http://www.braindonor.net Just another WordPress weblog Tue, 01 Jun 2010 17:42:10 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 http://www.braindonor.net/fun-games/new-dish-chili-lime-pork/246/ http://www.braindonor.net/fun-games/new-dish-chili-lime-pork/246/#comments Sun, 09 Aug 2009 17:49:45 +0000 John Hoff http://www.braindonor.net/?p=246

On the left, you can see the wild creation I decided to make. Pork tenderloin strips beaten into fillets, marinated in Rose's Lime Juice, and finally grilled with a homemade sauce. Total time was about 2 1/2 hours, most of witch was spent defrosting and marinating. It turned out so well that I couldn't help taking a picture and share how I did it.

The first step was preparing the pork. I started out with a small pork tenderloin roast, which is typically two smaller tenderloins tied together or in a mesh bag. I have previously cut the pork length-wise before grilling, but did want the meal to take as long—it was well over 90 degrees outside. I decided to cut it into quarters and then tenderize it into fillets. I took each length, placed plastic wrap over the top, and beat the heck out of it. The final product was closer in shape to a fish fillet. With the new thickness, I knew that I could grill them in about 10 minutes and keep from being outside for too long. I then placed the fillets into a dish to soak in Rose's Lime Juice and several tablespoons of kosher salt for about an hour.

The seasoning starts out with three small limes. I zested and squeezed them into a small bowl, then added a touch of olive oil. To that I added salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, and cilantro flakes. I kept things light with about a teaspoon of each. If you try this and end up with a paste, add more lemon juice and olive oil. You want the consistency of a thick vinaigrette.

With all of my preparation done, I fired up the grill. Once my coals were hot enough, I placed all of the pork on the grill. After about a minute, I flipped the pork and brushed on the seasoning. I had things hot enough to have very clear sear lines and the start of browning after only a minute. If you try this out on a gas grill, you will likely have to take a little more time. I flipped and brushed the pork a total of three more times. I continued to cook the pork until the surface was a nice golden-brown. When I thought it was finished, I checked one of the thicker slices with a knife to ensure that it was cooked through—which I highly advise people to do no matter their experience.

I retreated out of the oppressive heat to enjoy my new creation with my family. I took the picture shortly after coming in from outside, because I thought i had something special. After tasting, my wife wholeheartedly agreed. I can't wait to try this again! ]]> http://www.braindonor.net/fun-games/new-dish-chili-lime-pork/246/feed/ 1 http://www.braindonor.net/news-events/omnisomnia-development-takes-off/138/ http://www.braindonor.net/news-events/omnisomnia-development-takes-off/138/#comments Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:19:15 +0000 John Hoff http://www.braindonor.net/?p=138 OmniSomnia is one of those extended conversions being converted into a reality.

"Wouldn't it be cool if we could all play a game together in our dreams?"

That these words have been tossed into friendly conversations on numerous occasions is undeniable. So far, no one has managed to turn that into a reality. Since we have never been a group limited to just reality, we decided to pretend that it was already possible and get busy building the game already! Thus OmniSomnia was born.

OmniSomnia — Together We All Dream
OmniSomnia is being currently being developed as a web-based strategy role-playing game. Players will be tasked with building teams of characters that will compete against each other in various game realms with a variety of dynamic themes. Game realms will initially be set time periods during the history of a fantasy world ranging from the stone-age beginnings of civilization to the steam-punk styled modern era.

The eventual goal of development are to have several highly dynamic game realms open for players at any given time. The game realms will progress through the ages, driven entirely by the actions of the players. Ranging from warriors defending a city from invasions to inventors working to advance technology, the players will drive the advancement of civilization from within.

Feel free to check in on us from time to time at www.omnisomnia.com. We are hard at work making it a reality and will keep all of you up-to-date on our progress.]]> http://www.braindonor.net/news-events/omnisomnia-development-takes-off/138/feed/ 0 http://www.braindonor.net/fun-games/fun-with-physics/84/ http://www.braindonor.net/fun-games/fun-with-physics/84/#comments Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:02:22 +0000 John Hoff http://www.braindonor.net/?p=66 Fantastic Contraption has gotten both my attention and my dollars.

Given three kinds of wheels and 2 kinds of rods, can you build a contraption to move a ball from A to B? On each level, you are given a workshop to build your contraption in and goal to move a ball into. There can be workshops, goals, and balls of all number, shapes and sizes. Gravity, mass, and friction are your moral enemies. And those simple machines that you learned about in school will be your keys to victory--that is if you can remember them.

It all starts out simple enough. Could you get this ball over the hump and into the goal? Toss a couple of wheels and rods together, and it is easily done. If at first your don't succeed, stop the action and edit your contraption.

Once you solve a level, you'll gain access to the solutions of other people. These solutions vary greatly. Some are an exercise in complexity. Others attempt to solve with only one type of building piece. These solutions are also where people start seeing their first conveyor belts, tank treads, and catapults.

As you progress, the levels become increasingly difficult. In this level, you are tasked with navigating an avalanche of balls to reach you goal. Some players drive through the mess, others soar overhead.

The paid version of the game introduces player created levels. I made my purchase and have enjoyed many of the crazy levels that are out there. Some are just simply hard as can be. Others have a theme--I still love the Mario level that a player constructed.

So hop over to Fantastic Contraption and let loose your inner Rube Goldberg today!]]> http://www.braindonor.net/fun-games/fun-with-physics/84/feed/ 0