Is it just me, or does anybody else think John McCain is going to implode? Everyday something else comes out, some gaffe, or a flip flop, something! This morning’s news had this, then yesterday’s news had this, and then this. He also has this, and this, oh yeah, and this against him. How can he win? I am knocking on wood as I ask, don’t want to jinx things.

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Again, leave it to Blythe to have a fantastic idea. In honor of her 25th birthday, she’s doing 25 new things. I attempted to do this last year, it worked out well, when I actually did it.

In honor of my 26th birthday, on June 15th I shall began my “26 News Things Adventure,” everyday I will do something new until my birthday on July 10th. I will certainly document this adventure right here on HAlanScott.com. How fitting that the adventure begins the day I leave for Los Angeles.

If you’ve got any ideas of things that I should do, send em my way.

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I think I might have accidentally become a vegetarian. The other day I thought about eating meat, like the actual process of eating meat, and what goes into the meat, where it comes from, etc.; it grossed me out. So I didn’t eat meat that day. Or the next, and so on. I still have no desire to eat meat.

It has nothing to do with a love for animals. I like animals, sort of, but I don’t look at one and think, “We are equals.” In fact the first thing I think of when I see a chicken is Colonel Sanders.

But if I don’t eat meat, what in the world do I eat then? I already try and avoid wheat, never drink soda or eat deep fried foods, I keep a distance between me and fatty foods (especially cheese); I’m widdling myself down to a diet of nuts and berries. Wait, scratch that, just berries, I’m allergic to nuts. Ugh!

Goal: Learn how to make my favorite things from scratch.
Mission #2: Snickerdoodles

The Lowdown: So ladies and germs, Chef Scotty has been up to all sorts of goodness. This weekend’s cookie is the Snickerdoodle, one of my very favorites. This simple little cookie holds a mighty taste, and is sure to bring joy to your tummy.

I’ve included the recipe so you too can be as happy as I am this very moment in my wonderful Brooklyn kitchen.

Next week’s mission, the fantastic Oatmeal Raisin Cookie!

Snickerdoodle

For cookie dough:

1/2 cup of butter, softened (not margarine; it’s a cookie, not a Slim Fast bar)

1/2 shortening

1 and 1/2 cups white sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 and 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 teapsoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

For rolling dough in:

2 tablespoons white sugar

2 tablespoons ground cinnamin

1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees F

2) Cream together butter, shortening, white sugar, eggs and vanilla. Blend in the flour, cream of tartar, soda and salt. Shape dough by rounded spoonfuls into balls (about the size of a walnut).

3) Roll the balls in the sugar/cinnamin mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

4) Bake for 8 minutes (NO LONGER, a crispy bottom to these cookies taste nasty, look for the tops to crack)

5) Prepare yourself for one fantastic treat

It’s the weekend!  Are you as excited as I am?  I’ve got a full load on my plate, but I might have room for seconds.

- Friday: I’ll be hitting up an open mic, it’s all about the stage time.  After that I’ll be going to see Family Hour with Auntie Sara at Comix, it’s going to be a blast!

- Saturday: Running, yoga, an open mic, the gym and then I’ll close out the day at the local gay bar watching my friend shake his money maker.  If you’re in the city, come to Pieces.

- Sunday: Running, the gym, going to see Cloverfieldwith my cinema club and baking Snickerdoodles (in my attempt to master the homemade version’s of my favorite cookies). 

I’m already winded. 

Have a beautiful one y’all, find the joy!

I’m a happy guy. Sometimes I can be mellow, often boring, but I’m pretty much happy through out it all. So why is it that I find myself surrounded by Debbie Downers?

Everyone I’ve come in contact with lately (excluding Lori) has been angry, upset or sad. WTF people?!? “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” so said some dead old white guy. Hell, he’s dead and happy, why can’t that joy spread to others?

I think it’s because most people don’t have enough fiber in their diet, especially during the holidays. Everyone’s just walking around hoping for a good poop. They eat a sugar cookie, maybe some peppermint bark, a little turkey here and there, but what about a good apple? No, apple pie doesn’t count (or does it?).

So to all the negative nellies out there, shut up and eat a prune!

FYI, Marry Poppins is on, it’s Friday, and I’m totally willing to cancel plans just to watch it. When did I become this gay? Dick Van Dyke is dreamy!

Send me an email at HAlanScott@gmail.com

Sometimes I feel I’m not doing enough to help mankind. This desire to get out and volunteer happens every couple of months, typically around the time when I have an ample amount of free time. What a great way to spend your free time, right? The only kicker is many of my past attempts have fallen flat.

I once volunteered for a food delivery organization that gave meals to very ill people. I helped out in the food preparation part of the process. A cookie was to be placed with each meal. I noticed many of the volunteers snacking on cookies. So naturally I took a cookie for myself. It was yummy. How could I stop at just one? So I had another, and then another.

“What are you doing?” the man in charge asked.

Puzzled, with a mouthful, I responded, “I’m helping the needy.”

“By eating their food?”

Huh? “The other volunteers were eating cookies, so I thought…”

“Yes, they were, the volunteer cookies from the volunteer reception area. NOT the cookies about to be delivered to AIDS patients.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize… they’re just so tasty, how could I stop at just one?” Nothing I could say would make things better. “Wow, look at the time, I should go. It’s been great, yeah, just fantastic!”

Walking the walk of shame to my car, I thought, ‘Hey, they WERE tasty AIDS cookies.”

Send me an email at HAlanScott@gmail.com

My love of yogurt is no secret. It’s nature little gift to me (and I guess you too). That processed yogurt can stay at the store, yogurt is at it’s best when it’s organic. That’s why I eat Stoneyfield Farms Lowfat Yogurt.

I already love my little Stoneyfield, but today I found a reason to love it even more. I noticed in the lid this ad…… It’s apart of their “Lids of the Month” thingy, each month the lids shine a light on an organization in need of a spotlight. The lid above is for Americans for Campaign Reform, a nonpartisan group dedicated to getting Congress to support a voluntary public funding system for elections. A voluntary public funding system is already in place in Arizona and Maine, to great results, and Connecticut will soon have it (if the Governor signs it into law).

Check out the website for more information.

Oh yeah, and eat Stoneyfield Farms product, not only are they mighty tasty but they also support great causes!

Send me an email at HAlanScott@gmail.com

I have nothing to write about, life is good. I feel obligated to update. Here goes…

* Obese black ladies with kick ass voices rock my world. Seriously, rock my motha-friggin world!

* I can’t stop baking. Today I made gingerbread muffins, carrot cake and pumpkin cookies. I rule!

* Jesse Irwin is still my boyfriend.

* I started my bike training today. Ow! Totally different set of muscles. You know you have your priorities out of whack when you treat yourself to a cupcake after a work out.

* I need a date.

* Lori White is my Alicia Keys.

* Alicia Keys is everything.

Smile y’all, Christmas is just around the corner! Peace out.

Send me an email at TheScottBlog@gmail.com

Oh Mister Hawkeye
your corn is enticing
I won’t lie
the cold aint exciting.

Ottumwa (pronounced Uh-tuhm-wa), is where my hat hangs.
It’s a pullover, very warm.
Tom Arnold, best remembered as Roseanne’s husband, is an Ottumwan.
Their famous loose meat sandwiches started here,
Canteen Lunch Alley, where it all began.

Loose meat,
sounds like a metaphor
for some gay after school special.

Mayor Jerry Parker
declared Ottumwa “Video Game Capital of the World”
in 1982.
Seriously? 1982?
I was zero.

Were Atari’s even out then?

Iowa, millions and millions served since 1846.

Send me an email at TheScottBlog@gmail.com

I’ve joined a Christmas Choir. Celia’s Yuletide Express is not a professional choir, just a group of fun holiday song loving creative types who love to get together at locals bars and events around town and sing, sing, sing! We’re performing all month around St. Louis, MO, come see us if you can.
***
I love being back in St. Louis. Everything seems to slow down here. People smile at one another on the streets (even the homeless say “Good Morning” to ya). When did we stop smiling at people?

I get to run today for the first time since the Marathon. After such an intense run you’re suppose to let your body rest for a while. But resting in December could prove to be dangerous? My six months in Los Angeles gave me an extra 10 pounds, I won’t let the most happily plump month of the year give me another 10. Plus I need to prepare for my big return to New York City on January 1st. I need to be able to bike 12 miles a day (to and from work), walk a ton, hit the subway steps without losing my breath, take tennis lessons and be in top shape to find a man. Phew! Health plan for December:
- WATCH THE FOOD, everything in moderation.
- Walk at least one hour everyday.
- Follow the running recovery plan.
- Bike, bike, bike.
- 8 Minute Abs everyday.
- Think skinny.
- Finally realize that crack is wack.

I can do it!
***
Heading up to Iowa next week to volunteer for the John Edwards Presidential Campaign. Not sure that I’m supporting him yet, but my wonderful friend Meredith works for him. Check the blog out next week for lots of fun rural campaign stories!

Maybe I’ll be at the center of a bathroom sex scandal. Wouldn’t that be fantastic? I do need a date.

Send me an email at TheScottBlog@gmail.com

Just because I’m spending Thanksgiving alone this year (forgive my obligatory soapbox moment, moving on…), doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t go all out. I love Thanksgiving. Even though I can’t be with the people that I love (well, I do love myself, but you know what I’m throwin down), I will still give thanks and show my gratitude by gorging on massive amounts of yumminess.

BEFORE

AFTER Happy Thanksgiving!

Send me an email at TheScottBlog@gmail.com