3/18/13 - Sad news (well to some anyways)

I have decided that for 2013, I will not be hosting a March Madness pool.  This includes the Annual Little Rock office challenge as well as the Annual Walker pool.  I hope to be back for 2014, but this year I am definitely out.

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10/25/12 - Candied Bacon, You are welcome and I'm sorry.

You are welcome for sharing this amazing recipe with you, but I'm sorry because you will begin wanting it on a regular basis, and this recipe probably wouldn't be approved by 99% of dietitians out there.  I've learned to only make this for special occasions and to immediately cut pieces into 1 inch squares immediately after cooling.  Otherwise, it's WAY too easy to pick up a whole strip and consume...and then repeat.

I've made this several times in the past, but apparently never wrote down how I do it so it's trial and error for the first few batches every time.  I'm going to write it down this time so no more burnt or soggy bacon!!!

Very important piece of information is the bacon used.  I've tried this with off brand, thin cut, standard bacon and it simply wasn't all that great.  I only use the nicer bacon, Hickory Smoked Petit Jean is my favorite.  It's a bit more expensive, but worth the extra cost.

Between each batch of bacon, be sure to remove the excess sugar and bacon grease/fat from the pan.  I've contemplated saving this for use in a different application, but have not come up with a solution. Share your ideas in the comments below if you have any.

Also, be sure to keep the bacon refrigerated between rounds.  By the time you are done, you'll have room temperature bacon as opposed to the colder bacon at the beginning which will result in crispier (possibly burnt?) bacon.

I use a 13 minute, 14 minute rotation at 325, but bumping to 350 would result in a crispier bacon.  Next time I prepare this, I'll play around with more time and temperatures, but the results from the following recipe were fantastic.

  1. Preheat your oven and stoneware pan to 325 degrees.  When I make this, I make several batches of about 5-6 pieces per round.  After the first batch, the stone will be preheated, so to enjoy a consistent product, preheating the stone allows for this.
  2. Lay down the bacon giving each piece a little bit of room, this will make it easier when flipping.  
  3. Cover each piece with brown sugar.  Don't mound the sugar, but rather just enough where you get a thin coating.  As this bakes, the sugar will melt and spread.
  4. Put in the oven for 13 minutes.
  5. Pull out the stone, flip each piece and coat again with brown sugar using the same process as above.
  6. Bake for another 14 minutes.
  7. Remove from oven and pan, placing the now completed candied bacon on room temperature surface.  I use our dinner plates, but any surface where melted sugar wouldn't have a good chance to adhere to.  Stay away from paper towels.



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10/10/12 - Proper running/driving etiquette?

Now that I've been running more lately, I've come across several situations where I question the ability of the average human to properly operate a motor vehicle.  However, at the same time, I question if I'm the one that is not handling the situation properly.  Although I have a pretty good feeling that the only responses I get to this blog post will be from an Anonymous commenter advertising the greatest anti aging cream ever, I still have to try.

Here's the issue, at least for this post, there might be more in the future.  When I'm running on a sidewalk, with the flow of traffic*, and a vehicle from the opposite direction is turning left down the side street that I am about to cross, there seems to be way too much confusion on the part of the driver as to what they should do.

As I come up to an intersection and I see a car turning onto a side street, I'll typically slow down if I think there come be any possibility that we meet at the same time.  I feel that the car has the right of way, and even if they don't, I should yield to them for safety reasons.  If I think I can make it with no issue, I'll speed up and pass.

The confusion comes in when the driver makes the turn, and gets halfway onto the side street, the rear of the car, or sometimes all of the car still in oncoming traffic of the main street.  Apparently they didn't notice me on the sidewalk a mere 20 feet in front of them and they immediately stop when they do, even though I had come to a stand still jog.  Instead of motioning for me to cross, or honking, they just sit and stare.  It then becomes my responsibility to remind them that they are now blocking traffic and should go, so I wave them on.

I've had a handful of situations where they, in return signal for me to go ahead and cross...all the while, they are still sitting in traffic.  I'm not sure who is correct, but it seems to me that from a safety viewpoint, the car should get out of the oncoming lanes.  I'm pretty sure if the drivers were paying more attention, they could have waited to turn and allowed me to cross before making the turn.  That seems like a pretty big stretch though to ask other drivers to pay attention to their surroundings.

So there's my question, all that to ask "How should the situation be handled when a driver attempts to turn onto a street that I'm attempting to cross?"


* I could be in the wrong by running with traffic.  However, it is my understanding that running against traffic is only applicable when running on the shoulder or directly in the lane of traffic, essentially when no sidewalks are available.  Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here.  Should I as a pedestrian, always go against the flow of traffic even if a sidewalk is not available on that side of the road, or should the sidewalk always take precedence?

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4/2/12 - March Madness Final results


The final results will be posted tomorrow.  I have not had a chance to update from this weekend, but both the Annual Little Rock Office March Madness Challenge and the Walker Pool have been finalized, left over to a tiebreak for 1st and 2nd in the Walker Pool.  Points in parentheses are current scores.  If Kentucky wins, you can add 6 to each of the point totals as all of our winners have Kentucky winning the title.  Those few that picked Kansas to win it all are too far behind to catch these entries.

For the Little Rock Office Challenge, Michael Hall (84) took 1st place followed by Darren Tillery (80) and Flint Allen (78).

For the Walker Pool, Eric Chilton (76) and Michael Pierce (76) will be battling for 1st and 2nd ($150 and $75).  Eric has a tiebreak of 163 and Michael 164.  163 or less and the title is Eric's.  164 or more and Michael gets the big money.  Third place and $25 has been wrapped up by Kyle Raible.

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3/26/12 - Walker March Madness 2012: Day 8 - Into the Final Four

The spreadsheet has been updated with the final scenarios. If Louisville wins next Saturday, Cristi takes it all. If Kentucky wins saturday, Elizabeth wins if they face Ohio State, and Eric and Michael tie if they face Kansas. I'll let you view the document for 2nd and 3rd place breakdowns.

I believe I have all the tiebreak points I need, and I'm pretty sure it will come down to that.

Name Points Tiebreak
Kyle Raible 2 70 168
Cristi Walker 68 150
Elizabeth Pollock 2 68 137
Dad Walker 67 155
Eric Chilton 66 163
Michael Pierce 2 66 164
Chris Horton 65 164
Tajuana Braswell 2 65 132
Greg Walker 65 149
John Albritton 64 145
Daniel Blackburn 63 161
Josh Simpson 63 126
Kyle Raible 1 63 176
Phillip Walker 63 154
Nathan Adams 63 135
Geoff Owens 1 62 147
Griff Horton 61 0
Matthew Arnold 60 137
April Young 60 167
Barry Settlemoir 60 144
Tajuana Braswell 1 60 125
Stephen Shirley 60 125
Geoff Owens 2 60 0
Amy Chilton 60 154
Michael Pierce 1 59 0
Blake Bumgardner 59 145
Tamra Upton 59 183
Ryan Casey 59 139
John Curtis 59 142
Levell Kinchen 59 160
Lynn McLaughlin 58 142
Donna Bumgardner 58 118
Jared Selby 58 163
Jason Holland 56 156
Matthew Carpenter 56 141
Angi Orsini 56 73
Dick Bumgardner 55 145
Mike Bumgardner 54 143
Whitney Walker 54 160
Elizabeth Pollock 1 54 146
Michael Hussman 54 145
David Wagnon 53 171
Kent Bryant 51 0
Randy Spellins 50 155
Nash Horton 46 0
Jessica Walker 46 146
Bill Puckett 45 127
Nathan Poston 45 156
DJ Walker 41 128
Shannon Horton 39 0
Makenna Walker 32 134

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- LROMMC 2012: Day 8 - Into the Final Four

The way things went down this past weekend definitely moved things around a bit. I'm going to have to question Michael Hall though because I think he might have someone on the inside. 6 of the correct Elite 8 teams, and all the Final Four teams...seems a bit fishy to me.

Whatever the case, Michael has locked himself in as the winner this year. Playing for 2nd and 3rd place are Darren, John and Flint. If Ohio State makes it to the championship game, BUT does not lose to Kentucky, then John gets 2nd and Darren comes in 3rd. Any other scenario and Darren gets 2nd with Flint coming in at 3rd.

Sejal has locked up the consolation trophy, with myself coming in at a close 2nd for that amazing award.

Name Points Tiebreak
Michael Hall 74 170
John McDaniel 72 83
Darren Tillery 70 131
Flint Allen 68 0
Eric Chilton 66 163
Tracie Byrd 63 200
Patrick Bewley 63 176
Jeremy Kratz 63 0
Chris Johnson 63 132
Barry Settlemoir 60 144
Jon Albright 60 140
Stephen Shirley 60 125
Amy Chilton 60 154
Angel Cook 60 164
Tamra Upton 59 183
Levell Kinchen 59 160
Tony "Pick em" Lewis 59 149
Stacia Keough 58 0
Lynn McLaughlin 58 142
Jerald Caffey 58 135
Angi Orsini 56 73
Jason Holland 56 156
Jonathan Hill 56 140
Matthew Carpenter 56 141
Lydia Dixon 55 0
David Wagnon 53 171
Suzanne Gulley 53 172
Rob Nossaman 51 147
Kent Bryant 51 0
Randy Spellins 50 155
William Dunn 47 173
Donna Griffith 46 132
Carl Burks 46 121
Prashanth 45 108
Gaurav Berde 44 140
DJ Walker 41 128
Sejal 27 100

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3/24/12 - LROMMC 2012: Day 6

I think John has been in the lead since the first day of games. And with a UNC over Kentucky championship game, I'd say it will be difficult for anyone to catch him. Meanwhile, I'm down in the bottom battling Sejal, Billy and Carl for lowing points this year...I have no idea what happened.

Name Points Tiebreak
John McDaniel 68 0
Michael Hall 66 170
Darren Tillery 62 131
Flint Allen 60 0
Chris Johnson 59 132
Patrick Bewley 59 176
Tracie Byrd 59 200
Eric Chilton 58 163
Jon Albright 56 140
Angel Cook 56 164
Stephen Shirley 56 125
Angi Orsini 56 73
Barry Settlemoir 56 144
Levell Kinchen 55 160
Tony "Pick em" Lewis 55 149
Jeremy Kratz 55 0
Lynn McLaughlin 54 142
Stacia Keough 54 0
David Wagnon 53 171
Amy Chilton 52 154
Matthew Carpenter 52 141
Tamra Upton 51 183
Jerald Caffey 50 135
Jason Holland 48 156
Jonathan Hill 48 140
Lydia Dixon 47 0
Rob Nossaman 47 147
Kent Bryant 47 0
Randy Spellins 46 155
Prashanth 45 108
Suzanne Gulley 45 172
Gaurav Berde 44 140
Donna Griffith 42 132
Carl Burks 42 121
DJ Walker 41 128
William Dunn 39 173
Sejal 27 100

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- Walker March Madness 2012: Day 6

I'm pretty sure this is Day 6. I've been so busy that I haven't been able to keep track. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't also lost interest after losing all my Final Four teams by the Sweet 16...save UNC who should have lost.

Now that we are down to half of the Final Four, I have determined all the possibly remaining 32 scenarios, and who wins for each. You can find it on this Spreadsheet and if you can't access the document, leave a comment and I'll get it fixed. I don't believe you'll be able to modify the document, but you should be able to copy to Excel if you want to change the sort and stuff. As you can see, there are still plenty of people who can still win and tons of interesting ways this can end.

Name Points Tiebreak
Kyle Raible 2 66 168
Cristi Walker 64 150
Nathan Adams 63 135
Dad Walker 63 155
Geoff Owens 1 62 0
Greg Walker 61 149
Tajuana Braswell 2 61 132
Chris Horton 61 0
Elizabeth Pollock 2 60 137
Josh Simpson 59 126
Daniel Blackburn 59 161
Phillip Walker 59 154
Eric Chilton 58 163
Michael Pierce 2 58 164
Griff Horton 57 0
Barry Settlemoir 56 144
Geoff Owens 2 56 0
Angi Orsini 56 73
John Albritton 56 145
Stephen Shirley 56 125
Matthew Arnold 56 137
Tajuana Braswell 1 56 125
Michael Pierce 1 55 0
Levell Kinchen 55 160
Kyle Raible 1 55 176
Ryan Casey 55 139
Dick Bumgardner 55 145
John Curtis 55 142
Blake Bumgardner 55 145
Donna Bumgardner 54 118
Lynn McLaughlin 54 142
Mike Bumgardner 54 143
Jared Selby 54 163
David Wagnon 53 171
Matthew Carpenter 52 141
April Young 52 167
Amy Chilton 52 154
Tamra Upton 51 183
Elizabeth Pollock 1 50 146
Whitney Walker 50 160
Michael Hussman 50 145
Jason Holland 48 156
Kent Bryant 47 0
Jessica Walker 46 146
Randy Spellins 46 155
Bill Puckett 45 127
Nathan Poston 45 156
Nash Horton 42 0
DJ Walker 41 128
Shannon Horton 39 0
Makenna Walker 32 134

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3/23/12 - Walker March Madness 2012: Day 5

Once again, my wife is in 3rd place...meanwhile, I hang out near the bottom with my daughter.

Name Points Tiebreak
Kyle Raible 2 54 168
Tajuana Braswell 2 52 132
Cristi Walker 50 150
Nathan Adams 50 135
John Albritton 47 145
Dad Walker 47 155
Stephen Shirley 47 125
Geoff Owens 2 47 0
Phillip Walker 47 154
Matthew Arnold 47 137
Daniel Blackburn 46 161
Geoff Owens 1 46 0
John Curtis 46 142
Kyle Raible 1 46 176
Ryan Casey 46 139
Michael Pierce 2 46 164
Chris Horton 45 0
Donna Bumgardner 45 118
Greg Walker 45 149
Michael Pierce 1 45 0
Griff Horton 45 0
Jared Selby 45 163
Elizabeth Pollock 2 44 137
Michael Hussman 44 145
David Wagnon 44 171
Angi Orsini 43 73
April Young 43 167
Barry Settlemoir 43 144
Tajuana Braswell 1 43 125
Josh Simpson 43 126
Bill Puckett 42 127
Levell Kinchen 42 160
Lynn McLaughlin 42 142
Dick Bumgardner 42 145
Eric Chilton 42 163
Elizabeth Pollock 1 41 146
Mike Bumgardner 41 143
Whitney Walker 40 160
Matthew Carpenter 40 141
Jason Holland 39 156
Tamra Upton 39 183
Blake Bumgardner 39 145
Amy Chilton 39 154
Nathan Poston 39 156
Kent Bryant 38 0
Randy Spellins 37 155
Jessica Walker 37 146
DJ Walker 35 128
Nash Horton 33 0
Shannon Horton 33 0
Makenna Walker 32 134

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- LROMMC 2012: Day 5

I lost my champion last night and now only have UNC left to get me any points. I think I'll retire now.

Name Points Tiebreak
John McDaniel 52 0
Flint Allen 51 0
Tracie Byrd 50 200
Michael Hall 49 170
Stephen Shirley 47 125
Jon Albright 47 140
Tony "Pick em" Lewis 46 149
Jeremy Kratz 46 0
Darren Tillery 46 131
Chris Johnson 46 132
Prashanth 45 108
David Wagnon 44 171
Barry Settlemoir 43 144
Angi Orsini 43 73
Patrick Bewley 43 176
Lynn McLaughlin 42 142
Levell Kinchen 42 160
Eric Chilton 42 163
Rob Nossaman 41 147
Jerald Caffey 41 135
Stacia Keough 41 0
Matthew Carpenter 40 141
Angel Cook 40 164
Jason Holland 39 156
Amy Chilton 39 154
Jonathan Hill 39 140
Tamra Upton 39 183
Kent Bryant 38 0
Lydia Dixon 37 0
Randy Spellins 37 155
Carl Burks 36 121
DJ Walker 35 128
Gaurav Berde 34 140
Donna Griffith 33 132
William Dunn 33 173
Suzanne Gulley 33 172
Sejal 27 100

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