In my Christmas dinner post I made the statement, “For those of you reading this worried about the effects of alcohol on the children, remember alcohol cooks out during the baking process. There was a minimal alcohol content left when it was finished.” In the comments, Harvey of Bad Example linked to a Kitchen Myths site that had the following information (Also found on numerous other sites.):

Alcohol added to boiling liquid removed from heat retained 85% of alcohol
Alcohol Flamed retained 75% alcohol
Alcohol stored overnight, no heat, retained 70% of alcohol
Alcohol baked, 25 minutes, not stirred into mixture retained 45% alcohol.
Alcohol baked/simmered, stirred into mixture retains:
15 minutes cooking time: 40% alcohol
30 minutes cooking time: 35% alcohol
1 hour cooking time: 25% alcohol
1.5 hours cooking time: 20% alcohol
2 hours cooking time: 10% alcohol
2.5 hours cooking time: 5% alcohol

Most of the sites I found that have this information state it comes from the US Department of Agriculture Nutrient Data Laboratory. Spending way too much time searching through the USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory website I was unable to locate any such study they have done nor documentation that coincides with this data. IÂ’ve gone so far as to send them an e-mail to verify if the data is accurate. According to them, I should get a response in 5 business days. With the holiday, that should make it January 10th at the latest I should get a response. Until then, IÂ’m going to just assume that the data given is accurate within acceptable levels of deviation.

Based on said data lets review how my statement stands up. Since the alcohol used in the whiskey sauce was stirred into a mixture (the Sauce, not the pudding itself), I’m going to use the data for “Alcohol baked/simmered, stirred into mixture” table. This is a completely unscientific study, so my results will be off.

First we used standard bourbon, at 80 proof or 40% alcohol by volume. When you are heating the original sauce it is simmered/boiled for 15 minutes. Now, this is not adding it to a boiling liquid then removing it from the heat, this is a mixture that is heated/simmered. It takes about 15 minutes simmering time. It is then poured over the bread pudding and baked for about it is baked for 45 minutes. Just for ease of this calculation IÂ’m going to use the 1-hour baking/simmering time of 25% alcohol retention.

25% of 40% alcohol leaves 10% alcohol per volume.

My wife used 4 tablespoons of bourbon. Four tablespoons equal two fluid ounces. There are 1.5 ounces in your standard shot of alcohol. Thus there is a one and a third shot of alcohol in the recipe. The recipe makes six servings. That means there is two-ninths of a shot per serving.

Since weÂ’ve already cooked down the alcohol to 10% alcohol per volume. That means that per serving there would be a trace amount of alcohol.

Thus I stick by my original statement: There was a minimal alcohol content left when it was finished.

Posted by: Contagion at 06:34 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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My grandmother is in the hospital again. The difference is that this time she is not going to be coming home. If she is released, my mother and aunt are taking my advice from the last time she was hospitalized and going to put her into a managed care facility, ie Nursing home.

My grandmother should have been put into one years ago. SheÂ’s been failing in health for a long time now. She has diabetes and other medical issues that cause her chronic pain. A year and a half ago she sold her home and moved in with my aunt because she couldnÂ’t live on her own anymore due to chronic health issues. She refused to take care of her self, follow doctorÂ’s orders and do her therapies. She continued to get worse. My mother and aunt felt it that if grandma were living with my aunt, she would have better supervision and take care of herself.

They where wrong. She would buy candy and hide it in the house, when my aunt was gone, she would eat it, thus not taking care of her diabetes. She still didnÂ’t follow doctorÂ’s orders and refused to do her therapies when my aunt asked her to. She just continued to get worse and worse. She can hardly walk, she can barely bend her knees and she has a form of ParkinsonÂ’s disease that is has almost completely taken over her ability to do anything on her own. The sad thing is that if she had just followed doctorÂ’s orders years ago they know she wouldnÂ’t be anywhere near as bad as she is now.

When she was brought into the hospital a couple of days ago, over an infection she has that if she had followed doctorÂ’s order she wouldnÂ’t have had, it was finally determined that she can not go back to my aunts. My aunt just cannot be there all day every day to take care of her, as she needs. My grandma is not happy with this decision. She keeps telling my mother and aunt that she feels she can go home. Fortunately, my mother and aunt disagree with her.

I called and talked to my grandma the other night, I canÂ’t visit because she is in the infectious disease ward and I donÂ’t dare expose my kids to nasty bugs floating around up there. When I spoke with my grandma, she sounded like she had a stroke. My mother, aunt and the hospital staff convinced me that she hadnÂ’t itÂ’s just the medication, pain, infection and ParkinsonÂ’s effecting her speech. This is not the woman I remember fondly from my childhood. I hate seeing her this way, and I donÂ’t like hearing about her this way.

We know she wonÂ’t get better. She may live for many more years, or she may be dead as I write this. IÂ’ve never had any illusions that IÂ’m a good person, but how bad does it make me that IÂ’m hoping and wishing for the later?

Posted by: Contagion at 12:39 PM | Comments (11) | Add Comment
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I WON, I WON, I WON! I know you all find that hard to believe after the insanity of this post, itÂ’s as if I hardly tried. Dr. Phat Tony will be sending my shirt to me. Since I hardly if ever win anything, IÂ’m stoked! I mean, the only thing better then blogger wear, is free blogger wear.

DPTÂ’s official announcement has a screen shot of the ecosystem showing my 279 links. ThatÂ’s right, two hundred, seventy-nine links. Yes, yes, yesÂ… I know I have issues. Sure, it took 2.5 hours of my life to make that post, but it was worth it. Oh yes it was worth it!

I would like to take this time to acknowledge my lead rival and competitor for the t-shirt. Pandy of What Panda. She put up a good fight, and was a worthy opponent. I honestly feel that if she had been distracted, she could have easily won this competition. My hat is off to you dear Pandy for the valiant effort, my utmost respect.

Posted by: Contagion at 12:47 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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See new posts below

Okay, I really want to win this T-shirt from Dr. Phat Tony. Pandy over at What Panda is really giving me a run for my money, thus IÂ’m going to have to do something really drastic. This is going to be time consuming, annoying and just a general pain in the arse, but I donÂ’t know what else to do at this point. From some of the e-mails IÂ’ve received I know that some of you are getting tired of seeing these posts, but IÂ’m doing what I feel I have to do in order to win. This contest only runs until Christmas day now. However, I thought it ran all the way to New Years. But since I donÂ’t make the rules, I only have to follow them, IÂ’m trying everything in my power to win. Yes, this post is probably really annoying, and if you want to skip it. I wouldnÂ’t blame you, but itÂ’s what I need to do. Loyal readers, please forgive me as I am in desperation mode and IÂ’m just trying to win something. Some of you may understand, some of you may not. But by the time IÂ’m done IÂ’m hoping that this post should push me over the edge and show just exactly what level of desperation I am at. Thus, causing others that are trying to play to give up. If I need I will make a post like this daily until the contest is over and I am declared a winner. . Sure it is a lot of work, but to me it's all worth the effort. If you really want something you need to work for it. Nothing is free, contrary to what some people would like to believe. Right now I am just willing to bet that Dr. Phat Tony is real happy he does not have auto trackbacks set up through haloscan. Other ways his e-mail would be over loaded with all the pings from this post. Yes, that is a link to every post he's made to date, no you really don't want to know how long it took me to do this.

Thank you for your consideration. This post will stay on top until the contest is over, see new below.

Posted by: Contagion at 08:16 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
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One of my minions had a Christmas party last weekend. Since I was unable to attend, she was filling me in on the details. She had invited some friends of hers both from work and outside of work. From what she was telling me it sounded like everyone was having a good time.

Then she went on to tell me she ran into a problem later in the night. She had run out of food and beverages for everyone. When she sent out her invitations, she asked people to RSVP to let her know if the invitee was coming and if they were bringing a date. If no one got back to her, she marked them down as not coming. She wasnÂ’t expecting everyone she invited to show up, so when some people didnÂ’t respond she was not surprised.

What surprised her was when the party started people where showing up that did not RSVP. She also had people that showed up that brought a date and didnÂ’t indicate they where bringing anyone else. Five extra guests she had not planned on showed up for her party. Five doesnÂ’t sound like many people, but it is when you are planning a party to ensure there is enough food and drinks for everyone. You have to think five people are an entire family! In this case, four separate invites didnÂ’t RSVP or didnÂ’t put down the correct number of attendees.

It doesn’t surprise me. Any more people don’t have common courtesy to others, so why should they take 5 minutes to call and say yes or no I’m not coming. Personally, I know how frustrating this can be. I can’t remember the last time I held a party and had an accurate count of people that where going to attend. My favorite excuse is when someone says, “Well you should have known I was going to come.” If I had known you where going to come I wouldn’t ask you to RSVP! How do I know if you didn’t make other plans? Maybe you’re bringing a date, or maybe you just don’t want to come. That would be like my throwing a party and saying, “You should have known you were invited” instead of sending out invitations.

Some people are in the belief they should call and double check with each possible guest if they are coming. Personally, I’m not a babysitter. If I throw a party, the guests are all adults. My checking with them is the invite. If I’m going to call these people to see if they are going to come, why even bother sending an invite? Why not just call them and say, “Sup, homey! Yo, check it out. I’m throwing a banging bash at my crib. You in dog?” Well, maybe not exactly like that, but you get my drift.

When I was younger, I used to be inconsiderate like that. I wouldnÂ’t RSVP and just show up. That all changed when I was a junior in college and we threw a party for a bunch of our friends. Only a handful of people said they were going to be there so we only bought two kegs. Nothing is more annoying then making a beer run mid party when you have a good buzz going. Ever since then IÂ’ve been very good about it.

ItÂ’s just common courtesy people. Whenever I get an invite somewhere and there is an RSVP, IÂ’ll contact the host and let them know whether or not IÂ’m making it. That way there is no doubt in their mind. So if your are going to the blogmeet and havenÂ’t said anything yet, get off your butt and do it now!

Posted by: Contagion at 01:01 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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I have in my possession an object of sentimental and artistic value to someone else. Since this person just carelessly discarded said item under the seat of my truck, I feel I should teach them a little lesson. Therefore, I am holding ransom this stained glass picture of a sail boat. See the picture below.

If this person wants to get this priceless piece of art back, then need to follow my directions carefully.

1) Find four pennies. One from 1971, one from 1973, one from 1993 and one from 2003. Place a picture of all pennies on the Internet.

2) Find a set of busy railroad tracks. Place all pennies exactly 1 foot 3.25 inches apart along one of the rails. Again place a picture including measurements on the Internet.

3) After a train has flattened all four pennies, take a picture of the pennies and place on the Internet.

4) Place the pennies in a safe location where they will not be lost.

5) Find a ball, any type of ball; I donÂ’t care if itÂ’s a football, a baseball or a ping-pong ball. Take the ball to a local public establishment. Bar, Store, mall, again I donÂ’t care.

6) Get three people to have their picture taken with the ball autographing/initialing it. I donÂ’t care if you know the people or if they are complete strangers.

7) Place pictures of the individuals autographing/initialing on the Internet. You can hide their faces for their protection.

Place the ball with the pennies.

9) Make a sign that says, “I have an unhealthy addiction to candles.” Have someone take your picture standing along a busy roadway holding the sign and place picture on the Internet.

10) Have someone take a picture of you holding the pennies, the ball and the sign and place the picture on the Internet.

11) When this is done we will set up a location where we will exchange your property for the pennies, ball and sign.

These are my demands; they are not negotiable. If you fail to follow any of my directions to my satisfaction, I will be forced to do something drastic. You donÂ’t want me to do something drastic do you?

IÂ’m a man on the edge; donÂ’t make me do something I donÂ’t want to do!

Posted by: Contagion at 05:34 PM | Comments (13) | Add Comment
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Okay I still want to win that T-shirt from Dr. Phat Tony. Apparently my underhanded attempt to pilfer links didnÂ’t work. Thus IÂ’m trying something a little different. We all know he is trying to get the number one Google hit for History of Thanksgiving, History of Discovery of America, How to Join the Canadian Army and Girls Gone Wild. Apparently heÂ’s already number one for Humpback Midget. On a side note, because of this IÂ’m turning up as number three for Humpback MidgetÂ… IÂ’m thinking he intended this to be a side effect.

What am I going to do? If I thought it would help, IÂ’d walk around here with my dick hanging out, not that IÂ’m making any campaign promises! ItÂ’s Phat TonyÂ’s contest and his rules IÂ’m trying to follow. IÂ’m not trying to make any new ones up, and even though heÂ’s a helpful guy and likes to answer questions. Sometimes those answers come with a price and require people to do thingsÂ… unusual.

HeÂ’s very passionate about various topics, especially home remodeling. Sure, sometimes a sense of humor is lost on him. But this time of year he can be very sentimental.

The poor guy has issues dealing with his family's past. However he always has an open post for a blogless friend. Also he is always readily available with advice and stories to learn from.

Hopefully this helps me out.

Posted by: Contagion at 01:05 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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1 This put you in the lead.

Posted by: Dr. Phat Tony at December 17, 2005 02:42 PM (SXElV)

2 I might just have to give up!

Posted by: Pandy at December 17, 2005 03:55 PM (zhhNQ)

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As many of you know IÂ’ve been trying to win a t-shirt from Dr. Phat Tony. IÂ’m going all out, and I thought I was doing pretty damn good until I saw this post over at What Panda.

"Good ol' Phatty is a wacky fellow, and he likes getting votes! Being a big campaign supporter of his, I've decided to try my hand at helping his most recent campaign. I think he's getting a bit lazy- he sure asks for help a lot. He still answers our questions, though. Okay. I'm sorry. Someone like Phat Tony needs all the help he can get, he gives so much to the blogging community.

He educates us, with famous postings like The Discovery of America and The History of Thanksgiving.

His unfailing patriotism is also an admirable trait. "Join the Canadian Army!", he tells us, but we know it's because he doesn't want any more touchy-feelyness in our Army. Plus he doesn't pass up any chance to slam the French.

When people ask me who Phat Tony is and why I am voting for him, I tell them-Phat Tony is a national treasure."

DAMMIT! There where more links in that then in my entire posts. What am I going to do? IÂ’m not that talented, maybe I should think of something underhanded and sneakyÂ… (Evil Grin)

Posted by: Contagion at 02:47 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Do you hate cats? Have you not found a sport you felt you could really enjoy? Then I have a surprise for you. Wisconsin Divorced MenÂ’s Club Organizes First Ever Cat-Olympics. From the state that originally legalized feral cat hunting, we have an organized event all men can enjoy.

Divorced dad Elvis Weems elaborates:

"Well, they wouldn't let us hunt cats like we wanted, so we did the next best thing. We have over a dozen events planned this August in Oshkosh, including the tabby-hammer toss, cat fishing, cat-put, cat-a-pult and kitty-discus, to name a few! Should be exciting. We can get our rocks off in spite of the fact we can't hunt cats, so this is the next best thing!"

This comes from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, that isnÂ’t too far from my house; I may have to enter my wifeÂ’s cat, Gertrude! IÂ’m kidding, hun, IÂ’m kidding. WellÂ…

Posted by: Contagion at 10:13 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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It looks like we have some answers to my earlier memeÂ’s

See the responses for Dr. Phat Tony, Bouddica, Barb and Wes.

ChemicalNova hasnÂ’t had time to post them yet, I think heÂ’s trying to tell us all something.

Oh, and before I get, time to google bomb Dr. Phat Tony again... Can you tell I really want that t-shirt? So now I'll send another link his way for all this stuff: History of Thanksgiving, History of Discovery of America, How to Join the Canadian Army and Girls Gone Wild. Apparently heÂ’s already number one for Humpback Midget.

Posted by: Contagion at 06:39 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Okay, one of my regular reads, and occasional commenter, Dr. Phat Tony is having a contest. What heÂ’s a doctor of I donÂ’t know. IÂ’d say possibly history with his History of Thanksgiving, but I know others that have covered that topic that arenÂ’t doctors. But then he gets into the History of the Discovery of America. Now, being the re-enactor that I am, and the nitpicker of historical accuracy, I can pick out some problems here. Thus, IÂ’m sure he does not have a doctorate in History.

Taking a further look I decided that maybe he has a Doctorate in Public Relations, he tried to help people on How to Join the Canadian Army. He even tried to help American relations in the Middle East with his Girls Gone Wild take off, Muslims Gone Wild. However it seems both seemed to have backfired in the their respective countries.

Then I figured it out. HeÂ’s not a doctor; he just uses the title to pick up humpback midgets.

Well anyway, his contest is basically him link-whoring himself out and if a person does well enough you get one of his t-shirts. I was going to buy one, but now IÂ’m going to see if I can win it!

Oh, and he wants to be the number one hit for History of Thanksgiving, History of Discovery of America, How to Join the Canadian Army and Girls Gone Wild. Apparently heÂ’s already number one for Humpback Midget, but it helped with the story above.

I wonder where this puts me in the ranks.

Posted by: Contagion at 05:26 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Every year my wife and I have a New YearÂ’s Eve party. ItÂ’s been something weÂ’ve enjoyed hosting for years, and we have fun. We get to end the old year and start the new year with friends. For 6 years now, weÂ’ve invited pretty much the same friends every year. This year we are debating on even having the party.

I have “friends” I don’t want to hang around with anymore, so I don’t want to invite them. The problem is that we have mutual friends whom I’d like to invite to my house. I don’t want to put my friends in the middle of a situation that doesn’t involve them. In addition, I don’t want to stir up trouble with the people I no longer want to associate.

Then there are some new friends I’ve met/made that I would like to invite. I know I would enjoy their company more then my old “friends”. We just don’t have the room to have everyone over in our house. So obviously, someone would have to get cut from the list. Of course I’m leaning toward cutting the old “friends”. Again that brings up the problem of putting mutual friends in the middle of a situation that doesn’t directly involve them.

The mutual friend issue is causing the problem. ItÂ’s why I havenÂ’t told a couple of them that I no longer want them in my house or my life. So far, IÂ’ve done well in trying to avoid most of the undesirables since all this began. I still have one that contacts me or comes over at least once a month. I think they are beginning to get the hint however.

What to do? Have the party and actually drag mutual friends into the fray or just cancel the party in general. IÂ’ve already had a couple of inquiries regarding it as the invites are usually in the mail by the last week of November.

Posted by: Contagion at 06:37 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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