Readers speak about Blogs in Salisbury

There is a lot of buzz about politics in our city. Dissatisfaction in our local government and local media have led to a large number of local blogs which try to give us a new viewpoint and analysis about what is going on in Salisbury.

The Daily Times just published a reader's forum about blogs. It seems that enough buzz has been created to make them take notice! Perhaps it will change the way that they report the news for the better.

Click here for the Internet version of what was recently published. You'll also find links to some local blogs that I like to read on occasion.

Tags:

• Salisbury
• Politics

Blogger Categories

I've been playing around with Blogger a bit to see what is available to make my blog a bit more unique. One feature of TypePad that I really liked was categories, which Blogger does not offer.

There are a few methods to give yourself categories. One of the more popular approaches is to use delic.io.us tags. That involved signing up for another service, etc. It was too much work.

Here is an easier method that I found:
1) Create an @blogger.com email address for your "master blog" so that you can post via email
2) Set up a new blog for each category
3) Tell blogger to send new posts to your email address
4) Create a rule that forwards posts created in your "sub blog" to your "master blog" post email address
5) Add links on your side bar to each of your "sub blogs"

If you think that these instructions were too complicated, here is the link where I found this tip. You'll notice the steps are the same as mine, but there are a lot more words. ;-)
Blogger Categories for everyone, by Oldcola

Tags:

• Blogging

Where do you fall on the Political Compass?

I came across this web site today. You answer some questions, and then it plots you on this graph. They also plot famous politicians from around the world and history to see where you compare.

The Left-Right axis is pretty self explanatory. Put communists and people like Saddam on the left, and Thatcher and Dubbya on the right.

The Authoritarian-Libertarian axis might be new to some. Absolute control by the state would be up top, and total anarchy goes on the bottom.

Who is closest to my spot on the graph? The Dalai Lama! The graph w. famous people may not be on the same scale as this screenshot, so it's hard to make a comparison other than we're in the same quadrant.

What does this placement say about me? I guess it boils down to this: I believe that the gubment should stay out of our business, and only step in when people are in need of help or commerce can't regulate itself in a manner that benefits the public as a whole.

Where do you rate?

Tags:

• Politics
• Fun

MmmMmm...ribs!

Today i am smoking ribs for the first time. I've boiled/grilled them once, and they weren't really that good.

For the rub I used Tone's Southwest Seasoning blend, which I purchased at Sam's Club. At about $6 for a huge container, I figured that it was an inexpensive way to purchase a lot of flavor. It was applied last night, and allowed to sit on the ribs for about 12 hours. Most rubs are ground to a fine powder and this is chunky, so it will be interesting to see how things progress.

This is the first time that I'll be using Wicked Good Charcoal's "Competition Blend" exclusively. The last few times I've grilled or smoked I mixed it with Big Green Egg Charcoal. It seemed to take a bit longer to light, but the temp jumped from 140 to 225 in less than a minute. I put the rest of my hickory chips in the fire, and there is a little bit of water in the bottom of the drip pan.

Ribs hit the grill at 9:15 AM. The guy at About.com writes that ribs take at least 4 hours, but they get better with more time. My hope is that I can keep them at 200 - 220 for about 8 hours, when Joanne should arrive from the Easton diocesian convention.

FINAL RESULT: I pulled the ribs off the smoker around 6:45. Some were tender and moist, others were a bit dry. The seasoning was a bit strong, so it detracted from the ribs. Next time I'll find some sort of paprika-based rub with a milder flavor.

Tags:

• BBQ

The Horned Melon

So the other day I was at the Easton Giant with Joanne, and we saw this really cool looking fruit. It wasn't clearly labled, so the intrigue was enticing.

We went through the checkout line, and after about 5 or so minutes to allow the cashier to figure out how to ring up the horned melon and $3.50 later, we were on our way.

Tonight we decided to give it a try. When you cut open the bright orange skin, you see bright green flesh. How cool does this look?


Despite its unusual look and very attractive inside, this has got to be the most disgusting exotic fruit ever sold in a grocery store. It's like a cross between gelatin, grass, and cucumber. Brown sugar makes it taste slightly better, but only because you are eating sugar, too.

What is the purpose of this fruit? Perhaps they want to sell 1 of these to everybody in the US. Then they'd be rich! Yeah...that's the plan...

If for some reason you want to learn more about this inedible fruit, check out these pages:


Cooking for Engineers contains a fairly scientific examination of the fruit.
Obsess.com offers a description that makes me believe in deja vu!

Hunter the Rock Star?

Joanne noticed that Hunter spends his spare time masquerading as the lead singer of Keane when he is not acting as Inacom's President.

Don't believe me? Check out these pictures!

Hunter the Business Man

The Lead Singer of Keane

Here is Hunter live in concert!

Please pray for Laura March

Laura March is the daughter of our printer technician Charlie. On Feb 3, Laura was involved in a tragic auto accident. She was rushed to PRMC and then flown to Shock Trauma in Baltimore. Now she is lying in a coma.

If you have the chance, please stop by Laura March's Home Page and send her a get well message by signing her guest book. Hopefully the thoughts and prayers for her and her family will help them make it through this tragic event.