Bowl Licker

There are those moments that force you to take toll of where you are, who you are and how you arrived at this point in time. Whatever the insignificance of *that* moment they are usually unsuspected and poignant. While I am in a continual struggle for some sort of order and normality I find that the changes just keep coming more quickly than the one before and that my connections are more skewed. Those who’ve known me through the ages are starting to look a bit perplexed. They are often confused when they speak with me about what it is I do and what I like so much about this “social media” stuff. And while I am the last to self proclaim myself an expert I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by many and varied experts whom I am constantly learning from. Call it a lesson in the life of the evolving communications forum. As a communications student for many years it has truly become my passion. What is it about these random bits of information that hedge and occasionally cross over the line of those people I know that covet discretion and privacy? Well, my mother would be the perfect example of someone who cringes each and every time I Tweet. She is outwardly annoyed by my attachment to the phone where I prevail to send remote Tweets from when the laptop is no longer handy. Yet when her circle of friends are with us at the occasional brunch or gathering and they want to know more about this world where I’ve taken up residence, I catch her sneaking glances at me wondering if I am genius or gonzo? (I of course believe that as my mother, she finds me genius! And yes I am occasionally delusional.)

When I describe to friends what I love about my job, I find myself saying remarks like, “remember all of those funny one liners I have bottled up inside as I satirically observe a situation? Well they finally have a home and they are making new friends.”

While I am not sure if those that follow me on Twitter really know me, they certainly do know parts of me and as I know bits of their thoughts. These are the very same people that I can connect with, no obligations and who get my tech-geeky side. To me it is my chess – as I love information, people (usually more than animals but not always) and speaking with others who share my passions of food, technology and silly-isms. And it seems the sillier- the more people want to talk to me- after a recent 10 hr road trip I Tweeted, “Got lime?” in direct reference to the tequila I was about to meet and these cyber friends offered up there antidotes and made me laugh out loud.

I admit it is not fun to watch someone looking at their PDA laughing but I do hope that my laugh becomes infectious and that soon too these nah-sayers will join me in my plight into the interesting, funny and random-ness that I so treasure.

Working from home, despite the great office of people I work with remotely, can be limiting – or at least it was before Twitter! While I’ve never met most of my Twitter friends, I feel an unexplainable connection to them and I am by far better read than I’ve ever been in my working life and with far less expendable effort.

What do I Tweet about on Twitter? Social Media, food, any really anything that strikes me funny. You may have even noticed that my Twitter feed appears on the right side of this blog – so even if you don’t want to participate, you can read and attempt to follow my madness in this seemingly new almost mainstream (since Opera mentioned it and kinda ruined this ghetto if for goofballs like me) yet still random 140 character micro-blogging forum.

My top picks for whom I read most on Twitter… I’ll only tell you once so come close and listen up!
- Foodies: @ilinap, @JenniferPerillo, @jerseybites, @chefdruck, @KimMoldofsky
- Techies: @ross, @tomforemski, @dannysullivan, @Scobleizer, @kitson, @eugenelee
- Good Fodder: @JessicaGottlieb, @missrogue, @StacyLibby, @CityMama

What is worthy about Twitter? It is truly the SOCIAL in Social Media and it is filled with personality and yes the occasional promotions but it is REAL TALK and it is the most mentally stimulating forum I’ve ever participated in…I had not a clue when I signed up what a ‘door knob moment’ this would be for me. And for those of you perplexed by this colloquialism: a door knob moment is that moment before you head out the door when you say (or do something) that is truly important. This is MY moment. What is yours?

While most schools are on the verge of getting out for the summer, I went back to school – high school! It was one of those surreal flashback moments and it was well worth the time spent in class (while I am certain I didn’t feel that way while I was in high school, things change). The class was the equivalent of a home economics class (now known as Independent Living) and it was it packed with shades of coolness, confidence and texting (some FaceBooking but no Tweeting, aside from those Tweets I sent). All honesty aside, this group was impressive in that they all knew how to cook a few dishes and were able to assist in preparing the two items we made during their 90 min class – Chicken Tinga and Needles in the Haystack. A favorite combo of mine – spicy chased by chocolate.

Redwood High School- aside from being known for their local sports prowess and scholastic achievements is also known on a broader spectrum for being the alma mater of a Mr. Robin Williams. Perhaps you know him?

After the class, and my favorite high school lunch back in the day (Diet Coke and a Snickers candy bar), I headed over to visit my closest friend from high school and we took a trip down memory lane. The day was a success in that I was able to give back to the community I grew-up in and share with them my favorite hobby- cooking.

And since it’s said that things, abeit good or bad, come in groupings of threes, I thought I’d share with you a second bit of nice news…while we await a third in this string of threes. Past Jersey Bites contest winner, Patsy Kreitman, who posted a review on her blog- Paper Palate had some very nice feedback. It is always an honor to hear what people like about the book and I love to learn what they were inspired to try first. I’ve captured an excerpt from her review:
If you want a non-nonsense cookbook with gorgeous photos, this one is for you. It is very straight-forward with the recipes taking up residence on one page and the photos on the opposite page. The recipes range from from appetizers to desserts and everything in between. As I mentioned, I decided to use one of her recipes for Teacher Appreciation Week since I volunteered a bit late to bring something. The O’Henry Bars seemed like the perfect treat to bring in, and only required the use of a microwave for cooking. Really can’t beat that.

To read Patsy’s full review, click here.

As for my RD bit of ‘goodness’ well, I am still only at two and savoring the moment. I’ll share it with you when it reveals itself but until then…..keep it real!

May is a month of many goings-on…even on Bowllicker! Aside from the onslaught of weddings, bridal and baby showers, communions…and well, the list is seemingly endless. Let’s not forget that we are also winking at Mother’s Day.

And with that segue there are a few give-aways to win one of the cook books that I wanted to share with you- in ADDITION to a really fun tech/foodie guest post that I did for my friend Leticia at Tech Savvy Mama. I’d love to hear your feedback on the full article – so please do post your return notes and comments.

Gift Idea/Shameless Promotions:
Mother’s Day Gift Guide -Tech Savvy Mama
Mom Central’s Gift Guide- Mom Central

The Dish on Delicious (and Del.icio.us)
Del.icio.us, pronounced simply ‘delicious,’ may very well be a new item on the menu. For the web-blogger-Twitter type foodies, this post may conjure up feelings of ‘leftovers’ but I’ll risk it and suffice to tell those non or newly-techie food lovers that del.icio.us is web bookmarking on steroids. Instead of ‘bookmarking’ a url with a Web browser (Google, Firefox, Safari) you can book mark or ‘tag’ it with del.icio.us.

Why the drama to change things now?