Category Archives: Uncategorized

Uncategorized

I have a Zombie Crush on Elizabeth Warren.

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This woman is amazing.  I love to hear her speak and I appreciate her clearly explained position on issues.  I love the way she cuts to the chase, can meet the eyes of the people asking her questions, and doesn’t mince words.  I want to absorb her brain.*

That’s right.  I have a zombie crush on Elizabeth Warren.

What’s a zombie crush you ask?

A zombie crush is not unlike a traditional crush.  The crusher wants to hear more from the person, wants to see them, enjoys being in their presence.  The crusher may go out of their way to be around the person, or a video of the person.   However, unlike a traditional crush, the zombie crush has no sexual component.  Rather than lusting after the object of the crush sexually, the zombie crusher lusts after their subject’s intellect, or in zombie parlance, the subject’s b…r…a…i…n…s. 

The zombie crusher is so infatuated with the way the subject thinks that they want to absorb the subject’s brain, thereby incorporating these captivating thoughts into their own brain. It’s more than simply wanting to hear what the subject has to say.  It’s about wanting to viscerally understand the way their mind works.

A true zombie crush is a rare thing.  Traditionally zombie crushes are reserved for professors, mentors, and life changing gurus.  Elizabeth Warren is unique.  She is the first politician I have had a zombie crush on. In fact, I am pretty sure she is the first politician anyone has had a zombie crush on.

This could be due to the fact that I made up the term.

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* No actual brains were absorbed in the writing of this post.

environment, frustration, Uncategorized

Govern(mental) shutdown.

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I have been avoiding the news lately.  My own life has enough pain and suffering in it that I am afraid coming across any additional madness will shock me into a  vegetative state and I will spend my life in a mental ward. (Sometimes this concept has a certain appeal.)

So I didn’t pay much attention to the shutdown.

I heard it in the hallways, from my parents, skimmed quickly past comments on FB and Twitter.  Then today, I came face to face with it.  It turns out, in a technological age, a person can only avoid the world so long as they are able or willing to stay away from a computer.

I teach environmental law.  Today I went to the EPA to get some snapshots for my slides for class.  I use the Environmental Compliance History Online system, or the ECHO system, to monitor compliance with Clean Water permits.  I wanted to walk my students through a practical analysis of a real world permit using the system they would use in the real world.

This is what I got:

ECHO Closed

Yes, the government is unable to update it’s compliance information due to the shutdown.  Even worse, I am unable to search past compliance information due to the shutdown.

Then I got an email from opposing counsel in a lawsuit telling me that the Department of Justice is closed and they have to seek a stay in my case.

Mindboggling.  The Department of Justice is closed.  All because a small percentage of the population is unwilling to compromise on health care.

Oh I know, I know.  I am sure you have a million reasons to toss out as to why a measure that passed by popular vote is actually really unpopular with the majority of the populace, but you see, I don’t believe you.  Maybe it’s the education in the legal process, maybe it’s simple math.

All I know is a guy I work against all the time, who has two little kids, is the sole breadwinner for his family and who tries every day to make the world a little better is at home wondering when or if he will get his next paycheck.

A rare and endangered snail is languishing in exactly the kind of bureaucratic B.S. Congress wrote the Endangered Species Act to avoid.

And now I have to pay attention to the news.

Gluten Free, Gluten Free Recipes, Uncategorized

GF Baking Adventures: no bake granola bars

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Anyone eating GF knows two things about store bought goodies.  First, they will likely be nearly twice as much as the regular version.  Second, they will likely not be very good.  As a result of these seemingly universal truths, I have started making my own GF granola bars.  I needed something to bring camping, or to the Renaissance Festival, or just have in my bag in case I get hungry.

I have been experimenting with variations on a no-bake cookie recipe so I didn’t have to turn on the oven.  I have tried three different recipes and the results have been fairly good, but last night I made some delicious no-bake apple pie granola bars.  The kids loved them, my parents loved them, friends who don’t need to eat gluten free loved them. I figured I would share.

Here is the recipe:

No Bake Apple Pie Spice Granola bars.

1 stick butter

1 cup coconut milk

1 cup sugar

1 tbsp molasses

1 tsp vanilla

Mix in a pan and bring to a boil.  Stir boiling for 1-2 minutes. Lower heat and add the following, stirring until covered.

2 tsp cloves

2 tsp cinnamon

2.5 cups GF oats

1 cup GF crisp brown rice

1 cup walnuts, cashews, other nuts (Finely chopped)

1/2 cup dried apples and other dried fruit (finely chopped)

3/4 cup crispy GF granola cereal

1/2 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)

Mix together well and pour into an 8×8 baking pan.  Refrigerate two hours or so, cut into squares, refrigerate overnight.  Remove squares, wrap in parchment paper, store in the fridge for easy snacking.