Betterfly

blog neglect

m@ — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 22:25:10 +0000

As you can tell I have been neglecting the betterfly as of late. I sit at the computer every day for at least a few hours, it’s my job, but I can’t bring my self to write anything lately. I think this is a result of being overwhelmed with the day job and my business. Regardless, I am here now to give a brief update.

I started playing soccer again this summer. It has been almost 2 years since I played. In fact it has been almost 2 years since I have even attempted to run in any fashion. That thought had me a little scared for the first game. Despite not real aerobic activities and putting on a few pounds over the last couple of years I was actually able to run pretty well. Over the last few weeks my endurance has picked up quite a bit as well. I can’t say the same for my touch on the ball. My confidence with the ball at my feet has not been what I would like. Given time I hope that will return as well. Regardless, it has been fun playing again and my knees and ankles haven’t bothered me once.

I played in the 13TH ANNUAL MUDD VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT on June 23. As usual it was a blast. I played on 2 teams which kept me in the mud most of the day. One of the teams made it to the 3rd round so we were very happy with that. Needless to say after being out in the sun all-day and exerting myself jumping around in one to two feet of mud and water I passed out cold when I got home. The next morning I woke up and hurt in places I did not know existed.

I’ve been enjoying my new grill this summer. I have cooked a couple steaks, some chicken, bratwursts, vegetables etc. All have been wonderful. However, the best thing I have cooked on the grill has been pizza. Yes, Pizza! I put a pizza stone on the grill fire it up nice and hot and toss a pie on it. I have to say these are the best homemade pizza’s I have ever tasted. I would say I have cooked up about 6 or 7 so far this summer. I have been cheating a bit and buying dough balls at either Trader Joe or Dion’s. But I have been making up my own sauce and using fresh toppings. I have a few photos of a recent pie in the photo section.

Ok… that’s enough for now.

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Outdoor Shop

Quest for the best! – Huevos Rancheros

m@ — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 01:06:08 +0000

My favorite breakfast of all times in Huevos Rancheros. A couple of friends and I have decided to begin our “Quest for the Best!” to find the best Huevos Rancheros in Albuquerque. We are in the early planning stages at this point while we wait for Jeff to return from France. I wonder how the Huevos Rancheros are in Paris? We are compiling an initial list of locations to try and some basic criteria to judge on.

Everyone likes their Huevos Rancheros differently; some like it on flour tortillas while other prefer corn. Everyone likes his or her eggs differently as well. Some places serve whole pintos, others refried beans, and still other black beans.

For me the best Huevos Rancheros are:

• Scrambled eggs
• Pinto beans
• Fried potatoes or hash browns
• Smothered in green chile (the hotter the better)
• Topped with cheese

I hope to post our initial list of locations as well as our criteria in the near future. Soon to follow after than, hopefully on a weekly basis, will be the results of each experience. Hopefully the “Quest for the Best!” will continue on to other topics as well.

Too lazy to post anything…

m@ — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 22:48:08 +0000

Well, I have been really lazy about posting the last couple of months. Lots of things that I could write about, but I lack any motivation right now. Here are some things you missing that I haven’t posted about.

first wine tasting at Savoy
new tattoo
new dessert menu at Zinc
upcoming quest for the best huevos rancheros
other stuff I’m too lazy to think of right now…

Time for some new ink.

m@ — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 17:09:17 +0000

Well, I have decided to go ahead and get another tattoo. The design I am going with is a lotus flower. However, I have not quite decided on which design to use. I thought… why not let people vote. So now I present to you the first poll at Betterfly.

Which design should I use for my new tattoo?

I will likely get the tattoo when I am on vacation the week of March 12, so vote soon. I will leave the location a mystery at this time, but the tattoo will be 1 to 1.5 inches in size.

Best dessert ever!!!

m@ — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 22:16:32 +0000

I was poking around today and noticed some new events in the RSS Feed for Savoy Bar & Grill. The Grand Opening event is finally scheduled for March 3 and it sounds like it will be a great time. Additionally they are starting wine tastings every other Saturday. The two they currently have scheduled are both priced at $15 per person for multiple tastings and light fair. The tasting events are going to be from 3pm to 5pm. It looks like I will have something to do on my lazy Saturday afternoons.

Anyway… on to my main point. It was about lunchtime and my buddy Jeff and I decided to shoot up the heights for lunch at Savoy. Granted it’s a trek and traffic was a bear in some spots we made it across town. We started off with the Classic Marguerita Flatbread (basil, tomato, house made mozzarella) as an appetizer. It was delicious and very fresh; the thick tomatoes had a wonderful taste and texture. Jeff and I both order the Classic Angus Burger. Granted it’s just a hamburger, we wanted to try it out.

Ok… I’m really going to talk about the dessert now. We were done eating and I decided I would look at the dessert menu to refresh my memory. Unfortunately some of the desserts looked to good to pass up on. With the trusty advice of my Savoy friends Lynn and Nicolette I decided to try the Chocolate Mousse Torte.

OH… MY… GOD!!!

This was the best dessert I have ever had. Seems Savoy has hired them self a winning pastry chef. Darci Boucher was previously a pastry chef at The Wynn Resort, Le Cirque and Picasso. Darci comes to Savoy from Vegas and brings what looks to be a top-notch talent for satisfying my sweet tooth. I tried to order 6 more to go, but Jeff wrestled me out the door. I recommend you get to Savoy right this minute and have yourself some dessert.

Keep an eye on the special events at Savoy… one of the upcoming events is an Amazing Champagne, Cheese and Dessert Tasting. Make your reservation now to see wonderful treats Darci has cooked up for this event.

Is it too early for a midlife crisis?

m@ — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 03:32:15 +0000

It may only be stress, but lately I have been feeling lost and an urge to do something new. I don’t think I am having a midlife crisis, but you never know. They say the average age for a midlife crisis is 46, so I am quite a ways off from that. I think my issues stem from the drama I have had to deal with at work over the last year and my total lack of any social activities. Ok, that’s a lie. I do get out but not nearly as much as I should.

If I was to have a midlife crisis, I don’t think it will be your typical, “go out and buy a sports car”. I say this mainly because I don’t really like to drive, and getting a sports car just doesn’t fit. I think lately my urges have been more of rebellion of sorts.

I have started to dip in to my list of tattoos. I’ve always been very cautious of getting tattoos so that I don’t have any regrets. My list is pretty short, but it is a list I have thought over for years. I currently have only 2 tattoos, the latest I got last October. However, both of my currents ones were at least 5 years in the making. The list I have of other potentials is down to 3. I think in the next month that list will be down to 2.

Let it snow!

m@ — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:47:05 +0000

Well, it is snowing again in Albuquerque! We are currently on a 3hr delay at work and I would be suprised if that got extended. Cross your fingers that I can just play hookyy all day.

Update:

UNM didn’t close. I grabbed some breakfast at the the Fron-J and headed into work. Been here a little over an hour and they have announced UNM will close at 3pm.

Fall of Society

m@ — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 18:42:38 +0000

When I was in college I studied communication and my senior paper was an analysis of the impact of Internet usage on interpersonal social skills. I am coming to the realization that the Internet is not only having a negative impact on social interaction but is also breeding a new generation of inconsiderate pricks. As a long time Internet user I have long been aware of the opinionated and confrontation nature of news groups and forums and how they can escalate into “flame wars”. However, I have seen a large increase in the negative attitudes people display in these online forums.

It seems that I can’t read a thread in a forum or mailing list in which someone doesn’t call another subscriber “stupid” or make some other insult. Has the anonymous nature of such communities nurtured our ability to be insulting? I believe that when people begin to express such behaviors regularly in online situations that behavior has the ability to carry over into real life situations. Does this lead us down the path to a violent society? I certainly hope not. While I do see an increase in “attitude” in people, I don’t necessarily believe that this carries over into physical confrontation. However, that is a potential future if such behaviors continue. Why can’t we all be civil to each other and be accepting of people who don’t understand something and try to rationally explain it to them rather than call them an idiot?

Unhappy Camper!!!

m@ — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 18:06:44 +0000

Well, 2007 is not off to a good start for me. In late 2006 I applied for a new job and was interviewed a few weeks later. Right before the holidays I was offered the position. I was supposed to start the job on Jan. 16, 2007, following a 3-day weekend. Unfortunately, on the preceding Friday I received word a little after 4pm that the job was eliminated and would not be hired. Talk about a kick in the teeth. Luckily the position was in the same organization I work so I was able to keep my old job. Just imagine if it was a position out side of my current place of employment, I’d be unemployed! I’m not so upset about not having the job, but very disappointed in the way it was handled. Needless to say I’ve started floating my resume around. The Unfortunate outcome of this is that it may take me out of NM. I’m looking for a job working in web technologies of any sort (web design, content mgt., portal mgt., etc.). I haven’t found much in ABQ that will keep me in my current salary range. So the adventure begins… who knows where I will end up.

Eating in 2007!

m@ — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 04:59:34 +0000

Our friends at Zinc have quietly opened their new restaurant. Savoy Bar & Grill is located on Montgomery between Juan Tabo and Eubank. While I hope this doesn’t become the way people describe it location, it is located in the spot where YesterDave’s was many moons ago. I had the privilege of dining at Savoy last weekend. My friend Jeff and I showed up for an early dinner and later joined some friends from Zinc for a long night of drinking in the corner room. This quiet opening was organized to help them fine tune the menu and getting things running smooth so that the first experience at Savoy is amazing. Let’s talk food…

Appetizers:

We started off with the Wood Oven Fired Shrimp Flatbread. This was a tasty treat, but I was a little disappointed with the weak pesto flavor. The flavor seemed to be over powered by the lemon used in the dish. We provided our feedback so I hope to try a new and improved version on my next visit.

We also tried the Ahi Tuna & Hamachi Sashimi. I have to admit that the only fish I eat is sushi and while the name of this item implies my favorite fishy friends it was a let down. The Hamachi didn’t melt in my mouth like I have come to expect from a good cut of Yellow Tail. Many people liked this but I will likely pass next time.

Entrees:

I had a hard time deciding what to get for my entrée. So many choices to choose form, all of which sound amazing. I finally decide on the Truffle Roasted Flatiron Steak. I was certainly not disappointed in this choice. The steak was amazing and the sides complimented it perfectly. The fire-roasted vegetables had a spicy flavor and the potatoes where crisp and flavorful.

Jeff selected the Pork Porterhouse, henceforth referred to as the Porkerhouse. I kept thinking it was a cut of beef and had to look at the menu three or four times before I could get that it was pork in my head. The Porkerhouse was a huge cut of meat, at least an inch and half thick. I have always found a piece of pork this big hard to cook without drying it out or leaving it pink in the middle. The wonderful Chefs and Savoy had absolutely no problem with this. The cut of meat was cooked to perfection and had a wonder flavor. The white bean & bacon ragu served that accompanied this entrée was delicious as well.
When we joined our other friends later in the evening we had the pleasure of watching them eat. Some of the favorites that came from their table included the Bone in Filet and the New York Steak. The reactions as they passed bites around between the bottles of wine were priceless. Based purely on one person’s taste of the New York Steak, it will be my next order at Savoy.

Desserts:

No meal is complete with out a dessert and I selected the Crème Brule. I was certainly not let down. The dessert was rich and creamy and had a nice thick glazed crust on top. Jeff opted for the Pain Perdu with vanilla bean ice cream. The poached pears had a nice sweet taste from the Riesling. I’ve never had this dessert before so it looked like a scoop of ice cream on French toast to me. Regardless both desserts were wonderful.

The night concluded with several drinks and great conversation, and that’s what a good meal is all about. I certainly plan to return to Savoy and look forward to the Lounge and Patio areas opening. The Lunch menu also looks amazing. I’ve always thought Zinc has the best fries in town, but the Parmesan fries sound tasty.