Sunday, July 31, 2005

Australia: Day 6


...and the saga continues...

Sunday, October 12, 2003

I woke up on my top floor room of the Adelaide Hilton for the last time. It was a beautiful, sunny morning. All was good with the world. We had had a marvelous evening the night before at the 2003 Jacob's Creek World Food Media Awards, but it was almost time for us to move on from the wonderful city of Adelaide. I showered in my gloriously large bathroom for the last time and packed everything up. I got everything ready and put it near my hotel room door. I sauntered downstairs and ordered a double short-black at the Hotel restaurant and enjoyed it while checking my e-mails at the computer at the bar. I deleted my spam and read what was worthwile before heading out to find breadfast.

I didn't stop at the Adelaide Central Market this morning. I was going to find something different. I walked off and stopped at the nearby park for a moment. There was a large group of people solemnly commemorating the one year anniversary of the Bali terrorist bombing. It was a quiet, peaceful ceremony. I felt a little out of place even though I was just watching from the fringe. I bowed my head appropriately for a couple of minutes and then quietly made my way out of the park. I walked a couple of blocks or so and encountered a promising-looking cafe. I walked in and ordered a long black (a double espresso with an equal part hot water) and a fry-up. I enjoyed a nice, leisurely breakfast and made my way back to the hotel to meet the gang in the lobby with our gear. We met our driver and bus, loaded up, and headed to the Adelaide Riverfront for the Feast for the Senses. The Feast of the Sense was a giant gathering of food, wine, and beer on in Elder Park on the River Torrens. Our group also had VIP passes which entitled us entry to the VIP tent (free beer and food!). It was a beautiful day and we had a chance to try the food of several restaurants and the wine from several local producers. Yum!






We ran into someone that we had met the night before at the Jacob's Creek World Food Media Awards. She was sort of affiliated with our group, but on the Australian end of things. The Adelaide police were offering free breathalyzer tests to anyone and she thought it could be fun. She blew way OVER drunk! She hadn't had a drink since the night before! It was probably about 1:00PM. Australia rules!!!

We eventually had to get on the bus and make our way to the airport. It was time to say goodbye to Adelaide and hello to new adventures. Adelaide airport is fairly small and the attitude is definitely more lax than most. They gave us a water and lemon cookies at the gate and we walked onto the tarmac and watched the pilot and co-pilot load our luggage into the nose of our plane...





This was my first trip on a prop-plane. It was about a 20 seater and it was quite fun. The people in the last seats could see through the pilot's windshield if the curtain was open. Small plane. Fun crew. Fun flight. We were flying south to Mount Gambier airport which is in the Limestone Coast area about half an hour's drive from Coonawarra. We flew for about an hour and a half or so (?) and landed at Mount Gambier Airport. Mt. Gambier Airport is tiny rural airport where you are greeted by a sign saying "Welcome to the Home of the Potato". Karen, our fabulous driver from the McLaren Vale, was waiting for us along with another driver. We were separating at this point. We were going to spend the next few days in Coonawarra. Although Coonawarra is physically large there are not a lot of accomodations. We had to split into three groups...Brittney, Nichole, and Trudy were to stay at Cobb and Co. Cottages in Penola...Nathan, Jordan, and Eric at the Yalumba Menzies Wine Room in Coonawarra...and Philippa, Sara, Tim, Shayn, and myself at the Kalangadoo House in Kalangadoo. None of us new where we were staying until we sort of picked randomly/drew straws at the airport.

I was really happy that I ended up as a member of the "Kalangadoo Crew". We drove for what seemed quite some time in a very rural area trying to find the Kalangadoo House. It took probably about 45 minutes to get to Kalangadoo, and then we had to find the road to Kalangadoo House. Karen eventually found the right route and it was off to Kalangadoo House. We drove past cattle, sheep, and redgums (a type of eucalyptus tree) and reached our destination. It was beautiful!!! The setting was so serene and spare. It had a sort of desolate, green beauty. The Kalangadoo House homestead was built in 1870. We were greeted at the front door by the very gracious and welcoming Antonia Batten. Antonia and her husband (along with their daughter) own Kalangadoo House. They spent a ton of money renovating the place close to its original condition and turned it into the world's most fabulous Bed and Breakfast. We were given a tour and picked our rooms. Each room also has its own bathroom (either attached or assigned). It was absolutely lovely. We had some free time until we would be picked up to go to dinner. Antonia welcomed us in the parlour with some very nice sparkling wine (I think is was Tassie...Tasmanian). We took our glasses and walked around the grounds a bit. (Unfortunately I don't have many DIGITAL pictures of Kalangadoo.) We sat in the grass and toasted each other as we listened to the cows, sheep, gallahs, and the Australian magpies as the sun very slowly lowered itself in the sky.








I walked back to the house and sat on the upstairs balcony and just took life in. Everything was perfect with the world. The sounds of the cows and sheep in the distance were soothing. The sun was starting to set. The redgum trees were illuminated in an almost surreal light interplaying with the shadows. A choir of Australian Magpies started to sing...

the most beautiful thing I've ever heard in my life. (You'll need RealPlayer to hear it.) That's just the sound of one Australian Magpie. Imagine dozens and dozens of them...while the sun is setting, the sheep and the cows providing gentle back-up bass, and the sun is setting on one of the most serene places on earth. It was surreal. Unbelievable. It was probably the most singularly relaxing and mindblowing moment in my life. That's why I'd rather be in Kalangadoo. I was at peace with nature and myself. I love the ocean and I love the mountains, but there was something absolutely special about that brief moment in my life. Life, for one brief shining moment, was utterly perfect.

Eventually Karen returned to Kalangadoo House to pick us up and drive us to the Yalumba Menzies Wine Room for dinner. We were greeted by one of Yalumba's winemakers and two other employees at the modern and beautiful Menzies Room. We were greeted with some great oysters on the halfshell with fresh lime passed by our waiter for the evening. We tasted several wines from Yalumba and then sat down to a very enjoyable and relaxing dinner. We were pretty excited to eat "family style". Three different salads were passed around and we devoured them. Everywhere we went we had been loading up on tons of cheese, red meat, etc. It was fantastic to get something a little healthier and lighter in us. We did follow it with a great steak with some fantastic local potatoes. Someone opened the front door and asked if he was on the right road to "somewhere I don't recall". He was a drunken sheepshearer looking for directions. He claimed that someone else was driving. It took about 10 minutes to get rid of him, but it just added to the fun of the evening. We played a game of "options" (an Australian wine-tasting game" and had ourselves a great time. We were each given a bottle of Menzies cab, a bag, and a nice wooden Yalumba wine-key. The Yalumba people really went out of their way to make us feel at home. The sun had finally set and it was a glorious evening.







The almost-full moon was eerily beautiful and mesmerizing on this glorious evening in Coonawarra. We said our farewells and "thank yous" and Karen drove the Kalangadoo Crew back to Kalangadoo House. I don't remember if it was this night or the next, but we almost hit a big red (a red kangaroo) with our SUV. He stopped and stared at us. It was an amazing sight. The Aussies don't think much of it (it's like Americans seeing a deer, but far more common). I tried to take a picture with my film-camera, but my batteries were low and it took too long for the flash to go off. I can still see him in my memory though. Karen dropped us off at the door of the Kalangadoo House and we retired for the evening.

What a glorious day!

To be continued...

Cheers,
Jason

Friday, July 29, 2005

Borrowed surveys are easier than thinking...

Borrowed this survey from Kathleen...

FIRSTS

~First Car: 1974 Plymouth Duster
~First Best Friend: Chris Simmons
~First Crush: Jenny Norman
~First Job: The city library as a page
~First Dwelling that wasn't your parents': An apartment in Allen Park
~First Kiss: Mickey. I was 5 and she was 4. I used to be a player...
~First Computer: This Dell is the first one that I've owned.

LASTS:

~Last TV Show: Charlie Rose last night
~Last Concert: Monade at the Magic Stick...I think
~Last Ticket: Speeding a couple years ago leaving my parents the day after Christmas
~Last Meal: Leftover pork loin with some edamame(soybeans)
~Last Card Sent: I don't remember the last card that I sent, but I gave one personally last Sunday to my coworker's wife for her B-Day
~Last Really Great Nap: I don't remember
~Last Trip by Air: Florida for work

IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU:

~If you could have lunch with a celebrity, who would it be? Jacques Pepin
~What's your favorite swear word or phrase? "F*ck" or "23 skidoo"
~What's your favorite article of clothing? Currently my Blundstone boots. My old school leather jacket that doesn't fit anymore...
~Breakfast, lunch, or dinner? Yes
~Red, white, or rosè? Yes
~Silk or satin? Silk
~In a restaurant - Kids or Smoking? Smoking (Years ago I went to see Les Miserables at the Fisher with a friend, but we stopped for dinner at Tres Vite first, which is next to the Fox. Little did we know that Sesame Street Live was playing at the Fox that same night. They had a special kids menu and they were running around everywhere throwing hot dogs and yelling. Our lovely French waitress did a nice job waiting on us "grown-ups" while wading through the swarm of kiddies. The meal was great, but the experience sucked!)
~Cable or Satellite? Cable
~Cable, DSL or Dial-up? Cable
~Cat or dog? Neither, but either (don't have personally, but I like both)
~Beach or mountains? Tough one. I like a niced rugged beach (like Oregon or Washington), but I love the mountains (Cascades or Alps)
~If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Adelaide, Australia
~For News - Local, Network, CNN, FOX, MSNBC, or The Daily Show? The Daily Show or NPR
~What would you like engraved on your headstone? I'd prefer to be cremated and have my ashes spread in Kalangadoo, but I guess it would say "Friend. Foodie. Geek. He's dead now."

LAST PERSON WHO...

~Slept in your bed: Me
~Made you cry: I don't remember the last person that made me cry, but Whalerider made me cry last week
~You went to the movies with: Two good friends (sisters)
~Yelled at you: My boss
~Sent you an e-mail: Lisa

Why didn't I know about this??? Seriously...

First of all...HOLY CRAP!!! Read this! Apparently the IRA is disarming... Let's hope that this step towards peace becomes a marathon...

Why didn't I know about this??? Seriously... Why didn't anybody tell me? I mean...come on! How come I didn't know about The Knitters playing at the Magic Stick on Friday, August 5th? I was flipping through the new Real Detroit when I saw the ad for the upcoming show. I can't go because I have to work at the restaurant and I can't get the night off on this short notice. Damn! Damn!! Damn!!!

A note to those friends of mine who knit...
I found this interesting knitting blog while googling "The Knitters band John Doe".

Speaking of Real Detroit I also met a certain very liberal columnist for the Metro Times this week at work. Nice guy.

...and out of left field.
I normally prefer white subtitles to yellow subtitles, but there's something to be said for yellow subtitles for a black & white film. The last two Netflix films I watched (M and Rashomon) were both shot in B&W, but used white subtitles. White subtitles have a tendency to blend into the screen on a B&W film, making it difficult to read. I have great eyesight, but I had to rewind during several scenes to make out the subtitles. I hope that Criterion takes note of this...please use yellow subtitles for B&W films.

Ooooooohhhhh... I just noticed on the Criterion site that Criterion Collection editions of The Man Who Fell to Earth and Naked are coming out on DVD soon. You're probably familiar with The Man Who Fell to Earth, but you may not know Naked. Naked is probably my favorite Mike Leigh film other than Secrets & Lies and stars the remarkable David Thewlis in what I think is his best performance. WTG Criterion!

I saw this very creepy, scary, real story on Primetime tonight. It's amazing what truly f'ed up and illegal things can happen in the name of religious zealousness. I actually remember seeing the first part of the story over a year ago. Stay the hell away from Colorado City, Arizona. Polygamy is only cool in porn...

An interesting article written by a friend about the continuing wine-shipping debate in Michigan. Michigan is in the national "wine spotlight" because it continues to further bury itself in its archaic, antiquated liquor laws. Michigan wholesalers and politicos have long been in bed together, but this is ridiculous. Do they really think that they can beat the Interstate Commerce clause of the Constitution? Anything for a buck. I've been following this closely for a long time and I fully support inter and intra-state wine shipping. I haven't mentioned it here because it may bore you to tears, but I recommend you go to www.freethegrapes.org and sign the petition for Michigan (Michigan residents only). I've actually received letters from my State Rep and State Senator so far...

There was a great episode of Law and Order last night that really got in a few digs to the current administration and the recent outbreak of Bible-before-Constitution judges...

Really looking forward to Switzerland...there's too many farging iceholes in this country.

Random poll- Would you rather have a great meal with horrible service, or a horrible meal with extraordinary service?

Cheers,
Jason
Jason

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Worst summer ever...wading in hot pudding.

This summer has really sucked wet llama. I'm talking about the weather. Last year in Detroit I think we only hit 3 days over 90 degrees all summer. The average is 11 days of 90 degree weather per summer, apparently. We hit 16 days a couple of days ago. Sunday and Monday really sucked Beelzebub's fetid, sticky taint. When I left my friends house at approximately 9:30PM on Sunday the heat index was at 100. The air felt like hot pudding...and not in a good way. Yesterday it got up to a heat index of 107 or 110 or something. That's just f'in retarded hot! To top it all off our AC at home broke yesterday...on the hottest day of the year. That SO blew!!! I couldn't sleep a wink last night. I was just tossing and turning and writhing around in my own sweat. Not a pretty sight. The AC unit doesn't reach my bedroom, but I still will get some residual coolness wafting if I crack the door open at night while I watch TV and stuff. I sleep with my door closed and that really sucked possum teat last night. I do have a ceiling fan in my bedroom, but it was circulating hot air. But at least it was circulating air and gave me the illusion that I was somewhat more comfortable. I kept the window closed as the air outside was not unlike a steaming hot bowl of Manhattan Clam Chowder.

Sweet relief...
It rained like crazy today when I was at work. It was still hot when I left work, but it was noticeably less nasty than the last two days. I got home and the house was as stuffy as George Plimpton at a Hamptons party. I cracked all the windows open and got some of the ceiling fans going and it actually cooled off a bit. It's raining again right now and I'm getting an occasional cool breeze from the front door. Awesome!!! It's pretty late and I should be trying to sleep, but I'll put it off just a bit.

I just finished watching M. Great, great film! I can't believe how ahead of its time this film is. It was filmed in 1931 and was Fritz Lang's first "talkie". Peter Lorre was quite convincing as a child murderer. The subject matter and dialogue could be considered risque TODAY. Just imagine how groundbreaking it would have been in 1931. Mind you, German and other European filmmaking is generally much more progressive than most American celluloid fodder. What's also amazing (to me) is how modern a city 1931 Berlin was. It also seemed way ahead of its time. Tomorrow will be Rashomon...can't wait to see this amazing Kurosawa film again.

Yesterday Jessica was eliminated from Hell's Kitchen, leaving Michael (my fave) and Ralph. I'm happy that these two made it to the finals. While I'd prefer for Michael to win, I'd be content with Ralph winning.

I really enjoyed the new Anthony Bourdain hosted No Reservations on the Travel Channel yesterday. It was fun watching him get plowed on Absinthe. I really need to visit Paris someday...

My friend Glen commented on my last post that he'd like to know who my top ten redheads were. Well that would take some thought, but thinking hurts. Here's an impromptu Top 10 redhead list (not necessarily in order)...

1. #1 shall remain a secret for now...
2. The girl that was in the store on Saturday...
3. Molly Ringwald
4. Gillian Anderson
5. Rita Hayworth
6. Khrystyne Haje
7. Katherine Hepburn
8. Cynthia Nixon
9. Julianne Moore
10. Shirley Manson

However, most of the most beautiful redheads I've seen are non-celebrities that I've seen in passing. St. Patrick's Day at the Gaelic League is a great day for redhead spotting.

My least favorite redhead??? Lucille Ball
I Love Lucy is one of the worst TV shows ever! Ever!!! She died her hair anyway...

I don't discriminate by hair color, mind you, but redheads do have something special about them. Maybe it's the pale skin, freckles, and inability to tan...

Random poll- Sugar cone, plain cone, waffle cone, or bowl?

Random poll #2-What's your favorite Slurpee/Icee flavor?

Random poll #3- What is your opinion of random polls?

Random poll #4- Do you believe in the "three second rule"? (in terms of dropping food)

Cheers,
Jason

Sunday, July 24, 2005

Vinuous consumption, Switzerland update, movies, SPS, and Whatchamacallits

Congratulations to Lance frickin' Armstrong on winning his 7th (and last) Tour de France! I think he finally dumped that whiny-ass annoying as butt-lice "singer". Congratulations all around. I wonder what my old cycling hero Greg Lemond is up to these days???

Today was nice. It was my friend/coworker's wife's B-Day fete. As always it as a limited/invite only guest list. There were 9 of is in total and we did some damage to some wine. If memory serves me correctly we had Veuve Clicquot Brut NV Champagne, 2001 Shypoke Charbono, 2003 Noon Reserve Shiraz, 2002 Kunin Alisos Vineyard Syrah, 2002 Jaffurs Melville Vineyard Syrah, 2003 Rafanelli Zinfandel, 2002 Ladera Lone Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003 Mr. Riggs McLaren Vale Shiraz, 1996 Pride Cabernet Sauvignon, a 3 liter bottle of 2002 Ravenswood Lodi Zinfandel, Galway Pipe Tawny Port, and a shitty Czech wine. The shitty Czech wine was a gift to me from the Tactometer and his wife after their honeymoon. They were told that it was a good wine...it wasn't. Thanks anyway! This event usually takes place outdoors, but the weather was frasty (friggin' nasty). Normally the weather cools down after a thunderstorm...but not in southeastern Michigan. It rained like hell this morning and when it cleared it just got hotter and moister. It's just after 11:00PM now and the news just said it was 90 out and the humidity was off the shit-o-meter. I could take a shower right now to dry off. This is the worst summer that I ever remember. It's been hot before, but never coupled so much with ass-dragging humidity. It's like a hot Wet-Nap outside... I want some damn snow and I want it right now! I can't wait until the cool, crisp days off fall. I love autumn. It's my favorite season. I like weather where you might have to wear a jacket and can occasionally see your breath. I like winter too, but the fall rules!!! Oh shit! The weather-guy just said that tomorrow may be the record-breaking hottest day of the year. Thanks assmunch! He just said that the heat-index tomorrow afternoon may reach 110 (the humidity makes it feel that way...just like windchill). Thanks! Thanks a lot! I think that I need to move to Yellowknife or something...

Speaking of the fall...
Long story short...I didn't get a raise, but I did get offered an extra week vacation. I'm pissed about the whole raise thing, but I'm happy to get the extra week. I'm in the process of spending more money to get my ticket to Switzerland changed. I'm going to go for two weeks rather than two now. I just wish that I had been told a week earlier and not have had to pay an extra $250+ to change the ticket. A week was certainly not enough time to visit family in Switzerland. Two weeks is great. I'll also be able to get a few things in for sure that I wasn't probably able to to before (like visiting the Rigi). Here's another Rigi link. I'm really, really looking forward to the trip. I'm going to take lots o' pictures. October is too far away...

A view of the Munot castle in Schaffhausen, Switzerland Posted by Picasa

Last night's Neflix flick was House of Flying Daggers. It was a very good movie, but not quite Hero. Chinese cinematographers really take advantage of color in film. Hero had some stunning scenes involving some very intense colors (in handmade objects), but House of Flying Daggers used natural color (as in nature) to full effect. Some of the shots in the forest and the autumnal forest shots were absolutely mind-blowing. Good movie. M is next to watch. I've seen it before, but it's been a very long time. I want to pay more attention to it this time. I've got a bunch of Kurosawa films coming soon in my queue. I can't wait, but I've also got to have some time to commit to watching these masterpieces.

When I got home tonight Whalerider was showing on PBS. I caught the last half hour or so. I've seen (and own) the movie, but the ending is still just about the most tear-inducing thing I've ever encountered. Great f'in movie! GREAT!!! She should have won the Oscar!!! If you feel like a good happy/sad cry please don't hesitate to watch Whalerider. Films from New Zealand just rock! My all-time fave film is Once Were Warriors and Heavenly Creatures is pretty kick-ass too!

Anthony Bourdain has a new series starting on the Travel Channel tomorrow at 10:00PM called No Reservations. I'm so there! Anything Anthony Bourdain does is like heroin to me...

I hope that Michael makes it another week on Hell's Kitchen...

Do you have Small Penis Syndrome? Symptoms include the owning of a Hummer, Lamborghini, or Ferrari...
Some guy came into the restaurant Friday night and had his $300,000+ yellow V-16 Lamborghini valeted. At least a Lamborghini is a really f'in cool and beautiful car. Hummers are just about as necessary as a nipple on a banana. The guy is single...he's definitely trying to compensate for something. At least Ferraris and Lamborghinis are really nice to look at. A Hummer looks like a giant Borg turd from a giant Borg ship (probably my one and only Star Trek Next Generation reference...I'm a nerd, but not a supernerd). I'm so secure in my masculinity that I drive a 1997 Hyundai with tape holding up one of the windows...because that's what I can afford. I don't have SPS, just SP...

Work is sort of a clusterf'ed tizzy right now...it's not cool.

The world's second best looking redhead in the world was in our store yesterday. Stunning!!!

I'm still hoping to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory...

I heard a great quote today...
"The friends inside my head said that you're weird."

I made a kick-ass pork loin last night. I forgot that I had bought two porkloins at Farmer Jack last week (they were on sale...about $10.00 for a 4.5-5lb loin). I roasted it last night and it was as moist and tender as can be. Invest (about $15) in an instant-read thermometer with a probe and temperature alarm and you'll get a perfect roast (any kind) every time. For a perfect pork loin set the temperature alarm to go off at 140 degrees F...

The backyard garden is really coming along. I should be able to make some great veggie pasta dishes very soon. The hot Hungarian banana peppers are going insane! Aglio olio anyone??? How many ways can you cook zucchini...I wonder??? I love it but I'll be sick of it soon enough...

Did you know that Peter Sellers died 25 years ago today? Sad...very sad. He was a true genius.

Apparently Sandra Bullock and Jesse James got married. I'm indifferent, but it's still kinda cool...

I wish my friends a safe trip to London...

Random poll- What was your favorite candy during childhood? (I think that the Whatchamacallit before they changed the formula was my fave. I remember when they first came out and how I thought they rocked! I was never a big sugar-candy fan...I've always been a fan of things that involve chocolate.)

Today's Wine Recommendation- 2003 Mr. Riggs McLaren Vale Shiraz
Damn! This is some damn fine stuff! The nose is packed with melted licorice, creosote, tar, blackberry, raspberry, vanilla, and subtle smokey cedar. It's expansive on the palate with truckloads of jammy blackberry fruit with a whollop of blueberry and vanilla. The palate is also inundated with allspice, cedar, white pepper, and licorice! Delicious! It's fairly limited, but well worth the search.
About $55.00 U.S.

Cheers,
Jason

Yeah...a little weird.

You Are 40% Weird

Normal enough to know that you're weird...
But too damn weird to do anything about it!

Saturday, July 23, 2005

My Hawaiian name is a lot cooler than my real one...

Your Hawaiian Name is:

Konane Bane

Friday, July 22, 2005

Blog surveys are cheap filler...

This blog survey is brought to you by the letter "N" and was stolen from Julie who stole it from Kathleen who stole it from someone who stole it from someone who stole it from someone who yada yada yada...

My uncle once: was a trumpeter in the Schaffhausen city (Stadt) band in Switzerland.

Never in my life: have I snorted cocaine off a dead stripper's ass.

Highschool was the most: awkward, embarrassing, shitty time of my life.

I will never forget the moment: the Challenger blew up. I was in Mrs. Pitt's 8th grade Algebra class.

I once met: Danny Glover, Newt Gingrich, Hal Linden (ASSHOLE!), Alan Thicke, Mykelti Williamson, David Leisure, Kenny G, Doc Severensen, Pat Boone, Danny Bonaduce, Dave Thomas (Wendy's), Gary Numan, Sarah McLachlan, and many, many more bands...

There is this girl I know: Her name is Lola. She's a showgirl.

Once at a bar: I spent way too much money...more than once.

Last night I watched: Kill Bill 2

If only I had: "two turntables and a microphone..."

Next time I go to church: Will most likely be for someone else's wedding.

Terri Schiavo: Had a loving husband and an eating disorder that led her to her comatose state.

When I turn my head to the left: it's the foyer.

When I turn my head to the right: it's Huey sleeping on the couch

Wake me up when it's time for a nap... Posted by Picasa

You know I'm lying when: my sentences trail off...

What I miss most about the eighties is: Everthing!

If I were a character written by Shakespeare: Horatio from Hamlet

By this time next year: it'll be exactly a year later.

A better name for me would be: Super Grover

If I ever go back to school: I'd change my major and be that creepy older guy staring at all the 18 year old hotties.

You know I like you if: I don't ignore you

If I won an award: it'd be for lactose tolerance.

Darwin, Mozart, Slim Pickens, and Geraldine Ferraro are: right, a genius, Major Kong, and a good candidate with the wrong running mate.

Take my advice: Don't eat yellow snow.

My ideal breakfast is: Scrambled egggs and a short black at Bill's Cafe in Darlinghurst, Sydney...or a fresh baked croissant and an espresso at an outdoor Swiss cafe...or Eggs Benedict or Florentine...or just a pound of bacon.

A song I love, but don't have is: "Wonderful Life" by Black

If you visit my hometown: you'll leave.

Tulips, character flaws, microchips, and track stars: Boldly elegant, normal, tiny and mighty, and thinner and faster than my sorry ass.

If you stay overnight in my house: Huey might sleep on your head

I'd stop my wedding for: a tornado, bombing, or Audrey Tautou proffessing her love for me

The world could do without: Dubya, mosquitos, and NASCAR

I'd rather: be in Kalangadoo.

My favorite blonde is: a redhead

Paperclips are: Simplistic brilliance

If I do anything well: it's eating

and by the way: I like soup

Dumbass Dog- Flydiving

These pictures are of Huey (the landlords' dog) hanging out on my floor trying to get at a fly trapped between the window and the screen. He's a dumbass...but I love 'em.


Dive! Dive! Dive! Posted by Picasa

You look delicious! Posted by Picasa

So...you eat shit too, huh? Posted by Picasa

I see you, but I can't lick you... Posted by Picasa

I can almost taste him... Posted by Picasa

Where you goin' you damn fly? Posted by Picasa

Who farted? Posted by Picasa

Just like Colonel Kurtz...I know he's out there somewhere. Posted by Picasa

Stylin' and profilin' Posted by Picasa

Is that a squirrel out this window? Posted by Picasa

What was I just doing? I don't remember. Posted by Picasa

Mmmm...that's good windowsill. Posted by Picasa

My wagging tail is distracting me... Posted by Picasa

I lost him... Posted by Picasa

Jason's gonna have fun cleaning the slobber off the window... Posted by Picasa

I'll get you if it's the last thing I ever do... Posted by Picasa