follow up

As a follow up to my last blog:

Columbia University has invited Iranian President Ahmadinejad to speak at a Q&A session. This of course has some people calling for its cancellation.

White House deputy press secretary Tony Fratto said Friday that the Bush administration had no involvement with Columbia’s decision.
“This is a country where people can come and speak their minds,” he said, adding, “It would be wonderful if some of the countries that take advantage of that here allowed it for their own citizens there.”

When they aren't being tazered and pulled kicking and screaming from their places of learning. I don't think there's much difference between us and them.

tazer

I was going to blog about First Amendment rights after hearing about the student who was taken down by campus police in Florida. I couldn't believe the audacity of six police officers tazering a kid for just trying to ask a question (no matter how obnoxious he is). They cut his mic and dragged him out of the auditorium kicking and screaming.

Then I remembered that I like watching people being tazered. Oh well.

recipe thief

Milk Chocolate Cake

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup water
1 (11.5-ounce) package Milk Chocolate morsels
1 cup chopped nuts (probably walnuts)

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture alternately with water. Stir in 1 cup morsels and nuts. Pour into greased 9-inch-square baking pan.
Bake in preheated 350° F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Immediately sprinkle remaining morsels over warm cake; let stand for 5 minutes or until morsels are shiny and soft. Spread evenly over cake. Cool completely.
Makes 9 servings.

go

Some things that must go:

1. People that talk too loud on their cellphones.
2. Meteorologists.
3. Black and Pink emo clothes.



discuss.

pasta

Angel Hair Pasta with Pesto

Leaves from 2 bunches fresh basil
2 tablespoons pine nuts (untoasted)
1 garlic clove
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound angel hair pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. Combine the basil, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil in a blender and blend to a puree. Add the cheese, salt and pepper, and blend again.
Cook the pasta in the boiling, salted water until al dente, about 3 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Add the pesto and toss. Taste for salt and pepper, and add a drizzle of oil, if you like.

Sometimes I wish there was a secret hidden pasta buffet that only I knew about.

school

All of my classes seem ok.

I'm taking some more ancient history classes, and a couple of US history classes. I'm not that big into US history though... I like stuff on Native Americans, and the early Spanish conquest of the New World, but after that... it doesn't really interest me. My native American class is really interesting.. hopefully I can sign up for an Archeology class next semester...

School seemed the same though... crowded hallways, idiot highschool graduates, books, papers, and me. I was able to ride my bike a little around campus though, and it drastically cut down travel time. I was surprised to see others on bikes too, I guess I'm not the only dork around here. My schedule is great, my teachers are awesome and I only needed to buy like 2 books this semester. The grand total: $18.

Good start to a good semester.

adjustments

Bike is done. Fixed the chainline, cogs, and the chain tension. Done. Took it out for a 30 second test run, and it was perfect. Everything worked together. Except the front brake lever. No brakes... I need to adjust the brake pads, and calipers, then I should be able to stop. When I get home tonight I'll fine tune everything and see what needs to be changed.

School starts again this week. While I'm somewhat excited to return, I feel like I'm underestimating the workload this semester. I'm going to take a different approach this time around and won't let my insane professors get the best of me. Hopefully I'll figure it all out. Organization is the key.

Going to repair my blue computer this week once the little part comes in. I need to replace the DC power jack on the motherboard, because the old one is broken and won't charge the battery correctly. I figure once that is finished, I should be able to replace/repair some of the files on the win 98 computer. I guess that would allow me to type up the incredible amount of essays I have this semseter, and fix my music recording issues. Hmm...

summer 07

There isn't much to blog about. The end of summer is just re-runs and Kraft mac & cheese. Work, and total lameness. The bike is almost done, the music is in the works... its as if I'm waiting for the blade to drop on my throat and for the semester to begin. I've got like a year and a half left of school.

Probably.