I'm in the process of moving so I don't have time to add a full post, so I've decided to provide a couple of my favorite drink recipes. I was a bartender for the last 8 years. Hope you all enjoy, and don't drink and drive or you will die. Maybe that's and exaggeration but you could, and its never safe. Without further ado, here are my 2 favorite original recipes.
Drink #1
Michael Jackson
Glassware: shot glass
Alcohol: 1/2 oz jagermeister
1/2 oz sambuca
Directions: Pour Sambuca and ice into a shaker, shake for 10 seconds or so (When Sambuca is shaken it turns milky colored). strain Sambuca to the half way point of the shot glass. Float the Jagermeister. For those of you that dont know how to float liquor, its actually quite simple, however pour spouts are a necessity if you want a clean float. Take a spoon, turn it upside down and set the tip in the shot glass. Slowly pour the Jager, onto the top of the spoon. This should work for everyone. If not google it, and then google moron.
The reason it is called a Michael Jackson is because it is half black and half white. This drink is not known outside of about 3 bars that myself and a friend work at, so you cannot ask for one. However, most bartenders love to learn new shots, so take the liberty of telling them how to make it, provided they are not busy.
Drink #2
Jesus and the 3 wise men
This was a birthday shot that I created for a group on xmas about 4 years ago
Ask the bartender for a 3 wise men (Johnny Walker, Jim Beam, Jack Daniels)
Then ask the bartender for a shot of tequila (any kind)
Its almost guranteed that if you drink theses shots right after one another you will have to say "jesus that was strong". Hence the name Jesus and the 3 wise men
Have a great weekend
Friday, December 18, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The Politics of GITMO prison closure
One of Barack Obama's main campaign promises was to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay. I believe he stated that the prison would be closed by January 2010. Well... I guess we can chalk his promises up as empty. I personally believe that the prisoners should remain in Gitmo or any other military prison for that matter. This article has nothing to do with my personal feeling on this issue, this article will delve into the announcement that the prisoners would be moved to a maximum security prison in Thomson, IL.
As most everyone is aware, Obama started out in Illinois politics, and still has many connections throughout the state. To move a federal prison to a state, there has to be a willingness shown by the elected officials. These officials include the 2 senators from the state, and at a minimum the congressman from the district where the prison will be located. In this case, both senators are democrats, and the the congressman is republican. I will focus on democratic Senator Roland Burris, and republican Congressman Mark Kirk.
As many of you may remember Senator Burris was at the center of the Rod Blagojevich appointment scandal. Senator Burris was appointed to the Senate amidst allegations that he purchased his seat. The evidence suggests that he probably did buy his seat, however the prosecutors were unable to prove as much. The silver bullet in the case was a recorded conversation in which Burris commented that he could "do something" for Blagojevich if he was appointed. While the Senate Ethics Committee was unable to prove his guilt, they did admonish him for his actions. Recently Burris announced that he would not be seeking re-election in the midterm elections of 2010. This has created a situation in which the Democrats could lose a very important senate seat to a strong Republican candidate.
In this case the strong republican candidate is Representative Mark Kirk. Mark Kirk is considered the favorite to win the upcoming election, based partially on the fact that he has a strong base in the suburbs and small towns north of Chicago ( 10th district). Thomson, Ill is one of those suburbs/ small towns that make up the 10th district. Mark Kirk is adamantly opposed to having the prisoners transferred to his district.
I find the timing of this announcement to be very strategic, I also find the announcement to be an attempt to destroy Kirk's political base, and in turn his chance in the 2010 Senate race. This deal wreaks of sabotage. There has been no timeline placed on the move, however the announcement comes at a very key time politically. The holiday break is when D.C. takes some time off, and there is very little political news for a 10 day period. This means that this story will be the topic of conversations across the US, and more specifically northern Illinois. This is a perfect storm for Obama. He can use his connections in Illinois to help push for the prison, he can also count on Senator Burris to help push for the prison, Burris has no desire to stay in federal politics, so he can willingly commit political suicide. Obama is able through savvy politics, to kill two birds with one stone. 1) move the prisoners to northern Ill. (fulfilling a pointless campaign promise), 2. Potentially damage the senate hopes of Rep Mark Kirk.
I openly will admit that all of this is purely speculation, however the events wreak of scandal. Burris announced that he wouldn't run again, Kirk emerges as the leading candidate, and Obama is taking substantial heat for an inability to keep campaign promises. Tie all of this in with a holiday break, and we have a perfect storm of sorts. Obama gets credit for announcing the closure of Gitmo which will help all democrats in their midterm elections, and Kirk has to explain to his political base why he cant prevent the prison. This is just another attempt to undermine our political system.
Happy Holidays America,
Bryan
P.S. If you want to read more on this simply google Burris and Obama, and you will learn all about their wonderful relationship.
As most everyone is aware, Obama started out in Illinois politics, and still has many connections throughout the state. To move a federal prison to a state, there has to be a willingness shown by the elected officials. These officials include the 2 senators from the state, and at a minimum the congressman from the district where the prison will be located. In this case, both senators are democrats, and the the congressman is republican. I will focus on democratic Senator Roland Burris, and republican Congressman Mark Kirk.
As many of you may remember Senator Burris was at the center of the Rod Blagojevich appointment scandal. Senator Burris was appointed to the Senate amidst allegations that he purchased his seat. The evidence suggests that he probably did buy his seat, however the prosecutors were unable to prove as much. The silver bullet in the case was a recorded conversation in which Burris commented that he could "do something" for Blagojevich if he was appointed. While the Senate Ethics Committee was unable to prove his guilt, they did admonish him for his actions. Recently Burris announced that he would not be seeking re-election in the midterm elections of 2010. This has created a situation in which the Democrats could lose a very important senate seat to a strong Republican candidate.
In this case the strong republican candidate is Representative Mark Kirk. Mark Kirk is considered the favorite to win the upcoming election, based partially on the fact that he has a strong base in the suburbs and small towns north of Chicago ( 10th district). Thomson, Ill is one of those suburbs/ small towns that make up the 10th district. Mark Kirk is adamantly opposed to having the prisoners transferred to his district.
I find the timing of this announcement to be very strategic, I also find the announcement to be an attempt to destroy Kirk's political base, and in turn his chance in the 2010 Senate race. This deal wreaks of sabotage. There has been no timeline placed on the move, however the announcement comes at a very key time politically. The holiday break is when D.C. takes some time off, and there is very little political news for a 10 day period. This means that this story will be the topic of conversations across the US, and more specifically northern Illinois. This is a perfect storm for Obama. He can use his connections in Illinois to help push for the prison, he can also count on Senator Burris to help push for the prison, Burris has no desire to stay in federal politics, so he can willingly commit political suicide. Obama is able through savvy politics, to kill two birds with one stone. 1) move the prisoners to northern Ill. (fulfilling a pointless campaign promise), 2. Potentially damage the senate hopes of Rep Mark Kirk.
I openly will admit that all of this is purely speculation, however the events wreak of scandal. Burris announced that he wouldn't run again, Kirk emerges as the leading candidate, and Obama is taking substantial heat for an inability to keep campaign promises. Tie all of this in with a holiday break, and we have a perfect storm of sorts. Obama gets credit for announcing the closure of Gitmo which will help all democrats in their midterm elections, and Kirk has to explain to his political base why he cant prevent the prison. This is just another attempt to undermine our political system.
Happy Holidays America,
Bryan
P.S. If you want to read more on this simply google Burris and Obama, and you will learn all about their wonderful relationship.
A few thoughts on Tiger
Over the last few weeks, any person not living under a rock has been bombarded with stories about Tiger and his harem of mistresses. Personally, I don't really care if he was faithful or not, its not my business. The only relationship that I have with Tiger is watching him play golf. That relationship has been working just fine for over a decade. As far as I know, there is only one woman that Tiger cheated on, therefore no other person has the need to loathe Tiger. Unfortunately for golf fans, Tiger has been forced to step away from golf, to concentrate on his marriage. I commend him for putting his family first, but I will be taking a break from watching golf until his break is over.
What I truly find fascinating is that the Media has decided to keep this story going, and going, and going. I would love to know why they care so much. All the media has done is push Tiger out of golf. There are now reports that Tiger is going into seclusion in the south of France, due to their strict media laws. The media has traded decades of future golf stories, for 3 weeks of juicy gossip. Tiger has always been an extremely private with his personal life, I can only imagine how quiet he will be when he comes back to golf.
Growing up I loved Michael Jordan, Emmit Smith, and Rickey Henderson. I loved watching them play and dominate there respective sports. The Media also loved these athletes, therefore they resisted the urge to out the indiscretion's of dominate athletes. As we all know, Michael Jordan had his fair share of mistress's, so why didn't the media report on them. I would argue that they preferred to watch MJ play basketball, then to chase him into seclusion. I am in no way arguing that adultery is acceptable or reasonable, I just don't care if they are committing it.
All in all, I would rather watch Tiger play golf then read about his sex life. unfortunately, the mainstream media has decided that 3 weeks of gossip is better than a decade plus of great golf stories. I hope they enjoy the next two years of watching lefty, Daly, and every other mediocre golfer. I for one will miss sunday golf, the red shirt that has single handedly shaken the will of great players, and the fist pump that comes after a 52 footer. I will miss you Tiger. See you in few years.
What I truly find fascinating is that the Media has decided to keep this story going, and going, and going. I would love to know why they care so much. All the media has done is push Tiger out of golf. There are now reports that Tiger is going into seclusion in the south of France, due to their strict media laws. The media has traded decades of future golf stories, for 3 weeks of juicy gossip. Tiger has always been an extremely private with his personal life, I can only imagine how quiet he will be when he comes back to golf.
Growing up I loved Michael Jordan, Emmit Smith, and Rickey Henderson. I loved watching them play and dominate there respective sports. The Media also loved these athletes, therefore they resisted the urge to out the indiscretion's of dominate athletes. As we all know, Michael Jordan had his fair share of mistress's, so why didn't the media report on them. I would argue that they preferred to watch MJ play basketball, then to chase him into seclusion. I am in no way arguing that adultery is acceptable or reasonable, I just don't care if they are committing it.
All in all, I would rather watch Tiger play golf then read about his sex life. unfortunately, the mainstream media has decided that 3 weeks of gossip is better than a decade plus of great golf stories. I hope they enjoy the next two years of watching lefty, Daly, and every other mediocre golfer. I for one will miss sunday golf, the red shirt that has single handedly shaken the will of great players, and the fist pump that comes after a 52 footer. I will miss you Tiger. See you in few years.
Monday, December 14, 2009
First Post
I would like to start out with thanking you all for reading this blog. My goal is to create a blog that encompasses my three passions. I am a politics junky, I recently graduated with a degree in Political Science from CSUSM. Instead of pursuing a career in the field of Politics, I decided to become a cook and work my way up to Chef. Lastly, I will write about my leisure time passion; Sports. With that said, each day I will post either a new recipe, provide commentary on the big sports events, or examine the newest political triumph or failure (If I can, I will post numerous times per day and all three topics will be discussed). Without further ado, The PSC Blog will officially begin
Recipe #1
Caramelized Pear Turkey Burgers
Serves 4
1 lb. Ground Turkey
2 pears
8 oz Spring Greens Mix
4 slices of Pepper Jack Cheese (Use whatever you like)
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons of butter
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
2 cloves of garlic
*Bread/Rolls: this is up to you, I prefer using sweet Hawaiian rolls. Hamburger buns will work also
Preparation
- Mix ground turkey with 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 cloves of garlic, and 1 tablespoon of crushed red pepper. Let Sit for 15-30 minutes if time is available.
- Make 4 equal sized turkey patties
- Slice 1 pear into very thin slices
- Dice 1 pear (to be added to spring mix)
Cooking
- Turkey Burgers: Multiple ways to cook
Frying Pan:
- Medium heat
- Cook to Preferred Temperature
- Medium well is usually 6-8 minutes on both sides
BBQ
- High heat
- Cook to Preferred Temperature
- Medium will be roughly 5 minutes on both sides
Broiler
- High Heat
- Rack on top shelf
- Medium will be 6-7 minutes on both sides
Spring Mix Topping
- Mix Diced Pair, 2 table spoons of Mayonnaise, and 8 oz. spring mix in bowl
Caramelized Pear Topping
- In saute pan mix half cup of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of butter, and sliced pears.
- Cook until pears are brown
Completion
- 3 minutes before burgers are done, place rolls/bread/buns on BBQ or in Broiler
- 2 minutes before burgers are done, place cheese on top of burger
Service
- Place bottom portion of bread on plate, Place Burger patty on bread, put caramelized pears on top of burger then place 1/4 of pear spring slaw on top of burger. Put on top bread and serve.
Enjoy,
Bryan
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