I am not going to do business with someone because they “liked” me on Facebook, I will do business with them because we have talked on the phone or met in person and I think that our relationship could flourish and that we will do good business together.

If I enjoy what someone is saying and what they do online or offline, then I will engage them and become friends with them. If I don’t I won’t.  If someone chooses to not “friend” me, I don’t mind. That is their choice.

I have spent too much of my time wondering why someone doesn’t like me or won’t talk to me. Sometimes they have a genuine reason.  If they approach me about what’s up I am always happy to discuss and possibly learn from them. Sometimes people have no reason, sometimes they are too busy, or too self-involved and I am not able to meet their standards. Oh well.

What I refuse to do is sit here and think about every person on Twitter or Empire Avenue who I follow/buy who doesn’t return the favor. I am getting what I need out of the connection and they are getting what they need. I may attempt to engage them, if they return the favor then great. If they don’t, I am not going to sit on my couch and cry about it. I will move on with my life, like I would hope so many people online would do.

Your online presence is only an extension of who you are as a person, it should not define you. I will not compromise who I am for a meaningless relationship, but I will go out of my way for a meaningful one.

I don’t care who you are, no one likes to feel that they’ve been rejected. It could be the folks who have these petty tirades saying that you aren’t following them are being foolish and taking themselves too seriously. It also sounds like you’ve decided, by choice, not to care what other people do. But the head doesn’t dictate what the gut & the heart feels.

1) Mince 1 tablespoon cilantro if fresh, or measure one teaspoon of ground cilantro.
2) Mince one tablespoon garlic if fresh, or measure one teaspoon of ground or powdered cilantro.
3) Mince 1 Serrano pepper.

4) Steam 1 cup of rice so it is sticky but not mushy.

While rice is cooking:
a) Dice chicken and cook slowly by simmering in a skillet with fresh squeezed lime juice and 1/2 cup of water.
b) Chop onion and celery.

5) When rice is ready, remove from heat. Mix earnestly with cilantro, Serrano pepper and garlic.

6) Add chopped onion and celery to simmer with chicken for two minutes. Remove from heat.

7) Place healthy portion of rice in a bowl. Drain ‘stir fry’ and serve atop rice mixture.

Enjoy!

Best served with hot Sake or an ice cold beer.

Remove to a clean plate (and keep warm) and then back into the same pan, add a 3-4 tablespoons of the fire roasted diced tomatoes, reduce them to a nice chunky puree (use back of a wooden spoon) , add a few tablespoons of white wine or white vermouth.   Let boil for 2 min.  Reduce heat and add 1/2 cup of cream (if you have some) and reduce quickly for a few minutes until desired sauce texture.

I don’t see cream on your list so if you don’t have that, add 1 cup of milk and bring to a slow boil and then simmer until reduced.  Add the chicken/shrimp (without additional cooking) to the sauce, serve with an avocado/lime juice/olive oil/cilantro side salad.  

(Don’t forget to taste for salt and pepper as per needed.)