Side Hustle

So yesterday I decided to start a side hustle.  I guess its better than getting a part time job.  :)  Its called online poker.  Yeah yeah! A lot of people view poker as gambling!  At times it is, but if you know how to play its really all about statistics. 

I've played it a few times in the past couple of years, but that was back when I really didn't understand the game.  I had a long conversation with a good buddy of mine.  He has played for years, and he gave me a few pointers.  I definitely decided on a playing style.  (I'm not telling! lol) 

So far its been two days, and a bit of profit.  About $20.00 after 4 hours of play.  Not too good you say? but its also not bad, since I didn't lose it. I was up about $85.00 today, but started getting a bit impatient, and donked it all back.  (lesson learned!)  I don't have a whole lot of experience playing with real money, so I'm learning as I go.  Of course I will never get into the high stakes.  I'm all about grinding it out!

Can any of you poker hustlers out there give someone who's starting out a good tip?

Daddy Gee's New York Style Pizza!

I felt kind of hungry tonight, so I decided to make another one of my "Daddy Gee's Pizzas" :)

I guess I'll go ahead and share with you how I do it.  Its actually pretty simple.  I missed some photographs of the dough while I was preparing, so don't shoot me. :)

This can yeild a good 21-24 inch pie.

Ingredients:

• 
  
  2.25 cups Bread flour (I use General Mills Gold medal bread flour, or King Arthur bread flour)
  1.25 cups 105-110 degree hot water
• 
  
  1 pack yeast
• 
  
  1 teaspoon sugar
• 
  
  1 teaspoon salt
• 
  
  1 teaspoon olive oil
• 
  
  1 cup 6in1 crushed tomatoes sauce (same one pizzaria's use! http://www.escalon.com/)
• 
  
  4 oz mozzarella cheese (half a brick)
  
  

First you're gonna need a kitchenaid stand mixer with dough hook.  (Its tough to make pizza dough with your hands! Trust me! You'll never get to knead the dough long enough to generate enough gluten.)

Pour the 105-110 degree hot water into the mixing bowl.  Then pour yeast, and sugar in.  Stir and let it sit for about 8 minutes.  (This activates the Yeast, or "brings it to life.")  Make sure the water isn't too hot, or you'll kill the yeast!  You won't want to kill our little yeast friends now. :) lol

Then pour the 2.25 cups flour and 1 teaspoon of salt directly into the mixing bowl, and run on speed 2 for about 6-10 minutes.  Make sure its mixed good or the dough will not be stretchy enough. 

After that pour a bit of olive oil into a small bowl and place the dough ball in it.

Heat up a small cup of water in the microwave to boil.

As per the photo below: place both the dough ball and hot cup of water into the microwave to Proof.  (expand)  for about 12 minutes (microwave is OFF)

After 12 minutes punch the dough down with your fist!  And place back into microwave for another ten minute. 

The humidity, and approximate microwave temp generated by the hot water helps the yeast rise / fermentate.  (I hope i spelled that right! lol)

Stretch the dough out, and spread sauce evenly!  (Video to come!)

I use both a pizza screen and pizza stone to make my pizza as authentic as possible.  (time tested!)  Simply place the stone on the bottom rack.  (i prep the pizza on the screen so that i can transfer it easily to the oven without making a big mess.)

I have a handy gadget for shredding cheese!  Its about $40 bucks, but makes shredding 50lbs of cheese a breeze!  Sure as hell beats using your hand

And incase you're looking to buy one here's the link from Amazon. 

Before

After

Spread the cheese evenly on the pie, not too much now! :)

Pre-heat oven to 550 degrees. Bake for 9 minutes.

ENJOY!

Great end to an awesome weekend!

Had an awesome weekend, had a great dinner at Chris' house on Saturday.  Best Rib Eye i've ever had!

Went to the New Jersey SGI Culture Center (Buddhist practice) with my mother this morning.  Met some very nice people.  I guess after living in NJ for almost 7 years now, I finally decided pay a visit.  The meeting was very encouraging, I did morning prayer as well.  I did make a new years resolution to attend more meetings.  I think its good for my life.  Next sunday their having a "rock the era" youth division meeting at 10am.  I also heard there're having some kind of band practice.  Sound very interesting.  Maybe 2010 will bring on bigger and better things! 

Selling my Northface McMurdo parka on ebay. Lol.  Its too big, so I decided to post it to raise funds for my new Axe!  Its brand new, and so far its at $160.00.  I hope this baby brings me over 2 bills.  Hey its pretty good since I only paid $130.00 for it.

My electric guitar of choice: Epiphone Les Paul Standard.  Not sure what color, but more than likely i'll go with the black version.  Pictures are below.  If you got a suggestion for a decent practice amp let me know.  Thanks! 

Saturday Morning Howdy!

Such a beautiful Saturday morning; woke up at 8:50am. I'm at the in-laws in the lower east side. It seems like I can't sleep in nowadays. Kind of procrastinating my doctors appointment. I really need to go...been awhile since my last knee check up. 

Anyhow we went to see Stomp on Thursday night. There's not a lot of people that could fall asleep in the front row of a show called Stomp. lol :) Well I did... have been sick for the past couple of days. I'm feeling a lot better now thanks to my supply of dayquil, and nyquil.

One funny thing about Stomp...they bang all kinds of stuff on the floor. Being in the front row there's an awful lot of dust generated, and one of the brooms split in half . The guy banged it on the floor way too hard!. I was almost afraid! I thought the splint / wood stick was about to fly out into the crowd! lol.

Had Sushi again last night...man I love Sushi! 

Gonna have dinner at my best friends house today! I'm rather excited...he's a great chief! 

Back on track...

Starting School on January 30th.  I'm rather excited since the fun is in the classes you take.  This semester I'm taking Introduction to theatre arts, and Public administration.  I've always had an interest in theatre, and the arts.  I'm taking a lot of fun classes.  The classes are on Saturdays only, so I'll have more time during the week to study.  Of course I need to hit the gym about 2-3 times a week in between; to continue rehabilitating my knees.

Well whats next?
On the list of classes is guitar lessons, and get my real estate agent license.  I know i'm stretching myself real thin, but i'd prefer to be busy.  What else am I going to do? Watch TV? LoL.

Hi everyone,

I'm sick, and took the day off today. Thankfully i'm feeling a bit better.  With all these infomercials on TV; I'm making plans to take over the world!

I'm thinking of making a hamburger, but is it good to have something like that when you're sick?  If I do...pics to come.

g.k.