OPEN THREAD POST: SNOW

Today we got some snow. [Editor's comment: If I am "lucky," I could take a snapshot of Ursus Maritimus in the streets of Gothenburg tomorrow... ;)]

IRANIAN NUKES

As Plain As...

In the news: Iran rejects proposal aimed at breaking nuclear deadlock - Iran Focus.

Here is an excerpt from Joseph McHugh's article, Military Action on Iran Likely to Come.

I was recently talking to an acquaintance of mine, an acquaintance from Saudi Arabia, who is connected with their government. When the subject of Iran came up, a look of gravity came over the man's face. "Something must be done," he intoned. "We are all afraid." Now this man is no friend of President George Bush or Israel, but he expressed the desire to see Israel do something. What an irony: The enemies of Israel looking for Israel to save the world. It is a perfect illustration of Ayn Rand's point that the world depends on its producers, while simultaneously loathing them. Doubtless, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia would condemn any attack on Iran by Israel in the strongest of terms, while secretly breathing a sigh of relief. (AmericanChronicle.com, 11/26/05.)

Related: My post, SHOULD I "NUKE" CERTAIN COMMENTS?

GOOD LIFE WEEKEND 47

Last week I went to a Mediterranean restaurant called Caleo. I had red snapper with risotto. I am sure that the dish contained plenty of olive oil... I had a great dinner at La Cucina Italiana on November 24.

RELAXING CAT

Morris is good at relaxing...

STEEL INDUSTRY

The steel industry is on the roll. Here is an excerpt from the Economist.

By far the most important factor behind steel's revival, however, is China's booming economy. China's soaring demand for steel sent prices spiralling upwards until recently: benchmark hot-rolled coil, which sold for as little as $200 a tonne in 2001, broke the $600 barrier in 2004, though prices have since fallen back (see chart). The boom in prices ushered in a time of profits and high valuations in a business where bail-out and bankruptcy had previously been the norm. (Economist.com, 11/25/05.)

It could be interesting to see what the former chief executive of Nucor, John Correnti, will achieve with his $880 million mini-mill joint venture.

The Institute for Supply Management will release its Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) next week. BusinessWeek is reporting some "vital signs":

The Institute for Supply Management's business activity indexes have also pointed to jobs gains, especially in the manufacturing sector. A faster pace of job growth is important for consumer spending and would reflect increased business confidence. (BusinessWeek.com, 11/25/05.)

Have you read American Steel by Richard Preston?



Related: My post, "ASSOCIATED STEEL" VERSUS "REARDEN STEEL"?

GREEN CARD LOTTERY

I have entered the Diversity Immigrant Visa 2007 Lottery. Wish me luck!

In the news: Green card sites Net the unwary - New York Daily News. [Via Corante.]

Recommended reading: My post, FORBES ON IMMIGRATION, and Jennifer and Peter Wipf's post, Brain Fill: New Immigrants are Smarter...

Have you seen the movie, Green Card?

THANKSGIVING

How are you celebrating Thanksgiving Day? Did you go shopping on Black Friday?

Here are an excerpt from Scott Holleran's Concord Crier:

• George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation.

CRIER COMMENT: emphasizes legal history of the holiday, which is interesting because it is religious, yet -- as the Crier suggests in a gratitude column about Ayn Rand linked below -- Thanksgiving means something with an opposite meaning: a celebration of the earned for being earned.

• Brief history of Thanksgiving.

• Norman Rockwell's Soldier Thanksgiving.

• Thanksgiving Day by Norman Rockwell.

Resources:

CRIER COMMENT: arts and crafts, games, recipes, tips, printable favors, decorations and more.

• Thank You, Ayn Rand by Scott Holleran. (ConcordCrier.com, 11/24/05.)

Recommending reading: My post, THANKS FOR GIVING EGO SUPPORT (11/25/04).

NEW EGO PRODUCTS

I have added three new products to my online store at CaféPress.

• EGO Postage Pal™. It could be a perfect addition to your snail mail letters. How about sending out your X-mas greetings with the EGO logotype?
• EGO Sticker (Bumper). [Editor's comment: Honk the horn if you are an EGO reader! ;)]
• EGO Sticker (Oval).

ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE: LOADING THE PAGE

It looks that it takes some time to load the page at the moment. It takes long time for the right column to appear. I have different scripts that could slow down the page now and then, but I think most of features are adding value to my blog, so I want to keep them if it is possible. Recently a visitor came to this blog by searching for "birthday countdown script."

ANCHO MULATO TORTE

This week's edition of the carnival of the recipes will have a "hot and spicy theme." I am a chile head, so I had to participate! The following recipe is taken from Jonas Borssén's book, Eat The Heat (page 143).

Acho-Malt Syrup Torte

Ingredients:

Dough:

• 1 1/2 heaping cups (3 3/4 dl) wheat flour.
• 5 ounces (150 g) unsalted butter.
• 2 tablespoons sugar.
• 1 tablespoon cold water.

Filling:

• 2 ancho chiles, dried, and soaked in warm water for 3 hours.
• 5 eggs, lightly beaten.
• Scant 1 cup (2 dl) dark malt syrup.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla.
• 2 1/2 ounces (75 g) unsalted butter, melted.
• Scant 1 cup (2 dl) roasted macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, or pecans.

Click here for the directions.


Ancho Mulato. For more pictures, check out my gallery with plants at Buzznet.

In the news: China swamps Mexico with cheaper peppers - The Arizona Republic.