Howdy true be-loggers, welcome to Sunday Leftovers! This issue we discuss hucksters and a book with stories about the Hulkster? Speaking of the Hulk, I will share my recipe for championship rice. Settle back as we see what's leftover....
[The Back Window]
CREDIT: Bon Iver - Skinny Love
[Assholes]
After I read the comments from Pat Robertson regarding Haiti I was going to write this response. Then I thought "should I feed into this asshole's publicity machine?" Then I came back around not to comment but to inform:
This man makes his living saying he is religious. A Christian (the same people who say "Turn the other cheek"). He doesn't preach tolerance, love, forgiveness or peace - he sells hate. Any minority group/victims that he can grind his axe against for publicity are chewed up and spit out on the airwaves. Robertson created a television network which was bought by Fox and then bought by ABC (it is called ABC Family now). Part of his contract is that the network has to air the 700 club for 2 hours each day. I don't know how air-tight this contract is, but this man should not be given 2 hours on a television channel for adults let alone children. It's time to put a stop to this rotten message. It's time to start writing into the networks and radio stations that broadcast him and get him taken off the airwaves:
ABC Family Feedback Form
Email: FaithWords Publishing Robertson's recent book publisher
Make it a point to write down the advertisers and call and complain to them... it's the only way to get rid of this huckster.
Watch Pat Robertson in action:
[Haitian Relief Note]
I posted a note a few days ago on how people in the Philadelphia area can donate supplies or money (click here). But I wanted to add more information to that note.
I am sure many people saw the option to text message a $10 donation to the Red Cross. While it is totally legit, because of the way billing works with text messaging it can take up to three months for that money to reach it's intended recipient. The Red Cross and other charitable organizations that have employed this method are still recommending using direct donation methods via their respective websites for the money to be used in a more timely manner.
[Reviews]
** MOVIES **
The Lovely Bones: I got a chance to see this movie for free this week and it's a good thing because I would have been pissed off if I paid. Simply put, the movie is essentially a remake of the crappy Robin Williams film "What Dreams My Come", except the main character is a little girl. Once she gets killed the movie becomes aimless and unwatchable. I won't ruin the ending, but they can't even deliver a crowd pleasing pay off in this over-emotional snooze-fest. On a positive note - Marky Mark didn't completely suck.
** BOOKS **
Manhood for Amateurs - By Michael Chabon: This book is a series of essays Chabon wrote about fatherhood, marriage, divorce, and being a geek. It's a wonderful book that is heartfelt and honest. The stories about his struggles with giving his children information about drugs and sex are well thought out and written, but the book shines the most when he talks about his ex-wife. There is an essay about his relationship with his former father-in-law that was sad and funny and perfectly executed. Chabon redeemed himself to me with this latest book ("Maps and Legends" was abysmal) and I am looking forward to his next work whether it be fictional or auto-biographical.
Hitman - By Bret Hart: I grew up a wrestling fan, but more specifically, I grew up a Bret Hart fan. The book is an interesting and well written look at his life and professional wrestling business. I enjoyed reading about his difficult childhood and running up to his career in the then WWF. The book loses it's focus towards the end; perhaps its because he suffered a career ending concussion and then a life threatening stroke (I would imagine his life long note taking suffered during that recovery period). The ending doesn't give you the send off you would hope for as Hart suffers through one last round of personal disappoints and then the book ends. I suspect there will be a new version with a few extra chapters now he has returned to the WWE for one last goodbye. I hope he is given the ending he deserves.
** TELEVISION **
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - Season 3: I somehow missed the entire Season 3 when it aired. If you haven't watched this show, it is excellent. Get the DVD because the special features have a live re-enactment of the "Nightman" play with the entire cast. Danny Devito is a genius for taking this role and it is my sincere wish to see him walking around Center City one day and buy him hard liquor.
Ken Burns: National Parks: I am a huge Ken Burns fan, but I attempted to watch this when it aired on PBS and got distracted. I "netflixed" the blu-ray DVD and while the images are stunning, it is SOOO fucking boring. I am going to pass on the first disk and move on the #2. I will let you know how it goes.
[Recipe of the Week: Championship Rice]
Mid-week I found myself not having a ton of stuff to cook with and I didn't want to go out to get supplies. I decided to do a "whatever I have in the house" dish. Similar dishes have been called Championship Rice, this is my version.
INGREDIENTS
1 package of diced pancetta (8 0z.)
2 onions (diced)
1 clove of garlic
2 cans of black beans
1 package of brown rice
1 32 Oz container of chicken stock
2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon of mustard powder
Salt and Pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. In a small sauce pot, add 29 oz of the chicken stock and bring to a boil. When boiling, add the rice and cook as the directions dictate. When the rice is done, put into a big bowl.
2. In a small frying pan, add a splash of olive oil on low medium head, and when hot, add the onions. Cook then down until golden and then add the pancetta. Allow to cook for 4 minutes stirring occasionally. Then add the garlic and allow it to cook in for 3 minutes.
3. Open the beans and drain and clean them from the juice in the can. Add them to the frying pan and then add the remaining chicken stock. Add the salt, pepper, mustard powder, Worcestershire sauce, and if you want - hot sauce. Bring up the head so the mixture is bubbling and then down to a simmer, cover the frying pan with a lid. Let it cook for 8 minutes (stirring frequently).
4. Add the mixture to the bowl of rice and mix in.
Finished.
[DIY of the Week: Build a Djembe (African Drum)]
Build your own Djembe (and End Table) - More DIY How To Projects
[Video of the Week]
Death Metal Rooster?
[Conclusion]
That's all for this week friends. If you need to reach me, you can do so via email at: "blog at joeylombardi.com". As always, don't take shit from anybody.
Smell You Later,
~ Joey
Joey Lombardi | Create Your Badge
