Dinner this evening

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So while were at the market someone picked up one of those hot chickens. They’re under $5 and they do look nice.

Got the oven up to 400F – that seems to be the magic temperature for re-heating things. For example pizza – 8 to 10 minutes at 400F give a nice crispy crust and the cheese melts. Well the chicken required 28 to 30 minutes. I checked at 25 and the chicken was up to temp. Too it out, let it rest for 3 minutes and then cut the chicken in half – it was a smaller chicken.

Also did some bok choy – chopped it up – and into a pan with avocado oil, garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes. Sauteed the bok choy in that mix and then added a soy sauce and water and let it steam. I love bok choy and so does someone else.

Had that with a bit of quinoa with butter and salt. Whole thing in less than 30 minutes.

The Problem with U.S. Business Culture

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So I was reading this article about Time Inc. It’s a fascinating romp through the history of the company and its magazines.

But once again it struck me – all the changes that happened since the 1960’s. The Internet is a big one, so too the rise of the MBA and Vulture capitalism. And certain other changes in society – we’ve become maleducated, less willing to peek behind the curtain of government and big business.

What really happened as a society we decided to accept that greed was good and that has resulted in corporate culture becoming stingier over time.

We lost our believe in the fact that our employers owe use more. I mean in my career I worked for one accounting firm that used to fly us out to Chicago, Dallas, etc. And maybe Bagel Friday. But really a trip to Hawaii would be so nice. Even when I worked for a certain InfoSec company I would hear tales that the when it was Verisign – a cash cow if there ever was one – one year the bonuses were so significant it allowed many people to pay off student loans, buy cars, etc.

When I think about it I’ve been on the edge of corporate largess for a decent part of my career. But it all changed. Now you barely get two or three weeks vacation. Sure they might have coffee pods or packets or free coca-cola, etc. Or even margueritas on Friday. But the culture of off the wall largess that’s gone.

In fact someone and I were talking – if we ever got the point where we get large and corporate – would we treat employees well. I can see me planning lavish parties and such just because – no particular holiday need apply.

And we need to counter the notion that “Greed is good”. Greed should be anathema to us. We should shame the 1% with vigor. Boo and hiss at them. Carry the pitchforks and torches to their door. Because if we fail to do that – it’s only going to get more insane, worse and we the working people are going to bear the brunt of that.

Substituting ground turkey for ground beef

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Made a small batch of chili tonight. Didn’t have ground beef but had ground turkey.

Tell me if you can see it’s turkey in this:

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So here’s how I did it. First chopped half an onion and sliced two carrots. Put maybe a quarter cup of vegetable oil in the pan and let the onion and carrot cook one medium-low heat. Added some salt.

Then after 10-12 minutes added the spices. About a quarter cup of chili powder, along with a tablespoon of cumin, dried oregano, paprika, cayenne and salt and pepper.

Let that simmer for 5 or so minutes, just to waken the spices.

Then in goes the turkey – stir to break it up. It will pick up the spice as it cooks.

Finally some garlic tomato sauce, about 2/3 of a jars worth.

Then a can of red kidney beans, along with some white beans.

Next I gotta try making chili with pork. That might be really good.

When Bicycles are a problem

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So recently I’ve noticed more bikes out back and one was chained to the porch. So yesterday in violation of USPS rules – a non-postage letter was in my mail.

Bike-Notice

First of all whoever wrote this is just mildly illiterate. All upper case – that one grabbed me first.

However the one on the porch I noticed it but I never said anything to the landlord. So they must have seen it.

My bike is in the basement – behind the stairs. Need to replace a tire on it.

However I’m happy they’re going to put a bike rack/stand in. As it stands there are between 4 and 6 bikes parked back there all the time.

 

Diet Wars in this house

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So someone wants to eliminate all carbohydrates due to the a TED talk they saw online. I want to eliminate tomatoes and beans.

And someone actually knows that fruit juices are essentially sugar water now.

So lets see – carbs – no more cake, biscuits, baked stuff in general. Oh well. That includes rice btw.

And no more pasta, no more tomato sauce, no more chilli as that includes both tomato and bean.

Which means all the joy in life will be gone. This will be interesting.

 

The horror – no coffee

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So last night we went to a friends home – it was one of our friends birthday. So I didn’t get to roast another batch of coffee. The horror this morning – what? Luckily yesterday someone picked up a package of these dark chocolate covered coffee beans. Just munch a handful of those for my caffeine blast.

Tech Issue: Kitchen IP camera was down

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So I tried accessing the Kitchen IP camera, the one that watches the kitchen and back door. It wouldn’t come up – I have it assigned at 192.168.1.106 – I thought maybe the DHCP lease changed but then didn’t see it on the firewall connections.

Think back the first rule or as I like to call it a commandment  in technical support is check thine power connections. Went to the Kitchen and noticed the plug in the electrical socket looked weird.

The plug was askew in the socket. Pulled it out and the port side blade was bent out at an angle. Someone must have snagged it when they went past to put laundry into the middle room. Bent the blade back, plugged it in and the camera is up again.

It’s funny – I recall the show the I.T. Crowd – brilliant comedy. But whenever someone would call they’d say “Have you turned it off then on again.” That’s another rule of I.T. And I believe I made the DHCP IP address reservation static on the firewall. That way they ALWAYS get the same IP.