Freethinker said: Your blog should have "Smell-o-vision" installed ... but NOT for this post!
12:04 PM
yes, my blog SHOULD have smell-o-vision... but then y'all would have my weight problem too. i eat like royalty and have the figure to prove it. *lol*
Eden said: you should know I come and look at this photo a little too often
2:31 PM
umm... that's kinda scary Eden. i know your feelings about the shrub are similar to mine, and, well... i don't think i ever need to look at that pic again. not only cuz it's fairly obvious that chimpy is rippin a fluffy one, but because of the look on his cunty wife's face. i always suspected laura was a bitch, but when i first saw that pic, i knew the rigamarole about men wanting to marry mommy might be true.
i have something scary of my own to add, however. one night, after eating like royalty, i was sitting out on the porch with Wen'l having a smoke. needing to fart in the worst way. sooo... i did the guy thing and lifted an ass cheek and out it came!
that's not the scary part tho. the scary part is that i felt like i'd been cheated. that the whole lifting one side of one's ass trick was handed down from fathers to sons, and to hell with the daughters. somehow we had it in our heads that they were making a big production out of their flatulence, and we suffered needlessly in our ignorance.
last night i was having another smoke on the porch with Wen'l, and i said this: "if i ever had a daughter, i'd teach her the fart trick." and i would, just as soon as she was able to comprehend.
01 March 2006
28 February 2006
NOOoooOOOoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Associated Press
Updated 5:50 p.m. ET Feb. 28, 2006
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Boondocks, the black comic-strip family living in white suburbia, are going on vacation.
Aaron McGruder, the cartoonist behind the strip syndicated in about 350 American newspapers, said Tuesday he would take about six months off beginning in March.
wtF? he's going on vacation?!?
26 February 2006
forever roasted pork...
... courtesy of michael chiarello and mario batali.
the lasagna pan on the left is the part courtesy of mario batali, and you can find it @ http://www.italiankitchen.com/store/site/product.cfm?id=AFBB2CD4-475A-BAC0-51D3BD90D967DC71&fid=AFBB2CE4-475A-BAC0-573F6A92411FF8A4
the recipe is the part courtesy of michael chiarello. don't it look too scrumptious for words? my husband cooked it. i only dealt with the sides tonight. i just wanted to share because pork shoulder is a very economical piece of meat, and if it's cooked properly, it is the most succulent, delicious thing you'll ever eat. anyone from the south who's had pulled pork knows what i'm talking about.
anyhow, you could serve this with any sort of green veg and just about any kind of starchy side dish... polenta, gnocchi, roasted potatoes... you name it, it would probably work well with this pork.
so, without further ado, here's the recipe:
4 pounds pork shoulder, butt end, boneless (have your butcher bone it for you if you're not sure of your butchering skills)
2 T extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
1½ t finely chopped fresh sage leaves
gray salt and freshly ground black pepper
about ¼ c fennel spice, recipe follows
bring pork to room temperature by removing it from refrigerator 1 to 2 hours before cooking.
preheat the oven to 275°F.
heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot. add the onions, cover pan, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until light brown. be patient, and don't turn up the heat. add the sage and season with salt and pepper. cook until the onions cease throwing off water, about 3 minutes. remove from heat, allow to cool on plate.
open up the pork roast and spread a good amount of the fennel spice and add the onions directly to the middle of the roast. fold the roast back over the onions and tie closed with kitchen string. season well all over with the remaining fennel spice.
arrange the meat in the lasagna pan, drizzle with more olive oil and cook until the meat is very tender, about 8 hours. it is ready when it pulls away easily if picked at with a pair of tongs. it is often easiest to cook the meat overnight, or put it in the oven in the morning and let it cook all day. it does not need to be attended. you'll want to, because it will smell so good you won't be able to keep your face out of it, but it really requires no more work at this point.
fennel spice rub:
1 c fennel seeds
3 T coriander seeds
2 T white peppercorns
3 T kosher salt
put the fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and peppercorns in a heavy pan over medium heat. watch carefully, tossing frequently so the seeds toast evenly. when light brown and fragrant, pour the seeds onto a plate to cool. they must be cool before grinding, or they will gum up the blades if you use a coffee grinder. if you're truly patient though, you could use a mortar and pestle.
pour the seeds into the coffee grinder and add the salt. grind to a fine powder, shaking the grinder occasionally to redistribute the seeds. store in a tightly sealed glass jar in a cool, dry place, or freeze.
yield: about 1¼ cups
22 February 2006
i suck, yo!
4 slices bacon, cut into ¾" pieces
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 T unsalted butter
2 t ground cumin
3 T all-purpose flour
4 c chicken stock
1 large potato, peeled and cut into ¼" dice
½ c heavy cream
10 oz package frozen corn kernels
½ lb sharp cheddar, grated
pepper and salt (if necessary)
cook bacon in a 3 quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring, until crisp and transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
add onion and butter to fat in pan and cook, stirring, until onion is softened. add cumin and cook, stirring, 1 minute. add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. whisk in broth and bring to a boil, whisking occasionally. add potato and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 8 minutes. stir in cream and corn and return to a simmer. add cheddar, stirring just until cheese is melted (do not let boil), and season generously with pepper.
serve topped with bacon.
i'm serving with grilled cheese sandwiches... extra sharp cheddar on english muffin bread from trader joe's.
should be yummy. :)
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 T unsalted butter
2 t ground cumin
3 T all-purpose flour
4 c chicken stock
1 large potato, peeled and cut into ¼" dice
½ c heavy cream
10 oz package frozen corn kernels
½ lb sharp cheddar, grated
pepper and salt (if necessary)
cook bacon in a 3 quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring, until crisp and transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
add onion and butter to fat in pan and cook, stirring, until onion is softened. add cumin and cook, stirring, 1 minute. add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. whisk in broth and bring to a boil, whisking occasionally. add potato and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 8 minutes. stir in cream and corn and return to a simmer. add cheddar, stirring just until cheese is melted (do not let boil), and season generously with pepper.
serve topped with bacon.
i'm serving with grilled cheese sandwiches... extra sharp cheddar on english muffin bread from trader joe's.
should be yummy. :)
14 February 2006
happy valentine's day kids!
so... tom cruise, of jump the couch infamy, and katie holmes have allegedly bitten the dust.
she remembered which louis vuitton or kooba bag she stashed her brain in, i say.
anyhoo, i sit here @ 3:14 pm with lunch for my husband's entire office in the oven. well, the entire office minus the owner, who had back surgery last week. asian-style braised short ribs (recipe to follow), jasmine rice, and assorted asian-style veggies in a soy sauce-based glaze.
i have to do the short ribs in shifts.
here's the recipe:
5 pounds beef short ribs, cut into 4-ounce portions
1 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
6+ cloves garlic, peeled and smashed (i usually put in about 9)
1 (5-inch) stalk lemongrass, halved and smashed (be careful and use a very sharp knife)
1 tablespoon peeled and minced ginger
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 quart water
1/2 cup sliced green onion bottoms, white part only
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 cup fresh blood orange juice
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons finely grated blood orange zest, for serving (you DO have a microplane, no?)
sliced green onion tops, optional for garnish
preheat the oven to 350°. in a wide stockpot or dutch oven, combine the short ribs, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, lemongrass, ginger, brown sugar, water, green onion bottoms, crushed red pepper, and ¼ c of the orange juice. make sure that the stockpot is deep enough so that the short ribs are submerged in the liquid. bake the short ribs, covered, for about 3 hours, or until the meat is tender and falling off the bones.
remove the short ribs from the braising liquid and cover to keep warm. increase the oven temperature to 425°. drain the fat off of the cooking liquid and discard. place the remaining braising juices in a medium saucepan with ¼ cup of the hoisin sauce and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. reduce the liquid until only about 1¼ cups remain. strain through a fine-meshed strainer, discarding the solids.
stir in the remaining 2 T of orange juice and the lemon juice. return the short ribs and the reduced sauce to the stockpot or dutch oven, coating the short ribs well with the sauce. bake for 15 minutes, until the short ribs are heated through and slightly glazed.
serve hot over jasmine rice. season each portion with the orange zest and garnish with the green onions if desired.
and remember... guns don't shoot people... vice presidents shoot people!
she remembered which louis vuitton or kooba bag she stashed her brain in, i say.
anyhoo, i sit here @ 3:14 pm with lunch for my husband's entire office in the oven. well, the entire office minus the owner, who had back surgery last week. asian-style braised short ribs (recipe to follow), jasmine rice, and assorted asian-style veggies in a soy sauce-based glaze.
i have to do the short ribs in shifts.
here's the recipe:
5 pounds beef short ribs, cut into 4-ounce portions
1 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
6+ cloves garlic, peeled and smashed (i usually put in about 9)
1 (5-inch) stalk lemongrass, halved and smashed (be careful and use a very sharp knife)
1 tablespoon peeled and minced ginger
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 quart water
1/2 cup sliced green onion bottoms, white part only
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 cup fresh blood orange juice
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons finely grated blood orange zest, for serving (you DO have a microplane, no?)
sliced green onion tops, optional for garnish
preheat the oven to 350°. in a wide stockpot or dutch oven, combine the short ribs, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, lemongrass, ginger, brown sugar, water, green onion bottoms, crushed red pepper, and ¼ c of the orange juice. make sure that the stockpot is deep enough so that the short ribs are submerged in the liquid. bake the short ribs, covered, for about 3 hours, or until the meat is tender and falling off the bones.
remove the short ribs from the braising liquid and cover to keep warm. increase the oven temperature to 425°. drain the fat off of the cooking liquid and discard. place the remaining braising juices in a medium saucepan with ¼ cup of the hoisin sauce and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. reduce the liquid until only about 1¼ cups remain. strain through a fine-meshed strainer, discarding the solids.
stir in the remaining 2 T of orange juice and the lemon juice. return the short ribs and the reduced sauce to the stockpot or dutch oven, coating the short ribs well with the sauce. bake for 15 minutes, until the short ribs are heated through and slightly glazed.
serve hot over jasmine rice. season each portion with the orange zest and garnish with the green onions if desired.
and remember... guns don't shoot people... vice presidents shoot people!
10 February 2006
*cranking a blaster*
i ganked this pic and the title of this post from http://swilltopower.blogspot.com/, but the pic was
also on the front page of the los angeles times...
look closely at the shrub...
"goddammit george, you can't fart at her funeral!"
27 January 2006
a recipe for laine
k, the other night i made what i called chicken marsala ravioli for dinner. to perfectly recreate the meal i made, one would need to be a member of costco. i got the ravioli already made. grilled chicken and mozzarella (the fresh kind even). however, any sort of fresh chicken-filled ravioli or tortelloni would work.
what i did was create the sauce.
i put a gallon of water on to boil. while it was getting hot, i assembled the sauce:
i sauteed a pound of sliced button mushrooms (i'd have gotten at least half criminis cept they looked like shit that day @ the supermercado) in 2 T of butter and 1 T of olive oil in the biggest pan i have. it's 14", and remember, i'm one of those übersnobs who normally cooks with extra-virgin. i'm with mario batali on that one. i didn't salt and pepper them till they were almost done. you're looking for good, even caramelization before anything else goes in. i also minced up 4 cloves of garlic and added it with the s&p.
when the water boils, add 2-3 T of salt to the water and cook your pasta according to pkg. directions.
i used a big slotted gizmo to remove them from the pan, and poured in ½ cup of marsala. i used sweet, but dry would work too. i scraped up anything that might have stuck and over med-hi heat, reduced it to a thick syrup. then i added about 1 cup of chicken stock. out of a box. *lol* let that reduce by about half. then add a pint of cream. stir frequently over med-hi heat till the sauce reduces enough to coat the back of a spoon.
add the now-cooked pasta to the sauce, and lower heat. allow to cook over your lowest low heat about 5 mins.
i served it with some blanched haricots verts that i tossed in a couple tablespoons of unsalted parma butter.
it was a most excellent meal.
i'm gonna do a roasted and glazed pork tenderloin, roasted asparagus and risotto for dinner tonite.
i'll post that stuff too.
what i did was create the sauce.
i put a gallon of water on to boil. while it was getting hot, i assembled the sauce:
i sauteed a pound of sliced button mushrooms (i'd have gotten at least half criminis cept they looked like shit that day @ the supermercado) in 2 T of butter and 1 T of olive oil in the biggest pan i have. it's 14", and remember, i'm one of those übersnobs who normally cooks with extra-virgin. i'm with mario batali on that one. i didn't salt and pepper them till they were almost done. you're looking for good, even caramelization before anything else goes in. i also minced up 4 cloves of garlic and added it with the s&p.
when the water boils, add 2-3 T of salt to the water and cook your pasta according to pkg. directions.
i used a big slotted gizmo to remove them from the pan, and poured in ½ cup of marsala. i used sweet, but dry would work too. i scraped up anything that might have stuck and over med-hi heat, reduced it to a thick syrup. then i added about 1 cup of chicken stock. out of a box. *lol* let that reduce by about half. then add a pint of cream. stir frequently over med-hi heat till the sauce reduces enough to coat the back of a spoon.
add the now-cooked pasta to the sauce, and lower heat. allow to cook over your lowest low heat about 5 mins.
i served it with some blanched haricots verts that i tossed in a couple tablespoons of unsalted parma butter.
it was a most excellent meal.
i'm gonna do a roasted and glazed pork tenderloin, roasted asparagus and risotto for dinner tonite.
i'll post that stuff too.
25 January 2006
you must check this out!
the 50 most loathsome people of 2005.click the title of this post for the url.
i found a link to this @ http://heyjennyslater.blogspot.com.
my husband wondered how it got narrowed to 50. that i don't know... what i do know is all 50 of those mofos belong on the list.
i found a link to this @ http://heyjennyslater.blogspot.com.
my husband wondered how it got narrowed to 50. that i don't know... what i do know is all 50 of those mofos belong on the list.
yes i know...
it's feast or famine with me, ain't it?
i'm cooking tonight. something i think is going to turn out just delicious. i got some ravioli stuffed with grilled chicken and cheese and various herbs and i'm making a marsala sauce with mushrooms and wot not. gonna serve it with some sauteed haricots verts in a shallot/sauvignon blanc reduction.
yes, i know... dinner will get me drunk.
i'll post the recipes when i know for sure dinner was a success.
i'm cooking tonight. something i think is going to turn out just delicious. i got some ravioli stuffed with grilled chicken and cheese and various herbs and i'm making a marsala sauce with mushrooms and wot not. gonna serve it with some sauteed haricots verts in a shallot/sauvignon blanc reduction.
yes, i know... dinner will get me drunk.
i'll post the recipes when i know for sure dinner was a success.
learn to swim!
you know... all one would need to do to stay in shape is try to play "ænima" by tool on drums once a day.
some say a comet will fall from the sky
followed by meteor showers and tidal waves
followed by fault lines that cannot sit still
followed by millions of dumbfounded dipshits
and some say the end is near
some say we'll see armageddon soon
i certainly hope they will
i sure could use a vacation
cuz all i'd think about is how some people in this country, no in this fucking world, feel the need to ram their religion down my throat. down anyone's throat. i have but one thing to say to people like that. anyone who feels the need to hold himself up as a paragon of his particular mythology probably isn't such a good example of it.
and those fucking biblethumping wingnut christians in this country? the man they purport to worship was a communist. probably one of the purest examples of communism ever. how they've allowed themselves to get so wound up about gay marriage and abortion i'll never know. i don't think those would have been huge concerns of his in a world where people still starve and fall ill, and die in vain for the financial bottom line of the obscenely rich.
am i wrong about WWJD?
some say a comet will fall from the sky
followed by meteor showers and tidal waves
followed by fault lines that cannot sit still
followed by millions of dumbfounded dipshits
and some say the end is near
some say we'll see armageddon soon
i certainly hope they will
i sure could use a vacation
cuz all i'd think about is how some people in this country, no in this fucking world, feel the need to ram their religion down my throat. down anyone's throat. i have but one thing to say to people like that. anyone who feels the need to hold himself up as a paragon of his particular mythology probably isn't such a good example of it.
and those fucking biblethumping wingnut christians in this country? the man they purport to worship was a communist. probably one of the purest examples of communism ever. how they've allowed themselves to get so wound up about gay marriage and abortion i'll never know. i don't think those would have been huge concerns of his in a world where people still starve and fall ill, and die in vain for the financial bottom line of the obscenely rich.
am i wrong about WWJD?
01 January 2006
:(
i am the world's worst blogger. i will have something new for y'all shortly.
hope everyone had a lovely late december. i'm still so pissed at all those fox news types that i can't even say *holidays* anymore.
more soon i promise!
hope everyone had a lovely late december. i'm still so pissed at all those fox news types that i can't even say *holidays* anymore.
more soon i promise!
23 November 2005
happy thxgiving kids!
i know i shouldn't be so thankful when our president makes an ass of himself. it's #19 on my list of things to be thankful for though.
have a good one everyone and remember... if you're going to mow on the turkey, designate a driver!
pic courtesy of http://socialitelife.com
17 November 2005
i'm the undisputed queen of chicken stock, yo!
yes kids, you know it's that time of year when i break out the biggest stock pot i have and, well... make the whole house reek of thanksgiving. i'm sure the recipe is somewhere on my blog, but i'll post it again:
4 lb chicken backs, wings, or other parts that are as bony as they are meaty
3 med onions, quartered
4 ribs celery, roughly chopped
4 carrots, roughly chopped
4-5 intact garlic cloves
10 sprigs fresh thyme
good handful italian parsley
2 bay leaves
10-20 whole peppercorns
put all ingredients in the largest pot you have and cover to 1" deep with COLD water. cover pot and place over medium heat just until bubbles break the surface. remove lid and lower heat to low. you don't want it to ever cook any harder than bubbles breaking the surface. cook 8 hrs and remove the chunks with a spider or other straining utensil and then pour through the finest strainer you have into a very large bowl. it will remove the herby bits and whatever scuzz might still be lingering in the stock. place bowl containing stock into an ice bath and cool until the stock begins to take on a jello-like consistency.
using a ladle, fill large ziploc bags with the stock and freeze till needed.
tomorrow... tips on making the best pumpkin pie ever!
4 lb chicken backs, wings, or other parts that are as bony as they are meaty
3 med onions, quartered
4 ribs celery, roughly chopped
4 carrots, roughly chopped
4-5 intact garlic cloves
10 sprigs fresh thyme
good handful italian parsley
2 bay leaves
10-20 whole peppercorns
put all ingredients in the largest pot you have and cover to 1" deep with COLD water. cover pot and place over medium heat just until bubbles break the surface. remove lid and lower heat to low. you don't want it to ever cook any harder than bubbles breaking the surface. cook 8 hrs and remove the chunks with a spider or other straining utensil and then pour through the finest strainer you have into a very large bowl. it will remove the herby bits and whatever scuzz might still be lingering in the stock. place bowl containing stock into an ice bath and cool until the stock begins to take on a jello-like consistency.
using a ladle, fill large ziploc bags with the stock and freeze till needed.
tomorrow... tips on making the best pumpkin pie ever!
i just saw the word boob used as a verb
as in... *ms. x just administered a drive-by boobing of señor y*
ha!
anyhoo... busy day today... makin a grip of chicken stock for next thursday. the house just reeks of thanksgiving.
heard from someone for the first time today, thru a comment i left on someone else's blog. there's a new comment down at the entry about the ichthys n'chips car plaque? i should just go ahead and post the url for it while i'm thinkin about it. click the title of this post to visit the site that's sellin em.
i'll post more later. some tips for quality entertaining and menu suggestions for the big meal!
ha!
anyhoo... busy day today... makin a grip of chicken stock for next thursday. the house just reeks of thanksgiving.
heard from someone for the first time today, thru a comment i left on someone else's blog. there's a new comment down at the entry about the ichthys n'chips car plaque? i should just go ahead and post the url for it while i'm thinkin about it. click the title of this post to visit the site that's sellin em.
i'll post more later. some tips for quality entertaining and menu suggestions for the big meal!
04 November 2005
my first...
one year ago today, i gave and received one of these. yes kids, it's our first anniversary. the traditional gift for the first anniversary is paper... o yes, kids, my favorite kind of gift! the kind that folds! i will, upon request, provide an address for you to send any lovely, foldable gifts. :)
anyhoo... getting married was without a doubt the smartest thing i ever did. wen'l has been the absolute best husband. he rubs my feet whenever i ask, he doesn't give me shit about my continued unemployment... i could go on for days.
i want to thank you from the bottom of my heart mr. sexson. thank you for accepting my proposal, thank you for marrying me that windy november day, thank you for cooking your great big heart out 2 days later so our friends and family could join in our celebration.
thank you most of all for your patience and understanding. you're the best husband a girl could ever hope for. happy anniversary baby.
*smooches and hugs and wotnot*
25 October 2005
19 October 2005
o wot a happy day!!!!!
from yahoo! news:
AUSTIN, Texas - A state court issued an arrest warrant on Wednesday for Rep. Tom DeLay, requiring him to appear in Texas for booking on state conspiracy and money laundering charges.
yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AUSTIN, Texas - A state court issued an arrest warrant on Wednesday for Rep. Tom DeLay, requiring him to appear in Texas for booking on state conspiracy and money laundering charges.
yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
another ganked meme...
(sorry piggyhawk.blogspot.com!)
my answers are the ones that are in BOLD PRINT.
i am bisexual.
i've consumed alcohol.
i've run away from home.
i have lied to my parents about where i am.
i don't like bush because he is dumb.
i don't like bush with my own reasons to back it up.
i am for bush.
i listen to political music.
i collect comic books.
i am shorter than 5'5".
i think i'm ugly.
i shut others out when i'm depressed.
i open up to others easily.
i am keeping a secret from the world.
i watch the news.
i own over 5 rap CDs.
i own an iPod or MP3 player.
i own multiple designer purses, costing over $100 apiece.
i own something from hot topic.
i own something from pac sun.
i own something from the gap.
i own something from abercrombie.
i own something i got on e-bay.
i love disney movies.
i am a sucker for hair/eyes.
i don't kill bugs.
i curse regularly.
i paid for that cell phone ring.
i am a sports fanatic.
i have "x"s in my screen name.
i've slipped out a "lol" in a real conversation.
i love spam.
i bake well.
i would wear pajamas to school.
i have a job.
i love martha stewart.
i am in love with love.
i am guilty of tYpInG lIkE tHiS. *
i am self conscious.
i like to laugh.
i smoke a 1/2 pack a day.
i liked perks of being a wallflower.
i liked go ask alice.
i have cough drops when i'm not sick.
i can't swallow pills.
i can swallow about 5 pills at a time no problem.
i eat fast food weekly.
i have many scars.
i believe in ghosts.
i can't sleep if there is a spider in the room.
i am really ticklish.
i bite my nails.
i am comfortable with being me.
i play video games.
i'm single.
i'm in a relationship.
i'm married.
gotten lost in your city.
saw a shooting star.
wished on a shooting star.
saw a meteor shower.
i had a serious surgery.
gone out in public in my pajamas.
i have kissed a stranger.
hugged a stranger.
been in a fist fight.
been arrested.
laughed and had milk or another drink come out of your nose.
pushed all the buttons on an elevator.
made out in an elevator.
swore at your parents.
kicked a guy where it hurts.
been close to love.
been to a casino.
been skydiving.
broken a bone.
skipped school.
saw a therapist.
played spin the bottle.
gotten stitches.
drank a whole gallon of milk in one hour.
bitten someone.
been to niagara falls.
gotten the chicken pox.
kissed a member of the same sex.
crashed into a friend's car.
been to japan.
ridden in a taxi.
shoplifted.
been fired.
ever had a crush on someone of the same sex.
had feelings for someone who didn't have them back.
stole something from your job.
gone on a blind date.
had a crush on a teacher.
celebrated Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
been to europe.
slept with a co-worker.
been married.
gotten divorced.
had children.
been to africa.
driven over 400 miles in one day.
been to canada.
been to mexico.
been on a plane.
seen the rocky horror picture show.
thrown up in a bar.
eaten sushi.
been snowboarding.
been skiing.
met someone in person from the internet.
been to a moto cross show.
gone to college.
graduated college.
done hard drugs.
had someone cheat on you.
miss someone right now.
taken painkillers when you didn't need them.
smoked weed.
snorted cocaine.
ate shrooms.
inhaled nitrous.
been in love.
cheated in a relationship.
woke up crying.
cried yourself to sleep.
peed from laughing.
had sex.
had sex in a car.
had sex in public.
had sex in the shower.
had sex in a sibling's bed.
had sex in a parent's bed.
my answers are the ones that are in BOLD PRINT.
i am bisexual.
i've consumed alcohol.
i've run away from home.
i have lied to my parents about where i am.
i don't like bush because he is dumb.
i don't like bush with my own reasons to back it up.
i am for bush.
i listen to political music.
i collect comic books.
i am shorter than 5'5".
i think i'm ugly.
i shut others out when i'm depressed.
i open up to others easily.
i am keeping a secret from the world.
i watch the news.
i own over 5 rap CDs.
i own an iPod or MP3 player.
i own multiple designer purses, costing over $100 apiece.
i own something from hot topic.
i own something from pac sun.
i own something from the gap.
i own something from abercrombie.
i own something i got on e-bay.
i love disney movies.
i am a sucker for hair/eyes.
i don't kill bugs.
i curse regularly.
i paid for that cell phone ring.
i am a sports fanatic.
i have "x"s in my screen name.
i've slipped out a "lol" in a real conversation.
i love spam.
i bake well.
i would wear pajamas to school.
i have a job.
i love martha stewart.
i am in love with love.
i am guilty of tYpInG lIkE tHiS. *
i am self conscious.
i like to laugh.
i smoke a 1/2 pack a day.
i liked perks of being a wallflower.
i liked go ask alice.
i have cough drops when i'm not sick.
i can't swallow pills.
i can swallow about 5 pills at a time no problem.
i eat fast food weekly.
i have many scars.
i believe in ghosts.
i can't sleep if there is a spider in the room.
i am really ticklish.
i bite my nails.
i am comfortable with being me.
i play video games.
i'm single.
i'm in a relationship.
i'm married.
gotten lost in your city.
saw a shooting star.
wished on a shooting star.
saw a meteor shower.
i had a serious surgery.
gone out in public in my pajamas.
i have kissed a stranger.
hugged a stranger.
been in a fist fight.
been arrested.
laughed and had milk or another drink come out of your nose.
pushed all the buttons on an elevator.
made out in an elevator.
swore at your parents.
kicked a guy where it hurts.
been close to love.
been to a casino.
been skydiving.
broken a bone.
skipped school.
saw a therapist.
played spin the bottle.
gotten stitches.
drank a whole gallon of milk in one hour.
bitten someone.
been to niagara falls.
gotten the chicken pox.
kissed a member of the same sex.
crashed into a friend's car.
been to japan.
ridden in a taxi.
shoplifted.
been fired.
ever had a crush on someone of the same sex.
had feelings for someone who didn't have them back.
stole something from your job.
gone on a blind date.
had a crush on a teacher.
celebrated Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
been to europe.
slept with a co-worker.
been married.
gotten divorced.
had children.
been to africa.
driven over 400 miles in one day.
been to canada.
been to mexico.
been on a plane.
seen the rocky horror picture show.
thrown up in a bar.
eaten sushi.
been snowboarding.
been skiing.
met someone in person from the internet.
been to a moto cross show.
gone to college.
graduated college.
done hard drugs.
had someone cheat on you.
miss someone right now.
taken painkillers when you didn't need them.
smoked weed.
snorted cocaine.
ate shrooms.
inhaled nitrous.
been in love.
cheated in a relationship.
woke up crying.
cried yourself to sleep.
peed from laughing.
had sex.
had sex in a car.
had sex in public.
had sex in the shower.
had sex in a sibling's bed.
had sex in a parent's bed.
13 October 2005
ganked from http://piggyhawk.blogspot.com... look, i even left the caps!
and since not capitalizing my responses would look, umm... stoopid?
Favorite Beatles song: "Tomorrow Never Knows"
Favorite solo song by a former Beatle: "Imagine"
Favorite Rolling Stones song: "Gimme Shelter"
Favorite Bob Dylan song: "The Times They Are A Changin"
Favorite Pixies song: "Gigantic" or "Monkey Gone to Heaven"
Favorite Prince song: "When Doves Cry"
Favorite Michael Jackson song: umm... none?
Favorite Metallica song: "Blackened"
Favorite Public Enemy song: "Bring the Noise"
Favorite Depeche Mode song: "World in My Eyes"
Favorite Cure song: "Hot Hot Hot!!!"
Favorite song that most of your friends haven't heard: "Too Many Puppies" by Primus.
Favorite Beastie Boys song: "So Whatcha Want" or "Root Down"
Favorite Police song: "J'aurais Toujours Faim de Toi"
Favorite Sex Pistols song: "Pretty Vacant"
Favorite song from a movie: "Birth Ritual" by Soundgarden ("Singles") or "Wave of Mutilation (the surf one)" by Pixies ("Pump Up the Volume")
Favorite Blondie song: "Dreaming"
Favorite Genesis song: umm... I'm gonna take a pass on this one too.
Favorite Led Zeppelin song: "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You"
Favorite INXS song: "Don't Change"
Favorite Weird Al song: Ya know, I never have understood the appeal of the Weird One.
Favorite Pink Floyd song: "Hey You"
Favorite cover song: "Hallelujah", the Jeff Buckley version.
Favorite dance song: "Stinkfist" by Tool... it's a looooooooong story.
Favorite U2 song: "Drowning Man"
Favorite disco song: "Le Freak" by Chic.
Favorite The Who song: "Baba O'Riley"
Favorite Elton John song: "Daniel" or "Rocket Man"
Favorite Clash song: "I Fought the Law"
Favorite David Bowie song: "Suffragette City"
Favorite Nirvana song: "Come As You Are"
Favorite Snoop Dogg song: "Gin and Juice", but as done by Phish.
Favorite Ice Cube song: "Wrong Nigga to Fuck Wit"
Favorite Johnny Cash song: "Ring of Fire"
Favorite R.E.M. song: "Fall on Me" or "Perfect Circle"
Favorite Elvis song: "Suspicious Minds"
Favorite cheesy-ass country song: "Little Boxes" by Malvina Reynolds.
Favorite Beatles song: "Tomorrow Never Knows"
Favorite solo song by a former Beatle: "Imagine"
Favorite Rolling Stones song: "Gimme Shelter"
Favorite Bob Dylan song: "The Times They Are A Changin"
Favorite Pixies song: "Gigantic" or "Monkey Gone to Heaven"
Favorite Prince song: "When Doves Cry"
Favorite Michael Jackson song: umm... none?
Favorite Metallica song: "Blackened"
Favorite Public Enemy song: "Bring the Noise"
Favorite Depeche Mode song: "World in My Eyes"
Favorite Cure song: "Hot Hot Hot!!!"
Favorite song that most of your friends haven't heard: "Too Many Puppies" by Primus.
Favorite Beastie Boys song: "So Whatcha Want" or "Root Down"
Favorite Police song: "J'aurais Toujours Faim de Toi"
Favorite Sex Pistols song: "Pretty Vacant"
Favorite song from a movie: "Birth Ritual" by Soundgarden ("Singles") or "Wave of Mutilation (the surf one)" by Pixies ("Pump Up the Volume")
Favorite Blondie song: "Dreaming"
Favorite Genesis song: umm... I'm gonna take a pass on this one too.
Favorite Led Zeppelin song: "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You"
Favorite INXS song: "Don't Change"
Favorite Weird Al song: Ya know, I never have understood the appeal of the Weird One.
Favorite Pink Floyd song: "Hey You"
Favorite cover song: "Hallelujah", the Jeff Buckley version.
Favorite dance song: "Stinkfist" by Tool... it's a looooooooong story.
Favorite U2 song: "Drowning Man"
Favorite disco song: "Le Freak" by Chic.
Favorite The Who song: "Baba O'Riley"
Favorite Elton John song: "Daniel" or "Rocket Man"
Favorite Clash song: "I Fought the Law"
Favorite David Bowie song: "Suffragette City"
Favorite Nirvana song: "Come As You Are"
Favorite Snoop Dogg song: "Gin and Juice", but as done by Phish.
Favorite Ice Cube song: "Wrong Nigga to Fuck Wit"
Favorite Johnny Cash song: "Ring of Fire"
Favorite R.E.M. song: "Fall on Me" or "Perfect Circle"
Favorite Elvis song: "Suspicious Minds"
Favorite cheesy-ass country song: "Little Boxes" by Malvina Reynolds.
07 October 2005
28 September 2005
k... i snorted so hard it hurt.
seen in the comments on the *delay indicted* thread on dailykos.com:
* [new]
The plural for "booze" is... (4.00 / 11)
"Bush Family Picnic."
by Jujuree on Wed Sep 28th, 2005 at 09:52:28 PDT
* [new]
The plural for "booze" is... (4.00 / 11)
"Bush Family Picnic."
by Jujuree on Wed Sep 28th, 2005 at 09:52:28 PDT
12 September 2005
no text necessary
copyright mike luckovich, 09/04/05, as it originally appeared in the atlanta journal-constitution.
09 September 2005
we're looking for wide-open spaces high above the kitchen
is that a great line or wot?
friday random 10:
1. "world where you live" - crowded house.
2. "j'aurais toujours faim de toi" - the police.
3. "little boxes" - malvina reynolds.
4. "blue rondo ala turk" - dave brubeck.
5. "jesus of suburbia" - green day.
6. "me and julio down by the schoolyard" - paul simon.
7. "vietnow" - rage against the machine.
8. "waiting room" - fugazi.
9. "bring on the dancing horses" - echo and the bunnymen.
10. "welcome to the occupation" - r.e.m.
friday random 10:
1. "world where you live" - crowded house.
2. "j'aurais toujours faim de toi" - the police.
3. "little boxes" - malvina reynolds.
4. "blue rondo ala turk" - dave brubeck.
5. "jesus of suburbia" - green day.
6. "me and julio down by the schoolyard" - paul simon.
7. "vietnow" - rage against the machine.
8. "waiting room" - fugazi.
9. "bring on the dancing horses" - echo and the bunnymen.
10. "welcome to the occupation" - r.e.m.
what could have been
from jj32's diary @ http://dailykos.com
About 140 people - mostly elderly and infirm - arrived Saturday at McGhee Tyson Airport on a chartered mercy flight from hurricane-ravaged New Orleans, welcomed to East Tennessee by a bright sun and a host of medical professionals straining at the reins to help their fellow human beings without regard to whether they were on the clock.
The displaced hurricane victims came to Tennessee on a hastily arranged flight, accompanied by doctors and carrying whatever they had in boxes, bags or, in one case, an old suitcase tied up with rope.
Former Vice President Al Gore arranged the flight and was on board, but he declined to take credit for the airlift, fearing it would be "politicized."
The patients and evacuees arrived aboard an American Airlines MD-80 about 3:15 p.m. The unloading process took almost two hours, as some walked hesitantly down a staircase beneath the rear of the aircraft. Others were rolled down a ramp from the front of the plane to waiting wheelchairs. Personnel from Rural/Metro and the Tennessee Air National Guard volunteered their services, as did others, to get the patients and evacuees loaded onto buses or ambulances for the ride to area hospitals to be assessed medically before going to a Red Cross shelter.
Gore chose not to speak to the assembled media, but he was seen in a black T-shirt and jeans moving rapidly from one side of the plane to the other assisting with the off-loading operation.
fuck i'm angry. how can i not be when all i do is think of everything we could have avoided the last 5+ years? think of all the americans who could have died differently. 9/11/2001 would have been any other september 11th, and almost 3,000 people would have gotten to go home after work. there would have been no war in iraq. close to 2,000 more already who would have been afforded the opportunity to live a long life. hurricane katrina was destiny. if it hadn't been that particular hurricane, it would have been another, but FEMA wouldn't have been folded into a *department of homeland security* and rendered a joke in the process. the budgets for flood control in greater new orleans wouldn't have been decimated. and president gore sure as shit wouldn't have waited damn near a week to get the ball rolling.
no, he would have kept james lee witt around to head that particular cabinet-level department, and its budget wouldn't have been slashed to pay for tax cuts for the obscenely wealthy.
have a good look at the man. does he look groomed for his photo op? uhh... no. he looks like he's spent the last several hours helping to unload an airplane. can you imagine chumpy, erm... chimpy doing that? "but i'll get all sweaty and besides, i only wear hickey freeman!"
i want a president willing to get red in the face for me goddammit! how come it is that so many people in this country voted for the son of a bitch currently occupying 1600 pennsylvania ave, washington d.c. 20050?
son of a bitch, indeed. i'm sure you've all heard about the remarks of chimpy's mom. god, what a fucking cunt! i can just hear her saying "don't let them touch anything and get their poor people's smell all over it!"
that particular pomme didn't fall very far from the tree, now did it?
k... now for the portion of today's installment where i pimp for your ca$h: if you haven't already, or if you have and can afford more, please get yer ass over to http://redcross.org or http://oxfam.org or http://noahswish.org or any other organization providing care and comfort for the victims of that bitch katrina and give em some of yer hard-earned dinero.
tyvm.
31 August 2005
*sigh* $50 ain't enough!
i'm not going to go off on a rant about how the budgets for FEMA and the army corps of engineers were slashed to pay for georgie the infantile's adventures in the middle east and his tax cuts for the obscenely wealthy... but trust me, at some point in the very near future, i will.
for now, i'm just going to say this: if you have even FIVE BUCKS to spare, please click on the title of this post and go donate some fundage to the american red cross. go without your daily starbucks fix for a few days if you have to, but please do it. our government has fucked us over once again, and this is when we open our wallets and do what they should have done.
too many good people have had their lives ruined because of this, and i only wish my finances allowed me to donate more. as they do allow, though, i intend to make additional donations.
thanks.
p.s. - if you hear anyone say something totally whack like *god sent katrina to get back at the gays*, please do you, me, and them a favor and smack them upside the head, k? ty again.
26 August 2005
real time!
well well... bill maher's on tonite. he's gonna have cindy sheehan on via satellite from crawford, tx.
if you have hbo and you don't see it tonite, try to catch one of the encore presentations.
if you have hbo and you don't see it tonite, try to catch one of the encore presentations.
24 August 2005
bistecca con cipolle arrostite con aceto balsamico
1/4 c plus 1 T olive oil
1 large porterhouse steak, about 1 1/2 lbs and 2-inches thick, at room temperature
salt, preferably gray salt
freshly ground black pepper
3 large red onions
1 T minced garlic
1 T finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
1/4 cubalsamic vinegar
preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
in a heavy skillet over med-hi heat, add 1 T olive oil and heat until very hot. season the steak with salt and pepper. turn on the exhaust fan and put the steak in the pan; stand back to prevent being splattered. cook until the steak is brown on the first side, about 2 mins; brown on the other side. remove the steak to a rack or baking pan until you are ready to finish cooking it. when ready, put the steak into the oven and cook until done to your liking, about 10 mins for rare. remove the steak to a carving board and let it rest for 5 minutes.
peel and cut the onions into thirds or quarters, depending on their size. leave as much root on as possible to keep the wedges from falling apart. heat 1/4 c olive oil in the same skillet used to cook the meat over med-hi heat until hot. add the onions, reduce the heat to med, and cook until brown on all sides, about 5 mins. season them with salt and pepper. place the pan of onions in the oven and roast until tender and very browned (the onions tend to char around the edges), 15 to 20 mins.
remove the onions from the oven, add the garlic, and cook briefly until light brown. add the thyme and stir. add the vinegar (stand back so as to not get splattered) and toss well with the onions. stir and scrape up all the browned bits clinging to the bottom of the pan.
to serve, cut the meat off the bone, then carve it into thin slices. serve immediately.
note: in order to cook the meat in the shortest amount of time and thus extract the most flavor, the meat must be at room temperature. afterward, the meat must rest before carving. if this procedure is followed, the carving knife glides right through the steak.
a 1 1/2 lb porterhouse should give you about 14 oz of meat off the bone, enough for 3 or even 4 people. however, if you are steak lovers, you might want to buy 2 steaks of that size for 4 people.
1 large porterhouse steak, about 1 1/2 lbs and 2-inches thick, at room temperature
salt, preferably gray salt
freshly ground black pepper
3 large red onions
1 T minced garlic
1 T finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
1/4 cubalsamic vinegar
preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
in a heavy skillet over med-hi heat, add 1 T olive oil and heat until very hot. season the steak with salt and pepper. turn on the exhaust fan and put the steak in the pan; stand back to prevent being splattered. cook until the steak is brown on the first side, about 2 mins; brown on the other side. remove the steak to a rack or baking pan until you are ready to finish cooking it. when ready, put the steak into the oven and cook until done to your liking, about 10 mins for rare. remove the steak to a carving board and let it rest for 5 minutes.
peel and cut the onions into thirds or quarters, depending on their size. leave as much root on as possible to keep the wedges from falling apart. heat 1/4 c olive oil in the same skillet used to cook the meat over med-hi heat until hot. add the onions, reduce the heat to med, and cook until brown on all sides, about 5 mins. season them with salt and pepper. place the pan of onions in the oven and roast until tender and very browned (the onions tend to char around the edges), 15 to 20 mins.
remove the onions from the oven, add the garlic, and cook briefly until light brown. add the thyme and stir. add the vinegar (stand back so as to not get splattered) and toss well with the onions. stir and scrape up all the browned bits clinging to the bottom of the pan.
to serve, cut the meat off the bone, then carve it into thin slices. serve immediately.
note: in order to cook the meat in the shortest amount of time and thus extract the most flavor, the meat must be at room temperature. afterward, the meat must rest before carving. if this procedure is followed, the carving knife glides right through the steak.
a 1 1/2 lb porterhouse should give you about 14 oz of meat off the bone, enough for 3 or even 4 people. however, if you are steak lovers, you might want to buy 2 steaks of that size for 4 people.
22 August 2005
philadelphia style vanilla bean ice cream
philadelphia style ice creams are made w/o eggs... that's the only difference really. i used more heavy cream than half and half to make up for the lack of eggs... a decent ice cream has to have a fair amount of fat, especially a homemade ice cream, in order to have proper mouth-feel.
anyhoo... here's the recipe:
2 c half & half
2 3/4 c heavy cream
3/4 c superfine (not powdered) sugar
1 vanilla bean, split and scraped (save the pod and make vanilla sugar with it... it's great for making ice cream or even to put in your coffee)
1 t double-strength vanilla extract
1 t single-strength vanilla extract
combine all ingredients in a large, airtight container and whisk vigorously to dissolve the sugar. stash in your chill chest for an hour or so, then put it in your freezer for about 15 mins to get it good and cold.
meanwhile, prepare your ice cream maker. pour the dairy/sugar/vanilla suspension into the work bowl, and churn 20 mins or so. if you have the type of ice cream maker that i do, an attachment for a kitchen aid stand mixer, when the ice cream has churned for 20 mins or so, turn the power up gradually from stir to about 6 to beat a little more air into your ice cream batter.
place the finished ice cream in an airtight container and ripen in the freezer for at least 6 hrs before eating.
:)!
anyhoo... here's the recipe:
2 c half & half
2 3/4 c heavy cream
3/4 c superfine (not powdered) sugar
1 vanilla bean, split and scraped (save the pod and make vanilla sugar with it... it's great for making ice cream or even to put in your coffee)
1 t double-strength vanilla extract
1 t single-strength vanilla extract
combine all ingredients in a large, airtight container and whisk vigorously to dissolve the sugar. stash in your chill chest for an hour or so, then put it in your freezer for about 15 mins to get it good and cold.
meanwhile, prepare your ice cream maker. pour the dairy/sugar/vanilla suspension into the work bowl, and churn 20 mins or so. if you have the type of ice cream maker that i do, an attachment for a kitchen aid stand mixer, when the ice cream has churned for 20 mins or so, turn the power up gradually from stir to about 6 to beat a little more air into your ice cream batter.
place the finished ice cream in an airtight container and ripen in the freezer for at least 6 hrs before eating.
:)!
20 August 2005
vanilla bean ice cream
have you ever had homemade ice cream? isn't it the best?
i made some the other day... here's the recipe.
3 c half & half
1 c heavy cream
8 large egg yolks
1 c + 1 T sugar
2 t double strength vanilla extract
1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
place the half-and-half and the heavy cream into a medium saucepan, over medium heat. bring the mixture just to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and remove from the heat. add the inside of the vanilla bean and the scraped pod to the dairy mixture.
in a medium mixing bowl whisk the egg yolks until they lighten in color. gradually add the sugar and whisk to combine, till a ribbon forms when you lift the whisk from the egg yolk and sugar mixture. temper the cream mixture into the eggs and sugar by gradually adding small amounts, until about a third of the cream mixture has been added. pour in the remainder and return the entire mixture to the saucepan and place over low heat. continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon and reaches 170 to 175 degrees. pour the mixture into a container and allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. stir in the vanilla extract. place the mixture into the refrigerator and once it is cool enough not to form condensation on the lid, cover and store for 4 to 8 hours or until the temperature reaches 40 degrees or below.
pour into an ice cream maker and process according to the manufacturer's directions. this should take approximately 25 to 35 minutes. serve as is for soft serve or freeze for another 3 to 4 hours to allow the ice cream to harden.
click on the title of this post for double strength vanilla extract. it's definitely worth it for this recipe.
i made some the other day... here's the recipe.
3 c half & half
1 c heavy cream
8 large egg yolks
1 c + 1 T sugar
2 t double strength vanilla extract
1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
place the half-and-half and the heavy cream into a medium saucepan, over medium heat. bring the mixture just to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and remove from the heat. add the inside of the vanilla bean and the scraped pod to the dairy mixture.
in a medium mixing bowl whisk the egg yolks until they lighten in color. gradually add the sugar and whisk to combine, till a ribbon forms when you lift the whisk from the egg yolk and sugar mixture. temper the cream mixture into the eggs and sugar by gradually adding small amounts, until about a third of the cream mixture has been added. pour in the remainder and return the entire mixture to the saucepan and place over low heat. continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon and reaches 170 to 175 degrees. pour the mixture into a container and allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. stir in the vanilla extract. place the mixture into the refrigerator and once it is cool enough not to form condensation on the lid, cover and store for 4 to 8 hours or until the temperature reaches 40 degrees or below.
pour into an ice cream maker and process according to the manufacturer's directions. this should take approximately 25 to 35 minutes. serve as is for soft serve or freeze for another 3 to 4 hours to allow the ice cream to harden.
click on the title of this post for double strength vanilla extract. it's definitely worth it for this recipe.
18 August 2005
*snort*, *snort*, & *re-snort*
check this shit out!!
Ahh, the good ol' days
by kos
Wed Aug 17th, 2005 at 11:47:32 PDT
Quotes from when Clinton committed troops to Bosnia:
"You can support the troops but not the president." --Rep Tom Delay (R-TX)
"Well, I just think it's a bad idea. What's going to happen is they're going to be over there for 10, 15, maybe 20 years." --Joe Scarborough (R-FL)
"Explain to the mothers and fathers of American servicemen that may come home in body bags why their son or daughter have to give up their life?" --Sean Hannity, Fox News, 4/6/99
"[The] President . . . is once again releasing American military might on a foreign country with an ill-defined objective and no exit strategy. He has yet to tell the Congress how much this operation will cost. And he has not informed our nation's armed forces about how long they will be away from home. These strikes do not make for a sound foreign policy." --Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA)
"American foreign policy is now one huge big mystery. Simply put, the administration is trying to lead the world with a feel-good foreign policy." --Rep Tom Delay (R-TX)
"If we are going to commit American troops, we must be certain they have a clear mission, an achievable goal and an exit strategy." --Karen Hughes, speaking on behalf of George W Bush.
"I had doubts about the bombing campaign from the beginning . . I didn't think we had done enough in the diplomatic area." --Senator Trent Lott (R-MS)
"I cannot support a failed foreign policy. History teaches us that it is often easier to make war than peace. This administration is just learning that lesson right now. The President began this mission with very vague objectives and lots of unanswered questions. A month later, these questions are still unanswered. There are no clarified rules of engagement. There is no timetable. There is no legitimate definition of victory. There is no contingency plan for mission creep. There is no clear funding program. There is no agenda to bolster our over-extended military. There is no explanation defining what vital national interests are at stake. There was no strategic plan for war when the President started this thing, and there still is no plan today" --Rep Tom Delay (R-TX)
"Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is." --Governor George W. Bush (R-TX)
Funny thing is, we won that war without a single killed in action.
::
click the title of this post to read the comments posted by dailykos.com readers. do it!!
by kos
Wed Aug 17th, 2005 at 11:47:32 PDT
Quotes from when Clinton committed troops to Bosnia:
"You can support the troops but not the president." --Rep Tom Delay (R-TX)
"Well, I just think it's a bad idea. What's going to happen is they're going to be over there for 10, 15, maybe 20 years." --Joe Scarborough (R-FL)
"Explain to the mothers and fathers of American servicemen that may come home in body bags why their son or daughter have to give up their life?" --Sean Hannity, Fox News, 4/6/99
"[The] President . . . is once again releasing American military might on a foreign country with an ill-defined objective and no exit strategy. He has yet to tell the Congress how much this operation will cost. And he has not informed our nation's armed forces about how long they will be away from home. These strikes do not make for a sound foreign policy." --Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA)
"American foreign policy is now one huge big mystery. Simply put, the administration is trying to lead the world with a feel-good foreign policy." --Rep Tom Delay (R-TX)
"If we are going to commit American troops, we must be certain they have a clear mission, an achievable goal and an exit strategy." --Karen Hughes, speaking on behalf of George W Bush.
"I had doubts about the bombing campaign from the beginning . . I didn't think we had done enough in the diplomatic area." --Senator Trent Lott (R-MS)
"I cannot support a failed foreign policy. History teaches us that it is often easier to make war than peace. This administration is just learning that lesson right now. The President began this mission with very vague objectives and lots of unanswered questions. A month later, these questions are still unanswered. There are no clarified rules of engagement. There is no timetable. There is no legitimate definition of victory. There is no contingency plan for mission creep. There is no clear funding program. There is no agenda to bolster our over-extended military. There is no explanation defining what vital national interests are at stake. There was no strategic plan for war when the President started this thing, and there still is no plan today" --Rep Tom Delay (R-TX)
"Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is." --Governor George W. Bush (R-TX)
Funny thing is, we won that war without a single killed in action.
::
click the title of this post to read the comments posted by dailykos.com readers. do it!!
*lol*... it's freaky how accurate this is!
you are dependable, popular, and observant.
deep and thoughtful, you are prone to moodiness.
in fact, your emotions tend to influence everything you do. you are unique, creative, and expressive. you don't mind waving your freak flag every once and a while.
and lucky for you, most people find your weird ways charming!
click on the title of this post to take what is indeed the world's shortest personality test.
also, props to the angry sicilian for directing me to the test.
one last thing... kristin from debaucherous and dishevelled is being induced and *knocking wood* monkey will at long last be making his first appearance. cross your fingers that everything goes well for mom & baby.
15 August 2005
compleanno del mio fratello
so... we had my brother over yesterday for brunch. it was his 34th birthday, and it was pretty obvious he'd had a.. um... *intoxicated* evening. sooo... i knew the menu was going to be perfect.
it was him, the hub and i, the parents, and my cousin deb and her mom, my aunt joan. we were fixing eggs benedict with crab cakes instead of back bacon. potatoes da delfina. wen'l made english muffins from scratch *!!!!!*. a cake made with olive oil and citrus zest and almonds with a citrus compote.
i used jumbo eggs in the hollandaise, and didn't count on needing extra lemon juice and probably a bit more fat... so it ended up horrible. tasted great, but it was umm... scrambled? lol the crabcakes were amazing, the potatoes wonderful. there was a definite lemonyness to the meal.
my husband fucking rocks tho! he saved the day by making HIS first hollandaise, and it was the bomb, yo.
i ended up alone in the kitchen when everyone had been served, and i poured a wee splash of vodka into my naked oj.
soo... here's the recipes, in the order you should do them.
english muffins
1/2 cup warm (approx. 110°F) water
1/4 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 cup warm (approx. 110°F) milk
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 2/3 cups king arthur unbleached a-p flour (get this if you can... ka flour is all we use around here.)
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup lukewarm water
combine the warm water, sugar and yeast in a large bowl and let sit until foamy. add the warm milk and salt to the yeast mixture, then stir in the flour. beat hard, using an electric mixer, for 5 minutes (this beating, as well as the addition of baking soda just before cooking, will help the finished muffin develop its holes).
cover bowl, set in a warm place, and let batter rise for 3 hours, or until it is very bubbly. don't worry if the batter bubbles up, then falls down; if it does, just proceed to the next step.
dissolve the baking soda in the 1/4 cup lukewarm water, and stir it gently into the batter. let rise again, this time for only 30 minutes.
heat a greased griddle over low heat for 10 minutes. spoon about 1/4 cup of batter on to griddle. tuna cans, well-cleaned and with both ends cut off, are useful in containing the crumpet batter, but not necessary. just set them on your frying surface, being sure to grease well first. nudge into a round shape with the back of a spoon or fork.
let muffins cook 5 to 8 minutes, or until bottoms are golden, then flip over and let the other side cook the same amount of time, removing from pan when both sides are brown.
place muffins on a wire rack to cool. to serve, split muffins with a fork and toast. serve with butter, jam, etc.
olive oil cake with citrus compote
cake:
1 1/2 cups a-p flour
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1 c sugar
3 large eggs
2 t orange zest
2 t lemon zest
1/4 c whole milk
3/4 c extra-virgin olive oil
2/3 c sliced almonds, toasted, coarsely crumbled
powdered sugar, for sifting
citrus compote:
2 T grated orange peel
2 T cointreau
3 T sugar
3 oranges, segmented
2 pink grapefruits, segmented
to make the cake: preheat the oven to 350 degrees. lightly oil a 9" cake pan. whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl to blend. using an electric mixer, beat the sugar, eggs, and zests in a large bowl until pale and fluffy. beat in the milk. gradually beat in the oil. add the flour mixture and stir just until blended. stir in the almonds.
transfer the batter to the prepared pan. place cake pan on baking pan to collect any possible spills. bake until a tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out with moist crumbs attached, about 30 minutes. transfer to a rack and cool for 15 minutes. remove cake and place on serving platter, top side up. sift powdered sugar over the cake.
to make the citrus compote: stir the orange peel, cointreau, sugar and 2 tablespoons of accumulated juices from the segmented fruit in a small bowl to blend. cover and let stand 15 minutes for the flavors to blend.
potatoes da delfina
2 lb creamer potatoes (red or yukon gold if possible)
2 T gray salt
peanut oil for frying
2 T extra virgin olive oil
1/4 c chopped garlic
2 t lemon zest
1/4 c chopped fresh parsley
put the potatoes in a large pot with generously salted water to cover. bring to a boil and cook until a knife slips in easily, 15 to 20 minutes. drain the potatoes. when they are cool enough to handle, hold one between your hands as if you were clapping and press gently with the heel of your hand. you want to smash the potato to about a half-inch thickness while keeping it in one piece. the skin will split, but the potato should not fall apart.
repeat with the remaining potatoes. you can prepare the potatoes to this point several hours ahead.
put 1/4" of peanut oil in a large skillet and heat over moderately high heat. when the oil begins to smoke, carefully put the smashed potatoes in the oil and cook on both sides until crisp and well-browned, about 8 to 10 minutes. transfer to paper towels to drain. season with salt and pepper.
while the potatoes cook, combine the parsley and lemon zest in a serving bowl. add to potatoes and stir very gently to combine.
the bigger the pan you use for this, the better. also, the potatoes can be kept warm in a 200 degree oven, uncovered, while you fix the rest of the meal.
hollandaise sauce
4 large egg yolks
1 T freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 c unsalted butter, melted (1 stick)
pinch cayenne
pinch salt
vigorously whisk the egg yolks and lemon juice together in a stainless steel bowl and until the mixture is thickened and doubled in volume. place the bowl over a saucepan containing barely simmering water (or use a double boiler,) the water should not touch the bottom of the bowl. continue to whisk rapidly. be careful not to let the eggs get too hot or they will scramble. take the bowl off the simmering water if it gets too warm as needed.
slowly drizzle in the melted butter and continue to whisk until the sauce is thickened and doubled in volume. remove from heat, whisk in cayenne and salt. Cover and place in a thermos until ready to use for the eggs benedict.
crab cakes
1 lb. lump crab meat (drain VERY well)
1/2 c mayonnaise
1/2 t freshly ground black pepper
1/2 lemon, juiced
2 T chopped fresh parsley
1 bunch green onions, chopped fine (the white part and about 2" of the green part)
1 1/2 + 1/2 c panko bread crumbs
peanut oil, for frying
in a bowl combine the crabmeat, mayonnaise, parsley, green onions, 1/2 c panko and pepper. form into 3-ounce cakes. dredge well in the panko to evenly coat.
pan-fry the cakes in 1" of 375 degree F peanut oil until golden brown and flip to brown on the other side about 3 to 4 minutes per side. drain on a cooling rack on top of a cookie sheet. can be held in oven with potatoes while you poach the eggs.
poached eggs
usu. 2 per person
get a deep 12" or larger pan, and fill about 2/3 the way up the sides with cold water. add 1/4 c white vinegar, and bring to a simmer. when water is barely boiling, crack the eggs and drop into the water, as close to the surface as feels safe. cover and cook 5 mins.
drain well when removing the eggs from the water.
one tip... this is a VERY labor intensive meal. it will require good help (ie, someone who can handle some steps, like my husband and the muffins and hollandaise and basically helping with mise en place for my stuff) if you are making it for more than 2. save this one for a very special occasion if preparing for a crowd.
it was him, the hub and i, the parents, and my cousin deb and her mom, my aunt joan. we were fixing eggs benedict with crab cakes instead of back bacon. potatoes da delfina. wen'l made english muffins from scratch *!!!!!*. a cake made with olive oil and citrus zest and almonds with a citrus compote.
i used jumbo eggs in the hollandaise, and didn't count on needing extra lemon juice and probably a bit more fat... so it ended up horrible. tasted great, but it was umm... scrambled? lol the crabcakes were amazing, the potatoes wonderful. there was a definite lemonyness to the meal.
my husband fucking rocks tho! he saved the day by making HIS first hollandaise, and it was the bomb, yo.
i ended up alone in the kitchen when everyone had been served, and i poured a wee splash of vodka into my naked oj.
soo... here's the recipes, in the order you should do them.
english muffins
1/2 cup warm (approx. 110°F) water
1/4 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 cup warm (approx. 110°F) milk
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 2/3 cups king arthur unbleached a-p flour (get this if you can... ka flour is all we use around here.)
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup lukewarm water
combine the warm water, sugar and yeast in a large bowl and let sit until foamy. add the warm milk and salt to the yeast mixture, then stir in the flour. beat hard, using an electric mixer, for 5 minutes (this beating, as well as the addition of baking soda just before cooking, will help the finished muffin develop its holes).
cover bowl, set in a warm place, and let batter rise for 3 hours, or until it is very bubbly. don't worry if the batter bubbles up, then falls down; if it does, just proceed to the next step.
dissolve the baking soda in the 1/4 cup lukewarm water, and stir it gently into the batter. let rise again, this time for only 30 minutes.
heat a greased griddle over low heat for 10 minutes. spoon about 1/4 cup of batter on to griddle. tuna cans, well-cleaned and with both ends cut off, are useful in containing the crumpet batter, but not necessary. just set them on your frying surface, being sure to grease well first. nudge into a round shape with the back of a spoon or fork.
let muffins cook 5 to 8 minutes, or until bottoms are golden, then flip over and let the other side cook the same amount of time, removing from pan when both sides are brown.
place muffins on a wire rack to cool. to serve, split muffins with a fork and toast. serve with butter, jam, etc.
olive oil cake with citrus compote
cake:
1 1/2 cups a-p flour
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1 c sugar
3 large eggs
2 t orange zest
2 t lemon zest
1/4 c whole milk
3/4 c extra-virgin olive oil
2/3 c sliced almonds, toasted, coarsely crumbled
powdered sugar, for sifting
citrus compote:
2 T grated orange peel
2 T cointreau
3 T sugar
3 oranges, segmented
2 pink grapefruits, segmented
to make the cake: preheat the oven to 350 degrees. lightly oil a 9" cake pan. whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl to blend. using an electric mixer, beat the sugar, eggs, and zests in a large bowl until pale and fluffy. beat in the milk. gradually beat in the oil. add the flour mixture and stir just until blended. stir in the almonds.
transfer the batter to the prepared pan. place cake pan on baking pan to collect any possible spills. bake until a tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out with moist crumbs attached, about 30 minutes. transfer to a rack and cool for 15 minutes. remove cake and place on serving platter, top side up. sift powdered sugar over the cake.
to make the citrus compote: stir the orange peel, cointreau, sugar and 2 tablespoons of accumulated juices from the segmented fruit in a small bowl to blend. cover and let stand 15 minutes for the flavors to blend.
potatoes da delfina
2 lb creamer potatoes (red or yukon gold if possible)
2 T gray salt
peanut oil for frying
2 T extra virgin olive oil
1/4 c chopped garlic
2 t lemon zest
1/4 c chopped fresh parsley
put the potatoes in a large pot with generously salted water to cover. bring to a boil and cook until a knife slips in easily, 15 to 20 minutes. drain the potatoes. when they are cool enough to handle, hold one between your hands as if you were clapping and press gently with the heel of your hand. you want to smash the potato to about a half-inch thickness while keeping it in one piece. the skin will split, but the potato should not fall apart.
repeat with the remaining potatoes. you can prepare the potatoes to this point several hours ahead.
put 1/4" of peanut oil in a large skillet and heat over moderately high heat. when the oil begins to smoke, carefully put the smashed potatoes in the oil and cook on both sides until crisp and well-browned, about 8 to 10 minutes. transfer to paper towels to drain. season with salt and pepper.
while the potatoes cook, combine the parsley and lemon zest in a serving bowl. add to potatoes and stir very gently to combine.
the bigger the pan you use for this, the better. also, the potatoes can be kept warm in a 200 degree oven, uncovered, while you fix the rest of the meal.
hollandaise sauce
4 large egg yolks
1 T freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 c unsalted butter, melted (1 stick)
pinch cayenne
pinch salt
vigorously whisk the egg yolks and lemon juice together in a stainless steel bowl and until the mixture is thickened and doubled in volume. place the bowl over a saucepan containing barely simmering water (or use a double boiler,) the water should not touch the bottom of the bowl. continue to whisk rapidly. be careful not to let the eggs get too hot or they will scramble. take the bowl off the simmering water if it gets too warm as needed.
slowly drizzle in the melted butter and continue to whisk until the sauce is thickened and doubled in volume. remove from heat, whisk in cayenne and salt. Cover and place in a thermos until ready to use for the eggs benedict.
crab cakes
1 lb. lump crab meat (drain VERY well)
1/2 c mayonnaise
1/2 t freshly ground black pepper
1/2 lemon, juiced
2 T chopped fresh parsley
1 bunch green onions, chopped fine (the white part and about 2" of the green part)
1 1/2 + 1/2 c panko bread crumbs
peanut oil, for frying
in a bowl combine the crabmeat, mayonnaise, parsley, green onions, 1/2 c panko and pepper. form into 3-ounce cakes. dredge well in the panko to evenly coat.
pan-fry the cakes in 1" of 375 degree F peanut oil until golden brown and flip to brown on the other side about 3 to 4 minutes per side. drain on a cooling rack on top of a cookie sheet. can be held in oven with potatoes while you poach the eggs.
poached eggs
usu. 2 per person
get a deep 12" or larger pan, and fill about 2/3 the way up the sides with cold water. add 1/4 c white vinegar, and bring to a simmer. when water is barely boiling, crack the eggs and drop into the water, as close to the surface as feels safe. cover and cook 5 mins.
drain well when removing the eggs from the water.
one tip... this is a VERY labor intensive meal. it will require good help (ie, someone who can handle some steps, like my husband and the muffins and hollandaise and basically helping with mise en place for my stuff) if you are making it for more than 2. save this one for a very special occasion if preparing for a crowd.
13 August 2005
yes, i'm an atheist
dear god, hope you get the letter and...
i pray you can make it better down here
i don't mean a big reduction in the price of beer
but all the people that you made in your image
see them starving in the street
'cause they don't get enough to eat from god
i can't believe in you
dear god, sorry to disturb you but...
i feel that i should be heard loud and clear
we all need a big reduction in amount of tears
and all the people that you made in your image
see them fighting in the street
'cause they can't make opinions meet about god
i can't believe in you
did you make disease and the diamond blue?
did you make mankind after we made you?
and the devil too!
dear god don't know if you noticed but...
your name is on a lot of quotes in this book
and us crazy humans wrote it, you should take a look
and all the people that you made in your image
still believing that junk is true
well i know it ain't, and so do you
dear god
i can't believe in
i don't believe
i won't believe in heaven or hell
no saints, no sinners, no devil as well
no pearly gates, no thorny crown
you're always letting us humans down
the wars you bring, the babes you drown
those lost at sea and never found
and it's the same the whole world 'round
the hurt I see helps to compound
that father, son and holy ghost
is just somebody's unholy hoax
and if you're up there you'll perceive
that my heart's here upon my sleeve
if there's one thing I don't believe in
it's you
dear god
- "dear god", xtc
i pray you can make it better down here
i don't mean a big reduction in the price of beer
but all the people that you made in your image
see them starving in the street
'cause they don't get enough to eat from god
i can't believe in you
dear god, sorry to disturb you but...
i feel that i should be heard loud and clear
we all need a big reduction in amount of tears
and all the people that you made in your image
see them fighting in the street
'cause they can't make opinions meet about god
i can't believe in you
did you make disease and the diamond blue?
did you make mankind after we made you?
and the devil too!
dear god don't know if you noticed but...
your name is on a lot of quotes in this book
and us crazy humans wrote it, you should take a look
and all the people that you made in your image
still believing that junk is true
well i know it ain't, and so do you
dear god
i can't believe in
i don't believe
i won't believe in heaven or hell
no saints, no sinners, no devil as well
no pearly gates, no thorny crown
you're always letting us humans down
the wars you bring, the babes you drown
those lost at sea and never found
and it's the same the whole world 'round
the hurt I see helps to compound
that father, son and holy ghost
is just somebody's unholy hoax
and if you're up there you'll perceive
that my heart's here upon my sleeve
if there's one thing I don't believe in
it's you
dear god
- "dear god", xtc
12 August 2005
decide yourself... my 100 things
100. am i wrong for thinking bill berry was the heart of r.e.m. and that when he left the band, it was all downhill?
99. my new current mission in life is to find out what the hell a *turd blossom* is.
98. i wonder if oprah winfrey realized the challenge she foisted upon her book club by selecting 3 books by william faulkner for them to read over the summer.
97. i wish the most humiliating thing to ever happen to me was being refused service after business hours @ hermes.
96. speaking of books, i need to buy a few. i think some day next week when i'm bored i'll go buy some. any ideas?
95. i am 6 feet tall and what you might call plump. hell, you might even call it fat. i cannot think of a lousier set of circumstances for the easy procurement of stylish threads.
94. my husband is riding his bike back and forth to work. all told, he's doing like 25 mi a day, 5x a week. i cannot think of anything more motivating to me to get my own ass in shape than to fondle his legs, particularly the parts of his thighs directly above his knees.
93. nice lower bodies on men have always made me swoon.
92. i've been an italophile since i can remember. the language, the history, the food... mostly the food.
91. in fact, i think mario batali is hot.
90. and yes, as a matter of fact, i agree with his opinion that parmigiano-reggiano is the undisputed king of all cheeses.
89. oddly enough, i make my sauce/gravy a little different every time i make it, and it's killer every time.
88. my sexual career started fairly slowly, but i more than made up for it after i hit 30.
87. i am sooooooooo glad i'm out of that now tho.
86. i think being with the same person for the rest of my life (*knockin wood*) is fuckin hot.
85. i took almost 6 years of spanish in school.
84. i say almost cuz i got into it with my professor the 2nd semester of my 6th year and dropped the class. after the withdrawl date had passed, of course.
83. i used to dream in spanish quite regularly, but not for years now.
82. my spanish suffered cuz i think i sound like a dork speaking it. italian is another matter tho. i rock @ italian.
81. i wish i could wrap my head around my husband not liking the clash.
80. this isn't a half-bad way to spend a nicely baked friday afternoon.
79. but it'll probably be a week from tuesday before i actually finish this.
78. when i win the lottery, i'm going to see a 3/4-game series in each park in the major leagues. i'd get to spend like a week in a few really cool towns, like chicago fer instance.
77. i really wish i could sing. well, obviously, i can... i just suck.
76. it would be cool to be the singing chef, i think.
75. have i mentioned i want a show on food tv? thanks to my buddy gilly, who will be cut in on any of my profits to the tune of 10%, i have a schtick (sp?) that i'm currently developing.
74. i'm not too proud to whore for your votes in next year's "so you want to be a food tv star?" contest before i've even submitted an entry.
73. it might not be obvious from reading this piffle, but i have a really big brain. not only am i brillant (and modest), but i have the ability to predict the future. unfortunately, i only see about 30 secs ahead, so i'm pretty much fucked.
72. my tastes in many things are remarkably pedestrian.
71. the funniest song i've ever heard is "debra" by beck.
70. or maybe "gin and juice" by snoop as done by phish.
69. :)
68. i think the pot should be legalized. the latest research suggests there's something like 30,000,000 pot smokers in the united states.
67. i say tax the shit out of it!
66. i'm always thinkin of my fellow man.
65. that much should be obvious by now.
64. i am a girl in one respect: i am totally addicted to coach handbags.
63. i wear more men's clothing than i should. but fuck... it's cheaper for the same thing. i live in shorts and t-shirts basically.
62. life at the airport was much more fun before 9/11. i can't ever fuck at LAX again, so the terrorists have already won.
61. that was a feeble attempt @ snark btw.
60. starbucks coffee almond fudge satisfies the munchies better than anything else.
59. the best date of my life was watching a taping of the bill maher show.
58. i totally dig it that my snortastic husband can pretty much upstage whatever he's watching.
57. i am periodically troubled by lower back pain.
56. when i say lower back pain, i mean i am unable to stand upright for 3 or 4 days.
55. it's like i forget how, and remembering is a bitch and a half.
54. it's now the next friday afternoon, so i figure i'm right on schedule.
53. another way i am a total girl: i love getting my hair done.
52. i like things that feel sorta creepy, and as anyone who's ever had a head full of reynolds wrap can tell you, there's nothing that compares to getting your highlights touched up.
51. i would make a fantastic president, and i share a birthday with our third.
50. according to some birth day (and yes, 2 words) book i read, it's the day of the iconoclast. my life's dream is to live up to it.
49. i made it to age 35 before someone of my generation produced a rock opera.
48. it's my sincere belief that it's one of the best records of my lifetime.
47. i'm a native californian. ever since that record came out, i've had a strange kind of pride at the fact that i was lucky enough to be born here.
46. i know a lot of people in this country think that california pretty much jumped the shark in the 1960's. but if that's true, how come over 10% of the people in this whole fucking country live here?
45. the cuisine of practically every country on earth can be found in the greater los angeles area.
44. i want to go to matsuhisa so bad i could cry.
43. i'm way behind on this thing.
42. what's weird is that i wasn't *tagged*. yes, i'm doing this unbidden.
41. i haven't quite determined how mentally ill that makes me, but i'll share with everyone just as soon as i figure it out.
40. i need to get better at writing about food. hell, i could stand some work in general.
39. i had a teacher in the 11th grade tell me i had enormous potential as a writer.
38. unfortunately, it's all been downhill since then.
37. i know i'm not alone in thinking our president is a traitor.
36. how the motherfucker ever got elected (not re-elected), i'll never know.
35. i had my heart broken by politics last fall. if i hadn't gotten married 2 days after the election, i'd still be obssessing about it.
34. i love my husband more than i thought it possible to love anyone, but whomever said that marriage was hard work wasn't kidding.
33. the whole cooking/cookbook/eventual celebrity on the food network thing is because i am not cut out to be a housewife. so, i'm developing my best task as a housewife... my cooking.
32. i really am a killer cook. try that chicken recipe down there if you don't believe me. i invented that. it's not a variation on someone else's dish.
31. but feel free to play around with the recipe. different mushrooms, red wine and red wine vinegar (but get something good, like cabernet or merlot vinegar... trust me) instead of white, different herbs.
30. getting directv and finally having food network was a revelation, and not because i immediately thought i'd be on it one day. i heard those chefs and cooks say that good ingredients alone would take one's cooking to new heights.
29. the first time i had real parm, the stuff from parma - parmigiano-reggiano - i fell in love with food.
28. it really is that perfect.
27. so's their prosciutto.
26. god i talk about food a lot.
25. if i could figure out how to paint as well as i do quickly, i'd paint the whole house once a year.
24. i like having something new to look at.
23. i'm singing "cornflake girl" by tori amos right now.
22. i might as well take advantage of the fact that wen'l is at work and listen to all the stuff he doesn't like.
21. i think a 4" height difference is optimal.
20. my husband likes lemony vodka cocktails. i think they make him smell like mr. clean.
19. so, he has taken to calling me mrs. green... prolly on account of my drug of choice.
18. i know this list of 100 things really sux, but you know what? tough titties!
17. speaking of titties, i have an extreme aversion to bolt-ons.
16. i would much rather have tiny or floppy ones than a set of aftermarket boobs.
15. which is a good thing, considering i wear a DD bra, and i'm no spring chicken.
14. and i haven't passed the pencil test since high school.
13. my lucky number!
12. yes, i'm grasping at straws, but i only have 11 left now!
11. my recipe for limoncello is simply the world's best.
10. i was a victim of sexual abuse at a very young age.
9. somehow, it didn't destroy my ability to enjoy sex. *praising buddha*
8. i'm not much of a drinker.
7. in fact, i'm a lightweight.
6. which is ironic seeing as i'm anything but light.
5. i sustained a major concussion, complete with coma, 2 months before i started school.
4. the powers that were at mckinley elementary in long beach, california wanted to put me in the second grade sometime during my second week of kindergarten.
3. i bet it would have been the 4th grade if i hadn't landed face first on the 91 tho.
2. fuck... i better make #1 a doozy.
1. did i mention i'd make a kick-ass president?
99. my new current mission in life is to find out what the hell a *turd blossom* is.
98. i wonder if oprah winfrey realized the challenge she foisted upon her book club by selecting 3 books by william faulkner for them to read over the summer.
97. i wish the most humiliating thing to ever happen to me was being refused service after business hours @ hermes.
96. speaking of books, i need to buy a few. i think some day next week when i'm bored i'll go buy some. any ideas?
95. i am 6 feet tall and what you might call plump. hell, you might even call it fat. i cannot think of a lousier set of circumstances for the easy procurement of stylish threads.
94. my husband is riding his bike back and forth to work. all told, he's doing like 25 mi a day, 5x a week. i cannot think of anything more motivating to me to get my own ass in shape than to fondle his legs, particularly the parts of his thighs directly above his knees.
93. nice lower bodies on men have always made me swoon.
92. i've been an italophile since i can remember. the language, the history, the food... mostly the food.
91. in fact, i think mario batali is hot.
90. and yes, as a matter of fact, i agree with his opinion that parmigiano-reggiano is the undisputed king of all cheeses.
89. oddly enough, i make my sauce/gravy a little different every time i make it, and it's killer every time.
88. my sexual career started fairly slowly, but i more than made up for it after i hit 30.
87. i am sooooooooo glad i'm out of that now tho.
86. i think being with the same person for the rest of my life (*knockin wood*) is fuckin hot.
85. i took almost 6 years of spanish in school.
84. i say almost cuz i got into it with my professor the 2nd semester of my 6th year and dropped the class. after the withdrawl date had passed, of course.
83. i used to dream in spanish quite regularly, but not for years now.
82. my spanish suffered cuz i think i sound like a dork speaking it. italian is another matter tho. i rock @ italian.
81. i wish i could wrap my head around my husband not liking the clash.
80. this isn't a half-bad way to spend a nicely baked friday afternoon.
79. but it'll probably be a week from tuesday before i actually finish this.
78. when i win the lottery, i'm going to see a 3/4-game series in each park in the major leagues. i'd get to spend like a week in a few really cool towns, like chicago fer instance.
77. i really wish i could sing. well, obviously, i can... i just suck.
76. it would be cool to be the singing chef, i think.
75. have i mentioned i want a show on food tv? thanks to my buddy gilly, who will be cut in on any of my profits to the tune of 10%, i have a schtick (sp?) that i'm currently developing.
74. i'm not too proud to whore for your votes in next year's "so you want to be a food tv star?" contest before i've even submitted an entry.
73. it might not be obvious from reading this piffle, but i have a really big brain. not only am i brillant (and modest), but i have the ability to predict the future. unfortunately, i only see about 30 secs ahead, so i'm pretty much fucked.
72. my tastes in many things are remarkably pedestrian.
71. the funniest song i've ever heard is "debra" by beck.
70. or maybe "gin and juice" by snoop as done by phish.
69. :)
68. i think the pot should be legalized. the latest research suggests there's something like 30,000,000 pot smokers in the united states.
67. i say tax the shit out of it!
66. i'm always thinkin of my fellow man.
65. that much should be obvious by now.
64. i am a girl in one respect: i am totally addicted to coach handbags.
63. i wear more men's clothing than i should. but fuck... it's cheaper for the same thing. i live in shorts and t-shirts basically.
62. life at the airport was much more fun before 9/11. i can't ever fuck at LAX again, so the terrorists have already won.
61. that was a feeble attempt @ snark btw.
60. starbucks coffee almond fudge satisfies the munchies better than anything else.
59. the best date of my life was watching a taping of the bill maher show.
58. i totally dig it that my snortastic husband can pretty much upstage whatever he's watching.
57. i am periodically troubled by lower back pain.
56. when i say lower back pain, i mean i am unable to stand upright for 3 or 4 days.
55. it's like i forget how, and remembering is a bitch and a half.
54. it's now the next friday afternoon, so i figure i'm right on schedule.
53. another way i am a total girl: i love getting my hair done.
52. i like things that feel sorta creepy, and as anyone who's ever had a head full of reynolds wrap can tell you, there's nothing that compares to getting your highlights touched up.
51. i would make a fantastic president, and i share a birthday with our third.
50. according to some birth day (and yes, 2 words) book i read, it's the day of the iconoclast. my life's dream is to live up to it.
49. i made it to age 35 before someone of my generation produced a rock opera.
48. it's my sincere belief that it's one of the best records of my lifetime.
47. i'm a native californian. ever since that record came out, i've had a strange kind of pride at the fact that i was lucky enough to be born here.
46. i know a lot of people in this country think that california pretty much jumped the shark in the 1960's. but if that's true, how come over 10% of the people in this whole fucking country live here?
45. the cuisine of practically every country on earth can be found in the greater los angeles area.
44. i want to go to matsuhisa so bad i could cry.
43. i'm way behind on this thing.
42. what's weird is that i wasn't *tagged*. yes, i'm doing this unbidden.
41. i haven't quite determined how mentally ill that makes me, but i'll share with everyone just as soon as i figure it out.
40. i need to get better at writing about food. hell, i could stand some work in general.
39. i had a teacher in the 11th grade tell me i had enormous potential as a writer.
38. unfortunately, it's all been downhill since then.
37. i know i'm not alone in thinking our president is a traitor.
36. how the motherfucker ever got elected (not re-elected), i'll never know.
35. i had my heart broken by politics last fall. if i hadn't gotten married 2 days after the election, i'd still be obssessing about it.
34. i love my husband more than i thought it possible to love anyone, but whomever said that marriage was hard work wasn't kidding.
33. the whole cooking/cookbook/eventual celebrity on the food network thing is because i am not cut out to be a housewife. so, i'm developing my best task as a housewife... my cooking.
32. i really am a killer cook. try that chicken recipe down there if you don't believe me. i invented that. it's not a variation on someone else's dish.
31. but feel free to play around with the recipe. different mushrooms, red wine and red wine vinegar (but get something good, like cabernet or merlot vinegar... trust me) instead of white, different herbs.
30. getting directv and finally having food network was a revelation, and not because i immediately thought i'd be on it one day. i heard those chefs and cooks say that good ingredients alone would take one's cooking to new heights.
29. the first time i had real parm, the stuff from parma - parmigiano-reggiano - i fell in love with food.
28. it really is that perfect.
27. so's their prosciutto.
26. god i talk about food a lot.
25. if i could figure out how to paint as well as i do quickly, i'd paint the whole house once a year.
24. i like having something new to look at.
23. i'm singing "cornflake girl" by tori amos right now.
22. i might as well take advantage of the fact that wen'l is at work and listen to all the stuff he doesn't like.
21. i think a 4" height difference is optimal.
20. my husband likes lemony vodka cocktails. i think they make him smell like mr. clean.
19. so, he has taken to calling me mrs. green... prolly on account of my drug of choice.
18. i know this list of 100 things really sux, but you know what? tough titties!
17. speaking of titties, i have an extreme aversion to bolt-ons.
16. i would much rather have tiny or floppy ones than a set of aftermarket boobs.
15. which is a good thing, considering i wear a DD bra, and i'm no spring chicken.
14. and i haven't passed the pencil test since high school.
13. my lucky number!
12. yes, i'm grasping at straws, but i only have 11 left now!
11. my recipe for limoncello is simply the world's best.
10. i was a victim of sexual abuse at a very young age.
9. somehow, it didn't destroy my ability to enjoy sex. *praising buddha*
8. i'm not much of a drinker.
7. in fact, i'm a lightweight.
6. which is ironic seeing as i'm anything but light.
5. i sustained a major concussion, complete with coma, 2 months before i started school.
4. the powers that were at mckinley elementary in long beach, california wanted to put me in the second grade sometime during my second week of kindergarten.
3. i bet it would have been the 4th grade if i hadn't landed face first on the 91 tho.
2. fuck... i better make #1 a doozy.
1. did i mention i'd make a kick-ass president?
09 August 2005
a happy accident
:)
k... this afternoon i went to the grocery store seeking one thing... something to have for dinner with some lovely frozen haricots verts that wen'l and i picked up at trader joe's. click on the title of this post to see if you have a trader joe's location near you. if you do, take a few minutes to browse their frozen foods section. you will not be disappointed.
anyhoo... this afternoon i went to vons. i needed to lay in some provisions and pick up a few cleaning items. i got some boneless skinless chicken breasts and some of the house brand rice pilaf. the makings of a lovely summertime dinner i figured, esp if i put a nice lemon juice soak on the chicken before cooking.
turned out i didn't have any lemons, so i had to use some other sort of acid in my marinade, and hence, the happy accident.
pollo alla julia
2-3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 T champagne vinegar
2 T olive oil
12 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed but not chopped
1 t salt
1/2 freshly ground black pepper
4 T olive oil
1 c dry white wine (i used some chardonnay i had left over from another recipe)
1 c chicken stock (i used the stuff in the big juice box-looking container... kitchen basics i think it's called)
8 oz sliced mushrooms
2 T chopped flat leaf parsley
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 T butter
additional salt and pepper, to taste
2 hrs before cooking, combine champagne vinegar, 2 T olive oil, smashed garlic, salt and pepper in a gallon size ziptop bag. add chicken and massage thoroughly to coat. stash in chill chest till you're ready to cook.
preheat oven to 400 degrees. heat 3 T olive oil in a large, oven-safe saute pan over med-hi heat. sear chicken in batches till golden brown and delicious, about 3 min per side and remove to a plate. heat 1 T olive oil in another saute pan over med-hi heat. add mushrooms and shake to coat with oil. if the mushrooms look a little dry, add a bit more oil. saute till GB&D, and add parsley and garlic. remove from heat.
when all the chicken is seared, add it all back to the large pan you used and put in the oven for about 20 mins. when it's done in the oven, remove the pan and put it back on the stove. remove the chicken to a platter and add the wine. use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the lovely bits stuck to the pan, and reduce by 50%. add the chicken stock, stir and reduce again by 50%. add the butter, and allow to reduce slightly before adding the mushrooms, parsley and garlic. taste for salt and pepper.
spoon this lovely pan sauce over the now well-rested chicken breasts and enjoy!
p.s. - you've probably heard this before, but DO NOT cook with a wine you wouldn't enjoy drinking. lots of perfectly acceptable wines can be had for as little as $2 a bottle (snaps to 2 buck chuck).
k... this afternoon i went to the grocery store seeking one thing... something to have for dinner with some lovely frozen haricots verts that wen'l and i picked up at trader joe's. click on the title of this post to see if you have a trader joe's location near you. if you do, take a few minutes to browse their frozen foods section. you will not be disappointed.
anyhoo... this afternoon i went to vons. i needed to lay in some provisions and pick up a few cleaning items. i got some boneless skinless chicken breasts and some of the house brand rice pilaf. the makings of a lovely summertime dinner i figured, esp if i put a nice lemon juice soak on the chicken before cooking.
turned out i didn't have any lemons, so i had to use some other sort of acid in my marinade, and hence, the happy accident.
pollo alla julia
2-3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 T champagne vinegar
2 T olive oil
12 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed but not chopped
1 t salt
1/2 freshly ground black pepper
4 T olive oil
1 c dry white wine (i used some chardonnay i had left over from another recipe)
1 c chicken stock (i used the stuff in the big juice box-looking container... kitchen basics i think it's called)
8 oz sliced mushrooms
2 T chopped flat leaf parsley
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 T butter
additional salt and pepper, to taste
2 hrs before cooking, combine champagne vinegar, 2 T olive oil, smashed garlic, salt and pepper in a gallon size ziptop bag. add chicken and massage thoroughly to coat. stash in chill chest till you're ready to cook.
preheat oven to 400 degrees. heat 3 T olive oil in a large, oven-safe saute pan over med-hi heat. sear chicken in batches till golden brown and delicious, about 3 min per side and remove to a plate. heat 1 T olive oil in another saute pan over med-hi heat. add mushrooms and shake to coat with oil. if the mushrooms look a little dry, add a bit more oil. saute till GB&D, and add parsley and garlic. remove from heat.
when all the chicken is seared, add it all back to the large pan you used and put in the oven for about 20 mins. when it's done in the oven, remove the pan and put it back on the stove. remove the chicken to a platter and add the wine. use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the lovely bits stuck to the pan, and reduce by 50%. add the chicken stock, stir and reduce again by 50%. add the butter, and allow to reduce slightly before adding the mushrooms, parsley and garlic. taste for salt and pepper.
spoon this lovely pan sauce over the now well-rested chicken breasts and enjoy!
p.s. - you've probably heard this before, but DO NOT cook with a wine you wouldn't enjoy drinking. lots of perfectly acceptable wines can be had for as little as $2 a bottle (snaps to 2 buck chuck).
01 August 2005
*snort*
President Bush gets off the helicopter in front of the White House carrying a baby pig under each arm.
The Marine guard snaps to attention, salutes, and says: "Nice pigs, sir."
The President replies: "These are not pigs, these are authentic Texan Razorback Hogs. I got one for Vice-President Cheney, and I got one for Defense Secretary Rumsfeld."
The Marine again snaps to attention, salutes, and says, "Nice trade, sir."
The Marine guard snaps to attention, salutes, and says: "Nice pigs, sir."
The President replies: "These are not pigs, these are authentic Texan Razorback Hogs. I got one for Vice-President Cheney, and I got one for Defense Secretary Rumsfeld."
The Marine again snaps to attention, salutes, and says, "Nice trade, sir."
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