Death by Chocolate, Grave Injustice, -and- Homeland Insecurity

Death by Chocolate - worker dies after falling into vat
Grave Injustice - manager, three gravediggers move bodies to resell plots
Homeland Insecurity - State Department under cyber attack for fourth day

On this day in history: July 10, 1992 - Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega sentenced to 40 years in prison for eight counts of drug trafficking, money laundering, and racketeering.

Born on this day in history: July 10, 1943 - Arthur Ashe (1943 - 1993) Born in Richmond, Virginia, tennis player Arthur Ashe was the first African-American to win the U.S. national singles and open championships (1968) and the first black professional to play in apartheid South Africa (1973). Ashe became a spokesman for AIDS education after contracting the virus from a blood transfusion.

Scripture of the Day: I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. — Philippians 4:11

Video of the Day: Evian Roller Babies - submitted by Frank

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while driving to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

The New Grill

Reader Will appeared shortly following the delivery of the new grill. The box containing the new grill was enormous. When Will assured me it would fit into his Ford pickup, I was incredulous. However, it fit nicely! We unloaded it onto the sidewalk in front of the house wherein Laura and I reside. That afternoon, I removed the cardboard encasing the new grill. I then wrestled (and I do mean wrestled!) the new grill from its perch within a plastic carrier. I placed the flavorizer® bars and cooking grates. I installed the inner rack. That was as far as I could go, since I could find no screwdriver with which to attach the side burner and work table. This afternoon, I shall attach these items, and the new grill will be ready for use!

Perhaps I have been playing Zombieville USA too much!

I dreamed of zombies last evening. They were the zombies of the game. They was a great infestation of them upon the city. It was not nearly as enjoyable killing zombies in my dream as it is in the game. The zombies in my dream looked like the zombies in the game, but they were much more aggressive and more difficult to kill. I much prefer the game. Perhaps, however, this dream is a sign that I should play another game for a time.

Grave Injustice, He's Alive!, -and- Girl Power

Grave Injustice - suit claims funeral home left body in unrefrigerated garage
He's Alive! - DUI suspect attempts to escape trial with fake obituary
Girl Power - female-only ant species discovered

On this day in history: April 16, 1943 - Chemist Albert Hofmann inadvertently experiences the world's first acid trip when a tiny quantity of lysergic acid diethylamide accidently seeps through the skin of his finger. After leaving work early, he went home and settled into "a not unpleasant intoxicated condition." Then he had solid two hours of visual hallucinations: "I perceived an uninterrupted stream of fantastic pictures, extraordinary shapes with intense, kaleidoscopic play of colors." It will be another three days before Hofmann gets up the courage to swallow 250 micrograms and ride his bicycle home.

Born on this day in history: April 16, 1965 - Martin Lawrence (1965-) Actor/Comic born in Frankfurt, Germany.As a teen, Lawrence pursued a love of boxing, but was also a gifted comedian. A teacher encouraged Lawrence to attend an open mic night at a local comedy club, and his career as a comic was born.

Scripture of the Day: Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. - 1 Corinthians 15:24

Video of the Day: Dilbert - Hard Reboot and Free Energy - submitted by Amber

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this sign in a store window while jogging to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

The lure of the grill is great. I am driven to grill whenever possible. When wind such as that to which we were subjected two evenings ago plagues us, however, the outdoor grill is not an option. We are not fortunate enough to have an area in which to place our barbecue that is sheltered from the wind, and the wind of two evenings ago was so substantial that it was considerably less mine own discomfort that made me eschew it than it was the certainty that the wind would not allow the flame to remain active.

Therefore, it was the indoor grill upon which I placed the evening's meal. The indoor grill lacks the robust heat and the flesh-charring flames of the barbecue, and its size is certainly a limiting factor. Nonetheless, all its limitations do not dissuade me from engaging it often during times when weather conditions do not allow the use of the outdoor grill.

Perhaps it is due to some extent to a tribal consciousness that extends to me from my caveman ancestors. Whatever the exegesis may be, I know only that the thrall in which the grill holds me is great and cannot be denied. I am drawn, inexorably, as is the proverbial moth, to the flame!

Grave Injustice, Stupid Criminals, -and- It's a Wrap

Grave Injustice - SC exhumes tall body rumored cut to fit coffin
Stupid Criminals - man robs store with 9-year-old in tow
It's a Wrap - residents block street to prevent Google filming

On this day in history: April 3, 1882 - Notorious outlaw Jesse James is shot and killed in his own home for a $5,000 reward. The assailants are Charles and Robert Ford, both members of the James gang.

Born on this day in history: April 3, 1924 - Marlon Brando (1924-2004) Born in Omaha, NE, actor Marlon Brando played his greatest stage role as Stanley Kowalski in Tennessee Williams's 'A Streetcar Named Desire' (1947), also playing the screen version (1951), which earned four Oscars. Other award-winning films followed, including 'The Wild One' and 'On the Waterfront' (both 1954). Brando went on to a half-century of intense highs, self-indulgent lows and a tempestuous personal life. He is remembered as a consummate actor.

Scripture of the Day: Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. - Philippians 4:9

Video of the Day: The "Our Gang" Tribute (Part 1) - submitted by Jay

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while checking on my boat at the marina this morning! Click to enlarge.

Last Evening's Dinner: For dinner last evening, I made a chicken breast revision of the chicken liver and rice dish I wrote about last month. I seasoned Mexican bread crumbs (I shall photograph a container of this incredible product and post it here later today!) with adobo seasoning, granulated garlic, ground Cayenne pepper, and Red Monkey Mango Habanero dry rub (your favorite spicy mix would suffice). I cut two large Tyson boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and tossed with the seasoned bread crumbs. I sliced three large white mushrooms and added to a cup of jasmine rice and 1.5 cups of water in an electric rice cooker. While the rice was cooking, I sautéd the chicken breast pieces in extra-virgin olive oil until browned on both sides. I turned off the burner and added a bunch of chopped green onions. Laura arranged the rice on a serving platter, arranged the chicken and green onions atop the rice, and drizzled the remnants of the olive oil over the dish. It was delightful.

Here is a photograph of the dish—taken with my iPhone:

We watched two episodes of "Boston Legal" on Blu-Ray DVD.

The Talking Frog
A guy is 70 years old and loves to fish. He was sitting in his boat the other day when he heard a voice say, "Pick me up."

He looked around and couldn't see anyone. He thought he was dreaming when he heard the voice say again, "Pick me up."

He looked in the water and there, floating on the top, was a frog.

The man said, "Are you talking to me?"

The frog said, "Yes, I'm talking to you. Pick me up then, kiss me and I'll turn into the most beautiful woman you have ever seen.

"I'll make sure that all your friends are envious and jealous because I will be your bride!"

The man looked at the frog for a short time, reached over, picked it up carefully, and placed it in his front breast pocket.

Then the frog said, "What, are you nuts? Didn't you hear what I said? I said kiss me and I will be your beautiful bride."

He opened his pocket, looked at the frog and said,

"Nah, at my age I'd rather have a talking frog."

Fighting Back, Grave Injustice, -and- Look up in the Sky!

Fighting Back - man mauled by grizzly kills bear, lives to tell tale
Grave Injustice - investigators seek missing funeral funds
Look up in the Sky! - winged stuntman beats commercial flight

On this day in history: June 9, 1980 - In the midst of a cocaine binge, comedian Richard Pryor attempts suicide by dousing himself with rum and setting it ablaze. The self-immolation attempt goes haywire when the flaming man leaps from his apartment window and runs down the street, screaming in agony. Pryor barely survives the incident, and only after six weeks of intensive care and three skin graft surgeries.

Born on this day in history: June 9, 1963 - Johnny Depp (1963-) Born in Owensboro, KY, and raised in FL, actor and director Johnny Depp left school at 17 to play in garage bands. He gained teen idol status on TV's "21 Jump Street" and today has carved a niche for himself as a serious, somewhat dark, idiosyncratic performer, consistently selecting roles that surprise critics and audiences alike.

Scripture of the Day: People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. - 1 Timothy 6:9

Video of the Day: Amazing Stick Men - submitted by Frank

You in a heap o' trouble, boy! Click to enlarge.

The wind has abated—now that the weekend has passed. The wind that plagued us most of last week returned Friday evening, after a brief respite, and continued through the weekend. It is gone this morning, and today promises to be calm and hot. It is forecast to be 96 degrees today.

Friday even, we had grilled cheeseburgers. Laura incorporated thinly sliced steamed mushrooms and Jalapeños, minced garlic, Tony Chachere's More Spice, and ground black pepper into Sierra Nevada beef. She grilled the patties, topping with extra-sharp cheddar cheese just prior to removing them from the grill. At the table, we applied condiments to sourdough bread and added sliced tomato, sliced onion, and baby spinach leaves. It was an excellent meal.

Saturday evening, I grilled New York strip steaks, large white mushrooms, medium white potatoes, and large Jalapeños. I rubbed the steaks four hours prior to grilling with Tony Chachere's More Spice and ground black pepper. It was a wonderful meal.

Sunday evening, we enjoyed sushi. I made California rolls with shrimp and avocado, green onion, and Jalapeño slices. It was wonderful.

We watched "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark" Saturday evening. [Get ready to globe-trot with one of the big screen's greatest adventurers. When Dr. Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) -- the tweed-suited professor who just happens to be a celebrated archaeologist -- is hired by the government to locate the legendary Ark of the Covenant (resting place of the original Ten Commandments), he finds himself up against the entire Nazi regime. Steven Spielberg and George Lucas teamed up to create this all-time favorite.] I had not seen this (or any of the Indiana Jones movies) previously. I enjoyed it a good deal and was impressed by the special effects and video quality of this 27-year-old movie. I highly recommend it.

Sunday evening, we watched "No Country for Old Men." [A hunter (Josh Brolin) stumbles upon a dead body, $2 million and a stash of heroin in the woods. He absconds with the cash, but brutal thief Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) comes looking for it, with a local sheriff (Tommy Lee Jones) on his trail. The roles of hunter and prey blur as the violent pursuits of money and justice collide. Joel and Ethan Coen direct this dark morality tale, which won four Oscars in 2008, including Best Picture.] The mere fact that this movie won four Oscars should have prepared me for disappointment, but my appreciation of Tommy Lee Jones drove me to want to enjoy the movie. This could very easily be the worst movie I have ever seen—at least, I judge it to be the worst mainstream movie I have ever seen. Surely, there are independent films that are worse yet, but for a major Hollywood movie, this one is truly abysmal. There is a very simple plot, scant plot development, and no character development. The action—what little there is of it—is, for the most part, senseless, gory killing. The one opportunity for special effects comes at the end of the movie, when the hunter's car is T-boned by another car. Unfortunately, this accident is anticipated—so there is no element of surprise—and there are no special effects or dramatic photography whatever. The movie adopts the premise that the depiction of gory, senseless murder is a theme. In actuality, the movie is embarrassingly gruesome and, ultimately, boring.

Got Milk?, Grave Injustice, -and- Animal Kingdom

Got Milk? - 14 tons of spilled Oreo cookies snarl Illinois traffic
Grave Injustice - Former head of UCLA cadaver program indicted for alleged body parts trafficking
Animal Kingdom - Ohio university awards degree to dog

On this day in history: May 19, 1536 - In the first public execution of an English queen, Anne Boleyn is beheaded.

Born on this day in history: May 19, 1925 - Malcolm X (1925–65) Born Malcolm Little in Omaha, NE, activist Malcolm X spent 10 years in prison for burglary (1946), where he discovered the anti-white Black Muslims. He came to national attention via writings and a TV documentary (1959) that portrayed him as a threat to white people. Breaking with the Muslims (1964), he worked to internationalize the Afro-American struggle, forming the Organization of African American Unity. Assassinated in New York City, Malcolm X remains a powerful influence and transformed a generation of African-Americans.

Scripture of the Day: Jesus did not let him [the man from whom he had cast out demons] come with him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." - Mark 5:19

Video of the Day: Obama Claims He Has Visited 57 States - submitted by Jeffrey

Friends! Click to enlarge.

The weather was very warm over the weekend: Temperatures reached highs of 103 degrees on Saturday and 102 degrees on Sunday.

Saturday, I made Pacific ebi rolls—sushi rolls, made with ebi, green onion, and avocado. They were wonderful. Laura and I both declared that I must make sushi more often, since we both enjoy it a great deal.

Sunday, we had cheeseburgers and fries. I thinly sliced, poached, and dried four large white mushrooms. I finely chopped a quarter of a large red onion. Laura added the mushroom slices and onion to a quantity of Sierra Nevada ground beef. She added minced garlic, ground black pepper, crushed red pepper, Tony Chachere's More Spice, and teriyaki sauce and molded this into four large patties. I thinly sliced a large tomato and a large red onion. I cut four large slices of extra-sharp cheddar cheese. I placed a quantity of Ore-Ida fries in the oven and fired up the grill. I toasted some Oroweat onion rolls on the grill while the burger patties cooked. I took the onion rolls to the table, and Laura and I prepared them while waiting for the fries and burger patties to cook. When the patties were nearly done, I placed the cheese slices atop them and turned off the gas. I left the patties in the grill for five minutes. The cheese melted beautifully. I removed the fries from the oven, and took the burger patties and fries to the table. It was a delicious meal. Two burger patties remain for a dinner later in the week.