For Mixing:

Applejack – Laird’s

Gin – Plymouth

Gin – Bombay Sapphire

Vodka – Ketel One

Bourbon – Maker’s Mark

Tequila – Don Julio Blanco

Rum – Ron Barillito Three Star (note the three stars on the neck)

Rum – Goslings Black Seal

Rye – I can’t recommend a suitable one, yet, as I have only sampled a couple

Brandy – Osborne Magno, if you can find it.or Fundador is ok

Cointreau

Curacao – Senior Curacao of Curacao

Pastis – Ricard or Pernod work well

Dry Vermouth – Cinzano

Sweet (red) Vermouth – Cinzano

White Vermouth – Cinzano

Lillet White

Creme de Violette

Creme de Cassis – Jules Theuriet or Briottet

Maraschino Liqueur

Cherry Brandy (I still haven’t found a good one, I think we’re looking for something sweeter here)

Apricot Brandy

Pear Brandy

Orange Bitters – Fee Brothers

Angostura Bitters

Peychauds Bitters

Chartreuse (because its so awesome, a color was named after it)

Dubonnet

For Singular Enjoyment:

Gin – Junipero

Gin – North Shore Distiller’s Gin #6

Bourbon – Baker’s

Bourbon – Eagle Rare 17 Year Old (The single best bourbon I have sampled to date)

Scotch – Glenmorangie

Scotch – Lagavulin

Scotch (blended) – Compass Box Peat Monster

Rum -Pampero Aniversario Rum

Tequila – Don Julio Anejo

This list is not, by any means, complete.  I will be forced to add to it as necessary, but it does offer a decent start

My Advice: Avoid Hiram Walker, Dekuyper, and Du Bouchett as they use flavor houses.  Be adventurous and try to infuse the spirits on your own.

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I’ve been plagued by cliché-block this weekend. Every time I had a pen in my hand my brain froze up and everything sounded trite.

Sorry Dana and Joe, my abilities left me momentarily so I left everything short and stupid and devoid of any emotion. I owe you a proper card.

I had a busy week, rushing around to complete my work, doing my usual research, prepping for a few meetings, finding new clothes, buying a new suit. It was strenuous. I left early Friday to do some more running around, check into the hotel.

I became shy again.

We went to the rehearsal, I meeting Nicole at the train station after having checking into the hotel. Only two bags made it to the room, the rest remaining in the hatch. We rushed to the church and arrived just at the allotted time. I was in a sea of strangers. I was in a sea of stranges and I stiffened up.

Dana’s mother was there, she recognized me from across the room. Or she recognized Nicole and put the two together. Nearly a decade has passed since we had last spoken. She hugged the two of us, chatted for a bit.

We stood back, watched the intricacies of interaction of those involved.

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baking vegan cookies… my first solo foray into baking.

Kelly switching jobs (yay! closer to the city!)

weddings weddings weddings

I lit a drink on fire

Nicole bowling… bouncing and clapping with each good throw

Joe turning 30

Learning that one of Joe’s favorite place is a brewpub, and sharing that commonality

Long discussions at work… about the future, about my roles

A complete breakdown in maintenance of relationships on my part (sorry)

sad that Nicole isn’t with me tonight

upset that I have seven started posts that have yet to be published

These past few weeks… <sigh>

Stock market failing, auto makers going under…  harsh discussions with Michiganders that I shouldn’t have  started.

I’m so tired of the happenings in the world, and upset by shitty business models.  I want to be cocooned into my forged friendships.  perpetually nestled in nicole’s neck each morning, spending time with those that matter, those that care, those good people we all choose to surround ourselves with.

Grab a loved one and hug them for me. Hug them for yourself. Grasp them tight and tell them everything you should have said umpteen years ago.

goodnight, sweet friends of mine.

Merry Christmas.

I wouldn’t be the person I am without you.

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I was holding my breath, bracing for the worst, with a complete loss of faith in the American public.

Now its just a wait until January for a regime change.

Daley 2012.

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Dana, you’re amazing, and you couldn’t have married a better guy.  I must say, meeting Joe for the first time with him wearing an Evil Dead shirt?  priceless.

But, really, where the HELL has everyone been??!!!??

It’s Halloween, and I want to be Mario.  Or maybe Pauly Walnuts.  Or maybe that cyst on John McCain’s face.

I’m fucking STRESSED and I need to see my BUDS! sounds like an excuse for a party at the casa, or maybe a completely self-indulgent overseas trip for me and my honey…either way, I see grappa involved!

Wait, back to Halloween.  I was trying to think of the coolest thing one could receive as candy on Halloween.  Anything from Hershey’s or Mars (sorry Illinois) was a no-no.  Murderous cupcakes, while cool, just won’t hold up in a satchel.  Maybe some Sugar Daddies or Babies?  no… that’s all packaging and a lot of caramel.  Then I though of Pocky.  Wow.  Killer Packaging, fun to eat, fun to look at, fun to throw, and CHEAP!  perfect.  Kids aren’t allowed to come around our street on Halloween, something to do with ridiculous neighborhood laws, but, I urge you to by a case or two of Pocky (probably chocolate) and distribute to the tots.  Me, I’m hitting a few Asian markets tomorrow to stock up and bring to work.

I leave you with this, another crazy-assed hairbrained Apple-cake.  Hmm… thinking of Applejack…

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Somewhat nostalgic today.  It’s been interesting.  My day was bland, but I woke up dreading it. I’ve had a few difficult weeks, especially with my incessant fears of the disgusting economy and this incredible president of ours.  Brings back memories of Italy and my cousins and passsers-by questioning what the hell is wrong with our country.  Like when Burlesconi was elected and I witnessed my cousin’s (though general consensus feels he is my uncle) animated frown.  Such sorrow and disdain, with pride being thrown away knowing you were betrayed.  Another issue…  I wonder who reads this…  a few subscribers with semi posts, a few old friends, a few scorned along the way.  But maybe I was damaged. Maybe my mind was broken and repaired.  enough of these ramblings.  i am tired and must sleep!  If only I had some mead on this cold autumn night, to sip with my soul mate and a few friends.  To rehash politics and the dire state of americanism.  sleep I will…

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Both my machines died.  The big mother lost to a power surge, the little guy just didn’t want to wake up.

Maybe back in action in a couple weeks, with a new website idea that may be hatched soon!!!!!!

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Final Tour

9/3/08

If you tag along with Nicole and I (or take her ticket, she’s not nearly as big a fan of Reggie as I am — more of Fluxation), I’ll consider it the bestest coolest birthday present in the whole world.

**restrictions may apply**

Don’t give me the excuse that Wednesday night doesn’t work for you.

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there, I said it.

No posts of late for a reason.  Those in the know, know.

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My computer blew out.  My iPod became another part of the 20% failure rate.   I have a few posts needing attention and finishing touches.  And I have no emails lately.

just sad.

Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

I’m in my own place now, I need to forge a path.

Somewhere along the way, my interpersonal skills went south.  Sorry folks, I’m timid and quiet in person.

p.s. out of inconvenience, I replaced the iPod Nicole so lovingly gave me four years ago with a Cowon A3.  The Nano I received a few years back now has a flavor of Linux on it.  Goodbye iTunes, hello freedom.

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