Steak, Pho and Helix

[FJ and G]

Morning all,

THis weekend I completed my first fully functional helix. I have one more to build. THis helix is held together by all-screws. Yes, that's what they are called! THey are long screws that resemble rebar. THis helix is unique in that it is the ugliest helix I've ever seen. Some of the bars are bent from improper measurement and the joints between the wood are sloppy. But it is functional--meaning that it works--and will be enclosed in a giant sort of box anyway. When it's done, I'll provide photographic evidence to implicate the guilty.

That evening had steaks with my buddy who runs MTH trains. Showed me the proper way to make them on the gas grill outside. First, you do a dry rub with salt, pepper, garlic, onion and chilli powder. You turn up the flame high in front of the grill and put the steak in the back. Leave it for 8 minutes and then turn it over once for 8 more minutes. Then take it out and leave it set for a couple of minutes so that the juices seep back in. THen mix 1:1 Stubs and Sweet Baby Ray BBQ sauce on it. We ate cheap stakes that were kinda fatty but the cooking technique and BBQ sauce were what made it delicious. I'll betchya that in the olden days, firemen made steaks that way on steam locomotives in the firebox.

On Saturday I had Pho for lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant. Met a nice girl there and asked her how to make PHO. She told me that she would show me how to personally but I forgot to get her PHOne number. I'll be heading back there on Saturday and this time I won't PHOrget to ask.


Dave Vergun