Cooking lessons...

Some highlights in cooking from the past two weeks.

I've learned that Bryan doesn't read directions on food. He bought some cans of condensed chicken noodle soup about a year ago but was unaware that with condensed soup you have to add water. The first can he ever made turned out quite nasty so the others have sat in our cabinets, quite lonely. Recently while making some for Katie while she was sick, she pointed out that you have to add water otherwise it will be nasty. (Now don't think Bryan was knowingly fixing what he thought was some nasty soup for his gal. He thought she might not find it bad like he did.)

Baking potatoes must have holes poked in them, otherwise they will pop and/or explode. This was my fault, I should have explained to Bryan why I cut the potatoes into small pieces when I did a twice baked potato recipe recently. Bryan tried some while I was away this past weekend, hence the "snap crackle and pop in the oven." He did successfully make french fries from scratch without me the other week (I have him a crash course in what to do and especially not to do in the event of a grease fire).

Oh and I finally had the beast full! Momentarily anyway, the beast being Bryan's appetite. My recipe? Twice baked potatoes and large home made quesadillas.

Fail

Since I last blogged Tate also adopted a Guinea Pig named Reese. He now takes up residence along with Taylor (King Snake) and Phoebie (Hedgehog).

That said, let me now share what will be the talk of Petco for the next week.

While off work this evening, Bryan got a call from a co-worker about a cute girl who was in the store inquiring about hedgehogs. So we three made a trip over, Bryan bringing Phoebie along after waking her up. We get there and one of Bryan's co-workers immediately brings her over and sends them off so to talk about hedgehogs. She took an immediate liking to Bryan. Tate and I meanwhile kept ourselves busy. One of the co-workers shortly after went up and recommended exchanging phone numbers. The girl was all for it, Bryan awkwardly shrugged.

Bryan finished counseling her on the purchase of a cage, exercise wheel, and cat food. Bryan carried the cage out for her, and she departed. No phone number obtained. Petco Coworkers began their field day.

Bryan did leave with a phone number, but it was that of Aaron's, one of his coworkers.

Only Bryan.

P.S. Sorry Phoebie that you didn't get to befriend the other hedgehog either.

*Editor's Note: We do not support the picking up of random girls, nor do we believe it should be a game. But we do encourage friendship. Hope you enjoyed this mostly satirical post.

Jellyfish, Bath time, and Taylor

Recently it was Bryan's b-day so to celebrate, Tate and I threw him a surprise B-day party. We enlisted the help of some friends to set up the party while we kept him distracted at Cookout. For decorations our friends put up streamers, Christmas lights and hung Jellyfish around the Apt that Tate and I made earlier that day using yarn, plastic bags, and paper plates. Most of the Jellies are still hanging up, although the plates have separated from the rest of the body. We're planning to glue some of them back and keep them up as decor.

Phoebe usually gets a bath once a week, her cage also gets cleaned, including her exercise wheel. Last week Bryan used some of my body wash to give Phoebe a great scent, for at least a few hours til her own bodily functions kicked in again.

Also last week, Bryan adopted a 50/50 king snake. He found it through Craigslist while helping Tate post his PS3. He got the snake and cage for a great price. Taylor is called 50/50 because her stripes are thick enough that she's half black and half off white. She's still getting used to people, but you can hold her in your hand, just don't mess with her head too much. King snakes also aren't poisonous so she's not deadly.

I may change the name of the blog to "Two guys, a hedgehog and a..." to further accommodate Taylor and any other future pets, but I'm going to keep the URL the same. If I do make the change, it'll be seamless where you don't even notice if you keep reading.

Birthdays are odd

03/25/11
When I woke up this morning, I walked into Bryan's room and wished him a happy birthday. He smiled, looked up from his computer and wished me a happy birthday back. Puzzled, I left. I came back two minutes later and asked him why. He was now standing and looked at me and asked "When did you wish me a happy birthday?"

Later:
"You has a sent, not a scent as in a distinctive smell, but a sent as in I sent the comprehensive ukulele chord chart to you by email."

Even Later:
We were talking about the joys and sorrows sports brings. Specifically I was outlining how if Duke and Carolina ever played in the National Championship Game, it would be unimaginable glory, and unimaginable sorrow for the loser. That's not the ramblings of an overly passionate college basketball fan either. Here's an article that articulates it-Click Here

Anyway I further explained the bitter rivalry between Duke and UNC, to which Bryan replied "Phoebe will be the one to bring them both together in peace. She's too cute not to."

Late nights

Some guys when tired and on the verge of sleep will dialogue in very interesting, and humorous ways...

(Imagine slower speaking with random pausing)

Tate "I'd like to throw a tube television out of a 3rd story window and see what kind of noise it makes"
Bryan "It would make a very loud crash"
****************
Tate "I'd like to microwave a coconut"
****************
Bryan while crawling to bedroom "I has a worm."
****************
Then somehow Bryan came back and wrestling ensued between the two.

Fact: I gave Bryan his first taste of a Peanut Butter Snickers the other night, but it was past the point of his brain remaining cognate, and thus didn't remember eating a piece the next day.

The things that make us

Prior to a 16 mile bike ride:

Bryan "Let's stretch before we go. Since I'm the least flexible person on earth."
Josh "Well then you're rooming with the next to least flexible person."
Bryan "If it came to a competition we have the least flexible residence on earth then."

FB hacking has become a common occurance around our apartment. Check the About Me section of our profiles to see the deeds done.

Currently now watching Empire Strikes Back, part two of Bryan's first tour through the Star Wars saga. Phoebe is watching for her first time too, and is uncomfortably snuggling with Bryan's neck.

Neighbors Appreciate...

Neighbors can be wonderful things. I've been getting to know mine here in Wilmington. The one to really know is Barbara, as she's one of the longest residents where I live, and she sets out to be everyone's grandmother. Last Christmas, she bought some lights for Nathan another neighbor because he didn't have any to put up himself. When he went to return them after the season, she replied that the lights were his Christmas present from her.

Neighbors appreciate a lift to Costco (Think Sam's club) for the purpose of buying oranges. Taking Nathan over also resulted in my first trip into such a store.

Neighbors appreciate a neighbor who can decide if a brand of dog cookies are good to give to their beloved pet. As Bryan, Tate and I were leaving Sunday to pick up some pizza, Barbara asked Bryan about the snacks in question. Bryan tried the two different flavors and pronounced them safe to give.

P.S.
Fact: Bryan once accidentally broke a fast by ingesting a dog cookie. He resumed his planned fast the next day though.