22 ounces!

If you love big food portions, you will love Texas. Oh ya!

We visited Texas last weekend. Houston and San Antonio to be precise. It was good timing. Few feet of snow was expected in Chicago and there was Texas with its warm 60s weather. Ahhh! I don't have too much trouble with cold and snow so that wasn't my motivation.

There were couple things that motivated me for this trip. Our friends (not trying to be cheezy) and food. BBQ ribs, Steak, mexican food. Oh ya!

Ironically, the first eating-out we did in Houston was at a IHOP. They are guys who serve mega-carb-overloaded-fill-me-up-portions in a weight-watchers convention so nothing different in Texas.

This was our first visit to San Antonio. I loved the place. Well, to visit. The riverwalk has been dedicated to restaurants and bars. Well, that is all you can do while you are there. Eat. Walk around. Eat some more. I am not rebel to break tradition so that's what I did. I might have taken it to heart because I ate like there is no tomorrow. Our dinner was at a mexican restaurant called Casa Rio. The first time we approached the front desk, the nice lady said they stopped taking names because the wait for more than an hour. Maybe they ran out of pagers to give out. People were lined up like they would at the passport office in India. So we went to another mexican restaurant with plenty of seating. You could tell why once you tasted the appetizers. Went back to Casa Rio and this time we had to wait for just 25 minutes. Oh wow! This better be the holy grail of mexican food. Anywayz...I liked the food. It wasn't the best mexican food I have had but it was better than most of the restaurants.

I had had my eye on County Line all the while though. And we hit that place for lunch next day afternoon. I got the combo; pork ribs, beef brisket and sausage (all in bbq sauce of course). I think it was the best bbq I have ever had. The sauce was not your typical greasy bbq. It was more watery and had a kick. Yummy! Oh ya, I finished it.

Chinese that night. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Monday Dinner. You ever had a feeling when you know you are not hungry but you take a bite and you realize you have never been more hungry? Do you know what causes that? Hunger? Nah. It is the food dummy!

Dinner destination? Salt Grass

Now I go through the menu and I am looking for the biggest steak they had. 22 ounces! I think the most I have had before was 10 ounces. Wonder why. I am not going to pass up on this. This is what I ordered (picture above).

Silver Star Porterhouse

Certified Angus Beef® 22 oz. Porterhouse is two steaks in one. Featuring ample portions of both filet & strip enhanced with “bone-in” flavor

OMG!!!! It was heaven!

I could go on and on about the food in Texas but I will stop here. I have gained 2 lbs from my trip and I have hit the gym every day since I got back. It would take a week to burn just the T-Bone calories.

I am not new to Texas. I went to school in Texas for about a year and a half. But I had a different experience this time. I loved the food. I loved the weather. Maybe it wasn't any of that. It is the Texan hospitality. So I thank our friends, our hosts. This was a great trip!

YeeeHaaa!

Dickhead!

Last week's Fareed Zhakaria's GPS is a must watch. He interviews an ex-chief of ISI and it is amazing how this guy Gul makes a complete ass of himself. He thinks mumbai attacks could be an "inside job" and 9/11 was an inside job as well by Zionist conspirators. Oh and he topped it off by saying Osama is not a terrorist because US does not have proof to substantiate that allegation. What a dickhead!
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2008/12/08/fz.hamid.gul.cnn?iref=videosearch

To hell with diplomacy!

I am my wife’s darling. I am my daughter’s ach-cha. I am my mother’s favorite. I am my sister’s little bro. But I am also my country’s son. I am India’s son and today I am angry, sad, helpless and frustrated. My country is bleeding. My countrymen, my brothers are sisters were killed by terrorists.

I resisted blogging about the Mumbai carnage all these days because I was so sure my anger would pour absolute profanity and insane frustration and I would make no sense at all. I fear that no more. I might flood this blog with profanity but I will not contain my anger. I might make no sense here but I will not contain my frustration. We, Indians are too forgiving, too forgetful, too naïve, too accommodative, too liberal, too calm that it is perceived we are too weak to act.

To hell with diplomacy. Talks with Pakistan can go down the stinking toilet for all I care. In whose best interest is it to make peace with a bankrupt-wanna-be-democratic country like Pakistan? Our interest? At what cost? The blood of our brothers and sisters? To hell with diplomacy.

Mr. Prime Minister. Who is in-charge? Who commands the armed forces and intelligence? Who gets briefed on intelligence reports? Who is supposed to act on intelligence reports?

The government was apparently warned of attacks on hotels in Mumbai carried out from the Sea. Ever heard of pre-emptive strikes? That time has come and gone.

Strike those terrorists camps. Unleash the most ruthless covert operation to annihilate the Dawood network and every one of those Dons out of India and inside India. We have sat on our asses too long. Show no weakness you piece-of-shit politicians. Seal those borders. Impose those embargos. Deport every illegal immigrant, Pakistani and Bangladeshi alike.

I don’t want to wear a Pakistani –made Tshirt. I never did. I don’t want to see the Pakistani cricket team tour to India. Ohhh, to hell with diplomacy!

The Pakistani ambassador to US was on George Stephanopoulos show this Sunday. After all the talking points were reeled off he end it saying that India cannot blame Pakistan. The ministers have owned up responsibility by resigning and Indians should probably look closer to home in their investigation. What the f***! A few ministers resigning? They resigned because they were incompetent. They resigned because they didn’t do their job. They resigned so that their party’s face is saved. They resigned because the government thinks it will give its citizens some closure. Closure? Oh no no no. I gave two shits about the resignation. I do not want closure. I want my country to act. I want my country to respond.

And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee.
- Jules Winnfield quoting the bible in Pulp Fiction

To hell with diplomacy!

Jai Hind!

Random

Greed
When NFL decides to host Thursday games only on NFL network available only on cable for $10! Don't you guys make enough selling overpriced hats and shirts?

Best movie moment
In Godfather II, Michael hugs his brother Fredo at their mother's wake and looks at his bodyguard/right hand guy Al. That look said it all..

Surprise
When you walk into the Indian Consulate and the lady at the reception greets you with a Hello and asks how she can help you. Wow!

Hunger
When you are driving around and a Wendy's sign makes you want to pull over. Reminds of the Simpsons episode, where Nelson claims he is so hungry that he can eat at even Arby's.

Best loner moment
When you wake up at 6am on a Saturday, well rested, make yourself a coffee and play Madden on Wii. :)

Taste
Southern style pork ribs, chilli, corn bread, mashed potatoes and Belgian ale! Oh and pumpkin pie with cream.

Best chill-out moment
Sunday afternoon...Bears game...Parked on couch...J&B with club soda...shooting breeze with friends!

Joy
When your little daughter jumps out her mommy's arms to come to you.

Yikes
When the dude sitting next to you on train decides to eat his $4.99 all-you-can-fill-in-this-box chinese dinner. Come on man! Can't you wait 30 minutes and eat when you get home?

Best TV series quote
When Tony Soprano tells his capos (captains) "Shit runs down, money runs up". Ha! That doesn't apply to just the mob! :)

Best status report
One that you never have to send. Sigh!

Best sports moment
1996: Aamir Sohail b Venky Prasad 55

Best desi buffet moment
When you find yourself in front of the poori tray when it is being refilled! Yay!

Democracy!

One of my earliest memories of an election is that of my parents coming home after voting in general elections. I didn’t have the slightest clue about politics but like any young kid knew win vs lose. So I asked my mom who she voted for. She said Congress; so I ask my dad who he voted for and he said BJP. Hmm…Interesting I thought. These guys agree on every other thing in life but not on this? Why? I thought it was very unfair that some unknown thing could “split the vote” if I may, but when it came to my home work or school work or grades they were in full agreement. Why I thought. I asked my dad why they didn’t vote for the same person and my dad well aware of my limited knowledge explained it in very simple terms. Something to the effect of - I like this, this and this so I went with this and your mom just didn’t see it that way. How about Democracy huh? It could be that my mom was extending her voting rights to also voice her independence but however you spin this; it was democracy that made it possible.

Democracy, I salute you!

Growing up in India and in a household greatly removed from politics and very cynical about a politician’s motives I never liked following election campaigns or anything that had to do with politics. My dad followed every bit of news and had a great way of keeping up with current affairs, as they call it. I remember going through the newspaper as kid trying to memorize names of some ministers so that I could ask about it/him at the dinner table. My sister was quick to spot the depth or the lack of it, of my knowledge though.

So why am I saying this besides my need to be nostalgic?

I have never followed an election campaign this intensely before. The 2008 US Presidential election awakened the sucker for political news in me. I read election news, followed daily polls, liberal blogs, conservative blogs (ugh), podcasts of pretty much any reasonably good shows – Olbermann, Cooper, Mathews, Meet the press (not the same anymore! ), This week in Washington, face the nation, PBS, NPR etc etc. I couldn’t help but update my ipod every morning and listen to them all during my train ride.

What made it so interesting?

Barack Obama.

This is his moment. This is America’s moment. Enough said!

Heaven on seven!

I love food!

I am no food critic and this is by no means a restaurant review. What this is a previously hungry's man's way to say thank you to the place which served an excellent dinner!

So heaven on seven is a great place to eat. I started off with a glass of Beaujolais because we had to wait 25 minutes for a table. Oh well, I thought; this better be good. So here is what I ordered - full slab of ribs with coleslaw, onion rings and mashed potatoes.

You gotto love southern food. The corn bread; whipped butter; gumbo; the spicy sauce (I am not a big fan for spicy though). I would love to visit New Orleans someday. I have heard it is rich in culture and the food is just awesome. How about that huh? Chicago has some great restaurants and I am ever grateful to be in city where I can find many restaurants that serve good food and with a large variety. Seattle was another city I really liked.

Anywayz...I just wanted to mention heaven on seven. I have a lot of leftovers for tomorrow - a full slab ribs is a LOT!!! But I am not complaining. :)

Do not *ever* call me list!

To Dish Network,

• I do not want to experience 500 HD channels for a low monthly price.
• And it is not like I do not know about dish network. I did subscribe to 10 HD channels for $25/month and guess what, my dish kept searching for satellite signal like a dog chasing its own tail. So I decided to ditch you guys and switched to comcast(ugh) few months back..get it!
• So the dude calling every other day to offer me a fabulous package - stop calling. I will let this once in a lifetime opportunity slip.

To Chicago Symphony Orchestra,

• I liked the performance of whoever-it-was-that-performed when my attended a show couple years ago.
• But no, I do not want to sign up for a lifetime membership or a yearly membership.
• And no, I am not going to sign up for your monthly newsletter to get "exclusive" offers for shows.
• If I decide to got for another show I know where to find you.

To Valley City Honda,

• I love your exceptional service.
• I really love your exceptional service.
• I really very much love your exceptional service.
• How much freaking exceptional service are your trying to give me for an oil change. Heck, get some real coffee in the waiting room and what's with the re-run of judge judy on all TVs in there?

To Citibank NRI service,

• Yes, I did visit your website and request some information about opening a new account.
• Yes, I am interesting in saving money and available great offers never ever offered in the banking industry.
• But I changed my mind. I am human. I picked your competitor. And besides, reduce the form size man!
• And no, I do not have to explain why exactly I am not interested anymore. I am not kidding. The guy really asked me that - "So why exactly are you not interested, Sir?". Uh hmm...

You get the picture! I need a do-not-ever-call-me feature on my phone. I don't mind paying couple bucks a month to get that service. It saves me time and lot of frustration and anger.

Run Forrest Run - Teil zwei!

So on with my rambling...

There is this cardio test you get done at your gym. I did...It costs me about $175 but what the hell. I strapped a heart rate monitor across my chest and ran on the treadmill for about 15 mins; with an oxygen mask. The works...After the end of this test the computer spit out a bunch of stuff. Tells me how fit I am; what zones I need to train at; a program for the next 3 months.

Now there is nothing that has worked better for me than this. All I had to do was stick to the program and I did. I was able to run more and faster. And...I was losing weight as well. Ah, how nice! Well, it wasn't all peachy and sunny! I first hurt my back doing weights but then *really* hurt it after running on a train. That hurt! Like bad! I didn't train and run for a whole month and got therapy for couple weeks. I got better. Started running again...then I hurt my knee, no therapy but my doctor said it's all good. Then hurt my feet; tendinitis apparently. That went away with some stretching...

So here is where I am now with my running -
1. I run close to 6 miles/hr but that is the most I have ever run. 6 miles. :)
2. I run 3 times a week and I always stretch before and after my run. yay!
3. My right knee started hurting earlier this week. Sucks! I got an appointment to meet a therapist at my desk. Will see how that goes...

This sunday is the chicago marathon so this blog is no coincidence. I hope I am able to train next year; not get hurt; stay focussed and run the chicago marathon. Well, maybe start with the half-marathon first.

As for my waistline, it has reduced. I am not where I was planning but I am definitely not where I was last year same time. Running is high impact and I am a little worried. How about little swimming? :)

Run Forrest Run - teil eins!

I haven't blogged in a very long time. Maybe I won't for a very long time...eh!

Anywayz...

It was about a year and a half ago that I blogged about my treadmill assembly ordeal. I used it for say a month or so and then it just sat there. I was getting no exercise and my wife's excellent culinary skills and my never-ending appetite ensured that my waistline grew at a very healthy rate. No bail out required there.
Last fall we went to this beach on a nice sunny day and there was a trail there for you know some lightweight trekking/hiking whatever you want to call it. I saw couple of these kids race by me. Well, I wanted to keep up with them. The thing is my waistline and ego don't really know each other. I would say it was 50 feet before I lost sight of the kids. I was puffing, panting and cramping. Damn! I thought to myself, how out of shape am I? Pretty bad....

Running wasn't fun at first. The first time I ran on my preciously-assembled treadmill I felt sick. My legs hurt and I was out of breath. I needed help. I joined a gym and signed up for some pretty expensive 1-on-1 training sessions. Weight loss industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and this was my check for them. :) I was paying someone to kick my butt and get me back into shape. It was hard but I started seeing results. Now there was no running there but I was encouraged to do cardio on the days I wasn't training. It must be the pain I was enduring during training because I was able to run and it didn't hurt as much.

Rambling to be continued...