December, and wishing
Dec. 4th, 2010 05:20 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
So, the silly meme where you post a wishlist, and ask people to shop around looking at other peoples' wishlists for things they can grant has made the jump from people I just read about to a couple people I actually know, so I guess it's time to pass it on. Here are some things I'd like, which may or may not be possible for anyone to fulfill; you're encouraged to post your own, or poke about amongst your friends' friends for other lists with things you can grant on them.
*recommendations for fun things to do around Baltimore or southern suburbs (plus for good parking or light rail access & for not too high a price tag for two)
*a tip on where to find a 3-4' LED pre-lit christmas tree for a decent price (er, under $50?), or a used tree of similar size that I can light with my own LEDs. (I want to support this technology, but not at several hundred dollars or 7 feet of tree I have to put somewhere.)
*for people to reply to my posts a little more often (at least the ones where I actually ask questions) or (if you are a person who reads & doesn't comment) any thoughts you have on why that is. (It is possible that either I'm just not that kind of friend and/or all my formerly-commenting people have wandered off to other parts of the internet, or that no one can tell when I'm asking questions I want answers to, but it's also discouraging when I try to make brainstorming posts and I can't tell if anyone has read them)
*somewhere local to purchase things like taro bubble tea powder, or good quality vanilla beans (the latter may exist... I haven't done much searching yet)
*one of those local sf/f bookshops that people keep telling me exist in other places
*better focus, possibly more enthusiasm
*an awesome job (java developer team lead/management or cyber security) for
grauwulf that's actually near Linthicum, MD.
*more heavy weight wool (fabric) scraps suitable for making a braided rag rug (old coats with moth holes and similar would also be ideal.) What I have so far is mostly black, so other colors would be great.
*a local small ensemble (either voice or violin) with which to play intermediate level music, or even a not too religious group to go caroling with (um... who want to sing carols, not stupid christmas songs... tall order, I know)
*for everyone to have a safe & happy rest of the year-- no more people getting fired or anything.
*recommendations for fun things to do around Baltimore or southern suburbs (plus for good parking or light rail access & for not too high a price tag for two)
*a tip on where to find a 3-4' LED pre-lit christmas tree for a decent price (er, under $50?), or a used tree of similar size that I can light with my own LEDs. (I want to support this technology, but not at several hundred dollars or 7 feet of tree I have to put somewhere.)
*for people to reply to my posts a little more often (at least the ones where I actually ask questions) or (if you are a person who reads & doesn't comment) any thoughts you have on why that is. (It is possible that either I'm just not that kind of friend and/or all my formerly-commenting people have wandered off to other parts of the internet, or that no one can tell when I'm asking questions I want answers to, but it's also discouraging when I try to make brainstorming posts and I can't tell if anyone has read them)
*somewhere local to purchase things like taro bubble tea powder, or good quality vanilla beans (the latter may exist... I haven't done much searching yet)
*one of those local sf/f bookshops that people keep telling me exist in other places
*better focus, possibly more enthusiasm
*an awesome job (java developer team lead/management or cyber security) for
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
*more heavy weight wool (fabric) scraps suitable for making a braided rag rug (old coats with moth holes and similar would also be ideal.) What I have so far is mostly black, so other colors would be great.
*a local small ensemble (either voice or violin) with which to play intermediate level music, or even a not too religious group to go caroling with (um... who want to sing carols, not stupid christmas songs... tall order, I know)
*for everyone to have a safe & happy rest of the year-- no more people getting fired or anything.
no subject
Date: 2010-12-06 04:18 pm (UTC)Where would you recommend starting the Vorkosigan books? I've just snagged them all (well, except Memory) as ebooks.
no subject
Date: 2010-12-06 05:28 pm (UTC)I started at the beginning, chronologically (well, with Shards of Honor, not Falling Free) and that's what I'd recommend, but I know people who started with Memory, or whatever happened to be at the library, and went from there. There is a lot of cumulative history and context, and most of the print books have a timeline in the back if you get confused. I can't remember if I did the shorts from Borders of Infinity in order or not, or whether that would matter-- I do recommend reading Ethan of Athos in chrono order, because it's the only good look you get at someone who looms large in Miles's mind from a viewpoint he doesn't overshadow.
no subject
Date: 2010-12-05 01:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-12-05 03:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-12-05 05:02 am (UTC)One thing you might be interested in in Baltimore - the Edgar Allan Poe museum has some really cool events throughout the year. I used to organize a costume group to go up for Poe's Birthday, they may be doing it again this year. The website is here:
http://poebicentennial.com/
no subject
Date: 2010-12-05 04:14 pm (UTC)Huh-- I'd heard of the poe museum in passing, but hadn't realized how close that was; I just spent several sunday mornings at a write-in in a pub a couple blocks away, so perhaps we should check that out sometime. Thanks!
no subject
Date: 2010-12-05 03:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-12-05 03:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-12-05 10:04 pm (UTC)There are some people I should introduce you to that live in the Baltimore area. They can probably actually answer the local knowledge question as asked. I'm likely to be cooking for them at some point soon(perhaps after new years) and will let you know when I have more details.
If you find better focus and enthusiasm, can I have your old set?
no subject
Date: 2010-12-07 01:28 am (UTC)I've been looking for the focus part for years now with no luck, but I'll keep you in mind if something ever turns up.
no subject
Date: 2010-12-06 12:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-12-06 01:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-12-06 02:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-12-07 01:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-12-06 08:09 pm (UTC)on the other hand -
I have wool scraps in yellow and green. Do you want wool scraps? As soon as I cut out my dress I will also have wool scraps in purple plaid. The yellow is a little lightweight, but if you felt it bunches it will turn heavy fast....
As for spices:
I like this place - but they may be far for you to travel.
http://www.google.com/maps/place?cid=5989307214107615829&q=spice+shops+in+dc&fb=1&gl=us&hq=spice+shops&hnear=District+of+Columbia
no subject
Date: 2010-12-07 01:22 am (UTC)yellow, green, and/or purple wools would be lovely!
no subject
Date: 2010-12-06 08:40 pm (UTC)I'm not sure what counts as fun things to do around here; mostly I climb plastic rocks, go hiking in Patapsco State Park, spend too much time in Ellicott City coffee shops, or out for goff club dancing. I tend to take tourist friends to the American Visionary Art Museum when we have the time, too.
I haven't been commenting because work has been eating all of my ability to sit in front of a glowing box and communicate, with a brief respite today, and will probably continue through January. Ugh. Hi?
no subject
Date: 2010-12-06 10:47 pm (UTC)Thus far, I haven't yet seen bubble tea powder for sale anywhere with a shopfront; I'm hoping that one day it will get sufficiently popular that this changes.
no subject
Date: 2010-12-07 03:23 pm (UTC)Raven would know good-tea coffee shop recommendations better than I, but Bean Hollow in EC is my go-to, if you happen to be there already anyway. They have a decent tea selection. Otherwise, in Baltimore, it's Teavolve or various cafe's that are less great on tea. Do *you* have coffee shop recommendations further out? I suddenly realise I don't know many.
no subject
Date: 2010-12-09 04:10 pm (UTC)Good coffee shops... well, I could recommend a couple in Falls Church (Stacy's in particular), but I don't know if that would be too helpful to you. There's also Mad City in Columbia, which has some nice deserts, and
Also, Teavolve looks absolutely fantastic, and I'm not quite sure how I missed it before. Thanks for the recommendation!
no subject
Date: 2010-12-09 04:19 pm (UTC)