John Darlington News Blog

UPDATES ABOUND

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 23:00:00 EST

ONE: I have another new nephew (Daniel).

TWO: Hey, look! I've got the feed back up.

THREE: A year ago (thanks to FaceBook) I was able to reunite with an old friend; a person I regarded as family. We won't lose touch again.

FOUR: I just upgraded my phone to AT&T's Samsung Galaxy S II. I like it.

Tim Scott Meehan, Jr.

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 23:00:00 EST

I have a new nephew as of 11 pm tonight. This is also Layla's new brother. I promise to update the family tree before he turns 12.

Produce Man

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:01 EST

It hasn't been a secret for a while now, but with so much time dedicated to my latest "project", I've been too busy to update. The big news? I'm now the Produce Manager at The Market of Lafayette Hill.

I approached the President, whom I used to work for when he owned the seafood department under the previous owner's regime, about setting up a web page for his store. After getting approximately 20 hours into setting up the store website, we negotiated to bring me on full time to manage his produce department (as well as continue work on the website).

I had been out of the supermarket game for nearly 8 years, leading a very non-active lifestyle in front of computers and buffet tables. And I have no shame in admitting that the first week kicked my ass. I pushed myself 110% to get that department where it needed to be, but I took a beating to accomplish it all.

The good news is that I've not felt as good as I do now since my early 20's. This lifestyle is suiting me very well! Every day I leave there feeling physically and mentally satisfied.

The best part of it all? I'm also the unofficial head of IT. I maintain the store website during my off hours, which is tons of fun, and am there for the unexpected internet and technology questions. I am so the 21st century produce geek. I even recently setup my own produce blog at the store website. I just made a decision to purchase an iPhone so I can check on rival store's prices and esoteric produce trivia right there in the aisle.

I love my job.

Nintendo Wii

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 17:06:00 EST

I now have one of those fantastic new exercise machines known formally as a Nintendo Wii. If you have the odd desire to see Mii, send me your friend code and plug in mine:

1855 5285 6197 1003

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You can contact me by filling out the mail form at: http://www.johndarlington.com/contact.php

Joyous Praise to Me

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 12:21:00 EST

What happened exactly 30 years after the first nuclear explosion test? Yours truly crawled out of the ashes (with the assumption that fallout ashes reached Philadelphia) and began his quest of the absurd.

There were 32 candles on my cheesecake this year.

Cast Iron Goodness

Tue, 22 May 2007 10:06:00 EST

Cast iron vessels have been used for cooking for hundreds of years. And I believe a kitchen is not complete without at least one cast iron pan. Professional chefs consider cast iron pans to be precision cooking tools, as these dependable pans enable precise control of cooking temperatures. Somehow I've gone without one of my own for all of my adult life. This culinary failure on my part was rectified this past Sunday when I finally purchased one by Emeril at Macy's (right before going to my Uncle Chuck's 50th birthday party).

For those not in the know, cast iron cookware is very versatile and a necessity for many dishes. They will give you a lot of food love, but you have to love the pans back by taking care of them. Cast iron needs to be SEASONED and washed correctly; otherwise you'll get rust and metallic-tasting foods. Since years of cooking (and care) will naturally season cast iron, old pans are highly treasured. Families pass down their cast iron pans and skillets. George Washington's mother bequeathed her cast iron skillet in her will.

So, this past Sunday wasn't just a simple run to the store. May 20, 2007 was my pan's birthday. It's new now; but just like a child it will get better, stronger, and smarter as time goes on. They'll be many happy times along the way, and probably some disasters to learn from, too. But, it's gonna be a fun ride.

I also want to mention that I had been very tempted to get one at a yard or garage sale, should I have ever found one. Even what looks to be a rusty piece of trash can be affectionately brought back to life pretty simply. I still might grab a used skillet or Dutch oven if I stumble across one. But, there's something romantic about knowing that the one I have now will be starting its journey right here with ME. And, after many years of use, it will certainly outlive me.

Hopefully, far into the future after I'm gone, someone will be able to trace its origin back to me and this date. That is, instead of Emeril Lagasse.

Welcome to the family.

Sat, 12 May 2007 03:45:00 EST

Have I really waited over four months to put out another blog? Well, that hardly compares to the TEN YEARS my good friend, landlord, and now family member had to wait for my cousin Dave to marry her.

Anyway, yeah yeah; there is much rejoicing and merriment. But has anyone stopped and considered how this all inconvenienced ME? While they were having a grand time traveling the United Kingdom and looking at each other with their sparkling newlywed eyes, I had to walk Sammie three times daily for nearly two weeks. What an insult it was to feed her every day knowing full well I was only creating chores for myself later on. Sammie is the only dog that I know of that had her own apartment with a 24-hour fulltime live-in butler upstairs. And her eyes barely sparkled.

I mean... congratulations, Dave & Cathy.

He's been gone for over a decade, but he still rocks.

Sat, 30 Dec 2006 03:42:00 EST

When I was young, my best friend was my Boston Terrier, Muggsie. My Dad gets me a Boston Terrier themed calendar for Christmas every year. As a reminder of just how hyper-nutty these canine creatures can be, we have YouTube: Boston Terrier videos on YouTube.com.

If you have any sort of ego, you'll follow this link.

Sat, 11 Nov 2006 15:34:00 EST

How many people in the US have the same name as you?

Philly Fringe Info

Tue, 5 Sep 2006 15:26:00 EST

Just a reminder that if you are in Philadelphia, Sept 1 to Sept 16, check out the Live Arts and Philly Fringe Festival. Um, if you want to.

UPDATE: I got a last minute call from my friend André, who himself got a last minute call to volunteer for XPN.org at some place called The Cabaret (829-51 N. American Street). His job was to help setup an area and hand out buttons and other promotional stuffs, all while encouraging newsletter signups. I wouldn't label myself as a volunteer, but I did help hang a sign and fold some flyers. It was more my duty to get in for free, relax with food and drink, and chat it up with the band and official volunteers. Success! Video after the jump.

Torchwood vs. House

Sat, 26 Aug 2006 06:00:26 EST

Recommended to me: House. Recommended by me: Torchwood. Read on for due credit.

RSS Feed Available

Tue, 1 Aug 2006 00:49:26 EST

If you see this, you already know.

I'm an Uncle!

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 09:49:26 EST

Layla Grace Meehan born today. Image link after the jump.

Exits

Tue, 30 May 2006 09:39:21 EST

Slick looking new links section.

Portfolio Section

Sat, 27 May 2006 11:06:42 EST

Talking about yourself is really quite boring. I'd rather hear all about YOU.

Phoenix Feathers

Wed, 17 May 2006 08:37:32 EST

Site reformat! Boy, that was quick.

Placeholder? SURE!

Mon, 15 May 2006 08:56:02 EST

Just testing out my blogger - move along now.