Start Anew
Here we are in 2006. A new year means we get to forget the past and start again with the goals and resolutions. For me that usually lasts about three weeks. Anyway, one of my resolutions is to post more often. So, all four of my readers are in for a treat -- for the next three weeks, at least. I don't know why but I always feel like blogging on Xbox night but of course don't get around to getting even close until it's time to get on Xbox live and kick some butt!! Fortunately for me (and you all) Chantrea was extremely tired today (no nap) and I got her down by 7:30. Lately it's been more like 8:30 or 9:00. So here I am at 7:50 getting an early start to this captivating post.
We had a very nice Christmas. It was a lot of fun to see my parents and Justin's family. His kids are still a riot. His youngest, Jacob is six weeks older than Trea and about five pounds lighter. I swear she is such a chunk. A cute chunk, though. My parents have this little Santa that sings when you press a button and for three straight days that's all I heard as the kids just wanted to push the button and dance. They loved that Santa. Chantrea is finally starting to use a few words and some signs. She will sign eat and more, and sometimes please (although she's usually stubborn and just looks at me like you already know I want it). She will say "daddy" (which is funny because she won't really say "mommy"), "ice," and she says "gah" when she's done. She got that from me saying all gone. The cutest thing though is that she does the sign for sleep when she's tired. It's nice because she can usually recognize when she's tired and she doesn't really fight going to sleep (most nights). Anyway, enough about my kid.
So, I have a new LOST dilemma. We have now seen the entire first season but I want to be completely caught up -- NOW. I could buy the second season episodes on iTunes for $2 but I don't want to pay $10 for a TV show. Yes I'm cheap. That's my dilemma, do I fork over the cash to "get my fix" or just be content with having seen the first season. Another thing I've recently thought to myself is this: even though I absolutely LOVE Lost I don't think it's a show that I would like to own on DVD. My reason being this: when the show ends and goes off the air there will be an end to the suspense and mystery of everything. Once you know how it all ends do you really want to watch it again? I don't know, maybe I would but then again maybe I wouldn't. Let's just say it's not like owning a comedy on DVD. I could watch Seinfeld a million times.
I watched the Rose Bowl last night -- that was a great game. I was disappointed that USC lost but the game was a great one. More exciting though was the Orange Bowl. I couldn't believe triple overtime. Congrats to Penn State on that one. Joe Pa's still got it. His effective use of time outs to score at the end of the first half was coaching at it's best. Speaking of sports (what a great segue), what's the deal with every old coach making another go at it? Is there really no good, young talent out there? Bill Parcells, Joe Gibbs, Vermiel (well he's done now but he did give it another go), and Marv Levy, among others. There's probably some Packers fan performing science experiments to figure out how to bring Vince Lombardi back from the dead to coach again. Who else is coming back -- Ditka, Schula, Walsh? I'm just kind of tired of seeing the same old crew. I want some new faces. These guys had a good run. Let's just call it good. There's got to be some young talent out there ready to make the jump, whethere that be college coaches or NFL coordinators. And why are they coming back? It can't be the money. They've got to have plenty of that. They just can't let it go. If I had that kind of money I'd be taking it easy and spending a lot of time with family and traveling. I wouldn't be coaching -- again.
I'm just sayin.
As I'm sure most of you have heard, Bono was voted as one of Time magazine's Persons of the Year along with Bill and Melinda Gates. As an avid U2 fan, I had to make mention of that. The articles in the magazine were very interesting. I've always loved U2's music but I have a whole lot of respect for what Bono has done and continues to do with the influence that he has. A lot of people could use their status for good but really don't. He recognizes the opportunity and takes advantage of it. Anyway, if you haven't read the articles, make time and read them.
Well, to close, I'll update you on where we'll be this year. We are still planning on heading to Thailand. We've actually been looking at some of the finer details lately. We are looking at sometime between March and June. We were planning on heading out in March but Kristen's sister is getting married in June and Kristen's not sure she wants to fly over and then fly back to Utah in June. So, we are working out that detail among others. Also, we are narrowing down our list of possible cities.
I'll keep you updated. We got a new digital camera for Christmas so hopefully, I'll post some pictures of Chantrea soon. My posts never turn out as great as they seem in my head but then again, I think everything in my head seems better than reality so . . .
8 comments:
Welcome back! I'm opposite of you: I'm always excited for Live night until the night and then I seem to find a million things I'm supposed to be doing--like spending time with my wife. Well, once school is back on a normal schedule, I should be good. I know, I'm pathetic with the excuses.
I suggest you get caught up on Lost. It's 10 bucks...think of it like this: It will provide more hours of entertainment than a movie would. And for 10 bucks you can barely go to a movie by yourself, and chances are it won't be as good as Lost.
And another reason: You could wait, but it sounds like you're going to be in the US long enough to finish the season. Do you really want to wait until you're in Thailand to figure out a way to see Season 2?
I'm sorry, I just love the show. Do whatever you want, bro.
Good points indeed. I think I'll have to take your advice and get started watching them.
Oh stop it. I can't believe you Bono as much as I do. He and I see eye to eye on the subject of gay lovers. Bono deserves to be King of the World as he understands that the powerful forces involved in man-man love can no longer be denied by the state.
I don't know that I've ever had so many issues with so few sentences.
Cincinnati Chili
Choose a relatively plain tomato sauce-nothing too spicy or herbaceous. To warm the kidney beans, simmer them in water to cover for several minutes and then drain.
Serves 6 to 8
Chili
2 teaspoons table salt or more to taste
1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 medium onions , chopped fine (about 2 cups)
2 medium cloves garlic , minced or pressed through a garlic press (about 2 teaspoons)
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups water
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 teaspoons dark brown sugar
2 cups tomato sauce
hot pepper sauce
Accompaniments
1 pound spaghetti , cooked, drained, and tossed with 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
12 ounces sharp cheddar cheese , shredded
1 can red kidney beans (15-ounce), drained, rinsed, and warmed
1 medium white onion , chopped fine (about 1 cup)
1. FOR THE CHILI: Bring 2 quarts of water and 1 teaspoon of the salt to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the ground chuck, stirring vigorously to separate the meat into individual strands. As soon as the foam from the meat rises to the top (this takes about 30 seconds) and before the water returns to a boil, drain the meat into a strainer and set it aside.
2. Rinse and dry the empty saucepan. Set the pan over medium heat and add the oil. When the oil is warm, add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are soft and browned around the edges, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the chili powder, oregano, cocoa, cinnamon, cayenne, allspice, black pepper, and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring constantly, until the spices are fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the broth, water, vinegar, sugar, and tomato sauce, scraping the pan bottom to remove any browned bits.
3. Add the blanched ground beef and increase the heat to high. As soon as the liquid boils, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the chili is deep red and has thickened slightly, about 1 hour. Adjust the seasonings, adding salt and hot pepper sauce to taste. (The chili can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat before serving.)
4. TO SERVE: Divide the buttered spaghetti among individual bowls. Spoon the chili over the spaghetti and top with the cheese, beans, and onion. Serve immediately.
Thanks for that, although I don't recall anyone asking for a recipe. Next time I'm in the mood for Cincinatti Chili I know just where to go and so does everyone else.
That is hilarious.
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