January 2006

Hello to all and welcome to this new project of mine!

In this website, I hope to create a balance between a serious pursuit and some lighter side interests. Hopefully for those of you who've known me a while, this will sound familiar. This is only the first day I've been able to work on this, so I'm considering this a preview version of the soon-to-be-spectacular full version of the website.

The navigation bar to the left will keep you oriented to what already is and what is coming. Whenever I add something new to one of the other pages, I'll make a note on this homepage for quick reference. If anyone takes the time to write an e-mail about what's on this site (see the link at the bottom of the page), I can also post questions and comments on the home page in response to those e-mails. Unless you tell me otherwise, I'll just use initials to indicate who sent it.

Thanks for taking the time to check this out. I know there are a thousand other things you could be doing right now (like riding horseback, doing laundry, or writing a report).

Thanks to Tim for all his guidance in getting this set up.

Upcoming features

For a while now, I have intended to translate a short story by E.T.A. Hoffmann called Haimatochare.
This is a story of two natural scientists and friends who discover a new type of butterfly while traveling in the South Pacific. This leads to an unfortunate end. How? Well, you'll have to follow along to find out.
I've started this and now will post my translation as I progress. I'd love to hear comments on this from all.

I plan to show whatever Current project I've been working on on another page. These are my crafty distractions. I have some catching up to do on an origami-of-the-day calendar, so you may be seeing these soon. I'm also currently crocheting a skirt. You'll see that soon as well. Exercising fine motor skills is just as important as exercising the brain.

I also like Food. Part of the fun is actually cooking it, too, so I'll be posting some recipes I've tried (or will try the week I post it). In general these are recipes taken from sources other than my own imagination. When I can identify the source, I'll name it, but since recipes can't be copyrighted, I'll list them when I'm not sure of the author either and let you know that, too. If you ever use one of the recipes, though, and someone says, "Wow, that's tasty," please take the credit, but if anyone asks about the recipe- and you feel like sharing your source, know that I only found it, not created it.
Inspired by a former co-worker who was doing this, I've tried to cook the same recipe with a friend in California once a month. The first recipe I've posted is the one I'll be cooking for that and it was actually found by JBS.

Upcoming updates! 1/16/06

I'm sorry to be late posting this week. I was visiting family this weekend and didn't get a chance to update this website before I left. Updates will be phasing in over the course of the week- and here's what you can expect:

On the food page:

You'll see a newly organized section showing separate listings for sweet and savory recipes. This week, I'll be posting a savory recipe. Also, I'd like to include any comments on the recipes regarding their ease or the results. If you're cooking along, please let me know and I'll be glad to include your opinions! (done 1/19/06)

On the E.T.A. Hoffmann translation:

A draft translation of the first letter of the story will be going up this week! Also, there will be a slight change in structure to this section as well.

About my current project:

Ok, one thing I learned last week was that over the course of crocheting the skirt, my gage finally evened out. Unfortunately, it evened out tighter than when I had begun. After hours of work, I had made a skirt that only fit 2/3 around myself. That is a valuable lesson on gage. So, this week, I will again be posting an old project that turned out better than that and postpone ripping the whole thing apart to start again.

A new page!

It turns out that I know other people who are on the internet. Some of them have sent me their websites and I will add those on a new page of links so you can check out what others I know are doing. I may include one or two other websites for fun as well. 

There's a lot happening on the website this week- be sure to check back!

How about those style sheets?! 1/24/06

I am slowly working my way through my update list posted last week. If you check out the recipes, you'll notice some comments and changes on a recent recipe. Also, before the end of Sunday, there should be a new addition!

The next big restructuring will happen in the E.T.A. Hoffmann section. I actually have a few letters ready for the draft page, but need to take the time to set up the new, improved structure.

In the next few weeks, also, I am hoping to make some changes that you hopefully won't see. That is, the style sheet needs to be updated as I've changed my idea of what design elements I want in the text. I've still got a lot to learn.

I also want to thank everyone for their comments and encouragement. I'll try to get a comment up as well before the end of the week.

Well, with so much work outlined for myself, I better get to it. The website is open during renovation, so keep coming back and let me know what you think!

The end of January 1/31/06

New translation!

I'm finally taking the time to share some comments. If I haven't responded to you yet- don't worry! I'm working my way slowly though my e-mails.

AC let me know about a very smart cat in Japan called Ding Dong. It turns out this is a character in the cartoon series Doraemon. She let me know that Ding Dong's favorite food is Dora Yaki! Due to this new knowledge, I may need to change the recipe's name to "Ding Dong food" (just as she called it).

TV requested some animation on my website. Yep- I agree. Unfortunately, my abilities have not risen to that level yet- so that will have to stay on the long term list for now. I'll also have to think of some kind of animation that fits all the themes on this site so far. Is it possible to include scientists, food and craft projects? There's a lot of thought still to do.

Also, in going through my e-mails, I decided to start the friends' page. It seems pretty pathetic (or maybe optimistic?) to have something that says "Coming Soon: Friends." A couple of people are sharing their links with me. Let me know if there are any others I should be adding!

This weekend, I'm hoping to start to learn officially about cascading style sheets. So, you may see some design elements change over the next couple of weeks. Changes for the better (I hope)!

Lastly, the project section really needs a structure update. We'll see when that happens, but know that it is definitely on my list.

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