Sunday, April 30, 2017

New Thing 118, New Thing Every Day: Make Kimchee

Okay, so I am cheating on this one a little bit because it turns out that making Kimchee is a process that takes a little over a week and, since I had already planned for this to be my New Thing, I am just sticking with it. So, today I have done the grocery shopping -- starting with Schnucks and ending with Lee's, for the Korean salted shrimp -- and the first step of the preparation.

Step one is chopping up the Napa cabbage, coating it with kosher salt, covering it in a bowl with water, and letting it sit at room temperature for 12-24 hours.

The second step is basically mixing in the remaining ingredients:
  • 8 ounces daikon radish, peeled and cut into 2-inch matchsticks
  • 4 medium scallions, ends trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces (use all parts)
  • 1/3 cup Korean red pepper powder
  • 1/4 cup fish sauce
  • 1/4 cup peeled and minced fresh ginger (from about a 2-ounce piece)
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic cloves (from 6 to 8 medium cloves)
  • 2 teaspoons Korean salted shrimp, minced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar
I am going to substitute kochujang (Korean chili paste) for the red pepper powder and granulated sugar (since, as you may remember from my first visit to the Asian market, we already have that in the refrigerator).

The third step is to put everything in a mason jar and let it ferment for a week.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

Saturday, April 29, 2017

New Thing 117, New Thing Every Day: Donate a Malaria Net

In 2009, Ashton Kutcher challenged CNN to see who could get to 1 million Twitter followers in the least amount of time; the winner would donate 10,000 bed nets to prevent malaria. Since that time, I have been meaning to donate a net and now I have finally done it (it jut takes $10.00 at NothingButNets.net!). Even better, Tuesday was World Malaria Day, so $10.00 donates three nets, instead of just one. Not a bad way to spend $10 and five minutes!

Friday, April 28, 2017

New Thing 116, New Thing Every Day: Try Honey Walnut Shrimp (Chinese Food)

For over four years, Leigh and I have been eating at ABC Chinese Cuisine -- generally considered the most authentic in Columbia. In all that time, I have almost always eaten one of two dishes -- a spicy lamb or Kung Pao Chicken. I have often thought about trying Honey Walnut Shrimp, but never have, until tonight.

Honey Walnut Shrimp is battered shrimp, with walnuts, in a honey cream sauce. Yes, I said cream sauce! I have never seen Asian food with cream sauce, but here it is (maybe this challenges my previous statement about authenticity?).

In any case, I have now tried it; and I liked it. It will now be something I have from time to time.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

New Thing 115, New Thing Every Day: See Kristin Chenoweth in Concert

Kristin Chenoweth had a concert at Missouri Theatre tonight and Leigh got us tickets. The show was absolutely great. I knew she was a great singer, but she was also very funny, with a totally winning Oklahoma girl personality. And of course, the evening was made so much better by having Leigh there.

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

New Thing 114, New Thing Every Day: Submit an Original Poem to a National Poetry Magazine

Yes, I did it. I sat down and put real thought into writing a poem. It is not a good poem, I am quite sure, but it is a real one, the result of sincere effort. I have submitted it to Poetry magazine, and it may take them up to seven months for them to get back to me. This seems like an awfully long time to wait to be told "no thank you"!

I had planned to include the poem in this post, but Poetry will not accept it if it has ever appeared online or in print. Yes, I will post it in all of its mediocrity when I get the official rejection.  : )

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

New Thing 113, New Thing Every Day: Read Hindu Scripture

I read a variety of Hindu scriptures, all for the very first time in my life, and here s a list I found particularly poetic.

1
Most humbly we bow to You, O Supreme Lord.
At Your command moves the mighty wheel of time.
You are eternal, and beyond eternity.
(Artharva Veda)

2
The one who loves all intensely
begins perceiving in all living beings
a part of himself.
He becomes a lover of all,
a part and parcel of the Universal Joy.
He flows with the stream of happiness,
and is enriched by each soul.
(Yajur Veda)

3
The human body is the temple of God.
One who kindles the light of awareness within
gets true light.
The sacred flame of your inner shrine
is constantly bright.
The experience of unity
is the fulfillment of human endeavors.
The mysteries of life are revealed.
(Rig Veda)

4
Sing the song of celestial love, O singer!
May the divine fountain of eternal grace and joy
enter your soul.
May Brahma, (the Divine One),
Pluck the strings of your inner soul
with His celestial fingers,
And feel His own presence within.
Bless us with a divine voice
That we may tune the harp-strings of our life
To sing songs of Love to you.
(Rig Veda)

5
Of everything he is the inmost Self.
He is the truth; he is the Self supreme.
(Chandogya Upanishad)

6
Meditating on the lotus of your heart,
in the center is the untainted;
the exquisitely pure, clear, and sorrowless;
the inconceivable;
the unmanifest,
of infinite form;
blissful, tranquil, immortal;
the womb of Brahma.
(Kaivalyopanishad)

7
Those in whose hearts OM reverberates
Unceasingly are indeed blessed
And deeply loved as one who is the Self.
The all-knowing Self was never born,
Nor will it die. Beyond cause and effect,
This Self is eternal and immutable.
When the body dies, the Self does not die.
(Katha Upanishad)

8
The whole mantram AUM
Indivisible, interdependent,
Goes on reverberating in the mind.
Established in this cosmic vibration,
The sage goes beyond fear, decay, and death
To enter into infinite peace.
(Prashna Upanishad)

9
O Almighty!
You are the infinite; the universe is also infinite!
From infinite the infinite has come out!
Having taken infinite out of the infinite, the infinite remains!
O Almighty! May there be Peace! Peace! Everywhere!
(Ishawashya Upanishad)

10
O seeker, know the true nature of your soul,
and identify yourself with it completely.
O Lord, (may we attain) the everlasting consciousness
of Supreme Light and Joy.
May we resolve to dedicate our life
to the service of humankind,
and uplift them to Divinity.
(Yajur Veda)

11
O Brahma, lead us from the unreal to the real.
O Brahma, lead us from darkness to light.
O Brahma, lead us from death to immortality.
Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om.
(Brhadaranyaka Upanishad)

12
Look to this day,
for it is life, the very breath of life.
In its brief course lie
all the realities of your existence;
the bliss of growth,
the glory of action,
the splendor of beauty.
For yesterday is only a dream,
and tomorrow is but a vision.
But today, well lived,
makes every yesterday a dream of happiness,
and every tomorrow
a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day.
(Ancient Sanskrit)

13
The highest Self, all endless bliss,
the unconditioned limitless consciousness,
being realized, whether through the great texts,
or through Yoga, in all experience whatever—
let one lose himself in the ecstasy of Realization,
for he has forever lost all touch
with bondage of every description.
(Svarajyasiddhi)

14
A particle of Its bliss
supplies the bliss of the whole universe.
Everything becomes enlightened in Its light.
All else appears worthless after a sight of that essence.
I am indeed of this Supreme Eternal Self.
(Vijnanananka)

15
The knower catches in the ecstasy of his heart
the full light of that Brahman (that Divine Essence)
which is indescribable—all pure bliss, incomparable,
transcending time, ever free, beyond desire.
(Vivekachudamani)

16
Bright but hidden, the Self dwells in the heart.
Everything that moves, breathes, opens, and closes
Lives in the Self. He is the source of love
And may be known through love but not through thought
He is the goal of life. Attain this goal!
(Mundaka Upanishad)

17
All is change in the world of the senses,
But changeless is the supreme Lord of Love.
Meditate on him, be absorbed by him,
Wake up from this dream of separateness.
(Shvetashvatara Upanishad)

18
O mysterious and incomprehensible Spirit!
In the depths of my heart, there is only You—You, for all time.
(source unknown)

Monday, April 24, 2017

New Thing 112, New Thing Every Day: Try Dinner from Nourish, in Columbia

Last month I went to a chamber ribbon cutting at Nourish and had a few samples, which I enjoyed, but I had never had even one full food item, much less a complete dinner. Honestly, it is a good deal healthier than Leigh and I tend to eat (although we probably eat healthier than the average American).

Tonight, Leigh was getting home late, and I was not in the mood to cook, so I ordered delivery from Nourish, using OrderUp.com. It was really great! We won't be eating there every week, but we will totally go back again. We tried a bunch of different things and all were pretty good. Our favorite was definitely the mac and cheese, with quinoa pasta, spinach, and chicken added.

Definitely recommend.

Sunday, April 23, 2017

New Thing 111, New Thing Every Day: Visit Lewis Library in Glasgow

Lewis Library is the oldest in Missouri, and the oldest library building in continuous use west of the Mississippi (Established in 1866). Leigh and I had gone to Glasgow for a winery date and the woman at the counter mentioned that the library was just a few blocks away. Could there possibly have been a better New Thing for today?




Saturday, April 22, 2017

New Thing 110, New Thing Every Day: Attend the Unbound Book Festival

In Columbia, we are pretty lucky to have several community-wide events; one that seems to be just coming into its own is the Unbound Book Festival. This was maybe the third or fourth year of the festival and I figured it was about time to check out this celebration and exploration of the written word.

Really, it was kind of amazing -- several hundred people gathered on the Stephens College campus to embrace writing. There were many sessions to choose from, and I chose two -- one on publishing and one on writing about disability (appropriate, as I wrap up my biography of disability rights activist Justin Dart). Both of the sessions I attended were very cool; I can't wait to go next year, when I can spend more time there.

Friday, April 21, 2017

New Thing 109, New Thing Every Day: Join the Boone County Historical Society

Leigh and I really should have done this a long time ago. The Boone County Historical Society is incredibly important for the preservation of Boone County's history and culture; plus, it is just cool. They have great exhibits and events all throughout the year that educate and entertain. In so many ways, the society is a gem of our county and it deserves the support of every citizen.

Here is their website -- http://boonehistory.org/

Thursday, April 20, 2017

New Thing 108, New Thing Every Day: Hold a Tiger Cub

Yes, at a chamber ribbon cutting for the grand opening of the new BMW of Columbia building, I got to hold a tiger cub. The whole event was a great big party, with awesome food and a full bar, and a tiger cub and a lion cub. Both were incredibly cute and were available for picture taking. Yes, it was a little bit awesome.

Special thanks to Cindy Mustard for immediately suggesting that I should do this as today's New Thing.

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

New Thing 107, New Thing Every Day: Attend the Groundbreaking for the New Missouri State Historical Society

One of the things I like best about being a Chamber Ambassador is that I get to do new things all the time; I get to see new things and meet new people. t really is very cool. Today, I went to the ground breaking and ribbon cutting for the new Missouri State Historical Society Building. As a history major, MI alum, and lover of Missouri, I particularly enjoyed this New Thing.

Monday, April 17, 2017

New Thing 105, New Thing Every Day: Win or Settle a Law Suit

Well, after a few years of trying to collect a debt, this chapter of my life is closed. We have settled the related lawsuit and deposited the final check. I can not begin to tell you how happy this makes me, and how happy I am that I basically never have to think of the other parties again.

Here are my thoughts as Leigh and I put the whole situation behind us, mostly lessons learned.
  1. I have been trying to collect this debt since 2014. Three years later, I recovered about 70% of what was owed, with relatively low attorney fees.
  2. No matter how right you are, no matter how sure that you will eventually win, being on either side of a lawsuit is no fun at all (at least not for me).
  3. No matter what you see on TV, it is really hard to get attorney's fees, so don't get too focused on that.
  4. For me, you need a really good attorney, but just as important is having an attorney you can trust, who mostly shares your values
  5. If you are entering a deal that involves signing paperwork, do not disregard the details because you trust the other party. Either skip the paperwork or make sure you are okay with absolutely everything if the worst-case scenario happens.
  6. Larger lawsuits take a pretty long time.
  7. Do not accept paperwork with any scenario that would disadvantage you.
  8. If someone wants you to sign paperwork that seems like it might disadvantage you, realize that this is a huge red flag and reconsider the deal, no matter hw much you like the other party; they do not have your best interests at heart.
  9. Do not do deals with people who have declared bankruptcy, unless you are 100% sure -- and your attorney is 100% sure -- that the written agreement protects you.
  10. You will get less money if you settle, but do not underestimate the value and peace of mind that comes with putting any court action to bed.
  11. For large debt collection, I recommend judiciously combining being a total hardass and providing rope for hanging.

Sunday, April 16, 2017

New Thing 104, New Thing Every Day: See Columbia's Famous Bur Oak Tree

Photo by Leigh Spence.

Not being super outdoorsy, to say the least, I had never seen our bur oak tree in person, only in pictures. So Leigh and I made a date to head out there today for a little visit. Yes, it was very cool. Nature, in all its grandeur.

Also, because I asked about it on Facebook, my friend David Shorr suggested we get lunch at The Station House at Katfish Katy's, while we were there. So that was another New Thing, and a delicious one, at that. Finally -- and keep in mind that I only get to count one New Thing per day -- I ordered, drank, and LOVED my first beermosa. It was like a mimosa, except with Logboat Snapper, instead of champagne, and a splash of orange juice.

Could this day possibly get any better?!?

Saturday, April 15, 2017

New Thing 103, New Thing Every Day: Visit Arcadian Moon Winery

For years, Leigh and I have seen Arcadian Moon Winery advertised at the Higginsville exit, between Columbia and Kansas City. Then, in the last year or so, Leigh took the extra step of looking them up and learned that they serve food (which too many wineries do not).

Today, Leigh suggested we go for a day date. We had delicious little pizzas and split a tasty bottle of sweet white wine. We sat outside, overlooking a small lake. It was such a great date (including the drive, which Leigh and I enjoy), and an excellent New Thing.

Friday, April 14, 2017

New Thing 102, New Thing Every Day: Check the $3 Contribution to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund on My Tax Forms

I totally did this just because I have never done it before, while lots of others do it every year, and I just thought it would be a perfect New Thing. As many know, I am at a stage of my life where I particularly do not care about politics or how campaigns are funded. Is the public funding option a good thing? I don't really know. It seems like it might be a good idea to take fundraising out of politics, but this does not seem to do that and I am not sure that anything could. Doing this for my New Thing is making me think about the issue, though, and thinking is almost always a good thing.

Thursday, April 13, 2017

New Thing 101, New Thing Every Day: Visit the Blind Boone House

Nope, never been there. Been here for most of 28 years, and never been there! Honestly, I did not really even know where it was. Yes, I now realize that I have passed it at least half a million times, but never realized it. That's part of the point of New Thing Every Day, though, to get me to try things that I long ago should have, bit never did.

So, today, I visited the Blind Boone Home for the very first time. Does that make me a real Columbian now?

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

New Thing 100, New Thing Every Day: Try the New Ms. Kim's Fish & Chicken Shack

Really, what do I need to say about this? Homemade, fried catfish and chicken. Plus collard greens, hush puppies, macaroni and cheese, and so many other great, homey side dishes. It is on Paris Road and you should go there right now.

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

New Thing 99, New Thing Every Day: File a Freedom of Information Act Request

It turns out that one can file a Freedom of Information Act request about pretty much anything -- any kind of information the government might have that is not classified. I probably do not have one, but I decided to see if the FBI has a file on me. There is some possibility that they do because I did work in the homeland security industry, back in the early days. I even had a meeting with an FBI agent where he was obviously checking me out (and I am sure he reported back that I was a well meaning rube from rural Kentucky). I will be interested to see if anything comes back to me.

Here is a link to file an FOIA request to get your FBI file -- https://efoia.fbi.gov/#home

Monday, April 10, 2017

New Thing 98, New Thing Every Day: Visit http://www.omglasergunspewpewpew.com/

As we know, on those days when I have not quite enough time to really do this "New Thing Every Day" the way it deserves to be done, I visit what others have identified as a truly weird website. Yes, this one definitely qualifies.

http://www.omglasergunspewpewpew.com/

Sunday, April 9, 2017

New Thing 97, New Thing Every Day -- Post My Digital Photo Tour of Columbia on Facebook

The photo tour was fun, and you can see where I posted to Facebook if you have an account -- https://www.facebook.com/spencesean/media_set?set=a.10155300037319009.1073741830.625504008&type=3&pnref=story

 

Saturday, April 8, 2017

New Thing 96, New Thing Every Day: Create a Digital Photo Tour of My Most Important Places in Columbia

This has been very fun. Leigh and I have just spent the last 2 1/2 hours or so taking photos of pretty much all of my most important place in Columbia, ranging back to 1988. Tomorrow, I will post them on Facebook, with explanatory captions.

Here are 10+ things about the experience.
  1. Since I had already made the list of places to go, it was pretty easy to arrange it into a pretty efficient route.
  2. Friends on Facebook offered a few great suggestions that ended up making the list.
  3. It made me so happy that Leigh wanted to go with me. She is just the best wife, ever.
  4. There were a few places where we were concerned about people thinking we were casing the joint. We got out of those places as quickly as we could.
  5. There was only one place that did not work out, because of parking, but Leigh figured out an even better alternative.
  6. There was just one place that did not work out because it has been torn down.
  7. Yes, many of the places are on the list because of their role in my relationship with Leigh.
  8. Thanks to iPhone, we were able to take great pictures and edit to make them even better.
  9. The resolution on iPhone photos is absolutely amazing to me. It allowed us to take pictures to take a few of the pictures from pretty far away and then crop them to get just the part we want, and it looks like we are right in front of the building or whatever.
  10. At one point, we considered including me in front of each location. That seemed like a little much, even to me.

Friday, April 7, 2017

New Thing 95, New Thing Every Day: Learn to Tie a Bow Tie

As we know, I bought my very first bow tie yesterday, so the next step was learning to tie it. Thankfully, David Danuser at Bingham's (where I bought the tie) did this great video on tying a bow tie for Inside Columbia, so now I am all set. Now, I just need an occasion to wear it. Stay tuned...

https://youtu.be/SmKQwUKTJBM

Thursday, April 6, 2017

New Thing 94, New Thing Every Day: Own a Real Bow Tie

Of course, I have rented bow ties for proms and a few other adult events. I think I may have even borrowed one or two over the years. I have never owned one, though, until today. Where does one go to buy his first bow tie, when one lives in Columbia? Bingham's, of course! I even had the good fortune of being waited on by the brothers Danuser, Blake & David. Together, the three of us picked up this lovely four-pattern bow tie. Now I just have to learn to tie it...

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

New Thing 93, New Thing Every Day: Eat Lunch with Greg Cecil

Greg invited me to lunch just so we could get to know each other a little better, which I thought was very cool.

Here are 12 things about Greg and/or our lunch.
  1. Greg seems to really be enjoying retirement.
  2. We ate at Thip Thai on Broadway, one of my favorite lunch places.
  3. We both had soup. Both were delicious.
  4. Greg and I are chamber ambassadors together. That is how I know him.
  5. Greg was in development at Columbia College.
  6. He was in development at MU.
  7. He owned an insurance agency.
  8. He has been chamber director at two different chambers -- Abilene, KS and Sedalia, MO.
  9. Greg was raised in Sedalia.
  10. He is writing a book about his dad.
  11. He is at least a pretty good cook, and I think he was just being humble. He obviously knows food.
  12. Apparently -- judging by this picture I fond in the Web -- Greg plays the guitar.

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

New Thing 92, New Thing Every Day: Send a Text of Only Emoticons

I have received a few of these and have never had any idea what they mean. Also, I did not know that my iPhone had the ability to send a pretty wide range of emoticons, until tonight. It looks like there are maybe more than a hundred.

After some thought, I texted my little sister, Marisa, with just emoticons. They were pleasant -- hearts, smiley faces, etc. I really do not have any clue what it means, if anything, but maybe she does? I have not heard back from her, yet, so we will see what the response is. Hopefully I have not insulted her. I do not think I will be sending any more emoticon texts.

Monday, April 3, 2017

New Thing 91, New Thing Every Day: Try Origami

With my effort at coloring, we have already firmly established my success with the visual arts. That said, today we take that one step further. Yes, I really did try to make a beautiful paper heart. No, I will not be becoming a professional origamist.

Sunday, April 2, 2017

New Thing 90, New Thing Every Day: Color in an Adult Coloring Book

This New Thing was kind of a flop. Yes, I did it, but the resulting picture is very, very bad. For starters, I have absolutely artistic talent. That should be fine for coloring, but I really have no hand-eye coordination. Worse, one of the symptoms of my MS is that I lost the sense of touch in both hands a few years ago, so you can imagine what that does to my oh-so-limited ability to color in the lines. Really, the picture looks like a not-so-talented five-year-old colored it. We will leave it at that.

Saturday, April 1, 2017

New Thing 89, New Thing Every Day: Visit ALDI Grocery Store

For years, I have not gone to ALDI because I thought it was for people in poverty. Not sure where I got that idea, but that is what I have always thought. I thought the shelves were stocked with generic brands and sub-standard produce (now that I really think about it, I sound awfully elitist, and feel a little bad abut it). In any case, I did not think it was a place designed for me, so I did not go.

Today, Leigh suggested we check it out, so I made it my New Thing.

Wow! I am now a converted ALDI fan. It has been designed to keep cost as low as possible, but there is lots of high-quality food there. Absolutely, people on very limited budgets should go there, but everyone else should, too. There were so many things there that we normally buy, and generally 20-50% cheaper. Even the produce is great quality and equally great price. The selection is nowhere near what we would find at Schnuck's or Natural Grocers, but there were plenty of things we wanted and often buy at other places. The Spences will now be making ALDI a regular part of the weekly shopping routine.

Thanks for the suggestion, Leigh!