Happy or Contented?

We know happy cows make for great butter; do contented cows make for better cheese?  Here is a great NPR news story that plays into this week's cow postings. These questions and more will be answered on Thursday.  Please stop back by.  Until then can you identify where these cows live?

You may already be a winner....

I received three pieces of mail in the last week making this proclamation...oh how I wish it were true. Yes the money generated would allow for more stuff. "Stuff" however is usually one of three things: necessary, disposable or sentimental and what I'm looking for transcends to the less tangible commodities of time and experience.

Without the need to generate income "work" could be set aside for a period and I could find other ways to occupy my time. Overall, I do love what I do and find genuine satisfaction in my work product, activities and with the people I work with. I say this despite the dismal and always damning budget forecasts that have disheartened and demoralized my work environment and the world in general. So what is it within me that has changed to make me want to quit "working" at this point?

Some might call it my world view, my priorities, my attitude...or whatever. It started with the cancer, how could it not have? Let's face it I had three months "off" but it wasn't like I was enjoying it...I still had a job to do and it was getting well. A job, that really doesn't end, but changes to more of an ongoing maintenance issue. Just because the cancer is gone doesn't mean the quality of life is what you had before. Fatigue and the side effects of meds, still in your system or that you take ongoing, are still a part of your daily reality and have a major impact on it.

Time really becomes the key and it is often the one thing that you are least capable of controlling. If you have the energy often you don't have the time; if you have the time you might lack the energy. It becomes that infinite circle of the snake eating its own tail. By not working you can reprioritizes both your time and energy; other than sleep (which we don't get enough of) work is the largest hog of our time and energy. One would hope if work is taken out of the equation maybe there would be a little more balance in that constant struggle.

What of the other stuff and no I don’t mean the cooking and the cleaning? Again with money these things can be minimized. I’m thinking more in terms of our relationships; specifically the time and energy to devote to our relationships with family and friends. In order for relationships to be successful you have to cultivate them both…with you guessed it time and energy.

Even under the best of circumstances life gets complicated: somebody gets sick, hits a rough patch or God willing finds a reason to celebrate. Within my little family of me, the Gracie Unit and by immediate extension my parents and my inner-circle, the coordination of efforts and schedules can be overwhelming at times. Add the considerations of distance and yes even weather and once again you are left a little bewildered.

At this point I’m left wanting; time and more importantly quality time is slipping away. Crap happens and I don’t want to look back and say should’a, would’a, could’a. I have interests and experiences that I want to explore, nurture and share through my relationships. I have always embraced the concept of quality vs. quantity but lately I can’t help but feel the quality is slipping away as well.  

So if Money = Time + Energy and if Time + Energy + Relationships = Happiness Squared at what point can we say Money = Happiness Squared?. I know I was horrible at Algebra but something tells me… mathematically it does not compute. That said, in the spirit of should’a, would’a and could’a I would like the opportunity to at least try. 

So Vanna can I buy a vowel please?

Fresh Catnip and Pumpkin for all...

Our Birthday Girl

It's the Gracie Unit's birthday...and she's getting to that age when she will soon stop having birthdays.  If I read my cat to human years conversion chart correctly this birthday makes her a more mature and sophisticated feline of 28.  Since she is a typical kitty slut, long on both vanity and notions we will just call her three. I think by her choice this will be her last birthday until such time she catches up with  me in about six years.

The shame of 2010

After last year's catnip induced coma, which eventually involved some court ordered kitty rehab and a work release bug control program, she decided for a more sedate evening at home this year. 

After the pumpkin 2011

 Head bumps and prupthfs Gracie......at this rate you'll never make it to four. 
                                                                                  

Places to go, people to see and things to do...

I’m itching for a road trip.  At this point I’d settle for a quick business trip to the north shore…but what I’d really like to do is to load up the car with tuneage, snacks and MB and hit the open road and spend at least a couple of weeks just roaming and utilizing photo-ops.  So not in the cards but thankfully, I have an overnight along the Cannon River coming up soon (perhaps it will generate a blog or two).  In the meantime I’m trying to find new experiences around the immediate area to add to my dance card this fall. 

One of my first thoughts was to look into the adult enrichment education offered via the community education program in my area.  I have a camera I want to learn to use better, I'm always saying I should try some different artsy, fartsy or craftsy stuff, or heaven forbid a dance class.  Anyway in the spirit of "JUST DO SOMETHING", off to the Internet I went.  The first thing I find is the likes of pilates with many variations and yoga in many variations.  While I know these would be "good for me", particularly the yoga, thankfully most are offered during the day (I work), or on days when I already have a commitment on at least one or more of the series.  

Checking out the various classes listed, here are some plausible possibilities: 

• Belly Dance Blast
• Laughter Yoga
• Ghosts and Hauntings with Annie Wilder
• Storytelling and Acting
• Digital Photography Level 1
• Kitchen Knife Skills

I've also found an all women's community based chorus that might be worth exploring.  I haven't had much of a will to sing since I lost Agnes, and after loosing my voice this Spring for two months I'm not sure I can carry a tune in a bucket anymore.  That said I figured, what the heck, I owe it to both Agnes and myself to at least check out a rehearsal and see what they do and how demanding the commitment level is.

I did sign up for a couple of "cheese" classes for this fall; I just wish a local wine shop would do something similar.  Next stop is to check out the local cooking stores or the yarn shops for educational inspiration.  I also want to take advantage of the public library's Museum  Adventure Pass Program and check out the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the Walker and the Minnesota Zoo. 

There is so much I want to see and do and yet I'm limited by time and energy...if I could just figure out a way to live without the day job :-)  So what about you Gentle Reader, what's on your "To Do" list for this fall? 

My New Orleans: the cookbook by John Besh, a review

Last winter while on chemo I became very much housebound both by the weather and my health. Therefore I lived for the mail delivery and with it the scores of cookbooks I purchased to while away the many hours I lingered on the couch. I’d dream of the day I had both the energy and the ability to eat anything I wanted and would conspire various scenarios where I would be back in the action of the kitchen again.

These days I’m still occasionally looking for my oft non-existent energy level and then there is the whole now that I can (in theory) eat anything I want; the question becomes should I. I’ve been trying unsuccessfully to address the weight gain from the drugs and have been vacillating between it would taste so good but there are so many other (healthier) choices out there. I'm not averse to healthy eating by any means; it’s just that chicken still has an off metallic taste to it and broccoli lost all its appeal in the hospital when it was served to me both soggy & grey.

Anyway, one of the earliest tomes to arrive during my necessity imposed exile was Chef Besh's My New Orleans.  I love this kind of cookbook, yes you get the the "recipes", but what I loved even more was the  context and history of the region through storytelling and the wonderful photographs.  Throw in some music and you have Mardi Gras waiting to take place.  While I have several cookbooks from New Orleans this has quickly become one of my favorites and instead of languishing away on the bookshelf it's actually a "coffee table" book now on display on the dining room buffet.

During my recovery I spent several weeks pouring over the material...inevitably something would capture my imagination and I'd head off to the Internet "to learn more about it" reminiscent of a weekday afternoon school special.  I think I lost three days alone learning about the various Indian krewes and their elaborate yearly handmade costumes...this obsession came courtesy of a photo attribution appearing in the chapter devoted to Mardi Gras. 

I also enjoyed the chapter on Feast Days including the Passover Seder where one of the items was a Creole Matzo Ball Soup.  Depending on the classic French mirepoix (carrots, onions and celery) rather than the regional favorite the holy trinity of celery, onion and bell pepper it did add tomato and red pepper flakes to give it the local flair.  Given this recipe is suitable for Passover, Chef ignores the whole sinkers and floaters controversy by avoiding the use of club soda or baking powder in the matzo balls.  At other times of the year let your Bubbie be your guide.

Many of the other chapters are seasonally and therefore indirectly ingredient driven like crab or oyster season or chantrelleles and blackberries. Sweet and savory stand side by side in an interesting and dramatic departure from usual cookbook formats that often depend on courses to categorize the recipes.  The annotated table of contents is enough to let you know what will be represented in the chapter and the book also provides a great index. As you would expect there are other holiday chapters like Thanksgiving and Revellion.

I had to laugh when I saw the inclusion of watermelon pickles under "Preserving Summer"; instantly I was thinking of both my mother and grandmother.  Upon further investigation it seems Chef Besh's Grandaddy was just as persnickety regarding his fig preserves as my grandmother was about her watermelon preserves.  It is these kinds of stories that give the book warmth.  I would also personally kill for access to 5+ lbs of fresh figs to try the preserve recipe. 

It should be noted, the recipes are not for everyone.  They are highly regionalized and in some cases not for the squeamish or as the LMF would say involves some potentially fear factor type foods such as shrimp heads, frog legs, pork cheeks and pigs feet.  The cooking techniques are often slow or multifaceted and in many cases not suited for a quick weeknight meal but rather for entertaining and holiday purposes and the minimum serving size is 6-8 and upwards of 12-16. 

One other thing I appreciated about Chef Besh's book, while he does provide a "basic" Creole spice mix, he has not tried to brand it to his own kitchen nor is he heavily dependant upon it in his recipes. While I understand the convenience (and consistency) factor associated with having such a spice blend hanging around if used in everything it begins to lose its impact both literally and figuratively making the food somewhat one dimensional. Chef Besh is also into the "spirit" of recipes rather than strict adherence to the letter of the law taking into account the need for individual taste, seasonal and regional availability of ingredients and the like.  This is the kind of cooking I grew up on, technique first...ingredients to follow.  Not unlike the musician who lays down the beat first and the notes magically sort of happen. 

The $50 price tag associated with the book may be off-putting to many a reader.  Personally I picked it up for song ($12.50 and no postage) given my "frequent flyer miles" with a cookbook club I've belonged to for years. That said, I would suggest trying your local public library to see if a copy is readily available or available through inter-library loan for you to review.  Then judge for yourself if it warrants inclusion in your own collection, don't forget used and/or discount copies should be available as well.

Overall I'd belly up to Chef Besh's bar anytime and he will be given priority on my next trip to NOLA whenever that may be.   

Kitchen Update:

My sourdough starter died earlier this week.  The good news is,it appears my house does not support the growth of wild yeast...the bad news is, it apears my house does not support the growth of wild yeast.  Started a new starter today if it fails will I'll resort to a commercial starter. 

What kind of tape is best for creating a sculpture?

Heaven forbid, I'm at it again...I've been thinking and not just about random questions provided by my blogging software.  In fact have been thinking about social networking/blogging or more to the point how folks use these tools to "share" intentionally and unintentionally. 

I'm a recovering Facebook gamer, along the way I added several hundred "friends" via the gaming mechanism. Pulling the plug earlier this summer I defriended most of the gamers but kept a few as we had developed a connection beyond the game. 

Since that time, I've had a several leave after some very public displays of poor decision making including a couple of drunken co-dependants that would sit across the table from each other and type an argument online when they should have been talking face to face in private.  At the same time they were communicating privately and publicly (online) with mutual friends saying things that fueled their co-dependency even more.  In a "train wreck" sort of way it was fascinating to watch but after a while it just grew tiresome and frankly they hit too close to home on a professional level that in the end I was really happy to see them go. 

Then there were a couple of nasty divorce and custody issues that went into bizarroland rather quickly.  One pulled the plug herself when the briefest of hints of it became public.  I applaud her common sense.  The other example, it seems EVERYBODY had a point/side to make/take including both parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles and the kids themselves and they posted it online, to which I ask WTH were these people thinking?  

Are people oblivious to the fact they are sharing this information?  In some cases I think they are...while others are doing it for the attention.  Still I really don't want to know who slept with who, caught what disease, and absconded with how much money.  Again too much like my day job.  Sorry I just don't need it in my off hours particularly with folks I don't even know or want to know beyond  a "number" needed for a game I'm no longer playing.

Seems pretty easy to me...thanks but no thanks and you're gone. Have you have observed such train wrecks?  What was your reaction?  Did you offer support or advice?  Are you still watching the train wreck or did you cut them off?  

If that isn't enough, what happens when folks you do know and care about do something unfortunate online?  For example, when they add less than charitable comments to posts, think better of it and suddenly delete them....do they not realize in many cases recipients may have a copy  in their mailbox anyway?  What about information leaks of a highly intimate nature that could be damaging both personally and professionally appearing in feeds for all to see?  Then there is having secrets outed because information was shared with some but not others or because of carelessness on the part of the secret holder(s).  Do you simply pretend you don't know? In this brave new world, what is the etiquette for this sort of thing?

Then I started thinking what are the rules about the intentional sharing under the cloak of anonymity in a blog?  The blogger is anonymous,  the readers may or may not be.  I've witnessed folks who pour their heart and soul into their blogs in a genuine effort to find comfort and solace; only to find unsolicited advice and criticism flung at them. Then there are those who respond expecting to be lauded for their support and witticism and become angered when the blogger responds only with a polite thank-you (which is the only thing required). 

I still shake my head when I think about the blog I lurked on for over a year, where the author created a charade where all readers were unknowing duped into his wacky world simply for book fodder. Not surprisingly the author received not glowing admiration but scorn from his readers after “coming clean”; thanking them for all the caring and sharing he had put them through and announced the newly finished book could be procured via amazon.com.uk.

For my blog I have chosen anonymity, however in my fledgling state I think it is safe to say most folks either know me in real life or know me from other aspects of my online life. At this time I provide the option of unmediated comments as they are few and I continue to go undetected by spamers. As a reader I tend to be a lurker and if I comment I usually will do so in the form of a private message until I get to know the author and their readers.  A little something that until recently I had not made available to my readers.   That has now been rectified; the biggest chore will be remembering to check it. Feel free to leave a anonymous comment saying check your email ;-)

So dear readers I ask, what kind of an online image have you created for yourself and how do you respond to such twaddle? Am I off base with reactions?  Talk to me please.

Kitchen science or things that go poof in the night

My apologies, last week's post that went poof in the storm isn't coming back together the way I had hoped. I think when the electricity hit it, my ability to compose its content went poof as well. I've set it aside for now and will come back to it on another day. Speaking of things going poof, I spent yesterday researching and getting started on a couple of kitchen experiments that I hope will be long term successes.

First up...was homemade yogurt. As a kid my Mom turned to yogurt and granola in hopes of getting me to eat breakfast. Not being a big fan of milk in my cereal (still not) this turned out well and frankly a little yogurt is still one of my favs almost any time in the day. Back in the day, good yogurt was hard to find, today it's readily available but frankly with prices higher than giraffe lips and sugar content just as high I decided to try my hand at making my own.  

As a kid Mom had a yogurt maker...having neither the desire nor room for yet another kitchen appliance I decided to pull and Alton Brown and figure a way to get double duty of something I already owned.  Enter the crock pot; a quick search on the internet popped up a set of (easy) instructions on how to make yogurt.  Assembling my mise en place I was off and running:  1/2 gallon of milk (butterfat of your choice), 1 cup of store bought yogurt (actually I used a 6 oz container of organic plain yogurt) & 1/2 cup nonfat dry milk.  My equipment consisted of a 5 qrt Crockpot, a digital thermometer, a large bath towel, a strainer and a couple of coffee filters. 

This morning I woke up to a perfectly creamy yogurt.  I myself prefer a thicker Greek style, no problem this is where the strainer and the coffee filters come in.  Note to self next time you make yogurt do it on a Saturday so you can moderate the draining of the whey to the right consistency and not have to worry about being late for work or ending up with cheese (not a bad thing just not what I want today) from over draining. 

The quick bite I had of the still warm yogurt was very good, I didn't find it to be overly tangy nor was there a need for any type of sweetener.  Right now it's very good plain, but if I want to switch it up there are flavor extracts (vanilla, almond, orange or lemon) and/or you can add fruit.  It will be interesting to see how the flavor sets after getting cold in the fridge; yet another reason to leave work in a timely fashion this afternoon.

My second experiment also harkens back to my youth...homemade sourdough. Once upon a time I was the proud keeper of a lovely starter, used mostly for things like waffles and biscuits. Woefully neglected it eventually died a slow lingering death in the back of my fridge and became toxic waste. I’ve decided to give it a try again because bread making is on my bucket list for 2012 (and I need to start planning now) and Pete, a HS classmate, is constantly mentioning on Facebook he’s making sourdough pancakes and it’s been driving me nuts. In an effort to kill two birds with one stone, I began searching the Internet for sourdough starter instructions.

The best way to get started in the sourdough starter business is to receive some as a gift from family or friends. Sadly, no one I know locally is doing the sourdough thing, so it was either purchase a commercial starter (mix) or make my own. I’ve opted to make my own, and if successful I’ll be able to share my starter with others. Not for the faint of heart, making starter takes a minimum of a week and up to a month…with feedings every 12 hours. Heck, even the Gracie unit doesn’t usual demand such a precise feeding schedule.


When I woke up this morning it was alive and proofing; having doubled in size overnight. After giving it a good feed this morning I'm hoping to find the same when I get home tonight. If all else fails I can resort to a commercial starter, but I'm really hoping I can make a go of it myself. Anyway I’m looking forward to honing my mad kitchen science skills and making some tasty treats along the way. I also have a few more science experiments type things I’d like to try. I’ll keep you informed as to my progress, both success and failures.

Sorry....

Post in the works but unable to finish because of an unreliable power grid and storms in the immediate area.  If I can, I will post later tonight or tomorrow morning.

UPDATE: My file (zip drive) was corrupted by power surge must start from scratch will post again on Thursday.....

“Larry Lezzard and his All-American One-Man-Cheese-Philharmonic".

Oh, suburbia how I love thee: so soulless, so listless, so milquetoast...

While I happen to work in a community in which there are as many Vietnamese restaurants on each street corner as there are coffee houses; the number found in the suburbs are relatively few by comparison. Imagine my delight when a new Vietnamese restaurant popped up in a strip mall close to home. Unfortunately the Lotus Flower (LF) had a rough start, in part because I don’t think they understood the suburban business model they needed to adhere to.

In my neighborhood restaurants, particularly those of an ethnic nature, draw a great lunch time crowd given the large number of corporate pink & white collar bots looking for quick and cheap eats on the noontime fly.  Thus leaving the likes of Applebees, the Olive Garden and other cookie cutter chains to be frequented by non-discriminating hockey parents and their screaming broods on nights and weekends.

When the LF opened they opted for “upscale” (matching chairs; silk rather than plastic plants etc) in hopes of garnering the affluent suburbanites’ discretionary food budget. Remaining ever hopeful, the LF is constantly adapting their business model looking for the next great idea to bring in the masses on nights and weekends. Some of these ideas have included “Now open Sundays” with large screen TV’s and game worthy beer specials; the addition of free wi-fi and weeknight karaoke from 8-10, but my favorite has to be “Larry Lezzard and his All-American One-Man-Cheese-Philharmonic".

Larry started as an one-off on the grand opening weekend but has proven to be so tempting to the owners its turned into a regular weekend gig. Given that his equipment remains set up during the week I think it’s safe to say Larry’s a permanent fixture at this point. As is my habit, I usually stop into the LF for a to-go order on payday Fridays.  This has provided me with ample opportunity to savor the essence that is “Larry Lezzard".

Let’s set the scene, despite having a limited liquor license (beer & wine) there is no "bar area" so Larry plays in the main dining room alongside the register, where we pay for and pick up our take away orders. Tucked into his area is a hand painted bamboo room divider designed to discreetly hide the kitchen and bathroom entrances.   Finally, if you to look up on the nearby walls…they are covered with numbered photos which match numbered menu items all designed to entice those who can’t decide what to order.

Larry himself is not a bad looking man: he’s in his 50’s, about 6’2’’, 195 lbs, fit, clean shaven albeit with longer sideburns and comes complete with his own dishwater blonde to grey curly hair appropriately coiffed and spritzed. Dressed in tight fitting polyester black pants and a black sequined shirt chest hairs protruding of course; the guy could give my beloved Neil Diamond a run for his money if not for the multiple gold chunky chains about his neck and wrists. I think I counted no less than 6 rings on his 10 fingers and not a one was a wedding ring. Go figure…with a catch like that.

If I had to make a guess I would say Larry’s day job is that of a car salesman, new not used. He often arrives with a long stemmed red rose that he places near his keyboard. I’ve often wondered does he save it for the end of the evening to give to that special someone? Personally I’ll never know, I have to be home by 6:30 to tend to the Diva.


Dapper Dan O’ Lezzard

 
The first time I heard Larry and his All-American One-Man-Cheese-Philharmonic was on opening weekend. Larry is not a singer, rather he plays the electric piano complete with syncopated percussion…all the while keeping time with his chin. I knew I was in trouble when his opening number was Neil’s Sweet Caroline. It took every bit of decorum I had not to break out in hysterics as my mind jolted back to Gallway where the LMF and I met up with Larry’s singing Irish cousin, Dapper Dan O’ Lezzard (but that’s another story).

I don't think I've ever heard Larry speak, he lets the music speak for him.  Say what you will, Larry spares no expense when it comes to his art.  The flute solo that accompanies his rendition of the Wind Beneath My Wings simply "makes" the piece, and how could you not hum along with his tamborine enhanced version of Candy Man?  I wonder if he knows Viva Las Vegas or better yet Paradise By The Dashboard Light?

Maybe I've got this whole suburbia thing wrong. After all, life like love and music is in the eye of the beholder. Maybe I should shake up my own "business" plan a bit, you know broaden my horizons...take a chance.  Tomorrow is payday, I think I'll stop by and dine-in over a glass of wine.  Who knows maybe I'll get to take home the red rose..........
 
****Please note all names in this post have been changed to protect the not so innocent, but the facts remain unaltered. ****

Blog Housekeeping

Now that the Las Vegas arc appears to be complete for now, the intent is to try and keep a Monday/Thursday schedule starting this week.  I even have Thursday's post rouxminating in my head as I type.  Here's a sneak peak into my head....   

Wait for it...wait for it.....

See you Thursday :-)

Playing croquet with a flamingo: slots we love and hate

This post represents the end of my Vegas Adventure. I’m sure many have thought why the Alice in Wonderland theme? Frankly I felt it worked on many levels, the least of which was it was the theme of a slot machine we tried.

Ahh the slot machines those we’ve played and loved and those we scorn. No one should ever approach gambling thinking “big win” particularly from a slot machine. Better to think of them as mindless entertainment while waiting for the cocktail server. Bottom line I don’t expect to win big although an occasional small win so I can continually break even and keep playing is nice.

The fore mentioned Alice was one I came to scorn. I put a $20 into the machine and it was gone without so much a wham, bam thank you ma’am. Heaven knows I’ve done my share of chasing bonuses, just look at my track record with Bewitched or I Love Lucy. Alice gave me a bonus however it was dumb, pointless and completely forgetful. At first I thought I was missing something so I turned to the LMF and she was just as dumbstruck as I was. I don’t expect much but a little thematic thought and fun is appreciated from the game as I’m sucking down my precious $20 Corona.

As far as new themes and machines…I did enjoy the Lord of the Rings one. Multiple bonus features that paid decently and were entertaining. The random bonuses came up often enough giving you a sense of the story and accomplishment. One other nice feature if you used your player’s card you could save the game and come back and pick up the adventure at your last point in the game, assuming you played at the same player’s club properties. Since these days two players club cards will let you play and many of the joints on the strip that isn’t a problem.

Harkening back to my youth was a new Star Trek themed machine…I don’t remember the bonus round in the previous edition, but this one proved to be a tad addictive in part because of the community bonus round it provided. It was based on both your progress in the game and a time factor (about every 12 mins. or so.) It’s hard not to have fun when you are helping the likes of Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock save the universe from those pesky Romulans. Sadly, there were no tribbles for my gaming troubles but plenty of Romulan Ale to be had.

I also enjoyed the Wizard of Oz slot. The last time I was in town The Wicked Witch always managed to drop a house on my fun…however this trip Glenda appeared to be in charge. I’m big on the ruby slippers theme (I own several pairs myself). I just wished mine worked on matters of extending weekends and reducing the need to do domestic chores, Dorothy’s were a tad more profitable and paid for the likes of Alice and her White Rabbit.

Otherwise we found stray machines that were favorites from the past including Money to Burn, Jackpot party, the Munsters, I Dream of Jeannie, Fortune Cookie, Catch a Wave & Hex. All were nickel machines that played between 7-15 lines that provided a lot of play but sadly few beers because the cocktail servers were few and far between. They also didn’t pay off that well so we were also unable to even purchase our beer from the slot profits as we have done in the past.

I found table games to be a bit out of my league this visit. While I admit by most standards my budget is more guppy sized as compared to that of a whale but I do like spending some time at the table games. I love Blackjack and have previously played while in Vegas and other gambling venues without too much pain to my pocket; however, when hands cost $10 M-Th and $15 each on the weekend, I frankly I chose not to afford it. I am not frugal but I didn’t wish to potentially blow my gambling and beer budget in a night or two either. I found a nickel slot that allowed me to play at 25 cents a hand and I walked away more than once breaking even or a dollar or two ahead but alas there was no Pia Gow this trip.

Bottom line I was unable to meet all my expenses this trip; however, I did manage to come home with more than 50% of my grubstake intact. I’m also pleased to announce the daily beer budget outspent the daily food budget…thus the lower profit margin overall ;-) I think most would agree that’s a winner’s trip in anybody’s book.

Thanks for coming along, I hope you will stay around for the next adventure whatever it may be. Please stay tuned…later today I’ll drop another message that concerns my intention for the future of this blog.

Off with their heads: where is child protection when you need them?

Sous-Chef walks out to street corner soapbox in hand.  Drops said soapbox, climbs on top and pulls a tiara from her back hip pocket and firmly smashes it on her head.

Ehem…cough…cough “OFF with their heads”, she proclaims!

Now I’d like to point out for the record I like kids, I believe in family vacations and I’m happy to see multi-generational visitors from foreign shores visiting the US…but really Las Vegas? I’d also like to point out there were plenty of American family vacations taking place in Vegas as well.  We are talking children ranging in age from hatchlings to those in their teens.

During the day there are some interesting non-seven deadly sins activities to participate in, including Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, Madame Tussaud’s, Adventuredome and even Ethel M’s Chocolates.  News Flash:  The 1990’s ad campaign of Vegas being family friendly was a bust and for good reason.  Kids have no business stomping through casinos at any hour and certainly not on the strip after dark.

Yes, the Fountains of the Bellagio are lovely…I spend a great deal of time there myself, but so do drunks and porn slappers.  I’m not talking about 7:00 at night, more like 10:00 and later.  While I realize it is the weekend/summer…I’m sorry babies, toddlers, grade schoolers and tweens should be in BED not roaming Las Vegas Boulevard after dark. 

If you wish to partake in nighttime activities use common sense and some of that multi-generational talent…leave the kiddies with the teens or Grandma & Grandpa with a movie back in the room.  When there is no flexibility parents trade off nights or better yet use the bonded child care services offered by the hotel.  If you can’t afford the child care you shouldn’t be there.

For the love of Peter, Paul and Mary…think before you book.  If you are looking for family time go to Disneyland or the Grand Canyon.  If you really want to do Vegas make it couple time and leave the kids at home.

/end rant…places tiara back into hip pocket, picks up soapbox and heads for bed.

A mad tea party: it’s all about the food/drink

Have you ever heard the statement breakfast is the most important meal of the day? Well it’s true particularly when traveling and the LMF and I never miss an opportunity to do breakfast. I have several favorite haunts from trips past, but clearly one of my favs has got to be Hash-House a Go-Go. A small chain out of San Diego but with 4 locations serving Nevada, including the newest one located on the strip inside the Imperial Palace casino. I know, I said the IP but it actually it wasn’t as dark, dank and dingy as in visits past...the experience was so positive we visited twice on this trip. Obviously the word is out as there were waits both days, but the restaurant is rather large, has well trained staff and they move people through (without rushing you) at a reasonable pace. 
 

OMG, a single meal seems like it should feed a family of four. However, that has never stopped the LM F and I from ordering separate meals and gorging out in our respective happy places. Just check out the menu. Day one the LMF had flapjacks and bacon and I had corned beef hash. Considering the size the flapjacks were the size of LP’s (music in its pure vinyl form for the kiddies out there) and my fluffy biscuit alone was the size of a softball you begin to get the idea of the amount of food we were served. If you need to budget calories meals they can easily be shared assuming you can agree on what you want, but for us we usually eat our fill and then play and drink for up to 8/10 hours before we need to refuel.

You will pay premium prices, but the food is cooked fresh with fresh ingredients and well deserving of the prices asked. However, you can always soften the blow with coupons from http://www.restaurant.com/.

The second day I went with the hardwood smoked bacon, avocado, onion & swiss farm scrambler, OMG…to die for. I think avocado scramblers/omelets are a California thing (since I’ve only found them in California and Nevada) and this is one of the best I’ve ever had. The LMF went for the tractor combo and proclaimed it “good eats”. Coffee is excellent and is served with real cream. There is a full bar making things like Bloody Marys, Screwdrivers, & Mimosas available (using freshly squeezed juices). Note also on the menu, O’Hare of the dog: Signature 24 oz Budweiser in a bag & side of bacon. I also saw the chicken and waffles being delivered to a table next to us…if that’s your thing I say go for it. On a scale of 1 to 5, I’d give it a 10+. 
 

Planning ahead, the LMF made reservations (fountain side) at dusk for Olives located in the Bellagio for our first night in town.  The plan was to nosh fine food and sip wine while the Fountains of Bellagio entertained us.  Oh, so should’a, could’a would’a…  Well given our late arrival that wasn’t possible, so we called to cancel (from the Twin Cities) and booked for the next night.  A fountain side table was not ours to be had; however we ended up in Fred’s section and made do.  I think Fred was hoping for a very high end ticket with us, little did he know we ate at the Hash House that morning and were looking to eat light.  Fred was most charming and did enhance dining experience.  

This restaurant is located on the north entrance of the Bellagio near the shops of Chanel, Dior, Tiffany’s and the like. Olives is very lovely albeit with a very masculine feel. The dark setting, usual for Las Vegas, left me searching for the words on my menu…thankfully there was still a little daylight left when we arrived. Even as foodie my experience with Todd English has been limited to the Home Shopping Channel. Ok I lied for the sake of a humorous expression, I have seen his cooking show on PBS but he wasn’t one of my “celebrity chef must dos” like Joel Robuchon, Thomas Keller, Emeril Lagasse, or even Bobby Flay and Wolfgang Puck all of whom have restaurants in town, some at different price points. 

Since we were dinning high on the hog, I opted for a Sapphire Gin Martini, the LMF went for an upscale Cosmo…both were well made…although Fred tried to baptize me with mine. Our drinks were served with a lovely bread basket and two types of olive tapenade, of which I tried both and found them to be very good. We both opted for Flatbread (pizzas), for mine I went with Fig & Prosciutto and the LMF went with the Fiery Chicken Sausage. While there was nothing unique about them, I did find both were well prepared (good crunchy crust) and we walked away happy satisfied campers. I remember reviewing the dessert menu, but again there was nothing unique and certainly not worth over stuffing ourselves for.

While perfectly respectable and overall a good dining experience the only reason I would go back is for the possibility of a fountain side table. On a scale of 1 to 5 with five being the high end, I’d give it a 3.5.

On Friday night we were both a little weary, as well as suffering from fullness of brunch at the Hash House), and frankly we failed to make reservations in advance so we decided to stick close to our home hotel and opted for a night at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville. We’ve been there and done Jimmy in multiple cities…a chain but certainly one we don’t have here in MN. I had the fish tacos and the LMF had the coconut shrimp. My only complaint was the service…I felt a little underappreciated and thought two hours for a single drink and a meal when we were not the one’s lingering was a tad too much.

 While the physical constraints of the Las Vegas location make it very difficult for the servers my issues revolved around the fact our order got “lost”, the server failed to check in after our meal was served and we waited forever for our check. Fortunately for our server the LMF was in charge of the tip that night or someone would have been really disappointed. This experience I’d give it a 2.5 on other visits more of a 3.5.

In my last post you heard about Ri Ra and the lovely time we had with Linda Lou…what you don’t know is after she departed we call the Boo and he joined us there for more Irish goodness. It too appears to be a chain, but as I said before the Guinness was almost as good as what we had in Ireland. 

For our first meals we went basic with the fish and chips. The haddock was outstanding, the fish was cooked to perfection and the coating was a lovely golden brown. I was not excited about the chips, they were undercooked and soggy because the grease wasn’t hot enough. For round two I went with the whiskey garlic mussels and they were very good (mollusks can easily be overcooked) and although an appetizer it was just the right portion for my appetite. The earlier haddock filets were huge!! The LMF had the Irish Potato Cakes and the Boo had a chicken sandwich. While I think the company had a lot to do with it for both meals I’d give it a sold 4.5 for food, charm and service.

A trip to Vegas would not be the same without a visit to an Emeril Lagasse restaurant if for nothing more than a drink and appy or coffee and dessert.  Like Jimmy's we’ve eaten at many of Emeril’s restaurants in many cities and I’m not too proud to say I’ve laid out some heavy cash over the years and have never been disappointed.  While near the Venetian we decided to give the new Lagasse Stadium a try.  It was early afternoon on Sunday we were hot and thirsty and pretty much gambled out…it seemed like the perfect choice and with a little baseball we could make an afternoon of it.

Sadly we walked out without having been served.  I guess the LMF and I had put our invisibility cloaks on that morning, because despite walking by us twice (we were seated directly at the bar) the bartender completely ignored us instead she preferred the company of a bevy of younger men.  Too bad for her we’ve been known to tip extremely well under similar situations.  Definitely not the type of service I’ve come to expect at an Emeril’s location.   Epic fail and a substandard zero. 

Finally I would like to share with you our home bar, Sin City Brewery. Our location is at the Flamingo and from what I understand the smallest. I’ve had better microbrews, some cheaper and some more expensive…and it’s served out of plastic cups but still it’s where we come to for a night cap. Located just off a lovely outdoor patio (near where the flamingos hang during the day) complete with fire pit and decent piped in/out tunes. The bartenders appear to be fairly settled as I recognized one of them from my last trip out there a couple of years ago. For personal convenience and the patio I’d give it a 4 for the beer and the value it’s closer to a 3.

That about wraps up this report, next up my little rant on children in Las Vegas.

Advice from a caterpillar: meeting Linda Lou

Who are YOU?' said the Caterpillar.

 In true fashion, the Boo always worries about our personal safety when we visit Sin City. Given our propensity to meet-up with relative strangers (blogging friends), visit places like the Double Down (even in the daylight) and pull all nighters gambling, I guess I can see his point. In reality however, it’s more likely we are the ones your mother warned you about when we paint the town a lovely shade of fuchsia, or so we would like to think.

The residents and visitors of Vegas had no cause for alarm when the LMF and I joined the delightful Linda Lou at Ri Ra at Mandalay Place for lunch. Ok, perhaps I should edit that by saying: by unanimous vote our handsome young server, James (born near Dublin), could have had cause for worry but certainly not the general population. In addition to his charming Irish brogue and lovely smile he could also pour a decent pint of Guinness.

For the uninitiated, Linda Lou could be best describes as a funny, hard working, joyous, red hot granny, as well as, a published author of Bastard Husband: a love story, blogger and an occasional stand-up comic. Definitely a fun loving pistol…who is more charming in person than online, if that is even possible. Her blog is a must read for me.

Linda is also one of my greatest cheerleaders both in life and in my writing. This is no small task given the negative associations Sr. Ann left me with…way back in the day. For the life of me I could never understand and get over the sea of red that was the edited version of what she thought my prose should be. I’m not against constructive criticism and editing but I swear there was nothing left on the page after she was done. Needless to say it’s left me feeling paranoid for the better part of thirty years therefore this blog is huge step for me.

Anyway, the anticipation of meeting Linda Lou was surpassed only by actually meeting her. Our conversation ran the gamut: Vegas, love’s lost and found, travel, music, books, writing and even a smidgen of politics. After four hours and a table full of dead Guinness soldiers the only thing missing was the Irish tune “Whiskey in the Jar” playing in the background. To say we all hit it off would be an understatement; I took it as a good sign when she didn’t outright dismiss coming to see us in the “frozen chosen” months of Jan/Feb for a concert.

The landscape of  Los Vegas is forever changed; as if the LMF and I needed yet another reason to visit.  I can't imagine a future trip without at least a cup of coffee and a good story in the company of Linda Lou involved.  Our only regret, we have no photographic evidence of James or Linda Lou, despite the fact that BOTH of us had cameras with us. I choose to believe it was the hilarity of the company and not the Guinness that created this breech in vacation protocol..that's my story and I'm sticking to it ;-)

As the luck of the Irish would have it, this story has a tidy ending.  While walking back to our hotel, the LMF and I walked by NY, NY's Nine Fine Irishman just as the strains of ”Whiskey in the Jar” could be heard wafting out on Las Vegas Blvd.  Old friends, new friends, a pint or two of Guinness and a song; suddenly you have a memory in the making and a fine one it is indeed.

Looking for the Boo down the rabbit hole that is WSOP

Rabbit Hunting is poker term that describes a player who looks through the undealt cards after the hand is completed in order to see what would have come next. In addition to being bad form and placing you at high risk for public ridicule it also takes away from the moment of the hand just played good or bad.  Being in Vegas is all about the moment; no matter if it's a flip of the card, the roll of the dice or even the pull of a slot.  For me this trip was to be about the moment; living rather than just surviving and waiting for things to get better. 

While I’m a fierce card player: cribbage, casino and even hearts I’m not much of a poker player. Why this cultural trend has eluded me I’m not sure. It’s not like I’m afraid to lose money, after all I have played PiaGow and Blackjack both downtown and on the Strip, hell I’ve even taken poker lessons while in town and played against the computer at home…it’s just not my thing. The same can’t be said for the LMF and her son the Boo.

I’ve traveled to Vegas before during the World Series of Poker (WSOP)…the last time we were there we caught part of the final table. I think the LMF said it best; "to me watching poker live is like watching paint dry". At least when watching the TV counterparts I have a better clue what will happen on the river because I don’t have to guess what’s in everyone’s pocket.

This trip had a different vibe given we visited WSOP on the first of the four “first” days of the main event. This may seem like an odd statement, but given the fact there are so many players having multiple first days is just a way of weeding the fish/punters.

As we entered the Amazon Room (one of many) it was covered in a sea of poker tables. The lighting was errily industrial, and the only sound heard was the riffling of chips coming at you from all directions like grasshoppers eating their way through a crop of winter wheat.  The smell of both hope and despiration filled the air.  For these players, this was their moment and it was either make or break.  At this point, spectators were few and far between even at the “UFO”, the home of the featured table for the purposes of TV. 

Now as I said, the LMF is entrenched into the culture both as a player and follower. Her son the Boo is working as a string reporter for the series (deep in the inner circle of the velvet ropes) watching the play, charting hands and speaking with the players…basically he does whatever the Boo needs to do in order to get the story. This is like his fifth year so he knows the score but it's obvious the rose is fallen off the bloom a bit.

Finding the Boo was relatively easy. True confessions: I love the Boo (and his sister Booette) as if they were my own. In fact they are my rent-a-kids…their parents have been kind enough to share for the better part of 24 years. Now that the Boo and Booette are all grown up, it keeps getting better…who else in an “Auntie Mame want-to-be” moment would I want to drink beer and smoke cigars with?

Anyway after his seventeenth straight day working 10-16 hour shifts, the boy looked like he had endured one too many bad beats. After catching his eye the Boo made his way over to the rail where his mother and I stood. We each anted up for our hugs had a very brief chat before sending him back into the pit while we waited for the next break.

At this point the LMF ran off to find one of her poker blogging buddies and I stayed behind to watch the Boo. I’ve already confessed how much I adore this young man, I would be hard pressed to find a truer and more compassionate Do-Bee. I looked down at his left wrist to see a pink & black bracelet that reads “I (heart) boobies” with a pink ribbon…as a recent breast cancer survivor it brought more than a tear to my eye then and now. If that isn’t a tell, I don’t know what is.

If life is about playing the hand you were given at that moment...this young dealt me an inside straight that went Royal.   Who needs rabbit hunting when you leave the table in the money. 

Chasing the White Rabbit

OK, it’s a new year and time for another attempt at blogging. Just to bring you up to date Colt is as studdly as ever (with just over 9000 miles under his tires), MB has taken up permanent residence on the memory board, Gracie is as diva-ish as ever and I’ve been traveling again. There are of course many other things that have transpired in the last year, some good, some not so good. However, it’s all water under the bridge so if and when those stories are shared it will be under the guise of current topics with an eye on the future.

I’ve just returned from a little fun and debauchery in Wonderland. Colt and MB stayed home with the Gracie Unit as the LMF and I headed off to Sin City for some much needed down time. While the trip had been on the books for months; job hiccups for both of us kept our minds firmly planted in reality (blasted politicians) until the last possible moment.  

Either by premonition or the power of (un)positive thinking, “something” bit us in the aspirations as we learned our flight was to be delayed just after reaching the gate. An hour later, the solemn news broke that the plane was “unfixable”. Unbeknownst to us mere mortals, deep in the underbelly of the Humphrey terminal… the kindly cast and crew of Sun Country flight 105 (in a selfless act of sedition) were creating plans to hijack the inbound flight from Alaska and to reroute it to Las Vegas for our collective nefarious purposes. Meanwhile the disenfranchised “would be” gamblers began storming the gate in a desperate attempt to set up a rolling craps game out on the tarmac.  We watched the lone gate attendant as he valiantly stood by his post armed only with airline meal vouchers; the angry mob swiftly commandeered the desk, there  was simply no hope of neutralizing the civil unrest.  

Sensing the ensuing carnage the LMF and I left for the nearest bar; we ponied up for a couple of Linnies and began making new friends with other weary travelers. Somehow time delays became far more manageable under the influence of calamari and quesadillas. One pint became two and the sun began to dip into the horizon.  Before we knew it, people were sparce and the bartender had began to "clean up" for the night.   

At T+3.5 we brusquely made our way back to the scene of destruction anticipating the worst but hoping for the best.  It appeared that the flight and cabin crews of Flight 105 had been successful in their stealthily coup against the Alaskan counterparts and to our amazement we found happy hordes queuing up for the cattle call that is boarding beyond first class. 

In short order everyone was loaded on the plane.  With one last act of defiance the Captian order the cabin door closed beore the final boarding call and soon were barreling down the runway giving chase to a white rabbit and headed west for Sin City.  

Stay tuned for the Las Vegas adventures of Sous-Chef in Wonderland

• Looking for the Boo down the rabbit hole that is WSOP
• Advice from a caterpillar: meeting Linda Lou
• A mad tea party: it’s all about the food/drink
• Off with their heads: where is child protection when you need them
• Playing croquet with a flamingo: slots we love and hate