The Boston Diaries

The ongoing saga of a programmer who doesn't live in Boston, nor does he even like Boston, but yet named his weblog/journal “The Boston Diaries.”

Go figure.

Monday, April 16, 2007

Wits End at Casa New Jersey

The lack of Internet here at Casa New Jersey is really taking its toll on us. Part of the problem is the Monopolistic Phone Company, who, if they could, would wipe the Internet off the face of the earth. Another problem is the company we're getting DSL through, which seems to constantly drop the ball. Odd, given that when I've had them in the past, they've been nothing but wonderful.

So why don't we drop this company and go with someone else, or even cable?

Because we're not paying for DSL—The Company is. It's a perk and frankly, I'd rather not pay if I don't have to.

Sigh.

The latest news: maybe Wednesday, possibly by Friday.

Wok with Wlofie

Wlofie came across this carbon steel wok while at Wal★Mart that was perfect for the stovetop. He has another wok, but it has a completely round bottom and thus can only cook with it over an actual fire.

[Wok with me, talk with me]

Although, as is, isn't quite ready for cooking.

[See! Nice, shiny and new!]

It needed seasoning.

And seasoning a wok requires two things—heat, and peanut oil. Wlofie set the burner to “high” and dumped in a few table spoons of peanut oil (which has a highest smoke point of all the cooking oils). As the carbon steel changed to a dark brown to black, Wlofie would rotate the wok over the burner, and add oil as needed. The high heat would burn the oil into the carbon steel, “seasoning” it—basically, coating it with a molecule thick layer that resists sticking better than Teflon.

[One seasoned wok]

Sure, it doesn't look all that great, but as a cooking surface, it's great. And heck, if something does stick, just apply more heat; whatever sticks will soon turn to ash which can then be dumped out (it's the principle behind a self-cleaning oven, which carbonizes any residue).

Obligatory Picture

Trying to get into the festive mood this year

Obligatory Contact Info

Obligatory Feeds

Obligatory Links

Obligatory Miscellaneous

Obligatory AI Disclaimer

No AI was used in the making of this site, unless otherwise noted.

You have my permission to link freely to any entry here. Go ahead, I won't bite. I promise.

The dates are the permanent links to that day's entries (or entry, if there is only one entry). The titles are the permanent links to that entry only. The format for the links are simple: Start with the base link for this site: https://boston.conman.org/, then add the date you are interested in, say 2000/08/01, so that would make the final URL:

https://boston.conman.org/2000/08/01

You can also specify the entire month by leaving off the day portion. You can even select an arbitrary portion of time.

You may also note subtle shading of the links and that's intentional: the “closer” the link is (relative to the page) the “brighter” it appears. It's an experiment in using color shading to denote the distance a link is from here. If you don't notice it, don't worry; it's not all that important.

It is assumed that every brand name, slogan, corporate name, symbol, design element, et cetera mentioned in these pages is a protected and/or trademarked entity, the sole property of its owner(s), and acknowledgement of this status is implied.

Copyright © 1999-2024 by Sean Conner. All Rights Reserved.