Some of you may remember several years ago, when I started dating someone surreptitiously and then 6 weeks into it outed myself on my blog (there were signs prior to that, but nothing overt). I used to call him Le Squeeze and then after we stopped seeing each other but were still friends he became Former Squeeze (or FS). I didn't get any guff from certain quarters **cough**Max**cough** on that affectation.
This year, however, when I start dating someone (less surreptitiously) and try to come up with a suitable Internet pseudonym, it does not pass without comment. I think part of the reason for that is Max is in love and loves broadcasting it. (This is a great thing, since happiness in love is one of the things he has long deserved but only recently found.)
Most of my friends with public blogs have a pseudonym for their S.O. Janiece has the SmartMan (which is a fabulous pseudonym and I am jealous that she already thought of it), Belsum has Mr. B, Nathan has Anon GF, Carol Elaine has CuteFilmNerd. True, not everyone does this (Shawn loves Donna) but a lot do. I think it varies why, but it has a lot to do with privacy. For me, it also is a reference to the fact that I am telling a story. It is from my point of view, so anyone in it is really a character it the story. It's colored by my perceptions. I do my best to be clear when the story is fact and when it is opinion (to be honest, in my opinion (no pun intended) stories that are mostly opinion only have a very specific and limited use).
I find that I often use identifiers other than names in relating stories. For example, I had invited my sister to the birthday dinner, but she turned me down because she was feeling tired. When we arrived at the restaurant, however, there she was! She had changed her mind and decided to secretly come after all! My brother had brought her with him. Yay! I think that's mainly because I have several circles of friends, not all of whom know my sister and brother by name.
Then there's the notion that on the internet, you can redefine yourself. My mum comments here, but I don't call her "mum" here because that takes away her freedom to define herself as someone separate from (but allied to) myself.
Ultimately though, I think it comes down to privacy and distance. I have a public blog. I'm sure there are people who read my blog who I don't know (not counting you very nice lurkers who came here from a friend's blog). Using a pseudonym gives distance between these unknown people and those I care for.
So, since he's the one who sparked the controversy, I asked my boyfriend what he wanted to be called. (On Janiece's blog he's SmartFriend, but he's more than that to me.) He decided on his internet handle: UrbanDK. Interestingly, that's a much more specific and searchable name than just his first name (which I have coincidentally seen about 3 times in the last two days), but everyone's got their own style. [ETA: Scratch that about being searchable. A quick glance through the Google results show nothing related to him and lots of things relating to music and design.] Besides, it's got clever wordplay in it! How can that not be preferable?
So, you'll be seeing UrbanDK (maybe D for short - we'll see) in some of my stories from now on.
Sorry, Max. Get used to disappointment. ;)
3.31.2009
3.30.2009
Fresh Pasta Monday
I got a new toy yesterday, so you can be sure I was test driving it today!
Started with a lump of dough, of course.
"Kneaded" it through the largest setting on the pasta machine...
Then fed it through the smaller settings. The dough became thinner and longer each time.
Along with the roller, I got two cutters. One, for linguine, seen here...
And one for spaghetti, seen here. I had to try them both!
I reserved enough to have one small bowl of each and the rest I hung on a rack (this is a roasting rack, turned on its end) to dry. Then, from that drying portion, I divided each type into two sections, one to freeze and one to put in the fridge. I wanted to test the different methods, of course.
And this was one of the delicious bowls of pasta. I had spaghetti with just butter, salt, and herbs, and the linguine with a smidge of red sauce.
Thank you, ladies, for your awesome gift!
Started with a lump of dough, of course. 
"Kneaded" it through the largest setting on the pasta machine...
Then fed it through the smaller settings. The dough became thinner and longer each time.
Along with the roller, I got two cutters. One, for linguine, seen here...
And one for spaghetti, seen here. I had to try them both!
I reserved enough to have one small bowl of each and the rest I hung on a rack (this is a roasting rack, turned on its end) to dry. Then, from that drying portion, I divided each type into two sections, one to freeze and one to put in the fridge. I wanted to test the different methods, of course.
And this was one of the delicious bowls of pasta. I had spaghetti with just butter, salt, and herbs, and the linguine with a smidge of red sauce.Thank you, ladies, for your awesome gift!
Birthday with Friends
My birthday began well. I was at a (non-birthday related) party on Saturday night and we had stayed so late that five minutes after midnight, my friends (the 10 or so people still lingering at the end of the party) burst into song and serenaded me with "Happy Birthday to you." We had a great time talking and laughing with them and in the wee hours of Sunday, finally left, headed for bed.
Since we had been up VERY late, we slept in and thankfully, I didn't get the first of several birthday calls until a reasonable hour of the morning. All the birthday wishes, either called in or online were greatly appreciated.
I made a yummy breakfast of bacon and scrambled eggs (with mushrooms and cheese) and then we finished up watching the end of season 1 of Rome. At that point (sometime in the afternoon), we decided it was time to switch bases and zipped on down to Larkspur. There was more lounging while we watched the first episode of the second season of The Wire and then it was time to head on out for the evening's entertainment: dinner with Janiece, her SmartMan, and my siblings, Mummy Grabill and Max at Fleming's Steakhouse. Even though it was a great place, with good food and great (if dim) ambiance, I won't go on too long about the food, except to say that the steak was divine, as was the chocolate hazelnut mousse. No, I want to reserve my words for the wonderful company we had. Janiece and her SmartMan are always (to me, anyway) funny and entertaining folks. I was really happy for them to meet my siblings, who are very important to me. Mummy Grabill and Janiece got along like gang-busters (big surprise there) and Max and the guys got into an in depth discussion of PC gaming. I am happiest when surrounded by the people I care about having a good time with each other, so you can imagine how MUCH I was loving this.
Then, to top it all off, I got prezzies! I got Willow on DVD and the Lord of the Rings trilogy books (both of these were per my request) and a Kitchen Aid pasta machine from Janiece, Jeri, Michelle, and Tania! Yay! This was something I had been wanting for months, but had to table due to lack of funds. I believe I started giggling maniacally when I saw what it was and, as you can see by the photo, I am planning much delicious mischief (the "bunny ears" fingers in the photo are my brother's). You are all invited to my house for fresh pasta!
Other gifts I have received for my birthday are: concert tickets, a limerick (see below), a toaster oven, and a crockpot. I've also gotten some really lovely and funny cards. All of these are greatly appreciated.
I love you all and really appreciate what you bring to my life.
And now, from the uber-clever mind of Tania:
A talented UCFer named Anne
Leads a life both witty and urban
With two cute little catties
Martin and Matti
And a taste for properly made Naan
Since we had been up VERY late, we slept in and thankfully, I didn't get the first of several birthday calls until a reasonable hour of the morning. All the birthday wishes, either called in or online were greatly appreciated.
I made a yummy breakfast of bacon and scrambled eggs (with mushrooms and cheese) and then we finished up watching the end of season 1 of Rome. At that point (sometime in the afternoon), we decided it was time to switch bases and zipped on down to Larkspur. There was more lounging while we watched the first episode of the second season of The Wire and then it was time to head on out for the evening's entertainment: dinner with Janiece, her SmartMan, and my siblings, Mummy Grabill and Max at Fleming's Steakhouse. Even though it was a great place, with good food and great (if dim) ambiance, I won't go on too long about the food, except to say that the steak was divine, as was the chocolate hazelnut mousse. No, I want to reserve my words for the wonderful company we had. Janiece and her SmartMan are always (to me, anyway) funny and entertaining folks. I was really happy for them to meet my siblings, who are very important to me. Mummy Grabill and Janiece got along like gang-busters (big surprise there) and Max and the guys got into an in depth discussion of PC gaming. I am happiest when surrounded by the people I care about having a good time with each other, so you can imagine how MUCH I was loving this.
Then, to top it all off, I got prezzies! I got Willow on DVD and the Lord of the Rings trilogy books (both of these were per my request) and a Kitchen Aid pasta machine from Janiece, Jeri, Michelle, and Tania! Yay! This was something I had been wanting for months, but had to table due to lack of funds. I believe I started giggling maniacally when I saw what it was and, as you can see by the photo, I am planning much delicious mischief (the "bunny ears" fingers in the photo are my brother's). You are all invited to my house for fresh pasta!Other gifts I have received for my birthday are: concert tickets, a limerick (see below), a toaster oven, and a crockpot. I've also gotten some really lovely and funny cards. All of these are greatly appreciated.
I love you all and really appreciate what you bring to my life.
And now, from the uber-clever mind of Tania:
A talented UCFer named Anne
Leads a life both witty and urban
With two cute little catties
Martin and Matti
And a taste for properly made Naan
3.29.2009
3.28.2009
Comfort Food (On Many Levels)
Hot chocolate spiked with chocolate liquor (peppermint schnapps not on hand) and fresh homemade marshmallows melting on top
3.26.2009
The Upside
... to unemployment is that you don't have to go out in this:
I am (and most of those I care about are) safely ensconced at home. I'm thinking of making some... mmmm... hot chocolate. I'd like to have it with homemade marshmallows, but they won't be done until tomorrow. Maybe I'll make brownies too... Hmmm...
Speaking of baked goods, the taste taste proposed in the comments of this post was held yesterday. Early polling put the cookie A (coincidentally baked by me*) ahead of cookie B (coincidentally baked by MG). Cookie A performed well in the Appearances and Flavor categories. Cookie B did very well in the Texture category. I'll see if MG can give me an update on late polling. [hint hint]
I am (and most of those I care about are) safely ensconced at home. I'm thinking of making some... mmmm... hot chocolate. I'd like to have it with homemade marshmallows, but they won't be done until tomorrow. Maybe I'll make brownies too... Hmmm...
Speaking of baked goods, the taste taste proposed in the comments of this post was held yesterday. Early polling put the cookie A (coincidentally baked by me*) ahead of cookie B (coincidentally baked by MG). Cookie A performed well in the Appearances and Flavor categories. Cookie B did very well in the Texture category. I'll see if MG can give me an update on late polling. [hint hint]
3.24.2009
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