Tuesday, December 30, 2008
the travelling man
I got a text before I woke up from Yo!; he was boarding a flight to Morocco for New Year's (where he better watch out). He's heading from Glasgow (his temporary home) after already being in the north of Scotland for Christmas. I'm hoping his crazy, drunken self doesn't get himself killed but at least he should be safer than his original NY's destination, Egypt. All potentially, of course. God's speed!
Labels: yo
Monday, December 29, 2008
jagerschnitzel, hungarian style
So I busted out some boneless pork cutlets from the freezer and was wondering what to do with them. I felt like doing something Hungarian so started thumbing through my recipes and cook books. Funny thing that I didn't find anything that looked all that appetizing. I did see one thing but it called for pounding out the cutlets almost into scaloppini which I was too lazy to do so I said screw it. Plus I had some nice mushrooms so I figured I'd come up with something myself. So I'm combining a traditional German food, Jagerschnitzel, with some extra Hungarian fun that is paprika.
To the food!
To the food!
   | What you need:
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| So what is first needed is to salt and pepper the pork that has been brought to room temperature (take out of the fridge 15 to 20 minutes prior to use). That'd be both sides, in case you were wondering. Put the fat in a pan that is set to medium. After that you'll want to dredge each piece in flour (that is seasoned with salt, pepper and paprika). When the pan is beginning to smoke, place the floured pork into the pan. You'll hear a slight sizzling but don't be afraid. Keep the pork in the pan for three to five minutes or until nicely golden brown. flip over an repeat to the other side for another three to five. Repeat for all cutlets and remove to a plate for a little resting. After all cutlets are browned and resting, toss in your onion product until it begins to soften (if you were to use garlic, this is when you'd want to toss it in). If you're omitting garlic, now toss the mushrooms in. In addition to the paprika, caraway seeds (if you so choose), and black pepper, add salt to sweat the mushrooms. You'll want to make sure get a lot of the liquid out before adding any flour or you'll just be wasting time. Dust the water-lessened shrooms with flour; stir to cover and then cook until the flour is absorbed and there is no more white (you may need to add some more fat here if you have put more flour in or if the flour isn't totally absorbed). Now it is time to add the wine. You'll probably need about a cup and add that and let that cooks down until it nearly evaporates (or until it all evaporates). Then you can add your chicken stock. Stir that in vigorously to make sure the sauce is pretty consistent. Now it is time to add back in the chicken to warm it back through. Make sure to flip a couple times. Serve over some egg noodles and knock yourself out. If you're feeling especially dangerous, toss on some fresh parsley as a garnish. I did not. | ||
Labels: cooking
Sunday, December 28, 2008
lazy day sunday
There was an intention to do a lot today but I have only bought groceries (necessary materials for the jagerschnitzel I'll be making tonight plus sammy stuff for the week) and stopped by Aces place for a penny portrait that I'll be using as a late Christmas gift.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
back to normal
I slept in, had a bagel, then moved to the couch. Then I started back on getting caught up on the dvr (I can't believe how many episodes of Molto Mario, Fringe and other assorted, unnamed shit I've got to sift through). That was several hours ago and almost forgot Florida State was playing their bowl game today (against Wisconsin in the Champs Sports Bowl). Bubba mentioned coming over and Aces might not be too far behind. Plus I need to get some shite unpacked and do something with my office. I guess I'll have to get off my ass.
Oh, here are some pics of the office I took before I left for Florida. I've got a new desk and two new book cases.
Oh, here are some pics of the office I took before I left for Florida. I've got a new desk and two new book cases.
Labels: aces, bubba, football, house, sports
Friday, December 26, 2008
return to sender
Home! An hour later than planned because of a missing pilot but better late than never. And the place isn't any less shitty than I left it. Now I just need to finish setting my office back up and I'll be good. But that is another day. Maybe Sunday.
Labels: house
flight delays
So I did the math and need to leave my folks' place by 3 pm (in my parent's time, of course, I could leave at 3:30). I leave at 6 PM ET and arrive in the ATX just before midnight. That seemed like a helluva long trip until I realized I had a three hour layover in Houston. One should look at that before they purchase their flight. Maybe. Regardless, it is all taken care of; I called up and now get into Austin at 10 PM. Now I just need to find somebody to pick me up.
Labels: travel
Thursday, December 25, 2008
the (local non) news
Maybe not to sleep just yet. I got to enjoy the local news with my parents and am pretty happy that I avoid such things back home. Goodness gracious there is such absurdity that masquerades itself as news. The only one worthy of mentioning is a dog being thwarted in his attempt to rob a store of a bone. I'm sure it is a youtube video in the make.
With that, I'm signing off.
With that, I'm signing off.
Labels: stupidity
dinner recovery and cards
How is it possible that I'm tired even with two hour long naps today? I think it is called Thanksgiving dinner. Oh, it is Christmas. Well, the effect is the same. I finished dinner around 5 and then slept until around 6:15. And then I had a slice of cheesecake after I woke up. Goodness gracious.
I think I might've been wiped out by the card playing. I started researching the game we play all the time and can't find it. I know it is a variation of rummy and my folks have called it Liverpool Rummy but the definition seems off. The rounds are similar though we only play six rounds (as opposed to seven) and ten cards are only dealt. I'll have to keep doing some research.
But not tonight, I'm off to bed.
I think I might've been wiped out by the card playing. I started researching the game we play all the time and can't find it. I know it is a variation of rummy and my folks have called it Liverpool Rummy but the definition seems off. The rounds are similar though we only play six rounds (as opposed to seven) and ten cards are only dealt. I'll have to keep doing some research.
But not tonight, I'm off to bed.
christmas dinner
So here's what's on the menu for Christmas dinner: citrus roasted turkey breast, ham, horseradish mashed potatoes (plus a sweet potato) and stuffing. All but the ham is my responsibility, though I have a very respectable sous chef helping me out. I've learned from my Thanksgiving day nightmare and the turkey is in the oven with plenty of time to spare. Since I've got a couple hours before the turkey is done, I'm heading down for some light frolicking.
the great christmas nap(s)
I've already taken a nap and it isn't even 11 am yet. And I see great naps in my future.
Labels: sleep
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
tradition
A Christmas Story is on TBS! I can't remember not watching this on Christmas. Though it is more accurately Christmas Eve. Perfect timing, too, as I'm still recovering from stuffing myself with the dinner of ribs, baked potatoes, and veggies. Not the normal holiday dinner but damn good.
Speaking of traditions, I need to get my second wind before we start playing cards.
Speaking of traditions, I need to get my second wind before we start playing cards.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
he'll be even more insufferable
UGH! neolefty won our fantasy football league. Damn guy is monopolizing the championships in that thing. And it came down to Monday's night's game, if only Donald Lee had caught a pass or Green Bay's defense had made another couple sacks. For shame! (And I got crushed in the third place game so I got nothing)
Labels: fantasysports, neolefty
Monday, December 22, 2008
back in michigan?
I had this crazy dream that a couple of my friends were crashing at my house...in Michigan. And these are friends of mine from Austin. At least there wasn't any snow and my folks weren't around.
Labels: dreams
Sunday, December 21, 2008
living the dream
 | We've got quite the setup here at Renegade's place, two TVs with all the games and both our games on stattracker. And on a separate note, I can't seem to get pictures from my iPhone to go directly here. I only seem to get pictures up forwarded from my sent items or from an email browser. I'm sure there must be a fix somewhere. |
Labels: dmt, fantasysports, renegade, technology
Saturday, December 20, 2008
the not so great escape
Heading up to Orlando to catch tonight's and tomorrow's NFL games at Renegade's place. Big games for me and him in fantasy, though much bigger for him (I'm playing for third place, he for first place). I believe it will be my only substantive escape from retirement community hell. From my parent's place it is a couple hours, but I'm going to make a stop by Ron Jon's Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach. I haven't been to that place in 14 years, back when I was actually young. I've got to pick up some nick nack patty wacks.
Labels: fantasysports, football, sports
Thursday, December 18, 2008
officially on vacation
I finished my last day of work until the 29th, but I have calls tomorrow and Monday. How does that work?
Labels: work
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
someday they'll notice
Funny thing, I was wondering if my folks would notice any of my latest scars and was wondering if I should bring it up or something. Well, my mom was looking at me and wondered what happened to the right side of my jaw. That was from my accident a few years ago so I think I'm good for a while before she notices these fresh ones.
Ok, time for spaghetti and meatballs!
Ok, time for spaghetti and meatballs!
Labels: food
made it
Not traveling for a while made me forget how horribly people dress while traveling. Lots of sweatpants. People must have confused planes with their living rooms, apparently. And it typically is women that slum it up. I don't expect people to get all dolled up but have a bit of respect, if not for yourself, then for those around you.
Oh, and there is something ridiculous about me being in my parent's place by 1 PM ET. That includes two flights, the hour long drive, lunch (at the glorious TooJays), and a trip to the grocery store. I know I left ridiculously early but this is insane. And I'm 'working' this afternoon to boot!
Oh, and there is something ridiculous about me being in my parent's place by 1 PM ET. That includes two flights, the hour long drive, lunch (at the glorious TooJays), and a trip to the grocery store. I know I left ridiculously early but this is insane. And I'm 'working' this afternoon to boot!
bad move?
I should not be up at midnight when I have to be out the door by 4:45 am. At least I've been pretty much packed since 8 pm.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
getting ready
Last minute things to do before I head off tomorrow morning to my parents' place. I actually need to go by the office to pick up some crap. Packing should be easy, though I need to figure out how many shirts to bring for my mom to iron. She loves it!
And on another travel note, Yo! is heading to Scotland for a couple months. He's staying at friend's place in Glasgow while she's on the continent traveling for work. He's going to be working from home there and hoping nobody notices he's in another country. The breakdown of his plan seems like it'll work. Unless he gets a call in to go to Louisiana then all bets are off.
And on another travel note, Yo! is heading to Scotland for a couple months. He's staying at friend's place in Glasgow while she's on the continent traveling for work. He's going to be working from home there and hoping nobody notices he's in another country. The breakdown of his plan seems like it'll work. Unless he gets a call in to go to Louisiana then all bets are off.
Monday, December 15, 2008
out and out
Friggin neolefty put me out of the playoffs in our football league. I had been on such a role but that stupid Michael Turner killed me. And to make matters worse, he beat me in some fake fantasy league, too. For shame! In the real league that sets up Renegade to play neolefty. I don't need to say who I'm rooting for.
Labels: fantasysports, neolefty
Sunday, December 14, 2008
santacon collage
I know there are a few out there but I'm too lazy to post them all individually, so here's a collage of all the pictures...
austin santacon 2008 pics
Screw it, I don't want to waste any more time trying to fix the formatting. So, here are some pictures from the event that was Austin Santacon 2008.
Some relatively craziness up there and not much of order, but there they are.
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Some relatively craziness up there and not much of order, but there they are.
Labels: drinking
guinness on a sunday afternoon
 | Well, a Sunday morning, but who's counting? I just got home from the drunkenness that is Santacon and I think I need a Guinness before I can get back to sleep. I mean, I've been up since around 7 so there's nothing wrong with a beer after being up for an hour, is there? Plus it is Sunday. Though what is more disturbing is I can't email pictures to the revamped dmt. I'll have to do some research. But you can imagine the Santacon picture was fabulous. Back to my Guinness! |
Labels: drinking
Saturday, December 13, 2008
santacon austin
 | All dressed and some place to go! In fact, I've got several places to go, first stop is The Flying Saucer! Then downtown to hook up with the crazy Santas. |
Labels: drinking
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
friendly reminder from bub
Shit, neolefty reminded of Santacon. Lots of people dressing up as the friendly man from the North Pole (and/or his minions) and then bar hopping. He hit it last year along with some of the Bay Area crowd I know. They've got an Austin-friendly one that I might check out this weekend. Seems like a lot work buying a Santa Claus costume just to wander around getting loaded. But who am I kidding, I don't need much of an excuse.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
the card game that won't be
Aces has a card tournament every year. I typically make my donation but not this year. Way too bad feeling for any movement off my couch.
Friday, December 05, 2008
long day
And it isn't even noon. And I haven't quite recovered from last night's shenanigans. All I know is my boss is taking the rest of the day off, so so am I. To the Flying Saucer I will go.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
december's austin tech happy hour
An old boss of mine has started up this almost monthly happy hour, the Austin Tech Happy Hour. I think it has been about a year or year and a half since it has started back, but that was back during the dark ages. I think I missed last month, but I'll check out tonight with Aces and emjey. And possibly Ichiban.
Labels: aces, drinking, emjey, ichiban
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