I Keep My Eyes Wide Open All The Time. (Or, A Movie Review.)

After excusing myself from the No-Love Thursday festivities (note to myself: need to buy more coffee beans) I took off to the far north side to the new Carmike Cinemas 84. (I don't know how many screens they have, but auditorium #12 is nice....good sized, new, clean and comfortable.) Didn't like the lobby much, although the TV screens are an interesting touch....even have the menus at the concession stands on Samsung monitors. Note to management, though....it's kind of confusing to have trailers on the screens in January saying "Coming This Fall." Three movies I saw featured are already out...and one actually WAS coming out this fall. They DO update trailers...maybe you could update the ones in the lobby. My beef with the lobby (no pun intended) was that the concrete floors, and lines made me feel like a cow headed to slaughter at a nicely appointed stockyard.

ANYWAY....

The movie rocked. Went to see "Walk The Line". For the three Gentle Readers that don't know, it's a portion of the life story of Johnny Cash. I wouldn't have chosen Joaquin Phoenix OR Reese Witherspoon to play Johnny or June Carter Cash, but they both did a tremendous job--especially Phoenix, who got Johnny's mannerisms down to the point where even MY cynical ass believed the role (and I've met and spent time with Johnny Cash.) A wonderful movie about a true entertainer, and an American musical icon. Go see it, even if you're not a Johnny Cash fan.

Rating? Five stars out of four. An extra star for being about one of the coolest SOBs that ever lived. And all in a PG-13 movie. Great story, well told.

Sure, It'll Kill You, But It Tastes So Good. (Or, Your Recipe For The Cold Winter Weekend.)

Beer Cheese Soup
Good for the day after a party. You can use the beer that you misplaced....the full can you find on the end table after everyone left, that's been at room temperature overnight. Or you can just open your beer and let it stand while dealing with the vegetables. You want the beer to be a bit flat.

6 slices lean bacon
1 medium onion, diced
2 medium carrots, finely chopped
2 medium celery ribs, finely chopped
11/3 cups chicken broth (we used 11/2 teaspoons better than bouillon chicken base and 11/3 cups water)
12 ounces flat beer, divided
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 cup half-and-half
3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 teaspoons sugar
Salt and fresh-ground black pepper, to taste
4 teaspoons fine-chopped red bell pepper, for garnish

In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain. When cool, crumble and set aside.Reserve 2 tablespoons bacon fat in skillet and saute onions, carrots and celery over medium-high heat about 3 minutes or until soft. Add chicken broth and all but ¼ cup beer. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 1 minute.In a small bowl, whisk together flour and remaining ¼ cup beer. Gradually whisk beer mixture into vegetable mixture, stirring constantly until thickened. Stir in half-and-half and cheese, continuing to stir until cheese melts. Stir in bacon and sugar. Season with salt and pepper. Serve garnished with chopped sweet red peppers. Makes 8 servings.Per serving: 461 calories, 68 percent calories from fat, 35 grams total fat, 19 grams saturated fat, 110 milligrams cholesterol, 9 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram total fiber, 4 grams total sugars, 8 grams net carbs, 25 grams protein, 853 milligrams sodium.

Kennedy VS Lincoln. (Or, Other Than That, How Was The Play, Mrs. Lincoln?)

I was kidding about the Lincoln/Kennedy thing yesterday, but a couple of people that lurk in the halls of this blog asked me about the list, so here it is, as promised (I guess.) And for all you literalists in the crowd, I know that there are misstatements and inaccuracies....but it's still fun. Anyway, here goes....

Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846. John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.
Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860. John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.
The names Lincoln and Kennedy each contain seven letters.
Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.
Both wives lost their children while living in the White House.
Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
Both were shot in the head.
Lincoln's secretary, Kennedy, warned him not to go to the theatre. Kennedy's secretary, Lincoln, warned him not to go to Dallas.
Both were assassinated by Southerners.
Both were succeeded by Southerners.
Both successors were named Johnson.
Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808. Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.
John Wilkes Booth was born in 1839. Lee Harvey Oswald was born in 1939.
Both assassins were known by their three names.
Both names are comprised of fifteen letters
Booth ran from the theater and was caught in a warehouse. Oswald ran from a warehouse and was caught in a theater.
Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials.

Who Knew? (Or, Next Time Warn The Pope.)

An e-mail I received yesterday points out some interesting coincidences (tomorrow--the shocking similarities between Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy!!)

Year-- 1981
1. Prince Charles got married
2. Liverpool crowned soccer Champions of Europe
3. Australia lost the Ashes tournament.
4. Pope Died

Year-- 2005
1. Prince Charles got married
2. Liverpool crowned soccer Champions of Europe
3. Australia lost the Ashes tournament
4. Pope Died

Lesson Learned? - The next time Charles gets married, someone warn the Pope.

Big Shoes....Big Feet. (Or, Life In The Bowling Lane.)

Last night was the first Lebowski Fest night at Georgetown Bowl.....Let's just say that Dick Weber's legacy is fully intact (although I managed to eke out a 100+ game once out of five games.) You can't beat the deal, though.....open bowling from 9-midnight, all the pizza you can eat (and good pizza at that) and three drinks for 15 bucks. Hell, I can eat and drink 15 bucks worth in three hours...so it's like going to a pizza place and getting the bowling for free (which again, if you saw Cliff and me on the lanes, is about what it was worth.)

No-Love Thursday tonight....I may or may not attend. Still have that free pass for "Walk The Line", and I might try to go this afternoon/evening..... I think seeing the movie version of Johnny Cash's life is an acceptable substitute for the NLT gang....in fact, between the drinking, drug use, loud music and performing, it might be THE substitute. We'll see if both activities can be attended successfully......

Happy New Year! (Or, 2006. Bring It On.)

Had a nice get-together for New Year's Day (the previous evening being reserved for the work event at Snickerz.) Lots of drinking and frivolity....although in the spirit of safety, and following the advice of the TV ads that buzzed driving is drunk driving, we limited each participant to one drink apiece. None the less, it was a good time...as is evidenced by this shot of partygoers enjoying the revelry.....



Hope yours was a happy one too....and best wishes for 2006.