Administrativia

1/2 cup + 4 tablespoons chocolate syrup 1/3 cup dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips 2 cups crispy rice cereal (unsweetened) 4 cups (1 qt.) rocky-road ice cream, softened & divided 4 cups (1 qt.) chocolate ice cream, softened & divided Butter a 9" glass pie plate. In a small sauce pan, add 1/2 cup chocolate syrup. Add chocolate chips and melt over low heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and reserve 1/4 cup chocolate syrup mixture; set aside. Add cereal to remaining chocolate mixture, stirring until well coated. Allow cool slightly. Press cereal mixture, using back of spoon, evenly on bottom and up sides of prepared pie plate to form crust. Freeze for about 15 to 20 minutes or until crust is firm. Spread half of rocky road ice cream into crust. With a spoon, add the reserved 1/4 cup chocolate syrup mixture over ice cream layer. Spread half of chocolate ice cream over sauce. Using a small ice cream scoop, top the pie with with alternating scoops of vanilla and chocol...

"I know many in this room don't believe that progress has come fast enough. And I understand that," Obama said. But he added: "I expect and hope to be judged not by words, not by promises I've made, but by promises that my administration keeps." By the time he leaves office, the president said, "I think you guys will have pretty good feelings about the Obama Administration" Patience is a finite resource, Mr. President. We're down to the last bit.

A view of Buffalo Bayou from Allens Landing as it winds its way past the Wortham Theater Center and Bayou Place (formerly the Albert Thomas convention center). Assuming they're not sold out, there are several boat tours you can take -- including one that highlights historical architecture of downtown Houston or one of the Waugh Bridge Bat Colony . The parks and recreation folks just added a new observation deck near the bridge for viewing the evening emergence of the bats as they go out foraging for insects.

10 oz. package angel hair pasta 4 large carrots, thinly sliced (julienned) 2 tablespoons butter 1-1/2 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breast halves 1/4 cup almond basil pesto (recipe follows) 1/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese Olive oil Fresh basil (garnish) Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet cook the carrots in 1 tablespoon melted butter over medium heat -- about 3 minutes. Add chicken and continue to cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring continually until no pink remains in chicken. Add pesto and toss to coat. Remove from heat and set aside. Drain the pasta. Return to pan and toss with remaining butter. Plate the pasta and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and ground black pepper. Add chicken and drizzle with olive oil and garnish with basil. Makes 4 servings. Almond Basil Pesto Sauce 3 cloves garlic 2 cups fresh basil leaves 3 tablespoons almonds 1 dash salt and pepper 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated Peel and chopping the ...

I got an email pitch from the DSCC today, sent by James Carville. I guess they didn't understand that the gAyTM is closed. Here's my response: To whom it may concern a the DSCC: This ATM branch is closed until further notice. Why? The Senate has yet to pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act, repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" or pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act... Or any of the other legislative priorities of GLBT Americans. As a formerly regular contributor to Democratic causes and candidates, I will continue to donate on an individual basis -- but will no longer donate to formal Democratic party funds. Your continued failure to act on GLBT-equality issues -- and with the speed and force befitting the majority that donors like myself made possible -- is the reason. The Democratic Party has the majority. On the above issues, you have a majority of the public in favor of the issues above -- in many cases in overw...

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 1 quart, plus 3 tablespoons heavy cream 1 tablespoon chocolate creme liqueur 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 cups powdered sugar 1 premade pie shell Chocolate chips, for topping Preheat oven to 350°F. Prick holes to bottom of pie shell. Bake in oven for 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, add chocolate chips, 3 tablespoons heavy cream and chocolate liqueur. Stir and cook until smooth. Add vanilla extract. Mix and let cool. In a mixing bowl combine sugar and 1 quart heavy cream. Whisk quickly -- like making whipped cream. Slowly fold the chocolate sauce into the cream. Continue to whip until chocolate is completely incorporated. Continue to whip until mousse is light & fluffy. Next fold the mousse mixture into the pie shell. Shape into a mound. Add chocolate chips to the top of the pie. Wrap the pie and freeze for a few hours or overnight.

Would the Twitter Revolution in Iran have unfolded as it has without Net Neutrality?

2 oranges 1 tablespoon cooking oil 4 cups baby spinach 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 teaspoon honey 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast strips 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional) Peel remove the white membrane from one orange. Section it and set aside. Squeeze about 1/3 cup of juice from the other orange. In a small bowl, combine the 1/3 cup orange juice, soy sauce, honey, ginger, cornstarch, and crushed red pepper -- set aside. In a 4-quart Dutch oven, heat 1 teaspoon of the oil over medium heat. Add spinach; cover and cook for 4 to 5 minutes or just until slightly wilted, stirring occasionally. Drain and transfer to a serving platter. Cover and keep warm. Sprinkle chicken with salt and black pepper. Wipe out Dutch oven with a paper towel. In Dutch oven, heat the remaining 2 teaspoons oil over medium-high heat. Add garl...

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup blue cheese salad dressing 1/2 cup Tabasco sauce 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese or shredded mozzarella cheese (about 2 ounces) 2 cans (~9-10 oz. each) white chunk chicken in water Fresh vegetables and crackers for serving Preheat oven to 350°F. Stir the cream cheese in a 9-inch deep dish pie plate with a fork or whisk until it's smooth. Stir in the salad dressing, Tabasco sauce and blue cheese. Stir in the chicken. Bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken mixture is hot and bubbling. Stir prior to serving. Serve with the vegetables and crackers for dipping.

So this is supposed to showcase our "fierce advocate" for GLBT equality... but as others have noted, since DOMA is in place, provision of substantive benefits (e.g., health insurance) are denied. And the Hate Crimes legislation has been kicked down the road to August at best . Barney Frank is "mad" but wants to keep the gay ATM open . Congressional Leadership: FAIL Congressional GLBT Leaders (except Jared Polis): FAIL Obama Administration: FAIL What I find most disheartening about all this is how much all this is disconnected from today's real world... this isn't 1993, it's 2009! Over 200 Fortune 500 companies: Forbid harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity Include sexual orientation and gender identity in employment non-discrimination policies Provide a full range of benefits to same-sex couples and their families that match what they provide to heterosexual married couples and their families In short, even in those places that do no...

4 squares semi-sweet bakers chocolate 14 Oreo Cookies, divided 1 package (8 oz.) Cream Cheese, softened 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 tsp. vanilla 1 tub (8 oz.) Whipped Topping, thawed Line an 8 1/2" loaf pan with the ends of the foil extending over the sides by at least an inch. Arrange 8 of the cookies evenly on bottom of pan. Crumble remaining 6 cookies and set aside. Melt chocolate as directed on package and set aside until ready to use. Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in medium bowl until well blended. Stir in whipped topping. Remove about 1-1/2 cups of the cream cheese mixture; place in medium bowl. Stir in melted chocolate. Spread the remaining cream cheese mixture over cookies in pan and sprinkle with crumbled cookies. Press the cookie crumbles into cream cheese mixture with back of spoon. Top with the chocolate cream cheese mixture. Cover. Freeze 3 hours or until firm. Remove from freezer about 15 minutes before serving and invert onto a serving plate. Peel off foil. Let stand a...

h/t: Patrick high-resolution version here .

Joe Solomnese delivers a smack to Obama's head: "Last week, when your administration filed a brief defending the constitutionality of the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act,” I realized that although I and other LGBT leaders have introduced ourselves to you as policy makers, we clearly have not been heard, and seen, as what we also are: human beings whose lives, loves, and families are equal to yours. I know this because this brief would not have seen the light of day if someone in your administration who truly recognized our humanity and equality had weighed in with you.... ...As an American, a civil rights advocate, and a human being, I hold this administration to a higher standard than this brief. In the course of your campaign, I became convinced—and I still want to believe—that you do, too. I have seen your administration aspire and achieve. Protecting women from employment discrimination. Insuring millions of children. Enabling stem cell research to go forward. These are...

1/4 lb. thinly sliced prosciutto, cut into strips 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided 2 cups sliced mushrooms 1 medium onion, finely chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 3/4 cups basmatti rice 3 cups chicken broth, divided 1 cup chopped asparagus (if using frozen, allow to thaw) 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan Cheese 1/4 cup Blue Cheese crumbles 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley Cook prosciutto in 1 teaspoon of the oil in large skillet on medium heat until crispy. Remove prosciutto from skillet with slotted spoon and set aside. Add mushrooms, onions, garlic, rice and remaining oil to skillet. stir until rice is evenly coated with oil. Cook until onions are tender, stirring occasionally. Add 1 cup of the broth, cooking and stirring constantly until broth is absorbed. Repeat with remaining broth, adding one cup at a time and cooking until rice is tender but firm. Stir in asparagus, Parmesan cheese and blue cheese and cook until cheeses are completely melted, stirring frequently. Spoon onto serving plat...

2 tablespoons chili powder 2 tablespoons salt 2 tablespoons onion powder 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper 1 tablespoon ground cumin 2 teaspoons dried thyme 2 teaspoons dried oregano 2 teaspoons black pepper 2 teaspoons garlic powder 4 pounds chicken, washed and dried 1/4 cup canola oil 1 (12-ounce) can beer Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. In a small bowl mix all the spices & seasonings together. Rub the chicken and its cavity down with the vegetable oil. Rub the chicken with spice mixture, remembering to season the cavity. Pour out 1/4 of the beer and sit the chicken on top of the beer can. Place the chicken in the center of the hot grill and cover. Cook the chicken for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the cooking thermometer registers 165°F. Once cooked, cover loosely with foil and let rest for about 10 minutes before carving and serving. Take care when removing the beer can as it will be slippery & hot. Note: If you don't use all the spice mixture, it will keep in a tightly...

Taken with my iPhone out at Reliant Park last March during the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo... about 10 minutes later, the skies stopped threatening rain and opened up a torrent.

Give this man more air time...

Home to Houston's opera and ballet companies...

Trifle Components: Pound Cake 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced 1 1/4 cups strawberry puree (recipe follows) 1 1/2 cups lemon pudding (recipe follows) 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream 2 - 3 tablespoons granulated white sugar 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 3 tablespoons dark chocolate shavings for garnish First make the whipping cream. In a mixing bowl beat the cream, sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. To assemble the trifle, place pound cake slices in the bottom of your trifle bowl. (Slices should be about 1/3 inch thick). Fill in any gaps with pieces of the cake. Pour half of the strawberry puree over the pound cake. Layer with sliced strawberries. Then pour half of the lemon pudding over the strawberries. Top with half of the whipped cream. Repeat the layers. Cover and refrigerate for 8 and up to 24 hours to allow the flavors to mingle. Prior to serving, sprinkle with chocolate shavings for garnish. Note: You can serve from a single trifle bowl or this can be split ...

Soon to be torn down (end of 2009), the Downtown YMCA which sports a roof-top jogging track.

From Downtown Houston, looking across Buffalo Bayou...

This is a tilt-shift view of the sky-ring walkway that connects two of the Chevron office buildings in Downtown Houston.

"Tilt-shift" takes real-life photos and manipulates them to look like miniatures. This is from the Heritage Society's collection of historic homes: Pillot House -- built in 1868.

5 sweet potatoes, sliced length-wise 1/4" and then into 1/4" strips 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon paprika Preheat oven to 450°F. In a cup, mix salt, garlic powder and black pepper. Line a baking tray or cookie sheet with parchment. In a large bowl toss sweet potatoes with just enough oil to coat. Sprinkle with seasoning mixture and paprika. Spread sweet potatoes in single layer on prepared baking sheet, being sure not to overcrowd. Bake until sweet potatoes are tender and golden brown, turning occasionally at about 7-8 minute intervals for a total of about 20 minutes. Allow potatoes to cool 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

For the Dijon Aioli: 1/2 cup lightly packed baby arugula 1/2 cup lightly packed fresh flat-leaf parsley 2 teaspoons chopped fresh chives 1 small garlic clove, coarsely chopped 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup lowfat plain yogurt 1 tablespoon dijon mustard 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar 1 teaspoon lemon zest Salt and freshly ground black pepper Place all the ingredients, except the salt and pepper, in the bowl of a food processor. Blend until the mixture is smooth. Transfer the aioli to a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to build the burgers. For the burgers: 1 1/2 lbs ground white meat chicken 3 tablespoons milk 1/2 cup unseasoned bread crumbs 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper 4 slices brie cheese 1 cup arugula 4 kaiser rolls In a large bowl, mix chicken with milk and bread crumbs. Form into 4 oz. balls and press to make the patties. Prior to grilling, brush each side with olive oil and sprinkle with salt & pepper. Place burgers on t...

BRIAN WILLIAMS: Do gay and lesbian couples who wish to marry in this country have a friend in the White House? PRESIDENT OBAMA: I think gays and lesbians, uh , have a friend in the White House ( pause ) because I've consistently committed myself to civil unions, making sure that they have the ability to visit each other in hospitals, uh , that they are able to access benefits, uh , that they are, uh , have a whole host of legal rights that they currently, uh , do not have. Uh , I don't think that, uh , it makes sense for, uh , the federal government to get in the business of determining what marriage is, uh, that isn't, uh , traditionally the federal government's role. Patience is running thin . “Obama is out of step with his party, which is overwhelmingly in favor of marriage at this stage,” said David Mixner, a veteran gay rights activist who is among the organizers of a march on Washington for same-sex marriage scheduled for this fall. “He’s out of step with the ne...

2 cups graham cracker crumbs 1/4 cup sugar 7 tablespoons butter, melted 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk, chilled 1 (12 ounce) container whip topping, thawed 1 (6 fluid ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate (keep it frozen!) 1 teaspoon candied lemon peel Preheat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, combine cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup of sugar, and the melted butter. Press firmly on bottom and up sides of pie plate. Bake for about 7 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack. In a medium mixing bowl, add milk and whipped topping and fold gently. Add frozen lemonade at about a heaping tablespoon at a time and continue to gently fold. If the mixture starts to get soupy like lemonade punch, put the bowl in the freezer for a few minutes to let it firm up a bit. When everything is well folded together, pour it into the pie crust, cover lightly with plastic wrap and freeze overnight. Garnish with candied lemon peel prior to serving. Note: substitute frozen orange juice...

Republican Base Heavily White, Conservative, Religious Democrats are more likely to be moderate or liberal, Hispanic, or black or other races