#Life

Technology advances, society slowly accepts, and new norms are formed along with (in my opinion) grievous habits. The culprit: incorrect use of the hashtag/#.

I'm no social media guru but it's my general understanding (and reconfirmed by the excellent source that is Wikipedia-tangent, you won't find scholarly links here) that the point of a hashtag is to document, archive, and group discussions.

I want to put a hot fire poker through all of the Instagram photos, tweets, and Facebook users who essentially slap that pound sign on a sentence and call it a day. Few things annoy me more. Furthermore, the hashtag function is not supported on Facebook. While I get that Instagram and Twitter feeds auto post there for some, eyes are still rolling.

I'm hopeful that anyone new (toddlers, seniors?) to using these mediums might research the proper use (hah) of the hashtag, and Google might bring up this little exercise. I've heard the argument the great and mighty "they" have tossed around the idea of getting rid of cursive. While I don't agree with that potential decision, maybe a social media lesson is in order, as it's certainly not going away.

Exhibit A: A photo taken on the third best day of my life, meeting Ina Garten.

Possible hash tags for people searching to learn more about Mrs. Garten from the photo that I did Instagram: #InaGarten, #BarefootContessa, #FoolproofBookTour2012. All of these hash tags could be archived for someone just learning about the fabulous Ina, wanting information about her books, or a fellow fan(atic.)

Incorrect hash tags might be #InaandJeffrey4eva, #oopsmybrastrapisshowing, #TodayIMetInaGartenAndItWasAmazing, or #InLineToMeetInaGarten!. The latter two are sentences-just caption the picture that way! The first needs no explanation. Never do that and curse your 13-year-old self for ever writing in that manner.

Does every picture really require a hash tag? Break the habit.

#HashtagReform2013

Happy Valentine's Day!

Giving up the good stuff

In honor of the Lenten season I am giving up the good stuff starting today-wine, beer, and all libations. The last time I did a rather difficult sacrifice (Target in 2010) I almost made it the 40 days, but caved for convenience on a hectic day. In some ways, it sounds shallow to give wine up, but it is part of my routine and will be a challenge for my lifestyle since I so look forward to a pour after work.

So (sparkling water) cheers to March 31!

The Chefs Haselton

Last night, a dream I didn't knew I had came true-a participation dinner at Mr. Stox.

My in-laws have done several over the years and gifted us the opportunity at Christmas of 2011. It took over a year for our schedules to align with the offered dates, and our evening fell on the final one. Sadly, after 40+ years, the landmark restaurant is closing. So, we were so happy to finale joy a final meal, and prepare it.

The entire group hovered around 28 ( about 10-12 too many I'm told) and we were broken up into groups that would tackle each course. Frank and Sandy were assigned to the fourth course, dessert- a banana tartin, while Scott and I worked on the first, jumbo prawn stuffed with crab meat with a jalapeño orange hollandaise sauce.

At first I was totally overwhelmed with seriously so many cooks in the kitchen, plus servers coming in and out running desserts. Our own servers came with and ensured our cooking wine was always filled and the kitchen staff whisked away cutting boards and knives for washing.

We grilled and chopped jalapeños, squeezed and reduced orange juice, separated eggs, stuffed prawns, and babysat/ whisked the hollandaise. The lobster was thwacked around us (and memorialized on the back of my dress) while others poached the beef and assembled a ratatouille.

The experience was amazing. I stepped in the line kitchen and was completely overwhelmed again by the amount of people, burners raging, and food flipping.

Once everyone was done, each group plated and served the meal. It was tremendously fun and extremely delicious. I'm only sorry that we were able to do it once.



Thank you, thank you to my in- laws for such a fabulous evening doing something I love and fulfilling one of my foodie dreams!

January 31, 2013

My first thought waking up each day is: "is it the weekend?" Then, "what is the date?" Finally, my brain does a database scan of important events that might have happened on that date. Today is Justin Timberlake's birthday.

Why do I know this? Because I have a stupid knack for recalling important dates and factoids in history. And, I clearly put way too much energy into remembering most of NSYNC's birthdays back in 1999.

Yet, I often jest to myself that I need a poster-sized sticky note to reference important, recurring information I can't seem to retain. This is really neither here nor there, more of a reminder that at the very least I want to do this in a Google doc for my own (and rather embarrassing) benefit.

While I haven't forgotten to recount our activities in the past 31 days, I simply haven't had the gusto. We've lived life--going to the theatre with my parents, trying new restaurants, dates with old friends, celebrated birthdays...it just didn't make it to this little space on the web.

I am challenged to write in my professional life, both full time and a side gig, and lately I've found that sometimes my creative cup has simply been emptied. I've also taken on a new and more public role that's made me question how much information I want to willingly share, and that could also be part of the reason for keeping mum, especially when it comes to ranting.

So, we'll see the direction this 6-year-old public diary takes in 2013. At the very least I should update the header, seeing as I'm fairly sure we've expired our moniker as newlyweds.

2012: O

O is for outstanding, the kind of grade given in early elementary school, and how I sum up 2012.

It was the kind of year defined by amazing experiences, sharing moments with family and friends, but also living every day life to the fullest. Scott and I ate some amazing meals, worked on our house, learned more about each other, watched friends and family get married, have babies, and celebrate milestone birthdays. While the year was full of highs, there were certainly moments of reflection in loss, specifically the passing of my grandfather.

Yet, I feel very fortunate that the entire year feels like a highlight reel, which is essentially this blog. I started this back in 2007, and while some of those early posts were pretty juvenile in nature as I figured out this public diary business, I'm happy that it's been fairly consistently updated. I started it because I don't like to write in a journal as my handwriting is too sloppy, and it's grown into a way to stay in touch with family and friends from near and far. While it's no Young House Love or Dooce, I'm glad my parents care enough to still read what their nearly 29-year-old daughter puts on the Internet. And offer suggestions :)

On the final day of 2012, it seems appropriate to list favorites. It's organized, there are photos, and a pretty bitchin' top three.

1. The day we jumped out of a plane

2. Hiking to Machu Piccu

3. Meeting Ina Garten

And what's New Year's Eve without a grand finale activity like riding a Segway for the first time?

Cheers to 2013, and all that it has in store!

-Madam Commissioner Erin Haselton

Happy birthday, Sandy!

Happy birthday to the best mother-in-law I could ever ask for. Thank you for raising such a wonderful son and family that so many others get to enjoy. You are beloved!