Beethoven In Trance - Episode 18

Just ran about 6 miles, feeling calm, warm, and relaxed.

It's a cloudy day here, and it will probably continue to be so for another couple of days. Last Sunday was nice though. Didn't get the chance to do anything outdoor except sweeping the leaves in the backyard. The street is getting quiter every weekend. It's fall now. The house fixing or remodling projects have been completed in most cases, and the lawn doesn't need to be mowed that often either any more. People are getting lazy or cozy in the house... May it's just me...

Cleared up some CDs and games on Sunday (a lot of throw-aways). Left the tools downstairs untouched as I have no clue where to put them. Cookingware and spice are still in the bag laying on the basement floor. Need to get a rack from somewhere. The candidate is the one from Ikea that we saw last time where we were there. Another trip is going to cost 4 hours in the car, and some gas money. For one rack, it's really not worth it. We will go there next time when we have a better idea what else we need from there.

Kitchen is still the center of the home. Some many plates (and we keep buying), if only we know where to put store them. Not enough storage. The pantry and the wall next to the stove is under utilized, and I need to put my thinking cap on and come up with some solution.

Ordered the Stand Mixer from Amazon this morning. It's something we have been talking about for a while, and finally we decide to buy it as a gift (or whatever) for our wedding in the near future. We opt out the option of letting someone else to buy it for us as we think it costs too much for a gift. Besides, Amazon is offering this model cheap as 'remanufactured', so we just get one for ourselves. Well, I just get one for her.

As for my gift, I don't really know any, I got a 22' LCD monitor weeks ago (that's why I didn't write blog as I was busying playing games on the new monitor). It's really a nice monitor, sharp, rich-color, great contrast. Got it from Costco, and it was the best deal. With that monitor and my Logitech z5500 5.1 speakers, I don't really think we will invest another set of home theather system any time soon. But we need a nice chair though, or futon (which is something I have been talking about for a long time). We saw one in Ikea last time when we were there, but didn't buy it. Well, we will get one next time.

Went to shopping on Sunday. I got a 3-ply stainless steel braiser (3 qt.). The size is on the small side, but the quality seems to be decent. And it's on sales, so I bought it. My girl bought All-Clad baking sheet, and a cake pan from Analon. Both good quality. That baking sheet will be our first experience with All-Clad. We can't wait for the next batch of cookie.

Made lasagnas last night. Undeseasoned. Not pungent enought. Not enough acid in the meat sauce. Texture of the noodle is ok, but taste of sauce is too bland. Need to mix tomato puree and diced tomato together for the sauce (base on the recipe), not improvising by dump whatever is available in the refrig (in this case, half bottle of Classico four cheese marina sauce, and some peeled tomator in juice).

Made breaded pork chop (deep fry version) on Saturday night (my girl's favorate). Pork chop too thick and oil too hot. First one was under-cooked, and the rest of them are too greasy resulting from low oil temperature. Consistency, consistency, consistency, that's what differs a professional chef from a amateur home cook.

Started this book called 'Heat' by Bill Buford couple days ago. Quite interesting. An amateur cook went to Mario Batali's kichen for three years working as a 'kitchen slave'. Almost went through 1/3 of it, quite interesting. Got couple more at home from Anothony Bouldin, and some books about CIA and a text book called 'Professional Chef'. If only I don't play PC games that often, I can do some readings.

So far created four characters in Titan Quest. Champion, Bonecharmer, one defense gay, one magician named 'Super Nanny'. It's all about finding the blue items now. My Bonecharmer can't get through the first world at the second difficult level, so I use Champion to find some blue items for her now. The championi slash through the first difficulty with ease (thanks to the blue axe found by Bonecharmer at the first place). Now champion needs to returns the favor. Considering starting the defense guy so that more blue stuff for everybody coming along.
Talked to my parents, and found out they wanted to buy a big screen TV. Sounds like a lot of money to buy one in China, and not sure if they need it that big or not. Does Shanghai offers HDTV broadcasting now? No clue. Don't even know what kind of TV is available there now. Need to find out and give them a call again. A hi-fi system is more suitable in my opinion. Well, if they like to buy one, just go buy one.

I am really a biased person. Starbucks just came in the company's caffetaria, and I am quite happy about it as the rest of the group is. Not sure if it's because I just don't like sucessful company/person, or I am anti-name brand in the coffe catergory (I am not anti-namebrand in most of the other categories). Maybe it's because Starbucks is selling atmosphere, not coffee in its shop, and coffee itself is not what makes the company successful or famous. Therefore, I don't like Starbucks. Why pay premium for a coffee that is not worth the money? Well, you pay the money for the experience in the shop, the smell, the music, the cool chicks sitting around browsing Internet. That is what a guy is there for - watching girls and playing cool. Sorry, too old/poor for that.

Got some rose for my girl last week. It was supposed to be suprise, but was exposed by the reciept. Next time, buy the rose, discard the reciept.

Got a pasta machine too. Noodle time.

A collegue asked me if we went clothe shopping after I told her we went shopping over the weekend. I told her, we buy pots and pans, plates and bowls, cookware and bakeware. That's it.