Maybe This Year, Then

Maybe this year,

The economy completely recovers.
The $300 I loaned out is returned (after two years).
The go-ahead for that next big project is granted.
Family life stabilizes.
The kids turn into adventurous eaters.
Technology mastery is achieved.
The commute becomes milder.
Leisure time is prevalent.
Gas prices drop while the mpg triples.
The housing market normalizes.
Global warming reverses.

Then, I can,

Paint and draw.
Write and blog.
Discover new music, live music.
Read.
Garden and grow things.
Build and construct.
Travel and explore.
Cook new things.

The point is none of the Maybes are likely to happen. So, why wait on the stuff I really want make. Remember Rule number Six.

In 2009 + Life's Lyrics 18 - Brand New Day

New Year’s Eve has always been a source of trepidation. For some, it feels like a night of mandatory feting. Everyone dressing up in garb they might never wear again (comfortably maybe, but, probably not). It can be an expensive night. People marinate their brains on alcohol in order to forget the previous year. Or celebrate/dread the upcoming one. It can be more of a hyped-up holiday where one must attain a socially respectable level of enjoyment.

However much I enjoy a good party, this NYE brings about much needed reflection. For the majority of the year, 2008 sucked. But with it came a ton of great and encouraging people and events. Suffice it to say, I would have soberly stared at you, blinking unbelievably if you had hinted to me that in 2008 I would teeter-totter between extreme emotions while crying/laughing along at each one:

- Surviving divorce and now a reveling in a new Love;
- Bush anger and Obama hope;
- Leaving what has been my home (living out of suitcase through all of 2008) and now starting a new home from scratch (with a permanent place to put my toothbrush);
- Fearing economic upheaval and being thankful for a job I love;
- Losing my dog of 13 years and thriving with my non-profit work for the zoo;
- Cooking for one vs. cooking for my kids/friends/Girlfriend; and,
- I will not miss the countless remote hours alone in a small condo from hell but will always cherish the memories during the multiple travels with friends/loved ones.

If nothing else, 2008 was not boring. And you know what? I have no real regrets. Well, I might have done a few things better given a chance to revisit some things, but all in all I’ve come through the year looking forward 2009. I’ll be ok.

From Joshua Radin's acoustic little ditty (sounding very Cat Stevens-esque) are these lyrics from the song Brand New Day. I hope when you wake up on Thursday, January 1 on 2009, this is the first song you hear.

Some kind of magic
Happens late at night
When the moon smiles down at me
And bathes me in its light

I fell asleep beneath you
In the tall blades of grass
When I woke the world was new
I never had to ask

It’s a brand new day
The sun is shining
It’s a brand new day
For the first time in such a long long time
I know I’ll be ok

Most kind of stories
Save the best part for last
And most stories have a hero who finds
You make your past your past
Yeah you make your past your past

It’s a brand new day
The sun is shining
It’s a brand new day
For the first time in such a long long time
I know I’ll be ok

This cycle never ends
You gotta fall in order to mend

It’s a brand new day
It’s a brand new day
For the first time in such a long long time
I know I’ll be ok

Hath Frozen Over

My buddy Tim and I do a yearly football trip. As Michigan fans, we usually build the trip around a Wolverine game. This year we braved hostile territory to watch the game in the Horseshoe in Columbus. The following is the text conversation with my GirlFriend.

Mud: Officially behind enemy lines now. Going under gover … GPS pointing us toward The Bush Tavern for lunch … Or Capin’ Woodies Pub & Grub
Mud: In Columbus now … Toasting Tim (he’s 45 today) with more JW Blue before heading out to the Elevator Brewery and Draught Haus.
GF: Toast him for me too. Have fun! Is it snowing there?
Mud: Not at the moment. As we got closer to Columbus it got warmer … Which is appropo FOR HELL. I swear I just saw a flying monkey or two out the window.
GF: Why is it Hell?
Mud: Home of archrival THE Ohio State University … That’s why the ‘bhind enemy lines’ and ‘under cover’ ….
Mud: Big Ballroom Dancing competition at the convention cntr, too.
GF: I get that. Wasn’t sure if u had a bad personal experience or not.
Mud: Never been here before… Hell is grey (and scarlet) and a cold day in hell, btw.
Mud: Hell has a Westin. Tho this non-smoking room smells like smoke. Probably because THIS IS HELL.
GF: u crack me up. I usually like Westins. No duvet w big fluffy pillows?
Mud: Yep. Bed looks comfy. Little slice of heaven WHILE IN HELL.
Mud: K. All bundled up now. Heading out to that brewery. Gonna brave these hellish elements and walk six blocks.
Mud: This bar offers and MBA … A Masters of Beer Appreciation
Mud: Beef Sliders, Aztec Chicken Soup, and a six flight beer tasting.
Mud: btw, we counted four bail bonds places (one was on the corner of Rich St.), a violin repair shop, and the State Capitol bldg on a four block walk thru Hell.
Mud: While in Hell what better concert to go see than AC/DC.? Playing tonight down the street from here. Might try and scalp a few.
Mud: Tim ordered chicken wings. He’s practically in tears they are so hot. Probably because WE R IN HELL.
Mud: Four Vines on the list … So let Christian know his wine is served in Hell. I think he’d like that idea.
GF: You so need to save these texts & blog them. You are on such a roll!
Mud: Back at the hotel room… We needed more ‘Blue’ because everything is scarlet here.
Mud: There has to be a decent Cigar Bar in Hell. That and the place they make Hand Baskets.
GF: Do u think the Blue will clash with the color of your lips & fingertips?
Mud: Blue and Blui-ish whould work together.
Mud: btw, on the walk back we passed Akbar n Jeff at the bus stop across from the bail bonds place. Didn’t see the rabbit tho.
GF: I don’t know Akbar & Jeff
Mud: Matt Groening … Life in Hell comic strips … before The Simpson’s
Mud: Akbar n Jeff. Brotghers or lovers (or possibly both)…. And that silly rabbit
GF: I had school is Hell. Loved those!
Mud: They wore fez(s) and Charlie Brown shirts.
GF: No AC/DC tickets. Sold out. Maybe the place called Columbus Gold out near the airport. They have and OSU v.UoM whipcream wrestling extravaganza.
Mud: According to the ad. Hell has hot women.
GF: Just try to resist “the other delights”
Mud: I don’t think Tiajuana Brass is their house band. I know this because they are the opening act for AC/DC.
GF: Well if you run into Herb tell him that OH blows harder than he does.
Mud: Nice! ROTFLOL
Mud: Dinner at Barley’s. Motto: af few beers were brewed up over the years here….. I’m eating the Grilled Portebella Sandwich with Blackbeans and Rice. The Amber is well on the way to being one of the better Ambers. And from Hell, that statement hurts a lot.
GF: Who did Hot Lips Hoolihan marry? Tim can’t look it up either
Mud: Cl. Donal Penopscott
GF: U R WEIRD. I knew you’d know the answer.
Mud: We found a dive bar. Guinness on tap. Juke box crankin ‘three steps’ by Leonard Skynard. Stumbling distance to the hotel.
Mud: 99 Luftballoons and Petron shaken over ice…. Happy 45th, Tim.
Mud: Hell continued tomorrow for the big game. Night.
GF: Night.

Denver SPEED

I saw this in a movie about a bus that had to SPEED around a city, keeping its SPEED over fifty, and if its SPEED dropped, it would explode. I think it was called..."The Bus That Couldn't Slow Down".
-Homer Simpson, "The Springfield Files"

I had a chance to ride the Denver Light Rail system this evening. What a world-class system! One of the best I’ve experienced.

I’m leaving Denver and heading home soon. And I must say, it has been years since I last visited Denver, but I will be back again as I was impressed. Very impressed with what Denver is doing.

Oh. It was fast, too.

Game Plan

As the French say, game birds taste best at the point of the gun. - Jim Harrison, Author, Poet

Food is a great literary theme. Food in eternity, food and sex, food and lust. Food is a part of the whole of life. Food is not separate. - Jim Harrison, Author, Poet

Above quotes from an article in today's (Aug. 7th, 2008) NYTimes Arts section

I’m no food writer or much of a restaurant critic in any way. I pretty much try most things and eat just about anything. But every once in a great while, a meal can transcend into an experience.

Along with a couple of close food and wine geek friends, we made the trek up to a place outside of Denver called The Fort (just beyond the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater).

It was an expansive place that at first had the look of a roadside tourist trap with accompanying teepee and fire pit. However, upon closer review the place was done with a finite attention to detail. It is an adobe replica of an 1830’s fur trade fort and has been serving indigenous food as from the days of the early west. Looking through all the photos in the center hallway, there was a picture of the official 1997 “Summit of the Eight” dinner hosted by President Clinton with Tony Blair, Boris Yeltsin, Helmutt Kohl, Hashimoto and the others (of which I can’t remember all the other names at the moment). So, I knew I was in the right place.

We were all seated to a table with a vast view of the Denver skyline at sunset. Although the scenery was beautiful, I was much more intrigued by the first course menu and the little arm wrestling (none) it took to get me to order a drink called the Trade Whiskey. It was a concoction and a shot of fine bourbon, red pepper, tobacco, and black gunpowder. I can’t say I’ll order it ever again, but it was an enjoyable, albeit one-time, experience.

While sipping the Whiskey, we all agreed on a shared appetizer of Rocky Mountain Oysters, Lamb Riblets, Braised Bison Tongue, and Peanut Butter Stuffed Chile Peppers. We oohed and aahed to the food along with a French Sauvignon Blanc (name escapes me now, too). I particularly enjoyed the tongue on a thin, toasted baguette slice.

I was torn between the unique venison cut or the Game Plate. I chose the Game Plate as it consisted of Buffalo Tenderloin Fillet Mignon, some Elk Chops (St. Vrain), and Quail. And we all seemed to substitute the Asparagus Bisque in place of the green salad. Good choice, by the way.

With wine geeks at the table, it was decided the above to be served with a nice French Bordeaux.

The service was kind and prompt. The wine was decanted properly. And our neighbor table treated us to an event by adjourning home in a helicopter from the grass heliport just outside and over the rock wall beyond the deck.

Undoubtedly, we will be talking about this meal again. And, for years to come, I’m sure.

Blogging Lite

I am attending a national conference for a professional organization of which I belong. So, I am in Denver this week. Needless to say, blogging will be minimal over the next few days.

However, I am getting quality fodder for posts, no doubt.