Kate and Gin the dancing dog- Britains got talent 2008

amazing dog

Shoes Thrown at Bush in Iraq during News Conference

BB King / Gary Moore - The Thrill is Gone

Classic

A TRIPLE HEADER!!!

THREE OF MY FAVORITE RECENTLY READ BOOKS!!!

DEWEY, THE SMALL TOWN LIBRARY CAT WHO TOUCHED THE WORLD - BY VICKY MYRON WITH BRETT WITTER. AN ENDEARING, FEEL GOOD BOOK ABOUT A CAT IN THE SPENCER LIBRARY IN IOWA. I LOVED THIS BOOK NOT BECAUSE I AM A CRAZY CAT MAN BUT BECAUSE IT IS A DARN GOOD BOOK!

A LONG WAY GONE - ISHMAEL BEAH. A GRIPPING, CHILLING, HEART WRENCHING ACCOUNT OF A YOUNG CHILD SOLDIER IN AFRICA. THIS BOOK SHOWS HOW INCREDIBLE MAN'S CAPACITY FOR CRUELTY IS AND HOW THERE IS SOME COMPASSION & HOPE IN THE WORLD.

THREE CUPS OF TEA - BY GREG MORTENSON & DAVID RELIN. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTELY RIVETING BOOK ABOUT A MOUNTAIN CLIMBER WHO HAS A LIFE CHANGING MOMENT, MAKES A PROMISE TO BUILD A SCHOOL IN ONE OF THE MOST REMOTE & POOREST PARTS OF THE WORLD. HE KEEPS HIS PROMISE AND ENDS UP BUILDING MANY SCHOOLS IN PAKISTAN & AFGHANISTAN. THIS GUY IS A TRUE AMERICAN HERO BUT NOT IN THE WAY YOU WOULD THINK. I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN. A GREAT & COMPELLING READ.

HONORARY MENTION:

IS THIS A GREAT GAME OR WHAT? - TIM KURKJIAN A PRETTY ENGAGING BASEBALL BOOK FULL OF ANECDOTES STORIES AND NIFTY INSIGHTS ON AMERICA'S FAVORITE PASTIME

LONE SURVIVOR - MARCUS LUTTRELL WITH PATRICK ROBINSON TRUE STORY OF THE LONE SURVIVOR OF A SEAL TEAM'S HARROWING EXPERIENCE IN AFGHANISTAN. THIS BOOK WILL MAKE YOU SHUDDER!

NEVER SHOWER IN A THUNDERSTORM - ANAHAD OCONNOR AMUSING BOOK THAT RESEARCHES AND ANSWERS ALL THOSE OLD WIVES TALES, MYTHS & FACTS ABOUT OUR HEALTH. EG: DOES EATING CARROTS IMPROVE YOUR EYESIGHT? DO TOILET SEATS SPREAD GERMS? ETC

Nick Cave- Stagger Lee

WALL STREET GREED

WALL STREET GREED HITS A NEW HIGH OR LOW, DEPENDING ON HOW YOU LOOK AT IT! CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT THE NINE BANKS THAT JUST RECEIVED $125 BILLION DOLLARS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AKA YOU AND ME (THE TAXPAYERS) ARE PLANNING TO DOLE OUT BONUSES OF APPROXIMATELY $40 BILLION!!



GOLDMAN SACHS, MORGAN STANLEY & MERRILL LYNCH ALONE HAVE SET ASIDE $20 BILLION FOR BONUSES! WHAT? THESE THREE WALL STREET LOSERS CLAIM THAT THEY WILL LOSE THERE TOP TALENT IF THEY DON'T PAY BONUSES! WHAT? WHAT? THEY CLAIM THAT THESE PEOPLE WILL LEAVE AND START THERE OWN HEDGE FUNDS OR BECOME CEOS! WHAT? WHAT WHAT?



EXXONMOBILE REPORTED THE HIGHEST EARNINGS FOR ANY COMPANY, FOR ANY QUARTER IN THE ENTIRE KNOWN UNIVERSE, OVER $15 BILLION.


THE US GOVERNMENT HAS SPENT ALMOST A TRILLION DOLLARS ON THE WAR IN IRAQ? THAT IS ONE TRILLION IN TAXPAYER MONEY.



THE AVERAGE MIDDLE CLASS US CITIZEN HAS SEEN THEIR PAY/EARNINGS STAGNATE OVER THE PAST 7 YEARS AND THEIR 401K RETIREMENTS SAVINGS REDUCED BY AN AVERAGE OF 30% OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS.


THE CHINESE HAVE A SAYING FOR ALL THIS......


SOM TING WONG!!!!!

WHAT THE FRIGGIN HECK??????????????

A BUNCH OF STUFF; IRRITATIONS, RANTS, RAVES, COMMENTS, OBSERVATIONS & OBSESSIONS!






LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT. THE US FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS SPENDING +700 BILLION SEMOLIANS TO BAIL OUT WALL STREET FIRMS, BANKS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES WHILE ALL THE EXECS AT THESE COMPANIES MADE MILLIONS TANKING AND/OR LEAVING THEIR COMPANIES?? OH AND ON TOP OF THAT WE ARE STILL SPENDING ABOUT 10-15 BILLION $$ A MONTH ON THE "WAR" IN IRAQ. ALL THIS WHILE THE US ECONOMY GOES DOWN THE TOILET. OH AND NOW WE WANT TO BAIL OUT CHRYSLER AND GM WITH TAXPAYER MONEY SO THAT THEY CAN MERGE AND LAY OFF THOUSANDS OF MIDDLE INCOME TAXPAYERS WHILE THE EXECS GET BONUSES!!! WHAT THE FRIGGIN HECK!! OK MAYBE IT'S ME BUT I DON'T GET IT!




GEE WHIZ THE HOCKEY SEASON HAS STARTED, DOES ANYONE EXCEPT SOME FANATICAL NY RANGER FANS (WHO STILL CHANT POTVIN SUCKS EVEN THOUGH ITS ABOUT 30 YEARS SINCE HE LAST PLAYED) AND OUR GOOD NEIGHBORS FROM CANADA CARE?



ALASKA'S LARGEST NEWSPAPER THE ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS HAS ENDORSED OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT! THIS CONSERVATIVE PAPER BASICALLY SAID THAT OBAMA IS THE BEST MAN FOR THE JOB AND THAT GOVERNOR PALIN IS NOT READY. WHOA, THAT'S COLDER THAN A DEAD MOOSE IN THE WINTER!

SARAH PALIN ACCEPTED $150,000 WORTH OF NEW CLOTHING PAID FOR BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY? OF THIS $75,000 WAS SPENT AT NEEDLESS MARKUP AKA NEIMAN MARCUS AND $50,000 AT SAKS. HEY SARAH DO YOU THINK JOE SIXPACK AND HOCKEY MOMS SHOP THERE TOO? THEY WOULD NOT SPEND THAT MUCH MONEY ON CLOTHES IN THERE LIFETIMES........... ARE YOU FRIGGIN KIDDING ME?

WOW! TAMPA BAY & PHILADELPHIA IN THE WORLD SERIES. BETCHA FOX NETWORKS IS DROOLING OVER THE RATINGS THEY WILL NOT GET FROM THIS MEGA MARKET SERIES. THE RATINGS LIKE THE ABOVE LOGO WILL BE SMALLLLLLL!

JIMITHEGREEK 'S HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BOOK LIST HIGHLIGHTS: MARLEY AND ME - JOHN GROGAN A WONDERFUL AND LAUGH OUT LOUD FUNNY READ. I REALLY ENJOYED READING THIS BOOK WHICH IS BASICALLY ABOUT A MAN AND HIS DOG. WELL REALLY A FAMILY AND THEIR DOG. QUITE HUMOROUS, ENTERTAINING AND A TOUCHING BOOK FOR ALL. FOR ALL YOU HEATHENS...YES I DO READ BOOKS!!

YES YES YES I ADMIT IT I AM OBSESSED WITH THE FRIGGIN CATS!!!!

BOY, AM I REALLY ENJOYING THIS FOOTBALL SEASON. THE NY JETS ARE KINDA FUN TO WATCH WITH THE BRETT FAVRE REALITY SHOW. THE NFC EAST IS THE BEST DIVISION IN FOOTBALL AND THE WORLD CHAMPION NY GIANTS ARE IN FIRST PLACE ARE PLAYING VERY WELL. SUNDAYS ARE GOOD!

HELLOOO CLASSMATES.COM HELLOOO!!! STOP SENDING ME THOSE ANNOYING E-MAILS ABOUT CLASS REUNIONS AND CLASSMATES TRYING TO REACH ME ETC. THERE IS A REASONS WHY I KEEP DELETING THOSE E-MAILS AND IT IS THAT I DO NOT WANT TO TALK TO THOSE PEOPLE!!!!

JOE BIDEN IS ANOTHER ONE. HE CAN'T SEEM TO JUST SHUT UP. I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL THIS ELECTION IS OVER WITH.

LEAVE ME ALONE

CAN'T YOU SEE I AM HIDING?

Niko's Greek Style Breakfast

NO NO NO JOHN MCCAIN

ALAS BOYS AND GIRLS THIS IS NOT THE JOHN MCCAIN THAT I WAS READY TO CAMPAIGN, DONATE AND VOTE FOR WAY BACK BB (BEFORE BUSH) 2002. THIS NEW MCCAIN IS REMINISCENT ON THE CURRENT BUSH AND IS REMINDING ME MORE AND MORE EACH DAY OF OLD TRICKY DICK NIXON. THE CHOICE OF SARAH PALIN ON THE SURFACE LOOKED BOLD AND INNOVATIVE BUT NOW THE MORE SHE SPEAKS THE MORE I ALMOST FEEL SORRY FOR HER. NOT ONLY HAS SHE NEVER TRAVELED OUTSIDE OF THE USA BEFORE THIS YEAR BUT IT APPEARS SHE HAS BEEN TOLD NOT TO SPEAK TO REPORTERS AND SHE DOES NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS. SURE SHE CAN SHOOT,DRESS A MOOSE AND CATCH A FISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I DON'T SEE HOW THAT QUALIFIES YOU FOR VP? I MEAN ANYONE CAN SHOOT A GUN AND KILL A MOOSE. OUR ALL OF THE SUDDEN VERY QUIET VP CHENEY CAN ACTUALLY SHOOT A GUN AND HIT A HUMAN & GET AWAY WITH IT, NOW THAT IS A VICE PRESIDENT! EGAD, DOES THIS MEAN I WILL ACTUALLY GO AND VOTE FOR OBAMA/BIDEN? YOU BET YOUR DISAPPEARING 401K I WILL!!!!!

WHAT THE FRIGGIN HECK??????????????

A BUNCH OF STUFF; IRRITATIONS, RANTS, RAVES, COMMENTS, OBSERVATIONS & OBSESSIONS!

I MUST ADMIT I KIND OF ENJOYED THE OLYMPICS IN CHINA. THE COMMIES IN CHINA DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB OF HOSTING & REPRESENTING. I WAS PLEASED THAT THEY ALLOWED THE HANDICAPPED (BLIND BULGARIAN JUDGES IN BOXING) TO PARTICIPATE THIS YEAR!! THE US BASKETBALL TEAM WAS OUTSTANDING. WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS WHAT THE FRIGGIN HECK IS THAT TEAM HANDBALL ABOUT? YOU CAN ADD RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS TO THAT WHAT THE FRIGGIN HECK AS WELL!



I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO FOOTBALL SEASON. IT IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER WITH BRETT FARVE A NY JET AND ALL. BY THE WAY, MR FARVE AND THE NY BRETTS HAVE THE SAME NUMBER OF SUPERBOWL RINGS AS DOES ELI MANNING!!!


























I STILL HAVE A WARM & FUZZY FEELING ABOUT THE SUPER BOWL CHAMPION NEW YORK GIANTS! IT DOES NOT MATTER EVEN IF THEY DO NOT MAKE THEY PLAYOFFS THIS YEAR. LAST YEAR WAS TREMENDOUS SO EVEN ELI GETS A YEAR OR TWO PASS. THE GINTS ARE IN THE TOUGHEST DIVISION IN FOOTBALL. DALLAS SHOULD MAKE THE PLAYOFFS AGAIN BUT STILL WILL NOT GET A PLAYOFF WIN, SORRY WARDEN!





I REALLY WANT TO SUPPORT BARACK OBAMA FOR PRES BUT FOR SOME INEXPLICABLE REASON I JUST CANT. THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT HIM THAT I JUST CANT. IT IS ONE OF THOSE GUT FEELING KIND OF THINGS. HE JUST KINDA REMINDS ME OF A CROSS BETWEEN BILL & HILLARY CLINTON SOMEHOW? I FEEL THAT JOHN MCCAIN IS A STAND UP GUY WHO WILL DO THE RIGHT THING WITHOUT CHECKING THE POLLS OR GETTING A FOCUS GROUP OR SOME POLITICAL NONSENSE. READ JOHN MCCAIN 'S FAITH OF MY FATHERS OR WHY COURAGE MATTERS: THE WAY TO A BRAVER LIFE. BOTH ARE WELL WRITTEN & INSIGHTFUL. THEY ARE MUCH MORE REAL THAN OBAMA'S POLITICAL PERFUNCTORY BOOK. MY QUESTION IS, ARE THESE TWO THE BEST THAT OUR GREAT COUNTRY COULD COME UP WITH?? WELL EITHER WAY WE WILL HAVE A CHANGE. WHO AM I GONNA VOTE FOR? I AM A GONNA ABSTAIN!




WHAT THE HECK IS UP WITH THOSE KOREAN KIM CHEES PROTESTING THE IMPORT OF AMERICAN BEEF? ARE YOU FRIGGIN KIDDING ME? THIS FROM THE SAME CULTURE THAT EATS DOG MEAT AND HAS DOG MEAT RESTAURANTS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE TECHNICALLY ILLEGAL. OH AND THEY ARE FREE RANGE DOGS! THESE ARE DOGS THAT ARE STRAYS OR STOLEN OR RAISED IN CAGES JUST FOR THEIR MEAT. GIVE ME A FRIGGIN BREAK!



THE YANKEES GOT SOME SPLAINING AND CLEANING UP TO DO THIS OFF SEASON. CAN CANO EVER FRIGGIN DIVE AFTER A BALL, STEAL A BASE AND HUSTLE ? CANO IS GOTTA GO. GIVE ME A FIRST BASEMAN WHO DOES NOT MAKE MENTAL ERRORS ON THE FIELD AND CAN AVERAGE MORE THAN .250! EVEN THOUGH I LIKE HIM, GOODBYE GIAMBI! GIVE ME A LEFT FIELDER THAT IS NOT AFRAID OF THE FRIGGIN WALL AND THAT CAN MAKE AT LEAST ONE ESPN WEB GEM PER SEASON, ADIOS ABREU! NOT ONE OF THESE GUYS CAN FRIGGIN ADVANCE A RUNNER OR HIT A SAC FLY. HERE IS WHAT I SAY; SIGN CC SABATHIA, BRING BACK MUSSINA & PETTITE. SIGN MARK TEXEIRA TO PLAY FIRST BASE ( WHAT THE HECK IT'S NOT MY MONEY) LET THE KIDS PLAY ! WHAT DONT THEY GET? GOOD PITCHING, DEFENSE, FUNDAMENTALS AND TIMELY HITTING IS WHAT WINS PENNANTS AND PLAYOFF SERIES I COULD GO ON AND ON, BUT THAT IS FOR ANOTHER BLOG!!





ME EXCLAIMING TO THE DENTIST......WHAT DO YOU MEAN ? AREN'T YOUR GUMS SUPPOSED TO BLEED WHEN YOU BRUSH YOUR TEETH?





"My job is a decision--making job. And as a result, I make a lot of decisions." -- George W. Bush

WHEN GW BUSH TOOK OFFICE IN 2001 THERE WAS A BUDGET SURPLUS. THE BUDGET FOR 2008-2009 WILL BE 3 TRILLION DOLLARS AND HAVE A DEFICIT OF MORE THAN $400 BILLION.

AT LEAST FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ABOUT A FRIGGIN HUNDRED YEARS THERE WILL BE NO BUSH OR CLINTON IN THE WHITE HOUSE COME JANUARY 09 THAT WE KNOW OF!




HERE MY FRIENDS IS THE SECRET CURE TO UNHAPPINESS, DISTRESS, ANXIETY AND ALL OTHER EMOTIONAL ISSUES. JUST KEEP A BOTTLE OF HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE SYRUP IN THE FRIDGE. WHENEVER YOU HAVE THAT MOMENT, JUST GO AHEAD GRAB THE BOTTLE OUT OF THE FRIDGE. PROCEED TO BRING IT TO YOUR LIPS, SQUEEZE AND SAVOUR THE LOVELY CHOCOLATY TASTE!! HEY, AND IT'S FAT FREE!!!!

USE THE FORCE YOU PSYCHO CAT !

WE CAN ONLY HOPE SHE DOES NOT GO TO THE DARK SIDE, OR SHOULD WE GET THE CRAZY CAT LADY TO PERFORM AN EXORCISM?

Lucy's Big Fat Greek Wedding Dance (Lucille Ball)

MEET JACK

MEET JACK THE CAT. HE IS THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE JIMITHEGREEK CRAZY CAT HOUSEHOLD!!!

LIKE THE OTHER CATS IN THE HOUSE AND JIMITHEGREEK HIMSELF, JACK ENJOYS SLEEPING AT ALL HOURS OF THE DAY AND NIGHT!!

BUFFALO GAL

SATURDAY, ME N THE MRS WENT TO SEE A.R. GURNEY'S PLAY, BUFFALO GAL. AN AMUSING PLAY ABOUT AN ACTRESS WHOSE STAR IS FADING. SHE RETURNS TO HER HOME TOWN OF BUFFALO, NY TO PERFORM IN A CHEKHOV PRODUCTION AT A LOCAL THEATRE. EVERY BODY'S EXCITED, BUT WILL SHE STAY OR GO AFTER A LAME-O SITCOM BACK IN LA? AMUSING AND WELL ACTED, SUSAN SULLIVAN IS GREAT IN THE LEAD OF AMANDA AND I LIKED CARMEN HERLIHY AS THE ANNOYING BUT FUNNY STUDENT/ASST MGR. CHECK OUT TALKIN BROADWAY'S ALWAYS SPOT ON REVIEW OF BUFFALO GAL. HEY, I STAYED AWAKE AND EVEN CHUCKLED A BIT!!

PROMO STUFF PINCHED FROM AN E-MAIL BELOW

"The most appealing Gurney comedy to arrive in New York since Mrs. Farnsworth. Buffalo Gal glows with a rueful affection that makes it impossible to dislike." Ben Brantley, The New York Times Read the full review."A gentle reminder of why theater matters to so many people." Associated Press "Bursting with goodies!" Bloomberg.com"Absolutely priceless." Theatremania.com

SAVE ON SELECT PERFORMANCES WITH TICKET CENTRAL! $47.50 (reg $60) Valid for perfs on Wed at 2; Fri & Sat at 8
BUFFALO GAL runs thru September 13 at 59E59 THEATERSTues at 7pm; Wed at 2pm & 8pm; Thurs & Fri at 8pm; Sat at 2pm & 8pm

BRETT FAVRE, JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT HE COULD NOT GET MORE ANNOYING.....

JUST HEARD ON ESPN THAT BRETT FAVRE HAS BEEN TRADED TO THE NY JETS. DO THE NY JETS REALLY THINK THAT THIS 38 YEAR OLD CHOKE IN THE BIG GAME QB WILL TAKE THEM TO THE PROMISED LAND? THE MEDIA IN NYC WILL REACH A FRENZY FOR THE MOST OVERRATED HALL OF FAME BOUND QB IN FOOTBALL HISTORY. UGH!!!

Adam Bender - plays baseball with only one leg

Inspiring

This Is Charley

wow

CHA CHA CHA CHA CANCUN!

YES, YES, YES! ONCE AGAIN IN THE BEGINNING OF MAY I WENT ON MY YEARLY PILGRIMAGE TO CANCUN. NOW THIS HAS BEEN GOING THERE ONCE A YEAR FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS OR SO. AGAIN THIS YEAR WAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT; WE STAYED AT THE ALL - INCLUSIVE GRAN CARIBE REAL RESORT AGAIN, A FABULOUS PLACE. THIS YEAR MISSED MY FAVORITE WAY TO FLY, JETBLUE AND FLEW ON LAME-O AMERICAN AIRLINES. GOOD OLD MERICAN CHARGE $5 FOR A LOUSY SANDWICH AND $5 FOR AN EVEN MORE LOUSY MOVIE.




NORMALLY WE GO WITH FOUR OF THE BOYS OR MORE ! THIS TIME IT WAS JUST ME AND THE WARDEN! YES HE FINALLY GOT HIS GET OUT OF JAIL CARD (PASSPORT) AND CAME ALONG FOR THE RIDE, ALONG WITH THE TWO STALWART GALS.


THE TRIP TO CANCUN IS SIMPLE, WE BASICALLY EAT BREAKFAST, DRINK, LOUNGE AROUND THE POOL, DRINK, EAT SOME LUNCH, DRINK LOUNGE AROUND THE POOL, DRINK, HAVE DINNER, DRINK AND PASS OUT. ANOTHER NICE PERK IS THAT OTHER THAN A FEW BUCKAROOS FOR TIPS TO THE GREAT STAFF AT THE GRAN CARIBE REAL RESORT , YOU BARELY SPEND ANY CASHOLA!! THIS TIME AROUND I ACTUALLY LEFT THE RESORT (EGAD!!) FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS TO GO WITH THE WARDEN FOR A LITTLE SOUVENIR SHOPPING!!

OTHER THAN THE SHOPPING THE TOUGHEST THING I HAD TO DO WAS TO DO SOME HARD WORK ON MY TAN. IT TAKES SKILL TO ROLL OVER AT THE PROPER TIME YOU KNOW! AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE PIC BELOW I AM QUITE AN EXCELLENT TANNER AND ACTUALLY LOOK GOOD IN A STUPID SOMBRERO! I THINK EVEN THE WARDEN HAD A GREAT TIME ALTHOUGH HE SEEMED TO TRY AND NOT TO SMILE IN THE PIC BELOW(MUST HAVE BEEN THE TEQUILA?)!

WE HAVE BEEN MAKING THIS TRIP FOR YEARS....STOP YOUR DIRTY, FILTHY THOUGHTS RIGHT THERE! THE GALS ARE LIKE SISTERS TO ME. THE FUN PART IS THAT THEY ALSO CONSUME MASS QUANTITIES OF ALCOHOL & FOOD AND CAN BARELY STAY UP PAST TEN PM LIKE ME! THIS TRIP WENT BY UNUSUALLY FAST AND AM CONSIDERING EXTENDING NEXT YEARS TRIP FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS IF MY LIVER CAN SURVIVE IT!

MY FAVORITE NICKNAMES FOR BOXERS

IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER AND WITH ME TRYING TO BE CLEVER!

DEMARCUS "CHOP CHOP" CORLEY

DARNELL "DING-A-LING MAN" WILSON

ANDREW "SIX HEADS" LEWIS

CHUCK "THE BAYONNE BLEEDER" WEPNER

OWEN "WHAT THE HECK" BECK

STEVIE "TWO POUNDS" FORBES

NATE "THE GALAXXY WARRIOR" CAMPBELL

JUAN "THE HISPANIC CAUSING PANIC" LAZCANO

ERIC "BUTTERBEAN" ESCHS

SAM "THE PUNCHING POLICEMAN" HILL

Kill Bill

THIS ONE IS FOR THE WARDEN

TEXAS TWO STEP
PART DEUCE, SECOND STEP

OK, THE NEXT DAY APRIL 26 (WEDDING DAY) WE WENT FOR A DRIVE ABOUT TO LOOK SEE WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND AUSTIN. THE DAY BEFORE WE SPOTTED THIS SIGN/TRAILER OFF HIGHWAY I35. NATURALLY IT PIQUED MY CULINARY INSTINCT. SO IT'S ABOUT ELEVEN AM WHICH MEANS IT'S TIME TO HAVE SOME BBQ! I SWERVE RIGHT TO GET TO THE EXIT AND PULL INTO THE GAS STATION WHERE THE LITTLE TRAILER IS PARKED. THE RESTAURANT CONSISTS OF A LITTLE TRAILER WITH 5 PLASTIC TABLES & CHAIRS AL FRESCO. THERE ARE ALREADY ABOUT 6 PEOPLE WAITING FOR FOOD. HAD A PLEASANT CHAT AND THE KIND FOLKS SUGGESTED THE CHOPPED BEEF AND BURGERS. THEN THEY FOUND OUT I WAS FROM NEW JERSEY AND KINDA LOOKED AT ME FUNNY. WHEN I TOLD THEM I WAS JUST KIDDING I WAS REALLY FROM TORONTO, CANADA THEY REALLY WARMED UP TO ME!

HAD SOME TIME TO CHAT UP WITH THE OWNER/COOK/BBQ MASTER/SOUS CHEF/MANAGER, WALLACE BRANDYBURG. A REALLY NICE BIG DUDE WHO WAS A TRUCK DRIVER IN HIS FORMER LIFE. HE HAS BEEN SERVING UP SOME FINE BBQ SINCE 1999. HIS PLACE WAS VOTED ONE OF TEXAS' TOP 50 PLACES TO EAT BBQ. THE GREAT STORY BEHIND THE NAME IS THAT AN OLDER LADY HAD ASKED HIM IF HIS BBQ WAS TENDER ENOUGH FOR HER TO EAT EVEN THOUGH SHE HAD NO TEETH. HE GAVE HER A MONEY BACK GUARANTEE AND THE REST IS HISTORY. I HAD THE CHOPPED BEEF (WHICH IS BASICALLY CHOPPED BRISKET!) A NICE TASTY SANDWICH ON A SOFT BURGER BUN WITH ONIONS, PICKLE AND A SPATTER OFF BBQ SAUCE. DARN TASTY INDEED AND ONLY THREE & A HALF BUCKS! IF YOU WANT SOMETHING TO DRINK YA GOTTA GO TO THE GAS STATION AND BUY IT THERE. HE ASKED THE MRS JIMTHEGREEK IF SHE WOULD LIKE TO TRY SOME, BUT SHE TOLD HIM SHE WAS A VEGETARIAN. OLD WALLACE SEEMED TO HAVE A GOOD CHUCKLE ABOUT THAT. WELL OFF TO VISIT WITH SOME OF THE MRS' COUSIN BUT FIRST GOTTA STOP FOR SOME COFFEE AT AUSTIN'S OWN KICK BUTT COFFEE!!

YES, KICK BUTT COFFEE, A QUIRKY YET NIFTY LOCAL COFFEE CHAIN. THIS COOL JOINT NOT ONLY HAS GOOD COFFEE BUT THEY SERVE IT UP WITH SOME HUMOR, BOOZE, SMOOTHIES AND FOOD! THEY ALSO SEEM TO BE BIG FANS OF CHUCK NORRIS, WHICH IS OK IN MY BOOK! ALL RIGHT NOW WE WERE READY FOR THE VISIT WITH THE RELATIVES! IT TURNED OUT TO BE A PLEASANT AFTERNOON CHAT IN THE YARD OF A QUAINT HOME AND THEN WE WERE BACK TO THE HOTEL TO CHANGE AND GIT TO THE SALT LICK BBQ FOR THE WEDDING!





AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR DRIVE FROM AUSTIN, WE GOT TO THE PLACE. THERE WAS A NICE SIMPLE WEDDING CEREMONY IN A PLEASANT GARDEN. THE SALT LICK BBQ IS ONE OF THE MOST UNPRETENTIOUS, REGULAR TYPE KIND OF PLACES THAT I HAVE EVER BEEN TO. IT IS BASICALLY ON AN OLD FARM WITH PICNIC TABLES AND A REAL FAMILY STYLE KIND OF PLACE. BRING YOUR OWN BEER N BOOZE, HAVE A GOOD TIME, GOOD FOOD WITH THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND ALL AT A REASONABLE PRICE. I WOULD SAY THE ONLY DRAWBACK IS IF YOU ARE A VEGETARIAN OR DO NOT EAT ANY MEAT. THEN YOU ARE STUCK WITH THE "VEGETARIAN PLATE" OF COLE SLAW, POTATO SALAD & BEANS. MAYBE YOU CAN GET SOME BREAD TOO. THAT'S ABOUT IT ON THE NON -MEAT MENU. OH, AND DON'T BRING YOUR CREDIT CARDS CAUSE IT IS CASH ONLY! THE FOOD WAS GOOD.

THE WEDDING WAS A NICE HAPPY AND FUN EVENT. IT WAS GREAT , FOLKS IN SUITS AND FOLKS IN JEANS AND COWBOY BOOTS. YOURS TRULY WAS THE ONLY GREEK COWBOY IN THE HOUSE. YES, I HAD DUSTED OFF MY OLD BOOTS, PUT ON A BOLO TIE AND WAS STYLING! IN FACT I MAY HAVE BEEN THE ONLY GREEK COWBOY EVER TO VISIT! A GOOD TIME HAD BY ALL. AFTER THE WEDDING , STOPPED BY THE COUSINS HOUSE TO HAVE SOME NIGHTCAPS AND DO THE USUAL SLIGHTLY INEBRIATED TALK ABOUT POLITICS, LIFE AND THE YANKEES!

THE NEXT DAY OFF TO THE AIRPORT. AN UNEVENTFUL DROP OFF OF THE RENTAL CART AT THE EVIL ALAMO CAR RENTAL RETURN AND ON TO JET BLUE TO GET HOME. IT WENT SMOOTHLY UNTIL WE GOT TO JFK AND THE IDIOT CAR SERVICE DRIVER COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JET BLUE ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURE AREAS. FRIGGIN HALF HOUR WAIT! OH WELL GOOD TO BE BACK IN GOOD OLD NY!

** Wild SURFING Cat **

WOWSERS

TEXAS TWO STEP

PART ONE, FIRST STEP

HOW Y'ALL DOING?

WAY BACK ON APRIL 25TH, ME N THE MRS WENT TO AUSTIN, THE HILL COUNTRY OF THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS FOR THE NEPHEWS WEDDING. NOW LET ME TELL YOU, YOU AIN'T BEEN TO A WEDDING TILL YOU GO TO A TEXAS BBQ WEDDING AT THE SALT LICK IN DRIFTWOOD TEXAS!!!

WE TOOK OLD RELIABLE JET BLUE ON A DIRECT FLIGHT FROM JFK TO AUSTIN. JET BLUE IS MY FAVE AIRLINE JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE DIRECT TV OPTION AND YOU CAN WATCH ENDLESS ESPN,CNBC,TNT N STUFF! THE FLIGHT WAS UNEVENTFUL WHICH MEANS GREAT!

WE LANDED AND WENT TO GET OUR RENTAL CAR AT ALAMO. ALAMO CAR RENTAL WHICH SHOULD REALLY BE CALLED WESOSTUPID CAR RENTAL. THE IDIOT AT THE DESK TOLD ME THAT I WAS UNRENTABLE? IT DID NOT MATTER THAT I HAD A RESERVATION & CONFIRMATION NUMBER. I WAS UNRENATBLE? OK, OK I SAID REMAINING CALM. I WILL GO TO NATIONAL NEXT DOOR. OOPS THEY ARE OWNED BY SAME COMPANY....MORE IDIOTS. SO I TOLD THE TOP IDIOT I AM GOING TO HERTZ. HE THEN SAID ,OH? WE CAN RENT THE CAR TO YOUR WIFE UNDER YOUR RESERVATION NUMBER. I GAVE UP AND THE MRS DID THE RENTAL. LATER ON CALLING ALAMO ABOUT THREE TIMES TO CUSS THEM OUT THEY FINALLY FIXED IT AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. I EXPLAINED THAT I KNEW THE REASON WAS THEY THEY WERE FRIGGIN IDIOTS AND I WOULD NEVER RENT FROM THEM AGAIN!! THERE RESPONSE WAS "OK, THANK YOU FOR CALLING ALAMO CAR RENTAL". APPARENTLY WE WERE NOT THE ONLY CITIZENS WITH A BAD EXPERIENCE AT ALAMO CAR RENTAL AS THERE IS A WEB SITE CALLED ALAMO CAR RENTAL SUCKS. HOW TRUE, HOW TRUE!

WE GOT TO OUR VERY NICE AND VERY FREE HOTEL, THE AUSTIN MARRIOTT SOUTH AIRPORT HOTEL. LOVE THEM MARRIOTT POINTS. WE SETTLED IN AND SPENT THE DAY EXPLORING THE CITY OF AUSTIN. I FOUND AUSTIN TO BE THE NICEST, MOST COSMOPOLITAN & DIVERSE CITY IN TEXAS. YOU CAN ACTUALLY WALK AROUND AND SEE/DO STUFF IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. IT IS THE CAPITAL OF TEXAS AND IT HAS A GREAT MUSIC SCENE WITH DOZENS OF CLUBS, BARS RESTAURANTS FEATURING LIVE MUSIC FROM HUNDREDS OF BANDS. THE AREA WHERE MOST OF THIS WAS HAPPENING IS KNOWN AS 6TH STREET. SIXTH STREET IS A NEAT, ALMOST SKETCHY , FUNKY, MUSICY, ARTSY PLACE WITH LOTS STUFF GOING ON. SORTA LIKE A GREENWICH VILLAGE/HAIGHT STREET KIND GROOVE GOING ON. WE ENDED UP GOING BACK THERE FRIDAY NIGHT FOR DINNER...... AND WHAT A DINNER IT WAS!

WHAT INITIALLY ATTRACTED US TO THE PARKSIDE WAS THE OLD SCHOOL TYPEWRITER TYPE MENU. THAT AND CAUSE THE MENU LOOKED DARN GOOD. NOT ONLY DID IT LOOK DARN GOOD BUT IT WAS EXTRA DARN GOOD. WE ORDERED A BOTTLE OF AUSSIE WOLF BLASS GOLD CHARDONNAY. A VERY TASTY, CRISP, INEXPENSIVE & UNDERRATED AUSSIE WHITE WINE FIRST INTRODUCED TO ME BY MY GOOD FRIEND, THAT CRAZY CHINAMAN. WE DECIDE TO JUST GO WITH THE TASTY SOUNDING APPETIZERS SO WE STARTED WITH THE CEVICHE; THIS WAS A WONDERFUL DISH OF COOL, FRESH, FLAKY WHITE FISH (STRIPED BASS), SHRIMPS, SCALLOPS, ONION, TOMATO, CILANTRO, LEMON, LIME, GARLIC, & JALAPENO. THE SILVER BREAM; A GLISTENING, FRESH SASHIMI STYLE FISH DISH WITH FRESH GREENS, LEMON ZEST & CRISPY ALMOND THINGYS. WHOA THERE COWPOKES, NO MEAT HERE (WHEN DINING WITH THE MRS ANYWAY). WE THEN HAD THE ROASTED BEET SALAD WITH BLUE CHEESE & TASTY PISTACHIOS ALONG WITH AN EXCELLENT TRIO OF DELICATELY FRIED SARDINES & GARLIC AIOLI. FOR DESSERT WE HAD THE TOP QUALITY SASHIMI TYPE SALMON WITH BLOOD ORANGE SECTIONS ALONG WITH A DECADENT SMOKY ALMOST MEAT LIKE ROASTED MUSHROOM DISH. ACTUALLY I HAD A REGULAR ESPRESSO FOR DESSERT! A TRULY EXCELLENT MEAL.

NEXT UP IN PART TWO, NO TEETH BBQ & THE WEDDING AT SALT LICK!!!