Cocina De Don Pedro: El Cook Book

It's official.  I have finally started my Cocina De Don Pedro: El Cook Book blog.  It's a work in progress so you'll have to be patient with me. LOL.  I used the same template as my BLADE 7184 blog so that the transition from one blog to the other could be consistent.

I have transferred all the recipes I recently posted on BLADE 7184, along with an old recipe from 2011.  I am also working on a recipe index, where you'll be able to search by a few ingredients or recipe names.

El Cook Book's header consists of an Owl with a Chef's hat, donning an apron and holding a forked sausage.  It's quite humorous.  I have also added a quote very dear to my heart - a dedication to my mother.

I will be placing a "Cocina De Don Pedro: El Cook Book" logo on BLADE 7184, and it is currently accessible by clicking on the tab in this blog's header.

Thank you all for putting up with my ridiculous blogging on BLADE 7184, and hope you enjoy my Cook Book blog as well.  Please feel free to contact me at cocinadedonpedro@gmail with any questions or suggestions you may have.
                                        - Peter a.k.a. Don Pedro or Blade7184

Happy 7 Year Anniversary My Dear Man

Loving One Another - Issue No. 015

Loving One Another - Issue No. 014

"Waking up and you not being there would be like death to me; actually, it made me understand your undying love."
~ Peter R. Flores, Jr.

I Quote That - My Puzzle, My Life

I Quote That - Crying

Loving One Another - Issue No. 010

No Offense To Your Name, Susan G. Komen, But Your Sister F*cked It All Up!

Most of you may remember my status update from yesterday evening, and rightly so.  I'm pissed.  One, because I've worked in Breast Cancer Research for over 9 years and second, because I was right all along, and I never should have contributed to this fallacy.

Yesterday evening I stated this on my Facebook wall:

"I've always believed that the Susan G. Komen Foundation was nothing but a huge corporation out to get poor people's money and rich companies' contributions. At the same time, with a political agenda. Who knew I was right all along? So much for helping women with breast cancer. Screw you Susan G. Komen. Screw you! The sad part out of all this... you had to use the name of a woman with breast cancer as the name for your corporation." - Peter Flores aka Blade 7184

Well... last night someone hacked into Komen's website and did this:

"Help us run over poor women on our way to the bank"

And rightly so.  I've had an aunt die from breast cancer and have bought countless of "pink" items - do you really thing all that money goes to breast cancer research?  It does not!  But I bought them anyway in support of this foundation.  Not anymore!!!  

I will be looking closer at what I'm purchasing, and will even donate to Planned Parenthood to help women fight this disease.

Hurting women for political purposes is the worst thing you could have done Susan G. Komen, the worst thing.

Loving One Another - Issue No. 008

When I say Love One Another, it means LOVE ONE ANOTHER!!!

Love is such an important feeling in our lives. Take advantage of it.

Remember Love doesn't hurt, people do.

Quoted - Peter Flores aka Blade 7184 on Love Is The Key

This was my response to a commenter from one of my blogs last week.

Loving One Another - Issue No. 007

Stop and Love One Another Today.

It takes only a few seconds to call anyone who matters to you and tell them how much they mean to you.

I call my mom and dad every day to tell them I love them.  You should too.

Live every day as if it was your last. 
You'll be glad you did.
I Love You Ry!!

Blade 7184's 2011 Top 20 +1

It literally took me all day to put this together. But I've listed the Top 20 songs of 2011 I felt were the most popular, most emotional, most danced to, most listened to, and overall, most loved. 

The "Plus One" is due to the fact, that I had to single out the artist whom I felt brought the world to it's knees. The power in her voice not only made people cry, but it made them see things in their own relationships with God or their partners they never thought was possible.  Across the seas and across our land, she moved us in a way we could feel the hair on our arms rise as she bellowed each and every lyric.  Adele, you pwned this year's Top 20.  You are my blog's most distinguished Plus One!

20. Set Fire To The Rain by Adele

19. Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera

View the remaining Top 20+1 after the jump...

Time to Share: I Have The Most Wonderful News!!!!

I received some great news today and would absolutely love to share it with you.  I use my blog to record important events like this, because as I mentioned when I started this blog; We go about our daily lives "Facebooking," not realizing that our lives are being shared daily with our friends and family. There are times we wish to reflect on the past, especially the good times, and before you know it, it's gone. We share things with people we don't know in the physical sense, yet they are there to listen. We share things with the people we love, yet they seem to forget.

Countless times I have attempted to remember what I've posted on Facebook and what I've told the people I love or the great discussions we've had. And it's difficult to go back and reflect on all the good that's happened in our lives, or all the drama that's made us laugh. In order for me to go back I have to keep clicking that "older posts" link, without a date, without a tag, without no way of searching for that special moment I wanted to remember forever.

Well... the awesome news I want to share with you is....

I'm receiving a promotion, with a 15% increase in pay and I'm absolutely ecstatic about it.  This is such great news at a time when I was worrying about our staffing issues at work.  People seem to be dropping like flies around here.  Yes, some leave because they are over-worked, really stressed-out, asked to do jobs they were not hired to do, but others leave because they're able to find greater jobs here at MD Anderson, so they make lateral moves.  But being that I have worked in Breast Oncology for such a long time (9 years to be exact), I have stood my ground for the past four years, exceeded in areas I never thought I could achieve, and have proven to be a leader in our department.  This holiday season will be mine and Ryan's greatest holiday to date, and I am so grateful he has stood by my side for the past 6-1/2 years and will continue to enlighten me every moment of every day.  I couldn't have done this without him.  I couldn't.

I know I rant on my blog on a daily basis, but it's more than just ranting.  I like sharing.  I like sharing my opinions with happiness, my happiness with heart, but most importantly, my heart with all of you.

Thank you for reading my blog and enjoy your holidays this season.

Peter aka Blade 7184

Everyday Is Thanksgiving Day

To me, everyday is Thanksgiving Day.  I don't think a day passes by that I'm not thankful for something.  A lot of people take their days for granted.  They look at yesterday as a mistake or wishing that day would never have happened.  At some point in that twenty-four hour period you had to be grateful for something.  Whether it be another breathing day of life, waking up next to the person you love, or for simply having that cup of coffee in the morning.

We often times encounter difficult days... the loss of a loved one, a terrible disease, a hurtful breakup, a car accident, unpaid bills, trouble at work, or you're just having a bad day.  One thing to remember, there are people out there who have it far worse than you, and they're thankful for every day they get the chance to live.  They pray that they're not hung from a noose for being gay, stoned to death for having an affair, or humiliated in front of millions of people for speaking against their government.  

So the next time you feel at your worst, take that tiny glimmer of hope (that one second, minute, or hour), and be thankful that you're you.

Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

- Peter aka BLADE 7184

Being Bullied? Just Act Less Gay, Advise Teachers

click pic for story

Seriously?  And this is why we have all the crazy bullshit we have today.  Hateful people, I swear.  And what frustrates me more is that the very people who do this, are the ones who portray themselves as good-abiding Christians.  Hmmm -  I don't know, can you act less straight?

Believe me, you can be a Christian, and not be hateful.  You can be a Christian and love.  I have many Christian friends, and not once have I seen them portray themselves as evil people. They're caring, loving and understanding, but most importantly, they know Jesus would never act that way.  Please, stop the bullying!- Peter Flores, aka Blade 7184

I Quote That - You Are My Sunshine...

When we met, I told you that a relationship would never work, unless the person you came to love became your one and only best friend.  Holding true to my words, we've become the bestest of friends and the greatest of lovers.

Words will never compare to how much you mean to me, Ryan Lopez, but just to let you know...  It's been nearly 6-1/2 years, and my love for you has never waivered. You continue to make me smile and laugh, but most importantly you make me feel loved...  You are my sunshine.

Must Watch: The Golden Girls on Gay Marriage

"We look back at times never realizing that the issues affecting us today, like gays in the military and gay marriage were discussed way back when - back when you didn't think it would even be possible.  Then you see a clip from a very popular television show in the mid-1980's, and you come to an understanding...  It was always there, you just didn't care enough to pay attention." 

- Peter Flores, aka Blade 7184 

on a video clip from NBC's The Golden Girls

Quoted: Steve Jobs

"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart...

No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true." 
                                        - Steve Jobs (CEO of Apple Computer and
                                          of Pixar Animation Studios, in a June 12, 
                                          2005 commencement address to Stanford 
                                          University.

"My first computer was an apple.  It had a huge ass keyboard, and used those huge 5 inch floppy disks.  It had a black screen and the letters were all in green - very matrix. LOL.  In either case, it truly is a sad day to know that Steve Jobs has passed away, but his legacy will live in the hearts and souls of many for thousands of years.  He was the Einstein of our generation, and I can't name one person in this era who has done more to change the world, than he.  R.I.P. Steve."                    - Blade 7184 aka Peter

The Puzzles of Our Lives

Flashback to the 1990's - Roxette - It Must Have Been Love

If you want to talk about a year in the life - talk about the year 1990.  So many hits were released this year, and it was one of the most memorable years of my life.  I can't even begin to mention the amount of times I've listened to this song after my heart was broken, because "it must have been love, but it was over."   I can quite honestly say, it is one of my all time favorite hits.

Today, almost every girl and boy in America associate the song with Pretty Woman, because this was also the year the film was released.  If you ever want to feel Nostalgic, just watch that movie or play that song - they will take you back to a time of young love, or your most memorable moments.

"Remember, if it must have been love, and it's over now; know that as you get older you will learn to respect what love and relationships are all about. For I can truly say, if it must have been love, and it's over now, I wouldn't have, or be where I am today."

~ Peter a.k.a. Blade