Blogosophy?

The other night, my good friend Jeremy Bear and I were discussing our varying approaches to doing this thing called a blogger. A "blogger" is what you are now reading - a "web-log" of whatever someone feels like writing.

Anyhow, lately when writing this (or not), I have been hesitant and pensive, wondering if I have anything to say that is really worth reading. I mean, how many times can I write stuff about my cute baby, the latest movie I saw, and other frivolity that only the dearest friends would admit they don't care about?

Tonight, we had Bob & Lori Siffert over for dinner. Good friends of ours here in Akron who are moving soon to Ocala, Florida. I wonder if they have a Coldstone Creamery there. Anyhow, props to them for taking the plunge and heading for warmer pastures. Note: the Sifferts also think Allison is very cute. I'll have to post a couple of the pics we got tonight.

Salsa Update: Well, yesterday I made about seven batches of my incredible salsa. I try to be humble about a lot of things, but my salsa isn't one of them. This batch was made mostly with FRESH VEGGIES from Jennie's garden in our backyard - tomatoes (roma, cherry, and, uh, "Better Boy" brand or something), jalapenos, onions, and, of course - cilantro! For all you readers who think you want to try making your own salsa someday, I highly encourage the appropriate dosage of cilantro. Not cheap to buy at the store, but very cheap to grow in our yard - and it adds a BURST of flavor. I also throw in a few other additives, but no preservatives. Go figure.

I have been eating out a lot lately. Today it was "Smokin' Joe's" in North Canton. I'd never been there before, but they told me about their "hot wing" challenge. What is up with these places? They said "if you can eat a dozen of our hottest wings, you get your meal free, ten bucks cash, and your name written on our wall over there by the mirror."

("uh, you mean I could be in the smokin joe's wall of fame?")

Yeah, it's their Habanero wing sauce, and they let me try a sample of it on a toothpick. Reality is, it wasn't THAT hot. I know I could eat a dozen, and it would probably set my stomach back a few days. But why? Is this a test of my manhood?

I think there is something in us guys where we just can NOT refuse a DARE. Like the old "Truth or Dare" game. Why even play? Because we love the dare. Doesn't matter if I hate Habanero wings. Doesn't matter if my tongue would take three days and fourteen gallons of milk and sour cream to recover from the madness. Doesn't matter if my stomach burned, my hair sweats, and my throat shakes. I'm sure all the side effects in the world are worth it, just to get my name up by that mirror at Smokin' Joes.

A real man would do it.

Whatever. I'll stick to my salsa.

P.S. Allie is still a cute baby, Collateral with Tom Cruise was average and a little disturbing, and all the other frivolity has already been written.

P.S.S. Are you a Mac guy or an IBM guy? Please comment. I dare you.