How Berkeley Can YOU be!

New Years Resolution, achieved!

So, as all of you regular blog readers know, I make a New Years Resolution each year to cook a new dish... something that is one of my favorite things to eat in restaurants but something I could totally make at home.

In 2005 I wanted to learn how to make Vegetarian Chili. In 2006 I wanted to learn how to make Granola. And, for 2007 I took on the challenge of learning to make Ma Po Tofu. Typically I have achieved these goals with mere moments to spare in the year... however, this year, with the help of Jess, I tackled Ma Po Tofu in September! YUMMERS!

the SF Opera goes to AT&T Park

Last night we went to AT&T Park (home of the SF Giants) to see a live Simulcast from the SF Opera of Samson and Delilah. Other than the "take me out to the opera" song during the 7th inning stretch, we had a great time! Just kidding... we loved the altered american classic.

I'll admit, it was slightly distracting to try to watch an opera at the ballpark because people were running around on the field, but the distractions were worth it in the end because we got to run around the bases. :) Man, was it cold!

Can you find the kittens?

There are two of them in these pictures!



Yes, we badly need to do our laundry. Thanks for noticing. :)

5 THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW YOUR CELL PHONE COULD DO

...or maybe you already did know, but...

Check out these things that you can do with your cell phone:

FIRST
Emergency

The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobiles is 112.
If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your
mobile; network and there is an emergency, dial 112
and the mobile will search any existing network to
establish the emergency number for you, and
interestingly this number 112 can be dialed even if
the keypad is locked. Try it out.

SECOND
Have you locked your keys in the car?

Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may
come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell
phone: If you lock your keys in the car and the
spare keys are at home, call someone at home on
their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your
cell phone about a foot from your car door and have
the person at your home press the unlock button,
holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your
car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive
your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could
be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach
someone who has the other "remote" for your car, you
can unlock the doors (or the trunk).

THIRD
Hidden Battery Power

Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate,
press the keys *3370# Your cell will restart with
this reserve and the instrument will show a 50%
increase in battery. This reserve will get charged
when you charge your cell next time.

FOURTH
How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?

To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in
the following digits on your phone: * # 0 6 # A 15
digit code will appear on the screen. This number is
unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it
somewhere safe. When your phone get stolen, you can
phone your service provider and give them this code.
They will then be able to block your handset so even
if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will
be totally useless. You probably won't get your
phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole
it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this,
there would be no point in people stealing mobile
phones.


And Finally....

FIFTH
Free Directory Service for Cells

Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75
or more for 411 information calls when they don't
have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone
directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation
even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411
information option, simply dial: (800) FREE 411, or
(800) 373-3411 without incurring any charge at all.
Program this into your cell phone now.

Our new friend...

the green compost bucket!!! are we so berkeley now, or what?

a day in Minneapolis

Today we walked around Lake Harriet in Minneapolis. It was a warm end-of-summer day where your ice cream cone would begin to melt down your hand before you even had a chance to start eating it. Even though it's still quite green, you can see the leaves starting to change to fall yellows and oranges.

For those of you celebrating...

...I hope you all have an easy fast today.

too good not to share

so people, i have this little counter thing at the bottom of my blog that tracks when and who visits my blog, from where, for how long... etc. i don't look at the stats much, so don't worry, i'm not seeing when you visit the blog multiple times a day. :) just every once in a while i take a peek to see what it going on.

tonight, since it's friday and i'm so cool, i logged in to my blog patrol to see what the 10 most recent google searches were that led people to my blog. it was too funny not to share. drum roll please...

Last 10 Keywords:

"jewish haiku" (Google)

prime number pooping bear (Google)

spiderman cake (Google)

you know you're from seattle when... (Google)

wind sun and trees (Google)

"laxative effect" "had to go" (Google)

chicken cat hat (Google)

"Turd in your tea" (Google)

"jews don't camp" mp3 (Google)

eating snakes in seoul korea (Google)

aren't you glad you know ME!? :)

tonight is Kol Nidre

El Diablo

So, we know that Stuart cannot seem to get enough adventure in his life. First he leaps from the balcony, then he's on the fridge, then he hangs from partially open windows... maybe meeting a dog pushed him over the edge? Now he is climbing the ladder inside our house that leads to the attic! Sheesh!

if you can't sit in your Mom's lap...

...sit in her sock drawer. it's almost just as good.

Jiao-Jiao stops by for a visit

Stuart and Emerson Grace meet their "cousin" Jiao-Jiao for the first time. Everyone was quite curious.

As if the top of the fridge wasn't enough!

We're not so sure if this guy is just addicted to adventure or if he is trying to escape from our home! Stuart's latest death defying act is to leap at a window that is only opened a crack at the top, hang on it by his arms as if he was doing a pull-up, until the window lowers down from his weight, and then he tries to get out the window! Twice today we had our hearts in our throats.

No more open windows in our house!

Dad and Dawn visit SF

First we stopped at the Ferry Building to enjoy our favorite Miette cupcakes. Then we went to Seacliff and hiked out to the Labyrinth on the cliffs with great views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

It was a little cold and windy for Dad.

Quote of the day: Friday

"writing a grant proposal is like going on a date..."

We all need some more kitty pictures

L'Shana Tova!

Apples and Honey for a Sweet New Year!

Sorry it's been so long without a post!!!

Things have been a little busy over here... it's the 3rd week of classes at Cal, the Jewish holidays are upon us, and we've got some big travel plans on the horizon... of course! Stay tuned for some kitty pictures.

my new toy!

I've crossed back over... to the Mac side. :)

What is more fun than a Chicken Cat Hat?

One paw on

In order to fully relax, place one paw on the speaker.

Quote of the day - Tuesday

"Well, ok, have fun with Tacos."

Happy new month!

It's September... summer is almost over... we're trying to savor the last of the heirloom tomatoes and summer fruit... but, ahhhh, how I love the fall.

Scott & Sarah get married