Lone Wheel

I was walking down the street the other day and saw this lone wheel sitting at the edge of the pavement, and as I often do I had my camera with me so I snapped a shot. I wonder two things: What was it doing there and why did nobody pick it up. At any rate, I thought it looked interesting enough to share (it’s the little things that you see and notice when on foot that make it worthwhile…I think).

Lone Wheel

I was walking down the street the other day and saw this lone wheel sitting at the edge of the pavement, and as I often do I had my camera with me so I snapped a shot. I wonder two things: What was it doing there and why did nobody pick it up. At any rate, I thought it looked interesting enough to share (it’s the little things that you see and notice when on foot that make it worthwhile…I think).

More Fortune Cookie Philosophy

Take this how you will, but I believe it to be true. And no I do not see God as an old grey haired man with a long beard sitting on a golden throne judging us…but more of the source of our very being; the reason that we live and breath and why we are conscious of our consciousness…a vibration that permeates all that we can see, touch, and comprehend (just felt I had to add this). This said, I would rewrite this fortune cookie to change the last word to need, rather than want. To read previous postings on Fortune Cookie Philosophy click here.

More Fortune Cookie Philosophy

Take this how you will, but I believe it to be true. And no I do not see God as an old grey haired man with a long beard sitting on a golden throne judging us…but more of the source of our very being; the reason that we live and breath and why we are conscious of our consciousness…a vibration that permeates all that we can see, touch, and comprehend (just felt I had to add this). This said, I would rewrite this fortune cookie to change the last word to need, rather than want. To read previous postings on Fortune Cookie Philosophy click here.

Lebanese-Style Chicken and Brown Rice

This is one of my all-time favorite recipes. It’s one that I grew up with and it’s also one which I shall never tire of. I’ve posted it–or variations of it–on numerous occasions, but because I believe it is so delicious and easy to make I thought I’d post it again. The main difference between the recipe listed below and the one in the pictures is that the one in the pictures is made with brown rice (gradually I’ve migrated to eating mostly whole grains). And the main difference in how it cooks is that brown rice will take 30-40 minutes to cook where as white rice only takes 20 minutes; brown rice also uses more liquid. I cooked this particular batch outside on my propane stove as not to heat up my teeny kitchen. When you cook this recipes the aromas of the spices and simmering chicken will make your mouth water as they permeate the house…or in this case, back yard. I should have made enough for the neighbors…

For other posts on variations of this recipe, which include more explicit directions and photos, click here, here, here, or here. For additional posts on Lebanese recipes, click here. To read an article I wrote for Sally’s Place on Lebanese Cuisine many years ago, click here.

Lebanese Chicken-and-Rice
Makes 4 servings
3 tablespoon olive oil
4 chicken breasts
4 ounces diced onion
2 ounces vermicelli, broken into pieces
12 ounces ground beef or lamb
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
3/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups long grain rice
3 cups hot chicken broth
2 tablespoons minced parsley

Heat the olive oil over high heat in a heavy-bottomed pan. Sauté the chicken on both sides until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. Add the onion and vermicelli to the pan and cook until golden; remove and set aside. Add the meat to the pan (and a little water and/or oil if necessary) and cook until the meat begins to brown, then add the garlic and cook another minute or two. Add the cinnamon, cumin, allspice, and salt; sauté two minutes while stirring. Add the onions and pasta back to the pan along with the rice, stirring to fully coat it with with the oil and spices. Then add the chicken breasts to the pan, pushing them gently into the rice. Pour in the broth and cover the pot with a lid. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 18 minutes, then remove the pot from the stove and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with minced parsley.


Lebanese-Style Chicken and Brown Rice

This is one of my all-time favorite recipes. It’s one that I grew up with and it’s also one which I shall never tire of. I’ve posted it–or variations of it–on numerous occasions, but because I believe it is so delicious and easy to make I thought I’d post it again. The main difference between the recipe listed below and the one in the pictures is that the one in the pictures is made with brown rice (gradually I’ve migrated to eating mostly whole grains). And the main difference in how it cooks is that brown rice will take 30-40 minutes to cook where as white rice only takes 20 minutes; brown rice also uses more liquid. I cooked this particular batch outside on my propane stove as not to heat up my teeny kitchen. When you cook this recipes the aromas of the spices and simmering chicken will make your mouth water as they permeate the house…or in this case, back yard. I should have made enough for the neighbors…

For other posts on variations of this recipe, which include more explicit directions and photos, click here, here, here, or here. For additional posts on Lebanese recipes, click here. To read an article I wrote for Sally’s Place on Lebanese Cuisine many years ago, click here.

Lebanese Chicken-and-Rice
Makes 4 servings
3 tablespoon olive oil
4 chicken breasts
4 ounces diced onion
2 ounces vermicelli, broken into pieces
12 ounces ground beef or lamb
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
3/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups long grain rice
3 cups hot chicken broth
2 tablespoons minced parsley

Heat the olive oil over high heat in a heavy-bottomed pan. Sauté the chicken on both sides until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. Add the onion and vermicelli to the pan and cook until golden; remove and set aside. Add the meat to the pan (and a little water and/or oil if necessary) and cook until the meat begins to brown, then add the garlic and cook another minute or two. Add the cinnamon, cumin, allspice, and salt; sauté two minutes while stirring. Add the onions and pasta back to the pan along with the rice, stirring to fully coat it with with the oil and spices. Then add the chicken breasts to the pan, pushing them gently into the rice. Pour in the broth and cover the pot with a lid. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 18 minutes, then remove the pot from the stove and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with minced parsley.


Tattooed Mike and his Boom Box Trike (and why I love this neighborhood)

This past weekend was the Allentown Art Festival and the Allen West Festival here in Buffalo. If you’ve never visited our city, Allentown (click here and here) is a small village within a medium sized city (but getting smaller). I’ve heard people use the analogy that Allentown is our version of Greenwich Village, but I disagree for a couple reasons. Firstly, the size…the village in NYC is huge; the one in Bflo is teeny in comparison. But it’s more than that…though it is artsy, a little shabby and dirty at times, and also gay, Allentown is distinctly Buffalo, and I like that. In short, it is about as eclectic a neighborhood can get in such a small radius…and the architecture can be breathtaking. Needless to say I’ve hung out in this neighborhood for the past few decades and have chose to work and live here for about the past ten years…it’s easy to get inspired simply walking out my front door in the morning. OK, sorry for the bit of a tangent rant…on to the photos. I was late for work this past Saturday afternoon and had to shuffle through the festival to get there. Just as I was turning the corner, almost near where I work, I see this guy: Mike. He didn’t call himself Tattooed Mike and his Boom Box Trike, I made that up (anyone who has the guts to have their face tattooed earns the word tattooed in front of their name in my opinion). But he did say his name was Mike. He was parked in front of Rick Cycle Shop. The festival was loud but the reason I looked in the direction of Mike was because his trike was even louder...boom, boom, boom, went his speakers. I was like a fly drawn to a candle. I didn’t get a chance to talk to him too long or check to see how he powered the trike, but he did say he built it himself. When I told him I write a blog and asked if I could take his picture he said, “Sure boss,” and hopped on the trike and struck the pose above. Thanks Mike…cool trike.

Tattooed Mike and his Boom Box Trike (and why I love this neighborhood)

This past weekend was the Allentown Art Festival and the Allen West Festival here in Buffalo. If you’ve never visited our city, Allentown (click here and here) is a small village within a medium sized city (but getting smaller). I’ve heard people use the analogy that Allentown is our version of Greenwich Village, but I disagree for a couple reasons. Firstly, the size…the village in NYC is huge; the one in Bflo is teeny in comparison. But it’s more than that…though it is artsy, a little shabby and dirty at times, and also gay, Allentown is distinctly Buffalo, and I like that. In short, it is about as eclectic a neighborhood can get in such a small radius…and the architecture can be breathtaking. Needless to say I’ve hung out in this neighborhood for the past few decades and have chose to work and live here for about the past ten years…it’s easy to get inspired simply walking out my front door in the morning. OK, sorry for the bit of a tangent rant…on to the photos. I was late for work this past Saturday afternoon and had to shuffle through the festival to get there. Just as I was turning the corner, almost near where I work, I see this guy: Mike. He didn’t call himself Tattooed Mike and his Boom Box Trike, I made that up (anyone who has the guts to have their face tattooed earns the word tattooed in front of their name in my opinion). But he did say his name was Mike. He was parked in front of Rick Cycle Shop. The festival was loud but the reason I looked in the direction of Mike was because his trike was even louder...boom, boom, boom, went his speakers. I was like a fly drawn to a candle. I didn’t get a chance to talk to him too long or check to see how he powered the trike, but he did say he built it himself. When I told him I write a blog and asked if I could take his picture he said, “Sure boss,” and hopped on the trike and struck the pose above. Thanks Mike…cool trike.

Dear Mister Motorist

I love this. I had not seen this image before and came across the photo on the Facebook page, The Cool Hunter, but a quick Google search shows that it’s posted all over the internet. If anyone knows anything abut this photo (the photographer, who the people are, when/where it was taken) please let me know…for my own interest and so I can give credit.

Gary Fisher on Bicycling

Firstly I just want to say that I am not trying to promo Gary Fisher bicycles with this short clip, but more specifically bicycles and bicycling in general. It is a clip of Gary Fisher talking passionately about bicycles (but of course promoting his own line of bikes). I just think it’s a great pro-bicycle speech…it may make you want to ride a bike (if you don’t feel like it already). I do not own one of his bikes nor have I ever ridden one, but I have seen images of his somewhat new longtail, the Transporter (pictured below)…by now you, the regular visitor to this blog, should know that I like to promote cargo bikes of all sorts, which to me make the most sense for urban transport. To learn more about the transporter click here; if you’d like to know who Gary Fisher is click here.

Gary Fisher on Bicycling

Firstly I just want to say that I am not trying to promo Gary Fisher bicycles with this short clip, but more specifically bicycles and bicycling in general. It is a clip of Gary Fisher talking passionately about bicycles (but of course promoting his own line of bikes). I just think it’s a great pro-bicycle speech…it may make you want to ride a bike (if you don’t feel like it already). I do not own one of his bikes nor have I ever ridden one, but I have seen images of his somewhat new longtail, the Transporter (pictured below)…by now you, the regular visitor to this blog, should know that I like to promote cargo bikes of all sorts, which to me make the most sense for urban transport. To learn more about the transporter click here; if you’d like to know who Gary Fisher is click here.

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#319 & #320)

#319: two freshly baked loaves of whole-wheat Pullman-style loaves of bread, a canvas bag containing a few books and other things, an 8-quart plastic container (which earlier contained raw bread dough but now hold 4 chicken fingers).  

#320: a Fender Stratocaster in a hard-shell case, and Chinese take out food.

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#319 & #320)

#319: two freshly baked loaves of whole-wheat Pullman-style loaves of bread, a canvas bag containing a few books and other things, an 8-quart plastic container (which earlier contained raw bread dough but now hold 4 chicken fingers).  

#320: a Fender Stratocaster in a hard-shell case, and Chinese take out food.

Five Quotes from Joseph Campbell


“If you do follow your bliss you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. Follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be.”

  
“I think the person who takes a job in order to live – that is to say, for the money – has turned himself into a slave.”
“People say that what we’re all seeking is a meaning for life. I don’t think that’s what we’re really seeking. I think that what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonances without own innermost being and reality, so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive.” 
“We’re not on our journey to save the world but to save ourselves. But in doing that you save the world. The influence of a vital person vitalizes.” 

“Life has no meaning. Each of us has meaning and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer.” 

To learn more about Joseph Campbell click here or here.