And now, without further adieu, the video.  (FYI – my email is the first one she reads.)

I’m helping to raise funds to
#beatcancer, by blogging, tweeting
and posting Facebook status
updates.

Click here to join me!

On October 17 I will participate in a fund-raising event for Texas Children’s Hospital called Extra Life.  It is a 24-hour gaming marathon. Seriously. A nationwide community of gamers will begin playing games at 8am on Saturday and play until 8am Sunday.  Through sponsorship, the gamers will raise money for pediatric cancer research and treatment.   Last year’s inaugural event raised $120,000!

I was born in Houston and lived there 13 of my 40 years.  As such, I feel a great sense of pride that I can continue to support Texas Children’s Hospital all the way from South Carolina.

While I have contributed to cancer research funds before, I have taken it a little more personally since losing my dad to cancer.  Dad was in his mid 70s when cancer took him and I was devastated.  I cannot even imagine what it must be like to experience that as a child.  Texas Children’s Hospital not only works to attack the cancer, it also pays attention to the emotional needs of the family.

So I need you to help me.  Help me reach my personal goal of raising $1000 for Texas Children’s Hospital. I’m asking everyone I know to sponsor me for $2/hr (a $48 donation) to this more-than-worthy cause.  If that’s too much, then $1/hr (a $24 donation).  Look, I never ask for money.  Heck, I never ask for support of any kind – but I’m asking now.

I’m 40 years old, staying up for 24 consecutive hours is a challenge in itself!  And it starts at 8am.  Have you met me?  You KNOW it’ll be a struggle for me to get out of bed by 8am!  Add the repetitive strain injuries I’m risking and this is damn-near a suicide mission!

I will be posting hourly updates on Twitter throughout the event and I will also be broadcasting live on webcam.  Link to the feed can be found here on the day of the event.  So get your wallet out and help me raise some money for Texas Children’s Hospital.

Make donations here: https://waystogive.texaschildrens.org/netcommunity/kenvaughn

Learn more about Extra Life here: http://extralife.sarcasticgamer.com/

If you want to follow the whelping, including my efforts today to build a whelping box, wander over to Greystar Kennels where I will be posting regular updates.

• 2 lbs lean ground beef
• 3 cups cold water
• 1 large onion, finely diced
• 6 oz tomato paste
• 2 oz unsweet baking chocolate
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 3 bay leaves
• 4 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1-1/2 tsp salt
• 1-1/2 tsp ground allspice
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves

Put the ground beef in a large (6-8 quart) stockpot and cover with 3 cups of cold water.  Mix vigorously by hand – it is important to mix using your hand to achieve the proper texture – until the ground beef is broken up and completely mixed with the water.  The mixture should be thick and slushy.

Add the diced onion, tomato paste, unsweetened baking chocolate, and red wine vinegar and mix again by hand.

Add the spices and bay leaves and mix again by hand.

Place stockpot on high heat and bring to a boil, stirring often.  (Obviously you should use a spoon now, not your hand.)  Once boiling, reduce heat to a hard simmer and cover.  Cook for 1 hour and 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.  Remove lid and cook for 15 more minutes.  (2 hours total cooking time.)

Serve over spaghetti.  Cover with shredded cheddar cheese and finely diced onions.

The Tea Table’s Wu Yi Yan Cha is a well-bodied oolong tea with a buttery, vegetal finish.  It’s murky gold-green brew tells the eyes what the tongue will quickly discover – this is a very complex tea.

This selection will produce well-balanced pots for two or three steepings.

Tea: Wu Yi Yan Cha
Price: $11.50/ounce
Vendor: The Tea Table
Direct Link to Tea: http://www.theteatable.com/product/WYYC.html