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Messages - Damocles

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1
Updates and Announcements / Re: Are We Circling the Drain?
« on: November 16, 2018, 11:48:28 pm »
Too many errors (I had a rough day) so I'm going to repost, sans errors:

I've initiated a few threads in here but then I noticed that after I posted them very very similiar threads were started on BM so I stopped because I didn't like the feeling that someone was imitating me. I participate there but I feel I have to watch every word. I hope this place keeps going because I consider it the "safe" place and I feel more relaxed here at Polite Paradise, and I also hope the other forum (Manners for a Modern World) keeps going as well. The more the merrier!

Spies!!  There be treachery afoot, me hearties!

2
Updates and Announcements / Re: no new messages but there are
« on: September 13, 2018, 08:26:17 pm »
Let me see if there are any global notification options I can tweak.

3
Books / Bookstores
« on: August 14, 2018, 10:07:07 am »
What does your ideal bookstore look like to you?  Dark woods?  Large overstuffed chairs?  Coffee bar?

or

Lots of whites and open windows and airy with some plants for color here or there?

Curious as I don't seem to see many bookstores anymore outside of the occasional Barnes and Noble or the rare independent thanks to online ordering.

4
Crafting / Painting
« on: August 09, 2018, 11:14:34 pm »
Does anyone paint?  What medium?

I, once upon a time, did.  Mostly acrylic on canvas and I've been wondering if I'd have the time/energy/inspiration to get into it again.  I was always landscapes.  Portraits or other subjects weren't really my interest.

Just curious what the people here may enjoy painting in terms of medium/subject.

5
Politics / Re: Trump - "I have absolute right to pardon myself"
« on: July 22, 2018, 10:30:10 am »
From what I heard, he didn't bow, as is protocol.  He turned his back on the Queen, he was walking in front of her and just generally being his charming self.

IMO, a gentleman would always walk half a step behind a lady; should she stumble, the gentleman is in a position to assist.  In the photo of them inspecting the troops, he's at least 2 steps ahead of her.

I get that she isn't America's Queen and if you don't want to follow all the royal protocol, some of which is a bit over the top, fine.  But for Pete's sake, at least act like a gentleman!

He also kept the Queen waiting...

He was doing his '80's "alpha" male shtick.  Of course when he met with Putin he was more than happy to be the subservient.

6
Cooking / Hot Weather Cooking
« on: July 22, 2018, 10:27:35 am »
Looking for interesting recipes you've tried and liked that are good for hot weather.  Because who wants to tend the stove or turn on the oven when it's 90+ out...

7
General Discussion / Re: The "Unpopular Opinions" Thread
« on: July 11, 2018, 09:20:42 pm »
I don’t really like ‘The Princess Bride’.

I find it boring.  And a bit dumb.

8
Updates and Announcements / Re: 4th of July colors?
« on: July 03, 2018, 09:36:19 pm »
I would guess that it is more about it being bright and flashy and a lot more noticeable than the usual incognito colour scheme, rather than specifically not safe for work.  Harder to hide that we're on here when we should be working.  ;D

Ah, that makes sense.  I'm going to revert back tomorrow evening anyway.

9
Updates and Announcements / Re: 4th of July colors?
« on: July 03, 2018, 03:39:09 pm »
I like it but it's not very safe for work.

Really??  I hadn't thought of that.  Like, at all.  Do you need me to change it?

10
Updates and Announcements / Re: 4th of July colors?
« on: July 03, 2018, 12:52:31 pm »
I'm seeing the forum in a red-white-and-blue theme today.  I'm curious if this is something that the Mods/Admin picked or is it just something that createaforum is doing?

It was just a theme I put on for 24 hours or so.  I can revert if it's not to people's liking.

11
Books / Re: Your Most Used Cookbooks
« on: June 27, 2018, 04:56:38 pm »
What an interesting question! I actually have several that get used more than others. They are:

In Search of Caesar: The Ultimate Caesar Salad Cookbook. I am crazy about Caesar salads and while I think this might be self-published the many recipes are good and interesting. This is my favorite salad so this is one of my favorite books.

Great Grilled Cheese: 50 Innovative Recipes for Stovetop, Grill and Sandwich Maker. I have given up browsing this in bed at night because it makes me drool uncontrollably even if I am still full from dinner. If you like grilled cheese sandwiches you'll love this!

Hot and Spicy Sauces & Salsas. Another thing I love so this recipe-loaded book, with sauces and salsas ranging from extremely mild to WATCH OUT! is outstanding.

Flavors First: An Indian Chef's Culinary Journey is a beautiful and entirely delicious cookbook. I favor this for summer cooking but it's good all year round.

Turkish Cooking: Traditions, Ingredients, Tastes, Techniques, 75 Classic Recipes. I found my favorite egg recipe in here: Cilbir, poached (or in my case, mostly sauteed) eggs on a bed of garlic-flavored yogurt. Yum! But their caramelized mushrooms and pomegranate broth/soup are also favorites.

Red Hot: A Cook's Encyclopedia of Fire and Spice. Do you see a trend? A massive cookbook with recipes from "all the spiciest corners of the world." I have made cheese gifts for Christmas like Chili Yogurt Cheese in Olive Oil and Spiced Feta with Chili Seeds and Olives but my favorite recipes are some of the vegetable recipes for carrots, spring onions, and a jalapeno & onion quiche.

The Onion Cookbook: Cooking with Onions, Garlic, Leeks, Spring Onions, Shallots and Chives. Since I have always loved French Onion Soup, this was a natural and it is, like the others, stained, spattered and messy with my notes. What's not to love here? This is where I got my recipe for my Christmas dinner, which features another recipe gotten from elsewhere, Chicken Bastilla. This book gave me the accompanying salad: Moroccan Orange, Onion and Olive Salad. 

I am also in the process of creating my own cookbook featuring all the gazpacho recipes I can find. And there are lots! A couple of years ago I took a class on library research and while my own research skills are extensive and intense I learned more. We had to do a project of our choosing using the new applications so I chose gazpacho. Eighty google pages later I realized I had the makings for a book like this and my total happiness (because if I could live on gazpacho and Caesar salad for the rest of my life I would). I am putting into a Word document all the recipes I can find along with my own and will be self-publishing it for me when I am done. It will also have some history and well-researched articles on the history and culture of the soup.

I love Indian thanks to my wife introducing it to me when we were dating.  I'll have to check out 'Flavors First' per your recommendation.

12
Books / Your Most Used Cookbooks
« on: June 27, 2018, 12:03:11 pm »
I have one to start off:

Flat Belly Cookbook - Used so often its binding fell apart.  Surprisingly tasty recipes for all it's a "diet" cookbook.  Korean Been Lettuce Wraps are a win.


13
Work Issues / Job Hunting/Interview Etiquette
« on: June 27, 2018, 11:55:41 am »
Is it still customary to wait a day or two to thank the interviewer for their time?  Should it be same day?

Best way to address someone who you were given as a contact in a company?  (Ex: "Dear Mr. X" or just "Mr. X" or "Title Last Name")

Ways to approach salary negotiations? 

14
Updates and Announcements / Re: New smilies!!
« on: June 26, 2018, 12:00:41 pm »
Seems they work if you click and drag the smiley you want into your text box and use the "Image" brackets (there is a little picture box you can click if you highlight the smiley link which will automatically put the image brackets around the link.



A little clunky...

But better than popping to another forum to steal their smileys [like I did earlier]...

I found copying and pasting worked, and will remember emoji48* is the smiling devil smiley...

* Just type it in square brackets

That square brackets works better.

15
Cooking / Re: Beef casserole/stew recipe - help please.
« on: June 26, 2018, 11:52:24 am »
I do a "tater tot casserole" on occasion.  It's almost a shepherd's (cowboy) pie minus some ingredients but instead of the mashed potato topping I throw on tater tots.

1.5 - 2 lbs beef
1 bag frozen sweet corn
1 bag frozen peas and carrots combo
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 diced onion
1 minced garlic clove (or more if you love garlic like I do)
1 bag of frozen tater tots
Generous dash of Worcestershire sauce.
S&P to taste.

In a large pot (because this makes a lot, usually) brown the beef, garlic and onion together and add salt, pepper and Worcestershire.  Drain any excess fat as desired.
Add the cans of soup and frozen vegetables.  Stir and stir to combine very well and then pour into a large baking dish, at least 9x13 or so.
Smooth out the top with a spatula and then add the bag of tater tots.
Bake in a 350 oven for 45 minutes or so until it's bubbly and the tater tots are golden and have crunchy tops.
Serve with your choice of condiments.  I love A1 so I usually pour that on.

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