Why Not a Recipe? (Lentil Curry)

Ingredients:
1  medium onion
3 Tablespoons of olive oil
2 garlic cloves (or more if you're sassy like that)
1 Tablespoon of curry powder
4 Cups of vegetable stock
3 Cups of potato (cut into cubes)
1 1/2 Cups of lentils
4 tomatoes (cut into cubes)
1 can of tomato soup
Salt and Pepper

Making the Magic:
Put a big pot on the stove on low to medium heat. Add the olive oil and onion (chopped into small chunks). Let that simmer for a little bit (not long enough to get brown) then add the garlic and curry powder.

After a minute or so add everything else. Turn the heat up to get it simmering, then turn it down and let it go for 20-30 minutes, or however long it takes to get the lentils nice and soft.

Bask in the delicious smells wafting through your kitchen.

Make up some rice to serve this spicy and complex goodness over.

You could probably add some carrots and other veggies as well. Maybe I'll try that next time.

Thrifty - My List of Random Goodwill Facts/Myths

Every couple of weeks I swing by my local Goodwill. That's right, I said it. Goodwill. While stigmatized in many of my circles this emporium of all things preowned can be a variable treasure trove for the scrupulous (and strong stomached) consumer. If you've never shopped at Goodwill, let me lay down some facts and myths based on my experience.

Myth: Everything at Goodwill is used
Don't get me wrong, the vast majority of products on the shelves of Goodwill have occupied space in someone else's home. But keeping your eyes open will allow you to spot brand new merchandise. I'll outline some items to watch for below.

Fact: Some items at Goodwill are pretty gross
For the sake of clearing the air I will admit that every Goodwill has a bit of a smell. I imagine it's a recipe of old attics/basements (previous home for many of these items), industrial detergents/cleaners and impossible to expel odors. It's like garage, attic and basement put together. In nearly every department you'll likely see something that challenges your definition of clean and sanitary. This is especially true in appliances, clothes and shoes. The good news: you don't have to buy these items. But don't be afraid to face these fearful sections, because you might just find a gem tucked away.

Myth: Everything at Goodwill is super cheap
While there are excellent bargains to be had, don't think that the folks at Goodwill don't know what items are worth and won't price them accordingly. Especially when it comes to unused items it's a good practice to know what the retail price is to begin with. Also keep in mind that items like books, games and other media can be found through online shopping resources. This actually works both ways. You may find cheap items at Goodwill that can be sold online or you may find out a Goodwill treasure is available for less money online. Just don't forget to factor in the shipping costs. Also, like many retailers, Goodwill has candy and beverages by the checkout counters. These items a priced significantly higher than grocery/convenience stores.

Fact: Goodwill merchandise has huge turnover rates
Maybe this is specific to the store I frequent, but because of the nature of pre-owned items and the donation model you really can never tell what you'll find. Some items may linger, but Goodwill is in the business of moving product, so if something starts to gather dust expect action. Prices drop quickly, especially on large items like furniture.

Now a couple Goodwill-related lists

Things I check for every time I go to Goodwill

• Dishes that match my current set. Advantage to owning Ikea dishes.
• Cameras. Not that I need more, but one of my favorite all-time Goodwill purchases was a $2 Polaroid camera (that works!)
• Books. I'm never too specific about this, but I've been collecting Life Magazine photo books and always check to see if any fiction titles I've been wanting to read are available.
• Furniture. I got an awesome ottoman that matches my couch a while back and I always look at dressers, shelving units and desks/cabinets. You never know what you might find a use for at the right price. 
• Fixtures/Furnishings. Again, this may be specific to the store I visit (and the amount of construction/development going on where I live) but there's always light fixtures and construction/furnishing items. Many are new or like new and it gives me a chance to ponder updates to my very-90's-furnished house.
• Sporting Goods. I always check to see if there are any obviously vintage/valuable golf clubs that I can snatch up. 

Things you can always find at Goodwill:

• Copies of semi-recent bestselling books. Anything that's been on a top list or is likely to have been featured in a book club will be on the shelves somewhere. Even hard copy books go for less than $5. I haven't noticed how quickly these items show up, but it seems like once they start arriving there will be TONS. You'll likely be able to pick these up whenever you want.
• Trivial Pursuit. The day I decide I want to play Trivial Pursuit I'll drive to Goodwill and buy it. It is ALWAYS there in one of its iterations (classic, decade-specific, etc.) and I'm not picky. I'm sure many other bestselling games are often available, but this is the one I notice.
• Mugs/Shot Glasses. If you collect either of these (or I'd suspect those collectable spoons) this would be a must-check every time to visit Goodwill. Even if you're just looking for a mug to actually use there's always a great selections of styles. Many complete sets and some that are unused, if that's a must for you. They'll be less than a couple bucks apiece. 
• Picture frames. So many options. Usually there's a decent selection that are still in their brand new packaging. Again, this is an area where it pays to know how much these items typically cost, as the savings may not be as significant as you think.

Bottom line: Thrift-storing is worth a shot. If you don't already donate items to Goodwill, or similar organizations, think about doing so at your next spring cleaning. If you have some time to kill and want to feel like a king for $20 take a stroll though the aisles and see what kinds of treasures you can discover. 

What kind of Goodwill bargains have you uncovered? Share your thrift-store triumphs as a comment. 

Afterbuzz TV and the Antisocial Viewer

I spend too much time in the car. My daily commute is somewhere in the 90-minute ballpark and I end up spending another hour or two in the car during the weekend. I also watch a lot of TV. I'm somewhat picky about my shows, so my viewing goes in waves, depending on what shows are in their current seasons.

When it comes to TV I'm pretty private. Probably because I live alone. I watch my shows alone and don't feel compelled to pour over all the details at the watercolor at work or over coffee with my friends. I do, however, enjoy spirited discussion and banter about the shows I watch. And that's where Afterbuzz TV comes in.

My previously mentioned extended commute provides ample time for listening to podcasts. I have a few sports and photography podcasts that I regularly follow, but sometimes I run out of material. That lead me to randomly search the iTunes store for a few of my favorite TV shows. Low and behold, there's actually a few different podcasts for many of the most popular shows. I dabbled in a few and found myself getting hooked on Afterbuzz TV.

Afterbuzz TV features a pool of personalties who divide into various assortments to debrief, dish and speculate on the show of the night. There's frequently some differing opinions, which leads to spirited banter. The hosts take furious notes while viewing and frequently do quick research to provide context and background for events that take place. Each episode usually contains a segment with news and notes about the show production, cast and industry-types. The grand finale comes when the hosts make their predictions for what is going to happen in upcoming episodes or seasons.

Listening to lively discussion about shows I enjoy helps keep my road rage at bay. It also gives me the feeling that I'm watching the same show twice. Once to see the actual events, and an second time to really ponder what they mean. If you have a favorite TV show, chances are you may have a new favorite podcast if you check out Afterbuzz TV.

A couple of my weekly favorites are The Blacklist, Justified, Homeland and Game of Thrones

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2014

A new year is upon us. That's a sure fire way to get me motivated to do things. I'm not a resolution type of person, but I find myself actively seeking fulfillment as each year begins. I get creative. I cook, clean and organize. I do a lot of things that frankly are pretty out of character with my usual personality. 

But I rather like it. This year I've reorganized my kitchen (still working on it), installed a shelving/hanging system in my closet and already lined up a couple commissioned photography assignments. I'm eating better (calorie-counting wise), exercising more and embracing all kinds of rsponsibility that userd to frustrate and exhaust me in my youth. It still does to a degree, but I'm finding the satisfaction in order and accomplishment. 

It's a lot like the grasshopper and the ant. I need the grasshopper's dreaming spirit to explore and create, but the ant's practicality and responsibility to keep everything in order. 

2013: The Bests

It's been a busy and eventful year. Lots of changes, transitions and upgrades in my life. And what better content for a blog post than a list of things? That's practically the default post type!

2013: The bests

Best Ride: Mazda CX-5
 

After 10  years and more than 200,000 miles I decided it was time to replace my faithful VW Jetta. Commuting to work continued to be an enjoyable and fuel-efficient proposition, but loading up golf clubs, camera gear, changes of clothes and the dog for weekend adventures was challenging in the size and configuration options presented by the Jetta. After shopping around, test driving a few things and thinking long and hard about priorities I ended up with the Mazda CX-5 Sport, 2.0L All Wheel Drive, and after nearly 6 months of driving it and I'm still an extremely satisfied customer. 

The CX-5 is the perfect one-car solution for the weekend problem I listed above. Ample space for my lifestyle, and even with a more powerful 2.0L engine, AWD and considerably more size than my Jetta it sips the fuel at nearly the same rate. Big props to Skyactiv Technology and the engineering that makes this possible. Also, there's a clear line of demarcation among cars these days. Pre and Post-bluetooth. Once you experience a car with integrated bluetooth for making phone calls and streaming music there's no going back. In a perfect world, I might have opted for the 2.5L engine and the Touring trim level, which boasts rear seats that fold completely flat and back-up sensors among other things. 

Best Connectivity: Apple iPhone 5s

I made the jump to a smart phone in 2011, when I bought an iPhone 4. Much like bluetooth in your car, a smart phone is a one-way inevitability. I knew I would enjoy the texting and web/app potential, but I had no idea what a powerful photography tool a smartphone could be. The tools for taking, processing and sharing photos in a device that's so easy to always have with you is truly incredible. My back thanks me for not lugging around my DSLR as frequently and learning to leverage the clear weaknesses of a cell phone camera has helped me improve my photography overall. 

While the iPhone 5s is larger, brighter and has faster LTE data service more internal horsepower than the 4, the features I enjoy most are related to photography. Improved low light performance, image quality, integrated panorama, high-speed video and 10 frames per second burst. The last two are particularly appreciated when dealing with Hugo. As something that is never more than 10 feet away from me, the iPhone 5s is a major investment that pays major dividends every day. 

Best Bits: Snapseed

After taking copious quantities of photos with my smartphone, the next step in 2013 for 90% of the images was a trip though the Snapseed photo editing app. It seems like I end up in ruts with various editors. I spend a good deal of time in Camera+ before moving to PicFX and now I've settled in Snapseed. All are great apps, all have strengths and weaknesses. But Snapseed seems to allow a Lightroom-esque level of control over levels. With a limited smartphone camera, being able to fill in shadows and adjust exposure settings in post is a big deal. After that you can add some of those hipsteriffic effects that are the bread and butter of some other apps, with the advantage the Snapseed variants give you control to fine tune the effects in more ways than just the intensity of the effect itself. In most cases you can get into brightness, contrast, saturation and a few other key ingredients to the effect recipe as you apply it. 

From fine-tuning reality to a surrealistic creation, Snapseed has you covered.

Best Inspiration: GoPro Hero 3

Just before our family vacation to Maui I picked up a GoPro Hero 3 (Silver edition) because of doubts I was having about the waterproofing of my Pentax Optio WG-2, which turned out to be completely founded when it flooded with water 10 minutes (and 1/5 the reported waterproof depth) into the first dive. The GoPro lived up to every expectation and hope I had. One key to keep in mind is that this camera has an extremely wide angle lens. That means you want to get as close as possible, which is easy to do with the GoPro's small size. Add to that a waterpoof housing that actually works and you'll have access to shots you never thought possible. 

In an era of everything-included technology the GoPro takes what may seem like a frustrating step back for many folks. "There's no screen?!?!?!?" But anyone with more than five minutes of photography training/skill will be able to master it. Again, it's super wide angle. So point the camera roughly in the direction of your subject and it's in frame. The bigger challenge is to always get 2-3' from your subject, so it's not just a dot in the vastness of your scene. If that doesn't cut it you can always download the GoPro app for your ever-present smartphone and have a viewfinder and quick control over your menus and settings. This pocket-sized beauty packs an impressive photo and video punch. Many of my favorite images from our Maui trip were made with this 5 megapixel beauty rather than my two DSLR bodies and compliment of lenses that a lugged halfway around the world.

Best Visuals: The Blacklist/House of Cards

I'm hard pressed to remember movies I watched in 2013. Nothing truly stands out. It's been a full year for television though. I finally broke down and gave Breaking Bad a shot, immediately getting sucked in. Since everyone is thoroughly exposed to that show (and most likely will have already made up their mind about whether or not it's something they'll ever watch) I'll pick a couple other favorites that a little more obscure. 

Obscure is probably not the right word to describe NBC's The Blacklist, since it was one of the most hyped shows of the fall season. After seeming a little too predictable and straightforward to begin with the show has settled nicely into an espionage/intrigue thriller that doesn't take itself too seriously and strikes a nice balance between Grey's Anatomy relationship drama and and the kind of explosion and chase scene driven show that it's ok for men to watch. :P James Spader is outstanding and this show is definitely worth checking out through the first 10 episodes.

For Netflix users: I really wanted to be able to recommend the exclusive fourth season of Arrested Development. But I just can't. By the end, it gets there, somewhat... and I think I second time through will prove more enjoyable than the first pass. But it's nothing like the pure gold of Season 2, which may have truly been game changing television.

Instead I'll recommend House of Cards, a Netflix original that's truly outstanding. Kevin Spacey headlines a cast of Washington DC elites, who spin wheels and pull puppet strings in the back rooms of our nations' capitol. Shaping policy and positioning actions to determine winners and losers in the political arena. Outstanding character drama. And I hear season 2 has recently been announced, so make sure to catch up with this one so you're ready for new episodes. 

That's it for now. May come up with a few most bests to add to this post, or create another one.  

All in a Day's Work

The end of the year is busy time at the hospital. Ok, the whole year is busy, but the last three months are especially frenetic. We have lots of public and employee events/programs going on and everyone has projects that need to be wrapped up before the calendar switches over. It's hectic, but energizing.

In the last few weeks I've seen some stuff. Some things man... I've seen 2,500 people help our hospital raise more than three tons of food for those in need. I've seen our employees make sure children in our community, and our employee family, have the school supplies they need to start the year out right, a delicious Thanksgiving dinner with their family and overflowing sacks (that's plural, and in most cases 4-5) of gifts for Christmas.

I've heard stories about our employees helping patients achieve life dreams, during their final weeks of life. I've seen staff members reunite with families of of patients who died this year, or last year, or many years ago. Families of babies that were never born, or only lived a matter of hours. I've seen these skilled, competent and compassionate caregivers completely heartbroken. Reduced to their most human and authentic form by their own futility in the face of life as we know it. Because sometimes the very best any of us can do just isn't enough. I've heard the names read one by one. I've been flattened by the freight train of realization that we play a key part in what may be at the very least a defining moment and what often is the worst day of someone's life.

And when I say "we" I'm not talking about me. I may help someone find their way to a lab or the doctor's office. But I'm not the one delivering that news. The one clocking in every day and holding human life in my hands. The one living in the world of crisis, pain and fear. Soldiering on day after day, because no matter if the the last battle was a victory or a defeat, there's another to be fought right now.

I've seen families reunite with doctors, nurses, therapists, chaplains and staff members who cared for someone they love and lost. Someone who made that person their whole world, and somehow in that awful and unfair moment they found a way to give a bit more of themselves to help those around them. Because even though they may see this kind of thing every day, even though the circumstance may be emotionless science, an unavoidable algorithm, something more comfortably compartmentalized and dealt with rationally, that's not how the heroes I work with do their job. They don't just give their education, skills and knowledge. They pour their whole heart into the people who honor our hospital with their presence.

They care. They allow what happens to patients to affect them, because they choose to let it matter. It matters beyond an outcome, beyond symptoms, beyond quality measures and reimbursement rates. It matters because this is a person. Someone's child, spouse, parent, sibling, friend.

I've also heard about other deaths. Deaths that never happened. A few lives saved each year by making sure we have zero hospital acquired central line infections. None. A few more by making sure no patients develop pneumonia while in the hospital. More by making sure every patient that is brought to our Cath lab has their arteries reopened within 70 minutes of arriving. The industry standard for excellence is 90 minutes, but is "good enough" good enough when you are pacing nervously in the waiting room? When seconds matter our team springs into action with their hard-wired protocols for addressing stroke symptoms.

Because each person that leaves our campus and goes home is a victory. Each hysterical attempt to to somehow fit the stroller, car seat, diaper bag(s) gift bags and the most overwhelming balloon bouquet into the car for the very first time is a victory for all of us. Every time eyes open and it's easier to breathe, less painful to move or a deadly force is no longer alive within a person's body it's a triumph we all share.

Sometimes my job feels stressful and overwhelming. There are so many things that need to get done, so many conversations to be had, so many meetings to attend, so many events to coordinate and support it seems like an exercise in tedium and futility.

Then I step back for a moment and think about what's going on around me, and what I'm actually doing. I realize that I get to come to work every day with superheroes. A team unmatched in talent and compassion. I get to witness the very best of the human spirit on display. I have the supreme honor to be there for no other reason than to cheer them on each day, and tell their stories to as may people as possible.

So now you know.

Feast the Winter Away

Why not a Recipe?

Potato Leek Soup:
(Serves 1 bachelor for approximately 1 week's worth of dinners)

Ingredients
3-4 Large Leeks
2 lbs. potatoes (peeled, or leave the skins on if you're rugged and manly)
4 cups chicken (or vegetable stock)
2 Tbsp. butter
Marjoram
Thyme
Parsley
1 cup lentils
1 clove of garlic
Salt and Pepper
Your favorite hot sauce (optional)
Cheese (optional)

Making the Magic Happen:

1. Wash your leeks and cut off all but the white and light green parts. Cut this up into small-ish pieces (I just chop my way down the stock, making little leek discs)
2. Toss these, along with the butter) in a big pot on low heat and let them simmer for 10 minutes. 
3. While that's going on wash and cut up your potatoes. Big chunks or small are fine, they'll get more attention later. 
4. Once everything is smelling super yummy add your stock and potatoes, bring everything to a boil and then let it simmer for 20 minutes.
5. I suppose you could probably cook the lentils in the same pot, but I choose to use my rice cooker. You can either cook them in two cups of water or stock. The garlic clove goes in there too, chopped up. 
6. Once your soup is nice a simmery you gotta blend up them 'tatoes a bit. I have an awesome immersion blender for this. If you don't have one you can scoop out about half the soup into your regular blender and give it a whirl. This is probably a good reason to cook the lentils separately and add them to the post-blending mix.
7. Add a couple teaspoons of parsley and a zesty pinch of Marjoram and Thyme. Salt and pepper to your liking as well.
8. My move is to add the hot sauce, lentils and cheese to my bowl when I serve it up, but you can experiment and find the way that works best for you.
9. Feast on this spectacular soup (ideally in flannel) and feel extra manly.