tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51170801728027516072011-04-21T12:46:57.038-06:00All my homeless bits of junk, in one central crap heap.Samuelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06412670160728331128noreply@blogger.comBlogger21100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5117080172802751607.post-11598651872759111572009-01-01T01:44:00.004-07:002009-01-01T02:10:26.134-07:00So, 2008, eh? How'd that work out? Let us see...<br /><br />Pretty much nothing of note. I failed to improve my physical fitness, and my projects sit ignored and weeping. The lack of attention will probably lead to rebellion, but I'm too callous a father to notice the warning signs that my guitar has fallen in with a bad crowd, and that my airbrush might have picked up a drug habit. My violin is probably dead in some big city alley, but we've been out of touch for a while anyway.<br /><br />This blog is among those ignored projects. This update falls at the extreme outside edge of my "three-to-six months between posts" window. Any longer than that and it's safe to assume that I've abandoned whatever internet thing it might have been. My <a href="http://stoatlad.deviantart.com/">deviantArt</a> account is in the same situation.<br /><br />In the real world, I seem to be developing a three month gap for things, too. I last played music, worked on computer construction, and worked on an art project about three months ago. I just can't seem to get motivated. Maybe I need a meth habit or something. Um, I mean...will power?<br /><br />And it's only going to get worse. For you see, my non-existent readership, I have volunteered to serve a Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons, for those not in the know). That means starting on February 18, I will spend two years exclusively in the service of my Church. No internet stuff (with the exception of weekly email to my family), no hobbies, zip. I will be in the <a href="http://www.mission.net/colorado/colorado-springs/images/missionmap.jpg">Colorado Springs area</a>, and that is where I will stay. And while I look forward to it with some trepidation, I'm still looking forward to it. It's going to be a major change in lifestyle, but with results I think will be ultimately positive.<br /><br />Please, for the love of all that is good, someone help me do something. I will surely go mad otherwise.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5117080172802751607-1159865187275911157?l=centralrepository.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Samuelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06412670160728331128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5117080172802751607.post-81384400406222391632008-06-26T18:48:00.000-06:002008-06-26T19:17:45.456-06:00A while back, someone I know of via the 'Net decided to quit smoking and posted a <a href="http://www.cracked.com/forums/topic/34572/so-i-quit-smoking.">forum thread</a> about it. Since any attempt at self-betterment deserves a reward, I baked a cake to show my support. (I also baked it because I really like cake.) I didn't have anywhere to put the recipe without risking hijacking the thread, so I caved and signed up for a blog so I'd have a storage space for the bits of data that don't fit anywhere else. Here's the recipe for the cake, in case someone actually wants to <span style="font-style: italic;">eat</span> some of it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Oatmeal Spice Cake</span><br />Ingredients:<br /><ul><li>1 C. quick oats</li><li>1 1/2 C. boiling water</li><li>1 stick (1/2 C.) butter</li><li>1 C. brown sugar</li><li>1 C. white sugar</li><li>2 eggs</li><li>1 1/3 C. flour</li><li>2 tsp. cinnamon</li><li>1/2 tsp. salt</li><li>1 tsp. baking soda</li><li>1/2 tsp. each: cloves, allspice, ginger</li></ul>Instructions:<br /><ol><li>Add boiling water to quick oats; stir, cover, and allow to soak for about 20 minutes.</li><li>Cream butter with brown and white sugar until fluffy.</li><li>Beat eggs together and mix with sugar/butter.</li><li>Sift dry ingredients together and add to mixture; mix well.</li><li>Add oatmeal; mix thoroughly.</li><li>Place cake mix in a floured 9" x 13" cake pan. Place in an oven preheated to 350°F and bake for approximately 35 minutes.</li></ol><br />If you want frosting, any type will do. I use <a href="http://southernfood.about.com/od/icingrecipes/r/bl30108o.htm">this recipe</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5117080172802751607-8138440040622239163?l=centralrepository.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Samuelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06412670160728331128noreply@blogger.com0