Sain't Christopher

Sports = Sentimentality

I watched the last 1minute 28 seconds of the Pistons/Spurs game tonight.  It took 8 minutes. 

It's all so retro with the big hair, the big defense, and team play.  Okay, the only person who still had a fro from the Pistons I remember was Kelly Tripuka, but team play was what epitomized the late '80s Pistons and I loved watching those guys play.   I gave Mr. Bierman a book earlier this year by the guy who created Iffy the Dopester.  And a more sentimental piece of writing you'll never find.  I enjoyed it to no end.  The guy was a sports writer and since Homer's time the majority of us with a complete set of sex chromosomes have touched that competitive spirit by embracing the fastest, strongest, and most acute athletes with childlike adoration.  At my age I'm not going to play catch with the same commentary Bobby and I did when we were kids, pretending to be our personal heroes performing great feats- grounder to Brinkman, he turns it to McCaulif who makes the throw to Cash. DOUBLE PLAY!! But, watch your friends and husbands as they watch some game and you'll notice the occasional twitch, like a dog having a dream, as he starts to make the same move that he wants his team, his player, to make.  Why do you think they high-five each other?

When the 88/89 team swept the Lakers, there wasn't the fires or rioting like the '84 Tigers World Championship*.  I watched the game at Paycheck's with a handful of regulars.  We all cheered after the game ended, Paycheck bought a round of drinks, and we all felt an associated pride that middle-class work ethic had beaten the flashy West Coast boys (except for Earvin, we still loved Earvin).  The mood would have dissipated soon, people were already making movements to settle up and head home, when Little Steve the Magician came running through the doors.  "You guys gotta see this on Campau!"

And like extras in a TV show we all followed him without question.  At the corner we could see all the way down Campau and about four blocks away, coming at us, were a couple hundred people.  And they were all sweeping the street with their wives brooms.  It was amazing.  We cheered when the parade came by, a couple of the guys fell in behind and they marched all the way up past Woody Pontiac before turning around and beginning to disperse.

I have a favorite quote from Elmore Leonard: Leonard says, "There are cities that get by on their good looks, offer climate and scenery, views of mountains or oceans, rockbound or with palm trees, and there are cities like Detroit that have to work for a living."

So Thursday it all gets decided: the first game 7 in an NBA final since 1994.  I hope that the Pistons pull it out.  Detroit is a city that has been waiting almost 40 years for its renaissance.  To follow any sport is to believe in something, something about the ability to rise above.  And even if it's for just one night and a then a parade, I think it'd be a good thing to refill that belief.

Go in Peace

Not Alanis

I am 35% Asshole/Bitch.

I may think I am an asshole or a bitch, but the truth is I am a good person at heart. Yeah sure, I can have a mean streak in me, but most of the people I meet like me.

Take the
Asshole/Bitch Test
@ FualiDotCom

Oh, this can't be right.

Go in Peace

You Better Watch Out

With only a scant six months left, I figured I'd start my x-mas list.  Yes, KT, that means I will not buy any of these things before January 15th, next year.

Go in Peace

Showtime

It'd probably be easier to send out an e-vite, but then I wouldn't have a post today.

Kids, we've got to get our collective act together and purchase our tix for LJR's new show. 

Shake, Rattle and Roll at the California Theatre

IDOLS OF THE KING by Allen Crowe and Ronnie Claire Edwards July 13 - July 31, 2005

The King of Rock 'n' Roll is in the building and for this musical tribute to his fans, performing hits like "Heartbreak Hotel," "Jailhouse Rock" and "I Can't Stop Loving You.". To prove their burning love for their idol, a group of engaging oddballs head to Vegas for a concert. En route, they share stories of the King, who makes their dreams come true. Strong early ticket sales are creating a buzz not heard since San Jose Stage Company's 2003 production of BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY. So put on your blue suede shoes and head to IDOLS OF THE KING at downtown San Jose's grandly restored California Theatre.

LJR plays all the women and James Reese plays all the men.  This should be a great evening's entertainment so e-mail me and let's get moving.

Go in Peace

Thicker Than Water

On the front page of today's Chron is a photo LJR and The Boon.  The story is about banking a baby's cord blood.  It's tough when everyone you know is a celebrity.

Go in Peace

Three Things

Been a while since I've done one of these:

Three screen names that you have had: Only had the one so far, although I now will answer to "Pony Boy" whenever Soda Pop calls

Three things you like about yourself:  I get excited about sharing good things like wine, food, and info (hence, the blog).  I come through for my friends.  Can almost endlessly amuse myself.

Three things you don't like about yourself:  Still haven't learned to keep my mouth shut.  Diminishing attention span.  Can't sing

Three parts of your heritage: One side is Polish the other is a mix of German/Polish and Native American/French.  But mostly I'm a product of the suburbs and the working class.

Three things that scare you: Unemployment, mice, and loud noises.

Three of your everyday essentials:  Water, I drink it all day long.  The comics.  A phone call to Uber Friend KC.

Three things you are wearing right now:  My heart as a shield . . . sorry, after I get home and shower off the job, I'm a boxers and T kind of guy 

Three of your favorite songs:  Sweet Soda and Rum - Dave Boutette and the Old Dogs,  Crying - Roy Orbison and k.d. Lang,  Beyond The Sea - Bobby Darrin.

Three new things you want to try in the next 12 months:  Holding an infant, doing a public reading, going to the horse races. 

Three things I want in a relationship:  Humor, equivalence, and hot porn like sex. 

Two truths and a lie: I fed a kid a dog biscut last year.  I'm still in love with an old girlfriend.  I don't miss TV one bit.

Three things you can't do without: NPR, books, dithering.

Three things you want to do before you die:  Ride an Old Chris-Craft from Detroit to the San Souci Bar.  Get a dog.  Move back home.

Three Celeb crushes:  Bebe Neuwirth, Lauren Graham, Linda Firoentino

Three places you want to go on vacation: 10 days cruising through Oregon Wine Country,  Chicago (I hear it's a helluva a town),  Some Mexican beach resort next April, after the busy season.

Three things you just can't do: Roll a joint- of course, I was always taught at the worst possible times.  Sing.  Get out of bed on the first alarm. 

Three kids' names: Jonelyn, Slyvia, and Not Mine.

Go in Peace.

Number 1

It's always a good day when you find out The Dad doesn't have cancer.

Go in Peace

Blurred Vision

I stole this from Pretty Miss Sarah (I've only seen photos of her feet and clevage.  And everything was indeed pretty, and symetrical).

"Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history.  There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes you can do these things.  Among them are....Texas oil millionaires and an occasional politician or business man from other areas.  Their number is negligible, and they are stupid."
President Dwight D. Eisenhower, November 8, 1954

And, it's true, he wrote this in a letter to his brother.  Wow, he identifies the threat but doesn't recognize potential.  At this point he was still pretty naive, as he'd only been a civilian politician for less than three years at this point.  Of course, he had a clear view by the time he left office and coined the phrase "Military Industrial Complex."

Wow, one afternoon drinking wine in the park with GuinessGrl and I get all politically aware.

Go in Peace

Variety

This is my all purpose spice mix recipe.  It's not terribly original, lots of cooks make something similar to this and I have even found a semi-famous Rub that only varies by one ingredient from my own. 

     3/4 c  Paprika (or California Red Chili Powder)
     1/4 c  Ground Black Pepper
     1/4 c  Salt
     1/4 c  Sugar
       2 T  Garlic powder
       2 T  Onion powder
     1/2 c  Ground black pepper
 
   Mix the spices thoroughly in a bowl. Store covered in a cool, dark
   pantry.

I use the California Red Chili Powder, a Paprika made locally, that I know is fresh and has a good amount of flavor.  Lots of the spices you buy in the grocery store are of questionable age (and therefore intensity).  This probably makes more than any one person will use in a year, so share it with a friend

Part two.  Make the mix with only half the salt.  And use this for brined meats.

Okay, here's how to make a chicken that will rock your world.

Day One: In your largest bowl, make a brine of 1/2 gallon water + 1/2 cup regular salt + 1/4 cup sugar.  Submerge the whole chicken.  Put the bowl into the fridge for 2 hours.  After two hours, drain the water off and put the chicken into a collander, put the collander back into the now empty bowl.  Do not cover.  Put in the fridge until tomorrow.  Cut up 6 medium red potatoes into quarters, leave in plain water over night

Day Two:  Find your thermometer.  Turn the oven on to 400'.  Tie up the Chicken.  Not "trussing" the chicken or doing some sort of weird S&M sailor knots.  Just cut a two foot piece of string and put it under the chicken and tie it at the top securing the wings to the breasts.  Work the two legs to spread out a bit.  The legs take longer to cook so they are open whereas the breasts cook fast so the wings make it take a little longer.  Liberally sprinkle the spice rub (with half the salt) all over the chicken.  Put the Chicken, legs and breasts up and put in the oven

At 30 minutes, brush the chicken fat in the pan onto the bird.  Drain the potatoes and put into the pan, toss with the fat.

At 45 minutes stick the thermometer into the the thickest part of the breast near the wing, all the way 'til you hit the breast bone.  When you get a temp of 160' (about the 1 hour mark), pull the Chicken out, test the potatoes, then let everything sit for 10-14 minutes before carving.  If the Chicken is done and the spuds aren't, move the bird to a plate and put the potatoes back in for another 5 - 10 minutes.

And there you have it.

Go in Peace

Slurp

This is what we drank to celebrate Little N turning 4:

2002 Robert Biale Winery Zinfandel Sonoma Valley Monte Rosso $36
A ripe, racy, full-throttle style, with intense rich blackberry, cranberry, sage, cedar and spice, showing some heat on the finish. (87pts WS)

I can't put all the wines in order because there were so many of them.  This one we drank somewhere around bottle 6 or 8.  I listed it first because I was so impressed with what a great job they did with Zinfandel.  If you go to their site, you read the whole story about this family's long dedication to raising Zin and it is pretty damned impressive.  I know that Zin is the hot thing right now (no, not Pinot, that's just a side effect from the movie) but I am almost always disappointed by Zins because the winemakers try to make it into a Cab or a Pinot in an effort to market easily.  This wine rocked (an 87, my ass) and now we just have to figure out how to get more.

2001 Columbia Crest Walter Clore Private Reserve $16
Firm, with a lovely bead of ripe currant, blueberry and sweet spice flavor coursing through a long, lively finish. Tannins are nicely polished and the fruit prevails against oaky character on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.  (92 pts WS)

See, I bought three bottles figuring to take two into the party.  Last year's B-day spectacle did not involve much drinking and I knew that LJR would be a very generous hostess and provide really good wines (read on) but I was in a mood to drink and it isn't fair to make anyone subsidize that.  23 minutes later these two bottles were gone.  With good reason, this is a very tasty wine that pleases all the nice parts of your mouth.  The third bottle came out during the magic show and I drank a good part of it myself, making note to order a couple bottles more.

2001 Markham Merlot Napa Valley $23
Firm tannins and a green edge take away from the riper currant and tobacco flavors, giving it a chewy texture, with a hint of coffee and leather. Better than previously reviewed. (87pts WS)

What the hell did they write in the first review?  This and the Zin both got an 87- this one is an 87.  But, it is also better than the current review.  It's a bit chewy, sure, but that was an intent of this style and they did a really good job of, I think.  The consensus around the table was that it was a fine glass of wine.

2002 Isole e Olena "Cepparello", Tuscany  $23.95
Cepparello is somewhat unusual for a Super Tuscan, in that is it comprised of 100% Sangiovese. The wine was aged for 14 months in barriques, one third of which was new. This is a beautiful effort in a difficult vintage, marked by complexity and purity. Notes of black cherries, plums and leather are framed by slightly austere tannins, making this ideal for decanting for at least a few hours. The wine will continue to improve for another 7-10 years.  (K&L)

Yeah, I'd been doing really good not preaching about the wines, focusing instead on the weather, the kids, not looking up Christin's cooter . . . all the things normal people do at a party.  When I cracked this bottle I quickly said that it was a "Super Tuscan" and J'que looked at me like I was making up words again.  But, I'm getting better.  Once I realized that I'd already taken a big inhale and was ready to explain why this was a "Super Tuscan" rather than just calling it a Chianti I stopped myself, took a quick glance past London and France, and just said, "It's a big Sangiovese*."  See, much better.

*Someone working on TypePad's piece-of-crap spellcheck thinks it's funny to offer the word hangover as a correction for Sangiovese.  Hey, AssHat, instead of stupid little jokes how about adding such useful words as Napa and Sonoma.

2000 Isole e Olena "Collezione De Marchi", Cabernet Sauvignon $39
92 points Wine Spectator: "Ripe and slightly decadent on the nose but soft, round and velvety. Very pretty and enjoyable already. Got to love this. Better than the 1999. Best after 2005." (10/04) 90 points Daniel Thomases writing for the Wine Advocate: "The 2000 Cabernet Collezione De Marchi, with intense aromas of cassis, peppercorns, thyme, and rosemary, is round and elegant on the palate but with plenty of force and length and fine graphite and mineral notes to supplement the ripe black currant fruit.(K&L)

Yes, I do love it.  I loved it a lot.  First, because I got it for $24 through my wine club.  Second, because it is an earthy, minerally wine that is a style I love.  Don't think the others were as impressed as I was, but they were as loaded so that evened everything out, right?  Huh?

We also drank a couple of bottles of the 47 Pound Rooster, a magnum of YellowTail (I think) and a Rosemont whose label I never saw.  Next year I'm getting Little N a really nice bottle opener for her birthday.  And maybe a decanter.

Go in Peace