The Tao of Wesley

Crockpot Spinach Casserole

2011-12-26T17:50:00.000-08:00

I've come to the realization that ever since I joined Facebook, I just don't post here in my blog all that much anymore, and I don't know if that makes me sad, glad, or indifferent.

However it makes me feel, I'll still come here as often as I can to post a new recipe, or whenever whatever I have to say is just too much for a Facebook post.

Such is the case today.

I came across this recipe recently while thumbing through an old 'Taste of Home' magazine my grandmother once had and thought I would give it a try. Since so much of my time these days is taken up with work, the gym, or the theatre, I found it to be a real time saver, and quite tasty as well. I hope you enjoy it at much as I did, and please, feel free to add your own 'ala (insert your name here)' touches and let me know how it came out.

CROCKPOT SPINACH CASSEROLE

2 boxes frozen spinache, thawed and drained

2 1/2 cups cottage cheese

1/3 cup margarine

3 eggs, beaten

1/4 cup flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

Lightly grease your crockpot slowcooker (I used an olive oil non-stick spray from Western Family)

Mix together all ingredients and spoon into your crockpot

Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours

It's just that simple, and as always, eat and enjoy.

Norwegian Stuffed Cabbage Stew

2011-11-06T16:39:00.000-08:00

I knew I hadn't posted a 'Recipe of the Month' for a long time, but didn't really realize how long till I was getting ready to post this one. I hope all of my readers can forgive me.

This dish was inspired by my involvment in the Stockton Civic Theatre production of 'I Remember Mama', when the Hansen family of early 20th century San Francisco had to eat a LOT of it to save money. I therefore tried to make it not only economical, but as tasty and nutritious as I could.

You will need a 5 quart crockpot for this dish.

Norwegian Stuffed Cabbage Stew

1 head of cabbage. Quarter your cabbage to remove the tough spine, then roughly chop.

1 large white onion

1 - 2 yellow bell peppers

1 lb lean ground beef

2 cloves minced garlic

1 cup uncooked, intant rice

1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp peper

1/4 tsp ground thyme

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1 can (6 0z) tomato paste

32 oz low sodium chicken stock

Finely chop the onion and bell pepper and place them in your crockpot.

Brown your ground beef with the two cloves of garlic, then strain through a collander and discard the greasy hamburger fat.

Add the browned ground beef to the onions and bell peppers.

Sprinkle over the mixture in the crockpot the salt, pepper, ground thyme, nutmet and cinnamon.

Add your one cup of uncooked instant rice

Add your roughly chopped cabbage

Combine the tomato paste and chicken stock. Whisk till throroughly blended then pour over the cabbage.

Cover and cook on low for about 6 hours.

You'll find it filling and tasty, and it won't break the bank, not even 'The Little Bank'.

As always, eat and enjoy.

Crock Pot Pineapple Upside Down Cake

2011-08-04T18:39:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted a recipe on my blog in long time. Not in fact since I posted my recipe for Polenta Style Corn Casserole back on April 26th, 2011, and for that I'm sorry. Not for the recipe, but for not posting any new ones for such a long time.

Anyway, my good friend Mike Moon was talking about how he made blueberry muffins on his BBQ because he didn't want to heat up his kitchen (In this weather I can sooooo understand that), and that got me to thinking of another baking recipe in my collection that won't heat up your kitchen.

CROCK POT PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

1 package of your favorite poundcake mix

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup brown sugar (tightly packed)

15 oz canned pineapple chunks (reserve the juices)

8 maraschino cherries, halved

Mix the cake according to the mix directions, using some of the juice as part of the liquid

Melt the butter or margarine in a lightly greased (ie Pam) baking tin that is small enough to fit into your crockpot

Stir in the brown sugar and spread evenly over the bottom of the baking tin

Add the pineapple chunks and cherry halves (and if you want to get creative, try making a happy little face with them)

Poor in the cake batter and place the tin in your crockpot. Cover and set on high for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours

Before removing, insert a knife in the center of the cake. If the knife comes out clean, the cake is done (that is assuming of course you used a clean knife to begin with)

When the cake is done, remove the tin from the crockpot and emediately invert onto a plate

"TAH-DAH". You've just made a pineapple upside down cake in something most people think can only make soups and stews.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I did. I just wish Nutrisystem had this as a menu option.

Bye-bye for now, and remember as always, 'Eat and Enjoy'.

My Minor Little Coup

2011-08-01T18:53:00.000-07:00

I haven't talked about my investments in a long time, and there is a very good reason. Like most of the people who had money in "The Market", the last few years were a disaster, but I think I've rounded that corner, beginning my long, slow climb back up.

A few months ago, when it became clear to me that the politicians were starting to play a serious game of "I've Got Bigger Balls Than You" (aka "Chicken") with the United States' AAA credit rating, I slowly started selling off the bulk of my investments and got into a 100% cash position. Then I began to slowly take small bites out of the investment pie for lack of a better term. In a phrase, I did my research.

I wanted more diversification than I could get at the moment by buying my own stocks, I wanted to keep the expenses down, and I wanted the ability to get into and out of a position quickly if I had to. That meant ETFs, or Exchange Traded Funds.

Keeping my eyes and ears open (Thank you CNBC TV and 740 AM radio), I started taking $100 bites out of 4 different stock ETFs and one bond ETF that concentrates on TIPS (Treasury Inflation Protected Securities).

Since I had built up my cash position to 100% of my portfolio, every time the market took a dive, I would set a limit order to buy a small number of shares in the 5 ETFs I chose, and then, after I bought, I set new limit orders to buy into each fund again when the price fell 1% or more below the previous price. This is called "Dollar Cost Averaging". That and keeping calm has served me well so far.

My total gains for the year, 16.4%.

I wonder if anyone would be interested in starting an investment club.

When I Cannot Let it Rest

2011-07-31T05:07:00.000-07:00

In my work for the State of California as an accounting technician, every last working day of the month I am required to 'balance the checkbook' for three different divisions in my section. I really enjoy my work, but the last working day of the month can be a very stressful time.

For years now, as a little treat for myself, whenever that day fell on a Friday, I made it a habit to go out to dinner. I used to go to one of two different buffets, but that got to be to fattening (lol), so now it's either a trip to the Olive Garden or Appleby's.

This month, I ended up at Appleby's.

Now, my great-grandmother and many others have often told me that God puts us where we most need to be. Whenever we save a life, help a friend change a tire, help a child who has fallen down, or a winter coat at a 70% off sale, it's because God put us there, and I like to think God had me decide on Appleby's last night to witness the stupidity of man.

Since I was eating alone, I saw no point in waiting for a table or booth, so went right up to sit at the bar. I hadn't been there very long (just long enough to order a glass of water with lemon and the chips and salsa appetizer) when this one guy took a seat not to far from me. What made me notice him was the fact that he was wearing a tank-top.

Please know that I have nothing against tank-tops, I just don't think you should wear anything that exposes your armpits to a restaurant.

Something else that drew my attention to 'Tank-Top Man' was a tattoo I noticed on his upper left arm. The tattoo? It was of a bible passage, not the whole thing of course, just
'Leviticus 18:22'.

Now, I am not a Bible scholar, but I do have a passing familiarity with the Bible, and believe me when I say, it really made me mad that he would display such a tattoo in public. I mean, why not one of the following tattoos instead;

God hates shrimp - Leviticus 11:9-12

God hates poly-cotton blends - Leviticus 19:19

God approves of slavery - Exodus 21:20-21 & Ephesians 6:5-6

God wants you to pay your taxes without griping about it - Matthew 22:17-21

God approves of the killing of women and children - Deuteronomy 2:33-34

Oh, and lest I forget;

God hates tattoos - Leviticus 19:28

I'm sorry, but I'm really getting kind of sick and tired of so called 'Christians' picking and choosing what parts of the Bible they are going to follow.

I also came very close to calling the police on that guy. Why? Well;

He had shrimp with his dinner.

That tank-top was probably a polly-cotton blend.

In a conversation he had with the bartender, he started to complain about 'Those fat cats in DC wanna raise our taxes again'.

He had that ugly tattoo.

That's four biblical violations right there.

A Miserable Savings Account

2011-07-29T05:44:00.000-07:00

Being single visits a kind of constant, low-intensity misery on a person - at least on a person who doesn't want to be single.

Coming home to an empty house, not having anyone to confide it, facing illnesses on your own - being alone hurts, but people can get use to it.

But being in a long-term relationship doesn't spare you from all that day to day pain. It just banks it. Every day you're not alone, a little misery gets put into a miserable savings account, where interest is compounded hourly.

The day you and your loved one separate, or even worse your loved one dies, all the pain that was avoided when you were coupled gets paid out at once with all the accumulated interest. You will suffer a windfall of misery.

I still wish I could open that miserable savings account though.

A Thing I've Never Done

2011-07-28T20:00:00.000-07:00

I honestly don't know how it all got started, but somehow, my e-mail address book was hacked into, and someone or some group with nothing better to do, started bombarding my friends, family (including a 13 year old niece), and co-workers with spam adds for porn and Viagra.

I have said, and will continue to say (and please excuse the yelling) "I HAVE NOT SENT, NOR WOULD EVER SEND ANYONE (well, maybe Ann Coulter, Michele Bachmann, and Maggie Gallagher to annoy them because they annoy me) ANY INAPPROPRIATE E-MAIL TO ANYONE!"

I've said this till I'm blue in the face and my eyes have crossed, and for the most part, I like to think that my friends know me well enough in the first place that those e-mails were never from me, and in the second place would accept my word to be as good, if not better than platinum (gold can be so garish).

One 'friend' however has chosen not to believe me, and that makes me very sad and angry because they know and think so little of me, that they would assume my instant guilt for a thing I've never done.

I'm Sorry, but Not Sorry

2011-07-17T10:42:00.000-07:00

Today was a cardio day at the gym, and I had a great workout for the most part. My only problem is that I don't know why some people even bother going to they gym if they insist on maintaining certain unhealthy habits, and then take offense because I took offense.

I was on the treadmill, going strong at 3.9 MPH with a goal of going for a full 60 minutes. I had been on for about 20 minutes and everything was going fine when this one gentleman got on to the treadmill next to mine.

Ordinarily, that would not have been a problem, but I could tell within less than a minute that the guy was a very (and I do mean VERY) heavy smoker. The man reeked of smoke, and I found the odor offensive. I have nothing against people who smoke, as long as they don't do it around me, but this guy stank of it so much, he might as well have been a giant pile of tobacco ash.

If I had just started on the treadmill, I could have gone to another, but I had already been going on the one I was on for about 20 minutes by that point, and I don't like breaking my stride when I've been going for that long. So, I took my little towel and held it over my nose, to block out the smell.

This apparently offended the guy, because he made a big to do about stopping his machine and stomping off to another one further away from me.

Part of me wanted to apologize for giving such offense that he felt the need to throw a temper tantrum, but . . . I wasn't sorry.

Last Night I had the Strangest Dream

2011-07-07T06:29:00.001-07:00

In the dream, I learned that a flood was coming and I had no time to escape the path of destruction. I didn't even have time to write a farewell epitaph. All I could do was try to secure myself to a stone table (I have no idea why the table was stone) and pray for the best.

I could see the water getting closer and closer, and hear the roar of it's waves getting louder and louder and time seemed to go into slow motion.

Finally, the rushing water of the flood was right upon me, so I put my head down and held on tight, but then the strange part happened. Nothing happened. For some reason, the water and all it's flotsam and jetsam passed over me and didn't so much as scratch me.

After the water stopped rushing, I thought at first that I would have to dig myself out of the mud and other debris, but with the exception of plodding though the mud which came up to my mid shins, the mud wasn't that deep.

I wish I knew what the dream meant, if it had any meaning at all.

Rude People & the 6:00 a.m. Cutoff

2011-07-04T11:55:00.000-07:00

I've noticed lately that when I get to the gym before 6:00 a.m., it's not only less crowded, but the people seem so much nicer.

Today, I got to the gym at about 8:00 a.m., and the people were NOT nice.

I do a circuit training system I've been developing and tinkering with for a while now, based on the book "Spartan Warrior Workout" by Dave Randolf. When I say tinkering, I mean that I've adapted it to my somewhat hurried schedule, so that I get the maximum amount of training in the minimum amount of time.

The only monkey wrench in the gears comes when someone decides to use the same piece of equipment that I need to use.

I honestly don't mind sharing the facilities, for although I think I'm the most important person in my world, I believe in being considerate of others. I just wish certain others felt the same way.

At one of the chest press machines, I asked the person who had just finished using it if I could work in on the same machine. His response; "I've just got one more set". Well, he just sat there for two minutes (Yes, I timed him) doing nothing. If he was taking a break, why couldn't I use the machine in the meantime, because really, it doesn't take me two minutes to pump out 10 reps at the current weight I press.

Then, at the pull-up machine, a different person draped her towel over the handlebar and just walked away. I asked her if I could use the machine while she was gone, but she just said "I'm coming right back". Well folks, I noticed that she did come back after about 5 minutes. Where was she in the meantime? Talking to her husband/boyfriend or whatever he was to her. I wanted to scream "THIS IS NOT A SINGLES BAR, LADY!" but sadly, couldn't bring myself to do it.

Things like this always happen when I get to the gym after 6:00 a.m.

And the World Kept Spinning

2011-05-21T16:37:00.000-07:00

The end of the world was predicted for today, and while I'm not 100% sure, I think we are all still here.

People have been predicting the end of the world since they could first conceive of the world having a beginning, and I have a theory why certain Doomsday cults actually want it to happen so badly. These irresponsible people, who spread fear through ignorance, want it to happen so they can wag their collective fingers at the sinners left behind and gloat how they were right all along as they make their triumphant Ascension into Heaven.

Well people, and yes, I know none of the 'righteous' are likely to be reading my personal blog, I don't think you'll EVER get into heaven. Why? Because when you are filled with so much hate, you're to heavy for God's angels to lift you Up, so, with no other option, you will be sinking Down.

Mastered By None

2011-05-20T05:42:00.000-07:00

"Beware of those who would deny you access to information, for in their hearts they dream themselves your master."

Brenden Shucart

Envy

2011-05-19T18:52:00.000-07:00

Envy lurks in every body, and oppression hides in every heart; power reveals it, and weakness conceals it.

Scheherazade

from "The Tale of the Wazir & the Sage Duban"

found in "The Arabian Nights"

My Tribute to My Grandma

2011-05-13T18:39:00.000-07:00

TO MY BELOVED GRANDMA GENTRY

Oh, God - our heavenly Father.

Oh, God - and my grandmother

Who is Also in Heaven,

May the light of this flickering candle,

Illuminate the night the way,

Your spirit illuminates my soul.

Grandma, can you hear me?

Grandma, can you see me?

Grandma, can you find me in the night?

Grandma, are you near me?

Grandma, can you hear me?

Grandma, can you help me not be frightened?

Looking at the skies, I seem to see a Million eyes,

Which ones are yours?

Where are you now that yesterday has waved goodbye

And closed it's doors?

The night is so much darker;

The wind is so much colder;

The world is so much bigger,

Now that I'm alone.

Grandma, please forgive me.

Try to understand me;

Grandma, don't you know I had no choice?

Can you hear me praying?

Anything I'm saying;

Even though the night is filled with voices?

I remember everything you taught me,

Every book I've ever read.

Can all the words in all the books

Help me to face what lies ahead?

The trees are so much taller,

And I feel so much smaller;

The moon is twice as lonely,

And the stars are half as bright.

Grandma, how I love you.

Grandma, how I need you.

Grandma, how I miss you kissing me good night.

The Ultimate Choice

2011-05-13T17:48:00.000-07:00

The world is an inferno, full of darkness and evil, and there are only two ways of dealing with it.

The first is easy, but wrong; you accept it, and become a part of it.

The second way is hard, but right; you fight it.

Polenta-Style Corn Casserole

2011-04-26T19:12:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I posted to my personal blog, and an even longer time since I posted a recipe. I know it's no excuse, but with everything going on in my life at work and in the theatre, it is only recently that I've had any time.

Anyway, recently, I had a small dinner party for some of my friends ("Thanks again for comming, Shawn, Dan, and Greg"). I really like having people over for dinner. It gives me a chance to expirement a little in the kitchen, adapting recipies to make them taistier (or healthier). I get to see my friends and loved ones in a relaxing and stress free environment, and I'd be lying if I didn't admit, it gives me a chance to show off my cooking skills.

One of the side dishes I searved that night was a crok-pot casserole I came across in a
cook-book I found at the local Good Will store. I made a few subtle changes, tyring to make it even healthier while at the same time even more filled with deliciousness.

POLENTA-STYLE CORN CASSEROLE

1 can (14 1/2 oz) low-sodium chicken broth

1/2 cup cornmeal

1 can (7 oz) corn, drained

1 can (4 oz) green chilies, drained

1/4 cup each red, yellow, & green bell pepper diced

1/4 cup diced white onion

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Pour chicken broth into a 2 to 3 quart Crock-Pot slow cooker.

Whisk in cornmeal.

Add corn, chillies, bell peppers, onion, salt and pepper and stir well.

Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours (best results)

After cooking, stir in cheese and continue cooking for another 15 to 30 minutes or untill the cheese melts.

All of my guests really liked this dish, and said it went well with the BBQ salmon and roasted vegetables. I'm sure you'll all enjoy it as well.

Till next time, remember; "Eat and enjoy".

Correct or A Prude?

2011-04-09T14:08:00.000-07:00

While I was at the gym (24 Hour Fitness) earlier today, something happened that is making me ask "Was I right, or am I a prude?"

I had finished my work out and had gone into the locker room to change out of my gym clothes and into my regular clothes like I always do, when another one of the club members brought his young daughter (3 to 4 years old) into the men's locker room.

It just didn't seem right to me somehow, bringing a small girl like that into an area where fully grown men are in various states of undress.

I spoke to the manager about it, but he just looked at me like I was some sort of crazy person and said he would look into it.

Now, I ask you, was I right to say something, or am I just being a prude?

Sad and Disappointed

2011-03-16T22:34:00.000-07:00

I don't expect my efforts will yield positive results. I've never fooled myself that my dreams would come true. Being used to rejection, I anticipate it. But all the same, I hate it. Wouldn't you?

So what happens now? So, what happens now? What am I going to do?

Time and time again, I say "I don't care". I pretend that I'm immune to gloom, and I'm hard, through and through. But every time it matters, all my words desert me. So, anyone can hurt me, and they do.

So what happens now? So, what happens now? What am I going to do?

Give me a little time, and I'll be fine some how. Well, maybe not that fine, but I'll survive anyhow. I won't recall the names and faces of this sad occasion. But, that's no consolation, here and now.

So, what happens now? I'll get by, I always have before. What am I going to do? Don't ask, because I don't know, anymore.

From the Tao Te Ching: Chapter One

2011-02-17T07:17:00.000-08:00

The tao that can be told is not the Etneral Tao.

The name that can be named is not the Eternal Name.

The unnamable is the Eternally Real.

Naming is the origin of all particular things.

Free from desire, you realize The Mystery.

Caught in desire, you see only the manifestations.

Yet mystery and manifestations arise from the same source.

This source is called darkness.

Darkness within Darkness.

The gateway to All Understanding.

A Confession of Weight

2011-01-16T13:16:00.000-08:00

I know it's only been two weeks since I started my Nutrisystem diet program, and only two weeks since I started getting back to the gym (24 Hour Fitness) on a regular basis again, and YES (to all the put down artists who love raining on peoples parades), I know I still have a long way to go, but I've had some great progress in this last two weeks, and I wanted to share it with all of my readers.

In the two weeks I've been on my diet and exercise program, I've come down from 256.5 lbs to 248.0 lbs, and my body mass index (BMI) has gone down from 37.96 to 36.7.

That's a loss of 8.5 lbs and a reduction of my BMI of 1.26.

All this means, of course, is that I am still technically obese (I hate that word), but if I were to extrapolate (and I love that word) forward, using and average weight loss of 4.25 lbs per week, and a BMI loss of .63 per week, in 23 weeks I will weigh 160 lbs with a BMI of 23.47. This would put me in the normal weight range.

So, if I can keep up this pace, by my birthday I'm gonna be looking good.

I know delays will occur, I know I will reach temporary plateaus (at least the sensible part of my brain knows this), but I am determined to not think about that for now. I'll think about that tomorrow. After all, "Tomorrow is another day".

Theatrical Review - "Run for Your Wife"

2011-01-16T08:17:00.001-08:00

Last night I went to see the Stockton Civic Theatre production of the Ray Cooney play "Run for Your Wife". It was FANTABULOUS!

I won't go into a lot of details and write out a whole synopsis, but at it's core, it is about a cab driver in London, England, who has two wives (at the same time) in different parts of the city. Trouble ensues when the carefully orchestrated schedule he keeps to prevent both wives finding out about each other is thrown all out of wack by a chance encounter with two muggers and an old lady's handbag. The lies on top of lies just get more and more outrageous, making it a true comedy of misunderstanding.

Now, while all the actors were truly outstanding, I have to give props to the two actresses playing the wives, and most especially in the opening scene. Their timing was perfect.

I must also mention the fantastic set that was designed by Brian Johnson. I found it incredible, tasteful, and artistic. Mr. Johnson is a genius.

I really recommend this play if you're looking for some good family entertainment. True it is written PG-13, but that's just for the double entendres, but there is absolutely nothing dirty. See this play, and you'll understand why Mr. Cooney was given his OBE.

A Good News Day

2011-01-08T14:06:00.001-08:00

So many wonderful things either happened, or I became aware of them, today. I hardly know where to begin.

First (gotta start somewhere) I had a great cardio work-out at 24 Hour Fitness today. I was on the treadmill for an hour at 3.6 MPH and burned off nearly 500 calories.

Then, when I got home, I weighed myself before I ate breakfast, and to my delight, I was down, well, I'm not going to tell you the weight I'm at, but lets just say that I've lost a total of 7 lbs since 1/2/2011. For those of you too pretty do be able to do math, that's an average of 1 lb per day. I was ecstatic.

Then, after breakfast and my other usual morning routines, I had errands to run and bills to pay. One of those bills was my car payment at the Golden 1 Credit Union. As I was handing the teller my check and payment coupon, I noticed something that made me stop and look again before she took said items from me. The number on the payment coupon was 40. That means I've only got 20 payments to go and my car is paid-off! That means that 2/3 of that car is MINE!

Then, to put the metaphoric cherry on my equally metaphoric hot fudge sundae, I checked my mega millions lotto ticket on the way home and found out I had won $10.00. O.k., it's not the jackpot, but it's still kind of nice.

Stuffing Myself Silly

2011-01-05T20:57:00.000-08:00

I have now come to the end of day two on Nutrisystem and I've come to realize that a lot of the eating I used to do wasn't so much out of hunger but out of boredom and habit.

I also seem to be going through some kind of withdraw pains as I haven't been to a fast food restaurant (how will McDonald's survive without me) in nearly a week now.

I miss eating and eating and eating. I'm not hungry, but I suppose food was my comfort and my vice. Like drinkers or smokers or people who take other drugs. My high came from burgers and fries, sodas and shakes, cakes and cookies.

I will overcome this though, and in time will not be invisible anymore.

"The King's Speech" - A Movie Review

2011-01-01T20:17:00.001-08:00

Today I drove all the way from Stockton to Manteca, California, to see a limited release film called "The King's Speech". It is a dramatization (somewhat fictionalized I'm sure) of the friendship between King George VI and his speech therapist, Lionel Logue.

Now, I know some will think an approximately 30 minute drive (the distance between Stockton and Manteca being some 25 miles) to see a movie that's just a few short steps above a documentary is kind of dumb and (let's face it) nerdy, but I am just so glad I made the trip.

I was slightly amazed by the fact that it is an "R" rated film. My first thought was that it was because of the violence of World War II, but then I came to the realization that it was because of the foul language used by The King and Logue as part of the formers speech therapy. I cannot of course give away to many details of the film and thereby spoil it for any of you who may not have seen it yet, but suffice it to say that there is something supremely funny about the idea of the king of England dropping "F" bombs all over the place and shouting "Tits!" to get over a stutter. I wish my speech therapist had used these techniques.

It was such a good film that at the end, the entire audience (myself included) actually applauded.

I thoroughly recommend "The King's Speech". I give it a 9 out of 10.

Last Night I Had the Most Wonderful Dream

2010-12-26T06:39:00.001-08:00

Most of the details were a bit fuzzy, but last night I had a wonderfully happy dream.

First let me give you a little background information to put the dream into context (and no, I didn't dream about winning the Willy Award to all my S.C.T. friends).

After my last cruise, I decided to forgo all future cruises until I had paid off both my car and student loan. At the time I made that decision, as a state employee, I was facing what I thought of as an endless future of "Furlough Fridays" and the attendant 15% cut in pay (a governator on the defensive will tell you it was only 14.86%), I felt it was something I just couldn't afford anymore till I had taken care of those previously mentioned obligations.

Anyway, in the dream, my situation drastically changed to not only being able to afford the Mexican Riviera cruise again next year and every following year, but every cruise that Atlantis Events organizes every year for the rest of my life.

Like I said, some of the details were fuzzy, but during the dream, I kept seeing and hearing a string of seemingly random numbers that I wrote down on a little notepad I had near my bed, and as soon as I'm able, I'm going to the place I normally buy my lotto tickets and buy those numbers.

Some people may think it's stupid to believe in dreams, but I don't. Everything I dream, one way or another and sooner or later, always come true.

Yet Again

2010-12-08T19:28:00.000-08:00

I yearn for recognition yet am I forever ignored.

I yearn for freedom yet am I forever held in bondage.

I am fed a meal of crumbs,

a meal of scraps and leavings,

yet I must give thanks as though for a full course meal.

I must swallow back my bile and speak sweetly to those who oppress me.

I must smile at my tormentor even while the whip tears into my flesh.

I am told that I am too old,

or too young,

or too fat,

or too thin,

or too tall,

or too short.

I am never told I am just right.

I am told I try to hard.

I am told I do not try hard enough.

I am denied my heart's desire yet again.

I'll Show Them All!

2010-11-28T09:51:00.000-08:00

I auditioned for a part in a play recently, and while I didn't get the part I had originally tried out for, the director did ask me to read again for another part in the same show.

I was so happy, and foolishly assumed my friends would be as well. Oh boy, was I wrong.

I don't know if it was intentional or just from a sense of surprise, but when I mentioned the part I was being considered for, they all reacted with what can only be described as shocked outrage, with one going so far as to say how complicated and difficult the part I was being considered for was because he had his own song in the show.

Does he think I didn't know that? After all, I saw the same show at another venue a few years ago. Or, does he think I'm just not capable of doing it? Is it a case of "once in the chorus, always in the chorus"? Does he and others think I'm only able to perform in small bit parts, a background player and nothing more?

I want this part now more than anything. Not just because I enjoy performing so much, and not just because it would be a great opportunity to expand my resume and break out of the "Ensemble Prison", but because my "friends" have been so hurtful and all but coming out to say I cannot do it!

I want to show them that YES I CAN!!!

Sweet-Spiced Sweet Potatoes

2010-11-25T13:57:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and while it's probably to late for you to get started on this recipe for your Thanksgiving meal, keep it in mind for Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan, etc., etc., because it's just that good.

I'd also like to take the time to apologize for not posting on my blog, whether it be a recipe or just a "guess what just happened to me", poem, dream, or whatever. I've just been so wonderfully busy at the Stockton Civic Theatre in their current production of "Oklahoma" that I've had precious little time to do anything else. I'm not complaining though. I love acting, and SCT is a great theatre with great people.

Anyway, onto the recipe;

SWEET-SPICED SWEET POTATOES

2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled, and cut into 1/2" pieces*
1/4 cup packed golden brown sugar (or dark brown if you prefer)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp salt
2 tblsp butter or margarine, cut into 1/8 inch pieces
1 tsp vanilla

Combine all ingredients except butter (or margarine) and vanilla in crockpot (be sure to use a crockpot liner to make cleaning a breeze).
Mix well, cover and cook on LOW for 7 hours (or high for 4 hours).
Add butter and vanilla.
Gently stir to blend.

*Sweet potatoes come in many varieties, but the orange ones (sometimes called "garnet sweet potatoes") are technically yams. For a little extra color, use 1 lbs sweet potatoes, and 1 lb yams.

The Full Monty

2010-11-20T15:18:00.000-08:00

Just got back from my audition for the Modesto Performing Arts. Now I just have to wait till Tuesday, 12/1/10 to find out if I was cast as Dave Bukatinski.

The role is of a somewhat overweight steel mill worker, who struggles to lose weight and keep his marriage together. The role calls for great comic timing, and I hope I was able to turn a misstep into an advantage.

For my audition song, I chose "A Comedy Tonight" from the musical "A Funny Thing Happened On My Way to the Forum". I was a bit nervous and flubbed some of the words. Not knowing what else to do, and wanting to show the director so much that I have comic timing, out of nowhere I said "Please forgive me. I'm usually much more talented than this". He burst out laughing at that.

Later, when I had to sing the chorus from the song "Let It Go!", I introduced myself again by saying, "Hello. I'm Wesley 'The Anti-Situation' Foreman. Again, he burst out laughing.

I will never say anything negative about my competition. I'll just say that I hope with all my heart for good news come Tuesday.

For the Sake of Revenge

2010-11-11T00:09:00.000-08:00

"I cast darkness to chase you,

You who would hold me beneath your thumb,

So that you would fall,

When others would stand."

(Just a small curse. Have a nice day.)

Mega Meg

2010-10-12T15:13:00.000-07:00

It's funny and scary at the same time.

A Poem With No Title

2010-09-07T19:06:00.000-07:00

In wondrous amalgamations,

Serenity comes.

Head every attempt to enjoy devotion or friendship.

Then hope enjoys perpetual and radiant transcendence.

Of forever? Be always ready for every experience.

I Just Had the Strangest Dream (#5)

2010-09-04T05:36:00.000-07:00

I've always believed that dreams mean something, or at their more esoteric offer glimpses of the future, but I'm at a loss to explain either the meaning or what the future may hold from what I just dreamed last night.

In the dream, I had arrived early at the Stockton Civic Theatre (as is my custom) for the evening performance. I'm not sure what play it was a performance of. It could have been "I Remember Mama" (where I was in the ensemble), it could have been "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" (the play I'm helping out with as a member of the crew) or it could have been a play I'm involved with in the future, I just don't know. Anyway, when I get there, I start talking to my friends Rick and Cathy Brewer before going inside to start getting ready for the evening's performance.

In the dream, the performance goes spectacularly well and everyone is happy, and I feel this sense of joy such as I always do during and after a show.

Anyway, as I'm walking out to my car later that same evening, someone else involved with the theatre (can't remember who, that part was too fuzzy) walks right up and gets all up in my face, starts poking my in my chest with a bony finger and begins yelling at me for blocking their car in with mine.

I try to offer an apology, to ask for forgiveness, but this person won't let me get a word in edge wise. I glance over at the cars in question and I cannot see how I've blocked them at all. The person abusing me unjustly keeps getting angrier and angrier and seems on the verge of violence (all for a blocked parked car) when Rick and Cathy Brewer walk up and pull the person off me.

By this time we've drawn a crowd of performers, stage crew, and a few people who had been in the audience. My attacker starts screaming in a red faced hysteria "He blocked me in! I can't get out!" and generally calling me everything but a child of God, making the observers start to look at me and frown.

Rick and Cathy then step up and tell everyone that I'm completely innocent. They ask; "How could Wesley have blocked this person in with his car, when he arrived an hour before that person did?" This prompts all the witnesses to turn and look at the cars in question and realize that I am innocent and if anything, I've been blocked in by my attacker.

They then all turn to and question my accuser about this fact but all the person does is start screaming even louder "I don't care what you all see, say, or think! He blocked me in!", whereupon, Rick, Cathy, and all the other witnesses place themselves between me and the maniac to protect me from further abuse at the hands of this person. I felt safe.

I know it's just a dream, but like I said earlier, I've always believed that dreams can carry deeper meaning and sometimes a glimpse of the future, and on that note, Rick & Cathy, if you're reading this, even if it was just a dream or meant something more, thank you for coming to my rescue. I appreciated it immensely.

Sympathy, Pity, and Contempt

2010-09-02T21:24:00.000-07:00

Sympathy is just a few short steps from pity.

Pity is just a few short steps from contempt.

I refuse to suffer anyone's contempt.

The Tao of Acting

2010-09-02T21:02:00.000-07:00

We live in an era of enormous cynicism.

Do not be fooled by those who say we don't.

Don't act for money.

You'll start to feel dead and bitter.

Don't act for glory.

You'll start to feel dead, fat, and fearful.

We live in an era of enormous cynicism.

Do not be fooled by those say we don't.

You can't avoid all the pitfalls.

There are lies you must tell and lies you must endure being told to you or about you.

Experience the lie.

See it as something dead and unconnected that you clutch.

Then let it go.

Act from the depth of your feeling imagination.

Act for celebration.

Act for searching.

Act for grieving.

Act for worship.

Act to express that desolate sensation of wandering through the howling wilderness and the

very halls of bedlam itself.

Act not to escape that void of loneliness but rather to embrace it.

Don't worry about Art.

Do these things and it will become Art.

(Inspired by the words of John Patrick Shanley, Lao Tzu, and Me)

A Blessing As Well As a Curse

2010-08-27T10:20:00.000-07:00

I have often, in this very blog, bemoaned the way I often feel invisible. Ignored to the point where I feel I don't exist or that I'm just observing the world through a pane of glass. I see the world but I'm not able to touch it or take part in that selfsame world. However, I've recently had an epiphany that has made me realize that being, for all intents and purposes "invisible", can be a blessing as well as a curse.

For when people don't see you as worthy of notice, you notice them doing things they wouldn't normally want anyone too see. The invisibility becomes a sword. It can cut both ways.

I must speak in ambiguities on this matter though, because to speak more clearly and be specific with the details could open me up to retribution. For experience has taught me that the people who treat others as somehow less important and less worthy of respect and consideration hate nothing so much as to have their unjust and unfair behavior pointed out to them. They love to say "Life isn't fair" and then go out of their way to show you just how "unfair" they personally can make it for you.

So, I speak in vague and generalities, much like Nostradamus did with his prophecies written as poetry, and thus he did protect himself from the heretic hunters of the catholic church, and much like Nostradamus I am protected from the bullies who would cry foul and try taking me to court for "defaming" them.

Therefore, I hold to one of my motto's "Video et audio et taceo" which is Latin (and not very good Latin, but I do try) for "I see all, I hear all, I say nothing", and to paraphrase Quark from one of my favorite TV shows (Deep Space Nine) "When they smile at you be careful. For the bigger the smile, the sharper the knife".

Lies! Lies! Lies!

2010-08-26T05:57:00.000-07:00

They looked me in the face and said it was nothing personal, that it wasn't me, it was them.

They lied!

I hate being lied to and being lied about!

I would throw the lie in their faces, but I still want to believe them and be involved with them.

So, I will remain silent. I will put on a smile and pretend to be content as "Third anonymous person on the left" of the ones they all look to and admire.

I will wear my red shirt and wait for the lighting to strike.

I will hide my tears and choke on the ashes of bitter disappointment.

But a little something of me has died inside, and my respect and regard for them has grown smaller.

They were killed by the lie.

Super Veggie Pie

2010-08-22T16:37:00.000-07:00

A week or so ago, a friend of mine commented on some of the recipes that can be found here in my blog and to be quite honest, her comments were wonderful. Tameva, if you're reading this, thank you for all the kind words.

Anyway, there was one thing Ms. Tameva LeFay asked, and that was if I had any recipes for Thai eggplant. Sadly, I don't. I do however have a great recipe I've based on one found in my grandma's Bisquick cookbook. A nudge here, a tweak there, a dash of this and a dash of that, and I think I've come up with something truly wonderful.

Super Veggie Pie

1 package (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach
3 cups chopped zucchini
3 oz. chopped eggplant
1/2 of a large white onion, chopped (you can use the rest in another dish, just keep the other half in a sealed container so the onion doesn't give a little oniony taste to the other foods in your refrigerator)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 1/4 cups milk
1 1/4 cup Bisquick baking mix
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Salsa (optional)

Heat oven to 400*F
Grease a 10" baking dish with your favorite non-stick spray
Add the spinach, zucchini, onion and eggplant and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese
Beat the remaining ingredients (IE the milk, eggs, Bisquick, salt, and pepper) together until smooth
Pour into baking dish over the vegetables and bake until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean (about 30 minutes)
Let cool for 5 minutes before serving

This recipe makes six, chock full of vegetable goodness, servings that you and you dinner companion(s) will simply adore, and remember, as always; "Eat and enjoy".

What is Evil?

2010-08-22T07:09:00.000-07:00

What is Evil?

Evil sometimes wears a pleasant face,

Disguised as something good,

And not all devils where their horns.

What is Evil?

Evil is subtle and self-deluding.

Evil sees Evil everywhere and in everything.

Evil believes the lies it tells to be the God's Honest Truth.

Evil believes that that which It hates is True Evil,

And sees what is loves as Pure Good.

What is Evil?

Evil is just plain Evil.

A Penny Pinching State Employee

2010-08-21T21:19:00.000-07:00

As some of you may have heard, the infamous "Furlough Fridays" are back. I, and every other non-exempt state worker have to take three unpaid days off per month till the California Assembly (and there is no mistake that the word "ASS" is the first part of their name) and Herr Gubenator can come to an agreement about California's state budget. This is the equivalent of a 15% pay cut. Yikes!

Neither side seems willing to give an inch. The republicans want to cut spending. The democrats want to raise taxes. It just doesn't seem to occur, or if it does they don't want to do it, that if you've got a $20billion deficit, why not cut spending $10billion and raise taxes $10billion. That way, neither side is happy.

So, until they can come to some sort of arrangement, I, and my fellow state workers, have to live with this 15% pay cut, and as you can guess, this kind of reduction makes it VERY hard to make ends meet.

I have, however, found a few ways to cut corners and stretch my money even more than I have been, and now I'm going to share some of those ways with all of you.

Toss 1/2 cup of dry oatmeal to a 12 oz can of water packed tuna, cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes. The oats soak up the water the tuna was packed in, and when you add your mayo and pickle relish, you'll have more tuna salad for sandwiches than you had before. It's like adding breadcrumbs to hamburger to make meatloaf, and the oats add extra fiber and nutrition.
If you're cooking something and the recipe says "cover with aluminum foil", don't. Instead, invert a cookie sheet over the item and save the foil for something else, or not even buy it anymore (or at least not as much).
A spool of thread and a needle can be your best friend. Sew up that whole in your sock, your shirt, your whatever can be sewn up and mended.
Give generic a chance. It really doesn't taste all that different, or clean that much more thoroughly (Even I draw the line however at generic toilette paper. It's Sharmin (r) or nothing).
Get up earlier so you don't have to rush through your morning routine and then drive at breakneck speed to get to work. Studies show that, on average, you save the equivalent of $0.10/mile for every mile below 65 MPH you drive. Oh, and don't forget to take your foot off the gas entirely when driving downhill. Let nature do the work and spare your gas for the rest of your trip.
During the heat of summer, at night open a window and run an electric fan, and keep your blinds closed during the heat of the day. It's a lot cheaper than running the air-conditioner and your electric bill will be a lot lower.
During the fall and winter months, open your blinds to let in all the free, warming sunlight you can. That and an extra blanket or sweater will help you to keep your thermostat at about 65*F.
Take part in a "Cable Club". Instead of getting Showtime, HBO, Cinemax, or whatever all on your cable bill, have one member each of your club get a different premium channel and just go to each other's homes to watch the programs you enjoy.

I know these things may seem extreme to some, and I'm sure a few of you are probably thinking I'm a penny pinching tightwad, but when it's a choice between paying my bills and not paying my bills, it's really no choice at all. Nothing means more to me than my reputation, and what would it do to my reputation if I didn't (or couldn't) pay my bills.

Well, that's all I have for now. If I think up any more ways to save money and help you stretch your dollars, I'll keep you informed.

It's Gonna Be a Long Time Till I Shop There Again.

2010-08-21T04:43:00.001-07:00

After the vile Proposition 8 was passed back in 2008, I suggested that all LGBT people and those who support us boycott businesses that were opposed to our existence and actively trying to take away our rights. I even posted a link to the Human Rights Campaign's business directory that showed corporate rankings and asked everyone to only shop at companies rated GREEN, to encourage improvement in companies rated YELLOW, and avoid as though they were plague carrying rats companies that were rated RED.

A little side note, if you go to the new link, you'll see the formats been changed, but it's still very helpful in making informed shopping decisions.

One such yellow company was Target, and, well, I'll let the video speak for itself, but lets just say, I'm very disappointed.

Target Ain't People -- MoveOn ad @ Yahoo! Video

I'm Almost Ready to Forgive (Though I Will Never Forget)

2010-08-13T20:13:00.001-07:00

It was over two yeard ago that I had declared war on a person I had named The Misanthrope. Well, I may be ready to forgive the person and put the past behind us. Please stress the "may be" part of that last sentence.

It was some time ago I made my "Declaration of War" for some hurtful comments made about my weight. Comments that were made because the person making them (read the post found by going to the link) chose to believe someone else when they told her I had purposely sabotaged her performance at the Celebration of Gospel show held at Club Paradise while I was working the DJ booth.

She told me that later, after she had gotten home and had had some time to cool down and think about it, that she realized I would never have done anything intentionally to sabotage her performance, and that when she looked more closely at her CD, she could see how it was so scratched up, it would have been a divine miracle of God for the CD to NOT skip.

I have made it quite clear, when I sent a FaceBook friend request to this person, that I would only forgive them, and accept their friendship once again (both in FaceBook and in reality), if she could explain why she believed that person in the first place. If she can do that, I can be forgiving, and remember, I said "If".

I Just Had the Most Amazing Dream

2010-08-13T05:59:00.000-07:00

I remember most of my dreams, but don't find most of them blog worthy, but when I do, I do my damnedest to post them here on my blog.

One of the reasons I do this is because of the old-wives tales that says if you want the dream to come true, talk about it before you eat your breakfast. So, since it was such a wonderful dream, that's exactly what I'm going to do.

In the first part of my dream, I'm living in a new city with very tall buildings, possibly San Francisco, although I'm not sure.

I'm living in a nice house that belongs to me, and someone comes over to visit. He brings a
take-out box from some restaurant that we apparently met at, and when I open it, it's full of things like deep fried mushrooms and asparagus spears. This really cute guy starts to set up a very romantic scene; first he unrolls some sort of mat on the floor in front of a fireplace, he then covers the mat with a sand colored blanket over the mat before walking over to the stereo to put in a CD that begins to play "mood music". While he's doing this, I take out one of the asparagus spears and hold it in my mouth. He gets the hint, walks over and we proceed to eat the spear, sorta like that scene from the Disney classic "The Lady and The Tramp".

We get into some serious making-out, but then wouldn't you know it, I go and wake-up.

To quote a line from the last play I was in "God damn it all to Hell"!

Dieting Sucks Ass!

2010-08-08T16:10:00.000-07:00

First, let me offer an apology to anyone who might be offended by my use of the word "Ass", but if it does offend you, what are you reading my blog for in the first place?

I got fed up waiting by the phone for this one guy to call, so decided to just say "F*ck-Him" (at least you know I do have some boundaries on the dirty language), and decided to do a little blogging instead.

I've been watching the movie "300" for most of the day. I had bought the DVD some time ago, but with one thing and another, never got around to watching it until today.

If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend the film, if for no other reason that the half-naked, sexy, sweaty Greek guys (though Gerard Butler who plays King Leonidas is from Scotland).

Anyway, as I said in the heading for this post, "Dieting Sucks Ass". In between meal snacking has always been the bane of my waistline. When I'm hungry, I want to eat, but once I start eating, I cannot seem to stop till I feel bloated like a stuffed pig.

I try to tell myself, repeating it like some sort of sacred mantra "If I'm hungry, I'm losing weight" over and over in my head, but my stomach yells much more loudly "FEED ME!"

Maybe I should get some rice cakes or something to nibble on. They don't have many calories and the rice expanding in your stomach makes you feel full again. Yeah, I'm going to got get me some rice cakes.

Shrimp Gazpacho

2010-08-01T19:57:00.000-07:00

Oh my dear sweet Lord, has it been a hot summer or what? When the temperature climbs so high, with the Dog Days of August still to go, I thought what better recipe than something cool, lite, and full of flavor.

One of my grandmother's favorite foods was shrimp, and if you think Bubba from "Forrest Gump" could rattle off different ways of preparing this multi-tasking seafood, you never heard my grandma.

So, long story short (I know, "To Late"), for your epicurean delight, my grandma's recipe for -

SHRIMP GAZPACHO

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (e.v.o.o.)
1 lb medium shrimp (not as much of an oxymoron as jumbo shrimp, but still . . )
Coarse salt and fresh ground pepper
6 plum tomatoes chopped (about 3 cups)
1/2 small red onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 cucumber, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped jarred roasted bell peppers (grandma liked using 1/4 cup red, and 1/4 cup yellow)
1 1/2 cups tomato juice
2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar

In a large, non-stick skillet, heat the oil over high heat, swirling to coat the bottom of the pan.
Season the shrimp with salt and pepper.
Add half the shrimp; cook until browned on both sides and opaque in the center (about 3 to 4 minutes total).
Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining shrimp (reduce the heat if they brown to quickly).
In a food processor, combine the tomatoes, onion, garlic, cucumber, and half the roasted peppers; process until combined.
Add the tomato juice and vinegar and process in the processor till smooth.
Season with a little salt and pepper.
To serve, chill the puree mixture for at least one hour, then divide among 4 bowls, top with the shrimp and the remaining roasted peppeprs.

As always, eat and enjoy.

For One Brief Moment

2010-07-29T21:24:00.000-07:00

I just read this on Yahoo news about Matt LeBlanc.

When I read the headline, well, not the headline you'll see if you click the link, but the teaser headline that said "Friends Star Reveals Dark Secret", my first thought, for one brief (hopeful) moment was that Matt was coming out of the closet.

No such luck.

Nothing Much To Say

2010-07-28T20:52:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't been posting a lot lately, but the truth is, at the moment, I just don't have much to say.

I would like to talk about someone I've got a crush on. Someone WAY out of my league, but even though I know he doesn't read this blog, I'm afraid to mention his name. Not for what he'll think, because he's a very kind hearted, considerate person, but because of what everyone I know would say. And while it's true I don't really give a flying f*ck what they think, I just don't have the time, strength, or inclination to deal with their "all in good fun" joking.

I could talk about the weather, but who really wants to know, or even cares about, how hot it is in Stockton, California today?

I just don't know what to talk about right now. Nothing stands out in my mind, be it hindsight, foresight, or present sight.

I know what I'd like to talk about. I'd like to talk about some drunk, bitter individuals who think they're my friends. If they were my friends they would know the answers to the following four questions, because if they were my friends, they would have been listening when I was talking and heard me mention the answer to all four questions at least twice. What are the questions?

They are;

What was my grandmothers real first name?
What was my grandfathers occupation and skill level?
What is my favorite book?
Why is it my favorite book?

Tough questions, aren't they? Lets see if any of you can answer them. Feel free to leave the answers in the comments. You don't have to use your real name and risk letting anyone else know you read my blog. You're secret would be safe, and your illusion of being "cool" would remain intact.

Listen and Hear Nothing

2010-07-19T19:46:00.000-07:00

The silence is closing in on me again. "I Remember Mama" has finished it's run at the Stockton Civic Theatre, and once again I'm surrounded by silence.

I spent some of my lunch hour today registering at the San Joaquin Delta College. I'd wanted to take a class in choral singing, but they don't have any at night. I left a message with Mr. James Coleman, artistic director at the Stockton Civic Theatre, asking if he thought the voice classes they do have evening courses for would be as useful, but so far, I haven't heard back from him.

The classes seem to have filled up so quickly. I also wanted to look into some swim classes. Swimming is such good exercise, toning muscle and burning fat at the same time, but the evening classes AND the daytime classes have filled completely, as have the waiting lists for those classes.

I need to find something to occupy my time, because I'm going crazy!

What's Wrong With Wesley?

2010-07-15T07:17:00.000-07:00

Am I to fat or to thin?

Am I to old or to young?

Am I to ugly or to cute?

Am I to Dumb or to smart?

What is wrong with me?

Why am I constantly rejected by everyone and everything?

Why am I the world's designated victim?

Why am I the one everyone dumps on to make themselves feel better?

Or, do I just have a persecution complex?

Am I addicted to being victimized?

I wish I could figure it out.

A Whiny Cry-Baby?

2010-07-14T19:31:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a long time since my last post, and to those of you who read my blog, I'm very sorry.

I had to move from my former appartment when my friend and roommate decided he wanted to have a place of his own again. It was a lot of work moving our stuff from one appartment into two different appartments, let alone the fact we then had to clean the last place to within an inch of it's life in order to get as much of the deposit back as possible. Add to that the fact that it was one of the hottest days in June and you'll get some idea of what a rotten month it was for me.

Also, I've been really busy with acting in the Stockton Civic Theatre's production of "I Remember Mama". It's a great show and I have a collection of small parts in the ensemble.

I've also had a few setbacks lately, but I cannot think about how to talk about them without sounding like a whiny cry-baby. Not that anyone reads my blog or anything, but just my luck, the day I were to reveal what I want to say, it . . .but then, I can't say, can I?

Not this Sunday, but next Sunday (7/25/10) to make up for the lack of recipes, I'll post a collection for a special dinner you can make for someone special in your life.

Oh, before I forget, I've decided to start a count. This will be a very special count to see how long it is before the people I send e-mail to, or IM with, or telephone, or whatever, call me. I'm sick and fucking tired of always being the one to initiate the conversation. I'm sick and fucking tired of people only looking at me with one eye while the other one looks toward the door to see if someone better walks in, or by, or whatever. And I'm sick and fucking tired of always being the nice one. From now on, I'm going to be just as mean and rotten as some other people I know, and no one will deny me again!

I would like to apologize for my language by the way. Not for all the times I used the word "fucking", but for starting a sentence with the word "And". What would my college English professor say?????

Past The Dirty Thirty

2010-05-31T09:40:00.000-07:00

What do I mean? No, it's not my age. I'm still 29 and will be for the 14th year in a row come June 15th. No, I'm talking about my body fat percentage. As of yesterday, I broke past the 30% barrier. If I keep this up, by the time of my next cruise with Atlantis Events, I'll be 20% or less. Then, maybe I'll get a hot guy interested in me, and I won't be relegated to the wrong side of the velvet rope.

That Special Talk

2010-05-05T21:02:00.000-07:00

Recently, I had to have "that special talk" about an uncomfortable, sensitive, and delicate subject with my friend and roommate (I'll call him Smiley). The topic of our conversation was where babies come from.

I must confess that although it was a discussion I knew I would have to have with Smiley one day, I was nonetheless hesitant to tell him the facts of life. He's still so young.

Anyway, girding my loins and mustering up my courage, I laid the details out for him as clearly as I could, and now, and I hope no one will be offended by my course language here in this blog, I will tell you all the same thing I told Smiley.

"When two men love each other very much, and have formed a long-term, committed relationship with one another, and then gone the extra step and registered as domestic partners, they make an appointment with a lawyer who specializes in family law, and arrange to adopt a child (usually from an underdeveloped country but sometimes in the U.S.A.). Then after much paperwork, medical test, psychological tests, and interviews with friends and family, and after much money and waiting, the baby arrives, safely delivered by a very nice person from the agency, or the states social services department".

And that, my readers is where babies come from, at least for two men. For two women, it's a whole other story that I might talk about next time, or not. It depends on the reaction I get after talking about such personal and inappropriate stuff.

Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake

2010-04-18T19:43:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine recently asked why so many of the recipes I post on my blog are main course items, with the odd salad or side dish thrown in. Why don't I blog recipes about more deserts?

Well, mainly, and I know this is going to be hard to believe for a lot of you who have seen how I'm not exactly an Undergear model, I'm not that big on deserts. It's just easier, after cooking the main parts of the meal, to just get out some ice cream or some kind of store bought confection of pastry.

I can make deserts with the best of them though, and to prove it, I made a special dish that was recently e-mailed to me from the good people at Bisquick. I hope you enjoy it as much as my roommate and I did.

CHOCOLATE-STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE

1 quart (4 cups) fresh strawberries, sliced
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups Original Bisquick (R) mix
1/3 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
2 tablespoons sugar
2/3 cups milk
2 tablespoons butter (or margarine), melted
1/3 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
Your favorite frozen (thawed of course) whipped topping

In a medium bowl, toss strawberries and 1/2 cup sugar until coated and let stand for at least one hour.
Heat you oven to 375*F and spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.
In another medium bowl, stir the Bisquick mix, cocoa, 2 tablespoons of sugar, milk and melted butter together until a soft dough forms.
Stir in the chocolate chips.
Drop dough by about 1/3 cupfuls onto the cookie sheet.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until tops of shortcakes appear dry and cracked.
Cool for about 15 minutes.
Split with a serrated knife before filling and topping with strawberries and a dollop of your favorite whipped topping.

As always, eat and enjoy.

Stockton Civic Theatre Shrimp Feed - 2010

2010-04-18T13:13:00.001-07:00

Last night I went to the 2nd annual shrimp feed for the Stockton Civic Theatre. I had a wonderful time and by myself alone did a pretty good job making shrimp an endangered species.

Aside from the shrimp (the pasta was a little bland) and seeing so many of my friends that are involved with the theatre, the best part of the evening was the live band that performed. It was a group called Waterloo, an Abba tribute band. I went a little crazy on the dance floor with whomever I could get to dance with me, and on a few occasions I danced alone. It was absolutely fantabulous!

Anyway, here are a few pictures of the evening, some of the people I met, and some of the things I saw. I just wish you could have all been there.

The Empty Silence of Loneliness

2010-04-15T20:54:00.000-07:00

When you are surrounded by silence, you hear everything.

Another person's joy,

The laughter of life passing you by.

The whisper of "What if's" and "If only's".

The ticking of a clock,

Distant yet inescapable.

Silence is in fact no silence at all.

It is a cacophony of all the sounds you have no part of.

It is an unquenchable thirst,

A longing to be filled,

A hunger yearning to be satisfied.

It is the empty space through which envy enters the heart and makes a home.

For mine is not the silence of the absence of sound.

It is far more sinister than that.

Mine is the silence of the lonely soul.

Crockpot Ham Tetrazzini

2010-04-09T18:49:00.000-07:00

I hope you all had a good Easter. I had a great one. My roommates parents and older brother came up from Los Angeles for a visit and Easter brunch, and one of the things I made was a glazed ham.

I was going to go to HoneyBaked for one of their spiral cut hams at first, but as it turns out, the store in Stockton, California is closed Sundays and Mondays. So, I had to buy a ham at the store and used a quick glaze of mustard and brown sugar (equal amounts) and baked it at 350*F for 90 minutes.

Now, since it was a rather large ham, I had a LOT of leftover meat, and was bored by the prospect of ham and eggs for breakfast and ham sandwiches for the rest of April (did I mention it was a LARGE ham?). So, I did a little research as to what I could so with the leftovers and in this issue, with a few of my own little "ala Wesley" touches, will be giving you the recipe for -

(You will need a 5 quart crock-pot for this dish)

CROCK-POT HAM TETRAZZINI with ELBOW MACARONI

4 cans (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup evaporated milk
2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
1 lb leftover Easter ham
8 oz sliced mushrooms
1 cup finely chopped celery
1 cup white Zinfandel wine
1 16 oz package elbow macaroni
6 tbsp melted margarine

Combine all ingredients except macaroni and butter in a large, 5 quart crock-pot, stir well.
Cover and cook at low setting for 6 to 8 hours.
Just before serving, cook the macaroni according to package directions, drain and toss with the melted margarine.
Stir into the ham mixture in the slow-cooker.

I think you'll find this dish both satisfying and yum-yum-yummy!!!

As always my wonderful readers, eat and enjoy.

It Wasn't as Easy as I Thought

2010-03-24T20:04:00.000-07:00

As I was driving home from work today, I heard on the radio about an online game on the LA Times website where, in affect, you were the Governor of California, and it was up to you to solve the states current budget crisis.

I could hardly wait to get home to try it out, and prove to myself, if no one else, how easy it would be. It wasn't as easy as I thought. My proposal (if that's the right thing to call it) involved $15,735,000,000 in new taxes, and $8,665,000 in spending cuts and one time fixes. It's a proposal that will make NO ONE happy, least of all me. But in these tough economic times, sometimes hard choices have to be made now to keep from having to make even harder choices later.

By my plan, I not only eliminated the deficit, I gave the state a $400Million surplus, which I would recommend returning to the K-14 education spending cuts ($5.3Billion) so that the total amount cut from that part of the budget would only be $4.9Billion.

Like I said, I thought it would be easier, but I see now how hard it actually is. I hope some of you will also try that game and let me know how well you did, but I won't hold my breath.

Updating My Damn Blog!

2010-03-23T19:07:00.000-07:00

Hi, everybody. Don't worry, I'm not mad, upset, or anything like that. I'm just borrowing the words of one of my "legion" of admiring readers who asked me recently to . . . well, I think you can guess.

I suppose I have been a little remiss in keeping you all up to date about events in my life, and for that I'm sorry, so, let's get busy with the updating.

Recently I auditioned for a part in the Stockton Civic Theatre production of "Barefoot In the Park". Unfortunately for me, there were so many talented people that auditioned, I wasn't cast in this really funny play. Oh well, there's always the next play to audition for, the Richard Rodgers production "I Remember Mama". I'm not going to mention what part I'm hoping for because I don't want to jinx my chances and Lord knows there's a person who won't let me forget the time I said "MacBeth" backstage (and I hope it's not unlucky to spell it out here on my blog). I had done the "Scottish Play"in high school, and just mentioned it in passing, when he seemed to get all huffy and insisted I go outside, turn around three times and spit. I did of course, not because I believe in the superstition, but because I wanted so much to be liked by and be friends with the people in that production.

Also, if you get a chance before the end of the run, I so recommend going to see the S.C.T. presentation of "Hats: The Musical". This is a fantabulous tribute to the ladies of the Red Hat Society that I'm sure you'll all get a hoot out of.

Aside from my theatrical ambitions, not much else has been happening in my life. I've been experimenting with some new recipes, and hope to have them ready for my next Recipe of the Month, but in general, my life has been pretty boring.

Well, until next time, I promise that in the future I'll try to keep you informed.

I Cannot Say Why

2010-03-09T20:55:00.000-08:00

I wanted to embed a video for this post, but for some reason, YouTube wont let me. So, if you want to know the kind of mood I'm in, you'll have to follow this link. I know, I know, clicking on a link is just so much work, but trust me, at the very least you'll get a grin out of it.

Maybe one day, I'll tell you the why, and not just the what.

Chicken Stuffing Casserole

2010-02-28T09:26:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been a while since my last post here, be it for a recipe or for just what's happening in my life in general, and while I will be updating you soon regarding my so called life, today I'm just going to give you my recipe for a tasty casserole dish.

This one is a particular favorite of mine. I made it for a recent potluck at work, and decided to make it again today to take to church for the homeless. I hope you enjoy it to.

CHICKEN STUFFING CASSEROLE

1 package (6 oz) chicken stuffing mix
1 can (10 3/4 oz) cream of mushroom soup with garlic, undiluted
1 cup milk
1 can (12 1/2 oz) chicken meat (water packed)
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables ( I like the "country style")
1 can (8 oz) mushrooms, stems and pieces, drained
2 cups (8 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese

Prepare stuffing mix according to the package directions.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine soup and milk and set aside.
Spread the stuffing into a greased 8" square baking dish.
Layer with chicken, vegetables, mushrooms, soup mixture and cheese
Bake at 350*F for about 30 minutes.

You will find this a warm, satisfying meal in one ready to serve dish. Remember, as always, eat and enjoy.

A Little Haiku from My Heart

2010-02-14T22:14:00.000-08:00

I'm in a mood, and tried to think of a haiku poem to describe, with inscrutability, how I'm feeling.

You would think that a such a short, simply style of poetry would be relatively easy to write, but you would be wrong, as my example shows;

Time is running out,

The embers are growing cold.

So little warmth left.

I've done better, but the more that I think about it, the more I think this poem's essence encapsulates how I feel at this moment.

Thank You God!

2010-02-08T18:38:00.000-08:00

I have heard it said that a picture is worth a thousand words, but my question is "What will those words she wrote on her palm cost Sarah Palin"? What am I talking about? Watch the video and see for yourself.

I just want to thank God for the opportunity this gaff of Ms. Palin's has provided to "Saturday Night Live" and comedians everywhere. I'm counting down the days till this coming Saturday, and to the new season of "South Park".

I would also like to thank the FixedNews Channel for providing the video for this post.

I'm In Training & It's Working!

2010-02-05T12:12:00.000-08:00

O.k., so far it's only been 5 days in a row I've managed to drag my fat ass to the gym for my hour of cardio per day I made as part of my new years resolutions, but in that 5 days I've managed to loose 3.5 lbs. I'm Ecstatic!

I know there is someone out their with a snide attitude just dieing to tell me how "It's only water weight and it's only 3.5 lbs. Don't get so high and mighty with us!", but I don't care, it's still weight loss. So, you can keep your toxic attitude, I'll keep my joy, confidence, and renewed sense of self-esteem.

What's my secret? Eating less, eating better, and getting regular exercise (see the first paragraph). Yes, I put down the bag of cookies and took a walk, and for the moment I'm averaging .5 lbs a day in weight loss.

If I were able to keep that up, I could lose 100 lbs well before my next cruise with Atlantis and Royal Caribbean, but I know full well, that as I get closer and closer to my ideal body weight goal, the gains (or should I say losses) will come slower and slower and harder and harder, but I'm o.k. with that.

I'll try to keep you updated on my progress, but I cannot decide how to present it. Should I let you know each time I get to an even weight (eg 240 lbs, 230 lbs, 220 lbs, etc, etc), or should I talk about the weight I've reached on a weekly or monthly basis? I'd ask for your replies in the comments section, or maybe take a survey, but we all know how likely it is anyone will respond or reply. I guess I'll just have to wing it.

Either way, don't worry, I'll keep you informed.

A Romantic Dinner for Two

2010-01-28T19:01:00.000-08:00

I met someone really nice recently, and last night (1/27/10) I had him over for dinner and a movie.

I wracked my brain trying to think of the perfect thing to serve. It had to be lite, it had to be delicious, and it had to be easy to make. It took a while, going over and through every cook book in my somewhat extensive collection, but fortunately, I found it just in the nick of time.

My choice? Broiled Chicken, wrapped in prosciutto, served with roasted green beans, and potatoes with mushrooms.

We had a wonderful evening and he seemed to really like the food a lot, so, I've decided to share it all with you as an extra "Recipe of the Month".

"Broiled Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken with Roasted Green Beans and Mushrooms with Potatoes"

8 ounces, fresh green beans, stem ends removed
4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil (E.V.O.O.)
Salt & pepper
2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
6 thin slices of prosciutto
2 lemon wedges, for serving
1/2 lb small, redskin potatoes
1/2 lb bulk mushrooms
1 tblspn extra virgin olive oil (E.V.O.O.)
1 clove minced garlic

Set your oven (or toaster oven) on broil.
Line a baking sheet (or the small rimmed baking sheet) with aluminum foil (makes for an easier clean-up. Remember, no "unsafe-cooking").
Toss the green beans with 2 teaspoons of the E.V.O.O. and season with salt and pepper in a small bowl and then arrange on one side of your foil lined baking sheet.
Season the chicken with a little salt and pepper, then wrap with the prosciutto.
Place the chicken (seam side down) on the same foil lined baking sheet and rub with the remaining 2 teaspoons of E.V.O.O.
In a separate bowl cube your 1/2 lb of small, red skin potatoes and mushrooms (stems removed*) and drizzle with 1 tblspn of E.V.O.O.
Add 1 clove of minced garlic and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper.
Toss to evenly coat the mushrooms and potatoes before placing them on the baking dish with your prosciutto-wrapped chicken and green beans.
Broil till chicken is opaque throughout. About 15 to 20 minutes.
When done, transfer the portions to two separate plates and serve with the lemon wedges.

I would like to add that this is a very versatile dinner to make. If you want to serve it for a group of four, just double the amounts. If you want to make it just for yourself, cut the amounts in half. It's just that easy. The temperature and cooking time remain the same. It's just that simple.

Well, that's all for now. I hope you're all doing well. Remember, as always, eat and enjoy.

AT&T, Say it Ain't So!

2010-01-25T06:27:00.000-08:00

A friend told me recently that AT&T supported the "Yes on 8" campaign. If this is true, I cannot and will not continue to remain a shareholder regardless of how satisfied I am with AT&T's stock performance.

I've sent an e-mail to the investor relations department of AT&T, and if they tell me they did indeed support Prop Hate, I will sell my position and invest my money elsewhere.

You Gotta Love the Hypocrites

2010-01-09T15:04:00.000-08:00

Before I begin, I should tell you all how I was brought up in a religious household. Church every Sunday, two cousins in the choir, bake sales and socials throughout the year, and while I personally have not read the whole bible cover to cover, many of my relatives have, so I know as much, if not more, than your average, right wing, conservative bigot.

Now, yesterday, while I was waiting in line at the credit union to make my car loan payment, I saw one guy had tattooed on his arm "Leviticus 18:22". This is the chapter and verse the assholes of the world use to deny gay people their civil rights and basic human dignity. The dumb ass was displaying his hypocrisy for the whole world to see, and it drove me up a F***ING wall.

Why do I call him a hypocrite? Because if he had read just a little bit further along in the same book, he would have come across Leviticus 19:28 which is basically "Thou shalt not have a tattoo on thy skin".

Just one more example of the people who oppress us not living up to or living by the very Bible they use to condemn us.

God love 'em.

Pork Roast Dinner

2009-12-25T19:03:00.001-08:00

This recipe is not the "Recipe of the Month" for January. That one is coming in just over a week on January 3rd, 2010.

This is sort of a special "Bonus Recipe" I'm posting because I wanted to try something different. If you read to the bottom, you'll see I've also added a video element that shows me actually preparing the dish in question.

This is a new feature, and if it gets a good response, I plan on including a video element for all future recipes and past recipes that are specially requested.

Pork Roast Dinner

1 pound red potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 pound small fresh mushrooms, stems removed
1 1/2 cups fresh baby carrots
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 medium parsnip, chopped
1 white onion, chopped
1 pork roast (about 3 lbs)
1 can (14.5 oz) chicken broth
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Place vegetables in a 5 quart crock pot. Remember to use a crock pot liner (no unsafe cooking).
Place the pork roast on top of the vegetables and the mushrooms around the roast.
Sprinkle the seasonings on top of the pork roast.
Pour the chicken broth over the pork roast.
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours (or until meat is tender).

One last thing, please ignore my comment about a "Part One". I have no cameraman, had to do the filming and cooking at the same time, and didn't really know what I was saying. Still, I think you'll enjoy it.

I Just Love It when I'm Right!

2009-12-17T04:29:00.000-08:00

I was right again about two other stock IPOs I discussed earlier this month (see "Still No New Investments"), and how I thought they would not be a good idea for anyone seeking a small speculative investment strategy.

Team Health Holdings (TMH) which listed at $14.00/share is currently trading at $12.81/share, and Cobalt International Energy (CIE) which opened at $15.00/share is now at $13.50/share. That is an average decline of 9.25%.

I'm not ready to say these stocks would never be good investments at some future date, just not right now. I'm withholding any judgement on these stocks till they have an earnings per share (EPS) figure, and currently, they have not yet posted one.

When (or should I say "if") the day comes and this changes, don't worry, I'll keep you informed.

Update on KAR

2009-12-14T21:10:00.000-08:00

I was right about the IPO for Kar Auction Services, Inc (KAR). In it's debut Friday, 12/11/09, it opened at $12.00/share (was supposed to open between $15-$17/share) and closed that same day up only $.03.

Today, it fell to as low as $11.73 before closing back up to $12.00. This article I read in the Associate Press explains one of the reasons why (and I said it first!);

"Analysts said investors are likely wary of KAR's debt. According to recent regulatory filings, it owes creditors $2.5 billion".

It also probably doesn't help that out of sales of $1.31 Billion, it only made a profit last year of $17.9 Million. That's a profit margin of just barely 1.36%, and sorry, but I could do 4 times better than that by investing in any stock in the Dow Jones Industrial Average that yields over 4% (Currently AT&T, DuPont, Kraft Foods, Merk, and Verizon).

Still No New Investments

2009-12-12T22:26:00.001-08:00

I check the listing of IPOs (Initial Public Offerings) listed by Charles Schwab (where I do my investing) just about every day, looking for the next Intrepid Potash that earned me a 50% return in one month. So far, my luck has been non-existent.

In my last post, I told any of you that were thinking of investing in Kar Auction Services, Inc., to not invest in that stock, and I have the same advice for any thinking of investing it the two most recent IPOs listed by Charles Schwab. Team Health Holdings, Inc. (proposed symbol THM), and Cobalt International Energy, Inc. (proposed symbol CIE).

Why am I not recommending either of these stocks? Quite simply because both companies are carrying a shitload of debt, and neither has the track record or promise of future earnings to justify the risk.

If THM sells all 20 million proposed shares at the maximum price of $16, the roughly $320 million raised in this offering will mostly go to paying of certain indebtedness, including an interest bearing note of 11.25%. I'm sorry, but when a company sells stock to expand it's business, that's a good thing. When they sell stock to pay off debt, that's a bad thing.

The other company, CIE will be using the money raised (roughly $1 billion) to expand oil exploration and exploitation of deep water, off-shore sites, but, in the company's own words (found in the preliminary prospectus);

"We have no proved reserves and areas that we decide to drill may not yield oil in commercial quantities or quality, or at all."

So, my answer to both companies is, "I will not be buying your stock in this initial public offering. There are just to many uncertainties and you are both to risky for my blood."

For now, I'm sticking with my short-term treasury bills, my dividend paying stocks, and my two mutual funds. They may not be exciting, in fact they're downright dull, but I can sleep at night.

To Risky for My Blood

2009-12-07T20:19:00.001-08:00

Just a short post tonight to discourage any of you that might be thinking of investing in Kar Auction Service, Inc. (KAR).

DON'T DO IT!

Sure, on the surface, it might sound like a good idea, and maybe in the short term it would be, but there are just to many negatives and things that could go wrong with this new initial public offering.

For one thing, the economy is still basically a shambles, and credit markets are just to unstable to justify the risk. If people cannot get a loan, they won't be able to buy a car, even at auction, and most cars at auctions are bought by used car dealers anyway, and if their sources of credit dry up (and they have been), how will the average person be able to get the kind of money needed?

I'm sure some of you might be saying "Well, they can still pay cash to get the car at auction". True, but how many people have that kind of cash lying around? Enough to sustain a business model?

In the research I've done into the company, and that includes reading the prospectus (and I thought "Moby Dick" was a boring read) and everything I could find out on the internet, the income stream is to unstable. During this year's third quarter, KAR had a profit of $8.6 million, and while that does sound like a lot, last year they had a net loss of $169.9 million, and most of the profits they made were from cost and expense cutting, because sales were down 3.3%.

Another reason I won't be investing in this stock (let alone speculating) is that the bulk of money they plan to raise from the stock offering won't be going to expand the business but to pay down the company's debt.

Sorry, but this is just to risky for me. I would rather lose out on 99 fantastic investments rather than make one lousy investment.

If I come across one I think would be good for you, my readers (yeah, right) I'll keep you informed.

Arroz con Queso

2009-12-06T15:36:00.000-08:00

When I fist started this blog, and long before when I sent out monthly e-mails with my "Recipe of the Month", I originally would just use my grandmother's vast collection of cook-books, new paper clippings, and old family recipes she had committed to 3" by 5" cards as my source material. And if any of you decided to cook the dishes I recommended, you know just how yummy they were.

Now, however, I bring you a dish that I sorta came up with on my own. Why do I say "Sorta"? Well, the truth is I "ala Wesley'd" a dish I found online, and I hope you'll like it as much as I and a good friend of mine enjoyed it.

Arroz con Queso

(Rice with Cheese)

2 14.5 oz cans petite diced tomatoes with chilies and garlic (undrained)
1 14.5 oz can Mexican style beans (undrained)
1 1/2 cups long grain converted rice, uncooked
1 onion, chopped
1 cup cottage cheese
4 ounces green chili peppers, canned (undrained)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 teaspoons garlic, minced
1 4 oz can sliced black olive with red peppers (drained)
2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, grated, divided

Mix all ingredients except for 1 cup of grated cheese in the slow cooker.
Cover; cook on Low 6-9 hours.
Sprinkle with remaining cheese before serving.

For some, this might be a bit to spicy, but if you enjoy a good southwestern, Tex-Mex dish, you'll really enjoy this.

Not only is it delicious, but it's just so easy to make.

As always, eat and enjoy.

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T07:44:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is a time for celebration, but this year it is a more sombre occasion for many. Some of those things which could once have been taken for granted suddenly seem less certain and, naturally, give rise to feelings of insecurity.

People are touched by events which have their roots far across the world. Whether it is the global economy or violence in a distant land, the effects can be keenly felt at home. Once again, many of our service men and women are serving on operations in common cause to bring peace and security to troubled places. For their loved ones, the worry will never cease until they are safely home.

In such times as these we can all learn some lessons from the past. We might begin to see things in a new perspective. And certainly, we begin to ask ourselves where it is that we can find lasting happiness.

Over the years, those who have seemed to me to be the most happy, contented and fulfilled have always been the people who have lived the most outgoing and unselfish lives; the kind of people who are generous with their talents or their time. There are those who use their prosperity or good fortune for the benefit of others whether they number among the great philanthropists or are people who, with whatever they have, simply have a desire to help those less fortunate than themselves.

What they offer comes in the form of what can easily be recognised as service to the nation or service to the wider community. As often as not however, their unselfishness is a simply-taken-for-granted part of the life of their family or neighbourhood.

They tend to have some sense that life itself is full of blessings, and is a precious gift for which we should be thankful. When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.

I think we have a huge amount to learn from individuals such as these. And what I believe many of us share with them is a source of strength and peace of mind in our families and friends. Indeed, I can reflect on the blessing, comfort and support I have gained from some of my own family of friends in this special year.

At Thanksgiving, we all feel very fortunate to have our family and/or friends around us. But for many of you, this Thanksgiving will mean separation from loved ones and perhaps reflection on the memories of those no longer with us.

I hope that, like me, you will be comforted by the example of those we have all known in our lives who, often in circumstances of great adversity, managed to live an outgoing, unselfish and sacrificial life. I am personally inspired by memories of my beloved grandmother Irene, who taught me that genuine human happiness and satisfaction lie more in giving than receiving; more in serving than in being served.

I am still grateful that, even three years after her passing, I am still able to draw inspiration from her life and lessons, and to find in her memory a source of strength and courage. I hope that on this special day of giving thanks for those things we have and the people in our lives, you will find the strength and encouragement to sustain you too, not just on this day, but in the coming year.

I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving.

I Hear the Sound of Silence

2009-11-25T20:57:00.000-08:00

Yes, I'm in a melancholy funk once again. It's the day before Thanksgiving and I'll be spending it alone at Marie Calander's.

Why am I spending it alone? Well, I'm not exactly close with my father, I have doubts about my step-mother's judgement when it comes to picking husbands, my sister is the personification of evil, and my grand-parents have passed on. So, no family.

As for friends, they've all made plans with their families or they are in the group I refer to as "Special" friends (IE FALSE friends), so, no spending the day with "friends".

Add to all of that the news I received today that I was not cast in the Stockton Civic Theatre's upcoming production of "Are You Being Served?" and maybe you could understand my depression.

I Just Had the Strangest Dream

2009-11-22T08:37:00.000-08:00

So many of the details faded from my mind before I could log-on to write about this dream, but here it goes anyway.

In my dream, I'm sitting at an outdoor table at some resteraunt in Los Angeles. My table is over looking a river or canal, some body of water. Anyway, for some reason, they are having an auto race in the city, like they do in parts of Europe, when one of the cars goes out of control and comes straight at me.

I don't get hurt or anything, but it sort of bumps me into the river my table was next to. Now, instead of swimming to shore and getting out of the river, I swim to a large ship that was sailing down stream toward the Pacific ocean. The ship looks like an oil tanker or some sort of cargo ship, but when I climb on board to find the captain so I can ask for his or her help, inside I find a smaller version of the ship stores like I saw on Mariner of the Seas, the ship I sailed on during my last cruise.

Now the strangest part of the dream is when I said to myself (yes, I talk to myself even in my dreams) "What are the odds? You'd think I'd have a better chance of being struck by lightning."

Strange, isn't it?

By the way, if you also talk to yourself, don't let people look at you funny and tease you for it. Just look them straight in the eye and say;

"Hey! It's the only way I can be sure of an intelligent conversation around here."

Maybe This Will Work

2009-11-19T20:15:00.000-08:00

An eccentric aunt of mine once told me that if you want something to happen (or not happen), you should write it out 100 times. This would create the good karma necessary to achieve your desired result. So, here it goes.

I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it! I won't do it!

Wish me luck.

The Litany Against Fear

2009-11-13T17:22:00.000-08:00

I must not fear.

Fear is the mind-killer.

Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.

I will face my fear.

I will permit it to pass over me and through me.

And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.

Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.

Only I will remain.

Another Haiku About Silence

2009-11-08T21:23:00.000-08:00

It has been said that one person's Heaven is another person's Hell. Some time ago, I wrote my first Haiku poem about silence and I felt the need to write another one now.

I hear the silence.

Pressing in all around me,

I seek an escape.

The Heaven/Hell analogy becomes more obvious to me every day recently. The silence is pressing in on me from all sides. I need sound, but not just noise. I need someone to talk to who wants to hear what I have to say, and who has something they have to talk about with me.

Where I once sought escape from the false (and somewhat toxic) "friends" I had in previous times (and I don't care how bad it gets, I'm not going back to that group), now I seek companionship of a different sort.

Please don't think of me as some sort of pathetic loser, though I sometimes think I am. Maybe that's why I come on to strong sometimes. The silence of loneliness is deafening me. Grinding me down and wearing my spirit away like a river carving out a canyon. It makes me afraid, and clingy, and sometimes an easy mark for the unscrupulous to take advantage of.

I Don't Know What to Write About!

2009-11-08T18:11:00.001-08:00

But I feel like I need to write about something. I'm not sure if I'm in a mood or not just now, but I'm feeling a little melancholy at the moment.

Maybe it's just the down slope after such a great day yesterday. You see, yesterday, I, my roommate Greg, and his friend Mike all went to one of my favorite places in the world, Monterey, California, and more specifically, the Monterey Bay Aquarium. They had a LOT of new displays and exhibits, including one about seahorses.

After we were done for the day at the aquarium (we stayed till 6:00 PM), we went to pick-up some friends who lived in (I think it was) Pacific Grove and all went out to dinner together at this really cute restaurant. I had the squash ravioli (and it was yummy).

Or, maybe it's the down slope from after meeting a really nice guy at Barnes & Noble for an actual coffee date. He's really smart, and just so sexy/cute/hot. It was all I could do to not kiss his beautiful lips and just content myself with conversation and looking into his warm, friendly, beautiful eyes.

I don't know whats wrong with me. I'm just feeling blue and I thought writing about it would help me cheer up and not be depressed.

Thank You Mr. Pfiefer

2009-11-05T19:25:00.000-08:00

I just received a spam e-mail, very badly disguised as something important, and it probably had (as they say on the TV commercials) a computer virus (YIKES!!!).

How did I know? What makes me think it had a virus? Oh, just something my history teacher during my senior year at Berlin American High School taught once a long, long, long (well, maybe not THAT long ago) time ago. You see, the e-mail was not only from someone I don't know, the person's last name was Sanssouci, which is the name of the summer palace of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, and the topic was vacation bargains in Guatemala.

So, thank you Mr. Pfiefer, wherever you may be, and you were right, you never know when what you learn in history class will come in useful.

Those who do not learn from history, are condemned to get taken in by an Internet scam and risk a computer virus.

Crescent Cookies

2009-11-01T08:29:00.000-08:00

Hi, Everybody. The recipe I present this month is a little different.

In honor of the season, not just Halloween but Dia de Los Muertos I dug up (No, I'm not trying to do a bad impression of the Crypt Keeper) this recipe from one of my grandmother's old cookbooks from the 1950s. I hope you enjoy the result as much as I always did.

CRESCENT COOKIES

1 cup finely ground almonds
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
2 drops almond extract
1/2 cup butter (or margarine), softened
1 egg yolk (just the yolk).

Combine almonds, flour, sugar and extract until thoroughly mixed.
With your hands, work in the butter and egg yolk until well blended.
Chill the dough in your refrigerator for about 3 hours or so.
Preheat your oven to 350*F.
Pinch off pieces of dough about the size of a walnut and shape into crescents.
Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake for about 20 minutes.

I like eating these with a nice, chilled white zinfandel wine.

As always, eat and enjoy.

Ooops, I Did it Again!

2009-11-01T07:56:00.000-08:00

I tell myself, every time, "I will not come on to strong. I will not make myself look like a stalker.", and I just can't seem to keep that promise to myself. I keep making myself seem kind of clingy, like the symbolism in the Walter Egan song, Magnet and Steel. Hopefully, he won't be scared off, and will still welcome my attention. I just have to wait and let him make the next move (and anyone who know me, knows that while I have incredible patience when necessary, sometimes, I try to open my Christmas presents early).

In other news, some asshole keeps trying to outbid me on EBay for a Canon Power Shot A460 digital camera. This is the same model I already have, but go ruined on my last Atlantis vacation to the Mexican Riviera. It's a great camera, and I really hope I win the bidding wars for this one.

Not much else to talk about at the moment. The chest cold I picked up in during my cruise is getting better, and I got my computer back from the repair shop yesterday.

Now, I just have to be patient, and wait for him to invite me to come and listen to The Hum.

A Poem in Progress

2009-10-29T13:09:00.001-07:00

I like to write poetry from time to time. Whenever the spirit moves me, or I find a Muse to enspire me.

I found just such a muse on my last Atlantis Cruise but am having trouble getting past the first stanza, which I present for your enjoyment.

If I'm ever able to finish the poem, I will let you know. Till then -

I welcome the song of you,

I rejoice in the sight of you,

Most welcome I find the gift of you,

Oh sweet child of Scorpio.

My Atlantis Vacation - 2009

2009-10-26T08:57:00.000-07:00

Or,

The Good, The Bad, & the F'Ugly

I got back last night from my most recent Atlantis Events cruise to the Mexican Riviera, and it was, to say the least a unique and wonderful experience. Parts of it were good, parts of it were bad, and parts of it were (you guessed it) F'UGLY.

Lets start with the good. The ship this year was the Mariner of the Seas, one of the largest ships in the Royal Caribbean International cruise line's entire fleet. This year, the embarkation went like a dream, though I did end up getting to the pier in San Pedro way to early.

Anyway, once I got on the ship, I found out that we couldn't go to our rooms just yet because they were all being cleaned and made ready for us after the previous cruise customers had left that day, so we were invited to go to one of the ships restaurants and/or buffets. Now, some might tell you that the food in the Windjammer Cafe' wasn't that great, but don't listen to them, listen to me. I thought it was very good food. The variety was astounding, was artistically presented and displayed, and the taste (of those things I ate) was such that I wished I could just keep eating forever.

Once we could go to our rooms, I went down to my cabin on deck 2 (one floor above the waterline, ha ha) to freshen up and change into more vacation appropriate clothing. My luggage hadn't arrived yet, but I had a pair of my shorts in my carry-on bag, along with a comfortable and colorful t-shirt. After changing, I went up to the pool deck to get a drink and start mingling with the other passengers that were on board.

Oh, there were so many wonderful people I met that night, both on the main pool deck, and later that night at the singles cocktail mixer at a venue referred to as the Lotus Lounge (very gorgeous, Chinese decor), including the former mayor of Tempe, Arizona, Mr. Neil Giuliano (who is even better looking in person than he is on TV).

The entertainment on the ship was also incredible. The production shows put on by the Royal Caribbean Singers & Dancers (sorry, I couldn't find a link on Wikipedia) were fantastic, and never let any setback stop them from giving us a fantastic show. I mention this because during one performance, one of the male singers fell from a piece of the stage set, but just got right back up and kept on singing and dancing. He later poked fun at his pratfall by pretending to be extra careful coming down some stairs during the same show, grabbing the handrail with both hands and making a funny face toward the audience.

I would also like to say I cannot say anything to wonderful about the comedians that performed on board during the cruise. Louie Anderson, Jim David, and Shawn Pelofsky were my favorites. I was even honored to share lunch with Ms. Pelofsky one afternoon while we were docked in Puerto Vallarta.

I also met many wonderful men on this cruise, one of whom I think is very special. We didn't meet as often as I would have liked, it's a huge ship after all with over 3,500 passengers on board, but I was happy every time I saw him. I was even lucky enough to meet him in the terminal at LAX. We were able to talk for awhile before he had to board his plane, and before he left we gave each other a tight, tight hug. It was a little painful for me because of a mild sunburn I picked up in Cabo San Lucas, but, boys and girls, it was oh so worth it. We exchanged cards and I'm hoping I can see him again one day. Who knows what might happen.

Now the bad. In Puerto Vallarta, I took a hiking tour up the Sierra Madre Mountains through the jungle canopy. At first everything was going great, but then a light drizzle started to fall. To begin, it was no big deal. Like I said, the drizzle was light and we were largely sheltered by the trees and were by and large dry enough, but then the rain started to get heavier, and the tree cover started getting lighter. I had placed my camera in one of my cargo shorts pockets to keep it dry, but I realized I was getting soaked through to the skin, so I gave it to our tour guide to keep in his waterproof bag for safekeeping. I was too late making the transfer though, and my camera was totally ruined, which is also why I have no pictures from my vacation to share with you. I'm going to see if I can find a camera repair shop, but I think I may just have to buy a new camera.

And now, the F'UGLY. I can give it to you in two words, Hurricane Rick (is their a gayer name for a hurricane?). It totally changed our itinerary. Instead of going to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta (in that order), we spent the first two days at sea going around the hurricane and made Puerto Vallart our first port of call. Then, we had to stay an extra day in PV because Mazatlan was closed to ship traffic due to the rough weather. Fortunately, it cleared up by the time we made it to Cabo, and this year my shore excursion didn't get canceled due to lack of participation (though I think it might be because the people who went just wanted off the ship at that point). The weather was so violent, and the seas so rough at one point, I came up with what I thought was a funny joke. "How do you tell who's drunk and who's sober on board? The drunks are the only people who can walk in a straight line."

In spite of Rick though, I still had a great time and have already pre-booked my cruise to the Mexican Riviera for 2010. Some of my friends will undoubtedly say to me (as they have said in the past) "Why do you do the same thing every year? Doesn't it get boring going to the same places all the time?" Well, I came up with the perfect metaphor to answer them:

"My cruise to the Mexican Riviera is like a snow globe. The little house inside is always the same, but every time you shake it up, the little snowflakes fall in a different pattern."

So the answer is no, I don't get bored during my vacation.

PS: I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the new people I met on this cruise who exchanged cards with me. I have added you to my friends category in my e-mail address book.

PPS: Only 356 days till my next cruise!

Relax & Breath Already

2009-10-11T16:37:00.000-07:00

The world in not, and I repeat NOT, going to end in 2012.

I could go into great detail as to why it won't, but they say it better in this article I read in Yahoo News.

What I want to talk about is a theory I have as to WHY everyone thinks (or should I say WANTS) the world to end.

I think the biggest reason is that a lot of self-described "righteous" people, want to be able, as they ascend towards Heaven and Eternity with God, to wag their collective fingers back down at those of us left behind and say, in a sarcastic taunting voice "You should have listened to Us and Jesus. Now it's to late and we're going to Heaven while you go to Hell."

Well, boys and girls, people have been predicting the end of the world nearly since the beginning of the world and have been looking for any system, sign, or portent that would point to the date of Armageddon.

For Example;

The Jupiter Effect - Based on a 1974 bestselling book by John Gribbin, people believed that an alignment of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto would create monster earthquakes along the San Andreas Fault and elsewhere, and that this catastrophe would occur on March 10th, 1982 and the world would come to an end. They didn't take into consideration that the gravitational force of this event would be no greater than in the year 1128 AD (or CE if you want to be politically correct), and the world didn't end then either.
666 - Today, most Biblical scholars believe that this so called "Mark of the Beast" was actually a numerological code for the Emperor Nero. So everyone waiting for a baby to be born with this number under his hair, either go see a different movie, or hop in a time machine and go back to the year 68 AD.
1998 - Believed by many to be the year the Anti-Christ was born because 1998 is 666 (see above) times 3, a sort of unholy trinity.
2000 - Millennium madness. Everyone thought the world would end, Jesus would return, and the righteous would ascend, or at the very least the world's computers would crash or become self-aware and launch all the nuclear bombs. 9 years later and we're still here. They also thought the same thing in the year 1000 AD, and 1,009 years later . . . .

Well, let me make a prediction. The world will end one day. It will happen in approximately 5 billion years from now as the sun runs out of it's supply of hydrogen and begins to expand. Now, since it is highly unlikely that any one reading this will still be alive in the year 5,000,002,009 AD, give the whole doom and gloom, end of the world death wish scenario a rest.

None of this is to say that I still won't go see the movie 2012, but I'm not going to go and say the world will end that year. Some will, but not me, and the people who do probably wouldn't go in the water in a swimming pool after Jaws came out, or went back to the Catholic Church after they saw The Exorcist, or went to the Devil's Tower after they saw Close Encounters of the Third Kind. These are just movies people. You shouldn't use them to predict the future or control your behavior.

Astrological Compatability

2009-10-09T06:21:00.000-07:00

I don't want to jinx anything, "For ye Gods of Fate . . ." and yada, yada, yada, seem to just love to get my hopes up only to crush them under Their collective thumbs, but I sort of met someone, and I'm happy :)

I met this very cute man (I won't be giving names till he says I may) on an introduction sight recommended to me by my friend and co-actor in the SCT musicals of "Annie Get Your Gun" and "The Producers", www.singlesnet.com.

So far, we've only exchanged e-mails, instant-message contact information, and phone calls, but I am hopeful something may develop. But even if it doesn't, as a wise man once said, "No man is so rich he can turn down making a friend". Well, the actual quote was "No man is so rich he can afford to lose a friend", but hey, it's my blog, and I'll paraphrase if I want to.

Anyway, of all the things we've learned about each other, the only one I feel comfortable sharing (I don't want him to think our entire romance{if any actually develops}) is the fact that I'm a Gemini and he's a Capricorn, and according to one web-site I consulted about astrological compatibility, we would be "Opposites that attract". Of course, without a comparison of both our natal charts (which I'm able to do myself if I can get his date, time, and place of birth), this is nothing more than quasi-encouraging, and what the site actually said was barely a 4 word blurb about a Gemini/Capricorn relationship, so I take it with a grain of salt.

I would also like to calculate our Asian zodiac charts, but aside from knowing I'm year of the Ram, which sounds so much more butch than Year of the Goat (though I'm as horny as both{evil grin}), and he is Year of the Dog, I would need to know his month and date of birth.

I could be getting ahead of myself with all of this. It has happened before. But I will never give up hope.

That Last 25% . . . .

2009-10-07T20:46:00.000-07:00

My grandmother, Irene, was a woman of great wisdom, and she said something to me once, when I was a little child, that I have remembered ever since.

I don't remember what had made me so upset, and why she told me what she did, but it stayed with me a lot longer than the problem she helped me through.

Now, I'm going to share some more of Her Wisdom with you;

"The World is broken up into four different types of people.

25% that will like you for the right reasons,

25% that will like you for the wrong reasons,

25% that won't like you for the wrong reasons,

and 25% that won't like you for the right reasons."

She went on to say, and this was the core of her lesson;

"It's only that last 25% that anyone should ever be concerned about."

It's not been easy, but ever since that day, I have tried to live my life by the wisdom of those words.

Dinner For Two (#1)

2009-10-05T19:37:00.000-07:00

Let me start out by saying, an oven pre-set to 400*F is your best friend when it comes to preparing this delightful, romantic, dinner for two.

Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken Breast

with

Roasted Green Beans & Eggplant

8 oz green beans, stem ends removed
4 teaspoons plus two (or more) cups extra-virgin olive oil
salt and pepper
2 boneless, skinliss chicken breast halves
6 thinly sliced strips of prosciutto
1 eggplant, pealed and sliced about 1/2" thick
2 cups (more or less) of Italian seasoned bread crumbs
Lemon wedges for serving

Heat your oven to 400*F
In a large bowl, toss green beans with 2 teaspoons of the olive oil and season with a little salt and pepper
Place the greenbeans on a large cookie sheet, pushed to one side
Pour the two cups of olive oil in the bowl
In a seperate bowl, place the two cups of Italian seasoned bread crumbs
Spear one slice at a time of your sliced eggplant on a fork and dip in the olive oil, then place the slice in the bowl of Italian seasoned bread crumbs turning it over so both sides are coated. Shake off the excess and place on the cookie sheet with the greenbeans.
Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and wrap each in the three slices of the prosciutto.
Place the chicken, seam side down on the cookie sheet with the greenbeans and eggplant and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper.
Cook at 400*F till chicken is opaque throughout (about 15 to 20 minutes)

Serve this delicious meal with lemon wedges.

The proscuitto helps keep the chicken juicy without adding much fat, and the squeez of lemon juice adds a bright twist and is a lot healthier that a heavy sauce.

Counting Down the Days

2009-10-02T10:14:00.000-07:00

Only 16 days left till my next cruise vacation!

For the last couple of days, ever since I received my itinerary for the cruise from Atlantis Events & Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, I've been planning what activities I'm going to do, seeing what performers will be on board, and deciding what shore excursions I'm going to take.

I have to admit I was a little disappointed when I found out Alec Mapa & Shann Carr would not be among the featured comedians this year. They are both SOOOOO funny, but it is probably because they are both SOOOOO funny that they are also probably incredibly busy and could not find time this year. Oh well (loud, sad sigh).

I have also just finished booking my shore excursions for this trip. I went through the brochure and picked a primary and two alternates for each city we will be stopping in.

In Cabo San Lucas, I hope to go on a guided walking tour of the city. I tried going on it last year but it had been canceled for lack of participation. In Mazatlan I will be taking a walking tour of "Historic Old Mazatlan". Some of the friends I made on my last cruise took this trip last year and say it's worth it if only for the stop at this old style Mexican bakery. Now in Puerto Vallarta I'm not going on a walking tour, I'm going of a hiking exploration of the Sierra Madres.

I am so looking forward to all of my shore excursions, but just in case, I've got my list of two alternate excursions for each city (as I mentioned earlier) just in case any of my primaries get canceled (which happened at all of the cities we stopped at last year except Mazatlan), and I am to much of a chicken-shit to risk not getting back to the ship in time before it sails. If I miss the boat because of the tour guide, the tour company has to pay for me to get to the next stop. If I miss the boat because I f**ked up, I have to pay to get to my next stop.

Anyway, that's all I have for now. I'm going to a friends home tonight for dinner, and tomorrow I'm off to my annual pilgrimage to the Renaissance Pleasure Faire. I'll have pictures of my Faire experience soon.

Till later, don't worry, I'll keep you informed.

OH! By the way, a special "Romantic Dinner For Two" will be featured on my upcoming instalment of "The Recipe of the Month" this Sunday.

My Last Play?

2009-09-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

I think "The Producers", the show I'm performing in at the Stockton Civic Theatre may be the last show I'm ever in.

I don't know why, but I seem to be the whipping boy for most of the cast and crew. The one they can push under their collective thumbs and treat as though I'm lower than the dust under their feet.

Of course, some of it is my fault. Thursday evening, I forgot to bring some of my costume to the theatre (I had brought it home for cleaning), and was running around at the last minute trying to figure out what to do. I'm sure the people who matter will never cast me in anything again after that.

This all makes me very sad, because I was having so much fun, and thought I was making some good friends. I think I may have been wrong.

I guess that the world (or the people I usually end up working with) just needs a designated victim/whipping-boy, and I guess it's me.

Then again, maybe the people who are the most hurtful are, in their own unsuccessful way, just trying to be funny. They are failing.

And if they really are doing it because they get off on destroying my self-esteem and sense of self worth, I just have this to say; "You're to late! My mother, sister, and Junior High School beat you to it"

I have been told I try to hard to please and be accommodating, and that I should tone it down. But when I tone it down, I'm told I don't try hard enough.

I just can't win for losing.

No Good Deed . . . .

2009-09-23T17:55:00.001-07:00

Let me start out by saying it's my own fault for not asking the right questions, but I missed work today because I let a friend borrow my car for a trip to Marin County in exchange for the use of his car to get to and from work.

His car works fine for a short trip like I needed to make, but for the long trip to the Bay Area, it wouldn't have been a good idea. No, the problem (and question I forgot to ask) was the alarm was not turned off, and my friend didn't tell me the combination.

I'll leave you all to imagine how surprised I was when I opened the car door to hear that blaring noise and see those few of my neighbors up at that hour looking at me like I was some sort of criminal. "LOL". I'm still amazed the police didn't pay a call during the day to ask why I "tried to steal my friends car".

I called my boss at work to let them know I wouldn't be in, and told them I couldn't get my car to start, and would be taking it into the auto repair shop since I don't know the first thing about cars. I just hope my boss doesn't call the place I mentioned to see if I actually did go there.

If he does, and I get into trouble, I suppose you could call this whole little adventure a case of no good deed going unpunished.

(Sigh)

Southwestern Crockpot Breakfast

2009-09-06T11:20:00.000-07:00

In going over my vast collection of recipes, and the list of posted recipes to your right on the screen to make sure I don't post the same one twice, I came to realize that most are lunch & dinner recipes. So today, I present something good for a nice breakfast or brunch.

SOUTHWEST CROCK POT BREAKFAST

1 Tbsp butter or margarine
1 lb lean hamburger, cooked and drained
1 large white onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 4oz can chopped green chillies, drained
2 1/2 cups grated pepper-jack cheese
18 eggs
1 Tbsp jalapeno sauce (optional)

Grease the inside of your crock pot with the butter or margarine.
Starting with the hamburger, layer the meat, onions, peppers, chillies and cheese, repeating the layering until all ingredients are used.
In large mixer bowl, beat eggs with wire whisk or eggbeater until combined (mix in the tablespoon of jalapeno sauce if desired), then pour over mixture in the crock pot.
Cover and cook on low 7-8 hours.

I recommend serving this with sour cream (Imo if you're watching your cholesterol) or fresh salsa. Set this to cooking the night before, and wake up to a fantabulous breakfast for you, your family, and friends.

A little side note here; Sometimes, this bubbles over with goodness. To prevent a mess from forming all over your counter surface, place a large plate under the crock pot to catch anything that might bubble out.

As always, eat and enjoy.

The Hollywood Stock Exchange

2009-08-29T09:28:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I posted, I know, but I've just had so many things happening in my life, that I've let some of my obligations, and some of my joys, lapse in order to take care of other joys and obligations.

Everything is going well in the play I'm currently in ("The Producers"). We have our big run through of the play where we also work on the technical side to make sure everything runs smoothly, and mark out the location of where all the different bits of scenery will be going.

I have a collection of bit supporting parts in this show. I play a "first nighter" who comes to the premier of "Springtime for Hitler", I also play the stalker of character Roger Elizabeth DeBris at the "audition scene", a NYPD police officer, and finally (though not necessarily in this order) Winston Churchill.

I have also been very busy at work, trying my best to make sure I don't get declared "redundant" and unnecessary.

To relive my stress (since I am still boyfriendless) I've been getting re-involved in the online game "The Hollywood Stock Exchange". It's a fun game that I highly recommend. It's completely free, and if you play, you don't have to tell anyone (unless you want to) that you heard about it here. You start out with $2million VIRTUAL dollars, and invest it in movie stocks, star bonds, and other entertainment based investment securities.

Like I said, the game is free, you won't make any real money playing (though you can use some of your "profits" toward the purchase of HSX merchandise.

Anyway, I've got to go now. I'll be posting again soon, and my September (and belated August) recipes of the month will be posted next Sunday.

Gee, I just noticed how many links I've inserted in this post.

Updating My Readers (#2)

2009-08-17T21:25:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's been so long since my last post, and sorry I haven't posted my August recipe yet, but I've just been so busy with the new play I'm in, that (and I know it's no excuse) I just haven't had time.

I will try to make the time though this Friday (my 3rd Furlough Friday for August), and get my recipes and other blog stuff caught up.

Till later,

Wesley

PS: I've decided to drop the "Royal" from the name of my micronation. It implies that it was granted by a king/queen, duke/duchess or similarly high title, and though I will acknowledge others as my peers and equals, I will not grant anyone higher status than me. So, from now on, any future reference to my proposed micronation will refer to it as "The Sovereign Barony of Nonsuch".

Could You Do Me a Favor?

2009-07-31T18:00:00.000-07:00

This is going to sound strange, and I won't be holding my breath, but I would like to ask all of you who read my blog to put some effort into actually doing something for me. "What is it?" you may ask? I would like you to follow this link, and help me to get Turner Classic Movies to make the made for TV movie "The Day the Bubble Burst" available for viewing or even purchase.

This was a movie chronicling various personal stories surrounding the 1929 stock market crash. This adaptation of the best-seller by Gordon Thomas and Max Morgan-Witts had a curious TV history. Originally announced in 1978 as a four-hour movie to be called "The Day America Died", with a stellar cast of TV personalities, it ultimately went into production in mid-1980 in a less ambitious three-hour form and was scheduled to premiere on February 1, 1981, but was withdrawn without notice on the eve of its showing. It subsequently aired one year later, and I thought, given the world's current economic mood, it would be a good movie to see again.

I've been looking high and low for it but, so far, no luck. I know it's asking a lot for any of you to take the time to do this for me, but I would be very grateful if you did.

Now, onto other things.

My last survey/poll didn't go over so well. Only 5 people (4 if you don't count me) even bothered to vote. I thought long and hard about it and I think the reason is, it wasn't edgy or controversial enough. So, as you can see, I've come up with a new poll. You can vote in it more than once if you like, and it'll be interesting to see how this one goes.

Till later, don't worry. I'll keep you informed.

The Lost 2 Inches

2009-07-27T21:38:00.000-07:00

Just a quick little post to share my good news. I've lost 2" of my waist!!!!!!

For the first time, in I don't know how long, and granted they were a bit snug, but still, I was able to get the button to my size 40" waist pants to close and zip up!

It may not sound like much to brag about for all the Plastic People out there (and you know who you are!), but I'm happy with it. Especially since just a month and a half ago, I couldn't get the button to close.

My dream now is to get to 38" in time for my next cruise vacation. Maybe then I won't be invisible to the rest of the passengers or others.

Hamburger & Biscuit Potpie

2009-07-24T17:23:00.000-07:00

I know I just did my semi-famous "Recipe of the Month" just last week (see Asian Pork Stew), but one of the things about The Tao of Wesley is that like it says in chapter 20 of the Tao Te Ching (and I'm paraphrasing here) "My mind is like the restless wind". Sometimes I don't know forwards or backwards, I just am.

Anyway, here is the special bonus recipe. It is an adaptation from the "Taste of Home: Dinner on a Dime" cookbook I got some time back while waiting in the checkout line at my favorite grocery store. I've made a few adjustments (of course) to try and make it even less expensive than it was originally, but still have plenty of taste.

Hamburger & Biscuit Potpie

1 pound ground beef hamburger
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
2 1/2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
1/2 of a large white onion
1 to 2 cloves minced garlic
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tubes (16 oz. each) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits separated into 16 individual biscuits
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

In a large skillet coated with cooking spray, cook onions and hamburger with 1 to 2 cloves of minced garlic till the hamburger is no longer pink. Drain.
While the hamburger and onions are draining, combine flour and milk until smooth. Bring to a boil and stir for about 2 minutes until thickened.
Stir in the vegetables, salt, pepper, and the onions and hamburger mixture. Reduce the heat to a bare minimum (just enough to keep it warm).
Place 12 of the biscuits 2" apart on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 400* for 5 minutes.
Transfer the hamburger mixture you've been keeping warm into a greased 8" square baking dish.
Place the biscuits over the mixture.
Bake the potpie and remaining biscuits for another 5 to 7 minutes or until the biscuits are a nice golden brown.

As always, eat and enjoy.

Asian Pork Stew

2009-07-17T10:28:00.000-07:00

This is a delicious crock-pot dish that will thrill your friends. I made a big batch of it for me and my roommate recently, and now I present it to you. Originally, it was for a beef stew, but beef is just to expensive, so I made a few adjustments to make it less expensive, but just as delicious.

Asian Pork Stew

2 Red onions, diced
1 1/2 lbs of boneless pork rib meat, cubed (Ask your butcher to do it. It's a free service.)
2 ribs of celery, sliced
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 cup orange juice
1 can beef broth
1/2 cup hoisin sauce*
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 to 2 teaspoons Chinese five-spice powder
1 cup frozen peas
1 pkg wide egg noodles (It'll say "6 servings" on back)
Chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

Place onions, pork, celery, carrots and mushrooms in a 5-quart crock-pot. Don't forget to use a crock-pot liner (It makes clean-up a snap).
Combine orange juice, broth hoisin sauce, cornstarch and five-spice powder in a small bowl. Pour into the crock-pot.
Cover and cook on high for 5 hours.
One hour before the stew is done, add the wide egg noodles and stir thoroughly.
20 minutes before the stew is done, add the cup of frozen peas and stir thoroughly.

As always, eat and enjoy.

*This has nothing to do with the recipe, just a funny (to me) side note. At one of my favorite Chinese restaurants, they've been passing of hoisin sauce as their "Special Peking Duck Sauce" for years. Those bastards!

Sorry the Recipe is Late

2009-07-17T00:20:00.000-07:00

Let me begin by saying how sorry I am for not posting my "July's Recipe of the Month" yet. I've just been so busy with the play I'm in that I haven't had time. Now, on to the post.

My heart is slowly dying.

No, I don't mean physically, and it will be just my luck to live for another 100 years. I'm talking about my emotional heart.

Why am I still single and so fucking lonely?!?!

Am I to fat? Am I to ugly? Am I to needy? To Clingy?

And please, if I had a dollar for every time someone has ever told me "Just be patient, Wesley. You'll find someone eventually the minute you stop looking", I'd have a million fucking dollars! How patient do I have to be? I can joke all I want to about being 29 for the last 13 years, but the truth is, I'm not. And can anyone tell me why it's always the people who are in happy, committed relationships that are the most often the ones to give this advice? And why does it always seem to be that the guys who do show any interest in me are always just out of a relationship and not looking for a new one, but find the love of their lives and enter a new one AFTER me. Am I cursed or something? Surrounded by love but never loved myself, just used by all and sundry?

Maybe my standards are to high, or maybe, just maybe, I should just resign myself to the idea that I'm going to be single and alone for the rest of my life.

Since it's dying anyway, maybe I should just have done with it, and seal my heart up in a metaphoric glass case.

I won't ask any of you (Yeah! Like someone is actually reading this because they care about me and what I have to say!) for advice or answers or anything. You don't care and wouldn't respond anyway.

By the way, if any of you are wondering (Yeah, again like you care) what brought on this bout of depression and angst, I can give it to you in two words. "Someone blabbed!" Someone has taken great joy in telling me what they, and apparently a great many of you think of me; The Ugly, Four-Eyed, Fat Freak!

I won't mention names. The individual would just deny it, and I have no proof anyway. But I will give you a few clues. Think spiteful, vicious, vindictive old (yes, I'm saying you're old! How much more could you hurt me without revealing who you are?) queen. Sorry, that doesn't narrow the list down very much, does it?

The Truth or a Lie?

2009-07-07T19:06:00.000-07:00

It is said that love and truth walk hand in hand.

But if the need is great enough . . .

Can we learn to love a lie?