Random, Assorted, Desultory Pointlessness

CD in Play: Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, Freak Out!

Food. Pie in Particular.

I was talking to a co-worker this morning that I had a hankering for a something particularly English: steak and kidney pie. He's originally from Taiwan, so he had no clue that the English could even come up with such a thing. I mentioned who kidney isn't that popular (for a host of reasons) and that it had been replaced by mushrooms. Steak and mushroom pie isn't bad at all, but it lacks that certain something that steak and kidney has. Anyhow, my co-worker said he'd rather have steak and lobster and that got me thinking about something that could be a culinary triumph or a gastronomical nightmare.
I have already received one nay from my friend Elijah, but I think the steak and lobster pie has potential if done right. Might not be able to do it with lobster , maybe langostino? The idea though is to have the steak seared quickly and blackened, but quite bloody inside. The lobster should similarly be undercooked. The idea is to have the steak no more than medium and the lobster not overcooked once the pie is ready to eat. (medium rare would be capitol) If possible, the pie crust and shell should be baked ahead of time. Instead of gravy (which you get in steak and kidney/mushroom pie) it should be a sort of buttery, creamy sauce.
Not at all healthy, but I think it should be delicious. Someone asked me about onions or other vegetables, but I think their flavours might obscure the flavour of the lobster. Who knows, surf and turf pie could be a hit. The rub is - how the hell do you actually cook something like this?

Latin America as Counterbalance

Hugo Chavez, Evo Morales, Daniel Ortega have signaled a left turn for Central and South America. North America has sat up and taken notice. As North Americans have swung far to the right, Central and South Americans have been moving away from it. Another name can be added to that list, Fernando Lugo, the recently elected president of Paraguay. A former Catholic bishop, Lugo has helped to put an end to Paraguay's 60 year dictatorship under the Colorado Party.
The business world may despair at a socialist taking over the reigns, but they always have Colombia. The government and the cartels in Colombia are apparently quite willing to kill labour organisers and silence dissent. Whenever Western businessmen state that a country has a good climate for investment it is usually because the locals are getting the shit kicked out of them.
As for Latin America's leftist tendencies, we'll see how long that keeps up now that Chavez cannot run again for election. Once Fidel Castro is dead we'll see whether or not his brother and the rest of his cohorts take Cuba into the waiting arms of Western interests and exploitation.

Work, Work, Work

Good Lord am I bored. There are people who believe that I am being foolish by going back to school to get my degree and teaching certificate. These people believe I should just buckle down, get a decent job and start saving for retirement. I just cannot do that - I won't accept that.
Since leaving university the first time on 1998 I have endured long bouts of unemployment and crappy, unfulfilling jobs - soul-crushing jobs in some cases. I got into my current job because it looked like a great jump point into better employment. In turn, I could use that employment to pay down my student loans and return to school. But here I am still making a pittance without so much as a real person contacting me for an interview. I have good references, especially from the company I am with and the contract that they have me at. So why no calls?
I haven't a clue why I cannot get ahead here, except that it is the way it goes with me and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. It is where I am from. I am geographically at home here, but I just can't catch the break I am looking for here. So I am moving on, as many of you know. I tried to make it work but it just won't happen. Hard to plan for a retirement that may never happen when you are constantly trying to make ends meet.
As I said earlier, I am bored. Finals are over and the students are gone. Profs are off. Facilities has a tonne of work to do, but I am just watching the clock trying hard to stay motivated so I don't end up getting caught with my pants down. How could anyone do this for the rest of their lives? It took a while for me to figure things out for myself. I may end up having to work past the age of 65, but the way things are shaping up most of my generation probably will anyway. So why not shift gears and find a place where I can ride it out doing something I enjoy, something I am good at?

Democratic Race in Brief

Democrats in Pennsylvannia took one step closer to electing John McCain as president by handing Hilary Clinton the primary in that state. Clinton, who recently threatened to totally obliterate Iran if they attack Israel, is the opponent of choice for the McCain camp. I remain unconvinced about Barack Obama, as I generally mistrust anyone who seeks power these days. However, Obama probably has the best chances against McCain.