Bitter Cup of Joe

A Very Peanus Christmas

2008-12-23T17:42:00.001-04:00

Wow, this is so messed up that it's awesome!

Yes We Can. . .

2008-12-18T18:37:00.002-04:00

. . .be pissed about Rick Warren. I have already sent a message to Mr. Obama via Congress.org telling him how pissed I am at his choice. WTF? If I wanted rhetoric and hate mongering I would have voted for McCain and his talking idiot sidekick. Sure you have a gay marching band prancing in your parade Mr. Obama but having Rick Warren give your inaugural invocation to me would be like having the Grand Dragon of the KKK to you. Seriously!?! You are going to have a guy who actively promoted stripping the rights of Californians (who supported you btw) play a very important, active role in your inauguration? This is why I was a Hillary supporter in the first place.

Best Christmas Present Ever

2008-12-17T15:08:00.002-04:00

So my boyfriends mom got what I think is one of the coolest Christmas presents, ever! She got 2 llamas for Christmas. No, not alpacas. . .llamas. How crazy is that? I think we may have to make a road trip to Youngstown to see these critters.

Message 419

2008-12-15T21:48:00.002-04:00

I would assume, and rightly so, that if this indeed did come from an official British agency that the grammar would be. . .oh I don't know. . .just a little bit better. What would the Queen say if she knew official correspondence was conducted in all caps

METROPOLITAN POLICE AND INTERPOL UNIT FOR FUND INVESTIGATIONS.

FROM THE DESK OF COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE
ADDRESS; ROOM 421 VICTORIA
EMBANKMENT WESTMINSTER LONDON SW1A 2JL
TEL; 447045782271 OR 447035950687
FAX; 448757847889
Email;metropolitan1915@live.com
ATTN;SIR/MA

COURT RELEASED INSTRUCTION FROM UNITED KINGDOM HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE.

BASE ON THE INVESTIGATIONS WE CARRY ON INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS, UNITED KINGDOM HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE IN INCONJUCTION WITH INTERPOL AND METROPOLITAN POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING ALL OUTSTANDING PAYMENTS. OUR INVESTIGATION IS TO SCREEN ALL OUTSTANDING FUNDS OWNED BY ANY INTERNATIONAL BANKS IN UNITED KINGDOM, ASIA BANKS AND AFRICA BANKS AND OUR FINDINGS SHOWS THAT A LOT OF FRAUDS IS GOING ON IN THE BANKING SECTORS HERE IN UNITED KINGDOM AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL BANKS.
MORESO;WE HAVE BEEN MANDATED TO TAKE ALL THE BANKS INVOLVED TO COURT AND ALSO THE BANKS HAS RELEASED THE NAMES OF THE BENEFICIARIES OF THIS SAID FUNDS AND YOUR NAME IS INVOLVED IN OUR FINDINGS. YOU ARE ADVISED TO REPORT TO OUR OFFICE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT AND CLAIM YOUR FUND, BECAUSE THE BANK HAS AGREED TO PAY $3,800,000.00 DOLLARS. (THREE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ONLY) TO ANY BENEFICIARY. THE ONLY THING WE NEED FROM YOU IS TO OBTAIN AN AFFIDAVIT OF CLAIM FROM BRITISH HIGH COURT AND GET YOUR FUND RELEASED TO YOU. KINDLY RECONFIRM YOUR FULL NAME, YOUR MAILING ADDRESS, YOUR PHONE NUMBER AND YOUR IDENTIFICATION NUMBER TO ENABLE US FINALIZE OUR INVESTIGATIONS AND OBTAIN YOUR AFFIDAVIT OF CLAIM ON YOUR BEHALF.
LASTLY, BRITISH HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE HAS MANDATED ALL THE BANKS TO RELEASE ALL OUTSTANDING FUNDS AND ALL THE BENEFICIARIES HAVE 72HRS TO CLAIM THEIR FUNDS WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT AND IF YOU DELAY TO COMPLY WITH THE COURT ORDER AND CLAIM YOUR FUND, YOU HAVE YOURSELF TO BLAME.
NOTE; BRITISH HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE WILL NOT BE HOLD RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR INABILITY TO CLAIM YOUR FUND AND YOU ARE ADVISED TO COME TO OUR OFFICE IMMEDIATELY AND CLAIM YOUR FUND.
YOUR CASE FILE NO IS (MT/6578-789NKK)

REGARDS,
SIR IAN BLAIR (COMMISSIONER)

So I'll let ya'll know when I claim my 3.8 million dollars (Of course wouldn't the British be dealing in Pounds?)

A Cute and Creepy Christmas Video

2008-12-14T22:14:00.000-04:00

Gay Marriage: The Musical

2008-12-03T15:16:00.001-04:00

I LOVE this. I've watched it twice and cracked up both times. Neil Patrick Harris is actually quite funny. Who knew the little twerp from Doogie Howser would be so awesome?

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

I'm Boycotting Mormon Businesses

2008-11-19T16:37:00.002-04:00

Yep, I sure am. I figure if I'm not good enough to have the same rights as them then they aren't good enough to get my money. I work hard for my money and I refuse to give it into the tithe boxes of a church so active in denying civil rights (not religious, civil) to tax paying citizens of this country. My starting list of boycotts includes
Cinemark Theaters-no longer the best seat in town
CitiGroup- I cancelled my credit card with them
Black & Decker-no power tools for my lesbians for Christmas
La Quinta- won't be staying there on the next road trip

If you value civil rights for ALL Americans take a look at this list and see where 10% of your money has been going to deny Americans civil rights

Bye Patrick

2008-11-13T14:00:00.002-04:00

How sad was I when little Patrick got booted off of Top Chef. Okay, so he was totally outclassed and wouldn't have lasted all that long anyhow but he was so adorable in that pinch your cheeks kind of way. It was kind of sad too seeing that first woman get kicked off during the first Quick Fire. Can you even imagine that? You just get there then you get kicked off right away? Ouch!
I still haven't had a chance to find my favorites yet but I have found some not so favorites. What is up with that Carla and cooking by her "spirit guides"? Honey, if the voices in your head are talking to you then it is time to get some meds for that. I am also so not digging the Euro Duo. Whatever, get over yourselves. Nobody likes a cocky jerk.

Protect Marriage

2008-11-12T17:35:00.000-04:00

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

The Mormon Agenda

2008-11-07T21:59:00.003-04:00

A very interesting site has popped up to try to get the Mormon Church's tax exempt status revoked due to their massive lobbying over Proposition 8 in California. It does raise a lot of interesting points including this excerpt from the IRS law

In general, no organization, including a church, may qualify for IRC section 501(c)(3) status if a substantial part of its activities is attempting to influence legislation (commonly known as lobbying).

Hmmmmm, seems to me that they totally blew that one out of the water. It is very interesting to me how a group who was ostracized because of their definition of family would be so instrumental in trying to pass laws defining what a family is. Hypocrites much? If you agree you can stop by Mormon's Stole Our Rights and sign a petition to have their tax exempt status revoked.

PSA

2008-11-07T17:13:00.002-04:00

In case you didn't know, the elections are over, we have a new President-Elect, and we don't have to listen to Palin's nails on a chalkboard voice anymore. What this also means is that it is time take your yard signs down, peel off the bumper stickers, store your pins away, and stop wearing the tee shirts. I know you are either ecstatic or depressed but that is no excuse to keep it going.
Oh, and those of you who still have those W stickers on your back window not only are you a douche for voting for him the second time but you are a used douche for continuing to advertise it.

Love Her!

2008-10-15T12:20:00.002-04:00

Okay, I LOVE Mandy Steckelberg! Why is this woman not a super star? This is the same woman who gave me my theme song of I Hate Everyone. Visit her YouTube page if you really need a laugh.

What Are The Conservatives Saying

2008-10-15T10:44:00.003-04:00

What are the conservatives saying about their candidate? I found an interesting article here about it. I find it interesting, though, that they call it jumping ship. I see it as being honest about the situation. For instance Heather Mac Donald who said "conservatives should not sacrifice standards for political advantage." Some rather entertaining reading.

Curried Potatoes and Lentils

2008-10-13T23:11:00.003-04:00

Last night for dinner I made Chris' favorite curried lentils and potatoes. I love it when he enjoys the easy dishes.
Ingredients:
1 not chikn' cube
4 cups water
1 Tablespoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
2 bay leaves
1 cup lentils
3 medium potatoes peeled and cut in chunks

Bring the water to a boil and add the not chikn' cube (or you can use four cups veggie stock). Add the curry, bay leaves, and cumin then add the lentils. Simmer for about 15 minutes then add the potatoes. Simmer for another ten minutes covered then add water if it is becoming too dry. Season with salt and pepper then cook another 10-15 minutes until the potatoes are nice and soft and most of the liquid is absorbed. The mixture should still be nice and moist. I serve it with plain yogurt that I add a minced clove of garlic and Tablespoon of dried dill to (and let it set at room temperature while the lentils cook).

Where Have I Been?

2008-10-12T09:19:00.002-04:00

Hey, where the heck have I been? Well, things are getting a little bit hectic here in central Ohio. I started back to school finally. I am still trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up so that is taking up a lot of my time along with work. Doesn't leave me a lot of spare time but it should all be worth it soon. Anyway last night Chris and I went to go see Margret Cho (thanks a million for the tickets Bruce) and she was phenomenal! At first I was a little nervous because a lot of the jokes she told we already saw on her Cho Show but then she moved on and despite getting a little bit preachy sometimes she was still hysterical. I could have done without her opening act though. It was the guy who does Kelly from Shoes fame. The videos he had up were funny but when he came on stage dressed as Kelly and sang two songs it lost something in the translation. It just wasn't as funny watching him stand there singing shoes as it was to watch the video of him singing it.

Who Are You Voting For?

2008-10-02T18:49:00.001-04:00

Who are you voting for? Do you know? If you do then good but if you still have doubts or aren't sure you can take the presidential candidate quiz
to see which of the candidates matches your own beliefs.

Year of Eating Dangerously: Asia

2008-09-21T14:39:00.006-04:00

I have no desire to go to China. The myriad of books that I have read lately have only deepened my "un" desire to see that country. The one thing I would like, though, is to taste the food as it is supposed to be. Every book that I have read agrees that when Chinese food is done right it is a thing of sheer beauty. Evidently the crap we have been eating in the States is just that, crap.
As for Korea I have no desire to eat posintang (dog soup). Yes, I do understand that one man's pet is another man's dinner but it isn't as if these are free range dogs. These are horribly treated, brutalized animals. It is no wonder many of the people whom the author asked about posintang gave him the cold shoulder. It is mostly the uneducated and the macho poseurs who give him any props for looking for a good bowl of the soup. I actually had to put the book down during this chapter (I usually read while I eat) because my stomach was beginning to churn.
I did, however, enjoy the chapter in Laos. It was nice to see him enjoying local food that was odd but not unappetizing. I don't think I could ever eat a live shrimp salad but the ant egg salad didn't sound so bad.

Vegetarian Sandwich

2008-09-21T14:34:00.004-04:00

One of the difficulties I have had in trying to eat vegetarian is making a good sandwich. There is always, of course, the grilled cheese sandwich but I also like a nice hearty sandwich that will really fill me up for lunch. Then someone gave me the idea for using hummus as the "meaty" part of a sandwich and an idea click in my brain. I toasted up some whole wheat bread, spread hummus on it, add a slice of vegan pepper jack "cheese", then added tomatoes, kalmata olives, and cilantro leaves.
Voila!
A quick, tasty, and satisfying lunch.

The Year of Eating Dangerously: Elvers

2008-09-18T12:39:00.003-04:00

The opening chapter to this book actually made me a little sad. My feelings had nothing to do with the writing because I do enjoy the slightly wordy, pretentious and yet self deprecating style that the author has. What made me sad was the whole "elver" culture so to speak. Basically the elvers are baby eels that make a dramatic swim to a resting area before returning to the Bermuda triangle area to mate and die a few years later, or so it is thought. It is utterly fascinating to read about how much we don't know about the eel and also that it is so resistant to domestic farming. Every eel that is farmed or eaten had to be caught live. There is no sustainable method for farming eels. So as international demand for eel grows the actual supply of eel diminishes. As the supply diminishes the price increases and this is the root of what had me a little blue.

What once went from a bucolic (albeit poor) seasonal staple turned into a regional delicacy. This regional delicacy and seasonal staple for the poor transformed into a worldwide delicacy in part by the Japanese and Chinese over fishing their supply. On the one hand it is good that some of the poorer people are able to get a bit of extra cash to help them along by fishing for the elvers. It is a shame too because what had once been a local, seasonal delicacy has been all but obliterated by economics. This destruction of a local way of life makes me want to explore central Ohio and find out just what we do best, what sets us apart.

What local delicacy do you have in your region?

I Have Power

2008-09-18T12:39:00.002-04:00

Woo-Hoo! I FINALLY have electricity back. We have been without power since early Sunday afternoon and it has been a pain in the neck. You don't really appreciate the conveniences of modern life until they are taken away from you for a few days. Do you realize what a joy it is to make a cup of coffee in my own house? I am so excited to actually make dinner tonight too and not have to eat crappy, fat laden, take out. . .again.

Weekend Recipe Roundup

2008-09-13T11:34:00.002-04:00

Wow, is it Saturday again? Already? My how time just whizzes on by. It's a good thing that the OSU game is away because it is a rainy, humid, gross day here in central Ohio. I'm also excited it is a night game because this way maybe we'll be a little slower tonight at work so I can actually get some extra work done that I have been putting off. Anyway, here we go with this week's recipes

Almond Peach Strudel
Spinach and Lentil Curry
Smoky Black Bean Chili
Healthy Thai-Style Salad of Grilled Eggplant, Tofu, and Watermelon
Summer Vegetable Cianfotta
Peach Cupcakes
Soy Bacon and 'Cream Cheese' Stuffed Mushrooms
Fingerling Potatoes Braised with Smoked Paprika
Spanish Rice with Soy Chorizo

The Year of Eating Dangerously: Intro

2008-09-12T00:15:00.002-04:00

I will admit that I am a little bit behind in my reading. I blame Simon R. Green for his sci-fi trash novels that I devour like there is no tomorrow. I just started reading The Year of Eating Dangerously: A Global Adventure in Search of Culinary Extremes and the introduction just sort of blew my mind. Here is a guy who grew up with the kind of life (at least on paper) that I would have killed for as a child. He lived on the country estate with the homegrown, fresh produce and meat cooked sparsely and elegantly and yet he wanted what I grew up with. The sterile microwave, fast food, quick fix kind of meal. Here he was enraptured by an American style supermarket where I would have been in heaven on a gentleman's farm. It's crazy how the grass always seems greener. It is kind of funny too how we both ended up on an exploration of food. His is a bit riskier and more exotic yet despite the vast differences growing up we both want to experience a richer, better culinary experience.

Barefoot Blogging: Grown up Mac and Cheese

2008-09-11T12:53:00.002-04:00

I made Ina's Grown Up Mac and Cheese the other night for dinner and it was okay. I think it only turned out okay because of my personal constraints. The biggest issue was that I couldn't put the bacon in it (you know, cause of the whole vegetarian thing). I think the bacon would have made it so much more appealing (because what doesn't taste better with bacon?). I did consider using Baco's in there but decided against it. That just seemed way too cheesy (pardon the pun). The other issue I had was the Gruyere cheese. That stuff is expensive! I mean really freaking expensive so I substituted Swiss cheese for it. All in all it did turn out alright but nothing great and, again, that is due to my own constraints. If you are going to make the Mac and Cheese then go all out and spend the money (and add the bacon if you can) and I'm sure you will enjoy it because everyone who did spend the money on the Gruyere and added bacon seemed to have loved the recipe.

"Meaty" Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage

2008-09-11T12:01:00.004-04:00

I found this recipe in this month's issue of Vegetarian Times. The original recipe calls for tempeh but I hate tempeh and so does Chris so I substituted grillers to give it that meaty sort of quality. I really enjoyed this recipe but Chris wasn't such a fan of it but that just means more for me. The best part is this dish only comes to $7 so you still have money leftover to make your favorite side dish or try some cheddar dill beer bread to go along with it.

1 tablespoon olive oil (staple)
2 large apples peeled cored and chopped($1)
1 red onion chopped ($1)
1 large head of red cabbage finely sliced ($1)
1/2 cup cider (or apple juice in a pinch) ($2)
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar (staple)
3/12 Tablespoons dk brown sugar (staple)
4 Morningstar grillers original (or any other faux burger) ($4)

Heat 1 Tbs of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add the apples and the onion and saute for about 10 minutes. Add the cider, vinegar, cabbage, and sugar and cook partially covered about 20 or so minutes stirring occasionally. Meanwhile cook the grillers half way then chop up into squares. Toss the pieces in during the last four minutes of cooking.

Weekend Recipe Roundup

2008-09-06T12:17:00.003-04:00

It's been awhile since I've done one of these because it has been a little crazy in down here in Cbus. Between trying to find staff to replace my summer help and employees doing fun things like jumping out of windows and shattering ankles I have been neck deep in work. Add to that the performance reviews that I have to finish writing by next week (and I only have one done) and you get the reason why my creativity level has been drained even lower than it normally lives at. Anyhow, on we go to see what everyone has been cooking up the past couple of weeks.
Tibetan Flatbread
Red Cabbage
Quinoa Salad
Grilled Portobella Mushroom Steaks
Lavender and Lemon Lovelies
Summer Risotto
Habenero Garlic Salsa