long time....

Well, it has been a while. Almost six months to the day. So much has happened, of course, it needs it's own blog, but that seems a little ridiculous. I've always had a problem keeping up blogs, having had a xanga, and now this one and a couple of others. I really think it comes from a lack of topic focus. I can write paragraph upon paragraph of what I might be thinking of, but it's scattered, jumbled, and lacking in definite direction. (In case you need proof, look at the title of this blog and it's stated purpose.) So, here's the plan. To get back into writing on a more regular basis here, and to begin a new blog, focused upon one of my favourite topics: the kitchen. I've always had a love of food and making food, and after toying with the idea and finding a couple of wonderful food blogs out there (here and here) I've finally decided to tackle it myself.

So, follow the blue link road over to The Kilted Kitchen and join me for some baking and cooking discoveries!!

Peace,

Aaron

Here is a banner, and wonderful link to a great resource. These people do an outstanding job at analyzing today's news from a historical and constitutional standpoint. It's a great and highly informative read, and I highly recommend it.

Well, I have been a fan of Cold Steel knives for many years, probably ten or more. With my recent interest in being kilted, I have taken and interest in being more and more accurately dressed, kilt hose, sgian duhb ("skeen doob" a sock knife) ghillie brogues, etc etc. Well, it was brought up on a forum that Cold Steel makes a sgian (although with a different spelling) but it's a new type of blade made out of a plastic polymer, with characteristics similar to a cermaic blade. If fact they have a whole line of these blades! The video below is from their website, and is really amazing. I'm impressed with these knives, their sharpness, and their affordability. I already own a Cold Steel knife I carry all the time, looks like I'll be adding more to that one soon! If I do, I'll be sure to post a review of what I think of it.



Enjoy!! (I'm especially impressed with the last part of the film, yes, the 2x4 part.)

Here's a great article and website on North American (USA specific) dialects. This has been a family interest for years, and a social interest too since we live in a region known for it's dialect. I used to do many different imitations of regional dialects (GA, SC, Bostonian, East TN, etc.) It's definitely worth taking a look at. Enjoy!

http://www.pbs.org/speak/seatosea/americanvarieties/

Here's a playlist of music from one of my favourite bands released by their label, Parlophone, on YouTube. Enjoy!

Boxing Day

So, just after Christmas, someone asked me (who it was I now do not remember) what boxing day meant, what it celebrated. Well, at the time I had no clue, and have not until just now. This short article courtesy of kiltday.com So, whomever it was, revel in this new found information, and celebrate boxing day this year!

December 26: Boxing Day or St. Stephen's Day
Boxing Day is a traditional day in Scotland, most of the UK and many commonwealth countries. On the same date, St. Stephen's Day and the Second Day of Christmas are celebrated throughout much of Europe. It is usually the first weekday after Christmas, whether that is 12/26 or not. Traditionally, it is a day when the Landlords or merchants gave the leftovers from their Christmas supper in a box, to their servants or the local peasants. So, why not be a Scottish peasant and live high on the hog; break out your most tattered and well-worn kilt, clean up the mess from your Christmas celebration, eat leftovers and relax a bit after all of the Christmas ruckus... or take some of your holiday leftovers downtown and feed a bum. Your choice!

Well, here it is December. We've had some really beautiful snows the past few days, although it all amounted to nothing in the end. It's still been too consistently warm for the snow to stay around. Of course, this has been all scoffed at by my boss, and I suppose with good reason. He's just recently moved from Massachusetts and chuckled the other day when the snow was falling down at a decent pace. I'm sure it was nothing compared to the snows of that latitude, but for here in TN it was pretty nice.

Circumstances have been good in general the past few weeks albeit a bit busy. Holidays can be that if you let them, and then they don't feel like holidays at all. But overall, the holidays so far have been fine. We've definitely been more active in celebrating this Christmas season this year. Advent readings have been started, which I've missed, and wish I had not drug my feet in deciding how to have our family celebrate. I mostly grew up not really celebrating Christmas in the traditional American way, no tree, no gifts. Which I don't mind at all, then or now in retrospect. I know we didn't have a lot of money, and i understand well that it was a distraction from the real reason of celebrating Christmas. Something I continue to have a pet peeve about is the commercialism of our Saviour's birth and the distraction it is to the Hol(y)day. Emily and I have decided to do some gifts this year, but very minor. We got Jackson a very cute Fisher Price nativity set, and we will be exchanging hand-written, personal, gift certificates for personal favors. A night without Jackson for Em, back rub, full body massage, etc. etc. etc. Not officially for Christmas, but I bought Em a hand-blown glass ball ornament. It's huge, red (just her color) and quite pretty, espcially when the light hits. It's already been presented to her, and hangs in our window. If we continue to give gifts, it will be small in number, and handmade. I really want to make that a requirement. The handmade gift will mean so much more, and last much longer than most things that would be bought. This handmaking process I hope will help us focus more on, the gift, the person recieving it, and the reason it's being made in the first place. Plus, it helps take out the commercialness of it all.

Well, I've got to clean up the lab, and get outta here to catch the bus. More comes soon!