Confessions of a Buffalo Wing Addict

This somewhat facetiously titled post is about a topic near and dear to my heart - the almighty buffalo wing. I was first introduced to this culinary delicacy around a decade ago, I'd guess. From my first attack of a lightly breaded, dipped-in-sauce ounce-and-a-quarter piece of chicken, I was in love. Granted, at roughly 80 calories a wing, they aren't exactly healthy, especially when you tack some ranch or blue cheese dressing on top of that. But they are good. Oh so good, as I am certain more than a few of you can attest.

Over the years, I've enjoyed many varieties. Fast food wings. Appetizer wings. Boneless. Asian-style wings (alone or soaked in phở). I've even made my own, buffalo wings and buffalo shrimp, to the delight of friends and H-Rand. The hotter the sauce the better; I haven't yet found one I couldn't conquer. My love of the wing has even extended to my last-second victory in the Blazin' Challenge at Buffalo Wild Wings, as described by Wikipedia:

The "Blazin' Challenge" is offered at some locations to patrons who can finish 12 of the hottest wings offered (wings covered with Blazin' sauce) in less than 6 minutes. The rules are no drinking of any beverages, no eating other foods (such as ranch, bleu cheese, or celery), and no touching the face. Customers who complete the challenge are eligible to have their name and picture placed on the Blazin' Challenge wall and are given a "Blazin' Challenge" T shirt.

Yes, I have the T shirt.

So my confession is that lately... I haven't enjoyed a single buffalo wing. I've had wings at quite a few restaurants, including Buffalo Wild Wings, and even from the frozen section of the grocery - and I am just not enjoying them. To the point that I am actively considering my decade-long wing obsession may be over.

But I won't let this go without a fight. To the delight of H-Rand when she reads this, my last chance test will be on Super Bowl Sunday. I must admit the best wings I've ever had were the ones made at home. So next Sunday, while the Steelers and Cardinals battle for football supremacy, a dozen or so wings will wage the battle of their life; yes, a battle for the survival of one man's obsession with deep-fried chicken. I will be making wings at home; the last chance for a line of food to be deemed enjoyable.

Stay tuned for the results of this momentous occasion.

When I Said "Brrr"...

I MEANT BRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!

Brrrr...

Posts like this are being made all across the Internet tonight, at least from people near Rankeny. It is cold. Very. Very. Cold.

New Church

*tap tap tap* Is this thing still on?

Yes, it is, and we realize we haven't updated anything in a while. There was a lot going on in December that kept us busy. In addition to our normal mish-mash of activity (work, kids, mom's groups), I had an MBA class - Global Business Strategy - that kept me extremely busy, as it was 3 hours on Friday night and 6.5 hours on Saturday for four weekends. In addition, there were a couple minor holidays you may have heard of that happened.

I think there are two new developments that I'd like to feature, but only one in this post. In the past few months, we've been introduced to a new church. As you can see from the logo on the right, it is Prairie Ridge Church, which is actually a church in the Reformed Church of America (RCA). Basically, it means it is protestant, which is what both of our families are and have been. RCA used to be part of the Dutch Reformed church, which is kind of a kick, because H-Rand is around 75% Dutch, which makes our kids just under 50% Dutch. Other than that, I don't think there is much meaning aside from the origin of the religion.

Anyhow, the past 3 or 4 months have been wonderful in terms of the change coming in to our life from the church. It is very Bible-oriented, and there are many young families that go there. The pastor is younger, maybe around 38, and is very well-spoken (that's him to the right, Mike Van Rees). I have had one opportunity to help with the kids, and likely will have more in 2009. There are also some small group and individual programs that H-Rand and I hope to take advantage of in 2009. The services are quite nice; modern music, Bible-based sermon, and opportunities to learn. And the kids enjoy it as well, given the time they get to play and maybe learn a little. It is a very rewarding experience and we are thankful for the friends who introduced us to this church.