tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31629448805684171522024-02-07T23:11:01.473-06:00The Goodwin BlogA journey through my average life of nonsense. There may be fire.Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-80796318149881281892011-10-25T23:37:00.000-05:002011-10-25T23:37:29.473-05:00Moving on upWell, a template redesign wasn't near enough for me, so I've decided to move to Wordpress to focus more on my writing there while leaving this place as a more personal space for my everyday lunacy. This site will still exist, but the majority of my posts will exist there from here on out.<br />
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Thank you for reading and I hope you'll join me at my new site: <a href="http://evilgoodwin.wordpress.com/">http://evilgoodwin.wordpress.com</a>Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-89451332237600145872011-10-23T20:02:00.000-05:002011-10-23T20:02:10.907-05:00Template ChangeAfter some deliberation, decided my blog needed a makeover. I feel that I should opt for readability over style, so I switched to a nicer font and color scheme.<div>
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That's that.</div>Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-26729036300659803382011-10-17T00:05:00.003-05:002011-10-23T17:35:33.433-05:00Flash Fiction Challenge: Five Words Plus One VampireHey everybody.<br />
<br />
So there's a blog I read, "<a href="http://www.terribleminds.com/">terribleminds</a>" and the author sometimes puts up writing challenges. For a small distraction from some schoolwork, I thought it would be fun to try it this time. The challenge is to write a flash-fiction piece using 3 of 5 randomly generated words, plus include a vampire in it in 1,000 words or so.<br />
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Here's the link to the challenge itself: <a href="http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2011/10/14/flash-fiction-challenge-five-words-plus-one-vampire/">http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2011/10/14/flash-fiction-challenge-five-words-plus-one-vampire/</a><br />
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Sadly, I'm a bit too wordy. Not only did I go over the limit of 1,000 words . . . I did it twice. Actually, I almost did it three times, but I was able to finish with a final word-count of 2,952. Oops.<br />
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Oh well. At least I finally got to work on something new and since I rarely post actual work, here you go!<br />
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UPDATE (10-23-2011): Fixed some formatting to make it easier on the eyes.<br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Tax</span></u></b></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">“So what is it you do exactly?”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The pale man smiled, his thin features pulling his face into a grim rictus, exposing yellow teeth. “What do you mean?”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I glanced at my notes. “It says you’re the tax-man for the village?”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">“That’s right. I was chosen by our lord.” His pale eyes look right through me. I dare not look uncomfortable or shiver when he watches. I have a reputation to uphold, after all.</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I lean across the table and stare back into those pupils of his. “I find that hard to believe. Your lord is dead and his castle abandoned.” His terrible eyes dart away briefly. I know he’s up to something. I grin in triumph. “What game are you playing? Who are you giving the money to? Don’t say ‘your lord’ because he hasn't been sending it to the king!”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">He wrinkles his brow in confusion. He smiles and leans back, letting out a breath of air as he shakes his head. This puzzled me as he seems . . . relieved? I frown at him.</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The pale man chuckles, all nervousness gone. “Money? Is that what this is about? I don’t collect money for our lord, sir.” Reaching into a pocket, he pulls out a folded piece of paper and tosses it across the table onto my notes. “The man you want is dead, same as the previous lord.”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Slowly, I pick up the paper and unfold it as he continues to speak. There’s directions on it to another house. “He used to live there. Anything he had up to his death should still be in it. It’s boarded up, though. Nobody’s been inside since they found him.”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve lost my edge to this simpleton. I should be more intimidating, but I find myself becoming curious. I decide to press him a little longer. “What do you mean ‘found him?’”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">“Oh. It was dreadful. Him and the old lord would go hunting every now and then. One day, they didn’t return before nightfall. The next morning, we sent out a search party and found what was left of them. Wolves, probably. Throats torn out.” He smiled that hideous smile again. I couldn’t control myself and shivered. “Nasty scene. Had to build up the nerve to bring them back here and bury them.”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I fold the note and place it into my pocket. “So how are you the tax-man if you don’t collect anything?”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">“Never said I don’t collect anything,” the pale man stood and walked over to the window. “There’s another hour until sunset. I need to go make the rounds. Why don’t you go get your money and meet me at the gate. I promised our new lord to take him any visitors.”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I scowled at the man. “What makes you think—”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">“Don’t worry. He can explain everything better than I can. But he don’t open the gates until sunset and doesn't like visitors unannounced.” He opened the door and gestured for me to leave. “You come with me, though? He might not be too upset.”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I closed my small notebook and put it in the pocket of my jacket as I stood to leave. I walked out, stopping right in front of him. “I don’t care if he’s upset, but I need answers for the king. You tell them when you do your ‘rounds’ that their lord is unlawfully here, that a new tax-man will be coming soon, and that they will be charged back taxes.” I walked away without bothering to look him in his damned eyes.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">***</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I found an axe behind the late tax-man's house. The pale man’s claim that nobody touched the house seemed accurate. I needed to smash my way inside while villagers looked at me through windows and shook their heads. Peasants. It didn’t take long to find the chest with the royal seal. Inside, I found about half of the required amount, according to my calculations. The chest sat on a small hand-cart, so moving it proved simple enough. I locked it and carted it outside, the chest bouncing on the rough ground toward the small inn housing me.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The innkeeper shrugged when I asked to have it moved upstairs to my quarters while I enjoyed a brief supper of some kind of vegetable stew with a stale piece of bread. It tasted decent enough, for an inn. There are worse places to stay, but there are also better places, too. I’d planned on taking up residence in the lord’s castle, but discovered the gate closed, no way to open it from the outside. A guard, hearing my yells, responded to come back in the evening and to, if I remember correctly, shove off until then. The lack of a proper lord has them slouching off, no doubt. New guards might need to be brought in, I noted in my notebook.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">***</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Around sunset, I found the pale man waiting with a small wagon pulled by a horse just as miserable as he was. The wagon held nothing but a box that was closed tight and locked all around. He offered me a hand up, but I declined. The man looked ill, possibly flea-ridden. I’d scrub myself extra well when I returned home. I may burn my clothes.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36px;">
</div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The wagon bounced along the road to the castle, a loud clinking noise coming from the box. The man kept looking at me and smiling his ugly, rotten-mouthed grin at me from time to time, like I was part of some joke I didn’t get. I’ll make a note to have him executed later. “Aiding in treason,” sounded good enough for me. I smiled back at my own little joke.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I’ll admit surprise at the castle’s change after sunset. The place no longer looked abandoned. It was well lit, and the servants were more polite, though they were nervous. Maybe this lord, impostor he may be, could be useful. A guard carried the tax box with little effort, and the pale man bid me farewell. I heard him bark in laughter as he pulled away. I may find a way to have him executed in a more painful way.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I followed the guard, asking questions. Dumb or quiet, I couldn’t tell, as he refused to respond. Reluctantly, I walked alongside him, through well-decorated hallways, passing servants who dared not make eye contact with me. Good on them, I say. Respect where it’s due.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We entered a small room with a table and two chairs. A maid finished setting out a single glass of wine and some fresh cheese for one person.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">“Our lord will meet with you shortly. He apologizes for your treatment earlier today at the gates and has assured me that the one responsible will be punished for the rudeness. Please enjoy these treats with his compliments.” The young girl then removed the padlocks from the box, placing them to the side. She turned to me and smiled faintly. “Please do not look in the box until our lord arrives.” She then bowed and left, closing the door.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The cheese tasted divine compared to the slop they served me earlier. I may inquire to have my things brought up here to one of the guest rooms. The wine was fair, but nothing like the royal court’s. I sat down and waited, adding to my notebook some suggestions.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">An hour passes. I grow impatient, finding myself muttering expletives as I drain the wine. A servant arrives with a new bottle, assuring me that I would not wait much longer and left again. So I sit. I sit and wait and drink. And I grow curious. The box sits near me, full of some form of “tax” that the pale man collected. Yet, I am a gentleman of the courts and I will not peek. I shall not display rudeness to my host, though he has done little to show politeness to me. Does he not realize who I am? The nerve of him! Some impostor just takes control of a castle for himself without ever attempting to meet with the king? Probably some merchant, I’d bet. I’ll have his property seized and his family imprisoned. How dare he? This is MY castle! I was promised it by the kind when the old lord perished! I sat waiting, like an idiot, not knowing my castle was ready for me! WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS CLAIMING WHAT WAS PROMISED?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The second bottle clattered over as I finished it off. Two bottles of wine? Child’s play for a lord. And I AM a lord. I needed more, but the servants did not come when summoned. I remembered the clinking glass from the box during the journey up here. I felt the slightest tinge of hypocrisy as I threw open the box, but I would recover. The lid clattered on the floor next to me as I gazed inside.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Bottles. Corked bottles filled the box, lined with hay to prevent breakage. I narrowed my eyes in confusion as I grabbed one. A clear bottle, full of a dark, red liquid. I held it the light but could not guess the contents. All of the bottles were full, too. Shrugging, I uncorked one and took a whiff. I gasped and bottle fell on the floor, not breaking. The contents spilled on the carpet, staining it red. Blood. They were full of blood? Why?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The door closed behind me and I turned. A tall, white man stood before me. Next to him stood the maid, her hand over her mouth in shock. I thought the man before was pale. This man looked dead. I tried to compose myself but he spoke first.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">“Ah, you dropped it. I’ll be short tonight for paying the staff.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">My mind raced drunkenly. I hadn’t noticed before, but the maid seemed pale, too. And oddly hungry. The lord spoke again. “I know who you are. I’ve received letters for the old lord from you and your king. Here, have a seat and I’ll explain everything.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">He gestured to the maid who walked to me and led me back to my chair. Her hands were very pale, but soft. Very soft. As she let go of me, I felt disappointed that she was no longer touching me. I was drunk, though, and wine does have that affect on me. My own servants knew what I desired when I drank too deeply. Not all were willing, but they soon learned. When I got rid of this new lord, I’d take this maid first. I stared as she began to clean the stain on the floor.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">“Now, where should I begin?”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I jumped. I did not notice the new lord sitting across from me. Blushing at being caught staring at his maid, I spoke. “I must apologize. In my frustration, I drank too much and my curiosity got the better of me.”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">He laughed. What an impressive laugh, so full of life! I couldn’t help but smile at his mirth as he spoke. “Oh, it’s quite alright. I’ve not hosted visitors in ages, and I forgot my manners. Do not worry about spillage, Miranda has already taken care of it.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I glanced down and saw her scrubbing the substance up with a handkerchief. She worked quickly, her eyes sparkling. Those pretty eyes . . . I glanced up at the lord again and smiled at him.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">“I am sorry. I was just startled. I thought it was blood for some reason.”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">He stopped smiling, his face going serious. “It was.”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I froze, my grin stupidly stuck on my face. “Pardon?”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The lord leaned back and templed his fingers. “That’s what I tax them. You see, the old lord drained the poor villagers dry. Metaphorically, of course.” He chuckled at his joke and continued. “They could not buy supplies easily when the merchants came through. He grew fat and lazy, while the tax-man skimmed off the top for both of them. I took care of that with a few of my pets.”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Before I could say anything more, I felt something touch my leg. I glanced down and saw Miranda touching my leg. I could see right down her—</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">“I’m sorry?” I said to the lord, trying to not be distracted by pretty girls. “You say you murdered him?”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The lord nodded. “I told the villagers to take the money for themselves, but they were worried. The tax-man was rather brutal, I learned, and they would be afraid to not pay the king, even long after his death. His passing was not a tragedy here. Myself? I don’t need much money to work the castle. The servants are paid in other ways.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Miranda’s hand crept up my leg further, I tried to squirm away from it. “But this is my castle by right of the king!”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The lord shook his head. “I’m afraid that’s a problem. I already left my original home, a far more grand keep that you could only dream of. It turns out that if you treat your people poorly, they will finally become upset and do anything to get rid of you. I fled before things got too out of hand. This was the perfect place for me. New land, new people. I’m learning how to rule justly and make those around me happy, not vengeful. Happy villagers are more likely to protect a lord they love. So instead of money and terrorizing them, I require a small tax of blood every day. I even rotate it so nobody has to give consecutively. They seem alright with the idea so far, and I do my best to help them out when they need it.”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I had to grasp her hand to stop her from going further, though I wished for nothing else than her touch. Her fingers tightened on mine. So soft. “But why blood?”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">“Oh, unfortunately old habits die hard. I have to have some servants, yet I require them to be more loyal than others. Sadly, the current servants needed to change so that I could trust them to not harm me while I slept. The guards are a bit different, too. I need people that can work in the daylight so I enlisted the help of a few fugitives I encountered on my journey here. They were having trouble adjusting to a disease that caused them to be hunted. So during the day, they guard me, and at night they get to roam around the land hunting to their heart’s desires.”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I felt hot breath on my hand as she kissed my fingers. I swallowed and tried to ignore it. “What are you talking about? Are you a lunatic?”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">He snapped his fingers and the maid stood, her fingers slipping from mine. She bowed her head and stood next to my chair. I tried not to stare at her. She spoke, her voice more beautiful than I remembered earlier. “Yes, my lord?”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">“Has everything I’ve spoken been true?”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">She nodded. “Yes, my lord.”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">He looked her up and down. “Miranda, I trust you the most. You came to me first, willingly. The old lord had abused you, correct?”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The maid averted her pretty eyes from him. I found myself staring up at them. “He did, my lord. I trust you more than ever.”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The lord gestured to me. “You know our guest’s problems. He was promised a castle by his king, and I seem to have stolen it from him. I do apologize, but I’m afraid I can’t leave yet.”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Miranda turned and stared at me, hungrily. I ached for her. She spoke again and I felt my heart beat at the sound of her voice. “He’s much too pretty to get rid of. I say we give him what he wants after you leave. He can have the castle,” she leaned in close to my face, “and everything that comes with it.”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The lord laughed and clapped his hands, snapping me out of my distractions. “Wonderful idea! Some company would be nice around here, though the villagers are going to be annoyed at raising taxes another bottle. I’ll come up with something to ease their minds, I expect. Speaking of.” He pointed at the empty bottle on the floor. “We’re going to be short tonight.”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Miranda wrapped her arms around me and everything became hazy. “We’ll just say that’s my bottle tonight. I’ll get paid a different way tonight, I expect.”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The lord chuckled as he rose to leave. “I suppose you will.” He winked at me as her hands moved down the front of my clothes. I could not fight back. I desired her more than I desired anything. The lord’s explanation was a fuzzy memory now. He spoke one last time. “I’ll leave you both to it. Think of it as a gift. For both of you.” With that, he winked and walked out, closing the door behind him with a chuckle.</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Miranda kissed my ear and her arms tightened around me. Her hand touched my face. It was cold, I noticed, but did not care. It was as if her very touch was a drug. And I wanted more. I tried to reach for her, but she pushed my arms down and whispered “No, let me do all the work.”</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I smiled and closed my eyes, the entire evening a hazy, drunk blur. I only wanted more of this maid.</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 36px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">“Maybe this lord isn’t so bad after all,” I said aloud as she sunk her fangs into my neck. The world went red and I barely remember why I was so angry at our lord in the first place.</span></div>Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-34435523141410134482011-10-14T16:25:00.002-05:002011-10-14T16:26:03.105-05:00NaNoWriMo 2011: MonstersWhile I didn't finish last year (looking back, it feels like I haven't worked on that story for years), I will participate again this year. For the past two months, I've been trying to start my current story but I can only make it a few scenes before I restart it. The first time, I realized that I hated my main character, so I had to kill him and restart (I literally killed him in the first attempt. Just mid-scene wrote "Suddenly, the ground opens up and sends the young man hurtling towards the fiery pits of Hell"). Second time? I ruined him even faster. In my head he was right, but on paper he just moped about like a thirteen year-old. I didn't even bother killing him and just deleted the files. This time, I've outlined the work out and I think I can pull it off, so I'm going to start it over again in November. So anyway, here's the basic info for next month's project/contest.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Odd things are happening in Glennshire. A rash of thefts involving useless objects, cow abductions, the disappearance of the mayor's daughter, and rumors of a mythical beast that lurks on along the northern road currently plague the small ranching village (and its famous* lake). There may be hope yet, though. The arrival of an odd man brings the promise to stop the strange happenings and find the mayor's daughter. The man enlists the help of Whistler, the son of the innkeeper and the last person to see the mayor's daughter before her disappearance.<br />
<br />
Whistler is not ready for the road that lies ahead as the stranger reveals three things: wizards exist, the stranger is over 500 years old, and those old folk-tales used to frighten children have more truth to them than anyone could have realized.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">*lake is not actually famous.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
I'm planning on an episodic set of stories based on hunting fantasy creatures, both popular and ones I've created. The main character, Whistler, accompanies the strange man as he tries to track down a thief who stole a book that can cause the end of the world. For the most part, I'm working on it as a "monster of the week" type series that will dip into the folklore of many cultures along the way (Japanese-style monsters and ghosts, imps, brownies, the yeti, etc). This first story will be simple, though, and I wonder if it will hit the 50K mark. But I'm very excited as I've got the outlines to a few of the later creatures they encounters, including a creepy fellow I like to call the Arachnomancer (referred to as "beetle boy" by the wizard, much to BB's annoyance). Sadly, I don't have a good name for the stranger yet, but I'm working on it.<br />
<br />
And with that, I'm off. See you next month.Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-53435588987983821372011-08-19T14:48:00.000-05:002011-08-19T14:48:58.992-05:00Death of a Truck: Unexpected EpilogueI woke up to find that I had drunkenly typed this out without posting it sometime this morning. It has nothing to do with the truck, but has everything to do with the new car. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<br />
Tonight was going to be a good night. I was in a good mood and heading out my regular Thursday night place, The 04 Lounge, because the bartenders that work tonight demanded my presence (with the punishment of banishment if I did not show). I prepared myself to head to my drinking establishment and behold them with the glory of Goodwin.<br />
<br />
I'm in a good mood. Fresh out of the shower, washing the last remnants of the previous night's hangover away, I ate a small dinner to alleviate the effects of the booze I would consume. I hop in my car (that I have officially owned a week) and head to the store for some smokes, as I had run low the previous night. Spirits were high. I hop out of my car and close my door and. . .<br />
<br />
There is a scratch. On my driver's side. A mere prologue to the blemish exists on my fender, which leads into an epic scar that spans both doors on the vehicle's sinister side. I press my face close to the body, ever alert for places where the paneling was dented. None. Nobody had struck or scraped my week-old automobile with their own device of transport.<br />
<br />
Some fucking lowlife had KEYED MY GOD DAMN CAR. INTENTIONALLY.<br />
<br />
My stomach immediately filled with bile and blood. I swallowed down hate-vomit. Inhale, exhale, deep breaths. I went in, ordered my smokes and a liter of water, ignoring what I saw, hoping it was just my mind playing tricks on me.<br />
<br />
I walk outside. I see the mark, tinted red from rage. My chest hurts, and I want to murder everything in my sight. My existence is nothing but a ball of hate, ready to consume those in my path.<br />
<br />
<br />
I got over it. I have things in place to take care of minor exterior imperfections that may occur during my time with my vehicle. That I've owned for 7 days. That someone scratched with a key.<br />
<br />
There is no way to find out who did it. No way to determine where it happened, when it happened. But the guilty party is lucky. Because if I do find out, I will thrust my hand into their chest and wear their heart as a bracelet, before I tear out their spine and shred their heart with jagged bone, as I spit acid into their eyes, and swear to murder everything they ever loved as their life slowly runs out in my hands.<br />
<br />
<br />
I'm also playing Mass Effect 2 for the first time. It's a lot of fun. :-)Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-54800659446598662072011-08-13T17:59:00.000-05:002011-08-13T17:59:37.906-05:00Death of a Truck: Part 2Took the truck home Monday. Dropped it at the mechanic. Decided to talk to my folks about upgrading my ride so that we don't have to spend every summer making it run for one more year.<br />
<br />
After some test-drives, I was able to walk away from the truck and get this guy:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dpPye55X8pI/TkRbrq7X2UI/AAAAAAAAAmI/Ai3pxuAMTNM/s1600/2011-08-11+17.27.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dpPye55X8pI/TkRbrq7X2UI/AAAAAAAAAmI/Ai3pxuAMTNM/s320/2011-08-11+17.27.40.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
2008 Honda CRV EX-L. 18000 miles on it, 1 previous owner.<br />
<br />
I'll miss the truck immensely. Especially the stereo. But I'll get over it.<br />
<br />
Now I don't have to move anybody's damn couches ever again.<br />
<br />
The truck still exists, but I signed the title over to my Dad, who's thinking about keeping it anyway (nobody will buy it).<br />
<br />
As for what was wrong with it? The magnet inside the distributor was broken, and the spark plugs were crummy. There you go.Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-34997403537714656552011-07-28T23:45:00.002-05:002011-07-28T23:45:41.112-05:00Death of a Truck: Part OneWell, shit.<br />
<br />
Was having a good day. Played some games, did some laundry, had a decent supper with a movie, the usual. Was gonna head out and have a few drinks and. . . my truck started acting poorly. It's had its issues for the past few months, sure. Some idling problems, a few engine shudders, tiny bit of slight overheating (I blame the weather for that one), but nothing that's to be expected from a 16 year-old vehicle that's had few major problems.<br />
<br />
Tonight it decided to remind me that a major problem is overdue. A few miles down the highway and BOOM. Feels like someone set off a bomb near my truck. Bad, violent stutter. I'm a little confused, wondering what it was. Felt like it happened when changing gears. BOOM. Happens again about 20 seconds later. I'm able to turn around and get it home. No issues on the way home, acts normal. But I know that it's not. I know that something is going to give. I thought it had another year left in it. I'd be surprised if it lasted another week.<br />
<br />
The plan was to drive it back to the hometown before the semester started and fix everything that was probably ailing it (spark plugs, possibly the distributor cap, maybe even the O2 sensor). Back home, we can fix all of that for cheap (we have a mechanic who owes us a billion favors). Now, I'm damn sure it won't make the trip.<br />
<br />
I don't want to get a mechanic here. They're expensive and nine times out of ten, will fix the first thing they find wrong without looking for more issues. They'll rape your wallet for parts and labor and shrug in obliviousness when the problems persist. I hates them so.<br />
<br />
Worst part is, this truck does not have a trade-in value, due to its age. I think it was worth maybe 2K when I checked the books last year, and that's when it was in "good" condition. Now that it's dying?<br />
<br />
All we needed was to make it last one more year. I'd finish school and get a job and be able to pay for a newer vehicle as I put mine to rest. But it probably won't make it to the beginning of the semester.<br />
<br />
It sucks. It really sucks. I'm very attached to this damn thing. I've had it since high school, and it got me out of my hometown when I was ready to move to my next stage in life. It's hauled furniture, friends, and kegs to many places in Texas. It represented my freedom: from school, life, and anything else. I didn't like being somewhere? It took me where I wanted, when I wanted. Plus, it was a blast to drive. Up until recently, it was a smooth, sturdy vehicle. I felt safe (2 tons of steel will do that). Has a good stereo, too. I spent many days driving, windows down, cigarette in hand, feeling the wind in my face while blasting classic rock. I'd never taken it on a serious road trip, though, due to it drinking fuel like it was water in the desert. As prices went up, my trips became less frequent, and as it started getting ill, I knew that it didn't have another road-trip left in it.<br />
<br />
Hopefully, it can be fixed. Hopefully, it won't be stupidly expensive (HA!). But the Beast is dying.<br />
<br />
Though I'm going to risk taking it to Pinballz tomorrow. I may not be able to afford a new engine, but I can afford some fucking pinball, dammit. And a tow truck.<br />
<br />
I know it's just a truck, but it's probably the only thing I own that has helped me through the last 11 years of my life.<br />
<br />
I'm not looking forward to the phone call to my Dad tomorrow. Or the following week. Or the following debt.<br />
<br />
More to come as it occurs.Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-67240974864686861032011-07-14T04:30:00.000-05:002011-07-14T04:30:06.866-05:00A Short Sherlock Holmes PostAfter an encouraged viewing of the first two episodes of the BBC's Sherlock, I realized that I had still not seen the recent movie. Netflix instant failed me, so I set out today to find it. A local used media store in my area (an establishment that receives a healthy amount of my income) would surely have it, as they usually carry many copies of popular films as they are bought and sold in very large quantities for a short time after release. This movement of goods has an added benefit. Due to supply and demand, the price is usually driven down to a price that is affordable by many. The movie had been out for a while, though. Would I be so lucky as to find it? Aye. One copy awaited me, nestled snugly in the wrong place. The organization at this location is usually impeccable, so I assume that it was handled and placed in the wrong place that very day by a potential buyer who, for some reason, decided against purchase. Their decision resulted in my victory, and I found my prize leaning nonchalantly against the film "Shoot 'Em Up" (which I also grabbed as an added bonus). I was right about the cost: $4.99 for an immaculate copy. I paid the clerk and walked out a champion. This evening, I reclined in my usual spot, put my personal computer aside, and sat down to view the film.<br />
<br />
It was good.<br />
<br />
~The End~<br />
<br />
Epilogue: The BBC series is enjoyable, tooChris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-89949374604362277402011-05-21T00:07:00.000-05:002011-05-21T00:07:38.479-05:00Cooking with Goodwin: Chicken Tortilla Soup (Cheater's Edition)Howdy.<div><br />
</div><div>Ever have one of those weeks where you let yourself fall apart? Too much partying? Finding yourself waking up when people are getting off work?</div><div><br />
</div><div>I have.</div><div><br />
</div><div>What I need is to recover. I need to defibrillate my body with vitamins, nutrition, liquids, etc. I need my Tortilla Soup.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Now, I've had people tell me that this is NOT tortilla soup in any way. I tell them that if I wanted their opinion, I wouldn't know what to do, because there is no way I would ever want to know what they ever think. Ever. Be that as it may, this is not a recipe for purists. This is a recipe for people like me who need something that takes almost no effort to make that lasts a good while and tastes delicious. If you want "authentic" soup, go to a restaurant. There are many fine places.</div><div><br />
</div><div>So here we go. Be warned, this will take a while, and it's definitely the most complicated thing I can make. But it's also one of my best recipes.</div><div><a name='more'></a></div><div>Gather your ingredients. It won't take much.</div><div><br />
</div><div>1 Whole Frying Chicken (pre-cut)</div><div>1 big pot (big enough to hold an entire chicken covered in broth and then some)</div><div>1 Pre-Packaged Pico de Gallo (I use Medium and make it spicier if I feel like it. You can't make it less spicy, though, so if you want to go Hot, it will all be that way and you'll have to deal with it)</div><div>1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup</div><div>1 pkg. Low-Sodium Chicken Broth</div><div>2 Tsp. Ground Cumin</div><div>2 Tsp. Ground Coriander</div><div>Salt</div><div>Pepper</div><div>Cayenne</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBh_c8FpCzn9je0ywLdr3QsMkkmhH9AxSw82Hq9NTORfFZK3dpsy95wVyP__8sTf_iiwvn8VNDZZqYikQ7xpd5DfHSRZaLcYmm4qDqNmQfatrMQZ8o05jltS7Gq_1rWh3I48bYL3K4NU2/s1600/2011-05-20+18.40.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBh_c8FpCzn9je0ywLdr3QsMkkmhH9AxSw82Hq9NTORfFZK3dpsy95wVyP__8sTf_iiwvn8VNDZZqYikQ7xpd5DfHSRZaLcYmm4qDqNmQfatrMQZ8o05jltS7Gq_1rWh3I48bYL3K4NU2/s320/2011-05-20+18.40.12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hooray for spices!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xTpo9vnt-NyyLB7XO3Av3zgq00rM7790NXyWRowXgIMEJwOh2yGjno4QkdFWsHZntpwzV7UlHVhl84k033XQgB5eacmaDZEo15NzNlSIb29X4Fp1m4Kfsd0IbO1y71RFKr6rsED603_e/s1600/2011-05-20+18.40.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xTpo9vnt-NyyLB7XO3Av3zgq00rM7790NXyWRowXgIMEJwOh2yGjno4QkdFWsHZntpwzV7UlHVhl84k033XQgB5eacmaDZEo15NzNlSIb29X4Fp1m4Kfsd0IbO1y71RFKr6rsED603_e/s320/2011-05-20+18.40.57.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm too lazy to cut up an entire chicken myself.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>That's just for cooking. Serving requires Mexican Cheese and Tortilla Chips.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPY8s1a6XwR342FvPY5Qw75D8Kke8LvrPj5Wlu0PGojf_2TnppeT63Xe4nnSS4Nv-sqTBD5mXnuYLF0S6kmbVWskU8QI_SLoZ4JYZOHDq9431Gdz_TsYA163xRc2BEKEik5kyjN27TVFM_/s1600/2011-05-20+21.31.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPY8s1a6XwR342FvPY5Qw75D8Kke8LvrPj5Wlu0PGojf_2TnppeT63Xe4nnSS4Nv-sqTBD5mXnuYLF0S6kmbVWskU8QI_SLoZ4JYZOHDq9431Gdz_TsYA163xRc2BEKEik5kyjN27TVFM_/s320/2011-05-20+21.31.29.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's generic because it works better for some reason. I'm serious.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>This thing is easy to change up, too, depending on how much work you want to do. You can make your own Pico, you can use Water instead of broth (again, the broth makes it better to begin with), you can make your own broth, it's up to you. I'm just telling you the easiest way to do it. The more you make it, the more ideas you'll have on your own to change it up.</div><div><br />
</div><div>First thing's first: Wash your damn hands well. You're going to handle raw chicken, and you should fear it if you are not good with handling chicken. You have nothing to fear if you just wash your hands, but there's a reason you be careful with undercooked/raw chicken. Move an open trashcan near the sink, as well as putting your pot near the sink as well.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Once your hands are washed, consider them to be covered in fire until I say otherwise. Do not touch anything, including your clothes, face, eyes, etc. Just... don't. This won't take long, anyway.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Open up the chicken package and start washing the chicken parts. I like to keep the package in the sink, so I'm not getting raw chicken essence/water anywhere. Once washed, throw them in the empty pot. I just do the thighs, the breasts, the wings, and the legs. I throw away that middle chunk and the guts (if there). Pitch the package when you're done. If you've done it right, very little area is contaminated, you don't have to clean a counter, and the chicken is waiting for you to drown it. Next step.</div><div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdXfHjaTh19sExAkwt87kRmjLRpWkKzHbBZwu0Zm6D9rU8Q2XrlVjvEjoLq-5OtwtPiU9DSKjD_LRxvSztttELt1QZPxYRiOj2Dg9SXnjCCy68Il2AKB2Rc8Ph2gX3kqWw19bKHLfpDkq/s1600/2011-05-20+18.58.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdXfHjaTh19sExAkwt87kRmjLRpWkKzHbBZwu0Zm6D9rU8Q2XrlVjvEjoLq-5OtwtPiU9DSKjD_LRxvSztttELt1QZPxYRiOj2Dg9SXnjCCy68Il2AKB2Rc8Ph2gX3kqWw19bKHLfpDkq/s320/2011-05-20+18.58.07.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salmonellicious.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>Wash your damn hands again. Salmonella is something that makes your body do terrible things. But this is the last time. For a while. Your hands are now no longer on fire. Feel free to touch anything you want. Except more raw chicken.</div><div>Throw the chicken pot on the stove. I like to add a nice amount of black pepper, but it's up to you.</div><div>Pour the broth over the chicken. It should cover the entire chicken, but if it doesn't, add some water.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU25I52IDuV9ib5XDnaUZQ1A2-FfJ7ewUkbZEYZuauR4dtGxrHirCsjF4yeZzsKkPBZRJpy2A2wAnNWYLQ3xk0CjOapvBePWdgBZBTfaBA5zoSgSI_qW-_v06U5pV61A-_rP3AAV0wrQmg/s1600/2011-05-20+18.59.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU25I52IDuV9ib5XDnaUZQ1A2-FfJ7ewUkbZEYZuauR4dtGxrHirCsjF4yeZzsKkPBZRJpy2A2wAnNWYLQ3xk0CjOapvBePWdgBZBTfaBA5zoSgSI_qW-_v06U5pV61A-_rP3AAV0wrQmg/s320/2011-05-20+18.59.57.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drowning a chicken in chicken broth. There's something evil about this, I know it...</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Now crank the heat on the stove. You're going to want to bring it to a boil, which won't be easy because all of them bubbles that make it bubble oh so boiley have to go through the chicken, but it will happen (I'm assuming you're not good at cooking, hence the details). Once it bubbles, reduce heat, cover and simmer for an hour. You can basically just go away now for an hour. It'll be fine on its own.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>An hour go by yet? Groovy. Unfortunately, more waiting awaits. Turn off the heat and take the chicken out of the broth. I like to put it in a big bowl, but whatever.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbZfLN_CmwULPjOrMz_g0-OsumXlJQRz-NV5Ffl-X8Bz7C2Me-9Tqtotvk2hMnTd30k3DqsjzHG6cJHS3WwUrtdzEQgZ5Hh21IxnlR3HdGe2tMCnNtacexTG7RxOR6blOlkuWI_u5SVmv/s1600/2011-05-20+20.21.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbZfLN_CmwULPjOrMz_g0-OsumXlJQRz-NV5Ffl-X8Bz7C2Me-9Tqtotvk2hMnTd30k3DqsjzHG6cJHS3WwUrtdzEQgZ5Hh21IxnlR3HdGe2tMCnNtacexTG7RxOR6blOlkuWI_u5SVmv/s320/2011-05-20+20.21.10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay it's cooked and will burn your fingers like a thousand Hells!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>Throw the chicken in the fridge, along with the broth. This is to cool it off because you will be handling it with your hands. If you want, you can try to skim the grease off the top of the broth, but it's a pain and I don't bother.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Chicken stored? Go do something for half an hour.</div><div><br />
</div><div>30 minutes later, you're ready for the fun part (otherwise known as the only part that takes work and the part I hate the most). You're going to de-bone the chicken. Take your chicken out of the fridge, put the pot back on the stove, and put a trashcan near you again. It's easier to throw the bits away immediately than making a trash pile and letting it build up.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The chicken should be nice and cool to handle without burning off your fingerprints. Good. You get to tear the meat off of the bones now. Skin, too. One piece at a time. Some people use two forks and shred the meat, I just savagely rip it apart. Like a MAN. This will take a while, but that's sadly just what you have to do. Chicken is complicated.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGps2AMJueS3hs0JrYT6dSMm8-gMXXhwMCXr_hoHjAOWT5hcQoKTegAHwJxXvRu6w6SNyP1tCSgeNZdeUv5UN0L4zXD5F6zvfZsPgY2Qim2AHI6i5BqzfWZV74FVCOEJEYGtGsWUVBIn02/s1600/2011-05-20+21.14.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGps2AMJueS3hs0JrYT6dSMm8-gMXXhwMCXr_hoHjAOWT5hcQoKTegAHwJxXvRu6w6SNyP1tCSgeNZdeUv5UN0L4zXD5F6zvfZsPgY2Qim2AHI6i5BqzfWZV74FVCOEJEYGtGsWUVBIn02/s320/2011-05-20+21.14.28.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IT'S SO JUICY</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>Discard bones, throw meat in the pot. Repeat. Discard any tough bits, any gristle, anything you don't think is edible (or don't want to eat). You won't get much meat from the wings, usually, but you can get a TON from the breasts. But shred it, pick it, whatever. I guess you could just have big chunks, too, but I think the shredding works best (theoretically, you could probably use a lot of boneless/skinless breast instead and save yourself time and effort, but I have yet to do so. I feel like I accomplish something because I do a tiny bit of work for a decent meal).</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfEK86IHDjilQvr_Evv-44Jh3yuW8pQhyphenhyphenkeI8cjT67moT4vzemnsmIK1SBMACs6aV080mqrX2VmiOpmsovq4DIshG36Yql5joISI0dRNmE0BWfyCwVtAOAI4dVjESCEQ99Fv_C6ABjAgX/s1600/2011-05-20+21.23.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfEK86IHDjilQvr_Evv-44Jh3yuW8pQhyphenhyphenkeI8cjT67moT4vzemnsmIK1SBMACs6aV080mqrX2VmiOpmsovq4DIshG36Yql5joISI0dRNmE0BWfyCwVtAOAI4dVjESCEQ99Fv_C6ABjAgX/s320/2011-05-20+21.23.39.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You're done. Unless you want to actually make something that isn't stupid. In which case, keep going.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>You'll want to wash your hands again, since they're covered with chicken bits. But you're on the final steps now.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Turn the heat up to medium-low or medium. Doesn't matter, really. Add the spices. That's 2 Teaspoons each, Cumin and Ground Coriander. Now add Cayenne Pepper. I usually use 1 Teaspoon.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0g7_ASUIHnBfubb79EKjg88ST6VLxQx8l6NLwt-pNjkP7YHca148XkAAuXX12yiwOrSAuBQffLwcMU_DFS0KJesLAnwWvJgaaKYAFfx7DQSQgGs_tX6hUYFIymumHITqOowaWLLUbuJWb/s1600/2011-05-20+21.26.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0g7_ASUIHnBfubb79EKjg88ST6VLxQx8l6NLwt-pNjkP7YHca148XkAAuXX12yiwOrSAuBQffLwcMU_DFS0KJesLAnwWvJgaaKYAFfx7DQSQgGs_tX6hUYFIymumHITqOowaWLLUbuJWb/s320/2011-05-20+21.26.09.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spices are what set us apart from the dark ages.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>Add the soup. It adds color, flavor, and thickness. It doesn't work without it, trust me. Give it a good stir to mix it well with the spices. Break it up as much as you can, but it will still stay a bit chunky. The heat will cause it to melt, though, so no worries.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejxVqc0HjHXOUvMkzgaV3eIb3cdJlTJDk8_xqAHD0RnzfkH3otlQr7uJmWiL4fnOp_3W8DxY67x3hOidFul3kUkF2G4kzvbak4yvLnaHomRp5_iuqwPlbre7sdbpMX4i2UmX6OcUF2P8-/s1600/2011-05-20+21.26.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejxVqc0HjHXOUvMkzgaV3eIb3cdJlTJDk8_xqAHD0RnzfkH3otlQr7uJmWiL4fnOp_3W8DxY67x3hOidFul3kUkF2G4kzvbak4yvLnaHomRp5_iuqwPlbre7sdbpMX4i2UmX6OcUF2P8-/s320/2011-05-20+21.26.55.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lol texture</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>OK, Here's where my recipe deviates from the original one I was given years ago, and that's the Pico de Gallo. What is it? Cilantro, Tomato, Onion, and (sometimes) Jalapeno. Very important things. My mom thinks it's best to add it to the bowls as you serve. You know what I think?</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnSFyERFuULTCjCkXDM3E-JYa1cQfDW2xvMH_Wa_r2Gd3wZ2p7hOhFWVRz3-ZXDGdYYRQQqce5_IwixZ36RpiorXq_IX3w1TpzAYiNyLbZXkpMOqtGy4Ibo5nzxy6-AVXHS9NRjTQzs-m/s1600/2011-05-20+21.28.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnSFyERFuULTCjCkXDM3E-JYa1cQfDW2xvMH_Wa_r2Gd3wZ2p7hOhFWVRz3-ZXDGdYYRQQqce5_IwixZ36RpiorXq_IX3w1TpzAYiNyLbZXkpMOqtGy4Ibo5nzxy6-AVXHS9NRjTQzs-m/s320/2011-05-20+21.28.53.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll have to be careful when I add it, taking my time and not just dropping the whole thing in.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>I throw the whole damn thing in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj331fY63G9hX7mR8z_7Dpex3CLvXNYsS2Lz3ky6Oln07-L1pEkb9qmCbmuoBFfjy_p1-Fyb-zyH0yfHM9ZeeQxAqLIXwP4denLfw-tFK5IvKDMaG_liTiA01XBwk80WxJPSk6xvSZOrG0I/s1600/2011-05-20+21.29.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj331fY63G9hX7mR8z_7Dpex3CLvXNYsS2Lz3ky6Oln07-L1pEkb9qmCbmuoBFfjy_p1-Fyb-zyH0yfHM9ZeeQxAqLIXwP4denLfw-tFK5IvKDMaG_liTiA01XBwk80WxJPSk6xvSZOrG0I/s320/2011-05-20+21.29.25.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oops.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>Why? The heat and stirring will cook the pico slightly, but not much. The flavors will then permeate through the soup and make it taste AWESOME. But if you want to do it classic style, add it to the bowls when you serve.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Stir that up, cover, and cook until the broth is hot. How hot? Hot enough to be almost too hot to eat, because that's what you are going to do when it is done. Shouldn't take long. Just keep checking and tasting.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIKGXu9OMUyAHufH9LHA1ZtFQFaGmD9hbImLYBIcBP8qfwhx4QK57ZbLR8MwVo2KfPKRZuy0ZFw9MZEgvKKmoarQJdYpUHOO_JhfUr97Ro6M-MhHyYA_niUTUlHVO7y-Aq0huXR1Ne0BW/s1600/2011-05-20+21.30.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIKGXu9OMUyAHufH9LHA1ZtFQFaGmD9hbImLYBIcBP8qfwhx4QK57ZbLR8MwVo2KfPKRZuy0ZFw9MZEgvKKmoarQJdYpUHOO_JhfUr97Ro6M-MhHyYA_niUTUlHVO7y-Aq0huXR1Ne0BW/s320/2011-05-20+21.30.32.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It should smell like winning very soon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
</div><div>Now, the final step. This is what makes it tortilla soup. Grab a handful of chips (I like HEB chips, because they're thicker and less salty than Tostitos. They just work, dammit). Throw them in the bowl. Big handful of cheese, throw it on the chips. Put the soup on. If it's hot enough, the cheese will melt instantly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwr7e4pEngNT5udQfoLlXYtXZHG2wJjdVmNU_J20l9hN99yUSYyDj6H_kkjxWvW2c2DW-VoTd8KOdlj5EIY3AFAYgxPnTrUSDd32OVlHcP0yPKNJ33qnYNXoVCeZ9YfVyWHmYNv9Pnurg/s1600/2011-05-20+21.44.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwr7e4pEngNT5udQfoLlXYtXZHG2wJjdVmNU_J20l9hN99yUSYyDj6H_kkjxWvW2c2DW-VoTd8KOdlj5EIY3AFAYgxPnTrUSDd32OVlHcP0yPKNJ33qnYNXoVCeZ9YfVyWHmYNv9Pnurg/s320/2011-05-20+21.44.04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AWm3wT865uN_eg4l5a0ShRR0_wiBWcQQmufktA94VGaEvg-7ZUE5ZHEEGc7KN8g2YfcUKELrUEXo2fRgw8epbenoB3O4-IpPuNZGDh8pPBWr0zq_wiWJwDgySQCVN1QVoAn_HH2Cxwn-/s1600/2011-05-20+21.43.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AWm3wT865uN_eg4l5a0ShRR0_wiBWcQQmufktA94VGaEvg-7ZUE5ZHEEGc7KN8g2YfcUKELrUEXo2fRgw8epbenoB3O4-IpPuNZGDh8pPBWr0zq_wiWJwDgySQCVN1QVoAn_HH2Cxwn-/s320/2011-05-20+21.43.40.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLBaj3t7g8M2MirBMyW-vv3nVHvroCUCfGAYYZffp6AFDzZkr04lU2pm50HcUHyJSpT9-2amoijIdYFzChwGdDYoxhy8ncg3IgmKRSRZlczqeygLdoY03UK8WmCmxZsFHPleSGJkgsCa8/s1600/2011-05-20+21.45.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLBaj3t7g8M2MirBMyW-vv3nVHvroCUCfGAYYZffp6AFDzZkr04lU2pm50HcUHyJSpT9-2amoijIdYFzChwGdDYoxhy8ncg3IgmKRSRZlczqeygLdoY03UK8WmCmxZsFHPleSGJkgsCa8/s320/2011-05-20+21.45.01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BAM.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br />
</div><div>Now eat it. You're done. Put the soup in the fridge and munch on it for the next few days. It should last a while, if you're alone.</div><div><br />
</div><div>And that's that. Eat it, and feel your body repair itself. A short version of the recipe will end this post, but I wanted to have fun and write it all out. Like a MAN.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7is5BDTpucpnzcnL9twnngoKiAiBz3mWhvFcB5jM3WGpLBvlHsdsgyW_BZZJAFVwjlUGANgP2H5CHYuqisJjHJiUNpYLrvCpdWybXH1LDGVn0PP99Xp5WgDkj8NQ79IlnEweOUTlnIemG/s1600/2011-05-20+21.53.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7is5BDTpucpnzcnL9twnngoKiAiBz3mWhvFcB5jM3WGpLBvlHsdsgyW_BZZJAFVwjlUGANgP2H5CHYuqisJjHJiUNpYLrvCpdWybXH1LDGVn0PP99Xp5WgDkj8NQ79IlnEweOUTlnIemG/s320/2011-05-20+21.53.08.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soup, Dr Pepper, and Doctor Who. My life > Yours.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>Ingredients:</div><div>1 Whole Cut-Up Fryer Chicken</div><div>1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup</div><div>1 Pkg. Pre-Made Pico-De-Gallo (or make your own)</div><div>2 Tsp. Ground Cumin</div><div>2 Tsp. Ground Coriander</div><div>32oz. Low Sodium Chicken Broth.</div><div>Salt</div><div>Pepper</div><div>Cayenne Pepper</div><div>Tortilla Chips</div><div>1 Pkg. Mexican Blend Cheese (nothing else melts right)</div><div><br />
</div><div>Wash Chicken and place into pot. Season if you want with salt and pepper, if you want. Pour entire package of broth over the chicken until it covers all of it. Add water if you need more liquid. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, then simmer for an hour.</div><div>Remove chicken from broth and place in fridge. Place pot of broth in fridge, too. Wait approximately half-an-hour or until chicken is cool enough to handle.</div><div>De-bone the chicken, discarding nasty bits such as bones, skin, gristle, throwing only the meat back into the broth.</div><div>Turn heat to Medium/Medium-low. Add Coriander, Cumin, and Cayenne. Add Can of Cream of Chicken Soup. Stir until blended decently.</div><div>Add entire package of Pico de Gallo and cook until hot, stirring occasionally.</div><div>Serve over tortilla chips and shredded cheese.</div><div><br />
</div><div>To reheat: Either reheat soup in the pot, or cook in the microwave for ~3 minutes.</div>Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-76052616946653624742011-04-10T22:37:00.001-05:002011-04-10T22:39:22.885-05:00New Layout!!! (!!!)So I got sick of using a template picture for my blog, so I took my own. Spiffy, huh?<br />
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Nothing else has changed, just the picture. But it makes a big difference.<br />
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Here it is by itself.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoosFXKaSbxhuBpxuq8vAdRDfMvaAu3G7IhC3y1EAXJTQzj4PoeOLS1rZY8awIcHDQ9_cQWut3ouY5dJ6MK0ebWV41cdepLEyKoN0VoMiy2crQ1KgZ0x4AX7M10vHQGiQPa5QVY4f0jkCk/s1600/2011-04-10+22.11.36b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoosFXKaSbxhuBpxuq8vAdRDfMvaAu3G7IhC3y1EAXJTQzj4PoeOLS1rZY8awIcHDQ9_cQWut3ouY5dJ6MK0ebWV41cdepLEyKoN0VoMiy2crQ1KgZ0x4AX7M10vHQGiQPa5QVY4f0jkCk/s320/2011-04-10+22.11.36b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fancy and kind of pretentious. Success!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>FYI, the blue book is the <u>Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide</u>, by Douglas Adams, and some random collection of ghost stories I found at Half-Price one day.Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-48413846269290343232011-04-10T21:59:00.000-05:002011-04-10T21:59:36.896-05:00Kidneys... Why'd it have to be kidneys?Hello internet world.<br />
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Haven't been posting as much as I like, lately. Been working on school and such. And having some AWESOME health problems. How awesome, you might ask? Well, I'll spin you a tale of my recent issues.<br />
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First off, I have a mediocre diet. I avoid fast-food for the most part, but I love my Dr Peppers with a passion. I've also known to drink a few beers every few days or so. So yeah, while I don't sit on the couch and wolf down chips and dips and liters of Mountain Dew (anymore), I could probably be doing better. I have cut back on soft drinks, though. Compared to how I used to drink them.<br />
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For the most part, my body usually aches. I never put much thought to it, just chocked it up to being in poor shape, sleeping wrong, or being hungover. When you treat your body badly, it will respond badly. So I would just ignore the sharp pains in my side and the soreness in my lower back. I'm going to be 30 in a few years, so a little pain is natural, I assumed.<br />
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That all changed about three weeks ago. Went to piss and DAMN. Pain. Not bad pain. Compared to when I sprained my wrist last year, this was nothing. But it was unexpected and, given the area, very uncomfortable. That's when I saw what happened and came to a conclusion: kidney stones.<br />
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Why am I sure of this? Well, there are the symptoms of course. Frequent bathroom visits, pain in my lower back and sides, and... oh yeah, TINY ROCKS in my urine. Figured that last one would be something to look into.<br />
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The first week, I just ignored it, because I felt better afterwards, so I assumed I passed them all. Then almost a week later, another attack. I decided to not fall for it again and went to a doctor. Of course, like a faulty lamp that acts perfectly at the repair shop, there was no evidence of stones (I hadn't thought of saving them at the time). Urine was clean, blood-work came back fine, and I even got to have an ultrasound. It, too, was negative. The final test was something called a UVI, and I have not gotten this test yet. I had an idea that might help me skip the test (because tests cost money, and I don't have much). During the next attack, I had the foresight to save them. Don't ask how I got them, it's not worth it. So, happily and armed with evidence, I bring in my bag of rocks for my doctor to look at. That poor receptionist's face when I told her that the nurse just said to drop them off at her desk. She was able to find out who had called me in to drop off the bag, though, and I was able to give it to her directly.<br />
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That was last week. And, of course, I went the whole week without any problems. Until today, that is. Another attack. They haven't called me back. I think they're expecting me to get the test. With regret, I think I must go in sometime soon, though I don't have the time. I may just schedule it for Wednesday and get it over with.<br />
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Oh, and don't worry. The pain has been very mild. Not zero, but mild. The rocks are very tiny, nothing like the horror stories that you may hear about passing rocks the size of M&M's. The only thing is, there's a lot of them, so it's not fun. Now I get to play Russian Roulette every time I have to go. With a shotgun.<br />
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Well, that's about it for this post. I'll be back with more news as it happens.Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-34666671439867983902011-03-29T04:55:00.000-05:002011-03-29T04:55:40.547-05:00Tea O.D.<div>This post is mainly about tea.</div><div><br />
</div>In an attempt to relieve stress and get away from chugging endless amounts of sodas, I've started to drink tea. I had some extra cash, so while grocery shopping, I randomly bought an electric kettle (I actually do own a real tea kettle, but I'm too much of a gadget freak to not own this lovely addition to my kitchen). It's nothing too special. Just a white thing with measurements on the side in liters and cups (in 4 and 8 cup marks). This odd choice of measurement only solidifies why you don't buy appliances from H.E.B. It works fine, at least. It boils water very well. I'll probably replace it when I can start buying nice things.<div><a name='more'></a></div><div>I started simple enough with bags of green tea, with some decaffeinated to balance things out if I drank before bed. I was annoyed with how the bags would be full of air and float to the top every time. I wasn't sure if they were supposed to do that, but I'm pretty sure they're not. It did strike me funny how they say on the box about how green (environmentally, not flavor) their tea production is, because every tea-bag comes in a small, paper envelope. All of them are wrapped and packaged in a waste of paper. Good job, guys.</div><div><br />
</div><div>It tasted alright, but nothing special, y'know? If you know me, you know that I don't screw around when it comes to food. I take my indulgences seriously. So I decided to get better tea.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Hey, I warned you that this post was about tea.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I had known of loose-leaf tea for ages. A close friend of mine drinks it, and she had given me some that was brewed with the leaves in a tiny metal ball. That was oh-so-long-ago. We were still in high-school, and I doubt she remembers it. I looked around and was able to find one of these balls at, surprise, H.E.B. I decided against it, however. I wanted to do more research before I bought another cheap tool from them. Most places agreed that tea leaves needed room to expand. Made sense. I found that I needed a kettle that had a strainer in it. You pour the hot water in the kettle with the tea, it brews, and then you pour the tea into a glass, while the strainer holds back loose leaves. Logic.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I began my search. Looking around for kettles was annoying, however. I'd like to think that I'm a rather manly man (who is writing about tea) and what I found was... a little off-putting. Tiny, porcelain things that looked like they belonged at a young-girl's party with her stuffed animals, or things that belonged in the collections of uncomfortable old-ladies who collect tiny statues of venomously cute people. This simply would not do. So how would I, a man among men, brew my tea?</div><div><br />
</div><div>I recalled an item I observed while perusing <a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/">Thinkgeek.com</a> (one of my favorite sites for nerding out). A tea-brewer that was different. No pouring, no spout, no porcelain. A plastic device that worked almost like a portable iced-tea maker that we used to have (where, after it brewed, you had to flip a switch and it would then pour into the pitcher). When the tea was ready, you placed it over a cup and it filled it. I am speaking of the <a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/kitchen/96bb/">IngenuiTEA</a>. Pulling the trigger, I just bought it (and a cheap sampler from them). It arrived sometime last week, but I only started using on Sunday (also bought a mug that's basically a beaker with a handle: SCIENCE MUG OF SCIENCE).</div><div><br />
</div><div>Wow. There was a difference. Today, I started testing it out, putting it into good use, finding out how long I should brew certain things, if I liked it with sugar, etc. So far, I've been delving into the Earl Grey. Good enough, but I still don't have the measurements right. The first batch was made with too much, which causes extreme bitterness (plus, I'm pretty sure straight tea should be a little bit sea-through and NOT solid brown). With a bit of sugar, though, anything is drinkable. I'll figure it out one of these days, though.</div><div><br />
</div><div>However, all of this testing was done with a small fact omitted from my brain: Tea has caffeine in it. I'm not sure how much, but I've had about 3 or 4 cups starting from about 9 P.M. Which is why I'm still up. And writing a blog post about tea. Because I'm wired.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Should have stuck with the decaf.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Sorry for the post about tea. I'll get back to work on something useful.</div>Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-42776894144127567152011-03-07T22:38:00.003-06:002011-03-07T22:45:19.221-06:00Of Empires, Returns, and Shadows: Music and Reading in my Life<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Saying I like the soundtrack to The Empire Strikes Back is an understatement. I used to listen to it when I was younger while I would read, preferring to read with some form of music in my ears than silence. Doing homework? It was the only thing that helped me focus long enough to finish my assignments, because I knew it so well that it was no longer a distraction. When I received the two-disc collector's edition that had the ENTIRE FILM SCORE which replaced my measly single-disc, 12-track edition (which I loved, don't get me wrong), I was ecstatic. Eyes closed, hours would fly by as I noted specific themes. The AT-AT battle, the asteroid field, the double-bassoon of Boba Fett... all of it was familiar to me. I couldn't fall asleep listening to it, though. I'd always stay awake until the final chords of the credits ended.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">For whatever reason, I grew apart from it. Started listening to other things, different soundtracks, random things, whatever. But I had some work to do the other night and gave it a spin for old-times sake. I'd just wanted to hear the part before the credits, but decided to spin all of it for old-times' sake.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Bliss. An excellent collection of music. It complemented the films so well, I know exactly what is happening at a particular point in the songs. Hell, it might be a stretch, but I could probably quote the dialogue to match up with the music. That's how much I listened to the score and watched the movie. All the feelings came back, and though I hated the work I was doing, I was still in a good mood. I even finished my work quickly just to sit in silence and listen to the rest of it. I noticed a few tracks out of place and fixed them so it would be perfect as it went through. I was not about to have scenes missing in my score.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Today, I decided to spin Return of the Jedi as well, as I read. While not as good as Empire, it has its moments. Familiar themes are there, and the sense of darkness is conveyed even more throughout (though I did skip that bullshit rock song that Lucas added to Jabba's palace. What the fuck, dude). As it wrapped up, I wrinkled my brow in confusion. The ending celebration song was different, and has been for years, but I realized it might be better than the old song. So what the Hell, man? You tone down ewoks partying and add a god-damn abomination of a song to the beginning? That doesn't even begin to average out. Still, all-in-all, a decent album.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Finally, on a whim, I decided to spin "Shadows of the Empire." Not many books get albums written for them. I recognize tracks from this from the N64 game, which I played over and over, because I didn't have Mario 64 for some reason. I only had this one. It's not a bad album, with some interesting parts and recognizable themes, but it just feels... off. Like the music for the Star Wars prequels. It just doesn't feel as good. Still Star Wars? Probably. But its like a warped mirror-image of them. Like a copy made by a dark force that doesn't understand humanity. But that's the prequels. Shadows is just a pale imitation.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Ah, Star Wars. Can I admit that they were my first foray into Science-Fiction? Hell, reading as a whole? I was a voracious reader at a young age, reading whatever I could get my grimy little hands on. Finding Dracula at a book fair at an irresponsibly young age was, and still is, one of my treasured finds. 1984 was equally devoured a year later. While others were reading Roald Dahl (who I wish I could remember more of), I was delving into things that might have seemed a little... difficult for young minds. Burnout was imminent. Burnout was inevitable. Within only two years of finding Dracula, I just had no interest anymore. I still read, but didn't get much out of books. I would pick up a book, read through it, and discard it, not remembering much about it after I was through with it. I just used them to pass the time, not learning, not enjoying. These were things I just didn't get from books.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHLNt2ZEEJ-wnawNhF9cbLHRTlfF2RGaSWhocFeT2PKWurvHI9HqA-prcKUHFG17XJqmbE1w8Bz5MA9x56_ktSpXz25ciYL50yP2FMenrbdDgrkjiRvGUg-B2PeDHA6gBblorafET1WXG/s1600/2011-03-07+22.41.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHLNt2ZEEJ-wnawNhF9cbLHRTlfF2RGaSWhocFeT2PKWurvHI9HqA-prcKUHFG17XJqmbE1w8Bz5MA9x56_ktSpXz25ciYL50yP2FMenrbdDgrkjiRvGUg-B2PeDHA6gBblorafET1WXG/s320/2011-03-07+22.41.32.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What youngster wouldn't grab this?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I cannot recall when, sometime in the 7th grade I think, but a good friend of mine at the time (though, we barely talk anymore), told me about the Star Wars books. I'd been a fan of the films, sure, but my passion for them was rather low, given that we only owned some VHS copies of them at the time, recorded off of HBO more than likely. But he had piqued my interest. "There was more that happened after the second Death Star blew up." Was there, now? He allowed me a borrow of The Truce at Bakura (I think). Then when I would finish one, he would let me borrow another. And another. Soon, I was up to two or three at at time, reading with that old vigor that was long-missed. The music came into my life, as I bought what I could of the soundtracks at the time. The glorious collector's editions did not exist yet, but they would come soon.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It doesn't seem like much time for this to occur. 3-4 years, tops, but I had read all of the Star Wars novels I could get my hands on, before finally putting them down for the final time and never touching them again. I stopped before I read Vector Prime, the saga that changed much about the universe that I had grown to love over the a chunk of my life. I walked away from the stories, keeping their knowledge in my brain forever. I memorized, I had timelines, and I decided to just say goodbye to characters old and new. I still have them, though. They sit in a duffel bag in my closet, hiding. Resting. Waiting to be seen again. Will I go back to them? Perhaps. Someday, I might just start over from the beginning again, taking the good ones with the bad ones. But at that point, I was moving on.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thomas Harris made an appearance, along with some Anne Rice. I was half-assed reading again, I think. No real form or fashion. A shade of the reader I was, only this time I stayed in the dark for an even longer time. I was reading movie adaptations for Christ's sake (though some are quite good, actually). That was my current path: reading book versions of movie's I'd seen. Some were alright, when the movie was based on the book. Others, though... Others with novelizations written AFTER the movie? God help us all.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It wasn't until a year after high school that I found myself wandering back to my path. But that story will be told another day.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Now go watch the Star Wars Trilogy. If you have to ask which one, you're not paying attention. And skip that extra song. It sucks, and Lucas should never have done it.</span>Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-67771811229326124782011-02-28T18:17:00.002-06:002011-02-28T18:21:34.784-06:00I don't like these booksThis is a long one. Almost an essay, even. But I have to vent a little.<br />
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Don't say I didn't warn you.<br />
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I've mentioned it earlier, but it is a problem that still affects me. Mentioning my opinion causes people to look at me like I just crucified their savior. Uttering the statement causes eruptions of arguments on my ignorance, or how I'm not reading it right. But I can't pretend to believe everyone else's opinions are true anymore.<br />
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I can't stand <u>The Lord of the Rings</u> books.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Right now, someone is reading this and thinking of ways to hurt me. They want to tear me in half and hurl my body into the fires of Mt. Doom (or <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3a3a3a; line-height: 23px;">Or</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">odruin as mentioned in the books). But I stand by my opinion. And I don't stand alone.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">I've read accounts of people going completely nuts over their beloved books getting a 1-star rating on Amazon. To some, this is their bible. Saying anything negative about them is blasphemy. Words are thrown at people who share my opinion. Words like ignorant, idiot, bastard, trash, slime, and others that are paired with phrases claiming I don't know what I'm talking about, or that I'm too dumb to understand the books, or what have you.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">Let me be perfectly clear about something.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">I LOVE the story. I really fucking love it. Finding the One ring and journeying to cast it into the volcano, while men fight the hordes of Mordor and the Ringwraiths, led by the Witch-King of Angmar? The Mines of Moria full of goblins who killed off the dwarfs that lived there, while also living in fear of the demonic Balrog that also lurks in the darkness? Wizards? Freaking Aragorn?! What's not to love? </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">Hell, I downloaded Lord of the Rings Online just to see the places he mentions as a character in the world. I LOVE the world.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">Let me state something else.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">I respect Tolkien and what he did. He created an insanely in-depth fantasy world, with a rich history and language, even including a pronunciation guide. Maps! Various races of creatures that had never been encountered in literature before. Hell, I think even the time it takes them to travel across the land is accurate to their rate of travel, which is real impressive. If anything, Tolkien made sure his world WORKED and was 100% accurate. He is a god of worldbuilding. 3-4 books of story is almost an injustice to how big his world really was. Honestly? I think <u>The Hobbit</u> is a beautiful piece of work and look forward to picking it up again in the near future for an afternoon of reading outside.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">Having said that.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">They're boring. Oh so boring. I will admit, I've not finished all three (though I will), but I have read <u>Fellowship of the Ring</u> three times (twice in their entirety, once skipping the prologue (which you know I don't like)). I actually like <u>Two Towers</u>, oddly enough (the first part, anyway). But I always just stop. I lose interest. I can't help it, and dammit, I'm trying! But the books are NOT perfect!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">"Well, you just don't know how to read them!" OK. This. I have had someone tell me this. Folks, I read a lot. Voraciously. I've read Shakespeare from the damn folios. I've read <u>Beowulf</u>. Twice. To be more modern, I've read Neil Stephenson and had no problems with them (besides his choice in exposition in Snow Crash). <u>Dracula</u> is probably my favorite and most-read book that I own. I've read the Wheel of Time books twice now. I will probably read them all again this year. I read. So claiming I don't know how to read Tolkien doesn't sound like a fault against me. It sounds like there's something wrong with the books. I don't think they're written that well, in terms of entertainment. Are there other books that you have to read a specific way? Probably. Are they enjoyed as much as these books? Probably not.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">The pacing is slow. Accurate, yes. But that accuracy makes them slow-paced. I'm sorry, but that's just how I feel. Two: some of the characters aren't very interesting. The main one, in fact. I feel bad for the little guy, but I just don't like the hobbits. They act weird. They really do. Yes, they are supposed to be different because I'm human and they aren't so they will do things that seem odd to me because of the difference in our species. But even recognizing that doesn't mean I'm forced to just bear it and ignore it. They're weird. Another character: Tom Bombadil. I actually like the barrow-wight part. It helps the story to have other dangers besides Sauron. I used to have a barrow-wight action figure hanging from my rear-view mirror (that was made before the movies in what seemed like an attempt by a toy company to try to cash in early on the franchise). His arm broke, finally, but I still have the little guy (Yes, people, THAT is what the zombie dude in my truck was). But when I complained about them leaving the scene out of the movie, a good friend of mine told me "You would have hated it, because it would have put Tom Bombadil in the movie. He'd be the Jar-Jar Binks of LotR." My friend is still right. I hate Tom. I hate how he sings. I hate how he doesn't have a care in the world. He's the Ned Flanders of Fellowship (ok, this is a petty thing to bring up since he's only in a very small part of the book, but dammit, I've sat through his nonsense three times. I get the right to complain about things that bother me).</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">The last thing I want to bring up, because this is already stretched pretty thin, is the oddness of the writing. The dialogue is very off. Not the words themselves, but Tolkien does something strange in many scenes. Not wanting to stick to using 'said' all the time, he picked a different word: 'cried.' Maybe I read too literally, but I keep imagining conversations between the characters where randomly one will emotionally exclaim their line for no reason. My eyebrow raises almost every time. He uses it a lot, or at least enough to make me notice it. Just seems so strange to me.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">On the other hand, it could be argued that this is because the books are supposed to be seen as written by a character in the books (a bold move, and very innovative. I'll give him that).</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">I will even acknowledge that the popularity of the books probably paved the way for the fantasy genre as a whole. While fantasy novels were around LONG before Tolkien, his stories did make the genre popular enough that other authors decided to try their hand at them. His work was extremeely influential, and if I did not agree, then I deserve to be called an ignorant fool. Hell, his books were probably the driving force behind Dungeons and Dragons existing, which can be seen as a stepping stone to American video game developers (not to mention western influences on Japanese games as well). For that, I respect the man (though I would still say Robert Howard was doing Fantasy first). But in the end, I just don't like reading the books.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">I'm still going to finish them, though. I will read them all this year. I don't give up on books. But there WILL be an intermission between <u>Fellowship </u>and <u>Two Towers</u> where I read <u>The Wise Man's Fear</u> by Patrick Rothfuss, which comes out tomorrow.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">Who knows? I might actually change my mind after I finish the last two books. I don't think I would be that surprised if I found a fondness for them. I said it earlier, I LOVE the story. A LOT. I love the movies, too. They sped up the pacing and cut a lot of the slow bits out. But I wish (and someone might begin tracking me down to stab me in the heart when I say this) that somebody would revise the books to have that same energy.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">Don't hate me for my opinion. I'm trying to like them. I'm giving them another chance. But it's hard, dammit. It's so fracking hard.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;">But I will finish the trilogy.</span></span>Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-1470745798440132822011-02-22T05:46:00.001-06:002011-02-22T05:47:26.338-06:00"Why I Don't Like Fellowship of the Ring," "The Deadman," and A Hasty ExplanationI should be reading for school. Or trying to sleep for school. But I can't. I'm listening to some Lord of the Rings music to put me in the mood to finally finish that damn trilogy of books once and for all (I kind of just stopped in the second half of two towers. I guess I was annoyed that the book went from pages of battles and a ton of characters to just Sam, Frodo, and Gollum. I think my brain screamed "Think of the amount you just read, now imagine it with only the hobbits!" and I fled in terror only to finally return today). But that's not what this post is about. This post is about my newest idea. I will tell the basic idea below and then follow it with a disclaimer, because I know that one or two people might say "WHAT A MINUTE YOU DICK YOU STOLE THIS IDEA FROM--" And believe me, I know that this can be said because I realized it after I started working on it.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
Even though Lord of the Rings is one of those series I just can not read through for some reason, I love the ideas and the movies (and music, and so on). One of my favorite things from the movies is the opening, which shows the battle of Sauron and him getting defeated, whereas the book tells the story as a story from Gandalf to Frodo. I feel the movie did this very well, showing that the Dark Lord Sauron was this overwhelmingly powerful, evil force. The worst thing to ever happen to anything. He's like Medieval Hitler. The first book (which I'm barely into) kind of glosses over this fact, devoting its prologue (which I thankfully skipped) to Hobbit lore, explaining the rich and deep history of the Shire (where the book spends about 2% of its time), and summarizing the event from <u>The Hobbit</u> that most directly affects the story. In my edition, this prologue takes 17 pages. For reference, the entire journey through the Mines, including the bridge part, is barely twice that length. Not to mention, they actually explain how Bilbo finds the ring TWICE within the first 3 chapters. I'm just saying that those 17 pages could have been spent on the fall of Sauron, a thing that the movie does more effectively. If you actually prefer the book's prologue over the movie's, I wish I could understand you. But I'm afraid to (seriously, there's a part of the prologue about how they like to smoke! Why?!).<br />
<br />
I feel I got off on a tangent. Anyway. Sauron. I was always interested in him. I have no idea what Mordor looked like before he got there, but I imagine that it didn't look like it was smacked with a hurricane made of pure fire (I'm going to use that in something). I understand that it was scorched, stripped, mined, and devastated as Sauron started to expand his borders. And I wondered, what would it be like to write about that?<br />
<br />
Essentially, that's what <u>Deadman</u> is about (though I probably have to change that because some Marvel character has that name) is essentially that. A village is the first to be conquered by an invading army, trying to spread its influence across the continent. The army uses a combination of science and black magic, utilizing weapons and armor that can cause its wearer to become almost super-human. Alongside these weapons and armor, they have also started using something called a Deadman. It is essentially that: A dead man brought back to life to fight.<br />
<br />
However, one of the Deadmen has a problem. His mind still functions, but he can not control his body. He blacks in and out of consciousness, thankfully for him, but he can only witness the acts his body performs against his will. He has ties to the highest commander in the army, a giant of a woman who wields one of the first sets of magic armor and sword ever made. He attempts to learn his past and regain control of his body.<br />
<br />
Alongside this, the first village conquered by the invading army has been completely absorbed into that culture. No longer a small mining village, it has grown to be the army's new capital city many years later. A young man and woman attempt to just live with what their life has become, trying to forget the stories of their fathers and desperately seeking a way out of the control of the city's ruler.<br />
<br />
That's all I've got so far. I spent too long on the battle at the beginning of the book without considering what would happen next. Oops.<br />
<br />
<br />
Now the explanation on what I realized when writing this idea.<br />
<br />
I previously wrote about weapons that created suits of armor that vanished if you dropped the weapon. I think I'm still going with something like that. Sadly, I realize I only had this idea because I was reading <u>The Way of Kings</u> by Brandon Sanderson and that story has swords and armor that are basically magic, causing the wearer to become absurdly powerful and capable of doing amazing things. The swords actually vanish when you drop them. I think I'm leaning towards the swords being a power-source for the armor, which is why you can't drop them. I'm still mulling it around and I might just drop the whole thing for something else equally mystical and stuff. I want to stress right now that I will do my best to make sure I'm not trying to copy Mr. Sanderson's ideas. I just love the idea of an army of stupidly powerful people fighting and destroying everything around them in an orgy of violence. He is a favorite author of mine and I would hate to even attempt to rip him off, though I find myself finding two similar things from two of his books in my latest brainstorm. The other is very similar to the Lifeless from <u>Warbreaker</u>. And also <u>Robocop.</u> And also <u>Universal Soldier</u>. The idea of a reanimated soldier regaining their memories is not a new idea. I'll admit that I love the movies and novel I mentioned. I'll even admit that I wondered if someone could write <u>Universal Soldier</u> in a fantasy setting and if anyone would notice. Well, it might seem obvious now where my idea ultimately came from. But I would like to stress again that I am NOT trying to be Sanderson. I was just inspired by him, and am going into this project with full knowledge of my inspiration and source material. Hopefully, this will allow me to work harder on it, paying attention to details that I would have missed if my idea was 100% original, allowing me to tweak it to be very good and avoid any similarities between my work and his (which will probably be way better than mine anyway). So here's hoping I do this right.<br />
<br />
But if I somehow write Dolph Lundgren throwing a grenade at my deadguy's girlfriend after taking his family hostage, I'm deleting the whole project and writing Teenage Supernatural Romance novels instead (yes, this is an actual genre now).Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-44181725079029912072011-02-18T17:28:00.000-06:002011-02-18T17:28:46.964-06:00Books and Personal LibrariesHeyo.<br />
<br />
It's been a while. I was going to do another cooking post, but when I went to get the potatoes, they were nasty looking. I was shocked that they were dead after only 2 weeks of rotting in the floor of the pantry. Oh well. Will get more potatoes soon.<br />
<br />
I've been wondering something for a while that I want to ask.<br />
<br />
For those of you with eReaders, do you still buy normal books? Paperbacks, Hardcovers, etc? Do you buy digital formats of books you already own?<br />
<br />
Personally, I do. I've been slowly building a digital library that mirrors my physical one. Why? Because of the shelves. I want to have shelves FULL of books. I want people to see that I read, and what I've read. I want to be able to lend a copy of a book to a friend and still be able to read it. I want to have a house someday that has a full wall of nothing but books. And then, another. Until it's a room.<br />
<br />
If anything, I am more inclined to keep up this current trend of buying books I own because of what happened with Borders this week. It got me thinking: What if Barnes and Noble went under some day? Sure, I could buy from Amazon and strip the DRM out of their books for use on my device, but what about the opposite? If my nook finally dies, I lose a LOT of digital books forever (note: make a backup of those books right now). I guess that's the risk of tying in with a specific company. If they go under, they can take my library with them.<br />
<br />
So yeah. What about you? How do you feel about owning 2 copies of the same books?Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-82190918608663722962011-01-27T03:19:00.000-06:002011-01-27T03:19:01.233-06:00Missing PostsDid some cleaning up. Took out the gaming stuff, because I just didn't care enough to keep going. Video game goals just aren't any fun anymore. Going to focus more on writing and cooking instead. So, no, you're not insane. I did delete some posts.Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-12358344938773941222011-01-15T04:01:00.000-06:002011-01-15T04:01:29.976-06:00Story Ideas: Dreamer and Fantasy WarNew Idea for a story:<br />
<br />
A character dreams he is other people. Things he does in dreams actually happen the way he dreams them. Character is travelling in time with his dreams and affecting his future. It's like Quantum Leap. Wait. Shit. It is Quantum Leap. It became obvious as I wrote it out. Nevermind.<br />
<br />
<br />
Other Idea:<br />
<br />
Magic weapons that create powerful suits of armor, making wielders powerful tools of war. If weapon is dropped, however, the armor vanishes and they become unprotected.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The second one sounds good, I think.Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-61714284116980908672010-12-23T01:30:00.000-06:002010-12-23T01:30:11.720-06:00End of Semester Plans<div>My last week of school technically begins next Monday (theoretically). As a result, I'm spending all weekend confined to my apartment, churning out as many papers as possible until I'm either finished, or my head explodes. My phone will be off. Chat programs will be off. TV will not be turned on at all. Not even for meals. Meals will be spent in front of the computer. I have pitchers of tea and Kool-aid already made and some light snacks. I will be working almost non-stop, taking small breaks once an hour, until I am done, no matter how many days it takes. No going out. No drinking. No quick trips to the store. Nothing. I will be on full lock-down.</div><div><br />
</div><div>"But why would you have to kill yourself to do all of this? There's no way that any teacher assigned so much work that you'll need all weekend to do it?" Well, yes and no. A teacher CAN assign an absurd amount of work... over the course of a semester. I'm essentially doing a full semester's worth of writing (not from scratch, but a lot of things need to be redone, edited, revised, etc.) As to the why? Because I've spent almost four months dealing with these things, sitting in the library and going over pages and pages of articles and essays and research and notes and trying to find verification and collaboration on facts and etc.... I've stared at blank pages for hours on end. I've sat down to work at home, only to have lost five hours messing with my music collection (damn you, ADD). All the time I spent doing nothing with these papers is time I could have spent doing something fun with ANYTHING ELSE. So, I'm throwing the gauntlet down. I have a bottle of Aspirin, plenty of refreshment, and an emergency caffeine boost in the fridge. It's time to get this over with. I want as much time as possible between the semesters to make up for all of the time spent staring at a blinking cursor for hours on end.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Speaking of, this isn't a post about my nightmare of schoolwork. This is about what I'm going to do AFTER I'm done. On my other monitor, I will have a list of everything I'm going to do when I'm finished with the semester as motivation. It's like clipping a picture of your vacation destination on your monitor at work to remind you what you're working for. Some of these will make no sense. Others will make perfect sense. Without further ado, here is what I'm going to do after I'm done with school.</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><ul><li>Finish the following games I started this semester</li>
<ul><li><s>Castlevania (PS3)</s></li>
<li>3D Dot Game Heroes (PS3)</li>
<li>Alan Wake (360)</li>
<li>Dragon Quest IX (DS)</li>
<li>Guitar Hero: Metallica (360)</li>
</ul><li>Start and finish the following games that I bought this semester</li>
<ul><li>Dead Space (PS3)</li>
<li><s>Assassin's Creed 2 (PS3)</s></li>
</ul><li>Play every numbered Final Fantasy game (except for the online ones) in reverse order, starting with 13.</li>
<ul><li>Possibly make a "Let's Play" out of one of the earlier ones. May have a vote to decide (might include Mystic Quest in the poll.</li>
</ul><li>Replay the following games</li>
<ul><li>Bayonetta</li>
</ul><li>Write a few short stories to submit to St. Ed's writing journal.</li>
<li>Work on Maelstrom</li>
<li>Read as many books on my "to-read' list as possible.</li>
<li>Watch the following TV Shows</li>
<ul><li>Walking Dead (Season 1)</li>
<li>Dexter (Season 5)</li>
<li>Boardwalk Empire (Season 1)</li>
<li>The Wire (Seasons 2-5)</li>
<li>Battlestar Galactica (at least season 2)</li>
<li>Doctor Who (finish rewatching season 2 and 3)</li>
<li>Tochwood: Children of Earth</li>
</ul><li>Watch the following movies</li>
<ul><li>Scott Pilgrim</li>
<li>Iron Man 2</li>
<li>Zombieland</li>
<li>As much as possible on my netflix queue</li>
</ul><li>Cancel Netflix Discs, move to streaming only</li>
<li>Start walking every day again</li>
<li>Clean the apartment (should do this first)</li>
<ul><li>De-stink the aparment (Where is that smell coming from?!)</li>
</ul><li>Get to 85 in WoW with two characters</li>
<li><s>Get auxiliary cable hooked up to Tahoe stereo</s></li>
<ul><li>Fix the satellite radio that stopped working</li>
</ul><li>Try to have at least one date (low priority)</li>
</ul><div>Wow. I'm such a damn nerd. I really should move these.<br />
<br />
(UPDATE 1 - December 23, 2010: Marked off finished and played games. Got the auxiliary cable working in Tahoe, but somehow screwed up the satellite radio. Oh well. Removed Harry Potter, because I won't get around to seeing it until it hits DVD most likely).</div></div>Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-18095502256084540362010-12-04T02:42:00.001-06:002010-12-04T02:42:07.657-06:00End of Semester To-Do list (or, I'm going to spend 3 weeks playing video games)<div>My last week of school technically begins next Monday (theoretically). As a result, I'm spending all weekend confined to my apartment, churning out as many papers as possible until I'm either finished, or my head explodes. My phone will be off. Chat programs will be off. TV will not be turned on at all. Not even for meals. Meals will be spent in front of the computer. I have pitchers of tea and Kool-aid already made and some light snacks. I will be working almost non-stop, taking small breaks once an hour, until I am done, no matter how many days it takes. No going out. No drinking. No quick trips to the store. Nothing. I will be on full lock-down.</div><div><br />
</div><div>"But why would you have to kill yourself to do all of this? There's no way that any teacher assigned so much work that you'll need all weekend to do it?" Well, yes and no. A teacher CAN assign an absurd amount of work... over the course of a semester. I'm essentially doing a full semester's worth of writing (not from scratch, but a lot of things need to be redone, edited, revised, etc.) As to the why? Because I've spent almost four months dealing with these things, sitting in the library and going over pages and pages of articles and essays and research and notes and trying to find verification and collaboration on facts and etc.... I've stared at blank pages for hours on end. I've sat down to work at home, only to have lost five hours messing with my music collection (damn you, ADD). All the time I spent doing nothing with these papers is time I could have spent doing something fun with ANYTHING ELSE. So, I'm throwing the gauntlet down. I have a bottle of Aspirin, plenty of refreshment, and an emergency caffeine boost in the fridge. It's time to get this over with. I want as much time as possible between the semesters to make up for all of the time spent staring at a blinking cursor for hours on end.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Speaking of, this isn't a post about my nightmare of schoolwork. This is about what I'm going to do AFTER I'm done. On my other monitor, I will have a list of everything I'm going to do when I'm finished with the semester as motivation. It's like clipping a picture of your vacation destination on your monitor at work to remind you what you're working for. Some of these will make no sense. Others will make perfect sense. Without further ado, here is what I'm going to do after I'm done with school.</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><ul><li>Finish the following games I started this semester</li>
<ul><li>Castlevania (PS3)</li>
<li>3D Dot Game Heroes (PS3)</li>
<li>Alan Wake (360)</li>
<li>Dragon Quest IX (DS)</li>
<li>Guitar Hero: Metallica (360)</li>
<li>Darksiders</li>
</ul><li>Start and finish the following games that I bought this semester</li>
<ul><li>Dead Space (PS3)</li>
<li>Assassin's Creed 2 (PS3)</li>
</ul><li>Play every numbered Final Fantasy game (except for the online ones) in reverse order, starting with 13.</li>
<ul><li>Possibly make a "Let's Play" out of one of the earlier ones. May have a vote to decide (might include Mystic Quest in the poll.</li>
</ul><li>Replay the following games</li>
<ul><li>Bayonetta</li>
</ul><li>Write a few short stories to submit to St. Ed's writing journal.</li>
<li>Work on Maelstrom</li>
<li>Read as many books on my "to-read' list as possible.</li>
<li>Watch the following TV Shows</li>
<ul><li>Walking Dead (Season 1)</li>
<li>Dexter (Season 5)</li>
<li>Boardwalk Empire (Season 1)</li>
<li>The Wire (Seasons 2-5)</li>
<li>Battlestar Galactica (at least season 2)</li>
<li>Doctor Who (finish rewatching season 2 and 3)</li>
<li>Tochwood: Children of Earth</li>
<li>Last Exile</li>
<li>Black Lagoon</li>
</ul><li>Watch the following movies</li>
<ul><li>Scott Pilgrim</li>
<li>Iron Man 2</li>
<li>Zombieland</li>
<li>As much as possible on my netflix queue</li>
</ul><li>Cancel Netflix Discs, move to streaming only</li>
<li>Start walking every day again</li>
<li>Clean the apartment (should do this first)</li>
<ul><li>De-stink the aparment (Where is that smell coming from?!)</li>
</ul><li>Get to 85 in WoW with two characters</li>
<li>Get auxiliary cable hooked up to Tahoe stereo</li>
<li>Try to have at least one date (low priority)</li>
<li>Go see Harry Potter</li>
</ul><div>Wow. I'm such a damn nerd. I really should move the games to the bottom of the list... but I know myself too well.</div></div><div><br />
</div><div>And with that, good night. I will see everyone in a few days.</div>Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-45358971214755252432010-11-30T23:56:00.001-06:002010-12-01T00:00:38.095-06:00NaNoWriMo 2010: An Unfortunate EndWell, with 15 minutes left in the month, I'm going to sadly call my attempt over, falling short of 20% completion. I could make excuses, but honestly, if I had pushed myself, I probably would have done better.<br />
<br />
Having said that, here are my excuses.<br />
<br />
1) 2 Literature Classes and another class called "Research and Argumentation" which demands an 8 page research paper a week can really sap the drive and motivation to write something for myself.<br />
<br />
2) I spent way too much time on my notes and not on actual writing. The blueprints are there, but the crew had to reschedule.<br />
<br />
3) School. Again. School. Always. School.<br />
<br />
4) It's hard to make progress when you have to edit what you wrote while drunk or sleepy. Or both.<br />
<br />
So yeah. What it comes down to is school ate up all of my time. If I wasn't writing for a class, I wasn't writing at all.<br />
<br />
What does this mean for the story?<br />
<br />
Not a damn thing. I'm not stopping this one. I might put it on hold to work on a short story or two to submit to my school's writing journal, but Maelstrom (working title) will be finished. Probably better now that I'm not just trying to throw in as much as possible as fast as possible.<br />
<br />
I'll keep posting the status of it as I make more progress.<br />
<br />
And I look forward to trying again in 2011 with something brand new.<br />
<br />
Oh, and before I forget.<br />
<br />
NaNoWriMo 2010 Word Count: 7070 words.Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-74479992923653842372010-11-22T00:32:00.002-06:002011-05-26T13:13:00.983-05:00Cooking with Goodwin: SteakI know I should be working on something else. I have it open in the background, aching to be noticed. No, not my book. I am afraid I am talking about hideous schoolwork, with its opinions and soul-crushing. But if I don't do this now, I'll never get around to it.<br />
<br />
Thanksgiving is fast approaching, where we can all spend time with our family at their house with their turkeys and fine china and place settings and, of course, grills.<br />
<br />
Seeing as I live in an apartment and hate walking to our community grill (singular, but there's probably two), I am unable to really grill. Yet, I like steak. But without a grill, I am rendered steakless, like some sort of fish (note: fix analogy). This couldn't be further from the truth.<br />
<br />
I will show you people how a simple student eats like a champion without having to deal with charcoal or propane or whatever. Keep reading to see how I, the amazing Goodwin, cook a ribeye with a cast-iron skillet. Fair warning, I have heard many ideas and rules on cooking steaks. I will break most of these rules.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Like the previous one, we need our ingredients.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSdNf3Zidn9t04LWgAMgZc3V7VLlVyMESmVNH0ftKcIL1mzNUEf-l1yBFN7vDncNezRxwEg6-03o7Q0Dwxi4ZpUA6WAe15lGIO39Wxe6q_CHfc6teCRsmbWdgZIKVg7pchA7-ZqLekzMl/s1600/596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSdNf3Zidn9t04LWgAMgZc3V7VLlVyMESmVNH0ftKcIL1mzNUEf-l1yBFN7vDncNezRxwEg6-03o7Q0Dwxi4ZpUA6WAe15lGIO39Wxe6q_CHfc6teCRsmbWdgZIKVg7pchA7-ZqLekzMl/s400/596.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ingredients include steak and... steak. Oh, and the spices I guess.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>That is a packaged HEB Boneless Ribeye. It cost about 5 bucks. Ridiculously cheap. I took it out of the fridge as soon as I turned on the oven. That's right, it is NOT room temperature! OH. MY. GOD.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>Next, we get out our skillet (but don't turn on the burner yet).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4BI-iUKWTEHD6vlHQq6dqRiQs4IA-CJrg4-_psgUDrfrChAZB4jwY9J1U-GmfvvjwZYXCB6_P5rSElDDQAJuq64FTqKgSs_uXtarJJgGQKyRVr5UoJ8rencm07MOvovoimeeIw4anoWs/s1600/598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4BI-iUKWTEHD6vlHQq6dqRiQs4IA-CJrg4-_psgUDrfrChAZB4jwY9J1U-GmfvvjwZYXCB6_P5rSElDDQAJuq64FTqKgSs_uXtarJJgGQKyRVr5UoJ8rencm07MOvovoimeeIw4anoWs/s400/598.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello, skillet. You're the best thing on the planet. Yes you are! YES YOU ARE!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Why Cast-Iron? Because we're sticking this into the oven. We're going to broil (basically) the damn thing. Trust me, it will be fine.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWJi0clRmUCyj6vpSykgmogQob5SwnDpHL0upDoK81-Nxzbz0rLnFdxjSxaDygCrqmby4_XubfG1HfNavnt0WT_S7ExK7F5Sh4ejm5Q1tGi8gv4Pp69WR6qqtrhtwVJysqlWZg3VNndYx/s1600/600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWJi0clRmUCyj6vpSykgmogQob5SwnDpHL0upDoK81-Nxzbz0rLnFdxjSxaDygCrqmby4_XubfG1HfNavnt0WT_S7ExK7F5Sh4ejm5Q1tGi8gv4Pp69WR6qqtrhtwVJysqlWZg3VNndYx/s400/600.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BUUUUUUUURN!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Crank that damn thing to 500 (450 works, but my oven is cheap, so it fluctuates a lot.)<br />
<br />
While you wait for it to heat, you're going to make a rub.<br />
<br />
"WOAH! A rub?!! You should never put anything but salt and pepper on a great piece of steak, you heathen bastard! HOW COULD YOU?!"<br />
<br />
Calm down. This is true. I would never put a rub on a great piece of meat. But this is a $5 random steak. This is NOT a great piece of meat. So shut up.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I generally mix 3 tablespoons Lemon Pepper with 1 Tablespoon Seasoned Salt. I then add Garlic Powder and Onion Powder. Put about 1/2 Tablespoons of each. I mix all of this in a coffee mug, so I can shake it and let it mix well. It also lets me smell it, too, so I generally adjust it if necessary. Sometimes I add cayenne pepper, but I put that in everything. While the oven's still heating, I take a handful and rub it on each side until it's covered and then I let it just sit for a bit. The oven takes a while.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvWUpwRlOs3EJut0t4sGuYrr86sZc-vNSh39UI5UTfQXpiSeCOFqqH6_nR5OY1Q4jPIMtwLQxnzeDp2TL1UfkRWpiSup7VQ_4aaLdY1440vdsl93Lb1LOlBQtm-9OWnYX9-tv9xVWU44q/s1600/601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvWUpwRlOs3EJut0t4sGuYrr86sZc-vNSh39UI5UTfQXpiSeCOFqqH6_nR5OY1Q4jPIMtwLQxnzeDp2TL1UfkRWpiSup7VQ_4aaLdY1440vdsl93Lb1LOlBQtm-9OWnYX9-tv9xVWU44q/s400/601.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spicy. And delicious.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I almost forgot two ingredients. Olive Oil and Butter.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGHKL-1jwPHOftNbnY_NVBNu4F0yujG3QHPSia_YXqU4uvrd3Dh6O9Ltlt1SbQEQFuu4tWvewLH0dzLeo-OCigL6fGzjFtp6-6N9SmR5elwRJdIwAr125g44U_TWRMBrcIGC8KOnE_GlW/s1600/603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGHKL-1jwPHOftNbnY_NVBNu4F0yujG3QHPSia_YXqU4uvrd3Dh6O9Ltlt1SbQEQFuu4tWvewLH0dzLeo-OCigL6fGzjFtp6-6N9SmR5elwRJdIwAr125g44U_TWRMBrcIGC8KOnE_GlW/s400/603.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh my...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>When your stove is at about 400, it's OK for you to turn on your burner to High. By the time the skillet is hot enough, The oven should be ready.<br />
<br />
Throw in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and coat the pan well. The skillet will be hot enough when the oil moves quickly, leaving streaks like on the side of a wine glass when you don't buy cheap wine. It will also be hot enough when it begins to smoke. AS SOON AS THIS HAPPENS, throw in your butter (also 2 Tablespoons).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBOWyC2MsiLvaDMMJnfPT0OE0PitnqnCJtaoiOG6pZaAkdJQfKubq-VDHPD5wxoPVbUJhGPhM0ebfNsn1rGsRT4FO12m8FWNQihHhVvOJuL4TDVXp1Pf_ecIcWsdU0Fu2K51dqk57bcD5/s1600/604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBOWyC2MsiLvaDMMJnfPT0OE0PitnqnCJtaoiOG6pZaAkdJQfKubq-VDHPD5wxoPVbUJhGPhM0ebfNsn1rGsRT4FO12m8FWNQihHhVvOJuL4TDVXp1Pf_ecIcWsdU0Fu2K51dqk57bcD5/s400/604.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sizzle sizzle..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It will melt quickly. Move it around a bunch so it coats the pan and mixes with the oil, too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5R5FRyezkrd9oJMP2Mt4xMpUKr_2k85pdGG9rcsUK-5rOhnaxIn0tFHmWkKDraRw2hoi6_qd7MxydX4ZEC7qPCVHNzPNPR7uhIG6yIEXqx7qsnUtPBZed-u__fTtA-rUgYI-LX3EcxYEq/s1600/607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5R5FRyezkrd9oJMP2Mt4xMpUKr_2k85pdGG9rcsUK-5rOhnaxIn0tFHmWkKDraRw2hoi6_qd7MxydX4ZEC7qPCVHNzPNPR7uhIG6yIEXqx7qsnUtPBZed-u__fTtA-rUgYI-LX3EcxYEq/s400/607.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This will probably kill your goldfish or a small child. Only one is legal to cook in butter and olive oil though.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Ok, that's ready! Toss in the steak and watch it cook for 30 seconds (that's right. Only 30).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9LUeMpDL1XUjzKWKdDzNIqBDe3l-HiwwRw4bL22Mb1R9Bqhh0G_ao-WQgm3vmzSORnFDEokiiHpuIH3d011jc04poFkYvsWh9cYe5IuUaW_evO0OhpzPlF4oQTj19IobJH1T6ZuLjgMn/s1600/608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9LUeMpDL1XUjzKWKdDzNIqBDe3l-HiwwRw4bL22Mb1R9Bqhh0G_ao-WQgm3vmzSORnFDEokiiHpuIH3d011jc04poFkYvsWh9cYe5IuUaW_evO0OhpzPlF4oQTj19IobJH1T6ZuLjgMn/s400/608.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sear, you bastard!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> After 30 seconds, flip it once. It should have a great sear on it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzwtXXmj3FLhyJEcNYM0kMObwLPCeZg10quWU0mclwOvu32NrMgPpl0HoQOjQWrWUAvLtpdYU8J27A3hhRPwpUbdMO9wvHTPFtATY3kznw7Q29giad0iKeABWEC9l-0UKxs6ilR6G09Tz/s1600/609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzwtXXmj3FLhyJEcNYM0kMObwLPCeZg10quWU0mclwOvu32NrMgPpl0HoQOjQWrWUAvLtpdYU8J27A3hhRPwpUbdMO9wvHTPFtATY3kznw7Q29giad0iKeABWEC9l-0UKxs6ilR6G09Tz/s400/609.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oddly enough, this picture is ALSO flipped. Huh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Throw the entire thing in the oven for 4 1/2 minutes for medium rare, 5 1/2 for medium. If you like your steak rarer, less time. If you like your steak well-done, you have no taste and probably eat steak with ketchup. You bastard.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggD8bwdhRqka2jHJdfVlTt6wlCjScv91Np1tmc6pB4gqQHMY5VIt4HL_4w0ci8jm-sFLe8XmsfXiGauoA61ZqtkrlbK4n0C9JRBk3bGLEwV9x0zDG0GdYmWEhvqSGRJu5F21_fmVsrScKz/s1600/610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggD8bwdhRqka2jHJdfVlTt6wlCjScv91Np1tmc6pB4gqQHMY5VIt4HL_4w0ci8jm-sFLe8XmsfXiGauoA61ZqtkrlbK4n0C9JRBk3bGLEwV9x0zDG0GdYmWEhvqSGRJu5F21_fmVsrScKz/s400/610.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"OH MY GOD WE'RE BURNING ALIVE!!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Why the oven? Because the skillet can only reliably cook one side at a time while the top is exposed. The oven's heat, however, will cook the steak from all sides at once, cooking the inside as well. This would be a great time to turn off the burner, by the way. I always forget.<br />
<br />
SCIENCE.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLmoz2CEKPN5GpmcApFle-lDxeEYMcGbj-vFt00Fu2yq-qjbeWSjsxw6BQTDpYME0DCdR2pG_F_7i9XhCqggub_DpnAfl4DPjT_XFmGIjbI0BfEkxpDtUt6w5_Dii4ove7esQtf3G28TL/s1600/611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLmoz2CEKPN5GpmcApFle-lDxeEYMcGbj-vFt00Fu2yq-qjbeWSjsxw6BQTDpYME0DCdR2pG_F_7i9XhCqggub_DpnAfl4DPjT_XFmGIjbI0BfEkxpDtUt6w5_Dii4ove7esQtf3G28TL/s400/611.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm special on the inside AND outside!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Once your oven screams that there are burning children inside (or steak. I forget what I'm doing here), take the skillet out and throw the steak on a plate.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd25hJjh0o7gItFCcKaJZNZ7kiCN5eDM4NPNFVge2VwcmAWjwHc9ksYUcK68ZWLu_yScr2UDW35CNUoaycz5hkH7yXa-QfhjwHQLwnjScCJLElvqlQ3y1D-ZOWT8rE-cfRvvwPSVj0A5q9/s1600/612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd25hJjh0o7gItFCcKaJZNZ7kiCN5eDM4NPNFVge2VwcmAWjwHc9ksYUcK68ZWLu_yScr2UDW35CNUoaycz5hkH7yXa-QfhjwHQLwnjScCJLElvqlQ3y1D-ZOWT8rE-cfRvvwPSVj0A5q9/s400/612.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ring around the rosie.....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Man, that looks good. But look at all of this extra butter left in the pan! What should we do... OOPS, I spilled it... all over the steak...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Hng4qTkA_1emUGopm1xfmZ_rOD4F093S8f_1kCC-1sKxlm3wv23BCLAIkLVpzo2ruUy8QapCGtldZ-7Wb0s_eFYdTPZZKhPuF3MtlnOgqTMqQ3GWgafbChFbEoGH5SWcWb88ZLUSSVLc/s1600/613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Hng4qTkA_1emUGopm1xfmZ_rOD4F093S8f_1kCC-1sKxlm3wv23BCLAIkLVpzo2ruUy8QapCGtldZ-7Wb0s_eFYdTPZZKhPuF3MtlnOgqTMqQ3GWgafbChFbEoGH5SWcWb88ZLUSSVLc/s400/613.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good job, butterfingers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Cover that plate in foil and set it somewhere out of the way. I use the microwave because my cat is a bastard who can't be trusted. Leave it sitting and covered for 10 minutes. This is the only rule I don't break.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9coO8kZDcenRDOkV9Hj1ilsBa73NqvlW-W6C8Pqso6DYRSJKooPWW8TAm4kRJJTipoOGfxCKCdE6JNW8BtICCycGM81ggvX2tCWoCL2w9-M2nQlXRP0BMM5ZApsn5eQFtwA1k5Qzkv3sJ/s1600/614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9coO8kZDcenRDOkV9Hj1ilsBa73NqvlW-W6C8Pqso6DYRSJKooPWW8TAm4kRJJTipoOGfxCKCdE6JNW8BtICCycGM81ggvX2tCWoCL2w9-M2nQlXRP0BMM5ZApsn5eQFtwA1k5Qzkv3sJ/s400/614.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Push a button! Burn down your apartment!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> What to do in that 10 minutes? I don't care. Make a side dish. I recommend potato flakes (cheap steak, cheap sides). They take about 5 minutes. By the time they're cool enough to eat, so is your steak!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMruZeuTZ4ND7vq-0pqdX9vW5Xnlp6xAteW9KmOzeZ9g-xLMVMPIpPHn57YxFBKDDg_2Sequ8OVcgO5UQVzw5flCTPkPSLz5Fow94rDDuJwccxOEgaXjjFJT5dYj5NnMOanWGNb-FCT-M/s1600/615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMruZeuTZ4ND7vq-0pqdX9vW5Xnlp6xAteW9KmOzeZ9g-xLMVMPIpPHn57YxFBKDDg_2Sequ8OVcgO5UQVzw5flCTPkPSLz5Fow94rDDuJwccxOEgaXjjFJT5dYj5NnMOanWGNb-FCT-M/s640/615.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><insert comment="" here="" witty=""></insert></td></tr>
</tbody></table> And that's it. Mine went a little long, though, but it was juicy and awesome with a tenderness that shouldn't come from cheap meat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSS8ap39_xuqN4gQ7F3ZS5JSdvaz6RpMOTgdbq-UJ9sMuok7-wD-C2XEca6-qgXXg2NzCPf-qrOvtMzu8qPlNjO-fIqeTvoYETJD92lI4PXT3Kk4zdB2U_iRSMQVrMGFcINCXPg6STomp/s1600/616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSS8ap39_xuqN4gQ7F3ZS5JSdvaz6RpMOTgdbq-UJ9sMuok7-wD-C2XEca6-qgXXg2NzCPf-qrOvtMzu8qPlNjO-fIqeTvoYETJD92lI4PXT3Kk4zdB2U_iRSMQVrMGFcINCXPg6STomp/s400/616.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheap camera! And yes, the counter is always that messy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Potato Flakes, steak, and Iced Tea. Great meal for a Sunday evening. I like to turn out the lights and eat it all while watching a movie, because I'm single, alone, and hate sharing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDovIr-TfrxoLFUo_eRRrZmeoqHzH3_DM7l1x3AHCfF1IBGOcqT13nyQrXyh13-ujz9dPf81roETyrw8guEz8-0VkmGKrS-zdkRTBtLjReA_4jKZZMG__0P5f-VJEifwxCObIxaftp5J2u/s1600/617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDovIr-TfrxoLFUo_eRRrZmeoqHzH3_DM7l1x3AHCfF1IBGOcqT13nyQrXyh13-ujz9dPf81roETyrw8guEz8-0VkmGKrS-zdkRTBtLjReA_4jKZZMG__0P5f-VJEifwxCObIxaftp5J2u/s640/617.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hope you enjoyed that thing you ate that wasn't steak.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>No quick recipe this time. Just remember, when skillet and oil are hot, melt butter, throw in steak for 30 seconds, flip, put in oven immediately for 4-5 minutes, remove from heat, cover with foil, let sit for 10 minutes, eat.<br />
<br />
That's all there is to it. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a paper that I've put off for another hour...</div>Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-55050436415500548972010-11-02T21:16:00.000-05:002010-11-02T21:16:25.416-05:00Cooking with Goodwin: Pumpkin Bisque<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Felt like having something different today. Here's a recipe my mom came up with that tastes pretty decent (if you don't add too much spice. Like I did). It's a pumpkin bisque. Don't be put off by the "pumpkin" part, it tastes nothing like pumpkins.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Recipe and pictures follow after the break.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><a name='more'></a>First off, grab some ingredients. You will need the following:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 15-oz. can Pumpkin (do NOT get pumpkin pie filling. Make sure the only thing listed on the ingredients is Pumpkin)</span></span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 quart Half & Half</span></span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 cubes Low-Sodium Chicken or Beef Bullion cubes (I prefer chicken)</span></span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3-4 Tablespoons Minced Garlic</span></span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 Green Onions or 1 Leek, Minced finely</span></span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shaker Chicken Granules or Salt to taste (found with bullion cubes in supermarket) (Salt works just fine, honestly)</span></span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp. ground Red Pepper</span></span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp. ground Coriander</span></span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tsp. ground Cumin</span></span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 stick Butter</span></span></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSACH4I4Pyxw8DFiF7MPDgxxKbi4Y23WFcbvoeY22adMWvSAL_CfPHuYGTDy87PJo9ntLGkpiTcBVokQ-lgzLCfnFBlXe5OhPwFUNqdQOBgdM97aT9uVgEZsQvUal69UcP73DEbtfPz-Q/s1600/098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSACH4I4Pyxw8DFiF7MPDgxxKbi4Y23WFcbvoeY22adMWvSAL_CfPHuYGTDy87PJo9ntLGkpiTcBVokQ-lgzLCfnFBlXe5OhPwFUNqdQOBgdM97aT9uVgEZsQvUal69UcP73DEbtfPz-Q/s320/098.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not Pictured: Butter, Garlic, Bullion, Onions</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First thing's first. You want to use a decently sized pot. Once you have one, melt the butter in it.</span></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBgV8Y5k3d7zlet10UOyAu-j68diPkL6Wfm4V03fPOsp8RBmSyRMmANcJeztFpN-i8-Lb32eB7aQMxQcikrnGixYf2SoicRY6_TKYxAkiiIZPvFQoo195sZIxG-CtjK4pZl8J6gFzTMl_/s1600/084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBgV8Y5k3d7zlet10UOyAu-j68diPkL6Wfm4V03fPOsp8RBmSyRMmANcJeztFpN-i8-Lb32eB7aQMxQcikrnGixYf2SoicRY6_TKYxAkiiIZPvFQoo195sZIxG-CtjK4pZl8J6gFzTMl_/s320/084.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screw your heart. If you use Margarine, you're the worst.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Once the butter's melted, turn the heat down. You don't HAVE to be on the lowest setting, but you better be pretty damn low. Throw in the Onions, Garlic, and Bullion Cubes.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqY0mbhyzwkUZd5Xfog9UMZDl8JgdL6gdBpQYxS0EOpuh5IJcRKpljaf5J9lnjvzUYn0eL0ax0n0ew2Pglc2G8B9jLHol5ga1BmSMmVvlo4iSdPIk6il3XkrlAwwldAxva5ZvybazfTzqs/s1600/085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqY0mbhyzwkUZd5Xfog9UMZDl8JgdL6gdBpQYxS0EOpuh5IJcRKpljaf5J9lnjvzUYn0eL0ax0n0ew2Pglc2G8B9jLHol5ga1BmSMmVvlo4iSdPIk6il3XkrlAwwldAxva5ZvybazfTzqs/s320/085.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay! Onions!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfw7dg_Mzgzkxr6IJBcApW3xbY_EnezPJVUmtOpYf3FaJJslH5TDH_K5p1FUi6EfCOYzK9939Vfoi6gGXjam4Grlhind-hiMY94lUejxXGC4-Ku3WIQMULxU8ldzm3AaLAAZq41gtG-8j/s1600/086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfw7dg_Mzgzkxr6IJBcApW3xbY_EnezPJVUmtOpYf3FaJJslH5TDH_K5p1FUi6EfCOYzK9939Vfoi6gGXjam4Grlhind-hiMY94lUejxXGC4-Ku3WIQMULxU8ldzm3AaLAAZq41gtG-8j/s320/086.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay! Cubes of Flavor!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmML8aHV-228Ci9riscjcHUTUj2a4c41zoD8uykow0t9e72x2KjjrY4vlziVgbWSnxFJHAdawX-KsMZsKB8bptot7KHANwZsPxuI_cExzXJ8_NXNIJhjw8jDw9g0BsAtI3mrdop3IlqVQH/s1600/088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmML8aHV-228Ci9riscjcHUTUj2a4c41zoD8uykow0t9e72x2KjjrY4vlziVgbWSnxFJHAdawX-KsMZsKB8bptot7KHANwZsPxuI_cExzXJ8_NXNIJhjw8jDw9g0BsAtI3mrdop3IlqVQH/s320/088.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay! Garlic death!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Spend the next 10 minutes stirring everything around, trying to crush the cubes with your spoon. Don't force them, or they will shoot out from the spoon and splash hot butter on my arms. I mean, your arms. Just keep stirring and crushing and mixing and crushing and stirring and cooking until the butter is a golden color and the cubes will all be crushed and mixed well.</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VubKXYmo933PCVbMQE6lFNNpfC6QSpWhxAtBgYy1wXB2ErPSA-7X0CQ22XZ1iVbhQkvd5BGxp8DYWHRZ3RRKCmwO90Bs8ht10YY9nRkunt1uj2fE3davC-tjqR-iUJ8MaU1MlMmrI_Jt/s1600/089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VubKXYmo933PCVbMQE6lFNNpfC6QSpWhxAtBgYy1wXB2ErPSA-7X0CQ22XZ1iVbhQkvd5BGxp8DYWHRZ3RRKCmwO90Bs8ht10YY9nRkunt1uj2fE3davC-tjqR-iUJ8MaU1MlMmrI_Jt/s320/089.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crush Crush Crush</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9SqJZOU3L8aMPun6OpdPPGYEtWJ11bCfISlXhXQ2uQKMaQwufbFOlHPpwWI7itq4iXJs9-9dqM2V6HIz2AdeFtEjzF6RiYodGaF1Kbyshn67h7GEocfdOQ3KBttwC_Zw0vbTyzFLD7F-/s1600/090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9SqJZOU3L8aMPun6OpdPPGYEtWJ11bCfISlXhXQ2uQKMaQwufbFOlHPpwWI7itq4iXJs9-9dqM2V6HIz2AdeFtEjzF6RiYodGaF1Kbyshn67h7GEocfdOQ3KBttwC_Zw0vbTyzFLD7F-/s320/090.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*Homer Simpson Drool*</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Once everything's mixed and the onions are tender (don't burn the garlic, you WILL go to Hell), it's time to add everything else. Let's start with... oh, I don't know, the entire quart of Half&Half!</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrF3iIy_tUHZWt-4Q0Nfhd-cCGFdN4-qrll1P2uBnVMgp4k-F8pn5la0FKrbOSXJuCl987Ox0RqmApuJSc1DnxXPCiut623ZMn4HRvIZLhwiRJjTo393ADJ8VU39byN2Utp_V_sXK_I9M-/s1600/092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrF3iIy_tUHZWt-4Q0Nfhd-cCGFdN4-qrll1P2uBnVMgp4k-F8pn5la0FKrbOSXJuCl987Ox0RqmApuJSc1DnxXPCiut623ZMn4HRvIZLhwiRJjTo393ADJ8VU39byN2Utp_V_sXK_I9M-/s320/092.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good... GOOD!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltnTVowZqG7JBNas6uetQZhyPKlhlaFV2YNg03WX3u_fmwyWnTJk7CWA0Qq-MNzG_Elr0FN2O3jXGUGOyUbG8kc83jf015y1zwXoj-3tSnODqkwGOdmIjOuG2sGY53XYfr9EQ4pvhzPhB/s1600/091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltnTVowZqG7JBNas6uetQZhyPKlhlaFV2YNg03WX3u_fmwyWnTJk7CWA0Qq-MNzG_Elr0FN2O3jXGUGOyUbG8kc83jf015y1zwXoj-3tSnODqkwGOdmIjOuG2sGY53XYfr9EQ4pvhzPhB/s320/091.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can hear your heart screaming from here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Next, some pumpkin! Straight from the can it was born in.</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qY4YRab9wxx2KujyyVykQqZ3E0W_j12swkPedW25IiCQ3BbsAhQu53isJ4yrHpYbfYAzo-DKjspXqHZA6HfH3tBkQ4QTPLFxLbXI0G7sVs9txj88JlfpQClvS4P7wchbTByjg9FhMrAz/s1600/093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qY4YRab9wxx2KujyyVykQqZ3E0W_j12swkPedW25IiCQ3BbsAhQu53isJ4yrHpYbfYAzo-DKjspXqHZA6HfH3tBkQ4QTPLFxLbXI0G7sVs9txj88JlfpQClvS4P7wchbTByjg9FhMrAz/s320/093.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It has vitamins.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Add the spices! (note, do NOT add this much. I accidentally grabbed a half-tablespoon instead of a half-teaspoon. I repeat, do NOT add this much red pepper unless you love red pepper. Lucky for me, I do. But man, it was spicy.)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jlHjzCPnlDdMe2tklcXPrXKfdqx1VYCtVflw1eK8ttNycpI6SZQz9_ZUhadHCizwpWKUghSJAyc9GIkBv8dl9YSW4U6szgB3m0_2ckAM-NQnbN_hcfnwGz9vY8_ohFI1YF3PEFIisS4e/s1600/094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jlHjzCPnlDdMe2tklcXPrXKfdqx1VYCtVflw1eK8ttNycpI6SZQz9_ZUhadHCizwpWKUghSJAyc9GIkBv8dl9YSW4U6szgB3m0_2ckAM-NQnbN_hcfnwGz9vY8_ohFI1YF3PEFIisS4e/s320/094.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When my brain said 'That's a lot of pepper," I told it to shut up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Mix it all up. Lots of mixing. I actually cheated and used an immersion blender. Because I'm lazy.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLutk_2Sn-xV0vrzfy1le6bsykbM96Nat8NZu69BKQ1ZqDWxVxU3MWs0uuoFoBTSvI0inie0AjflQnKZWvp6JtvAGNpvfOcJ00iZEFLfkCxjTrd7sUZMUzOiybXSq9S8ddjbiFL56NlCTT/s1600/096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLutk_2Sn-xV0vrzfy1le6bsykbM96Nat8NZu69BKQ1ZqDWxVxU3MWs0uuoFoBTSvI0inie0AjflQnKZWvp6JtvAGNpvfOcJ00iZEFLfkCxjTrd7sUZMUzOiybXSq9S8ddjbiFL56NlCTT/s320/096.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mix mix mix mix mix mix mix mix mix mix mix mix mix</td></tr>
</tbody></table> And that's it. Keep cooking it on a low heat until it's hot enough to serve. Don't let it boil, or the half&half will curdle and it will taste like ass. You will also probably cry since you spent forever cooking this on such a low setting. Add salt (or the chicken granules, I never really notice them adding flavor) to taste.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-d7ZQkKrzRYMq4sHqZz3j-MCLaqnZf0fYVrjTiSYI9TQUmXzzmDkxN3ADdOqbKiRga6cLc_YtfhbvmCWlWQliKKainVPOs6EuWIgfPoEk7dZUaM2MnC-oftfwCh4BdYOMNbJwDkj4loS3/s1600/099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-d7ZQkKrzRYMq4sHqZz3j-MCLaqnZf0fYVrjTiSYI9TQUmXzzmDkxN3ADdOqbKiRga6cLc_YtfhbvmCWlWQliKKainVPOs6EuWIgfPoEk7dZUaM2MnC-oftfwCh4BdYOMNbJwDkj4loS3/s320/099.jpg" width="239" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tastes like awesome. And cayenne pepper. But still awesome.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And that's it for that. It has a strong garlic-flavor that rules, is relatively cheap to make if you have the spices already, and lasts a day or two (if you're single). I hope you folks like it. It'd probably be good with some toasted bread or something. I dunno.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">SIMPLE VERSION OF RECIPE</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 15-oz. can Pumpkin (not pie filling)</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 quart Half & Half</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 cubes Low-Sodium Chicken or Beef Bullion cubes</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3-4 Tablespoons Minced Garlic</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 Green Onions or 1 Leek, Minced finely</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shaker Chicken Granules or Salt to taste</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp. ground Red Pepper (Cayenne)</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp. ground Coriander</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tsp. ground Cumin</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 stick Butter</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On lowest setting, melt butter in large saucepan. Once melted, add onions, garlic, and bullion cubes. Stir them around, crushing cubes into the butter until onions are tender and cubes are dissolved and mixed into the butter. </span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Add Half & Half, Pumpkin, Ground Coriander, Ground Cumin, and Red Pepper. Cook on a low heat, stirring often, until hot enough to serve. Do NOT let boil.</span></span></span></div></span></div>Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-70304773903904180982010-11-01T03:54:00.000-05:002010-11-30T23:57:34.747-06:00NaNoWriMo 2010: Day OneI started at around 1:30 AM.<br />
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I had to rename a bunch of characters as well as invent a couple, but the prologue is basically finished, save for an un-fleshed out scene that I will improve. I've also reworked the third faction to be split into two groups, depending on their careers. Sor'ran will be the ones who live in secrecy, while Mystics are the ones that interact with the other groups.<br />
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I'm going to stop for now (seeing as it's 4 in the morning) but I might add more later today.<br />
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1559 words and counting.Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162944880568417152.post-8576821830475915722010-10-26T21:17:00.001-05:002010-11-30T23:57:34.748-06:00NaNoWriMo 2010: SOON.Less than a week until I start. Hopefully I'll be able to fill my major plot issues before I get to them.<br />
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Around 1000 words a day? I can pull this off. Brainstorming and planning alongside this while keeping up with my schoolwork?<br />
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..............We'll see.<br />
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Here's my page there (<a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/546002">http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/546002</a>) It'll show my progress as I go along. I'll see if there's a widget I can put up on the side of the blog.Chris Goodwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14169279709186358208noreply@blogger.com0