JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE SAFE TO CHANGE STRINGS!!

Pizza!

Here's a few photos of a couple of the pizza's I made this week. One is a spinach and Feta and the other is a super thin crust cheese pizza cut into squares. I gotta admit, I love the squares! Just like the kind I had growing up.

It's definitely coming along, still don't quite have the sauce dialed in but it's way better then frozen pizza and better then the last place I ordered pizza from. Still needs work though.

Today's Rendering

The Luke Bed Post! (FYI Steve Lukather)

Animals

Yes.... that's just about what it looked like today when a squirrel ran up to me and attacked me. Only something like that could happen to me. I was walking through the park today listening to the new mixes. Everything was peaceful, the birds chirping.... Well, maybe they were I don't know I was listening to the mixes. Anyway, out of no where this crazy squirrel ran at full speed and dove into my leg and I immediately went from peaceful listening to music mode into survival mode! I did some kind of a football juke move and then a hurdle. As this thing viciously came back for more, it leaped up and tried to attach it self to my leg. I yell "Get Back! Get Back!" I then realize it doesn't speak English so I ran! Meanwhile, people in the background are walking their dogs etc... I don't want to even know what I looked like trying to fend off this animal. So I went home.

Later, (and this is no joke people, you can't make this stuff up) I decided to try the park again to listen to the mixes and right in the middle of listening this huge dog came running towards me and started circling me and then running towards me, and back and towards me again. I couldn't believe it... Finally the owner came over and took the dog. It was probably trying to be friendly but I wasn't feelin it, especially after the squirrel incident.

So I get home. Cosmo Kitty is sitting up on the ledge when I walk in. I look at her, she looks at me and I sigh... I walk past her to get a drink of water and she hisses and swipes at my arm and hits me! That's companionship for ya.. So much for getting any sympathy. I mean, I have no idea what I did to deserve this?? I'm the total typical animal lover.

Clearly not my day for animals, good thing I didn't go to the zoo!

Japan

My heart and thoughts go out to Japan

This Week

Busy week comes to a close, TGIF. Giving my ears a much needed rest tonight. I've reached that part where my ears are super sensitive from listening so much to the music. I hear everything in super clarity. When at the grocery store earlier this evening, I was shocked how loud it was in there. Also when on a walk earlier this afternoon, I never recall hearing so many birds, traffic noise, jets etc.. Nice quiet evening tonight. Resting my mind and ears.

Less then a week to go with finishing up the mixes. I can't believe the time has almost come. Feels like the last day of school is right around the corner. However, I won't celebrate until after the tracks are shipped to SSRI. Then there will be some finalizing work to be done

Posted from my iPhone

Last night

Cosmo and I up late mixing. She's what you'd call a real studio cat! Get it? Oh ca'mon the jokes are free! No? Really?....... Anyone for tennis?

Anyway that's two albums she's been with me on now. to Cosmo, "Album" = "lap time"

Pizza

Made a few more pizzas this week. One was a gouda cheese, red onion and pepper with BBQ sauce topped with cilantro.

Also made my favorite half pepperoni, half onion. (never used to be my favorite but started ordering that while on tour on a night off and it seemed to be my regular thing after a while)




This time I wasn't as happy with the way the crust turned out. Wasn't quite done enough and a bit too thick. The last time I let the pizza sit on the stone for a little longer after taking it out of the oven. I think that's the key. Cuz last time there was a great crunch to the crust. This time it wasn't happening. Although I loved the way the sauce turned out. I should have written down the exact measurements of my ingredients. I'll have to keep it in mind for next time.

Another favorite of mine is green chile and feta pizza. A favorite I would get in Santa Fe. May have to try making that one soon and see how it turns out.

I'll keep you posted

- Posted from my iPhone

ALBUM III CUISINE!

On the last album I made about a ton of Quesadillas during the recording process. I made so many that they turned out amazingly tasty after a while. All sorts of different versions etc etc.. On this album it's been pizza. I decided I wanted to learn how to make it from scratch, the dough and sauce. Got a pizza stone and I'm even throwing the dough up in the air and everything. (well, it's getting better anyways) I mean, when I get into something, I go all out. If I had a pizza kitchen uniform, I'd probably wear that too, but I don't. I haven't quiet perfected the perfect Stevo pizza yet but it's close.


Made two pizza's last night. The first was an Italian Sausage with onion, red pepper and garlic (which turned out excellent!!). And this one in the picture had Butternut squash with sage and rosemary, caramelized onions and feta cheese on a hand tossed crust with an olive oil, garlic and permesan cheese base instead of red sauce. Man was it delicious! Of course it took a lot longer to make as you have to bake the Butternut Squash for over an hour plus. So a lot more prep time is called for.

Of course I got this recipe from a cook book. I mean, what did you think, I made that one up?? Now, the other one was a no problem, no recipe needed. I'm from the outskirts of Chicago so I know what I'm going for with the regular stuff. In fact back in the day I even worked at a pizza joint for a weekend. Why only a weekend you ask? Well, we'll get into that another time.... Let's just say I was really young and thought it was a good idea to keep making pizza's for myself when there was a line of people waiting for their pizza..... (Never work at your favorite pizza joint, you'll just want to eat the pizza all the time and nothing will get in your way). Anyway, moving right along here, I'm trying to expand my horizons with some new flavors!

Monthly update

Wow! Lots going on in the world at the moment. Hope all of you in the big winter storm are keeping warm!

Thought I'd do a quick monthly update here. The new music is shaping up nicely and can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'll keep you posted. Thanks so much for the support and kind comments you've been sending me. I trust the new album will be worth the wait, I know it's been a min since the last one.

SD