Rebel Without A Brain

Anerable Schnozz

Anerable Schnozz
Originally uploaded by mellowkitty.

I *know* it's been a while, but I've been battling thieves and bandits, one of whom is pictured here.

This little dude as well two of his siblings made an appearance last night as I was entertaining several guests. It was only when I shook the dreaded aluminum snow shovel at them that they fled to the bottom of the garden (and away from the dining table).

Rosie (my one remaining feline) proved indifferent to the whole drama, and remained only to finish the tuna remaining in the bowl of Pasta a la Puttanesca.

In Memorium: Nomar

Who woke me up?
Originally uploaded by mellowkitty.

Nomar, the other redhead in the house, died last week. He was found among the neighbour's hostas. Earlier that day, he had eaten his usual tin of tuna with our neighbour, Margaret. Cause of death is unknown, although there were no signs of trauma.

Nomar had an amazing disposition, due, no doubt, to having been a foundling from the bar up the street (now closed). His purr was reputed to heal small cuts and burns, as well as the occasional broken heart.

R.I.P. Nomar

Omigod...

...I have my own store! Buyer, beware...or should that be "bewear"?

Awesome Days Ahead?

After fretting (in my own way, natch') about how I was going to conform to/rebel against the task of teaching two intensive Summer courses, I have to say that, despite my physical exhaustion, it feels exceptionally good to have completed the all-important introductory classes.

Both groups seem strong. Most are doing the Summer-course thing because they've already been accepted to some university program, so their motivation is palpable. I'm glad I chose to focus both courses (one on Globalization and the other on Corporate Ethics -- and oxymoron, I know) around current events: global warming, peak oil, and the food crisis. It'll be interesting tomorrow as both groups discuss their reaction to James Kunstler and the documentary based on his work, The End of Suburbia.

Arachnophobia

Trust xkcd to diagnose what ails me.

What...

...are you looking for?

Oh, the Irony, Mr. Anderson

I'm developing a new course in corporate social responsibility. In hunting around for case studies in business ethics, I found this collection from Arthur Anderson, best known for their conviction--related to the Enron case--for obstructing justice.

The collection forms an interesting read, but none of them deal with the memos directing employees to shred important documents.

Rebel Duz Japanese

Mellow Duz Japanese
Originally uploaded by mellowkitty.

I have been spending far too much money at the Sushi Shop at the market recently.

How difficult can it be, I said to myself, to make sashimi at home?  Not difficult at all in fact:

• Go to the fish monger
• Ask for a one inch slice of wild salmon or red tuna. Or both!
• Store carefully until ready to eat
• Slice so it looks like what you get in a restaurant
• Feed small bits to cats
• Enjoy with a bit of soya sauce and wasabi!

Then I asked myself, How difficult can it be to make my own Wafu dressing? Ha! Simple:

• Two tablespoons Miso
• One tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• One teaspoon sugar (I used maple syrup)
• One tablespoon sesame oil
• One tablespoon oil (I used olive)
• Thin with a bit of ice water

Finally, I asked myself, California Roll? What's the deal?

• Prepare sushi rice according to any recipe you find on the 'net.
• Add a squeeze or two of lime juice to replace the rice vinegar called for in any of the recipes
• Play with the sugar and salt ratios, and only put in half of what they suggest
• Make sure the rice is cool-ish, wet your hands frequently, and do not spread the rice on the nori more than 1/4 inch thick.
• Roll!
• Eat your mistakes
• Keep trying until you have perfect roll!

I, GPS (not)

I started prepping myself for what will inevitably be a shock to my system: Teaching two intensive courses over the month of June. I'll start at 9:00 a.m. and finish at 2:15 p.m.

I know I know...normal people tend to start at that hour, and if they're lucky, get to leave at 5:00 p.m. But, most, I'm sure, won't have to spend two 2-hour periods entertaining 19-year olds during the thick of summer. It'll be like I'm Celine Dion doing two shows in Vegas, except I'll have what I hope is far more socially redeeming value.

Anyhoo, my prep today involved getting to the college by public transportation. It looked simple enough: Get on the green line going east, get off at Lionel-Groulx, switch to the orange line, and, voila, 20 minutes later I should be there.

Except, I got on the green line going the wrong way. And I did the same again on the way back. I have a sense of direction, but it has been honed only because I've had to think my way out of countless wrong turns and missed exits. This is why I scoff at GPS systems; unless you're orienteering through the wilderness, trust your instincts, if not to get you where you want to go, at least to lead you from the place where you ended up.

The Great Debate: Creamy Nougat or Sleestak?

Watch this fabbu exchange between James Kunstler and Stephen Colbert. Where else would you find two grown men debate whether oil, creamy nougat or Sleestaks are to be found in the centre of the Earth?