The Bounding Bend Blogger

Xi'an, China

2010-01-06T00:46:00.004-05:00

So here we are in Xi'an, China. There are many forms of pollution in China. Much of the smog is from coal (take heed America). Other contributors to low visibility are the factories and automobiles. In 2009, the local Xi'an government pulled over 500 vehicles off the road for spewing black smoke from their exhaust. Most were buses.

I encountered another lovely form of pollution last night when I got on the elevator of my hotel. When the doors opened, I peered down to see a floor slick with snot rockets. The floor was spotted with the human oyster, the nose nodule, the sinus slop. Fortunately, there was a scrubber woman stationed there with a mop who wiped the ooze away before I ventured in. How's your meal?

Christmas Day Shanghai

2009-12-24T23:07:00.000-05:00

It's Christmas Day here and life is going on as usual in Shanghai. I had pizza for Christmas Eve dinner that is tearing me up right now. I don't dare stray from my room for a bit. I will venture out in search of dumplings for lunch and the company is arranging Christmas dinner for us somewhere.

China is so crazy, many stories to tell already. Some facts I learned last night about road accidents; the pedestrian is the lowest form of life as far as the road is concerned. However, if a pedestrian is struck, injured or killed, the driver must pay for medical and funeral expenses. These expenses are bargained for right on the spot. A policeman comes and mediates right there then will escort you to the bank and monitor the transaction. If a cab should strike a pedestrian or someone on a moped or bike, the person who hired the cab is responsible for financial restitution. A foreigner who has hired a cab that has been in an accident will wait for the crowd to gather and then sneak out of the vehicle and lose himself in the confusion.

Total lawlessness rains on the streets of China. In Beijing, government vehicles have complete autonomy. If one hits you, too bad for you. A government vehicle will use any means to get from one place to another. They will go the wrong way down streets and even use sidewalks if they deem it quicker. You must be on your toes in China if you want to get around!

Shanghai Breezes??????????

2009-12-23T09:06:00.003-05:00

Hello readers,

Richard has checked in from Shanghai. He has arrived in his new destination where the show has opened "for real". Opening night should just about be over as I type this and then I am sure there will be some happy partying going on.

Richard says this about Shanghai so far.... "The cigarette smoking doesn't seem to be a problem in this hotel. There are only 4 rooms per floor and we have 2 of the rooms. The problem now is the pollution. I went out for a walk to explore and only lasted 30 minutes before my lungs started to burn. No wonder I don't see any joggers! The pollution is the worst I ever ever seen it anywhere."

So contrary to John Denver's song about Shanghai Breezes.........the breezes down in old Shanghai are far from refreshing.

More when I hear more from Richard.
Kristi - Richard's Scribe

China - more food information

2009-12-15T13:46:00.001-05:00

The following is a report on the food as communicated via email to me from King Richard!

"I think you would hate the food in Suzhou! For breakfast today, I had pot stickers, a greasy scrambled egg (from what animal, I do not know), greasy fried bread, very fatty ham, orange juice and tea. I passed on the chicken heads. I did have a Big Mac for lunch yesterday that tasted identical to ours, but I'm not a fan of McDonalds. I'm told that when we get to Shang Hai, things get better. Don't get me wrong though, I'm having a great time even with 12 hour rehearsals that are exhausting and by exhausting I mean tiring, because I have nothing to do so I sit around and try not to sleep. If I slept, I would not sleep at night. I was so tired yesterday that I didn't even go get dinner. We all can't wait for tech rehearsal to be over. We open our show to previews on Friday. After that, it's all fun!

The rehearsals are extremely arduous and long. We run the show and the stage manager stops us in place every minute to set lights. We run transitions from scene to scene to make them seamless and fast. I can't tell you how amazingly professional this all is. I've never worked with such a magnificent set and lighting. There are lights everywhere for everything! We all look good! The orchestra (band) are amazing as well. The horns, keys, drums - everyone plays several instruments it seems.

The traffic here is crazy, it's every man for himself! They barely keep to lanes and yielding is something done by the meek. It's fascinating to watch the dance between the thousands of mopeds, bicycles, pedestrians and cars. Horn honking is a form of communication as well as the message to get the f*** out of my way! The bicycles and mopeds often have children riding on the front, back wherever! They ride in the rain or whatever weather. Pedestrians are the lowest form of life and have no rights at all. You really have to watch your back when you're out walking! It's turned into quite the fun game.

Gotta run now. Time for another 12 hours..."

China Day 3 - Let's Dish - sent via email and reposted by K

2009-12-10T11:34:00.000-05:00

Pizza! We've found pizza in China! Actually we found a Papa Johns and they deliver. The cast is all twitter-pated about getting pizza tomorrow on our lunch break. Our "hunting and gathering" has been quite an experience here. Rarely is there any English speaking person to help us. There is more than I expected but it's still a rare commodity when we find a menu in English.

Let's talk about the food first. There is no Chinese food as we know it. And everything tastes different, I think it has to do with the oil and water. They don't have cooking oil as we know it, it tastes different. And the water is a different creature all together. We were warned early not to drink the tap water but to get all of our water bottled. Were told that our systems will acclimate eventually. The more adventurous of our troupe have found interesting places to eat. We've all found that we should probably stay away from the KFC and McDonalds. It's not uncommon to walk down the street and see some sidewalk vendor throw a squid on his hot plate and sell it. Right now I'm munching on Lays Kiwi Potato Chips.

On one of our dinner hunts, we were walking down a street and some random Chinese man says "hello". We immediately stop and pelt him with questions about where to eat. He ran away. If you thought the word "Coke" was universal, it isn't. Even though the bottles and cans say Coke, that's not how you order it. Ku la (koo-la) is cola and that's the only word for it. Don't dare ask for a Sprite!

Our first night (the one where the man ran from us) we found a restaurant owned by a local merchant, Mr. Lee. He spoke some English and was very pleasant and helpful. We shared many dishes amongst ourselves but the hit of the night was the broccoli. We wiped him out of everything he had it was so good. Oh, by the way, I've gotten pretty good with the chopsticks. I had spaghetti today at lunch and totally used my chopsticks. I picked up some items at a convenience store. I picked up the Kiwi chips and something called Peach Juice Drink. It's not so good.

Across the street from our hotel in Suzhou is a Benihana kind of place. It's very tasty although I wasn't fond of the pickled radishes.I had chicken and broccoli and an amazing fried rice. Steamed rice thrown on the grill with some oil. Then they added a couple of eggs. After that they added beef and seasoning topping it off with sliced jalepeno looking peppers. Very tasty. I wish they were open for breakfast. Breakfast at the hotel consists of a buffet of dumplings, fruit and bacon. Yes BACON! I'm tempted to shove the stuff in my pockets.

Well, that's all about the food. Maybe I'll talk about the crazy traffic and the crazier drivers. Enjoy the pictures that we all put up at www.flickr.com. Just look for famecast09. Now I'm insanely tired after a 12 hour rehearsal. We've got another one tomorrow. Until then, g'night!

P.S. - Skype me at richardseanevans I'm usually on around 10-11 am and 6-7 pm U.S. time.

China Day 2

2009-12-09T11:25:00.000-05:00

Richard has reported in from China. He says the sets he is working on are amazing and it is like a real Broadway show. You can tell he is tired and excited. Lots of new sites and smells to get used to and take in.

Rehearsals are 12 hours from now until the time the show goes in to previews at the end of next week. He will be rehearsing from midnight (eastern daylight savings time) until noon (eastern daylight savings time) so he is not sure how often he will be able to be on skype to chat with his family and friends. He will answer email when he can and I am sure would love to hear from all of you so...... email away - actornews@aol.com.

For now that is the news that is fit to print.

Kristi in Maryland on behalf of Richard in China!

CHINA - have arrived

2009-12-08T22:57:00.002-05:00

Richard has asked me to post to his blog for him..... so here is the first entry coming to you via me from China - K -

"Well we made it! Fifteen hours on the plane and three hours on the bus. I can't tell you the tired I feel. I didn't sleep on the plane. I don't know what it is, I just don't sleep on planes. I got 2 hours of sleep on Sunday night on purpose so I could be real tired on the plane. Didn't work.

It's 7:50 pm on Tuesday night as I write this. I believe it is 6:50 am Tuesday morning in the states. We have been instructed to try to stay up at least 2 more hours (1o pm) to get to China on China time. I'm going to go out and get something to eat and crash. More later.

Richard"

Leave Earlier

2009-11-29T01:48:00.002-05:00

So I get back to blogging with a lesson. Leave earlier.

Paraphrased from the book "The Tipping Point"

Two Princeton University psychologists decided to conduct a study based on the biblical story of the Good Samaritan from the Gospel of Luke.
"A traveler has been beaten and robbed and left for dead on the side of the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. Both a priest and a Levite - both worthy, pious men - came upon the man but did not stop, passing on the other side of the road. The only man to help was a Samaritan - the despised minority - who bound his wounds and took him to an inn."
The psychologists decided to replicate the study at the Princeton Theological Seminary. They met with a group of seminarians, individually and asked each one to prepare a short talk on a given biblical theme, then walk over to a nearby building to present it. Along the way, each student ran into a man slumped in an alley, head down, groaning and coughing.

At the beginning of the study, each student was given a questionnaire about why they chose to study theology. Then the psychologists varied the subject of the theme the students were asked to talk about. Some were asked to speak on the relevance of the professional clergy to the religious vocation. Others were asked to speak on the parable of the Good Samaritan. Finally, some were told they were late for giving the talk, others were told they were early but go over to the building and wait.

Of the students who were told they were late, 10% stopped for the "injured" man. Of those who were early, 63% stopped to give aid. What the results of the study indicate are that the words "you're late" had the effect of making someone who was ordinarily compassionate into someone who was indifferent to suffering.

Me speaking now. I constantly see the rush of humanity as we seek our own destinations and designs, not caring for anyone else but ourselves, a selfishness as it were. I'm late, therefore, none of you matter. Get out of my way. Stop slowing me down.

This season, this life, leave early, slow down, and look to your fellow man. Reduce the stress in your life. Leave earlier, give yourself more time. Lower the blood pressure. Leave earlier, arrive earlier. You might have time to meet a stranger - in need, or better yet not in need. It might return us to a happier race of mankind.

The Tree Outside My House

2009-01-07T02:36:00.002-05:00

The tree outside my house is not old.
But it is frail.
It did not grow strong as most trees do, with one massive trunk that heralds to the world its strength. It grew with five weak trunks, all growing in seperate directions, sseking their own place in the world.
The tree outside my house succumbs to its frailty year by year. It lost its center this year as a cruel wind twisted it about and wrested its head its from its body.
Tonight, an enemy of the tree envelops its very being in a cruel beauty, trying to bend each limb back to the earth from which it came.
The tree outside my house does not like the ice. When will morning come?

Christmas Humbug?

2008-12-26T00:01:00.008-05:00

The humbug did its best to strike this year, it really did. I must say that December blew by faster than ever before and allowing humbug into my season was partially my fault. Fortunately, there are forces in the world greater than I!!

It begins Christmas Eve...
I had to work. That shouldn't be a problem since I always work holidays. Except this Christmas Eve kind of, well, for lack of a better word, sucked. Our show was over at 3pm on the 24th and the last customer left shortly thereafter. BUT, because the mall closed at 6pm on Christmas Eve, I had to stick around with my thumb up my you-know-what for the better part of 3 hours waiting for the last cash drawer to come in. The boss, whom I shall now and ever forward call "Ebeneezer" for obvious reasons stated on many occasions that I am the closer, that's what I do. I shan't bore you with any more details, computer and server breakdowns, other than to say that he could have closed for me as he ultimately left only a few minutes before I did. Did I say ol' Ebeneezer has no family or outside friends? He easily could have stayed. Needless to say that when I finally left, it was too late, I was too tired and too cranky to join my family for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner at my brother's house.

I left work. I was wicked hungry too. I called my roommate and asked if he'd "et yet". He said no. I called the local eatery "Clydes" and found that they were open regular hours, kitchen til midnight and bar til 1:30 last call! It was off to Clydes. Here the forces of Christmas started to work their magic. When I arrived, the place was a madhouse! It was packed... except for this 2 top table with very comfortable stuffed chairs. The place was abuzz with Christmas parties and reunions of all kinds. Then came our waiter, Michael T. Not a cheerier fellow could I find! He was happy to be working Christmas Eve and the delight showed. Then came the strands of Christmas music. I thought it was live, my roommate said surely it was canned. I made mention to the delightful Michael T. and he confirmed that it was truly live, some kids from the local high school were caroling in the restaurant.

When the carolers made their way to our table, I was eager to hear their music. They handed out their "menu" of songs. Within all the Christmas music I found a jem, "The Silver Swan". They squeeled with delight as no one had ever requested that and it was a favorite. I asked if I could sing along, again they were delighted. The pitch pipe blew and I joined the basses with confidence. I remembered every note from my days of singing this classic madrigal in high school 30 years ago. We talked shop for a bit and the kids then moved on. Christmas was saved!

I got to join my family on Christmas Day. Sadly, I was informed that my neice, her husband and son would not be able to join us at my brother's house. After catching up a bit, we exchanged gifts. I saved the best for last. When all was opened, my brother David and I broke into the St. Lucius peanut rum that I had given. After the toast was sipped, I brought out one last gift for the family. I had our family videos transferred to DVD. We sat and watched ourselves as we looked in 1989 and 1992. There were birthday parties, a 4th of July pool party and a couple of Christmases. In the middle of it all, my niece and her family showed up! Surprise! It turned out to be a terriffic and blessed day.

It's better to give than to receive but the best thing I got was a new digital camera from Kristi and a book by Guy Fieri from the Food Network Channel called Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives from my roommate.

Pictures from my Christmas:
Great nephew Andy
Brother Dave and Sister-In-Law Angelika
Stout Republican husband to my niece, Jerry
Nephew Christopher, Angelika, Dave and Niece Natascha

Love you mom. Miss you...

All I Want For Christmas...

2008-12-03T22:44:00.013-05:00

Many friends and family members have told me how difficult I am to buy presents for. Here are a few things that I stumbled across that would really thrill me on Christmas morning.

Diners, Drive-ins & Dives Bundle [Book, f.y.e. Exclusive DVD, f.y.e. Exclusive CD]:Guy FieriOn Sale: $19.99 Member Price: $17.99Book, CD, DVD Bundle
This special gift set exclusive to f.y.e. contains the best selling Guy Fieri book Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives: An All-American Road Trip, an exclusive DVD with 4 complete shows from the first season of his popular Food Network show, plus an exclusive CD with songs hand picked by Guy! He even wrote the liner notes for each track.

How to Burn Down the House: The Infamous Waiter and Bartender's Scam Bible by Two Bourbon Street Waiters (Paperback)
List Price: $12.95 Price: $12.95
In Stock. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com

Kitchen Confidential Updated Ed: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly (P.S.) (Paperback)
List Price: $14.95 Price: $10.17
In Stock. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

Mamma Mia! The Movie (Two Disc Special Edition) (2008)
Price: $22.99
This title will be released on December 16, 2008.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

Garde Manger: The Art and Craft of the Cold Kitchen, 3rd Edition

Price: $70.00

The Culinary Institute of America's definitive guide has been thoroughly revised to reflect the latest garde manger trends, techniques, and flavors, including new information on topics such as brining ratios, fermented sausages, micro greens, artisanal American cheeses, tapas menus, "action" buffet stations, and ice carving. With over 540 recipes, including 100 created new for this edition, and more than 340 all-new photographs illustrating step-by-step techniques and finished dishes, this new edition of Garde Manger is an indispensable reference for culinary students and working chefs everywhere.

http://www.ciaprochef.com/fbi/books/GardeManger.html

Ender in Exile (Ender) (Hardcover)by Orson Scott Card

Price: $17.13

In Stock. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

The Dark Knight (Two-Disc Special Edition + Digital Copy)

Price: $20.99

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

0 for 2

2008-11-18T00:30:00.003-05:00

Dear Mr. Evans,
We were pleased that you considered a Manager position with us and are grateful for having had the opportunity to review your qualifications and speak with you.
We are moving forward with other candidates at this time. We will keep your resume on file and when we have a position open that matches your qualifications and skills, we will contact you.
Our company wishes you much success in your career endeavours.

So I'm 0 for 2 all in one day. I've had two very promising interviews with 2 different restaurants and today the results came back... meh. The first place, in Bowie, was very excited by my interview. I was really looking forward to the possibility of working there. It was more money, for fewer hours and less responsibility that I have now. Who wouldn't want that? The interviewer and I hit it off right away. We had a great conversation. He took me to his corporate people. Then suddenly it all went cold. Damn.

The second place was very corporate. that's their letter above. I went through an hour long initial interview. Then an online thingy. I hate those. I've never gotten a job where I had to take that test. It had questions like:

Which is worse:

1) An employee who kills you?

2) An employee who swears at you then kills you?

3) An employee who flips off the company then kills you?

Who would you rather have working for you:

1) One exceptional employee?

2) Several adequate employees?

3) Don Ho (if he were alive)?

Well, maybe the Don Ho thing wasn't on there. It could be the Sailor talking now. But anyway, I got both rejections today. Meh. (I say "meh" a lot now because it has officially been recognized as a word and entered into the dictionary.)

By the way, my new friend Sailor Jerry has replaced my good friend the Captain. The Sailor seriously kicks ass if you let him. All in moderation people, all in moderation. Now I'm off to place orders for the multi million dollar company that thinks I can handle their business. If only they didn't treat us all like crap. Nighty night people!

2008-11-08T02:04:00.002-05:00

Well folks, it's arrived. Flushing face, hot flashes and pounding headaches. I suspected something but waited for the professional opinion which I received upon visiting my doctor today.
Stand back...
Here it comes...
Wait for it....
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE!
There, I said it. Whew! What a relief.
I do not intend to take this lightly. I've already started working on my diet (again). I've also taken a few stabs at exercising (I've a winning racquetball record!). But the main culprit of my demise is...
Stand back...
Here it comes...
Wait for it...
MY JOB!
Yes, my job. The only reason for my stress. I guess part of the stress is due to the fact that I try to be a perfectionist in everything I do and I expect the same from others. Unfortunately the others frequently let me down. The other reason for stress is the boss. We don't understand each other and are moving farther and farther apart. It also may be that I think he's crazy. I don't know, maybe it's me.

I think it also doesn't help that I read that Tom Arnold was molested as a child.

Get The Facts

2008-10-22T10:38:00.005-04:00

Are you confused by the mud-slinging and negative campaign ads during this election? Check out http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/07/fact-check-did-obama-vote-94-times-for-higher-taxes-2/#more-23411

GET THE FACTS!
Factcheck.org, a non-partisan project of the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg Public Policy Center.

The Statement:
Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain said at the Oct. 7 presidential debate in Nashville, Tennessee, that Democratic opponent Sen. Barack Obama "has voted 94 times to either increase your taxes or against tax cuts. That's his record."

Key Findings:
53 were votes on budget resolutions or amendments that "could not have resulted by themselves in raising taxes," though many "were clear statements of approval for increased taxes"–23 were against proposed tax cuts–11 were to increase taxes on people making more than $1 million a year, to help fund programs such as Head Start, school nutrition, or veterans' health care–Seven were "for measures that would have lowered taxes for many, while raising them on a relative few, either corporations or affluent individuals."– The total includes multiple votes on the same measures.

Annenberg says a close look at the record reveals that Obama has "voted consistently to restore higher tax rates on upper-income taxpayers but not on middle- or low-income workers."

2008-10-15T11:00:00.003-04:00

Has anyone noticed how gas prices come down near any election?

Eliminate the incumbents. Vote for change.

Vacation!!!

2008-10-05T18:37:00.002-04:00

It's vacation time!! At long last, I finally got my vacation. This was my third try this year. My first request in May was approved and then retracted 3 days before my flight. My second request was just flat out denied. My third request stood on shaky ground for awhile but finally went through.

So I find myself in Orlando, Florida. I've actually been here for nearly a week. And it's been a busy week too! I've tried to keep it low key but there is just so much to do!

Today we drove over to the Gulf Of Mexico to a place called Longboat Key. Longboat Key is near Bradenton which is near Sarasota just to give a reference. Longboat Key is special to me as I spent some summer vacation time there with my Great Aunt Neps. She lived in a real nice house a block and a half away from the beach. Since I wanted to get to the beach at some point this year, this is where I wanted to go.

When we arrived, we stopped for a drink at a place called Harry's Kitchen. I had a beer and Kristi had an Orange Crush Martini. What made the martini special was that it was garnished with a slice of pineapple that had been marinating in a rum concoction for several days. She said it was quite tasty. My friend the Captain has not joined us yet. I'm sure we'll see him tonight!!

Longboat Key is about as quaint as you can get. I nice little raod that runs along the sure with the beach on one side and nice little shops, homes and rentals on the right. Corporate commercialism has not invaded this beach town.

We laid out our towel and I quickly went for the water. It was so blue and green! I remember swimming out in the Gulf as a kid with no fear. I would swim out so far loing complete track of where I was, snorkeling deep until my lungs screamed reminding me that I had to breathe at some point. I watched with wonder the fish that didn't mind sharing the water with me. I would follow the conch endlessly never caring how far out or how deep I went. Today I went out to five feet of water and started to worry about where the sharks were. It started to rain, so we packed up and went souvenier shopping. I drove back to the hotel in wet shorts.

oZ. Chophouse - Rant or Rave?

2008-09-18T22:37:00.007-04:00

Well, I've got a day off and thought that I'd invite the Captain in for some blogging. Actually, we've had a number of days off. Thank the powers that I've got a salaried job right now.

So anyway, I'm driving home from working listening to the world coming to an end on CNN radio. Wall Street is crashing, our banks are crashing, our insurance companies are crashing and what do I do? I go out to an expensive restaurant for dinner. I just heard about the oZ. Chophouse and I thought I'd give it a go.

The Chophouse is in a brand new retail center at Maple Lawn in Fulton, MD. It's a nice area that was once pastures and trees with the occasional mosquito. The new homes start in the $600's. But I digress, the Captain and I were talking about the Chophouse.

The decor is nice once you find the right door to enter. The door I found was near the bar but across the restaurant from the host stand. I was seated promptly. Since I'm used to waiting sometimes for a server, I brought some industry reading materials. A drink order was taken almost immediately as well as my appetizer. Since I'm always on the lookout for a great mojito and a great calamari, I ordered both. The mojito was ok, tasty but it didn't knock my socks off. It was a little on the small side too. Since this is an upscale eatery, I eagerly waited for the calamari. Unfortunately the calamari was just ok. It was a little more tender than most that I've tried, but still just ok.

Next came the salad. Well presented and tasty, I finished this dish with gusto. I chose the House Salad.
House Salad Bibb Lettuce, Pears, Red Onion, Dried Cranberries, and Chili Glazed Walnuts with a Raspberry Vinaigrette. This was very good.
Since my cholesterol is in excellent shape, I ordered the Porterhouse Steak. The 32 oz. Porterhouse Steak. From the menu - Our steaks are served simply with our blend of house spices and Maitre D butter. Do I want to know what Maitr D Butter is? This is a big steak. This is Texas sized steak, I'm talking big. I'm also talking fatty, gristly and tough. I wrestled with this thing like it was still alive and did not want to be eaten. I was very disappointed in what was supposed to be a really good man-sized steak. I passed on dessert. Now for the really bad part. My check was $78.83. Two mojitos, calamari, salad and a monster steak. the good news is that I won't have to eat again for a week.

I can rave about the salad but the rest I have to rant about. It was too expensive for the quality that I got. And did I mention that the server picked up my reading materials from in front of me and started to read it?

Will I go back? I think so. As I was leaving, the Filet Mignon on another table look incredible. Besides, and I don't want to make the Captain jealous, I want to try - The Peanut Butter Cup -Castries Peanut Rum, Stoli Vanilla, and Godiva Dark Liquer.

The Specialty Drinks all look good. Here they are from the website.

The oZ Martini - Our Version of the Classic Cosmo with Fresh Berries and a Sugar Rim
The Classic - Kettle One Vodka with Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives.
Tropical Punch - Light and Refreshing with Stoli Razz and Assorted Fruit Juices.
Peanut Butter Cup - Castries Peanut Rum, Stoli Vanilla, and Godiva Dark Liquer.
Banana Colada - A Refreshing Mix of Malibu Coconut, Banana Liquer, and Pineapple with a Dark Rum Floater.
Double ‘O’ Seven - Stoli Oranj, Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice, and 7 Up.
Taste of the Tropics - Bacardi Limon, Limoncello, and Pineapple Juice.
Sauza Sunrise Martini - An oZ. Twist on a Classic Tequila Sunrise.
Sangria - Our Secret House Recipe with Fresh Fruit. A Summertime Favorite.
Agave Nectar Margarita - 100% Organic Agave Nectar and Hornitos Blanco Tequila with Fresh Lime Juice.
La Poire Fizz - Grey Goose Pear Vodka and Sprite.
Pig Pen - Grey Goose Vodka Served with Jalapeño Stuffed Olives.
Candy Apple Martini - Stolichnaya Vodka, Butterscotch, and Apple.
Coral Reef - Cruzan Guava Rum, Malibu Coconut Rum, and a Hint of Grapefruit.
Blueberry Tini - Van Gogh Acai Blueberry and Fresh Blueberries Make This a House Favorite.
Huckleberry Hound - A Sweet Mixture of 44 North Vodka and Sour.

Football!

2008-09-04T18:06:00.001-04:00

Win or lose tonight, it doesn't matter! Today has been fantastic and it's being capped off by OPENING NIGHT!
GO 'SKINS!

Rant AND Rave - McDonalds

2008-08-26T21:54:00.004-04:00

McDonalds-
Specifically the McDonalds Southern Style Chicken Sandwich, but first the RAVE.
I want to give McDonalds the RAVE for their sponsorship of the Olympic Basketball games. They sponsored the broadcast with limited interruption. Spectacular move! If you got to watch any of the games, I hope you got to watch the Gold Medal match with Spain. The American "Redeem Team" blew the Spaniards away in the first meeting and summarily destroyed most everyone else in their pool play. Then came the final match for the gold. The team that the Americans played early was not the team that showed up in the end. The Spaniards fought, clawed and scrapped their way into a close and thrilling game. Since the Olympic games to pause for commercials, I would have missed out on some incredible basketball. I'm not the greatest fan of the game itself, but this final was amazing. Since McDonalds provided a limited interrupted game, I was able to see some very exciting history made in China at these Olympics. And since McDonalds did such a fine thing, I felt obliged to return the favor and visit my local Mickey D's. I think I'll try the somewhat new Country Style Chicken Sandwich. On to the RANT...

Ick. If McDonalds hopes to compete with Chick-fil-A in the chicken business, they need to return to the drawing board or the chicken coop. I don't know what my sandwich was made of but I don't think it was chicken. While reasonably priced, my McDonalds chicken sandwich was made of pressed meat, like a McNugget sandwich if you will. Even the bun didn't compare to Chick-fil-A. The pickles were good but that's it. The Chick-fil-A sandwich is made of a chicken breast and it's apparent upon the first bite. Juicy, tasty and equally reasonably priced. In addition to taste, the Chick-fil-A packaging keeps the sandwich moist and hot. And the bun is tasty too. Over at The Compulsive Consumer website says, "The Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich is $2.75 and made from the chicken god himself. The amount of butter is usually just right and the chicken is especially juicy. The McDonald’s Southern Style Chicken Sandwich is a blatant rip-off..."
I agree. Thank you McDonalds for the great basketball games but for now, Chick-Fil-A gets my chicken money!

Rave - Rita's Ice

2008-08-19T22:04:00.005-04:00

There is more to rave about Rita's Ice than the ice. The service is friendly and quick. No matter which location I visit, when the service window opens, I'm greeted by a friendly helpful face, well not just the face but the whole person behind the face too!

They are eager for me to try a flavor and tolerent of my indecision. It must be something that they're used to and train for. When I see the selections, I cannot make up my mind, so I taste away. My favorite flavor so far is the Key Lime. I usually mix it up with something else, but the Key Lime is my favorite so far. This stuff is addicting. It's very refreshing and so tasty!

So we've got great service, a tasty product and finally... affordable. A regular size (medium) is $1.99. Two bucks for a real nice treat. With the friendly service that they provide, I'd pay more. I guess they want me to keep coming back. I will!

Rebirth!! Life Begins Anew!!

2008-08-04T00:19:00.004-04:00

Preseason Week 1:
Redskins 30, Colts 16

Sad to say, I have not experienced a religious awakening...
UNLESS YOU CALL FOOTBALL RELIGIOUS!!!!!

I raced home from work tonight to catch as much of the first football game of the year as I could. And it was my Redskins! I don't even care that I have to go back in tomorrow, on my only day off, to complete the work that I didn't finish so I could watch the game.

While making the drive home, I began to reflect what this first Redskins game really means to me. Pardon me while I wax retrospectively. My mom turned me on to redskin football in 1972. She let me stay up late on a Monday (school) night to watch the Skins play the Steelers on Monday Night Football. I had been hooked ever since. Unfortunately, most of my adult professions have prevented me from enjoying good ol' hands in the pants, sitting in the Laz-E-Boy sunday afternoon football. But I digress. My mom turned me onto the game and I remain an avid fan. When we couldn't watch together, we would call each other when there was a score or a tragedy. I remember getting home late in the day one day after hearing the news that Dan Snyder had contacted Joe Gibbs about returning to coach and that there was a good chance of it happening. When I called mom to tell her this (she loooooved Joe Gibbs) she whooped wildly and told me that it was already done, Gibbs was coming back! We whooped and hollered on the phone together for a good long bit.

She would call while I was at work and leave messages with updated scores. She hated the Cowboys too, oh how she hated the Cowboys. I remember how dark one Thanksgiving was one year because back up quarterback Clint Longley threw a Hail Mary pass in the final moments of a Redskin-Cowboy Turkey Day Classic that beat the beloved Skins. The turkey seemed dry that year and nothing really tasted good. Lesson learned, eat BEFORE the game, just in case we lose!

Well, mom, we've got a new coach and a new team this year. I don't expect much, but you instilled in me that loyalty goes beyond a losing season. When I watch the Skins this year (mostly recorded), I will think of you and know that you're sitting right next to me whooping it up just as much as I am.

July 14th

2008-07-15T00:13:00.002-04:00

It's hard to believe that I haven't written in 4 months and 2 days. Time will really pass if you let it, huh? Well it's hard to believe that it's been 3 years since my mom died. Three years. Well, with the Captain at my side, I record the day.

I found myself awake at 730 this morning. I look outside and it's raining, a gloomy start. We are going to meet at the cemetary at noon. I guess an umbrella is in order. I start my day with a shower and a dog walk after breakfast. It's stopped raining. I run some errands before leaving for Germantown. The sky is breaking. I stop at the wine store to pick up a couple of bottles for mom. The sun is poking through. I get to the cemetary. It's beautiful outside, really beautiful.

Kristi is already there and she follows me to the grave. I'm happy to have my friend there. Then Lynn shows up and she looks great. "Did you bring the wine?" I brandish two bottles. As if on cue, David and Angelika arrive. David brought fold out chairs. I settled down on the grass as the ladies settle in the chairs. David is perched atop Angelika's walker (knee replacement surgery). We start to catch up with each other.

The sky is beautiful and constant comments are made about the generous breeze that is blowing. We feel as though we're at the beach. What a beautiful breeze! The spring and summer has been very nice to the grounds, everything is green and lush. The cirrus clouds look like they've been masterfully brushed on a blue sky canvas. David notices a butterfly. He says that we've been visited by a butterfly everytime we visit together. Did I mention that we've opened the wine? The company and conversation are the best. Enough time has passed I guess, that we no longer lament our loss but celebrate what we have. We talked about our lives and the things we're doing. We drink more wine. In true motherly fashion, mom feels left out of the wine sharing. A glass is poured for her. The conversation continues then falls into a comfortable quiet.

As we sat in the sun, we all see a beautiful white bird fly over. It's too white for a seagull or pigeon. It's completely a bright white. It circles and leaves us. We all watch until it's gone from sight. Two bottles of wine and 90 minutes have passed. We're comfortable where we are but it's time to go. Hugs for Lynn and good wishes as she drives off. Then Kristi and I leave to go to Frederick and then Dave and Angelika.

So much happened today as I was very busy in Frederick with Kristi. But it was a great day. A really great day. I am an honest tired. I worked very hard at Kristi's house until dark and had our usual Monday night dinner with her mom on the deck. As I mowed, I was reminded about what Mom said about the sound of a lawn mower. She would sit and listen as I mowed our lawn at Bounding Bend. She would close her eyes and think of the motor boats as they passed by on the Bay at Fairhaven. She said the sound of the lawn mower reminded her of those lovely days of her chilhood on the Bay. I thought of her as I mowed today and I couldn't have been happier.

Source Of Obesity In America

2008-03-13T00:12:00.009-04:00

Hello Americans,

I have discovered the source of obesity in America. The evil can be found on Polito Avenue in Lyndhurst, New Jersey in a little establishment called Harold's Deli. I'm sitting back with the Captain at my side and will now tell the tale of this discovery.

My work took me to Lyndhurst, New Jersey to our sister castle there. Lyndhurst is also home to the Meadowlands Sports Complex where the current Super Bowl Champion, New York Giants reside. (Sip of Captain, and we press on.) I digress. Across the street from the Marriott, which displayed an incredible example of customer service, is Harold's Deli, a little, unassuming bistro cradled in a Day's Inn I believe. After piddling around the Jersey castle, I sought sustenance (be right back, I gotta do a spell check) (I'm back and I'm correct), I sought sustenance or for those less educated, food, I was hungry. Before I left for Jersey, I was told to check out the Deli across the street, so check it out I did. Americans, this is Jersey. The first thing I saw commanded me to take its picture. A cigarette machine! It's Jersey!

There's no smoking in the restaurant but there is a cigarette machine. As I took the picture, a customer asked my why. I said, "It's a cigarette machine! If you saw a dinosaur, you'd take its picture too!" So many customers went outside to smoke that when they came back in, they might as well had smoked in the restaurant.

Anyway, obesity.. (if I may, I've run out of the Captain and now have an interesting Bacardi in hand... Bacardi Key Lime Rum. At this time I can endorse it. I wager that it would be very nice with a Diet Coke with Lime. Typing getting difficult. How's the spelling so far?) Any way, obesity. I perused the menu for the sandwiches (aren't deli's supposed to be great for sandwiches?). I was greeted by Ruebens and turkey and Roast Beef and all the lovely meets that make a good sandwich. I also froze in fear at the price. These sandwiches were 30 bucks! Unf***ing believable! But then I saw why. One sandwich could feed the entire African nation, Sally Struthers included! Fortunately for me, there was a smaller menu with less of a selection. I chose a nice Roast Beef sandwich for about 8 bucks. It came with the all-you-can-eat pickle bar. Being a fan of pickles, I indulged. Then came dessert.

Whilst at a New York Deli, you try the cheesecake, right? So I did. Tasty big mistake!

This monstrous construction topped with blueberries was magnificent! It took me 2 days to eat half of it. I ate what I could at Harold's and took the rest back to the hotel with me. I had more for dessert the next day in my room and threw a good half of it away when I checked out the next day. Maybe the maid enjoyed it, I don't know. It was awesome and big. When I commented about its size, the bartender begged me visit the dessert thingy that held more monstrosities. Seek the pictures below.

The first picture is of a five layer chocolate thing of death. The second was almost something I ordered instead of the cheesecake. I love eclairs. Truly I do. And I almost ordered the eclair on the menu. I have mixed feelings about not ordering it. Glad I didn't, sad I didn't. Look at the thing! It's about 2 feet long. Look at it in comparison with the oversized cookies above it. Americans I have found obesity and its name is Harolds!

To sum up, I had lost 10 pounds on my diet competition with brother Scott. Four of those pounds found their way back in my week in Jersey. Fortunately I start my raquetball regimen with a 20 year old knight in training. Sweat will ensue, I'm sure.

New York City!

2008-03-12T01:37:00.005-04:00

I'm in New York for the second time this year! My first trip was with Kristi and that was for fun. This time it was for work. I went to help the Jersey castle open the new show. The best part of the visit was the 15 minute bus ride to the city. There was a bus stop right outside the Marriott where I stayed for 4 days. More on the hotel later, for now let's look at the pictures!

Here we see the very colorful Mary Poppins and Young Frankenstein marquis. (What is the plural for marquis?) They wer enormous and very bright. I'm really happy at how well they came out. Click on them to make them bigger! Next pics... DINNER!

I had dinner at the Hawaiian Tropic Zone Restaurant. It's an upscale restaurant with scantily
clad Hawaiian Tropic models as the servers. This is me with my server. I forget her name but she was Number 9 in the pageant. (She didn't win.) The picture was taken by this French guy who was there with his family. They were very interested in my food. What did I order...?

I started with the Calamari and a Captain Morgan and diet. The drink was spectacular and the calamari so-so. Nothing still beats the calamari in Frederick. Then came the New York Strip with Asiago fries. I also had a glass of the recommended red wine. The steak was a little chewy but the fries were cool. I forget what that yellow sauce is. Next came dessert. There was a dessert menu that came with one of those Viewmaster View Finders for the pictures. I chose the Cheesecake Lollipop Tree and a Blueberry Mojito. The cheesecake was really good and the presentation was creative. It came with a side of Bubblegum Whipped Cream. I tried it and it tasted exactly like Bazooka Joe! Disgusting!

The French family was so transfixed by the Cheesecake Tree that I offered them some. The papa gladly took one and proceeded to double dip in the whipped cream! Good thing I didn't like it anyway. Next, the bill...

The check came to $108.54... It's a fun place to visit but I wouldn't want to eat there! Definately not worth the price. Go for drinks but not the food.

Go to http://flickr.com/photos/15214131@N02/sets/72157604102851595/ to see all the pictures from my trip!

March 9th

2008-03-09T00:15:00.002-05:00

It is now March 9th. I waited up for midnight to come around so I would be awake on this day.

I used to call my mom every day. When I would get in the car and drive to work, I would always call her. And she would always listen. She had a teriffic knack for listening too. She always made you feel like everything you said was important. She made you feel special. I still hear her voice, "I'm so proud of you honey." It didn't matter what the spectacular deed was. For all she cared, I called to tell her that I had an incredible bowel movement today. She always told me she was proud.

I miss those daily calls. When I drive to work now, there is a void. She was always home and always answered the phone. If the day was crappy, I could feel her wishing to take it away. "I'm so sorry, honey. It'll get better." And it always did.

I would call from the various places that I would visit. While I was walking down Broadway in New York this week, I just stopped on the sidewalk and looked around. Mentally I was on the phone telling my mom everything I saw. And she would be so excited for me.

I miss you so much mom. Happy Birthday. I love you.

Scott Update

2008-02-17T02:24:00.002-05:00

My silly little brother Scott called me like 4 or a million times tonight. When I saw all the missed calls (I was at work for cryin' out loud) I panicked and called him immediately (in the middle of 2 1/2 sold out shows tonight) thinking there was an emergency. No emergency, the peanut head wanted to let me know that he broke under the 300 pound barrier. Way to go Scott! I'm very proud of you. (You're still a peanut head)

The Game Is Afoot

2008-02-16T00:39:00.003-05:00

Many of you who know my brother Scott and Sister-In-Law Allison know that they were once big people. Very big people. Now a change of life has occurred for them and they are rapidly becoming smaller people. Much smaller. So small in fact, they have me worried, not about them, about me. Brother Scott has lost over 120 lbs. That's almost a whole person. When last I spoke to him, he was just over 300 lbs. Wow, that's great! Until I got to thinking.

HE'S LESS THAN FORTY POUNDS BIGGER THAN I AM!!!!!

This cannot be. I cannot let this happen. I refuse to be the fat one in the family. I have officially entered the race. I will not be caught. Scott, I'm 264lbs right now and I refuse to let you pass. Do you hear me??? I'm off to manage portion control and excercise. You are doomed. (Not really because we'll all be winners) but dammit, I will not let you win. As a matter of fact, I'm going to go throw up now in honor of me entering the race.

Ice Storm

2008-02-14T13:14:00.005-05:00

So I have a few minutes before work to post some photos of the ice storm that hit this week. It tried to be snow but only managed to be freezing rain. This week has been kind of cold so the ground was frozen. A warmer front with rain moved in but once it hit the ground it froze immediately. There was reportedly 1500 automoblie accidents during the evening rush hour. The pictures are of my neighborhood.

Just A Pantload...

2008-02-13T01:00:00.002-05:00

There is just a pantload of stuff going on. I think I need my rum, be back in a minute...

I'm back. Really... I just did go downstairs and got a nice little glass of Captain Morgan's Parrot Bay Rum and Diet Pepsi. I think it's gonna be a stiff little drinkie poo. Ahhh... on to the blog.

So much to muse about today. The Chesapeake Primary, the ice storm that's hitting even as I prose. My trip to Chicago (I haven't forgotten about you cousin). This crazy story I read in Details magazine that just has me boiling. And my brother's weight loss. let's start with the primary.

All my guys are roadkill by now. First it was Mitt. As governor of Massachusetts, Romney did wondrous things with health care. Unfortunately his resolve on issues was as flimsy as leaves in the breeze. Whichever way the breeze would blow, the leaves would follow. As was with Mitt. Just a big ol' flip-flopper. Richardson next, I liked his plain talk and his attacks on Bush's immigration policies. Then Joe Biden, I liked his views on the war and how to get out. He said some unpopular things that I thought took guts. I gave Ron Paul a look. He said some pretty decent anti big government stuff. He collected tons of money but never put it to use. So what's left... hmmm...

John McCain is crazy. I honestly think so. Eight years ago, I looked into George Bush's eyes and declared the man stupid. I have the same gut feeling about McCain. Not that he's stupid, I think he's dangerous. "The missiles are flying, hallelujah, hallelujah."

I've been considering Huckabee. He's not out of the realm of possibility and I may consider him should he survive to November, but as a registered Democrat my choices were Clinton or Obama. Obama or Clinton. I had decided on Hilary Clinton about a week back. This is my justification, please pay attention. I felt that America prospered under the Bill Clinton administration. The nation was at peace and the national debt erased. America was in the black again for the first time in years and years. So I felt that if Hillary got into a bind in the Oval Office, expert help was just an elbow away. Bill Clinton surrounded himself with smart people and I believe those same smart people will be available to Hillary should the need arise.

An unfinished 1st Senatorial term does not an experienced president make. Sorry Mr. Obama, I don't think you're the man... or do I. I think a Hillary Clinton presidency would bring a bigger war to home turf. I believe that the battles between the Oval Office and Congress would be fiercer than any army of nutcase suicide bombers. Nothing will get done as the 2 branches that govern this country rip each others hair out.

Today I cast my vote for Barak Obama. I just hope the Geppettos pulling this puppets strings are smart and have the welfare of our nation at heart. I do believe that Congress would work with Obama and real change is possible. With the Chesapeake primaries over now, Obama takes the lead in delagates winning Maryland, D.C. and Virginia. Fingers are crossed.

I need to get out now and take pictures of this ice storm that I'm sure wil be the doom of many a tree branch and powerline. Besides, I've finished my rum.

Amazing Technicolored Dream

2008-01-31T09:20:00.000-05:00

I had to get this down as soon as I could. I didn't want to forget this dream.

Last night(or early this morning) just before I woke up, I had this dream. I dreamed that either I was performing the role of Joseph or I was a modern day Joseph. And the only part I dreamed was the very end of the show. I was running down a hill and singing the last song of the show. there were people all around but it didn't matter. I don't think many were paying attention to me anyway. I was wearing a spectacular coat that whirled all around me. I was so happy that I lifted off the ground, my voice still full of song. I don't know if it was the coat catching the wind or if it was my spirit that lifted me.

Now what does this mean? Yesterday was a great day. I got some good news at work and I was very lifted by it. This on top of a great trip to New York! Before I went to bed, I was looking at some pictures of mom and her house. Whenever I had great news I would always call her. She was always so supportive and excited for me. She always made me feel like Joseph. Maybe the dream was sent by her, returning me "to the beginning".

When mom died, I guess "the colors faded into darkness, I was left alone". The only thing is, the light isn't fading. It's still there! Dreams don't necessarily make sense. I just wanted to remember this one.

I close my eyes, drew back the curtain

To see for certain, what I thought I knew.

Far, far away someone was weeping

But the world was sleeping, any dream will do.

I wore my coat with golden lining

Bright colors shining wonderful and new.

And in the east, the dawn was breaking

And the world was waking, any dream will do.

A crash of drums, a flash of light

My golden coat flew out of sight.

The colors faded into darkness, I was left alone.

May I return to the beginning

The light is dimming and the dream is too.

The world and I, we are still waiting

Still hesitating any dream will do.

Give me my colored coat, my amazing colored coat...

New York City

2008-01-31T01:23:00.001-05:00

Ron performing on stage from his CD >>>>>>>

Well I finally got away from some serious killer hours at work. I managed to put in 140 hours over the last 2 weeks as we installed the new show at Medieval Times here in Baltimore. I was able to take Sunday, Monday and Tuesday off and was able to go to NYC to surprise my friend Ron. Ron is a big cabaret singer and cut his own CD. His release party was in the Duplex Theatre on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village, New York. My friend Kristi, good friends from The Pit and many others celebrated Ron's big night.

Enjoying our 2 drink minimum were me, Kristi, Blake Pace and Lynn Pace. Blake and Lynn are from Maryland too. Blake plays the piano at The Flaming Pit and his wife Lynn keeps him in line. Blake and Lynn just lost their beloved family pet, Samson the week before. Many of Ron's songs touched them deeply and evoked many memories of Samson.

Kristi and I behaved like tourists. We took a bus tour of NYC. We sat in the top of the double decker bus and froze our you-know-whats off but it was all worth it. We got a great tour of the city. It was a hop-off, hop-on tour, meaning you could hop off anywhere and hop on the next bus that came around. We decided quickly to hop off the first bus as the tour guide was an asian woman that we couldn't understand one bit! The only thing we understood was that she called Madison Square Garden, Madison SCARE Garden!

The is a gigantic Ferris Wheel in the middle of the Toy 'R' Us
in Times Square. While Kristi was shopping, I decided to go for a ride! Fortunately I got the Monopoly car and got to ride with the millionaire. I was hoping for this car or the Scooby Doo car. If you check the 30 other pictures of my trip at Flickr.com, more specifically
http://flickr.com/photos/15214131@N02/ you will see that the Millionaire has something really gross coming out of his mouth!

After the performance, Ron and Michael took us to a deli back in Times Square. Hamburgers were twenty five bucks! Unbelievable! I guess they gotta pay rent somehow. Ron picked up the tab so it wasn't that bad. Thanks Ron!

The next night, Kristi and I ate at a place called Ellen's Stardust Diner. Here, all the waiters are Broadway stars in waiting. In between tables they would grab a mic and belt out a tune.

We had a really good time and I can't wait to go again. It's funny but I never really cared for New York before. Now I can't wait to go back!

Medieval King

2008-01-25T01:33:00.000-05:00

As many of you know, I retired from the stage and the throne 2 years ago... until I briefly overthrew the crown for one day.

The show finally changed with great triumph on January 16th. Since there would never ever be a chance for me to do a show once it changed, I was granted permission to ascend the throne for one last time on Friday the 11th.

Click the Flickr logo on the right to see the pictures from the show. There are 102 of them. It's funny, most of my staff had never seen me as king. It was great to be up there one more time. I'm glad I did it but I don't miss it too much. The job I'm doing now is so much more challenging and rewarding. The stuff I'm learning about the restaurant business is amazing, and I learn something new everyday.

Some of the pictures from the last show are pretty good and some are pretty funny. There are a couple of shots that caught me sneaking a peek at the script! C'mon people, I hadn't done the show in nearly 2 years! I can cheat a little if I want!

Anyway, take a look at the pics, they're fun. And thanks to my friends Dina, David, Laura and Adele (sp?) who came out just to see me in my last show!

Pinot Noir?

2008-01-06T01:35:00.000-05:00

I'm sitting here at 1:30 in the morning with a glass of Yellow Tail Pinot Noir and thought I'd download some pictures that I've taken.

Since becoming the Food & Beverage manager at Medieval Times, I've taken a greater interest in food (as you will see in the pictures). Although I'm not cooking anything, I am responsible for selection, purchasing and presentation. I'll start cooking next week actually but that's a story for another time.

This New Year's Eve, I was responsible for catering appetizers for the midnight party. I had to prepare for 750 people. No need to say I was a little nervous. I had only done a few parties of 10 - 30 people before and now I was responsible for 750! I consulted other professionals in the field (what we were doing in a field I'll never know) and got their suggestions. I went with 2 veggie towers consisting of celery and carrot sticks, broccoli, cauliflower and red peppers. Ranch dressing was provided for dipping. We also had a fruit tower made of apples, watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, honeydew, kiwis and grapes and a cheese and cracker tower.

I started at 10 am on the 31st and didn't get home until 3 in the morning. I didn't get to enjoy the countdown as I was dealing with a pisser of a customer who got Pepsi spilled on their leather coats. No damage done but boy they couldn't be consoled. I offered to pay for the cleaning and even offered them tickets to come see the new show. Nothing. I think these people are happiest when they are miserable. I did, however, get to enjoy a plastic cup full of Dom Perignon. Just having an empty bottle of that stuff can raise real estate values!

Tonight I catered a smaller party of 19 people. It was a corporate employee get together of some kind. I never found out the company, I just fed them. They had Italian meatballs with marinara, veggie egg rolls, sesame chicken and a vegetable platter. It's funny, the veggie platter is always wiped out but not tonight. They went for the fried stuff and left most of the veggies. (I feel like Ernest Hemingway, I just killed the Pinot Noir!) I was rather proud of the veggie presentation too. I bought some blackberries to garnish the platters and it looked like cavier. Neat trick if you ask me but maybe a little too hoity toity for this gang. They did tell me that it all exceeded their expectations.

So the bottle is empty and the glass is nearly. I'm really enjoying the catering stuff. Starting Tuesday at 7:30 am, I begin a week long catering event. It's going to be very similar to providing Craft Services at a movie set. I have to feed a week-long rehearsal for about 40 people each day. I have to provide a variety on the menu and hopefully wow the diners. They will be involved in very physical activity with fight choreography and I'm sure will be hearty eaters. I'll let you know how it goes!

Now to drain the glass and off to bed!

Review

2008-01-05T01:41:00.000-05:00

I've finished the Shiraz and have just broken into the Pinot Noir. Please forgive me as I'm using the same glass! Horrors, I know. So it is with a nice glass of red wine on a cold, cold night that I look back on 2007. I hope you don't expect much as I only want to catch up on December.

December and the Holidays flew much too quickly this year. On the down side, I didn't decorate or go visiting like I wanted. Last year's highlight was visiting our friend Herman in the assisted living home with friends Lynn, Mrs. Edwina Persimmon-Jones, brother Scott and sis-in-law Allison. Then we went to the candle light service at Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church. I hadn't been back since Mom's funeral. That was no doubt one of the best Christmases ever. It didn't happen this year. I didn't get many Christmas cards out and the ones I did went out late. I am too consumed by work and the Christmas meaning was kind of lost this year.

On the upside was the trip to Charlottesville, Virginia with Mrs. Edwina Persimmon-Jones. Edwina is from Charlottesville and needed to go back for mental health reasons. (The Holidays were whizzing by much too fast for her too.) I had never been to Charlottesville so the timing was right and we went. Very quickly, we left the traffic and buildings of hasty civilization and soon found ourselves in the rolling hills of horse country Virginia. The landscapre for which I was awake was very beautiful. Soon we found ourselves in the Cavalier country of the University of Virginia... Charlottesville.

Edwina played the perfect host as she pointed out buildings and recalled memories that went with them. After having lunch and a brief visit to an antique shop, we made our way to the hills and home. Home for Mrs. Persimmon-Jones was outside Charlottesville in a small rock quarry town called Schuyler (Skyler). The town has mostly died since the quarry closed down, but the drive was splendid.

Now you may not give the little town of Schuyler any notice or thought, but believe it or not, Schuyler is famous. It is more famously known as "Walton's Mountain". It is the home of Earl Hamner, creator and narrator of the 70's TV show, "The Waltons". Since I was a big fan of the show, I was very excited to be there.

This is a picture or Earl Hamner's home, the inspiration for the TV show.

This is me next to the "No Tresspassing" sign in the front yard.

This old country store was the inspiration for "Godsey's Store". Don't buy gas here, it's wicked expensive.

This is a cool, old Baptist Church in the vale. It was neat to see it and imagine the folk who attended there long ago.

This is a totally ivy covered Mennonite church right across the street from the Baptists.

On the way home,we listened to Christmas music on the radio, looked at lights and I slept some more. I can't wait to go back to "Walton's Mountain" in the spring and maybe get a chance to hike some of it like Uncle Earl did in his day.

You won't believe...

2008-01-03T01:17:00.000-05:00

So... a tale of horror.
This is a true story. Not a story heard by me or told to me. It happened to me... this very night.

A many of you know, I work at Medieval Times - Dinner & Tournament. No need to go into the details here as they are not pertinent to the story. What is important for you to know is that my castle (yes, we work in a castle) is attached to a mall. I'm 47 years old and I work in a mall. This is important. Not my age but the working in a mall thing.

After work today, my friend and roommate joined me at the mall to go see the new Alien Vs. Predator movie. As we left the castle on one end of the mall to walk to the theatres at the other end, we passed one of those little photo booths, you know, the one where you sit inside and get 3 or 4 of those little wallet sized photos taken. Sometimes you cram your best friend in there with you and take funny pictures together. Got the picture?

So we walk passed this photo booth and my roommate stops. He calls me over. Outside this particular photo booth is a small video screen. It seems that there is a video camera inside that shoots you as you take your picture. This way all your funn friends can watch from outside. Lotsa fun! Well I backtracked to see what had my roomie so entranced. It seems that at some point in the day a young female and her boyfriend decided to get pictures of themselves in the photo booth. Innocent enough you might say. That is until you realize that she is performing oral favors on him. Yup. My roomie and I deduce that the video is looping the antics of it's customers on the video screen. I immediately make haste to the management office to tell them that they need to erase that particular loop. Until roomie stops me again. I return.

It's not a recorded loop. It's live. The deed was actually happening in front of our very eyes with just the little black curtain seperating us. My, my. Young boyfriend then emerged from the box through the curtain and saw me standing there. I pointed at the video screen, still with his girlfriends image, looked directly at him and said, "Yup."

How was your day?

New Years

2008-01-01T03:26:00.000-05:00

It's 3:24am on New Year's Day and I'm just getting home from 16 hours at work. My ass is tired and I'm going to bed. Happy New Year everyone!

Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening

2007-12-13T01:52:00.001-05:00

Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening
by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

I love the snow. The solitude, the peace. I feel that snow is like a newborn child, innocent and untainted. These photos were taken on the day of our first snow of the year. I bundled up and took Solomon out for a nice walk.

We both got covered but we didn't mind.
The snow was soft, gentle and kind.

I'm finding more and more that Robert Frost said many things that I feel. So I stopped in the woods on a snowy evening and took these pictures to share with you.

Cinnamon Toast

2007-11-07T23:48:00.000-05:00

It's funny, October had so much happening that I've been procrastinating on writing something. I'm going to have to do a series of recaps. But tonight I decided to log on to say that I made cinnamon toast.

I left work and discovered that it was cold outside! It's supposed to get down to 30 degrees tonight. So I came home and bundled up to take Solomon out for his walk. Solomon doesn't feel the cold. Anyway I got to thinking about the differences in cold weather. Does anyone else think that there is a difference between November/December cold weather and January/February cold weather?

November/December cold weather is brisk and refreshing. Time for a cup of hot tea and snuggling by the fire listening to some nice music. You check the thermometer to see if it's cold enough for a flurry or two. Got the picture? Then precisely on New Year's Day it becomes "damn cold outside!" It's not that the temperature is any colder it just seems that way. Where as before you would hold your head into that bracing wind and smell the dead leaves and maybe a hint of snow, you now bury your head deep into your parka as that damn wind bites you down to the bone. But the temperature isn't any different. It's just the feeling.

Anyway, tonight while I was walking Solomon I held my head high and breathed deeply the cold air. When I came back inside, I took off my coat and headed for the kitchen. It was time for an old back home favorite - cinnamon toast. I put the tea kettle on as I took out the bread and butter, the cinnamon and some sugar. I mixed the sugar and cinnamon just right, buttered the bread and broke out the cinnamon toast pan. Now this was no regular pan. This was my pan. I had been making cinnamon toast on this pan since before my voice changed. Growing up back in Bounding Bend had many a cold morning in our big, old country kitchen. And the only thing I really ever cooked was cinnamon toast. When our mother died, this pan was a treasure for me to take back to my home. And here, over two years later, I was making cinnamon toast.

It's just like I remembered...

Go Richard! It's Your Birthday!

2007-10-24T09:51:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday To Me!

Unlike many people I know (mostly the women!), I'm happy to celebrate my 47th birthday! I'll wait for the applause to die down...

Wow, that's a lot of applause... I'll wait a little more...

OK, enough, enough!

Thanks to my favoritest cousin Ann who called to wish me a happy birthday all the way from Chicago!

Thanks to Sandy who took me to dinner at O'Meara's Irish Pub all the way down in Manassas, Virginia. I wanted to go there so we took her new Jeep Grand Cherokee with GPS and Bluetooth and had a ball! We have fun wherever we go! She also gave me a Write On - Wipe off Clapboard (not the clap you simple people) and a Hollywood Reel thingy for the wall. (I'll take a picture.)

Thanks to Kristi who took me to see The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the National Theatre in DC. (Spell COW). More on this later. She also gave me a record turntable that transfers LP's into MP3's on my computer! Too cool! And she baked a German Chocolate cake (always my favorite!)

And now I'm going to work where I'm sure over 500 people will gather under the guise of seeing a show but I know it's to celebrate my birthday!

Day Trip

2007-10-05T01:32:00.000-04:00

So I had today off (actually yesterday since it's 130AM now). I decided to get out of the house and do something. I did something I hadn't done in about 35 years. I went to the first ever monument erected to George Washington that can be found in Boonsboro, MD. It was an awesome day for an awesome drive. It took about an hour to get there and it was well worth the trip. The last time I'd been here was on a school field trip when I was in elementary school.

The drive to Boonsboro was really nice. Once I left the highway, it was country roads all the way. Since this is a National Park, the roads and grounds are well kept. After I parked the car, I started my hike. It's a little hike but uphill all the way. With my recent lung infection, the going was a little difficult but I made it. On a side note, the Appalachian Trail crosses the trail to the monument. When I reached the top, I just sat and looked at the view, a terriffic scene from the top of a mountain overlooking valleys and small Western Maryland towns. After resting a bit, I climbed the 30 odd stone steps inside the monument to the top.

I found I wasn't alone. At the top were two avid bird watchers with binoculars. It seems it's migrating season for raptors (eagles, hawks and such). It seems that a Bald Eagle was spotted yesterday making a total of 52 sightings for the year. That was kinda cool, so I joined them in the lookout. After awhile a middle school youth group and advisors trudged up the path. I sat and listened to them talk about the history of the place. That was cool too. The kids really seemed into it. I hung out for about 2 hours and decided to leave. Since the day was still fairly young, I pondered my next adventure.

While driving through Boonsboro, I saw a sign for Harper's Ferry, West Virginia.The decision

was made. Harper's Ferry was 19 miles away, an easy drive, so I hung a u-turn and made my way to West Virginia. Since I had never been there before, I didn't know what to expect. It was very cool.

Here the Shenandoah meets the Potomac. I walked along the Shenandoah for awhile until it converged with the bigger Potomac. Then I hung a left and followed the C&O Canal for a bit, reading all the historical signs along the way. The bridge on the left is a railroad bridge but also is a foot bridge too. I hung out on the bridge for awhile watching the rivers and saying "hi" to the people as they passed. The people were very nice and friendly, no one was in a hurry.

I went into some of the shops and many museums that are in town. I really want to go back in December to see if they dress things up for Christmas. Well, after an hour or so in Harper's Ferry, the antibiotics that I'm taking kicked in and struck my innards. I decided to try to make it back home. Now stop thinking what you're thinking, I made it home with no problems, but I'm glad I left when I did!

This Is A Weird One

2007-10-04T06:50:00.000-04:00

So why did I dream about Uruguay last night? This one is really odd and you have to trust me, I wasn't visiting with my good friend Captain Morgan.

Last night I dreamt that I was doing wildlife conservation work in Uruguay. Why Uruguay? I don't know but it was a cool dream.
Uruguay is a small nation in South America wedged in between Brazil and Argentina. Everything I just read about it seems pretty cool, stable government, healthy economy and good relation with its neighbors and the U.S.

The beginning of the dream was kind of a bummer. I didn't want to be there and I was pretty bored. We (I don't know who the rest of we were or are) we camped on the banks of a river. I was just sitting there watching the river, that was my job. Suddenly an alarm rang out. We were being overflown by a massive flock of birds, so many that it blotted out the sun. The alarm was not for any danger but to protect our exposed lunch from a massive bombing of bird poop. As we ran to cover our food, the massive flock flew over us and disappeared. I resumed eating my lunch.

I decided to take my big, huge, leafy plate of salad thigh high into the river. The water was warm and peaceful. I was getting bored again, afterall I'm eating a big, huge, leafy salad. What is more boring than that? So anyway, I'm eating my salad when the water starts to darken a bit. I feel a bump. Not a little fish bump but a big bump. Not a violent, knock me over bump but more of a nudge. I look down into the water that I'm standing thigh high in and I see a rather large shape. It bumps me again. I throw it a piece of lettuce. The thing eats it and bumps me again. Another piece of lettuce. Then there's a bump from another one. More lettuce. Now the water is full of the rather large, swimming animals. I never feel threatened so I dole out more lettuce. Then one rises and breaks the surface to snuffle (yes snuffle) at my plate of lettuce. I see what they are! Manatees! The river is full of them! And they have come for my lettuce!

I don't believe that Uruguay has manatees but it sure was a cool dream.

Feel Good!

2007-09-07T01:41:00.000-04:00

Last Sunday night, late. It's just after midnight and I've had a long day at work. I start to drive home from work when I look down at my gas gauge. It's below empty. I'm not gonna make it home. I make a u-turn and pull in to the Exxon station that I just passed. For some reason, the lights are out in the Quickie Mart and the gas nozzles are covered. Odd. I move on to the Exxon across the street. I pull up to the pump, get my credit card out and begin the process. There's a little beep and an L.E.D. readout saying that the pump is closed. CRAP! It's midnight and this station shuts down for 30 minutes to do their shift change.

Fortunately I know where more gas can be found. There was a time when I was boycotting Exxon for their un-godly profit mongering and I solicited other gas stations. About a mile away is a little independent station with their own little Quickie Mart. I pull in and start to fill. There is only one other car in the lot and their in the Quickie Mart. I'm minding my own business when the owner of the other car exits the Quickie Mart and backs up to in front of my car. A head pops out the window. My first thought was that he needed directions.

"Wanna race?"

"Huh?"

Surely I hadn't heard him correctly.

"Wanna race?"

I did hear correctly.

"Why not?"

"The only way I can race is if everyone in your car got out and pushed mine. I don't have anything." Meaning under the hood.

"That's a Tiburon isn't it?"

What an intelligent boy, what an observant boy.

"Yeah, it's a Tiburon."

"Then let's race!"

"I'm 47, I don't need to go fast."

This, of course, is a lie. I'm still 46!

"I'm 20 and I like to go fast!"

He speeds off and I watch him go. I shake my head. Kids. They're gonna kill themselves. As I watch him go, one thought comes to my mind. I could've taken him.

Why does this make me feel good? Two reasons. The kid possibly thought I was a lot younger than I was and he thought I had a pretty good looking car. My vanity is safe for awhile!

Your First Memory

2007-08-30T00:28:00.000-04:00

Early in July, one of the rooms in the condo where I live, found itself empty. My first impulse was to rent it out as quickly as I could so I wouldn't lose the rent, but as I cleaned and painted I found myself thinking of other uses for it. Suddenly it became my office. I'm still moving things in and making it homey but there is no doubt that it will remain my "office".

I have no need for an office really. All I do is check the sports scores, the weather and my email. But I have found that I am liking the place to go for solitude. It's kinda cool to sit up here, looking out the window, and just putter around. My desk sits in front of a big window. Outside the window is a very large evergreen tree and during the day I can sit and watch the squirrels playing and jumping from branch to branch. The birds also enjoy the protection of the close knit branches.

Stay with me here folks, I'm getting to the point soon. So in my office I now have my desk, computer, and old couch and joy of joys, my old stereo! While I enjoy the hundreds of songs on my computer and the hundreds of CD's that I have, I found myself longing for some of the old music that I used to listen to on LP. Yes, I said records. There is something actually soothing about the crackle and pop of a record.

After I hooked everything up, there came the question of what to play first. Easily, I reached for the double album, Sinatra at the Sand with Count Basie. What a great album this is! I got it on CD a long time ago and was disappointed to find that it wasn't exactly like the album. Some producer messed around with it and screwed it all up. I found the same thing with The Beatles Rubber Soul album. The playlist was different. Why do they have to play with perfection? Next I played Steeleye Span - Below The Salt. Another great album that I believe isn't available on CD yet. Now I'm listening to Amahl And The Night Visitors. Don't ask me why, I just want to run through all the great music that I collected and grew up with.

So while I'm reveling in memory, I remembered an article I just read that talked about a first memory. It seems that when you're in therapy, one of the standard questions that shrinks ask is about your first memories. While I haven't had the pleasure of a doctor's couch, I tried to think of the very first memory I could conjure. The first thing I remember was November 22nd, 1963. I was 3 years old. You older folks remember this date without having to reference anything. America had just lost its leader to an assassin's bullet in Dallas, Texas. I believe this is the first thing I remember. I don't remember the event itself but the result of it. My mother was ironing in front of the TV and I was playing on the floor. She suddenly stopped what she was doing and started to cry. I remember many, many years later telling my mother about it and she was astounded by my description. She said that I remembered it exactly.

What's your first memory?

Elections?

2007-08-01T00:58:00.000-04:00

America's Got Talent

Okay. How does someone as sensitive and deep as myself get suckered into this show. I can't tell you. The Lord moves in mysterious ways, huh?
I can't say that I've totally followed this show from the beginning, I picked it up when they were dholding the New York auditions. Because of my work schedule, I don't get a chance to see too much TV, but that American endinuity for the DVR! I am now totally caught up. I love this show! Please don't think less of me.

My one gripe however is this. I truly think that only Sharon Osbourne is qualified to be a judge. "The Hoff" is just plain stupid and I don't even know who Piers Morgan is. Sharon knows music and she knows entertainment. Look what she's married to!

I just realized another gripe. The sound for the show is really bad. It sounds like they're in a hall. They could use the sounds folks at American Idol. There is too much audience and not enough vocalist. And not that I really need to, but you can barely hear a thing that Jerry Springer is saying. Truly bad sound.

I just realized another gripe. HOW IN THE @*&%# CAN THEY PUT BOY SHAKIRA THROUGH AND NOT THE REDNECK TENORS???? The tenors must have pissed somebody off because I thought they could totally win the whole thing.

No more gripes now. I love this show! Go Cas!

Become Informed Now

2007-07-29T00:19:00.000-04:00

My questions to you are these.
Did you watch any of the YouTube debates on CNN?
If you only had Democratic candidates to choose from, who would you choose?
Did the debates solidify your feelings or change your mind?

Feel free to comment on your answers.

Democratic Candidates for 2008
Joe Biden
Hillary Clinton
Chris Dodd
John Edwards
Mike Gravel
Dennis Kucinich
Barack Obama
Bill Richardson

2007-07-14T21:58:00.001-04:00

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumns' rain
When you awaken in the mornings hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight
I am the soft star that shines at
night
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there, I did not die.

Two Years

2007-07-14T01:42:00.000-04:00

Love leads to laughter, laughter leads to love...
You gave us both.

Creepy Night

2007-04-16T00:19:00.000-04:00

I take Solomon out for a walk. It's just past midnight and the weather is out of control, something that Edgar Allen Poe would appreciate. It's just really creepy out there.

This storm system is blowing through from the mid-west. The wind howls through the trees and fences. It's not too cold but blustery enough to chill the bone. It's the feeling of the night as much as the temperature that just reaches into your soul and sends a chill up and down the spine. Next thing you know, the stomach has tightened and the teeth begin to chatter.

The clouds are blacker than the night sky. Lighter grey bands set themselves apart from the blackness as they roll across the darkness in waves as if fleeing some unknown monster approaching from the west. They can't move fast enough as the roar of the monster rises to deafening proportions.

I'm standing still, facing west. The sound approaches, getting louder. It's like standing under a jet engine, the blast has come! The wave from the unseen crashes into me like an invisible punch nearly knocking me over. The wind! The wind! Chasing the clouds ever east, driving them to the sea!

Poe couldn't have painted this night. Reminiscent of late October, early November as winter begins to introduce itself again for another year. Welcome to mid-April? The wind howls. The clouds squeeze moisture as if every drop caused them pain. Not enought to call rain or even get me wet. You stand and listen as blasts of wind trespass all around you. Nevermore...

More Dreams & Mom's Birthday

2007-03-11T00:12:00.000-05:00

Friday March 9th was Mom's birthday. Sometime around the month of June 1933 my grandparents had sex for (probably) the second time in their lives. Nine months later in March of 1934 my mother was born.

So my dream last night was kind of disturbing (I've been dreaming a lot lately, or at least remembering them). I was in some little town that I don't recognize. I'm there with my mother. The sky turned black and the wind picked up to a gale. It was a tornado. The people of the town were accustomed to this weather and reacted to it with orderly urgency. They directed me to a safe place. I tried to get mom there with me but I couldn't. I found myself alone, waiting out the storm. When the danger had passed, I rushed back to where I had last seen my mother. She wasn't there, she was gone. As people emerged from their safe places and returned to their routines, I knew mom had been taken. The reality hit and I woke up.

I visited the cemetary yesterday with the best of friends, my friend Sandy and Mom's oldest of friends Lynn. I think Lynn and my mother were empying wine bottles since before I was born, that's how far they go back. Anyway, Lynn brought a bottle of red wine, it always had to be red and 4 cups. Lynn poured us each a cup, mom too, and we toasted dear friends. The fourth was poured on the grave so mom could enjoy too. As were spoke with each other, reminiscing, I realized that mom would not have been satisfied with just one glass. A second was poured for her and promptly shared with the ground that covers my mother. Maybe that'll keep the ol' gal quiet for awhile! Then I spread Eddie's ashes. Note to ash spreading people, stand upwind while doing this! Ashes taste terrible! Then we read the marker that says, "Here lies love - Mother, Sister, Friend". No truer words could have describer my mother. Happy Birthday Mom! I miss you the same today as the day you left.

More Dreams

2007-03-09T10:21:00.000-05:00

SNAKES ON A PLANE

Two nights ago, I woke up from being bitten by a snake. Although it didn't happen at Bounding Bend, it did happen in the old neighborhood.

David and I were clearing land at a neighbor's house (we actually did a lot of yard work there). I was suspended on some kind of rope swing over the yard watching David work. He stopped to take a break when we realized that there could be snakes in the marshy brush. Soon I began to spot a snake or two from my elevated height. I would spy them and David would grab them around the neck and dispose of them.

Well, I happened to see just the head of a snake poking out of some shallow bracken. It head was particularly evil shaped and I warned David that this one was poisonous. He lunged for the neck of the snake but missed, grabbing it somewhere near the middle instead. The snake launched itself from it's position, sinking teeth firmly into the underside of my arm, successfully piercing the skin.

This was actually the second time in the dream that I would be bitten. The first was by a smaller snake of no consequence. The second bite, I knew was of the poisonous nature and concerned me. Although I was concerned, I did not panic as I knew that all I had to do was wake up and I'd be ok. So I woke up. I woke up and found that my right arm had fallen asleep from the awkward position it had been in.

Last night took me back to Bounding Bend. I was in the little house in the back yard. It seemed that the little house had mice and rats and traps needed to be set. I had some traps that I began to set using chicken as bait. As I was setting the traps, a rat came and stole a piece of chicken. Damn rat, I'll get you. I set the traps inside the little house. I went outside to the yard to see someone chasing a big ol' rat. As it ran near me, I swung a big shoe at it and demolished it, splattering its guts all over the yard as well as myself. I was covered in guts. My job here is done. I woke up.

The night before last was all about UFO's. Sometimes I think dreams are also imagination. Not every dream has to mean something.

My Little Brother

2007-02-10T00:06:00.000-05:00

So I got a call from my little (not really) brother tonight. You see, Scott and his wife Alison moved to Titusville, FL last year so we don't see each other very much, well actually maybe we see each other more now than when he lived here in Maryland. They came up for Christmas and we were able to spend some time together and they are now talking about coming up for Spring Break, so yeah, we see each other about the same. Oh, by the way, I don't have a picture of my brother so I put up a picture of my dog Solomon.

So anyway, Scott calls me out of the blue tonight to tell me that he played a double header softball game. He got on base a goodly number of times and played solid defense at 1st base. These are the first softball games he ever played. He said he had to call me because he was so overjoyed at playing! He was busting at the seams to tell someone... and he called me. Can I tell you how cool that was? The more I listened to him talk about the game, the happier I got just knowing the honor I felt. I used to call my mom all the time whenever the simplest cool thing happened and now my brother was calling me. Too cool. Really... too cool.

So now what about this picture, you ask? Yes, it's kind of Scott related, but maybe not. When Scott was finished telling me about his softball game I felt the need to inquire about the weather and how was it that he could play softball in February. (Sure, he's in Florida but it is February for crying out loud!) He said it got up to 80 degrees today. Certainly softball playing weather. This weekend, he'll return to Disney World for his billionth visit since moving down south. He sucks. This picture reveals that things were starting to bloom in January when we had our own 70 degree weather. But now things are different here in the Border State. The massively intelligent people at the weather service have proclaimed this the 2nd coldest February in the D.C. area on record. Only one other February in 1938 was colder. Our wind chill factor has temperatures down to 10 degrees below zero. Not exactly softball weather. My living room thermometer has us currently at 61 degrees. That's in my living room. 61 degrees. Downright warm when you walk in from outside. So anyway, flowers blooming in January and freezing dead in February. I'm still waiting for the big snow storm. If it's gonna be this freakin' cold, it damn site better snow! And a lot! frozen precip is in the forecast for Monday and Tuesday. Cross your fingers.

One Song... Glory

2007-02-07T00:02:00.000-05:00

One song
Glory
One song
Before I go
Glory
One song to leave behind
Find one song
One last refrain
Glory
From the pretty boy front man
Who wasted opportunity
One song
He had the world at his feet
Glory
In the eyes of a young girl
A young girl
Find glory
Beyond the cheap colored lights
One song
Before the sun sets
Glory - on another empty life
Time flies - time dies
Glory - One blaze of glory
One blaze of glory - glory
Find
Glory
In a song that rings true
Truth like a blazing fire
An eternal flame
Find
One song
A song about love
Glory
From the soul of a young man
A young man
Find
The one song
Before the virus takes hold
Glory
Like a sunset
One song
To redeem this empty life
Time flies
And then - no need to endure anymore
Time dies
The door...

An artist has a painting hanging in a gallery. More than likely, the artist is dead and cannot tell us about his work so it's up to us to interpret what the artist was thinking when he created his art. We see something in the painting. We see pain, love, sorrow, happiness et cetera. Art is more than just seeing what's in front of you, you must look at what's behind the colors, what's inside the canvas. I think the same holds true for music too. Music is art as well. A form of expression where we can hear the artists' pain, love, sorrow, happiness et cetera. Now we must learn to hear what's behind the music, what's inside the music and lyrics.

I was walking Solomon tonight in a light snow. Really cold outside. The night was very quiet but for the crunching of the frozen ground under Solomon's feet. Then, out of nowhere, a song eased into my head. ONE SONG, GLORY from RENT. Suddenly I felt myself entering into the song. How many times have I listened to the song, the whole musical, and taken it at face value. The colors of the song swam in my mind, yelling its definitions at me! One Song.

One Song. Glory. We have time on earth to create one good song. One deed. One song before I go. One thing to do before I die. One song before the sun sets on another empty life. Don't let life be empty. Perform one song in a blaze of glory before leaving! The end of the song is interrupted by a knock on the door. Don't let the song be interrupted by a knock, by something in life that will prevent the song from being sung. Sing as if no one is listening.

Days Of Our Lives

2007-01-17T00:51:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I get to thinkin' I was back in the old days, long ago
When we were kids, when we were young, things seemed so perfect then, ya know
Days were endless, we were crazy, we were young
The sun was always shining, we just lived for fun
Sometimes it seems like lately, I just don't know
The rest of my life has been just a show.

Those were the days of our lives
The bad things in life were so few
Those days are all gone now, but one thing remains
When I look and I find no change
You can't turn back the clock, you can't turn back the time
Ain't that a shame
I'd like to go back one time on a roller coaster ride
When life was just a game
No use in sittin' and thinkin' what you did
You can lay back and enjoy it through the kids
Sometimes it seems like lately, I just don't know
Better sit back and go with the flow

Because these are the days of our lives
They've flown in the swiftness of time
Those days are all gone now but one thing remains
When I look, and I find
Hope still survives.
I had a dream last night. I was napping on the couch in my home at Bounding Bend. It was day. I stirred from my sleep at the sound of an approaching car coming up the driveway. I opened my eyes and listened. Who was coming? I wake, not knowing.
The sound of the gravel under wheels always made everyone stop and listen. For the longest time, before the construction, we lived at the end of a long, gravel country road. Whenever we heard the gravel under a car, we would stop and listen - would they turn around, lost or just on a Sunday drive or would the sound stop, followed by the sound of car doors announcing visitors?
It seems that all my dreams of "home" take place at Bounding Bend. I don't recall dreaming of any other home, though I've lived in several. Because those were the days of my life.
I want to have more dreams. I like them and I like trying to figure them out, the puzzle of them, the agony of them, the comfort of them. This last dream, I don't know. So short. I woke up knowing that in the dream someone was coming. But I woke up. I don't know who. Are they coming to visit me?
A few months after my mom died, I had a dream about her. I was laying in bed (in my room at Bounding Bend) and she came to my bedside. I was under a thin sheet but could see her through the fabric. I sat up and she laid her hands on both sides of my face, smiled, then kissed me and said that I'd see her soon. She backed away and was gone.
This dream was so real. I remember my conciousness knowing that it was a dream. The fact that there was a veil, a curtain, the thin sheet between us meant that I couldn't touch her. That she was there yet unreachable. Her smile was real and her words were clear. What does it mean, "You'll see me soon."? Is my life to be short or does time move more swiftly for her now and the years that I have left are nothing to her? I do understand how sometimes the deaths of husbands and wives can happen so close together. Does this mean that I want to die? It doesn't. But it has changed how I look at death.
A friend of mine at work just lost her Great Aunt. The family was with the old woman as she died. The woman was very old yet very clear of mind. When the old woman passed, her last words were of greeting those who had passed before her. She was being welcomed by her mother, father, family and friends! She was seeing them as she passed from us! This is the joy of death and rebirth! I am not afraid knowing that I will see my mother again forever.
I miss my mom. Things are different. There is a hole in my heart that will forever remain empty while I live. But... the heart can grow. While the hole will always remain, my heart grows. The above song is not of my doing. It's credit belongs to Freddie Mercury and Queen. The music is equally beautiful but the lyrics are strong and speak to me. "Those days are gone now, but I look and find that hope still survives." I feel that something teriffic is going to happen to me. I find myself greeting each day like a child on Christmas morning. Not knowing but knowing something awaits. Something wonderful. It may be my death, it may be my life. Both are wonderful. I can hardly wait to unwrap my presents!

Snow?

2007-01-12T00:44:00.000-05:00

Snow has different meanings, huh?

President Bush made a landing aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln Thursday, arriving in the co-pilot's seat of a Navy S-3B Viking after making two fly-bys of the carrier. Moments after the landing, the president, wearing a green flight suit and holding a white helmet, got off the plane, saluted those on the flight deck and shook hands with them. Above him, the tower was adorned with a big sign that read, "Mission Accomplished."

This historic landing and speech took place on May 1st, 2003, nearly 4 years ago.
I got nothing.

The New Me

2007-01-09T02:37:00.000-05:00

Real quick note to tell everyone that I've lost 7.2 pounds in my first week of the evil dieting. Yeah!

New Years

2007-01-04T01:16:00.000-05:00

Well, it's a new year. I want to start by saying 268.9. What does 268.9 mean? It could mean many things. But at the beginning of the year it pretty much means only one thing... resolutions. I have one resolution that I made and I didn't make it on the first, I couldn't bring myself to be so cliche. I made this resolution on December 30th. It's time to think of my body and my health.

I weighed in at 268.9. Can you believe it? Where did it all come from? Surely not the Captain. My old friend. Stromboli... another old friend. Papa John, definately an old friend. Old Friends.

As we get older, we lose our old friends. Some move away and we never hear from them again. We think of them often but we never call... and they never call us. Some of our friends die. Some when they should, some before they should, some even go beyond when they should. But my new old friends will no longer be purchased at the grocery store or delivered to my door. My friends the comfort foods.

Two hundred sixty eight point nine pounds. No wonder my feet hurt and my knees are bad. I hope you all will give me all of your support as I endeavour to extend my quality of life and improve my health. My aim is to lose 55lbs. by June 15th. Please watch me as I will track my victories (and defeats). I'm doing 2,000 calories a week on a planned diet (more on that later). I've already cheated. I had some chips and cheese on Monday and a whole mess of Club crackers yesterday. I should have thrown them out before I started, but I didn't. Who knew that their voices would scream so loud calling me to munch them to their deaths. Well, with them devoured, there is nothing left to tempt me. Here I go. Mr. America by June! Wish me luck.

Christmas 2006

2006-12-27T01:28:00.000-05:00

Christmas. A very powerful time if we let it be so.

Unfortunately for me, my job requires my service on all holidays, Christmas Eve and Christmas included. Since my mother's death, we have celebrated Christmas on the Eve before. We all gather together at my brother's home where my sister-in-law prepares a traditional German dinner. An amazing roast dripping in a splendid au jous. There is sauerkraut (not a fan but is highly praised) and that which I look forward to the most, German dumplings. I'm not sure they're called German dumplings but they are awesome.

The true blessing and most memorable gift came after all the presents had been opened and the families departed. Earlier, I had asked Sandy if she would go with me to see Herman for Christmas Day. Herman is an old, old friend of my mom's who was now spending his most senior years at the National Lutheran Home in Rockville, MD. We had planned to go to the cemetery on Christmas Day, but something was drawing me to other ends. My mom was in my ear telling me that I could visit her anytime and that she was always with me. Go see someone who needed it.

Well, Sandy did me one better. This Christmas Eve she said, "Let's go see him now!"

It was already 9:00, late by some standards, but we called ahead. We were told by the nurse on duty that Herman was still awake and would be for awhile longer. While I was on the phone making plans and getting directions, Sandy had drafted another reveler in Lynn.
For those that don't know this dear sweet woman, Lynn was mom's best friend for over 40 years, friends for nearly the length of my life. Off we speed to see Herman!

On the way, my younger brother Scott calls from his hotel and soon our conspiracy is a mob. The four of us invade the Lutheran Home in the manner that would make my mom proud. I truly felt the warmth and love of my mother as we sat and visited an old man who sees too few visitors. I am doing my mother's work and I was happier now than any gift given to me ever made me feel. The joy on his face and laughter in his voice late on Christmas Eve is truly what the love of God is about.

Tears streamed down the old man's face as we said our goodbyes. I know in my heart that he would have entertained us as long as we wanted, so starved he was for company and the touch of another human soul. Christmas is truly in the giving. That night I was full. Full of the gift I had given and received in kind.

Was this night over? Not yet. As the hour grew late, Scott discovered that there was still time for one more gift. A gift to ourselves. We found ourselves racing to Gaithersburg as the time drew near to eleven. The candlelight service at GPC. We arrived and were seated with a few minutes to spare. The last time Sandy, Lynn and I were at Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church was for the funeral last year in July. So much emotion swept over me.

The music began and the Christmas Eve worship began. I don't remember much of the service except that I couldn't sing "Joy To The World", mom's favorite carol. The passages were read and the sermon given. I'm sure they were poinant and beautiful. I was away in my memory of the times at this church. Bert Moore with sermon's bursting from his mouth with a voice that couldn't contain his joy. Fran Moore, whose laugh and energy so infectious while directing me in whatever choir I happened to be in. Donald Kinloch's passion that manifested itself in a thick Scottish accent. Faye's passages and prayers for the people. My mother, grinning up and greeting everyone who passed by the office. An infectious smile that presented itself no matter what her feeling or pressure might be.

The candles are lit and "Silent Night" begins. As the song continues, the spirits of these people present themselves to me in my memory, a gift to me. My most precious gift. With my friends around me in the near dark, I stand and listen quietly, tears of joy running down my face. I do not sing. I cannot. I close my eyes as my mom, Bert, Fran and the memories of those lost gather in my memory to wish me the most blessed of Christmases. I receive them as a child receives the most precious of toys.

The music has ended and the lights return to their brightness. I stand a little longer, bidding farewell to the spirits that visited me. We depart and hugs are shared. I take Lynn home. I walk her to her door and give a final hug. Then suddenly, the spirits of our memories return in triumphant glory! We are sad and require each others strength for a bit longer.

"It's not the same," Lynn says.

"No, it's not," I say. "It's different." Our tears prevent anymore speaking as we hold each other in our arms.

"Merry Christmas Lynn," I say. I turn and Lynn closes the door. I drive back home, the peace is welcome.

Merry Christmas mom.

Coleen's Birthday

2006-12-14T02:18:00.000-05:00

So we celebrated Coleen's introduction into her 40th year at Clyde's tonight. I forgot my camera. I promised her I'd write something since I had had my obligatory rum & cokes. Captain Morgan is still a friend of mine! With us were folks from Toby's Dinner Theatre. Russell, Janine, some other very nice people whose names Captain Morgan will not let me remember and Kyle. It was awesome seeing them all. I miss them and was very happy to hang out. Now Captain Morgan says I must go to sleep. Happy Birthday Coleen!

All I Want For Christmas...

2006-12-09T00:39:00.000-05:00

So it seems that folks find it difficult to find gifts for me. Here might be a few suggestions.

*Sinatra: Vegas (Box Set, 4CD/1DVD) [BOX SET] [LIVE] 49.99 at Amazon.com

*Floor Lamp With Spiral Hanging Shade 59.80 at Amazon.com

*LitesNow Valo Instant Track Do-it-Yourself 3 Fixture with Shades Plug in Pendant Light Kit, Silver 59.95 at Amazon.com

* Best Buy Gift Certificates (I want to get a Sirius Radio but I don't know which)

* A nice pair of house slippers with fuzzy lining

Excellent Time

2006-12-04T17:27:00.001-05:00

On Sunday nights, after work, some of us gather at a little piano bar in Gaithersburg. The Flaming Pit has been a favorite place of mine for many years. I am very happy when the people I take want to go back. Young or old, it's always fun. Lately I've been introducing some of the younger set from the castle. Last night was a blast!

I am more than content to sit and listen and occasionally add my voice to a sing-a-long or two. But sometimes I am called to come up and lend my voice to the microphone. I got to perform "Count Your Blessings" from the movie White Christmas. I also did "Where The Blue Of The Night" from Bing Crosby's repertoire. The picture of Blake and me has us doing a duet from The Muppet Movie, "I Hope That Something Better Comes Along".

In attendence this evening was Katie and her husband Ben. Katie is a manager in training at the castle and Ben sings with the Navy Sea Chanters. Also from the castle were Josh W., Jay, Amanda D., Jessica and even a knight (cool Josh). We were also joinrd by my friends from D.C., Ron and Michael.

The young 'uns were kind of out of their element amongst all the broadway songs but things livened up when Blake ripped into the first Christmas Carols of the season. This prompted a massive sing-a-long by everyone. With the help of my friend, Captain Morgan, a rollicking time was had by all! The more people who come, the better time we have!

Eddie Girl

2006-12-02T23:48:00.000-05:00

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Eddie was my mom's dog. When my mom died last year, I adopted her. I didn't really have room for her as I already had Solomon and I didn't really want her. When I'd visit mom, Eddie always seemed obnoxious, I was always pushing her away. I didn't like her and she was always covering me with dog hair. But mom loved her doggies. It was one of the last things I ever heard her say, "I want to go home for the 4th (of July) and be with my doggies." Mom would die ten days later. The dogs, like me, were orphans now.

We fixed up mom's house around the dogs, Eddie and Abby. They stayed in the empty home cared for by my neice who would stop by and check the food. The walls got painted and the carpet replaced while they watched. The yard was raked and groomed and they watched. The chimney was repaired and the flooring sanded and refinished as they watched. The For Sale sign went up in the yard and decisions had to be made. The dogs could not live in their home any longer. It was time to go.

Where? Who? Would they go together or would they part? No one could take them. Then Sandy said, "I'll take Abby." There was no doubt that Abby was going to a warm, loving home. Half the problem solved. But what about obnoxious Eddie? Brother Dave had his hands full with his own zoo. Brother Scott's home was too small to add a big dog. My place is hardly big enough for Solomon and me. But home she came. I did it because I felt it was the least I could do for mom. She always took in the strays and unloved. Eddie came home with me.

She immediately tried to take over the house, be the alpha, not just over Solomon but over the humans as well. She hoarded her food and many times tried to prevent Solomon from reaching his. Whenever Solomon would want to play, she would snarl and growl and try to stop the frivolities. Mom would have been proud to see how Solomon accepted and adjusted to Eddie. He ignored her. He went about his business as usual as if nothing had changed. And after awhile, Eddie changed. She became more loving and kind. I'd come home from work and both dogs would bound up, tails wagging madly, and greet me with the warmth of love you only get from dogs. They'd follow me around until they were certain there were no treats. Sometimes there were and they never stopped hoping. Their eyes sparkled with anticipation as bags were unpacked. If there were no presents that day, their eyes wouldn't lose their lustre as the were equally happy that the human had come home.

Today, the eyes were closed. I think Eddie knew something was wrong last night. She had taken to sleeping downstairs some time ago, not coming up to bed with Solomon and me, but last night she came up. I lifted her into my bed with promises of healing tomorrow. She looked at me then curled up for sleep.

Eddie had fallen ill some weeks back. We thought we had it licked when we changed her diet. She started eating well and responding in kind when we went for our walks. But then she stopped eating. Last night I knew she wasn't well and made a vet appointment when I got up this morning.

After a brief examination, the doctor stuck a needle into Eddie's abdomin and withdrew some fluid. The vet looked at me and said it could be many things but she knew it was bad. So did I. After analyzing the fluid, she told me that Eddie's vital organs were shutting down. Her kidneys, her liver and her heart. We both knew what was to come next. I asked the doc if Eddie could hold on until Monday when I would have Sandy for support, but the vet said that she was suffering now and might not last until then. I nodded as the tears welled up. It was time.

The vet said she'd give me a moment and left to prepare the injection. I gave Eddie a big old hug and just scritched her like she always liked. More hugs and tears. The doctor came in and said it's time. I held Eddie as the injection went in. There was a moment, I think, that Eddie realized what was happening and tried to back out but then the drugs took effect. Quickly she went to sleep and the doctor said her heart has stopped.

Eddie was off to the Rainbow Bridge.

I'll miss you Eddie, for what you meant to my mother's life and for what, however briefly I had you, you came to mean to me. Run, jump, play. Be happy again.

Noah's Birthday

2006-11-30T23:23:00.000-05:00

I woke up Thanksgiving morning with a beauty of a hangover. I'm still hungover. And it was a wet, cold, rainy day. And I'm hungover. And I had to work. And I'm hungover. Did I mention I'm hungover?So why is this Thanksgiving Day so miserable? Noah's Birthday last night. Some of my guys were going to Clyde's for Noah's birthday. Clyde's is two miles from my home. Only two miles. I thought, "OK, it's close to home, I can do that. I'll have a drink or two and go home."Not likely. These guys turned out to be a blast and we came close to closing the place down. We had beers, we had shots, we had a good time. Thanks Andy, Justin, Brandon, Josh, new friends Zach and Joey and happy birthday Noah. I hope you got good and drunk and had a good time. When you play with the big dogs, be prepared to suffer! By the way, this picture is not what it appears to be. Someone dropped a quarter on the floor and both Justin and Josh spotted it at the same time. Both being grossly underpaid servers, they were determined to advance their fortunes.

Dream State

2006-11-16T07:53:00.000-05:00

So just before waking up this morning, I had a dream. I dreamed I was in the front bedroom at Bounding Bend just waking up on Christmas morning. My door was open and I sensed that someone was lurking just beyond.

I said, "Who's there?"

Then my little brother came bounding in and jumped on the bed, bouncing up and down.

"It's Christmas, it's Christmas!"

We wrestled around a bit and I told him to go get cleaned up and we'll go downstairs. Then, as Scott left, my dad entered the room. I hadn't had a dream or thought of my dad in a long time. At least not since mom died. He was in his usual slacks, buttoned down shirt, loose tie and an open sweater.

"We need butter. Your mom needs butter because the butter we have has gone bad."

He didn't look good. As a matter of fact, he looked terrible. He was kind of delirious and hunched over. He said he didn't feel so good.

I told him not to worry, to take it easy because Scott and I will go do the shopping. He left the room to go back downstairs. I flopped over on my be and looked out the window at the morning. The sun was just coming up and had just peeked over the horizon. I sang the Doxology to myself and got up to take a shower and go to the store. I went downstairs and found my dad curled up in a chair next to the fireplace. He said that he'd called the hospital. Something was really wrong and I was worried. My dad never complained about being sick. I started my shower and then my alarm went off and I didn't finish the dream.

Now that I'm awake, I got to thinking about my dad. I hadn't thought about him in such a long time. He died back in 1983 when I was 22. I think about my mom every day. Since I believe in the fact that many dreams contain messages, I started to think about this one. I got to wondering, do our loved ones who have passed languish if the living don't remember them? Because I believe in the purity and love of God's Kingdom in Heaven, I don't think so. Maybe it's just a little of my own submerged guilty conscience coming out. I miss you too dad...

It's a boy!

2006-11-14T22:46:00.000-05:00

November 7th, Election Day saw the addition of Andrew Chase Watson to this planet Earth. Andrew is the son of my niece, Natascha and her husband Jerry. Andrew is very healthy with quite the set of pipes. And a biggun too, 9lbs. 2oz. Baby and family are doing fine.

In The Beginning...

2006-10-23T14:34:00.000-04:00

Thus it begins.