One of Those Days

More like one of those weeks really. Car died at the gas station Wednesday, the battery had enough. Still trying to debug the smoke detectors chasing a random beeping around the house, and for the coup de gras I went to lock a padlock yesterday and couldn't get the key back out. Crap on toast.

On the bright side the car now has a new battery so it shouldn't cause my wife any problems when she drives to school. It is hard to believe she starts next week, I know she isn't terribly stoked about the prospect.

We currently have three dogs as we are puppy sitting our grandpuppy Sharai. She is a real doll and gets along well witht he huskies so no worries. Wait until my daughter finds out Sharai kipped out on the bed last night, a definite no-no around my daughter's house. Ah well, what happens at grandma's stays at grandma's.

Went to the Veteran's Adminsitration for some help, what a laugh that was. Veterans dont; seem to figure in to Obamanomics, though he has plenty of money to throw a beer party for one of his racist friends and the poor cop he raked over the coals. Oh, well only three and a half more years to go.

Mount Lemon

Clouds but no Rain

Yep, through the car window, but it is ok, I wasn't driving. I decided to include the car antenna just to keep the picture grounded. I suppose I could have lowered the window, but the spots add character...

Back to the Grind

Made it back from Tucson, that was a nice break. I really didn't want to leave and if I didn't have to retrieve the dogs from my daughter's house I might have just said screw it and spent some more quality time with my grandson. I miss my dogs a lot when I have to leave them behind though.

Lots of stormy weather down there and back up here in El Mirage. The Monsoons have finally gotten started so we have been getting a lot of wind, lightning, and some rain. We need the rain so that is nice, but the wind and lightning isn't welcome.

Will Work for Film

Bit of a reversal in the job situation has kept me a bit occupied this past week, so I am afraid I haven't been very sociable.

The bastards at Tybrin may have done me a favor now that I think on it. I have always wanted to try a few things but haven't had the time to work on the projects - now I certainly do. I have had a lot of support from Mrs. Phos so I think I'll give them a shot and see how it goes. Meanwhile Mr. Crolla, my old boss can go molest a rabid porcupine, they were made for each other with the exception that the porcupine is a vertebrate and a mammal.

Enough reminiscing about the old days. I am off to Tucson for a few days to clear my head and spend quality time with the grandson. I'll try to check in as I get the chance.

Writing for Food

I was applying for a writing job, something I’ve always wanted to do and had to give a sample of my writing. I decided to go with eating locally, dining at local restaurants thereby helping the local economy, breaking the chain food habit, and sometimes discovering some hidden treasures. The bit I wrote reminded me of things I look for when I try out a restaurant for the first time.

The first stop is the bathroom. Doesn’t sound to appetizing, but I picked up this tip for my daughter – I check the soap dispensers and the faucets. No soap or no water means there’s a good chance no one handling the food is washing their hands – an immediate disqualifying factor. I also like to check general cleanliness. After dining on the streets of Korea I am not too discerning, but if I spot things that need to be kept cold or hot just sitting out on a counter I will just walk out. The general hygiene of the server is also a go/no go factor. I have gotten used to piercings and tattoos, but unkempt hair and signs of “soap-phobia” means diner beware. I really don’t want that side order of Hep B.

Then on to the food. In barbeque joints I try the brisket. Brisket is the ultimate meat in the barbeque world and th3e toughest to make right. To dry, no flavor, or like chewing on old shoes can indicate the rest of the place’s fare is probably off as well.

In an Chinese restaurant I apply the Kung Pao standard. Kung Pao, whether beef, pork, chicken, shrimp,or a combination is a delicate dance of spicy, sweet, crunchy, and soft. Once again a benchmark dish. I dined in a small Chinese place in Ogden and was surprised to find their Kung Pao chicken didn’t have a pepper symbol next to the menu entry, meaning it wasn’t a spicy dish. I was astounded in that Tien Tsin peppers ar an integral ingredient. The waitress said they could”spice it up for me,” however the attempt at using crushed red pepper didn’t cut the mustard. I never went back, though I did notice that a year later on returning to Ogden the place was gone. Not a surprise.

Taste is subjective and I have eaten at places I hated while others rave on, so I am generally wiling to give a place a second chance unless it was a complete flop or I suffered ill effects the next day.

Hard to say if I’ll get picked up for the job or not, but I will reserve my rights to express my opinions on restaurants for good or ill.

Where Old Planes Go to Die

A shot of old B-52s in the boneyard at Davis-Monthan AFB, NM

Sometimes Change is for the Best

Lots going on, some good some and some bad. I am changing careers, though not by choice. I am looking at becoming a teacher in fact. There's soemthing to keep you up nights, Phos molding Americas youth.