Random Meandering

3:13pm: My Nephew Dominic

2:34pm: What Do You Have To Say? - Travel: True Adventure
Split between backpacking for a year in Europe and North Africa with my boyfriend when I was 20 or a year tripping around India and Nepal alone when I was 22.  Both had thrilling moments and a few scary scenes.  I guess the trip on my own was a little more adventurous, technically, since I was all alone. 

The trip with my boyfriend had a scene as if from a film, where we were threatened at knife-point by a crazy "guide" in Tangier.  He had been following us around all that day, harassing us and demanding we pay him for his "job" of being a guide, when we had no need of a guide and had told him so numerous times (we had been staying in the city for over a month and knew where we were and where we wanted to go).  After about five hours of this we returned to our hotel, which was next to a mosque, and as we passed by the mosque the man pulled out a knife and waved it around, shouting "Pay me for my job, or I will kill you, right here before my God!"

He was getting desperate because there were guards posted at the gate of our hotel (they didn't allow locals in, I guess because of people like him) and he knew he would be stopped if he tried to follow us further.  We just shook our heads and continued on our way.  All in all I LOVED that city, maybe more than any other I visited during that year-long journey.

During my solo trip in India and Nepal I was stopped at the border and held for eleven hours alone in an interrogation room, believed to be a member of some political group called the "Ananda Margi" I think--simply because I had a book in my backpack called "Ancient Tibetan Religious Artifacts" or something like that.  Oh yes, and a pair of orange pants.  Apparently this group wore a lot of orange and were threatening to overthrow the existing government in India.  There had been recent assassination threats etc.  While I was in nepal there was a war of some kind going on as well and we had curfew sirens that went off after dinner and if you were caught outside after curfew, you could be shot on sight!

Wow, this makes me want to travel again!  I've been back to India a couple times recently, but no great exciting tales to tell, because I was not alone, and the families I was visiting pampered me like a princess.  While it's nice to be treated like a celebrity now and then, I much prefer the adventure of real travel.  I'm planning a solo trip to China and then on to India again, but recently I have actually been haunted by the call to visit Iraq... maybe I am crazy.  I might keep you all posted?

11:20pm: Looking for Vyolet from EarthLink
Does anyone know how to get ahold of Vyolet, the pyt on Eric Green's team that was into hip-hop, health food and pit bulls? Last I heard she was getting married and planning to stay in Seattle a while. It's been over a year since I spoke to her, and the number I have for her has been disconnected.

She was talking about starting her own business caring for dogs, and I believe she went to SF to a dog training school to become a vet/trainer or something of the sort.

I recently got the most wonderful pit bull and I wanted to talk to her about training and other important details of raising a loving and responsible bull.

If anyone knows how to get ahold of her, PLEASE forward my number to her or give hers to me.

5:20pm: So my party was nice, it was wonderful seeing friends I hadn't even spoken to in like a year--Hi Keenan, what a surprise! And Bartosz, it was great seeing you and Pam and the rugrat, Mishu. God he's huge now... that was a real indicator of time passed there! It was great seeing the guys and groupies of Evil Twin, hopefully I'll make it to one of the upcoming shows, and Travis will have to come make fried chicken at my place for us all soon. Of course now I'll have to try to keep in touch more and actually be present.

It turns out I won't be going back to India in October/November as I had originally planned, so I need a job, and I have decided I really want to work in a restaurant or some other type of kitchen, so if anyone has any leads, please pass them on.

Meanwhile, I may be going to Canada next month to cook a Thanksgiving feast for a friend (they celebrate Thanksgiving in October there, apparently) which should be fun.

Now I am going to watch this week's episode of Rome again I think, since I was talking through half of it on Sunday.

5:55pm: 9/11 BBQ INVITATION
My pot-luck is this Sunday, September 11th at 2:00pm. I sent out an e-vite but don't have current email addresses for everyone, so if I didn't invite you, don't take it personally, just show up on Sunday afternoon with something to share. We'll be smoking a huge hunk of flesh and supplying a few other munchables.  Kids are welcome, as are any others you care to invite.  I'd like to see you all there to close out the summer with me. Cheers! ~Rupa

9:03am: BBQ Sept 11th
Okay I have been away and now I am poking my head out for just a minute to let you all know I am alive and well.

I am having a BBQ at my house in Renton on Sunday September 11th, for those of you who demand proof that it is actually the real Rupa, and not some imposter who has me locked away in a dungeon somewhere.

It will be pot-luck, so bring something to share and something to grill... I'll have a pork leg smoking and probably some chicken BBQing and a couple salads or whatever. I'll probably do some margaritas and something non-alcoholic also, but more drinks are always welcome.

Kids are welcome, there will be a few here. My roommate has a six-year old, and a few friends already mentioned bringing kids. The yard is huge, and I may set up a tent or something, so we don't have to lock them in the Harry Potter room under the stairs the whole time ;-)

Okay that's it, I look forward to seeing you there!
Email or call me if you need more info.

7:03pm:

Yay, Deadwood and Carnivale are on tonight!

Yesterday was my birthday.  I got several packages in the mail from family and friends out of state.  Sushi dishes, a few very nice Calphalon pots, and a few other random kitchen tools I had been wishing for.  I was taken out for dinner at a swanky little place in Seattle called Mistral, which, according to the menu, serves multi-course menus in the tradition of European haute cuisine.  I love all my gifts very much and the dinner was super special, Thanks, David and Leslie!

The dinner was outstanding.  We were served seven courses and five different wines.  The wines were not impressive and very overpriced, but the food was very delightful.  Even the palette-cleanser (a fresh grapefruit sorbet) was worth mentioning.

Our first course was Amuse Bouche oysters on the half-shell, then organic English pea soup w/ seared sea scallop, basil oil and carrot foam.  Then a striped bass with provencal vegetables, basil and blood orange.  Delicious.  Next was the artisan foie gras with paoched rhubarb and pear puree.  The main course was rack or Oregon lamb with organic carrots and fingerling potato puree with two sauces, one was a hot pepper oil and it was amazing.  The best lamb I have had in years.  Finally a selection of five artisan cheeses, two of which were worth shopping for in the future.  Dessert was amazing as well, a small but intense dark chocolate tort topped with a dark chocolate dipped crisp cookie, and accompanied by two flavors of ice cream.  The vanilla was one of the best vanillas I have ever tasted, I do not know if they made it in house or not.  Perhaps I'll call and ask one day.  I am not in the frame of mind to write a proper review but thought I would detail the facts in case Leslie needed any of them for hers, as I imagine she will be reviewing it on her journal. 

Today I used my new ball-wisk and large 8qt saucier to make what has become my new favorite soup.  Here it is, please try it, as it's super easy and luxuriously velvety creamy rich and delicious, and good for you too!

• 1 tbs of light cooking oil (veg, canola, light olio)
  2 tsp ground cumin
  6-8 medium sized carrots, peeled and cut into lengths about an inch or so.
  3 cups chicken stock (or veg stock if preferred)
  1 cup (one pint) part skim ricotta
  One tbs (or so, I like a bit more) lemon juice
  1 tbs salt (kosher if available)


• 
  In a medium sauce pan heat oil and cumin on low flame for about a minute or two, until you begin to smell it bloom.


• Stir in carrots and stock.


• Bring to a boil.


• Lower heat to a simmer and leave for about 30 minutes -- until carrots are very soft. Test by removing one and smashing with a fork on the cutting board, if it is smooth and easy they are done.  Even with really fat carrots this should not take more than 35 minutes.


• Once carrots are done, remove from broth with a slotted spoon or other straing utensil, leaving broth in the pot on low heat.


• Place carrots aside.


• In a blender, mix ricotta and about half a cup of the hot broth until smooth and "whirlpooling".  You may add more broth if it does not whirlpool.


• Slowly add carrots while blender is going, adding more broth if needed to maintain whirlpool effect.  Once all carrots have been added leave blender on high or puree for at least a minute or two, to insure all carrots are pureed fully and there are no lumps or chunks.


• Whisk the carrot and ricotta mixture into the stock slowly until it is all incorporated and piping hot.


• Add salt and lemon juice to taste. I like to serve with a lemon wedge also since I like it a bit more lemony.


• Serve with a nice crusty bread.


• If you have basil oil, just a drop swirled on top of each individual bowl for color and accent might be nice.

1:06pm: The feeling of rust...
Many or most of you have probably seen these and I will be scolded for posting something so terribly last week, but at least a couple friends had no idea what I was talking about when I referenced these clips (granted, expressing a desire to caress a rusty kettle might throw anyone off).
If you have not seen Salad Fingers (by David Firth) go at once--drop everything, time is wasting!
Watch the four episodes, beginning with this one here:
http://www.fat-pie.com/salad.htm

Once you have seen all the Salad Fingers episodes, watch the parody, Banana Fingers, but not before. It's hysterical (my opinion). I just love the voices for both Salad and Banana.
http://www.weebls-stuff.com/toons/45/

And the various flash animations to go along with Raffi's incredibly retentive "Banana Phone" are here:
Roommate skit (Music at the correct speed, I'm sorry, I actually love this song!)
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/bananaphone.html

Music sped up and Badgers dancing to it... *yawn* but still... somehow I can't get it out of my head.
http://www.filmbuffs.net/bananana/

And last, some cuteness to cleanse you after all the creepiness that preceded:
http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/ddautta.php
Can kitties and bunnies really find true love at the cup-0-fish and carrot juice vending machines?
Very reminiscent of Pepe Le Pieu.

12:31am: I'll need a new job, my contract is petering out soon.

I'll need a new roommate as of November 1st.

I got my free iPod, thanks if you helped. I love it. Go get yours.
http://www.freeiPods.com/default.aspx?referer=9770190

Updated Ponderland, Evil Twin albums, after much harrassment.
http://www.ponderland.net/pop/et

I miss India. Not much other news.

2:38pm: pyramid scheme warning
Yes you probably heard about this on CNN or wired.com, it's like the "affiliate" programs floating around sort of, or the old pyramid deals... you join, you get five friends to join, you get some reward. So this is for a free iPod, and it can cost you nothing or up to like $40, depending on which "offer" you choose. The offers are things like a coffee club (my friend chose that, and spent $30 in order to get her $400 iPod), Blockbuster online which I chose (just like netflix but you also get two in-store movies per month) because I will actually use it, but you CAN just cancel it before the free trial is up and still get credit for the deal... BMG 12 CDs for a total of like $35 I think including the one you have to buy and all the shipping... lotsa other things. Some are free trials and you just have to remember to cancel after the trial is up (they count on everyone not doing it to make their millions).  There's Infone, which is actually free, or .80 per call if you use it more than the five free intro calls (it's like 411 and movie phone and driving directions etc, which Sprint charges me .99 per call on) but there is no fee to join and no monthly fee.

So I signed up with this as a favor to my friend Amanda, thinking it would never actually happen,but I wanted to try Blockbuster's NetFlix deal anyway.
Then she got her free iPod last week, so now I am trying to get five people to join so I can get mine. Unfortunately most people I know are skeptics like me, so getting five of them to do this has not been easy.  I figure this is as good a place as any to find willing victims. I know some of you would be really good at actually following through and getting your own iPods. Once I get mine I'll refer people to those on my list (cause once I have it in my hand people will no likely want to join even though they won't now... grrrr).

If you want to try to get a free iPod for yourself, or just want to help me get mine, follow this link and complete one offer (if all else fails, join BMG and get 12 Neil Diamond or Elvis Christmas CDs for the price of one and have last minute gifts for all those people you didn't care enough to shop for but feel obliged to give something to--hehe).

Make sure you uncheck the "I want to receive future offers by mail" box of course.  I signed up over a month ago with a secondary "spamguard" email address (desimoons-fun yahoo) so I could monitor it, and I have gotten NO spam from them.
In order for me to get credit you have to sign in using this exact link:

CLICK HERE or copy and paste this into your browser:
http://www.freeiPods.com/default.aspx?referer=9770190

Okay thanks in advance... I'll let you play with my iPod when I get it if you sign up!

11:57am: No Vote Left Behind Weekend
So I am gonna be at one or two of these shows each night shooting, because as La Cerda says, "We need total coverage!"
If you have thoughts or opinions of which shows are more worthy of my attention, please let me know, otherwise...
"I'm just gonna keep trying different combinations of lenses and film 'till I find something that works in this dust!"
I'm thinking the El Vez and Hedwig thing would probably be most visually appealing, but the train-wreck draw of Pearl Jam is also tugging at me, so I may be totally sick and try to do both.  I'm not paying for it so I won't feel like I have to stick around to get my *cough* forty dollars worth...

So here goes, if there's anything you LOVE or LOATHE listed, please throw me a heads up:

Friday, September 24th
    * Sunset Tavern - Hedwig v. El Vez, Purty Mouth, 21+, $12, Ticketweb (phone and web only)
    * Crocodile Cafe - John Vanderslice, Matthew Caws (Nada Surf) and John Roderick (Long Winters), Robbers on High Street, Will Johnson (Centro-Matic), the Zutons, 21+, $15, Ticketweb (phone and web only)
    * Showbox - Pearl Jam, Smoosh and DJ Cherry Canoe, 18+, $40.
      Tickets on sale Friday September 10th at 10am ONLY BY CALLING TICKETSWEST AT 1-800-325-SEAT.

Saturday, September 25th
    * Sunset Tavern - John Doe, Grant-Lee Phillips, Alan Sparhawk (Low), and Mark Pickerel, 21+, $30, Ticketweb (phone and web only)
    * Showbox - Mudhoney, The Avengers, Kinski, Pansy Division, with special guest David Cross, 21+, $15, Ticketswest (phone only)
    * Crocodile Cafe - The Divine Comedy, The Turn-Ons, The Delays, The Futureheads, 21+, $15, Ticketweb, (phone and web only)

Sunday, September 26th
    * Tractor Tavern - Cracker, Radio Nationals, 21+, $25, Ticketweb, (phone and web only)
    * Sunset - Jon Brion, Jon Auer, 21+, $15, Ticketweb (phone and web only)
    * Crocodile - Surprise Guests

For details or to buy tickets, check out the NotVoteLeftBehind website

5:27am: It's been twenty years since I was taught this.
I was musing aloud during the olympics that not a single American seemed to know the lyrics and it would have been much less painful to watch had they just kept their mouths shut during the playing of the National Anthem, rather than half-assedly mouthing obviously nonsensical gibberish trying to pretend they knew it. After reading it now, I can't blame a single one of them. Hell, I didn't even know there WERE so many lines.

Here it is, as penned by Francis Scott Key, 1814

O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O thus be it ever when free-men shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation;
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust!”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

On another note, I just got the greatest postage stamps! The Dr. Seuss first class letter stamp (it's about bloody time!) and the year of the monkey stamp. Yay!

3:42am: Nothing shocks me here...
This inspired by </a></b></a>starfish77's post:





I was shocked to find
that there were more than a handful of people whose obsession with The
Big Lebowski greatly surpasses my own. Indeed, there are three fan
conventions each year, all kinds of fan-produced T-shirts, bumper
stickers, and posters available for purchase, even an active online
discussion forum.




With the internet comes the realization that not only are we far from
alone, but should we care to, any one of us former(?) "freaks" and
outsiders could join and travel in any number of huge packs now.
Comforting? Disconcerting? Downright horrifying?

I am not ready to pass my verdict quite yet, but the evidence is there to study.

2:18am: The perfect woman, so says the Kama Sutra:
She in whom the following signs and symptoms appear is called a Padmini. Her face is
pleasing as the full moon; her body, well clothed with flesh, is soft as the Shiras or
mustard flower, her skin is fine, tender and fair as the yellow lotus, never dark coloured.
Her eyes are bright and beautiful as the orbs of the fawn, well cut, and with reddish
corners. Her bosom is hard, full and high; she has a good neck; her nose is straight and
lovely, and three folds or wrinkles cross her middle - about the umbilical region. Her yoni
resembles the opening lotus bud, and her love seed (Kama salila) is perfumed like the lily
that has newly burst. She walks with swan-like gait, and her voice is low and musical as
the note of the Kokila bird, she delights in white raiments, in fine jewels, and in rich
dresses. She eats little, sleeps lightly, and being as respectful and religious as she is clever
and courteous, she is ever anxious to worship the gods, and to enjoy the conversation of
Brahmans. Such, then, is the Padmini or Lotus woman.

1:09pm: Are you ready, voters?
If not, time is running out.  Get registered NOW.
You have the power to make a change, use it or don't complain.
That is all.
Thank you, drive through.

Sir Mix-A-Lot, Outtasite, and Children of the Revo-LU-tion.

12:29pm: NOW look what I stumbled accross.
While cleaning up old folders...



The scary part is in the other surrounding details, really.

10:49am: General restrictions for LUXEMBOURG
Prohibitions:
-Air guns, daggers, sword canes, loaded canes, and other hidden or secret defensive weapons.
-Lottery tickets, as well as printed papers, advertisements, posters, etc., relating to lotteries or sweepstakes.
-Perishable infectious biological substances.
-Post Cards embellished with fabrics, embroidery, metal, spangles, or similar materials except in sealed envelopes.
-Printed pamphlets, without indication of the name of the printer.
-Radioactive materials.
-Live plants and animals.
-Arms and weapons.
-Human remains.

11:30am: Observations for India
1. In India, a very small number of articles is admitted free of customs duty and the tariffs of these duties vary considerably. The general rate of import duty is 30 percent but many articles are liable to a higher rate.
2. Import duty is chargeable even if the articles are received as free gifts. The fact that goods are old or second-hand or gifts or articles intended for personal use does not entitle them per se to exemption from import duty. However, the collection of duty is waived in cases where the total duty on a shipment does not exceed 3 rupees. Books and magazines are generally exempt from import duty.
3. Shipments can be more speedily released if their contents and value are clearly and correctly declared by the sender.
4. Insured parcel post packages addressed to the post office boxes of Draw, Kargil and Leh in the State of Kashmir are not accepted from November 1 to May 31.

This means if I send gifts valued at more than seven cents the recipients will likely have to pay in excess of 30% taxes on it.
What a load of crap.
And what's up with those slacker post masters in Kashmir? Skiing for six months straight I guess. Hehe.

10:13am: More photos.

9:14am: Okay I am posting my trip finally...
Or trying to... so far I got through the first two days in Taipei

9:44am: Some pics from some bands playing some songs...
some recent night in some dive in some city somewhere close to me.

You must click.

8:02am: I miss it.
I just found a scrap of paper from my trip to India, it has two sentances scribbled on it:

"I am catching your heartly thinking."

and

"Who man spoke you these words?"

You figure it out (I had to).

2:11am: Let's try that again.
Ben is asleep. Harley and Ikval are at work.
That leaves me all alone.

Alone with all these Malasian Fire Seaweed Brownies! Oh noooooo...

2:00am: What a great time to be alive.
Mmmm, Moon Pies.

3:10am: More Photos
If you'd like to see a few shots from downtown, click here.