The Cape of Cod

Cindy and I just returned from Cape Cod where we had a great time with our friends Anne and John Hummingbird.  Lots of fun and travel, actually spent a lot of time looking for lost dogs.  More on that later.  Peace Out, enjoy the pics.

ON LOCATION: My Brother's Keeper

On the set of the movie: My Brother's Keeper...maybe even in a couple of shots????

Non-speaking part...wondering if any of my shots make the cut???

Hollywood here I come...NOT!

Peace Upon You

Viva Wrestling

More Food Stories....Imagine that.....

In keeping with a theme developed by Cindy...we did a Birthday Week food trip in her honor.

On her actual Birthday...dinner at Cafe Lynn....9.6 rating....drinks, salad, eggplant sticks, fish special....OMG...so good.

The Celebratory Dinner....The Rib Room in the Omni Royal Orleans....OMG...one of the top meals over the past year......Crab Cake (very good, but, small and $12), Prime Rib that was "sizzled" with a thick au jus (yum, yum).....Buttery, Melt in your Freaking Mouth good, came with the standard baked potato (average)...opted, however, to also try a side order of Mac and Cheese with an tasso cream sauce (the leftovers were also excellent two days later)...this flat out was great and melt in your mouth, too. 9.3 rating...unimpressed with the service.

Liuzza's - Lunch...catfish plate, real french fries, cold Coors light in the schooner...ALWAYS GOOD! Sidebar - Cole Slaw is excellent here and you get it as a amuse bouche. Consistent home run hitter. 9.5

Viva Princess Cindy
Viva My readers
Peace Upon You

Eating NOLA or two trips to the Crescent City!

Here is a short breakdown of places Cindy and I have dined on the past two trips to NOLA:

BACCO - Brennan's Italian Restaurant in the W Hotel in the French Quarter. Lunch: I had the 2 course lunch with Oyster and Artichoke Soup and Oyster Fettuccine (freaking excellent, not a rich creamy fettuccine) and Cindy had a Crab and Avocado Salad (very little crab and avocado, so she gave that offering a thumbs down). Overall experience: Very Good. Rating 8.5

DEANIE'S SEAFOOD FRENCH QUARTER - We split a Seafood Platter...in a word...not good! HAHA...I know that was two words. Rating 5.0

LIUZZA'S - We split three apps - Eggplant Casserole, Oysters Remoulade, and Onion Rings...OMG...BINGO, BINGO, BINGO. Good Stuff! Did I mention the Beer in frozen schooners? 'nuff said. Freaking Awesome. Rating 9.0

RUSSELL'S MARINA GRILL - Breakfast stuff...always very consistent and good. Rating 7.0

BETTYS PANCAKE HOUSE - Breakfast stuff, again, consistent, and good. Checking out the clientele is always worth the visit. P. S. Corned Beef Hash is decent here, too. Rating 6.0

ANTOINE'S - Old time favorite in the French Quarter...But, we did not have a good experience...very busy...did not get much attention from Bradley (our waiter)...Cindy had Soft Shell Crabs Menuiere...excellent...souffle potatoes (overcooked and lukewarm)...my trout menuiere barely had any sauce on it and it was near cold. Disappointed in this old time favorite.

Rating 7.5

MR. B'S BISTRO - Cindy went with the Pecan Trout Menuiere and sweet potatoes...excellent...we split the Oyster app...excellent...I had the BBQ Shrimp...messy...but, very good. Overall experience...it kicked Antoine's butt. Rating 9.5

CAMELLIA GRILL - Yes, Mr. B's and then Camellia Grill on the same day a definite divergence of culinary experiences...but, both were EXCELLENT! We both went with the Cheeseburgers and Fries...and the Chocolate Freezie! Freaking Awesome. Rating 9.0

JOHNNYS PoBOYS - We had breakfast here on a recommendation. Very Good. Ended up with too much food. Biscuits were EXCELLENT, as was the SAUSAGE patties. Rating 8.0

Ratings are based on a 1-10 point system and encompass taste, amount, and price of food. Ambiance is also considered in ratings.

Hope you enjoyed our trips as much as we did. Go forth and have a great meal. Bon Appetito'

Mental Persuasion

Confession to my Readers:

I have deserted you for the Gym! Yes, for the designer 24/7/365 Gym that sits in a strip mall and has a tanning booth (I do not use this however) and I must also admit...I have a trainer...of course Big Dave had one first...he recommended I find someone (this is my excuse and I am sticking to it). Nonetheless I am proud to announce that I have battled through the deepest, darkest mental side of working out...actually going...how you ask? Well I guess paying a trainer is kinda like having insurance...that you will actually go to the Gym and workout. So far its working for me. Cindy has joined me on this two night a week trek.

After workout report is that I am usually tired, a little achy, and really feel good. Endorphins must be running rampant through this aged body. I have even gone further out on the workout limb and have been getting in a third workout weekly. 8 weeks into this C. J. and I are feeling better and stronger.

Special aside: My iPod is giving me lots of motivation. Pumping up the Jam.
Peace Upon You

I promise to try and get back up on the Blog! Peace Out!

Viva Jeff the Trainer
Viva Snap Fitness
Viva C. J.
Peace Upon You!

Nickeled and Dimed

I am tired of it and I am speaking out...NOW...why must we spend $1,500 for a washer and dryer and also have to buy two pedestals (another $500) to put them on? Seriously.

How about USAirways upping there already absurd "baggage fee"? What next? Pay toilets on the aircraft?

Somehow we are living in the era of nickel and dime...post your favorite one here under comments...C'mon PEOPLE SPEAK OUT!

Peace Upon You.

Mandeville/Covington: 2 New Dining Options

Out in the heart of Old Mandeville on Florida Street in the building formerly occupied by Monster's Po-Boy #2 and an assortment of other names you will find Liz's Where Yat Cafe! Sweet Daddy's is next door and Kow-Loon is immediately behind this place. Had breakfast there this morning with the following opnion: 2 eggs scrambled, spuds, sausage patties, and a grilled biscuit...summarization of meal....yum, yum. The wife had bacon, it tasted better than sausage patties. Note to Mandeville: they have a French Fry Po-boy with Gravy on the Menu. I read the word Debris on the menu somewhere. Dave "The Rave" just sent a one word text: Yummy. 'Nuff Said! Open 6-2, 7 days a week.

Friday night's meal was up on Hwy. 21 just past Ochsner headed into Covington on the left. Restaurant: 21 LA West. Owned and run by Monica (formerly of the Tap Room). We went with the fried eggplant and the country fried steak with mashed potatoes and onion rings. Big thumbs up on this. Will be back for more!

Pictures will be available after the next visit.


Viva Liz
Viva Monica
Viva my always handy dining companion C. J.
Peace Upon You

A Work in Progress...

Below you will see the final Thesis of Michael Huey Dubois in support of his attempt to earn a Masters Degree at OCD University in House Move-In Mangement. It should be noted that Mr. Dubois' Thesis Committee dinged his earlier drafts resulting in many revisions.

The committee also notes that even with the completion of his thesis requirement Mr. Dubois may in fact be refused a diploma based on what the committee referred to as "egregious" misuse of his Microsoft Outlook Calendar. A clear indication that several times Mr. Dubois has recorded incorrectly in the M.O.C. which resulted in him making unwarranted and unscheduled business trips. It should be further noted that members of the Committee while somewhat impressed by the thesis are in agreement that Mr. Dubois has routinely lost focus. Points were deducted for the "Movie" section as it is unclear what is Mr. Dubois' choice. At OCD University we all know that that is totally unacceptable.


Mr. Dubois' Thesis:

New Home
Work Schedule

Friday / Saturday
Flower Beds
- Remove stones
- Clip hedges and bushes
- Pull weeds
- Remove unwanted plants
- Trim trees and thin
House - outside
- Remove unwanted ground tile walk ways
- pressure wash house
- pressure wash garage
- pressure wash drive way
- pressure wash side walks
- pressure wash back porch
- Clean Gutters
- Mow yard
- Weed eat and edge
House – inside
- Clean walls before painting
- Paint garage
- Clean garage doors
- Install Peg board
- Remove carpet
- Clean concrete
- Disinfect concrete
- Disinfect tile
- check gas outlet behind stove
Friday night
- Dinner at the famous Spring Creek BBQ
- Movie ?
Saturday night
- Dinner
- Fireworks
Sunday 5 Jul 09
- drive home
- R & R

Not sure if the following is everything we talked about, but it is a start J
Lloyd
Drill
Rakes
Tree tools
Painting equipment
Francis
Weed eater
Hedger


Respectfully submitted,
Dr. Michael Broussard, Dean OCD University
Ph. D. in Grassology, Garage Organization, and Automobile Waxing.

R.I.P. Ronald Clayton Spangler..."Spike"

Loving Husband, Father, Brother, Step-Father, Grand Father

Christian

Head Basketball Coach - Amite High School

Mentor

Southeastern Grad

Alumni Association Board Member

In the Presence of.............

Greatness, Part 2. Take out your time machines and go way back to the early eighties...on a

warm Spring day in April out on the practice field at Tulane University upon completion of their Spring Game a group of coaches in attendance at the Tulane Coaching Clinic head through a line for some boiled crawfish and beer. I sauntered over toward some chairs to sit down and participate in devouring the crawdads and knocking back a brew or two. It just so happens that I ended sitting next to two of the legends of football in St. Tammany. Coach Jack Salter and Coach Sid Theriot, still a young coach, full of vim and vigor (or b. s. some would say) I poked fun at the two "statesman" coaches with a query..."Tell coaches which one of you invented the huddle?"... obviously referring to and making fun of their age. It was my good fortune that they both gave a hearty laugh and needled one another as to who it might actually be.



Truth be told, I was blessed that day to be in the presence of greatness...the greatness of these two gentlemen coaches. I have previously chronicled Coach Jack Salter's place in Covington history, St. Tammany history, and Lousiana coaching history. He is among the greats.



Today though I had the opportunity to interview Coach Sid Theriot of Mandeville High School.

This man started the program at MHS in 1967. He did so from literally scratch. The School Board had hired the right man as he had some prior experience in building a program (Houma Junior High). What the school board didn't know and would over the years find out is that they got not only a Coach, but, a teacher (one student claimed that Coach Theriot was the only teacher that could teach me Math), a father figure, a mentor, a family man and much more.



Here are some of the things his former players said about him:

"He instilled a work ethic and discipline in every one of us"

"We game him our all, because we respected him,

"

Don't Quote Me....

Quote Michael Wilbon on today's PTI - "We are creating a nation of Whimps"

Peace Upon You

More Coffee beans....

Some more random coffee filtered observations…working at Starbucks would be great for a “Goth type”, no need to buy special clothes as they all dress in black! Except you gotta have one of those green aprons…I’d like one myself…who doesn’t want to be a Barista?

I also have observed that people can’t start or is it end work without stopping in for some “hip” joe. With every kinda car available rolling through the drive thru window line...Work trucks, Police vehicles, Old wrecks, and even Cadillac Escalades.

People hold meetings at Starbucks! All kinds of clubs and organizations! You don’t need a board room when you got Starbucks. That way there is no host and you have to pay for your own refreshments. And you can suck up their air conditioned, brilliant!

Viva Starbucks
Peace Upon You

Coffee Grounds....

I have been watching Starbucks recently...I should say the people in Starbucks...there is a lot going on in a Starbuck Coffee shop. They have people doing business...like interviewing people...checking work email...sending out work email...making calls...flat out doing work.

Then they have students studying and talking and talking and studying. They have regular and decaf people talking and drinking coffee.

Starbucks is the "safe" place to meet your online hook-up for the first introductory, we don't have to go any farther than this date, or how fast can we go back to your place date.

The world is going on inside of Starbucks. Hell, they invented there own freaking language...Tall, Grande, and Venti. WTF happened to Small, Medium and freaking Large? It is a "cool" place to go to and see all kinds of celebs and wannabe celebs. I just go there for coffee, but, I must admit I am paying more attention these days.

As to the coffee it can be addicting, I needed an Intervention just to get me from drinking a cinnamon or gingerbread or pumpkin latte' over and over again. Thankfully I went to SA and followed their 12 step program and back on my feet. But, I had to confess that after lunch one day I had a Chocolate something or other that literally tasted like a liquid dessert. Awesome, but, I fessed up, no more for me. Until I give in again. I'm sorry!

There are like lots of different coffees and teas they sell and a million ways to order them and they will take your money over and over again. I feel better fessing up.

Next time you go to Starbucks check the people out and see if you can figure out what they are doing there (besides drinking coffee), you never know maybe your neighbor and some woman who is not his wife will be up in Starbucks trying to make nicey nice.

Viva Starbucks.

Peace Upon You

Hitting the WALL...

I ran smack dab into it today...The proverbial wall...2 weeks of not being able to talk has taken its mental toll (insert joke here) on me. I've got a dry erase board I can write on...can't write fast enough or people can't read my writing...FRUSTRATING. How about mouthing the words or using gestures...sure, like ANYONE will understand...Cindy can read my lips (somewhat)...but it is still FRUSTRATING. Try texting, chatting, and email...no matter how you put it, it never comes out the same way you would have said it and therefore...something is lost in the TRANSLATION...FRUSTRATING. ARRRRGGGGGHH!

For those people struggling with vocal issues...God Bless You and keep you Sane.

Viva Cindy Jean

Peace Upon You

Silent Movie

I'm in a Movie...lots of Movies...a new one everyday...they are all SILENT!
It has been suggested by one former friend (you know who you are!) that I could be this guy?

Each day is like another Silent Movie....some are Classics....some are frustratingly routine or even bad. Nonetheless, I must prod on each day. There are times when I long to speak out and call b. s. on people that need it. So, instead, I just scream in my mind. I wonder what that is doing for my mind's vocal chords? Hmmm? I continue to encounter people that cannot understand my signs or signals. When they do finally get them, you can almost see them want to hit themselves in the head for not getting it. I am so over people saying "Bet your wife just loves it"...NO she doesn't. How would you like to talk to someone that cannot answer you? Please!!!

Viva Cindy Jean

Viva Charlie Chaplin

Peace Upon You

Sure signs its...

Aptly named...the bacon and bread thingys! Thanks Jessica!

Land Shark and Lime, JB we do you proud my Brother!

Gotta have some towels on stand by!

Got my Serious, I'm in the Pool look On

The Professor provides Mental Health !

Never, I repeat never start the summer without Steak and Baked Potato, Period!

Sure Signs its Summer...do I need to draw you a picture...oops there is a couple or six there for you to decipher the whole thing...if you need help with this...I am sorry...you are on your own.

Viva Ducky

Viva Cindy Jean aka Doubting Cindy (Stock plummeted today, ouch)

Viva The Professor

Please call in advance for reservations

Peace Upon You

Mixed Signals...

I am perfectly sure that when I am giving hand signals (during this ordeal) that everyone will understand what I mean. NOT! Many of these signals are meant in the context of the conversation that is going on (which unfortunately I am unable to participate), nonetheless, certainly people will understand what they mean. NOT!

I do have one universal signal that everyone gets, but, that's too easy.

BTW, funny phenomena from all this is that when I try to do a hand sign or signal, people will either sign or signal me back or even whisper. PEOPLE, I can hear, I just can't speak!

Aside #1 - There is a lot left unspoken these days with El Gato Grande!

Viva Cindy Jean
Peace Upon You

Silence is Golden....

Who the F came up with that saying...poet Thomas Carlyle, who translated the phrase from German in Sartor Resartus, 1831...well he is an asshole.

Well, I knew some of my regulars would be checking here to see how my progress with vocal chord polyups continues into Day 2. I have inadvertently spoken a couple of times (when people asked me questions) but, I am having to show much restraint as people are taking pot shots at me. All in jest, though. Kicking a man when he is down! Shame on them!

I purchased a dry erase board so that I can communicate with my wonderful wife. Not sure how it will work in the bedroom however. LOL She will kill me for that!

Once must adapt to survive. I don't want this to go on any longer than it needs to, talking will only delay the healing process. I want this done away with ASAP. I have gotten a bunch of strange looks when people realize I can't talk. It's a crazy world.

Viva My Cindy Jean
Viva Dr. Omoro
Peace Upon You

Happy Birthday Francis Burt Clements

Sandy's Man

Kyle's Dad

Built his own Insurance business from scratch!

King of Louisiana

Does everything First Class

World Traveler

Believes in living life large

Wine Connoisser

Gourmand

Central High Grad

Southeastern Grad

Past President of the SLU Alumni Association

E Phi Delt

"Frankie"

Member of the Magnificent Seven

Great Brother

Great Friend

Best Man

Viva Francis

Viva Sandy

Viva Kyle

Peace Upon You

Doctor Bobby....The cure for all that ales you!

Few even know of his existence...heck his wife even claims not to know him. But, silently (this is a very loose interpretation) he goes about his work...his magic if you will...to get his fellow man feeling well. No, he is not about the "laying on of the hands". He is not scientific, yet he is. Think about that for a while. He is about using wisdom (insert joke here), philosophy, and mumbo jumbo to develop his some times ingenius (insert another joke here) perscriptions for one's recovery. Frequent Rx's of dark beer, light beer, ales, and wine are his cure all exilir of choice.

Dr. Bobby operates from the patio at Taylor and 15th street where he preaches from his bully pulpit, to all that will listen, and yet, few do. Nonetheless he plods on like an ole field mule. He will never give up his gift of healing. God Bless Him!

In this his 15th year as a Kenny Leithman Award winning Track Coach. I salute Doctor Bobby!

Shear Genius.

Viva B. T. Express

Viva Annette

Viva David

Peace Upon You.