Small Talk: Chili's

[King of Birds]

Oh yes, I was following a recipe. My guess is those organic beans had been on the shelf too long? Whatevs. Next time.

 

Counter space? You pull it out (TWHS) every once in a while. It's not a permanent addition to the counter.

[Glory]

Yeah - I keep my crockpot in the pantry until I need it. Mostly I make soup with it. As a vegetarian I like the idea of being able to make a roast for Guts that I do not have to do much with but I'm kind of scared of poisoning him with undercooked meat. TWSS? (Was that a stretch?)

[possibilities]

I got tired of having bean recipe failures, so I got a pressure cooker. Never had a failure since. For some reason, beans just don't always cook well without the extra pressure-- even though I always soak them in advance, etc. Now I use my pressure cooker for stuff besides beans. Cooks rice faster than a regular pot, ditto for pretty much anything else. I really love my pressure cooker. Saves energy, too.

 

I also have a crock pot. I've made roasts in it. I think it's quite safe. If you have any doubt, get a meat thermometer. Serve safe temperature is 165 degreesF. But you have to be more careful than I like to be, if you use a crock pot. My first roast was charred to a cinder and thoroughly dried out. They cook too fast, in my opinion. I like to think I can leave my crockpot cooking all day or overnight, to have a meal ready at the convenient time. But actually, it is finished way before that, so you kind of have to babysit it, and only leave it cooking a few hours-- half a day or half a night, at most. And then I think: if I can't just set it and forget it, why not put it in the pressure cooker and get it finished in less than an hour?

 

This website keeps crashing my computer. Is anyone else having this problem?

 

Also, does anyone know how to get the little circle superscript for "degrees"? I'm sure there's a secret for it, but I don't know what it is.

[King of Birds]

For some reason, beans just don't always cook well without the extra pressure-- even though I always soak them in advance, etc.

Also, does anyone know how to get the little circle superscript for "degrees"?

a) So, I'm NOT crazy! Some recipes said to boil the beans first, or just soak. So I soaked.

b) Option- zero on the mac.  I use the * a lot instead, it's easier and everyone gets it.

 

I totally forgot that I called this guy to put in my new front door today. He showed up bright and early and so I haven't voted yet. What about you chilians?

[Glory]

I'm going right after work, before I hit the gym. Though if I wait until AFTER the gym maybe people will let the smelly woman go in front of them. There's a thought. 

[MichelleAK]

I voted last week, since I could just walk over to City Hall from my office at noon.  I didn't want to have to deal with it today, plus voting early got me off of the robo-call lists, so I had a blissfully silent weekend. 

[possibilities]

I voted. I am one of those people who gets very worked up over elections. I think it makes a huge difference who wins. And we've had some very close races here. Also, I'm sentimental. I always think about the people who died working for voting rights, and I get all choked up over it. It helps that I genuinely like some of the people running in my state. The local state rep is AMAZING. And we have at least one Senator I'm genuinely proud of. It was harder to give as much of a shit when the candidates were all gravely embarrassing. But even then, I always felt tsome passion about it, even if it was a negative passion.

[Too Late Kev]

I voted. Our governor's race consisted of: two people I wasn't enthused about and don't have a ton of trust for, but are of the main parties so one of them will win; two people who seemed kind of good but can't possibly win numbers-wise and weren't even in most of the debates so I don't even know that much about them (my fault, I know); and one nutball. All in my opinion, obviously. So it's difficult to say, "Yippee! I'm exercising my right, responsibility, and privilege to vote!" But I voted for the person affiliated with the party I'm registered as, for better or worse.

 

Remember the Mr. Sunshine "Yay" theme song? That's about how I feel about it all. But I'm glad possibilities is more enthused, and no matter what, I vote.

 

ETA: We do have some very interesting ballot questions (not ballet questions, as I wrote and then changed it) this time around, so that's cool. I'll be watching with great interest tonight to see which yahoo is our new governor and what the results were for all the questions.

Edited November 4, 2014 by Too Late Kev

[smrou]

I can pretty much ditto TLK, which makes sense since we live in the same state.  Though possibilities also lives in our state, and while I don't necessarily feel the same passion she does for voting I do agree that it makes a difference.  How huge a difference may depend on the particular candidates and/or the particular office, but I have never felt like it makes no difference.  And that we have a senator I'm damn proud of.  

[bethbox]

I rarely post here anymore, but I do lurk on occasion. *waves* I had to chime in on voting, because I voted early last week, and ended up on the news.

 

I live in Louisiana, currently famous for Duck Dynasty. One of the "stars" was also voting early, as well as the candidate their family is supporting. I kept wondering why there was a camera in a polling place, but didn't recognize the "celebrity" voting next to me until my mom pointed him out. I joked afterward that if I had known I was going to be on the news, I would have at least put on makeup. Or brushed my hair. My brother has a beard (not as extravagant as the ones the Duck Dynasty people are known for, but fairly bushy), and he was featured on several shots. I joked that they mistook him for a member of the family. Not so coincidentally, he trimmed said beard the next day.

[EllieH]

I early voted last week, although I probably should have done a better job (i.e. put more than 0% effort into) looking into the city and state referendums before I showed up to vote on them.

[King of Birds]

Been busy so I only just saw some recent celebrity news, and I wanted to share my thoughts.

 

Ahem.

 

Item A

My thoughts

[Too Late Kev]

Glass half full, King of Birds. :)

[possibilities]

bethbox, that's funny.

 

Does anyone know how to get onion stink out of other food? I made the mistake of storing some onion powder too close to some dried mangoes. Now the mangoes-- which were supposed to be a splurge/treat-- taste like onions-- which is pretty disgusting. I fear it's not possible to reverse this process.

 

I am trying to decide whether to set goals for the winter, or whether to surrender to slothdom.  I always feel more ambitious in the summer, but I'm not sure if I want to give in to the urge to maximize the hibernation feasibility, or if i want to fight it and try to Be Productive.

Edited November 6, 2014 by possibilities

[Glory]

I am trying to decide whether to set goals for the winter, or whether to surrender to slothdom.  I always feel more ambitious in the summer, but I'm not sure if I want to give in to the urge to maximize the hibernation feasibility, or if i want to fight it and try to Be Productive.

Can you set some goals that are conducive to the winter weather? That's what I'm going to try to do. Things like organizing closets and such. And keeping my baking down. 

 

So, I remember telling you guys I was back at the gym. Well, I'm on week 3 of consistently going so that's been helping a lot. I'm sleeping better for sure. Three of my girlfriends and I joined a 6-month long Diet Bet. www.dietbetter.com

 

I'm hoping that this helps me out in the motivation category. Some money is on the line and I'm participating with friends. Has anyone done this before? Would you be interested in doing it in the future? 

[Too Late Kev]

There's no getting the onion stink out of food, I don't think. stewedsquash's suggestion is good; find a recipe that has both those things in it.

 

Set some good inside goals, like getting rid of clutter, deep-cleaning one room a week, etc.

[Pixel]

You could try putting the mango bag in some activated charcoal, but I think you're screwed.

[Too Late Kev]

Or there's "learn to love onion-flavored mangoes," but I think that's pretty tough.

[possibilities]

Dried mangoes are yummy! Like dried apricots or any other dried fruit. But onion-flavored ones? ICKY in the EXTREME.

 

I like the idea of mango chutney, though. Does anyone have a recipe they like?

 

I might try to get some activated charcoal too, just to see if it makes any difference. I've been airing a few out just on an open plate, but I don't think it's doing much.

 

I think my winter goals will be basically self-indulgent, like: finish making the quilt I started and never find time for, and catching up on reading.

[King of Birds]

I get busy and you guys get stuck on mango talk.  When in doubt, jetpacks!  Come on! [/Gob]

 

'Words ending in 'o' can take 's' or 'es' in the plural. The ending 'es' is commoner and should be used if you are in doubt''  So it's MANGOES.

 

What movie coming out would motivate you to get to a theater and see it?

Dumb and Dumber To?

Hunger Games Mockingjay?

Big Hero 6?

Interstellar?

Rosewater?

[smrou]

What do you do with dried mango-s-es?

You eat them!  Because they're super yummy.

[MichelleAK]

What movie coming out would motivate you to get to a theater and see it?

Dumb and Dumber To?

Hunger Games Mockingjay?

Big Hero 6?

Interstellar?

Rosewater?

 

 

Maybe Rosewater.  The others don't interest me at all.  I actually don't see a lot of movies in the theater.  I usually wait until they are out on DVD and I can get them from Netflix.   The only one I'm definitely seeing in the theater is The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.

[Glory]

I will see Mockingjay in the theater. I want to see Big Hero 6 but will have to wait until it's on video because kids in the theater make me want to stab something. 

[possibilities]

I haven't been to an actual movie theater in years. I used to like to go, but the closest one is just really gross. That said, I might be persuaded to go see Rosewater, if it was showing around here-- which I doubt it will, since we don't get anything but big box office hits..

[Too Late Kev]

Interstellar & HG Mockingjay. I think my youngest kid is interested in Big Hero 6, so maybe that. I've never paid for a D&D movie (and have only seen snippets of one on someone's TV once) and I'm not going to start now. I haven't heard of Rosewater [goes off to google]...nope. Not my kind of movie...arrested and brutally interrogated...don't need to see it, didn't even watch a trailer just now.

 

I didn't realize it was dried mangoes and onion powder either. How pricey were those dried mangoes that you're not just throwing them in the trash?

[EllieH]

Mockingjay for sure, Intersteller maybe, Rosewater maybe, and last Hobbit movie for sure.

 

In the spirit of mango chutney, could you re-hydrate and then cook the mangoes**, like a mango curry?  I make curried apricots sometimes, and have those with ham, but that's also made using canned, not dried, fruit, so I'm not sure if it would work.

 

**this spelling does not look right and yet is not underlined, so I guess its right?

Edited November 8, 2014 by EllieH

[possibilities]

Rosewater is a John Stewart production, so I think if you haven't been following The Daily Show, you wouldn't have probably heard of it. But it's a true story, about a guy they interviewed as a joke, who was then believed by the Iranian government to be an actual spy (because totalitarians have no sense of humor). It's not just a "terror porn" flick, it's actually supposed to have some insight and real social value. Not that anyone should go see it if they aren't interested-- just clarifying where the interest comes from for those who do. I saw the original, satiric interview and thought it was hilarious. When the guy was actually arrested and held in prison as a traitor, I felt terrible, and very worried for his safety. I think Jon made the movie partly out of guilt, and in hopes that getting his story out would make some kind of difference, but I don't really know in what way it could, other than the general "well, now people know about it" way that I guess is worth something, but never really seems to be enough.

 

RE the mangoes: Very expensive! And they were on sale, so I bought a lot-- like 5 lbs! I can't even say the number for the dollars I spent (even on sale). I really love them (when not contaminated by onion), so it was this big splurge to be self-indulgent. That's why I'm not just giving them to the compost pile, even though I'm pretty convinced they're not going to be nearly as much fun as they were pre-contamination, no matter what I do with them now. It's just hard to cut my losses. I like the possibility of rehydrating them for chutney or a more elaborate dish. They were originally meant to be eaten solo, for mobile food (lunch on the go) or snacking. But I do think they might be decent as a sauce, with meat or even just rice. Thanks for the ideas.

[frenchtoast]

Thinking about how it's suggested to put an apple in with brown sugar to soften it, maybe put the mangoes in some brown sugar?

[Too Late Kev]

possibilities, at least you'll never let this happen again! Mangoes will be kept carefully separate from all smelly items in the future.

[King of Birds]

Okay, so the mango talk is dead. Good riddance. Time for some rum& diet coke and a big bag of Doritos to put some normalcy back into action. And- you get random KoB TV show observations. Enjoy!

 

The Walking Dead- the last episode was titled "Self Help." I had to do a double take - because who just sees the word "SELF" nowadays without "IES" on the end. And it got me wondering - all those poor survivors. Out in the middle of nowhere, no cellphones, no selfies, can't look up things on wikipedia. No Kardashians! (oh wait, that's a good thing) No references to "go online" to see if that plant they just walked over was poison ivy. Bad haircuts. I'm guessing there's very little stopping to find deodorant when it's hard enough to find water or food. Who is carrying around the TP? I hardly see them carrying a pillow or blanket. None of them have a bad back? I think there has to be a survivor group somewhere that over-ran the Starbucks coffee warehouse and is hording it. Right? It must be outside of Washington, this warehouse; that's why they want to go to DC. Life without coffee? But lets face it- it's a popular show because there's lots of guns and bullets around, and some cars still run real fast. They're in Georgia - isn't that where the Dukes of Hazard took place?

 

Also: no harmonicas- guitars- bongo drums? No music? These people are the bedrock of the future for civilization? I guess this is the Common Core future.

 

Franklin & Bash was cancelled today, I saw. I wonder what new publication might have the headline "Franklin Got Bashed." (Let me know if you see it)

 

The Big Bang Theory- I don't really watch like I used to, but caught the most recent ep, where this small group of friends throw themselves a "None Of Us Went When We Were 17 So Lets Do It So Many Years Later" Prom. My first thought was "Really!?!" (like Seth~n~Amy) and then I thought: "how lame is this gonna be?" It's just friends, hanging out, all dressed up for some reason. Like 'going to a party in your 20s" looking good. But some character alluded to invitations. Sheldon got an anxiety attack because of the social implications of sex on prom night. Even though it's the very same people who sit on the couch or floor to eat when he's in "his spot." Also: Yo Sheldon, there's a couple of bases to cover before you get the 3rd base coach waving his arms at you. Hell, why don't they go out to a dance club instead of "the roof"? Oh right- it's a sitcom and they're nerds. Yeah, I need to just not watch this anymore.

 

Breaking News! Randy Jackson to leave American Idol. What will be worse: Not seeing him again, ever ever. Or seeing him on The Voice promos next year? 

The answer: the nadir will be when he guest-hosts the weekend edition of TMZ Nashville in the near future

 

Non TV: I still don't know what I'm doing for Thanksgiving, let alone dealing with Christmas. I had to stop and take a breather the other day when I realized I might have to shop on both days of every weekend for the next month to maintain family & social relationships via gifts. Ay carumba.

 

Til next time!

[MichelleAK]

I have no idea what the family is doing for Thanksgiving this year.  I'm assuming it will be at my sister's house, since my nephew hyperventilates whenever we suggest eating at a restaurant.  He did get up early and cook the turkey last year, but it still wears on my sister to host every year (she's the only one with the space to do so).

 

I don't even want to think about Christmas presents; I have no ideas at all.  

 

TV?  Hmmm...I'm going to miss John Oliver (he's off until February).  However, Getting On is back, so I have that to watch.  The Blacklist is gone until February. I stopped regularly watching The Walking Dead a couple of seasons ago. I'm not sure why; I guess I just wasn't that into it anymore.  I did see a few episodes last year.

[Glory]

We will once again be having Thanksgiving at my mom's house. Since, of course, I am a vegetarian and could not possibly cook a turkey. (No, I am not upset about this great leap of logic. Why do you ask?)

 

Also, my FIL is coming to visit for five days and he is... not my favorite person in the world. I'm not sure I'm going to make it through the holidays without a whole lot of Scotch. Scotchy, Scotch, Scotch. 

 

Christmas is going to be a giant cluster. I just know it. And I love Christmas. But people are already trying to move parties around and have suggested having Christmas Eve on a day that is OTHER THAN CHRISTMAS EVE. That defeats the whole point, people. 

Edited November 12, 2014 by Glory

[frenchtoast]

Christmas just got difficult because of the whole work thing. We're thinking of still hosting a Christmas Eve dinner but it will start later because I'll be working. Christmas looks to be nice and quiet--just the family in pjs all day. Probably. We'll see.

[MichelleAK]

And how cool is it that engineers are able to do their thing and the end result is a thingy attached to a comet? (yes thingy, I am obviously not an engineer). I am looking forward to seeing the pictures that come back. But if it is like other things scientifically interesting, it will probably take eight or more years for the pictures to be sent back.

 

 

stewedsquash, there are already some pictures coming back:  http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2014/11/12/rosetta_and_philae_watch_the_lander_set_down_on_a_comet.html

 

[sacrebleu]

Well, I'm a little bummed that I won't be hosting Christmas Eve this year, for the first time in about 12 years. I think I mentioned here that this summer, my younger sister got married and my older sister was getting divorced. So, I'm headed to Seattle to spend Christmas with her so she won't be alone. Her husband is generally an ass (I actually suspect he may have narcissistic personality disorder) and I think he's going to jerk her around w/r/t who will get their daughter for the holiday. 

 

So, hoping to make it a good Christmas but I have my doubts.

[Too Late Kev]

Ugh. I don't want to think about how little time there is until Christmas and how there's Thanksgiving and one kid's birthday before that. I don't have much in the way of ideas for my kids' presents (and they're often not that helpful coming up with ideas), I don't look forward to shopping at all, and I have to get my did-a-tornado-hit-inside house cleaned up enough for the family to come over for a birthday party. Ugh again.

 

I love watching The Walking Dead, but yeah, people would have backpacks with all the essentials packed and with them at all moments. The zombie apocalyptic world is crying for a bug out bag -- these people are running for their lives at a moment's notice. Also, I don't care how hot it is, I wouldn't have any skin showing; even the teeniest zombie scratch is going to turn you. They're running around with their sleeveless shirts and bare calfs. Pfft. Zombie fodder.

[King of Birds]

Before I was jetpack crazy adult, I was a teenager jonesing for a Viper.  RIP Glen Larson. 

 

(But jeez, look at that cv: 6 Million Dollar Man, Magnum PI  .... but Knight Rider? BJ and the Bear? Manimal??)

 

Just posting this for someone who knows she goes too far. 

 

Lastly, my family loves The McCarthy's show. I haven't seen it - anyone here watch it?

 

ETA: What this place needs is more polls!  So, take my survey! I may make this a weekly thing. Won't it be fun? ( A heads up: This poll topic is not "why is this in my salad?" The 7 people in the world who know what that is are laughing right now.)

Edited November 15, 2014 by King of Birds

[Too Late Kev]

I haven't seen The McCarthy's.

 

King of Birds, I assume you haven't taken your own poll yet...

[King of Birds]

I certainly most did! I voted for the Viper, just to throw y'all. Plus I was still feeling bad about Glen Larson. Only 8 measly votes, and a tie between a jetpack and the star wars landspeeder!  (I know, that was an inspired choice, and I'd gladly take a Maserati too)

 

Glory, I hope you're continuing your workout regimen. I've been pretty slammed lately, and I got out of pattern again with my workouts. I'd be a much more fit person if I didn't work.

[Glory]

Glory, I hope you're continuing your workout regimen. I've been pretty slammed lately, and I got out of pattern again with my workouts. I'd be a much more fit person if I didn't work.

I am! I'm on week 3 of my diet bet and about week 6 of getting to the gym. The weight is moving slowly, so I am happy about that. Of course, I wish it would just fall off, but what ca you do.

 

My father-in-law is coming to visit this weekend. I am anticipating getting in lots of gym time. He's staying for 5 days. Lord, beer me strength. 

[Too Late Kev]

KoB, if you didn't work, you wouldn't be fit, you'd be hungry! And probably sleeping on a friend's couch.

 

On another subject, I made some brownies using coconut oil, (I was out of canola oil and didn't want to use butter because of the lactose) and all of us who ate them had some kind of issue, 3 of us intestinal, and one just a "sore" throat (which I'm thinking could be more of a nausea thing if someone isn't familiar with nausea). So of course I googled coconut oil intestinal issues and came up with a ton of "could coconut oil have given me intestinal issues?" sorts of things. Live and learn (and don't run out of canola or some similar oil that works for brownies). That said, the coconut oil brownies were very yummy. :/

[Too Late Kev]

I've used applesauce, too -- I sure wish I had this time!! But at least I know, now. :)

[Pixel]

I can't figure out what Zellweger did to her face. Is it an eye lift? She looks different, obviously, but when I do a side by side comparison of old and new I can't see any difference in her nose, mouth, or cheeks.

[EllieH]

Maybe something with her eyes, maybe something with her chin? The picture I just looked at has her old chin looking comparatively pointy, the new one is much more rounded.

[Kalliste]

Has she admitted to having anything done? I thought she was saying it was just having aged a bit since other photos taken of her.

[sacrebleu]

Age would make the skin around her eyes sag, it wouldn't make her eyes look wider. She's had work done. I think she looks like Robin Wright, which isn't a bad thing. 

[King of Birds]

Poor Rene. I wouldn't want to be subject to everyone's thoughts about my awesomesauce looks.

 

I think you should all join me in two things. One is to support Free The Nipple! Oh yes - I know you were wishing I'd never heard about this. But someone shared the link with me!

 

The second thing to do- go here and support the Jim-ster and the Pama-lama-ding-dong's first lipsmack! And what a kiss that was huh?

Edited November 21, 2014 by King of Birds

[Kalliste]

Voted, it doesn't really seem like a fair fight :P

[Glory]

I just put my outdoor Christmas lights up! It's rainy here - but it's nearly 50 degrees so I figured I'd better get my ass in gear before the snow comes. Now I want to put up my trees! But I'm determined to wait until Black Friday!

[King of Birds]

Thank you stewedsquash for the inspiration for THIS WEEK'S POLL!

 

Do you think Glory roped in her F-I-L to put up lights?