Any Excuse

Ah, here it is, almost eight in the morning and just about time for me to head to the "Y" for an hour or so. But I am a very lazy person and love to find excuses not to go. So here is what I have been using lately. On Thursday I head to Minnesota for the Fishing Opener and then two days after I get back I go in to have an umbilical hernia repaired. Nothing serious, just the repair of a protruding belly-button. But I won't be able to go to the gym for about four weeks after the operation. So, of course, I start to think, "Well, what difference does it make if I go today? I mean, I will be essentially starting from scratch again anyway. But, I will probably go anyway. Conflicts.

Oh, because I love to share, here is a picture of the belly-button that will be tucked in:

Peek-A-Boo


The Mysterious Chinese Woman says it makes me look like one of those turkeys with the pop-out button that lets you know when it is done. She claims it pops out when I have had enough to drink.

I want to paint a little face on it and make it look like a Jack-in-the-Box.

Stay tuned, because I will be sure to keep you updated not only on the progress of the belly-button, but on my entire belly. Usually I put on a few pounds while I am Mexico, but this year I actually lost six pounds, mostly by exercising more and drinking less beer.  I have lost another two since my return and have a goal of losing seventeen more so we shall see how it goes. Actually, by going vegetarian for two weeks after I got back and eliminating alcohol I lost another four pounds after I got back from Mexico, but I have put two of them back on. Time to get serious again.

Oh, I currently weigh 177, so my goal is to get to 160 (177 - 17 = 160, for those of you who are math challenged).

I won't post about my belly again until after my operation but I will probably post about my trip to Minnesota for the Fishing Opener before then.

Okay, the Mysterious Chinese Woman is in the bedroom doing her daily calisthenics so I am off to the "Y" after all.

A Beery Disappointment

Last night I went to the Brooklyn Brewery Beer Tasting at Morton's Steak House. I have to say that I was disappointed in how poorly organized it was. Given that it cost $45 per person and was, I presumed, being at least partially sponsored by Brooklyn Brewery I expected more.

I have been to sponsored beer tastings before, some by Brooklyn Brewery, and generally you are seated at tables. The beer and whatever the accompanying food is served to you and a representative of the brewery then tells you a bit about the beer, what foods it pairs well with, and why it was paired with whatever it is you are now eating.

Well, this was nothing like that. You checked in and got six tickets, one for each of five beer/appetizer pairings and one that could be used anywhere. There were straight-back chairs along part of one wall and then serving stations for each beer/appetizer pairing with, depending on the specific beer/appetizer were either non-existent or quite long. The lines that were not there were in front of serving stations that had ran out of the appetizer, something that happened quite frequently during the evening.

Quite A Crowd


Just Hanging Around


I went to get a Sorachi Ace and they were out of whatever appetizer it was to be paired with. When I asked the guy at the next station if I could have one of his raw oysters he said no, only if I got a Brooklyn Pilsner Ale to go with it. Strange, I thought. Then I asked the Sorachi Ace guy why he was out and he said people grabbed more than one. I asked him why he let them and he said he was hired to be a waiter, not a bouncer. Go figure.

The most popular pairing was the Brooklyn Lager and a nice little roast beef sandwich. Great beef, perfectly done, and a fresh bun. The only problem was that they kept running out of beef. Then they ran out of buns and that was the end of that.

The station next to the Brooklyn Lager/Roast Beef Sandwich featured Brooklyn Brown Ale and little grilled lamb chops. Very good. So good that I saw one guy scarf down eight of them. Who knows how many he had when I wasn't looking. He seemed to be semi-permanently parked in front of the station.

Lost In The Crowd


The dessert station featured Black Chocolate Stout and a nice large chocolate candy. The Black Chocolate Stout does have such a distinctly chocolate flavor. Kind of like drinking a cold, bubbly cup of cocoa. Kind of.

Okay, my major complaints. The station concept doesn't work, not when you have paid $45. The stations were poorly run with some running out of food because people were taking more than one appetizer and others not letting you have an appetizer because you aren't drinking the specific beer that it was paired with. I didn't like the plastic glasses they gave you and the amount of beer that was poured into it seem to vary depending upon the whim of the server. Some pours filled the glass, some barely filled half. And there didn't seem to be any representative from Brooklyn Brewery to discuss the beers.

Okay, still kind of worth going to, but not really. Figuring a pint of the beers I was tasting probably sell for $6 each and I had six small little glasses, I could have bought a pint of each of the five beers at the sampling for $30. That would have left me $15 to buy something to eat somewhere. Not at Morton's, but somewhere.

By the way, I do like the bar at Morton's and liked having dinner at the one here in Brooklyn. I was disappointed that it closed. They always seemed to do a decent business and had a good happy hour crowd.

A Welcome Home

Regular readers of my blog, and I know, I am woefully behind in my posting, but anyway, regular readers of my blog know that my wife's brother Jim and I get along famously. We have many interests in common, video games, my cooking, tormenting our neices and drinking amongst them. But how can you not love a guy who not only looks after your apartment when you are away, but leaves the refrigerator stocked with beer for when you return?

And Not Just Any Beer


Thanks Jim, I owe you a dinner. Maybe ribs at the Waterfront Ale House.

St. Patrick's Day

Once again we had a little St. Patrick's day get-together that started at my place, moved on to Murphy's Irish Pub and then ended up at my place again later. Another great day.

As usual, Marcie showed up early to help with the decoration.

No Expense Was Spared


The next to arrive was Allison doing her Steven Van Zandt imitation. From his days in the E Street Band, not from his days in The Sopranos.

Where's Bruce?


We even had green M&Ms. Marcie and Bill always bring down about 40 pounds of M&M's and Bill picked out the green ones while watching golf on television during those rare moments when it wasn't too exciting.

I made both green and blue margaritas beecause Steven, Allison's husband, told me that at one time blue was the official color of Ireland. There is a color called St. Patrick's blue, for some reason. And in Irish mythology, Flaitheas Éireann, the sovereignty of Ireland, was represented as a woman in a blue robe. Also, the Badge of the Order of St. Patrick is a pale blue.

Anyway, I was so busy tasting the margaritas that I lost my focus and forgot to take many pictures. There were ten of us drinking them, though, and slurping the jello shots that Marcie made.

My Focus Was Lost


Somehow we all managed to collect ourselves and head off to Murphy's Irish Pub, though. You have to give us credit for that.

Look Out Murphy's, Here We Come


The Pogues were playing when we arrived, which is always a good sign, but the live band they had was most definitely not an Irish Band. They did play Danny Boy, though, but that isn't exactly the liveliest of Irish tunes. This year Murphy's had corned beef and cabbage in their buffet, so that was good.

We had a lively old time drinking and eating. Guiness and shots of Jameson for me, so I was happy. But then I think everyone was happy, no matter what they were drinking.

Allison Was Making New Friends


And Keeping Her Old


My friends Rico and Sandy, who didn't make the pre-party met us here.

Barman and Rico


Sandy


I think Marcie was afraid her boobs were falling off.

Nope, Still There


She And Bill Were Relieved


Paul and Sharon were there but for some reason I didn't get a picture of them. Probably more lost focus, I didn't even get a picture of the Mysterious Chinese Woman. Maybe Marcie got some and I can post her's latter.

I Did Get Wayne And Marge, Though


After an afternoon of general carousing we once more gathered at my place. Or at least some of the more hardy of us. That included Marcie but Bill was exhausted from sorting the M&M's, Allison and Steve and, of course, the Mysterious Chinese Woman. Like I would be able to lose her.

I Know Marcie Has Pictures


The Always Irrepresible Allison


And then the day and celebrating came to an end, as it always does. But we had had quite enough and there is always another day to look forward to.

Adios Valarie And Valarie's Mom

Well, all good things must come to an end and the other day Valarie and her mom's stay here in Puerto Vallarta came to, well, the end. So what could we do but have a little party to send them on their way.

Drinks In The Courtyard


It's My Drink And I Need It Now


Apologies to JG Wentworth for that last picture's caption.

And, of course, we had to have the obligatory group good-bye photo.

The Send Off Committee And Those Being Sent Off


That is Valarie's mom in the middle and Dolores and Tom, who may be new to you, on either end. And, of course, the ever bashful Allison front and center and prone.

And finally wveryone had to get into the waiting cab to head off to the airport.

Wait, Allison, You Aren't Leaving


This picture has nothing to do with Valarie and her mom's departure, but I thought I would share it with you. It is my friend Sharon from Canada getting a sun tan.

Canadian Sunbathing


Couple of more posts in the queue, a dinner out and the now infamous omelette in a bag party. Then, of course, tomorrow is St. Patick's day. A day of wild celebration which will be followed by a day of remorse and the realization that our Puerto Vallarta vacation is drawing to a close. Well, we will still have a bit over a week left but, nonetheless, St. Patrick's day does seem to mark the begining of the end. In fact Steve and Allison go home on the 20th, and then who will ply me with alcohol and teach me new drinking skills?

Friends And A Party

As promised, my friends Rico and Sandy showed up the other day and I whipped up a bunch of blue margaritas to welcome them

Don't Be Blue, We Love You


They didn't stick around long because their room was available early so they didn't need to spend the night with us. And Sandy was eager to get to the beach and augment her salon tan with a bit of real sun.

Last night we had another deck party (we love to party down here) with just snacks this time around. I once again made my deviled eggs, and let me tell you, with the eggs down here it isn't easy.

The Yolks On Me


And this time I actually got the eggs a week early and dutifully rotated them to try to center the yolks. My labor might not have been entirely for naught, there did seem to be a higher percentage of useable eggs than usual.

I followed Julia Child's recipe for boiling the eggs. Leave it to Julia to make just boiling eggs complex. Put the eggs in a pot with water covering the eggs by one inch. Bring to a boil, remove the pot from the heat, cover and let stand for exactly seventeen minutes. Put the eggs into ice water for two minutes and bring the water back to a boil. Put the eggs, no more than six at a time, back into the boiling water for ten seconds and them put them back into ice water. I will say, though, the eggs peeled really easily.

As usual we had quite a spread of goodies ranging from prosciutto and mellon to a flourless chocolate cake.

Quite The Little Spread




And, of course, most of the usual suspects were there and a great time was had by all. I had to make sure to post a picture of Valarie who has yet to appear on my blog this year. She said her husband, Dave, is begining to wonder if she is really down here.

Valarie, Valarah, Valarah Hah Hah Hah Hah


Party Pictures




















And, of course, the high point of the day is the end when the sun sinks into the ocean.

Is This Really The High Point Of The Day?


Actually, it was kind of a high point because we saw the very rare Puerto Vallarta Green Flash. A strange occurance where the sun takes on a bright green hue just as it sets and sometimes a flash of green shoots out along the horizon.

Of course after the party was over a few of us who have no sense headed up to my place for some end-of-the-night shots of tequila.

The After-Party Is Always The Most Fun






Bella tought us a Mexican toast and we had to practice it numerous times to get it right. Of course today I can't remember it at all. But we had a great time and I feel no worse for the wear today. The trick is to drink cheap wine and good tequila.

Zapata's Women

As some of you who follow my blog for educational purposes may already know, Zapata was quite the ladies man and also had a contingent of female freedom fighters who were known as Las Adelitas.

Saturday Night At Closing Time


You may also know that there is a restaurant here in Puerto Vallarta by the same name, one that I have visited before.

Las Adelita's


It is one of my friends Tom and Balla's favorites and is a bit off the beaten path. Several of us decided to hook up with Tom and Bella at their house and then go to Las Adelita's for dinner.

To get to Tom and Bella's we decided to take a bus. Bill thought we should take a cab but he was overruled by his wife Marcie.

Waiting For The Bus


Boarding The Bus


I know, not the most exciting pictures, but they are a plot device. See, we were supposed to take the bus to Walmart and then when it hooked up towards Pitilla, a former little town and now more of a suburb, we would get off after a couple of stops and meet Tom in front of his compound or housing complex. Well, little did we realize, there are now two Walmarts and we took the wrong bus.

After traveling for longer than we should have on a totally different route than normal we realized we had made a mistake and so had to get off the bus and take a couple of taxis. Naturally this lead to a bit of good-natured bantering between Bill and Marcie, but by the time we got to Tom and Bella's most of the swelling had subsided and the discoloration was barely discernable.

Before heading out to the restaurant we had a few cocktails and chatted a bit and enjoyed a most excellent quacamole dip made by Bella. Usually I find it to be too bland, but not when she makes it.

Bella And Michelle


Michelle is Iquana Pete's wife but you haven't seen a picture of him yet. Well, actually, he is the guy about to get on the bus right behind Bill. He got his name, or at least the Iquana part, due to an unfortunate incident that involved sitting underneath an iquana. I shall say no more, but I think you can get the picture.

Iquana Pete And Tom


They were actually enjoying themselves more than it appears, or at least I hope so. Iquana Pete's shirt looks kind of like it did after the incident that gave him his name.

Bill And Marcie


The Mysterious Chinese Woman was flitting around somewhere but apparently didn't land long enough for me to get a picture.

After hanging out for a bit we piled into a cab and Tom's car and headed to the restaurant where we had a mighty fine meal.

Checking Out Our Options


I really like their ribs and of course I am a sucker for skirt steak so I ordered the combo platter. Las Adelita's is also known for their lamb stew so seveal people, including the Mysterious Chinese Woman got that. A couple of chicken and rib platters hit the table as well along with a huge deep-fried onion loaf.

Digging Into The Onion Loaf


Michelle And Her Ribs


I think the Mysterious Chinese Woman was trying to stick her beer up her nose, for some reason.

Harder, Push Harder


Marcie was trying to make up with Bill by offering him her drink while Bella studiously avoided getting involved by feigning an unusual interest in the menu.

Nothing Happening Here, Just Move Along


The Mysterious Chinese Woman seemed a bit wary of her stew, but said it was very good indeed.

Suspicious Minds


My rib and skirt steak combo was very good and there was more than enough so I am looking forward to a mighty fine snack later on this morning.

A Meal And A Half


And Bill and Marcie patched up their differences and shared what I believe was a rib and chicken platter.

Marriage Is All About Sharing


This is just a cute picture so I am throwing in for that reason alone.

Marcie And Bella


Everyone enjoyed themselves imensely and Bill was once again overruled when we all decided to take a bus back home instead of hailing a couple of cabs. Luckily we got the right bus this time and after the usual exciting ride (bus rides are always exciting unless they veer towards the terrifying) we arrived within a short walk of where we all, except for Tom and Bella, stay.

My friends Rico and Sandy arrive today so I am going to make a batch of frozen margaritas to greet them. Tomorrow evening we are having a little pool party and I will be making deviled eggs. I, or rather the Mysterious Chinese Woman, bought the eggs a week ago and I have been dutifully rotating them to try to get the yolks centered. I will be sure to let you know how they turn out.