All posts by Kevin Hogan

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About Kevin Hogan

Kevin Hogan is a lifelong seeker whose creative journey has been shaped by obessesion, for music, literature, and lived experience. A 2000 graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, where he studied poetry, Kevin has worn many hats including real estate agent, broadcaster, and father. His debut work, Tired Of Being Real, marks a significant milestone in a career defined by reflection, exploration, and emotional honesty. Whether on the page or behind the mic, Kevin is first and foremost a storyteller, bringing an authentic voice and a deep appreciation for music, poetry, and healing. Kevin’s other passion is music. Kevin also hosts weekly shows on his longest running project, the jamband focused wookplus, continuing his commitment to community, conversation, and creative expression. He has also interviewed over 300 musicians on his All That Jam podcast. You can also find him on his 6 episode podcast about the early years of punk rock called Beautiful Garbage.s.

25 Days, 25 Songs — Day 3: The Merriest

23: “The Merriest” — June Christy

When vocalist record a Christmas album, you often get an album of covers and standards, but hipster June Christy bucked that trend in 1961 with her ‘This Time Of Year’ album. She chose instead to record a whole album of new compositions by the team that wrote her hit “Night Time Was My Mother,” Arnold Miller and Connie Pearce Miller.  She also engaged her fellow Stan Kenton alumni Pete Rugulo to conduct. “The Merriest” is my favorite from this often overlooked singers contribution to the Christmas genre, combining a swinging track and June’s cool Christmas wishes for the hipsters, beats and other bohemian types.

25 Days, 25 Songs — Day 2: Santa’s Got An Airplane

24: “Santa’s Got An Airplane” — The Beach Boys

‘Little Saint Nick’ is probably the Beach Boys most famous Christmas song, but the 1977 outtake, “Santa’s Got An Airplane,” is my favorite holiday song by the boys of summer. Writen by Alan Jardine/Brian Wilson/Mike Love, it features Mike Love and Al Jardine on lead vocals and was released in 2004 on Christmas With the Beach Boys. It is one of the most whimsical takes on the Santa / Christmas genre, recounting how Santa has embraced new technology to get all those toys delivered.

PENNE WITH OVEN·DRIED TOMATOES, OLIVES,AND HERBS

oven-dried-cherry-tomatoes

The oven-dried tomatoes give this southern Italian pasta sauce a deep rich flavor. If you aren’t a fan of mint or oregano, try adding basil, parsley, cilantro, or thyme.

* 10 medium plum tomatoes or a large container of cherry tomatoes (about 2 pounds)
* Salt
* 10 large black olives., pitted and chopped
* 2 teaspoon small capers, drained
* 1 medium garlic clove, minced very fine
* 1/2 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes or to taste
* I tablespoon minced fresh oregano leaves
* l tablespoon minced fresh mint
* 1/3 C EVOO
* 1 pound penne

First Dry Tomatoes

  1. Preheat your oven to 200°F
  2. Rinse tomatoes and dry them thoroughly, then cut in half (for cherry tomatoes) or rounds (for plum tomatoes)
  3. Spread the cut tomatoes on a large baking sheet, drizzle or spray with olive oil. Toss tomato pieces gently to coat them in the oil. Make sure they are evenly spaced and not crowded to help them dry evenly, or you can arrange them on a cooling rack set on the baking sheet for quicker and more even drying.
  4. Cook for 2 to 3 hours, watching for the edges of the tomatoes to curl up and reduce in size by about 1/3.

Second cook pasta while preparing the sauce.

  1. In a medium saucepan heat some EVOO, add the olives, garlic and capers until heated through, then add the dried tomatoes, herbs, red pepper and salt to taste.

Take drained, cooked penne and toss with sauce, serve immediately.

Add a fresh salad and you have a healthy, fresh and light, but filling dinner. My kids like to add some Parmesan and we always serve some crusty bread to soak up the juices.

 

 

 

 

Kevin W Hogan- Realtor– Member of The Paul Gillespie Team at Exit Preferred Realty– Through a combination of advanced search technologies and old fashioned personalized service, he affords his clients with the highest level of service and is there for each step of the sale or purchase of your home. 

Customer First and FHA 203k Loan agent specializing in communities in and around the Carroll County area such as Eldersburg, Sykesville, Mt. Airy, Woodbine and Hampstead.

Call Kevin W Hogan at 410-917-6116, and “I will take you home.”

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Batters, Stuffings and Rubs

Asian Chicken Rub

Use on soy marinated chicken

2 parts white sesame seeds to 1 part black sesame seeds

add 3/4 TBS Powdered Ginger and Garlic for each 1/2 C Black sesame seeds

Beer Batter

Use a 1/4 C Blackening Spice to 1 picture of Pale Ale and add flour to desired consistency

Dry Herb Mix

Combine equal Parts dried Thyme, Basil and Oregano

Dry Rub 01

1/2 C Ancho Chili Powder
1/2 Lb. Brown Sugar
1/4 C. Salt
1/8 C. Granul~ Garlic
1 TBS. Cumin
1/4 Tsp. Cayenne Pepper

Dry Rub 02

Combine Equal Parts Cumin, Dried Garlic, Salt and Pepper

Mushroom Blue Cheese Stuffing 

Great to stuff a blackened steak

1/2 C Blue cheese crumbles

1/2 C Bread Crumbs

1/2 C Chopped Portabello Mushroom (stems and caps)

1/2 TBS Minced Garlic

1/2 TBS Olive Oil

Seafood Flour for Frying 

Great for dusting seafood like calamari before frying

1/2 LB Flour

1/4 C Chili Powder

1/4 TBS each salt and pepper

 

 

 

 

Aigo Bouido

Aigo Bouido (Garlic Soup)

This soup is perfect for the coming Fall weather, rich and creamy without any dairy, it has a sweet bite from the boiled garlic. Enjoy!

Ingredients

16 Whole unpeeled garlic cloves

2 QT Water

2 TB Salt

1 Pinch pepper

1/4 TSP Sage

1/4 TSP Thyme

1/2 Bay Leaf

4 Sprigs parsley

3 TB Olive Oil

3 Egg Yolks

preparation

Cook garlic in Boiling water for 30 seconds, drain

Run cold water over garlic and peel

Add peeled garlic and all ingredients but Oil and Egg and Boil for 30 minutes

Beat Egg Yolks with a wire whisk until thick and slowly add oil by drops

Beat a ladle full of soup into egg mixture, be slow here as to not make scrambled eggs

Slowly add the rest of soup while straining and pressing garlic through a fine mesh strainer

Serve immediately with French bread

Garnish with parsley

Recipe courtesy of Kevin W Hogan 

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Love Is A Messy Business or ‘Will You Be My June Carter-Cash?’

The past few months have been a whirlwind for me.  I have come from writing 400 word articles for $11 a pop to standing on the precipice of unending abundance in my calling, selling real estate. I talked about this change in mind set a few weeks ago here and have lived my life through progressive realization since reading Steve Morris’ book “Born To Be Exceptional.”

In the course of developing plans for my life I found that I wanted to have someone to share my life with. The three fold path I have laid out, a one year plan to grow my business, a five year plan to become financially independent and debt free and a ten year plan to have the seeds of my retirement start to bloom (It will take my kids getting through college before I can truly retire, but by the time they go I will be entering a period of wrapping up my business), include a certain woman that I have known for many years.  I see it, feel it, know it and live it in all my actions and thoughts.

After my x-wife left I never believed I could trust or love another, normal for such a life changing event.  It took me two years to find my way through the grieving that comes with the termination of a marriage and has been another three for me to feel comfortable pursuing someone. Most people I know who have been through something similar jump back in at some point much earlier and try to find a person to spend their days with. I never saw this as a viable option. I fought for my children to live primarily with me and took a vow in my mind to protect them from the volatility accompanying new relationships.  The last thing I wanted was a parade of women coming into their lives so I had a series of ‘friends’ that would come over on the weekend when the girls were visiting their mother, but that I kept at arms length for the most part.

I never saw anything beyond what I wanted, never took these women’s feelings in to account, even when I was clear that our relationship was purely physical. How can you not become attached on a more deeper level?  And if I felt they were trying for something more I never spoke to them again. I hope the pain was minimal for them and that, though I was selfish, my honesty upfront dulled it. I could be callous and say “you knew what you were getting into,” but I know everyone thinks (and hopes) that a physical relationship may become something more.  Like Jesse Winchester said “You have to plant your seed in the dirt my friend if you want the thing to grow.”  Love is a messy business, but from it comes great beauty if you nurture it.

I wouldn’t change what I did, but I have found that one of these women truly did capture my heart.  It was a complicated scene from the beginning because of our history and I won’t go into that.  We met and hung out not long after my x left and I just wasn’t ready on any level to be involved. Suffice it to say that she is everything I ever want and need in a partner and I let it slip away because the timing was wrong.

This is the crux of a moral dilemma I now find myself in. When I close my eyes and see myself a year from now it is her I see myself with, when I see myself three years from now it is her I see myself married to. The problem is she has moved on from me, has a boyfriend and a good life.

I ask myself is it wrong to pursue her, knowing the pain of having someone you love run off like my x did?  I have never been one to believe in ‘following your heart’, so I would never try to ‘steal’ her away with some Casanova sweet talk. I have, however, let her know how I feel and worry that I may inadvertently throw a wrench into her life. If there is even a smoldering ash of what we had, my simple words may make it rise to heat and flame. Is this fair to her boyfriend?

I can’t help but think about Johnny and June Cash and his chasing her for years.  People watch “Walk The Line” as a great romantic love story, but what about the people they left hurt in the dust.  Was he wrong to chase her, to pursue her, to be so honest while at the same time self centered?

I know how I feel about it, I want her in my life, I want to provide for her and let her follow her calling without the incessant work she has to do to support herself at a 9 to 5.  She could do great things and help many people given the freedom to do it with all her energy. I am writing this for clarity in my mind, I believe we belong together and think that through patience and perseverance one day we will stand before our friends and maker and be married.  As for her boyfriend, my hope is there relationship will run its course and when it does I will be there.

Ginger Carrot Bisque

Ginger Carrot Bisque

This soup is perfect for the coming Fall weather. Make it Vegan by using olive oil, soy creamer and Veggie stock.  Enjoy!

Ingredients

1/4 C (plus 2 TB) Unsalted Butter

2 LB Carrots Peeled and Thinly Sliced

2 Large Onions Chopped

1 TB Minced, Peeled Fresh Ginger

2 TS Grated Orange Peel

1/2 TS Ground Coriander

5 C Chicken Stock

1 C Half and Half

1/2 C Fresh Minced parsley

preparation

Melt butter over medium heat in a heavy large sauce pan.

Add carrots and onions

Cover and cook until softened (about 15 minutes)

Add ginger, orange peel and coriander and 2 C stock

Reduce heat to med-low, cover and simmer for 30 minutes until carrots are very tender

Puree soup in small batches in food processor or blender

Return to pot and add remaining stock and half and half

Add salt and pepper to taste and simmer for 15 minutes

Garnish with parsley

 

 

Recipe courtesy of Kevin W Hogan 

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Yes, It Is The Magic Word

Tuesday finds me up a little early and ready for the day, seeking the promise of abundance in the deep purple that floats above the dim glow of shopping centers and traffic lights. It says offer no resistance to life, let things happen, embrace change and surrender.

This brings a state of grace, of ease, of lightness.

One thing I have found since realizing my destiny was to be exceptional is that when you base your happiness on your expectations you are never happy, when you do the opposite, when you are no longer dependant on things being a certain way, whether good or bad, you are no longer a slave to an idea of happiness. How to do this is the challenge so we must ask ourselves what is the best way to let go, to not expect certain things, either from life, from my kids or from the other adults in my life.

(An example would be expecting Amanda to let Cerise go to Karate on a day she has visitation. I should ask and not expect her to say yes, I should let the answer be what it is and not cause myself the frustration and anger of her standard response when I ask her to let the girls do something “It’s my time, why do you have to schedule things when I have them”.)

Happiness does not come from outside, it is within, like Jesus (or someone in the Bible said) the kingdom of heaven is within. I think most people miss this; they think that Jesus will bring them happiness, but what He said was that if you followed him, followed his example, then you would find happiness within yourself, calm, as he had.

Once we have done this then we can learn to dance in the flow, to whirl and twirl to the rhythm of life and not fight against the current that swells and ebbs in each moment we share.

It is not the world that causes our disappointments, it is our inner demons, critics or parents that like to tell us, “that’s nice, but…” Buts are for pooping, they are full of crap.

This is all done on, manifested on, a conscious level and permeates to our subconscious.

I am focusing on the fullness in my life, the abundance that will ever expand and help me to fulfill my purpose and learning to affirm that ;

I have plenty of time to do the things I want

I am creating total success in an easy and relaxed manner

I am relaxed and enjoy fulfilling my purpose.

To affirm is to remember my dreams and let their meaning be clear.

You have two options in life A) focus on your strengths or B) focus on your shortcomings. Failure is just a sign that you need to readjust and refocus your plan, not an end to the ability to achieve our goals.

Ask yourself what is the problem and answer it in the right way, by saying “am I doing everything I can to deconstruct and solve this problem” “What are the parts, what is the essence, what is the fundamental core that the rest of this situation stems from?”

Fix that and the rest will fall into place.

I am sensible and in control of my life and finances.

I am creating total financial success in an easy and relaxed manner, in a healthy and positive way, in its own perfect time and for the highest good of all.

To stand back, separate yourself from a problem, from your ‘self’, is a great way to gain the perspective that helps you to live a life that is free from outside expectations dictating your happiness.

Know your doubts and fear so you can affirm their opposite, the positive, the good, the half-full. It is alright, we are only limited by our beliefs and the critic inside of our dreams.

Our beliefs, right or wrong, good or bad, are not true until we make them true by affirming them, change what you affirm consciously and unconsciously and you will change the course of your beliefs and dreams.

Can you answer these questions:

“What is my purpose?”  This is hard, you may need to meditate on it, to mull it over, but the answer will guide everything you do and bring focus.

Next ask “What is a deeply satisfying life?”

Answer that and then all that is left is to design it, the blueprint to true success is within us.

Then finally ask “What life do I dream of having?” This is an extension of what is a satisfying life and will give you the tools to set goals which in turn make the blueprint.

You will get where you are going even if you don’t know where it is, but wouldn’t it be easier if you knew where you were going, to find the path of least resistance to your destination (destiny). The difference between destiny and fate is this plan.

The hardest thing I have found is fighting that voice that says “You can’t” (I don’t even like writing that) and it is best done, by me, in a calm way, by remembering that it is testing my faith in myself, that the voice of doubt creates a path of resistance and it is the path of least resistance that is the road I walk.

In Bucklands Complete Book Of Witchcraft there is a phrase “So Mote It Be”, that you say when casting a spell, I see that casting a spell is not the thing of movies, but rather a setting of your inner self on the right path, the path of least resistance and affirming it. You create the life you want by visualizing it, dreaming it, and affirming it. The rest begins to take care of itself because your are no longer fighting the world around you, but rather embracing it and becoming one with the truth of your dreams.

There is a great book I suggest you find and read called The Bhagavad Gita, it “is a 700-verse scripture that is part of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. This scripture contains a conversation between Pandava prince Arjuna and his guide Lord Krishna on a variety of theological and philosophical issues.” Reading it opened up parts of my mind that helped me see within every adversity is an equal or greater benefit and that problems are simply speed bumps that slow me down for a good reason; that within every problem is a oppotunity, a great gift.

See yourself as the person you want to be, where you belong and doing what you want to fulfill the purpose in life you have been shown.

Success only happens when you see it and place yourself in it, imagine it and allow it to manifest itself, it is the ability to learn new things and be challenged. Remember that luck is preparedness meeting opportunity. When we prepare, opportunities present themselves.

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“Jerry’s”

It was the only thing I could be sure of — a certainty in a life that had become lost in a mad rush to escape the past that held onto every breath. Before I gambled there was always hope, but after that first spin of the wheel I knew I was a loser and it gave me some strange comfort. I began to spend every moment I could at ‘Jerry’s’, it was dark and Lisa, the cutest blond bartender in South Baltimore, fed me Sierra Nevada drafts and shots of Jagermeister as long as I fed the Cherrypickers along the back wall of the bar. She had seen many gamblers come and go, but for some reason befriended me.

Jerry’s was a hole in the wall, dark and smelling of stale beer, dirty mop water and morality. There was a sad cast of characters from 6 in the morning until well after midnight. The jukebox played a schizophrenic mix of  70’s country, 80’s metal and 90’s dance.  The older folks liked the hits from their youth, the kids liked remembering the music from highschool. When you walked in there were two pool tables, then a large square bar that sat in the middle of the room. Behind the bar were tables to sit at and the poker machines.

I was always anxious when I went, either because I had money to gamble, was copping coke, or was fighting the nagging notion I should be at home.

Christian was the person who took me to Jerry’s the first time. He was a guy my wife introduced me to once when we wanted to get high and was always lurking. I had stopped gambling after Marybeth left me at the dive she worked in; it had been many years before that November night. It was his birthday and my wife wanted to hang out so off we went. It was an excuse, as if we needed one, to get wasted. After we were there about an hour, enough time to do a shot, drink a beer and snort a line of bad coke off the urinal, I placed my first dollar of thousands in the poker machine.

They’re illegal in Maryland, they even say “for entertainment purposes only”, but if you know the bartender they pay off. I won $50 that night for spending $10.  The next morning I was back, up early and playing again. By the time winter had turned to spring I was a regular, spending my days playing the poker machine, snorting crystal or coke, and getting drunk. I was there as often as possible.