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August 29, 2005
The Wrens
I don't get to go see that many live shows anymore. Part of it revolves around the fact that after staying up well past my bedtime, I still have to get up when the girls do (early!). It has to be a band I really want to see. When Jeremy told me the Wrens were coming to town, I was excited. I had their most recent album, The Meadowlands, and it is fantastic. But the real reason was because of how much Jeremy went on about last years show after they blew through town.
When I say that they came to town that is not quite true-- they came to Denton, a town about an hour's drive north from my house. The venue is one of the nicest live-show bars I've been to, Hailey's. They have about 30 great beers on tap, including my favorite American beer, Rogue from Oregon. I have only seen this on tap at the Rogue brewery in Newport. This place also trusts its patrons with actual glassware-- another first at the shows I've been to.
The opening band, Hogpig, was as horrible as their name suggests. The only saving grace of this Molly Hatchet remake was the three male groupies at the front of the stage. The one in a wife beater played his low-slung air guitar throughout the set, while his two friends alternated yelling "Yeah!" and "Hogpig kicks ass!". They did not kick ass…
The next band, The Jim Yoshii Pile-Up, was surprisingly enjoyable. It was interesting to see a group of musicians focused on each other. The lead singer sat in a chair and faced the opposite side of the stage. The other guitarists faced him or the drummer. It was almost as if we weren't there. Instead of being disengaging, it actually made the show more interesting.
The Wrens are described by allmusic as "One of the best bands with the worst luck." This band has had as much critical acclaim as you could want, but a number of factors have kept them from the success that their talent deserves. The biography on their site is tragic and funny, ending with the lines: "The Wrens throw drunken hoe-down to celebrate final completion of the Meadowlands. Party highlights include erasure of all Meadowlands multi-track master tapes." These 40-something band mates tour a few months a year and only on the weekends because they all have day jobs. They tour because they love it. They play hard for every show.
By the time the Wrens took the stage they were drunk. I don't know if the lead singer on about 70% of their songs lost his voice because they had been drinking all day, or they had been drinking all day because he had lost his voice. He tried to sing, and failed. They had the other guitarist sing lead on a couple of songs, and while it wasn't bad, it wasn't great. Then they went with plan B. They changed the set so that they played all of the songs the lead didn't sing. The songs they were expected to play, he would start and the audience would carry on when he couldn't. It was amazing how well that worked out.
The other thing about the show was the feeling of excitement due to its unscripted nature. At most shows, even the most seemingly unscripted moments, are planned. The feeling that you didn't know what would happen next was a rush. One minute the lead singer is struggling, the next he is pulling people on stage to bang on his synth and stomp around the stage. He threw beer on the drummer, threw his base onto the stage knocking a mic into the audience, and later swung from the rafters, literally.
One of the highlights of the show was a fantastic cover of Neutral Milk Hotel's "Two-Headed Boy". After they had left the stage, I was sure there would be no encore. I mean they had played a great show, but his voice was not working. Jeremy came out of the men's room and said that the band was coming back on. He had seen the lead singer rushing to finish up at the urinal and as he was hurrying out the door Jeremy asked him, "Is washing your hands to cool for indie rock?"
Great show, unlike any other I've seen.
Great Band.
The Meadowlands
Posted by Rich at 3:09 PM | Comments (0)
August 25, 2005
Encyclopedia of Food
I started getting Wine Spectator in 1993 when I went to work for a small winery in Dallas. I liked wine, but had little knowledge on the subject. Don, the owner taught me some basics, and handed me a stack of books. He also paid for my first subscription, and made me feel less intimidated about wine. Don had tasted around the world and yet he said, "The great thing about wine is that you learn something new every time you open a bottle." To me this was magic. Even the most knowledgeable wine enthusiast had an entire field to study with each vintage.
I worked in the tasting room. My days consisted of helping customers taste and reading about wine. At 8pm when I closed up the shop, I had an hour to get to a liquor store to buy something I had read about earlier in the day.
I have always recommended the magazine highly to anyone interested in learning more about wine. It is filled with information and wine ratings, and the vintage card that they produce each year always ends up in my wallet. The card gives you an overall rating for several recent vintages in each major wine region. It is a great resource at a restaurant when there isn't anything familiar on the list and you aren't sure if your waiter can give you a good recommendation.
The latest issue of Wine Spectator, "The Encyclopedia of Food" is extraordinary. It is filled with basic, encyclopedic (of course) information. After reading about half of this enormous issue, I realize that while I have gained a certain amount of food knowledge in my lifetime, there are loads of basics that I need to learn or study further. Ultimately, I would be a better cook when I wasn't using a recipe. It would also afford me the chance to experiment with a greater chance of success.
This issue is divided into basic categories: Meat, Deli Meat, Poultry, Seafood, Produce, Dairy, Pantry, Bread, Oil & Vinegar, Chocolate, Coffee & Tea, Equipment, and Wine. The categories are subdivided into a thorough list of components. (e.g. Poultry has information about almost any edible bird) Each section is filled with advice on how, where, and when to buy, preparation, cooking methods, and wine paring information, along with interesting maps, charts, and diagrams.
There are quite a few tidbits that I picked up; some I should have known-- others might surprise most (like the fact that morels are not true mushrooms). Go pick up your copy today!
Posted by Rich at 1:23 PM | Comments (0)
August 23, 2005
The Miscellaneous August Entry
The new Froofy Drink of the Week:
Tropical Rainstorm
1.5 oz dark rum
.5 oz cherry brandy
.5 oz lemon juice
1 tsp Cointreau or triple sec
Pour ingredients into shaker half-filled with ice cubes. Shake and pour into cocktail glass.
This thing is just as potent as the Polynesian Cocktail. I chose it for the ingredients which I had on hand and it's lack of gin.
Steaks Dammit!
Steve and Natalie brought over some giant bone-in Rib eyes. Prepared simply with kosher salt and pepper, I thought the grill might collapse under the sheer weight of these monsters. I didn't want to take any chances, so I used a thermometer to keep from overcooking them.
The Poutiest Rider
I snapped this shot right before a bike ride. The girls were strapped into trailer with goldfish in hand. Francesca had just gotten up from a nap, but has recently taken to throwing down this pouty look.
Posted by Rich at 8:34 PM | Comments (0)
August 22, 2005
The Tasting Room at Lola
A friend once said when asked about his ambitions and career, "I want to make enough money to eat and drink well." While this is certainly not as lofty a goal as say finding a renewable, pollution-free energy source, it shows an obvious love of good food.
I have always found joy in food and wine-- and it is always best when shared with someone. When Karen and I arrived at Lola, a small little restaurant tucked away in a quaint house outside of downtown, we didn't know that we would be attending a master class on culinary art and presentation.
There is a room inside the restaurant that is designated the "Tasting room." Meals are served in 10 or 14 petite courses along with paired wines. The meal and experience was amazing, put together by people who find joy in food and wine.
Tasting Menu
14 courses
Nino Franco, “Rustico” Prosecco, Sparkling Wine, Italy N. V. I love a good prosecco, and this crisp sparkling wine was no exception.
Crudo of Bluefin tuna with lemon and mizuna Karen actually ate and enjoyed raw tuna! Does this mean I might get her to start enjoying a little sushi?
Heirloom tomato salad with a basil cloud The basil cloud was like a mousse made with beaten egg whites-- a sweet sensation
Gaspacho Andaluz
D’Arenberg, The Hermit Crab, Viognier-Marsanne, McLaren Vale 2004
Cop di Testina di Maiale Not sure what this is...might not want to know. It was the only dish that the waiter didn't elaborate on the ingredients...
Artichoke risotto with Prosciutto de Parma This dish was scrumptious, and the torn bits of prosciutto added color and flavor.
Sautéed monkfish with polenta and a parsley salad One of best all night, and that is saying a lot!
Salmon en porchetta with baby fennel
Querceto, Chianti Classico Riserva, Sangiovese, Tuscany, Italy 2000
Quail with glazed cippolini
Duck Breast with shell beans
Dry-aged N. Y. strip with haricots verts Unbelievable! And they do some of the dry aging in house.
Seared Sonoma foie gras with Bing Cherries and brioche The waiter said that it didn't get better than this. He was right.
Elderton, “Botrytis Semillon” Riverina, Australia 2003
Peach sorbet
Three artisan cheeses with caramelized onions Karen was so full by this point, we took her cheese home.
Lemon curd with wild Maine blueberries
Posted by Rich at 3:17 PM | Comments (6)
August 18, 2005
Saturday at Chez Louie
Saturday morning was blazing hot in Dallas, but on the western horizon, we could see a line of clouds in the distance. The kids were settled in for a long ride to Ft. Worth and beyond. Out in the country, between Weatherford and Ft. Worth is a little hacienda called Chez Louie.
Upon arrival the girls were overwhelmed by the myriad of activities available there. Louie and Rene had pulled all sorts of toys out of storage and setup an outdoor playroom under an awning. There was also a trampoline, a dog (which for Francesca is an activity), and of course the pool.
The clouds provided a massive difference in temperature and a brief rain shower. This wet break didn't keep us from enjoying Patron margarita’s while relaxing on the porch. The girls had their first ride on a 4-wheeler and we took a long ride around the block (it took 10 minutes to get around this particular block), seeing horses, mules, and plenty of farm dogs.
Francesca Works in the Kitchen
Louie Takes Sophia 4-Wheeling
Francesca Takes in the View
As the day wound down, we sat by the pool and enjoyed some fantastic enchiladas and great wine from Duckhorn, Louie's favorite. After dinner we shot off a load of fireworks, scaring Francesca into the house. We woke up to a breakfast favorite-- pigs in a blanket!!!
Thanks to Louie and Rene for opening up their home and making us feel so "at home."
Cloudy Country Sunset
Louie and Rene Pour the Wine
Posted by Rich at 4:45 PM | Comments (0)
August 15, 2005
Flipity Flop
Anything I could write about this video clip would be a waste of everyone's time. Enjoy.
Posted by Rich at 11:16 AM | Comments (2)
August 11, 2005
Driving Through a Painting
The drive back from Dalhart was possibly the most incredible I have experienced. Sadly, the drive is usually beautiful solely for its desolation; a wasteland, devoid of trees other than scraggly mesquite trees no taller than bushes.
We started before the sun came up. In the distance, lighting lit towering thunderheads that loomed in our path. I have seen only 2 other light shows that were as impressive-- one of them along the same stretch of highway. There is something about the prairie in the Texas Panhandle. The powerful storms that rumble across the fields will take your breath (or scare the hell out of you if you are a small child). As it turned out, we skirted along the edge of the nasty storm. Even on its edges, rain pounded the windshield, blinding a weary driver.
Once the rain slowed to a patter, the sun began to rise. To the west was a pitch black sky; to the east were water-colored high clouds at the storm's fringe-- dark purples and reds, brilliant orange. We were headed into a dream, and I kicked myself for not stopping sooner to take some photos. By the time I realized that I was missing a chance to capture a beauty that the plains rarely afford, the sun had made its way above the horizon.
The rest of the morning was colored in the soft tones of the sun passing through silk. High clouds refracted its light, bringing out the lush, new green of plants that had been revived by only a day or two of recent rain. That fresh green made the afternoon drive a wonder. Days before, we had passed through a dry, brown countryside. Now the world was filled with vibrant colors and rolling clouds.
Late in the afternoon, the drive ended as it began with a rattling thunderstorm.
Posted by Rich at 10:51 AM | Comments (4)
August 9, 2005
69th Annual XIT Rodeo and Reunion
The XIT ranch covered 10 counties in Texas (XIT stands for "Ten in Texas"). My great grandfather was a cowhand on the XIT ranch.
The Rodeo and Reunion, started in 1925, was a chance for all of the old cowhands to get back together. Karen and I now use it as a good excuse to get back to Dalhart and visit my folks and old friends. There are also lots of fun activities for the kids.
Saturday morning of XIT is parade time. And this parade is one of the nicest small-town parades you could imagine. There are loads of horses, queens, and farm equipment.
Oh and lots of candy for the kids.
Sophia Anticipates
Corbin, Spencer, and Sophia Watch the Parade Start
Old Guy - Small Car
Francesca, Sophia, Abby and Ringo(Spencer)
Francesca in Post-Parade, Candy-Overload Bliss
The world's largest free BBQ feed is a Saturday afternoon event. Seeing them pull the burlap wrapped brisket out of the recently uncovered pit impresses most anyone. Unfortunately, I missed that part this year, but we did arrive in time to get a plate and sit together on the rodeo grounds. The brisket was excellent this year. (It has been less than perfect in a few past years, like the time the wood in the pit got wet. Under-cooked brisket is inedible. The stuff they pulled out of the pit THAT year was just beyond raw.) Although the kids didn't eat much, I ended up with nothing left on my plate. (After we got back to my dad's house, Sophia asked, "When are we going to have dinner?")
There were 2 bounce houses-- a small obstacle course for the little kids, and a big slide for the older ones. My kids really enjoyed the smaller one, but while we were watching them, an 8 year old broke his arm on the big one...badly. The bone wasn't sticking out of the skin, but I am told it was close-- sticking out, just not out of the skin. The boy jumped down the slide instead of sliding (as many of the boys were doing) and landed on his arm. He started screaming (as many of the boys were doing). His mom scooped him up from the bottom and took off running to an ambulance stationed on the other side of the grounds. The scary part is that the old coot running the slide didn't even know it happened.
After the bounce house the kids rode in steel cages hooked to a spinning wheel. A Ferris wheel is what some might call it, but it looked more like a trap for unsuspecting humans to me. Francesca rode with Karen and started screaming after going around one time. Sophia rode with Grammy and made it 4-5 minutes before screaming to be let out.
Chow Down on Some Real Pit BBQ
Look Out for That Loose Arm!
The Wheel of Doom
Posted by Rich at 2:17 PM | Comments (5)
August 6, 2005
Dalhart Fun
Is Dalhart a fun place? It can be. It can also be relaxing. Everytime I visit, I am reminded what I miss about small town life. Usually I am also reminded of what I don't miss.
Thursday was relaxing for Karen and I. The girls had fun with grandparents and cousins. I cooked at my dad's for the first time in their beautiful new kitchen. I got to enjoy the company of a couple of my sisters, and a cigar. Here are a few random shots:
Abby and Sophia: Princesses Who Shuck
Leslie with a Melon on Her Head
Papa with Abby and Francesca
Friday was another relaxing day. Lazy is probably a better word. While Francesca napped, Sophia played at Abby and Spencer's house. This gave Karen and I the rare opportunity to enjoy a couple of quiet hours during a beautiful afternoon. A cold front had come through during the night, leaving us with 75 degree weather.
Later in the afternoon we went to my sister Leslie's house for a cookout. They got out a bounce house for the kids that turned into a mad house with crying and screaming kids flying everywhere.
Me and the Meltdown Queeens
Bounce House Technicians
In the Madhouse
Posted by Rich at 2:38 PM | Comments (0)
August 5, 2005
The Road to XIT
It was 5am...time to get ready for our trip to the panhandle of Texas. To drive from Dallas to Dalhart takes about 8 hours. With 2 small girls it can take an eternity. Fortunately, the girls were both in good spirits for most of the trip.
There are curiosities along the way. For the first time, we took pictures of them. Sadly there are a few "Wonders of Hwy 287" that are no longer there. An old favorite, the Dew Drop Inn, has been gone for several years.
We know we are in the panhandle when we see the following sign.
Karen's Favorite
I guess It Will Have To...
Memphis: Home of the Fighting Cyclones!
Free 72oz Steak
If eaten in an hour with salad, potato, and dinner roll
Posted by Rich at 2:02 PM | Comments (2)
August 1, 2005
Sophia's Art
Sophia had a prolific day of painting on Saturday. While Karen and I painted the exterior of our home, Joan spread out newspaper and Sophia got completely naked. After painting every part of her body, Sophia got down to the business of art. She talked through some of her designs prior to painting them, with others she simply put the brush on the page.
Meanwhile the adults painted the exterior of the house around the new bedroom windows and the front door we put in last fall. Jeremy and I started painting the exterior of the house when we moved back in around Thanksgiving 2001. I was under the misguided assumption that I would still have time to work on things around the house after Sophia was born. About the time I could really devote a good chunk of energy to projects around the house, Francesca was born. Now we are hitting that sweet spot where the kids are old enough to play while we work, yet they don't have tons of outside activities/lessons that they have to be taken too. That said, my goal is to have the house exterior painting finished by the end of August.
I don't have any pictures of the adults hard at work, but I have some Sophia-made eye candy!
Posted by Rich at 3:28 PM | Comments (1)
