Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving

My daughter and I have our Thanksgiving on the Wednesday before the official holiday; it is a tradition we started when she was in college. We invite people who have family Thanksgiving Day plans or no plans and we serve BBQ salmon since we know everyone will get their fill of turkey the next day. We maintain tradition with the side dishes by serving white trash starchy foods; green bean casserole, dressing, mashed potatoes, spoon corn bread and cranberry sauce are regular fare. And of course pumpkin and pecan pie. I sometimes make a mince pie but I'm the only one who really likes it so, like this year, I often skip it. We also serve some green salad and plain broccoli just to make ourselves feel nutritionally sound. Wine flows.


This year we'll have between 10-15 people and they'll start arriving around 3. Drop in if you're in the neighborhood. While you're waiting for the food you can read this article about an odd duck who seems like she'd be fun to have dinner with. My favorite part:


That was a few years and a million somebody elses ago. Jules is in preschool now -- and (as we go to press) still single, though she has been seeing one Mr. Bennett Orenstein, who is not only potty-trained but was recently awarded a medal for swimming with his face in the water

Monday, November 19, 2007

What Should I Rent

Listening to NPR on the way to work this morning, I learned about a new website which recommends movies based on a profile you provide. I went to the site, answered a bunch of questions about myself and then got a recommendation. whattorent doesn't require you to provide an email address but does ask you to set a login name just so they can remember you when you return.


After I answered the questions, I asked for a recommendation, indicating I wanted something which matches my usual movie. I could have chosen to get a recommendation for something a little or a lot different than I would normally choose. The suggested movie is for The Five Obstructions. I have not yet seen it and so will probably rent it. I'll let you know how it works out.