Perspective

I had a great week at home at the end of October, but Charleston has been kinda drab since my return. This weekend finally brought some extra excitement as the All-American and company made the trek down from Charlotte to play.

Their visit mostly involved boozing, card games, pizza, and awesome times. I may do a more in depth recap at a later date, but I wanted the focus of this entry elsewhere.

Sometimes I get down on myself – who doesn’t, right? It always helps to have a little perspective to remind yourself that maybe your life isn’t so bad. On Friday, I got one of those moments.

The Charlotte visitors and some of the Charleston regulars were hanging at my apartment enjoying some beers, music, and card games when there was a knock on my door. Given the late hour, I assumed there would be an annoyed neighbor waiting behind my front door ready to scold us for being so loud.

I was trapped behind my “dining room” table and the wall so it was hard to to get to the door so I yelled for one of my guests to get scolded for me.

I could only pick up pieces of the conversation and I could not understand what the Hell was going on. There was a guy at the door who mentioned he lived nearby and could tell there was a party going on. No surprise here, so far it’s going the way I feared. I prepared to turn off the music and suggest we watch a movie instead of playing card games since we’re clearly being too loud.

This is when it got odd…

Turns out the guy was completely hammered and heard the obvious party noises, so he stopped by. Did he want to join the party? No, no that would make too much sense.

Apparently, this drunkard had kicked his stash of booze and was on the prowl for more. He asked if he could get a beer since he was out and “didn’t want to drive drunk to get more.” Well played, sir. You put your possible poor decision squarely in our hands. If drove drunk and killed himself, we were partly to blame b/c we didn’t offer him booze to keep him in the apartment complex.

How do you argue with that?

KT, who had answered the door, gave the guy a beer and was prepared to send him on his merry way. He decided this was a good time to request a second beer. He was denied.

So, the next morning when I had a slight hangover and scolded myself for having that last drink, I remember that my decision-making could have been a little more suspect. I could have been knocking on random peoples’ doors and guilting them into giving me their booze.

Which now that I think about it may have been fairly genius.

Hoax Flu?

It seems not a day goes by that I don’t hear about the Swine Flu. Whether its the news or someone cracking a joke, the H1N1 virus seems to dominate day-in and day-out. It does not seem to matter where I turn, there are reminders everywhere…

1. When I was traveling their were tips and tricks on how to avoid the flu posted throughout each airport

2. There is a sign at work detailing how to avoid spreading germs and protecting yourself from the Swine Flue

3. Almost every news website, broadcast, or magazine features some sort of story about this so-called epidemic.

Then why the Hell don’t a know a single person that has had it? I have friends and family and numerous states and I don’t know a soul that actually had it.

Sure, I’ve heard people say things like “Oh my friend’s kid got it,” but I don’t actually KNOW someone who has had the Swine Flu.

Part of me thinks it’s a complete hoax, but I know that’s a little crazy to believe. It just seems odd that an “epidemic” has not affected anyone I know. So what gives? Did we just throw the term epidemic out there too freely? Or were we scared into taking action early so it wouldn’t be a huge deal? The whole thing just seems weird to me…

Personally, I have not changed a single thing I do on a day-to-day basis to avoid the virus and haven’t so much as had a runny nose this fall. I’m sure I’m jinxing myself at this point, but I’ll chance it.

Has anyone out there been diagnosed with Swine Flu or at least an immediate family member?

Whoa..it’s been a while

I have not posted in forever…damn.

Just a quick update about my trips around Chucktown.

1. Last month I went to the North Charleston Coliseum to see a preseason NBA game between the Charlotte Bobcats and Cleveland Cavaliers. This was actually kind of exciting because I got to see LeBron James and Shaq O’Neal play. Shaq was my favorite player when I was a kid, so it was pretty cool to see him live. Plus, seeing LeBron was amazing. Dude is an incredible athlete and he had a couple of dunks to prove it.

2. I also went to Crosby’s Seafood with KT to buy some mahi to make our own fish tacos! I was a little worried about how it would turn out, but I think we actually did a pretty good job! It was definitely a cool experience.

3. Lastly, I finally got to Queen Anne’s Revenge out on Daniel Island. This is a pretty neat restaurant that doubles as a low budget museum. The name of the restaurant comes from Blackbeard’s ship. Fittingly, there are tons of pirate-era artifacts throughout the building. In fact, the whole place looks like the inside of a ship, it’s pretty cool.
The food was decent too. I got a steak, but it wasn’t quite cooked the way I asked, but it was still decent. The sirloin tips were freaking delicious though. I am definitely getting those next time I go there!

I am Jack’s Disgust

Politics are polarizing. Almost every issue has two distinct sides and there is rarely a clear “right” stance on an issue.

It’s rare that an issue arises that is a no-brainer for either side of the political spectrum.

Or so it would seem…

Here’s some background on the issue from ThinkProgress.org

“In 2005, Jamie Leigh Jones was gang-raped by her co-workers while she was working for Halliburton/KBR in Baghdad. In an apparent attempt to cover up the incident, the company then put her in a shipping container for at least 24 hours without food, water, or a bed, and ‘warned her that if she left Iraq for medical treatment, she’d be out of a job.’ Even more insultingly, the DOJ (Department of Justice) resisted bringing any criminal charges in the matter…”

Because Ms. Jones was a contracted worker, there was some fine print in her contract with Halliburton which stated that she could not sue the company for any injury that occurs in the workplace. She could only bring the company to arbitration. Thankfully, her lawyers brought the issue to court and they ruled in her favor saying “her alleged injuries were not, in fact, in any way related to her employment and thus, not covered by the contract.”

I’m sure we can all agree that whole situation is pretty disgusting and that some form of change is needed with these contracts. Senator Al Franken (yes, the former SNL cast member) introduced an amendment to the Defense Appropriations bill that would punish contractors if they “restrict their employees from taking workplace sexual assault, battery and discrimination cases to court.”

Once again, I think you would all agree that this is a good idea. In fact, some of us are probably wondering why this amendment even had to be discussed. This should be common sense. If an employee is raped on the job, they should have the right to sue the company and if said company tries to restrict them in anyway from doing this, they should be punished.

For some absurd reason known only to them, 30 Senators voted AGAINST this amendment. THIRTY! We aren’t talking about a lone insane yahoo, but 30 people who are trusted to make decisions on our behalf.

To say I am disgusted, upset, or dumbfounded is an understatement.

How could you possibly vote against something like this? There is ZERO argument that could be made to convince me otherwise. I know there are some politicians out there who will oppose anything that is put forth by the other party, but come on, this is just disgusting.

For those curious, here are the 30 a-holes who voted against the amendment. Unsurprisingly, such stand-up individuals as John Ensign are present.

Alexander (R-TN)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Bond (R-MO)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Graham (R-SC)
Gregg (R-NH)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johanns (R-NE)
Kyl (R-AZ)
McCain (R-AZ)
McConnell (R-KY)
Risch (R-ID)
Roberts (R-KS)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Wicker (R-MS)

Once again, I am extremely proud of the douche bags that run my new home state of South Carolina. Senators DeMint and Graham – you continue to shock me in your disappointing and idiotic decisions and stances on issues. Forget faking decisions on my and other South Carolinians’ behalf, neither of you are fit to run a lemonade stand, let alone this state.

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/07/meet-the-senators-who-vot_n_312976.html

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/07/meet-the-senators-who-vot_n_312976.html

Fell In Love With the Girl at the Rock Show

I would hope at this point, it would not come as shock to you that I despise growing up. I pretty much cower in fear from all things “adult” and rarely pass up an opportunity to act like a child.

Last night was one of those unique times where I could not only act like I was younger, but also participate in an activity that I would have done in late high school/early college years.

That super awesome activity? Seeing Blink-182 in Charlotte!

Blink is a special band to me because they were my “punk-starter band.” Their music got me into a lot of other bands that I normally would not have listened to. Their lyrics are overly simple, but ridiculously fun to sing. I have a lot of memories of singing along to Blink songs during track practice in high school, on the team buses after meets, at dances, parties, and on road trips.

I almost always think of my best friends from home (token shout-out to PiC) and all the times we would sing along to this band. My favorite memory was probably on a road trip to Old Orchard Beach. My three best friends and myself were in a car with another friend’s father when “Damnit” came over the speakers. We had sung this song so many times we actually had different parts that we all would sing…(shut up, we were awesome). Needless to say, our friend’s dad was quite impressed with our harmonizing.

I made the trip to the Other Carolina on Tuesday afternoon and arrived around 5 pm. I met up with the All-American at his apartment and we promptly cracked up a beer. Before long, the All-American’s roommate and his friend arrived to join the fun. We arrived at the VZW Ampitheatre just as Asher Roth (“I Love College” guy) was performing. After hearing Roth say “Charlotte” and his own name about 30 times in 10 seconds, we decided to stay in the parking lot and tailgate. Despite the chilly weather, this was a success.

We met up with two of the Charlotte boys’ friends and soon made our way into the venue. The show was a lot of fun, but way too short. The crowd was full of rambunctious, drunk teenagers and well, that was actually okay with me. It was nice to see the youngins having the type of good time I had at my last Blink show back in 2002 or so. Thankfully, there weren’t any annoying kids around us. The only negative thing that happened was that the All-American almost got me killed on the way back from getting beers.

We were trying to find our friends on the lawn when he walked me into a wide open area. My initial joy was quickly replaced with intense fear as I realized he had led me directly into a most pit. I was ridiculously scared that some hormone-driven teen was going to knock me out. Luckily, we escaped with beers and bodies in tact.

As always, Blink put on a great show. They played most of their hits and told plenty of jokes in between songs.

Highlights
Travis’ drum solo – He went nuts! His drum set was actually lifted above the stage and turned completely vertical while he was playing, which was pretty intense.
Hijinks – During the encore, Mark and Tom were faux fighting which consisted of each of them running to the others’ side of the stage to knock over their mic. It was funny to see the roadies scurry out to clean up the discarded equipment.

blink-182 Reunion Tour
10/6/09
Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre, Charlotte, NC
Setlist

Dumpweed
Feeling This
The Rock Show
What’s My Age Again
Violence
Miss You
Stay Together for The Kids
Down
Always
Interlude from the Self-Titled Album –>
Stockholm Syndrome
First Date
Man Overboard
Don’t Leave Me
All The Small Things
Reckless Abandon
Josie
Anthem Part II
—
Travis Drum Solo —>
Carousel
Damnit —>
Every Rose Has It’s Thorn (Chorus Only, Mark solo)

Put Some South In Your Mouth

Saturday kicked my ass. It was an amazing day full of friends and booze.

My day started in the early afternoon as I made the (relatively) long journey to Wadmalaw Island for the Firefly Distillery Launch Party! Firefly is Sweet Tea Vodka and is the most delicious thing ever. Seriously, it’s science. The distillery is on the same property as the Irvin House Vineyards.

There was a decent amount of people there and I really enjoyed it. There was a band, food, wine/beer for sale, great views of the vineyard, unnecessary souvenirs and vodka tastings. I tried some of the wine, which I enjoyed, but the highlight was definitely the vodka tasting.

They gave you three little shots and all of them were damn good. The first was a yet-to-be released Lemonade Vodka. This is 100 time better than Mike’s Hard Lemonade or similar concoctions. Peach Sweet Tea was next and was pretty tasty as well. The final shot was a coffee-flavored rum and it was surprisingly good. Everyone at the event was talking about it.

What made the event even more enjoyable was seeing a bunch of my friends. The Charleston regualrs – KT, Swan, My Hero, and My Hero’s wife – were all present. Also, Swan’s friend from her hometown and her boyfriend were also in town for the event.

Needless to say, I was quite tipsy quite quickly. This may have skewed my opinion a little.

After some Zaxby’s and an accidental nap, it was off to the 7th Annual Ballpark Festival of Beers at the Riverdogs’ baseball stadium. It was $25 per ticket, but it was well worth it. When you arrive at the park, you are given a small plastic glass which you bring around to different tents where you can try all sorts of beers. It’s a winning combination.

Swan, her visiting friends, KT, GPiC, and I all met at the ballpark for the awesomeness. The weather was perfect and most of the beer was good. It was a lot of fun and I wish they held it at least twice a year!

After Beerfest, we decided to head to downtown Charleston where we had some drinks at Rooftop. Things got a little hazy for everyone at this point, but we enjoyed some pizza and called it a night.

Not surprisingly, I was extra tired on Sunday and didn’t make it out to any bars for football, which was incredibly disappointing. Despite this, I had a great time this weekend. I just need a break from booze…but not a long one.

America Loses!!

Why in the fuck are people happy that Chicago did not win the 2016 Olympic bid? Idiots. So, people are so Anti-Obama that they would root against our country (which is in a recession) getting an extremely beneficial entity. How asinine is that?

The Olympics bring in MONEY. The Olympics foster excitement and national pride. So, what exactly is the reason for NOT wanting them in this country?

As much as I hated George Bush, I wouldn’t automatically hate something he supported. That’s stupid and close-minded. In fact, George Bush SUPPORTED CHICAGO’S BID FOR THE OLYMPICS. Not once did I think, screw the Olympics, Bush is an idiot!

Are conservatives Anti-American now or something? Are some of them willing to turn their back on the country in some fashion just because they don’t believe in Obama’s health care ideas?

When I don’t support an unjust war that was launched by my country on false information and lies, I’m told I’m Un-American….but people who cheer America losing an Olympic bid are a-okay!

Watch the idiocy here.

Also, this gem…

Just when I thought the douchebags that run my new home state were done making fools of themselves, I was so epically proven wrong.

Jim DeMint..welcome to Douchebaggers Club. You may recognize the other members: your fellow South Carolinian Politicians! There’s Mark “hiking the Appalachian Trail” Sanford, Joe “You lie!” Wilson, and Lindsey “The Geneva Convention is more a set of guidelines” Graham!

Here’s why DeMint has joined such an infamous group…

“Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) has announced that he is heading down to Honduras to encourage those who helped fund and supported the coup against Honduran President Manuel Zelaya to resist American pressure to return Zelaya to office.” (source)

DeMint is going to tell a foreign group to RESIST AMERICAN PRESSURE. Isn’t this some form of treason? This jackass is going to fly to another country and try to convince this group to resist his own country…

Is treason too harsh? I mean..what else could this be?

Pink is kinda manly

Still need some help for the Oct. 17th Breast Cancer Walk here in the Lowcountry. You can donate as little as $10 to a great cause!
Thanks in advance

Click here to see my page. If you can’t donate, just pass the link along to someone you may know who would!

Vodka and Cocks

Now that I’ve got your attention..

My had a little warm-up to my weekend off early on last week. I was looking at a local news site after work and discovered Dan Aykroyd (SNL, Ghostbusters, Coneheads, Blues Brothers) was going to be on a bar crawl of sorts. He was in town to promote is new vodka – Crystal Head Vodka. I loved Ghostbusters as a kid and I’m always up for a little adventure, so I checked around and found a couple friends to head downtown to try and catch him.

We went to Mad River, which I usually hate, but there was no cover on this night and it was quiet. We had a couple beers and waited…and waited…finally he arrived (about an hour and half late). He proceeded to walk around for a little bit and disappeared just as soon as he had appeared. Kind of lame, but still neat to see him for a little bit.

After Mad River, we ended up at the Blind Tiger Pub, which I really enjoyed. I definitely want to head back there soon. We tried the new vodka with cranberry juice and it was quite delicious. I would pick up my own bottle if it wasn’t like $50 for such a small amount.

This past Satuday a group of us went to Columbia to see the University of South Carolina Gamecocks take on the Florida Atlantic Owls…..but really we went to tailgate and then drunkenly enjoy a football game.

Tailgating was blast. We played cornhole, grilled some burgers, and just hung out. The game itself was decent, but I spent a lot of time watching the Owls’ mascot dance around like Michael Jackson.

The highlight of the night was probably rocking out to dmb on the way home. I feel bad for the two who tried to sleep in the back seat…

No surprise here

Hey! It’s my 100th post! To celebrate I’ve prepared something extra special for all my readers…or you know, the exact opposite of that.

My Charleston Tour continued with (surprise, surprise) two food-related activities. If you don’t know me, you must think I’m a 300 pound lard-o who eats nonstop..

Cupcake – This is a little bakery on King Street (right next to Juanita Greenberg’s, which I mentioned in my last post) that specializes in cupcakes (who what have thought?). Actually, all the make is cupcakes. They have a few flavors that are there everyday and then they have a rotating special selection as well. The also do special orders.

The cupcakes were good, but I’m not huge into sugary foods, so the massive amount of frosting was a bit much for me. It’s a neat little place though and I’m sure I will visit it again at some point.

Poe’s Tavern – I have been dieing to visit this restaurant out on Sullivan’s Island. It’s named after Edgar Allan Poe, who was stationed at nearby Fort Moultrie from 1827-1828. The food on the menu features names related to Poe’s work and the restaurant has tons of Poe-related materials scattered on the walls.

About a month ago I started reading “The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe,” so I was getting even more excited to check this place out.

And of course, it fell well short of expectations. There was nothing all that interesting in regards to Poe. I thought there would be some historical items, but it was mostly just paintings of Poe or movie posters.

The food is pretty good though. Burgers were slightly dry, but had some interesting toppings you could add – crabcake, chili, etc.

Not a failure by any means, but a slight disappointment.

—

Housekeeping

1. I’m so happy football is back. I can’t describe the joy I had watching the Giants game yesterday. I missed it.

2. Looks like I’ll be heading up to Columbia this Saturday to see the Gamecocks play! I can’t wait for tailgating and live football!!

3. Possible trip to Charlotte in early October to visit the All-American and see Blink-182 and Fall Out Boy

4. Looks like I’ll be back in New England in late October with stops at Giants Stadium and Rentschler Field!