Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Monkey Paw is now on Facebook!
Yes, we're on Facebook! Tell everyone you know about Monkey Paw, and feel free to 'Like' and 'Share' like you've never 'Liked' and 'Shared' before!
Onward into interweb infamy!!!
Richard
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Thanksgiving
It was Thanksgiving recently, and even though I had a lovely day of turkey and games with friends, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with thoughts of last year's extremely successful Chilean Thanksgiving bash. It took 2 weeks of planning and a collective effort, but we pulled it off fabulously and ended up being the best Thanksgiving I've ever had.
Meet Joseph Gobbles; star guest at dinner and WWII pun. He was a beautiful specimen, weighing in at 15 pounds.
Adding my own twist to my father's recipe, the turkey was marinated in coca-cola and beer for two days (giving it enough time to thaw, and simultaneously absorb the sweetness and savoriness of the soda and beer).
On the big day, I rubbed the turkey, inside and out, in a mixture of olive oil, diced garlic, salt, pepper and basil, and then stuffed it with rice, shredded carrots, onions and cilantro. Colorful + Fragrant = Excess Salivation.
One of the more controversial choices, at least among my Gringo friends, was when I decided to inject the turkey with a fresh batch of coca-cola and beer. Yes, inject; not baste. It wasn't a gallon's worth or anything, but it's something my dad taught me. The idea is to inject the mixture into the limbs and breast of the turkey, so that as it cooks, the heat will cause it to seep out and act as a self-basting mechanism. People had their doubts, but....
Voila!
The skin had caramelized and was nice and crispy, and the turkey was described by many as the juiciest they'd ever had. I don't mean to toot my own horn, but this was definitely the best turkey I've ever eaten. I'm sure the feeling of success had some influence on my taste buds, but I honestly believe this turkey was fantastic. The comments made by my friends helped confirm that :)
Fabulous as it was, the turkey was only half the battle. Nick was very excited about having a Thanksgiving dinner (his first in about 3 years) and was gracious enough to let us host our little event at his home. Being that he is an amazing cook, he made some awesome candied yams, super creamy, home-made Mac-n-Cheese and his family's Broccoli casserole. Needless to say, we ravaged that table.
The final touches of the meal came in the form of cranberry sauce and gravy. The gravy was easy and quick, and even though it wasn't the greatest gravy ever made or tasted, it was well enjoyed. Andre, on the other hand, had absolutely demanded to have the Ocean Spray canned cranberry sauce / gel that is served at most American homes during the holidays. I obliged him with his request, but also did my own play on Cranberry sauce.
A co-worker gave me a recipe for a more modern and tasty way to serve cranberry sauce. Basically, buy the can of chunky Cranberry sauce (as opposed to the one which is just gel), dump it in a pot and set it on the stove at low heat. Then, add some sort of berry that will act as a good contrast to the Cranberry; I used whole blueberries, but strawberries work too. Add rum or cognac, honey and cinnamon (all to taste) and then just let it cook until the berries burst. Stir regularly, (you don't want it to burn!), and let it cool before serving.
Sooooo yummy!
Everyone else brought an assortment of pies, ice cream, soda and wine.
In the end, we ate, we gossiped, we hit on each other. It was a wonderfully gay Chilean Thanksgiving, and one I wouldn't change or trade for even the most traditional incarnation of this odd American holiday.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
A Comment on the Passing of Same-Sex Marriage in New York.
I had to write about this. I just didn't know any other way to express what I'm feeling.
It's amazing. This feeling... Amazing.
Thinking of all the possibilities that this opens for us now... it makes my eyes water. I mean, yes, I could go get married in Mexico City, or Sweden, or even Connecticut. But I am a New Yorker. I can marry in my city now. I have rights in my own city! Fuck! That's huge!!!
Before, I could go to Connecticut and get married and then come back and have my marriage recognized in NY, but how shitty is that? "Yeah, OK, we'll recognize it, but you can't do it here." C'mon! Being able to DO it in my city, the place I consider to be my home (even if I live abroad), it's an amazing feeling.
This whole thing is not about marriage for me. Andre and I have little interest in marriage. Our life is great as is, and sure, I hope we get married some day (Why not allow myself to be a romantic?), but it's not a goal we're working towards; It's something that will happen when the time is right and we want to do it. The reason this excites me so, is that I can get married.
'Can'. What a wonderful word. I have the ability to do 'x' action. Before this law, I was able to say: "I can go to the supermarket." or "We can leave the city for the weekend." or even "I can haz cheezburger." But, "Honey, we can get married whenever we want." was not a statement I could make and have it be true. It's that possibility. I'm freaking out over the fact that a giant obstacle has just been removed from our lives. A door has just opened, and there is no obnoxious sign at the entrance telling us what we can and cannot do due to our sexual orientation. This is a battle that I will no longer have to, someday, wage; And it brings me great relief.
And still, I can't and won't ever forget that there are people who don't want me to have this right. I don't think they're evil or anything melodramatic like that, but it makes me sad. The law now favors my community and I, but there are still those who will see and treat us like second class citizens, which is why we must continue to rally, to educate people, to reach out peacefully and openly to those who believe we are less, or wrong, or depraved, or sinners and help them see that we are people too. We too struggle with our lives, and love, and get angry, and get sick. And just because I love someone who has the same genitalia as I, it doesn't mean I support or will be involved in Pedophilia or Bestiality.
Today is Pride in NYC and I really wish I could be there. But since I can't, I want to wish all New Yorkers (gay or straight) a happy Pride. Because today, it's not about Gay Pride, it's about New Yorker Pride. Today, we are ALL New Yorkers. We ALL have the same rights (marriage, adoption, property) and that, if any, is a great reason to go celebrate on the streets of the greatest city in the world and let everyone know that love is stronger than hate.
Let people see our joy so that someday they can let go of their fear and hatred.
Happy Pride to ALL!!!!
It's amazing. This feeling... Amazing.
Thinking of all the possibilities that this opens for us now... it makes my eyes water. I mean, yes, I could go get married in Mexico City, or Sweden, or even Connecticut. But I am a New Yorker. I can marry in my city now. I have rights in my own city! Fuck! That's huge!!!
Before, I could go to Connecticut and get married and then come back and have my marriage recognized in NY, but how shitty is that? "Yeah, OK, we'll recognize it, but you can't do it here." C'mon! Being able to DO it in my city, the place I consider to be my home (even if I live abroad), it's an amazing feeling.
This whole thing is not about marriage for me. Andre and I have little interest in marriage. Our life is great as is, and sure, I hope we get married some day (Why not allow myself to be a romantic?), but it's not a goal we're working towards; It's something that will happen when the time is right and we want to do it. The reason this excites me so, is that I can get married.
'Can'. What a wonderful word. I have the ability to do 'x' action. Before this law, I was able to say: "I can go to the supermarket." or "We can leave the city for the weekend." or even "I can haz cheezburger." But, "Honey, we can get married whenever we want." was not a statement I could make and have it be true. It's that possibility. I'm freaking out over the fact that a giant obstacle has just been removed from our lives. A door has just opened, and there is no obnoxious sign at the entrance telling us what we can and cannot do due to our sexual orientation. This is a battle that I will no longer have to, someday, wage; And it brings me great relief.
And still, I can't and won't ever forget that there are people who don't want me to have this right. I don't think they're evil or anything melodramatic like that, but it makes me sad. The law now favors my community and I, but there are still those who will see and treat us like second class citizens, which is why we must continue to rally, to educate people, to reach out peacefully and openly to those who believe we are less, or wrong, or depraved, or sinners and help them see that we are people too. We too struggle with our lives, and love, and get angry, and get sick. And just because I love someone who has the same genitalia as I, it doesn't mean I support or will be involved in Pedophilia or Bestiality.
Today is Pride in NYC and I really wish I could be there. But since I can't, I want to wish all New Yorkers (gay or straight) a happy Pride. Because today, it's not about Gay Pride, it's about New Yorker Pride. Today, we are ALL New Yorkers. We ALL have the same rights (marriage, adoption, property) and that, if any, is a great reason to go celebrate on the streets of the greatest city in the world and let everyone know that love is stronger than hate.
Let people see our joy so that someday they can let go of their fear and hatred.
Happy Pride to ALL!!!!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Gettin' yer herr did.
I really enjoy the mix of colors in this picture. It gives it a very Caribbean feel.
Update
Hey there, reader! I'm sorry. I know; I know. I've been away for a while, but I swear I have a good reason! Actually, I've got several:
- In December I got a new part-time job, working the Front Desk at a very cute and trendy apart-hotel, right here in Santiago! The name is Ameristar Apart-Hotel and, if you'll forgive the shameless plug, it's one of the best places to stay at during your visit to Santiago. It has comfortable accommodations, 24 hour staff assistance, and it is quite cost efficient. If you are ever planning a visit down here, let me know and I'd be happy to help you get around and arrange your stay.
- In February, this new part-time gig became a full-time one, thus leading to my early retirement from the field of English teaching. It has also affected the amount of free time I have, since the shift is 10 hours long. Trust me, it's not as bad as it sounds; The day pretty much flies by. Plus, I'm well compensated :)
- In March, my mother came down for a visit (which was fabulous, and those pictures will be up soon enough), and that took up no less than 2 weeks of my time. Yes, we had an incredible time. Yes, it was amazing spending time with her after almost 3 years of being apart. And yes, we kept it fierce.
- In April, I hosted some black lady friends from NYC. We were crazy, loud and ate loads of chicken. I'm not being racist; We ate A LOT of chicken.
- Now, in May, two other New Yorkers will be visiting Andre and I, so lord only knows how busy that all keep us. Plus, you've gotta remember, I party hard (which is time consuming as well).
So, that's more or less what's been going on. There is always some random adventure here and an unexpected twist of fate there, but everything is generally well. Life in Chile is great. Amazing friends; a wonderful boyfriend and home; a stimulating and well paying job.
I'm happy. Ridiculously so. What else could I possibly ask for?
- In December I got a new part-time job, working the Front Desk at a very cute and trendy apart-hotel, right here in Santiago! The name is Ameristar Apart-Hotel and, if you'll forgive the shameless plug, it's one of the best places to stay at during your visit to Santiago. It has comfortable accommodations, 24 hour staff assistance, and it is quite cost efficient. If you are ever planning a visit down here, let me know and I'd be happy to help you get around and arrange your stay.
- In February, this new part-time gig became a full-time one, thus leading to my early retirement from the field of English teaching. It has also affected the amount of free time I have, since the shift is 10 hours long. Trust me, it's not as bad as it sounds; The day pretty much flies by. Plus, I'm well compensated :)
- In March, my mother came down for a visit (which was fabulous, and those pictures will be up soon enough), and that took up no less than 2 weeks of my time. Yes, we had an incredible time. Yes, it was amazing spending time with her after almost 3 years of being apart. And yes, we kept it fierce.
- In April, I hosted some black lady friends from NYC. We were crazy, loud and ate loads of chicken. I'm not being racist; We ate A LOT of chicken.
- Now, in May, two other New Yorkers will be visiting Andre and I, so lord only knows how busy that all keep us. Plus, you've gotta remember, I party hard (which is time consuming as well).
So, that's more or less what's been going on. There is always some random adventure here and an unexpected twist of fate there, but everything is generally well. Life in Chile is great. Amazing friends; a wonderful boyfriend and home; a stimulating and well paying job.
I'm happy. Ridiculously so. What else could I possibly ask for?
Monday, March 7, 2011
200th Post!!!!
To celebrate this 200th post, I thought I'd leave you a bit of couture graphic design done for me by my good and very talented friend, Naty Contreras.
A toast to all you ones of faithful readers out there. Cheers!
Richard
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