What I am excited about right now
It’s time for an optimistic post, don’t you think? I am excited about…
- Chris and Rick’s Oscar party. They have the best Oscar parties. One of the most fun parts is the themed-food contest. Denny is disappointed that Sean Penn isn’t nominated for anything this year, because he came up with a really good idea: “Sean Penne.” We’ll think of something, though. Maybe “Don Cheetos”? We may have to go to several movies this weekend to get ready.
- I feel medium. That’s the best I’ve felt in a week, so I’m riding that high.
- Portugal! I think we’ve got the itinerary pretty well worked out:
March 16: Leave from Cedar Rapids
March 17: Arrive in Lisbon. Stay at the Hotel Principe. It looks a little blah, but reasonably priced city hotels always are. On the exciting side, it’s a favorite of visiting Spanish matadors. I love those little pants they wear. Things I’m excited to do in Lisbon:
- Go to the Museu da Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, which has been called the finest private art collection in the world. It’s also an easy walk from our hotel.
- Climb the Torre de Belem. “Erected between 1515 and 1520, the Manueline-style tower is Portugal’s classic landmark and often serves as a symbol of the country.”
- Explore the Alfama, the old quarter of the city. Apparently the houses are very close together there. According to the poet Federico de Brito,
Your house is so close time mine!
In the starry night’s bliss,
to exchange a tender kiss,
our lips easily meet,
high across the narrow street. (translator unknown)
March 19: Go to Sintra, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stay at the Tivoli Sintra. Things I’m excited to do in Sintra:
- Visit the Palácio Nacional da Sintra (apparently it has quite the tile collection. I am interested in tile.)
- Wander around and pretend I’m Lord Byron
March 21: Go to Tomar. This is where the conference is taking place. Oh, right, the conference. I knew we were in Portugal for a reason. We’re staying at a little place that doesn’t have a website (quel horreur!), but it comes recommended by the conference people and the professor Denny’s working with. I hope I don’t have to share a bathroom. I’m kind of shy about that. Things I’m excited to do in Tomar:
- Visit the Convento da Ordem de Cristo (aka the Knights of Templar)
March 24: Back to Lisbon to catch our early flight the next day.
*yawn* I must be jet-lagged already.
wow super neat.!
when i went to paris and around england, my only regret was that i thought of making a “erin taunts famous monuments” photo series as we were leaving. it would have been pictures such as: erin kicks the louvre, and erin bites the house that shakespere grew up in. it would have been great. i forgot my camera anyways so it wouldnt have made a difference
good luck with pretending to be lord byron.
Sean Penne Pasta Salad> It’s a recipe in the Dinner and a Movie (TBS SuperStation)(\ cookbook to go along with Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Every once in a while we will do a dinner/movie combo they have listed in the book, but most of them are pretty complicated and time-consuming. If you do get adventurous and pick up a copy of the book, I do heartily recommend the Classic Cul-de-Sac Mac n’ Cheese (to accompany The ‘Burbs). 🙂
Aw, crap, really? And Denny thought he was being so inventive. Well, back to the drawing board.
How about “Virginia Ham Madsen.” You could make little ham balls or something else that includes ham in honor of the Best Supporting Actress from Sideways.
five words…
MILLION DOLLAR BABY BACK RIBS
In honor of ‘Finding Neverland’ – might I suggest ‘PETER PAN-CAKES’ —- so many ways one could go with that one.
Peter Pan-cakes! Excellent 🙂 An Irish place in Pittsburgh does a Potato-Pancake topped with fresh crabmeat in a Béarnaise sauce. Unfortunately, not really portable, as the pancakes should be made on the spot.
Hmm..
You could always make anything over-portioned and call them ‘Howard Hughes-Ass (insert food here) for Aviator. Blind-melon-balls (In Honor of ‘Ray’ – good taste and bad taste rolled up in one). But if it were me, I’d make a plate of Eternal Sunshine Cookies with Lemon Rind for the movie that should have been nominated (okay, that one is kind of a stretch 😉
OR….Just go to Hooters and pick up some Katharine HEARTburn Buffalo Wings – knock back a pint for my favorite nominee Cate Blanchett ….. Or use your culinary-creativity and concoct a Johnny DIPP.
Oh yeah — as for the afore-mentioned PETER PAN-CAKES – I was thinking something a little more phallic — come on now……roll with me here…..[It is Chris and Rick’s party after all] ….. but i suppose crab meat and bernaise sauce will do in a pinch.