What's New

Ok, I have only been at work for 30 min. but I need to get this stuff posted or I won't be able to concentrate, so here you go:

Concept Cars


Ok, not a concept car, but one that I really one. This was posted a while back on The Modern Gal by Allie, but I really want this exact scooter to put-put around town on. Over 85 miles to the gallon can only be a good thing.








A new concept vehicle that bridges the gap between the Segway and a Scooter. Meant for short distance travel, but can be docked in the same way a bike is and charged while at work. Check it out at Ecofriend




A new electric mini car that frees our dependence on fossil fuels but also uses all LED technology to waste as little as possible.





Mercedes Benz new fuel cell concept car ranks very high among fuel cell models which leads it to be a very definite possibility for manufacture.







Potties






New Eco Sanitation system makes waste management safer and more eco-friendly in construction and disposal. For use at your local concert venue or in third world situations to help the growing sanitation problems. Does require the squat-to-poop method and handling of your own feces in baggies, but it is worth it right?







New water recycling system allows for style while using the water from your sink to fill your toilet. Seems logical to me.








Gifts



Growing Gifts. Next time you can't figure out what to give someone, give them a gift that grows. A planter full of everything they need for a salad or an herb garden as suggested by Cindi Haas at Urban Garden Casual.







"Power" Gadgets



This USB-programmable power strip lets you keep tabs on your phantom power and can save you up to 70%!






Harness your own energy while dancing with this gadget that allows you to trap your own energy to charge your electronics.





For all the gym going ladies, this new concept lets you harvest the energy from the "bounce of your breasts" to then charge your electronic devices. This begs the question of "have we tapped into all of our other resources and this is what we are left with?" This certain tid-bit was even featured (and thus made fun of) on Sunday's NPR: Wait, Wait, Don't tell me............talking about how if being inadequate wasn't enough, you physical activity level and "giftedness" would be measured by how many electronics you could power.....just a thought.

Weekly Recipe

Deep-dish Sausage Pizza

I have to admit, this isn't my own recipe but one that I altered from one of my favorite blogs. If you are interested in cooking some new recipes try out Vicarious Foodie, it is a great food blog. Ok, so here you go:


1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 cup warm water (110 to 115 degrees F)
1 (1/4-ounce) package active dry yeast (about 2 1/2 teaspoons)
2 1/4 to 2 1/2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for oiling bowl
1 Package of spicy sausage, or make your own
1 green bell pepper chopped
1 medium onion (your choice) chopped
1 cup grated whole milk mozzarella cheese (about 1/4 pound)
1 cup grated fontina cheese (about 1/4 pound)
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
1/4 cup shredded fresh basil leaves, for garnish

In a large bowl, dissolve sugar in water. Sprinkle yeast over water and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Stir in 2 1/4 cups flour, cornmeal, salt, and 2 tablespoons oil and blend until mixture forms a dough. Knead dough on a floured surface, incorporating as much of remaining 1/4 cup flour as necessary to prevent dough from sticking, until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.

Put dough in a deep oiled bowl and turn to coat with oil. Let dough rise, covered with plastic wrap, in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.

While the dough is rising, prepare sausage (brown and add wanted spices). Stir in onions and peppers and transfer mixture to a strainer over a bowl to drain and cool.

Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.

Punch down dough and knead 4 times. In an oiled 10 1/2-inch cast-iron skillet, press dough with oiled finger until it comes 2 inches up the side and is an even thickness on bottom. Let dough rise, covered loosely with plastic wrap, in a warm place for 15 minutes.

Sprinkle dough with half of mozzarella and fontina and top with sausage mixture and remaining cheeses. Sprinkle the top with the Parmesan and bake the pizza in the lower third of an electric oven or on floor of a gas oven for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 400 degrees and bake 5-10 minutes more, or until crust is golden brown.

Top with fresh basil, if desired, and serve immediately.

Be careful if you are using frozen ingredients as you might end up with two much water, and make sure to strain the sausage mixture before adding to the dough. Also, substitute any cheeses that you desire and while this recipe makes one large pizza, I split this into two smaller cast-iron pans and ate one and froze the other.





On another note, my camera is not allowing me to connect it to either of my computers. So while these are not my pictures but ones from the blog that I got the recipe from. Again, check out Vicarious Foodie.....the recipes are amazing.

Happy Father's Day!!

I know, I am way off on my calender. Truth is that my parents and I couldn't get our schedules together until now. We had planned a grill-filled father's day (on the actual day) and my dad got sick, leaving us to scramble to try and find time. With that being said I will be back in the good ol home town for the rest of today.

I did want to let you know that I do have this weeks recipe ready to right out.
How does
Homemade Deep Dish Pizza with spicy sausage
Sound?

It turned out really great, and I will share that with you when i return.


On another note, and to pat myself on the back. We have been going to the gym for three weeks now and have managed to go 4 times a week. I didn't think this was that impressive but everyone is saying that it is really good. We are both feeling much better and I have a lot more energy.

Last, my purchasing mostly from the farmer's market thing has taken a dip. While the food is much better, I don't plan well still and have been waisting food. Therefore, I have been resulting to making multiple trips to the grocery as to not waste as much. The problem is that I end up spending more with higher food prices and the cost of gas. What a predicament.


Have a Good Weekend, off to Jackson.

I'll Be Barack Tee at Urban Outfitters

On a Thursday?

Yes......lets recap, and then I can go back to nursing my hangover.

Cocktails at the five star restaurant above B.B. Kings on Beale, Itta Bena

Some drafts and part of a "Diver" at Silky's while listening to the dueling pianos.

Dancing with my wife and her co-workers at Raiford's while drinking 40's and finding out that the "V.I.P" room really means a small room with strippers crowded with creepy and horny guys.

Getting home at 3:15, and a meeting at 9 a.m.

What the hell were we thinking?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51035555243@N01/242988264/

People

I really like "people" (quotations understood for the rest of this rant). I think that this is really why I went into Anthropology was because it allows be to study people on all levels, from medical to social and even psychological at times. And as I was sitting here trying to work, I thought that I should provide some of my insight (a.k.a. a rant) on people.

I have a very odd fascination with people especially in a social and cultural context. As I was discussing with a friend last night, I think that people are a wonderful means for education. When one interacts in others it provides a venue for learning both cultural and social information while at the same time allowing for self reflection. It is for this reason that I enjoy being social and experiencing different cultures, talking with people from different backgrounds, and being the sounding board for many peoples problems in hopes of learning more about people and more about myself. I find, though, that everything that I do revolves around this kind of social/cultural reflection in everything from movies, books, and music to speeches, lectures, and water-cooler conversations. While this is a great means for learning and reflection, it has its drawbacks in that ALL situations are always under scrutiny and leaves me being unable to establish good relationships with people because if I am not able to feel like that person doesn't provide anything as a person, I lose interest. Bad I know, but I am confident in saying that is how I am.

With all that being said, I REALLY hate people. Yes there is a lot to be learned and a lot of fun to be had, but it is all the other stuff that comes with it that makes me really dislike people and not one to establish relationships. While I enjoy deconstructing conversations and analyzing social interaction patterns at the local dive bar it is all the other crap that comes with a "relationship" that drives me crazy. Gossip, for example, is something that I understand on a social and cultural level but the things that it does to people and the back-stabbing that goes with it does not make it warranted in my mind. For me being honest and upfront about issues is a much more respectable way to be and I would welcome anyone to come tell me the issue in which they think needs to be gossiped regarding me. On the same note, why don't people tell you things like "You are out of line" or "I really don't appreciate what you said"?

I honestly don't see why gossip has taken precedent over honesty.

In the same vane, why is it that people can not tell individuals when there is a problem. I don't find the logic in hiding from people, lying to people, or avoiding people in order to not have a conversation. People often mention that they dislike "confrontation" but it is the individuals involved that cause a dialog to become a confrontation, not the topic of the conversation to be had.

I can not make myself wrap my mind around this for some reason.

And then there is where the two paths of disdain and admiration for people cross, and this is where I get into trouble. My fascination with people, their situations, and how they deal with them make me out to be a great listener. And I believe that I am. I honestly care about what people have to say and will listen as much as they need. At this point, however, I assume that individuals that wish to talk with me perceive to have some sort of established relationship with me and value my opinion. I have learned through the years to not give out my opinion, but only dispense it when asked for. However, I am not sure that I can do that anymore. With this view of honesty as the best option and a need for mutual respect I assume that when I give someone my opinion they will then let me know if it offends them or becomes an issue in some way.

Not the case.

Here is where everything that I have talked about comes into play. There is a situation that I am hoping to learn from (establishing a relationship with an individual and being there to listen) through which I am asked for my opinion (honesty being my means for expressing my ideas) and through this disagreements that sometimes occur (of which I am never made aware) gossip regarding the disdain of the conversation ensues.

I DON'T GET IT.

So, while I absolutely love learning, love people, and love learning through people. I REALLY HATE PEOPLE. It is for these reasons (combined with only a few others) that I find it impossible to keep people close to me, wish to be a part of peoples lives, or even want to stay in touch with people. (I think, and really hope, that my wife has caught on to this. I am pretty sure she has since we are being brutally honest and open about our thoughts with each other which is working out quite well for us.) Yet other than my wife, there is no one that I can connect with because they don't attempt to understand and respect me and then I lose interest in trying to hold together a relationship with people that have fooled me into thinking that they listen to me.

One of two things are happening. Either I am as cold-hearted and "clinical" as people have called me in the past or I am really not verbalizing the kind of person that I am on the rare chance that people are actually listening to what I have to say.

Done! If you really read all this, you are a good friend and are being very patient with all of my Nerdiness.

Photo: Compfight.com, http://www.flickr.com/photos/7149027@N07/1545584483/

Our Political Culture

Every day I watch CNN as a part of my morning getting ready ritual after which I usually browse through numerous other sites in hopes of finding a news story that is worth reading or that isn't slanted or full of opinion. With that being said you can imagine how daunting this kind of task can be. In regards to our political culture at this point it seems that stories of false cookie recipes and Spanish as Arizona's first language are more important than the actual political arena. So, instead of lashing out my political ideals and contempt for this presidential race, I have a number of t-shirts that have caught my eye. Enjoy!



Petrolcide by Demokratees.com












The Addiction by Demokratees.com














Everyone Poops on Threadless















Faux News on Radical Rags










Culture Warrior on Progress Wear











These are some of the more tame statements that I have found. I am also particularly fond of the McSame and Annoy A Republican bumper stickers that I have seen throughout Memphis. And even though this is stooping to "their level" it is a rather fun way of showing your opinion to everyone without having to listen to their response.

Drum Roll Please.....

I got funding. Finally, finally, finally...I got offered a graduate assistant position today (with Chucalissa Museum) and I am on top of the world. I have two year contract with the museum in which I will be the staff osteologist (available for contract if you need assistance) for a mere 20 hours a week. I will be getting full tuition and a stipend for two years....a day that I thought would never come. Ok, well that is my really good news, other than that we went to a friends birthday/house party and I found my old reassurance and confidence. Overall, I am having one hell of a week so far (so no one screw it up, you can do that next week)!!!!!!!

What's New

So here are some of the new things that I have found over the past week:



A Solar-powered planter that can double as your garden light. There is even a model that changes color.










New washing machine that doubles as your lavatory sink.








A new cross trainer inspired by the always entertaining unicycle.









Britain has taken green a step further with harnessing power from the dance floors at night clubs.






New solar powered outdoor speakers.







Edible Estates!!!!! A new project that suggests people replace their ornamental lawns with plants that provide food for the families and community. From berry bushes to orange trees, this project is an amazing concept and one that I hope really catches on.

New Project

One of the major reasons that I have not been blogging at my usual obsessive frequency is that I have been doing a minor project on the house. we have a rather good size "sitting room" off our our bedroom and my wife has been using it as a closet. Well actually more like a storage room where her clothes are and she can get ready.




























We decided that it needed to be redone a bit, so we (she) decided on the Tiffany's blue to go with our wonderful crown molding and a few other touches. While the room isn't done yet, I thought I would share. We still have some closet built-ins to find and the finishing touches like curtains and such, but it already looks amazing with just the two coats of primer and two coats of paint in the three different colors of paint that we used. With this being such an old house we had to seal the lead paint and then use different glosses to make different dimensions, needless to say it takes a lot longer than we always plan for.

Weekly Recipe: Baked Ziti

Sorry guys, I am really dragging on posting this week for some reason. Here is the recipe I promised though.

Baked Ziti (Thanks to my aunt)

1 26oz. jar plain spaghetti sauce
2 cups mozzarella cheese
8 oz. ziti noodles (penne pasta)
3/4 lb. hamburger

Simply cook the meat until browned and drain. Mix 1 cup of cheese, spaghetti sauce, and meat together and set aside. Cook noodles and drain.

Mix noodles ans sauce mixture and put in a 2 qt. casserole dish. Cook at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Put 2nd cup of cheese on top and cook for an additional 10 minutes.

To do alterations to this recipe, just make sure everything is cooked prior to baking. I often saute onions, green/red peppers, garlic, and some olives together and add to the mix to add some additional flavor. I have also been know to add eggplant and extra cheeses. It is a really easy recipe to alter and always turns out really well.
Hope you enjoy!

Photo: http://www.recipematcher.com/images/129.jpg

Cell Phone Numbers Going Public

Just a quick little bit of information that I think could be useful:

As of tomorrow (I believe it is tomorrow)all cell phone numbers will go public for the use of telemarketing companies. The only way to help prevent the constant abuse from telemarketers is to register on the National Do Not Call list. While you have to be on the list for a month before it will cause penalties for the compaines, it is worth the time. All you have to do is call 888-382-1222 from the number you are wanting to register, and go through the automated menu. Really simple. I did it this morning and it is legitimate.

Again, National Do Not Call List - 888-382-1222

I hate telemarketers and at least this will keep them at bay for a little longer.

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/81935338@N00/521798260/

My Tone

My wife and I had a little discussion this past weekend on the way in which I speak to other people. It wasn't in a bad way or anything, but more of a concern on how I approach different topics. The conversation came up that when I speak to others it is in a very "matter-of-fact" way that can lead people to believe that what I am saying is supported fact rather than my own opinion. After some self reflection I realized that this was the case. My stance is that within my profession/career path it is very important that when you are speaking to others in any situation that you portray yourself as very confident and well informed (even if you are not). In that vein it is the case that, when on the spot in front of a room, that one must state their opinion based on inferences and conclusions and back them up without skipping a beat. In a matter of perfecting this skill it has become something that I do in all situations. I am not sure that this is a good or bad thing, but has become a topic of concern with my wife. She sees this as a possible negative in that when I am discussing a topic that I have only limited knowledge I make conclusions, assumptions, or inferences that I know are my opinion, but that come off as being factual and well supported. In my defense I think that everyone should question anything that they are told, however it was explained to me that this isn't the case. She is concerned that if something that I present as factual could be discredited and then would diminish my credibility with members of her firm. While I see this as a valid argument and will take it into consideration, I am still not sure where I stand on this issue. I will leave you with this (also check out Zen's post on these topics, very valid here) and here is the quote that she also used that I think needs to be considered in this discussion:

From Siddharta Guatama, the Buddha himself:

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it.
Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many.
Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books.
Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders.
Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations.

But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.

- Buddha…

Zen's site is amazing, please check it out. Zen Happens

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/44124361952@N01/214256287/

What's New

So here are some new things that I found over the past week. Let me know what you think about everything.

Inventions:


McDonald's has done something original by incorporating actually growing lettuce in and as their new billboards. Awesome idea for this space.




This new line of coffee tables is made from recycled Honda Accords. While it isn't quite our decorating style, it sure is an amazing and attractive idea.






Japan has done it again, a water powered car. The new system separates the hydrogen and oxygen and allows them both to be burned as fuel. Since it has not made it to mass production yet it is quite expensive, but keep your fingers crossed. (Look who is driving!!!)




Solar power is every where, even these new curtains. That is right, solar panels are being incorporated into textiles and will hopefully hit the market soon.





New flower concept computer that saves space, is a beautiful piece of art, and expands our understanding of what a desktop PC can look like. Very geeky!!!!




Be a green golfer with this new line of biodegradable golf tees.










A little Humor:


Speaks for itself. Thanks Groovy Green!






Movie:


Lars and the Real Girl
Ryan Gosling puts on an amazing performance as a guy who falls in love with an anatomical sex doll. Going into the film thinking it was a comedy was a mistake, this is a romantic drama if I have ever seen one. An amazing movie!!!


Clothing:


A new 80's T-shirt site that has almost everything that you could possibly want. I think I am going to have to pick up this Bay Side Tee.









Threadless is still one of my favorite sites for witty and comical tees. I have yet to buy directly from them, but this Squirrel Line-backer Tee is one that I am going to have to break down and buy.





A new line of Chastity Vow Pants by K-Mart. Now these are not pants that I am inclined to buy, but I thought there overall outlandish concept was something that should be noted.





Books:


New by David Sedaris, "When You are Engulfed in Flames" is sure to be great as all of his other writings are.










"Rant" by Chuck Palahniuk (Author of Fight Club) is sure to be promising in its rave reviews thus far.










This "New to Me" book by T.C. Boyle is among the many recommended to me by my good friend Allen Ball. "The Tortilla Curtain" was among the "Must Reads" for this summer as well.









This Miranda July book was also a recommendation from my friend Allen. While "No one belongs here more than you" is a vibrant pink covered book that sits here on my desk, I have no doubt that I will enjoy it despite its color.