the WU reborn

Next Stop: Milan

My sister Tyan was on the front page of mkeonline. She was spotted in a mall by some talent searchers and agreed to model. There is a new issue out, so she's not front page at the moment, but she is in the section for "wanna be a model?".
Congrats Tyan!

Fried Rice Recipe

I haven't been around the house much lately, so have neglected shopping for food. Today, I went to the grocery store for a few things to make fried rice. I also got ingredients for hoppin' john, which I'll probably make in a few days. Before that, let me lay down some hardcore Columbo investagative research on you...

The Coconut Blend at Phan's...revealed!. Several of you have been there and had this amazing drink and wondered: what the hell makes this drink taste so good? I know we've had a few discussions about it and the only thing we can decide on is that it's really fuggin good. Anyway, I went in there recently after doing battle on the 5-10 tables at Potowotomi. As I was alone, I sat at the bar and watched Elvis make the drink. So, here goes:

1 packet (plastic container) of coconut meat/water.
condensed milk (poured in no specific amount)
1 scoop of sugar
ice

Well that's it. Not like it's a revelation that condensed milk is the food of the gods.

Anyway, on to my fried rice recipe:

Contrary to what people may know, fried rice is more about getting rid of crap in your fridge than it is about making some gourmet dish. Most things that you could imagine tasting ok in fried rice probably are. That includes most vegetables and any meat.

You will need:

vegetable oil
4 eggs, beaten

green or red chili peppers, chopped (optional but recommended)
onions (2 small or 1 bunch of green onions)
2 cloves of garlic, minced

vietnamese fish sauce (or soy sauce) to taste, at least 1 T.
1 T sesame oil
3-4 cups of cold cooked rice (preferably a day old)
1 cup of chopped meat
1/2 cup of chopped cooked veggies (I use frozen mixed veggies. adds nice color)

a wok (not a non stick one). If you are using a non stick one, obviously use a plastic spatula. Also, know that my grandmother is frowning.
a metal spatula

Heat the wok on high. Trust me, your kitchen doesn't have the capability to make that thing hot enough so go nuts. Once it is smoking, add a bit of oil and spread around. Scramble the eggs quickly, and set aside once they are not liquid anymore. Wipe out the wok with a paper towel.

Heat wok again. Pour oil in. Fry chilis, garlic, onions until onions are transluscent. Add the meat and stir until homogenous. Add rice, sesame oil and fish sauce, and mix well. It's important to stir constantly to make sure that everything is well mixed and nothing sticks to the bottom. Right before you are ready to serve, add the veggies and stir again. Then add the cooked egg and stir. If you feel like impressing people, top with some thinly sliced green peppers (the green part). Enjoy.

Fried rice reheats really well. I don't know if it freezes, but if you make it right, you won't want to freeze it because you'll just eat it over a few days. As mentioned before, there aren't too many things you could put into fried rice that would be wrong. Furthermore, having this stuff on hand will help you make friends and influence people. It may also help your poker game.

*****

Oh, quick blurb about last weekend...went out for dinner at Louise's with Snoop Dark and Johnny. After a carb-filled meal, we were all sleepy but got costumed up and headed to Jenny's house for a Halloween party. Then, we met Tanessa and Tracy out downtown for a cocktail before ending up with the Foys at RC's. I have photos but haven't gotten around to popping them up yet. I will soon.

Snoop is having a costume soire at the Dark Citadel this Saturday. If you're in town, give a call and join us.

Watched Movies Updated

Looking for some hot movies? I have updated my movie section (on the left) with some recommendations. Just click the link under each movie and it will take you right to a page where you can buy it.

Chicago Trip / Weekend Plans

Photos in October album.

I got a random e-mail from Johnny Walker Scotch inviting me and a guest to a special tasting in Chicago. Adam introduced me to Scotch in the first place, so I figured it only proper to invite him. He accepted with glee.

We drove down in his new ride and made some great time arriving at the venule downtown right around 6. We were treated to a few snacks and an open Johnny Walker Black bar. We tried Manhattans, rusty nails, but decided that on the rocks is the best. After a bit, they let us into a room and tried to tell all of our drunk asses how Scotch is made, and blah blah blah. We learned a lot about Scotch that we're never going to mention for fear of being kicked in the head by some Highlander in a kilt with a huge sword.

We baled around 7:30 and headed to the San Soo Gab San for some hot Korean BBQ action. AP was a KBBQ noob, so I had talked it up quite a bit. Obviously, you have to be skeptical until you try it, but I don't recall talking about much as we feasted away.

In the car, I passed out for a while, then got home, did some homework, then passed out again for like 10 hours. Jesus. I woke up 12 minutes before my first class. I got out before 2 and was check-raising second shift workers by 2:15. I cleared a cool $400, and then picked up Tyan. We headed for Phan's to get some pho. Jay showed up too, and we had a nice chat.

Tonight, Johnny and I met up with Shanna and some MU law folks at Kenadees. I randomly ran into my pal Jon Beckett's sister's dude Hyatt down there too. After a few $2 spotted cows, we ended up at Mykonos for a late night snack.

Tomorrow morning (well this morning) I'll be sitting on a 5-10 table by 9 a.m. Fridays are just sick!

Saturday there is a haunted house outing and then also a party. If you're free, give me a call and join in the festivities. Have a great weekend all!

Tanjong Katong

This is an area of Singapore where my mom grew up. There are a lot of food stalls all over the place and food centers called hawker centers. This article talks about some of the more exotic things you can eat there, although most of what is there is much less exotic and more "safe" for all of you unadventurous Americans!

Logic

New photos in the October album!

Talk about a kick in the shorts. Symbolic logic blows. I'm behind because I've procrastinated, and so I have been home all weekend studying for my exam instead of being in Madison. I treated myself to one night out on Friday.

Jmac, AP, Rachel, Moo, Todd, and I met at Eddie Martini's for dinner and then headed to see Team America World Police. Dinner was great of course, and the movie was funny. Essentially America is represented as the rest of the world sees us: arrogant, self-righteous, and inconsiderate. It's made by the South Park guys and it's definitely good for a laugh or three. If nothing else, it slams America in an intelligent, funny way, instead of a biased, agenda-setting, propagandistic and inaccurate way like Farenheit 9/11.

Afterwards, Johnny and I met Brendan, Shanna and Mike at Kenadees for a cocktail. That place has died down a bit, so I might actually head there once in a while from here on out.

Well that's about it. I have to hit the books again. I haven't played poker in over a week, so that should tell you how fucking busy I've been. I can't wait for this semester to be over so that I can umm.... well hell if I know what I'm going to do.

Over and out.

P.S. The one shining moment of school in the last week was seeing Oscar Nominated City of God in my Brazilian film class. That movie was unbelievable. Gang warfare in slums....kids with automatic weapons. Who could ask for anything more? Don't call yourself a gangster movie aficionado unless you've seen this.

P.P.S Oh yeah, the WU Reborn recently crept over 10,000 hits. I have it set up so that my checking the site doesn't add to it either. Thanks for reading!

Which Movie Hero Are You?

Apparently, I'm Neo. To find out who you are, go to http://www.liquidgeneration.com and click on quizzes.

Napoleon Dynamite

Thursday night Graham came down from Madison. We met at a place on the south side for a bit to meet someone who ended up missing us, then we went to Hi-hat. Graham lost his wallet here, but we didn't figure that out until the next day. Friday we went to play poker, after which we went back to the Hi-hat to get his wallet which ended up being about a hundred bucks light. Who the hell steals someone's money but leaves some? That made no sense to me.

Friday night, Johnny and I went to see Napoleon Dynamite which I highly recommend. I might go see it again it was so damned funny.

Tonight there was a surprise party at Paddy's thrown by the peeps who couldn't make it out to Vegas with us for Jmack's big three-oh. Tons of kids showed up but as my camera was out of juice, I have no evidence.

Tomorrow, Mom leaves for South Africa to spread the Contemplative Outreach word. I have a ton of homework that I haven't started because well... I hate my classes. Dammit Sunday is going to be a pain.

The Weekend So Far

Photos in the October album!

Congratulations to the newly married Stephen Gralinski and his wife Susan Gralinski… no he didn’t marry his cousin, silly…that’s her new name! I never thought I’d see the day Steve would take the plunge, but small miracles happen in everyday life.

Steve and Sue were married down in Kenosha on the lake at a nice old building that used to be a girls school. It is now being used for parties and receptions. They opted for a renaissance wedding, so a good 1/3 of the guests and partygoers were in full-on renaissance garb. It was just like the Bristol Faire without the funk!

There were even some semi-celebrity renaissance peeps in the mix including newly appointed Milwaukee jester Jane the Phoole. Everyone looked great, and Sue was literally married to her knight in shining armor. Some friends of theirs even made a special batch of mead (honey wine that was traditionally consumed at weddings during this time period). They started it over two years ago and it was fabulous. There was even a harpist busting out some soothing middle-ages grooves. Ah to be back during a time of little technology!

A few funny tidbits:

* I arrived and walked into a reception hall only to find that nobody was in renaissance garb. Also, the music being played was horrible, even for weddings. After downing a free beer, I went to sign in only to find that I was at the wrong wedding! A few doors down, I spied some people with feathers in their hats and serious cleavage. I realized my mistake and went there instead.

* I’ve really been in the mood for caucasians lately…no not white girls, White Russians….the cocktail. To my delight, the bar at the wedding prominently displayed Kahlua. Things were looking up! Upon asking for the cocktail, the bartender informed me that they didn’t have any half and half. My heart sank. Luckily, upon arriving at my table, I spied some creamer on the table. Booyah!

On the way back to Milwaukee, I called a few pals. Snoop Dark was at Nanakusa and we figured to meet out later, but as it turned out, he didn’t call for almost 2 hours, so it is a good thing I found something to do. Nobody else was around so I headed to the poker room. The 5-10 list was long, so I hopped on the 10-20 list as well. As it turned out, the 10-20 opened first, so I sat down. I had only played 10-20 once before, which was in Vancouver. I was a little nervous about sitting at this higher stakes table since I can almost always grind out winnings on the 5-10. However, the players on 10-20 proved equally ummm...casual, save for one guy. It’s like the same loose, passive players except now they are scared if you raise. Although I suffered a few bad beats (flopping AK3 while holding AK and having someone run down the belly-buster straight), I easily managed to rake in a quick $500. I don’t think I’m ever going back to 5-10.

Friday night, Cory had another successful poker tournament. I brought Jake along who took second. With 5 players left, I (with 77) (reraised Rob who had only called a small all-in from a third player). I think he forgot that I was in the hand. He called and flipped up AA. So, that took me and the all-in guy out. It was fun, and we’ll probably have some more soon on the east side. Grafton is far!

Today, I need to get a haircut and hit the books. God, I hate my classes this semester.