That's it I have had it, 2008 is finally over and I couldn't be gladder, yeah I said gladder, I once said betterer too it was an ophthalmologist I believe. What's all this jive about you may ask well since it is 2009-er now I thought the whole world was fixed now that the magic man is in office and everyone got their pimped out tax handouts... Not so, you see I still can't make gravy!!
Yes I am a foodie, a gourmage, a gastro-engineer. I have spent countless hours in my kitchen pounding away on black granite making dishes for friends and relatives that rivaled the Iron chef’s top muster. I can cook 24 spice laced Indian foods at a master level, my scallops are never fail and I have perfected the rare art of perfect béarnaise sauce. I can roll sushi, I can double boil chocolate, I can make fresh whip cream and cheese. This is not a brag blog it's an information setup. All these mad kitchen skills have earned me rare kudos from fellow stuck up foodie types and admiration of various women dates, which make it back to my lair. All of this culinary awesomeness and I cannot still in 2009, with Obama in the "White" house promising everything; make gravy... The small amount of liquid in the pan made a riotous boil and I slowly added flour. Fail, instant Polaroid, freaking fail. Stupid little white balls began forming instantly. My $16 bottle of wine gravy was now turning into a home for micro-dumplings fuck fuck fuckity fuck!! I got so angry, I had an impulse to run outside with my gravy pan in the street and beat it into an unrecognizable object right then and there. I held back, this is a new neighborhood, a new start, no one here realizes the psycho living next door yelling at gravy yet, better keep it cool. So I started again, this time more drippings and a pre dissolved formulation of flour and corn starch. You know corn starch, in my family it's like testicle tonic or something; I have been tripping through that stuff in the bathroom for 33 years, now it's time to eat it. The pan started sizzling hard again, I reached for my concoction almost feeling the fail awaiting me in that doomed pan below. I breathed deep, grabbed up my whisk and began slowly adding the flour mixture. Bubble bubble, and tiny white pancakes began forming out of the perfect batter of which I had provided. Oh my God, I muttered to myself... I think I am about freak out here; I just need to step back from the gravy pan before someone or something inanimate gets hurt!! Ugggh The fail this time is complete with little smiling ass baby gravy pancakes!! That’s it, I strained out my dumplings attempted to salvage some of my "gravy" and moved on with dinner. A fantastic rosemary/garlic fused sirloin roast to perfection, with a side of loser-fail gravy. The boat of which contained this menace looked almost angry at the task of porting this shit attempt at a side sauce... I had to drink an entire 750ml cab-sav for good measure, and to forget the pain of this, yet again gravy failure of my life... One theory voiced recently by a chef friend was the possibility that I have so hit the ceiling of amateur chef mastership, that the universe itself (Much like Bono universal relativity theory,) will simply not allow me to conjure gravy. Whichever reality is the truth is of little consequence, the situation remains and I am still in my own personal daily Hell of gravy abandon. Screw you gravy and your minions of Hell…Yes gravy, the staple of ghetto/redneck cooking. The only bridge between the races, the glue that binds all unhealthy cooking together, is amiss from my culinary rape kit. What the hell is wrong with me?! Try again did I last night, with 4 cups of prime roast drippings in hand, I approached my sizzling hot skillet, ready for total gravy win. Slowly I added the renderings of my 10 hour sirloin tip roast, complete with organic vegetables and a few heirloom onions.
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January 04, 2009
December 29, 2007
Dumpster Safari Journal.
My awesome career takes me this way and that, to and fro, yonder and o'er there even. Sometimes I get involved with some pretty dirty, gross places. Mostly dank LAN rooms or dusty, viral laden ceilings. This is where corporate security finds its home. I have seen it all, at one facility I got to run wires through a decomposition room filled with bloated dead bodies, whom certainly looked better in life. Working through the ancient maze of a school cafeteria I was even party to the now famous green hot dog... Speaking of food while working in a very scary remote super ghetto location one time my brother and I where constantly watching our backs because the area was known for being a criminal haven. He looked over to me at one point and said "hey watch out for that old banana over there, don't slip on it!" I sighed and replied with "that's not a banana..."
This recent project I have taken on requires me to secure 4 dumpster rooms. Yes I am in charge of advanced garbage protective scenarios, what a promotion. This location is bumping nads with the famously awful "Ponce" area of Atlanta. Those of you who don't know this area it is our mini San Francisco, fully of heady art types, and the most aggressive homeless population in all of the south. These sub humans have actually invaded these trash rooms transforming them into public restrooms, some are so starved for sanity they can actually be found nightly, taking up residence. Yeah sleeping in said abject filth and scaring the precious richers that have decided to be chic enough to live in a dangerous sub-transitional area of the Atlanta metro ghetto system.
So my progress has had me getting close and personal with some really great refuse (or rubbish for my English pals.) I mean close quarters, like a 25X25 room with a 22 foot dumpster jammed in. The show "dirty jobs" has no clue at all, the horror... While working in these pits of dark garbage enlightenment I have developed a class system that covers all dumpster mania. You will find these traits present at most dumping facilities. I have no idea what microbe has infected my brain to produce such a feverish result but here goes:
The Crawl:
This dumpster trait quickly became the most feared when smashed up against the wall, drilling high PSI concrete with a rotary hammer drill (think hand held spinning jackhammer.) Much like the rogue or thief in classic RPG's it sneaks up from behind and slowly causes your doom. These mostly got me on the elbow as I was leaning, once from the front as well almost a full facer as I recall. They are related to the below mentioned splat, however there is a variant that forms out of loose concrete and contains unknown foul velvety components.
The Splat:
Not as dangerous or mischievous as other forms of dumpster fauna, but still sinister. These guys have the vitality to hang in there, a long time. These are the tanks of the world of dumpstercraft. Splats form from high velocity matter hitting flat objects, basically stopping inertia in its tracks. The only bothersome traits I found were in the creation process. While being present for several splat births I was fortunate enough to get rotten milk and some misc food on me twice. These enter the world in a big bang sort of way as they relentlessly pound ten floors of gravity against the walls of the room/people in their area of effect.
The Juice:
This is real horror show. My subtle research and field taxonomy has led me to the conclusion that this dumpster component is the most dangerous, lethal combination of all. A yellowy green bile-like liquid of an almost mercury consistency is found under most dumpsters, to come into intimate contact with this fiend meets certain death. Not only is this a cocktail of bacterias, fungal spores, and living breathing parasites just dreaming of a host, but its also filled with the chemical run offs from all those half spent cleaners and degraded electronics. Cinnamon challenge my ass! You want to impress me? Take a tablespoon of this "master of illness" and lets see your face! I splashed around in this stuff for four days, so far no worms!
The Ooze
Oh the Ooze, this one became an instant hit in the ole' dumpster dungeon. That is when I slipped in a smoldering pile of said Ooze and busted my ass. This resulted in me having a soggy party bottom all day long with a scratch on my palm I am still watching for certain infection. This is a clone/variant of the Juice. It thrives near the oft found drain in the trash room. Its primary trait is a much thicker outer shell combined with speedy slickness. I believe the majority of its girth is derived from the clumping cat litter and maggots that make up its exoskeleton. This guy likes to cling to the tread on your boots (yes boots if you are on dumpster safari in tennies you die) then slow climb up your ladder, or into your vehicle, and eventually inside your home. It is a follower, one must use caution upon approach as it defends itself with a slippery attack.
The Chimera:
This is the lion of Africa, the king of the jungle. A wicked rare archetype of dumsterdom. In my travels I have seen this very few times. This monster is actually a combination of all classes. A Splat created a Juice which spawned an Ooze. The power and strength of this might force can only be guessed at. we just don't know enough about this hybrid to make any damage calculations. It would probably be wise to avoid this bubbling, angry mass entirely. When I discovered my first Chimera, I ran and got the hose before even entering the room. Not fully realizing the potential of this magnificent beast, upon getting the hose, it transformed into a crawl and made its escape down the walls.
Summary:
Assuming I survive my encounters of wild dumpster fauna, and regain the posterity of further study I hope to reveal more about the unknown, little studied world of dumpster science. I will continue holding a t-shirt over my nose like all the great explorers before me, and possibly reveal a side of the world hidden from most of the beautiful people. I do this in the spirit of discovery and possibly mercury contamination because at one point someone threw down an entire box of broken thermometers (random!)
Driving and Blogging entry:
http://www.lastfreeman.com/driving_and_blogging/2007/12/29/index.html
July 01, 2007
4th of July 4 days early
The whole family gathered again at the usual spot for a tradition as old as me for the 4th of July holiday. My grandfather originally built a lake cabin at a small cove of lake Allatoona in the early 60s. Now my father is refinishing and upgrading this once humble place. They have maintained the original color schemes and outward appearances, but in classic flip this house style have gutted the interior and modernized all. We showed up and made some drinks and just like every day of my entire life watched my dad labor tirelessly til the evening.
This is not just a lake cabin. I did a vast majority of my running around growing up stuff here, so it holds a lot of special memories for me. I learned to ski, fish, and blow up stuff on these hallowed grounds. I remember just about every summer weekend spent at the lake house grilling, eating popcorn with grandpa, watching the braves lose. My uncle David would also take me out skiing all day in his tournament boats and damn near pull my arms out of the socket, back when you could actually ski on the lake. My mom was always tidying and chasing after us. My dad was always working on something. My brother and I were always hitting each other.
Then there was always the fireworks, my brother and I were usually too scared of most of them to really get anything out of them other than anxiety attacks. But as we grew the explosives began to grow on us and now at 30 we both agree that they don't scare us quite as much. Lately my eccentric uncle George has been designing and implementing the fireworks of mass destruction. The show typically features 3o minutes of mortars and some really nice Saturn missiles mixed in. They also wire together multiple mortar boxes in series for a spectacular finish.
An extreme amount of video here.
Video playlist:
May 27, 2007
May 12, 2007
April 28, 2007
Six feet under Saturday
NOW OPEN
Six Feet Under - Westside
685 11th Street
Atlanta, Ga. 30318
404-810-0040
The amazing six feet under restaurant has a new location in west midtown Atlanta. This incredible place has an authentic pub feel with a nice fish and chips English overtone. I like the divey feel of the place, it is filled with old furniture and odd sea faring accoutrement's. I began going to the first location that overlooks historic Oakland cemetery when my father and I were working the mega ghetto Atlanta public school system. We would have some fish baskets and discuss the day.
The fish and other seafood is battered with a special mix of corn meal and jalapenos to create an original taste and perfect crisp. The new location features a great view of the city, nestled in the old industrial district of west midtown. This dodgey location fits the dive bar feel of the restaurant perfectly. When scanning the horizon you have the city to one side and old factory industry to the back. The new rooftop porch is also about twice as big and has a nice wooden deck feel.
(the god of appetizers, buffalo oysters!)
My diddy and brother have decided the catfish tacos, with buffaloed oysters are about as close to heavan as you can get!
Driving and blogging entries:
- http://www.lastfreeman.com/driving_and_blogging/2007/04/new_6_feet_unde.html
- http://www.lastfreeman.com/driving_and_blogging/2007/04/six_feet_under_.html
- http://www.lastfreeman.com/driving_and_blogging/2007/04/jesus_left_his_.html
- http://www.lastfreeman.com/driving_and_blogging/2007/04/guess_where.html
- http://www.lastfreeman.com/driving_and_blogging/2007/04/hanging_out_at_.html
- http://www.lastfreeman.com/driving_and_blogging/2007/04/drinking_at_130.html
- http://www.lastfreeman.com/driving_and_blogging/2007/04/sunny_day_bar_h.html
Menu Hack:
Oysters on the Half Shell
1/2 dozen / 1 dozen.
5.09/8.09
Peel n' Eat Shrimp
1/2 lb. / 1 lb.
10.09/20.09
1/2 'n' 1/4
One half dozen oysters & one quarter pound of peel 'n' eat shrimp.
11.59
Snow Crab Legs
A fisherman's pound.
16.09
Sampler Platter
Oysters, shrimp, snow crab legs, mussels & clams.
30.79
Fried Oysters or Shrimp
Served on a bed of fresh shredded spinach, topped with our sweet onion relish and drizzled with cucumber wasabi sauce.
7.09
Homemade Potato Chips
Served with sour cream dill dip.
4.09
Fried Calamari
Dusted in our spiced cornmeal & deep fried with jalapenos. Served with our homemade horseradish sauce.
9.09
Oysters Rockefeller
Baked oysters topped with sauteed spinach, sauteed onions, jack cheese, white wine sauce, bread crumbs & parmesan.
10.29
Fried Green Tomatoes
Dusted with a spice cornmeal rub, deep fried & drizzled with a horseradish-dill sauce.
6.09
Alligator Bites
Tender breaded alligator served with our homemade horseradish sauce.
10.29
Lump Crab Cakes
Two sauteed crab cakes served over fresh spinach and topped with mustard sauce, corn, red pepper & chives
10.09
Boneless Buffalo Wings
Hot wings off the bone. Breaded, fried & shaken in hot sauce. Served with bleu cheese and celery.
7.59
Buffalo Oysters or Shrimp
Breaded oysters or shrimp, deep fried & shaken in hot sauce. Served with bleu cheese and celery.
6.29
Shrimp & Scallops
Steamed in parchment with basil, black pepper & lemon. Served with homemade jalapeno tartar sauce & garlic bread.
10.29
Seafood Quesadilla
Sauteed shrimp, scallops, spinach, onion & jack cheese melted in a soft tortilla. Served with salsa verde & sour cream.
10.09
Fried Chicken Salad
Mixed lettuce topped with fried chicken, chopped eggs, black beans, red & green pepper, cilantro & tortilla strips. Tossed with Sweet 'n' Spicy Vinaigrette.
8.59
Cajun Shrimp or Salmon Salad
Fresh spinach tossed with our homemade sweet cajun dressing, bacon, red pepper, cojita cheese, avocado & scallions. Top it off with your choice of grilled cajun shrimp or salmon.
9.59/10.59
Dinner Salad
Mixed lettuce, red cabbage, carrots, cojita cheese, tomatoes, shredded cucumber & croutons. Served with Cucumber Wasabi dressing.
3.29
Dinner Spinach Salad
Spinach, bacon & chopped eggs topped with cojita cheese & croutons. Served with a side of Hot Bacon dressing.
4.29
Bowl of Soup and Dinner Salad
*With a soup choice of fish stew, please add $2.00.
7.39
Choice of Dressing – Bleu Cheese, Cucumber Wasabi, Honey Mustard, Hot Bacon, Balsamic Vinegrette, Oil & Vinegar, Ranch & Sweet 'n' Spicy Vinaigrette
Seafood Gazpacho
Chilled spicy tomato soup, onions, cilantro, calamari & shrimp. Garnished with cucumber, lime & a raw oyster on the side. Served in a martini glass.
Cup 4.09
Bowl 6.99
Chicken Fajita Soup
Spicy chicken broth, tomatoes, onion, rice, cilantro, mixed cheeses, grilled chicken, avacado & tortilla strips.
Cup 4.09
Bowl 6.09
Seafood Gumbo
Spicy brown roux, peppers, onion, rice, sausage, shrimp & oysters.
Cup 4.09
Bowl 6.09
Homemade Potato Chips
2.19
Roasted Potatoes
2.19
Turnip Greens
2.19
Side Salad
2.19
Killer Cole Slaw
2.19
Side Spinach Salad*
2.49
Sauteed Spinach
2.39
Beer Batter Onion Rings
2.19
Corn on the Cob
2.19
Whole Fried Okra
2.19
French Fries
2.19
White Beans
2.19
Asparagus
2.69
Hush Puppies
2.19
Grits
2.19
*includes bacon unless otherwise specified.
Veggie Platter
(3 sides)
6.39
Veggie Platter
(4 sides)
8.39
An automatic gratuity of 18% will be added to parties of six or more.
Little Neck Clams
Steamed & topped with our garlic white beans and andouille sausage.
10.09
Mussels
New Zealand Green Lipped Mussels steamed & topped with our spicy vodka bloody mary sauce. Sprinkled with tomatoes & cilantro.
9.09
Snow Crab Boil
Steamed with andouille sausage, corn on the cob & new potatoes.
18.09
Shrimp Boil
Steamed with andouille sausage, corn on the cob & new potatoes.
20.09
Six Feet Under Steamer
Steamed oysters, shrimp, snow crab legs, New Zealand Green Lipped mussels, clams, sausage, corn on the cob & new potatoes. Appetizer for two to four people.
31.59
*There may be a risk associated with consuming raw shellfish. If you suffer from chronic illness of the liver, stomach or blood, or have other immune disorders, you should eat these products fully cooked.
The "Big" Tuna
Sesame crusted tuna, lightly seared & served on top of vegetable stir fry. Topped with a cucumber wasabi drizzle & fried jalapenos.
14.09
Shrimp & Scallops
Steamed in parchment with basil, black pepper & lemon. Served with homemade jalapeno tartar sauce. Choose two sides.
14.29
Filet Mignon
Lightly seasoned, cooked to order & served with roasted potatoes & asparagus.
19.09
Blackened Catfish
Blackened with our special spices & lightly sauteed. Served with killer cole slaw & whole fried okra.
12.59
BBQ Salmon
Blackened and served with a sweet BBQ relish. Served with killer cole slaw & whole fried okra.
12.09
Baked Grouper
Topped with roasted red peppers and parmesan. Served with asparagus and spinach.
12.29
Georgia Fried Catfish
Cornmeal breaded & fried to perfection. Served with killer cole slaw, corn on the cob & hush puppies.
12.59
Shrimp n' Grits/Scallops n' Grits
Blackened shrimp or scallops served over Red Mule Grits topped with cojita cheese, asparagus, red peppers, fried leeks & scallions, drizzled with sweet n' spicy vinaigrette.
14.09
Veggie Platter
(3 sides)
6.39
Veggie Platter
(4 sides)
8.39
Dusted in our spiced cornmeal and deep friend to perfection. Served with our homemade potato chips, jalapeno tartar sauce & hush puppies
Scallops
11.99
Shrimp
9.39
Catfish
9.39
Fish & Chips
9.39
Chicken Fingers
8.39
Oysters
10.99
Combo Basket
(Oysters, shrimp, & cod)
11.49
Substitute Catfish or Scallops for any item in your Combo Basket for $1.
Served with our homemade potato chips. Add bacon $.50. Add avocado $.75.
Catfish Tacos
Three soft flour tortillas stuffed with grilled catfish, mixed cheeses, jalapenos, tomatoes, cabbage & cucumber wasabi sauce, served with a side of salsa verde.
9.59
Fried Calamari Tacos
Three soft flour tortillas stuffed with fried calamari, cojita cheese, shredded fresh spinach & cucumber, sweet onion relish, ranch dressing & friend jalapenos. Served with a side salsa verde.
9.09
Blackened Shrimp Tacos
Three soft flour tortillas stuffed with blackened shrimp, mixed cheese, shredded fresh spinach & cucumber, sweet onion relish, cucumber wasabi and topped with fried leeks. Served with a side salsa verde.
9.09
Combo Tacos
One of each of our tacos: catfish, fried calamari, and blackened shrimp. Served with a side of salsa verde.
9.59
Shrimp or Oyster Po' Boy
Fried shrimp or oysters on a hoagie roll topped with fresh spinach, shredded cucumbers, sweet onion relish, & drizzled with cucumber wasabi sauce.
9.09
Catfish Po' Boy
Fried on a toasted hoagie topped with lettuce, tomato & remoulade.
9.09
Crab Cake Po' Boy
Sauteed lump crab cakes on a toasted hoagie topped with fresh spinach, corn, red peppers, chives & mustard sauce.
9.89
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Served on a toasted bun and topped with bacon, swiss, honey mustard, lettuce & tomato.
7.59
Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
Fried chicken breast, drizzled in wing sauce, served on a toasted bun with pickles, ranch, lettuce & tomato.
8.09
Grilled Turkey Sandwich
Served on a toasted hoagie with swiss, remoulade, lettuce & tomato.
7.99
Cheeseburger*
Served on a toasted bun with cheddar, mustard, pickles, lettuce & tomato.
*For your safety, burgers cannot be cooked less than medium
7.25
Grant Park: 415 Memorial Drive, S.E., Suite E | Atlanta, GA 30312 | 404.523.6664
Westside: 685 11th Street | Atlanta, Ga. 30318 | 404-810-0040
Monday-Thursday 11am-1am
Friday-Saturday 11am-2am
Sunday 11am-12am
April 20, 2007
Happy 420!
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC, Δ9-THC, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), Δ¹-tetrahydrocannabinol (using an older numbering scheme), or dronabinol, is the main psychoactive substance found in a variety of plants; most abundantly so in the Cannabis plant. It was isolated by Raphael Mechoulam and Yechiel Gaoni from the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot, Israel in 1964. In pure form it is a glassy solid when cold and becomes viscous and sticky if warmed. THC has a very low solubility in water, but a good solubility in most organic solvents such as ethanol or hexane. As in the case of nicotine and caffeine, THC's most likely function in Cannabis is to protect the plant from herbivores or pathogens [1]. THC also possesses high UV-B (280-315 nm) absorption properties, protecting the plant from harmful radiation.
Pharmacology
Its pharmacological actions are the result of its binding to the cannabinoid receptor CB1, located in the brain. The presence of these specialized receptors in the brain implied to researchers that endogenous cannabinoids were manufactured by the body, so the search began for a substance normally manufactured in the brain that binds to these receptors, the so-called natural ligand or agonist, leading to the eventual discovery of anandamide, 2 arachidonyl glyceride (2-AG) and other related compounds. This story resembles the discovery of the endogenous opiates (endorphins, enkephalins, and dynorphin), after the realization that morphine and other opiates bound to specific receptors in the brain.
THC has analgesic effects that, even at low doses, causes a "high", and medical cannabis can be used to treat pain. Other effects include: relaxation; euphoria; altered space-time perception; alteration of visual, auditory, and olfactory senses; disorientation; fatigue; and appetite stimulation. It also has anti-emetic properties, and also may reduce aggression in certain subjects.
Toxicity
According to the Merck Index, 12th edition, THC has a LD50 value of 1270 mg/kg (male rats) and 730 mg/kg (female rats) administered orally dissolved in sesame oil.
If this were scaled up to an adult human, the LD50 would be between approximately 50 and 86 g for a 68 kg (150 lb) female or male person respectively. This would be equivalent to 1-1.8 kg of cannabis with a 5% THC content (roughly average) taken orally. The LD50 value for rats by inhalation of THC is 42 mg/kg of body weight. It is important to note, however, that toxicity studies in animal models do not necessarily correlate to human toxicity. THC receptor distribution in the rat CNS is different from that of humans, meaning that there is the significant possibility that toxicity in humans varies from the published animal LD50 studies. There has never been a documented fatality from marijuana or THC overdose. Absorption is limited by serum lipids which can become saturated with THC, thus the inherent solubility may mitigate toxicity.
Studies of the distribution of the cannabinoid receptors in the brain explain why THC's toxicity is so low (i.e., the LD50 of the compound is so large): parts of the brain that control vital functions such as respiration do not have many receptors, so they are relatively unaffected even by doses larger than could ever be ingested under any normal conditions.
Research
A number of studies indicate that THC may provide medical benefits for cancer and AIDS patients by increasing appetite and decreasing nausea. It has been shown to assist some glaucoma patients by reducing pressure within the eye, and is used in the form of cannabis by a number of multiple sclerosis patients to relieve the spasms associated with their condition.
Studies also indicate a variety of negative effects associated with constant, long-term use, including short-term memory loss. However, other studies have refuted this, claiming the MRIs of long term users show little or no difference to MRIs of the non-using control group. Although using positron emission tomography (PET), at least one study indicates altered memory-related brain function in marijuana users . The long-term effects of THC on humans have been disputed because its status as an illegal drug makes research difficult.
Preliminary research on synthetic THC has been conducted on patients with Tourette syndrome, with results suggesting that it may help in reducing nervous tics and urges by a significant degree. Animal studies suggested that Marinol and nicotine could be used as an effective adjunct to neuroleptic drugs in treating TS. Research on twelve patients showed that Marinol reduced tics with no significant adverse effects. A six-week controlled study on 24 patients showed the patients taking Marinol had a significant reduction in tic severity without serious adverse effects. Seven patients dropped out or had to be excluded from the study, one due to adverse side-effects. More significant reduction in tic severity was reported with longer treatment. No detrimental effects on cognitive functioning and a trend towards improvement in cognitive functioning were reported during and after treatment. Marinol's usefulness as a treatment for TS cannot be determined until/unless longer controlled studies on larger samples are undertaken.
Recent research has shown that many adverse side effects, generally known as the "stoner" stereotype, fail to hold up to the scientific method. Recent studies with synthetic cannabinoids show that activation of CB1 receptors can facilitate neurogeneration, as well as neuroprotection, and can even help prevent natural neural degradation from neurodegenerative diseases such as MS, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's. This, along with research into the CB2 receptor (throughout the immune system), has given the case for medical marijuana more support.
In in-vitro experiments THC at extremely high concentrations, which could not be reached with commonly consumed doses, caused inhibition of plaque formation, the cause of Alzheimer's disease, better than currently approved drugs.[8]
THC may also be an effective anti-cancer treatment, with studies showing tumor reduction in mice, conducted in 1975.[9]
.
| Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) | |
 | |
| Chemical name | (−)-(6aR,10aR)-6,6,9-trimethyl- 3-pentyl-6a,7,8,10a-tetrahydro- 6H-benzo[c]chromen-1-ol |
| Chemical formula | C21H30O2 |
| Molecular mass | 314.46 g/mol |
| Glass transition | 9.3 °C |
| Boiling point | 155-157 °C (vacuum, 0.07 mbar) |
| Solubility (water) | 2.8 mg/L (23 °C) |
| Solubility (saline) | 0.77 mg/L (NaCl, 0.15 M) |
| pKa | 10.6 |
| log P | 3.78 (water @ pH 7 / octanol) |
| CAS number | 1972-08-3 |
Further research:
March 17, 2007
St. Patricks day LIVE
St. Patricks day live tonight as I along with my brother attempt alcohol poisoning live from Meehans pub! Starting at 20:00!! Link:
Http://www.drivingandblogging.com
Http://www.drivingandblogging.com
History:
Today we raise a glass of warm green beer to a fine fellow, the Irishman who didn't rid the land of snakes, didn't compare the Trinity to the shamrock, and wasn't even Irish. St. Patrick, who died 1,507, 1,539, or 1,540 years ago today—depending on which unreliable source you want to believe—has been adorned with centuries of Irish blarney. Innumerable folk tales recount how he faced down kings, negotiated with God, tricked and slaughtered Ireland's reptiles.
The facts about St. Patrick are few. Most derive from the two documents he probably wrote, the autobiographical Confession and the indignant Letter to a slave-taking marauder named Coroticus. Patrick was born in Britain, probably in Wales, around 385 A.D. His father was a Roman official. When Patrick was 16, seafaring raiders captured him, carried him to Ireland, and sold him into slavery. The Christian Patrick spent six lonely years herding sheep and, according to him, praying 100 times a day. In a dream, God told him to escape. He returned home, where he had another vision in which the Irish people begged him to return and minister to them: "We ask thee, boy, come and walk among us once more," he recalls in the Confession. He studied for the priesthood in France, then made his way back to Ireland.
He spent his last 30 years there, baptizing pagans, ordaining priests, and founding churches and monasteries. His persuasive powers must have been astounding: Ireland fully converted to Christianity within 200 years and was the only country in Europe to Christianize peacefully. Patrick's Christian conversion ended slavery, human sacrifice, and most intertribal warfare in Ireland. (He did not banish the snakes: Ireland never had any. Scholars now consider snakes a metaphor for the serpent of paganism. Nor did he invent the Shamrock Trinity. That was an 18th-century fabrication.)
According to Thomas Cahill, author of How the Irish Saved Civilization, Paddy's influence extended far beyond his adopted land. Cahill's book, which could just as well be titled How St. Patrick Saved Civilization, contends that Patrick's conversion of Ireland allowed Western learning to survive the Dark Ages. Ireland pacified and churchified as the rest of Europe crumbled. Patrick's monasteries copied and preserved classical texts. Later, Irish monks returned this knowledge to Europe by establishing monasteries in England, Germany, France, Switzerland, and Italy.
The Irish have celebrated their patron saint with a quiet religious holiday for centuries, perhaps more than 1,000 years. It took the United States to turn St. Patrick's Day into a boozy spectacle. Irish immigrants first celebrated it in Boston in 1737 and first paraded in New York in 1762. By the late 19th century, the St. Patrick's Day parade had become a way for Irish-Americans to flaunt their numerical and political might. It retains this role today.
The scarcity of facts about St. Patrick's life has made him a dress-up doll: Anyone can create his own St. Patrick. Ireland's Catholics and Protestants, who have long feuded over him, each have built a St. Patrick in their own image. Catholics cherish Paddy as the father of Catholic Ireland. They say that Patrick was consecrated as a bishop and that the pope himself sent him to convert the heathen Irish. (Evidence is sketchy about both the bishop and pope claims.) One of the most popular Irish Catholic stories holds that Patrick bargained with God and got the Big Fella to promise that Ireland would remain Catholic and free.
Ireland's Protestant minority, by contrast, denies that Patrick was a bishop or that he was sent by Rome. They depict him as anti-Roman Catholic and credit him with inventing a distinctly Celtic church, with its own homegrown symbols and practices. He is an Irish hero, not a Catholic one.
Outside Ireland, too, Patrick has been freely reinterpreted. Evangelical Protestants claim him as one of their own. After all, he read his Bible, and his faith came to him in visions. Biblical inspiration and personal revelation are Protestant hallmarks. Utah newspapers emphasize that Patrick was a missionary sent overseas to convert the ungodly, an image that resonates in Mormon country. New Age Christians revere Patrick as a virtual patron saint. Patrick co-opted Druid symbols in order to undermine the rival religion, fusing nature and magic with Christian practice. The Irish placed a sun at the center of their cross. "St. Patrick's Breastplate," Patrick's famous prayer (which he certainly did not write) invokes the power of the sun, moon, rocks, and wind, as well as God. (This is what is called "Erin go hoo-ha.")
Patrick has even been enlisted in the gay rights cause. For a decade, gay and lesbian Irish-Americans have sought permission to march in New York's St. Patrick's Day Parade, and for a decade they have lost in court. Cahill, among others, has allied Patrick with gays and lesbians. Cahill's Patrick is a muscular progressive. He was a proto-feminist who valued women in an age when the church ignored them. He always sided with the downtrodden and the excluded, whether they were slaves or the pagan Irish. If Patrick were around today, Cahill says, he would join the gay marchers.
Now television has invented yet another Patrick. Last night, Fox Family Channel aired its made-for-TV movie St. Patrick. Fox's Patrick is mostly drawn from the historical record, but the producers added one new storyline. The English parent church demands that Patrick collect its church taxes in Ireland. Patrick rebels and risks excommunication by the British bishop. The fearless colonist leads a tax revolt against the villainous English. We Americans, like everyone else, think St. Patrick is one of us.
_stolen from the AP and msn sources without credit!
March 03, 2007
Medieval Times: World of warcraft of dinner!!
Medieval Times: World of warcraft of dinner!!
(This hot 17 year old has nothing to do with this story at all! )
Moblog entries:
- http://www.lastfreeman.com/driving_and_blogging/2007/03/horse_shits_dur.html
- http://www.lastfreeman.com/driving_and_blogging/2007/03/joust.html
- http://www.lastfreeman.com/driving_and_blogging/2007/03/let_the_games_b.html
- http://www.lastfreeman.com/driving_and_blogging/2007/03/blue_knight_los.html
- http://www.lastfreeman.com/driving_and_blogging/2007/03/medieval_asses.html
- http://www.lastfreeman.com/driving_and_blogging/2007/03/red_yellow_nigh.html
- http://www.lastfreeman.com/driving_and_blogging/2007/03/hanging_out_at_.html
- http://www.lastfreeman.com/driving_and_blogging/2007/03/final_fight.html
The story copied from the menu...
Pre-Show The exhilarating combination of fun, feasting and fighting that captured the enthusiasm of guests when the first Castle opened its gates in Spain in 1973 is just as popular today. The 
journey back to the 11th century begins as visitors are greeted by King Alfonso and his daughter, Princess Esperanza. Guests receive a colored crown corresponding to their seating area and the Knight they will cheer throughout the show.
The Master of Ceremonies soon orders the Trumpeters of the Realm to announce the opening of the Grand Ceremonial Arena. Guests proceed to their color-coded pavilion as the sumptuous feast begins. The Feast With clockwork precision, legions of serving wenches and serfs deliver four courses to hungry guests in minutes. The meal begins with savory garlic bread and a steaming hot vegetable soup ladled into pewter bowls: then come roasted chicken, spare rib, a seasoned potato and pastry of the Castle. Two rounds of beverages are included with the feast. Cash bar service is also available throughout the show.
To the special delight of the guests, the feast is served "medieval style" - without silverware, but with plenty of extra napkins. Tournament of Skill While the sumptuous feast is being served, the 
legend of a kingdom threatened by treachery but intimately strengthened by courage unfolds in the Grand Ceremonial Arena. The show has all the lance-splintering action and glorious pageantry guests look forward to with a whole new element - a Princess's love for a handsome, gallant Knight - and a riveting confrontation between a turncoat warrior and a surprise defender of the crown. Competition is heated as the six brave Knights of the Realm vie in a colorful tournament for the lead in the flag toss, ring pierce and javelin thrown - games of skill designed to hone a Knight's abilities in battle Lances Splinter, Broadswords Clash When the last game of skill has been won, Squires prepare the Grand Ceremonial Arena for the Joust.
As trumpets sound, Knights in full armor astride magnificent Andalusians charge at each other brandishing 10-foot lances, intent on unseating their opponents. Once unhorsed, the Knights continue their battles on foot employing all the authentic weaponry of the medieval era - the sword, axe, mace and bola - in their quest for victory. In a shower of sparks, the cacophony of metal against metal and the deadly glint of whirling bola, all contenders eventually fall until only one brave Knight is left sanding to claim the title of New Champion. But deadly treachery in the King's trusted inner circle must first be quelled. Honor is Restored! 
As the plot unfolds with shocking twists and turns, truth, honor and love eventually triumph over evil and peace is restored to the kingdom. An unexpected event in the final minutes of the show brings guests to their feet in a deafening wave of thunderous cheers.
All the Knights return to the Arena for a final rousing salute to the crowd of more than 1,000 noble guests. Highlights of the dramatic show include an original music score recorded by the world-renowned Prague Symphony Orchestra, exquisite period costuming and spectacular special events.
The Knight Club After a legendary show, the adventure continues for guests who visit The Knight Club. With full bar service, lively music and a dance floor, it's the place where Knights and Royalty greet guests, sign autographs and pose for pictures. Authentic suits of armor, exquisitely detailed etched swords and shields and medieval murals and banners line the walls.
Undercover illegal videos:
January 23, 2007
The cake that binds us
Turn 32 did I and no great change yet in my maturity, health, or relationships. I guess it wasn't such a big deal after all. I did the mature thing this year and opted for a strenuous work out via a 13.9 mile 2 hour run as opposed to a mega drink fest. The evening of my birthday was spent at a quaint little family get together in my parents house, the one I grew up in and have pretty much celebrated 32 other birthdays. As we say in my field when things are working as they should and there are no problems with routing or equipment: "nothing to report."
Well that's not entirely true my brother and I did pull a little redneckery with my wicked powerful potato cannon. The theory was if launching potato's at 500 feet per second was cool than certainly painting the end of a roman candle with highly combustible PVC glue and then shoving it down the barrel in order to shoot it would be about twice as cool. Not so I'm afraid. As it turns out when you shove a tacky cardboardy projectile down the barrel of a potato gun it doesn't come flying out making a double shooting projectile of fun death. Rather it jams and you are left holding a firing glow bomb stick with 10 psi of very explosive propane right next to your balls. This is not a scenario I prefer to entertain in that region. I have enough trouble at the age of 32 being a super man love master without the additive of hot burning shards of poly vinyl chlorine adhering to my lower pelvis with burning PVC glue as the adhesive.
Ugggh repeat after me drinking makes you dumb. Do not design or exploit powerful gas combustion vegetable weaponry when you have been on the drink. Why is that when we have a few the most obvious stupidity becomes hilarious, fire is cool, pain is neato... I need a program or something.
So no one died much and the explosives went off fine. My parents threw together a killer meal full of low carb carnage like rib eye steak, lobster and asparagus. Any carb witnessed was immediately taken outside and blasted straight to hell ala potato weapon ver. 2.0, that is except that massive fantastic sugar fuck of a cake. My lady friend had ordered this special cake from some Fifi hut out in midtown (the kind of place with 8 dollar cupcakes you dig?) she knew that me and my old man (father like the Eddie Hascal 50's term not gay lover) loved red velvet cake, so she made it happen.
The cake carnage did ensue without a hitch, one candle to symbolize the shedding of another year, one wish and a single blow to extinguish the flame. Before I knew it I was up to my knees in sweet red sugary hell.
This cake was perfection, the cakey part was a malignant red and moist nicely weighted and just the right sweetness. The icing was quite possibly the lightest most delightful thing I've ever placed on my tongue (and believe me sister I've put a lotta stuff on my tongue) it must have been a hand whipped real cream recipe because no manner of machine could have created this holy cloud of lightness.
A cake this good so riddled with carbs could easily send someone over the edge fully relapsing back into the hideous dirty carb lifestyle. So mad props to my fab little blonde girl for the incredible cake and the potential sugar addiction soon to follow. I probably ate 2 pieces of this magnificence my brother 3. This was one of those cakes that is so good you start making excuses to go back into the kitchen and scam a little sliver. Of course ultimately you end up running into other family members committing the same atrocity and you just act like you're passing through... You dirty bastards, this is the back stabbery common with a cake of this caliber. The winner thinks teehee I got mine, this cake inspires evil and it must be stopped, there is only one way to end the reign of such darkness.
So we ate it, all... That's right the next morning when I awoke to leave the cake was gone. The humans have once again like many other times in our rich history fought evil and triumphed (other notables fascism, communism, that whole tight rolled jeans deal) the cake was dead now somewhere in my lower intestine covered in bile and being converted to fat. The end.
Moblog of the carnage:
Pictures of the Birthday Cake massacre:
January 16, 2007
coffee horror picture show (finale)
part 1: I'm pretty sure if you could smoke coffee I'd do it.
part 2: Smoking Coffee part deux
The final chapter:
I wake up on the floor. (That's were achievers sleep the floor nice) Tanya’s feudal attempts at trying to get me to bed have failed. Now it’s just me and my dried out shell of a body. My mouth tastes like a fruity ash tray, its gross. My head is pounding with a massive thunderclap that's so bad it hurts to move my eyes around. This is bad.
I try to move over to the bed and this overwhelming wave of nausea hits me and I'm propelled downward. I'm thinking "don't get up too fast crawl to bed” so I slowly drag myself across the floor like some amnestied sloth and flop myself up on the bed... Ahhh sweet relief it’s all better now I'm fixed! No...
I lay there further dehydrating and spiraling downward into the sickness trying not too wake my poor girlfriend who has tried to move my 220lb ass all night, out of respect I move slowly and remain still. Its 8oclock now that god awful bright sun is piercing my eyelids and there is no escape, she awakens and asks "how are you party animal” ugggh buy owner wine... Buy owner wine...
Ill spare you too much more of this harrowing story, the long and short of it is I drank loads of good wine and loads of bad wine. No water and slept on the cold hard floor. I awoke to a crippling hang over and literally wasted one full day of my life sipping water in bed, water...
This was the first day in years I didn't start power drinking coffee for
3 hours. I got better 2 days later. Then on the third morning I kind of reached some clarity an epiphany of sorts.
When I awoke on day 3, I did a mental review it was almost like the last two days was a nice clean out a fast even. Why not start out anew.
Let’s kick the caffeine habit! Hardcore runners have always told me ill never take it up to that next level (50+ mile weeks, ultras,
Marathons,tris) until I kick my addiction to caffeine. I'm two days cold turkey now hell why not let’s go!
So I hit the shower, walk by my coffee maker and ignore it like a homeless person, then make my way out into the world! Here I come world fresh off of a wine bender, three day hangover and detoxing from a
18 year out of control (well over 3000mg a day) caffeine habit yeeehaw!!
"And the angels did sing!"
I hit the interstate enroute to a particularly complicated and difficult job. It was a fine choice for someone in my situation lots of data integration, cross networks, compatibility issues, labeling issues, and there was actually a customer inside this network wanting to remain inside this network but independent but inside (WTF??) This was going to require mega skills but all I had was an excess of piss and vinegar. Hell I'm game so I arrive.
I'm feeling kind of menstrual a little bitchy kind of mean and generally not in the mood for my fellow man or beast. The day kind of drags along and my heads just pounding away like a baboon on some bongos (copyright donkey konga Nintendo entertainment of America) I kind of want to just go home and cry or punch something its a weird mix of emotions, I feel beat down. I manage to drag myself along to lunch somehow...
After lunch it gets worst the job foreman is there and pissed as usual about a 6" Difference in network jack locations, changing this changing that, basically just making a muck out of the whole day’s affair. Ok ok being nice... He seems to want something out of me like a fear response for some reason and he is pushing and pushing. Lalala I can't hear you.... I'm being so syrupy nice at this po8int I could shit a wedding centerpiece,
He can't take it anymore and across the room he points (bad...) and waves me over like some kind of house boy. (Got to keep shitting flowers and pissing rainbows come on!!) Then suddenly he gets in my face (warning! Fire! Fire! The theaters on fire everyone get out!!!) He then very loudly rattles of a list of people he knows and asks "how would you like me to call them and discuss this?!" Tick tick tick... Boom!!!!!!
Wham!! Shit I lose it!!! Dammit like a rogue tiger from the Siegfried & Roy show, its out, its loose its running around the room threatening to kill the whole performance. My anger is out. I get right back in his face and repeat everything he just said to me with go ahead, I don't care, and other additives. Then from across the room you can hear me exclaim: "in fact if you would like I will give you my mother’s phone number so you can call her as well!!!"
Silence breaks out across the room, it’s like the record has skipped at the blue oyster club and all the leather men are looking at me like whoa...
He turns and walks away, his little diatribic venom holding no relevance as he walks away either beaten or possibly scared (I'm quite sure my eyes turned red with demonic radiance)
I turned the other way and walk out the door and off the job, one of my co workers kind of caught up to me and said: "where are you going now?!"
I'm going to starbucks... Any other questions!!
If there is a lesson to be learned its that some people just have to drink coffee, its not a "life choice" like obesity or stupidity. I have the hardest self drive of anyone I know. I'm awful to myself when it comes to endurance training. I train when injured, in the rain, its not unusual for me to bleed on most high mile runs and I never stop.
Ever.
However this stuff is just that hooked into my being I guess, because I rarely fail at mastering any threshold I set for myself and this one is just unobtainable. I drink coffee, I will always drink coffee and god help this world when and if I don't drink coffee. Put that in your doctor phil and smoke it.
January 11, 2007
I'm pretty sure if you could smoke coffee I'd do it.
Right, I'm not quite sure exactly when this began with me but I now know that at the ripe age of 30 (I say 30, I'm actually 31 but I figure I'll start saying 30's when I'm 35 and almost 40 when I'm 45) that I am 100% strung out, completely pwned (I don't say owned because its way to ghetto and I was personally involved in the online gaming/hacking scene that coined pwned so I'm proud.) and completely a bloody kneed slave to Caffeine.
More properly coffee and various energy drinks like monster, rockstar, and bawlz I use the latter for training and running boosts the coffee is my morning go go gadget juice. AM-wise I don't drink any wimpy folgers or starbucks mere 250mg coffee OH no. I've managed to raise my tolerance over the years where I require no less than "deadmans reach" or some of the other extreme brews out there. I'm talking brew ranges of up to 1000mg of caffeine. Its not unusual at all on most mornings for me to drink the equivalent of 6-8 cups of normal coffee, I have these big coffee mugs real tall ones that fit in my trucks center console so just like the "big plate theory" Ive got all this surface volume in this cup I better fill it up! I recall early when I was just a little fellar never finishing one of these Goliath cups. now at my advanced nearly needing Viagra age (who am I kidding its good yes!) I eagerly finish that 64 ounce cup usually not mid day either most days its empty when I pull in the parking garage at one of 
my daily exploits, like 0630am for those of you in the real world (yes 0900 zombie people there are those of us who crawl around in LAN rooms and data centers making things go beep while you fancy people sleep with your innocent faces pressed against your Egyptian cotton pillows) so I literally start each day with a huge drug loading session, my entire being not entirely being motivated til the addiction is satisfied. This next session is way over the top so warning: I can actually remember a day I had a really tough fiber optic integration project i was working on whereas the customer wanted to wholly separate themselves from the base building fiber optic network. The entire system had to be individualized, re-certified and renegotiated. It was a ridiculous mess of about 100 fiber connections underneath Marietta street, where access to junctions could only be mad via aerial lifts. so I'm hanging way up like 40 feet in the air trying to 
come up with a game plan on how to re-engineeer this entire fiber infrastructure, OH yeah it was live and working too did I mention that. So I had to be very fast, very accurate and 100% a when I was finished. every minute this network lagged or had an issue they claimed cost 100,000k. So I take my Trusty mug of super brew up this lift (#2 64 ouncer that day) and worked tirelessly all day on that lift. when I did come down at hour 4 to take a leak, I kid you not possibly from only hydrating myself with dark brew coffee my pee smelled just like coffee, the entire bathroom smelled like someone "put a pot on". It was then I started to realize that perhaps drinking this much coffee literally fusing every single molecule of water in my body with coffee to the point of my bodily fluids resembling coffee might be ill advised. so I quit right? wrong. That was two years ago I'm stronger than ever, healthier than Ive ever been (south beach diet, 30 miles a week runner, no stress, lotsa cash) but I'm still a filthy old drug addict. next chapter origins and the 3 days I went cold turkey and nearly beat this tool...
May 20, 2006
is that sperm I smell??!!
Saturday, May 20, 2006
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is that sperm I smell??!! Bradford pears don't get me started--oh hell its on... yeah its a tree rant, if you can't deal, go bite a chic o' stick til ya hiccup bitch. Our beautiful state of georgia has expereinced a growth in building and real estate development that rivals any boom in the nation. As much as everyone likes to hate the south they can't seem to stay away must be the pecan log. |
May 17, 2006
"Welcome To" DEEZ NUTZ!!!
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
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"Welcome To" DEEZ NUTZ!!! Just a quick shout out to all "Moes" empleados (yeah that's Spanish I'm breaking this rant down ethnic style!). Moes ohhh Moes the heavenly burrito capital of the free world, I lay my prayer rug at your feet at least twice a week. So I come with the knowledge, I'm quite schooled in the burrito arts so listen up muchacho.
Moes offers atlantans like me, a shot at extreme "lunching" with their ample burrito selection. Everything from lighter fare girl burritos like the pinky tuscadero" to massive WMDs like the home wrecker, a burrito that if trajected properly with enough force could easily kill a man.
Moes will fill any order, and destroy any fat boy appetite, hell I'm quite sure if you asked nicely they'd give you a five gallon bucket of warm lard. Whatever it takes to assure that when you leave Moes you're satisfied and well in excess of your caloric range for the week, that's the policy and I'm hella glad for it.
Obviously at 6' 1, 220lbs, and a silhouette that resembles a tripod I'm a homewrecker man. I'm certain that I've eaten well over a hundred Of these monsters and my plumber can confirm that. My lunch excursions Have taken me far and wide from Forsyth to tucker to south Atlanta
When you reach the pinnacle of burrito ninja power such as I you realize much like golf there is a set of unwritten rules that go along with the Moes dining experience. When entering you are greeted "welcome to Moes!!" , you order from the front and receive at the back, you need to have your config all ready to go before approaching "the glass" and much to my chagrin, you are asked about each and every ingredient you would like, regardless of what you order ><
Repeat after me Moes workforce:
I have ordered a homewrecker which means I don't care about my health, well being or those around me in an hour!! I want yes the steak, beans, rice, guac, sour cream, cheese and numerous other items I'm too tired to list. Furthermore I have not ordered a pussified burrito with anything less. My job requires me to baby sit abject retards with keyboards all day as it is and I'm fresh out of drool bibs.
So when I order a homewrecker cram all that shit in there till the calorie count is 3000 , roll that bad boy up and send me on my way so that I can make haste with my 22 minutes of quite time I afford myself. Dig??
Yo quiero this!!
Ill Brandon
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hungry 
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