Drink the Drink

I went 6 years without drinking...nothing but non-alcoholic this and cranberry that, and soda something or other. No, I'm not an alcoholic in case you're wondering...there have been those that thought that was the reason, but I can stop anytime I want. Seriously, that was a joke...the reasons aren't important to this post.

I decided recently that I would start drinking a glass of wine at night to wind down at the end of a long day and it's been fun trying different kinds. I started with whites and a few recommendations and have moved on to a few particular reds. I don't have a preference...I'll try anything new. Beers too...there is some interesting stuff out there.

When I used to drink beer when I was younger, my favorite was Miller Genuine Draft. Yeah, I know...I was young. Well, not THAT young...I was at least 19 and living in a country where it was legal to drink at 19. And then I upgraded to Heineken...I was in Germany after all and Heineken sounds German, even though it's originally from Amsterdam. When I was in Germany, I started drinking Veissen (sometimes with cola) and Grolsch...both of which are far too expensive in this country. So many years later, it was Sam Adams until they recently discovered bits of glass in some of the bottles. And now I've moved on to Harpoon which I happen to like more than Sam Adams anyway. Like I said...lots of different beers to try.

And wine, which is what started this whole thing again for me. So far, my favorite white wines are: Pine and Post, Ménage à Trois, Luna Di Luna Chardonnay/Pinot Grigio. Red wines...really so far I've only really enjoyed reds from the Bully Hill Vineyard in upstate New York which are a little sweeter than most I've tasted.

And that's where it's at. So yeah, what wines do you enjoy drinking...maybe I'll try them out.

I Wouldn't Let Katharine Write Whatever She Wanted Here So She Created Her Own Blog

Welcome to the 21st century, I said to Katharine as she logged in to Blogger and finally created her own blog. She's always asking me...can I post this, can I post that...and now she can post whatever she wants and you can feel free to read it and comment. Keep in mind that she can delete your comments if she doesn't like what you have to say. This also lets her trash you publicly if you offend her. Fair warning; I've seen her do it. She's not shy. Wait...I've had that ability for years...how come I haven't done that? So go ahead and read her posts if you're interested, comment if you dare...bookmark it now or scroll to the bottom of this blog and the link will always be there. I'll be watching...and I'll be commenting.

Click Here to Enter Katharine's Blog

Enjoy!

My First McNugget Purchase in 5 Years OR My First McNugget Post Ever

At the McDonalds drive thru at 3AM, they do not have a full blown Mcdonaldy goodness menu for you to choose from. They have the "Limited Value Menu". Does that mean the menu is of limited value to the hungry visitor, or does it mean that the choices are limited. I think a little bit of both.

Oh, but let me start at the beginning...at 220AM I was hungry. I didn't even want McDonalds...I wanted pizza after a long fun night out, but pizza (aside from the kind that is sold off a vending cart) was nowhere to be found. I could have had sausage and peppers off of another vending cart, but a possible riot was erupting in front of that cart...some crazy fight over a girl that I paused to walk throught when I heard one of the fighting parties say, "just shoot this f*cker. shoot him."....and glass started breaking...and people starting removing their belts as weapons. What good is a weapon when your pants fall down? A fight over a girl who wasn't helping the situation AT ALL...almost encouraging the bloody battle that was about to begin. I should have called the police. Someone should have called the police. The was a police car parked across the street with nothing to do. And on the next street...and on the next. There is a fight in this area EVERY weekend night...why don't the police hang out around the sausage and peppers cart? Maybe they don't want to feed another stereotype like the donut one.

I know...you thought this was going to be a story about fake chicken pieces, but it's much much more. Anyway...late night and still hungry. All the bars had let out...I had to take the long way back to the car. I got to the car and the options were Dunkin Donuts or McDonalds...it was now 240AM. I pulled up to the 24 Dunkin Donuts...not really wanting donuts...there was a fried seafood place across the street that also appeared to be open, but a plate of fried clams at 3AM is never a good idea. The McDonalds sign flashed attractively in yellow and red...and that was the choice. A 10 piece chicken McNugget with sweet and sour sauce topped off the night. Gone in 10 minutes...that's a nugget a minute. Even though it was yummy and I was full, a 10 piece chicken McNugget is never a good idea at 3AM.

My First New Whitesnake Album Since 1989

In 1989, while I was still in high school, I purchased my last Whitesnake album, "Slip of the Tongue". Nineteen years later, which was yesterday by the way, I felt the need to go out and buy the first Whitesnake album with original material in as many years, "Good to Be Bad". Is the title of the album saying that it's good because it's bad? I'm going to listen to it in the morning.

UPDATE: I haven't really had a chance to listen to this whole CD yet, but what I have heard sounds pretty good. If you were a fan of the original Whitesnake, then you'll probably enjoy this too. The big question is...what made Whitesnake come out of retirement for a CD and a tour? Besides money, that is. Maybe it's all about money. Maybe it's about fame. Maybe they just like to play music. I'll listen to this a few times all the way through before I make a judgement. I already noticed that one song is a reworked version of an old song with a new name. I like it.

I've been listening to more older music lately...bands that I used to like in the 80s and 90s. I remember when my parents would listen to old bands that they used to like and I swore that I would always "keep up with the times" and always like current music. I like SOME new music, but basically what's happening is what I swore would never happen. I'm buying music like "Who Can it Be Now", "Abracadabra", and I shudder to tell you that I've browsed the Michael Jackson "Thirller" section. I know...I know... Did I mention I just bought a Whitesnake CD?

World Wrestling Entertainment Presents Smackdown and ECW Live in Boston

On Tuesday night, Katharine and I went to our second ever live WWE wrestling event. The first time we went last year, we had floor seats right on the entrance ramp where all the superstars walked right by us. This time, we were still in great seats with a better view of the ring and ringside area so you didn't miss any battles fought on the floor.

The show started with Tuesday night's ECW broadcast and ECW Champion, and Katharine's favorite of all the superstars, Kane entered the ring to sign a contract for his first title defense at the next pay per view. His signature entrance explosions were...well, see for yourself.

If you've never seen the shows on TV or been to a live event, there are lots of signs that people bring with you and we were no exception. Katharine's sign said "Kane lights my fire". Witty...I know...I wrote it for her myself. And no, Kane doesn't light MY fire, it was totally Katharine's sign. A funny story...so she had me carry her sign through security where they check all the bags, and check you over for metal objects, and where they review your signs to make sure there are no inapropriate statements written on them that might get on TV. As I mentioned before...I was carrying the "Kane lights my fire" sign, which they checked at security. I don't think I need to tell the rest of the story. Awkward. :-) At least Kane saw the sign when Katharine was holding it up.

Anyway...I'm not going to review the whole show. If you want to watch it, you'll watch it...or you already watched it. ECW aired on Tuesday, but Friday Night Smackdown airs tonight. The Highlights were all the pyro, the energy of the crowds that get involved in the show, the entrances of The Undertaker, Kane, Batista, Shawn Michaels, Finlay, and Hornswoggle...it's all pretty entertaining if you don't take it too seriously.

And yeah, I put the pictures out of order in case anyone hasn't seen Smackdown yet!

THEATER: Avenue Q (May Contain Spoilers)

Nothing that I could have expected, we went to see Avenue Q at the Colonial Theater a few weeks ago...I'm just getting to write about it now. I was skeptical about seeing another musical again...ever...after going to see Sweeney Todd last year, but I figured, if I was going to try another one, it may as well be about puppets that swear and talk about porn.

At first, looking at the stage, Avenue Q appears to be a version of Seasame Street and then it starts and you know it's anything but a kids show. With songs like, "If Your Were Gay", "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist", "The Internet is for Porn", "I'm Not Wearing Underwear Today", and "You Can Be as Loud as the Hell You Want (When You're Makin' Love)"...how could this not be a funny show. It's SO funny...everyone in the place was cracking up the entire time even though they were cramped into little itty botty seats. This show has comedy, drama, sexual situations like you wouldn't believe if I told you, and it brings back memories of the shows you watched starring puppets when you were a kid. The acting was awesome. I was distracted at first watching actors and actresses running around with puppets, but when you have to realize that the actors are acting themselves, as well as working the characters in the show, AND voice acting multiple puppets at the same time. That's talent!

It's probably the best musical I've seen...and I've seen a whole two Broadway musicals (off Broadway)...that I can remember anyway. Oh...and did I mention that Gary Coleman is in it?

Monty's Going Back to Work for a Day

On June 13, 2008, Wonderland Greyhound Park is welcoming back retired racers for a day of fun and we're taking Monty for a big day out. You might remember last year that we took him to this event and he created his own painting, had a conversation with the pet communicator, and watched all his old friends race. Well, this year, he's going to join in the fun and run a race of his own. Monty is now officially registered for the Fun Run as Stone Strike (his former racing name). He's going to be in the 34th race in the 3rd position. He's running against a dog named Gavan (or Sa Bar Horseneck). Monty is going to kick Gavan's ass and in June we'll have the pictures for you...and a video as well. Stay tuned.