Married Guys Guide to HGTV and the Food Network…
I’m a married guy. I love my wife, and she is my best friend in the world.
I’m not sure where it comes from, but some guys I know feel the need to comment derisively about the HGTV channel.
I’m not saying I love EVERY show, but there are more hits than misses.
Same with the Food Network.
I can happily watch these shows, and simultaneously putter on my Netbook Computer… same as I do when I’m watching Hockey or SportsNet.
About a year ago, I was at work, when one of the Mom’s came in with their daughter and the grad dress they had just purchased.
There were oohs and aaahs, and many comments on the beautiful pattern of gathered pleats.
Without thinking, I commented that it was called “ruching”, and although I initially spelt it with an additional “o”, the internet proved me correct.
All my co-workers laughed at me, but it made me think.
So, here is a quick compendium of some words that you may very well come across on HGTV or the Food Network.
(Feel free to occasionally throw them into a conversation, to show that you are paying attention to “her” shows, even when it appears you are not!)
Ruching – a large number of increases are introduced in one row, which are then removed by decreases a few rows later. This produces many small vertical ripples in the fabric, effectively little pleats. (Pronounced ROO-shing)
Tapenade – a Provençal dish consisting of puréed or finely chopped olives, capers, anchovies and olive oil. (Pronounced TAH-PAH-NOD)
Pergola – a garden feature forming a shaded walk or passageway of pillars that support cross-beams and a sturdy open lattice, upon which woody vines are trained. (Pronounced PER-gollah)
Finial – a decorative ornament at the end of a drapery rod. Also used on top of a lamp, piece of furniture, or building. (Pronounced FIN-E-ELL)
Toile – A type of linen cloth that has small detailed pictures, usually represented in one colour. (Pronounced TWALL)
Sauté – To cook food quickly in a small amount of oil in a skillet or sauté pan over direct heat. (Pronounced saw-TAY)
Blackened – A cooking technique by which meat or fish is cooked in a skillet that’s been heated until almost red hot. The meat is rubbed with a spice mixture before being cooked. The extra hot skillet combined with the seasoning rub gives food an extra crispy crust. Not to be confused with “BURNED.” Use the “Blackened” term sparingly if a meal is Burned, or your eye may also become blackened.
Hope this helps you.
And, for those guys who think that “DANCING” is for sissy’s… The Canadian Version of So You Think You Can Dance started this week, on CTV.
Watch an hour of that, and tell me afterwards how the athletes on that show are not amazing, and every bit as worthy of praise and recognition as OTHER athletes !!!
It Takes Me Back…
Over the last 10 days or so, I’ve been thinking a lot about reminders.
About 10 days ago, we found out that the son of a neighbour had been killed in a terrible car accident.
Sheldon Streiling had been speeding, and while swerving to avoid hitting one car, hit another, and subsequently burst into flames.
He hadn’t been drinking… he was just going too fast.
Thirty years ago, when I was in grade 12, our whole class was given a similar reminder.
I grew up on the West side of Vancouver, in Kerrisdale, and the stretch of road known as the UBC Highway, was a temptation few teenage boys with access to a car, could ignore.
It was 1980, and it isn’t an excuse, but it was a different time… but apparently… not so much.
Speed fascinated me, and many of my friends.
I would take my parents car out to the UBC Highway, and do a “pass” to look for Police. If I found the all clear, then the hammer went down, and speeds North of 110 miles per hour were exhilarating… we felt free.
We were young, and indestructible.
…
Until the night we heard that one of our own had been killed at the end of the UBC Highway.
Karen Lysyk had died in a car accident.
The girl who had agreed to go to the Grade 10 Magee High Hoe Down with me, was gone… just like… that.
I don’t know the details… for me, the location of the crash was enough.
I would, and still do, drive fast… but not recklessly fast.
I guess every generation has a Sheldon or a Karen… to serve as a reminder that despite being young, we aren’t EVER indestructible.
Sadly, it takes me back…
Mould The Teenagers Of Today Into The Leaders Of Tomorrow…
I was not aware of Youth Ambassador programs, before my nieces became involved. (Proud Unca alert)
I was, sadly, along with the majority of people, blithely unaware, of the difference between Beauty Pageants and Ambassador Programs.
The White Rock Youth Ambassador program… well, I think they probably say it better than I can, so I’ll just crib from their website:
WRYA comes from a tradition that is 50 years old, that being the Miss White Rock Pageant. What began as a summer beauty pageant in Surrey and White Rock has now morphed into a contemporary, volunteer and self-development program for teens who are chaperoned and mentored by members of the community in a safe, positive and nurturing environment.
Ambassadors programs exist across the province from New West to New Denver, Powell River to Peachland, Cranbrook to Lake Cowichan. There is even a BC Ambassador Program for graduates of the regional programs where the scholarships become really interesting.
The candidate’s year begins in March and ends in August the following year. Participants are much changed, more skilled, more confident, having shared experiences of working, traveling and living together.
The program is community based with funding from the City of White Rock, local service organizations, WR/SS Chamber of Commerce, local businesses and fundraising. and is run by volunteers.
To participate, candidates must attend school, live or work in the White Rock area.
The White Rock Youth Ambassadors website, goes into great detail, and if you have teenage children, I would heartily recommend checking out and seeing if there is a similar Program in your area.
No longer a Beauty Pageant, the Ambassadors are matched to Sponsors. The Sponsors pay for their uniforms which are worn when they are volunteering or being judged, cover the costs of their travel for the later stages of the program and provide money for scholarships.
Through the program, the candidates are mentored, tutored and taught comportment.
There are a number of judged events, in between which, there are many supporting sessions, training sessions, meetings and community events, all which serve to develop the confidence, poise and maturity of the candidates. It should be noted, for folks who are unfamiliar with the Program, that both boys AND girls are eligible to participate.
The Events include:
- A Fashion Show (I feel I must clarify that there is NO swimsuit portion…) Strictly a selection of clothing (supplied by local businesses) in casual wear, sports wear and formal wear categories.
- Community Knowledge Quiz
- A written essay
- Talent and Speech Evening
- Several different Public Speaking demonstrations
- Interview with the Judges Panel
The transformation from the beginning of the program where some of the candidates can barely walk before a room full of people, to the end, where they can speak extemporaneously and at length in front of any number of people, is dramatic, and a very ringing endorsement for a program that helps mold the teenagers of today into the leaders of tomorrow.
The Program Coordinators devote countless hours and tons of energy, into making sure that the candidates have every opportunity to succeed.
Both my White Rock nieces have been fortunate to participate in the program, and both have been chosen as Miss White Rock, in their respective years. Hayley was Miss White Rock 2008, and went on to become a BC Ambassador in 2010. (She is supposed to relinquish her title next week… but we’ll see !!!) Chloe was just crowned Miss White Rock a few days ago.
The neat and unique aspect of the WRYA Program, is, apart from encouraging participation from both male and female candidates… is that even though only four candidates are selected for Positions, ALL candidates become Ambassadors, and are welcomed to participate in events for the entire year, and are, accordingly, eligible for scholarships.
It is an excellent Program, and any youth would benefit from exposure to such a great experience.
Selling Versus Stealing A Soul…
When we were recently down at the Bellevue Festival of the Arts, I was, as always, struck by the talent and artistry of the participants.
But, this time, for the first time, I was aware of the number of booths where they had large, glaring “NO PHOTOS !!!” signs.
I can understand if someone has a painting, or a photograph, that they may not want someone to be able to go to the local photo lab, and create a copy of their image… but I saw these signs also in booths with Furniture, Ceramics, Jewellery, Hats and other goods.
On the OTHER hand, I came across Greg Delaney.
His whimsical brooches, sculptures and whatnots were fun, enchanting and frivolously captivating.
He puts his stuff online, writes a Blog, and allowed me to take his picture, while he was working on his product:
(The quality of the photograph, is a result of my Blackberry, and not a reflection of his work !!!)
He appeared to be secure in the knowledge that anyone taking a photo would not “steal his soul”, even though he seems to inject a little bit of himself, into every piece he makes !
You can click to read his Blog, The Daily Delaney, here.
You can also see some of his wares on another website he has… http://sites.google.com/site/gregkevindelaney/
It struck me as a massive insecurity on behalf of the OTHER artisans, that anyone taking a picture, could draw up the resources, bypass the development process and produce a product comparable to theirs.
I looked at the whimsy and fun he injects into his pieces, and while someone may try to imitate him, he alone can create the pieces you find on his site.
Similarly, My Sister-In-Law Shelley, has made up a number of pieces of jewelery, and posted them on the web.
Part of their charm… (IMHO) …is the stories she creates for each item: http://www.ShelleyWoodin.com/
In today’s marketplace, I believe that the true artists have to embrace the opportunities that the Internet and Social Media afford them… to reach a larger market, and not be afraid that someone… somewhere… might be able to make a copy of their idea.
Kudos to Greg and Shelley for having fun, and fearlessly putting their stuff “out there” !!!
You Got Mail…
Every year, on the same weekend, we journey South on a trip to Bellevue, WA, to go to the Bellevue Artsfair.
So we have just returned from our annual pilgrimage to all things artsy and crafty.
The range of artisans is astounding, and shall, in a few days, be the subject of another post.
But, in the meantime, I have been taunting folks on Twitter and on Facebook with what may (IMHO) be our greatest find ever.
On the same weekend, in the same “neck of the woods,” there is a store at the CrossRoads Shopping Mall in Bellevue.
On the outside of the Mall is the Common Folk Store.
They are a store that defies description and convention…
It is a retail store, that has some of the sensibility of a pawn shop for special “remember this” items. It also has new and re-purposed items.
Think of a Restoration Hardware store, only with WAAAY different items !!!
And EVERY year, on the same weekend, the owners clean out their barn/warehouse/home.
And so it was, on a sunny Saturday morning, we found ourselves looking at this beautiful piece of old world technology.
From the back, it doesn’t look like much…
From the front, at first, it looks rather plain…
And then when you look closer…
You can start to appreciate why this gorgeous piece will soon take a place in our home.
But, first it needs some cleaning, and a case built around its current rather “rough hewn” exterior.
But, once it has a base, sides, a top, and the dead wood bugs have been removed, we are going to have a place for our friends and visitors to stop and talk about.
I’m looking forward to posting the finished images in a month or so, once I get the project done.
Black Cat Saloon…
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In my downtime… (read: whilst job hunting) …I have slowly been knocking jobs out of the job jar.
Down in the basement, I have, for a while, been building a bar… and it is very nearly done! I thought I would, upon the occasion of my first (apparently) drunken customer, post some photos, in an (almost) Wordless Sunday. The glass shelves for the Single Malt Scotches went in on Thursday Some folks call them shelves. In the Black Cat Saloon, they are Kitty Steps to the window ledge. Hockey is played all year round, here on the Original Six Hockey Master game. Not being a woodworker, I’m quite proud of the cabinet for the Blu Ray, X-Box & HD PVR… Digital Toys. King George V is representing the Monarchy, and a dram is always raised in Toast. Overall, I’m quite pleased with how it turned out !!! On Thursday evening, my wife and I came downstairs to look at the newly installed shelves, and found someone passed out in the bar…
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