The Belgian Manhattan

I work at two different bars. One is a music venue called Back Booth. Its sometimes balls to the wall shots and beer flying all over the place. We do club nights and I have no time to think and creativity often takes a back seat at that time. The other establishment that I work at is a hand-crafted cocktail bar. That is called The Courtesy Bar. I must use my bar intellect and knowledge of pairing to create great tasting drinks; cocktails rather. I work with extremely creative and innovative people that take their craft seriously. That positive vibe has worn off on me tremendously to the point I'm always doing homework and researching about drinks and the craft of mixology considering the fact that I do not consume alcohol.

So to the point... I found myself extremely slow at the Back Booth one day. I brought in a bottle of Angostura Bitters and sweet vermouth for the possibility someone may just order an Old-Fashioned or a Manhattan from me. No one did. I didn't want the vermouth to go bad so I followed suit of Eric Foster at The Courtesy whom created this amazing beer cocktail called the Tom Cat he builds on ice and tops with an IPA. I used the idea of a Manhattan, the Tom Cat, and a Boiler-Maker variation from The Courtesy called the Stella-Maker.

The Belgian Manhattan
2 Dashes of Angostura Bitters
1 oz. Sweet Vermouth
8-12 oz Stella Artois

Pour Vermouth and Bitters in Pint Glass. Add Ice. Top with Stella. Roll Cocktail once. Enjoy.

This is not pushing the envelope but opening peoples' eyes to the joys of Vermouth and Bitters and that the Liquor before Beer saying can be muddled together and pushed aside as we combine the two for either catastrophic or spectacular outcomes!

03-01-11: The Headaches of New Beginnings.

Today is the 1st of the month. Yay. Rent day. Always a headache. Good bye money. Why must I have to pay someone to live somewhere. When did this begin to happen for us that seek shelter. In what point of time in the history of man did seine decide, "let's charge rent!". I'm sure it wasn't in the form on monetary comenasation at that time. Perhaps it was the trophy remains of vanquished enemies. Perhaps it was a Davy Crocket style racoon tail hat but more in the form of a pair of camel hump ear muffs to travel across the cold gobo desert.

Roommate is supposed to move out today and a new one move in. However its nearly afternoon and the process has not yet started. Headache. Then, as they move in and out I have to worry about my feline company escaping or becoming stressed out on new scents and pissing all over everything. Headache.

Still an emptiness in my heart. Who knew that would be a headache? Girls used to throw themselves at me and then I'd throw them right off. I feel I've ruined every good chance at love. Headache. Mind is plagued with should've could've would'ves. I don't mind the chase or the feeling out process but it's such a headache to go through. Learning to understand someone else. Figuring out another persons qualities and short comings. Adapting to their personality. Headaches galore.

Job opportunities are within a fingertips grasp, however, online applications that crash 20 minutes through; headaches. Multiple interviewes for entry level under 10 dollars an hour jobs; headaches. Juggling two or even three occupations in your already busy schedule because god forbid anyone give you full time hours; headaches.

No Tylenol can cure these stress induced head pounding ailments. Only outcomes. Good or bad. At least you know what happens.

Life is still exciting for new possibilities and adventures. It's just the work getting there that gives you them headache bummers.

02-25-11: Stay Gold Ponyboy

First off, why would I spend such a long period of time without updating my blog?  It's livejournal all over again. It can be found at livejournal.com/users/xusherx if I am not mistaken.

Awoken from the worst sleep first by the cats escaping through the screen, to Reeks and Oprah waking me way early. Then, the AC repairman came through around 10:30am. Messed with my energy levels and thus didn't go to the gym. This caused me to have a depressive feeling and became lethargic. I fell asleep to text and fb chat conversations, one bringing to my attention the last space shuttle launch for the Discover Shuttle. I debated in my exhausted state to go out on the bike early and get a good spot... I opted out for sleep.

I awoke to a text I believe. Then saw Flicker planned on going out so just after I made plans to go, Gorgo stopped by with his Blur Heeler and said hello. Soon after I left for a long and unsuccessful trip to attempt a grand viewing of the launch. I didn't see anything as the clouds were in the way and we were stuck on the 528 next to a Russian couple in an escalade and two gas guzzling monstrosities of vehicles, one hauling a Beemer, and both hauling overweight rednecks that were pissing on their tires wait for the shuttle to scuttle on up to outer space.

Made it back to town, ate some Tijuana Flats compliments of a $25 gift card tip left by Jaron's white person look alike, and made it back home.

After my beard manicuring session and shower I rolled out on the Harley to the social for The Get Up Kids show. Ran in to many friends and had some great conversations. Hard to have many people to talk to because I swear I have social ADD.  Normally however, we being Americans, we get bored with conversations with people in about 5 minutes so I was consistently saved by the next soon to be forgotten half way finished conversationalist.

TGUK got on. Messing up. Playing boring Brit pop synth songs to finally what I wanted to hear, "Don't Hate Me.". An explosion of excitement from my person leading to anarchist celebrations disregarding stage dive rules and respect for others. The guitar tech decided to be violent with Shawn Egan and I. 5 years ago, pow right in the kisser my fist would have said to his face. Instead, hands were clapping and smiles were wide. Head in stinky armpits and more anthematic hymns being sung.

Made my way to hoops. Another piss hole of underage, over-privileged,  wanna be punk rocker "pacifists" who are too pussy to punch a true Nazi in the face and rather just whine about it. As long as beer is flowing and bad music is playing, these dudes and dudettes are fine with the rampant amounts of putrid body odors polluting the room.  Sickened by the state of the current fake punk nation, I removed myself from that incestuous band project hell hole and got back on my ride. Headed to Pom Poms and had some fun conversations as well as the previous places I had ended up.

A day off from work, 29 years young, a playful spirit bogged down by loneliness and lowliness of my peers, and a sentimental band playing hits from my past makes for a concoction of emotional drive to go out and just be slightly a challenge. No family around me so I must make the best of my surroundings and accept how stupid the world is... I mean people accept me right?

My Material Things Wish List

10-08-09: My Coke Reward

Up until this point in time in my life from my freshman year in high
school when I cut caffiene from my diet completely and recently within
the past two years occasionally have ingested a serving here or there
on long car rides, I have officially had more soda in the past month
than I have had combined in those years past. I have decided enough
is enough and need to nearly cut it out again. What better way to end
my binge than with a throw back to my favorite preteen soda, cherry
coke.

09-29-09: Its Better to Shop at Putz's Than Shop at Sap's

I'm sick of trying.
I'm sick of crying.
Fight or flight
I'd rather be flying.

No pain no gain
Rather not be hurtin.
For love hurts
That is for certain.

I give and give
And rarely take
When it's time to get mine
They always flake.

I'd rather be a flibertygibbet
Than to be twitterpatted
To always run from love
Is better than to have almost had it.

So from this day on
I'd rather be a happy go lucky putz
Than to be a heart broken sap
With "if's," "and's," or "but's."

So long and farewell
auf weidersein goodnight
I'll take my business elsewhere
Even if it don't feel right.

09-26-09: I Want To Suck Your Love

Wow! I forgot how awesome it was to be a vampire.