From their first performance at Starline in the heart of Tower District, I’ve been recording my friends “Say Swear” as they rage the stage in Fresno’s local music scene.  Now they’re currently recording their first album and I have taken the liberty to sync up the fresh studio tracks with the live footage captured throughout the year.  Enjoy.

Yesterday was my first time back to San Francisco in years, it was also my first time visiting this wonderful store we call IKEA.  Besides the fact that the building is humongous I believe it is a time warp once you step inside.  First thing I went up to the second level to see all the clever displays they assembled together putting that image in the consumers mind “this could be a room in your home, buy me”.  Finding my way through the upper maze, past the restaurant and down the stairwell the lower level of IKEA welcomed me home.  There are so many neat things at the store I had to keep my focus as to why I was there in the first place.  My room needs curtains and I needed a pedicure cart for work; this was the only place I saw items that I was keen on purchasing for a reasonable price.  I did walk out with a few extra items but it was worth the chunk of change, literally.  Found some neat (beer) glasses for 99¢, snagged a couple ice stick trays for $2, and last I found towels I could use for work @ less then 50¢ a piece.

Emerging back into the real world with a full IKEA experience under my belt I continued down the 80 across the magnificent bay into the heart of the city.  I have never been so in love in my life.  There is something about this place that is so mystifying but comforting to me at the same time.  I’m not afraid to be adventurous and step out of my bounds when I am here.  Meeting an old friend for dinner at a secret restaurant on the water we indulged in the daily special of fresh oysters on the half shell.  Very memorable day.

Recently, I’ve been watching episodes of emeril green on the planet green network.  This has inspired me to step back into the kitchen.  Today was my very first visit to our local Whole Foods, we’ve had one for the last several years but I always thought it was an overpriced organic grocery store.  Therefore, I never went.  Prepared to drop a few dollars I explored the store for an easy meal I that I could throw together with ease.  First stopping at the seafood section for some fresh salmon, the butcher was very knowledgeable about his underwater friends.  Next I wandered over to their bulk isle; I scooped out a purple jasmine rice mixture.  Then I was off to the fresh produce area to grab a few side items to balance the meal out. Wanted to try something different but familiar at the same time so I settled with brussel sprouts, shiitake mushrooms, and a lemon.  Finally, waiting in line at the check stand I picked up a reusable shopping bag for 99¢ in a small effort to save the planet.  Besides the bag is very nifty and there are a million other uses I can utilize it for too.

While I was in front of the lemons the butcher that helped me at the seafood counter came up to me and put a special sticker on my fillet.  At first I thought maybe he forgot procedure and the sticker was supposed to be on the fillet before I left the counter.  Apparently, there is a program at the store, if you’re not sure about an item and want to “Give it a Try!” before you buy, you can.  Just tell someone that works there and they will pop one of those stickers on and you walk out with a free item.  Now, I wouldn’t suggest abusing the privilege but if you truly are not sure about something I say go for it.

Now, tell me all those fresh ingredients don’t look yummy.  If you would like to know how I prepared my dish you can email me I promise I won’t bite, hard.  Or experiment on your own in the kitchen, I’ve always found that to work the best.  There was no plan for me to cook today, it was all spontaneous and I would have to say that is the one of the joys I receive from preparing my own meals from scratch.  Not only do I know what’s going into my food but I have fun creating something out of nothing.  So now I will leave you with the finished product.

Keep in mind I am no Emeril Lagasse and when I’m hungry I just dump things on the plate and eat.  Hence the pile of what not you see below.  If I were entertaining guests more thought would be going into the presentation but since my stomach doesn’t care what it looks like, neither do I.  All that matters is that it tastes amazing.

the end of the day has come and i have no obligations.  there is nothing more relaxing then a sunset drive through the grape vineyards outside of town.  the further i drove, the more beautiful the pictures turned out.

note:  do not snap and drive unless your a trained professional

These last few weeks I’ve been experimenting in the kitchen, making fresh and tasty meals that are healthy.  Instead of cooking with butter and oils I’m finding alternatives or sometimes I find things to cook that don’t involve that element completely and I feel even better about that.  The other day I made myself a bowl of oatmeal with blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries.  Did you know instant oatmeal isn’t good for you?  Your body can’t absorb the nutrients from the oats versus the old fashion oatmeal that you cook over the stove.  It’s really not as bad as it sounds… let’s say it together “cook over the stove”.  Seriously takes no longer then 10 minutes!  While the water is boiling and the oats are added it takes care of itself on the stove while rinsing (and slicing) the berries.  By the time I’m done with the fruit the oats are ready.  If healthy tastes like cardboard to you just add a tiny bit of brown sugar directly stirred into the oats once its removed from the stove.

When we moved in, back in April, there was this blue jay that would squawk at the cat. So I started to let her play in the backyard, supervised of course, I didn’t want her jumping the fence over a bird. After awhile I started leaving her out there unsupervised for longer periods of time but I trust her now not to disappear out of the backyard.  Well about a week ago I ventured into the backyard to bring the cat inside and I found a headless blue jay at the scene of the crime. I guess she finally had enough of it, shut him up for good.