La Vita è Bella

The research for Italy has been a bit overwhelming. I like to look at everything. I don't want to miss a deal or an exhibit or a village just because I didn't do my homework. I want to cover as much inforation and I can and be prepared when I get there.

I think the biggest challenge has been finding lodging. We really wanted to do a villa in Tuscany because well, that's what you're supposed to do. We have seven people going and we felt it would be not only more economical than getting several rooms, but it would be more fun to have a base camp to explore from.

We are hitting several regions; Tuscany, Umbria, Le Marche Lazio, Campania and possibly Liguria (if we go to the Cinque Terre). We want a place to stay in Tuscany, one in Le Marche and one in Campania. This is what I've come up with so far:

For our stay in Le Marche, which I think will be two days, I'm looking at La Tavola Marche:

From their website: La Tavola Marche is hosted by American couple Ashley and Jason Bartner. They live in Italy year round and are proud residents of Sant'Angelo in Vado, Italy. La Tavola Marche is a unique culinary experience where you actively participate in Italian culture through seasonal activities paired with local artisan bakers, farmers, and wine makers while staying in a 300 year-old farmhouse agriturismo.

Then, for the next eight days and the bulk of our stay, Borgo Iesolana seems to be the villa of choice. We have friends who have stayed there and it comes highly recommended:

Located in Tuscany, just outside of Arezzo, in the village of Bucine, it seems centrally located for all the touring we want to do. We'll be renting a van so we can be out an about early each day for cappuccino, picture taking and ancient Estruscan church viewing. I'm getting more excited by the moment.

After Tuscany, we'll be staying in Sorrento (in the region of Campania) for five days and from there will venture to Naples, Pompeii, Capri and the world renowned Amalfi Coast. For our stay there, I've chosen Il Nido.

Located on a hilltop in Sorrento, it has views of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius in the distance. It's relatively inexpensive and looks nice, plus it has over five hundred positive reviews. They also have a free shuttle to take you into town for shopping. My cousin, the ultimate shopaholic, is going to love that!

I'm still researching just in case I come up with something that tops this (within our price range,of course, since I've seen MANY villas I'd die to stay in) but I think I'm winding down on the accomodation part and can concentrate more now on the actual itinerary part. Any suggestions from anyone will be more than appreciated.

Ahhh, life is beautiful.

Ciao!


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1 YEAR AGO: He Looks Much Better Here Than On The Penny
2 YEARS AGO: One Of The Few Places In Iowa NOT Under Water
3 YEARS AGO: We Need A Manager On Register Three Please!
4 YEARS AGO: Mobile Misses
5 YEARS AGO: Idaho?? YOU Da Ho!!

Maybe You Can Learn A Little Something From A Few Truck Drivers

I'll be the first to admit I'm easily annoyed, but it's usually with good reason. Let me give you an example.

So, we get this hot load going from coast to coast. They need it there yesterday. The agent is chomping at the bit and keeps asking if we're sure we can get it there when they requested. We have two days. We assure her we can do it.

Then she tells us she wants a check call. I hate check calls.

My theory is this - we are leased to a company that is known for their excellent safety record and reliable drivers. We do a lot of sensitive freight. We haul tons of military stuff. We've even had a $4.7 million dollar jet engine on our truck. We're not fuckups.

So when they want a check call to find out where we are and when we'll be there - like I can predict what's going to happen between Massachusetts and California, over 3,000 miles away - it makes me feel like I'm five years old. And what's worse is when they request a certain thing and then can't seem to manage their end with competence.

We were told to call when we had the freight picked up and then to call again the next morning at six a.m. So we called when we picked up the freight and the next morning when I was driving, I called to check in.

At 5:59 a.m.

I got their answering machine. So I left my name, the time and the town I was in. I was annoyed the minute I got the answering machine because the message said they weren't in until six-thirty. Six-thirty? So why ask me to call at six?? Strike one.

THEN...about an hour later Ed comes up front, all groggy with drool hanging off his lip, asking me where we are. When I asked him why, he told me the agent was on the phone and wants a check call. Strike two.

WHAT??!!! I told him (likely loud enough for her to hear) that I had called at six a.m., WHEN THEY REQUESTED I CALL and that I had left a message. I was then told that she "didn't check the messages". Strike three.

Seriously? This is how you run a business? Anyone who has an answering machine or service knows the FIRST thing you do when you get into the office is check the messages. If for nothing else, then to simply avoid something like this.

It's not so much that it's a huge deal, but it's just one more example of incompetence and irresponsibility. I was responsible. I called when asked. I left a message with all the pertinent information. And I am driving your freight three thousand God-damned miles.

So not only did you annoy me, you also woke up my team driver who needs his sleep so he can then drive when it's his turn again. To get your freight the rest of the three thousand miles. Capiche?

WE are professionals. It'd be nice if a little of that would rub off on some other people.


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1 YEAR AGO: The Fathers In Our Lives, Our Fathers Who Are In Heaven And The Father Of Our Country
2 YEARS AGO: Who The Hell Left The Pool Float In The Sea Of Tranquility??
3 YEARS AGO: Lure Me In
4 YEARS AGO: Sometimes The Reasons NOT To Have Children Are So Very Clear
5 YEARS AGO: U-Ta-Dah!!

Time Suck

Looking to kill some time? Try out some of the following websites:

One Sentence
One Sentence is an experiment in brevity. Most of the best stories that we tell from our lives have one really, really good part that make the rest of the boring story worth it. This is about that one line. This is about telling the most interesting or poignant story possible in the fewest number of words. This is about small bite-sized pieces of extraordinary lives and ordinary lives alike... the happy, the sad, the funny, the depressing. Go ahead, try it.

One Word
This site is great for when you’re stuck for an idea or you need inspiration. They give you one word on the screen and you have sixty seconds to write about it. They say, “Don’t think. Just write.” Sometimes, that’s the best way.

The Speech Accent Archive
I’ve come across this site before and thought it was pretty cool. You can search for accents from all over the world. Want to really hear how someone from Minnesoooota sounds? Search for it. Want to impress your friends with your best Romanian gypsy accent? Find it on this site. Warning: You will be sucked in for more time than you anticipated spending here.

Make A Flake
Wishing for snow in June? Get close on this site by making a your own snowflake here. Just like when we were kids!

Sporcle
Billed as “mentally stimulating diversions”. Ohhh yeah.

Our Favorites Websites
A conglomeration of lots of stuff. Check it out.


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1 YEAR AGO: The Spirit Of Sharing
2 YEARS AGO: Sailor Boy Friday
3 YEARS AGO: Cozy Dining
4 YEARS AGO: It’s All About Me
5 YEARS AGO: Alien Land

Crafty Little Bugger

Today, since I seem to have so much time on my hands, I decided to make some jewelry. I have a favorite pair of earrings that I bought at a rest area in New Mexico and I wanted to create something similar.

They have a tiny southwestern flair (not too much, because I'm generally not a fan of Southwester-Indian-Cowboy-Turquoise-y jewelry. Mine are about an inch and a half long, made from a group of beads in different shapes that dangle from my lobes in a straight, silver line. The guy I bought them from had a table set up at the rest area, selling everything from necklaces to ankle bracelets. If I remember correctly, his mother was the one making them. She was sitting off to the side creating new ones as fast as he could sell them.

I wanted a similar pair that had a little more shimmer, so I decided to make my own. I wear a lot of silver, so I bought silver earring hooks at silver pins to thread the beads onto. This is the first pair I created:

The small center beads are a cloudy pink and the bigger beads are clear, with a pink tint. I love the way they catch the light.

This is the second pair I made; metal beads with several different colors running through them; copper, silver, bronze.

I like both pairs but I think I'm partial to the pink ones. I have green beads that are similar to the pink ones and that'll be my next project. Those look like peridot and that's one of my faaavvorite gems.

It looks like I've added another way to fill my day. I already complain of having no time to do everything I have to do (partially due to flitting from joyful distraction to joyful distraction); how will I now add a craft??

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: Beauty For A Buck
2 YEARS AGO: What My Thoughts Sound Like When Left Uncensored And Ultimately, Formed Into Words
3 YEARS AGO: New York Style
4 YEARS AGO: I.H.O.P.G.
5 YEARS AGO: Sorry, no post on this day.

This Should Be The Next "New Parent" Handbook

A few days ago I purchased this book on my Kindle. I laughed my entire way through it. When I was reading it late at night while lying in bed, Ed yelled at me several times because I was laughing too loudly.

If you're familiar with Justin Halpern, the guy who became wildly famous when he started tweeting his father's priceless quips on Twitter, you'll love this book. And if you don't know who Justin is, I think you'll find it impossible to not fall in love with his dad, Sam Halpern, who is the subject of the book.

Here are just some of the nuggets Sam dispenses:

On Chivalry
"Give your mother the front seat...I don't give a shit if she said you could have it, that's what she's supposed to do, and you're supposed to say, 'No, I insist.' You think Im' gonna drive around with my wife in the backseat and a nine-year-old in the front? You're a crazy son of a bitch."

On Making a Christmas List
"You ranked the twenty-five presents you want, in order of how much you want them? Are you insane? I said tell me what you want for Christmas, not make a fucking college football poll."

School
"Your friends' parents drive like assholes. Tell them it's an elementary school parking lot, not downtown fucking Manhattan."

On Getting a Dog
"Who's going to take care of it? You?...Son, you came in the house yesterday with shit on your hands. Human shit. I don't know how that happened, but if someone has shit on their hands, it's an indicator that maybe the whole responsibility thing isn't for them."

On Sharing
"I'm sorry, but if your brother doesn't want you to play with his shit, then you can't play with it. It's his shit. If he wants to be an asshole and not share, then that's his right. You always have the right to be an asshole - you just shouldn't use that right very often."

On Choosing One's Occupation
"You have to do something you love... Bullshit, you clearly have not heard this speech before, because you're working at Mervyn's."

On Yard Work
"What are you doing with that rake?...No, that is not raking...What? Different styles of raking? No, there's one style, and then there's bullshit. Guess which one you're doing."

I love a parent like this. They love you to death and tell it like it is. They don't let you go out into the world thinking it's going to be easy or that people are going to line up to do you favors. You have to cut through the bullshit and not be an asshole. Not everything is going to go your way. Deal with it.

I know Father's Day is right around the corner and this would be a great gift. There's still time. Perfect for new fathers; maybe it'll give them some insight on how to raise kids that aren't losers. Or even great for old timers; it'll give them the best laugh they've had in a long time.

Now go out and give Justin Halpern some of your money. I could be next you know, with Shit My Mom Says and I'd hope people would do the same for me!


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1 YEAR AGO: Would You Like A Little Screech To Go With Your Whine?
2 YEARS AGO: Jane’s Anatomy
3 YEARS AGO: Plus People Are Here To Stay
4 YEARS AGO: Baiting The Hook
5 YEARS AGO: Purgatory

Are You Ready For Some Football?!

While hanging out in the hotel room this week, I got to see the movie The Express. It's a story based on the life of Syracuse University football player Ernie Davis, the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy. It was GREAT.

What's funny about this kind of movie is that althought I despise sports of any kind, especially football, I actually really love football movies. Below are my favorite movies involving football. And since most of them aren't really about football (at the core), I suspect that's the reason I like them.

OK, so here are the other football movies on my list, in no particular order:

Brian’s Song
Legendary actors James Caan and Billy Dee Williams give amazing performances inspired by real-life athletes in Brian’s Song. When cancer strikes an unlikely friendship, a bond is formed that surpasses football, race, and adversity. This unforgettable classic makes a positive impact on almost everyone who watches it. Cry fest.

We Are Marshall
Inspired by a true story, this film follows the fatal plane crash which killed members of the Marshall University football game and the aftermath of starting over. Matthew McConaughey stars as new Coach Jack Lengyel who struggles to rebuild the team and honor the memory of the fallen players. Even in those dorky clothes, McConaughey is a hottie.

Remember The Titans
Set in 1971, Coach Herman Boone, played by Denzel Washington, is hired as head coach over a newly integrated high school football team. The struggle to build a successful team is intensified by the struggle to surpass racial tensions. The team unifies when the players realize they share a common goal and realize attitude is what separates people and not race. We are all one race; the human race.

Invincible
Coach Vince Papale’s climb from the stands to the football field provides the perfect backdrop for an inspiring story of persistence, passion, and perseverance. Inspired by a true story, this hometown tale of a substitute teacher’s rise to the pros teaches a valuable lesson about what’s important on and off the field. I just love true stories!

The Replacements
When pro football salary negotiations produce a strike, a team of replacement players are given a second chance to play the game they love and earn the respect they’ve sought. Gene Hackman and Keanu Reeves give excellent performances along with the entire cast. The story reminds movie fans and football fans that it’s the heart of the team that brings championships. How cute is Keanu?

Radio
Set in Greenville, South Carolina, this true story of a coach’s commitment to helping an underprivileged, mentally-challenged, young boy enjoy life and realize his potential is simply unforgettable. Radio made his way into the hearts of the football players, the school, and the town and formed an unbreakable bond. The relationship proved the heart of a person is more important than aptitude, intellect, or athletic ability. Unforgettable.

Jerry Maguire
This Tom Cruise / Cuba Gooding, Jr. classic takes a close look at the corporate side of professional football. Personal goals, family, health, and well-being take a backseat to the lucrative opportunities available to professional athletes. Rod Tidwell wants every penny he can make, and it’s Jerry Maguire’s job to get it for him. Show me the what??

Varsity Blues
When a player’s injury brings a halt to a coach’s 23 year championship stint, it’s time for a new coach and a new school of thought. Winning at all costs is replaced with doing your best and enjoying the game. The results are pretty dramatic. Paul Walker looks good in anything...even if he had no lines.

Two For The Money
Al Pacino and Matthew McConaughey give strong performances in this movie which takes a look a gambling side of football. When a high-stakes gambling tycoon takes a former athlete with keen instinct under his wing, lots of money is sure to be made. Making money at all costs proves to be a difficult game to play. OK, so it's not actually about the game of football - but Matthew McConaughey has no clothes on. Who needs actual football?

All The Right Moves
This Tom Cruise classic illustrates one of the many reasons he became a movie super star. A small town story about young kids with big dreams is brought to life through heartfelt performance from Lea Thompson, Craig T. Nelson, and Tom Cruise. The struggle to bring dreams to life is well portrayed in this football classic. What girl didn't want to be Lea Thompson?

The Blind Side
Based on the true story of Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy who take in a homeless teenage African-American, Michael "Big Mike" Oher. Leigh Anne soon takes charge however, as is her nature, ensuring that the young man has every opportunity to succeed. When he expresses an interest in football, she goes all out to help him. They not only provide him with a loving home, but hire a tutor to help him improve his grades to the point where he would qualify for an NCAA Division I athletic scholarship. Michael Oher was the first-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in the 2009 NFL draft. Sandra Bullock = Charming.


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1 YEAR AGO: Hangin’ In The Sea Cave
2 YEARS AGO: Weekend In Wyoming
3 YEARS AGO: Ready For Nautical Knots
4 YEARS AGO: Australia Isn’t Far Enough Away For These Bitches To Hide
5 YEARS AGO: Texas Suicide

The Great American Shoe Hunt

I'm still on the endless shoe quest. The best part about blogging about it and telling anyone who will listen, is that I get all sorts of recommendations. The latest one came from my friend Marlaina.

She said she was recently in New York City and saw many people wearing Alparagatas; apparently, they're all the rage in Manhattan. Alparagatas can only be found at TOMS. And they come in all different colors, including silver!

The company was founded on a very basic premise; One For One. For every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair to a child in need. Can't beat that deal. You get comfy shoes and you're a humanitarian.

I don't think they'd go with any of the outfits I'm planning for Italy, but I'm seriously considering the burlap ones in the picture.

They're so Argentinian-farmer-chic.


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1 YEAR AGO: The First Glimpse Of The People’s Coast
2 YEARS AGO: Ohhhh, So This Is How It Works
3 YEARS AGO: Can You Hear Me Stereotyping Now?
4 YEARS AGO: In The Kitchen With Eddie
5 YEARS AGO: Top Ten

The Very Thoughtful Man

Some conversations with Ed never end; you think they're over, but three days later, he inevitably brings up something from the conversation.

"Remember the other day when you said 'all guys are jerks'? Well, did you mean a certain guy you know, me or just all guys in general?"

"I don't know. What were we talking about?" I said.

"Guys. And how they act. And you said that they're all jerks." he said.

"Well, sometimes they are. But I can't possibly mean ALL guys because I don't know all guys. But like, for instance, remember Tina's boyfriend and how I told you he left her after she found out she was pregnant? Well he's a jerk."

"Oh." he said. That's it. Oh.

Then three days later, the conversation is re-visited. "Remember the other day when you said that Tina's boyfriend was a jerk because he left her? Well maybe he left her for some other reason. How do you know it's because she was pregnant?" he said.

"Well I don't know if being pregnant was the only reason, but it was kind of a shitty thing to do, don't you think?" I said.

"Maybe he had a good reason." he said.

"What could possibly be a good reason?" I said.

"I don't know..."

"Well, neither do I," I said. "And why are we still talking about this?"

Three days later....

"You know, you don't even really know Tina's boyfriend all that well. Maybe he had a medical problem or something. He could really be having problems." he said.

"Who gives a shit why he left? He just did. And sinse she's my friend and she's upset, I think he's a jerk. Plus now she's pregnant with that asshole's kid."

"True." he said.

"And it's like a week later and you're still talking about this very unimportant guy whose name I don't even friggin' know." I said.

"Probably." he laughs.

This happens all the time. I think the conversation is shelved, done with and put away and then Ed brings up some little aspect that I don't even think was relevant, let alone worth remembering. I sometimes wonder if it rolls around in his head and just comes out as something to talk about. I can't imagine that he gives a crap about some guy whose name even I can't even remember.

I'd rather he remember to put down the toilet seat. Now that's relevant.


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1 YEAR AGO: SPAM: Not The E-mail Kind
2 YEARS AGO: How Casting A Memory Begins With A Fish
3 YEARS AGO: A Weekend At The End Of The Rainbow
4 YEARS AGO: If I Were In People Magazine…
5 YEARS AGO: Free Mudflap

Kansas Needs A Few Other Representatives

He better be real with all the twisters that hit this area. Perhaps they need to appoint a Patron Saint of mobile homes.


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1 YEAR AGO: Something’s Afoot
2 YEARS AGO: The Color Of Aging
3 YEARS AGO: Ahhhhhntipasto
4 YEARS AGO: The Great Equalizer
5 YEARS AGO: Almost My Town

The Dinosaur Rears Its Ugly Head

I've written before about my brother, The Caveman.

He called me this week for some computer assistance and while we were on the phone, he relayed the following story to me. Some of you may know that he owns his own company and has been at it for over twenty years. I think he still has his original company letterhead; a marble tablet that he chisled himself. It's real nice.

Anyway, when my brother does an estimate for a job, he of course visits the client personally. He doesn't send a salesman, he doesn't send one of his guys, he goes himself. He's so down to earth and unassuming, that often someone will say to him in the course of talking to him, "Well, just tell your boss...." and he replies, "I am the boss." I think people are suprised that the actual boss, the owner of the company, is standing in their living room.

So on this particular day, he went to the client's house to do an estimate. After walking the area with the guy, taking some measurments and discussing exactly what the client wanted, he said "OK, well I'll send you the estimate when I'm done with it." Then he shook the guy's hand and proceeded toward the door.

"Uh, wait a sec...don't you need my email?" the client said.

"What for?" my brother answered.

"To send the estimate." he said.

"No. I don't do email." my brother said.

"Well then how are you going to get me the estimate?" the client asked.

"I'm going to mail it to you." my brother responded.

"Mail it??" he said.

"Yeah."

"Through the mail?" the guy was beyond confused.

"Yes. In the mail." my brother said, as if it was the most natural thing.

"You do this all the time?" the guy asked.

"Yeah. In fact, what I'm going to do when I leave here is go home, look over the measurements I took, figure out what materials I need, then I'm going to call my suppliers and get prices from them and then I'll hand write your estimate, fold it up, put it in an envelope, lick it, stamp it and mail it to you. You should have it in a few days." my brother proudly announced, as if he were sending it Dinosaur Express.

"Wow. That's unheard of. I have to shake your hand." the client said.

"Yep. I'm old school." my brother said, laughing.

Then he told his client the story about how he made Ed and I take back the printer we bought him. The guy looked at him like he was crazy. Eyes big as saucers.

And at that, my brother laughed, waved goodbye and got on his horse and rode home.


(kidding about the horse...but kinda not really)


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1 YEAR AGO: Kidnapping Is Obviously Not Their Forte
2 YEARS AGO: Eddie Friday On Ice
3 YEARS AGO: Having Influence Where It Matters
4 YEARS AGO: MacGyver To The Rescue
5 YEARS AGO: The Weekend

A Few Pictures And Less Than A Thousand Words

I found this one on Spicy Amber’s blog and decided to do it here. Reason? I'm stuck in Fallon, NV and there is noooooooooooothing going on here. Unless you think laundry and dusty pick-up trucks are exciting.

1. Your Favorite Beverage...Chocolate Milk.

2. Your Hometown...Bronx, NY

3. Your Favorite TV Show...Nothing other than Glee!!

4. Your Occupation...A truck driver!

5. Your First Car...A 1978 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Mine was brown.

6. Your Favorite Dish...Potato Gnocchi!!!

7. Celebrity You've Been Told You Resemble...Almost always, someone will say Kathy Najimy. Not so much now that my hair is shorter though. Also, once when I was checking into a hotel in L.A. I was mistaken for Ricki Lake (the fatter Ricki Lake):

8. Celebrity On Your "To Do" List...Oh, sweet Vince D'Onofrio. I can't put my finger on it, but I want to.

9. Favorite Childhood Toy...The Panasonic Toot-A-Loop Radio.

...in yellow!!

10. Any Random Picture...It IS in everything, you know.

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1 YEAR AGO: Explosions Of Color And Flavor
2 YEARS AGO: A Big Gay Case Of Mistaken Identity
3 YEARS AGO: Gilding The Shopping Lily
4 YEARS AGO: Dog Day Afternoon
5 YEARS AGO: Sorry, no post on this day.

Beauty Vs. Practicality

I started shoe shopping for Italy; so far, these are the only ones I've seen that I like. Aren't they just gorgeous?? They made my giant feet look dainty.

If only champagne satin heels with delicate ruffles across the toe were practical. For anything, really.

I guess I still have some searching to do. There has to be an attractive walking flat somewhere. If not, I might just have to master walking on cobblestone streets in high heels.

And after wearing flip-flops for the better part of the last six years, I don't really think I'm going to love that too much.


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1 YEAR AGO: No Mussels Kneaded When Eating Homemade Bread
2 YEARS AGO: Dog Day Afternoon
3 YEARS AGO: A Prayer For Alberta
4 YEARS AGO: Tassimo Time
5 YEARS AGO: Sorry, no post on this day.

Fellagiarism: Stealing Fellatio Techniques

The material never stops coming...

I was talking to my mother again about writing; for my blog, for the other websites I write for and for a print publication that asked me to do an article for them. I was telling her that I'm always thinking at night about things to write and how when I'm at a loss for ideas, I scan just about any magaizine I can get my hands on. Sometimes the articles I read about can work in relation to the trucking industry also and it gives me a starting point for research.

She said, "Isn't that fellagiarism?"

"Fellagiarism?? I think you mean plagiarism. And no, it's not plagiarism. Plaigiarism is when you steal other peoples original works or ideas and present them as your own. I'm not doing that."

"Oh,that's true." she laughs. "Well, plagiarism, fellagiarism....I always get that mixed up. I guess I was thinking fellatio, so I said fellaigiarism."

"Fellatio???"

"Well, it sounds the same." she said.

Oh. My. God. Where does she get this stuff??


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1 YEAR AGO: Deception Is The Only Thing Between Fidalgo And Whidbey
2 YEARS AGO: Highway 333 Fishing Shack
3 YEARS AGO: Summer Lovin’
4 YEARS AGO: Clowning Around
5 YEARS AGO: Sorry, no post on this day.

Even Prisoners Get Bread And Water

Last week my mother ran an errand at home for me and Ed. While at the place waiting on line, she met another woman she started talking to. They struck up a conversation and made plans to get together this week.

My mother said, "We could meet at Andy's Grill for lunch."

The woman waved her hand and said, "Oh no, not at all. Just come to our house."

"As long as you promise you won't fuss," my mother said.

"I won't." she answered. Boy, if only they knew how true those words would turn out to be.

So my mother and Frank made plans to go to this woman's house to spend some time with her and her husband. They arrived with a bouquet of sunny yellow flowers, excited to be meeting possible new friends.

Well, they had a nice enough time but SHOCKINGLY the woman did not serve lunch. She didn't even have any snacks or munchies. Now since lunch wasn't expressly discussed, I suppose she could get a pass, but the exchange above in MY MIND implies lunch. They sat in the living room and talked. The husband did offer my step-father a glass of wine, but since he doesn't drink he declined. At some point after that the woman got up to get herself a bottle of water but didn't offer anything to my parents. WTF is wrong with people??

I don't know if it's an Arizona thing or if it's a cultural thing or if it's a 2010 thing, but how do you invite someone to your house and not only not give them a tour of your home, but not serve ANYTHING in the way of food?

If people came to my house, whether lunch was discussed or not, there would be more food than you could imagine. Appetizers and finger foods, a lunch prepared just in case anyone got hungry, a gamut of beverages and of course, coffee and cake (or some sort of dessert).

I am SHOCKED when I hear that someone has gone to someone else's house and was not even offered a glass of water. This has happened too many times in my life for it to be ignored. It's your duty to at least offer a beverage to your guest. I don't care if they're family or strangers.

If it's family, you still offer. If you don't want to "wait on them" then just say, "Make yourself at home." and let them get what they want. But you OFFER. If it's a stranger, you absolutely offer. And if they're the kind of person that you get a comfortable vibe from and feel they'd be receptive, just say "Glasses are up there, Diet Coke or water in the fridge - help yourself."

So I don't know if they'll ever see these people again, but if there is a next time, I hope those people get their act together and buy a bag of pretzels or something.


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1 YEAR AGO: The View From Cap Sante
2 YEARS AGO: It’s Time For One Of These Again
3 YEARS AGO: They Called My Name And Clutched The Collar Of My Shirt With Their Evil Cheese Stuffed Fingers
4 YEARS AGO: Marlin Perkins Must Live In The Neighborhood
5 YEARS AGO: Sorry, no post on this day.

Black Magic On A Cracker

My mother has been making this dish for over thirty years; she first got the recipe from a woman named Margarite who she met at a watercolor class she took in 1978.

Eggplant Caponata has always a big favorite in my family. Even my friends love it; my friend Greg, upon finding out she was making it, would always ask for a jar. Today, I made some for myself. Ed and I have been trying to eat better and I thought it would be a great vegetable concoction to spread on toasted baguettes or crackers. Today I used the new Wheat Thins Flatbread. It was delish!

Eggplant Caponata

(This will make about 5 cups of finished product)

THE INGREDIENTS

First half:
1 large Eggplant, cubed (You can leave the skins on if you'd like. I peeled mine.)
1 bell pepper, chopped (any color pepper is fine.)
1 large onion, minced
1/2 lb. mushrooms, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced (I used 5 cloves because I loooove garlic)
1/2 cup Olive Oil

Second half:
1 small can of tomato paste
1/4 cup of water (if needed)
2 Tbs. Balsamic Vinegar
2 Tbs. Red Wine (I used 1/4 cup Cooking Cream Sherry and 1/4 cup Marsala Cooking Wine)
1/2 Tbs. Oregano
2 Tbs. Sugar
1/4 cup black or green olives, chopped (I didn't have any, so did without)
Dash of nutmeg (optional)
Salt & Pepper to taste
Capers (I didn't use these either, but if you do, add them in the last ten minutes)

THE PROCESS
This is an easy one, as there are really only two steps. You'll need a big frying pan for all of this, but you can fill it to the top because it's going to cook down a lot.

1. Put the first half of the ingredients in your pan and cook on low for about 10-15 minutes. It'll look nice and fresh when you mix everything together, like in this photo. By the end of the 15 minutes, you'll notice it getting mushier and the eggplant will start to change color a little.
2. Next, add the second half of the ingredients. Stir everything together. Cover and cook for another 30 minutes. You can keep it covered and add water if you need to, but at some point in the 30 minutes, you'll want to cook it uncovered so it'll get thick. It should look like this:

That's it! Be prepared to be amazed if you've never had this before. And if you like eggplant, you'll love this. It's even better the next day. You can eat it cold or at room temperature. I even put it on sandwiches with cold cuts or even alone. It makes a great sandwich all by itself.

There are many recipes out there for Caponata and any one will really do. There are even some that include both cocoa powder and cinnamon. Who knew? If you love eggplant as much as I do, you're bound to find something to your liking.

But you have this recipe in front of you right now, so why go elsewhere? Click HERE to print a copy.


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1 YEAR AGO: Hidden Fluff
2 YEARS AGO: Post-Tornado Sky
3 YEARS AGO: Eddie Ooh Rah Friday
4 YEARS AGO: The Human Jeweler
5 YEARS AGO: Sorry, no post on this day.

The Highs Were High But The Lows Are Even Lower

Today we were in Reno again. Brought our truck to the shop here to have them install a part to try to fix what the other Freightliner in Ohio can't seem to. I feel like I'm on the tour of all the Freightliner shops in the US.

On our way to lunch, we saw this bird hanging out by our car (we rented a car while the truck is in the shop - only God knows how long those yahoos will have it). I don't know what kind it is and haven't looked it up yet, but I have never seen something that was so crow-like from the neck up and so colorful from the neck down.

After dinner, we went to Barnes and Noble for a few hours to hang out and then hit the casino to visit my new best friend from last night. The crow-like bird must have been good luck because it wasn't long before I hit those beautiful yellow sevens that added a hefty five-hundred dollars on top of the three-hundred thirty nine I had already won from my initial one-hundred dollar investment:

Then I realized that the nasty crow-creature must have been bad luck because it wasn't long before I lost every red cent of it. LOST! So there you have it, the high and low of my day. Now I must sleep. All I will see in my dreams will be spinning sevens.

Spinning in a whirpool down a drain and taking my money with it! So, so sad.


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1 YEAR AGO: The Preferred Route For Geriatric Men In South Bend, Indiana
2 YEARS AGO: I’m Glad The Great Spirit Was A Dirt Thief
3 YEARS AGO: Polishing My Listening Skills
4 YEARS AGO: The Protective Roommate
5 YEARS AGO: Hottie

That's The Ticket!

This is just one of the many tickets I got out of the lucky, lucky machine I sat down in front of today. I usually always play the same kind of machine. And I look for two things.

First, it has to be the Double Diamond machine; the one with the traditional bars and cherries but also the diamonds, either facing up or down, that will "pop" to the pay line. I love it because it feels like I'm getting two spins in one! Just when I think it's lining up, a hair later, the diamond "pops" up or down to that line and often fills my pockets with money.

Second, I usually only play dollar slots. Sometimes I'll do quarters but since I never was a giant math whiz, I hate to keep track of the quarters; four credits equal a dollar, eighty credits equal twenty dollars. Feh! I like straight up dollar talk; one credit is one dollar. Nice and easy. I also almost always play the maximum coin allowed. In the Double Diamond it's usually two, but the one I play at Railroad Pass, which I have won on, plays three.

Tonight was a whole different ballgame though. When in Reno, if we're not staying at Boomtown in Sparks, we will go to Sierra Sid's which is at the T/A in Reno. In that place, I like to play the quarter Double Diamond. But instead of Sierra Sid's today, we went across the lot to Western Village Inn. Ed wanted to play blackjack so I found my machine and went to town.

I was doing pretty good until I saw the girl next to me win a thousand dollars on the machine she was on. I asked what she started with and she said one hundred. She sat down after me and I watched out of the corner of my eye as she started to rack up the money. After she hit the thousand, she cashed out and left. So I tried my hand at her machine

It was a machine called SEVENS; just line up the sevens and win. The max coin to play was three dollars, so that's what I played. Three sevens of any kind, thirty dollars. Three blue sevens, sixty dollars. Three green sevens, one hundred and fifty dollars. Three yellows, five hundred and the top dog was three red sevens which paid one thousand, one hundred ninety-nine dollars!

So I played. I started with twenty dollars and quickly got up to three hundred! I was in total shock. Then I hit six hundred. Then I came back down. Then up again! Then back down. Finally, I hit three yellows and got five hundred dollars! I was up around eight hundred dollars at this point. I thought I was going to get lucky so I kept playing, but once I got close to seven hundred, I decided to cash out - that's the ticket you see there.

Then I took one hundred dollars from that and started to play again. I hit the three green sevens twice, and a whole bunch of blues and multi-coloreds. I was up around three hundred, then five hundred, then six hundred again. I should have cashed out then, but I didn't. I had already put my starting money back in my purse so I was now playing with casino cash. It could have been mine but I was greedy; I wanted more.

I just figured if I could hit those three yellow sevens again, I'd stop. And if I hit the red, I'd for sure stop. But I kept going, winning and losing along the way. I switched machines, switched back. Played my double diamond and SEVENS side by side. I was totally on a roll! I even gave Ed some of my winnings to play with. He's usually the one to give me money to gamble with, so I felt like a big shot.

But ultimately, that beautiful seven hundred dollar ticket dwindled. I still went home with five hundred dollars, which means I came out ahead! And isn't that the whole point?

I'm super-excited because I love winning. It was even worth the DISGUSTING smoke I had to breathe in all night. The minute I got into the truck, Ed and I both stripped down, put our clothes in a plastic bag so I wouldn't smell the smoke in the truck and took showers ala Silkwood.

I just love that my game involves no skill; all I have to do is sit and press a button. Where else can you press a button and get five hundred dollars??


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1 YEAR AGO: Farm It All!
2 YEARS AGO: Eddie Kinda In Berlin Friday
3 YEARS AGO: How To Get Blown Three Times In Four Days
4 YEARS AGO: Tell The Truth, The Whole Truth And Nothing But The Truth
5 YEARS AGO: Slim Fast

Photo Ops Amid The Goat Poo

After we delivered our load, we stopped to have lunch at a turnout area on Walker Lake in Nevada. This is the very same lake that GiGi has in her header photo.

Ed took this shot of the truck from across the street, waaaay up high. He was hiking in hopes of seeing moutain goats like he did last time. He didn't find any goats, but he did come across some goat berries which he also took pictures of. I'll spare you those.

Off to Reno now to do some gambling!

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1 YEAR AGO: Even The Goats Aren’t Up Early Enough To Beat The Buggy Rush
2 YEARS AGO: Before The Locusts Come
3 YEARS AGO: Venomous
4 YEARS AGO: Sixty Percent Lesbian
5 YEARS AGO: Sorry, no post on this day.

T.G.I. What Day??

Friday means nothing to me. It's not the end of the week. It's not the beginning of a weekend. It's not a day where I proclaim T.G.I.F.

It's just another day.

I often don't even know what the day or date is. In my job, I don't have to write the date forty-seven times a day. I don't have to be here at eight in the morning. I don't have a certain time I need to come back from lunch. Sometimes I don't even have lunch.

My cell phone reminders keep me up to date on things I have to remember; favorite TV shows, when bills are due, special events and birthdays. I think the only thing I do on a regular basis (when I'm not behind like now) is this blog. Other than that, I have to rely on others to give me clues on dates, times and sometimes even the state or city I'm in (thanks Eddie!).

So, although Friday doesn't hold the same meaning for me as maybe some other people, today is a day of importance because this particular Friday is my best friend's birthday. And although the date of her birth has been embedded in my mind from the first time I ever met her, I have to thank my phone for buzzing me awake this morning (a little too early, I might add) with a handy reminder.

Because without that reminder, the only thing I knew about the day was a) it was raining and b) I was going to have to get up out of bed to shut that damn thing off.


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1 YEAR AGO: A Cloudy Crescent Moon ON An Overcast Day
2 YEARS AGO: Show Her A Big One!
3 YEARS AGO: Crazy. Yinty. Cool.
4 YEARS AGO: Just Bring Chips
5 YEARS AGO: Sorry, no post on this day.

An Artesian Well Of Material

Today my mother and I were talking about how people come up with subjects to write books about. Do you write what you know, as they say? Or do you research a subject you're not familiar with? Do I somehow tie trucking into the story or do I come up with something completely random?

I've often thought of writing a book about some of the things my mother says. I have a catagory here, which when I re-read it, I crack up. My brother has said the same thing about it. And my mother, of course, thinks it's hilarious. But that may be just because we all know my mother.

I told my mother about Sh*t My Dad Says, a book that Justin Halpern wrote based on his Twitter page by the same name. I just saw it in the bookstore last weekend.

She said "See? People think parents are funny."

"Yeah, I know." I said. "But his Dad is really funny."

"Well, I think it's a good subject. Even people who don't have parents will think it's funny." she said.

WTF?

"What kind of people don't have parents??" I said.

"Whaaa?" she said.

"You said, 'even people who don't have parents will think it's funny'. Who do you know that doesn't have parents? I mean, techinically, even test tube babies have parents."

Silence. As if she were thinking about it. Then, as she usually does, she laughed. And I laughed. And then I took notes.

Because I'm going to need them someday for my book.


In other news...be sure to head over to Life On The Road to read my newest post.


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1 YEAR AGO: Asparagus Can Never Be Asparagi, But It Can Be Delicious
2 YEARS AGO: ’Tis The Season To Be Lazy
3 YEARS AGO: GoBrainiac.com
4 YEARS AGO: Flowers And Hand Painted Art
5 YEARS AGO: You Don’t Know What It’s Like

Spread Sunshine All Over The Place

Gray skies are gonna clear up,
Put on a happy face;
Brush off the clouds and cheer up,
Put on a happy face.

We're back on the road after the holiday weekend, on our way to a town in the middle of Nowhere, Nevada. It's on my Least Favorite Places In The Country list. And in the summer, it ranks very near the top. And the place we're taking the freight to is the only place in town. Muy depressing.

OK...so going to Nevada is not why I've chosen to spread sunshine all over the place by putting on a happy face; the happy face is because the freight rates are going up. And up. And up! I've mentioned before that Ed would rather sit in a parking lot and watch TV than move the truck for no pay. See that loaded truck up there? Good news, people, good news.

And after the debacle at the Port of Newark last week, this load is cake. Summer is the "busy season" for trucking, so I'm looking forward to the steady pace we'll be keeping. And if it's possible for there to be anything good about heading to Nevada, it's gotta be the casinos. We haven't been to one in a while and I think I'm feelin' lucky!

So as soon as this stuff is unloaded, we'll be hightailing it to the nearest slot machine (for me) and Blackjack table (for Ed) for a little bit of gambling. If we work it the way we normally do, our winnings will pay for food, hotel room and rental car. Wish me luck!


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1 YEAR AGO: Cows, Coffee And BJ’s
2 YEARS AGO: Lining Up For Lobster Season
3 YEARS AGO: Worth Every Penny
4 YEARS AGO: Everybody Is Everything
5 YEARS AGO: Sorry, no post on this day.

I'll Trade You My First Child For An iPad

This is what my iPod looked like after Ed dismantled it. The screws holding it together were teeny-tiny, like screws from eyeglasses. We thought maybe we would see the dried up Diet Coke in there and be able to swab it off, rescuing the iPod from it's Splenda-laden grave.

It never went back on. Even after plugging it in and trying to give it some juice. I thought maybe the battery died and it just needed a little boost to be rejuvenated. No such luck.

So on Sunday night, sneaky little Ed bought me a new one online, which we picked up yesterday at the local Best Buy. He also purchased a two-year protection plan to go along with it, just in case I get near any liquids in the near future. I am usually pretty careful with my electronics but that freak accident really made me gun-shy.

The best thing about the new iPod is that it has 64GB of storage - so I can put all of my movies on it (I currently have 12 of them) and Season 1 of Glee which I plan on buying soon. I never wanted an iPod and I didn't think I needed one. I figured I'd never use it. But now that I have it, I love it. I can only imagine the love for the iPad being even grander.

Are there any gadgets any of you have that you love more than say, your first born??


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1 YEAR AGO: Sorry, no post on this day.
2 YEARS AGO: Gives Red, White And Blue A Whole New Meaning
3 YEARS AGO: Eddie Warhol Friday
4 YEARS AGO: Conscious But Very Disoriented
5 YEARS AGO: Stuck In A Southern Vortex