Mmmmm. Tasty Persian today.

What: Joojeh (chicken kabob) with basmati rice, hummous, pita,roasted veggies, a drink, and baklava.

Where: Shiraz Mediterranean Grill

So this new place opened down the street from my office a few months ago. I've been a coupla times, not too often, but the wife had never been, and as we are now inseparable due to only having one family vehicle (my poor slothful groaning old Corolla, blessed be her name...it's Sophie, BTW) and being big fans of Persian food (remind me to tell you about Saffron's some time...) we decided to go there. (*whew* Ellipses now at an end.)

The atmosphere, while "short order" style (you order at a counter, they give youy a number, and bring it to you) and somewhat cafeteria like, is bright, clean, colourful, and relaxing. It lives in a small strip mall, but they have art on the walls (actual art...oil paintings...for SALE even), there's a BIG chalkboard with all the menu items in colourful chalk, and the decor is primary colour. They've even gone to the trouble of disguising their modern cooking equipment inside faux wood ovens. Pretty classy really.

Service is excellent and cheerful, and the food is delish. There's PLENTY of food. My kabob was tender, buttery, yet roasty brown chicken, grilled onion and tomato, tasty hummous, and really nice tangy tadziki.

Pros:
1. The food is EXCELLENT
2. The chicken was perfect.
3. The Basmati was perfect. Don't let anyone fool you...not everyone can cook rice well.
4. Decor, parking, classy and tasteful bathrooms, interior space....
5. Great service.
6. Everything is obviously FRESH.

Cons:
1. It's a little pricey. We got two combos which included drinks, an order of baklava, and a special order of grilled onions for a buck. It was almost $26. LOTS of onions though.
2. They don't brew their iced tea. They had one of those Lipton things that LOOKS like a brewer but is not. No excuse for a quality restaurant, much less a Persian one, where tea is important.
3. The damn door kept opening....great for business, but sucks if it's blowing 50mph 20 degree winds.
4. Their pita was some poor excuse for flat bread- perfectly rectangular, perfectly flat as if it had been rolled from a mill, and perfectly insipid.

The baklava, while not one of my fav desserts (don't care much for Phylo dough...I know, silly to get it if I don't like it...*sigh*) was ...different. In a good way. Not nearly as sweet as some, but much more floral and delicately flavoured. Tasty.

Overall, 9 of 10. Good food, at a nice clean place, served by nice clean people. Just a little pricey.

Current Location: The ugly place

No lunch today. Why? TOO MUCH BREAKFAST! And it was rather late in the morning (9:30 am).

So how bout I regale you with breakfast?

Today's Order: Sunrise Sampler

From: Cracker Barrel

Ok, ok, I know, Cracker Barrel. But hey, they've got good breakfast, and I LIKE breakfast foods. Of course, the atmosphere is what it is- faux 50's "homey", the threat of imminent death by falling farm implement (which are merely strung from the ceiling) constantly ..... um..... imminent, the rural American "Country Store" full of nostalgia, the smell of cleaning chemicals, total fakery, and cheap Chinese made "gifts", not to mention the scores of monumental middle age women named "Flo" who wish you a "howdy" upon entering.

You get the picture.


I'll say this for CB though....they always have a REAL fire (made of burning wood) going cheerily in the hearth, which believe me on a cold rainy Kentucky day like this is very welcome.

Today, we've discovered that (though it's nine am) they don't have hostesses until later in the day. No lie. so we stand there while the couple in front of us (also waiting) and ourselves watch scores of employees busily moving merchandies around or standing in the kitchen vestibule talking about their grandchildren. I know, being a mere 35 years old, you say they are too young for grandchildren, but hey this is Kentucky people.

Finally we're noticed and pitied and are led to a table. And then our experience is excellent.
Good service, unobtrusive, responsive, plenty of everything, hot coffee and plenty of it, and tasty hot breakfast. For me, biscuits (a little too floury for me, but still decent) with apple butter, butter, and gravy, eggs over medium (mmm...delightful runny yolks), hashbrown casserole (toasty shredded potato, cheese, and onion all baked together), grits with lots of butter and salt, fried apples (their weakest link- cooked in some commisary, combined with a cinnamony goo, and jarred, which is then opened and reheated....kinda blech...), and the meat sampler, which is a sausage patty, a piece of country ham, and a rasher of bacon.

The meat is good. Smoky and done right. Eggs, browns, grits, coffee, all good. The weird crusty brown thing which the waitress assures me is "a cinnamon biscuit (which they thankfully only trot out at Holiday time) I don't touch, but everyhting else was tasty. And geez, with drinks and two meals of that size cost us only $17!
Granted, i can only eat that much about once a week, but hell, it was two meals in one for both of us!

So, overall, I give it an 8 of 10 stars, very good.

Oh, and we got doggie goodness as we were leaving! a very sweet boy dog, who was tootling around the neighbourhood (having escaped from his electrci fence) gave us very happy yet dignified good mornings. He promptly ran when we offered to put him in the car with us, as though to say "you are very nice people, but I know quite where I am thank you", and proceede to toss and eat the days old squirrel he'd found. Oh, delight!

Overall, a wonderful start to a decent day.

At 3:15, I'm going to look at the perfectly awesome 125 year old, 4600 sq foot solid brick home being sold down the street for a mere 95k. Not as if I can buy it, but damn, it's close. I sense a lottery ticket in the offing with my name on it.

Current Location: Le shoppe

Yesterday evening I had a grumpy Facebook moment. Some total idiot actually said that since we have elected a black/Muslim president, we should give a white woman conservative a chance, in regard to Sarah Palin in 2012. As if it were a fucking mail room job.

The complete lack of any intellectual capacity in that statement astounds me, not to mention the implied bigotry and racism. Yes, that WAS a quote. Not my words.

Wanna know what I did say?

Me:
"Though equality means ANY American, regardless of race, religion, gender, etc. has the opportunity to run for President, doesn't mean we get to pick any village idiot just because they fit some minority stereotype we find appealing. Sarah Palin is unelectable, period.
And the fact some people continue to equate "black" with "muslim" really only ... Read Moreshows their own ignorance. If they equate that the President is Muslim, despite his DECADES of obvious Christianity, solely because he has a "muslim" name, only shows they are bigots.
And if they honestly believe that a person's religion is a qualification for anything other than whether they can be a minister of that religion, I've got a bridge to sell...because they'll believe anything stupid."

What? You want the rest? OK!

Idiot #1:
"You hit a live one, Cathy! Although let me add that going to a church for 20 years where "GD America" is preached doesn't really qualify for Christianity. The fact is that whether you like Palin or her politics or not, her resume is much more substantial than our current President's. I'm sure just 3-4 years ago someone would have said BHO was unelectable based on his questionable connections with the Chicago underground and slime-ball politicians. Things can change on a dime!"

Me:
"Who made her the arbiter of what Christianity is? Since when was she the judge of what makes "orthodoxy"? How arrogant and self righteous! And 3-4 years ago, when the President was running for President, no one DID say he was unelectable because of "connections"- for one, they're made up. And "slimeball politicians"?!? Really? Come on, Pollyanna. Quit listening to idealogues and propagandists and go get some facts.
Latsly, wasn't it you conservatives all up in arms in '00 and '04 about lack of respect? "Well, he won, so he's the President, let's all rally around, respecgt the office, call him President not Mr. Bush, blah blah blah..." Or is it only liberals and independents who have to show respect? Regardless of whether you think he's qualified, show a little respect."

Idiot #1:
"I have respect for the office, which is precisely why I didn't vote for someone so obviously unqualified yet bolstered by media and pop culture. I also have respect and love for my country, which I think should be a MINIMAL qualification for the person running the country. You watch too much MSNBC. Let me guess, you are waiting with baited breath for George Bush to be tried for war crimes. Get a life! Are you a pseudonym for Keith Olbermann? Do you live with your mommy and 32 cats?? Are you frustrated that you can't marry your partner? Guess what? Obama won't let you either!! LMAO

XOXO,
Pollyanna, the Self-righteous arbiter of Christian values."

Me:
"Michelle, I'm sorry you're filled with so much hate and fear.

and that, actually, is all."


How do I let myself get dragged into this kinda thing with every credulous, intellectually bankrupt, pinhead out there?

Why is America filled with credulous, intellectually bankrupt, pinheads?

I have a headache. In front and back. Urrrg. Wish I had time to get some massage at the shop.

Possibly I have it because I am trying to do fifteen things at once. Ok, not fifteen, but at least three. One of which is trying to get my iTunes from the office PC to my new Netbook/external drive. So far, no difficulties, but sure does take a while when you're talking about 8000 songs. This has been a 3 day process...parially because I'm a bit concerned by what happened to Pallid_Regina when she transferred hers. I would like to avoid that.

I am listening to a cool podcast though, called The Shellac Stack- an hour of old tunes from 78's. Jazz, parlour, dance band, world, novelty, etc. Good stuff. I somehow get the feeling Greg Maupin would approve.

Sitting in the tea shop, in the corner, on my netbook.... it really is a beautiful sight of business. There's a business meeting in the corner, and people sitting at every tabel computering, talking, snacking, drinking tea....
It's great. It's so nice to see exactly what should be happening in here happening....
Aysha's here, Elliott's here, Tami's here, Cara's here, Bob Burry's doing biz here, and he even brought his building cat to hang out. She is the cutest little orange tabby kitten, just running around have a great time in the shop.

I bought a guitar amp today. yay! Sweet little Washburn 2 channel tweed cover amp. Only $85 bucks! I'm looking forward to playing with it. The guitar now works, now I have an amp...Nihilistic Punchline, bring it on!!

It's nice to have a little money again. It will be gone soon, but hopefully the hump has been turned, and things are looking up. Woot!

Fifth weekend of Faire coming up...looking for Folk fests to play, talking projects and concepts with people....things are pretty tasty right now.

Current Location: Through the Looking Glass
Current Mood: content
Current Music: Molly's Lips, Nirvana

I'm listening to some lovely music this morning. I have a classical mix on my iPod- Locatelli, Boccherini, Corelli, Mozart...sometimes I wonder how I survived before I discovered Boccherini and Corelli. Great stuff for a quiet early Saturday morning.


Except the room is full of stinky dog fart. We got a new dog a couple of weeks ago- Angus, he's a 10 year old black lab- and he has the worst gas EVAR. I think i know why his owners were looking for a home for him.
The other dogs are off the hook.

I'm looking forward to the Logan's Company Yule gathering today, but a little nervous too- I have A LOT of stuff to do before hand. Things to buy. Pieces of tree to cut. Holly and mistletoe to gather. Food to cook. Yeesh. I'm freaking myself out a bit.

So I'm making chili. Just started in fact. The beef is browning, I'm humming a little chili makin song, and the dogs start going APE shit. I do the usual- "Quiet down, relax, ok, chill out, blah blah" still makin chili. Then my phone rings. I'ts wifey, wanting to know how much the books for sale are, because the lady is RIGHT OUTSIDE THE DOOR, so I go to let the dogs out cuz they're nuts, while I have a dripping chili spoon in my hand, I'm lookin up the books on the 'net for the prices, I'm holding the phone to my ear with my shoulder, and then I realize that really IS a gigantic motha fukkin 1/2 ton tree limb on top of my car.

Ever have one of those days?

The chili tastes great.

We will be eating it, along with hot mulled cider and vegetarian vegetable soup, tomorrow afternoon at the tea shop, in Shelbyville KY. And we will be CAROLING. That's right, christmas extravaganza. Caroling around old Main street in Shelbyville. Anyone is welcome... caroling, cider, TEA, chili, soup, and maybe even some sea chanteys later. 3pm, 522 Washington Street Shelbyville KY

The car is ok.

What have I gottne myself into? I should KNOW BETTER!
I promise, I will get to the meme from my last post. Then it's probably my last one- I can never keep up!

Now, a brief note for your reflection. Random thoughts today:

I had cereal for breakfast. Not something I often do, but pleasant nonetheless. something about the crisp, the dried fruit, the slightly sweet, all held in a mesh of delightful cold milk. I used to drink milk every dinner, until I was like 20. Seriously, I was one of those kids- we all sat around the table, talked about our days, ate our meat and potatoes, and drank our milk. As saccharin as it sounds it was pretty good. Until I came home from college for my first holiday back, and downstairs to breakfast with the gigantic dangly earring in my left ear. That didn't go well. I was a silly boy- seriously, a big dangly emerald?!? What was I thinking?

Even more decadently, I had a fried bologna sandwich with egg and cheese on a bun for lunch. Oh yeah. Now that's haute cuisine, baybee! (At least for the upper South)

I have been struggling to copy some old master tapes- on DAT format, no less- for the past couple of days. The first DAT machine failed utterly- it refused to give back a tape and nearly ate one of my precious, oh so precious, 15 year old irreplaceable masters in the process. I nearly cried. Then hit something. But the guys at the store were cool, and replaced the machine for me, destroying the naughty one in the process, yet saving my tape. Huzzay! Now I have cables and gear strewn across my desk, as I try to solve the input gain problem. I will triumph, dammit! In the end, you WILL BE MINE, LOST TRACKS!! No wonder I don't have any money. I tend not to "work" much when I'm at work.

Big tea tasting tonight at the shop- the lady has been working hard, and we will drink much tea. Hopefully, there will be LOTS of peeps there, who will taste tea, then buy tea, then buy something else too. I really want her shop to succeed. If you get a free coupla hours, come on by. It's Trough The Looking Glass, 522 Washington Street, Shelbyville KY 40065. No need to take a plane or anything though.

New music-
1. Mission of Burma "OnOffOn"
I'm trying very hard to like it. It's not bad, just not as good as their "classic" stuff. Jury's still out.
2. Amanda Palmer "Who Killed Amanda Palmer"
Ex-Dresden Dolls Amanda. Pretty good. Still digesting, but I like "Ampersand", "Leeds United", "Guitar Hero", and "The Point of it All" a lot. And the liner notes are by Neil Gaiman!
3. British Sea Power "The Decline of British Sea Power"
I'm digging this a lot. Reminds me of other bands- Wolf Parade in particular- but tasty. Strangely, there's a tiny bit of Fugazi in there too. Something in the vocal constructions. I'm listening to it at this moment!

And some Christmas music. I can't resist.

Lastty, if you want a cool steamgeek wallpaper, go
HERE (http://www.rabittooth.com/OtherWallpapers.htm)
I stole this from Oubliette, who posted a link earlier.
have a great weekend!

Current Location: katmandu
Current Mood: mellow
Current Music: The Decline of British Seapower

Well...I promised....*grumble*

Not really- this should be FUN! so here goes...


Game Show time! Post a comment, and you will win 9 prizes (not 9 crimes):

1. I'll respond with something random about you.
2. I'll tell you which song or movie you remind me of.
3. I'll say something that only makes sense to you and me.
(if possible. If not, I'll say something that only makes sense to me.)
4. I'll tell you my first memory of you.
5. I'll tell you what animal you remind me of.
6. I'll ask you something I've always wondered about you.
7. I'll tell you my favorite thing about you.
8. I'll tell you my least favorite thing about you.
9. If you play, you MUST post this on yours..

It's my birthday.

And a "transformative leader" has been elected to the White House. Sure, you can thank me if you want. I see a corollation, don't you?

Not to mention it's Guy Fawkes day, so it's DOUBLY a day to celebrate our liberties.

We listened to NPR on the way into work this morning, and a BBC reporter was interviewing people partying in the street in DC, and all of a sudden asked, "So why are you in fron of the White House?", and we realized that this massive, noisy celebration was happening RIGHT ON Pennsylvania Ave. The guy said, "oh, just want the current occupant to move on" and someone shouted in the background "foreclose on George Bush!" We laughed. A lot.
I also cried.
It's been a LONG TIME since I felt any faith in the populace and the process of the US. Maybe since I first became politically aware for myself, and rejected the blind acceptance of my parent's opinions.
A little bit was restored today.

But there is a LONG way to go. Let's just hope the Secret Service knows it's job- too many comparisons to JFK as it is, and let's hope the ultimate comparison NEVER comes to pass. I'm not a religious person, but I heartily mean God Save Barack Obama.

Here's a taste of what was narrowly averted:



Whew. That was a close one. But don't count the lipstick besmeared bulldog hocky idiot out yet. She has been tapped for future greatness. At least McCain's speech was gracious...what a damn shame the man only shows character when he loses.

In other news, the wife's tea shop is cute as a bug, and doing ok. Not huge money days yet, but it will all come in time. Today is a big day- the opening of the retail holiday season in Shelbyville. She might be swamped...not sure! So go Regan, sell those old ladies tea!
We had a nice visit by our friend Trixie and Holmes365 last night. Dinner and all that. It was cool.

Ok, that's all...have a lovely day, smell the breeze, enjoy the season, and gear up to make the world a better place.

Current Mood: on love