Ignorance is Bliss

They need to just stop with the steroid reports. You know what, the past is what it is, they should just bury it. I know the media loves a good car crash, but the steroid scandals are doing what I think is irreparable damage to "America's Pasttime." I mean at the end of the day does it really matter who used steroids in 2003? I mean really what can be done? Absolutely nothing can be done. You suspend the guy now and tarnish the leagues reputation forever. Here's what we do, implement a mandatory testing program. You playing the game, you take a test 4 per year, minimum. Test positive once season ban no pay. Test positive a second time banned for life. It's time to cut through the B.S. if it's a problem then impose consequences that will encourage compliance.

From My Kitchen: Crab Manicotti

4 Manicotti Noodles (cook as directed)

For Filling:
4 Cloves Garlic (I love garlic, so I would actually use more next time maybe 5-6, 4 was a pretty good balance of flavor)

3/4 Bag Spinach (diced up a bit smaller than the actual leaves)
6 oz (ish) Crab Meat
3/4 of a Small Container of Ricotta Cheese

Medium hand full Italian Cheese Blend
1 Egg
Italian Seasoning
(again, this process is hit or miss, just eyeball it till you have a "good" consistent mix)

For Topping:
Small Jar Alfredo Sauce (I was cheap and went with Ragu Light Parm. vs homemade)
Small hand full of Italian Cheese Blend

1. Saute spinach in olive oil with 2 of the 4 cloves of minced garlic (save 2 cloves of minced garlic for mixture with the filling), let cool
2. In a bowl mix all FILLING ingredients and add a little salt and pepper for good measure.
3. Fill the manicotti noodles with mixture. I'm warning you now, this process is a royal pain in the arse, you WILL destroy the noodles, split them open, etc. sauce will cover them so don't get too worried.
4. Cover with Alfredo, top with some additional cheese and bake at 375 for about 30 min. Since I only cook for two, I use foil to make my own little "baking reservoirs", just make a little rectangle and spray the bottom with a little olive oil.

The seafood twist on this Italian dish is an interesting change from the standard italian sausage and ground meat. I saw this on a menu at a restaurant in Washington last week, and regretably did not order it, so I immediatly sought out to attempt a re-creation. Based on my wife's review I think I did a fairly "decent" job on the attempt.

(Sorry for all the 3/4 a bag/container nonsense....)

Ladies and Gentleman......

CONWAY TWITTY!

Word Vomit

This is a catch up post.... lots of random nonsense from my head that I've not had time to properly post. WARNING, the below contains disjointed thoughts of randomness and nonsensical ramblings that out of context and without elaboration may make zero sense to the masses... you've been warned.

• Michael Vick, suspend him 3-4 games and then let the guy play. He didn't go to celebrity jail in the hills of Cali or "rehab," he went to real jail in Levenworth. His crime dispicable, but he did the time.
• Pete Rose, HoF bound? About darn time. As a player he was amazing - don't let him in the hall as a coach, as a player he was the deal.
• Alice in Wonder Land remake - 4 words Tim Johnny Burton Depp.
• Urban Farmer, I have a tomato plant on my "deck" Salsa here I come (hopefully)
• Palin, you quit your job. Rationalize it however you see fit. End of the day you quit.
• Daily Show = Pure hilarity.
• I'm a Mafia Wars addict.
• I cannot wait till Football, I'm bored with baseball, bring on the Chiefs.
• #1 Movie on my hit list: Harry Potter, speaking of I really need to read the books... I cheated and Googled to see if Snape is a good guy or a bad guy, stupid movies are taking too long. I feel kind of bad, but it did make me want to read the books, so what's her name may be getting a contribution from the McMahan household in the near future, as if she needs more money.
  
• Float Trip V, One for the ages. It was a blast for all in attendance. James and I are Black Out Champions 2009.
• Best show on TV you aren't watching: Kings. I love this show, so good.
• Renewed affection for Sushi... check. Spicy tuna is delicious. Chicago's BYOB eateries are the best, love walking into a meal with a bottle of wine that's not going to cost me 300% over retail.
• I want to be commonsense czar of public transportation in Chicago. You don't have to stand RIGHT by the door, unless you are getting off RIGHT NOW. If you choose to that's fine, but don't give me a dirty look when I step on your toes to move to the completely empty center of the car. YOU are in MY way not the other way around.
• My beer of the month kinda disappeared, where the heck did that go...

I think... that has me fairly caught up. I'll be better going forward.

LOST: Reward Offered

Last seen in Room 349 of the Hampton Inn in Spokane, Washington. Responds to the name Chargy. Was thought to have disappeared between the hours of 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM Friday July 24. He may be elusive and scared. He has either sprouted legs, transformer style, used his long tail (cord) to repel down the side of the hotel or.... I fear he may have been kidnapped or worse.

Please if you see him phone me immediately, below is an artist rendering of his last known appearance (pre transformation).

Post transformation appearance unknown but may look like this:

Blackout

After Float Trip pictures went up I had several friends who didn't go that asked about the game we were playing. The game is Blackout, there are several games of the same name but this one is the best. I wish I could take credit for the game's creation, even in part, but I had zero to do with it, hopefully I do its creators justice in my summary of the rules below:

What you need:
2 teams of 2
Ping Pong Balls (one for the game and extras because someone will ALWAYS step on one, get over zealous and slam it on the table, etc. the aforementioned activities will ruin the ball and kill all subsequent fun unless you have replacements)
Picnic table or equivalent you want to be throwing from a distance of about 8-10 feet to make it a challenge
and of course Beer

Rules:
Teammates stand on the same side of the table
Place a beer at each corner of the table
(See above picture for a pretty solid in game photo taken by my lovely wife)
(for the rest pretend you (the reader) and I (me) are teammates)
I start the game by throwing the ping pong ball at the beer can of my opponent directly infront of me if I hit the can, open your beer and comense drinking, in the meantime they will scramble for the ball and must return it to the table shouting "TABLE" when you hear "TABLE" stop drinking. My turn is over and it is their turn to throw. If I miss you degrade me for throwing like a girl and my turn is over. When they throw, should they hit the respective can we must scramble for the ball return the ball yelling "TABLE" to end their turn assists are allowed i.e. throwing it to each other. If they miss, the turn is over And so on it goes, rotating through the players. If you a player finishes his beer, he becomes all time thrower and throws everytime it is his teams turn until his partner finishes. First team to have both beers completed is declared winner.

That's the quick version and there are all sorts of little things that you can make up as you go along to suit your group. But those are the basics. It's a fun game and if played right will lead to a lot of falling down, assists, jumping over tables, etc.

No Amnesia

I've not forgotten about this I've been busy however in my free time (what little of it there is) working with Picasa and trying to fashion some slide shows for my lil corner of the Internet here. I'll try to be more diligent in the future.

Video of the Week

This is most certainly not for everyone, I find it totally hilarious. My wife however found the first one funny and the hilarity diminished with each new episode. Hope you enjoy it.

Life Update: June in Review

So after several fun "nonsense" posts I figure it's time to interject a little house cleaning in the form of a "life update." So here it goes...

Work is going well, pretty busy though as with everyone the crappy economy means increased scrutiny (i.e. increased work) for anyone and everyone associated with lending money. The bank that I'm in charge of is getting ready to kick of it's exam here in the next week or so so that means things will only get busier. I'm hoping though that all will go as planned and it won't be too terrible.

On the home front, we are looking forward to A Tradition Unlike Any Other: Float Trip 2009, should be a good time with good friends. Brother and Sister in-law were in town last weekend and Beth and I got to cross a few more things off of the "things to do in Chicago" list. We hit up Shedd aquarium and the 2009 Pride Day Parade. Pride day is Chicago's Gay Pride Parade and Festival it was absolute chaos, I swear I've never seen that many people I mean the streets were packed for blocks, and it was a pretty good time. Too bad it was too hot to really take it all in. It is one of the biggest festivals in the city, I believe I read somewhere that it's second only to St. Patrick's Day. If you want to see pictures of these and some of our other "Resident Tourist" adventures check out my album.

Click => Resident Tourist!

I will say the American Gothic interpretation statue is one of my favorites. Next BIG thing on the list is the Art Museum... I'm hoping to go there in the next week or two.

Still running, have to say it's kind of amazing what a difference a year makes, last year I was doing 3 miles in about 34-35 min. now I'm able to do 5 in 39 min. Still not sure I would go so far as to say I "enjoy" running, but it is growing on me. The heat however is not, it's been cool this week but last week was brutal.

Another year older. Thanks to all for the birthday wishes.

That was pretty much June.