SOJcast

Episode 24 Special Guest: Chef Diane DiMeo from The TasteThis week we reflect on what we did for Easter. Once the kids are too old to hunt for eggs, life is a little more mundane. Ron's RoostImagine the Easter eggs a 14' chicken would lay.Dishwashers (the machines) are the signs of progress here at the SOJCast. What happens when they go out? A lot of eating over the sink. We wonder if our guest Chef Diane DiMeo ever eats over the sink.Interview with Chef Diane DiMeo (12:30)This was an awesome interview. Listen to what it's like being a woman and a kick-ass chef. Chef Diane offers up hard-won wisdom and insider info on Chopped and The Taste. Catch up with Chef Diane Dimeo:Website: Chef Diane Dimeo's Web PageFacebook: Chef Diane Dimeo on FacebookTwitter: Follow Chef Diane Dimeo on TwitterDiane's Fermented Products: Bootleg FarmsHooves and TeatsFood Porn  (43:00)Mark's Selection:Nada Mexican RestaurantYou can put Crispy Pork Belly in a taco?!? Baja Fish TacosTacos! fried hake "baja style" + guacamole + lime cabbage + pico de gallo guacamole + pickled peppers & onions + guajillo diablo salsa + cilantroStacey’s selection: Szechwan GardenIn order to ensure delivery, Stacey ordered enough to feed all the people in the Szechwan province. General Tso's chicken and Beef and Broccoli were top notch. Best of all: no plates to clean! This week the SOJCast is sponsoring Women Helping WomenWomen Helping Women serves Southwestern Ohio as a unique provider of crisis intervention and support services for direct and indirect victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking.

Episode 23 We have our second ever co-co-host. Mark’s son Oren. He’s a fisherman and after all the fish stories we got this month, we wanted some professional help. Also he attends the media's latest darling: Florida Gulf Coast College. Go Eagles!FGCU is not only where they were hiding an amazing basketball team, they also have an on-campus sushi bar. Did your college? How about alligators and snakes? They have them too. Did you know they treat their freshmen like royalty? They do, and maybe this is why they win. We also have a number of fishing questions that Oren answers. He was good enough to take time away from shore fishing on beaches filled with bikini clad co-eds. What dedication! This is a tarpon. They sure are shiny.Food Porn  (29:00)Oren’s selection: 120 Bites of Peanut Butter MayhemPaula's crazy creation!After 120 bites of luxurious peanut butter, we needed something salty and savory.The Slaughterhouse Sandwich The Slaughterhouse is a KFC Double-down inside of a Wendy's Baconator.Probably best to enjoy this during your college years while you still have a high metabolism Mark's Selection:The Amish Buffet on Highway 64Curiously enough it was not the Amish Buffet that was full of Amish. It turns out they all hang out at the McDonalds next door!Can you see all the beef in that gravy? Oh yeah.It's a buffet. Seconds is sorta mandatory. Spaghetti and mash potatoes? Don't judge. This week the SOJCast is sponsoring The Way Home Rescue Alliance They take animals from kill shelters and give them a place to stay until you adopt them!Like them on FB and give them a few bucks, or better yet - Adopt a new friend.

Episode 22 Special Guest: Robert Irvine from Restaurant ImpossibleThis week the SOJCast doesn't have a sponsor. Instead, we are sponsoring the Freestore Foodbank. We spend a lot of time talking about food here at the SOJCast but it's vital to remember that not everyone has access to food, even here in Cincinnati. That's where the Freestore Foodbank comes in. Don't forget there's still time to get your entry in the March Writing Contest here.We extended the deadline to March 25, so what's your excuse? Your favorite team won't make the Final Four anyway.  Cash prizes, trophies and other great stuff. Lex-Con is host to such greats as Billy Dee Williams, Margot Kidder and Charity Parkerson. The SOJCast got on the road and went to bring Charity some Abby Girl cupcakes and some GiGi's cupcakes so she can decide which was best. We suspect future food porn in the making...Taco Bell troubles call The Wolf, or Mark, whichever. He'll talk you through it. Don't forget the Verde sauce. You were warned.  We also lament the loss of Taco Viva.That Clint Eastwood spoof of a commercial has been saved on the internet hereIf you remember Taco Viva, drop us a comment. We love to commiserate. Interview with Chef Robert Irvine (14:15)A SOJCast impossibility becomes possible as the Food Network's Chef Robert Irvine does an interview while driving. Always cool under pressure, Chef Robert does not crash his car. He talks Restaurant Impossible, how to get your kids to eat vegetables (without bribery of ANY kind), the charities he supports, and his favorite food. You'll never guess what it is. You'll have to listen. He also tells us what his ultimate restaurant deal breaker is and the one dish he makes better than anyone else. You'll never guess that one, either. Find out what question we were afraid to ask, but did it anyway. Chef Irvine was kind enough to let us leave it in the broadcast. Take that, Anne Burrell!Watch his television show: Restaurant Impossible!Visit his website: http://chefirvine.comFollow Robert Irvine on Twitter: http://twitter.com/robertirvine1In keeping with the philanthropic tone of this week's episode, please visit the Gary Sinise Foundation, which supports all of our wounded warriors. Food Porn  (39:00)Stacey’s selection: Red State BBQIt was so good, Stacey forgot to take a picture. Like all good BBQ joints, when they are out of something, they won't have any more for hours. We enjoyed the pulled pork and brisket but when's Rib and Chicken Day?Good thing Laura got a picture of hers:Mark's plate: Pulled Pork, Brisket, Green Beans and Corn Pudding. Mark's Selection:Django's Western TacoIf you’re in Northside, definitely stop by Django’s.  The Jalapeno and Bacon Cornbread as mind boggling. The bean dip was unimaginably delicious. Also try some of their tacos. On display here are Al Pastor (Marinated Pork, Pineapple, mint), Chicken (salsa verde) and Beef (horseradish crema and cilantro)See that empty plate? That was the bean dip.

Episode 21  Special Guest: Emily Joy from Biggest Loser The SOJCast announces its first writing contest: The SOJys. Cash prizes, trophies and other great stuff. Claim your seat at the SOJCast table and join us if you win. Why not enter? Read the details of the March Writing Contest here. Deadline March 21. EXTENDED to March 25Speaking of fish and lent, did you know the Filet-O-Fish was invented here in Cincinnati? We did. Interview with Emily Joy from Biggest Loser (13:50)Emily started the interview out by making us something very “un-food porny.” It was so awful-looking we relegated its picture to the bottom of our post. Go check. Seriously. Despite its strange appearance, she maintained that it was delicious and offered a virtual “high five” to vegans everywhere.Learn about the secrets of reality TV. Did you know in Hollywood a week might mean 16 days? Whoa.Don't believe everything you see on reality TV. No! Say it isn't so. We did not ask Emily if she was single... okay we did but not like that…Are you one of those people who eats to live? Emily hates you. (Ok, not really - but we all think you're hooked on the goofballs)Emily turns us on to Slutty Brownies - they are not young girls with emotional problems, but they are sinful! Not in the way our sponsor would approve of, but pretty darn close...Also hear tales of the Danish Puff and a Peanut Butter and Fluff sandwichFood Porn (featuring Emily Joy) (38:45)Mark’s selection: EmbersThe Cowboy Bone-In RibeyeShort Rib RavioliOreo Stuffed DonutStacey’s selection: Whole Foods PizzaIt was so good, Stacey forgot to take a picture. Also he needs to check who’s running the counter before he orders, otherwise he might end up with another goat cheese on cardboard. HmmmEmily chooses: Panera's Spinach Power SaladSpecial Shout-Out from Emily to:Total Nutrition TechnologyAnd very special thanks to Angela and Megan from TNT!Why not follow Megan on Twitter? @Megan_TNTgetfit         Hey Emily - This is not food porn!Mmmm chlorophyll__________________________________________________________________________________This week's SOJCast is sponsored by: The Sinner's Seriesby Charity Parkerson

Episode 20 Sponsored by:Strange VoicesSOJCast 20 delivers what is sure to be the strangest opening in the history of SOJCasts. What’s up with the strange voices? Tune in and find out.Kodos, one of the dogs of the SOJCast, has been known to sneeze like someone put a firecracker inside her floppy, floppy face. Stacey tries to describe this natural oddity as the family runs to get more pepper.Mark talks about his team building event at a cooking school in Seattle. That guy has some problems with authority and situations that lack proper context. There's no "mark" in "team". Find out if Mark’s hijinks get him kicked out of cooking school or just sent to scrub dirty pans.This week's Xombee Guy is an exercise in the lost art of hospitality. Word of caution: be careful who you offer aid and comfort to. In this week's Trailer Trash blog, the top-notch engineering at Winnebago causes the motor home to get electrified. Good news - the cat and the dog escaped. The people--not so much. Try not to wet yourself. Trailer Trash #18Interview with Amber Jerome-Norrgard and Scott Morgan (25:30)Join us as we interview Amber and Scott. Learn the secrets to good writing and whether or not Amber was raised by pirates.  They also take some time and talk poetry and the Four Paws Project.The Quillective Project's mission is to turn the power of the written word into an instrument of compassion, hope, and generosity by putting that power directly in the hands of organizations that share our principles. The 2013 Quillective Project is Four Paws, a poetry anthology featuring bestselling authors Scott Morgan, Ben Ditmars, Amber Jerome-Norrgard and Robert Zimmermann, with a "fourword" by Russell Blake. 100% of all proceeds from the sale of Four Paws will benefit The Dallas Humane Society's no-kill shelter, Dog & Kitty City.Four Paws on FacebookQuillective on FacebookYou love dogs and cats, right? Then what the hell are you waiting for? Buy it now!Amber and Scott even favor us with some vegan food porn. Say what?!? Yes, that’s right, a SOJcast first. Vegan food porn. Will their descriptions of the plant world’s bounty be enough to sway you to join their cause?Amber’s website: http://amberjeromenorrgard.com/Like and subscribe to her FB fan page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmberJeromeNorrgard?fref=tsFollow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmberNorrgardScott’s website: http://www.write-hook.com/Like and subscribe to his FB fan page: https://www.facebook.com/scott.morgan.18007218Follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/write_hook Food Porn  (58:00)This week we have a food porn showdown! Which restaurant had a finer crispy chicken, named for the ruthless General Tso, who apparently batter-fried his victims and doused them in a spicy sauce?Szechuan Garden - Park Hills, KYSpicy Talk - Redmond, WAWhy not buy yourself some plane tickets and try them yourself? Better yet, have a colossal road trip, you're bound to find some more gems along the way...See you next time, if the world isn't destroyed,

Episode 19 Sponsored by:The UnexpectedThe SOJCast finally returns in 2013. Hopefully this wasn't unexpected. After a brief segue that involves 40 apple pies and a van full of cheerleaders (quite unexpectedly) we get back on the podcasting wagon. We spend some time talking about what we did during our hiatus.While Mark was in Florida he managed to get his girlfriend hooked on Cafe Cubano. It wasn't that hard actually.  Cafe CubanoMany people wonder what happens when your ex-wife meets your girlfriend. Not sure what to expect? Us neither. Some safety tips: Plan carefullyBring your high school English teacherHold it at your favorite Mexican restaurant, so if all else fails, you at least get a decent meal. Was Mark nearly arrested in Disney World? Yep. Find out why.We also spend a little time talking about our Christmas gift exchange (which actually happened at Stacey's birthday party). Teapots and a leg-eating machine. What could be better?Did you miss Trailer Trash and Xombee Guy? Good news!Learn more about the 400 lbs of marijuana hanging in the living room on a new Trailer Trash postA common winter lamentFood Porn and Interview with Mike Harwood (owner of Whack Burger) (29:30)Learn the secrets (or maybe not) of the mysterious and delicious Whack Burger.A WhackBurger being built. Mesmerizing isn't it?Mike explains the importance of fresh ingredients. We were shocked to learn the meat comes from our neighbor Heringer Meats just across the street. Did you know that Whack Burger has 14 burgers on the menu? Have a look. We get to ask why Whack Burger has a wall of comic (not that we were complaining). Listen and learn. We even talk about our idea for a burger contest here in Covington. Is Mike on board with the idea?The wall of comics. How many Spiderman(s) can you find?

Episode 18 Sponsored by: Careful Planning Gone WrongThis week's Xombee Guy is ... In this week's Trailer Trash blogTrailer Trash #18Interview with Charity Parkerson ()Charity's website:Like and subscribe to her FB fan page:Follow her on Twitter: Food Porn featuring Charity Parkerson (:00)Charity also reopens old wounds with the Pineapple of Discord.See you next time, if the world isn't destroyed,

Episode 17 Sponsored by: TraditionsSOJcast 17 is all about traditions: the widespread conventional ones and homegrown family ones.Current Events  (15:30)Did you know that Stacey's mother was coming for Thanksgiving? Of course you did, we told you so in SOJcast 16. Well she came. Listen as we discuss her curious habit of speaking her mind. A mom without a filter! We also discuss the less traditional Thanksgiving Mark attended. Whose turkey was most moist? Listen. Learn. Brine. Are you like Xombee Guy? Had a little too much family for Thanksgiving?We start our discussion with the idea that millennials bristle at many traditions, while others have quietly crept into their subconsciousness. Do you agree? Is this the generation that will do away with all but our most hallowed traditions or are we just stirring the pot (of hot oil)?Here's some of the traditions we discuss - how many are self-explanatory?Mexican FridaySausage FestMovie Night with GrandmaBackwards BirthdayDeep Fried Friday What are some of your traditions that you've invented? We have a big calendar next year and Arbor Day needs help.Food Porn  (31:00)Deep Fried Friday (also called Unbelting Day in Canada) Two guys and two Fry Daddies. Such is the stuff of legend.Meatballs, meet hot oil. Oil, to your task.While everyone had a hand in the deep frying, in actual fact Laura was the Iron Chef in residence. Her culinary skills would cause Alton Brown to weep salty tears.Laura's (aka Lauren's) corn dogs were wonders to behold - and wonders to eat! Here's a selection from the menu on Deep Fried  Friday:Cheddar CheeseCorn DogsRavioli - Meat and CheeseMeatballsCincinnati-style Chili (Gold Star as point of fact)Leftover Thanksgiving SandwichesBananas Cookie DoughCandy BarsThe Prime Rib didn't fit in the Fry Daddy, so it went in the oven. Kinda sad right? Nah...

Episode 16 Sponsored by: Thanksgiving  We depart from our normal format to discuss Thanksgiving in SOJcast 16. You might say it's one big food porn episode but you'd be wrong if you did.  We discuss some Thanksgivings that were less that fantastic: Learn about why Florida Thanksgivings were awful things in the 1980s.Listen to strange tales of post-modern alienation in "Divorce Thanksgivings"We also discuss some that were, in fact, fantastic:If you get the chance to visit a Dominican/Italian home for Thanksgiving - don't you miss it. How about a ginormous Midwestern Thanksgivings where the whole town attends? Oh my, yes.We discuss our recent family dinner which was nearly a Thanksgiving, for all intents and purposes. It was at an Italian restaurant that will remain without a link (it wasn't so good). Stacey had some apothic wine which leads Erin to accuse the Sons of Joy of picking her up from day care drunk as skunks We must defend our honor and refute the charges!Turns out we were just tossing umbrellas around like they were Springfield rifles. People often mistake this behavior for drunkenness or mental illness. It looked exactly like this - but with umbrellas.Also learn who got sick at dinner, threw up in a roadside bathroom but made a full recovery and was eating a Whack burger at midnight.We reveal the fact that Stacey's mother is coming for Thanksgiving. But how many people will really show up? How many Thanksgiving orphans can we accommodate? Have you ever been a Thanksgiving orphan? Leave some comments!Have you ever deep fried a turkey? How about a prime rib? a hot dog? a Reuben? We share some of our deep frying lessons. Safety first!Deep Fried Reubens Feeds one, unless you are kind and want to share 1 lb of corned beef (from your favorite local Deli - ours is Izzy's) 1 jar of Thousand Island Dressing1/2 lb of sauerkraut (make your own if you can)2-3 tubes of Pillsbury biscuit dough (plain)Take a biscuit and flatten it. Add a pinch of corned beef, a pinch of sauerkraut and a splash of Thousand Island dressing. Stretch the dough over the contents  and pinch the biscuit shut. Make up as many reubens as you plan to cook before you start cooking them.Fill vessel with enough peanut oil to cover reubens. Heat oil to 350 degrees (you can use a stovetop pot and a 3-4 cups oil if you aren't deep frying a turkey). (Carefully!) Slide the biscuits into the hot oil for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve Hot!Happy Thanksgiving World!In conclusion we take a moment to give thanks for the people who mean the most to us. We certainly hope you do the same.

Episode 15 Sponsored by: Second Chances  What do Richard Nixon, Abraham Lincoln and Grover Cleveland have in common?Join in for some electoral logo fun!Why is there a Log Cabin and a Chicken on the ballot? Why is the Kentucky ballot mired in pre-civil war iconography?Listen and learn. Current Events  (11:15)Learn why someone typed "There's a bee in my ass" and ended up on the Xombee Guy website.Also Stacey talks about how he was Left for Dead in the latest installment of Trailer Trash with a Girl's Name. Interview with Mary O Paddock  (20:00) We talk writing and spinach with Mary Paddock and discuss the creation of her new book The Fassen Files. Mary talks us through the world of indie publishing and explains where she got her book covers.Food Porn  (51:10) We follow the proclamation of Charles Joy @ThanosRules and return to Cancun - together. In fact we went on Halloween.Did it win Stacey over? If Montoya's closes would Stacey go to Cancun instead? Listen and learn. It turns out that Cake is "the Needless Distraction" We also discuss the restaurant next door to Cancun. Guru Indian Restaurant.Stay tuned as we discover the strange and mysterious Tandoori Buffalo Wings  Also learn the about the affections of the bus boy...  Paddock's Spinach Lasagna Feeds six sturdy men of the OzarksMere mortals may want to adjust the amounts.     6  cups shredded mozzarella cheese 2  15 oz container ricotta  or 2% fat cottage cheese (drained)  1/2  cup fresh parsley, chopped  1/2  cup grated Parmesan cheese4  teaspoons minced garlic   6 cups pasta sauce  18 or so lasagna noodles  4 cans (15 ounce cans) spinach  (well drained)   1 teaspoon black pepper, cracked if you've got itpinch of red pepper flakes Set aside a cup of the sauce as well as a cup or so of mozzarella cheese in advance for the topping.After making sure the spinach is drained (cannot emphasize this enough) mix  with the  ricotta/cottage cheese as well as  the remaining sauce, the parmesan cheese, and the seasonings. Mix well. After that layer your noodles, filling, and cheese like you would any other lasagna, ending with noodles and sauce.  Do not apply the cheese yet as it will stick to the aluminum and you’ll lose everyone’s favorite part. J Cook covered with aluminum foil for about an hour, uncovering in the last fifteen minutes to add the last of the mozzarella.    Some notes—The charm of this recipe is how flexible it is. It originally called for no-boil pasta, but my crew hated the texture (Personally I prefer the whole wheat noodles, but half of the men don’t like them).  I’ve used a variety of pasta sauces ranging from homemade (with homegrown tomatoes) to store brand and while the homemade was better (of course) I noticed that the leftovers didn’t stick around any longer either way. I’ve tried fresh and frozen spinach, but the crew tells me that canned is better.  If you go the route of using fresh or frozen, be sure to cook it in advance.  A side note—Fresh parsley is very different than the dried stuff and good for you too. If you’ve got a local farmer’s market consider getting it there or grow your own in a pot on a windowsill. You’ll never go back. The same applies to garlic. 

Episode 14 Sponsored by: HalloweenOur first annual Halloween SOJcast, what could be better? How about the first annual Xombee Guy Halloween strip? You got it:Current Events  (1:00)As the east coast of America is pounded by the Frankenstorm. We discuss other storms that have shaped American history. When you hear the line "Give Queen Elizabeth a nautical spanking..." it will seem perfectly natural. Last week was the Microsoft Surface launch. We discuss our "unboxing" experience and talk about whether or not we could actually write a book on this thing. In fact, last week's co-cohost Charles Joy, also reviewed a Surface on his Podcast. Why not check it out here. Halloween-o-rama (13:00)   We discuss our favorite Halloween memories. Turns out they were not the hot, sweaty, southern Halloweens of our childhoods. Listen as we discuss the fatherly task of sorting candy for the kids, at least until they are old enough to sort it themselves.Also learn the Oct 30 tradition at Stacey's house. Scary Book/Movie talk  (31:00) Is The Tell-Tale Heart scarier than Misery?What makes a book (or movie) scary?We discuss some of our recent fears like falling off a cruise ship or falling from a great height. What scares you and why?Food Porn  (47:10) Halloween MeatloafStart a tradition 2.5 pounds ground sirloin1 pound lean ground pork1.5 bottles of Heinz chili sauce2 whole eggs3/4 of a medium white onion, finely minced1 cup of quick or old fashioned oatmealCombine ingredients in a VERY large bowlPlace in a baking pan (or several)Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hourUse the remaining 1/2 bottle of chili sauce on top if loaf (or loaves)Feeds a small armyPumpkin SeedsDelight in some pumpkin seeds, don't throw them away! Remove the seeds from your pumpkin. Wash them thoroughly. Remove any pulp.Drizzle olive oil on the seeds and mix (optional)Arrange seeds in a single layer on a baking panBake for 30 minutes at 300 degrees.Salt to taste.Feeds one hungry dude.

Episode 13 Sponsored by: Super HeroesIn a SOJcast first, we have a co-co-host (through the magic of Skype). Charles Joy @ThanosRules, mastermind behind the wildly successful podcast - Stacks of Comics. Spoiler Alert! he sounds like Kevin Smith!How did Charles receive such an honor? Was this because he was the first person to leave a comment last week? Listen and find out!Comic Savant, Podcast Powerhouse, and the Prophet of Purple. Charles had just come back from the Women of Wonder Day 2012Interview  (formally at 17:30 but really the fun starts at the beginning)Our first ever SOJcast interview. Give a big round of applause for Charles (louder please, its the internet).Last week we covered literature, this week we cover comic books. We are nothing if not versatile. Lar deSouza Original - Captain Marvel as Texas RangerQuestions asked:What's the origin myth of Stack of Comics?If someone wanted to start back into comics, where would they start?Who's your favorite superheros, lady superheros and super villains?Best comic moviesWorst comic moviesComic book food pornWhat is a 'con'?Are comics really shackled by legal and issues and wrangling?The bottom line is we all recommend that you check out your local comic store. They can be your spirit guide into comics. It's not scary at all.http://www.comicshoplocator.comFood Porn  (52:45) Mexican Standoff!In another SOJcast first, Stacey and Mark disagree about a restaurant? No way!Someone ate a fajita inside of a pineapple. No kidding. Hear the story of  Cancun Mexican Restaurant.Who loved it Who hated it?We leave the final decision to Charles because he lives in Texas.We agree to Charles' decree and we will go back (together) and try it again.The meal in questionWhat's the litmus test for a good Mexican restaurant? A Taco? Salsa? Fajitas?Leave a comment with your opinion.The Best things we ate this week:Okay, well maybe Charles didn't eat it this week but he describes in loving detail Jalapeno Ranch Dip.Delicioso Jalapeno Ranch Dip

Episode 12 Sponsored by: First CarsFirst cars come in all shapes and sizes. Ours looked something like the two images above. What was your first car? Leave us a comment. Go ahead, rub it in.Updates (3:22)Mark's mom comes to visit. They set off for a pleasant train ride to a pumpkin patch and end up in a maelstrom of political campaigning. True story! Mark also had dinner with legendary cartoonist Chris Hart.Stacey was off galavanting with Jamaican goats. More precisely he went on a Caribbean cruise. Loads of medication prevented sea sickness. Take that Ahab! He also faced the perils of tubing and climbing waterfalls without a safety net.Jamaican Death Falls!Luckily Stacey got to hold hands with a sweaty man who saved him from almost near certain peril (maybe).SOJ History (23:00) Read the story of our first cars here: Training WheelsReviews  (35:00)Love in the Time of Dinosaurs by Alexandria Constantinova SzemanThis is a collection of short stories and poetry that we delighted in reading. When confronted with beautiful language and Old Testament references, it's best to just luxuriate in the prose. Clearly a book for fans of literature and good writing everywhere. It's not often that we find stories that take such magical but unflinching examinations into the lives of famous characters like Lot's wife, fictional footnotes like Ahab's wife and even nobodies like Auggie Vernon.Follow Alexandria Szeman - @Alexandria_SZ on Twitter and read more about at her page here.Grab an copy on Amazon. or read some more excerpts.This book is so good, we are extending an invitation to Alexandria to be interviewed on a future SOJCast. That's a SOJCast first!Food Porn  (50:45) Stacey climbs aboard the floating feast that is a modern cruise ship (Freedom of the Seas). Check your stateroom for towel monkeys or towel elephants (they will wear your shades). Also they have been known to steal your towels.14 decks of floating feasts with a Johnny Rockets on the top deck. Nice. Italian, Steak, Indian, Chinese, Buffets, take your pick. Your Macedonian waiter will be happy to assist you further.The Best things we ate this week:Tartufo. A dessert so good, Stacey forgot to take a picture before he zoomed through the thing. Happily for us, it was a cruise ship and he was able to just order up another. 

Episode 11 Sponsored by: Caller ID  This week we discuss the pitfalls of not having Caller ID. A technology that we all take for granted today. Watch some classic sitcoms and then consider how different they would be if the cast had Caller ID. Seinfeld - we're looking at you. Better yet, listen to this week's SOJCast.Project Updates (6:00)Getting up at the crack of dawn, perhaps even before that, has been working pretty well. The book grows in pages as the tree does in leaves. This week we also record the SOJCast before the sun rises.Did you hear Stacey's story of a competent public official? If only all politics really were local. It's also that time of year when Parent/Teacher conferences happen. Was Stacey's trip a brow beating from the faculty or a victory lap for the 'rents?SOJ History (21:00) Read the story of The RefugeeReviews  (44:00)eWomen are Lunatics (eDating Advice from the Bubbameistah) by Maura Stone It's a terrific book of dating advice from your Yiddish Grandmother. Surprisingly hilarious!Of course you should date online, you're such a catch.Follow Maura Stone - @MauraStone on Twitter and at her BlogGrab an copy on Amazon.   Food Porn  (52:30) Stacey gets ready to head off on vacation and leave his low carb lifestyle on the shore. But this week we are still toughing it out with animal flesh. Chickens in particular. The best meal of the week goes to our chicken wing feast at Hooters. We were there for the wings... seriously, we were. No, really. Usually we just take them home. The Chicken Wings. Also restaurant karma comes full circle and we get a giant table! 50 wings. Medium, wet and naked. That just doesn't sound right! We also spend some time reminiscing about our favorite chicken wing restaurant of all time (that is no more). Buffalo's Original Wings 'N Rings in Tallahassee, FL. They had awesome chicken wings and served carrots with their blue cheese!We loved it so much we saved a coupon for more than 20 years. If you ever use a time machine and go to the beginning of 1989, feel free to use our coupon. You'll be glad you did - time machine gas is really expensive, or so we hear.

Episode 10 Sponsored by: DogsEver wonder what the SOJ dogs look like? Really? That's odd.Anyway, here's the crew:JakeSophieKodos Enough already with the cuteness.Project UpdatesOur new format or More of what you want when you want it. Pirates surround Studio Z!Stacey gets an earful of Yiddish curses from TTWGNOur desktop Ballista Update. Spoiler Alert: It works.Our Desktop and our Ballista. It must be our Desktop Ballista!SOJ HistoryRead the story of Ouzo the Dog and Puppy Love.Reviews PGB by Christina Fifield-WinnFollow CF Winn - @KafeCastro on TwitterThirty toothbrushes for thirty days. It will all seem perfectly normal, you just wait.Grab an e-copy on Amazon. Food Porn  Boi Na BrasaThe best thing you can do on your low carb diet. Just don't blame us if you get the meat "sweats"One of many, many plates. Notice green is facing up!

Episode 9 Sponsored by: Alaska! Current Events  Fall comes to the Midwest. This means its time to cover the pool, level the backyard and salt the earth.We discuss Mark's Alaskan Get-a-way:Where's the Kenai Peninsula exactly and was it near that Exxon-Valdez oil spill? It sure was:Fall colors come to Alaska first. Take that Maine!A brief history of gold in Fairbanks at the Davidson DitchGold Dredge #8  Would you trade gold for a 1974 Fiat? Someone did...Project Updates  Stacey recounts the story of his bout with tonsillitis and use of the spit bowl. Some folks in the twitterverse doubted it was a factual account. Listen: it's a true story. We promise.We also discuss our new writing schedule. We might need a rooster!Remember: "Books are measured in pages, not in fragments of ham."Reviews  Stacey sings the praise of Mary Paddock.Martian Buffaloes and mermaids, oh my! Grab an e-copy of Sing on Amazon. Or better yet, have them mail you a copy in paperback.Food Porn  A Senora reindeer dog - it just boggles the mind. If you favorite pizzeria doesn't come with a fat dog to beg for your crusts, maybe you should move to Alaska.Panorama Pizza in Cantwell, AKWe discuss a bit about Halibut fishing in Homer, Alaska. Home of Jewel and Mrs. America 2012.This is what a halibut looks like, expect they might weight over 300lbs!!!The Best things we ate this week:How's this for accessible: Fresh Eggs. Okay, I know you probably don't have access to eggs this fresh. That should make you mad. Consider getting yourself some hens. No, Seriously - hens.Eggs laid the day before by chickens 10 feet away

Episode 8 Sponsored by: HonestyCurrent Events  A Gym class where you fail if you don't hit your ideal BMI? What's become of our public schools?Restaurant: Impossible The Roberts clan gets to hang out with Robert Irvine on the muddy banks of the Ohio river. Celebrity stalking at its finest. Project Updates  Every wonder why this is called a SOJcast? The origin story of The Sons of Joy is finally here. Listen and learn.As for updates, honestly, we didn't get anything done. Are we sorry for that? We are.We discuss our ideas on resetting our target date. Feel free to hold us to this!Reviews  We kinda review The King of Kong. Sorta. Watch it. It's dramatic. Food Porn  Another week without carbs. (grumble)So, uh, chicken, it's chicken then. Yeah.The Best things we ate this week:Ms. Laura's Chicken Salad Recipe:Chicken breastMayonnaise A hard boiled eggChivesCeleryJane's Krazy Mixed UpPepper  Exactly how much of those is a mystery, yo. If only she would write a food blog...Buffalo Wings with garlic (this was good garlic)The good and bad of chicken wings at Tom and J's in Hollywood, FL (formerly Wings and Curls - new name, same great wings). A mistep with garlic that had grave gastronic consiquences doesn't stop Mark from going back twice in one week. Blue cheese with poppy seeds is extra fun for mandatory drug testing. The curly fries sure look good - and to the best of our recollection they were, in fact, good.We also recall that our high school physics teacher, Mr. Donate, enjoyed Rickey's wings, which is just down the street from Tom and J's, plus it is featured in the King of Kong!

Episode 7 Sponsored by: Lowered ExpectationsCurrent Events  Mitt Romney picks Paul Ryan as his running mate. We reflect on how picks are made and a brief history of how VPs were picked in the old day. Would you believe it was even more fractious than today? We also talk about the times when the VP actually assumed the mantle of the presidency.Also America wins the Olympics and lands an SUV on Mars. Take that, everyone who's not America!Don't forget to try your hand (and arms) at landing the Mars Rover Landing on the Xbox with KinectProject Updates  After spilling our collective guts to you in SOJcast #6, we are happy to report that we are getting back to it. Check out Stacey's blog Trailer Trash with a Girl's Name which is also linked on our site. While working on a special scene in which our characters must cut off someone's leg, we decided we should try to understand how this works.Graphic Content Follows! It's only pork but its still kinda grossIn our earnest desire to understand the mechanics of dismemberment, we pay a trip to our local butcher (and raise the suspicions of local authorities) and create a "leg" from pork.Kids, DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. We are professional authors.Our homemade leg. "Before"We learn that jeans are surprisingly effective against a cleaver.The tissue beneath the denim isn't exactly pristine but the cleaver is deflected from cutting the jeans.Of course once the jeans are out of the way, well that's another matter....Our  leg after the cleaving Reviews  No reviews this week. We suck.Food Porn  What happens when you go to a restaurant and don't order your favorite item?Say it ain't so. Lowered carbohydrates means lowered expectations.Outback with no blooming onion?Montoya's with no cheese dip?The Best things we ate this week:Oh, and a food porn section without any pictures of food? Really?Please address all complaints to our sponsor.

Episode 6 Sponsored by: ProductivityCurrent Events  We cover the SOJcast hiatus during which Stacey and kin tour the southern states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. Mark returns to The Matador and doesn't get into a fight with the locals not to mention he guest hosts on Stack of Comics.Plus, Vice President Joe Biden, confesses to Stacey that money is what wins elections (we do our best to conceal our shock). Project Updates  Xombee Guy reaches a landmark - 52 countries in 20 weeks. The internet allows you to take what you create make it available worldwide. Does that make you more or less productive? Does technology help you be more productive or does it just mean you must produce more? We also confess that we have not meet our productivity goals. We also make a SOJcast promise to get back on that horse and keep you up to date - for good or ill.Reviews  We consider movie sequels and whether the people involved are bringing their 'A' game or if they are just phoning it in.Ice Age: Continental Drift A Bucket of Blood Food Porn  NOLA Food porn but alas, no beignets  :(The Coffee Pot - New Orleans, LA. Breakfast the way it used to be with boudin balls!Cajun Mike's -  New Orleans, LA. Order whatever you want. It'll be great! Try the "Cochon De Lait" or a burgerAnother SOJcast visit to Lambert's Cafe  ThrowedRolls.com in Folley, AL  The Best things we ate this week:Homemade lasagna just to tease you. Unless you can talk Rob into making some for you. The Double-Cheeseburger that bested all others. Denny's - Pensacola, FL (this particular Denny's)The best. Soup. Ever.  El Gaucho - Seattle, WA Also home of the most expensive steak Mark has consumed ($142 USD)Best. Soup. Ever. The SOJcast also walks back (a little) our ideas on quality and value. A what point do diminishing returns kick in for food?

Episode 5 Sponsored by: Lincoln Near Earth Asteroid Research Laboratory Current Events  Life isn't all sunshine and smiles. This week we consider the meaning of Carpe Diem as we look at some of the less fortunate events in the news. When Alligator boy lost his arm should we be thanking the History channel or blaming them? Also sad news from Comic-con  Project Updates  The death of the original SOJast. So it goes. The new SOJcast is here. Long live the SOJCast. Reviews  We also look at Disasteroid! The Muon Kickstarter. Musical theater about the end of the world? What's not to love. We can't wait for them to give us a cool nickname! Consider supporting the live arts.  The heatwave finally broke but not before we took refuge in the movie houses. We discuss a couple of summer movies including Bernie and its amazing portrayal of East Texas, plus we talk about Amazing Spider-Man  Food Porn  AmerAsia in Covington, KY is a little bit of hipster paradise. Where, if you ask nice, they may describe fried rice to you at great length.Sushi Dragon in Mississauga, Ontario 

Episode 4 Sponsored by: The Roman Empire Current EventsThere's a heat wave in America this week. Bloodsport at The Plaza! Living in the Klondike. Financial troubles at the Vatican. Our thoughts on improving the "Passing the plate". Project UpdatesLearning how to advertise on Google and Bing. ReviewsThe History of Rome PodcastA discussion about what KickStarter is and why it's neat idea. We also look at the Desktop Ballista project on Kickstarter  The Desktop Ballista Food PornMontoya's Mexican Restaurant in Crescent Springs, KY Morton's Steakhouse in Cincinnati, OH  Note how the steak dwarfs the gravy boat!Finally, we make the case for quality, a discussion of value and the premium dinning experience.

Episode 3 Sponsored by: Stacks of ComicsWe discuss the recent healthcare ruling by the Supreme Court, SuperPACs and money in politics plus a road-trip to Pensacola, FL. In project updates we discuss our new stun gun (complete with test firing)We also cover the Miami Zombie redux and a philosophical look into zombie fatigue, covering everyone from Lazarus and the Golem of Prague to Hatian zombies.Food PornWhackBurger in Covington, KYA Whack! BurgerChow Tyme in Pensacola, FL  Lambert's Cafe  ThrowedRolls.com in Folley, AL  The infamous roll, having been throwed and caughtLambert's Fried Chicken

Episode 2 Sponsored by: XombeeGuy.com Current Events Presidential Portrait Unveiling The Return of George W. Bush Panel Pals apology Shout Out to @StacksofComics and @ThanosRules Daddy got a new stun gun Reviews Locked Out (Zombie Bedtime Stories, #2)  by Thea Isis Gregory Full review by Mark Gosson at The Zed WordHatfields and the McCoys on the History ChannelFood Porn Meatsplosion Cheesy Mutant Ninja BurgerThe Greyhound Tavern and Fried ChickenThe Matador Bacon wrapped grilled jalapenosIn closing, we explain what happens when Wilford Brimley attacks and that calling someone Elvis is not an insult!

Episode 1 The first ever SOJcast!In this podcast we discuss: Current Events The Miami CannibalThe History BeeThe Brain BowlReviews Locked in (Zombie Bedtime Stories, #1)  by Thea Isis Gregory Full review by Stacey Roberts at The Zed WordFood PornWhy we have a Food Porn section The Urban Legend of Pizza Overdose The House of Lin (sin) Gumby's PizzaA 20" Gumby's pizza