Our first Christmas as a married couple was an exciting one. We had been married almost 12 months, and we were expecting our first child in early December. Around Thanksgiving that year, my wife and I went to K-Mart in Brookings, SD to purchase a small Christmas tree, some lights and some basic ornaments. We were unable to go visit family because my wife was due in about 2 weeks. At K-Mart, we bought a Denver Broncos tree ornament, among other things, that I have proudly hung on our tree for the last 10 years.
This year, I banished that ornament. I find that I am so disappointed by the Denver Broncos organization that I couldn't bring myself to put it up. It's not just that they are losing, but it's the way the organization has conducted itself since the firing of Mike Shanahan. Bad decisions, bad examples on the field, and a cheating scandal off of it. I thought there was nothing that could ever taint my love for my team, but it's tainted this year. I still care, but I find that they are just disappointing me too much, so I have sort of shut down so as not to open myself up to further hurt, shame and disappointment.
I know, I know, some of you are saying, "Jake, you told me you were working on caring less about sports," which is totally true. I didn't cry or curl up in the fetal position or anything. I just made a rational decision to banish the ornament for this Christmas. I do sincerely hope that the Denver Broncos get their act together and earn my trust again. When they do that, the ornament will return to my tree. Until then, it will remain in a cardboard box in my cold garage.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
The Art of Scrambled Eggs
Who knew I had been making scrambled eggs wrong my entire life? Today we had another family over after church for brunch. The husband/father of this family is one of my chief mentors in cooking. In fact, my father-in-law getting me hooked on Food Network, and this friend's cooking are probably the 2 biggest influences in me wanting to cook more.
So, for today's meal, my wife made a French Toast Casserole, which was awesome, by the way. I was in charge of eggs and bacon...pretty easy stuff. So, I was mixing the eggs for the scrambled eggs like I always do, and my friend said that I needed to me more aggressive. He then took the bowl and the whisk and demonstrated for me. The point of the more aggressive whisking is to get air into the eggs, making them more light and fluffy. He actually tilted the bowl and created an egg whisking vortex. It was magical! Who knew there was such an art to this stuff?
For the 2nd batch of eggs, I applied this method (not nearly as well), and they were the best scrambled eggs I had ever made. They were light and fluffy, and the most yellow scrambled eggs I had ever made...apparently I had never gotten them really well mixed before.
I know this friend reads my blog sometime, so thanks for the continued tips and techniques in cooking.
So, for today's meal, my wife made a French Toast Casserole, which was awesome, by the way. I was in charge of eggs and bacon...pretty easy stuff. So, I was mixing the eggs for the scrambled eggs like I always do, and my friend said that I needed to me more aggressive. He then took the bowl and the whisk and demonstrated for me. The point of the more aggressive whisking is to get air into the eggs, making them more light and fluffy. He actually tilted the bowl and created an egg whisking vortex. It was magical! Who knew there was such an art to this stuff?
For the 2nd batch of eggs, I applied this method (not nearly as well), and they were the best scrambled eggs I had ever made. They were light and fluffy, and the most yellow scrambled eggs I had ever made...apparently I had never gotten them really well mixed before.
I know this friend reads my blog sometime, so thanks for the continued tips and techniques in cooking.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Life is Good
Why you may ask? Well, because today, my mother-in-law bought us a 42" LG LED-LCD TV. With 1080p capability and a 120 Hz refresh rate, this TV is everything I've ever wanted in a television. I finished hooking it up, and the picture is fantastic. I also picked up an LG BluRay DVD player...didn't buy any BluRay discs though. But, I put in a normal DVD and the picture was outstanding.
The only thing that I haven't been thrilled with so far is the Internet connectivity. I can't get the wireless Internet to connect to it, and I don't have a cable in my living room that I can run to it. I will be calling the Geek Squad about that, because the TV is Netflix capable, so once I get the Internet connected, we can watch Netflix movies on live streaming.
I went with LG because my younger brother has an LG TV that he said he loves, and a coworker recently got an LG TV that he swears by. Plus, it seemed to have the best picture of the 42" TVs on the Wall o' TVs at Best Buy. I'm very happy with this TV and looking forward to years of viewing in full 1080p.
The only thing that I haven't been thrilled with so far is the Internet connectivity. I can't get the wireless Internet to connect to it, and I don't have a cable in my living room that I can run to it. I will be calling the Geek Squad about that, because the TV is Netflix capable, so once I get the Internet connected, we can watch Netflix movies on live streaming.
I went with LG because my younger brother has an LG TV that he said he loves, and a coworker recently got an LG TV that he swears by. Plus, it seemed to have the best picture of the 42" TVs on the Wall o' TVs at Best Buy. I'm very happy with this TV and looking forward to years of viewing in full 1080p.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Another Coach Fired
I know that most people who read this blog don't care about sports or the Denver Broncos, so, you can stop reading now if you don't care. Please return for my next post though.
Today my favorite NFL team, the Denver Broncos fired 2nd year head coach Josh McDaniels, with 4 games left this season. McDaniels was 11-17 in 2 years, but started 6-0 last season, so if you do the math, he has won only 5 of his last 22 games. That won't git 'r done.
On top of this, McDaniels has made several personnel blunders, and had an embarrassing video scandal, in which his lead video man was caught video taping the San Francisco 49ers practice. McDaniels claims he never watched the video, but he also didn't report the incident. All of this added up to Broncos owner Pat Bowlen firing McDaniels today, even though McDaniels is owed $7 million more, and Bowlen still owes previous coach Mike Shanahan some money too.
This is an expensive decision for the Broncos, but one that had to be made. As much as I hate to see a guy lose his job, McDaniels had to go. He wasn't winning football games, sure, but it wasn't just that. He is hated in Denver for his perceived arrogance and his personnel decisions. He traded away fan favorite Peyton Hillis, who is now having a Pro Bowl season with the Cleveland Browns. In fact, he's gotten rid of most of Mike Shanahan's players, in favor of "his type of guys." McDaniels has made wrong move after wrong move, and it caught up with him today.
Josh McDaniels is a young man at 34. He was in way over his head. I'm sure he'll get another job as a position coach or coordinator somewhere. With more maturity, he may even get another head coaching job. His fiery attitude would actually be perfect for the college game. Basically, the man will be ok.
The Broncos, on the other hand, are another story. The team lost a lot of good will with its fan base over the last 2 seasons. They are depleted in talent, to the point where I don't think they can be successful for 3 to 4 more seasons, which is an eternity in today's NFL. This season is a complete loss, and whoever the coach is next season has a daunting task. Luckily, it's just a game and life moves on.
Today my favorite NFL team, the Denver Broncos fired 2nd year head coach Josh McDaniels, with 4 games left this season. McDaniels was 11-17 in 2 years, but started 6-0 last season, so if you do the math, he has won only 5 of his last 22 games. That won't git 'r done.
On top of this, McDaniels has made several personnel blunders, and had an embarrassing video scandal, in which his lead video man was caught video taping the San Francisco 49ers practice. McDaniels claims he never watched the video, but he also didn't report the incident. All of this added up to Broncos owner Pat Bowlen firing McDaniels today, even though McDaniels is owed $7 million more, and Bowlen still owes previous coach Mike Shanahan some money too.
This is an expensive decision for the Broncos, but one that had to be made. As much as I hate to see a guy lose his job, McDaniels had to go. He wasn't winning football games, sure, but it wasn't just that. He is hated in Denver for his perceived arrogance and his personnel decisions. He traded away fan favorite Peyton Hillis, who is now having a Pro Bowl season with the Cleveland Browns. In fact, he's gotten rid of most of Mike Shanahan's players, in favor of "his type of guys." McDaniels has made wrong move after wrong move, and it caught up with him today.
Josh McDaniels is a young man at 34. He was in way over his head. I'm sure he'll get another job as a position coach or coordinator somewhere. With more maturity, he may even get another head coaching job. His fiery attitude would actually be perfect for the college game. Basically, the man will be ok.
The Broncos, on the other hand, are another story. The team lost a lot of good will with its fan base over the last 2 seasons. They are depleted in talent, to the point where I don't think they can be successful for 3 to 4 more seasons, which is an eternity in today's NFL. This season is a complete loss, and whoever the coach is next season has a daunting task. Luckily, it's just a game and life moves on.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Beyond My Comprehension
I heard on the radio news that a far left political group called The Progressive Change Campaign Committee is going to be running an ad in Iowa, attacking President Obama as weak on taxes because he may compromise on repealing the Bush tax rates for all Americans, including "wealthy" American families making over $250,000 a year. Yes, I called them tax rates...they've been in effect long enough that they are now the tax rates, and not maintaining these rates is a tax increase. Just owning the argument...that's all.
As an interesting side note, the Pelosi followers in the House of Representatives passed a bill extending the Bush tax rates for the middle class, but implementing hikes back to the confiscatory Clinton era levels for single people making more than $200,000 and married couples making $250,000. House Republicans have already said that this bill has no chance of passing the Senate, so it's a purely politically ideological move by the people who were soundly defeated in the elections 1 month ago.
Anyway, back to my point. I can't understand the motivation of people who are so bent on taking other people's money that they would invest their own money to run ads that advocate the taking of other people's money. To me, that's what this ad by The Progressive Change Campaign Committee is doing. It's dividing America along economic lines and demanding that certain people pay more! Why would anyone ever think this is right or good?
I have theories. One theory is that these people simply hate people who have been successful because they believe they must have cheated their way to it. Another is that these lefties think that the job of the Government is to somehow force fairness in economics. Still another theory is that they feel that they are owed something by the government and to get what they are owed somebody has to pay the price. These are all my theories, but frankly I can't understand how anybody could possibly think this way.
Personally, I believe people are entitled to do with their money what they please. I think that some level of taxation is necessary, but I believe our government is bloated and spends too much, so I would never advocate tax increases until the government stops spending. I believe in helping my fellow man, but I believe in doing it on my terms, not on terms set by people in Washington. And, I believe hard work that leads to success should be rewarded, not despised.
The truth is, most of the people who we are talking about increasing taxes on, worked hard to get where they are. They are good at what they do because they take pride in their work and this has driven them to do better than others. They should not be punished or made the villain in this story. They should be held up as examples of what all Americans can be with just a little hard work and a lot of perseverance.
That's what I think anyway...maybe I need to run an ad.
As an interesting side note, the Pelosi followers in the House of Representatives passed a bill extending the Bush tax rates for the middle class, but implementing hikes back to the confiscatory Clinton era levels for single people making more than $200,000 and married couples making $250,000. House Republicans have already said that this bill has no chance of passing the Senate, so it's a purely politically ideological move by the people who were soundly defeated in the elections 1 month ago.
Anyway, back to my point. I can't understand the motivation of people who are so bent on taking other people's money that they would invest their own money to run ads that advocate the taking of other people's money. To me, that's what this ad by The Progressive Change Campaign Committee is doing. It's dividing America along economic lines and demanding that certain people pay more! Why would anyone ever think this is right or good?
I have theories. One theory is that these people simply hate people who have been successful because they believe they must have cheated their way to it. Another is that these lefties think that the job of the Government is to somehow force fairness in economics. Still another theory is that they feel that they are owed something by the government and to get what they are owed somebody has to pay the price. These are all my theories, but frankly I can't understand how anybody could possibly think this way.
Personally, I believe people are entitled to do with their money what they please. I think that some level of taxation is necessary, but I believe our government is bloated and spends too much, so I would never advocate tax increases until the government stops spending. I believe in helping my fellow man, but I believe in doing it on my terms, not on terms set by people in Washington. And, I believe hard work that leads to success should be rewarded, not despised.
The truth is, most of the people who we are talking about increasing taxes on, worked hard to get where they are. They are good at what they do because they take pride in their work and this has driven them to do better than others. They should not be punished or made the villain in this story. They should be held up as examples of what all Americans can be with just a little hard work and a lot of perseverance.
That's what I think anyway...maybe I need to run an ad.
Monday, November 29, 2010
"Surely you can't be serious."
"I am serious...and don't call me Shirley." - Dr. Rumack, "Airplane"
If you are my age, or around my age, or older, or a fan of really good movies, then you know that quote. You know it's from the classic spoof film "Airplane", and you know it was uttered by one of the greatest comedic actors of our generation, Leslie Nielsen. Leslie Nielsen died yesterday at the age of 84. For many, Nielsen will be remembered as Lt. Frank Drebin of Police Squad in the "Naked Gun" movies, or as Dr. Rumack in "Airplane". What many don't know is he started his career as a leading man in many more serious roles. If you read his bio on IMDB, you'll see that the man literally had a part in making well over 100 movies and TV shows.
"It's true what they say: Cops and women don't mix. It's like eating a spoonful of Drano; sure, it'll clean you out, but it'll leave you hollow inside." - Lt. Frank Drebin, "Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad"
In his later years, following the "Naked Gun" movies, Nielsen made several more spoof films. While I never enjoyed them as much as I did "Airplane" and "Naked Gun", Leslie Nielsen was always great, even in lesser roles. Today this world is a much more serious place with the passing of Leslie Nielsen. Fortunately, his deadpan humor will live on forever in the movies he made and the fans he picked up along the way.
"I just want to tell you both good luck, we're all counting on you." - Dr. Rumack, "Airplane" and President Harris, "Scary Movie 3"
If you are my age, or around my age, or older, or a fan of really good movies, then you know that quote. You know it's from the classic spoof film "Airplane", and you know it was uttered by one of the greatest comedic actors of our generation, Leslie Nielsen. Leslie Nielsen died yesterday at the age of 84. For many, Nielsen will be remembered as Lt. Frank Drebin of Police Squad in the "Naked Gun" movies, or as Dr. Rumack in "Airplane". What many don't know is he started his career as a leading man in many more serious roles. If you read his bio on IMDB, you'll see that the man literally had a part in making well over 100 movies and TV shows.
"It's true what they say: Cops and women don't mix. It's like eating a spoonful of Drano; sure, it'll clean you out, but it'll leave you hollow inside." - Lt. Frank Drebin, "Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad"
In his later years, following the "Naked Gun" movies, Nielsen made several more spoof films. While I never enjoyed them as much as I did "Airplane" and "Naked Gun", Leslie Nielsen was always great, even in lesser roles. Today this world is a much more serious place with the passing of Leslie Nielsen. Fortunately, his deadpan humor will live on forever in the movies he made and the fans he picked up along the way.
"I just want to tell you both good luck, we're all counting on you." - Dr. Rumack, "Airplane" and President Harris, "Scary Movie 3"
Sunday, November 28, 2010
November Golf
I just played 9 holes of golf. It's November 28th, making this the latest I've ever gotten to play since moving to Iowa. Who says there's no upside to Global Warming?
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