When it comes to keeping old stuff, I’m one of the best. I’ll show you only one example: my first ever guitar. It was probably more than 10 years ago when I decided I wanted to take guitar lessons, but that lasted very little. I never managed to find time to show up at those lessons, nor at the practice sessions with my band, so soon I had to give up my dream and put the guitar back in its box, where it lies also today. Would you like to see it? Well, I’m going to show it to you even if you don’t:

How cool is that? I still kept the amplifier that I got as birthday present that year. The equipment is in excellent shape, because I take care not to skip the regular maintenance. Besides, the guitar has its place in the box, away from light. If you didn’t know that, find out that the exposure to light is daunting to guitars because it makes the finish fade. Here’s my guitar in the box:

I’ve just decided today I’m going to sell it. If you are interested, just let me know by commenting here and I’ll send you all details by email.

Sorry, but I have to tell you the story, maybe I can make you understand why such expensive gadgets are better be protected. Yesterday afternoon I was sanding some glass. Yes, I haven’t told you about my new hobby yet, I’m into the stained glass art and I truly believe I’m an innate artist. So, I was sanding a big sheet of glass because I needed it for my current project which is going to successfully replace my sliding glass door window treatments which I no longer like. The iPad was on a coffee table in the workshop, but I thought it was safe because I had a very good control of all tools. I did have good control. At a point, I felt an itch on my left leg. I looked down to see what it was, thinking that could have been a drop of sweat going down my leg, finding its way through the curly hairs I’ve been gifted with. Well, the sweat drop proved to be a two-inch diameter spider with thick, hairy legs and shiny black eyes. I’m fearless, however seeing that cutie crawling down my leg had an unexpected effect on my muscles: I had an involuntary move that made the sand jet land right on my iPad.

The good part is that I’m fine and the iPad is still working. The bad part is that it’s now far from being the cool gadget it was yesterday morning and I’m afraid it will never be like that again. When I think of those military grade screen protectors like Zagg InvisibleShield I can’t tell you how sorry I am for not getting one from day one. I suppose now it’s too late. Or maybe can some of you teach me how to polish the iPad to get rid of those sanding marks?

This is one of my best recipes ever. My kids were absolutely crazy about it, so I remember I had to cook it two-three times in a row sometimes.

Later update: I just found http://porkchopsrecipes.net/, a site that seems to explain well how to tenderize that pork meat by marinating it overnight.

Another update: thank you all, this is the recipe I’ve chosen: orange pork chops

4 boneless pork loin chops (3/4 inch thick and 5 ounces each)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can (6 ounces) frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1-1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 cups cooked brown rice
Directions:
Sprinkle both sides of pork chops with salt and pepper. In a nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook chops for 3-4 minutes on each side or until browned.
Transfer to an 8-in. square baking dish coated with cooking spray. In the same skillet, cook garlic for 1 minute. Stir in the orange juice concentrate, broth and Worcestershire sauce; bring to a boil. Remove from the heat.
Pour 1/4 cup sauce over pork. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 160°, basting twice with sauce.
Bring the remaining sauce to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until reduced to 1/2 cup. Serve pork chops with sauce and rice. Yield: 4 servings.

I promise to stop myself from eating, so I won’t need to diet then.