Richie and I were cruising north on Catalina heading for home port. Light traffic so we noticed a beer truck with the name of a beer we'd never heard of - Duvel - Brussels - on its sides.
Intrigued, we agreed we'd never heard of it. The truck moved over into the left turn lane and Richie followed suit! We tailed the beer truck until it made the light and we got caught. But we were down by the north side of the Pier and there are only two restaurants down there (Captain Kidd's and On The Rocks) so no worries; both are easily visible to passing traffic.
But no! The truck turned into the Pier parking. Nadja's House of 700 beers? Quickly Richie parked in the free parking at Kidd's and started to walk into the Pier area (it's free.)
He reported the driver was unloading at what used to be the Happy Clam resto and then Luey Louis and is now yet a different restaurant. And neither one of us can remember it's name.
But, since we know where to go for a taste of a Duvel, no problem. Their opening on the Duvel.com Website says: "Hello - are you of legal drinking age?" and you have to click "Yes" to get in. Cute but not tremendously useful.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Get Your Shoes Tattoo-ed!
Yesterday I was on deadline, today I'm not so I went back to veryfirstto.com and browsed a bit.
Getting a pair of Oliver Sweeney men's shoes tattoo-ed by artist Henry Hale appeals to me for the avant garde thrill of it all - "Tattoo-ed shoes! You saved your skin!""and disappoints me as it is so very, very obviously, "Look at me! Look at me!"
The site was not forth giving on exactly the process or the cost. All I could glean was the pair of shoes pictured was $314 (no mention how much extra money you will have to spend to have one Henry Hale tattoo them.)
Sweeney has "invented" the Anatomical Last, famed because Sweeney includes the big toe in the last to mimic the true shape of the foot. Our toes are (generally) set at an angle from biggest to littlest and Sweeney believes this is critical to a well-fitted shoe.
As I would never spend that kind of money on shoes, I'll never know. Richie might. He once spent $400 on a pair of cowboy boots...
Getting a pair of Oliver Sweeney men's shoes tattoo-ed by artist Henry Hale appeals to me for the avant garde thrill of it all - "Tattoo-ed shoes! You saved your skin!""and disappoints me as it is so very, very obviously, "Look at me! Look at me!"
The site was not forth giving on exactly the process or the cost. All I could glean was the pair of shoes pictured was $314 (no mention how much extra money you will have to spend to have one Henry Hale tattoo them.)
Sweeney has "invented" the Anatomical Last, famed because Sweeney includes the big toe in the last to mimic the true shape of the foot. Our toes are (generally) set at an angle from biggest to littlest and Sweeney believes this is critical to a well-fitted shoe.
As I would never spend that kind of money on shoes, I'll never know. Richie might. He once spent $400 on a pair of cowboy boots...
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Stupifying, Positively Stupifying
There is a tour company named veryfirstto.com that is offering a three month long tour of 10 countries and 20 locations within the countries. What is the purpose of this lengthy jaunt?
To visit spots where movies were filmed! If you aren't sitting down from that, sit down right now -- the tour costs $300,000 per couple!
Bear in mind the fact that all of the people connected to the film are long gone. Thus you will be able to stand and stare at where they used to be. For $150,000 per person.
Koh Phi Phi Leh island, Thailand - Leo DiCaprios The Beach was shot there.
Machu Picchu - The Motorcycle Diaries
The Trevi Fountain, Rome
If you're not a movie buff what would you say to a tour that visits every Michelin three-star restaurant in the world? "Bring it on!" would be my enthusiastic response.
The two year (two year) tour visits all 900+ UNESCO World Heritage Sites. At the end of two years with the same people, I'd expect a marriage and/or divorce and possibly a group murder attempt of a bad tour guide at the end of it. It might all turn out to be more interesting than UNESCO World Heritage Sites might appear to be at first glance.
Now I wonder if the firm provides a licensed psychiatrist on that tour. People crazy enough to take a two year tour really do need on-going help.
To visit spots where movies were filmed! If you aren't sitting down from that, sit down right now -- the tour costs $300,000 per couple!
Bear in mind the fact that all of the people connected to the film are long gone. Thus you will be able to stand and stare at where they used to be. For $150,000 per person.
Koh Phi Phi Leh island, Thailand - Leo DiCaprios The Beach was shot there.
Machu Picchu - The Motorcycle Diaries
The Trevi Fountain, Rome
If you're not a movie buff what would you say to a tour that visits every Michelin three-star restaurant in the world? "Bring it on!" would be my enthusiastic response.
The two year (two year) tour visits all 900+ UNESCO World Heritage Sites. At the end of two years with the same people, I'd expect a marriage and/or divorce and possibly a group murder attempt of a bad tour guide at the end of it. It might all turn out to be more interesting than UNESCO World Heritage Sites might appear to be at first glance.
Now I wonder if the firm provides a licensed psychiatrist on that tour. People crazy enough to take a two year tour really do need on-going help.
Monday, November 11, 2013
At The Jazz Club
The featured band was a very popular local group called "Night-Blooming Jazz Men" which never fails to amuse me. Yes, ye of simple tastes...
The bands' many fans added to our usual population yesterday. Many men were wearing burgundy-color knit shirts with "I Am A Night-blooming Jazz-maniac" writ large across the back.
Toward the end of their set, they announced their intent to play each of our military's "theme songs" to salute today's Veterans Day holiday. If you had served with that group, stand up! And they launched into "Anchors Away" and seven guys stood up, Richie among them. Next it was "Wild Blue Yonder" but we apparently have only two Air Force alumni. This all moved me to tears and I sat there daubing at wet cheeks with a Kleenex. I always tear up at our national anthem and this was similar. Otherwise, I never cry.
When the Marines' song began, a young guy, maybe 23 or 25, erupted from his chair and began doing a variation of an Irish step dance across the floor. Since I cannot imagine a Marine jumping around like a leprechaun, I found his actions strange. I doubt he's ever seen the inside of a Marine barracks because his shirt tail was hanging out over his cargo shorts, above his earth sandals. Marines always tuck their shirts in and very precisely, too.
Bernie was missing last month and when I asked, I was told "Hospice care at home." Lou was there then as she was yesterday. I saw her approach the band manager (?) - he's the guy who changes the signboard to reflect who is playing. But she struck out with him.
And then she did find a partner, a man we'd never seen before. He was shaved head bald with a bushy goatee. He seemed energetic enough and would prove to be indefatigable as he alternated dances with Lou and another woman! She was wearing white pants and a red shirt with tennis shoes and happily jigged and bobbed around. Lou had on a black dress and looked sedate in comparison.
We decided that he must be the Designated Dancer. I was hoping for a cat fight out on the floor with both ladies tearing hair and clawing faces, but (sigh) it never happened. They shared him equally.
I must say that Lou is a hard dawg to keep on the porch. She wants to dance, dammit!
The bands' many fans added to our usual population yesterday. Many men were wearing burgundy-color knit shirts with "I Am A Night-blooming Jazz-maniac" writ large across the back.
Toward the end of their set, they announced their intent to play each of our military's "theme songs" to salute today's Veterans Day holiday. If you had served with that group, stand up! And they launched into "Anchors Away" and seven guys stood up, Richie among them. Next it was "Wild Blue Yonder" but we apparently have only two Air Force alumni. This all moved me to tears and I sat there daubing at wet cheeks with a Kleenex. I always tear up at our national anthem and this was similar. Otherwise, I never cry.
When the Marines' song began, a young guy, maybe 23 or 25, erupted from his chair and began doing a variation of an Irish step dance across the floor. Since I cannot imagine a Marine jumping around like a leprechaun, I found his actions strange. I doubt he's ever seen the inside of a Marine barracks because his shirt tail was hanging out over his cargo shorts, above his earth sandals. Marines always tuck their shirts in and very precisely, too.
Bernie was missing last month and when I asked, I was told "Hospice care at home." Lou was there then as she was yesterday. I saw her approach the band manager (?) - he's the guy who changes the signboard to reflect who is playing. But she struck out with him.
And then she did find a partner, a man we'd never seen before. He was shaved head bald with a bushy goatee. He seemed energetic enough and would prove to be indefatigable as he alternated dances with Lou and another woman! She was wearing white pants and a red shirt with tennis shoes and happily jigged and bobbed around. Lou had on a black dress and looked sedate in comparison.
We decided that he must be the Designated Dancer. I was hoping for a cat fight out on the floor with both ladies tearing hair and clawing faces, but (sigh) it never happened. They shared him equally.
I must say that Lou is a hard dawg to keep on the porch. She wants to dance, dammit!
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Sunday Op-Ed
I love the Sunday papers for the crossword puzzles and the op-ed pieces. I enjoy hearing what people are talking about and why.
Lately there has been a tremendous amount of bitching about Congress or the House or the Senate and usually all three. People are angry. And I'm tired of hearing all of the impotent rage when there is a very simple thing we can all do, regardless of political party affiliation.
Never vote for an incumbent. Never.
Whatever we elect will not last long enough to do any real damage to our country so why not bring in someone new? (Senators serve for six years; House members for only two.)
Lately there has been a tremendous amount of bitching about Congress or the House or the Senate and usually all three. People are angry. And I'm tired of hearing all of the impotent rage when there is a very simple thing we can all do, regardless of political party affiliation.
Never vote for an incumbent. Never.
Whatever we elect will not last long enough to do any real damage to our country so why not bring in someone new? (Senators serve for six years; House members for only two.)
Saturday, November 9, 2013
* Public Service Announcement *
Television viewing may be harmful to both your health and your finances.
A case in point: the Galumphies, Mr. and Mrs., were watching television and the Missus remarked on a commercial being shown that screamed "One in three adults will get shingles!"
She knew that shingles are related to chicken pox which most of us have had as children. She remembered that her case was so severe she even had the blisters on her gums! Surely, shingles were lurking just around the corner to pounce on her!
She turned to Himself, "Did you have chicken pox when you were a kit?" He shrugged and said, "Dunno" and turned his attentions back to the television.
The Missus reached out in alarm for their friend, "Raffish," who is a medical doctor. He thought the shot would be a good idea for Himself.
The very next afternoon, the Missus began her quest. She called their pharmacy and asked if they were giving that shot because she knew they were doing flu shots.
"Oh, no," the pharmacist said, "It has to be kept at a certain temperature and the process of delivering it to pharmacies could render it unusable."
She knew if she made an appointment with the doctor so much time would pass that she would have forgotten why she had wanted to see him. So she turned to Urgent Care instead. Yes, her favorite doctor was working; they were open until 7 p.m. but the pharmacy closed at 6.
Agitated, she turned to Himself and told him they had to leave right now! He turned balky and moodily said, "I don't know if I need this..." She threw up her hands and said, "Yes. You. Do" and they were off.
After spending 45 minutes in the reception area, they were called to the desk and told that since this was urgent care, insurance wouldn't cover it and they would have to pay it. She added that if they saw their "regular doctor" insurance would pay for it. They thanked her politely and went straight to the pharmacy across the lobby. They were told the shots are $210 per person.
On the way home, they decided that the next time they had to see a doctor, they'd ask for the shots but until that time came, they'd just take their chances.
The Missus, having gotten over sticker - rather shot - shock figured something out. The drug company could easily afford multiple commercials in prime time. Look what they charged per shot!
She resolved to ignore such ads in the future.
A case in point: the Galumphies, Mr. and Mrs., were watching television and the Missus remarked on a commercial being shown that screamed "One in three adults will get shingles!"
She knew that shingles are related to chicken pox which most of us have had as children. She remembered that her case was so severe she even had the blisters on her gums! Surely, shingles were lurking just around the corner to pounce on her!
She turned to Himself, "Did you have chicken pox when you were a kit?" He shrugged and said, "Dunno" and turned his attentions back to the television.
The Missus reached out in alarm for their friend, "Raffish," who is a medical doctor. He thought the shot would be a good idea for Himself.
The very next afternoon, the Missus began her quest. She called their pharmacy and asked if they were giving that shot because she knew they were doing flu shots.
"Oh, no," the pharmacist said, "It has to be kept at a certain temperature and the process of delivering it to pharmacies could render it unusable."
She knew if she made an appointment with the doctor so much time would pass that she would have forgotten why she had wanted to see him. So she turned to Urgent Care instead. Yes, her favorite doctor was working; they were open until 7 p.m. but the pharmacy closed at 6.
Agitated, she turned to Himself and told him they had to leave right now! He turned balky and moodily said, "I don't know if I need this..." She threw up her hands and said, "Yes. You. Do" and they were off.
After spending 45 minutes in the reception area, they were called to the desk and told that since this was urgent care, insurance wouldn't cover it and they would have to pay it. She added that if they saw their "regular doctor" insurance would pay for it. They thanked her politely and went straight to the pharmacy across the lobby. They were told the shots are $210 per person.
On the way home, they decided that the next time they had to see a doctor, they'd ask for the shots but until that time came, they'd just take their chances.
The Missus, having gotten over sticker - rather shot - shock figured something out. The drug company could easily afford multiple commercials in prime time. Look what they charged per shot!
She resolved to ignore such ads in the future.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Buy Yourself Into Celebrity Status!
No need in today's world to work to be noticed and fawned over. My dear, you can now buy paparazzi to follow your every public move!
H/T to Barbara McCullough who sent me an American Way inflight magazine because it had an article on British cooking. It also had an article on purchasing four paparazzi to follow you around taking pictures of adorable you.
This was, to say the least, a new concept to me. Bought and paid-for celebrity status? Why would anyone want that? Doesn't make sense, especially if you're on the lam from an irate spouse or in the Witness Protection program.
The article's author describes himself as having "a face best suited for AM radio in rural areas" that didn't bear any resemblance to any males of note.
But it turns out that didn't matter on the streets of Manhattan. People - perfectly ordinary people - stopped, looked and then crowded around taking photos with their phones of a person none of them had ever seen before (and likely would never see again) and asking for a shot with the "celebrity"!
I visited the Website - celeb4aday.com - to see what this purchased adoration might cost. The only package offered was for a full day of being escorted around and shown "famous, secret places" where celebs might be found as well, of course, as being one of them as well. "Look! I've got paparazzi, too!" pose, turn, smile.
Cities currently available are New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco and the cost was listed as $800.
Let me tell you a better deal. Richie and I both have cameras and we'd do it for $500. Both of us are as bold as brass and would have no compunction whatsoever about yelling, "Look! Look!" and pointing our fingers at you while bobbing and weaving to take your picture. And you'd have $300 left to pay for all the prints! What a Christmas card photo, eh?
H/T to Barbara McCullough who sent me an American Way inflight magazine because it had an article on British cooking. It also had an article on purchasing four paparazzi to follow you around taking pictures of adorable you.
This was, to say the least, a new concept to me. Bought and paid-for celebrity status? Why would anyone want that? Doesn't make sense, especially if you're on the lam from an irate spouse or in the Witness Protection program.
The article's author describes himself as having "a face best suited for AM radio in rural areas" that didn't bear any resemblance to any males of note.
But it turns out that didn't matter on the streets of Manhattan. People - perfectly ordinary people - stopped, looked and then crowded around taking photos with their phones of a person none of them had ever seen before (and likely would never see again) and asking for a shot with the "celebrity"!
I visited the Website - celeb4aday.com - to see what this purchased adoration might cost. The only package offered was for a full day of being escorted around and shown "famous, secret places" where celebs might be found as well, of course, as being one of them as well. "Look! I've got paparazzi, too!" pose, turn, smile.
Cities currently available are New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco and the cost was listed as $800.
Let me tell you a better deal. Richie and I both have cameras and we'd do it for $500. Both of us are as bold as brass and would have no compunction whatsoever about yelling, "Look! Look!" and pointing our fingers at you while bobbing and weaving to take your picture. And you'd have $300 left to pay for all the prints! What a Christmas card photo, eh?
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