'Semi-Homemade w/ Boyhowdy Holiday Special - Jamón It!'

Nothing says 'let's-celebrate-the-birth-of-a-fictitious-religious-icon-with-pork' like a ginormous roasted ham. Taking advantage of the annual sales of this cured chunk of meat, I picked up a 10-lb. shank last week.

Now, I'm not a fan of cloves or pineapple rings or orange-marmalade glazes...I prefer a simple roasted ham w/ some of the crunchy skin (or cracklins) left on the surface. If you don't trim it off, be sure to score the shank in a criss-crossed fashion on both sides so the excess fat can render more easily during cooking...maybe a quarter- to half-inch deep. Place on a rack cut-side down. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and, depending on the cut & type of ham, bake until the recommended core temperature is reached (in this case, 155 degrees).

Immediately after taking the ham out of the oven, liberally drizzle honey over the entire surface. Let it sit for a while (core temp. will rise about 5 degrees).

Carve and enjoy...I cut it into chunks before slices because I partition & freeze most of the meat for later use (also, I saved the hambone for a future episode of 'Semi-Homemade - The Soup Chronicles' hahaha!).


Ciao4Now.

No Holiday for Tragedy

Residing a couple houses in from a main neighborhood arterial, I can usually sleep through the traffic's 'white noise'...but this morning at around 6, I was awoken by the siren of an ambulance. On any other random day, I probably would've rolled over & continued my slumber. But because it was Christmas Eve, I couldn't help but ponder the fate of the unfortunate soul that encountered emergency during the holidays, and what a bummer it could be for his/her loved ones.

Now according to the 'experts', the belief that suicide rates increase during this season is purely urban legend...in fact, some would argue that the rate decreases ('cuz of all the joy in the air 'n sh*t).

I'm not contending this postulation...I simply believe that, as this entry's title suggests, misfortune and death are consistent & take no days off. In aggregate, we may be 'happier' on Christmas Day (e.g. no work, scored awesome gifts, or whatever), but pain remains.

This is merely a sober glimpse, and not meant to piss on anyone's Xmas parade. Happy holidays, and long live the Godfather of Soul (who departed exactly a year ago tomorrow)...get up offa that thing!



Ciao4Now.

P.S. Always looking to improve recipes, I ran into a problem w/ burning garlic in my last installment of 'Semi-Homemade'. Now, instead of adding the minced clove to the marinade, I toss it in with the onions. Viola!

J-Horror Lost In Translation

Last night, I was stricken with a classic case of déjà vu while watching the film 'Pulse'. As the familiar plotline unfolded, I began to question whether I'd already seen this flick. I would've remembered Kristen Bell from 'Heroes', I thought to myself. A quarter-way through, I had to research the film on imdb.com...as it turns out, 'Pulse' is a remake of a 2001 J-Horror hit 'Kairo', which I rented a few years ago.

After learning this, I returned to the movie, but couldn't finish it...the premise was pretty silly to begin with (the supernatural meets the Internet), but like 'Dark Water', 'The Grudge', & 'The Ring', the U.S.-made version had difficulty in translating the delicate psychological suspense crafted in the Japanese classic. For no better explanation, American horror seems at its best when 'rougher in trade'...like 'Halloween', 'Evil Dead', & 'Saw'. Or with Western religious overtones ('The Exorcist', 'The Omen', etc.).

Then again, when is a remake, in general, ever better than the original?

Ciao4Now.

P.S. Seen 'The Descent' yet? My fave horror film in the last few years!

'Semi-Homemade w/ Boyhowdy' - Episode #3

There's nothing like smoked BBQ pork grilling slowly over coals on a hot summer day. But how do you satisfy that craving in the dead of winter? Well, you can't beat the real thing, but this recipe is quick, easy, and can be concocted in just a frying pan.

First, marinate about 1/2-pound of sliced pork (here, I used boneless loin chops) in:
1 clove garlic, finely-chopped
2 tsp. soy sauce
Healthy pinch of salt (I like rock sea salt)
Dash of both black & crushed red pepper
Here's the key ingredient...1/2 capful of Wright's Hickory Seasoning (or liquid smoke).

Combine and let stand in the fridge for an hour or so.

Chop up about a third of a sweet yellow onion & get out your fave BBQ sauce.

With a little bit of oil, pan-fry pork on medium-high heat.

When the pork is almost done, add onions & stir-fry. Reduce heat if necessary.

Turn off heat when pork is cooked through & onions are firm, but tender. Drizzle on some BBQ sauce (not a good idea to add sauce while heat is still on...it'll splatter & make a mess on the stove top).

Done deal! Serve between a bun or bread slices or on top of a bed of rice or whatever...very versatile dish.

Ciao4Now.

Dah-yum!!

I reside in a relatively 'middle to upper-middle class' neighborhood where a lot of Subarus, Volvos, & assorted Hybrids roam the streets. But I noticed this new kid on the block a couple months ago - a candy-apple red Lotus Elise!
Like many British-made automobiles, Lotus has a notoriously-sketchy maintenance track record. But look at those fine lines...easily, the most fly set of wheels in the 'hood!

Ciao4Now.

The Sequel Is Out There

After nearly 10 years of on-again, off-again speculation, the much-anticipated second 'X-Files' motion picture began filming today in Vancouver. The project, starring both David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson in their familiar roles of Agents Mulder & Scully, also features Amanda Peet & Xzibit.

Though initially announced as a 'standalone' supernatural thriller, it'll be interesting to see if the new movie's story ties in with the mythology of the television series. It took nearly 6 months, but I recently watched all 202 episodes in chronological order & there are still a few questions to be answered, the biggest being, will Agents Mulder & Scully ever reclaim their son William? And is the villianous Cigarette-Smoking Man, Mulder's biological father, really dead?

Coming soon to a theatre near you in Fall 2008...until then, trustno1.

Ciao4Now.

Happy Birthday, Miya!

Here's a pic of Miya's 'Pride & Joy' Aki, a year-old shiba inu, snapped on Thanksgiving (does she look hungry?)...best-behaved dog I've ever met!

Happy birthday, bud!

Ciao4Now.

The 'Age of Netflix' Killing Oscar Buzz?

I used to be sooo into Oscar Night...from 2000 to 2004, I viewed 23 out of 25 Best Picture nominations before the ceremony (only missing "Chocolat" in '00 & "Gosford Park" in '01). Then in '05, it was 3 of 5; last year, only 2. And though we are just beginning the buzz season, I have yet to see a potential Academy Award winner this year (though, I do plan to catch "Juno" & "Sweeney Todd").

Granted, I no longer own a private vehicle, so going to a feature on a whim is not so much of an option anymore. But there are many theaters just a 10-minute bus ride away in the University District (plus, no need to pay for parking), so that's not really an excuse.

Sadly, I think I've gradually developed a 'I'll-catch-it-on-video' mentality, sacrificing the fetchings of the big-screen experience for home-based convenience. And clearly, I am not alone with this affliction. Wonder why, among other things, the Writer's Guild of America is fighting so hard for those extra few cents on a DVD sale? It's not so crazy to believe that in the near future, new releases will (legally) become available to the public online, via disc, or through a cable TV provider...though at what expense to the moviehouses that make up a major part of our cultural fabric?

For more worse than better, the already-delicate balance of the motion picture industry is certainly becoming compromised by technology & how we receive its applications.

Ciao4Now.

Fey-belicious!

Prime-time Thursday means one thing to me...'30 Rock'. Arguably, the most clever sit-com on the air (yes...though a remake, 'The Office' deserves merit), it is produced, co-written, & stars the sexy-smart Tina Fey.

We are all attracted to different 'types'...after all, how boring would life be if everyone on Earth coveted just Angelina Jolie? Tina's my kind of girl...brimming with intelligence & creativity, she (& consequently, her character Liz Lemon) possesses the innate & enviable ability to find humor within herself. To take life seriously, but only in moderation.

See an all-new '30 Rock' tonight @ 8:30 on NBC.

Tina on 'Letterman' (8.23.07):


Ciao4Now.

Getting In a Fix!

If Krispy Kreme is the 'cocaine of doughnuts', then Top Pot is heroin. Residing only a couple blocks away from this pastry den of inequity, I often find myself magnetically drawn to temptation while strolling the 'hood.

Specializing in cake-style doughnuts, Top Pot's product is rich & dense, but not too sweet. My fave is the simple white glazed...but every once in a while, when necessary to quell a serious jones, only the classic chocolate-topped, custard-filled bismarck will do.

If you ever get a chance, try Top Pot...Wedgwood's neighborhood 'crackhouse'! http://www.toppotdoughnuts.com/flash/

Ciao4Now.

Q: What Is This?

A: Happy belated 26th birthday to Brit's pits!


(frontrunner for 'most tasteless Boyhowdy post' thus far!)

Ciao4Now.

No Win in 'Tin'

Last night, I gave the SciFi Channel's 'motion-picture-event-of-the-year' 'Tin Man' a shot, and after two mind-numbing hours, emerged a victim of the O.Z. ('overhyped zone'). What a vacuous pile of garbage!

Since Cameron Crowe's masterpiece 'Almost Famous', I've always had a soft spot for Zooey Deschanel, but she offers nothing much to adorn here. Not even Alan Cumming's acting chops could salvage this cheesy mini-series.

I know, the production is on a cable-network budget, but the special effects seem forced & the plot unnecessarily convolutes to stretch the story out for six arduous TV hours.

My suggestion: Skip 'Tin Man' & catch the new episode of 'Heroes' tonight.

Ciao4Now.

Still Coming Down....

Probably a couple inches of accumulation so far.

Winter's First Snow

Just snapped these pics a few minutes ago...it goes without saying, pretty damned cold today! Brrr!



During times of inclimate Pacific Northwest weather, I visit this website for a few minutes & feel a little warmer: http://www.honolulu.gov/multimed/waikiki.asp

Ciao4Now.

The Staite of Jewel

By coincidence, many of my favorite actresses hail from the Great White North...Evangeline Lilly, Rachel McAdams, Carrie-Ann Moss, and Mia Kirshner, to name a few. However, I absolutely adore Jewel Staite!

'Jewel who?', many may ask. Currently starring in 'Stargate: Atlantis', she's probably best known for her role as Kaylee Frye in Joss Whedon's brilliant, yet short-lived, sci-fi western series 'Firefly', then the follow-up motion picture 'Serenity'.

Jewel doesn't stray far from her somewhat-naive acting style, which suits her innocent features just fine. She may be typecast, but why fix it if it ain't broke, right?

So here's to you, Jewel...& Oh, Canada! Love thy neighbor!



Ciao4Now.

P.S. Speaking of the SciFi Channel, I might have to check out 'Tin Man' this upcoming Sunday @ 9PM, starring Alan Cumming & Zooey Deschanel. http://www.scifi.com/tinman/

Safeway Club Card - Savings or Sham?

Looking at my receipt from today's Safeway shopping excursion, I 'saved' 33% (or $18.38) on my total...though, 15 out of the 16 items bought were Club Card sale items. Clearly, I am a price-driven consumer at this particular store.

Now, there are some things that I will pay a premium for (e.g. I buy my eggs from the Co-Op because they are locally-produced & cage-free), but today's purchases got me to thinking if I've been caught in some sinister Safeway marketing plan. It's no secret that the grocery gurus of these large chains disseminate their customer's buying patterns, and schedule their 'sales' in accordance to the purged data acquired from Club Card members.

I don't have a real big problem with a company viewing my purchasing history...it's not like I'm buying anything that would cause personal 'embarrassment' (e.g. "Jeez, this guy goes through a tube of Preparation-H a week!"). But for four years, I sold wholesale grocery products to Safeway (among other stores), and have a pretty good idea on retail mark-ups. Sometimes, I wonder how much non-sale prices are jacked up to make 'specials' more appealing.

Though, I compare pricing at other competing markets & usually know a good buy when I see it. In the end, you just gotta be a savvy shopper to get the most out of your hard-earned buck.

Ciao4Now.

P.S. Rest peacefully, Lonny Heckman...C G Am Em F G C.

Peeling a Pomegranate

Without question, the pomegranate is my favorite fruit...I love the pop and crunch of those sweet-yet-tangy ruby-red arils. Kinda reminds me of scavenging for guavas and passion fruit on the Islands as a kid.

Now, everyone has their own way of peeling a pomegranate...most cut off the crown, then section it into wedges. However, you end up with a bunch of broken arils. After years of experimentation, this is my method:

Put down some newspaper (it can get a little messy & the juice stains) and use a good serrated knife.


Cut off as much of the peel as possible.


Start plucking out exposed arils...from there, whole sections seperated by the membrane can be pulled apart. Collect the fruit sacs in a container.


Ta-da! Ready to eat!


I like to stick 'em in the fridge for a while...makes an awesome snack.

Ciao4Now.

A Very Happy Birthday...

...to my main man, nephew Brent, who turned 6 today!

Much love to you!

More Praise for Spike!

Evidently, Jonze's influence stretches clear across the Atlantic...from somewhere in France, un hommage à la merveilleuse intervention du Torrance Community Dance Group. C'est tres bon!!



Ciao4Now.

Where the Wild Vids Are

For those jonzeing for a new Spike film, the wait is less than a year away. Coming next October, the brilliant 'Being John Malkovich' director's adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's book 'Where the Wild Things Are' will finally be released. The CGI-heavy live-action feature stars Forest Whitaker, Michelle Williams, James Gandalfini, & Paul Dano ('Little Miss Sunshine', 'L.I.E.'), mostly as character voices.

So in honor of the man, here are some of his fantastically-directed music videos:

Maybe my all-time favorite, Fatboy Slim's "Praise You" (also starring Spike as the leader of the dance group):


The controversial Yeah Yeah Yeah's vid, "Y-Control":


The trippy backward-motion photography of "Drop" by The Pharcyde:


The Chemical Brothers' "Elektrobank" stars Spike's ex-, the beautiful & equally cinematically-talented Sofia Coppola:


And last but not least, the hilarious "If I Only Had a Brain" by MC 900 Ft Jesus:


Want more? Check out these awesome Jonze-directed vids on YouTube:
"Sabotage" & "Sure Shot" - Beastie Boys
"It's Oh So Quiet" - Björk
"Cannonball" - The Breeders
"What's Up, Fat Lip?" - Fat Lip
"Weapon of Choice" (feat. Christopher Walken) - Fatboy Slim
"Wonderboy" - Tenacious D
"Buddy Holly" - Weezer

Ciao4Now.

The Amazing Andrew Zimmern!

Last night, I had all intentions to tuck in early & get some good sleep...and then I stumbled upon the Travel Channel's 'Bizarre Foods' marathon.

Hosted by chef Andrew Zimmern, the show spans the globe to seek out 'unusual fare'. From deep-fried bats to fresh mangrove worms, Zimmern leaves no culinary stone unturned.

Though after viewing 4 hours of the often gastronomically-challenging program, I can honestly say that I would, at least, try 80 percent of the featured food items. Born and raised in Ha'wai'i, a veritable melting pot of cultures, I've consumed some dishes (e.g. dinaguan, a Filipino pork blood stew) that would make a Midwestern farmer lose his Denny's Grand Slam breakfast. Let's just say that I'm not simply a 'meat & potatoes' guy. Prepared adequately, I wouldn't have too much of a problem eating most creatures from the ocean, reptiles & amphibians, or anything bird-related, but what kind of skeeves me out are mammal organs (e.g. criadillas, or bull's testicles) and large, gooey insects or worms . Though to coin an old adage, 'don't knock it until you try it'.

Anyway, love the show...you can watch a bunch of episodes on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=DerfMik&p=r



Ciao4Now.

Door Busters!

Who are these crazy people lining up in front of stores at the crack of dawn?

I can kind of understand the XBox360 or iPhone mania, but is 50% off something like a down comforter really worth braving the Black Friday madness? Clearly, the power of the dollar sends some into a competitive frenzy. Remember the stampede at a Chongqing supermarket that killed 3 & injured 30 a couple weeks ago? And for all things, discounted cooking oil!

The commercialization of the Holiday season is at an all-time high, and shoppers are buying in to the hype.

Yesterday, a friend & I made a pact to ditch the present exchange...gifts only for children & immediate family. Love the idea!

I'm planning a crowd-free Christmas...here I come, amazon.com!!

Ciao4Now.

Celebri-Wiis!

Part of the fun in owning a Nintendo Wii platform is designing your own characters. Here are some of my creations:

The Wii Stooges....


Madonna...La Wii-sla Bonita!


No celebri-Wii lineup is complete without La Lohan.


The Wii may not have a 'Y Control' button, but that's not stopping Karen O from representing!


My tennis go-to girl, Wiinus Williams!


Mr. Wii-lly Wonka himself, Johnny!


And of course, my all-time fave actress, Wiinona Ryder!


Deleted my 'Bald Britney' character after she started donning those awful Wii-ves.

Ciao4Now.

Singing in the Brain

As a frequent sufferer of the affliction, I am fascinated with earworms, or song-stuck-in-your-head syndrome. Most anything can trigger it - a commercial, elevator muzak, dreams, recollections, etc. - and there is no proven cure (though, some clinicians claim medication traditionally used for OCD & anxiety can alleviate the symptoms).

Earworms do not drive me to the point of mania, but sometimes they sure can irritate. In surveys, some of the most popular 'repetunes' include Chili's "Baby Back Ribs" jingle, "We Will Rock You", "YMCA", & "It's a Small World After All". After careful thought, here are my Top 5:

1. "Dancing Queen" - ABBA
2. Theme from 'Frasier' ("Tossed Salads & Scrambled Eggs")
3. "Back In Black" - AC/DC
4. Canon in D - Johann Pachelbel (especially, around the holidays)
5. "There She Goes" - The La's

For the most part, pretty conventional. Though every once in a while, a totally bizarre song will pop in & stick around for a while...like today's mental jukebox selection, the chorus to "The Ballad of a Dog Named Stains" by Red Peters.



Ciao4Now.

'Semi-Homemade with Boyhowdy' - Episode #2

Among the great inventions of kitchen convenience, bottled pasta sauce ranks right up there with sliced bread.

It's Simple Spaghetti Monday...so let's get crackin'!

Ingredients:
Half-bottle of pasta sauce (any brand will do...I prefer Prego, but Ragu was on sale)
1/2-lb. ground meat (today, Italian sausage)
6 mushrooms, wedge-cut
1/4 yellow onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
Black pepper to taste
Crushed red pepper for some heat (optional)

In a saucepan, brown ground meat, drain off excess fat, then add onions, garlic, and black pepper. Continue sauté until onions slightly soften.

Add pasta sauce, mushrooms, and if desired, red pepper. Cover, then simmer on very low heat (I usually let it go for about an hour so the onions almost 'liquify').

Serve over your favorite pasta w/ shredded parmesan cheese (I also love capers) and enjoy! Will yield 2 or 3 servings...perfect for those who cook for one or two, & don't want a whole pot of sauce left over.

Easy-peasy! Look out, Sandra Lee...I've got my sights set on your job!

Ciao4Now.

Coming to Terms

This morning's Seattle Times seemed especially morbid....thousands dead in Bangladesh from a devastating cyclone, 63 more in a Ukraine mine explosion, a local soldier killed in Iraq, a double-homocide involving a young couple in Graham, WA, etc.. And all I wanted was the NYT Sunday crossword puzzle.

I started thinking about why I am, lately, more affected by tragic news, and recalled an incident that happened about a month ago. Walking out of the neighborhood Mini-Mart, I noticed a sickly homeless man sitting at a bus stop across the street. 'That dude looks like he's gonna die', I briefly thought, then continued on my way. The next day, returning home on a route passing by the same bus stop, I witnessed a team of medics transferring the man's body into an ambulance. I couldn't help but wonder if there was anything that I could've done the day before to save the guy's life.

A little over three years ago, a dear friend slipped away in front of my eyes at the end of her battle against terminal cancer. In some ways, her passing hardened me for the worse than better...I viewed humankind's raison d'être as irrational & insignificant. But as time goes on, I am rebuilding a stronger sense of compassion, perhaps by convincing myself that my departed friend would want me to be the same person she once knew. It's a long process, but maybe my somber reaction toward today's news items & the regret I experienced regarding the man at the bus stop indicate a positive personal progression.

I now often think about starlight, and how, even though its source is long gone, the beautiful illumination remains forever.

In Praise of the Glorious Double-Double!

Seriously, is there a better burger on the planet?

So enamored am I with this flawless fast-food masterpiece that I would consider 'not having an In-N-Out franchise' as the biggest disappointment about living in Seattle. When visiting my sister's family in Mountain View, the drive-thru off of El Camino Real is the first stop I make after landing in San Jose. In fact, one of my nephew's first words was "dah-bo dah-bo"...the lil' french-fry moocher cracked his uncle up!

I very rarely patronize fast-food restaurants...I could count on one hand how many times I've dined at said establishments this year. But when in Cali, forget about it...if visiting for a week, I'll hit up the In-N-Out at least 4 or 5 times, then stop to pick up a few more burgers to bring back home!
The only thing that kind of bugs me about the franchise is the biblical references printed on the cups and wrappers. But that's all forgotten after the first bite. Instead of John 3:16, perhaps In-N-Out should use the more appropriate proverb from Ecclesiastes 8:15, "A man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry."

All this talk's making me ravenous...better start something for dinner!

Ciao4Now.