Dennys: News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food

Saturday, February 20, 2010

42 Funny Cartoons: Olympics, Obama, Obstructionists, Obesity and You - 20 Feb 2010

From Denny: The Olympics, both in sport TV and politics, loomed large in the minds of cartoonists this week. Sadly, the world did lose one accomplished Olympian, Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili of Bakuriani, 21 years old, this week in a dangerous practice. The whole world mourns with his country.

The Vancouver Olympics have had a tough start this year with warmer weather than usual and the very reason for the venue to be held in Canada was because of the expected good snowfall. Instead, the stuff melted off while America got blasted with the extreme snow weather. Guess Washington, D. C. should have been the host of the Winter Olympics this crazy weather year. The big joke in America was to export snow to Canada for a hefty price - or for free if only they would do all the shoveling.

Tiger Woods read from a stilted lectern a half-hearted stilted apology ordered up by his publicists, agents and family horrified he was allowing half a billion dollars slip through his hands because of his bizarre sexual conduct. Frankly, it didn't go over well with most.

He just isn't at that point in his life where he realizes that being emotionally stingy just doesn't go over well with most people. He has another reputation as an extremely cheap tipper which red flags his attitude toward other people that they are not deserving of respect or consideration. His bad attitudes saturate all areas of his life and those same attitudes are not going to evolve or change over night.

The cartoonists are still churning out the Tiger Woods cartoons and just getting in gear on this current subject of The Big Apology. It will be next week before those appear en masse.

On a lighter note, the cartoonists compared politics and the political parties to an Olympic sport. I've always said my favorite sport was politics. Why? Because it has such passionate fans and there are high stakes for how it can affect our daily lives.

Political partisanship has taken a toll on the better politicians who are quitting the field. Voters and colleagues alike are fed up with the Republicans acting like Tiger Woods all rolled into one: cavalier with every one's lives, thinking only about themselves and the whole world is centered around their whining wants.

Toyota got off pretty light this week from the cartoonists. Guess they wore it out the past couple of weeks. At least the Toyota president finally agreed to quit being such a jerk and appear before American investigations into the safety of their products.

Prez Obama is up to his neck in the usual stinky messes, still shoveling hard to clean up everything in sight all over the land of America. Jobs creation is still slow but not completely in the tank, but sure not helping out all the millions looking for jobs.

What occurred to me some time ago is that the American worker needs to get off our co-dependency on big corporations as career jobs. It's best to work a while for them, get the business model, grow up a bit to be mentally tough and then it's time to leave the nest and go out and grow your own smaller business. If anything, what it looks like from the perspective of the Big Picture is that the Universe is saying, "OK, all you wimpy lazy baby birds, time to exit the nest and start flying on your own whether you want to or not!" And she dumped millions of people out of their comfortable jobs with easy regular money, respect and authority only to have to reestablish themselves all over again.

Also, Prez Obama has endured a lot of pig squealing from China about meeting with the Dalai Lama at the White House. How childish can you get? They would look more like a super power if they grew up their attitude toward Tibet and the spiritual leader. Come to think of it, they could stand to grow up their attitude toward Taiwan as well. All it does is make them look like bullies stomping the little guys. Guess what; absolutely no one in the world respects that situation.

The cartoonists have had a field day with the First Lady's War on Childhood Obesity, a laudable goal. These cartoons really do reflect our national obsession with food, stress and lack of exercise. They are also funny!

Lastly, the snow was a big topic of conversation all across America and in the editorial cartoon sections of newspapers. It really is a metaphor for being buried deep in something difficult to deal with in our lives on so many levels...


Canada's Winter Olympics:

















The Usual Political Suspects:





Losing another quality guy to the warring camps who is just sick and tired of war, Senator Bayh:






































Prez Obama presses on in his Political Olympics:











Obama meeting with the Dalai Lama enraged the control freak Chinese:











The Tiger Woods Big Explanation Apparent Apology:








NASA and science still twisting in the wind financially. Gee, maybe if they quit wasting so much money and had used it wisely the past four decades maybe they would not be experiencing cutbacks:





The average guy who wonders how to shoot the rapids to survive:








First Lady Michele Obama Declares War on Childhood Obesity and gets mocked:














Toyota recall not on the front burner of the Cartoonist Roasting Toasting Club:








The best thing about too much snow this winter in America:





then again...




















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Thursday, February 18, 2010

Check Out Funny Fat Tuesday Afterglow Photos and Quotes

*** Mardi Gras and New Orleans is a quick tutorial in the Four D's: Debauchery, Decadence, Denial and Diets!

*** This is an excerpt from the full post over at my blog called The Social Poets. Be sure to check out the many great videos of Mardi Gras in New Orleans and more hilarious photos and great quotes: Funny Fat Tuesday Afterglow - Cheeky Quote Day 17 Feb 2010

From Denny: New Orleans has a particular fondness for lampooning the politically incorrect taboo subjects of sexuality, religion and death. This year they went at it full tilt and certainly did not disappoint.

These tacky photos will definitely make you laugh out loud. If you suffer from sexual prudishness you probably don't read my blogs but just in case, look away. Actually, it's pretty tame - but tacky stuff, not good taste - which is what New Orleans Mardi Gras is all about.

Anyway, I was doing that "wondering thing" about how to follow up the big party blowout of Fat Tuesday the day after when the thrill is gone. Of course, the Christian Lenten season has officially begun, a time to think of dialing it back on the excess meter and tuning ourselves to more inner reflection.

What better bridge than to laugh at the Four D's to get folks over their embarrassments from Mardi Gras that even their grandchildren will never hear the tales? The Four D's are Debauchery, Decadence, Denial and Diets. Enjoy the funny quotes, laugh 'til you fall off your chair Mardi Gras photos and news videos about the festival!

To keep your game face on, remember there is hope for the perpetual party person because this is the progression:

Debauchery is what you climb out of to get up to the next level of Decadence. You know, it's called graduating college and leaving behind your partying ways. So, you enter the oh, so adult life of Decadence known as credit cards, mortgages, shiny new cars, deep in debt and a few children dotting the backyard suburban landscape.

Before you know it you are done with Decadence after a decade or so and step up into the new house of Denial. Denial is when you experience Empty Nest Syndrome, hoping those screaming kids you so wanted to leave a few years earlier decide to come home to roost and make the house interesting again. Denial is also about figuring you might one day actually get to afford to retire. In those hopes you begin the process of trimming down your debt as your employer trims down your salary.

Eventually, you wake up and figure out you have to leave it all behind and go on a Diet to purge yourself of so much happy excess in order to function in life. What do you do? You retire, picking out your favorite destination and then go on perpetual holiday in New Orleans to begin the partying life all over again. And that, my friends, is why they call it the fast track Life Cycle... Oh, where did all the time go? :)


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Debauchery Quotes

* May you - Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt, dance like no-one is watching, screw like its being filmed, and drink like a true Irishman. - Anonymous

* To call war the soil of courage and virtue is like calling debauchery the soil of love. - George Santayana




Green makeup almost nude by Infrogmation @ flickr


* My problem lies in reconciling my gross habits with my net income. - Errol Flynn


Decadence Quotes


* Decadence Definition: America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between. - Oscar Wilde

* Decadence is wonderful. - Jack L. Chalker




Mardi Gras feathers by Infrogmation @ flickr

* A decadent civilization compromises with its disease, cherishes the virus infecting it, loses its self-respect. - E. M. Cioran


Decadence Quotes



Unique grocery - I'll say! - photo by sfmission.com @ flickr


* I believe in looking reality straight in the eye and denying it. - Garrison Keillor


Denial Quotes



Mardi Gras alien by Infrogmation @ flickr


* Denial ain't just a river in Egypt. - Mark Twain


Funny Diet Quotes




Gorilla and woman photo by sfmission.com @ flickr - Well, I'm on the gorilla diet of "eat all the bananas you want and it seems to be working for me... don't you think?"

* I've been on a constant diet for the last two decades. I've lost a total of 789 pounds. By all accounts, I should be hanging from a charm bracelet. – Erma Bombeck




Some Serious Quotes about Denial to help us happily slide into the reflective mood of the new Lenten season:

* Evil, what is evil? There is only one evil, to deny life. – D. H. Lawrence


*** This is an excerpt from the full post over at my blog called The Social Poets. Be sure to check out the many great videos of Mardi Gras in New Orleans and more hilarious photos and great quotes: Funny Fat Tuesday Afterglow - Cheeky Quote Day 17 Feb 2010


*** THANKS for visiting, come back often, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers - and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe!












Wednesday, February 17, 2010

23 Funny Total Debauchery Mardi Gras Photos

From Denny: Fun, frolic and general silly debauchery is what it's all about at the New Orleans Mardi Gras. Take a look at this year's craziness.



Green makeup almost nude by Infrogmation @ flickr




Mardi Gras alien by Infrogmation @ flickr




How 'Bout 'Dem Beads, woman? photo by Infrogmation @ flickr




Coffinmobile three wheeler by Infrogmation @ flickr





Mardi Gras feathers by Infrogmation @ flickr




Jackson Square New Orleans Mardi Gras by Infrogmation @ flickr - someone is in need of a push-up bra or corset...





Photo by Infrogmation @ flickr - Only in New Orleans at Mardi Gras can you walk into a coffee shop without your shirt on if you are female.




Big Chicken parade by Infrogmation @ flickr




Leopard drummers by Infrogmation @ flickr




Blonde Beth photo by Infrogmation @ flickr



Pink bunny and friend photo by sfmission.com @ flickr



Unique grocery - I'll say! - photo by sfmission.com @ flickr



Santas in the house photo by sfmission.com @ flickr - Laughter is the shortest distance between two people. - VICTOR BORGE





Bike riding lion photo by sfmission.com @ flickr




Stimulus check costume photo by sfmission.com @ flickr - The Human Race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter. - MARK TWAIN



Welcome to Viagra Falls photo by sfmission.com @ flickr



I have no idea photo by sfmission.com @ flickr



Men wearing fake female photo by sfmission.com @ flickr - I wonder what PETA would have to say about this? :)



The whole costumed cast photo by sfmission.com @ flickr




Gorilla and woman photo by sfmission.com @ flickr




Funny white hairs photo by sfmission.com @ flickr




Funny Mardi Gras stripes photo by sfmission.com @ flickr



Big Melon Babe Watermelon costume photo by sfmission.com @ flickr


*** Be sure to check out Comfort Food From Louisiana for great Mardi Gras recipes and Mardi Gras funny quotes!

*** THANKS for visiting, come back often, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers - and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email!




Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Olympics Seafood Dish: Pan Roasted Black Cod, Sunchokes, Lentils and Mushrooms

From Denny: This recipe looks divine and so simple too! Now that's a win-win in anybody's book. The Vancouver Winter Olympics recipes are great fun to explore and this one comes from the restaurant at Grouse Mountain Resort.

Food Network's chef Giada De Laurentiis assists the executive chef at the resort, Dino Gazzola, in showing us how to make his signature dish. He is so laid back and easy to follow. Basically, this is a simply prepared fish with braised lentils, oyster mushrooms and sunchoke puree.

Recipes Featured:

Pan Roasted Black Cod
Sunchoke Puree
King Oyster Mushrooms
Braised Beluga Lentils



*** Black cod fish is also known as Sable fish in Canada, even though it is not part of the cod family of fish. Sunchokes are also known as Jerusalem artichokes.


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Pan Roasted Black Cod

From
: Dino L. Gazzola, executive chef at Grouse Mountain Resorts, Ltd.


INGREDIENTS

• 2 x 5 oz. skin on, black cod filets
• 2 oz. olive oil
• Sea salt
• Fresh ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

Season black cod filets with salt and pepper. Carefully lay the black cod into the skillet skin side down. After 3-4 minutes, flip and cook an additional 3-4 minutes.

To assemble: Spoon sunchoke puree and spread evenly in a circle onto desired plate. Top with oyster mushrooms. Place black cod on mushrooms and sauce with braised lentils.



Sunchoke Puree

From:
Dino L. Gazzola, executive chef at Grouse Mountain Resorts, Ltd.


INGREDIENTS

• 7 oz. peeled sunchokes, cut in half
• 9 oz. chicken stock
• 4 oz. cream,
• Sea salt
• White ground pepper

DIRECTIONS

Simmer sunchokes and chicken stock over medium heat until tender. Add cream and simmer an additional 5 minutes. Remove from heat and puree until smooth in a blender. Season and keep warm.



King oyster mushrooms

From:
Dino L. Gazzola, executive chef at Grouse Mountain Resorts, Ltd.


INGREDIENTS

• 2 large king oyster mushrooms, bases trimmed to remove tough ends
• 2.5 oz. duck fat
• Sea salt
• Fresh ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

Slice mushrooms lengthwise 1/4 inch thick. In a heavy bottom skillet, heat duck fat over medium high heat until melted. Add mushrooms and turn and cook until golden brown. Transfer to paper towel and keep warm.



Braised beluga lentils

From:
Dino L. Gazzola, executive chef at Grouse Mountain Resorts, Ltd.


INGREDIENTS

• 7 oz. beluga lentils
• 1 oz. finely diced carrot
• 1 oz. finely diced white onion
• 1 oz. finely diced celery
• 1 oz. finely diced leek, white only
• 2.5 oz. duck fat
• 4 oz. red wine
• 7 oz. veal demi
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 sprig fresh thyme
• Sea salt
• Fresh ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

Cover lentils with abundant cold water in a heavy-bottomed pot. Bring to a simmer and cook until tender. Remove from heat, strain and rinse under cold water to cool.

Heat duck fat in a heavy-bottomed pot, over medium heat, until melted. Add vegetables and sauté until soft. Add lentils, veal demi, red wine, thyme and bay leaf. Simmer together until liquid has reduced by 1/4. Keep warm.


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Monday, February 15, 2010

Vancouver Olympics Indian Veggies Recipe, Coconut and Curry



Photo of a similar dish by Dyanna @ flickr

From Denny: The networks sure are cranking out the food stories, complete with recipes during this Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada! This is a little lovely for the vegetarian crowd from Vancouver's most famous Indian restaurant. You can easily make this Coconut Curried Vegetables dish at home to enjoy.

From NBC: Vancouver’s most famous Indian restaurant, Vij’s, doesn’t take reservations and doesn’t need to. But you don’t have to travel to Canada to taste what the fuss is all about. Here, the owners offer a recipe for coconut curried vegetables.

Coconut curried vegetables

From:
Vikrim Vij, owner of Vij's


INGREDIENTS

• 1 med. cauliflower, cut into medium pieces
• 1 med. eggplant, cut in 1 1/2" cubes
• 2 lg. red bell peppers, cut in 1 1/2" cubes
• 2 lg. ripe tomatoes, diced
• 1 1/2 tsp black mustard seeds
• 1 lg. onion, finely chopped
• 2 lg. cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 level tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 15 fresh curry leaves (available at most Indian grocers; they should be green, not brownish green)
• 1 can of pure coconut milk
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro leaves
• 3-4 tablespoons canola oil


DIRECTIONS:

In large saucepan heat oil over medium heat for one minute and add curry leaves and mustard seeds. Wait until they start to sizzle and let sizzle for approximately 30 seconds or until a few start to pop. The curry leaves will cook and become shriveled. Immediately add garlic and onions. Sauté until onions are golden brown. Add tomatoes and all powdered spices. Continue to saute until the oil separates from the tomato “masala.”

Add coconut milk. Bring to a light boil, add eggplant, cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Add remaining vegetables, cover pan and cook to taste, approximately 15 minutes. Turn heat off, stir in cilantro.


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