A New Cat InTown

It was 45 years today that my parents picked me up from the nuns at a Catholic charities adoption center. I was the new cat in town! Back then the adoption process was not a simple one and it was very hard for anyone to adopt a child. Unlike today if you are a celebrity or if you have a lot of money you can just go out and get one, the process then was long and arduous. At times I was told that they had almost given up hope for getting a child but on this Memorial day, 45 years ago a call was made and received. My parents dropped everything and made the long trek to get me. For years they would tell me that the reason that the flags were flying on May 30th was that it was my special day, the day they got me, and that everyone was celebrating. I didn't know, I was just too young to know, that it was Memorial and that we were celebrating and remembering all the things that the veterans of our great county had done for our freedoms. But what I didn't realize for years was that they were celebrating the privilege that had been bestowed upon them of raising and loving a child. Me of all people! Not only was I the new cat on the block but I was the Special cat.

Combat Kitty

I received an email from this cute little kitten here are some the key phases the were taken from his correspondence,

"...will be watching from near and far....those involved in self indulgence....the full squad of combat ready kitty's....eager and willing to take matters into their own mitts....NO FEAR"

It was signed, Combat Kitty A-1

Remember folks, think of the kittens before you....well take matters into your own hands!!!!

Stop The Insanity

First it was that horrific cat juggling story in South America, and now this.
When will the insanity stop!!!!!

All Things Humor

It is now official! This is a humorous blog!
With the overflow of comments that I received after the list 8 things post, I decided that this is the way that you, my fan, wants me to go. It was a hard decision noting all of the rage that my political post stirred. Even more chilling was the response to my cooking post. I thought after the incident which it incited that I might go that direction. But based on the shear numbers, somewhat like American Idol, I have to go the direction that you, my fan, wants me to take. And like that idol show it may not be the best route to take because my areas of expertise are not particularly humor and the like, but you, my fan, have overwhelming swayed me to the humor route.

So get ready to laugh your ass off and sometimes, yes, to think a little, my humor can be sometimes a little off the wall.

I Have Been Tagged?!?!?!

It seems that I have been tagged by my honey and now have to enter some facts about myself to all of you, my loyal readers. Here is the problem, I have to tag some others and continue this on. Hmmmm..sounds like a chain letter to me! I will probably get 7 yrs of bad luck if I don't pass it on. But wait, if I don't know how to pass it on, will the blog Gods still bestow this punishment upon me? I don't think so.
I do have an idea though. Todays blog in supposed to be about entertainment right!
So what could be more entertaining than you guys learning about mememe!

So here goes:

1. I don't know squat about blogging! I know this is a big surprise to most of you because of the professionalism demonstrated by my entries and my blog itself.

2. I know I am going to hit the lottery one day. I haven't yet but I am sure if I ever buy a ticket that my odds will improve.

3. I love to gamble and I am good at it. Yea I know that sounds pretty arrogant, and it is. But the results are there. If anyone tells you that its all luck, send em my way I've got a bet to make with them.

4. I went to Disney World 33 times before I was 15yrs. old. Thats right, 33 times.
Now I do have some splaining to do. My father developed some land in central Florida way before the really big Orlando bloom(hahaha). I know it should be boom but this is entertainment!!!!! He used to take me with him on business. He would drop me off at the Comtempory Hotel in the morning, go do business, at pick me up later that night. It was a blast. I new all of the best times to go to the popular rides, where to eat cheap, when free stuff was being given away.....a kids paradise I tell you.

5. I have seen the chicken pox scare on my girlfriends butt, and mind you it is SEXY!!!!!!

6. When(if) I grow up I have no idea what I want to do for a living.

7. I have been in two major auto wrecks and been told by Drs. that I should be dead on at least 3 other occasions. On top of that I have no serious health problems to show from it. I say WOW to that.

8. Went to a bar the other night and had the best white iced mocca coffee ever.

Now how the hell do I tag someone else? Doesn't matter, I wouldn't know who to tag if I could!

If I say so myself, and I will probably be the only one who reads this, "Thats some damn fine entertainment there."

I'm a Nice Guy, Ha!!!!!!

Either I"m a nice person or my evil side in just in remission.
How about you?

Your Wrath Quotient: 30%

Sometimes you get really angry, but nothing out of the norm. While you may wish someone harm, it's pretty unlikely that you'd actually do anything about it.

How Much Wrath Do You Have?

Caesar Salad-Not What You think

At dinner the other night my family had a discussion about caesar salad and I told them a little about the history of the the salad as I know it. In todays hurry up and wait life we sometimes miss out on the elegance and romance of times past and how things were actually done. This article that I found will give you a little of the history and the makins of what goes into the "original" caesar salad.

And folks, if you have never had it or had it done for you it is well worth the effort to try the salad in the old way instead of the bottled hurry up version.

I'm also going to give you a quiz question, "Where was the first caeser salad served?"
Good luck and enjoy.
I can't figure out the link thingy right now and I know I have been shown how to, but...... so I thought I would just give you lthe whole friggin tomato....

Caesar Salad
One of my favorite salads and one that I usually request when dining out is Caesar Salad.

History of the Caesar Salad

This popular dish was originally created in 1924 by Italian chef Caesar Cardini at his restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico and was prepared and served right at the table. If you have never experienced "the show" that goes with tableside presentation, you don't know what you missed. What an opportunity for a waiter to show off his stuff, mixing and whisking to the delight of the patrons.

For those of you who are not fans of anchovies, you may be interested in knowing the original recipe for this salad did not include them. So when the waiter asks if you want anchovies on your Caesar Salad, tell him, " No, I prefer Chef Cardini's original recipe."

What About Those Raw Eggs?

Although some recipes use a raw egg, a coddled egg will give the dressing a smoother, creamier texture. How does the Reluctant Gourmet coddle an egg? Easy, bring a small pot of water to fast boil and gently place the egg into it and cook for 45 seconds.

You can buy a variety of bottled Caesar Salad dressings in your grocery store even one that has an photo of Chef Cardini on it, but none are as good as making it yourself.

The recipe below is not Cardini's original recipe but one that was given to me by a chef in New York City. You can also buy a variety of commercial croutons, but I highly recommend making your own. It's easy and the taste is far better than any crouton you can purchase. You can store the croutons in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day.



TESTIMONIAL

"I have been basking in the glory reflected from your Caesar Salad ever since I first discovered it on the internet about a year ago. My children fight over it. My wife accuses me of being a chef. It has become the centrepiece of my repertoire. Many thanks indeed."

The Rt Hon James Arbuthnot MP
House of Commons, London
INGREDIENTSFor the Croutons:

2 large garlic cloves
Pinch of salt
3 tablespoons virgin olive oil
2 cups French baguette slices cut up into 1/2 inch cubes (white bread works too)

For the Salad:

1 large egg
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 medium garlic clove, crushed
1 pinch salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons anchovy paste or 4 flat anchovies
1 teaspoon capers
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/3 cup virgin olive oil
2 medium heads of romaine lettuce -- outer leaves removed
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese -- grated


PREP WORK Prepping the croutons - Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Crush the garlic cloves with the side of a chef's knife (be very careful) or with a garlic press. Slice up the baguette and cut them into 1/2 inch cubes.

Prepping the salad - Again crush the garlic. If you are using flat anchovies out of a can, mince one or two to make 1 1/2 teaspoons worth. Grate the Parmesan cheese. It's always better to grate it yourself if you have the opportunity.

HOW TO MAKE AT HOMECroutons - Combine garlic, oil, salt, and bread cubes in a bowl. Mix until cubes are coated evenly. Spread the coated cubes onto a baking sheet and bake until the croutons are golden. This should take about 10 minutes.

To make the salad - Bring a pot of boiling water to boil, add egg and cook for just 45 seconds....NO MORE. This is coddling the egg. Remove from heat and let it cool off.

Meanwhile, mix the Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic, salt & pepper, anchovy, mustard and capers in a bowl. Crack egg and add to these ingredients. Whisk until smooth.

Now for the tricky part. Slowly add the oil in a steady stream while constantly whisking again until smooth. Reason: if you add the oil too quickly, the dressing will be separate and not emulsify.

To serve:

Tear the romaine lettuce into 1-2 inch pieces and add them to a large bowl (wooden if you have one). Add half the dressing, toss, add remaining dressing, Parmesan cheese, and croutons and toss again. Serve on chilled plates.

My Apologies

I must apologise to my fan base for not posting about cooking yesterday.
Here's the thing: Life in the past few months has taken a turn....for the best.
I sometimes hear a lot of complaints and at times I will complain too about not having enough time to do all the things that I would have liked or wanted to do.
Yesterday that was the case! I didn't get to post about cooking because I had many more important things to do and I loved every minute of it. No they were not all fun and joy but I would not trade my day for anything. But I have some time today so COOKING will be next!!!! And then who knows!!!!

Myths about Mickelson

ESPN Article


Now this is an article I wish most amateur and neophyte golfers would read. I have the privilege of being able to listen to all of the arm chair professional as they criticize Lefty and his golf game. Folks, if you have never been there, don't act like you know what you are talking about that you now what should been done, or how you you think you might react in the situations you see these guys, especially Phil in. Phil has been playing second fiddle to history in the making and has been doing a very credible job not only in carving a place in history for himself but also making other golfers around him better, and he has been doing it for many years. To be labeled anything other than a great person and exceptional talent just shows the ignorance of the label er.

Lets see what happens!!!

I got an idea driving home today and I think I will see where it goes. I am going to let all of you reader out there decide which way this blog will go for the next few months. I have lots of ideas of the things I would like to talk about but I can't seem to center in on just one thing. So this week I am going to post one thing on a general topic for the nest few days and based on the comments that I get I will make a decision on what to post abut for the next how ever long.

So for the week this is what you are going to get:
Monday- Sports
Tuesday- Cooking
Wednesday- Entertainment
Thursday- Psychology
Friday- Addiction

There they are. I little something about alot of things.
We shall see.

Here is a preview for tomorrow, it could be the NBA but it will probably be Phil!!!
Any early guesses out there.

Are You a Manager?

I stumbled upon this test last night and thought it might be good for a laugh or two. It taught me a new way to think! Jolly good stuff.
Good luck. Let me know how ya do!

Management exam


The following short quiz consists of 4 questions and will tell you whether you are qualified to be a professional manager. Scroll down for each answer. The questions are NOT difficult. But don't scroll down UNTIL you have answered the question!

1. How do you put a giraffe into a refrigerator?

The correct answer is: Open the refrigerator, put in the giraffe, and close the door. This question tests whether you tend to do simple things in an overly complicated way.


2. How do you put an elephant into a refrigerator?

Did you say, Open the refrigerator, put in the elephant, and close the refrigerator?

Wrong Answer.


Correct Answer: Open the refrigerator, take out the giraffe, put in the elephant and close the door. This tests your ability to think through the repercussions of your previous actions.

3. The Lion King is hosting an animal conference. All the animals attend... except one. Which animal does not attend?

Correct Answer: The Elephant. The elephant is in the refrigerator. You just put him in there. This tests your memory. Okay, even if you did not answer the first three questions correctly, you still have one more chance to show your true abilities.

4. There is a river you must cross but it is used by crocodiles, and you do not have a boat. How do you manage it?


Correct Answer: You jump into the river and swim across. Have you not been paying attention? All the crocodiles are attending the Animal Meeting. This tests whether you learn quickly from your mistakes.

Whats your pirate name?

Your Pirate Name Is...

Captain Blood And Guts

What's Your Pirate Name?

Wanna Bet?

This has been the first year that I have watched American Idol and I must say that I have rather enjoyed it!! Its purpose has been two fold in that I have gotten some good entertianment value out of it and it started out as a good excuse to come over and see my honey when we first started getting serious about each other. One thing that has surprised me is that how the thoughts and perception of who might win has changed through out the season of the show. At first Sundown(dance,disco..) whoever he was was the undoubted winner in my book and others around me but that of cousre quickly changed after they went to Hollywood,Beverly Hills, where ever they are!!!
Now that the competition is coming to and end you can actually get some action, thats gambling lingo from what i have been told, on who is going home tonight.
The odds are as follows:

Lakisha Jones -585 (It’s been nice knowing you)

Melinda Doolittle +395 (you deserve better than this but you are safe)

Blake Lewis +975 (after Tuesday’s performance its you who should be on the bus)

Jordin Sparks +1400 (Is Jordin going to be the next American Idol?)


For those of you who don't know these are the odds on who goes home tonight!!!
If you bet $585 that Lakisha goes home you will win $100 dollars. She is the favorite to go home. If you bet $1400.00 on Jordan and she is voted off you will win $100.00. SHe will most likely be staying tonight.

And it goes. WHo ever leavesthey will be missed by me they have all been great.