The Mayor hosted his old friend Zak last week. Zak is a professional photographer who likes pizza hia way. He has developed his own recipe that is a real crowd-pleaser.
Here it is for your dining delight. (Note: measurements are EXACT-follow closely for best results).
Ingredients
300 grams bread flour
6g. Kosher salt
3g. yeast
3.75teaspoons Olive oil
206.25g. room temperature water
use 19 5/8"by 13 3/4" _steel baking sheet
Combine dry ingredients + oil with a whisk. Add water slowly while dough mixes in a stand mixer for 6 mins.
Allow dough to rest for a few minutes while coating try with 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil.
Spill dough onto tray, spread with oiled hands. Cover with plastic wrap, spread as much as possible. Let dough rise for 1-2 hours minimum/ 4-6 hours maximum.
Preheat oven to 550 degrees F. When heated, remove plastic wrap, top with handful of parmesan cheese, parBake for 6-7 minutes.
Remove from oven, top with chunks, 1"-2" Square of mozzerella cheese, dollops of simple chunky tomato sauce, then crush a medium ball of fresh mozz. cheese, spread on top of sauce
bake for 6-7 mins.
Remove, top with fresh basil, pecorino cheese, parmesan cheese, e.v.o.o.
Back into oven directly under Hi-broiler for 1-2 minutes.
Enjoy!
Friday, September 29, 2017
I Mean It-Really
Have you noticed the prevalence of the phrase "I mean"? It has replaced every other American cliche' known to man. Sadly it pervades all forms of spoken communication. All professionals, talking heads, newsies, preachers, teachers, and those who should know better. I've taken it upon myself as Mayor of Tahoma to eradicate this catch all phrase as it indicates a pervasive lack of attention to the spoken word as we knew it.
It is as though we as a society must underline all statements made in whatever context we are communicating; what ever circumstance surrounds our speech; and no matter how high or how low the environment.
I mean-really; how could this happen? Think about it, I mean something has gone wrong with our brains. Remember when we used to speak without cliches'? I mean there was a time when we didn't have to clarify every little statement no matter how mundane. Now we must emphasize all our spoken efforts. I mean it's ridiculous.
Today's lesson No. 1
Focus on the phrase throughout the day in all forms of communication and all media that one is exposed to during the day. Report back ASAP.
More tomorrow on this problem that has taken America by storm.
It is as though we as a society must underline all statements made in whatever context we are communicating; what ever circumstance surrounds our speech; and no matter how high or how low the environment.
I mean-really; how could this happen? Think about it, I mean something has gone wrong with our brains. Remember when we used to speak without cliches'? I mean there was a time when we didn't have to clarify every little statement no matter how mundane. Now we must emphasize all our spoken efforts. I mean it's ridiculous.
Today's lesson No. 1
Focus on the phrase throughout the day in all forms of communication and all media that one is exposed to during the day. Report back ASAP.
More tomorrow on this problem that has taken America by storm.
Friday, September 22, 2017
FBI-1, China -0
No surprises here: Chinese business spy talks his way past corporate security. While the CEO was giving his staff a report he noticed the Chinese visitor sitting among the group. When he asked who this person was, nobody had an answer. He called security, who called the FBI, who responded immediately to the scene. Next thing you know, the perp was in 'cuffs and being escorted out of the building to a waiting car. Next stop: jailhouse. Hmmm.
Turns out this spy was a dual Chinese-Canadian citizen, aka an alien from the north. Anyone with a few bucks can buy his or her way into Canada these days. Even if you're Syrian of dubious background-welcome. But this man was bent on something a little more serious than refugee status. He was hoping to steal some proprietary information that he could pass on to his handlers in Beijing. This comes at a time when the credit rating of China has been downgraded because of increased debt loads carried by the government and state supported companies. The offender is locked up without bail. His case will be touted as an example of why Chinese businesses are not playing according to the rules. Dah!
More later.
Turns out this spy was a dual Chinese-Canadian citizen, aka an alien from the north. Anyone with a few bucks can buy his or her way into Canada these days. Even if you're Syrian of dubious background-welcome. But this man was bent on something a little more serious than refugee status. He was hoping to steal some proprietary information that he could pass on to his handlers in Beijing. This comes at a time when the credit rating of China has been downgraded because of increased debt loads carried by the government and state supported companies. The offender is locked up without bail. His case will be touted as an example of why Chinese businesses are not playing according to the rules. Dah!
More later.
Thursday, September 21, 2017
ZAPAD: Russya Moves Troops
Look, World, we're relevant. So, Little Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin watches his minions conduct a full scale military exercise near his beloved St. Petersburg(his home turf). His generals sat glum-faced as he posed for fotos with his field binoculars stuck on his face. I can see forever, he seemed to be saying.
"Look Little Baltic States, the famous Russian Bear lurks in your backyard. Aren't I big and scary?" And so it goes, as Mr. Putin flexes his puny little body for all the world to see. The messages are similar to those put forth by his Bro Donald T. who recently set tongues wagging at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday. He, Mr. Putin, must grab headlines, too. Or chance being forgotten. It is a form of international advertising; all rather bothersome. Look at North Korea: that dictator loves advertising and it doesn't cost him much except in scorn heaped on his little mud hole of a country.
Mr. Putin wants Europe to be aware of his proximity and his capabilities. Done. They get it. But they also get the economic necessity of doing business with Europe as an important part of the economy in the vast Siberian wastes. Hmmm. Can Mr. Putin overplay Russyan relevance? Yes, definitely.
Stay tuned. But not to RT media.
"Look Little Baltic States, the famous Russian Bear lurks in your backyard. Aren't I big and scary?" And so it goes, as Mr. Putin flexes his puny little body for all the world to see. The messages are similar to those put forth by his Bro Donald T. who recently set tongues wagging at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday. He, Mr. Putin, must grab headlines, too. Or chance being forgotten. It is a form of international advertising; all rather bothersome. Look at North Korea: that dictator loves advertising and it doesn't cost him much except in scorn heaped on his little mud hole of a country.
Mr. Putin wants Europe to be aware of his proximity and his capabilities. Done. They get it. But they also get the economic necessity of doing business with Europe as an important part of the economy in the vast Siberian wastes. Hmmm. Can Mr. Putin overplay Russyan relevance? Yes, definitely.
Stay tuned. But not to RT media.
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Flying the Not So Friendly Skies
Hard to cross the country these days without flying one of America's big 4 airlines: United/ Continental, Delta, American, Alaska/Virgin. So, given that DC is the goal, United had a better schedule. When is First Class not so "1st Class"? When you fly United in an old 737. Leg room was hardly of a special 1st Class size. The food-not so 1st class. When the Mayor ordered a suggested entree, he was told they were out of 2 of 3 and the 3rd was unappetizing on its face. He opted for the cheeseburger, which was cheesy, and unappetizing, given its micro=waved preparation.
It's interesting how corporate America thumbs its nose at its paying customers, those folks who they assume are only concerned with ticket price and departure times. Do they care about comforts and the experience? Of course not; they just want to go some place, no matter what. By the way, staying in the aircraft for an hour and a half after boarding is NOT A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE! Sure, business is booming, but can an air traffic controllers speed things up? Apparently, not, too many general aviation aircraft(private jets?). So, the poor chumps who bought tickets for a flight suffer, again.
Recently, veteran traveler, author, writer Paul Theroux remarked in an article about how flying has become so objectionable that folks are actually choosing to drive the "friendly roads" of America as an alternative to the terrible status of flying for passengers of all stripes. Yes, some folks want cheap flights and some airlines provide them. But given the lower fuel costs and the prevalence of massive industry profits, one would expect the corporate bosses to put a few benefits into the mix for those who fill the seats. I won't mention "fees", etc.
Have a nice day. And Dr. Gao, you have a nice day, too.
It's interesting how corporate America thumbs its nose at its paying customers, those folks who they assume are only concerned with ticket price and departure times. Do they care about comforts and the experience? Of course not; they just want to go some place, no matter what. By the way, staying in the aircraft for an hour and a half after boarding is NOT A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE! Sure, business is booming, but can an air traffic controllers speed things up? Apparently, not, too many general aviation aircraft(private jets?). So, the poor chumps who bought tickets for a flight suffer, again.
Recently, veteran traveler, author, writer Paul Theroux remarked in an article about how flying has become so objectionable that folks are actually choosing to drive the "friendly roads" of America as an alternative to the terrible status of flying for passengers of all stripes. Yes, some folks want cheap flights and some airlines provide them. But given the lower fuel costs and the prevalence of massive industry profits, one would expect the corporate bosses to put a few benefits into the mix for those who fill the seats. I won't mention "fees", etc.
Have a nice day. And Dr. Gao, you have a nice day, too.
Ken Burns and Vietnam
A new documentary series begins this week produced by the dean of American film documentaries: Ken Burns. Partnering with long time collaborator, Lynn Novick, he has put together a history of that conflict that humbled the USA over 10 years of proxy warfare in South East Asia. The 10 part, 18 hours long show has aired 2 episodes so far. These two lay the ground work for what is to come: the horrific landscapes of war with millions of participants struggling for years to gain advantage. As we will see, the conflict was ultimately concluded with the Communist victory over a satellite proxy state in the south of the coastal country, now known to the world as Viet Nam.
Bear and Dragon Dance in Sea of Ohkutsk
Well, aren't they something? That is, the military forces of the Bear(Russya) and the Dragon(China). They are currently conducting joint exercises on Russya's east coast, that remote region most Russyans don't even know exists. Using the old port of Vladivostok as a base of operations, the two old foes cozied up together to demonstrate to the world(now in New York City for a U.N. General Assembly complete with Trump) that these two (Communist and slightly Communist) countries can cooperate on something(anything).
Please Kim Jung-Un, take note. Given that North Korea has been rattling cages in the neighborhood for some months, he'll be pleased to know that he has turned the respective heads of both countries. This can be good or bad, depending. The U. S. is increasing sanctions on Russya, mostly economic and a few diplomatic sanctions(closing of consular offices). Meanwhile, the Chinese government is under more close scrutiny for its efforts to control the computer chip world market by buying American companies to steal their proprietary designs and patents. None of this sits well with Mr. Trump and his advisors, many of whom come from the ranks of the professional military.
In addition to these bilateral moves, Russya, with Vlad still in the Kremlin, is trying to forge a closer alliance with the Dragon to his southeast. He wants Europe and the USA to see that he has many other ideas about Russya in East Asia. The Russyan Far East, a remote, under-developed wasteland, has recently been the scene of much Chinese involvement. Over 5 million Chinese nationals now live in Russya, working mostly in agricultural pursuits. The bridge that connects the two countries has yet to be completed on the Russyan side of the river. Hmmmmmm. Stalling? Soon I expect that the Chinese occupation will expand even more and spread west and points north toward the Arctic, that vast area known to the world as Siberia, land of the famous Gulags.
A short while ago, Russyan troops went to China for some joint training on Chinese military systems and weapons, mostly, small arms and tactical weapons for manuevering elements. The current military exercises include naval vessels of various design and capabilities. Maybe they are trying to avoid collisions as happened to the vaunted U.S. Navy this summer in the Straits of Malacca.
All very interesting geopolitics. Stay tuned.
Please Kim Jung-Un, take note. Given that North Korea has been rattling cages in the neighborhood for some months, he'll be pleased to know that he has turned the respective heads of both countries. This can be good or bad, depending. The U. S. is increasing sanctions on Russya, mostly economic and a few diplomatic sanctions(closing of consular offices). Meanwhile, the Chinese government is under more close scrutiny for its efforts to control the computer chip world market by buying American companies to steal their proprietary designs and patents. None of this sits well with Mr. Trump and his advisors, many of whom come from the ranks of the professional military.
In addition to these bilateral moves, Russya, with Vlad still in the Kremlin, is trying to forge a closer alliance with the Dragon to his southeast. He wants Europe and the USA to see that he has many other ideas about Russya in East Asia. The Russyan Far East, a remote, under-developed wasteland, has recently been the scene of much Chinese involvement. Over 5 million Chinese nationals now live in Russya, working mostly in agricultural pursuits. The bridge that connects the two countries has yet to be completed on the Russyan side of the river. Hmmmmmm. Stalling? Soon I expect that the Chinese occupation will expand even more and spread west and points north toward the Arctic, that vast area known to the world as Siberia, land of the famous Gulags.
A short while ago, Russyan troops went to China for some joint training on Chinese military systems and weapons, mostly, small arms and tactical weapons for manuevering elements. The current military exercises include naval vessels of various design and capabilities. Maybe they are trying to avoid collisions as happened to the vaunted U.S. Navy this summer in the Straits of Malacca.
All very interesting geopolitics. Stay tuned.
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