Scramble Enters Teen-dom

I have not “blogged” in a while. I guess that’s the fault of Facebook. My plans to maintain my writing chops while sharing thoughts, rants, recipes, music, and links to youtube videos were lost to the time it takes me to read everyone else’s thoughts, rants, recipes, music, and links to youtube videos on Facebook. But a special occasion calls me back.

Campbell Elizabeth Warren is no longer a kid. She’s a teenager. Thirteen, to be exact. This means, among other things, that I am no longer parenting children. I am parenting teens. Plural. Yes, I blogged about Allison turning 13 three years ago, and maybe I thought that act alone would suspend time. But, alas, not so. Campbell is expecting a birthday.

We started calling her “Scramble” so long ago, that I sometimes cannot recall if maybe it came before her curls. She was famously named after my best friend, Colin Campbell. It was a brilliant move on our part. As Colin and I have gotten older and living a few hours away from each other, there was the possibility I would miss the constant laughter, intellectual challenge, and sheer goofiness that he provides. But our Campbell has been delivering the goods since day one.

Campbell has never met a remote should could not control. She has spent years perfecting the ability to wake up before everybody in the house. She has friends that love her because she is always real with them. She is tender and patient with small children, even when they pull her crazy hair. Campbell was built to swim butterfly, yet would rather play a team sport. She bakes cookies that we consider crack. She paints when no one is looking. She raps when no one’s listening.

Xtina and I were concerned that Allison would be jealous of having a little sister. Allison has spent the last 13 years reminding us how wrong we can often be. As sisters, it is impossible to say they get along perfectly, but as friends and roommates, they get along like sisters. Allison has to be on her toes: Campbell uses her “smart” to sometimes precede cookie, and sometimes aleck.

I don’t know if I am ready for two teenagers. Not because she or her sister challenge us or push the envelope – they don’t. But Campbell becoming a teenager moves them closer to the day I dread – when I have to really let go of their hands. I never want to miss her half-hearted-semi-kiss she feigns as she says good night. I never want to miss the way she demands we cannot leave a minute late for school yet is in no hurry to fold her laundry. I never want to miss the way she silently smiles to approve when I say something profane to shock her sister.

Although I whine about any of us getting older, I am equally excited about the next few years. Leadership, games, meets, mock trials, repeated viewings of The Office and School of Rock, sarcastic remarks in moments of awkwardness, and watching her genuine love for peace and people blossom as she gains more ability to impact this world. I imagine Campbell is going to squeeze every ounce of laughter and life out of her teen years. She has been getting a running start since August 30, 1998.

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Here are some tunes to celebrate Campbell turning 13!

MCR - Teenagers

Rhythm Akimbo - 13

The Bird and the Bee - Birthday

From Gobble to Grill

It has been a while since I filled the blog with anything of interest, so I hope this post offers somebody some encouragement. I am often asked about barbecuing turkeys since I became a convert many years ago. For me, there is nothing better than a slow roasted, tender, crispy-skinned and slightly smoky bird around Thanksgiving. Of course the ones my parents and in-laws oven-roast are fantastic since they come with years of love and experience. Mine, however, have been an offering for friends since Xtina and I launched the first “Franksgiving.”

That first event (1998 or ’99, I don’t know for sure) was simply a way for us to spend some Thanksgiving time with our good friends, The Calandros, and for me to try and barbecue a turkey – a notion I had been contemplating since a full-page article in the Telegram-Tribune (1997, I still refer to the yellowed newsprint) laid out the steps. We recognized that due to the perpetual-holiday-family-assignments, it was unlikely I would ever host a T-Day. Being one who loves to cook for lots of people, I just needed a different reason to cook – and since turkeys are more fun to share, and we rarely get to share this holiday outside of family; a friend-based tradition in our small kitchen was born.

This year I wanted to try and brine the turkey ahead of the grilling. I began brining chicken over the summer and have been loving the flavor. I used essentially the same process, with some helpful suggestions I found here. Although this only added a step to my normal grilling process, the results were amazing. So, if you are interested in how I came up with the best turkey yet – read on!

Turkey and Brine:
2 gallons water
1.5 cu kosher salt
Honey (I used about ¾ cu.)
Clementine peels (I ate three tangerines and threw in the peels)
Whole Cloves
4 Bay Leaves
Pepper
1 turkey (I like 20 lb-ers, this year was 21lbs.)
Olive oil
Seasoning (I used a salt-free Cajun spice mix)

1. The day before cooking I made the brine and prepped the turkey. First, I brought the water, salt, and honey to a boil and let it simmer until the salt dissolved and honey melted, threw in the peels, some cloves, bay leaves, and some pepper. About 20 minutes. I let the mixture cool to room temp.

2. You’ll need the turkey to be refrigerated and immersed in the brine, so this is a tricky step. I chose to use an ice chest and doubled kitchen bags. Clean and dry the turkey, and place it the bags in the cooler. Pour the brine into the bag, seal, and set in the cooler being sure the turkey is submerged. Lay ice over the bag and close the cooler. Refresh the ice at least twice to be sure you keep the bird refrigerated.

3. About an hour before cooking time (I put it in the brine at 1pm on Saturday and pulled it out at Noon on Sunday), get the bird out and rinse it thoroughly. Pat dry the turkey and truss it (which keeps juices intact). I like to rub it with olive oil and sprinkle it with a dry rub to make the skin crispy and flavorful.

4. Prep your grill. You’ll want a full charcoal chimney (you can do this on gas but why?) and let the coals get just white hot. Place them on two sides of the grill to create indirect heat. I soaked some applewood chips and threw them on for some extra smoke, but it isn’t necessary.

5. Put the bird in the pan on the grill. You can put the pan below the grate, but I find you collect more pan drippings for gravy this way. Close the lid and add some coals to each side every 45 minutes or so to keep the heat level. Also, rotate the pan a couple times to even things out. This bird took 4 hours. The cooking time is basically the same as an oven.

6. To finish, lift the bird and put it directly on the grate when it is around 170 in the breast. Leave it there for 30 minutes while you take the pan to collect the drippings and make gravy. The grate will sear and crisp the turkey. Pull off the turkey and let it sit 20-30 minutes before carving.

And there you go! This year’s turkey fell off the bone and had all the flavors of the brine with just a hint of spice from the rub. I made my usual pan drippings gravy but this year added some bacon and coffee (Bon Appetit talked me into it) and it was awesome! For the how-to on our family stuffing, go here.

I hope your Thanksgiving, or your Franksgiving, is filled with warmth and laughter.

365 Days and 50 Pounds Later...

I hope you will indulge this extremely self-centered post. On June 24, 2008 I decided to make a commitment to myself, and I wanted to document the results. On that day the County held a “health screening” for employees and I thought it would be worthwhile to go downtown and get a free cholesterol reading. I knew my weight was up, considering a month earlier I had to buy size 40 pants for a new outfit to wear at my best friend’s wedding, a size over the 38’s which had become standard since 2006; and I had recently visited the doctor for some back pain issues and saw that my weight had been up to 255 lbs.

In 2004/05, possibly in preparation for my high school reunion, I shaved about 30 pounds off my then-260-pound girth. But as soon as I went back to school for my grad degree, and had a second carpal-tunnel surgery, I gave up the gym and the weight was back. How could this be possible? I still thought of myself as “in—shape,” I mean, come on, I went to the gym every once in a while, and played softball WEEKLY! I did not eat “bad” foods. I just ate too much of everything – including the occasional cookie and all of its wholesome ingredients.

So why now? There were many planets aligning, and for some reason, I noticed. In February of last year I bought a cane. My lower back troubles had become so debilitating that I needed a cane to get in and out of my car and office chair. My doctor ordered physical therapy and recommended yoga. The PT was helpful, but a temporary fix. In March I started to go the Y for Saturday yoga classes. In very little time my cane was retired. But my back was just one symptom of a bigger problem.

My doctor is a wonderful guy. He has always focused on the positives of my health, while suggesting simple weight loss and exercise. He had often recommended a reasonable goal to lose 10% of my body weight. My blood pressure had climbed along with my cholesterol, however, and his comfort with putting me on meds was just one more way turning 40 was letting me down.

Around the time I was rocking the cane look, a bunch of folks at work were finding success with Weight Watchers and I began to think about another dip into the weight-loss world. But the math involved seemed too much of an obstacle. Work was also becoming increasingly busy beyond my control – so joining a structured plan like that seemed a set-up for failure. In April I saw my fit friend Jeremy and he looked FIT! He told me he had just taken advantage of his time to make running a priority. I didn’t start running – but his logic got to me. In May of last year my friends John and Eileen really lit the fuse. John had recently dropped a noticeable amount of weight and, considering he also did not need to do so, he looked great. And, happy. He had used the points system of Weight Watchers, and dropped the weight he wanted. But it was Eileen’s birthday party “fun-run” that resonated the most. I had fun, but couldn’t do much of the run. Another planet aligned.

Colin’s wedding and my involvement in a big work event each yielded another major siren – photos of me. A student took a picture of me at a meeting that scared me to death. I looked so tired and distant, and not at all healthy. I saw so many friends at the wedding I had not seen in many years – and when I came home to see the pictures I took with them, I was ashamed at how unkempt I appeared. Although, to be honest, I did not make any drastic plans to change at that point.

But at the Government Center on June 24th I came face-to-face with the tipping point. There, after weighing in at 250 and having my blood taken, a stranger sat me down behind a closed curtain. As she began going through her scripted review of my results, she became increasingly alarming. “Because your weight is this and your height is that, you are considered ‘obese.’” Well, I know that. I’m 5’8” and have been obese by all standards since I was in junior high. When she said, “Now, because your blood pressure is this, and your cholesterol is that, we must recommend that you see a doctor immediately,” I felt a cold heft of seriousness in her voice. She looked at me and asked if I could do that. "Soon."

That evening I came home, sat in my chair, and made a plan that I did not really know would lead me here. Lose 25 lbs. - 10% of my body weight. First, I thought about 2005 and recalled that I had liked workouts I subscribed to online by Men’s Health magazine’s website. As I surfed that site again and contemplated spending the $9.99 per month, I decided this time I would also use their diet recommendations to provide some discipline. I signed up for the “Belly-Off” plan and immediately had a workout regimen and a diet. But, within minutes I knew I would never be able to do the diet.

I am “the cooker” in the family, as Campbell once named me. I have to consider my girls whenever I think about making changes to the groceries and the meals. To contemplate what I needed to change – you see, I ate healthy – lots of whole grain bread and things cooked in olive oil! – I sat down and listed everything I had to eat in the two days previous. I learned that I was consuming over 2200 calories. Between my healthy Balance Bar for breakfast, and my pasta leftovers for lunch and grilled dinners and rice, topped off with only a cookie or three, I recognized it wasn’t about what foods to change – but how much. I noticed the MH recommendations called for me to reduce my calories to about 1900, with a split between Fat, Carbs and Protein of 30%, 30%, and 40%, respectively. I recalled my dad had turned me on to CalorieKing a few years back which, as of last June, provided a humongous database of foods broken down by percentages in those exact categories (sadly, the site moved to only report grams a few months back – so now I have to do math…ugh).

I created a spreadsheet and, remembering one of those tips I read in one of those “Get In Shape Before Summer” articles, began writing down everything I ate based on calories: fat, carbs, and protein. And I have done it every day since. It has become my nightly game – to see how close I can come to my targets without “dieting.” In fact, I would say I have eaten pretty well this past year. I just got smart. I love vegetables and fruit – but the simple act of taking in more of those while cutting that meat or carb portion down just a little makes a huge difference. That’s the extent of the diet. Sure, I tried to cut down on the sugar and processed foods, but those weren’t heavy staples of my diet before. Watching serving portions, oatmeal for breakfast (Quaker Weight Control – good stuff!), only one meal with bread, and no more midnight grazing were the things it took for me to make a big change.

As much as the diet did not change drastically, my physical activity had to. I began making the gym a daily routine on June 25, 2008. I have been a member of the nearby YMCA for many years, having even served on their Board, and yet, I was basically donating $33 per month to not take advantage of the facility. Campbell had begun swimming more competitively and was in the pool working out every day – I had to buck up and realize I could do the same. I have always liked weightlifting and the cardio was tolerable. The MH workout plans gave me great mixes of aerobic and resistance training, using interval methods to spark weight loss. The first ten pounds were off in a few weeks.

The first critical point came in late August. Jeff, a counselor at work, commented at a training that I looked like I had lost weight. This was the first time it got said out loud, and it felt great. And then Jenna, the manager at Peet’s said something during one of my weekly Friday morning stops. Those little moments (and there were more along the way from others) made a huge difference in keeping me on target.

I hit the 25 pound mark in September and knew I could keep going. It was never hard. Sure there were, and continue to be, annoying plateaus; but a plateau with 30 pounds off sure isn’t a big deal when you are buying new clothes! I changed my goal to “41x41” and attempted to drop 41 pounds by my late October birthday. I made it in November. It was then I realized that I felt different. We went to Disneyland before Christmas and for the first time I could recall, I was comfortable. I could fit in ride seats…I wasn’t sweating…I did not shy away from a run across the park to get to a new adventure. I was really happy.

And, for the first time in my life, I was cold. Xtina even knitted me a scarf and wool socks for the winter as I could not for the life of me get warm. I was having withdrawals from insulation! I also lost weight in my fingers (of course not where I had hoped) and my wedding ring slips off dangerously these days. And who knew my shoes would get loose too?!

In November my friend Patty at the Y suggested I could run a 5k, based on how much I had improved running on the treadmill. But I hate running, I said…and there are cars out there. But I did it, and came in with a respectable time of 31:42 (21st place amongst men). That led me to run outside a few more times. I just ran my second this past weekend and came in 17th, while dropping my time to 28:39. I only got beat by one dog and three kids. This year I plan to get on my bike, in the water, and playing tennis.

So, I end this 365th day weighing under 200 pounds. Blood pressure down. Cholesterol down. Pants and shirts sizes - down. Back pain down. More importantly, I feel great and ready to keep working hard. I am now making the commitment that I will not have to do all of this again. I don’t plan on ever being 165 pounds. But I’ll work towards staying happy and healthy, which I am.

Some very special expressions of love and gratitude for my amazing wife, Xtina, and daughters Allison, and Campbell – who has been so inspirational. Johnny C, Jason, and Kerry have been so tremendously supportive and motivating. I also have to thank all the awesome people at the Y, everybody there makes me feel welcome and special thanks to Jenifer, Nate and Patty for their support. Finally, all of the people at work who either supported my need to work around my gym schedule, or those who just said something encouraging – it went a long way, thanks.

Set the Dial to 1974

1974. Nixon gives up the tapes. Liddy goes to jail. The SLA gets Patty. Hank hits 715. The UPC bar code is born. Nixon resigns. Ford takes office. Evel Kneivel misses. Rumble. Jungle. Duke Ellington dies. Ryan Seacrest is born.

1974 also saw the release of two very distinct singles that each cracked AM radio's Top Ten. The first was a blue-eyed soul groover that launched the popularity of two Philadelphia students. The second was a soulful southern-fried pop hit by a band with a ridiculous name and a song with one hell of a hook.



2009 now witnesses the release of both singles again by the incomparable Howie Lunge Band as part of the ongoing 24 Hour Song Challenge! In the TFHSC 3.5, a follow-up to the now-legendary release of Obamakan, the band has returned to its roots: An A-side and B-side picked by me, collected from the gold-dust surrounding the 1970's AM Radio Top Ten bin, and then "requested" to the Lunge. With two studios in two American cities, the magic happens, almost overnight.



So, sit back, and grab some Fresca, do some macrame, and sit in a big purple bean bag with your pet rock- here comes the Howie Lunge Band!!!!!

A Side: The Howie Lunge Band - She's Gone

B Side: The Howie Lunge Band - Jackie Blue

Original A: Hall and Oates - She's Gone

Original B: The Ozark Mountain Daredevils - Jackie Blue

To File' or Not to File'

Well, you wouldn't know it walking the downtown streets of San Luis Obispo, but today is Mardi Gras. And it is awfully quiet. For two decades our little town hosted the biggest Fat Tuesday celebration west of New Orleans, and then stupid college students and the internets ruined it. I should say college-aged, since I doubt most of those idiots were ever accepted into a university. What? really?

Okay, back in the day I was the Mardi Gras Parade announcer and I loved it. For about 15 years I would show up with a sound system and set up a judges stand on a flat bed truck and hosted the center of the parade. I could be irreverent, unedited, and mediocre - it was an awesome gig. A few times I became the public safety announcer (a skill I developed during Poly Royal parades!) and towards the end, the last couple years of the event, the parade stopped being fun and just felt icky.

In my first years of Mardi Gras got fascinated by New Orleans cuisine. I developed a Jambalaya that is still a family cold-weather staple, and something I love to make for work pot-lucks. Xtina and I used to host a Mardi Gras dinner which would allow me to cook all weekend and make tons of food for friends, and explore all kinds of Cajun and Creole classics. This year, with no time to do it all, the girls voted for Gumbo. I thought I would share my recipe (which I have lightened where possible) and some pics, along with some of my favorite Mardi Gras tunes for you to play along as you cook up a pot of bon temps!

Frank's Mardi Gras Gumbo

Ingredients:

1/4 cu. canola oil

1/8 cu. olive oil

1/4 + 1/8 cu. flour

1 onion chopped

A couple bell peppers, chopped (about 1.5 cups)

1/2 bunch of celery chopped (about 1.5 cu)

4 cloves garlic chopped

2 links andouille sausage, sliced thin, or chopped

1/2 length smoked Turkey sausage (like Hillshire Farms) sliced thin or chopped

1 can diced tomatoes

4 cu water + 1 can chicken broth (fat free, low sodium)

1 breast of chicken chopped (+ 1/4 cu. flour and 1 tsp Cajun seasoning or cayenne)

1 can tomato paste

1 lb. shrimp

Hot sauce (like Frank's!), Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, thyme, basil, Italian parsley

Cooked rice (I use brown)

1. Start with a roux. Mix flour and oil in pot by constantly stirring over almost-high heat. Keep stirring. And stirring. And about 15-20 minutes later you should have a dark, chocolate-like roux. If you stop stirring it will burn and taste bad. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Throw in onions through garlic, and stir into roux, and cook about 5 minutes. Add sausages, 5 minutes more. Season with Worcestershire and a dash of Cajun seasoning.

3. Add tomato, stir. Add water and broth. Stir, and season with hot sauce. Bring to boil. Reduce heat, and simmer with lid slightly off, 2 hours. Stir a couple times.

4. Meanwhile toss the chicken with the seasoned flour in a bag and refrigerate.

5. Add the chicken to the pot, along with a handful of chopped parsley, some dried thyme and basil. Cook 1.5 hours.

6. Add the tomato paste, and stir.

7. Add the shrimp and cook about 20 minutes more, until shrimp is pink.

8. Bowl. Gumbo. Rice. File' powder if you want. Enjoy!

(If you care, this makes at least 8 servings...and a bowl with a 1/2 cup of rice is approx. 391 calories; 129 cal fat, 152 cal carbs, 110 cal protein)

Elvis Costello and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band - That's How You Got Killed Before

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band - Lil' Liza Jane

Fats Domino - Jambalaya (On the Bayou)

Oliver Morgan - Who Shot the LaLa?

The Best of 2008 Podcast is Here!

The 2nd ever Best Of podcast is launched here. And since this blog was created with the sole intention of me putting out regular podcasts and music it is with great embarrassment that I admit this is only the 2nd podcast in a year!

But that should all be changing. I am going to try very hard this year to keep the blog posting current, and generate a podcast on the first (or second) of each month! That's right, you heard me. And I hope you'll hold me to it.

For this year's Best Of, I chose to create two sides (segments) for those of you who thought the 90 minute download was too much. I am still thinking of these in terms of my old cassette versions, so I shoot to widdle my list down to 90 minutes. My random "deejay" entries are not great, but they do sound better! Colin Campbell donated a Rode Podcaster mic to the cause and after I figure out how best to use it, I am sure the podcasts will improve. As always, much thanks, as always, goes to MPKTR benefactor Jason Wells.

This year's favorites run the gamut from classic snap, to funky crackle, and sublime pop. Please listen and let me know if you find a fave or two. I will also post my top ten albums of the year here...

...and if you want to hear last year's podcast, that can be found here.

Since my covers have always tried to capture a moment in the year, this one combines many influences, and features the only two members of the Palin family worthy of being part of The Best of 2008!

Frank's Best of 2008 - Side 1

Poi Dog Pondering - Lemon Drop Man (7)
Jenny Lewis - Carpetbaggers (Acid Tongue)
OK Go and Bonerama- A Million Ways (Live on Letterman 2-11-08)
The Virgins -Rich Girls (SXSW 2008 Showcasing Artists)
Flight Of The Conchords - Hiphopopotamus Vs. Rhymenoceros (Flight Of The Conchords)
Chris Difford - Broken Family (The Last Temptation of Chris)
The Alarm - Hit the Ground Running (Guerilla Tactics)
Josh Ritter - To The Dogs or Whoever (Live on Letterman)
The Futureheads vs Alphabeat - Hounds Of Love vs Fascination
Alphabeat - What Is Happening (This is Alphabeat) * I mistakenly referred to them as a Swedish pop act - they are Danis. My apologies.
Glen Campbell - Sing (Meet Glen Campbell)
Old 97's - Ride (Blame It On Gravity)
The Decemberists - Valerie Plame (Always The Bridesmaid: A Singles Series)

Frank's Best of 2008 - Side 2

The Ting Tings - Great DJ (We Started Nothing)
M83 - Kim & Jessie (Saturdays = Youth)
Conan O'Brien - 40 Days (Live on Late Night w/ Conan O’'Brien)
Colin Meloy - We Both Go Down Together (Colin Meloy Sings Live!)
Raphael Saadiq - 100 Yard Dash (The Way I See It)
Q-Tip - Gettin Up (The Renaissance)
Adele - Cold Shoulder (19)
Vampire Weekend- A-Punk (Saturday Night Live 03-08-2008)
Joe Jackson - Too Tough (Rain)
Robert Forster - It Ain't Easy (The Evangelist)
Ra Ra Riot - Can You Tell (The Rhumb Line)
The Howie Lunge Band - Come Sail Away (MPKTRS)

*Warning: Some language in some songs may require some discussions with some children.

** Subscribe to this podcast (through RSS or itunes) and receive all the updates when they post!

From Zep to Oz: The 24 Hour Song Challenge 2.5

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Prepare to lunge into a new era with the latest 24 Hour Song Challenge!

Fans of the Challenge may recall that it is simply a jukebox game where I get to play the deejay, and the brilliant KC and Brad bring the dream to life. Over multiple tracks, from multiple cities, under multiple deadlines, with multiple levels of rock-assity.

For this Challenge, we decided it should be celebratory of the times. Conceived before the Inauguration, we each discussed songs that seemed to fit the moment - for one reason or another. Since the original challenge dictated that songs must be selected from the lexicon of 70's AM Gold; I attempted to stay well within the rules. But when you are on Planet Brad, all things are possible, and a bridge to the future was built upon the past - and the desire to hear certain songs sung red, white and blue.

The medley that is about to blow your mind celebrates the son of an Immigrant, being passed the torch from a Son of war, spreading Love amongst the masses, to put on a global party Down by the Potomac.

So, hear for your headphones, party blaster speakers, boom-box, cubicle pod-stax, or just to crank to the heavens above, comes the medley that could only be the creation of The Howie Lunge Band:

The Howie Lunge Band - Obamakan

Personnel:
Howie: Drums, bass, hammond, left-speaker rhythm guitar and Neil vox
Howie: Right speaker lead guitar and all other vocals

You can check out The Howie Lunge Band's Facebook Page Here