Alamo Land

601

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:39:00 +0000

Wow. I just noticed that my previous post was the 600th post I've made since starting this blog thing in August of 2005.

The Wiener Is

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:49:00 +0000

Congratulations to Joker, who won this round of “Where the Fuck is Carlos?”! How’d ya do it? I think I know, but do tell!

If you watched the news yesterday, you know the FAA flight plan system (NADIN) died early yesterday morning. By the time the flight on my second leg of my trip was prepared to leave Dulles, things had backed up enough that we couldn’t leave. There was a long, long line of planes of all sizes waiting to depart. In the end, I spent three hours stuck in a plane on the tarmac, then another three hours on the same plane flying back to Alamoland.

By the time I got off the plane, my lower extremities were feeling less than youthful. Specifically, my gluteus maximi were quite tired of being sat upon. It brought back memories of how they felt in sixth grade after a couple of swats from Mr. Reedy, who was a big, burly guy who could dole out some discipline!

How Was My Day?

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:20:00 +0000

This should answer any questions about how my day went.

Nothing like sitting on the

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Nothing like sitting on the tarmac with the engines off, waiting for turbulence to subside.

You Tube - Random Shit

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:19:00 +0000

DESIREE BASSETT
She's playing with Sammy Hagar.
Look at the joy on her face.
She's 14 in this video.

Where the Fuck is Carlos

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:27:00 +0000

Left for the meeting before the sun came up; and left the meeting after the sun was down. But...thanks to the instanet, here are some pics of the area. Leaving for another town & hotel tomorrow...there should still be daylight...I hope!

No time limit on this contest...just the limits of my patience ;-) The first pic is a clip from the city's seal....

Where the Fuck is Carlos?

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:29:00 +0000

Not a bad day of travel for a Monday, with the exception of the Alamoland airport, which was stupid packed. It was a half-hour or so wait in the security line. Some bimbo with big giant hooters was whining about maybe missing her flight, but wouldn't ask security or the volunteers if she could cut line. I wonder if she's figured out the doors boobs can open. Doesn't seem like it.

Anyway...I digress. Here are a few crappy pictures from today and tonight. I'm traveling solo, so I have no photographer, it was getting dark at my destination - so no bitching. I'll save my Ansel Adams pics for another time, suckas!

It's cold here tonight....

Latvian Meatball Soup (Frikadelu Zupa)

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:37:00 +0000

My mom got this recipe from a Latvian friend years ago. There are a number of different ways to make it (as I found on the internet today) but this, I assure you, is absolutely delicious, no matter how simple or weird it may seem. Now, on to one of my all-time favorite comfort foods:

Ingredients
Small red potatoes - cubed
Onion - grated or very finely chopped
Ground beef (1lb in this example)
1 egg
Salt and pepper to taste
1 Tbsp Peppercorns
Chopped Claussen dill pickles
Sour cream

Make meatballs (1"-1.5")out of the ground beef, egg, grated onion, salt and pepper. Mix very well.

Cook potatoes on medium until they're about half way done. Add meatballs - gently so they don't fall apart.

Add peppercorns.
Cook, stirring gently, only after meatballs have set.
Add salt as necessary

Serve with a dollop of sour cream and a couple of tablespoons of chopped dill pickles.

Pictures Here

Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:15:00 +0000

Waiting for the appliance repair dude to get here to fix the fucking trash compactor. After that we're going out to eat for Shelley's birthday (which was the 12th) at our favorite restaurant.

Tomorrow Shelley's going to Austin to visit her daughter, and I'm going to hang out with the kids.

Monday, it's time for another exciting round of Where the Fuck is Carlos. So dust off your things you dust off every time you prepare to play WTFIC, and let's see what happens!

I'm off to pour another glas of rum. Adios, motherfuckers.

Honor

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:57:00 +0000

She offered her honor, he honored her offer, and all night long it was on her and offer.

And speaking of making beautiful music....I really, really, really like this band (The Cave Singers). They're out of Seattle:

Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:08:00 +0000

Good day. It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything, and for that I am deeply sorry. Well, not quite, but I do wish I had both more stuff to write about and more friends reading ;-)

Last week was a busy week, as we hosted a conference. I didn’t have to speak this time, which was fine by me. I spoke in June, in February, and last November. I don’t mind doing it as long as it’s on my terms and to the appropriate audience.

Anyway…

Yesterday I decided to make a pot of chili; not the red chili most are accustomed to, but rather more of a New Mexico-like chili. My mom used to make it when I was a kid, and it’s one of my favorite things to eat – a comfort food for me. Here’s the recipe – nothing’s eaxact:

Cook pinto beans
- Brown lean ground beef in a heavy pot. About halfway through Add onion, chopped to your liking.
- Cook until beef is done.
- Add beans
- Add canned, chopped green chiles to taste (including the liquid)
- Add canned whole tomatoes (including liquid)
- Season with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and a dash of Mexican oregano.
- Stir everything up and cut/mash the tomatoes to bits with your spoon.
- Simmer on low (covered) for a half hour or so.
- Right before serving, add cumin and stir. If you use two lbs of beef, I’d say a tablespoon is good.
- Top with a little finely grated cheese.

So anyway….I cook this chili and it’s smelling right tasty. Then, for some fucking reason, I decided to thicken it, which I never do. I put some of the bean water into a Pyrex measuring cup and whipped in some cornstarch. It thickened a little, but not as much as I thought it would, so I added some more. In all, I figure I added around two tablespoons.

I added the mixture (and a little more water) to the chili. When I finally got around to tasting it, I thought it tasted a little odd…a little sweet.

It turns out the cornstarch I added was really POWDERED SUGAR!!!

Shelley and I both ate our share because, although it was sweet, it wasn’t awful. We also decided that adding a small bit of powdered sugar to the chili next time might actually complement the flavor!

Now for some random bullshit:

Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:07:00 +0000

Yesterday I bought myself a new toy. Why? Because I deserve it ;-)

Here's what I got in the package:
Nikon D90 Digital SLR camera (12.3 megapixel)
18-105mm zoom
70-300mm zoom
Flash
2 batteries
1 charger
Other little stuff, like cables, accessories.
And a fancy bag to put it all in.

Today will be a day for rest, relaxation and football.

4:00pm - I bought more presents for myself:
- A standard 50mm lens
- Filter kit
- Cleaning kit

Next on deck is a good wide-angle or fisheye lens.

Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:12:00 +0000

Any big plans for Halloween? Not much here. We haven't even bought pumpkins to carve and make into pumpkin soup like we did last year :-( Maybe today. Besides, I needs me some homemade, roasted punkin seeds!

I love this picture. It's photoshopped, but fucking hilarious, and the cat has the perfect expression.

Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:09:00 +0000

As I was stumbling through the internet this afternoon, I came across a site for some obscure-sounding/looking rum. Being a big fan of rum, I thought I’d check the company site for locations where I might purchase said spirits. Upon arriving at the site, I clicked on the link that is supposed to get you to the nearest place to buy the shit. I got there and it said, “page not found.” I hit the ol’ backspace button to go back to the previous page, only it wouldn’t work. The web idiot who designed the site decided backing up from that specific page to the previous page wouldn’t be a good idea. You either look at the 404 page or exit – period…no exceptions. To think they might’ve had a sale. Dumbasses. To top things off, visitors to the site’s homepage have to put in their date of birth before being permitted to get to the actual site and (God forbid) view images and descriptions of rum bottles.

We’ve been getting an assload of rain the last couple of days, and there’s more to come. Thank Nannerpuss!

I’m thinking about moving this blog and making the new one private, since I only have a few loyal readers. Kinda makes sense to me. What do you think?

And now for a little bullshit:

A Curious Thing

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:40:00 +0000

"Keep Austin Weird." That's the unofficial motto for the Texas capital. I saw this interesting character walking down 6th St a mile or so from the MoPac Expressway.

Click for a closer look at Mr. Thong if you dare.

The Wiener Is...

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:13:00 +0000

Rimpy Rimpington won this round of WTFIC. I was in Austin with my son.

The dude we went to see in concert was Buddy Guy. If you even mildly like blues, but have never seen him, you’re depriving yourself of one of the best blues shows you’ll ever see. Not only is he a great bluesman and showman, he’s a superb guitarist. He’s seventy-three years old, but you’d never know it hearing him play and sing.

Rolling Stone Magazine rated him #30 in their top 100 guitar players of all time. I looked through the list and saw more than a few who belong below Mr. Guy: Jerry Garcia, Keith Richards, Jack White, Kurt Cobain, Johnny Ramone, John Frusciante, George Harrison, Mike Bloomfield, The Edge, and Stephen Stills.

Eric Clapton said of Buddy Guy: "Buddy Guy is by far and without a doubt the best guitar player alive...if you see him in person, the way he plays is beyond anyone. Total freedom of spirit, I guess… He really changed the course of rock and roll blues.”
Stevie Ray Vaughan said Buddy Guy: "Plays from a place that I've never heard anyone play.”
Jimmy Page: “Buddy Guy is an absolute monster.”

And what do I say?

Carlos says: “Buddy Guy plays a powerful, soulful guitar that elicits such strong and varied emotions you’re not quite sure how to feel. You feel joyous and happy, yet he hits certain notes with such power and feeling that it commands tears from one’s eyes.”

Some of my favorite memories of the show:
- At one point, in the middle of a song, Buddy stopped and let the audience sing the verse. He stopped after they/we sang and said, “Whoa, whoa whoa. Hang on a second. I didn’t come all the way out here to have you fuck that up.”
- Before starting a portion of the Muddy Waters classic Hoochie Coochie Man he said, “I’m gonna play something so funky you can smell it.”
- Watching my son, a guitar player and a huge fan of guitar players, enjoy the show.

Here’s his site. Follow his schedule and go see him. You won’t regret it.

------

Sunday I was out cleaning up the garden when I took a little mental trip somewhere, not unlike the trip I took a few years ago. After doing a lot of weeding, I started picking basil for pesto sauce later in the day. I worked the plant carefully, as there were a number of bees dining on the basil blossom nectar. If a bee came nearby, I’d move to a different part of the bush. It was a delicate ballet during which I expected a sting at any moment. They left me alone, as I left them alone.

At one point, I was plucking some nice specimens off the side of the plant when I noticed a dead bee. He was lying on his side, right in the middle of a basil leaf. I wondered how the bee ended up dying right there in that spot. Was it just dumb luck that he ended up there? How did he die? Heart attack? Disease? Did a bird accidentally drop him after a sting to the tongue? Or was it old age? Did he suddenly get the feeling that it was time and then make a beeline for his favorite leaf on his favorite plant, then lie down and die? Poor little fella.

Where The Fuck Is Was Carlos?

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 13:25:00 +0000

PARKING GARAGE OUTSIDE THE HOTEL WINDOW FRIDAY

WAITING IN LINE TO GET IN FOR SOME MUSIC

T-SHIRT: HANGING WITH ALL MY BUDS
I'm sure you can figure out what the green things are!

WAITING FOR THE SHOW TO START

OPENING BAND

HE HEADLINE ACT

THE HEADLINE ACT

WALKING BACK TO THE HOTEL AFTER THE SHOW

BIRDS
After I snapped this picture, this tool said something like, "No, no no. That's not how it works. I charge $10 for three pictures." Whatever, freak.

OUT THE HOTEL WINDOW THE NEXT MORNING

SATURDAY AT A KILLER BBQ JOINT

Road Trip

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:09:00 +0000

My son and are leaving around noon for a road trip. Be back soon with another exciting episode of Where The Fuck is Was Carlos! Adios, motherfuckers.

Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:26:00 +0000

Props to Rimpy who properly guessed Borne (pronounced burnie) as my location yesterday. Shelley and I initially thought of going to Fredericksburg for the day, but gauged that we’d gotten too late a start. Boerne had the car thing going on, which was pretty cool. One of my favorite cars was the big Caddy with the clown on the hood. The thing was fucking huge inside. It was even for sale. No price was listed though.

While in Boerne, we stumbled upon an Italian water ice stand. They had sugar-free tangerine water ice that was to fucking die for. We had two each. I’ve officially attributed those fucking things to horrific case of the Hershey Squirts Shelley and I both had later that day. I’m talking one of those hours-long, explosive, barely-make-it-to-the-toilet episodes. Initially I blamed the chicken wings I had with my daughter Friday (and some I brought back here), but my daughter was experiencing no gastrological distress, so the Dago ice gets the blame. I wish I could remember the name of the place.

Next week The Boy and I will be going on a road trip. I’m not taking my computer, so the next WTFIC will be after my return.

Am I the only one on the face of the planet sick and fucking tired of hearing about Michael Jackson? I mean, the motherfucker is dead and he’s just released a new song. Please, God, make it fucking stop.

Where the Fuck Is Was Carlos?

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 10:48:00 +0000

Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:20:00 +0000

It stormed like hell here yesterday as a cold front cross our fair city. Today it's going to be in the 70s and cloudy. Good day for a road trip, which Shelley and I will undertake in the next hour or so. I’ll post pics and such later.

The picture at left is of yours truly in Phoenix around 1978. I'm not quite sure why I jammed a full pack of smokes in my pie hole, but chances are I was stoneder than a bejeezus. An old neighbor friend’s sister sent the pic to me yesterday. Click me to make me big. Ah, youth....so long ago.

And then an old gradeschool friend sent me this link....nostalgia...ain't it grand?

Have a fabulous weekend, bitches. Now for some random bullshit.

They're Back

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:06:00 +0000

After a years-long hiatus, RLB and Whistler and (I think) Peanutbutterfilthy are back at blogging at Two Girls and a Guy. They were among a tight-knit group of bloggers I ran with when I started blogging in 2005. Then they all disappeared, never to communicate with me again. Well, barely.

They're slowly getting reviving their blog and giving it a complete makeover, so be patient.

Welcome back. I hope you guys stick around for a while. I've added you back to my links, and have added you to my list of daily checks (I'd only been checking every few months).

Now down to business: Send me the pea-fucking-salad recipe again! I lost it like a retard!

Thanks For The Mammaries

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:35:00 +0000

This song, my all-time favorite Blue Oyster Cult song, reminds me of Cheryl Taylor, a pretty blond girlfriend from high school. Not sure what made me think of it, but - here's to you Cheryl.

Movie Day

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:45:00 +0000

Saturday The Boy and I went to see Zombieland. I enjoyed the movie a great deal, as did he. Woody Harrelson was great. Emma Stone was fabulous. Jesse Eisenberg was funny, quick, and a very good actor. I'd seen him in something before, but couldn't remember where. The movie was funny and had a good pace. The special effects were good, as were the one-liners. I'd see it again.

After the movie, we went out for pizza at Dough Pizzeria - The Boy's suggestion. It was superb.

It was a good day, to say the least. In two weeks he and I are going to Austin to see some live music. We'll stay the night and come back Saturday afternon.

And today? A lazy, lazy day sitting around with Shelley watching football and snoozing. I went to the store, gave the NYT crossword a whirl, made some Roquefort dressing, napped, and am now sipping a bourbon.

Watching football on Fox is an exercise in patience. Joe Buck is just about the most irritating sports announcer working today. The guy yaps just to hear himself yap, even when he has absolutely nothing to offer the viewer. On top of that, his grammar is atrocious. Some of his more bothersome (to me anyway) habits:

Instead of saying "The way he passes," he'll say, "The way in which he passes."

Instead of saying "That pass went a litle farther than he wanted," he'll say, "That pass went a litle farther than what he wanted."

Joe buck needs to take a broadcast lesson from someone like Vin Scully. There's a time to talk and a time to shut the fuck up and let the viewers watch the damned game, Joe.

Post

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:21:00 +0000

These days, there are only a handful of blogs I visit regularly; there are even fewer I visit despite the fact that the authors don't post very much any more.

One of the semi-abandoned blogs I visit every couple of months, in hopes she'll start blogging more regularly again, is Anonymous Midwest Girl, a very funny - very real - human being. On September 8th, she posted about a NYC firefighter by the name of Peter Biefeld. It was a touching post, written perfectly. No hype, no bullshit, no corniness - just a nice, nice, meaningful post.

If you get a chance, drop by and give it a read.