Not So Famous…

So, my sensationalist title may have caught someone’s attention, but in a manner of speaking, it’s true.

Yesterday, I got an e-mail asking me to go to NBC’s website and vote on some poll regarding whether or not we should keep “In God We Trust” on our currency.  I didn’t even go to the site, to be honest, because I have no idea what the HECK NBC is supposed to do about our currency.  What’s more, online polls can be tricked, so the results are less-than-scientific.  Something else the e-mail said which kind of annoyed me was, “This is not for discussion.  If you agree, go vote, and if not, don’t.”

Well, what if I think your view is ridiculous?  You’re telling me that there’s nothing anyone can say that will dissuade you from your position? I guess that’s ok, but in my mind, things are ALWAYS up for discussion.  That’s what this blog is for.

First off, I’d like to ask you what is the point of having “In God We Trust” on our currency?  When did the entire nation begin trusting in God again?  One could make the argument that we never did, and I think it’s a valid point, but again I ask, what is the point?

Do you think that having that phrase on our currency is some sort of magical talisman without which we’ll lose the blessings of God regardless of whether the phrase really means anything?  I’ve been talking with a dear friend about whether or not believing in Christ is something that can be stated without being examined, and I say that it can not. Stating that someone trusts in Christ is NOT enough, because what is important is the Christ in which someone trusts.  The same is true about this phrase on our currency.  Because right now, one single fact is dominating this discussion in my mind:

It’s a lie.

Why have this phrase on our currency if it’s not representative of any form of reality.  I am reminded of the Presbyterian Church in the USA in the late 30’s and beyond, where their beliefs actually had little to nothing to do with their confessing document, the Westminster Confession of Faith.  What was the point of being a confessional church if they weren’t going to actually confess their confessing document, but instead took it to mean whatever they wanted it to mean?  It sort of made the Westminster Confession of Faith into something of a joke, much like “In God We Trust” is made into a joke today.

Here’s a suggestion, maybe we ought to spend some time making that statement into a reality on a personal level rather than getting incensed that there are people who see the statement for the lie it is and wanting to remove it, since it means nothing.  Let me add this:

I don’t think we should have that statement on our currency.  It’s tradition, fine.  I think it’s a lame tradition that makes a supremely important statement like that into a lie.  I can’t support a tradition that trivializes trusting in God, and I don’t think any self-respecting Christian should.

According to my records, it’s been almost 2 weeks since I’ve updated.  Is that because there’s nothing new in my life?  Because I’m not thinking about anything?  Because nothing is pissing me off?  C’mon, you should know better than that.

There’s plenty annoying me these days, sure. I just don’t have the time to write it all down like I used to.  I’m told it probably has something to do with having a kid, and that’s probable.

• I’m having a discussion with someone I love regarding Mormonism, and whether it’s a sect of Christianity or a cult.
• I’m discussing the animus imponentis of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church with a fellow member of my church, and listening to the audio of the recent conference on the same topic that our presbytery recently held.
• I’m discussing the fact that social life on the Internet is not the same as it once was with someone who laments the loss of the past.
• I’m preparing to have my son baptized this Lord’s Day.
• I’m watching my son learn to suck his hand and laugh at his daddy.
• I’m working on a proposal to the County of Santa Cruz for work.
• I’m playing Lord of the Rings Online, Mega Man 9, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Worms as I have time on the PC and XBox 360.
• I’m doing random home repair projects such as installing a medicine cabinet, installing a coat-rack, installing 2 ceiling fans, and replacing the door sweep/weatherstripping on my front door!
• I’m keeping up in my daily Bible reading.
• Most importantly, however, I’m trying to maintain my relationship with my wife and foster a relationship with my 2 month old son.

I’m doing a lot.  I don’t feel I’m doing most of it very well, except for the proposal.  (When I’m at work, it’s easier to focus on one thing at a time.) It’s hard to balance all of what I need to do with all of what I want to do, but it’s the subjugation of selfishness that needs to happen when it comes to kids and life.

Kim and I have been discussing how life has changed with an infant in the house.  I’m looking forward to all the teachable moments with little Iain, but as a 2 month old, he’s definitely challenging. I’ve been told before that my life would change when Iain came.  I knew this.  I knew it would be drastic.  But very few people are able to convey the magnitude of the difference, I don’t think.  :)  Even me.  :)

Anyway, I’ll not neglect this blog forever.  I’ve been keeping the software that runs it updated, etc.  I’ve been thinking about it.  :)  And when I have the time and the inclination, I’m sure I’ll write more.

When I turned 21, I went to see a friend’s brother’s band in Sacramento.  The band was The Mac Swanky Trio.  I really enjoyed the show, and wheedled a CD out of my buddy. My reason for mentioning this evening, however, was that it was my first experience with that James Bond classic, the martini.

Now, I was not entirely inexperienced with booze by this time, but my primary experience had been with various beers, which are still my first loves when it comes to the world of adult beverages. However, a martini may have been more than a bit ambitious.  I found it to be extremely harsh and darn near undrinkable.  In addition, I don’t even know what kind of martini I got!

The reason I specified “gin martini” in the title of this post was because it helps to explain the ingredients I’m after.  When you go to a bar and order a martini, there’s no telling what you’ll get.  In some places you may get a vodka martini (more on vodka later), in some places, you may get some cold gin, with an imperceptible amount of vermouth.  In some places, they may shake it rather than stir it.  And in some places, you may get asked “what flavor?” …

Now, one often gets into trouble when one labels something as the “original” martini, so I will preface my statement with some weasel words.  Many mixologists consider the quintessential martini to be 4 parts gin, 1 part vermouth, a dash of orange bitters, and garnished with a twist of lemon.  This is my ideal martini, and the one I hope to make as soon as I get my hands on some orange bitters.

Gin – There are a great many types of gin out there, and much variance even among gins of the same type.  Ask a mixologist what his favorite martini gin is, and you will get a number of answers equal to the number of mixologists you ask plus a few spare. My goal is to get a bottle of Plymouth gin to try someday, but what I have on my shelf at the moment (Many thanks to Mary Jo) is a bottle of New Amsterdam Gin.  NA Gin is sweeter than most, and a mixologist once explained that the reason he was not fond of it was that he detected a corn syrup note that just turned him off to it. Another mixologist with whom I talk frequently told me he considered New Amsterdam Gin to be a good beginner’s gin, with Beefeaters or Plymouth being something to which one might aspire.

Gin is a spirit flavored with juniper berries, and along with sometimes strong citrus, pine and floral notes are the predominant flavor of a good gin.

Vermouth – Vermouth is what is known as a fortified wine.  A fortified wine is a wine that has had some sort of high-alcohol spirit added to it to halt the fermentation process.  This results in a wine that still has some of its unfermented sugars for sweetness, yet still has a decent bit of alcohol in it. Vermouth, also, has had a host of botanicals added to it to give it a good bit of non-wine flavors.

As for why the 4:1 martini, I’d have to say it’s a balance between the flavor profiles of the gin and vermouth, as well as a synergy created with the mix of the two.  The sweetness of the vermouth balances perfectly the dryness of the gin. Whatever it is, a well-made martini is truly something to experience. The lemony-citrusy notes are refreshing, and the herbal goodness of the vermouth adds a touch that I would really miss otherwise.

Many of the mixologists with whom I have chatted don’t see the need for vodka simply because of what a good vodka is.  Many will tell you that the best vodkas are odorless and flavorless, apart from the alcohol, and thus don’t bring any flavors to the party.  Adding vodka simply gives more alcohol to a drink, and not flavor. Many contend that the same alcohol effect could be achieved by adding a spirit with flavor.  However, that does not mean it’s not popular, and many drinks today are made with vodka.

For my part, I enjoy the flavor of gin, and feel that a vodka martini is really more of a chilled, high-alcohol vermouth, despite Ian Fleming’s attraction to them for his man character, Commander James Bond. In my opinion, one may enjoy whatever drink one likes, of course, but it is odd to me that the name “martini” has come to be associated with a drink that has none of the flavor originally associated with it. Now, if you enjoy some of these flavored martinis, a vodka martini has to be the way to go, since gin will definitely clash with some of the creations out there.

Finally, there is a reason many martini afficionados will insist that a proper martini be stirred, and not shaken. Shaking a drink breaks up the ice, and helps to dilute the drink; something one does not generally want with a martini. Shaking a drink also aerates the drink, creating a different taste and feel on the palate. Some say it bruises the gin, creating a bitter taste, but the mixologists from whom I have been culling much of this information have told me that they don’t get the whole “bruising the gin” argument.

The garnish of a lemon twist matches well with the citrus notes of the gin, and the sugars of the vermouth sweeten the tartness right up. The orange bitters help to enhance the lemon as well.

I currently lack the orange bitters I need to make one, but as soon as I get those, I’m in business.

Now, I’ve heard the song “Hurt” plenty of times.  It was popular when I was in high school, and I listened to it several times between then and my early years of college.  In 2002, Johnny Cash covered the song, and I heard that version many times as well.

I don’t know why, but I don’t think I had ever seen the video before tonight, and it was a powerful thing.  Something about his raw vocals and resigned and sad visage really conveyed the meaning of the song as he meant it, and it moved me.

If you’ve never seen the video to this song, it can be found here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmVAWKfJ4Go

Listen to the lyrics as you watch Johnny Cash singing them from his heart.  As he thinks about times past, and his relationship with Jesus Christ, listen to the raw anguish in his voice.  It really will move you.

This burger was truly epic.  So epic, in fact, I took pictures. Gabe and I both ordered one.  When it showed up, I was sort of amazed.

It's almost too big to comprehend.

...so I used my hand for some scale. This bad boy was hard to eat, let me tell ya'. My thumb was just in front of it. No sneaky camera tricks...seriously.

...but here's Gabe trying to do so anyway.

But he ends up laughing, because this thing was a virtual planetoid. It's got it's own weather system!

And the verdict is.....

If you ever find yourself in Fresno, make your way to 777 E. Olive, and enjoy the Mighty Yeti.  Also of note was the FINE Oatmeal Stout they served.  Wonderful beer.

Oh, you want to know what’s on this burger of epic proportions?

• 4 strips of bacon
• 2 slices of ham
• onion rings
• 2 fried eggs
• 1/3 lb. beef patty
• 4 slices of cheese
• thousand island
• pickles
• onions
• lettuce
• tomato

And if you can eat it in under 5 minutes, they’ll give you a t-shirt.  lol