Turkey Day

So the day has begun. I got up at 7am after being out last night to get the ball rolling. Chopped up some celery, onion, garlic, fresh rosemary, and thyme for the stuffing. Mixed that all in with the unseasoned bread cubes, and then added about 4 cups of water and a melted stick of butter. Stirred that around to moisten the bread and mix it all together.

Got the bird ready (removed the neck and giblets etc) rinsed it out well and then stuffed the neck cavity and then the body. Put Thomas (the turkey) on the rack in the roasting pan and put him in the 325 degree oven. It was just a little after 8 am when that happened. Yeah doesn't take me too long to get stuff chopped up and ready for the stuffing. I always think it's gonna take longer than it does.

I made breakfast after getting the turkey in the oven. Ham steaks and scrambled eggs. I also made some Apricot cresent rolls. (simple.. super simple.) you take the Pilsbury cresent rolls (yes the tube of dough that you pop open...you know what I mean) So you take some Apricot jelly (or whatever flavor jam/jelly you fancy) heat it up (you'll need about a half cup or so). Spread it on the triangle of dough, roll it up like normal and place on a cookie sheet. ( I would highly suggest putting some parchment paper on the sheet first. After you get them rolled up, brush them with an egg wash (should be egg white with a little water, I just beat a whole egg with a little water) and then sprinkle some sliced almonds or seasame seeds over the top. Bake them according to the package directions. ENJOY. (yeah it's a little bit of work, but the pay off is worth the effort.)

So the only two remaining things to cook today are the fresh green beans with bacon and almonds, and the Au Gratin potatoes. (Yes I do the potatoes from scratch.) The cheese sauce is the hardest part. As I remember I chop up an onion (somewhere between chopped and minced) saute the onion in EVOO or butter. Add flour to make a roux (cook the flour a little so you don't get that 'blah' taste) then add the cheese and milk. Cook over a med to low heat to melt the cheese and then thicken the sauce. Slice some potatoes put in a cassarole dish, pour the cheese sauce over and mix. Put in the oven and bake for 30 to 45 mins, until potatoes are cooked.

So now you know what I'm making. Yeah there will be left overs. Food is good.

I hope you are spending the day with family and/or friends. Enjoy the company and I hope you find reasons to give thanks on this day. I am thankful for my family, and all my friends. This past year has been a great one, making new friends and getting out of the house. Julie, Ian, Joey, Jenny, Matthew, Rik, Ajax, thanks for all the great nights and fun times. Brenda, Darrell, Blaine, Wyatt, Dani, thanks for the vacation memories. Everyone else who I forgot to mention thank you for the freindship and know you all are a part of my life.

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Hugz to you all

Days go by...

.. and still they fill up with activities. Long holiday weekend coming up and my 'down time' is filled with stuff to do. Kickin the long weekend off with DJ Matthew Baker and club 1220 in Walnut Creek on Wednesday night. Thursday is Turkey day and all the family, food, and football that goes along with it. Friday night... I won tickets to Nadia Ali at 1015 Folsom. Yeah I had no plans, but ended up being caller 7 tonight when Joey gave away the tickets. Saturday night is the Cafe with Joey V hosting, yeah he put me on the guestlist. So a busy weekend, but it's gonna be FUN.

Hangin out with friends is always a good thing. Going out and enjoying a night.. creating those memories... just having fun... Matthew Baker the fellow Pollack and one whose advice I follow. Joey, Ian, Julie.. good friends and good fun. ... ah so yeah you know what I'm talking about

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Hugz to you all

Friday night

So it was a good weekend. Off to the city to meet Joey V for drinks before we headed off to the Cellar and DJ Ajax. There was much traffic going into the city and we left Vallejo around 8:30 pm or so.. Fought with the navigator and wound our way up to the Cellar. (takes us on a different route everytime.) Parked in our garage of choice (yeah there was prolly street parking, but I'm ok with paying for the garage.)

We thought AJax was up first (10p to midnight) but he was not there. The DJ (I so forgot his name, spins for another radio station) was pretty damn good. He did an 80's set like you wouldn't believe. We were having some fun. Drinks, dancing, counting to see if there would be more Madonna or Michael Jackson songs spun. (it was a tie at 4 each) Disco Bob and his wife were there. Ajax shows up and we run into him near the bar. So we all BS and Chris buys a round of drinks, gotta get the Birthday boy something!!

Midnight finally rolls around. Joey does his last duty and then splits. Disco Bob and his wife leave not long after. Chris and I hang out to catch Ajax's set. We make our way over towards the DJ booth when we were getting ready to head out, and it's like Ajax knew we were gonna go. He dives into his bag of tricks and I can't leave. It's just so much fun watching him work, and how the crowd reacts to some of his crazy cuts. (yeah I'm a people watcher from way back in the day) So we get in the flow and just have fun. At one point Ajax looks at me, puts his finger up and wham.. "DJ Ajax does it better"... yeah it's his personalized version of "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" I love it.

Finally it's time for me to get moving... I climb up in the DJ booth to say good bye to Ajax. The we make our way outta the club. Let me tell you the cool/cold air outside felt good. We made our way safely home and I fell into the bed.

So it was a good start to the weekend. I had told myself that Friday was gonna be fun, no drama kinda night, and it was. There was a friend who was gonna come along to the club, but he wasn't feeling well so decided to stay home. Around 10 pm he felt better and sent me a txt. Oh well I'm at the club now, catch you next time.


Speaking of next time......I caught a bulletin that DJ Matthew Baker posted over on Myspace. He'll be spinning at 1220 on Wednesday night. I guess I might have the little party to start the long weekend. I'll have to be good so I can get up in the morning and get the Bird into the oven on time.

Turkey day is a big one for me. I'm the chief cook here at my house. There is pleanty of work for me to do on that day. Turkey, stuffing, au gratin potatoes, mashed potatoes, etc.... Don't get me wrong I do love it... just tons of work to do on that day. Whatever your plans for that day I hope you travel safely, and enjoy the company of Family and Friends. Good Food, Good Drinks, and FOOTBALL!!!!

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HUGZ to you all!!!!

Nadia Ali

Is this the voice of Joey V???


Nadia Ali- November 28th from Muna.Group on Vimeo.

Tis a voice over to remember.

A rainbow flag flying over the crowd at the Prop 8 protest.

Stuff and stuff

Not only do I LIKE this sign, but it hits a chord inside me. There have been times in the past where I've been told that I 'chose' to be gay.

It's not a choice people. I was born the way I am, you were born the way you are.

yeah... touchy as it is...


So there are so many things coming out of the Prop 8 dealio. The call to boycott businesses that donated to Prop 8. The realization of what a slippery slope it is when you vote away the rights of one group by a simple majority. The harsh spotlight turned upon this 'sacred' institution of marriage.

Let us leave those issues for awhile. (just things for you to think upon)

Friday night. This Friday, the Cellar nightclub in SF. Joey V will once again be there doing the host thing, and the DJ this week........DJ Ajax. (yes THE DJ Ajax of Cardio Radio FAME) (He'll get that joke, don't worry) To add to it all it is one of his 'official' birthday celebrations. So come on people let's get out there and have some fun. Yes there is a guestlist available at Energy's website, or you could call into Joey V (866-534-0927) when he's on air and see if he'll hook you up.

If you happen to be a 'Creepy Walnut Creek Stalker Fan' you need not apply.

So I'm working things out here. Getting ready for Turkey day. Yes I've got the bird, 17.6 lbs, and have the general idea for the rest of the meal. Home made AuGratin potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, etc. Got a week to pull it all together. Good food, good drinks, good FOOTBALL, and time with family.

Ok off with me.

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HUGZ to you all!!!

Yesterday

What a great day. Weather beautiful, friends, fellowship, commitment, work, etc.

Started the day heading out to the city and the protests over Prop 8. Parked near the station and walked down Market street to Civic center plaza. Found Joey, Jenny, Rik and Baby Bobby and spent our time there in solidarity with the crowd. We are united on our fight against Prop 8 and the various backers of said Proposition. I've posted many pictures on Myspace. There were some great signs and yes my favorite is "A recent vote shows that 52.5% of you are IDIOTS" (I'm not mentioning names, but for some reason Alice in Wonderland comes to mind.)

We left the protest site and headed off in search of food. Quiznos was settled upon, and since Joey/Jenny and Rik all parked at the station we headed to the one near the station. After a quick meal, then we wandered over to the station. Julie and Kid Loose were there and so we said our good bye's to Joey, Jenny and Bobby while Chris, Rik and I hung out with Kid Loose and Julie in studio for a little bit. We added content to Kid's show and basically had a great time. yeah the geek in me got a good fill of watching how 'Live' radio happens. How the calls into the station are edited, etc. How they know what will fit between songs. How the beds are added in while spots are going, etc. etc etc etc

Yes I love seeing the technology and realizing how complex this thing called radio really is.

Ok gotta run.. hope to get a pic or two up soon.

{***************} HUGZ to you all!!!!