Work for illegal immigrants

So it appears we've found employment for some illegal immigrants:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6626823
As the headline states, "Border Fence Firm Snared for Hiring Illegal Workers"
I can't stop laughing at this. It doesn't matter one's opinion on the fence or immigration - it is so wrong and ironic.

Have a good day. I am.

Cube Results

I got it done last night. But I'm still missing the polar bear and the singing tree. And to bribe the judges, I've got candy canes with little gingerbread men and stuffed stockings attached.
My coworkers are responding positively. However, some are suggesting that I make a great present. The way they say it, I get the feeling that they think I'm going to pop out the top as a topless women springs froth from a cake. Not going to happen.

Holiday in Cube Land

My company has decided to have a contest to see who can best decorate their cube for the holidays. I've decided to participate in this competition. Tonight I plan to wrap my cube. I've got gold bow(the type for the top of a tree) and ribbon to cover the seam. I'm going to get a animated, lit polar bear who will have his little nose peeking out into the aisle. Then we've got a couples strands of lights and ornaments from here to Tuesday.

The reasoning behind this: My apartment isn't ready for a tree and I want to do something with my holiday decorations. I just found a couple ornaments that are on the side of hideous. Wow, it is amazing the icky things that get created in this world.

Tonight's plan - leave work and then return to do the decoration. Not quite sure how I'm going to make this happen. I'll see if I can post pictures.

The prize: A night in a fancy hotel the night of our holiday/January kick-off company party.

Wish me luck.

Baking

My kitchen is a mess. I got an itching to bake. Yesterday I woke up and ran off to have lunch with my mother and stepfather. We ate at Sam's Chowder House in Half Moon Bay. We had a glorious view with smooth, sparkling water and yummy seafood. We enjoyed Clam Chowder (both Manhattan and New England) as well as Ahi Poke and a full dungress crab. But despite the good food, I was realizing that I hadn't cooked a meal in about two weeks. Take out and restaurants and I was craving some home cooked goods.

So, after lunch I stopped at home and found some recipes for food as well as the cranberry bread from my mother and her mother (always made in December) and made up a list. Met up with my girlfriend Sonya, of Hong Kong fame, as she was in town. We only had time for a quick drink, as she was running off to see a friend's new baby and I, as I put it, "I am in the mood to bake." She about lost her beer, "That is a phrase that has never slipped past my lips, 'I am in the mood to bake.'" She was incredulous.

But 3 hours later I was in full swing. 4 mini-tins of banana bread, 5 of cranberry bread (I forgot the 1/2 t of baking soda dissolved in hot water, so they look a tad limp, however they taste great), marinated New York steak, Suffato (vegetable stew) and roasted fingerling potatoes. When it came time to eat, I about collapsed. Greg suggested that I was pushing myself too hard... But I just wanted to eat and bake. My kitchen in full of dishes and I have nothing for dinner tonight - how ironic is that?

Anyway - I gave Liz the Team Lead a banana bread. A bit nervous about that, as I think I over cooked it slightly and I haven't yet tasted it. Greg got a steak sandwich for lunch with a tin of each type of bread and the remaining roasted potatoes. I've got three tins on my desk and we'll have to see who gets them.

And yes, for those in the know - that is Gail's famous Banana Bread that I made.