It's Sunday night and after a disastrous last four days at work I think I've finally got my freshly shaved head to a place where I can keep it 'work free' for most of the next 11 days.
Tomorrow morning I fly to Tampa where I'll to get to tour Ybor City, the cigar capitol of these United States in the afternoon and have dinner at The Columbia in the evening. Complete with Flaminco dancers!
On Tuesday I have some meetings in the afternoon, perhaps some beach time and then Elizabeth is flying in late.
On Wednesday Carlucci is picking us up early when we shall make the long drive to Ft Lauderdale to board the Fabulous Carnival Legend for our 8 fun filled days in the Southern Caribbean.
I'm loaded up with a stack of books:
1. The Natashas (Victor Malarek)
2. Blink (Malcolm Gladwell)
3. Kitchen Confidential (Anthony Bourdain - Thanks GreenBean!)
4. Rantings of a Single Male (Thomas Ellis - Thanks Homer!)
And some premium cigars including a special 40th birthday smoke (Thanks Keri!).
Don't worry. Dave is going to check in on The Kitten. (Thanks Dave!)
I shall return from the sea a hardened man in his 40s. A middle aged man. A mature adult. I never thought I'd make it. I kinda wanna run out to Hennepin avenue and throw my hat in the air.
I don't think I'm going to spend too much time on the internet what with all the food I'll have to eat, books I have to read, and all that 'absolutely nothing' that I have scheduled, so this might be it until March 10th.
I'll say hello to Barbados for ya'll.
And a BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEG Happy Birthday to my sister, Robin! Look for special treats coming soon (prolly on Tuesday).
I'm betting yes.
Thanks to JB Smith''s amazing sleuth work, I've been in contact with several people from a virtual lifetime ago and all because MB Reynolds decided he needed to have a 40th birthday.
Lots of us are turning 40 this year, my brother, and I'm glad to see the gray and the recession. You know where to find me now and there is no need to wait until I'm 60.
I, myself, have changed slightly over the years from the 120 pound greased pompadour sportin' devil-may-care, fun lovin' skinny-boy of yesteryear to the morbidly obese, closely cropped, could-easily-be-mistaken-for-a-republican-if-you-just-looked-at-me person of today, but in my own defense, I'd have to say that principally I'm the same fellow I was back then.
I know some more stuff, maybe, and I drive a better car (although that Jetta was good too me...) but I haven't changed that much in the last 20 years if you're counting things other than fat cells or hair.
It's been a fun few days getting emails (and phone calls) from people I often think about but haven't spoken to or written in forever. Ya'll should keep in touch! I don't plan on taking this web site down any time soon. I know a few of my old friends look, occasionally, and I hope that continues.
Those of you who would banish me for another 20 years, I hope you stop by, too.
JB Smith? Thanks for googling.
Here's the beautiful cake I made. My first experience with Fondant and I think it turned out pretty nice.
Here's the part where I tell you it tasted AWFUL.
Store bought fondant though quite beautiful = eeeeeeew.
I still have my doubts.
Most of my friends are predicting that I will absolutely hate it.
I'm kind of looking forward to the 'sitting on the balconly watching the sea go by' part of the deal. If I don't get sea sick and they don't try and make me join the conga line, I think I'll have a great time.
Barbados, St. Maartin, & Barbados.
I'ma eat me something spicey.
