Just be careful if you use something to shape your patties. The temptation is to squeeze them into shape—this you shouldn't do. As with other areas of life, it's important to be gentle with the meat if you want the best results.

A simpler tip that often works: be patient. I once took a photo of Graceland from the front driveway during a crowded tour. All the other photographers kept asking "how did you get it so there was no people in it?" Simple, I said. I waited for about 10 minutes and, lo, there was a moment when everyone was out of…

I'm a HUGE fan of the backyard fire. My neighbor used to have one 2 or 3 nights a week during the warmer months. I can't tell you how many nights I sat around that fire drinking beer, playing guitar and shooting the breeze—I mean I literally can't tell you. If I didn't live in an apartment now I'd be out in the yard…

I'd die for a Le Creuset dutch oven. But I don't see an enameled product replacing my Lodge skillet, which I mostly just use to brand ribeyes. The dutch oven I use to make stew, chili and even bake no-knead bread.

Wow, I'm really tempted to throw my name into the hat...

Glad to know they are so responsive! Still, supposing that a 1 day old blog entry is marked as plagiarism because they already indexed the content of my blog, then why is the submission of the entry marked 40% original? Shouldn't it be 100% fake?

I know it's by definition not available for Windows or any other platform besides Mac OS X Snow Leopard, but I really am liking Apple's built-in, OS-level VPN client. I was able to ditch the clunky Cisco software I had to use before. Made me very happy.

Interesting. I just submitted a blog entry I composed last night and, among a few other mundane criticisms, it says it's plagiarized. That only 40% of its content is original. Which is utter nonsense.

I swear by Lightsphere. But I've been known to make a bounce card from a white plastic cake plate and a pocket knife.

@Bonsai_halcyon: I love the bruschetta idea. I think I'm going to try that.

Here's how I do steak at home. Let steaks come to room temperature. Add salt and pepper. Heat oven to 500 with cast iron skillet in it. Remove skillet and put on high burner. Drop steaks in it for 30 seconds. Flip for another 30. Place skillet back in oven for 3-4 minutes. Remove steaks, let rest under foil for 5…

As the owner of a 14" bullwhip, I'm into it. The most use it's ever gotten was one costume party and one drunken demonstration in the backyard on a memorial day years ago. Lucky I didn't put out my eye.

Rules are meant to be broken, but I think most people need to get closer for sure. "Fill the frame with your subject" is what I always say. "What is this picture of?" I ask. My dog, they say. "Well, what's all this other stuff in the shot then?"

My local pick n save has started offering Clear Value items. I especially like to buy the canned tomatoes. It does my chili right and the price is absurdly low compared to all other brands on the shelf.

Neat trick, but I'm not a believer in lens caps at all. Get a cheap UV filter, screw it on the front of your lens, and carry a microfiber cloth to wipe away any smudges or fingerprints. That's all the protection your lens needs, no matter how expensive it is. Lens caps only hinder you from getting the picture.

brilliant idea!

One of two things I envied Win 7 users. The other being Home Group. The rest of it looks like a second-rate knock off of the Mac OS.

An adequate shave is possible using just about anything. But a good shave—close, comfortable and with spa-like enjoyment—comes with good products and techniques.

I recently picked up some free Venus Hum holiday music. Fun stuff. [www.venushum.com]

How do we know it was Apple's call about not having a standalone app? I want to know for sure who to be mad at over the fact that I do not have this. #latitude