oh nine, oh me......on to the 20-ten.......lets recap.

I feel bad, as I've not posted a single rant since october, not that anyone gives a turd about the 5 minutes I take to peck out a paragraph of nothing. I do this for me, and not sure yet why. Anyway, lets recap the 09, shall we?

I've discovered in the past month actually, that I can still read, and actually do enjoy it. I've also found, that reading a bit before bed, helps me sleep. I read a bit, and fall fast asleep. Currently reading "devil in the kitchen" by Marco Pierre White.

I've learned to never take anything for granted, no matter what. Regardless of time or consistency of a situation or relationship, things can and will change. Life is the great equalizer it seems. Just when you think you've got it figured out, DUCK!!!! cause it's coming and fast.

I'll be completely debt free in feb. The past year, leading up to this has been lean to say the least.

I'm fine with not owning an Omega, let alone 3, I'm OK with less expensive watches, I find I enjoy building mods as well.

I procrastinate more than any human alive, and have yet to finish a single knife project I started this year. Several are built, but none are finished.

I proved, beyond question, that good intentions pave the way to hell, or at the very least, a nasty fight where most everyone thinks you're as ass....but the rest of the world agrees, you're really not.

I'm currently very comfortable, growing more so the past year, I'm enjoying my life right now.

I've reconnected with so many old friends over the past year, I find it difficult to keep up. I'm very happy to find and be found by people that I've missed over the years, and see where they've gone, meet their families and feel welcomed as part of that.

I've also been visited by the sins of the past, in a way. That's a non issue now, but still sit in the back of my mind some days.

I've tried to learn daily to improve my cooking, that's where I'm truly happy, when I'm cooking. The cooking gives me pleasure, but being always disappointed with the final product, though I'm always told it's great...so I'm usually torn with my efforts. The dish might be great, but when it doesn't match the vision in my head, it's not right.

I'm very happy to have my family in my life. The holidays were great recently, and I hope it continues the trend.

I've seen some friends and family go, and new lives come forth. I know that's the way it works, that's the plan, but the logistics don't make the situation easier. Death is a fact, and we should celebrate a death, celebrate the wonderful life that person left behind and the people they've touch and brought happiness to. I know this is an abstract idea, but it's solidified in me over the past year.

It's been a weird year, to say the least, and gone by faster than most in recent memory. I hope and pray for the 20-ten to be smooth. I'm hopeful. I'm ready for relaxation and NO DRAMA! I'm done with the drama.

Have a good one kids, and a big CHEERS on NYE. much love from the fat guy.

another turd to clog the bowels of the interwebs

it's been a long week....long days, and they seem to draw out like a blade lately.....I find I'm growing more impatient with the passing day. I'm not sure why, I know the daily idiocy makes me white with rage, but I feel there are other outside influences that should not weigh so heavily on me. Once I hit the door of rancho relaxo, I'm fine, but the hours up to that point cause me more stress than they should, and even then, to a small extent, the outside will creep in to torment me.

I'm making strides to fix this, and I shouldn't let small things bother me. I'm trying to be reactive, proactive and less reactionary as I've been. Back with the fight or flight, and I can't fly for shit, so I'm always ready to go for the jugular. I don't like that and haven't been like that in years, well since 2005 anyway. Maybe I need a vacation, maybe I need a new hobby....who knows?

I'm ready to fix it, and sleep better like I did last year. This year got off to a weird start, and went down hill quickly, and I pray to not repeat that experience again. I can only do so much for the world, especially when the world treats me with disrespect in my own house.

Anyway, enough with the bitching, on to the goodies. More cooking to come, I promise, and due to overwhelming mail, I'll not post anymore bloody pics...unless they're really cool.
A couple of new knife projects are close to finished (pics coming) A new watch project in the works, an old watch project still in the works, and maybe I'll be able to get the one-off Ricky watch in shape enough to snap a pic of two. The stem and crown on that one, with the Ti case are going to be the death of me.

well...cheers and enjoy kids :)greg...till next time.

I have been remiss

wow, it's been quite a long while without a post of any sort. I have been cooking and it has been (for the most part) really good. I've been busy lately and haven't taken the time to post any fun bits. I know this is really more for mme and less for anyone else...since I'm the only one to read this crap, but, I usually enjoy dropping these little rants.

I promise, to the no viewers out there...I'll have some awesome cooking pics up in the very near future....if I have to post old pics with new captions...there will be some new stuff soon.

anyway....working in about 6 hours, so I gotta go...cheers kids, enjoy.

....so very tired....and caring less as each minute passes...

which is odd, as in the past week, well, months, I've come to really appreciate everything I see, can do, and am blessed with. It's a far cry from the me from several months ago, as I'd just assume stomp your neck as talk to you.....but I find it's different of late. given the situation here, I've been less inclined to cook much, and much less inclined to note it as it happens, so no fun pics of that nature tonight.

I've not addressed one bit since this blog of misery started, and that's my impending death. Living long enough, you will die at some point. Anyway, as I've not pissed about my gang of ruptured discs lately, I've decided to rant about other irritants tonight. My right shoulder...dislocated three times...and all the torn cartilage between my shoulder blade and rib cage.....it hurts like....something that hurts really f'in' bad!!!

Well, I'll gather this waste of time up, wad it into a nice tidy ball and torment you no longer......cheers, till my next waste of space....greg

who likes drum and bass????

Tired and bored, listening to Pitchshifter for a bit. A nice departure from the nerdcore and black metal of late. I say "bored", but that's not entirely true. I'm just uninspired at the moment. I have tons to do, but lack the motivation to actually do anything. Don't judge, I know you've all been there too. I hope to play golf this week and look forward to a good weekend.

I wish I had some great tales of woe or stories of wonderous happenings to share, but my life (as grand as it looks from afar) is of little interest outside of Rancho Relaxo.

I do have new neighbors, and they're friendly like Ted Kaczynski, or have seemed so since our first meeting. I tried to be the nice, welcoming neighbor and was met with little interest....so, I hope they enjoy the trip through hell, that being my neighbor can become.

damn, this is really going south and fast, so I'll just post a pic or two to eat some bandwidth. Stay tuned, I plan to introduce another waste of time under the fiftyleven label. Fiftyleven.com, coming soon to a computer near you. Log on, and hit yourself in the head.....it's be about the same I'm sure. I do have the best web master that begging can get, and I'm sure I'll get my no-monies worth. Actually, I trust he'll make with something great...as soon as I have a real agenda and some ideas for him to build on....hell...I just bought the url cause I could. Anyway....cheers and enjoy, till next time, greg
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yes, I do know everything....I just can't recall it all at once...

It's been a while, and I've very little to share. I've been working and cooking, and aside for a horde of zombie mushrooms there isn't much to share.

Yes, for those in the know, my house, Rancho Relaxo is still a home for homeless families....or just one as it is. This is not the first time I've taken in people less fortunate than my self, but I feel my charitable heart is fading. It seems like most everything is falling to pieces around me. Stacey got laid off, the microwave exploded, washer and dryer died less than 3 weeks apart, and numerous other small pains to deal with. I find comfort is this, with the knowledge that what ever inconvenience I'm dealing with, is nothing compared with the stress of having nothing, no home, job, car to find job, insurance, etc. I'm trying to stay positive, and not get caught up in my own personal selfishness, that my perfect little world is now disrupted.

Given the situation, I've not documented any new recipies, new watch or knife projects, or any other cool stuff...like my new top on the jeep. I do appreciate everyone trying to help out and sending prayers. I plan to have a huge post soon, stacked deep with fun bits.

Anyway, Craig called me out on FB about my pics, ie the bloody ones, or broken bones...so I'll post a few, but...BUT...he has to post the most horrific pic of the almost, nearly, not very life threatening wound he almost received today......

so, pics of blood and bones and such...lol...
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i know, some of these we've seen before....but, that means I've lost less blood, so it's a good thing.

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so, enough with that. I spent too much time and money modding my new toy, only to read today (I re-read the regs about SBR's in Alabama) that my toy is now very illegal.......crap....but we still had fun today shooting it, till the owner of the range came in. He knew it was me, I knew it was me...hell, the entire range knew it was me....with the "fast finger" and the owner put it. Anyway, he was cool and didn't kick us out and we had a nice hour of making noise and smoke....anyway, until next time. cheers and enjoy.

Snow in Alabama.......a rare sight indeed.

One of the very few times the talking heads on the T.V. called one right. It looked a mess early on, but was melted away by late afternoon. I tip my hat to the people who have to deal with this on a daily basis. I guess I could get used to it if necessary. I got called in to work about 11:00, but took a few pics around 9:00 just for fun.
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Jeep hiding in the snow
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Pic from inside, looking in to the back yard.
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Random other pics, most taken from the top of the hospital.
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and one for the PMWF.
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cheers and enoy till next time. greg

new projects, new problems...guns and blood >

It's been an interesting week here at Rancho Relaxo. I'll just cover the bullet points now, and there will be little if no cooking this time. I bought a new firearm Wednesday afternoon. NO...I didn't need it, but I had to have it. I've wanted a H&K MP5 variant forever (HK54), but, the prices on those run from about $2500-4500, I couldn't justify the price...then I found the GSG-5-pk. It looks, feel, and weighs just like an MP5pdw, but chambered in 22 cal, and at around $500, it seemed I was destined to buy it....and I did. :)
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So...I have my new play thing....some 12 hours later, i get the call. Stacey was laid off. No fault of hers, just the crappy economy. We'll survive, we keep a pretty tight budget, and I've made some long strides to pay off past due and present bills. (capital 1 can kiss my ass...finally).
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so....on to new projects. I have in hand, a rare, limited run, titanium watch case. It was given to me by the maker and designer. It was a test case, and wasn't finished, and the back is a bit.....well, it's a bit nothing, it just doesn't fit just yet....but, I'll get it there. I've been doing some work to it, and found that once again, one of my thumbs feel the brunt of my impatience....thus...more blood...
I know...I'll try and limit the posts of my bleeding in the future...lol..cheers and enjoy kids, greg..
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Quick update as Flat Reto has come to visit for a few days >

He has traveled around the world!!! He just happened to be here when the news came down, so a pic was taken so we'll not forget the occasion. I have a few plans for FR and will then send him on.....to a very secret person and location....I'll never tell. I'll post pics of FR and more cooking stuff in the next few days. Cheers and enjoy, greg
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plagues of black, dreams of green, and Flat Reto >>

Not much to tell of late. I've been sick lately, and Stacey has pneumonia, so little has been note worthy. The plague has been sated by a few shots from the doctor, and a good deal of NyQuil each night, and the green sleep that follows is a welcomed retreat from the pain. Flat Reto did arrive today, and I hope to take some entertaining pics over the next week to celebrate his stay with me.
Flat Reto is explained further here

http://flatretoproject.blogspot.com/
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I have so many projects on the table, that they have become almost a bore, or even worse, a job. I never intended to have a hobby become a chore, so I've stepped back and resumed another project. I designed (granted, a very basic design) several knives. I looked over the blanks I had cut, and chose to keep working on my pseudo-clever. I made it like this to mimic a cleaver, and also a Japanese Tosagata Santoku. It's a combination of shapes I liked in two knives, and I combined that in to one knife. I doubt I'll try and finish any of the others I have, or I'll have them re-cut in a softer steel. These are a 400 series stainless (if I recall, I'll have to ask Craig to clarify), and that is way too hard for me to sharpen here, and it's also 1/8 thick. That might not sound like much, till you go to trimming it down, you find out how thick it really is. I hope to try it again soon, and in a softer steel. I might even try some other styles. The handle is just rough cut pine with a brass ferrel for now.

Anyway, a pic to show some sort of activity.
Cheers and enjoy,
greg

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and, if all goes to plan....

I hope to shoot some bloody pics of an entire deer being butchered, if I have the room.....lets hope that works out.....if not, we'll have some nice venison loins and back straps to break down soon.

Cheers and enjoy :)greg

Pad Thai...with out the bean sprouts???.....yep.... >

I wanted to make this properly, and have tried it a few times, to get the rhythm down, and still be able to snap a pic or two, but I managed to leave the bean sprouts out. In my defense, I do have two refrigerators in my kitchen, and some times, things get left out....I hate it, but with new recipes, these things happen....so, on to the pseudo-demo of Pad Thai.

I also want to thank Reto for suggesting this, and in the spirit of the Chinese New Year I tried some different things. Bulgogi a few nights ago (korean) Steamed fish and pot stickers, but I wanted to get the Pad thai on the blog. Keep in mind, this is actually a very fast paced dish to cook. It is in reality street food in Singapore, but given the space and competition, the people cooking in the streets have developed this dish to perfection, and with amazing speed at that. I tried to take my time, and take a few pics along the way, just so you know, a novice can produce really flavorful food with some effort, but nothing that will kill you. :)
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We'll start here.
A cup of shrimp, 1/2 cup of pad thai sauce (I'll sort that out later...), prepared radish ( the original recipe called for turnip....I don't really like turnip, so, radish it is) I chose radish, and did pickle them myself. Half a shallot, Chinese chives, two cloves of garlic, and about a 1/4 cup of firm tofu (firm)....I should note now, there should be a 1/4 cup of bean sprouts on that board....sorry....I'll do better next time....so.

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I also have some Rice noodles soaking in some water......if in doubt...undersoak. You can always add watch later....it's harder to take it out.

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here is everything broken down and prepped...

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OK...here we go....and remember, I'm cooking and taking pics at the same time...so don't beef about either! :).......add the garlic and shallot...
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just let it take on a bit of color....nothing dark, it'll cook quick.....we're talking med-high heat here....if it were a good wok, and you knew how to operate it well, you'd be on some really high heat.
Add in the shrimp.....now, I did use more shrimp than most would...but I really like shrimp. I also rinsed the shrimp, so some extra water was on there....let that water steam off...or you'll have a rather mushy dish.
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Lets throw in the tofu....work that in a bit. Tofu will brown up and get nice and crispy if you let it, and it will basically take on any flavor you pair it with.

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Add the eggs.......I used two, personal tastes, but I'd recommend using just one. For the sake of visual effect....two does look better.
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Work those eggs around a bit, after they start to firm up some, then..we'll add the chives and the rice noodles, and top that off with the pad thai sauce...
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OK...work that all around till it's all nice and mixed. The noodles with take on a nice brownish color. It should not be red and oily, as most western versions of pad thai are......and, at this point, you would add the bean sprouts and the preserved turnips.

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I'm afraid since I used radish instead of turnips, and left the bean sprouts out, that will conclude this installment of my blog.

side note.....I discovered this by accident, but the pickled radish tastes a bit like gari (pickled ginger served with sushi), not as hot, but does cleanse the palate.

Cheers and enjoy, greg.

and p.s. ....send me a proof reader >

I just read what I posted.......damn....sorry for all the type-o's.......I'll take the "it's late and I'm tired" card....if that will serve as an excuse :) I'll slip in a crappy watch pic for fun...so you won't notice the spelling issues. :) :)
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and a random pic for fun......two things I can't, and one to tempt....
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Stay tuned...next week...or maybe tomorrow >

it's Pad Thai.......I had planned on doing it tonight, but the store plotted against me....so maybe tomorrow, and this recipe is one I've never cooked before and was suggested by a friend....he'll not be able to taste it for me, but I hope to do it justice either way.........cheers, greg

mid January and what to say?

I'm glad I posted some watch pix, and should post more. This is the fat guy spot, but I do need to bore people with other things as well. I find it amazing....if I stop buying watches....the prices drop. I honestly think I can control the $$ = whatever by my watch buying...just wait...I'll want to buy nothing overseas...Swiss, Asian, anywhere..the dollar will gain value...just wait and see.
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I can't say I've been really inventive in the kitchen lately either......I've been cooking, but I've been trying to trim down my cooking.....maybe it'l be the diary of a skinny guy :).......maybe... Our dryer did die recently....and I did get to see what an arc flash looks like in person...now I know why it makes the testes of electricians crawl up and out of sight.........it was impressive, if not right damn scary. There is another unwanted, yet necessary purchase....anyway...
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lets cut some poultry.....shall we?....I do love some chicken...or turkey, game hens.....hell, I'd eat a penguin if I had one.....let's keep it simple....start with a mortar and pestle and about two tb's of black pepper corns. Fresh pepper is always better in my opinion.
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now, well add some herbs...nice flavor...some rosemary, thyme and sage, give those a quick chop,
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and toss them in with the cracked pepper from before, add a bit of oil and a good bit of salt, and beat them till they look like lawn clippings....like so...
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Now...we'll deal with the chicken....I decided to butterfly this bird....why not? Ltes start with the backbone....it's easy to locate, and I usually run a knife down it, to give myself a good line to follwo..
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Following said line, remove the backbone of the bird....it's easy with shears...kinda noisy..but easy..like said..... >
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With the back out, we'll help with the cooking time. Make cuts into the thigh joints, and under the wings....this will help prevent that odd pink meat that nobody wants, and go ahead and trim off the ends of the legs, it makes for a better presentation, though I'm not one for presentation....
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OK...now, flip that bird....and give it a nice chop down the breat bone, that will seperate it and let the bird lay flat.....nice and flat.
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Now...take the lawn clippings from before and smear the bird, front and back......get it all in there..al the nooks and such.....
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and this is where I'll leave you.......create from here.......:)...no.......throw that bird in the oven at about 425 (skin up) for about 15 minutes, then drop the heat to 325 for another 20 minutes, then flip the bird, and put back into the oven for another 20 minutes...or till it hit an internal temp ot 160....take out and cover with foil, and it'll hit 170 in about 10 minutes......carve and enjoy, and adjust as necessary...please submit feedback......cheers and enjoy. greg

first post of the new year...2009 style,

like roy batty, minus the sheep, hitting the cat nip with the fish lips........well...in all honesty, I hope to make this year better than the last..although 08 was pretty good. I plan to focus more on working for others, but not for pay....in a way. I plan to not buy a single watch till today in 2009....yeah, that's right, it's a forum thing, but I want to be the guy that makes it....and whatever I tuck back for said watches over the year will, in the end become an insane watch purchase....can we say Blancpain...fifty fathoms???....lets keep those fingers crossed that I can save that kind of cash in the coming year, and it that doesn't work, I'll invest and if we're not displaced by then, I'm sure that cash will come in handy for a down payment on a house.
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So, the church across the street is likely to turn my crib into a parking deck....yep, rancho relaxo will be first floor of baptist car central.....I'm not pleased or impressed, but they bought the house next door for above market, and surveyed the block the day after closing...orange paint and stakes everywhere. They also offered several grand to get the people out of the house a little faster...so, all signs point to.."duck and cover greg"
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on the cooking front, I'm looking into two properties that would be usable as restaurants, well, one would be a better butcher shop. I'm really not looking to buy, I'm just feeling out the market.
I have a few new tricks and recipes to post, nothing really amazing, but here in the south, we do love some fried okra. I came up with a really great okra that tastes fried, but isn't....eat all you like and not worry, cause it's not fried, and barely enough oil to notice. I also have a chilled corn soup working (not sure about it though), and I found that parm works well with...squash?...yep, it does work...the crispy, salty flavor on the squash is great.
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That about covers it short term, and I hope you'll come back often and offer suggestions. I also set up mobile blogging, so I might clutter the pages with random daily pics and thoughts....who knows.

Cheers and enjoy....
a parting pic, of 3 straps made for me by Johnny T in cali, all from some Doc Martins boots I had....spend 5 years breaking in the leather, and the straps come out like butter. :)

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