MORE BREAKING NEWS ABOUT MICHAEL PHELPS

Just in - Swimmer Michael Phelps of the United States has won a record eighth gold medal in the Beijing Olympic Games as part of a victorious 4x100-meter medley relay. Details to come.

Later -

Jim

Art's Ticked Me Off!

Art Thiel's article in the PI ticked me off this morning. "Too-Careful Chinese Manage to Produce Joyless Games." It might be because I have a summer cold (which really has made me cranky) or the fact that it's 4 a.m. and I can't sleep - but it just sounded so negative and - well, ironically- joyless.

Art - are we watching different Olympic Games? These games have been anything but joyless. Tell that to Micheal Phelps or his Mom and sisters in the stands or to any of the other 50 Olympiads for the US or their families that have won medals. The only people who deserve to be joyless as far as I am concerned are the athletes who have worked so hard to get to the Olympic games and walk away with no medal in hand.


Don't get me wrong - China has a ton of work to do when it comes to the rights of it's citizens. Having the opportunity to on the world stage like this can only be good for China and it's people as far as I am concerned. See my comment to Art's article below.


Going back to bed now....


Posted by Ground Cover at 8/16/08 3:47 a.m.
Sorry Art – not only do you sound cranky, you sound uncultured and less than appreciative. China has a ton of problem’s - that’s clear. (and we don’t?! – don’t even get me started!) But the Chinese people and its culture have been incredible to watch. As a sports writer - I’d like more coverage from you about the games and the athletes and less of your opinion - relax and enjoy the games. They have been terrific!


Later -


Jim

Phelps wins 7th gold by 0.01 seconds

Wow - what an incredible athlete!

Michael Phelps swam into history with a magnificent finish Saturday, tying Mark Spitz with his seventh gold medal by the narrowest of margins in the 100-meter butterfly.

His arms soaring through the water one last time, Phelps got his hand on the wall a hundredth of a second ahead of Serbia's Milorad Cavic. Phelps' time was 50.58 seconds, the only time in these Olympics that Phelps won an event without breaking the world record.


The 23-year-old from Baltimore has now pulled even with the greatest of Olympic records, matching Spitz's performance in the 1972 Munich Games.

Phelps will return on Sunday to swim in his final event of these games, taking the butterfly leg of the 400 medley relay. The Americans will be heavily favored to give him his eighth gold, leaving Spitz behind.

Back to the games!

Later -

Jim

BREAKING OLYMPICS NEWS

Michael Phelps of the U.S. wins his sixth gold medal of the Summer Games in the men's 200-meter individual medley in a world record!

Michael Phelps won his sixth gold medal of the Beijing Olympics on Friday in record time, defeating rivals Laszlo Cseh and teammate Ryan Lochte in the 200-meter individual medley.

Amazing!

Later -

Jim

Another Gay Rights Victory!

Appeals court rejects Oregon gay rights challenge!

I decided this was noteworthy enough to pass on! I am so tired of groups fighting to take away the rights of gays. Human rights/equal rights can not be granted based on public opinion. These truly are legislative and legal decisions. I am so glad that they could not find enough bigots to sign their petition - I was worried. When the law was repealed to allow interracial marriages- public opinion was against it. Can you imagine - there was actually such a law? I hope for the day when people say the same thing about gay marriage.

How could you not not want Kent to make an honest woman - I mean man out of me! (Kent's going to kill me for this comment) :-) LOL....

Anyway - off my soapbox and on to the storey....

A federal appeals court has rejected a challenge to the Oregon domestic partnership law approved by the Legislature last year. Opponents had tried to collect enough initiative signatures to put the issue to a statewide vote. But Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury ruled they did not get enough. His ruling was challenged in federal court, but a judge upheld Bradbury's decision. On Thursday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals also affirmed the secretary of state's ruling. The ruling also supports the statistical sampling method of checking initiative petitions to make sure enough valid signatures have been submitted.

If you support gay marriage rights - I would sure like to hear your comments - If you don't - I'd just assume not know!

Have a good one -

Jim

Another Broken New Years Resolution - Try This!

Why is it every year I continue to make New Years resolutions only to break them within a very short period of time. A month if I’m lucky! This year was no exception - although this year’s resolution lasted longer than most!

Usually I go with the crowd and go with something like:

This year, I resolve to always replace the gas nozzle before driving away from the pump.

This year, I resolve to always "check for paper"when leaving the restroom. (Unfortunately, I've actually seen this one)!

This year, I resolve to always drive closer to the speed limit. (God knows I’ve had my brushes with the law in the last year)!

This year, I resolve to no longer park the car next to fire hydrants. (That's a bad day)!

I think you get the point....

This year I went with something different – something intended to make me healthier. I got to thinking about all the magazines that I subscribe to (my magazine subscription addiction will have to wait for another entire blog) that are full of great recipes. Each month I peruse through magazine after magazine and think "wow that looks good – I’m going to make that" – only to put he magazine down and cover it up with the next months edition that quickly shows up.

My 2008 resolution was to make ten new recipes per month and Kent and I would rate them. My goal was to put together a cookbook at the end of the year with my favorite recipes. I quickly discovered that the reason all these recipes go untested is because - it’s a lot of work! There was also the issue of the ingredient's - I was always going to the store for some obscure ingredient – Foie Gras – how the hell often does one make a recipe with Foie Gras – I didn't even know what if was until my first recipe called for it. It’s not even humane! This is about the time I "reevaluated my resolution.

So - although I did not manage to continuously try ten new recipe's each month - the positive thing is that I continue to try new recipes. I thought I would take the time to share one that I recently discovered and adapted to make it even better! I love to cook and I love to find new recipes and give it the "Jim" twist - which always makes it better! (Ingredients that I added from the original recipe are in bold). I think I will take this to my friend Peggy’s birthday gathering this weekend. We usually eat it vegetarian style however roasted chicken is easily added. Delish......

I started with fresh ingredients – some from my garden and some from the local farmers market. This entire salad can be pulled together in 20 minutes. Serve with fresh bread, olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping, and you pretty much have the makings for a nice, light summer meal. All pictures from this point forward except for the pepperdews were taken in my kitchen as I made the recipe.

Here goes……

Tomato, Avocado and Fresh Herb Salad with Mozzarella, Goat Cheese and Roasted Pine Nuts

Ingredients:

4 -5 assorted medium to large tomatoes (I used a mixture of heirloom and then added some cherry tomatoes)

Small Package of mozzarella cheese - sliced

Small package of goat cheese - sliced

1/2 tsp. of sea salt

1 tbsp. red wine vinegar

1 tsp. balsamic vinegar

1/2 tsp. Honey

1/8 cup extra virgin olive oil

2-3 springs marjoram

Fresh basil

1/2 sliced avocado

1/8 cup roasted pine nuts

Assorted olives

Pepperdews - (side note below)

This is the only ingredient that you many not be familiar with. I buy mine at the Safeway Olive Bar. They are so good!

What is a Pepperdew?

Pepperdews are quite common in South Africa and can be bought usually in a bottle marinated in a delicious sauce. You can use them in salads, curries, chili dishes or just by themselves. They look like cherry tomatoes, but have a thinner skin. They are usually sold in halves and look like round cherry like peppers. They taste sweet and peppery.

Salt and Pepper to taste.

Slice the tomatoes and the cheese and arrange on the platter with the olives, peppers and avocado.

In a small bowl, whisk the salt, vinegar, honey and balsamic vinegar until salt is dissolved - add olive oil, whisk until thoroughly mixed.
Add all other ingredients on a plate and spoon dressing mixture over the tomatoes and cheese.

Salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy!

I would love to hear your feedback about this recipe!

Later –

Jim