Going for a ride.

Every now and then we all need a break. I need a break. I think I need a break from lots of things... but I am going to take a break from writing for the rest of May. I'll be back on June 1st. I'll get to spend more time reading your blogs... and maybe doing some things for myself. Be back in eleven days.

Need Some Tiki Time.

I am in need of some Tiki time. I need a few tasty Tiki drinks with little umbrellas, huge pieces of fruit, and two straws... of course two straws. I love the Tiki bars. I cannot afford to fly off to some island whenever I want (bummer), but I can always get that fix by going to a good Tiki bar.

I am in need of some Tonga Room time... which is my favorite Tiki bar. The Tonga Room is in the basement of the Fairmont in San Francisco. They have two fantastic things there:
1. A little lake with a boat on it which a band plays on. Over the little lake they have rain storms. It's so great!
2. They have a drink called a "Lava Bowl for 4" and it is fantastic! Two will put four people on their ass. If you have the guts to steal one... they make an excellent water dish for a house pet.

Chicago use to have a Trader Vic's in the basement of the Palmer House (why are Tiki bars in the basement?)... but that has been gone for over a year now. There is talk about a new one opening in Chicago soon, but so far no address has been given out.

Any tips on good Tiki bars?

Brooklyn Roads.

This week was the first time I pulled out my bicycle this Spring... this year. After forgetting how to put air in the tires (there is a trick to my bike) and swearing at it for a few minutes (OK, maybe more than a few minutes) I finally got the tires pumped and ready to ride (OK, the next day).

I love riding bikes through the neighborhood streets. I am not the best person to ride with (just ask LP) since I like to go at my own pace (fast), but I can slow it down if need be. The way I learned how to slow my bike riding down was by doing it with one had (and put a drink in the other).

When I first moved to NYC (in my 20's) I lived for a few weeks with my two of friends (we're not friends anymore which is a big bummer) who had an extra room for me to crash in. Jeff and I would spend summer evenings riding around Carol Gardens and Red Hook with a gin & tonic in one hand and the handle bars in the other. We would ride around for hours getting tipsy and singing "Big Girls Don't Cry" from the top of our lungs. Who knows why we chose that song, it just seems very Brooklyn. Maybe we should of been singing "Brooklyn Roads" instead. This was not the smartest of activities... we did break a few glasses (maybe more than a few), and I did run right into a light post (and a fire hydrant).

I miss those summer evenings... but this summer I am ready to make some new drinking and riding memories in Chicago. Who's in?

Bye Bye Lorelia & Rory (200)

Today is significant to me for three very different reasons:

The first is that tonight is the series finale of The Gilmore Girls. Yep, this is the last time I'll be writing about one of my favorite television shows. Sure, the past two years have not been the best - but this year it has come around well enough to end on a high note. Sadly The Gilmore Girls never got the recognition it truly deserved... it got passed off as a chick show. Sure, it might be - but this show has had some of the best writing television has ever seen. The fast paced dialog mixed with pop culture references reminded me a lot of Moonlighting (for those who can remember that show). Writer/critics always loved the show... and the television industry always ignored it. So the ending is here, and as ReckenRoll would say... Sadcakes.

The second is that today is my good friend LJ's 30th Birthday. Wishing I was there to celebrate with him in PDX today. Happy Birthday LJ!

The third part of today's significance... this is my 200th post. Thanks to all of you who read and post... especially since I've been slacking on reading other blogs the past few weeks.

White Castle.

I love White Castle. Actually I love the idea of White Castle more than I love an actual White Castle burger. The proof is that the last time I went to a White Castle was the summer of 1984. Yep. Almost 23 years ago. But the last three weeks it has been in my head, and in what comes out my mouth (the words, not barf).

Last week was an all around crummy week for me, so LP decided to drive me to White Castle this past weekend. Holy Crap! White Castle is all that and a bag of chips! I got the four little burgers with fries and a Coke. Delicious. So small, but so tasty. So greasy. So perfect. All my problems and crankiness went away. All I could focus on was the heavenly taste of meaty (or meat substitute) goodness.

White Castle, I am sure I'll be back again... at least once in the next 23 years.