Stubborn Fool

I Am Away Right Now

2013-05-09T23:45:00.002-04:00

Hi, I am away now and can't take your call. I will be back within a couple weeks. Please leave a message and I will respond when I return. I am currently somewhere in Northern Africa, and may not have direct access to my email. Should your matter be urgent, have a beer and relax. It is vacation time after all.

That's it! Vacation time has finally hit us. I am not working. And my brain has shut off. As you are reading this I may be sipping mint tea, or travelling on some camel. I may even be sleeping by the pool, watching TV or dancing in a disco. Maybe I am downhill skiing.

Vacation

Great Chili Recipe

2013-04-28T16:32:00.000-04:00

I'm going to call this one the greatest chili recipe ever. It also may be the easiest chili recipe to make. Either way, it is delicious and I will take you through the steps.

It was my turn to cook. I had some ground beef, a growling stomach and a beautiful wife. (That has nothing to do with the recipe but she is bound to read this.)

I last made chili a couple years ago but wanted an improved and easier recipe to follow. I found one I liked called Texas-Style Chili but we didn't have the needed ingredients. I had garlic and salt. That's about it. It is amazing how two things called chili could have completely different ingredients.

I often cook based on what I have handy and compensate by changing up the recipes. I will list the ingredients. Keep in my the measurements are in Metric. I will include Imperial but they aren't round numbers so you may have to make small adjustments. This what I used

Starting Chili Ingredients

Ingredients:
0.368 kilograms of lean ground beef (0.81 pounds)
1 - 540 ml. can of Red Kidney Beans (2.3 cups)
1 - 540 ml. can of Chick Peas (Garbanzo beans) (2.3 cups)
3 medium size Sausages
1 and 1/2 cups of Chicken Broth
1 medium sliced Red Pepper
6 medium Mushrooms, sliced
A handful of cherry tomatoes
1/2 a Carrot, diced
1 clove Garlic, chopped or minced
2 teaspoons Sugar
2 teaspoons crush Oregano
2 teaspoons Cumin
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon crushed Chili Pepper
Tobasco sauce
3 tablespoons of Breadcrumbs or Cornmeal
cooking Oil

Simmer the vegetables

A lot of this is based on personal taste and, as I mentioned, what ingredients are available. For example, I like merguez sausages. The spices really complimented this recipe. Also, while my source recipe called for beef broth I substituted chicken broth. And, lastly, cornmeal was recommend, while I used rice flour breadcrumbs instead.
If you use dried beans, let them soak first. Then after drained add to the recipe. Canned beans can be rinsed and added to the mix.

The chili is almost done

Steps:
In a large hot skillet, greased with your favourite cooking oil, brown the ground beef, garlic and sausages. You can drain off the excess fat at this point.

Stir in the chicken broth, sugar, oregano, cumin, chili pepper, salt and Tabasco.

Reduce the heat to a simmer. Leave covered for 30 minutes.
Add in the carrots, red pepper and tomatoes. Let simmer for 15 minutes.
Add the garbanzo and kidney beans. Stir and then add the breadcrumbs and mushrooms. Let simmer for 30-45 minutes.

Serve with corn bread or eat it by itself. Serves six. Enjoy! I will definitely make this batch of chili again. It was quick to prepare and a delicious recipe.

Serve the chili with a big spoon

H Is For Helpdesk

2013-04-10T06:20:00.000-04:00

I called the helpdesk at work for a simple password reset. So, this fellow overseas, after asking for my information then said, "Am I speaking to Sara?" Do I have to mention again that the helpdesk is offshore?

Really? Do I sound like Sara?

"So, let me confirm," he said. "Your employee I.D. is haychf4uhfn-blarg."

"What?!?!" I politely respond. "I did not understand what you said."

"With apologies," my colleague from across the water states. "Let me start over. H as in Hitler, 12345."

"Excuse me?" I say, "Would you mind repeating what you just said?"

"Yes, absolutely. H as in Hitler, 12..."

"Are you serious?" I interrupted. Did I just hear correctly?" Giving him every opportunity to change the path he is walking.

"Yes, I will repeat it, H as in Hitler, 12345."

"You have got to be kidding me!" I replied. "You should think about what you are saying before you speak. Is this how the company trains you? Your words are offensive."

"My sincere apologies for having offended you." He stammers, seemingly clueless as to why I was upset. "Is your I.D. H as in um, er, h-hotel, 12345."

"No," I reply. "It's S as in Stalin..."

The Walking Dead

2013-04-06T09:58:00.000-04:00

Season three of the Walking Dead has come to an end on AMC. I have seen most every episode of The Walking Dead with the exception of a couple at the start of season three. Having read every single one of the graphic novels, I eagerly anticipated the 2010 premiere of the AMC television series when it first launched. And then every subsequent episode, from week to week. Why I missed a few recent episodes is another story. I will catch up over the summer hiatus.

Even though I've seen most every episode, I did not love the show at the start. But I was spellbound. I could not miss an episode. But I wouldn't say I loved The Walking Dead.

TWD and I did spend time together over the next three years and we have grown to love each other. This realization finally struck during the last season finale.

The Walking Dead Season 4

I have compared this series to Battlestar Galactica, the tremendous space adventure drama of just a couple years ago. Both series explored the human race's struggle to survive after being nearly wiped out. When devoid of all hope, a spark grows amongst the remaining survivors and from this small spark there is hope. Both series show the struggle of humans to survive, and while both being based in the fantastical science fiction, are rugged and believable.

BSG was a better show.

If you have read the graphic novels, or seen at least a number of the episodes, you know that the main characters are just as likely to die as the walk-ons. There are no designated red shirt wearers here.

This is a brutal show. Brutal in that it is filled with gore, murder, blood, despair, corruption. It also shows heroic characters filled with hope and passion to live. Characters willing to put everything on the line so that their friends and family survive the living nightmare. And not to mention powerful acting and superior writing.

Forget about the zombie genre for a moment, why has post-apocalyptic literature been so popular over the decades?

From The Day of the Triffids, The Chrysalids to The Stand and The Road. Popular novels and each having been made into film. And not to mention the Mad Max series or The Day After Tomorrow and the multitude of over films.

TWD may be escapist viewing but not of the relaxing kind. You may feel just as wound up as you would say after watching a Denis Leary monologue.

If you have seen the show, or are a fan, I am interested in hearing some feedback.

What did you think of the finale? What do you think about the changes they have made from the graphic novels to the screen? The new characters? The characters that died prematurely, or lived longer than expected? Are you as excited about season four of The Walking Dead as I am? Starts in October.

The Walking Dead Season 3

Service With No Smile

2013-04-02T21:59:00.001-04:00

A friend of mine started seeing a therapist. I do not know all the ins and outs of therapy, or why she is going. She did tell me however that the therapist twice told her, "You seem like an anxious person."
Is that not the same as walking into a barber shop and being told, "You seem to have hair."

Why the fuck do you think I am here?

What about when I am standing in line at the coffee shop and the barista asks, "Can I help you?"

Fuck yes!

Now get on with the real question Mr. Obvious, "How may I help you?"

I expect great service at any restaurant. I will be satisfied, however, with adequate service. Do not make me wait for my menu. Ask if I am ready to order. Make sure my food arrives within fifteen to twenty minutes of taking my order. Ask if I need anything else. And do not make me go on a treasure hunt to track you down when I want to pay and leave.

Bad service will get you a ten percent tip. Rude service will get you nothing. You are not entitled to a tip, it has to be earned for providing at least the basic pleasant service.

Warm Beer Cold Food Bad Service

A number of years back, I went with some college friends into a local Canadian style eatery called Miss Chomedey. It was the typical Italian/ Deli/ Grill combination full service family restaurants with a liquor licence. It was a small step up from your usual diner.

Sitting in one of their booths, likely eating the cheapest thing on the menu, perhaps grilled cheese or the bambino pizza, we proceeded to drop some quarters into the old fashioned mini jukeboxes that sat atop the booth table.

25 cents for a song. Let's liven up this sleepy lunchtime crowd, we said.

Three quarters went into the jukebox and nothing happened. We pressed every combination of buttons. I may have even punched the machine too.

Ghost in the machine? No, it's a country jukebox

We called the waitress over and explained what had occurred. "We lost three quarters", we said.
To which she replied, "Oh the machines don't work."
"What do you mean they don't work. There are no signs up."
"No", she replied, "they haven't worked in a long time." And dismissed us as if her answer justified everything.

"Can we have have our change back?" We persisted.
"We lost three quarters."
"No, she said, "you shouldn't have put them in the machine, they are lost."

Disbelief led to anger. But I still managed to sputter out, "And when you are looking for your tip, you know where to find it. It's in the machine."

Angry Driver

2013-03-06T20:34:00.000-05:00

With my constant battle to maintain a calm demeanour on the open road, and efforts to avoid putting myself in situations that would aggravate my tendency towards road rage, I find myself using little tricks to gain inner peace. I find this certain satisfaction and, my rage dissipates.

First and foremost, if someone on the road cuts me off, offends me, drives dangerously or stupidly, I call them an idiot. Not out the window but within my vehicle with the windows rolled up. This allows me to purge my anger quite rapidly and prevents escalation.

At other times I take note of the offending driver and keep track of him for as long as I can. If I can track him long enough, I may eventually see the offending driver himself annoyed. And I am pleased.

For example, the other day I was driving along the highway at a clip of 70 km/hr (44mph). The speed limit is 100 (62 mph) but due to the traffic volume, the fast lane was moving at 70. The fool in the car behind me was tailgating, flashing his lights wanting me to move move over. There was no where for me to go. Cars in front of me weren't moving any faster, cars to the right had me pinned in. So I ignored him.

So, Mr. Light Flasher switched lanes, swerved around another car, moved to the slow lane, all in attempt to bypass traffic in the fast lane.

Coincidence or bad luck? Just as he moved over, the fast lane cleared up and the middle and slow lane got bogged down, pinning Mr. Light Flasher in a 40/km / hr (25 mph) lane. As I sped off into the distance, my anger satisfied, as I watched flasher light guy falling behind in the distance. Idiot.

Bad Drivers get their due

Is That All?

2013-02-28T06:05:00.000-05:00

Is that all? Absolutely not. We are just getting started. We have our whole lives ahead of us. You think you've seen the sun but baby, you ain't seen it shine. The future depends on what we do in the present. Life will keep giving you more thrills and chills. Each day is different from the last.

What happens when your life surpasses your dreams?

We see our worst day and somehow manage another worst day.

We each have our best day ever, and then we have another day that becomes our best day ever.

“When it comes to the future, there are three kinds of people: those who let it happen, those who make it happen, and those who wonder what happened.”
-John M. Richardson, Jr.

Take each day as a lesson, a new experience and an opportunity to teach. The capacity of our brains is limitless where we can absorb more and more information, continuously taking in new sounds and new sights and new experiences. May the dreams of your past be the reality of your future. Is that all? We're just getting started.

That's all for the writing challenge

And That's Why I Got Drunk

2013-02-27T06:36:00.000-05:00

And that's why I got drunk... I have moved beyond the need to justify. Nonetheless, as today's theme, here is a list of reasons to justify your own drinking. And that's why I got drunk...

Because it was there
I was bored
I opened it by accident
I had an hour to kill
Work let out early
My girlfriend was out of town
I had a headache
I didn't have a headache
She was cute
I was depressed
I was happy
..Angry
..Sad
I was on vacation
My job is stressful
I had a bad day
I had a good day
..Week
..Month
..Year
I woke up
I was tired
I wasn't tired
I was.

Today is day 27 of the thirty day writing challenge (February edition) as arranged and hosted by Nicky and Mike over at WeWorkForCheese.com. Go check out their site to see what they wrote and see all the other participants.

Deal With It

2013-02-26T07:11:00.001-05:00

And on Day 26 he rested. Deal with it!

Fact or Fiction?

2013-02-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

My first fight was against a guy with three pro fights under his belt. They called him a natural puncher, but limited in speed. He had a 2-1 record, one win was by K.O., in his very first round. His other win was on points and he was knocked out in his last fight.

The concern I heard was, his natural weight was probably ten pounds over mine.

Standing in the ring, listening to the ref's instructions, I saw my friends in the crowd. Some were waving, others were cheering. I shook my head, I had to focus on the fight.

Typical of many junior fighters in the first round he came out swinging. He nearly ran at me -swinging for the fences, to borrow from another sport's metaphors.

I spent the first minute of the round slipping, dodging and blocking. I took one real doozy of a shot, a glancing blow to the head, that had it made full contact, his method would have succeeded and I would have been looking up at him from the floor.

I had a lot of rounds behind me, practising and sparring at the club. If anything, the coach scolded me that I was too laid back, that I didn't charge forward. I always wanted to see what the other guy could do. Where were the openings? And then, I would move in and try to pick him apart. A club fighter sparring with friends was one thing. Nobody was trying to take my head off at the club.

I managed a couple counter punches. A slip, duck, a shot to his gut. Enough to keep him wary and enough to back him off a bit. But not much. Two and a half minutes is a long time when someone is trying to knock you out cold. The bell rang to end the first round.

As I sat in my corner, listening to the coach as he prepped me for round 2, I eyed my opponent. All of his earlier bluster and eye of the tiger was replaced by his sucking wind.

The bell rang, I jumped to my feet. He climbed to his. My opponent came at me, not running this time, but sort of shambling forward. He was eyeing me, looking for an opening, for a knockout punch. My intent was to not be uncooperative.

He pawed at me with a week jab and as I reached up to block he unloaded a wild hay-maker He missed by a mile. I had had enough though. There was no sense in taking any more chances of a stray punch getting through. I stopped moving in circles around him.

Jab jab. He blocked them both. I faked a punch with my right and followed up with two quick jabs that get through.

I got his attention.

He kept throwing them but his tactic had changed. His frustration showing. I could hear his coach berating him, slow down slow down.

We exchanged a few. Punch counter punch. He hit me with a shot to the body that got through. I backed up and moved to my right before I moved back in. Just then the bell rang.

When round two ends I am still feeling the sting from that last body shot.

"Keep your hands up", the coach yells at me, "he'll knock you on your ass if you let one through.

Throw some combinations. Don't just jab."

And with that the third and final round started. I knew what I wanted to do. My defence will take care of his offence. I have to take care of him.

I jab jab, duck the counter and unload a body shot that makes him do a hop dance to his left. This time I throw a left right duck upper cut that just grazes his nose.

I am getting through but just not making full contact.

He is throwing some jabs now. A couple crosses. He tries a hook. No combinations, no plan.

I return a Jab-Cross-Hook-Cross.

Jab-Jab-Right uppercut-Left hook. I am getting through. I see his eye swelling. I see targets.

I fake a jab and throw my own hay-maker Full contact! His face mushes up but he is solid on his feet. Cement-head can really take it. And my arms are starting to feel heavy. Dance back, dance around. Shake it out. I hear the call, 30 seconds.

I see my opponent blink as he tries to revive himself and move in. He throws a wild shot, I step back, step in and I aim a right uppercut to his body. I don't wait for another from him but go directly after him.

Jab-jab - right cross. He stops and then moves forward. He tries to grab me. I slip, right hook. He just wants this to end. Ten second warning. He isn't even moving in. We circle. I jab, he blocks. Jab jab.

Bell rings to end the third round and the bout. We are going to the scorecards for the results.

It's over. I did it. My first fight. At this point I do not care about the judges scorecard. Sitting in the corner. Gloves come off. The adrenaline seems to be ebbing. I don't remember being this tired. Three hours in the gym a day but, after 7 and a half minutes in the ring and I am wiped.

I stood in the middle of the ring facing the crowd. Sweat poured down my back, into my eyes. The ref held my arm at the wrist as he did my opponent. I barely heard the announcer. It was in the background I heard, unanimous decision, in his first fight, winner by decision, Shawn Ohara!

Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy New Year!

2013-02-24T06:02:00.000-05:00

Chinese New Year marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It is celebrated with family reunions, and marked as a time to honour deities as well as ancestors. It is a time to thank the gods for their blessings. The New Year was celebrated on this past February 10th.

Traditionally, families make great preparations for the changing of the year. Prior to the new year, families settle their debts and purchase new clothes, houses are cleaned and feasts are prepared.
It is common to see homes filled with flowers and fruit, including oranges, tangerines, and pomeloes. Their colours symbolize good luck and joy. Flower blossoms symbolize longevity and courage.

Some Chinese believe that if flowers blossom on New Year's Day good fortune will be theirs for the next year. Trays filled of candied melon, coconut, lotus seed and watermelon seed are served.

Seven days into the New Year everyone adds a year to their age regardless of when they were born. In traditional China individual birthdays were not considered as important as this New Year's date.

Here are wishes for growth, good health, abundance and togetherness, happiness, love and prosperity.
May everything be according to your wishes. Happy New Year! Gung Hay Fat Choy!

2013 Year of the Snake

Today is day 24 of the thirty day writing challenge (February edition) as arranged and hosted by Nicky and Mike over at WeWorkForCheese.com. Go check out their site to see who else is participating and read some more great stories.

Absurd

2013-02-23T06:05:00.000-05:00

I walked to the square but was unable to fly so I ran the rest of the way. My cow would have laughed, she wasn't the most kindhearted bovine you would have ever met.

That being said, once at the square I protested with the other kings. There were 47 of us. We were protesting against the uncomfortable thrones.

"Give us a cushion!" We shouted.

"A pillow for our bottoms," we yelled.

Our placards read, "Up with comfort, down for our seats."

The colours I wore were representative of my mood. Opaque luminous plaids of black and white.

Later that day I swam home. I wanted to save money on gasoline and, as we all know, swimming uses up half the amount of petrol that automobiles use. Surprisingly enough bicycles are even more efficient.

While we were winding down from a hectic day I had a tremendous conversation with my dog and Fern. I mean fern, my plant. The dog held that nothing exists until we see it and verify it. I told him that his views were phenomenalist at best, while the fern plant merely stood there staring. Our conversations were interrupted by a hockey fight that erupted in the kitchen.

The two cooks were arguing again and decided to settle their differences once and for all. What a sight to see! The entire staff building an ice rink, the two cooks donning their skates, all the while staring each other down from across the pastry table.

In the end they each received five minute penalties and were sanctioned with a game misconduct.

We jumped and danced and held hands and danced in a circle. That is until the meal came. We ate like kings.

Absurdist

Today is day 23 of the thirty day writing challenge (February edition) as arranged and hosted by Nicky and Mike over at WeWorkForCheese.com. Go check out their site to see who else is participating and read some more great stories.

Compulsively

2013-02-22T06:05:00.000-05:00

Throughout this 30 day (minus 2) writing challenge I dreaded this topic. What a time to get writer's block! Today's subject is compulsively. If I don't come up with a good story I will have to reveal an embarrassing truth about my compulsive behaviour. I racked my brain trying to come up with a good story.

All I have is the truth. I eat compulsively.

It has absolute control over me. I eat as much as three or four times in a day. I sometimes even snack between meals. The compulsion is so strong, I sometimes wake up in the morning hungry. Nothing will satisfy me until I eat something.

Not only that, not two or three hours later, I eat again. In between I sometimes have a beverage.

I know, it is embarrassing. I felt I needed to talk about it. I feel better. I am hungry though. I think I will go make a sandwich for lunch.

Today is day 22 of the thirty day writing challenge (February edition) as arranged and hosted by Nicky and Mike over at WeWorkForCheese.com. Go check out their site to see what they wrote and see all the other participants.

Last Train

2013-02-21T06:05:00.000-05:00

I swore it would be the last train I ever took. Until the next time. Montreal to Toronto by car can be done in six hours. At the time, my crappy clunker may not have taken me outside the city limits. Trains are fast. Or so I thought. Instead of six hours, I will be in Hogtown within three, or even two hours.

Right. Because trains in Canada travel at 400 kilometres and hour. Unfortunately the train was not fast, and unfortunately it stopped at every village, town and city along the way. Yes, the milk run. It ended up being an eight hour ride.

...and now turn right

And to make matters worse, I had to buy a crappy sandwich from the train steward or ticket taker, or waiter, or whatever you call them. It was a lot of money for a lousy sandwich. I guess I cannot blame anyone but myself for not bringing with some grub to munch on.

My next train ride wasn't as bad. I flew Montreal to Newark. Took the bus to the train station. Some-guy-who-worked-there told me to go to the wrong platform. After a ten minute wait I figured it out and found the right train. I walked from the train station to the hotel, arriving smack in the middle of the wedding ceremony that I was invited to attend.

Even though I was late, I ate a lot of food and drank a lot of drink to make up for it. I had a real good ending to this story but I seem to have lost my train of thought.

Today is day 21 of the thirty day writing challenge (February edition) as arranged and hosted by Nicky and Mike over at WeWorkForCheese.com. Go check out their site to see what they wrote and see all the other participants.

The Other Shoe

2013-02-20T06:06:00.000-05:00

Remarkably and strangely, I have had less traffic on my site since the February 30 Day ( minus two) Creative Writing Challenge has commenced. But I have much better traffic. Better in the sense that people are sticking around longer. And I have many many more comments and interaction with some very funny and some very cool people.

Some of you I had never heard of before. Some of you, I had read your blogs but we had never communicated.

So now, I am waiting for the other shoe to drop, so to speak. Will my traffic return to normal? Will it be less referral hits and more search engine hits? Will it be my loyal following or will I keep meeting new friends? Will my recently acquired friends come back for a visit?

Due to my recent nuptials I had been unable to visit my new neighbours as frequently as I would have liked. But I have made it a point to reply to every single comment on my site.

So let us hope the shoe does not drop. Keep both your shoes on, walk right in and pay me a visit.

Shoe

The Other Shoe

Today is day 20 of the thirty day writing challenge (February edition) as arranged and hosted by Mike and Nicky over at WeWorkForCheese.com. Go check out their site to see who else is participating and read some more great stories.

Little Things

2013-02-19T06:05:00.000-05:00

This is a list of little things. Little is of course relative.

Insects

Dust

Marbles

Finger nail clippings

Green Army Men

Munchkins

Buttons

Shot glasses

Thimbles

Hershey's Kisses

Pumpkin Seeds

Wedding Ring

Confetti

Bacteria

Cheerios

Pennies

Dots

Puppies

Wayne Szalinski

Nanobots

Belly buttons

Cherry Tomatoes

Salt

Bacteria

Button Holes

Staples

Guitar Picks

Today is day 19 of the twenty-eight day writing challenge (February edition) as arranged and hosted by Nicky and Mike over at WeWorkForCheese.com. Go check out their site to see who else is participating and read some more great stories.

Little Things

Home At Last

2013-02-18T06:05:00.000-05:00

I love my job. I enjoy going to work. I often look forward to going to the office. I have twenty or so staff that report to me, all a different mix of characters. Even with this good team, once I am there, they often make it that I am looking forward to going home.

Some make the job more difficult than others. The real bad apples were let go a long time ago.

I could make this into a love story about my wife and rushing home to see her but, this is more about work.

I came back to work after a few days off - after celebrating my nuptials. I returned to find 300 email in my inbox. I had to scour through them, first to catch up, second to deal with any disasters, and third to find out if there was an email - somewhere in there - that told me I was fired.

Well, my job is pretty safe but when a company has layoffs, anyone is at risk. You believe your job is safe but then there is still doubt. You get a compliment or a good review from the boss and still, there may be doubt. Sometimes doing a good job is like peeing in your dark suit. You get a warm feeling but nobody notices.

I tried a start-up internet based chewing gum company. Eventually the bubble burst.

I had a friend who worked for the IRS but quit because he found it taxing.

I worked in a mill for a while but couldn't stand the daily grind.

I had an uncle who worked in ladies lingerie. It didn't go over to well at the construction site.

A job is what you make of it. Loving it is a bonus. Making a living is a requirement. Going home is essential.

And remember, your job could be worse

Steely Dan from their 19778 release Aja, Home At Last

Today is day 18 of the thirty day writing challenge (February edition) as arranged and hosted by Nicky and Mike over at WeWorkForCheese.com. Go check out their site to see what they wrote and see all the other participants.

Things I Don't Say Anymore

2013-02-17T06:26:00.000-05:00

Today is day 17 of the thirty day writing challenge (February edition) as arranged and hosted by Nicky and Mike over at WeWorkForCheese.com. Go check out their site to see who else is participating and read some more great stories. But first read on. Today's theme is Whatever, dude.

Back in February of 2011 I published a post called, I've Got a Boner. As I wrote then, I was going to call it 'Things I don't say anymore', but, 'I've got a boner' had a better ring to it.

It was basically a list of words and expressions that are no longer in use, or at least that I no longer use:

Airhead replaced the less popular "space cadet"
Barf Me Out - Were you a Valley Girl? Never a term I used. Perhaps the poor cousin of "Gross".
Big Time - I used this for a while, big time.
Bite me - Later became 'Eat me'. Eat me was the better term because not only could it be a response to an offending question, not only an insult, but also a slightly humorous slightly flirtatious comment to be made at inappropriate times. Trust me, I have made plenty of inappropriate comments at inappropriate times.
Bubba - replaceable with "man", as in "Hey man" or "Hey bubba". This came out of the late 90s TV series Nash Bridges. I used it from time to time and the expression caught on just as much as the TV show. That's to say, not a whole lot. A colleague of mine had a man crush on me and overheard me using it. Eleven years later he still calls me bubba.
'Sup - As in 'What is Up?', or 'How are you?'
As if! - Popularized by Alicia Silverstone in Clueless.
Don't go there! - One of the most overused expressions. So, please, don't go there.
Dude - Another 80s term that resurfaced. Use it as a noun or as an exclamation. 'Hey dude'. Or, 'Dude!'.
Any variation of Dude, including Whatever, Dude.
TMI - Too much information.
Doy - A bastardization of 'Duh'. The sarcastic 'No Shit'.
Keep it wet - No clue how this started, or what the hell it means. But it was used as a goodbye greeting.
Woof - See previous. Could be used as a welcome greeting as well.

There are more out there, great expressions and insults to really pwn someone. Damn! I can't think of any more. Any good ones to add? Any tired outdated expressions?

Buddy Guy

2013-02-16T06:40:00.000-05:00

Buddy Guy, is a Chicago Bluesman born in Louisiana, and one of the living elder statesmen of the Blues. He may not be as well known as BB King or some of his predecessors, nonetheless, he built a niche of music creation and influence all his own. Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix were heavily influenced by Guy's play. Guy was thought to be one of the biggest influences on the play of Hendrix. While Clapton referred to Guy more recently as the greatest guitarist alive.

Buddy Guy remains one of the last Blues links to the traditions of play started by Robert Johnson. Guy recorded with the greats Muddy Waters and Junior Wells

Buddy Guy in Montreal, Metropolis

I went to see Guy play at the Montreal International Jazz Fest Year Round series, on April 14th of 2012. 76 years old and still playing his guitar with blistering speed. Guy plays any style, imitating his imitators, playing the likes of Clapton, Hendrix, and Albert King. Guy played music from his own albums spanning all his decades of recording, as well as some Blues standards.

At one point during the show Guy exited the stage only to reappear moments later among the standing room crowd on the floor. He kept strumming his guitar, singing and walking as he moved through the crowd and chatted with the patrons. Over the next 1/2 hour, Guy walked across the floor, up the stairs to the balcony crowd and around to the other side of the stage. Spitting distance I was from a legend.

Guy has some 70 albums to his credit. My personal favourite, from his recent years remains 2001's Grammy nominated Sweet Tea. For beginners to the world of Buddy Guy, I would recommend his 1993 release, Feels Like Rain. The album earned Guy the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album.

Some of today's younger guitarist have picked up the legacy but few under 60 years old have a connections to the traditions.

In 2012 Buddy Guy also released his autobiography, When I Left Home: My Story. The book tells his life story in his own picaresque manner, telling of his youthful days in the music scene to his touring days of the 2000s. Click this link for Guy's upcoming tour dates. Guy is n the midst of his North American tour, including three stops north of the border.

When I Left Home: My Story

Today is day 16 of the thirty day writing challenge (February edition) as arranged and hosted by Nicky and Mike over at WeWorkForCheese.com. Today's theme is Music. Go check out their site to see who else is participating and read some more great stories.

Or Else

2013-02-15T06:10:00.000-05:00

Love or Peace or Else is the fourth track from U2's 2004 release How To Disarm and Atomic Bomb. The album, produced by Steve Lillywhite, with additional production credits going to Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno and others.

Four singles were released from the album, each meeting with success worldwide and charting at least number one and number two in several countries.

Vertigo was the first single release and went 2X platinum for digital downloads. The remainder of the singles were follow ups in 2005. All Because of You, Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own followed by City of Blinding Lights.

In the more innovative sounding Love or Peace or Else the band strides into world affairs, begging for an end of atomic weapons and commenting on the affairs of Middle East, with pleads for peace

Lay down
Lay down your guns
All your daughters of Zion
All your Abraham Sons

U2 formed in Dublin 1978 when Larry Mullen Jr. posted a "musician's wanted" ad on a school wall. In 1980 the band signed a deal with Island Records. U2's first single, 11 O'clock Tick-Tock, was released in May 1980. Boy, their debut album, was released five months later - promoted by another single, I Will Follow.

Rolling Stone ranked U2 at number 22 in its list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". Twelve studio albums and nine live albums, over 150 million sold, and 22 Grammies later the band is among the all-time best-selling music artists.

Today is day 15 of the thirty day writing challenge (February edition) as arranged and hosted by Nicky and Mike over at WeWorkForCheese.com. Go check out their site to see what they wrote and to see who else participated.

Where Can I Get a Good Blintz?

2013-02-14T06:05:00.000-05:00

If your questions is where can I get a good blintz? Then start at Krazy Cmak on Somerled Avenue in Montreal. If you prefer Polish to Russian style of cooking, then perhaps Euro-Deli Batory on St. Viateur in the Mile End district will be more to your liking.

I have a better question though. Where can I get a good Portuguese dish, a great grilled piece of meat, tasty pasta, fresh fish from the catch of the day, with a pint of stout or ale? Well that would only be one place. La Cabane du Portugal on Saint Laurence Boulevard (The Main) in Montreal.

La Cabane, as it is commonly known, sits right across from its more famous neighbours Moishe's steakhouse and Schwartz's Deli. In good company but at more reasonable prices than Moishe's and a greater variety and classier seating than Schwartz's, La Cabane boasts a menu for anybody's liking.

La Cabane has been around since the early 1980s. While it is known for its excellent Portuguese cooking, it serves up a variety of great lunch, dinner and late night meals. The key, when you walk in is to check out the board of their eight daily specials which includes game meat, grills, steaks, fresh fish or salads. Or, if that doesn't grab you, their full menu will satisfy you. In addition to all those meat meals, vegetarian dishes are available too. Overall, nice sized portions and good prices.

I have been there for an afternoon beer on a hot summer day. A great lunch in the middle of winter. And I have enjoyed their supper time menus countless times.

Today is day 14 of the thirty day writing challenge (February edition) as arranged and hosted by Nicky and Mike over at WeWorkForCheese.com. Go check out their site to see what they wrote and see all the other participants.

Unintended

2013-02-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

Don Rickles

I happen to be the king of unintended insults. It comes from my constantly (or constant need) finding humour in everything.

Often I find it in you.

No matter how obscure, no matter how inappropriate.

And as far as I'm concerned, if I think it's funny, then it is funny.

Not wishing to insult someone, I still do. All for the sake of a good joke.

I can be self-deprecating as well.

I'm one of very few people who can go to a funeral and make people laugh.

I am the king of unintended insults and as a result I am also very good at apologizing.

Today is day 13 of the thirty day writing challenge (February edition) as arranged and hosted by Nicky and Mike over at WeWorkForCheese.com. Go check out their site to see who else is participating and read some more great stories.

The Day I Met Abraham Lincoln

2013-02-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

The day I met Abraham Lincoln, was a Tuesday. I think it was a Tuesday. No. Wait, it was a Wednesday because it was a laundry day. So, the missus wouldn't let me whitewash the fence as I planned.

Wednesday in April. No. Wait, not April. It was May because the zinnias were in full bloom. I remember seeing the white, yellow, orange, red, purple blooms spread across the fields.

So, it was Wednesday the 14th of May. No. Wait. It couldn't have been the 14th. On the 14th, we were building the new firehouse. The 15th we went to visit Abuelita. Or was it the week after?

The 21st week we hunted the rogue bear that was spooking and killing the livestock. So, it was the 25th. Yes. It was Wednesday April 25th, the day that I met Abraham Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln Saves America

Today is day twelve of the thirty day writing challenge (February edition) as arranged and hosted by Nicky and Mike over at WeWorkForCheese.com. Go check out their site to see what they wrote and see who else participated.

Road Trip

2013-02-11T06:32:00.000-05:00

A couple months back we took another road trip to Hoboken. Two days, there and back. It looked like they have fully recovered from Hurricane Sandy. At least on a superficial level. Drove by Teaneck, NJ. Teaneck? Isn't that an insult. Wherever you go, you will probably find some amusing town names. Ho-ho-kus is another one, or Hi-Nella, and even Watchung (wasn't that an 80s band?).

Now, I've been to New Jersey several times, but it took me until now to realize that honking your horn is a requirement to obtain your drivers licence.

So, seven hours there, 23 hours in New Jersey and seven hours back. We stayed in a flea bag motel that we booked via Hotwire. Kind of a surprise when we got there. What's their slogan again? Four star hotels at two star prices? Well, hardly four star but what can you expect for $83 bucks a night. Oh, and the second surprise? Happy honeymoon baby!

Every so often you go to a restaurant and you are shocked. That's what happened the Saturday night in North Bergen. It was a surprise finding this place in what looked to be a sketchy and industrial part of town. We went to eat a La Fusta, a steak place. Not only was the food excellent but, the service was superb. The waiter was warm and friendly and as it was our first visit he gave me a beer on the house. The money he saved me on the beer, I gladly added to the waiter's tip. So, Danny, thank you for the great treatment. And if you are in northern NJ, check out a superbly run family restaurant called La Fusta. (Today is day eleven of the thirty day writing challenge (February edition) as arranged and hosted by WeWorkForCheese.com.)

La Fusta, North Bergen

The Mayor

2013-02-10T07:07:00.000-05:00

Today is my wedding day. Yet, I still managed to publish a story for The February Writing Challenge. The first thing we learn is that a marriage is a bond, a contract and a responsibility. And if you believe in a higher power, the bond is also with god.

We need guidance as we move through life. We take advice from those who have been through it before. Whether you believe in a higher power or not, the important thing to remember is who is in charge. And with that, the mayor and the person in charge of my new household, and who rules my heart, is my wife.

I studied this video to learn for our First Dance

Today is day ten of the thirty day writing challenge (February edition) as arranged and hosted by Nicky and Mike over at WeWorkForCheese.com. Go check out their site to see what they wrote and see all the other participants.