No Rat Race Life for this Maverick.....

Cows & Cards 2021

2021-11-06T11:14:00.004-07:00

Pretty good idea to see everyone after 2 years of isolation. And steaks & poker is just the right enough incentive. A barrel of laughs!

ROM: Restriction of Movement – Quarantine & Cocoa Beach

2020-11-18T18:30:00.015-08:00

What is a ROM? In the age of Covid -19, its the Military Sealift command of quarantining 2 weeks before boarding the vessel. In a free hotel room in front of a Florida beach getting paid? Doesn't sound too bad, but aside from a short walk around the building, we are limited to staying in the room. Ordering food every meal. Yeh, kinda challenging. Then again, wasn't this year entirely for say, the entire world?

I've had better Thanksgiving dinners then this microwavable spaghetti.

Now some cigars,Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sinatra.

Soceer Ping Pong & Tequila

2020-11-14T17:07:00.012-08:00

The surprises one can find on beach bike ride: About that time again.

And just coming back from Mexico, more tequila.

And to Joels for yet again, tequila.

El Dia de Muertos!

2020-10-31T18:20:00.005-07:00

Terrace Happy Hour Sunset everyday!

2020-10-30T18:46:00.020-07:00

Imagine this everyday.

Why be anywhere else? Helps to have a good drinking partner and the right music.

Jardín Allende

2020-10-30T17:23:00.004-07:00

San Miguel City center is always entertaining

Mexico City

2020-10-26T17:58:00.032-07:00

Once in awhile you meet some nice folk playing poker. I met Mattieu playing $2-5 at Bellagio 3-4 years ago. Although he is French, he was driving around Latin Americaand met a gal. And here he is still. He said anytime I'm around, give a shout.

I was mad to find out it ws 3 tacos here for 30 pesos. I thought in Cabo 25 each as a good price.

Cactus anyone?

Nobu Sushi or Street Corn?

2020-10-12T18:00:00.079-07:00

You see influencers on Instagram showing off their food in exotic locations, and sometimes it sticks in your head that you gotta go there. Nobu Los Cabos was one of those places. So what do you think was a more impressionable experience for me? The elusive pretentious world renowned Nobu Sushi over looking the Baja coast at sunset?

Or one $1 cup of mayonnaise hot sauce corn shared between two people just an hour after sushi on the street?

Well...obviously. Quite a pleasant surprise being I never had corn like this. I do think it help that someone was feeding me. The corn was not sweet, but the moment kinda was.

Home for now. Blarney. Thought it was a hotel. Turned out to be a one bedroom with full kitchen. $35/night, Covid bargin.

Life at the Top

2020-09-25T19:20:00.024-07:00

And for a les crowded, less tacky, beach and rooftop bar, Cape Thompson's Hotel

.but for more tacky, Baja Brewery

Cookin Pokerin Mexicoin

2020-09-03T11:45:00.006-07:00

Welcome to Cabo San Lucas Mexico!

2020-08-19T11:38:00.014-07:00

Well the Hurricane wouldn't be that bad as I really came to play poker online. However, kinda sucks when the power goes out at 7pm for the entire night. First week in Cabo, ok....

Covid Vegas

2020-08-14T18:24:00.012-07:00

(Barstow Del Taco)

Why would I even go during the pandemic? When Venetian offers 3 night free stay, $30 in food, and $200 inslots, I couldn't see why not. Golf and Sushi too? Perfect!

Didn't even play $1 on table games or poker.

Everyone wants to play golf during the Epademic. Even at Jack Nicklaus expensive Bear's Best. Barely got in nine holes.

13 courses of sushi and endless Saki.

Last course, Ramen!

Annel's 3rd Bday party this month.

2020-07-18T18:01:00.029-07:00

Freddy BBQ master.

A display in dinning etiquette:

Maxine needs a bit of a kick

What do to in Houston for a Covid month.

2020-07-09T17:31:00.002-07:00

Let's see, theres the pool

Then the pool...

The pool at night...The pool with friends The pool with broken Champagne bottles & Hookah glass

A Secret Birthday Lunch

2020-01-21T18:25:00.000-08:00

So why is this birthday lunch a secret at La Biferia?

...cause I usually never tell anyone it's bday. Roomate Malala and I enjoyed the lunch regards of the occasion.

South Maryland Hibachi

2019-03-19T19:39:00.000-07:00

Hibachi!

...and follow up a nice Japanese dinner/sake bombs with......

SIU Monnies Irish Car bombs! Naturally. Now who's dumb idea was this?

The Best Steak in the World!

2019-01-19T19:33:00.000-08:00

So a friend tells me the that this Buenos Aires restaurant had the best steak he ever had. I told him all the Argentinian restaurants have high quality steaks. Then I tried it.

Dam, Josh was right. It is the best.

Las Carreras de Caballos

2019-01-17T18:44:00.000-08:00

What am I doing in Argentina? Simple. Horse racing, the best steak, & beautiful women. Duh!

Pre-race pep talk

...and voila, winner circle.

11pm: Steak of course, topped with an egg.

Wasn't my idea to go to the casino at 2:30am. Tito, 82 year-old & Oscar out did me Argentina style. I am beat...bed!

This Weather is Ridiculous, I'm Leaving!

2019-01-14T16:58:00.000-08:00

Monday. Rain in Los Angeles? Ok, I'm leaving in pursuit of summer somewhere.

Alright. Using some miles one-way, paying $5.60 tax, good enough price. Leaves in a few hours. Done.

Tuesday. Welcome to beautiful Argentina!

Naha Okinawa Japan

2018-10-13T22:33:00.000-07:00

Naha

Okinawa. For a tiny island you would never see on a map,
This Japan island has a variety of interesting stops. LAst time I was
here, I went to an American Military base, toured American
Village. Today I am in Naha, and its a busy tourist town
know for its beaches. Of course I didn't see any beaches at night.

Notably, Orion beer is made here, so, along with my catching
up downloading session, think I'll enjoy the local beer.

Yokahama Japan, Prost?

2018-10-10T14:57:00.000-07:00

The Container ship landed in Japan today, and last time I was
here in Yokahama a couple of years ago, I wanted to
go to the Red Brick Building with its bars and resturants.
Much to my surprise, I ran into their Octoberfest. Funny.

And did I eat Ramen? Sushi? of course not, Crepes.
Saw it, couldn't really say no. Nutella
and downloading the last 10 days of world occurences.

Then off for a walk of randomness looking for
who knows. .....

......a toilet that warms you , plays music, and
has various squirting pressures?

.....a secret garden just accidentally running into

...or 7-11 to buy coffee.....now that's really why I like Japan.
interesting coffees.

'In My Younger and more Vunerable Years'

2018-08-24T18:37:00.000-07:00

I really couldn't tell you why I the Great Gatsby is one
of my favorite books and movie. I guess a part of me is
drawn to that era. Subconsciously, I go to England to buy
fine dress shirts cause J Gatsby's character had his shirts
sent to him from England every year.

Well course I had to watch the play. Little did I read the
fine print that there this play was immersive. Never been to
one of these. We were in the play to some extent. The audience danced at the
party, we went into different rooms, we drank at the speakeasy.
And imagines and moments still linger with me now, so this play
definitely was worth something. That's right old sport.

Drink the Potion!

2018-08-23T08:56:00.000-07:00

At Lounge Bohemia

George doesn't know weather to drink it or use it in a potion.

Athens

2018-08-12T19:23:00.000-07:00

Seeing Phil in Athens was the big kinda goal the whole time,
just without at exact date, until today. This has been
a lingering idea for the last 14 years since I last came,
but could never quite pull the trigger. Felt the need to
leave Crete immediately as I have seen what I wanted to see,
and now need some Athens.

Although one might think of Athens a major city and the Acropolis,
Phil lives near the beaches in the north side. So we can wake up real late,
have a 3pm kinda breakfast lunch, then find one of the many near-by beaches
to have a ice cold Frappe and a swim in. His Mother Sohia makes
wonderful tradional greek food and the no better place to
enjoy it then the terrace. What a life. Of course, at the moment, we both don't work.

You Cretan!

2018-08-08T18:27:00.000-07:00

So good friend Veronica is also in Greece as of today.
I ask if she is busy tonight, and she says now , join.
However she is in Corfu a good 8 hour bus from Athens
or short 40 min plane ride, oddly the same price. .....It's all about airport
lounges for me at this point.

I get in around 8pm, then she texts me, she had been at out
all day on the boat and is tired. Nice. But her sister
who I I know all too well is up to hang out. I get the Villa
address.

Lidl pit stop:

Villa. I go to villa door #2, knock, wrong unit. Of course
she phone is goes to voicemail. I split. I slowly drive into
town , pull over to kinda let the cars behind me go as I just kinda
look around. Noticing a restaurant on my left, I think I see the
elusive sister Eugenia eating. I park, subtly walk in, look at her,
and she is shocked and ecstatic to see me. I won't even start
with the why didn't you questions, but join her and her girlfriend
for dinner.

The two of us get a glimpse of old town, have some summer drinks
at the outdoor clubs, and get back to the villa at 4am.
She has no key, insist on climbing a fence, wakes up some
villa carer person, and I drive in to some angry looking like
russian speaking woman. Entering the villa on foot, I hear more argueing
in Russian, sit tightly in front of her bedroom door in the dark
sweating in the heat, and of course pretty tired as I wait for her to
get some key.

10am......I really tried not to turn my phone on, knowing we are gonna be kind in trouble
with the sister, but face the music at some point. But she refuses to leave as she was ask to
and instist we go visit some beaches.

First stop, one of more the interesting beaches. However, I saw pictures, but didn't know it was pretty
much and English dominated area. Yeh, this is what that looks like:

That was a quick visit, but not before she found a nice kids boogie board in the trash to harbor.

Got to stop and support the local vine growers.

Eugenia and I always seem to find nice panoramic picture spots.

Picnic time in a super remote location on an exotic Greek island. Can't say I do that everyday. And now to a better beach.

She's so jealous of my Gyro and beer 3 Euro combo.

No one can quite match a yellow rental car like Eugenia can.

We get back the Villa, sister messages that she will be there 9 with a priest to talk to bad sister,
and am out of there. In the car, I thought about finding a hotel, or waiting to see what happens with the sister, but after finding $40 flight back to Athens in 2 hours, I made a bee line. Corfu, I liked it but perhaps could like it more under different circumstances. Of course I do voluntarily chose to live this odd life style with odd characters, so ce la vie.