Hope this doesnt happen!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The winter grind
I made a resolution this year to be happy with what I'm doing today rather than pine for something in the future. Last year, while it was an awesome year, I felt moved way too fast. Maybe it was the second half of the year that flew by. Buying a house, going on vacations, college football, all of these things added up to an amazing year. I was thinking about where the time went and decided that I am in no hurry to get to the next year. So I think it's best for me to slow it down and enjoy what come up each day.
It's easy to think about these things in the dead of winter because a lot of the time you are stuck inside. There are a few things I want to do this year, or rather things I want to work on. Of course I want to travel and whatnot, but by deciding in advance all the individual things I want to do, it boils the year down to a few days of doing those specific things. That is why I want to continually work on projects or develop skills.
First, I want to become a better picture-taker. Some people call this being a photographer, but that sounds too much like a job to me. So I want to take better pictures and learn more about post-processing (aka photoshopping). And when I say photoshopping, I don't mean putting people's heads on other people's bodies (I already know how to do that). I am going to learn how to take my pictures that already look good and make them better. Here's a tip for all of you out there; most of the fixes to a picture can be taken care of in camera.
Next I want to get more experience BBQ-ing. I love to cook, and cooking barbecue is one of my favorite things to do. But I don't do it for the actual action of cooking, I do it for the eating. And more than cooking, I love eating. This is a skill I can work on almost any weekend I'm in town. And it's one of those things that I can do with friends. Last year, Laura and I decided to be more active about going out and spending time with our friends, and that is definitely continuing into this year. My hope is that I can get a bunch of our buddies over to the house a couple times this year to try my ever-improving barbecue. And if the food sucks, we'll order pizza.
Thirdsies, I want to play more golf. Last year I kicked my desire to improve my game into gear and got a lot better. This year, with my indoor driving range (Thanks, Laura), training aids (Thanks, Jim), and other various gadgets (Thanks, mom and dad) I plan to improve even more! I have enjoyed practicing and playing golf. It combines several things I love, outdoors, sports, competition, and shit talking. On that note, I will definitely be working this year to improve my shit talking.
The great thing about my yearly plan to improve on the things I love is that it will get me outdoors a lot and increase the time I spend with family and friends. Increasing the former might actually help me get a tan. But prolly not. The key thing for me to do is to not let myself get bored. If there is a lazy weekend afternoon I need to get my ass off the couch and do something. I'm all for relaxing, but it is so easy to get stuck in a rut. Now I have listed just three of the things I like to do (there are many others), so I have no excuse for wasting a single day.
It's easy to think about these things in the dead of winter because a lot of the time you are stuck inside. There are a few things I want to do this year, or rather things I want to work on. Of course I want to travel and whatnot, but by deciding in advance all the individual things I want to do, it boils the year down to a few days of doing those specific things. That is why I want to continually work on projects or develop skills.
First, I want to become a better picture-taker. Some people call this being a photographer, but that sounds too much like a job to me. So I want to take better pictures and learn more about post-processing (aka photoshopping). And when I say photoshopping, I don't mean putting people's heads on other people's bodies (I already know how to do that). I am going to learn how to take my pictures that already look good and make them better. Here's a tip for all of you out there; most of the fixes to a picture can be taken care of in camera.
Next I want to get more experience BBQ-ing. I love to cook, and cooking barbecue is one of my favorite things to do. But I don't do it for the actual action of cooking, I do it for the eating. And more than cooking, I love eating. This is a skill I can work on almost any weekend I'm in town. And it's one of those things that I can do with friends. Last year, Laura and I decided to be more active about going out and spending time with our friends, and that is definitely continuing into this year. My hope is that I can get a bunch of our buddies over to the house a couple times this year to try my ever-improving barbecue. And if the food sucks, we'll order pizza.
Thirdsies, I want to play more golf. Last year I kicked my desire to improve my game into gear and got a lot better. This year, with my indoor driving range (Thanks, Laura), training aids (Thanks, Jim), and other various gadgets (Thanks, mom and dad) I plan to improve even more! I have enjoyed practicing and playing golf. It combines several things I love, outdoors, sports, competition, and shit talking. On that note, I will definitely be working this year to improve my shit talking.
The great thing about my yearly plan to improve on the things I love is that it will get me outdoors a lot and increase the time I spend with family and friends. Increasing the former might actually help me get a tan. But prolly not. The key thing for me to do is to not let myself get bored. If there is a lazy weekend afternoon I need to get my ass off the couch and do something. I'm all for relaxing, but it is so easy to get stuck in a rut. Now I have listed just three of the things I like to do (there are many others), so I have no excuse for wasting a single day.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Who's your daddy, and what does he do??
Holy Smokes! John Edwards finally admitted that he is the daddy of the daughter of his former campaign videographer (or whatever she did). He said that hopefully, when his illegitimate daughter is old enough, she will forgive him. Maybe he should say, "hopefully my wife will forgive me"
The lesson in this story is no matter how gosh darn beautiful you are, lying will only make you look like a fool. The good thing about the truth is you can tell it over and over again. Many politicians haven't learn that yet.
Just speculation, but I bet that hair is responsible for even more babies.
The lesson in this story is no matter how gosh darn beautiful you are, lying will only make you look like a fool. The good thing about the truth is you can tell it over and over again. Many politicians haven't learn that yet.
Just speculation, but I bet that hair is responsible for even more babies.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tech beats Clemson......again
I went to the Tech vs Clemson basketball game last night with Tom. It was a great game, but we didn't know that until the very end. I think I want Tech to win so much that it can, at times, screw up my ability to have a great time. However, last night was not the case. I had the mindset that we could definitely lose this game because Clemson is not bad. But, I love beating clemson more than any other team out there (except for uga, of course).
So the game was close the whole time, but for the most part Tech lead. With a couple minutes left in the game Clemson took a small lead that never exceeded one score. At this point the row of Clemson losers behind us were talking smack to a quiet tech fan sitting next to us. I wanted to pop off in typical "Robert's at a sports game talking smack to opposing fans" fashion. For those of you who dont know, as a student sitting in the student section you can say anything you want without the fear of getting your ass whooped. And when I was a student, I took full advantage of those freedoms. USA! Those were the times.
Anyway, back to the story. I wanted to make fun of the 17 year old Clemson crap bags but there was a kid sitting next to the them as well as their mother. So being a classy individual, I held my tongue. I guess I just made a short story long....Sorry.
Tech went on to win, thus making the game great!! It was fun to go to a basketball game seeing as I hadn't been in over a year.
Another not so cool story. While waiting in line to drain the main vain at half time Tom and I saw Len Elmore. He is one of the guys on the broadcast team for ESPN and former Maryland player. As he walked through the line I put up my hand for a high five and said, "Len, give it up!". At first he kept walking like he didn't see me (but I knew he did.... I'm beautiful!). So I said it again, and at the last minute he slapped me some skin. It was close, I almost got left hanging in front of all my friends. That would have been embarrassing. Come to think of it, I doubt he would have given me such a bodacious high five if I were coming out of the bathroom (for obvious reasons......potentially having pee on my hand).
Len Elmore - The most famous guy I met yesterday
So the game was close the whole time, but for the most part Tech lead. With a couple minutes left in the game Clemson took a small lead that never exceeded one score. At this point the row of Clemson losers behind us were talking smack to a quiet tech fan sitting next to us. I wanted to pop off in typical "Robert's at a sports game talking smack to opposing fans" fashion. For those of you who dont know, as a student sitting in the student section you can say anything you want without the fear of getting your ass whooped. And when I was a student, I took full advantage of those freedoms. USA! Those were the times.
Anyway, back to the story. I wanted to make fun of the 17 year old Clemson crap bags but there was a kid sitting next to the them as well as their mother. So being a classy individual, I held my tongue. I guess I just made a short story long....Sorry.
Tech went on to win, thus making the game great!! It was fun to go to a basketball game seeing as I hadn't been in over a year.
Another not so cool story. While waiting in line to drain the main vain at half time Tom and I saw Len Elmore. He is one of the guys on the broadcast team for ESPN and former Maryland player. As he walked through the line I put up my hand for a high five and said, "Len, give it up!". At first he kept walking like he didn't see me (but I knew he did.... I'm beautiful!). So I said it again, and at the last minute he slapped me some skin. It was close, I almost got left hanging in front of all my friends. That would have been embarrassing. Come to think of it, I doubt he would have given me such a bodacious high five if I were coming out of the bathroom (for obvious reasons......potentially having pee on my hand).
Len Elmore - The most famous guy I met yesterday
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Did some cooking this week
Earlier this week I decided I would try and make a butternut squash soup. I have always like this type of wintery comfort soup so why not make one from scratch. The hardest part was cutting up the squash because it was so dense! Anyway, this took about an hour and a half to complete. What you see is the soup with a cinnamon whip cream and fried shallots. Great recipe from food network.
This weekend I wanted to make some barbecue. A couple weeks ago I smoked an awesome beef brisket with my family. It came out great. On Saturday I thought I would use a recipe from the "Legends of Texas Barbecue" book my parents gave me. I chose to make a boston butt (pork shoulder) seasoned with Lawry's salt, chili powder, garlic powder, and pepper. Throughout the smoking process I sprayed the hulk of meat with apple juice to add another layer of flavor and keep the meat juicy.
Here's a picture of the boston butt before I cut it up. It was super tender and very flavorful!
The recipe said to serve the meat on buns and top with garlicky guacamole. So that's what I did. I had never had guac on pork sandwiches, but I have liked guac on everything else so I didnt think it would hurt. It turned out FANTASTIC!! I loved the combo of creamy guacamole, tender pork, and garlic. I will definitely do this again!
This weekend I wanted to make some barbecue. A couple weeks ago I smoked an awesome beef brisket with my family. It came out great. On Saturday I thought I would use a recipe from the "Legends of Texas Barbecue" book my parents gave me. I chose to make a boston butt (pork shoulder) seasoned with Lawry's salt, chili powder, garlic powder, and pepper. Throughout the smoking process I sprayed the hulk of meat with apple juice to add another layer of flavor and keep the meat juicy.
Here's a picture of the boston butt before I cut it up. It was super tender and very flavorful!
The recipe said to serve the meat on buns and top with garlicky guacamole. So that's what I did. I had never had guac on pork sandwiches, but I have liked guac on everything else so I didnt think it would hurt. It turned out FANTASTIC!! I loved the combo of creamy guacamole, tender pork, and garlic. I will definitely do this again!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Carlton the Cat
Last night I was relaxing on the couch watching a mediocre and not very interesting movie. The Soloist, in case you were interested. Anyway, I got up to go upstairs and get my phone when I saw this furry little friend. He was sitting very calmly on the front porch most likely trying to get out of the cold. He probably also heard there might be milk or tuna fish inside. He was right about the milk. I told him to wait a sec so I could get my camera, and he did. I introduced myself, and he told me his name was Carlton. He said he wasn't looking for any kind of handout. He didn't want milk or tuna fish. He just wanted to introduce himself and ask me if I had seen any mice. Sadly, I hadn't, but he was cool with it.
What a cool cat.
What a cool cat.
2010 Olympics
In one month the games of the umpteenth winter Olympiad will begin. Every other year we get a different Olympic games. And every other year Team USA shows the world what freedom + capitalism + the bill of rights + pop culture equals. And that is world domination.
If you ask Laura (but now you don't have to because I'm going to tell you), the Olympics are my favorite sporting events. Also favorites are baseball and Tech football. But in February, the Olympics are more favorite than the others. I love the pageantry of all the countries parading into the games and showing off their weird looking flags. I love it when the athletes from other countries go bonkers because they placed 5th in the women's freestyle skiing competition (it's so cute). I also love how the athletes from Team USA bring 10 extra pairs of blue jeans to sell to the eastern European and Russian contingents.
As a kid I would wake up every morning during the Olympics and check the medal counts. If USA was behind I would look ahead to the remaining events and count how many we would take to reassure myself that we would in fact come out on top. I take the Olympics very seriously.
In 2008 I probably watched a good 63 hours of Olympic coverage, partly because I wasn't working at the time, but also because I knew we had to represent in Red China. This year, I plan on watching that much if not more.
There are a few winter Olympic events that I especially enjoy. Downhill skiing is awesome because those guys (and gals) go so damn fast. They get hella air time as well. My buddy, Tom did some skiing this Christmas at the Olympic venue and he has assured me that Team USA will do well. I know the Canadians, Austrians and Germans are pretty good skiers, so they will be tough to beat. But since the games are in Canada, we pretty much have home field advantage.
Speed skating and short track speed skating are also cool as hell. In the past, the Koreans, Chinese, and Japanese have done very well in these events. But I gotta feeling (queue the Black Eye Peas) that Team USA, with their bulging leg muscles, will whip dat ass. If you haven't watched short track speed skating, I recommend you give it a chance. It's the one where everybody wears sweet yellow helmets. It's super exciting because there is a lot of passing, and at times it can get physical. When people fall, they go flying into the safer barrier (just like nascar).
Of course there is the bobsled, luge, and skeleton. For some reason the Americans don't do as well in these events. Maybe its because instead of sledding we are going to work, or donating to charities, or conducting bombing runs on terrorist bunkers. I don't know, we just don't seem to dominate these events like we should. Maybe this year will be different.
In summary, the Olympic are those once in a couple year opportunities for countries to unite in the celebration of sport, community, and American glory. The games are to be treated with respect. All of the athletes competing have worked many years just for the opportunity to come to America (we all know they are going to just cross the border after their event). In one month the games will be upon us, so prepare thy mind and thy soul. It's going to be balls-freakin-tastic!!!
If you ask Laura (but now you don't have to because I'm going to tell you), the Olympics are my favorite sporting events. Also favorites are baseball and Tech football. But in February, the Olympics are more favorite than the others. I love the pageantry of all the countries parading into the games and showing off their weird looking flags. I love it when the athletes from other countries go bonkers because they placed 5th in the women's freestyle skiing competition (it's so cute). I also love how the athletes from Team USA bring 10 extra pairs of blue jeans to sell to the eastern European and Russian contingents.
As a kid I would wake up every morning during the Olympics and check the medal counts. If USA was behind I would look ahead to the remaining events and count how many we would take to reassure myself that we would in fact come out on top. I take the Olympics very seriously.
In 2008 I probably watched a good 63 hours of Olympic coverage, partly because I wasn't working at the time, but also because I knew we had to represent in Red China. This year, I plan on watching that much if not more.
There are a few winter Olympic events that I especially enjoy. Downhill skiing is awesome because those guys (and gals) go so damn fast. They get hella air time as well. My buddy, Tom did some skiing this Christmas at the Olympic venue and he has assured me that Team USA will do well. I know the Canadians, Austrians and Germans are pretty good skiers, so they will be tough to beat. But since the games are in Canada, we pretty much have home field advantage.
Speed skating and short track speed skating are also cool as hell. In the past, the Koreans, Chinese, and Japanese have done very well in these events. But I gotta feeling (queue the Black Eye Peas) that Team USA, with their bulging leg muscles, will whip dat ass. If you haven't watched short track speed skating, I recommend you give it a chance. It's the one where everybody wears sweet yellow helmets. It's super exciting because there is a lot of passing, and at times it can get physical. When people fall, they go flying into the safer barrier (just like nascar).
Of course there is the bobsled, luge, and skeleton. For some reason the Americans don't do as well in these events. Maybe its because instead of sledding we are going to work, or donating to charities, or conducting bombing runs on terrorist bunkers. I don't know, we just don't seem to dominate these events like we should. Maybe this year will be different.
In summary, the Olympic are those once in a couple year opportunities for countries to unite in the celebration of sport, community, and American glory. The games are to be treated with respect. All of the athletes competing have worked many years just for the opportunity to come to America (we all know they are going to just cross the border after their event). In one month the games will be upon us, so prepare thy mind and thy soul. It's going to be balls-freakin-tastic!!!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Biggest loser predictions
Ok, I watched the newest season opener of the Biggest loser, and based on my limited knowledge of the ranchers and my unlimited knowledge of the show I will make my predictions.
First of all the season starts with, "Do you got what it Takes?" HAHA, not much I can add to that. I can already tell that this season is going to be awesome because we have some crazy women! Mix that with a healthy dose of Jillian and sparks are bound to fly! This year everybody is weighing in front of their hometown. So everybody they know is going to see their weight. I dont think this is as embarrassing as the producers might think. I mean all its going to do is just silence all the people who say, "holy craps! I bet that guy weights 350 pounds!"
Breakdown of the Teams
John and James - Fat Twins from, you guessed it, Florida. These guys are super fat! Its amazing!! However, because one of them (dont know which) was "hurt" they lost the first weigh in. So one of the chubby deckers is sent home. The other one really has no shot of winning in my humble opinion.
Stephanie and Patti - These cousins are pretty forgettable and remind me of mandy and whatsherface from Season 7. Oh yeah, Aubry. Patti looks like an egg, FYI. Seriously, check it out.
Daris and Cheryl - Daris does a great speech to a bunch of 5th graders that inspires nobody. He could win, but he has a funny looking nose, so I'm not convinced yet. Also his hair is super curly and for-like so he moves down a couple points in my eyes. Cherryl had a couple instances or banshee-like screaming. I hope she stops doing that because it is hella annoying. Daris could win, however. I put him in my top 4.
Koli and Sam - the producers for this show probably dont need to scramble to find a samoan couple that is overweight. Sam and Koli are the Sione and Filipe of Season 9. After their weigh in they gave us a taste of what's to come by letting out primal war screams. Honestly, how could I not like these tubby teddy bears? I think they will show well, but like Sione and Filipe, they will lose to some girls.
Sherry and Ashley - Oof, this team is something else. I call this team "Sherry and Ashley: Pigs in the City" because their pink shirts remind me of that lovable little pig, Babe. Although I never saw the Babe movies, I bet they were totally badass. This team could be good, but I think their Sabertooth-esque hair-dos will be their downfall. Ashley is over 350 so I dont think she can win. To win as a woman you gotta be in that 250-290 range. She eats that range for breakfasts.
Lance and Melissa - Team Texas. These two are pretty country. They talk with drawls and I bet by seasons end will even skin a wild boar or 6 point buck. They have a great chance of winning because they are a good age (30-40s) and have some energy. Some energy is more than most on this show. Also, Lance has a goatee that would make an actual billy goat say "Damn, Gina!". Watch this team to do some things this season.
Miggy and Migdalia - Puerto Rican team who, after the first episode, seems super determined to win. These two latin firecrackers wont let you forget about their puertoricanacity. In every interview they professed that they will win because they are puerto rican and they are hot like salsa and they are not lazy. I think this bravado will diminish in a couple weeks. Ole!
Darrell and Andrea - Honestly I dont know much about this team, but here is how they are going to do. First, Darrell, my brother, you look amazing! Super white beard that totally hides your chin. Keep it Rocking! Andrea, I'm not sure what you bring to the teams so just stay out of Pappa Bear's way and you'll be ok. This teams makes an early exit I'm afraid. Darrell will throw the weigh in so he can get back to his closet full of meat at home. When you're hungry, you eat!
Michael and Maria - The italian sausage stallions this team is. Michael weighs in at a 2nd grader above Shay. That's right, the producers have found the elusive 500 pounder. Michael put it best when he said, "Its pretty bad, I weigh an obese person more than some of the obese people here." Sho nuff! I like this guy because he is funny, his mom is wacky, and his fingers are really fat. Like I always say, fat people are funny. He wont win, but he will do good as a stay at home contestant.
there were two other couples that were kicked off because they didnt ride their bikes fast enough. They have no chance of winning. They will be brought back in about 3 weeks to square off for another chance on the ranch. But dont worry, the winner of that weigh off will be eliminated soon there after (is that one word or three? I dont know).
My Winner for the season is Daris. I dont feel good about that pick because I dont believe anybody named Daris should win anything. But, who knows.
First of all the season starts with, "Do you got what it Takes?" HAHA, not much I can add to that. I can already tell that this season is going to be awesome because we have some crazy women! Mix that with a healthy dose of Jillian and sparks are bound to fly! This year everybody is weighing in front of their hometown. So everybody they know is going to see their weight. I dont think this is as embarrassing as the producers might think. I mean all its going to do is just silence all the people who say, "holy craps! I bet that guy weights 350 pounds!"
Breakdown of the Teams
John and James - Fat Twins from, you guessed it, Florida. These guys are super fat! Its amazing!! However, because one of them (dont know which) was "hurt" they lost the first weigh in. So one of the chubby deckers is sent home. The other one really has no shot of winning in my humble opinion.
Stephanie and Patti - These cousins are pretty forgettable and remind me of mandy and whatsherface from Season 7. Oh yeah, Aubry. Patti looks like an egg, FYI. Seriously, check it out.
Daris and Cheryl - Daris does a great speech to a bunch of 5th graders that inspires nobody. He could win, but he has a funny looking nose, so I'm not convinced yet. Also his hair is super curly and for-like so he moves down a couple points in my eyes. Cherryl had a couple instances or banshee-like screaming. I hope she stops doing that because it is hella annoying. Daris could win, however. I put him in my top 4.
Koli and Sam - the producers for this show probably dont need to scramble to find a samoan couple that is overweight. Sam and Koli are the Sione and Filipe of Season 9. After their weigh in they gave us a taste of what's to come by letting out primal war screams. Honestly, how could I not like these tubby teddy bears? I think they will show well, but like Sione and Filipe, they will lose to some girls.
Sherry and Ashley - Oof, this team is something else. I call this team "Sherry and Ashley: Pigs in the City" because their pink shirts remind me of that lovable little pig, Babe. Although I never saw the Babe movies, I bet they were totally badass. This team could be good, but I think their Sabertooth-esque hair-dos will be their downfall. Ashley is over 350 so I dont think she can win. To win as a woman you gotta be in that 250-290 range. She eats that range for breakfasts.
Lance and Melissa - Team Texas. These two are pretty country. They talk with drawls and I bet by seasons end will even skin a wild boar or 6 point buck. They have a great chance of winning because they are a good age (30-40s) and have some energy. Some energy is more than most on this show. Also, Lance has a goatee that would make an actual billy goat say "Damn, Gina!". Watch this team to do some things this season.
Miggy and Migdalia - Puerto Rican team who, after the first episode, seems super determined to win. These two latin firecrackers wont let you forget about their puertoricanacity. In every interview they professed that they will win because they are puerto rican and they are hot like salsa and they are not lazy. I think this bravado will diminish in a couple weeks. Ole!
Darrell and Andrea - Honestly I dont know much about this team, but here is how they are going to do. First, Darrell, my brother, you look amazing! Super white beard that totally hides your chin. Keep it Rocking! Andrea, I'm not sure what you bring to the teams so just stay out of Pappa Bear's way and you'll be ok. This teams makes an early exit I'm afraid. Darrell will throw the weigh in so he can get back to his closet full of meat at home. When you're hungry, you eat!
Michael and Maria - The italian sausage stallions this team is. Michael weighs in at a 2nd grader above Shay. That's right, the producers have found the elusive 500 pounder. Michael put it best when he said, "Its pretty bad, I weigh an obese person more than some of the obese people here." Sho nuff! I like this guy because he is funny, his mom is wacky, and his fingers are really fat. Like I always say, fat people are funny. He wont win, but he will do good as a stay at home contestant.
there were two other couples that were kicked off because they didnt ride their bikes fast enough. They have no chance of winning. They will be brought back in about 3 weeks to square off for another chance on the ranch. But dont worry, the winner of that weigh off will be eliminated soon there after (is that one word or three? I dont know).
My Winner for the season is Daris. I dont feel good about that pick because I dont believe anybody named Daris should win anything. But, who knows.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Snow day
I got up early this morning, as usual, to get to work. However, I was unable to drive up the hill in my neighborhood so I was pretty much trapped. So today, I'm stuck at home, but it is gorgeous outside! I want to go around the are to take some pictures, but like I said, I'm stuck here. So I snapped this picture looking off our back deck. For you nerds out there, I got the sun to get those cool rays by shutting down the aperture to around f.22. MaHoY!!!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Snow in atlanta
Hot dog, there is snow in atlanta. Crazy bisniz!
This is a picture of a bulb flower (I think a narcissus or something like that) one of Laura's friends at work gave her. It finally bloomed and looks pretty good.
This is a picture of a bulb flower (I think a narcissus or something like that) one of Laura's friends at work gave her. It finally bloomed and looks pretty good.
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