This weekend Joe and I went to Puja's baby shower. It was really nice to see everyone, but also events with puja's family always result in delicious indian food! Its awesome! I cant wait till they have another kid, or like this kid graduates highschool or something so that i'll be invited back for a graduation party. For starters the majority of the food is vegetarian, so I just dig in. I take a little of everything, even the mystery dishes...and they never let me down. This time the two big mysteries turned out to be the best, one ended up being like fried balls of veggies, and the other was cauliflower!
Friday night we also tried an Indian restaurant in our neighborhood, that has been there all along, but we've never been to called the Delhi club. we've only heard good things, so why not try it! What these people didn't tell us that it is clearly a take out restaurant and not an eat in restaurant. The entire place is FILLED with a smokey haze drifting in from the kitchen. My eyes were irritated the entire time, and I left smelling like burnt food. The food however, was very good, at least my dish was. I prefer tandoori nights though...funny that both of the good Indian restaurants in my neighborhood are MUCH better take out than they are for sitting down to eat there.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Snowboarding Half Pipe Observation
Ok, so I am no snowboarding expert. I have never been, so if i'm missing something let me know, i honestly have been trying to figure this out for 2 nights now while watching the men's half pipe, and then the less interesting women's. Why is the women's less interesting? b/c they dont get as much air...however my question relates to that.
So here is my question: At the start of the halfpipe, the snowboarders start by standing at the top of a hill. Many choose to slowly edge down to the halfway starting point, many even STOP there...however in my opinion the smart few (very few, i've seen it maybe 2 times) just go straight down from that highest point. Why would you ever stop at the lower point??? Why doesnt EVERYONE just go from the higher point.
My Reasoning: Little physics lesson here, which i think most of you should know anyway...At the top of the hill you are dealing with potential energy, and as you begin to move you are turning it into kinetic energy. The idea is to get the fastest velocity possible inorder to get the highest air and have the most amount of air to complete your tricks. Acorrding to conservation of energy Potential Energy = Kinetic Energy....so mass*gravity*height=1/2*mass*velocity^2. Mass cancels out, gravity is constant, so as height gets bigger, velocity gets bigger. Therefore they should all want to start at the higher spot right?
am i missing something?
So here is my question: At the start of the halfpipe, the snowboarders start by standing at the top of a hill. Many choose to slowly edge down to the halfway starting point, many even STOP there...however in my opinion the smart few (very few, i've seen it maybe 2 times) just go straight down from that highest point. Why would you ever stop at the lower point??? Why doesnt EVERYONE just go from the higher point.
My Reasoning: Little physics lesson here, which i think most of you should know anyway...At the top of the hill you are dealing with potential energy, and as you begin to move you are turning it into kinetic energy. The idea is to get the fastest velocity possible inorder to get the highest air and have the most amount of air to complete your tricks. Acorrding to conservation of energy Potential Energy = Kinetic Energy....so mass*gravity*height=1/2*mass*velocity^2. Mass cancels out, gravity is constant, so as height gets bigger, velocity gets bigger. Therefore they should all want to start at the higher spot right?
am i missing something?
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Valentines/Presidents day Weekend Part III
Virginia has some decent wineries. There were so many around this area that it was almost hard to decide.
We first went to Barboursville per the concierge's recommendation. This vineyard had like 20 wines to taste, and as usual my favorites were the dessert wines. We then got a tour of the production areas of the vineyards. The cool part about the vineyards were the "ruins" which was the brick outter skeleton of the vineyard owner's house which was designed by Thomas Jefferson. Architecturally, the most unique part was the Jefferson trademark octagon. Unfortunately at some point the house burnt down and they were unable to rebuild.
The second vineyard was called Jefferson Vineyard. The vineyard is located on the former land of Thomas Jefferson's. Legend has it that TJ had tried to grow grapes for wine multiple times by importing the grapes from Italy, but the American Soil etc killed them, untill the person who ran the barboursville vineyard figured out how to graft the italian grapes onto the stock of the american grapes so they could survive. Who knows what exactly of that is true. The other story is that one of TJ's failed attempts got trampled by soldiers coming through. We bought a bottle of viogner.
The final vineyard was the Kluge vineyard. This one was super cute because the flights were given in a very beautiful presentation, and the food looked delicious. If i hadnt had a 5 course meal planned for that night I would have eatten so much. If i lived near there it would be the perfect date spot. The wine we bought was a dessert wine mixed with brandy. It was very interesting in a good way.
We first went to Barboursville per the concierge's recommendation. This vineyard had like 20 wines to taste, and as usual my favorites were the dessert wines. We then got a tour of the production areas of the vineyards. The cool part about the vineyards were the "ruins" which was the brick outter skeleton of the vineyard owner's house which was designed by Thomas Jefferson. Architecturally, the most unique part was the Jefferson trademark octagon. Unfortunately at some point the house burnt down and they were unable to rebuild.
The second vineyard was called Jefferson Vineyard. The vineyard is located on the former land of Thomas Jefferson's. Legend has it that TJ had tried to grow grapes for wine multiple times by importing the grapes from Italy, but the American Soil etc killed them, untill the person who ran the barboursville vineyard figured out how to graft the italian grapes onto the stock of the american grapes so they could survive. Who knows what exactly of that is true. The other story is that one of TJ's failed attempts got trampled by soldiers coming through. We bought a bottle of viogner.
The final vineyard was the Kluge vineyard. This one was super cute because the flights were given in a very beautiful presentation, and the food looked delicious. If i hadnt had a 5 course meal planned for that night I would have eatten so much. If i lived near there it would be the perfect date spot. The wine we bought was a dessert wine mixed with brandy. It was very interesting in a good way.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Valentines/Presidents day Weekend Part II
Yeah, I guess you could say Charlottesville is fairly historic.
Our first stop was to Monticello, which is of course Thomas Jefferson's home. We were only allowed to take pictures outside the house, so you'll have to just read my description of the inside.
The outside is pretty recognizable since its on the back of the Nickel, and was just as impressive as I had imagined.
The name Monticello is Italian for Little Mountain since It is placed at the top of a mountain overlooking Charlottesville and the future site (now current) of the University of Virginia.
When you Enter the house the first room is fairly creepy with various animal horns mounted on the walls, drawings on animal hides, mastadon jawbones etc. TJ saw it as a museum I guess. There was a very impressive library, and greenhouse. His bedroom was split in 2 parts, half had cool gadgets and the other half was more bedroom like. The next room for entertaining had lots of paintings, and then you walk into the surprisingly small dining room. The cool part about the dining room is that it was placed above the wine cellar, and TJ created a dumb waiter to hoist the bottles of wine up.
Our tour guide was a little biased and did not want to admit to any of the Jefferson and Sally Hemmings "rumors", and referred to the civil war, as the war between the states.
The next historic stop was to Ash Lawn which was James Monroe's house, however we didnt feel like paying the entrance fee, and just saw it from the outside.
The third historic stop we made was to Montpelier, which was James Madison's home. After James's death Dolly sold the house to the Dupont family who expanded the house and added a polo field, and eventually gave the house back to the historic society who are in the process of restoring the house to its Madisonion days. The restoration process was really cool to learn about. So far they have restored the outside by removing the stucco and scaling the house back down to the correct size. They are now working on the interrior and have almost no furniture, and most of the walls are yet to be painted or wall papered. The most interesting room had open walls showing how the restoration process works.
Our first stop was to Monticello, which is of course Thomas Jefferson's home. We were only allowed to take pictures outside the house, so you'll have to just read my description of the inside.
The outside is pretty recognizable since its on the back of the Nickel, and was just as impressive as I had imagined.
The name Monticello is Italian for Little Mountain since It is placed at the top of a mountain overlooking Charlottesville and the future site (now current) of the University of Virginia.
When you Enter the house the first room is fairly creepy with various animal horns mounted on the walls, drawings on animal hides, mastadon jawbones etc. TJ saw it as a museum I guess. There was a very impressive library, and greenhouse. His bedroom was split in 2 parts, half had cool gadgets and the other half was more bedroom like. The next room for entertaining had lots of paintings, and then you walk into the surprisingly small dining room. The cool part about the dining room is that it was placed above the wine cellar, and TJ created a dumb waiter to hoist the bottles of wine up.
Our tour guide was a little biased and did not want to admit to any of the Jefferson and Sally Hemmings "rumors", and referred to the civil war, as the war between the states.
The next historic stop was to Ash Lawn which was James Monroe's house, however we didnt feel like paying the entrance fee, and just saw it from the outside.
The third historic stop we made was to Montpelier, which was James Madison's home. After James's death Dolly sold the house to the Dupont family who expanded the house and added a polo field, and eventually gave the house back to the historic society who are in the process of restoring the house to its Madisonion days. The restoration process was really cool to learn about. So far they have restored the outside by removing the stucco and scaling the house back down to the correct size. They are now working on the interrior and have almost no furniture, and most of the walls are yet to be painted or wall papered. The most interesting room had open walls showing how the restoration process works.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Valentines/Presidents day Weekend Part I
We just got back from a terrific trip to Charlottesville VA, so good in fact that I'll have to write up the trip in 3 posts. 1. hotel, 2. history, 3. vineyards
We stayed at the Clifton Inn which looked really cute online, but we had no idea exactly how nice it was going to be. When we arrived we pulled up to the beautiful house.
We were brought to our room which was in the center of the 2nd floor looking out the back over the hills. The posting on the door said that peak season our room was 600 dollars a night, so its good that we came in the off season.
Our room came with a bottle of madeira, which was evidently Thomas Jefferson's favorite wine, and we later found out that it was what they were all drinking back then b/c it was so sweet that non refrigeration didnt really effect the wine.
Breakfast was served on the (indoor) veranda with some of the best croissants i've ever had, and other delicious breakfast items....although I think it was better for peter than myself since I dont eat breakfast staples such as Eggs or Bacon.
At 3 Tea was served in the living room along with the best scone i've ever had, fruit, lemon custard, and chocolate chip banana bread.
Dinner on valentines day was a 5 course meal with cheese ravioli as the first course for me, and lobster for Peter, Second course was risotto for Peter, and beat and goat cheese and pea tendrils for me. The main course was something fish with crab for peter, and for me was the most amazing tart of caramelized onions with artichoke hearts and a dijion mustard sauce surrounding it. Mmmm i'm hungry just thinking about it. Maybe I'll try and figure out how to make this. Then a Pre dessert, and a dessert, and then because it was valentines day a final course of chocolate covered strawberries. mmmmm!
Maybe someday we'll come back in the summer so we can actually enjoy the pool!
We stayed at the Clifton Inn which looked really cute online, but we had no idea exactly how nice it was going to be. When we arrived we pulled up to the beautiful house.
We were brought to our room which was in the center of the 2nd floor looking out the back over the hills. The posting on the door said that peak season our room was 600 dollars a night, so its good that we came in the off season.
Our room came with a bottle of madeira, which was evidently Thomas Jefferson's favorite wine, and we later found out that it was what they were all drinking back then b/c it was so sweet that non refrigeration didnt really effect the wine.
Breakfast was served on the (indoor) veranda with some of the best croissants i've ever had, and other delicious breakfast items....although I think it was better for peter than myself since I dont eat breakfast staples such as Eggs or Bacon.
At 3 Tea was served in the living room along with the best scone i've ever had, fruit, lemon custard, and chocolate chip banana bread.
Dinner on valentines day was a 5 course meal with cheese ravioli as the first course for me, and lobster for Peter, Second course was risotto for Peter, and beat and goat cheese and pea tendrils for me. The main course was something fish with crab for peter, and for me was the most amazing tart of caramelized onions with artichoke hearts and a dijion mustard sauce surrounding it. Mmmm i'm hungry just thinking about it. Maybe I'll try and figure out how to make this. Then a Pre dessert, and a dessert, and then because it was valentines day a final course of chocolate covered strawberries. mmmmm!
Maybe someday we'll come back in the summer so we can actually enjoy the pool!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Lost Observation
I feel like this last season of lost is similar to the final episode of Full House.
So in Lost at the end of last season they detonate the bomb, and this season begins when they wake up with one reality still on the island, and one reality back a few years on that fateful oceanic flight, this time however it does not crash and they go on with their lives throughout the season. Every episode so far, and probably for the rest of the season has bounced back and forth between the two realities.
Remember how the last episode of Full House Michelle goes horseback riding, and falls off the horse (parallels the bomb exploding), and then when she wakes up she is home with her family without the memory of falling off the horse or really without any memory at all. Her memory however, takes the form of herself as well (although no one else can see this girl) and goes about business like nothing has happened. In the end it turns out the memory got scared and ran away, and then at the end the two girls face each other and then step towards each other and blend into one being and life goes on and the show ends.
I predict that the end of Lost will go similarly where both realities become aware of each other and find a way to simplify down to 1 reality.
So in Lost at the end of last season they detonate the bomb, and this season begins when they wake up with one reality still on the island, and one reality back a few years on that fateful oceanic flight, this time however it does not crash and they go on with their lives throughout the season. Every episode so far, and probably for the rest of the season has bounced back and forth between the two realities.
Remember how the last episode of Full House Michelle goes horseback riding, and falls off the horse (parallels the bomb exploding), and then when she wakes up she is home with her family without the memory of falling off the horse or really without any memory at all. Her memory however, takes the form of herself as well (although no one else can see this girl) and goes about business like nothing has happened. In the end it turns out the memory got scared and ran away, and then at the end the two girls face each other and then step towards each other and blend into one being and life goes on and the show ends.
I predict that the end of Lost will go similarly where both realities become aware of each other and find a way to simplify down to 1 reality.
Code Blue
Back at work :( Although I cant say I'm too upset, its kinda nice to be out.
Tonight I get my first valentines day gift by being taken to Grease at the National Theater :) I cant wait!!!
Then tomorrow morning its off to Charlottesville!!!!
Its been a great week and looking forward to a great weekend!
Tonight I get my first valentines day gift by being taken to Grease at the National Theater :) I cant wait!!!
Then tomorrow morning its off to Charlottesville!!!!
Its been a great week and looking forward to a great weekend!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Incase you were wondering
I've been stranded at home since Friday when work closed at 1. But unless you live under a rock, you probably already knew that.
Friday night we went out to dinner with tristan and mike at gordon biersch in chinatown. We had a 7pm reservation, and when we sat down, they informed us that the kitchen was closing in 15 minutes, and the bar in 45 minutes and to order fast. Peter and I then took a walk around our neighborhood to watch the snow begin to fall.
Saturday Peter and I walked down to the iwo jima memorial, and then on to the arlington cemetery. By this point snow was knee deep and snow was still coming down heavily. Chris was also snowed into dc, so he along with some others came over for drinks and video games.
Sunday we took the metro to Foggy Bottom and walked down to the einstein memorial for a picknick in the snow, and then on to the lincoln memorial, Roosevelt memorial, tidal basin, and washington monument. It was a beautiful day.
monday, and tuesday not much happened, and its unclear if work should have even been closed....but today has been a different story. Tons of snow! Tons of Wind! I wonder if we'll even have work this week at all!
Friday night we went out to dinner with tristan and mike at gordon biersch in chinatown. We had a 7pm reservation, and when we sat down, they informed us that the kitchen was closing in 15 minutes, and the bar in 45 minutes and to order fast. Peter and I then took a walk around our neighborhood to watch the snow begin to fall.
Saturday Peter and I walked down to the iwo jima memorial, and then on to the arlington cemetery. By this point snow was knee deep and snow was still coming down heavily. Chris was also snowed into dc, so he along with some others came over for drinks and video games.
Sunday we took the metro to Foggy Bottom and walked down to the einstein memorial for a picknick in the snow, and then on to the lincoln memorial, Roosevelt memorial, tidal basin, and washington monument. It was a beautiful day.
monday, and tuesday not much happened, and its unclear if work should have even been closed....but today has been a different story. Tons of snow! Tons of Wind! I wonder if we'll even have work this week at all!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Code Yellow?
I'll take that. The initial schedule for today was all hands meeting at 9 at GB1, then back to goddard for a 10 am meeting. This doesnt sound bad, but that means that I would have had to get up extra early to make it in time for the 9am meeting. This is especially bad b/c I was up last night watching the THREE HOUR season premier of LOST (blog post on that later).
Instead, I woke up this morning to an email from Jim who was up at 5 am (WHY were you up at 5 am Jim???) saying Goddard was delayed because of snow and wont open till 10!!! SO I am writing this blog post from bed, working up the courage to go get dressed and go to work.
Instead, I woke up this morning to an email from Jim who was up at 5 am (WHY were you up at 5 am Jim???) saying Goddard was delayed because of snow and wont open till 10!!! SO I am writing this blog post from bed, working up the courage to go get dressed and go to work.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Restful weekend at last
Finally, a weekend with minimal plans!!! dont get me wrong, i've enjoyed the past 2 months of travel and friends, but it sure is nice to sleep in an not have anything to do. Sat morning for example, we slept till 1!!! It was awesome.
Friday night we saw up in the air. It was a good movie, but what a depressing one!! I don't think I'd recommend it just because the theme was such a downer! (this coming from a girl who loves depressing movies)
Sat night we watched inglorious bastards which I didn't think I'd like much, but decided to watch anyway since peter bought it. It was actually really good! The characters were all interesting, and although based around the war, wasn't much of a war movie which I appreciated. I liked its unique take, and highly recommend it. The movie was a little gory, but peter was good at covering my eyes when he knew it was coming so i didn't have to watch the nasty scalpings or anything.
Sunday met up with Joe and Kate to go skating in the sculpture garden! I haven't been skating in about 3 years, and had a great time! I had forgotten how much I love it. We also lucked out b/c it was a beautiful sunny day. Its always funny too at rinks like this who shows off in the center. At first it was some hockey skaters who were racing around and twirling etc, then a gentleman with figure skates came out and looked like he was slowly going through his routine for some show or something....he didnt seem like he was very good at all, but i'll give him the benefit of the doubt that he was just going through the order of the routine and not the skating skills. oh well!
Friday night we saw up in the air. It was a good movie, but what a depressing one!! I don't think I'd recommend it just because the theme was such a downer! (this coming from a girl who loves depressing movies)
Sat night we watched inglorious bastards which I didn't think I'd like much, but decided to watch anyway since peter bought it. It was actually really good! The characters were all interesting, and although based around the war, wasn't much of a war movie which I appreciated. I liked its unique take, and highly recommend it. The movie was a little gory, but peter was good at covering my eyes when he knew it was coming so i didn't have to watch the nasty scalpings or anything.
Sunday met up with Joe and Kate to go skating in the sculpture garden! I haven't been skating in about 3 years, and had a great time! I had forgotten how much I love it. We also lucked out b/c it was a beautiful sunny day. Its always funny too at rinks like this who shows off in the center. At first it was some hockey skaters who were racing around and twirling etc, then a gentleman with figure skates came out and looked like he was slowly going through his routine for some show or something....he didnt seem like he was very good at all, but i'll give him the benefit of the doubt that he was just going through the order of the routine and not the skating skills. oh well!
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