Youth

Get off my lawn, you crazy kids! 

They may as well put up No Smoking signs behind the electives wing of the high school which I totally didn't partake in.

Ok, I totally did.

New Sensation

The day before Thanksgiving, I was having visions of childhood cartoons.  Suddenly, the above image popped into my head.  It was a fuzzy image but the basic colors were there yet I couldn't remember the name of the character.  All I knew, other than the colors and general appearance, was that the name of the character was also the name of the show.  I asked the BNC who is awesome at remembering stuff like this but he was at a loss.  B couldn't remember either.   Some days passed when I finally got around to asking Chapa.  Without skipping a beat, he told me; Freakazoid.  It was then that I started a little trip down memory lane (fine, I do it a lot) starting with cartoons to TV shows to music.

For example, I LOVED the Dungeons & Dragons cartoon.  As a matter of fact, I think they would make excellent Halloween costumes.  I choose Dungeon Master.  I never played the RPG version of Dungeons & Dragons though I'll admit it, I always wanted to learn.  I did play Pokemon and Heroclix with my nerd friends and was really good at it.  Just saying.

Then, Monday, my last day in a 5-day weekend, I visited my favorite music store and found old, used CDs I've been trying to get for years.  They included Oasis, Pearl Jam and some Madonna compilations but it was the INXS greatest hits CD that got me.  Michael Hutchence was awesome.  His charisma, his talent, his voice, everything, is something that doesn't come around too often.  I miss his music terribly and his passing was upsetting. 

Lead singers with IT are rare.  Freddie Mercury had it better than anyone.  His Live Aid performance of Radio Ga Ga, with such command of the the audience as they clapped in unison, still takes my breath away.  His death brought me to tears.  Michael Hutchence had it, of course, and it's a damn shame what happened.  Much like what happened to Tupac.

After Thanksgiving, while the BNC and B napped together, I stumbled upon Tupac: Resurrection and was captivated.  Tupac has always rocked but to know so much more by listening to him tell his story, watch the footage of his interviews, etc. was a treat.  And, just like that, I miss the 90s a great deal.  I miss the music my generation grew up with.  I miss it more since many of the artists that still move me are gone. 

And now I'm feeling old. 

Thanksgiving

Logan, taken before I stuffed 15 additional people into my tiny home for Thanksgiving.  With so many Mexicans in my home, I was tempted to start a landscaping business, maybe roofing.

And it was a grand time.  We managed perfectly, everyone ate, laughter and stories were exchanged, football was watched and hugs and I love you were abundant.  I would do it again in a heartbeat.  Something tells me next year I will find myself in the same situation and that makes me happy because that is what Thanksgiving is all about.  I hope yours was a grand one as well. 

Even More Doodle Time

Several weeks ago I ordered some Moleskine books from Amazon and, after almost a month, they finally showed up.  I hooted and hollered and then got Doodler's Block.  What am I supposed to doodle?  What will be the first thing to draw in my mini-sketch book?  Pressure.  I'm sure by the end of the day I would have doodled feverishly but for now, the pages sit blank except for the first page where I  wrote my name, phone number  and a $50 reward in case I lose it. 

Along with the mini-sketch book, that fits comfortably in my satchel, which I get a lot of compliments on, I purchased a regular sized Moleskin featuring Snoopy.  It's to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Peanuts comic strip and I love it.  Just like the above book, this one sits empty with only my name, phone number and reward items filled out.  Still, I'm happy.

I drew Charlie Brown on a regular piece of paper but perhaps I should re-doodle it into the mini.  Seems right I suppose.

And, speaking of anniversaries, my 6th wedding anniversary is this Saturday.   Already?  It seems so long ago but, at the same time, not really. 

Good times.

Doodle Time

What can I say?  I love me some Harry.

The Other White Meat

I've been experimenting with recipes lately.  I've been making a lot of mashed potatoes, doing some test runs, because originally I was going to have Thanksgiving at  my BFF's house and was put in charge of the potatoes.  Cooking for people other than your family is tricky because they aren't used to your cooking which explains my starch overload recently.  I finally got the recipe down and just like that, I am now cooking Thanksgiving at my house for my family and some friends.  I was trying to avoid it again this year but how I can turn down B?  Developing my own recipe for pork tenderloin was also a lot of testing.  My old recipe involved garlic inside the tenderloin then slathered in olive oil, salt and pepper.  However, my new and much more delicious recipe involves a little olive oil, salt, pepper and soy sauce.  Just cover the pork tenderloin well in those simple ingredients, roast in the oven at 400º for about 20-30 mintues and bam, yummy pork. 

In other Thanksgiving news, it's warm and sticky here in Houston, not a complete shocker, but I was hoping to finally be wearing (sweat)pants to Thanksgiving dinner but, shorts it is...until that evening when a cold front will pass through and drop those temperatures quick.  Stay classy, Houston. 

Hot Chocolate

Abuleita hot chocolate is a staple in any Mexican household.  It's easy to make and incredibly yummy, from what I remember.  I purchased a package for the BNC and made some while the weather was nice and cool on Thursday night.  Coupled with some pan de dulce (sweet bread) and your worries should melt away. 

For every square of the Abuelita (Grandmother) chocolate bar, add a cup of milk.  Warm up your milk, not boiling, and add your squares of chocolate.  Stir and stir until completely dissolved all the while not boiling your milk or developing that nasty skin on top.  It may be a little undersweetened so adding half a spoon of sugar to your serving may bring out the flavor.  I should have tried the Modern Family version, adding some salt, but I decided not to. 

Pour into your favorite mug, which may be an oversized mug you purchased 10+ years ago while visiting the Alamo and eat with a piece of sweet bread (not the animal gland).

 

If you're like me though, you may just salivate as your BNC sips his hot chocolate while you pat yourself on the back for powering through.