Grrr... I know that is rather an uncouth way to express oneself, but that is rather how felt. We made plans to take the tour at the Old Dominion Brewing Company. We even found a friend to come with us. Actually, we found several, but some of them had to drop out because of the incredibly long board meeting at THE. This turned out not as bad as it seemed. After a little lunch we packed ourselves into Hemly and in a wink we were at the Brewery. The chap at the door informed us that the Pub was open, but there were no tours. ODB was recently bought by Anheuser-Busch. Now, ODB has to comply with all the corporate regulations about having visitors in the brewery. So, no tours. Bother!
We betook ourselves to the Pub and the gents in the party enjoyed the Millennium and the Old Dubliner. I sipped a Root Beer and consequentially got to drive home. Needless to say, there was drowning of sorrows in chocolate upon our arrival at home. We are still planning a trip to ODB when it reopens for tours. In the mean time, we are cursing the giant corporation for their taking over our local business and wreaking havoc on our weekend.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Flip Flops
The other day I told Ceil, "I have the urge to buy flip flops."
She quipped back, "You should, the urge to buy flip flops should always be indulged."
So, I did.
After I have been enjoying the flip flops for about 5 seconds I decided I need a new summer purse. Amazing how these things go together. After a hint from the Lotus Lady I found a fun, woven bag that is as careless as a day at the beach, but still classy enough for NOVA.
She quipped back, "You should, the urge to buy flip flops should always be indulged."
So, I did.
After I have been enjoying the flip flops for about 5 seconds I decided I need a new summer purse. Amazing how these things go together. After a hint from the Lotus Lady I found a fun, woven bag that is as careless as a day at the beach, but still classy enough for NOVA.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Midterms
Question 5 from the Modern China Exam
Which of the following emulated Matteo Ricci in Chinese scholarship?
A. Hudson Taylor
B. James Legge
C. Peter Parker
D. William Milne
(C. is actually a reference to Dr. Peter Parker, though most of my class thought it was the Marvel Hero and the Prof had thrown it in for kicks. Since C. is not the right answer, no one was discomfited by the blunder.)
Found on a board in a random classroom:
"We who are about to die...wish the same on YOU!!!"
Many thanks to Sahlain Anteth for her help!
Which of the following emulated Matteo Ricci in Chinese scholarship?
A. Hudson Taylor
B. James Legge
C. Peter Parker
D. William Milne
(C. is actually a reference to Dr. Peter Parker, though most of my class thought it was the Marvel Hero and the Prof had thrown it in for kicks. Since C. is not the right answer, no one was discomfited by the blunder.)
Found on a board in a random classroom:
"We who are about to die...wish the same on YOU!!!"
Many thanks to Sahlain Anteth for her help!
Monday, March 12, 2007
The Heart's birthday
Today we celebrated Jenny's birthday. Holding to this year's theme of celebrating with specialty Wegman's foods, we visited an area of the store into which we had not hitherto ventured - the Chocolate Shop. The annuating individual of course had choice, and after several minutes of looking and pondering, she opted for the chocolate dome concoction (chocolate sponge cake bottom, chocolate mousse middle, chocolate exterior, and chocolate candy on top) pictured below. We also made the Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream to either side of it. We used heavy cream, which leaves a thin residue of frozen cream on your spoon no matter how much you lick it (a clear sign of its superiority over commercial ice cream, which uses a watered down slush which comes right off your spoon without any fuss). These were complimented very nicely by a Breax Vineyards Merlot selected by The Irish Squire. Happy Birthday, Jenny!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Elizabeth I
So we stayed up late last night watching the HBO Elizabeth I.
It was very well done. The acting was very vivid, the costuming was astounding, and there was some very good camera work in places. Overall, the character of Bess comes off as a strongly motivated woman who made the best of the hand she was dealt - and sometimes she cheated with cards - hey, she was the Queen.
One of the best scenes is her speech to the Army on the field at Tilbury Fort while awaiting the invasion force of the Spanish Armada. Mirren carried off the scene with grace and power. She gave a stirring performance throughout the feature.
It was very well done. The acting was very vivid, the costuming was astounding, and there was some very good camera work in places. Overall, the character of Bess comes off as a strongly motivated woman who made the best of the hand she was dealt - and sometimes she cheated with cards - hey, she was the Queen.
One of the best scenes is her speech to the Army on the field at Tilbury Fort while awaiting the invasion force of the Spanish Armada. Mirren carried off the scene with grace and power. She gave a stirring performance throughout the feature.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Cozi's
Off to Cozi's for a post-wedding party.
Autumn stole the show, esceically as she got more tired and cuddly through the evening.
Renee and Bozo... We need to give her a nickname....
It was warmish, but I was glad to have a shawl when it started pouring rain!
Matt, Katie, and Autumn, we are glad you came and we miss you when you stay down South where it is warm and you plant gardens in February!
It only looks like Autumn is playing with fire, we did not have any sm'ores this time.
Ceil - a constant through the weekend.
Wedding Show
We were slackers this time. We took very few pictures, and the ones we did take are rather confused and dark. Congrats to M & F.
We enjoyed the Virginia Reel during the reception. Not sure if you can see it, but the brides parents are stripping the willow with Kay and Gaçon. How wonderful to have so many friends gathered for the happy occasion. Dancing and catching up with so many school friends was a great joy!
We enjoyed the Virginia Reel during the reception. Not sure if you can see it, but the brides parents are stripping the willow with Kay and Gaçon. How wonderful to have so many friends gathered for the happy occasion. Dancing and catching up with so many school friends was a great joy!
Clash of Civilizations
Or Arms and the Urban Wife!
Jonathan had some birthday money that was burning a hole in his pocket, and I was tired of fixing the hole, so we decided to go to Dick's and make a permanent reparation.
We drove our suburban car - not the antediluvian but hale and hearty van which would have been more in keeping with the atmosphere of the outing - to the mall where the local Dick's is located. I don't mind Dick's at all, since it is clean, airy, well lit, and maned with normal punkish youths from the surrounding community. It is not at all like the dim and over-stuffed "gun-stores" with the ancient clerk who makes me think of the dry goods store out of a Western.
Upon arrival we make a direct line to the upper level, back right corner (from the mall side), where the armaments are housed. We passed rows of paintball supplies, then archery equipment, getting deeper into the hallows of manly accoutrements. At the very back they keep the firearms and knives. Besides fists and other bodily weapons, those two are probably the most virile and basic of all weapons in the world - in my humble female opinion.
Just before you come to the shrine of long guns you find the firearm accessories cache. For men, such things are a basic necessity, just like shoes and purse for ladies. We looked over the merchandise and I zoned in on a green quilted case with a brown leather shoulder strap, brown leather trim, brass studs, a large perky external pocket. It was very classy. Much nicer than the nasty nylon cases with handles and that ridiculous "tree camo". How vile! Whenever I see that stuff my aesthetic sense revolts, screaming "unsophisticated, boorish provincial"!!!! (A gold star for the first person who can recognise that definition and tell me what word I avoided using.)
When asked my opinion I refrained from bashing the nylon cases for their lack of class and urbanity, instead suggested that since the green case had a shoulder strap it would make carrying while hunting simpler, as it would leave the hands free to do whatever hands do when one is hunting. (Having never been hunting I do not presume to know what ones does with any part of ones body while hunting. I do know that one does not keep the firearm in the case, so my advise would only be useful while trudging to the hiding spot not in the actual hunting of the beast. I have read that most of hunting is sitting still waiting for the unsuspecting critter to come wandering by your post, but this is still an unverified assumption. Any intelligence on the matter is welcome.) I also indicated that the large external pocket seemed like it would be more useful for holding stuff than the flat zippered hole on the nylon case.
In the end, the Birthday Barbarian made up his own mind after carefully considering the wifely opinion. I believe that we were both very pleased with the outcome.
Does he not make an impressive picture?
Jonathan had some birthday money that was burning a hole in his pocket, and I was tired of fixing the hole, so we decided to go to Dick's and make a permanent reparation.
We drove our suburban car - not the antediluvian but hale and hearty van which would have been more in keeping with the atmosphere of the outing - to the mall where the local Dick's is located. I don't mind Dick's at all, since it is clean, airy, well lit, and maned with normal punkish youths from the surrounding community. It is not at all like the dim and over-stuffed "gun-stores" with the ancient clerk who makes me think of the dry goods store out of a Western.
Upon arrival we make a direct line to the upper level, back right corner (from the mall side), where the armaments are housed. We passed rows of paintball supplies, then archery equipment, getting deeper into the hallows of manly accoutrements. At the very back they keep the firearms and knives. Besides fists and other bodily weapons, those two are probably the most virile and basic of all weapons in the world - in my humble female opinion.
Just before you come to the shrine of long guns you find the firearm accessories cache. For men, such things are a basic necessity, just like shoes and purse for ladies. We looked over the merchandise and I zoned in on a green quilted case with a brown leather shoulder strap, brown leather trim, brass studs, a large perky external pocket. It was very classy. Much nicer than the nasty nylon cases with handles and that ridiculous "tree camo". How vile! Whenever I see that stuff my aesthetic sense revolts, screaming "unsophisticated, boorish provincial"!!!! (A gold star for the first person who can recognise that definition and tell me what word I avoided using.)
When asked my opinion I refrained from bashing the nylon cases for their lack of class and urbanity, instead suggested that since the green case had a shoulder strap it would make carrying while hunting simpler, as it would leave the hands free to do whatever hands do when one is hunting. (Having never been hunting I do not presume to know what ones does with any part of ones body while hunting. I do know that one does not keep the firearm in the case, so my advise would only be useful while trudging to the hiding spot not in the actual hunting of the beast. I have read that most of hunting is sitting still waiting for the unsuspecting critter to come wandering by your post, but this is still an unverified assumption. Any intelligence on the matter is welcome.) I also indicated that the large external pocket seemed like it would be more useful for holding stuff than the flat zippered hole on the nylon case.
In the end, the Birthday Barbarian made up his own mind after carefully considering the wifely opinion. I believe that we were both very pleased with the outcome.
Does he not make an impressive picture?
Friday, March 09, 2007
The Silver Diner
Celebrating: M, K, & A are in town!!
We had a blast!!!
It always ends up that we are the drunkest sober people when we go there.
We had a blast!!!
It always ends up that we are the drunkest sober people when we go there.
A Messianic Wedding
Mazaltov!
The bride was lovely, in a cream coloured sleeveless dress with boat neck, diagonal layered handkerchief hems, and lace-up back. She wore an elbow length veil and lots of sparklies!!
The groom, very dashing in a cut-away, smiled like a ... well, like a groom on his wedding day.
We are so happy for them, and wish them all the best.
(Chuppah - props to Em! Various & Sundry Decorations - Props to the Black Dragon, Leah, Em, and Me! We da bomb, ladies!)
The Musicians: Mr. and Mrs. Mike, Bride's Roommie Alyssa on Bassoon, and My Darling.
We had a blast helping out, and were a little tired toward the end.
Thomas & Carrie stayed with us. It was so much fun to have them down.
Katy - I teased her the whole afternoon, and she was a dear and put up with me.
Lise, Emmy, Joanna
Emmy was pretty in purple, she matched the wedding colours. Such big eyes!
Ceil & Dr. L
Joanna & Chad, really good to have you around.
Back together again!
I love how weddings collect us from our vastly different lives to celebrate.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Joint Birthday Party
Thanks to all our friends who helped make it special!
And especially to the Black Dragon who took all the pictures.
And especially to the Black Dragon who took all the pictures.
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