16 Cameras

Yesterday, I received the souvenir DVD of my last cruise vacation to the Mexican Riviera, with Atlantis Events.

Now, I've always heard that the camera adds five pounds, and after seeing myself on the video, I can only say 16 cameras must have been pointed at me every time I'm visible.

I knew, and know, I have a weight problem, but you never really see yourself the way you really are, and although I know I have 242 days till my next cruise vacation, from the look of me, I cannot afford to go off my diet once, or miss a single trip to the gym.

I'm not expecting miracles. I just want to look good enough in my clothes that I can get some nice guy out of his. Is that asking to much?

A Thought on Apathy

On March 14th, 1964, Catherine "Kitty" Genovese was murdered while walking home, late one night on the streets of the Kew Gardens section of Queens, New York, and of out of all of her neighbors who heard her screaming for help, no one did.

The circumstances of her murder and the supposed lack of reaction of the numerous neighbors were reported by a newspaper article published two weeks later; the common portrayal of these people being fully aware, but completely unresponsive has since been criticized as inaccurate.

Nonetheless, it prompted investigation into the social/psychological phenomenon that has become known as the "Bystander Effect" (Also known as: "Genovese syndrome") and especially the "Diffusion of Responsibility". As simply as I can put it, this means the thought prevalent in the minds of many people "Someone else will do something about this. I don't need to get involved. I don't need to do anything."

Why am I mentioning this when it's not the anniversary of Kitty's death (and no, I'm not related to this poor, unfortunate woman)? This is the first Friday of February. Guess!

I feel, sometimes, like I'm the only soldier fighting a war on apathy. I feel like I'm trying to push back a rising tide of indifference with my bare hands.

Well boys and girls, I'm losing the war and my hands are just about ready to fall off. I can do only so much and my strength in this matter is just about to give out.

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Taco Meatloaf

I had originally planned to serve this dish for some of my friends this last Saturday, but due to circumstances beyond their control they weren't able to come. I just wish they had told me before I had defrosted the hamburger, because you cannot refreeze hamburger.

This meatloaf was always a hit when my mother would prepare it for the family or neighborhood potluck block parties. It's an easy way to get a taste of the southwest topped with a sweet and tangy sauce.

TACO MEATLOAF

• 2 cups crushed tortilla chips
• 1 cup (4 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup salsa
• 1/2 cup egg substitute
• 1/4 sliced ripe olives
• 1 envelope taco seasoning
• 2 lbs lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup ketchup (or catsup, you decide)
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tbsp Louisiana style hot sauce

1. In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Crumble beef over mixture; mix well. Shape into a round loaf.
2. Cut three 20" x 3" strips of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Crisscross the strips so they resemble the spokes of a wheel. Place meat loaf in the center; pull the strips up and bend the edges to form handles. Grasp the foil handles to transfer loaf to a 3-qt. slow cooker. (Leave the foil in during cooking time).
3. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or until no pink remains and a meat thermometer reads 160*F.
4. Combine the ketchup (or catsup, you decide), brown sugar and hot sauce; pour over meat loaf during the last hour of cooking.
5. Let stand for 10 minutes. Use foil strips to lift loaf out of slow cooker.

Serve this with a nice macaroni & cheese (or is that cheese and macaroni) and a mixed vegetable medley.

I'll be trying to make this for my friends again on Friday (2/6/09). I have that day off thanks to the State of California workers furlough program.