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porcelaine -> RE: Specific resources for service (9/11/2009 4:17:42 AM)
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okay here's a few....
food and wine
i've taken courses on japanese tea ceremony and other customs through local asian cultural centers. some of the programs are very well defined and can be short or long term. they also included instruction on music, artistry, and other skills commonly associated with geisha's. if this is of interest i'd recommend perusing the immortal geisha website for information and reading suggestions.
http://www.immortalgeisha.com/
chowhound has a great article on building the ultimate home bar that spans three levels. it is also a great community of diehard foodies. if you require information about local eats, cookbooks, or products this is the place to go. http://www.chow.com/stories/10490
if your dominant has a passion for fresh baked goods but school is not an option for you, visit king arthur flour. they offer recipes and video demonstrations that can be useful for the novice baker.
http://www.kingarthurflour.com/
tracy stern has a neat book on themed tea parties that offer a different twist on traditional tea service.
http://www.amazon.com/Tea-Party-Occasion-Fabulous-Gatherings/dp/0307346439/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252662220&sr=8-9
this site offers recipes from the burgeoning collection of 101 cookbooks. recipes are categorized and include pictures for each item prepared.
http://www.101cookbooks.com/
ever see a piece of cheese and you can't remember the name or need suggestions? artisanal is a well known purveyor and most better to high end cheese monger patronize their services. the cheese books available for sale are very good as well.
http://www.artisanalcheese.com/
on the subject of wine: while i support wine spectator, wine enthusiast, saveur, and food and wine as valid resources. this is truly a subject where nuances will be individual. which basically means the wine rating isn't infallible and someone's 90 may be your yech! unless you have disposable income that affords tasting at multiple levels, i suggest adventure with a big dose of common sense. stay on the look out for nose kits. you can usually find them on sale around the holidays.
as for education, you can find afforable courses through whole foods and stay abreast of tastings in your vicinity through local wine events.
http://www.localwineevents.com/
a note about cookbooks: it is a fallacy to believe that all recipes are tested before being published. while mistakes can occur on the novice cooks end, it is a well known fact within the industry that some things were never checked. with the advent of food oriented programming and blogs, it is easier to discover this before you prepare the dish. especially if ingredients are expensive or the preparation is lengthy. i highly recommend double checking to save yourself some time and frustration.
ps. julia child's books are a gold standard. [;)]
organization
some people swear by flylady. if organization has been your nemesis and you need an overhaul, their methods have been known to assist.
http://flylady.com/
mindtools has excellent resources on organization. i have found them very useful. they provide a monthly newsletter with tips.
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/main/newMN_HTE.htm
shelf life guides can be found here for most products. poisoning master/mistress probably won't go over well.
http://www.stilltasty.com/
organized home provides hints and resources for the modern home. if you want a system that is workable and not too involved, this might be an option. don't forget the household notebook and menu planner.
http://organizedhome.com/
purists interested in english tradition have utilized mrs. beeton's as inspiration for period recreation in their own homes. i would suggest you see other resources including those published by butlers for modern interpretation.
http://www.mrsbeeton.com/
professional and social
this is where listening pays off big. if you notice an area where your dominant has a definite interest try to educate yourself. i've been known to study a subject as a way of amplifying the dialogue/fostering participation on my end. that doesn't mean i will enjoy everything he does. but i do make an earnest attempt to understand and be reasonably versed when possible. i've found this to be a useful springboard for things we've both wanted to learn as well. or something he doesn't have time to pursue at the moment that i can begin and bring him up to speed later on.
for the dominant who's career requires him to read copious business titles, executive summaries is a good option for the helpful submissive. while the service isn't free, at the very least you receive an in depth summation of the title that could assist him in selection and provide a little education for you in the process.
http://www.summary.com/
maintain a list of his professional memberships and check their websites for regional and national conferences. make suggestions as well. at large memberships are commonly done. you'll usually find a comprehensive listing in some business magazines. since this information changes from year to year, i recommend you look there for upcoming events.
people in the know have utilized social organizations as a way for networking, volunteerism, and the development of event planning and fund raising skills. most organizations have various levels of participation and developmental boards for young persons wanting to get involved and make a commitment. the delightful thing about doing so is the ability to meet other people, opportunities for travel, and the development of soft skills on someone else's budget. which can be practiced and perfected at home. do what you enjoy, otherwise it will seem tedious. outside of the well known organizations and those with a long history, you can find new opportunities at volunteermatch.
http://www.volunteermatch.org/
you can meet like minded people with shared interests or a desire to gain a new skill through meetup. most of the events are free or reasonably priced.
http://www.meetup.com/
goldstar offers discounts for social, musical, and theatrical events in various areas. check to see if yours is listed and join the mailing list. most events are reduced by 50% or more.
https://www.goldstar.com/signup
other
fellow submissives with the reading bug or in need of a nudge to tackle the books gathering dust on their shelves might enjoy reading challenges. the level of involvement is individual. if writing is your forte or you simply need inspiration outside of the journal entry or tasks, this might be of interest. you'll find a number of challenges on this site that are updated as new ones are created.
http://novelchallenges.blogspot.com/
taste not waste. that's my mantra. there's nothing better than a bargain and the best ones are usually posted on slickdeals or fat wallet. smart shoppers get in early and save money as well. they commonly post black friday deals weeks in advance and price mistakes too.
http://www.slickdeals.net
http://www.fatwallet.org
i'm not a big television fan. but you can find interesting programs on the fine living network. they provide a different spin on things. some may be dated but the website maintains information, recipes, and entertaining resources you might find useful.
http://www.fineliving.com/
if you're shopping for books considering joining book of the month club 2. it was formerly known as zooba and everything is priced $9.95 - $12.95. that's right, these are the same books you're paying full price for at borders. shipping is free and no tax is charged. they don't have a crazy commitment either. cookbook and fiction addicts go here.
http://www.bomc2.com
book remainders and closeouts can be found in used book stores or bookcloseouts. it isn't uncommon to see these items selling at a different price point at a major retailer.
http://www.bookcloseouts.com/default.asp?N=0
if you cannot wait and must have the item yesterday. join borders rewards program. coupons are sent via email every week. be patient. they offer a 30% and 40% one each month. plus free coffee coupons as well. compare with amazon. sometimes borders is the cheaper option. grab the free card in store and register it online.
http://www.borders.com/online/store/BRLandingView
health enthusiasts will appreciate your knowledge of the organic and slow food movements. you can learn a great deal through local harvest. the seasonal food chart is a bonus that provides fresher food at a fraction of the cost of purchasing it off season. the chart is maintained by frugal life and continually updated.
http://www.localharvest.org/
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=p_6XKBPv9xuOkYVqmnfO1Fg
bbc offers dramatized book readings. if you're of fan of literature, mystery, or an appreciator of something different you might enjoy these.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/programmes/genres/drama/current
having software issues and you need some help? have a program you'd like to learn? hp learning center offers free courses on various software programs. check and see if yours is listed.
http://h30187.www3.hp.com/index.jsp
the submissive guide has some interesting information. she offers suggestion for additional services an enterprising submissive might wish to undertake. her journal prompts are also a treat if you find your mind going blank.
http://www.submissiveguide.com/
enjoy!
porcelaine
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