Yes, finally a course on Grass Cutting coming to a University near you. Lets start with the basics: Make sure your mower has gas, you change the oil (and check it too) regularly, and keep all accessories in their assigned place nearby.
Lesson #1 be sure to never cut the same area twice, oops, what I meant to say was the same path (direction) twice in a row. You see, grass grows better if it is cut in different directions.
So today as I cut the grass I went in a different direction than the last time. Previously I have used the left to right diagonal cut and the right to left diagonal cut both are classic Broussard touches. Today I did the rectangle with the clockwise cut.
Somehow I got completely lost in thought while cutting and began wondering about a concentric circle cut and a parallelogram cut......whew....suddenly I realized I was just a moment off kilter. Happily, I returned to reality and thought about the objective of changing cutting directions was what? Getting the grass to grow better! WTF was I thinking? Do I really want the grass growing better so that I have to cut it better? Truly the dichotomy of this whole situation.
Next time I have class with Mr. Broussard I promise to report further on his infinitesimal and infinitive wisdom as it relates to grass cutting. BTW, Mr. Broussard is a proud, self-proclaimed proponent of Scott's Brand Grass stuff.
Peace Out!
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Saturday Morning Thoughts
How do you shake off the dirt associated with last night's experience? Move toward a more positive sphere? How is that for some psychobabble?
We had a second experience (outside the negative sphere of new car buying) worth note and deserving of some thought. After completing the process last night, exhausted, CJ and I went to Serrano's for some Mexican. Sorry, no restaurant report here, we were tired. I just know it was pretty darn good.
However, our server Astrid (who looked like a Jessica, she told us that and we agreed) was very courteous, helpful, and friendly. She was able to somehow smile us and serve us out of our exhausted negative doldrums (at least for a few minutes).
On the way out of the restaurant I stopped to tell the Manager that Astrid had done a good job for us....I prefaced the short talk with the words......"I know you probably are use to getting more complaints than compliments" (a subconscious correlation to my own job). His words were "Yes, we hear about all the complaints and when the experience was good, seldom do we hear about it."
Join me this week, I will be trying to catch people doing a good job and compliment them on it. Look at it as a way to increase the positive energy in the world and feel good about life. Yikes, it sounds a little hokie, but, what the heck.
Peace Out
We had a second experience (outside the negative sphere of new car buying) worth note and deserving of some thought. After completing the process last night, exhausted, CJ and I went to Serrano's for some Mexican. Sorry, no restaurant report here, we were tired. I just know it was pretty darn good.
However, our server Astrid (who looked like a Jessica, she told us that and we agreed) was very courteous, helpful, and friendly. She was able to somehow smile us and serve us out of our exhausted negative doldrums (at least for a few minutes).
On the way out of the restaurant I stopped to tell the Manager that Astrid had done a good job for us....I prefaced the short talk with the words......"I know you probably are use to getting more complaints than compliments" (a subconscious correlation to my own job). His words were "Yes, we hear about all the complaints and when the experience was good, seldom do we hear about it."
Join me this week, I will be trying to catch people doing a good job and compliment them on it. Look at it as a way to increase the positive energy in the world and feel good about life. Yikes, it sounds a little hokie, but, what the heck.
Peace Out
Friday, June 29, 2007
Is it just me?
Just came back from a New Car Dealership where we purchased for CJ her own brand new vehicle:
Why is it that now I feel like I need to take a bath? (having gone through the whole new car buying routine) Is this just me?
Geez, everyone in the fricking place is doing us a favor. They have just cut us the best fricking price. No one else in or near the dealership in a long time is getting this deal. Somehow the salesman or someone overwhelmed the Manager with thoughts that we are such a damn good people that they need to sell us a car for a $1,500 loss. And did I mention? Not everyone else is getting this deal. Just us, because we are so special.
It is a choreographed cliche' filled routine that everyone takes part in. With the salesman, the new car manager, the finance manager, and every person in the place giving us such a good damn deal, why do I feel compelled to take a bath? Or didn't I just do that? (PUN INTENDED)
Classic new car salesman lines:
"We just want to make 200 bucks over invoice"
"Since you are a referral, I'll............"
"I got special permission from the manager and I can only do that because you are a referral"
"I don't waste time trying to deal, I just get to the bottom line"
"What if I can get the manager to do........"
Finance Manager line:
"You don't have to get the credit insurance, but, if anything ever happens to you......"
"The best I can do is 6.45% (our answer: well we can do better at the Credit Union) Finance Guy: Wait a second, let me try this.......phone call......if they have a high credit score what is the best I can do?........oh, hey they knocked another 1.5% off"
If the best they can do at one moment is not the best they can do overall, then that begs the question.....What is the best they can do? Obviously, screw the customers.
I get the distinct impression that everyone at the dealership expects us to THANK them for all they did for us.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! (The actual sound of the screaming in my head) after having this experience.
Peace Out
Why is it that now I feel like I need to take a bath? (having gone through the whole new car buying routine) Is this just me?
Geez, everyone in the fricking place is doing us a favor. They have just cut us the best fricking price. No one else in or near the dealership in a long time is getting this deal. Somehow the salesman or someone overwhelmed the Manager with thoughts that we are such a damn good people that they need to sell us a car for a $1,500 loss. And did I mention? Not everyone else is getting this deal. Just us, because we are so special.
It is a choreographed cliche' filled routine that everyone takes part in. With the salesman, the new car manager, the finance manager, and every person in the place giving us such a good damn deal, why do I feel compelled to take a bath? Or didn't I just do that? (PUN INTENDED)
Classic new car salesman lines:
"We just want to make 200 bucks over invoice"
"Since you are a referral, I'll............"
"I got special permission from the manager and I can only do that because you are a referral"
"I don't waste time trying to deal, I just get to the bottom line"
"What if I can get the manager to do........"
Finance Manager line:
"You don't have to get the credit insurance, but, if anything ever happens to you......"
"The best I can do is 6.45% (our answer: well we can do better at the Credit Union) Finance Guy: Wait a second, let me try this.......phone call......if they have a high credit score what is the best I can do?........oh, hey they knocked another 1.5% off"
If the best they can do at one moment is not the best they can do overall, then that begs the question.....What is the best they can do? Obviously, screw the customers.
I get the distinct impression that everyone at the dealership expects us to THANK them for all they did for us.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! (The actual sound of the screaming in my head) after having this experience.
Peace Out
Thursday, June 28, 2007
WTA: Wife Joins the Party
Exciting news at the Edwards household: Wife Joins the WTA Party. Yes, Cynthia Jean steps up to the plate. How, you may ask? A retail store offered to have something done for a charge (which was resonably priced) but used an outside contractor to complete the service. CJ asked the contractor if they offered this service outside of the purview of the retail store and at a lower amount (key words). Yes, was the answer and a bargain was struck. Classic example of eliminating the "middle man". The "middle man" has for years made money for nothing more than being the go between or hook up between people. Go directly to the source and we all save money, shouldn't we? Definitely a proud moment down here at the ole homestead. CJ has joined the party!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
WTA: Subtle vs. Overt
These are actual (color that real) cases of WTA from our files:
Friend J calls someone he has contracted with to do work at a profit at his business and asks for a favor = Overt use Working the Angle.
Friend R uses the term "Big Dave" and is allowed entrance into an entertainment venue = Subtle use of Working the Angle.
Which is better.....Subtle, of course....there was no pressure for the subtle WTA to work and that is the beauty of it. Also, there is usually more joy for having worked that kind of angle.
Friend J calls someone he has contracted with to do work at a profit at his business and asks for a favor = Overt use Working the Angle.
Friend R uses the term "Big Dave" and is allowed entrance into an entertainment venue = Subtle use of Working the Angle.
Which is better.....Subtle, of course....there was no pressure for the subtle WTA to work and that is the beauty of it. Also, there is usually more joy for having worked that kind of angle.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Sky Wars: American vs. United
Just recently the wife and I and some friends had the pleasure or disgust to travel on both American Airlines and United Air Lines. Actually we traveled on both Airlines and they only traveled on American. Their return trip was just as harrowing as the going trip.
American Airlines:
Scheduled to depart NOLA for Dallas and then on to Reno on American Airlines. Start with an hour wait for departure (the back door sensor was going off although the back door was locked, someone had to sign off on it) from NOLA to Dallas, followed by a 30 minute wait for a gate in Dallas (it was occupied); we were then rerouted to another gate and had to wait another 30 minutes (the guy that directs the plane into the gate was not available) to deplane. Then we moved quickly (it took us 5 minutes) from our now new arrival gate to 8 gates down to board our connecting flight that had been held for us.........we boarded the flight to Reno and the announcement came that they were holding the flight for some more passengers coming from another connecting flight. They finally boarded after about an hour and then another announcement (another sensor problem and again someone had to sign off on it) so another 30 minutes to resolve the problem and we were airborne. From 8:45am to 5:45pm we were on board a plane all but 5 minutes. There were many announcements during the different situations that occurred on these planes and every time the announcement came it told us that in about 15, 20, or 45 minutes everything would be resolved. When we deplaned in Dallas I noticed that the crew was gone.....no where to be found.......usually they are there to greet you as you depart......not this time.
Of note: We all envisioned a nice leisurely lunch during the "wait time" between flights (which ended up with us moving quickly down 8 gates under extreme time pressure). No lunch. However, on board they did serve (for a nominal fee) a turkey wrap and some tater chips. Several comments made by the group later in the day indicated that the food came at an opportune time, but, that everyone had eaten so fast that no one was exactly sure the overall quality of the food. Suffice it to say, we were hungry and we didn't care.
Now the return trip!
United:
We arrived at the airport just about 7ish for an 8 o'clock departure. No lines through security and we were at the gate in no time at all. As we entered the gate area the wife and I noticed that the departure time being shown on the electronic board manned by UA employees indicated 7:45 am. A quick check of my flight info showed a 15 minute discrepancy. Before we could check this we were summoned on the plane and pulled away from the gate 15 minutes in advance of projected departure time.
The flight went without any hitches and we arrived ahead of schedule into Denver where we were able to leisurely enjoy a nice lunch from the Steak Escape. The fries with malt vinegar were great. Onto the next gate were we sat and saw two passengers for Orlando arrive at their gate (located in front of us) about 5 or more minutes before departure only to find the plane gone. One, in fact it appeared, had stopped off at the TCBY concession to pick up a snack that he was eating on only to find his plane had left him behind. After several angry minutes of him chewing on the UA employee (who by the way held his own and explained that in order to depart at the correct time one must be boarded within 30 minutes prior to take off and find themselves strapped into their seat). The UA employee rebooked the passenger and presented him with new tickets, pointed him in the direction of his new gate and the passenger apologized profusely for having come off like an ass. This whole attitude that our planes will be on time and in fact will leave as soon as possible was a refreshing one for us to encounter coming off the AA experience. Kudos to United! You won the this Sky War. BTW, again we backed away from the gate a good 10 minutes before take off and upon conclusion of the flight into MSY we found the flight crew at the door to greet us and thank us for flying United.
Early reports from our friends return trip included text messages about on plane delays, missed connections, and a call (in further disgust) about their general opinion about future usage of AA.
Winner of this War: United Airlines, Hands Down.
Peace Out.
American Airlines:
Scheduled to depart NOLA for Dallas and then on to Reno on American Airlines. Start with an hour wait for departure (the back door sensor was going off although the back door was locked, someone had to sign off on it) from NOLA to Dallas, followed by a 30 minute wait for a gate in Dallas (it was occupied); we were then rerouted to another gate and had to wait another 30 minutes (the guy that directs the plane into the gate was not available) to deplane. Then we moved quickly (it took us 5 minutes) from our now new arrival gate to 8 gates down to board our connecting flight that had been held for us.........we boarded the flight to Reno and the announcement came that they were holding the flight for some more passengers coming from another connecting flight. They finally boarded after about an hour and then another announcement (another sensor problem and again someone had to sign off on it) so another 30 minutes to resolve the problem and we were airborne. From 8:45am to 5:45pm we were on board a plane all but 5 minutes. There were many announcements during the different situations that occurred on these planes and every time the announcement came it told us that in about 15, 20, or 45 minutes everything would be resolved. When we deplaned in Dallas I noticed that the crew was gone.....no where to be found.......usually they are there to greet you as you depart......not this time.
Of note: We all envisioned a nice leisurely lunch during the "wait time" between flights (which ended up with us moving quickly down 8 gates under extreme time pressure). No lunch. However, on board they did serve (for a nominal fee) a turkey wrap and some tater chips. Several comments made by the group later in the day indicated that the food came at an opportune time, but, that everyone had eaten so fast that no one was exactly sure the overall quality of the food. Suffice it to say, we were hungry and we didn't care.
Now the return trip!
United:
We arrived at the airport just about 7ish for an 8 o'clock departure. No lines through security and we were at the gate in no time at all. As we entered the gate area the wife and I noticed that the departure time being shown on the electronic board manned by UA employees indicated 7:45 am. A quick check of my flight info showed a 15 minute discrepancy. Before we could check this we were summoned on the plane and pulled away from the gate 15 minutes in advance of projected departure time.
The flight went without any hitches and we arrived ahead of schedule into Denver where we were able to leisurely enjoy a nice lunch from the Steak Escape. The fries with malt vinegar were great. Onto the next gate were we sat and saw two passengers for Orlando arrive at their gate (located in front of us) about 5 or more minutes before departure only to find the plane gone. One, in fact it appeared, had stopped off at the TCBY concession to pick up a snack that he was eating on only to find his plane had left him behind. After several angry minutes of him chewing on the UA employee (who by the way held his own and explained that in order to depart at the correct time one must be boarded within 30 minutes prior to take off and find themselves strapped into their seat). The UA employee rebooked the passenger and presented him with new tickets, pointed him in the direction of his new gate and the passenger apologized profusely for having come off like an ass. This whole attitude that our planes will be on time and in fact will leave as soon as possible was a refreshing one for us to encounter coming off the AA experience. Kudos to United! You won the this Sky War. BTW, again we backed away from the gate a good 10 minutes before take off and upon conclusion of the flight into MSY we found the flight crew at the door to greet us and thank us for flying United.
Early reports from our friends return trip included text messages about on plane delays, missed connections, and a call (in further disgust) about their general opinion about future usage of AA.
Winner of this War: United Airlines, Hands Down.
Peace Out.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Make Me Stop
I have spent two hours a day for the last three days.....cutting grass, weed eating, cutting the rose bushes, re potting two plants, cutting things off my trees that is just growing out of them. Sure it is only a total of 6 hours. But, it is obviously an attempt by my subconscious to be rather Mike Broussardish. Help me. Is there no one out there that can make me stop?
Tomorrow I have plans to clean the garage! Yikes, yes, there I said it GARAGE. I know this area of my domain (the garage) is bound to stay clean for what three maybe four days? Until I clean it again in what 6 to 12 months?
Do I need to tell you what Broussard's garage looks like? C'mon, not a thing out of place! Perfect, damn it! Not only that, amongst the confines of his nice and neat little garage area he has a KEG FRIDGE. God Bless Him. About 6 or 6:30 most evenings he gently pulls on the handle to release the golden cold draft liquid. God Bless Him, I say. He is such a good guy that he shares his de oro frio cerveza. Everyone wants to be Like Mike. But there is a lot of work involved. I will just choose to me. In the meantime, someone please stop me.
Peace Out
Tomorrow I have plans to clean the garage! Yikes, yes, there I said it GARAGE. I know this area of my domain (the garage) is bound to stay clean for what three maybe four days? Until I clean it again in what 6 to 12 months?
Do I need to tell you what Broussard's garage looks like? C'mon, not a thing out of place! Perfect, damn it! Not only that, amongst the confines of his nice and neat little garage area he has a KEG FRIDGE. God Bless Him. About 6 or 6:30 most evenings he gently pulls on the handle to release the golden cold draft liquid. God Bless Him, I say. He is such a good guy that he shares his de oro frio cerveza. Everyone wants to be Like Mike. But there is a lot of work involved. I will just choose to me. In the meantime, someone please stop me.
Peace Out
Monday, June 11, 2007
Restaurant Review
The Great Wall - Chinese take-out tucked in the Rouse's Supermarket Shopping Area in Mandeville. Order: Mandarin Chicken, Shrimp Fried Rice, Vegetables, and Egg Roll. The wife had Boneless Chicken and the rest. She needed the Mandarin sauce because the chicken was too dry. None of either of these meals were of note. Cost $15.20 for take-out. There was a good amount of food. Rating - Just OK.
Mr. Perfect Lawn Man
You know him. He is in every neighborhood. He is in mine and his name is Mike Broussard. He cuts his grass twice a week. Waters it daily. I know that there are areas of his lawn that he actually cuts with a pair of scissors. Basically, he is as anal retentive as it comes when it comes to his grass. Sidebar: He is a great guy.
Being that most men have a competitive nature others try and without much luck to keep their lawns and gardens up to his standards. No way.
As for me, I do like a nice green lawn that has just been cut. I would prefer it if someone else is cutting it, but, I have relegated myself to the job. It is that or part with $80-100 a month. Not gonna do it. At least for now.
Besides the needed exercise, it can be some source of pride for me if it looks good (like right after it is cut). Main problem: I only have a dire need to cut it about every two weeks. That puts me 3 cuts behind Mr. Perfect Lawn Man.
Oh well, I have resolved to allow him to beat my ass in grass cutting. I will find other ways to beat his ass.
Being that most men have a competitive nature others try and without much luck to keep their lawns and gardens up to his standards. No way.
As for me, I do like a nice green lawn that has just been cut. I would prefer it if someone else is cutting it, but, I have relegated myself to the job. It is that or part with $80-100 a month. Not gonna do it. At least for now.
Besides the needed exercise, it can be some source of pride for me if it looks good (like right after it is cut). Main problem: I only have a dire need to cut it about every two weeks. That puts me 3 cuts behind Mr. Perfect Lawn Man.
Oh well, I have resolved to allow him to beat my ass in grass cutting. I will find other ways to beat his ass.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
That Damn iPOD
I have it rolling in the background as I search the net, check my email, and pay my bills and DAMN IT, it does it again.........carries me right back to the 70's.....straight out of the Mad Dogs and Englishmen Album comes the tune Delta Lady sung by the incomparable Joe Cocker. When I first saw him I thought he was a spaz, once I heard him.......damn he can sing.
This song transported me to the backyard pool of Mr. and Mrs. Rene' Tricou in Hammond just blocks from the Delt House. From an invite by Randy Tricou we would go over for a splash, some games, and get the chance to hear our Delt Chick Anthem.....Delta Lady. How good was life? Pretty Damn Good and we didn't have a clue or an inkling. Pressure free (except around finals) and stress free with no cares in the world. It was a peaceful time. I think we took things for granted back then or at least didn't realize how good we had it made. Retrospect.....Pretty Damn Good.
Next the iPOD cranked out Feeling Alright by Cocker.....I am fired up with no place to go.....its hell being old.
Thanks Tricous! You never failed to share the fun in your lives with those around you.
Peace Out
This song transported me to the backyard pool of Mr. and Mrs. Rene' Tricou in Hammond just blocks from the Delt House. From an invite by Randy Tricou we would go over for a splash, some games, and get the chance to hear our Delt Chick Anthem.....Delta Lady. How good was life? Pretty Damn Good and we didn't have a clue or an inkling. Pressure free (except around finals) and stress free with no cares in the world. It was a peaceful time. I think we took things for granted back then or at least didn't realize how good we had it made. Retrospect.....Pretty Damn Good.
Next the iPOD cranked out Feeling Alright by Cocker.....I am fired up with no place to go.....its hell being old.
Thanks Tricous! You never failed to share the fun in your lives with those around you.
Peace Out
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
WTA aka Working the Angle
This phrase was born out of the Salmen Fieldhouse back in the day when the Football Gods looked down upon the place with a smiles on their faces. Its meaning is diverse, it is an art form, and yet it is uncomplicated. To fully explain something of this higher nature one must sometimes start at the end to get to the beginning.
While I could expounded virtually limitlessly on this subject, today I will choose to make the following assertion:
One can work the angle without actually knowing they were working the angle. This is angle workage in its purist form. I am not sure that the reward in this WTA situation is as fully appreciated as when one has to practice the art of WTA.
Peace Out.
While I could expounded virtually limitlessly on this subject, today I will choose to make the following assertion:
One can work the angle without actually knowing they were working the angle. This is angle workage in its purist form. I am not sure that the reward in this WTA situation is as fully appreciated as when one has to practice the art of WTA.
Peace Out.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Time Travel via the iPOD
This morning on the way to work I plugged in my trusty iPOD, picked one of my playlists and punched the play button. Two songs into the playlist and a 70's anthem of sorts roared out of the speakers in my Tacoma. All Right Now by Free was cranking up big time in the cab.
Suddenly I was transported back in time. I am on summer vacation in Virginia and I receive a letter from one of my frat brothers Dennis Calkins. In his letter he catches me up on all the doings with all the brothers over the summer and tells me about a new bar in town called the "Help Session".
The help sessions I had become familiar with consisted of being able to go to one of the biology labs, peruse the specimens (be they cut up frogs or other animals) or look through microscopes at organisms and the like. A grad student was usually present to answer questions about whatever was out for view. Because whatever was out for view was definitely going to be on the lab test. Many a lab test consisted of simply identifying parts of the frog or names/spelling of the organism you would see in the microscope.
The Help Session Bar evolved as a partnership involving a fraternity brother and his real life brother. A college town, a bar, and a fraternity. It would become for all Delts in that era "our" hangout, "our" watering hole, and "our" place.
All important dates by the brothers started at, went through, or ended up at the Help Session. Several proposals took place there.....but I am not sure they were all real. Many a magical kiss, relationship, or meeting took place there.
One night we celebrated in style on the day we won the Southeastern Intramural Flag Football Championship. It was the pivotal event that firmly cemented Epsilon Phi Chapter of Delta Tau Delta as a force to be reckoned with on the Southeastern campus. A newly formed chapter of a national fraternity trying to find itself of campus was lead by its number one member Mike Sharp. Truly a rough and tough type guy who knew the importance of bringing his brothers together for a common cause (especially intramural football which was huge on campus) and how it could catapult them into the highest level of fraternity status. It became a signal that not only could a group of smart guys get together and have fun, but, dominate on the playing field.
That celebratory night everyone enjoyed and reveled in the victory. None more than Mike Sharp as he realized just exactly what this meant for the chapter for years to come. One thing about Mike, a type A personality, not only could he lead, but, he could party. What a night!
Sorry for that digression.
Back to the Help Session: Mix drinks i.e. Bourbon and Coke were $.25 cents a piece. Draft Beer, the same. I might have spent more time in the place than in an actual classroom during the time it was up and running. I spent many a quarter in the place and the Sledge brothers were that much the richer. That was up until they hired me on to check ID's at the door. Talk about the Fox watching the Hen House. Oh My God, did I die and go to heaven? Not only could I determine who was in or out of the place, but, I worked for drinks. Huh? I could not believe the luck. I took my job quite seriously.............ok, for four maybe five minutes.......until that first beautiful co-ed that was near 18 (but not quite 18) batted her eyelids, or sweetly asked, cajoled, or worked her way in the door. It was at that door where I learned one of the most important lessons in life: How to work the angle. More on that in another post. Back to the place. If I wasn't King then I was damn near the Prince of the place.
This morning as that iPOD blared I could smell the spilled beer, see the regulars at their barstools, see the smiling faces of my brothers (the Hahn Brothers, Dennis, Mike and Susie, Greg and Tommy and more), see the coeds, see the bartenders, look through the haze, and hear Free cranking out All Right Now. I had, for a brief moment in time, been transported back to the Help Session. A good, warm feeling came over me for that 5 minutes 33 seconds........I was back in time, I was home.
Peace Out.
Suddenly I was transported back in time. I am on summer vacation in Virginia and I receive a letter from one of my frat brothers Dennis Calkins. In his letter he catches me up on all the doings with all the brothers over the summer and tells me about a new bar in town called the "Help Session".
The help sessions I had become familiar with consisted of being able to go to one of the biology labs, peruse the specimens (be they cut up frogs or other animals) or look through microscopes at organisms and the like. A grad student was usually present to answer questions about whatever was out for view. Because whatever was out for view was definitely going to be on the lab test. Many a lab test consisted of simply identifying parts of the frog or names/spelling of the organism you would see in the microscope.
The Help Session Bar evolved as a partnership involving a fraternity brother and his real life brother. A college town, a bar, and a fraternity. It would become for all Delts in that era "our" hangout, "our" watering hole, and "our" place.
All important dates by the brothers started at, went through, or ended up at the Help Session. Several proposals took place there.....but I am not sure they were all real. Many a magical kiss, relationship, or meeting took place there.
One night we celebrated in style on the day we won the Southeastern Intramural Flag Football Championship. It was the pivotal event that firmly cemented Epsilon Phi Chapter of Delta Tau Delta as a force to be reckoned with on the Southeastern campus. A newly formed chapter of a national fraternity trying to find itself of campus was lead by its number one member Mike Sharp. Truly a rough and tough type guy who knew the importance of bringing his brothers together for a common cause (especially intramural football which was huge on campus) and how it could catapult them into the highest level of fraternity status. It became a signal that not only could a group of smart guys get together and have fun, but, dominate on the playing field.
That celebratory night everyone enjoyed and reveled in the victory. None more than Mike Sharp as he realized just exactly what this meant for the chapter for years to come. One thing about Mike, a type A personality, not only could he lead, but, he could party. What a night!
Sorry for that digression.
Back to the Help Session: Mix drinks i.e. Bourbon and Coke were $.25 cents a piece. Draft Beer, the same. I might have spent more time in the place than in an actual classroom during the time it was up and running. I spent many a quarter in the place and the Sledge brothers were that much the richer. That was up until they hired me on to check ID's at the door. Talk about the Fox watching the Hen House. Oh My God, did I die and go to heaven? Not only could I determine who was in or out of the place, but, I worked for drinks. Huh? I could not believe the luck. I took my job quite seriously.............ok, for four maybe five minutes.......until that first beautiful co-ed that was near 18 (but not quite 18) batted her eyelids, or sweetly asked, cajoled, or worked her way in the door. It was at that door where I learned one of the most important lessons in life: How to work the angle. More on that in another post. Back to the place. If I wasn't King then I was damn near the Prince of the place.
This morning as that iPOD blared I could smell the spilled beer, see the regulars at their barstools, see the smiling faces of my brothers (the Hahn Brothers, Dennis, Mike and Susie, Greg and Tommy and more), see the coeds, see the bartenders, look through the haze, and hear Free cranking out All Right Now. I had, for a brief moment in time, been transported back to the Help Session. A good, warm feeling came over me for that 5 minutes 33 seconds........I was back in time, I was home.
Peace Out.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Restaurant Report: Frankie and Johnny's
I guess you could say this has been a Johnny restaurant weekend. First Johnny and Joyce's on Friday and now Frankie and Johnny's on Saturday.
While in New Orleans for a reunion at my old grade school/church (where I went to fifth grade and later served as an altar boy during my high school years........SHUT UP) St. Francis of Assissi........as the party wound down we took a suggestion for a place to eat and went back to one of my old stomping grounds. Frankie and Johnny's is in fact literally around the corner from where I use to live (Annunciation Street) at a much younger part of my life.
Being in the school cafeteria, seeing old friends, driving around the neighborhood, and eating at F & J's brought back a lot of good memories. It is amazing how many of your childhood friends appear to look the same as they did years ago......I know I need an eye checkup.......but nonetheless it was good time.
So on to my report:
Appetizer - Onion Rings - hot and excellent.
Entree - the wife and I split a Hot Roast Beef Po-Boy - very good.
2 Ice Teas
$25 tax, title, and tip
Rating:****Pretty Damn Good
This restaurant is one of your quintessential New Orleans neighborhood restaurants. At one time the menu was vast with many choices. It was almost like you could eat there everynight for two or three months without having the same thing twice. Post Katrina it has a severely limited menu.
An interesting point to bring up here is that this is a place that has taken on a noteriety of being a very good neighborhood restaurant and that fact has been spread not only in print but all over the internet. Hence it has become a "tourist" must go to place. Some tourists, much like myself, like to eat in the small out of the way joints that have good comfort food. While I always search out that information when I take a trip, enough out of towners have found this place when coming to NOLA. Reports of some dip in the quality of food due to this "tourist" business had circulated for a few years. I believe the pared down menu has brought it standards back up (if in fact that demise was true) to the old days!
While in New Orleans for a reunion at my old grade school/church (where I went to fifth grade and later served as an altar boy during my high school years........SHUT UP) St. Francis of Assissi........as the party wound down we took a suggestion for a place to eat and went back to one of my old stomping grounds. Frankie and Johnny's is in fact literally around the corner from where I use to live (Annunciation Street) at a much younger part of my life.
Being in the school cafeteria, seeing old friends, driving around the neighborhood, and eating at F & J's brought back a lot of good memories. It is amazing how many of your childhood friends appear to look the same as they did years ago......I know I need an eye checkup.......but nonetheless it was good time.
So on to my report:
Appetizer - Onion Rings - hot and excellent.
Entree - the wife and I split a Hot Roast Beef Po-Boy - very good.
2 Ice Teas
$25 tax, title, and tip
Rating:****Pretty Damn Good
This restaurant is one of your quintessential New Orleans neighborhood restaurants. At one time the menu was vast with many choices. It was almost like you could eat there everynight for two or three months without having the same thing twice. Post Katrina it has a severely limited menu.
An interesting point to bring up here is that this is a place that has taken on a noteriety of being a very good neighborhood restaurant and that fact has been spread not only in print but all over the internet. Hence it has become a "tourist" must go to place. Some tourists, much like myself, like to eat in the small out of the way joints that have good comfort food. While I always search out that information when I take a trip, enough out of towners have found this place when coming to NOLA. Reports of some dip in the quality of food due to this "tourist" business had circulated for a few years. I believe the pared down menu has brought it standards back up (if in fact that demise was true) to the old days!
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Restaurant Report: Johnny & Joyce's
Got a call from one of my buds querying a restaurant.....something he and his wife hadn't tried......after floating several names I suggested this place and they asked us to join them and another couple. We were in. We totaled out at six.
Lets start with the drinks....Beer $2 and Ice Tea $1.99 (of course with numerous refills).
This is what the group had:
Onion Rings - good, lots.
Stuffed Artichoke Heart - didn't last long
Fried Crawfish Po-Boy - Randall couldn't finish it all
Fried Fish, Shrimp, Oysters - very good and lots of them
Cindy and I went with our usual - the combo (13.98) shrimp and oysters with garlic potatoes - certainly enough for two people (sometimes with leftovers) - love the oysters in cornmeal and the shrimp are not bad in it, too. I just prefer shrimp in seasoned flour. Potatoes were chucks with butter, garlic, and parsley - good stuff.
This is the definitive neighborhood restaurant stuck in a strip mall. These people relocated from Chalmette to Mandeville after the storm. They brought with them some damn good cooking techniques.
Rating: Pretty Damn Good.
Lets start with the drinks....Beer $2 and Ice Tea $1.99 (of course with numerous refills).
This is what the group had:
Onion Rings - good, lots.
Stuffed Artichoke Heart - didn't last long
Fried Crawfish Po-Boy - Randall couldn't finish it all
Fried Fish, Shrimp, Oysters - very good and lots of them
Cindy and I went with our usual - the combo (13.98) shrimp and oysters with garlic potatoes - certainly enough for two people (sometimes with leftovers) - love the oysters in cornmeal and the shrimp are not bad in it, too. I just prefer shrimp in seasoned flour. Potatoes were chucks with butter, garlic, and parsley - good stuff.
This is the definitive neighborhood restaurant stuck in a strip mall. These people relocated from Chalmette to Mandeville after the storm. They brought with them some damn good cooking techniques.
Rating: Pretty Damn Good.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Life Lesson
Tonight for all of you out in Blogdom I have these words: I pity those of you unable to have contact with the Philosophical Genius of Our Time --- Professor RMS. For it is without the ability to be in contact with, interact with, study at the feet of, or just be friends with this man that the less fortunate of you in Mankind........lose out.
I am forever bound to spread his message and its meaning to one and all.
Read these words as written by the MASTER himself in a comment to one of my earlier posts:
Oh the pain !!! My eyes well up with tears as my heart aches after being shot with the arrow of censorship. Censorship: That demon that bares its fangs at the feet of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I ask you, oh wise sage of blogdom, how can we , as defenders of truth, justice and angle-workage, in clear conscience hold back the wisdom that we possess from those that seek it??? Is it not our duty, nay our destiny, to spread these words that WE know to be true to all. And if we do not, are we not as guilty as those we seek to expose??? Change and reform do not come without risk, my friend. If we're going to leave this world a better place than how we found it, we must NOT sit back and wait for change to happen on its own. How many times have we criticized those who choose to be reactive when they should be proactive??? I leave you with this single thought: In order to make an omelet, you've got to break a few eggs. Bon appetit !!!
Sheer Fucking Genius!
I apologize profusely for allowing the Censorship to take place. However, I am reminded of a certain individual who just yesterday was relieved of their employment for having placed words on a blog. Big Brother has a way of reaching out into the Blogosphere and slapping down those of us that would seek truth, justice, and the American way. Although I must say I am not certain what the "American Way" is anymore? As for Angle-workage I hope to pour forth a treatise on this in a blog to come.
Profound statment for today: "What you get, is what you got." John Mayer from the recording: Waiting on the World to Change. An obvious reference from this singer/songwriter that he too knows/relates to/believes in the genius that is Prof. RMS.
Peace Out.
I am forever bound to spread his message and its meaning to one and all.
Read these words as written by the MASTER himself in a comment to one of my earlier posts:
Oh the pain !!! My eyes well up with tears as my heart aches after being shot with the arrow of censorship. Censorship: That demon that bares its fangs at the feet of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I ask you, oh wise sage of blogdom, how can we , as defenders of truth, justice and angle-workage, in clear conscience hold back the wisdom that we possess from those that seek it??? Is it not our duty, nay our destiny, to spread these words that WE know to be true to all. And if we do not, are we not as guilty as those we seek to expose??? Change and reform do not come without risk, my friend. If we're going to leave this world a better place than how we found it, we must NOT sit back and wait for change to happen on its own. How many times have we criticized those who choose to be reactive when they should be proactive??? I leave you with this single thought: In order to make an omelet, you've got to break a few eggs. Bon appetit !!!
Sheer Fucking Genius!
I apologize profusely for allowing the Censorship to take place. However, I am reminded of a certain individual who just yesterday was relieved of their employment for having placed words on a blog. Big Brother has a way of reaching out into the Blogosphere and slapping down those of us that would seek truth, justice, and the American way. Although I must say I am not certain what the "American Way" is anymore? As for Angle-workage I hope to pour forth a treatise on this in a blog to come.
Profound statment for today: "What you get, is what you got." John Mayer from the recording: Waiting on the World to Change. An obvious reference from this singer/songwriter that he too knows/relates to/believes in the genius that is Prof. RMS.
Peace Out.
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