Matt in the Middle: I Feel the Need...the Need to Blog!

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

I Feel the Need...the Need to Blog!

It's one of the cooler looking elements

Starting to feel a bit better today. I do, however, think I am coming down with a cold now. I suppose my
immunities have been down so I was probably susceptible to stuff and then going to "Convenient Care" twice? Maybe a bad combination. If you don't want to get sick stay away from sick people. I just made a chopped salad and added a can of tuna. So, I will either get healthier or die from mercury poisoning. I am going to try to run the whole gamut of poisons in the little time I have left on this marble. I wasn't sure if I should have capitalized "mercury poisoning." Out of respect I almost capitalized the M for the planet though mercury is also an element (Hg - element #80). It is the name of something (a proper noun) so there is that too.

Yesterday I mentioned that I am playing one of my favorite Chicago local radio/television personalities in Words With Friends. I don't think I mentioned that he is one of my favorites but I am not really sure that I knew that then. But, I have been a big fan of his off-and-on for about 20 years so, I think that constitutes a "big fan." I figured we would be one-and-done. But, I beat him 333 to 332 in the first game and he "challenged me again." He started off the new game with "PADDLES" with like 66 points. I guess the kidding around is pretty much over. I sent him a message that I now know how The Cardinals must have felt yesterday (being behind by so much with little hope of a win). I failed to mention that I am a Cardinals' fan. I will wait until game six or seven before I spring that one on him. I figure no MATTer what happens with this game we will have to do, at least, a third game. It will either be the "rubber game" which it appears that it will be since I am behind 163 - 98 in what is probably the third inning or, he will want some revenge. My badge number at work is #98 though - it could be a sign? However, he worked at a station that was basically 98 for quite awhile so, maybe that is in his favor too?

I am really liking this cold, damp weather. I should live in London. I would consider moving there if I spoke their native tongue. I don't like the real cold and I don't like the real hot; I am Matt In The Middle you know! I like it being chilly on work nights because I like wearing my jacket to work. Probably for the same reason that, as a child, my favorite animal was the kangaroo. Kangaroos and my jacket both have a quality that I love - POCKETS. Yes, I like to play pool too. I guess I still like kangaroos a great deal too now that I blog about it.

These are the exact shoes I had in 8th grade

My buddy Greg pointed-out to me that my plans to get off work on Thursday morning at 06:00 and jump on a train to Chicago to watch the 12:45 game between the Cubs and Cardinals had a few flaws. Well, one major one anyway. The game is in St. Louis. There has been a lot of talk about a super train to travel between Chicago and St.Louis. The trip could only take 90 minutes if they get it right. But, there are lots of hold-ups with that right now. If that were the case I could even get a job in St. Louis. Probably in the Redbirds' front office. It will be a lot cheaper and more convenient to just watch it here anyway.

Today is Top Gun Day. It was just Star Wars Day on the 5th of May (May The Fourth be with you). May first was May Day. This month has all of the aviation holidays. Star Wars Day makes sense, sort of, but Top Gun Day doesn't appear to have any reason to be today. Most would say that Top Gun doesn't really deserve a day at all. I just checked topgunday.com and they don't even have a reason that today is Top Gun Day. The movie was released on May 16th in 1986? Sounds like a bunch of drunk morons screwed the pooch based on their site. I think "screwed the pooch" might be from a much better film though - The Right Stuff.

I have to do another load of laundry, finish dinner for Fabio and clean the kitchen before hitting the rack before work. Thanks a lot for the fly-by. I hope you have a great night. I should be able to blog again tomorrow. TTTT...MITM (buggin' out) TA!

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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!

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

I Feel the Need...the Need to Blog!

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