like two fused tritium...

5 min mug cake

2009-06-05T16:32:55Z

5 min mug cake
Originally uploaded by tritia

The most dangerous cake recipe
5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
a small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high).
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!

Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?
Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

bixxy shared this on another site. I love it! It's so much fun, it's like adult Easy Bake. I added chocolate chips and a dash of salt but halved the sugar. I made it in between conference calls but had to let it cool for an hour. Feedback seems to be that the cake is a little rubbery but will satisfy a chocolate cake craving. My cake was a little hard, like overbaked brownie consistency. It tasted really good. Next time, I'm either going to add more oil or yogurt, and let it cool for a bit. Thanks, bixxy!

keep on trucking

2009-06-01T16:45:35Z

keep on trucking
Originally uploaded by karmakazesal

I don't know how it happened but my boy is turning into a...boy. I was pretty determined to keep toys, clothes, and books gender neutral but I guess nature has taken over. He loves cars, planes, trucks and all things that go zoom. He naturally gravitates to the other boys on the playground. In fact, when I'm watching him at the playground, we end up in a group of boys, hanging around the sandbox, eating sand, shoveling sand, or pushing cars.

Lately, in the morning, I wake him up and before he opens his eyes, his first question is, "Car?". He wants to know if we are going somewhere in the car that day. Throughout the day, he asks, "Shoes, Bye-Bye, Car, Nonno?". That roughly means, "Am I going to put my shoes on, go bye-bye, ride in the car, and see Grandfather (Italian)?" He also sings the YoGabbaGabba! "Riding in the Car" song a lot. BTW, did I mention, we don't have a car? We ZipCar when we need to. Not sure how this all happened, but as a person who's taken many Gender Studies courses, this is all baffling.

High fashion Ho Chi Min City Style

2009-05-02T06:32:28Z

High fashion Ho Chi Min City Style
Originally uploaded by tritia

Hey, this is a rehash from 2006, but I am so prepared if it comes down to wearing face masks in public. I'll be rockin the pink kitty mask. My BFF brought it back from Vietnam where all the styling commuters need a face mask because of pollution. Debating whether or not to bust this thing out on the NYC subway for fun.

Ada Lovelace Day, March 24th

2009-03-24T17:32:21Z

Because I'm good on my commitments (well, most of the time)...

Today is Ada Lovelace Day. On Ada Lovelace Day, are you supposed to put on a piece of clothing embellished with lace, read a Lord Byron poem out loud and answer questions with true or false responses? Nope. If you're interested in feminism, science and technology, you blog about Ada Lovelace on March 24th.

Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace was the daughter of the poet Lord Byron and Anne Isabella Milbanke. She was the first computer scientist, like as in, 1840. It's important to recognize that the first computer programmer was a woman because so few women are recognized in technology and science these days. Girls interested in entering the field of technology and sciences face social and academic obstacles, we need to support and encourage their interests.

From Wikipedia article, Women in computing:

Research has shown that many misconceptions about computing persist and may discourage women. One of the biggest misconceptions of computing is the "geek factor". There's avid belief amidst high school students that Computer Scientists sit in a cubicle writing code for the duration of their workday. The "geek factor" affects both male and female high school students, but it seems to have more of a negative effect on the female students. It is important to study the force driving women away from the field of computer science as these factors might eventually drive the men away as well.

More Wiki articles on Ada, her posse, and women in technology:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_Lovelace
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_computing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women,_girls_and_information_technology

Happy Ada Lovelace Day! Girls, get your geek on.

but da sink breakfast

2009-03-07T14:41:14Z

but da sink breakfast
Originally uploaded by tritia

Home cooked fried rice for breakfast, nothing like the take out version. Fried rice for breakfast is my version of "comfort" food. This one has "everything but the sink" ; merguez sausage, sauteed vegs, egg, left over brown rice, frozen sweet peas, scallions. I was trying to clear the fridge of leftovers. It tastes kinda like Singapore Mei Fun. To top it off, I like LOTS of fresh pepper on my fried rice. I'm not sure how much of an aberration that is.

It's kind of strange how you never see any food shows with American homecooking like this. I would love to see how people in different areas make new food out of what they've got. For example, in LA there's the new Korean-Mexican fusion thing going on. That's like Korean BBQ in a taco. Yum.

valentine's day card 2009

2009-02-15T03:09:19Z

valentine's day card 2009
Originally uploaded by tritia

Happy Valentine's Day everybody, especially to all you VDay haters.

waaah

2009-01-19T21:33:08Z

Friends are going to Times Square tomorrow to watch the Obama Inauguration. Husband is going to watch the Obama swearing in from the FREAKIN floor of the New York Stock Exchange (trading will stop during that time). During this historic event, I will be reporting to Jury Duty. UGh.

Update: I'm a flake! I got my dates mixed up. I'll be watching the tv like everybody else on Jan 20th!

I'm dreaming....

2008-12-19T17:08:42Z

not of a white Christmas but of all of the food I'm going to eat in California next week! Here's my list to work thru so far:

Fish tacos.
Hash browns. The stringy kind that is flat, GBD (Golden, Brown & Delicious) on the outside and not found in NYC as far as I know.
In & Out Burger. Protein Style, Animal Style, of course.
Shabu Shabu
My SIL's mother's homecooked Chinese
Vietnamese food in Westminster. I'm going to eat as much Bánh mì and Pho as I can. Nobody can stop me.
Kogi Lunch Truck. I would love to track these guys down and try their Korean Mexican nouveau con-fusion food.
Pink's Hot Dogs. Surprisingly, Husband has requested a stop at Pink's.
Dim Sum at one of those big dim sum palaces with moving carts and you have to chase down your breakfast
Gardena Bowl Coffee Shop
Mexican Cocido
Carnitas Torta Sandwich
Marie Calendar's or Hof's Hut pie
Chicken Fried Steak
Pancake House
See's Candy
Huevos Rancheros
Christmas tamales

Let me know if I left anything off.

EduManga take me away!

2008-11-03T04:02:27Z

Hey it's a post that has nothing to do with my kid, rather, it's about me acting like a kid!

Professionally, I need to brush up on my maths. I just need to get in a math frame of mind and start exercising my brain that way again. I've been talking for months (years?) about going back to school to brush up on my math skills. Even more so if I'm serious about going to Grad school for something. I mentioned this to Husband and he prescribed, The Manga Guide to Statistics by Shin Takahashi. Supposedly this "EduManga" format is really popular in Japan. Excerpt of the Amazon editorial review:

In The Manga Guide to Statistics, our heroine Rui is determined to learn about statistics to impress the dreamy Mr. Igarashi and begs her father for a tutor. Soon she's spending her Saturdays with geeky, bespectacled Mr. Yamamoto, who patiently teaches her all about the fundamentals of statistics: topics like data categorization, averages, graphing, and standard deviation.

After all her studying, Rui is confident in her knowledge of statistics, including complex concepts like probability, coefficients of correlation, hypothesis tests, and tests of independence. But is it enough to impress her dream guy? Or maybe there's someone better, right in front of her?

Actually, it's not bad. Kinda of dorky but engaging. I wish I had something like this in High School. I suspect the probability of a tentacle monster appearing is pretty low.

Milestones

2008-10-21T02:18:51Z

First Birthday
Originally uploaded by tritia

Things I have learned about myself after one year of motherhood:

I can survive sleep deprivation and nobody had to call child services.
I'm pretty proud that even though I had no clue what I was doing, I kept a little human being alive for a year.
I'm okay with my kid licking the monkey bars
That motherhood is a pretty tough job, but that doesn't qualify me to be Vice President of the United States.
Although I breast fed, co-sleep, cloth diaper, am baby led weaning with organic foods, and baby wear, I'm not as crunchy earth mother-ish as I thought. I like working and I don't feel that bad about it.

Happy Birthday Andy! Even your poops are cute!

Brooklyn's Pomegranate

2008-10-06T04:27:03Z

Today, instead of going to Brooklyn's new Trader Joes, we took a family trip to a new "upscale" kosher grocery store called, Pomegranate. I love checking out food markets from different cultures. Originally, I wanted to pick up celery, instead we ended up hauling out five bags of groceries. Among our haul: Half Sour Pickles, Batampte Mustard (Husband's favorite deli mustard), Kabob Seasoning, Smoked Paprika, Mixed Spices for Falafel, Shawarma Spice, Falafel Mix. From the deli section, made fresh: Vegetable Kugel, zucchini soup (not sure what this is about), Spicy Avocado Dip (OMG, so good, like a spicy guacamole) and Cinnamon Rugelach.

On the way back home we gave Andy a taste of his first Rugelach. He loved it. Normally, he takes a bite of something and drops the rest on the floor. With the Rugelach, he had a kung-fu grip on the thing. For dinner, he ate a lot of Vegetable Kugel. Sometimes, I get very jaded about NYC's claim that you can get any kind of food. But then again, my baby just ate Lapis Pandan Wangi (Indonesian cake) last night for dessert and Rugelach today. So far, Andy likes Southern Indian curries, Jewish deli foods, his Nonna's Italian cooking, ozzdo's Momz freakin awesome Curry Goat, and Hummus, to name a few. Gotta love NYC.

not over it

2008-09-12T06:23:32Z

I never really know what to feel when Sept 11th rolls around. Even 7 years later, I'm still trying to process it all. I can tell you this, I think about it more often than you'd think. We may be quiet in our anxiety, but we live with it and it influences our daily lives: emergency meet up places, what kind of shoes to wear to work, exit routes out of buildings & the city. These are day to day thoughts we live with & accept in NYC. Although we live like this and we have a child now, we're not leaving NYC and we're not voting this November out of fear.

must dance teevee

2008-09-08T01:34:40Z

I could go on about the horrors of Gov. Sarah Palin but I'll talk about our new favorite show, "Yo Gabba Gabba!" instead. I know we're a little late to catch on, but my kid is starting to have awareness of music and tv, might as well make it somewhat educational. Anyway, it's a kids show on Nick Jr. DJ Lance Rock, who looks like the fourth member of Deelite, hosts the show with a bunch of weird looking monsters, electronic beats, funkee dancing, an Evan Dorkin cartoon and Biz Markie teaching preschoolers beatbox.

Husband thinks it's a show for raver parents and is waiting for the kids show for parents who listen to Tom Waits and Nick Cave.

How appaling

2008-09-03T19:28:32Z

Can't wait to see Gov Palin's speech tonight. She better deliver in a way that will give Checkers a run for his money.

Btw, if the RNC turns into a Hillary lovefest tonight, I think I just might throw up a little in my mouth.

I can't tell if I'm more appalled at Gov Palin's nomination (do they really think women are that dumb?) or Obama Girl (god, they really do think women are that dumb).

The Onion: July 30, 2008 | Issue 44•31

2008-07-31T13:39:17Z

Young Gore sets out for his new home, where the sky is clear, the water is clean, and there are no Republicans.

Al Gore Places Infant Son In Rocket To Escape Dying Planet

EARTH—Former vice president Al Gore—who for the past three decades has unsuccessfully attempted to warn humanity of the coming destruction of our planet, only to be mocked and derided by the very people he has tried to save—launched his infant son into space Monday in the faint hope that his only child would reach the safety of another world.

"I tried to warn them, but the Elders of this planet would not listen," said Gore, who in 2000 was nearly banished to a featureless realm of nonexistence for promoting his unpopular message. "They called me foolish and laughed at my predictions. Yet even now, the Midwest is flooded, the ice caps are melting, and the cities are rocked with tremors, just as I foretold. Fools! Why didn't they heed me before it was too late?"

Al Gore—or, as he is known in his own language, Gore-Al—placed his son, Kal-Al, gently in the one-passenger rocket ship, his brow furrowed by the great weight he carried in preserving the sole survivor of humanity's hubristic folly.

....

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/al_gore_places_infant_son_in

News from the hometown paper - Crazy Cat Person?

2008-07-30T21:17:52Z

Trapped cat drives man to psych ward

By Ben Muessig

The Brooklyn Paper

It took animal rescuers, neighbors and a concerned pet owner 15 days — and one trip to the psych ward — to save a 7-year-old kitty that was trapped in a narrow shaft in a Carroll Gardens apartment building.

The part-Persian, part-American short-haired cat — named Rumi in honor of the famed Middle Eastern poet — owes it all to Chris Muth, the man who actually ended up in a mental hospital during the ordeal.

He has the “bizarre delusion [that he] was trying to ‘save’ a cat of his friend,” medical records show.

http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/31/29/31_29_bm_cat.html

I love this story, a feel good piece.

Diligent Celebrity Sighting Logging

2008-07-24T05:21:24Z

Hey! I FINALLY spotted a Project Runway cast member today!!! Since I work right next to the fashion district, I've been on the lookout for PR people ever since I've become hooked on the show. Kevin from Season 4, walking right outside of Parsons. I wonder if he's working on the new season adding his two cents in???

BTW, He's teeny.

Who has the Hottest devotees?

2008-07-12T05:44:52Z

Amma.

This week, I took Andy to see the "Hugging Saint", Ammachi, who was visiting NYC. Now I know what it's like for men to walk about with a chick magnet like a baby or a cute dog! I have to say, in my very fortunate experiences to have audience with spiritual teachers, Ammachi has THE hottest looking male devotees. These young, beautiful, fresh faced, yoga practicing men were coming up to me and ooohing and awwing over my son. Yeah! So while they were admiring my kid, I was admiring them. Finally, I get some of the action.

Oh, and Amma's cool too.

celebrity sighting: park slope edition

2008-07-01T19:12:55Z

Hey! Looks like I don't need to go to the city to get in my celebrity sightings. Yesterday, while walking the kid home in the stroller, we passed by John Hodgman aka PC Guy from the Mac commercials and Senior Analyst on The Daily Show. PC Guy was pushing a stroller and walking with another kid. Apparently, husband gave PC Guy a confused look and PC Guy returned the same befuddled, confused look. In the stroller world, he would still be the PC guy with his Maclaren and my husband would be the pretentious Mac guy with his MicraLite Toro.

space alien lust

2008-06-27T17:54:03Z

According to Babble.com*, number 23 in "The Babble List: The 26 Most Disturbing Kid Movies Ever. Family films that will scar your children for life", is Labyrinth. Hello, that's like my favoritist movie ever.

"Ironically, the Muppets aren't the least human thing in this movie. That honor would go to honorary space alien David Bowie. Androgynous, sparkle-eyeliner-wearing, spandexed, mulleted, coked-up, full-on Ziggy Stardust-mode David Bowie."

I think even scarier than watching David Bowie prance around in a cod piece, is the idea of Mommy LUSTING over said scary space alien.

#24 Dumbo. Totally get that. Had me bawling, post partum. Baby really liked the technocolored trip, anyway.

* Where you go after nerve.com

What kinda oriental is she?

2008-06-23T15:41:43Z

The other day, as we were walking back home, I spotted some books left on the sidewalk. As I was going thru them, an elderly lady walked up and said she'll take anything for them, after all the money is going to charity. OK. Since I already had a few books in my greedy little hands, I searched my pockets for some cash.

"What a beautiful baby."

Yes. Admire our son, we're very used to it. Marvel in his kyootness.

"You know I have an Amer-Asian* grandchild, too".

EEEEwwwee!!!

Gotta love that laissez-fare racism. She was old. Whaddaya going to do? I thought I would have some time before I'd have to confront these identity issues for my son, but I guess it starts now. I'll have to let him know he's Hapa and that ain't no a shame.

* racist subtext - Husband is a GI who knocked up the overseas Asian girl with a heart of gold.

greek yogurt starfleet captain

2008-05-29T14:58:05Z

According to the Park Slope Food Co-op newsfeed, Fage has moved production to New York so they don't have to import their product. Hopefully that will drive down the cost and we can all live in Fage heaven. :)

Also, totally random, Celebrity Sighting:

Yesterday, Patrick Stewart walking up 8th Ave in Park Slope with a lovely auburn haired, retro-looking lady (almost looked like he was having a holodeck fantasy). I was walking behind them on my way to Cafe Wolfenstein (aka Cafe Stienhof), got confirmation by people stopping & turning around whispering, that's Captain Piccard!!!!

It's like spidey sense

2008-05-28T19:49:53Z

This weekend while I was gardening in front of my building, I could hear, a block away, a child crying and I instantly knew it was my kid. Five minutes later, I look up and Husband is pulling up with the stroller looking for help. Motherhood is a mysterious thing I tell yah.

Cooler UglyDolls

2008-05-27T18:34:20Z

Brian Froud Goblins!

Mischief makers without peer. Goblins are wild, weird, wacky, witty, and ready to come live with YOU! Interpreted in soft plush ("much too good for them"), these masters of mayhem were designed especially for FAO Schwarz and are inspired by the book Goblins! by international best selling faerie artist Brian Froud and folklore scholar author Ari Berk. We spent many hours working with acclaimed doll maker Wendy Froud, who developed these characters based on designs by Brian, coaxing, tweaking and twisting to get them just right. Thanks to their valuable experience in working with mischievous goblins, this project was one of our favorites! Find your favorite character and be sure to get the book too. It's the perfect handbook for the "care and feeding" of your new housemate. You'll learn all about the strange, parallel world of Goblins! and how they are responsible for virtually all of our daily annoyances and tribulations.Trust us: There are things about goblins you really MUST know! You've been warned!

FAO Schwartz is carrying a line of Brian Froud Globlins. If you've seen the movie, Labyrinth (hi bixxy!), you'll recognize these classic Froud Globlins.

If I get one of these, I'll be stuck in a endless loop talking to my son's Goblin (me playing the David Bowie part of course):
you remind me of the babe.
what babe?
the babe with the power.
what power?
the power of voodoo.
who do?
you do!
do what?
remind me of the babe!

Take this haters!

2008-05-23T20:18:13Z

Looks like the NYT is Hatin on Park Slope, Brooklyn, again with last week's front page of the Style section (the girl's sports pages): Park Slope: Where Is the Love?

"Park Slope is a perfect storm of stereotypes that provoke derision," said Steven Johnson, a local writer and a father of three. "Since Park Slope is the neighborhood most explicitly associated with urban parenting, it attracts the wrath of people who think parents have gone way overboard. I imagine there’s some horror fantasy fusion: the well-off Park Sloper and co-op member who is obsessed with his kids. Oh, wait, I just described myself."

It seems like when there's a slow newsday the local papers & local blogs bring out the Park Slope bashing. The more you hate, the more I just wanna say, "FU, and get outta my way, before I run your ass down with my MicraLite stroller".