Fuzzification ~ People in my Bloggerhood

Hello neighbour. Did you have a good day? Hang on, I have to change my jacket and shoes. There, that's better. Now where were we? Oh that's right, strolling through the Bloggerhood I see my good friend Ricky Patel @ FUZZIFICATION.COM.

Ricky and I go way back. He's my oldest friend that I still keep in touch with on a regular basis. We were in a 'gang' together, fought together in the First World War, and had many a good times. We have also eaten a lot of chicken wings over the years, and it was his brainchild and organizer of The Great Wing Tour of 2006.

I've been following Ricky on the Internet for quite some time. Ricky has been taking snapshots for many years, and Fuzzification.com has been a great showcase for his work. I like his photography because he has an eye for capturing simple moments and objects, the macabre and the beautiful. Here's some examples of photos I love (from centre than clockwise): "Plant in Window" shot in India; "Baby Back" Boss Hogg rib grilling @ the London Ribfest 2008; "Fireworks"; "Arabian Sea" a wonderful sunset shot; and my fave, "One Handed Bride."

Ricky and I sat down* and chatted about blogging with ME in GREEN, and RICKY in RED:

*NOTE: sitting down is in reference to our respective homes in our own seats over the Internet via e-mail correspondence.

Who are you & where do you live?
I currently live in London Ontario. I'm a hard, mean, technical kind of guy, who likes to indulge (what he thinks) his softer artistic side mainly through photography but also sketching, music and other endevours.

What is Your Blog?
My current blog is http://www.fuzzification.com/. It was born out of a desire to publish and share my photographs and other visual art like sketches without the complication of excessive words (like my previous blogs).

How Long Have you been Blogging?Why did you start blogging?
I have been blogging in various internet incarnations since about 1999 (probably around the same time the word "blog" was invented). I originally started because I found myself in the big bad city and needed a venue to share my experiences. I used a section of my personal website, then later, an actual blog, as an outlet for the frustrations of daily life and a place for me to share some of my creative writing and visual art. Those blogs ran their course, and I eventually started my photo blog http://www.fuzzification.com/, which has been online since March 2007.

Also on my blog shelf is a blog I kept while I was working on a project in Zambia with Engineers Without Borders Canada, during the summer of 2006.


What do you want out of your blog?
I can't really say I want anything out of my blog (other than maybe launch a career in photography rather than engineering). I just want to share my pictures. I enjoy photography as it gets me outside exploring the city in I live, meeting people and enjoying the outdoors. Having a blog which I post the pictures too helps to motivate me to get out and shoot.

What is your favourite blog (you know, other than LOTW :p)?

I don't tend to read a lot of blogs. I do however visit Daily Dose of Imagery often to see the pictures.

Do you feel there’s real interaction between you and your readers?
Readers? More like viewers, and by viewers I mean the maybe 4 people who I think actually visit my blog on a regular basis. Interaction is basically nil. So if anyone goes to check it out, let me know what you think.


Any crazy blog-related stories?

I've had a friend become a non-friend because of something I wrote on my blog way back in the day. Not really crazy, somewhat tragic, but illustrates the danger of posting your thoughts without thinking of the consequences or how fickle friends can be.

What is your favorite chicken wing?
My favorite chicken wing is a FREE chicken wing, preferably taken off the plate of The Wing King! But to really answer the question: Way back when I was in High school, when I'd be home alone, I'd order pizza and wings from Gino's. The wings had a bbq/hot sauce blend, that tasted so good because they came with that small taste of freedom which is an empty house with no parents or siblings around. But soon after I started to grow up, I moved out and took on responsibilities and those wings never tasted the same again. I also miss wing nights at Mad Trappers in T-Burg.

Do you have a favorite cooking show?
I don't have cable, so my cooking show array is quite limited, so I don't currently watch any cooking shows with any regularity. When I was younger I used to watch Pasquale's Kitchen Express and The Urban Peasant all the time. They really have influenced my style of cooking. I also enjoyed the suave antics of Carlo Rota on The Great Canadian Food Show on CBC, and I have been told that I am a cross between the Cake guy and Chef at home...whatever that means, for better or worse.


Do you cook? What is your specialty?

Yes, I cook. Mainly I cook for myself and experiment with my dishes a bit. I can't think of any specialties though.

What is the most disgusting thing you have ever eaten?
This is difficult, because a lot of the things that I thought were disgusting at one time, I've eaten and enjoyed at other times. What kind of stands out are some really disgusting mussels at a Mandarin once. They were cold, and rubbery, made me gag.

If there was one thing you would want the Wing Nation to know about you and your blog, what would it be?
There isn't much else to say. I'm not a professional photographer, and people might think my photos suck, but I like each and everyone one of them. They represent the places I've been, and the things I've seen. If you like them too, let me know. Everyone likes a bit of positive affirmation once in awhile.

Thanks Mr Patel. Hope we can have wings again sometime soon. In the meantime, everyone head on over to Rick's site and enjoy the photography!

Teena in Toronto ~ People in my Bloggerhood

It's time to take another stroll around the Bloggerhood. Today we're chatting with Teena @ It's All About Me.

To describe Teena's blog you really only have to look to its title - it is all about her. It's a traditional web-log that chronicles her life and her travels. She is one busy woman and she is a dedicated poster. If I don't look at her blog several times a week, I'm already behind! Her blog is fun to read as we find out about Beer, her pets, shows in Toronto, books, movies, landmarks, special events, personal events, dinner, working out, volunteering, work, friends and just about anything and everything. I've never met Teena in person, but I feel like I've known her for years. I also look forward to her comments here at LOTW as she is one of my most loyal readers.

To get an idea of the plethora of things you will see on her blog, I have a random samplings of things that sat in my memory. Highlights include (from centre than clockwise): a doll store in Toronto with some crazy displays that she passed in a walkabout; a mounted Metro officer ticketing (she always seems to find the horses in TO); Teena demonstrating the Rock Lobster Dance . . . no I didn't know about it either; a bagpiper on Robbie Burns Day in a store; Chia Kitty @ Skydome/Rogers Centre (Chia Kitty goes on lots of adventures!). Actually, Teena goes on a lot of adventures too!

Teena and I sat down* and chatted about blogging with ME in GREEN, and TEENA in PURPLE:

*NOTE: sitting down is in reference to our respective homes in our own seats over the Internet via e-mail correspondence.

Who are you & where do you live?
I'm Teena and I live in Toronto.

What is Your Blog?

My blog is "It's all about me!" ... and that's exactly what it is. It's a place where I share my life, my thoughts and whatever catches my attention.

Why did you start blogging?
It's a fun way to be creative and interact with others. I was into pen palling years ago and at one point had 100 all over the world. But life got busy. This sort of reminds me of pen palling but it's more instant rather than waiting for an letter or email.

What do you want out of your blog?
Simply to have fun :)

How Long Have you been Blogging?
I started my blog in July 2005.

What is your favourite blog (you know, other than LOTW :p)?
I keep up with lots of blogs and do have favourites ... can't say here because I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

Do you feel there’s real interaction between you and your readers?
Definitely. Depending on the blog, I feel I've gotten to know quite a few people and they have gotten to know me. As I said, it's an extended version of pen palling.

Any crazy blog-related stories?
Craziest was a couple summers ago, Gord and I had gone to a movie and were walking past Milestones. On the patio, I thought I saw someone whose blog I read (http://redcollar-b.blogspot.com). But I'd never met B (I recognized her from her pictures) so I didn't want to intrude in case I was wrong. I sent her an email that night and, sure enough, it was her!

Another time was last spring when I was doing the CN Tower Climb. I knew Dawn (http://purplepineapple.wordpress.com/), a blogger I'd never met, was doing it too. As I was waiting in line first thing in the morning to get registered, she and her friend walked by on their way to do the climb. I yelled to her catch her attention (I recognized her from her pictures), we wished each other good luck. Very cool! And we ran into each other last fall again when we did the CN Tower Climb.

What is your favourite chicken wing?
St. Louis ... I love their dill dipping sauce.

Do you have a favourite cooking show?
"Hell's Kitchen" or "Kitchen Nightmares". Gord watches a lot more cooking shows than I do.

Do you cook? What is your specialty?
I'm not really into cooking ... I cook because I have to eat.

What is the most disgusting thing you have ever eaten?
I'm fussy ... if I don't know what it is, I won't eat it. I think blue cheese is nasty.

If there was one thing you would want the Wing Nation to know about you and your blog, what would it be?
What you see is what you get. It is, indeed, all about me.


Thanks Teena for dropping by - it's great to be your neighbour in the bloggerhood! So go check her out and you'll want to be her neighbour too.

Nibble Me This ~ People in my Bloggerhood

It's a beautiful day in the neighbourhood, a beautiful day for a neighbour, and today, we are talking with Chris @ Nibble Me This.

One of the great things about the Internet is the ability to communicate with people all over the world. Here I am, way up in Ontario, Canada, and I can read and write to Chris way down in Tennessee USA. While I've only been following his blog for a few months now, I really dig his BBQ (real BBQ - here in Ontario BBQ generally means anything cooked in a metal box outdoors. REAL BBQ is smoked, the rest is 'grilling') and some really tasting looking recipes. I am extremely jealous of his Big Green Egg.

Some tasty highlights include (from centre than clockwise): Old Bay Wings (yes, wings smoked on the BGE), BBQ Pork Loin Back Ribs - I love the colour of the ribs, and the helpful membrane removal video!; His Gyro (which I have always wanted to do since I saw it on Good Eats too); Atomic Buffalo Turds; and this genius creation . . . Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots . . . Oh yes. I can't read his blog close to dinner because I get resentful of what I made for dinner.

Chris and I sat down* and chatted about blogging with ME in GREEN, and Chris in BLUE:

*NOTE: sitting down is in reference to our respective homes in our own seats over the Internet via e-mail correspondence.

Who are you & where do you live?
Chris G and I live in Knoxville, TN.

What is Your Blog?

Nibble Me This. I picked that title as a play on the Riddler's "Riddle me this.." line in the classic Batman TV show.

Why did you start blogging?
Originally, I was blogging as a personal journal. Since then I've changed to having two blogs, one for photography and this one for cooking.

What do you want out of your blog?
Oh the usual. Fame, fortune, and groupies. Seriously, I get a few things. First, having to WRITE what I did with a dish forces me to have to really analyze what I did through the whole process. I think that makes me do it better the next time. Second, I love exchanging ideas with other bloggers (e.g. "blatantly rip off other peoples creativity").


How Long Have you been Blogging?
I've only had Nibble Me This from the beginning of this year .. My old blog started back in 2004 I think.

What is your favourite blog (you know, other than LOTW :p)?
There are other blogs than LOTW? Who knew? For The Love Of Cooking (http://fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com/) is probably one of my favorite food blogs. I am so envious of Pam's cooking and photography skills. I don't want my blog to be just like hers but I want to blog as well as her. The quality of her blog is my target right now.


Do you feel there’s real interaction between you and your readers?
Sure! I have exchanged cards, books, and jars of rub with various bloggers. We've even had Brandi of Excess Baggage (http://brandisexcessbaggage.blogspot.com/) stay at our home a few times and she didn't even kill us in our sleep.

Any crazy blog-related stories?
There was this one time....wait, I'd better not tell that one.Then there was....no, I can't share that one either.Nope, not a one ;)

What is your favourite chicken wing?
I am ashamed to admit to LOTW, that my favorite commercial wing is just Hooters medium (when they are done well). I just love the breading, sorry! [LOTW edit - never feel bad about a chicken wing!] At home, my favorite is wings that I have trimmed. Still looking for the perfect rub. Then grilled over lump charcoal with cherry wood mixed in. In the last few minutes, I toss them in 50/50 butter/hot sauce and put them back on to finish. Simple but great!

Do you have a favourite cooking show?
Alton Brown's show is probably my favorite. I like his quirky sense of humor and how he explains the science behind what he's cooking.

Do you cook? What is your specialty?
Cooking is my therapy. It's how I unwind after work and on the weekends. I guess my "specialty" would be cooking on the Big Green Egg. Not just smoking or grilling, but trying to use it for dishes you normally wouldn't think of doing "on a grill" like meatloaf, pizza, etc.

What is the most disgusting thing you have ever eaten?

My wife once made me try sushi. I can't stand cooked fish, so sushi was so awful. It was horrible....I....I....I'm sorry, I can't continue this interview [unclips microphone, stands up and walks out]

Well hopefully Chris survives his bad sushi memory and gets back to grilling beef, pork and chicken!

The Bumbling Baker ~ PEOPLE in my BLOGGERHOOD

Our first edition of The People in my Bloggerhood!!! And today we are talking with the Bumbling Baker*.


*Please Note: we aren't using real names on the Internet

The BB and me go way back. We worked together, lived together, and ate together. When I started the Lord of the Wings blog, she (and her SO Rayzor)was there supporting and reading all the way. Then last year she started her own blog on her baking escapades. And while her moniker suggests that there are some culinary mistakes, I have never eaten (or seen from her blog) really anything that went wrong. In fact, her treats are excellent. We don't live in the same city anymore, so I miss sampling her desserts. Thanks to her blog, I can drool here and wish I had a cupcake after I've eaten wings.

There's lots of recipes and product reviews on her site. Some of my favourite creations she's made are Making Whoopie Pies, and Cheesecake brownies, but visually I love her themed desserts. Holiday cupcakes in particular are not only decorated expertly, I love the uniqueness of them. For example, from centre then clockwise from upper right: Guinness Cupcakes (that look like a pint of beer); Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Cupcakes, Superbowl Cupcakes, Lovebug Cupcakes for Valentines Day, and Dirt Cupcakes (with Oreo dirt and a little worm!) for Earth day. Creative and delicious I'm sure.

The BB and I sat down* and chatted about blogging with ME in GREEN, and BB in BLUE:

*NOTE: sitting down is in reference to our respective homes in our own seats over the Internet via e-mail correspondence.

Who are you & where do you live?

I'm DLB, and I live in Toronto.

What is Your Blog?

The Bumbling Baker.

Why did you start blogging?

Initially, to post pictures of stuff that I was making/decorating to share with my friends and family, and do some reviews, but now I mostly feature recipes that I try out, and share my reaction to them with other bakers and bloggers.

What do you want out of your blog?

Just to challenge myself a bit in the kitchen - if I didn't blog, I'd probably never bake anything new.

How Long Have you been Blogging?

For a little over a year - I started at the end of January 2008.

What is your favourite blog? You know, other than LOTW.

The Pioneer Woman. She's really funny and she takes good pictures. She talks about nuts, but not the baking kind.

Do you feel there’s real interaction between you and your readers?

Well, Google Analytics tells me that people go to my site, but the comments/emails are limited. Still, I don't need an electronic response to feel good about it - the blog is really just a good excuse to bake all the time. :)

Any crazy blog-related stories?

Not that I can think of, but I have gotten some free vanilla extract and cinnamon and that was pretty awesome. I always think getting something for free is crazy!

What is your favourite chicken wing?

Are you kidding me? Gross.

Do you have a favourite cooking show?

I have lots of favourites. I mostly enjoy the reality cooking shows - Top Chef, Hell's Kitchen, The Next Food Network Star. Iron Chef America is probably the one I watch the most often, but I wish that I could see Good Eats and License to Grill more often.

Do you cook? What is your specialty?

I don't really cook. I'm blessed to live with a guy who's great at cooking. Why mess with a good thing? Plus, I really suck at it. Seriously!I think that my favourite thing to bake are cookies, but I love decorating cupcakes.

What is the most disgusting thing you have ever eaten?

Some white bean casserole thing I made once. It's the only thing that Rayzor has ever refused to eat that I know of. I told you I suck at cooking!

If there was one thing you would want the Wing Nation to know about you and your blog, what would it be?

Chicken wings have nothing on Guinness Chocolate Cake. I'm just sayin'!

Thanks Bumbling Baker.

We'll try and forgive the anti-wing responses.

The People in my Bloggerhood

That's right, lets get to know some of the people and their blogs that I put on the side over here on the right.

Some of these blogs are based on Chicken Wings, some on food in general, and others are just friends and interesting reads. So who are the bloggers behind those blogs. Let's find out, about 1 week at a time. Some I will interview, others I can't reach and I will just tell you why I read them.

So let's travel together and learn more about the Bloggers in my Bloggerhood. The people that you meet each day . . .

Questions for the Bloggers:

• Who are you & where do you live?


• What is Your Blog?


• Why did you start blogging?


• What do you want out of your blog?


• How Long Have you been Blogging?


• What is your favourite blog?


• Do you feel there’s real interaction between you and your
  readers?


• Any crazy blog-related stories?


• What is your favourite chicken wing?


• Do you have a favourite cooking show?


• Do you cook? What is your specialty?


• What is the most disgusting thing you have ever eaten?


• If there was one thing you would want the Wing Nation to know
  about you and your blog, what would it be?

LIST OF INTERVIEWS:

1. The Bumbling Baker
2. Chris @ Nibble Me This
3. Teena @ It's All About Me