Netflix Grand Cru

The three movies-at-a-time program is far from enough when being home full time. It doesn't guarantee enough flicks to ensure that my movie craving mind get satisfied in any choosen moment.

Today I ordered the 8 movies-at-a-time program and am happily looking forward to a mailbox full with action, comedy and foreign film. If I plan it really, really well I'm sure I can get 2-3 new movies a day delivered.

If I use a conservative base - let's say 2 new movies per day - I would be able to see at least 180 movies during this slacking time off mine.

But I'm sure I can improve that number considerly by returning movies on a daily basis, get our mail man to deliver new mail before noon and by having themed back-to-back viewings. I could also team up with a neighbor who also has a 8 movies-at-a-time program and share the 16 movies we would get every day.

Then I could... [our hero's brain is now doing overtime and need a rest before the elevensis].

So It Begins...

I open up my newly purchased copy of Keller's Bouchon and quickly flick through the pages until I get to the Poulet Rôti. Poulet Rôti and it's distant cousin Cordero Asado have always belonged to my favorite culinary experiences.

Today I'm ready to attack the challenge of making Poulet Rôti at home. I'm just back from Whole Foods with a large chicken, lemon, thyme, parsley, garlic and the other crucial ingrediences.

I'm going to start with a glas of Castillo de Ygay. It's one of the last bottles of '95s that we have which reminds me that I need to call the Wine Bank and ask them to send another case.

Cheers!

The Perfect Siesta

Ahh, it seems like it was only yesterday. Hmm, I think it was actually yesterday when I had one of my most perfect Siestas - ever. In our family we don't call it nap but user the castillian word Siesta. There are several reasons for that: both the missus and I have spend a lot of time in Spain; napping seems so unproductive and has a lazyness associated to it; and the word Siesta reminds us of the well deserved, under-the-tree, just-after-lunch rest to have enough energy to embrace the nightly challenges.

So yesterday afternoon, after a splendid light pasta lunch, I headed to our sunny bedroom for a well-deserved, productive Siesta. I laid down and started to slowly fall asleep while thinking happy thoughts. The warm bed reminded me of those happy days, sleeping under the tree by the beach in Spain. I let myself drift away, both physically and mentally. There was harmony. My body, soul and mind was in instant connection. I had found the critical zone.

A few hours later I woke up. The sun had set and the missus was back from work (?). I headed up a little to hasty, trying to establish local and time. That's when I realized that I have a lot still to learn about Siestas. They shouldn't be terminated that abruptly, but more with a gentle varm touch. They should lead into a soft-spoken contemplative mindset accompanied by a glas of Cava and some Tapas.

I still have som much yet to learn about the life of slacking and it's many hidden secrets. But as any eager student I've to be both patient and disciplined to find out what so many have been searching for but failed to find.

And Then There Was Sun

It's been raining like no tomorrow for the past few days. But today the sky is blue and the sun is shining.

My second cold for the year is getting much better. I'm still trying to figure out why I got hit so bad. I suspect it's due to my complete relaxation since taking time off. The body felt that I put my guard down and the bacteria saw the opportunity for a second run. It's how short interests act in an overbought market - getting ready to kill you.

Anywho, with the new surround, lots of movies and a fridge full of goddies I've been doing fine. Today I'll start on my relaxploration program for the next few weeks.

Rules Of Engagement

There has to be rules to this slacking madness; something that guides me through the rough sea of leisure life and random daily choirs.

1. Don't wear a watch to measure time but to look good. Time is unimportant. Looking good is everything.
2. Sleep in. Have siestas. Nod off. Pass out.
3. Avoid multi-tasking. Focus on the task at hand which could be doing nothing. Multi-tasking is stupefying.
4. Have the phone turned off except for when having Safeway deliveries. [You have to let the guy in.]
5. Follow interesting subject threads and see where they lead. Take time to explore.
6. Turtle-walk when getting the mail or the WSJ. Absolutely no running, young man.
7. Instead of driving, take a cab for city destinations. Free your mind from all the decision-making.
8. Embrace your passion and dig deep. Construct and deconstruct. Find out how things really work. Only to satisfy your own obscure curiosity.
9. Roll the dice. Take chances. Go all in when the odds are in your favor.
10. View the world with 80% humor and 20% compassion.