Chorizo stuffed jalapeno and poblano peppers

This originated as a throw-together meal with leftover ingredients from my last batch of chili. It came out, ok, but with definite room for improvement.* Today I made take two and it came out substancially better.

INGREDIENTS

2 large cans of whole tomatoes in puree
1 can of tomato puree
1 lb. chorizo
1/2 lb. chihuahua cheese
1-2 medium onions
1-2 bunches cilantro
4 poblano peppers
7 jalapeno peppers

This all probably cost about $15.

If I might actually complement ESPN…

I never, ever, ever watch ESPN. Ever. For any reason. I find their coverage of sporting events and sports news to be nothing less than abhorrant. I don’t even know what channels ESPN occupies on my cable. For all of their crimes against sports and sports media, though, I must say I am currently being very pleasantly surprised by their coverage of the Masters par 3 tournament that I recorded yesterday and am watching at the moment.

For those of you who don’t know, the Masters is one of the 4 major PGA tournaments that takes place every year. Unlike the other 3 that take place at different courses every year, the Masters takes place at Augusta National Country Club in Augusta, Georgia, a country club known not only for it’s history and presitge but also it’s snobbery and elitism. The day before the tournament starts, a handful of golfers take part in a 9 hole tournament of the course’s par 3 holes. Unlike the “big tournament,” the par 3 is a laid back, fun event that most of the golfers don’t take seriously. Most of them actually don’t want to win, as in the history of the event (which started in 1960, IIRC), nobody who has won the par 3 tourney has gone on to win the Masters that same year. So in addition to sometimes purposely missing putts, putting balls in the water and just in general goofing off, most of the golfers bring their little kids along for round.

As a parent and as a fan of the game of golf, I really truly enjoy watching 5 and 6 year old kids running around the course in the traditional all white Masters caddie bibs with their Dad’s names on their backs. One of the most storied courses in all of golf and the intensely serious atmosphere that is to-come in the days following is completely juxtapositioned by professional golfer’s who are letting their Kindergarteners attempt putts for them…putts that count. What a memory that would be for a child as he grows up. “I sunk a 3 footer for my Dad at Augusta National.” The crowd always erupts when the kids get in on the action, whether they’re putting for Dad or racing from the tee box to the green or running around in circles with the caddie’s towels on their heads. You’re seeing golfers with the guards down. Golfers in “dad mode.” They’re playing golf with their kids, and you can tell that they love it, and I love to watch it.

So kudos to ESPN for bringing us good coverage of this event. For not blowing it way out of porportion and making it super serious and important like they do with every other thing they cover. Thank you ESPN for showing us a brief cross-section of professional athletes who can merge their jobs as competitors and fathers in what is always an enjoyable event for fans.

One of the youngins having fun at the Masters par 3 tournament

UPDATE

I am still alive. This blog, not so much. Quick recap: After a year of living with my mother in-law and brother in-law, the wife, baby, cat and myself have moved. We are now fully ensconced in our new place and absolutely loving every second of it. The one major downfall to our new living situation, though, is that our computer access is shit now. We are using an old Frankenstein’s Monster of a desktop I threw together, complete with a power supply that does not fit in the case properly so the cord has to come out of the side of the case which means the case has to remain with the side panel off. Normally not a big deal. Heck, it’s better for cooling, except the power supply is touchy and if the cord gets jostled the computer shuts down…so that means steady, stable internet is limited to my iPod touch, which is a miraculous device, btw.

My iPod does have the WordPress app and now that I have “hacked” my way onto my work’s wireless network, I may start posting during my break.

Actually, I am kinda sorta trying to maybe work on dipping my toe into the podcast pool. Unfortunately, the mic I have (old Plantoronics headset) is not compatible with my recording device (iPod), so once I get a mic, perhaps expect me to start posting podcasts instead of trying to type this silly horseshit out.

Awaiting my pastor chimichanga

I am posting this from my 8 gig iPod touch. It is a miraculous device. My chimichanga just arrived. Yes.

Homophobia For The Holidays

Here is a nice editorial in the Daily Iowan about gay marriage that irked me. Give it a read (it’s a quick read) and then come back here to read what irks me about it (also a quick read).

—-

<soapbox>

Where do the people who believe in “traditional marriage between one man and one women who can procreate and have a traditional family” stand on adoption? Does infertility exclude one from legal union too? By that definition, any man or woman who cannot create a child without the help of medical science should not legally be able to marry. It amazes me that people who can recite nebulously worded biblical verses penned almost 2000 years ago and cite them as their proof that “God hates fags” don’t choose their words more carefully and often get entangled in a web of their own ignorance and hypocrisy. Language and words are important, but what’s more important are the implications and meanings behind the language, and terms like “traditional marriage” are clearly euphemisms used to veil the bigotry and hatred that these people cannot reconcile in their own hearts and minds.

Whether it is the Bible or the Constitution, some people just cannot help but selectively cling to old documents with vague language that can be interpreted numerous ways. If the writers of the Constitution had shown up to that town hall meeting in Iowa, the representitives who claim to be speaking for them would likely be shocked at the vast differences in the spoken language of Colonial English as compared to how we speak now. At what point do we take into consideration the fact that – even if you don’t believe in evolution – things change. The people and the planet are vastly different than they were when U.S.A declared it’s independence, nevermind how different things are now as compared to when Jesus walked the land (and water). So if we are no longer bound by the knowledge and technology and borders of our ancestors, why must we continue to be bound by their language?

Everyone is entitled to an opinion on gay marraige. You are entitlted to oppose it, but there is nothing in the Bible or the Constitution – documents who both share a call for acceptance and tolerance allbeit for different reasons and outcomes – that support that opinion. Just say that you do not want gays to marry because you are uncomfortable with it. Say that you don’t want gays to marry because you do not approve of their life style and that you do not believe the deserve the benefits of legal union. Don’t claim to understand God’s will, because Jesus also taught us not to cast stones. Don’t claim to know what the Founding Fathers believed and wanted, because the same men who wrote that “All Men Are Created Equal” were slave owners. I can respect an opinion that I do not agree with, so long as it is not backed by arguments that just serve as red herrings.

</soapbox>

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is a colossal turd.

Let me predicate this by saying that I really despise Sean Avery. Dude is, has been and always will be a buster. He is a punk and I think when he is not playing in the NHL, it is a good thing…well…I thought that, at least. Until today when he got suspended by the league for trash talking.

In regards to the Calgary Flames’ Dion Phaneuf’s relationship with NHL pincoushin Elisha Cuthbert, Avery said:

“I just want to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds. I don’t know what that’s about. Enjoy the game tonight.”

Avery used to date Cuthbert…along with who knows how many other NHL players.

Was what he said low brow and classless? Yeah, but that is the essence of Sean Avery. That is who he is and what he does, and while it may be classless, I don’t really see how it is a suspendable offense. He didn’t use foul language or levy out any threats…he just talked some crap to his opponent and made himself look like an ass. Nothing serious, nothing unusual and it is certainly not something that he wouldn’t have said to Phanuef face-to-face on the ice if he hadn’t been suspended for the game tonight.

Again, I am the last person who will extol the virtues of Sean Avery as an NHL player. I hate the guy…but the fact that he is getting suspended for something he said is a pretty good indicator of why this league is in such bad shape financially and why it can’t compete with the big 3 North American sports…because at the helm of the NHL ship is a brainless twit with a broken compass sailing in a circle amdist a fog of antiquted ideals in the sea of sports obscurity.

Good game Commissioner…it’s sad when you can make Bud Selig look like a savant.

John Ratzenberger Appreciation Post

Summation of Billy Corgan live in studio on Q101

Radio host: “Billy, tell me how great you are.”

Billy Corgan: “I am pretty great and I am responsible for ever good piece of music ever written.”

Radio host: “I completely agree with you.”

Billy Corgan: “Of course you do.”

The REAL America

Working overnight affords me the opportunity to take in some late night radio. I was tuned into the Mark Levin show just now and heard something truly astounding.

First off, let me paint you a thumbnail portrait of Mark Levin. He is a complete loony toon conservative with a radio show and he sounds like Fran Drescher, if Fran Drescher were to down a zeppelin or two worth of helium.

So here is this asshat on the radio and he says:

ML – “Let’s go to a caller. I’ll punch up some cracker in Georgia listening to us on some cracker station in Georgia – probable call letters WGOD. Some cracker – you’re on the air.”

SC – “I just want to thank all the Marxists who voted for Obama. Their sales are through the roof.”

ML – “Whose sales?”

SC – “All the local gun stores.”

Let’s not forget, everyone, that the true fabric of this country is held together with stitches of uneducated, corn-poned inbreeds who fear everything aside from their own depravity. No matter how progressive as it may seem to have elected a not-old-white-guy as President…keep in mind that Larry the Cable Guy is still very popular and, as such, there is still much to fear.

This Is The Thing You Should Do To Some London Broil

We went shopping yesterday and found an immaculate deal on two gigantic slabs of beef.

EXTREME BEEF VALUE

Typical London Broil wisdom says marinate it in carbolic acid for a few weeks, grill it, cut it excruciatingly thin against the grain of the connective tissue and there is your meal.

Not me, though.

I’m a loner, Dottie. A rebel. A tough cut of meat is a war, and braising is my weapon…not acidic marinades. Here I will describe – with visual aids, my favorite method for cooking large blocks of cheap red meat.