Thursday, February 28, 2008
Yahoo IM
Does anyone else chat throught Yahoo IM? My ID there is jancd66, so add me if you'd like to chat some time.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Double TMI Tuesday ... Since I didn't have time for last week's
#123
1. Which one turns you on more Ink or piercing? Why? Hmmm, never given much thought about this. Probably ink. Since I'm a bit skeemish about needles, seeing piercings beyond ears makes me think of needles a bit too much. Although the correst piercings look kind of cool - from afar (where they make multiple piercings down along both sides of the spine, then lace them up to look like the drawstrings on a correst). I think ink can show more creativity.
2. What ink do you have? If none, what would you get and and where? None for me. I do have a few scars, though. I'm not sure what I'd get, a symbol perhapse, not a word, name, or picture.
3. What piercing do you have? If none, what would you get and and where? None, and I don't want any.
4. Any other adornments you like to do for your lover or have them do for you? She can wear stockings or pantyhose, and heels any time she wants!
5. Of all of the above is there anything that is an immediate Turn-Off? Something that got infected. Yuck!
Bonus (as in optional): If money/work place rules/your life/whatever what ALL would you do to your body in the name of sexual or just general adornment? I'd shave off all of my body hair except what's on top of my head. Smooth skin feels sooo nice!
#124
1. What can you consider as the greatest thing you've ever done for/ to yourself? Running. I believe that it has greatly improved and maintained my health. Not having run for the last three months and gaining weight has really driven this home. I've been doing a lot of walking since getting the OK from my doctor. My legs were sore at first, something I never thought would happen.
2. What/ Which part of your life you think you could have done better and why? That's a toughy as I believe that all of life's experiences teach us something, be they positive or negative. I could have done better in college. My grades were okay, but my mind wasn't always where it should have been.
3. Do you have that one person whom you consider to be the wind beneath your wings? Family, and I do take them for granted. I hate being alone.
4. Tell us about your longest relationship. Going on 15 years this year.
5. In a relationship, when do you get to that point of enough is enough? When I sense there is no connection, either on my part or the other's.
Bonus (as in optional): What is that one intimate moment with someone you miss so much and what are you willing to risk to have another moment of it. ;) I can't say that there's a specific moment that I'd have to risk anything to have another moment of it.
#123
1. Which one turns you on more Ink or piercing? Why? Hmmm, never given much thought about this. Probably ink. Since I'm a bit skeemish about needles, seeing piercings beyond ears makes me think of needles a bit too much. Although the correst piercings look kind of cool - from afar (where they make multiple piercings down along both sides of the spine, then lace them up to look like the drawstrings on a correst). I think ink can show more creativity.
2. What ink do you have? If none, what would you get and and where? None for me. I do have a few scars, though. I'm not sure what I'd get, a symbol perhapse, not a word, name, or picture.
3. What piercing do you have? If none, what would you get and and where? None, and I don't want any.
4. Any other adornments you like to do for your lover or have them do for you? She can wear stockings or pantyhose, and heels any time she wants!
5. Of all of the above is there anything that is an immediate Turn-Off? Something that got infected. Yuck!
Bonus (as in optional): If money/work place rules/your life/whatever what ALL would you do to your body in the name of sexual or just general adornment? I'd shave off all of my body hair except what's on top of my head. Smooth skin feels sooo nice!
#124
1. What can you consider as the greatest thing you've ever done for/ to yourself? Running. I believe that it has greatly improved and maintained my health. Not having run for the last three months and gaining weight has really driven this home. I've been doing a lot of walking since getting the OK from my doctor. My legs were sore at first, something I never thought would happen.
2. What/ Which part of your life you think you could have done better and why? That's a toughy as I believe that all of life's experiences teach us something, be they positive or negative. I could have done better in college. My grades were okay, but my mind wasn't always where it should have been.
3. Do you have that one person whom you consider to be the wind beneath your wings? Family, and I do take them for granted. I hate being alone.
4. Tell us about your longest relationship. Going on 15 years this year.
5. In a relationship, when do you get to that point of enough is enough? When I sense there is no connection, either on my part or the other's.
Bonus (as in optional): What is that one intimate moment with someone you miss so much and what are you willing to risk to have another moment of it. ;) I can't say that there's a specific moment that I'd have to risk anything to have another moment of it.
Monday, February 25, 2008
The results are in: No ribbons this year.
Saturday the local homebrew club, Keystone Hops, held their annual homebrew competition at the Iron Hill Brewery in North Wales, PA. My chocolate stout was not an award winner this year. Winning is nice as they do hand out some nice prizes, and bragging rights are a plus. I’m not disappointed. The judges scored my entry at 34 out of 50 possible points. This is squarely in the middle of the “Very Good” range. None of the judges gave any negative feedback, so there were no flaws of any importance. I’m very happy with that.
I think the reason I didn’t place, other than that those who did scored higher, was the category in which it was entered: Spiced, Herb, or Vegetable Beer. The addition of unsweetened cocoa powder puts it into this category. This category is open to all types of ales and lagers that have spices, herbs, or vegetables in them. I think if I were just up against stouts I might have placed.
On to next year! I might reformulate this chocolate stout. Instead of starting out with an Irish stout recipe, I’ll try either a milk stout (addition of lactose) or an oatmeal stout recipe, or a combination of both. The oatmeal will give it more mouth feel, and the lactose will sweeten it just enough to balance the bittersweet chocolate.
While waiting for the results at the brewpub, I just had to partake in a few pints, just to pass the time, wink, wink, nudge, nudge. One of the selections was a habanero porter. Oh my! I thought I’d died and fell into a vat of beer! Excellent, excellent, excellent! I know what you’re thinking – “Habanero chilies in beer?! What the heck does that taste like?! Who’s crazy enough to do such a thing?!” Believe me, after a few sips you’d be hooked too. I ended up drinking two more pints of it before heading home. Taste: it tasted just like a good porter, no chili taste at all. However, it did leave some heat in my mouth. A heat that could not be quenched with further sips. It wasn’t an overpowering heat, one that would make one stop drinking it or make one break out in a sweat. It was a lasting heat that begged one to drink more.
I was talking to another home brewer and asked if he’d tried it yet. No, and he ordered one once he finished that lager he was drinking. He loved it too. Once we got a couple of chairs at the bar, we spoke to others who either were drinking it and loved it, or wanted to try it. At our recommendations, they eventually did and came back for more. So if you’re ever in the Philly area and need a good beer, that’s my recommendation.
I think the reason I didn’t place, other than that those who did scored higher, was the category in which it was entered: Spiced, Herb, or Vegetable Beer. The addition of unsweetened cocoa powder puts it into this category. This category is open to all types of ales and lagers that have spices, herbs, or vegetables in them. I think if I were just up against stouts I might have placed.
On to next year! I might reformulate this chocolate stout. Instead of starting out with an Irish stout recipe, I’ll try either a milk stout (addition of lactose) or an oatmeal stout recipe, or a combination of both. The oatmeal will give it more mouth feel, and the lactose will sweeten it just enough to balance the bittersweet chocolate.
While waiting for the results at the brewpub, I just had to partake in a few pints, just to pass the time, wink, wink, nudge, nudge. One of the selections was a habanero porter. Oh my! I thought I’d died and fell into a vat of beer! Excellent, excellent, excellent! I know what you’re thinking – “Habanero chilies in beer?! What the heck does that taste like?! Who’s crazy enough to do such a thing?!” Believe me, after a few sips you’d be hooked too. I ended up drinking two more pints of it before heading home. Taste: it tasted just like a good porter, no chili taste at all. However, it did leave some heat in my mouth. A heat that could not be quenched with further sips. It wasn’t an overpowering heat, one that would make one stop drinking it or make one break out in a sweat. It was a lasting heat that begged one to drink more.
I was talking to another home brewer and asked if he’d tried it yet. No, and he ordered one once he finished that lager he was drinking. He loved it too. Once we got a couple of chairs at the bar, we spoke to others who either were drinking it and loved it, or wanted to try it. At our recommendations, they eventually did and came back for more. So if you’re ever in the Philly area and need a good beer, that’s my recommendation.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Akira Live Action Film!
Most of you may not know what I'm talking about, but for those of you that do, this is great news!! Per The Hollywood Reporter, Leonardo Di Caprio is set to produce a live-action movie of the classic manga and anime film Akira! 2009 can't come soon enough!
Here's a cell from the animated movie, a drawing, and two of the movie posters:
Here's a cell from the animated movie, a drawing, and two of the movie posters:
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Star Wars at the Franklin Institute
It was amazing! If you're in the Philly area sometime before May 4th, its definately worth your while to check out the exhibit. One word of advice: weekday. Don't go on the weekends. Even with timed entry tickets, it was very crowded this past Sunday. If I go again, it'll be during the week. Click on the picture to take you to my Flickr photostream to see more pictures.
These guys were from the 501st Legion. Seeing them brings out the little kid in me. Yes, I do want to be a Stormtrooper. There, I've said it. I mean, they are just too cool. There was a TIE fighter pilot there that had a helmet with a built-in speaker to amplify his voice. They're not just a costume group. They raise money for charity through volunteering.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Chocolate Day!
Valentines, shmalentines, I niether love it nor hate it. One thing I do like about today is that it gets everyone thinking about chocolate, which is something I do love. So whether you're giving, receiving, or just need some for yourself, here's some info:
The founders of Wired magazine have started a specialty chocolate company, Tcho, that "aims to do for cacao beans what Starbucks did for those other beans." per the article in the most recent issue of Wired. It looks pretty good to me. Not too expensive for a treat ($4 for a 50 gram bar), but the shipping charges ($5 flat rate) make ordering just one bar a bit prohibative. I do want to try some!
Trader Joe's 72% Dark Chocolate Pound Plus Bar is the best value - high quality Belgian chocolate, large quantity (17.6 oz or 500 grams), and low price ($3-$4 I think). Put a square into your mouth and its like you own big piece of heaven!
The founders of Wired magazine have started a specialty chocolate company, Tcho, that "aims to do for cacao beans what Starbucks did for those other beans." per the article in the most recent issue of Wired. It looks pretty good to me. Not too expensive for a treat ($4 for a 50 gram bar), but the shipping charges ($5 flat rate) make ordering just one bar a bit prohibative. I do want to try some!
Trader Joe's 72% Dark Chocolate Pound Plus Bar is the best value - high quality Belgian chocolate, large quantity (17.6 oz or 500 grams), and low price ($3-$4 I think). Put a square into your mouth and its like you own big piece of heaven!
Are you a cereal addict? The try Cereality's Threes A Charm combination (General Mills® Cocoa Puffs® and Nature’s Path® Panda Puffs™ with Cereality Charms and triple chocolate chips) or Devil Made Me Do It (Cocoa Puffs®, Lucky Charms with chocolate, malt balls, and chocolate syrup). I've had the Devil, and it is not only very chocolate satisfying, it will wire you up for hours.
Need some finer chocolates for home? If you're in Canton, OH, try my favorites, Ben Heggy's and Harry London's. Heggy's is by far the better of the two, and just walking into the store the aroma will put you in chocovana. They make the best dark chocolate Easter bunnys. London's offers a factory tour and a huge gift shop. If you're in the Allentown, PA, area, then go to Josh Early Candies. Mmmm, if I had to pick a way to die, then it would be drowning in a vat of dark chocolate (which raises new and troubling questions, often baffling and perverse).
Need to fill your chocolate blog reading for today? Try David Lebovitz's Chocolate FAQ. Or get a fix at Never Go Hungry Again, where the wonders of Valrhona are explained. (Speaking of which, the guys at the homebrew store said that I should try Valrhona next time when I brew a chocolate beer.) And then there's Chocolate Blog. And Chocolate & Zucchini (I think I'm in love). And Chocolate Obsession. And Chocablog.
Is it too much to want to go to the Hotel Hershey and experience the Chocolate Escape Package at the spa? Hershey's also has a great website Allchocolate. Can't make it there? Then go to Origins and pick up a few of their Cocoa Therapy products. I can personally vouch for the body butter. They used to have a cocoa soap, but I don't see it on the web site.
Oh, man, I need some milk...
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Now on to TMI Tuesday:
1. What's the sexiest gesture a person you are sexually interested can make? Other than stripping off her clothes, then grabbing my crotch and kissing me deeply? In a more public venue, maybe looking at me, smiling, and licking her lips. And putting lipstick on - I love watching a woman put on lipstick. The throw me some deep, dark, bittersweet chocolate!
2. What are 3 inevitable things about you? 1) My leg will get better, 2) I'll start working on my taxes soon, 3) I'm going to the Star Wars exhibit this Sunday!
3. How many types of orgasms have you experienced? 1) Getting excited too fast and not enough time to really enjoy it, 2) A very extended build-up with an intense release, 3) The all-day tease then a great release, 4) The just-right, 5) Alone, 6) With a partner. I'm sure there are others...
4. What asset do you have besides the physical and the material? Friends, family, my education, and my dear blog readers.
5. What do you want . . . . now? Lunch!!
Bonus (as in optional): Describe a sexy mind. Intelligent, clever, a dry sense of humor, not easily swayed, driven. But not naked - a brain on a table is not sexy.
1. What's the sexiest gesture a person you are sexually interested can make? Other than stripping off her clothes, then grabbing my crotch and kissing me deeply? In a more public venue, maybe looking at me, smiling, and licking her lips. And putting lipstick on - I love watching a woman put on lipstick. The throw me some deep, dark, bittersweet chocolate!
2. What are 3 inevitable things about you? 1) My leg will get better, 2) I'll start working on my taxes soon, 3) I'm going to the Star Wars exhibit this Sunday!
3. How many types of orgasms have you experienced? 1) Getting excited too fast and not enough time to really enjoy it, 2) A very extended build-up with an intense release, 3) The all-day tease then a great release, 4) The just-right, 5) Alone, 6) With a partner. I'm sure there are others...
4. What asset do you have besides the physical and the material? Friends, family, my education, and my dear blog readers.
5. What do you want . . . . now? Lunch!!
Bonus (as in optional): Describe a sexy mind. Intelligent, clever, a dry sense of humor, not easily swayed, driven. But not naked - a brain on a table is not sexy.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Did you see Beyonce at the Grammy's Sunday night? I was flipping channels when I caught the begining of her performance. Wow! I've been in lust with her since she was in Austin Powers Goldmember. She was just incredible at the Grammys. Excuse me while I drool...
Edit: Not sure why the photos aren't clickable. The larger versions do look better. Any advice on how to make them clickable is appreciated.
Why just look at pictures in a lingerie catalog or website when you could watch this?: http://www.knickerpicker.com/dressing-room.asp
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Its here! Its here! The Star Wars exhibit at the Franklin Institute starts Saturday!! I have tickets for the 17th, and I'm as giddy as the 11-year old I was when Star Wars premiered in 1977. Its going to be phenomenal. Anthony Daniels (C3PO) was on one Fox 29 news yesterday, another's today, as well as on the radio. There's supposed to be about 100 costumes Storm Troppers out front of the Institute on Saturday along with Mr. Daniels.
"Have you seen two 'droids around here?"
"Its like there's one of 'em on every corner!" Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Monday, February 04, 2008
Front Loading Clothes Washers: Anyone have any feedback on them? My home's previous owners left a top-loader when I bought the house 10 years ago, and its on its last leg. Consumer Reports recommends a Frigidaire, and I can't find much other info in the way of reviews for it. Anyone have any feedback on the one they own?
Now on to TMI Tuesday #121!
1. By what nickname(s) were you known as a child? Slim, Slim Whitman (there were a lot of commercials for his albums on TV when I was in 8th grade. I was pretty skinny, and had a whisp of a mustache), Coach, Joey (as in Ramone).
2. Do you have a favorite poem and, if so, what is it? Recite it (or a snippet) here, please. "There once was a man from Nantuckette..."
3. What is your greatest regret in life, something that you failed to do that you wish you did? Nothing too significant comes to mind, so I don't really regret doing any of the things I've done too much. After answering the Bonus question, I once regretted not going into aerospace engineering or other field that would enable me to go into astronautics. I'm content that I didn't. The country and the US government have pretty much lost thier enthusiasm for the space program as compared to the '60's and '70's, and the opportunities just aren't there. A resurgance has started with the Ansari X-Prize, although that field is more for the well-monied. And I really wouldn't want to live in Texas or Florida.
4. You are tired and hungry, but it's too late to cook. If any snack food were available to you, what would you choose and why? Oreos, or Doritos Cool Ranch chips, or dark chocolate covered pretzels, or just put them all in a big bowl and I'll grab handfulls until I'm well-gorged.
5. What is the oldest item of clothing (not jewelry!) that you wear regularly and what do you love about it? I have a pair of Sperry Topsiders that I bought when I was a Junior in high school, so they are about 23 years old. I usually just wear them around the house as slippers in the winter or to go outside to get the newspaper, sometimes in the summer to the market. The soles have worn remarkably well, and there're just a few small holes in the leather. I love them because they are so old, stilll in one piece, and people make fun of them. I've thought about buying a new pair every now and again, but they just wouldn't be the same.
Bonus (as in optional): Name a movie or TV show that changed your thinking or behavior. Star Trek. I started watching when the episodes went into syndication in the early '70's, and I was totally hooked! Watching the Apollo missions on TV and Star Trek were what sparked my interest in science and eventually into engineering in college.
Now on to TMI Tuesday #121!
1. By what nickname(s) were you known as a child? Slim, Slim Whitman (there were a lot of commercials for his albums on TV when I was in 8th grade. I was pretty skinny, and had a whisp of a mustache), Coach, Joey (as in Ramone).
2. Do you have a favorite poem and, if so, what is it? Recite it (or a snippet) here, please. "There once was a man from Nantuckette..."
3. What is your greatest regret in life, something that you failed to do that you wish you did? Nothing too significant comes to mind, so I don't really regret doing any of the things I've done too much. After answering the Bonus question, I once regretted not going into aerospace engineering or other field that would enable me to go into astronautics. I'm content that I didn't. The country and the US government have pretty much lost thier enthusiasm for the space program as compared to the '60's and '70's, and the opportunities just aren't there. A resurgance has started with the Ansari X-Prize, although that field is more for the well-monied. And I really wouldn't want to live in Texas or Florida.
4. You are tired and hungry, but it's too late to cook. If any snack food were available to you, what would you choose and why? Oreos, or Doritos Cool Ranch chips, or dark chocolate covered pretzels, or just put them all in a big bowl and I'll grab handfulls until I'm well-gorged.
5. What is the oldest item of clothing (not jewelry!) that you wear regularly and what do you love about it? I have a pair of Sperry Topsiders that I bought when I was a Junior in high school, so they are about 23 years old. I usually just wear them around the house as slippers in the winter or to go outside to get the newspaper, sometimes in the summer to the market. The soles have worn remarkably well, and there're just a few small holes in the leather. I love them because they are so old, stilll in one piece, and people make fun of them. I've thought about buying a new pair every now and again, but they just wouldn't be the same.
Bonus (as in optional): Name a movie or TV show that changed your thinking or behavior. Star Trek. I started watching when the episodes went into syndication in the early '70's, and I was totally hooked! Watching the Apollo missions on TV and Star Trek were what sparked my interest in science and eventually into engineering in college.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Another lesson in Philly Culture 101 (actually its the first)
Its that time of year when all of the great competitors meet in the toughest challenge they may face in their lifetime. Its that time for victories to be won by the champions, and for the losers to lick thier wounds and hope to compete again next year. It brings out the best and the worst in all who participate and watch first hand the event know as Wing Bowl!
This is one of the - great? sad? disgusting? amazing? - annual events in Philadelphia as seemingly only Philadelphians from the 700 Level could dream up. (The 700 Level was the top section in the old Veterans Stadium, and the folks who sat up there were not known to be the most respectful and dignified people on Earth.) Actually, the chicken wing eating contest started a local radio station, 610AM WIP, 16 years ago at the station and grew so large that they sell out the Wachovia Center. Its not for the feint of heart. There are the Wingettes (strippers), the rowdy (and drunk) crowd, the piles of chicken wings, and the competitors themselves. There's the eating, the vomiting, the flashing.
Joey Chestnut won againg this year, beating 5-time champ El Wingador again.
I've never been to it, but I have listened to it on the radio, seen highlights on TV, and the photos & video on the Internets. Its not something most people would put on the "Top 10 List of Events for Visitors to Attend" as it probably doesn't give the best impression of the city. It is a spectacle. I'll leave it to you to decide the kind of spectacle it is.
Its that time of year when all of the great competitors meet in the toughest challenge they may face in their lifetime. Its that time for victories to be won by the champions, and for the losers to lick thier wounds and hope to compete again next year. It brings out the best and the worst in all who participate and watch first hand the event know as Wing Bowl!
This is one of the - great? sad? disgusting? amazing? - annual events in Philadelphia as seemingly only Philadelphians from the 700 Level could dream up. (The 700 Level was the top section in the old Veterans Stadium, and the folks who sat up there were not known to be the most respectful and dignified people on Earth.) Actually, the chicken wing eating contest started a local radio station, 610AM WIP, 16 years ago at the station and grew so large that they sell out the Wachovia Center. Its not for the feint of heart. There are the Wingettes (strippers), the rowdy (and drunk) crowd, the piles of chicken wings, and the competitors themselves. There's the eating, the vomiting, the flashing.
Joey Chestnut won againg this year, beating 5-time champ El Wingador again.
I've never been to it, but I have listened to it on the radio, seen highlights on TV, and the photos & video on the Internets. Its not something most people would put on the "Top 10 List of Events for Visitors to Attend" as it probably doesn't give the best impression of the city. It is a spectacle. I'll leave it to you to decide the kind of spectacle it is.