Last weekend I made lobster tail on the grill.  Lots of garlic butter.  Perfection.

It was nothing short of phenomenal.  And much better than that John Travolta movie: Phenomenon.

I also grilled up a flat iron steak.  Once more: perfection.  It could have been the centerfold in World’s Sexiest Steaks magazine.

Wine flowed into and out of wine glasses throughout each meal.  To the casual observer it might have seemed as if the bottles were emptied by some supernatural force or perhaps by that rare and elusive creature, the Pinot Fairy.

It is quite possible no meals will ever compare.  And so I am giving up food.

…

OK – giving up food lasted about 10 second and I type now with cookie in mouth.  Terrible idea. 

Last night there was an attendee party at the Bellevue Arts Museum or BAM.  It was for Pro Photo Summit.  They had mini hamburgers.  They also had tiny chicken salad sandwiches and tempura bananas and more.  Alcohol was ever-present.  We had a VIP lounge.  Our own tray of mini burgers.  More wine. 

Tonight is Chiso.  Top-rated sushi in Seattle.  There will be sushi the likes of which has never been seen.  Except the last 3 times I was there.  I saw it.  I ate it.  Tonight, I repeat it.

I think food is like, really good.  Wine, too…  Yeah.

Cheers.

It’s been a while since I had a chance to sit down and focus on this neglected blog but I’ve been wanting to write about my awesome vacation weekend. 

Karin and I drove out to Portland on Friday for her sister Robin’s graduation from Lewis and Clark Law School.  Also, I met her whole family.  Everyone was really cool and we got along pretty darn well, I thought. 

Anyway, we had all sorts of good times.  We stayed in a rental house in Rockaway Beach.  Highlights included a trip to Oregon Wine Country, playing Uno until midnight, bonfire on the beach and a chartered fishing trip off the coast. 

Stats:

Fish caught (between 11 of us): 78

S’mores eaten: 2

Marshmallows lost: 1

Wines tasted: 45+

Writer’s block is blocking writing,

Brain and I are always fighting.

Struggling words that fail to surface,

Sometimes nothing makes me nervous. 

I rant. 

I rave. 

I was scruffy.  Finally shaved. 

Things to do, a list to make, goal to shoot for, pass to fake. 

So tired but wide awake. 

Allow me to reiterate. 

Time is: chips on the table and music replayed, beige-colored tablecloth draping the day.

The only rainbow in this blandscape

are the m&m’s that did escape... the grasp of hands and teeth of doom.  

KC is my sunshine in a windowless room. 

I am happy but need cheese. 

Listen please. 

No weak end to my weekend.  

I need a drink. 

Finally get a day off and maybe time to think. 

Gotta rest and recoup - Panera sandwich, cup of soup. 

Energize for oncoming daze, open mind, no time to waste. 

Estimate budgets and budget your time. 

Strike that, reverse it, glass of red wine. 

Catch up on sleep and catch up with friends. 

OK not knowing how stories will end.   

As some of you may have heard, my poor Canon SD400 bit the dust a few weeks back while visiting Death Valley.  Actually, it was sand, not dust.  We visited the sand dunes near Stovepipe Wells and I put my camera in a sand-filled pocket.  Not the smartest move ever especially since I know better. 

In any case, Karin still had her Canon A520 with her so all was not lost.  I took over the use of her camera for the rest of the trip.  Unfortunately, her camera has had a problem from day one.  Almost every time the lens extends, the little shutter does not open all the way and you have to nudge it with your finger.

Well, today I was going through some of our pictures from Orange County and discovered a couple pictures where this had happened and the subsequent retake.

The odd thing is, after comparing the difference I found that I LIKED the look of the pictures where the shutter did not open all the way.  I’m not saying it is an example of good photography or that it is a better shit, but it gives the scene a unique perspective, in my opinion. 

And so, I have posted a few pictures from our trip to Laguna Beach.  The last 4 pictures are an example of a before and after of 2 scenes.  You be the judge.  Which is more interesting, the straight shot or the one with the shutter partially closed?  And for the record, I’m a big fan of my last picture.  à

Needless to say, after the trip, we both sent out camera into the Canon service center.

As always, if you get the urge, comment below.

It is an art.

It tastes so damn good!  I can eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner and never get tired of it.  You can use it as dip with pita chips or make a sandwich.  Make your own hot pockets out of Pillsbury biscuits!  Add curry powder for a little spice.  Add celery and grapes for a fresh crunch.  The possibilities are endless!

And so, I ask all of you to come together in my time of need.  What crazy chicken salad recipes do you have for me?

Here are some runners up:

#1) Chocolate Chip Curry Chicken Salad

-          I think the chocolate here really plays off the curry, giving it a dark, spicy sweet aroma and a flavor that would tame Count Chocula himself.

#2) Cheesy Chicken Salad

-          It is a known fact that cheese makes everything better.  This chicken salad contains 3 kinds: cheddar, smoked mozzarella and pepper jack for added spice.  For a little crunch, throw in some Cheetos bits.

#3) Cookies N Cream Chicken Salad

-          Finally, chicken and Oreos come together in glorious harmony.  A match made in heaven, the cookie bits tantalize the taste buds and the sweet creamy filling brings delight to kids of all ages.  Sweet and savory and directly responsible for Nabisco’s forthcoming Chicken Salad-filled Oreos.  Great for dunking in ice cold milk or a bowl of gravy!

My friends!  The time has come.  Are you brave enough to venture forth into the unknown and discover with me the plethora of poultry possibilities?!  

Or are you…chicken?* 

                                                                                  *denotes comedy GOLD

Comment below

Karin and I went to Death Valley last weekend.  It was the perfect time to go.  Not too hot, not too crowded.  It was peaceful and scenic and we were cut off from all phones and email.  Sweet. 

It is probably the most beautiful place I have ever been too.  There is such a variety of scenery from sand dunes, to salt flats, to canyons and mountains.  Nature is king here and you have no choice but to be in awe of it all. 

We toured Scotty’s Castle, a Spanish-style castle built in the early to mid-1900s and way ahead of it’s time.  We hiked into several canyons, drove through a small sandstorm, tumbled in sand dunes, tasted salt from the salt flats and saw stars brighter and more clearly than I ever have in my life.

It was an amazing trip.

I’ve posted 2 new photo albums to the right.  The first contains highlights from Death Valley.  The second contains some pics in and around Vegas during the off hours from work at Mix06. à

“There are some things one cannot put into words, emotions, that surge through the heart; scenes, that fill us, and thrill us, and woo us; such was the scene that we looked upon last night. Something about the clear desert atmosphere seems to make the moonlight brighter than anywhere else in the world, and to glorify it. And the great mountains rise in the splendor of it all.” -- quote by Mrs. Bessie Johnson from Death Valley Scotty by Mabel © 1932

1932

Comments located below.

On Saturday, Karin and I took an impromptu day trip to Port Townsend.  We didn’t have any plans and it was a nice day.  To top it off, I’d never been, so when she thought it up, it was full speed ahead!  BRILLIANT!

I whipped us up a quick picnic lunch of chicken salad and some diet cokes and off we went.  It was a little cold, but nice weather, so the sunroof was open and the tunes were up.  We made the 11:30am ferry from Edmonds and were across the water by noon. 

We had lunch on the beach at Fort Worden State Park.  Chicken salad and sundried tomato & pesto pita chips are a match made in heaven.  So was the company, for that matter. J We walked along the beach and went up to the lighthouse.  There were brilliant rocks and shells of all colors along the shore and gulls soaring overhead. 

I took the opportunity to try out my new 18-200 VR lens.  What a difference!  The flexibility in wide angle and zoom renders my old lens obsolete.  Some pics can be seen to the right. à

After the beach, we drove into town and went through some of the shops.  I found a couple of books at a used bookstore and, after a brief moment of confusion in which I lost my girlfriend in a one-room store (I’m special!), we had a couple of beers in a restaurant bar.  Afterward, we headed back home.

All in all, the trip was a success and we had a great time together, as usual.  The next day we had lunch at Gasworks Park, which somehow I had never been to.  It was good.  And that’s an understatement.

I’ve been wanting to update for some time but every time I sit down, I don’t know what to write about.  So I figured I should just start writing and see what happens. 

Hot Cuban sandwiches are good.  It’s a sandwich that has ham AND pork on it, along with cheese on some sort of Cuban bread.  I am of the belief that the more pig that is in a sandwich, the better.  If only I could get some bacon… PIGS IS MAGIC!  I also recommend pairing it with an iced Americano and some sunshine.

So here I am at the Gaylord Palms Resort in sunny Florida.  In addition to eating Cuban sandwiches, I’m really here providing tech support for Microsoft at a tradeshow.  In between supporting the clients I have walked around the premises a bit.  This hotel is pretty sweet.  Here are some things I have seen:

A swimming pool with a large stone octopus slide.

Lots of koi swimming around an indoor pond.

A restaurant on a sailboat.

Live alligators.  Inside.

Don’t believe me?  Check out the pics.  à

On another note, I have been sticking to my guns and haven’t had a drop of wine or any dessert sine Lent began.  Some of you may be going huhWHAT?!  Yes, I’m not officially Christian or usually a very religious person.  But on occasion, I have begun attending Catholic mass with Karin.  I may not know or understand all of what goes on, but I believe and feel like I do get something out of it.  Since I don’t go all the time and don’t practice religiously (ha!) I guess you could call me a Halflic!  And so we both decided to give up wine and sweets for 40 days.  Wine is hardest for her and sweets are hardest for me.  And everywhere I go, I am walking past some bakery and every dinner I have comes with a wine recommendation.  It’s not easy but I think that it will be good for me.  I believe everyone giving up something will be better for it.

I sure could go for a glass of wine and a piece of pie to dunk in it… 

I saw this ad for some new adidas shoes called Gigaride.  If you explore the site, you will soon discover, like I did, that these shoes are powered by a rhinoceros.  Ok, I’m lying, SEVERAL rhinoceri or rhinoceroses, if you prefer.  How can you not buy these shoes?!  Think of what can be accomplished with this amazing rhino power!  It makes me wonder what else in life can be improved by harnessing the powers of these amazing creatures…

Let’s explore the possibilities in my new segment,

The Resourceful Rhinocerous: Nature’s Prodigious Pachyderm.

Scenario 1:  The rhinocerous tricycle

                        - In a surprise move, Mattel and Hasbro joined forces and scoured the plains of Africa.  There they found some rhinos that had each coincidentally lost one of their front legs.  Bringing them back to the States, the rhinos are equipped with saddles, handlebars and a bell.  Children sit atop their Rhino-trikes ™ and race around the neighborhoods without fear of getting hit by cars.

Scenario 2:  RhinoceResuscitation

-          Do to a shortage of medical staff at Overlake Hospital, an abandoned herd of rhinos are trained from a young age as R.E.M.T.s or Rhino Emergency Medical Technicians.  Speeding around in an oversized ambulance, they arrive at the scene of horrific accidents breathing life back into unconscious citizens.  They do this with utmost care, of course.

Well, I guess this is what happens when I start writing with no outline and too much caffeine.  Cheers!

P.S. - Be sure to check out the prototype pictured below.  Comments welcome.

Start at 4pm with 2 pints of Guinness at Kell’s Irish Pub.

Follow up with one glass of Fin du Monde at Chateau de Karin.

Mix with some cheese and crackers.

Let sit for 30 min.

Start drinking red wine at Tutta Bella.

Add pizza.  Add coconut gelato.  Add tiramisu.  

Finish wine.

Take one shot of espresso.

Move on to Triangle Pub.

Drink 3+ Captain Morgan and Diet Coke.

Slam the Crown and Red Bull that appears in front of you.

Stumble home.  Pass out.  Be glad you walked.

Don’t do this on a Sunday night.  Really.  Especially when you have work to do the next day.  For the love of God, do this when you can sleep all day the next day.  Trust me on this.

That being said I’d do it again in a heartbeat!

Cheers.

2 NEW photo albums added!

-          The Oregon Coast

-          NW Garden & Flower Show

Check them out à

The Oregon Coast

Friday afternoon, KC and I took off for the Oregon Coast.  In the near-eleven years I have lived in the Seattle area, I somehow never made it out there.  So we decided with the nice weather and free weekend, we’d best make the most of it.  My car was begging to be driven and we flew without haste across the Washington border and into Oregon.  Roads?  Where we’re going we don’t need roads!

First stop: Portland.  We stopped for the night here to stay with Karin’s sister, Robin.  We had a great dinner at Jake’s Crawfish, which is like a McCormick and Schmicks but BETTER.  Wine.  Bread.  Salmon stuffed with crab, shrimp and brie…  My mouth is still watering.  Seriously, I am sitting in drool right now.  Clean up!

After that, we met some of Robin’s friends at Scooter’s for drinks.  This is where I discovered that drinking in Portland is awesome, because it is way cheaper!  A round of drinks that would have come close to $40 in Seattle was about $18.  So Scooter’s was good times.  There may have been jello shots involved…  And I may have started to pass out at the bar… And I MAY have gotten hit by a car.  Ok – the car part isn’t true, but the rest…    :)

The next morning, we woke up early, re-hydrated and went to breakfast at Cameos.  I knew I’d like it when the sign said “Best Breakfast…”  It was pretty damn good, I must say.  The best?  Up for debate. 

Stuffed with breakfast, we said our goodbyes and were off to the coast.   There was one important checkpoint along the way, first.  It would change my life forever.  The Tillamook Cheese Factory.  The glory of this place still almost brings tears to my eyes and my experience was such that I can’t bear to speak of it.  Suffice to say, if someone were to stab me today, I would bleed cheese.

We went to Cape Lookout and walked along the beach there.  The sun was out and it was nice to get some exercise after sitting in the car for so long.  Just walking along the beach was worth the drive.  After that we headed to Cape Meares and saw the lighthouse.  The view from there was pretty spectacular.  Before we left, KC said I have to see the “Octopus Tree.”  I’ve never heard of an Octopus tree or seen one until then.  I guess they are kind of rare.  If you ever run into one, you will know it.  Definitely, it is a strange sight to behold – massive trunk, with upturned branches all around stretching into the sky.  We stayed there quite a while until the sun set and then headed toward our destination for the night – Cannon Beach. 

Cannon Beach has no cannons that I saw.  But there was no time to be disappointed about that while we had a stellar dinner at The Wayfarer right by the fireplace!  Rex Hill pinot noir, halibut and the best crab cakes ever.  They really were the best to all you naysayers out there. :)  The chocolate crème brulee was amazing.  The chef there really is something special and if you’re in the area, it would be a travesty to not dine there.  Between that and the company, it couldn’t have been a more perfect end to an amazing day.

Yes, I know – my story’s getting a bit long.  Well, you could stop reading.  Free country and all.  But, what if you miss something that would blow your mind?!  It’s not every day a man gets in a fight with 2 bears while at the same time putting out the fire that broke out in his hotel room!!  Too bad that didn’t happen – it sure would make for an exciting story.  What did happen is relaxing on Cannon Beach near the Haystack.  The Haystack is a big rock formation that looks like a …wait for it…that’s right – a haystack!  I didn’t get right up to it, but I have it on good authority that the Haystack is covered in a lot of bird crap.  The bakery in town makes Haystack bread that’s modeled after the rock formation minus the bird crap.  It tastes a lot better, too. I used it later that night combined with 2 kinds of Tillamook cheese to end our trip with the best grilled cheese sandwiches.  Ever.  :)

Expect pictures to be posted soon. 

Expect the unexpected.

And, lastly, expect the after-effects of a cheese-filled weekend.

P.S. – stay tuned for my iTrip rant! Coming soon to a blog near you.

Hotel Del Coronado

There’s sun.  A beach.  And a big historic hotel.  Pretty sweet.

The rooms are big, the elevator is a cage with an operator and the beers cost close to $7 a piece.  Good times!

Oh – did I mention that it’s supposedly HAUNTED!  Yep, legend has it that the ghost of Kate Morgan roams the hotel grounds.  Now, I haven’t seen any ghosts but I have heard some stories.  Enough to creep me out a little.  Someone keeps banging on my ceiling, but it’s kids upstairs… OR IS IT?! :)

Well, ghost or no, enjoy round one of pics. à

Hey, listen up!

Why’d you come to this space?

Did you think it would be entertaining?

How you doin’? What’s up?

Let me show you a place

You can visit where good times are reigning.

Do I look like I bite?

Why you waiting? Come in!

Have a drink, turn it up, party down.

Are you feeling alright?

Having fun’s not a sin.

Raise a toast, fill your cup, ‘nother round!

In this castle, I’m king

And my rule is unwavering:

I insist that you have a good time.

You can drink, dance and sing

And hear stories worth saving.

Most nights it won’t cost you a dime.

The door’s always open.**

The ice bucket’s full.

Come alone or feel free to bring friends.

It will never be dull

(Or at least so we’re hopin’)

‘Til sunrise and night’s at an end.

Cheers.

**Note: Figure of speech.  Sometimes it's locked.