Monday, March 21, 2011

Is it the end?

Wondering if the world is going to end soon? If you listen to the doomsday global warming fanatics or believe the Mayans knew something we don’t know, then maybe you already think the date to be December 21, 2012. The devastating earthquake and threat of nuclear disaster in Japan and all of the unrest in the Middle East have caused some to speculate that it is not even that far away.

I would prefer the world not ending but if it did, there are several things that I would happily say good riddance. First and for most, I will not miss even one over-exposed self-absorbed celebrity who may or may not have tiger’s blood flowing through their veins. I can’t imagine experiencing pot holes, road construction, and detours while driving on the gold paved roads in heaven. It sounds a little mean, but I might find a little enjoyment watching scammers burn. So many people want to help and give to those in need especially during a devastating tragedy, and I think anyone who will take advantage of another’s kindness and charity deserves what they get in the end. I don’t think that God will need us to pay taxes or a hefty health insurance premium. I might be among the minority, but I really don’t care if the world’s end disrupts the big plans for the royal wedding. If you have been living together for eight years, does the world really need to celebrate the beginning of your life together? I think not. And I am definitely tired of winter. My calendar says that spring is here, but I am afraid that it might be as reliable as the Mayan calendar. My heaven will have spring year round.

As long as winter is still hanging in there, I can sneak in one more meatless soup for dinner.

Minestrone Soup
 
In a 1/4 cup olive oil saute
1 small onion, diced
4 large carrots, chopped
4 stems celery, chopped
3 medium tomatoes, diced
 
Then Add:
8 cups water
5 chicken bouillon cubes
3 beef bouillon cubes
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp basil
2 tsp oregano
1 can tomato sauce
 
Bring to a boil and add:
1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can small white beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups fresh green beans, cut into 1 inch pieces
1/2 cup barley
1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
 
Simmer 45 minutes
 
Enjoy this soup sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and a nice slice of homemade bread.
 
As long as the end hasn’t come, I will continue to enjoy March Madness, the cowboys’ run on Amazing Race, and the cute Paul McDonald on American Idol.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Get Real!

Let’s play a little game of real or not real.

The Real Housewives of _________ (insert city of your choice) – Despite the use of the word real in the title, I would say definitely not real.

Donald Trump running for president – I believe that actually might be real. My sister-in-law thinks it is a great idea, but we should elect him with the “you’re fired” option.

Rumors that Moammar Gadhafi might resign – I would say not real. I imagine he is just trying to pacify “his” people before he annihilates them.

Charlie Sheen’s clean drug test – I would hope it is not real because otherwise he is just plain crazy.

Kim Kardashian’s eyelashes – I say not real.

$3.79 for a gallon of gas – I filled my tank yesterday, and unfortunately it is real.

Survivor contestant Ralph’s fur coat – sadly for his wife that looks completely real.

A restaurant called Heart Attack Grill – amazingly real. It was featured on Nightline this week. Their 29 year-old, 500 pound spokesman died last month. It is unreal to think that people actually eat there.

On a Meatless Monday, try this game on your family. Replace the meat in one of your favorite recipes with a meat substitute. Last week, I bought some meatless “chicken”, cooked it, put it in a favorite family recipe, and didn’t tell my son. He thought it was completely real. And I thought not real.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

The weird, wild, and wacky

That is how I would describe the bizarre behavior of Charlie Sheen, and it is wild all the air time his insanity case is getting on TV. I got my feel of him with the 10 minute blip last week on Nightline. I guess it is the car wreck syndrome. Most of us know we shouldn’t gawk, but we just can’t stop ourselves.

I didn’t watch the Academy Awards, but heard about the planned or unplanned (depending on who you believe) dropping of the f-bomb by someone old enough to know better. It’s just a little weird, but I thought it was only teenagers who thought that swearing made them look cool. I guess that proves that most of Hollywood has never grown up.

I was not surprised by Randy or J-Lo’s wild card picks but thought Steven Tyler would have made a different choice. After all his drooling over the good looking less than talented girls, I was sure he would choose one of his hot babes.

My daughter was almost in for a wild night when trying to vote for her favorite guy on American Idol. She misdialed just one number and was greeted by a very seductive voice inviting her to a good time. Don’t think that was just a coincidence that a sex chat number was one off from an American Idol voting line. The adult sex industry is very crafty at targeting our children.

Went to a college basketball game yesterday and witnessed a lot of wacky behavior. The guy directly in front of me who asked the gentleman standing and cheering in front of him to sit down was my favorite. If you want to SIT and enjoy the game, please just stay home. My behavior was a little wacky after that, I wondered if my cheering intensity increased would cause him to ask us all to keep the noise level down. And just totally off subject, if you buy a hotdog, popcorn, or drink, take your trash to a garbage can. And that goes for movie theaters too!