Gourmet HNT

Saturday night Lori and I went to dinner in a seafood restaurant next to the aquarium Lori works at. We used to go there almost every weekend, but we haven't been there for at least a year. It was good to go back. The food is good and inexpensive. After dinner we met Jeannie, a coworker of Lori's and Jeannie's friends for drinks. It was a going away thing for her, because she's moving to Boston.

Sunday I took Lori out to a fancy schmancy wine tasting dinner at a local seafood restaurant, The Cull House. I got an email from them advertising the dinner. I never heard of any of the food or the wines, but after reading about the chef, I figured it had to be good. According to the restaurant web site, Chef Bill (WTF? Chef Bill? Chef William would sound better.)

Chef Bill attended a culinary program here on Long Island for 2 years, then continued his culinary education in Paris at the John Ferrendie Culinary Institute. Then he traveled all over the USA, with stops in Dallas, Texas; the Sheraton of Clearwater, Florida; Boston, Massachusetts; Washington, DC. Executive Sous Chef. Washington: Georgetown on M street, the now-defunct The Three Faces under a 3-star Swiss chef; Manhattan: La Riserve, in Rockefeller Center Uptown: The Terrace Restaurant near Columbia university.

How a chef with that back ground found his way to a small hole in the wall seafood restaurant in my small town, is beyond me, but I'm glad he did. His five course dinner was 5-Stars! Here's what he prepared and all for just $44.99 p/p.

The Cull House "Country French Wine Dinner"

It started with wine for the first course and they didn't stop pouring until dessert was finished.


· Country Pate with Frisee Salad and Honey Vinaigrette
- Anselmi Soave 2007, San Vincenzo, Italy


· Potato and Goat Cheese Galette Garnished with Olives, Basil and Sundried tomatoes
- Domaine de Nizas Rose 2007, Languedoc, France


· Roasted Sea Bream with Juniper Berry Sauce
- JJ Vincent "JJ" Borgogne Blanc 2006, Burgundy, France


· Duck and Beef Cassoulet
- Segu Carmenere 2006, Maule Valley, Chile


· Dessert: Basque Custard Tart
- Marquis de la Tour Brut NV Champagne, France

While we were there, we saw a flier for a lobster dinner special. I couldn't resist that deal, so we went back Tuesday for dinner.

Complete(lobster) Madness!

Twin 1 1/4 lb lobsters with vegetable and potato, just $19.95!

One 1 1/4 lb lobsters with vegetable and potato, just $9.95!

Of course we both ordered the twin lobsters. It came with a baked potato and spinach souffle. Dinner was also first rate and the entertainment even better. Lori and I were seated in a room with just one other couple. We didn't pay much attention to them, but the fun started when they began bickering. Their voices were raised, so we couldn't help over hearing them. It all began over the weather. The man thought February has the worst and the woman thought it was January.

He said, "Why do you always disagree with me about everything? You don't know what your talking about, February weather is the worst!"

That started it. We couldn't really hear what she was saying, because she just mumbled, but he was pissed. He kept going on and on and neither of them would let it go.

When their dinner arrived. He dug into the twin lobsters, but she just sat there refusing to eat her shrimp dinner.

"What's the matter now? Aren't you going to eat?"

She shook her head no.

" WTF is your problem? I was in a good mood when we got here, but now you've ruined my birthday."

Not to be deterred from his lobster dinner, he took his sweet ass time eating while she sat there staring out the window. Neither of them spoke to each other again. As soon as he was finished eating, he went into the other room looking for his waitress. The owner saw him and quickly rushed into the room with his check. He paid and they quickly left.

When we were done eating our waitress came into the room and commented about the other couple. She said they could hear them arguing in the other room, but she didn't know it started, so we told her. Like us, she couldn't believe why.

HAPPY GOURMET HNT

Psssssst........ did you notice Lori's see through moment? Hehehehehe

To Whom It May Concern:

Some of you have never seen my old blog, so I thought I'd import the posts from there for your perusal. My first post on the old blog was on April 23, 2005 and the last on May 28, 2008. That's almost three years worth of posts, so there is a lot for you to peruse.

I started the blog as just something to keep me occupied. My late wife Barbara was diagnosed with brain cancer two years earlier and in February of 2005, she had a major brain seizure that almost killed her. When she came home from the hospital, she just laid in a hospital bed in our bedroom. She didn't talk much and usually just laid there staring off into space, so I spent most of my time watching TV or sat in the den at the computer browsing the Internet. She died in October 2005.

The almost fours years worth of blog posts here and on my old blog, is a journal of that part of my life. After I imported the posts here, I scanned the old post titles and saw just how much I "talked" about. Of course my day to day life, but also my Vietnam and army stories and so many stories about my past. I can't wait to go back and read some of them and relive a lot of memories. If you get a chance and feel like killing a few hundred hours reading all 921 posts, please do and l hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them.

Grand Canyon HNT

The fourth day of our last trip to Las Vegas we took a helicopter to the Grand Canyon.

It was worth every penny.

Click the pics for a much better view.

HAPPY GRAND CANYON HNT!

Where did my post go?

I swear I made a post earlier today. Anyway, Krispy Kreme is giving away free doughnuts on Inauguration Day. I hear that if you change clothes between visits, you can fool the counter people into thinking your the "other" guy and get another doughnut.

I don't eat sweets, so it's too bad it wasn't Sam Adams or Burnettes giving away free booze.

WTF: Only a company the spells Crispy Cream, Krispy Kreme would spell donut, doughnut. What's up with that?

Easy Rider HNT

Remember the 1969 movie classic "Easy Rider" with Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper? It was about two young hippie bikers headed to the Mardis Gras in New Orleans and the adventures they encountered along the way.

If they ever decide to do a remake, I'm ready!

While we were in Las Vegas in December, we ate at the Harley Davidson Cafe. The cafe has a large assortment of old Harley Davidson motorcycles on both levels of the cafe, including this replica of the motorcycle Peter Fonda rode in the movie. They usually charge for photos on the bike, but after the photographer goes home at 11:00 pm, they allow you to take your own photos on the bike. Being an ex-hippie myself, there was no way was I going to pass up the chance.

HAPPY EASY RIDER CHOPPER HNT!

Hello there.........

Not much going on here, the weather over the weekend sucked, so we stayed in bed around the clock. Don't worry, there was snuggling, showers and meals. We took a shower together Saturday night and Lori took one on Sunday. She wouldn't let me take one on Sunday, because she says it washes away the scent of my pheromones. We ate by ordering take out. I even took out the garbage once.

Lori got kind of upset with me Sunday night. Friday night I dosed off for a while, then woke up. That left her alone for a while, so I understand why she was a tad upset. Not angry at all, more like disappointed. We did have her favorite kind of me doing her kind of sex when I woke up, so I think I made up for it.

I blew it Sunday night because I stayed up all night watching TV. I just couldn't fall asleep. She kept waking up through the night. I'm sure it was because the TV noise woke her up. Don't worry, Monday morning around 10am I fell asleep and slept for a big 4 hours.

I have a question. Why, after so little sleep last night, am I still awake at midnight tonight?

Nibbles HNT

It's a great place to start.

HAPPY NIBBLES HNT!

Sum bitch!

Yesterday I had a doctor's appointment to schedule surgery for my carpel tunnel issue. On my way, I stopped at a deli to get a newspaper. No matter when you show up at a doctor's office, you are guaranteed to wait at least as long as it takes to read a newspaper, right?

Anyway, just as I'm pulling into the deli to park, the steering on my car became VERY difficult. I knew exactly what happened, I threw a belt. So I open the hood and see the serpentine belt off to one side of the motor.

There was no driving the car, so I had to call for a tow. Good thing I signed up for the AARP car thingy. I've already used it twice in the last year. 25 minutes later a tow truck showed up to take me to the car fixing place.

They tow truck guy gave me a paper to sign. Nice, no out of pocket expense for me, but $53 AARP has to pay for a 3-mile tow.

It wasn't a big deal, just a broken pulley, but I needed an oil change and the "CHECK ENGINE" light was going on and off. I figured since I had it in the car fixing place, I have them do that stuff too.

Today I picked up the car $302.02 poorer.

Look on the bright side, I could have had to pay the $53 for the tow.

Me, My OLd Lady & My Hog

Remember when my Old Lady and me went to the charity auction/dinner? The one where I made a fool of myself belly dancing? They took pictures of us and I finally received them.

Here's me and my Old Lady....

....and me and my hog.

I haven't ridden it yet, but I swear I will when the weather gets warmer.



But don't hold your breath until I do.


J/K


I swear I'll ride it.


Some day.


I swear.

FAVORITE HNT OF 2008

The theme for this weeks HNT, as per the rules laid down by the High Exalted Ruler Os, is to post our favorite HNT post of 2008. This one is my favorite. I'm not sure if Lori would agree, but I'm certain she will like this one A LOT. You'll understand when you see it.

BTW, this post is from my old blog, so many of you have never seen it before.

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Thursday May 7, 2008

ARMY DAYS HNT

Forty years ago this week I was drafted into the US Army.














Thirty Eight years ago this week I was discharge with the rank of Specialist E-5. Which ain't bad after just two years. Here's a picture of me right after I got out the hospital after being wounded.


Now after all these years here I am in one of my finer BTExpress moments. I'm happier than I've ever been and living life at it's fullest.

Happy HNT Y'all!

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I also want to wish each and everyone a very Happy New Year. May 2009 be your bestest year ever.