Street Racing

We're barely two months into 2007 and already have had quite a number of street racing related deaths. Or due to excessive speed for conditions. In most cases the victims were party to the incidents and as far as I'm concerned, it's Darwinism at work and keeps the population in check. Do I sound heartless? Sure, but the recklessness often involves innocent victims who happen to be at the wrong place and at the wrong time (cliché yes, but true), and could easily have been you or me, or someone close to us.

Recently there was a 16-year old pedestrian who was unable to avoid a BMW that lost control from high speed racing... gone. And judging from a newscast last week, many of these young (usually male) drivers who enjoy souping up their cars are casting their fate to the wind. They derive a high from speeding, and quoting one who was interviewed, "it attracts the chicks".

If only Darwinism were fail-safe.

The Kitchen

For most of us (including Yours Truly), this part of the house is pretty much no-man's land outside of getting in and out of the refrigerator. Or the microwave to nuke a leftover slice of pizza. So what did I end up doing earlier this afternoon? Updated some kitchen utensils, that's what.

Sure, there are guys who enjoy cooking and are very good at it, but don't count on me as one who will be able to satisfy any palate outside of my own. Besides, I think my stomach must be made of cast iron. I have a few skillets (and while shopping I find that they're referred to as saute pans?), and a couple of pots made of pyrex glass with non-stick bottoms. The pots aren't called pots, but sold as saucepans; I'm really scratching my noggin' now. What prompted me to get some new kitchenware is that the non-stick coating in the bottom of the pyrex pots is peeling away. I wasn't sure whether there were any health risks if I accidentally ingested the stuff so I figured I'd not find out by replacing them.

I bought an 8-pc set, even tho' I still had decent skillets (oops... saute pans). I priced the same saucepans separately and discovered that as a set, the 2 saute pans would only add another $5 to $15 dollars more; at worst I am getting myself a free saute pan. At best, these utensils will outlive me (actually, at best is that I will be transformed into an internationally recognized gourmet chef!).

The dilemma while staring at the myriad choices boiled down to whether I wanted non-stick or stainless steel (for whatever reason I decided to go with the WearEver brand). A bit of deliberation and I went stainless, since my hamfisted attempts at cooking will invariably lead me to scratch up the non-stick coating even tho' they carry a Lifetime Guarantee. They call it a professional quality 18/10 stainless steel, whatever that means.

So what does a bachelor such as myself hope to accomplish with cooking utensils instead of the microwave? Hmm, I can fry up some eggs. Saute some onions, garlic and 'shrooms. Make quesadillas or grilled cheese sandwiches. Stir fry noodles. Boil spaghetti or other pasta, or boil up anything that can be boiled for eating such as eggs and potatoes. Make soup. Did I mention having bought some of those colossal shrimp I spoke of in an earlier post? Snow peas were also on sale at under $2 a pound (let's see now... how does garlic shrimp with snow peas sound?).

Just don't expect miracles, cuz I certainly don't.

Viagra

I checked my email this morning and found an interesting piece of spam (yes, I get tons of spam although I have a spam filter, but I have to wade through the list to see what really wasn't spam). The subject line read "Hot Sex with Viagra Pills".

Hmm... I prefer to have mine with women.

Fences

When I drive around residential neighborhoods I see yards with fences, and I see those without. My house had an old cyclone fence (chain link) for the longest time and was taken down only a few years ago. I never realized how ratty it looked until it was gone. The metal had weathered to a grey color and a few posts were no longer perpendicular to the ground in which they're anchored.

However, there is a saying that goes "good fences make for good neighbors" (not that I have any problems with mine). I feel a bit more secure knowing that a fence is a deterrent from anyone being able to press right up to my door or windows. If that doesn't sound quite neighborly of me, it is because I am a very private person.

I've been thinking about putting up a new fence but am undecided what type to consider. The house is a tiny cookie-cutter tract home built in the '50s, stucco covered and pretty much laid out on a square concrete slab foundation.

White picket, wrought iron, ranch, hedges, concrete? Hmm, I should be thinking about the other house fixin's that need more attention, but you see, I was driving around...

Wants and Haves

"After a time, you may find having is not so pleasing a thing after all as wanting. It is not logical – but it is often true."

- Mr. Spock

This is a quote from Star Trek's Mr. Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy) in the episode "Amok Time". The Vulcan race is generally devoid of feelings, but there is a biological phase prior to marriage that consumes them and evokes the most negative of emotions.

He is wanting.

However, through Vulcan tradition the bride-to-be opted to challenge the ritual and cleverly chose the Captain as the suitor. Although she had plans with another Vulcan, impeccable Vulcan logic led her to this option; this is because the two men must now fight to the death. With a bit of deception, Spock was led to believe he had killed his Captain and snapped back to his logical state of mind. He is the victor but declined taking the bride, for he had killed his friend and must dutifully surrender himself to his authorities.

He now has, but it is not so sweet.

I am guessing that many of you have experienced desires that were not so gratifying once fulfilled. Past relationships perhaps? Maybe it is because we feel that the grass really is greener over yonder, only to discover that once we reach that turf, it wasn't all that it was cracked up to be. Or how about the saying which suggests life as a journey and not a destination? It sure seems to apply to motorcycling for me. Whether it's fishing, hunting or skirts:

It's the thrill of the chase.

At Sea Not Volleyball

My friend and volleyball teammate is off on a cruise with his wife this week; last I heard is that they are in Puerto Vallarta having crab legs. For tonight's volleyball league match (reverse coed quads format), I asked my friend John to sub for me as setter while I try to fill Mike's shoes as a spiker (sharing the offense along with our 2 female spikers). I thought I filled them quite well thank you, albeit with a different style due to our physical differences and experience.

Mmm, crab sounds good, but I see a local grocery chain is having a sale on colossal raw shrimp (try 6 to 8 count!). Each of these should oughtta be a meal in itself! I know, it's not the same as if I were munching crustacean while floating on a boat or at some eatery along the tropical Mexican coast, but I think I still hear those li'l buggers calling out my name.

Probably in vain.

Nerds

The recent messages in my CBox in the adjacent column had me waxing nostalgic. Not only do we have quotes from "Star Trek (the original TV series)", but talking about taking Pi to its last decimal place is totally unfathomable. Let's see... 3.1415965 is what I happen to recall off the top of my head, and I won't even bother looking it up.

Now on to the other "Pi", as in Stan Gable's quote from "Revenge of the Nerds". As if it were any surprise why those nerds' pies were selling like hotcakes. Nerds... they even have a candy with that name. I should know since it is one of my coworker's favorite candy and I just had some earlier this afternoon.

Heh, Nerds.

Clamato

Great Bloody Caesar's Ghost! Here are some excerpts from the Clamato website:

Mott´s Clamato is the integral ingredient in the Bloody Caesar Cocktail, a Canadian invention. It was developed in Calgary, Alberta in 1969...

...a spicy drink made of Clamato juice, vodka, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce and a dash of oregano.

The Bloody Caesar remains Canada's #1 selling cocktail to this day. In fact, more than 200 million Mott´s Clamato Caesars are sold every year.

A former coworker introduced me to Clamato juice, and once I got past what the prime ingredients were (tomato and clam juice), I actually like the stuff. Also high on my list is that other vegetable drink, Spicy V8 (yes, put a little zest into it and make mine spicy). And if you are wondering what prompted me to create this particular post, it's because I just downed a pint of Clamato. Mmm!

Fat Tuesday

They're partying it up back down in New Orleans again!

Britney Buzzed

The question everyone is asking is "why?"... and my answer?

Head lice.

Spring 2007?

The season does not officially begin until the vernal equinox on March 20th (when the earth's journey around the sun places the equator under its zenith). That's about another month away, but I enjoyed a 240 mile ride today where the temps hit the mid-70s. I rode from the Sacramento Valley to the Napa Valley, followed by the Capay Valley and then home. But this is still winter, and I really want this to be wintry weather with rain and snow, so that our summer will hopefully be not so brutal.

Not to worry... a small storm system is just around the corner.

Top 10 List

The top 10 qualities I look for in the opposite sex?

10. Independence.
9. Athleticism.
8. Simplicity.
7. Good looks.
6. Intelligence.

OK, we're halfway through the list and coming up on the hard part. I'm a bit curious as to how many fit the description so far. Score a perfect 10 and I'm extending an invitation to chew the fat over a candlelit Chinese take-out dinner and a box of red wine. And Late Night (dessert) with Letterman afterwards.

5. Solid right cross (or left hook).
4. Sense of humor.
3. An undying affection for me.
2. Motorcycle license.

And the number one quality and almost always the deal-breaker:

1. A clean bill of health.

Puzzled

I enjoy doing the N.Y. Times crosswords, Jumble (an anagram puzzle) and Cryptoquotes (simple letter substitution ciphered quotations). They're found in the Sacramento Bee, our local newspaper, and is one of the major reasons why I subscribe. I also enjoy playing with numbers and words, and what better way to fill some idle quiet time than with good bon mots and a few haikus?

What is a haiku?
Tell me what YOU think it is.
Comment your answer.

Year of the Boar

Chinese New Year begins this weekend and will be the Year of the Boar (or Pig), with festivities lasting up to a month. I will need to seek out some local events where they have food booths and entertainment (dancing dragons, acrobats, fireworks, music, et cetera). I'm not up on the mythological significance of this year; it's just that it's an important holiday for people of my ancestry. Ties to who I am. Roots. Better I should find something via motorcycle since we are forecast for near 70 degree weather along with it being a 3-day weekend (for President's Day) to enjoy. I just hope that the roads won't be full of idiots.

Riding home from the gym tonight, the southern skies were clear enough to see Canis Major nipping at the heels of Orion. The moon and Venus are at their thinnest crescent (I love crescents) and tomorrow most of us will be declaring TGIF!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Grim Reaper

You never know when or where he will show up next. I have lived through going to both my grandfather's and my grandmother's funeral, and I just don't do well at funerals. A volleyball friend passed away last month due to a weak heart which failed (at the age of 35) leaving behind a wife and two boys. Another friend's grandmother is in the hospital, possibly suffering a second stroke, and she is 87 years old. My vball partner's mother has been ill lately as well. I have known several others who no longer walk this earth, and occasionally think about them. Is it macabre to scan through the photos in the newspaper's obituaries? I happened across a website last weekend regarding death and may revisit this in a future post.

Knowing of death, we should all dare to live.

It's Valentine's Day!

For many, the response to this being Valentine's Day is "so what?". OK, so I should be able to relate, not having had a significant other for some time now. On the other hand and as long as noone gets too mushy, I would venture to say "where's the harm?".

Just as long as you don't make me puke!

KCRA News HD

Today is the day local area news station KCRA3 (an NBC affiliate) went High-Def, and my impression is... not bad. So far their transmission is limited to what they can do from the studio set. Feeds coming in from outside the studio are still in Standard-Def (SD) and 4:3 format, using blue letterboxing on the left and right sides of the image. Other teething pains? Judging from the sportscast, they will need to learn how to fill a 16:9 screen without clipping off the top of the screen. Could not see the score, or the top of Del Rodgers' head.

Until all the vids are broadcast in HD, this will at least satisfy any of the anchors' narcissist tendencies.

Axe

Over here in the USA we call this deodorant product Axe (and not Lynx). The Axe ad has been playing over the airwaves; however, it seems to lack a bit of "bounce" compared to the Lynx ad. But as with many foreign commercials (among other things) or those targeted for a foreign market, they are relatively unabashed.

All I can say is that this is one lucky bastard and it may be time to stock up on the stuff for Valentine's Day!

Change in the Weather

Last night we had a warm storm which dumped buckets (yes, buckets) to help inch our rainfall measurement back up to normal for this time of year. I am uncertain whether we are close or not, but I rather doubt it. Right now we have sunshine and blue skies with some spotty cloudiness... and just getting back in from a breakfast ride I can say that it does feel all of 61 degrees warm outside! Go figure. Now if the weather pattern would stabilize to a point of predictability, I can plan on riding a bit further. Call me a wuss or call me a fair-weather rider... I just didn't see the need to raise Mother Nature's ire.

Believe me, I've been spanked a few times!

Ghost Rider

Coming to a theater near you, here's a brief synopsis of this movie based on another Marvel Comics (Spiderman, the Incredible Hulk, Fantastic Four) character:

The story follows Johnny Blaze, a motorcycle stunt rider who sells his soul to Mephistopheles in order to save his dying father. Years later, Mephistopheles offers to free Johnny's soul if he agrees to become the Ghost Rider, an agent of vengeance. Mephistopheles also demands Johnny kill Blackheart, Mephistopheles' son who wants to create an even more hellish hell.

Funny, I've motorcycled over half my life and grew up around comic books, yet I am not familiar with this Marvel character. I'm not really into the custom chopper scene, where the bike's suspension are stretched and lowered and everything accessorized to the hilt (chrome, paint, wheels, etc.). More often than not, these bikes are built up from Harley-Davidsons, American iron (and icons) that I have never owned or ridden. Reaching back into the film archives, there was a cult movie which popularized the rebel biker image and showcased a pair of choppers called "Captain America" and the "Billy Bike". Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper starred in "Easy Riders", and interestingly enough, Fonda plays Mephistopheles in "Ghost Rider".

Now if the weather clears, I can gear up and ride on down to my local theater!

The Other Winter Holidays

Woohoo! The shortest month of the year and we have back-to-back 3-day weekends (don't ask... I'm getting Lincoln's Birthday off, making this the first of two). No riding... it's raining. Next weekend is Presidents' Day on Monday, and you thought Winter was just about Christmas and New Year's. Which brings me to another holiday which businesses and governments do not officially observe: Valentine's Day.

I'm guessing that many restaurants will be booked with dinner reservations for two, or whatever it is couples do to celebrate this day (as of this writing it's less than 5 days away!). Cheers to them for the upcoming Humpday feast; the rest of us will have to settle for frankfurters and tacos.

My Jukebox

I've pretty much finalized the look and feel I wanted for my site's music player, with code and much of the music courtesy of Radio.Blog.Club. Click on the link just below my profile (in bright red, in case you didn't notice the bright red) and my jukebox will appear in the upper left corner of your screen.

You can keep this player open or minimized and let the songs play as you navigate away to get some of your other computer crap done. I hope to update the songs on a regular basis (and wondering if I should do multiple playlists with a few songs, or a few playlists with many songs). Hmmm.

Hibernation

Although it is still winter north of the Equator, no, I did not fall into a late hibernation. I finally updated the YouTube vid from "PS3 vs Wii" to a commercial which ran in last Sunday's Super Bowl. If you've been regularly following this site, you may also have noticed a couple of animated links for emailing. It was a record (?) dry January for the Sacramento area, receiving only .07" the entire month. Ha! Tomorrow's forecast is for rain, which should extend into the weekend and who knows how much beyond that. Our snowpack is below 50% of normal last I heard (the snow melt is our water source here in Cali; much needed if we are to avoid a big drought this summer).

Update: RAIN!

Exit Stage Left

All the world's a stage
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.

- William Shakespeare

We are already a month into the new year. If you had made resolutions, how well have you adhered to them? Why are we here? Who am I? In one of the Bard's more popular comedies, the monologue describes life as a play composed of seven acts, and my role seems to fall somewhere between Acts 4 and 5 (categorized as Soldier and Justice, with a brief definition of each). The definition of these parts are however general, and the nuances we deliver in our performance depends upon our creative interpretation.

(I think I live for the subplots. Ad-libbed, of course).

However it is we end up playing our roles, we should deliver our performances with deliberation and with little regret lest we segue into the seventh act while constantly looking over our shoulders.

Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion;
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans everything.

Groundhog's Eve