Stupid Yummy Decadent Apple Caramel Cheesecake

Well, contrary to the implication of the title, I won out of about a dozen entries. Or at least I tied for first. We both had 36 points and from what I understand, I won presentation and Shauna won for taste. Not that it was rigged, but Shauna is Co-Chair for the Campaign and I am in charge of canvassers.

It was also a little uncomfortable in our leadership meeting where she and I, and then one other contestant were in the room when the results were announced. The other woman (and her recipe was GOOD) didn't place. I am just sorry I didn't get to be a judge. Immediately, someone suggested that we have another challenge, I guess it would be a bake off off. So I challenged her to an Iron Chef competition in the cafeteria. We will see...

Also, as confident as I was going in, I really didn't prepare well. I had all the preparation down leading to the event -- towels in the car to level the carrier, knives and extras to do any repairs on-site, focused look for the game face -- you know what I mean. What I didn't have down was my bake off touchdown dance. I just have never seen a white guy pull off a baking victory dance. Checking my favorite cookbooks, Alton Brown doesn't mention it a single time.

Also, it is a bit hard to talk about it with your friends at work. Sure, fantasy football stats roll off the tongue -- but talk about the challenges of using a non-circular spring form pan and they look at you like you just, well, hit on them. Sad. I mean really, if you can't talk to your closest male colleagues about whether or not mixing lemon and orange zest is better than using lemon zest alone -- who can you talk to?

Sometimes I just feel so alone.

Bake Off is On

I entered into a bake off. It was a good cause and as a member of the leadership team, I thought it might be a good example to participate. Really, I mean that my winning cheesecake would be a good example of the winning dessert -- but if it helps someone be motivated to do better, then, well that is just icing on the cake.

I am doing a cheesecake and I am cheating. Not because I bought it, brought in Bobby Flay or have somehow accidently tripped a competitor -- but my cheesecake recipe has a fatal flaw that I am covering up.

See, I used to bake them all the time and they were beautiful. That was until Nicole forced us to move out of our first apartment into a house. The oven at the apartment was perfect -- not that I have any idea why -- just that every cheesecake came out beautiful. In House 1.0, every cheesecake came out with a crack. In my first attempt at House 2.0, minor, but still cracked. Normally, I just go ahead and cut pieces and no one knows. This competition is all about presentation and taste. Taste I can win. Presentation, well, unless we are in a Grand Canyon themed event, not so much.

So, I am cheating and I added a pastry cream to fill in the gaps and then cover it with raspberries and white chocolate. The pastry creme is very oddly the EXACT same color as the cheesecake. Coincidence? Well, yes -- but still pretty cool.

If I don't post for a while, it means I was robbed. If you are a judge and reading this, bribes are negotiable.

Um, I am unique, just like everyone else

My wife got my on facebook. Kinda fun, you can find people, get back in touch -- that sort of thing. Then I was told to search groups by my sister in law for my name. Tonight I found three groups:
1) We are Matt... with my full name
2) We love Matt... with my full name
3) We hate Matt... with my full name

I must admit my first reaction was to go into the third group to look for any ex-girlfriends or kids on whom some practical jokes might have gotten out of hand. Luckily the last two groups were only done for one guy in particular and it wasn't me.

The first group though, was "invitation only". I did request membership and I am sure that someone, somewhere is checking my credentials with all the scrutiny that a prestigious facebook group would require.

I just hope I make the cut.

About 1/2 my life...

I like math. I mean that in a statistical sort of way (or at least 9 times out of 10 I do). I like to measure, mix, match and meander through the numbers to sort of organize my life and thoughts and better understand the depth/breadth of an idea.

For example, today I started the process of recovering a buried treasure lost at sea over ten years ago... a friendship started my freshman year of college in 1990. I am 35 and that friendship started almost half my life ago. Excited about it, I called two friends from the same era (you get my age and there are eras) also from 17+ years ago. Bizarre. I know it is a cliche, but you don't get to choose your family -- but I do believe that everyone else chooses on a daily basis whether or not to stay in any type of relationship. I am glad this one is back.

After work, Nicole and I went for a walk today through the neighboorhood park and talked a lot about who we are, were and plan to be. Funny how taking a step back makes the path forward a bit more clear. I wouldn't go back 18 years, but I am definitely glad a few folks have come along these couple of decades with me...

Back in Black (& White)

I keep getting hounded about keeping this thing up to date. It is harder than I thought it would be, although failing to every keep a diary despite the annual New Year's resolution to do so -- I should have known better. I am struggling to get a couple of trips together. It is unclear if I am headed back to Geneva in October/November, although we have to go back in December. I figure that I should just count on that trip and forget the rest.

Right now we are gearing up for a few folks (about 50) to head our way instead. Nicole's brother is getting married next weekend and we are throwing the rehearsal dinner. Nicole had originally thought we would do it at our house -- but after a long discussion explaining that our oven did not the magically properties of Harry-Potter-land, she caved and let us set it up at a clubhouse with a bit of catering.

The trip I would much rather be planning is the one where my friends Larry and Tria are at this very moment. Sure -- I took them to Glacier a couple of years... Yet on their three week adventure in Alaska I wasn't even there for a single one of their 14 (in week 1) bear sightings. Sigh.

I do have a trip down to Houston and a canoe trip in October. It just isn't the same.

All God’s Creatures Great and Small…

… are really tasty grilled with a side of au gratin potatoes.

Wednesday
I got to try a new animal tonight. A “Spring Boch (something or other) antelope from South Africa. It was a tough call over kangaroo and other meats, but I figured my chances were pretty slim that I would get it again.

Xaviere took us out to a winery and then to a restaurant where you order food which comes out sizzling on a very hot piece of slate so that you can cook to your liking. As this is fine dining, they give you a paper bib that looks like you have on a tuxedo shirt. Classy. The antelope was good – very tender. However the potatoes were so creamy, like my mother’s grandmother and great aunt used to make. (I throw that in for reference as I know that NOW you really know what they taste like.) The difference is that the Swiss don’t seem to be concerned with using super heavy cream and cheese in anything – sort of to the same level where we feel comfortable with salsa.

Xaviere also called her husband and is going to rescue me from the itty bitty hotel in the middle of my stay. I really appreciate it. It is always a bit stressing to be with work people all the time, but after a while – these are definitely friends and not just work people. Life is better.

Thursday
Tonight we are going to be taken out to another cheese place. I really do appreciate it when people take us out. My only complaint is that I think I am about one fondue away from not being able to see my toes. To be continued…

Is this really necessary?

So I "volunteered" to stay another week. By volunteered, I mean that there were three of us in the room who all agreed that that we needed another week to bring closure to this phase of our efforts. I agreed. The three of us all discussed what need to be covered. I agreed. The three of us talked about the roles, challenges and opportunities that needed to be mastered. I agreed. Then suddenly the two people who I shouldn't have to say -- report to me on this effort -- had very good excuses to be other places and I was stuck with the extra week.

Not too bad... I am showing leadership, taking one the for the team -- doing this for the good of the project. Then the hotel situation came up. This went from a necessary evil to, and I quote the Princess Bride here... "Inconceivable".

It started where I couldn't extend my current hotel another week. Not too bad as I had already completed my graffeti masterpiece on these jail cell walls and was ready for a new tapestry. Then the hotel where our office is located was full -- okay, it was rather expensive. Then all of the hotels within walking distance... Not too bad as I have a car. Then the nearest hotel available for all nights was just a mere 153 miles away in Neuchatel -- and it was a smoking room.

Now I am normally not really picky about my rooms -- generally. Clean. Safe. Private. However, I didn't realize some of the options that were out there. Regardless we were working feverishly to get the best possible situation for me -- and from all the travel agents, travel coordinators and just helpful locals that I talked with, we did everything that we could. I really appreciate it. Apparently there are multiple conventions in town so the following options were chosen over the refridgerator box in an alley. So this is where I ended up...

Sat/Sun -- Low Budget Hotel (normal, private room) No worries.

Mon/Tues -- a room that advertises the following amenities (and I can't even make this up)
"Our rooms are modern and cleverly designed. They contain a double bed and a bunk, a washbasin and mirror, a corner table, a TV for viewing national channels"
Please note what is missing from that list... washbasin.... No private toilet. No private shower... This is summer camp. Here is a link and be sure to take the virtual tour of the room. My favorite part is that a human being only works there a few hours a day -- the other times you access the room/check-in by swiping a credit card. http://www.hotelformule1.com/formule1/gb/decouvrez/hotels/chambre.shtml At least it is only about $40USD/night.

Wed/Thurs
Movenpick -- expensive hotel where the office is located. Very nice. Will probably enjoy shower and de-lice.

Friday
Most likely spent sleeping in Paris airport I only have 45 minutes to get across the airport and through customs to make my flight to New York.

Saturday
MY BED. Well, Nicole's bed but she gives me about 1/4 of one side.

4th of July

Being in Europe, the fourth of July has a slightly different significance. It is required to come immediately before the 5th of July otherwise calendars everywhere would be messed up.

We did think that we would get to do the fireworks celebration thing. Apparently there are about 40,000 ex-pats here in Geneva. However, it is cancelled this year (no reason supplied). Instead, we went with option 2. We are going in to work. I am trying to talk everyone into seeing a movie later. Something intensely patriotic like Die Hard 4.

I only speak a little French

My french is improving. I would compare my growth to the speed of an advancing glacier (typically 1 cm an hour). While not Berlitz speedy, it is moving forward. Where I really am lacking is in the speed.

We went to McDonalds again, because, well that is what we do. I stare at the menu. I focus my language skills. I am ready with my order -- a burger on french bread and emmenthal cheese (not bad) combo meal. I step up to order and am bombarded with a series of questions.

(Translated from French)

Hello sir how are you and how can I help you today will that be for here or to go and what size and what drink with that and do you want fries or potatoes and how about a donut or an ice cream okay that will be 18.50.

To picture me, imagine that you have just been asked the most complex question in the world like "What is the origin of the universe?" or "What approach would you take in the Middle East?" or "What was Nicole thinking when she picked me?" You pause. You rewind. You hoped someone had the forethought to actually oil the gears which are trying to grind forward. Slowly you respond.

Also, count the number of words in that diatribe. Of course, I only respond based on concepts and not translation and cheat by reading the words/amounts on the register. Phew.

Coby takes an alternative approach. He walks up calmly. Looks the cashier in the eye, smiles and asks "Do you speak English?" to the response of "Yes, of course".

Big Ideas for a Small Planet and some freaky stuff.

While I am keeping Coby company, I am watching my computer....

Timeout: What is the proper phrase here? You say that you are watching television, so if you are watching a dowload on your iTunes on the laptop, is that correct? Anyway, sorry random thought. Time in.

...and there is a great new show on the Sundance Channel called "Big Ideas for a Small Planet" which seems to intend to generate dialogue and inspire rather than beat people down (and by "people", I mean Americans") for their abuses. It is really helpful and hopeful. The show seemed to gain some momentum after the first episode, but I like it.

The other link that I watched was on YouTube -- First one is pretty cool. Second one was really cool -- but I am glad that it was not me as I would have cried like a little baby.

Derren Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evZmpsl3jI0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjRAcajFte0