John Herrell's Blog

Quote

by John Herrell on 24. October 2011 15:30

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
-- Albert Einstein

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Geek Speak | General

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Southwest Chicken and Rice

by John Herrell on 26. September 2011 12:01

Serves 4-6
Ingredients

  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 tbsp seeded jalapeno pepper, chopped
  • 1 cup bell peppers, chopped
  • 1 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 10-oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 cup uncooked long grain rice
  • 1/2 cup corn
  • 1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken thighs (or breasts), 4-6 pieces
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp salt (I substitute out the salt and add cayenne pepper)
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • can of black beans
  • 1 avocado, diced (optional)
  • 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)


Directions

  1. In a large pot, saute the onion, jalapenos, and bell peppers until tender.
  2. Add chicken broth and diced tomatoes and bring to a boil.
  3. Add the rice and corn to the pot and mix well.
  4. Season chicken with cumin, salt and pepper on both sides.
  5. Place chicken inside the pot until it is covered in liquid. Cover pot and simmer for 10-15 minutes on each side until chicken is cooked through.
  6. Uncover and let liquid evaporate. Remove from heat.
  7. Add in the can of black beans and mix it up.
  8. Top the chicken with cheese and avocado and place on top of rice and vegetables.

 

Saute the onion, jalapenos, and bell peppers

 

Step 5: Cooking it all up

 

Delivery and presentation:

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Food | General

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Quote

by John Herrell on 5. July 2011 09:37

Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. That's relativity.

- Albert Einstein

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General

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Quote

by John Herrell on 9. June 2011 09:54

Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler.
- Albert Einstein

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General

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Quote

by John Herrell on 8. April 2011 22:55

We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection.
-Dalai Lama

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General

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3 Principles to live by - revised - 4 LIFE RULES TO LIVE BY

by John Herrell on 21. January 2011 16:48

A while back I posted about the three principles, or "LIFE RULES" I follow.  Today, while quickly ingestingsting a crappy noodle bowl (it was, I prefer home made), a co-worker and I were discussing the week... It was during that conversation that I realized I needed to include another item to my "LIFE RULES".

For years, I have been telling people that I try to live based on three simple concepts: truth, real, and fun.  However, there is a fourth concept that I follow, and you should too.  This concept can simply be referred to as "STUDENT".  Being a software engineer by trade, this fourth principle, which I have followed religiously in everything I do, is mission critical to my future.

Let's review these principles/rules now that I have revised them slightly:

Truth
Always tell the truth, be truthful when dealing with others.  When you are truthful, people will respect you for that.  Be truthful with others and they will be truthful with you.  Sometimes the truth hurts, but it is better to know and live by the truth than to live a lie.  I simply cannot stand it when people are not truthful.

Real
Be real... it is a simple concept, that is totally related to TRUTH.  It goes hand in hand with TRUTH.  Be real, present the real you at all times.  If people don't like the real you, then disassociate yourself from them.  You will be so much happier when you are both truthful and real.

Fun
Enjoy what you do and do what you enjoy.  Find something fun in everything you do.  Have you ever heard the saying "Laughter is the best medicine"?  Find humor in everything you do, look for it.  Life is too short to be 100% serious all the time.  Find something to make every situation you encounter fun and enjoyable.  Some may say this is a defense mechanism, I just say it is living on the lighter side of life.

Student
Be a student in everything you do.  Learn something new on a regular basis.  Never stop learning, never stop growing, for when we stop learning and growing we begin to wither and pass on.

I am surprised that I never picked up on this before today.  Hope you enjoy my Herrellisms.

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General | Personal Insight

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3 principles to live by

by John Herrell on 17. November 2010 16:24

I basically try to live my life based on three simple concepts: truth, real, and fun.

Truth
Always tell the truth, be truthful when dealing with others.  When you are truthful, people will respect you for that.  Be truthful with others and they will be truthful with you.  Sometimes the truth hurts, but it is better to know and live by the truth than to live a lie.

Real
Be real... it is a simple concept, that is totally related to TRUTH.  It goes hand in hand with TRUTH.  Be real, present the real you at all times.  If people don't like the real you, then dissaciate yourself from them.  You will be so much happier when you are both truthful and real.

Fun
Enjoy what you do and do what you enjoy.  Find something fun in everything you do.  Have you ever heard the saying "Laughter is the best medicine"?  Find humor in everything you do, look for it.  Life is too short to be 100% serious all the time.  Find something to make every situation you encounter fun...

Ok, that is my philosophy of the week.  I do a much better job talking about these prinicples, than I do writing about them.  I guess I will need to work on that.

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General

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Quote

by John Herrell on 22. October 2010 09:43

I never teach my pupils. I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.
- Albert Einstein

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About John

What can I say? I am a geek and more. I write software for a living, can't get too much geekier I guess.  I love to be a geek but I am also somewhat of a greaser. I love cars, trucks, and motorcycles, chassis fabrication, bodywork, and painting.

Some folks don't think the combination of geek, mechanically inclined, and artistically inclined blend well together, but that is who I am. If I was wired any differently, I wouldn't think the way I do, and be able to perform the type of work I do day-to-day. If I am not at work, I am either working out or working on something automotive or motorcycle related.

This blog does not focus any any particular aspect of my life.  You never know what I'll post, but I will try to keep it interesting.more to come later...

@@@John

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The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in anyway.