8/29/2010

Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah



My consistantly successful Karaoke Contest winning song...


Well I heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do ya?
Well it goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall and the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Well your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to her kitchen chair
And she broke your throne and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Well baby I've been here before
I've seen this room and I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew ya
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Well there was a time when you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show that to me do you?
And remember when I moved in you?
And the holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Well maybe there's a God above
But all I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who out drew ya
And it's not a cry that you hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

8/21/2010

What's For Supper Tonight?

With fresh veggies like cucumbers and spinach, can anyone guess that I'm going Greek tonight? Greek spaghetti with fried pita bread and homemade tzatziki sauce, and a Greek "village salad" is on the menu for this evening's meal. Here's how it's done!

Tzatziki Sauce

1 large container of plain yogurt.

Don't use fat-free. Greek yogurt is the best but it's hard to find where I live, so I strain the yogurt to thicken it up. Easiest way I've found? Dump it into one of those wire screen strainers, put that over a bowl, and put it in the fridge overnight. You'll have at least a cup of water to pour out. Then put the yogurt back into the bowl for mixing.

2 cucumbers, peeled, seeded and grated.

Put those in the same strainer your yogurt was in and just set it over the sink. Sprinkle about a tablespoon of kosher salt over the cucumbers, to help them release their water. In about 30 minutes, squeeze the water out of the cucumbers, then dump them onto paper towels folded for thickness, and squeeze out more water. Put the cucumbers into the yogurt.

Add the juice of one lemon (about three tablespoons), a clove of minced garlic, about a tablespoon of dill weed, pepper to taste, and a dash of olive oil. Mix it all together. Some folks prefer mint over dill, so if you have fresh mint you might opt to try that instead. If you have a food processor, you can use it for a creamier result. I don't, so my tzatziki has a bit more texture. Put this mixture back into the yogurt container for storage, and allow to set for at least 2 hours for the flavors to blend. Yum, yum!! And SO easy!

Greek Spaghetti

Preheat oven to 350.


Boil up 4 servings of spaghetti noodles in water to which you've added some chicken bullion cubes. I usually use about 5. Drain the spaghetti when it's done and put it back in its kettle.

Melt about 6 tablespoons of butter in a pan, and add about a clove of minced garlic. Dice up a dozen or so leaves of fresh spinach to sautee along with the garlic and butter, and if you like you can add other veggies to taste. A bit of oregano goes nicely here, too. You'll want to brown the butter, be careful to not burn it.

Pour the butter/veggie mixture over the spaghetti noodles, mix well, and turn this mixture out into a casserole dish. Top with fresh grated Parmesan cheese (it melts better but the kind we get on the store shelves near the bottled spaghetti sauce will taste fine), some finely crumbled feta cheese, and some Panko bread crumbs. Bake on 350 for about 20 minutes, or until cheeses are melted and mixture is bubbly.

Fried Pita Bread

Just like it sounds! A bit of olive oil in a frying pan, medium to medium-high heat, put the pita bread in and treat it like a grilled cheese sandwich. Once lightly browned on both sides, turn out onto paper towels to drain and slice into wedges like a pizza. To die for good with tzatziki sauce :) Don't use the "pita pocket" bread - use the real Greek pita. "Pita pockets" are really dry.

Greek "Village Salad"

1 cucumber, sliced into half-moons
1 tomato, cut into wedges
1/4 medium sweet onion (or red onion, your option), sliced thinly into rings
1/2 green pepper, julienned
A dozen pitted Kalmata olives
Crumbled feta cheese
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Dressing

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1½ tablespoons lemon juice
1 clove garlic—minced
½ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Shake all these together in a container and pour onto your veggies... toss gently and serve. I also like creamy Caesar dressing on this salad, and Greek oil and vinegar from the store, they're easier and well worth a try.

Wishing you a wonderful dinner, and I'll be thinking of you all tonight as I dine in fine Greek style. My best to you all, and Happy Cooking :)

8/20/2010

Are YOU an Annoying Passenger?

Are YOU an Annoying Passenger?
Airfarewatchdog.com

Wed Aug 11, 10:08 am ET

By Tracy William Stewart

Airfarewatchdog.com

Let's see...when last we saw an evacuation chute make the news, it was being put to use in the icy winter waters of the Hudson. Remember that? And here we are again, another dramatic exit by emergency chute. Only this time, minus the emergency. Just a flight attendant, holding a beer, going down a slide.

So why is America so quick to call Steven Slater a hero? Though he didn't save anyone, his dramatic stand against bad manners obviously resonates with people. While most folks will agree that, yes, he overreacted here, there seems to be little doubt among the online community that the passenger that drove Mr. Slater over the edge is just as much, if not more, out of line in her behavior.

And this is reassuring why? Peole recognize that Mr. Slater was denied the basic respect he deserved. The outpouring of support in favor of Mr. Slater seems to indicate that, to most at least, manners still matter. If only we could say the same for everyone we've encountered during our travels, not only on the plane but in the airport as well. Are you an annoying traveler? Nobody is perfect, but here are a few guidelines to help keep your behavior in check.


1. You may find small inconsistencies here and there, but security regulations are pretty much standard across the board. Is it really a surprise that your cellphone will set off the metal detector? Help speed things up by placing all your metal and electronic doodads in a coat pocket or carry-on pouch, remove your laptop from its case, have liquids/gels/toiletries in the TSA-approved quart-sized bag, and have those shoes ready to toss in the tray. And yes, that nonfat macchiato you just bought does in fact count as a liquid. As does that 6 gallon vat of Gold Bond Medicated Cream you forgot to put in your checked baggage. Don't argue with the nice agent. Keep it moving.

2. Standing still on the people mover. Exhilarating, isn't it? Enjoy the ride! But at least move to the right so others can get around. And move those bags out of the way too. Thanks!

3. Carry-ons and overheads, bad news first: You may have to store your carry-on in an overhead bin other than the one directly above your seat. The good news? Every overhead bin on the plane is going to the same place you're going! Quelle coinkidink! Heck, even if you're asked to check your carry-on, you'll still see it again upon arrival. A slight inconvenience, yes, but no need for a meltdown. Just take whatever items you may need during the flight and keep them under the seat in front of you. No biggie.

4. Be accommodating to your seatmates and fellow passengers, without being creepy. Are they avoiding eye contact when taking their seat? If so, they probably aren't up for a get-to-know-you chitchat. Taking the redeye and notice everyone in your row sleeping? Then keep your shade down and turn the reading light off a little sooner. And would it kill you to swap seats so that family can seat together? Probably not.

5. Whoa there, Burger King, go easy on the smells. You wouldn't want your seatmate blowing stogie smoke in your face, and that steaming Whopper with onion isn';t any better. If you're starving, forgo that grease-blotted bag of fast food for something a little more discrete. Have you ever in your life caught a whiff of M&Ms, or a ham and cheese, or a bag of trail-mix? No? Well, there you go. Buy those instead.

And this isn't solely a food offense. Remember, you're in a plane, not the hair & make-up trailer. While your attempts at getting beautiful are sure to be a hit on the ground, the nail polish and the Axe body spray aren't gonna make you any friends up in the air. At the very least, do your spritzing and fixing in the lavatory. Related: Armpits and feet...hellooo? Are you smuggling Doritos in those socks? Keep it clean, people.

6. Surely, you've heard. All portable electronics, mobile phones, laptops, etc. must be switched off during take-off and landing. Think this rule is just a bunch of hooey? Whatever effect your last minute call to the office might have on the delicate instruments of the aircraft is not up for debate. It's a risk your fellow passengers and their families probably don't care to take. So, whatever it is, it can wait. And please don't give the crew any lip if they ask you again to turn it off, mmkay?

7. Kicking and screaming. This is a delicate one, but not necessarily all that complicated. Parents traveling with children, please keep your child from kicking the back of the seat, slipping arms between seats, yelling, and being a nuisance to fellow passengers. You may be desensitized to this sort of thing, but the guy in front of you is not. Annoyed passenger, should the trouble persist and you have to ask the parent to intervene, do so in a polite and pleasant tone. Making someone feel like an inadequate parent will only make things worse.

As for crying infants...well, sorry, it happens. And there's not much to be done about it. One thing's for sure. Those pricey noise canceling headphones you passed up on the ground are looking puh-retty worth it about now, aren't they? Maybe buy them next time. You'll be so glad you did.

8. Clapping upon landing? Really? This one isn't so much annoying as it is baffling. How exactly did you imagine this flight would end?

9. Stay seated until the aircraft has reached the gate. Yes, the siren song of 200-something seat belts unfastening in unison is very exciting. You've landed, you want to stand up, and you want your stuff! But hang cool, teddybear. Even if by some chance you've collected your things from the overhead the moment the wheels touch the ground...uh, where exactly do you plan on going? The door is still closed and there are about 60 people seated in the rows before you, all of whom are just as eager to deplane.

10. Once at baggage claim, all sense of personal space seems to go out the window. And it's no wonder, after having spent all those hours confined to such a tiny seat. But don't wriggle your way through a cluster of waiting people only to block their access to the belt. That's annoying. Those people are waiting on their bag too. The conveyor belt is long and winding, with plenty of room for everyone.

Are we missing anything? If so, feel free to add your own travel annoyances below.
-----------------------------------------------
Those were hers... Here are a few of mine:

1) Here's a few you missed: Do you REALLY think the overhead compartment was built to hold your 75 lb. carryon bag? Tap it... it's - yup, you guessed it - PLASTIC! Sure hope it's YOU sitting under that bag when the plane hits severe turbulance. If you can't lift it up to the overhead, and lift it back down again, then check the bag. It's not our job to help you, we've got our own bags to worry about.

2) If your fat rear end isn't contained within the confines of one seat, then buy two seats. You don't have a right to sit on my lap uninvited, nor do you have a right to share my seat without paying me that percentage of what my seat cost me.

3) Parents with lap children: I don't mind the child stretching out his/her legs onto my lap while taking a nap, but I sure as heck don't want them in my space while they're awake. I'll do nearly anything to cooperate with naptime, and if your kid will finally shut up, I'd even stand in the back for the duration of the flight and give up my seat if permitted. While on the subject of children - you know how your ears hurt when ascending and descending? Your child's ears hurt too, only they don't understand why. Give them gum, a binkie, a bottle, a nipple, anything they can suck or chew on and quit being mad at them for crying or screaming. It friggin' hurts, OK?

4) If you're going to get up more than once to go to the head during the flight, then take the aisle seat. Please!!

5) Don't sit there and try to be an armchair pilot. You'll look pretty stupid when you can't answer my simple question of what class of airspace we just departed within. Chances are really good you've never flown any plane, let alone "this" plane. Just shut up and find some other way to try to impress people. Maybe by just shutting up.

8/17/2010

Baraka



This is a 10 minute clip of Baraka. This movie is filled with the realities one doesn't get to see much on TV.

Watch this movie. It's available on Netflix, and for those of you who are familiar with P2P and TOR downloads, it's at the tip of your fingers. I own it and have watched it over 30 times since it came out. I also have given it as gifts to many people. Click on the above post title for more information.

It has good music, and provides a bird's-eye view of slices of life that most of us are utterly ignorant about. Have you ever wondered where your fried chicken comes from? Has your curiosity ever been aroused regarding what our oil consumption really costs? Have you ever wondered how the other half lives?

Official description:

"Shot in 24 countries on 70mm film, this mesmerizing visual study conveys the relationship between humans and the environment, with images ranging from the daily devotions of Tibetan monks to time-lapse views of the Hong Kong skyline. Accompanied by diverse world music -- without narration or dialogue -- the scenes capture nature's glory as well as its destruction, all expertly photographed by director and cinematographer Ron Fricke."

Sit down on a quiet evening, with a nice full glass of your favorite NSA wine and prepare for 93 minutes of mind-expanding video. You won't be sorry you did.

POW

OK, here I go again, dishing on the People of Walmart again. Click the title link. It's interesting, it's like driving by a wreck on the freeway and not wanting to look but being unable to fight the compulsion. All I want to know is... seriously, really... folks... All I want to know is, do people really have no clue how they appear to the majority of onlookers? I understand, some choose to make a statement and look this way on purpose, and some may well suffer from mental illness, but c'mon... all of these people? I know for a fact that regardless of how comfortable I might be with my aging body, no way am I going to go out in public with a halter top and shorts crammed all the way up my crack. The mirror wouldn't let me even if I was so inclined. I honestly don't get it, and if somebody could explain to me then I'd consider myself more educated and less illiterate about the workings of the human mind - or the lack of workings, as the pictures on the website might suggest.

Help me out here, please!!!

8/14/2010

Harvest 2010 is Upon Us :)

Beans are canned, beets are parboiling as we speak, and cucumbers are soaking in hot pepper/garlic/dill/vinegar brine. Zucchinis are regular gifts to friends, acorn squashes are prolific on their vines and cantaloupes are softball size. Tomatoes of all types - Romas, Ruetgers, Early Girls, Beefsteaks - are ripening, and jalapenos, banana peppers and anaheims are nearly ready to pick. Onions are harvested, garlic is resting nicely and it's Salsa Season, YAY!! The time is upon us - well, upon me - and the joys of harvesting the fruits of my spring labors and summer water bills are beginning to be realized.

Here's a wonderful web site for very good information regarding the harvesting and preservation of garden produce. Easy to understand for the beginner, and easy to navigate for the expert: http://www.pickyourown.org/index.htm

Happy gardening and harvesting! Please don't hesitate to drop a comment or question if you're interested in some ideas of how to join the multitude of "home preservationists" out here! You don't have to garden in order to enjoy wholesome produce all year around.

Best to you!!!!