No Chaser

Breakfast

My favorite breakfast of late has been a couple of slices of raisin bread with some Brown Cow yogurt.  I like the Cream Top style in Coffee or Vanilla with the dense and wonderful Essential Baking Raisin Pecan bread. 

Secret:  I scoop the buttery cream top from the yogurt and spread it on the bread.  Yum!  Joy!

posted by: NoChaser at September 26, 2007 09:30 | link | comments (1) |

Battle #1

This will be the first installment of a new feature of the new and improved No Chaser blog.  I will present, for your reading pleasure, a variety of battles.  You will be invited to vote for your favorite combatant.  Later, I will announce the winner in the comments section of the post.

This week's battle:  Fire-roasted Marshmallow vs. SOS Pad

Who do you think will win?

Note:  this was an actual battle staged last night during clean-up from a S'mores feast.

posted by: NoChaser at September 24, 2007 09:13 | link | comments (5) |

Career Opportunities

In the spirit of the Clash song from which this post takes its title, I was beginning to believe that none would ever knock, and if they did, it would be merely something "to keep me off the dock."  Indeed, this job I recently took, thanks to a tip from the Sandlot Poet, I took only to keep from further depleting my savings or feeling like I should the follow the advice of Nellicious who only half-jokingly suggested I get food stamps ... which, no, I do not need.  It is not that dire, but you get the idea.

The good and somewhat intriguing news is that this current tide-me-over gig is slowly displaying its frilly undergarments, enticing me in ways I did not imagine were possible.  It may turn out that once the skirt is fully lifted, I'll be unmoved by the mystery that lies beneath, and yet I suspect this may be one set of knickers I've never seen before, one that beckons me to use all my talents in an enthusiastic act of creation.

posted by: NoChaser at September 14, 2007 16:49 | link | comments (4) |

What what

No really.  What?

posted by: NoChaser at September 12, 2007 16:08 | link | comments (3) |

Saturday

The morning began with my driving Nellicious to the airport where she boarded an early plane to the desert.  I went back to bed for a time, and then did some grocery shopping and made myself a big breakfast of eggs on corn tortillas with cheddar cheese, sour cream, homemade guacamole, and salsa.  I read some, I wrote some.  Punky Ballerina called, and we chatted for quite a while about her daughter's recent American Idol experience.  After a lunch of peanut butter and homemade peach jam on bread, I took a short short nap.

In the afternoon, the Sandlot Poet led me on an adventurous ride out to Seward Park and back to the Hill.  It was a beautiful sunny day with a pleasant breeze, and Lake Washington Blvd. was closed to motor traffic -- perfect cycling conditions.  We had invigorating conversation as always, and took a lovely break on a park bench at the tip of the park where we sat drinking water, eating snacks, and looking out at the lake.  Riding the gnarly hills back up from the water with my measly six gears nearly killed me, but SP rode by and cheered me on: "You can do it!" he kept saying every time I groaned.  And, he was right.  I did it.

Later we met up with Arthur and Betty Cheese for sushi.  Upon the cracking open of fortune cookies, Arthur provided nihilistic translations of all our fortunes, which we agreed was a fine talent he ought to share somehow either via paid service or free blog.  They all wanted cake and coffee after dinner, so we moved to the café across the street.  (Not adept at physically managing caffeine or sugar, I had soup and beer instead.)  The tables at this restaurant are high, and the portions are large.  Already shortened by the booth's low benches, we felt absolutely miniaturized by the foot-tall glass of beer and Hagrid-sized slices of cake.  The conversation was bright, humors were high, and the evening slid by pleasantly.

Blissfully fed and fatigued, I was in bed by ten, at which point I received a call from the luscious Nellicious, providing a very sweet ending to a pretty fab day.

posted by: NoChaser at September 09, 2007 08:36 | link | comments (1) |

Perfect World

My Breszny-scope this week suggests that I imagine my perfect world, and it has turned out be a good assignment.  I've discovered that, in most ways (and aside from the obvious -- no war, injustice, racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, violence, poverty, disease, etc.), I already have what I want in my perfect world:

regular access to lots of art and books and music
regular access to and time for nature

lots of good food and drink and opportunities to cook fabulous meals for people I love

good, intimate, supportive, loving, and functional friendships

a close, loving, supportive family

time to write and read and research and make art of all kinds

I admit that the things still missing are big:

regular travel opportunities

an income that is dependent on making positive change in the world (especially in the realms of social and economic justice), providing an ethical and valuable service, and being true to my core values

a funny, smart, loving, self-aware, playful, understanding, and honest partner who shares my values, etc.

But, you know what?  I trust that these things will develop in due time as I better understand what it is I want from and clarify my vision for them. 

So, thanks Mr. Breszny, for making me see how great my life is.  How much easier it feels to be patient for the things I don't have when so many good things are already in place.

posted by: NoChaser at September 06, 2007 11:52 | link | comments (1) |

Cyclecide

Quite possibly one of the funnest and coolest things ever.  Cyclecide is a carnival of bicycle-powered rides.  I freaking love them.  I hope they come back again next year!

posted by: NoChaser at September 04, 2007 08:11 | link | comments |