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My Adventures In Making Martinis
2 min read
Back on April 20th, I finally turned 21, meaning I could finally legally imbibe alcohol. That being the case, I had always wanted to make a martini, if just because the idea of making some sort of cocktail or another always interested me. High society and all that bullshit.
So I bought some (fairly cheap) vodka and dry vermouth and proceeded home to try and make a martini. Well, the thing I hadn't known of was that all the martinis I had had previously were made with gin, so I was somewhat surprised by the more alcoholic taste of the added vodka. That, and I feel that I may have shaken the mixture TOO much, which can supposedly "damage" the alcohol.
In the end, I disliked the first one but ultimately made a second one, this time making it a dirty martini (which is where you add olive brine to the mixture) which was ultimately better in that it cut the sharpness of the alcohol some.
I honestly have no clue why in the name of God I'm babbling about making martinis, except for the fact that I wanted to talk about it, I suppose. Eh, there you have it.
So I bought some (fairly cheap) vodka and dry vermouth and proceeded home to try and make a martini. Well, the thing I hadn't known of was that all the martinis I had had previously were made with gin, so I was somewhat surprised by the more alcoholic taste of the added vodka. That, and I feel that I may have shaken the mixture TOO much, which can supposedly "damage" the alcohol.
In the end, I disliked the first one but ultimately made a second one, this time making it a dirty martini (which is where you add olive brine to the mixture) which was ultimately better in that it cut the sharpness of the alcohol some.
I honestly have no clue why in the name of God I'm babbling about making martinis, except for the fact that I wanted to talk about it, I suppose. Eh, there you have it.
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Hey Guys, Guess Who's Getting Published?
2 min read
I am! Well, kind of sorta.
Basically, awhile back I did a small essay for a possible scholarship. Thing I didn' t know while making this is that there was the possibility of being published. Turns out that my essay ranked in the top three percent of the 4100 essays submitted, and will be published in some upcoming book with the other essays that had been submitted, as well as be put into the possibility of receiving a $1000 scholarship. I think the book is titled "Voices of the Future" or some such thing, but I'll need to go over the papers again. Even if I don't get the scholarship, it'll be nice to say in my resume that I've been published.
It does bother me a bit, though, in that I made the essay in this fairly quickly. Seriously, it couldn't have taken me more than twenty-thirty minutes, and yet I somehow still ranked. Either this demonstrates how great my capabilities as a writer are, or the other submissions really, really stank. Most likely, it was the latter.
Anyhow, just thought I'd let you guys know.
Sorry I haven't been around lately, as well. School has kept me busy as hell, but I'll hopefully be more active for now soon.
Basically, awhile back I did a small essay for a possible scholarship. Thing I didn' t know while making this is that there was the possibility of being published. Turns out that my essay ranked in the top three percent of the 4100 essays submitted, and will be published in some upcoming book with the other essays that had been submitted, as well as be put into the possibility of receiving a $1000 scholarship. I think the book is titled "Voices of the Future" or some such thing, but I'll need to go over the papers again. Even if I don't get the scholarship, it'll be nice to say in my resume that I've been published.
It does bother me a bit, though, in that I made the essay in this fairly quickly. Seriously, it couldn't have taken me more than twenty-thirty minutes, and yet I somehow still ranked. Either this demonstrates how great my capabilities as a writer are, or the other submissions really, really stank. Most likely, it was the latter.
Anyhow, just thought I'd let you guys know.
Sorry I haven't been around lately, as well. School has kept me busy as hell, but I'll hopefully be more active for now soon.
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My real name: James Rutledge
Age: 20
Natural hair colour: Blonde
Eye colour: Light Blue
Glasses/contacts: Glasses
Piercings: No, and probably never will
FAVOURITE:
Colour: Red
Band(s): Oingo Boingo, Rammstein, Flogging Molly, A lot of others
Book: The Dark Tower: The Wastelands
Food: Pizza
Flower: Can't really think of one
Comic book: American, it would be Sandman; for manga, it would be Hellsing
Cereal: Reeses' Peanut Butter Crunch, or whatever they hell they were called (it's been awhile since I've had cereal)
Website: My Blog Link (fruitsofmyculturalmadness.blog…)
CAN YOU...
Sing the alphabet backwards: I've no clue
Stand on your tip toes without wearing shoes: Nope
Speak any other languages: Not yet, but hoping to soon learn German
Go a day without food: No
Remember your dreams: Only sometimes, and then only the bad ones
Read music, not just tabs: Nope
Roll your tongue: Nope
Eat a whole pizza: You bet your ass, baby. You bet your ass.
HAVE YOU EVER...
Won something in the lottery: I believe I won, like, ten dollars once
Snuck out of the house: Never had a reason
Lied to get out of trouble: Yeah, but they were usually so small, I probably overreacted by lying
Had a computer crash: Mm-hmm...
Gotten lost in your city: I did once, when I first started driving
Seen a shooting star: Nope
Been to any other countries: I've been to Mexico on my senior trip
Had a serious surgery: I've had surgery to help my hearing three times
Solved a rubiks cube: No
Gone out in public in your pajamas: No
Kissed a random stranger: Sure haven't
Hugged a random stranger: Nope
Been arrested: Not yet, but hey, I always could be. Look for my name in the papes, people.
Done drugs: No
Had alcohol: I'm half-German, and half Scots-Irish. What the hell do you think?
Laughed and had milk come out of your nose: Not milk, but I have had Dr. Pepper come out. That hurt like hell.
Sneaked into the opposite sex's bathroom: No, I go in there on a daily basis as I have to clean it for my job
Gone to school only to find you had the day off because of a holiday/etc: Wish that had happened.
Swore at your parents: No
Kicked a guy where it hurts: Nope
Been to a casino: Not yet. But I really want to go to Vegas at some point, if just for the sights
Ran over an animal and killed it: Hey, I'm trying. Give me time.
Gotten stitches: No
Had a water balloon fight in winter: No
Made homemade muffins: Uh-uh.
Bitten someone: I've tried. I have yet to succeed.
Been to disneyland/disneyworld: Been to DisneyWorld when I was eight.
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU...
Cried: Maybe...a few weeks ago?
Saw a movie in a theatre: Last tuesday, when me and my friend Brooks went to see "Across the Universe"
Read a book: Yesterday
Had a snow day: Last January
Had a party: Too damn long ago
Got cursed: Can't really remember
Called someone: Last Week
DO YOU PREFER:
Fruit/vegetables: Fruit.
Black/white: Black
Lights on/lights off: Lights off
TV/movie: TV
Body spray/lotion: Body Spray
Cash/cheque: Cash
Pillows/blankets: Pillows. I can go without the blanket, but not really without a pillow
Headache/stomach: Stomachache
Paint/charcoal: Paint.
Chinese food/Mexican food: Damn...that's a tough one....I'd say tie.
Summer/winter: Winter.
Snow/rain: Snow
Fog/misty: Misty
Rock/rap: Rock
Chocolate/vanilla: Chocolate
Sprinkles/icing: Icing
Cake/pie: Cake
Strawberries/blueberries: Strawberries.
Ocean/swimming pool: Swimming pool. I have a fear of really wide, open bodies of water, which is odd considering my interest in marine biology.
Cookies/muffins: Cookies
Wallet/pocket: Wallet
Window/door: Window
Charles Chaplin/Chespirito: The only name I recognize is Chaplin. No clue who Chespirito is, so I'll say Chaplin.
Pink/purple: Purple
Cat/dog: Dog
Long sleeve/short sleeve: Short
Pants/shorts: Pants
Winter hols/summer hols: Alright, you've lost me.
Spring/autumn: Autumn
Clouds/clear sky: Clouds
Moon/mars: Mars. It's just the romanticized idea of travelling to another planet, I suppose.
Questions/Answers: Answers
War/Peace: Peace
WHAT DO YOU THINK? ...
I...
Am: The kindliest antisocial sociopath you'll ever meet
Want: To become a writer
Need: To move into an apartment at my college
Love: Humanity
Hate: Corruption, zealots of any kind
Feel: Happy
Did: have a good day today
Miss: Silver
Am annoyed by: The people I work with
Am tired of: Political parties
Will always: be me.
MISCELLANEOUS:
How much money do you have right now: 2,450 in savings.
Are you hungry right now: Not too much.
What are you doing right now: Using the computer
Do you like the moon: I never really get to pay attention to it, to be honest
What are you going to do when you're done with this: Look at Achewood and some pics here
If you could have any magical power what would it be: Regeneration
DO YOU THINK YOU ARE:
Funny: On occasion
Cool: Not really
Pretty: Hell no
Sarcastic: You bet
Lazy: Sometimes, though I try not to be
Hyper: Once in a blue moon
Friendly: For the most part
Evil: In some way? Yes; but aren't well all?
Unforgettable: Nah, I'm pretty forgettable
Smart: More so then some, less then others
Strong: Not really
Talented: Writer, or at least I'd like to think so
Dorky: Fuck yes
WHAT COMES TO MIND WITH THE WORD
High: Space
Lonely: Myself
Pen: Write
Flower: Nature
Window: Portal
Psycho: Killer
Brain freeze: Cold
Strange: Authors
Sassy: Dane Cook
Suffering: Minorities
Art: Interesting
WOULD YOU EVER
Sky dive: Nope
Run away: Only if I had to run from the law
Curse at a teacher: No
Not take a shower for a week: Not only would I do this, I have done this
Ask someone out: Probably not; I doubt I'd have a chance with anyone
Lie to someone to make them think better of you: Again, I have, and I feel awful about it
Visit a foreign country for more than a month: Yes, and may be doing so next summer
scuba diving: Again, I'm conflicted by my fear of the ocean, and yet love of marine life
Write a book: Yes. In fact, I hope to write several books.
Assemble a computer: If I had the expertise, yes.
Become a rock star?: Nope
Have a long-distance relationship: I have had one. I'm still wishing I was with her.
Marry someone you don't know: ....No.
LAST QUESTIONS ( FINALLY )
Last? Really?....
What kind of computer do you have: HP Portable
What grade/level of studies are you in? (if applicable): Sophomore year of college
Do you like to throw popcorn at people in the movies: Never done it
How many posters do you have in your room?: Only a few, all video game related
SEVEN THINGS TO DO BEFORE I DIE:
1. Graduate college
2. Move out of my parents house
3. Help my parents with their troubles
4. Start a writing career
5. Learn how to cook
6. Learn as much as I can about my religion
7. Learn German, Gaellic, and Latin
SEVEN THINGS I CAN'T (OR WON'T) DO:
1. Fall in love
2. Murder
3. Give up faith in my beliefs
4. Build a computer
5. Become a math major
6. Smoke
7. Commit suicide
SEVEN THINGS I SAY THE MOST:
1. Fuck
2. Motherfucker
3. How are you doing?
4. Have a good day.
5. Asshole
6. What can I do to help
7. Son of a bitch
SEVEN MOVIES I COULD (OR DO) WATCH OVER AND OVER AGAIN:
1. Dead-Alive
2. Seed of Chucky
3. Evil Dead II
4. The Boondock Saints
5. Reservoir Dogs
6. Robocop
7. Metropolis
SEVEN VIDEO GAMES THAT THE STORY JUST GRABS YOU:
1. Xenosaga
2. Shadow Hearts
3. Final Fantasy Tactics
4. Final Fantasy VI
5. Dragon Quest VIII
6. Final Fantasy IX
7. Final Fantasy VII
QUESTIONS ABOUT U...
1. Do you like animals?
Most domesticated animals, yes, as well as sea life
2. Have you ever met an online friend in person?
Note yet
3. Are you athletic?
Oh god no
4. Are you: thin, fat, athleticlly built etc:
Fat, but I'm dieting
5. How much do you weigh?
310 lbs. Yeah, I'm working on that.
6. What's your height?
Five feet, eleven inches
7. Shoe size?
11
8. Girls - are you tomboyish, girly, normal, etc?
9. Guys- Are you girly, or guyish?
I'm fairly guyish
10. How old are you? 20
11.When's your birthday?
April 20, 1987
12. Do you like to receive giftart?
You bet ya
13. Are you sociable?
With the right people. Otherwise, no.
14. Do you have many friends?
I do fairly well for myself, I think
15. What's your race?
Anglo-Saxon; technically, part German, part Scots/Irish, all asshole
16. Do you like to talk on the phone?
Sometimes
17. Are you single or taken?
I'm single. I doubt I'll ever be taken.
19. Are you paranoid?
Heh. let me tell you brother
20. Do you read a lot?
A hell of a lot
21. Do you listen to music, what kind?
All kinds, but mainly rock and alternative
22. Do you play any instruments?
Unfortunately, no
23. How long have you been drawing?
I don't draw. I write.
24.What's the meaning of life?
To serve people, and in that way serve my God
Age: 20
Natural hair colour: Blonde
Eye colour: Light Blue
Glasses/contacts: Glasses
Piercings: No, and probably never will
FAVOURITE:
Colour: Red
Band(s): Oingo Boingo, Rammstein, Flogging Molly, A lot of others
Book: The Dark Tower: The Wastelands
Food: Pizza
Flower: Can't really think of one
Comic book: American, it would be Sandman; for manga, it would be Hellsing
Cereal: Reeses' Peanut Butter Crunch, or whatever they hell they were called (it's been awhile since I've had cereal)
Website: My Blog Link (fruitsofmyculturalmadness.blog…)
CAN YOU...
Sing the alphabet backwards: I've no clue
Stand on your tip toes without wearing shoes: Nope
Speak any other languages: Not yet, but hoping to soon learn German
Go a day without food: No
Remember your dreams: Only sometimes, and then only the bad ones
Read music, not just tabs: Nope
Roll your tongue: Nope
Eat a whole pizza: You bet your ass, baby. You bet your ass.
HAVE YOU EVER...
Won something in the lottery: I believe I won, like, ten dollars once
Snuck out of the house: Never had a reason
Lied to get out of trouble: Yeah, but they were usually so small, I probably overreacted by lying
Had a computer crash: Mm-hmm...
Gotten lost in your city: I did once, when I first started driving
Seen a shooting star: Nope
Been to any other countries: I've been to Mexico on my senior trip
Had a serious surgery: I've had surgery to help my hearing three times
Solved a rubiks cube: No
Gone out in public in your pajamas: No
Kissed a random stranger: Sure haven't
Hugged a random stranger: Nope
Been arrested: Not yet, but hey, I always could be. Look for my name in the papes, people.
Done drugs: No
Had alcohol: I'm half-German, and half Scots-Irish. What the hell do you think?
Laughed and had milk come out of your nose: Not milk, but I have had Dr. Pepper come out. That hurt like hell.
Sneaked into the opposite sex's bathroom: No, I go in there on a daily basis as I have to clean it for my job
Gone to school only to find you had the day off because of a holiday/etc: Wish that had happened.
Swore at your parents: No
Kicked a guy where it hurts: Nope
Been to a casino: Not yet. But I really want to go to Vegas at some point, if just for the sights
Ran over an animal and killed it: Hey, I'm trying. Give me time.
Gotten stitches: No
Had a water balloon fight in winter: No
Made homemade muffins: Uh-uh.
Bitten someone: I've tried. I have yet to succeed.
Been to disneyland/disneyworld: Been to DisneyWorld when I was eight.
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU...
Cried: Maybe...a few weeks ago?
Saw a movie in a theatre: Last tuesday, when me and my friend Brooks went to see "Across the Universe"
Read a book: Yesterday
Had a snow day: Last January
Had a party: Too damn long ago
Got cursed: Can't really remember
Called someone: Last Week
DO YOU PREFER:
Fruit/vegetables: Fruit.
Black/white: Black
Lights on/lights off: Lights off
TV/movie: TV
Body spray/lotion: Body Spray
Cash/cheque: Cash
Pillows/blankets: Pillows. I can go without the blanket, but not really without a pillow
Headache/stomach: Stomachache
Paint/charcoal: Paint.
Chinese food/Mexican food: Damn...that's a tough one....I'd say tie.
Summer/winter: Winter.
Snow/rain: Snow
Fog/misty: Misty
Rock/rap: Rock
Chocolate/vanilla: Chocolate
Sprinkles/icing: Icing
Cake/pie: Cake
Strawberries/blueberries: Strawberries.
Ocean/swimming pool: Swimming pool. I have a fear of really wide, open bodies of water, which is odd considering my interest in marine biology.
Cookies/muffins: Cookies
Wallet/pocket: Wallet
Window/door: Window
Charles Chaplin/Chespirito: The only name I recognize is Chaplin. No clue who Chespirito is, so I'll say Chaplin.
Pink/purple: Purple
Cat/dog: Dog
Long sleeve/short sleeve: Short
Pants/shorts: Pants
Winter hols/summer hols: Alright, you've lost me.
Spring/autumn: Autumn
Clouds/clear sky: Clouds
Moon/mars: Mars. It's just the romanticized idea of travelling to another planet, I suppose.
Questions/Answers: Answers
War/Peace: Peace
WHAT DO YOU THINK? ...
I...
Am: The kindliest antisocial sociopath you'll ever meet
Want: To become a writer
Need: To move into an apartment at my college
Love: Humanity
Hate: Corruption, zealots of any kind
Feel: Happy
Did: have a good day today
Miss: Silver
Am annoyed by: The people I work with
Am tired of: Political parties
Will always: be me.
MISCELLANEOUS:
How much money do you have right now: 2,450 in savings.
Are you hungry right now: Not too much.
What are you doing right now: Using the computer
Do you like the moon: I never really get to pay attention to it, to be honest
What are you going to do when you're done with this: Look at Achewood and some pics here
If you could have any magical power what would it be: Regeneration
DO YOU THINK YOU ARE:
Funny: On occasion
Cool: Not really
Pretty: Hell no
Sarcastic: You bet
Lazy: Sometimes, though I try not to be
Hyper: Once in a blue moon
Friendly: For the most part
Evil: In some way? Yes; but aren't well all?
Unforgettable: Nah, I'm pretty forgettable
Smart: More so then some, less then others
Strong: Not really
Talented: Writer, or at least I'd like to think so
Dorky: Fuck yes
WHAT COMES TO MIND WITH THE WORD
High: Space
Lonely: Myself
Pen: Write
Flower: Nature
Window: Portal
Psycho: Killer
Brain freeze: Cold
Strange: Authors
Sassy: Dane Cook
Suffering: Minorities
Art: Interesting
WOULD YOU EVER
Sky dive: Nope
Run away: Only if I had to run from the law
Curse at a teacher: No
Not take a shower for a week: Not only would I do this, I have done this
Ask someone out: Probably not; I doubt I'd have a chance with anyone
Lie to someone to make them think better of you: Again, I have, and I feel awful about it
Visit a foreign country for more than a month: Yes, and may be doing so next summer
scuba diving: Again, I'm conflicted by my fear of the ocean, and yet love of marine life
Write a book: Yes. In fact, I hope to write several books.
Assemble a computer: If I had the expertise, yes.
Become a rock star?: Nope
Have a long-distance relationship: I have had one. I'm still wishing I was with her.
Marry someone you don't know: ....No.
LAST QUESTIONS ( FINALLY )
Last? Really?....
What kind of computer do you have: HP Portable
What grade/level of studies are you in? (if applicable): Sophomore year of college
Do you like to throw popcorn at people in the movies: Never done it
How many posters do you have in your room?: Only a few, all video game related
SEVEN THINGS TO DO BEFORE I DIE:
1. Graduate college
2. Move out of my parents house
3. Help my parents with their troubles
4. Start a writing career
5. Learn how to cook
6. Learn as much as I can about my religion
7. Learn German, Gaellic, and Latin
SEVEN THINGS I CAN'T (OR WON'T) DO:
1. Fall in love
2. Murder
3. Give up faith in my beliefs
4. Build a computer
5. Become a math major
6. Smoke
7. Commit suicide
SEVEN THINGS I SAY THE MOST:
1. Fuck
2. Motherfucker
3. How are you doing?
4. Have a good day.
5. Asshole
6. What can I do to help
7. Son of a bitch
SEVEN MOVIES I COULD (OR DO) WATCH OVER AND OVER AGAIN:
1. Dead-Alive
2. Seed of Chucky
3. Evil Dead II
4. The Boondock Saints
5. Reservoir Dogs
6. Robocop
7. Metropolis
SEVEN VIDEO GAMES THAT THE STORY JUST GRABS YOU:
1. Xenosaga
2. Shadow Hearts
3. Final Fantasy Tactics
4. Final Fantasy VI
5. Dragon Quest VIII
6. Final Fantasy IX
7. Final Fantasy VII
QUESTIONS ABOUT U...
1. Do you like animals?
Most domesticated animals, yes, as well as sea life
2. Have you ever met an online friend in person?
Note yet
3. Are you athletic?
Oh god no
4. Are you: thin, fat, athleticlly built etc:
Fat, but I'm dieting
5. How much do you weigh?
310 lbs. Yeah, I'm working on that.
6. What's your height?
Five feet, eleven inches
7. Shoe size?
11
8. Girls - are you tomboyish, girly, normal, etc?
9. Guys- Are you girly, or guyish?
I'm fairly guyish
10. How old are you? 20
11.When's your birthday?
April 20, 1987
12. Do you like to receive giftart?
You bet ya
13. Are you sociable?
With the right people. Otherwise, no.
14. Do you have many friends?
I do fairly well for myself, I think
15. What's your race?
Anglo-Saxon; technically, part German, part Scots/Irish, all asshole
16. Do you like to talk on the phone?
Sometimes
17. Are you single or taken?
I'm single. I doubt I'll ever be taken.
19. Are you paranoid?
Heh. let me tell you brother
20. Do you read a lot?
A hell of a lot
21. Do you listen to music, what kind?
All kinds, but mainly rock and alternative
22. Do you play any instruments?
Unfortunately, no
23. How long have you been drawing?
I don't draw. I write.
24.What's the meaning of life?
To serve people, and in that way serve my God
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Clubs and Fanlistings
2 min read
This'll be a list of the clubs and fanlistings I'm part of. While it'll be fairly small at the moment, expect it to become larger as time goes by.
CLUBS:
Character Appreciation:
Fanbases:
Pairings:
FANLISTINGS:
Pairings:
www.rizembool.net/htouch/codes…
Character Appreciation:
www.rizembool.net/useful/codes…
As you can see, most of these have to deal with my current fascination, a manga entitled D.Gray-Man. Again, expect to see more added as time goes by, as I've only now begun to join clubs.
CLUBS:
Character Appreciation:
Fanbases:
Pairings:
FANLISTINGS:
Pairings:
www.rizembool.net/htouch/codes…
Character Appreciation:
www.rizembool.net/useful/codes…
As you can see, most of these have to deal with my current fascination, a manga entitled D.Gray-Man. Again, expect to see more added as time goes by, as I've only now begun to join clubs.
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Vacation Time, Sucka!
1 min read
Tomorrow, I will finally be getting a summer vacation, my first in about two years. I'm going to Florida to visit family, and will be gone for about a week. I hope you all take care, and I'll see you when I get back. ^ ^
Just thought ya'll would like to know.
Just thought ya'll would like to know.
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