The Definitive Answer

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/issuecartoons/2011/11/14/cartoons_20111107#slide=2

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Meatballs

Cut the crap, Morty!

The Perfect Italian Meatball?

I suppose this guy must be right since he's actually Italian and has that thick accent.  He says Ricotta is a must.  That's a new one on me, but I bow to his native-ness and it sounds like a winner anyway.  There's more than one way to skin a meatball, though.

A few alternatives:

• Don't use breadcrumbs.  Use bread soaked in water for a few minutes and wrung out.  You don't actually wring it like you would a wet T-shirt.  Just kind of ball it up in both hands and squeeze it.  Be sure to remove the crust from the bread first.  Your meatballs will come out more moist this way. 
• Fennel is key to Italian sausage, but it won't hurt your meatball either.  Toss some in.
• Yes, there aren't many Italian recipes that don't call for garlic, but how many don't call for Basil?  Toss some in.
• Early in the video,  I was worried he was going to stick them in the oven.  I was still surprised though when he cooked them on the stove-top in sauce.  Very interesting.  Stay on the stove-top, but I say live a little and fry 'em in oil.  They get a nice, crispy thin outer layer that way and they're nice and juicy.  They're great that way even without sauce.   Cover them in sauce before serving, of course--if there are any left.

Bon Apitito




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"No matter How Long It Takes..."

Anyone who reads this blog knows I'm not a fan of former President, George Bush.  Nevertheless, one should consider exactly what he was thrown into ten years ago today.  I've actually heard people criticize his reaction upon being notifying of the attack on the World Trade Center--political hyperbole at its best--or worst.   Look again when you see that clip today and

Windows on the World

I dined once at Windows on the World, the restaurant at the top of the World Trade Center.  To be honest, the food was average, but the night-time view was nothing less than stunning.

After I looked out the back window that day, I tried to call Carrie but couldn't get through.  It stayed that way all day.  I ran and got my camera and headed up to the roof.  After getting a few shots there, I went outside and walked down Noble Street and turned left, heading south along the East River.  There's a line of factories there between the street and the water that trails off as you head south.  I was less than a hundred feet from

Building

I took a few photos of the World Trade Center while living in New York--the old fashioned way, on film.   I also have maybe a dozen photos of the events of September 11, 2001.  I was home at the time and I heard the planes hit, but didn't know what it was.  I thought a building in the neighborhood was being demolished by a wrecking ball.  Then I got a voice mail

Pregnant Woman Pushes Husband out 17th-Floor Window

"They said Josh, who was in the Air Force, didn't leave because Amber was eight months pregnant with their first child."

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/josh-hilberling-pushed-window-dies-alleged-male-spousal/story?id=13813096


Geeee...I just can't put my finger on it, but this story rings a bell.
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Bonzo Bingo with Goober and Junior

It turns out there are quite a few Goober & The Peas videos on Youtube.  Here's a few of them...


Detroit Municpal Recordings: "The Most Distinguished Recording Cartel on Earth."...

Give a Holler for Goober & The Peas

"Because love is something that needs to be nurtured, watered, cared for, and...talked to."

                     --Junior

Well, folks, I dug deep in to my stash of CDs and ran in to some old friends.  I first encountered Goober & the Peas by chance during a night out at 700 High, also known as the 700 Club, in Columbus, Ohio way back in the early 90s.   As the boys warmed up, it was impossible not to notice their nearly perfect Honky-Tonk period, Grand Ol' Opry outfits.  I had no idea what was coming, but most of the people in the crowd appeared to be pretty excited.  When the single from their first album, The Complete Works of Goober & The Peas, "Funky Cowboy," kicked in and all I saw was a flash of the bottom of lanky front man Goober's shoe about level with his the top of his head as a spray of hay engulfed the crowd, I knew I was in for a fun night.  I actually believed their opening lines about being from Arizona until my friend, Julie, pointed out that everything about their clever, highly amusing 50's-era Honky-Tonk culture-spoof shtick is an act, and that they're actually from Detroit.  Of course, there was no way for me to know at the time that they appear on Detroit Municipal Recordings. 

Please, allow me to introduce you to the boys.  In the photo at the top, at left, on lead guitar, is "Junior."  Always a gentleman, that Junior.  Tough to get a

Bo Derek.........United States Special Envoy

Where do I apply?  I'll have to take a break from all the fun I'm having and start working on getting Madam Secretary's number... 

http://news.yahoo.com/bo-derek-backs-calif-bill-banning-shark-fin-193839605.html



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A Match Made in Rock and Roll Heaven

If wishes were horses we'd all ride.

            --Doyle Bramhall II

It was only a matter of time.  I recently learned that my boy, Doyle Bramahall II, the best barrelhouse blues-rock guitar player you never heard of, is now dating my girl, Sheryl Crow, the most under-rated lyricist in pop music.  Isn't that sweet?  Lucky him.  Mr. Bramhall boasts a notable Rock and Blues pedigree which I'll leave you to explore for yourself on the bio-page of his website.  I discovered Mr. Bramhall when he opened for Gov't Mule at Irving Plaza some time around 2000 or so.  I thought he blew those fellas off the stage and to be blunt, after perusing his personal site and considering his relative pop-culture obscurity, I can't help but think he's been