I just returned from a dinner party by chef star, Steve Mandel, at his home in Long Beach, CA. The bumper-to-bumper car journey from LA was predictably long, but it was well worth the drive.

The group of attendees was small, with just five of us, but the centerpiece of the party, Gochujang Chicken Bowls, was abundant, healthy and delicious.

The late afternoon party commenced with cocktails, appetizers and fun conversation. Once Chef Steve presented his colorful, and heavenly-good in aroma masterpiece, we were more than happy to oblige, which I did two more times.

But first: what exactly is Gochujang?

Gochujang is a Korean red chili paste that’s sweet, spicy, and savory all at the same time, perfect for sauces and marinades. You can find it in many Southern California supermarkets and Korean specialty stores. If you live outside of SoCal, you can probably order it online.

It took a little smooth talk in order for Chef Steve to reveal the specifics of his recipe: I generally don’t share my recipes with others, Audrey, but I’ll make a rare exception for you. Thank you, chef, said I. I cross my heart and promise not to share the recipe with the readers of Traveling Boy.

So, if I read my notes correctly, the recipe for Gochujang Chicken Bowls went something like this:

• For the sauce: you’ll whisk together water, low sodium soy sauce, Gochujang, with toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, brown sugar (or coconut sugar), freshly grated ginger and garlic, and a little arrowroot starch or cornstarch to help the sauce thicken up.
• Chicken: you’ll need some lean chopped chicken, white and dark meat works, but my preference is for breasts or thighs. Pan fry or stir fry the chicken in a wok
• Mix-ins: then mix in roasted cashews and fresh basil for extra texture and flavor.
• Options: serve over rice or noodles.
• To garnish: top off the bowl with toasted sesame seeds, reserved scallions (the green part from your green onion!) and extra fresh basil.
• Chef Mandel pointed out: “You can revise the toppings with condiments of your choice. But you’re on your own with that.”

Recap:

Gochujang Chicken Bowls should take around 30 minutes to make. All you have to do is whisk up the sweet and spicy Korean Gochujang sauce, stir fry colorful veggies and protean enhanced chopped chicken, and then simmer it all together until it’s nice with fluffy rice or noodles, with options to serve with garnishes.

It’s saucy and delicious, and makes the ideal dinner party; and best enjoyed devoid of Chef Steve’s Boston jokes, which not funny at all.

And, yes, with thanks to Chef Steve Mandel for this rare occurrence of sharing a recipe.

The post Korean Cooking: Gochujang Chicken Bowls appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Procrasti-Nation

We went to the beach last Sunday (you can read about it here in TravelingBoy.com). You’d think that I would take in that ocean air more often considering the Pacific Ocean is less than 20 miles away from me; but no. I always think I would do it next week and next week never comes. Similarly, I regret I didn’t visit the Smithsonian Museums more often when I lived near Washington, DC. Yup! I admit it. I’m part of the Procrasti-Nation. If you’re honest, you’re part of it too.

We Southern Californians procrastinate going to nearby places which global tourists visit in droves. And we return the favor and visit their touristy spots which they (the locals) rarely visit. Explain that to a visiting alien from space.

I wondered if there’s a term for this. Couldn’t think of any and so I asked AI to write a song about this. I was impressed. So let’s all rise and sing our AI-inspired Procrasti-National Anthem:

(Verse 1)
Welcome to the land of procrasti-nation,
Where tasks disappear without hesitation.
I’ll get to it later, I swear I will,
But for now, let’s chill and just Netflix and chill.

(Chorus)
Pro-cras-ti-nation, the art of delay,
In this realm, productivity fades away.
With every excuse, I justify my hesitation,
Lost in the twisted path of procrasti-nation.

(Bridge)
One more cat video, one more quick scroll,
Oh look, an email, I’ll just read it all.
Time slips away, how quickly it goes,
In procrasti-nation, even minutes are foes.

(Chorus)
Pro-cras-ti-nation, the procrastinator’s dream,
Avoiding work has become my daily regime.
The to-do list grows, but motivation is weak,
In the vast land of procrasti-nation, I seek refuge and peace.

(Outro)
Oh procrasti-nation, my constant companion,
I’ll conquer you someday, with fierce determination.
But for now, let me bask in your sweet embrace,
As I procrastinate, leaving tasks in disgrace.

(Yes, Chat GPT AI actually wrote that song)

But more than procrastinating on work and chores, I think the things I procrastinate and feel guilty about the most are:

• Spiritual health: Not meditating on scripture as much as I should.
• Physical health: Not exercising. Not eating healthy.
• Other Stuff: Not learning more computer skills to catch up. Not painting or creating art as much as I could. Not learning to play the piano. Not reading more. Not converting my VHS family tapes into digital format.

During my Dad’s last days here on earth I wish I had told him I loved him more. I didn’t expect him to lose his cognitive abilities so quickly. So I’ll add one more item to my list:

• Not saying “I love you” more often.

How about you? Name 3 things you know you ought to do more often. How about it? Let’s call it our mid-year resolution! Let’s start now … okay, let’s start tomorrow … Aw c’mon! … really?!

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Warren of Orange County, CA

Video of the Week

Have you ever wondered how the Chinese type on a keyboard? I have wondered for years. This video is not a joke. It’s pretty long. But I found it very interesting.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena. CA

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre. CA

I found these

The Traveling Boy

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.

The post Wookie Jar appeared first on Traveling Archive.

AI for Love and War

I’ve been studying Artificial Intelligence. Although I’m far from being an expert, I think I know my way around. So I volunteered to give a talk on the “Pandora’s Box of Artificial Intelligent Art” at the La Habra Art Gallery this July 16. Come on down if you’re interested and available. It might be a bit technical but I hope to give a demo on how you can avail of the Art technology today. Even if AI is above your pay grade, you’ll see what the process is like and you will see how far advanced we’ve come.

151 W. La Habra Blvd.
La Habra, CA 90631
www.LaHabra.biz

During my research, I was drawn towards stories of the aggressive military stance of the Chinese communist regime — bullying its way closer to global domination. These guys are building war ships, fighter planes, battle ships, submarines and armies at an alarming rate … most probably for hostile reasons. I was getting discouraged because of the seemingly passive nature of the leaders of the free world.

And then I chanced to see a video about this kid — Palmer Luckey. Surprised I never heard about him before; but from the little I learned so far, I think he’s the next Elon Musk — an entrepreneurial genius who doesn’t fit the mold of the other tech gurus who focus on the niceties of social media and increasing memberships and the number of “likes”. Facebook (ie. Mark Zuckerberg) offered to buy his company Oculus a VR (Virtual Reality) hardware/software startup for $1 Billion but (then) 20 year old Luckey refused. After much “massaging” and time later, FB offered more than double that. Palmer gave in, sold it but soon got fired because he and Zuckerberg didn’t see eye to eye on some issues. So Palmer created a new company Anduril Systems (“a defense systems company that builds weapons”). He built and sold drones that attack hostile drones, developed an AI surveillance for the border. And he still has several other products up his sleeve. I think he may be the solution to the heavy Chinese weaponry.

I won’t waste your time with a lengthy article. Just go to Youtube and search his name and you’ll be impressed.

In a world where the aging champions of Silicon Valley have plateaued in creativity, “kids” like Palmer make the future exciting. I’m so thankful that we’ve got someone of his caliber fighting to preserve the free world.

TGIF people!

Raoul

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” — Albert Einstein

“Creativity is the greatest expression of liberty.” — Bryant McGill

“Artificial Intelligence will never be a match for natural stupidity.” — Joseph Addison

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Timothy of Pasadena, CA

Videos of the Week

Thanks to Sandra, of La Habra CA

Parting Shots

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Not a joke but a warning.

Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

I found these

The Traveling Boy

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.

The post Dramatic Evidence appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Judging Book Covers

There’s a disturbing documentary available in Amazon Prime called “Shiny Happy People.” It’s about the Duggar family with 19 biological kids who go to a mega IBLP church headed by Bill Gothard. The outside saintly personas of both the family and Gothard hide the double lives of lust and greed. I highly recommend you watch it; but before you do, just keep a few things in mind.

Like most documentaries (just like social media) even if the events did actually happen, remember that the producers have their own agenda and they edit the story line (usually by omission) to develop a repugnance for the conservative, Bible-believing Christian church. If you didn’t know better, you’d come out thinking ALL churches are inherently evil. Please don’t throw the baby out with the bath water — don’t dismiss the value of the Bible just because of its misuse by the hypocrites. Christians are supposed to follow Christ not their fallible church leaders. The film is a good mirror to the goings on in churches.

We’ve been told not to judge a book by its cover. Yet we do it all the time. When people belong to a political party, we automatically believe they condone everything their party believes. Just because someone voted for Trump, it doesn’t mean he/she approves of his sexual exploits or his narcissistic behavior. Just because someone voted for Biden, it doesn’t mean he/she believes he’s a man of wisdom or that it’s okay to accept bribes. People have their reasons for their beliefs, it behooves us to understand why. If possible, indulge in discussions with the opposition and learn. And we should stop defending the people we look up to. Let’s call a spade a spade. And if they (or we) make a mistake, let’s admit it or we’ll never learn. I know it’s difficult — it’s hard for me too; but it’s the road to maturity.

And even if you find they really are complete idiots, remember: God still loves your idiot brother.

Of course, this is just me.

TGIF people!

Raoul

“It’s nice to be important. But it’s more important to be nice.” — Anonymous

“I tried to follow the science but it simply was not there. And then I followed the money and that’s where I found the science.” — Anonymous

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Video of the Week

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Parting Shots

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Thanks to Dean of Vancouver, B.C.

Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Richard of New Manila, Philippines

I found these

The Traveling Boy

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.

The post Unwanted Outhouse appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Warning: A little politics and religion

One of my neighbors has 3 kids who lack discipline. Their garage is piled up so high with junk that they have to park their 3 vehicles outside. The neighbors right beside them have complained about the constant noise. Once, I witnessed the stressed-out Mom being carried away in a stretcher by the Paramedics. Their violation bills are piling up. But they don’t seem to care. There is no adult in the house. Their problems just get bigger and bigger.

Reminds me of the overly sensitive world we live in. Do you see it too? The depth of corruption, the illogical rhetoric of our leaders and the approval of our misguided youth never ceases to astound me. Their decisions are ruled by politics and emotions. What will it take to make them admit the flaw in their worldview? What do you expect when you take out the rules, take out the Ten Commandments, the fear of God? They’ve been trying to fit a square peg in a round hole for the longest time. Dream all you want but It’s impossible to work. There is no discipline. There is no justice. There is no adult in the house.

“In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”
— Judges 17:6

Perhaps we can learn something from a mother hen.

If you’ve been following my emails since summer time, you’ll remember that I was in a farm in Dalipuga, Philippines —- I learned to love a Mother Hen and her 11 chicks. I witnessed the babies’ birth and I fed them rice every morning and afternoon. It was fascinating that minutes after coming out of their shells, they were already foraging for food.

At first the Mom was so protective of her chicks that she would shoo her chicks away whenever I got within arms length of them. But slowly, she learned to eat from my hands. These critters are super smart. Mom would crane her neck up to spot me several yards away; then she would rally her her little family near me to get their morning treat. It’s amusing to watch the greediness of these creatures. Only the mother would cluck and announce where the food was. But the little ones? When they get a cluster of cooked rice in their beaks, they scurry away from the rest of the crowd to enjoy their treasure alone. You work hard, you eat and you live.

Sadly, her chicks started to die off. Each morning I would count how many chicks survived the night. According to Tata (our family helper) the first few weeks are critical because the scrawny chicks get sick from the cold night air. You see, at night, the Mom would nest in the middle of the open, chilly, field to avoid getting eaten by the rats.

One morning, I noticed one of the chicks was just standing a distance away from the others. Its eyes were sleepy and it seemed to be breathing erratically. I picked it up and tried to shake out the fever but to no avail. I knew that if there was anyone who could help, it would be the mother. So I put the sick little thing in the path of its Mom who was headed towards me.

To my surprise and horror, the Mom not only walked past her chick but stepped on its limp body as if to say, “I don’t have time for you. Go ahead and die.”

My initial reaction was disdain for this hen. But then I realized, there was nothing she could have done. Someone’s gotta make those tough decisions. Block out the emotions and this was the practical response. Even the other chicks didn’t even look at their fallen sibling and scampered away minding their own business looking for more food to survive.

Life is cheap in the farm. It’s emotionless but it’s practical … and it works.

Of course, this is just me. TGIF people!

Raoul

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me”. — Luke 13:34

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Ed of Studio City, LA, CA

PARTING SHOTS

Thanks to Ed

Thanks to Naomi of N Hollywood, CA

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

These I found.

The post A Lesson From a Chicken appeared first on Traveling Archive.