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