Scavenger Hunt on the Mall

Yesterday I and the rest of the illustrious Moose & Squirrel team (temporarily renamed Boris & Natasha) participated in the annual Trivia Scavenger on the National Mall. We ran from the Lincoln Memorial, around the Tidal Basin and along the Mall, to the Capitol, and then finally ended up at Gordon Biersch at 9th and G. We went into the African History Museum, the Sackler, the Freer, the Air & Space Museum, the NGA, and the American Indian Museum (we should have gone to the Botanical Gardens as well, but we were short on time). In total we walked about 8 miles in our crazy hunt for truly random pieces of trivia. Sample question: How many horsepower can the engines of the USS Enterprise generate? Answer: 280,000 (found at the Nat'l Air & Space Museum)

Pictured above are the B&N team members (in shots taken as part of the competition): me, Patty, Enrique, Mike, Jan Louis, and Dana. Go B&N!

Spanakopizza

Last night I made the most amazing dinner. Wasn't quite a pizza, although that's probably the best description for it. It had ground turkey, spinach, onions, garlic, olives, feta cheese, mozzarella, roasted red peppers, parsley, and cucumbers. Plus, I made my own pizza dough!

Sakura Matsuri / Fun with Munchlax

Even though the weather was cool and cloudy, I took my little friend Maya out to see the Japanese street festival (Sakura Matsuri) yesterday. There was delicious food - tako puffs, Pocky sticks - people dressed up as anime characters, music of both the traditional and pop/rock variety, and of course just a lot of overpriced shoppies. The best part for me and Maya, though, was the Go tent. We played three games after getting instruction from my friend Max, who happened to be there running the tent.




Maya prepares to get her butt kicked at Go.

Thrumming right along

For my latest knitting project, I've decided to try a technique called thrumming. It's where you incorporate regularly-spaced bits of unspun wool in your pattern, which then create not only an interesting decorative effect on the outside, but a nice fleecy lining on the interior. I'm making a pair of mittens at the moment. You can see the exterior decoration in the first picture, and what will eventually (with wear) become the lining in the second.

This is a gift for a friend. Who? Maybe you!

Easter Peep S'mores

Turns out toasted Peeps are even better than regular Peeps. 

Cherry Blossoms + Been a While, Yes?

I was recently inspired/cajoled to take up this blogging thing again by my old (oldest?) friend Juliet. Yesterday provided me with the perfect excuse, too: my annual sunrise photo excursion to the Tidal Basin on the cherry blossoms' peak day. I'm not a great photog but it's hard not to get at least an interesting shot when you're surrounded by so much beauty. I was there around 6 am - this picture was probably taken around 7. Gorgeous day.

In other news: bought a condo, looking for a job, singing away with the Maryland Chorus, knitting like a fiend, learning to cook, kicking my ass with yoga, and just generally trying to live life without too much stress/unhappiness/negativity while facing some tough times. Did I mention I'm looking for a job? ug

Tahoe 2007!

Damn straight!
(Picture is of yours truly and Jimmy Wu at the Stagecoach lift at Heavenly) 

Aloha Hawaii

I've been in gorgeous, beautiful Hawaii for the past six days...having enough fun and adventures to write a book. Awesome visits to the sandbars, Waianae, town, Waikiki, and the North Shore. Even got in some diving and boogie boarding. Unfortunately I leave tonight - although I have enough to look forward to back in CA to keep my spirits up. Aloha!

(Pictures posted here)

Assateague Weekend

This past weekend I spent camping on the lovely Assateague Island off the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Assateague is a National Park and wild horse sanctuary (check out the ponies that had the cajones to invade our camp in the accompanying picture). I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to kick back on the beach with my knitting and the entire series of "Y: The Last Man" graphic novels while drinking beer and stuffing myself with s'mores. Good times.

More pictures available here.