November 10, 2003
Someone's in the kitchen with Dinahhhhh!
It's cold outside - soup weather - here's another of our favorites.
Baked Potato Soup ingredients2 medium potatoes (about 2 cups chopped)
3 Tbsp butter
1 cup diced onion
2 Tbsp flour
4 cups chicken stock
2 cups water
1/4 cup cornstarch (dissolved into a little warm water)
1 1/2 cup instant mashed potatoes
1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp basil
1/8 tsp thyme
1 cup half & half Garnish: shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled crisp bacon, chopped green onions directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and bake potatoes until done (an hour or so). When cooked, remove from oven to cool*.
2. As potatoes cool, prepare soup by melting butter in a large saucepan, and saute onion until light brown. Add the flour to the onions and stir to make a roux.
3. Add the chicken stock, water, cornstarch, mashed potatoes and spices to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.
4. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out the contents with a large spoon. Discard potato skin. Chop the baked potato with a large knife to make chunks about 1/2 inch in size.
5. Add chopped baked potato and half-and-half to the saucepan. Bring soup back to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer the soup for another 15 minutes or until it is thick. Garnish and enjoy. * If I know I'm going to make this soup, I'll go ahead and throw a couple of potatoes in the oven a day or two ahead of time if we're already using the oven. They'll keep in the fridge until you're ready to use them.
Posted by: Ted at 09:09 AM | Comments (44) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
YUMMY!Mountain of God
In a remote corner of Tanzania stands an astonishing mountain called Ol Doinyo Lengai, where lava fountains harden in midair then shatter like glass.
It's also been called the strangest volcano on earth. The late photographer and renowned volcano chaser Katia Krafft was captivated by what she called the "toy volcano" because its diminutive flows are cool enough to collect with a spoon. "It's a perfect little laboratory volcano," agrees Barry Dawson of the University of Edinburgh. There's more about this odd little piece of our planet here and here and here, including lots of pictures. If you can get your hands on a copy of the January 2003 issue of National Geographic magazine, there is an excellent article including some spectacular photographs.Posted by: Ted at 08:41 AM | Comments (46) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Rocketing Around the Blogosphere
I haven't done one of these in a while, mainly because real-life has been kinda full lately. This one is a simple list of blogs I've recently started reading. Some you've probably heard of, but maybe some are new to you. Hopefully you'll find someone new and interesting to visit.
Quibbles and Bits Gweilo Diaries reflections in d minor bsurot tovot Allah is in the house Yahweh is in the house Idiot Villager Left & Right On the Fritz Travelling Shoes Forget who you are, and you'll fit right in Margi Lowry Primal Purge Candy UniversePosted by: Ted at 05:50 AM | Comments (45) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
November 09, 2003
Collins and the Challenge
Well, it must be the Geritol clean living curse of satan (screw you prince of darkness, I'm too pissed to capitalize your freakin' name), because today the Oakland Raiders actually almost looked like a professional football team. They beat rolled over like a dead dog against the Jets.
And modern dance, come to think of it. The Raiders play like they’re channeling Linda Lovelace. Al Davis felt the need for a change, so he hired Barry Manilow to write a new fight song. They didn’t use the song, but fit him for a uniform in an effort to toughen up the defense. There’s three things you can count on from the Raiders this year. First, they suck. After that first thing, who cares what the other two are? And their cheerleaders, jeez. They look like a cross between the tackling dummy and Carol Doda. I mean, if the dumbest half of the Jets cheerleaders joined the Raiders squad, the average IQ of both groups would go up. It’s just a rumor that President Bush has given the Air Force permission to shoot down the Raiders team plane in the interests of “National Dignity”. After the disaster that this season has been, Coach Callahan is concerned that his career is over. Word is that he’s currently in talks with Madonna. Last year to this year - there hasn’t been that big a dropoff since the last two minutes of Thelma and Louise. The Raiders are trying a new slogan this year: “Homeless America’s Team” The Queer Eye for the Straight Guy team offered to redesign the Raider uniforms, but backed out after discovering that ‘tight end’, ‘split end’, and ‘wide receiver’ were football positions and not job descriptions. Several players were reportedly disappointed. And embarrassed, because they thought the same thing. Of course it’s spelled differently, but did you know that the phrase ‘Oakland Raiders’ is phonetically the same as the French words for ‘fight to the last man’? Gannon might become the new spokesman for AARP. I guess Bill will have to look for a new gig. Part of the problem with the Raiders offense is that, after watching the coaches diagram a play, half the team doesn’t know if they’re supposed to be the hugs or the kisses. The Raiders are positioning themselves to be the dominant team in that new league starting next year – the AARPFL. Jets Jokes (and personal attacks against John Collins) They took x-rays. Collins is not playing with a corked head. Admit it. You miss Pete Carroll. What exactly do you call that color? Sea green, putrid green, gan-green? The last time I saw that color, I was changing a baby diaper. The waiting list for season tickets is long, but look at the bright side John. It’s probably like the New York voter registration, and half those folks are already deceased. Collins bitched about having to pay to be on the waiting list for Jets season tickets. But look at how much money he's saved not having to buy Super Bowl tickets for the last 35 years. While interviewing Vinnie Testaverde’s new girlfriend, she shyly admitted that she thought she’d have to be an archeologist in order to see a bone that old. Face it, things can’t be going well when four of your best players leave to join the Redskins. That’s as bad as having your lifeboat rescued – by the Titanic. A guy walks into a bar with a dachshund under his arm. The dog is wearing a Jets jersey, helmet and is holding Jets pom poms.
The bartender says,"Hey! No pets allowed in here! You'll have to leave!"
The man begs, "Look I am desperate. We're both big fans, my TV is broken, and this is the only place we can see the game!"
After securing a promise that the dog will behave,and warning him that if there is any trouble they will be thrown out,the bartender relents and allows them to stay in the bar and watch the game.
The game begins with the Jets receiving a kickoff. They march downfield stop at the 30,and kick a field goal.
With that the dog jumps up on the bar,and begins walking up and down the bar giving everyone a high-five.
The bartender says,"Wow that is the most amazing thing I've ever seen! What does the dog do if they score a touchdown?"
"I don't know," replies the owner, "I've only had him for four years." Joe Namath proved that you can wear panty-hose and still be a man. John proves that all over again each and every day. Remember that ditch they dug in front of John’s driveway? It was actually a 4” wide trench, but when you’re a Jets fan, every obstacle seems insurmountable. I know exactly what that feels like.
Posted by: Ted at 08:36 PM | Comments (49) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Eclipse picture
This photo (in the extended entry) was taken in Hartford Connecticut by a friend. I'm posting it because the quality of his picture is much better than mine, and it looks the same as from where we watched it, several hundred miles to the south.
Susie, you'll be glad to know that we watched through the open front door, so no Mookie was frozen even though last night was our first hard freeze of the season. Yeah, I dragged her all the way to the front door. Poor kid.
Posted by: Ted at 09:18 AM | Comments (47) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
TV program reminder
Tonight on the Discovery Channel, beginning at 8pm Eastern Time, three episodes of Rocket Challenge will air. Each episode is one hour long, and after they show, the entire block will repeat. Show times are:
8pm and 11pm - Wild and Wierd Rockets9pm and midnight - How High Can You Fly?
10pm and 1am - Supersonic Speed Demons See here for their complete broadcast schedule for November.
Posted by: Ted at 09:08 AM | Comments (42) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Redneck Haiku
DESIRE
Damn, in that tube-top
You make me almost forget
That you are my cousin
Naked in repose
Silvery silhouette girls
Adorn my mudflaps REMORSE
A painful sadness
Can't fit big screen TV through
Double-wide's front door DEPRIVED
In WalMart toy aisle
Wailing boy wants wrestling doll
Mama whups his ass OPTIONS
Unemployment's out.
Hey, maybe I can get on
Disability BLAZE
Distant siren screams
Dumb-ass Verne's been playing with
Gasoline again A NEW MOON
Flashlights pierce darkness
No nightcrawlers to be found
Guess we'll gig some frogs
Posted by: Ted at 08:52 AM | Comments (43) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Question
Read this question, come up with an answer and then check the extended entry for the result. This is not a trick question. It is as it reads.
A woman, while at the funeral of her own mother, met this guy whom she did not know. She thought this guy was amazing, so much her dream guy she believed him to be, that she fell in love with him right there but never asked for his number and could not find him. A few days later she killed her sister. Question: What is her motive in killing her sister? (Give this some thought before you answer)Posted by: Ted at 08:26 AM | Comments (49) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
November 08, 2003
Air Munuviana update and pictures
If you don't know what this is all about, look here for links to previous posts.
The rocket is fully dressed and ready to fly. In the extended entry are photos of the decals and paint job. They're not great photos, but you'll get the idea. There are eight of them, but sized rather small to help the bandwidth. Maiden flight is next saturday, the 15th of November, at The Plains, Virginia.Posted by: Ted at 02:13 PM | Comments (52) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
There's a Viagra joke in here somewhere
Researchers said on Wednesday they had found erectile tissue in the tentacle of a male octopus, the first time such tissue has been seen in an invertebrate.
Octopuses, known for their intelligence and complex behavior, are shy animals. Observing their mating is difficult and often the females attack and eat the males during courtship.
Posted by: Ted at 09:27 AM | Comments (43) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Lunar Eclipse Tonight
I live in Virginia, skies are forecast to be clear, and the show starts at 8:02pm. Details can be found here.
Mookie and I will be bundled up and out there with ourPosted by: Ted at 09:18 AM | Comments (45) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Probably, yeah
A man was in a terrible accident, and his "manhood" was mangled and torn from his body. His doctor assured him that modern medicine could give him back his manhood, but that his insurance wouldn't cover the surgery, since it was considered cosmetic.
The doctor said that the cost would be $3500 for "small," $6500 for "medium," and $14,000 for "large." The man was sure he would want a medium or large, but the doctor urged him to talk it over with his wife before he made any decision. The man called his wife on the phone and explained their options. The doctor came back into the room, and found the man looking quite dejected. "Well, what have the two of you decided?" asked the doctor. The man answered, "She'd rather remodel the kitchen."Posted by: Ted at 08:05 AM | Comments (45) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
November 07, 2003
Finishing rockets - 1
For rockets of the size that I fly, most of my final painting is done with cans of spray paint. For the real big rockets, people either use automotive paint guns or take the rocket to a local auto-paint shop. Sometimes you can make a deal where they'll paint your rocket for a reduced price if they can use up leftover paint from another job.
The most interesting finish I've ever seen on a big rocket didn't use paint at all. One guy laminated uncut sheets of US one dollar bills (info available here on how to get them) onto his rocket. I remember it took just over one hundred bills to cover the entire airframe, and he said it was actually a bit cheaper than taking it into the shop for a professional paint job.Posted by: Ted at 09:29 PM | Comments (44) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Inca Lost and Found
Another lost city found in the jungles of Peru. Lost twice actually, because explorer Hiram Bingham, the discoverer of Machu Picchu, described the site in 1912 but was vague about the exact location and it wasn't found again until this year.
Because of the heavy jungle canopy, an airborne infrared camera was used to locate the ruins of Llactapata. Then the expedition used machetes to hack through the jungle to reach it, 9,000 feet up the side of a mountain. You can see pictures of this stunning region here (there are some great related links at the bottom of the page too), and learn more about the Incas here.Posted by: Ted at 07:39 AM | Comments (43) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Sharks Hockey
Last night the San Jose Sharks played the Boston Bruins and wonder of wonders, it was televised. That's a good thing, because watching the local Washington Capitals lately has been painful and last night was no exception.
The game was mucho fun to watch, ending in a 5-5 tie. After the Sharks imploded last year, a major overhaul was begun and this years version is younger and faster than previous teams. They also unloaded some high-priced and underachieving stars, which seems to have changed the chemistry of the team for the better. They have enough veterans to provide the leadership needed, and the older players are all grinders and workers, setting the example for the youngsters. There were a couple of times during the game when the old Sharks would have folded or gotten panicky and made a stupid mistake. That didn't happen. The Sharks need the young kids to mature rapidly this season, and players like Marleau and Sturm have to play up to their potential. We've been waiting for them to break thru for several years now, and we're getting impatient. In goal, the Sharks have three solid goalies. Most teams only carry two, and I don't know what the Sharks are planning to do long-term. Last night third-string goalie Teskala played a pretty good game and although the Bruins scored five goals, there were no 'cheap' goals on either side. It was good goaltending getting beat by good shots. Young and rebuilding, the Sharks have a chance to make the playoffs this season (I know, I know, that's not hard to do in hockey... tell it to the Rangers). This team is going to be fun to watch.Posted by: Ted at 07:10 AM | Comments (43) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Nerd, Geek or Dork?
Take the test and identify your inner self.
Also, for your N/G/D entertainment, this is a cool look at video game and computer history.Posted by: Ted at 05:26 AM | Comments (47) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
November 06, 2003
Trolling for Borg
Voyager, leaving our solar system.
Posted by: Ted at 02:28 PM | Comments (42) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Daily Affirmations
Enough for one each day of the month, with a couple spares. Become one of life's success stories, courtesy of Rocket Jones.
Posted by: Ted at 11:11 AM | Comments (42) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
(not) completely forgotten
Collins had set up a challenge before going haitian he disappeared. Details are here, but basically each week if his beloved Jets won the game then he would rag the other team and designated fan or vice versa, and links would be provided.
Posted by: Ted at 09:58 AM | Comments (47) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
One particular comment
Yesterday I ranted about the BATFE and their latest attempt to expand their power. Publicola left a comment to that post that is so dead-on accurate that I wanted to make sure you had a chance to read it. It's fairly long, but worth the time it takes to read through.
In it, he wrote this, which is the best summary of the BATFE I've ever seen:"Publicity is BIG for them. More press, more congressional attention = bigger budget. That's what it's all about." Exactly. The BATFE will do anything to keep the control they have and to grow their empire, including issuing official letters and reports to sympathetic congressmen that are full of factual errors, misrepresentations and deliberate lies. They also like to hold press conferences to announce sensationalized events that always turn out to be less than meets the eye. The BATFE has gone so far as to assign agents as part of the staffs of certain cooperative members of congress. This is the same goverment bureau that originally required fingerprinting of Cub Scouts before being allowed to launch model rockets as part of (long-established) Scouting programs. When the complaints began flooding in, they allowed the smallest possible exception, which helped Scouts but left educational institutions out in the cold. This is the bureau that managed to wreck quite a few Fourth of July fireworks displays last year by requiring complete background investigations on everyone in contact with 'explosives'. That meant that every warehouse worker, truck driver and railroad employee needed that check. Predictably, the universal reaction was "we won't carry those items". By the time the rule was rescinded, it was too late for many towns. This bureau has already started to clamp down on all those potential terrorists who use RC cars, planes and boats. Their plan is to require licensing for all users of radio-controlled toys. If you click on the Rocketry category link at the bottom of this post, you'll see my other articles about the BATFE and their efforts to protect us all from ourselves. It's not just rockets or RC or even guns. This is an organization out of control, and Homeland Security has given them a smokescreen and excuse that they are using to grab even more power. By the way, if you like reasoned argument and debate about the 2nd Amendment, you really should visit Publicola. He cites sources and research throughout his work, and he writes well.
Posted by: Ted at 06:59 AM | Comments (46) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
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