DesertStandard

Didnt feel like writing anything (shoot I guess I just did):

• China Will Decide What Movies You Watch, Got It? [More Olympics Craziness] - We practice torture here, no need for silly movies
• Can Anyone Spell Cartel? - Is big coal feeling the pressure?
• Public comment sought on transit study for west side of Phoenix - speak up if you is on the West Side!
• Apollo Group buys university in Chile for $40M - University of Phoenix in Chile?
• Home construction makes first increase since October - Sweet, recession is all done! You wish!
• Yahoo to boost severance packages if takeover happens - Translation: Enjoy your Firings!
• PetSmart offering pet picture credit cards - Making virtual cash seem real with your virtual relationships
• Roz Ho Now Leading Microsoft’s Danger Division - iJoke?
• Chief Beer Officer Does Best Work Before Lunch - My hero.

Finished this one a few months ago but got a reminder from the Visual Bookshelf App on Facebook to write up a review, here is what I jotted down:

Gibson continues to show his fine grasp of todays issues while shifting his use of technology to more of a footnote in the plot. In Spook Country he works further into the world created in his last book Pattern Recognition bringing back the Sudo-Advertising agency Blue Ant. This time he crosses the path of the latest topic in US controversy: private intelligence contractors. As always he works in the Russians, but this time with a twist that will leave you scratching your head well through the conclusion.

Check me out on Facebook and feel free to send an invite.

Have a kick ass Monday, I may have cracked a rib playing soccer yesterday.

In some lighthearted news any beef you have eaten since 2006 is being recalled, so start shoving those fingers down your throat now. No seriously they have just issued the largest beef recall in history over cattle being improperly inspected.

If there was ever a time to stop eating beef now may be the time. Considering the last largest recall was in 1999:

The move surpasses a 1999 recall of 35m lbs of ready-to-eat meats, officials said.

Some of the beef was destined for federal welfare assistance programmes, as well as some major fast-food chains.

But officials said most of the recalled meat has probably already been eaten.

The USDA described the recall as Class 2 - meaning there is a remote probability that the product could harm health if consumed.

“We don’t know how much product is out there right now. We don’t think there is a health hazard, but we do have to take this action,” Dick Raymond, USDA undersecretary for food safety, told AP news agency.

Burgers anyone?

More reading:
US orders massive recall of beef

Just threw everyone out from an impromptu BBQ which is always something I am up for. I generally leave my Sunday afternoons open in case this needs to occur. This is because one of the main reasons I got a home was so that I could host people over, cook for them, and see what types of conversations might come up.

Today was no exception. Did some beer cooked braughts which were delicious and a couple of steaks. The braughts were requested to be burnt and while the gas grill wont quite to the job fully they did come out pretty tasty. The steaks were okay, but I cannot take credit for the marinade. At one point the conversation hit upon things and I mentioned how I need to keep making money cause there are still so many things that I need to get. This divulged into a conversation on buying what you want, versus what you need. I realized that it may have looked like I was acting like I needed to chase the Joneses, and there is a chance that I was.

So no more than 35 seconds go by after they leave and I am reading the weekly newsletter for The Dollar Stretcher and there is a great article about keeping up with the Joneses. It covered a lot of what we had been discussing and there was this little gem:

“Keeping up with the Joneses” syndrome will keep you from achieving the financial success and independence that you desire. So, first and foremost, sit down and think through what you really want. Then set goals as your roadmap to financial success. It’s time that you decide what you want without worrying about the opinions of others.

This applies to much more than our financial lives, but the crossover between listening to the music that you want and living your commercial life the way you want are along the same vein. Everyone else is acting on impulse created by the commercial environment that surrounds them. You have to be aware of this and its influence on your decisions. Conversations are advertisements, the question is who and what are you trying to sell?

A British chemist bases his table on the established atomic weight of each element. He doesn’t get everything right, but he’s in the ballpark.

Feb. 7, 1863: An Early Stab at Organizing the Elements

I am headed for a Toastmasters meeting at the Downtown PHX library and
a quick search on the New Times website tells me about Carly’s.
Located at roosevelt and central Carly’s is a downtempo bistro sitting
right in the middle of first Fridayland. Right as I walk in they have
Paupa New Guinea from FSOL playing which puts a chill down my spine.
This place is good.

The ambiance makes me think I am in San Fran but its a Monday and its
pretty much dead, which is what I need after a 12 hour day. Malerie,
the bartender, is sweet and wants me to drink but its a school night
and I need to make an impression at Toastmasters (this is my excuse
anyway).

Got the half a Tuna Melt and soup which was a Tomato Bisque per
Malerie’s suggestion. The Melt came on an Italian style loaf and was
very agreeable but the Bisque took the show. Pureed with a sweet tang
that resonates well past the bowl being emptied.

Highly suggested for a low key meal though I am sure it gets packed
starting Thursday night. With a number of beers on tap there is plenty
to like.

Great post over on 43 Folders about entertaining.

When I have people over to my home I try not to get too stuck in the kitchen but its tough as I love to cook and I usually have people over because I want to cook for them. However since I am in the kitchen people love to gravitate towards the kitchen so I put them to work. This can be a perilous decision with some people so I have ‘test’s’ for them to check their culinary aptitude:

1. I will ask them to grab something from the fridge like Squash or anything out of the ordinary. This tests their knowledge first of all, but I also understand that not everyone paid attention in Home Ec class and use it as a motivational test. If they ask me for help it means they really want to help. If they bring me something just to bring I thank them and get them a drink and move them to the living room.
2. If they past the first part I move them to the next step of washing the item or opening it. This test confirms their mechanical skills. If water or whatever was packaged goes all over the place I get them a drink and send them to the living room, after they clean up.
3. Now we have seen that they are motivated and competent with tools. This is the big step and only used if I am really behind or they have shown a lot of promise: I hand them a knife and have them cut vegetables. I watch them closely at the start to see how their technique goes. I may give them a few pointers if I think they are good, but it they worry me at all I get them a drink and send them to the living room.
4. If they can handle a knife and I am comfortable then they have passed the Interview and can be considered my Prep Chef. I may let them work with heat and mixing ingredients together as this allows me to get out of the kitchen for a bit, but this usually requires a few sessions where I am able to watch them and feel more confident in them.

These are things I try to work on to be a good host. I think that the big thing is to keep the action happening. I make sure to introduce new arrivals to everyone and let the conversations begin.

When you are a guest try to act like a host or the host’s assistant. They will appreciate your help and you will be the life of the party.