Jerry Timms

The car came in on Friday, a few days early, so I picked it up on Saturday after the dealer finished the tinting. After about 30 minutes of easy paperwork and a nearly 90 minute orientation to the car’s computer system, I was driving it home. Now I’ve had a few days to drive it around and thought I’d give you all an update.

I love it! It’s funny, because when I decided to get this car I was pretty much basing my decision on the entertainment/communication/navigation features, and also on its overall style. For me it was no different than buying a computer, I mostly looked at the electronics and the “user interface.” Honestly I never even took a test drive, just messed around with the computer and asked to make sure that the Bluetooth calling was compatible with my iPhone.

Well, to my surprise, I guess when you spend this much on a car you also get something that drives nicely, too! It’s taking some time to get used to it actually, because it has so much more power than the old car. But it’s great, I love the acceleration and tight handling. It really is fun to drive.

Mostly I like having all the new features that the old car didn’t have…like sunroof, Bluetooth calling, satellite radio, iPod integration, navigation, voice activation, automatic climate, etc. Sure you can get those features in many cars, but this one matches my style perfectly and I couldn’t be happier!

Once in awhile I like to cook a really large dish, with lots of ingredients. Anyone can whip up some chicken and vegetables, but what’s really satisfying is to create a recipe with enough ingredients that the final meal becomes so much more satisfying than merely the sum of its parts. Kind of like families, whomever yours happens to be.

Calories: 285 (24 g protein, 18 g carbs, 13 g fat)

Jerry’s Family Size “Serves Your Top 8″ Eggplant Lasagna

2 large eggplant
1 bag Morningstar Meal Starters imitation ground beef
8 oz. sliced baby bella (crimini) mushrooms
15 oz. part skim ricotta
8 oz. Kraft 2% Italian blend (mozzarella, provolone, parmesan) shredded cheese
1 jar marinara sauce
Garlic to taste
Ground red pepper to taste

Slice the eggplant very, very thin. If you don’t, then it won’t cook all the way through and it will taste like you’re eating eggplant, not lasagna. Spray a large baking pan with Pam, and put down a single layer of the eggplant. Now, my favorite part about making lasagna is experimenting with different layers of pasta (eggplant is being substituted in this case), meat (another healthier substitute here), sauce, vegetables, cheeses and seasonings. So try the rest on your own. And if you end up with an awkward combination in the end, then try something different next time until you get it right. (I’ll give you a hint, though…it works best if you end up with a layer of the shredded cheese on top, and some sauce just below that.)

Bake everything in a 350° oven for about an hour, or until the cheese on top is slightly browned and bubbling.

Serves your top 8.

Ha, I know this is nothing more than shameless bragging but I’m excited for my new car that will be here next week. The paperwork has been signed and the deposit paid! I decided while I was out of town that I should just go ahead and get it, as I’ve been holding onto the same car for almost 9 years now. I know I said a bunch of things earlier about being frugal and whatnot, but all sorts of service lights are coming on in my old car and I really think it’s on its last leg! Plus the old car really doesn’t match my style anymore.

Also, I ran the idea past Jerry on Sunday night over drinks and he readily approved. He’s always so cynical about everything that I know something is not a terribly bad idea if he doesn’t immediately bash it.

I’ve been close to getting a new car several times in the last couple months, but always backed out at the last minute due to frustration at the dealer or with online research. On Monday I decided to relax and just do it. So here you go, meet my new car!

I got back from my vacation on Sunday night, and I have to tell you that I had so much fun I almost don’t even want to talk about it. I’ll share some stories and pictures later on after I’ve recovered from last week and the cold I seem to be coming down with today. But, I’ll leave this thought.

There are so many intangible things that we want out of life. It’s difficult and sometimes impossible to describe the experiences we’re looking for, but recognizing them when we have them couldn’t be easier. And arriving at some of those perfect moments is what I suppose makes this all worth the effort.

I invented this salad a couple years ago. Normally I’m not a big salad person, but I love cucumbers! There are virtually no calories in this, and it goes great with a light meal or as a snack on its own. Tastes fantastic when the weather is hot, or anytime you’re just trying to cut calories. I’m eating it right now and it’s delicious!

Calories: 24 (1 g protein, 5 g carbs, 0 g fat)

Jerry’s Big Cucumber Salad

1 Big cucumber
1 Lemon
Apple cider vinegar
Sea Salt

Wash the cucumber, slice it really thinly, and empty into a tupperware bowl (or any medium sized container that comes with a tight fitting lid). Squeeze half a lemon onto the cucumber slices. Pour on a dash (or about 2 tablespoons) of apple cider vinegar. Plain white vinegar will do in a pinch, I just prefer the unfiltered apple cider variety since it’s the healthiest.

Sprinkle on a large pinch (about 1/2 teaspoon) of sea salt. Slice the other half of the lemon and toss the slices in the bowl. Now, put the lid on the bowl and shake everything for about a minute. You’ll notice a really interesting reaction as the salt and acid draws some of the water out of the cucumber slices, and they start to turn transparent.

Empty everything onto a plate and serve. Makes about two servings. Now isn’t that refreshing?

Well, today was just tedious. I’m getting really anxious for the Atlantis Mexican Celebration cruise that I’m leaving for this weekend, and I honestly couldn’t give a rat’s ass about work anymore! Sorry to any clients who may be reading this, but I’m sure you understand.

So I’ve been especially hard at work for this one. Working out with a trainer for 8 weeks, getting acquainted with a new diet, tanning, bleaching my teeth, shopping for new clothes and theme party outfits, grooming, etc. You get the idea. Just like my preparation leading up to the White Party…except times ten! This might make me sound really superficial, but rest assured that I’ve also been hard at work on the internal stuff as well.

This also probably makes it look like I’m trying to “meet someone” on the trip, although I’m really not. There is some Mr. X activity already going on, but I’ve decided to keep all of that on the down low for awhile. Why am I doing all of this? Just like any other worthwhile endeavor, the journey is just as satisfying as the destination! So, cheers to myself for getting here. It’s been fun, and I feel fantastic…not bad at all for turning 32. Now it’s time to celebrate!

I can’t wait to see Philip, Bernard, Tony, DJ and Tim…the California gang. In just a few days we’ll be dancing on the deck, out in the ocean under the sun with nary a straight person in sight! We’re gonna have a great time you guys!

First, a bit of background…

Synchronicity is the experience of two or more events which occur in a meaningful manner, but which are causally unrelated. In order to be Synchronous, the events must be related to one another conceptually, and the chance that they would occur together by random chance must be very small.

For a long time I’ve been fascinated by this idea, and my interest accelerated in college while reading a very interesting book on the subject and studying related concepts in my philosophy courses (I was only 2 or 3 courses away from a double major with Philosophy, although Political Science was the only major I graduated with). Synchronicity and determinism would eventually fold themselves into my own complicated personal belief system.

That said, I enjoy trying to ascribe meaning to the synchronous events that I observe in my life. They can occur around a recurring theme or idea, a person or an object, etc. Anything, really. The recognition of those events usually serves as a prelude to a short chain of events that alters my life in some significant manner.

The latest involves a question that I’m being asked from multiple sources, over the course of just a few short days. The question: what would you do with your life if money was no object?

Something is amiss.