I'll probably post once more in the morning before boarding a plane for India, but I hope all of you have a safe night tonight.
Don't forget to take MillerCoors Free Rides on the Milwaukee County Transit System if you live in the area.
I'll be swinging by a friend's party, grabbing a cocktail at the new Iron Horse Hotel, then getting my dance on at the Get Down at Darling Hall.
HAPPY 2009!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
music madness: top albums of '08
There’s no disputing that 2008 was a solid year for new music. I actually had to create a criteria spreadsheet to narrow down my finalists. My Top 10 came out of the average number of album listens since I put it on my iPod, whether I bought the physical CD or purchased online, if I saw the band in concert and if they played a show in Milwaukee.
Before I get into my Top 10, let me touch upon some of the folks that didn’t make the cut this year. I'm not typically a fan, but I do need to send a shoutout to Trent Reznor for the surprise and free Nine Inch Nails album, The Slip. The whole album is quite good, and "Discipline" was one of my major biking jams of the summer. I also need to admit that after two disappointments in a row, I'm a big fan of the new Coldplay album Viva la Vida, even if they allegedly stole half the songs. I feel it went back to the Coldplay roots more than trying to emulate a U2 album.
I also have to point out two items that you may notice that are missing from my Top 10, even from my Honorable Mention. The Hold Steady's Stay Positive felt like a shell of Boys and Girls in America, even though it did grow on me after awhile. Sad because they are one of my fave bands ever. I've never been a huge fan, but I definitely didn't buy in after My Morning Jacket's Evil Urges. I guess some of it was good, but "Highly Suspicious" may go on my most annoying song ever list.
Okay, now on to my likes. Again, the strict criteria did bump some albums out of the Top 10 and I know I'm going to get flack for my #1's technicality, but whatever. Here's the list:
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer: Only lost major points for not playing in Milwaukee to my knowledge. A great album to get your epic rock on to. Songs are so epic you don't even realize they've lasted 11 minutes.
Hercules & Love Affair - Hercules & Love Affair: Another biking jam for me, this album makes me want to go to mid-70s New York and dance in a shower of glitter. Part dance party, part aching beauty. Antony vocals make "Blind" my single of the year, along with Pitchfork.
Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours: One final bike album, makes me want to go to mid-80s Manchester and dance with the pre-Goths. All dance party, all the time. Can't wait to see future of this band.
TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2008
10. She & Him - Volume 1: Zooey Deschanel & M. Ward expand on her showing in Elf in a beautiful saccharine way. Warmed my "Sentimental Heart."
9. Okkervil River - The Stand Ins: Never got why people loved this band, but now I do. "Lost Coastlines" sounds like Jens Lekman and The Decemberists jamming for their lives.
8. TV on the Radio - Dear Science: Would have been higher up the list, but this band has never come to Milwaukee to the best of my knowledge. "Golden Age" secures my faith in the future of music.
7. Dr. Dog - Fate: Severely underrated and I can't figure out why. Part Big Star, part modern indie rock, this was a wonderful summer album. I loved every track.
6. Jamie Lidell - Jim: I swear I listened to this album almost ever day in Summer 2008. "Another Day" cheesily would kick off my mornings. And I swear even if I have to marry myself, I'm dancing to "All I Wanna Do" at my wedding one day. My favorite happy love song of the year.
5. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes: Still kicking myself for missing the concert, as this album improves with every listen. Most people drool of "White Winter Hymnal," but "He Doesn't Know Why" is hands down my favorite song off the incredibly gorgeous album.
4. Two Cow Garage - Speaking in Cursive: I have the pleasure of being friends with these guys and it's been fantastic to watch them evolve from scrappy kids who wanted to rock to excellent professional musicians. This is by far their best album and one I wish more people could hear. It's on iTunes and once you get the privilege to see these guys live you'll go out and buy right away.
3. Girl Talk - Feed the Animals: Making an exception and including an album entirely comprised of samples on my list, because damn, no one does it like Greg Gillis. How can you not dance your ass off listening to this album?
2. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend: There's a lot of backlash, but I think that's from people that don't like fun. I tried to fight it too, but I gave in and accepted this album for what it was. And wow, did I listen to it a lot.
1. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago: I'm fully aware that this was self-released in 2007 and many people have DQ'd it from their lists. Screw that. I had no way of hearing it last year, but since I discovered in early 2008 (thank you WMSE) I haven't put it down. The concert blew my mind as well. I could listen to every track and have a different emotion. I'm glad this band is Wisconsin's own.
Looking forward to the music of 2009!
Before I get into my Top 10, let me touch upon some of the folks that didn’t make the cut this year. I'm not typically a fan, but I do need to send a shoutout to Trent Reznor for the surprise and free Nine Inch Nails album, The Slip. The whole album is quite good, and "Discipline" was one of my major biking jams of the summer. I also need to admit that after two disappointments in a row, I'm a big fan of the new Coldplay album Viva la Vida, even if they allegedly stole half the songs. I feel it went back to the Coldplay roots more than trying to emulate a U2 album.
I also have to point out two items that you may notice that are missing from my Top 10, even from my Honorable Mention. The Hold Steady's Stay Positive felt like a shell of Boys and Girls in America, even though it did grow on me after awhile. Sad because they are one of my fave bands ever. I've never been a huge fan, but I definitely didn't buy in after My Morning Jacket's Evil Urges. I guess some of it was good, but "Highly Suspicious" may go on my most annoying song ever list.
Okay, now on to my likes. Again, the strict criteria did bump some albums out of the Top 10 and I know I'm going to get flack for my #1's technicality, but whatever. Here's the list:
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer: Only lost major points for not playing in Milwaukee to my knowledge. A great album to get your epic rock on to. Songs are so epic you don't even realize they've lasted 11 minutes.
Hercules & Love Affair - Hercules & Love Affair: Another biking jam for me, this album makes me want to go to mid-70s New York and dance in a shower of glitter. Part dance party, part aching beauty. Antony vocals make "Blind" my single of the year, along with Pitchfork.
Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours: One final bike album, makes me want to go to mid-80s Manchester and dance with the pre-Goths. All dance party, all the time. Can't wait to see future of this band.
TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2008
10. She & Him - Volume 1: Zooey Deschanel & M. Ward expand on her showing in Elf in a beautiful saccharine way. Warmed my "Sentimental Heart."
9. Okkervil River - The Stand Ins: Never got why people loved this band, but now I do. "Lost Coastlines" sounds like Jens Lekman and The Decemberists jamming for their lives.
8. TV on the Radio - Dear Science: Would have been higher up the list, but this band has never come to Milwaukee to the best of my knowledge. "Golden Age" secures my faith in the future of music.
7. Dr. Dog - Fate: Severely underrated and I can't figure out why. Part Big Star, part modern indie rock, this was a wonderful summer album. I loved every track.
6. Jamie Lidell - Jim: I swear I listened to this album almost ever day in Summer 2008. "Another Day" cheesily would kick off my mornings. And I swear even if I have to marry myself, I'm dancing to "All I Wanna Do" at my wedding one day. My favorite happy love song of the year.
5. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes: Still kicking myself for missing the concert, as this album improves with every listen. Most people drool of "White Winter Hymnal," but "He Doesn't Know Why" is hands down my favorite song off the incredibly gorgeous album.
4. Two Cow Garage - Speaking in Cursive: I have the pleasure of being friends with these guys and it's been fantastic to watch them evolve from scrappy kids who wanted to rock to excellent professional musicians. This is by far their best album and one I wish more people could hear. It's on iTunes and once you get the privilege to see these guys live you'll go out and buy right away.
3. Girl Talk - Feed the Animals: Making an exception and including an album entirely comprised of samples on my list, because damn, no one does it like Greg Gillis. How can you not dance your ass off listening to this album?
2. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend: There's a lot of backlash, but I think that's from people that don't like fun. I tried to fight it too, but I gave in and accepted this album for what it was. And wow, did I listen to it a lot.
1. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago: I'm fully aware that this was self-released in 2007 and many people have DQ'd it from their lists. Screw that. I had no way of hearing it last year, but since I discovered in early 2008 (thank you WMSE) I haven't put it down. The concert blew my mind as well. I could listen to every track and have a different emotion. I'm glad this band is Wisconsin's own.
Looking forward to the music of 2009!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
thankful tuesdays: thanks for your patience
Thank you, loyal reader, for your patience over the holidays. Obviously this is a difficult time of year to blog, and I've successfully proved that.
I'm skimping out on blogging tonight after dinner at Triskele's and drinks (finally!) at the Bomb Shelter.
Tomorrow (I PROMISE) will be my Top 10 albums of '08. I have them prepared, but just need to flesh out my commentary.
I'm skimping out on blogging tonight after dinner at Triskele's and drinks (finally!) at the Bomb Shelter.
Tomorrow (I PROMISE) will be my Top 10 albums of '08. I have them prepared, but just need to flesh out my commentary.
Monday, December 29, 2008
monday munchies: 2008 in food
It seems ironic that one of my last meals of the year was at Cubanitas.
Don't get me wrong. The meal was fantastic. Our appetizer of plaintains and guacamole, my arroz con pollo and mojito -- all top quality. And I am forever grateful to my friend Larissa for the treat, since I am still walletless until tomorrow.
The irony lies in the fact that 2008 was the year I discovered the joys and the importance of eating locally.
It began back in March when my friends and I decided to experiment with Community Supported Agriculture. We went to an open house at the Urban Ecology Center and selected Rare Earth Farm to fill our fresh produce needs for the summer. Little did I know how that would set the course of my life.
Suddenly I learned to love vegetables. I learned new recipes and learned how to save what I wasn't using. I didn't do as much of this as I could have. But I was learning. I learned to freeze. I was inspired to make stocks and freeze those. I really got into it. More than my fellow sharemates. I ended up renewing with a friend with a similar passion for fresh food for next year.
Around the same time I tried my hand at balcony gardening. This was also an educational process. I succeeded until the drought hit in August. Then I got lazy with maintenance. Next year.
My kinetic interests led to self-education through reading. Barbara Kingsolver's Animal Vegetable Miracle inspired me to get serious about this stuff. Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food is slightly cracked open, but when I finish will probably shape my views going into '09. I found loads of other bloggers facing my same challenges and triumphs, especially through my participation in the Eat Local Challenge.
Yes, I began to participate both on and offline in the world of food. I joined the Southeastern Wisconsin chapter of Slow Food. I attended incredible events like the Milwaukee Public Market's Moo & Brew and the Slow Food Flooded Farms Fundraiser at La Merenda.
I regularly hit up my neighborhood farmer's market. At the end of the season I discovered the Fondy Farmers Market, where I'll definitely go next year. I also have my hopes set on returning to Growing Power.
Diets never worked for me, I never cared about the scientific impact of the food. I've lost weight however, eating healthier by caring about the cultural and economic impact of the morsels I'm consuming.
My awareness of food has changed my spheres in 2008. I'm glad people are listening to me, even if they are not changing their own habits. Talking about it definitely paid off under the Christmas tree, as I could not be more excited to receive a pressure cooker, a food mill and the world's greatest potato peeler this year.
2009 local eating, here I come!
Don't get me wrong. The meal was fantastic. Our appetizer of plaintains and guacamole, my arroz con pollo and mojito -- all top quality. And I am forever grateful to my friend Larissa for the treat, since I am still walletless until tomorrow.
The irony lies in the fact that 2008 was the year I discovered the joys and the importance of eating locally.
It began back in March when my friends and I decided to experiment with Community Supported Agriculture. We went to an open house at the Urban Ecology Center and selected Rare Earth Farm to fill our fresh produce needs for the summer. Little did I know how that would set the course of my life.
Suddenly I learned to love vegetables. I learned new recipes and learned how to save what I wasn't using. I didn't do as much of this as I could have. But I was learning. I learned to freeze. I was inspired to make stocks and freeze those. I really got into it. More than my fellow sharemates. I ended up renewing with a friend with a similar passion for fresh food for next year.
Around the same time I tried my hand at balcony gardening. This was also an educational process. I succeeded until the drought hit in August. Then I got lazy with maintenance. Next year.
My kinetic interests led to self-education through reading. Barbara Kingsolver's Animal Vegetable Miracle inspired me to get serious about this stuff. Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food is slightly cracked open, but when I finish will probably shape my views going into '09. I found loads of other bloggers facing my same challenges and triumphs, especially through my participation in the Eat Local Challenge.
Yes, I began to participate both on and offline in the world of food. I joined the Southeastern Wisconsin chapter of Slow Food. I attended incredible events like the Milwaukee Public Market's Moo & Brew and the Slow Food Flooded Farms Fundraiser at La Merenda.
I regularly hit up my neighborhood farmer's market. At the end of the season I discovered the Fondy Farmers Market, where I'll definitely go next year. I also have my hopes set on returning to Growing Power.
Diets never worked for me, I never cared about the scientific impact of the food. I've lost weight however, eating healthier by caring about the cultural and economic impact of the morsels I'm consuming.
My awareness of food has changed my spheres in 2008. I'm glad people are listening to me, even if they are not changing their own habits. Talking about it definitely paid off under the Christmas tree, as I could not be more excited to receive a pressure cooker, a food mill and the world's greatest potato peeler this year.
2009 local eating, here I come!
globetrotting: tourist in my hometown - pt III
Saturday started with a last-minute coffee date.
Before my nap on Friday afternoon, I'd noticed on Facebook that my friend Carrie was in town. Carrie moved to Portland from Milwaukee last summer and became my first Milwaukee-friend in Oregon. She and her fiance live in the Mt. Tabor neighborhood of SE Portland. I met her over there at Albina Press, a clean, minimalist coffee shop with a nice low-key feel. I ordered a mocha, which may have been near perfect. Right temp, texture and even steam-art. I think I had a Malkmus-sighting while retrieving my beverage, but didn't want to embarrass self by pointing to Carrie. The place was too spartan and I feared my echo marring my cred. Also, pretty much everyone in Portland looks like Stephen Malkmus, so there's a very strong possibility it was just your average Hawthorne Hipster.
Carrie and I had a nice time catching up. I learned about her new job and her adjustment to the Pacific Northwest. We comiserated about the piss-poor snow management. She hadn't been able to get fresh produce for days -- not exactly helpful for a vegetarian. Thanks to the melt she was going to venture to shop in the 'burbs that afternoon so our visit was a short one. My next agenda item was to meet up with my brother for lunch.
Unfortunately the brother was not answering his phone, but luckily I had my laptop on hand so I did some internet errands and enjoyed a cup of Morroccan Mint tea while waiting for a call back. I finally connected and found out that he forgot about our lunch plans. I drove the short distance to his place and he'd decided we could go somewhere near his work before he had to report at 3. Starving by that point, I was happy with the plan.
The place he wanted to go was closed, so we ended up at Laurelwood Public House & Brewery in the Hollywood District. Parking was a little tricky, especially with Rudolph taking up space:
I ordered the Build Your Own Burger since I was allowed to pick a turkey burger (I wish more places in Milwaukee would warm up to this substitution), and added sharp cheddar, sauteed mushrooms, tomato, lettuce and onion. Opted for the side of fries. I washed down my meal with a seasonal Vinter Varmer. Kevin got the Chicken Caesar Wrap and a Space Stout. Everything was excellent and I'd recommend this dining option to even the most casual Portland visitor. For a hungry, rainy Saturday afternoon it hit the spot.
I dropped the bro off at work and connected with my best friend Kat, who had been snowed in for most of my visit. I finally got to give Kat the bracelet I bought her at Art Vs. Craft. Of course, it didn't hold a candle to the hand-sewn apron she made for me out of a recycled pro-choice Oregon t-shirt and plaid fabric.
We decided to swing by Mary Ann's parents' house for their holiday party, since their daughter was stuck in Canada thanks to the toxic combo of bad weather and airlines. We had a nice visit with her mom, some Christmasy snacks, and caught up with each other. We just wish Mary Ann had been there!
After the party Kat and I stopped over at my parents' house so I could pack a little for my flight the next day. Locking ourselves up in my room and giggling never gets old, even after 14 1/2 years.
Eventually it was time for the caravan to leave from the Arnold abode and head back across town to my brother's work. This time to eat and be entertained by the Tony Starlight's Christmas Show. You see, my brother works at a pretty hip joint, Tony Starlight's Supper Club & Lounge, which features live entertainment while you eat. On Saturdays that entertainment is Tony Starlight, my brother's comedian/lounge singer boss. You're guaranteed to have a great time when you go. During the rest of the week they have live jazz and big band and other hip surprises and delights.
Because I had been grazing all day, I ordered light for dinner. I got a garden salad and then the tomato soup and grilled cheese combo. Mom got the chicken pesto pasta, which she scarfed because it was so delicious. My dad got the prime rib special and Kat opted for the award-winning burger. Everything I ordered tasted great, but the soup was VERY spicy. Prepping me for India, I suppose. For dessert I chipped away at the world's largest tiramisu and sipped on a potent Starlight Coffee.
We stayed for both sets of the show and were thoroughly entertained. A wonderful way to spend the last night in town with loved ones.
Before my nap on Friday afternoon, I'd noticed on Facebook that my friend Carrie was in town. Carrie moved to Portland from Milwaukee last summer and became my first Milwaukee-friend in Oregon. She and her fiance live in the Mt. Tabor neighborhood of SE Portland. I met her over there at Albina Press, a clean, minimalist coffee shop with a nice low-key feel. I ordered a mocha, which may have been near perfect. Right temp, texture and even steam-art. I think I had a Malkmus-sighting while retrieving my beverage, but didn't want to embarrass self by pointing to Carrie. The place was too spartan and I feared my echo marring my cred. Also, pretty much everyone in Portland looks like Stephen Malkmus, so there's a very strong possibility it was just your average Hawthorne Hipster.
Carrie and I had a nice time catching up. I learned about her new job and her adjustment to the Pacific Northwest. We comiserated about the piss-poor snow management. She hadn't been able to get fresh produce for days -- not exactly helpful for a vegetarian. Thanks to the melt she was going to venture to shop in the 'burbs that afternoon so our visit was a short one. My next agenda item was to meet up with my brother for lunch.
Unfortunately the brother was not answering his phone, but luckily I had my laptop on hand so I did some internet errands and enjoyed a cup of Morroccan Mint tea while waiting for a call back. I finally connected and found out that he forgot about our lunch plans. I drove the short distance to his place and he'd decided we could go somewhere near his work before he had to report at 3. Starving by that point, I was happy with the plan.
The place he wanted to go was closed, so we ended up at Laurelwood Public House & Brewery in the Hollywood District. Parking was a little tricky, especially with Rudolph taking up space:
 |
| From the accidental wisconsinite |
I ordered the Build Your Own Burger since I was allowed to pick a turkey burger (I wish more places in Milwaukee would warm up to this substitution), and added sharp cheddar, sauteed mushrooms, tomato, lettuce and onion. Opted for the side of fries. I washed down my meal with a seasonal Vinter Varmer. Kevin got the Chicken Caesar Wrap and a Space Stout. Everything was excellent and I'd recommend this dining option to even the most casual Portland visitor. For a hungry, rainy Saturday afternoon it hit the spot.
I dropped the bro off at work and connected with my best friend Kat, who had been snowed in for most of my visit. I finally got to give Kat the bracelet I bought her at Art Vs. Craft. Of course, it didn't hold a candle to the hand-sewn apron she made for me out of a recycled pro-choice Oregon t-shirt and plaid fabric.
We decided to swing by Mary Ann's parents' house for their holiday party, since their daughter was stuck in Canada thanks to the toxic combo of bad weather and airlines. We had a nice visit with her mom, some Christmasy snacks, and caught up with each other. We just wish Mary Ann had been there!
After the party Kat and I stopped over at my parents' house so I could pack a little for my flight the next day. Locking ourselves up in my room and giggling never gets old, even after 14 1/2 years.
Because I had been grazing all day, I ordered light for dinner. I got a garden salad and then the tomato soup and grilled cheese combo. Mom got the chicken pesto pasta, which she scarfed because it was so delicious. My dad got the prime rib special and Kat opted for the award-winning burger. Everything I ordered tasted great, but the soup was VERY spicy. Prepping me for India, I suppose. For dessert I chipped away at the world's largest tiramisu and sipped on a potent Starlight Coffee.
 |
| From Dining Out |
We stayed for both sets of the show and were thoroughly entertained. A wonderful way to spend the last night in town with loved ones.
globetrotting: tourist in my hometown - pt II
As per holiday tradition, Friday night was my "unofficial" JHS reunion. This is a group of us Freaks & Geeks, some of whom weren't really even close in high school, but we seem to make better adults than teenagers. Thanks to the magic of social media, we've reconnected and get together when we're all home at Christmas.
Since not many of stayed in Portland (Seattle, San Francisco and Chicago seem to have been hot landing spots), we generally end up in a centralized location in Northwest or the Pearl District of Portland. The Pearl District is an interesting concept for me, as it seriously DID NOT EXIST up until a few years ago. Now it defines the sleek hipness of the city. I struggle with this. I'm sure there's Milwaukeeans who may feel the same way about the Third Ward, but that was already shifting when I moved here (although my favorite vintage store, Marlene's Touch of Class, was one of the early victims of its transformation).
This was the first year I was able to make the dinner portion of the reunion, and I'm certainly glad. We met up at 50 Plates on 13th Street in "the Pearl." Apparently the owners donate quite a bit of cash to our high school, so that's how our friend Ryan had heard of it. Since I didn't make a donation this year (save for the money spent on the Official 10-Year Reunion), I figure eating a tasty meal could count toward my support of overprivileged children (just being snarky, I really appreciate my education). Dinner ended up just being three of us, as many people were snowed in still. Luckily Ryan, Sheila and I had hung out in Chicago last month, so we skipped right past the small talk. And focused on the important things like wine and food.
They'd already ordered a bottle by the time my parents dropped me off (just like high school, well except for the wine and posh restaurant part). I believe it was a Pinot Noir, but don't quote me on that. But I'm fairly certain it was from Oswego Hills winery. I'm 100% certain it was delicious.
Similar to our meal in Chicago, this one was also communal. We started with a round of appetizers, including chicken-fried oysters and Castroville artichoke rolls. I would recommend both. Round Two was salads, accompanied by fresh bread -- choice of buttermilk biscuit or sourdough roll. I began with the biscuit, which melted on my tongue with hardly a crumble. I believe we had the R&R salad, with apples and Rogue blue cheese -- though I'm not entirely sure. We also shared a smaller one with mandarin oranges. The larger salad was a bit heavy on the dressing, but otherwise you can't go wrong with blue cheese crumbles -- even if they aren't from Wisconsin.
Selecting a sourdough roll (prefered the biscuit) accompaniment, I dove into the shared entrees -- the Mac 'N' Cheese ('N' Chicken 'N' Fennel) and some sort of scallop and clam dish that I can't find on the online menu. The MNC was good (the chicken-fennel sausage inside the noodle was a unique touch), but honestly nothing is ever going to top The Social for me (although Triskele's comes close). However, I wish I could find the name of our seafood dish as it was DIVINE. Sea scallops surrounded by steamed clams bathed in a creamy wine sauce. The scallop was the kind you dream about making on your own. Perfectly browned, not too squishy, flavored just right. Mmmmm.
Next up dessert. We selected the Lemon Meringue Bread Pudding and some sort of Pistachio Cake. We wanted to try the S'mores Fondue, but they were out of marshmallows (a lot of restaurant deliveries were held up thanks to the snow). The bread pudding wasn't much to look at presentation wise, but tastewise I couldn't get enough. It was like a sesational custardy lemon bar. I normally don't like pistachios other than directly from the shell, but the cake convinced me otherwise. Maybe just because it was so pretty.
At some point during dessert Ryan had to run off, so Sheila and I stayed until the last crumb and then walked over to the next meeting point -- Life of Riley Tavern on 10th. Our classmate Adam and his wife were already there, so our group claimed the nice couch area to set up camp for the others.
Generally the crowd is fairly large, but unfortunately due to the weather we were only about 10-15 strong this year. My dear friend Mary Ann didn't even make it out of Canada thanks to the snow, and best pal Kat didn't make it off her hill. Luckily our foursome's other partner in crime, Marley, made it with her entourage for a little while. The small number made it a really eclectic group. I got to catch up with my friend Lindsey (we have totally become best online pals in the past couple of years thanks to our common interests in cooking and biking) on cooking and biking. My friend Sam showed me the "secret" more bar-y downstairs of the joint. Our classmate Mike arrived and left without saying much. My friend John and I once again rehashed watching the same video repeatedly in Mr. Schaal's biology class. Our classmate Matt told stories about his international and local stalkers.
The biggest surprise of the night for everyone was the appearance of our classmate, and my former co-editor of The Jesuit Crusader, Tucker. I joked that he crawled out of his enigma cave and decided to don us with his presence. My friend Monica, who was snowed in, later commented on my Facebook how disappointed she was to miss the Hailey's comet of classmate appearances. I think our astonishment with this classmate is that he's been able to channel the alternativeness from teenhood into a successful creative career as an adult. My angsty creativity dissapated, but his landed a short story in Best New American Voices.
Kat said the biggest surprise for her at our "real" reunion was how nice everybody was. Since most of the individuals at our "un-real" reunion were pretty nice in high school already, everyone meshes incredibly well as adults. These are all people I'd love to actually hang out with if we lived in the same cities. For someone who considered herself an "outsider" in high school, it's nice to know that a decade later I can relate to people with whom I co-existed for four years on the same plane, but never let into my space.
I digress. The majority of my blog readers are never going to hang with the Jesuit High School Class of 1998. But they may go drinking in Portland. That said, the Life of Riley is not a place to get blitzed. In fact, stick with beer to get more bang for your buck as the alcohol pours were abysmal and the cocktail waitresses neglectful. The speciality cocktails were tasty though. I started with a Pomengranate Hot Toddy and also had a Lake Como Martini, before switching to underpoured Vodka Tonics. I ended my evening with a Fox Barrel Hard Cider. Normally all that booze-switching would make me ill, but since there wasn't much alcohol in the drinks between the beer and the wine I wound up fine the next day.
The night ended rather late and I'm sure my parents are as grateful as I am to Ryan for dropping me home on his way to do the same for Sheila, who forgot we lived so close.
...Saturday's adventures to continue in a new post...
...For Friday's Day activities, click here...
Since not many of stayed in Portland (Seattle, San Francisco and Chicago seem to have been hot landing spots), we generally end up in a centralized location in Northwest or the Pearl District of Portland. The Pearl District is an interesting concept for me, as it seriously DID NOT EXIST up until a few years ago. Now it defines the sleek hipness of the city. I struggle with this. I'm sure there's Milwaukeeans who may feel the same way about the Third Ward, but that was already shifting when I moved here (although my favorite vintage store, Marlene's Touch of Class, was one of the early victims of its transformation).
This was the first year I was able to make the dinner portion of the reunion, and I'm certainly glad. We met up at 50 Plates on 13th Street in "the Pearl." Apparently the owners donate quite a bit of cash to our high school, so that's how our friend Ryan had heard of it. Since I didn't make a donation this year (save for the money spent on the Official 10-Year Reunion), I figure eating a tasty meal could count toward my support of overprivileged children (just being snarky, I really appreciate my education). Dinner ended up just being three of us, as many people were snowed in still. Luckily Ryan, Sheila and I had hung out in Chicago last month, so we skipped right past the small talk. And focused on the important things like wine and food.
They'd already ordered a bottle by the time my parents dropped me off (just like high school, well except for the wine and posh restaurant part). I believe it was a Pinot Noir, but don't quote me on that. But I'm fairly certain it was from Oswego Hills winery. I'm 100% certain it was delicious.
Similar to our meal in Chicago, this one was also communal. We started with a round of appetizers, including chicken-fried oysters and Castroville artichoke rolls. I would recommend both. Round Two was salads, accompanied by fresh bread -- choice of buttermilk biscuit or sourdough roll. I began with the biscuit, which melted on my tongue with hardly a crumble. I believe we had the R&R salad, with apples and Rogue blue cheese -- though I'm not entirely sure. We also shared a smaller one with mandarin oranges. The larger salad was a bit heavy on the dressing, but otherwise you can't go wrong with blue cheese crumbles -- even if they aren't from Wisconsin.
Selecting a sourdough roll (prefered the biscuit) accompaniment, I dove into the shared entrees -- the Mac 'N' Cheese ('N' Chicken 'N' Fennel) and some sort of scallop and clam dish that I can't find on the online menu. The MNC was good (the chicken-fennel sausage inside the noodle was a unique touch), but honestly nothing is ever going to top The Social for me (although Triskele's comes close). However, I wish I could find the name of our seafood dish as it was DIVINE. Sea scallops surrounded by steamed clams bathed in a creamy wine sauce. The scallop was the kind you dream about making on your own. Perfectly browned, not too squishy, flavored just right. Mmmmm.
Next up dessert. We selected the Lemon Meringue Bread Pudding and some sort of Pistachio Cake. We wanted to try the S'mores Fondue, but they were out of marshmallows (a lot of restaurant deliveries were held up thanks to the snow). The bread pudding wasn't much to look at presentation wise, but tastewise I couldn't get enough. It was like a sesational custardy lemon bar. I normally don't like pistachios other than directly from the shell, but the cake convinced me otherwise. Maybe just because it was so pretty.
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| From Dining Out |
At some point during dessert Ryan had to run off, so Sheila and I stayed until the last crumb and then walked over to the next meeting point -- Life of Riley Tavern on 10th. Our classmate Adam and his wife were already there, so our group claimed the nice couch area to set up camp for the others.
Generally the crowd is fairly large, but unfortunately due to the weather we were only about 10-15 strong this year. My dear friend Mary Ann didn't even make it out of Canada thanks to the snow, and best pal Kat didn't make it off her hill. Luckily our foursome's other partner in crime, Marley, made it with her entourage for a little while. The small number made it a really eclectic group. I got to catch up with my friend Lindsey (we have totally become best online pals in the past couple of years thanks to our common interests in cooking and biking) on cooking and biking. My friend Sam showed me the "secret" more bar-y downstairs of the joint. Our classmate Mike arrived and left without saying much. My friend John and I once again rehashed watching the same video repeatedly in Mr. Schaal's biology class. Our classmate Matt told stories about his international and local stalkers.
The biggest surprise of the night for everyone was the appearance of our classmate, and my former co-editor of The Jesuit Crusader, Tucker. I joked that he crawled out of his enigma cave and decided to don us with his presence. My friend Monica, who was snowed in, later commented on my Facebook how disappointed she was to miss the Hailey's comet of classmate appearances. I think our astonishment with this classmate is that he's been able to channel the alternativeness from teenhood into a successful creative career as an adult. My angsty creativity dissapated, but his landed a short story in Best New American Voices.
Kat said the biggest surprise for her at our "real" reunion was how nice everybody was. Since most of the individuals at our "un-real" reunion were pretty nice in high school already, everyone meshes incredibly well as adults. These are all people I'd love to actually hang out with if we lived in the same cities. For someone who considered herself an "outsider" in high school, it's nice to know that a decade later I can relate to people with whom I co-existed for four years on the same plane, but never let into my space.
I digress. The majority of my blog readers are never going to hang with the Jesuit High School Class of 1998. But they may go drinking in Portland. That said, the Life of Riley is not a place to get blitzed. In fact, stick with beer to get more bang for your buck as the alcohol pours were abysmal and the cocktail waitresses neglectful. The speciality cocktails were tasty though. I started with a Pomengranate Hot Toddy and also had a Lake Como Martini, before switching to underpoured Vodka Tonics. I ended my evening with a Fox Barrel Hard Cider. Normally all that booze-switching would make me ill, but since there wasn't much alcohol in the drinks between the beer and the wine I wound up fine the next day.
The night ended rather late and I'm sure my parents are as grateful as I am to Ryan for dropping me home on his way to do the same for Sheila, who forgot we lived so close.
...Saturday's adventures to continue in a new post...
...For Friday's Day activities, click here...
Sunday, December 28, 2008
globetrotting: props to the tsa
Need to get on the plane soon, but wanted to throw out some props to the Transportation Security Administration for making the process pretty painless for someone whose wallet fell out of her bag at dinner last night.
I'll post more later, but wanted to let you all know I'm on my way home and also ask for your collective good vibes that my family will be able to extricate said wallet from underneath the table at the restaurant and overnight it to me post haste so I'm fully equipped for India.
I'll post more later, but wanted to let you all know I'm on my way home and also ask for your collective good vibes that my family will be able to extricate said wallet from underneath the table at the restaurant and overnight it to me post haste so I'm fully equipped for India.
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