Scrambled..

1411hrs: Woke up really early this morning even though I only hit the sack at 0430hrs this morning. Just didn't want to sleep anymore. Went to the nearest Macs only to find it was closed. So decided to be adventurous and make my own breakfast and at the same time try out this scrambled eggs recipe I found last night. Got the butter, bread, chicken ham and some kitchen stuff I needed. Came home, heated up the stove and began whisking the eggs only to realise the skillet I needed was much too small. It wasn't even a skillet. It's like a mini wok. Well I tried anyway but failed miserably. Didn't have enough space to spread out the eggs. But the end result didn't taste too bad though. It just wasn't the right yellow and fluffy like the ones at Macs. So my attempt at my own breakfast wasn't bad. I cured the hunger but I'm bugged by the failed scrambled eggs. Will make another attempt after I get a proper skillet that'll allow space to manoeuvre. You know I just might enjoy cooking. *grin*


The failed eggs.

And if you're really interested, here's the recipe:

This recipe serves 2 hungry people.

6 large eggs
6 teaspoons (1 teaspoon for each egg) low-fat milk
3 dashes of salt (1 dash for every two eggs)
1 Tablespoon butter for frying

Heat a large non-stick frying pan to a setting just above medium. A 12-inch pan works well for 6 eggs. Do not add butter yet. We just want get the pan ready.

In large metal or glass mixing bowl, whisk the eggs with the milk and salt. Beat vigorously for 2 minutes.

Alternatively, you can place the eggs, milk and salt in a blender and blend for 20 to 25 seconds. Allow the mixture to set for a couple minutes to let the foam settle.

Melt the butter in the frying pan. As the very last of the butter is liquefying, add the egg mixture.

Do not stir immediately. Wait until the first hint of setting begins. Start the Martha Stewart scrambling technique ("Using a spatula or a flat wooden spoon, push eggs toward center while tilting skillet to distribute runny parts.")

Continue this motion as the eggs continue to set. Break apart large pieces as they form with your spoon or spatula. You will come to a point where the push-to-center technique is no longer cooking runny parts of the egg. Flip over all the eggs. Allow the eggs to cook 15 to 25 seconds longer. Transfer eggs to serving plates. Add salt and pepper to taste.

A note about milk and water: Soy milk works effectively in the recipe. Whole milk lends an overly milky taste to the eggs. No-fat milk and water can both be used in place of the low-fat milk but the creamy texture of the finished product is reduced.

Care for some eggs? @ 1439hrs

Quick death....

0355hrs: .......fiery but quick. I don't know why but recently I've been having an overwhelming infatuation with superbikes. I believe it was after watching Dr. House (from House M.D.) ride an a agressive looking Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade in Repsol colours. I don't know but I believe it's the colours that get to me. It took me awhile to identify the bike in House before I realise it's a Fireblade.

I've always been a fan of big bikes. Like the Yamaha YZF-R1 with it's underseat exhausts. I love the agressive slashes down it's sides. And it gives me a great excuse to get a leather jacket. Heh. But design wise, the Ducati 916 is still the one. I've known about this bike for awhile now but I always thought it to be too expensive. But a quick check on a local bike forum shows this bike is now available secondhand at between S$9500 - S$11000. Ducatis are considered the Ferrari among bikes and for good reason. It's performance and design is remeniscent of it's prancing countrymen. I was looking forward to getting one later on in life until I read that they're hell for maintenence and having really weird problems. Like chassis cracks and stuff. If I wanted reliability and ease of maintenence, I'm better off with the Japanese makes.

But if in future I've got some spare cash lying around, I wouldn't mind getting a Rosso Red Ducati 916 just for display in my living room as an art piece. Paying homage to it's excellent styling. It really is exhilarating just to look at.

I'm inspired to get my bike license now but it's a long and even more labourious process than getting a driver's license. And at best, it'll take 3 years before I'm licensed to ride a 1 litre bike. But I guess I'll just have to be patient.

I guess what really attracts me to these monsterous machines is the incredible acceleration and speed. The speed and acceleration of these machines are comparable if not better than their 4 wheeled counterparts albeit with little protection. And I just find that fat rear tire such a turn on. Heh.

I know it's dangerous. And it has a great potential of killing me in the process. But I guess I'm looking for land based thrill replacements since I can't be a fighter pilot anymore. And I still need that adrenaline fix now and then and in bigger doses.

House on his bike...




The Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade








Max Speed: 185MPH (298KM/H)


My other favourite. The Yamaha YZF-R1, Max Speed: 189MPH (305KM/H)


The R1's 600cc younger brother. Yamaha YZF-R6, Max Speed: 174MPH (280KM/H)

Mad about bikes 0413hrs

Birthday celebrations

0210hrs: I know I haven't been writing much lately. But I just haven't had much to write about. Yes, that's how little's been happening over here. Any worse and you'll need a stethoscope to look for a pulse. The weekend was fun though. Celebrated Dom's birthday. Remember a couple of entries ago I mentioned how sweet Dom's girlfriend is and how I'd like to meet a girl like that some day? Once again she's come through with that sweetness.

A few weeks ago I got a message from an unknown number talking about giving Dom a surprise birthday party. And of course I figured the message was from Michelle*. She was wondering if the rest of us guys could help out with the preparation and all. Come on, she didn't even need to ask. To have a surprise party for a decade old friend is the least I could do. I mean seriously I just thought it was the sweetest thing anyone could do for her boyfriend. But when I told my other friends about how sweet I thought this girl was, they didn't seem to agree with me. They said it was normal and girls mostly do that for their boyfriends. Hmm...kinda gives you an idea the sort of girls I've been hanging out with doesn't it?

But anyways the bunch of us Michelle, Janan, Victor and I have been planning out the party on MSN. We planned for the sorta food to have, who's gonna get what and how to spring the surprise on the unsuspecting. Well, the idea was to lure Dom outta the house so Michelle can go to his place and prepare for the party. So the bunch of us got Dom to come out to play a game of squash. But just a day before the meet, Dom has an emergency meeting in school and it clashed with our game on Saturday. But he said he'll come down anyway to join us for dinner. Well at least he was still outta the house and out of Michelle's hair. So Dom joined us 10mins before we finished the game. And after the game the bunch of us were supposed to follow him home and *SURPRISE*. Of course things don't always go to plan. Dom tells us after the game that he has to rush back to school to change cause his stuff are all there. Crap! I tried getting him to go home giving the excuse that I miss his pool and I even brought my trunks. But no, he says he really has to go. Crap! This is a real stick in the mud. Somehow while I was sending covert messages to Michelle about the problem, Janan drove us to Macpherson food court. So we all got off and Janan has to rush off for some other thing he has to attend. And I was still on the phone trying to formulate a contingency with Michelle. No, we've exhausted all excuses to get Dom to go home. We have to call in the heavy artillery. Dom's Mother. Codename: Auntie!

If this isn't a prime example of 'Mother knows best', I don't know what is. So Auntie called my phone cause she couldn't get through to Dom's. In no time Dom was rushing to go home. Auntie, gave the excuse that Dom's grandma was coming over for dinner and Dom has to be there. BINGO! We're in business again! Kudos to Auntie! Now Dom's rushing to finish his fishball noodle to get home ASAP. And there I was grinning on the inside eagerly anticipating his reaction when he gets the surprise. I don't know, I just love to spring surprises. Heh.

Sent another covert message to Michelle when we got onto the condo compound so she can get everyone ready. Opened the door and all Dom could say after weeks of planning and preparation was "Oh, hello", accompanied with a little wave. Alright the reaction was totally *yawn*. We would've gotten more excitement from a dead rat(don't know why but I'm sticking to this).

Later in the evening Dom explained the reaction was an honest one. Just plain and simple stunned surprise. I guess an honest reaction is better than an exaggerated one?

Irregardless, Dom seemed to be enjoying his birthday party. The waking up at 11am after going to bed at 7am from a whole night of 'Call of Duty 2' was worth it. My pal enjoyed himself. I enjoyed myself too. Especially the part when I rounded all the guys at the party to help with dunking Dom in the pool. Just repaying the favour for what Dom did at my 21st Birthday party last year. Heh. It was a shame Dom didn't turn around to see the bunch of guys following him quietly back to his house near the pool. By the time he saw us, he was already pinned. And all night Dom thought I was the only one who wanted to dunk him. Heh heh...

Even though all of us were giving Michelle credit for the entire party, organising, getting the food, calling people and picking out the present, she was still so humble bout it. She's such a sweet girl. Dom's a lucky bugger. Heh.

Dom finally got round to unwrapping his presents later that night and saw what we got him. A lava lamp. Which needed an hour to warm up before it starts acting like a lava lamp. So all 7 or 8 of us including Dom's parents and brother spent almost an hour sitting around the lamp and staring at it. And we'll edge a little closer everytime a big blob of wax starts to rise only to be disappointed when it gets pulled down by it's still solid base.

I guess the entire night was pretty fun. And it was nice to be among friends. Heh.

Some action shots from the squash game...




Janan and Victor going at it.


This cat was stalking the BBQ pit from the time we started at 1700hrs right up till we left at 2300hrs. Very determined cat.


Oooooo...the birthday cake. Rich chocolate, nutty. *yum yum*


The birthday boy. DUNKED!


"Hmmm....big box...must be expensive"


"Must be careful with the wrapping, gotta save it for someone else's birthday"


"Wah! Lava lamp!"


"Phew! Who knew opening presents could be such hardwork."


I quite like this photo. I made Dom look funny through the lava lamp. Heh.


That's what it did for one whole hour. Build structures.


My best friends for the last decade. And the first time(that I remember) taking a photo together.

* - Name was changed in case Dom's girlfriend doesn't want her name in my blog. I don't think she'll mind but hey, better safe right?

PS: I know this entry's a little dull for those who weren't there. But it was more a narrative of the night's events than a thought out entry. I just didn't really know how to spruce it up a bit. It sounded a lot better in my head on the night of the party but after 4 days, I think it's dulled a lot somewhat.

Better writing next time @ 0301hrs