Sommz

By the time i get to Arizona

Well today is MLK day...no work for me, and no classes.  Whenever i think of MLK, i think of the Public Enemy video for "By the time i get to Arizona".  I'd post it on the blog, but you can search for it yourself.

I've reinstated my Twitter and Facebook sites.  I don't know why, i just did.

Loved last night's 24.  I can't wait for tonight.  I also watched last week's Biggest Loser, which motivated me to get on the treadmill and do 70 minutes, speed 3, incline 2.  I started watching Chuck, but fell asleep...and i still have 4 movies to watch from Netflix.  I didn't watch any of them this weekend.

My back is out again.  I wonder if the chiro and the massage had something to do with it...or perhaps the amount of time i spent sleeping or watching tv this weekend.  I'm sure it was a combination of the two.

Had a couple Lagunitas over the weekend.  The Pils is amazing, one of my favorites, and the 2009 was a double IPA which I'm not a fan of.  At least it was only 6.8%, and not a 10+.

Another coaching retread headed to the Jills to coach.  Chan Gailey.  Yawn.  I"m sure he'll be fine, and have the boys ready for another 7-9 season next year.  I'm so close to becoming a Browns fan right now.  I hate what the Bills are doing.  Not that the Clowns are much better with Mangina, but at least they have Holmgren, and he should steer the ship in the right direction.

Sabres in Phoenix tonight...sort of fitting given the title of this post.

Shepherd's Pie yesterday was amazing.  I've never had it before, and it was so fun and easy to make, to go along with tasty.  I'll definitely make it again, and share with others.  I made mine with some minor additions and deletions from the original recipe. I  used Morningstar crumbles instead of ground beef...peas instead of zucchini, and i actually used my mixer and grater for the first time in years.  In addition, i didn't make the mushroom-onion gravy because i didn't have any red wine.  Next time!  There will be booze in the gravy :)

Sleeping a lot lately...it's time to wake up.  It's my birthday in two weeks.  Next to get off the shelf...been there for too long.

Cooking with Booze

Chalk this one up to "It was a good idea at the time".  I seem to have a lot of those moments.  Who knew that cooking with booze would give me a buzz, and make me take a nap immediately after! :)

First off, Hello Hoboken!  It's been over a year since I've decided to write a blog post.  I've been using twitter and facebook to write my ramblings.  It's a lot easier to control who sees what when you use those two programs.  When i write here, it's open to every person who googles "santesarios" or "waldfest".

While i did mention that i was going to blog on twitter and facebook, i sure as heck couldn't type out a blog post 140 characters at a time.  As i type this up, I'm listening to the Girls CD, "Album".  You'll see a video for the single below this post.  I LOVE this album.  I cannot stop playing it.  "Hellhole Ratrace" and "Laura" are some of the best pop singles I've heard in years. 

But back to the booze...When i was single(like i am now), a few years ago (like 5), i made Sunday's new cooking day.  I would pick a recipe that I've never made, and then proceed to attempt to make it.  If it turned out good, i would keep making it.  If it sucked, i would toss it, and order take out.  I have some memories of Monday call ins to work with stomach flu, ha.

Today i decided i would revisit those years of lore, and make something new.  In my infinite wisdom i looked at my bar, noticed that i had a lot of tequila and bourbon on the top shelf (where mama hides the cookies), and declared...I'm cooking with tequila and bourbon!  This was my first mistake, but you don't learn anything in this life without making mistakes.

I went to the Food Network website, typed in Tequila and Bourbon and picked two recipes to make.  It didn't matter if they went together, this was the plan. 

For tequila i picked, tequila ceviche with shrimp and scallops.  I have a big thing of Arborio rice next to the stove, so i figured, let's make some of that since the first attempt at making it turned out great!  For bourbon, there were a lot of good recipes, but i needed a desert, and the bourbon pecan pie stood out.  I was going to make homemade whipped cream, but i forgot the cream, and got crocked making the pie...so maybe next time. 

The pie went first.  It was awesome!  A definite winner. I used my bottle of 15yo Rip Van Winkle for the booze part...i think i used just a shot (or two) too much.  Next time, 2 shots maximum.  When the pie was cooling, all i could smell was yummy bourbon...and when i tasted it...heaven!   I took a pic on my Facebook site.  I would put them up here, but that would require ambition, and I'm hungover so ambition isn't part of the plan. 

Now we come to the Steve learns a lesson part.  The tequila ceviche is basically a marinade using 1/2 cup of my Patron tequila, cilantro and lime juice.  You cook the shrimp and scallops, then marinade them for an hour, and then serve it in a coconut shell with red onion as garnish.  At least that's what the picture looked like.  First, 1/2 cup of tequila is a lot of booze for a lightweight like me.  I figured i would replace the coconut with the Arborio rice....cuz who wouldn't put shrimp and scallops over rice.  That's un...Asian cooking!

Long story short, the dish had a few issues.  First, since it's a cold dish, and the temperature barely got above 20 degrees in the tundra le buffaloo...you don't make it now!  You make this in July when it's 85 and muggy...and use the damn coconut!  It tastes really good, like a margarita with fish...and that's not what i was going for today.  Also, my Arborio rice needed some chopped onion and garlic.  It was cooked plain...

All in all, everything was great, just not together....and not during winter.  And probably not mixing bourbon and tequila...as i have a nasty headache right now, ha.

Ratings:Bourbon Pecan Pie - A (loses the + due to a lil extra Bourbon that makes the bourbon smell and taste overwhelm the basic pecan pie smell...not that it's a bad thing, just something to make it better.

Tequila Ceviche w/Shrimp & Scallops - C+.  It was okay...tasty.  But not now.  Wait till July and make this again, and the grade goes way up.

Arborio rice:  B.  Needs some onion and garlic mixed in while cooking...maybe some Vegetable stock instead of Lake Erie water.

No clue what's on tap for next week, but i can safely assume it won't contain booze.

"I wish i had a pizza and a bottle of wine"

The Girls - Lust for Life

I love this song, and this album.  Some of the best new music I've heard in years.  Now let's hope they don't flame out and fade away...

Been on the shelf too long

I didn't really start my project yesterday.  Instead i spent the time working on my taxes. I found a deduction i didn't know about.  I actually get some money back instead of owing!  Woo.

If it's a Sunday post, there must be some comment of mine on going to Tops.  I'm an idiot.  I was caught up looking at the cute, size 2, 20 year old blonde manager running the register next to mine, and i forgot to use $6+ dollars in coupons i had.  I also am $20 bucks away from saving another .10 cents on gas.  I have till Saturday to go back and buy some stuff.  I also spent $110 bucks.  What in the world did i buy!!!  I did get some vitamins, meal bars, and my swiffer pads and cleaning fluid.  But that's it for pricey things!  I also noticed i bought Chinese chicken chow main.  I'm a vegetarian, I don't eat chicken!  So that was a waste to.

Since yesterday was a wasted day, school wise.  I decided to watch some movies.  I did finish watching I Am Legend.  It was somewhat depressing, the whole being alone and going crazy angle, but ultimately it was a pretty good movie.  I also got Terminator 3 to finish off my Terminator trilogy.  Whatever happened to Kristanna Loken?  The movie was pretty weak, and i think they signed up the hot Terminator to make up for the horrible plot.

I found a pretty good deal on movies from Barnes and Noble yesterday.  5% off, free shipping, and a 25% off coupon for new members.  I picked up the David Lynch masterpiece, Twin Peaks - The Definitive Gold Box Edition for $45!  I also got a few more movies pretty cheap.  As long as you kept using different email addresses, they kept giving you the discount!  I wish i had known about that last week when i ordered the $120 textbook for my PhD!

I should get my green coffee from Sweet Maria's on Wednesday.  I can't wait to roast my own beans!  I bought 8lbs of green coffee, all kinds.  I'll post the list when i get it.

I bought a japanese style Lunchbox as well.  More on that when i get it, and figure out how to keep the hot side hot, and the cold side cold (who remembers that commercial?).

For some reason i didn't sleep well last night.  I got maybe 3-4 hours.  I think it's the stress of everything going on.  Oh well, that's what Tylenol PM is for!  My project has to be emailed to my adviser by 4pm tomorrow.  I'll be so happy when it's off my desk.  Then i have a few days off, and then i have to start working on some of my final class projects.  I have a presentation due in a week, i think.

Having all kinds of problems with my Dell DataSafe Backup.  I keep getting a weird LS32 file in use error, and it stops the backup about a third of the way.  I'll email tech support, but the odds of that helping are slim to none!

Alrighty, I'm going to start my project in a few minutes.  Good thing i spent a few hours on Friday getting it ready.  If i can figure out how to add 4 articles into my lit review, this will go quickly.

Song of the Day:  Verve - "This is Music".  One of my fave songs EVER.  If you don't own A Northern Soul, shame on you!

I got three passports, couple of visa's...don't even know my real name

Looking out my window this morning, i see fog...lots and lots of fog.  According to the Buffalo News, the fog will lift around noon, and it's going to be a gorgeous, sunny and low 50's day.  Tomorrow will be full of sunshine, and the high of 60.  Of course tomorrow i have to do work for school.

Woke up this morning with a sinus headache.  Actually i woke up with the sinus headache last night after taking a little nap after work.  This is the first time all winter/spring I've had one.  It must be the change in the weather.  I have a fresh supply of Tylenol sinus...I'm gonna take them!

Not a good idea, but last night i had a 750mL of Brooklyn's Local 1.  It's a Belgium Strong Ale.  Mmmmm...it was good.  I watched the Flyers vs. Devils game on the NHL Network.  Eh...i wish it was in HD.  I need to pick a team to root for in this year's playoffs.  All i know is i'm rooting against the Rangers, Devils, Flyers, Bruins, Canadians, Sens, and Sharks.  I normally hate Pittsburgh, but i like them better than the other teams.  As long as Briere, Drury and Campbell lose...The playoffs will be great!

Speaking of playoffs...the Final 4 is this weekend.  And i don't care.  I just don't watch Basketball anymore.  I don't like the players, and the game is boring to me.  Saying that, i hope North Carolina wins it all.  Right now, I watch more English Premier League soccer.  Go Chelsea!

Listened to the new REM and Black Keys before bed.  The REM feels contrived.  It's like they are a cover band of their earlier stuff.  The album is good...because i like the early stuff.  But still, i feel swindled when i listen.  The Black Keys was just okay.  I like it.

Channeling my inner yuppie this morning, i bought an iRoast2 this morning.  It was on my amazon wish list.  Next Saturday i will roast my own beans, grind them, use filtered water, and my French Press...and make the ultimate cup of yuppie/snob coffee.

Today, not sure what i'm going to do.  Especially with the damn headache.  I should wash my dishes, and sweep or mop, ha.  Damn i need a maid.  I have to get my passport, and some work boots.

U Down 'wit OCD?

What a nice Wednesday.  It was 42 degrees, a lite breeze...sunny, and not a cloud in the sky.  A perfect day to be outside and collect GPS points, ha.  I only did about 30 points around a district, so my steps count only reached 7,000.

I'm going to listen to the new REM before bed this evening.  I was able to download it from Yahoo Music.  I also grabbed the new Black Keys to listen to.  I wanted to listen to the new Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, but it's not available yet.

30GB has suddenly become not big enough to hold my music.  Gawd forbid i ever rip my entire CD collection, and make that digital.  I should though...

Nobody wanted to attend the Belgium in Cooperstown party in August.  Slackers!

Someone end the Sabres season!  I can't take this anymore...oh hey, go Tribe!

Which reminds me...my brick came in the mail for Heritage Park.  I'll take a snapshot soon, and post to the Flickr site.

I can't stand the whiner Mark on Biggest Loser.  Why couldn't he be booted out this week?  I really don't like any of the final 4.  Two of them are people that got a second chance.  Boo!  Battlestar Galactica starts on Friday...I've never watched any of the series before.  I hope it's good.

My AAA 12V 6 in 1 air compressor should of been here today...maybe tomorrow.  Smart pickup I think.

I have so much to do in the next 5 weeks it's disgusting.  I still haven't started studying for the GRE's.  I have labs, assignments, and my damn Masters Project needs to be handed in for a first draft in less than two weeks.  Good thing i get a massage tomorrow.  I may schedule another one soon.  I've noticed with school, my cleaning habits, and my dishes seem to be neglected. I should seriously consider bringing in a maid once a month!  Maybe a Swedish one, with fishnets, and a skirt ;)

If you listen to Keith and the Girl, and none of you do.  Keet has been wondering if he has Asperger Syndrome.  They just devoted an entire Podcast to it yesterday.  Go HERE to take the test, and let me know what kind of neurotic you are, haha.  If you take the test, I'll let you know how i did.  My results are not surprising if you know me.  The test is long, but it goes by quickly.

the rat in your brain...rules the world

Saw Matthew Good at Club Infinity last night on his solo acoustic tour.  It was pretty good.  I like the new album...and he played one of my top 20 songs of all time yet again, "Apparitions".  Not a huge fan of solo acoustic shows.  Springsteen has done the only one i really like (HSBC 2005)....and that was amazing.  However, i really like Mr. Good...he's funny, has an amazing voice...and is one of my favorite writers.  The show had an acoustic Pink Floyd vibe.

Hey, no homework to do this weekend, and it's gonna be a sunny warmish day.  What to do, what to do...i should probably spend a few hours studying for my GRE's.

Went to the Pizza Plant before the show.  The one on Transit.  I won't bitch about the traffic cuz it was so late at night and there wasn't as much.  Had the Veggie Chili, which hands down is the world's BEST veggie chill.  Go try it, i dare you to disagree!  I had the Ommegang Stout, which was eh....okay.  Edmund Fitz. is still the best.  They were out of the Wavy Gravy and Victory Pilsner...so i got a Dead Guy Ale....Mmmmmm one of my fave beers.  For lunch today I'm going to eat one of their "Violent Vegetarian" Pods...i gave it a quick taste when i got home last night....it's not very good!  Vegetarians would become violent if they had to eat that all the time!

Picked up my cap and gown at the UB bookstore.  First time I've stepped inside that place in 10 years!  I hope the damn thing fits, ha.

"I'm just a boy with a new haircut"...got my haircut.  It's been a couple months.  The person who called Supercuts for me called the wrong store!  I was not happy!  I had some kind of single curl thing going on in the front when she was done cutting it.  And as luck has it...i went to Walgreen's and got my passport picture taken, that shows said "curl".  Once i scan it, i'll post it.

Which brings up my Passport story.  Grrrr....i went to the Post Office on Cayuga...and my gawd....there was a huge line!  I finally got the front, and the wench behind the counter without batting an eye told me my birth certificate wasn't valid.  I apparently have a "vanity" birth certificate.  Grrr...  So I'm sending my mother to City Hall to pick one up for me.  This passport thing has become quite the ordeal.  I better get out of the country and see some cool stuff with it :)

Opening Day tomorrow!!!  Tribe vs. White Sox at 3:30'ish.  I have the Gameday Audio on the internets, and on XM.  But i bet the game will be blacked out on TV again.  Boo!

No movies to report on today.  I will watch some experimental cinema flicks from the 1920's and 1930's, and Beowulf.

TV this week was pretty weak.  Pierce won Celebrity Apprentice.  Survivor wasn't on and Lost was a repeat.  The Office does start up this Thursday!  I think 30 Rock starts soon to.  And I'm going to start watching Battlestar Galactica on DVR.  It's on Friday's at 10pm.

School is done in 5 weeks.  May 5, Cinco De Mayo at 5pm...all classwork will be turned in, and a first draft of my masters project will be handed in as well.  If possible I'm playing the lottery that day, ha.

Song of the Day:  "Oh Be Joyful" - Matthew Good

"Oh, Be Joyful...'Cuz That Shit Spreads".  Feel free to post your favorite Matthew Good lyrics in the Comments.

1492

I really like a couple of songs off the new Counting Crows CD, Saturday Nights, and Sunday Mornings.  "1492", "Sundays", and "Los Angeles" caught my attention on the first listen.  We'll see if anything else comes up.  Maybe, just maybe I'll go see them at Darien Lake this summer.  Hmmm, they are playing on Monday August 18...I hate Monday shows!

It's just a little after 8pm.  I'm waiting 20 minutes before i go watch Survivor.  I DVR the show, and i can fast forward through the commercials, and still see the end at 9pm!

Update:  Survivor isn't on!  And i didn't DVR it at any time this week.  Must be on vacation while the NCAA's are on.

Dry The Rain

The weekend from hell is over, thank gawd.  I had an Edmund Fitzgerald to celebrate when i got home.

Some concert announcements.  Sammy Hagar at the Salamanca Casino on Friday May 23.  George Michael is playing the ACC in July.  Would i go?  Only if i was drunk and about to pass out.  But If those conditions are met, i would, haha.  Jeff Martin is playing the Molson Canal series thingy on Friday August 22.  The summer is slowly starting to take shape.  I'm sure there will be a few big shows announced soon.

Song of the Day:  Beta Band - "Dry The Rain"

Saturday...

The weekend is all about finishing up projects due on Monday.  So of course, i've scheduled "breaks" today to ensure my procrastination continues.  At 11:45 i have my Fantasy Baseball live draft.  Then at 2pm, I'm going to meet Sam, and we are going to pull numbers for positions on our Sabres playoff tickets.  Like the Sabres would actually make the playoffs after the miserable showing last night.

On the plus side of things, i did a lot of little things yesterday to get ready to finish these projects.  I'm going to work on the presentation this morning.  I just need some inspiration  in how i'm going to present online GIS.  I have the online mapping thing down.

After i worked last night, i watched Michael Clayton.  I really liked it.  Worth a rent.  Tonight for my post break evening movie, i'm going to watch Burning Man:  Beyond Black Rock City.  I went to Burning Man in 2005, and all i can say is...wow.  I could write for hours on everything that happened.

My creative aurvana headphones have died.  The wiring in the left ear has a break, and it's right at the earbud...so i can't fix it.  So i bought a pair of ensure e2c's.  They were higher rated than the aurvana's...

And hey...i bought my first toolbox.  This is a milestone.  Of course now i have to find the time to actually gather my tools from all reaches of my universe, and place in one location.  Hmmm how long is this project going to be.

Accepting applications for someone to clean my place :) 

My copy of the best of Mudhoney came in the mail...woo!  I totally forgot how much i love those guys.  I'm sooo psyched to see them at Mohawk.

Enough procrastination...time to get moving. 

Happy Sunny Saturday...