Thursday, December 21, 2006

GLOBAL COOLING AND STUFF

COLD SNAP

This from Bangkok’s newspaper The Nation.

Cold snap claims first victim

A 38-year-old man died of exposure yesterday in Muang district of the northern city after drinking alcohol and falling asleep without a blanket, a doctor said. Ashi Silao, a planter for a tree shop, is the first casualty of the cold weather this year. He was found dead in a T-shirt and trousers.

I’m sorry about the guy dying but what perfect weather we’re having. We haven’t used our air conditioners in more than a week. At night it gets below 70. This winter here is like a mild summer in Southern California.

Now I’m starting to worry about Global Cooling. Maybe we should start encouraging polluters since that seems to be our only control of the weather.

REALITY CHECK

I was walking through a mall with a Thai friend and wanted to brag about the women flirting with me.

“Wow,” I said, “you should see the looks I’m getting.”

“Sure,” he replied instantly. “They know you have money.”

That’s what friends are for, I guess.

Isn’t it?

FOOD

My Thai family has gone bonkers over spaghetti. Even the little one, who is a reluctant eater, scarfs it down. We have many different sauces to put on it.

They also like hot dogs. There is a Thai produced German sausage here that is excellent.

I have learned to cook beef in the microwave. I use an igloo shaped plastic contraption that fits over everything in the oven. They are common in Bangkok and might be found anywhere.

Put a thawed 2 pound roast in a bowl and oil everything down before putting it in the microwave. Leave it uncovered but put the igloo-shaped contraption over everything with the vents closed. Set the microwave to defrost for 10 minutes. Turn the roast and put it back for another 5 minutes, still on defrost. Then turn it again.

To see if you’re getting close, cut down the center with a knife. You’re looking for a pinkish but cooked color for the best results. If it’s too raw cook it another 5 minutes, always on defrost. Repeat until satisfied. I got great results from this.

Remember, contrary to folk legends, microwaves heat from the outside in. Larger roasts might get too well-done outside before the inside is done.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY

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