Month: February 2010

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anybody but google

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UPDATE: 03/01/10 … blog up on google… for now.  😉

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banned by google

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I think the Google business plan should be looked at very closely. I find it a bit disturbing and what I hear on the grapevine should concern more than just me. I ‘hear’ that they are strong arming universities into accepting their various ‘services’ all or none. Also a lot has been made about Google banning various web sites, some allegedly for political reasons.

I have noted the off again and on again status of my blog and certain local news with Google, particularly on certain issues concerning  Cal Poly State University San Luis Obispo.  Google appears to be screening out any stories or blogs that paint Cal Poly in a negative light. I know what others are saying about Cal Poly and I know what comes up on Google about Cal Poly…. and there is a difference.  Google nicely allows you to set up an ‘alert’ on anyone or anything , so I get ‘alerted’ whenever Cal Poly comes up on the web. I’ve seen nothing on any of the ‘sensitive or potentially controversial issues’ surrounding Cal Poly as of late. I wonder why?

So, you may wonder why should you care? Because the person who controls the flow of information controls power … besides,  I don’t trust anyone whose motto is ‘do no harm.’ If they are doing this helpful service for Cal Poly, who else?

Maybe they should change their motto to “TRUST ME.”

Roger Freberg

Personally, I use BING, Yahoo, Alta Vista and virtually anyone else… and maybe, so should you.

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when atlantis was real

there wasa time that the story of Atlantis was considered real
There was a time when the theory of Atlantis was considered real, it was a time of achievement and optimism. Kings and scholars read “Atlantis; the Antediluvian World” with a captivation seldom seen even today outside of Harry Potter phenomenon. However, before we sound too cruel to ‘Atlantis’, allow me to present the last paragraph of the book to help you better understand their enthusiasm:

“We are but beginning to understand the past: one hundred years ago the world knew nothing of Pompeii or Herculaneum; nothing of the lingual tie that binds together the Indo-European nations; nothing of the significance of the vast volumes of inscriptions upon the tombs and temples of Egypt; nothing of the meaning of the arrow-headed inscriptions of Babylon; nothing of the marvelous civilizations revealed in the remains of Yucatan, Mexico and Peru. We are on the threshold. Scientific investigations is making great strides. Who shall say that in one hundred years from now the great museums of the world may not be adorned with gems, statues, arms, and the implements of Atlantis, while the libraries of the world shall contain translations of its inscriptions, throwing new light upon all the past history of the human race, and all the great problems which now perplex the thinkers of our day?”

Ignatius Donnelly (1882)

Here is a fairly good , but brief, synopsis of Donnelly’s book.

Interestingly enough, some recent theories postulate a rather sudden flood of the Mediterranean which may be associated with the legend. In any event, it is from our discarded theories that we learn something of value…. if not be entertained. This reminds me that it is not the theories that we embrace that cause us to falter, but our unwillingness to give them up that continues to haunt us.

“It is a good morning exercise for a research scientist to discard a pet hypothesis every day before breakfast. It keeps him young.” — Konrad Lorenz

We can look all around us today and see ‘scientific theories’  in the free marketplace of ideas; they should be allowed to be debated and not censored, for only in this way can we eventually discover the truth.

Roger Freberg

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romancing the corazonas

Somewhere there is a gene for food appreciation and I think we all have it! As Aton Ego said in  Ratatouille , “I don’t just like food, I LOVE it” seems to capture many of our family gatherings.

Karla definitely has her food preferences and when she likes something, we ALL hear about it! Karla was most distressed when our favorite store  COSTCO ran out of Corazonas ( oat bars), but since they are back in supply all is well with the world!

Karla drew the little picture above to show her appreciation.

Roger

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Tortilla Española

serving size is 4 per pie and 336 calories (excluding Avocado) per serving
Nothing satisfies more that a Spanish Tortilla and still keep the calories under control!

Laura wanted the Tortilla Española or Spanish Tortilla to begin her week on a happy note. So what’s a guy going to do  ,after all,  I enjoy it too! I added a bit more garnish and some of my own black bean and sweet corn salsa … and it was delicious!

Here , again, is the recipe!

A recipe that our family loves:

a happy satisfied customer!

I hope you enjoy your day as much! Besides, Jenny Craig just might understand this recipe!

Roger Freberg

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tiramisu with man-fingers

a better tiramisu

It’s hard not to enjoy a good Tiramisu, but finding one that you really like always takes a bit of effort and experimentation. Believe it or not there are actually Tiramisu police that go around ranking every effort of this lady finger inspired dessert… but I am here to tell you now that lady fingers really don’t work too well.

Tiramisu police will tell that this dessert has certain qualities and it has the right to be boring.

I love the concept of soaking the fingers in various liquors: chocolate, honey and coffee. What I don’t love is a bunch of soggy mush, so I went out to design something that would hold together long enough to be placed in the container and be uniform in texture and consistency. Secondly, most recipes do not make a meringue properly and with insufficient egg whites to add some solidity to the dessert. I don’t want something hard, but runny is not acceptable.

the best meringue and the best liquors

Using the same number of egg whites as egg yolks not only simplifies the dessert, but it also aids in making a more solid dessert.  My meringue recipe ( check my Key Lime or Lemon Meringue for hints) woks perfectly in this dessert.

Oh yes, I lost 2 more pounds on Jenny Craig… sooooo

enjoy!

Roger Freberg