smile, you're on StreetView!

I don't think he's selling girl scout cookies.

For the young, TV's passivity is passé next to the Internet

ArsTechnica says:

A new study shows that TV is rarely watched without a web browser close at hand, and that kids are growing up multitasking even their entertainment options. And according to the stats, TV is losing influence even among those who routinely watch.

My youngest brother is in his late teenage years, and he has done this for years. TV, instant messaging, and video games, all at once. I wonder what kids like this will be like when they're older? What sorts of entertainment do you give someone who is so used to being immersed in distraction? Is this a recipe for ADHD, or will it result in adults more capable of tuning out the cacophony of modern life?

I got in a big debate with Kirsten's dad several years ago about whether the Internet would render television obsolete. I said "yes, and soon" but he disagreed. I think we both lost.

bacon french fries

Last night I hosted a holiday potluck for a small crowd of friends. As with Thanksgiving, I took responsibility for the main meat dish, leaving sides to my guests. Since no holiday feast would be complete without a ham or a turkey, and since I made turkey for Thanksgiving, it was clearly time to try a ham.

Cooking a ham through traditional means is a slow and boring process. At 20 minutes per pound, a 10 pound ham takes nearly 3 1/2 hours of cooking time! As with a turkey, a ham is prone to dry out from such a long stay in the oven. And who has that kind of time? Fuck slow food. Free time is the critical resource in my life, and I'd rather be enjoying time with my guests than fussing over the oven.

Clearly, a more efficient cooking solution was needed. A solution with rapid heat transfer! A solution with effortless seasoning! A solution to lock all that delicious moisture inside the meat! A solution with 35 pounds of peanut oil, 10 pounds of propane, a big-ass pot, and significant risk to life and limb!

After last night's adventure, I have deep-fried the following in the last two months:

1. a 15 pound heritage turkey
2. a 10 pound ham
3. a 5 pound chicken

A few short minutes after lowering the ham into a pot of boiling peanut oil, my whole back yard smelled like fast-food. Think "bacon french fries." Just 45 minutes later, the cooking was done. The meat's outer surface was seared into an amazing crust of deep red-brown, and the juices were safely locked inside. A few pieces of crusty skin hung precariously from the meat. We broke off some of these "ham chips" and verified that they were, in fact, totally delicious.

Win.

Kemi made eggnog with soy milk and raw eggs. DQ made potato gratin. There were veggies and chocolate and wine and gifts. And a big snuggle-fest in front of the fireplace.

Win.

Tonight we (hopefully) make gingerbread houses and blitztort.

Win.

Happy holidays.

Project Respite

Tonight I went to a fundraiser for Project Respite. I had my picture taken with Meng, Google's Jolly Good Fellow. I gave some money to the cause, and I won a silent auction for an acupuncture session at my house. A neat evening, and a nice change of pace. I blame Jelena.

Olive Garden

I went to Olive Garden tonight with Kirsten, Ambrose, Dan, Garrett, Kris, and Jelena. I saw this sign by the door, so I asked Jelena to snap a picture for me. I hear these signs are common in California restaurants, but I thought the gold-colored frame was a nice touch.

Student Loans Paid

My RPI education has treated me well. As of today, I own my education in its entirety.

Orphan Thanksgiving 2007

Earthquake

A moderate earthquake occurred at 8:04:54 PM (PDT) on Tuesday, October 30, 2007.
The magnitude 5.6 event occurred 8 km (5 miles) NNE of Alum Rock, CA.
The hypocentral depth is 9 km ( 6 miles).

Magnitude         5.6 - regional moment magnitude (Mw)
Time              Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at 8:04:54 PM (PDT)
                  Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 3:04:54 (UTC)
Distance from     Alum Rock, CA - 8 km (5 miles) NNE (31 degrees)
                  Milpitas, CA - 11 km (7 miles) E (91 degrees)
                  San Jose City Hall, CA - 15 km (9 miles) NE (45 degrees)
                  Sunol-Midtown, CA - 17 km (10 miles) NE (45 degrees)
Coordinates       37 deg. 25.9 min. N (37.432N), 121 deg. 46.5 min. W (121.776W)
Depth             9.2 km (5.7 miles)

[Full USGS report] [San Jose Mercury News report]

Saturday Windsurfing

Windsurfing with Lucas and Kemi