Melody Chan Graves

Follow me on Twitter @ melodycgraves and @ecodynamiclivng

True to my Gemini personality, I'm embarking on a secondary career as a certified Building Biologist. Follow my Twitter feed @ecodynamiclivng for links to all things related to the subject of uber-green living!

trivia

Did you know that...

• I'm partially ambidextrous.

• I have no God-given sense of direction. It must be a genetic thing that I got from both sides of my family... but, I have trained myself over the years to read maps and follow written directions. However, I can't process verbal directions. They confuse me.

• I get a strange deer-in-headlights look when people start talking about things like math...

• I have a knack for asking obvious questions, which makes people think I haven't been listening to them, but it's really because I want to remember what they said, so I'm trying to get them to repeat themselves.

• I used to sell Birkenstocks at my local mall--and loved it, except for the one time a woman threw the phone at me because I couldn't give her a refund.

• I once temped at a code enforcement office and was the lucky person who answered all the phone calls from irate residents complaining about the $200 fine for not mowing their lawns.

• My favorite TV show is The Office. And yes, I have my very own Dwight Shrute bobblehead sitting in a place of honor in my living room.

my favorites

restaurants:

This is a random list of memorable places I've eaten during my travels over the years. If you haven't figured it out by now, I'm something of a foodie, budding oenophile, and chocoholic. (well, maybe not a chocoholic. I just like to self-medicate. Often.)

KoKoa Chocolatier
Tulsa, OK

Addis Red Sea Ethiopian Restaurant
     Boston, MA

Zaytinya - authentic mezze, or Mediterranean tapas
     Washington, D.C.

Tamarind Indian Restaurant
     New York, NY

Brix Restaurant and Wine Shop
     Napa, CA

The Clay Pit Indian Restaurant
     Austin, TX

There's a funny story attached to this one. I always go to The Clay Pit when I'm in Austin. Last time I visited, due to poor wardrobe planning and a bird under the Congress Ave. bridge who decided to gift me with a fly-by bombing, I showed up at the restaurant in bird-crapped cycling shorts and serious helmet head. Fortunately, the staff took pity on me and still served me their delicious Indian cuisine.

what I'm listening to:

The Fray - The Fray

3 Doors Down - 3 Doors Down

Revelation - Third Day

The Beautiful Letdown - Switchfoot

No Name Face - Lifehouse

Lisa Gerrard - Lisa Gerrard

Time to Say Goodbye - Sarah Brightman

Cool wines in my wine cellar:

Gary Farrell 2005 Carneros Pinot Noir Ramal Vineyard

Grgich Hills 2003 Violetta

Prairie Moon 2006 Vidal Blanc
Ice Wine, Story Country, Iowa

CHOColate:

Green & Black's Organic Hot Chocolate - best hot chocolate ever!

NewTree Fine Belgian Dark Chocolate, Pleasure - The name says it all.