I got my Mom to come over and whip up a flounder dish for myself and the kids while my wife was travelling....I'm good with cooking steaks, but when it comes to fish I'm lost.

Here is what she made:

Baked Flounder With Vegetables

Ingredients

• 1 pound flounder fillets, cut into serving-sized pieces.
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 cup onions, sliced
• 3 cups zucchini, sliced
• 1 cup green peppers, sliced
• 3/4 cup chopped tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons dry sherry (optional)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground basil
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 dash hot pepper sauce
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Place fillets in a layer in greased 9-inch baking dish. Saute onion, zucchini and green pepper in oil until crisp-tender; spoon over fillets. Top with tomatoes.

Combine sherry, lemon juice, salt, basil, pepper and pepper sauce; pour over fillets.

Bake, uncovered, in preheated 350-degree oven for 25-30 minutes. Remove vegetables and fish to heated platter. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve over rice. Pour pan juices over fish and vegetables if desired.

Here are a few more links to Flounder Recipes on the net:

1. Dijon Broiled Flounder - A simple recipe calling for flounder, Dijon mustard, and cherry tomatoes.
   -- http://dinnercoop.cs.cmu.edu/dinnercoop/Recipes/sanjiv/DijonBroiledFlounder.html Home: Cooking: Fish and Seafood (10)

2. Flounder Recipes - Collection includes Flounder Fillets Stuffed with Cockles, Goujons of Flounder, and Flounder with Spicy Marinade.
   -- http://www.cookitsimply.com/fish-and-seafood/flounder-recipes-0020-02n75.html Home: Cooking: Fish and Seafood: Flounder (8)

3. Asian Ginger-Soy Fried Flounder - Easy to prepare dish served as entree or appetiser.
   -- http://www.activeangler.com/resources/cooking/recipes/flounder/flounder_recipe4.asp Home: Cooking: World Cuisines: Asian (1)

4. Port Royal Seafood, Inc. - Offers fresh flounder and salmon, and fresh or frozen shrimp. Also provides several recipes from the cookbook for sale.
   -- http://www.portroyalseafood.com/ Shopping: Food: Fish and Seafood: Shellfish: Shrimp (1)

5. Fried Fish Sandwiches - Flounder coated in a corn meal batter creates this sandwich.
   -- http://www.netcooks.com/recipes/Seafood/Fried.Fish.Sandwiches.html Home: Cooking: Sandwiches: Hot (1)

6. Teachers Pet Charter Fishing - Bayfishing for rockfish, trout, croaker, spot and flounder from Solomons Island, Maryland. Boat information, reports, and recipes.
   -- http://www.teacherspet-fishing.com/ Regional: North America: United States: Maryland: Localities: S: Solomons: Recreation and Sports: Fishing (1)

7. Fabian Seafood Company - Family owned and operated business since 1975. Offers fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico, including Shrimp, Blue Crab, Oysters, Crawfish, Red Snapper and Flounder, also provides a photo album, recipes and contact information.
   -- http://www.fabianseafood.com/ Regional: North America: United States: Texas: Localities: G: Galveston: Business and Economy: Shopping (1)

8. Stuffed Rolled Flounder - Stuffed with hard cooked eggs, cheese, parsley, and breadcrumbs.
   -- http://www.cookitsimply.com/fish-and-seafood/flounder-recipes/stuffed-rolled-flounder-0010-031o65.html Home: Cooking: Fish and Seafood: Flounder (8)

9. Dunwich Flounder - Stuffing calls for Cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs, and mustard powder.
   -- http://www.cookitsimply.com/fish-and-seafood/flounder-recipes/dunwich-flounder-0010-031r77.html Home: Cooking: Fish and Seafood: Flounder (8)

10. Stuffed Flounder La Fourche - Stuffed with a shrimp and crab mixture.
    -- http://www.landbigfish.com/recipes/showcase.cfm?recipe=242 Home: Cooking: Fish and Seafood: Flounder (8)

11. Breaded Flounder - Baked covered with a bread crumb and mayonnaise mixture.
    -- http://www.landbigfish.com/recipes/showcase.cfm?recipe=241 Home: Cooking: Fish and Seafood: Flounder (8)

12. Baked Flounder Barataria - Calls for Tabasco sauce, paprika, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and breadcrumbs.
    -- http://www.landbigfish.com/recipes/showcase.cfm?recipe=243 Home: Cooking: Fish and Seafood: Flounder (8)

13. Flounder Fiddleheads - Flounder with fiddleheads and carrots, wrapped in lettuce.
    -- http://www.landbigfish.com/recipes/showcase.cfm?recipe=244 Home: Cooking: Fish and Seafood: Flounder (8)

14. Red Lobster Country Fried Flounder - Flounder rolled in cornmeal, salt, paprika, and black pepper, then fried.
    -- http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/527/Red_Lobster_Country_Fried_Flounder35001.shtml Home: Cooking: Fish and Seafood: Flounder (8)

15. Seafood Recipes - Catfish, flounder, halibut, walleye, lobster, salmon, sea bass and other recipes.
    -- http://www.geocities.com/hheber/seafood/ Home: Cooking: Fish and Seafood: Recipe Collections (1)

Gourmet Lobster Dinner on Sale!

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Tea Time

Tea Selection



I'm coffeed out...I have drank my fair share of coffee over the years, and I'm (for a while at least) done with coffee. The fact that Starbucks can sell a cup o'joe for close to five bucks doesn't make it sit any better with me. I've decided to give tea a whirl and explore flavors, choices, styles, etc.

Right now I'm partial to the black teas. I really want to understand the differences and nuances of black teas first before experimenting with the world of herbal teas.

So today as I stared at the tea section at my local supermarket, I walked away with a box of Bigelow's Constant Comment and Twinings Peach flavored black tea.

As I sit typing this article I am enjoying a hot mug of the peach tea.

My reviews and comments shall soon be added to this article.

-Ash

Black Sampler Discover the world of difference between supermarket tea and the gourmet varieties found in this set. Sample black teas from China, India and Sri Lanka. Six tins in total, one ounce apiece.

Rasam

Rasam

Recently on a mission to the Pacific, I felt a cold coming on...Which is strange cuz I don't get sick, or as I like to say, " I don't do sick."

Anyway I got sick, very sick, and because of the mission, and then the subsequent timing of the red-eye flight back to NYC, I was not able to start any antibiotics till after I returned to the east coast with a sinusitis running at full terminal velocity.

Well, I got my amoxicillian and after a couple of days of severe congestion coupled with a bout of fever induced sleep induced apnea, m sickness started to turn an upward trend in feeling better. However, I was still congested, very congested.

This was when our housekeeper showed up in the evening to help out with an impending complicated morning, spying my condition, she immediately broke out ingredients to prepare an old world (South Asian Old World) remedy called Rasam.

After an elaborate method of preparation that lasted about 15 minutes, she presented me with a thin, but very dark soup that had aromas of garlic, lemon, peppers, and onions. The mere steam started to penetrate my sinuses. I took a first sip and almost could not finish the spoonful as it was way spicy. I completed that spoonful, and out of politeness endured another spicy one, and just when I thought I would not be able to endure anymore...I began lapping it all up. I finished the entire bowl, and my sinuses started to clear almost instantly. What was this soup? It's called Rasam and here are three recipes on this most amazing remedy which I now think of as a culinary delight:

Simple Rasam

Serves 4

Preperation Time 30 Minutes

Contents
Green Vegetables

Ingredients
250 gms tomatoes, quartered
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, crushed
4 green chillies, chopped
1 lemon-sized ball of tamarind
1 tbsp jaggery
1 tsp mustard seeds
10 curry leaves
1 red chilli, broken into two
1 tsp coriander seeds – roasted & powdered
1 tsp cuminseeds – roasted & powdered
2 tsps peppercorns – roasted & powdered
½ tbsps oil

Recipe
1.Extract the pulp of tamarind by soaking it in a cup of hot water.

2. Boil the tomatoes, chillies and garlic in 4 cups of water.

3. Add the ground spices, jaggery and tamarind pulp and simmer for 15 minutes.

4. Heat the oil.

5. Splutter the mustard seeds.

6. Add the curry leaves, red chilli, asafoetida powder and onion and fry for a minute.

7. Pour it over the tomatoes.

8. Serve hot.








Here's another recipe:

Rasam

(Indian spicy dal soup)

The soup is traditional to southern India and can be varied with coconut, chilis, and ginger, not to mention tamarind and even asafoetida. Serve hot to 4-6 people as a first course.

---

• 3 cups water
• 1 cup orange dal (lentils), washed and picked free of stones
• 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
• 5 whole cumin seeds
• 4 good-sized ripe tomatoes, peeled and quartered (can also use 6-7 canned tomatoes)
• 1 and 1/4 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1 and 1/4 cumin powder
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup water
• 1 and 1/4 teaspoons salt
• Extra water
• 2 Tablespoons lemon juice

Garnish: chopped cilantro

Bring water to boil in a saucepan, add the lentils, reduce heat, cover, and cook until tender, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a heavy pot to medium high, add the mustard and cumin seeds, and let cook until the seeds begin to pop. Reduce heat to low and cover for a minute or two. Be careful that the seeds don't burn. Toss in the quartered tomatoes, the pepper, cumin, and minced garlic and saute for a few minutes to release and concentrate flavors. Add one cup of water and salt and scrape up the pan to dissolve into the water. Let boil uncovered until the liquid is reduced by half.

Stir in the lentils, and add enough water to bring the quantity up to 6 cups. Let simmer for 10-20 minutes.

When ready to serve, whisk in the lemon juice, ladle into bowls, and sprinkle each with finely chopped cilantro leaves.

Spicy Tomato Rasam Ingredients

2 large ripe healthy tomatoes
4 cups water or top water of boiled dal (stock)
2 whole red chillies
1 stalk curry leaves
1 tiny sprig mint leaves
1 tiny sprig coriander leaves
1-2 flakes garlic grated
2-3 pinches clove-cinnamon powder
1/2 tsp. sambar masala
8-10 peppercorns
1 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
2 pinches asafoetida
1 marble sized ball of jaggery or 1/2 tsp. sugar
1 small strip tamarind
1 tbsp. ghee or oil
salt to taste

Method

1. Put whole tomatoes in boiling water, simmer for 3 minutes, keep aside for 5 minutes.
2. Heat 1/4 tsp. oil in a small pan, add pepper corns and 1 tsp. cumin seeds.
3. Roast till aromatic, grind in a mortar or under a stone till powdered. Keep aside.
4. Remove tomatoes from water, peel away the broken skin.
5. Grate or mash till fine.
6. To the thick pulp, add roasted whole chillies, all leaves, all masalas, salt, tamarind, jaggery and mash well either with hand or with a hand blender.
7. The ingredients should have blended well into the pulp.
8. Take in a deep pan, add stock or water.
9. Heat ghee in a small pan, add mustard and remaining cumin seeds, asafoetida and allow to splutter.
10. Add garlic and stir, add carefully to the rasam.
11. Bring to a boil, check spices and salt and adjust.
12. Simmer for 2-3 minutes. Keep aside covered for 10 minutes before serving.
13. Serve hot as a soup or with steaming hot plain rice and papads.

Making time: 30 minutes
Makes: 5 servings.
Shelf life: Best fresh and hot; though masala pulp may be frozen and used later.

LifePak Nano Video

I currently have an auction on for LifePak Nano on EBAY. CLICK HERE for more info.

Girlfriend 7.0 to Wife 1.0

Dear Tech Support:

Last year I upgraded from Girlfriend 7.0 to Wife 1.0. I soon noticed
that the new program began unexpected child processing that took up a lot
of space and valuable resources.

In addition, Wife 1.0 installed itself into all other programs and now
monitors all other system activity. Applications such as Poker Night
10.3, Footb all 5.0 , Hunting and Fishing 7.5 , and Sailing 3.6.

I can't seem to keep Wife 1.0 in the background while attempting to run
my favorite applications. I'm thinking about going back to Girlfriend
7.0 , but the uninstall doesn't work on Wife 1.0 Please help!

Thanks,
Troubled User.....
_____________________________
________

REPLY:

Dear Troubled User:

This is a very common problem that men complain about.

Many people upgrade from Girlfriend 7.0 to Wife 1.0, thinking that it
is just a Utilities and Entertainment program. Wife 1.0 is an OPERATING
SYSTEM and is designed by its Creator to run EVERYTHING!!! It is also
impossible to delete Wife 1.0 and to return to Girlfriend 7.0 . It is
impossible to uninstall, or purge the program files from the system once
installed.

You cannot go back to Girlfriend 7.0 because Wife 1.0 is designed to
not allow this. Look in your Wife 1.0 manual under Warnings-Mayhem/Alimony/Child
Support . I recommend that you keep Wife 1.0 and work on improving the situation.
I suggest installing the background application "Yes, Dear" to alleviate software augmentation.

The best course of action is to enter the command C:\APOLOGIZE! b ecause
ultimately you will have to give the APOLOGIZE command before the system
will return to normal anyway.

Wife 1.0 is a great program, but it tends to be very high maintenance .
Wife 1.0 comes with several support programs, such as Clean and Sweep
3.0 , Cook It 1.5, Do Bills 4.2, and Shop 8.2 .

However, be very careful how you use these programs. Improper use will
cause the system to launch the program Nag Nag 9.5 . Once this happens,
the only way to improve the performance of Wife 1.0 is to purchase
additional software. I recommend Flowers 2.1 and Diamonds 5.0 !

WARNING!!! DO NOT, under any circumstances, install Secretary With
Short Skirt 3.3 . This application is not supported by Wife 1.0 and will
cause irreversible damage to the operating system!

Best of luck,

Tech Support

Scientists speculate that the antioxidants in juice...

HEALTH & FITNESS HEALTH CHECK Robyn Shelton Robyn Shelton
Juicy news could help your brain
Published September 5, 2006


Pour yourself a glass of juice. It might be good for your brain.

A new study has found that people who drank fruit or vegetable juice at least three times a week were far less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease.

Three or more glasses meant a 76 percent decrease in risk -- one or two glasses weekly led to a 16 percent reduction.

"These findings are new and suggest that fruit and vegetable juices may play an important role in delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease," lead researcher Qi Dai writes in the report, published in The American Journal of Medicine.

But why? Scientists speculate that the antioxidants in juice might prevent the brain from forming the tangled clumps of protein that are found in Alzheimer's patients.

Even so, it's too early to stock the refrigerator with those little juice boxes. Dai, who is from Vanderbilt University, says previous research on antioxidants has not found a benefit against Alzheimer's. He says more research is needed to confirm his group's findings.

The current research, which also involved scientists from the University of South Florida in Tampa, focused on nearly 2,000 Japanese Americans living in Washington state. The participants answered questionnaires about their eating and drinking habits periodically as they were tracked from 1992 through 2001 for signs of dementia.


Robyn Shelton can be reached at 407-420-5487 or rshelton@orlandosentinel.com.

Antioxidant Central

Here are some current links on antixoidnats on the internet:

Go Ask Alice!: Antioxidants

Antioxidant - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention: Fact Sheet - National Cancer

Antioxidants and Free radicals


Good Food Sources Of Antioxidants


Howstuffworks "How Antioxidants Work"

Understanding Free Radicals and Antioxidants

Antioxidants - Nutritional Information - HERSHEY'S


The Top 10 Antioxidant Foods

The BioPhotonic Scanner

Business Opportunity:




Sales/Business Pros....

Position yourself in front of the NEXT BIG TREND
in the HealthCare Industry, and just business in
general.

In the 70's the first biomarker was Cholesterol, prompting
people to get their personal score, turning it into a $20
Billion dollar business of statin drugs.

In the 80's the next biomarker was Bone Density Scans,
again driving people to get their personal score, and it
became a $200 Million dollar calcium supplement
business.

In the 90's the biomarker was the Blood Sugar/Glucose
measurement, which propelled a $2 Billion dollar business.

The NEW biomarker is the Antioxidant Score!

Our 22-year old publically traded NYSE company owns
the global exclusive rights to a new Antioxidant Testing Technology
developed by the University of Utah called "The Bio-Scanner"....
It's the ONLY device that can non-invasively measure the antioxidant
levels within human tissue and give you your Personal
Antioxidant Score.

Basically, we have a monopoly on the next huge movement
in Wellness & Anti-aging Industry for the next 19 years! Our
goal is to find aggressive Sales and Business, Independent
Rep/Agents who have the leadership qualities and the
relationships to help our company double in sales within 12
+ months. Substantial income can be generated "month
after month" from each machine that is placed into
operation.

This is not for everyone… but for the right person/group,
it's a gold mine.

Target Markets:
We are targeting the 90-Million Baby Boomers in North
America...through healthcare professionals (Doctors,
Dentist, Chiropractors), day spas, health & fitness
centers, gyms, and anywhere people gather to look good,
feel good and live longer. This Antioxidant Testing Technology is already on its way to
\ndominating the Wellness Industry, which economist predict
will grow to $1 Trillion dollars by the end of this decade.
"The BioScanner" in 2005, won the American Business Award
for the "Most Innovative New Product" in the United States. \n
This is "disruptive technology" that will change the way the
world looks at health.

This Antioxidant Testing Technology is already on its way to
dominating the Wellness Industry, which economist predict
will grow to $1 Trillion dollars by the end of this decade.
"The BioScanner" in 2005, won the American Business Award
for the "Most Innovative New Product" in the United States.
This is "disruptive technology" that will change the way the
world looks at health.

Take a quick visit to: HealthScanInfo.com


Web Resources:

1) Article in LA Times on the Antioxidant Scanner

My Current Ebay Auction

This is my current EBAY auction:

CLICK HERE

Can You Read This?

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too
Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55% plepoe can.

i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it.

No Where to Hide

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Dedicated Servers starting at $99 mo.

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Apple Boosts Primetime

Well, it's happening as predicted, podcasting has now become video casting and now as per the bean counters, this is actually having an impact on mainstream TV.

Apparently, according to this news article downloads on Apple's Itunes site has had a positive impact on ratings for shows available for download.

We are definitely on the forefront of the convergence of digital media.

Intel Drops the Pentium Brand

Say it isn't so! (Fake sniff here), I actually like the name Pentium, and it is one of those nonsense words that actually alludes to a certain meaning of being at the top. After spending a gazillion of dollars promoting such a name why would a company drop such a branded name?

What are those Blue Guys gonna do now?

The possibility to take 25 dollars and hit it big...

Normally, I don't go for these types of ads...but this one struck me as a little different.

This story begins with a chap known as Alex Tew who resides in the United Kingdom (see how I used the word "chap" quite appropriately, my creative writing teacher in college would be proud).

Anway, Mr. Tew needed money to pay for college, so he came up with a crazy idea, to split a web page into a million pieces and sell those pieces for a dollar ( I guess he thought if he used his native currency of Pounds that would not have as much appeal). He called his page the "Million Dollar Home Page" and started selling adspace. Sales were very slow for a while, but slowly here and there, people started buying these little tiles for a hundred bucks a piece. Once he had a few customers, he wrote up a press release, and let it out into the wild. The rest is history. After only a few months of web presence, after news stories, and tv interviews, the page actually sold out. In fact he sold the last 1000 pixels for appx $38,000 on Ebay. The interesting thing is that the page has become a bonafide advertisement aggregator and actually drives traffic to those that bought those little boxes.

I guess it was only a matter of time before someone figured out a way to do a similar site and then monetize it by way of viral/affiliate marketing. Essentially, much like Amazon.com pays webmasters commisions to place links to products for sale on their site, the folks at this site,
are paying people commisions on adspace that is sold through refferal.

This particular project, combines a lot of high tech ideas and marketing strategies and rolls it all up in to one. Enough to get me thinking that I want to tbe a part of it now before this thing snowballs into something incredibly huge...After all it's only 25 bucks, (not like the $100 that Mr. Tew was charging), what does one really have to loose? The tiny pixel that I bought has already sent considerable traffic to my long distance site.

Read and hear more about it, here.

Today was a special day.

Friday the 13th and it feels very lucky indeed. I got to spend the afternoon taking my son to a series of events. The first one was his Karate class. My son is currently a blue belt, at eight years old, he was one of the youngest in this particular class, however since he enjoys karate and actually practices on his own, he was the most senior student being a blue belt and also have his yellow, green, and blue forms. He was to test for his red form. I normally do not stay for his testing since I don't want to make him nervous by my presence, but seeing this little tiger at the head of the class displaying what I can only describe as "humble expertise" got me captivated and I ended up staying.

The magic moment of the evening came when I looked at him and gave him a reassuring smile, he without missing a beat, looked back at me and returned an even more reassuring wink. Boy, was I happy to be there.

A few hours later, I am now at his school being subjected to booming sounds and beats, waiting in the hallway while he attends a school dance. We at first entered the gymnasium together where the dance was held. I then thought that perhaps he may want a bit of space , so I retreated to where I'm currently positioned in the hallway. The music hasn't gotten any quieter, but, I am simply happy to be here.

The next stop will be Cub scouts, tonight is pinewood derby night We spent a few moments earlier tonight decorating it with murals and stickers. I cut it on a miter saw and painted it with some left over paint that I had in the house. It actually came out pretty good. I missed his last two races, as I am an Army officer who found myself soldiering for a year in the Mideast last year. Simple events of a night with my son. I'm just happy to be here.

Sometimes it's not about the money.

This story is a favorite of mine. I'm actually using it in another one of my blogs, but thought I should place it here as well:

The American businessman was at the pier of a small South Pacific Island village when an island fisherman docked his small outrigger canoe. The fisherman had a dorado and several large grouper in the canoe. The American complimented the Islander on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The Islander replied, "Only a little while." The American then asked why didn't he stay out longer and catch more fish? The Islander said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs. The American then asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?" The fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a late afternoon nap with my wife, Helia, stroll into the village each evening where I sip rum and play guitar with my friends, I have a full and busy life."

The American scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution.You would need to leave this small fishing village and move to Australia, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise."

The South Seas fisherman asked, "But, how long will this all take?" To which the American replied, "15-20 years."
"But what then?"
The American laughed and said, "That's the best part.When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions."
"Millions, really? Then what?"

The American said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a late afternoon nap with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip rum and play your guitar with your friends."

Amazon Advantage

Amazon Advantage Program

Sponge Bob DVDs

Sponge Bob DVD

Clone Wars - Star Wars

Star Wars Clone Wars Vol 1










Star Wars Clone Wars Vol 2

Microsoft WMF Patch Release

Microsoft has come out with a Windows Metafile (WMF) patch release on an "off cycle release". More info available here.

MP3 Sunglasses

Has the world gone crazy? Or do I just not understand how The Patent Office (USPTO) actually works....

Apparently there is this guy who is now suing Motorola and Oakly over his supposed patent over MP3 SunGlasses ...in almost a humorous turn of events, he claims he had a patent, then lost it, because he didn't pay the maintenance fees associated with keeping the patent, petitioned the USPTO to accept back fees, they denied him, but he claims he still sent in a check which was cashed...


All this over musical sunglasses? Go figure....

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Broccoli and Mushroom Scallops

Made this recipe tonight, it was delectable!

Broccoli and Mushroom Scallops Ingredients: 1 lb medium Scallops 1 1/2 cups sliced Mushrooms 2 Tbsp Margarine or Butter 2 cups cut Broccoli 2 oz sliced Pimientos 1 can condensed Chicken Broth 3 Tbsp Cornstarch 2 tsp Soy Sauce cooked Rice or Pasta

Directions: Cut the scallops into halves. In a 3 quart saucepan, cook and stir mushrooms in margarine over medium heat until tender for about 5 minutes. Stir in scallops, broccoli, and pimientos. Cook, stirring frequently, until scallops are white for 3 to 4 minutes. Gradually stir chicken broth into cornstarch until smooth. Stir broth mixture and soy sauce into scallop mixture. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Reduce heat, simmer and stir 1 minute. Serve over rice. 2 servings.

Oriental-Recipes.com

Now, I don't know about you, but there are times that I crave good chinese food.

If you happen to find yourself at a time when it's a bit too late to order, why not try whipping some up on your own?

Try this web site: http://www.oriental-recipes.com/


They seem to have a bunch of good oriental recipes to try out. Let us know here, how you made out.

Mr. Cheapo's Guide to Free

My buddy's site has a new address: Mr. Cheapo's Guide to Free

SEO for Dummies

Bought this book also: SEO for Dummies

Book Purchase

Just bought this book: The ABC's of SEO

The Cheapo's Guide for FREE

Want free stuff? Visit my buddy's new blog that has detailed reviews on free stuff:

http://thecheapo.blogspot.com

Who doesn't like free?

Very Punny

Puns

1. Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.

2. A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says, "I'll serve you, but don't start anything."

3. Two peanuts walk into a bar, and one was a salted.

4. A dyslexic man walks into a bra.

5. A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm and says: "A beer please, and one for the road."

6. Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: "Does this taste funny to you?"

7. "Doc, I can't stop singing 'The Green, Green Grass of Home.'"
"That sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome."
"Is it common?"
"Well, It's Not Unusual."

8. Two cows are standing next to each other in a field. Daisy says to Dolly, "I was artificially inseminated this morning." "I don't believe you," says Dolly. "It's true, no bull!" exclaims Daisy.

9. An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The kids were nothing to look at either.

10. Deja Moo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.

11. I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but I couldn't find any.

12. A man woke up in a hospital after a serious accident. He shouted, Doctor, doctor, I can't feel my legs!" The doctor replied, "I know you can't - I've cut off your arms!"

13. I went to a seafood disco last week...and pulled a mussel.

14. What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh.

15. Two fish swim into a concrete wall. The one turns to the other and says "Dam!".

16. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.

17. A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour, the manager came out of the office and asked them to disperse. "But why," they asked, as they moved off. "Because", he said, "I can't stand chess-nuts boasting in an open foyer."

Microsoft may be fined millions

According to an article in the BBC, Microsoft may be fined millions by the EU for an issue with WINDOWS.

I guess it's just Europe's way to say, "Season's Greetings."

4 Quick Steps to Flying for Free !

4 Quick Steps to Flying for Free !






As mentioned in an article in USA Today, currently Wendy's in conjunction with Air Tran is conducting a free airline ticket promotion.

Here are four quick steps to get your tickets:

1) Sign up for a FREE Frequent Flyer Account at: www.aplusrewards.com

2) Collect Proofs of Purchase/AirTran Flight Coupons off of 20 or 32 oz drink cups at participating Wendy's restaurants

3) After you have consumed your beverage, carefully cut out the Proof of Purchase/AirTran Flight Coupon along the dotted line

4) Fill out a 3x5 card with your complete name, street address (no P.O. Boxes) and AirTran Airways A+ Rewards account number and mail in a handwritten business size (#10) envelope along with at least four (4) but no more than one hundred and twenty-eight (128) Proofs of Purchase/AirTran Flight Coupons per stamped envelope to Wendy's/AirTran Airways Promotion, AirTran Airways Special Services, 1224 Bob Harmon Road, Savannah, GA 31408 to be received by 2/13/06.

WHAT YOU GET: For every 4 incremental Proofs of Purchase/AirTran Flight Coupons along with a properly completed 3x5 card, you will receive one (1) A+ Rewards Credit. Maximum credits you may receive per AirTran Airways A+ Rewards account is thirty-two (32), which means the maximum number of Proofs of Purchase/AirTran Flight Coupons you may submit is 128, regardless of how many envelopes submitted. Credits will be posted to your AirTran Airways A+ Rewards account within approximately six (6) weeks of receipt of properly redeemed Proofs of Purchase/AirTran Flight Coupons.

Need to obtain cups? Check out: Wendy's Cups on Ebay



This article was written and compiled by Ace Stuyvesant of Stuyvesant Partners. SP specializes in find cost effective solutions to day to day matters. Currently cost conscious consumers can visit their web site to save ridiculous amounts of money from high long distance charges at http://www.flatrateus.com . This article may be copied and redistributed but please keep full article intact to include these credits.

Latest news on Wilma

Well unfortunately this is not the Wilma that we are referring to...We are talking about Hurricane Wilma...

A huge Cat 5 storm brewing off the coast of Florida.

Alright FEMA, let's get it in gear.

Will Dick Cheney resign as VP? Is Condi in?

Current news articles here.

Will Dick Cheney resign as VP? Is Condi in?

Is this our current day watergate? Stay tuned folks....The story began as a slow simmer but is now starting to pick up a bit of steam. Strange times we live in...

Concert Teapot

Beauty and function are auspiciously fused in this exquisite and easy-to-use design. A gold-plated infuser produces tea unsurpassed in clarity and flavor. The body is made of tempered (sturdy) glass, and rests beautifully on a wooden (teak) stand, a very nice juxtaposition. A candle below enhances the presentation, and alights the tea with a gorgeous glow. It also keeps the tea warm. This combination of wood, glass and fire is an awe-inspiring work of art. Hope you agree - it may easily be the world's most beautiful tea pot. Dishwasher safe. Made in Germany. 37 oz.(1.0L)

U2 on Late Night with Conan O'Brien

Tonight U2 is on Conan, and they will be the only guest that he has on his show.

I'm watching it right now and here are some interesting bullets:

U2 is close to being together for the last 29 years.

Bono will find out if he will win the Nobel Peace prize on Friday (really).

According to Bono 36 countries have had their debt erased...hmmm...

Comedy Central - Shows - The Daily Show

Comedy Central - Shows - The Daily Show



Watching Letterman tonight and Jon Stewart from The Daily Show is his guest. I absolutely love this show and was one of the shows I really missed watching for a year while I was deployed. Even though I am a news junkie, I really do not get a kick out of all the negative news in the media, and The Daily Show really is good intelligent humor that really works like good chicken soup.

SONY Rebate Deal on VAIO Computers

Sony has now announced that they will use carbon fiber in the manufacturing of their VAIOs. See the slashdot article...


Get a $100 mail-in rebate on select Sony VAIO Notebooks - ends 4/30/06

I have an awesome Toshiba Satellite P25-S5092 17" diagonal screen that I brought with me when I deployed to the Mideast, it was like having my own movie theatre in my tent...

However this thing is so big, that now I want a smaller laptop like the SONY VAIO to carry with me through the house....

SONY is currently running a $100 rebate promo, click on the above link for further details...

Skype ? What in the world is Skype?

What is Skype?





Skype is a little piece of software that lets you make free calls over the Internet. Skype is revolutionizing the telecom world by allowing users to make superior quality voice calls to other Skype users for free and to landlines and mobiles worldwide for the price of a local call.

ROKR Not Selling Well

I like the whole concept of a phone/mp3 player....according to this article on techdirt the ROCKR by motorola is not selling well...

SHOCKR: ROKR Not Selling Well Contributed by Carlo on Thursday, October 6th, 2005 @ 11:34AM from the who-needs-vowels dept. This is sort of anti-climactic, and not surprising at all, but an analyst report says Motorola's iTunes phone isn't selling well. While other Motorola phones are seeing good sales, the firm says people are disappointed in the product -- again, not a surprise. One dealer, who says the ROKR doesn't have "the look", says he's sold one in four weeks, compared to 25 of Motorola's popular RAZR handset. Again, the point is simple: you make a crappy phone, nobody's going to want to buy it.

Google Declares War on Microsoft

Google Declares War on Microsoft

Posted by Zonk on Thursday October 06, @10:06AM
from the they-will-fight-them-in-the-spreadsheets dept.

hajmola writes "According to an article in The Inquirer, 'Google has confirmed that it will launch free spreadsheet and word-processing software online and take on Microsoft in one of its biggest markets. Under the deal, Google will allow web users to access Sun's OpenOffice from a toolbar.'" This is full confirmation of a story from Tuesday. Forbes thinks this isn't anything to write home about, while InfoWorld disagrees.

PlasmaCamera.com

A very, very cool and fun site that you will want to pass on to your friends!

Aviation Truisms

Aviation Truisms

"Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic weapons."
- General MacArthur
"You, you, and you ... Panic. The rest of you, come with me."
- U.S. Marine Corp Gunnery Sgt.
"Though I Fly Through the Valley of Death ... I Shall Fear No Evil. For I am at 80,000 Feet and Climbing."
- At the entrance to the old SR-71 operating base Kadena, Japan
"You've never been lost until you've been lost at Mach 3."
- Paul F. Crickmore (test pilot)
"The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire."
"Blue water Navy truism: There are more planes in the ocean than submarines in the sky."
From an old carrier sailor
"If the wings are traveling faster than the fuselage, it's probably a helicopter -- and therefore, unsafe."
"When one engine fails on a twin-engine airplane you always have enough power left to get you to the scene of the crash."
"Without ammunition, the USAF would be just another expensive flying club."
"What is the similarity between air traffic controllers and pilots? If a pilot screws up, the pilot dies; If ATC screws up, . the pilot dies."
"Never trade luck for skill."
The three most common expressions (or famous last words) in aviation are:
"Why is it doing that?"
"Where are we?"
and "OH S*&%!"
"Weather forecasts are horoscopes with numbers."
"Progress in airline flying: now a flight attendant can get a pilot pregnant."
Airspeed, altitude and brains. Two are always needed to successfully complete the flight."
"A smooth landing is mostly luck; two in a row is all luck; three in a row is prevarication."
"Mankind has a perfect record in aviation; we never left one up there!"
"Flashlights are tubular metal containers kept in a flight bag for the purpose of storing dead batteries."
"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."
"When a flight is proceeding incredibly well, something was forgotten."
"Just remember, if you crash because of weather, your funeral will be held on a sunny day."
Advice given to RAF pilots during WWII: "When a prang (crash) seems inevitable, endeavor to strike the softest, cheapest object in the vicinity as slow and gently as possible."
"The Piper Cub is the safest airplane in the world; it can just barely kill you."
- Attributed to Max Stanley (Northrop test pilot)
"A pilot who doesn't have any fear probably isn't flying his plane to its maximum."
- Jon McBride, astronaut
"If you're faced with a forced landing, fly the thing as far into the crash as possible."
- Bob Hoover (renowned aerobatic and test pilot)
"Never fly in the same cockpit with someone braver than you."
"There is no reason to fly through a thunderstorm in peacetime."
- Sign over squadron ops desk at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, 1970
"If something hasn't broken on your helicopter, it's about to."
Basic Flying Rules: "Try to stay in the middle of the air. Do not go near the edges of it. The edges of the air can be recognized by the appearance of ground, buildings, sea, trees and interstellar space. It is much more difficult to fly there."
"You know that your landing gear is up and locked when it takes full power to taxi to the terminal."

BELOIT COLLEGE'S CLASS OF 2007 MINDSET LIST®

BELOIT COLLEGE'S
CLASS OF 2007 MINDSET LIST®
1. Ricky Nelson, Richard Burton, Samantha Smith, Laura Ashley, Orson Welles, Karen Ann Quinlan, Benigno Aquino, and the U.S. Football League have always been dead.
2. They are not familiar with the source of that “Giant Sucking Sound.”
3. Iraq has always been a problem.
4. “Ctrl + Alt + Del” is as basic as “ABC.”
5. Paul Newman has always made salad dressing.

6. Pete Rose has always been a gambler.

7. Bert and Ernie are old enough to be their parents.
8. An automatic is a weapon, not a transmission.
9. Russian leaders have always looked like leaders everyplace else.

10. The snail darter has never been endangered.
11. There has always been a screening test for AIDS.

12. Gas has always been unleaded
13. They never heard Howard Cosell call a game on ABC.
14. The United States has always had a Poet Laureate
15. Garrison Keillor has always been live on public radio and Lawrence Welk has always been dead on public television.
16. Their families drove SUVs without “being fuelish.”

17. There has always been some association between fried eggs and your brain.
18. They would never leave their calling card on someone’s desk.
19. They have never been able to find the “return” key.
20. Computers have always fit in their backpacks.
21. Datsuns have never been made.
22. They have never gotten excited over a telegram, a long distance call, or a fax.
23. The Osmonds are just talk show hosts.

24. Undergraduate college athletes have always been a part of the NBA and NFL draft.
25. They have always “grazed” for food.
26. Three-point shots from “downtown” have always been a part of basketball.
27. Test tube babies are now having their own babies.

28. Stores have always had scanners at the checkout.

29. The Army has always driven Humvees.

30. Adam and PC Junior computers had vanished from the market before this generation went online.

31. The Statue of Liberty has always had a gleaming torch.
32. They have always had a PIN number.
33. Banana Republic has always been a store, not a puppet government in Latin America.

34. Car detailing has always been available
35. Directory assistance has never been free.

36. The Jaycees have always welcomed women as members
37. There has always been Lean Cuisine.

38. They have always been able to fly Virgin Atlantic.
39. There have never been dress codes in restaurants.

40.
Doctors have always had to deal with “reasonable and customary fees” and patients have always had controls placed on the number of days they could stay in a hospital.
41. They have always been able to make photocopies at home.

42. Michael Eisner has always been in charge of Disney.
43. They have always been able to make phone calls from planes.
44. Yuppies are almost as old as hippies.

45. Rupert Murdoch has always been an American citizen.
46. Strawberry Fields has always been in New York.
47. Rock and Roll has always been a force for social good.

48. Killer bees have always been swarming in the U.S.

49. They have never seen a First Lady in a fur coat.

50. Don Imus has always been offending someone in his national audience.



In all fairness it should be understood that students entering college this fall do have a few items on their own lists that will separate them from many of their mentors:


1. For many of them today, it’s all about the “bling, bling.”
2. They know who the “Heroes in a half shell” are.
3. Peeps are not a candy, they are your friends.
4. They have been “dissing”and “burning” things all their lives.
5. They can expect to get a ticket for “ricing out their wheels.”
6. They knew how to pop a Popple and trade a Pog.
7. They can still sing the rap chorus to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and the theme song from Duck Tales.


© 2003 Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin.

_________________________

High phone bills got you down?
Don't worry, visit
http://happylongdistance.com

Vehicle Barrier Video

Hi Folks,

Hope all is well with you. Some of you I have not spoken to in a while, so I hope this reaches you in good health and in good spirits.

Found the following video to be interesting and also a bit reassuring as someone who has been behind a barrier or two. I am forwarding this to those in my address book that fall into that same category. You may want to share it with others to give them a bit more situational awareness of the effectiveness of these barriers.

It was originally sent from someone in the Dept of Homeland Security. Please read below before playing.





_________________________

High phone bills got you down?
Don't worry, visit
http://happylongdistance.com

---------- Forwarded message ----------

Date: Sep 30, 2005 8:22 AM
Subject: Fwd: FW: Vehicle Barrier Video

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2005 16:10:12 -0400
Subject: FW: Vehicle Barrier Video


-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 1:45 PM
To: POU
Cc: OISI;
Subject: Vehicle Barrier Video

Ladies and Gents -

The latest from Beltsville....please read the info below, before viewing
the video.

-JJM

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 1:57 PM
Subject: FW: Vehicle Barrier Video


Subject: FW: Vehicle Barrier Video

How often have you wondered just how strong are those cement barriers
you see in front of military base entrances? Read below and view the clip.

From time to time, someone asks why there are concrete barriers in front
of controlled and secure buildings. When they are told that the barriers
are there to stop traffic, even trucks, from approaching the building, they
usually respond with a look of disbelief. This footage proves the point.

In this test, the following parameters were used. Read them and then watch
the film.

Truck = 65,000 lbs.
Speed = 50 mph
Kinetic Energy = 5.5 MILLION ft. lbs.

Stopped in 24 INCHES!!!

High phone bills got you down?
Don't worry, visit
http://happylongdistance.com

Powered by Castpost

Cars that communicate with you with ONSTAR

Just read an article that indicates that GM cars will now be running routine diagnostics on themselves and reporting back to you via ONSTAR.

Apparently you will now receive an e-mail from your car to let you know how it's doing. I'm pretty excited about this concept...Neverthelss a bit strange.

The marriage of technology into our day to day lives has certainly made my life a lot easier. A few items that come to mind are: direct deposits, direct debit payments, cell phones, e-mail via blackberry. Most of the mundane tasks that would eat up precious hours in a busy schedule, are now automated, and have given me more quality family time.

Getting an e-mail from my car telling me it's time for regular service, lets my brain cells think about other things...

The Amazing Race

The First Season of Amazing Race is currently available for preorder. Click here for more details:

The Amazing Race

I remember that this show came out in 2001 a few days before 9/11. I remember watching it in a hotel room while I was on a business trip and saying this would be a good show to follow. Little did I realize, that the nation's attention would be drawn elsewhere in the ensuing days, weeks, and months.

Brother P-Touch PT-1950

Just bought a Brother P-Touch labeling machine in an effort to get organized. Will let you know shortly my thoughts in a full review.

Brother P-Touch PT-1950

Brother P-Touch Machines for Auction

What links point to the TastyMistake Blog.

This is a strange post . This post deals with what links actually point back to this weblog.

The first link that I wanted to discuss is one at Dogpile.

Here is the link: DOGPILE Link

From the "About Us" page at DogPile:

About Dogpile

---

What makes Dogpile special? Dogpile was built to give users the best search results available on the Web. This is accomplished by searching all the most popular engines and retrieving the best combined results. The inspiration for Dogpile came when its founders noticed that different search engines often return different results for the very same term. The more engines they searched the more results they found. Following this discovery, the founders set out to create a way to bring the Web's best search engines together in one place to deliver more comprehensive and relevant results. To capture this idea, the founders borrowed a sports term used to describe players piling on top of one another in the celebration and the Dogpile search engine was born!

I plan to really exercise this post by exploring the net and seeing how the search engines have currently indexed this site. Indexing is porbably one of the most intersting and important facets of the web today. It is what has made GOOGLE a powerhouse company on the interent and in the world.


I just checked Alexa and this is what shows up when you run a search on their site:

Alexa Link