Homemade Ginger Ale
How topical is this. I love ginger ale. Last night my mom and I were at the Big Bowl in Lincolnshire after seeing some musical theatre (it was
Brigadoon!, so I think i can call it thee-ay-ter). Anyhow, afterwards we were eating at the Big Bowl, and though I don't vividly remember anything I'd eaten at a big bowl in years, I knew they changed hands a few times, i figured it was worth a shot. We were in Lincolnshire afterall; and I was never really wowed by any of the restaurants in the environs. That's when it hit me. We were getting our drinks, and I ordered a Ginger Soda, and wowee - I vividly remembered that from years ago the minute i sipped it. Big Bowl did have the best ginger ales ever. Freshly made. A little tart. Mmm Mmm. So my mom and I were talking about making it, and here it is... a recipe. Like mana from heaven.
Of Mediababies, Darren and Becky, Bruiser Brandys in the vortex
It probably comes as little surprise that a lot of what goes on in my head often times relates through the idiom of all the years of TV watching I did as a child. The relentless attempts of Wyle E. Coyote at catching Road Runner (often how I feel about parts of my job), the excitement of being in downtown Chicago amidst the hustle and bustle of everyone and wanting to spin 'round and throw my beret up in the air, or when I start stories like, this was just like that episode of Punky Brewster... Mediababies is what my German teacher Frau Laube called us.
Guilty.
So I had one of those moments earlier this week. As I may have mentioned before, I'm caught in the vortex of Grinnell College, knowing Jim has opened up a Pandoras Happy Meal of Grinnell connections. For one, it seemed like there was a period where we couldn't go anywhere without bumping into someone who went to school in this small town, with an enrollment of maybe 1000? It was unnerving at first. Then I learned that the founder of my company was a graduate of Grinnell, my Mom's rommate during her early years of living in Chicago was a Grinnell alum, and that one of my favorite songs from Hedwig and the Angry Inch was written by Stephen Trask while visiting someone at Grinnell. It's as though the Grinneleratti control the world. Or at least Chicago. Oddly though, this isn't my point today.
My dear neighbor
Brandy is a Grinnell Alum, and she just went to a 10 year reunion, and returned to Chicago with 4 friends who flew in from all points around the country. These ladies needed a place to stay for an evening, and with our extra bedroom, comfy couch, and kitties that love having more people to rub their bellies, Jim and I were eager to oblige. We had dinner at Ethiopian Diamond which of course was yummy. My favorites are the Shimbra Assa (fish shaped chick-pea patty) and the Dinnich Aleecha (curried potatoes - but what's the most fun is to say it... go aheead, try... it's just like I spelled it... Dineech Aleecha. it's fun, no?). Throughout the course of the evening, I was spewing my random trivia and anecdotes as I'm want to do to make small talk with people I've never met before, and i then stop to worry... oh, am i being a know-it-all? is this at all interesting? do they want me to stop? and each time i felt self concious about my educational blather, they were like
"Hello, we went to Grinnell" and I suddenly felt at ease talking about how Daniel Burnham had designed the coastline of Chicago to have curley-cues and inlets, and lots of parkland and whatnot.
Brandy's friends, who were all very fun and learned, proved to be a delight but i had a brief mediababy epiphany, that while i kept it to myself made me giggle a bit. Brandy and I have talked about the possible alternate universe Brandys that are out there. What sparked this discussion was when she was invited to be on a Roller Derby team. She claimed not to be very rough and tumble, and that full on contact sport of Roller Derby wasn't her cup of brown rice tea. I told her that in another unvierse I bet there is a Bruiser Brandythat takes it all in stride. In further exploring the idea, she had ideas for other alternate universe selves. And it was while we were walking along the lakefront that my epiphany hit me. Her friend Lisa is the "Darren" Brandy. I should probably explain that. Her friend as a similar stature, mannerisms, and overall look. For a moment it all played out in my head that one day Brandy might just drop by and not really be the same Brandy, like the Darren switcheroo from Bewitched or Becky from Roseanne, where one day out of the blue the actor who played Darren or Becky just changed with no real explanation. I enjoyed that moment, standing on the beach looking at the sky so clear, with 4 Grinnellians, and me relating to life and the Grinnell Vortex through a sitcom.
So i just forwarded the meme-note below out after receiving it from the Fabulous Erin O, and figure why don't I just post it here... So here it is. Insta-blog entry. Feel free to fill out your own version in the comments if you're so inclined.
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Uhm, so i don't usually send this sort of thing out, but I just received this from the Fabulous Erin O, and felt compelled to complete it, and chose a random bunch out of my address book to send it to. Do what you will with it; I just kind of enjoyed the exercise of free association to wind down my day and head out. If nothing else, it gives me a reason to email those of you i haven't in a while.
Namaste!
pat
1. What is your occupation/job? Geek, i.e.: Information Technology Consultant. Also Amateur Grammarian.
2. What was the last thing you ate? Chicken breast of no flavor, vesuvio potatoes of no flavor, and bread of little flavor.
3. Do you wish on stars? all the time.
4. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Orange.
5. How is the weather right now? Wouldn't know... been stuck inside for the last 9 hours.
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? levon
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? she is without peer. she is... wait for it... FABULOUS.
8. Would you say no and send this back to him/her? No simply isn't an option with Miss O.
9. How old are you today? 30 going on 50
10. Favorite drink? Screwdrivers
11. Favorite sport to watch? maybe iceskating?
12. Have you ever dyed your hair? yeah - it was orange once.
13. Do you wear contacts or glasses? Just one of a million pair of sunglasses
14. Pets? 4 Cats.
15. Favorite month? October. I love autumn and halloween.
16. Favorite food? hmm... really depends on when you ask me. I'm going to say Indian or Thai right now.
17. What was the last movie you watched? i think it was Star Wars Ep III: Revenge of the sith. I think they could've hired a group of 8 year olds to write better dialog.
18. Favorite day of the year? Today.
19. What do you do to vent anger? haul out the gamecube and play crazy taxi.
20. What was your favorite toy as a child? Like erin, i loved the Fisher Price Little People, but i especially loved the airport playset i had. Close second, my Star Wars figures and Milenium Falcon
21. Fall or Spring? Autumn. hands down.
22. Hugs or kisses? Depends on who it's coming from.
23. Cherry or Blueberry? both represent the berry rather poorly; i nominate raspberry instead.
24. Do you want your friends to email you back? Well, duh!
25. Who is most likely to respond? i have no idea, since i haven't typed in any addressees yet.
26. Who is least likely to respond? see above
27. Living arrangements? 2 people, 4 cats, 7 rooms, yet we all seem to be in the same space all the time? It's pretty close to heaven though.
28. When was the last time you cried? when i saw Big Fish. Sappy i know.
29. What is on the floor of your closet? Size 14 bunny slippers that freak out one of the cats.
30. Who is the friend you have had the longest? Hmm... that i still talk to - probably a tie between James (nee Jim) and John. I went to Jack Benny Jr. High with James (nee Jim), but It really depends if I count going to grade school with John, but he does not remembering me at all.
31. What did you do last night? Made dinner with parsnips, went for a walk to andersonville, and got a horrible milk shake.
32. What (Who) inspires you? Watching people do what they love, and doing it incredibly well.
33. What are you afraid of? The world turning into Wal*mart
34. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? plain usually, but i'm curious about this spicy hamburger you speak of.
35. Favorite car? 1972 Volkswagen Type III Fastback
36. Favorite dog breed? Really mutts are best, but i still have a soft spot for the American Eskimos.
