Bear ... you are so correct..... a lot of us are innocent bystanders in a fecal fight;a lot of us are being caught in a crossfire and that stinks. Time to STOP!!!!!

Apology accepted... I have no idea what you are apologising for... and I do not want to know. All I do know is that if SOMEONE starts to ACCEPT some appologies then maybe , just maybe , this crud will end.

Yup Note and I love reading your post as well.... thank you for being you.

Travis my advise is cook your best dish... Break a leg and if you ever need an actor for one of your films just fly me up and I will make your film a hit...lol
Oh and don't get discourage if you do not make this season they always have a file and might even call you in for season 7 without trying out for it anywhoo my thoughts for you to sucseed.

Y'Awl come from the LazyBoy capital of the world. Once a month I pass by on I-75 en route to visit family in Lincoln Park from Cleveland, Ohio.

Welcome and good luck on your audition tape! Simple can be good but remember, both visual and vocal product presentation are key skills as well.

I'm in Chesterfield just north of Mt. Clemens. Make sure you put your personality out there for the tape----they haven't tasted your food yet.

Rady he got banned how do I know this? Well I went to my PM and he PM'd Me...lol

Well now it says Deleted... lol even though the message is still there.. but don't fear he is back again but I think he truely wants to stay this time... I could be wrong on this but I think it is the same poster.

Lincoln Park---my sister and brother in law live there. Another sister and brother in law in Southgate and the mother and father in law are in Allen Park!!!

When you are in town I'd love to buy you a cup of coffee or an adult beverage!

Oh ok I guess we aren't that f'd up then. Crap I was hoping to have some fun tonite. I do appreciate you and your comments. Sometimes enough is enough.

Anything with bacon and/or scallops is always a hit around here.

Oh Chuc such wisdom wrap me a scallop in bacon grill it and I will love you forever....

Now if you stuff squash blossoms with Sea Urchin and put them on a pizza I might have to call me some Sopranos to take you out... just sayin is all.

Well, I tell you, my friend, I've begun to use the ignore option and use it frequently. If I come upon one other their rants in someone else's message, I ignore it or check to see if someone else is joining in the venom. Now when I peruse the board, I have whole pages to ignore! It's a wonderful thing!

The last time I was on this board a group of people ran me off for disagreeing with one post...even when I wasn't listing I was getting notices of PM's from people I didn't know only to discover that they were the old enemies (it ended up being only one person) who had created a new profile in order to get around my blocks.

They won't get that accomplished this time. I like to check in on my friends and will continue to do so...drama free....which is hard for a drama guy!

All I can say is that you've got my drinking game started early!!! LOL Buck up, big guy....luv ya.

Bacon is a hit wherever there are guys! lol

As for Scallops... I've never understood why scallops are such a HUGE hit. I've never been fond of their texture, though I do know how to cook them for other people.

Any clue if there are plans to have season box sets come out? I didn't get into Top Chef until the tail end of season 2. I'd love to play catch-up!

Actor, I was wondering this, too. The problem is that our good friend, Jim in NYC, is deleted as well. Where did he go? Why? Jim never said boo to anyone, that i know of... WTH is going on???

You'd have to take me out just on principal if I tried to feed you something like that. Egads.

I understand your irritated frustration, bear. When I finally got back to these boards a week ago after being off for a while, I was especially looking forward to the OT board. I was so disappointed to find that this board had digressed into the same finger-pointing crap that had driven me away a few times before. Today, I see that there may be yet another chance of a ceasefire. I hope it's not one of those never-ending phony Israel-Palestinian lulls where all that's really happening is people are stopping fighting long enough to gather more stones and build more bombs.

Whatever name you go by -- whether Jekyll or Hyde -- I enjoy your posts. Sometimes, I might think "oh, that's just TMI," but usually, not.

Oh -- and before I forget -- I'm so sorry to hear of your heart attack. I wish you the best on stopping the smoking. Your sermonette a few pages back was very moving.

WHAT? Jim got friggin Banned? Why? He has never said anything Derogatory... if this is True BBB what the Hell is going on?

His posts are gone. His profile is gone. Everything. When I signed on this afternoon the thread seemed odd. The posts weren't in the same place, ie same pages, as yesterday. I didn't know exactly so I started investigating. Stock2mal is gone and so is Jim. I know that stock was pretty inflammatory and if he/she could have moved past the punching buttons phase hir posts might have had some meat. And Jim was pleasant throughout. I have my theories about Jim and I hope they're wrong. At any rate... it's sad all around.

I am crying here because if you meant that for me in anyway it is all I ever wanted.You broke my heart...I can't help it ...I am very sensitive.

I thought you were magical and I still do.
That is the truth I did and do....no matter.
I promise the same and I mean that.
I will NEVER bring that up again.

NEVER!!!!!!!!
If you didn't mean me I will just make believe you did.

We don't have to speak and I'm fine with that.
But you made me cry..I'm not lying...You can have my phone number if you like.
(which I'm sure you don't )

I'm crying.

Whirley and the jello shots are at the ready!

OH! And someone left me a PM that must have been deleted. If anyone sent me a PM, please send it again. I'd hate for anyone to think that I had overlooked them.

Maybe it was Jim???
Sob!

Well..We'll jello shot in his honor and we'll pop the hell out of that corn!!

I don't like them really though.. I hate to be rude but may I please have a Mojito ..extra mint and lime on the side.

We say MOJITO with a Ricardo Montelban accent and we say it LOUD!!!!

And dahling.... you loooook mahvelous

If I have two I'll dance on the tables

Are you thinking of (Ithink) Sam Cho (or somthing like that)... big heavyset Hawaiian that is on Emeril's show a lot.

I meant you also. And I think you know that even if we were "out" I would not call because, friend or foe, you are just too .... much!

No soup for You!

Buh' I like soup

You got that right... I am WAY too much!!!
I gowontee

Hello everyone! I hope all is well. I do hope that the fighting is over for good. No one said that everyone has to like everyone and certainly everyone is not going to agree with everything everyone says. It's good that we have a place to go and talk about anything we want. I would like to think we can come here and not get attacked or get our feelings hurt, I for one did get insulted and mocked when I first tried to join in on the PR board. I just kinda let it slide and ignored those that thought it was funny to ridicule someone they don't know for no reason. I however was happy to see there are many folks here that are very kind and friendly and send out good vibes to all the newcomers. Maybe some get really comfortable and think that no one will go after them and when someone does they are shocked or take it personally. I don't think someone I don't know has the power to make me feel bad, angry or hurt. I just enjoy reading all the posts (except the hateful ones) and every once in a while I like to pop in and say hi. So I am here at work again tonight wearing my patch and being all kinds of optomistic about my life. How about those Red Sox Bear? You gotta be happy about the last 2 nights at least. Tater Tot, let me know about your efforts to quit the evil tobacco. Maybe we can comissurate (can't believe I spelled that right), spell check after.

I am rooting you on in your battle - three nights in a row, what a victory already! Keep up the good work - so nice to hear that you are optomistic! So many are fighting the same battle, as have shared on this board, so never think you are alone in this! Courage, you are winning!!!

Thanks, but I haven't started winning yet. See I wear the patch at work but I am still smoking at home (outside my house that is). Friday is my quit date. I will work all night tomorrow and when I get out I will continue the patch and not smoke. It sounds crazy but I am looking forward to it. Going all night and working an 8hr shift is a miracle for me as I haven't done that in the twenty years I have worked here. I would always go out at least 3 times during work. Thank you for your positive words. They are much appreciated.

Each journey starts with a few steps... sounds like you have planned yours out and are taking positive, big steps toward your goal.
Kudos to you!

Often, when we want to make major changes in our lives we do crazy, unrealistic things that we just can't maintain - that is a recipe for disaster.
You, on the other hand, seem to be plotting out reasonable, realistic things that will lead to success and lasting change - very wise!

Really, much of the battle is won in the planning phase (take it from a battlescarred but still fighting veteran on the battlefield of life!)

Thanks again, I love your self description, as I feel that way as well and I have overcome many things in my life this is just one more. I have to mention something that happened this morning. I saw one of my daughters this morning right after I finished work. I told her about my plan and how I had gone all night without a cigarette. She started crying! It moved me so much that even if I were having doubts that would have been it. To see my beautiful grown daughter shedding tears of joy at the thought of her sad ole mom finally doing this. It was so sweet and poignant. I love my kids!

Well Wosh keep up the good fight I still smoke and My Jenn did really great for about 3 months in the goal to quit smoking..... She used the patch as well.... This is a hard drug to kick... tell my lungs about it...

One Day I will get tired of the smoking and quit or the good lord will decide it is time for me to quit and show me in the harshest ways... who knows. Just best of luck too you sounds like your plan just might work this time... I hope it dose.

OK! Need advice! For my audition tape, I was going to do my Open-Face Italian Breakfast Sandwich (which I mentioned a few pages ago). My girlfriend agrees with me.


But one of my friends (and my mom agrees), thinks I should do my Spicey Talapia Italiano.

Which do I do? Simple but delish breakfast food... or fancier dinner food?

Thanks Actor! Good to hear from you. My husband quit around 9 years ago and has been putting up with me (barely) all these years. When we bought our new house 6 yrs ago I promised him I would never smoke in it and I haven't. Many freezing icy windy snowy winter nights here in New England, standing outside my back door like a fool. Won't miss that!

Siv go with your gut instinct all the best to ya.

Yeah something about those buggers that keep us coming back...lol
I too have spent many a time in bad weather too smoke. It is a hard habit to quit but if you really have the desire you can do it.

Everyone have a great day! I'll check in tonight, my last day of smoking!!!

Personally, I would stick with simple, skillful and flavorful. If you can demonstrate you have the fundamentals down while providing a skillfully executed simple and tasty dish, then I think you'll impress.

I have no formal training, though. I'm not a chef. It's just what I would do.

Good Luck!

Made it through another night, Huh?!
You ROCK!!!!
Look forward to hearing from you tonight!

Nor do I, actually. I mean, I've worked as a cook in a restraunt before... but really I'm just a "soul chef".

I plan on being the first non-chef on Top Chef.


Alright, tell you what, I'm going to trust you guys to NOT steal my recepies and audition with them yourself (please don't!) and tell you what each of my two ideas are for the audition... and you guys can vote!

1)Open-Face Italian Breakfast Sandwich: 2 thick slices of Italian bread grilled on both sides, 3 eggs seasonsed beautifully (while in the pan) with salt, pepper, gradulated garlic, and fresh parsley and cooked over-medium. The eggs are then laid overtop the grilled bread and then garnished with whole parsley leaf.

2)Spicey Talapia Italiano: Pan-seared talapia tat's then steamed in a pizza sauce and white wine mixture with green asparagus, pepper, minced garlic, and crushed red pepper seeds. When plated, it's toped with a pinch of un-melted, shredded mozz cheese and more crushed red pepper seeds.

So vote! Which dish to I make for Top Chef?

I vote for #2. On paper the ingredients are imaginative and the presentation is more dramatic. My only reservation is that I'm unfamiliar with talapie. I assume it will be filleted. Is it flavorful enough by itself to not be overpowered by the other ingredients?

Drew has never smoked..cigarettes, so I had a pact with him to not smoke in the house. I spent many a day on the balcony, when we were in a condo, and outside our back door when we moved into our rowhouse. It's something I can honestly say I won't miss one whit.

By not smoking I'm also setting a good example for my kid. I can show him that you can do something for years and quit. I think it's a good thing, and I hope he's getting something from my discomfort. LOL

Denny is leaving today for a school trip to New York, and will be there till Monday morning. I think those theater trips to the Apple are going to pay off for him this weekend. I love that they're going to see "Wicked", especially since Drew and I took him earlier. The only thing I'm not crazy about is Drew and I offered to chaperone on the trip and were turned down. I guess they didn't think it would be a good example for the kids.

Music fans. Has anyone ever seen Arlo Guthrie in concert? Is he worth $45?

Talapia (to me) looks similar to a chicken breast as far as how it's cut. As for flavor... to ME, it's only slightly more flavorful than walleye (so... you know... not much flavor if unseasoned). So the sauce and red pepper seeds really make up the majority of the dish's flavor.

Oh my! I've been off the boards for quite awhile....just can't seem to get into this TC season. Have two concerts (playing bass clarinet again...whoo hoo) coming up and a writing portfolio due in two weeks. Geeze louise what hectic chaos for this little old (not!) lady. Plus my kidlet just officially turned 15 and has actually started college hunting. (urgggg!)

I"m going to try and keep up on the OT board at least, and have the porch open for all. I don't know what I missed, but judging from this, Wosh my friend, it's been a battle again. So maybe the porch is very very necessary.

Waving special hello's to Note (no good reason ) and Actor because I just love what you and Jen bring here! I know there's a gazillion other regulars who inhabit my porch.....you are all so very welcome here! (but then you knew that, right?)

To all newcomers.....Jazzie's Porch is officially back and open. Just a few rules, I try not to take sides....my porch is "hallowed ground, Highlander" so no wars EVER....please keep the virtual porch reasonably clean and don't wake up a sleeping Jazzie. Last one out gets the lights. And if you look westward, here's a calm serene view to rest your weary mind against!

Jazzikins
The Baking Boddhisatva of Frequent Napping

Definitely #2. Not fully knowing the recipes/ingredients, I wasn't quite sure of the degree of difficulty. But, I have to say the second offering, though more ingredients, doesn't strike me as difficult, per se. Maybe more time intensive/sensitive.

Again, I don't know what you've tried-and-true tested and what you've tweaked over time, so bear with me, I'm just thinking out loud, so to speak: I'm having difficulty visualizing the first dish.

One, I'm not sure that granulated garlic is enough of an Italian reference ingredient to actually put "Italian" in the name of the dish. If, perhaps, you were to make some Italian version of ranchos nuevos with a roasted tomato and basil jam, then I could make the connection.

Two, I'm having problems imagining the mouth feel and intensity of granulated garlic as a top seasoning on eggs. If you were to rub garlic (roasted or raw) on the grilled bread, then I'd think you'd be on to something. Granulated garlic, to me & me only! , needs to marry with flavors and almost dissolve into something, like a sauce or a meat rub that gets "melted" into the meat.

Again, just some things that ran through my mind. They're your recipes. You know how they taste!

FWIW, I think both sound very good. ^5

Well, you know, Bear2, I refused to use the ignore feature for a long time because I figured why should I give them preferential treatment? Besides that, if someone answers them, and you don't have them on ignore, as well, then you're still seeing their posts.

But, after this whole brouhaha, I have put several people on ignore. I don't talk to them, so why should I have to go out of my way to read them? It's a good thing to not even be tempted to read their nonsense, so, if someone does answer them, I will see that, but I don't see them normally, and that's a really fine thing.

Welcome! And good luck on the auditions. These both sound wonderful, though I'm not a big fan of talapia, but hey..just a personal preference. Your first recipe sounds very tasty, but have you tried roasted garlic instead of granulated? Just me, but I don't care for the "mouth feel" of granulated garlic, but I love the mushy yummy roasted stuff....and oh gee, you're making me hungry!

*smile*
So....if I chill some kind of wonderful white wine, will you let us sample your virtual menu here on the porch?
Seriously.....good luck on the auditions, it'd be delightful to have one of our own on TC!
Jazzikins
The Baking Boddhisatva of Frequent Napping

As runner up, do I get the prize if Woshkie doesn't want the weekend?
I need someone who doesn't always win at wizard's chess!