My blog n'at

I haven’t taken a vacation longer than 3 days since my honeymoon in 05. I know I said that once before but really I ended up going into work. I’ve taken days off for a 3 day weekend but nothing over an extended period of time. Starting tomorrow I’m finally giving in. Where am I going? Besides seeing some friends, I’ll be at home staying and offline. I’m taking a vacation from the internet (well and work). Normally I’d have my sights set on a beach somewhere but Lushie and I have some things coming up that require my attention so I’m chillin at home.

What I find humorous is that the people who I’ve told I’m taking a vacation all said “heh must be nice!” yet they’re the same people who take 2-3 10 day vacations a year. Me, I’m taking my first in 3 years. Blow me where the pampers is already.

I’ll be around the area (mostly doing house work and some hobbies I picked up) so I will have my cell on me but online I’ll be off unless it’s for schoolwork. No SIDT, no blogging, no IM, not twitter and no plurk. What’s going to suck is the 1000′s of Google Reader entries and emails to answer when I get back.

Have fun kids.  I’m checking out…

A year ago today a group of new media folk hanging out in the hallway of Podcamp Pittsburgh 2 coined a phrase to describe email you want, but not right now. That would be Bacn. Since it’s birth, Bacn became one of the top buzz words for 2007 and showed the world how fast, with the power of the internet, a trend not only is created but spreads. Within hours a website was created, flickr was buzzing and finally Wikipedia got in the act.

What I love about Podcamp Pittsburgh is that there is always buffer space for an impromptu session. Sunday was the day this happened for the first ever group discussion of Bacn (which I also was fortunate to be a part of). Here is a quick video I took during the session: Makin Bacn

That’s some hot badass biker chick I saw while driving in Cranberry on my way to the story below. She would kick your ass. Did like the tramp stamp though

I don’t know what this guy’s deal was but if I was working behind the counter and someone talked to me like he did, barking orders as if the kid was your bitch, you’d have to pry him off the flat grill. I stopped in for my first ever visit to DiBella’s Old Fashioned Submarine Shop on 228. Very clean and friendly place plus they made me a kickass sub which will probably stop me from going to Jersey Mike’s now.

As soon as I walk in all I can hear is this guy. He’s telling the kid how to make the sub to his specifications and apparently he’s catching a flight to the west coast and needs to take this with him. He tells the kid exactly how it’s to be packaged, how much ice to use, yadda yadda yadda. I hear a lot of  “*UGH* not like that!” and “you’re doing it wrong” coming from him.

This is why I will never miss working any form of retail again. People are assholes.

Most married guys, when faced with a weekend as a bachelor, would most likely go and let out the “Frank the Tank” in all of them. Lushie has been gone since Friday afternoon and I have barely left the house. On top of finals this coming week which I’ve been getting ready for I’ve also been putting in long hours at work on a project to keep things organized. My weekend has been sleeping, studying, watching the Olympics and spending plenty of time for late night tiki chat.

Friday I worked until 6:30pm so a decision was made to start the weekend off right. Made a quick trip to Gamestop to purchase Mortal Kombat: Armageddon and to compliment it, a bottle of Jager. I don’t know about you but Jager is great for a night when you’re throwing a spear through someone’s chest or laying the carnage gauntlet down on some 4 armed sub primal biatch. Using Scorpion while tasting Jager is an adventure and I highly suggest it.

From the pics above there were 2 other things I did. 1) recorded video for Should I Drink That 2) cooked chicken wings.  The video was very difficult as I had to stomach a Chelada. Not just stomach, but chug it. I won’t ruin the upcoming video by going into details but will say that Chelada is Bud Light, clam juice and tomato juice. Apparently it’s big in Latino communities but personally I cant see how anyone with a soul drinks it.

The wings were fun to make. Most know that I’m always working on a new rib or wing sauce so I take advantage of the time I get to play around. Also I bake my wings, not deep fry them. Healthier (yeah I know i still pour sauce on) and I think they stay juicier longer. The sauce was made with buttermilk ranch, honey mustard and horseradish. The horseradish was key as it was homemade from a mom and pop store that I visited while at a foodie convention last year. Oh yeah, I’ll be revisiting this one again. Sheer deliciousness!

Today I’m going to detail Lushie’s car for her, do dishes, vacuum and make sure the house is ready for when she gets back later tonight. I should be working on a couple of sites that I bought recently but really, it’s too damn nice out. I should work on Studio B but I don’t want to spend the day in the basement. I should do a lot of things but I won’t because this is my day and I have a patio, a book and a chair calling my name. And a craft beverage of course.

cheers!

*Programming note: Humpday happiness will return August 27th*

Saturday we woke up to a picture perfect day. Blue skies, sunny and a nice breeze. All of these along with stellar organization came together for what has been dubbed as the best beer fest of the summer. Erie Brewing, with the help of countless volunteers and staffers Becky, Jim and Bruce, knocked the ball out of the park. Hands down this was one of the best times I’ve ever had at a beer fest of the many I’ve adventured to. We were attending on press passes so we had to make sure we lived up to our names.

*click here for the photo gallery*

Overall we hit 20 brewers before the afternoon session ended. Each brewery was very generous with their time (except Sierra Nevada who said they don’t do interviews. *pttthhh* you’re at a public event, jagoffs). Liberty Park was an incredible place for the event as the horseshoe of brewers opened to a view of Lake Erie.

The memorable moment came when we finally met the winners of our “Trip to Erie for Beer of the Bay”! Emilie was the big winner and as a treat to her boyfriend, The Drunken Polack, drove them 9 hours from Virginia Beach to Erie for the weekend. Great people and it really felt good knowing that someone who appreciates craft beer won the prize.

Also for me it was great to finally meet Tony the Beer Guy. His passion for the craft beer industry is amazing and reminds me why I do the show. He’s towards the end of our show so check him out.

For a full review of the day check out EP41 – Beer on the Bay.

We head to the Avalon to check in for the night and get ready for dinner.  Wouldn’t ya know it, we’re on the same floor as the brewers from the fest.  This is gonna get ugly. More on that later.

We make the 4 block walk from the hotel to the BrewErie for a couple beverages and food. For the next 6 hours my ass stays planted at the bar socializing.  I knew it would happen. When you’re in great company you never wanna leave. Ailyn, Mo, Davin and Chris made sure that we were well taken care of. At one point some of those less experienced intoxicated beer fest stumbled in and we had to keep the peace as guys were throwing themselves over the women working. When Chris’ shift was done he joined us on the other side of the bar for shots of Jameson. yes, shots. you can guess where that lead to… where am I again?

The band for the night was Sting Theory and I have to say that it’s been 7 years since band that I didn’t know was playing in a bar and blew me away. They ended the night with a version of Comfortably Numb that was as good, if not better than Floyd!

The bell rang and it was time to head out of the BrewErie. Closed one place so why not another! We were told that the after party was at Docksider which we promptly made the voyage to.  I had never been there before and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Very cool bar and nice beer selection. Flaming Dr Peppers were ordered while Matt from VooDoo revisited the joys of hanging with SIDT

Night ended and all were told to go to room 637 which was where the next party was. Apparently no one told the brewers there as we were the ones to break the news upon arrival. Main Street guys treated us to some of their kegs which were chilled in the bathtub by filling our water bottles. The rest of the night is sealed. Maybe some other post.

Sunday we hit one final token of a trip to Erie and had meatball omelets at Dominick’s on E.12th Street. Most locals know this is THE place to go for food either after drinking or the morning after. Meatball might sound foul but trust me that it is the only thing to ease your pain.

The trip was a complete success and Erie Brewing did a fantastic job playing host. I’m all ready for next year to come around!

We watched Bella this past weekend and made sure it was filled with activities to keep a 2.5 yr old moving.

Saturday was an interesting day. We spent the bulk of the afternoon at our community pool which neither of us knew about prior to this weekend. What a great place for a family. Lushie and Bella played in the sand, in the water and on the playground while I got to lay back in the pool while soaking up the sun and listening to music with laps shortly following. I have to give a lot of credit to the community for putting this place together. Clean, large and not only very family friendly but also adult friendly. I may have to hit some night time swims after work. My joints felt like a million dollars.

Late Saturday we came back to the house after hopefully tiring Bella out so she would nap. This would be when I had my first experience with Noggin, the Latina Whore (as BurghBaby so lovingly calls her) known as Dora and her pimp Diego. I’m not a fan of making the TV a babysitter for a kid (ahhh the 80′s were great for that) but I do think that, like everything else in life, moderation is good. Personally I found Dora annoying as hell but Bella likes her so I sat back and watched.

Sunday morning we packed up the car and headed to Erie so Bella could see the beach for the first time. The weather all week long was positive and wouldn’t you know it, Sunday turned into a 60% chance of rain. We decide to make the trip up anyways and meet up with the rest of my family who already was up for the weekend.

We’re 30 minutes into our stay at Presque Isle, my brother has dogs on the grill and the day seemed to be going great until Mr. park ranger showed up with some troubling news.

A storm had formed over Lake Erie and was being pushed down from Canada. Per the Life Guard Weather Center Doppler Radar it was big, red and due within the hour. He also suggested that we pack up and get the funk out while we can because it’ll be the end of the world. We oblige and as we’re about to leave the winds kick up and the monsoon hits. Trees are falling down, people are driving like morons and Bella kept saying “WHOA”! I can only image how cool it must have appeared to her.

We head back to my moms and spend a few hours visiting before heading back to Pittsburgh. It was a fast but eventful weekend. Anytime we get to watch the little squirt though it’s a good time.

The long awaited review of the beer fest weekend from July 25-27th is here. This is your belated Humpday Happiness as next week we will be going back to beer reviews.

The Meter Maid
Sickpuppy and I arrived in Erie on Friday afternoon so we could pick up the prizes for our contest winner which included a 1 night stay at the Avalon. The meter I pulled up to had 9 minutes left and we were 1/2 a block away from the hotel. We hurry in check reservations and then run back. The meter maid was in the process of writing me a ticket when I ran up. Told her that we just came in from Pittsburgh, spots in front of the hotel were full and I just had to check reservations. She said “put a quarter in NOW!” She rips up the ticket and with a sneer she says “I’ve had a bitch of a freaking day and want to go home”.  She walked away.

Walk down Memory Lane
Friday night we went to the BrewErie for dinner and a few drinks while reconnecting with our friends there. It’s not everyday that I absolutely rave about food but goddamn you need to see this

That would be the special from the BrewErie. Along with that, and many fine beers was the legendary Beergarita and fresh from the test labs was the Bloody Weizen (1/2 bloody mary, 1/2 wiezen and rimmed with Old Bay).

Sickpuppy has never been to Erie with me before so being the host I thought it only fitting that I take him on a quick tour of some of my old stomping grounds. First stop was The Shaggy Dog (which is now The Dog) where it all began for me in the mid 90′s. I had my first craft beer there. I hustled pool from frat boys there. I made great friends and I still think back fondly. I also haven’t been back since my going away party in 98. The Dog was a walk back in time as very little has changed there. The hole in the ceiling I put is still in the back, the pool tables look the same and the bar is just as I remembered it.

We talked to the bartenders and instantly hit it off. They ran down the history of the place, since I had left, and it seemed like the bar was a goner until current owner Kenny bought it over a year ago. I have to give props to the staff for being top notch to us and treating us to an entertaining evening. If you go there look for Dill, Bryan and Tomy. Tell them SIDT sent ya   The plans they have for remodeling the bar are similar to what we discussed 10 years ago but I think this group may be able to make it happen. Oh I will be back!

We ate a fat chick and LOVED it!
On our way back to crash for the night I decided there was one more place to stop at to finalize our tour. Jimmy Z’s Time Out Tavern in Wesleyville. My brother and I hold this place near and dear because it’s the only bar open on Thanksgiving and close to our mom’s. Every time we’re both in town for the holiday we HAVE to stop. Drinks are cheap, food is good and the crowd is filled with the same regulars every night (well when we’ve gone) in the same seats.

Sickpuppy was diggin this place as a capper so we had to do the soon to be traditional famous SIDT Flaming Dr. Pepper which you can see on video here from a bar in Pittsburgh. We chat up the bartender for a bit and decide that we need a shirt. We tell him why we’re in town and want something unique to take back.  That’s when we bought this shirt.

Now the kitchen was closed so we couldn’t order one but come on, that’s pretty damn funny.

We left and went to crash and go over notes for the next day which you will read next…

For the full gallery of the weekend click here.

This is what a solid unit of softball greatness looks like.

Wait, no THIS is what greatness looks like

Last night wrapped up our legendary season as Yinz Team finished 0-7 with a first round exit in the playoffs. I said this last night and it’s worth repeating,  I’ve played on many baseball/softball teams since I put on my first spikes back at age 5 and without a doubt this was the most fun I have ever had playing on a team. We were there to have a good time (whereas other teams were stocked with roided out “i might get drafted” day dreamers) in the PSL. We would lose but we had fun. Granted the water on our bench was often replaced with the smooth ass taste of Keystone, we found (and pulled) muscles we never knew we had. This is a great team and I plan on being a part of it again next season.

Well, unless the Pirates draft me

*note: I stole those 2 pics from BurghBaby. I have to give her credit before she beats me with her Flickr stick*