Sheclismo's First Jerseys

It's Just Fairness, Y'all

Screening this Thursday

Haven't had a chance to see When We Stop Counting yet? It will be screening on Thursday the 9th at Indigo Bridge Bookstore at 7 PM.

While I'm on the subject, Brent and I are trying to raise funds to get the film broadcast-ready. If you can spare some extra, please consider donating at this link.

To Be A Superfan

I'm all packed up to head to Iowa City for Jingle Cross. All year, I've been looking forward to this weekend -- the closest really big race and a chance to line up with a bunch of women in a sport I've really come to love.

Well, I won't be lining up. A crash in last weekend's Lincoln CX left me with a fractured thumb and the inability to grip handlebars -- not exactly OK for 'cross racing. This past week has involved a lot of psychological pain and frustration on top of the physical as I've watched the gnarly bruises develop.

So, this weekend, I'm shifting gears. Trying to take inspiration from CVO, Liz and others, I'm transforming into superfan mode. Best of luck to my Sheclismo teammates Sydney, Kat, and Kimberley, to our honorary member Ryan the singlespeedo, and to all the other Nebraska riders taking the course. I wish I were out there with you, but I'll be happy to heckle you or hand you a drink, too.

My Week #83 (November 15 - 21) on Vimeo

My Week #83 (November 15 - 21) on Vimeo

My Week #83 (November 15 - 21) from nocoastfilms on Vimeo.

Late fall sets in.

Chip fracture.

My Week #82 (November 8 - 14) on Vimeo

My Week #82 (November 8 - 14) on Vimeo

My Week #82 (November 8 - 14) from nocoastfilms on Vimeo.

It's definitely fall. I love my housemates.

Abandoned Flags

A little long and a little too heavy on the tracking shots, but it's set to one of my favorite Godspeed songs and with a pretty incredible location, so who cares, really?



via After The Storm - The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan

My Week #81 (November 1 - 7) on Vimeo

My Week #81 (November 1 - 7) on Vimeo

My Week #81 (November 1 - 7) from nocoastfilms on Vimeo.

Brent leaves, we vote, I rearrange, I go down in history as (one of?) the only model(s) to put clothes ON on the catwalk, I rehabilitate in Wilderness with Liz, and we celebrate my aunt's birthday.

My Week #78 (October 11 - 17) on Vimeo

My Week #78 (October 11 - 17) from nocoastfilms on Vimeo.

Cat, lots of work, conspiracy theories, late at work, beer ride, Popeye the cat, and a return to cyclocross at the Boulevard Cup in Kansas City.

My Week #78 (October 11 - 17) on Vimeo

Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center

Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center




FREE SCREENING: WHEN WE STOP COUNTING
Tuesday, October 26 - 7:00 p.m.

This screening is free and open to the public.

It is in our best interest to educate all children. But what happens when a small town’s school system suddenly becomes 50% minority? Crete Public Schools, in Crete, Nebraska, has an answer. When We Stop Counting follows six Hispanic high school students, living their personal struggles and triumphs while bearing the pressure of their parents’ backbreaking sacrifice in hopes of achieving the American Dream.

Administrators, faculty and scholars examine how schools serve both students and the community, while students themselves record their own footage of experiences at school, at home, at work and at play. When We Stop Counting humanizes the issues of education, immigration, and most importantly, our future.

Shot, directed and produced by:
Brent Meier, El Centro de las Américas
Elisabeth Reinkordt, Nebraska Department of Education

Premiere of When We Stop Counting

Facebook | Premiere of When We Stop Counting

Please join us at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center on October 26th at 7 PM for the premiere of When We Stop Counting.



Students and directors Brent Meier and Elisabeth Reinkordt will be answering questions following the screening.

The film will also be premiering in Crete at Doane College's Heckman Auditorium on Thursday, October 28th, also at 7 PM.

Trailer

A year and a half in the making...

"Three Bullets" by Kill County on Vimeo

"Three Bullets" by Kill County on Vimeo

"Three Bullets" by Kill County from nocoastfilms on Vimeo.

Music video for Kill County's song "Three Bullets." Written and performed by Andy "Ringo" Witkowski and Josh Holstein. Shot, directed, and edited by Elisabeth Reinkordt. The Man played by Patrick Sands.

Hear Nebraska - Homegrown Film Fest puts local music videos on the big screen for Lincoln Calling

Hear Nebraska - Homegrown Film Fest puts local music videos on the big screen for Lincoln Calling

Thanks, all. This was really great.

My Week #75 (September 20 - 26) on Vimeo

My Week #75 (September 20 - 26) from nocoastfilms on Vimeo.

Editing, premiering the trailer, more cx practice, WWASH, fall Saturday spent working, and my brother's rally cross race followed by a Kill County show on Sunday.

My Week #75 (September 20 - 26) on Vimeo

Bacon Danger

For the first time all year, I made it on the Bacon Ride. Look how angry that power is.


It was potentially the last one of the year, so Lincoln and Omaha groups set out to meet at Platte for a bacon show-down. Gersib represented for the Lincoln crew, taking on Omaha's Rafal. This face indicates he won. 13 pieces of bacon, plus sausages, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and who knows what else.


The MoPac east of Eagle looked just like the Pacific Northwest. It was misty, chilly, covered in leaves, and very pretty. Welcome, Fall!

Women New To Cycling in NYC

Women In Motion: New Lady Riders Reflect on NYC Cycling on Vimeo

Women In Motion: New Lady Riders Reflect on NYC Cycling from Streetfilms on Vimeo.

This is a great, great video. So powerful. While finding veteran female cyclists would have been easy, finding those new to it makes encouraging others who haven't taken the plunge far more likely!

Yes, Starlings! Yes!: Book Proposal for Broadway Books

Yes, Starlings! Yes!: Book Proposal for Broadway Books

Mathias, I love you.

My Week #72 (August 30 - September 5) on Vimeo

My Week #72 (August 30 - September 5) on Vimeo

My Week #72 (August 30 - September 5) from nocoastfilms on Vimeo.

Housemate bike commute, Cuba, press-grabbing board meetings, cross practice, rainstorms, exploring the old fairgrounds, Monkey Wrench's grand opening, Liz's birthday, Sheclismo's first group ride, Ryan's new Fisticuff's test ride, football season opener, Wilderness trail maintenance, and singletrack at Branched Oak.

Bien Rica

In addition to meals, in the last two days, the members of my house have made yogurt, cucumber lemonade, multiple varieties of hummus, gazpacho, dried apples, and more.

I think we've settled on an appropriate name for the house: Casa Bien Rica. Stop by for food sometime.

Sheclismo First Ride

There is an exciting little development in my cycling life. It involves the beginnings of an all-women's cycling team. We're called Sheclismo. It's an Italian bike pun. Yeah, I had a hand in that.

This morning, we had our first group ride. Though it was billed as a road ride, enough of us were into 'cross that we made a stop at Van Dorn Park to ride the course there.



After that, we hit a bit of gravel and then the road. Sydney did a fantastic job explaining exactly what we should be doing, where we should ride, what to do if we couldn't keep up, and how to work best with changes in wind direction.


Unlike some group rides I've been on with guys, where you're trying to figure out these techniques being shouted at you while you're riding and still trying to keep up, we'd stop on the side of the road to discuss. Here, Sydney found some pebbles to make a diagram of echelon formation and how the riders move.


Another cyclist passed by while we were doing this, asking if we needed any help. "Nope," we said, and "see you soon," we thought, knowing the speed we'd pick up if doing this properly.

There was a stretch along Roca Road where we were in a crosswind, constantly rotating, and I've never felt so good riding with others. We were flying, working together, communicating verbally and non-verbally -- as we pulled in to Roca, all with smiles on our faces, Sydney said she'd never seen a group pick things up this fast.

Though several people had to peel off earlier, Sydney, Kat, Liz and I went out through Bennett. Even though I've been doing this for a year and change now, I think I learned more today than in all that time combined. More importantly, I think I learned things I can retain, and I left with a fantastically positive feeling about it all.

Viva Sheclismo!

In The Know: Are Tests Biased Against Students Who Don't Give A Shit? | The Onion - America's Finest News Source | Onion News Network

In The Know: Are Tests Biased Against Students Who Don't Give A Shit? | The Onion - America's Finest News Source | Onion News Network


In The Know: Are Tests Biased Against Students Who Don't Give A Shit?

My Week #71 (August 23 - 29) on Vimeo

My Week #71 (August 23 - 29) on Vimeo

My Week #71 (August 23 - 29) from nocoastfilms on Vimeo.

Exploring overgrown Wilderness, lots of work on the Kill County video, a press conference in the bowels of NET, a brief visit with folks assembling wedding programs, a night of camping to finish the music video shoot, and a weekend of housecleaning.

Adventures in Word Verification

Miniature Art on the Tip of Pencil by Dalton Ghetti

Miniature Art on the Tip of Pencil by Dalton Ghetti

These are beyond amazing.

Fabulous Mash-up

Wow, think I'm going to have to get this...



App Of The Day - The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan

Overboard, perhaps

I think this may be a little beyond "naked"

Marcel the Shell

MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON from Dean Fleischer-Camp on Vimeo.

Love it

And I'm supposed to do what now?

I've been putting off yard work because it's so hot out. Today I have time. Hmmph.



In other news,

Now that would make good television

"The only person qualified to interview Sarah Palin on national television is Judge Judy. She has experience with blizzards of lies and non-sequiturs."
-Andrew Sullivan

My Week #67 (July 26 - August 1) on Vimeo

My Week #67 (July 26 - August 1) on Vimeo

My Week #67 (July 26 - August 1) from nocoastfilms on Vimeo.

This week was really just a lead-up to a lovely weekend in Philadelphia.

Gravel Worlds Video Recon

The Good Life Gravel Adventure/Gravel Worlds is only a few weeks away. Sunday, I went out with some of the crew to shoot video promoting the event.

Sometimes, you find lounging furniture. Is this a dump or a hangout spot?

Or just stadium seating for wheelie contests?

Gravel grinders are all about where the pavement ends.

The weather was perfect, and shadows were a perfect length, too.

Curvy little bits of gravel close to town, shade and sun.

The PCL looks nice and intimidating in this silhouette.

At the top of the Denton Wall. 11% grade on this climb.

Fob climbs the wall. I swear there's no way to capture how steep this is in a photo. Get out and ride it yourself!

My Week #66 (July 19 - 25) on Vimeo

My Week #66 (July 19 - 25) on Vimeo

My Week #66 (July 19 - 25) from nocoastfilms on Vimeo.

Scrabble, editing, soccer, TdF, Tilly, FAC in Havelock, and gravel, gravel, gravel.

MICMACS

MICMACS | A Film By Jean–Pierre Jeunet, the director of Amelie is playing at The Ross right now. It's really great! My whole family went to see it this afternoon, and we were all laughing. I'd consider that a testament.

20 inch Mountain Bike

This is certainly the strangest looking Mountain Bike I've ever seen.


20 inch Mountain Bike

Cows & Cows & Cows

Perhaps I find this particularly hilarious because I grew up with them...



Mental Health Break - The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan

My Week #65 (July 12 - 18) on Vimeo

My Week #65 (July 12 - 18) on Vimeo

My Week #65 (July 12 - 18) from nocoastfilms on Vimeo.

Rain brings toads; Mom picks flowers; the Department finally gets the new logo approved; it's really hot and my Dad gets the new gutters installed on my house just in time for a downpour; there is a hustle; I combat houseflies; we become Champions; Butler and the Gentlemen release a CD; the big men of the road enter the Pyrenees.

The Lichen + Screen Ink + MLGI

The Hyphae Series - Screen Ink. from the lichen on Vimeo.

My Week #64 (July 5 - 11) on Vimeo

My Week #64 (July 5 - 11) on Vimeo

My Week #64 (July 5 - 11) from nocoastfilms on Vimeo.

Did I mention I ride bicycles?

My Week #63 (June 28 - July 4) on Vimeo

My Week #63 (June 28 - July 4) on Vimeo

My Week #63 (June 28 - July 4) from nocoastfilms on Vimeo.

Riding, purifying, cracker pushing, sports watching, puppifying, vuvuzelaing and independence-celebrating.

Read the whole sign

Colbert Bait - The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan

Obama's Weekly Video Addresses Becoming Increasingly Avant-Garde | The Onion - America's Finest News Source

Obama's Weekly Video Addresses Becoming Increasingly Avant-Garde | The Onion - America's Finest News Source

Weekly Address: Jobs Creation from White House Weekly Address on Vimeo.

Some Laws

Via AHTBM:

"In her radio show, Dr Laura Schlesinger said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura, written by a US man, and posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as informative:

Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's
Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that
knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend
the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that
Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination ... End of
debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other
elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male
and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A
friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not
Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned
in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a
fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is
in her period of Menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem
is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it
creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my
neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I
smite them?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath.
Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally
obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is
an abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than
homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there
'degrees' of abomination?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if
I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading
glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some
wiggle-room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the
hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by
Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig
makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two
different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing
garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester
blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really
necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town
together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to
death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep
with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy
considerable expertise in such matters, so I'm confident you can help.

Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and
unchanging.

Your adoring fan.
James M. Kauffman,
Ed.D. Professor Emeritus,
Dept. Of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education
University of Virginia

PS (It would be a damn shame if we couldn't own a Canadian)"

Best Portrait

This photo sums me up in so many ways. Thanks to the nice stranger who was there to step in as I tried self-portraiture after riding 100 miles.

jet lev

rad dudes

Thanks, Bro

My brother sends me semi-weekly e-mails full of bike-related photos. It's really great.

Gravel Grinders: Rough, Life-changing Bike Races - Into the GOOD Wide Open - GOOD

Gravel Grinders: Rough, Life-changing Bike Races - Into the GOOD Wide Open - GOOD

Way to represent, Lincoln.

Julia Cohen & Mathias Svalina - Sugar Means Yes

Julia Cohen & Mathias Svalina - Sugar Means Yes

Yes, I'm looking forward to getting this in the mail.

sign painters

UP THERE from The Ritual Project on Vimeo.

My Week #57 (May 17 - 23) on Vimeo

My Week #57 (May 17 - 23) on Vimeo

My Week #57 (May 17 - 23) from nocoastfilms on Vimeo.

It's Bike to Work Week, and this also includes the annual Ride of Silence and is capped by the Capital City Criterium. I'm also back at the Data Conference and I get to meet Tilly Kovanda for the first time.

Darling Little Ad

The Gravel Metric Invitation from OC Imageworks on Vimeo.

CX simple

Local trails ala cx from Andy Wardman on Vimeo.

So beautiful, so simple, so fast. Via AHTBM.

My Week #56 (May 10 - 16) on Vimeo

My Week #56 (May 10 - 16) on Vimeo

My Week #56 (May 10 - 16) from nocoastfilms on Vimeo.

It's raining in May; the governor declares it Bike Month; the Gardners are funny siblings; the gardens are making nice vegetables; Lincoln kicks off Bike to Work Week a day early; Melissa leaves Lincoln; Crete students graduate and celebrate; it rains as the week ends.

Nice

It's good to see some national ad dollars in this race.

Yes, Starlings! Yes!: Nobody Here

Yes, Starlings! Yes!: Nobody Here




Really, nobody. Certainly not a managing editor.

The Sustained Chef

The Sustained Chef

Kevin at Bread & Cup has put together a nice little run-down of the 24 hours leading up to one of their Market Meals. Amazing -- it really comes across like the grandmother preparing Thanksgiving dinner in terms of the care that goes into it. I'm so proud to live in a city that has this kind of symbiosis.

As found in Nebraska...

Felice sent me this grocery list:

i found the following grocery list in FoodPride on A St.:

3- 8oz pkg cream cheese

1 Envelope Ranch dressing

Lime jello sm

mini marsh - multi

1 No2 can crushed pine

Mayo

1 c Nuts

1 Cool whip

Migas Breakfast

Love it when I wake up early enough to make a breakfast rather than just having a bowl of cereal. Recent kick: migas.

Take a couple corn tortillas, cut into strips, and toss into an omelet pan with a bit of olive oil. Add 2-3 eggs -- the ones from Common Good Farm are amazing right now that the chickens are eating all sorts of fresh greens -- and fry up. The beauty of having the tortilla in there is that making perfect over-easy eggs becomes almost too challenging to be worth it, and the whole mixture tastes great with the egg binding the tortilla strips together, so you just cook the mess until the eggs aren't too runny.

Serve with fresh greens -- mine are from Shadowbrook Farm -- cilantro, salsa, cheese if you like.

Delicious!

Roasted Asparagus and Morels with Fresh Horseradish Sauce « Cook Local

Roasted Asparagus and Morels with Fresh Horseradish Sauce « Cook Local

I made this for dinner. The morels were so delicious; I forgot to take a picture.

A Sampling of Chinglish - Slide Show - NYTimes.com

A Sampling of Chinglish - Slide Show - NYTimes.com

Language is awesome!

New Project

‘pho∙to∙gra∙phy’ (etymology of): from photos (ϕοτοσ), light, and graphos (γραοσ), writing, delineation, or painting.



I love pushing the limits of relatively uncomplex consumer cameras, repurposing their pre-programmed photo modes for unintended and beautiful consequences of imagery. Here, "Starry Night" mode on the Panasonic Lumix TS-1 becomes more Mark Rothko painting than photograph as a 15-second exposure soaks in colors and attempts to white balance. See more this Friday at Roundscapes, 14th & O in the Parrish Building, where I'll be showing along with Jason Ortiz.

The Battlefield Pinhole Camera | DIYPhotography.net

The Battlefield Pinhole Camera | DIYPhotography.net

This is just so beautiful...

My Week #53 (April 19-25) on Vimeo

My Week #53 (April 19-25) on Vimeo

My Week #53 (April 19-25) from nocoastfilms on Vimeo.

Oh, Spring! With storms and glorious Nebraska skies, we enjoy the weather or damn it.

My Week #50 (March 29-April 4) on Vimeo

My Week #50 (March 29-April 4) on Vimeo

My Week #50 (March 29-April 4) from nocoastfilms on Vimeo.

Can you tell it's gotten nice out again? Anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new toughcam so that shots of Wilderness, etc., can be included. Thanks to Ryan for the shots of my mountain bike racing debut.

Lincoln Hustle on Vimeo

Lincoln Hustle on Vimeo

Lincoln Hustle from dane o on Vimeo.

Shot on the streets of Lincoln, NE during an unsanctioned, checkpoint-based bike race.

My Week #47 (March 8-14) on Vimeo

My Week #47 (March 8-14) on Vimeo

My Week #47 (March 8-14) from nocoastfilms on Vimeo.

Critters at work, serious faces, gray & rainy days, the return of a soup night, and Radio Flyer races at the Bourbon.

ONN Takes on the Cable News Version

I love tropes!

Zoobooks!

thanks, Andrew Sullivan.

My Week #46 (March 1-7) on Vimeo

My Week #46 (March 1-7) on Vimeo

My Week #46 (March 1-7) from nocoastfilms on Vimeo.

Gravel beckons, Emily has a new apartment, and Becca celebrates her 28th birthday a day early.

Editorial - If Reform Fails - NYTimes.com

Editorial - If Reform Fails - NYTimes.com

Quite plain, easy to understand analysis.

yes.

well i'm a jesse white tumblr. born under punches

Google Maps 'Bike There' Feature Request Petition

Google Maps 'Bike There' Feature Request Petition

Sign this!

TROLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLO

TROLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLO

Happy Friday! h/t Rob Sand.

Afternoon gravel

Rolled out with a nice little escaping work early crew this afternoon, looking for some gravel to explore...


With the temperature just hitting 50, Andrew and Emily opted for shorts. Nice contrast with the remaining piles of snow and ice.

Grant got a new Masi, and took it out for its virgin ride today. He also hit a personal mileage record.


Emily and I both are experiencing our first spring and looking forward to our first summer with 'cross bikes. I was told the world would open up for me, with so many more choices for afternoon rides. Being a local geography nerd, I felt like I had a handle on local roads enough to keep my road riding interesting, but boy, did this ever change things!
I love you, Jo.

Leighton Pierce's videos on Vimeo

Wow, I'm so glad Leighton Pierce is on Vimeo.

Leighton Pierce's videos on Vimeo

This is one of my favorites:

m) 2002. Fall (3 parts) from Leighton Pierce on Vimeo.

www.leightonpierce.com

A struggle to hold on to the world, the various worlds we try to inhabit.
Shot in the south of France during the fall of 2001.


Selected Awards:
Ann Arbor Film Festival
San Francisco International Film Festival
Athens Film Festival
Toronto Images :Honorable Mention
Screenings:
Museum of Contemporary Art, Montreal, Dallas Video Festival, Mill Valley Film festival, Louisville Film Festival etc.

Pecha Kucha Lincoln #1: My Week on Vimeo

Pecha Kucha Lincoln #1: My Week on Vimeo

Pecha Kucha Lincoln #1: My Week from nocoastfilms on Vimeo.

My Pecha Kucha presentation on the My Week series.

My Week #45 (February 22-28) on Vimeo

My Week #45 (February 22-28) on Vimeo

My Week #45 (February 22-28) from nocoastfilms on Vimeo.

Featuring my first Pecha Kucha presentation, among small signs of spring and reminders of winter.

[_] is following you

I get a kick out of little things like this. Thanks, Google Reader.

My Week #44 (February 15-21) on Vimeo

My Week #44 (February 15-21) on Vimeo

My Week #44 (February 15-21) from nocoastfilms on Vimeo.

Between getting sick and working feverishly on preparing my Pecha Kucha My Week presentation, I've come up with a short one this time, but one that still shows two trucks carrying strange animal facsimiles.

The Greatest Craigslist Room Rental Ad Ever - The Consumerist

The Greatest Craigslist Room Rental Ad Ever - The Consumerist

Seems like this guy would make for an entertaining roommate. Oh, the creation of identity in the digital world...

Back to working on my Pecha Kucha presentation...

Intoxiposting?

Think "ricki" may have been a little under the influence?

low end sr suntour and bombraket snd padlals

Think these photos may have been taken with an appendage other than hands?

Mark Lakers enters governor race against Heineman

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a Democratic candidate for Governor of Nebraska!

Mark Lakers enters governor race against Heineman

Kick-That-Cold Miso

It's been awhile since I've posted a recipe...

After a busy day at work where what started as a minor sniffle slowly elevated to a full-on head cold, I came home both exhausted and motivated to try to kick the cold in the ass. I'm so backlogged with stuff to edit and looming deadlines that I can't afford to be sick for long. Miso to the rescue!

I remembered my very talented college roommate Marika, whose Japanese mother sent her care packages with instant packets, swearing by miso soup as the surefire cure for any ailment, particularly a bad cold. Fast-forward from instant packets to full-blown and elaborate soups with daikon ribbons and carefully simmered onions, introduced to me by my friend Brett's friend Megumi, whom he met while studying in Tokyo. Tonight, I needed something in between.

Kick-That-Cold Miso

1-2 Tbsp. sesame oil
4 cloves of garlic, whole
2 c. vegetable broth
1/3 c. seaweed/mushroom/leek mix
1 heaping Tbsp. red miso paste
1/4 c. vegetable broth*

1 bundle soba or udon noodles

Extra salt or tamari to taste.


In a medium-sized pot, bring enough water to boil to cook noodles. Meanwhile, cover the bottom of a medium-sized saucepan with sesame oil. Sprinkle in a little coarse sea salt, heat, and add the whole garlic cloves, searing over medium-high heat and stirring frequently. Once the garlic has started to brown and looks kind of deep-fried, carefully add 2 cups of vegetable broth and reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the the dried seaweed, and cook gently until the dried mushrooms in the mix have softened. In a separate bowl, dissolve the miso paste into the remaining 1/4 c. of vegetable broth. When your noodles have finished cooking, turn off the heat on the stock and stir in the miso.

Makes two good-sized bowls to feed the cold of one or the starting course for two.


*I highly recommend making your own vegetable stock -- it's so easy and practically free! Save up vegetable peelings, ends of onions, stems, etc. in the freezer until you have a nice containerful. Put these in a large stockpot with an equal amount of water, and add peppercorns, bay leaves, or other herbs. Bring to a low boil and simmer for several hours, strain, and salt if desired. Experimenting with different veggie scrap combinations is fun -- if you use beets, you can make pink broth!

Trailer: La Solidaridad on Vimeo

My friend and documentary co-producer Brent Meier has a new film in the works...

Trailer: La Solidaridad on Vimeo

Trailer: La Solidaridad from Meier_Walters on Vimeo.

A preview to the short documentary about a trip to Cuba where

we investigated mobility and access to the health system.

Who Knew?

I just discovered canned dolmas. They're on special right now at Open Harvest, and became an impulse buy for me Saturday. I thought there would be no way they'd compete with fresh, restaurant-made ones, but holy wow, they're yummy.

In other news, I'm spending my little employee benefit of a state holiday working on my Pecha Kucha presentation.


Hope to see you at the Bourbon Theatre on the 24th!