Mad Me!

The second season of Mad Men arrived on DVD a few weeks ago, and we were lucky enough to get the first disc from netflix the day it released. If you've ever seen the show, it's awesome. A period ensemble drama set in the 1960's, it follows the antics of one ad executive, Don Draper and his wife, Betty, and the people they associate with from day to day. The show is dark but occasionally funny, riveting, shocking, and oh the clothes and the sets! Don Draper is a classic American anti-hero, kind of a Gatsby or Bernard Malamud's Roy Hobbs from the Natural(not the Roy Hobbs in the 1984 film,). Draper is an alcoholic womanizer who came from a shady past that was revealed to a certain degree in the first season. However, he's got qualities that make men jealous and women swoon. He's a brilliant ad-man, he's loyal and it doesn't hurt that he's easy on the eyes. The rest of the cast is spot on-(incredible acting) and the result is that every episode so far has been a gem.

The show has already influenced fashion. Last year's retro throwbacks that could be seen anywhere from Michael Kor's line to Target? Blame this show. However, if you don't have 200.00 dollars to spend on a dress, Mad Men has a new feature called Mad Men Yourself, where you can take 10 minutes and create a character version of yourself as a character of the show! Here's me with my appropo cig dangling from my lips (The amount of smoking in this show makes my allergic lungs nervous)

Create your own character here

Recipe: Blueberry CheeseCake Bars

Last weekend, I had a couple of pints of Blueberries that needed to be used up. The only thing that appealed to me after eating blueberries for a week was cheesecake and pie. The recipe below for Blueberry Cheesecake Pie fitted my tastes perfectly.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Blueberry-Cheesecake-Pie/Detail.aspx
However, after starting the recipe, I realized that it lied. This recipe wasn't a pie, there was no way that this pie would fit in even a deep-dish pie tin. No, this recipe was a bar recipe. So, I made a few changes and clarifications as the recipe was fairly vague and came up with the recipe below. Enjoy!

Blueberry Cheesecake Bars

INGREDIENTS
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
8 tablespoons butter, melted (1 stick)
1/2 cup white sugar

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
2/3 cups white sugar
3 eggs

1 quart fresh blueberries
1/2 cup water
1 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and 1/2 cup sugar. Press into the bottom of an 9x13 inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, eggs and 2/3 cups sugar. Beat until smooth. Spread cream cheese mixture over crust.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 20-25 minutes. Don’t take it out of the oven until the middle has set. Cool for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile For the blueberry filling: In a large sauce pan, combine blueberries, water, corn starch and 1 cup sugar. Cook and stir until thick. Cook for about 10 minutes at medium-low heat until you can draw a line in the back of the spoon coated with the mixture.
Spread blueberry filling over baked cream cheese mixture. Let cool. Once cool, refrigerate overnight before cutting into squares and serving.

(Not so) Wordless

I love President Clinton. I don't think he was a horrible president, I think that the Lewinsky deal was stupid, and hamstringed his presidency for the second term.
Some of his policies worked well, some--not so well. He isn't a liberal commie pig, as someone I know would call him, in fact some of his administration's policies that would be considered conservative are those I really don't like. Getting rid of the OPM Personnel Handbook? Reduction in paper, yes but it totally stripped that agency and the Federal HR community is still affected adversely by that knuckleheaded move.
However, I still think he's a brilliant politician, and he's working on a post-presidency legacy that's to be admired.
But there's something about President Clinton, a Joe Biden quality perhaps, that makes me giddy when I see a picture or hear about him. Although he's known to be the most charismatic politician of his generation, there's something about him that is just so human. The brilliant Darrell Hammond's lampoon of President Clinton, the womanizing, slightly redneck southerner? Doesn't seem so far-fetched when you listen to him, or see a picture of him like the one above. That quality? That's what I find appealing-even if it may have cost his wife the Presidency.

Picture originally found at the site below:
http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/2009/07/white-house-food-messaging-weight-of.html


(Feel free to agree, disagree, yell at me, whatever. Just be respectful.)

Xolair

Note: This post is mostly for my family, but I decided to put it on here as there are others out there dealing with severe persistent allergic asthma. Knowledge is power!

When I first heard about Xolair and Omalizumab, I thought they sounded like characters out of a bad sci-fi novel, not asthma therapy. My Doctor first mentioned them about four or five months ago in passing (and butchered the word omalizumab) as treatment possibilities. When it was clear by the first of June, that inhaled corticosteroids were maintaining me at a sub-par level but not helping me get better, my doctor mentioned Xolair again. I took some blood tests, submitted my allergy “scratch” test results from last year, and the results of those tests qualified me for Xolair.

Xolair is the brand name for Omalizumab treatment. Omalizumab treatment attacks the IgE levels in the blood. The body produces antibodies in response to substances it perceives as threats. One of these antibodies is IgE which releases a variety of chemicals including histamines and lukotrienes which asct as messengers in stimulating acute bronchospasms in the airways. IgE doesn’t just play a part in intital attacks, but also the cascade attacks. 4-8 hours after the initial attack and exposure to the allergen, asthmatics may have a second attack which is called the allergic cascade. IgE plays a similar role in that too.

Xolair targets and attacks the IgE, which lessens the number of attacks, and allows many on it to live more normal lives. Xolair isn’t a cure, and it isn’t without its risks. The drug is new (approved in 2006 by the FDA), but there seems to be an association between Xolair and lymphoma which makes sense because these IgE receptors also do double duty by attacking cells that can lead to lymphoma. Xolair may also lead to heart problems, but the results of that study won’t be released until next year.

Xolair is incredibly expensive. The treatment runs 10k to 30k a year, and because of that there’s certain criteria that has to be met in order to go on the shot. Xolair treatment is only considered when cortisteroids aren’t helping to make a patient better. Although we haven’t received health insurance approval yet, my blood work and allergy test results show that I qualify for the drug.

After talking to my allergist and the pulmonologist, doing research on the treatment, talking to my family and close friends about it, I came to the decision that this is what needs to be done next so I can go back to leading a more normal life. I’ll continue to be on the cortisteroids, but hopefully we’ll be able to start cutting back on those after being on xolair for a period of time. Xolair isn’t a cure, but being healthier? That sounds great.

How to Read a Poem: Beginner's Manual

How to Read a Poem: Beginner's Manual
by Pamela Spiro Wagner

First, forget everything you have learned,
that poetry is difficult,
that it cannot be appreciated by the likes of you,
with your high school equivalency diploma,
your steel-tipped boots,
or your white-collar misunderstandings.

Do not assume meanings hidden from you:
the best poems mean what they say and say it.
To read poetry requires only courage
enough to leap from the edge
and trust.

Treat a poem like dirt,
humus rich and heavy from the garden.
Later it will become the fat tomatoes
and golden squash piled high upon your kitchen table.
Poetry demands surrender,
language saying what is true,
doing holy things to the ordinary.

Read just one poem a day.

Someday a book of poems may open in your hands
like a daffodil offering its cup
to the sun.

When you can name five poets
without including Bob Dylan,
when you exceed your quota
and don't even notice,
close this manual.

Congratulations.
You can now read poetry.

Wordless

Link

Images that brought a smile to my face this morning.

Today's CNN's Beat 360 Caption Contest Image
(The Blueprints they seem to be poring over? Genealogy Charts)

Last night, Matsui hit a walk-off homer to beat the O's 2-1 and moving into a tie for first place in the AL East!. Here's the team congratulating "Godzilla."

Love Jeff Tweedy and love that he's wearing his nudie suit (There's a sushi cat on this suit, I kid you not). Want to see more of the suit? Buy the new album. The insert has several pictures of the band's suits.

The Boys are Back-Album Review

The Oak Ridge Boys album, “The Boys are Back,” is growing on me. Since the 80’s and the days of “Elvira,” their voices sound a little gruffer, and the harmonization isn’t quite as tight on the album. That being said, there’s a lot of things to love about the album. John Lee Hooker’s “Boom Boom” is a delight. Their cover of Neil Young’s Beautiful Bluebird is tender (although the aging of the vocals is apparent on this song).

When I first heard the Oak Ridge Boys cover of the White Stripe’s single “Seven Nation Army”, I thought, “you have got to be kidding me.” But after a few listens, I found the song stuck in my head. Now? The song is no longer is awesomely bad, but ridiculous fun.

I’m not a fan of the title song, written for the Oak Ridge Boys by Shooter Jennings does not quite work in my opinion. The harmonies are not as tight on the single and the lyrics are prime examples of what turns me off to mainstream country today-dripping with sentiment and pandering to the lowest common denominator.*

That being said, all in all, it’s a pretty good album. One that I don’t mind listening all the way through, and it’s great to see the Boys back recording. They are one Country Music institution that would be a shame to see go extinct.



Seven Nation Army covered by the Oak Ridge Boys



Elvira by the Oak Ridge Boys in the ‘70s(?).

*Harsh words, I know--but it's just an opinion--please don't be offended if you like mainstream country music.

Corn Chowder Nirvana

I love corn chowder.  Corn chowder is one dish that has it's place in the dead of winter and the heat of summer.  In winter, it serves as the ultimate comfort food using frozen corn.  However, in summer the dish showcases fresh corn just off the cob.  I've been in search for the perfect corn chowder recipe for over a year now, one that's not too time consuming but tastes like I've slaved over the stove all day. 

Today, I decided to try the recipe found in the July/August edition of "Everyday Food."  Because I seem to improvise every recipe I make, I didn't do it exactly as follows.  The results though?  Best attempt at Corn Chowder yet!  Corn chowder nirvana!

 

 

Corn and Shrimp Chowder with Bacon
July 2009 Everyday Food

Ingredients

Makes 4 servings .

• 6 ears corn, husks and silks removed
• 4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch strips (I used 3 slices)
• 8 scallions, white and green parts separated and thinly sliced (I used 1/2 yellow onion)
• 2 medium baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (I used 3 medium red potatoes)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 teaspoon seafood seasoning (I used 1 TBSP of Old Bay.  That might've been a tiny bit too much)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves (I used some fresh thyme and rosemary)
• 1 pound large peeled and deveined shrimp (I didn't have any shrimp.  I put in a cup of frozen cooked kidney beans which tasted great)
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• Crackers, for serving (optional)

Directions

1. Cut off tip of each cob. Stand corn in a wide shallow bowl; using a sharp knife, slice downward to release kernels. Scrape length of each cob with a spoon to release pulp. Discard cobs. (After I finished removing the corn from the cob, I used my immersion blender on the corn for about 20 seconds, just enough to blend about a third of the corn.  Mark Bittman uses the corncobs to create a stock while you're boiling, and then discard before you serve.  I threw in a couple of cobs in as it gives the soup more of a corny flavor. )
   
2. In a large saucepan, cook bacon over medium-high until crisp and browned, 4 to 6 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels.
3. Add scallion whites and potatoes to pan; cook, stirring, until scallions have softened, 1 to 3 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add milk, seafood seasoning, thyme, and 2 cups water.
4. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Add corn, shrimp, and scallion greens. Cook until shrimp are just opaque, 2 to 3 minutes. Season chowder with salt and pepper. Serve topped with bacon, with crackers alongside if desired.

 

Anyway, this recipe doesn't take too long to prepare, tastes great and is hearty enough that you're not feeling hungry 20 minutes after the meal. 

A little Friday Love From me to you.

A cute short called "The Post-it Romance."

You Completo Me

I’m passionate about hot dogs. There, I said it. I like hot dogs. Oh, I’m not advocating all dogs, all the time, but a good dog, done right is a glorious thing. There’s Chicago Dogs, the hall-mark of all dogs, then there’s a good brat on the proper German bread—nothing but the “Hans and Franz” of the Hot Dog family.
Recently, a friend of mine told me that Hot Dogs belong to North America, and should never be exported South of the Border. This friend obviously has never had a Completo, Chile’s version of the Hot Dog. A Chilean Completo is arguably one of this South American’s Country’s greatest gifts to cuisine. A hot dog on good bread (American roll doesn’t work), topped with tomatoes, onions, mashed avocado, mayonnaise and ketchup is a glorious concoction. If my words haven’t won you over yet, here’s Anthony Bourdain on his show “No Reservations” encountering a Completo in Chile.

MacGruber v. Viewmaster: The Movie

Val Kilmer and Ryan Phillippe in talks for 'MacGruber'
by Jeff Labrecque
Saturday Night Live's MacGruber is about to explode on the big screen. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Will Forte's recurring sketch parody about an easily distracted MacGyver-type has Ryan Phillippe and Val Kilmer in its sights for a full-length adaptation. Phillippe would play an Army colonel who recruits the jaded MacGruber (Forte) for a mission to stop a nuclear-armed villain, conceivably played by Kilmer. Kristin Wiig will reprise her supporting role, Lorne Michaels will producer, and Jorma Taccone, who helmed most of the skits on SNL, will direct.

http://news-briefs.ew.com/2009/07/macgruber-film-takes-shape-with-val-kilmer-and-ryan-phillippe.html

I'm a little skeptical, but if anyone could play the villain, in the Macgruber movie, it would have to be Val Kilmer. He's hilarious. If you doubt me, watch "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang," sometime.

View Master Movie:

I thought somebody was pulling my leg when I read about View Master: The Movie. However, apparently, it's a real project. Seriously, the project is being funded by DreamWorks and will be an action/adventure movies around the toy? Who knows?

I'm still skeptical that this will ever make it to the big screen.

http://www.cinemablend.com/new/View-Master-The-Movie-13820.html

Best Book Blurb ever

"Two women—one a bishop's wife, the other a vampire—find the desperate courage to bet it all."

Angel Falling Softly by Eugene Woodbury

Wordless

Roundup:

1)4th of July

My bureau coordinators and I put on a Department of the Interior Length of Service Ceremony several hours before the fireworks go off on the 4th of July. The cool part? A meal and a roped off place to see the fireworks with 600 or so Interior employees and guests. Not to mention, one of the best places in DC (if not the best place according to a few locals I know) to see the fireworks display. Oh, the event went off fine, I even thought to snap a few pictures, which hasn't happened before.

Secretary Ken Salazar with recipient

M. Allen leading the audience in the National Anthem

2) Web Site Story

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

There's few musicals whose soundtrack is better than West Side Story in my world, and this parody hits most of the right notes. The best part? It's really not that over the top. I know people whose lives are like this. Me? I'm hoping I never am this tuned into the net. ;)

Political Roundup: Patriotic Pride Edition.

Man Set me Up

One perk about living in VA, but working in DC, is that I have front row seats to the Marion Berry Show, but he's not one of my elected officials. The latest caper? Arrested on stalking charges Saturday night. Seriously. DC's former infamous Mayor is still his own sad stranger than fiction 3-ring circus. And yes, even after all of the drug problems of the '80s and '90s, he was elected several years ago to the DC City Council.

Rock-Bottom Republicans

When Rush Limbaugh is the de-facto leader of the Republican Party, it's pretty easy to say the Party has hit rock-bottom. But after this past week? I'm pretty sure we haven't seen bottom yet.

Sarah Palin has all but declared her 2012 presidency. Even though I'm first to admit that she's been an unfair media target (about half of it has been self-inflicted), her style of poltics is way too reactionary for my tastes.

The party is going to be fractured even more if she does run, if that's possible. Which is a boon for the Democrats, but this country needs two strong political parties.

Now with Palin in the mix, and one of their possible 2012 contenders sounding more like a Harlequin Romance writer than a governor, well-I'm not sure this week was rock-bottom for the Republicans. I'm afraid we're going to see more implosions from the Republicans, before the Republican party re-emerges.

That being said, Gov. Marc Sanford--after this past week, it's clear who the political mind is in your family. You didn't get where you were on your own brains sir, or you must've left them in Argentina. Has anyone else noticed Jenny Sanford's fashion taste this past week? Kudos to her!

The "This Man is now a Senator" edition of Wordless