I got a new camera recently (thanks again) and I've been bringing it to work with me with the intention of reading through the manual and learning how everything works. Haven't done that yet, but I'm glad I had it because this past Saturday, while going to my truck to get my pack I saw that the sun was setting behind the barn. I ran into the house, grabbed my camera, and snapped some pics. the first one was the original, taken with the camera set to Nightscene. The second is the same pic with a re color filter, giving it kind of an old fashioned look. And the third pic is the same one again, only in black and white.

(BTW, you can click on them to see them full sized)

On TNA Inpact there was a tag team match between the Rock and Rave Infection (Lance Hoyt and Jimmy Rave) against Tiger Mask (Tiger Mask IV to be exact) and Curry Man.

The match started out good enough when the Rock and Rave Infection took their rock band gimmick one step further and walker out with Guitar Hero guitars, but it got better when they brought out Curry Man :)

Most fans know that Christopher Daniels is under the mask, but he has rarely, if ever, used the moves he uses as Curry Man when he doesn't have the mask on. He only used a few new moves, but it was nice to see one of the best wrestlers out there using new moves and to see his spicy alter ego. It's probably only a matter of time before he is unmasked, since Daniels was "fired" from TNA a few weeks ago, but it will be fun to watch while it lasts (of course, since he is one of the best, it is always fun to watch him in action.)

oh, and Tiger Mask and Curry Man won the match.

Mondays in my apartment are increasingly becoming Food show nights. While the early part of the night is usually consumed by American Gladiators, RAW, and more importantly hanging out with Rae, the later part for the last few weeks has been spent watching shows like Anthony Bourdin: No Reservations, and Good Eats.

The thing I love about these shows, specifically No Reservations, is that it exposes you to food from all over the world. The best thing about one of the greatest art forms in the world is the fact that there is so much variety in the culinary arts. Whether it is local delicacies (which if they show up on a travel show it is usually weird and possibly disgusting, at least when you first hear it.) like fried bull testicles in Spain and Chili Crab in Singapore or variations on beloved classics like Chicken Pot Pie, every one has their own unique style.

Like I said, I love these shows because they expose you to foods from around the world. Here in the rural Midwest, the closest we get to foreign cuisine is a Chinese restaurant, pizza and spaghetti, and tacos or burritos. More and more you'll see Mexican restaurant popping up, due to growing Mexican populations.The problem with most ethnic restaurants such as these is that the selection is usually limited to stuff we know and love. Spaghetti and Ravioli are available at every Italian restaurant I've ever been to (A small number I admit, but that doesn't change the truth of that statement) Mexican and Chinese restaurant always have stuff like Chow mien or enchilada platters, stuff that we all know and love. But there is so much more to these and other cultures that we never see, especially in the rural areas. Some times we will luck out and find something truly diverse in larger, more metropolitan areas, but we can't always be so lucky.

The best culinary experiences I've ever had required me to go to France, something I had no problem doing. While there I was exposed to things like Salmon Lasagna, Horse meat, and Goat Cheese. I fell in love with squid and Brie. It took me crossing an ocean and traveling to another country to be exposed to things such as this. Granted this was almost ten years ago (two months shy of that mile stone to be exact) and the selections at the local grocery stores have improved in the last decade, but this was an important part of my evolution into the foodie that I am today.

The thing I think we forget sometimes is that there is more to cuisine then what we immediately think of when we think of a specific culture's cuisine. I've spent the last few years trying to find and try recipes that are different, not the same old things we all know and love. Even if it is just a different way of preparing chicken then I have, marinating it in Hoisin sauce instead of some bottled marinade.

There is nothing wrong with the old stand bys. They are the old stand bys for a reason. But at least once a week I try to make something different. whether it's experimenting with breading recipes for chicken and fish or something completely new, it adds great variety to my menu.

One reason I think so many people are afraid to try new things, whether it is new foods or jumping out of a plane, is fear. For the plane the fear is obvious; what if my parachute doesn't open. For food it's a bit less clear. modifying recipes for Meatloaf or trying new versions of them is usually not a problem because you know you like it in the first place and just want to try different ways to make Meatloaf. Trying something like fried fish eggs with chocolate sauce is completely different. You don't know if you will like it or hate it. will it make you throw up or beg for more.

And all to often the fear wins out, which is a shame because then you miss out on some great tastes and textures. While I'm not to sure about the Fried Fish Eggs with chocolate sauce (or even if such a dish exists) I've tried some things over the years that I never would have eaten if I had let fear win out. Sometimes these have been things I just wasn't too sure I would like ot not, like Falafal, others things I figured I would hate, like squid. The best advice I would give is not ask what it is until after you try it. I know plenty of people who would never eat horse if they knew what it was, but would probably have no problem if they didn't know.

So do yourself a favor. Try something new. A new recipe, a new dish at a restaurant, something. You never know if you will like it if you don't.

THERE IS A GOD!

Ok, so there was, never any doubt in my mind that there is, but this just confirms it. Remember a few weeks ago when I posted that fan made Green Lantern movie trailer? Well it's not just a dream any more. In addition to GL being part of the Justice League movie currently scheduled for a 2009 release (John Stewart will be the Lantern in that movie) there is going to be a Green Lantern movie in 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's right true believers (I know that's Marvel, but it works) Not only will GL be getting his own solo move, but its going to be Hal Jordan wearing the ring!!!!!!

I just hope they don't pick someone stupid like Leonardo Di Caprio to play Hal.

A New Day Dawns

A New Day Dawns

The sun rose on Caer Flaunys, reveling the carnage caused by the previous night’s battle. Countless bodies littered the courtyard. Some were of warriors to exhausted to return to the main hall and just slept where they fell, amid the blood and severed limbs. Unfortunately far too many of them were of the dead or those who were not long for this world. The battle had taken its toll on us all and unfortunately it was the wounded that had to pay the price. While some were able to mend their own wounds and those of the men near them, the vast majority of the wounded that did not return to the main hall after the Black Knight’s fall were left to suffer a slow death. And while the though of our brethren bleeding to death outside grieved us, there was nothing we could do. Those that made it back barely had strength enough to remove their armor before they fell asleep.

After a silent, grim meal, we began the task of searching the dead, separating our men from the demonic beings we had fought in the light of day they were more horrific then we could have imagined. Their green skinned faces were a collection of scars of varying ages. Their now lifeless red eyes still seemed to glow with an unearthly light as dried black blood ran from their wounds and between the spiked teeth that filled their mouths.

In the dark I had assumed their armor was black plate armor, but in the light of day the horrifying truth could be seen. The black armor was skin. Black in color and held together by some unknown means, no one knew what kind of skin it was or if that was it’s natural color, but not a man among us would have been surprised to find it was human.

And so we set about the grim task of disposing of the dead. The army of darkness we loaded onto carts and moved far from the Caer to be set ablaze. Noxious smoke filled the air, blotting out the sun as animals for a mile around fled the pyre. The affect the smoke and fumes had on the health of the men would be a curse for years to come.
I had the dark fortune of dealing with our dead. Most we could identify, some were battered and torn beyond recognition. We placed them with in the burial mound and blessed the land, knowing it would forever be a place of honor. The severed limbs and unidentifiable heads that we could not place with a body were interned in the center, in the hopes that the warriors they belonged to would find them in the after life.

Sorrow filled the caer as the people slowly returned. As much as we grieved for our brothers in arms, the grief was far greater for these. Each of the fallen had been someone’s father or brother; a husband or son. While we had seen them die fighting valiantly, they only knew they had perished during battle, and no amount of comforting would ease their pain; only time.

Life began to return to normal in the caer. Repairs on the wall and the gates were made and before long all seemed to return to normal. Except for the missing faces, it was almost as if nothing had happened. As the repairs were being made, Fer Croo sent out the Knights Of The Morning Star. He wanted to know where the black army came from and who was responsible for this loss of life. I grabbed my things and prepared to ride with my brethren, but the Great King stopped me, saying that I must remain. As my fellow knight rode off in search of out enemy, I asked him why. All he would say was that a day was fast approaching that I would be needed here and that I had to see what was to come.

Tragically, prophetically, that day would arrive all too soon.



This story is part 1 of The Sacrifice, a 5 part series that is a sequel to The Siege

After several months of hard work and dedication (in other words laziness and procrastinating) The first episode of Politic Hour is available!

YAY!!!

The show can be found here, at the official website. I will also be posting a link in the side bar in the next day or so, probably right after I go back and post the cast list for the first episode.

Sounds like my New Years Eve. At least I got holiday pay (for overnight personel only :) )