Tuesday, August 31, 2004
I feel quite awful today. I got a letter in the mail last week from the United Cancer Research Society saying they'll be in our neighborhood to pick up any donations such as clothing, toys, etc., so I finally found a reason to clean out my closet. Spent a good amount of time last weekend and last night sorting and packing up the clothes and shoes into large garbage bags and placed them in our driveway last night.
I woke up in the middle of the night to the noise of a car engine, and I sleepily looked out the window to see someone's headlights. I thought for a moment: "Could it be a thief?" But then I brushed the thought aside and went back to bed.
This morning, as I was leaving the driveway, I noticed that the bags were gone, but it was still quite early, so I was afraid they'd been stolen, but then again -- who would steal used clothing in a neighborhood where the median home price is $2M? Apparently, someone got a hold of that letter in the mail and thought they could get some good quality clothing by stealing the donation bags before the United Cancer Research truck gets to them. Sucks. I don't know why I have this sinking feeling in my stomach, but this incident really upset me. I feel bad for the United Cancer Research Society. I have this need to explain this to them, that "Hey, you didn't come here for nothing, we really did leave something out there, honestly." I fear that they'd somehow stop picking up donations because of this. It's silly, I know. Maybe I just think too much.
Posted by Karen @ 11:42 AM PST [Link]
Monday, August 16, 2004
I exceeded my file quota and had to move to a new server. I thought the move would go smoothly, but I ended up crashing the whole server and my hosting company suspended my account! After moving to another server, reuploading all my files, and hacking my cgi files, I can now add a new entry again. Yey!
Here's what I've been up to since my last blog:
I started a programming job in March, and have since been too busy, too lazy and too ashamed to update my journal. I thought I could do the programming during the day, and the patisserie planning at night, but I guess it doesn't work that way. After a day of debugging, my mind is just so tired that I just want to relax in bed. I haven't let the dream go away yet, it is just on hold. ;)
Garry and I were working with some commercial real estate brokers, but haven't had luck finding a location in San Francisco. We've since lost touch with them, and will probably have to resume our search after my programming contract is over. San Francisco is a bit too competitive, we've decided to expand our search to the Peninsula as well. Hopefully we'll find something when we're ready.
Good news though, I will have the chance to refuel my passion for patisserie because Garry and I are flying to Paris in September. I will check out what's new at Pierre Hermé and the other patisseries. We will also be going to Montepulciano in Italy -- rented a cottage with a kitchen and an open fireplace and are planning to try the local cuisine and drink a lot of Chianti while we're there. :)
I was working with my photographer/programmer friend Eugene last Spring to get some photos of my stuff. Here are a few of my spring photos:
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| Pistachio and Raspberry Macarons | Coffee Macarons |
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| Summer Berry Tart | Strawbery Cream Puff |
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| Petit Four Tartelettes | Chocolate Cake with Strawberries and Mascarpone Cream |
