Goodnight, Irene.

I wish.

As some of you may or may not know, I presently live in the "Hurricane Alley" of the Caribbean and the 5-10 split is extremely wide in my neck of the woods at this time of year so, yeah, it's technically a crap shoot.

Most bowlers aim just right or left the Number 1 pin for a strike.  Currently, our island is just left of that desired 'sweet spot' for Hurricane Irene.

There have been several tropical waves forming off of the east coast of Africa that are potential tropical storms since the onset of the hurricane season but, thankfully, most have been gutter balls.

I have found that if I talk about upcoming storms in my blog, they generally peter out or divert their respective routes to non life threatening areas.  Hence, this post (and crossing fingers, toes, eyes. etc).

Just to give you a perspective, as of about 5 p.m. EDT today:

And if that wasn't bad enough ...

My mom just called me the "Hippy Dippy Weatherman".  Really, she did, mostly because I've been obsessed in monitoring the hurricane updates all day.  This is how it is in our household.  It can be satirically comical at times yet we cannot control many things, let alone 'Mother Nature'.  I just hope we're still laughing come Friday.

I think we will be.  What else can one do?

I might be "off the grid" for the next few days (week?).

In the meantime, tonight's forecast:  dark.


;-)

*

*

Oh Auntie Em!

'Tis the season.  Hurricane season, that is.  Whilst Tropical Storm Emily is making up her mind upon whom she will render her wrath (she's been rather indecisive for two days - hey, it a woman thing), we have been inundated with other problems that need to be tended to in order to make Emily's stay with us as comfortable as it can be.  Our comfort, that is.

On Monday, we discovered that the main waterline to our house has sprung yet another leak.  Fun.  Wow.  *starts humming the song to an advertisement for a theme park somewhere in western NY State*  (Okay, so you'd have to had grown up in Buffalo, Western New York or Toronto and watched Buffalo television feeds to understand that one.  Annoying sums it up quite well.)

At any rate ...

About two weeks ago, I finally decided to check our diesel generator because the impending doom of the hurricane season does not appear to be in our favour this year.  Well, "Vin" here turned over and merely farted.  Typical.  So we called the best diesel engine tech on the island to tune-up our generator - or at least find out if we needed any parts, etc. - so that we could buy supplies should they be needed. He (the tech) was scheduled - did I tell you that Bahamians don't know the definition of "schedule"? - to do a work-up on Vin early last week.  Guess what?  (Yes, it is a rhetorical question.)

Back to the water main:  Monday was a holiday here so we were "SOL"*** on getting any repairs done on that day.  Yesterday (Tuesday), we were able to secure a contractor with a backhoe to dig a new trench which was scheduled for today.  Our reasoning for the new trench being that the existing pipe would continue to fail - it would be easier to replace the whole line rather than try to fix the current leak.  The contractor was to arrive sometime this morning to start digging.  Yeah.  Right.  Have you read the subtitle of this blog?  (Yes, also a rhetorical question.)

Enter the plumber:  We contacted the best known plumber on the island (we milk that "who you know" thing quite well, it's just the "small world" thing that can bite you in the ass sometimes) who couldn't arrive last night but did, in fact, get here early this morning.  Wonders never cease.   "Joe", the plumber (and I only call him that because Palin hasn't fallen on her sword in a few weeks - that, and I have no other lame-ass joke to insert here), wanted to do the entire job in one day so that we would not be without water.

Frankly, "Joe" is an angel.  He was absolutely prepared to do the entire job in one day.

Water supplies are ordered and delivered (about 10 a.m.).  Generator's tech is delayed but, "will reach within the hour" (that was about 10 a.m.).  Contractor for the new trench: "We have to repair a tire on the flatbed transport" (that was about 12 p.m.).  It's been overcast all day.  The forecast is indicating isolated thunderstorms which, in turn, brings isolated torrential rains.  We get a mere drizzle in our area, elsewhere it is raining buckets (normal for here but no one wants to venture out in it.  God forbid it should ever snow).

The generator tech finally arrives at about 1:30 p.m.  "Vin's" dipstick is given a clean bill of health and - other than the fuel supply - he is all good to go.

Now, the backhoe contractor and Joe the plumber were to have spoken with each other to co-ordinate the digging of the trench with the installation of the new water line in order that it happened all at once.  Apparently they know one another (considering the size of this rock, this does not surprise me).  And I have to hang around the house all day to control the dogs.  However, neither showed up, mostly due to the contractor.  The third or fourth call (I lost count) to the contractor said they couldn't come out because the torrential rains had flooded their yard so bad that they couldn't get the vehicle(s) out.  When asked about the 'flat tire' problem - the original excuse for the delay - the response was, "What flat tire?".

So, basically, I've been sitting on my ass all day waiting for people to "reach".

Tonight's forecast:  dark, with isolated torrential rains.

Thursday's forecast:  lighter, with isolated torrential rains.

Friday's forecast ... take a guess.

Emily arrives at 2 a.m. Saturday morning.

Fun.  Wow.



***SOL = shit outta luck

*

*

Synchronicity?

The following comics that are normally published side by side, appeared in a recent issue of our local newspaper:








Is it just me or does anyone else see the irony here?  Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought it apropos that these two panels happened to appear on the same day.

Well, I thought it was funny.

;-)

*

*

*

It's All Greek To Me

"GOOD MORNING NORTH AMERICA!!!!"

(be thankful this isn't an audioblog)

After this long weekend, everything is probably "all Greek" to many of those on both sides of the border strugging with their hangovers.

Heh, heh.

Ah, yes, this is my usually late monthly instalment of the We Work For Cheese cheese calendar recipe review.   June's recipe was Greek Salad which I had, in fact, neglected to make but as recipes go, salad is as salad does.  It ain't rocket science and it's all about the dressing anyway.

Since it's likely to get hotter here throughout the summer, I will probably make this salad for a main course.  Although our appetites diminish as the mercury rises, the need to feed does not so this would make a nice light dinner with some bread and maybe some gestapo gazpacho and a fine Chianti.

Greek Salad

The Dressing:
1 tblsp olive oil
1 tblsp red wine vinegar
1 tblsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 clove garlic (although the recipe wasn't wasn't specific, I'm assuming it is to be crushed or minced)
1/2 tsp honey
pepper to taste

The Vegetation:
Romaine lettuce
1 tomato
1 small cucumber
1/2 green pepper


The Garnish:
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
fresh dill, chopped
12 black olives (pitted if you prefer and I do prefer pitted) - chopped, or not.


Destructions:

• Wash and dry hands - preferably with soap.
• Wash and dry lettuce - preferably without soap.
• Chop The Vegetation, place in a large bowl and toss to combine.
• In a small jar, combine all of the ingredients listed for The Dressing and shake well (it's less messy if you affix a lid to the jar or container prior to shaking).  I usually set my dressing aside for a bit to mind meld.
• Pour The Dressing over The Vegetation and toss again for even dressing distribution.  Hey, toss your hair while your add it, just make sure it stays out of The Vegetation.
• Sprinkle The Garnish atop each serving.
• Eat.

Note:  Windex is NOT an ingredient.

Yeah, I took a little liberty with this recipe but not with the ingredients.  Double-up The Dressing in the event you have to double-up on The Vegetation.  And since this is just a salad, anything goes.  I prefer Caesar salad but, hey, it's all Greek to me.

*

*

*

I Could Quiche You!

Due to technical difficulties with Blogger, the recent heat wave we are presently incurring and my usual lazy ass self (upon which I blame the heat), I am just now posting my review of last month's Cheese Calendar Recipe. For those of you not familiar with these recipe reviews, please click on the "cheese calendar" label at the bottom for the history of these reviews because, frankly, I'm just too hot and bothered (and not in a good way) to do the links.

At any rate, May's recipe called for a quiche - namely, a bacon quiche. Now, I'm not a great fan of eggs in the first place but the recipe calls for, basically, scrambled eggs with bacon, cheese and baked in a pie crust. I like scrambled eggs. I like bacon. I like pie crust. Oh, and I like cheese. A no-brainer!

It’s a very simple recipe and great for a brunch and would even suit as a dinner entrée for those who want protein without having to mess around with too much cooking after a long days’ work. Oh, and did I mention it has BACON!

Bacon Quiche

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs, beaten
• 12 (or more) slices of cooked bacon, crumbled
• ½ cup of milk
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 cup grated Havarti cheese
• 1 deep dish pie crust (in the frozen section of your grocery store – or, hell, make one yourself!)
• salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees
• Beat eggs, milk, bacon, salt, pepper and basil until frothy
• Pour mixture into pie crust
• Sprinkle cheese over mixture
• Bake for 35 – 45 minutes or until knife inserted into centre comes out clean

That is the basic recipe in the calendar but you could dress it up anyway you want. For instance, the bacon they sell here is very fatty, rather expensive and without much flavour (yeah, it sometimes sucks to live in the Bahamas – we get all the crappy food) but you could use a nice pancetta or capocollo (spicy or not) or some other flavourful meat.

Even though I made this dish to the specifications of the recipe (as I promised to do with all of recipes in the calendar), I would likely add sweet peppers, onions and some Worcestershire sauce.  As it is a quite versatile recipe, one could use it for those leftovers that won't make a full meal.

So, guys, real men can eat quiche.
*

*

*

Happy Happy Joy Joy**

In my last article I expressed my frustrations of not being able to post comment responses on my own blog.  Some other members of Blogger were (or still are) experiencing the same problem along with another glitch of not being able to publish articles on their own sites.

Another issue I was having was not being able to install Disqus on my blog and gave up on it a few weeks ago until this commenting problem arose.  Hoping to circumvent this recent commenting problem, I tried and tried and tried again to install Disqus with no luck.  I even went as far as to disable a majority of my internet security features but it still would not install.

Finally, and after a major mondo-blondo moment (three days), success!!  Disqus is now installed on my blog.

Disqus would not install because my internet browser (Internet Explorer) would not allow it, suspecting a cross-scripting (malicious) attack on my blog site.

As for the Blogger issues (commenting/posting/signing-in), my major concern was responding to comments on my own site (which I was prevented from doing), but I could still publish articles to my own blog and comment on other Bloggers' sites without problems.

(June 3, 2011 Update:  I posted a comment (using IE v.9) to one Blogger member's site, but later could not do it on another Blogger's site (while still using IE v.9).  I could, however, post a comment using another browser.)

Hmm, you say.

In the hope that I can shed light or some assistance to those who are experiencing some of the same problems I've encountered with Blogger and/or installing Disqus, I offer the following (please note, however, I am NOT a computer techie):

FYI (some shit that may or may not be relevant):

• My platform is Windows 7
• The internet browser I normally use is Internet Explorer (v.8 then, v.9 now)
• I was born blonde (not that it really matters)

For Blogger:
I think it (Blogger) is still experiencing the same issues - now that I have Disqus, my only issue was commenting on my own blog and is now resolved.

Anyway, it may be your browser - try using an alternative for the time being.  I used Google Chrome.  It allowed me to sign in, sign out, post comments and articles through Blogger without problems.  Yeah, you probably won't like it much either but it got the job done for me.  Do a 'test' publish - it can always be deleted and you can alternate between browsers.


For Disqus (not being able to to install it on your site):
If you merely want to circumvent the commenting issue on your own site (I cannot speak to the problems others are having with commenting on other Blogger sites) and want to install Disqus but it is blocked because of a "cross-scripting" error:

• If using IE (Internet Explorer), don't even bother to turn off the XSS filter(s) or related toggles.  They won't work.  Trust me, it don't work and you might save yourself a few clumps of hair (and from possible virus attacks).
• Try an alternate browser (my "mondo-blondo" moment) to install it.  Again, Google Chrome worked for me - you can always go back to your regular browser afterwards (as I have).

I hope this was helpful and informative to those may still have problems.


;-)


**Ren & Stimpy / Happy Happy Joy Joy Song

*

*

*

Testing ...

One, two, three.


(two seconds later ...)


Oh, shit!  It worked!!

Sure, I can publish a post on my blog but can't comment on it?? WTF??  Is it just my site or what??

Alright, I've had it.  I've got to get Disqus but I don't know how to do it stick it in there, if you know what I mean.  A little help, please?  (Assuming you are able to comment, of course.)

Hey, Blogger:  Blog this (points to Moooooog's crotch - seeing is that I don't have one of 'those').

;-)

Okay, since I can't comment on my own friggin' site, I guess the following will be the only way I can respond to comments for the time being:

Helen:  Whoa, you've changed (love your new pic)!  I see you could get through - nice to know that someone can.  Thanks for dropping in!

Ziva: ...dix, onze, douze.  Yep, that's as far as I'm gonna count because I'm gonna lose it in a moment.  Heh, heh.

*

*

*