That dog don't hunt, thankfully.

My little dog Cooper is a Miniature Daschund.  According to popular belief this means Badger Hound in German.  While I can not speak to the authenticity of this assertion I can safely say, that dog don't hunt.  Cooper is incapable of any predatory instinct.  I believe he chases rabbits because he wants to be friends.

The point of all this has nothing to do with dogs however and this post is instead about Garbage Disposals, leaky flywheel seals and new installation to be exact.

So a few weeks ago the Kitchen Aid that was installed beneath our sink met an untimely end at the hand of some potato skins.

Not the tasty treat, the horrible real thing.


So the old one had to go.

The new model I installed is called the Badger 5. ($108 after tax at Home Depot)

Installation was completed in under 30 min with minimal effort or tools required.  (Bummer)

I'm just glad there is no chance Cooper is going to hunt my new disposal.

The soundtrack to this project was provided by Thrice & Sublime w/ Rome.

Me Space. Literally.

After a few months of hormone therapy and the new abundance of Testosterone, I sensed that something was missing in my life.  So I went to gun shows, Home Depot, developed an attitude problem, and after much pondering I realized what it was.  I needed my own space, and not just any space would do. I needed a manly space devoid of anything but pure awesomeness.  I had a plan, time, and freedom so I did one of the best things a man can do, I built.  So despite a slow recovery from acute bronchitis I set out for Home Depot around 11 today.  By 7 the chaos of my Sun Porch had been transformed into a bastion of organisation and function.

My name is James, I'm a husband, gamer, builder, and I'm a Man.

The Incredible Chili Soup

Ingredients

1/2 Tsp – Cayenne Pepper

1 lb – Raw Chicken Breast

1 – Serrano Pepper

1 – Can Salsa Verde

1 – Onion (Medium)

1 Tsp – Chili Powder

1 1/2 Tsp – Oregano

1 1/2 Tsp – Cumin

2 – Jalapeño Peppers

2 – Cans Diced Green Chilies

2 – Limes

2 – Cans Chicken Stock

2 – Cans Cannellini (White Kidney Beans)

3 – Potatoes (Medium)

4 – Large Garlic Cloves or Garlic Powder to Taste

Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions

Start by roasting the Jalapeno peppers in the oven at 350 for 15 min.  Remove the seeds and ribs from the Roasted Jalapenos and the Serrano and then fine dice them, set them aside in a prep bowl.  Cut the raw Chicken Breast into 1 in. chunks (these will cook down).  Chop the onion and potatoes; the potato chunks should be no bigger than ¾ of an inch or they will take a long time to cook.  In an 8 qrt. pot heat 2 tbl. spoons Olive Oil.  Add the onion and sauté it until it begin to turn translucent.  Then add the Chicken, Peppers (Jalapeno’s and the Serrano), and spices (Oregano, Cumin, Chili Powder, Cayenne, and Pressed Garlic) to the pot.  You will sauté these ingredients until the chicken in cooked through (if the chicken does not give off enough liquid to prevent burning you can add some Stock).  With the Chicken cooked through, we can now add both cans of Chicken Stock, Green Chilies, Salsa Verde, Lime Zest and Juice and the potatoes and bring the pot to a medium boil.  After the potatoes have started to break down add both cans of Cannellini (Drained) and heat through.  Sample the broth then add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with fresh chopped Cilantro.

Do Better

I keep feeling like I'm destined for so much more than I have done thus far in my life.  I'm not sure where this feeling comes from but I perpetually feel like I should be better or stronger than I am.  The funny thing is that in the past this feeling would have dragged me down to depression but now I feel fine, apathetic but fine.

I'm worried I'm slowly selling out on dreams or making concessions to traits that don't really fit me.  That and at times I feel as though I was once a better husband than I am now, I feel like I'm missing the little details.

I trust that as I try to do the things that Heavenly Father requires that I will become what he wants me to be.  My struggle is to battle my sense of apathy and instead have more hope and faith.

I think part of this has to do with my lack of ability to see the path ahead of me.  I know that for me to support the family that Christy and I want I will need to complete a degree and this means school full-time and probably less income while that happens.  The question in my mind is not only what major but what college?  Do I finish at Metro?  Do I apply to BYU?  Do I just keep working and trust that my income for the next 4 years will not change in a negative way?

I wish that I could cure myself of this doubt and fixation on my future.

To quote the band Say Anything

"You'd burn so brightly
You'd burn so brightly in the dark
You'd burn so brightly
You'd burn so
You'd burn so

You could do better
You could do better
You could be the greatest man in the world"