Steampunks and Salads

Very excited for Halloween this weekend, especially as I've seen the Steampunk weapons at Joe & Susan's (crafted from NERF guns, patiently hand painted to detail.) And while I hope to stick within my caloric budget, I learned today that Rico's salad at Mi Cocina is a whopping 1,500 calories.
Blarg.

Top 5 XMU Songs of the Week

Lloyd, I'm Ready to be Heartbroken - Camera Obscura
I Can Change - LCD Sound system
On Melancholy Hill - Gorillaz
Stay Close - Delorean
Solid Gold - Golden Filter

Across the Pond

http://creativity-online.com/work/xbox-fable-iii-kingmaker/21471

If I were in London, and should I have an iPhone, I'd be running around the streets playing Kingmaker. How smart and interactive of an idea! Getting points that you can spend in-game, getting exercize too, and fighting for your team. I'm trying to figure out a way to work this into a revival of the Show Me Games, interactive bicycling.

Once Fable III releases, I know that I'll be back into gaming mode for a few days. Can't wait.

24 hours in Ft Worth

I arrived into Ft Worth at noon on Saturday and proceeded directly to the Stockyards; it was raining cats and dogs (or should I say cowboys and steer?) Headed straight to Cattleman’s Steakhouse since it’s internationally famous and I just had to start the adventure off with steak! I ordered the Cattlemen's Luncheon Club Steak: a 6 oz. charcoal broiled top sirloin, served with horseradish mashed potatoes, mixed green salad, and hot rolls. Steak was good, sides were lackluster. All in all, I give it a couple of stars. Wasn’t too impressed.

Drove on over to the Ashton Hotel and checked in. Absolutely stunning boutique hotel on 6th & Main, registered historic and truly superb in every way. I’ve heard that of their 36 or so rooms, each one is decorated differently. Mine was very Ralph Lauren and sleek. Got my self settled, looked at all the brochures and magazines, tested out the bed (a little hard for my taste but great linens) and checked out the view … none. I got one of the internal windows that faced the other side of the building… booo, next time I’ll know to request a street view.

Decidedly, it was time to wander around and left to explore Sundance Square.

Popped into Tobacco Lane on the Square and met Brad Kimura, “The Wine Guy”, who generously offered various tastings. Started with a sparking wine from New Mexico, Gruet Brut; very bubbly and crisp… I loved it so much that I bought a bottle. Also tried a 2005 Latour, 2007 Merlot from Matanzas Creek Winery and 2007 CabSav from Ferrari-Carano. Brad had a few Armand de Brignac Brut Gold bottles on hand (if I had the $$$ I would have purchased one. C'est la vie.)

Next, I wandered up the street to Milan Gallery where I happened upon a Saturday night benefit. I didn’t get all the details, but understood it was an auction to raise money for a sick child. After the wine earlier, I had a nice buzz and didn’t partake of theirs (although the cheese looked tempting.)

I enjoyed the Thomas Arvid wine compositions and could easily see those in my own home. The Gregory Beck sculptures were stunning; I can’t describe the delicateness and yet powerful strength in his work… it was like still-life ballet. The Vladimir Gorsky pop-art was interesting, though not my style.

After leaving the gallery, I turned up the street towards Piranha Killer Sushi. Got myself the corner portion of the sushi bar and a great waitress named Lauren, ordered the sushi/sashimi dinner and indicated that I loved salmon roe… was not disappointed! In fact, it may have been the best Japanese dinner I’ve had in years. Rounded it all off with some type of ice cream dessert and a Choco-tini. The only downside to the meal was that a birthday party was loud and obnoxious, really ruined the mood. But I would definitely return!

On my way back to the hotel, I stopped to listen to a decent saxophonist (am biased in this area, but he was good.) Then stopped off in the hotel bar where Cary served a very strong vodka tonic (thanks again Cary, hope you make it to Amsterdam soon) and finally off to bed.

Next morning I spent time in the Cultural district although I didn’t have time to go into each and every museum… looks like I’ll be headed back with Chris to explore those soon!

Quick thought on a weekend post

I was intrigued to learn that cosmetics powerhouse L'Oreal increased the spend in the first half of 2010 in promotions and advertising, specifically around the premium and luxury category. While I am watching the fluctuation in the marketplace along with everyone else, this appears to be a good indication that consumer goods are moving.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-26/l-oreal-shares-climb-most-since-may-as-operating-margin-advances-to-record.html

And back to our scheduled programming...

Have I mentioned my love of Aldi? FANTASTIC food market with exceptional prices, great seasonal produce and snackies galore. German chocolate bars for $1.29? You betcha. Extra virgin olive oil at $4.99? Yup Yup. Not to mention the cheapy decent wines that rival Two-buck-Chuck.

I talked to an Aldi insider a few days ago who gave me the background on this German company. Did you know they are also involved with Trader Joe's? Who knew!

That's where I'm spending my dollars, at Aldi down on Old Denton Road. That is, until a TJ's comes into town.

Super Gus the Hippie Bus Jams

Here's what I'm listening to at the mo, cruising around town in my CUBE.

If We Ever Meet Again – Timbaland
Boy – Ra Ra Riot
Tonight I Have To Leave It – Shout Out Louds
Misery – Maroon 5
Our Deal – Best Coast
All Summer – Best Coast
Where I’m Going – Cut Copy
Only Exception – Paramore
Windstorm - School of Seven Bells
Dilly - Band of Horses
TAOS - Menomena

My Birthday Cake

Those that get the joke have a special place in my heart. Right there, a little loving bit of teh awesomeness.

The cake was delicious and moist.

Red Mahogany Gel Stain, $10. Explaining that you aren't a sociopath, PRICELESS!

The Great Master Bathroom Remodel of 2010 has begun! What have I learned so far?

1) Keep a notepad & pencil with you at all times. This is for your master list of things to purchase, measurements, ideas and ANYTHING else that you will need to reference at Home Depot.

2) Speaking of Home Depot, this is great for lumber and supplies. Not so varied on the fixtures, accessories and pretty-pretty stuff. Shop around. Go to Lowes for the lighting and cabinet handles.

3) BEFORE you leave the store, call home. Make sure that you have everything that needs to be bought; check in that something new hasn’t happened or ask if soda/lunch is needed. Because when you get a call 2 minutes from home and your hubby needs Red Mahogany Gel Stain, it’s not that much fun to flip a U and go back to the store again.

4) And when you get back to that store you’ve already visited 5 times in one day, this is KEY! Make friends with the cashier and floor people. You’re going to be seeing a lot of them, and it helps when a relationship is built (pun intended.) Fifty customers will all be vying for Ryon the Paint Guy’s attention… then you walk over, give a wave, and he drops it all to help you find that dang Red Mahogany Gel Stain. You’ve just saved 20 minutes.

5) Think ahead. If you’re going to be working with Red Mahogany Gel Stain, it would make a heck of a lot of sense to purchase that paint thinner and acetone in the same trip, right? Otherwise, you’ll be driving BACK to Home Depot in a few hours, covered in what looks like blood, and Ryon will be laughing his ass off while he hands you a can.

6) Which brings me to appearances: Walking into Home Depot covered in red bloody paint stains may get a look or two. But hey, it’s Home Depot! Everyone is working on projects and this is your badge of honor as a Weekend Warrior. But you may want to rethink how it’s going to look when you walk into CVS and ask the Manager, “If I was a box cutter, where would I be?” He's going to take one look, believe you have murdered someone, and need to cut up the body parts. Pretty difficult to explain to him why you are covered in Red Mahogany Gel Stain and need a utility knife to cut up carpet at 9pm on a Saturday. I’m just saying…