Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Borrowed from MartiMcKenna via Wil Wheaton

Help me, Obi-wan

I am not a gamer. For that matter, neither is my husband. Once upon a time, many years ago, I actually played whatever the early colour version of Nintendo was (Donkey Kong, anyone?) and pretty much sucked at it. But it was fun and ridiculously addictive. Since I didn't actually own it, the addiction proved temporary (unlike the subsequent internet communities that did hook me for life, but that's another story for another day). My husband did own it, but he was over-ruled in his regular usage by the two progeny he shared a house with. Such has been the state of our lives as the gaming systems have evolved: stuck in the dark ages.

Still, I have secretly wished to join up with the rest of the world. And, as I was considering various ideas for Christmas gifts, it hit me: I could get a gaming system for someone (read husband) for Christmas! How cool would that be? Turns out my husband has the same secret yen, so we are thinking about buying ourselves one for our joint Christmas present.

So, I need some advice. Seriously, I am clueless. What gaming system would best suit a pair of fifty-something non-gamers? I am leaning toward the Wii, but am open to suggestions. If I do get a Wii, I would love some information on the best accessories and games I should start with.

In short, I need some nerds here.

Souper Star

I am making vegetable soup. This has become an new routine for the weekends, as I am inundated with fresh-delivered veggies every Friday. This time of year, there is usually lots of carrots, celery, leeks and other root vegetables. Hence: soup. Yummy, fragrant, comfort-inducing soup.

Today, as always, I cut everything up, sauteed briefly in butter and added the water to make the broth. Because, in my mind, that's the first step: making the vegetable broth. Then you make vegetable soup with the broth. Which means: twice the carrots, celery and leeks to make soup. It means adding whatever else is on hand: collards, bok choy, zucchini, whatever. But today, it suddenly dawned on me that maybe instead of straining off all the broth, I could just use all the vegetables that are already in the soup and just add whatever to that. It would be easier, wouldn't it?

Of course, I suspect that the double effort leads to a more flavourful soup. Still, it amazes me that it didn't even occur to me to save myself the extra step until today!

This is great!

I love it when a commercial catches me by surprise! Check out the "leak" at the end.

I am happy, I am sad

Last night I was very proud of my country. Millions of Americans chose hope over fear and hatred. Tears filled my eyes as I watched people of all colours celebrate the victory of Barack Obama.

Today more tears fill my eyes, because, sadly, California did choose fear and hatred. I am terribly sad that so many of the people in my former home rejected the tenets of love and family by approving Proposition 8.

I will feel happy again, most certainly on or about January 27th, but right now I am mourning for all those who lost their marriages.

Just what I needed

Now, go vote!

Please, can it just be over?

The last month or so, I have been obsessively refreshing all my political blogs and newsfeeds to read Every Single internet thought available about the upcoming election. I stare at the electoral map at RealClearPolitics, imagining the possible outcomes and perusing the latest poll number for every state that is not a solid blue or red. Then I go check out what Huffington Post has to say, and to see if Slate has any new insight into the election. I watch videos telling why I should vote No on Prop 8 and why I should vote Yes. (I can't vote on it, but I gave the No folks $50. You can, too!) I stalk Pandagon and Alas and read nearly every link provided by nearly every commenter. I worry...all the time, that McCain will pull out some kind of impossible victory. Then I go back at look at the Electoral projections and I feel (marginally) comforted.

Gak! Still 25 1/2 hours until the first polls close!

To meat or not to meat

Most of you know I have been actively trying to buy and eat more local foods over the last few months. One of my stumbling blocks has been finding locally-raised meat. I am pleased to say that I have found a source that will deliver locally-raised beef, pork lamb and poultry to a Toronto location for me to pick up.

This is all kinds of yay. Except, somehow, over the last few months, both Grant and I have found ourselves not loving the meat so much. We have definitely cut down on our portions, and just recently, when I have prepared meat, I have found myself thinking that all I really needed was the incredibly yummy vegetables that I have prepared.

Grant is in total agreement. He thinks that the veggies are extra good because I am such a fabulous cook. That may be, but I also suspect that buying locally and organically is a big factor too. We have experimented a lot more with new vegetables lately and have discovered wonderful new favourites.

I think I will go ahead and buy some of the local meat. Who knows? I may find that it revives my former love of meat products. If it doesn't, then I suspect we will continue eating less and less meat. Eventually, we may decide to formally eliminate it from our diet, but only time will tell.

Cuz Jenn told me to

Use one word to describe or answer the following list. (In the comments is fine - or on your blog if you like and then let us know to go look!)

1.Your house?
3-bedroom Townhouse

2.Your significant other?
Grant, my wonderful husband

3. Your hair?
Short and blonde

4. Your family?

Mom and Dad, Sally, my sister, John, my bro-in-law, the two As, my nephews, Matt and Tom, my stepsons.

5. Favorite place to eat?
Too many to decide on just one!

6. Your favorite thing you can see right now?
My husband

7. Where is your cell phone?
In my purse

8. Your favorite drink?
Vodka martini with a twist of lemon

9.Your dream/goal?
To live a long and healthy life

10. What Room you are in?
Dining room (although it's really one big room that includes living room and kitchen)

11. Your hobby?
Cooking

12. Your fear?
Dying in a fire

13. Where do you want to be in 6 years?
Sitting on the dock of my lakeside cottage with my husband

14. Where were you last night?
Home

15. Something that you aren’t?
Republican

16. Pie?
Yes, please

17. Wish list item?
Cottage

18. TV show?
Currently, Life on Mars. For posterity, BTVS

19. Last thing you did?
Answered the previous question

20. What are you wearing?
Yoga pants and a hooded sweatshirt

21. Vacation spot?
Mexico

22. Your pets?
Lucy the Dog

23. A best friend?
My husband

24. Your life?
Happy

25. Your mood?
Content

26. Missing someone?
My San Francisco friends

27. Your car?
2000 Honda CRV

28. Something you’re not wearing.
Underwear

29. Your favorite store?
Tie between J. Jill and Victorias Secret


30.Best memory?
Meeting my husband for the very first time