There were no loud objections to me writing about my food adventures in the blog so here we go!
I'm not that confidant in my food photography skills so you don't get pictures yet, plus I was really freaking tired after being at work all day with new student orientation and then to the store and then cooking.
Last night for Metropolis Secret Santa I made Beef Stew and hand-mashed potatoes.
The recipe here ----> http://www.notquitenigella.com/2009/08/06/beef-beer-stew-with-cheese-dumplings-aka-the-marriage-maker/
is the one I used. I didn't make the cheese dumplings to go with it because I bought some bread (which I forgot about till I was going to bed and scared the ever-loving crap out of myself when I remembered I'd left in the oven to warm...it didn't burn though!)
And last time I made it, we needed the potato to cut through the richness. This time it didn't turn out so rich and heavy because I added more stock (about a container and a half) and less bacon. I do not live in Australia therefore when you tell me 150g of bacon I have no clue what that is, so I will assume you mean at least a half package.
Yes, I have a kitchen scale. Shut up.
It's BACON for Christs' sake...
Also I added some carrots and seasonings, because it seemed like it would be bland without them.
It still turned out rather tasty and it isn't that expensive to make considering beef stew cuts are pretty reasonable.
Tonight it's either going to be butterflied porkchops or more likely a box o' mac and cheese.
I wish I had the money and energy to go buy some fresh eggs, I'd make Eggs Benedict....
Update on the books...
04 January 2010
So I finished Fahrenheit 451 which, admittedly, is not the hardest or longest read on the list I posted. But I still greatly enjoyed it!
I indulged when I got back into town and went with Padawan to the brand-spanking new Barnes and Noble at the mall. I bought a small collection of Sherlock Holmes, like everyone else, since I'd just seen the movie with family. Go see the movie, it's an hour and a half of fun and giggling at the "I see what you did there" bro-love jokes between Holmes and Watson.
So, finishing the Doyle this week and hopefully making a dent in the Amber Spyglass.
I'm also considering starting a new blog from this one that has to do with food. any opinions? Would anyone be annoyed if I just started to talk more about food here?
Oh and because I finally have a picture of myself I like this is me and Padawan on New Years all dolled up and the local dive bar.
(P.S. - Padawan is not his real name, although that would be funny, he just enjoys his privacy)
I indulged when I got back into town and went with Padawan to the brand-spanking new Barnes and Noble at the mall. I bought a small collection of Sherlock Holmes, like everyone else, since I'd just seen the movie with family. Go see the movie, it's an hour and a half of fun and giggling at the "I see what you did there" bro-love jokes between Holmes and Watson.
So, finishing the Doyle this week and hopefully making a dent in the Amber Spyglass.
I'm also considering starting a new blog from this one that has to do with food. any opinions? Would anyone be annoyed if I just started to talk more about food here?
Oh and because I finally have a picture of myself I like this is me and Padawan on New Years all dolled up and the local dive bar.
(P.S. - Padawan is not his real name, although that would be funny, he just enjoys his privacy)
I hate getting these e-mails....
09 December 2009
A co-worker sent me this e-mail today.
It's offensive to me.
If you, the co-worker, happen upon this blog one day please take this as a sign I don't want these things anymore....
"This is one of the best commemtary's I have read and I especially like Anne Grahams
remarks!
I Only hope we find GOD again before it is too late ! !
The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.
My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against.. That's what they are, Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina).. Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'
In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay.
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW..'
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing yet?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit.
If not, then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.
My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,
Ben Stein"
It's offensive to me.
If you, the co-worker, happen upon this blog one day please take this as a sign I don't want these things anymore....
"This is one of the best commemtary's I have read and I especially like Anne Grahams
remarks!
I Only hope we find GOD again before it is too late ! !
The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.
My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against.. That's what they are, Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina).. Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'
In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay.
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW..'
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing yet?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit.
If not, then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.
My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,
Ben Stein"
It's Been a Few Months...
Labels: books, reading, Reddit
I'm not the best at keeping up my blog. I should be better about it since I sit in front of a computer all day but sometimes I actually need to do work, at work.
If you enjoy writing, like I do, when you go on hiatus for awhile some times it can be a good thing. It's not such a good thing when you realize you've been neglecting one of the most important parts of being a writer, even if it's just a hobby; READING. The most basic fact of writing; you don't read, you don't write. And since my hiatus also included not reading as much it's time to get that part of daily life back.
A lot of the time in my adult life I find myself having stretches of time where I have a lot of time to myself to do things like read (often these times go hand in hand with being single). And then all of a sudden I'm too busy/tired to even pick up a book or spend time on my own hobbies. So, I'm now attempting to up back up on that horse and opt to read more instead of say, plop in front of the TV after work. (Apologies to my roommates, I find it hard to read in the living room due to noise)
Recently, I've come into easy access of about double my normal library of books. Yes, my room is now a bit more crowded than it was a few weeks ago but having stacks of books everywhere makes me look scholarly and I like it. The following is a list of books I plan on reading within the next month or two. I'll update when I finish them with a short review. I warn you now there are some books that most of you read when you were in high school, you will look at it being on the list and shout at your screen in anger. If you live near/with me please refrain from smacking me.
When She Was Good - Philip Roth
Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury (I know, SHUT UP!)
Blood & Iron - Elizabeth Bear (Buying a copy at B&N today, I've been reading a lot of her blog and really want to get into her alternate history)
The Best Non-Required Reading 2008 and 2009 - Dave Eggers (Editor)
Amber Spyglass - Philip Pullman (I will finally finish this series!)
Also, on a side note, I'm doing Reddit Secret Santa this year and it's been confirmed that I'm actually getting a gift! I'll post a picture of whatever I get and let you know if the guy I'm sending a present to enjoys it as well.
If you enjoy writing, like I do, when you go on hiatus for awhile some times it can be a good thing. It's not such a good thing when you realize you've been neglecting one of the most important parts of being a writer, even if it's just a hobby; READING. The most basic fact of writing; you don't read, you don't write. And since my hiatus also included not reading as much it's time to get that part of daily life back.
A lot of the time in my adult life I find myself having stretches of time where I have a lot of time to myself to do things like read (often these times go hand in hand with being single). And then all of a sudden I'm too busy/tired to even pick up a book or spend time on my own hobbies. So, I'm now attempting to up back up on that horse and opt to read more instead of say, plop in front of the TV after work. (Apologies to my roommates, I find it hard to read in the living room due to noise)
Recently, I've come into easy access of about double my normal library of books. Yes, my room is now a bit more crowded than it was a few weeks ago but having stacks of books everywhere makes me look scholarly and I like it. The following is a list of books I plan on reading within the next month or two. I'll update when I finish them with a short review. I warn you now there are some books that most of you read when you were in high school, you will look at it being on the list and shout at your screen in anger. If you live near/with me please refrain from smacking me.
When She Was Good - Philip Roth
Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury (I know, SHUT UP!)
Blood & Iron - Elizabeth Bear (Buying a copy at B&N today, I've been reading a lot of her blog and really want to get into her alternate history)
The Best Non-Required Reading 2008 and 2009 - Dave Eggers (Editor)
Amber Spyglass - Philip Pullman (I will finally finish this series!)
Also, on a side note, I'm doing Reddit Secret Santa this year and it's been confirmed that I'm actually getting a gift! I'll post a picture of whatever I get and let you know if the guy I'm sending a present to enjoys it as well.
MFing District 9
01 September 2009
I know I was a little late getting to see District 9, lack of money will do that, but it was completely worth it.
as you might know there are several different kinds of "nerd" or "dork". Most people start out as kids falling in love with Transformers, Power Rangers, comic books, the Sunday comics, or maybe just general things like science. As a kid I read a lot of comic strips like Fox Trot, Far Side, Calvin and Hobbes ect. ect.
My parents would often refer to these as "dessert" books. Yes I was reading, which is good, but I wasn't reading something that took brain power. So I went on a search for something "meatier". I remember the first time I found a fantasy novel that I enjoyed and new this was something I could really read and satisfied my parents. This of course lead my father to start to steer me towards a genre he enjoyed, science fiction.
Long way around for an introduction to District 9, huh? It's because you need to understand how deep seated my love for GOOD science fiction is, not only as an adult but since I was 12 years old.
Good science fiction is hard to find. It's especially hard to find in a movie theater since I’ve been cognitive enough to know the difference. Sure, I love bad science fiction too. Who doesn’t? I’ve been given many a glare when in the middle of a gossip session about the latest on Dr. Who, when I point out its fun science fiction but not very GOOD science fiction.
as you might know there are several different kinds of "nerd" or "dork". Most people start out as kids falling in love with Transformers, Power Rangers, comic books, the Sunday comics, or maybe just general things like science. As a kid I read a lot of comic strips like Fox Trot, Far Side, Calvin and Hobbes ect. ect.
My parents would often refer to these as "dessert" books. Yes I was reading, which is good, but I wasn't reading something that took brain power. So I went on a search for something "meatier". I remember the first time I found a fantasy novel that I enjoyed and new this was something I could really read and satisfied my parents. This of course lead my father to start to steer me towards a genre he enjoyed, science fiction.
Long way around for an introduction to District 9, huh? It's because you need to understand how deep seated my love for GOOD science fiction is, not only as an adult but since I was 12 years old.
Good science fiction is hard to find. It's especially hard to find in a movie theater since I’ve been cognitive enough to know the difference. Sure, I love bad science fiction too. Who doesn’t? I’ve been given many a glare when in the middle of a gossip session about the latest on Dr. Who, when I point out its fun science fiction but not very GOOD science fiction.
Sure, Independence Day was a fun let’s-go-shoot-aliens-fuck-yeah-humanity movie; but good science fiction? No. Not even close. There have been several jokes about the random guy sneezing which makes Jeff Goldblum think he can bring down the aliens with a virus, not the basis of good science fiction.
District 9, however, is really good science fiction. Sure it has some problems but they’re the kind of problems that doesn’t take away from anything. I was lucky enough to go see the movie with someone else who also really likes science fiction, so we discussed in length some of the plot points after the movie and late into the night, but I never stopped in the middle of the movie to ask, REALLY?
Again, not a perfect movie, but GOOD science fiction.
Sharlto Copley, does an amazing job as Wikus Van De Merwe, a stumbling government bureaucrat who is just as racist as anyone else in the movie and the most unlikely action star ever. But this is what sells us. Sure something like, Inglorious Basterds, is a lot of fun but do I see myself on the same level as Na-zi killer Brad Pitt? No. Can I identify with Wikus? Yes.
Wikus is humanity incarnate. He was just at work, trying not to fuck up the promotion his father-in-law gave him, sure he was horrible to these aliens but these are conditions many people across the world face (which was a little bit, WAKE-UP-SHEEPLE), and he saw it as just doing his job.
Wikus does eventually start to show humanity can have kindness towards something we don’t understand, and at the same time finally becomes a badass with a little help from a MEC and a cute little kid. I don’t want to give too much away because this is not a movie you have to see on the big screen to appreciate, so if you’re like me and money is tight at times, rent it. But I would first encourage you to maybe not go to the bar a few nights or eat a sandwich at home to save the 7 bucks and see it as soon as possible.
Project ADD
13 July 2009
Is there such thing as project ADD? Cause if there is I think I have it.
I start a lot of projects, get it rolling then move on to the next one. Some times this method of work makes some things fall to the way-side.
NerdBoy Comics, is currently on hiatus till we get issue two squared away. I'll post the last few pages of ZC as I get them then it's re-group time! This is mainly due to a CRAZY work schedule I have for my day job during the summer and then not really being on the ball as EIC.
Maybe I need to give my lil helpers at the company some more responsibility so more stuff can get done. Our official launch (or re-launch?) will be at the Lubbock Comic Con and if everything goes as planned we'll actually have professionaly bound copies of issues 1 and 2, yay!
I'm still working on issue #3, like I said old and new projects duke it ou tall the time.
As for new projects, I've started writing a little one-act stage play. We'll see how that goes.
I have a few connections in the Lubbock theater community that might be willing to workshop it which would be awesome.
If you've read any of my short stories (Which I don't think you have because your name isn't Sam or Byrle, or Rick for that matter) my strong point has always been dialogue.
So why not try a form that is based around some thing I enjoy writing so much?
I'm also needing to brush up on my reading for Art History if I really do want to go back for my M.A., but we'll see. Hmm, I wonder if I can tutor freshman and charge then $20 and hour...everyone wins!
I start a lot of projects, get it rolling then move on to the next one. Some times this method of work makes some things fall to the way-side.
NerdBoy Comics, is currently on hiatus till we get issue two squared away. I'll post the last few pages of ZC as I get them then it's re-group time! This is mainly due to a CRAZY work schedule I have for my day job during the summer and then not really being on the ball as EIC.
Maybe I need to give my lil helpers at the company some more responsibility so more stuff can get done. Our official launch (or re-launch?) will be at the Lubbock Comic Con and if everything goes as planned we'll actually have professionaly bound copies of issues 1 and 2, yay!
I'm still working on issue #3, like I said old and new projects duke it ou tall the time.
As for new projects, I've started writing a little one-act stage play. We'll see how that goes.
I have a few connections in the Lubbock theater community that might be willing to workshop it which would be awesome.
If you've read any of my short stories (Which I don't think you have because your name isn't Sam or Byrle, or Rick for that matter) my strong point has always been dialogue.
So why not try a form that is based around some thing I enjoy writing so much?
I'm also needing to brush up on my reading for Art History if I really do want to go back for my M.A., but we'll see. Hmm, I wonder if I can tutor freshman and charge then $20 and hour...everyone wins!
Re-Direct to a Movie Review
13 May 2009
Here's the link to my Movie Review of Star Trek, follow it to read what I have to say about the newest installment of the series.
I'm off to get some more writing and to-do lists done.
I'm off to get some more writing and to-do lists done.
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