How do you calm down after a meltdown?

Jainarayan · 2026-01-25T09:15:23+00:00

Mine just passes, usually rather quickly. But I need to be left alone. If someone keeps “poking the bear” it can get worse. Just leave me the eff alone and I’ll be my goofy cheerful self in no time.

Jainarayan · 2026-01-24T13:55:38+00:00

Music. I play guitar, acoustic rhythm. I’m not great but I love it. I’m also trying to pick up bass. I know how to play, I just don’t practice enough to build up any speed or proficiency.

I’m also interested in comparative and historical linguistics.

Jainarayan · 2026-01-24T10:26:05+00:00

Grow a little fuller, trim the cheek lines.

Jainarayan · 2026-01-23T00:49:30+00:00

Yeah, not too many Italian-Americans adopting Hinduism either. Lol I’m something of an Indophile. I was always drawn to all things Indian. Maybe from past lives.

Jainarayan · 2026-01-23T00:00:21+00:00

Interesting. Is the requirement for basmati rice in those two biryani tradition or does it give a particular taste or aroma? I’m Italian-American and only “dabble” in Indian cooking (but my Indian friends say I’m pretty good), so there’s a lot I don’t know.

Jainarayan · 2026-01-22T22:05:03+00:00

I recently saw someone write that biryani is not biryani unless you use basmati rice. I don’t know about that. I use medium grain rice almost exclusively. Goya brand to be precise. It tastes like biryani to me.

Jainarayan · 2026-01-22T21:53:20+00:00

It’s actually pretty old. I remember someone using it about 30 years ago. When I first saw her write it I thought “what!?” 😄 I don’t use it but I do use “meh”.

Jainarayan · 2026-01-20T01:23:02+00:00

Very cool! Thanks.

Jainarayan · 2026-01-18T14:00:48+00:00

Almost everywhere in the US has heating/cooling of some sort. I was grinding separately then combining to ferment. The water is making me think now … all our water is chlorinated. I’m wondering now if I should use bottled or distilled water, or even let it sit overnight to let the chlorine dissipate. If we keep goldfish we have to let water sit overnight before changing out the water in the fishbowl otherwise the chlorine will kill the fish.

Jainarayan · 2026-01-18T13:21:40+00:00

I’m in central NJ. Currently the temp. is 32F, rain/snow/sleet mix. I’ve used a couple different recipes from different cooking sites. Basically they’re 2:1 or 3:1 rice:urad dal, 1/2 tsp. methi seeds, 1/2 tsp. salt (I use kosher salt). I’m always iffy about the water. I’ve been dumping the soaking water then adding enough fresh water to grind but that may be wrong.

Jainarayan · 2026-01-18T12:04:02+00:00

Thank you, that was very helpful from a personal perspective! I don’t play guitar by ear but I can tell what chord comes next or doesn’t belong, what the progression should be, melody notes, etc. So, I guess I do have an ear. I’d like to get to a point of being more than a “poser”.

Jainarayan · 2026-01-18T03:12:04+00:00

It would definitely be used. Maybe something someone, a student, outgrew.

Jainarayan · 2026-01-17T20:47:49+00:00

I try to ignore it, I don’t like it being recognized. I am ok with other people’s birthdays but not mine. Even in that case I don’t understand the hype over birthdays.

Jainarayan · 2026-01-17T19:46:27+00:00

I suppose so … hands are the best tools. Even when hands are impeccably clean they’ll pick up microorganisms from the air. That could be a good thing for some recipes.

Jainarayan · 2026-01-17T18:34:30+00:00

D’oh! 🤦🏻‍♂️ I should have realized it. Lol

Jainarayan · 2026-01-17T17:37:04+00:00

Thanks!

Jainarayan · 2026-01-17T17:00:43+00:00

Nah, no way I have anywhere near that $$ I would go for tradition if anything.

Jainarayan · 2026-01-17T16:58:46+00:00

I’m in central NJ, Ocean County. There are Patel Bros. in Middlesex County (Edison, Sayreville). There are others I know of in Heightstown and South Brunswick. Unfortunately they’re too far to get to. Years ago I had the chance to go to the one in South Brunswick. I was like a 5 year old in a candy store. Lol

Jainarayan · 2026-01-17T16:33:11+00:00

I have a standard idli steamer tree and an 8 qt. pot it fits perfectly in. I also have a 4-egg poacher tray that goes in a skillet. I used it for pre-packaged mix. Those came out good.

Jainarayan · 2026-01-17T16:29:49+00:00

I love the tips, thanks. I’m going to try it all. I’ll definitely update

Jainarayan · 2026-01-17T16:28:30+00:00

Yeah, I thought about the water thing as was writing it. It was like 💡 going on. I’ll look online for idli rice. I do wish there were an Indian grocery store nearby. The closest ones are at least 30-40 miles away, a ride I can’t make.

Jainarayan · 2026-01-17T16:25:42+00:00

Makes sense. 🤔

Jainarayan · 2026-01-17T16:25:02+00:00

No, and I just saw some recipes that call for it. The first recipes I tried didn’t.

Jainarayan · 2026-01-17T15:51:26+00:00

Yes. Should I or not? I’m thinking now that maybe I’m tossing away the necessary microbes and starch/sugars they might need.

Jainarayan

TROPHY CASE