Month: September 2025

Leave a comment below.

~ SA Otey

At what point do you abandon the idea of leaving a comment? I give up when I see the thread bypass a half dozen. At that point, the probability is high that your comment will get steamrolled by someone’s “superior” opinion. It’s simply not worth the time or effort to debate so that you can prove that you are right. But really, we are more concerned with proving someone wrong in those debates, am I correct? I’m probably wrong, and I’m sure you will debate me on that.

However, It’s quite horrifying (maybe entertaining) to read through a comment chain once it gets over one hundred. You really see the broad spectrum of people’s beliefs and opinions.

How to ruin your coffee experience

~ SA Otey
Stale Makers

The only thing worse than buying ground coffee is grinding it yourself in the store. Coffee begins to go stale in two minutes after grinding, so you are actually wasting your time to make your coffee worse. Not only that but you are mingling your beans with somebody who just chewed up 20 pounds of Folgers in these worn-out gears. Buy a good burr grinder for your home countertop. Grind just what you need for your preferred brewing method and store the beans in an air tight container

Recommended Items

Bodum 34oz Bistro Gooseneck Electric Water Kettle, Pour Over Coffee & Tea, Brushed Stainless Steel
KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder
Bodum 12oz Brazil French Press Coffee Maker, High-Heat Borosilicate Glass, Black – Made in Portugal

1LB Patented Airtight Multi-use Vacuum Works as Smell Proof Ground Coffee Bean Containers.

Blocking pop-ups from magazines…

~ SA Otey

IMG_2873It sounds like a contradictory non-sensible statement but I’m talking about the little card that flies out of a magazine when you thumb through the pages. These are the equivalent of pop-up ads on websites. Now that add blockers are basically useless you have to go back to print media to get your news, but now you have to deal with Geico shoving a card within each page.

Whenever I get a new magazine, which is rare these days. I will take it directly to the garbage can with the widest opening. I shake the magazine until all the cards fall out and then enjoy the magazine as it was intended. You know, a few articles and embedded ads.

Understanding FIFO vs LIFO in Queues

~ SA Otey

Typically humans will form a queue if there are multiple registers open. The term first in first out (or FIFO) comes to mind. However, there are people who subscribe to the LIFO life (Last in first out). LIFO is our natural inclination, we are self-centered creatures and have our own interests in mind. So when someone bypasses the established queue, simply give them a reminder they’re not the only person in the store or on the planet.

For instance, I was checking out at a sporting goods store and approached the register. At first, I thought the checkout was empty until I saw the queue of four people waiting for the first available cashier. I took my place in the queue. As my turn approached a person jumped in front of me and began to place their items on the counter. The cashier said nothing. A person behind me said passive aggressively “Some people don’t know where the line starts”.  I approached and politely informed the lady that the line started (I pointed in the direction of the 5 people behind me). She said something like “she didn’t see the line”. I replied, “Yeah, it’s right over there”.

A queue makes sense if you are in a busy store that’s understaffed. It’s the faster way to check out. The only problem is the person who starts the queue has to enforce it for the second person who arrives. You have to space yourself at just the right position between both registers. It helps the register be within close proximity.

If you don’t have the option to ship something to your house or buy online and pick it up in-store then you should reconsider shopping at that establishment.

Hand scooped ice cream.

~ SA Otey


I’m not sure about you, but I prefer “scoop” scooped ice cream. Not a fan of someone sticking their hands into the ice cream containers and placing a glob on the top of my cone. This applies equally to hand-spun milkshakes. Why would anyone want someone to stick their dirty digit into a cup of ice cream and milk and shake it? No thanks.

How to Properly Season a Cast Iron Skillet

~ SA Otey

To season a cast iron skillet, thoroughly wash and dry it, then apply a very thin, even layer of a neutral oil like vegetable oil or shortening to the entire pan. Place the oiled skillet upside down in a preheated oven at 450°F for one hour, then allow it to cool in the oven. For a new or stripped pan, repeat this process several times to build a strong, non-stick surface.  

Detailed Steps:

  1. Wash & Dry: Wash the skillet with warm, soapy water and dry it thoroughly to prevent rust. 
  2. Apply Oil: Rub a very thin layer of a neutral oil, such as canola, vegetable, or melted shortening, over the entire skillet, including the inside, outside, and handle. 
  3. Buff Off Excess Oil: Use a clean paper towel to buff the oil completely off the pan. You want a microscopic layer, not a greasy one. 
  4. Heat in Oven: Place the skillet upside down on the center rack of a preheated oven set to 450°F. 
  5. Bake: Bake the skillet for one hour. 
  6. Cool: Turn the oven off and let the skillet cool completely inside the oven. 
  7. Repeat: For an unseasoned or stripped pan, repeat the entire process three to four times to build a durable seasoning. 

Maintaining Your Seasoning:

  • Regular Use: The best way to maintain the seasoning is to use the skillet regularly. 
  • Clean and Re-oil: After each use, rinse the skillet and apply a quick, thin layer of oil before storing it. 

Your Calvinism is Showing

~ SA Otey

I’ve attended many Bible Study Groups over the years, and one thing is for certain, there will be a point during one of the discussions where I’ll be labeled as a Calvinist. Early on,. I had no idea what that meant, I thought I was just reading the Bible and understanding it as it was plain and simple. Turns out there was a man named John Calvin who came up an acrostic called TULIP which after reading it made me super concerned that people would label me as such.

Fast forward, now I really don’t mind if people label me as such. It just show that people just don’t understand things. Do some research and understand for yourself. I guess the more concerning thing is that Xians throw out labels as pejoratives.

Big picture: Calvinism emphasizes that salvation is 100% God’s work from start to finish—humans don’t initiate it, earn it, or keep it going. It’s all about God’s grace and sovereignty.

🌱 T – Total Depravity → “Dead Battery”

🔋 Imagine a phone with a completely dead battery—it can’t turn itself back on.

  • We’re spiritually dead, not just weak. Only God jump-starts the heart.

🌤 U – Unconditional Election → “Adoption Papers”

📜 Parents don’t adopt based on a child’s achievements. They choose out of love.

  • God’s choice isn’t based on our goodness, but His mercy.

🎯 L – Limited/Definite Atonement → “Targeted Rescue”

🚁 A rescue helicopter doesn’t just circle overhead—it lowers the rope for specific people.

  • Jesus’ death doesn’t just make salvation possible—it guarantees it for His people.

🧲 I – Irresistible Grace → “Magnet Pull”

🪙 A strong magnet doesn’t force metal—it naturally draws it in.

  • God changes our hearts so that we freely want Him.

🛡 P – Perseverance/Preservation → “Tight Grip”

🤝 If it depended on us holding God’s hand, we’d let go. But He’s holding us—and He never drops His children.

Best flavors of Ice Cream…

~ SA Otey
IMG_4248
Gas prices in 2017!

I’m guessing it’s dipped out with a scoop and not “dip” flavored. Wintergreen would be OK as long as it’s laced with Nicotine. Mouth tobacco is something I’ve never understood or cared for. I did try it once when my Dad brought home a case of it that was damaged in shipment. I’ll set the scene for you.

That night, my mother prepared Tuna Helper for dinner, and I had two hot, heaping helpings. I grabbed a hockey puck-sized can of whatever brand of black tar it was and stepped outside to enjoy a pinch. Well, I wish I knew a pinch was all you needed. I proceeded to load up both cheeks full of tobacco mouth mulch. It wasn’t long before I started to feel cold and tingly, and the trees around me started to spin and bend in half before my eyes. My parents thought they saw a ghost as a bright white streak ran past them and into the family toilet room. I unloaded the majority of the aforementioned tuna helper directly into the bowl with a single motion. Once I got a whiff of half-digested tuna and noodles coated in black soot, the remaining chicken of the sea found its way into the sewer entrance to swim its way back home.

To this day, the smell of “dip” reminds me of that night.  However, I really liked Tuna Helper, but I can’t even look at the box now.

Great taste both ways!

Pumpkin Spice Sneak Attack

~ SA Otey

When did pumpkin spice get all over and inside of everything? I don’t remember it being associated with Fall as much as it is now. The Pumpkin Spice things have started rolling out in August there at least needs to be a moratorium until the first day of fall. You have to admit it’s gotten out of control.

By the way, pumpkin spice is CINNAMON, GINGER, NUTMEG, ALLSPICE, AND SULFITING AGENTS. There is no pumpkin in there at all.

Are you Old School or New School?

~ SA Otey

What does “Old School” even mean? I guess it’s the same as “Classic” or old for that matter. It conjures up images of senior citizens eating corn on the cob with their dentures. Apparently, corn on the cob and apples are the standard for all elderly dental work adhesives. Old school also renders mental images of break-dancers with bandanas and fat shoelaces booming their boxes with fun party hip-hop music before the curse word-laden rhymes took the spotlight.

When does it become “Old School”? Just because a restaurant comes up with a new recipe for a cheeseburger doesn’t automatically render all other cheeseburgers as “Old School”. The same goes for hot dogs and pizza. You’ve only come up with a new recipe, you didn’t change the paradigm for the food industry going forward. Wow yeah, you put a fried egg on all foods and now it’s new school?

“New school” is supposed to be cutting edge and fresh, something never done before. Everything has been done before, people just forget and steal other ideas and make it their own.