What can you do when things get really rotten? How to fight collateral damage.

No bitching. No moaning. No belly-aching.

Think along these lines:

There once was a horrible injustice committed against a family. Nobody could understand how the travesty occurred. Yet the system prevailed and enforced punishment. The family grieved their losses. The community tried to empathize but there was no precedent to which anyone could relate.

Some time after the execution a worse thing happened. The public was in an uproar. Everyone was affected. "What shall we do?" they cried. The family said "We've survived worse."

The moral is not to look forward to bad times but neither look back blindly and call these times good. When singled out you must learn to find pro's amongst the con's.

Dyslexia, Onomatopoeia, Mnemonics, Ommatophores (DOMO)

How do you handle things you don't see straight, can't pronounce, and won't remember anyway? No problem. Put it on a stick, give it a fancy name and forget about it. When in doubt you can always eat what bugs you.

Side Note: What did the boiling mad crustacean say to the crab? We are doomed!

Meatless Turkey Talk

A neighbor's sister-in-law just delivered a baby. The new parents are vegetarians. How should we convey congratulations this thanksgiving holiday?

 

Here's the plan for a RK Vegetarian Turkey (does anybody wish to make useful suggestions?):

PRELIMINARY (SHOPPING)

1. Pick up RK's, marshmallows, and marshmallow fluff.

2. Pick up whole broasted chicken (will use it as a shape guide).

3. Pick up small bag of candies (will use it to make stuffing).
4. Pick up Temperature Probes.

PHASE I (est. 5-10 minutes)

5. Trim and remove one wing, one thigh, and one leg from the bird and then wrap individually in plastic (use for shape guides).

PHASE II (est. 10-15 minutes)

1. Make a template of the candy bag and candies (wrapped in plastic and coated with no-stick spray) to hold the body shape. Set aside.                           
2. Spread wax paper on working surface and coat with no-stick spray.

3. Cook marshmallows and coat RK's per normal, mixing by hand in large bowl. (Hint: spray spoon and spatula with no-stick).                                         
4. Form the wings, legs, and thighs separately, eventually attaching them onto the carcass (using marshmallow fluff if required).

PHASE III (est. 5-20 minutes)

5. Form the carcass around a "body cavity" using the shape template.

6. Create paper socks for feet. Assemble pieces. Insert temperature probe.
7. Wrap in plastic to hold shape while bird cools and shape sets up.

8. Place completed bird on platter arranged with cranberries.

Good to Go!

Now for the unknowns:

• I photographed and documented the steps of my progress (using tripod to hold camera and attempt to maintain cleanliness). Since there were two temperature probes in the pack I plan to make two birds (Note: update photos too if required). Also bird #2 should be quicker to make tomorrow (learning curve). I will collect elapsed times.
• I followed the routine instructions for one batch of RK Treats: 3 Tbs butter, 6 cups of RK's and 10 oz bag of marshmallows. My intention is that this bird is good enough to eat. The recipe should complete each bird (what's a henway?)
• Instead of spraying a pan with no-stick I sprayed my hands prior to working the shapes. First I  made "stuffing" template. Then I made (6) "limbs" and the carcass. I worked fast enough before the treats set up..I wasn't concerned with adding sprinkles. Perhaps "dusting" with a crushed RK coat is desired (especially if any trimming of completed shapes is required)!
• I didn't use toothpicks (didn't need them) but if so I would poke them into the carcass first and attach limbs second so picks will not be visible.
• Finally I transferred the "small turkey" to the platter with the cranberry ring glued using marshmallow cream. I wrapped the whole thing and will deliver it tonight,

The moral of the instruction is never allow an engineer too much time on his hands over the holidays.

Finale: Turkey #2 is finished. The time estimates were fairly accurate. Unfortunately #2 is not as pretty as #1 was. The no-stick spray was not nearly so invasive, plus it was nice to relinquish the hassle of a camera. I believe the taste and general effect will be pleasant...especially for a surprise gift.

What's next? Have you ever heard of such a thing as a chocolate moose!

42. Not Ready

How can you be ready to care about what goes on in the home when so much of what goes on in the world isn't right?

Do your best. Don't give up. It's been this way for a long time. Illegitimi non carborundum est. Carpe diem.

Sudoku and The Art of Elimination

As with all math exercises, solutions to difficult problems fall under the category of "educated guess" (best guess for some). Are we lazy? Can a person be motivated to carry a ball 99 yards if there is still 1 yard lacking to make a complete handshake?

Essentially the most difficult part of any Sudoku puzzle is writing potential answers inside the tiny squares.

Marginalization

Margin--a border, edge, or brink.
Marginal--having a distinct margin.
Marginalize--1. to cull, alienate, or isolate based on certain limiting criteria. 2. to separate and effect a change that will dissuade future homogenization.

Test #5

How will we ever know when we're through with tests and can move on to the real thing? Your ideas, comments, and suggestions might just be that turning point! eBane Explain (ebane.engineer@gmail.com).