The Mysterious Chinese Woman will kill me when she sees this.
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Cha...Cha...Cha...Changes
As you probably gathered from my last post, Puerto Vallarta is a continually changing city. And, yes, with a population of well over a quarter of a million it really is a city now. Certainly not the sleepy little fishing village that John Huston found when he began filming "Night Of The Iquana," and not even the same as it was last year. Everywhere you look, it seems, things are changing.
The City, It Is A-Changin'
In most cases the changes result in something positive. At least in my opinion. Oh, there are those who would like to see Puerto Vallarta remain the same as whenever it was when they first arrivied. But then they don't live here so they aren't worried about how a growing city has to change to accomodate growth and, yes, lure more tourists. And the permanent residents may not enjoy poor plumbing, electrical outages, clogged streets, and all the other things that short-term tourists might consider quaint.
But every once in awhile something changes that brings a tear to the Bar Man's eyes. And this change was one of them.
My Dear La Gloria de Infierno
Well, from the outside it looks pretty much the same. No loud music, though. And a peek through the window revealed a disturbing sight.
A Sad Sight Indeed
Yes, one of my favorite dive bars, a place that has probably been here since before the arrival of Mr. Huston, is no more. Rumor has it that it will be replaced by one of the omnipresent little Mexican 7-11 like stores that are popping up all over the place. I will miss La Gloria de Infierno.
Is This The Future?
Luckily there are still hold-outs, and I am confident that, at least in my lifetime, there will always be these holdouts.
My Favorite Taco Stand
La Ballena Azul
Fresh Shucked Oysters From The Bay
Yes, change is inevitable, most of it good, some of it sad. But isn't that like life itself. And Puerto Vallarta is alive, and that is why I come back year after year.
The City, It Is A-Changin'
In most cases the changes result in something positive. At least in my opinion. Oh, there are those who would like to see Puerto Vallarta remain the same as whenever it was when they first arrivied. But then they don't live here so they aren't worried about how a growing city has to change to accomodate growth and, yes, lure more tourists. And the permanent residents may not enjoy poor plumbing, electrical outages, clogged streets, and all the other things that short-term tourists might consider quaint.
But every once in awhile something changes that brings a tear to the Bar Man's eyes. And this change was one of them.
My Dear La Gloria de Infierno
Well, from the outside it looks pretty much the same. No loud music, though. And a peek through the window revealed a disturbing sight.
A Sad Sight Indeed
Yes, one of my favorite dive bars, a place that has probably been here since before the arrival of Mr. Huston, is no more. Rumor has it that it will be replaced by one of the omnipresent little Mexican 7-11 like stores that are popping up all over the place. I will miss La Gloria de Infierno.
Is This The Future?
Luckily there are still hold-outs, and I am confident that, at least in my lifetime, there will always be these holdouts.
My Favorite Taco Stand
La Ballena Azul
Fresh Shucked Oysters From The Bay
Yes, change is inevitable, most of it good, some of it sad. But isn't that like life itself. And Puerto Vallarta is alive, and that is why I come back year after year.
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
We Have Arrived
The Mysterious Chinese Woman and I arrived safe and sound here in Puerto Vallarta late Sunday afternoon. And, although I feel for all of you stuck in the cold and snow, let me tell you, it isn't all warm weather and sunshine here. Oh, wait, yes it is. Sorry about that.
Given that we were up early, 4:00 AM for me, we decided to head to our traditional first-night dinner at El Dorado a bit on the early side as well. It has changed management, like many other places here. In fact the first three places we have eaten have all changed hands or management. The change at El Dorado was more, shall we say, glaring than the others, however.
The New El Dorado
Now when you realize that El Dorado was one of the first beach bars here and in fifty years had not really changed a lot, this change was, well, glaring. It has gone from an old, kind of formal, Mexican place to what now looks like a Southern California beach bar. I can't say I like it all that much, particularly the techno-beat music they now have blaring. But, tradition is tradition so that is where we had our first-night's dinner.
Our First Cervezas In Puerto Vallarta
Happily, the food was still very good, although a bit different in its preparation. The Mysterious Chinese Woman had a whole red snapper and I had a tuna cervice, very good with a nice tang to it. Others have complained that the prices are somewhat high and I guess $8.50 for a hamburger might attest to that. I didn't think our meals were too expensive, but I am from New York so what do I know.
Sadly my tranquility here was shattered upon leaving when I saw this sign:
The Big Game
I tried to convice people that the "big" game was the week before when the Jets played the Steelers but, as you can imagine, I got no sympathetic ear.
We were kind of pooped so we called it an early night and then went to one of our favorite places for breakfast the next morning.
Lagostinos
The food, as usual, was quite good.
Huevos Divorciado
In English this would be divorced eggs. Two eggs, one with a green sauce and one with a red sauce. Very tasty.
The Mysterious Chinese Woman had a vegetarian omelette and it came with two soft tortillas folded over melted cheese. Also refried beans and a scoop of mashed potatoes.
Hmm, Yummy
Plenty to eat and very good. Their coffee is good too. It was only afterward that we learned that this place had also changed hands. But at least not much else seemed to have changed. I will have to check it out for dinner one night.
And, in keeping with the theme of change, the old pier that has been here forever is being torn down to be replaced with, well, with another pier.
The Old Pier Will Be No More
Apparently there was a large picture of what the new pier would look like, but it had been taken down.
Only The Frame Remains
A local wag suggested that they have to redo the picture every time the plans for the new pier change. I suspect that it was kind of an eyesore and blocked a nice view of the bay.
Then, we ended up going to what once was Sweeny's for dinner. But, again, it was no longer Sweeny's.
Que Pasa
This place, like Lagostinos, really hadn't changed. Same menu, same specials, same great food and friendly service. There is kind of a hstory behind the change in ownership. I know Sweeny was trying to sell the place last year and whoever bought it also bought the rights to the menu as well. Plus, I believe the new owner was somehow involved with Sweeny when he originally opened the place. I think some of the staff is the same as well. One guy who used to work there was in having a beer and he said he still bartends on Wednesday sfternoons.
So, there you have it, three restaurants and three changes of either management or ownership.
Some things don't change, however. As we were having a beer before dinner a few friends that we hadn't seen since last year, Bella, Tom, Marie and Peter, spotted us from the street and hollered up a hello. We hollered back and invited them to join us and we all had dinner together. So the best part of Pueto Vallarta, making new friends, meeting old friends and spontaneous get-togethers, remains the same.
Sadly, except for Bella who is from Puerto Vallarta, the other three were from, arrgh, Wisconsin. They were surpisingly sympathetic about the Jets loss to the Steelers, but that was just because they had wanted to watch the Super Bowl with me so we could root for our respective teams and hurl insults at each other.
Today is another one of the Mysterious Chinese Woman's birthdays so I am taking her to La Palapa for dinner. As far as I know that place remains the same.
Given that we were up early, 4:00 AM for me, we decided to head to our traditional first-night dinner at El Dorado a bit on the early side as well. It has changed management, like many other places here. In fact the first three places we have eaten have all changed hands or management. The change at El Dorado was more, shall we say, glaring than the others, however.
The New El Dorado
Now when you realize that El Dorado was one of the first beach bars here and in fifty years had not really changed a lot, this change was, well, glaring. It has gone from an old, kind of formal, Mexican place to what now looks like a Southern California beach bar. I can't say I like it all that much, particularly the techno-beat music they now have blaring. But, tradition is tradition so that is where we had our first-night's dinner.
Our First Cervezas In Puerto Vallarta
Happily, the food was still very good, although a bit different in its preparation. The Mysterious Chinese Woman had a whole red snapper and I had a tuna cervice, very good with a nice tang to it. Others have complained that the prices are somewhat high and I guess $8.50 for a hamburger might attest to that. I didn't think our meals were too expensive, but I am from New York so what do I know.
Sadly my tranquility here was shattered upon leaving when I saw this sign:
The Big Game
I tried to convice people that the "big" game was the week before when the Jets played the Steelers but, as you can imagine, I got no sympathetic ear.
We were kind of pooped so we called it an early night and then went to one of our favorite places for breakfast the next morning.
Lagostinos
The food, as usual, was quite good.
Huevos Divorciado
In English this would be divorced eggs. Two eggs, one with a green sauce and one with a red sauce. Very tasty.
The Mysterious Chinese Woman had a vegetarian omelette and it came with two soft tortillas folded over melted cheese. Also refried beans and a scoop of mashed potatoes.
Hmm, Yummy
Plenty to eat and very good. Their coffee is good too. It was only afterward that we learned that this place had also changed hands. But at least not much else seemed to have changed. I will have to check it out for dinner one night.
And, in keeping with the theme of change, the old pier that has been here forever is being torn down to be replaced with, well, with another pier.
The Old Pier Will Be No More
Apparently there was a large picture of what the new pier would look like, but it had been taken down.
Only The Frame Remains
A local wag suggested that they have to redo the picture every time the plans for the new pier change. I suspect that it was kind of an eyesore and blocked a nice view of the bay.
Then, we ended up going to what once was Sweeny's for dinner. But, again, it was no longer Sweeny's.
Que Pasa
This place, like Lagostinos, really hadn't changed. Same menu, same specials, same great food and friendly service. There is kind of a hstory behind the change in ownership. I know Sweeny was trying to sell the place last year and whoever bought it also bought the rights to the menu as well. Plus, I believe the new owner was somehow involved with Sweeny when he originally opened the place. I think some of the staff is the same as well. One guy who used to work there was in having a beer and he said he still bartends on Wednesday sfternoons.
So, there you have it, three restaurants and three changes of either management or ownership.
Some things don't change, however. As we were having a beer before dinner a few friends that we hadn't seen since last year, Bella, Tom, Marie and Peter, spotted us from the street and hollered up a hello. We hollered back and invited them to join us and we all had dinner together. So the best part of Pueto Vallarta, making new friends, meeting old friends and spontaneous get-togethers, remains the same.
Sadly, except for Bella who is from Puerto Vallarta, the other three were from, arrgh, Wisconsin. They were surpisingly sympathetic about the Jets loss to the Steelers, but that was just because they had wanted to watch the Super Bowl with me so we could root for our respective teams and hurl insults at each other.
Today is another one of the Mysterious Chinese Woman's birthdays so I am taking her to La Palapa for dinner. As far as I know that place remains the same.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Adios
The Mysterious Chinese Woman and I are off to warmer weather. I shall post again in a few days after we have settled into Puerto Vallarta a bit.
Until then, stay warm.
Until then, stay warm.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Day Ja View
Well, here we go again. Sure, it looked like just a few flakes coming down yesterday, but the snow blew in last night. Almost 16 inches in Central Park. And in my neighborhood?
Our Sidewalk Was Shoveled
I still don't know why they park these two little police thingies in front of our place, but they have been there for months and I don't think the one by the mailbox has moved in all that time.
Not Going Anywhere Today, Either
At least this time around the streets were all plowed early.
Good Job
I think this guy should have taken advantage of the nearby parking garage.
Some Digging Out To Do
Once again, though, after schlepping my way to the nearby deli to pick up the morning paper I discovered they hadn't been delivered yet.
Just three more days and I will be heading to the sunshine and beaches of Puerto Vallarta and leaving all of this behind. And I can hardly wait. We have shattered the record for snow in January and that Christmas Day snowstorm was something else again too.
After years, and thanks to one of my Mysterious Sister-In-Laws, I have finally deciphered the rule for when Minnesota has its annual Fishing Opener. It is, by law, two weekends before Memorial Day. And, once again, it is not on Mothers Day this year.
Anyone think that Gil Meche had a touch more class than Brett Favre when it came to retiring?
Is it just me, or is Hillary Clinton begining to look more and more like the woman who lived under the radiator in the movie Eraserhead?
Just Asking
And, finally, after watching an episode of BBC's Law and Order I have to wonder, do they use prosthetics to make the actors teeth look bad, or do the actors really have bad teeth. In the United States version even the bad guys have good teeth.
Our Sidewalk Was Shoveled
I still don't know why they park these two little police thingies in front of our place, but they have been there for months and I don't think the one by the mailbox has moved in all that time.
Not Going Anywhere Today, Either
At least this time around the streets were all plowed early.
Good Job
I think this guy should have taken advantage of the nearby parking garage.
Some Digging Out To Do
Once again, though, after schlepping my way to the nearby deli to pick up the morning paper I discovered they hadn't been delivered yet.
Just three more days and I will be heading to the sunshine and beaches of Puerto Vallarta and leaving all of this behind. And I can hardly wait. We have shattered the record for snow in January and that Christmas Day snowstorm was something else again too.
After years, and thanks to one of my Mysterious Sister-In-Laws, I have finally deciphered the rule for when Minnesota has its annual Fishing Opener. It is, by law, two weekends before Memorial Day. And, once again, it is not on Mothers Day this year.
Anyone think that Gil Meche had a touch more class than Brett Favre when it came to retiring?
Is it just me, or is Hillary Clinton begining to look more and more like the woman who lived under the radiator in the movie Eraserhead?
Just Asking
And, finally, after watching an episode of BBC's Law and Order I have to wonder, do they use prosthetics to make the actors teeth look bad, or do the actors really have bad teeth. In the United States version even the bad guys have good teeth.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Snow Again
Arrgh, more snow here in Brooklyn. We have already had more snow this so far this winter than we usually have for an entire winter. And another major snowstorm moving in tonight.
The View From My Window
Luckily it is all supposed to clear out by the weekend when I head out to Mexico with the Mysterious Chinese Woman.
Just saw the coolest thing on CNN, beer dispensers that fill up plastic glasses from the bottom. They are designed primarily for sports stadiums because they are fast and there is no spillage.
Bottoms Up
And nothing says sports more than getting as much beer as you can into the fans as fast as you can.
The View From My Window
Luckily it is all supposed to clear out by the weekend when I head out to Mexico with the Mysterious Chinese Woman.
Just saw the coolest thing on CNN, beer dispensers that fill up plastic glasses from the bottom. They are designed primarily for sports stadiums because they are fast and there is no spillage.
Bottoms Up
And nothing says sports more than getting as much beer as you can into the fans as fast as you can.
Monday, January 24, 2011
There Is Always Next Year
Well, you can't spot a team 24 points and expcect to win. But you have to admit, the Jets did still manage to make it exciting at the end.
I didn't want go public with a dream that I had last week for fear of jinxing the Jets, but I thought I would share an email that I sent to a friend last Thursday:
From: Dan Freeman (dan_freeman_llc@hotmail.com)
Sent: Thu 1/20/11 12:50 PM
To: jersmrekar@hotmail.com (jersmrekar@hotmail.com)
Jer,
Bad enough that the Jets are on the cover of Sports Illustrated, I dreamt that they lose 19 to 28.
Dan
I am not looking forward to reading the papers or watching Sports Center today.
I saw where Jack Lalanne died the other day at age 96. I immediately thought that they should run him through one of his juicers and sell the extracted liquid as a vitamin supplement. Perhaps a bit macabre, but then I myself would like to be made into sausages. Beer sausages, of course.
Now that the Jets season is over I have only the Knicks to fall back on, and they have just lost six games in a roll. Now the Associated Press, as reported in the New York Daily News, says that the Knicks "are in the midst of a six-game skid." It seems to me that if you have just lost six-games you aren't in the midst of a six-game skid, you are at the end of it. They were in the midst of a six-game skid after they lost three in a row.
Excuse me if I sound a bit grouchy, but did everyone but Brian Schottenheimer think it was a bad idea not to just run the ball when you had three downs to make one yard. I know I was yelling at the televison after the first incomplete pass and was in agony after the second. Of course given that the Jets only made one yard in the entire first half, I am guessing they weren't too confident in their running game.
I didn't want go public with a dream that I had last week for fear of jinxing the Jets, but I thought I would share an email that I sent to a friend last Thursday:
From: Dan Freeman (dan_freeman_llc@hotmail.com)
Sent: Thu 1/20/11 12:50 PM
To: jersmrekar@hotmail.com (jersmrekar@hotmail.com)
Jer,
Bad enough that the Jets are on the cover of Sports Illustrated, I dreamt that they lose 19 to 28.
Dan
I am not looking forward to reading the papers or watching Sports Center today.
I saw where Jack Lalanne died the other day at age 96. I immediately thought that they should run him through one of his juicers and sell the extracted liquid as a vitamin supplement. Perhaps a bit macabre, but then I myself would like to be made into sausages. Beer sausages, of course.
Now that the Jets season is over I have only the Knicks to fall back on, and they have just lost six games in a roll. Now the Associated Press, as reported in the New York Daily News, says that the Knicks "are in the midst of a six-game skid." It seems to me that if you have just lost six-games you aren't in the midst of a six-game skid, you are at the end of it. They were in the midst of a six-game skid after they lost three in a row.
Excuse me if I sound a bit grouchy, but did everyone but Brian Schottenheimer think it was a bad idea not to just run the ball when you had three downs to make one yard. I know I was yelling at the televison after the first incomplete pass and was in agony after the second. Of course given that the Jets only made one yard in the entire first half, I am guessing they weren't too confident in their running game.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Desert Islands and Books
The other day I happened to glance at an old Bible that I have. For some reason that triggered a thought about What book would you want to have with you if you were stranded on a desert island? Usually, when people are asked that question, the will say "Oh, the Bible." Sometimes you will hear someone say something like "The complete works of Shakespear," although that would probably be more than one book.
Me, my book would be Boy Scouts of America Official Handbook for Boys, preferably the original 1911 edition.
Hey, I want to know how to start a fire with sticks, build a lean-to, and identify edible plants. Plus, maybe, I could finally learn how to tie a sheet's bend knot so I can bend the sheet to the clew of a sail. For some reason I think this would be important.
As promised, I stopped into the Waterfront Ale House and visited my friend Gaid. He failed in his attempt to quite smoking so I am still charged with bringing him cigarettes back from Mexico. Those unfiltered Camels he smokes are hard to come by but he said he would settle for Marlboros.
Oh, yes, he said to separate the glass from the Boston shaker you tap the Boston shaker, not the glass. I will make myself a Margarita this afternoon and check it out.
But, back to Waterfront Ale House. Now my one complaint about this place is that the beers are a bit pricey. On the other hand, they do have a nice selection. I started out with an Ommegang Adoration.
Adoring My Adoration
This is Ommegang's first seasonal winter ale and is a stiff (10% ABV) dark Belgian ale. It is quite spicy with corriander, cumin, mace, cardamom and grains of paradise included in the mixture. You get a good hit of alcohol but it is a very pleasing beer and perfect for a cold winter day.
The Mysterious Chinese Woman had a Rare VOS Belgian Ale. This is another Ommegang product and another tasty one. This one had, perhaps, a bit ore of a hint of orange and, at a relatively benign 6.5% ABV didn't knock the Mysterious Chinese Woman off her perch.
Another Good Winter Beer
In addition to the Pig Island festival on Governor's Island that I went to, there was also another event there called Meatopia. At this event Sam won 1st place for beef and he also won the top Grand Master award as well.
Another Blue Ribbon
Well, it's not a blue ribbon, exactly, but a nice piece of paper. Maybe there was a ribbon to go with it.
And, as promised, a closer look at the famous hot sauce.
Use With Caution
Now when I say this sauce is hot, I mean it. I was telling Jim, the chef here, about how it was written up in Details. He said it was so hot that he used it only sparingly.
Of course we then also ordered two appetizers that make use of the sauce, Buffalo Wings and, something different, Buffalo Calamari.
Squid And Chicken
Both were very good, but I thought the calamari was particularly good. Maybe because you don't see it too often. Definitely worth trying if you stop in. And the orders were large enough that we had plenty to take home. Oh, and they were also plenty spicy.
Oh, yeah, the beer prices. Ten bucks for the Adoration and six bucks for the Rare VOS. As I said, a bit pricey, but you do have a nice selection. I think six bucks is the cheapest beer they have except for the special, which is usually four and a half bucks but you have to drink it at the bar. I think the are pretty lax about that rule, though. You can't really blame Sam for the prices though, this neighborhood is really undergoing a change and, sadly, rents are going up, and steeply. I have already mentioned how the really good Mexican restaurant nextdoor to Waterfront Ale House had to give it up. Sadly, the only way you can afford to stick around, unless you own your own building, is to increase prices.
Today I have to tidy up my place because the Mysterious Chinese Woman is hosting a birthday party, for herself, tomorrow. I think she is combining it with a Chinese New Years celebration as well because we will be in Mexico both for her kind of actual birthday on February 1st (Mysterious Chinese Women tend to have "kind of actual birthdays") and the Chinese New Year which starts on February 3rd. It will be the year of the rabbit but my suggestion that we serve rabbit at the party was strongly rejected. I don't know what all we are having, but I am responsible for roasting a leg of lamb.
I did make it clear to everyone that no matter what else is taking place, at 6:30 the television goes on and I watch the Jets game. Either that or I leave to watch the game at one of the local watering holes. Probably not the Waterfront Ale House, though. They just have two little televisions.
Me, my book would be Boy Scouts of America Official Handbook for Boys, preferably the original 1911 edition.
Hey, I want to know how to start a fire with sticks, build a lean-to, and identify edible plants. Plus, maybe, I could finally learn how to tie a sheet's bend knot so I can bend the sheet to the clew of a sail. For some reason I think this would be important.
As promised, I stopped into the Waterfront Ale House and visited my friend Gaid. He failed in his attempt to quite smoking so I am still charged with bringing him cigarettes back from Mexico. Those unfiltered Camels he smokes are hard to come by but he said he would settle for Marlboros.
Oh, yes, he said to separate the glass from the Boston shaker you tap the Boston shaker, not the glass. I will make myself a Margarita this afternoon and check it out.
But, back to Waterfront Ale House. Now my one complaint about this place is that the beers are a bit pricey. On the other hand, they do have a nice selection. I started out with an Ommegang Adoration.
Adoring My Adoration
This is Ommegang's first seasonal winter ale and is a stiff (10% ABV) dark Belgian ale. It is quite spicy with corriander, cumin, mace, cardamom and grains of paradise included in the mixture. You get a good hit of alcohol but it is a very pleasing beer and perfect for a cold winter day.
The Mysterious Chinese Woman had a Rare VOS Belgian Ale. This is another Ommegang product and another tasty one. This one had, perhaps, a bit ore of a hint of orange and, at a relatively benign 6.5% ABV didn't knock the Mysterious Chinese Woman off her perch.
Another Good Winter Beer
In addition to the Pig Island festival on Governor's Island that I went to, there was also another event there called Meatopia. At this event Sam won 1st place for beef and he also won the top Grand Master award as well.
Another Blue Ribbon
Well, it's not a blue ribbon, exactly, but a nice piece of paper. Maybe there was a ribbon to go with it.
And, as promised, a closer look at the famous hot sauce.
Use With Caution
Now when I say this sauce is hot, I mean it. I was telling Jim, the chef here, about how it was written up in Details. He said it was so hot that he used it only sparingly.
Of course we then also ordered two appetizers that make use of the sauce, Buffalo Wings and, something different, Buffalo Calamari.
Squid And Chicken
Both were very good, but I thought the calamari was particularly good. Maybe because you don't see it too often. Definitely worth trying if you stop in. And the orders were large enough that we had plenty to take home. Oh, and they were also plenty spicy.
Oh, yeah, the beer prices. Ten bucks for the Adoration and six bucks for the Rare VOS. As I said, a bit pricey, but you do have a nice selection. I think six bucks is the cheapest beer they have except for the special, which is usually four and a half bucks but you have to drink it at the bar. I think the are pretty lax about that rule, though. You can't really blame Sam for the prices though, this neighborhood is really undergoing a change and, sadly, rents are going up, and steeply. I have already mentioned how the really good Mexican restaurant nextdoor to Waterfront Ale House had to give it up. Sadly, the only way you can afford to stick around, unless you own your own building, is to increase prices.
Today I have to tidy up my place because the Mysterious Chinese Woman is hosting a birthday party, for herself, tomorrow. I think she is combining it with a Chinese New Years celebration as well because we will be in Mexico both for her kind of actual birthday on February 1st (Mysterious Chinese Women tend to have "kind of actual birthdays") and the Chinese New Year which starts on February 3rd. It will be the year of the rabbit but my suggestion that we serve rabbit at the party was strongly rejected. I don't know what all we are having, but I am responsible for roasting a leg of lamb.
I did make it clear to everyone that no matter what else is taking place, at 6:30 the television goes on and I watch the Jets game. Either that or I leave to watch the game at one of the local watering holes. Probably not the Waterfront Ale House, though. They just have two little televisions.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Best Undiscovered Sauces
The latest issue of Details magazine had a section on peppers and hot sauces and I was happy to see that the Waterfront Ale House's Whisky Barrel Hot Sauce made their short-list of America's Best Undiscovered Sauces.
Undiscovered, Until Now
The owner of the Waterfront Ale House, Sam, has always tried to have good food and great beers at his places. When he first opened up his place on Atlantic Avenue about 20 years ago (and across the street from where it is now) Tim Stark, a farmer who raises heirloom tomatoes and peppers, sold chile plants in front of the bar during the Atlantic Antic.
Sam had the bright idea of buying up all of his peppers, which included chocolate Scotch Bonnets, Thai chiles, bird peppers, and poblamos to make his own hotsauce. He blends his sauces in the basement of the bar and then ages them in old oak whisky barrels that he got from friends at San Francisco's Anchor Steam Brewing Company. The sauce is aged in these barrels for two years. And let me tell you, it is good and HOT!!!
Coincidentally, I will be heading to the Waterfront Ale House this afternoon for a few beers and dinner. I also want to talk to Gaid, the world's friendliest bartender, to see if I can get some advice about using my Boston shaker. I haven't been to the Waterfront Ale House for awhile (too many holiday and Jets parties). The last time I was there Gaid said he was going to give up smoking. It will be interesting to see if he has and, if he has, if he is still the world's friendliest bartender.
Undiscovered, Until Now
The owner of the Waterfront Ale House, Sam, has always tried to have good food and great beers at his places. When he first opened up his place on Atlantic Avenue about 20 years ago (and across the street from where it is now) Tim Stark, a farmer who raises heirloom tomatoes and peppers, sold chile plants in front of the bar during the Atlantic Antic.
Sam had the bright idea of buying up all of his peppers, which included chocolate Scotch Bonnets, Thai chiles, bird peppers, and poblamos to make his own hotsauce. He blends his sauces in the basement of the bar and then ages them in old oak whisky barrels that he got from friends at San Francisco's Anchor Steam Brewing Company. The sauce is aged in these barrels for two years. And let me tell you, it is good and HOT!!!
Coincidentally, I will be heading to the Waterfront Ale House this afternoon for a few beers and dinner. I also want to talk to Gaid, the world's friendliest bartender, to see if I can get some advice about using my Boston shaker. I haven't been to the Waterfront Ale House for awhile (too many holiday and Jets parties). The last time I was there Gaid said he was going to give up smoking. It will be interesting to see if he has and, if he has, if he is still the world's friendliest bartender.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Boston Cocktail Shaker
The Mysterious Chinese Woman bought me a Winco brand Boston cocktail shaker but I am having problems using it. Whenever I make a drink in it I have a devil of a time getting the glass out of the shaker. It is almost as though the coldness of the cocktail causes the metal shaker to shrink around the glass. I guess I will have to make a trip to my local watering hole and ask the bartender if there is some trick I am missing.
Last night, after making a batch of Margaritas, I had to run hot water over the shaker before I coult separate it from the glass. By the time I was able to do so the ice-cubes had all melted and the drink was far from frosty cold.
I was wondering if maybe the Winco brand uses a thinner grade of stainless steel than other shakers which would increase the liklihood of the thing seizing up, so to speak.
Anybody who has a possible solution to my problem, please feel free to offer your advice.
Big tiff between the Mayor of New York, Bloomberg, and the Governor of New Jersey, Christie, over whose team the Jets really are. New York already lost the battle over the Statue of Liberty (it is in New Jersey). Of course the Jets play in New Jersey but I think the real test should be to which state do the players and coaching staff pay their state taxes. My guess is New Jersey.
Of course Bloomberg, he of limited knowledge of history, said "Well, they don't call Joe Namath "Turnpike Joe." Someone should remind Bloomberg that back when Joe Namath was playing the Jets did play their home games in New York.
Now, let me ask you this, regarding team names and where they play, When the Nets move where they play to Brooklyn, do you think they will still call themselves the New Jersey Nets. My guess is that they won't.
Last night, after making a batch of Margaritas, I had to run hot water over the shaker before I coult separate it from the glass. By the time I was able to do so the ice-cubes had all melted and the drink was far from frosty cold.
I was wondering if maybe the Winco brand uses a thinner grade of stainless steel than other shakers which would increase the liklihood of the thing seizing up, so to speak.
Anybody who has a possible solution to my problem, please feel free to offer your advice.
Big tiff between the Mayor of New York, Bloomberg, and the Governor of New Jersey, Christie, over whose team the Jets really are. New York already lost the battle over the Statue of Liberty (it is in New Jersey). Of course the Jets play in New Jersey but I think the real test should be to which state do the players and coaching staff pay their state taxes. My guess is New Jersey.
Of course Bloomberg, he of limited knowledge of history, said "Well, they don't call Joe Namath "Turnpike Joe." Someone should remind Bloomberg that back when Joe Namath was playing the Jets did play their home games in New York.
Now, let me ask you this, regarding team names and where they play, When the Nets move where they play to Brooklyn, do you think they will still call themselves the New Jersey Nets. My guess is that they won't.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Breaking News
Brett Favre officially signed his retirement papers yesterday, again.
Just thought you would want to know.
And Brett is so young. Hell, Evander Holyfield is 48, and he is fighting Sherman "Tank" Williams this Saturday.
Got to love Sherman's nickname, "Tank." But really, Sherman Williams? Shouldn't his nickname be "Paint." Oh, wait, that is Sherwin, not Sherman.
Just think, if the Jets and Green Bay end up in the Superbowl it will be two teams that Brett recently retired from playing for all the marbles. Now wouldn't that be a bit ironic.
Just thought you would want to know.
And Brett is so young. Hell, Evander Holyfield is 48, and he is fighting Sherman "Tank" Williams this Saturday.
Got to love Sherman's nickname, "Tank." But really, Sherman Williams? Shouldn't his nickname be "Paint." Oh, wait, that is Sherwin, not Sherman.
Just think, if the Jets and Green Bay end up in the Superbowl it will be two teams that Brett recently retired from playing for all the marbles. Now wouldn't that be a bit ironic.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Jets Jets Jets
What more can I say, it was a most gratifying victory for the Jets yesterday. The game was just exciting enough to be interesting without actually causing stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting - unlike their last meeting which wasn't at all exciting but did cause stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting.
Bring on the Bumble Bees.
Bring on the Bumble Bees.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Play Dead A Disapointment
I went to see the theatrical production Play Dead on Thursday evening and was quite disappointed. Because Teller of Penn and Teller was involved in the production, if not the actual performance.
The premise of the show was that it was a reproduction of a midnight spook show, something that was, apparently, quite popular back in the 1930s and all the way to the 1970s, although I never saw one. These shows consisted of a magician who booked a movie theatre for a midnight performance, had fake skulls strewn about, a couple of comely assistants skimply dressed up as vampires or something, and a lot of spooky music. The shows were often quite cheesy and basically just provided a dark place for teenagers to make-out.
Well, they captured the cheesy part. The theatre holds about 50 people and the stage is quite small. The host started out by eating a lightbulb (jeez, haven't seen that before) and then proceeded to tell stories based upon the content of cardboard boxes stacked on shelves. The stories were about real people, such as Albert Fish, who lived in Brooklyn and kidnapped, murdered and ate small children back in the 1800s.
As the stories were told some relatively basic illusions were done, some involving members of the audience. There were also some mindreading tricks that, quite frankly, if they have nothing do do with you are really quite boring. Who cares if someone in the audience is thinking of a lost relative or close friend whose name sounds like Harry, or Larry, or possibly Carrie. Is there someone in the audience.... Well, of course there is, proably half the audience.
The most amusing illusion was the one that involved the conjuring up of Eusapia Pallidino who, in the 1880s and early 1900s claimed that she had control over the dead. When she was conjured into existence she was nude (a bit of titillation for your money) and, somewhat out of character, sporting a bikini wax job.
At any rate, I have seen better shows put on by kids in their garage. Except for that naked girl part, although when I was a kid we certainly tried to recruit one of the neighbor girls for that role. We never even got one to audition.
On the plus side, before the show we stopped into Minetta Tavern for a drink. The last time I was there, a couple of years ago, it was an Italian reastaurant. Now it has new owners and is French. We got there about 5:00 PM thinking we could just grab a table for an early dinner. We were told we could wait to see if a table opened up due to a cancellation. And the place was empty. But not for long.
We sat at the bar and had a drink and by about 6:00 PM the place had really begun to fill up, and there were no cancellartions. We settled for drinks, a Manhattan for me and some kind of a special drink for the Mysterious Chinese Woman. I forget the name, but it was one of the signature cocktail designed just for Minetta. It was really quite good and the next time I pop in I am going to have one of their specialty drinks as well. And I will return, and with a reservation.
I didin't feel like eating French so we wandered down a few doors to a Mexican restaurant, the name of which escapes me. It was huge though, and pretty much empty. The staff was friendly enough and they made my Margarita to my specification, using fresh lime juice and Herradura silver tequila. This was after they gave me a free taste of their house Margarita and I found it to be too sweet. Interestingly enough, our waiter was from Minnesota, where yours truely was born and spent his formative years.
The food was plentiful, but pretty typical fare. I liked my cheese enchilada because it was nice and greasy and cheesy, just the way they should be. They are kind of meant to be eaten early in the morning after a night of drinking to absorb some of the alcohol before you go to bed. And to give you good farts the next day. The Mysterious Chinese Woman didn't like what she ordered for the same reasons.
Actually, there is kind of a funny story about Mexican food, farts, a drive-in movie showing Jurassic Park on the side of a building during a thunderstorm and my first date with the Mysterious Chinese Woman. Despite, or maybe because of, that night we are still together.
The premise of the show was that it was a reproduction of a midnight spook show, something that was, apparently, quite popular back in the 1930s and all the way to the 1970s, although I never saw one. These shows consisted of a magician who booked a movie theatre for a midnight performance, had fake skulls strewn about, a couple of comely assistants skimply dressed up as vampires or something, and a lot of spooky music. The shows were often quite cheesy and basically just provided a dark place for teenagers to make-out.
Well, they captured the cheesy part. The theatre holds about 50 people and the stage is quite small. The host started out by eating a lightbulb (jeez, haven't seen that before) and then proceeded to tell stories based upon the content of cardboard boxes stacked on shelves. The stories were about real people, such as Albert Fish, who lived in Brooklyn and kidnapped, murdered and ate small children back in the 1800s.
As the stories were told some relatively basic illusions were done, some involving members of the audience. There were also some mindreading tricks that, quite frankly, if they have nothing do do with you are really quite boring. Who cares if someone in the audience is thinking of a lost relative or close friend whose name sounds like Harry, or Larry, or possibly Carrie. Is there someone in the audience.... Well, of course there is, proably half the audience.
The most amusing illusion was the one that involved the conjuring up of Eusapia Pallidino who, in the 1880s and early 1900s claimed that she had control over the dead. When she was conjured into existence she was nude (a bit of titillation for your money) and, somewhat out of character, sporting a bikini wax job.
At any rate, I have seen better shows put on by kids in their garage. Except for that naked girl part, although when I was a kid we certainly tried to recruit one of the neighbor girls for that role. We never even got one to audition.
On the plus side, before the show we stopped into Minetta Tavern for a drink. The last time I was there, a couple of years ago, it was an Italian reastaurant. Now it has new owners and is French. We got there about 5:00 PM thinking we could just grab a table for an early dinner. We were told we could wait to see if a table opened up due to a cancellation. And the place was empty. But not for long.
We sat at the bar and had a drink and by about 6:00 PM the place had really begun to fill up, and there were no cancellartions. We settled for drinks, a Manhattan for me and some kind of a special drink for the Mysterious Chinese Woman. I forget the name, but it was one of the signature cocktail designed just for Minetta. It was really quite good and the next time I pop in I am going to have one of their specialty drinks as well. And I will return, and with a reservation.
I didin't feel like eating French so we wandered down a few doors to a Mexican restaurant, the name of which escapes me. It was huge though, and pretty much empty. The staff was friendly enough and they made my Margarita to my specification, using fresh lime juice and Herradura silver tequila. This was after they gave me a free taste of their house Margarita and I found it to be too sweet. Interestingly enough, our waiter was from Minnesota, where yours truely was born and spent his formative years.
The food was plentiful, but pretty typical fare. I liked my cheese enchilada because it was nice and greasy and cheesy, just the way they should be. They are kind of meant to be eaten early in the morning after a night of drinking to absorb some of the alcohol before you go to bed. And to give you good farts the next day. The Mysterious Chinese Woman didn't like what she ordered for the same reasons.
Actually, there is kind of a funny story about Mexican food, farts, a drive-in movie showing Jurassic Park on the side of a building during a thunderstorm and my first date with the Mysterious Chinese Woman. Despite, or maybe because of, that night we are still together.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The Green Hornet
Not too much is going on here, although I am heading out to see the play Play Dead tonight. It should be interesting. It is co-written and co-produced by Teller, the silent half of Penn and Teller, the magicians. I enjoy their shows and have seen them live twice. The play is supposed to be quite interesting, full of gory special affects. It is off-broadway in a little 50 seat theatre that is supposedly done up to look like an old deserted theatre. I will report on my evening tomorrow.
But, today we will do one of these weird and little known connection things. And, what with all the buzz about the new Green Hornet movie, what better topic.
First, did you know that the Green Hornet is a distant relative of the Lone Ranger? Ah yes, and the reason has something to do with the fact that the impetus behind The Green Hornet was George W. Trendle who was the co-owner and managing parner of WXYZ and spearheaded the development of The Lone Ranger.
In "real life" the Green Hornet is Britt Reid, a newpaper publisher. The Lone Ranger was originally John Reid, a Texas Ranger and lone survivor of an ambush. The Green Hornet is the great nephew of The Lone Ranger.
Now, after starting as a radio program, Universal Pictures made two Green Hornet serials. In those serials the part of Kato was played by Keye Luke, perhaps best known for his role as "Number One Son" in the Charlie Chan movies.
In more recent time it was Bruce Lee who played Kato in the television series. And, here comes that unexpected loop-around, Bruce Lee was strongly being considered to play the lead in the Kung Fu series. One of the main reason he moved back to Hong Kong and started his movies career was because he was so upset about losing the role to David Carradine, who wasn't even Asian, to boot. Anyway, so what has this got to do with anything? Well, the actor who plays Master Po in Kung Fu is, you guessed it, the original screen version of Kato, dear old Keye Luke.
Now you will all have something to contribute to the water-cooler conversations about The Green Hornet.
But, today we will do one of these weird and little known connection things. And, what with all the buzz about the new Green Hornet movie, what better topic.
First, did you know that the Green Hornet is a distant relative of the Lone Ranger? Ah yes, and the reason has something to do with the fact that the impetus behind The Green Hornet was George W. Trendle who was the co-owner and managing parner of WXYZ and spearheaded the development of The Lone Ranger.
In "real life" the Green Hornet is Britt Reid, a newpaper publisher. The Lone Ranger was originally John Reid, a Texas Ranger and lone survivor of an ambush. The Green Hornet is the great nephew of The Lone Ranger.
Now, after starting as a radio program, Universal Pictures made two Green Hornet serials. In those serials the part of Kato was played by Keye Luke, perhaps best known for his role as "Number One Son" in the Charlie Chan movies.
In more recent time it was Bruce Lee who played Kato in the television series. And, here comes that unexpected loop-around, Bruce Lee was strongly being considered to play the lead in the Kung Fu series. One of the main reason he moved back to Hong Kong and started his movies career was because he was so upset about losing the role to David Carradine, who wasn't even Asian, to boot. Anyway, so what has this got to do with anything? Well, the actor who plays Master Po in Kung Fu is, you guessed it, the original screen version of Kato, dear old Keye Luke.
Now you will all have something to contribute to the water-cooler conversations about The Green Hornet.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Gone To Ghana
I had breakfast at Junior's, which is always a good thing. I had kippers and eggs and cheesecake for dessert. But, the reason I had breakfast there was because I met my nephew, Charlie, and his wife, Kaylee. They are on their way to Ghana where they will spend four months doing their student teaching.
They flew from Las Vegas to JFK and got in around 8:00 AM. I had given them instructions on how to take the Air Train and the subway to get to my place so they showed up around 10:00 AM. The Mysterious Chinese Woman and I met them at the subway stop and we walked to Junior's for breakfast.
Anyway, Charlie and Kaylee started a blog to document their adventures in Ghana. I am posting the link in case any of you feel inclined to take a look at it. It might be quite interesting.
Charlie and Kaylee's Ghana Adventure
They flew from Las Vegas to JFK and got in around 8:00 AM. I had given them instructions on how to take the Air Train and the subway to get to my place so they showed up around 10:00 AM. The Mysterious Chinese Woman and I met them at the subway stop and we walked to Junior's for breakfast.
Anyway, Charlie and Kaylee started a blog to document their adventures in Ghana. I am posting the link in case any of you feel inclined to take a look at it. It might be quite interesting.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
GO JETS!!!
What can I say, a real cliff-hanger, but the Jets did manage to win.
When You're A Jet You're A Jet All The Way
Things looked a bit grim when the Jets couldn't convert a third down on their second to last possession, even after being the beneficiary of a "roughing the kicker" penalty. But the defense managed to hold Peyton and the Colts and our offense managed to get us down the field for the winning field-goal.
It may not have been the prettiest win in the world, but it looked damn pretty to me. And with Sanchez pulling off that last drive, and winning some of the really close games, some in overtime, earlier this year, he is looking like the real deal. He may be the most dangerous quarterback in the game with time running out and needing a score to win.
And don't forget, last year Mark became only the second quarterback to win two playoff games his rookie year (the other being Joe Flacco) and now owns a 3 and 1 playoff record.
The Jets may not go all the way this year but, by-golly, they sure have become an exciting team. And probably the most interesting team in the NFL with, certainly, the most interesting head coach.
Go Rex, We Love You, Man!!!
And, somehow, we have to thank Brett Favre for making this all possible. Brett may have thought he played the Jets for a fool in his quest to go to the Vikings but, You know what? He who laughs last laughts loudest. And whose laughing now?
I am begining to like my Brett Favre New York Jets jersey more and more as time goes by. I sniffed it this morning and it is starting to smell like napalm in the morning - it smelled like VICTORY. Of course the Mysterious Chinese Woman thinks it just needs to be washed. But then she also washed the two sweaty towels that Sue Wicks threw me.
When You're A Jet You're A Jet All The Way
Things looked a bit grim when the Jets couldn't convert a third down on their second to last possession, even after being the beneficiary of a "roughing the kicker" penalty. But the defense managed to hold Peyton and the Colts and our offense managed to get us down the field for the winning field-goal.
It may not have been the prettiest win in the world, but it looked damn pretty to me. And with Sanchez pulling off that last drive, and winning some of the really close games, some in overtime, earlier this year, he is looking like the real deal. He may be the most dangerous quarterback in the game with time running out and needing a score to win.
And don't forget, last year Mark became only the second quarterback to win two playoff games his rookie year (the other being Joe Flacco) and now owns a 3 and 1 playoff record.
The Jets may not go all the way this year but, by-golly, they sure have become an exciting team. And probably the most interesting team in the NFL with, certainly, the most interesting head coach.
Go Rex, We Love You, Man!!!
And, somehow, we have to thank Brett Favre for making this all possible. Brett may have thought he played the Jets for a fool in his quest to go to the Vikings but, You know what? He who laughs last laughts loudest. And whose laughing now?
I am begining to like my Brett Favre New York Jets jersey more and more as time goes by. I sniffed it this morning and it is starting to smell like napalm in the morning - it smelled like VICTORY. Of course the Mysterious Chinese Woman thinks it just needs to be washed. But then she also washed the two sweaty towels that Sue Wicks threw me.
Friday, January 07, 2011
It's Only A Game
Golf Digest just announced that they will no longer carry Tiger Wood's column in their magazine. And, even more embarassing, Tiger Woods will no longer be on the cover of the new release of "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters."
You may remember that last year he shared the cover with rookie Rory McIlroy. That was the first year Tiger hadn't been featured solo. This year the cover will feature the yellow flag at the Augusta National Golf Club.
Sales of the game have dropped by around 50% since the news of Tiger's infidelities pretty much flooded the media.
Tiger Woods will still appear on the PlayStation 3 Collector's Edition of the game, which will cost $10 more and include five additional courses. Maybe it will, indeed, be a collector's item. It may be the last version ever released.
This one really should be a collectors item. When they put Favre on the cover they thought he had retired and put him in his, what everone at the time thought would be his last, Green Bay Packer's uniform. Of course by the time the game came out Brett was playing for the Jets. Now, don't you agree, that should make it a collectible?
And, in the more hubris department, New York's Mayor Bloomberg still refuses to say where he was during the early morning of our Christmas blizzard saying "I have a right to a private life the same way you do." Really, even when a blizzard is paralyzing the city and it is shutting down because noone seems to be in charge?
And this from a man whom many susupect of having presidential aspirations. I don't think so.
Kettle Black in Brooklyn was one of the places that Mayor Bloomberg did visit for his photo-ops on streets that were plowed. A bit of an interesting choice seeing as how back in April there was a huge brawl there that resulted in a Port Authority cop getting his jaw broken and a firefighter getting stabbed. And, just a few days after the Mayor's visit, the principal owner of the Kettle Black, a former firefighter, pled guilty to cheating the state and city out of over $1 million taxes. He is due to spend 90 days in the slammer after making restitution of about $1.5 million. The owner of Kettle Black, that is, not the Mayor.
It is snowing here again, but big fluffy flakes that are melting as they hit the ground. I can already hear Mayor Blommberg crowing about what a great job the city did this time around, keeping the streets clear and the trains running.
You may remember that last year he shared the cover with rookie Rory McIlroy. That was the first year Tiger hadn't been featured solo. This year the cover will feature the yellow flag at the Augusta National Golf Club.
Sales of the game have dropped by around 50% since the news of Tiger's infidelities pretty much flooded the media.
Tiger Woods will still appear on the PlayStation 3 Collector's Edition of the game, which will cost $10 more and include five additional courses. Maybe it will, indeed, be a collector's item. It may be the last version ever released.
This one really should be a collectors item. When they put Favre on the cover they thought he had retired and put him in his, what everone at the time thought would be his last, Green Bay Packer's uniform. Of course by the time the game came out Brett was playing for the Jets. Now, don't you agree, that should make it a collectible?
And, in the more hubris department, New York's Mayor Bloomberg still refuses to say where he was during the early morning of our Christmas blizzard saying "I have a right to a private life the same way you do." Really, even when a blizzard is paralyzing the city and it is shutting down because noone seems to be in charge?
And this from a man whom many susupect of having presidential aspirations. I don't think so.
Kettle Black in Brooklyn was one of the places that Mayor Bloomberg did visit for his photo-ops on streets that were plowed. A bit of an interesting choice seeing as how back in April there was a huge brawl there that resulted in a Port Authority cop getting his jaw broken and a firefighter getting stabbed. And, just a few days after the Mayor's visit, the principal owner of the Kettle Black, a former firefighter, pled guilty to cheating the state and city out of over $1 million taxes. He is due to spend 90 days in the slammer after making restitution of about $1.5 million. The owner of Kettle Black, that is, not the Mayor.
It is snowing here again, but big fluffy flakes that are melting as they hit the ground. I can already hear Mayor Blommberg crowing about what a great job the city did this time around, keeping the streets clear and the trains running.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
Our Congress At Work
Members of the House of Representatives, led by their new Republican majority, will kick off the 112th Congress this morning with a reading of the U.S. Constitution. The reading is largely a political maneuver, so it's no real surprise that the Constitution you'll hear read on C-SPAN this morning will be the politically correct version.
That is because no elected politician wants to stand up and read aloud the Founder's vision of African Americans equaling three-fifths of a white person, so the GOP has decided to leave that part, and others, out when the Constitution is read today.
The reading of the Constitution on the House floor has never been done before, and it's only happening today thanks to the tea party. Throughout the campaign last year, "returning to the Constitution" (in a vague and largely undefined way) was sacred to the tea party, and supporters of reading the document aloud today seem to hope that hearing the words in the House chamber will cause members to adhere to the document more closely.
Democrats and Republicans are expected to participate in the reading, but not all members of Congress think it's a worthy use of their time. So of course, before time is wasted reading only the politically correct parts of the Constitution, additional time is being wasted while members debate about whether or not the Constitution should be read at all.
Oh well, what else have they got to do with their time? Deal with the economy, unemployment, the national debt, the wars in Afghanistan and Iran? Hah, that can wait. Let's grandstand a bit first.
Any bets on whether or not John Boehner tears up when he reads his part?
That is because no elected politician wants to stand up and read aloud the Founder's vision of African Americans equaling three-fifths of a white person, so the GOP has decided to leave that part, and others, out when the Constitution is read today.
The reading of the Constitution on the House floor has never been done before, and it's only happening today thanks to the tea party. Throughout the campaign last year, "returning to the Constitution" (in a vague and largely undefined way) was sacred to the tea party, and supporters of reading the document aloud today seem to hope that hearing the words in the House chamber will cause members to adhere to the document more closely.
Democrats and Republicans are expected to participate in the reading, but not all members of Congress think it's a worthy use of their time. So of course, before time is wasted reading only the politically correct parts of the Constitution, additional time is being wasted while members debate about whether or not the Constitution should be read at all.
Oh well, what else have they got to do with their time? Deal with the economy, unemployment, the national debt, the wars in Afghanistan and Iran? Hah, that can wait. Let's grandstand a bit first.
Any bets on whether or not John Boehner tears up when he reads his part?
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
No Happy Ending
Just a few random musings to start off the new year.
First, best headline of the year so far, the NY Daily News front page featrured a picture of my favorite quarterback, Brett Favre, with the caption "NO HAPPY ENDING" in regards to the ex-Jet masseuses suing both him and the Jets.
Second, during the whole snowstorm fiasco here in New York over Christmas, not only was Mayor Bloomberg nowhere to be found, he refuses to say where he was. And Deputy Mayor Goldsmith, who oversees snow clearing, was in Washington on a skiing vacation. In fact, as it turns out, nobody really knows who was actually in control during the snowstorm and its aftermath. You have to love New York.
Third, How about those Knicks? Not only did they blow out the NBA's best team last night, they positively humiliated them. So much so that the Spurs coach pulled all of the starters with three minutes left in the game when they were down by ten. Hell, I have seen the Knicks blow a ten point lead in less than three minutes before. Oh, it was a real defensive battle, the score was 128 to 115.
Fourth, is "douchebag" now considered to be a dirty word? I see that a number of publications, including the estimable NY Daily News, has begun to use "d-bag" in its place.
Fifth, does it really make sense to release a new version of "Huckleberry Finn" with the word "slave" replacing the word "nigger." Now I agree that the word "nigger" is offensive to many, including me, but aren't we going a bit too far with this. How many recent Afro-American authors, Richard Wright and James Baldwin come to mind, have used the word in their works. And how about the Avengers song "White Nigger"? Or the lyrics to "Oliver's Army" by Elvis Costello? Or the lyrics to "Battleground" by Joe Jackson? Do we go back and edit the word out of everything? And does substituting "N-word" in print really accomplish anything except looking silly?
Oh, and finally, I think Brett Favre has retired again. But then, this is becoming something of an annual event. Once more and they may declare it a national holiday.
First, best headline of the year so far, the NY Daily News front page featrured a picture of my favorite quarterback, Brett Favre, with the caption "NO HAPPY ENDING" in regards to the ex-Jet masseuses suing both him and the Jets.
Second, during the whole snowstorm fiasco here in New York over Christmas, not only was Mayor Bloomberg nowhere to be found, he refuses to say where he was. And Deputy Mayor Goldsmith, who oversees snow clearing, was in Washington on a skiing vacation. In fact, as it turns out, nobody really knows who was actually in control during the snowstorm and its aftermath. You have to love New York.
Third, How about those Knicks? Not only did they blow out the NBA's best team last night, they positively humiliated them. So much so that the Spurs coach pulled all of the starters with three minutes left in the game when they were down by ten. Hell, I have seen the Knicks blow a ten point lead in less than three minutes before. Oh, it was a real defensive battle, the score was 128 to 115.
Fourth, is "douchebag" now considered to be a dirty word? I see that a number of publications, including the estimable NY Daily News, has begun to use "d-bag" in its place.
Fifth, does it really make sense to release a new version of "Huckleberry Finn" with the word "slave" replacing the word "nigger." Now I agree that the word "nigger" is offensive to many, including me, but aren't we going a bit too far with this. How many recent Afro-American authors, Richard Wright and James Baldwin come to mind, have used the word in their works. And how about the Avengers song "White Nigger"? Or the lyrics to "Oliver's Army" by Elvis Costello? Or the lyrics to "Battleground" by Joe Jackson? Do we go back and edit the word out of everything? And does substituting "N-word" in print really accomplish anything except looking silly?
Oh, and finally, I think Brett Favre has retired again. But then, this is becoming something of an annual event. Once more and they may declare it a national holiday.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Happy New Year
Heading to New Jersey today for a prolonged New Years celebration at my Mysterious Sister-In-Law's. Looking forward to it because we all had to leave early last Sunday due to the snow and I didn't get a chance to dig into a number of interesting beers that Jim brought over. We were going to watch the Jets and Giants games and drink them up but, alas, didn't get to them. Hopefully the weather will cooperate a bit more this time.
So, I will bid you a fond adieu untl 2011 and wish you all:
So, I will bid you a fond adieu untl 2011 and wish you all:
Monday, December 27, 2010
I Would Rather Be In Mexico
It is one thing to be in Mexico watching the weather reports from New York showing blizzard-like conditions. It is quite another to be in New York when there is a blizzard. I couldn't even make it to the deli to get a paper this morning, and the deli is only a block away.
I am going to have a second cup of coffee while I listen to Brian Wilson's great album "Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin." Then I will try for the deli again and take a few pictures, which I will post.
The Jets lost, but managed to back themselves into the playoffs, so go Jets. The Giants, well, they just backed into a meat-grinder. I think Eli realizes he can never catch Brett in number of games played but he is certainly making an effort to catch him in the interception department. He threw four yesterday and leads the league with 24 so far this year.
And no mail either. So much for "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds"
I am going to have a second cup of coffee while I listen to Brian Wilson's great album "Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin." Then I will try for the deli again and take a few pictures, which I will post.
The Jets lost, but managed to back themselves into the playoffs, so go Jets. The Giants, well, they just backed into a meat-grinder. I think Eli realizes he can never catch Brett in number of games played but he is certainly making an effort to catch him in the interception department. He threw four yesterday and leads the league with 24 so far this year.
All This, And No Newspapers!!!
And no mail either. So much for "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds"
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