tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59370157169790548372024-03-05T03:47:23.652-06:00Mapping the DeliciousThoughts on books, cooking, baseball, archaeology, mapping, and deliciousness.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.comBlogger165125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-66299998491439317972011-02-03T22:42:00.004-06:002011-02-03T23:52:33.902-06:00Snowstorm 2011Somewhat unexpectedly, this week that has been thrown all off balance thanks to the giant storm that visited 2/3 of the continental US has been unequivocally my most productive week of 2011. <br /><br />Things that I have done:<br /><br />cleaned my countertops - they were full of piles of papers and assorted objects<br />cleaned my bookshelves - same thing, really<br />vacuumed<br />played darts; set up excel file to track my darts playing<br />refined my 2011 budget tracking files<br />made a winter squash sou<br />cleaned the bathroom<br />cleaned my car<br />cleaned my car. This was such an impressive task that it deserves to be mentioned twice.<br />went 1-0 in Yahoo Dominoes. To be fair, that is happening tonight. Definitely post-productivity phase.<br />painted some pieces to hang in the apartment.<br />composed/sent some emails that really had to be done<br />went 1-0 in Dominion vs. Calli. That game is awesome; one of my favorite Christmas gifts. This game was our first using different arrangements of cards than the "first game" set suggested by the game. I enjoyed the new experience. Also, I enjoyed winning.<br />Paid several bills. <span style="font-style: italic;">Way</span> ahead of time.<br />Began to look at ideas for groomsmen gifts. I am still surprised (I don't know why) at how many lame ideas the internet provides. <br /><br />That is a LOT of stuff done, especially when you consider the person doing said stuff is traditionally not one to get a bunch of stuff done when confronted with free time. Until proven otherwise, let us consider this a leaf turned.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-16157853164453273642010-10-29T17:00:00.001-05:002010-10-30T14:36:51.899-05:00Triviasaurus Rex, Part 2Part 2!<br /><br />After finishing the first half tied for second place (one point behind the leader!), we buckled down for the second half of trivia night. These rounds were worth 12 points each if you got all the questions right, and...we did. We did not get a question wrong the rest of the night.<br /><br />Round 4:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">TV: </span>Before Boston Legal, James Spader was on what other television legal drama?<br /> I didn't know this, but our team's brains overlapped each other all night. Apparently, the Practice.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">American History: </span>Who was 30,000 in the air over Kansas when Gerald Ford was sworn in as President?<br /> I think Kelly gets the credit for first saying Richard Nixon, but as soon as she did the entire booth agreed.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Islands: </span><span>What nation owns 'October Revolution Island'?<br /> Russia. I thought I remembered the Bolshevik revolution happened in October. Russia was as good a guess as any.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>Round 5:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Literature: </span>What literary character lived in the 100 acre wood?<br />- We all said "Winnie the Pooh!", and then wondered where the children's literature/literature line is drawn.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Food: </span>I don't remember the exact wording of this question, but it was something about a French phrase that has come to mean 'best quality' in addition to describing a dish.<br />- Initially, the booth was going with Monte Cristo. However, I don't think we were satisfied with the answer, and then Kelly suggested that 'cordon bleu' co!uld be similar to blue ribbon or something. We decided that was a much more palatable answer, and we were rewarded with 1 point.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Baseball:<span style="font-weight: bold;"> <span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span>Hack Wilson set what single-season statistical record<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span>?<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br />- </span></span>Please. A question about a Chicago Cub and his major league 191 RBIs in 1930? Really, trivia night?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>Round 6:<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br />Movies: </span><span>In My Big Fat Greek Wedding, what household cleaning does the main character's father use for all-purpose healing?<br /> - Windex. I said Lysol right off the bat, but the booth corrected me. Thanks, ladies.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Common Bonds: </span>What do these words have in common: Easter, Christmas, Virgin, Phoenix, Solomon?<br /><br />They are all islands! This was a really rough question, but we got it at the last minute. You don't want to mess with Triviasaurus Rex.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Books: </span><span>What naturalist and bird-watcher wrote a book that recently sold for $8.8 million?<br /> - John Audubon.<br /><br />He was, quite frankly, the only ornithologist that I could come up with. Yay Audobon!<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />FINAL ROUND<br /></span><br />We came into the last question in first place by three points, so we wagered all 15. Basically, we had to get the question right no matter what, so why not get 15 points? Go big or go home.<br /><br />Who won the 1988 Grammy for Best Album?<br />Prince<br />Michael Jackson<br />Whitney Houston<br />U2<br />Dolly Parton, Linda Rondstadt, and Emmylou Harris.<br /><br />...wow. We reasoned this one out, but I think it was still a bit of a guessing game. However, we guessed correctly with U2 and the Joshua Tree! Booyah 15 points and a $40 gift certificate!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-76016631825912778582010-10-28T22:16:00.000-05:002010-10-28T23:36:27.235-05:00Triviasaurus Rex, Part 1This past week, my friends Amy Bestul and Kelly Thorngate asked me to be a part of their trivia team at the Brass Ring. The night finally rolled around, and we settled on the team name "Triviasaurus Rex" at the boot.<br /><br />To cut right to the chase, we won. It was great.<br /><br />I took some pictures of our answer sheet on my phone so I could remember the questions later - here is how the game was formatted:<br /> The first half of the game was three rounds of three questions each - we had to assign point values of 1, 3, or 5 to our answers for a maximum value/round of 9. <br /> The halftime round was a series of 4 questions worth 2 points each.<br /> The second half of the night was three rounds of three questions, but this time with point values of 2, 4, or 6.<br /> The final question was one where we could wager up to 15, but would lose the wager if our answer was incorrect.<br /><br />Round 1:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Movie Plots:</span> How much money did the Blues Brothers have to raise to save their orphanage?<br /> - $5000. Credit to Amy for watching the movie earlier this week.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">World Geography:</span> (I got excited when I heard this category, but it wasn't that difficult). Amman is the capital of what Middle Eastern nation?<br /> - Jordan<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sports:</span> Gary Bettman is the commissioner of which major sports league?<br /> - NHL<br /><br />We nailed that round, but they weren't that bad. I'd have been upset if we got any wrong.<br /><br />Round 2:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Science!: <span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>What element is a main component in bone, limestone, and ___. (They gave a third thing, but...I forget what it was. Also, the sound system wasn't great). <br /> - Calcium. We got this one right.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Simpsons:</span> Something about what real life boxer was the inspiration for blah blah blah<br /> - Mike Tyson. Also got it.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lyrics:</span> The emcee rattled off a bunch of Mariah Carey lyrics from 2009 - something about windex? I don't remember. Also, we did not get this one correct.<br /><br />Round 3:<br />Round three would turn out to be our worst round of the night. Coming right after the Mariah Carey question, I will admit that my confidence began to waver a little bit.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Space:</span> What was the third nation to send a man into outer space (hint: they used a Soviet rocket)?<br />We guessed China, but I had a feeling it might be a random Eastern Bloc satellite (haha) nation. Yup, the correct answer was Czechoslovakia. Whoops. If not China, I would have guessed East Germany. <br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Classic Rock: </span>What Scottish band sang the song "Love Hurts"?<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/soDZBW-1P04?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/soDZBW-1P04?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /> We wrote down Asia, but that was just silly. The booth had no idea who this was...turns out it was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazareth_%28band%29">Nazareth</a>.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Alcohol:</span> So far, we were 0-2 in R. 3, but this was a pretty easy question. In the drink Windex (I think), vodka, rum, and lime juice are combined with what blue liqueur?<br /> - We said blue curacao, except we used the รง. I enjoyed the proper character usage.<br /><br />HALFTIME<br /><br /> Yes or no - were these people alive at the same time?<br />Mark Twain, Hermann Melville<br />Benjamin Franklin, Robert E. Lee<br />Karl Marx, Immanuel Kant<br />Vladimir Lenin, Winston Churchill<br /><br />Yes<br />No<br />No<br />Yes.<br /><br />We went 4/4, closing out the first half on a good run.<br /><br />Part 2 to be continued tomorrow!Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-45660876748443463532010-10-22T17:12:00.000-05:002010-10-22T17:12:00.213-05:00Summer is over.I was walking to work on Tuesday this week, when I got the news that summer is officially over:<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TMH-kHZKsbI/AAAAAAAAASU/JNJqHITSwr4/s1600/fount.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 145px; height: 108px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TMH-kHZKsbI/AAAAAAAAASU/JNJqHITSwr4/s400/fount.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530981713801032114" border="0" /></a>That's the fountain on Library Mall, closed up for the winter. It's always a sad day for me to see it shut down; the sight is a brutal reminder of how depressing Wisconsin winter can be. <br /><br />Ah, well. Bring on the broomball games!Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-74040674887813951682010-10-02T02:34:00.008-05:002010-10-02T02:51:26.203-05:00Home DecorSince I moved into my apartment about a month and a half ago, I've been slowly finding the right decorations for its walls. So far, I have put up:<br /><br />the mirrors that Mike and Chelsea gave me when they moved to San Diego in 2007<br />my puzzle of places to see in Africa<br /><br />...and that's it. However, I recently found and purchased some sweet posters of planets from the Star Wars Universe. I ordered three from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a> after somehow happening across <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/justinvg/tags/starwars/">Justin Van Genderen's photostream on Flickr</a>. Actually getting the package delivered to me was a hassle that I don't want to get into again (mainly because right now it is the middle of the night and I'm tired. Sneak Preview: I've spent the night getting a big project done [maybe], and will post pictures of it tomorrow), but here are the three new premiere pieces of art in my apartment.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TKbitz2vvNI/AAAAAAAAAR4/Do_VJ3GTzhc/s1600/100_2630.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TKbitz2vvNI/AAAAAAAAAR4/Do_VJ3GTzhc/s320/100_2630.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523351269658311890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Tatooine, the desert planet from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_Episode_IV:_A_New_Hope">A New Hope</a>.</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TKbh_HdfBuI/AAAAAAAAARw/leW0Jj5OvBA/s1600/100_2632.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TKbh_HdfBuI/AAAAAAAAARw/leW0Jj5OvBA/s320/100_2632.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523350467467216610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoth">Hoth</a></span><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TKbjKAQ5AOI/AAAAAAAAASA/dhqb0oJSBo4/s1600/100_2633.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TKbjKAQ5AOI/AAAAAAAAASA/dhqb0oJSBo4/s320/100_2633.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523351754025533666" border="0" /></a><br />The <a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Endor">Forest Moon of Endor</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TKbj92g_icI/AAAAAAAAASI/vQLYpxpFJQc/s1600/100_2634.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TKbj92g_icI/AAAAAAAAASI/vQLYpxpFJQc/s320/100_2634.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523352644761913794" border="0" /></a><br />My not-so-barren wall. <br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Besides satisfying the Star Wars nerd in me, I like these posters mainly due to their simplistic design. I think I picked three that go together reasonably well as far as their colors (not that I had any choice...you have to have Tatooine, Hoth, and Endor, right? My only debate was perhaps trading Endor for Yavin IV. Oh well). <br /><br />I wonder how much air fare to Mos Eisley would be?<br /></div><br /></div>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-78542413860078193482010-09-23T22:18:00.002-05:002010-09-23T22:26:39.290-05:00Exciting PurchasesThis past week, I made two exciting purchases for my new apartment. <br /><br />Actually, that sentence is only half true. One purchase I made this week doesn't have much to do with the apartment, and one purchase was made about 3 weeks ago but did not get into my possession until this Tuesday, thanks to the USPS ignoring the forwarding address they so desperately need. Anyway. <br /><br />I'd put up pictures of purchase no. 1, since they're Star Wars posters and look phenomenal, but my computer is busy installing purchase no. 2 - <a href="http://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/design/">Adobe CS (Creative Suite) 5 - Design Premium</a>. It's a package of software containing such heavyweights as Illustrator, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and more. I'm super excited, to say the least...and I got it at a severe student discount through DOIT. This semester is basically composed of me slogging through an introductory statistics course, which is a breeze. I'm getting my money's worth, though. I'm going to every student training seminar I can. These things would cost my company probably $250 per session, but I'm taking at least 15 this semester - for free. Also, I just got a $1500 discount on this amazing software that will now consume my life, so it's all smiles here.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-56672067047946141232010-08-11T16:22:00.001-05:002010-08-26T17:20:28.743-05:00Beards GaloreAccording to <a href="http://i.imgur.com/PHmF5.jpg">this graphic</a> detailing the trustworthiness of bears, I range from Threatening at best to Dangerous at worst. It's unsettling news, to be sure. <br /><br />I have three defenses:<br /><br />1. 'Neck Beard' is what results when I trim my normal beard, but am too lazy to get the real razor and actually shave.<br /><br />2. 'Patchy Beard' is what happens when I am too lazy to even trim my facial hair; my face has basically decided to grow hair in only non-traditional areas plus a mustache. <br /><br />3. My beards, however non-trustworthy, are preferable to my clean-shaven face?Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-64096603560726451572010-07-21T15:18:00.003-05:002010-07-23T15:07:59.427-05:00Veggie MRIsThe next time you have 10 minutes to spend being mesmerized by something, go look at <a href="http://insideinsides.blogspot.com/">these images of vegetables</a>. They were captured by using an MRI machine - quite frankly, they're gorgeous. <br /><br />I think my favorites are the broccoli (I don't know why; the image seems whimsical to me), the corn (probably because I've been enjoying some delicious sweet corn lately), and the pineapple (because I can absolutely imagine Shawn Spencer taking an MRI of a pineapple).Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-47207982804208917782010-07-12T20:49:00.001-05:002010-07-12T20:49:00.184-05:00Graphing RiveraEven if you don't like baseball (and you should, it's a beautiful sport) you should <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/06/29/magazine/rivera-pitches.html?ref=magazine">go visit this graphic</a> by the New York Times. <br /><br />Mariano Rivera is a Hall-of-Fame pitcher for a reason, and this is a really clear look at why he is so good at getting hitters out. Besides the coolness of the baseball knowledge, this caught my eye because it is an interesting blend of interactive graphic and a video. It's a creative method of communicating a unique set of information. <br /><br />If anybody invents a time machine and would like to take me back to teach 8 year old Jeff how to throw a cutter, that'd be great!Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-1811042590442455412010-07-09T17:51:00.000-05:002010-07-09T17:51:00.456-05:00Classic Badger GamesThe Big Ten Network has several shows on Hulu.com, and I recently used that partnership to watch one of the <a href="http://www.hulu.com/the-big-tens-greatest-games-basketball">Big Ten's Greatest Basketball Games</a>.<br /><br />March 5th, 2003: Illinois @ Wisconsin<br /><br />The game was hard-fought, with the winner taking the Big Ten Regular Season Championship. I'm not going to recap it here - either <a href="http://www.hulu.com/the-big-tens-greatest-games-basketball">read it at ESPN</a> or watch the game. <br /><br />However, I will share some things I couldn't help thinking while the game was on:<br /><br />1. Holy cow, look how young Alando Tucker looks. Nice 'fro.<br /><br />2. Actually, Wilkinson looks like a preteen too. Wow. <br /><br />3. Dave Mader...what an oaf. I think UW's Big Lumbering White Guys All-Star team can compete with anybody else's. Mader, freshman-sophomore year Stiemsma, J.P. Gavinski, Jason Chappell - that's a solid group. <br /><br />4. That game took place over 7 years ago, and I found myself still getting excited when Devin would hit a three, or Bo got his technical foul. Good times.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-17289081028430455562010-06-25T18:00:00.002-05:002010-06-25T18:00:01.456-05:00Garlic Scapes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TCUbJZhwCUI/AAAAAAAAAQc/bpBQB-oBJVo/s1600/scapes+003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TCUbJZhwCUI/AAAAAAAAAQc/bpBQB-oBJVo/s400/scapes+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486821569306036546" border="0" /></a>Last Saturday, I was pleased to drag Calli, Jody, and Zack to the farmer's market. We started with crepes at <a href="http://www.bradburyscoffee.com/pages/bradbury">Bradbury's</a>, walked around the square, stopped in at Fromagination, found ourselves viewing a naked bike ride, and then went to <a href="http://www.pizzabrutta.com/">Pizza Brutta</a> for lunch. I think we all found some things to enjoy during the day:<br />I picked up garlic scapes, green onions, and three tomatoes, along with three cheeses from Fromagination.<br />Calli gets to enjoy whatever comes out of those ingredients, plus the enjoyment of a beautiful morning. Jody and Zack both said hello to every puppy/dog in the downtown area in addition to tasting/buying some delicious cheeses from <a href="http://fromagination.com/">Fromagination</a>.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TCUdHyEsecI/AAAAAAAAAQk/qjmtmSUbjh8/s1600/scapes+013.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TCUdHyEsecI/AAAAAAAAAQk/qjmtmSUbjh8/s400/scapes+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486823740558571970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">tomato, scapes, and gouda</span><br /></div><br />On Monday, I made scape pesto by blending together half of the garlic scapes, a couple of basil leaves, pine nuts, olive oil, and parmesan cheese. So far, I've only used the pesto as a spread on grilled cheese sandwiches...three times.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TCUd4cPVEqI/AAAAAAAAAQs/_ZFOaMlbDoI/s1600/scapes+014.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TCUd4cPVEqI/AAAAAAAAAQs/_ZFOaMlbDoI/s400/scapes+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486824576511185570" border="0" /></a><br />I don't care that I have to brush my teeth after eating one every time. It is absolutely worth it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TCUecBNOA4I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/L04PKQ82pIw/s1600/scapes+023.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TCUecBNOA4I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/L04PKQ82pIw/s400/scapes+023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486825187729867650" border="0" /></a><br />I have a theory (which is practically fact) that when the Israelites were eating <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manna">manna</a> in the desert, it was in the form of grilled cheese. As a Wisconsinite who most definitely does not keep kosher, manna ideally would be grilled cheese with bacon. Whatever.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-35142010808794595832010-06-24T19:35:00.000-05:002010-06-25T16:08:51.311-05:00MorelsMy favorite thing about Madison is the Dane County Farmer's Market. So far this year, I've been lucky enough to go walk around the square and get some amazing produce on several different occasions.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TCUZymsRy9I/AAAAAAAAAQU/LiDcBmThIXY/s1600/grad+barn+morel+018.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TCUZymsRy9I/AAAAAAAAAQU/LiDcBmThIXY/s400/grad+barn+morel+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486820078191234002" border="0" /></a>Back around Mother's Day, I snagged some morels. I didn't do much to them besides saute them in butter. They were delicious. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TBuQFxnERrI/AAAAAAAAAQM/b3C4lE6C7x8/s1600/grad+barn+morel+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TBuQFxnERrI/AAAAAAAAAQM/b3C4lE6C7x8/s400/grad+barn+morel+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484135400144651954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">"what are these? are they for me?"</span><br /></div><br />After I rescued the mushrooms from Dinah, I took half of them home as a quasi-mother's day gift. The four of us had a very spring lunch of grilled trout, sauteed morels, and an asparagus flatbread.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-66913545543373639092010-06-11T11:45:00.000-05:002010-06-11T11:45:00.357-05:00Wall Map Update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TBJiCt5OpqI/AAAAAAAAAPw/EQFkK1PKTT0/s1600/wall+map+024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TBJiCt5OpqI/AAAAAAAAAPw/EQFkK1PKTT0/s400/wall+map+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481551495282206370" border="0" /></a>I've been making progress on my giant wall map project lately. I had finished the sketching last spring, but then let the momentum die away. However, I have now finished painting the oceans on 7 of the 20 panels - it looks pretty decent. I'm beginning to worry that I'm never going to live in a place with a wall big enough to handle this thing, but that is a problem for later.<br /><br />You can see that I've finished the Southern Ocean around Antarctica and almost all of the water surrounding South America.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TBJiVUllywI/AAAAAAAAAP4/EA-RdramEcM/s1600/wall+map+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TBJiVUllywI/AAAAAAAAAP4/EA-RdramEcM/s400/wall+map+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481551814906465026" border="0" /></a><br />Here you can see the eastern part of Antarctica and Australia just beginning to show up. New Zealand sure looks different than most maps' representations of it; I think that is due to a combination of the map projection I based this on and my own scaling issues. Whatever, it's art. If I ever have to find my way to New Zealand using only this wall map, there are a lot of things going wrong in the world.<br /><br />I think that my favorite part of the map so far is either the Antarctic Peninsula or the Amazon River Delta in Brazil.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TBJj-SzoncI/AAAAAAAAAQA/0_Yj2Y1DaA0/s1600/wall+map+022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/TBJj-SzoncI/AAAAAAAAAQA/0_Yj2Y1DaA0/s400/wall+map+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481553618314763714" border="0" /></a>...well, I am also partial to the giant world-crushing cat in this picture.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-5895084597653386372010-06-01T15:59:00.000-05:002010-06-03T16:03:04.882-05:00HiatusThe WI highway beer project has been put on a (temporary?) hiatus for an indeterminate amount of time. Since my last foray into the field, there has been an increase in Madison-based work for the Historical Society. We've also hired a bunch of new archaeologists, so I've been hanging out downtown for the last couple of weeks. I don't find a lot of empty beer cans on the sides of hallways down in the basement, so the project has been shelved. For now.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-82514222249710700452010-05-26T16:45:00.000-05:002010-05-26T16:45:00.226-05:00Wine Tour 2010This monday is Memorial Day. Combined with a semi-mandatory furlough day on Friday, I have a four day weekend blessedly approaching. <br /><br />During the first half of this extended weekend, I'll be taking a mini-vacation of Wisconsin wineries. The trip will be limited to southwest WI, because there's not really enough time to hit all of the <a href="http://www.wiswine.com/home">vineyards in the state</a>. However, I expect the six-stop tour to be perfectly enjoyable.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/S_152U7MzcI/AAAAAAAAAPU/3GZerR4oD9o/s1600/wine+map+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/S_152U7MzcI/AAAAAAAAAPU/3GZerR4oD9o/s400/wine+map+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475666696189300162" border="0" /></a><br />The vineyards are: Botham, Spurgeon, Weggy, Vernon, Burr Oak, and Wollersheim. Once we get back, I'm hoping to expand this map and include a bunch of photos/reviews of the delicious, delicious wine(s).Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-71943461817925882482010-05-13T22:20:00.002-05:002010-05-13T22:32:14.351-05:002010 Field Season Beer ProjectNo, I haven't decided to drink through the entire field season - although I did find some of New Glarus Brewery's Unplugged <a href="http://newglarusbrewing.com/Beers.cfm?BeerCategoryID=5&BeerID=43">Old English Porter</a> this week in West Bend. This project revolves around highway survey and the discarded beer cans/bottles we find along the side of the road. <br /><br />Walking along the side of a highway in Washington County (or Burnett, or Douglas, or Fond du Lac, or Brown, or...) can be a mind-numbing way to spend a work week. My mind tends to wander a bit during these surveys, especially when there is a decided lack of artifacts being found. <br /><br />One of the questions my brain decides to ponder on these surveys is why there are so many empty beer cans along the side of highways. I'd like to give Joe West Bend the benefit of the doubt and say that a piece of gravel kicked up from the shoulder and tore a hole in one of the can-filled plastic bags in the bed of his truck on his way to the local recycling center, but this is Wisconsin. Joe was drinking beer while driving, and then decided to throw the can out his window. <br /><br />I'll be keeping a running tab of the brands/styles of beer that I find on the side of the road and listing them here. Open a cold one and enjoy (from the safety of your house).Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-81716041574250363702010-05-05T23:04:00.000-05:002010-05-05T23:04:00.150-05:00wednesday graphic linksI think banning books is abhorrent and counterproductive - when I see the yearly list of "most banned books" or whatever, I immediately want to read them. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kill-Mockingbird-Harper-Lee/dp/0446310786">To Kill A Mockingbird</a> is an American - a world - classic. I would feel sick writing a letter asking to ban it. <br /><br />If your worldview can't handle a children's book about two boy penguins raising a baby penguin, it is not the book that has the problem. Anyway, Good has produced <a href="http://awesome.good.is/transparency/web/1005/targeted-books/flash.html">yet another quality transparency</a> showing the 10 most-challenged books of 2009. I don't actually like this graphic as much as I like most of their work; my main complaint is that the colors chosen to represent the different challenges don't readily correspond to the reason for the challenge. I don't know that I have a better way to do it. There are twelve listed reasons that people challenged books, ranging from offensive language to violence to suicide to age-unsuitability. Twelve categories are a lot to differentiate just using color. <br /><br />Speaking of color, Randall Munroe (of nerdy webcomic <a href="http://xkcd.com/">XKCD</a>) just concluded a color survey. Basically, takers of the survey would enter information about their computer monitor and their 23rd chromosome and then start to describe the colors of squares that would appear on their screen. The <a href="http://blog.xkcd.com/2010/05/03/color-survey-results/">results are in</a>, and some of his conclusions are pretty interesting. Not surprisingly, people get mighty tired of describing colors after twenty squares or so. The descent into madness seems to start to occur after the 3rd consecutive square of 'green.' <br /><br />On a more somber note, legendary Detroit Tigers announcer Ernie Harwell passed away today. You can find more eloquent and personal stories about him from guys like <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/3455/my-visit-with-ernie-harwell">Rob Neyer</a>, <a href="http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2010/05/04/rip-ernie-harwell/">Joe Posnanski</a>, and <a href="http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/05/ernie-harwell-1918-2010.html.php">Craig Calcaterra</a>. I will merely link to a <a href="http://www.wezen-ball.com/other/other/qyour-childhood-has-been-brought-to-you-byq.html">timely graphic from Wezen-ball</a>. I saw this last week when Bob Uecker had his heart surgery, but it works today as well.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-58538391059564089222010-05-04T16:04:00.003-05:002010-05-04T20:45:20.329-05:00Coming soonI saw a 'preview' for something intriguing today:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="660" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/D1wUcFY2TNo&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/D1wUcFY2TNo&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="405"></embed></object><br /></div><br />Alinea creator Grant Achatz is opening a new restaurant that will offer four menus a year, each with a different space/time theme. For example, the first year will be serving meals from 1912 Paris and 2035 Hong Kong. From everything I've read about <a href="http://www.alinea-restaurant.com/">Alinea</a>, Achatz's food is brilliant. News like this makes me wish I was both a Chicagoan and rich enough to dine at Alinea/Next. <br /><br />Well, eventually. Right?Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-8379721354941891382010-05-03T17:57:00.000-05:002010-05-03T17:57:00.594-05:00News<div style="text-align: center;"><object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/C3njjD41f48&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/C3njjD41f48&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HVU1ffXXJ4A&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HVU1ffXXJ4A&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1RrAadYcbrE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1RrAadYcbrE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object><br /></div><br /><br />I've been accepted into UW's GIS certificate program. That's right...back to school, where I will:<br /><br /> hopefully avoid Ogre<br /> <span style="font-style: italic;">probably</span> not go streaking<br /> dance along with Otis Day and the Knights<br /><br />I will be meeting with the GIS program director this week to determine specifics of my return to college, but...back in school!Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-795986483901881382010-04-30T15:46:00.006-05:002010-04-30T16:18:43.854-05:00Snapshots of meals pastA couple of weekends ago, I made two dishes from some of my favorite food sites - <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/">Smitten Kitchen</a> and <a href="http://simplyrecipes.com/">Simply Recipes</a>. SK provided a recipe for shakshuka, a brunch-ish meal of eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce. You crumble some feta cheese into the pan and serve it all with toasted pita bread. The end result is a surprisingly hearty and delicious meal.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/S9tG2vanfqI/AAAAAAAAAOk/HocHhY83izo/s1600/4_28+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/S9tG2vanfqI/AAAAAAAAAOk/HocHhY83izo/s400/4_28+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466040478999215778" border="0" /></a>Here are the eggs, freshly cracked into the sauce. I think I overcooked them a touch, but that didn't stop Calli and me from devouring the thing.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/S9tHJ0s9ukI/AAAAAAAAAOs/UdrXTfZbq2Y/s1600/4_28+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/S9tHJ0s9ukI/AAAAAAAAAOs/UdrXTfZbq2Y/s400/4_28+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466040806835862082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">toasted pita bread w/ kosher salt<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/S9tHNZZQFzI/AAAAAAAAAO0/nOwvMaANHcU/s1600/4_28+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/S9tHNZZQFzI/AAAAAAAAAO0/nOwvMaANHcU/s400/4_28+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466040868224898866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">shakshuka</span></div><br />The shakshuka was a pretty solid meal that will probably get thrown into my lazy saturday brunch rotation.<br /><br />Later that day, I tried a dessert recipe from SR. We ate strawberry shortcake sliders, without a trip to White Castle <span style="font-style: italic;">or</span> a carjacking from NPH.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/S9tIgLBmDCI/AAAAAAAAAO8/_xQZuUd651w/s1600/4_28+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/S9tIgLBmDCI/AAAAAAAAAO8/_xQZuUd651w/s400/4_28+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466042290296720418" border="0" /></a>These were pretty tasty, but I don't think my biscuits rose as much as they should have. I can't figure out why that is...I'm going to go ahead and blame faulty baking powder. <br /><br />Maybe I'm just not a baker.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-39191354017318592182010-04-29T16:14:00.008-05:002010-04-29T16:32:40.644-05:00April 25th, Cubs v. Brewers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/S9n6iPNhUlI/AAAAAAAAAOc/Mo9pMabqI3s/s1600/4_28+038.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/S9n6iPNhUlI/AAAAAAAAAOc/Mo9pMabqI3s/s400/4_28+038.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465675088896545362" border="0" /></a><br />Last Sunday, I went to Miller Park with Calli's family for a <a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300425108&teams=chicago-cubs-vs-milwaukee-brewers">Cubs/Brewers game</a>. The Cubs won 12-2 behind 4 home runs and a strong pitching performance by Randy Wells, so I had zero complaints about the day.<br /><br />The seats were pretty nice, as well - we were in the 20th row behind home plate. If home was the center of a clock, I'd guess were at about 7 o'clock...so certainly no complaints there.<br /><br />One upsetting aspect of the game was this bizarre human sacrifice they conducted before the game:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/S9n4hcsQ13I/AAAAAAAAAN8/YLvwNYSbLXo/s1600/4_28+027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/S9n4hcsQ13I/AAAAAAAAAN8/YLvwNYSbLXo/s400/4_28+027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465672876312024946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Fielder, before he consumes his prey.<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Maybe I misinterpreted this, but I'm pretty</span> sure it was some sort of combination of Bull Durham baseball voodoo and Fielder's insatiable appetite (vegetarians can eat small humans? Is that right?).<br /><br />Other things I saw:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/S9n5NEAiMFI/AAAAAAAAAOE/c-rU71Q-c5g/s1600/4_28+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/S9n5NEAiMFI/AAAAAAAAAOE/c-rU71Q-c5g/s400/4_28+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465673625600405586" border="0" /></a>Real baseball teams don't have cheerleaders. Then again, they don't let mustachioed giant-men go down slides after homeruns. Real baseball teams let plants grow on their ballpark's walls.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/S9n5i0899sI/AAAAAAAAAOM/F3wjNBaqQ-k/s1600/4_28+024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/S9n5i0899sI/AAAAAAAAAOM/F3wjNBaqQ-k/s400/4_28+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465673999516038850" border="0" /></a>Shameless. I don't want to vote for the All-Star Game anyway.<br /><br />Addendum: Real baseball teams don't beg for all-star votes on their field.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/S9n5619MaSI/AAAAAAAAAOU/J2hoHK30ZEk/s1600/4_28+033.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BaSq2U9qpZg/S9n5619MaSI/AAAAAAAAAOU/J2hoHK30ZEk/s400/4_28+033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465674412102281506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">No.<br /><br /></span></div>I hope Kendra politely declined.<br /><br />All in all, it was a delightful game. I had a blast, and am glad I got to tag along. The Cubs have a 1-0 record when I'm in attendance in 2010; they should start requiring my presence. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />What's that? Coincidence? Schmall shmample shmize, I say to you. Get out. <br /></div></div>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-40874375054685545002010-04-28T12:08:00.003-05:002010-04-28T21:36:18.437-05:00Drawing mapsA while ago, I mentioned Slate's hand-drawn map contest. Well, they've published <a href="http://www.slate.com/id/2252161">some of the entrants</a>. They range from computer setup instructions to a famous artist's party invitations to a clever way to avoid the Delaware Turnpike. Later on in the article, they write about the Hand Drawn Map Association. I <span style="font-style: italic;">had</span> to visit it, and it's a really creatively inspiring/interesting selection of hand drawn maps. Maybe I'll bring along some pens, paints, and paper next time I have to go in the field. <br /><br />I think my favorite hand-drawn map is the kid's <a href="http://handmaps.org/recent.php?ID=220">map to Treasure Island</a>, complete with Blue Angels in the background. I'm not sure 'background' is appropriate; it's clear that the Blue Angels are the focus of the piece. <br /><br />As they should be.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-15063133006229409582010-04-27T16:59:00.002-05:002010-04-27T17:19:56.206-05:00Cranky CameraI am back in Madison for the week, and will try to have some posts up tomorrow. What to expect? It's tough to say - my camera really is opposed to the idea of uploading photos at the moment. If I can impose my will on it, then you'll be seeing:<br /><br />Shakshuka, adapted (stolen) from Smitten Kitchen.<br /><br />Strawberry Shortcake Sliders (featuring the saddest biscuits in town), from Simply Recipes.<br /><br />Images from the Cubs game on April 25th against Dave "Batting Practice" Bush and the Brewers. <br /><br />A roast chicken?<br /><br />Plans for a Wisconsin Wine Tour<br /><br />Also, this week I'm supposed to be getting accepted/rejected into UW's GIS certificate program. Let's hope for a Friday post involving a screenshot of an acceptance email. <br /><br />Happy Tuesday.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-800353186292467492010-04-19T20:05:00.003-05:002010-04-19T22:57:45.015-05:00Field Season 2010I'm in the northwoods of Wisconsin for the week, working on a site in Burnett County. Today, the crew arrived at the site in the afternoon, and within 5 minutes I had already found (and savagely murdered) my first tick of the year. My total count for the day was 3 ticks, 1 artifact. <br /><br />I just cannot understand how a tick ever got made into a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tick_%28comics%29">comic book hero</a> and star of a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tick_%28TV_series%29">television show</a>. Ticks are gross:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2008/clarin_bria/Images/deer-tick.jpg" src="http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2008/clarin_bria/Images/deer-tick.jpg" /><br /></div><br />They are "blood-feeding parasites," and they don't ask your permission before tapping the keg. Even so, if that was all they did...we'd probably forgive them. Minor nuisances, circle of life, so on and so on. This is similar to the idea that mosquitoes are no big deal - until you remember a little bug called <a href="https://health.google.com/health/ref/Malaria">malaria</a>. Ticks wouldn't be so bad if they weren't the prime carrier of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyme_disease">Lyme Disease</a>. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="http://repairstemcell.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/the-tick.jpg" src="http://repairstemcell.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/the-tick.jpg" /><br /></div><br />You'll never catch me laughing at this guy again.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937015716979054837.post-81722201974434278902010-04-16T22:11:00.001-05:002010-04-18T10:36:40.242-05:00sustainable seafoodOne thing that I have a hard time keeping track of is which fishes are currently okay to eat. I never know what species are threatened, or which fish should be eaten from farms but not from the wild, or whatever. I'm not a fishmongerer or a chef, so it's not a crippling ignorance, but I still know that I could know more. Good published a <a href="http://www.good.is/post/transparency-which-fish-to-eat?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+good%2Flbvp+%28GOOD+Main+RSS+Feed%29">transparency</a> a little bit ago that shows which fishes are acceptable to eat - for me, the visual really helps my brain process the information.<br /><br />I <span style="font-style: italic;">do</span> understand that <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/14/dolphin-slaughter-hunting-japan-taiji">dolphins are off-limits</a>, whether they're farmed or wild. Yikes.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027544187801391599noreply@blogger.com0