Simply Sautéed Shrimp

Simply Sauteed Shrimp
When it comes to mastering an art, greatness often comes when one finally stops trying to be great. Sometimes, the most innovative culinary dishes are conceived by accident…or apathy (much like this blog post). It's in the fridge, it smells okay, and the colors match (so the flavors must as well)…let's do this. I'll call it Simply Sautéed Shrimp. Continue Reading "Simply Sautéed Shrimp"

Old Market Adventure

Picture of Old Market at Night
Weekends are funny things. I work all week in anticipation of said event and yet seem to do very little with it when it finally arrives. Because of this, weekends often feel more like a wasted opportunity than two days away from the grind. Continue Reading "Old Market Adventure"

Bachelor Casserole

Picture of Bachelor Casserole
The story of the recipe begins with the simplist of intentions: take whatever's in my kitchen and make something delicious. Continue Reading "Bachelor Casserole"

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Picture of an artichoke
This recipe comes courtesy of one of the administrative assistants at my previous employer. It's fast, simple and loaded with cream cheesel; overall, I found it to be a perfect bring-something-so-you-don't-look-dumb dish. If you want to spice it up a bit, I recommend some Penzy's toasted onion or smoked Spanish paprika. Continue Reading "Spinach Artichoke Dip"

It's Almost Time for Camp

Levi Hackwith at Camp in 2007
It's nearing my favorite time of year: wheelchair sports camp. Not too long ago, I received the volunteer sign-up form in the mail and I can honestly say that I am very much looking forward to another year at camp. I've been going to camp as either a camper or volunteer for roughly 15 years now. I've watched many of the campers grow up, head off to college, and then return to volunteer years later and in a lot of ways it's like going home for me. Continue Reading "It's Almost Time for Camp"

New Opportunities: Creighton University Job

Image of Creighton University's Spiral Fountain
Well folks, it's official: I got the job at Creighton University. For those of you not already in–the–know, I recently applied for a web development position at Creighton University. After two interviews, tons of paperwork, and two weeks of intense waiting, I was offered the position. In terms of job description, it's rather similar to what I am doing now, but I won't be responsible for any of the front–end design or back–end maintenance. Continue Reading "New Opportunities: Creighton University Job"

Beef Stroga-Knock-Off

Beef Stroganoff
Cervantes once penned “Hunger is the best sauce in the world”. In the short time that I've been cooking, I've learned that improvisation and creativity are often the best (and only) ingredients to be found in my kitchen. Many a time, Bryan and I have had to draw upon our creative abilities, invoke the mighty gods of “wing it” and, in an act that many culinary experts would consider heretical, create a cheap yet, delicious imitation of the real thing. Continue Reading "Beef Stroga-Knock-Off"

A Splash of Color

Painting of Wine
Attention everyone who's ever complained about the barren walls of my apartment: I bought my first prints this weekend. It all started with a very determined Cati declaring “I'm not leaving until I see some colors on these walls” and believe me, there's nothing like a solid yet thinly veiled threat to inspire me to decorate the place. We had an absolute blast looking at some of the wackiest, tackiest and overpriced pieces of art in the local Gordmans and World Market. Continue Reading "A Splash of Color"

Updates and the Duldrums

A firefly in mid flight
Hey folks, I just wanted to drop in and let you know that I'll be making some minor tweaks and changes to the site's guts this week so, if things don't work like they should, bear with me. I'm afraid nothing terribly interesting has happened this week. I did get into a small fender-bender but I don't feel that you'll find my rants about the local police force, traffic tickets or unexpected bills very exciting. Continue Reading "Updates and the Duldrums"

Friends: The Old, the New and the Rediscovered

Image of The Breakfast Club cast
Despite not being much for New Year's resolutions, I promised myself in 2008 that, among other things, I would make new friends and do whatever it takes to hold onto the old ones. After this weekend, I think I'm off to an amazing start. The Old Much of this weekend was like a college flashback for me (the good kind). I got together with my buddies Bryan and Steve for a weekend of programming, homework and computer repair. Continue Reading "Friends: The Old, the New and the Rediscovered"

Fire Systems and Stone Temple Pilots

Dangling Smoke Detector
A couple days ago, the building managers where I worked decided to test the fire alarm system. Other than the usual bells and whistles that accompany such tests, the radio kicked on over the PA and the Stone Temple Pilots began blaring through the speakers. Funny as it was, it would have been much more appropriate if, say, Smoke on the Water began playing. Continue Reading "Fire Systems and Stone Temple Pilots"

Patrick's Peanut Butter Pie

Patrick's Peanut Butter Pie
If ever there was to be a joyous union between peanut butter, chocolate, and your waist size, this pie should be the means to such an end. Hidden deep within the recipe tomes of one Patrick Wait, this confection has grown in infamy and splendor ever since it was first tasted by the masses. A pie so good that it best travels in pairs (make two). Continue Reading "Patrick's Peanut Butter Pie"

Sautéed Shrimp Recipe

Picture of Sauteed Shrimp with Alfredo
Well folks, my cooking skills have expanded once again and entered the realm of seafood. With a little creativity, enough cheese to kill a toddler, and some spare time, Bryan and I used another one of our "NerdCon" Friday nights to whip up an amazing confection of shrimpy goodness that could only have been made better had the shrimp not actually been radioactive crawdads from Lake Manawa. Freshness aside, the whole thing turned out awesome (to say the least). Continue Reading "Sautéed Shrimp Recipe"

Chocolate-Chip Cookie Recipe (Double-Batch)

Cookie Monster!
Due to popular demand, here's the recipe to my famous chocolate-chip cookies. You can thank my good friend Bryan for this recipe. Make sure you have a strong arm and a really strong stirring spoon or automatic mixer. If you're not careful, you will snap a mixing spoon or two. I orginally learned of these cookies back in my college days at ITT Tech. Continue Reading "Chocolate-Chip Cookie Recipe (Double-Batch)"

Dry Ice in the Sink

Dry ice in my sink
Bryan came over a couple of weeks ago and we had a little science endeavor in my kitchen sink. In other news, pictures of my new apartment as well as a more thorough update will be up on the site shortly. My intention – hell or high water - is to keep this site updated on a weekly basis. I can only hope to keep my life interesting enough to make it worth doing so; here's to a good start. Sorry for the picture switch on the main page. Continue Reading "Dry Ice in the Sink"

Ah! The Sun!

Me sunburned after camp
I got so wickedly sunburned at camp this week and I still have two more days to go. We went to the Amazing Pizza Machine today and man was it fun! The kids had a total blast (and I got to stay inside)! We also did bowling up at Mockingbird Lanes and that was a little chaotic. I got put in charge of getting some 24+ kids set up in lanes and ready to bowl. It was nuts! Eventually, we got it all figured out and everyone had a good time. Continue Reading "Ah! The Sun!"

Why My Friends are Awesome

Sydney Harbor, Australia
I just wanted to announce that I have really awesome friends. My friend Kara sent me this really neat postcard that traveled 8,808 miles from Australia to get to me. In this world of technology and information overload there's something very soothing about holding a postcard in your hand that someone sent just for you. Continue Reading "Why My Friends are Awesome"

I'm Moving Out of My Parent's House

All the stuff I bought for my apartment
After 21 years of living at home I finally make enough money to move out of my parent's house and into my own apartment. Continue Reading "I'm Moving Out of My Parent's House"
twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Spilled Mountain Dew in my lap over lunch. My slacks are dry, but I've still got sugar in my leg-hairs. It is SO Monday.Posted 31 minutes ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Random craving for a PB&J sandwich.Posted 2 hours ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Torturing co-workers with broken CSS. Mwhwhhwaahhaha!Posted 3 hours ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

"You wear the blinders of bitterness" ~ Inked in BloodPosted 3 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

For some reason, the passage of time is deviating from its usual pace. One minute it felt like 4, the next it feels like noon.Posted 3 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Amen: http://tinyurl.com/6hgnwwPosted 3 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Slowly becoming a typo ninja. *puff of template smoke* *disappears*Posted 3 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Had a nice evening...happiness.Posted 4 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Dinner....Dinner....What to have.Posted 4 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Funny, the Superman theme just started playing in this techno mix I'm listening to...just as my code started working. *finds phone booth*Posted 4 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Messed up my shoulder. It's making it hard to do just about everything.Posted 4 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Margin: 0px; Well, that's one thing fixed. Now to figure out what the heck's up with the font sizes. Which browser? IE of course! What else?Posted 5 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Random super-hero name: Captain Graviton!Posted 5 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Seriously getting sick of .NETPosted 5 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Fall is approaching way too quickly.Posted 5 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Not really looking forward to this anymore. Tired, hungry and suffering from a wicked craving for Hot Tamales (the candy).Posted 6 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Sammy, I miss you. :(Posted 6 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Mountain Dew = Caffeine = Liquid Motivation = More Stuff Done = Happy MePosted 6 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Sci-fi swearing is catching on: http://tinyurl.com/5k75h8Posted 6 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Actually looking forward to working late. What's wrong with me?Posted 6 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

The father of Palin's Daughter's Child happens to be named Levi. Not cool dude, not cool.Posted 6 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Realizing how lonely my office feels.Posted 6 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

"The drones all slave away, they're working over time" ~ Rise AgainstPosted 6 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Gotta find motivation, or at least what's killing it.Posted 6 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Now I'm trying to fall asleep to the sound of my upstairs neighbors doing laundry.Posted 7 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Had a wonderful Labor Day. I got to meet new people and introduce a 7-year-old to the joys of home made whipped cream.Posted 7 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Poisoned by egg salad...maybePosted 7 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Just walked by a family where the 5(ish) yr old girl asked her mom 4 a bra. She was told no because "you don't have boobies" her mom said.Posted 8 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Okay, apparently Mom's Google search went on to prove her right. Rebuttal.Posted 8 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Currently pondering what resources will be need to make my "stalk [twitter user] application". @Zeldman, I'm gunning for you (in good fun).Posted 8 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

More info about the Creighton Gas Leak: http://tinyurl.com/5sfm4kPosted 9 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Took a nice, long nap. fueling up with a Mt. Dew. Gonna try to be productive.Posted 9 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Farmers market Downtown. As close to a street market as you're going to get around here. Awesome. Seriously.Posted 9 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

So....She got me a rose plant. *squee!*Posted 10 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

I'm starting to think that Gmail Outlook Sync is more trouble than it's worth.Posted 10 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

"If strength is born from heartbreak, then mountains I could move" ~ Rise AgainstPosted 11 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Just ate an entire calzone. Awesome.Posted 11 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Got to sit and talk with engineers from /frickin'/ Adobe today. Wow, just typing that makes me feel cooler than I really am. Neat stuff.Posted 11 days ago

twitter profile image

OpnSrce

Fun hobbies: Taking the quotes from techno music and Googling them to see what movies they're from.Posted 11 days ago