Pot Luck

First! (4.00 / 1)

So whazzup, homies? :-D

Act on Principles and make equality happen.

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by: atdleft @ Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 21:02:21 PM CST

Good news from a friend... (4.00 / 2)

Just found out earlier today that my friend Sean from Jersey, who I've only (briefly) seen twice since he got back from Iraq a little over two years ago, will be moving again soon.

He'll heading back to Red Bank (of Kevin Smith -- Clerks, Chasing Amy, Dogma, etc... -- fame), one of my favorite small Jersey towns, in a couple months.  

Good for both of us.  He'll be living somewhere cool again, and I'll have a fun place to stay for a night or two next time I'm back in Jersey.  Everybody wins!

:)

"Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization." - Eugene V. Debs

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by: JayinPortland @ Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 21:07:09 PM CST

Congrats! (4.00 / 2)

It's always good to have a "home away from home". I know. It's nice to come back to Orange County every once in a while and not drop serious $$$$ on a hotel room here.

Act on Principles and make equality happen.

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by: atdleft @ Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 21:13:59 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Doesn't BRUCE________ (4.00 / 2)

live in Red Bank? I like that town too.And I love the movies you mentioned.

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by: LeeN @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 07:16:58 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Close... (4.00 / 1)

he lives in Colts Neck and Rumson, which are both about 20 minutes from Red Bank in different directions...

"Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization." - Eugene V. Debs

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by: JayinPortland @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 12:33:21 PM CST

[ Parent ]

No sprouts yet. (4.00 / 2)

No brown basmati sprouts yet. Tonight will be five days, but I think I'll let the trials continue a while longer.

Two jars of rice covered with water, one at room temperature, one at 91 degrees F, water changed periodically. Something is going on in both jars, and it happens more in the warmer jar. More bubbles, cloudier water, stronger "fertile" smell.

I think the rice might be fermenting.

I got excited yesterday when I saw a green color in a few grains, but that probably was there from the beginning.

I bought some California certified organic brown long grain rice for the next round. It's from a conventional store. I'll try to get some from a natural food store when travelling becomes easier.

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by: count @ Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 21:55:58 PM CST

Good luck with the sprouts... (4.00 / 2)

And let us know when you have the rice ready. Any ideas of what recipes you'll be trying?

Act on Principles and make equality happen.

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by: atdleft @ Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 22:47:39 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Let's not be premature. (4.00 / 1)

Stories of sprouting brown rice might be just rumors. Nah, the stories are true, but I won't believe it 'til I see it.

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by: count @ Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 23:04:47 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Sake! (4.00 / 1)

I think the rice might be fermenting.

I've never tried sake before, you up for taking it on the train to like Kansas City and meeting up for a sake party?  I'll buy the food if you bring the booze...

;-P

"Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization." - Eugene V. Debs

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by: JayinPortland @ Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 23:03:39 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Reading... (4.00 / 1)

I'm reading James McCommons' Waiting on a Train right now, and just came across these two paragraphs [121-122] -

An hour out of Chicago, I threw back the curtains in Princeton, one of those small towns hardly deserving of a train stop but fortunate enough to be on the main line and in a position to serve a larger geography.  It's often said trains traverse the backyards of America, and it was true this May afternoon: a man, bare to the waist and laying block for a garage, mixed mortar in a wheelbarrow.  At the Knights of Columbus Hall, folks arrived for a fund-raising supper.  Two little girls ran out of a house toward their trampoline while their teenage brother scribed circles with the lawnmower.  A Little League coach hit grounders to a line of boys between third and second base.

It resembled Grant Wood country with fields laid open by the plow and the fresh needles of corn like an emerald brushstroke on the land.  However, on rail sidings and between the fields sat tanks of anhydrous ammonia and, out on the land, farmers in humongous tractors shot out mists of fertilizers to feed a monoculture of corn that devours nitrogen like sugar.  Natural fertility isn't adequate.  It wasn't so much Spring as the season of inputs.

"Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization." - Eugene V. Debs

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by: JayinPortland @ Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 22:59:52 PM CST

Scribing circles (4.00 / 1)

Consider an obvious question, any obvious question.

Example:

Q. Does JayinPortland live in Portland?

My new favorite answer, courtesy of Maddow's exec. producer:

A. Does a one-legged duck swim in a circle?

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by: count @ Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 23:10:50 PM CST

[ Parent ]

American math... (4.00 / 1)

To be honest, I really don't know much about this nomination.

But the one thing I do know, is that only in the US Senate does 48 equal more than 52 -

The nomination of union lawyer Craig Becker to the National Labor Relations Board fell short of the 60 votes needed to end a Republican filibuster Monday, with just 52 senators voting to support his appointment.

Mr. Becker's defeat was a sharp setback for the big labor unions that championed his nomination. He was strongly opposed by business interests and his prospects dimmed when Nebraska Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson came out against him. Mr. Nelson said Monday that the nominee's past statements "strongly indicate" he would "pursue a personal agenda" at the NLRB, "rather than that of the administration." Arkansas Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln also voted no.

You couldn't make up stuff like this if you tried...

"Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization." - Eugene V. Debs

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by: JayinPortland @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 00:27:32 AM CST

much worse than that. (4.00 / 1)

The cloture vote was 52-33 so 61% for cloture, but the insane rule says 60% of seated Senators, not 60% of voting Senators. Does any other governmental body in the known world have such a stupid rule?

(I assume some Senators were away because of the snow?)

33 is greater than 52. I wonder if Al Franken is still glad he won the election.

By the way, why did the WSJ story omit this delicious detail, I wonder? Inquiring minds...

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by: count @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 00:38:27 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I heard that on Maddow (4.00 / 1)

but it is also in WaPo.

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by: count @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 00:45:21 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Oh, dear... (4.00 / 1)

But Republicans were concerned about the prospect of a top labor lawyer helping to mediate disputes between companies and employees.

Flying Spaghetti Monster forbid that there be anything definitively less than absolute and total corporate control over labor disputes.

Won't anybody sympathize with America's wealthy and powerful corporations?

Boy, those Republicans.  If it wasn't for them, who would ever look out for Phantom Capital in America?!?

"Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization." - Eugene V. Debs

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by: JayinPortland @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 02:02:24 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Heh, yeah... (4.00 / 1)

I was looking for a better source than WSJ (who is certainly salivating over this), but couldn't find one.

Nice catch!

Conceivably, 1 could be greater than 59, couldn't it?

"Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization." - Eugene V. Debs

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by: JayinPortland @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 00:47:43 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Actually, (4.00 / 1)

I think zero is greater than 59!

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by: count @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 00:52:58 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Don't know why I'm (4.00 / 1)

chuckling about this. It is sad. Disgraceful. Inexcusable.

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by: count @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 00:54:57 AM CST

[ Parent ]

If we didn't... (4.00 / 1)

...we'd go crazy.

Always remember that.

"Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization." - Eugene V. Debs

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by: JayinPortland @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 01:00:56 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I was thinking that... (4.00 / 1)

...but I figured they have to at least one guy there on the floor to read through the phone book, no?

But then again, probably not.  Heh.  I mean, these are the Democrats we're talking about after all.

Just the fact that one Republican could, maybe, conceivably, possibly, might, at some indeterminate time in the future, now or next year or the year after, oppose a certain bill or nomination...

That should be enough to kill anything.

I mean, we all want "bipartisan-ism" after all, don't we?

Heh.

"Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization." - Eugene V. Debs

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by: JayinPortland @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 01:00:13 AM CST

[ Parent ]

You must be right. (4.00 / 1)

I hope you're right about needing one person on the floor, not the other scenario!

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by: count @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 01:03:43 AM CST

[ Parent ]

And just wait... (4.00 / 1)

...until the Republicans take back the House in November; and the Senate and the White House in 2012.

First order of business?

Eliminating the filibuster in the Senate.

Mark my words, I said it here first.

"Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization." - Eugene V. Debs

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by: JayinPortland @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 01:04:01 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I can't think of any response (4.00 / 1)

to your comment that doesn't make me sob uncontrollably.

Ah, the emotional roller coaster we ride here, the gamut we run from mirth to depair.

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by: count @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 01:15:39 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Same here, unfortunately... (4.00 / 1)

It was only two years ago, when it seemed realistic that Democrats in NJ could have picked off 4 House Republicans to make it an 11 - 2 Democratic advantage in the state.  Instead, they hemmed and hawed and in-fought, and just barely picked up 1 (John Adler, NJ-3).  Now, it would be miraculous if Adler even held onto that seat in November.  It's a rough district, one of the few true "swing districts" left in the Northeast.  The only one in NJ.  The others will never change though, because New Jersey believes strongly in incumbent protectionism...

Just late last year, I was even saying myself "no way 2012 will be another 1994, simply because the Dems don't really hold many, if any, truly conservative districts anymore."

But that was before last month, when the current crop of "Democrats" proved that they could even lose Ted Kennedy's seat.

Amazingly enough, I think after what happened in Massachusetts, Oregon is now the most Democratic state in the nation.  4 out of 5 Congresscritters here are Dems (and we're getting a Sixth Congressional District after reapportionment), and both of our US Senators are Dems.  Our governor is a Democrat, and Democrats currently hold 'supermajorities' in the Oregon House and the Oregon Senate.  Every other statewide elected official is also a Democrat.  A few weeks ago, we just became the first state in probably forever to (overwhelmingly) approve hiking taxes on corporations and the rich, in a popular vote, to make our budgetary ends meet.

I love Oregon and I love our politics, but I really do have a hard time imagining that the rest of the country will see things our way.

Re: my comment above, the one thing I'm least sure of flipping is the White House in 2012.  Only because the R's as a party are even more disorganized than the "Democrats".  But even that, I wouldn't put money on the "Democrats" holding.  Sad, indeed...

"Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization." - Eugene V. Debs

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by: JayinPortland @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 01:39:16 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Maryland also. (4.00 / 1)

Roscoe Bartlett is the only one of our 8 Representatives who is Republican, although Republicans might take bake back Wayne Gilchrest's seat this year. Everything else is controlled by Dems at the state levels, although several counties are quite conservative.

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by: count @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 02:47:23 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I asked Congressmen Joe Sestak (4.00 / 2)

Disclaimer...looks like I am going to helping his campaign out
(Sestak NOT Specter)New media stuff.

who is running against Specter the same question last week. And while he DIDN'T speak to Republicans being in charge he was worried about this.

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by: LeeN @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 07:29:35 AM CST

[ Parent ]

And correct me if I'm wrong... (4.00 / 1)

But wasn't it just a few years ago (2005?), back when Democrats were in the minority in the Senate, and they threatened like one (maybe two) filibusters... and then-Majority Leader Bill Frist decided it was time to eliminate the filibuster?  

The (Dubya-ese) Nook-you-ler Option?  Remember that?

After which Senate "Democrats" caved like a house of cards, and decided they'd be best served to preserve the filibuster by promising never to even consider using it?

Lol at "Democrats".

My, how soon we forget.  As I've mentioned before, how long will it be until "Democratic" leaders claim nothing can be done until 100 Senators are on board?

I really think this is the year I'm finally going to officially dissociate myself from the Democratic Party, once and for all.

"Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization." - Eugene V. Debs

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by: JayinPortland @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 00:39:15 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Back then (4.00 / 1)

Strong Democrats such as Blanche Lincoln and Ben Nelson weren't in charge then, like they are now.

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by: count @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 00:47:00 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Blanche Lincoln... (4.00 / 1)

I guess it's very thoughtful of her to provide a precedent in her votes for the TeaBagging Republican who's going to take her seat by about 62%-38% in a few months, eh?

I won't shed too many tears for her, though.  I'm sure she'll transition her way into a nice, cushy 6-figure-a-year job before her successor is even sworn in...

"Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization." - Eugene V. Debs

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by: JayinPortland @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 01:51:51 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Finally got all the plug trays seeded! (4.00 / 2)

I've got lettuces, greens, beets, radishes, kales, and onions seeded in 2,250 plugs. And I still have plug mix left. I love those plug trays, it would have taken me 12 bales of mix to seed that many 4" pots, and I did all of these with less than 1 bale. Ha!

Now I need to get the area for the new greenhouse cleaned out so I can set that up. It's going to be 12' X 25', and when the seedlings are a few weeks old they'll be moved into the new greenhouse which will be unheated. Then I'll be able to start another batch of plug trays. Adding that little bit of heat with the brooder lamps is really helping with starting seed early.

I looked at my records from last year, and I'm starting seed a full month earlier with the heat in the greenhouse.

The first week in March I'll be able to start artichoke, cardoon, and some herb seeds as well as more greens and lettuces. Then, first week of April, all of the warm season seed will be started - tomatoes, eggplant, squashes, cucumbers, more herbs like stevia, anise, and the basils, etc.

Also, President's Day is Monday - pea plantin' time! I need to brush the dust off the row plant protectors to keep the land sharks away from the peas. The area where we always plant the sweet corn is getting planted to peas, and when we're ready to plant the corn I'll pull the pea plants, feed them to the goats and rabbits, and then plant the corn.

Between all of that and the new chicks that should be here on the 24th or 25th of this month, and the rabbit kindling (cross yer fingers), I think that 'vacation' is over.

Regarding locavores as elitists - explain to me how supporting local business is elitist....

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by: Joanne Rigutto @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 04:06:52 AM CST

Cardoons... (4.00 / 1)

Jo - what is your plan to control the silly rabbit?

He's known for pulling Trix.

;-P

"Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization." - Eugene V. Debs

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by: JayinPortland @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 04:29:18 AM CST

[ Parent ]

LOL (4.00 / 2)

That reminds me, I need to build another rabbit hutch. I want to get another doe, so I can have a doe in production while the other one is on break. Mr. Buck is going to have a full dance card this year I think. That'll be one happy wabbit.

Regarding locavores as elitists - explain to me how supporting local business is elitist....

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by: Joanne Rigutto @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 04:55:10 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Weird incident (4.00 / 1)

Out walking this morn, passed an SUV which had been parallel parked in its spot since yesterday afternoon - pavement clear underneath, about 12 inches of new snow all around, unmarred by any sign of footprints. All windows covered with snow, no cracks indicating that a door might have been opened recently.

I couldn't see inside, don't know if the vehicle was occupied. If it was, the occupant must have been in there a while.

The SUV was idling, taillights on, side and front running lights on.

SUV gone when I returned. I was out about 6 a.m., but it seemed like Twilight Zone.

Nice walk. With this snowfall, we have surpassed the previous all-time Baltimore record.

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by: count @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 06:53:53 AM CST

Let it snow! (4.00 / 1)

Wow! Snow was still falling when I was out earlier today, but I thought it was about finished. I just called Jean to tell her that more snow was coming down right now than any time since this snowfall started yesterday afternoon, and she said, oh yes, it's supposed to go all night, maybe another 12 inches. EEEYOW! Not only surpassing the previous record, but smashing it to tiny bits.

I'll go out later and see if I see any kids sledding, or if they're all indoors watching TV.

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by: count @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 08:55:53 AM CST

I got evergreen branches down all over the place (4.00 / 2)

I already cooked a pot of soup. Last night I cooked mushrooms along with some fresh lemongrass and ginger. made stock. This morning at 5:30 I heard salt trucks so i got up and added to stock cannelini beans some tomatoes and some other herbs. On and a little coconut milk...

I don't know if any of you read Bob Cesca http://www.bobcesca.com

I just saw a great comment on Twitter by him...
"I don't see a lot of anti-socialism teabaggers out there plowing the streets themselves"

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by: LeeN @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 09:40:23 AM CST

[ Parent ]

What do the branches (4.00 / 1)

do for you? Do you put them down in the snow to make a path?

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by: count @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 09:53:03 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Cesca (4.00 / 1)

In his Feb 10 comment about the Fox anchor, Cesca misses the point by a wide margin. Republicans are betting everything that they can win electoral success by presenting themselves as being among the most ignorant, incompetent, and dishonest people on Earth, and it works pretty well for them.

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by: count @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 10:01:06 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Know-Nothings... (4.00 / 1)

I think that's actually always been the secret to success in American politics.  Appeal to the lowest common denominator.

"Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization." - Eugene V. Debs

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by: JayinPortland @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 12:39:47 PM CST

[ Parent ]

dipping bread (4.00 / 1)

I have never followed the practice of dipping bread in olive oil, but I heard about the idea of eating toast with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Do any of you do this?

I just toasted some Italian bread, dipped it in extra virgin olive oil, and drizzled balsamic vinegar on it. Seems like an excuse to eat balsamic vinegar. Am I missing something? Did I do it right?

If I'm going to use anything as an excuse to eat balsamic vinegar, it will be squares of dark chocolate, thank you very much.

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by: count @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 10:06:21 AM CST

I use my EVOO for cooking and making things like salad dressing (4.00 / 2)

but I have a friend who likes to drizzle olive oil over good bread, and my dad's neighbors like to crush garlic into good olive oil along with a bit of balsamic and use that as a dipping sauce for bread. Come to think of it, that'd be pretty good drizzled over good bread that had been topped with mozzarela and fresh tomato slices and basil leaves.

Regarding locavores as elitists - explain to me how supporting local business is elitist....

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by: Joanne Rigutto @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 10:59:07 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I do... (4.00 / 1)

Nice quick 'to go' snack, when I'm in a rush.  I'll tear off a little chunk of good bread and drizzle it with olive oil, eat it while waiting at the bus stop.

"Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization." - Eugene V. Debs

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by: JayinPortland @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 12:44:06 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I should... (4.00 / 1)

...try the crushed garlic idea that Joanne mentions.  But then that wouldn't be quick, heh...

"Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization." - Eugene V. Debs

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by: JayinPortland @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 12:45:07 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Gay Ducks in FarmVille (4.00 / 2)

According to Zynga about 80 million people are playing FarmVille. While the game has slowly morphed from a simulation of farming into a game about hoarding, it still seems to be quite popular. One of the Valentine's Day themed things is a pair of male drakes (one has a pink ribbon on its head) sitting on a bench, which are animated and kiss.

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by: Crider @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 13:34:42 PM CST

I wonder if the graphics folks over at Farmville (4.00 / 3)

did this on purpose or if it's just because who ever did that particular set of graphics just doesn't know the difference between a drake and a duck....

Regarding locavores as elitists - explain to me how supporting local business is elitist....

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by: Joanne Rigutto @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 14:03:59 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Well, I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't know (4.00 / 2)

after all, they treat grapes, raspberries and blackberries as annual crops planted from seed. They treat maple trees as giving sap in the fall when their leaves turn red.

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by: Crider @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 14:50:15 PM CST

[ Parent ]

And my fruit trees keep bearing in the middle of a heavy snow (4.00 / 3)

cover!  ;-)

 

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by: Prairie Gal @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 16:02:26 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Oh wouldn't it be nice (4.00 / 2)

To step outside right now in the snow and grab a few apricots?

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by: Crider @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 20:37:20 PM CST

[ Parent ]

That's the spirit! nt (4.00 / 2)

Regarding locavores as elitists - explain to me how supporting local business is elitist....

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by: Joanne Rigutto @ Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 20:50:03 PM CST

[ Parent ]