My blog n'at

I couldn’t resist that picture. Lushie took it while on our way to visit her family last weekend in central PA. That’s right, an Amish buggy on a flatbed and that guy walking would be the Amish guy.

So here we have it, the last day of 2007. I’m at work for a few hours today fixing a couple of things and decided this would probably be the only time today I could write. I plan on a Hendrick’s martini haze come this evening. This past year wasn’t too bad. We found a new place to live, we have our health, had the one year anniversary of my dad’s passing which was rough, went back to school and finished the year as a A student, watched the Pens finally make the playoffs, welcomed some new babies into the family, podcast soared to whole new levels with downloads and publicity, made some great friends through Podcamp Pittsburgh and took on new responsibilities and title at work. So yeah, it was a good year.

When I started to think of what 2008 will bring my wife was quick to remind me that in 08 it will be 13 years since we met in college, 10 years since I moved to Pittsburgh and 3 years since we got married. The college thing amazes me because I remember feeding Griff’s plant with Killian’s Red for a whole semester like it was yesterday (It finally died when he gave it water).

Hrm so what to look forward to… I guess I can spill the beans on some here. Some are tentative but if they pan out will be a damn good time.

Podcast
An overhaul of SIDT website along with hardware/software upgrades and new gear. Studio B will be finished. You will see us on national cable TV and also a quarterly beer article in a new publication. We have road trips lined up with breweries, live recordings scheduled and of course hella more promotions we’re throwing together. We also will be doing our part to promote Pittsburgh as the best friggin place to go for all your new media needs. We’re not going to change the way we do the show but after 30 episodes we have set some goals for what we want to accomplish next. I want to WIN the Podcast Award this year and not just be a finalist!

Food and Drink
I’m going to start home brewing. As I’ve been told, it’s addicting and worth it more than I can imagine. I’m sure I won’t have a hard time finding people to sample. I’ll be cooking more now (with beer) since the arrival of our new toy. I’m still perfecting my BBQ sauce from scratch and plan on attending a couple cook offs. Phil, Grace and the Big Foamy Head guys have all been a great inspiration for me to do more.

Personal
Work will have me busy in 08 as will keeping up my “A” average at school. This year I’ll get deeper into Interactive Media so I’m very psyched for it. Yeah, me excited for school. I want to get more involved with some of the new groups and people I’ve met over the last year or so to promote new media and this city.  Heh, that’s why I love Podcamp so much. Well, when I’m not being hit in the chest.  I have a goal for a healthy lifestyle that Lushie and I have been working on organizing the last couple of weeks.  I know it’s cliché to start on 1/1 of the year so I’m starting on 1/2   Nick and Tara are expecting their 2nd child in Feb so Bella will have a brother to play with. Lushie and I will be traveling more than we have in the past so the Burgh doesn’t dive her completely nuts this summer. I’ll finish moving superunknown content over and do more with this site to market myself.

There you go for now. Now I’d like to know, what are some of your plans for 08?

cheers!

So far this year Christmas hasn’t been too bad. We hosted Christmas lunch at our place for my mom, my brother and his family. Food was a plenty and of course plenty of fine craft beverage on hand. The capper on the day was a Guitar Hero tourney with all of us. I have to admit to finally breaking my GH cherry and it was pretty damn cool. I must own one. I got a kick out of my brother’s youngest rockin out almost perfectly to the Scorpions. They left the game with me to get some practice so I found it only fitting to unlock all songs. I can’t wait to see these kids try to play Cult of Personality.

Yesterday we met up with my bro at Fat Heads for post Christmas cheer. I wasn’t surprised at the 45 minute wait but I could tell it annoyed Lushie. Pictured above were the beverages for the day. Southern Tier Gemini – Very hoppy and very delicious 10.5%ABV Imperial IPA. A hint of citrus, smooth and nice malt finish. This could be one of my new favorite beers. Victory Hop Wallop (on cask) – While the menu said it was served at 55F it seems as though it would be better chilled around 40-45F as I’m not a fan of a warmer Imperial IPA. It tends to bring out more of an alcohol taste (this one was 8.5%) but this was actually quite smooth. Won’t order it again but it’s worth a try. Southern Tier Choklat – Deep dark smooth chocolate bliss as a 11%ABV Imperial Stout. I believe the best description I heard was “chocolate brownie… with kick”.

We’re hosting Christmas this year for my family so last night after mass we had dinner in the living room. I wasn’t even going to risk messing up the dining room for fear that I wouldn’t see morning. We spent the evening just the way we like thing. Laid back with A Christmas Story, fettucini alfredo w/scallops, delmonico rib eye steak and a Hendrick’s gin martini. Now THAT’S how you spend a night

The mass last night was interesting. There was a live band which we weren’t expecting and I must say that of all the years I’ve attended a catholic mass, last night was the most memorable experience. People were clapping along, waving their arms and damn near dancing. Thought I was in a revival camp. This was our first time attending mass there so we’re not sure if it’s always like this but we’re willing to bank on it being the holiday. Oh, and it was under and hour which must be a record for a Christmas mass.

Hope everyone has a safe and Merry Christmas!

FINALLY I can get back to blogging and enough has happened this past week I have enough to say for the next 2 weeks easy. Lucky you eh?

Finals and my first year back at college wrapped up on Saturday night. Not sure of my overall GPA yet but I didn’t finish lower than 85 in any class so I’m pretty psyched for next year. The color theory class I just finished up kicked my ass but I pulled out a B.

For the first time ever, well besides my honeymoon, I’m taking a vacation from work that’s more than a 4 day weekend. 2.5 weeks to be exact starting tomorrow. Am I going anywhere? hell no. Well I may road trip but for the most part it’s so I can chill, get caught up on Studio B, visit some friends, drink good beer, eat many meals at Fat Heads, bowl some frames, watch hockey until my eyes bleed, work on concoctions in the kitchen and maybe write. I may record a couple voice overs but nothing is planned for SIDT.

I like to call it a “me” vacation. Now I’m sure that my wife will have plans for me and that’s fine but unless it’s meeting up for happy hour don’t expect me to be around (Well of course unless you want an interview). If I say no don’t take it personally

I wonder what ever happened to DTiP anyways?

That image sums up the last 4 days for me which is why I haven’t been online much.  No idea where it came from but I’m sure global warming had something to do with it (ha). Could just be my body’s way of saying “we know a vacation is coming up, get ready to unplug”  or I’m just tired and overwhelmed. 5 days left of class for this year with a final on Saturday. End of year projects closing up.  People who can’t do their jobs right leading to a very disgruntled utensil.

Plus side to this past weekend though was that I bowled a 104-166-185 (in that order) for my first +450 average of the season. First game I was off balanced from my headache but once those meds kicked in I was a machine. Final game I didn’t mark in only one frame and between the last 2 I went on a tear of 7 strikes in 8 frames. It could have been the fact that I drank Mountain Dew all night and not beer which is ironic since it’s rare for me to drink anything with caffeine in it.

Phil was ecstatic to know that I wanted to blog about this. If you’re scratching your head right now either scroll down or click here. Without further adieu here it is. I will have my notes at the end.

What you need:
2 large peeled and cubed yukon gold potatoes
1 cup peeled and sliced yellow onion
2 cups chicken stock
8 oz. Pale Ale ( I used an IPA. As long as it’s some Pale Ale you’re golden)
1/2 lb Gorgonzola cheese
8 oz. heavy cream
2 tbspns butter
1 tspn salt
1 tspn ground white pepper

The Steps:
Before you begin, crack a beer and start drinking. You deserve it.

Now that you’re drinking, let’s play with sharp tools and fire.

Begin by melting butter in heavy bottomed pan or dutch oven. Add onion and sautée 3 minutes until clear and soft. Add potatoes and sautée with the onions for another 5 minutes. Add chicken stock, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and allow to simmer on low for 15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Take off heat and allow to cool.

Puree potato, onion and stock mixture in a blender or food processor in batches until smooth. Do this in batches over low blend, OK? You don’t want to end up covered in hot potato goo – it sucks so be careful. Return pot over medium heat. Add the pale ale or IPA and bring to a simmer. Gradually add the Gorgonzola cheese in small pieces, whipping with a whisk while you add it to make the mixture smooth.

Next, add the cream, again whipping to make the mixture smooth. Bring back up to a simmer, then add salt and pepper to taste. Allow to simmer another 10 more minutes before serving (with crusty bread – my favorite).

My Notes:
If your cheese is too strong and you want to mellow it out add 2 more large peeled/cubed yukon gold potatoes and 1 cup of chicken stock. If you know your IPA’s you’ll know which one you want to use next time. Do you want more hops or do you want more of a malty flavor? Make sure you save a bottle for yourself to go along with the soup.

cheers!

It was one year ago right now that I was sleeping on the floor at St Vincent’s 3rd floor heart wing in a blistering cold Erie wishing that what I knew was real wasn’t happening.  At 7:30ish the morning of the 6th my father passed away after a massive heart attack the day before and I lost my best friend. He was outside for 3 hours making sure that the sidewalks and driveways on his block were plowed/shoveled because “the borough sure as hell wont.” He would plow paths in the grass just so the mailman would be able to walk. he was always thinking about others.

I’m finding it hard to believe it’s been a year already. I can still recall every event of that day. My last phone call in the morning and the last time I saw him over Thanksgiving. I can still feel his embrace when we left to head back to Pittsburgh. I can hear him telling me how to prep the car for winter and that gas is too goddamn expensive.

So here I am a year later and I still talk to him in my own way. I have his picture in just about every room in my house. When something odd happens we chuckle and say “Dad did it” and I can’t go past a roll of duct tape without grinning.   I was fortunate enough to find a mini cassette of him talking into a handheld recorder while talking to me that I will always cherish along with his military dogtag.

Still though, a year later I find it hard to believe that I will never get to go to another Pirates home opener and talk about the days playing in Wesleyville/Harborcreek.  Now it’s my turn to pick up the reigns and finish the family tree the 2 of us started. It’s my turn to keep the traditions going and become the person he knew I would be.

I miss you dad and I have a fresh bag of peanuts

(3 Sons Dogs & Suds beer cooler)

On December 5, 1933 at 6:55pm the 21st Amendment to the U.S Constitution is ratified, repealing Prohibition. The manufacture, sale, and possession of alcoholic beverages is no longer illegal.

To quote President Roosevelt that day “I believe this would be a good time for a beer.”

In unrelated news but yet ironic, Danny Onorato yesterday successfully pushed through Allegheny County Council a 10 percent tax on poured alcoholic drinks and a $2 a day tax on car rentals, which he proposed as dedicated revenue streams for the county’s $30 million subsidy of the Port Authority.

That’s right, Dan has no problem with making you pay 91% (81 state + 10 drink) tax on alcohol because hey, he didn’t raise property taxes right? There is absolutely no reason why a drink tax should be enforced because the pig of a Port Authority can’t balance a budget. Remember this when he’s running for governor.  First he tries to screw the Penguins when trying to get the arena deal and now this.  Real class act we have here.

The godfather of Pittsburgh Bloggers, SIDT groupie and fellow Erie native Mike Woycheck has started a new venture that is pretty sweet. Below is info from an email he sent me paraphrased so he doesn’t send a band of lawyers after me. Keep your eyes open for swag from other podcasters/bloggers around town that might pop up.

They’ll be adding new designs and products on a regular basis. Please follow their blog at http://wearpittsburgh.com/blog, follow them using Twitter at http://twitter.com/wearpittsburgh, and they have a Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=19331652280.

Those of you who have known me for awhile will recognize this beast. This is the Magical Mystery Couch of Love. Otherwise known as Ole Blue, it is the first piece of furniture that I owned when I moved to Pittsburgh 9 years ago this Wednesday. Blue is a sofa couch that was given to me by my brother when I was 22 since it was once his. To date I think we aged this at 2o years this past weekend. Ole Blue is also the heaviest piece of furniture to grace this earth and the most uncomfortable bed ever.

Last night Ole Blue was sent off to pasture as a replacement living room suite was brought in. It leaves behind it a history (well from my place at least) in which any couple who slept on it had a happy ending come morning. It was a “scoring couch”. Seriously, I’m not making this up. Ask any of my old room mates and friends that visited the Oakland Crackhouse or Bellevue Bordello in past years. It did however suffer one injury during a houseparty in 2001 when a 400lb lass sat on the edge while it was extended and bent the frame. Once again, I’m not making this up. She would also be the one who spit out my Courvoisier because it “wasn’t as good as Jack”.  Classy girl eh? I think she was kicked out.

Ole Blue, we had a great run and may your days up in pimp heaven treat you well.

cheers!

I ventured into the world of soups tonight. This is the first one I ever made and I have to say that it was perfect after a few modifications for my taste. Is a soup ever perfect the way it’s written? You need to give it your own special flare.

This is a Gorgonzola IPA soup. I’m a huge hophead when it comes to craft beer so I happened to have a few bottles in the fridge. The original recipe came from my good friend, fellow podcaster, homebrewer, foodie and one hella model american Phil from My Life as a Foodie and Dude Night. I’m toying with starting a vidcast on cooking with craft beer. I’ve done plenty of beer based meals on the grill with it and now that I have an appetizer (or full meal).

I’m not sure if he will be using this for a future show so I won’t publish the recipe right now. I did email him to find out so if I get the OK it’s all yours.

cheers!