NYC Sports Fans: A Spoiled Bunch

Posted on 18-December-11 by Dan
Even Spike Is Spoiled...although, being a Knicks fan does mean he's suffered too.

Even Spike is spoiled...although, being a Knicks fan does mean he's suffered too.

New York City is considered the center of the universe.  Ask any native New Yorker, they’ll be all too happy to tell you.  It is a city where you can do almost anything, see almost anything, eat almost anything, and meet almost anyone.  Choices are abundant here.  And, for the most part, that is a great opportunity.

Until it comes to sports.

Let’s look at all the teams in the New York Metro area.  For sake of argument, the New York Metro area will consist of teams that are geographically located within New York City (all five boroughs), on Long Island, and in the eastern New Jersey area (the Meadowlands, specifically).   Baseball fans side with either the New York Yankees or the New York Mets.  Football fans can pick between the New York Giants or the New York Jets (neither of which play in NY, mind you).  Hockey fans hit the trifecta with the New York Rangers, New York Islanders and the New Jersey Devils.  And let’s not forget about basketball fans who can either root for the New York Knicks or the New Jersey (for now) Nets (expected to move to Brooklyn for 2012-2013 season).  Read more... (822 words and 1 image, estimated 3:17 mins reading time)

Posted in Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Building Confidence In the Kitchen

Posted on 25-October-11 by Dan

Kitchen Counter Cooking School | Kathleen FlinnHave you ever wanted to be able to cook without thinking about it? Do you have trouble piecing together a meal from the contents of your refrigerator? Do you feel that you don’t understand the basics of cooking or even some rudimentary skills like chopping, dicing or julienning? Well, that’s how I always felt about cooking – I was great at following a recipe (to the letter), but could not improvise anything. I also did not know much about basic kitchen skills.

Then I read “Kitchen Counter Cooking School” by Kathleen Flinn. This book is not a how-to book but rather a chronicle of how a professionally trained chef (Flinn is a graduate of Paris’ Le Cordon Bleu) took nine culinary novices and transformed them into perfectly serviceable cooks. Flinn’s journey is prompted by a random encounter with a woman loading processed food into her supermarket cart. After talking to the woman, Flinn finds out that the woman buys the processed food because they are “easy” and “always come out right.” It was this lack of knowledge and confidence that sparked Flinn to create a series of classes which would take ordinary folks and teach them to become more than proficient in the kitchen.  Read more... (462 words and 1 image, estimated 1:51 mins reading time)

Posted in Book, Cooking, Media | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Breakfast Bake with Eggs

Posted on 7-October-11 by Dan

Breakfast is such a boring meal to have people over for. What do you make? A big bowl of scrambled eggs? Maybe a nice banana bread and a bowl of diced fruit. If you’re feeling really creative maybe you’ll make pancakes. The problem with all these options is the time it takes in the kitchen. You’re spending all your time in the kitchen prepping and cooking while people are milling around, drinking Bloody Mary’s or Mamosas and generally enjoying each other.

I have your solution. Enter the Breakfast Bake with Eggs.

This little ditty is great because most of the work is done the night before. You can prep most of the components the night before and shove it in the fridge with only the need to heat it up the next morning. But, unlike other breakfast casserole type meals, this one has pizzaz! The addition of fried eggs on top of the souffle gives you a sophisticated look that will put your guests in awe and make you look like the culinary royalty that you aim to be.  Read more... (576 words and 2 images, estimated 2:18 mins reading time)

Posted in Cooking, Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Aftermath of “The Crash” – Boston Sports Will Survive

Posted on 30-September-11 by Dan

Boston Red SoxIn my 32 years, I’ve seen a lot of highs and lows in Boston sports, but this September might have been as low as it got. With a 9-game lead in the Wild Card standings on September 3rd, the Sox looked like they were destined for the playoffs and an eventual showdown with the Evil Empire in the Bronx. But, they somehow managed to blow it. Was it pitching? Was it hitting? Was it coaching? Maybe the GM? Or were the players just complacent and not “hungry?” We’ll probably never know. What we do know is that it most likely is going to cost Terry Francona his job (dumb move in my opinion) and may be the catalyst Theo Epstein uses to leave Boston for greener pastures…if you call a franchise that has an even bigger World Series drought than the Red Sox ever had (103 years for the Chicago Cubs for those of you not in the know) greener pastures.  Read more... (364 words and 1 image, estimated 1:27 mins reading time)

Posted in Baseball, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Septembeard Progress Report – Week 4

Posted on 28-September-11 by Dan
dan_week04

Dan - Week 4 (26-Sep-2011)

Week 4 is upon us and so is a bushy looking beard! The wife is bugging me to trim up a bit (she loves the beard though), however I plan on holding strong until the month is out! And, really, how can she argue with the reasoning?

I’m closing in on the end of this epic journey (OK, epic might be a little strong, but it is pretty cool) and am really appreciative to all the people who have donated over the course of the last month or so. You’re making a big difference in the battle against prostate caner folks!

If you’d like to make a last-minute donation, you can click here: Donate Here!

Posted in Ramblings | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off

Septembeard Progress Report – Week 3

Posted on 28-September-11 by Dan
dan_week03

Dan - Week 3 (19-Sep-2011)

Week 3 has come and gone with more growth being seen. The mountain-esque look is starting to fill in. Having booked a trip to Colorado in March this week, I’m fully content on letting this grow in as much as possible.

Donations this week were a little slower, but that is to be expected as the month comes to a close. No new team member, as hinted at before, but that’s OK. I’m enjoying riding this train solo…maybe I’ll have more members next year.

As always, if you’d like to make a donation, you can click here: Donate Here!

Posted in Ramblings | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off

Septembeard Progress Report – Week 2

Posted on 12-September-11 by Dan
dan_week02

Dan - Week 2 (12-Sep-2011)

Week 2 is already upon us and the beard is coming in nice and full.  I’m kind of curious how long I will let it get, but I’m really liking the idea of letting this thing grow in full-bore Grizzly Adams style.

Donations this week were great and we’re starting to make headway towards our goal. I may have even gotten a new team member. I’m waiting on a text to see if he’s interested. All in all, this little adventure is going just the way I want it to!

Remember, if you’d like to make a donation, you can click here: Donate Here!

Posted in Ramblings | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off