(Ranchero) Enchilada Sauce

• flour (cornstarch, if no flour)
• shortening
• vegetable oil
• diced onions
• diced tomatos
• a can of diced tomatos
• water
• ground garlic
• comino (spice)
• salt
• pepper

 

In a skillet, brown the flour.  Add enough shortening to ensure that the flour doesn't clump.  If you don't have the flour, do NOT brown the cornstarch.  Set this aside.

Fry the onions and tomatos (not from the can) in a little bit of vegetable oil.  Add the can of diced tomatos and water.  Stir, then rain the garlic and comino onto the sauce and mix completely.  Do not skimp on the garlic or comino. When I say rain, I am not referring to a light drizzle or a friendly sprinkle.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Allow the sauce to simmer for some t > 5mins (for the inner nerd).

The absolute last thing to add to the sauce (as in right before you pour it on the enchiladas and whatnot) is the browned flour (or unbrowned cornstarch) to thicken the watery sauce.  YeeHaw! (I can't believe I'm going to let that slide. tsk tsk.)

Note: There are no precise measurements because that's not how my fam rolls.  Just be reasonable.

...

mf, I know.  I could've asked a long time ago and had it posted for your use, etc. 

But now we have it, and that's all that matters.

Perfection, in a Trashcan

So, I had this awkward no-call date thing happen a few days ago.  Turns out the guy misplaced my number, so no foul, BUT while I was waiting I decided it would be best if I got something to eat.  I stopped by one of my usual joints, a Chinese restaurant called Asian Garden.  I mean, I didn't know how long I would be waiting, if I'd be able to eat a decent meal before the movie began, whatever. I dropped by to get something to eat and I just happened to meet some really cool people.

Piano man!  When I walked in, he was talking with the cashier, laughing, joking, all in good fun.  :)  I joined in, because you know me, I can't ever decide on what I want quickly.  Somehow, some way, it came out that I go to Rice, that I don't *really* pay for it, and that Rice, actually, true fact, isn't an Ivy League school.  hmmmm.   So piano man sort of freaks out, right?, "Oh really?  You go to Rice?  Rice University?  In Houston?  Well that's good for you.  I'll bet you go to the beach often."  We, the cashier and I, had to convince him that Houston isn't actually near a beach.  haha, He thought that the beach was, like, a 10 minute drive from downtown?  Anyway, turns out that he'll be going to UH for grad school, which is kinda cool when you think about it because we had this weird connection, and I don't usually talk to people I don't know.  Thanks Wasabi :P for an interesting night.

Cashier!  I liked the cashier.  She was nice and friendly, and she looked oddly familiar.  We got to talking after Wasabi left, and, apparently, she went to junior high and the first year of high school with me and came back to San Marcos (and to Texas State) for college.  Coincidence?  Definitely.  We know so many people in common, and we had different stories to tell, it was great.  We just talked.  I like friendly people.  Thanks Breanna for talking! :D

Delivery boy!  I'm sorta glad that Asian Garden wasn't too busy that night because I wouldn't have met the delivery boy.  He also looked familiar to me, but I have, um, difficulties distinguishing between Dennis Quaid and Harrison Ford, so no big surprise there.  Our conversation flow chart: apartment design > our society's need for efficiency, speed, perfection > lack of perfection in the world > the price(lessness) of perfection > trashcans.  If you lost that flow somewhere, it's okay, my conversations usually derail into other, cruder, topics.  Anyway, Mr. Civil Engineer wants to improve the world one trashcan at a time.  I'm going to let him do that-  I think most trashcans are perfect, in that they serve their main function quite well.  He's looking for ways to improve functionality while maintaining a certain standard of trash, I think.  He remarked on the recycability of most 'trash,' so I'm guessing that's something he'll be working on.  Thank you Mr. Civil Engineer for keeping me intellectually stimulated.  Kinda. :)

No-call dates are fun, you know.  I don't think I've ever had so much fun while being stood up. Note:  While this is the only time I've been stood up, it really couldn't have been any more interesting.

...

I got my directory from Camp Spike 'n' Wave.  Super exciting news, right?  I know.  I think I'll send picture books to my campers.  :)  (I've even got their birthdays!!)

I made a fish bowl.  I've decided that I'm not responsible to care for another living entity, and I'll put money on any fish of mine dying within a week.  My father helped me to finish my mosaic tabletop.   I'll probably put up pictures showcasing my two accomplishments.  I know everyone is dying to see them.  Hopefully I'll have the design for my back pack completed soon, and I will be able to employ some cheap labor to assemble it for me. ;)

Man, I've been having some weird dreams lately.  Some are really cool.  There was one that reminded me of Crash or Vantage Point- I had a dream, but I relived the dream twice, as a different character both times, which was really useful because I could use the knowledge gained in the first round to complete my goals in the second.  I guess it kinda sounds like a bad video game. hmmmm.

:::

If you should receive a short, out-of-context question from me, I'm in one of those moods.  It'd be cool if you answered.

Tomorrow I have plans to see the love of my life with Janelle.  I'm excited. :)

 

Happy anniversary parents!

 

--jcruz.

Good Evening!

I don't know who you are, and I'm supposing no one really does.  We all have our guesses, but you've learned the true ninja way, and kept hidden your true name and identity for many years.  Too many years-- certainly you know where to find the fountain of youth or how to mix the elixir of life, and yet you keep your silence.

Maybe you do this for our benefit.  By the number of wise and pithy statements, poems, literary works, etc. quoted through your pseudonym, one must assume that you know the value of words wisely chosen.  Then, if you choose not to speak out, it can only be concluded that you are protecting us.  Silence is golden, after all.

However, with your knowledge of what is best for us, which is to say that we mustn't assume things, that assumption might not be true.  You may not be protecting us at all, and mother may not know best (Note: Common Sense agrees that mother knows best, which means we either have a conspiracy or it's true).

What a horrible inconsistency!  You know, you could take a note or two from God about keeping His Word straight.  I happen to know from an inside source that He can be touchy when He's misquoted or His Word is misused.  But I suppose you wouldn't believe all that you hear through the grapevine, huh?

Anyway, it's your inconsistency that bothers me the most.  You, with your 'wisdom', think you're all that and a bag of Mrs Vicks' delightfully addicting Salt and Vinegar potato chips, never wrong and humble besides!  You think that I don't see right through that whole pseudonym business?  You're just insecure about who people view you as.  So much for being accepted for who you are; I don't even know you!

You know, I don't think I would've paid you much mind, but you're always in my business.  Leaving trash on the ground in the park, checking out my favorite books, taking all the ATM money, and buying all the drinks in the vending machines.  What is the deal with sending out all of these bomb threats?  Honestly.  Get with the times, that is SO 90's.  ANDI wouldn't be nearly as obsessive about the things I obsess about (which is nearly everything these days) if you weren't so adamant about keeping your identity secret.  Another thing to obsess about, geez!

I guess you can see where this headed, and I'm sorry I had to make this public.

Anonymous, our acquaintanceship is finished!

...

A little much on the drama there, Jess.  I'd watch that if I were you.

Duly noted.

I would say that I don't wonder about the various anonymous comments I (have received) receive on my (past) blog(s), but I'd be lying.  It's actually one of the reasons I don't like Facebook apps that allow for people to anonymously address me.  I don't like guessing games (because I suck at them), and although the majority of the anonymous comments I've received through my blogs, past and present, weren't specifically addressed to me, I always obsess about who it is.

I guess it doesn't matter.

:::

Mark and I went to see Wall-E today.  I love that film.

Movies We (= me and one other sibling) Can't Wait to See:

• The Dark Knight
• HSM 3: Senior Year
• Mummy 3
• Inkheart

I know there's others, but I can't remember them now.  oh well.

I'm getting frustrated with Wal-Mart customers. *glares at the thought*

 

goodnight.

Six Good Things

1. next generation Samarripas
2. sister-sister bonding with nail polish
3. paychecks!
4. polka dots
5. energizers
6. peanut butter crunch

I Just Gotta Say

First off, I'm going to apologize for grammar errors throughout the entirety of this post.  Second, I really don't have any excuse for making said errors, and I will readily admit that I am far too lazy to undo any cliche items, run-on sentences, and interrupted thought.  Should probably read it as a 'stream of consciousness' piece, and try to understand that this is pretty much how my brain and I think.  Sorry.

So, I'm not going to point out anyone, or something else ridiculous like that, and say that I really sorta want to Facebook friend them, just to see their profile- wall posts, interests, favorite music, you know, all the stuff that really defines someone as someone because I can hardly believe that this undefined entity is a person.  But I will.

Name isn't all that important, no, not hardly at all.  I don't know why I suddenly had this urge to Facebook friend them- we didn't speak to each other in high school, and although I'm sure he's fabulously intelligent, he didn't really treat me with much respect, which isn't what wise people do because wise people treat everyone with respect or at least the outward appearance of it.  whatev.

In fact, it just occurred to me that if we were to pass on the street or meet at a reunion, my thought would be, 'oh please oh please don't talk to me walk the other way please yes! talk to that other dude,' while his would be, 'i went to school with her?'

But oh how my curiosity yearns to be relieved!  I see little snippets of his life, through the wall posts on the 29 mutual friends we have.  29!  and some of them I wonder how he even knows or if he really remembers them or just fakes it.  i wonder if he'd accept my friend request or if I would accept his should it ever be offered, and I somehow know that neither one is possible.  Like at all. 

AND I hate how it bothers me because I'll probably dream about it, then at work tomorrow I'll have nine UNINTERRUPTED hours to think about it, only my thoughts will revolve around him and these little things I remember from high school, obsessing over it them him because my mind gets so little stimulation from the menial tasks I'm assigned to complete *deep breath* and then I'll come back and have nothing to blog about because I've literally thought only of him and Facebook since I've written this.  hopefully i won't end up crazed.

ah, too late.

...

Today I had a thought.  haha, okay maybe it was two!  Got me there!  (okay, wow, I probably need sleep.)  A response to Alex's anti-WR sentiments, posted for a select few to read: IT IS NEVER TOO EARLY TO BEGIN TO SHOW ONE'S TRUE COLORS.  IT IS ALWAYS TIME FOR THE GODS AND THE GODDESSES TO RULE.  IT IS NEVER TOO EARLY TO CHEER ON WHAT FATE HAS RIGHTFULLY DECIDED IS YOURS.  IT IS ALWAYS TIME FOR THE PHOENIX TO FLY.  IT IS NEVER TOO EARLY TO UPHOLD THE ONLY THREE VALUES THAT KEEP THE EARTH SPINNING. MYTHPOWERVALUE.  AND IT IS ALWAYS TIME FOR WILL RICE (and it is never time for jones- not even worth capitalizing- or any of the lesser colleges and residences)!

Happy Alex?  I certainly hope so, and I hope that my response was adequate for your fine tastes. :P

:::

Fam and I went to a party for my cousin today.  He's just finished his army training, and he'll be stationed somewhere within a week.  About 8 families showed up, which for a hispanic family like mine means that there was about a million people there.  It was odd, you know, seeing how many generations were there, how people are related and how they relate to each other.

I'm not just talking about within families-- some family friends showed up and made themselves comfortable within our network.  I got to catch up with an old high school friend (hey girl!) and see people I don't often get to see (can you tell I forgot what I was writing half way through that sentence?)

 

Anyway, sorry, again, for not making any sense or for making sense (which means you've either spent too much time with me or too much time studying me-- either way, please stop the punishment already).

 

j.cruz

walmart activities.

During my first two weeks Wal-Mart, I've learned a few things:

1. I am addicted to Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, whether they are miniature, regular, big cup, on sale or not.  Now that is ridiculous.  Two weeks ago I had my mother buy me a bag.  Since then I've bought three more.  It's worse than crack because I can buy the stuff, legally, ANYWHERE.  You may think, "It's not that bad.  It's not like the candy is too expensive."  WRONG!  For a poor college student who only just recently got a job, the candies are horribly expensive.  But they are delicious. Yum.
2. I can spend less than $3 on any meal.  True fact.  Wal-Mart really does have some fantastic deals.
3. Cars' headlights attract and hold my attention for a very long time.  It's kinda odd, but when I drive home at night, I have to stare at the lights coming at me until they pass my window.  They fascinate me, especially when the car is behind a hill, and I can slowly begin to see the car's headlights, until the lights suddenly explode into view, much like a highway car-rise.  Sweet.
4. I can sleep with half of my brain, like a dolphin, and I do it at work.  Okay, so I don't sleep with half of my brain, but I'm pretty sure parts of my brain go to sleep and the other parts work overtime or something because I have some weird thoughts while I'm working (for example, I was making up excuses the banana has for having three parts).  It's like my frontal lobe just disappears. Anyway, the work isn't very demanding, brain-wise, so while my hands act as an entire line assembly, my mind goes elsewhere, I think.
5. I'm going to add almond extract to everything I consume.  Possibly my favorite smell/taste, up there with cherry, pineapple, ginger, and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

Eighteen (+10) Good Things

1. a list of 10 things I can't remember
2. +1 Nerd Points
3. the dark knight is coming...
4. buying cheap food at wal-mart
5. somehow driving 30 miles to home with the tank light on
6. mad skillz in learning new skillz
7. sitting
8. awesome old fashioned dressers
9. painting
10. not killing plants
11. having the material to make my backpack
12. donating plasma for the cash money
13. having cash money
14. being able to afford gas
15. cameras!
16. fanastic Goodwill shopping
17. RAIN.
18. the looks the people at HEB give you when they know you work at wal-mart
19. :D

10 Good Things

1. Animal House
2. working a $8.20/hr job
3. saving electricity
4. mint chocolate chip ice cream
5. Gregorian chant
6. 100 Essential Classical Pieces for $5.99
7. not being addicted to Facebook
8. being addicted to webcomics
9. taking pictures
10. having a sister moment :)

How Do You Make Holy Water?

I went with my mother, her brother, and her brother's wife to see Joel Osteen speak in San Antonio on Sunday.  He is quite the preacher, and I understand why so many people listen to him, read his books, and support his ministries.  I, for one, truly believe that he is fulfilling God's mission for him, to bring people closer to God.  Too bad he ain't Catholic. ;)

He mentioned a few things that I was thinking about before we went to see him, about avoiding unnecessary fights, not obsessively thinking about the future, etc.  idk, It sort of meant something to me.

...

I was talking with my brother a week ago about future technology.  He said that writers had failed us because they'd predicted that we'd have flying cars, teleportation, better food, blah blah blah.  I don't know that they did fail us.

Sure, the majority of us still drive cars based on designs introduced in the early 1900s, and we may not be able to change locations instantly.  We don't know how to 'make' gravity, and we still don't have the elixir of life.

Who cares?  If you do, well, we may not have those things, but we have, or are getting the knowledge to obtain, things that begin to approximate those things.  I, however, believe that 'future' technology began a while back, that, in the immediate future, we will have technology better--no, more-- than what the writers predicted, and that we, as a species, will have insights like the writers never had, i.e. technology different than what they could have expected. 

Instant communication over large distances, relatively easy travel, amassing of world knowledge, Tivo, arguably better food, better medicines, stupid computers, extensive education, manipulation of gravity: If only these things followed the process of diffusion, then everyone, the world over, could have a chance to see how much we've done.

I know that there are people out there who agree with me; I just sort of wrote this without researching any of my fellow believers, my bad.  They probably wrote more eloquently, with depth, and had fine examples pulled from stories and research.  whatev. :P

:::

So, like, a week ago, I got to care for my godchild and her sister.  Now, I'm not going to say that they're monsters, but I will say that they are aged 3 and 2 years (my godchild is the younger and quieter child).  It was an experience that makes me very happy that I don't plan on having sex until I'm married.  I seriously doubt that I, the 'Best Future Mother', would be able to handle raising kids for a while, at least 5 years, and that estimate is assuming I wouldn't be single or widowed.

I'm not saying that my cousin isn't doing a good job, but her mother puts plenty of work into helping her and I just know that I'd have no chance of giving that much care to any child of mine at this point in my life.  I'd almost admire her, except I don't much approve of premartial sex. :/

Anyway, I realized that it's been awhile since the last time I actually wrote something substantial. My bad.

Edit: I forgot to give the answer to the question in the title: you boil the hell out of it. :P

j.cruz