Today's Potpourri...

Well, I just popped in a DVD I haven't listened to in a while- "Earth, Wind, & Fire AND Chicago Live at the Greek Theatre".  Man!  I had forgotten just how great this concert is!  I would loved to have been there...in 2004.  If this DVD can't get ya movin' and groovin' across the room, NOTHING can!!!   LOL  You should see me and the dog dancin' around... we're tryin' to lighten up the mood just a bit here today, given the sad event that occurred this week.
If you don't have it, it comes with my highest recommendation... go get it and let me know what ya think.
 
On another note, I'm wondering what sorts of weird CHILI recipes you have out there.  Back a few years ago when I was a working stiff, my secretary told me about one she'd heard about but never tried.  So of course, I had to come home and try it...............  just add CABBAGE to your favorite chili recipe.  Sounds gross, huh?  WELL IT'S NOT!!!!  Damn it's good!!!!!  I gots some going as I write this.  Can't wait!!
 
Still on another note-  Any of you guys ever get rid of a guitar (or other instrument) for whatever reason, and wish you could have it back?  Well, damn, I got rid of my '60s model Ventures Mosrite guitar AND the strangest early '70s Gibson SG ever built!  I honestly think it was built from spare parts Gibson had laying around, as it did not show up in any catalog.  I guess the good thing was that I traded them both in on a NEW 1972 Gibson Les Paul Custom at the time (which I sold last year to help pay for my Studio.)
 
And lastly, I'm getting geared up for another trip to NYC in May 2013... and am looking for any specific events that might be happening that month so I can nail down a 4-day trip.  Maybe even some kind of workshop to attend.  If ya know of anything happening in NYC in May, give me a shout.  And HEY-  if ya live closeby and want to meet up for a drink or a bite, let me know that too.  Would be fun to meet some of this crowd I think.  :-)
 
Oh God!....  I smell the CHILI.......................

My chili recipe: Open can; dump in pot; heat and eat. Add Fritos and cheese for a little sizzle.
 
I regret selling my '55 reissue black on blond Les Paul.

I miss my first American Strat and Marshall Stack I bought when I Lived in England in the early 80  

 
It was the first guitar I ever bought. Before that, I was using my 3 brothers's hand-me-downs.
Bought new in 1977 for, I think, $477.

Old gear.... man I sure wish I could go back and reclaim some of my old things. 

I had "The Paul" a LP kinda looking guitar that Gibson only made for a short time. Hot pickups. 

And some old tube amp that sounded good, not very powerful, with a tremolo and reverb and 2 12" speakers. 

I do not miss, nor do I regret selling my Ampeg VT-212(?) that thing was under powered and weighed a ton... small 2 12" combo..... bought a carvin amp that simply rocked. Yeah I miss the carvins too....had 2 really nice ones.   

 Chili recipes you say? 

 Mine is pretty simple and follows a few variations depending on who is eating it. 

Ingredients-

Large can of light or dark kidney beans drained all but 1/4 can of juice.

2 large cans of diced tomatoes

1 medium can of tomato paste.

1/2 bell pepper

1/2 onion

2 tbsp of chili powder

2 lbs of hamburger cooked

1/4 tbsp of salt

1 cup water

2 tbsp of brown sugar or hot sauce (optional)depending on your preference.

pepper if desired

 If my wife isn't watching I never drain the grease from my cooked hamburger. The grease adds to the flavor. If you are into no cholesterol drain the hamburger.I run the onion and the green pepper through a food processor to chop it up fine. Sweet onions will add a sweeter flavor to the chili.

 Add all ingredients together in a pot and cook over low heat covered  stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Alternate method-Cook in crock pot for 6 hours on low heat.

 Can put either rice or mashed potatoes in bowl before you add chili.May also try adding baked beans in with kidney beans for a different flavor.

 I never seen the point in making my chili hot as then you can't taste the rest of the dish IMO. I like to add a little brown sugar to make it slightly sweet. In the mix it isn't noticible.

 Note- When you finish don't stand within 10 ft. of another human for 24 hours.