Be Prepared

......................for new year posts, including rants, raves and recipes, opinions that may startle, shock or even awe......... Evidence of my right wing/left wing spinning teeter-totter leanings......... An amalgam of trivial information, a plethora of useless quipping and a boxcar load of random witticisms. Stay tuned as the new year, the new decade, AHA!, the new dawn comes. Ciao

Winter's Caustic Embrace, Business Morass

This January marks my 25th year in business, varied in capacity and definition, as a building contractor. I still wield a hammer, at almost 52, with more weight to sling around, I can yet climb a roof, flip a sheet, cut 100 rafters in a day, and make good time doing it all. I'm certainly better at physical execution than I am at business execution. How I got three kids through college is still a mystery to me. As much as I'd like to claim to be impervious to any economic downturn, it appears that I am not. This past year has proven that even good guys can go down. I feel somewhat punch drunk, but I have a good chin and will go the distance.
One thing has changed. I must accept the notion that Amy's yearly fall complaint " I hate the cold! Did I tell you? I hate the cold!" Now followed by "This year I'm notkidding- we're finding a way to spend winter in Dallas (or Hawaii)" has started to get to me. I am beginning to hate the cold. I, unlike most others I know- who have hated the cold they've had to endure travelling from their front door to their car from their car to their office,- have an outdoor work zone for some 8 hours a day. Those inside folks can cry a river on my shoulder- likely to freeze on my Carhartts. Maybe for me, a change will occur, but not this winter, not after this year. I'll have to see what comes of 2010. I'll have to try to punch back more. I'll probably need to alter my fight plan. I don't want to look back and think "I coulda been a contenda". Actually, I'd rather not look back at all. At least not to 2009. I'd rather look ahead. With a plan. Or a dream- hopefully not laid out in pipe. Merry Christmas, everybody.

Melting! It's All Melting!

Certain phenomena occur in nature. Simply study earth history. Most climactic changes appear to be cyclical, and they are. The ice caps are melting, and whether your particular scientist or your particular region recognizes a temperature rise has nothing to do with the facts. Whether we humans have contributed to this trend and how much is purely speculative. If we are, largely, the culprits, we cast a far darker shadow over the future of this planet than I thought. More likely, we contribute in a more minor role- one which we can reduce- than some think. Others believe, as I do, that the planet adjusts continually, regardless of our welfare, through natural progression. (sounds a lot like natural selection, and that would be on purpose). The earth has survived many a cataclysmic event, and I'm sure it can survive man.
So........... in our convoluted world we play politics with it all. Conservatives play it down and liberals play it up. Ultimately, we'll have little or no influence when nature plays it out.

Look For Me to Weigh In On This Global Warming Thing

I don't have time now to go into my take, but do consider this a post alert for a soon to be completed bleet on melting ice. FYI, it is what it is and I won't take s*** from anybody on this subject.

Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Try and gets some- banned for decades in the U.S. and most of Europe, Absinthe (Absynthe) tastes something like Jaegermeister on steroids (without the sugar), contains wormwood, (Google this stuff), the often maligned hallucinogenic (sure) agent (can you say, in the spirit of the season, Bah! Humbug!?) and is loaded with alcohol (as much as 74%, or 148 proof, oh yes). Absinthe is coming back, and why not? Wormwood is fascinating, Absinthe is a low fat product that contains therapeutic agents that may (or may not) remedy digestion issues and other maladies while offering a short quick road to intoxication without the horrors of a sugar influenced hangover.

Book Review: "The Road"

I just finished The Road by McCarthy, wanting to catch the book before the movie, and I must say that I scorched this scorched earth novel in 3 days. The writing is as scaled down as the characters, stripped to the minimal- survival writing- and I loved it. I wish I could prose up like McCarthy. No paragraphing, no apostrophes, no concern for proper sentence structure, no hyperbole, no explanation, no expansions on concepts, no bullshit. It amazes me how such bare bones writing can grab so hard. I felt the pain, anguish, doubt, fear............................. the love, concern, hope (minimal), joy (brief), the anger, all well placed and recognizable. Reading this book made me feel like reading this book. If you can understand that, you'll feel the way I did these last few days. If you don't, you won't. As simple as that. No way the movie keeps up.

Winston Churchill and Winston Churchill

I recently finished a novel, written in 1904 by Winston Churchill, called The Crossing. The book (if I may pose an opinion) started off great, became long in the second third, and partially redeemed itself at the end. Briefly, the story follows a kid from early teens through fifteen or so years as his experiences are narrated by himself. The action takes place in Kentucky around the 1780's and his travels spin him from Michigan to New Orleans, fighting Indians, land grabbers............
I was surprised that Churchill, in his early thirties when the book was written, should have such a grasp of American History. Well, ----- he probably didn't. The Brit you are assuming I'm writing about didn't write the book (however, he did earn a Nobel in Literature). Another Winston Churchill, an American version, a contemporary to the other, (they actually communicated over the name confusion, where the Brit offered to inject a middle initial to his work, which he did) wrote The Crossing and several other books during his career. His natural style of writing, (if you're into writing techniques you might be interested) relatively rare at the time, made him very successful and wealthy. I posit, though early on he was better known than his counterpart, that his success later in life might have been better linked to name association than to quality writing. I suppose, though, that I should read more than one of his books before I label the guy. To be fair, I'll shoehorn in McCarthy's The Road so as to give me a fresh perspective on another Churchill book.

More details

I Say Try Them in New York City

Cal Thomas, an editorialist I used to like, needs to retire. Lately, (unless my viewpoint has changed recently), Cal has failed to proof his column before sending it to press. I know his political conservatism supports a military tribunal for the Gitmo guys who were involved in the 9/11 attack, but keep in mind- read his own words (11/16/09) that a tribunal would not take place until the end of the war. Huh? Which war? Iraq? Afghanistan? On terror? These detainees are from places like Saudi Arabia, South Yemen........ Are we at war with ALL of these countries? Are we at war with an organization or two? I suggest the war on terror isn't going to end any time soon. These terrorists will never be tried by the military if we wait for the end to an arbitrary declaration of war against any and all threats forever. We need to try these men now- more likely in a couple of years- in a civilian court (they were involved in the killing of civilians), in New York (near their crime) by New Yorkers (a large, pissed off jury pool). Any concern Cal Thomas has in the ineptitude of our judicial system (again, read his editorial) should not affect the decision to try these guys lest we mock the system of justice we offer for ALL criminals. Try them now in civilian court or wait until they are dead and try them in a military court once the war on terrorism is declared won (or lost).

Tired of News Overload Tirades

Sometimes I miss the '70's when the evening news was condensed into about 20 minutes a night with 5 minutes dedicated to weather and sports. Any need for more specific information was to be found in the next day's newspaper.
Nowadays, the same daily or continuing stories are expanded ad nauseum to 24 hours a day. Worse, the various outlets- CNBC, MSNBC, FOX, CNN, etc.- go to ridiculous lengths to bias their stories. With so much competition for ratings, each news source, in the business to stay on the air, culls a particular audience through a liberal or conservative hyperbole that drives me nuts. From Leiberman to O'Reilly, Wolfe to Rachel, the emphasis is more on expounding viewers' leaning than objective reporting. They (cable news dudes and dudettes) become the focus of our attention rather than the content of their reports. They are TV stars in their own minds, forever aware of the ratings they pull, and theatrical to draw an increase in such. There once was a time when we looked to our newsmen- can you say "Cronkite"?- with respect and trust, when the news reports were relatively free of editorialization. When the news report was just that. A report. Aah. I must be getting old.

We're hosting Thanksgiving!

Yes we are. Load 'em up and fire 'em in the front door. My last head count was 27 heads. Stop to think, that's 27 forks, knives, spoons, plates, glasses, chairs, place settings- you think about that- all for a great day. Can't wait. I've ordered 2 turkeys- a 20 pounder to be roasted in the oven boob side down and loaded- not with dressing (dries out the meat) but with onions, celery, other stuff (no, not stuffing), though there certainly will be stuffing, homemade if I don't screw it up and am forced to pull out the Stove Top. Oh, yeah, the second bird, a 14 pounder, will be hyped and deep fried. Also expect my homemade pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie (I think), the usual other typical Turkey day fixins, and maybe even a pot of Wassail.

You talkin' to me?

Rife With Consternation

How does it work? Who gets my money? Blue Cross/ Blue Shield or the United States Government? Work work work, work work work. Self pay. No Caterpillar, no group policy, no break. Nada. Imagine- 25 years in business and insurance premiums paid surpassing $150,000- and that's just for health insurance. Don't forget life, auto, business liability, comp., inland marine, completed operations, home owner's, contractor's, liability umbrella.......... At this point, all I look for is a better deal.If Blue Cross has to cut it's rates to compete with a public option, go public option. If my rates are to go up, tank public option. If nationalized health care costs me, forget it. If it saves me dough, then I say go.The problem is, we taxpayers can't get a straight answer from our lawmakers because they must maintain their party loyalty. Good or bad, costly or cost effective, socialism or social rescue. It all depends on which side of the fence you reside and just how far from the fence you sit. My bet is that the real reason a straight answer is not to be found rests on the probability that nobody can accurately project the cost, success or failure potential of the bill. I can only hope that whatever way this thing goes- left or right- my pocketbook doesn't have to carry more burden. Ciao.

Truncated.

Don't even bother reading 2 posts down. The whole thing is messed up. I'll reissue it some other time. Sorry.

Sorry

I lost (below) some part of my diatribe listing all the insurances I pay besides health. Don't know what happened. You can still get the gist

What I Do

These are some examples of what I do during the day- hands on, not by proxy. I wield the tools and cut the wood. Still fun after all these years.

As far as I know, this pic has not been doctored or faked. Anyone with information pertaining to this pic please comment. This shot was taken in daylight from the northwest corner of the property known as the Bowen Building, a part of the complex that previously functioned as the Bartonville State (mental) Hospital, vacant since 1973 and largely demolished. At the time of the photograph, the second story was blocked off and presumed vacant.

Time to Respond

OK, so now I need to know, by a show of hands, who out there has the ability to comment on this site. I'm hearing of issues concerning just that. If you can, do. If you can't, e-mail me to let me know. If you don't care whether you can, can't, or whether you inform me, inform me anyway so I can also get a count of those of you who don't care to. Clear? If not, inform me as to your confusion. tracyboettcher@gmail.com

What are we chasing in Afganistan?

I can understand why we're fighting in Afghanistan. After all, we should never have thinned our presence there while we pounced on Iraq (another story, another time). I know we have renewed our efforts to make the United States safer by keeping Al Qaeda on it's heels. I can understand following these terrorists into Pakistan when they run. What I can't understand is that we never get a score. A tally. A statement that specifies an accomplishment. Are we closing in on a target? What constitutes a victory, large or small? What is our end game? Kill all terrorists? If so, who are they? Is Bin Laden now a spectre? Is he really in charge of anything? If we are only interested in keeping America safe and not interested in restructuring the Afghan's political system (which, fortunately, is our objective) then why not get more invasive. Maybe napalm the poppy fields. A large portion of Al Qaeda's funding comes from this drug trade. I'll admit I'm not as well versed as I should be on the situation in Afghanistan, but I blame some of it on the vague aspirations of our military forces on the ground.

More- incidentally, wood? mainly Brazilian Cherry, some red oak, clear maple, curly maple and Bubinga (African Rosewood)

Wanna see a cool floor? Installed by "yours truly"

I need work here.................

Okay, I'm showing my age... Posts descend and I need to make one post with information and pics rather than posting a pic and a caption at a time. Otherwise the result is thus (scroll down and read up). I'll get the hang of this.

Inside, again..........................

Inside.............................

Sarah, this one's for you

1956. Prairie style home. Still waiting to see if an architecturally correct addition (to left) is to be in the works. Look below- some pcs of the interior of prow like design.

I guess I need to choose an image first, then write. Oh, silly me

Wonder what I look like? Not a pretty picture. Better heard than seen. Don't expect a lot of shots of yours truly. Truly.

Maybe More Pictures Will Help

Might be my reader(s) need more pictures to pique his(s)/her(s) interest in my drivel. It doesn't say much for the collective intellectual level of my writing (you thought I was going to slam the readership, but nay, what a suicidal move that would be- like shooting the horse you're riding.

Noble Nobel (oxymoron)

I feel I'm entitled to a Nobel prize, say.......... peace prize........... for all the peacekeeping efforts I plan to make. After all, the new initiative is to be expected to accomplish that which would qualify as Nobel prize worthy. Sign me up, I promise not to disappoint.
Also, keep me in mind for the Nobel in literature- I've read Mein Kampf, Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, Anne what's her name's diary....... I can identify with European angst. Don't overlook me just because I'm not from Austria or Germany or Luxembourg or any other hotbed of angst filled hotbed Euro village. (see, I can write). Keep in mind the best of Europeans boated to the US to get away from the oppression that was their lives and the rest remained in their villages writing about the repression of those who remained so they could receive the Nobel.
While I'm ranting sour grapes.............. have you noticed that the heavyweight division in boxing is dominated by eastern bloc, Russian (and boy are they the poster men of repression- I read The Gulag Archipelago) European types. If the powers that be awarded a Nobel for boxing, we probably wouldn't get that either.
Oh, ya, if you read this stuff, comment on it so I can make an assessment as to whether I'm a lunatic or not, and if so, how much of a danger to society I might be. Scale of 1 to 10. Thanks.

Easier access

As I delve deeper into the cyber-blogger world (is blog really a word?) I discover, through advice from wiser folks, how to streamline access to this site. As of now, nobody need type the letters, numbers of a gibberish spam deflector to comment. I am also working on e-mail notifications for y'all.
In other news, Chicago is on the short list to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. While I'm selfishly thrilled at the prospect of an Olympic games I can attend, I can't get it out of my head that Illinois is practically broke and that Blago could be out of prison by then and running the state again (this is, you know, Illinois). Chicago is not Los Angeles, and I'd bet the wheels that turn Second City won't turn a profit. Nevertheless, my selfish self still hopes for Chi town's success in reining in the games.
On a note from a previous blog/rant, I blew the doors off of today's residential architectural design (as in lack of) without offering an alternative- something like hating the direction the country is taking, yet offering not an iota of a suggestion as to what direction would be preferred, nor a program with which to implement such change. So......... rather than casting myself as a bellyacher without a cure....................... I would, in order to improve residential design criteria, implement subdivision restrictions that went beyond the minimums of square footage and brick requirements. I know of, and have built in subdivisions that required plan review standards that take into consideration design and balance. This could be done on all levels. The problem today is that in a new development, a homeowner review board cannot be established until homeowners constitute a percentage of the subdivision, and by then, the developer has approved the plans under way, usually with more of an emphasis on the sale than on design. Local planning and zoning departments could provide better guidelines for specific developments that would require higher standards for developers.

OK, try this......................

I would expect that a recipe for spaghetti and meatballs would garner more attention than a "randomless observation" from yours truly, so here goes:

You need: (for meatballs)
1 lb. burger
1 cup plain bread crumbs
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes (or fresh chopped, my preference)
1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 egg
Also: (for sauce)
3/4 cup chopped onion
5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cans (28oz. each) whole peeled tomatoes
2 teaspoons salt (or less)
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 bay leaf (don't eat)
1 can (6oz.) tomato paste
3/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

How to:

Balls (said the queen)
combine beef, bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, black pepper, garlic powder and egg in a bowl, mix well with your hands (yes), form a dozen or so ball sized balls, put in fridge for later.
Sauce
caramelize onions and brown garlic in sauce pan over olive oil, stir in tomatoes, salt, sugar and bay leaf (don't eat), cover, lower heat and simmer for 1-1/2 hours, stir in paste, basil, pepper, and meatballs for 30 minutes, serve over spaghetti pasta.
Note: no, don't pre-cook, brown or warm meatballs before dropping into sauce. Plop them in cold and cook for 30 minutes, no more, no less- keeps them tender and tasty. Enjoy.

Lamenting the death of architectural identity

Early American, generally. Specifically, Cape Cod, Saltbox, Victorian (borrowed from elsewhere), Arts and Crafts, borrowed Tudor (ie., English Tudor, half timbre), borrowed Greek Revival, borrowed Dutch, French Provincial, Country French, some Roman influences, Frank Lloyd Wright, yada, yada, yada...................
Today's residential designs run the gamut from mix master gable and hip combinations to schlock fests in neighborhoods throughout the country.
It started in the early to mid nineties and continues today with no end in sight. Home design and construction today has descended to the depths of temporary housing and the typical subdivision sports homes with similar brick, similar siding color, similar profiles and similar floor plans, all competing to lead the race for conformity. Anonymity. Replacability. Move anywhere in the United States and you're bound to find the typical 4 bedroom, 2-1/2 bath 2 story with a main floor master suite and two story entrance, three car garage and granite countertops, but ask what historical architectural style served as an inspiration and expect to get the "deer in the headlights" look.
I have no problem with new and practical. I know that the average twenty-first century family isn't going to be happy with an eighteenth century Salt Box with small windows and small rooms. What I don't like is the concept that if the guy down the street sold a s*** box, I'll build one just like it. Home building has morphed into standard TV fare- if people tune into crap, let's use the crap model to produce shows just the same. CSI, Las Vegas, Miami, New York, American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, America's Got Talent, NCIS, NCIS Los Angeles, all the Law and Orders...........
Generally, as with clones, the first is the best, and the spinoffs spin downward. In construction, copy cat building has taken over the industry. Just drive around. See what I'm writing about. I've been building houses since 1976 and I am witnessing it first hand. I've probably contributed to the trend as much as anybody. No more, no more.

Wondering out loud

I am curious as to whether anyone other than the obvious (those who have told me or those who have commented) is reading this blog. If you can comment, please sent a "yup", or if you can't or don't want to, e-mail me at tracyboettcher@gmail.com
I'm wondering if I were to delve into more controversy- say, religion or politics, child rearing or discipline- would I get more communication? Maybe outrage, maybe affirmation, maybe nothing. You be the judge. I'll try the case and wield the axe.

Amy's Endeavors

People, if you know me, you know Amy. What you know about her as a friend, business associate, relative or art lover only avails you to the aspect of her life that includes you. I, on the other hand, though not falling into any of your categories, catch the bits and pieces of every single aspect of her multitasking day. She would say I have no idea what she does specifically, and she'd be right, and I'd do well to listen better, but I'm in the "Unique" position as her husband to hear smatterings of most of her adventures.
So say, if you play volleyball with her, in open play or on a league, you know her through her efforts and passion on the court. If you're a member of the Bohemian Art Society, she's known to you as a Bohem. Arts Partners- one of them. Peoria Art Guild- breaking down barriers through connections with Peoria Business (Peoria Next, Heartland), Something Unique Studios, Bartonville (been there, done that, 3 years, on her own dime), Muralist (yes, great), Whimsical Furniture Designer (the best), Professional Bowler (well, no), former owner Something Unique retail store, Main and University, former owner, Something Unique retail store, Prospect in the Heights, former gymnast (yes, the uneven parallel bars), initiator of Art in the Islands, where she spent part of a summer teaching needy kids on Union Island, among others (Southern Grenadines, look it up)................. oh, yes, a world class mom, world class wife, world class grandmother, world class friend, lover............
I ask myself what I do to improve people's lives through my endeavours, and I find my contribution to be relatively small. Try assessing your own contribution to society; how selfless are any of us, really. It's not about money, fame or recognition. It's about giving more than you take.
Amy sets the bar far to high for most of us, but with motivation to step outside our world and into someone else's, we can make a small difference or a large one. By remaining static, we contribute nothing.
So I close this blog with the hope that the two or three people who read this will heap on the accolades that my wife deserves. I can't say enough.

Pic Parade (of one)

As I said

Huh?

Escher? Stair art? You be the judge.

Thought for food

I refuse to succumb to the regularities of consistent blog content, yet I must remember to occasionally wade into the mainstream in order for people to like me, hopefully holding out hope that I am not completely whacked out. Don't hope to much- I lay this caveat out without trepidation. Fact is, I'm stranger in my own mind than in my own world. There's nothing wrong with thinking off the grid as long as you live within it. I only choose to write like this because it allows some safe externalization of the (not so) inert byproducts of my rational thought. So.............. on that note, here's a recipe I've tried:

Tailgate Chili-

Feeds 10

Needs:
2lbs. ground chuck
1 lb. Italian sausage
3- 15oz. cans mild chili beans, drained
1- 15oz. can hot chili beans in sauce
2- 28oz. cans diced tomatoes
1- 6oz. can tomato paste
1 large onion, chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 green chili peppers, chopped
1 tablespoon bacon bits
4 beef bouillon cubes
1/2 cup good beer
1/4 cup chili powder
1 tablespoon Worchestershire sauce
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon dried oregano
2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons hot sauce
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon sugar
1 bag Fritos
1- 8oz. bag shredded cheddar cheese

How to:
Be sure not to exclude any ingredients, and don't vary quantities

Combine sausage, burger in dutch oven over a squirt of olive oil, cool into meat is browned. Add all the rest, bring to a brief boil, lower heat and simmer, covered, for at least 2 hours, serve-

The pic? Whatever you make of it....................if it shows up, that is. No guarantees.

Food, fun and football

Don't expect any common thread weaving through my posts. If I'm anything it's not common. If you were expecting a themed blog, I plan to disappoint you. It's not like I'm going to update you on mundane activity or daily ritual. What comes out of this site will not require your continuing attention. My blogs will be timeless- you can read them in any order you want without any more confusion than you experience within the content of each.
In case you're wondering at the title of this particular blog, I must inform- on occasion I plan on sharing a recipe from the "Golden Book of Food I Like and Can Prepare", I always look to have fun, and football is upon us. Don't look for food pictures. Some day I'll have pictures, but not of food. Look ahead, the food train is coming. (but no pictures)

Who is Higgs and when can we see his Boson?

I can't decide whether it's a good thing or bad to be the namesake of a particle that, to date, may not exist, may never have existed, and, if so, probably won't exist in the future. Not exactly a Mt. Rushmore accolade.
For those who have no idea what I'm writing about, the Higgs Boson is a massive sub-atomic particle that, if discovered to exist, will give physicists an identifier for the existence of mass in the universe. Currently, there is a mad rush on to see who finds it first, since the Geneva Hadron Collider, completed last year, went down to malfunction. The huge (largest in the world) collider probably had the best chance to find Higgs in the shortest time, but since its broken, Fermi labs and others are trying to claim the prize. Whoever gets credit for the find can clear a space on his/her mantel for the Nobel.
I know, to most people, this seems unimportant and uninteresting, but, if you Google "particle accelerator" or "atom smasher" or the like, and ask what we've gained from things like these, you will find that the very communications medium that serves to allow you to read this blog on your computer would not exist if not for their help in the advancement of particle physics.

Light thoughts at light speed

It should be a well known fact that gravity has an influence on time. GPS satellites, orbiting at 10 to 12 thousand miles from earth, register time's passage as faster than you or I standing in our driveway. True. You can set your watch to it. Without constant adjustments to account for gravity's effect, our GPS systems would be as inaccurate as......hmm.......as they are! Well, likely worse. If you're in a rut, and time is dragging, (and now you know why), then get up, stand up, JUMP! (and look at your watch.) See?
Seriously, why all the hoopla over Obama's speech to some schoolkids? He just told them what they should already know, what their parents likely told them, we hope. I didn't see it as part of any Democratic Party agenda, these kids can't vote. At most it was an exercise in a political requirement that, like Bush (who spoke to school kids in '91), or Reagan, or the others fulfilled in their day, and to me, largely, a waste of time and effort. Unless a president is capable of talking- directly to all the country's kids (and he's clearly not), he'd be better served to address the parents concerning their responsibilities toward their kids. Children today will be worse served by the politically charged battle this whole thing has digressed to. Whew!
If you just skipped that windblown paragraph, It simply says: "Waste of Time!"

I am entering the cyberworld

I am Tracy Boettcher. That's about it. Going to bed now.