Drugs vs. no drugs

I always try not to take any medicine unless I really need to. Pain killers I avoid unless the pain is debilitating (ugg, been there, done that.) But when my sinuses start hurting, I often wonder: Sinus medicine is not just a pain killer that does nothing to relieve the problem, only the symptoms. Sinus medicine actually relieves the problem.

So is taking sinus medicine “unnecessary,” or do the physical benefits of taking it outweigh any potential costs?

(Note to self: look for sinus medicine that has a decongestant but no pain reliever.)

Kingsized Holiday Show

Country Music

Somebody in my bar was complaining about 90′s country (of course I didn’t tell him that I was the one crazy enough to put country on the jukebox in my urban bar) and how it’s so mopey.

But all I put on was “Don’t Rock the Jukebox”. Totally not a mopey song. Then I got to thinking about Alan Jackson songs and I couldn’t think of any that were mopey. I’ll admit that I do have some mopey country songs in my library, but most of the ones I like aren’t.

I totally don’t blame people for dissing on country, but why all the generalizations?

Coasters and WIP

I made a couple coasters based on the Chinese Waves Dishcloth pattern:

And while I was at it took a photo of my WIP the Shifting Sands Scarf.

Stripey Scarf

For some reason this sat in my closet for probably over a year with only half a stripe remaining until completion. I didn’t realize it was that close to being done. I could have been wearing it for the whole last year!

As I started weaving in the ends, I realized my scarf already had a hole in it!! I didn’t drop a stitch or anything, the yarn just broke. Never had that happen before. I think I fixed it, although I didn’t do that great of a job.

I’m still not sure if I’m gonna add fringe, so this may not technically be an FO.

And yes, I am wearing my PJs in the afternoon. Hush.

Panoramas

I want to get back into shooting panoramas. Here’s a new one for your enjoyment. Please view large.

December 2nd

I’m gonna need all you Georgia residents to vote on December 2nd, okay?

Please?

Don’t forget about this election just cause it doesn’t get as much press as the general election. Don’t forget about it just cause it’s right in the middle of a very busy holiday season.

And while you’re at it, research all of the candidates’ policies and what they are accusing each other of. See if it’s true, misstated, or irrelevant.

Be informed, and then go vote.

See you at the polls!

Trucks

Okay apparently I’ve been living under a rock for the last five years because I didn’t realize they stopped production on the S-10. Its replacement–the Colorado–is bigger and uglier.

Why do they have to keep making vehicles bigger? I’m okay with them making bigger big cars–I know what’s what Americans want these days–but the small model cars (and trucks) should stay about the same size every year.

So I guess my next vehicle’ll have to be a Ford Ranger. (By the time I actually decide to get rid of my car, the 2004 S-10s will be pretty old.)

Red? Probably. What other color do trucks come in? No extended cab. I don’t need or want the extra length, especially if I’m still in the city. Pop a lowering kit on that thing and it’s just what every Mollie’s always wanted.

Bad gas mileage? I only drive like 300 miles a month, guys. If they had a diesel model, I’d buy that and run it on biodiesel. But they don’t, and there’s nothin I can do about it.

Trucks are impractical? True. But cars are impractical and pretty much everybody has one of those. A truck’s what I’ve always wanted. And I think that a few years from now, I’ll finally have one.

Hair Cut

Time for a hair cut.

All of these are technically “super-short” (who defined this term and when?) Which should I choose?

#1 This one is definitely not “super short”:

#2 Natalie Portman hair? (Been there, done that):

#3 Messier?

#4 Or the one I’d actually call “super short”?

Baked Potatoes (the right way)

Okay so I just really started learning to cook last month, so yeah most of this stuff is gonna be really basic for a while.  But I figure there are probably some of you out there who–like me (a month ago)–still cook like college students and could use some help and basic tips.

I always thought I liked baked potatoes.  But it turns out I’ve always eaten steamed potatoes (what you get when you bake a potato in foil.)  Since I started cooking, I’ve come to find out that I do indeed like baked potatoes.  In fact I like them even more than those steamed potatoes I was always so fond of.

Ingredients:

• Potatoes (I’ve taken to using gold ones, but whatever variety you like)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt (I prefer kosher salt, but whatever you have is fine)

First, stick a cookie sheet or baking pan on the lower rack of the oven.  You’ll be cooking your potatoes on the middle rack with this under them to catch any drips.  Then turn your oven to 400°F.

While it’s preheating, scrub the potatoes under cold, running water.  You can use a stiff-bristled brush (I always used these to clean my shoes in band, so it feels kind of weird to use them on food.  If you don’t have all sorts of fancy kitchen equipment, you can use a sponge.  Just make sure you aren’t scrubbing the skin off.

Next, poke a bunch of holes in your potato with a fork.  Just stick the fork in about four times per side.  This is to keep your potato from going KABOOM, which you don’t really want.

Once the oven is heated, pour a little olive oil in your hand.  You just want enough to get the salt to stick to your potato.  Roll the potatoes in your hand to get oil over them, then stick some salt in your hand and roll them in that.

Stick potatoes on middle rack and let ‘em bake for 45 minutes.

When they get close to done, you can start to fix up your toppings.  I like to use a little reheated leftover ground beef and some cheese.  Of course there are tons of possibilities, so use what you like.  Then throw a dash of your favorite seasoning on top, and serve.

Yup… looks like a potato…