Fuel for My Road Trip!

I have a lot to look forward to this week as I will be driving from the midwest to the East coast for a little vacation. Yep, a road trip!!! I am absolutely looking forward to a number of fun story-making moments. As I try to prepare mentally and physcially, I am reminded of the mini-series from last spring on NPR called 100 Days: On The Road in Troubled Times. David Greene traveled all over the country for 100 days to find out how the recession was affecting people. And as you might guess, he was able to share many stories from the road from a variety of different people about how they are faring in troubled times. But what he also found was that all the places and people he visited shared 1 story, and that is,

"...that people miles apart are bonded by the challenges they face in this recession. One common thread is the search so many people are doing for some sign of optimism."

Truly, roadtrips are always good for a story no matter what the type. But before I can even think about the stories that will be written by this trip, I have to get down to basics, i.e. directions, packing list, and snacks. These are perhaps the building blocks for any good road trip, right?! In the midst of preparations, I am also hearing my dad's voice who is a pro when it comes to making the road feel a little more like home.

I already have driving directions in the form of a google map as well as my trusty little GPS for added assurance. My packing list is somewhat fluid right now and will be until the last minute before departure (yes, this is a learned behavior). So that only leaves... FOOD!! (This is where I make my dad proud!) Tempting though it may be, I cannot rely on roadside vendors for nutrition, so what to bring? Well, I conducted a google search and came upon great tips and 3 great recipes that I will for sure employ. I learned that high-fiber snacks are the best way to go for a full belly and long-lasting energy. Fruits are a great source of fiber as is granola. In my opinion, granola (and trail mix too) is best when you can add what you want, but I will be working off of the following recipe:

DIY Granola

• 4 cups rolled oats, wheat, or barley (any combination)
• ½ cup sunflower or sesame seeds½ cup honey, maple syrup, or a thick syrup made with ½ cup brown sugar and 2-3 tablespoons water
• ¼ cup canola oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla and/or other extract
• ¾ cup raisins or other dried fruit (optional)
• ½ cup nuts (optional)
• ½ teaspoon salt
  

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together except for the dried fruit. Set the dried fruit aside.
2. In another bowl mix the sweetener, oil and extract together.
3. Add the liquid to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. The liquids will be absorbed and the granola will become darker and shinier.
4. Spread the granola in a shallow baking pan. Bake at 325°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until fairly dry and starting to brown. Stir every ten minutes while it is baking to keep the granola on the bottom from burning.
5. Remove the granola from the oven and stir in the fruit.

Tips
1. Granola will become crispier and crunchier as it cools. 2. Because of the oil, granola will not stay fresh long. Store in an airtight container and use within two weeks. It will last for six months or longer in the freezer.

I'm also thinking about making chicken fingers for lunch/dinner and muffins for breakfast. I'm sure these recipes are an ambitious undertaking, but rest assurred that reality will smack me in the face as departure draws nearer. At any rate...

Chicken Fingers

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup crushed cornflakes
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 2 large eggs
  

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
2. Cut the chicken breasts into strips 3/8-inch thick.
3. Mix the crushed cornflakes, cheese, paprika, salt, and pepper together in a medium bowl.
4. Whisk the eggs in another medium bowl.
5. Prepared a baking sheet by lining the pan with aluminum foil and grease the foil.
6. Dip the chicken strips in the eggs and then roll them in the crumb mixture. Place the strips on the prepared pan.
7. Bake for 20 minutes or until done. Serve with a sauce.

Oat Applesauce Muffins

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup buttermilk (subst. 1% milk)
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1 egg (subst. egg beater)
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 3/4 tsp. to 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Place oats in a small bowl, pour in buttermilk. Let sit for two hours at room temperature.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease 12 muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
3. In a large bowl, stir together whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, & salt. Stir in oat/buttermilk mixture, vanilla, applesauce and egg; mix well. Pour batter into prepared muffin cups.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of muffin comes out clean.

I cannot wait to try these recipes, even if it doesn't happen in time for the trip. If I'm really on my game, I'll take pictures of the finished product and let you know how they turn out!

Stories I'm Reading: Nickel and Dimed

When I went to purchase Kathy G's memoir, I found another book that I couldn't resist purchasing. I know Barbara Ehrenreich from Global Woman: Nannies, Maids, and Sex Workers in the New Economy which she wrote with Arlie Hochschild. It's called Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America. Barbara is an activist and journalist and is the author of many amazing stories of a similar nature and I was confident that this book would be enlightening, especially consider the high rate of unemployment and the current state of the economy. In this one she goes undercover to test the idea that low-wage workers or the 'working poor' are unskilled and lazy and that getting a higher-paying job is the way to defeat poverty. I am only half way through but she has thus far described working as a waitress, a housecleaner Merry Maids, and a dietary aide at a retirement home. She experiences over and again that working in these types of jobs are taxing , uninteresting, and degrading. She describes that the work required incredible feats of stamina, focus, memory, quick thinking, and fast learning, but with very little reward or appreciation. Constant and repeated movement creates a risk of repetative stress injury, pain must often be worked through to hold a job in a market with constant turnover; and the days are filled with degrading and uninteresting tasks (e.g. toilet-cleaning and shirt-reordering).

I want to share a portion of the book that really jumped out at me while reading and in many ways encapsulates Barbara's message:

"But I will say this for myself: I have never employed a cleaning person or service... even after all my upper-middle-class friends had, guiltily and as covertly as possible, hired help themselves, because this is just not the kind of relationship I want to have with another human being. 

Let's talk about shit for example. It happens, as the bumper sticker says, and it happens to a cleaning person every day. The first time I encountered a shit-stained toilet as a maid, I was shocked by the sense of unwanted intimacy. A few hours ago, some well-fed butt was straining away on this toilet seat, and now here I am wiping up after it. For those who have never cleaned a really dirty toilet, I should explain that there are three kinds of shit stains. There are remnants of landslides running down the inside of the toilet bowls. There are the splash-back remains on the underside of the toilet seats. And, perhaps most repulsively, there's sometimes a crust of brown on the rim of a toilet seat, where a turd happened to collide on its dive to the water. You don't want to know this? Well, it's not something I would have chosen to dwell on myself, but the different kinds of stains require different cleaning approaches. One prefers those that are interior to the toilet bowl, since they can be attacked by brush, which is a kind of action-at-a-distance weapon. And one dreads the crusts on the seats, especially when they require the intervention of a [scrubbing sponge] as well as a rag" (p. 91-2).

This portion, to me, really exemplifies the experience of an average member of the "working poor." It takes every possible ounce of humility and diligence to get down on your knees for hours every day and clean-up another person's waste. If you think you could not be paid enough money to complete tasks like these than you've never been faced with the choice. Because it's either do it and accept the low-wages and ill treatment or you won't be able to pay for you food, shelter, medicine or take care of your family. 

I have had a couple of jobs in the service industry during school and right after graduation and thus have a connection to some of the experiences she describes. She provides a more apt description that anyone else, but the elmenet that I cannot identify with is that of participating in the low-wage work force for 24-7-365 for consecutive years. I cannot imagine being asked to support myself with this type of work and lucky for me I have been offered every advantage such as a supportive family and adequate education. And the very fact that I cannot imagine the experiences of these workers is really just another way to think of the separation between haves and have nots. In other words, its not just what we have and don't have that determines where we live, but the fact that one's possessions (or lack thereof) which determines whether we will have empathy for someone else's situation when they are lucky enough to have the same fortunate opportunities and experience. Unfortunately, there are probably many people who are all to happy for the chance to do the work that Barbara describes as the rate of unemployment continues to rise.  

Barbara's work in this book is so important, especially because it is still relevant 8 years later. So you can imagine my surprise and excitement this morning when I turned on NPR's On Point where Tom Ashbrook was talking with Barbara Ehrenreich herself on the very topics she discusses in Nickel and Dimed! What a great topic for the show, especially if it means raising awareness about the poor work conditions that exist right here in the Land of Opportunity. 

You really should listen because Barbara is not the only one with interesting things to say. Two women who were laid off after working for the Hyatt Hotel for a number of years join Tom and Barbara for the show. Their experience is an important one to hear so check it out!

• Click here to listen to 'Barbara Ehrenreich on Poverty Now' on On Point.
• I just know that now you wanna read the book for yourself! Click below and get it! http://www.amazon.com/Nickel-Dimed-Not-Getting-America/dp/0805088385/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253749561&sr=1-1 

Stories I'm Reading: Memoir According to Kathy G

I like to read but sometimes am better at starting books then finishing them. Sometimes though, talking about what I've read is just the incentive I need. :)

1 book I finished a couple weeks ago is none other than Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin. Because I like to think of Kathy as my girl, I felt strongly about getting to Border's and buying it to show my support. I still wasn't sure what to expect after the first chapter or two, but really saw the story start to build as I read on. As she publicizes her book, the chapters that she is asked to talk about most is the one about her plastic surgery and the one about her brother Kenny. But just so you know, there is more to her book than that. I'm so tired of hearing about plastic surgery especially in Hollywood. However, I was glad to read and hear about Kathy's brother Kenny, but what I found more interesting than all of Kenny's problems was how Kathy related to him and how she credits him as very influential to her character formation.

What I was really looked forward to learning was how Kathy started her career in stand-up comedy. What I learned while reading was that her path is perhaps slightly different than any I've heard. For instance, she was definately not shy as a kid and from an very early age was a source of gossip. Also, as she became more and more interested in acting, she was constantly drawn to roles where she could play the funny side-kick instead of the lead role. She had no problem playing the Rhoda to someone's Mary Tyler Moore. Even still, she had a hard time finding success in acting when she moved to L.A later on. Even when she finally discovered (with the help of others) that she had a talent for stand-up she did not find it any easier to gain the attention and success she desired. She talks a lot of the sexism that is perhaps inherent in show business and so prevelant that it requires working twice as hard to overcome. Even if you don't like one thing about Kathy, you've gotta respect her work ethic and diligence. Lucky for me, I also appreciate her sense of humor, her personality, and her passion for activism - girl's got it going on! :)

And speaking of comedy, there is of course plenty of it through the book. It reads just as if Kathy is speaking to you through its pages which, for me, lends a sort of authenticity to it. Also, she shares her hilarious viewpoint on why and how she's gotten into trouble with various people over the years. Also, she continues the Oprah theme that she starts in the title by continually addressing Ms. O throughout. "You can stop reading here Oprah" or "Are you stilling paying attention Oprah?" So funny! I wonder what Oprah will say if she ever gets around to reading it?! The hilarity doesn't end there; Kathy actually devotes an entire chapter to thanking Paris Hilton helping to gain recognition for having a great 'bikini bod'. Don't let it fool you though, it was in some way a funny way of recognizing that perhaps the only thing Paris is good for is getting people talking, for better or for worse.

If you like Kathy G, the book is worth looking at. While there are a few serious moments, it is overall very light and easy to read.

You can pick up your own copy, by clicking here: http://www.amazon.com/Official-Book-Club-Selection-According/dp/0345518519/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253723110&sr=8-1

More on civility and 1 great Border's offer

Quickie #1.) Remember my post about Amy Poehler and civility? Well, I just found an op-ed column on the topic of civility that's worth a look. It comes from Michel Martin on NPR's Tell Me More from her Can I Just Tell You-series called 'Joe Wilson and The Meaning of Respect.' I recommend this article for another great perspective on recent political outbursts and the growing lack of civility. No need for discussion, just straight to the point! Tell it Michel!



Quickie #2.) From now until Monday, September 28th at Borders, all biographies are buy 1, get 1 50% off!!! Gotta love a good book sale!

The Cosby Show Turns 25!

The Cosby Show is quite simply one of my favorite TV shows of all time! You just can't beat a good Huxtable family story!! I had started collecting a few of the seasons on DVD a couple of years ago, but have been a fan for much longer than that. However, it wasn't until I could see the shows on DVD in sequence, rewind them, and watch the extra features that I started to appreciate just how deep it is. I have heard and/or read different analyses since then and they all seem to share many of the same thoughts which is that it was groundbreaking for portraying a well-to-do black family but also that it didn't tell us about race but rather be a witness to it. The topic wasn't overtly discussed except in a few episodes, rather you could see it in the paintings on the walls, the continued stream of guest stars, the music that Cliff and Claire were listening to... and the list goes on. Subtle, but not unnoticeable.

I read a column from The Root this morning which added a new idea to the discussions of The Cosby Show. The column identifies the show as 'activist television' at its finest. It is 'the world according to Bill Cosby', i.e. no baby mama drama, no slacking, and nothing but the best adult role models. I had never thought about it in these terms, but I do now. What an apt description! Even if you aren't in to analyzing it at that level, anyone can appreciate the show for its comedic value. It portrayed the most real & simple experiences which can often be the most funny. No need for over-the-top story lines, one liners, shock-value, or physical stunts. Remember one of the first episodes where Rudy's fish, Lamonte, dies?! Hilarious, but so simple. Pure comedy and pure genius!

So for all that The Cosby Show was and is, Happy 25th!!! You don't look a day older than you did you're first season!!

Click here to read "The Huxtables Changed Not Television or Politics - But the Idea of Black Family" by Teresa Wiltz from The Root.

Loving Poehler in politics!

All this week, I have heard a lot of opinions about an ongoing series of outbursts & all-around bad behavior. Sure Kanye, Serena, and Roger can all be included in the series but don't forget Rep. Joe Wilson, those ruckus town hall meetings, protesters on Capitol Hill, and the like. So much bad behavior has occurred in the political arena as of late that commentators for The Huffington Post, NPR, and elsewhere are questioning whether we as a society have lost any sense of civility. Interesting question, but not one that I want to try and tackle here; I will leave it to someone else to answer.

What I can say though, is that Amy Poehler & Parks and Recreation is back and the timing couldn't be better! If you need relief from the political fervor about health care and the economy, but not total separation, Parks and Recreation is what you need. The show follows the antics of Director Leslie Knope of the Department of Parks and Recreation (played by Poehler) as she navigates the political system of the town of Pawnee. The premiere episode of Season 2 finds Leslie conducting a series of light-hearted promotions to draw attention to the city zoo. As part of the series, Leslie stages a marriage ceremony for two, adorable penguins who she later learns are both male. Pawnee's GLBT community hears this and is quick to identify Leslie as an ally and advocate for gay rights in their town. At the same time a local organization for the protection of 'family stability' ge

ts wind of the very same ceremony and subsequently identifies Leslie as their #1 opponent. But wait! It gets better! They contact Leslie requesting that the penguins' marriage be, you guessed it, annulled and Leslie resign from her post as Director of Park's and Recreation. The conflict escalates after Leslie parties with the Pawnee GLBT Community at 'The Bulge', the town's sole gay bar, and then the next day debates with the point person for the 'family stability' organization on the morning TV news about the appropriateness of the 'gay penguin marriage.' (If it sounds funny here, you should really watch the episode!) 

For me, this episode is good for more than a few laughs but also really reiterates what I've been thinking all week which is that strong feelings for issues such as health care reform, the economy, gay rights, the importance of family, the city zoo, etc., can overwhelm us to the point that we can't recognize value in another perspective whether we agree with it or not. Perhaps a staged marriage of 2 penguins should be seen for what it is, which is cute, as opposed to a political statement. But if you don't open your ears or your mind you can never know the whole story.

Yes, even silly sitcoms are stories with meaningful morals. Really though, Kanye, Serena, Roger, Joe, and all the rest of us should really take a hard look at this very important moral. It's exciting and energizing to know that so many people are truly passionate about issues that affect our lives. But if we can't hear what really matters to each other and why, than progress cannot come so easy as we had hoped.

Thanks Amy!

Click here to watch full episodes of Amy Poehler on Parks and Recreation.

Click here to listen to episode of On Point with Tom Ashbrook entitled, 'Questions of Civility, and More.' (You won't be disappointed!)

Calling All 'Family Guy' Lovers!

All right... if you love insider stories like I do, then you gotta love Inside the Actors Studio, hosted by James Lipton. There are not words to explain just how amazingly amazing this show is. Why? Because I couldn't appreciate the likes of Dave Chappelle, Daniel Radcliffe, and now the cast of Family Guy, without it. Not that I disliked any of these people, but the level to which I now appreciate them is all thanks to The Brilliant Facilitator, James Lipton.

I was intending to do some ironing, but of course none of it got done as James Lipton's interview with the cast of Family Guy demanded all of my attention rather than simply existing as background noise. Listening to the inspiration for each of the character's was hilarious!!! This is a must-see for any Family Guy aficionado... but if you're like me and haven't seen but a few episodes, you'll like it too.   

Wanna see Seth talk about the inspiration for Stewie on Inside?! Click here!

I'm not the only one talking about this interview... click here and read this article from the NY Times.

How to Eat Your Veggies

I don't know that I've ever met a person who doesn't identify at least 1 vegetable that is detestable (mine is squash). Or perhaps those that do detest at least 1 vegetable are more vocal about than those who are like all vegetables equally.


At any rate, even if we do despise the taste of at least 1 vegetable, you can't ignore the health benefits. Any health magazine or health expert will tell you to be sure to get your servings of vegetables in every day. In order to do so, I keep my eyes open for recipes or helpful tips, knowing full well that my veggie/fruit intake could always use a boost.


My favorite news source, NPR (of course), hosted a story on Weekend Edition Sunday about how to get your vegetables in. According to food essayist, Susan Chang, you can 1.) hide them, 2.) wrap them in bacon to overpower the veggie's texture and/or flavor (I kid you not!), or 3.) remove the most offensive element which makes the vegetable so detestable. Choice #2 is compelling but only if you like bacon. But just because the bacon is surrounding vegetables doesn't make it healthy, so 3 servings of bacon-wrapped vegetables a day is not, as Martha says, a good thing. Choice #1 is certainly a theoretical possibility. In the case of squash, I saw a recipe on the Food Network for homemade Mac 'N Cheese made with frozen pureed squash. Apparently it adds to the creaminess of the dish as well as the nutrients available from squash. I read on-line reviews of this recipe, however, and many said that the squash flavor was over-powering... eek! This recipe thus becomes a risky endeavor as I would hate to ruin Mac 'N Cheese, one of my most favorite comfort foods, by overpowering it with squash. So... bring on option #3. As simple as it initially sounds, I had never thought of this before. Clearly it requires a little reflection and research to identify and remove offensive elements.


I first identified the offensive element of squash at a very tender young age. My mom baked 2 squash halves and put a little melted butter in it. Ever since then, I can't remember how it tastes but only that it was extremely mushy and I haven't touched it since. So in order to avoid the mushiness I know to avoid baking it. What about... the grill?! As my family and I were particularly big fans of the grill this summer, we grilled every vegetable we could get our hands on. So, I found that taking 1 whole summer squash and dicing it into 1/2" to 1" pieces along with a host of other veggies (i.e. cucumbers, portabella mushrooms, asparagus, sweet onions, etc., etc.) and marinating them with some olive oil, soy sauce, and pepper are one way in which I am truly happy to be eating squash. No joke! Eventually, I will overcome my mental block and try the Macaroni and 4 Cheeses with squash recipe. See below the recipe below if you get brave before me...


Click here to read/ listen to 'Food You Don't Like and How to Eat It'





Macaroni & 4 Cheeses*
from Ellie Krieger on the Food Network


Ingredients:
- Cooking spray
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 2 (10-ounce) packages frozen pureed winter squash
- 2 cups 1 percent low-fat milk
- 4 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (about 1 1/3 cups)
- 2 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, grated (about 2/3 cup)
- 1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon powdered mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
- 2 tablespoons unseasoned bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon olive oil


Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until tender but firm, about 5 to 8 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.Meanwhile, place the frozen squash and milk into a large saucepan and cook over a low heat, stirring occasionally and breaking up the squash with a spoon until defrosted. Turn the heat up to medium and cook until the mixture is almost simmering, stirring occasionally. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the Cheddar, Jack cheese, ricotta cheese, salt, mustard and cayenne pepper. Pour cheese mixture over the macaroni and stir to combine. Transfer the macaroni and cheese to the baking dish.Combine bread crumbs, Parmesan and oil in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the top of the macaroni and cheese. Bake for 20 minutes. Then broil for 3 minutes so the top is crisp and nicely browned.




Cook time: 40 minutes
Makes 8 servings


*Click here to see visit the Food Network website and see the reviews with suggestions on how to add creaminess, take out the squashiness, substitute different kinds of cheeses, etc, etc. Enjoy!!!

Memoirs galore!

I have nothing but good itentions when it comes to books. I have a long, running list of ones that I want to read someday, and I'm slowly chipping away at it, but not as fast as more titles get added to it. I don't know that I will add all of these to my own list but if they're worth mentioning on NPR, they're worth my mention. :)

I heard LeBron's interview about his new memoir with Terry Gross on Fresh Aire. He's only 24, but from the sound of it, he has a lot to tell already.

• Click here to ready and/or listen to his Fresh Aire interview.
• Click here to preview the first chapter of Shooting Stars.
  

For your inner-child (or perhaps there's a young, sports fan in your life), check out Family Huddle by Peyton, Eli, and Archie Manning. Peyton and Eli talked to Steve Inskeep about it on Morning Edition and it seems that it is somewhat of a memoire, but in the form of a children's book.

• Click here to read and/or listen to Peyton and Eli on Morning Edition.

Now, the next 2 come from some of the Bravo TV cast that we love or perhaps love to hate. Either way, I imagine that curiousity will get many of us to go to the library or bookstore to pick these up.

In my case, I LOVE Kathy Griffin. Perhaps even funnier than her gossip-inspired stand-up is her D-List exploits on Bravo. I've started to think that she never really turns 'it' off. We know about her plastic surgery, her mom, and her claw-you-way-to-the-top mentality, but in the back of your mind you wonder if this is how she always is. In my case, my curiousity as well as Kathy's crazy, magnetic personality had me sneaking out to Border's and picking up her memoire, Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin. If you don't follow her on the D-List, I imagine her book will seem a little crazier than it does to the rest of us. Personally, though I have just begun, I'm enjoying the sporatic photos and personal stories as if this is just another episode of D-List. Check it out for yourself... but only if you think you can handle it. :)

• Click here to read and/or listen to Kathy's interview for Morning Edition a few months back.

While I was picking up Kathy's memoir I saw Nee (from Bravo's Real Housewives of Atlanta) staring back at me from the shelf. Apparently she the memoir-bug bit her too?! She's certainly entertaining, but in the words of NeNe, "Giiiiiiiirrl! Is she serious?" Everybody has a story to tell! Just letting you know that it's out there.

Back-to-School 101

No more kids at the local playground in the middle of the day, Saturdays are once again planned around college football, and large school-supply displays dominate the store aisles. All the usual signs say that yes, school is back in session.

However, in some ways the start to this particular school year may be different for many kids, or so I'm learning. I've heard a handful of eye-opening stories on NPR giving a whole different character to the start of this particular academic year. I can always count on NPR's 'Tell Me More' to make me think about something in a whole different way, a fact which was only reaffirmed when I heard "Is College Education Worth the Investment?" (click here to listen). It's not that this is a question that has never been asked before... I myself have pondered this question at length. Just 6 months of job-searching in an economic recession left me feeling nearly desperate and utterly confused from hearing time after time that I was a great candidate though lacking the experience for which they were looking. And even though I wish that I too was starting back to school, I wonder if the average employer values my education as much as I do. In listening to this story, you'll hear that each guest comment that while education is a worthwhile investment, it requires preliminary research in order that the student direct her effort and valuable resources in a direction that best ensures a return on said investment in the form of economic capital, not just emotional and social capital.

So, how early is too early to start planning your future? And though the 'American Dream' is already somewhat fabled as it is, does the risk of investing in advanced education take it even further into the land of nod?

(This picture depicts 1 of many exciting first days of school (circa 1992) for the Welsh girls)

I don't know that I'm prepared to comment on the complexities of the so-called 'American Dream' but what I can say for certain is that many children are all to happy to look toward the future. Probably the most common question I was asked from 1st through 12th grade was "Who do you want to be?" and "What do you want to do?" If you don't believe me, take Damon Weaver as an example. Though only a sixth grader he has done a story for ABC about violence in his Florida hometown, been featured as a guest on top cable networks, interviewed Vice President Biden and President Obama, and most recently was interviewed for 'Tell Me More' on NPR. Though his past experiences make up an impressive resume for a career as a journalist, Mr. Weaver's goals are to pursue varied & numerous careers. In fact, click here because you should really witness Damon for yourself.

So like I said, kids have nothing but hopes & plans for the future. So maybe the difference is that kids even as young as Damon should have assistance from adults not just in considering who they want to be or what they want to do, but also in making the concrete, reality-tested plans that can help them to achieve it. Quite a tall order for educators though it is, Damon and kids like him are certainly worth the effort.

The other of today's lessons is that the recession really is effecting how we look and react to everything (whether the Real Housewives of Orange County, New York, New Jersey, and Atlanta admit it or not). But that's not to say that we still can't be optimistic about the future, especially because optimism is a key value in education. So who better to encourage our optimism than Mr. Optimism himself, Elmo of Sesame Street?! Have a listen by clicking here as he comments on the recession for NPR and let his youthful energy wash over you. Just be sure to take his simple yet profound advice with you: "...talk to each other about how you feel about it, you know, because that's how you can learn."

Car Care

Gotta love long weekends, right?! Enough time for relaxation and a little productivity; just the way a weekend should be. Unfortunately, I was not very productive in blogging but on the other hand I was able to spend some quality time with my car (among many other wonderful activities). I'm not a 'motor-head' by any means so, for me, car care activities include those that others may deam mundane. Even still, I've stepped up my game in that I have taken to washing my car myself and waxing it with my own hands as I believe I can do it in a way that no gas station carwash could. Today was a wonderful day for it... which brings me to the subject of today's story.

I don't have a link to another story to share today, just some innocent pondering (apparently car care is conducive to it). As these are my own thoughts I admit that there is certainly more to the story. But however incomplete, I felt them worthy of sharing.

So there I am at the end of a long weekend, bonding with my car. She's all washed and dry and ready for waxing. As I ready my sponge with carnuba wax and begin those rhythmic circular motions I watch other car owners pull in and out of the same lot. Throughout the waxing process, I observed 10 others come and go, just 1 of which was a woman. Where are the women, I wondered. There are, it seems, many activities in whose participation is divided along gender lines and perhaps a certain level of car care is one of those activities. I don't like to generalize, but perhaps the average hand-washing-waxing-vacuuming-and-overly-attentive car owner is more likely to be a dude. But why?

Perhaps Dave Chappelle has par of the answer. No, I'm serious. I caught Killing Them Softly on the comedy channel last night in which Dave explains the fundamental difference between women and men. He says, "Women's test in life is material. A man's test in life is a woman. By test I mean that those are the things that we desire. Men have nice cars. Not 'cause they like nice cars, but because women like nice cars. That's how it goes 'cause men are hunters and the car is the bait..." The audience is absolutely hysterical with laughter and many audience members are waving their hands indicating that they can attest to what Dave says. I on the other hand can't say that this is actually the way things are, but perhaps this is how we believe it to be. Think about it... if some guys believe that women's test is material than it would make sense that they care for their cars with their own hands taking care that it appears a certain way. And if some women believe that a man's test is a woman, than perhaps this would explain her attention to her appearance when she is going out on a date for instance.

As I said, there is surely more to this story. Male and female, women and men are not the simple and the act of car care is perhaps not so complex. Even still...

For your viewing pleasure, I have linked a clip from Killing Me Softly. It wasn't until Inside the Actor's Studio that I could really began to appreciate his perspective, so I've linked that as well. Enjoy the last of your long weekend!!!

Click here to see Dave Chappelle in a portion of Killing Them Softly

Click here to see Inside the Actor's Studio ft. Dave Chappelle

Mad Libs for Parting with your Clunker

All right, I really got into today's post so sit tight. I was listening to David Sedaris's Me Talk Pretty One Day driving to work yesterday and in the essay, 'Remembering My Childhood on the Continent of Africa' he compares his childhood in North Carolina to his boyfriend Hugh's in the Congo. He writes, "The verbs are the same, but he [Hugh] definitely wins the prize when it comes to nouns and objects." Interesting, right? How many times have you listened to another's experiences and realized perhaps that it bares striking resemblance to your own but with a few unique details?

Thinking of this reminded me of a story I identified with on NPR a couple of weeks ago. Writer Julie Zickerfoose writes a charming, heartfelt story about how it felt to trade in her beloved Clunker. Her story came at a perfect time for me as I too was parting with a Clunker of my own. Her story could have been my story, just with a few nouns, verbs, numbers, etc. It's almost like... Mad Libs!!!



For your pleasure, I have turned Julie's story into a Mad Lib! If you traded in Clunker of your own (whether during the Cash for Clunkers program or not), perhaps this will be an appropriate way to pay homage to it. Even if you have a non-Clunker that you love dearly, you might find yourself enjoying this. So, below is a numbered list of words types. Provide the requested word next to each number and then when finished (not before!), plug them into the Mad Lib into the corresponding numbered space. See how much the story changes with a few different words?! Have fun!


1.) Year, Make, Model of Clunker
2.) Number of miles on Clunker
3.) Mechanical problem with Clunker
4.) Mechanical problem with Clunker
5.) Make of Clunker
6.) Noun
7.) Number
8.) Adjective
9.) Noun (plural)
10.) Noun (plural)
11.) Food item that you have eaten in your Clunker
12.) Another food item that you have eaten in your Clunker
13.) Another food item that you have eaten in your Clunker
14.) Another food item that you have eaten in your Clunker
15.) Personal item
16.) Item you would wear
17.) Proper noun
18.) Proper noun
19.) Popular phrase
20.) Popular phrase
21.) Adjective
22.) Adjective
23.) Noun
24.) Type of animal
25.) Type of animal
26.) Adjective
27.) Noun
28.) Same noun from #27
29.) Liquid
30.) Noun
31.) Noun
32.) Number
33.) Mechanical problem with Clunker
34.) Number

35.) Proper noun

36.) Noun

37.) Adjective

38.) Adjective

39.) Noun

40.) Verb

41.) Make of Clunker

42.) Make and Model of dream car

Click Here for Parting with your Clunker Mad Lib


Click Here for Original Article by Julie Zickefoose, "Parting With a Clunker: Such Sweet Sorrow"


(Photo pictured above courtesy of NPR.org)

Fast Food Makeover

I read this story last night and couldn't wait to share! Ever heard of a 'food stylist'? If not, check out http://www.fancyfastfood.com/ and meet Erik Trinidad. He turns fast food classics like a Big Mac and Fries or a Taco Bell burritos into McSteak and Potatoes or a tortellini dish which he calls, 'Tacobellini'. The recipes for these re-creations are listed on his website, but you won't taste the difference. Just sit back, read, and let yourself be entertained.

Erik writes on his website that he gives fast food an extreme makeover. The words 'extreme makeover' make me think of Ty Pennington and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, just without all of the tears. However, Ty would never make a new house with all of the same materials from the old house. Erik, on the other hand, uses all the ingredients in the Big Mac and fries to make the McSteak and potatoes, no substitutions or additions. Can I just say... Whoa! His creativity is truly compelling, but more importantly I can finally admit to myself that I don't watch Top Chef or Hell's Kitchen because I am an aspiring 'foodie' but merely for the drama. After all, I could perhaps be just as happy with a steak as with a Big Mac.

Click here for article from The Associate Press on Erik.

Click here for an earlier article from Time Magazine.

Stories from New Orleans Now

To kick-off my very-own Story Boutique, I believe it fitting to pick a story I heard this week on NPR's 'On Point' entitled, 'New Orleans Four Years Later.' Even though my boy, Tom Ashbrook, is away there is no shortage of intriguing topics. Not only is this story fitting due to th 4 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, but also because it too is beginning again. Additionally,the unique experiences of New Orleanians pre- and post-Katrina are too staggering to ignore.

Click here to listen to 'New Orleans Four Years Later' with guest host Jackie Lydon.

(Photo courtesy of On Point)

If you listen to the program, you'll hear first-hand about the difference between New Orleans then and New Orleans now. I had the pleasure of visiting New Orleans for business at the end of May and found the city to be charming while also incredibly unique and unlike any preconception I previously had about how a southern city should look. The whole time, I was searching for and wondering how the city had changed. I spent most of my time in the touristy parts of downtown, but when I visited the Lower 9th I truly began to appreciate just what happened and how it affects the city to this day.

Here I am trying to get rid of all the vegetation that had grown on a plot of land where a house used to be. I was told that the Lower 9th used to consist of rows and rows of house, but now you'll see that there is a lot of empty green space.

You could say that this isn't a unique story anymore because after all we've been hearing about if for 4 years. However, I would have to disagree with you because I think they are so many factors such as the economic effects, the response of the government, the levee failures, and the violence that makes it a full-scale catastrophe unlike anything I've ever seen or heard of before. This story's happy ending is still in progress but it is part of the greater story of the city of New Orleans that is still being written. Perhaps it is this very story that keeps people coming back and keeps the city alive. I hope that if you haven't already you too can experience New Orleans story for yourself!!

More pictures from my trip to New Orleans in May...