Yes, I am still alive & kicking!

[pen&kev]

Ola peeps! I got an extra few minutes and thought I'd do a livedaily drive by and see what's shakin' with y'all. As I can see, everyone is still around, and as hilarious as ever (yes even you Igman :)

Kevy's doing great - she's still wonder woman with the brood. She's in San Diego this week on a business trip.

No, I haven't been melting any wax lately been too busy.

My new job is still hectic and challenging but am enjoying it.

The geezer is still taking up space and using up everyone's oxygen.

Oh yeah, and I got a new ball and chain these days. It's getting serious, but no ring yet.

Anyway, miss you much. I'll try to stop by more often. I could use the laughs :D

So, what's up with y'all? Tell me EVERYTHING!

[TrueB&B_BritFan]

tell me EVERYTHING!
ok... let's start at the VERY beginning...

"In the beginning there was void..." :p j/k lol

[iggy]

My favorite part is that somebody who lives in California spells it "Ola." That's why I miss pen and kevy.

[insearchofjason]

At least she got the 'drive by' part correct. ;)

Penny, we miss you! Hope you can stop by a little more often.

[ellenmed]

So, what's up with y'all? Tell me EVERYTHING! I'll be the first to bite. Mike and I are expecting our first baby in November. :D

Miss you pen. Congrats on your new ball and chain!

[MJ]

Hey Penny....good to know things are going well....Congrats on your new "ball and chain"....hey I've been with mine 15 years and still no ring....but it may work out after all...LOL


I'm still a factory worker and concert goer....went and saw Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth last week....quite entertaining.


My twins are turning 13 next week....where does the time go


Thats about it for me...tell Kevy hi and to pop in if she gets a chance


ellen...I'm not sure if I ever said Congratulations or not(I'm such and infrequent visitor anymore)..but consider yourself Congratulated!

[NikDC]

PENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!

So glad to hear that things are going well! This is wonderful. And congrats on the new less-hypotethical ball and chain. ;)

I second ISOJ's come back more often! Miss you! Give kevy a hug for me.

[pen&kev]

Congrats Ellen! Glad to hear you and Mike are happy. So, boy or girl? Any names floating around? Hey, that could be a topic ;)

Yeah, new ball and chain. Met him on New Years Eve. The geezer made me go to a party with him. It turns out Rudy's father made him go with him to said party. We were the only one's of our age group and started talking. Imagine sitting around a dinner table with eight geezers staring at you while you try to hook up? Quite embarrassing! He's 37 years old, carpenter, divorced with two children. Nice guy, but a pushover when it comes to his kids and the ex.

MJ - Dang, I want to see Sammy and Dave. How was it?

[iggy]

Please tell me your boyfriend dresses like Rudy from Fat Albert. I can't go on if he doesn't. There just aren't that many satin hats being worn these days.

[pen&kev]

Hee hee hee! Yeah, that satin hat puts my panties in a bunch every time :eek:

He's all about 501's and Tshirts.

So Igman, still a wine slinger these days?

[ellenmed]

Thanks MJ! :)

Thanks Penny! Next week, we'll find out the gender. We've got our names, but I'd rather get a poll going first. :) Good idea!

Girl = ??
Boy = ??

[iggy]

No penny. Back to the corporate lifestyle for me. My days of playing in the wine game are over.

Last I heard, you were aiming for Jeremiah, ellen. Still a bit bullfroggish for me.

[ellenmed]

And we're contemplating his middle name as Zachary. So his initials would be J.Z.

Jigga!!

[iggy]

I'm sure "izzo" will be involved somehow then.

[pen&kev]

Jeremiah Zachary? What a great name...very long...but sounds great!

Ig, for some strange reason every time I watch Boiler Room I think of you. Maybe it's the Hugo Boss suits.

[ellenmed]

What about orange couches?

[iggy]

Good association, pen.

There's no such thing as orange couch in my home...never will be.

[ellenmed]

Wasn't that velvet couch you had delivered to your place orange color?

[pen&kev]

I dunno. I see zebra print couches with wicker chairs for the Igmeister ;)

[iggy]

Nah...the velvet whorehouse couch is olive green. Wicker? You can't sit nekkid on wicker...unless that's your thing.

[ellenmed]

Olive green. That's it!

Hope you sterilized the place before ISOJ, ssg and Nik came over. Ew!

[iggy]

Mer was there too. We were all nekkid. Okay maybe not all of us...just Nikki. Bet she was glad there was no wicker.

[ellenmed]

Rahaha! Must have been the sangria.

[insearchofjason]

No sangria... it was the Tang & 40 ft. Vodka drinks we concocted.

Did I spell concocted right?

[pen&kev]

Tang & Vodka? Why not go for a little Mad Dog or Cisco :eek: Koolaide and Tequilla???

[ellenmed]

ISOJ, are you training for a spelling bee contest?

[NikDC]

I've been making her write her words over 100 times if she gets them wrong. Nothing like a little repetive curation to make the knowledge sink in. Bet you all wish I'd go into teaching, huh? :D

Tang and Vodka, indeed! You put me anywhere where breakaway pants abound and you needn't ply me with liquor for the fun to start.

I should get my own Barbie with breakaway fun pants. Pole sold separately.

[iggy]

And a pink Barbie mobile with all-weather tires.

I know it's an old joke, but just can't stop beating that dead horse.

[kentuckychic]

Nikki....it's repetitive. :D

[MerrySunshine]

Ah, the break-away fun pants . . . . I still liked the shiny black tie. :)

[iggy]

iggy's closet of endless fun and possibilities

I should take it on the road and share my blessings with the world at large. Coming soon to a strip mall parking lot near you.

[insearchofjason]

I think somewhere I still have photographs of all of us wearing iggy's suits.

[iggy]

I know some of them were posted. That was before I painted the wall behind my bed a shiney blood red. It's truly horrifying, but it's really grown on me.

[insearchofjason]

Have any pictures? I want a red wall...

[MerrySunshine]

My mom has an entirely red room . . . . very cool. :cool: There was a way-cool red satin tie in that closet, as I recall . . . .

Did I mention that I painted my dining room navy blue and put a stained glass chandalier in there? I love it! Very dramatic. :)

[iggy]

Sounds nice Mer. I like a cozy dining room with something to look at. Makes you not mind so much if the food is crap.

I'm taking pictures of all my walls soon. Don't think I'll be in my apartment after the end of the summer. Time for a change. So I need some evidence of my hard work before the whitewash is slapped on.

I still have the tie...but I believe it's silk.

[MerrySunshine]

Ah . . . silk. Of course.

Yes, it is nice and cozy. Cherrywood dining room furniture too. :) But the food is never crap at my place . . . that is, when I do get around to cooking. The Lean Cuisines I usually eat after a day at the office are, indeed, uber-crap. That's the problem . . . I can cook; I like to cook; in fact, I really enjoy it; but I have not time to do it. Sigh.

That may explain, though, why I listen extra carefully to the cullinary arts school ads on the radio right until you get to the part where they say your starting salary could be as much at 30K a year . . . and then I think of my mortgage . . . . :rolleyes: Would be cool to be a chef, though . . . .

[iggy]

Same with me...plus I don't want to chop carrots for 4 years before I get to make my first sauce. Not to mention that culinary school tuition is extreme (well at least the top tier schools).

So I absorb all I can from Food Network and the odd magazine. A bargain at twice the price.

[NikDC]

Thanks, ky. :D That's what I get for going too fast.

repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitite repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitite repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitite repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitite repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitite repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitite repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitite repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitite repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitite repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitite repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitite repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitite repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitite repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitite repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitite repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitite repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitite repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitite repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitite repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitive repetitite

[iggy]

look at all those tits

rahaha...fridays make me chuckle

[NikDC]

:rolleyes:

Notice the self restraint exhibited since I so want to censor iggy's crudeness...

[MerrySunshine]

:o

Re: chefs thing . . . after we win the Amazing Race, iggy, we can open a lay-chefs restaurant together with our winnings . . . . :) We'll can call it Polanesia a Tejas or some such nonsense. ;)

[iggy]

Teriyaki beef fajitas and such...we can call it General Tso's Ranch or JR Miyagi's. Reminds me of those people that put chinese food in tortillas...erp.

I'm usually such an angel...glad you left my latest indiscretion for the unwashed masses. It still makes me laugh like a school girl. Tee hee.

[MerrySunshine]

Coconut encrusted shrimp fajitas with a mango-chili sauce . . . . :D

Actually, that does sound kinda good. ;)

[iggy]

Smoked pork dumplings with a sesame ancho chili dipping sauce...paired with a shot each of Saporo and Shiner.

We are too good at this.

[MerrySunshine]

Maybe we should open a restaurant . . . . ;)

Appetizer: mini fish tacos made with salmon and a tomatillo-honeydew-prickly pear chutney . . . .

[iggy]

flan made with coconut milk and a passion fruit syrup

I'm getting out the Calphalon this weekend and experimenting with this TexPacRim fusion.

[MerrySunshine]

It really does sound good, doesn't it? ;) Maybe when I'm up there for that case (haven't heard anything more on it since I got assigned to it, however :rolleyes: ) one time we can cook up a little something. Nikki can bring desert. :)

And for happy hour . . . Yam chips (like potato chips only thicker and made with yams) with a chili/onion queso . . . and a mango or prickly pear margarita! (I've actually had a prickly pear margarita and it's fab!) :)

[iggy]

Kalua pig quesadillas with pinapple sour cream would work well for the menu.

As soon as you hear something, we'll make plans. You can come to my place since Nikki uses her oven for storage. Joking. She doesn't have an oven.

[ellenmed]

You guys are making me hungry.

Maybe I can find an El Torito Hsungs Plate around here.

[MerrySunshine]

Oooo, pineapple would be good in a fajita, don't ya' think?

Chicken fajitas tossed with onions, green peppers, and pineapple . . . . Side of rice cooked with coconut milk and chili powder . . . . I'm all about the savory with the sweet.

Actually, here's a recipe I make a lot . . . it's a chicken marinade I sort of threw together and it works pretty well: lime juice, shot or two of tequila, chili powder . . . a little sugar (make sure it dissloves before it goes on the meat) if you're wanting it to be more like a glaze . . . good for grillin', good for bakin'. ;)

[iggy]

That's funny Mer...I've used something like that before too. Diced chili instead of powder though.

I'm realizing more and more that Asian and Tex/Mex cooking are very linked. I do know one thing: we'll be using lots of cilantro on each dish.

Vietnames Pho soup with corn and bean relish (pico de gallo if you will).

[MerrySunshine]

Lots of chilis in each . . . cilantro as well . . . and lots of the Mexican costal food really does pick up the Asian thing . . . more likely, it's just the proximity to the sea, huh? Is it a wonder that they both rank as my favorite types of food?

How about a side of chili fried clams with some good old fashioned guacamole and a lemon wedge for seasoning to taste . . . .

[iggy]

Hmm...or chili fried calamari with a sake/wasabi condiment. Hell, combine the two in a hand glazed bowl for a group appetizer. Chopsticks with silver/turquoise patterns would work too.

[MerrySunshine]

And, really, we can't go wrong with iron sconces with open flames coming out from the walls . . . like tiki torches only not cheesy . . . .

We could combine Aztec and Pac Rim type art . . . wall carvings, wood carvings . . . . it would be very, very hip and people would ask us to host posh events.

I'm sure that JC Chasez, at the least, would put in an appearance at the opening! ;)

Chorizo meatballs in a pineapple-chili glaze . . . .

[ellenmed]

That's it!
I'm taking my lunch!

[iggy]

Or Luke Wilson at the very least. Just makes sense. How about Tako for a name? Seems to encompass both while still being concise.

I'm seeing cactus juice-marinated scallops crusted with sesame seeds and drizzled with cilantro-infused oil. Jalapeno egg rolls with minced shrimp and cabbage.

[MerrySunshine]

Eggrolls to be served with a nice soy sauce infused with scallions, cilantro, and, well, not to be redundant, but chilis . . . anaheims this time, just to be different . . . .

And a nice poblano cream soup with some delicate peppered shrimp wontons . . . .

Tako sounds good to me!

[iggy]

Of course, that's tay-ko...not tah-ko.

Lucy Liu will be a silent partner. Sake margaritas in wooden box cups will become all the rage.

[MerrySunshine]

Of course it's tay-ko . . . .

We'll just let Lucy stand at the front and glare at people . . . . She'll add an air of sophisticated snobbery, which is always nice.

I think a little coconut margarita with a Sangre de Toro sangria meltdown over it would be fab.

Slate tile floor, though . . . Nothing paper . . . except maybe the lanterns on the indoor-outdoor patio. :p

[iggy]

burnished copper table tops, laquered chairs and raw silk covering the walls.

of course there will 2 bars...one for waiting patrons and one for Generation Next.

Men's room will be zen cool. Ladies will be tribal and pagan.

[Cali_1]

When is the Grand Opening? I'd like a table for 4 please :)

[iggy]

We're currently searching for generous venture capitalists keen on investing. Ahem.

[MerrySunshine]

Carved wooden front doors with a combo of Aztec and Polynesian gods . . . . Huge flaming stone kettles on either side of the door. Silk on the walls should be red and I'm seeing the "rising sun" motif a la New Mexico's license plates as the design for the seat cushion covers . . . . Also . . . saffon colored napkins with a red edging to match the wall . . . .

[MerrySunshine]

And, er, yeah, what iggy said re: the opening.

I will die if someone opens this restaurant now as I will know they got the idea from us on LD. :rolleyes:

[garnet]

Je sus...just reading your food concoctions is giving me heartburn :eek:

I hope you guys provide a free bottle of Extra Strength Mylanta on each table at this restaurant of yours :D

[MerrySunshine]

Eh. Lightweight! ;)

We'll liquor ya' up so ya' won't know your tummy's on fire! :p

[iggy]

No interest in cuisine for the timid. It's all about bold flavors and indignant pairings.

But if I see one silver coyote in the plans, I'm pulling out.

[MerrySunshine]

Lucy better not suggest that coyote barking at the moon motif or she's dead. :p Also, No kokopelli, or however you spell it. :rolleyes:

AND, no Texican stuff . . . no stars and spurs and bandanas . . . no cheesy South Padre type rugs . . . no pinatas . . . no pink or turquoise (except the turquoise on the chopsticks, of course) . . . . It's Aztec or Mayan and the Islands for decor . . . .

[Short Chris]

Damn, I am so ready for some of this whatever it is fusion food, it's not funny. Please tell me the drinks will be strong though...

Penny, long time no see baby, glad to hear that everything's going well. Come on back when you get a chance again!

[MerrySunshine]

X, is coming? Well, then nevermind about the whole thing. ;) :p Just jokin'!

"indignant pairings" . . . very nice phrasing, iggy . . . .