Let it Begin

The music portion of South by Southwest 2009 has official begun. However, I really wouldn’t know, since I had to work today. While many attendees had fun drinking free beer and listening to tunes at some free day shows today, I was stuck writing about lasers. Oh, well.

I was able to pick up my wristband yesterday. After scoring a primo parking spot near the convention center I found my way to Exhbit Hall 4 where they were dispensing the little pieces of plastic. When I arrived some volunteer informed me, “the system is down,” and it had been for like 30 minutes. There was a line, but I wasn’t going to waste that awesome parking spot for nothing. So I decided to wait. Before I know it, the system got back to running and the line began moving swiftly.

line to get sxsw wristbands 3/17/09

I must say that the wristbands are a lot more futuristic looking this year. At first glance they look more like a funky slap bracelet, than a run of the mill festival wristband. They are mustard yellow with green, black, and white holographic images. When I turn my wrist a certain way the images change. Pretty neat.

Although I missed all the day shows today, I do plan to venture out tonight (after a quick disco nap). My plan is to take the bus downtown (parking and driving sucks this time of year) and go see a few bands. First up is the Thrift Store Cowboys. A couple of the guys in the band actually went to my high school. This is pretty amazing since there were only like 50 people in my high school. These guys are awesome and I always make a point of seeing them when they are in town. They have to be the coolest people to ever graduate from Borden County (besides me of course).

Later tonight I hope to catch The Seedy Seeds and The Decemberists.

Stay tuned for more sxsw play-by-play action.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

This week marks the celebration of many great things … green beer, spring and South by Southwest. I’m going to pick up my wristband for the four-day music marathon here in Austin tomorrow. I plan to take lots of photos and blog a bit about my experiences. Stay tuned

Mexico day dreaming

 

 

 

My Hulu Obession

So I’m a TV junky. There is nothing like kickin back on the couch and soaking up some mind numbing boob toob action.  It may soften your brain like a soft banana, but what can I say, I like bananas. But sometimes 200-plus channels on digital cable just doesn’t cut it. That’s why I seek out the awesome wonderfulness of Hulu. The Website (which is a joint effort between NBC, News Corp and some big investors) offers some of my favorite TV shows, clips of programs like Saturday Night Live and even some movies. 

Since my Hulu discovery I’ve started watching It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Arrested Development, and even Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Other awesome finds on the sight include Wall Street Warriors : a reality series on MOJO about those wacky Wall Streeters. You see, on Hulu you find the best of current programs along with classic TV gems and stuff you may have missed along the way. It’s all free and they only make you watch short 30 second ads, maybe once every 20 minutes or so. For a cheap skate like me, it’s worth it.

Happy Huluing.

Bleeding Orange…

I have an uncanny craving for fish sometimes (must be running low on Omega 3 oils) and I also love fruit. During my recent trip to the grocery store I found lots and lots of fresh citrus — beautiful big lemons, heirloom navel oranges, grapefruit and blood oranges. They also had salmon on special so I thought I would join the two. I made some of the yummiest salads…if I don’t say so myself. I had never really eated blood oranges much before and now I’m hooked. The beautiful red color and sweetness is soooo good.

Here are a couple of recipies that marry citrus and fish….a perfect meal for the 78 degree January days we’ve been having.

Salmon with Citrus and Arugala Salad
2 oranges, blood oranges, tangeries or a mix, sectioned

1 lemon
2 cups washed, arugula leaves
2 TBSP olive oil

pinch of thyme

1/4 cup of toasted almonds (I just used some pre-chopped almond/breadcrumb mix)
1/2 tsp crushed chile pepper
Salmon filets

Directions:
1. For dressing combine oil, lemon juice, zest, and a pinch of thyme
2. Bread salmon filets in the almond/breadcrumb mix, sprinkle with crushed red chili pepper and cook in skillet with oil
4. Mix together citrus/arugula and dressing and plate salmon on top.

 

Mahi-Mahi with Blood Orange, Avocado, and Red Onion Salsa

1 blood orange, Cara Cara orange, or regular orange
1/2 cup 1/3-inch cubes avocado
1/3 cup chopped red onion
2 teaspoons minced red jalapeño
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice

2 teaspoons olive oil
2 6-ounce mahi-mahi fillets

Using small sharp knife, cut peel and white pith from orange. Working over small bowl, cut between membranes to release segments. Add avocado, onion, jalapeño, and lime juice to oranges in bowl; stir gently to blend. Season salsa to taste with salt.

Heat oil in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper. Add fish to skillet and sauté until brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.

Place 1 fillet on each of 2 plates. Spoon salsa atop fish and serve.

I’m in Heaven!

 

Finally, after more than a month without cable and Internet at my house I have it Wow, you never really now what you got til it’s gone. Let’s just say I got watch a lot of local news, semi-entertaining sitcoms, and even ice skating during my 30-plus days on the rabbit ears.

Alex, the friendly Russian U-Verse man set it up bright and early this morning. This was only after two other AT&T techs came out to get some install work done. So far, so good. The picture looks good, the recording function seems cool, and I have some 300 channels! I’m rather clueless when it comes to technical electrical stuff. I’m just happy that I can now catch up on some of my favorite shows like Top Chef, AND the Big Love premier, which comes on HBO this Sunday! OOOO how I love catty chefs and polygamists!!

Now you must excuse me, I have some TV watching to do.

Longhorns, Cotton, Red Raiders and Tumbleweeds….a winning combo

My trip out to West Texas for the Texas Tech vs OSU game was awesome. It was a thrill to get back on campus and and watch the No. 2 team in the nation at work! I haven’t seen Tech fans so energized. It was great to see. 

Pre-game activities included a visit to my family’s farm. We fed the cows, walked around in the cotton and hunted down a few tumbleweeds for my friend, Holly, who wanted to take an authentic West Texas Tumbleweed home with her. 

 

New House

So we didn’t quite get it together in time to buy a house, but we decided instead to rent a house in a neighborhood we love. We move in on Dec. 1. It’s a cute little  bungalow with 2 bedrooms and a nifty loft bonus room/attic space. Decorating ideas welcome. The exterior is this funky color that I’m calling avocado/salsa verde green. 

This is Lindsey, our new neighbor/landlady.

The kitchen is a little small…but the sacrifices you make to live in a cool neighborhood.

The front door.

The loft space up the spiral staircase. Not really sure what’s going to be put up in here…but we will see.

I’m so gay for Sarah Silverman

Sarah Silverman, the Jewy chick that can make me laugh no matter my mood is back on Comedy Central this week with the third season of The Sarah Silverman Program. Fart lovin’, cringe inducing, gross out, racist humor…yay!

Watch it! If you don’t like it, you’re a douche nozzle.

Wednesday 9:30 pm central

A is for Autumn and Apples!

 

Photos by La tartine gourmande

On this first day of Fall I celebrate the apple…..more specifically, Honeycrisp Apples. It may still be 90 degrees here in Texas but one bite of these yummy fruits and it’s automatically autumn. I like apples but I love Honeycrisps. They are only around once a year, and they are a little more expensive than your old Granny Smiths, Fujis or Washingtons, but they are definitely worth it. They are sweet, tart and the texture is just right. They are great raw or dipped in a little peanut butter….yum! Plus they are really pretty. Beautifully pink peach with flecks of yellow, green and orange. Toss a few in a wooden bowl and let them pull double duty as a nice centerpiece (before you eat them all).