May22

Slow Cooker aka Family Time Made Easy

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English: Chef Pepín Slow Cooker

English: Chef Pepín Slow Cooker (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When trying to find time for the family, dinner is usually the best option for everyone. You can attempt to get everyone to sit at a table early in the morning while everyone is still waking up. Who really wants to do that? If you have ever met my wife, or her side of the family you will realize they are mostly zombies in the morning. By this I mean, non functioning, they spill things, grumble about and generally takes them about an hour to wake up unless something startles them. Most people are this way, but not me. I am a morning person, but that is besides the point. The point is, gathering together, spending time with one another. So dinner it is!

The first thing is to decide what to cook right? In today’s modern work it is hectic, fast paced, and chaotic in general. So who has time to prep dinner? Well we all do, it is just our perspective of time that has changed. With everyone demanding “immediate responces” or “get rich quick” mentality we are all rushing for retirement and an easy lifestyle. We tend to forget what is most important; family. So I always have loved a Crock-Pot or Slow Cooker, growing up when ever I saw Mom prepping dinner same time we are getting breakfast, I knew we were getting something special. The flavor from having something cook all day is just amazing and nothing compares. This can also be said about a Dutch Oven, great slow cooker but you use your oven instead. Or if you are rustic and outdoorsy you cook with it over a fire. In some sense the general appearance of the two is almost the same, so you can sort of say the electric Slow Cooker is the upgraded version of a Dutch Oven. Yes purest feel free to comment hatefully and say no it isn’t this is my opinion and I will be glad to read and comment on yours.

Prepping takes time in the morning, and when I saw Mom doing this I would usually set at the dinner table and eat my breakfast instead of eating it on the couch. I would love to see what she is doing and sometimes I would join in and help. To this day it is a joint venture with the wife and I. We love to prep and setup a stew, a roast, or soup of some kind. We both get a joy out of cooking together and then later enjoying the fruits of our labor. This is great time to spend with family you can get everyone involved. Even if they are young you can always give them something to do, my parents would let me peal or mash the potatoes or cut some vegetables. Or let me measure the liquids and ad those to the meal.

This helps bring back family time around dinner, everyone sits at the table to see what all has been crated. Their mouths drooling, eyes wide, and smiling ear to ear. Do not miss out on chances like this or we will lose what makes us human. That is community, family, and without that we lose ourselves.

Slow cooking has its benefits, it helps save money on meals. Because less expensive cuts of meat can be used, and by using water or a stock you can make a soup, stew or roast. There are even recipes for crock bot sides, like my favorite Crock-Pot Mashed Potatoes. Amazing and so yummy I would have never guessed that it would change the way I eat those things so easily. Your vegetables may lose some nutrients while making a roast or a stew but remember its just soaked into the broth and stock. So it is still there, just a different form. The low temperature means you probably won’t burn down your house, that chance is dropped dramatically and you would have to have a short to cause a house fire with a Slow Cooker. Also this drops the amount of dishes needed to clean at the end of the day. If I had my choice, Crock-Pot/Slow Cooker meals all day every day, I could live off soups and stews alone.

The only thing I can find wrong with a Crock-Pot or Slow Cooker besides losing some nutrients from boiling veggies in water, you can lose some moisture from constantly opening the lid, and sometimes depending on if the food is properly thawed or not it can be raw or some beans wont be cooked completely. So don’t cook with frozen meat to make sure and make sure you soak your beans over night so they cook easier.

So all in all, remember, family is most important to have a long healthy life. Eat good food and spend time together making it. This will create a stronger family if you do more activities together. If your kids do not like Crock-Pot or Slow Cooker meals than they are not human. No I am joking, what you should really do is cook meals they enjoy and have them help set it up or prepare it. Doing things together is what brings us together.

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May19

Windows 8 Tablets: Overpriced and Under Spec’ed

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I am a huge Windows 8 fan, obviously by my blog if you have ever read anything by me. Yet I am torn for simple reasons why I should not like it. My biggest issue is the price for Windows 8 tablets. I am by no means “rolling in the money,” I am in fact lower middle class. I barely make enough to feel comfortable. This being said, I feel there are plenty of people in the same boat as me and in fact I know people who make more than I do who feel the way I do about Windows 8 price ranges for their “newest” tablets.

My beef with them is their price range in comparison to their specifications. If you go to Amazon or Best Buy you will find the tablets are all relatively in the same range of power and performance. Which is nice, that has to mean they are great right? Wrong, the latest Intel Atom Z2760 is lacking in the graphics department. Because they dropped Intel HD graphics processor for this new, or lower tech PowerVR SGX 540 and 545. The reason why these are horrible in comparison is that they only support DirectX 9.3 not DirectX 10 or 11. This drops the graphics performance a lot, meaning simple games such as WoW are unplayable. I say WoW as being simple game because they use 10 year old graphics that are in no way comparable to their competitors but for some reason are still #1, and I will get into that on a later date.

So they have lower GPU’s than their previous Atom processors. So what if all the tablets have roughly the same size touchscreen but the same resolution. These Atom processors are designed for Win8 and tablets, so wouldn’t they be awesome? They are almost in comparison to Tegra processors on Android but not. They lack 3D abilities that Tegra has mastered at the same level. So Intel needs to increase their game and drop their high and mighty price ranges or they will lose the market. That is my opinion, but you can look for yourself.

So the prices are all the same and then go up with these new tablets. This doesn’t make sense, you can go to Amazon or Best Buy and see this. The prices range from $450-$650 with the same specs. Some try and convince you that you are getting the extra keyboard dock at a great rate for spending more and that can be up to $700 for some approx. That is for just a keyboard with an extra battery. Horrible right? Why pay more? Why buy a processor with an Atom processor than if they are all the same but vary in prices? Well because if you try and buy a “Pro” version of these tablets and get a better processor with GPU built in you are paying almost double. That is right for a similar i3 dual core processor with Intel HD 4000 graphics instead of the Atom’s crappy graphics and Atom’s dual core processor; you are paying around $800-1200.

Intel Atom logo 2008

Intel Atom logo 2008 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So why buy new? Besides the obvious of it having a warranty, no cosmetic flaws, and no need to pay for an upgrade. Why not buy something used with better hardware from the Win7 era and then pay to upgrade it if Win8 upgrade costs online are still $40 to download direct. I mean the Acer Iconia w500 has an AMD processor and ATI 6250 gpu which is mountains ahead of the PowerVR SGX series with 3D abilities. Now the PowerVR SGX has one trick up it’s sleeve and that is the fact it can handle 1080p videos better. So streaming is going to be a lot nicer, but if you want to play WoW get the older Acer. That AMD processor in it will be faster at the same clock speed roughly because of AMD’s out of sync bobcat cores. You can even buy a used ASUS EEE Slate with an i3 or i5 processor cheaper on eBay and just upgrade as well. If you are an AMD fan like I am you can buy an MSI Windpad with a better AMD processor than the Acer and upgrade that for $40 as well.

Image representing AMD as depicted in CrunchBase

Image via CrunchBase

That is my problem with the new Windows 8 tablets. You have the potential for a killer market, a market for a fact that will destroy Google’s Android market. A full Windows OS in a slick affordable format like Android’s but with more productivity and security. So why did all the manufactures decide on the new Atom? I will never know because the older Win7 tablets ran better with better hardware. I challenge someone to prove me wrong? Side by side comparison will show an older Win7 tablet to be better than the newer ones once upgraded. Now comparing the same processors like a last gen Win7 i3 with a newer Win8 gen i3 is unfair and they are in roughly the same ball park.

I would rather buy new tho, I have heard the PowerVR SGX 545 supports DirectX 10 now but I have not found any supporting documents to say that just forums talking. I am still on the fence, I would just buy a new Dell XPS 10 WinRT tablet just because they have a sale for $300 and I believe the hardware on that will replace Intel eventually just not now.

So in the end tho, the choice is yours, I just figured you would like to be well informed on comparing older tablets to newer ones and the fact a used one can save you money and have better performance than new ones. Save some money, go to eBay or Craigslist and check it for yourself.

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May16

Pinterest

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English: Red Pinterest logo

English: Red Pinterest logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So I broke down and created a Pinterest site awhile back in relations to what I post here. For various reasons of course. One, to find Romani reciepes, pictures of their culture and influences in fashion and lifestyle. Vardo homes and tiny home pictures inspired by Gypsy/Romani. It is a nice way to find people who are also interested in the same things I am. I find pictures, articles, etc related to Windows 8.

Pinterest is like a nice visual search engine, and it actually is pretty fun to browse. You never know what sort of funny picture, or fake ad you may find. You can also find great art and product designs that are done by people like you and me. I doubted it when it first came out because I figured it would be a trend. I should stop doubting my original feeling regarding a product or anything. The last few items I have doubted have ended up surprising me. First was Windows 8, my first initial test of it drove me insane but I realized after using it that I couldn’t go back to a regular computer. The subtle changes to how you use it with or without a touchscreen make all the difference now in a modern world for modern productivity. Yes a touchscreen makes it better in my opinion but without it it is still amazing.

I chose Pinterest as my new social network for various reasons. one, it is not Google owned and there for not evil. That is a big topic lately, evil Google. Especially with Microsoft with a large Scroogled campaign. I also chose Pinterest because of its ability for marketing and gathering followers. Humans by nature are very visual, our eyes are forward facing which means we are hunters. We notice detail and can gain a lot of understanding just from looking at images. Have you ever just saw a picture of something and almost completely understood it? Maybe it is just me being artistic, but I can look at most pictures or watch a video teaching me something without audio and gain a lot of understanding. I feel that is why Pinterest is so successful, the visual compulsion of humans. We see something that peaks a mental interest, we click it, if its reasonably priced we buy it, we copy it, we mimic it etc. Pinterest is essentially Facebook down to its simplest form, picture posting.

So I hope you all check out my Pinterest and share and spread the word. I hope this will be an interesting chance to advertise, communicate and find new followers. http://pinterest.com/metrogypsy/metro-gypsy/

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May16

Gypsy Diet

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I have been struggling with weight loss ever since I started gaining weight uncontrollably after high school. I never realized until today why that was. I lost my enjoyment of walking around outside, of running and playing games outside. The exact things that Mark has recommended on his blog. If you have never heard of Mark Sisson, from Marks Daily Apple dot com than you are surely missing out on some interesting insights. I will say this, as a modern man I love my pasta, but after reading his books I am confused and on the fence about eating it. So I try and avoid eating it as often, when the wife wants chicken strips I go for unbreaded while she would normally go for breaded. I just tell her smarter decisions. I know, I know what you are thinking, “but Joel why did you titled this Gypsy Diet if you are talking about the Paleo Diet?” I will tell you this I am getting there, eventually.

I am on the fence for eating bread because our ancestors, not cavemen but what we would refer to as modern men have had bread in their diet forever and they were perfectly healthy. If you get religious about it men and women in the old testament ate bread and lived a long time. Respectably longer than most modern men, but that is another debate which I will not get into now. I think man started gaining excess weight when we started becoming capitalists, when we stopped caring for our own land, our lively hood, our selves because we started hiring people to take care of ourselves for us. If you think about slavery, hired hands, butlers, etc people that had access to these were more inclined to gain weight. When big wigs for companies started focusing on less hard work for their actual product and started focusing on the money more I think some of us lost our way. Now this is just a work in progress theory so please don’t jump down my throat about this. I say capitalism and less enjoyment in what we do in life has causes us to be home bodies, and less active. Less activity and staying in doors creates depression, weight gain, sickly immune systems etc.

Now we did eat bread for all that time and were healthy, why? Because we worked harder and smarter. Where today we are taught to work smarter not harder. I feel there is a lack of actual work done. I for one love and hate my job at the same time because I sit at a desk all day, do tech support and that is it. Not a single ounce of physical work done. When I get home I feel unaccomplished most days and feel like I have to do something to feel like I have earned today.

Vincent van Gogh: The Caravans - Gypsy Camp ne...

Vincent van Gogh: The Caravans – Gypsy Camp near Arles (1888, Oil on canvas) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Being really into boho, art, music, and a semi gypsy lifestyle I asked myself “Is there such a thing as a Gypsy Diet?” When doing research I find a lot of dead ends. Mainly because Romani, or Gypsy’s don’t typically have a culture, they have a melting pot of cultures. Passed down from generation to generation. They also pick up various foods and cooking styles from where they are native too. For example Spanish gypsy‘s will cook Spanish dishes with their twists to it but it is still Spanish food. Where American gypsy’s will cook Americanized food different than most American’s will cook but you get the idea.

Common Foods I have found:

1. Wild Game such as boar, deer, squirrel, hedgehog etc.

2. Wild Vegetables: onion, lemon grass, mint, various berries, etc.

pork loin roast dinner with mushrooms, onions,...

pork loin roast dinner with mushrooms, onions, strawberries, cucumbers, and carrots (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

3. Coffee, Tea, Bread and Cheese are common I have read and used for breakfast.

While I did find several books on Amazon, here, that discuss some native recipes or Gypsy recipes. The only discernible thing I can find about their diet is they use more wild game, and wild vegetables than most. What I personally refer to as “rustic” food, or country food. So if you know of any book or something I am missing let me know.

As for workout routines, obviously I could not find a Gypsy Workout even for amusement sake. The only reference I found was they kept in shape by being hired hands, and doing labor jobs. Because being nomadic they were very skilled in various job sets and were hired out depending on where they were and what was needed. So it goes to show the principle behind Mark Sisson and Dennis Hardy when they both discuss muscle confusion as a form of working out. Mark points out specifically it is best due to how varied cavemen were with what physical activity they did. They were not focused on being ‘ripped’ they were focused on getting the job done. Same with the Romani, it was about being good at what you do. They were not just physically capable to do most jobs or every job they came across they were also smart. The myths, legends of Romani performers knowing all stories, or having great memories had to start somewhere right? So it makes me think that we as modern humans have forgotten to focus on all aspects of our life to be healthy. Most primarily focus on mentality, just to get smart to graduate get a job etc. So we forget about our bodies, which is why we get sick more often and are unhealthy more frequently.

I am struggling to lose weight, and due to having a roommate and my wife we struggle on agreeing on what to buy and eat to keep the house healthy. Since I started the Paleo diet over a year ago and I stopped the diet about 7 months ago roughly I have gained not all but about half the weight back I lost. It makes me depressed but I am trying to be positive and focus on my goal. It is difficult for me right now since I am fighting a sinus cold right now and most breathes I take cause me to cough and my nose keeps draining. If I were not sick I would be walking around the block as I wake up in the morning or run around the block.

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May12

How I Found Myself and Became Happy

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When I was growing up, and I use that term loosely because I am still growing up even at age 27. Back to when I was a pre-teen and teenage, hell most of my school life I was picked on. Ridiculed, verbally and emotionally abused because of how I looked, acted, smelled, etc. This was way before “cyber bullying” this was actually in your face, out loud bullying. So do not get all high and mighty with me when I say this. Cyber bullying has nothing on in your face actual bullying. When you can see their eyes, their mouth and all that malice and hate visually personified as reality. You have fear, anger, hate and revenge boiling inside. I hated every bully that I met growing up with a bitter distrust and loathing.

That was until my 8th grade year, and this is a great example of how well I was raised and how well I learn from my past. In 8th grade, rather the summer before I sat down and thought to myself, “Why fight those who despise me? Why not embrace who I am and wear it proud.” So that summer I started buying cloths from thrift shops, I stopped listening to music to scare people and started enjoying what I really liked. So my appearance changed, my interaction with the world changed. I stopped being shy and started being talkative and out going. I figured if someone was going to be fearful of me wearing black, or me with bleached spiky hair than so be it. But that wasn’t me, I wasn’t as dark as I thought I was. I was loud, outgoing, Jim Carey, Robin Williams kind of loud. I was also quiet, thoughtful outspoken and proud. I was creative, geeky and freaky in my own ways. So when the school year started I was a new man. I no longer feared who I was.

How did I discover myself? I sat down all summer, I tried different musics, art styles, tv shows etc. I made mental notes of how I felt about specific ones, weather I hated it, or loved it. By taking the time to listen to myself I really found myself. Do not like something because it is on TV or your friends are into it. Your friends like you for who you are, so does your family. If they don’t then they are not worth your time and not your real friends or family. Like what you like because, well you like it. Love what you love because it is a reflection on yourself. Hate what you hate because it disagrees with you on a personal level. Most important of all respect others around you for their differences. Even if you hate what they do or like, realize and notice that you do not actually hate the person you hate an aspect of them. Why am I saying this? Because this mentality is what has allowed me to interact with others with out shyness or fear. Do not get me wrong the feelings still exist but I can push pas them and notice the person easier not the thing about them.

Ze Frank

Ze Frank (Photo credit: Scott Beale)

Part of who I am, thanks to Ze Frank, I believe I suffer from puer æternus. Pronounced somewhere along the lines of “poo airy turn us.” It basically means refusal to grow up. Ze Frank on his Youtube channel discusses this and lists it’s symptoms:

Have great difficulty in finding the right kind of job.

Having charm of youth and the stirring quality of a drink of chapagne.

A secret thought that one day one will be able to save the world.
A rich inner fantasy life.

A fear of being pinned down, caught in a situation from which it will be impossible to slip out again.

Every “just-so” situation is hell.

The feeling of a “provisional life.”
The feeling that one is not yet in real life. That life is not yet what is really wanted, and there is always the fantasy that sometime in the future the real thing will come about.

Here is the video

He also inspired this article because of this video.

I wrote a speech in High School thanking all my bully’s for making me the man I am today. I wrote it and delivered the speech in class because 75% of the class were all the people that made my life growing up hell. After that speech majority of them apologized and the reset denied they did bully me. After that, my life in High School changed, I was respected, acknowledged and it felt amazing. Because I embraced who I am, and stood my ground shouting to them, almost literally due to the speech, that here I am and this is who I am.

So I challenge you, take a step back, turn off your TV, go through your books, CD‘s MP3′s and find yourself. Take a look at your closet and look at what you wear and really think about it. Am I living a true life, am I being who I am or am I being what I think everyone expects me to be. I say this because nobody expects you to be anything other than yourself. So stop thinking what others are thinking because that is still only your thoughts not theirs.

Be yourself. Be honest. Be Respectful. Just Be.

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May11

Samsung ATIV Family

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English: Samsung Logo Suomi: Samsungin logo

English: Samsung Logo Suomi: Samsungin logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Last few days have been a blessing. My attendance for viewers, or repeat visits, has brought my traffic up a lot. I thank you all for being supportive and enjoy what I tend to rant about. Now my name I MetroGypsy, Metro for Windows 8 and that is what I am going to talk about right now.

I have been searching, and saving up for the right tablet to replace my previous favorite, the iPad. Now I have grown agitated yet respectful of iOS. It is well polished, does exactly as you would expect it to do. It only lacked innovation, creativity and more functionality. Android was disapointing due to its lack of control. It always crashed when I used my fathers Asus Transformer, when it did work it was nice. It had a bit more innovation than iOS, a bit more function but it was missing something. It was missing a flare, something to make it stand out besides a scrolling background for icons, speed and customization. Then came Windows 8 and WP7-8, and I was hooked. Now they don’t call it Metro anymore because Microsoft got sued and was forced to change it to Modern UI. I still prefer Metro, and being a user and not selling the name, I will continue to use it as such for my own personal use.

I have already covered what I love about Windows 8 previously. I am not one for major customization but it does have as much as Android does without having to jailbreak either of them. If not a bit more, due to the tiles, the scrolling wallpaper, the desktop mode, etc.

As I stated, I have been attempting to save for a new tablet. Little success due to being in a lower income bracket, and taxes horrible due to certain political aspects I will not get into. Also due to just bad luck with finances. Things are starting to look up, and wife and I may have the money by the end of the month. So doing my research I have finally narrowed it down to the Samsung ATIV family.

I have always been a fan of Samsung’s design aspect ever since the Series 7 Slate tablet with Windows 7. Also there Series 7 laptops were well designed. Their reviews are strong, and quality is too. So I have watched a lot of review videos of the ATIV Smart PC and TAB, and those are the two I am looking at. Once is Windows 8 and the other is Windows 8 RT and both will do exactly what I want them to do. The only difference is one will run older programs, the other one will be stuck to anything Windows 8 from the app store. Not a big issue, I am used to being outcasted from playing a lot of games with friends who could afford Alienware computers, or build their own gaming computer. Honestly as long as I can run office, play around online, video chat, and do my art on it I am a happy camper.

The feature that drew me to the ATIV Windows 8 tablets is the built in stylus and the pressure sensitivity it has. This makes me happy, for my art, that was the only thing my fathers ASUS tablet and my iPad were missing, pressure sensitivity for my art. Watching demo’s of how it works, and reading reviews that it has gotten better since launch do to updated drivers and patches for Windows 8. I am excited and it is within my budget, all I have to do now is be patient.

I would love to accept donations to help me with my art. I would also love to sell more of my art or do commissions for cash. The fear is, am I really good enough for that yet? Well I will let you be the judges, and if you donate to me, than I will owe you commissions for a year. That is my guarantee, 365 days from the moment I purchase my tablet and get my art software installed I will owe you art. I am also a great talker, and wise man so I am also available for any type of discussion if you prefer an intellectual form of repayment.

The ATIV Odyssey phone, one it is in my budget, two it will match the tablet perfectly. The one thing I love about Windows Phone 8, is yes the additional customization but also its ability for productivity more. It has better performance and features than my WP7 device. Windows Phone 8 also has better and more up and coming apps available where my device is left in the dust. So all in all I will be hopefully joining the ATIV family soon. Who knows maybe my fan-dom will gain their attention and the would be wiling to assist me with getting one or the other.

So I did my rant, I am not off topic as usual. Feel free to give me feedback as always I am open and appreciative of anything you all have to say.

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May11

Sense of Style

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I have a unique style, most of my friends have always made fun of how I dressed but at the same time respected it because I knew what I could wear and still be comfortable and myself. My wife even asks for advice on how to dress because of my artistic side allows me to see what she would look the best in. It is my curse and my favorite skill of mine to be myself. I will cover how I discovered myself later.
So lately I have been wanting to develop a more personal artistic style to how I dress. I love patterns and earth tones as well as layers. So that leaves me with a lot of area to cover, and experiment with. As I create a style of my own, as a wanna be comic artist, I tend to draw myself as a character wearing what I feel I should wear. It is fun and allows me to come up with some great character designs. When starting this adventure a few months ago I started drawing and asking myself many questions.

First question while designing an outfit, Sash Belts aka scarf belt, like what you would see in the Renaissance Era, or on

Yes Sir

Yes Sir (Photo credit: theirhistory)

Gypsy men and women. I know that style is dated, but would it be socially acceptable today without drawing the wrong conclusion about myself? Probably not, I am looking for a modern take on it for men, but cannot seem to find one that doesn’t make me look of the wrong orientation. If you have any ideas, please let me know in comment.

A soft-soled moccasin.

A soft-soled moccasin. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Second question is, can I find a universal shoe. As a practical man, and gentleman, I desire a shoe that can fit any occasion. I hate owning running shoes, dress shoes, casuals hoes, etc. I would prefer to own just one or two pairs of shoes. A universal pair and a pair of sandals/flip flops for around the house. So I have narrowed my choice down to 3 designs, Emerica Hopi, which I have mentioned in my blog before, Soft Star Run Amoc in suede, and Vivobarefoot Gobi. I love hi-top/ankle shoes so in case if I go running my ankles don’t get torn up. Or if I go hiking randomly I can step in some mode or damp areas without getting my socks horrible damp or dirty. Plus those designs remind me of Moccasins which I love, as explained in a previous blog of mine.
Regarding pants, just like my shoes, I want them to be practical, pockets, pockets and more pockets if possible but not horrible visible. Durable material, earth tones, little patterns but nothing outrageous. Pants I can wear to work or play or anything in between. I love Beta Brand’s Sweatpants Dress Pant. They are soft, durable and can fit any occasion in my opinion, but way out of my price range. Again I am a poor blogger/artist.
Shirts are easy, t-shirts are universal and allow me to have fun patterns, but button-up shirts are my favorite. There really isn’t a situation you cannot wear these things. Be it play, work, or anything else a button-up shirt fits the bill. I prefer banded collar shirts, but collared shirts a great because I can wear a lose tie or ascot/scarf. I also love to accessorize my shirts with a vest, great for carrying my cellphone, pocket watch, pens, etc and not look like a bum pulling them out of my pockets. It ads a sense of social grace and class as well as makes a statement.

Russian Rainbow Gathering. Nezhitino, August 2005

Russian Rainbow Gathering. Nezhitino, August 2005 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My hair, yes hair is a major part of my design. I thought I could have long hair, nope genetics have decided against that. Sure I am a harry Germanic decent man but my hair on my head is unruly and hates being long. It goes from being nice and manageable to sudden fro with curls everywhere. Now honestly I can accept it and make it work, it is my hair after all. My wife on the other hand says no she prefers it to look manageable, short on the sides and back and longer on top, either swept back, mop top to show off my curls or neatly combed. The only constant is facial hair, I have a round/oval baby face, facial hair ads age, wisdom and distinction to my appearance. So I always make sure I leave the house with a well groomed face. Sideburns, goatee are my basics, but I do enjoy having a full beard with long chin hair.
Hats, I love me headgear, I wear glasses and hats are a great compliment to them. I prefer the Irish aka the flat cap. Or a wide brim

Flat-cap-front

Flat-cap-front (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

floppy hat, not a cowboy hat but one that can bounce and move freely, its casual, playful and fits my personality. I also ad pins, patches, and scarves to my hats to give them a different than stock look.
The final thing I need to do besides add minor accessories, like rings, necklaces and bracelets to my look is weight. I have horrible body image, was never raised to take good care of myself so it has taken its toll. It hasn’t been until the last few years that I have been plotting and planning to get in shape and stay that way. For myself and my family, so once I get rid of my stubborn belly fat I am on my way to looking like my drawing. Which I will post later today hopefully.

A US Marine Doing Pull-ups.

A US Marine Doing Pull-ups. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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May9

Top Sites for My Minimalist Lifestyle

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The Great Comet of 2011

The Great Comet of 2011 (Photo credit: lrargerich)

I am a plethora of weird and phantasmal knowledge. My friend’s say I know too much about what others do not even bother knowing. Because of this I am a ‘Jack of All Trades’ but I am a master of none. I get all my information from the books I read, as well as the sites I visit online and the people I follow online. So I figured I would share a listing of my favorite blogs and sites to help you become a ‘Jack of All Trades but a Master of None:’

1. Lifehacker – Great site for various information on DIY projects and more.
2. Treehugger – Amazing site that is like an RSS that keeps you up to date on Eco-friendly info.
3. Art of Manliness – If you are a fan of gentlemanly acts, and the ways of the old, look no further. This site has great articles about how to be a man if you are lost. Also great giveaways.
4. Engadget – If you are a techie like myself, you already know of this site. If not, you must visit.
5. George Takai – If you do not know who this is, you have been living under a rock!
6. Scott Jurek – An amazing fitness expert and marathon runner who is an inspiration in humanity.
7. Nick Offerman – Great comedian, and a classic man’s man, follow on Twitter you will not regret.
8. Poncho Meg – Great online writer/blogger who really lives and preaches the bohemian lifestyle, follow her on any social network you can find her, great gal.

If it were not for these sites, or these people I follow, I would not know half the stuff I know now. Anything about tweaking a computer, making something by hand, or the proper ways of listening. I learned from these sites. They help me keep a simple life, and educate me even though I am out of school. It is great thing to keep yourself educated even in simple things. You are never too young to learn something new. If there are any sites that you use that help your day to day living let me know.

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May6

Baking Bread

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Bread

Bread (Photo credit: Moyan_Brenn)

I am going to stop buying bread at the store and only make my bread going forward. I have lost a taste for what is in bread from stores. All the added sugar, and various other things that should never be in bread. When I eat bread that doesn’t have added sugar I can taste the difference and it is so much better. Plus the cost of making your own bread is less than that of buying it from the store. If you break it down to ingredients and cost per item individually. The thought of fresh bred brings back memories.
When I was a child, my grandmothers, both of them, would bake bread instead of buying it at the store. The flavor, the aroma was overwhelmingly intense. Every time I smelled fresh bread I thought of them. Every time I ate fresh bread, I thought of them. I also thought of the gatherings, the family times we had together. Eating at table was a requirement at both my grandparents houses. It was dead in my parents house except for on special occasions. At my house with my wife it is dead but the memory remains. I wish to bring it back and keep family traditions alive.
I found our bread baker we bought but the tray for it is missing for now. I will try and find it here shortly but I just wanted to discuss this adventure I am planning.
If you know of any good bread recipes let me know. I am eager to try new ones, I only have wheat/white bread and banana nut bread. My mother is going to stop by and give me my grandmothers ‘Monkey Bread’ recipe that I remember as a kid.
Please comment below and send me your recipes I will try them all one by one. Thank you for reading.

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May6

Finally starting to go minimal my way.

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English: Minimal

English: Minimal (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I have come to the conclusion that the Paleo diet, or in fact any diet, is just a trend. They are good for you but they are usually marketed towards those who have easy access to what is in reference to the diet. The Paleo diet was a bit expensive where I live in the Midwest. Getting a hold of organic, grass fed beef, or any kind of protein like that is out of my price range unless I go to a butcher. In fact doing my research and looking locally I have found several alternatives in shopping. The main issue I have is family, I am super big on family, family time; and spending as much time with family and friends as possible. I am social butterfly and love people, so a Paleo diet left me feeling alone and actually made me feel depressed. Opa! I decided to eat what I want but make it more fresh. Using a butcher, and buying uncanned veggies at the grocery store; while making my own bread. This has allowed me to feel content, happy, etc. because I spend more time with my family cooking and prepping. It has become a social experience not just an end of the day ritual. So I say to hell with Paleo diet, the Viking diet, Adkins, etc.

I have decided to go minimal my own way. Writing a new chapter in my blogs history and going to focus more on real writing and discussions than before. Why? Because “I want to be free” -Queen, I want to write as I see fit instead of fixing to one niche. I want to cover and discuss what I feel passionate about. I am no caveman, I am no viking, I am bohemian, I am art, I am culture society and family. I will be damned if I let myself get distracted like that again. I am looking to rename my blog, and re-brand to feel more at home here. Maybe something a long the lines of MetroGypsy, because Metro for Win8(cannot get enough of the UI), and Gypsy because I love family, art and running barefoot. Let me know what you think, I am starting over, I have a goal in mind. I will lose my regained weight again and get back in shape so the wife and I can do the ColorRun at the end of the year!

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