It's amazing how some days can be totally productive, and others - you just kinda slide by without doing a damn thing. Today was the former. I got up relatively super-early for a Saturday, 9am - had to get a few things done, crucial stuff that I've been elusively procrastinating, because of tedium ad nausium: haircut, and wash car. Finally got both done without much fanfare. Came home, had lunch then packed my cold gear and garb for my training ride - headed back out towards Vienna. Geared up in 35 degree F weather, albeit sunny and crisp. Had a very splendid crisp ride out to Peonian Springs and back - round trip total of 51 miles. Ordinarilly chump change - but it was cold as shit.
 photo/animation by d. scott gregory |
Ungeared at my car, thawed out on the drive over to the Performance Bike store, I picked up a new set of cycling glasses (with triple colored lenses) - dirt cheap for $22 (obviously on sale), a tool caddy for my repair stand and a new large water bottle. Seems that all my "new" equipment which I got a year ago is all falling apart, or getting trashed from heavy wear/use.
Stopped by Hudson Trail Outfitters to check out their sale - did not buy anything, was just looking....and OMG, I dropped dead in my tracks when I saw the 2005 Litespeed Vortex....it's the highend of Litespeed's fleet of Titanium framed bikes...this thing was beautiful - super-lightweight...and...very pricy. To say the least, the display model was over $7,000.
Rolled up my tongue, then drove home to a hot shower, put stuff away, and to my amazement - my package from Performance arrived with my new helmet and new tires (helmet fits...amazing...tires, they sent wrong size). The helmet, pictured in animation, is one classic object - pure design. I had no idea it came with the pod (the custom form shape pod shell casing). It's pure beauty, very lightweight. I'm very impressed.
Wandered into the kitchen, all relaxed, new haircut, clean car, 51 miles under my belt, clean - time to cook up something good. I was in a mood for a neuvo-TexMex dish, I fondled all the items in the fridge and pantry - decided to make a quick improvisational meal:
 photo by d. scott gregory |
Quesedilla con Broccoli y Pollo Al Fajita1 tsp olive oil
1 skinless chicken breast, sliced in thin strips
1 clove garlic, minced
1 small shallot, minced
1 stalk broccoli, steamed* and finely chopped
1 cup grated mozerella cheese
2 large wheat or flour soft tortillas
1/4 tsp chilli powder
1/4 tsp lemon zest
1/4 tsp course ground black pepper
salt to taste
Place one tortilla on microwave safe plate, spread broccoli as a base then cover with 1/2 cup of mozerella cheese, set aside.
In a small saute pan over high heat, heat oil and saute garlic and shallot for one minute then toss in chicken. Stir quickly and add chilli powder, pepper, lemon zest and salt - continue to stir until chicken is thoroughly cooked and browned. Spoon the chicken ontop the cheese layer then sprinkle the other 1/2 cup of cheese ontop, cover with second tortilla. Place in microwave and cook for 2 minutes on high. Carefully remove and cut diagonal like a pizza to make 6 wedges.
*
to steam broccoli, place broccoli on a steaming dish for 8 minutes of boiling water
Comments:
got to drool over a litespeed ghisallo last week on my foray thru all the lincoln bike shops. frame weighed under 2lbs. guy was getting it for just a weekend rider. by the time it would get out the shop door, he'd have spent a little over 9000 on it. between seeing it and a brand new madone, really need to win the lottery. would just hang them on the wall. too afraid of a scratch.