Tequila Mockingbirds New CD
The Tequila Mockingbirds, consisting of Pete Pashoukos and George Fletcher, have finished their very first CD. To celebrate, they’re having a CD release party at Thirteen in Saratoga Springs on Friday, December 8th, starting at 6:30 pm. This is where the entire album was recorded. Be sure to purchase a CD and don’t forget to have them autograph it for you. If you can’t make it, look for their CD at all the major retailers and online via iTunes or CD Baby.
I am very happy that they chose to use my photos for the album art. All of them were taken in Saratoga Springs at Thirteen or right outside on Caroline Street. I supplied the photos, and George’s wife did all the graphics. Looks great!
Robert’s Deer
Robert went hunting for the first time in years this season. He got this deer on his friend’s land that borders the Saratoga National Historical Park. He used to hunt there so much that he has a tree named after him. He uses the entire animal and what is left he leaves for the critters. He also plans on mounting the antlers.
Jumping the Oregon Dunes
Here I am jumping over one of the dunes at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. This is the largest expanse of coastal dunes in North America. Some of these dunes can grow over 500 feet above sea level.
Thanksgiving
We spent Thanksgiving at my Uncle Bill’s place in Horseheads, New York. It’s just a short drive south of Ithaca, and near Elmira where he is a highly respected teacher. He has multiple degrees; a BA (Bachelor of Arts) in theatre arts, a MA (Master of Arts) in acting, a MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in acting and directing, and a M.S.Ed (Masters of Science in Education) in secondary English education.
Not long after we arrived, we enjoyed some hor d’orves, sausage and cheese biscuits, an old family recipe of my grandmother. Bye now, the house was filled with the smells of a traditional Thanksgiving feast: a golden turkey, chestnut stuffing, creamy mashed potatoes, caramelized sweet potatoes, roasted vegetables and last but not least, chilled cranberries. It did not take long before our plates were cleared and out stomachs were full.
After a team effort to clean up after dinner, we bundled up for a brisk walk to help settle our stomachs. The night sky was illuminated by billions of stars. Shortly after we worked off our supper, it was time to indulge on dessert. My mother made an apple pie with a crumbly buttery topping, and a creamy pumpkin pie. Jennifer had made a chocolate peanut butter cake and a cinnamon ripple sweet potato cake that paired perfectly with our coffee the next morning.
After a great nights rest we relaxed all morning, enjoying our coffee and the beautiful weather. Jennifer and my mother took a walk throughout the beautifully landscaped property; my uncle has a true appreciation for trees of all kinds. Meanwhile the men were in the kitchen preparing brunch. The entire house was filled with the aroma of eggs, bacon, sausage and home fried potatoes.
Soon after brunch it was time for us to pack up the jeep and say our farewell. It was a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with family and food… what more could you ask for?
Final Lab at RPI
Today I finished my last lab at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute! That’s my lab partner John setting up the Michelson Interferometer. He was a little tweaked since he had been up all night at work prior to coming in for class. He’s an exotic dancer. Just kidding. The past week has kept me busy writing lab reports and finishing up a final project for school in addition to working full time. Once I get my Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics degrees in December, the past few years will all have been worth it.
Emergence Day
I picked up Gears of War on the 8th for the Xbox 360. This is the must have game of the year. Today is called “Emergence Day”. Microsoft is hosting 24 hours of special events beginning at 12:01 am and ending at 11:59 pm on Xbox Live. In the Xbox Live Marketplace you will find special free downloadable content for Gears of War that is only available today. There is a “Warzone” tournament where the top player wins big. Also, they are giving away 8 Samsung home theater systems. You are entered into the drawing for these by just being online. Plus, every hour one lucky Xbox Live player will get 1000 Microsoft Points for free. You might even get the chance to play against the developers who made the game including Cliffy B. You can find me online kicking some butt.
Day With Sis
Today my sister came to visit. We met over at my mother’s place and spent the entire day together. I had a great time exchanging gifts. My mother made us all some sachets filled with various herbs like fresh Lavender from her garden and Cinnamon. She even wrote down all the beliefs, properties, and powers of each herb on cards she included with the sachet. I also got some cookies from Jessica, but they didn’t last very long after I got home. I can’t wait until she can come visit again.
Woolly Bear Caterpillar
You might have seen some of these caterpillars over the past few weeks. It is called a Woolly Bear Caterpillar. They usually make an appearance sometime in the Fall and are commonly seen crossing roads. The caterpillar is made up of thirteen segments. Each of these segments may either be black or reddish brown in color. It is widely believed that the length of the reddish brown section can forecast the severity of the coming winter. The smaller the reddish brown section. the harsher the coming winter. Similar to Groundhog Day, people gather at Vermilion, Ohio for the annual Woolly Bear Caterpillar Festival for the winter prediction.
Angel’s Share Sampling Society
Last night was spent sampling whisky/whiskey at 9 Maple Ave.What a great way to end the trip back from Salem. We arrived back in Saratoga Springs just in time for the start of the tastings.
First up was an Irish Whiskey called Bushmills 10 Year Old. It’s from the world’s oldest licensed distillery. Originally called ” Uisce Beatha” (“Water of Life” in Irish), the name was difficult to pronounce by English speakers and was then shortened to “Uisce”. Over time, the name eventually became whiskey. It is believed that the troops of King Henry II enjoyed the taste of Bushmills some 400 years before the distillery became officially licensed in 1608 by King James I. In 1784, the Bushmills Distillery became an officially registered company.
Next came the Single Malt Scotch Whisky, called Glen Moray 12 Year Old. It is from the Speyside district of the Highland region. Jackson gave it an overall score of 76.
My personal favorite of the night was the Bourbon Whiskey called Kentucky Vintage Small Batch. It comes from Bardstown, Kentucky also known as the “Bourbon Capital of the World”. This is a new addition to the collection of Bourbon at 9 Maple Ave and I will be adding to my own.
