I Am Iron Man

No, not Ozzy. This guy.



CNN reports that Robert Downey Jr. has been picked to play Iron Man in the film adaptation of the Marvel Comic hero.

My first thought was Robert Downey as a superhero. Odd. My second thought was Robert Downey as the babe chasing, alcoholic millionaire industrialist, Tony Stark.

Priceless

Save the Liver

I recently attended a "knife skills" class at a local Sur La Table. Sadly the focus of the class was on safety and not on lightening fast mincing and chopping.

Some useful things I did learn:

• How to peel a melon. Family members will actually eat them if they are cut up into bite size pieces in the fridge.
  
  
• The most useless cut in the world is a brunoise, which is a mince producing bits of carrot or potato the size of small grains of rice. Good only for a Vichyssoise.
  
  
• If you are slicing onions thinly, slice from the side of the onion. Much more visually appealing results.
  
  
• Always dry your herbs in a salad spinner before mincing. This avoids that molten mush of green slime that collects on your knife and cutting board.
  
  
• And finally, always remember to tuck your fingers under when holding the vegetables and choke up on the knife.

Stephen, you ignorant slut

From the Daily Show's Ten F*cking Years, two guys who have faded into obscurity.

Dog Heaven

Today is the seventh wedding anniversary. The wife and I spent Saturday in Carmel by the Sea. Carmel is one of our favorite day trips. We honeymooned in nearby Pacific Grove and we manage to get down there a few times a year. It is only a bit more than an hour south of San Jose and the drive (depending on which route you choose) takes you through Salinas (birthplace of John Steinbeck), Castroville (the Artichoke Capital of the world), Monterey, the aforementioned Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach and the famous 17 mile drive.

Since Pepper has joined our family about 18 months ago, Carmel has become even more of a must do outing. Carmel by the Sea is the most dog-friendly town in all of California. The local beach allows dogs off leash, and shops welcome you to browse with your dog and often have a bowl of water and free milkbones available. And one of our favorite restaurants, The Forge in the Forest has an outdoor seating area especially for customers who bring their canines and a doggie menu. Pepper likes the Quarter Hounder.

Here are a couple of pix of Pepper enjoying the beach and a shot along the beach towards Pebble Beach.

Family Foto Friday

I was visiting my sister over the holiday weekend and we spent part of the time scanning some family picutres. The girl standing in the back is my Grandmother Luba and the bearded gent and the woman sitting next to him are my Great Grandparents.

I Wanna Be Automated

More fun and games. Make your own Punk Music with the Punkomatic.

Via Daily Kos

I Want Ghandi

Political Compass has a very interesting Quiz. I myself was a Libertarian Leftist.