Blessed At Christmas

A virtual thank you.

For gifts received:

From Sara

Red Stripe Cap
Chicago Cubs Cap
Chicago Cubs Santa Hat
A cool new multi-tool
Boxers (wink)
Groovy Fossil wallet
Jimmy Buffett-Live in Anguilla
"Nothing To Fear But Chuck Himself" T-Shirt
Wrigley Field Sign
"The Office" Calendar
A Fun Photo Calendar from Walgreens
A Custom Made Sign from tropicaltikisigns.com that says "Home Of The Tikitender"
Kick-Ass Once Cup Coffee Maker
A Flintstones ornament that says "You Rock"
A "movie basket" filled with my favorite movie snacks and The Sandlot 3: Heading Home
Some new Columbia cargo pants
a kick ass stocking filled with goodies
A crazy dog umbrella kinda like this. LOL



From Family

A nice photo ornament & gift card from my Grandpa & Grandma Skoff
Cash from Grandpa & Grandma Nation
Applebee's gift card from my parents
Forrest Gump DVD from my parents
Emmit Otter's Jugband Christmas DVD from my parents. One of my favorite movies to watch with my Mom when I was a little Tiki.
A cool Tiki Bar sign from my Uncle Paul & Aunt Sue
Colts Super Bowl Champions Cap from Sara's parents
New apron from Sara's mom. We love aprons in our house!
Target gift card from Sara's grandparents
The Iowa Baseball Confederacy by WP Kinsella from Sara's parents
A stocking filled with goodies from Sara's parents


From Friends, Customers, & Co-Workers

Jacksonville Jaguars Santa Hat from Jeanette
A groovy & funny winter hat & t-shirt from Emily
Handmade Sandals from Kino's in Key West from Lynne
A fistful of lottery scratchers from Josie
A santa mug filled with goodies from Linda P.
Santa Balls and a yummy smelling candle from Robin C.
A custom Snow Man family plaque from John & Sandee Shaw owners of tropicaltikisigns.com

Thanks also to the many customers who tipped heavy in the days leading up to Christmas.

Tony & Carolyn for a super fun company party at the Fisherman's Net.

Mondo & Julie for entertaining us at the "after party" at Mother's.

The many cards and greeting received from across the globe.

I am sure there are a few things I missed.

Most of all I am thankful all year long for a loving wife & family, terrific friends, and loyal customers.

New Year's Eve Drinks!

Just in time for New Year's Eve, a tiki-licious selection of drinks.

Bad Habit

1 oz Level® vodka

1 oz peach schnapps

Cranberry juice to balance

Pour all ingredients into an ice-filled highball glass. Stir and serve.

Resolution

1 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey

splash of triple sec

1 oz sour mix

dash of grenadine

Pour ingredients into a shaker half filled with ice. Shake it like a polaroid picture. Strain into a cocktail glass and serve.

Happy Ending

1 1/2 oz Absolut® Mandrin

1 oz cranberry Juice

club soda to balance

Pour all ingredients into and ice filled highball glass. Stir and serve.

Out With A (L'Orange) Bang

1 1/2 oz Grey Goose® L'Orange

Splash of Cointreau®

Orange Juice to balance

Pour all ingredients into and ice filled highball glass. Stir and serve.

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Now playing on Windows Media Player: Dan Fogelberg - Same Old Lang Syne
via FoxyTunes

Some Christmas Cocktails

Just in time for Christmas Eve!!!!


Butternut Hot Chocolate
1 1/2 oz Butterscotch Schnapps
1/2 oz amaretto
Hot Chocolate to balance

Combine ingredients in mug or glass suitable for hot liquids. Stir. Top with whipped cream if desired. Enjoy!


Peppermint Twist
1/2 ounce each:
Peppermint Schnapps
Dark Crème de Cacao
Coffee Liqueur

Combine all ingredients in a shaker half filled with ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass or over ice in an old-fashioned glass.

Snowball
1 1/2 oz Irish cream
3/4 oz Level® vodka
1/2 oz RumpleMinze® peppermint schnapps

Shake with ice and strain into a rocks or cocktail glass.

Rudolph
1.5 oz rum
Splash of sour mix
Dash of grenadine
Cranberry juice to balance

Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled highball glass. Stir gently. Enjoy!

Holidaze
1 oz gin
½ oz peach schnapps
OJ to balance

Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled highball glass. Stir briskly and serve.

Candy Cane
1 1/2 oz vodka
1/2 oz peppermint schnapps
Mini Candy Cane to Garnish

Pour vodka and schnapps into a shaker with plenty of ice. Shake until the shaker frosts. Strain into a cocktail glass. Hang a mini-candy cane on the inner rim of the glass. It will add color and flavor. Enjoy!



Gingerbread Man Shooter
1/2 oz each:

Smirnoff® vodka
Goldschlager® cinnamon schnapps
butterscotch schnapps
Irish cream

Shake with ice to chill and strain into a large shot or rocks glass. This is one of my favorite holiday drinks!







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Now playing on Windows Media Player: The Dubliners - Dublin in the Rare Old Times
via FoxyTunes

Drink Recipe: Passion Fruit

Passion Fruit

1/2 oz light rum
1/2 oz Midori® melon liqueur
2 oz cranberry juice
2 oz pineapple juice
2 oz 7-Up® citrus soda
Lemon wedge

In a tall glass filled with ice, add the above ingredients and give them a gentle stir. Lemon to garnish. Enjoy!

The Second Easiest Cocktail In The World

The Highball

According to legend, American railroad engineers used to raise a ball on a pole if a certain train was running late. "Highball" loosely translates into "a drink in a hurry". What is easier that throwing together Scotch, ice, and water, giving it a quick stir and sipping? Anything less would be a shot or a Scotch on the rocks, and those aren't cocktails, my friend.

Whiskey Highball
1 1/2 oz whiskey
soda water

Fill a highball glass 2/3 up with ice. Pour in whiskey, add soda to balance. Stir and enjoy.

Want to have fun and at the same time find out what kind of caliber of bartender you are dealing with? When asked "Watcha want?" (or, at my bar, "What's your pleasure?") ask for a Dewar's Highball. You will know instantly if he or she was hired for window dressing or mixology knowledge. Don't be too rough on them though, because there are so many drink names etc. but there is a glass called a highball glass so, like the old-fashioned (ever heard of an "old-fashioned" glass?), most people who have a little bit of bar experience should know what you're talking about. There are some variations and personal preferences to take into account. Tony drinks Scotch highballs but likes it in a "long glass" (Collins glass), only about 2/3 full. So basically, the same amount of water in a larger glass.

Want some other highballs? How about a Gin & Tonic? Try an Irish Cooler, which is simply Irish Whiskey and club soda, with a little lemon garnish if you're feeling zippy. A 7&7 is a Seagram's 7 Crown Whisky and 7-Up. A Horse's Neck is a bourbon and ginger ale that is traditionally garnished with an impossibly long spiral-cut lemon peel that reaches from the drink's top down deep to the bottom of the glass. But if you're looking for a "drink in a hurry" why are you sitting there trying to cut a long-ass lemon peel?

Any Friend Of Mine Better Read This!!!!

Tropical Tiki Signs



Tropical Tiki Signs is a Flagler County based business owned by two dear friends of the TikiTender. They are just launching their site and I am very excited for them!

Coming Soon: Official TikiTender Signs!!!!!!

Effing Red Tide!

Red Tide has officially gone from irritating to fucking annoying. Physically, I was just coughing, then sneezing, now I feel nauseous. Blech! Plus it is costing me money i.e. no customers want to hang out next to the beach and drink!

Looking on the bright side, if I didn't live and work at the beach I wouldn't have this problem.




What is Red Tide?

Here is a link (PDF) for your learning pleasure. :-D

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/ENVIRONMENT/community/aquatic/pdfs/Red_Tide_QandA.pdf

Harvest Drinks: Pumpkin Pie Shooter

Pumpkin Pie Shooter

1/2 oz Kahlua® coffee liqueur
1/2 oz Bailey's® Irish cream
1/4 oz Goldschlager® cinnamon schnapps

Slowly layer the ingredients in the order listed above into a large shot or rocks glass.

Harvest Drinks: Orchard Punch

Orchard Punch

1 liter Applejack® brandy
2 cups orange juice
5 oz grapefruit juice
2 oz grenadine syrup
1/2 oz orange bitters
1 qt lemon-lime soda
1 qt ginger ale
1 sliced orange
1 sliced apple

Combine the applejack, orange juice, grapefruit juice, grenadine and orange bitters in a large punch bowl, and stir well. Add lemon-lime soda and ginger ale; stir again. Add one large block of ice. Garnish with orange and apple slices. Makes 24 (6-ounce) punch cups.



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Now playing on Windows Media Player: The Stray Cats - Be-Bop-A-Lula
via FoxyTunes

TikiTender mentioned in Code Red Magazine

The owner of my restaurant walked in tonight and said "Mark you're famous again" before handing me the latest edition of Code Red magazine. Sure enough, there on page
30, I receive a mention for my Voodoo Koolaid.

I am very surprised by this, because last summer I knew in advance about the Tiki Kooler article.

Hooray for me!

And thanks to my customers!!!

p.s. those of you that received a copy with their Daytona News-Journal...I would be very grateful for any extras!





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Now playing on Windows Media Player: Planet Smashers - Life of the Party
via FoxyTunes

Harvest Drinks: Apple Pie Margarita

For the next few weeks I am going to try to post "harvest style" drinks. Hard ciders, warm drinks, etc for those of my friends that are experiencing autumn and / or might be planning cocktail parties for Halloween, Samhain, Thanksgiving, etc.

So, for starters, I give you the Apple Pie Margarita

Apple Pie Margarita

1 oz white tequila
1 oz DeKuyper® Sour Apple Pucker schnapps
1 1/2 oz apple juice
1 1/2 oz sweet and sour mix
cinnamon sugar

Rim a margarita glass with the cinnamon sugar and fill halfway with ice. Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into glass. Yummy!








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Now playing on Windows Media Player: Papas Fritas - Way You Walk
via FoxyTunes

Do Mojito, Don't Mojito

Respectfully borrowed from Will Work For Food

I loved this blog, especially the bit about Bloody Marys. For those of you that have been following me for a while, you will remember that in my interview for joebartender.com, i listed my pet peeve as people that order bloody marys after 8pm.

I really don't mind making mojitos, so if I ever look disgusted when you order one..it is because I feel sorry for the 20 other people waiting for drinks. So come on out and order one some night when I am slow...i will put lots of love into it...

Do Mojito, Don't Mojito

Posted July 6, 2007

..

I found this on Tastespotting via Jeffrey Morgenthaler's blog, and it's a pretty spot on review of how to and how to not drink Mojitos.

Growing up in Miami Beach, mojitos are probably my favorite mixed drink and his rules are ones that should be followed.

Here's his list.

Do use crushed ice in your mojitos. Crushed ice will melt faster, which is a good thing in a drink with such strong flavors. The extra surface area of crushed ice also means a colder drink.

Do not use a pre-made mojito mix out of a bottle. This is one drink you want to do right.

Do use this recipe to make yourself a mojito at home.

Do not over-muddle the mint, or muddle the lime with the ice cubes. These are strictly amateur moves.

Do try Bacardi rum in your mojitos. For many of us, it is the closest thing we can get to real Cuban rum.

Do not use dark or gold rum in your mojitos. They can muddy the flavor tremendously.

Do use bottled mineral water in place of seltzer water. Remember, garbage in, garbage out.

Do not order a mojito when there is a line at the bar. Your bartender is probably not going to put a lot of love into it. In fact, you might get just the opposite.

Do order a mojito when the bar is slow. Your bartender will appreciate having an intricate cocktail to make. And if he/she doesn't? Fuck 'em.

Do not have ten mojitos tonight. At around 150 calories each, that's like 1500 calories, there, fatty.

Do order a mojito from a reputable bartender at a reputable bar.

Do not order a mojito at a dance club, sports bar, drink stand, airport bar, OTB saloon, chain restaurant or fraternity house. You're just going to end up being disappointed.

Do order a mojito on a warm summer evening.

Do not order a mojito when the weather is below 70°F. This is almost as bad as ordering a Bloody Mary after the sun has gone down.

Do slowly sip a mojito and enjoy the way the flavors meld over time.

Do not slurp down a mojito in less time than it took your bartender to make it. You're probably already on the back burner for ordering it in the first place, and it's going to be a while before you're allowed another.

Photo from Flickr.

Here I am, presenting a Mojito...

Getting Naked At The Golden Lion! Revised

So my friends John & Sandee came into the Lion tonight. Whenever they take a night out from being parents, they always stop by to see me.



John & Sandee were the founders of the Phlockers of Flagler, a local Parrothead club.

For those that keep up with my drink recipes in my blog or at tikitender.com, Sandee was the inspiration for Sandee's Dirty Snatch. Here is a picture of her enjoying it tonight. It was quite fun when people at the bar were asking what I was making. I always giggle when I get a chance to say "Wanna little taste of Sandee's Dirty Snatch?" only to hear someone say "Sandy's Dirty Snatch is delicious!".

Anywhoo (smile), I was admiring John's new shirt throughout the night. Towards last call he said "I don't own an official Golden Lion shirt. What's your uniform policy?" I didn't quite understand so he said "I wanna trade shirts." So i took of my GL shirt behind the bar and trades him. Woohoo! Sandee was kind enough to take pictures. :-)

So..here I am with my brand new Tiki Shirt!!!!!

And a couple of me working the bar in my new threads. I should rally to make this my uniform!





Aloha nui loa!!!!

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Now playing on Windows Media Player: Heart - Crazy On You
via FoxyTunes

Photo hosting by flickr

Only 4 Days Left To Vote!

Vote for me!!!!


Last summer, thanks to the help of friends and customers (is there a difference?), I was named
Florida's Favorite Bartender by Backstage Pass Magazine. Let's do it again!!!! Voting for the 9th Annual is open now!
Visit www.backpassmag.com, look on the
left column below the page index, and click on "9th Annual Florida's Favorite".
Under Nightclubs & Bars find Favorite Bartender and fill in my name and
bar (Mark Woods-Golden Lion). Let's show 'em last year wasn't a fluke!
Thanks in advance and remember you can only vote once.






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Now playing on Windows Media Player: Five For Fighting - Love Song
via FoxyTunes

Sheriff raids DMX' home, seizes dogs - omg! news on Yahoo!

Sheriff raids DMX' home, seizes dogs - omg! news on Yahoo!



Associated Press

PHOENIX - Sheriff's deputies raided the home of rapper DMX on Friday, seizing several pit bulls and finding the remains of three other dogs but making no arrests.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office received a tip more than a week ago about dogs being kept in inhumane conditions at the Phoenix-area home, said Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Detectives visited the home and then called one of the rapper's lawyers and told him that the conditions for the animals at the property needed to be improved or deputies would take action, Arpaio said. The dogs were not being fed or given water.

Authorities returned to the home Friday.

The 36-year-old musician and actor, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was not at home during the raid.

Wal Mart Wars

August 19, 2007

Wal-Mart Wars

As more Wal-Mart Supercenters dot the local landcape, we look at the facts behind the worries
By DEREK L. KINNER
Staff Writer

DAYTONA BEACH -- Two pieces of land border residential neighborhoods. They are lush with vegetation, a few miles apart on Nova Road.

If Wal-Mart has its way, both will host Supercenters within the next couple of years.

And after they're built, anyone driving south on Nova Road from Madison Avenue in Daytona Beach, then into Port Orange and west on Dunlawton Avenue, will pass four Supercenters in eight miles.

Emotions are running high in Daytona Beach and Port Orange, where the new stores are planned. Some people welcome them with open arms, saying Wal-Mart will provide convenient shopping and inexpensive pharmaceutical drugs.

But opponents say the vegetation will be history, as will the quiet, dark nights, the light traffic, the relatively low amount of crime and many of the small businesses nearby.

The battle has played itself out time and again across the nation, even across the globe.

But what is the truth behind the emotion?

There have been numerous studies, by both sides and by groups who claim no bias.

The answers lie somewhere in between the fear and support, the studies suggest. Some new Wal-Marts have brought major economic problems. Others have led to economic booms that even staunch opponents conceded helped their communities.

It's all about location, the studies say. Businesses in smaller towns of less than 20,000 tend to be affected more negatively by new Wal-Marts than businesses in larger cities.



Click below to read the entire article....


Front page news - newsjournalonline.com

Trying To Reason With Hurricane Season

Sara with an H got me thinking about hurricane season...and that caused me to think about the day I went from being a guy from Missouri that happens to enjoy some Buffett to being a full fledged Parrothead.

It was the summer of 1994 and I was visiting my parents here in good ole' Flagler Beach. SR-100 was a one lane highway (with a drawbridge!), Fisherman's Net was called Peppers, Turtle Shack was known as Parrothead Cafe (serendipity?), the empty lot at South 6th and A1A was a bar called Actions. The spot where Shark House burned was called Crabby Joes. There was just empty space under the bridge where the Bridgetender Restaurant used to be (kinda like now OOOOOOOO I had to say it!!!!!). Dollar General was known as the Seaside Market ( I think. Anyhow it was a little grocery store), the Pier Restaurant was the home of a great bar crowd (Thanks to Vicki & Serena, two kick ass bartenders. For the record, I use Vicki's recipe for the Rum Runners that everyone likes so well), and one of the best busboys in history (yours truly). Oh yeah, my favorite hang out? The Golden Lion, of course. I used to get off work at three, drink a Cuba Libre or two, and walk up A1A to the Golden Lion for some beers. Life was good.

Jen (one of the servers) & me sitting in the Pier Restaurant; Summer 1994




Golden Lion in the Summer of 1994. That's my Mom & Dad in the picture

So anyway it was on one of those strolls up (or down) A1A that I knew I was a Parrothead. I had just bought a new Jimmy Buffett cassette (yes that's right kids...a cassette!) called A1A and popped it in my cassette Walkman (lord I sound old! LOL). Along came this song, Trying To Reason With Hurricane Season. It was an epiphanous moment, in which I realized there was more to Buffett than Cheeseburger in Paradise and Margaritaville.

North A1A about 7th Street; Flagler Beach

Now I live in Flagler Beach with a wonderful woman, work at my favorite hangout, and haunt my favorite stretch of highway pretty much daily. Life is still good.




Without further ado, I give you "Trying To Reason With Hurricane Season". I have included a link to listen to the song. I admit, Buffett's steel guitar heavy style in 1975 is not my favorite period of his music. Fellow parrotheads have probably heard him do this live in recent years with his backup singers...a much better version in my opinion.

Click To Listen

Trying To Reason With Hurricane Season by Jimmy Buffett
Album: A1A
Released: 1975

Squalls out on the gulf stream,
Big storms coming soon.
I passed out in my hammock,
God, I slept way past noon.
Stood up and tried to focus,
I hoped I wouldn't have to look far.
I knew I could use a Bloody Mary,
So I stumbled next door to the bar.

[Chorus:]
And now I must confess,
I could use some rest.
I can't run at this pace very long.
Yes, it's quite insane,
I think it hurts my brain.
But it cleans me out and then I can go on.

There's something about this Sunday
It's a most peculiar gray
Strolling down the avenue
That's known as A1A
I was feeling tired, then I got inspired.
And I knew that it wouldn't last long
So all alone I walked back home, sat on my beach
And then I made up this song.

[Chorus]
And now I must confess,
I could use some rest.
I can't run at this pace very long.
Yes, it's quite insane,
I think it hurts my brain.
But it cleans me out and then I can go on.

Well, the wind is blowin' harder now
Fifty knots of there abouts,
There's white caps on the ocean.
And I'm watching for water spouts
It's time to close the shutters
It's time to go inside.
In a week I'll be in gay Paris;
That's a mighty long airplane ride.

[Chorus]
And now I must confess,
I could use some rest.
I can't run at this pace very long.
Yes, it's quite insane,
I think it hurts my brain.
But it cleans me out and then I can go on.

Yes, It cleans me out and then I can go on

A Little Bit About Agavero ®

"El Original Licor de Tequila"

ABOUT AGAVERO
Agavero is an ultra-premium spirit that is created from a blend of 100% blue agave añejo and reposado tequilas hand blended with the essence of Damiana flower for unparalleled smoothness and taste.

Agavero is produced at los Camichines Distillery in the Jalisco region of Mexico where the blue agave plant is grown. This officially designated region includes the state of Jalisco, parts of adjoining states and the town of tequila for which the spirit is named.

The master distiller selects the highest quality 100% blue agave añejo and reposado tequilas that have been separately aged in specially charred, French Limousin oak barrels. The añejo tequila is aged up to eighteen months and the reposado tequila is rested for nearly a year. The tequilas are combined and then hand blended with the essence of Damiana, a flower indigenous to the hot mountains of Jalisco that has been rumored for centuries to stir up the emotions among individuals.

At 64 proof, Agavero can be enjoyed straight, on the rocks or in a number of cocktails.

PRODUCTION
Agavero is made exclusively from blue agave plants that are a minimum of 10 years old when harvested. The production process begins with the delicate baking of the piña, or heart of the blue agave. The heart of the blue agave is then crushed to obtain the aguamiel (honey water). The aguamiel is put through natural fermentation and then subjected to two slow distillations to produce tequila. Before bottling, the tequila is aged in new, French limousine oak barrels. The añejo tequila is aged eighteen months and the reposado tequila is rested up to one year. The long maturation allows for the full benefits of the slightly charred, limousin oak casks to be blended into the liquid. Then the secret ingredient, the essence of the damiana flower, is hand blended to the tequila blend for unparalleled smoothness and taste.

RECIPES*

Mexican Cosmo
1 oz vodka
1 oz Agavero ®
splash of cranberry
dash of lime juice

In a shaker combine all ingredients with ice. Shake until cold. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lime slice.



Passion Potion
1 oz Agavero ®
1 oz 1800 Anejo ®
1 maraschino cherry

Serve in a short glass over ice.

Have a great Saturday!


source www.agavero.com

Today's Drink Recipe: Tight Snatch

Tight Snatch

1/2 oz Bacardi
1/2 oz Malibu
1/2 oz peach schnapps
Splash of cranberry
Splash of pineapple

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a rocks or cocktail glass.

Today's Drink Recipe: Suntanned Surfer Girl

But first a little background. Wow back when I first started to be known as "TikiTender", I met PC Rob. Rob was the first person EVER to walk up to me and ask "Aren't you that TikiTender guy?". Turns out I knew his Aunt also, etc...and we hit it off. Admittedly, we don't hang out often..but I am always glad to see him.

So last night at the Golden Lion he busted another cherry of mine. He was the first person to say "I want one of those drinks on your website." He described it and it was the "Suntanned Surfer Girl".

I was thinking two things. One was "How effing cool! People are actually looking at my page!" Second was "Thank God I remember the recipe!". So I made it for him and he says it was yummy, so here is today's drink recipe.

Suntanned Surfer Girl

1 1/2 oz Malibu coconut rum
pineapple juice
splash of Coca-Cola

In an ice-filled higball glass, combine ingredients and slowly stir. The drink whould be a brownish color....jsut like that blonde you were checking out at the beach the other day. :-)


This drink and more (and more everyday) can be found at www.tikitender.com/recipes.html

Tips For Living In Jacksonville

Not sure how true they are, but they were amusing.


TIPS FOR LIVING IN JACKSONVILLE

1. You must learn to say the city name correctly. It is referred to as "Jax".
2. You must be a Jaguar fan, it is required for citizenship.
Also, you are either a Gator or a Nole. If you do not chose one, one will
be chosen for you. There are no other schools.
3. Forget the traffic rules you learned. No one pays attention to them
here. Merging, yielding, and right-of-way are completely foreign terms.
4. To find anything in Jax it is required that you know where the Regency
Mall is. It is the Alpha and the Omega; the beginning and the end.
5. Directions to anywhere may, and usually do, make a reference to "the old
Pic and Save".
6. The morning rush hour is from 6am to 10am. The evening rush hour is from
3pm to 7pm. Friday's rush hour starts Thursday morning.
7. If you stop at a yellow light, you will be rear-ended, cussed out, and
possibly shot. Seriously.
8. East Rd. meets West Rd. on Beach Blvd, but they both run North and
South.
9. Normandy Boulevard , State Road 228, Cecil Field Road , Maxville Road , and
Post Street are all the same road.
10. Hartley Road, Shad Road , and Hood Road are all the same road. Hartley
Road is the western part of the road, and Shad Road is the eastern part of
the road. Now don't be confused about this Hood Road . This is the West-East
part that is in between Hartley and Shad, not the North-South part that
starts out as Old Kings Road South , changes into Hood Road South , and ends
at Losco Road .
11. Construction is a permanent fixture in Jax.
The barrels are moved around in the middle of the night to make the next day's
driving a bit more exciting.
12. Watch for road hazards such as deer, skunks, dogs, barrels, cones,
cows, horses, pot holes, cats, pieces of other cars, single shoes, truck tires,
raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, crows or vultures.
13. The minimum acceptable speed on JTB is 75 mph. Anything less is
considered downright sissy. Sorry Grannies.. This is Jacksonville 's version
of NASCAR.
14. Never honk at anyone. Ever. Seriously.
15. If you are in the left lane, and only going 70 in a 55 zone, you are
considered a road hazard and will be "flipped off" accordingly.
16. Ground clearance of at least 12 inches is recommended for city driving.
17. If it's 100 degrees, Thanksgiving must be next weekend.
18. There are only two seasons: Summer and January.
19. There is a Westside high school that has a confederate flag as its
school flag, an image of a slave plantation owner as its mascot, and Dixie
as its school song. Dont make a fuss, just accept it. (can we say NB Forrest anyone???)
20. Ponte Vedra is to Middleburg as Oceanfront is to Double-wide.
21. If you choose to live in Orange Park , or, God forbid, Middleburg, plan
to leave for work at 4am and return home around 11pm. Otherwise you may get
caught in what can only be described as "the worl d's longest left-turn
lane".
22. Don't get here late and expect something to eat. After 9pm, your
choices are Famous Amos and Village Inn.
23. You can buy a million-dollar condo downtown on the river, but you have
to drive 10 miles for a loaf of bread, and never after dark.
24. The Landing is an interesting place. Every time you visit, there will
be a whole new set of restaurants, fewer stores, and less parking. Hooters,
however, is a permanent fixture. Hmmm.
25. All city council decisions must be signed off on by First Baptist
Church.
26. You can't drink alcohol and see naked girls at the same time. But, if
you agree to drink Diet Coke, you can see them fully nude.
27. North Philips highway. Don't go there. Unless you are looking for
motels that charge by the hour.
28. Learn all of the lyrics to every Lynyrd Skynyrd song.
29. If you like southern-style barbecue, there's a restaurant on every
corner. But they all close at 9pm.
30. Convenience stores are EVERYWHERE, unless you live in a million-dollar
condo downtown.
31. You learn that Sin City is a small town within jax.
32. You can attend school 30 days of the year and still graduate from Terry
Parker High School!
33. The different areas of town function as their own cities, and sometimes
forget the others exist.
34. The intercoastal waterway is called "The Ditch." "Crossing The Ditch"
is below anyone with a vehicle.
35 . Fighting in a Duval County highschool carries a mandatory 3 day
suspension, arrest, and transfer to an alternative school. Although,
fighting in the parking lot carries no such consequences.
36. Eddie Farah - enough said.
37. You can easily recognize the Keith Pierson's twin daughters.. however
annoying they may be.
38. This is Duval County . You have a better chance getting shot than
getting your order right at Burger King.
39. There is a Walmart at every street corner. EXCEPT AT THE BEACH!!!!
40. Radio stations have a segment during rush hour called "Road Rage" where
you call and vent... and the phone lines are normally busy.
41. If you order iced tea, it will be served sweet.
42. "Y'all come back now, ya hear

Help Fight MS

Most of my blogs are pretty light hearted, but here's one of which to take notice. My best good friend, Steve, is riding in the MS-150 and has asked me to help promote the ride and maybe get a few donations along the way. Mahalo for your consideration.


Click to help the fight against Multiple Sclerosis!

Positive Quote Of The Day

What ought one to say then as each hardship comes? I was practicing
for this, I was training for this.

-- Epictetus (55-135 AD) Greek Philosopher

Old Pics

Just a couple of old pics....before I was even known as TikiTender...with less chin hair and more chins! Spring 2004 at TTUSA

 
 
 
 

Larry Miller-5 Levels Of Drinking

Sorry about the quality....it's an old clip

Vote For Me!!!!

Vote for me!!!!


Last summer, thanks to the help of friends and customers (is there a difference?), I was named
Florida's Favorite Bartender by Backstage Pass Magazine. Let's do it again!!!! Voting for the 9th Annual is open now!
Visit www.backpassmag.com, look on the
left column below the page index, and click on "9th Annual Florida's Favorite".
Under Nightclubs & Bars find Favorite Bartender and fill in my name and
bar (Mark Woods-Golden Lion). Let's show 'em last year wasn't a fluke!
Thanks in advance and remember you can only vote once.

Best Video Ever!

Click to see the coolest video ever. I know it's the best because I made it!

www.tikitender.com/When I'm Sixty-Four_0001.wmv

Mahalo and Aloha!

Tiki!

My Baby knows how to sassify her man!

Yesterday (june 29) was our 5 year wedding anniversary. That was the meaning behind the trip to the keys..that was my surprise to her. Well, she told me yesterday to be sure to come straight home from work. I knew she had something in special in store for me. She greeted me with a German chocolate cake and a sixer of Red Stripe! Woohoo!!! Now that's my woman!!!!

My Wife Kicks Ass!

The best line from the trip.....


Sara: "There sure are a lot of Tiki Bars down here. I didn't know you were that famous."

I chuckled about that for miles

Back from the keys

I am sunburnt, sleep deprived, and short a cell phone after I proved to the world that cellphones & hot tubs do not mix. Sara is sleeping like she is in a coma. All that adds up to....a great effing trip!!!!!! I will probably expound a bit later, but till then Aloha & Mahalo!


Here are a few pics.

Road Trip Music!

Just for fun, the songs I am putting on CD for the trip!

No particular order

American Girls by Counting Crows
Anna Begins by Counting Crows
Beautiful Girls by Van Halen
Bend Over, I'll Drive by The Cramps
Can't Stop Loving You by Van Halen
Caravan by Van Morrison
Catch My Disease by Ben Lee
Cover Me by Bruce Springsteen
Da Butt by E.U.
Days Like This by Van Morrison
Domino by Van Morrison
Faint by Linkin Park
Falling Is Like This by Ani DiFranco
Fat Babies by Lyle Lovett
A Girl I Used To Know by George Jones
Hot For Teacher by Van Halen
I Am Your Tambourine by Tift Merritt
I Wish Lunch Could Last Forever by Jimmy Buffett
If I Had A Boat (Live) by Lyle Lovett
In My Own Mind by Lyle Lovett
Into The Mystic by Van Morrison
It's You by Michelle Branch
Jackie Wilson Said by Van Morrison
Time's A Wastin' by Johnny Cash & June Carter-Cash
Learn How To Fall by Paul Simon
Little Miss Magic by Jimmy Buffett
Looking Back in Today by The Ataris
Most Of The Time by Bob Dylan
Oh Very Young by Cat Stevens
Oxford Town by Bob Dylan
Paper Bag by Anna Nalick
Philosophy by Ben Folds Five
Pretty Baby by Vanessa Carlton
Migration by Jimmy Buffett
Push by Sarah McLachlan
Runnin' With The Devil by Van Halen
Sara by Bob Dylan
She Makes Me Feel Good by Lyle Lovett
Shooting Star by Bob Dylan
Tin Cup Chalice by Jimmy Buffett
Why by Annie Lennox
Good Vibration by The Beach Boys
Someone Like You by Van Morrison
Superman by Five For Fighting
Sparks by The Who
Sweet Thing by Van Morrison
I'm Waiting For The Man by David Bowie
America by Simon & Garfunkel
A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton
'Til I Get Over You by Michelle Branch
Get Rhythm by Johnny Cash
Just My Imagination by The Cranberries
Wouldn't It Be Nice by The Beach Boys
Tiny Dancer by Ben Folds
Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison
Eight Days A Week by The Beatles
Up All Night by Counting Crows
Boat Drinks by Jimmy Buffett
Coward Of The County by Kenny Rogers
Lil' Liza Jane by Allison Krauss & Union Station
Save Goodbye by Dave Mathews Band
Kiss by Prince
Visions Of Johanna by Bob Dylan
What Matters by Edwin McCain
Whiskey Bent & Hell Bound by Hank Williams Jr.
Krytonite by 3 Doors Down
The Way You Do The Things You Do by The Temptations
Walking On The Moon by The Police
The Great Filling Station Holdup by Jimmy Buffett
You Never Even Called Me By My Name by David Allan Coe
The Weather Is Here, Wish You Beautiful by Jimmy Buffett
Barometer Soup by Jimmy Buffett
Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On by Jimmy Buffett
Walk By by Good Charlotte
Blue Guitar by Jimmy Buffett
Rainbow Connection by Me First & The Gimme Gimmes
Sending Me Angels by Delbert McClinton
Trying To Reason With Hurricane Season by Jimmy Buffett
The Zephyr Song by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Rocket Man by Elton John

Road Trip!

So tomorrow night, in honor of our 5 yhear anniversary June 29, Mrs. Tiki and I are setting out on a secret road trip! She doesn't know yet where we are going. I just told her to be ready to leave when I get home from work tomorrow night! So those of you that know...clam up!


Can't wait until I can tell everyone where we are goin!!!!

Voodoo Koolaid, Soon to Famous!

My newest creation featuring Pango Rum:


Voodoo Koolaid

3/4 oz Pango rum
3/4 oz peach schnapps
1/2 oz blue curacao
1 tsp grenadine
lemon-lime soda

In a pint glass, combine all ingredients. I prefer to top with a little club soda to cut the sweetness of the lemon-lime soda. Stir to turn the drink a groovy purple color. Garnish with an orange wedge or a chunk of pineapple.

Things That Sound Dirty In "Star Wars"

In honor of the 30 year anniversary, here's the list of lines in the original trilogy that sound dirty, for Beth & Paul

* "Get in there you big furry oaf, I don't care what you smell!"
* "Luke, at that speed do you think you'll be able to pull out in time?"
* "Put that thing away before you get us all killed."
* "You've got something jammed in here real good."
* "Aren't you a little short for a stormtrooper?"
* "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought."
* "Sorry about the mess..."
* "Look at the size of that thing!"
* "Curse my metal body, I wasn"t fast enough!"
* "She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid."
* "I thought that hairy beast would be the end of me."
* "Size matters not. Judge me by my size, do you?"
* "There's an awful lot of moisture in here."
* "That"s okay, I'd like to keep it on manual control for a while."
* "Hurry up, golden-rod..."
* "I must've hit it pretty close to the mark to get her all riled up like that, huh kid?"
* "It's possible he came in through the south entrance."
* "And I thought they smelled bad on the outside!"
* "Control, control! You must learn control!"
* "Hey, point that thing someplace else."
* "I look forward to completing your training. In time you will call me master."
* "I never knew I had it in me."
* "There is good in him, I've felt it."
* "Hey, Luke, thanks for coming after me -- now I owe you one."
* "Back door, huh? Good idea!"
* "She's gonna blow!"
* "I think you"ll fit in nicely."
* "Rise, my friend."
* "I'm sure he wasn't on that thing when it blew..."
* "Wedge! Pull out! You"re not doing any good back there!"

May The Tiki Be With You

Just for fun, movie quotes Tiki Style! For even more fun...guess the movie!

Make your own movie quotes at http://thesurrealist.co.uk/movie.php?


1. May the Tiki be with you.

2. If you build it, Tiki will come.

3. I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take Tiki anymore!

4. Funny like I'm a Tiki? I amuse you?

5. Have you ever danced with the Tiki in the pale moonlight?

6. I'll be Tiki.

7. I love the smell of Tiki in the morning.

8. Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his Tiki.

9. I feel the need - the need for Tiki!

10. I want that Tiki, not excuses.

11. The power of Tiki compels you.

12. You don't understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a Tiki.

13. Of all the Tiki joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.

14. Go ahead, make my Tiki.

15. I defy you! Come and kneel before Tiki!

16. You had me at 'Tiki'.

17. Keep your friends close, but your Tiki closer.

18. Come with Tiki if you want to live.

19. First rule of Tiki Club is - you do not talk about Tiki Club.

And finally....
20. You can't handle the Tiki!

31 questions (Survey)

1. Do you know anyone in Prison? i don't think so, but i used to work in juvenile corrections so some of those kids probably are

2. Have you ever logged onto a bf/gf/crush's MySpace page? no

3. When is the last time you ate peanut butter and jelly? yesterday yumm!

4. Which do you enjoy more: Soccer or Hockey? if i had to choose, hockey

5. Have you ever gotten naked at a party? heck yeah!

6. Name someone you miss: there are times, usually when crushed behind the bar, i miss Carol G. like crazy!

7. Are you named after a grandparent? nope

8. Who loves you? i like everyone!

9. Have you ever broken a rib? not my own

10. Would you rather be a girl or a guy? it would be kind of cool to switch for a while, but i think i would miss peeing while standing

11. Who is the most spoiled person you know? hmmmm

12. Would you rather have a million dollars or true love? true love...but if it was 5 million....

13. Which of your MySpace friends have a private piercing? they know who they are....

14. Is your boyfriend/girlfriend a marine? no and Marine should be in uppercase

15. What would you describe your last relationship as: sex sex sex

16. Would you rather date someone 2 years younger or older? older

17. What's your favorite junk food? ice cream

18. Do you have a porn collection? i wouldn't call it a collection...it's not like i am gonna put it up in a gallery or something

19. Is your birthday on a holiday? it sometimes falls on Super Bowl Sunday

20. Are you old enough to visit >www.xHuh.com? that's a goofy ass site

21. Do you have any friends or family in the war right now? there is a war? kidding..no

22. Are you a vegetarian? i think not

23. Do you worry about global warming? i worry more about recycling and energy conservation

24. Do you like polar bears? isn't that a hairy gay guy?

25. What song do you want played at your funeral? hmmm...I have always said "Lovely Cruise" by Jimmy Buffett



Drink it up
This ones for you
It's been a lovely cruise
I'm sorry it's ended
It's sad but it's true
Honey it's been a lovely cruise

These moments were left with
May you always remember
These moments are shared by few
There's wind in our hair
And there's water in our shoes
Honey, it's been a lovely cruise

These moments we're left with
May you always remember
These moments are shared by few
And those harbor lights
Aw they're coming into view
We bid our farewell much too soon
So drink it up
This one's for you
Honey, it's been a lovely cruise
Yea baby, it's been a lovely cruise
Oh darlin' it's been a lovely cruise


26. Did you lose your virginity when you were drunk? haha...i wasn't even close to being legal drinking age

27. Did or do you think your childhood dreams will come true? well..i think my chances of being the starting catcher for the Royals have passed

28. Do you wear your boyfriend/girlfriends clothes? i think not...well, maybe undies ;-)

29. Are you a country or city girl/boy? depends on the city i guess

30.Are you taller than 5'6"? yes

31. Do you consider yourself spoiled? more like lucky

Today's Drink Recipe: Kelly's Buttery Nipple

Kelly's Buttery Nipple

1 1/2 oz butterscotch schnapps
3/4 oz irish cream
grenadine syrup

Pour schnapps into a rocks glass. Layer the irish cream on top. Using a bar straw, drop a little grenadine down the center, allowing it to settle. In the proper glass the grenadine will form a "nipple" in the bottom. See below :-) Thanks to Kelly for the photo!

My Customers Are Awesome

A belated thanks for these gifts brought to me by customers!!!


A couple (sadly I don't know their names) who comes in now and then always comment on my the Maori bone pendants I wear. When they went on a long vacation they brought me back this cap.



Paul Whittaker is the best. He & his wife Beth own an embroidery company in Jacksonville. Look what he made for me!




Thanks again to both of you!!!!

Go Check Me Out!

visit MondoMusiTownCenter and look for the button "See TikiTender Singing Volcano".

Click to check out the cool video Julie made!!!!!

Rules For Drinking..The Highlights

Some of my favorites from "The Rules Of Drinking" that Paul Whittaker sent me a while back.




8. When the bartender is slammed, resist the powerful urge to order a
slightly-dirty, very-dry, in-and-out, super-chilled half-and-half
martini with a lemon twist. Limit orders to beer, straight shots and
two-part cocktails.

9. Get the bartender's attention with eye contact and a smile.

10. Do not make eye contact with the bartender if you do not want a
drink.

12. Never, ever tell a bartender he made your drink too strong.

13. If he makes it too weak, order a double next time. He'll get the
message.

28. If you can't afford to tip, you can't afford to drink in a bar. Go
to the liquor store.

29. If you owe someone twenty dollars or less, you may pay them back in
beer.

30. Never complain about the quality or brand of a free drink.

37. Try one new drink each week.

38. If you are the bar's sole customer, you are obliged to make small
talk with the bartender until he stops acknowledging you. Then you're
off the hook. The same goes for him.

39. Never tip with coins that have touched you. If your change is $1.50,
you can tell the barmaid to keep the change, but once she has handed it
to you, you cannot give it back. To a bartender or cocktail waitress,
small change has no value.

40. If you have ever told a bartender, "Hey, it all spends the same",
then you are a cheap ass.

41. Anyone on stage or behind a bar is fifty percent better looking.

42. You can tell how hard a drinker someone is by how close they keep
their drink to their mouth.

43. A bar is a college, not a nursery. If you spill a beer, clean it up.
If you break a glass, wait for a staff member to clean it up, then blame
it on someone else.


48. Men don't drink from straws. Unless you're doing a Mind or Face
Eraser.

49. If you do a shot, finish it. If you don't plan to finish it, don't
accept it.

50. Never brood in a dance bar. Never dance in a dive bar.

51. Never play more than three songs by the same artist in a row.

52. Your songs will come on as you're leaving the bar.

58. Fighting an extremely drunk person when you are sober is hilarious.

59. If you are broke and a friend is sporting you, you must laugh at all
his jokes and play wingman when he makes his move.

63. If you're going to hit on a member of the bar staff, make sure you
tip well before and after, regardless of her response.

66. Asking a bartender what beers are on tap when the handles are right
in front of you is the equivalent of saying, I'm an idiot.

67. Never ask a bartender "what's good tonight"? They do not fly in the
scotch fresh from the coast every morning.

68. If there is a line for drinks, get your damn drink and step the hell
away from the bar.

70. The patrons at your local bar are your extended family, your fathers
and mothers, your brothers and sisters. Except you get to sleep with
these sisters. And if you're really drunk, the mothers.

71. It's acceptable, traditional in fact, to disappear during a night of
hard drinking. You will appear mysterious and your friends will
understand. If they even notice.

72. Never argue your tab at the end of the night. Remember, you're
hammered and theyre sober. It's akin to a precocious five-year-old
arguing the super-string theory with a physicist. 99.9 % of the time
you're wrong and either way you're going to come off as a jackass.

73. If you bring booze to a party, you must drink it or leave it.

74. If you hesitate more than three seconds after the bartender looks at
you, you do not deserve a drink.

77. Never preface a conversation with a bartender with I know this is
going to be a hassle, but . . .

82. There's nothing wrong with drinking before noon. Especially if youre
supposed to be at work.

Cinco de Mayo History

Cinco De Mayo History

The 5th of May is not Mexican Independence Day, but it should be! And Cinco de Mayo is not an American holiday, but it should be. Mexico declared its independence from mother Spain on midnight, the 15th of September, 1810. And it took 11 years before the first Spanish soldiers were told and forced to leave Mexico.

So, why Cinco de Mayo? And why should Americans savor this day as well? Because 4,000 Mexican soldiers smashed the French and traitor Mexican army of 8,000 at Puebla, Mexico, 100 miles east of Mexico City on the morning of May 5, 1862.

The French had landed in Mexico (along with Spanish and English troops) five months earlier on the pretext of collecting Mexican debts from the newly elected government of democratic President (and Indian) Benito Juarez. The English and Spanish quickly made deals and left. The French, however, had different ideas.

Under Emperor Napoleon III, who detested the United States, the French came to stay. They brought a Hapsburg prince with them to rule the new Mexican empire. His name was Maximilian; his wife, Carolota. Napoleon's French Army had not been defeated in 50 years, and it invaded Mexico with the finest modern equipment and with a newly reconstituted Foreign Legion. The French were not afraid of anyone, especially since the United States was embroiled in its own Civil War.

The French Army left the port of Vera Cruz to attack Mexico City to the west, as the French assumed that the Mexicans would give up should their capital fall to the enemy -- as European countries traditionally did.

Under the command of Texas-born General Zaragosa, (and the cavalry under the command of Colonel Porfirio Diaz, later to be Mexico's president and dictator), the Mexicans awaited. Brightly dressed French Dragoons led the enemy columns. The Mexican Army was less stylish.

General Zaragosa ordered Colonel Diaz to take his cavalry, the best in the world, out to the French flanks. In response, the French did a most stupid thing; they sent their cavalry off to chase Diaz and his men, who proceeded to butcher them. The remaining French infantrymen charged the Mexican defenders through sloppy mud from a thunderstorm and through hundreds of head of stampeding cattle stirred up by Indians armed only with machetes.

When the battle was over, many French were killed or wounded and their cavalry was being chased by Diaz' superb horsemen miles away. The Mexicans had won a great victory that kept Napoleon III from supplying the confederate rebels for another year, allowing the United States to build the greatest army the world had ever seen. This grand army smashed the Confederates at Gettysburg just 14 months after the battle of Puebla, essentially ending the Civil War.

Union forces were then rushed to the Texas/Mexican border under General Phil Sheridan, who made sure that the Mexicans got all the weapons and ammunition they needed to expel the French. American soldiers were discharged with their uniforms and rifles if they promised to join the Mexican Army to fight the French. The American Legion of Honor marched in the Victory Parade in Mexico, City.

It might be a historical stretch to credit the survival of the United States to those brave 4,000 Mexicans who faced an army twice as large in 1862. But who knows?

In gratitude, thousands of Mexicans crossed the border after Pearl Harbor to join the U.S. Armed Forces. As recently as the Persian Gulf War, Mexicans flooded American consulates with phone calls, trying to join up and fight another war for America.

Mexicans, you see, never forget who their friends are, and neither do Americans. That's why Cinco de Mayo is such a party -- A party that celebrates freedom and liberty. They are two ideals which Mexicans and Americans have fought shoulder to shoulder to protect, ever since the 5th of May, 1862. VIVA! el CINCO DE MAYO!!


courtesy: vivacincodemayo.org

Today's Drink Recipe: Barney On Acid

Barney On Acid



1/2 oz Jagermeister ® herbal liqueur
1/2 blue curacao
splash of cranberry



As a shot: Shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into a large shot glass or rocks glass. Enjoy!

Alt: Build over ice with more cranberry to make a full sized drink.

Today's Drink Recipe: Brave Bull

For Doug

Brave Bull

1 1/2 oz tequila
1 oz coffee liqueur
1 twist lemon peel

Pour tequila and coffee liqueur over ice cubes in an old-fashioned glass and stir. Add the twist of lemon and serve.

History Minute: Allies argue over U.S. troops joining battle on Western Front

May 2 1918 : Allies argue over U.S. troops joining battle on Western Front

On this day in 1918, in a conference of Allied military leaders at Abbeville, France, the U.S., Britain and France argue over the entrance of American troops into World War I.

On March 23, two days after the launch of a major German offensive in northern France, British Prime Minister David Lloyd George telegraphed the British ambassador in Washington, Lord Reading, urging him to explain to U.S. President Woodrow Wilson that without help from the U.S., "we cannot keep our divisions supplied…for more than a short time at the present rate of loss….This situation is undoubtedly critical and if America delays now she may be too late." In response, Wilson agreed to send a direct order to the commander in chief of the American Expeditionary Force, General John J. Pershing, telling him that American troops already in France should join British and French divisions immediately, without waiting for enough soldiers to arrive to form brigades of their own. Pershing agreed to this on April 2, providing a boost in morale for the exhausted Allies.

The continued German offensive continued to take its toll throughout the month of April, however, as the majority of American troops in Europe—now arriving at a rate of 120,000 month—still did not see battle. In a meeting of the Supreme War Council of Allied leaders at Abbeville, near the coast of the English Channel, which began on May 1, 1918, Clemenceau, Lloyd George and General Ferdinand Foch, the recently named generalissimo of all Allied forces on the Western Front, worked to persuade Pershing to send all the existing American troops into the fray at once. Pershing resisted, reminding the group that the U.S. had entered the war "independently" of the other Allies—indeed, the U.S. would insist during and after the war on being known as an "associate" rather than a full-fledged ally—and stating "I do not suppose that the American army is to be entirely at the disposal of the French and British commands."

On May 2, the second day of the meeting, the debate continued, with Pershing holding his ground in the face of heated appeals by the other leaders. He proposed a compromise, which in the end Lloyd George and Clemenceau had no choice but to accept: the U.S. would send the 130,000 troops arriving in May, as well as another 150,000 in June, to join the Allied line directly. He would make no provision for July. This agreement meant that of the 650,000 American troops in Europe by the end of May 1918, roughly one-third would see action that summer; the other two-thirds would not join the line until they were organized, trained and ready to fight as a purely American army, which Pershing estimated would not happen until the late spring of 1919. By the time the war ended, though, on November 11, 1918, more than 2 million American soldiers had served on the battlefields of Western Europe, and some 50,000 of them had lost their lives.

Kudos To People Magazine For Finally Getting It Right!

Kudos to People Magazine for finally getting it right!!!!!

Barrymore Is People's `most Beautiful'
Wednesday April 25 5:16 PM ET

She was born with her acting family's classic beauty, but Drew Barrymore credits her fun-loving approach to life for her No. 1 spot on People magazine's annual "100 Most Beautiful People" list.

"I just think happiness is what makes you pretty. Period," she tells the magazine. "Happy people are beautiful. They become like a mirror and they reflect that happiness."

Barrymore, 32, graces the cover of the issue that hits newsstands Friday. It's her fourth time on the list, but first as cover girl.

Making the cover "made my peacock feathers shine in the golden-hour light and extend to the heavens," says Barrymore, who stars in the upcoming Warner Bros. film "Lucky You," opposite Eric Bana.

Inside, she weighs in on a host of beauty-related topics. Her beauty rules for dating? "The only fundamental rule for me is to just be yourself," she says. "Let your freak-flag fly, and if someone doesn't get you, move on."

Barrymore is one of 11 celebrities including Eva Longoria and the three Jessicas (Simpson, Alba and Biel) photographed for the issue without makeup.

"I find that men, in my past, have preferred me without it," Biel, 25, says of makeup.

Also making the "Beautiful People" list are celebrity do-gooders Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, George Clooney, Oprah Winfrey, Alicia Keys, Sandra Bullock, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tyra Banks and Nicole Kidman.

Other good-looking list-makers include Jennifer Garner, Scarlett Johansson, Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Halle Berry, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lopez, Carrie Underwood and Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz.

___

Warner Bros. is a unit of Time Warner Inc.

___

On the Net:

http://www.people.com/

http://luckyyoumovie.warnerbros.com/

Today's Drink Recipe: Stinger

Stinger

1 1/2 oz brandy
1/2 oz white creme de menthe

Shake ingredients with ice, strain into a cocktail glass, and serve.

OR

Serve over ice in a rocks glass.

I Love Mischief & Mayhem

Purely by accident I have discovered a PC trick that will surely provide everyone with at least minutes of Loki-inspired good times!

Press Ctrl-Alt and any of the arrow keys on your keyboard to create all kinds of dislplay fun. Ctrl-Alt-Up Arrow puts everything back in place.

Guaranteed laughs when you do it to a co-workers or spouses computer when they aren't looking!

Coolest CD Cover I Have Seen Today

Woohoo! Living Single Is On!

..

In my effort to avoid the VT coverage, I am channel surfing instead of watching my usual morning dose of CNN.

Good luck for me, I have found "Living Single"


Queen Latifah....yummmmmm!

Drew Barrymore is the New CoverGirl

Drew Barrymore Named New Face of CoverGirl

Jeannette ParkThu Apr 12, 3:39 PM ET

Former wild child Drew Barrymore has stepped into some pretty adult shoes. She joins the ranks of Cheryl Tiegs, Rachel Hunter, Christie Brinkley, and Tyra Banks to become the newest face of CoverGirl cosmetics.

Wednesday's announcement was made in Los Angeles where the 32-year-old actress has just wrapped up the CoverGirl spots that will appear in TV and print ads starting January 2008. Dressed in a canary yellow Carolina Herrera shift dress and grass green Christian Louboutin heels, the "Charlie's Angels" actress seemed to glow from the attention.

"I am honored to be associated with a brand that has been at the forefront of their industry for almost 55 years," Barrymore said in a release. "CoverGirl had managed to change with the times, yet stay in touch with women of all ages and backgrounds."

In a first for the Proctor & Gamble-owned brand, a cover girl will go behind the camera to direct the commercial, a first for the child star, as well. Barrymore owns her own production company, Flower Films, but has never directed an advertising commercial before. Her production hits include "Fifty First Dates," "Never Been Kissed," and "Charlie's Angels."

"Drew is a wonderful addition to the CoverGirl family and her role - both in front of the camera and behind the scenes as co-creative director - is new and different for the cosmetics industry," noted Esi Eggleston Bracey, vice president and general manager for CoverGirl Cosmetics.

Despite having a bit of a bumpy adolescence growing up as a child star in Hollywood, Barrymore has been recognized for her work as an avid volunteer with the United Nations World Food Program and directed a documentary about the importance of youth voting in 2004.

Barrymore joins the recent stable of models and actresses representing the cosmetic brand including Queen Latifah, Molly Sims and R&B star Rihanna.

But this isn't the first time Barrymore has used her face for a campaign. In 1993, the then 18-year-old mugged for Guess Jeans and more recently was the face for Missoni.

I Heart Nappy Headed Hos

Guaranteed to Piss Off The Politically Correct Around You!
Click to Visit....

Since I am who I am, I must direct you to this movie

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Plot: There really can't be enough movies adapted from Elmore Leonard novels; his sinuous storylines and fluid, surprising dialogue give any movie a boost from the start. In The Big Bounce, laid-ba...( read more read more... )ck Owen Wilson (The Royal Tenenbaums, Shanghai Noon) plays Jack, a small-time crook trying to lead an easier life in Hawaii. Trouble is, he can't keep out of trouble, and when he does stay clean, trouble finds him--in this case, in the bikini-clad form of Nancy (Sara Foster), the mistress of a local developer who gets turned on by the whiff criminal activity. She lures Jack into a scheme that ultimately involves a solid cast including Morgan Freeman, Charlie Sheen, Gary Sinise, Bebe Neuwirth, Willie Nelson, and more. Foster doesn't bring much to movie besides her alarmingly sculpted body and the ending peters out, but The Big Bounce has enough snap and crackle that you don't miss the pop. --Bret Fetzer











The Big Bounce