A reflection on respect and kindness

So, last night was the greatest night of my life. I won't completely brag about how awesome Dead Weather was, but 700 miles was well worth it. I know Jack White is practically a god among men, and so does everyone else, so I have some reflections on occurrences last night. I will tell these in the form of a narrative.

We arrived at the House of Blues at approximately 5 pm. The line was only a few people long, so we snacked in the restaurant and came back outside to claim a spot about 20 people back. About 30 minutes later, I noticed the line getting pretty long. So I decided to check out how far back it went. A great decision on my part because as I walked past the row of people waiting, a white can pulled up to a nearby street within my view. Jack Lawrence walked out, looking totally bad ass. I freaked out. I honestly didn't expect it, and I didn't expect the next part either. Jack White walked out onto the open street, with only two bodyguards and I to witness. I nervously said, "Jack, hey!" He smiled and said "Hey there." However, he looked past me with slight anxiety and walked into the venue. Other people noticed him and began screaming and running closer.

This is my first reflection. It's on respect. As someone that likes Jack White and knows anything at all about him, you know that he is eccentric and not comfortable around people. WHY must you run at him yelling? Like that will make him want to stay out and chat. I try really hard not to go fangirl when I meet someone famous, because that must really suck. Stay calm and cool, and then maybe you'll get to spend moe time with them. And show them some respect, they are not an object, they are real people that are sensitive and don't like mobs.

Continuing on, I went back to Brent in line and started flipping out. I texted everyone I know and jumped up and down for the next half hour. I didn't say you couldn't go fangirl, I just said you couldn't in front of the person.

So we started to walk into the venue around 7. Next reflection. A group on 17 year old girls in front of me kept looking back at me, and it was kind of weird. Finally one girl caught me notice and said, "Sorry, I just think you're really pretty." I almost hugged her. I wish more people were honest. I told her "That's really nice to hear." It really is. Next time you see someone random walking near you, compliment them. It could change their life. I have never thought I was pretty in my entire life, and to hear from a random (also very pretty) girl makes me feel like maybe I'm not just some ugly nerd. So be nice to people.

Return to story. We got inside and staked our claim on a spot dead center, two people back. It was perfect. The venue was extremely small. Dead Weather was amazing. I know I'm skimming over the actual concert, but that wasn't the real point of his blog. Allison Mosshart is gorgeous in person, by the way. I'm in love with her. Jack did some awesome drumming and guitar playing, they played pretty much all of their songs, Allison put on a great show as the frontwoman, and the crowd was very chill. It was absolutely perfect.

We decided to stay after the show and try to meet them. We stood around their bus with about 50 other people and waited around. Jack and Allison both ran out to the bus without really looking at the crowd. The gathering slimmed down to about 20 people, and then Jack Lawrence and Dean came out and walked down the street, waved to us, and kept walking. We waited about an hour longer, but no one seemed interested in coming out to meet us. Sounds like a bummer, but honestly I can't blame them. Everytime the crew went in and out of the bus, fangirls screamed and begged. Seriously, chill out. This takes us back to the reflection on respect. I don't love Jack White less because I waited for him and he didn't come. I love him for his music. I try not to objectify him and scream out "We're the reason you're famous, show some respect and meet us!" because I respect him and his desire to be a musician and have a chill life. I love him because he is every bit as eccentric, awkward, brilliant, strange, and human as he appears to be.

In conclusion, go spontaneously drive 700 miles to achieve one of your dreams. It's worth it.




-- posted on the go

A quick classic

I love pizza. It is my favorite food. I love making homemade pizza, but I don't always have the time to make fresh dough. Here's what I do to make delicious deep dish pizza in thirty minutes.

1 package dry pizza dough, like Jiffy or Martha White
1/2 cup spring water
2 tablespoons butter, I usually use butter spread
red sauce, homemade or jarred
cheese, any kind works, I like fresh parmesan and mozzarella
other toppings, like sliced chicken and fresh basil

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Warm the spring water and mix it with the dry pizza dough. Add one tablespoon of butter and mix until the dough forms a nice ball. You may need to use your hands to get it formed nicely. Rub a little of the remaining butter on your hands and roll the dough ball in your hands, coating it with butter. Let sit in a covered bowl for five minutes.

During this time, I usually prepare my sauce and grate/slice the cheese. Grease your baking dish with the remaining butter. The pan size isn't critical--I've used everything from a 9 inch circular cake pan to a 13 inch casserole dish. I just find that deep dishes work best.

When the dough has set, form it to your baking dish. Whatever you use, make sure the dough reaches the edges. I like it best when the crust is raised up the edge of the pan a bit. Prick the dough with a fork and bake for five minutes.

After taking the pizza out, spread your sauce on top. Less is more, don't overload it. Sprinkle cheese on top. If you want to be authentic, don't cake it on like most pizzerias do. Let the sauce peek through. Sprinkle your  toppings on top and cook for 10-15 minutes longer. Remove and enjoy!

Waiting for The Killers

-- posted on the go

I can't find my camera charger.

So, I moved last month. I haven't seen my camera charger in the abyss of packed and slowly unpacked items I own. This explains the dry spell of pictures and my completely undocumented life. Here is a brief written account.

Things that happened recently:
Cocoa Beach
Downtown Disney
'Up' at campus
Football game
Plenty of friend fun
Panama City
Destin
etc, etc, etc.

Things that I will hopefully have my camera for:
Killers
Dead Weather
New Orleans
Panama City
Disney
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
Homecoming Concert
More football games
Spirit Splash
etc, etc, etc.

I managed to take this with my dying battery...

My art desk is a mess.

I've been toying with a ton of different projects and ideas. The result is a desk full of half-finished projects and LOTS of supplied! I really need some inspiration on where to go next with my ideas.

I try to extract inspiration from everywhere. Currently, I love this color.



It's a lovely shade of blue that I just can't stop using. Expect blue kitchen things appearing in my shop soon. It's just such a fun and fresh color that I think will really make a kitchen pop.

You'll see me soon, in one form or another!

I also bought a new set of paintbrushes. I don't know why, but I love new brushes. There is something exciting about staining the brush for the first time, seeing what path it makes, and figuring out how to use it.



Maybe I'm just weird.

But I definitely draw my biggest inspiration from this fellow:



And from reminiscing with old photographs.



Hopefully all this talk will draw up some fresh ideas.

My current obsession.

Ok, so maybe sometimes I wear a sweatshirt and jeans. Especially lately, as my laundering facilities are limited. But, under normal circumstances, my goal of each day is to dress so that at least one person compliments my style. I love picking out outfits. Seriously.

Right now I am completely obsessed with a couple of outfits featured by Kate Spade. Skirts, heels, and scarves are my love.





Of course I will never actually buy these pieces. I am a budget fashionista. But, you'd be surprised at what you can come up with from lower end boutiques. I mean, it really doesn't take much to look stylish. I walk around campus every day and see a lot of people that apparently don't care about what they wear. Ok, ok, I know that seems shallow and that some people aren't concerned with looks, which is cool, but I always secretly applaud those that dare a skirt and some heels. If more people did, maybe I wouldn't get weird looks for showing up to a lesson on quantum physics with bright red stilettos.

First items are making their way online.

I've been working hard the past week, trying to put my concepts and ideas into
actual pieces of work. My main project has been decoupage plates, and so far I LOVE them. However, a slight sealing problem has prevented me from finishing those at the moment. I'm researching better methods so that when they are done, I can really be proud of them.

HOWEVER. I have started submitting some of my smaller items for sale. Check out my etsy store for the first wave of cucina by dina items.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7923621

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7923621

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7923621

Go!

Handball

The coolest NYPD officer just taught us handball. Swweet.

-- posted on the go

NEMO!!!

Yay Disney.

-- posted on the go

Fast food, part deux.

Breakfast.

Chick-fil-A breakfast.

This is my ultimate weakness. I would run to Chick-fil-A after getting out of class at 10:15 to make it before breakfast ended. And then I would stall around on campus after my 7:30 AM class to justify staying for breakfast. Seriously, if it wasn't for Chick-fil-A, I'd probably be vegetarian.

Now, don't get me wrong, these homemade biscuits won't totally satiate my craving. But, they are pretty darn close to the original. As close as human hands can get (God makes actual Chick-fil-A. Why do you think it's closed on Sunday? He wants you elsewhere.)







These were pretty darn tasty.

Fast food.

Yesterday, Brent and I walked into Barnes and Noble, innocently bored and desperate for some creative inspiration. Little did we know that our lives would change forever. I give you THE GREATEST COOKBOOK EVER:


The greatest cookbook ever.

Basically, the premise of this book is recreating fast food favorites at home. zomg #1: the recipes are significantly healthier than their drive-thru counterparts. zomg #2: the recipes are really cheap and really simple. I'M IN LOVE.

Tonight, we ate like true Americans with McDonald's french fries and Wendy's spicy chicken sandwiches. Brent went classic lettuce and tomato (with homemade Papa John's barbeque sauce), I opted for my favorite of American cheese and spicy ranch.



It was amazing. AMAZING. And the best part is that the recipe was super non-fattening and non-fried. There was just 1 tablespoon of olive oil in the entire meal. Did I mention that this is amazing?



So next time you want a Double-Double, Big Mac, Frappachino, or Chicken Biscuit, make it yourself. Or, gosh darn it, get me to make it for you. I promise it'll be even better than Grease-o Chain of Heart Attacks.

Central Park Celebration.

Today is a holiday that people feel compelled to celebrate up there with Christmas, and for some reason businesses close. We went to the Winter Park Central Park celebration, which was fraught with free hot dogs and watermelon. It was fun. I don't dislike Independence Day, I just think that waving flags and eating watermelon is a poor way to pay homage to your country.

ANYWAY. Here are some horses from the wagon rides:

Some oldies.

I have precious few old pictures, as my laptop hard drive randomly fried last summer. I dug through my tablet's hard drive and found these pictures from The Holy Land Experience:






I really like this place. I'd like to go back when it's not a sweltering 100 degrees.

Boys r dumb.

Or the machine is rigged.

-- posted on the go

I got taken out...

But it's still fun.

-- posted on the go

Basketball.

I'm still the only one to make a free-throw.

-- posted on the go

Kitteh!

I met this today.

-- posted on the go

Bday!

Not until Tuesday, but we ate at Red Robin in PCB to celebrate Brent's existence.

-- posted on the go

Comparison.

This is what Education majors do in class:

Compare this to previous posts.

-- posted on the go

I should start blogging again.

Live blogging is fun. Maybe you'll see more of me.

I'm in bed and it's super dark, so no good picture. I don't feel like getting up.

-- posted on the go

Srsly?

FML.

-- posted on the go

It's almost over (but not soon enough).

I really need to start taking pictures of the interesting things I do. Like Gainesville in six hours, SGT lunch, and super-awesome-Disney fun.

-- posted on the go

I strongly dislike Thermodynamics.

It has become the bane of my existence.

-- posted on the go

Loudest people in the library award

Congrats! Your facebook musings in the library and screeching laughter make you today's winner!

I wish more people used the library for studying and research, not sex and facebook.


-- posted on the go

I am the epitome of lazy.

-- posted on the go

Liftoff!

A view from parking garage D.

-- posted on the go

Day 1: Didn't fall

So I saw this in PCB and wanted it. I've been thinking about getting one for a while now. Today, we went to the Ron Jon's in Orlando and decided to go for it.

I know a bunch of people suggested longboarding to me, but I didn't like them as much. I had fun on this baby today.

-- posted on the go

Flowers and gardens

Though the festival hasn't actually started, we saw a ton of cool plant sculptures in Epcot for the Flower and Garden Festival.

And we walked five miles in leui of our new "be healthy" plan.

-- posted on the go

Back, but shorthanded

So, I'm back from my trip to Panama City Beach. It's always bittersweet. On the downside, I didn't get many pictures. I'll dig some up later. For now,

I'll stick to finally unpacking.

-- posted on the go

More adventures in king cake baking.

So, Mardi Gras is Tuesday. I usually celebrate this by making king cake and jambalaya. This year is no different.

King cake is a terribly exhausting thing to make. It takes almost four hours to make a single, delectable ring. Oh, but the end result is worth the sore arms.



Whisking and sifting and kneading and punching is a lot of work. And apparently, neatness is not my strong suit. I (once again) burned some sugar and set the smoke alarm off.

The offending smoke alarm.

I almost completely destroyed the cake in the process (after three hours of work on it!). A team effort between Brent and I saved the five pound beaut, and we got it in the oven.



It was pretty banged and bloodied up, but she was delicious on the inside.