tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45981804972502269772024-03-19T17:15:05.583-04:00The Restless SybariteOne man's quest for luxury and pleasure for all to enjoy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-59813485887568641722010-07-02T12:27:00.005-04:002010-07-02T13:22:00.343-04:00Here's to Good FriendsAh, the luxury of a day off. Life in the Crescent City continues to offer lots of fun, entertainment and excitement.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Last weekend I hosted the first (of what I hope will be many) house guest in my charming apartment. The one and only Elisa Jones flew in from Ft. Lauderdale for the weekend to hang out and take in the City. I've known Miss Jones for about 22 years now, and we always have a good time. In fact, the two of us moved from Boston to San Francisco in the early 90's and road tripped our way across the country, stopping in New Orleans for a day to check out the scene. That particular stop didn't go so well for Elisa, as a spate of late night hurricane consumption produced a green, hungover young lady who used I-10 for a vomitorium as we headed towards Texas. But that's a story for another day.</div><div><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVjtlOqCUvv9lYObXmf32cHVAyU1ymQKEs0aHnpbkQxL9MDMQcko3cpnu9TAem7AWBh-CbJqkoqRUM8wtFCKdmjxRFHW9rJDjp9qMp8m-i3Tto3k_w5E0KZETY-_rYvd1pQd9iqtqTQ/s320/Me+and+Miss+Jones.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 98px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489357837961832386" /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div>This trip was a bit more restrained, yet filled with booze, good food and music. Peaches also had a friend in town, a nice man named David, and the four of us set out to take in the sights and sounds of the Big Easy. We had a failed attempt to see Kermit Ruffins play at Vaughn's in the Bywater, but managed to take in the <a href="http://www.lostbayouramblers.com"target="blank">Lost Bayou Ramblers</a> at <a href="http://www.drinkgoodstuff.com/"target="blank">DBA</a> on Frenchmen Street. I've seen this band several times this year, and they are absolutely awesome. They play Cajun and Zydeco music, and you can't help but shake your moneymaker when they start up. The show was at the end of a long day of touring around the City, which commenced with a round of watermelon margaritas (to combat the heat) as we headed to the streetcar to head uptown and enjoy some food at the fabulous <a href="http://www.camelliagrill.net/home.htm"target="blank">Camellia Grill</a>. It was fun to walk around the City and play tour guide--made me realize that I've learned quite a bit of the history about New Orleans in the year that I've lived here. Of course Brandon has a fairly extensive knowledge about the place as well, and his ability to convey a story made for a lively afternoon. We enjoyed dinner at my place, Chicken with 40 cloves of Garlic, a simple and delicious dish.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div>Saturday Elisa headed to Lake Charles to see a friend, which was a good break for me as I had to work and needed to give my liver a rest. Sunday evening we headed out for some drinks at the Lantern and then wandered over to Bourbon Street to listen to some blues at the Funky Pirate. Had a couple of mojitos at Cosimo's in the Quarter before heading home for a late night musicale.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div>So a good time was had by all. Elisa's visit reminded me of my delight in playing host and having friends come to visit. For my thousands of readers, this is an invitation to come by and hang out for a few days. There's an embarrassment of riches here to enjoy.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-77562242030098108352010-05-13T11:30:00.003-04:002010-05-13T12:21:17.147-04:00Living in the Lap(top) of LuxuryHello, Fellow Sybarites!<br /><br />I'm baaaack! There will be no mea culpas offered for my prolonged absence from the blogosphere; I've been having too much fun!<br /><br />One of the reasons for my absence was the fact that my trusty laptop of 10 years finally decided that it had had enough. The system still boots, but the machine shuts down after 3-5 minutes, over and over again. I did everything I could think of to keep her going, but it became apparent that it was time to upgrade my technology. So last week, I procured a delicious new laptop. It's a Toshiba Satellite, and I couldn't be happier. Huge hard drive, lightning fast processor, nice big 17" screen, and all the bells and whistles that I desired. This machine has an integrated webcam, so now I can begin to Skype with folks around the world, or at least take a foray into the "art" world like my sisters Peaches and Gyps. <br /><br />So where to begin on what else I've been up to? Short of work, nothing monumental to report. I have been actively taking advantage of all the food and culture New Orleans has to offer. There seems to be no shortage of festivals here in the Spring, and the weather has been extremely pleasant. While I worked during JazzFest, I spent time wandering around the stages at the French Quarter Fest and enjoying a variety of music by local acts. I've also seen several performances at Wednesdays on the Square, another free weekly event during Spring that takes place in Lafayette Square. Trombone Shorty, Amanda Shaw, and Marcia Ball were standout performances.<br /><br />I had the good fortune to join my sister Peaches on the Golden Lantern carriage again this year for the Easter Parade, and I can't remember when I've had such fun. We were resplendent in fantastic bonnets and threw beads and candy to the throngs that lined the parade route. A more detailed recap of the day with photos can be found on <a href="http://www.wherethesweetolivegrows.blogspot.com" target="blank">Peaches' blog</a>.<br /><br /><br />I've also committed to exploring more of New Orleans. There's so much more to the City than the French Quarter. Today I plan to head over to City Park and walk around. It's a muggy day, but I'll take heat and humidity over the cold anytime. Have a luxurious day!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-8209469601316724942010-02-13T12:44:00.005-05:002010-02-13T12:59:18.096-05:00Throw Me Something, Sister!<div>I woke up fairly late today after a night of revelry with Peaches. Mardi Gras is in full swing here in the Crescent City, and there seems to be an endless offering of parades and activities. The Saints win at the Superbowl last Sunday has added to the Mardi Gras madness, and everyone seems to be in a great mood.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>After a polite libation at the Lantern, Peaches and I headed out to watch four parades roll through the City last night. Despite the bone-chilling temperatures, the streets were packed and everyone was clamoring for beads and dubloons from the parade riders. We watched the parades at a great spot near the end of the route, so the crowd was thinner and the folks on the floats were trying to get rid of their throws. We walked away with two huge bags of stuff, and I scored big time by catching not one, but two high heels from the Muses.</div><br /><div></div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z0l1HdXPyls/S3bn2mjJ_7I/AAAAAAAAAMg/cAltLnnSF-w/s1600-h/PHTO0062.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437788525343408050" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z0l1HdXPyls/S3bn2mjJ_7I/AAAAAAAAAMg/cAltLnnSF-w/s320/PHTO0062.JPG" /></a><br /><div>The Muses is the only all-female krewe and last night's parade marked their 10th anniversary. The floats were fantastic, and the krewe is known for having great, unique throws. Much like the coconuts thrown by the Zulu, the shoes are highly coveted, and I was amazed to catch two in my first year of Mardi Gras. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Not sure how many more parades I will be able to attend this year, so last night was definitely a highlight of my Mardi Gras experience.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-29696702192523286612010-02-06T11:52:00.003-05:002010-02-06T12:11:24.440-05:00A Return to the Interior Illusions Lounge<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z0l1HdXPyls/S22iZRdTNpI/AAAAAAAAAMY/aSYToE2f_Nk/s1600-h/RuPaul+drag+race.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 105px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 126px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435178880372782738" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z0l1HdXPyls/S22iZRdTNpI/AAAAAAAAAMY/aSYToE2f_Nk/s320/RuPaul+drag+race.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Catching up with my dear friend Paul the other night, I learned that the second season of "RuPaul's Drag Race" has begun on <a href="http://www.logoonline.com/" target="blank">Logo</a>. While I do not watch much television at all (I'm one of those freaks who doesn't have cable), I love, love, LOVE this show. Fortunately Logo puts the episodes online, so those of us who don't have access to the channel can still enjoy the show.<br /><br />The format is fairly simple: 12 drag queens from around the country compete in various challenges to win a title, some cash and to participate in a tour around the country. Of course, when you get that many big personalities in the same room, drama and hilarity ensues. Personally, I felt that last year's winner should have been Nina Flowers, but at least she was the runner-up.<br /><br />Having spent a fair amount of time around female impersonators, I find the show to be a pretty accurate depiction of these queens. Lots of attitude, bittersweet tales from life and egos that are only outsized by their hairdo's. Once the eyelashes and heels are stashed away, most drag queens are really decent people, and their commitment to perform and support all kinds of causes for the gay community is quite admirable. I love to watch a good drag show and shower the talent with dollar bills.<br /><br />It's a bit early in the Drag Race to determine who the frontrunners are, but I'll be glued to my laptop each week to see the glamour and drama unfold. Trust me, it's worth 45 minutes of your time.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-14867223728317378492010-02-04T12:10:00.003-05:002010-02-04T12:30:21.179-05:00The Sybarite Returns...Greetings and Happy 2010 everyone!<br /><br />I'm back after a long hiatus. Looking at the Blogger dashboard this morning, it's been over two months since I've made a post--eek! Rather than offering some long-winded apology or vow to be more on top of things, I'll say that I took a much-needed break from pretty much everything.<br /><br />The holidays in 2009 were not a particularly luxurious time for me as I was consumed with an overwhelming work schedule. Fortunately I parted ways with the Roosevelt just before New Year's and landed a job at <a href="http://www.stanleyrestaurant.com/" target="blank">Stanley</a>, located in the French Quarter on Jackson Square. So far, the job has proven to be a great fit--reasonable hours, a five day work week, and enough business to keep up with food, rent and other financial obligations. It's nice to wake up not dreading to go to work. Once the new gig was in place, I enjoyed a month of rest and leisure. As I've said before, many of life's luxuries are small and/or intangible, and the luxury of a return to sanity and happiness has done much to improve my outlook on things.<br /><br />I'm not one for making tons of New Year's resolutions, but I made a conscious decision this year to learn more about my current city of residence and enjoy the history and rhythm of New Orleans. The Saints are playing in the Superbowl on Sunday for the first time in franchise history and Mardi Gras is less than two weeks away, making an already festive city more ebullient. While I haven't followed enough football this season to become an official member of the Who Dat Nation, I am looking forward to cheering on the team at my local watering hole this weekend.<br /><br />So this post hopefully signals a return to more regular updates on life in the Crescent City. I have committed to making this last year of my 30's the most productive, enjoyable, and fabulous year that I've experienced so far, and I look forward to sharing many tales of luxury and enjoyment with you.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-86960973571442668652009-12-01T12:46:00.002-05:002009-12-01T12:52:26.821-05:00Remembering My FriendsIt's the first day of December, which marks World AIDS day. Not wanting to be maudlin or get political, the friends I've lost to this insidious disease are on my mind today. Men who were taken away from the world long before they should have been, each of them contributed much to my life and made me a better person for knowing them.<br /><br />So Ernest, David, Brian, Larry, Sergio, and Mark, I hope you found peace and happiness in the great beyond. And for my friends who are still here and dealing with HIV on a daily basis, I applaud your courage and resolve to fight the good fight and I support you in every way I can.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-67140745132833132862009-11-27T13:58:00.002-05:002009-11-27T14:30:29.459-05:00Slinging Turkey at Shenanigan'sA chill is in the air here in the Crescent City as the holiday season is upon us. I hope that my legions of readers all had an enjoyable Thanksgiving. My celebration and gluttony was relegated to the later hours of the evening as I had to work at the restaurant, ensuring scores of families had an enjoyable holiday meal.<br /><br />I've taken to referring to my place of employment as Shenanigan's in homage to the restaurant portrayed in "Waiting", starring Ryan Reynolds. Those of you who have spent time in the hospitality industry should give the movie a screening; overall the movie is just ok, but you'll recognize the archetypes of the servers and managers and may find (like me) you've worked with all of these people at one time or another.<br /><br />So yesterday at Shenanigan's was a typically over-hyped affair. We had lots of reservations on the books, which meant management freaked out and overstaffed the floor. I was fortunate to do fairly well money-wise and had gracious tables with no major meltdowns. My schedule impeded my typical litany of holiday phone calls, but friends and family were on my mind as the day progressed. I am very fortunate and grateful for the people in my life, and I realized that I can do more to demonstrate and communicate my appreciation for them every day, not just on holidays.<br /><br />After work I stopped for a much-needed libation en route to Peaches for a delightful repast. Peaches hosted an intimate gathering of friends earlier in the day, and I was happy to see that there was plenty of food left for me to enjoy (although considering the size of the bird he purchased at Rouse's this week I knew there would not be a shortage). Everything was delicious and we chatted and laughed as I ate and helped with the clean up of the kitchen, delighting in the music and magic of the Living Legend as is typical of our holiday (or any day)gatherings. We called it an early night as I was tired from work and needed some rest before entertaining an early morning visitor today.<br /><br />This weekend the city hosts Bayou Classic, which I understand is the ignorant cousin of Essence Fest. I doubt that we'll get much traffic out of it at Shenanigan's, which is fine by me as the group we had in-house last week was ill-mannered, cheap and rude. I love the international travelers who still feign ignorance at our system of gratuities in the service industry; more than once last week I was prepared to hand back the 2% tip and let the customer know that it was obvious they needed the money more than me, but I decided better of it. Even with my disenchantment at Shenanigan's, work is work and money is money, and until I figure out the next step in my career path I need to make sure I keep the lights on and the rent paid. In fact, looking at the clock I see that it's almost time for a shower so I can go and sling again. Here's hoping for a profitable weekend...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-79866624743150679652009-11-13T13:45:00.003-05:002009-11-17T16:25:24.845-05:00And Ringo was his name-oAfter a week of lying low and dealing with getting things put together in the new place, I went out last night to host Ringo at the Lantern. Ringo is Bingo but apparently the Catholic church in Louisiana has copyrighted the term Bingo, so no one can use the name for a game that is not affiliated with them. Lance typically hosts the weekly game as Sister Mary Isawhore, donning a habit and eye makeup and ever-changing pairs of outrageous glasses. As the good Sister is currently out of the country, I was asked to host this week's game and had a delightful time.<br /><br />I've always enjoyed a good round of Sissy Bingo. We used to play every week in San Francisco (where one of the <a href="http://www.thesisters.org/" target="blank">Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence </a>was the hostess), and from time to time the St. Pete Single Ladies Card Club would venture out to partake in a round in Florida. In my youth I was a Bingo caller for a company that provided carnival-style entertainment for corporation's employee picnics, so I'm no stranger to picking up the mic and spinning the cage.<br /><br />While I did not employ a festive outfit for last night's game, I did manage to impress the crowd with a fantastic pair of oversized cat-eye glasses that Peaches had given me several months ago. Pictures to follow. It took a game for me to get warmed up, but everyone seemed to have a lot of fun, and as the night continued and the liquor flowed, things get rowdier and raunchier. Just the break I needed on a Thursday.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPxc2HdcxKN33V6RlwUYmEDgenw-WYnjKLPTd4G07lka2Vb5wSIq-jMhoJAFubvC0R__N6JKMRrQGZvpnH_odSZsm_UHwcinoCjsdJJWRKTCoduRD9cL4BxeCumxT8sa6p09Qn7HppQ/s1600/Ringo.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPxc2HdcxKN33V6RlwUYmEDgenw-WYnjKLPTd4G07lka2Vb5wSIq-jMhoJAFubvC0R__N6JKMRrQGZvpnH_odSZsm_UHwcinoCjsdJJWRKTCoduRD9cL4BxeCumxT8sa6p09Qn7HppQ/s320/Ringo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405186664225028978" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-61161444847940765732009-11-07T12:40:00.002-05:002009-11-07T12:57:21.317-05:00So Now I'm a StatisticI awoke this morning to a gorgeous fall day with a heavy heart; I was robbed at gunpoint last night on my way home. Not even two houses away from my home I was forced to the ground with a gun put to my head while my assailant got away with my phone, the backpack containing my work shoes, and a wallet containing a dollar. Yes, a dollar...<br /><br />Fortunately I was able to go to Brandon's house to call the police and NOPD responded reasonably fast. I couldn't really give a vivid description of the attacker; as horrible as it sounds he was a typical dreadlocked black guy that roams around this city.<br /><br />This is not the first time I've been involved in a random act of violence. I was bashed in Boston almost 20 years ago and attacked in Florida in the mid-90's. I am grateful that last night ended with nothing more than a sore foot and a couple of bruises, but I'm confounded by the randomness that accompanies these acts. Was this guy so desperate that this was his only way to get ahead? Is he lazy and does this sort of thing instead of working for money? Do I give the appearance of an easy mark?<br /><br />So now I have to deal with replacing ID's, getting another phone and all of the bullshit that comes with getting back on track after an event like this occurs. I'm angry but know that this could happen to anyone, anywhere. I can't blame this on New Orleans, and will continue to explore the city and look for the good in the people and places here.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-70780793090729601872009-11-01T11:08:00.002-05:002009-11-01T11:19:24.094-05:00Keys to the KingdomI am happy to report that I picked up the keys for my new place yesterday. I'm about to head out to gather some cleaning supplies (the last tenant's idea of "move-in ready" and mine differ quite a bit) and scrub everything down before emptying out the storage unit tomorrow. I'm very excited to have a space of my own and very, very grateful to Peaches for the limitless hospitality that's been shown since my arrival in New Orleans.<br /><br />The streets were packed with costumed revelers last night for Halloween, but I opted out of the festivities because of work. By the time I left the hotel, the party was in full force, but I was not in the mood to join the drunken masses in the Quarter. Came home and watched "Elizabeth" instead--with my recent introduction to the wonderful series "The Tudors", the Anglophile in me has been reawakened with a vengeance. I fantasized about applying white makeup and a starched collar to announce my debut as the Virgin Queen, but realized that nobody would believe me...<br /><br />Not much else to report. I will post some pictures of the new place over the next few days.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-20367143094868086802009-10-25T12:47:00.002-04:002009-10-25T13:04:30.739-04:00A Place to Hang My HatAh, the pleasure of a quiet Sunday morning with coffee. I've managed to catch up on all my email, peruse all the blogs I like to frequent and prepare for a productive evening at work.<br /><br />Since my last post, I've had the great fortune of finding a charming apartment. Deposit has been paid, and I can begin moving in next week. I will be living in the Treme, just around the corner from Peaches on Esplanade Avenue--close enough to walk down in my housedress to borrow a cup of sugar, or to stumble home after a night of music and revelry. The place has everything I was looking for--gated access to keep out the crazies, a porch of my own, onsite laundry and a gorgeous courtyard to enjoy. The space is a one bedroom that was originally the dining room of a very grand 19th century structure, and features the shuttered windows and high ceilings that embody New Orleans architecture. I'm excited to finally occupy a space of my own. For the past 2-3 years I've essentially lived out of a suitcase, so it's nice to know I can finally settle in one location for a while. There's plenty of room to accommodate guests, so once I get some furniture, all are welcome to visit. Did I mention there's a pool?<br /><br />As a followup to my last post, I also had the privilege of talking with Irma Thomas on Friday, who was at the hotel to participate in a live radio broadcast that was used to promote the show she performed last night. I thought it was a kick to actually thank an artist for a wonderful concert, and she was very gracious and down to earth. Now I can say that I've met a Grammy winner.<br /><br />Not much else to report today. Enjoy your Sunday!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-55126307402192789002009-10-20T13:21:00.003-04:002009-10-20T13:41:02.607-04:00Sunday in the Park with IrmaI suppose Mother Nature must read my blog because after last week's rant on the never-ending heat and humidity in New Orleans, we were treated to a break in the weather over the weekend. The rain finally stopped, the temperatures plummeted about 25 degrees, and it actually feels like autumn now. The windows have been flung open, and everyone's been digging out pants and long-sleeved shirts to venture outside. <br /><br />I finally had a day off on Sunday after a laborious stint at the hotel, and was delighted to see the abundance of festivals and activities taking place in the City to enjoy. I settled on an afternoon in Lafayette Square to partake in the <a href="http://www.jazzandheritage.org/blues-fest/" target="blank">Crescent City Blues and Barbecue Festival</a>. This is one of many festivals sponsored by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, and it was truly a delightful afternoon. The festival featured barbecue by several local restaurants, arts and crafts vendors and two stages for musical performances by a host of local favorites. I saw Tribe 13 (fronted by Cyril Neville), Sonny Landreth, T-Model Ford and Irma Thomas. All of the acts were good, but Irma Thomas was absolutely fantastic--of course when your moniker is the Soul Queen of New Orleans how could you be anything less? I got to spend some time with my friends Zak and Angelique and everyone in the park was in a very festive mood since the Saints kicked the Giants' ass at the Superdome during the festival (not that I care a lot about football, but apparently the local team is having a great season so far).<br /><br />So all in all, a perfect Sunday afternoon. This was definitely an event that strengthened my affection for New Orleans--I'm still not in love with the city, but charming events like the festival add to my growing warmth for the place I currently call home.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-10423120883223816692009-10-14T12:09:00.002-04:002009-10-14T12:34:18.832-04:00Steamy Days on the DeltaAh, the pleasure of a dinner shift! After a couple of weeks of early morning obligations with work, I'm finally schedule for an evening shift, and have been enjoying a morning of coffee and contemplation while catching up on unread email and other communications. Those of you who know me personally know that I am not a morning person, and successive days of rising at 4:15 in the morning to make it to work have taken a toll. In a city like New Orleans, it's very difficult to enjoy the revelry and decadence when you have to rise before the sun comes up...<br /><br />So we're in the middle of October, and it is still hot and sticky in the Crescent City. I am accustomed to the humidity of Florida, which arrives unannounced one day in April and departs just as quickly sometime around late September. We have had an inordinate amount of rain in the past few days, and the heat does not want to dissipate, making any outdoor activity a sticky, sweaty affair. While we were treated to a couple of autumnal days a couple of weeks ago, the forecast calls for more rain and hot temperatures for the rest of the week.<br /><br />As I mentioned in my last post, I attended my 20th high school reunion this past weekend in North Carolina. The trip was a surgical strike that provided me with the appropriate amount of time to spend with my family and to see how the people I grew up have fared since I left the state in 1989. Overall the reunion was a pleasant experience--no huge revelations or shenanigans. More than half of the class attended (about 80 out of 135 graduates) and I learned that about a dozen of us left the state in our adult lives. In fact, most of the alumni continue to reside in and around Clayton, which is a testament to the hold small town living has for some many people. I did not win any of the awards that were presented, so I'm not the one who's changed the most or the least, lives the farthest away or had the most children--only in Johnston County can someone get a certificate for their ability to breed...<br /><br />Hope that everyone is enjoying October, and preparing for a festive Halloween. My gracious host and I decided to set out as the Beals of Grey Gardens this year, but it appears that both of us will be working Halloween night, so I will probably just go out to see what the masses present for costumes. It's not like the citizens here need an official day to get dressed up and take to the streets, but my understanding is that Halloween is another big party in the land that lives for <em>Laissez les bons temps rouler</em>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-31267631939463838802009-10-05T21:11:00.004-04:002009-10-05T21:49:25.647-04:00Sunday's Second Line<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWt7cf45kSLnrRfz2rjJrYif0UQFkWtCO8CYhJY9yu0yUHWRPBPkVekzn5NKCOIfBS4SC-C8LrXPBmzyjTSXfn-mqO5tGRIdw-JeR6CHW7q_x3MXKSsBy9TL0RwUoPVVhicEYUzf5Y5g/s1600-h/Second+Line.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 127px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 85px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389295821966047442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWt7cf45kSLnrRfz2rjJrYif0UQFkWtCO8CYhJY9yu0yUHWRPBPkVekzn5NKCOIfBS4SC-C8LrXPBmzyjTSXfn-mqO5tGRIdw-JeR6CHW7q_x3MXKSsBy9TL0RwUoPVVhicEYUzf5Y5g/s320/Second+Line.jpg" /></a><br /><div>While I'm a bit weary from another run of early morning restaurant shifts (which I've been told end this week), I felt compelled to post about a sight I witnessed yesterday afternoon--a Second Line that paraded by the house.<br /><br />I had just arrived home from work yesterday afternoon and watched Brandon leave for his shift at Fins when my phone rang. "There's a huge Second Line coming up North Rampart, and they're turning up Esplanade. You should be able to see it from the front door". No sooner had I opened the door and stepped out on the stoop, there it was--a glorious, six minute parade of about 300 people, complete with a shoe-shaped float containing matrons waving to the crowd assembled on the neutral ground (the divide between opposing flows of traffic)and the banquettes (sidewalks here in New Orleans), a brass band, and a sea of dancers and steppers marching along. I have no idea what they were representing, but that's never the point. Second Lines are a common occurence here.<br /><br />New Orleans is a city built on a colorful history that is represented by an overwhelming number of festivals, displays, costumes and parades. I've quickly learned in my short time here that any excuse will do for people to don costumes and take to the streets. The Second Lines appear frequently. The origin of the Second Line, as I understand it, was to celebrate the life of a recently deceased after the burial had taken place. Those Second Lines still occur here, but the parades now mark any occasion--I witnessed a Second Line for a local church go by the door at 10am on a Sunday morning in August. Many locals will have a second line as part of their wedding, and we even had one run through the hotel a couple of weeks ago that had all of the restaurant patrons up out of their chairs, waving and twirling their napkins as the parade passed through the lobby. </div><div> <br /><br /></div><div>The spirit of the Second Line is infectious, and you'll see people move from watching along the periphery to the middle of the moving throng, waving handkerchiefs or parasols as they step and undulate to the music. It's a wonderful mix of people--race and social status don't seem to matter; as long as you're moving and keeping with the music they'll let you in. I've never witnessed anything like it anywhere else I've lived, and I think it's a wonderful practice that makes New Orleans such a unique place in the world.<br /><br />We'll talk about yats and accents another day...</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-78763082532840960912009-10-02T12:41:00.002-04:002009-10-02T12:54:02.034-04:00Taking a MacBook for a driveGreetings, gentle readers!<br /><br />We've crawled into the final quarter of 2009, and I realized with regret this morning that it has been several weeks since my last post. Crazy work schedules and sheer laziness have contributed to my absence from the blogosphere, but I'm committing to once again become a more frequent poster.<br /><br />And today, I'm writing from Peaches' new laptop, a MacBook he got from a friend for a song. My first computer experiences back in school were with the McIntosh that really brought Apple into the forefront of computing, back when Microsoft was still tweaking DOS. I've always admired the simplicity of Apple's systems, but find the cost of their equipment beyond my budget. Having twirled around on this computer for a couple of hours, though, I may have to save some pennies and bite the bullet once my wonderful Gateway laptop finally dies.<br /><br />So no huge updates to report. I've begun looking at apartments, trying to determine where I want to hang my hat in the Crescent City. I am also preparing for a return to North Carolina next week for my 20th high school reunion. I'm a bit ambivalent about seeing all of these people from my past, but it will be nice to spend some time with the family and see almost of the Gouger clan (practically my second family growing up).<br /><br />The sun is finally trying to peak through the clouds, and I'm determined to take advantage of the day as my next day off is next Thursday.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-30263369934626584382009-09-16T13:59:00.003-04:002009-09-16T14:17:12.013-04:00Singing and Slinging<div>Just a quick check-in post to let my legions of readers know that I'm still alive and kicking. Life has been consumed by work over the last few weeks, although I was able to enjoy a couple days of merriment with Peaches and my dear friend Gabriel at Southern Decadence Labor Day weekend. Gabriel came into town on Friday and Brandon had the weekend off, so we were able to hang out and drink in the sights of one of the biggest and craziest events I've witnessed yet in New Orleans. Peaches has lots of <a href="http://wherethesweetolivegrows.blogspot.com/">pics</a> from the parade, so I won't post them here, with the exception of one, taken with one of my favorite local talents, Miss Giselle Bouvier:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVHApuvOGD1c_7bGT8l_tHO3-Ft9Wpr8nnjRV0IKHw79ezS8DRivyW_2N5C5AgOQiE6gNQyms7m6Sn8jmFbpMb3-4SayUMvW23rPX_WWjiYR03j3Hvzlma6kxwKHSpR6rC5sb76IY7g/s1600-h/PHTO0037.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382130595809932786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVHApuvOGD1c_7bGT8l_tHO3-Ft9Wpr8nnjRV0IKHw79ezS8DRivyW_2N5C5AgOQiE6gNQyms7m6Sn8jmFbpMb3-4SayUMvW23rPX_WWjiYR03j3Hvzlma6kxwKHSpR6rC5sb76IY7g/s320/PHTO0037.JPG" /></a><br /><br />There were lots of nice gentlemen in town for the event, and the streets were literally packed with throngs of men for three days. I saw some delights and some horrors, and realized how little shame some people have--that, or they must dress completely in the dark without the use of mirrors...<br /><br />I worked breakfast/lunch at the hotel yesterday, and joined Brandon after work for a couple of Happy Hour libations. One of his co-workers, Adam, met up with us, and coerced us out of the usual haunt of the Golden Lantern over to Good Friends, where it was Karaoke night. What fun! One of the joys of my life is singing, and Brandon and I both wowed the crowd as we pulled out some true muscial gems. There was even a Patented Peaches Pants-drop during "Two Doors Down", but then again, Brandon always has a flair for showmanship. I'm sure future Tuesdays will involve singing at Good Friends, and next time I'll be sure to have my camera.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-71122833775191802732009-09-03T12:57:00.004-04:002009-09-03T13:19:52.348-04:00Pizza, Brownies and Hooch<div>Having experienced a recent creative drought, I realized this morning that I needed to post something on the blog to keep my enormous readership up to date on life's goings-on in the Crescent City. Work at the Roosevelt has kept me fairly occupied, and I've been adjusting to a constantly-changing schedule--keeps things interesting, I guess, and I'm grateful to have a job with benefits in beautiful surroundings.</div><br /><br /><div>Peaches and I both had the evening off last night, and decided to stroll around the Quarter for a bit and watch the early arrival of revelers who will fill the City this weekend to celebrate Southern Decadence. I'm looking forward to the event, and anticipate much fun and debauchery. We decided to store up some party points for the weekend, and after a polite cocktail at Lafitte's and a delightful nibble of brie with a glass of Prosecco at the Grapevine we headed home for an evening of tunes, laughs and delicious homemade food.</div><br /><br /><div>I won't go on about the mad skills my charming host possesses in the kitchen, but we enjoyed a delightful repast of homemade pizza last night. Behold:</div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSglASSRq5fRKatXpK5UfKHjDaL2BSgdinucR6zrBPoagzzk9MtljHKGSHQDlB70POqfHMrAqAIpBCxXf7DUXL55xpfOBhTzNyYKdxCcFO7qrGsy0e4myqpFfnyhGBp6e68QzHrXuUgQ/s1600-h/Pizza.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377291363592266658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSglASSRq5fRKatXpK5UfKHjDaL2BSgdinucR6zrBPoagzzk9MtljHKGSHQDlB70POqfHMrAqAIpBCxXf7DUXL55xpfOBhTzNyYKdxCcFO7qrGsy0e4myqpFfnyhGBp6e68QzHrXuUgQ/s320/Pizza.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Having cleaned out Rouse's of the Martha White pizza dough mix that is apparently disappearing from store shelves, Brandon created a delightful pie from scratch, topping it with pepperoni, mushrooms, red onions, zucchini, red bell pepper and cheese. Beats anything you can have delivered, and I relish the cold pizza treat I plan to enjoy after completing this post. While Brandon prepped dinner, I worked to slake our thirst with delightful cocktails made with Stoli blueberry and soda with a splash of pomegranate juice (I've sworn off sweet tea vodka).</div><br /><br /><div>And for dessert? Homemade brownies, of course. </div><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z0l1HdXPyls/Sp_6JTXgLGI/AAAAAAAAAK4/sXfx5ZC-oBo/s1600-h/Brownie.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377291517828279394" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z0l1HdXPyls/Sp_6JTXgLGI/AAAAAAAAAK4/sXfx5ZC-oBo/s320/Brownie.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Brandon received the brownie pan for his birthday, and the brownies are moist and sinfully chocolate. You want to eat more than one, but know you just can't...and shouldn't...but you do anyway.</div><br /><br /><div>Lots of music and laughter punctuated the evening and I tried my best to stay awake during a viewing of "Best in Show", but alas, a long day and a full belly took me away to dreamland before the movie was over. At least I made it through the opening credits.</div><br /><br /><div>It's gorgeous outside and I have the day off, so I'm going to head soon in search of simple pleasures to enrich the day.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-79110170227178644552009-08-23T13:54:00.004-04:002009-08-23T14:48:01.296-04:00Super Luxe Sundays<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYz6XrEI4dECKgwyh-a0-_T7j03VjY0M2k2t098hjeNi2GMl6Hf3CQcQdg5mFcFNWnpmliQpYSVX5UC8a3r8qZsLjGe8X-37X3g6wIexBgXPF7D0IEET93xpOlmaC5BARzKCa98LdSg/s1600-h/aruba.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 135px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 95px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373232748670957874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYz6XrEI4dECKgwyh-a0-_T7j03VjY0M2k2t098hjeNi2GMl6Hf3CQcQdg5mFcFNWnpmliQpYSVX5UC8a3r8qZsLjGe8X-37X3g6wIexBgXPF7D0IEET93xpOlmaC5BARzKCa98LdSg/s320/aruba.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Stepping out back to put on a load of laundry this morning, I was amazed at the pleasant weather we are experiencing, especially considering that it's August in New Orleans. After a day of torrential rain on Friday, the humidity seems to have disappeared, and the weather reports are calling for the high today to reach the upper 80's, which is perfect weather in my book. For some strange reason, the weather took my mind to a place that offers conditions like this almost all year round: <a href="http://www.aruba.com/"target="blank">Aruba</a>.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I love to travel, and I love exploring the Caribbean. I've had the good fortune to experience quite a few islands (mostly due to work), and Aruba is one island I long to visit again. Gorgeous beaches, friendly locals, and fantastic food.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Aruba is part of the Dutch Antilles and is located 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela in the southern Caribbean. The are four predominate languages spoken on the island: English, Dutch, Spanish and Papiemento, a local language that's been cobbled together through centuries of cultural mixing from immigrants around the world. Unlike other islands that have natives who are discontent, even openly hostile to tourists, Arubans are welcoming and happy to share their island and culture with visitors. The beaches are pristine, and the water is one of the prettiest shades of blue I've ever encountered in my life. The island is less than 20 miles long and 6 miles across at its widest point, so one is able to comfortably explore the terrain without feeling overwhelmed. Of course much of the beach has been developed with hotels and resorts to accommodate the tourist trade, but the interior of the island offers fantastic flora and fauna for naturists to enjoy. Even along the roads near the resorts packs of wild goats can stop traffic as they forage for food.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I've stayed at several resorts during my visits, including a three week stint at the Wyndham, a gorgeous luxury property on the island, that is apparently no longer in existence. No matter--find a hotel, grab a rum runner, slather on the sunscreen and soak up some rays by the pool. You'll understand the meaning of Paradise as the gentle breeze caresses your skin and your cares and worries melt away.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-35806726760397954242009-08-21T13:23:00.003-04:002009-08-21T13:44:08.878-04:00In Praise of the Po'Boy<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z0l1HdXPyls/So7cbMTnajI/AAAAAAAAAKg/ltKkTfJ5Zno/s1600-h/poboy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 137px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 81px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372473765217659442" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z0l1HdXPyls/So7cbMTnajI/AAAAAAAAAKg/ltKkTfJ5Zno/s320/poboy.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I had the luxury of a day off on Wednesday, and spent the day lounging around the house and catching up on emails, phone calls and other correspondence that had suffered my neglect during my last bout of work insanity (I'm thankful to report that I've pared life down to one job, the Roosevelt, so I can finally begin to enjoy the experience of life in New Orleans). Brandon had the day off as well, and we decided to head out and make groceries. Before hitting Rouse's we stopped off for a quick repast at one of the city's best joints for Po'Boys, the <a href="http://www.parkwaybakeryandtavernnola.com/"target="blank">Parkway</a>.<br /><br />Brandon had taken me to the Parkway on my visit to New Orleans at Easter, and I could not believe the roast beef Po'Boy we shared. It was one of the messiest sandwiches I've ever eaten, and one of the best. The Po'Boy contained delectable chunks of roast beef, smothered in gravy, and the sandwich came dressed with the usual adornments; mayo, lettuce, tomato and pickles. The sandwich literally comes apart as you consume it, and there's as much filling on the wrapper as there is in the Po'Boy.</div><br /><div>The Po'Boy is a quintessential New Orleans creation; in fact the <a href="http://www.poboyfest.com/history"target="blank">Po-Boy Preservation Society </a>has a web site that gives the background on the inventors of the sandwich. There's even a Po'Boy Festival (of course), which Brandon swears is one of the best festivals in the city.</div><br /><div>On Wednesday I decided to stick with the tried and true roast beef Po'Boy, while Brandon enjoyed the daily special, a Cuban. The sandwich looked delicious, and Peaches declared that the Cuban rivaled any concotion he had sampled in Tampa. My roast beef was delightful as well, and once I again I practically emptied a napkin holder plowing through the sandwich.</div><br /><div>My dear friend Veeta has been making noise about coming to the Crescent City for the holidays and wants to tour the city in search of the perfect muffaletta; I think we're going to concentrate on Po'Boys instead.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-12768920184722641832009-08-17T13:06:00.003-04:002009-08-17T13:34:13.201-04:00Here we come, on the run, with a burger and a bun<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z0l1HdXPyls/SomUUkCVsnI/AAAAAAAAAKY/V6-crmuaQP8/s1600-h/cheeseburger.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 123px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 100px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370987111607808626" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Z0l1HdXPyls/SomUUkCVsnI/AAAAAAAAAKY/V6-crmuaQP8/s320/cheeseburger.jpg" /></a><br /><div>After a three day run of double shifts, I met Brandon out last night for a couple of much-needed libations. Tired, a little cranky, and hungry, we decided to grab some food before heading home as the cabinets are quickly reaching Mother Hubbard status. Typically, late night snacks come from the Verti Mart, located a couple of doors down from our usual watering hole, but their grill was off for cleaning. Fortunately the Quarter has several 24 hour grills that deliver, so all was not lost. Brandon whipped out a menu and treated us to a late night repast of bacon cheeseburgers.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Aware of the fact that the consumption of grease and bread, particulary late night, contributes to my Ruebenesque stature, I shed all thoughts of guilt and shame when we arrived home and opened the to-go boxes. Staring me in the face was a delicious, juicy bacon cheeseburger, topped with swiss cheese and appropriately dressed. I grabbed the ketchup and the mustard and enjoyed the burger with reckless abandon.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'm a huge fan of cheeseburgers, and summertime is not complete until a few tastily prepared burgers have been consumed. Unlike my rule of one hot dog a year, I could enjoy a burger every day. Brandon receives several food and entertaining magazines every month, and the August issue of <a href="http://www.saveur.com/"target="blank">Saveur</a> magazine was dedicated to the burger. Page after page is devoted to one of the quintessential American food staples, and each article leaves the reader salivating with a desire to break out the grill or hit the nearest burger joint for some hot beef satisfaction.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'm not very fond of chain restaurant burgers, with the possible exception of In-N-Out, which makes every burger fresh to order. I do enjoy checking out local restaurants and bars to discover a good burger, as I find these are these places put thought and effort into their burgers, and often show as much care about taste and presentation as one would in his own kitchen. Several weeks ago we dined at the Camellia Grill located off St. Charles Street and enjoyed fantastic burgers. And of course, Quarter crawlers are always guaranteed a tasty treat at the <a href="http://www.clovergrill.com/"target="blank">Clover Grill </a>on Bourbon Street (although I still long for the return of Earl the Girl to the counter). There are several other local spots that carry a good burger reputation, and I look forward to trying them all, cholesterol be damned. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-5374883492913116512009-08-10T13:53:00.002-04:002009-08-10T14:01:20.704-04:00A nice mellow MondayHaving worked my way through two pots of coffee this morning, I'm in a surprisingly mellow mood for a Monday. I've never been one of those Monday Haters, so it's nice to wake up and embrace the day.<br /><br />I start training at the Roosevelt this evening, and have a very full schedule ahead of me. I agreed to be a guest post on my friend Paul's blog, <a href="http://www.kitchenandresidentialdesign.com/"target="blank">Kitchen and Residential Design</a>, so I'm trying to decide what to share with his vast readership. Hysterically, several of his guest posts have featured fabulous cocktail recipes, and Paul does not drink. Guess you really have to know him to find the humor.<br /><br />Nothing really luxurious to share today; just the pleasure of listening to the rain while I catch up on neglected tasks and phone calls. I may indulge in another piece of delicious cake before going to work. The apple I had for breakfast more than offsets the sugar, carbs and calories in the confection, right?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-36187903448878381542009-08-08T15:03:00.004-04:002009-08-08T15:19:59.354-04:00Who Wants Cake?<div>Yes, another post about delicious food. With the advent of a hectic work schedule (which is not a complaint; I'm happy for the opportunities) I've had little time to pursue pleasure outside of the delicious treats that Brandon has prepared. Wednesday was Brandon's birthday, and to celebrate, he made a fantabulous cake. Behold:</div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ejRlwxKubMI3a4p0SXGFJGk0Nk4b-jTIGP1vAgvsPmrEq3zTZpjAtFlsdp_qmbYBvW1mKoL0-8pSG8TDWV4a6_JCNSWXYkurvVXiJFrOzAA9yxFqrPKoVpMH5M124ym-Fzo2QpzZ0Q/s1600-h/PHTO0060.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367673506860723330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ejRlwxKubMI3a4p0SXGFJGk0Nk4b-jTIGP1vAgvsPmrEq3zTZpjAtFlsdp_qmbYBvW1mKoL0-8pSG8TDWV4a6_JCNSWXYkurvVXiJFrOzAA9yxFqrPKoVpMH5M124ym-Fzo2QpzZ0Q/s320/PHTO0060.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><div>This recipe comes straight off the <a href="http://www.hersheys.com/recipes/recipes/detail.asp?id=184&page=3&per=25&category_id=13&product_id=19&CategoryPage=true#content_area" target="blank">Hershey's</a> cocoa tin. It's a dense, moist chocolate cake, and Brandon decided to enhance the flavor by adding a peanut butter filling in between the two layers. As peanut butter and chocolate is one of the best flavor combinations in the world, needless to say I was in heaven. The frosting was the Perfectly Chocolate frosting recipe, also found on the container.</div><br /><br /><div>I am amazed that any of the cake is still around! We've been working our way through it, enjoying polite slices in the evening after work while watching season two of "Mad Men". The simplest pleasures can provide the ultimate satisfaction, and I'm grateful to be temporarily housed in the company of such a delightful gourmand. </div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWK93AGGpTXhCKbDnDjxUdKELOdFeqcnUAEo-PjbbpBr5WRM9cE01rUoHyK8LAJxl1CF5jQ0lOJ5lJxEtIl1t746jTNQLNB21unDvH487X3_fe_Svp0OLarMzfkJf-8dDMsGTa933aA/s1600-h/PHTO0071.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367673680654686706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWK93AGGpTXhCKbDnDjxUdKELOdFeqcnUAEo-PjbbpBr5WRM9cE01rUoHyK8LAJxl1CF5jQ0lOJ5lJxEtIl1t746jTNQLNB21unDvH487X3_fe_Svp0OLarMzfkJf-8dDMsGTa933aA/s320/PHTO0071.JPG" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-82372738792755984152009-08-04T18:28:00.004-04:002009-08-04T18:52:38.573-04:00The Pleasure of Low-Country Fare<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHeH42UdkgJaFSnoea5mP9DPJi54D5Dplv5ONtFM2XikWBhHvlgRfBVIvWoNgg0am3Y2StMnDwH-oNArrX0XzeHAXwdTv9UeQ_FWR171_o_SmyIlMvB1x7D5wM8O8Xo5OZl32ol7Ohg/s1600-h/PHTO0007.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 280px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366243598217778002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHeH42UdkgJaFSnoea5mP9DPJi54D5Dplv5ONtFM2XikWBhHvlgRfBVIvWoNgg0am3Y2StMnDwH-oNArrX0XzeHAXwdTv9UeQ_FWR171_o_SmyIlMvB1x7D5wM8O8Xo5OZl32ol7Ohg/s320/PHTO0007.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I've had the luxury of a couple of days off, coupled with the delightful news from the Roosevelt that I start orientation in the morning. My objective is to work out a schedule with the hotel and Commander's Palace so I can amass some coinage and stay busy during the slow season (which is upon us) by working both jobs. </div><br /><br /><div>Life has not been all toil and drudgery, despite the tone of my last few feeble posts. I'm fortunate to have a wonderful friend and host helping me through this transition time. I've mentioned in the past the extraordinary talents that Brandon possesses, and I decided to share one of his recent triumphs to ease back into the Sybarite mindset.</div><br /><br /><div>Readers who want to know more about the delicious pot roast dinner he served last week can check out his blog, <a href="http://wherethesweetolivegrows.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Where the Sweet Olive Grows</a>. I was just as taken with the low-country fare he prepared for us the night before: shrimp and grits.</div><br /><br /><div>If you've never visited the Southeastern United States and sampled the amazing dishes of the region, you really don't know what you are missing. Cooks for generations have used indigineous ingredients to create simple, yet unforgettable dishes. Low-country cooking refers to the area primarily around southeastern South Carolina and northeastern Georgia (the Charleston/Savannah area).</div><br /><br /><div>Having grown up in North Carolina, I have always been a fan of grits. Much to the horror and chagrin of friends I made when I moved to Boston, grits are best served piping hot with some butter and salt, and in my opinion they triumph over oatmeal any day of the week. If you have the good fortune to have salty country ham served with breakfast, by all means, slather your grits (and your biscuits) with red-eye gravy (made with drippings from the ham along with coffee). As I began traveling the country I stumbled upon shrimp and grits at a restaurant in Charleston, and marveled at the combination of seafood, spices and cheesy grits. I've had other delightful versions of the dish, especially at the now defunct Agnes and Muriel's in Atlanta.</div><br /><br /><div>Brandon's version included Lousiana shrimp, red pepper, tomato, garlic,green onion, lemon juice and some Worchestshire sauce which was sauteed and ladeled over cheese grits. While Brandon claimed the grits were too salty, I found the dish a wonderful adventure for the palate. The picture on the blog does not do the dish justice. I was transported back to memories of some of my favorite low-country meals, and was delighted to add another luxurious culinary delight to the list.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-38281679866568280922009-07-31T14:16:00.002-04:002009-07-31T14:18:49.962-04:00I'm Still Here!For my handful of faithful readers, I apologize for the lack of recent entries. Life has been the antithesis of a Sybaritic existence, but sometimes you gotta' do what you gotta' do.<br /><br />I'll be back on a regular posting schedule soon...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4598180497250226977.post-58629938797364704002009-07-23T15:35:00.003-04:002009-07-23T15:39:08.360-04:00The Luxury of ChoiceAnother quick post today before I head to work. Still haven't heard from HR at the Roosevelt, but I had another interview at <a href="http://www.commanderspalace.com/">Commander's Palace </a>yesterday, where I got a job. Hooray! I start next Wednesday. Until then I'll keep slinging at the Crazy Lobster--there's a convention in town with 35000 Lutheran teens, so even though it means endless rounds of sodas and burgers I can at least make a little money before going into training.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0