Progress note

November came and went like a blur. Time tends to slip away when you start to develop a rhythm. Wake, Work, Eat, Work, Home, Eat, Sleep (somewhere in the middle, you fit in studying and all the other details), Repeat.

This year is almost over, once again. Will it be completely over come Dec 21, 2012? Or did the Mayans miscalculate? Eitherway, it's not like I'd do anything special...well, things might change (as they always do, like plans for new year's celebrations and whatnot).

What do I want for next year? To be smarter, more prepared for scary things at work. To be more confident with my decisions, my actions, myself. To clean the whole house of clutter. To actually record that song. To make it to the gym...more than once. To have a working oven. To finish reading a book of many that has been gathering dust. To learn how to fly fish.

I think I can. I know I can.
We'll see =)...

Song of the day: "O Sleep" - Lisa Hannigan featuring Ray LaMontagne

Panem

Found a recipe online for making great crusty old-style artisan bread...
Boule Bread Recipe
Tried it out...

1st try was a great success albeit a small loaf.  Plus, it got a little charred due to its close proximity to the heating element (I only have a mini oven)

2nd try was a fiasco.  I was thinking of ways of getting more baking space to prevent the rising dough from touching the heating element and thus, preventing it from charring.  I was experimenting with a tempered glass ramekin for a water bath to see if its small size would free up some space...IMPORTANT PIECE OF ADVICE: DO NOT...I REPEAT... DO NOT POUR WATER ON A HOT PIECE OF GLASSWARE - UNLESS YOU WANT A GLASS GRENADE SENDING SHARDS ALL OVER YOUR KITCHEN!!!). Needless to say, the glassware exploded when I poured the water, with the loaf next to it.  So no water bath and possible sharp objects in the bread = NO GO.  This one got pitched in the trash =(.

3rd try - returned to the original set up: baking tray, with cooling rack on top, with cookie sheet on top of it.  Water bath was placed on the tray with the rack safely holding up the cookie sheet with the new dough.  This time, I made the dough size a little bigger.  Again, big mistake...the dough rose, got real close to the heating element and was nicely burnt...still I was able to scrape off enough of the charred skin.  Overall I think this one was a success.

I tried the 1st loaf I made and it was delicious.  Especially with olive oil and cracked pepper.

I think I'll make some more...

Take home messages of the day:
- Get a bigger oven
- No water on hot glassware.  EVER!
- Water baths are a good thing in baking.

Song of the day: "You Are The Best Thing (Slow Version)" - Ray LaMontagne & The Pariah Dogs

Where did it go?

Last weekend, I was at a baby shower for my college friends (Al and Chris).  This Afternoon, I saw recent wedding pictures of another one of my college friends (Jay).  My younger sister's daughter is almost 2 years of age now.  And there was a talk this morning by a Financial Adviser about planning for the future (retirement plan, life insurance, long term contingency plan for aging parents, etc) that I attended.  
When did the idea of being grown up become such a crappy premise?
And yet, I still don't feel grown up. Not married. No kids. No home ownership (although I technically have a mortgage that I am paying off at the moment). And I'm 32.
Tempus fugit.

Song of the day: "Bobby Tanqueray" - Lake Street Dive

 

For the record...

...and I'm sure you've either heard me rant about this in one form or another...

I HATE FLAKES (as in people who are Flakes)!

That is all.

Song of the day: "Keep Away You Feral Son Of A Bitch" - Jonathan Boulet

tri state weekend

Had an awesome time in the city with my buddy, Yoni. Went to this very classy performance space (an old firehouse, converted into a loft/stage) in Brooklyn, where we saw his friend, Joe play the horn with the Buffalo Band. Then it was off to Forcella, a high end pizza shop where we (Yoni, Joe and I) ordered a bottle of wine from Sardinia and scarfed down some choice pizzas (I had a mozzarella di buffala with figs, Parmesan and prosciutto, and they had the mozzarella with home made marinara and basil). Next was more drinking, then it was Yoni making a physics innuendo, then Joe buying more drinks, then me giving a random compliment to a random chick at the bar, then back to the upper west side.
Next day, it was off to Jane at Houston St. where Yoni and I had a late brunch. I had a bellini, he had the bread (which I quickly realized, was pretty damn tasty). Next was the mushroom and truffle soup. Could'a had that for lunch all by itself. After that was the vanilla bean french toast and benedict johnny (eggs benedict using chicken sausage and tomato hollandaise).
After all that full deliciousness, we started making our way to Washington square park where tourists get humiliated by street performer at the pleasure of other tourists. We saw a rainbow in the fountain and a lonely bell pepper sitting on a bench. Also, there was a grand piano performance in one of the side streets. Cool. Later on I mistook a random girl sitting al fresco for an old college friend (walked away plenty fast from there).
We kept walking to Union square where the remains of a farmer's market was coming to a wrap. Vendors were still selling lots of fruit and veggies, I took lots of pictures, then we had a quick pee at the B&N a few blocks away. That's when Yoni decided that it was a good time for espresso and ice cream.
Went back to the upper west side (I love it that Yoni has this awesome convenience store on his block that sells almost everything, and the quality is awesome too!), bought some fresh ground italian/colombian roast blend and made some home-brewed espresso. Sat down, watched TV, ate ice cream, enjoyed the coffee, jammed on the Uke and guitar, and then said my thank yous and good byes to a good friend and wonderful host.
On my way back home, I saw a Boyz II Men billboard and I said to myself, "self, you haven't heard from them in a while." I started humming the song "Water Runs Dry" and turned on Spotify Radio. Sure nuff, guess what song was first to play...yup! It's like Spotify was in my brain...creepy. Got home ok. Woke, up wished Tatay Happy Birthday and we made our way to Philly with the rest of the Berberabes for a Sunday dim sum. Once again, I was quite full with lots of Chinese goodness. So many dishes, most of them I couldn't even name or identify. All were super tasty.
Went back home to NJ, decided to do some afternoon apple picking at the local orchard and got 12 lbs for the fam and another 12 for me (it's a lot of apples). Had a fine late dinner with the folks, they packed me some more food for the drive back to Danville, and then I was off, on the road again.
Lots of driving, but it was a damn good weekend.

Song of the day: " Love Letter" - Clairy Browne & The Bangin' Rackettes

it's never done

It has come to my attention that I am in desperate need of a housemaid, a gardener, and a chef.  Positions are available.  The pay is...well...non-existent, but I have 2 extra rooms and a futon where you can crash.  Also in leu of payment, I'm willing to buy you real central PA microbrewed beer (damn tasty!).
Applications available upon request.

Songs of the day: "O, Be Joyful," "Birmingham," "Keeper," "Hail Hail" - Shovels and Rope

T storms

My "short" nap was interrupted when I heard what sounded like golf balls hitting my window.  Turns out it was only a thunderstorm pouring down for 2 straight hours. Still can't sleep.
Grrr...

Song of the day: "Stormy Weather" - Etta James