You Want Gastro with That?, Law of the Land, -and- Somebody's Watching You

You Want Gastro with That? - filthy McDonald's caught on video
Law of the Land - Saudi judge upholds 47-year-old man's marriage to 8-year-old girl
Somebody's Watching You - microchip to tell if you have taken your pills

On this day in history: April 13, 1981 - Washington Post reporter Janet Cooke wins a Pulitzer Prize for her story about Jimmy, an 8 year old heroin addict. Strangely, police could find no trace of this boy. And this was one of those investigative journalism Pulitzers, not a fiction Pulitzer, so she was forced to return the award two days later. Cooke later clerked part-time at a department store cosmetics counter in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Born on this day in history: April 13, 1743 - Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826) Born in Albermarle Co., VA, 3rd President Thomas Jefferson (1801-9) helped draft the Declaration of Independence (adopted July 4, 1776). In 1789, George Washington appointed him secretary of state, and, in 1796, he was elected vice-president under Federalist John Adams. In 1797, Jefferson won the presidency, narrowly beating Aaron Burr. In his day, Jefferson was charged with everything from godlessness to fathering a child with his black servant girl. Today, he is considered one of America's greatest forefathers.

Scripture of the Day: And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:19

Video of the Day: iPhone OS 3.0

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this sign while walking around the lake this morning! Click to enlarge.

New Site! I created a new Web site over the weekend: Now See This - Random Photographs from My iPhone. This is a site I created with the sole purpose of having fun with my iPhone camera. Visit it, and take a peek into my life!

The Weekend

Saturday morning, we enjoyed a brunch. We had potatoes O'Brien, New York hot Italian sausage patties, and fried eggs.

Saturday evening, we enjoyed a succulent pork tenderloin. I grilled the tenderloin and made a batch of Cajun red beans. It was a delightful meal. Leftovers followed Laura to Chico this morning.

Sunday morning, we attended Easter Sunday service at Harvest Christian Center.

Sunday evening, I grilled giant prawns. I removed the tails and marinated the prawns in extra-virgin olive oil, rice wine vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, ground cayenne pepper, lime juice, and sea salt. I then grilled them over a high flame.

I made Asian noodle salad to accompany the prawns. I used four packages of ramen noodles and mixed in chopped green onions, sliced celery, diced red bell pepper, kernel corn, parsley flakes, sea salt, ground black pepper, ground cayenne pepper, ground ginger, granulated garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, rice wine vinegar, and the seasoning packets from the ramen packages. It was a delicious accompaniment to the grilled prawns.

An excellent bottle of Indian Springs Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc accompanied this incredible Easter dinner.

Fighting Back, Law of the Land, -and- Did You Want Fries with That?

Fighting Back - clerk chases robbers from store with broom
Law of the Land - Ten Commandments poster inside courtroom approved
Did You Want Fries with That? - Burger King employee caught bathing in sink

On this day in history: August 12, 1969 - In San Francisco, Emperor Norton I issues a stern edict outlawing both the Republican and Democratic political parties. Violators face a prison term of five-to-ten years.

Born on this day in history: August 12, 1881 - Cecil B. De Mille (1881 - 1959) Born in Ashfield, Massachusetts, film director Cecil B. De Mille made the first Hollywood picture in 1914, directing more than 70 films. A master of the spectacle, De Mille triumphed in "The Ten Commandments" (1923, remake 1956) and "The Greatest Show on Earth" (1952).

Scripture of the Day: When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." - John 8:12

Video of the Day: Tally Hall: Banana Man - submitted by Jay

"Just don't mess up my hair!" Click to enlarge.

Hot weather is returning! It has been relatively cool recently. Temperatures have been in the mid-to-high 90s. Today, it is forecast to be 103 degrees, and it is predicted to become warmer as the weekend approaches.

Fighting Back, Law of the Land, -and- Mommy Dearest

Fighting Back - gunman shot, killed with own gun by store manager
Law of the Land - judge gives offenders choice: pay fine or donate blood
Mommy Dearest - woman shoots 8-year-old daughter in leg to win $1 bet

On this day in history: May 5, 1982 - Secretary Janet Smith in the computer science department at Vanderbilt University is injured when she opens a package from the Unabomber.

Born on this day in history: May 5, 1959 - Brian Williams (1959-) Born in Elmira, NY, TV news anchor Brian Williams began his career in Kansas before moving to local CBS outlet in New York City, where he won an Emmy for reporting on the stock market collapse. Climbing the ranks, he took over from Tom Brokaw as anchor of NBC Nightly News in 2004. Williams at first drew criticism for being stiff, but his acclaimed coverage of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 improved his image.

Scripture of the Day: And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. - Romans 5:5

Video of the Day:

David Gallo: Underwater Astonishment - submitted by Laura

Laura took this photograph of Sunday's grilled chicken and hot Italian sausage. Click to enlarge.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

The Weekend: The weekend was warm and sunny. We enjoyed leftover fettuccine with marinara sauce Friday evening. For Saturday's dinner, I grilled New York strip steaks, Jalapeño peppers, yellow squash, white mushrooms, and baby red potatoes. The steaks were excellent, and I grilled them perfectly—charring them nicely on the exterior and leaving them rare in the center.

Sunday's dinner was a mixed grill and rice with tomato, corn and peas. Laura grilled seven large Tyson boneless, skinless chicken breasts and five Johnsonville hot Italian sausages. She charred the chicken and sausages nicely then moved them away from the flame. She brushed the chicken and sausages with spicy barbecue sauce and turned several times. I placed a cup of Calrose rice, 2 cups of water, a handful of frozen corn kernels, a handful of frozen peas, 2 diced Roma tomatoes, ground black pepper, and Tony Chachere's More Spice in the rice cooker. The rice was wonderful. We shall make this tasty, easy-to-prepare side dish again soon.

Friday evening, we watched "Walk the Line" [2005) PG-13 Among the pantheon of great country singers, Johnny Cash (played here by Joaquin Phoenix) may just be the most enigmatic. James Mangold's film distills Cash's transformation from man to icon -- from his hardscrabble days on an Arkansas farm to Sun Records in Memphis, Tenn., where Cash finally found a way for his talent to come into its own. Reese Witherspoon plays his beloved June, alongside co-stars Robert Patrick and Shelby Lynne.] We had seen this movie previously, but we had not seen it in HD. I recorded it previously with our DVR. It is a wonderful movie, and I highly recommend it. Joaquin Phoenix gives an incredible performance as Johnny Cash, and Reese Witherspoon is stunning as June Carter.

Sunday evening, we watched "The Bourne Supremacy" [2004) PG-13 When a CIA sting in Berlin turns murderously wrong, everyone suspects it's the handiwork of Jason Bourne (Matt Damon). As the CIA hunts for their lost ex-killer Bourne, Bourne himself is pursued by a ruthless cartel bent on framing him up -- and leaving him dead. Franka Potente returns as Marie Helena Kreutz alongside Joan Allen as Agent Helen Landy.] We had seen this movie previously, but we had not seen it in HD. It is an exciting, well-produced movie, and I highly recommend it.

Oh Brother!, Law of the Land, -and- It's Alive!

Oh Brother! - siblings divide house with barbed wire
Law of the Land - judge sues his own courthouse
It's Alive! - first animal-human embryo trials to go ahead

On this day in history: January 17, 1977 - After refusing appeals and demanding his death sentence, double murderer Gary Gilmore is given a hood and shot by a Utah Firing Squad in the first U.S. execution in ten years.

Born on this day in history: January 17, 1917 - Betty White (1917-) Actress. Born January 17, 1917 in Oak Park, Illinois. White moved with her family to Los Angeles at the age of two, and got her start in television in the 1950s, performing in a variety of comedic sketch acts for local TV programs. She starred in her first sitcom in 1953 called "Life with Elizabeth," which was a spin-off of a sketch she performed earlier in her career. In 1954, the actress headlined her own variety show, joining forces with co-star Bill Williams a few years later for Date with the Angels. After spending more than a decade making guest appearances, including stints on such TV game shows as Password and Hollywood Squares, White landed a regular role on the Emmy-winning series The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She stayed with the show until its final episode in 1977. White spent two years on the Carol Burnett spin-off "Mama's Family" until it was cancelled by NBC in 1984. She then joined the ensemble cast of the sitcom "The Golden Girls" as grief counselor Rose Nylund. The show lasted seven seasons. Throughout the 1990s, White continued appearing on television series and made-for-TV movies. In 1996, she won an Emmy award for her guest appearance on NBC’s "The John Larroquette Show." White has been married three times; to Lane Allen from 1947 until 1949, to Dick Barker in 1945, and to Allen Ludden from 1963 until his death in 1981.

Scripture of the Day: Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. - Isaiah 1:17

Video of the Day: Carrot Pan-flute - "Old Casti's Moon" - submitted by Danica

Recommended Sites:
Nikon Photographer Forum - a free forum for photography enthusiasts
Corning California Message Board - a free message board for Corning
Olive Hut Blog - specials, olive news, recipes, and more

The Wind The wind appears to have abated! The gale-force wind that has plagued us for days did not greet me this morning when I exited our house. Hopefully, it will not soon return. It was fierce indeed, and I greatly enjoy its departure.

For dinner Tuesday evening, we made tri-color rotini with chicken breast: I cooked a package of tri-color rotini until al denté and set aside. I sliced white onion, red bell pepper, white mushrooms, and two large Tyson boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I added four tablespoons of minced garlic, Tony Chachere's More Spice Seasoning, and ground black pepper. Laura sautéed the chicken and vegetables in extra-virgin olive oil. When done, she incorporated the rotini and took the dish to the table. We added DiGiorno Parmesan cheese and crushed red peppers at the table. It was a delightful meal. Leftovers followed Laura to work this morning.

Last night, following Bible class, we had intended to have a Freschetta pepperoni pizza. It was late, and we were tired, so I had a deli ham and pepperjack cheese sandwich on whole-wheat bread and a Pepsi Max. Laura nibbled on pepperjack cheese.