My Cat Brings Me Joy

Jasper's First Photo Shoot

I love my cat. I can't have a dog, so I have trained my cat to act like a dog. I am a bad trainer. He is smart. He knows my schedule better than my own mother. When I open the door to my abode he darts between my legs in a mad dash for the hallway. I (he just ran over my head)think he might be lonely, so I have been contemplating another adoption. The only thing I am fearful of is that I'll be classified as a cat-lady. I haven't reached crazy status, but I certainly don't want to be that person. You know, the one that has more cat hair on her pants than on her own head. Yeah, that one.

I need blog inspiration

I can't think of anything entertaining to blog about. Do you want to share some inspiration with me? I'd much appreciate it.

Pronto Pups

I miss the long standing family tradition of eating as many Pronto Pups as the stomach can handle during summer vacations in Grand Haven, Michigan.
On top of juggling a few too many pups in your hands you can enjoy this beautiful area with a walk on the pier. There is nothing comparable to the fresh lake breeze either.
Pronto Pups are these tasty deep fried dogs that come either naked or with ketchup or mustard. That is it. Whoever came up with this concept 61 years ago is genius.
Whoever wishes to join on my Pronto Pup run, please let me know. It will entirely be worth our time.
For further info visit their website: http://grandhavenprontopup.com/

Now, if you can't make it to Grand Haven, you could certainly try making these at home. If you do, I need to know how they turn out.

2 beaten eggs
1 1/2-2 c. milk
1 c. corn meal
2 c. flour
3/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 c. sugar
24 wieners
Oil

Combine eggs and milk; add dry ingredients to form batter. Heat wieners in boiling water; dry. Insert wooden meat skewer into each wiener. Dip wiener into batter, fry in deep oil at 375 degrees. Yield 12 servings.

Des Moines Farmers' Market

Welcome to 342L: Laboratory in Basic Visual Principles.

I am currently taking a couple of summer classes, so I chose to finally take subjects that peaked my interest. My first creative project is a 16X20" poster for the Des Moines, Iowa Farmers' Market. If you are interested in ever visiting the midwest, farmers' markets are about as Iowa as one can get.

An Oldie But Goodie

Think back at least a decade. How inviting while at the same time overwhelming was the cosmetics aisle of Walgreens or Target? Remember when it was okay to buy your makeup at the grocery store? How long has it been since your first experience with make-up? Most likely you were like me, completely oblivious to style. Purple cream eye shadow (not the tasteful type), too orange of foundation, hot pink gloss and cheap mascara.
Cheap mascara you say? Of course. I have long since forgotten the days of purchasing cosmetics from the array of choices in the beauty aisles, but last night I ventured up and down the aisles of the local Target in search of something special. What I found was better than I could have expected. You all remember the plush pink tube of mascara with the neon green lid? That is right. Maybelline Great Lash Mascara. America's #1 selling mascara, according to Maybelline.com. Oh, this little tube of $3.99 goodness has made this make-up aficionado very happy. I forget how wonderful simplicity is. At first the wand felt too tiny. Compared to the other mascaras I have been using, the brush was a tad on the limp side. Since I typically pay upwards of $14.o0 for a tube of black goo that inevitably ends up boring me within weeks, I've tried a lot. For the most part I haven't been as pleased as I feel I should be with such an expensive splurge. Not so with this little gem. I opened the tub up this morning.

Now for the tru e test. I've always been leery of waterproof anything on my face, but since it is raining in Ames today I a m going to give this bad boy a go. I think I am going to be pleasantly pleased.

Animals in Space

This monkey looks either pissed or incredibly sad. Sad monkey.

While I was listening to NPR yesterday a very interesting piece on animals in space peaked my interest. Then I got to thinking. If one of these animal filled ships landed in some distant galaxy and its inhabitants opened the hatch and out flew this monkey, what would they think?

Swine Flu Pandemic

The news media certainly sensationalized the swine flu. What received breaking 24-hour news coverage has definitely lost its momentum even though the number of cases globally continues to grow. In fact, Iowa had 72 confirmed cases as of May 21, 2009. One poor Freshman even had to be sent away from campus after contracting the flu during a weekend trip home.

As I was heading home from class today on the commuter bus I was fortunate enough to witness the widespread fear of infection. Several Asian students, obviously new to campus, boarded the bus wearing face masks. It was such a bizarre sight. When one sat next to me, I was more terrified of him than he probably was of me. All I could think of was: AVIAN FLU.

Well, I will definitely be bringing my camera with me tomorrow. This is a culture shock in my own backyard, and I would be mindless not to document it.