Thanksgiving a success

Well, Thanksgiving is just about over now as I head to bed. It was a good one... I cooked a 7lb Turkey Breast (way too much for just me! Tons of leftovers), Mashed Potatoes, Corn (Shupeg whatever that means - and yes I spelled it wrong probably), Gravy (powderd mix), Stove Top Stuffing, and I even made my own cranberry sauce with a few modifications (I cut back on some of the sugar, and added a little apple cider, and a very small amount of fresh ginger (didn't taste it really). I had one small injury trying to open a spice container, bent my thumbnail back trying to pry the lid off, it somehow drew blood!? Which now it hurts like a paper cut - I'll live. Turkey cooked up well, but I was still concerned with undercooking it... I used a thermometer, looked up the temperature on the internet and found a range of 161-180, and the thermometer said 190 for poultry. I took an average and went to 175. But... When I cut into it, there was a pinkness around the outside of the turkey of all places. Just under the skin really. I ate it anyway, as I cooked it for almost 2.5 hours! for only a 7lb breast - it had to be cooked. I think next year, I'm going to try something different and either slice it off the bones and stir-fry it, or maybe cut it into pieces and cook it in a baking dish (I did that one year and cooked it on top of my own homemade stuffing, and that really turned out good!
I watched a lot of TV today too... a lot of flipping of channels, but I watched mostly Nickelodeon's "Avatar - the last airbender". I really like the animation/art for this cartoon. Today's marathon also brought me up to speed on the story, as I never really watched a full episode. But it is a good show. I'm going to have to watch this more often.
I've started to get back into drawing a little, and plan on starting my own "parts factory" I started by drawing eyes today (in the computer - adobe illustrator). I plan on drawing my own pieces so that I can create some characters that use similar parts (eyes, noses, mouth, etc...) I've decided I need to persue a creative outlet with my art/doodles more.
And finally, ended up playing a new videogame - Starwars Battlefront 2 for the PS2. So far it's a pretty good game.
Well, heading to bed now with a full belly, and thankful for all that I have in my life... Family, friends, work, and all the opportunities I've had to make this a thankful day. AND I took tomorrow off too, so it's going to be a nice long weekend.

Cyen

PS> On an unrelated note... I'm reading buzz on the internet how the brand new xbox 360 is having overheating issues. Only 2 days after the big release and the trouble is brewing already for Micro$oft. I had a very small urge to get an xbox, not now, I'll probably just wait until the new PS3 comes out.

video link test

I found this blog today: http://gvod.blogspot.com/
It's a blog where Michael sorts through the various google videos and picks one of the best ones to post. I enjoyed several of his picks today, especially this one called "redneck rollercoaster" - which just the name itself cracks me up. He was also kind enough to post how he links to the videos directly, so I'm giving it a try on my blog here. If you click the picture, it should open a link for the google video page. (unless i did something wrong).
Enjoy and thanks to Michael Martine.

Cyen

image testing

this is a test,,, did you study?

Doc

Well, as much as i dislike going to the doctors, I finally went today because of a cough I just can't seem to get rid of. From my previous post where I mentioned I was sick about 4 weeks ago, this cough has hung on. So, off to the doctors today. It was the first time I used my Health Insurance program - as a friend reminded me... you're paying for it, you might as well use it! It was a smooth visit, except for one thing... They trashed - er um, I mean they put my previous records in "storage" since I had not been there in about 2 years. I've been going to this doctor for about 20 years, and he walked in and asked "is this the first time here?" I guess since I didn't have a chart. I explained the chart, and he just said "oh". I had thought there may have been some recognition since he treated me for so many years, and each of our families sort of knows one another. Oh well, I didn't go into it all. I just wanted the prescription for the antibiotics and then I was outta there. I always fear I'm going to pick up even worse germs than what I have when I go to the docs (which knock on wood is RARE).
All of this longwinded post just to say that I used my health insruance for the first time... and it felt kinda good.
Now... I just need to get rid of this cough and then everything will be well again!

Cyen

43 Things...

I found a neat website the other day. 43 things. (actually, I had bookmarked it some time ago as something to check out, but it quickly got lost in the shuffle... I have a lot of links like this). I'm not a big "list" person (a phobia I developed thanks to my mother writing a chore list for me when I was a kid). But I like this idea of keeping a big, broad "someday" list of things I'd like to accomplish. As one example... to build my own log cabin in the woods... Something I'll probably NEVER do, but who knows, maybe someday. And, it's kinda neat to see what other people are aspiring to do.
http://www.43things.com/

Items on my mind lately...
I would like to pay off my vehicle loan early (a few months).
I would like to buy a new TV.
I would like to buy a new mattress and pillow.
I would like to buy a new video game (starwars battelfront 2)
I would like to STOP thinking about buying things!
I would like to make something small with my hands.

Enjoy your day
Cyen

Sickly

Sorry no updates lately, been trying to fight off a cold that just won't quit. It's been 10 days today since I first started feeling ill. It started with a sore throat, then moved to a cough that just wouldn't leave me alone, and then turned into a plain old head and chest cold. I'm still not better, but today is the first day I am feeling energized. (maybe it was the caffiene in the tea I had this mornings?) On one of the worst nights of my coughing, I did not have any cough medicine in, I thought I had a mall botttle in the fridge, but when I went to look, it wasn't there... probably expired, and I threw it oout. I mixed up a home remedy of honey and lemon juice (which tastes really good, and works well!) But I wanted to keep something by my nightstand instead of having to get up every hour to go to the fridge. I ended up grabbing a bottle of maple syrup! It actually worked well, in getting the cough to subside, but it only lasted for about an hour. So it made for a long night, but I can't imagine not having it at all.
Hopefully, I'm on the mend now, and it's just a matter of time until I stop coughing. I hope I don't have to go to the doctors for a cough that won't go away.

books> I did get a lot of reading done while sick, so that was a good thing. I finished the book "The Traveller". I was really dissapointed by the ending. I liked the subject, but there was no payoff. I also finished a book called "The Codex" which I really enjoyed. It was an adventure style book, involving mayans, jungles, treasure hunting, etc... a fun read. I am not finally starting to read the latest Harry Potter book. I still have about 3-4 other books lined up after that waiting to read.

Music> Just bought the latest Depeche Mode CD. It's good, but a little too mello. There are two or three songs that I really like though, so I don't regret buying the whole album.

Science> Maybe not exactly science, and more in the fun catagory, but I found a really cool website called... http://www.sodaplay.com . basically you can build a two dimensional object using springs and muscles, to create a shape that will move. There is some really neat physics behind a small java script application, and I have lost several hours trying to build a new object. I wish I had something like this when I was a kid! The program is simple (after learning how to work it which took some time), but now I wish it could do more. I would pay for a more advanced application like this.

ok, better run
Cyen

apple came through...

well, I got an email response today. Turns out they are going to refund the purchase. (not sure if they mean they are going to refund the entire album purchase, or just the value of the 2 songs, but either way it's a good thing. I would like to consider this a done deal, and I wish I could go back to using itunes without a care, knowing that in the end they will stand do the right thing, but it does not account for the several emails I've had to write, the 40 minutes on hold, and the frustration of trying to talk to a live human to straighten this out. I will use itunes now knowing that the store is not perfect. and that if ever I choose to buy an entire album, that I will seriously consider just going to the store to buy it. Sorry apple.
You know, on one hand I understand that itunes sells millions of songs (a day or a week) and that they perhaps can not afford to staff a live tech support - but I also have to question that with all of the sales of ipods, songs, and now videos, that all these millions of dollars can't be put back into creating a friendly customer service experience. Ok, fine, perhaps the first line of customer service should be via email, as I'm sure some/most issues can be resolved this way, but still an option should be available for speaking to a human. Oh well, I guess this would cut into their profits.

onto other topics...
It's a beautiful fall day today. I might be getting out of work early today, and if so, I will try to go to the park to enjoy this nice weather!

books> Still enjoying the book "the traveller" though I've hit that stage where I'm realizing that I'm approaching the end of the book, and am not looking forward to finsihing. Oh well, at least I already have my next book ready and waiting for me... Harry Potter. And after tha, I want to go to the library (probably will have to renew my card - or find it) and read the book 1984 by George Orwell.

Music> Looking forward to the Depeche Mode new album.

Science> Found a cool link yesterday about a genetically modified vegetable in switzerland...
http://www.fourmilab.ch/images/Romanesco/

Religion> Trying to figure out what the meaning of "disciple" is.

Cyen