Journal

John Waters: False Negative - Englert Theater - 10/30/2022

We made a night of it, joining the Mattas’ for dinner then walking over to the Englert to see the show. The last time Shannon and I saw him speak it was initially at the Des Moines Art Center, but then it outgrew their space and got moved to Hoyt Sherman. This was Warhol & Waters: Fame & Filth on 10/14/2014.

This was a bit different as this wasn’t remembering the stories of that time frame, but more of what’s going on now or the recent past, with his life sprinkled in. This was followed by a Q & A with number of varied questions from the audience, including the recent debacle in Cedar Rapids.

Fiddler On the Roof - Civic Center - 10/29/2022

Willis Broadway series, Normally we go to Sunday shows, but I may have scheduled something on Sunday before I added this to our calendar. Shannon thought she remembered seeing it in college, because she won some tickets, I saw it in high school on a theater trip to the Twin Cities at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. So it had been a bit. One of the thing I noticed about the traveling show is that it has a very large cast for what the normal traveling casts would have.

It was quite enjoyable, moving, even though you’ve seen it a few times (movie included).

The Crown Live! - Temple Theater - 10/28/2022

Our first time time buying season tickets to the comedy series. We were up front int he round tables, a bit off center. We ended up with “the upper class” audience participation. I got to wear an ill fitting bowler hat. We enjoyed it, laughed quite a bit.

2022 - Week 43 Cooking Results

Taking a front line roll, while my team lead is out, has been quite taxing. Enough so that I got this.

Texts from Shannon

I am starting my 3rd day of a 4 day weekend. I was planning on taking off the previous Friday, but wanted to be around for questions. Anyways, Under a month left. I need to watch my own mood better to make sure that I stay within reasonable bounds.

Pancakes

Buttermilk, and I had blueberries on mine.

Chicken with salad

Some of the last fresh greens of the season, some chicken and some dressing and other things. Good Stuff.

Brats

Good as always.

Chicken and Sweet Potato Curry

Sweet potato season continues, Some simmering, some cooking and a good dinner. I thought that it needed more chicken but starting preparing way to much, so I put a bunch of diced chicken in the freezer. I waited to adde the diced peanuts to my own. Good things.

Faster than you can boil pasta Cherry Tomato Sauce

Simple, quick, and surprisingly extra delicious. Smelling the Wild Rose Vinegar, I was like rose rose, a bit of vinegar. It made the tomatoes just pop in flavor. Ate dinner and enjoyed it.

The Book of Mormon - Civic Center - 10/8/2022

Not part of our season tickets, but an add on. second(?) time seeing it, quite enjoyable, better seats then first time. We were pretty close to the sign language translators, and I gotta say, there were a few unexpected gestures. We were also sitting next to a couple that was seeing it for the first time, and they’re reaction was just enjoyable to notice.

Trombone Shorty - Hoyt Sherman - 9/17/2022

I have a collection of tickets, but as time goes by, these are rarer to even obtain, let alone be able to save. Shannon was nice enough to gather them together and present them. But going forward I’m going to try to add these as a reminder. I may not always have things to say, but it is more of a memory for myself, I suppose.

When I saw the announcement that they Trombone Shorty was coming, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I had seen him in several shows I like and had some of his music in my rated collection (more has been added). So I told Shannon we were going, then invited Dave and Jo. Luckily I was the mailing list for the promoter and got a pre-sale code and got us tickets pretty close.

It was an enjoyable show, with music going for the entire time that we were there. Its a delight to see excellent performers just put on a great show.

Hoyt Sherman stage shaded in blue light with usher standing near the stage

Pre-Show snapshot

2022 - Week 37 Cooking Results

Sheet Pan Sweet-and-Spicy Chicken with Charred Cabbage

I really liked this. Even the Cabbage. It came together pretty well and was in the oven cooking shortly after I started prep. I liked the sauce? of this very much and eating the chicken and cabbage with the sauce was quite nice.

Jajangmyeon

I was going to make this Thursday or Friday, but I was also I was really tired cause it’s been a long week. So I’m gonna make this Sunday.

Griddled Tomato Sandwiches

Simple, pretty good.

Mahi Mahi

Unlike last week, I remembered to take this out of the freezer. I brushed them with a bit of soy sauce and seared them in the pan.

Brats

All pork hotdogs were on top of the pile so there we were.

On Sunday, we went out to Grade A Gardens to have a farm dinner. This one was chef’d by the chef de cuisine for Harbinger. The dinner was fantastic, with the Carrot & Fennel agnolotti being my favorite, of many of the wonderful dishes.

2022 - Week 36 Cooking Results

I was able to sneak out during the day on Friday and pickup my food coop order. When I was sneaking back in, I saw a construction worker delivering something to my house. After parking I found the notice that they are about to move down the road. Last day of work, excluding refinishing the road, is Monday 9/12, as they start on 9/13 for the next two blocks. It feels good to finally have an official end date and to know I don’t have to worry about getting in and our of the area, which is great, cause I start having doctor appointments this week, after a bit. The beeping may be around, still, but it’ll be down a bit and hopefully I’ll be able to drown it out.

Pork Fried Rice With Corn and Shishito Peppers

Added a bit of extra diced ham, extra Shishito peppers and prepped everything up and executed and it was pretty good.

Leek, Prosciutto, and Goat Cheese Frittata

I was going to make this earlier in the week, but I forgot to pick up prosciutto, so I had to delay it until the end of the week. The day started with a trip to pick up eggs and some veggies, more tea that I used for iced team, coffee, Prosciutto, and because i was there, a couple of ham and swiss croissants.

By the time I made dinner, after a nap or two, I realized that I really hadn’t eaten anything but coffee and that ham and swiss croissant.

I used leeks from Grade A, Eggs from Ebersole and Prosciutto from the cheese shop to combine to make a delicious frittata. It made for a nice dinner and came together quickly. Note: skipped the basil.

Later that night, a bit over served by myself, I had another slice

Taco Salad

Extra beans in this one, and it was pretty good.

Mahi Mahi

We had eggs and ham on a bagel, because I forgot to take this out of the freezer.

2022 - Week 36 Cooking

While I was dong yard work on Friday, a gentleman from a few blocks away stopped to talk to me. We discussed construction and the impacts and water drainage. He mentioned that the last time he talked with the site supervisor they were hoping to be done by the end of this month, and that the underground work took two months longer then expected (sub-contractor?). I mentioned that I really didn’t want to place any mental limitations on when they would be done, as I don’t really want to get my hopes up. So it may be coming to an end? I’ll believe it when I see it. That being said, I prepped for another water outage on this past Friday, and it failed to show up. Which was perfectly fine.