I tried sleeping early and of course I couldn't doze, mind wouldn't turn off.
It's happened if there's been some big event, like a death, but there'd been none.
Also, I wasn't keen on the quiet. It made me edgy, third day this month.
It's been two hours since my last attempt, time for another try.
(Monday update: This might be a nightly ritual. *sigh*)
Friday, November 11, 2011
Friday, November 04, 2011
Favorite pasta dish?
I noticed a poll on facebook asking, "Favorite pasta dish?" To my surprise, the pasta I eat most often these days, ravioli, wasn't listed.
There are many fine choices on the list which have, at one time or another, competed to be my favorite pasta dish: beef stroganoff, spaghetti, chicken carbonara, chicken parmesan and lasagne. These days mac-n-cheese feel like the right answer for me.
We didn't have mac-n-cheese often as a kid. Usually it was a side with fish or other seafood. In those days mac-n-cheese meant original blue box Kraft, the kind with the cheese powder.
As a general rule, my father preferred his food to be dry, not moist. Mother made sure the mac-n-cheese reflected that. She, however, preferred moist food and Stouffer's frozen mac-n-cheese. That's what I prefer these days as well.
In college, my flatmate would buy the cheapest boxed macaroni dinner he could get (Da Vinci, as I recall) and only use the elbow pasta. He'd buy a block of Cracker Barrel extra sharp cheddar and melt it with some Best Foods (Hellmans) mayonnaise as his mac-n-cheese.
I've tried many sorts this year: Kraft Deluxe, Velvetta shells-and-cheese and assorted frozen varieties—I've just realized, the Deluxe product didn't replace the original I knew from my youth! At times I've added yellow mustard to give the meal a slight kick, an idea that came to me a few years ago. I was slightly disappointed adding mustard wasn't original and, in fact, appears as an ingredient in the famous Reagan mac-n-cheese recipe. Nonetheless, I was pleased with having reinvented that particular wheel.
If I wasn't a big mac-n-cheese fan as a kid, why now? Remembrance plays a part. After father died, I took up drinking Dr. Pepper and eating a few things he did, things that hadn't been my usual taste. I suspect the mac-n-cheese is a nod to my mother. It also happens to be something I know certain friends enjoy and can think of them when I eat that food.
There are connections to each of the foods from the facebook poll that competed for my favorite above. Beef stroganoff was something mother made that I'd even request at times. Chicken carbonara was something mother introduced me to in father's last year so it connects to that time.
Chicken parmesan was my favorite meal at Cyrus O'Leary's restaurant (sadly, recently closed after 31 yrs––the great pies are available) and lasagne, a favorite as a kid that I'd get as an alternative to stuffed peppers.
I left spaghetti until last. Of all pasta meals, nothing has the emotional connection of my grandmother's spaghetti. She'd get started early, it would simmer all day. For years I was the taster. After her mother passed, my mother tried to make spaghetti the same way but even with the same ingredients and having been part of the creation process many times over many years it just wasn't the same. To my knowledge the recipe, even an ingredients list, was never recorded.
Tempted as I might've been, I've never tried to recreate it. I don't know what all went into it and don't want to corrupt the fragile connection; it will only live on in my memory.
There are many fine choices on the list which have, at one time or another, competed to be my favorite pasta dish: beef stroganoff, spaghetti, chicken carbonara, chicken parmesan and lasagne. These days mac-n-cheese feel like the right answer for me.
We didn't have mac-n-cheese often as a kid. Usually it was a side with fish or other seafood. In those days mac-n-cheese meant original blue box Kraft, the kind with the cheese powder.
As a general rule, my father preferred his food to be dry, not moist. Mother made sure the mac-n-cheese reflected that. She, however, preferred moist food and Stouffer's frozen mac-n-cheese. That's what I prefer these days as well.
In college, my flatmate would buy the cheapest boxed macaroni dinner he could get (Da Vinci, as I recall) and only use the elbow pasta. He'd buy a block of Cracker Barrel extra sharp cheddar and melt it with some Best Foods (Hellmans) mayonnaise as his mac-n-cheese.
I've tried many sorts this year: Kraft Deluxe, Velvetta shells-and-cheese and assorted frozen varieties—I've just realized, the Deluxe product didn't replace the original I knew from my youth! At times I've added yellow mustard to give the meal a slight kick, an idea that came to me a few years ago. I was slightly disappointed adding mustard wasn't original and, in fact, appears as an ingredient in the famous Reagan mac-n-cheese recipe. Nonetheless, I was pleased with having reinvented that particular wheel.
If I wasn't a big mac-n-cheese fan as a kid, why now? Remembrance plays a part. After father died, I took up drinking Dr. Pepper and eating a few things he did, things that hadn't been my usual taste. I suspect the mac-n-cheese is a nod to my mother. It also happens to be something I know certain friends enjoy and can think of them when I eat that food.
There are connections to each of the foods from the facebook poll that competed for my favorite above. Beef stroganoff was something mother made that I'd even request at times. Chicken carbonara was something mother introduced me to in father's last year so it connects to that time.
Chicken parmesan was my favorite meal at Cyrus O'Leary's restaurant (sadly, recently closed after 31 yrs––the great pies are available) and lasagne, a favorite as a kid that I'd get as an alternative to stuffed peppers.
I left spaghetti until last. Of all pasta meals, nothing has the emotional connection of my grandmother's spaghetti. She'd get started early, it would simmer all day. For years I was the taster. After her mother passed, my mother tried to make spaghetti the same way but even with the same ingredients and having been part of the creation process many times over many years it just wasn't the same. To my knowledge the recipe, even an ingredients list, was never recorded.
Tempted as I might've been, I've never tried to recreate it. I don't know what all went into it and don't want to corrupt the fragile connection; it will only live on in my memory.
Monday, October 03, 2011
Recipes
Here are some recipes I’ve enjoyed over the years.
Meatloaf
1.5 lbs. ground beef
1 cup tomato juice
¾ cup oats
1 egg (or 2 whites)
¼ tsp garlic
½ tsp salt (optional)
¼ tsp black pepper
Pre-heat to 350F. Combine all ingredients.
Press into 8" x 4" loaf pan. Bake 1 hr. Let stand 5 min.
McCormick brown mushroom gravy mix.
Mashed potatoes on side. Idahoan flakes.
This was my meatloaf in college. It was similar to Mother’s but she used breadcrumbs instead of oats.
—————————————-
Chicken Parisian
½ cup flour (unsifted)
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp pepper
12 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 stick (8 tbsp) butter (or margarine)
8 oz brandywine canned mushrooms (sliced)
1 cup water
4 cubes steero chicken bouillon
3 tsp chopped parsley
½ tsp dried thyme leaves
In plastic bag, combine flour, paprika and pepper. Add chicken pieces, shake to coat. In skillet, brown chicken in margarine until crisp looking. Remove from pan. In same skillet, add the other ingredients, boil. Simmer 3 min. Add chicken, simmer covered 20-30 min or until tender. Refrigerate leftovers. Serves 4.
I’m not sure where this came from, but it’s one of the dishes I made in college. I made Chicken Diane as well but I’m not sure if that recipe is around.
—————————————-
Johnny Cakes
½ cup flour
1 cup cornmeal
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup hot water or milk
1 tbps butter
Mix dry ingredients, then stir in rest. Pour on the hot, greased griddle or iron skillet and fry to a golden brown on both sides. Serve with butter as bread or with molasses as pancakes. (Food & Recipes of the Smokies, Rose Houk)
Father used to make these on occasion from his own recipe which was lost to history with him. This was the nearest I found. He preferred the House-Autry brand of yellow corn meal if available.
—————————————-
Bacon Cheddar Burger
Combine 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese ¼ cup bacon pieces, 2 tbsp mayo, ½ tsp yellow mustard. Put toppings on cooked burgers. Broil until cheese melts. Makes toppings for 8. (McCormick/Shilling)
—————————————-
Pizza dough
1 package dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp salad/veggie oil (wesson canola)
2.5 cups flour
1 can of tomato sauce (8oz)
Italian seasoning
2-3 slices of mozzarella cheese
Empty package of dry yeast into a bowl. Add the warm water and stire the mixture until yeast dissolves. Add sugar and salt. Stir in oil. Slowly add flour to liquid, stir mixture until a ball forms. Pat the ball until it's smooth.
Preheat oven 425F. Cover bowl with towel and let dough ball rise 5 min. Rub salad oil on hands. Lightly oil pan. Divide dough in half. Place half of dough in middle of pan and spread it out to the rim. Use thumbs to press to edges.
Spread tomato sauce on top of crust. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and top with cheese. Add other toppings (pepperoni, sliced mushrooms, black olives, provolone).
Bake 25 minutes.
The basic dough is from a kid’s magazine my brother got in the late 70s or early 80s. It makes great bread sticks dough too. The toppings mentioned are ones I remember we used.
—————————————-
Garlic bread
1 loaf French bread (Francisco)
butter
garlic powder
Slice bread. On both sides, spread with butter and shake on garlic powder. Place on foiled baking sheet. Broil until butter melted on both sides.
—————————————-
Mexicana Casserole
1.5 lbs ground beef
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can Whole Tomatoes (14.5 oz)
1 can Tomato Sauce (8 oz)
1 can sliced black olives (2.2 oz)
2 tbsp chili powder
¾ tsp salt
½ tsp ground cumin
1 bag of tortillas chips (plain or Dorito style)
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Saute ground beef, garlic in large skillet until beef loses redness; drain fat. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, salt and cummin, mix well. Simmer 5 min over medium heat. Too assemble casserole, place a small bit of sauce mixture in bottom of a 7.5" x 12" x 1.5" glass baking dish. Alternate layers of tortilla chips, meat sauce, olives and cheese. Back at 350F, 45 minutes. Makes 6-8 servings.
This is one mother made.
—————————————-
Father’s Lumpia
4 or 6 chicken breasts (boiled and shredded)
1.5 - 2 lbs ground beef, lean (cook until brown)
½ cup low salt soy sauce (kikkoman)
½ cup finely chopped celery stalks
½ cup chopped bell pepper (green, yellow, red, orange - whatever's cheapest)
2 bunches of green onions, chopped including stems
1 egg slightly beaten *
3 chili peppers (yellow)
1 large green chili pepper
"Dynasty" or "Golden Dragon" or "Sen Lek" (?) won ton wrappers
Chop everything, very fine; makes it easier to roll.
Use "1 tbsp full for each wrapper. picture on bck of wrapper package shows right way of wrapping the critters.
Oil at 375F in fry pan, fry to golden brown. drain on paper towels.
Note: stir ingredients every so often while assembling; soy sauce stays mixed that way — you can let the meat and chicken cool before beginning assembly line.
* egg keeps wrapper "glued" together - just moisten around edges.
This was a family favorite. We’d always make extra to freeze and reheat.
—————————————-
Olive Chicken Parmesan
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Parmesan cheese, fresh grated
Plain bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
Olive oil
Ripe olives (5 min before serving)
Classico Mushroom & Olive sauce (simmer 20 min)
Fettuccine
Split cheese; save half for garnishing breasts before serving
—————————————-
Meatloaf
1.5 lbs. ground beef
1 cup tomato juice
¾ cup oats
1 egg (or 2 whites)
¼ tsp garlic
½ tsp salt (optional)
¼ tsp black pepper
Pre-heat to 350F. Combine all ingredients.
Press into 8" x 4" loaf pan. Bake 1 hr. Let stand 5 min.
McCormick brown mushroom gravy mix.
Mashed potatoes on side. Idahoan flakes.
This was my meatloaf in college. It was similar to Mother’s but she used breadcrumbs instead of oats.
—————————————-
Chicken Parisian
½ cup flour (unsifted)
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp pepper
12 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 stick (8 tbsp) butter (or margarine)
8 oz brandywine canned mushrooms (sliced)
1 cup water
4 cubes steero chicken bouillon
3 tsp chopped parsley
½ tsp dried thyme leaves
In plastic bag, combine flour, paprika and pepper. Add chicken pieces, shake to coat. In skillet, brown chicken in margarine until crisp looking. Remove from pan. In same skillet, add the other ingredients, boil. Simmer 3 min. Add chicken, simmer covered 20-30 min or until tender. Refrigerate leftovers. Serves 4.
I’m not sure where this came from, but it’s one of the dishes I made in college. I made Chicken Diane as well but I’m not sure if that recipe is around.
—————————————-
Johnny Cakes
½ cup flour
1 cup cornmeal
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup hot water or milk
1 tbps butter
Mix dry ingredients, then stir in rest. Pour on the hot, greased griddle or iron skillet and fry to a golden brown on both sides. Serve with butter as bread or with molasses as pancakes. (Food & Recipes of the Smokies, Rose Houk)
Father used to make these on occasion from his own recipe which was lost to history with him. This was the nearest I found. He preferred the House-Autry brand of yellow corn meal if available.
—————————————-
Bacon Cheddar Burger
Combine 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese ¼ cup bacon pieces, 2 tbsp mayo, ½ tsp yellow mustard. Put toppings on cooked burgers. Broil until cheese melts. Makes toppings for 8. (McCormick/Shilling)
—————————————-
Pizza dough
1 package dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp salad/veggie oil (wesson canola)
2.5 cups flour
1 can of tomato sauce (8oz)
Italian seasoning
2-3 slices of mozzarella cheese
Empty package of dry yeast into a bowl. Add the warm water and stire the mixture until yeast dissolves. Add sugar and salt. Stir in oil. Slowly add flour to liquid, stir mixture until a ball forms. Pat the ball until it's smooth.
Preheat oven 425F. Cover bowl with towel and let dough ball rise 5 min. Rub salad oil on hands. Lightly oil pan. Divide dough in half. Place half of dough in middle of pan and spread it out to the rim. Use thumbs to press to edges.
Spread tomato sauce on top of crust. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and top with cheese. Add other toppings (pepperoni, sliced mushrooms, black olives, provolone).
Bake 25 minutes.
The basic dough is from a kid’s magazine my brother got in the late 70s or early 80s. It makes great bread sticks dough too. The toppings mentioned are ones I remember we used.
—————————————-
Garlic bread
1 loaf French bread (Francisco)
butter
garlic powder
Slice bread. On both sides, spread with butter and shake on garlic powder. Place on foiled baking sheet. Broil until butter melted on both sides.
—————————————-
Mexicana Casserole
1.5 lbs ground beef
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can Whole Tomatoes (14.5 oz)
1 can Tomato Sauce (8 oz)
1 can sliced black olives (2.2 oz)
2 tbsp chili powder
¾ tsp salt
½ tsp ground cumin
1 bag of tortillas chips (plain or Dorito style)
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Saute ground beef, garlic in large skillet until beef loses redness; drain fat. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, salt and cummin, mix well. Simmer 5 min over medium heat. Too assemble casserole, place a small bit of sauce mixture in bottom of a 7.5" x 12" x 1.5" glass baking dish. Alternate layers of tortilla chips, meat sauce, olives and cheese. Back at 350F, 45 minutes. Makes 6-8 servings.
This is one mother made.
—————————————-
Father’s Lumpia
4 or 6 chicken breasts (boiled and shredded)
1.5 - 2 lbs ground beef, lean (cook until brown)
½ cup low salt soy sauce (kikkoman)
½ cup finely chopped celery stalks
½ cup chopped bell pepper (green, yellow, red, orange - whatever's cheapest)
2 bunches of green onions, chopped including stems
1 egg slightly beaten *
3 chili peppers (yellow)
1 large green chili pepper
"Dynasty" or "Golden Dragon" or "Sen Lek" (?) won ton wrappers
Chop everything, very fine; makes it easier to roll.
Use "1 tbsp full for each wrapper. picture on bck of wrapper package shows right way of wrapping the critters.
Oil at 375F in fry pan, fry to golden brown. drain on paper towels.
Note: stir ingredients every so often while assembling; soy sauce stays mixed that way — you can let the meat and chicken cool before beginning assembly line.
* egg keeps wrapper "glued" together - just moisten around edges.
This was a family favorite. We’d always make extra to freeze and reheat.
—————————————-
Olive Chicken Parmesan
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Parmesan cheese, fresh grated
Plain bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
Olive oil
Ripe olives (5 min before serving)
Classico Mushroom & Olive sauce (simmer 20 min)
Fettuccine
Split cheese; save half for garnishing breasts before serving
—————————————-
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Jobless News and Propoganda
I heard the jobless report called "good news" on radio this morning and then I saw an article on it. WSJ goes for a happy-faced headline.
Here's what could've been said instead:
"The bad news is we’re still hemorrhaging jobs. The other bad news is we’re hemorrhaging jobs faster than last week. The good news is that we've only hemorrhaged 439,000 jobs this week! It's only ‘a bit’ more than last week! Celebrate!
Let's all say it's a rise of 2,000 although our claim for last week was really 4,000 lower. We'll adjust up last week's claim number by 2,000 and hope you don't notice our slight of hand!"
This reminds me why I've mostly ignored the news in recent years.
Jobless Claims Rise a Bit
Here's what could've been said instead:
"The bad news is we’re still hemorrhaging jobs. The other bad news is we’re hemorrhaging jobs faster than last week. The good news is that we've only hemorrhaged 439,000 jobs this week! It's only ‘a bit’ more than last week! Celebrate!
Let's all say it's a rise of 2,000 although our claim for last week was really 4,000 lower. We'll adjust up last week's claim number by 2,000 and hope you don't notice our slight of hand!"
This reminds me why I've mostly ignored the news in recent years.
Jobless Claims Rise a Bit
Thursday, March 11, 2010
American Idol, Season 9: Top 12 Reveal
I was a bit surprised by the results. I was glad Todrick is out. Although Alex did nothing for me, I wanted to send Andrew home.
Hugs and best to our very own deer-in-the-headlights, Alex Lambert!
Without Andrew we could once and for all move beyond “Straight up.” I guess America wants to rub him after all.
I thought Lilly was a shoe-in based on total performances but last night I thought she chose a dud song. I’m stunned Katie hung on but she is 16 and might appeal to young voters. I thought Katelyn was doing better than Paige as well.
Fairly controversial to admit fandom for, I was glad to see Aaron and Tim made it. I’m realistic, though, I know they’re canon fodder and expect both will vanish in the next month.
Mike is clearly the top guy with maybe Lee as the dark horse. Crystal, if she stays healthy, and Siobahn will battle it out for the top girl spot.
Crystal didn’t look well tonight and wasn’t particularly celebratory when she was safe.
Top 12: Didi Benami, Siobhan Magnus, Paige Miles, Crystal Bowersox, Lacey Brown, Katie Stevens, Casey James, Tim Urban, Lee Dewyze, Michael Lynche, Aaron Kelly, Andrew Garcia.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Sunday, December 06, 2009
X-Factor Semi-Final Results
Simon just said Danyl is a ... "LOSER!!!!!!"
JOE! STACEY! OLLY! Finale!
Joe FTW!
Rarely have I been so gleeful over a contestant's elimination.
JOE! STACEY! OLLY! Finale!
Joe FTW!
Rarely have I been so gleeful over a contestant's elimination.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
X-Factor UK: Top 7
Jamie Archer – “Radio Ga Ga” – I like the rough edge to Jamie’s voice but he didn’t totally “go for it” on this song. I thought Louis’ comments were inappropriate and smack of a deal with Simon to pimp Danyl over Jamie. 4/5
Lloyd Daniels – “A Crazy Little Think Called Love” – Not as bad as I feared, in fact he was relatively good to past performances. Definitely getting a bit more comfortable but he’s out of depth in this competition. Still, he’s cute as a button though. I didn’t realize he was only 16 until tonight. Good grief. It’s too young for these competitions. Louis is right, he’d be a shoe in for a boyband. 3/5
Olly Murs – “Don’t Stop Me Now” – What a mess. Is that dancing? Vocal was ok. Hair is better this week. Not his best performance. He still strikes me as a theme park performer. 3/5
Joe McElderry – “Somebody to Love” – Pleasant in parts but he doesn’t have the X-Factor. He should end up in musical theatre. 3/5
John and Edward – “Under Pressure” – LOLZ. Best they’ve been since “Oops.” They’re not great singers but quite entertaining when they try and I can’t say that about most of the acts. 3.5/5
Stacey Soloman – “Who Wants to Live Forever” – A bore and didn’t reach far enough. 3/5
Danyl Johnson – “We are the Champions” – What do they see in this guy? Are they all stoned? Wow. His voice is thin at times, his tone is boring, he still performs like he’s doing it for himself in a 360 degree mirror. It was lifeless, he’s still a middling, prima dona douche. Pimpage a mammoth turn off. Kris & Adam (in particular) blew him away in the Idol finale. Wish he’d just go away. 2/5
Who will be bottom 2: Stacey & Lloyd. Who will go home? I was wrong last week, but I’ll pick Lloyd again this week.
Who do I want to send home? Danyl
Bottom 2 were Lloyd and Jamie. The public vote sent Jamie home. There was a long segment about recording the charity single consisting entirely of a monologue by Danyl. Joe's vocal on the charity single has made me take new notice of him.
Lloyd Daniels – “A Crazy Little Think Called Love” – Not as bad as I feared, in fact he was relatively good to past performances. Definitely getting a bit more comfortable but he’s out of depth in this competition. Still, he’s cute as a button though. I didn’t realize he was only 16 until tonight. Good grief. It’s too young for these competitions. Louis is right, he’d be a shoe in for a boyband. 3/5
Olly Murs – “Don’t Stop Me Now” – What a mess. Is that dancing? Vocal was ok. Hair is better this week. Not his best performance. He still strikes me as a theme park performer. 3/5
Joe McElderry – “Somebody to Love” – Pleasant in parts but he doesn’t have the X-Factor. He should end up in musical theatre. 3/5
John and Edward – “Under Pressure” – LOLZ. Best they’ve been since “Oops.” They’re not great singers but quite entertaining when they try and I can’t say that about most of the acts. 3.5/5
Stacey Soloman – “Who Wants to Live Forever” – A bore and didn’t reach far enough. 3/5
Danyl Johnson – “We are the Champions” – What do they see in this guy? Are they all stoned? Wow. His voice is thin at times, his tone is boring, he still performs like he’s doing it for himself in a 360 degree mirror. It was lifeless, he’s still a middling, prima dona douche. Pimpage a mammoth turn off. Kris & Adam (in particular) blew him away in the Idol finale. Wish he’d just go away. 2/5
Who will be bottom 2: Stacey & Lloyd. Who will go home? I was wrong last week, but I’ll pick Lloyd again this week.
Who do I want to send home? Danyl
Bottom 2 were Lloyd and Jamie. The public vote sent Jamie home. There was a long segment about recording the charity single consisting entirely of a monologue by Danyl. Joe's vocal on the charity single has made me take new notice of him.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Idol 8 Wild Card Results
(Ricky Braddy, robbed by American Idol)
Listen to Ricky perform Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" (mp3)
This season really irritates me. Despite more unflawed vocals, Ricky Braddy was not picked by the judges for the Finals over some pathetic contestants. The show changed it up and put four in, not three, but of the three I predicted on Wednesday/Thursday's blog, all three were chosen: Anoop, Matt Giraud, Megan Corkrey. Jasmine Murray also advanced and that was no surprise either.
If he's so good, why not Ricky?
He's very good but they don't see him as commercial or fitting their desired demographic (numbers are down this season). As for Ricky, I don't know a thing about him but wish him well. My interest in the show is at new lows and I don't much care how it plays out.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Idol 8 Wild Cards
(Clockwise from Top Left: Megan, Jasmine, Ricky, Anoop)
Best - Great voice and control, good stage presence.
• Ricky Braddy
Next best - Decent voices; lousy songs or weird stage presence.
• Von Smith - Jesse McCartney looks with a far better range, people make fun of his wide open mouth singing, comes across as phony like a theme park attraction singer rather than recording artist.
• Anoop Desai - bad song, "drunken fratboy" vibe
• Tatiana Del Toro - sung the song ok but bizarre persona
• Jasmine Murray - pretty, ok voice, lousy song choice
Meh - No thanks.
• Jesse Langseth - mediocre voice, bad hair, weird outfit and presence
• Megan Corkrey - nice, quirky look and vibe, not a great voice
• Matt Giraud - weak voice, bad song, too much the Timberlake imitator, way over sold
That said I suspect these to go through to the Top 12: Giraud, Anoop and Megan.
I’m not really liking this season. Kristen McNamara was just great and deserved a WC slot but her song choice (Gimme One Reason - Tracy Chapman) and “sound” was probably panned as too “old skool.”
While I see potential in Kris Allen, I really don’t see anyone clearly relevant to the current market besides Lil Rounds.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Safari 4: Top Tabs? No Thanks!
Trying out Safari 4? On a Mac and can't stand those dumb-ass top tabs? Type this into a Terminal window:
defaults write com.apple.Safari DebugSafari4TabBarIsOnTop -bool NO
To get them back, change NO to YES.
Update: More hidden settings to revert to Safari 3 UI.
(Happy Birthday, Steve Jobs.)
Friday, January 23, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Thursday, January 01, 2009
2008 Is Finally Over
I couldn’t take much more of 2008. In the last month it dealt me a friend’s death from brief illness of pneumonia. He was 45. There was a real lesson or two about life in that. First, work is not as important as your health. Had he seen a doctor, rather than continue working, he may well be alive today.
Second, trust your gut, the irritating sensation in your skull, your instinct, whatever you want to call it. Had he gone to emergency when his housemate asked if he wanted to, perhaps treatment could’ve been successful. Instead he was found deceased later that day.
Like Brian’s housemate, I had a similar sense when Mother was gravely ill a few years ago. I expressed that while she had no fever, had been seen twice by health care providers and had been under treatment for pneumonia, I had the nagging brain quake that this illness was different somehow and more serious than had been diagnosed. I was correct and, ultimately, by the time she asked to go to the ER, by medical standards she was beyond help and died within 12 hours. The diagnosis of pneumonia had been in error, she was suffering from sepsis, a systemic infection.
The final week brought hospitalization for friend, a circumstance which is as yet unresolved. I couldn’t hazard a guess as to the outcome. He’s had serious medical problems in the past and I wouldn’t speculate. While he expressed great concerned, it still took some effort to get him to agree to be transported to the ER. I was genuinely exasperated.
The end of 2008 brought breakups and jobless for some and struggles with depression for others.
Second, trust your gut, the irritating sensation in your skull, your instinct, whatever you want to call it. Had he gone to emergency when his housemate asked if he wanted to, perhaps treatment could’ve been successful. Instead he was found deceased later that day.
Like Brian’s housemate, I had a similar sense when Mother was gravely ill a few years ago. I expressed that while she had no fever, had been seen twice by health care providers and had been under treatment for pneumonia, I had the nagging brain quake that this illness was different somehow and more serious than had been diagnosed. I was correct and, ultimately, by the time she asked to go to the ER, by medical standards she was beyond help and died within 12 hours. The diagnosis of pneumonia had been in error, she was suffering from sepsis, a systemic infection.
The final week brought hospitalization for friend, a circumstance which is as yet unresolved. I couldn’t hazard a guess as to the outcome. He’s had serious medical problems in the past and I wouldn’t speculate. While he expressed great concerned, it still took some effort to get him to agree to be transported to the ER. I was genuinely exasperated.
The end of 2008 brought breakups and jobless for some and struggles with depression for others.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
RIP Mervyns & Linens-n-Things
Two more claimed by this economy. I didn't really like Linen-n-Things as I felt their stores were claustrophobic. Stock was virtually piled up to the ceiling. I kept waiting for it to fall and pummel unsuspecting customers. My current utensils did come from there, however. I shopped there with Mother.
Mervyns, a western U.S. department store chain in business for 59 years is closing after the holiday season. While I haven't shopped there in probably more than five years, their clothes were popular with school peers in the 1980s. I remember their ads for Bugle Boy Jeans during afternoon cartoons like Transformers. While we did holiday and back-to-school shop there with some regularity for a few years, the local store seemed to stagnate and eventually we went elsewhere. I bought a watch there in the college while holiday shopping with the girlfriend.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
California Election Picks
Prop Vote Reasoning
1A NO Bonds! Borrowing is evil. High speed rail
between SF & LA? Stupid.
2 NO Would harm small local farms.
3 NO Bonds again? They still have billions in
bond money left to spend on this!
4 YES Stop sex predators from taking underaged
victims to get rid of the evidence!
5 NO We authorized a rehab program for convicts
a few years ago. Why is this back?
6 YES Budget mandates are evil but we also need
a new prison. Flip a coin?
7 NO Scam.
8 (See Update Below)
9 NO Weakens impartiality of judicial system
early in criminal court process.
10 NO More Bonds?! “Free” money if you buy a
hybrid car? Just go away!
11 NO We need redistricting reform but this
alternative scheme seems even worse.
12 YES Self-funding loan program for veterans.
It's worked for 85 years, BUT (see below)
4 Nov 2008 Update:
Prop 12
Although I voted YES, voting NO on Prop 12 because it's more borrowing is acceptable to me. The program has been a solid success for 85 years but you can't ignore it will still mean added debt no matter how low risk. Veterans are more worthy than most but is unnecessary borrowing to the benefit of a tiny group in these tough times the kind of message we want to send to other special interests too?
Prop 8
I have removed my previous "NO" on Prop 8, the gay marriage ban. The campaigns on both sides have irritated me greatly.
Between SF Mayor Gavin "Whether you like it or not" Newsom, suppression of free speech statewide with organized theft of "YES on 8" signs and my original qualm with judicial activism, I can no longer strongly support a NO on 8.
The fact remains when the court made the move by the slimmest of majorities, California already had, still has and will continue to have available, comprehensive registered domestic partnerships with the rights and responsibilities of civil marriage available to gays (and seniors) who live here.
This has become a filthy political battle over a word, not of equal rights.
While I voted NO on 8 a few weeks back, I've recently moved to "neutral" on the proposition. I am ashamed of the NO campaign and supporter's tactics.
For those out of state who want to see infamous Mayor Newsom's controversial statement referenced above, I've included a clip here:
Happy Gift To Me
I ordered a self-gift. A 2GB stick for the iMac, ordered from Other World Computing. It was under $40 with shipping.
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