948 Days

001. Eat at 25 new restaurants - (04/25)
008. Eat alone at a restaurant 25 times - (04/25)
During another of many post-work exiles from my apartment, I drove to Charlotte on a lark to check out Hose 22.  Renovated early-20th-century fire station?  Yes, please!  I settled into a cozy booth with my book and a glass of wine (this eating alone thing is quickly becoming one of my favorite new pastimes) and ordered the BBQ chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries.  The menu wasn't particularly inspiring, just your usual smattering of burgers, pizzas, and salads with a handful of mains, but the space was so charming.  They really did a phenomenal job re-purposing and redesigning the firehouse, and even though the food was "fine" (neither impressive nor disappointing) I would definitely go back to sit in the bar for a glass or two.

015. See 10 movies in the theater - (02/10)
041. Randomly choose something to do from the listings in a local entertainment magazine 10 times - (01/10)
Friday night I was trying to decide what to get up to on Saturday, so I poked my nose in City Newspaper and, serendipitously, learned that the Rochester International Film Festival was on this weekend at the Dryden Theater.  I'd been to a few showings in previous years and enjoyed them all, but I tend to forget about it until it's already over so I'm glad that I happened to see the listing in time.  There were 6 short films in the session I attended, ranging from a Spanish documentary about Ernest Hemmingway lookey-likes to a charming comedy about a thief who falls in love with a girl whose purse he snatched.  Even better, it was all free (although I donated a few bucks).

044. Post 365 photos - (025/365)

Yesterday was stunning and I had an early start, so after zapping myself full of caffeine at Boulder Coffee Co., I decided to meander around Highland Park and Mount Hope Cemetery.  I don't think I could have picked a better day.  The flowering trees were still in bloom, the lilacs were on the verge of bursting open, and the tulips were ferociously vivid.  I meandered around the sunken garden, the conservatory, and then trekked up the paths to the reservoir, before descending again to head across the street to Mount Hope Cemetery.  Mount Hope is probably one of my favorite places in Rochester... I'm not goth, but it does combine my love of history, Gorey-esque Victorian macabre, and quiet, wooded spaces.  By the time I decided to hunt down some lunch I was in a very happy, satisfied mood indeed.

039. Try 25 new beers - (05/25)
The Tap and Mallet was nearby (any excuse to go there, really...), so I scooted over for some country-sweet chicken wings and an idle perusal of my Berlin travel book.  To drink, I decided upon a crisp, fizzy pint of Stevens Point Einbock.  Two, actually, over the course of lunch and I don't know if it was the morning I spent in the sun, or the light lunch, or if this beer had an unusually high alcohol content, but by the time I walked out of the pub I was significantly buzzed.  Oops.  No wonder I felt like all was right in the world as I stepped out again into the sunshine.
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I'm hoping to make more headway during the week with some of the smaller goals, so maybe I'll manage to post smaller updates more often instead of mammoth recaps once a week.  Also, this Saturday is my trip to see Eddie Izzard in Toronto!  So awesome.  Like a hundred billion hot dogs.

954 Days

Ok I actually wrote this post yesterday and totally forgot to publish it.  Oops.  I didn't have a whole lot of time to work on goals in the past few days, but I'm hoping to pick up the slack this week.  I've had these two AFI list DVDs sitting here for ages, but who can bring themselves to watch "Sophie's Choice" when it's 70 and sunny? I've added a couple of new items as well.  As much as I don't want to turn this list into something that looks like an itinerary of minor errands, I figure that if it's something--however inconsequential--that I've been putting off for years (i.e., #050) then maybe adding it to the list will provide the necessary motivation I need to just go and take care of it.

042. Cook or bake 100 new recipes - (005/100)
I have been snacking on cold sesame noodles for most of the weekend, thanks to a craving that hit me during a bout of sleeplessness on Thursday night.  I cobbled together an easy recipe from a few that I found online, which turned out to be quite delicious and not a bad substitute at all for takeout, and marginally healthier if you adopt the few parenthetical modifications I've provided...

Cold Sesame Noodles
Ingredients
1/2lb spaghetti (I used whole wheat)
Chinese cabbage, carrots, and celery shredded/sliced fine (If you are lucky enough to have a Wegmans near you, just use a bag of their Asian slaw)
Bean sprouts
Sesame seeds
1/4c peanut butter (I used natural because I that's what I had, but it's less sweet than normal PB)
1/4c soy sauce (I used low-sodium)
2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp sriracha or other hot sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil

Cook the pasta until al dente and shock in cold water; drain.  In a large bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar, hot sauce, and sesame oil.  Add the noodles and toss until thoroughly coated, then mix in the vegetables and sesame seeds.

In my opinion, these are even better leftover the next day, straight from the fridge - the recipe makes a ton, so there's plenty of opportunity for midnight snacking.

047. Complete all "Couch-to-5K" workouts within 2 months - (05/27)
Well, I think my heel is on the road to recovery, finally.  I was NOT pleased to have to hobble around for the past 2 weeks, as the weather was absolutely pristine for jogging and I actually had the motivation and energy to keep going.  Today I (gingerly) restarted week 2, and although my heel was "uncomfortable" and occasionally "achy", I think it's going to be OK.  I'm not in any pain now (although I have been popping ibuprofin like Dr House gobbles vicodin) and the run wasn't too grueling so I don't think I lost much endurance.  In fact, my RunKeeper shows some minor improvement.

ETA: Yeah, big difference between Sunday and Monday.  My feet are NOT happy.  I'm going to run again tomorrow and as long as they don't get worse then I'm not too concerned.  However, I'm wondering if maybe I should try a new pair of running shoes?  Mine aren't really all that old (and certainly don't have many miles on them) but maybe they're the root of this evil.  I just don't want to shell out big bucks for a new pair if it's not going to take care of the problem.  Bleh.

049. Refresh my conversational German skills before November 2010

I bought some language software to help rebuild my German.  It's amazing how much I remember, though, considering I haven't taken a German class in, oh, 17 years (yikes!).  Hopefully a refresher over the next few months will help me to negotiate my way around Germany and Austria this autumn.

044. Post 365 photos - (024/365)
I felt it necessary to modify this goal a bit or else I'm just going to end up posting photos of, like, my sandwich for lunch, or my hall closet.  Yawn, right?  So the new goal is to document 365 photos, and no more than one for any day (so I can't just take 300 photos of my trip to Europe and mark it complete).

962 Days

047. Complete all "Couch-to-5K" workouts within 2 months - (05/27)
Well, I've hit a rather serious snag in this goal, as I somehow pulled/bruised/sprained my ankle/heel/Achilles (it's kind of a vague injury, all I know is: ow) during Tuesday's run.  It still hurts and I can barely walk without limping a little, so therefore this goal is on hiatus until I'm healed (or heeled, haha!  Ah, puns...).  I was off to such a fantastic start, too!  To say the least: I'm truly disappointed.  Truly, truly, truly... Particularly as the weather this morning was pristine.  Depending on how long I'm out of commission I might have to start over from workout one.  We'll see... it's showing little sign of improvement but I don't think I'm seriously injured.

002. Read 100 books - (002/100)
I finished Bill Bryson's Neither Here Nor There: Travels in Europe in just a few days.  It wasn't very long, granted, but it also made my feet unbearably itchy in anticipation of my upcoming European adventure (my roommate from grad school is getting married in London this November, so I'm going to use that as a jumping-off point for a small sojurn to Berlin, Vienna, Prague, and Budapest).  Anyway, I adore Bryson.  The first book of his that I read was Notes From a Small Island, shortly after I'd returned from Bath in 2001, and I was hooked.  He's deliciously cranky and sarcastic, but balances that with moments full of innocent excitement and wonder.

In addition to travel narratives, he also writes books about etymology and language (another of my favorite topics) and what my friend J calls "science lite", which brings me to my next book, Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything.  This one is significantly longer, but it's still no World Without End so it shouldn't take too long to finish.

020. Pay $10 more than minimum on both student loans each month - (02/33)
Another payment down and I'm now $40 ahead on my loans.  If only I could add another three zeroes to that number I'd be in great shape...

048. Visit 5 historic sites in the area - (1/5)
This is my newest addition to the 101, and I'm using the term "the area" very loosely (basically, if I can make a reasonable day trip of it, it's in the area...).  Yesterday they were showing my apartment pretty much all day, so I decided to take a scenic drive along the Parkway and Route 18 to Fort Niagara. 

I'm not sure if you're aware, but I get unreasonably giddy when I'm standing in a restored historic site, and they did a phenomenal job with Fort Niagara.  First of all, they limited the historical background to a brochure and a small museum that you could wander around prior to walking to the fort.  This meant that the fort itself was mostly unsullied by big plaques and exhibits, which I usually find phenomenally distracting in restored sites.  It's tough to immerse yourself in the history of the place when it looks like a textbook threw up all over it.  So it was refreshing to find that Fort Niagara was mostly unmolested, apart from the occasional, unassuming number placed on a building, directing you to a brief paragraph in your brochure if you care to learn more about what you're looking at (but not assaulting you with it if you don't).

The other aspect that I found thrilling, and which made the history nerd in me do a small jig, is that they didn't restrict any part of the fort.  Most historic sites are very specific about where you can and can't wander, and generally the more interesting-looking places have big "Do Not Enter!" or "Staff Only" signs hanging on ropes or locked doors.  But Fort Niagara was hugely accessible... to the point where I found myself hesitating before climbing some stairs, or entering a room, because it felt like I shouldn't be allowed to poke around so freely.  The only restrictive sign I saw was when I was on top of the wall of the fort, and it was a very mild-mannered little rectangle that asked, quite meekly, to kindly stay off the grassy slope lest you slip and plummet to your death.  But stairs and attics and rooms and creepy damp underground pathways were all fair game, and the only staff member I saw the entire time I was in the fort was a solitary man in 18th century British military garb, who would wander out every once in a while, fire a musket, and then slink back into the little guard house.

I also mostly had the entire place to myself.  Once in a while I'd spot another person wandering by, but then they'd be gone and I wouldn't see them again.  The solitude lent a phenomenally creepy air to my wanderings around the Maison a Machicoulis, which was the main building within the fort.  Even though it was a blindingly sunny day outside, inside the Maison it was dark, labyrinthine, and very silent except for the eerie noises made by the gusting wind.  It was full of narrow, dimly-lit, meandering hallways and tiny rooms.  Again, everything was accessible so after exploring the first and second floors, I saw that the stairway to the top floor was unrestricted as well.  But, being the big yellow chicken that I am, I poked my head over the top of the staircase, took one look at the extremely-creepy attic, and scooted right back down the stairs and out the door.  This is also why I didn't last long in the damp, dark underground tunnels that ran along the fort wall.  I am a big baby.

030. Try 25 new foods - (02/25)
039. Try 25 new beers - (06/25)
I arrived back in Rochester around 2:30, which was still too early to go home as the last showing ended at 4, so I grabbed my book and scooted over to the Tap & Mallet for a nibble and a beer.  I tried polenta fritters for the first time, which were just all right.  They were fried to perfection, but were rather bland and I was unimpressed with the chili sauce for dipping.  Oh well, I suppose it was only a matter of time before I tried something from their menu that I didn't unequivocally love.  The beer, however, was divine.  I couldn't stop ordering pints of the Sea Dog Apricot Wheat on tap.  It had just enough apricot flavor, not overpowering and not too sweet, and the beer was crisp and refreshing.  Huge fan.  They were playing consistently good tunes on the stereo as well, so it was a nice little break as the afternoon wound down.

044. Take a picture a day for 365 days - (023/365)
1. My reading chair.  2. Buds are budding!  Yay spring!  3. Beers of the World is a happy, happy place.  4. Entering Fort Niagara.  5. This is how I study when it's perfect out and I'm sulking about having to stay in and be responsible.

967 Days

044. Take a picture a day for 365 days - (018/365)
I... never said they had to be consecutive days (/cop out).  Continuing my "documenting the soon-to-be-vacated-apartment" series, the first displays my bar area with the rarely-seen unopened bottles of wine (one for Easter dinner, one for me).  The second was snapped today and encompasses my attempt to photograph the droplets of rain that were so attractively hanging from the tree branches like tiny, delicate ornaments.  I was, unfortunately, mid-run and not particularly willing to provide the patience and steady hand that was required.   But you get the gist, right?

047. Complete all "Couch-to-5K" workouts within 2 months - (05/27)
You guys, I actually got up at 7am on Easter morning and went for a run.   I know this probably doesn't sound particularly impressive, but consider:
a) I'd already given myself a pass to skip Sunday and start Week 2 on Monday.
b) I never get up before I absolutely have to.  Ev-ar.
c) I am the laziest person you will meet.
That was actually a really satisfying run, and I'm starting to (slowly) understand what all these real "runners" are about.  Today it rained and rained and rained, but I still sloshed out into the be-puddled world, iPhone in a baggy (totally cool), and relished the soggy smells of spring.

040. Try 25 new wines - (04/25)
I'd had the Rex Goliath Pinot Noir before, I think, but never the Cab.  When I tried it for the first time on Easter it tasted mostly of juicy, tart cherries - almost like cherry candy.  I think that was because I hadn't had anything to eat yet, or maybe because I was on crack... the website claims the flavor notes are raspberry, plum, mocha, and currant.  Hmph.  I had another glass tonight, after my spaghetti dinner, and although I no longer tasted cherries, it was still decidedly delicious.  Another to add to my "Favorite Wines Under $10" list, though, as either way it is quite tasty.

970 Days

009. Go meatless every Friday during Lent - (07/21)
Lent 1 of 3 is complete, and I'm looking forward to a nice slab of ham tomorrow for Easter supper.  I also managed to keep my Lenten sacrifice and didn't watch any TV between 4 and 8pm, which turned out to be a great choice of habits to break as it freed up a lot of my time to accomplish other things like reading, or cooking, or watching films.  It's funny how you don't even realize how a seemingly-benign routine can place you quite firmly in a rut.

022. (Re)watch each of AFI's Top 100 Movies - (009/100)
I think, in retrospect, that at some point I had actually seen about 80% of #92, Goodfellas (1990).  Did I ever tell you that I am always happy to see Robert De Niro in a movie?  I don't know what it is, but I adore him unequivocally.  Ray Liotta kind of unnerves me, although he gets points for including Muppets From Space (one of my favorite Muppet movies, if I could choose) among his credits.  The "gangster" genre is usually entertaining, combining intense interpersonal relationships with a heaping helping of action and intrigue, and Goodfellas doesn't disappoint.  It wasn't mind-blowing, by any stretch, but it was entertaining from start to finish, lull-less, and not a bad diversion for a late Saturday afternoon.

040. Try 25 new wines - (03/25)
I tried Charles and Charles Red (2007, Washington) yesterday.  It was tasty but, I have to admit, wholly unremarkable.  Still, for an impulse purchase in line at the liquor store it wasn't disappointing.  Really I was just taken with the label.  I'm a sucker for anything that has a printing-press-on-parchment aesthetic.

042. Cook or bake 100 new recipes - (004/100)
Once in a while I really luck out and end up with something special when I'm just trying to get rid of the scraps of food that are left in my fridge.  The dish I cobbled together for supper tonight was so delicious I'd definitely make it again, maybe with one or two tweaks.  Unfortunately I didn't measure anything, since I just used up whatever was left, but I'll try to approximate.

Shrimp & Feta Bake
Serves one very hungry me, but you can increase the amounts as much as you want to make more.

Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 thick slice of onion, chopped (use a sweet one, like Mayan or Spanish)
2 cloves garlic, diced
1 cup feta cheese (any crumbly goat cheese would probably be good)
1 cup chopped cooked shrimp (I used whole tiny shrimp, but if I made it again I'd chop them) 
4 Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped (or whatever kind of tomato you might have on hand... about 1/4c)
Dash of red pepper flakes or cayenne
Freshly-ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 400F.  In a small pan, soften the garlic and onion in olive oil over medium-low heat, about 5 minutes.  Add the tomatoes and cook until the tomatoes start to break down a bit and everything forms a sauce-like consistency (not very long, a few minutes tops).  

In a mixing bowl, combine the onion mixture with the feta, shrimp, a pinch of red pepper (or more, depending on how much kick you want), and some freshly ground pepper.  You shouldn't need to add any salt because of the feta and onions.  Mix everything together thoroughly, pour it into a small oven-proof dish and bake for about 30 minutes or until bubbly around the edges (it might take longer if you are making a large amount).  You may need to stir it after it's cooked to get the sauce to combine.  

Serve hot and scoop up with slices of crusty bread.  It would also make a great hors d'oeurve, I think... you could put a spoonful on toasted baguette rounds.  A chilled, tart Pinot Grigio was a nice compliment, but I bet a Pilsner would go down a treat as well.

044. Take a picture a day for 365 days - (016/100)
1. The fake flowers on my dining table that brighten up the room without ever wilting.
2. I bought this wine purely on the appeal of its label
3. The pattern on the new bag I bought today which, incidentally, matches my wallet.

047. Complete all "Couch-to-5K" workouts within 2 months - (03/27)
Yesterday's run was much more trying than Wednesday's but I still managed to plow through, even though:
a) It was hot (80s) outside and I was sweating like mad
b) I inhaled and/or ate about 6 billion tiny bugs
c) My blisters are still fairly raw
d) Before the halfway point I already had a side stitch
e) My legs were stiff and sore
I was considering getting ahead of schedule a little bit (to give myself a little wiggle room in case I get stuck trying to break past a workout) by starting week 2 tomorrow, but I might give myself the weekend off and just pick up again on Monday.  I suppose I'll have to see how my legs and feet feel.