Enjoying a Gin & Tonic

On the water...

"Great Moments in Bartending"

Imagine my surprise when I was flipping through the current issue of Esquire magazine, the annual "Best Bars in America" issue, and happened across this gem, featuring our dear friend (and wedding guest) Patrick:

GREAT MOMENTS IN BARTENDING
Wollensky Grill, New York City. Packed bar, as always. Packed with men. Patrick, a beautifully intolerant man, stands in front of a new arrival. Guy orders white wine. Patrick says nothing. Patrick slides the wine in front of him, then bides his time until the guy has consumed most of the glass. Patrick stands in front of him again. Loudly enough for everyone in the bar to hear, Patrick says: "Another chardonnay, Alice?" - David Granger

The article goes on to list their entries in the "Greatest Bars in America." Of particular note, the two entries from New Orleans figured prominently in our Jazz Fest revelry: Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop and The Spotted Cat. These two are, indeed, two of the greatest bars in America. And also - in that strange New Orleans way - happen to be the two bars I bought signature hats in this year.

In another "Great Moments in Bartending" part of the article they profile Paul Gustings of Tujague's in New Orleans, who: "could be the crustiest bartender on earth. He's also one of the best." And who Gano & I met this past Mardi Gras as we crossed Tujague's off my Obituary Cocktail list.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to both of our wonderful mothers. Unfortunately, I could not be with either of them today as work is still crushing and has to be the priority for the next few weeks, but the love is there and The Wife went out to see her mom. I did get to see Momma G. in New Orleans and The Momma-in-Law recently in Florida, so hopefully that can count, as will this photo of the 4 of us at Jerry Lee Lewis have to.

Lots of love to both of you and hope you had a special day, as two such special ladies deserve.

Über-Busy & Productive Day

I have to assume that, to the casual observer on the street, our apartment building today looked like Ghostbusters Headquarters when they shut off the containment grid. I have been standing on the throttle work-wise since 6:30am and just got off my last conference call of the day at 8:30pm. A tremendously productive day, but one that was going full-throttle all day long with multiple meetings, conference calls, etc. (As a result, I have yet to get to Jazz Fest pics, etc. Stay tuned...)

Next Stop

Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop. In a city seemingly knitted together of my favorite bars, this is one of my absolute favorites. The second oldest building in the city of New Orleans, allegedly the oldest bar in the U.S., and where the legendary pirate Jean Lafitte made his weaponry. Legend also holds that he would slaughter a crew member everywhere he buried his treasure so that the crewman's ghost would guard it. His greatest treasure is said to be buried in the chimney of the bar, but everyone fears his wrath too much to try and find it. Of course, "as with many things involving Lafitte, no documentation of this exists."

Me & Tommy Lee

At the Famous Door on Bourbon Street.

New Orleans Champagne

On Matt's French Quarter balcony...

Rollin' in a Limo With Momma

That's how she rolls. After a huge delay we're in a stretch limo to the French Quarter.

Jazz Fest Eve Y'all!

I am jumping out of my skin in anticipation. Leave tomorrow on a super early flight with Momma. Marvelous Matt S. is already there and providing me with constant, envy-inducing updates. This year is shaping up to be delightfully weird. As they all are...

"We can't stop here, this is Bat Country!"

Arthur C. Clarke

While on the topic of geniuses... I've always enjoyed this quote by brilliant science fiction author, the late Arthur C. Clarke:

"Two possibilities exist: Either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying."

Esther Dyson

Went to a lecture luncheon at the U. Club featuring Esther Dyson.

A great lecture about privacy and the internet. As an added bonus, her father eminent physicist Freeman Dyson was also there!

Bishop Krister Stendahl

Sarah's grandfather, Bishop Krister Stendahl, passed away a week ago, on Tuesday, April 15th, 2008. His accomplishments are legion; including serving as Dean of the Harvard Divinity School from 1968- 1979 and increasing the school's diversity during that period, as well as serving as Bishop of Stockholm from 1984-1988. His awards and authored works are too numerous to mention, but I would encourage you to read his New York Times obituary here as well as Harvard Divinity School's obituary here.

I had the great pleasure of meeting him several times and enjoyed every single one of them, with two events really standing out in my memory. Firstly, Chris & Sarah's wedding. Chris and I were standing at the altar and Bishop Stendahl asked that we step back in to the church and have a moment of prayer, together - the 2 brothers and the 2 mass celebrants, before the ceremony began. I treasure that moment between my brother & I, and know that I forever will. Also, after I made my Best Man speech, he asked that I escort him to meet our family. I was extremely honored, and asked him out of respect for his position as Emeritus Bishop of Stockholm, "How should I address and introduce you? As 'Your Eminence'? 'Bishop'? 'Right Reverend'?"

He replied simply, "Krister."

When my brother graduated from Harvard and received his PhD, Bishop Stendahl gave me his faculty ticket for the commencement ceremony. Again I was extremely honored. (and the seats were great!) Later that evening I asked Sarah and her mother if they thought Bishop Stendahl would indulge me and autograph my ticket for me. Sarah had a funny reply, "I think he'd see the humor in that. Either he will or he won't." And Sarah's Mom took the ticket to him.

Sure enough, a few weeks later, an envelope arrived with a Nantucket return address...

Obviously a very special person, who led a very blessed life. Thoughts, prayers and condolences to Sarah (who shares her birthday with him) and her family and I for one am extremely grateful for even what little time I was able to spend with Krister.

I would say "May God bless him..." but I have to figure he has that covered... So I will simply say, "Thank you."

Gone Fishin' Redux

The Guys went fishing on Saturday and had a great time, catching 11 fish in total. Grant & I were a "fishing team" against Jack & Bob and the old fellas edged us out by 1 fish. Grant caught the first fish, Jack edged Grant out by 1 inch for the biggest, and the old-timers narrowly beat us 6-5 for most. We kept 2 black drum that Captain Keith expertly filleted and Jack cooked up that night -- they were spectacular eating.

Brett's On The Water

After a relaxing day on the beach with a lot of bocce, football and Kadima the adults went to play golf and The Wife, Grant and I went in to town for a few sunset cocktails at Brett's. Then we all met up at the Sand Dollar for dinner.

Gone Fishin'

Gone Fishin'
Originally uploaded by Guzilla.

Yankee Stadium Countdown

Saw the 73rd to last game at Yankee Stadium...

Papal Yankee Hat

The Pope plays for the Yankees

THIS JUST IN -- Apparently the guy who made these saw this post and left a comment, but left no contact info. If you are that guy or know that guy, email guzilladiaries [AT] gmail [DOT] com -- I want one of these! I think they are hysterical...

Lunch in Gramercy Park

Far too beautiful to stay inside. That & a surprise visit from our cleaning lady forced me out on short notice. So reading & catching up on research & emails in the park!

Kluge's Visit

Had an absolute blast while the old fella was in town. Got to see him 3 times over his visit, with him dropping by for a coffee one day, the breakfast at Little Poland I posted about earlier, and a lovely night on the town on Saturday.

Started with a cocktail at our apartment and a nice chat as this was the first time he got to see The Wife this week. Then took a leisurely stroll to Pia Dina in the Village for a splendid Italian meal with a couple bottles of a nice red wine. From there we discussed the Irish Coffee and he put it to me to find a great one in town, so we jumped a cab up to the Blue Bar at the Algonquin where this photo was taken. They delivered and then we repaired to a crowded Jimmy's Corner, followed by a postprandial cigar in Gramercy Park. A very nice evening, with a great guy...

Clinton St. Graffiti Gnomes

The Wife and I wandered around the Lower East Side for a nice long walk today. Picked up several odd food items: got a 3 piece sampler of fried chicken, a dumpling sampler, a bucket of kimchi, some cheese, a 6 pack of beer, etc.

The Mighty Kluge-ster

gets a boxing answer right at Jimmy's Corner. Mike "The Bodysnatcher" McCallum

Breakfast with Kluge

Had breakfast with my former creative writing professor from Semester-at-Sea, the novelist P. F. Kluge. He was kind enough to take me to "Little Poland" for what I think was his third trip there so far this week. As I asked him on our walk to the restaurant, "You can tell me, it's just the two of us... Does it bother you you're not Polish?"

Great to see him, as always. Had a delightful, far-ranging chat over breakfast discussing his family's involvement in World War II, Semester-at-Sea reminiscences and the staying power of his most famous work "Eddie & The Cruisers." Here he does a little victory dance in our booth as he correctly named a mural painter faster than I could pull the information from the internet. Small victories for the elderly...

Utah Skiing Video

Christian & I enjoying 6-8 new inches at Brighton.

John Chin & Irvin Mayfield

Live at the Blue Note. John is a friend (and soundtrack artist) & I could NOT believe it when I found out he was playing the Blue Note with IRVIN MAYFIELD. (!!) For those who do not know, Irvin Mayfield is the Cultural Ambassador of New Orleans and a legendary performer. Had a great time at the show, even though I went alone. And, thanks to John, got to meet Irvin. Well done, John!

Greatest. Coozie. Ever

Marvelous Matt S. just got back from Lauderdale, where he attended a gay rodeo. And brought me back this Mother of All Coozies - cowhide, fur & a sheriff's star. Awesome.

Happy Birthday, Momma!

It's Momma Guzilla's birthday! Happy Birthday Momma!! Lots of love and we hope it's a happy one...

One for Eddie

I don't know what it is, but every time Gano & I get together, weird (and wonderful) things happen. Met Sully & Jen for lunch at the Spotted Pig as we had not seen Sully in a very long time. Then wandered down to the Ear Inn to meet JD for a semi-business meeting. JD left for the suburbs and, shortly thereafter, a wake arrived. A very fun, very inebriated wake for a gentleman named Eddie who had been going to the Ear with his widow Ronnie for 25-30 years and was the cinematographer on such classic New York films as "The French Connection" and "Rosemary's Baby." One for Eddie indeed...

'Metal Gods'

I don't know if I would go that far... But perhaps lesser demi-gods. Essentially a bar metal cover band. But certainly amusing enough...

Slightly Stoopid

Live at The Canyons' "Spring Gruv"

Snowbird

A sunny day at Snowbird

The Donnas

Live at Harry O's in Park City. They were dreadful. As has Harry O's become. We heard a few songs, couldn't take any more and retreated back to the (glorious) No Name Saloon.

BRIGHTON!

Had an EPIC day of skiing at Brighton. Thanks to our being "the creme of the national sporting press" we received complimentary ski passes. They had received 6-8" of fresh snow and NO ONE was there. Our cumulative wait time in lift lines? 0.0 seconds. An incredible day, and it kept snowing.

Snow

14'' in the last 24 hours and more coming. EPIC day on the hill today!

'Spring Gruv'

An afternoon concert at The Canyons

Frozen Grand Central

this is pretty cool...

Skynyrd Remains Underrated

My second favorite Skynyrd tune. But this one has a more interesting message (although "Gimme Back My Bullets" is a pretty interesting point to make... Who took them? Where are they? Why do I need them back?) Despite being sung by the "new" Skynyrd, this is a truly great song, and great message... "Don't forget, Son, there is someone up above..."

Skynyrd is VASTLY Underrated

My favorite Lynyrd Skynyrd song: "Gimme Back My Bullets":

"Liberace: Your Personal Fashion Consultant"

Our dear and generous friend Sully, who left us for Boston, still makes his presence felt. Every now and then a gift will arrive, always unexpectedly but this time... shockingly. Who knew there was a book entitled "Liberace: Your Personal Fashion Consultant"? Certainly not I. I had always credited Evel Knievel as a tremendous fashion influence but I am going to have to rethink this as Liberace was Polish, and everyone called him "Lee." Hmm... As Sully's note read, "Who knows fashion better than Liberace? I agree, not a soul. Thought perhaps this would help at Mardi Gras." Great stuff.

As Liberace himself said, "Excuse me a moment while I slip into something more spectacular."

Zombies Redux

Beloved brother-in-law John wrote in from San Diego to say he enjoyed several recent posts including the Zombie Food Pyramid. He wrote, "i bought this t shirt for [his wife] denise last year"

WOW! What an Easter!

WOW! That was some Easter...

For my Mom's Christmas present we got her tickets to see the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin at Radio City Music Hall. So Momma G. came down on Saturday and had a fantastic lunch at BLT Market. Then we wandered around, ending up at dinner at Osteria del Circo before getting to Radio City right on time. The concert was fantastic, a full retrospective of Aretha's career from her early days in gospel to the 2 hits "Respect" and "Chain of Fools." There was even a welcome guest in former Temptations lead singer Ollie Woodson and an indulged guest in her son who sang Christian hip-hop as many of the crowd went to refresh their drinks. Despite not having the polish I expected from a Radio City-level show, she is still Aretha Franklin and there were moments of transcendence. I particularly enjoyed all of the gospel numbers and the encore she sang and played on piano, "Easter Parade." Wow. (NY Times review here.)

On Sunday we went to Mass at our local church and then up to the U. Club to watch the Easter Parade itself on 5th Avenue through the Club windows, followed by an exquisite Easter brunch replete with SEVERAL bottles of champagne. (Momma had given up drinking for Lent so it only seemed appropriate we get her right back on that horse.) Had a blast and then came back to our apartment to relax, watch the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix, order in Italian food and then send Momma back Uptown in a cab.

Truly a great Easter. Family, fun, food and Aretha Franklin.

Times Square Star Wars ad

Rocking Russkies

In what can only be called a TRIUMPH of international relations, the Soviet Army Chorus jams with Finnish rock band "The Leningrad Cowboys" on Lynyrd Skynyrd's classic "Sweet Home Alabama." This has to be seen to be believed, and the REAL Soviet Army Chorus lends a certain terrifying gravitas to the end of the song...

New Yorker Caption Contest

My friend Christian & I are obsessed with the New Yorker's weekly Caption Contest. We submit entries frequently, but I thought that we had this week's LOCKED UP. You see, in high school, I had submitted an entry to the Bulwer-Lytton Contest which is a contest to write the best opening line to the worst piece of potential fiction:

Since 1982 the English Department at San Jose State University has sponsored the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest, a whimsical literary competition that challenges entrants to compose the opening sentence to the worst of all possible novels.

Edward Bulwer-Lytton was the author of that line, made famous by Snoopy of "Peanuts" fame, "It was a dark and stormy night..."

"It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents--except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness."

--Edward George Bulwer-Lytton, Paul Clifford (1830)

Dreadful. So they named a great contest after him to write a terrific / terrible opening line to a fictitious novel. Brilliant.

My entry, nearly 20 years ago, was "The vultures alit from their prey, their carrion luggage stowed away." So I get a call from Christian telling me that this week's New Yorker Caption Contest is PERFECT for a joke I made 2 decades ago. Naturally, I submitted a similar entry thinking that - at last - my time had arrived, destiny had come calling, and I would finally get national New Yorker-level recognition for my rapier wit...

Here's where I get angry. Christian & I had superior entries for this week's Caption Contest, neither one of which was chosen. So, I took it up on myself to write our friend Bruce, who is a film critic and editor at the New Yorker:

Bruce:

I apologize in advance for this rant, but I am afraid that I am really furious at your employer. As you know, Christian & I are obsessed with the Caption Contest. Now, of course we always think our submissions are superior, but this week it's no contest whatsoever and we are really angry that the three that were chosen were INFINITELY inferior to our submissions.

Here is the cartoon, and the 3 loser entries:

Drawing by Drew Dernavich

"Janice, hold all my calls. Indefinitely." Submitted by Peter Bruno Rutland, Vt. "Could you order me a B.L.T. on whole wheat with a side of carrion?" Submitted by Wayne Martorelli Lawrenceville, N.J. "Let me guess—the lab results aren't good." Submitted by Jacob Kono Jersey City, N.J.

Now here are ours:

Mine -- "No, no checked luggage. All carrion."
Christian's -- "No, I said we should adopt a corporate culture."

Obviously ours are better.

So, in short and in closing, you work for a bunch of communist-sympathizing whoremongers who wouldn't know good cartoon captions if they bit them in their pompous asses. Filthy animals...

Strong letter to follow,
LTG

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's day to one and all. We normally hunker down to avoid the drunken masses and are doing so again this year, shutting ourselves off from the red-eyed hordes who dress in, and vomit, green. I (correctly) lump St. Patrick's Day in with New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day -- Amateur Hour. For the hard-drinking, festive stalwarts among us there is no need for a manufactured holiday - the behavior exhibited by the multitudes today we just call "Tuesday". [As one of my hilarious yet less charitable (and French) friends said in college, "Happy be poor, eat potatoes and starve day."]

I, for one, happen to like the Irish. They share a lot in common with the Polish. Or as I have been known to say, "The Irish are the poor man's Pole." Both groups have bad cuisine, drink too much, tell stories, get in fights, are fiercely loyal and predominantly Catholic; but the Irish have that accent everyone loves and thieving little green men who horde gold and that seems to have given them an edge in the collective consciousness. What do we Poles have? Better looking women and a Pope. I'll take it...

All of that being said, here's a nice version of a traditional piece:

Had a good if subdued weekend up at Windham. Did some skiing on variable and, on Sunday, dangerously foggy conditions and enjoyed the last weekend of the season there, trying to get some turns in before we head to Utah in 2 weeks.

THE BLOG IS BACK!

Okay... My profound apologies. I have been ABSURDLY busy the last few weeks with work and haven't had time to update the blog. Very sorry and will endeavor to keep up with it more frequently. However, I have gone back and added more photos & events going back to last October, so feel free to peruse some of the older posts. There are some amusing things I just was not able to get to, until now. As an added bonus, the Zombie Food Pyramid:

Salon Opening

The Wife and her company organized a lovely party for the opening of a new salon on Wednesday and I swung by. Surprisingly fun and the client was very pleased with the event! Well done, Wife!

KB Evolution

Our boy's all grows up...

Late Night Shenanigans

Wine, cheese, beer, flatulence and funny photos...

KB & Ladies

Went to North Carolina to visit KB & Z. Had a truly stupendous time. Saw Maceo Parker & Booker T. and the MGs at Duke University's Page Auditorium. Kevin got tickets MONTHS ago and we were seated in the fourth row. Great show, and the first time K & Z had seen Maceo.

Went to an EPIC dinner at the "Second Empire" on Saturday, followed by late night shenanigans at their wonderfully decorated house. A very fun weekend...

Maceo Parker - "Pass the Peas"

Maceo plays his classic "Pass the Peas" as an encore:

Maceo Parker - "Gimme Some More"

Funk legend Maceo Parker lays it down... As Kevin noted on our way out, "Now THAT'S a bandleader. He plays THE BAND as an instrument."

Booker T. & The MG's - "Green Onions"

Video from the concert in North Carolina of the legendary Booker T. & the MG's performing their timeless classic, "Green Onions".

Maceo!

Maceo!
Originally uploaded by Guzilla.