Check some more off the list!!

To say that I had an amazing weekend would be and understatement.  Saturday I took my girlfriend to see Blue Man Group (something on her bucket list) and even though I had seen the show a long time ago, they have changed so much of it that it was basically a new show for me as well.  If you haven't seen Blue Man Group it is something that cannot be described and must be seen to fully appreciate.  Part rock concert, part comedy show, part God knows what, but it is a great time.

Once Sunday rolled around we seemed to be at a loss for things to do, as it was a pretty nice day and we wanted to take advantage of it.  So we began pouring over our respective bucket lists to find something we could do.  I quickly realized that my list needs some work.  It seems my list is made up of some pretty big adventures or revolve around eating and drinking.  I think I need to add some smaller things that can be done spontaneously and fairly easily.

Anyway, Jessi and I started thinking that we both have "try absinthe" on our bucket lists.  Ironically Jessi has an unopened bottle, that we have been meaning to try for some time (we even dragged it with us when we stayed at the Hard Rock downtown Chicago, but never opened it.)  For those who don't know absinthe is an anise flavored alcohol that was popular in the late 19th century.  At the time it was believe to have psychoactive properties and was eventually banned in the United States and much of Europe by 1915.  By the late 1990's the rumors of any psychoactive effects from absinthe were proved false and it was once again made legal.  So anyway, we decide that it was time for a little day drinking and we should finally try the absinthe.  Now absinthe is not simply drank straight from a bottle, as there is preparation ritual that needs to be done, as straight absinthe is very strong.  The ritual consists of setting a sugar cube on a slotted spoon over a glass and soaking it the absinthe, lighting it on fire then slowly pouring ice water over the sugar, effectively mixing the absinthe, sugar and water.

  So after following the directions to the letter we finally had a drink ready to go and Jessi and I were finally able to try absinthe.  As I took a sip the first thing I noticed was the smell of black licorice (duhh anise flavored) but for those who associate black licorice with Jagermeister, this is much better as the flavor, while strong is also strangely subtle.  All in all pretty damn good, but you could tell it has a high alcohol content.

#13 Try Absinthe

After trying the basic, traditional absinthe it was time to make a mixed drink with it, and thanks to the website we found a drink called the AWOL which had melon liquor, sour mix, lemonaid and absinthe, and hot damn was that good!  And with that, we both checked something off our lists.

But we weren't done checking things off our bucket lists just yet.  Jessi was aware that I had listed eat at someplace I saw on the Food Network on my list so she brought up a place near us had been featured on Diner's Drive-In's and Dives.  Unfortunately I missed that particular episode, but thank goodness for YouTube!  So after watching a quick clip, off we were to The Shanty in Wadsworth.  Now after watching the clip from the Food Network I knew that despite outward appearances this was not some crappy  burger joint and they were actually making some amazing and surprising food.  One of the things featured on the show was a dish called Whiskey Shrimp.  Basically it's saute'd shrimp in this garlic cream sauce with Jack Daniel's thrown in for good measure.  This was a must try for me (just throw some whiskey in it and I will eat it!)  Also on the menu was deep fried alligator tail, which although I've already tried gator in the past, it was so long ago I had to try it, not to mention it was on Jessi's bucket list.

After looking over the menu and already deciding to return, as there were numerous dishes that we wanted to try, Jessi and I settled on the Whiskey Shrimp appetizer and the alligator tail appetizer.  Oh, yeah we also tried the soup of the day...Macaroni and Cheese w/ peas.  Sounds strange right...maybe so, but it was fantastic! 

 

Mac & Cheese Soup

Shortly thereafter we received our dishes and the Whiskey Shrimp was everything I hoped it would be! The sauce was garlicky, but not overpowering and whatever else they through in it was perfect.  Now on to the alligator.  First of all the portion size was quite large for an appetizer and is more than enough for two.  The actual alligator was also quite good and came in a fantastic light breading.  What does alligator taste like you might ask...good question.  It is tough to describe, not fishy or anything like that, and unlike a lot of strange foods it did not taste like chicken.  It actually has a very light and delicate flavor, so if you get the opportunity...go for it!  

Whiskey Shrimp

Deep Fried Alligator

So with that I crossed another item off my list.  All in all between the two of us, we crossed a total of five things of our lists.  Not bad for a weekend.  Not to mention that I spent the whole weekend with my girlfriend which always puts a smile on my face.

#15 Eat at someplace I saw on the Food network, preferably Diners / Drive in’s and Dives

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 12

Favorite band and why?

Music has always been a huge part of my life.  I'm one of those people who constantly has music going as I go about my daily life.  I've also got pretty diverse musical tastes.  I mainly listen to alternative and rock music, but I will add a bit of country and pop as well.  My iPod is pretty funny to look at because of these diverse tastes. Consequently I've got dozens of favorite bands, and I tend to go in cycles and listen almost exclusively to a band for a while, then move on to others but I always come back to my favorites.  Right now I'd have to say my favorite band is The Airborne Toxic Event.  I found this band mostly by accident, although I always like their first single "Sometime Around Midnight" when it first came out a few years ago.  I didn't look too further after that single came out but about 8 months ago I was sitting at my computer doing God knows what, and I had Pandora playing in the background when an Airborne song came on.  I didn't even know who it was but once I heard it I was hooked.  I spent the rest of the night listening to their songs and viewing live videos of them on YouTube.




I noticed two things about this band.  First of all their lyrics were amazing! This was the first time in a while that I discovered a band that the lyrics were so powerful and profound that I found myself relating to them.  Secondly, I noticed while watching the live concert videos and interviews with the band, that this was a band that didn't take themselves too seriously and it was apparent that they were having the greatest time in the world making music.  All too often bands forget how lucky they are to be doing what they are doing.  The Airborne Toxic Event is a band that you just want to hang out with and grab a drink with, and apparently they do exactly that with fans after shows.  So to anyone reading this, check them out you won't be disappointed.

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 11

What are your pet peeves?

This could be a seriously long list!  Anyone who knows me would probably agree that I'm not, shall we say, the most patient person.  There are dozens of little things that annoy me, but I always (try to) keep in mind that they are little things and not worth getting upset over.  That being said however, these are a few of the little things in life that piss me off!

• People who drive under the speed limit
• Rude people
• People who invade my personal space
• Loud talkers in public
• Parents who can't control their kids
• Bad tattoos on people
• Folding laundry (I HATE doing this)
• People who don't pay attention while driving
• Snobby people who think the world owes them something
• Guys with their pants hanging off their ass
• Fat, lazy, arrogant, and rude police officers who think they are the shit
• Running out of something
• People who order coffee for the whole office in the drive-thru lane at Starbuck's
• Having to explain myself over and over because the person I'm talking to is too stupid to understand
• Traffic
• Walking into a spiderweb with my face
• People who don't wash their hands after using the restroom
• When every preset radio station on my car stereo has a commercial at the same time
• Guys in skinny jeans
• People who leave their dog in the car on a hot day and think it's ok because the "windows are down" 2 inches

Believe me the list goes on, but that's all that came to mind, but I'm sure I'll add to this list as time goes on!

Check another one off the list!

One of the things about living in the Chicagoland area is that winters here can be unpredictable at best.  When I was a kid I used to love the winter as I was an avid skier, but as I've gotten older and the grown up world of commuting to work and other such adult BS has factored into my thinking, I've grown sick of the cold and snow.  And while I still ski every now and again, I can't seem to find that indifference to the cold that I had a kid.

Anyway, I digress...as I mentioned winters here can be at times, mild or subzero cold.  Usually all within a few days of each other, so it was no surprise that we went from a mild weekend of temperatures in the mid 40's to 8 inches of snow.  After convincing my girlfriend to come over in the snowstorm (in my defense I never looked outside to see how bad the snowstorm was) I had the brilliant idea that we should go outside an build a snowman (something on her bucket list) and I could make a snow angel, which for some reason I had on my bucket list.  I don't know, maybe it was on there so I could remember what it was like to be a kid again, without a care in the world and no knowledge of how tough life could be at times.  What was surprising was that my girlfriend (who hates winter and snow more than I do) didn't hesitate a second.

Next thing you know there we are, in the snow building a snowman (not as easy as I remember) while both of us laughed and giggled like children.  After about 10 minutes we had build a somewhat small snowman, which even without a carrot nose and a coal smile, looked pretty good!

Our snowman

Now it was time for my snow angel.  As I spread my arms and fell backward into the snow, the first thing I realized was while the snow was about 6 inches deep, it wasn't all that soft of a landing!  As I lay there in the snow...laughing, I begin to flail away, making what I hoped was the best snow angel EVER.  Then I began to notice that my ass was now cold, and wet...two issues I don't remember having (or caring about) when I was a kid.  Either way, I stood up, admired my handiwork, took a picture and got my cold wet ass back inside to change.  But I have to admit, for the briefest of moments, I forgot that I had to work in the morning, I didn't care what my neighbors might say if they looked outside.   I forgot about bills I had to pay, or dishes that needed to be done.  I felt like a kid again...mission accomplished!

Not as soft a landing as I had hoped for!

Can't stop laughing!

#92 Make a snow angel 

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 10

Describe something you are proud of.

This may sound strange but I'm proud of the fact of who I am.  I've had a lot of set backs in my life and I've overcome them to become the person I am today.  I'm proud of the fact that I rose above the hardship in my life and became who I am.  Literally in high school one of my friends was voted most likely to become a roadie.  These were the type of people I hung out with.  I was a mediocre student that no one thought would amount to much.  But here I am, a college graduate, I served in the Army, I've got a great job and I'm financially stable.  Aside from these things it is also amazing that I'm as well adjusted as I am.  I watched my step-dad die of cancer slowly and painfully at the awkward age of 14.  On top of that I was the shy, overweight kid who got picked on in grade school.  In high school I was the guy who didn't give a shit about anything and had a bad attitude and crappy grades.  I was basically one screwed up kid.  But I rose above that and began to make something out of my life, precisely because no one expected that of me.  And when things were going good for me, I lost my wife.  In a moment my plan for life was erased.  And to be honest that almost broke me.  But it didn't and I realize now just how strong I am.  I realized that I can be knocked down, but I can get up, I can be bruised, but not broken.  Not only did I survive, but I prevailed as I'm happy now.  I'm proud of the person I am.

Add another to the completed list!

Every year my work puts a team together for the Polar Plunge.  For those who don't know the Polar Plunge is a fundraiser for Special Olympics where after raising money you basically take a quick dip into some frozen body of water.  Not really sure what the point of it is, other than to watch others suffer, but hey it's for a charity right?  So anyway, every year my work puts a team together and I inevitably will donate cash to one of my co-workers.  This is my way of buying my way out of it.  So one recent cold snowy day downtown Chicago with Jessi she mentions that she wants to do the Polar Plunge one day...long story short I decide to do it.  Now this was one of the things I said no way in Hell would I do, but I got to thinking about bucket lists and living life for new experiences.  I once saw a quote somewhere that said it was better to look back and say "I can't believe I did that" than "I wish I had done that."  Well it was in that spirit that I created a bucket list, so I decided that I should take the Plunge, if for no other reason than to say I did it.

Well as the day approached I tried not to think about it too much, other than to say to myself that it was crazy and that I couldn't believe I was going to do it.  On the day of the Polar Plunge, it finally hit me that I was about to fully submerge myself into water that was barely above freezing.  Luckily that day was the first sunny day we had in a few days, and the temperature was a balmy 37 degrees.  All in all not too bad for a February in Chicago.  So after standing in the cold, wearing a t-shirt and bathing suit for about 20 minutes it was our turn to hit the water.  Apparently our team has one rule..go all in or don't bother going at all.  That means full submersion, underwater, head and all.  So as we got the go ahead I ran into the water, which quickly dropped off from just above my knee to about mid stomach depth.  I quickly dunked myself under water and tried to run out of the water.  I say tried, because by now the shock of the cold water was beginning to set in and I don't think my brain knew what to do about it.  Strangely I didn't notice the water temperature when I first ran in, it wasn't until after I had dunked my head that I realized just how cold the water was.  So after a bit of a struggle with my motor skills, I ran triumphantly from the water and into the heated changing tent.  Total time at the event, about an hour and a half, total time standing around in shorts in the cold, about 20 minutes.  Total time in the water, about 6 seconds.  Was it worth it you ask, I would have to say yes, for the experience and the bragging rights to say I did it.  Would I do it again you ask, probably not.  However...

#64 Do the Polar Plunge

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 9

What defines you?

Let's see, that's an interesting question.  The most obvious answer is my life experiences define me.  Everything from not having a dad around early in life, then gaining a step-dad who was more of a father to me than anyone, then losing him to cancer.  To being the fat kid in school, to being a loner growing up, even my tattoos.  Then there is all the good things, my college experience,  my experience in the Army, and to getting married. Even the bad things, losing my wife to cancer, friends lost over the years, all the painful and sad times.  But then learning to live again and actually having fun doing it.  All of these things, the good, the bad, the fun times, the sad times, the laughter and the pain, they all make me who I am.

Now, outside the obvious answer, what else defines me.  There are two things that come to mind when I think about what someone who just met me would take away and how that person would describe me.

First, I would have to say it would be my sense of humor and fun loving nature.  I love to laugh, joke and have fun, even when the joke is at my expense (as it often is.)  Second, I would have to say it would be the fact that I care deeply for the people in my life and would do anything for them. I actually enjoy giving at Christmas more than getting.  I love to brighten someone's day with some little gesture, just to make them smile.  This is who I am.