Friday, June 23, 2017

Author David Brooks Discussed The Road to Character Book


Chris Flouhouse and family at the game
A graduate of North Carolina State University, Chris Flouhouse is a Managing Director at Wells Fargo Securities in Charlotte, North Carolina. An avid reader, Chris Flouhouse recently finished The Road to Character by David Brooks.

New York Times columnist and bestselling author David Brooks published The Road to Character in 2015. The nonfiction tome centers on a range of people who have a strong sense of character. Mr. Brooks examines these people and examines how society’s morals and character have shifted over generations, resulting in what seems like a lack of character today. He also writes about the external self and how it compares to the internal self.

In April 2017, David Brooks participated in a podcast with Brett McKay and his Art of Manliness podcast. During the interview, Mr. Brooks said he was listening to a rebroadcast of an old radio show from the 1940s and heard Bing Crosby say that on VJ Day, “we don’t feel too proud, we’re just humbled.” He was struck by the tone of humility and how people were modest during a time when they could have been boastful. 

After the broadcast, he went inside and turned on the television to watch a football game. He saw a defensive back tackle a wide receiver and did a dance to celebrate his tackle. Mr. Brooks pondered how the victory dance on television over a two-yard gain was more modest than winning World War II. Hence, his book focuses on after World War II; how culture went from self-faith to self-celebration.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Chris Flouhouse of Charlotte, NC, Backpacking

Chris Flouhouse enjoys hiking in his leisure. | Chris enjoys traveling with friends and family preferring to visit beaches to fish or mountains that give him the opportunity to hike or ski. 

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Searing a Steak to Ensure Maximum Flavor


Chris Flouhouse who lives in Charlotte enjoys grilling whenever possible. As a barbecue enthusiast, Chris Flouhouse enjoys grilling using the freshest local ingredients available.

Grilling steak is an art that seems simple but has a number of critical steps that, if neglected, lead to a bland, overcooked piece of meat. The key to creating a steak with the perfect color, texture, and flavor involves searing it. This requires intense heat either from a hot pan or the direct heat of a grill.

When using charcoal build up a large stack of coals, two layers or more deep and spaced evenly. Leave a space next to the pile as a “safe zone,” above which the steaks can be placed when high heat is no longer needed. One thing to be aware of is that the steak, when confronted with a temperature of between 500 to 600 degrees, will begin sizzling immediately and quickly turn a darker shade. 

With the browning process occurring rapidly, have an instant-read thermometer ready, as the surface may be done while the inside remains rare. When the steak threatens to burn, make liberal use of the cooler section of the grill and allow the steak to continue the cooking process on its own.

Monday, June 5, 2017

Chris Flouhouse and family enjoying themselves at the beach

Chris Flouhouse
Chris Flouhouse and his family walking on the beach | Chris Flouhouse is an alumnus of North Carolina State University with a degree in Business Management.