Matt in the Middle: WWYCD? What Would Yukon Cornelius Do?

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

WWYCD? What Would Yukon Cornelius Do?

Cue the good vibrations from MH-TV for my buddy Stacee who is feeling under the weather right now (no pun intended). Feel better Stacee! If the Funky Bunch can't help nobody can.

I guess the rabbits won't be around for awhile...burp

As I type this (12:33 PM 2/1/11) the snow is coming down in the MIDDLEwest at a blinding speed, literally. It seems that the snowstorm of the century has begun. I went to the store and gave plasma this morning (why are urine and plasma the same golden color? - I am suspicious all of a sudden) and on the way home at about 10:00AM the roads were already getting bad between the cornfields. Though it is snowing pretty good I think the wind is, and will continue to be, causing most of the problems. I have to work a basketball game tonight and I will be surprised if there is much of a crowd. I go in at 4:00 and the game starts at 7:00. I am listening to the radio to hear if and when Fabio's school closes because I imagine they will close early. I want to pick him up at the bus stop today because it is about four blocks away and that may take him a half-hour without snowshoes. I think they are gonna stay open until at least 1:00PM because then it constitutes a full day and they don't have to make it up. If I don't hear differently I will just go there at 3:00 (his usual arrival time). I am happy Sugar Momma can, and did, work from home today. It kinda sucks for her in a way though. Hundreds of people are gonna have a snowday tomorrow and she will be here working. I'll take a picture so we can laugh at her. I work tomorrow night too so maybe I shouldn't laugh because I won't be doing it from home

Is this Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier?

Punxsutawney Matt predicts the first day of Spring will be March 20th. He has never been wrong so ignore that poser groundhog. He has to be stopped and I'm gonna stop him!

The Civil Unions bill was signed by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn yesterday which allows same-sex partners to receive most of the same benefits of marriage that they deserve. Way to go Governor Quinn for making more men (and women) equal in the MIDDLEwest (Illinois). We're finally in 20th Century and now we need to get into the 21st Century. When I see Chicago mayoral debates like the one I saw earlier this week I have my doubts that we will ever make it. Rham Emanuel showed his foresight by not wanting to, and not, attending this debate. This is yet another reason that I endorse Rham Emanuel for Mayor of Chicago. you really need to watch that blue underlined video back there if you haven't seen it...hilarious Chicago politics from mayoral candidates Carol Moseley Braun and Patricia Van Pelt.

Hurray for Mattywood's (review)!

I finally reviewed Hollywood Palms Cinema at MIDDLE MOVIE REVIEWS . Check it out. What else are you gonna do? Shovel snow that'll blow back in 2.8 seconds? Chill and read instead of chill and freeze. I am sure my brother in Hawaii is loving hearing the MIDDLEwest news right about now.

I had to wake Fabio up this morning at 4:00AM so he could buy the upgrade to Call of Duty: Black Ops for Xbox 360. It's funny how he can get right up for stuff like that. He then played the "new" game until he left for the bus a little before 7:00. I am happy I have to work this afternoon because I imagine he will be a bear...OMG, you know it's coming....a polar bear! (I kill me - how do I come up with all of this endless hilarity?)

Mush....Mush....I said Mush!!!!

Okay, I am done for today (break your heart?). That Hollywood Cinema review took so long and I have been up since 3:00AM (not Benadryl last night) and plasma donating always makes me a little tired so I want to take a break before the hour drive to work a mile away. I am happy for four-wheel-drive today. Wish me luck and if I don't make it back alive please keep the blog going. You can decide amongst yourselves who should carry it on; I know any one of you could do it. "Donner party of one. Donner, party or one your blog is ready." Maybe they could make a television show about replacing me...I'll watch from wherever I am. TTT you meet me on the otherside of the MIDDLE...MITM (off like Yukon Cornelius)

2 comments:

Sonya SuzAnne (Suzy)February 1, 2011 at 10:49 PM
Welp....I visited finally. Yayy...go me! I'll admit I'm a bit slow now a days, but blogging used to serve me well. It's a fun way to have fun, isn't it? I suppose as long as you're a decent writer (which you are) it does make it a bit easier! I'm still working on mine and have yet to write one post! Oh by the way...did you know one of Chicago's mayoral candidates is on crack? Or used to be....oh wait...you posted the video!! lol Dang...how did you do that? See how far behind I am already? BTW...what happened to Carol Mosely Braun? Or is she the one that was on crack? :):):)
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Matt HelserFebruary 2, 2011 at 1:44 PM
Let me know when you start your blog Sonya, I want to be your first "follower." It is fun to blog...I guess it's kinda like my therapy. Thank you for the kind words. when you get up and going I can help you with photos and video links and stuff. I will also add yours to my suggested links section. MITM
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Matt In The Middle Blogssary

47% Rule - Matt in the Middle is 47 % estrogen
53% Rule - Matt in the Middle is 53% testosterone
Agitator (the) - Matt's podcast name (revealed in blog and podcast number 2
B. S. - blog stuff
Big Sexy - Jay Cole's drink of choice (Jack and Coke) - doesn't necessarily have to be Jack
Blogcast - our podcast (Dirty Laundry)
Bloggestion - now in Urban Dictionary meaning something suggested on a blog or taking a few minutes to understand (like suggested or digested)
Blogging Suit - like a NASCAR driver's racing suit with all of the sponsors patches
Blogssary - blog glossary
Blogisodes - episodes of this blog
BWAK - blogged with a kiss
Ca-Ching - the sound of the cash register as I try to gain sponsors that will never actually happen (I'm not really that delusional) - same as ka-ching
Cha Cha - revealed to be Sugar Momma's new name on premier podcast
Cheese & Quackers - our resident ducks. she is cheese and he is quackers
Ciaoloha - MITM's new mega-word "discovered" on Columbus Day 2011. It combines "hello," "goodbye," "love," "podcast" and "blog" into one happy little package!
Copyright - something that I think is clever and original that needs to be protected as original intellectual material (like it would really hold up in court)
Dirty Laundry - our podcast/blogcast launched 4/1/11
Discomboobulated - a word Bret Michaels used on Celebrity Apprentice when he meant discombobulated though discomboobulated is an actual word
Fabio - the name my son preferred being called on the blog (the artist formerly known as Sparky)
Judii - the sister I never had but wish I did (my unofficial sister)
Ka-ching - the sound of the cash register as I try to gain sponsors that will never actually happen (I'm not really that delusional) - same as ca-ching
Kajunkles - used for people who don't know how to run correctly. Body parts moving against one another rather than together for the common goal of running (could be a noun, proper noun or a verb). Trying to accomplish something against seemingly impossible odds.
The Lost Sock - Cha Cha's brother (and my brother-in-law). One of the best people I have known in my life.
MADYM - One of my very good friends - Mary. She was given this name based on an acronym of her name by one of my other very good friends Stacee. Together they came up with the MITM theme song idea. She was also our maid of honor or matron of honor (I don't know the difference).
Middle - anything average or center (Middle of the country, Middle of life, average intelligence, a regular joe (or joan)...)
MITM - Matt In The Middle
Ms. Peabody - Maisy (our dog) because of Mr. Peabody
Nature Girl - Another very good friend- Sue. Given this name because of being a combination of Diane Fossey, Caroline Ingalls and Danielle Boone (lady Daniel)
Patent / Patent Pending - something that I think is clever and original that needs to be protected as original intellectual material (like it would really hold up in court)
PFT - Plasma Fun Time - donating plasma - twice a week.
Roz - my pink/fuchsia i-pod nano. Named for Roz Kelly who played Pinky Tuscadero on tv's Happy Days. She goes with me everywhere to play my life's soundtrack and measure my steps with her pedometer.
Sparky - my son's blog pseudonym (see also Fabio)
Splenda - my daughter's blog pseudonym
Sponsorship Patch - when I mention a known product to try to get sponsorships and want to put a patch on my blogging suit
Stacee - a friend from high school that is a great inspiration to me continuously. The Cosmos keep bringing us back together electronically (MySpace, Facebook, Blog...) even though we haven't "seen" each other for nearly thirty years.
Stuck In The Middle With You - Stealers Wheels theme song of MITM. Idea suggested by MADY and Stacee
Sugar Momma - my wife, Jill
Trademark - something that I think is clever and original that needs to be protected as original intellectual material (like it would really hold up in court)
TTTT - Ta Ta 'Til Tomorrow
TWSS - that's what she said
WTF - why the face?

Potato Soup

Ingredients Needed:
1 - 32 oz. box Vegetarian Vegetable Broth (I used Swanson's)
can substitute with chicken broth if you wish
1 - package of Country Gravy Mix (I used McCormick's)
okay to use sausage gravy mix if you wish
1 - 26 oz. package of frozen hash browns

Cook hash browns in a large pot. Cook potatoes until slightly browned stirring often so as not to burn the hash browns. While the hash browns are cooking prepare the country gravy mix as directed on package. Once the potatoes are done to your liking slowly pour the broth into the pot with the potatoes and reduce heat and simmer until hot. After the potatoes and broth are hot add the gravy mix and continue to simmer until thickened. Serve and eat.

** special note...I like it extra spicy so I add an extra package of county gravy mix to the finished mixture and whisk and heat.

Just like I always say - add whatever you want (peas, onions...) and make it your own. And, as always, ENJOY!

Sangria Wine Recipe (reposted from 4/22/10)

I also made Sangria yesterday to honor Earth's goodness (truthfully so I could get lit). I am not a wine drinker because most wines are too dry in my opinion and I am not a big fan of cotton-mouth. I liked the movie "Sideways" though so I want to like wine. I was watching Planet Green a couple of days ago while I was cleaning the kitchen and folding laundry like a real man and Emeril Lagasse was making paella on "Emeril Green". He also threw in, as an after-thought, Sangria so I hit the record button. Well he did it very fast and didn't say measurements or anything but he gave the basics so I came up with my own recipe and I think it turned out well though I made A LOT! Sugar Momma says I am a man of excess - isn't that what "man" means? Anyway, here's my Sangria recipe but I suggest you might want to cut the volume down unless you are having a small country over for dinner:

ingredients (I would suggest cutting the liquids in half)

3 liters of inexpensive Shiraz (Frontera Mendoza 2009)
1 cup of Grand Marnier
1 cup of brandy
1 cup of lime juice
3 limes
3 lemons
2 granny smith apples
2 large oranges
12 oz. sugar
33.8 oz sparkling water (Pellegrino)
64 oz. orange juice
ice

In a HUGE bowl slice the fruit and cover with sugar, mix. Add Shiraz and stir. Add ice to hold the fruit under while it drowns in the wine. Add Grand Marnier and brandy and stir. Add lime juice, orange juice and sparkling water and stir. Let sit for awhile so the tastes blend. Taste and add ingredients to taste (I added a little more lime juice and sugar). Find the biggest vessel you own for storage (mine is a pot like they used in those headhunter movies to cook people which is now sitting on our stove). Sweet and fruity just like me. Share with your friends/neighbors and your boss at review time.

Caprese Paninis

Ingredients you will need:

good loaf of bread (I used Italian bread)
mozzarella cheese
pesto sauce (I used jarred Classico brand - found by pastas)
fresh basil leaves
extra virgin olive oil
tomatoes

And here we go:
slice the bread and brush extra virgin olive oil on both sides of each slice. Clean and separate basil leaves. Slice tomatoes. Grate Cheese. Lightly grill one side of each slice of bread. Flip the bread when lightly toasted. After flipping the bread spread pesto on the toasted side and top with shredded cheese while the other side toasts. Once the second side is toasted and the cheese is starting to melt remove it from the

grill and top with two slices of tomato side-by-side and put a basil leaf on each tomato slice. Remove another slice of the toast with the pesto and cheese mixture from the grill and place it cheese/pesto side down on top of the tomato and basil'd toast to form a sandwich. (They could just as easily be done in a frying pan or on a George Foreman Grill...)

Done! Very simple and delicious!