I have a recomittment for this event in just a couple of weeks.  If my funds have not been at least half raised by that time, I    have to promise to pay the remaining amount myself in order to continue to participate because after this point, they will make the hotel reservations, arrange bicycle transport etc.  Please help me.  No matter what amount you can donate, it will mean the world to me and to those I am fighting for.

On Saturday November 17, 2007, I will be cycling 108 miles on my bicycle in the First Magnus El Tour de Tucson XXV "Century Ride" in Tucson, AZ. I am cycling for a reason much more important than the personal challenge of completing a 100 mile bicycle race, though. I am inspired and committed to to complete this challenge and I need you to help me do it.

Let me introduce you to the source of that inspiration. Her name is Emeri; she is 2 years old and on June 19, 2006 she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (A.L.L.). She is my Honored Teammate and the person who will keep me going mentally and physically during the toughest parts of the training and the race. By participating in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's TEAM IN TRAINING® program, I have made a pledge and commitment to train on Emeri's behalf to help raise money for leukemia research and patient assistance programs.


In 2006, an estimated 118,310 people in the United States were diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. New cases of leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma will account for nearly 8.5 percent of the 1,399,790 new cancer cases diagnosed in the United States this year. Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma will cause the deaths of an estimated 53,920 people in the U.S. this year. Every 10 minutes, another child or adult is expected to die from leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. That means that 148 people each day, or six people every hour die because of these diseases. Leukemias are the leading fatal cancers in young men and women under age 20, and leukemia kills more people between the ages two and fourteen than any other diseases. The number of afflicted adults is TEN TIMES that of children.

After learning these facts, I went to an information meeting about TEAM IN TRAINING®, where I met Emeri and her amazing family. Then I chose to become involved with the TEAM IN TRAINING® local “Team-Cycle”. My goal (besides making it through the bike ride) is to raise $5,500 by Monday, September 3, 2007...but I can't do it without your help. That means that you can help pay for 1 potentially life-saving blood transfusion for each of the 100 miles my teammates and I ride.

Although the cause of leukemia remains unknown, the effectiveness of recently developed treatment methods and advances in research bring us closer every day to finding a cure. Please support me in my mission to make a difference!

Donations are 100% tax deductible. Ask your employer about contribution matching. I truly appreciate your willingness to help, and again, thank you for your generosity.

Some examples of how your donation will help others like Emeri:

•$25 could help for the cost of a patient's chemotherapy drug prescription co-payment.
•$50 may assist with the cost of blood transfusions related to treatments.
•$100 can help offset a patient's transportation costs associated with traveling to the Texas Medical Center for Treatment.
•$500 can provide patient aid to a person with leukemia or a related cancer for one full year.

To donate, please go to my fundraising page at:

http://www.active.com/donate/tnttxgc/DarbyRides


Very Truly Yours,


Darby
Go Team!

On Saturday November 17, 2007, I will be cycling 108 miles on my bicycle in the First Magnus El Tour de Tucson XXV "Century Ride" in Tucson, AZ. I am cycling for a reason much more important than the personal challenge of completing a 100 mile bicycle race, though. I am inspired and committed to to complete this challenge and I need you to help me do it.

Let me introduce you to the source of that inspiration. Her name is Emeri; she is 2 years old and on June 19, 2006 she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (A.L.L.). She is my Honored Teammate and the person who will keep me going mentally and physically during the toughest parts of the training and the race. By participating in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's TEAM IN TRAINING® program, I have made a pledge and commitment to train on Emeri's behalf to help raise money for leukemia research and patient assistance programs.

In 2006, an estimated 118,310 people in the United States were diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. New cases of leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma will account for nearly 8.5 percent of the 1,399,790 new cancer cases diagnosed in the United States this year. Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma will cause the deaths of an estimated 53,920 people in the U.S. this year. Every 10 minutes, another child or adult is expected to die from leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. That means that 148 people each day, or six people every hour die because of these diseases. Leukemias are the leading fatal cancers in young men and women under age 20, and leukemia kills more people between the ages two and fourteen than any other diseases. The number of afflicted adults is TEN TIMES that of children.

After learning these facts, I went to an information meeting about TEAM IN TRAINING®, where I met Emeri and her amazing family. Then I chose to become involved with the TEAM IN TRAINING® local “Team-Cycle”. My goal (besides making it through the bike ride) is to raise $5,500 by Monday, September 3, 2007...but I can't do it without your help. That means that you can help pay for 1 potentially life-saving blood transfusion for each of the 100 miles my teammates and I ride.

Although the cause of leukemia remains unknown, the effectiveness of recently developed treatment methods and advances in research bring us closer every day to finding a cure. Please support me in my mission to make a difference!

Donations are 100% tax deductible. Ask your employer about contribution matching. I truly appreciate your willingness to help, and again, thank you for your generosity.

Some examples of how your donation will help others like Emeri:

•$25 could help for the cost of a patient's chemotherapy drug prescription co-payment.
•$50 may assist with the cost of blood transfusions related to treatments.
•$100 can help offset a patient's transportation costs associated with traveling to the Texas Medical Center for Treatment.
•$500 can provide patient aid to a person with leukemia or a related cancer for one full year.

To donate, please go to my fundraising page at:

http://www.active.com/donate/tnttxgc/DarbyRides


Very Truly Yours,


Darby
Go Team!

So, Tuesday night two other student cooks from Art Institute of Houston and I competed in the third annual Hot, Hot, Haute student culinary iron chef competition against University of Houston.

The surprise ingredients were yellow fin tuna, Parmesan cheese, Gruyeres cheese, manchego cheese, and long grain white rice.

I was the dessert guy...and I considered doing a boring rice pudding, but that would be too obvious. We were there to show skills, and we couldn't use recipes. Since I had practiced panna cotta prior to the competition a couple of times, I said **** it and chose to make one with the Gruyere cheese from the mystery ingredients. We also had some buttermilk distributed to each team so I did a sweet buttermilk and Gruyere cheese panna cotta which I topped with roasted grated coconut; as a base for this I made a compote of diced strawberries, diced fresh jalapeños, balsamic vinegar and chiffonade of basil. Though not required, or ever practiced, I also decided to make a Cabernet Sauvignon/raspberry reduction which i drizzled on the plate for color and a nice tart contrast to the sweetness and mild heat of the rest of the dish. The marriage of the grueyere and buttermilk was perfect. Though I had never tried these two flavors together, I took a gamble that the balance with the cream in the dish would make something special of what may have been a very ordinary panna cotta.

It will all be televised several times once they finish the cut and splice end of the production. I am not sure what channels it will be on. PBS local for sure, but not sure about the others in the are that will air it. More information and pictures and all as soon as I know more. Thanks for the well wishes from everyone of you. Me love you all, you hookers.

We won! Woot!

-Bon Apetit.

I saw Peaceful Warrior this past weekend.  I love this movie.  This is NOT a sports film, despite what many have written.  Sports is there, but it is barely in the subject matter.  This film is about the journey.  THAT journey.  Everyone should see this film.  There is some language and sexual suggestion, so be aware of that going in, should you debate whether to bring children with you.  Here is a link, to the trailer.

 

Crème Brule plates with tuilles and raspberries in raspberry coulis, awaiting 'fire' order.  Yes, this 33-top order came in all at once.  Gotta love being in the weeds on your fifth ticket of the night.

 

Crème Brule

Three cookies, maple leaf of sugar and fresh mixed berries.

Mini Brandy snap cup with fresh raspberries and champagne sabayon; mini crème brule; chocolate, cookie, almond and pastry cream napoleon with chocolate cigarette, pistacios and raspberry coulis.

Marbled cheesecake, chocolate mousse bombes, and mini crème brule.

Mini key lime pie; passion fruit champagne cocktail with mint sprig and chocolate; & raspberry tiramisu.

Top view of above.

Side view of above.

My Executive Pastry Chef Duane Fortier and my co-worker Jennifer after decorating 85 mini wedding cakes complete with giant high sparkle candles that were lit and carried into a dim reception room. Overtime pay!!!!

 

Bon Apetit!

I found myself wandering around aimlessly today and ended up in a department store.  There was a mad, mad rush of people buying hearts and candy and tokens which say "I love you" each in it's own special way.  I thought of the emotions behind those gifts.  I considered how so many of them are probably just symbols of what they are supposed to feel.....but really don't.

Honestly my dear readers, I have had an uncomfortable feeling the middle of my chest ever since being in there.  I tried to browse around and enjoy myself but that stinking truth just kept poking at me, like some rodeo hand prodding a bull to jump well once the gate swings open.  The stinking truth had a silent voice that was saying "you're all alone".  It says to me "you always fall deep, and put everything you have into loving someone, and you always end up alone a few years later".  It saddens me.  It pains me.  The ones I could love now are taken, or gay, or whatever.  The nice guy finds himself in last place again.  I don't regret that I won't be rude to, or hit or mistreat a woman.  I do hate the pains though.  I always get the "such a good friend" speech.  I despise those words.  I do I do.  I've always loved for a long time, and I still love the first one as much as I ever did.  And the second and the third.  There have only been three real loves...My dearest friend, I love her.  She has been with someone else for some time now though.  I am sure she knows how I feel to a degree.  I couldn't go through my life having kept it to myself.  Ugh, I ramble again.  Peace.

My heart hurts.

I love this movie quote. I didn't write this version of it, the screenwriter did. But, I have written it in my heart a few times through the years whenever I let someone through enough to mean it. It is not necessarily directed at anyone who would be reading it here, but I feel like showing whats beyond the pale of my jawline tonight so enjoy it and learn something about what makes me tick while you can:

Holden:" I love you. And not, not in a friendly way, although I think we're great friends. And not in a misplaced affection, puppy-dog way, although I'm sure that's what you'll call it. I love you. Very, very simple, very truly. You are the epitome of everything I have ever looked for in another human being. And I know that you think of me as just a friend, and crossing that line is the furthest thing from an option you would ever consider. But I had to say it. I just, I can't take this anymore. I can't stand next to you without wanting to hold you. I can't, I can't look into your eyes without feeling that, that longing you only read about in trashy romance novels. I can't talk to you without wanting to express my love for everything you are. And I know this will probably queer our friendship - no pun intended - but I had to say it, because I've never felt this way before, and I don't care. I like who I am because of it. And if bringing this to light means we can't hang out anymore, then that hurts me. But God, I just, I couldn't allow another day to go by without just getting it out there, regardless of the outcome, which by the look on your face is to be the inevitable shoot-down. And, you know, I'll accept that. But I know... I know that some part of you is hesitating for a moment, and if there is a moment of hesitation, then that means you feel something too. All I ask, please, is that you just, you just not dismiss that - and try to dwell in it for just ten seconds. Alyssa, there isn't another soul on this fucking planet who has ever made me half the person I am when I'm with you, and I would risk this friendship for the chance to take it to the next plateau. Because it is there between you and me. You can't deny that. Even if, you know, even if we never talk again after tonight, please know that I'm forever changed because of who you are and what you've meant to me, which - while I do appreciate it - I'd never need a painting of birds bought at a diner to remind me of."

Isn't that just amazing? I've known that feeling....

-Darby

Sometimes

Sometimes

I wonder,

if I am taking a bite

of yet

another bitter pill.

Somehow, though

regardless of that

the hope

makes the risk


worth

it


all of

it

even

the pain that may be to come.


the first image that i saw of  you

made me

sigh

swayed me

stole me

captured me

not just my mind

not just my body

though they swayed too

but my spirit

my soul

my yin and yang

every thing

within me.

i stayed in the shadows

afraid

but my yearning

called me out

sometimes


sometimes


sometimes…..

i wonder

© Copyright 2007 Darby DragonFire. All rights reserved.  Unpuglished work.

Slyth'r

your presence rises to me

like incense offering

i inhale you

absorbing the whole of your spirit

my eyes

searching
seeking
finding you

i take you

i slither into you

physically
mentally
eternally

you
flow
onto me
i
flow
into you
you
flow
onto me
i
flow
into you
you
flow
onto me
i
flow
into you

we collapse




rest

wait


your presence rises to me

like incense offering

i inhale you

absorbing the whole of your spirit

my eyes

searching…

© Copyright 2007 Darby DragonFire. All rights reserved. Unpublished work.