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Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Things I learned today...
The title of this post seems intriguing and might even hint that some form of higher reasoning has been attained. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The one and only thing I learned today (at least useful thing) was that one should ALWAYS carry a small tool kit when cycling.
Why would I recommend such an action? Let me tell you a little story. But before I proceed I should inform you that I have cycling shoes that clip into special pedals on my bike, This will make sense in a few sentences.
It all started in Cedarburg, when Joe (my roommate) and I went for a bike ride. We went north on the trail toward Port Washington. We were going at a great pace of a 17 MPH average when I hear something fall from my bike (or so I think). About 10 seconds later my left foot, still attached to the pedal, feels loose. Indeed it was loose and in fact COMPLETELY OFF OF MY BIKE! While the pedal, and the arm the pedal is attached to, was still attached to the bottom of my foot it was no longer connected to my bike.
So, this is where Joe and I went in search of a hardware store. We found a nearby citizen of Port Washington and asked, "Where is the nearest hardware store?" The reply was, "I think it is that way (the direction of a large hill), near a gas station." As you may have guessed the nearby citizen was a female.
So up the hill we went. Joe carried my pedal while I attempted to ride with one leg up this long hill. We went about a mile or so and then asked a young gent who told us we were but 6 blocks away. Halfway there we saw an auto shop and stopped to see if we could borrow the appropriate tools.
Minutes later we were back on our way with our time ruined our average MPH dismally low (from the slow one legged ride up the hill) and with a new life lesson.
Always bring tools.
Why would I recommend such an action? Let me tell you a little story. But before I proceed I should inform you that I have cycling shoes that clip into special pedals on my bike, This will make sense in a few sentences.
It all started in Cedarburg, when Joe (my roommate) and I went for a bike ride. We went north on the trail toward Port Washington. We were going at a great pace of a 17 MPH average when I hear something fall from my bike (or so I think). About 10 seconds later my left foot, still attached to the pedal, feels loose. Indeed it was loose and in fact COMPLETELY OFF OF MY BIKE! While the pedal, and the arm the pedal is attached to, was still attached to the bottom of my foot it was no longer connected to my bike.
So, this is where Joe and I went in search of a hardware store. We found a nearby citizen of Port Washington and asked, "Where is the nearest hardware store?" The reply was, "I think it is that way (the direction of a large hill), near a gas station." As you may have guessed the nearby citizen was a female.
So up the hill we went. Joe carried my pedal while I attempted to ride with one leg up this long hill. We went about a mile or so and then asked a young gent who told us we were but 6 blocks away. Halfway there we saw an auto shop and stopped to see if we could borrow the appropriate tools.
Minutes later we were back on our way with our time ruined our average MPH dismally low (from the slow one legged ride up the hill) and with a new life lesson.
Always bring tools.
Monday, March 23, 2009
A Must Try, Whipped Cauliflower...
Usually I do not post recipes. It is not that I think it is odd or that I do not want to, I usually just don't think to post such things. Anyway, the recipe to follow is a great addition to anyone's shortlist of go-to dinner items.
So here it is... Whipped Cauliflower.
Ingredients:
You can add a bit less liquid to make the mix more solid, but with this ratio they turn out light a delicious. I honestly think they are better than mashed potatoes (they even take less time to make).
I would recommend serving with steak (or another kind of red meat) and pair with a red wine such as Sangiovese, Syrah or maybe a Spanish Gernache or Tempranillo.
Bon appetit!
So here it is... Whipped Cauliflower.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1/4 cup fat-free milk
- 2 tablespoons canola or olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon white pepper
- Place cauliflower in a steamer basket; place in a saucepan over 1 in. of water. Bring to a boil; cover and steam for 8-10 minutes or until tender. Cool slightly.
- Place the milk and oil in a blender or food processor. Add the cauliflower, salt and pepper; cover and process until blended. Transfer to a bowl. Serve immediately.
Nutrition:
- Nutritional Analysis: 1/2 cup equals 105 calories, 7 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 1 mg cholesterol, 199 mg sodium, 8 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 3 g protein.
You can add a bit less liquid to make the mix more solid, but with this ratio they turn out light a delicious. I honestly think they are better than mashed potatoes (they even take less time to make).
I would recommend serving with steak (or another kind of red meat) and pair with a red wine such as Sangiovese, Syrah or maybe a Spanish Gernache or Tempranillo.
Bon appetit!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Life Moves Fast...
If you thought life was moving fast before, well it just became faster. I am now the proud owner of a new road bike (actually used but new to me).
As I took my new bike out for a ride today I realized how out of shape I am. After eight miles at an average of 14 mph I had yet to break a decent sweat, but my legs were burning. So my short half-hour ride would have to do.
On another note, Jess and I went to Immanuel Lutheran's school auction last night. We had planned on going throughout the night without bidding on anything. It was about halfway through the silent auction when we placed a bid on something. The item, and the rest of the items at that table, was closing within 3 minutes. I knew the family who had placed the starting bid before us and saw them sitting across the room. After strategically placing a bid the item closed.
We won our item. It feels nice, usually I am outbid at the last second on eBay, but here we won. I am sure you are all wondering what we won. Before I take all the fun out of the suspense I will say it is something that I need more than a new bike. I am absolutely awful at this activity.
If you have not yet guessed, we bid on and won a private dance lesson at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Brookfield. There is also another hour of time we get at the studio to practice what we learned. Now I will not make a fool of myself on June 26th.
Watch out world J. Smith will soon be able to dance without looking like a fool.
As I took my new bike out for a ride today I realized how out of shape I am. After eight miles at an average of 14 mph I had yet to break a decent sweat, but my legs were burning. So my short half-hour ride would have to do.
On another note, Jess and I went to Immanuel Lutheran's school auction last night. We had planned on going throughout the night without bidding on anything. It was about halfway through the silent auction when we placed a bid on something. The item, and the rest of the items at that table, was closing within 3 minutes. I knew the family who had placed the starting bid before us and saw them sitting across the room. After strategically placing a bid the item closed.
We won our item. It feels nice, usually I am outbid at the last second on eBay, but here we won. I am sure you are all wondering what we won. Before I take all the fun out of the suspense I will say it is something that I need more than a new bike. I am absolutely awful at this activity.
If you have not yet guessed, we bid on and won a private dance lesson at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Brookfield. There is also another hour of time we get at the studio to practice what we learned. Now I will not make a fool of myself on June 26th.
Watch out world J. Smith will soon be able to dance without looking like a fool.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
It Feels a Bit... WEIRD!
Last night, four hours later than I had hoped (9:00 PM), I emailed half of my senior seminar paper to both of my advisers. Normally sending a paper is not stressful, but this paper allows me to graduate. Nevertheless, I closed my eyes and hit the send button allowing my future to be held in the hands two extremely intelligent men.
I am not sure I like this feeling at all.
Oh well, on to part two.
I am not sure I like this feeling at all.
Oh well, on to part two.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Senior Seminar here I come...
This is a short update of the week
- Dr. Menuge sent his letter of recommendation for my paper for the ETS (Evangelical Theological Society) student paper competition
- I procrastinated on the writing of my paper while I read the infinite number of sources I have from the great and glorious CUW library
- Wednesday night (actually Thursday morning) I stayed up until almost 3:00 am to finish a decent draft of my paper
- The great and venerable TLeaf ripped my paper apart and demeaned my intelligence
- I rewrote the whole paper to conform to his totalitarian dogmatic corrections
- I sent, today at 11:30, a draft of my paper to the person who will be reviewing it for possible selection in the student paper competition
- I became nervous the second I sent the paper
- I returned to the library to check out three more book, now totaling 50!
Well, this has been my week. I cannot wait for next week, which, as far as I know, will be a bit of a break compared to this week.
WHEW!
(NB. two points are not true and not one by the name or nickname of TLeaf should be offended unless otherwise noted)
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