The weekend

It's been nice not feeling like I should be studying for that test. I am a bit behind in work (ok, more than a bit), so I've been working over the weekend, which is never fun. Everyone at the office is pretty busy, so basically the grief rolls down hill.

Last night I did a bowling/bar thing with a bunch from MID, and it was fun. I got home about 3am, which almost never happens these days.

Last night it rained, then snowed. It's already melted and it's hardly past noon here.

I guess I'd better get on this patent application.

Thomas

Ain't it about mother fucking time?

finally passed the mofo.

damn test.

Time for beer.

Crazy girl looking. Apply within

here's what i want and need:
a guy with a high 5/into the 6 figure income bracket. that's where i am and i'm not about to support your a$$. you need to have good medical insurance you can add me to once we're married to cover the maternity costs. i want to have a baby within the next couple of years but i dont have health insurance. the co i work for will likely never offer it, so i dont see myself getting any in a couple of years either.

it would be ideal if you didnt live 100 miles away. you've got to like dogs, gays, and fat people. they constitute a good portion of my inner circle.

Fun with carburetors

Sister and the family were in town for Easter. Sunday we went snow shoeing out at echo lake with her kids. I took Thomas and the truck, and about half way out there I started smelling gas.

Other than that, the truck was running fine. Recently I replaced the coil (the distributor is next) and re-gapped the points.

The problem ended up being a failed gasket in the carb. Basically there is a mechanical linkage that penetrates the carb for the accelerator pump. Gas was coming out of the linkage entry point. A LOT of gas, actually. Luckily nothing caught on fire, and after I returned home I pulled the carb out and replaced the gaskets.

Currently drinking

2005 Quo Grenache Campo de Borja Old Vines

This one is pretty good, and is very drinkable right now. $15.

2001 Chateau Rieussec Sauternes

I bought 2 of these a few years back, and drank one right away over dinner with a girl I was dating. In hindsight, I should have held off on the first bottle. Originally priced at about $105, they now run for about $250 for a 750ml bottle. The drinking window on this one is expected to be between 2010-2031, though my guess is it will age well past 2031.

So, in fact the first bottle was just a baby, and being young and dumb about wine I didn't know much better. The only problem is, I want more. I'd love to have at least another 5 or 6 bottles, so I can pop one every 5 years or so after 2010 and see how they are coming along. The only problem is, how do you justify $1500 on 6 bottles of wine?

That's a hard one.

Fun with spices

Today I went through all my spices and tossed out the ones without dates or that were old. Typically I date all my spices. You'd be surprised how easy it is to forget one in the back, and then realize it's about 6 years old.

I usually shoot for 1-2 years tops. After that you might as well sprinkle sawdust in your cooking.

I've also been trying to find more whole spices. I use a kitchen aid coffee grinder to pound them into dust only as I need them for a recipe. Your spices will last longer, and the food will taste brighter. Pre-ground spices is like pre-ground cofee. It's only good until you know better.

One trick I found online was running rice through the spice grinder. That really helps clean out the spices that might be hard to clean out of it when you're finished.

I heard today that there are a couple of spice stores down in Denver. I'll have to take a trip to see if I can find whole spices for the stuff that only seems to come pre-ground at the local store.

I have a new garam masala spice recipe I want to try out on a chicken tikka masala recipe I have. The original recipe needs some work. It's good, but I think the spice mix could be improved.

rock me

Buddy you’re a boy make a big noise
Playin’ in the street gonna be a big man some day
You got mud on yo’ face
You big disgrace
Kickin’ your can all over the place

We will we will rock you
We will we will rock you

Buddy you’re a young man hard man
Shoutin’ in the street gonna take on the world some day
You got blood on yo’ face
You big disgrace
Wavin’ your banner all over the place

We will we will rock you
We will we will rock you

Buddy you’re an old man poor man
Pleadin’ with your eyes gonna make you some peace some day

You got mud on your face
You big disgrace
Somebody better put you back in your place

We will we will rock you
We will we will rock you

3/8/2008 4:49 PM Cannon Powershot A95

Pull my finger

I had an argument with my immersion blender on Friday. I'm pretty sure there was some cheating involved. 11 stitches.

I'm supposed to be taking the patent bar today. Luckily for me I'm only marginally passing the practice tests, and my alarm was set for 6pm instead of 6am.