please, tell me all your thoughts on art, taxes, and howling at the crescent moon.