December, and wishing

[thanate]

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.

Comments

[jazzfish]

I shall ask uilos where she got our 3' tree. It didn't come with its own lights, though.

Where would you recommend starting the Vorkosigan books? I've just snagged them all (well, except Memory) as ebooks.

[batchix.livejournal.com]

boo.. if you were near San Francisco i could help with the job thing. :<

[bauhausfrau.livejournal.com]

I've been pretty terrible about responding to people's LJ posts these days, I've been reading a lot but not commenting. Hopefully I'll be a bit better about that for you and others!

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/

[stanci.livejournal.com]

There's a Penzey's Spice Store in Rockville MD and one in Falls Church. They'll have good quality vanilla beans. It's part of a chain, so it may also not count as local even if the store is close (which I'm not sure if they are).

[scraun23.livejournal.com]

I have some Taro bubble tea powder that you can have. I've not even opened it since I bought it a year or three ago. It doesn't seem like the sort of stuff to go bad in that state.

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?

[garden-goth.livejournal.com]

I just don't comment very often for the sake of commenting. I also don't post hardly ever and might change that.

[leimon-malakoi.livejournal.com]

I don't comment often, because I don't think you actually want a response.

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

[dancinglights.livejournal.com]

Up in Catonsville/Ellicott City, there is an H-mart that may have the Taro and beans. It's within walking distance of my house, but as I haven't looked for those things specifically, I'm not certain. I did, however, just buy tapioca bubbles for my own tea and quite a lot of saffron and stranger things there for gifts for folks living far from ethnic groceries.

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?