The Gastrocast

Popularity: 6% [?]

As I stood at the Propane filling station yesterday watching three times more money flow into my steel cylinders I was struck by the paradox that throughout history War is supposed to heap the victor with spoils. And beyond even that, it is supposed to bolster the economy of the war mongering nation. So at what point in history did it become mandatory to pour fortunes into rebuilding the nations one goes to war with? How does that benefit the citizenry of the warring nation? Shouldn’t that be incentive enough not to go to war–not that we can’t afford to annihilate another regime, we can’t afford to replace and maintain it adinfinitum due to the backbreaking sacrifice of the people we do it in the name of.
So I watched more hard won cash spill into the tank of my efficient, but old car later in the day. It must have been the fumes, or the dizziness caused by spending double what I did the same time and place last year, but I began to think of Ancient Rome.

Is it just me or does the Iraq War remind anybody else of Rome’s Conquest of the Dacians?

Dacia was in present day Romania (hmm. . .Rome ania. . . .)(here played by Iraq). They were a rival and subject of many campaigns and skirmishes along the expanding Roman empire’s border. What is more is they held resources Rome wanted. The Emperor Domitian (played here by the part of Bush sr.) attacked but didn’t exactly lay waste to the Dacian stronghold. An uneasy and deceptive peace reigned for almost a decade. Meanwhile Regime Change and an empreror later, Trajan decides to finish the job (here played by GeeDub). Trajan is determined to wipe the Dacian’s off the map, and he does but after horrid loss of Roman life. He had to track down the Dacian King (Decebalus–here played by Saddam) who fled the destruction. However, his war brings the empire expansion and wealth. Gold and Silver (here played by Oil) flood into the coffers of the Government. Trajan (and presumably his cronies) spend wildly in self absorbed glory. He expanded the Forum, but was not content. He needed more gold and silver, more war. So he invaded present day Iran (here played by Iran). These lands proved too difficult to hold onto. Sure there was booty, to be plundered (The Romans even knew about Crude Oil) but the skirmishes were wearing the empire down.

Regime Change and the Wonderful Hadrian (of Wall fame) enters the scene (here played by the sucessor of impeachment?). Realizing the empire is far too weak, and the cost of maintaing bloated boundries far too costly, Hadrian pulls back on all fronts. He sets up well defined borders. Puts his Army to work rebuilding the nation and maintaining the shrunken borders (hence the Wall across Britannia). What is more, realising the people of Rome (the empire and City) had suffered, he embarked on rebuilding the infastructure and morale of his country. Prosperity and happiness reigned and foreign policy was strong.

Maybe it’s just the fumes.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Still working away at the cookbook. In the meanwhile here is Gastrocast #26–a technique for getting a elegant meal from a sow’s belly.

Flickr photos are here.

Despite what I say in the show, I think I will include this recipe in the upcoming cookbook. I’d better get the thing done soon, before it grows any more out of hand. . . .

Technorati Tags: cookbook, gastrocast, podchef, culinary podcast, cooking, pork belly

Popularity: 6% [?]

E Coli, precooked meat products from a central facility, school children dropping like flies–Jamie O, where are you now, mate?

Popularity: 6% [?]

We’re being ripped off. What’s worse is we know we’re being ripped off and there’s sweet FA we can do about it.

I know, I know we, as a Nation, have nothing to complain about. The rest of the world has been paying a small fortune for Petrol for years. I was never able to shed a tear, though, as my friend filled up his Audi A6 with what amounted to $100 worth of diesel before slinging up the M5 to the ancestral pile for the afternoon. If our own country–National and Local governments both–would provide our citizenry with public transportation which even matched the bus and train and underground systems of our European Cousins we wouldn’t even be in the position to whinge about rising fuel costs.

High fuel prices are one thing–outright robbery is quite another. How high will they jack us after Hurricane Rita?

Popularity: 11% [?]

Well, the test worked. For those of you who subscribe to this blog feed via feedburner will have a sample of the Gastrocast Cookbook, albiet jumbled up a bit. That is the general direction the work will head extending, though from episode 6-25 with a table of contents. I could be persuaded to index it ($$$) but I don’t think it will be necessary as you can search a PDF pretty quickly.



For more information about what I am talking about (a cookbook, wha????) check  out Part A of Gastrocast #25.



Let me know if you want me to feed the whole cookbook this way when it is finished, or if I should make it available another way. I could also just feed it to you chapter by chapter. . . .



Neal

Popularity: 6% [?]

This is a test. Do not be alarmed. Do not panic. I am seeing what happens if I enclude this file here. This is one chapter from the Gastrocast Cookbook. It is in a rough state–the finished book will be altogether. . . .Just seeing if RSS will handle it.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Here is Part B–the cooking segment.

Technorati Tags: gastrocast, cooking, culinary podcast, podchef, food

Popularity: 5% [?]

This week’s Gastrocast comes in two flavors: Part A for those who want to hear about the magazines I haven’t read, the ingredient of the week, and what’s going on around Podchef Island. Part B for those who wish to hear just the cooking programe. This week: Tomato & Chili Jam and Roasted Tomato Soup. Oh, and I make a few announcements in Part A.

Flickr Photos.

As mentioned in the show: