jimithegreek

2010-01-03T11:51:00.002-05:00

MY NEW STORE!

2009-12-28T20:20:00.002-05:00

"ACCEPT THAT SOME DAYS YOU'RE THE PIGEON, AND SOME DAYS YOU'RE THE STATUE"
- Roger C. Anderson

2009-12-20T23:10:00.001-05:00

"REMEMBER, TODAY IS THE TOMORROW YOU WORRIED ABOUT YESTERDAY"

- DALE CARNEGIE

THE BEST CAT VIDEO YOU'LL EVER SEE

2009-09-17T22:20:00.001-04:00

CLASSICS

Dishwalla - Counting Blue Cars

2009-09-01T21:51:00.001-04:00

Dishwalla

Counting Blue Cars Lyrics

Must of been mid afternoon
I could tell by how far the child's shadow stretched out and
He walked with a purpose
In his sneakers, down the street
He had, many questions
Like children often do
He said,
Tell me all your thoughts on God?
Tell me am I very far?

Must of been late afternoon
On our way the sun broke free of the clouds
We count only blue cars
Skip the cracks, in the street
And ask many questions
Like children often do
We said,
Tell me all your thoughts on God?
'Cause I would really like to meet her.
And ask her why we're who we are.
Tell me all your thoughts on God,
Cause I am on my way to see her.
So tell me am I very far -
Am I very far now?

Its getting cold picked up the pace
How our shoes make hard noises in this place
Our clothes are stained
We pass many, cross eyed people
And ask many questions
Like children often do

Tell me all your thoughts on God?
'Cause I would really like to meet her.
And ask her why we're who we are.
Tell me all your thoughts on God?
'Cause I am on my way to see her.
So tell me am I very far?
Am I very far now
Am I very far now
Am I very far now

2009-08-24T20:31:00.003-04:00

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

SIGN FOUND IN MALAYSIA!

Basset Hound Beat Box

2009-06-16T17:38:00.001-04:00

2009-06-13T16:11:00.000-04:00

IT'S BEEN A YEAR AND I STILL CANT BELIEVE IT.............

GOODBYE OLD BUDDY

JUNE 10, 2008. IT WAS A VERY SAD DAY FOR THE JIMITHEGREEK HOUSEHOLD. WE HAD TO SAY GOODBYE TO SPARKY; AKA BUDDY THE BEST CAT BUDDY EVER. I CANNOT EXPRESS HOW HARD IT WAS TO LET HIM GO. IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT THINGS I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED. AS I TOLD THE MRS, THE ONLY THING WORSE THAN LOSING HIM IS WATCHING AND LETTING HIM SUFFER NEEDLESSLY. HE WAS A GENTLE CREATURE WHO MADE OUR LIVES BETTER EVERY MOMENT HE WAS WITH US.

I KNOW MANY PEOPLE WILL SAY WELL HE WAS JUST A CAT, BUT LET ME TELL YOU OLD SPARKSTER WAS MUCH MORE. HE CAME IN TO OUR LIVES IN 1998 WHEN WE WERE LIVING IN SAN FRANCISCO. HE JUST KIND WALKED IN ( AND WE LIVED ON THE ROOFTOP APT!) AND MADE HIMSELF AT HOME. DESPITE THE MRS' HALF HEARTED INITIAL OBJECTIONS HE BECAME THE MAIN MAN IN THE HOUSE! THE MRS DOTED ON HIM LIKE NOBODY'S BIZNESS! WE LATER FOUND OUT THAT ONE OF OUR NEIGHBORS DOWNSTAIRS ORIGINALLY ADOPTED HIM ABOUT A YEAR OR TWO EARLIER. SPARKY KINDA GOT OUT OF THERE WHEN SHE ADOPTED A COUPLE OF ANNOYING DROOLING BOXERS. LIKE I SAID SPARKY WAS NO ORDINARY CAT , HE WAS ONE SMART DUDE, NO DOGS AT OUR HOUSE!

BUDDY TRAVELED QUITE EXTENSIVELY IN HIS SHORT TIME WITH US. HE WENT WITH US TO CHICAGO TO VISIT THE IN-LAWS. WHEN WE WERE FLYING BACK AND WE WERE ONE ONE OF THOSE HIDEOUSLY DELAYED FLIGHTS AND HAD TO LAND IN RENO BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER. YOU KNOW WHAT NOT A ONE COMPLAINT OUT OF HIM. HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A BIT HUNGRY THOUGH. WE FINALLY GOT TO THE HOTEL 8 HOURS AFTER TAKE OFF. THE BELL HOP WAS KIND ENOUGH TO GET US A BOX WITH SOME DIRT IN IT AND A TURKEY SANDWICH AND BUDDY WAS GOOD TO GO. OF COURSE THE NEXT MORNING THE MRS AND FREAKED OUT WHEN WE COULD NOT FIND HIM!! AFTER A HECTIC SEARCH WE FOUND HIM PEACEFULLY SLEEPING IN ONE OF THE DRESSER DRAWERS THAT WE LEFT CRACKED OPEN. HE HAD THIS HABIT OF GETTING INTO STRANGE SPOTS FOR A GOOD NAP.

WE MOVED BACK TO NY IN 1999. WE SPENT ONE NIGHT AT MY FOLKS HOUSE WHERE SPARKY FOUND SOME WICKER BASKET AND TOOK A NAP WHICH MY MOM CALLED HIM DOING NONNY IN THE BASKET! THE NEXT DAY WE GOT INTO OUR HOUSE AND IT WAS ME THE MRS & SPARKY AND ALL WE HAD WAS THE BED ORDERED FROM 1800 DIAL A MATTRESS. BUDDY PROMPTLY TOOK A NAP ON THAT BED! SEE THIS PATTERN DEVELOPING? WE FINALLY GOT OUR FURNITURE AND STUFF FROM THE MOVERS A FEW DAYS LATER. I WAS AT WORK WHEN THE MRS PANICKED CAUSE OLD BUDDY HAD DISAPPEARED. WHEN I GOT HOME LATER HE HAD SOMEHOW CRAWLED INTO THE A/C DUCT IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM AND WAS HAVING A SNOOZE!

I CAN GO ON & ON ABOUT MY LITTLE BUDDY, BUT FOR ME ONE OF THE THINGS I WILL MISS THE MOST IS HIM ALWAYS GREETING ME AT THE DOOR ( ALMOST DOG LIKE) WHEN I GOT HOME : OLD RELIABLE. I WILL ALSO MISS HIM HANGING OUT WITH ME IN MY OFFICE WHEN I WAS WORKING AT HOME OR LATE AT NIGHT WHEN I COULD NOT SLEEP AND WAS BLOGGING OR RESEARCHING STUFF ON LINE. MOST OF ALL I WILL JUST MISS HIM. REST IN PEACE OLD BUDDY

Black and White People Furniture - Bizarre Commercial

2009-05-19T16:26:00.001-04:00

very funny

2009-05-07T16:46:00.000-04:00

MEETING OF THE MINDS

///UPDATE///

WE NOW KNOW THAT MANNY IS ACTUALLY EXPRESSING TENDER FEELINGS TOWARDS SENILE JOE DUE TO THE $7.7 MILLIONS $$ OF FEMALE FERTILITY DRUGS HE HAS BEEN TAKING!!!

LOOK AT THIS MEETING OF THE MINDS! DO YOU THINK THEY ARE DISCUSSING LATE INNING STRATEGY, MANNY BE MANNY, JOE BEING SENILE OR JUST DEBATING EINSTEIN'S THEORY OF RELATIVITY?? MAYBE JOE IS JUST ASKING MANNY WHEN HE IS GOING TO CUT HIS HAIR?

Harmonica + Beatbox: Final Cut

2009-05-01T20:07:00.001-04:00

PRETTY SNAZZY!!!

2009-04-30T19:29:00.001-04:00

SWINE FLU!!!!!!!

2009-04-22T09:35:00.001-04:00

IT SEEMS TO BE EVERYWHERE........COMPLIMENTS OF THE SKA MAN FROM FLORIDA

2009-03-27T23:43:00.002-04:00

Cage The Elephant...I like It!

2009-03-14T22:06:00.004-04:00

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

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

MANNY BEING MANNY!!! HIS CONTRACT TIMING IS BAD UNLIKE HIS HITTING TIMING. HE IS PROBABLY ONE THE BEST CLUTCH RIGHT HANDED HITTER THAT I HAVE SEEN. POOR MANNY DID NOT GET HIS 100 MILLION! AT LEAST HE IS IN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE WITH THE OUTED, BACKSTABBING, & SENILE JOE TORRE. HEY MAYBE THEY CAN WRITE A BOOK TOGETHER.... JOEY & MANNY....THE BLUE DODGER BLUE YEARS!!!! GEEZ I AM GETTING CRANKY WAITING FOR SOME APRIL YANKEES OPENING DAY BASEBALL!!!

"IT'S LIKE A JUNGLE SOMETIME, IT MAKES ME WONDER HOW I KEEP FROM GOING UNDER......." OKAY I ADMIT IT, I AM A SUCKER FOR CLASSIC OR OLD SCHOOL HIP HOP WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT. YES I LIKE ALL THE HITS BY ARTISTS SUCH AS RUN-D.M.C., DR. DRE, NAUGHTY BY NATURE, SNOOP DOGG, GRANDMASTER FLASH, PUBLIC ENEMY & THE BEASTIE BOYS ETC. I MIGHT NOT GET THE RHYMES RIGHT, CANT REALLY DANCE OR GET THE RHYTHM RIGHT BUT I CAN DO THE HEAD BOBBING SHAKING THANG RIGHT!!!

IF ANY WALL STREET MUCKY MUCK NEEDED AN OLD FASHIONED, NIGHTTIME BACK OF THE SCHOOLYARD OR PARK BEATING, IT IS THIS CLOWN. NOT ONLY DID HE SPEND A COOL 1.2 MILL TO DECORATE HIS OFFICE BUT HE ALSO SPENT OH, BILLIONS TO GIVE OUT BONUSES TO KEEP TOP EMPLOYEES!! LIKE WHERE THE HECK ARE THESE GUYS GOING TO GO AND FIND HIGHER PAYING JOBS IN THIS ECONOMY? I GUESS IT IS EASY TO SPEND WHEN IT IS NOT YOUR MONEY BUT THIS WAS OUR (TAXPAYER) MONEY. AT LEAST OLE BERNIE (THE MAD HATTER) MADOFF STOLE FROM THE RICH TO PAY HIMSELF AND OF COURSE HIS WIFE, KIDS BROTHER AND FAMILY HAD NO IDEA (YEAH AND MY HAIR HAS STARTED GROWING BACK TOO).JOHNNY BOY STOLE FROM YOU AND ME... THEY SHOULD LOCK THIS CLOWN UP IN RIKER'S ISLAND FOR A FEW WEEKS TO TEACH HIM A SMALL LESSON IF NOT STILL GOT ME A WOOD LOUISVILLE SLUGGER I WOULD LIKE JOHN THAIN TO MEET. IN FACT I GOTS ME A WHOLE LIST OF WALL STREET / BANK TYPES I LIKE TO SEE DO THE PERP WALK....

I LOVE BASEBALL AND I LOVE TO WATCH THE NY YANKEES......BUT WHAT THE FRIGGIN HECK!!!! I HAD THE SATURDAY GAME PLAN FOR THE LAST 8 OR 9 YEARS WITH 4 PRETTY DARN GOOD SEATS: LOGE BOX SEC 19 BOX/ROW 475C, FIRST BASE SIDE UNDER THE OVERHANG IN LOGE SECTION. SO I WAS PREPARED TO GET GOUGED FOR SIMILAR SEATS FOR THE NEW YANKEES STADIUM! MUCH TO MY SURPRISED I RECEIVED THE NE "RELOCATION" PACKAGE AND IT WAS $2500 FOR 4 SEATS FOR 15 GAMES ,,,OH JOY!! UPON CLOSE REVIEW THE NEW SEATS WERE IN THE UPPER DECK NEXT TO THE LAST ROW. NOSE BLEED STYLE! WHEN I CALLED , I WAS POLITELY TOLD THAT THESE WERE THE BEST THAT THEY COULD DO BUT THEY COULD OFFER ME 2- 4 FIELD LEVEL SEATS FOR ONLY $350 EACH FOR MINIMUM OF 20 GAMES INCLUDING 6 SATURDAYS.... OH AND IT INCLUDES FOOD!!! ARE YOU FRIGGIN NUTS, THAT'S MIN 14,000 US DOLLARS! EVEN IF I WAS A FRIGGIN SEVEN DAY A WEEK BUFFET EATING FAT BASTARD COULD I EAT THAT MUCH IN HOT DOGS, PEANUTS AND CRACKERJACK....OH YEAH ALCOHOL IS NOT INCLUDED. I DECLINED THE SEATS AND THE SUBSEQUENT OFFERS OF "CLOSER" SEATS IF I TOOK SOME WEEKDAY GAMES AS WELL. HECK I WILL BE WATCHING THE GAMES ON MY FLAT SCREEN TV BREAKING OUT SOME OLD SCHOOL JIFFY POP AND COSTCO PEANUTS. I MAY SHUT THE SOUND OFF AND LISTEN TO RADIO WHILE I AM AT IT BUT I AIN'T GOING TO NO MORE GAMES ( UNLESS OF COURSE I CAN FINAGLE SOME FREEBIE TIX!!!) AND THAT'S THAT....GO YANKS!!

MEMO TO OUR POLTICIANS......SHUT THE HECK UP AND FIX THE ECONOMY...START BY CUTTING ALL YOUR OWN PAYCHECKS 10 %........

Re: Cat Talking, Translation

2009-03-07T20:45:00.001-05:00

Darn Funny!

2009-02-11T23:22:00.002-05:00

OLD SCHOOL CHURCH

THEM GREEK CHURCHES ARE EVERYWHERE! ST PHOTIOS IN ST AUGUSTINE, FL. THE FIRST GREEK CHURCH IN THE NEW WORLD CIRCA 1768. A FEW YEARS BEFORE I WAS BORN!!!

2009-02-03T09:25:00.001-05:00

WE ARE WAITING

FEED US NOW!!!!

2009-01-31T22:23:00.003-05:00

THREE FLICKS FOR THOSE COLD DAYS & NIGHTS!

THESE ARE SOMEWHAT QUIRKY OFF THE BEATEN TRACK BUT EXCELLENT MOVIES TO WATCH. KINDA MAILED IN THE REVIEWS USING IMDB BUT THEY DO IT BEST! THE BONUS IS THAT THESE THREE ALSO HAVE PRETTY DARN KICKIN SOUNDTRACKS!

THE EDUKATORS (2004) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408777/
Friends Jan (Daniel Bruhl) and Peter (Stipe Erceg) use a membership list from the city's yacht club to break into mansions. They don't steal, but instead stack furniture, put artworks in the toilet and stereos in the fridge, then leave a note saying, "Your days of plenty are numbered," signed The Edukators. Director Hans Weingartner grafts all the elements of a thriller onto a fascinating discussion of the need for kids to rebel … peaceably. ENGLISH SUBTITLES

One Bright Shining Moment (2005) Retracing presidential candidate George McGovern's unsuccessful run for office in 1972 -- despite his well-respected intellect and decency -- this political documentary interviews McGovern himself, as well as supporters and activists such as Gore Vidal, Gloria Steinem, Warren Beatty and Howard Zinn, to explore the volatility of the electoral process. A period-appropriate soundtrack features songs by Bob Dylan, Donovan and Elvis Costello. FLASHBACK CITY!

The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005) Tommy Lee Jones stars in and directs this dark comedy set on the Texas-Mexico border. After accidentally killing a man, heartless border patrol officer Mike (Barry Pepper) quickly buries the body in an unmarked grave. But ranch foreman Pete Perkins (Jones) learns of his friend's death, kidnaps Mike and drags him on a harrowing journey to Mexico to bury the man in his hometown. Julio Cesar Cedillo, January Jones and Dwight Yoakam co-star. TOMMY LEE WOW!!!!!!

2009-01-19T19:44:00.002-05:00

FOUND IN DUBAI....

ENOUGH SAID!!!!!

Kate and Gin the dancing dog- Britains got talent 2008

2008-12-21T16:34:00.001-05:00

amazing dog

Shoes Thrown at Bush in Iraq during News Conference

2008-12-21T13:49:00.001-05:00

BB King / Gary Moore - The Thrill is Gone

2008-12-21T13:41:00.001-05:00

Classic

2008-11-16T22:18:00.000-05:00

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

2008-11-13T19:55:00.001-05:00

2008-11-01T22:35:00.002-04:00

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!!!!!

2008-10-29T19:42:00.001-04:00

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.

2008-10-12T05:40:00.000-04:00

LEAVE ME ALONE

CAN'T YOU SEE I AM HIDING?

Niko's Greek Style Breakfast

2008-10-08T23:56:00.001-04:00

2008-10-06T01:24:00.002-04:00

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!!!!!

2008-09-02T23:31:00.001-04:00

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!!!!

2008-08-27T19:48:00.001-04:00

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)

2008-08-18T16:16:00.001-04:00

2008-08-15T17:24:00.003-04:00

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!!

2008-08-13T16:02:00.001-04:00

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

2008-08-06T23:50:00.002-04:00

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

2008-07-16T09:59:00.001-04:00

Inspiring

This Is Charley

2008-07-14T21:56:00.001-04:00

wow

2008-06-25T09:15:00.004-04:00

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!

2008-06-22T21:08:00.001-04:00

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

2008-06-12T23:58:00.001-04:00

THIS ONE IS FOR THE WARDEN

2008-06-11T21:52:00.003-04:00

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

2008-05-23T22:32:00.001-04:00

WOWSERS

2008-05-18T20:21:00.002-04:00

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!!!

Crank That Kosher Boy

2008-05-18T19:16:00.001-04:00

TOO FUNNY

2008-05-01T03:04:00.001-04:00

COMING SOON TO A BLOG NEAR YOU

ENUFF SAID!!!!

2008-03-25T21:21:00.002-04:00

SPEED BLOG 2008.3

SINCE I HAVE NOT BEEN KEEPING UP WITH MY BLOG (SLACKING) OR WRITING AS MUCH AS I WOULD LIKE TO (LAZY), I WILL PROCEED TO SPEED BLOG! (SHORT SNIPPETS OF MY STUFF!) AM A GONNA START WITH MARCH 2008 , SO HERE I GO!

MARCH 22: ME N THE MRS WENT TO SEE A PLAY AT THE LINDA GROSS THEATER BY THE ATLANTIC THEATER COMPANY IN NYC. IT WAS A DIFFICULT SHOW TO HAVE TO SIT THRU. THE PLAY IS ABOUT A COUPLE IN MARITAL LIMBO AND THE RELATIONSHIP TRIANGLE WITH THE NEIGHBOUR WHO INEVITABLY ENDS UPS SLEEPING WITH HIS FRIEND'S DISENCHANTED WIFE. THE HIGHLIGHT FOR ME WAS THAT IT WAS KIND NEAT TO SEE CHRIS BAUER SPEAKING WITH A PASSABLE ENGLISH ACCENT! OH, THE NAME OF THE PLAY IS PARLOUR SONG.

WE DID MANAGE TO GET HOME IN TIME TO FEED THE HUNGRY, FEROCIOUS, FEARSOME, FOUR CATS IN TIME BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY HAD TO EAT THE DRY FOOD SITTING IN THEIR OVERFULL BOWL!

MARCH 21: TO START THE WEEKEND ME N THE MRS DROVE THE THREE HOURS & WENT TO MOHEGAN SUN FOR FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS YET AGAIN! IT IS ALWAYS A GREAT TIME AT THE SUN EVEN IF THE FIGHTS ARE MEDIOCRE. WE HAD A MOST DELICIOUS MEAL A THE SUMMER SHACK AND THEN WATCHED SOME SPIRITED FIGHTS CULMINATING WITH A FANTASTIC UPSET WITH BRIAN "ALOE" VERA KNOCKING OUT ANDY "LIMERICK" LEE IN THE MAIN EVENT. BONUS FIGHT WAS WATCHING THE LANKY AARON PRYOR JR WIN A TOUGH DECISION!

MARCH 8: AFTERNOON PLAY AT THE NEW YORK THEATRE WORKSHOP DOWNTOWN NYC (LOWER EAST SIDE). THE ONE WOMAN PLAY IS ABOUT A CHILD'S EXPERIENCES DURING 1980'S MIAMI RACE RIOTS. APRIL YVETTE THOMPSON DOES AN OUTSTANDING JOB IN A MESMERISING ROLE IN LIBERTY CITY. I GOTTA TELL YA THERE ARE A BUNCH OF DIVERSE, TASTY REASONABLY PRICED DINING OPTIONS IN THIS AREA OF THE OVERWHELMINGLY OVERPRICED NYC. EATING AT ZERZA WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THIS DAY! WE ENJOYED THE WONDERFUL BOUREKAS (Pastry bread stuffed with spinach, pine nuts, raisins & feta cheese) THIS DISH WAS OBVIOUSLY PILFERED FROM THE GREEKS * SPINACH PIE! ALONG WITH THE SPICY PRAWNS MARINATED IN CHERMOULA SAUCE ( whatever that is!). WE THEN ENJOYED A WHOLE GRILLED FISH ACCOMPANIED WITH A BEET & GOAT CHEESE SALAD. WE WERE SO STUFFED THAT WE SKIPPED DESSERT & THE HOOKAH LOUNGE!

GOT HOME IN TIME TO WATCH HBO WEST VERSION OF THE JUAN "BABY BULL" DIAZ VS NATE "THE GALAXY WARRIOR" CAMPBELL & OLEG "MUSHY" MASKAEV VS SAMUEL "TUB O NIGERIAN NIGHTMARE" PETER FIGHTS. BOTH FIGHTS WERE ENTERTAINING BUT SOMEWHAT ODD AS THE CANCUN VENUE SEEMED LIKE A DON KING MINOR LEAGUE SHOW? OH WELL!

MARCH 6: WE HAD AN ENCHANTING ( BEEN TRYING FOR YEARS TO GET THIS WORD IN MY BLOG!!) EVENING AT THE TILLES CENTER ON C.W. POST CAMPUS ON LONG ISLAND. WE ATTENDED A HIGHLY ENTERTAINING AND ENERGETIC CONCERT BY THE RENOWNED PINK MARTINI. IT WAS AN OUTSTANDING SHOW THAT ME N THE MRS WOULD GLADLY ATTEND AGAIN! PINK MARTINI IS KIND OF A THROWBACK MINI 1930'S- 1940'S INTERNATIONAL BIG BAND WHICH WAS BIG FUN FOR ALL!!!

2008-03-20T17:16:00.003-04:00

HAPPY EASTER

!!!!!

2008-03-02T10:06:00.004-05:00

IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY PART 2!

INDEED LADIES AND GENTLEMENS, THE CRAZY CATS RUN IN THE JIMITHEGREEK FAMILY. JUST LOOK AT THE ABOVE PIC OF THE YOUNGEST DAUGHTER'S CAT! IS IT NAP TIME AGAIN? LOOK AT THEM FRIGGIN FEETS!!

2008-02-21T21:25:00.003-05:00

BOOYAH IN BEIJING - THE FINALE

COULD IT FINALLY BE THE FRIGGIN END OF THE " GO EAST YOUNG MAN!!! JIMITHEGREEK GOES TO CHINA" SAGA ? ?

"THIS IS THE END, BEAUTIFUL FRIEND, THE END!' - THE DOORS

YES FINALLY AFTER MORE THAN SEVEN MONTHS (OK A LITTLE PROCRASTINATION HERE) IT IS THE END! WELL ON JUNE 15 & 16 WE HAD OUR TEDIOUS COMPANY WORK CONFERENCE & SEMINARS. THE TELLING SIGN OF THE BUSINESS PART OF THE TRIP WAS ON FRIDAY WHEN THE NEW LEADER /PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY PROCEEDED TO BERATE & EMBARRASS THE NEW AND VERY PREGNANT CAMBODIA MANAGER BY CALLING HER AMONG OTHER THINGS A STUPID IDIOT. THIS IN FRONT OF ALL HER COLLEAGUES AND SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE COMPANY. IN RETROSPECT THIS WAS A PRECURSOR OF THE DYSFUNCTION AND CHAOS TO FOLLOW WITH THE HIRING OF THIS LOONEY GUY! ANYWAYS ENOUGH OF THAT LETS GET TO THE GOOD STUFF.

AFTER THIS AND TWO MEDIOCRE DINNERS AT SOME LOCAL TOURISTY RESTAURANTS WITH OUR CO WORKERS THE CHINAMAN HAD HAD ENOUGH AND WAS GETTING THE HECK OUT! HE DEPARTED BEIJING FOR HONG KONG ON SATURDAY MORNING , BUT NOT BEFORE POSING AND GIVING US ALL A FESTIVE BEIJING PHOTO OP SEND OFF!!

MAN, SO THE CHINAMAN GAINED SOME WEIGHT ON THE THE TRIP, STUFF HAPPENS! NO WORRIES THOUGH AFTER A DIET OF SIPS AND TASTES WE ALL GET BACK TO OUR FIGHTING WEIGHT!

SOMEHOW I WAS TALKED INTO TAKING THE COMPANY TOURISTIC DAY TRIP TO VISIT THE GREAT WALL AND OTHER ATTRACTIVE ATTRACTIONS! SO SATURDAY MORNING WE BOARDED THE BUS TO TAKE US TO THE GREAT WALL

IT TOOK US ABOUT ONE AND A HALF TO TWO HOURS TO GET TO THE BADALING ENTRANCE TO THE GREAT WALL. WHILE ON THE BUS I DID TRY TO GET ALL MY CHINESE COMPATRIOTS TO SING 99 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL WITH ME BUT IT DIDN'T STICK! SO I GOT EM WITH SOME DOPEY KNOCK KNOCK JOKES INSTEAD! AFTER THE BUS PARKED , WE WERE OFF WITH OUR PERFUNCTORY TOUR GUIDE FOR A SWELTERING 20 MINUTE WALK TO GET TO THE ENTRANCE. ONCE YOU GET TO THE ENTRANCE YOUR SENSES ARE ASSAULTED BY THE PURE TOURIST TRAP ARTISANS ABOUND.

THE VENDORS AROUND THE AREA STALK & JUMP UGLY TRYING TO GET YOU TO BUY THE KITCHY SOUVENIRS.

THERE ARE ALSO VENDORS HAWKING YUCKY FOOD FOR YOU TO THROW AT THE LOCAL BEARS THAT ARE IN CONCRETE PITS. OK, OK I FELL FOR THIS ONE AND THREW THE SAD LITTLE BEARS SOME APPLE LOOKING FRUIT.

AS YOU CONTINUE YOUR WALK TO GET TO THE BEIJING BADALING BICONVEX PULLEY, YOU ARE OVERWHELMED BY A RANCID STENCH. OUR LACONIC TOUR GUIDE CLAIMED THAT THERE WAS A STINKY TOFU SHOP WHICH WAS THE SOURCE. I AM NOT SURE ABOUT THAT, AS IT STANK LIKE A SLAUGHTERHOUSE SWELTERING IN THE SUMMER TO ME NOW I KNEW WHY THE NOW WISE & KNOWLEDGEABLE CHINAMAN HAD NO INTEREST IN GOING ON THIS TOUR!

THE PULLEY ITSELF IS A BIT SCARY. IT KINDA LOOKS LIKE A CHEAP DISNEY KNOCK OFF RIDE. IT GIVES YOU A SLOW RICKETY, RAUNCHY, SMELLING RIDE UP TO THE MAIN TOURIST ENTRANCE ON THE GREAT WALL. I MUST ADMIT IT IS WORTH ALL THE HASSLE TO GET TO SEE THE WALL. IT IS A MAGNIFICENT, IMPRESSIVE STRUCTURE. TALKING WITH SOME FOLKS IT IS MUCH LESS CROWDED, QUIETER AND NICER TO DRIVE UP THE ROAD ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES TO ANOTHER ENTRANCE. THE CATCH IS THAT YOU HAVE TO ACTUALLY HIKE UP ABOUT 45 MINUTES TO GET TO THE TOP/ENTRANCE. FOR ALL YOU HEATHENS WHO MAY DOUBT THAT I WAS ACTUALLY THERE, PLEASE SEE PHOTOS BELOW OF ME N SOME LOCALS!

ME AND THE HANOI COWGIRL HYDE(PRONOUNCED HEIDI!)--->

ME AND BEN KENOBE AH CHOO

AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OF THE LOOK SEE, WE SKEEDADDLED DOWN TO THE ENTRANCE DODGING THE VENDORS TO AWAIT THE BUS TO TAKE US TO LUNCH AND A TOUR OF A CLOISONNE FACTORY. OK SO NOW I AM WITH MY COLLEAGUES THE CRAZY ALBANIAN , BEN KENOBI AND MAYOR MAO. ABOUT ONE HOUR LATER WE ARE BACK ON THE BUS AND WE PULL INTO THIS TOURIST TRAP COMPLEX WERE YOU ARE USHERED THROUGH THIS PRETEND FACTORY INTO A HUGE STORE TO GET YOU YOU TO BUY THE SAME STUFF THEY HAVE IN ANY CHINATOWN OR WALMART FOR THAT MATTER! AFTER A LAME LUNCH, THE MAYOR MADE SOME ARRANGEMENTS AND GOT US A CAR TO GET US BACK TO THE HOTEL PRONTO. NOW THE MAYOR WAS WORKING HIS PHONE AND CONVINCED US TO GO TO THE FIRST CLASS SPA PLACE IN BEIJING. WE COULD GET A GOOD MASSAGE AND SPA TREATMENT AT A GOOD PRICE IN A TOP A1 CLASS JOINT. OH WELL WHY NOT!

SO AFTER 3-4 HOURS AT THE HOTEL TO REST, WE GRAB A CAB AND BEGIN A HIDEOUS TRAFFIC JAMMED TWO HOUR DRIVE TO GET TO THE EAST HAWAI INTERNATIONAL CLUB. YES IT IS SPELLED WITH ONE I, AND AS WE ENTERED THIS HUGE FACILITY, LITTLE DID I KNOW WHAT STRANGENESS WAS IN STORE FOR ME AND THE CRAZY ALBANIAN. MAYOR MAO SIGNED US IN AND WE PROCEEDED INTO THE MEN'S SIDE OF THE SPA.

WE WERE GIVEN A LOCKER KEY AND ENTERED THE LOCKER AREA. OF COURSE NO ONE SPOKE A WORD OF ENGLISH BUT I FIGURED WE HAD THE MAYOR WHO COULD BARELY SPEAK ENGLISH HIMSELF SO THAT WAS ENOUGH. WE RECEIVED PLASTIC SLIPPERS AND WENT TO OUR LOCKERS TO DISROBE. HEY THEY DONT GIVE YOU ANY ROBES ! SO HERE WE ARE WALKING AROUND NAKED WITH ABOUT FIVE HUNDRED CHINAMEN. ME AND THE CRAZY ALBANIAN WERE THE ONLY NON-ASIANS IN THE JOINT. GEEZ WE WAS BOTH WALKING AROUND WITH OUR EYES STRAIGHT AHEAD, THANK GOD WE WERE TALLER THAN MOST EVERYONE THERE! WELL GEEZ THEY FINALLY GAVE US A TOWEL THE SIZE OF ONE OF MY KITCHEN TOWELS HANGING ON THE FRIDGE! WE WENT INTO THE STEAM ROOMS. THE STEAM ROOMS, SAUNAS, WHIRLPOOLS ETC WERE ALL ACTUALLY NICE AND CLEAN. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OF GETTING PRUNED, WE HAD A SHOWER AND WALKED BACK TO THE LOCKER AREA. WHOA, THEN IT HAPPENED, A BUNCH OF SPA EMPLOYEES JUMPED US AND STARTED TO DRY US OFF WITH THESE TINY TOWELS!!! WHEN I SAY DRY OFF I MEAN THE WHOLE BODY INCLUDING ME PRIVATES!! ME AND THE CRAZY ALBANIAN WOULD NOT HAVE ANY OF THAT THANK YOU. APPARENTLY THIS CAUSED A STIR AS WE DID NOT LET THEM DO THEIR JOB BUT THE MAYOR CAME IN AND NEGOTIATED A RESOLUTION AND GOT US AN EXTRA COUPLE OF THOSE TEENY TOWELS!!

SO NEXT ON THE PROGRAM WAS A TOUR, MASSAGE AND DINNER...OH WHAT JOY! THE PLACE WAS IMPRESSIVE. THEY HAD PING-PONG & POLL TABLES, EXERCISE EQUIPMENT, RESTAURANTS, SALONS, SPA MASSAGES, KARAOKE ROOMS ETC. YOU HAVE HEARD OF SWIMMING WITH DOLPHINS? WELL HERE YOU CAN SWIM WITH SLIMY LITTLE FISHES!! NEEDLESS TO SAY WE SKIPPED THIS PART.

I ACTUALLY WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MASSAGE FOR A QUIET RESPITE AND FOR SOME RELIEF OF THE SLIGHT PAIN IN MY NECK AREA. AFTER GETTING THEM TO TURN OFF THE SCREECHING CHINESE MUSIC, THE MASSAGE TURNED OUT TO BE RELAXING AND I FELL ASLEEP UNTIL IT WAS TIME TO TURN OVER. IT WAS THEN I WAS A BIT STARTLED AS I NOTICED THE MASSEUSE HAD LITTLE AFROS IN HER ARMPITS! OYE VEY! AT DINNER THE CRAZY ALBANIAN REVEALED THAT HIS MASSEUSE ALSO HAD BIG HAIRY ARMPITS. THEY MUST HAVE BEEN SISTERS? WE HAD DINNER IN A PRIVATE KARAOKE ROOM BUT I WAS SO TIRED THAT IT WAS KIND OF A BLUR. YOU KNOW SHRIMP HEADS, CHICKEN FEET & THE SUCH. FINALLY GOT BACK TO THE HOTEL CUSSING THE CHINAMAN UNDER MY BREATH BECAUSE HE GOT OUTTA THERE JUST IN TIME! NEXT MORNING OFF TO THE AIRPORT FOR A QUICK THIRTEEN HOUR FLIGHT HOME! LET ME JUST SAY IT IS GOOD TO LIVE IN THE USA!

OLD SCHOOL GREEK STYLE

2008-02-12T20:13:00.001-05:00

OLD SCHOOL GREEK STYLE

2008-02-10T09:10:00.000-05:00

IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY!

YES, BOYS AND GIRLS THE CRAZY CATS RUN IN THE JIMITHEGREEK FAMILY. JUST LOOK AT THE ABOVE PIC OF THE ELDEST DAUGHTER'S CAT! IS IT BATH TIME OR SOMETHING? WHAT THE FRIGGIN HECK!!

2008-02-08T10:18:00.000-05:00

Joe Strummer And The Mescaleros - Johnny Appleseed

2008-02-08T08:45:00.001-05:00

This was the Theme Song from the great but cancelled series "John From Cincinatti"

2008-02-03T12:13:00.000-05:00

FREE MONEY $$ FREE MONEY $$ FREE MONEY $$ FREE MONEY $$ FREE MONEY $$ FREE MONEY $$ FREE MONEY $$ FREE MONEY $$ FREE MONEY $ FREE MONEY $$

NOW THAT I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION!! NOW THAT I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION!! WHY PAY WHEN YOU CAN GET IT FOR FREE? THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS. YES YOU CAN OBTAIN YOUR CREDIT REPORT FOR FREE! THE THREE MAJOR CREDIT BUREAUS EQUIFAX, EXPERIAN & TRANSUNION ARE REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A FREE CREDIT REPORT ONCE A YEAR! YOU CAN OBTAIN THIS REPORT BY PHONE, MAIL OR VIA THE INTERNET. YOU GO TO THE FOLLOWING SITE:

https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

ONCE THERE YOU CAN FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS, VIEW YOUR REPORTS AND MAKE ANY NECESSARY CORRECTIONS / PROTESTS. YOU WOULD BE SURPRISED TO SEE WHAT STUFF IS IN YOUR REPORT! I SUGGEST THAT YOU DO ONE EACH 3 OR 4 MONTH INTERVALS SO YOU CAN SEE IF THE CORRECTIONS MADE ON THE FIRST ONE GET CORRECTED ON THE SUBSEQUENT ONES. ALSO DON'T LET THE CREDIT AGENCIES TRICK YOU INTO BUYING ANYTHING BECAUSE YOU REALLY DO NOT NEED IT.

REMEMBER IF ITS FREE ITS FOR ME!

A PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE FROM YOUR UNCLE TZIMI

"GIVE ME A WORD, ANY WORD, AND I WILL GIVE YOU THE GREEK ROOT OF THE WORD".................................. MY BIG FAT GREEK BLOG

OK , OK THIS IS A RERUN BUT IT IS GOOD ONCE A YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-02-01T22:57:00.000-05:00

WHERE DID SHE GO?

GEEEZ, HER SHOES ARE HERE, BUT WHERE IS SHE? WHERE DID SHE GO? SHE HAS TO FEED US? WHERE DID SHE GO? WE ARE STARVING! SHE HAS TO FEED US!

Tommy Emmanuel - Classical Gas

2008-01-21T09:20:00.001-05:00

Some awesome pickin!!

2008-01-11T14:16:00.000-05:00

2008-01-10T19:16:00.000-05:00

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"I AM GOING TO CONGRESS AND IM GOING TO TELL THE TRUTH" - ROGER CLEMENS

FRIGGIN STEROID HELL IF YOU ASK ME!!!!

2008-01-01T11:09:00.000-05:00

NAPPING THE WAY IT OUTTA BE!!!...PART DEUCE

2007-12-31T13:54:00.000-05:00

ALL THE BEST IN 2008

2007-12-29T16:18:00.000-05:00

ITS THE ECONOMY STUPID

WHO ARE THESE THEY PEOPLE?

I AM AMAZED AT THESE THEY PEOPLE WHO CLAIM THE ECONOMY IS DOING WELL, EXPANDING, & GROWING ETC! THESE MUST BE WALL STREET PUNDITS AND POLITICIANS WHO EXIST IN SOME OTHER PARALLEL UNIVERSE. IN THIS WORLD THEY ARE SO INSULATED FROM REALITY, THAT ITS PAINFULLY SILLY! THEY HAVE NO IDEA AND THEY HAVE NO COMMON SENSE! HERE ARE SOME FACTS & INFORMATION FOR THE EVERYDAY MAN

THEY SAY UNEMPLOYMENT IS UP TO 4.7 %. I SAY IF YOU ARE +50 IT IS CLOSER TO 15%

THEY SAY THE HOUSING / SUB PRIME MORTGAGE MESS WILL COST +$50 BILLION. I SAY IT WILL GO OVER 500 BILLION AND THEN SOME. WHERE HAS ALL THIS MONEY GONE? SOUNDS LIKE THE BANKS AND WALL STREET DID THE OLD PONZI SCHEME TO EACH OTHER!! OUR GOOD GOVERNMENT & N YOU JOHN Q TAXPAYER WILL END UP FOOTING THE BILL FOR THIS ONE.

THEY SAY WE ARE WINNING THE WARS IN IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN AT A COST OF $3 BILLION PER WEEK !! ALREADY OVER ONE TRILLION USD. I SAY, ARE YOU FRIGGIN KIDDING ME!!! FOR THAT KIND OF MONEY I COULD SECURE OUR BORDERS & TIGHTEN UP OUR CUSTOMS / IMMIGRATION SYSTEM. WHILE I AM AT IT THE EXTRA MONEY WOULD GO TO FIX THE HEALTH CARE MESS & SOCIAL SECURITY!

THE US DOLLAR IS AT AN ALL TIME LOW. THEY SAY, IT IS GOOD FOR OUR EXPORTS. I SAY, WHAT FRIGGIN EXPORTS? WHAT DO YOU SEE THAT IS MADE IN THE USA? THE BOEING JETS ACCOUNT FOR A HUGE CHUNK OF OUR EXPORTS. YOU SHOULD SEE ALL THE EUROPEANS AND ASIANS COMING TO NYC TO BUY EXPENSIVE USELESS STUFF! OF COURSE IF YOU WANT TO GO ON VACATION TO EUROPE, YOU BETTER GET A SECOND MORTGAGE TO PAY FOR IT. WAIT THERE IS A CREDIT CRUNCH, YOU CANT GET A SECOND MORTGAGE. WHO WANTS TO GO TO EUROPE ANYWAY, WHEN YOU CAN GO TO FLORIDA AND BUY A CONDO FOR ABOUT THE SAME PRICE AS A MONTH'S HOTEL STAY IN LONDON OR PARIS

"OIL THAT IS, BLACK GOLD, TEXAS TEA"

OIL AT ALMOST $100 PER BARREL, GOING TO $125 EASY. THEY SAY IT IS SUPPLY & DEMAND. I SAY, HEY YOU WITH THAR BIG OLD ESCALADE OR NAVIGATOR, HOW ABOUT $100 TO FILL UP YOUR TANK HALF WAY! FUNNY HOW WE HAVE MORE SOLAR PANELS GENERATING ENERGY IN NEW YORK THAN THEY DO IN ARIZONA OR NEVADA? WHATS UP WITH THAT?

THEY SAY FIVE YEAR STOCK MARKET BULL RUN STILL HAS LEGS. I SAY WAKE, UP ITS OVER! IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT HAPPENS. THE WALL STREET MUCKY MUCKS WILL ALWAYS MAKE THEIR MOOLAH. LOOK AT ALL THESE BIG BANKS, BROKERAGE & OTHER FINANCIAL FIRMS GOING DOWN THE PROVERBIAL TOILET, WHILE THEIR EXECS GET FIRED, RESIGN OR WALK AWAY WITH MILLIONS! ALL THIS WHILE YOUR AVERAGE WORKING CLASS PERSON GETS FIRED AND WALKS AWAY WITH NADA!

THEY SAY THERE IS A A 20% TO 50% CHANCE OF A RECESSION IN 2008? I SAY, WHO MAKES THESE ODDS UP? IF IT WAS THE BOYS IN VEGAS, I WOULD LISTEN TO THEM. THOSE ODDS MAKERS KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

THEY SAY CITIBANK IS TOO BIG TO FAIL(MEANS GOVT SHOULD STEP INTO SAVE THEM). I SAY, CITIBANK IS GOING TO CHANGE IT'S NAME TO SILLYBANK!! THEY TOOK THOSE SILLY 10-15 BILLION DOLLAR WRITE DOWNS. IT'S OKAY THOUGH BECAUSE THE MIDDLE EAST GOVERNMENT FUNDS (AKA SHEIK'S SLUSH FUNDS) ARE INVESTING CAPITAL IN OUR BANKS. FUNNY, A YEAR OR TWO AGO THEY SAID WE WOULD NOT LET THEM BUY OUR U.S. SEA PORTS (WHICH ARE MAJORITY OWNED BY FOREIGN ENTITIES ANYWAY) BECAUSE OF SECURITY REASONS. NOW IT IS OK TO LET THEM INTO OUR BIGGEST AND MOST ENTRENCHED FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS!!! BUT THEY ARE JUST DOING THEIR PART SO WE DON'T LET THE TERRORISTS WIN!

ONE OF THE MOST TELLING SIGNS OF THE ECONOMY IS THE NEW YORK TIMES SUNDAY HELP WANTED SECTION. THIS USED TO BE A SECTION OF APPROX 25-50 PAGES UNTO ITSELF. NOW IT IS MERELY AN ADD ON OF ABOUT 8 - 10 PAGES TO THE BIZ SECTION. THEY SAY IT IS BECAUSE ALL THE ADDS ARE ONLINE? I SAY IT IS BECAUSE THERE AIN'T THAT MANY JOBS!

ANOTHER TELLING SIGN IS JUST TO WALK AROUND LOCAL NEIGHBORHOODS AND TALK TO THE LOCAL MERCHANTS & SHOPKEEPERS. I NOTICE MORE AND MORE EMPTY STOREFRONTS AND FOR RENT SIGNS IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS THAN I CAN RECALL IN MANY YEARS. MOST PEOPLE LAMENT THAT SHOPPERS JUST ARE NOT SPENDING LIKE THEY USED TO. PEOPLE ARE BECOMING MORE CONSERVATIVE (TIGHT) WITH THEIR MONEY THAN EVER. THE KICKER & THE SURE SIGN IS THAT BARBIE SALES ARE DOWN! (DID YOU GET YOUR BARBIE TITANIC DOLL THIS YEAR?)

LET US HOPE THAT THEY (THE POLITICIANS) DO SOMETHING SOONER THAN LATER! I SAY WE SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR THE ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN AHEAD BUT I HAVE A FEELING THAT THINGS WILL STILL BE GREAT IN LATE 2008!!!!!

2007-12-27T20:57:00.000-05:00

2007-12-25T10:06:00.000-05:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!!

ALL THE BEST FROM ALL OF US!!!

2007-12-17T23:23:00.000-05:00

NAPPING THE WAY IT OUTTA BE!!!

Ζωνιανα - Τα ζωα τρελαθηκαν

2007-12-15T14:19:00.001-05:00

darn funny

2007-11-22T00:11:00.000-05:00

HAVE A HEALTHY & HAPPY HOLIDAY!!

2007-11-20T18:44:00.000-05:00

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

MORE IRRITATIONS, RANTS, RAVES, COMMENTS, OBSERVATIONS, RHETORICAL QUESTIONS,OBSESSIONS AND OTHER NO NONSENSE !!

I USED TO THINK THAT HILLARY CLINTON WOULD SAY ANYTHING TO GET ELECTED PRESIDENT UNTIL RUDY GIULIANI SAID HE WAS ROOTING FOR THE BOSTON RED SOX IN THE WORLD SERIES. NOW EVERY YANKEE FAN WORTH HIS SALT WOULD NEVER EVER, EVER ROOT FOR THE HATED SOX TO WIN ANYTHING EXCEPT LAST PLACE! THIS IS MORE PROOF POSITIVE THAT YOU JUST CANNOT TRUST RUDY. HEY MOST NYC COPS & FIREMAN WILL TELL YOU THE SAME THING! HEY EVEN HIS OWN SON DOES NOT TALK TO HIM! EVEN THOUGH I DON'T LIKE HILLARY ( A SENTIMENT I FIND SHARED BY MANY EVEN THOUGH WE DO NOT REALLY KNOW HER), IF SHE WAS A MAN WE WOULD USE TERMS LIKE MENTALLY TOUGH, STRONG WILLED, DETERMINED, RUTHLESS INSTEAD OF BITCH AND OTHERS. HISTORY HAS SHOWN US THAT WOMEN COUNTRY LEADERS HAVE BEEN REMARKABLE EG; GOLDA MEIR, MARGARET THATCHER, & INDIRA GANDHI . YEAH BUT AS THEY SAY IF THE ELECTION WERE HELD TODAY, MY VOTE WOULD GO FOR RON PAUL!

SO LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT; A COURT IN SAUDI ARABIA SENTENCED A WOMAN TO SIX MONTHS IN JAIL AND 200 LASHES FOR MEETING A MALE NON-FAMILY MEMBER AND BEING GANG RAPED? OUR G OOD FRIENDS , THE SAUDIS? I DO NOT EVEN KNOW HOW TO COMPREHEND THIS?

HAVE YOU HEARD THAT THERE IS A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN DENTAL DECAY (CAVITIES) IN THE GOOD OL USA? SOME OF THE "THEY PEOPLE" (EXPERTS) APPARENTLY ARE BLAMING THE MASSIVE CONSUMPTION OF BOTTLED WATER WHICH LACKS THE FLUORINE FOUND IN OUR TAP WATER FOR THIS DISTURBING TREND. DENTISTS ARE HAPPY CAUSE THEY GET MORE BIZ. FOR EVERYONE ELSE HOW BOUT YOU ALL BRUSH YOUR FRIGGIN TEETH!!!!!

IS IT ME OR DID THE OFFICIATING / UMPIRING IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL REALLY SUCK THIS YEAR?

JESUS CHRIST, JESUS CHRIST, JESUS CHRIST!!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY CANCELLED THE BEST SHOW TO BE ON TV SINCE THE SOPRANOS. HBO USED TO BE THE LEADING CUTTING EDGE FOR GROUNDBREAKING CLICHE MAKING NEW TELEVISION SERIES. JOHN FROM CINCINNATI WAS SUCH A SERIES! A QUIRKY, SOMEWHAT TOUGH TO FOLLOW SHOW ABOUT A DYSFUNCTIONAL SURFING FAMILY THAT MEETS JOHN AND THEN ALL SORTS OF WEIRD STUFF HAPPENS; MYSTICISM, MIRACLES, RELIGION, SHAPESHIFTING & LIFE IN IMPERIAL BEACH IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. THIS SERIES WAS PRODUCED BY DAVID MILCH OF DEADWOOD & NYPD BLUE FAME AND FEATURES SOME ACTORS FROM THE DEADWOOD SERIES. GREAT ACTING BY ALL THE CHARACTERS ESPECIALLY ED O'NEIL, BRIAN VAN HOLT, REBECCA DE MORNAY & AUSTIN NICHOLS. HEY, THE SERIES THEME SONG IS JOHNNY APPLESEED BY JOE STRUMMER AND THE MESCALEROS. THE GENIUS OF THE SHOW IS THAT YOU REALLY HAD TO PAY ATTENTION TO AN THINK ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT WENT ON. A TALL ORDER IN OUR 5 SECOND ATTENTION SPAN SOCIETY!! YA GOTTA WATCH THE SHOW A FEW TIMES. MONEY BACK JIMITHEGREEK GUARANTEE TO BLOW YOUR MIND!!

TWO GOOD LISTENING ALBUMS ( I STILL CANT SAY CD'S )

BEN HARPER - LIFELINE
A NICE FUNKY R&B TYPE GOOD LISTENING JAMMY

OTIS TAYLOR - DEFINITION OF A CIRCLE

SOME PEOPLE CALL IT TRANCE BLUES (WHATEVER THE HECK THAT IS?) BUT THIS IS JUST A GREAT OLD SCHOOL CLASSIC BLUES RECORD.

IT SHOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW JOE TORRE DOES MANAGING THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS. WILL HE REVERT TO HIS OLD CLUELESS JOE DAYS OF MANAGING THE CARDS, METS & BRAVES? ME THINKS HE WILL DO A GREAT JOB IN THE CLUBHOUSE BUT THEY WILL BE A DISASTER ON THE FIELD! OH AND HE TOOK DONNIE BASEBALL MATTINGLY WITH HIM. THIS COULD POSSIBLE BE AN ELIMINATION OF A JINX, PERHAPS DONNIE WAS THE JINX. SINCE HE REJOINED THE YANKS, THEY HAVEN'T WON THE WORLD SERIES, COULD HE BE A JINX?

YES THE RED SOX HAD THE BEST TEAM IN BASEBALL AND THEY EARNED THEIR WORLD SERIES WIN EVEN WITH CURT "PETERPOTAMUSMOUTH" SCHILLING BUT
THE BOSTON RED SOX FANS STILL ARE THE SUCKIEST IN BASEBALL. HEY IN ALL SPORTS FOR THAT MATTER. THE FACT THAT BOSTON HAS COMPETITIVE TOP TEAMS IN BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL, COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND EVEN HOCKEY WILL MAKE FOR AN ALMOST NAUSEATING WINTER OF DEALING WITH BOSTON FANS!

THIS JUST IN FROM A LONGTIME READER/FAN/PAL UP IN MAINE
" SYDNEY (AFP) - Santas in Australia's largest city have been told not to use Father Christmas's traditional "ho ho ho" greeting because it may be offensive to women, it was reported Thursday. Sydney's Santa Clauses have instead been instructed to say "ha ha ha" instead, the Daily Telegraph reported."

ARE YOU FRIGGIN KIDDING ME?? WHATS NEXT? DON'T SAY HAPPY TURKEY DAY BECAUSE YOU MAY OFFEND THE FRIGGIN TURKEY? FRIGGIN POLITICALLY CORRECT IDIOTS & POLITICIANS .

THE GODFATHER 3, NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I WATCH IT, HOPING IT IS NOT AS BAD AS I THOUGHT, IT STILL SUCKS

JUST TAKE A LOOK AT THE SCENE ABOVE, THEY BOTH LOOK LIKE THEY DON'T WANT TO BE THERE!!

"THEY GAVE ME THIS MUCH MONEY"

HEEEEES BAAAACK, THE AROD FINALLY FIGURED OUT NO ONE ELSE WAS GONNA GIVE HIM THE CRAZY MAD MONEY! HE ALSO GOT HIS THIRD MVP. MAYBE NOW HE WILL GET A RING SINCE THE YANKS GOT POSADA & RIVERA BACK ALONG WITH SOME GOOD YOUNG PITCHING. ALSO THE JINX MATTINGLY IS GONE!

SOMEONE E-MAILED ME THIS PICTURE AND I JUST FIND IT SOMEWHAT DISTURBING AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO SAY EXCEPT THAT IT IS DISTURBING!!

2007-11-19T00:02:00.000-05:00

BOOYAH IN BEIJING 2.0

A CONTINUATION OF THE " GO EAST YOUNG MAN!!! JIMITHEGREEK GOES TO CHINA" SAGA (IS THIS REALLY THE END?).......WELL ALMOST!

ON TO THE NEXT DAY (JUNE 15) IN BEIJING. ALL SORTS OF COLLEAGUES AND WORK RELATED PEOPLE WERE NOW EITHER IN THE HOTEL OR ARRIVING. EGADS, WE MIGHT HAVE TO ACTUALLY NETWORK AND DO SOME BUSINESS. THE HORROR OF IT ALL. WELL I HAD TO GO TO THE FITNESS CENTRE AS THEY CALL IT AND DO A VIGOROUS TURN ON THE TREADMILL TO GET RID OF AFTER EFFECTS INGESTING SEA CUCUMBER & CAMEL'S PAW ON THE SAME NIGHT. I WAS NOT ABOUT TO TAKE A RUN OUTSIDE WITH ALL THE CONSTRUCTION AND POLLUTION GOING ON OUTSIDE. AFTER A GOOD TWO HOUR WORKOUT, I MET UP WITH THE CHINAMAN WHO HAD HIS OWN WORKOUT AT THE BREAKFAST BUFFET! AFTER SOME STEALTHY LOBBY NEGOTIATING AND PRETENDING WE NAVIGATED A TAXI AND GOT OUT OF DODGE.

WE WERE HEADED TO A BEIJING CITY CENTER THAT WAS TO BE A SHOPPING EATING TOURISTY PLACE FOR THE OLYMPICS MONEY CROWD. AFTER ABOUT A 45 MINUTE CITY VIEWING CAB RIDE WE ARRIVED AT THE DESIGNATED PLACE. IT WAS A MIX MASH OF OLD AND NEW. CONSTRUCTION WAS ONGOING AT A RELENTLESS, FRENETIC PACE. WE WALKED AROUND A BIT LOOKING AT ALL THE KITCHY SOUVENIR STORES AND CHINESE RESTAURANTS. THE CHINAMAN WAS GIDDY WITH SOME OF THE STORES THAT HAD THE EQUIVALENT OF THE OLD PENNY CANDY OF HIS YOUTH DURING THE LATE 19TH CENTURY (JUST KIDDING) THE STUFF YOU SEE IN THESE STORES CAN BE BIZARRE, BUT I GUESS WHEN THE CHINESE VISIT OUR STORES THEY FIND BIZARRE STUFF AS WELL. THEY HAVE PRETTY YOUNG GIRLS AS GREETERS AND WE HAVE OLD RETIRED FOLKS WHO CANNOT SURVIVE ON SOCIAL SECURITY WORK AS WALMART GREETERS!! I WENT TO A NEAT BOOKSTORE WHILE THE CHINAMAN WENT HUNTING AT SOME FOOD STORE (WHICH HE LATER DENIED!) THE MORE I SEE OF CHINA AND THE PEOPLE THE MORE I THINK THAT THEY ARE MORE CAPITALIST THAN THE USA IS!! IT SEEMS EVERYBODY HUSTLES TO WORK AND EARN A LIVING.

WE FOUND AN OFFICIAL BEIJING 2008 OLYMPICS SHOP. ACCORDING TO THE CHINAMAN, IF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT CATCHES COUNTERFEITERS OF BEIJING OLYMPICS MERCHANDISE THEY WILL BE SEVERELY PUNISHED AND COULD BE SHOT, HAVE THEIR HANDS CHOPPED OFF OR FACE CHINESE WATER TORTURE! OK OK,JUST KIDDING FOLKS, BUT THEY WILL BE PUNISHED AND JAILED. HHHUMM, SEEMS TO ME THAT ITS OKAY FOR THE LOCALS TO COUNTERFEIT OTHER NATIONS INTELLECTUAL AND OTHER COPYRIGHTS BUT NOT THEIRS! AAH, THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF AN INDUSTRIAL AND ECONOMICAL REVOLUTION! ANYWAYS THEY DID HAVE SOME NEAT STUFF BUT THE SIZE SELECTION WAS LIMITED AND THEY SEEMED TO BE OUT OF STOCK ON QUITE A FEW ITEMS. WE DID MANAGE TO GET SOME OBLIGATORY T-SHIRTS, HATS & STUFF. THE CHINAMAN GENEROUSLY BOUGHT MME A PRESENT AS WELL. IT IS A SET OF OFFICIAL OLYMPIC PINS FOR BOXING. WE ARE BOTH BIG BOXING FANS. THE FUNNY THING IS THE CHINGLISH TRANSLATION INSIDE THE BOX. I AM NOT SURE IF YOU CAN READ IT ABOVE SO HERE IT IS:

"BOXING IS A SPORT IN WHICH THE BOXERS ARE REQUESTED TO BLOW THE OPPONENT WITH THE FORWARD PART OF THE BOXING GLOVES. THE BOXER WHO GAIN MORE POINTS IN THE BOUT IS THE WINNER"

TRAVELING IN CHINA YOU DO SEE AND HEAR SOME OF THESE WHAT I CALL, CHINGLISH TRANSLATIONS. THEY ARE AMUSING AND YOU JUST CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP! IT IS THE REAL LOST IN TRANSLATION! I HAVE THIS ITEM PROUDLY DISPLAYED IN MY OFFICE. I AM SURE THIS AND OTHERS WILL BE ADJUSTED BY THE SUMMER OF 2008. HUM, I WONDER HOW MUCH I CAN GET FOR THIS ITEM ON E-BAY?

BY NOW (OK YOU GUESSED IT) WE WERE GETTING A LITTLE HUNGRY. IT WAS PAST LUNCHTIME AFTER ALL. WE WALKED A BIT MORE AND STUMBLED UPON THIS LOCAL PLACE WHICH HAD A PACKED HOUSE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS PAST LUNCH. IT WAS A LOCAL DUMPLING SHOP. THEY HAD A COOK MAKING THEM IN THE RESTAURANT IN AN ENCLOSED PLASTIC BOOTH. KINDA WEIRD. ALSO THE PLACE WAS LIKE A THROW BACK. THE TABLES AND CHAIRS WERE OLD & WORN, PLATES, SPOONS & BOWLS WERE CHIPPED N CRACKED. NO NAPKINS, NO MENUS, NO ENGLISH AND IT WAS NOISY AND CROWDED. OF COURSE THIS MEANT THAT THE FOOD WAS GOING TO BE DARN GOOD AND IT WAS. WE HAD THE PORK DUMPLINGS, SOME VEGGY STUFF, UNKNOWN DUMPLINGS, MUSHROOM THINGY DUMPLINGS, BEER, UNKNOWN DUMPLINGS AND THEN SOME SEMI SWEET STUFF. I MUST SAY THAT NOT ONLY WAS IT TASTY BUT IT ALSO ONLY COST ABOUT TWELVE BUCKS!! OH AND THE BATHROOM WAS A HOLE IN THE FLOOR WITH NO TOILET PAPER, BUT WHEN YOU GOTTA GO, YOU GOTTA GO! AS I UNDERSTAND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IS WORKING ON UPDATING THE TOILET THINGYS! NOW AFTER THAT GREAT MEAL AND A FULL DAY OF TOURISM IT WAS TIME TO GRAB A CAB, GO BACK TO THE HOTEL AND TAKE A NAP! AFTER ALL WE HAD TO GET READY FOR DINNER!

MEANWHILE BACK AT THE HOTEL THE CHINAMAN WAS AT HIS SURREPTITIOUS BEST. HE HAD SOMEHOW MANEUVERED AND ORCHESTRATED A GROUP OF US AND TWO TAXIS TO GO TO A FAMOUS RESTAURANT AT A HIDDEN HUTONG IN THE MIDDLE OF WHO KNOWS WHERE? THE BEAUTY OF THIS BOB AND WEAVE MOVE IS THAT WE MANAGED TO AVOID ALL THE TOP DOGS OF OUR COMPANY GATHERING! HOW DOES HE DO IT? IT IS THOSE CLEVER DISGUISES AS YOU CAN SEE ABOVE!

WE GATHERED OUR CREW WHICH CONSISTED OF THREE OF OUR MANAGERS FROM XIAMEN & NINGBO ALONG WITH OUR MOSCOW MANAGER MR. BEAN. I SWEAR HE LOOKS LIKE MR BEANS DOUBLE WITH A THICK RUSSIAN ACCENT. OF COURSE SINCE WE CHRISTENED HIM MR BEAN HE WAS DOOMED TO BE CALLED THAT FOR THE REST OF HIS STAY IN BEIJING. NOW ONCE WE GOT TO THE TAXIS THERE WAS A HEATED DEBATE GOING ON WITH THE THREE MANAGERS WHO I WILL NOW REFER TO AS THE TRIAD. THE TRIAD ARE ALL VERY ADEPT , STAUNCH BUSINESS WOMEN BRANCH MANAGERS. THEY RUN THEIR OWN STATIONS EFFICIENTLY AND PROFITABLY. WELL ANYWAYS AS FAR AS WE COULD DISCERN THERE SEEMED TO BE SOME CONFUSION AS TO WHERE THIS FAMOUS RESTAURANT WAS. ONE OF THE TAXI DRIVERS SEEMED TO THINK HE COULD GET US IN THE RIGHT AREA....GREAT

WE WERE OFF TO THE LI FAMILY RESTAURANT WHICH IS HIDDEN IN THE HUTONG AT HOU HAI. NOW WHEN THEY SAY HIDDEN, THEY AIN'T KIDDING! ALSO THE DEFINITION OF HUTONG DOES NOT DO IT JUSTICE. THESE HUTONGS ARE LIKE WARRENS. THEY ARE NARROW STREETS PACKED WITH HOUSES / SHOPS THAT ARE ALL ATTACHED SOMEHOW. ONCE YOU ARE IN THERE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE IN A MAZE OF SOME SORTS. ALL KINDS OF LITTLE ALLEYWAYS AND DOORWAYS LEADING WHO KNOWS WHERE WAYS!

GOOD THING WE HAD THE TRIAD WITH US AS THEY KNEW BETTER THAN THE TAXI DRIVERS, THE CHINAMAN, MR BEAN AND CERTAINLY JIMITHEGREEK WHERE AND HOW TO GET THERE. ACTUALLY IT WAS A GLIMPSE INTO HOW HOUSING AND LIFE WAS IN BEIJING MANY MOONS AGO. I THINK IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EVEN MO BETTER TO SEE IT DURING THE DAY RATHER THAN NIGHTTIME. ANYWAYS THE TAXIS GOT US CLOSE TO THE RESTAURANT AND THEN WE WALKED ABOUT 10 -15 MINUTES THRU THE ALLEYWAYS THRU A DOOR TO A HALLWAY TO GET TO THE JOINT. ME N MR BEAN KIND KEPT LOOKING AT EACH OTHER WHILE THE CHINAMAN & THE TRIAD WERE CHATTING AWAY! OH WELL THIS MEANT TO ME THAT THE FOOD BETTER BE DARN GOOD!

WE ENTERED INTO A SMALL COURTYARD AND WHERE ESCORTED INTO OUR PRIVATE LITTLE DINING ROOM. BASICALLY THE DINING AREA CONSISTS OF ROOMS AROUND THE COURTYARD. IT REALLY IS A CONVERTED HOME. THE OWNER WAS A FORMER MATH PROFESSOR AND HIS FAMILY WHO STILL RUN THE PLACE. AS SOON AS WE SAT DOWN THEY BROUGHT SOME APPETIZERS? ALL LITTLE PLATES!

MR BEAN KEPT ASKING WHAT EVERYTHING WAS AND WAS TOLD NOT TO WORRY JUST EAT IT IT IS GOOD OR IT WAS CHINESE VEGETABLES OR IT WAS A MEAT OR FISH DISH. OH WELL , AFTER A FEW BEERS HE STOPPED ASKING! THE SERVICE WAS GREAT AND THE FOOD REALLY WAS DELICIOUS. WE HAD BEIJING ROAST DUCK WONDERFULLY CRISPY SKIN AND MOIST TENDER MEAT. HUGE TASTY, SPICY SHRIMP OR AS THEY SAY PRAWNS.

ACTUALLY THE FOOD JUST KEPT COMING, WE HAD SOME SLIGHTLY SWEET RIBS, WHICH I AM STILL NOT SURE IF THEY WERE BEEF OR PORK OR AS MR BEAN SAID MEAT KIND RIBS? WE HAD MORE MYSTERY MEAT WHICH I AM PRETTY SURE WAS SOME KIND OF BABY COW.....DUH VEAL! THERE WAS ALSO LOTS OF VEGGYS WHICH I AM NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT THEY WERE ? ONE OF THE SERVERS BROUGHT A COUPLE OF PHOTO ALBUMS WITH PICTURES OF FAMOUS DINERS. THERE WAS BRITISH PM JOHN MAJORS, BILL GATES, HENRY KISSINGER, BILL CLINTON AND MANY MORE! ALL THE WHILE THE FOOD KEPT COMING. AFTER MUCH BEER DRINKING AND WITH MUCH TREPIDATION I GOT UP TO USE THE TOILET. AS THE NICE LADY DIRECTED ME THRU THE HALLWAY TO THE TOILET I ASKED HER IF PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON USED THAT TOILET. SHE EXCLAIMED TO ME THAT BILLIEEE CLINTON PEE IN THERE! SO I WENT AND ALSO PEED IN THE SAME TOILET AS THE PREZ.

I GOTTA TELL YA'LL IT WAS A DELIGHTFULLY DELICIOUS MEAL WITH SOME FUN COMPANY. A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL. I TOLD THEM THAT I PEED IN THE SAME TOILET AS PRESIDENT CLINTON AND WE ALL HAD A GOOD LAUGH. OF COURSE THE RUSSIAN MR BEAN HAD TO GO AND PEE THERE AS WELL, DARN COMMIE!! THE TRIAD SOMEHOW FIGURED OUT A SHORTER WAY TO A REAL STREET AND WE HAILED A COUPLE OF TAXIS BACK TO THE HOTEL. AT THE HOTEL ME AND THE CHINAMAN SKIPPED THE LOBBY BAR AND SLEW OF COLLEAGUES THAT WERE THERE. MR RUSSIAN BEAN HAD TO GO GET A VODKA TO STERILIZE ALL THE MYSTERY MEATS!

THE MRS JIMITHEGREEK AND THE DAUGHTERS OF JIMITHEGREEK WANT TO KNOW. YES IT IS ALMOST OVER. BEIJING IS ALMOST FINISHED, ONE MORE BLOG AND IT WILL BE DONE. I GOTTA TELL YA ABOUT THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA. IT IS TRULY AWESOME. I GOT LOTSA OF CATCHING UP TO DO, PLAYS , RESTAURANTS, MOVIES RANTS, TRIP THRU ARIZONA, STRANGE PICS ETC. HEY, IT 'S MY BLOG AND I'LL WRITE WHAT I WANT!!!

GREAT KNOCKOUT

2007-11-18T22:35:00.001-05:00

KOSTYA TSZYO KNOCKS ZAB JUDAH INTO NEXT WEEK

2007-11-14T09:28:00.000-05:00

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"IF THE PURPOSE OF YOUR LIFE IS YOUR JOB, THEN YOU DON'T REALLY KNOW WHO YOU ARE" - BILLY KADERLI

READ THIS QUOTE SOMEWHERE AND WROTE IT DOWN ON AN ENVELOPE AND JUST FOUND IT. I THINK IT IS PRETTY DARN GOOD!

Buena Vista Social Club - Chan Chan

2007-11-10T21:31:00.001-05:00

OLD OLD OLD SCHOOLS, ONE OF MY FAVES

2007-11-01T11:46:00.000-04:00

RECIPES OF THE DAY

DUE TO OVERWHELMING DEMAND AND REQUESTS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION BASED ON MY BOOYAH IN BEIJING POST BELOW PLEASE FIND RECIPES DIRECT FROM THE FAMOUS FANGSHAN RESTAURANT!!!

CAMEL PAW WITH MUSHROOMS

Ingredients:

1 camel paw, cleaned and soaked for one hour, you can cook whole or chop into one-inch by 4 inch pieces
1 boneless chicken breast, cut into eighths
10 shiitake mushrooms, soaked and cut in half
1 whole shiitake mushroom
1 ounce salty ham, slivered
1/4 cup Shaoxing wine
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
2 scallions, tied in knots
6 slices ginger root
1/4 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns

Preparation:

1. Put all of the ingredients into a wok or deep pot. Bring to just below the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer covered for two hours.

2. Remove from heat, remove ginger root, scallion knots, and peppercorns, then serve.

3. You can thicken the sauce with 3 Tablespoons cornstarch in the same amount of water or remove the solids and reduce the liquid somewhat.

4. Put the whole mushroom in the center just before serving.

DUCK TONGUES WITH WHITE FUNGUS

Ingredients:

1/2 pound duck tongues1/4 cup white fungus or white mushrooms
1 slice ginger root
1 scallion
1 cup chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 Tablespoon light soy sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1 small carrot, diced fine
2 Tablespoon frozen green peas, defrosted

Preparation:

1. Soak Fungus for two hours, then pick out any dark spots or pieces, drain well.

2. Boil duck tongues with ginger root and the scallion for half an our, remove, cool and then take out cartilage.

3. Mix all other ingredients except the carrots and peas, bring to the boil, then simmer one minute.

4. Add vegetables, heat through. Then take out the fungus and set aside. Put everything else on a plate, put fungus on top & enjoy!

YOU CAN PROCURE ANY OF THE ABOVE INGREDIENTS AT YOUR LOCAL CHINESE MARKET OR AT ANY RANCH 99 MARKET!! THANKS TO THE MRS FOR THE RECIPES!

If you are ever in Beijing.....

Beijing Fangshan Restaurant ; Imperial Chinese food in a fine historical setting Here is your chance to eat camel's paw, deer tendon or real turtle soup1 Wenjing Jie(inside the east gate of Beihai Park)Beijing100034+86 (0)10 6401 1879Fax: +86 (0)10 6404 1889

2007-10-29T22:27:00.000-04:00

BOOYAH IN BEJING

VIEW FROM MY HOTEL ROOM IN BEIJING

A CONTINUATION OF THE " GO EAST YOUNG MAN!!! JIMITHEGREEK GOES TO CHINA" SAGA (JUNE 12 - 16 2007 IS THIS REALLY THE END?)......NAH, ONE, MAYBE TWO MORE TO GO!

ACTUALLY HAD A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP , CHECKED OUT OF THE RENAISSANCE HOTEL AND CAUGHT A CAB TO THE AIRPORT. IT IS AMAZING THAT THE BEST AIRPORT IN THE WORLD IS THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. IT IS CLEAN, BRIGHT, SPACIOUS, WELL ORGANIZED AND EFFICIENT. THERE IS A SLEW OF SHOPS, SERVICES & RESTAURANTS TO MEET EVERY TRAVELERS NEEDS. OF COURSE MY NEED WAS TO MEET THE CHINAMAN AND GET SOME BREAKFAST!

WHAT EAT AGAIN YOU SAY? OK , RELAX, IT WAS JUST A BOWL OF NOODLES CAUSE I AINT EATING NO STINKING AIRLINE FOOD! I'M NOT SAYIN WHAT THE CHINAMAN ATE! (DON'T REMEMBER) AFTER SOME WALKING AROUND, PERUSING SOME OF THE NIFTY AIRPORT SHOPS I WENT TO THE GATE. THE CHINAMAN HAD ALREADY WANDERED OFF ALLEGEDLY ( I THINK HE WENT TO THE GODIVA STORE!) TO THE SMOKING AREA. ANYWAYS A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER WE ARE IN THE NEW CAPITAL OF CAPITALISM, BEIJING.

IT WAS ALMOST TWENTY YEARS SINCE THE LAST TIME I WAS IN BEIJING AND ALL I COULD THINK WAS BIG BOW WOW!!!! DURING THE TAXI CAB RIDE FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE HOTEL I DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE JOINT. TREMENDOUS CONSTRUCTION, DEVELOPMENT, BILLBOARDS AND PROLIFERATION OF GOOD OLD CAPITALISM EVERYWHERE. WE GOT TO OUR HOTEL THE CROWN PLAZA PARK VIEW WUZHOU IN ABOUT FORTY MINUTES. THE HOTEL IS NEAR THE OUTER PART OF THE CITY BUT REALLY CLOSE TO SOME OF THE OLYMPIC VENUES FOR 2008. IN FACT IT IS IN WALKING DISTANCE TO THE (BIRDS NEST) BEIJING NATIONAL OLYMPIC STADIUM. IT REALLY IS COOL LOOKING!

SO WE ARE AT THE HOTEL AND WE HAVE THREE DAYS OF WORK LIKE STUFF TO DO. THERE IS OUR CONFERENCE, SEMINARS, MEETINGS, PRESENTATIONS ETC, ETC, ETC. WHAT YOU SAY? WHAT NO EATING? WELL HECK YEAH!! THERE IS SOME EATING AND TOURISTY KINDA OF STUFF, SO LETS GET TO IT!

GATE TO BEIHAI PARK

NOW THE CHINAMAN HAD BEEN RANTING AND RAVING ABOUT THIS RESTAURANT WHERE THE EMPEROR'S USED TO EAT IN SOME PARK WHERE THEY HAD ALL SORTS OF EXOTIC DELICACIES LIKE CAMELS PAW, SHARKS FIN, VENISON TENDONS, MONKEY MUSHROOMS, DEER TAIL SOUP, AND WELL YOU GET THE PICTURE HERE. OKAY SO WE DROP OUR STUFF IN THE HOTEL ROOM AND COME BACK TO THE LOBBY. AFTER A BIT OF SOCIALIZING WITH SOME COLLEAGUES WE DEFTLY SAUNTER OUT TO GRAB A TAXI TO GO TO THE NORTHERN PART OF BEIJING TO BEIHAI PARK. THIS PARK YOU COULD SAY IS AKIN TO CENTRAL PARK IN NYC. IT IS AN OASIS OF GREEN & TRANQUILLITY IN THE POLLUTED, CONGESTED CAPITAL. NOW THE CAB RIDE TOOK ABOUT AN HOUR , MAYBE MORE. IT REALLY OPENED MY EYES TO THE EXPLOSIVE CONSTRUCTION, GROWTH & COMMERCIALIZATION OF THE CITY. OF COURSE ALONG WITH THIS COMES THE POLLUTION, TRAFFIC, OVERCROWDING AND CONGESTION. LET ME JUST SAY CHINA IS GOING THROUGH IT'S OWN "INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION" ON THE WAY TO BECOMING THE NEXT DOMINANT COUNTRY ON OUR WORLD (50 YEARS)! ENOUGH OF ALL THAT, LETS GET TO THE CAMEL MEAT!

AFTER A LITTLE CONFUSION OF FROM WHICH GATE TO ENTER THE PARK AND A SHORT WALK. OUR DESTINATION WAS THE FANGSHAN RESTAURANT SITUATED SMACK IN BEIHAI PARK. THE RESTAURANT WAS OPENED IN 1925 BY A FORMER CHEFS OF THE ROYALTY. THEY USED TO COOK 108 OUT OF 800 DISHES FOR THE EMPRESS DOWAGER CIXI AKA DRAGON LADY (1835 - 1908) ROYAL FAMILY'S MEAL. THE RESTAURANT ITSELF IS QUITE RICHLY DECORATED WITH GOLD AND RED ITEMS, CARVINGS ETC. VERY SPARKLY AND COLORFUL I MUST SAY. THERE ARE VARIOUS SET MENUS RANGING FROM ELABORATE ($$$$) TO SIMPLE ($). OF COURSE THE CHINAMAN WENT FOR THE FULL MONTY, THE TOP OF THE HILL, THE GRAND SALAMI, THE MORE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY EAT, THE IMPERIAL BANQUET.

AS WE SAT DOWN THEY BROUGHT A PLATE OF SLICED MYSTERY MEATS, FISH & VEGGIES ( AS PER THE CHINAMAN). ALL TASTY TASTY I MUST SAY

I USUALLY LIKE TO HAVE A BEER WITH MY CAMEL PAW & DEER TENDON DINNERS BUT THE CHINAMAN INSISTED THAT WE ENJOY THE VERY SPECIAL IMPERIAL WINE LIQUOR THAT WAS SERVED TO THE ROYALS! I AM GAME TO DRINK AS LONG AS IT HAS ALCOHOL IN IT. YOU KNOW ALCOHOL KILLS GERMS, SO I WILL DRINK IT. THE BOTTLE THAT THE STUFF CAME IN WAS LIKE THE RESTAURANT , ALL ORNATE GOLD AND RED AND PRETTY IN A GAUDY WAY. THE STUFF IN THE BOTTLE HOWEVER WAS ABSOLUTELY HORRIFIC. IT WAS LIKE DRINKING THE ESSENCE OF TURPENTINE. I AM SORRY TO REPORT IT WAS UNDRINKABLE...DOUBLE YUCK! OF COURSE THIS DRINK WAS PROBABLY THE REASONS WHY ALL THE ROYALS LIVED LONG AND HEALTHY AND WHY THEY WERE ABLE TO EAT ALL THIS STUFF LIKE.......

BRAISED ABALONE WITH BROCCOLI AND MYSTERIOUS BROWN SAUCE. ABALONE IS NOT MY FAVE BUT THIS DISH WAS VERY FRESH AND TASTY.

STEWED SEA CUCUMBER WITH BRAISED DEER LIPS. THE MEAT TASTES LIKE VENISON THE SEA CUCUMBER LIKE TASTELESS CRUNCHY & MUSHY STUFF.

THESE LITTLE SLIDERS FROM WHITE CASTLE WERE MY FAVORITES! JUST KIDDING!! THESE WERE LITTLE TOASTED SESAME BUNS FILLED WITH A MINCED LAMB & PORK MEAT FILLING. DELICIOUSO!

SPECIALTY OF THE HOUSE, CAMEL'S PAW WITH SCALLION ONION SAUCE. TASTED A BIT LIKE PORK IF YOU ASK ME! YES I CAN NOW SAY THAT I HAVE ALLEGEDLY EATEN CAMEL MEAT. NO NEED TO EVER EAT IT AGAIN!!!

ROASTED VENISON WITH ASPARAGUS & PEPPER CHILI SAUCE. ZESTY, SPICY AND TASTY BAMBI MEAT!!

SURE, I HAVE ALREADY HAD A COUPLE OF BEERS BY NOW. THE CHINAMAN DID VALIANTLY TRY TO GET ME TO "ENJOY" MORE OF THE ROYAL NASTY WINE, BUT HE DID GIVE UP AND I NOTICED HE DIDN'T DRINK ANYMORE EITHER!!

THERE WERE OTHER DISHES INCUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

WARM DE BONED DUCK BREAST WITHOUT ANY SAUCE...VERY NICE

STEAMED WHOLE SHRIMP FORMED & DECORATED TO LOOK LIKE SPARROWS

BRAISED SHARK FIN SOUP ...THIS WAS THE CHINAMANS AS I DO NOT LIKE IT!

DEER OR VENISON TENDONS STEWED IN WINE SAUCE......CAPTAIN CRUNCHY LIKE TEXTURE!!

THERE WAS A HEALTHY STEAMED STUFFED BEAN CURD DISH, WHICH WE COULD NOT FIND OUT WHAT IT WAS STUFFED WITH?

THERE WAS AN EXPLANATION AND NICE PRESENTATION OF EVERY DISH. IT WAS ALL ELEGANT AND WONDERFUL, THREE HOURS LATER WE HAD DESSERT.

DESSERT WAS ROLLS OF SWEET KIDNEY BEANS IN FLOUR AND MASHED PEAS CAKES! I CANT MAKE THIS STUFF UP!
I WAS SO STUFFED I COULD NOT EVEN EAT ANY HAAGEN DAAS ICE CREAM...IF THEY HAD IT! STICK A PAIR OF CHOP STICKS IN ME I WAS DONE! IT WAS AN EXOTIC, EXHAUSTING EATING EXTRAVAGANZA!

OKAY STAY TUNED FOR THE PENULTIMATE BLOG IN THIS SAGA, BOOYAH IN BEIJING PART DEUX!

2007-10-21T21:09:00.000-04:00

MISTER ED

"A horse is a horse of course, of course. And no-one can talk to a horse of course - that is of course unless the horse is the famous Mister Ed. Go right to the source and ask the horse - he'll give you the answer that you endorse. He's always on a standing course - talk to Mister Ed!"

- opening theme from the great 1960's tv series

RL Burnside - Shake'em On Down

2007-10-15T22:33:00.001-04:00

OLD SCHOOL BLUES ORIGINAL

2007-10-14T01:11:00.000-04:00

GASTRONOMICAL GAGA, GREATNESS & GOODIES A GOGO AT GADDI'S AT THE PENINSULA HOTEL IN HONG KONG AND THEN SOME!

A CONTINUATION OF THE " GO EAST YOUNG MAN!!! JIMITHEGREEK GOES TO CHINA" SAGA (JUNE 11, 2007 WILL IT EVER END?)

I KNEW I WAS IN FOR A DAY OF MUCHO EATING, SO I DECIDE TO GO FOR A RUN IN THE MORNING ALONG THE TSIM SHA TSUI WATERFRONT PROMENADE. THIS WAS CONVENIENTLY BEHIND MY HOTEL HOW DID I FIND THIS OUT, YOU SAY? I SAW SOME TALL LANKY GERMAN / SWEDISH LOOKING GUY SWEATING ( LIKE A CAT IN A CHINESE RESTAURANT) HE JUST CAME FROM A RUN OUTSIDE IN THE HEAT & HUMIDITY AND HE TOLD ME, YA DER IS A POTH ALONG DER WATER BOUT 4-5 KILOMETERS. THEN I GOT A TRANSLATION AND MORE INFO FROM THE HOTEL STAFF ON THAT. IT TURNS OUT IT IS A PRETTY COOL PATH / PROMENADE THAT RUNS ALONG THE HARBOUR FROM THE HOTEL TO THE WORLD FAMOUS STAR FERRY TERMINAL. IT GOES ABOUT 4 TO 5 KILOMETERS AND I JOGGED A VERY INVIGORATING AND FRIGGIN EXHAUSTING ROUND TRIPPER. LOOK CLOSELY AT THE FIRST PICTURE ABOVE AND YOU CAN SEE ME JOGGING ALONG THE PROMENADE PATH (NOT). IT WAS PRETTY INTERESTING AS I SAW PEOPLE DOING ALL SORTS OF STUFF ALONG THE HARBOUR.

THERE WAS A REMARKABLE NUMBER OF OLDER PEOPLE DOING TAI CHI AND JUST WALKING BRISKLY. THERE WERE PEOPLE FISHING AND ALSO PEOPLE SWIMMING IN THE WATER! ALLRIGHT, I EQUATED THIS WITH PEOPLE SWIMMING AND FISHING IN NYC'S EAST RIVER! ANYWAYS BY I WAS DONE AND SOAKING WET FROM THE HIGH HUMIDITY, BACK TO THE ROOM FOR A SHOWER. I HAD TO GET READY FOR THE FEAST ARRANGED BY A CHINAMAN JUST A SHORT WALK AWAY THE PENINSULA HOTEL. YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WITH THAT CRAZY CHINAMAN!

GADDI'S IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN ONE OF THE TOP HOTELS IN HONG KONG IF NOT THE ENTIRE KNOWN UNIVERSE. IT OPENED IN 1953 AND WAS LONG CONSIDERED THE BEST "EUROPEAN RESTAURANTS" IN ASIA. THE RESTAURANT ITSELF IS CLASSIC IN ALL ASPECTS OF A TOP FRENCHY FOO FOO JOINT WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS (WHITE GLOVE SERVICE, SOMMELIER ETC ETC)
THE CHEF'S TABLE WAS RESERVED FOR LUNCH. THIS MEANS THAT WE WOULD SIT A SMALL TABLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE KITCHEN AND THE CHEF...DAVID WOULD BE COOKING AND TAKING CARE OF US. I WAS SIMPLY GAGA GIDDY JUST THINKING ABOUT IT! I MET THE CHINAMAN OUTSIDE AND WE ENTERED THE RESTAURANT THRU ITS PRIVATE ELEVATOR. WE WERE MET BY THE MAITRE D WHO CHEERFULLY ESCORTED US TO THE KITCHEN. CHEF DAVID WARMLY GREETED US AND PROCEEDED TO GIVE US AN INFORMATIVE TOUR AND INSIDE LOOK AT THE WORKINGS OF THE SPOTLESS AND HUGE KITCHEN AREA. WE LEARNED THAT THIS KITCHEN SERVED ALL THE RESTAURANTS IN THE HOTEL AS WELL AS ROOM SERVICE REQUESTS. THERE WAS A SMALLER SEPARATE KITCHEN WHICH WAS HIS SPECIAL DOMAIN THAT SERVICED GADDI'S. WE ALSO LEARNED THAT ALMOST ALL OF THE FOOD ITEMS IN THE HOTEL WERE IMPORTED DAILY FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. IN FACT AS WE WERE SEATED AT THE STAINLESS STEEL TABLE PERCHED IN THE HALL OF THE KITCHEN AREA I NOTICED THEY HAD JUST BROUGHT IN SOME VERY FAMILIAR LOOKING FISH. THEY LOOKED LIKE THE FISH FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN CALLED BARBOUNIA IN GREEK OR RED MULLET IN ENGLISH. WHEN I ASKED CHEF DAVID IF THEY WERE THE RED MULLETS, HE SEEMED SURPRISED THAT I KNEW WHAT THEY WERE. HEY YOU CANT FOOL THE JIMITHEGREEK AS HE KNOW HIS BARBOUNIA!! WE HAD A LIVELY CONVERSATION ABOUT THE FISH AND FOUND THAT THEY WERE JUST FLOWN IN FROM EUROPE AND THEY WERE FOR A SPECIAL PARTY AT THE HOTEL THAT EVENING. OF COURSE THE BRILLIANT CHEF WAS TO PREPARE THEM THE CLASSIC GREEK WAY LIGHTLY FRIED. ( THE FRENCH OBVIOUSLY STOLE THIS GREAT TECHNIQUE FROM THE GREEKS) ANYWAYS I DIGRESS FROM THE MAIN EVENT. AS YOU CAN (RIGHT ABOVE)SEE WE HAD OUR OWN PERSONALIZED MENU WAS PRESENTED. THAT CRAZY CHINAMAN HAD OUTDONE HIMSELF AND EVEN BROUGHT SOME TASTY WINES ALONG FOR THE MEAL . OK, ENOUGH OF ALL THIS CHIT CHAT LETS GET TO THE FOOD!!!!

OYSTERS
OYSTERS
OYSTERS
OYSTERS
OYSTERS
OYSTERS
OYSTERS
OYSTERS
OYSTERS
OYSTERS

I BELIEVE THE FIRST COURSE WAS OYSTERS. NOT SURE IF YA'ALL CAN READ THE MENU SO HERE ITS IS "VARIATION DE HUITRES CRU ET CUIT" THAT'S OYSTERS FIVE WAYS FOR ALL YOU FRENCH HATERS! NOW I USUALLY STAY AWAY FROM RAW SHELLFISH BECAUSE IF THEY AIN'T SUPER FRESH, TO ME THEY REALLY DON'T TASTE THAT GOOD AND YOU RUN THE RISK OF FOOD POISONING. LET ME TELL YOU , THESE OYSTERS WERE SO FRESH, SO DELICIOUSO THAT YOU CAN ALMOST TASTE THE SEA! I DON'T MEAN TASTE THE SEA LIKE YOU ARE AT ROCKAWAY BEACH AND A WAVE THROWS THAT MURKY SEAWATER IN YOUR FACE AND MOUTH BUT LIKE THE TASTE OF SALTY SEA AIR ON YOUR LIPS ON A PRISTINE BEACH SOMEWHERE. THE GREEK AND THE CHINAMAN JUST KIND OF LOOKED AT EACH OTHER WITH THAT SMIRKY, KNOWING GRIN THAT WHAT WE WERE IN FOR WAS GONNA BE SPECIAL. OH AND BY THE WAY, LET ME TELL YOU THE CHINAMAN KNOWS HIS OYSTERS BY NAME!

SO WE STARTED THE FIRST OYSTER WITH DILL & FRESH SALMON CAVIAR WITH A DRIZZLE OF A CABERNET VINEGAR...... INDESCRIBABLY DELICIOUS!

SEGUNDO WAS TWO KUMAMATO OYSTERS IN A SHOT GLASS WITH ESSENCE OF TOMATO, CHIVE & OLIVE.....DEVILISHLY DELICIOUS

THIRD WAS AN OYSTER ON A BED OF ROCK SALT WITH CREME FRAICHE & OSETERA CAVIAR.......TOTALLY TASTY DELIGHT

QUATTRO WAS A LIGHTLY POUCHED OYSTER WITH A CITRUS-LEMONY - ZESTY ESSENCE FOAMY THINGY.......HEAVENLY HAPPY MOUTH

FINALE, FIFTH WAS A FRIED OYSTER WITH CAULIFLOWER PUREE & GRATED CUCUMBER........SUBLIMELY SUPERLICIOUS!

NOW BEFORE, BETWEEN, DURING AND AFTER ALL THESE DISHES WE ARE SAVOURING SOME WONDERFUL CRISP FRENCH VINO THAT THE CHINAMAN HAS BROUGHT WITH HIM. WE ARE ALSO CHATTING WITH THE CHEF AND VARIOUS STAFF. AN HOUR HAD PASSED AND I ALREADY HAVE DEFTLY LOOSENED MY BELT CAUSE THE MAIN DISHY WAS A COMING! WAIT FIRST MORE WINE AND CHIT CHAT!

I THINK I WILL DISPENSE WITH THE FRENCH AND JUST TELL YA THE THE MAIN DISH, THE STAR ATTRACTION, THE TOP SALAMI WAS A SLOW COOKED TWELVE HOURS VEAL SHIN (OSSO BUCO FOR YOU ITALIANS) WITH POTATOES IN ITS OWN JUICES. MAN IF THAT DOES NOT MAKE YOUR MOUTH WATER JUST SAYING IT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL! DA MEAT JUST FELL OFF DA BONE AND MELTED IN MY MOUTH. I DID NOT EVEN USE MY KNIFE. HECK I ALMOST PICKED UP DA BONE TO SUCK THE MARROW OUT , WHEN THE CHEF TOOK PITY ON ME AND BROUGHT US OYSTER FORKS TO DIG OUT THAT MARROW. THEN JUST TO HELP OUR CHOLESTEROL COUNTS HE BROUGHT OUT A SMALL DISH PILED WITH THAT SUCCULENT MARROW AND GRAVY. JEEZ I WAS THINKING JUST GET ME ONE OF THEM FOOD CARTS, LAY ME ON THERE AND CARRY ME OUT NOW! EGAD...THERE WAS STILL MORE WINE AND DESSERTS!!!

MANGO, MANGO, MANGO, OH MY! YES IT WAS A TRIO OF TASTY MANGO TREATS.
YES, YES, YES, TASTY, TASTY, TASTY, YUMMY, YUMMY, YUMMY, WOW, WOW, WOW!

MANGO SORBET, MANGO PUDDING & MANGO CHEESECAKE ALL MANGOLICIOUS AND THANKFULLY SMALL, LIGHT PORTIONS. REALLY REFRESHING AND PALATE CLEANSING.....YEAH RIGHT. NOW YOU CAN STICK A CHOPSTICK IN ME , I'M DONE!

THERE'S MORE YOU SAY? YES THOSE DARN PETITS FOURS AND SOME COFFEE. I SWEAR I ONLY HAD I TASTE OF ONE, WELL MAYBE TWO, BUT NOT FOUR! THE CHINAMAN ATE THEM ALL I TELL YOU!!!

ABOUT THREE HOURS LATER WE WADDLED OUT OF THE PLACE IN A FOOD & WINE STUPOR. I STUMBLED TO MY HOTEL WHILST THE CHINAMAN ALLEGEDLY WENT BACK TO THE OFFICE. WE WOULD MEET TOMORROW AT THE AIRPORT TO CATCH OUR FLIGHT TO BEIJING. ONCE IN MY ROOM I LOOKED AT THE CHOCOLATES (ALLEGEDLY SUGAR FREE) THE CHINAMAN GAVE ME AND PASSED OUT ON THE BED.

FIVE MINUTES LATER OR SO IT SEEMED THERE IS A LOUD KNOCKIN ON MY DOOR!WHAT THE FRIGGIN HECK IS GOING ON? WELL IT ACTUALLY WAS ABOUT SIX PM ALREADY. THERE WAS A BELLHOP AT THE DOOR BECAUSE I WAS NOT ANSWERING MY PHONE AND THERE WAS SOMEONE WAITING FOR ME IN THE LOBBY. WHAT? WHO? I PAID OFF MY BOOKIE BEFORE I LEFT (JUST KIDDING HONEY)!! OOPS I HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUT DANNY "FIVE FINGERS" FONG AND DINNER THIS EVENING. OYE MORE FOOD! I SPOKE WITH DANIEL APOLOGIZED AND MET HIM IN THE LOBBY ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER. WE WORKED TOGETHER FOR ABOUT TEN YEARS AND BOTH PROGRESSED THROUGH THE RANKS. WE HAD NOT CORRESPONDED FOR ABOUT TWELVE YEARS AND HAD SOME CATCHING UP TO DO. "FIVE FINGERS" IS YOUR TYPICAL HONG KONG BUSINESS TYPE SO IT HOPEFULLY WOULD NOT BE A LONG EVENING. I TOLD HIM I WANTED TO GO TO A LOCAL CANTONESE PLACE TO EAT, NOT FANCY BUT GOOD FOOD. HE INSISTED TO TAKE ME TO ONE OF THE BEST WESTAURANTS IN HONG KONG. HE HAD HIS DRIVER & CAR OUT FRONT AND WE DROVE ABOUT TEN MINUTES TO THE PLACE TO EAT. I CANT REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE ESTABLISHMENT BUT IT DID HAVE THE ROASTED DUCKS, CHICKENS AND OTHER ASSORTED MYSTERY MEATS HANGING IN THE WINDOW. WE HAD SOME SHRIMP, DUCK, FISH AND MANY WEGETABLES TO EAT. IT ACTUALLY TURNED OUT TO BE A PLEASANT EVENING AS WE TALKED ABOUT THE OLD DAYS AND VARIOUS COLLEAGUES AND THAT SORT OF THING. WE EXCHANGED OUR UPDATED INFO AND SAID WE WOULD STAY IN TOUCH. ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER I WAS BACK AT THE HOTEL. A QUICK PACK UP , SHOWER AND NITEY NIGHT TO CATCH THE CAB TO THE AIRPORT IN THE AM!

STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT INSTALLMENT: BOOYAH IN BEIJING

2007-10-02T19:00:00.000-04:00

HOORAY IN HONG KONG

A CONTINUATION OF THE " GO EAST YOUNG MAN!!! JIMITHEGREEK GOES TO CHINA" SAGA ( WILL IT EVER END?)

GOT BACK TO MY HOTEL SUNDAY (JUNE 10) AROUND 1PM AND JUST KIND PASSED OUT. WOKE UP IT WAS AFTER 9:00PM, WHAT TO DO? WELL THIS IS HKG, THE PLACE NEVER SLEEPS AND THERE ARE ALWAYS PEOPLE ABOUT SO I WENT FOR A WALKABOUT. HONG KONG IS A BUSTLING YET SIMPLE CITY. THERE ARE SO MANY STORES FOR SHOPPING AND RESTAURANTS FOR EATING!!

YOUR SENSES ARE A BIT OVERWHELMED AT FIRST BUT AS YOU WALK ALONG FAMOUS NATHANS ROAD. THE BRIGHT LIGHTS, THE COLORED NEON SIGNS AND POSTERS EVERYWHERE. PEOPLE HURRYING ABOUT & THE STORES SELLING EVERYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE. ELECTRONICS/CAMERA STORES, CLOTHES STORES, FOOT MASSAGE SHOPS, JEWELRY STORES, FOOD, RESTAURANTS, ELECTRONICS STORES, FOOT MASSAGE SHOPS, RESTAURANTS, CLOTHING STORES, FOOT MASSAGE SHOP.....THERE MUST BE MORE"SHOPKEEPERS" IN HONG KONG THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD.

THE ASSAULT ON MY LARGE PROBOSCIS OF CIGARETTE SMOKE, FOOD , INCENSE, CLOVES, SEWAGE, FISH, PERFUMES, MEATS, DIESEL/CAR EXHAUST SOMEHOW MADE ME A LITTLE HUNGRY (WHOA?). THE SHINING GLITTERING JEWELRY, ELECTRONICS / WATCH SHOPS ALONG WITH THE BLINKING SPARKLY NEON SIGNS MADE IT FEEL A BIT LIKE TIMES SQUARE! THERE ARE LOCAL CHAINS LIKE GIORDANO'S, HANG TEN, & SPAGHETTI HOUSE AS WELL AS THE USUAL SUSPECTS LIKE STARBUCKS, MCDONALD'S, GAP, ETC. RUMBLING UP AND DOWN THE STREETS THERE ARE UBIQUITOUS WHITE AND RED TAXICABS OF KOWLOON EVERYWHERE!

SO ANYWAYS, AFTER WALKING MILES AWAY FROM THE HOTEL AND GETTING MORE HUNGRY. I NOTICED A SMALL NOODLE TYPE SHOP THAT WAS PACKED WITH LOCALS. SOMEHOW I ELBOWED IN AND MANAGED TO GET A BOWL OF NOODLES WITH MYSTERY MEAT BALLS. A FELLOW ASSURED ME IN HIS BEST CHINGLISH THAT THEY WERE THE BEST BEEEFYBALLS IN HONG KONG. OH WELL, BELIEVE IT OR NOT THAT BOWL OF NOODLES WAS DARN TASTY AND SATISFYING AND FOR ABOUT TWO BUCKS!!! AS THEY SAY ON DELANCY STREET...."SUCH A DEAL!"

NOW I WAS READY TO GET GOING BACK TO THE HOTEL. DARN LONG WALK AND MY FEET WERE STARTING TO GET A LITTLE TIRED, SO I DECIDED TO CHECK OUT SOME OF THEM FEET MASSAGE JOINTS. THE FIRST COUPLE I WENT INTO WERE JUST A BIT SEEDY LIKE, SO I SKEEDADLED OUT OF THERE PRONTO! AS I GOT CLOSER TO THE HOTEL THEY IMPROVED AND I NEGOTIATED A HKD80 ($10) FOOT MASSAGE. NOW LET ME TELL YOU FOLKS, THAT MAY HAVE BEEN THE BEST TEN BUCKS I HAVE SPENT IN A LONG TIME. MY FEETS FELT DARN TOOTIN AND I WAS OFF TO THE HOTEL WITH A FULL BELLY AND FLAPPY FEET!

YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE IT BUT AS I GOT CLOSE TO MY HOTEL, I HEARD SOMEONE CALLING JIMMMI GLEEEK JIMMMI GLEEEK IN A DISTINCTIVE CHINGLISH ACCENT! WHAT THE, WHO COULD IT BE? IT TURNED OUT TO BE AN OLD COLLEAGUE COMING FROM DROPPING SOMEONE OFF AT A HOTEL. WE USED TO CALL HIM DANNY FIVE FINGERS FONG! WE EXCHANGED PLEASANTRIES AND HE INSISTED ON TAKING ME TO DINNER OR LUNCH THE FOLLOWING DAY AS I WAS OFF TO BEIJING THE DAY AFTER....WHAT TO DO I WAS HAVING LUNCH WITH THE CHINAMAN TOMORROW SO IT WAS DINNER AT SIXTHIRTY WITH OLD FIVE FINGERS. HE PROMISED TO TAKE ME TO ONE OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN HONG KONG (THAT'S WHAT THEY ALL SAY!!)

STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT INSTALLMENT: GASTRONOMICAL GREATNESS AT GADDI'S

2007-09-16T19:04:00.001-04:00

Been around the world and found
That only stupid people are breeding
The cretins cloning and feeding
And I don't even own a tv

MEOWARCHY: Demon Cats

2007-09-12T21:40:00.001-04:00

FELINE FUNNYS!

2007-09-01T00:44:00.000-04:00

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

MORE IRRITATIONS, RANTS, RAVES, COMMENTS, OBSERVATIONS, RHETORICAL QUESTIONS,OBSESSIONS AND OTHER NO NONSENSE PANTY HOSE!!

GREETINGS HOGS & HEFFERS!! YES THE GOOD OLD U.S.A. IS ONCE AGAIN THE FATTEST NATION ON EARTH! ALL SORTS OF EXPENSIVE STUDIES AND COSTLY RESEARCH IS BEING DONE TO FIGURE OUT WHY THIS IS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT!! HEY YOU IDIOTS, IT IS BECAUSE YOU EAT TOO MUCH !!! OK WE ALL LIKE TO EAT, BUT YA GOTTA CUT OUT THE JUNK FOOD, LARGE QUANTITIES ( ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFETS) AND EXERCISE A LITTLE MORE (DON'T DRIVE, WALK TO MICKEY D'S ....JUST KIDDING) HEY YOU EVER NOTICE HOW SOME PEOPLE GO UP TO SMOKERS AND CHASTISE THEM FOR PUFFING ON CIGARETTES BECAUSE IT'S BAD FOR THEIR HEALTH. WHY DON'T THEY DO THE SAME TO THE OBESE PEOPLE? SO IF A FAT PERSONS TELLS YOU TO QUIT SMOKING YOU SHOULD QUIT AND ALSO TELL THEM TO HAVE A SALAD AND PUSH BACK FROM THE TABLE ONCE IN AWHILE

NOW THAT THE LAST BOOK HAS BEEN WRITTEN (ALLEGEDLY), WILL HARRY POTTER EVER GO AWAY? PLEASE?

I AM EITHER GETTING OLD OR THE AARP IS GETTING (MEMBERS MUST BE DROPPING LIKE CRAZY) DESPERATE. I ACTUALLY RECEIVED IN THE MAIL, AN APPLICATION TO JOIN DA CLUB. WHAT THE FRIGGIN....... HMM MIGHT BE GOOD SO'S I CAN GET THAT 10% DISCOUNT AT THE $6.95 ALL YOU CAN EAT CHINA BUFFET MON - THURS!!!

WHY ARE AMERICANS SO FASCINATED WITH BIMBOS THE LIKES OF PARIS HILTON, LINDSAY LOHAN, BRITNEY SPEARS ETC? WON'T IT BE GREAT WHEN IN A FEW YEARS THEY ARE APPEARING IN REALLY LAME "REALITY" SHOWS ON OBSCURE CABLE CHANNELS WITH OTHER STARS LIKE GARY COLEMAN, CHACHI AND SUCH!

TRES BIMBOS!!!

NEVER MIND THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE BARELY ABLE TO DRIVE, TALKING ON THEIR CELLPHONES WHILE DRIVING; IS THERE ANYTHING MORE IRRITATING THAN WOMEN WHO TRY AND PUT ON MAKEUP WHILE DRIVING? ESPECIALLY WHEN SHE CAN BARELY NAVIGATE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

MYSPACE, FACEBOOK & OTHER" NETWORKING SITES "ARE VERY SCARY PLACES TO VISIT. SOMETIMES, LATE AT NIGHT I SEARCH FOR PEOPLE I KNOW AND IT SCARES ME. BE AFRAID, VERY AFRAID

WHY IS THE FIGHT ON HBO'S BOXING AFTER DARK VERNON "IRONHEAD" FORREST VS CARLOS "EL TORRO" BALDOMIR MORE LIVELY AND ENTERTAINING THAN THE MEGA PPV FIGHT BETWEEN BERNARD "THE BORE" HOPKINS AND RONALD "WINKY I WAS ROBBED" WRIGHT ? GIVE ME SOME TIME AND I WILL COME UP WITH SOME MORE BETTER NICKNAMES!

I THINK I AM STARTING TO OBSESS WITH YOUTUBE, FILECABINET, TRUVEO AND THE OTHER VIDEO SITES. THERE IS JUST MUCH COOL STUFF LIKE OLD CONCERTS, COMMERCIALS, SHOWS ETC. THERE IS ALSO WAY TOO MUCH NONSENSICAL STUPID AND DISTURBING CREEPY STUFF AS WELL

MICHAEL VICK, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

WHAT I AM HOPING IS FOR JOE TORRE TO RESIGN DUE TO MEDICAL (SENILITY) PROBLEMS. I KID I KID, I THINK?

ACTUALLY SOMETIMES I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT WAS HE THINKING!!??

ACCORDING TO AN ARTICLE IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL TEXAS HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST GAY FRIENDLY STATES! THERE IS ACTUALLY A TEXAS GAY RODEO ASSOCIATION!! DOES PRES BUSH KNOW ? WHAT WILL OL' DICK CHENEY DO ABOUT IT? OYE VAY!

NONE OF THE FRIGGIN CATS WE HAVE ARE NORMAL FELINES!

I DONT WANT NO STINKIN DRY FOOD, FEED ME MEAT!!!!

ANOTHER 'CONSERVATIVE' REPUBLICAN GETS IN TROUBLE; SENATOR LARRY CRAIG OF IDAHO GETS BUSTED FOR LEWD (HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOR) IN A MINNEAPOLIS AIRPORT. HE JOINS THE ILLUSTRIOUS CAST OF REPUBLICAN HYPOCRITES AND CRIMINALS MARK FOLEY, DUKE CUNNINGHAM, TOM DELAY, DAVID VITTER & NEWTLESS GINGRICH. MAYBE ATTORNEY GENERAL GONZALES SHOULD INVESTIGATE OH BUT HE JUST RESIGNED!! AS I WRITE THIS HEAR ON THE RADIO THAT CRAIG WOKE UP AND IS RESIGNING. THEY ALSO JUST RELEASED THE AUDIO TAPE OF HIS ARREST....VERY CREEPY. MAYBE HE WILL MOVE TO TEXAS? THE POLITICIANS JUST DON'T GET IT. THE HYPOCRISY IS AN INSULT AND CRIME AGAINST ALL AMERICANS REGARDLESS IF YOU ARE A DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN

ABOVE IS AN AMUSING BUT MAY BE NOW SOMEWHAT UNCOMFORTABLE PICTURE OF VA UNDERSECRETARY FOR HEALTH DR. JON PERLINAND & SEN. LARRY CRAIG. I LOVE THE INTERNET!!

IMUS HIRED LENNY BRUCE'S LAWYER AND SETTLED THE LAWSUIT WITH THE LAME-O'S AT CBS, AND THEY EXPECT HIM BACK ON THE AIR BY THE END OF THIS YEAR! OH YEAH, BUT NOT ON WFAN . THE MONEY IS HE WILL BE ON AN ABC AFFILIATE IN TIME FOR 2008 ELECTIONS...HOOORAH. HIS REPLACEMENT ON WFAN COULD NOT BE MORE PATHETIC.....BOOMER ( I CHOKED IN THE SUPER BOWL AND HAVE NO RING) ESIASON & CRAIG CARTON. CHECK OUT THE SI INTERVIEW WITH BOOMER ABOUT THE JOB FOR A PREVIEW OF THE LAMENESS! THE WARDEN HAD A GREAT RANT ON WARDENSWORLD WITH HIS PRESCIENT CALL ON THIS MORONIC MOVE BY THE GENIUSES AT CBS. SCARY PIC, EH?

IS IT POSSIBLE THAT COME ELECTION TIME 2008 WE WILL HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN FORMER SENATORIAL ASPIRING NY RIVALS HILLARY CLINTON OR RUDY GUILLIANI?? IN THE IMMORTAL WORDS OF COLONEL WALTER E KURTZ...... "THE HORROR , THE HORROR"

COL. KURTZ WAS PLAYED MARLON BRANDO IN APOCALYPSE NOW. ONE OF THE GREATEST MOVIES EVER. THE SOUNDTRACK IS PRETTY DARN GOOD AS WELL. I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT IN THIS FILM BRANDO KINDA LOOKED LIKE UNCLE FESTER FROM THE ORIGINAL 1960'S ADDAMS FAMILY TV SHOW.

UNCLE FESTER WAS PLAYED BY NONE OTHER THAN JACKIE COOGAN, WHI STARTED OUT AS A KID ACTOR IN THE SILENT FILM ERA WITH THE GREAT CHARLIE CHAPLIN....DARN I AM GETTING OLD...MAYBE I WILL GET THAT AARP CARD AFTER ALL!

2007-08-20T21:15:00.000-04:00

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Drawing parallels with the end of the Roman empire, Mr. Walker warned there were 'striking similarities' between America's current situation and the factors that brought down Rome, including 'declining moral values and political civility at home, an overconfident and overextended military in foreign lands, and fiscal irresponsibility by the central government.' "

U.S. Comptroller General David Walker

A Brief History Of Ska

2007-08-18T12:53:00.001-04:00

I'm stuck on ska mon!

Madness - One step beyond

2007-08-14T21:14:00.001-04:00

It's SKA Madness!

The Specials - A message to you Rudy

2007-08-14T17:10:00.001-04:00

Old school SKA back in the day and back in my iPOD

2007-08-10T20:28:00.000-04:00

A -ROD HITS HOME RUN NUMBER 500!!!

THAT'S RIGHT, ON AUGUST THE FOURTH, THE 500TH A-BOMB FROM A-ROD ROCKETED INTO LEFT FIELD IN THE FIRST INNING. THIS MADE HIS TENTH STRAIGHT SEASON WITH 35 HRS, 100RBI's AND 100 RUNS! ALEX RODRIGUEZ IS THE ONLY PLAYER IN BASEBALL HISTORY TO ACHIEVE THIS FEAT. YOURS TRULY ALONG WITH THE MRS WAS THERE TO ENJOY THE MAGIC MOMENT AND WE 'S GOT THE TICKET STUBS TO PROVE IT.(I WONDER HOW MUCH I CAN GET FOR THEM ON E-BAY?) YANKEE STADIUM WAS A PACKED HOUSE AND AS LOUD AS WE HAVE EVER HEARD OR FELT IT IN THE BRONX. THE YANKEES WON 16 -8 AND WE STAYED THRU THE 8TH INNING!! A GREAT DAY! OH AND BY THE WAY, FOR ALL YOU NON-BELIEVERS, THE YANKS ARE BACK IN THE PLAYOFF HUNT! THEY ALSO WILL OVERTAKE THE LAME SOX AND WIN THE DIVISION! YEAH I SAID IT!

Vivaldi Mandolin Concerto - Evan Marshall and Scott Gates.

2007-08-08T22:27:00.001-04:00

SOME NIFTY PICKIN HERE

2007-07-26T23:33:00.000-04:00

GO EAST YOUNG MAN!!! JIMITHEGREEK GOES TO CHINA

MACAU MADNESS - PART DEUCE

YESSIREEE BOB, YOU PRETTY MUCH CAN SEE THE SANDS CASINO ONCE THE FERRY DOCKS! MACAU IS A VERY INTERESTING PLACE. THERE IS A MIX OF PORTUGUESE / EUROPEAN AND CHINESE CULTURES THAT MAKES AN INTERESTING MELANGE OF THINGS. IT ALSO HAS ALREADY SURPASSED LAS VEGAS AS THE BIGGEST MONEY RAKING IN CASINO AREA IN THE WORLD. IT HAS, HOWEVER NOT YET REACHED THE ALLURE, ATTRACTION, AFFLUENCE'S, FUN, COOLNESS, SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE, SPARKLE & ZEITGEIST OF LAS VEGAS. AN INTERESTING FACT IS THAT MACAU IS WITHIN A SIX HOUR FLIGHT OF 1.5 BILLION POTENTIAL GAMBLERS....OYE VE!!! I DIGRESS, WE GET A TAXI TO THE RIO HOTEL & CASINO WHERE THE GREEK AND A CHINAMAN (HENCEFORTH TO BE KNOW AS OC ; ORIGINAL CHINAMAN) WERE TO SPEND THE NIGHT. ALONG THE WAY WE WERE SALIVATING TALKING ABOUT THE LUNCH WE WERE GOING TO HAVE AT ROBUCHON. THE SON OF A CHINAMAN, WE WILL CALL HIM OC Jr ( I AM GETTING REALLY LAZY!) HIMSELF A BIT OF A FOODIE, WAS GOING BACK TO HONG KONG AFTER THE MEAL. CANT BLAME HIM, WHO WANTS TO HANG AROUND TWO OLDER FARTS TALKING ABOUT FOOD, BOXING, TV SHOWS AND OTHER NONSENSICAL STUFF...TRUE THAT. HE (OC Jr)-> BEING A MUCH YOUNGER AND HIPPER MAN THAN US OLD FOGGIES! NEVER MIND ON TO THE FOOD DARN IT! OFF TO THE VENERABLE BUT DATED FLAGSHIP OF MACAU GAMBLING THE HOTEL LISBOA.

OKAY IT REALLY IS NOT VENERABLE, I THINK IT IS A DATED, GAUDY, WORN HOTEL WITH WARRENS OF GAMBLING ROOMS, SHOPS, & RESTAURANTS. SPEAKING OF RESTAURANTS IT JUST HAPPENS TO HOUSE THE BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT IN EAST ASIA, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT FOLKS. FOOD MADNESS I TELL YOU, IT OVERTOOK US LIKE A DOG CHEWING ON A BONE! (WHAT?) ANYWAYS; ROBUCHON a GALERA IS JUST A WONDERFUL PLACE TO EAT. THE MENU & WINE LIST IS FABULOUS. OC Jr AND I FOCUSED ON THE EXECUTIVE LUNCH MENU - "LUNCH AT YOUR OWN COMPOSITION" AND WE ACTUALLY PICKED THE SAME EXACT ITEM TO EAT. WELL WHAT CAN I SAY GREEK.. UH ER GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE. THE OC WAS TORTURED WITH THE MENU AND WINE LIST! YUP WE WERE IN TROUBLE NOW. OH WELL JUST A LITTLE TASTE OF SOME DIFFERENT ITEMS!

SO OC Jr AND I START OUT WITH THE LIGHTLY SMOKED FOIS GRAS WITH MARINATED FRENCH BEAN. YES, YES I KNOW FOIE GRAS IS NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT BUT IT DOES TASTE DARN GOOD. THIS PARTICULAR VERSION WAS LIGHTLY SMOKED AND WAS WONDERFUL. OF COURSE THE OC WENT OFF THE SET LUNCH MENU TO HAVE AN APPETIZER OF THE VERY TASTY "JAMON NEGRO IBERICA". THIS IS THE AIR DRIED AGED BLACK HAM FROM SPAIN. THE PIGS ARE ONLY FED ACORNS AND IT IS SLICED FRESH FROM THE FORE LEG. IT IS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE USA BECAUSE THERE ARE NO PRESERVATIVES OR CHEMICALS ADDED TO PASS USDA RULES. LET ME TELL YOU THOUGH IT IS MAGICALLY DELICIOUS, SIMILAR TOO BUT BETTER THAN THE FINEST ITALIAN PROSCIUTTO. A KOSHER PORK DISH IF THERE EVER WAS ONE!

JUST WRITING ABOUT THE APPETIZERS AND I HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN UP TWICE TO RUMMAGE THRU THE FRIDGE. GOOD THING THERE'S NOTHING BUT FRUIT AND SALAD IN THERE!! AFTER THE OOHS AND AAAHHS OF THE FIRST COURSE WE HAD A "WHITE ASPARAGUS VELOUTE WITH SEMI-CONFIT SALMON AND CROUTONS"... WHAT? YEAH WELL IT BASICALLY WAS A CREAM OF ASPARAGUS SOUP WITH A PIECE OF SALMON, BUT A TASTY SOUP! OH AND THE OC HAD THE "SAFFRON SOFT BOILED EGG IN TOMATO ASPIC WITH BLACK OLIVE TOFU AND A MEDLEY OF MIXED HERBS" EATING LITE & HEALTHY, EH? BY THE WAY WE WERE WASHING THIS ALL DOWN WITH SOME NICE CRISP WHITE WINE AND SOME FRESHLY BAKED BREADS AND ROLLS WHILE CRITIQUING THE GREAT FOOD AND HAVING A SMOKE IN BETWEEN.

YEAH, I SAID IT! A SMOKE IN THE RESTAURANT, NOT GOING IN THE ELEVATOR, OUTSIDE IN THE RAIN, I SAID IN THE RESTAURANT!!! AH, THE GOOD OLD DAYS! YOU CAN STILL SMOKE PRETTY MUCH ANYWHERE IN MACAU! GOOD THING I AM A SOCIAL SMOKER AND ONLY HAD A TASTE OR TWO JUST TO KEEP THE OC COMPANY.

ONWARDS TO THE MAIN DISH. ME N MY NEW MAIN YOUNG MAN OC Jr HAD THE "PAN FRIED KUROBUTA PORK LOIN, FRICASSEE OF MUSHROOMS WITH PINK GARLIC AND PARSLEY FOAM" YEAH I KNOW THE FOAM, THE FOAM ...BOSS. THE FOAM STUFF AND THE MUSHROOMS WERE UNNECESSARY. THE KUROBUTA PORK ITSELF WAS FANTASTIC ENOUGH. A NICELY COOKED, MAGNIFICENTLY MARBLED PIECE OF DARKER SWINE! IT WAS MELT IN YOUR MOUTH MAKE YOU WANT TO SLAP YO MAMMA GOOD! WE BOTH ENJOYED IT TREMENDOUSLY. OF COURSE BY NOW OC Jr HAD TAKEN OFF HIS SUNGLASSES AND WAS REALLY ENJOYING THE MEAL! SPEAKING OF ENJOYING THE MEAL, OC HAD THE FOIE GRAS AS HIS MAIN DISH (APPETIZER PORTION DUE HE WAS EATING LITE!) DARN GOOD. BY NOW WE WERE WELL INTO THE RED WINE AS WELL.

ABOUT TWO AND A HALF HOUS LATER WE GET UP TO THE "CHARIOT DE FROMAGES FERMIERS AFFINES", THAT MACAUNESE FOR A SELECTION OF CHEESE FROM THE CHEESE TROLLEY. NOW I CANNOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHICH TYPES I HAD , ONLY THAT THEY WERE SIMPLY MARVELOUS. THEY HAD THE FINEST CHEESES YOU COULD HAVE. WE ALL SINFULLY HAD AT LEAST TWO OR THREE OR FOUR TASTES. ALRIGHT I'M BACK TO MY FRIDGE , THERE'S GOTTA BE SOME PREPACKAGED INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED PROCESSED AMERICAN CHEESE OR SOMETHING IN THERE FOR ME.

NOW ROBUCHON IS FAMOUS FOR HIS DESSERTS, WHICH HAS SUCH LUXURIOUS TREATS AS LOLLIPOPS, CHOCOLATE STRAWS, CAKES, TARTS ETC. SUFFICE IT TO SAY THEY ARE ALL EXTRAORDINARY! WE HAD A LITTLE TASTE ALONG WITH SOME COFFEE. I AM NOT EVEN GOING TO GET INTO IT BECAUSE I WILL BE IN MY FRIDGE SUCKING DOWN SOME HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE SYRUP RIGHT OUT OF THE BOTTLE! ALAS THE MEAL HAD TO END (THREE AND A HALF HOURS LATER). WE ALL WADDLED OUT & BID FOND FAREWELL TO OC Jr AND HE WAS OFF TO CATCH THE FERRY BACK TO HONG KONG. OC AND I WENT BACK TO THE HOTEL TO REST ERH TAKE CARE OF SOME BIZNESS (TOILET & NAP)!?!

ABOUT AN HOUR OR TWO LATER WE ARE OFF TO THE SPA AT THE HOTEL. THE SPA IS BASICALLY A WHOLE FLOOR IN THE HOTEL CONSISTING OF VARIOUS PRIVATE AND LARGE PUBLIC AREAS WHERE YOU GET ALL SORTS OF MASSAGES, MANICURES, PEDICURES ETC. THE CHINAMAN ARRANGED IT SO WE HAD OUR OWN PRIVATE AREA. AFTER BEING SERVED A SOFT DRINK, WE BOTH OPTED FOR THE FOOT MASSAGE. THIS IS NATURAL AFTER HAVING SUCH A LARGE MEAL...HUH? NOW I TELL YOU THEM GALS KNOW HOW TO DO A FOOT MASSAGE. WITHIN TEN MINUTES I WAS DOZING OFF. FOR SOME REASON I AWOKE AND THOUGHT I WAS STILL DREAMING OR SOMETHING! I THOUGHT I SAW THE OC WITH SOMEONE STICKING A CHOPSTICK IN HIS EAR? EGADS! DID I EAT SOME HALLUCINOGENIC MUSHROOMS OR SOMETHING? AS MY HAZE CLEARED UP I REALIZED HE WAS JUST GETTING A GOOD OLD FASHIONED EAR CLEANING! HMM, I WAS NOT QUITE UP TO THAT FOR MYSELF. PERHAPS I COULD CONVINCE THE MRS JIMITHEGREEK TO DO THAT FOR ME WHEN I GET HOME? WELL MAYBE NOT! OK, NOW THAT I WAS SUFFICIENTLY WOBBLY FROM MY FOOT MASSAGE, I WENT OFF TO GET A SAUNA. STEAM BATH & SHOWER WHILE THE OC CONTINUED ON WITH HIS MASSAGE, EAR CLEANING, MANICURE ETC ETC.!! YUP, HE'S GOT THE HIGH LIFE, I TELL YA'LL! AFTER ALL THIS EXCITEMENT WE WERE GETTING A LITTLE HUNGRY AGAIN! WE DECIDED TO GO OUT AND FORAGE FOR A LITE SNACK! WHAT BETTER PLACE TO GO TO THAN THE WYNN MACAU HOTEL & CASINO?

THE WYNN IS A SMALLER REPLICA OF THE WYNN LAS VEGAS. IT IS BY FAR THE NICEST, CLEANEST, SPARKIEST & CLASSIEST HOTEL CASINO IN ASIA. WE DID A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION OF THE PROPERTY AND ITS EATING ESTABLISHMENTS AND DECIDED NOT TO HAVE CHINESE FOOD AGAIN AND TRY THE LOVELY ITALIAN RESTAURANT; RISTORANTE IL TEATRO. THE PLACE HAS A HUGE OPEN KITCHEN TO ALLOW VIEWS OF REAL IMPORTED ITALIANS COOKING. SPEAKING OF VIEWS, YOU CAN SEE THE ARTIFICIAL LAKE WITH ITS PERFORMING FOUNTAINS FROM VIRTUALLY EVERY SEAT IN THE PLACE. OF COURSE WE WERE NOT LOOKING AT THE WATER VIEW BUT A THE THE MENU! (THAT RHYMES!)

ANYWAYS THE MENU WAS FULL OF CLASSIC ITALIAN DISHES. WE DECIDED TO EAT LIGHT (MEANS NO WINE, JUST A DRINK EACH). THE FOOD WAS TO NOTCH. I STARTED WITH THE TASTY SEARED TUNA WITH SALAD & SWEET ONION RELISH, THEN OUT TO A CLASSIC RIGATONI WITH SAUSAGE & BROCCOLI RABE. BOTH DISHES WERE IMPECCABLY ITALIAN GOOD AND DEVOURED QUICKLY. THE CHINAMAN HAD THE LOBSTER CARPACCIO WITH CAESAR SALAD & THE BEEF RAVIOLI WITH TOMATO SAUCE WHICH BOTH DISAPPEARED IN RECORD TIME. I'D PUT THIS PLACE IN WITH SOME OF NYC'S TOP ITALIAN JOINTS. IT MUST HAVE BEEN THOSE EXHAUSTING MASSAGES THAT FORCED US TO SHARE THE WONDERFUL DESSERT SAMPLER! SUFFICIENTLY STUFFED WE GOT OUT TO THE STREET AND STUMBLED BACK TO THE HOTEL PAUSING TO PERUSE SOME OF THE WATCH & JEWELRY SHOPS ALONG THE WAY.

MEANWHILE BACK IN THE ROOM I WAS A BIT RESTLESS AND DECIDE TO GO DOWNSTAIRS AND GAMBLE A LITTLE BIT SINCE I HAD SOME VOUCHERS! I HAVE TO SAY IT WAS AN UNCOMFORTABLE EXPERIENCE. THE LAYOUT IS BASICALLY A BUNCH OF INDIVIDUAL LARGE CLOSED OFF ROOMS. I HAD TO GO THRU METAL DETECTORS AND A FIRM PAT DOWN. THE TABLES WERE A BIT WORN AND THE SLOTS WERE UNRECOGNIZABLE TO ME. I WAS THE ONLY NON-ASIAN THERE AND FELT LIKE I WAS BEING CLOSELY SCRUTINIZED. I PLAYED SOME SLOTS AND QUICKLY WENT BACK TO THE ROOM TO FINALLY GET SOME SHUT EYE.

THE NEXT MORNING IT WAS A LIGHT & FREE BUFFET BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL, TAXI TO THE PIER AND ON THE FERRY BACK TO HONG KONG! IT WAS THEN I REALIZED IT WAS ONLY SUNDAY, THREE DAYS INTO THE TRIP! WE STILL HAD A COUPLE OF DAYS IN HONG KONG AND BEIJING TO GO!! I FIGURED IT WHEN I GOT BACK TO HONG IT WAS EITHER TIME TO DO SOME SERIOUS WORKING OUT OR JUST LOOSEN UP THE BELT! OH WELL

COMING UP NEXT........ HOORAY IN HONG KONG!!

Skateboarding Dog

2007-07-26T20:15:00.001-04:00

Way too funny, Tks to Mrs!

Once Were Warriors - Jake The Mus

2007-07-18T10:13:00.001-04:00

Great scene from one of the best movies of all time!

2007-07-13T20:00:00.000-04:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FAVORITE CHINAMAN!!!

WISH YOU ANOTHER SIXTY YEARS OF THE GOOD HEALTH, GOOD EATING, GOOD TIMES AND THE GOOD LIFE!!! ALL THE BEST

The Fuzztones - Ward 81

2007-07-10T21:14:00.001-04:00

Old School Classic, Compliments of The Gatt

2007-07-09T10:37:00.000-04:00

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"DON'T LIFT WEIGHTS BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO HEAVY!"
- PAPOU GANGSTA STYLE

2007-07-01T23:58:00.000-04:00

GO EAST YOUNG MAN!!! JIMITHEGREEK GOES TO CHINA

A CHINAMAN AWAITS - PART 1

THE TRIP STARTED OUT OMINOUSLY. THE FLIGHT OUT OF NEWARK WAS 5 HOURS LATE. THE STAFF OF THE "AWARD WINNING AIRLINE , CONTINENTAL WAS CLUELESS. NOT ONLY DID THEY NOT HAVE A CLUE BUT THE STAFF WAS A BIT ARROGANT AND STUPID AS WELL AS BEING BASIC INCOMPETENTS. THE FLIGHT WAS SUPPOSED TO LEAVE AT 3:00PM EDT BUT NOOOOOO....FIRST IT WAS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM, THEN THEY SAID IT WAS DUE TO COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS IN HONG KONG, WHEN WE COULD ALL SEE WORKERS ON THE TAIL OF THE PLANE.(ARE YOU KIDDING?) THEN IT WAS DUE TO TRAFFIC IN HONG KONG ( ITS FRIGGIN 16 HOURS AWAY). SO THEN THEY RESCHEDULED TO LEAVE AT 6:00PM. BY 5:30 THERE WAS NO BOARDING CALL, I ASKED THE "CUSTOMER SERVICE" REP IN THE BUSINESS/FIRST CLASS LOUNGE WHAT WAS GOING ON? HE SAYS " UH WE WILL KNOW MORE AT 6:00PM, THEY WILL CALL US" I SAY "BUT THE BOARD AND INFO SAYS 6:00PM DEPARTURE" HE SAYS " YES, THEY WILL CALL US TO LETS US KNOW AT 6:00PM" I SAY TO MYSELF "YOU ARE DUMBER THAN A FRIGGIN IDIOTIC MORON ( IF THAT IS POSSIBLE) !!

SO I CALL THE CONTINENTAL AIRLINE 800 NUMBER AND FIND OUT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE RADIO ON THE PLANE AND WE SHOULD PROBABLY LEAVE SOMETIME BETWEEN 7 - 8 PM. GOOD THING THE PEOPLE IN HOUSTON KNOW MORE OF WHAT IS GOING ON IN NEWARK THAN THE NEW JERSEY IDIOTS DO! SO I GO BACK TO THE BIZ/1ST CLASS LOUNGE AND I AM READY FOR AN ALCOHOLIC DRINK. GUESS WHAT THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME FOR A DRINK!!! ARE YOU FRIGGIN KIDDING ME? SOME PEOPLE PAY +$5500 FOR THE AIRFARE FROM NEWARK TO HONG KONG AND YOU WANT TO CHARGE FOR A FRIGGIN DRINK. BUT THEY DO GIVE YOU FREE COFFEE, SOFT DRINKS AND TEA ALONG WITH SOME PREPACKAGED CHEESE AND CRACKERS ....WOOO HOOO! THIS TRIP WAS NOT STARTING OUT WELL AND I WAS GETTING REALLY CRANKY.

AS I WANDERED AIMLESSLY THRU THE NEWARK AIRPORT I HEARD SOME GREEK MUSIC....EGADS ( WAS I HAVING SOME KIND OF DELIRIOUS FLASHBACK?..NO) IT TURNS OUT THAT JUNE 7 WAS THE INAUGURAL CONTINENTAL FLIGHT FROM NEWARK TO ATHENS. THEY HAD GREEK MUSIC, DANCING , FOOD, SPEECHES AND OF COURSE A GREEK PRIEST TO SAY A PRAYER AND BLESS THE FLIGHT. HEY THAT FLIGHT ACTUALLY DEPARTED ON TIME! ( PROBABLY THE FIRST & LAST TIME THAT HAPPENS! ARE THERE THAT MANY GREEKS IN JERSEY?

THEY FINALLY STARTED BOARDING THE PLANE AROUND 7:15PM. OF COURSE THE PLANE DID NOT ACTUALLY LEAVE THE GROUND UNTIL AFTER 8PM. BUT AT LEAST NOW I WAS GETTING FREE DRINKS! I ACTUALLY SAT NEXT TO A VERY NICE LADY NAMED SIMONE. SHE SAID SHE WAS LIKE ME AND COULD NOT SLEEP ON THE PLANE. OF COURSE AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OR SO OF CHATTING WITH ME SHE FELL ASLEEP FOR THE NEXT TEN HOURS OF THE FLIGHT. I HAVE THAT SPECIAL EFFECT ON PEOPLE. ALSO MUST SAY THE THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS WERE VERY NICE AND ATTENTIVE DURING THIS LONG, LONG FLIGHT. A CHINAMAN WAS WAITING FOR ME IN HONG KONG. PLOTTING AND SCHEMING GASTRONOMICAL EXTRAVAGANZAS. I WAS GONNA TRY NOT TO EAT TOO MUCH, SO THAT I COULD STILL WEAR MY SPEEDO WHEN I GET BACK. SO THERE I WAS, READING MAGAZINES & A BOOK OF STEPHEN KING SHORT STORIES, EATING BAD AIRLINE FOOD, WATCHING MOVIES, WALKING THE AISLES OVER AND OVER, EATING BAD AIRLINE FOOD, WATCHING THE SAME MOVIES IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES, WALKING THE AISLES......SO 16 -18 HOURS OR SO LATER I AM IN HONG KONG, THRU CUSTOMS, GRAB A CAB AND TO THE RENAISSANCE HOTEL , KOWLOON IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST! I WAS TO MEET A CHINAMAN LATE THE NEXT MORNING ALONG WITH A SURPRISE. I WOULD MEET THE SON OF A CHINAMAN, CHINAMAN JR! FINALLY GOT TO MY ROOM, TOOK A SHOWER AND TRIED TO STAY UP AS LATE AS POSSIBLE. OF COURSE I FELL ASLEEP IMMEDIATELY AND WAS WIDE AWAKE ABOUT 5:30AM. FORTUNATELY THE FITNESS CENTRE OPENED AT 6:00AM. I WENT AND DID A COUPLE OF HOURS IN THE GYM, BACK TO THE ROOM FOR THE S.S.S., PACKED AN OVERNITE BAG AND ORGANIZED ALL MY STUFF. WENT TO MEET THE DEADLY DUO AT THAT GREAT HONG KONG COFFEE HOUSE, STARBUCKS. WE EXCHANGED WARM GREETINGS, HAD SOME TASTY STARBUCKS (TASTES JUST LIKE NY STARBUCKS) AND WENT OFF TO CATCH A FERRY TO GO TO MACAU FOR A CULINARY & CULTURAL ADVENTURE. WE TOOK THE VERY CLEAN, FAST AND VERY EFFICIENT MTR (HONG KONGS SUBWAY SYSTEM) TO THE FERRY TERMINAL. THIS SYSTEM IS SO GOOD THAT EVEN I CAN MANAGE TO FIGURE IT OUT.

WE GOT TO THE FERRY TERMINAL, GOT TICKETS, WENT THRU CUSTOMS, BOARDED A TURBOJET FERRY AND AN HOUR LATER WE WERE DOCKED IN MACAU. THE HOVERCRAFT WAS COMFORTABLE, SMOOTH SAILING AND FAST. OF COURSE WE WERE TALKING THE WHOLE WAY AND IT MADE THE TRIP EVEN SHORTER.

AFTER PASSING THRU CUSTOMS, WE GRABBED A TAXI CAB AND WENT TO CHECK IN TO THE HOTEL IN MACAU. SPEAKING OF MACAU, THAT WILL BE NEXT!!! STAY TUNED FOR MACAU MADNESS - PART 2, FEATURING FIVE STAR CUISINE, CASINOS, AN ITALIAN OASIS, EAR CLEANING BY CHOPSTICKS AND A PICTURE OF A CHINAMAN JR!

2007-06-29T23:56:00.000-04:00

FEARSOME FOURSOME....FANTASTIC FOUR....FOURPLAY......FOUR PLAYS WHATTAYA SAY!

YES BOYS AND GIRLS ITS REVIEW TIME! WHAT? DID YA'LL THINK THAT THE "CULTURE" BLOGS WERE ONCE A YEAR? WAY BACK IN MARCH WE REVIEWED THREE BUT FOR THIS IPHONE FRIDAY WE GOT FOAH(4) TO GO THRU. EVEN BETTER WE HAD SOME GOOD EATING JOINTS.

FIRST UP IS:

HORIZON

WE SAW THIS PLAY THIS PAST WEDS NIGHT (JUNE 27) AT ONE OF OUR FAVE LITTLE THEATERS NYTW - NEW YORK THEATRE WORKSHOP. HORIZON IS CREATED, WRITTEN, COMPOSED AND FEATURES RINDE ECKERT MOVING AROUND! I DID KINDA OF LIKE WHEN THE TWO SIDEKICKS MORPHED INTO THE SCOTTISH/IRISH MASONS . WHEN I SAW MR ECKERT ON STAGE PRIOR TO THE SHOWS START, I REMARKED TO THE MRS THAT THE BALD GUY LOOKS LIKE A SCREAMER (SOME ONE WHO YELLS ALOT ON STAGE). TURNS OUT I WAS PARTIALLY CORRECT (THREE SCREAMERS!!!). THIS PLAY IS ABOUT A TEACHER PREACHER IN THE MIDWEST WHO (SEEMS TO ME IS ON AN ACID TRIP) WHO IS GOING THRU A "SPIRITUAL" NIGHT WITH VARIOUS CONVERSATIONS WITH HIS BROTHER, FATHER WIFE AND OTHER ASSORTED DEMONS. I MUST ADMIT THE TRIO'S ACTING IS OUTSTANDING. MANY CRITICS APPLAUD THE SHOW BUT FOR ME THIS PLAY HAD NO INTEREST. THOUGHT IT WAS ABOUT AN HOUR TOO LONG. THE ONLY REASON I STAYED AWAKE WAS BECAUSE OF THE BARITONE SINGING AND MOVING OF CINDER BLOCKS. FOR A FULL REVIEW OF THIS AND THE NEXT 3 SHOWS CHECK OUT THEATERMANIA. NOW ON TO THE BEST PART OF THE EVENING...THE DINING!!!

RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATION: WE WENT NORTH TO EAT .......... NORTH AFRICAN FRENCH CUISINE TO BE EXACT AT NOMAD (SEE WEB SITE FOR PICS) RESTAURANT. A PLACE FIRST DISCOVERED AND ENJOYED WITH MY FAVORITE YOUNGEST BROWN EYED DAUGHTER. WHAT A NIFTY, SPARKLY LITTLE PLACE IN THE EAST VILLAGE. THEY HAVE THE BEST LOOKIN RED RESTROOM YOU WILL EVER SEE! THE NY TIMES EVEN GIVES IT A "TOP PICK" RATING AND RAVES ABOUT THE COOKIE PLATTER. OTHER THAN THE COOKIES WE DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING ELSE THEY REVIEWED. WE STARTED & ENJOYED THE "FOOUL" - SLOW COOKED FAVA BEANS WITH CUMIN & LEMON ALONG WITH THE "OCTOPUS SALAD" - WITH FRESH SHAVED FENNEL, ORANGE & MINT. WE THEN MOVED ON TO THE "MOROCCAN MUSSELS" - COOKED WITH TOMATO SAUCE, CILANTRO, GARLIC & GREEN OLIVES AND THE "SAFFRON GRILLED SHRIMP" - WITH TASTY CHICKPEA PUREE & CILANTRO. SO NOW WE WERE DONE WITH THE APPETIZERS SO WE SHARED THE DAILY SPECIAL WHICH WAS A "STRIPED BASS TANGINE" - A WONDERFUL FISH STEW WITH TOMATOES, OLIVES, POTATOES AND SPICES. OK BY NOW THE WINE WAS GONE AND SINCE WE HAD A 15% DISCOUNT COUPON WE WENT FOR THE SUPER DELICIOUS DAMN TASTY "COOKIE PLATTER" (READ THE TIMES REVIEW AS THEY FALL ALL OVER THEMSELVES ABOUT THE COOKIES). THIS PLACE WAS SO GOOD AND THE PEOPLE WERE SO NICE WE ATE THERE TWICE (SEE 3RD SHOW BELOW)! SECOND UP

IN A DARK DARK HOUSE

SECOND UP WAS ON JUNE 2ND. THIS WAS MCC'S PRODUCTION OF NEIL LABUTE'S IN A DARK DARK HOUSE. LET ME JUST SAY RIGHT HERE AND NOW THAT THIS WAS A MOST DISTURBING PLAY. THIS WAS THIRD & FINAL MCC PRODUCTION AT THE LUCILLE LORTEL THEATRE FOR THIS YEAR. THE STORY WAS ABOUT TWO VERY DIFFERENT BROTHERS. THEY ARE BROUGHT TOGETHER AT A MENTAL HEALTH (NUT HOUSE) FACILITY TO FACE & CONFRONT THEIR HORRIBLE, TERRIBLE, ABUSIVE CHILDHOOD PAST. STRONG PERFORMANCES BY RON LIVINGSTON & FREDERICK WELLER COULD NOT SAVE THE DAY FOR ME. IT WAS UNCOMFORTABLE TO WATCH & SIT THRU TO SAY THE LEAST. THIS PERHAPS WHAT THE PLAYWRIGHT HAD IN MIND. SPEAKING OF THE PLAYWRIGHT, SOMEONE SHOULD CHECK MR LABUTE'S BACKYARD AND OR BASEMENT . AT LEAST THE FOOD AFTERWARDS WAS GOOD.

RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATION: PINTO, THAI NOUVEAU CUISINE WHICH IS STEPS AWAY FROM THE THEATER. THAI NOUVEAU CUISINE YOU SAY? YES, WE KNOW THAT USUALLY MEANS REALLY BIG PLATES WITH LITTLE BITES TO EAT AT REALLY HIGH PRICES IN A SHINY, SLEEK PLACE! WELL THIS PLACE FITS THE STEREOTYPE, EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT THE FOOD WAS VERY DELICIOUS AND VERY, VERY FRESH. WE STARTED OUT WITH THE "CRISPY ROLLS" - LIGHT CRISPY DELIGHTS FILLED WITH LOTUS ROOT & MUSHROOMS WITH JUST THE RIGHT CHILI SAUCE. "GREEN PAPAYA" - SALAD WAS TASTY FRESH WITH CHERRY TOMATOES, GRILLED SHRIMP AND A TANGY GARLICKY-CHILI DRESSING. "SCOTTISH SALMON SASHIMI" - JUST MELTED IN YOUR MOUTH GOOD. WE FINISHED WITH THE "SEARED RED SNAPPER" - WITH RUBY TOM YAM & DASHI BROTH ALONG WITH SOME JASMINE RICE. ALL IN ALL A QUITE DELICIOUS MEAL. STILL DON'T GET THE NAME THOUGH, PINTO IS A HORSE OR AN ITALIAN SOMETHING? ANYWAYS ON TO PLAY NO. 3!

ALL THE WRONG REASONS

THIRD, ON MAY 2ND WE GO BACK TO NYTW FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS: "A TRUES STORY OF NEO-NAZIS, DRUG SMUGGLING AND UNDYING LOVE". ALL THE WRONG REASONS IS A ONE MAN SHOW STARRING JOHN FUGELSANG. MR FUGELSANG TELL AN ANIMATED AMUSING STORY ABOUT BEING THE SON OF A FORMER PRIEST AND FORMER NUN ON A TRIP TO TELL HIS FOLKS HE IS GETTING MARRIED. ALONG THE WAY HE COVERS SEX, POLITICS, NEO NAZIS, KKK, DRUGS, STEMS CELLS, LOVE ETC WITH MUCH WIT AND CLEVER HUMOR. A BIT LEFT WINGISH BUT PRETTY HYSTERICALLY FUNNY AT TIMES. A JOLLY GOOD FUN SHOW!

OH AND BY THE WAY WE DINED AT NOMAD ( SEE RECOMMENDATION ABOVE). SO, ON TO PLAY NO. 4

EXITS AND ENTRANCES

FOURTH & FINALLY WAY BACK ON APRIL 29TH AT THE 59E59 THEATER, WE ATTENDED PRIMARY STAGES FINAL PRODUCTION OF THE 2007 SEASON, ATHOL FUGARD'S EXITS AND ENTRANCES. AN AMUSING AND SAD TALE OF AN AGING, DECLINING "LAWRENCE OLIVIER" TYPE ACTOR IN PRE & POST APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA. THIS SHOW WAS WELL ACTED AS WELL AS FUNNY, SENTIMENTAL AND SAD. THE DIALOGUE WAS WELL WRITTEN AND INTERESTING. WE BOTH ENJOYED THIS PLAY. WE BOTH ALSO REALLY ENJOYED SUNDAY BRUNCH BEFORE THE SHOW

RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATION: SUNDAY BRUNCH AT PADDY MCGEES FISH HOUSE & BAR IS A LOVELY WAY TO GORGE YOURSELF. THEY HAVE THE ABSOLUTE BEST BAKED BLUEBERRY FRENCH TOAST ANYWHERE. THIS DISH CARRIES THE JIMITHEGREEK'S MONEYBACK GUARANTEE. IT IS A DARN TOOTING TASTY TREAT IN A CHAFING DISH! THERE ARE ALL THE OTHER USUAL BRUNCH SUSPECTS INCLUDING FRESH CUSTOM MADE OMELETS, WAFFLES, BACON, SAUSAGES, QUICHES, LASAGNA, LONDON BROIL CARVING STATION, SALADS, BREADS ETC. OH AND A VERY CREAMY RICE PUDDING ALONG WITH ALL THE BLOODY MARYS YOU CAN IMBIBE. YOU CAN EAT TILL YOU BURST WHILE ENJOYING A GREAT WATERFRONT VIEW.

2007-06-22T16:03:00.000-04:00

JOGGING AND BLOGGING IN LONG BEACH

I USED TO JOG ON THE BOARDWALK BUT RECENTLY DISCOVERED THE JOY OF RUNNING ALONG THE BEACH. WHAT AN UPLIFTING EXPERIENCE. AFTER MY CHINA TRIP I WENT FOR A 10K RUN ON TUESDAY AND IT WAS ALMOST SURREAL. I THINK I WAS STILL DISORIENTED FROM THE WONDERFUL FIFTEEN HOUR FLIGHT. MY RUN THIS MORNING WAS QUITE EXHILARATING. I WAS UP EARLY, DARN EARLY. I RAN ALONG THE BOARDWALK WEST TO EAST FOR ABOUT A MILE WHILE THE SUN WAS RISING. PRETTY DARN TOOTING! THEN I WENT ON TO THE BEACH JOGGING WHILST BLOGGING IN ME HEAD MATE!!.

I RAN WITH THE SUN WARMING MY BACK FOR ABOUT TWO AND A HALF MILES BEFORE TURNING AROUND FOR THE HOME STRETCH BACK ON THE BOARD WALK. BY THE WAY 10K IS APPROXIMATELY 6.3 MILES (1 & 1/2 ROTATIONS ON THE BOARDWALK) . IT IS NICE EARLY IN THE MORNING ON THE BEACH. IT IS NOT AS WINDY AS ON THE BOARDWALK. IT BASICALLY ME , MAYBE HALF A DOZEN WALKERS / RUNNERS, THE FILTHY SEAGULLS, A COUPLE OF GUYS SURF FISHING AND A COUPLE OF FOLKS WALKING THEIR DOGS. THE AIR IS CRISP AND SALTY. THE FEEL OF THE SMALL SEA SHELLS CRUSHING UNDER MY FEET, & THE SOUND OF THE WAVES PLAY SOME BACKGROUND MUSIC TO MY IPOD. LIFE IS HARD BUT LIFE IS GOOD !!!

2007-06-22T02:08:00.000-04:00

CUCKOO IN CANCUN!

IN THE BEGINNING OF MAY I WENT ON MY YEARLY PILGRIMAGE TO CANCUN. NOW I HAVE BEEN GOING THERE ONCE A YEAR FOR THE LAST SEVEN YEARS OR SO. THIS YEAR WAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT; WE STAYED AT THE ALL - INCLUSIVE GRAN CARIBE REAL RESORT AND FLEW IN ON THE ALWAYS BETTER WAY TO FLY, JETBLUE ON ONE OF THEIR PACKAGE DEALS. NOT ONLY WAS IT A GOOD DEAL BUT A PLEASANT FLIGHT AS WELL.

NORMALLY WE GO WITH FOUR OF THE BOYS OR MORE ! THIS TIME IT WAS JUST ME AND THE CRAZY ALBANIAN ALONG WITH THE TWO GALS.

THE GIG IN CANCUN IS SIMPLE AND SWEET. WE BASICALLY GO TO ONE OF THOSE ALL INCLUSIVE RESORTS TO DRINK MASSIVE QUANTITIES OF ALCOHOL AND EAT LARGE AMOUNTS OF FOOD. OH AND DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. NO SHOPPING, NO FISHING, NO BOOZE CRUISE, NO CHICHEN ITZA, NO ISLA DE MUJERES! I MEAN NOTHING BUT LOUNGE AROUND THE POOL ALTERNATING BETWEEN DRINKING AND SLEEPING WITH THE OCCASIONAL DIP TO COOL OFF. I DO HOWEVER, WORK QUITE DILIGENTLY ON MY TAN. IT TAKES SKILL TO ROLL OVER AT THE PROPER TIME YOU KNOW!

ANYWAYS, LIKE I SAID WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS. EVER SINCE MY LOONEY LIMEY BUDDY DISCOVERED THE ALL YOU CAN DRINK 24/7 PART!! THIS YEAR THE SCHEDULING WAS ROUGH FOR EVERYONE. EVEN THE WARDEN COULD NOT GET OUT OF JAIL TO MAKE IT. MY GAL FRIEND STARTED OUT AS A CUSTOMER BUT HAS SINCE BECOME ONE OF MY BUDDIES....STOP YOUR DIRTY THOUGHTS RIGHT NOW! SHE IS LIKE A SISTER TO ME. ALSO SHE ALWAYS VACATIONS, TRAVELS, CELEBRATES HOLIDAYS AND VISITS WITH HER SPECIAL FRIEND. BOTH THE GIRLS ALWAYS SHARE A ROOM. THE FUN PART IS THAT THEY ALSO CONSUME MASS QUANTITIES OF ALCOHOL & FOOD. IT IS A GOOD THING ITS ONLY FOUR DAYS & THREE NIGHTS OR I MIGHT LOSE ALL OF MY HAIR! GOOD FUN HAD BY ALL

P.S. CHINA TRIP BLOG IS COMING SOON TO A THEATRE NEAR YOU. GOT ALOT OF CATCHING UP TO DO!

2007-06-21T13:07:00.000-04:00

JIMITHEGREEK JUMPS FOR JOY

YES BOYS AND GIRLS I AM JUMPING FOR JOY BECAUSE I AM BACK! AFTER A LONG TWO WEEK TRIP TO CHINA, IT IS GOOD TO BE BACK HOME WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM. DO I HAVE STORIES TO TELL? THE CHINAMAN, CHINAMAN JR, THE CELESTIALS, RESTAURANTS TO REVIEW, WITTY ANECDOTES, CLEVER OBSERVATIONS, THE GREAT WALL AND ASSORTED OTHER PARAPHERNALIA TO DISCLOSE. THE BLOGGING WILL BE MAGNANIMOUS TO SAY THE LEAST. CHECK BACK EARLY AND OFTEN FOR THE FULL MONTY!

2007-06-06T00:35:00.000-04:00

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"THE DOG IS NOT A CAT!"

- PAPOU GANGSTA STYLE

2007-06-01T11:33:00.000-04:00

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

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

I READ IN THE WSJ, ABOUT THIS 46 YEAR OLD LADY IN CALIFORNIA, JACQUELINE GAGNE WHO HAS HIT TEN HOLE IN ONES SINCE JANUARY 23 OF THIS YEAR! HOLY GOLF BALLS BATMAN!! HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?

I MEAN PEOPLE (LIKE ME) CAN GO A LIFETIME WITHOUT GETTING ONE OF THESE. AM I GLAD THAT I HAVE BASICALLY GIVEN UP ON GOLF AND JUST PLAY ONCE IN AWHILE NOW. I WAS LUCKY TO BEAT MY WEIGHT ON THE SCORECARD. HOW DOES MS GAGNE DO IT? I WONDER IF I CAN GET HER TO RUB MY CLUBS FOR GOOD LUCK?...ERH THAT DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT BUT WHAT THE FRIGG!!

WHAT IS UP WITH THE BRONX BOMBERS? WHAT THEY CAN'T OVERCOME A FEW INJURIES? A COUPLE OF HITTING SLUMPS? ALL I WILL SAY AT THIS POINT IN TIME IS THAT THERE ARE FOUR MONTHS LEFT IN THE 2007 SEASON. LET US STOP THE HYSTERICS. THIS IS STILL ONE OF THE TOP TEAMS IN BASEBALL. I WILL SAY THAT AFTER THIS SEASON IT IS TIME FOR JOE TORRE TO GO. MR TORRE HAS HAD A GREAT RUN AND WILL ENTER THE HALLOWED HALL OF FAME AS A MANAGER. IT IS JUST TIME. THE TEAM NEEDS A CHANGE, SOME ONE WHO CAN WORK WITH THE YOUNG PITCHERS WE HAVE COMING UP. NO NOT DONNIE BASEBALL, BUT JOE GIRARDI WILL AND SHOULD BE THE NEXT YANKEE MANAGER, WELL MAYBE, MAYBE NOT! ANYWAYS MR TORRE WAS THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR THE TEAMS THAT REALLY DID NOT REQUIRE MUCH ON THE FIELD MANAGEMENT. YES I HAVE SUCCUMBED THE BIG BALD GUYS VIEW, ( "I AM GONNA GET IN THE CAR RIGHT NOW, DRIVE TO THE BRONX AND DRAG TORRE OUT OF THE DUGOUT") THE DARKSIDE! GIAMBI SHUT UP AND TORRE'S GOTTA GO!

THE SOPRANOS SERIES IS ENDING. I GUESS IT IS TRUE THAT ALL GOOD SHOWS MUST END. THIS IS SUCH A GREAT SHOW. I ONLY HOPE THE ENDING WILL BE AS GOOD AS THE SIX FEET UNDER FINALE OR EVEN CLOSE TO IT. THERE HAS BEEN TONS OF STUFF WRITTEN ABOUT THE SOPRANOS AND I REALLY WISH THEY END IT RIGHT. AT LEAST TWO OF MY FAVES; SILVIO & PAULIE WALNUTS ARE STILL AROUND. WHAT A SUPER CAST AND CHARACTERS THAT HAVE APPEARED THROUGH THE YEARS HBO SUNDAY NIGHTS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!

HOTTEST WEB SITE FOR DATING IS PLENTYOFFISH ? WEBSITE DATING AND MATCHMAKING HAS BECOME SECOND TO PORNO SITES AS MOST VISITED. WHAT THE HEMP IS THAT ALL ABOUT? ACTUALLY I JUST DON'T GET INTERNET DATING PERIOD, GUESS I'M AN OLD FART THAT WAY! ACTUALLY I AM AN OLD FART ANYWAY.!

WHATS UP WITH HALL OF FAMER SMOKIN JOE FRAZIER SUING HIS DAUGHTER JACQUELYN FRAZIER-LYDE FOR ALLEGEDLY MISMANAGING HIS ASSETS WHEN SHE WAS HIS BUSINESS MANAGER & LAWYER FROM 1989 THRU 2004.? THIS RIGHT AFTER SHE WAS ELECTED AS A JUDGE? I JUST DON'T GET IT.

FOR ANYONE WHO MISSED THE LAST QUARTER AND TWO OVERTIMES IN LAST NIGHTS NBA EASTERN FINALS BETWEEN DETROIT & CLEVELAND...WOW GO GET A TAPE OF IT , YOUTUBE IT OR WHATEVER AND WATCH IT. LEBRON "KING" JAMES PUT ON ONE OF THE BEST PLAYOFF PERFORMANCES EVER. THE KING SCORED 48 POINTS IN A 109-107 DOUBLE OVERTIME WIN AT DETROIT. EVEN MORE AMAZING IS THE FACT THAT HE SCORED 29 OF THE LAST 30 POINTS MADE BY CLEVELAND INCLUDING 25 IN A ROW! HE ALSO MADE A COUPLE OF THE NASTIEST, FILTHIEST CANNOT BE DENIED DUNKS I HAVE EVER SEEN IN THE PLAYOFFS. I HOPE THAT THE CAVALIERS GO TO THE FINALS AGAINST THE SPURS BECAUSE THEN THE GAMES WILL BE AT LEAST SOME FUN TO WATCH WITH THE KING IN THERE. ALL THIS AND HE IS STILL ONLY 22 YEARS OLD!

NEXT WEEK I GET TO GO ON A BIZINESS TRIP TO BEIJING, CHINA!

BEIJING, WHERE THEY ARE TRYING TO CLAMP DOWN ON THEIR SPITTING PROBLEM. SPITTING PROBLEM?? WHAT THE FRIGG! THERE IS A VERY AMUSING AUSSIE ARTICLE ABOUT THIS.
SEEMS TO BE HYGIENE & LITTER PROBLEMS AS WELL. ALSO SOMETHING ABOUT SMELLY CABS? OH WHAT A JOY THIS TRIP SHOULD BE!!!

jimithegreek

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