49 people are murdered in Orlando and we were all one with Orlando and the LGBTQ community.
Brussels airport is bombed and we are Brussels.
Paris is under siege by a gunmen and Je suis Paris.
Turkey happens two days ago and Facebook is strangely silent on the unity front from it's billion plus users. Not even scratching the surface of the horrors that are every day occurrences in Syria, Iraq and all over the Middle East and Africa. Every day occurrences. I don't know the numbers but it's a safe bet to assume that in the under developed world we are seeing this kind of carnage always. And where are we all? Where are the media? Where are the leaders?
Look I get it. I'm not totally daft. I'm just trying to wrap my head around the duplicity of reactions to similar events. Over here we are changing our FB profiles in solidarity but over there we have cats. Are we racists? Is it the perceived religion of the victims being the same as the perceived religion of the attackers? It's ok because they were Muslim and for god damn sure the bombers were Muslim. So fuck it. Right?
I don't hide the fact that I think religion is probably one of the worst things ever invented by man. The fervour with which 'radicals' pursue their beliefs is bordering on psychotic behaviour. All of them are guilty of this as far as I'm concerned and some worse than others for sure. But I don't broadcast my beliefs or lack there of either, I generally take a whatever stance to people's beliefs. If it brings you a sense of peace or belonging, fill your boots. Just don't try and preach to me and you'll need gods help if you look down on me because of your beliefs. I don't shit on you for yours so it's best if you leave me alone for mine. Wanna discuss and debate...great, awesome. But leave your halo at the door. Capiche?
So Muslims killing Muslims is ok. Muslims killing Christians (read white) is not ok. Do that and we will band together to show support for insert name of next city to be attacked. But everyone else can go on with the mayhem, there's nobody watching anyway. And even when there is we have a queasiness to engaging...think Rawanda. To mention just one. And what do these all have in common? Spreading the word of god as they see fit. Like the crusades it's ok to rape and murder in the name of Allah, you my friend are doing holy work. Virgins in heaven await you for your martyrdom, much like knights were pre-absolved of the sins they were going to commit doing the church's work. So should they fall to an infidel they would not linger in limbo, their place in heaven secure for they shed blood for god. And that sounds rational? Reasoned? What the fuck!!!!
I don't profess to have any answers and who knows if John Lennon's version of Utopia would be any better but surely we can see that what's going on now and for the past 2000 years....uhm, not so much with the working out.
Sigh
D
Thursday, 30 June 2016
Wednesday, 29 June 2016
Askew
I'm not feeling myself the past few days, not in sync with myself is perhaps a good way to put it. And I don't like it; not one bit. I feel awkward as a mature human....I know, mature is not necessarily a word that comes to mind when thinking of me; but that's how it feels. And I told myself I was going to be honest no matter what, so this is me being honest...dig?
I'll tell you that normally I sit down to write, I type a title and begin the brain leakage that is this blog. Today I have nothing as a title and nothing is coming to me, save for fuck this crap. So, forewarned this will probably be senseless all around. Maybe I'll call is VD - verbal diarrhea....uhm, no. Perhaps not. But maybe....
The past few days and even into the week have been a roller coaster of feelings, both physical and emotional. The kidney stone debacle of June is not entirely over yet and I would bet dollars to donuts that it is playing a part in my askew nature these past days. Ha....askew!!!! Title, nailed it. Shit takes a toll doesn't it. I think for the first time in my life I am understanding, just a bit better, the enormous issue around chronic anything. To live with pain day in and day out takes a toll in so many aspects that I don't think it's easy to comprehend the enormity of the issue. Props to people that truly do make each day count while suffering through the myriad of things they have to deal with.
My son graduated high school on Monday and that has brought a few issues to the forefront. Not with him mind you, he rocked - winning multiple awards and most importantly, leaving with a good sense of himself and his surroundings. So proud of him.
I don't think I will get into specifics here but suffice to say that marriage and divorce are hard things...but do they need to be? I don't mind if something is hard to do, say navigate through life with your beloved. It's ok that it is hard, but maybe it could be a little easier, maybe everyone can take a step back and be honest in looking at the motivation behind actions. Again, I don't understand why some people do what they do...it seems beyond understanding. And see, here is me being out of sync...shockingly I don't know what to say here. Even if I ripped the filters off I don't think I can articulate what is is that I am trying to convey. In my mind's eye I see partial paths to where it is that I want to be....why can't I get there today? Fuck me!!!!
When people I love are feeling out of sync themselves it starts to affect me as well, naturally, and I know that's probably playing a part in my general malaise. I end up taking on their battles sometimes because I am the guy with the big shoulders and the decent listening skills. I want to help if I can. And when I can't...oh hello askew.
Maybe I'm tired. Scratch that, I am tired. That last paragraph took 15 minutes to write because I fell asleep at the keys. I'd like to think that a siesta would be the way to go for all of us but I am going to bed tired and waking up tired....back to health issues and too much on my mind. Right? Tell me that's what it is.
Perhaps a little cottage time with Scott to revel in our own world of excess is what is needed. A run to the lake with no motors, no people and no cares. Yep...except that won't happen until late July or August, too busy and going to Ontario with the kids soon. I'll need to pull this funk out without use of the cottage...get the funk out!!!!
So my apologies my loyal readers for boring you with my boring troubles at this time. I'll do my best to come back to 'normal' next time I write.
Ciao
D
I'll tell you that normally I sit down to write, I type a title and begin the brain leakage that is this blog. Today I have nothing as a title and nothing is coming to me, save for fuck this crap. So, forewarned this will probably be senseless all around. Maybe I'll call is VD - verbal diarrhea....uhm, no. Perhaps not. But maybe....
The past few days and even into the week have been a roller coaster of feelings, both physical and emotional. The kidney stone debacle of June is not entirely over yet and I would bet dollars to donuts that it is playing a part in my askew nature these past days. Ha....askew!!!! Title, nailed it. Shit takes a toll doesn't it. I think for the first time in my life I am understanding, just a bit better, the enormous issue around chronic anything. To live with pain day in and day out takes a toll in so many aspects that I don't think it's easy to comprehend the enormity of the issue. Props to people that truly do make each day count while suffering through the myriad of things they have to deal with.
My son graduated high school on Monday and that has brought a few issues to the forefront. Not with him mind you, he rocked - winning multiple awards and most importantly, leaving with a good sense of himself and his surroundings. So proud of him.
I don't think I will get into specifics here but suffice to say that marriage and divorce are hard things...but do they need to be? I don't mind if something is hard to do, say navigate through life with your beloved. It's ok that it is hard, but maybe it could be a little easier, maybe everyone can take a step back and be honest in looking at the motivation behind actions. Again, I don't understand why some people do what they do...it seems beyond understanding. And see, here is me being out of sync...shockingly I don't know what to say here. Even if I ripped the filters off I don't think I can articulate what is is that I am trying to convey. In my mind's eye I see partial paths to where it is that I want to be....why can't I get there today? Fuck me!!!!
When people I love are feeling out of sync themselves it starts to affect me as well, naturally, and I know that's probably playing a part in my general malaise. I end up taking on their battles sometimes because I am the guy with the big shoulders and the decent listening skills. I want to help if I can. And when I can't...oh hello askew.
Maybe I'm tired. Scratch that, I am tired. That last paragraph took 15 minutes to write because I fell asleep at the keys. I'd like to think that a siesta would be the way to go for all of us but I am going to bed tired and waking up tired....back to health issues and too much on my mind. Right? Tell me that's what it is.
Perhaps a little cottage time with Scott to revel in our own world of excess is what is needed. A run to the lake with no motors, no people and no cares. Yep...except that won't happen until late July or August, too busy and going to Ontario with the kids soon. I'll need to pull this funk out without use of the cottage...get the funk out!!!!
So my apologies my loyal readers for boring you with my boring troubles at this time. I'll do my best to come back to 'normal' next time I write.
Ciao
D
Monday, 27 June 2016
Robo Chef
Ten years ago I started working at Oak Island Resort in between Chester and Mahone Bay, a confounding place that I both loved and hated, which I spent five years at when it was all said and done. I loved some of the people I worked with, forming what will be life long friendships with a few people and collecting countless stories and memories along the way. Unlike some of my Oak Island survivors I look on my time there mostly with fondness.
To be truthful I wasn't sure if I was qualified for this kind of job as I had zero experience running a larger place. I had run my own restaurant and a few others and acted as sous chef in some other larger places but never steered the ship on anything so large. My own self doubt creeping in I suppose, and the fact that when I envision chefs of large hotels I don't see myself as one of those guys. There was, and still is somewhat, an aura around these guys that make me feel slightly nervous...like I'm not up to snuff in someway. I walked in and found chaos. Which by the way seems to be my lot in life when it comes to kitchens...I come in and un-break the broken things and point the ship in the right direction. This wasn't in anyway hard, on the contrary it seemed quite easy. Stop doing stupid things, use common sense, teach and train your team on what the expectations are and help them along the way. And finally, get out of the way. Trust them. Works every time. Anyway, back to the chaos.
The kitchen was dirty, the staff lost and the quality and reputation was not very good. Food cost was through the roof with a phantom inventory, which is what some (a lot) chefs resort to in order to hide issues. Methodically I went through the challenges. The very first weekend there was a wedding in house. My sous chef asked me how I wanted them to do the dinner and I told him exactly how you have been doing it so I can see what's going on. What a fiasco. Talking to said sous chef afterwards my answer was simple...you know how do it better and that's the way we are going to do it from now on. One day was spent in the walk in freezer; opened up like a heart patient I sat there chucking things out that were freezer burnt, undated and un-labelled. If I couldn't get an answer on what it was or how long it was there, out it went. Prior to that day one person could barely fit in the freezer...now I could stand four of us easily. And so on it went. And in what seems very short order, things were as they should be.
Labour day weekend comes around and the family decided to go camping at the Ovens. Beautiful park on the ocean with somewhat private camping areas. A chance to unwind a bit before things were to get busy with the resort and the kids started up at school. At this point I was 38 years old and just starting to get the old stuff going on. You know, sleeping on the ground doesn't kill you but you feel it the next day. And you're not as spry as you once thought you were...and then you brake your foot. Well, a hair line fracture on your foot. Son of a bitch did that hurt. And I knew it right away...having done it to my other foot 15 years previous playing squash. Side note, of all the things I have done to myself I have only three hair line fractures to brag about. Both feet and my left hand. And it would seem numerous blows to the head.
Fast forward a few days and in to work on crutches I go. I can still do office work at the very least. Problem was that we were ridiculously busy in the month of September. I was short staffed and we were pumping out banquets and weddings like it was going out of style. There was no way I was going to be able to sit back and let my team go through that with out my help. I purchased a walking boot that I was strapped into and proceeded to work the next 15 days straight; 14 hour days mind you. The boot was great and allowed me to make it through without too much pain. I earned my stripes that month with my team and the whole hotel. And a new nick name.,,,Robo Chef. One of my cooks was rather talented at white board drawings and he had done up a picture of me busting through a brick wall with my bionic boot...Robo Chef to the rescue. I wanted to ask how he had time for that drawing and not for peeling a bucket of potatoes but there you have it.
My non industry friends think I'm a little nuts when I tell this story and others that point to an almost sadist view on our approach to work. It is quite simple really, there is work to be done and who else is going to do it if not you. Calling in sick is only an option when you are actually in the hospital. While I can leave a report on my desk till such time that I am feeling better, the meal for 80 can't wait. And letting the team down is not an option. Crazy? Probably, but it is the way it is..quite militaristic actually when you think about it.
Now, ten years later I end up in the hospital three times in a week for kidney stone related issues and I must admit, I'm not feeling invincible lately. Having been knocked on my ass a few times over the past six months and maybe, just maybe, I am not indestructible. I don't think I like that. I rarely get sick and most times I can usually scare a cold or flu away by simply looking in the mirror and saying out loud, don't you even think about it. Seriously.
I like to think that my family and friends see me as a strong and reliable guy that can be counted on for many things. One of them is being able to overcome minor maladies to do what needs to be done. It's a badge of honour in some ways. And this goes along with the machismo that lives in my world really...all that matters to the person you're standing next to is if you can keep up with your end of the bargain. Generally we don't care what colour you are, if you are male or female, gay or straight...it doesn't matter to most, just keep up and do your damn job well. Maybe we all have Robo Chef visions dancing in our heads, we like to be thought of as able to do all and overcome all while leaping tall buildings and stopping errant knives from hitting the ground. Yeah...done that as well.
One of the adjustments to my life I'll have to make over time I suppose. The knowledge that you will actually die if you stand in front of a bus to save a cat or a meatball sub. That maybe a sick day is just that, a day to be sick. It'll be a slow progression I am sure but one that seems inevitable. Whatever will they call me now?
Ciao
D
To be truthful I wasn't sure if I was qualified for this kind of job as I had zero experience running a larger place. I had run my own restaurant and a few others and acted as sous chef in some other larger places but never steered the ship on anything so large. My own self doubt creeping in I suppose, and the fact that when I envision chefs of large hotels I don't see myself as one of those guys. There was, and still is somewhat, an aura around these guys that make me feel slightly nervous...like I'm not up to snuff in someway. I walked in and found chaos. Which by the way seems to be my lot in life when it comes to kitchens...I come in and un-break the broken things and point the ship in the right direction. This wasn't in anyway hard, on the contrary it seemed quite easy. Stop doing stupid things, use common sense, teach and train your team on what the expectations are and help them along the way. And finally, get out of the way. Trust them. Works every time. Anyway, back to the chaos.
The kitchen was dirty, the staff lost and the quality and reputation was not very good. Food cost was through the roof with a phantom inventory, which is what some (a lot) chefs resort to in order to hide issues. Methodically I went through the challenges. The very first weekend there was a wedding in house. My sous chef asked me how I wanted them to do the dinner and I told him exactly how you have been doing it so I can see what's going on. What a fiasco. Talking to said sous chef afterwards my answer was simple...you know how do it better and that's the way we are going to do it from now on. One day was spent in the walk in freezer; opened up like a heart patient I sat there chucking things out that were freezer burnt, undated and un-labelled. If I couldn't get an answer on what it was or how long it was there, out it went. Prior to that day one person could barely fit in the freezer...now I could stand four of us easily. And so on it went. And in what seems very short order, things were as they should be.
Labour day weekend comes around and the family decided to go camping at the Ovens. Beautiful park on the ocean with somewhat private camping areas. A chance to unwind a bit before things were to get busy with the resort and the kids started up at school. At this point I was 38 years old and just starting to get the old stuff going on. You know, sleeping on the ground doesn't kill you but you feel it the next day. And you're not as spry as you once thought you were...and then you brake your foot. Well, a hair line fracture on your foot. Son of a bitch did that hurt. And I knew it right away...having done it to my other foot 15 years previous playing squash. Side note, of all the things I have done to myself I have only three hair line fractures to brag about. Both feet and my left hand. And it would seem numerous blows to the head.
Fast forward a few days and in to work on crutches I go. I can still do office work at the very least. Problem was that we were ridiculously busy in the month of September. I was short staffed and we were pumping out banquets and weddings like it was going out of style. There was no way I was going to be able to sit back and let my team go through that with out my help. I purchased a walking boot that I was strapped into and proceeded to work the next 15 days straight; 14 hour days mind you. The boot was great and allowed me to make it through without too much pain. I earned my stripes that month with my team and the whole hotel. And a new nick name.,,,Robo Chef. One of my cooks was rather talented at white board drawings and he had done up a picture of me busting through a brick wall with my bionic boot...Robo Chef to the rescue. I wanted to ask how he had time for that drawing and not for peeling a bucket of potatoes but there you have it.
My non industry friends think I'm a little nuts when I tell this story and others that point to an almost sadist view on our approach to work. It is quite simple really, there is work to be done and who else is going to do it if not you. Calling in sick is only an option when you are actually in the hospital. While I can leave a report on my desk till such time that I am feeling better, the meal for 80 can't wait. And letting the team down is not an option. Crazy? Probably, but it is the way it is..quite militaristic actually when you think about it.
Now, ten years later I end up in the hospital three times in a week for kidney stone related issues and I must admit, I'm not feeling invincible lately. Having been knocked on my ass a few times over the past six months and maybe, just maybe, I am not indestructible. I don't think I like that. I rarely get sick and most times I can usually scare a cold or flu away by simply looking in the mirror and saying out loud, don't you even think about it. Seriously.
I like to think that my family and friends see me as a strong and reliable guy that can be counted on for many things. One of them is being able to overcome minor maladies to do what needs to be done. It's a badge of honour in some ways. And this goes along with the machismo that lives in my world really...all that matters to the person you're standing next to is if you can keep up with your end of the bargain. Generally we don't care what colour you are, if you are male or female, gay or straight...it doesn't matter to most, just keep up and do your damn job well. Maybe we all have Robo Chef visions dancing in our heads, we like to be thought of as able to do all and overcome all while leaping tall buildings and stopping errant knives from hitting the ground. Yeah...done that as well.
One of the adjustments to my life I'll have to make over time I suppose. The knowledge that you will actually die if you stand in front of a bus to save a cat or a meatball sub. That maybe a sick day is just that, a day to be sick. It'll be a slow progression I am sure but one that seems inevitable. Whatever will they call me now?
Ciao
D
Friday, 24 June 2016
17,680 and counting
One thousand, six hundred and eighty, 17,680. That my friends is how many days I have been alive as of today. Woooohooo!!! Sounds a tad different compared to saying I'm 48 years old but there you have it.
Looking at that number maybe it's a little easier to envision the whole live in the moment thing, taking each day as it comes and trying to make the most of it. Making each day count. Don't feel bad if you don't make each day count, I would think very few of us actually do. Not everyone is Da Vinci or Thomas Edison after all, those guys are in a league all their own. Awe inspiring really when you think about their accomplishments and the vastness of their work. I think the idea that we try to make the most of our days and continue to grow as people is most important for us normal folk. Sure inventing a helicopter and painting the Mona Lisa are good and well but not everyone can do that...most of us are destined to be, simply, us. Hopefully the best version of us. Or a reasonable facsimile there of.
In the vein of living life abundantly, You Tube and Facebook are peppered with the "awesomeness" of people. Truly humbling displays of compassion, humanity, adventure and insight...as a race, we rock!!!! Unfortunately, we also suck bag, just saying. For every post about something that might bring a tear to your eye there will be another that makes you wish for the ability to end someone...a tear for another reason. People suck. I shake my head and sigh at the way people act and treat others...I simply don't understand it. As if your existence can only be justified by hubris, mean spirited behaviour and raising yourself up on the people you have just stepped over or on. Will it always be this way? Can we not have compassion, understanding and empathy for our fellow human beings? I truly wish for this. Once again with the naivete...I know.
Let's try this, start each day by simply choosing to be happy. After all it is your choice and yours alone; you can be pissy but how is that really working for you. By starting off happy, maybe, just maybe we can start with ourselves to make a small difference in not only our days but the people around us as well. A smile is infectious...and negativity breeds negativity so really it might be as simple as making that choice. So smile.
After that, a little bit of empathy please. Put yourselves in the other persons shoes for a moment. Understand that you don't know what they are going through so how about showing some respect and treating them as you would like to be treated. I know I've read that somewhere...maybe a fortune cookie?
So now, out of our many days here together, we have taken two days to make small changes to our lives....and to the lives of our family, friends, colleagues and strangers. One small act can lead to another and to another and so on and thinking back to the commercial about some laundry detergent.."they told two friends, and they told two friends" and the screen fills up with people telling each other about it...possibly we can make a difference. And if we don't, we should feel better for ourselves at the very least.
I spent part of day 17,679 collecting money from traffic for a charity. Everyone was greeted with a big thank you, a smile and have a great day...do you know how many times I heard people say, thank you for doing this or great job. Humanity = restored. Giving feels good. When I win the lottery one of the things I want to do is set up a sort of angel investing thing for people....a helping hand and some guidance for your average person to make a dream come true or help out in time of struggle. Of course I would do the travel thing as well...hmmmmm, Greece or Italy first? Set up my kids for their future, go to university only because I want to and somehow take one of my skills to help people help themselves....set up a teaching kitchen where we could provide meals for those in need. I think that would be neat. So...the winning numbers are?
So on my 17,680th day I pontificated about the greater good as I see it. I wonder what tomorrow will bring....
Ciao
D
Looking at that number maybe it's a little easier to envision the whole live in the moment thing, taking each day as it comes and trying to make the most of it. Making each day count. Don't feel bad if you don't make each day count, I would think very few of us actually do. Not everyone is Da Vinci or Thomas Edison after all, those guys are in a league all their own. Awe inspiring really when you think about their accomplishments and the vastness of their work. I think the idea that we try to make the most of our days and continue to grow as people is most important for us normal folk. Sure inventing a helicopter and painting the Mona Lisa are good and well but not everyone can do that...most of us are destined to be, simply, us. Hopefully the best version of us. Or a reasonable facsimile there of.
In the vein of living life abundantly, You Tube and Facebook are peppered with the "awesomeness" of people. Truly humbling displays of compassion, humanity, adventure and insight...as a race, we rock!!!! Unfortunately, we also suck bag, just saying. For every post about something that might bring a tear to your eye there will be another that makes you wish for the ability to end someone...a tear for another reason. People suck. I shake my head and sigh at the way people act and treat others...I simply don't understand it. As if your existence can only be justified by hubris, mean spirited behaviour and raising yourself up on the people you have just stepped over or on. Will it always be this way? Can we not have compassion, understanding and empathy for our fellow human beings? I truly wish for this. Once again with the naivete...I know.
Let's try this, start each day by simply choosing to be happy. After all it is your choice and yours alone; you can be pissy but how is that really working for you. By starting off happy, maybe, just maybe we can start with ourselves to make a small difference in not only our days but the people around us as well. A smile is infectious...and negativity breeds negativity so really it might be as simple as making that choice. So smile.
After that, a little bit of empathy please. Put yourselves in the other persons shoes for a moment. Understand that you don't know what they are going through so how about showing some respect and treating them as you would like to be treated. I know I've read that somewhere...maybe a fortune cookie?
So now, out of our many days here together, we have taken two days to make small changes to our lives....and to the lives of our family, friends, colleagues and strangers. One small act can lead to another and to another and so on and thinking back to the commercial about some laundry detergent.."they told two friends, and they told two friends" and the screen fills up with people telling each other about it...possibly we can make a difference. And if we don't, we should feel better for ourselves at the very least.
I spent part of day 17,679 collecting money from traffic for a charity. Everyone was greeted with a big thank you, a smile and have a great day...do you know how many times I heard people say, thank you for doing this or great job. Humanity = restored. Giving feels good. When I win the lottery one of the things I want to do is set up a sort of angel investing thing for people....a helping hand and some guidance for your average person to make a dream come true or help out in time of struggle. Of course I would do the travel thing as well...hmmmmm, Greece or Italy first? Set up my kids for their future, go to university only because I want to and somehow take one of my skills to help people help themselves....set up a teaching kitchen where we could provide meals for those in need. I think that would be neat. So...the winning numbers are?
So on my 17,680th day I pontificated about the greater good as I see it. I wonder what tomorrow will bring....
Ciao
D
Thursday, 23 June 2016
Braised
I love when meat is cooked on the bone. A prime rib roast, Osso Bucco, braised lamb shank, whole roast chicken, BBQ pork chop....on the bone is so much better. There is an almost primal pleasure to taking something by the bone and taking a bite out of it and something ethereal by taking a tough piece of meat and braising it until it changes into a succulent melt in your mouth parcel of heaven. I don't know the chemistry behind a grilled rib eye vs a bone in rib eye and I really don't care, I like it and that's what I'm sticking to. The braising I do know and that's what I really love. It's complex, it's subtle, it's very good....when done right.
Back in Lunenburg one fall season I decided to put Osso Bucco on the menu in my restaurant. A two inch thick piece of veal shank that was transformed over the day into nirvana on a plate. Scott and I loved it when we got an order, because it meant there was some of the rich tomato gravy left over in the pan that was ripe for a few good mops with some crusty French baguette. Remnants of bone marrow, garlic and just enough umami...uhm yum!!! It was a menu dish that required a lot of attention and time in the beginning but was really quite easy to make.
Start with said piece of veal shank. Tie it up so it doesn't fall apart on you. Season well with sea salt and fresh ground pepper. In a heavy pan get your oil nice and hot and sear that piece of inedible meat all over. Take it out of the pan, drain some of the the fat and add some mirepoix and lots of whole garlic. Start caramelising the vegetables, slowly. This is the key, after the initial blast of heat - low and slow is the way to go. Take your time to build flavour. Patience. This is where the complexity comes from. When the vegetables are sufficiently softened a bit, add some good red wine to pick up all the little bits of flavour on the pan. Again, this is where the flavour gets built. A bit of tomato paste, some good veal stock, sprigs of thyme and the shank goes back in. It gets covered and fired into an oven for a few hours to slowly braise. Bone marrow, fat and protein mingle with the vegetables, the acidic nature of the wine and tomatoes...low and slow. When the meat is done...gently remove it to rest and you take all that goodness left in your pan to make a sauce to go with the shank. Simple right? Time consuming? Yes. But oh so worth it. Kind of like life sometimes....don't you think?
Really....food porn to the meaning of life? Damn straight. At least for me. Figure out your own way I say. Low and slow my friends. Take the time to appreciate the complexities around you. Absorb them, let them make you more than you were. Have the long view to life. Have your moments of high heat as needed but a true appreciation for life comes from living it. Dreams and hope with a smattering of adventure. It really is a journey and no two of us are going to have the same one...enjoy yours, make it yours.
I was out with a special someone recently and we were talking about how we like us at this age. We are better, know more and know ourselves more. Absolutely!! I am loving this time of my life because I have taken the low and slow approach to learning about life and myself. Making mistakes, learning from them and getting better each day. We can appreciate the simple joy of sharing some wine and good conversation. Throw in some food and music and we have ourselves a perfect kind of world. For me at least.
As a side note, thanks to all the people that donated today to Feed Nova Scotia while we were out in this wonderful weather asking for your change. Kind of renews your faith in humanity to see the kindness.
Ciao
D
Back in Lunenburg one fall season I decided to put Osso Bucco on the menu in my restaurant. A two inch thick piece of veal shank that was transformed over the day into nirvana on a plate. Scott and I loved it when we got an order, because it meant there was some of the rich tomato gravy left over in the pan that was ripe for a few good mops with some crusty French baguette. Remnants of bone marrow, garlic and just enough umami...uhm yum!!! It was a menu dish that required a lot of attention and time in the beginning but was really quite easy to make.
Start with said piece of veal shank. Tie it up so it doesn't fall apart on you. Season well with sea salt and fresh ground pepper. In a heavy pan get your oil nice and hot and sear that piece of inedible meat all over. Take it out of the pan, drain some of the the fat and add some mirepoix and lots of whole garlic. Start caramelising the vegetables, slowly. This is the key, after the initial blast of heat - low and slow is the way to go. Take your time to build flavour. Patience. This is where the complexity comes from. When the vegetables are sufficiently softened a bit, add some good red wine to pick up all the little bits of flavour on the pan. Again, this is where the flavour gets built. A bit of tomato paste, some good veal stock, sprigs of thyme and the shank goes back in. It gets covered and fired into an oven for a few hours to slowly braise. Bone marrow, fat and protein mingle with the vegetables, the acidic nature of the wine and tomatoes...low and slow. When the meat is done...gently remove it to rest and you take all that goodness left in your pan to make a sauce to go with the shank. Simple right? Time consuming? Yes. But oh so worth it. Kind of like life sometimes....don't you think?
Really....food porn to the meaning of life? Damn straight. At least for me. Figure out your own way I say. Low and slow my friends. Take the time to appreciate the complexities around you. Absorb them, let them make you more than you were. Have the long view to life. Have your moments of high heat as needed but a true appreciation for life comes from living it. Dreams and hope with a smattering of adventure. It really is a journey and no two of us are going to have the same one...enjoy yours, make it yours.
I was out with a special someone recently and we were talking about how we like us at this age. We are better, know more and know ourselves more. Absolutely!! I am loving this time of my life because I have taken the low and slow approach to learning about life and myself. Making mistakes, learning from them and getting better each day. We can appreciate the simple joy of sharing some wine and good conversation. Throw in some food and music and we have ourselves a perfect kind of world. For me at least.
As a side note, thanks to all the people that donated today to Feed Nova Scotia while we were out in this wonderful weather asking for your change. Kind of renews your faith in humanity to see the kindness.
Ciao
D
Wednesday, 22 June 2016
Hope
I had a myriad of topics running through my head this morning; my kidney stones treatment which induced a kidney stone which threw me in the hospital for a few hours. Fathers Day. The machismo of the kitchen world....well, you get the idea. Instead I give you this...
I watched The Shawshank Redemption the other night, for the umpteenth time. Truly a great movie that touches on hope so beautifully, so eloquently, dare I say perfectly. The scene where Andy plays the piece from Marriage of Figaro over the loud speakers is so uplifting for me. Coupled with Red's narration, the ability of music to lift you out of your seat....goose bumps, just saying. The ability to keep hope alive despite whatever may be thrown your way is a good way to be. As Andy put it, the best of things.
Now I could quote you a number of other examples of hope, hell I could play you the guitar piece called Hope by Alex Lifeson...as you may know, I'm fond of pulling out other people's work to make me look smarter than I am, but if you'll indulge me for a bit...I'll try to look smart on my own terms, grammar and sentence structure not withstanding of course.
To say that I have been put through the ringer a few times in my life would be an understatement. And I say this not for sympathy or to make it seem like I've had a bad life, on the contrary I think I'm leading a great life, just to say that I, like all of us, have had some trying times. Financially, personally and with health. Be it the B & B I used to have, the whole divorce process, the cancer thingy (Fuck Cancer!!!) or what have you, there have been times when I was definitely low on the happy meter. It's part of life of course and I really do see these times as learning and growth experiences. I generally take a "you do you and I'll do me" kind of attitude with the belief that Karma will take care of things in the long term. Stay in the light kind of thing, I may end up with my fair share of kicks to the teeth but I'm pretty sure I'm a better person for it.
Not that a little schadenfreude doesn't creep into my life from time to time. I can think of a few people I wouldn't mind seeing suffer for their actions, those what goes around comes around moments that maybe, just maybe means the universe is actually paying attention. Given the way things unfold sometimes you wonder if anyone is watching. That's a blog for another day.
So, back to these moments in my life where I was beaten down in one way or another. Without getting into specifics because this isn't about pointing fingers, I have almost always looked at what ever was happening and thought, ok...tomorrow will be better. The day after will be better, five years from now will be better. I believe they call that hope. And it's not some pie in the sky pray to the heavens kind of 'hope', it's the fundamental belief that really, things will be better. Through my own hard work or perseverance, the help of others, Karma or just the way it goes...I know it will be better. I knew I wasn't going to die from this eye cancer (Fuck Cancer!!!) just like I know that while I may be tight on funds now I will be better off tomorrow. I believe that. That's how my brain works and that is the one thing I would never change about me. Hope springs eternal....thought I would make it through without a quote did ya? Suckers
I like to believe in those better angels I have mentioned before. I want to believe that mostly people are good. But how people end up behaving is really nothing to do with me...I'm busy being me, and if that means a kick to the stomach every once in a while, so be it. I'll still be the one sipping wine and dreaming of things better to come. Living, loving and laughing.
"Get busy living or get busy dying...that's Goddamn right"
I watched The Shawshank Redemption the other night, for the umpteenth time. Truly a great movie that touches on hope so beautifully, so eloquently, dare I say perfectly. The scene where Andy plays the piece from Marriage of Figaro over the loud speakers is so uplifting for me. Coupled with Red's narration, the ability of music to lift you out of your seat....goose bumps, just saying. The ability to keep hope alive despite whatever may be thrown your way is a good way to be. As Andy put it, the best of things.
Now I could quote you a number of other examples of hope, hell I could play you the guitar piece called Hope by Alex Lifeson...as you may know, I'm fond of pulling out other people's work to make me look smarter than I am, but if you'll indulge me for a bit...I'll try to look smart on my own terms, grammar and sentence structure not withstanding of course.
To say that I have been put through the ringer a few times in my life would be an understatement. And I say this not for sympathy or to make it seem like I've had a bad life, on the contrary I think I'm leading a great life, just to say that I, like all of us, have had some trying times. Financially, personally and with health. Be it the B & B I used to have, the whole divorce process, the cancer thingy (Fuck Cancer!!!) or what have you, there have been times when I was definitely low on the happy meter. It's part of life of course and I really do see these times as learning and growth experiences. I generally take a "you do you and I'll do me" kind of attitude with the belief that Karma will take care of things in the long term. Stay in the light kind of thing, I may end up with my fair share of kicks to the teeth but I'm pretty sure I'm a better person for it.
Not that a little schadenfreude doesn't creep into my life from time to time. I can think of a few people I wouldn't mind seeing suffer for their actions, those what goes around comes around moments that maybe, just maybe means the universe is actually paying attention. Given the way things unfold sometimes you wonder if anyone is watching. That's a blog for another day.
So, back to these moments in my life where I was beaten down in one way or another. Without getting into specifics because this isn't about pointing fingers, I have almost always looked at what ever was happening and thought, ok...tomorrow will be better. The day after will be better, five years from now will be better. I believe they call that hope. And it's not some pie in the sky pray to the heavens kind of 'hope', it's the fundamental belief that really, things will be better. Through my own hard work or perseverance, the help of others, Karma or just the way it goes...I know it will be better. I knew I wasn't going to die from this eye cancer (Fuck Cancer!!!) just like I know that while I may be tight on funds now I will be better off tomorrow. I believe that. That's how my brain works and that is the one thing I would never change about me. Hope springs eternal....thought I would make it through without a quote did ya? Suckers
I like to believe in those better angels I have mentioned before. I want to believe that mostly people are good. But how people end up behaving is really nothing to do with me...I'm busy being me, and if that means a kick to the stomach every once in a while, so be it. I'll still be the one sipping wine and dreaming of things better to come. Living, loving and laughing.
"Get busy living or get busy dying...that's Goddamn right"
Friday, 17 June 2016
If it's Friday it must be a rant
Remember what I said about filters slowly fading away? Yeah, not so slow after all. I'm not sure if it's this very blog and the exercise in writing it, my age or a combination of many things but I have noticed that I am not holding back much anymore. I'm not worried about offending people if I speak my mind and to be honest, if you are offended then maybe we shouldn't be friends....just saying. And if you say things that might cause me to want to punch you in the throat, I think I will cut you out. I deleted a few people from Facebook for espousing things that irk me to no end. Drumph supporters, Harper supporters, homophobic slurs, rampant racism and if you can believe it - support for Hitler. Goodbye Y'all!
So what am I pontificating about today? Vegans and their ilk? People that can't drive? People that text while walking? All valid targets to be sure but no, my vitriol is going to be aimed solely at the NRA, it's supporters and anyone named Trump, excuse me, Drumph. Deep breath.....begin
What kind of fucked up sense of anything do you morons profess to believe in? Seriously, how bone chilling stupid do you have to be if you can't see the relationship between the weekly gun shooting deaths and your ridiculously lax gun laws? I don't hunt nor have I ever even shot a gun or fired a gun or even held a gun so I don't understand the fascination with them. Does your dick feel bigger holding a big gun? I can understand sport hunting and hunting for food easy enough, not that I have done any of that, but what is sporting about hunting varmints with an AR-15 assault rifle? Seriously, how is that even a legal weapon for any 'normal' American to carry if they don't have a sergeant or captain hollering at them? A little overkill maybe.
And before you start, shut the fuck up. I don't want to hear your second amendment crap. This is what it says, the oft quoted and misrepresented second amendment:
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.”
So what am I pontificating about today? Vegans and their ilk? People that can't drive? People that text while walking? All valid targets to be sure but no, my vitriol is going to be aimed solely at the NRA, it's supporters and anyone named Trump, excuse me, Drumph. Deep breath.....begin
What kind of fucked up sense of anything do you morons profess to believe in? Seriously, how bone chilling stupid do you have to be if you can't see the relationship between the weekly gun shooting deaths and your ridiculously lax gun laws? I don't hunt nor have I ever even shot a gun or fired a gun or even held a gun so I don't understand the fascination with them. Does your dick feel bigger holding a big gun? I can understand sport hunting and hunting for food easy enough, not that I have done any of that, but what is sporting about hunting varmints with an AR-15 assault rifle? Seriously, how is that even a legal weapon for any 'normal' American to carry if they don't have a sergeant or captain hollering at them? A little overkill maybe.
And before you start, shut the fuck up. I don't want to hear your second amendment crap. This is what it says, the oft quoted and misrepresented second amendment:
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.”
Ok, take the time to read that statement out loud. Slowly. Do it again. The only way the NRA can use this archaic piece of crap is if they take out some words and ignore context. They can take my musket when they can pry it from my cold dead hand. For fuck sake. A well regulated militia, not every yahoo that can sign his name and stay sober long enough to go through the farce of a back ground check. It's in the first sentence fuck wad. You aren't entitled to your guns anymore than I am entitled to driving my car. The price we pay for living in a civilised society is living under the laws that are, hopefully, designed to protect us. That and taxes. Do they all make sense? No, of course not. Seriously, weed is against the law but alcohol, which is far more destructive, is readily available? But they are there for the general good. I have to earn my privilege to drive and it can be taken away if I've been bad. But don't touch our guns...I'm hunting wabbits! And Muslims, gays, Jews and well....anyone. It scares the crap out of me. Worse than crocodiles and that's saying something....vile killing machines.
Anyone can be packing just about anything. I never gave it a second thought when I was in New York but I bet I walked by a lot of guns in those four days....shudder I don't know if Americans are more homicidal by nature but they certainly do have a lot of gun violence. Surely reasonable men and women can figure out that harder access to guns will help curb this lunacy. Look at Australia. So you Tea Baggers, Republicans and wayward Democrats that block attempts to curb access to fucking military type weapons, grenade launchers, small bazookas and tanks all in the name of the holy second amendment....wait for it....go fuck yourselves. You should be ashamed of yourselves....Sandy Hook, Colorado, San Bernardino and now Orlando which is small potaotoes compared to all the non mass killings by gun that happen daily. The carnage has to stop...and you mooks are the ones that have to stop it.
So here is the deal America. First, get out and vote to ensure that Drumph is completely obliterated. Vote out the Tea Baggers and religious right Republicans to ensure we actually have people that are interested in governing as opposed to obstructionism. And demand that the lawmakers get serious about gun control. While they are at it, wage disparity, corporate greed, the 1% and the environment should be at the top of the list as well.
Now get to work and don't make me come punch you in the throat.
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