As I was composing some of my posts, I realized I repeatedly use certain grammar constructions. (For example, I use However to show contrasting points.) The usages are correct, but I want to break out of my habits and expand my language.
In analyzing these writing habits, a larger issue came up. There are words and phrases I think and say often. There is nothing inherently bad about these words, but I use them more frequently than I would like to. An example of this is the question “Are you OK?” For some reason, I have asked Derek if he was OK an inordinate number of times (and he was always OK). If I did ask anyone else, I was never told I asked that question too often. After concluding there was nothing characteristic of Derek that made him look not OK, I started to break that habit.
A few weeks ago I started actively listening to words that popped into my head and what I spoke. I noticed I was saying “I’m sorry” a ridiculous number of times a day. After this realization, action was the next step. Every time I thought “I’m sorry,” I told myself, “No, I am not” and went back and put in different words to express what I was thinking. After a week, I had greatly reduced the phrase’s usage in my mind and almost expunged it from my speech.
After the effect was resolved, I wanted to know the cause. Where do these phrases come from? How do they become so pervasive in my internal monologue and external expression? I talked to my Mom and she figured it out. They come from my Dad. Everything from "The mail came late" to "It is raining today" is answered by "I'm sorry." I even had a flashback to when I was four or five years old. I was hurt somehow and I remember my Dad holding me and rocking back and forth while sitting and saying "I'm sorry" over and over.
If there are any phrases, words, or questions I have ever used too much around you, please let me know. I will not say I’m sorry, but I do extend my apologies for being repetitive and pledge to remove those words from my vocabulary.
While I was writing this post, one of the songs I listened to repeats "I'm sorry."
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Cocktails and Casseroles
When I was in Northern California at the end of September, Derek gave me a few ideas.
It started Saturday morning in the hotel room. I mentioned how I remember Derek watching cooking shows on Saturday mornings senior year. There were a few things that stayed with me from the shows, like the line "If Yan can cook, so can you!" After finding and watching these shows on TV, Derek suggested I start a career as a cooking show host. In the episodes I could explain how to make one of my casseroles. Unlike other shows that gloss over the baking time, I could use it to demonstrate how to make a different alcoholic drink. It would be Chris's Cocktails & Casseroles.
I liked the idea. A good first step would be a series of online videos. However, since I do not have access to a second camera and competent cameraman (or camera person to be politically correct), there are technical issues. Until they are resolved, I will post here.
Yorkshire Chicken
A couple of weekends ago I made Yorkshire Chicken. I have made it several times before and following this easy plan you too can enjoy it.
4-5 chicken breast with ribs
(boneless will work as well, but the cooking time will need to be cut)
1/4 cup oil at most, just enough to coat the bottom of the 9x13 pan
1/3 cup flour
2 tsp salt
1/4 pepper
1.5 tsp sage
Yorkshire Pudding Ingredients:
1 cup flour (the original recipe says sifted flour, but I don't sift)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3 tsp parsley flakes
1.5 cup milk
3 eggs
Remove the skin and excess fat from the chicken. Coat the outside with the flour, salt, pepper, and sage. The amounts are not vitally important, just sprinkle some of the salt, pepper, and sage on it and coat with flour. After using the oil to coat the bottom of the casserole pan, place the chicken in and bake at 400 for 40 minutes.
Mix up the Yorkshire Pudding by combining the flour, baking powder, salt, and parsley. Add in the eggs and milk, removing all the lumps by mixing.
After the chicken has been in the oven for 40 minutes, pour the Yorkshire Pudding mix into the oil at the bottom of the pan.
Return the chicken and Yorkshire to the oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the Yorkshire Pudding is puffed up and a desired tint of brown.
I always remove the skin before baking so there will not be too much oil in the bottom of the pan. Too much liquid will make for a soggy Yorkshire Pudding, which I can attest is no fun.
Now onto the drink to make and enjoy.
Japanese
2 oz Brandy
0.5 oz Orgeat syrup
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Combine ingredients with ice, stir, strain, and serve with a lemon twist.
A couple of months ago I bought a book, The Pocket Recipe Guide: Museum of the American Cocktail which has 100 drink recipes. The cocktails use a wide range of items. I had the proper ingredients at home to make 10 or 15 of the 100 drinks in the book. This is one of them.
If any of these directions are unclear, questions and comments are welcome and encouraged. For an immediate response, you can call me during the preparation if something does not look correct.
It started Saturday morning in the hotel room. I mentioned how I remember Derek watching cooking shows on Saturday mornings senior year. There were a few things that stayed with me from the shows, like the line "If Yan can cook, so can you!" After finding and watching these shows on TV, Derek suggested I start a career as a cooking show host. In the episodes I could explain how to make one of my casseroles. Unlike other shows that gloss over the baking time, I could use it to demonstrate how to make a different alcoholic drink. It would be Chris's Cocktails & Casseroles.
I liked the idea. A good first step would be a series of online videos. However, since I do not have access to a second camera and competent cameraman (or camera person to be politically correct), there are technical issues. Until they are resolved, I will post here.
Yorkshire Chicken
A couple of weekends ago I made Yorkshire Chicken. I have made it several times before and following this easy plan you too can enjoy it.
4-5 chicken breast with ribs
(boneless will work as well, but the cooking time will need to be cut)
1/4 cup oil at most, just enough to coat the bottom of the 9x13 pan
1/3 cup flour
2 tsp salt
1/4 pepper
1.5 tsp sage
Yorkshire Pudding Ingredients:
1 cup flour (the original recipe says sifted flour, but I don't sift)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3 tsp parsley flakes
1.5 cup milk
3 eggs
Remove the skin and excess fat from the chicken. Coat the outside with the flour, salt, pepper, and sage. The amounts are not vitally important, just sprinkle some of the salt, pepper, and sage on it and coat with flour. After using the oil to coat the bottom of the casserole pan, place the chicken in and bake at 400 for 40 minutes.
Mix up the Yorkshire Pudding by combining the flour, baking powder, salt, and parsley. Add in the eggs and milk, removing all the lumps by mixing.
After the chicken has been in the oven for 40 minutes, pour the Yorkshire Pudding mix into the oil at the bottom of the pan.
Return the chicken and Yorkshire to the oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the Yorkshire Pudding is puffed up and a desired tint of brown.
I always remove the skin before baking so there will not be too much oil in the bottom of the pan. Too much liquid will make for a soggy Yorkshire Pudding, which I can attest is no fun.
Now onto the drink to make and enjoy.
Japanese
2 oz Brandy
0.5 oz Orgeat syrup
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Combine ingredients with ice, stir, strain, and serve with a lemon twist.
A couple of months ago I bought a book, The Pocket Recipe Guide: Museum of the American Cocktail which has 100 drink recipes. The cocktails use a wide range of items. I had the proper ingredients at home to make 10 or 15 of the 100 drinks in the book. This is one of them.
If any of these directions are unclear, questions and comments are welcome and encouraged. For an immediate response, you can call me during the preparation if something does not look correct.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Unappreciated Virtures
Just when I tell a few people about this blog, I go on hiatius for a month. I will make some posts and get back in business.
I can often tell when someone else has been driving my car. There are a lot of clues. For example, if one of the cup holders is left open, someone else has been using my car. I always put the windshield sun shade up a specific way with one side in front of the other and each of the pieces having a unique orientation.
Also, if the air conditioning is left on or at a different combination of hot/cold and vents, the radio is left on, the radio is on a different station, or the CD is on a different track, someone has been driving my car. If all of the above are out of place, my Dad was the one driving.
Whenever I use someone else's car, I minimize the signs of my presence. If I turn the radio on I will put it back to the station I found it on. I have a habit of leaving things the way I found them.
This habit of mine extends beyond cars. By looking in the liquor cabinet at home I can often tell what drink my Dad made the night before. Whenever I mix a drink, I put the bottles back in the same places as before and tighten the tops; my Dad does neither of these things.
This has led me to wonder, where did I pick up this habit of leaving things the way I found them? It certainty was not from my Dad or brother. The best I can think of is at some point I wanted to leave no trace of what I did. I liked what I was doing so I kept it up. I think returning things to the way they were found is an unappreciated virtue.
One exception to this is leaving a place better than I found it. For example, if I am using a restroom and there is a used paper towel next to the sink, I will throw it away.
I can often tell when someone else has been driving my car. There are a lot of clues. For example, if one of the cup holders is left open, someone else has been using my car. I always put the windshield sun shade up a specific way with one side in front of the other and each of the pieces having a unique orientation.
Also, if the air conditioning is left on or at a different combination of hot/cold and vents, the radio is left on, the radio is on a different station, or the CD is on a different track, someone has been driving my car. If all of the above are out of place, my Dad was the one driving.
Whenever I use someone else's car, I minimize the signs of my presence. If I turn the radio on I will put it back to the station I found it on. I have a habit of leaving things the way I found them.
This habit of mine extends beyond cars. By looking in the liquor cabinet at home I can often tell what drink my Dad made the night before. Whenever I mix a drink, I put the bottles back in the same places as before and tighten the tops; my Dad does neither of these things.
This has led me to wonder, where did I pick up this habit of leaving things the way I found them? It certainty was not from my Dad or brother. The best I can think of is at some point I wanted to leave no trace of what I did. I liked what I was doing so I kept it up. I think returning things to the way they were found is an unappreciated virtue.
One exception to this is leaving a place better than I found it. For example, if I am using a restroom and there is a used paper towel next to the sink, I will throw it away.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
My weekend, and the people I did not see
This last weekend of September, I was in the Bay Area. Before I get to the best part of the weekend and the main reason I was up north in the next post, there are a few side comments.
I have a habit of showing up in Berkeley without telling people until immediately before I leave or calling them up when I am already in the city. Even more fun I sneak up on people and make casual comments standing right next to them. For example I asked Kim about the English muffin she was toasting at the Residence Inn on Sunday morning.
Below are the responses of people when I told them I was coming to the Bay Area and wanted to see them. The names have been removed.
Google chat conservation one:
My Friend: Howdy Christopher!
Surprise:
I will be in the Southern California area this weekend.
However, I do not know what I will be doing, but my parents will both be off work.
me: Surprise:
I will be in Northern California this weekend. :(
Google chat conservation two:
me: If you have time on Friday or Saturday, running into you would be nice :)
My other Friend: i work all day friday and i'm babysitting on saturday :(
Phone call person one:
I am in Big Sur this weekend with my girlfriend celebrating our anniversary. (Congratulations on five years!)
Phone call person two:
I just got off a plane in Orange County where I will be spending the weekend.
Phone call person three:
I am at home taking care of my Mom and Sister who have the swine flu. I think I am coming down with a flu as well.
Sean, my friend from high school who attends Boalt:
I left a voicemail message, several calls placed, and spend time outside the apartment where he lives.
That is half a dozen people.
On a more positive note, I saw a few people on Saturday. Being at Kim's (not to be confused with the aforementioned Kim) watching the football game with spirited people was fun, even if the game was sad and disappointing. I bought a couple of books at Moe's. I went to the 9:30 on Sunday morning and Fr. Al recognized me. Then I went to Cafe Durant with Josh and Derek.
Going back to Berkeley always drudges up feelings. I go to places I spent countless hours at and traverse the streets I crossed hundreds of times. It seems I used to know someone who lived in an apartment on every block. Everywhere are memories of events, people, and a life that is far removed from me. There are the windows of Unit Two, the entrance to Crossroads and The Den, and the benches of Unit Three. The water balloon fight in the courtyard, walking around during long phone calls, and the joyous times visiting Spens-Black freshman and sophomore years.
To get from home to Berkeley via San Ramon involved the 405 to the 101 to the 680 to the 24 to the 13. The complete trip took 1050.5 miles with the drive back taking 8.5 hours including a stop at Taco Bell in San Luis Obispo. I collected Derek from Carpinteria.
I have a habit of showing up in Berkeley without telling people until immediately before I leave or calling them up when I am already in the city. Even more fun I sneak up on people and make casual comments standing right next to them. For example I asked Kim about the English muffin she was toasting at the Residence Inn on Sunday morning.
Below are the responses of people when I told them I was coming to the Bay Area and wanted to see them. The names have been removed.
Google chat conservation one:
My Friend: Howdy Christopher!
Surprise:
I will be in the Southern California area this weekend.
However, I do not know what I will be doing, but my parents will both be off work.
me: Surprise:
I will be in Northern California this weekend. :(
Google chat conservation two:
me: If you have time on Friday or Saturday, running into you would be nice :)
My other Friend: i work all day friday and i'm babysitting on saturday :(
Phone call person one:
I am in Big Sur this weekend with my girlfriend celebrating our anniversary. (Congratulations on five years!)
Phone call person two:
I just got off a plane in Orange County where I will be spending the weekend.
Phone call person three:
I am at home taking care of my Mom and Sister who have the swine flu. I think I am coming down with a flu as well.
Sean, my friend from high school who attends Boalt:
I left a voicemail message, several calls placed, and spend time outside the apartment where he lives.
That is half a dozen people.
On a more positive note, I saw a few people on Saturday. Being at Kim's (not to be confused with the aforementioned Kim) watching the football game with spirited people was fun, even if the game was sad and disappointing. I bought a couple of books at Moe's. I went to the 9:30 on Sunday morning and Fr. Al recognized me. Then I went to Cafe Durant with Josh and Derek.
Going back to Berkeley always drudges up feelings. I go to places I spent countless hours at and traverse the streets I crossed hundreds of times. It seems I used to know someone who lived in an apartment on every block. Everywhere are memories of events, people, and a life that is far removed from me. There are the windows of Unit Two, the entrance to Crossroads and The Den, and the benches of Unit Three. The water balloon fight in the courtyard, walking around during long phone calls, and the joyous times visiting Spens-Black freshman and sophomore years.
To get from home to Berkeley via San Ramon involved the 405 to the 101 to the 680 to the 24 to the 13. The complete trip took 1050.5 miles with the drive back taking 8.5 hours including a stop at Taco Bell in San Luis Obispo. I collected Derek from Carpinteria.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Since there were two phone calls today
It is time for some practical advice on what to do when your internet connection is not working. Today two of my Mom's friends called to ask questions about how to fix a broken connection. The steps are straight forward and worked for both people, even if one of them did not call back to say it was working and be thankful for the solution.
Step One: Unplug the power to your modem (the box where the TV or phone line goes in and the cat5 computer cable goes out).
Step Two: If you have a router (the box where all the cables for different computers go), unplug it.
Step Three: Wait thirty seconds and reconnect the power to the modem.
Step Four: Wait for the lights on the modem to return to normal (usually all the lights are solid green) and then reconnect the power to the router.
Step Five: Wait for the lights on the router to return to normal, then retry the internet connection.
It is important for the router and modem to be off before reconnecting either of them. I have learned about this from personal experience on the telephone talking to Comcast service personal while dealing with irate roommates. Why someone was angry at me when it was not my responsibility to manage the internet is another story.
Also in the practical knowledge category, I have another drink recipe.
English Highball
1 oz brandy
1 oz gin
1 oz sweet vermouth
Fill with club soda
Step One: Unplug the power to your modem (the box where the TV or phone line goes in and the cat5 computer cable goes out).
Step Two: If you have a router (the box where all the cables for different computers go), unplug it.
Step Three: Wait thirty seconds and reconnect the power to the modem.
Step Four: Wait for the lights on the modem to return to normal (usually all the lights are solid green) and then reconnect the power to the router.
Step Five: Wait for the lights on the router to return to normal, then retry the internet connection.
It is important for the router and modem to be off before reconnecting either of them. I have learned about this from personal experience on the telephone talking to Comcast service personal while dealing with irate roommates. Why someone was angry at me when it was not my responsibility to manage the internet is another story.
Also in the practical knowledge category, I have another drink recipe.
English Highball
1 oz brandy
1 oz gin
1 oz sweet vermouth
Fill with club soda
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
My response to the swine flu
There has been a lot of talk about the H1N1 virus, also known as the swine flu, in the last few months.
My first response to this sensationalism is the same response I have when I hear about a new computer virus. I do nothing.
H1N1 is similar to other flu viruses. It is transmitted in the same way. If you want to avoid getting H1N1, do the same things you should do to avoid getting a flu virus.
These include:
Since some people insist on being in a state of frenzy and repeating the dangers over and over, I have had to implement a second level response to the swine flu.
Eat Pork!
I found a great recipe for Western South Carolina style BBQ sauce. This recipe is in a few different places online, I do not remember on which site I found it.
Western South Carolina Style Barbecue Sauce
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 medium onion, minced
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup ketchup
Heat oil in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté‚ until softened, 4-5 minutes. Stir in all the remaining ingredients except ketchup; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, then add ketchup. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 15 minutes.
I put this sauce on pulled pork I purchased at Costco and made sandwiches. They were delicious!
This is one of many different barbecue sauces. I will follow with more recipes as I try them.
My first response to this sensationalism is the same response I have when I hear about a new computer virus. I do nothing.
H1N1 is similar to other flu viruses. It is transmitted in the same way. If you want to avoid getting H1N1, do the same things you should do to avoid getting a flu virus.
These include:
- Sneezing into your shirt sleeve instead of your hand.
- Sanitizing commonly touched surfaces, including door knobs and avoiding touching your face if you do touch these surfaces.
- Washing your hands with soap and water anytime you get close to a sink and before eating.
- Avoiding close contact with people who exhibit flu symptoms.
Since some people insist on being in a state of frenzy and repeating the dangers over and over, I have had to implement a second level response to the swine flu.
Eat Pork!
I found a great recipe for Western South Carolina style BBQ sauce. This recipe is in a few different places online, I do not remember on which site I found it.
Western South Carolina Style Barbecue Sauce
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 medium onion, minced
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup ketchup
Heat oil in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté‚ until softened, 4-5 minutes. Stir in all the remaining ingredients except ketchup; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, then add ketchup. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 15 minutes.
I put this sauce on pulled pork I purchased at Costco and made sandwiches. They were delicious!
This is one of many different barbecue sauces. I will follow with more recipes as I try them.
Friday, September 11, 2009
The invention I am waiting for
There are many possible inventions. One I want is a neural computer interface.
This invention I have imagined looks like a thin helmet or a hood. The Nucompi, the best name I could think of in a couple of minutes, will sense electrical impulses and changes in the brain of the user. This will be connected to a normal desktop computer with interface software. The software will detect changes in the working of the brain and interpret them as commands to type words and execute basic commands on the computer.
With this setup, the user will be able to type sentences and control the computer with their mind. Since people can think much faster than they can type or use a mouse, this will be much faster than current methods.
After these functions are perfected, the Nucompi can be expanded to handle more things. With miniaturization, it can take on many attributes of an MRI. If impulses can be associated with words, figuring out the changes that make up basic emotions is the next step. The Nucompi will scan the user's feelings and give a complete readout of what is being felt, even if it is at such low levels the user is unaware of it.
Once the Nucompi has been engineered to do all this, the next logical step is for it to input signals into the brain and not just output them. Instead of the user writing in a letter "I feel sad," the feelings can be scanned and the pattern transmitted online. The recipient of the letter can put on their Nucompi and open up the letter and feel the same emotions the sender felt.
The technology is out there
There is technology which allows people who have lost their hands in accidents to manipulate a mechanical hand. Studies have been done which show the brain is very adaptable and can learn to manipulate things as well as interpret signals. There are possibilities, people need to realize them.
If this became reality, I could make posts faster and better.
This invention I have imagined looks like a thin helmet or a hood. The Nucompi, the best name I could think of in a couple of minutes, will sense electrical impulses and changes in the brain of the user. This will be connected to a normal desktop computer with interface software. The software will detect changes in the working of the brain and interpret them as commands to type words and execute basic commands on the computer.
With this setup, the user will be able to type sentences and control the computer with their mind. Since people can think much faster than they can type or use a mouse, this will be much faster than current methods.
After these functions are perfected, the Nucompi can be expanded to handle more things. With miniaturization, it can take on many attributes of an MRI. If impulses can be associated with words, figuring out the changes that make up basic emotions is the next step. The Nucompi will scan the user's feelings and give a complete readout of what is being felt, even if it is at such low levels the user is unaware of it.
Once the Nucompi has been engineered to do all this, the next logical step is for it to input signals into the brain and not just output them. Instead of the user writing in a letter "I feel sad," the feelings can be scanned and the pattern transmitted online. The recipient of the letter can put on their Nucompi and open up the letter and feel the same emotions the sender felt.
The technology is out there
There is technology which allows people who have lost their hands in accidents to manipulate a mechanical hand. Studies have been done which show the brain is very adaptable and can learn to manipulate things as well as interpret signals. There are possibilities, people need to realize them.
If this became reality, I could make posts faster and better.
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