I Know, It's Brown

I Know: It’s Brown

After reading Jared Diamond’s “Guns, Germs, and Steel,” I realized my Norwegian ancestors weren’t the most civilized peoples on the planet (you know, blood thirsty Vikings), but they made the best of it for centuries in their scarcely farmable, windy, dark, Arctic country.

In these unfavorable circumstances, no great operas, ground shaking philosophy, or great wines were likely to evolve. Still, these hearty souls tilled the land, stoked their fires, fished, and tended their goats. Out of this labor arose the great Norwegian goat cheese. In Norwegian, it’s Ekte Geitost.

Wait. Don’t be turned off so quickly, just because this cheese resembles brown soap. I learned after watching my grandfather calmly consume this product over many years, that there must be something to it.

In 1992, when I finally visited my long lost relatives in Norway, Ekte Geitost entered my life as a matter of survival. Here I was, stranded on a farm in the middle of rural Norway with two elderly, somewhat senile Norwegian farmers, with nothing more than goat cheese, fish, potatoes, and coffee to survive. With a smile, I quickly discovered the charms of “Ekte Geitost.”

How To Eat Norwegian Goat Cheese

1. Ignore Brownness

2. Slice very, very, very thin

3. Put on crackers, with jam or honey

4. Place on top of palate and suck

5. It has a very rich flavor which you acquire gradually

6. Take note of the happy, dancing goats

It's Not About the Bike

Well, for me it is. Below is a picture of my Kymco 50 People scooter, purchased this past October. I love my bike, and I love scootering. Though it sounds cliche, it really is very Zen and freeing to ride a motor bike. Now I know why all those scooterists and motorcyclists are smiling at each other knowingly, slapping each other on the back and buying each other beers. It’s like combat bub; you’re not ‘in the club’ until you’ve had the experience.

Riding a bike is, like, so cool! You are ‘in the moment.’ You are aware of every bump/ pothole on the rode. The sun and the clouds overhead are expansive. You notice the subtleties of the wind and the temperature. Your speed feels like part of your body.

So I’m already plotting my next move regarding motoring. (shhh, don’t say anything to you know who↓) In April I’m taking the motorcycle safety course. Not that I plan to get a motorcycle… More than likely I will buy a faster scooter. It’s just wise to know the rules of the road. Also, if I get a faster scooter I will eventually need a motorcycle license! Here are some plusses and minuses (in my opinion) about my Kymco 50 scooter.

Boo-Hoos
--only goes 33 m.p.h.
--it is cream (butternut) colored. (good for visibility but kind of goofy)
--it has a brown seat. (yuck) (but I can get a nifty cover for it)
--the rear view mirrors are a pain in the ass (they keep falling off)
--the smell of exhaust is acute whilst on a bike
--it doesn’t quite have the chick magnet appeal of a motorcycle
--it challenges my inner femme (ie, lack of mechanical knowledge)

Yee-Hahs
+ it has big tires, so it takes bumps well (you can’t avoid them)
+most scooters are very small. This one fits my size (5’10”)
+it cost two dollars to fill the tank!
+I never have to think about parking
+it’s fun to ride
+the kids at school think I’m cool.
+it’s retro looking, but doesn’t cost as much as a Vespa
+it’s cute. people smile at me.
+I can squeeze through places where even angelic cars dare not tread

The Quibley Corner

The Quibley Corner

I've just published my third issue of The Quibley Corner, my cartoon zine. Highlights include: "Martha Stewart's Guide to Jailhouse Living," "Amish Man: Folk Superhero," and "SockMatch.com." Friends, let me know if you want a copy of any issue.

quibleycorner@gmail.com

Where My Grandparents Were Born

Where My Grandparents
Were Born

I was lucky enough to know all four of my grandparents during their lifetimes. In the course of my life I've managed to visit each of their birthplaces, some of them more than once. All of them were immigrants-- three from Canada.

1. Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, Canada

2. Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada

3. Lindaas, Hordaland, Norway

4. Winterton, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland, Canada

Frontier Pies, Utah

Frontier Pies- Utah

July 24, 2002

Yesterday I had a full day. I went into town fairly early. The area around Temple Square and Main Street actually looked like a 'downtown.' I went to the Family History Library first and did about 3 hours of research. About 12 o'clock I went and spent 2 hours in a fantastic bookstore. I bought some hardcovers to be shipped home. Most expenses here are reasonable. They had an incredible amount of books!

Afterwards I went to this divey Irish pub for lunch. The waitress gave me a gigantic Guinness for 3.50, but I had to be 'sponsored' by a local because I'm not a 'member.' I guess even in restaurants you have to be a registered 'member' to consume alcohol. Weird place.

Today is 'Pioneer Day,' so it's a good thing I checked the internet regarding library hours. I couldn't have spent the whole day in the library today. I guess thousands of people come to watch this parade in SLC. It commemorates the first white settlers to Utah. One feature of the parade is a giant float of a chuckwagon with oxen.

I researched last night until about 8:30. It was still light outside-- I got a ride back to the motel, then once again found myself dining at Frontier Pies. I don't know how much more I can take of blaring, 'lost love' country western songs, empty dining rooms with a few elderly tourists, and perky waitresses that check on me every 5 minutes: "How's your pie and soup?" Anyway, I think they were thrilled with my 2 dollars tips!

Off to SLC

In 2002 I went to Salt Lake City, Utah to visit the Family History Library. The Mormons undoubtedly have the greatest collection of genealogy records in the country. Despite my fear of being found out, hog-tied, and possibly converted, I spent 3 days in SLC researching my family history. I was meeting a friend later then going on to Wyoming.

7-22-02
Well here I am in Salt Lake City, Utah-- for my first night. I was diverted this morning, and instead of going to Chicago I went through Denver. It was quicker. I got here sooner so I did get to do a fair bit of research at the FHL (FamilyHistory Library). What is SLC like? Well, it has little character to speak of. The part I'm in now is downright ugly. The motel I'm staying in is good for the expense, but it's on an ugly stretch of highway with concrete constructions and fast food joints. Everything herelooks like it was built yesterday, with few exceptions. The people-- the people are friendly and helpful. Even though some areas of the city look dangerous, with weird creepy men walking around, nobody bothers you. As far as unusual sightings go, I've had my first glimpse of Navajo people, and cowboys! Real cowboys! I guess there's a rodeo nearby this weekend.

The Mormons in the library are older, white, pleasant looking people. No one has attempted recruit me yet.

I would not hesitate to hightail it out of SLC tomorrow if it were not for the library. It seems there are some fantastic canyons to see around here. The mountains surrounding the city--well, they're unusual looking to me. They are stripped bare with little vegetation and sandy on the top. Still, it is refreshingly different from New England and great to see. This is the first time I really feel like I'm in "the West." I saw the Rockies today when flying from Denver to SLC. Spectacular. The Salt Lake is a strange sight! It looks outer-worldly and somewhat toxic. It is not blue, but brown in places. I'm only 300 miles or so from the Grand Canyon!

Oh Library Thing!

Oh Library Thing

There's a most cool website called Library Thing, which I recently discovered. Bibliophiles can catalogue all their books, and 'tag' them with categories. You can also see how many other folks have the same books or tags. This way you can discover who shares your esoteric interests. Rather than finding reasons to buy fewer books, I've found reasons to buy more books! For example, I see books I don't have and must/should have. I've also felt much better about my book collecting vice. I see some unfortunates suffer from this bibliomaniac vice far worse than I. Some people have 6,000 books! Suddenly my 600 or so books seem hardly worth discussing. I particularly like reading participants' profiles, though I wish more people wrote about their love of books. In profiles we discover the answers to all the fellow bibliophile's burning questions: Why do I have so many books? Where do I put them? What rooms are books piled in? Does my dog/cat like to sit on my books? What are my favorite subjects? Do I read books from cover to cover? Do I read several books at once? How many books are stored in boxes in some other state? How do books make me feel? What if I marry a fellow bibliophile, or a non-bibliophile, or a bibliophobe?

http://www.librarything.com/

Buddhism, pt. 2

25 More Reasons to Embrace Buddhism/ Meditation

Just in case you thought I forgot, I'm back with 25 more reasons to embrace meditation/Buddhism.

26. To be at one with life

27. To develop self-confidence

28. To develop inner strength

29. To appreciate more

30. To be in the moment

31. To get closer to nature

32. To learn to self-nurture

33. To let go of the past

34. To become more spiritual

35. To reduce anxiety

36. To communicate better

37. To develop body awareness

38. To improve my yoga practice

39. To improve general health

40. To become more secure with myself

41. To 'need' less

42. To balance energy flow

43. To meet like-minded people

44. To be part of a community

45. To find a way

46. To get connected

47. To teach others

48. To develop a healthy routine

49. To improve my posture

50. To discover what is within

Buddhism, pt. 1

100 Reasons to Embrace Buddhism/Meditation

Of course any book on Buddhism/Meditation would say to have no expectations for meditation. The only reason is 'no reason.' Nevertheless, I managed to come up with 100 reasons, the last of which is: "to find nothing." Seems reasonable enough. Here are the first 25 reasons.

1. to develop self-love

2. to cultivate loving-kindness

3. to find myself

4. to control my thoughts

5. to learn to let go

6. to know my mind

7. to know my thought patterns

8. to learn to breathe

9. to accept my emotions

10.to separate from my ego

11.to learn compassion

12.to find a way to help others

13.to develop an ethics for living

14.to validate my philosophy of life

15.to become wiser

16.to care less about external things

17.to be more calm

18.to be more relaxed

19.to become more centered

20.to lose myself to find myself

21.to change my life

22.to know reality better

23.to live my life as best I can

24.to accept things

25.to develop a more positive outlook