A Boneheaded Situation

 

Song:  Mr. Roboto

Group:  Styx

A couple of nights ago...

just as I was going to put up the new blinds in my bedroom...

my wife texted me...

 as we are planning our Japan trip for earlier than we had originally planned.

As she was ready to book our flights...

she asked me for my Passport number...

and it was during my subsequent search in the location where I thought it would be...

that I discovered that it was not there.

So...

for that night...

all the next day

(and part of tomorrow)...

I have been...

desperately searching for my passport.

The sad part is that I had put it with my Birth Certificate...

and since I haven't been able to find either...

I ordered a certified copy of my Birth Certificate online...

as I will need the Birth Certificate to order a replacement passport.

I had searched in my room...

and down in the garage through all of my moving boxes...

twice.

I had gotten so frustrated...

and tired.

So part way through the day...

I decided to go to Cripple Creek to eat something...

before resuming my search.

There was only one other person eating when I was there

(I usually go to restaurants during off hours).

I got a half pound Colorado Green Chili burger...

with a side of this very cheesy mac and cheese.

After eating...

I walked just down the street a short distance to this general store...

where they sold various fudges and ice creams.

I bought a 1/4 pound of Butterscotch Caramel fudge to eat later...

...and a caramel ice cream.

I enjoyed my break...

but I soon went back to my fruitless search.

Those incredibly important documents

I had misplaced during my move here...

and I had only just discovered it.

As we were planning on going to Japan for 3 weeks in Nov - Dec...

to see her relatives...

and to travel to the best places in Japan for their Autumn colors...

I had put our trip in jeopardy.

Luckily...

by submitting my request directly to the county of my birth

(my wife's idea...she is good at researching things online)...

I should have my Birth Certificate within a few weeks.

From there...

I will have to go to a post office to submit paperwork 

for a replacement passport...

which can take a couple of months to receive.

It looks as though I will make it in time to book our flights

for our desired time frame...

but I must not delay a single step in this process.

This is one of my weaknesses in life...

I am...

and always have been...

very forgetful.

That is why I always try to keep myself organized...

but if I get distracted...

even for a moment...

I will lose track of things.

And so...

the blinds will just have to wait until I complete this process...

as going through the moving boxes has worn me out.

I know...

I shouldn't have rewarded myself with a meal and an ice cream

after such a boneheaded situation I had put myself in...

but...

then again...

as I am retired...

I have already earned a little treat in life once in awhile  :)

My wife suggested that she keep all of the important documents from now on...

and I fully agreed.

Although I excel at seeing the big picture...

and planning for the long term...

it is the small details that will sometimes throw me for a loop.

I realize that even a small hole may sink a ship...

and so...

I will have my first mate (wife) handle the smaller details in life...

as this is where she excels.

East - West Breakfast / Initiating Project Blackout

 

Song:  Wild World

Group:  Cat Stevens

Last night...

Bandi and I enjoyed a gentle Peach Sunset on the third deck.

There is still some smoke in the air from the forest fires burning in other areas of Colorado.

This morning...

I wanted to eat...

both...

Natto and rice...

as well as some sausages and eggs.

I was so tired of having to constantly refill my 1 quart glass mug

from which I used to drink ice water.

I bought this 1 gallon - wide mouthed triple insulated stainless steel thermos...

so I could drink from it all day long without needing to refill it.

I never touch my mouth to any portion of this thermos...

but I just hover it over my upturned mouth and pour into it.

I love the extra wide mouth of this thermos...

as it makes filling it with ice a breeze...

and as it is so well insulated...

a full load of ice will stay mostly unmelted over the course of several days

(I tested it over three days...and it was still mostly filled with unmelted ice).

I had eaten my fill...

and then rested in bed before I began today's project...

installing blackout blinds in my bedroom.

I had received the blinds the other day.

The blinds for all four windows in my bedroom...

had surprisingly fit into this one box.

I prepared everything for...

what I thought would be...

a quick uninstall of the previous blinds...

and then a relatively quick install of my new ones.

However...

like with so many projects...

unforeseen glitches appear just when I had thought it would be an easy task.

At first...

I just took out a small screwdriver to uninstall the previous blinds.

But...

as these were high quality blinds...

they were very sturdily installed...

and...

almost impossible to uninstall them as the attachment screws were hidden beneath 

the blind housing unit.

So many blinds may be taken down by simply moving the blinds 

on their holding brackets so the attachment screws could then be accessed...

or are simply removed by horizontally pulling on the housing unit.

Not so with these.

I had to first cut the blind cords...

and after many attempts to access the screws...

I had to finally use my weight to force the blind housing unit forwards

enough to access one of the screws

(after trying to remove the plastic face plate first...which could not be done)...

only to find the screw on the other side still being inaccessible.

I had to free the left side and use it as a lever to detach the whole rest of the blind assembly

so I could finally unscrew the other attachment bracket.

After I remove all of the screws...

I will then seal the remaining holes with wood putty.

I quickly realized I would need heavier tools...

as I may need to simply break the blind housing unit 

to get to the hidden attachment screws underneath.

I decided to take a break before I threw a kingsize toddler tantrum...

and started unnecessarily damaging the underlying wooden window frame.

While I applaud the build quality of the previous blinds...

as the attachment screws used are self tapping and very long...

and the plastic blind housing units are thick and very sturdy...

and so...

were designed to last a lifetime...without moving at all...

they made uninstalling them almost impossible without first destroying 

the blind housing units.

-------------

I just used a claw hammer to pry the housing unit away from the back of the window sill...

but as there was nothing from which to brace the claw hammer for a straight pull...

I simply used the torque from a lateral push on the hammer handle to the left...

thereby providing much more leverage...

and it worked  :)

-------------

I will be reinitiating the project shortly...

after a bit more of a break.

The new blinds are made to completely black out the room...

so I may sleep in total darkness in the daytime

(I am nocturnal by nature).

The new blinds are housed in tracks of the four sided aluminum frames...

not only to ensure a complete light seal...

but this will also prevent Bandi from putting her nose underneath the blind

and forcing it to the side as she attempts to look outside.

Bandi always sleeps with me...

but after I awaken...

I will just raise all of the blinds and open the windows...

so Bandi will get to enjoy the fresh air and views for much of the leftover day.

-------------

In my next article...

I will show the rest of the blinds removal process...

and then each step of the installation process.

I hope to get everything done today...

and then publish the next article later tonight.

Rocky Mountain Reds

 

Song:  Theft and Wandering Around Lost

Group:  Cocteau Twins

Rocky Mountain Reds...

is my name for my favorite general homemade pickle.

These have a balanced amount of...

tang...

sweetness...

and heat...

 all in a crunchy and healthful turnip pickle.

I had about twice the amount needed...

but as I eat the pickles...

I can just add more turnips.

I first put them into a mixing bowl in preparation to give them an initial scrub down.

I use a veggie dedicated nylon pot scrubber to ensure 

any residue is scrubbed off all of my veggies.

I then set them aside on the veggie cutting board.

I use a gallon sized hermetically sealable Mason Jar for my pickles.

The below ingredients are used to make these pickles.

Only use the coarse ground Korean chili pepper powder

(available in most Asian Markets).

Memmi is also found in almost all Asian Markets.

Sugar

White Vinegar

I just fill the jar to just under half full with the white vinegar...

and I then dissolve sugar into it...

about 2-3 cups worth...

adding about 1/2 cup at a time as I then taste after each addition.

You want the astringent nature of the vinegar to be mellowed by the sugar...

but you don't want it too sweet.

Memmi adds a soy sauce taste.

Just add until it reaches your taste preference...

but the pickles are supposed to taste a bit salty...

and it is the Memmi that accomplishes this.

The coarse red peppers are supposed to totally coat every piece

of turnip in the jar.

You will end up using 2-4 cups of it.

Just add one cup at a time and stir until the peppers sink.

I just cut the turnips into semi circles...

and in varying thicknesses...

...and then add them to the jar...

being sure I submerge them completely after each addition.

You can see the amount of pepper I added to ensure complete coverage of the turnips.

You will generally want to wait a week or so for the turnips to pickle enough...

but...

at anytime...

they may be eaten.

These Rocky Mountain Reds are a perfect accompanying pickle for almost any dish...

but goes especially well with red meat dishes...

or noodle dishes common throughout Asia.

_______

After making the pickles...

I then began preparing a large roast

for cooking in the oven

(380 F - 1.5 hours usually).

The only things I use for my roasts:

Olive Oil

Salt 

Black Pepper

I first completely coat the bottom of the roast with the olive oil...

and heavily salt and pepper each side...

and then turn it over and repeat the process.

I want a thick layer of black pepper especially...

as it adds so much to the flavor of the beef once cooked.

I will be using this roast for several of my following meals...

including:

Beef Udon

Beef Ramen

Beef Yakisoba

-------------

I didn't use exact amounts of ingredients for my recipe...

as we each have differing tastes.

Just be sure you add a little at a time...

and then stir and taste.

Once you put in too much of an ingredient...

it is very difficult to correct afterwards.

----------

This is a must try homemade pickle...

as it is inexpensive and easy to make...

but, most of all...

it is tremendously delicious.

A Sunrise Vocal Session / A Country Breakfast & Drive

 

Song:  A Pillow Of Winds

Group: Pink Floyd

I was just a few seconds down my mountain ridge here.

The sun was just rising as I continued on to a country cafe 

located about 30 minutes Northwest of me.

As they opened at 6 AM...

and as I had a craving for gravy over biscuits...

I headed there as I practiced my singing on the road.

The temperature was in the low 50s F...

and so, the cool breeze in the car as I drove with the windows down...

just felt so invigorating and refreshing.

I sang to the above song as David Gilmore's vocal range and style of singing

is what allows me to improve my voice.

Of course...

I know I will never approach his vocal quality...

but, as he sings with an open throat and with loose vocal cords...

the more I try to emulate his voice...

the more I improve.

The sun began to rise as I was headed to the cafe.

I had been to this cafe once before...

as it is located right near Lake George...

and some country roads which are very peaceful on which to drive.

I had ordered biscuits smothered in country gravy...

two eggs over medium...

and some country style potatoes.

I also got one of my favorite drinks...

a Chai Latte over ice.

As I was feeling good after my meal...

I turned off onto a country road leading to a lake 

as I continued with my vocal practice.

It was a mellow morning as I drove...

and the main song I had practiced with was the above song

(A Pillow of Winds)...

as I played it over and over...

while sometimes switching to Comfortably Numb...

also by Pink Floyd with David Gilmore being the lead vocal.

Although my voice has actually improved some...

it is not saying much...

as I am pretty trash as a vocalist.

And...

although I know I will never be a really good singer...

even a small improvement in my abilities makes me very happy.

I have two main problems vocally...

one...

 staying in tune.

The other...

is in staying in a completely relaxed state...

by keeping my throat and vocal cords loose and open as I sing...

so as to not only make it easier to stay in tune...

but to create much more resonance.

There are certain songs

which are primarily in my vocal range...

and which are mellow enough for me to practice 

a much more relaxed and open throat style of singing...

which in turn...

allows singing from the diaphragm.

It is this combination which gives richness to the voice...

and is what I am trying to achieve.

But...

again...

even the smallest of improvements makes it all worthwhile.

As I continued driving...

I got more and more mellow.

This allowed me to relax even more...

which in turn...

allowed me to stabilize my voice more easily...

and to stay pretty much in tune...

at least...

for this session.

I was just a short ways from home here.

In total...

I had practiced for approximately two hours.

It was a productive session...

and I greatly enjoyed my country drive as well.

It is those little zen victories in life which just keep us going

(conquering of the self).

My tone is now deeper and slightly richer...

and hopefully...

my small improvements will keep building...

one upon another.

-----------

I always have a good time driving in the country.

It is the freedom of the road which just makes me want to burst out in song... :)

as the fresh air blows through my hair...

and cools my face.

But...

as I had awakened way too early...

I am getting sleepy...

and so...

I am going to take a nap...

of which is another of life's little simple pleasures.