Still Here...

Well, I'm still here, even if no one else is.

I'm thinking of starting a new blog devoted exclusively to food...a passion of mine. More on that later. But this blog is so...unfocused. I need to tighten the focus and DO something with it.

Today is July 6th, the last day of the 4th of July weekend. Tomorrow is the start of the mid-Summer period. It's all downhill to Fall from here. Before you know it, Labor Day will be here (and gone) and Fall will upon us. (Sighs). Time really does go by faster when you get old-er.

NEWS of the DAY (or Week)

More success in Iraq which is ignored by the Drive-Bys in the MSM. No surprise there.

Cubs beginning their "July Good-By?" Kerry Woods gave up 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th inning last night and the Cards won. I'm picking the Cards to win the Central. Hey...it's the Cubs we're talking about...you know, 100 Years of Futility.

NASCAR sucks. Toyota is beginning their dominance of the sport because...of the MONEY! When will people learn that MONEY=SUCCESS in professional sports. Look at the results and Toyota will probably win the mfgr's championships in Nationwide (Busch) AND Sprint Cup this year. And, Kyle Busch seems to have the inside track to the Driver's Championship. Yup...Money Talks...(as an old song says). With the Auto Industry heading for tough times, I just don't think the American Mfgrs. can keep up with Toyota.

OSHKOSH!

Last week of July is the EAA Oshkosh Fly-In, now called (in true "corporate style") AirVenture. Hope to drive up and spend a day just walking and looking. Even though my flying days are truly over, I still like the hardware.

OK, that's enough for this time. Keep your eyes open for a new blog...maybe.

Hey, anybody looking for a freelance writer/editor with 20+ years experience as a Technical Writer? I need da work...

A hui hou...

Post-weekend depression...

So, city-dwellers, are you now looking up at those construction cranes more often as you walk through your city? One story said that there are more than 250 (!!!) in NYNY alone. LOOK UP...it's a bird...it's a plane...nope, it's a crane...RUN, RUN LIKE THE WIND...and watch out for those taxi cabs.

MOTORSPORTS

OK, the F1 race was more like NASCAR. Whoo boy, those guys just couldn't get through the first lap. Patience...patience... Was THRILLED to see Lewis Hamilton drive away with it. I'm one of those few who thought he was kinda screwed out of the championship last year by Alonzo and Ferrari (conspiracy theory here)...sorry tufosi but I LOVE it when the red prancing horse stumbles.

NASCAR was boring. Jeez...just watch the last 10 laps. That's where all the action is. Jeff Burton is one of the low-key, "nice guys" in the sport. Had his whole family with him on SpeedTV's "Victory Lane" wrapup show. Nice.

AND, finally...ALMS' 12 Hours of Sebring: the timing was WEIRD. Missed the beginning AND the end! Screwy TV scheduling, I guess. But, even this race was unique as the "All-Powerful" Audi turbo-diesel's DIDN'T win! Go figure. AND, the overall winner...first across the line...was a P2 car! A supposedly lower-powered, slower car.

OK, enough carguy stuff.

COOKING

OMG, I am so priviledged. I got an email response from one of my FAVORITE food bloggers, Jaden Hair of Steamy Kitchen. Been commenting on her blog and got a response.

Actually, it's one of the best blogs for me. I love Asian-style cooking/recipes and hers are really tasty and fairly easy to do. She also has a funny, irreverant writing style. Easy to read, informative and VERY entertaining. GO READ HER:

She also takes FABUOUS photographs, so the blog is very nicely illustrated. The food LOOKS so good that you just have to make it.

Braised chicken tonight; meatballs tomorrow night. Nothing special.

BOOKS and TV

Did you see HBO's production of "John Adams?" It's a dramatization of David McCullough's book of the same name. WTF???

Mr. McCullough...I READ YOUR BOOK. THIS IS NOT YOUR BOOK. OMG, OMG, OMG...

First, I like Paul Giamatti as an actor and admire his work. But, for me, he is just HORRIBLY miscast as a late-18th century Boston lawyer. DOES. NOT. WORK. Adams was a medium sized portly man, and so, body-wise, Giamatti fits the part. BUT, I just can't get past his looks...NY Italian, yes...NE Bostonian, NOOOOOOOOO.

Now Laura Linney as Abigail Adams. NO. READ THE BOOK. Abigail is described as "...a little over 5 feet tall, with dark hair and bright shining eyes..." Not a tall slender blonde.

I SHOULDN'T have read the book. Reality intrudes into TV drama, I guess.

Also, the first episode makes it seem that Adams was a reluctant supporter of the move to independence. Ummmm, the book shows clearly, in the first chapter, that Adams supported liberty for years before the first big dramatic incident, the Boston Massacre (1770). He was well-known for an article he wrote in support of individual rights and liberty.

Oh, well, it's only TV...except that I've heard so many media types raving over this show, and it's just not that good... READ THE BOOK!!! PLEASE....

OK, end of rant.


Spring may be here really. Although last night when I went to pick up the BW at the train station it was SNOWING. Didn't really stick, and it was more like sleet, but still...ENOUGH ALREADY.

A hui hou...

First Friday

So, it's the first Friday of Lent. No meat...

So here's what I did for lunch (see the picture):

Cheesy Tomato Bread

2 slices Italian Bread (French works OK, too)
Monterey Jack Cheese
Thinly sliced onion
Finely diced red bell pepper
Parmaggiano Reggiano cheese
4 slices tomato
Chiffonade fresh basil leaves

Spread the bread slices with butter. Sprinkle granulated garlic (garlic powder) over. Grind some fresh pepper on. Grate Jack cheese...how much is up to you. Spread onions on cheese. Add more garlic and pepper. Cover the onion with more Jack cheese. Sprinkle diced bell pepper. More garlic. Cover with Parmaggiano. Broil in toaster oven to melt and brown cheese.

Put tomato slices on toasted cheese bread. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with chiffonaded (??) basil. Enjoy.

A meatless lunch, just right for a Lenten Friday.

HOORAY!!! NASCAR starts tomorrow. Bud Shootout tomorrow night. ARCA race before that. SPEED-TV is Hi-Def, FINALLY!!

Ok, before you put that "redneck" label on me, I gotta tell you that the first "stock car" race I attended was at the old State Fairgrounds in Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawaii, in the 1950's. Yeah, we had cars back then. Been a fan of auto racing ever since: NASCAR, Formula1, ALMS, Rolex Sports Cars, etc. Everything but drag racing for some reason. And now in Hi-Def. Just need to get the TV fixed...drat!

Halibut for dinner tonight. Very expensive, but worth it...well, it better be worth it.

READING: The Modern Researcher, Fifth Ed., by Jacques Barzun and Henry G. Graff. Barzun is, as you know, the eminent French-born historian of ideas and culture. A great book. Now all I need to do is start my own research business...hmmmm, information broker...information consultant. Soon, sooon...

A hui hou...