A dog's first natural defense is not, as some experts would like you to believe, their intimidating demeanor. It is in fact their ability to look like this -

If not for those eyes and muppet-ears he'd have been left hog-tied in the backyard for the cats to torture a long time ago.

10 pm on a Monday night and I can't sleep. This is becoming a habit. At least I don't have to work tomorrow. I just have to do all the things I put off for the past 3 days...

It's nice to know that others see the same evi/insanity. It's comforting in its sad little way. It's not a good substitute for vengeance or retribution, but its a start. I'm still not allowed to speak, but that's alright. They aren't my problem. After all, I'm not 'family.' I'm just getting damned tired of hearing about them.

Is it possible to be mentally/emotiionally adopted even tho you know your parents are your biological ones? Because there has to be something that makes me the blunt, straight-forward, dislikes-bullshit one when the others are content to play nice in front of guests and then rag on them behind their backs. Maybe it's a defect, like my sun allergy or the inability to remember how to boil an egg...

Yep, been a week. Other than a spectacular batch of streusel muffins, there's not much to talk about. Just slowly and not so quietly losing my mind and trying to learn Linux without screaming about the spiralling, illogical-ness of it all.

Testing Drivel Journal Editor on Linux

Music to Make Meatloaf To

Last night's meatloaf was a success and even more successful sandwhich for today. My favorite recipes are the ones that make great snacks for the next day. They just seem more worth the effort.

I've been wondering if what you feel/want at the time you're preparing something plays a part in how the dish finally ends up. Mood doesn't seem to have an effect when I'm cooking but with baking it makes a huge difference. There's nothing quite so depressing as angry cookies.

Music is a very important part of my life- It helps at work and sets the pace for certain jobs. It helps me handle all the jerks I have to deal with on my morning commute. It drowns out the sound of 2 seperate tv's blaring and snoring through the wall. But I've never stopped to think about what affect it has on my cooking.

The soundtrack last night was a little... eccentric, but it all turned out okay.

1. Tom Waits - Low Down
2. Neko Case - Mayeb Sparrow
3. Massive Attack - Karmacoma
4. Peter Bjorn and John - Nothing to Worry About
5. Rusted Root - Cruel Sun
6. Civet - Son of a Bitch
7. Neko Case - Prison Girls

I wonder what Motorhead fueled cupcakes might taste like...

Saturday, Aug. 15th - Wednesday, Aug. 26th

This past weekend was pretty much a lazy, leftovers kind of time. No fancy menu, no new and exciting meals to force feed to my family. There something to be said about lounging about in PJ's all day and finishing 3 excellent paperbacks (Dean Koontz's Frankenstein, 1-3). Even Pi and Conner were enjoying the superb laziness.

Saturday was chilli-dogs and oven-baked tater-tots. I think they contributed a great deal to Sunday's level of lazy.

Sunday was Eggplant Parmesana. I'm a texture person; that means the meal can taste like perfection but certain textures like grainy (anything that feels like you dropped a spoonful of soil into it) and gooey (bread pudding feels like a head cold) are just wrong. Forgotten in the oven and consequently overcooked eggplant is not a good texture. Thank god for the Chicken Parmesana I made for the one who thinks the only suitable vegetables are corn and whatever can be found on a fast-food burger.

Monday I was sick. No food for me. And since I couldn't take my allergy meds, not even junk food for me. Tuesday was more of the same. Needless to say, this morning's cautiously eaten breakfast of stale Chex Mix and string cheese was absolutely delicious.

Now that I feel better, I'm thinking Meatloaf tonight (actually I was thinking 'rare steak with just a little bit of sear with a side of baked sweet potato and a tall Jack and Coke' but I don't want to push it. I'll save that for this weekend.)

And before I forget -

CLARIFICATION: If it's something that is easily found in most standard cookbooks/on the internet, I won't post a recipe. If you'd like a copy of any particular recipe, just let me know.

Thursday, August 20th & Friday, August 21st

Thursday's dinner - Noodlie Stuff

A family favorite for those times when you just don't feel like cooking and all of your junk-food money has been spent on new roof.

Boil water, toss in some form of tubular noodle, cook to just shy of al dente.  Drain some of the water, dump in a can of tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, season with some sort of herb and salt and pepper.  When it tastes like food, add preferred choice of shredded cheese and heat to melty.  Dump some in a bowl and watch random TV.  Goes well with Dr Pepper and "The Mighty Boosh"

Friday's dinner -

I like adding some cooked seasoned pork to make it a fuller meal.  This one fits into my continuing effort to convince my mom that good flavors can come from things she normally associates with just one use.  In her world, peanut butter is for sandwiches and spaghetti is for drowning in red goop from a jar.