Life has been on hold around here for three months, and just got confirmation that it’s likely to stay that way into the fall. What next? My chosen career in corporate travel isn’t coming back anytime soon, and my current hobbies (sewing and knocking around virtual worlds) don’t really fill the bill. School? Learn a new skill? Take up where I left off? Use my chameleonic superpower for good, not napping on the couch undetected? I shall make inquiries.
So about six weeks ago, we were waiting for something good to happen. My husband David is in between bullet points on his resume – it’s set up like a very long leave of absence and we are fine, but it’s a frustrating and confusing process in the Trumpizoic-COVID19 Era. You may find out more about him at Geeky Ramblings. If you look at my Twitter timeline, you’ll see a really long pinned thread that documents my day-to-day (or minute-to-minute) experience of the Coronavirus Crisis. The most helpful link I could offer is the Illinois Department of Public Health page…
We’re in a holding pattern here at Chez Gique, waiting for something to happen – a good thing, just hasn’t happened yet. And it’s hard to be patient, and it’s hard not to hyperfocus on “when will we know happens next,” and it’s hard to keep spirits up and positive. So in the meantime, other than the fact that a narcissistic madman is running the country, what else is going on? Well, it’s currently hard to type words like “currently,” “hard,” or “words,” because the “R” key on my iPad Mini Rugged Zagg book is missing a keycap, and as…
It’s rare for me to start a book and not finish it. It’s even rarer for me to start a book, finish two other books in a day each, and read the first one a few chapters at a time.
Lock the doors before reading.
From my personal Wayback Machine, a book review I wrote in January 2020, just before the dragonsh*t hit the fan.
President Trump’s decision to assassinate Qasem Soleimani came as a shock to America’s foes and allies alike. He was Iran’s top general and has been described as one of the country’s most powerful figures, second only to the Supreme Leader Ayotollah Ali Khamenei. He was, effectively, head of Iran’s foreign policy. He’s been credited as being instrumental in the fight against ISIS but has also been accused of arming and supporting terror groups. But why did Donald Trump order his death?
Comfort more than nutrition usually comes to mind when you think of a meat-and-potatoes meal. This recipe qualifies as both. It has all the comfort of classic shepherd’s pie, but works in extra veggies, olive oil instead of butter, and leaner beef. Nobody will be the wiser, since it remains so flavorful and satisfying.INGREDIENTSFor the potato-cauliflower topping:1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for salting the cooking water8 ounces cauliflower florets (2 heaping cups)2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil1/2 cup low-fat milkFreshly ground black pepper1/2 cup shredded sharp or extra-sharp cheddar cheese…
I want to live in a country where we send our troops to save koala bears instead of making money for old men that own stocks in defense contractors. @realDonaldTrump — NoelCaslerComedy? (@caslernoel) January 5, 2020