Pasta = Cheap Eats

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July 5, 2009

Whoo hoo! More money for Guam! Actually, more money for the people of the United States of America. The idea here is to make sure that the money used for the Guam buildup is used on US citizens instead of outsourcing jobs to Japan and the Philippines. This is good news for Hawaii and California. I might be one of those looking for jobs on Guam.

Tucked away in the 2010 Defense Authorization Bill just passed by the House is a provision that should give senators — and taxpayers — pause. Over the next five years, 17,000 U.S. troops and dependents will relocate from Okinawa to a new base on Guam. This project will require billions of dollars to build the base itself, as well as billions more to repair and add to Guam’s infrastructure. The $10 billion projected cost is to be split by Japan and the United States: Japan would supply $2.8 billion directly and an additional $3.2 billion in third-party funds while the United States would contribute $4.2 billion.

That was the plan. But the provision inserted by Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) changed all that. It has more than doubled the cost of the relocation by requiring that at least 70 percent of the construction force be U.S. citizens and that construction workers be paid at the Hawaiian prevailing wage rate, which is double to triple Guam’s. The ostensible rationale is that Guam does not have a large enough workforce to meet the demand, and it is necessary to bring wage levels into a competitive range to attract U.S. workers. But the initial estimate for construction expenses was near $300 million, while the change would drive construction worker compensation costs to more than $10 billion.

If giving U.S. workers jobs on Guam is a priority, this could be accomplished without driving wages up artificially to such a high level. You could, for example, keep the 70 percent restriction on foreign workers and let the market determine their wages. But given that Japan is paying for much of the relocation, does it make sense to limit the participation of Japanese construction firms and their workers?

These provisions will complicate a process already fraught with challenges. Guam’s overburdened infrastructure will be sorely taxed by the new arrivals, who will amount to a 14 percent population increase, requiring an estimated $6.1 billion of work on roads, water, sewerage, waste processing and the power grid. Since Guam’s annual budget is less than $1 billion, this money will have to come from outside. Why add to the burden on taxpayers with these unnecessary provisions? It is tempting to seize on any plan that tries to offer Americans jobs, but this cost is too great.

References:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/05/AR2009070501782.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/29/AR2009062904119.html

Skewer Savvy

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July 4, 2009

I came across this article about skewers. I thought some of you might benefit from some of these tricks.

Soaking: Soak bamboo skewer in soy sauce- flavored water for 30 minutes or up to two hours before grilling to keep their exposed ends from burning.

Parallel skewering: Skewer fish fillets, scallops and squid with two or more parallel skewers to keep them from falling apart and to make flipping easier.

Lemongrass skewers: Lemongrass stalks make great skewers, adding subtly aromatic flavor t food. Peel off dried outer leaves and sharpen one end for easy threading. Soak in soy-sauce flavored water for 20 minutes before using.

Sugarcane skewers: Like lemongrass, fresh sugarcane skewer look great and their juices sweeten foods as they grill. Peel a 6-inch section, then cut downward into eight wedges and cut wedges into strips. Cut one end at an angle to make a point.

Here’s an up-close picture of my use of parallel skewering. I mostly use parallel skewering with vegetables, especially tomatoes. I haven’t purchased those metal skewers yet, but when I do, I’ll buy the metal skewers that are relatively flat. Flat skewers do the same thing as parallel skewering.

Managing Customer Expecations

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July 3, 2009

There’s a formula to help define success in any project. Do Customer Expectations = Final Outcome. This is the easiest way to figure out of any of your events or projects came out with a positive outcome.

Let’s face it, we can’t please everyone. While this is true, I think it’s possible to manage the expectations to lean towards 100% satisfaction. Remember that different people have different styles and personalities. From what I’ve learned over the years is that the scientific type of people out there require greater details in what’s going on while more finance people want the final number in the end. There’s a balance that you need to find when managing expectations. That’s why it’s important for you to find your style in managing expectations.

Expectations are key. In other words, we can give someone everything in the world but if that’s not what they are asking for you have failed in your duties. I had a long discussion with a friend of mine who wanted to give a gift to someone else. My thoughts were that as far as I know, that person didn’t want that specific gift. But my friend was persistent because it was the right thing to do (give a gift). Think about it. If you’re craving an apple and someone gives you an orange, are you satisfied?

There are many strategies in managing customer expectations.

Here are a few:

Get the customer involved – Get a group of the customers together to figure out what they expect in the end. Have the customers talk with each other and step in when they are all in agreement with each other.

Don’t hide risks – Show the customers what the risks are from the beginning of the project/event. This helps them understand that something can go wrong with a certain problem.

Share – Give your customers updates on what’s going on with the project/event. You want to keep them in the loop. This is a great technique but more importantly, nothing is hidden and when you share something with someone they appreciate the fact that you confided with them.

Say no – Wasn’t this about making the customer happy? Well, over the years I’ve learned that there are some things out there that go far beyond the technical capabilities of technology. Also, remember that you have deadlines to keep up. I’ve been in several meetings where people ask for something right in the middle of the project. While the temptation to laugh is there it’s probably best to explain that it can’t be done within the timeframe.

Put yourself in their shoes –Think about how you’d like to be told about a project status. What are the key elements you’d bring up?

The underlying clue to customer satisfaction is effective communication.

Tunnelblick VPN

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July 2, 2009

I’m testing out Tunnelblick for VPN access to a private network. It works out pretty well once you get the configuration file setup correctly. After that, traffic and ease of connecting are a piece of cake.

References: http://code.google.com/p/tunnelblick/

Le Cruset – Dutch Ovens, Opps, French Ovens

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July 1, 2009

I find myself at times drooling with my mouth wide open when I enter culinary stores. I don’t know if it’s because I know that the items in the store make succulent dishes or because that some of these gadgets have some phallic representation. I’ll keep the phallic cooking gadgets for another post. For now, let’s talk about pots.

One of the other cool gifts I received this past holiday was a 4.5 quart Le Cruset dutch oven in Flame Orange. Sorry, not dutch oven, French Oven.

I had to test drive this puppy before I gave you a review. Here’s how they describe it:

Since 1925, Le Creuset has been handcrafting Enameled Cast Iron cookware, and particularly Round French Ovens (or Dutch Ovens), in Northern France. While this popular shape has been around for many centuries before that, the basic design has changed very little thus endorsing the cooking qualities that it provides. Generation after generation has come to cherish the Le Creuset Round French Oven’s quality, durability, and versatility, and it easily becomes the core piece in any well-equipped kitchen. The cast iron provides superb heat retention and distribution, and the enamel is hard-wearing and non-reactive, making the number of recipes that you can do in this pot endless: anything from savory rice to braised chicken to mouth-watering cake. Your imagination is the only limit!

First of all, I love the color. Okay color doesn’t cook. How does it cook? It’s amazing. For many years I thought cast iron cooking meant greasy black pans that haven’t been washed in years (yes I have one). The enamel on this pot makes it nonstick and from what it seems, this pot cuts cooking time in half. Oh and it’s non-reactive too. What does this mean? Well, reactive pans like aluminum and copper react to acidic foods, like tomatoes, to a point they change the overall flavor. This was a problem early on with cast iron pots where the pots were reactive and you couldn’t make any soups that were slightly acidic.

This pot comes with a lot of rules (I’ll list a few):

Performs well on all heat sources, including induction. When using products on glass or ceramic stovetops, always follow the manufacturer’s guidance for use of your cookware. It is important to lift the product across the glass when moving it. Do not slide it across the glass, or bang it down, both may damage the glass.
For marinating and storage, allow products to cool down before placing into a refrigerator or freezer.
Match the base size of your product to the heat zone as much as possible to maximize efficiency and ensure proper heat dispersion.
Low to medium heat settings will provide the best results for a majority of cooking applications, including frying and searing. High heats should only be used to either boil water for vegetables or pasta or for reducing the consistency of stocks and sauces.
Phenolic knobs and handles are oven safe to 375°F / 190°C. Cast Iron handles and stainless steel knobs can be used at any oven temperature and under the broiler.
Recommended cooking utensils are Le Creuset heat-resistant Silicone, heat-resistant plastic, and wooden utensils in order to protect the surface.
After use, let product cool down to room temperature before rinsing or washing. Do not fill a hot pan with cold water or plunge into cold water as thermal shock damage to the enamel may occur.
Handwash with hot soapy water, rinse with warm water and dry. Products are dishwasher safe, but handwashing is recommended. Constant diswashing may lead to some dulling of the enamel finish. The dulling is not harmful and will not impair performance.
If there are food residues, fill the pan with warm water and leave to soak for 15 – 20 minutes, then wash in the usual way. For stubborn residues, nylon or soft abrasive pads or brushes can be used. Do not use metallic pads or harsh abrasive cleaning agents as these will damage the enamel. Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Cookware Cleaner is recommended.
Dry products thoroughly after washing. Do not drain dry and do not store away while still damp.

From my experience, you want to follow any instruction on how to use and care for your products (reminds me of the time I put my high carbon knife in the dishwasher).

Don’t worry if you’re thinking of buying one of these and are concerned about the recommendations on keeping the heat level between low and medium. The medium works really well. Remember that you are using cast iron that retains a lot of the heat. You’ll still be able to get a nice crisp sear on your meat.

Overall, I’m really glad that I have one. Le Creuset is one of the best brands of cast iron in the world and has a long history that is passed on from generation to generation. In fact, my kids have already bargained on who’s going to get the pot. The other one is going to get Le Creuset in Black. Oh, I’d still take my Lodge cast iron on camping trips. There’s no way my Le Creuset will be used on a campfire.

Resources:
http://www.lecreuset.com
http://www.lodgemfg.com

Dan Wilson

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June 30, 2009

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Dan Wilson is one of my favorite writer/musicians out there. I’ve followed him since his Semisonic days (I started off with waking up to Closing Time on MTV). When I think of musicians, I think of people who just play music or just sing but Dan does it all–plays, sings, and writes. I think there are only a handful of talented artists who can write, sing, and play. I feel like it’s a dying art or something. Closing Time is one of my favorite songs and I end up playing it after most of the events where I have control of the music. My PTA members get the clue when it’s time to close up shop.

I’ve made it to a couple of Semisonic concerts and I’ve watched him while he was doing his solo tour while traveling through San Francisco.

Check him out. If you’re into some cool alternative rock, I’m sure you’ll enjoy his music as much as I do.

Above is a video of him performing Against History (another all time favorite, you need to listen deeply to the lyrics). I was just alerted that this type of artist is called singer/songwriter. Well, Dan is one of the best singer/songwriters out there that I know.

Here’s an exerpt from his website:

Dan Wilson is renowned in music circles for the elegance of his melodies, the intelligence of his lyrics and the purity of his voice. The onetime member of storied cult band Trip Shakespeare and the critically acclaimed Semisonic is now active as a solo artist, working with a collective of musicians from the Twin Cities and elsewhere. This new phase follows an intense period of songwriting collaborations—in the past few years Wilson has written songs with the Dixie Chicks, Mike Doughty, Rachael Yamagata, Jewel, Jason Mraz and others. Wilson’s recent cowriting work with the Dixie Chicks earned him a “Song of the Year” Grammy® in 2007 for “Not Ready To Make Nice” from the album Taking the Long Way. He co-wrote six songs on the album, which won the Dixie Chicks a total of 5 Grammy® Awards, including “Album Of The Year” and “Country Album Of The Year.”

References:

Homepage

Short Week as Guam Courts Cut Costs

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June 30, 2009

Workers at the courts of Guam, in the Pacific, will have their working week cut to 32 hours from Friday, as the judiciary tries to cut costs.

The so-called furloughs were approved by the Judicial Council in April and were originally scheduled to begin in May.

But they were delayed until this month, when a funding shortfall called for their implementation.

It means all employees, including justices and judges, will now work only four days a week.

Contracts with some vendors have already been cut.

Court operating hours have been reduced by an hour a day.

References: https://australianetworknews.com/stories/200907/2613067.htm?desktop

House Would Sharply Raise Cost of Guam Project

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June 29, 2009

Here’s one of the best articles I’ve read on the Guam build up.

Alittle-publicized provision in the fiscal 2010 defense authorization bill approved by the House last week would double the $10 billion cost of construction on Guam as part of the realignment of U.S. military forces in the Pacific.

The planned move of 8,000 U.S. Marines and about 3,600 other U.S. military troops and their dependents from Okinawa and mainland Japan to Guam over the next five years was originally expected to cost about $15 billion.

Of that total, $10 billion would be in construction of facilities, family housing and public utilities.

But a provision in last week’s House bill would require that construction companies pay their employees working on Guam’s realignment construction projects wages equivalent to rates in Hawaii, which are 250 percent higher than those on Guam, according to the Joint Guam Program Office.

The Congressional Budget Office report attached to the House bill estimates the growth in labor costs from this provision alone “would increase the need for discretionary appropriations by about $10 billion over the 2010-2014 period.”

The provision was authored by Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii), the fourth-ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee.

Another amendment Abercrombie added to the bill would limit to 30 percent the proportion of foreign workers that would be allowed to work on these projects.

“At a time when a depressed economy has dealt a body blow to our construction industry, the Department of Defense should not even consider turning over badly needed jobs to foreign workers at questionable wages,” Abercrombie told his constituents.

“This is a huge opportunity to put Americans to work, in an American territory, building an American military base. My amendments provide clear guidelines to manage the buildup while ensuring quality work for our service members and their families,” he added.

Another provision would require the secretary of labor to report to the House and Senate Armed Services committees by June 30, 2010, “on efforts to expand the recruitment of construction workers in the United States to support this effort; on the ability of labor markets to support the Guam realignment.”

Not everyone agreed with Abercrombie’s proposals. Rep. J. Randy Forbes (R-Va.), also an Armed Services Committee member, said during debate on the bill, “This provision will lead to inflated wages in Guam, while taking American jobs from construction projects in Texas, Maryland and Virginia.”

The realignment, first agreed to in 2006 by the Bush administration and Japanese government, was designed to reduce tensions caused by a large, unwanted American military presence on Okinawa. In February, during her trip to Japan, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton restated the U.S commitment “to modernize our military posture in the Pacific.”

The government of Japan is expected to contribute about $2.8 billion to pay for the move. The U.S. government is to contribute $4.2 billion, and an additional $3.2 billion worth of family housing construction will be financed by third parties, who would then take a fee for managing those properties.

The Congressional Budget Office said it “does not expect the Japanese government to increase its share,” thus leaving Washington to pick up the additional costs for construction projects if the provision remains in the bill.

A Government Accountability Office report in April raised questions about whether the U.S. government and the military had made adequate preparations on Guam. The GAO pointed out that military members and their families would create roughly a 14 percent increase in Guam’s current population of 171,000, which would “substantially impact Guam’s community and infrastructure.”

There also would be a need for an estimated 22,000 additional construction workers, at least temporarily.

The GAO suggested that Guam’s two major highways would need upgrading to carry the increased traffic. In addition, the island’s major port would have to double its capacity.

Its electric capacity would need a major buildup, as would its water and wastewater systems, which the GAO said are near capacity already. The estimate was that the latter would have to be increased by 25 percent.

One question was who would fund the additional demands on Guam’s roads, schools and public utilities. In last week’s bill, the House expressed its “sense of the Congress that utility improvements on Guam should incorporate military and civilian utilities on Guam into a unified [electric] grid.”

By Walter Pincus

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

References: https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/29/AR2009062904119.html?hpid=sec-politics

Michael Jackson – Thriller

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June 29, 2009

Poor Farrah Fawcett. Having her death eclipsed by Michael.

Around here, Michael Jackson’s death has made a lot of noise. My co-worker knew about his demise before most: he read it on TMZ–or something like that. Some celebrity music gossip blog. Then, of course, the mainstream media picked up the hint about 30 minutes later–but not until after my co-worker had run around to every office suite on our floor to spread the news. Michael Jackson is dead. I subsequently got so many phone calls from friends and family seeking to be the first to shock me with the buzz that I started answering my phone, “yes, I know Michael Jackson died.” I guess this is our generation’s version of “Where were you when Kennedy was shot?”

Despite my co-worker’s enthusiasm, office feelings were a mixed bag. Being in the Bay Area, some were devastated. Another co-worker pulled out a Michael Jackson poster, much like the picture to the left here (in his younger days) and displayed it behind her desk about 10 minutes after getting the news. Where did she even get that?! My other co-worker, on the other hand, stated that she simply was “not a fan” and hinted at MJ’s recent (okay, well, whole decade’s worth of) indiscretions.

Continue

Your Stove Top Has 4 Burners

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June 28, 2009