Insomnia Can Be Fun

Get up at 4 AM - what to do? Roll over, switch on NPR radio, listen for what's happening. NPR has a good rep for talking about strange things in the wee wee hours, and this morning was no different. I quickly learned that the Netherlands was the world's second largest exporter of meat, and that the country was having a problem with its excessive use of antibiotics to control animals' growth and health. I wasn't really up to listening to something this profound this early, so I sort of tuned it out, just paying enough attention to catch the ending. The Hollanders were cleaning up their act, the world was not coming to a cataclysmic end, and scientists were continually looking for antibiotics that do more good than harm. But then the story perked up a bit. Scientists are the ultimate nerds; if you're searching for antibiotics, where would you look? Over morning coffee, one place these guys thought promising was the saliva of a Komodo dragon. Of course, I thought. Where else?

The Triumph Bobber

What a looker it is! Triumph says that the Bobber is a premium factory custom motorcycle which is a tribute to the American Bobber motorcycles of the '30s. In essence, it is a Bonneville T120 which was given a new chassis, new suspension units, a single pan seat, wide handlebars and those immaculate Bobber-esque styling cues, which make this motorcycle so good looking. The attention to detail is impeccable, with the rear wheel getting a hub which makes you feel as if there is a drum brake unit inside. Triumph has also worked hard on giving a hard-tail (no rear suspension) look to the motorcycle as well by designing a new cage-type swingarm having bobbin mounts and a monoshock, which is completely hidden. The seat height can be adjusted according to the comfort of the rider and so can the rails on which it is mounted. Triumph says the motorcycle will have only one-seat, keeping true to the tradition of Bobbers.

My Triumph Daytona

Cheesy grits and Shrimp... Dat's what I like about the South!!

Total Time: 45 min Prep: 10 min Cook: 35 min

Yield:4 servings Level:Easy

Ingredients
Grits:
4 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 cup quick cooking grits
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup Parmesan
Shrimp:
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 pound smoked kielbasa sausage, sliced
2 pounds uncooked large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
Chopped chives, for garnish