New Year's Eve Cocktails!

Bad Habit
1 1/2 oz vodka
1/2 oz peach schnapps
cranberry juice

Combine over ice, balancing with cranberry juice.

Out With An Orange Bang
1 1/2 oz vodka (orange if you have it)
1/2 oz triple sec
orange juice

Combine over ice, balancing with OJ. Or shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.

Resolution
1 1/2 oz bourbon
splash triple sec
sour mix to balance

Combine all ingredients over ice.

Happy Ending
1 1/2 oz Absolut® Mandrin
cranberry juice
club soda

Combine over ice, using equal parts juice and soda

Kiss me and smile for me....

Leaving soon for Indiana...will be in limited internet zone (EEEK!!!!) so will try to keep updated through twitter & facebook. Have a great Christmas!!!!


twitter: www.twitter.com/tikitender

Today's Drink Recipe: Screwball

For my friends at www.meetthephlockers.com, the Screwball.


Screwball
1 oz rum
1 oz Midori® melon liqueur
pineapple juice

Combine with ice in a highball glass, balancing with pineapple juice. Shake and enjoy.

Frosty The Bartender

For My Cold Weather Friends: Hot Christmas Drinks!

As requested by several readers, drinks to warm you up over the holidays!


Hot Chocolate Butternut
1 1/2 oz butterscotch schnapps
1/2 oz amaretto almond liqueur
Hot chocolate

Combine ingredients in a coffee mug. Top with whipped cream, if desired.

Mocha Mint
1 oz Irish cream
1 tbsp chocolate syrup
1 tsp creme de menthe
1 tsp creme de cacao
Hot coffee

Combine in your favorite mug. Top with whipped cream, if desired.

Jen's Creamy Thighs
1 oz amaretto almond liqueur
1 oz Irish cream
hot coffee
whipped cream
Grand Marnier® or Cointreau® orange liqueur, to float

Combine first three ingredients in a coffee mug. Top with whipped cream and float orange liqueur on top.

Hot Buttered Mocha
1 1/2 oz butterscotch schnapps
1 pkg instant hot cocoa
hot coffee

Combine all ingredients in a coffee mug. Top with whipped cream, if desired.

Christmas Cocoa
2 oz Godiva® chocolate liqueur
1 pkg instant hot cocoa
mini marshmallows

Combine Godiva® and mixed hot cocoa in a coffee mug. Top with some mini-marshmallows. Enjoy.

The Offspring-She's Got Issues

One of my twitter friends posted this, what will soon be my next karaoke hit!!!!

As a bonus it features the lovely Zooey Deschanel, from Almost Famous among others.

Tuesday Afternoon Social Club!!

Tuesday Afternoon Social Club will commence at 12:30. First stop, Poor Walt's. Second Stop: Bahama Mama's shop (1:15). Third Stop: Fisherman's Net (1:30)
Fourth Stop: Finn's Upstairs Deck (app.3:00)

Bonus Late Afternoon Stop: White Eagle Lounge 6:30 ( I will be there for a graduation party)

Recent tikitender.com keyword activity

I like to monitor my site traffic pretty close to see where people are coming from, which posts they read, how long they stay etc. The results can be very revealing.

Here are some recent search results (i.e. someone performed a search on google or yahoo and they landed on my site):

Google:


pamatini recipes
search result: #4
landing: http://www.tikitender.com/recipes.html

tipsy turtle drink
search result: #2 & #3
landing: http://www.tikitender.com/2006_05_01_archive.html
http://www.tikitender.com/recipes.html

oklahoma sooner martini recipe
search result: #1
landing: http://www.tikitender.com/recipes.html

dirty snatch
search result: #6
landing page: http://blog.tikitender.com/2008/11/sandees-dirty-snatch-is-famous.html

tiki death punch recipe
search result: #2 & #3
landing: http://blog.tikitender.com/2008/08/todays-drink-recipe-tikis-planters.html
http://blog.tikitender.com/2008/10/death-of-florida-dive-bar.html

larry miller's 5 levels of drinking
search result: #6
landing page: http://blog.tikitender.com/2007/07/larry-miller-5-levels-of-drinking.html

Thanks Bill & Kim!

Two of my customers brought me back a nice little gift from their recent Caribbean cruise. "Don't Stop The Party" Tropical Drink Playing Cards. A cool set of cards with a drink recipe & picture on each one. So watch out if you find yourself seated at my bar and I say "Pick A Card"!!

I will posting a bunch of the recipes tonight at http://www.tikitender.com/recipes.html

Here's a couple for you.

Green Iguana
3/4 oz tequila
3/4 oz Midori® melon liqueur
3 oz sour mix

Combine with ice and shake well. Pour into a highball glass and serve.

Coral Reef
1 1/2 oz vodka
2 oz Malibu® coconut rum
1 tbsp. strawberry preserves

Shake all ingredients with crushed ice. Pour into a chilled wine goblet. Garnish with a fresh strawberry.

Hey Mark! How do you make...

I was drinking in my favorite neighborhood bar last night with my bro Scott and our friend Terri, when I was given a great bartender compliment. I overheard the bartender on duty say "Let me ask Mark, he'll know", then she called out "Hey Mark! How do you make a Bahama Mama?". Always nice to be respected amongst peers.

So I told her and the barely 21 girl who ordered it had two, so I guess the recipe was good. :-)


For the record, here is the recipe I gave her:

Tiki's Bahama Mama
1 1/2 oz coconut rum
3/4 oz light rum
1/2 oz creme de banana
dash of grenadine
pineapple juice
orange juice

In a hurricane or pint glass filled with ice, combine all ingredients using equal parts of pineapple juice and orange juice. Shake and serve with a fruit garnish if you like.



A couple variations that are damn tasty. There will be variety in a drink like this, but the consistent flavor is the coconut and pineapple.


Blended Bahama Mama
1 oz light rum
1 oz dark rum
1/2 oz colada mix
2 oz pineapple juice
1 oz orange juice

Fill a blender one-quarter with ice. Add ingredients. Blend and pour into your favorite tropical glass. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and cherry.

Banana Mama
1 oz light rum
1/2 oz dark rum
1/2 oz banana liqueur
1/2 oz cream of coconut
1 oz strawberries
1 oz pineapple juice

Fill a blender one-quarter with ice. Add ingredients. Blend until smooth and pour into a wine goblet.

Bahama Mama #2
1/2 oz dark rum
1/2 oz coconut rum
1/4 oz Kahlua® coffee liqueur
1/4 oz 151 rum
juice of 1/2 lemon
pineapple juice

In a Collins glass 3/4 filled with ice combine all ingredients and shake until frothy. Garnish with a cherry.

So there ya go, four similar but distinctive recipes!

Brent Burns Newsletter

Reposted from e-mail:

Hey Brent Burns Fans!

Brent’s just back from his swing out west.  Thanks to Pete & Kathy Ferralli and Russ & Tamyra Althof for sponsoring the house concerts in Phoenix and Tucson.  These house concerts are a great opportunity to hear Brent and Brent would love to do more of them.  We’ll talk more about them next month, but here’s rule #1.  A “house” concert doesn’t necessarily have to be at your house!  It can be held at a community center, private room in a restaurant.  It just needs to be a venue suitable for listening!  Thanks to Doug and Sandi Murray and Sam and Elizabeth Rainwater for all their outstanding hospitality to Brent on this trip.  Thanks also to Mark Mulligan for “Mulligan’s IslandFest” in San Carlos, Mexico.  Brent said this was a really fun event.  Keep this in mind for next year, www.markmulligan.net.

Upcoming events:
1) December 4, 7-10PM, Rapscallions, Land O’ Lakes, FL, www.rapscallions.net
2) December 9, 5-9PM – Lulu’s, Songwriters Circle with Burke Ingraffia, Donnie Mills and Lee Yankie.  www.lulusathomeport.com
3) December 31, 7-10PM – Brent Burns Private New Year’s Eve Bash, Gulf Shores Adult Activity Center.  Call for details, 251-948-8863.
4) January 16, 4:30-6PM – Pardi Gras!  Tropical Isle #1, New Orleans, LA.  www.pardi-gras.com
5) February 14, 5-8PM and February 15, 2-5PM – The Thirsty Parrot, Puerto Penasco, Mexico. www.thethirstyparrot.net

There’s still time to order your Brent Burns merchandise for Christmas!  Check out the online ordering page, http://www.brentburns.com/online.htm.  If you haven’t seen them, be sure to check out the new “Livin’ The Life” tee shirts!

Here’s one other thing to think about as we head into the New Year.  How about joining Brent for the first ever “Going Ugly Early” cruise?  This is in the VERY early planning stages, but let me know what you think, sandspur@gulftel.com!  We’re looking at a short cruise around October 15, 2009.

Brent and I wish you the happiest of holidays!  Thank you for your continued support.  As Brent says, “That keeps my dream alive.”

Happy Holidays!  Keep livin’ the life!
Sharon

a "new" phone

I inherited a MotoSlvr L7 from the lost and found at work last night. Fooling around a little with it. Seems to be geared toward the music player side, but seems pretty good. Plus it has a camera, which I didn't even consider as part of a phone until my short love affair with my blackberry curve. As the name implies it is very thin, which i guess is good LOL. I had the very first Nextel model way back in the day that felt like a brick hanging from my belt so anything is an improvement.

I am realizing that the old samsung "sync" did alot of things really well. I prefer "candy bar style" to flip phones, but other than that I was very satisfied with the phone in general, but the camera stopped working. Of course my uninsured Blackberry Curve was outstanding, with a kick ass flash camera. But my wet fingers shorted the keyboard. I will have another, but until then am playing around with this Slvr.

If anyone has any tips, drop me a line at mwoods27@yahoo.com

Of course there is always a chance that your number was lost in the switch, so update me if you desire.

Boys & Girls Clubs To Close Doors

Front page news today in Newsweek and it makes me sad. Sad because when government spending gets cut, the first thing that seems to go is children's services, education, then health care assistance. The last thing to go is prisons and defense. Of course this is just as i see it through my eyes. The eyes of someone who spent 3 years working in Juvenile Corrections in the early to mid 90's. Working with kids born in 1980-1984, the beginning of "Greed Is Good" and DINKS. Kids that were born into the heydey of cocaine in the boardroom and crack in the classroom. We used to call the time between 3pm and 6pm the "critical hours" because that was when the kids were getting into trouble. We turned it around a little in the 90's though.

Now our backwards priorities are at it again. Bailouts to wall street, billions on the war in Iraq, yet we can't provide a little funding for Boys & Girls clubs.

Read the Newsweek article here http://www.newsweek.com/id/173894

Model Bettie Page Dies in Los Angeles at 85

Bettie Page

LOS ANGELES — Bettie Page, the 1950s secretary-turned-model whose controversial photographs in skimpy attire or none at all helped set the stage for the 1960s sexual revolution, died Thursday. She was 85.

Page was placed on life support last week after suffering a heart attack in Los Angeles and never regained consciousness, said her agent, Mark Roesler. He said he and Page's family agreed to remove life support. Before the heart attack, Page had been hospitalized for three weeks with pneumonia....

Read entire article here http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,465846,00.html

Some Holiday Drink Suggestions

Christmas Parties are coming!!! For your party, or just a night out on the town, try these festive cocktails!!

Caribbean Christmas
1 oz rum
1/2 oz coconut-flavored rum
2 oz pineapple juice
2 oz cranberry juice
Shake well with ice and strain into an iced highball glass. Garnish with tropical fruits.

Red Nose Cocktail
1 1/2 oz light rum
1/2 oz grenadine
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
cranberry juice
Shake rum, grenadine, and lemon juice with cracked ice and strain into an iced highball glass. Fill with cranberry juice, and a splash of club soda if desired. Garnish with a skewer of cranberries.

Mele Kalikimaka
2 oz gin
1/2 oz triple sec
1/2 oz pineapple juice

Stir with cracked ice ans strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a pineapple chunk, a little paper parasol, and ride the trade winds to happy hula-days!!

Teatime Love Bite

Thanks to Lola for posting this

http://www.loveheylola.com/

"Fifty Years Of Popular Songs Condensed Into Single Sentences"

Read the entire list by Marc Haynes:

The Beatles, "I Want to Hold Your Hand"
I want to do it with you.
---

Marvin Gaye, "Let's Get It On"
I want to do it with you.
---

Patsy Cline, "Crazy"
I want to do it with you so much I'm going fucking nuts.

---

Little Richard, "Good Golly Miss Molly"
I'm doing it with Miss Molly, and she's totally into it.

---

AC/DC, "You Shook Me All Night Long"
We did it yesterday.

Thanks to Andrew Sullivan for posting this!

Celebrate Repeal Day Today!!

TOP 5 REASONS WE ARE GLAD PROHIBITION WAS REPEALED:

1. Fuller dance floors at wedding receptions.

2. Alcohol makes you stronger, better looking, more interesting and impervious to criticism.

3. Beer makes it easier to watch the Cubs.

4. Tossing salted peanuts in a glass of beer makes the peanuts dance.

5.Without liquor, we'd never get those funny celebrity mug shots.

*from the Southtown Star, a division of the Chicago Sun-Times



At the stroke of midnight, on January 16th, 1920, America went dry. There wasn't a place in the country (including your own home) where you could legally have even a glass of wine with your dinner without breaking the law. The 18th Amendment, known as the Volstead Act, prohibited the manufacture, sale and possession of alcohol in America. Prohibition lasted for thirteen years.

The idea behind Prohibition was to reduce crime and poverty, and generally improve the quality of life in America-- by making it impossible for people to get their hands on alcohol. But, this so-called "Noble Experiment" was a colossal failure. People drank more than ever during Prohibition, and there were more deaths related to alcohol. No other law in America has been violated so flagrantly—by so many "decent law-abiding" people. Overnight almost everyone in the country became a criminal. Ordinary people hid illegal liquor in hip flasks, false books, and hollowed-out canes. In speakeasies, they drank bootleg liquor out of tea cups--just in case there was a police raid.

Mob-controlled liquor created a booming black market economy. Gangster-owned speakeasies replaced neighborhood saloons—and by 1925 there were over 100,000 speakeasies in New York City alone. Mob bosses opened plush nightclubs with exotic floor shows and the hottest bands. At Small's Paradise in Harlem, waiters danced the Charleston, carrying trays loaded down with cocktails. Popular stars like Fred and Adele Astaire entertained at The Trocadero. And at the Cotton Club, Duke Ellington led the house band as tap dancer Bojangles Robinson and jazz singer Ethel Waters packed the house. Out in rural America, on Midwestern college campuses, kids drank "bathtub gin" and danced to the hot jazz of Bix and the Wolverines in lakeside pavilions.

Over the course of the next thirteen years, support for Prohibition waned as the nation awoke to the widespread problems Prohibition had caused. The number of repeal organizations — many of which were comprised of former Prohibitionists — increased, and in 1932 Franklin Delano Roosevelt ran for President on a platform that included the repeal of Prohibition.

On December 5th, 1933, Utah, the final state needed for a three quarters majority, ratified the 21st Amendment, repealing Prohibition and restoring the American right to a celebratory drink.

More about Repeal Day:

http://www.repealday.org/
http://www.dewarsrepealday.com/
http://imbibemagazine.blogspot.com/2008/11/repeal-day-roundup.html
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/food/dishing/2008/12/celebrate_repea.html

I Love Discovering Songs That I Forgot How Much I Like!!

Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters
by Elton John

Listen Here: http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/elton_john#/track/mona_lisa_and_mad_hatters


Now I know, "Spanish harlem" are not just pretty words
to say.
I thought I knew, but now I know that rose trees never grow,
in New York city.

Until you've seen this trash can dream come true,
You stand at the edge, while people run you through.
And I thank the Lord, there's people out there like you,
I thank the Lord there's people out there like you.

While Mona Lisas and mad hatters,
sons of bankers, sons of lawyers,
turn around and say, "good morning" to the night.
For unless they see the sky, but they can't and that is why,
they know not if it's dark out side or light.

This Broadway's got, its got a lot of songs to sing,
if I knew the tunes I might join in.
I go my way alone, grow my own,
my own seeds shall be sown, in New York city.
Subways no way , for a good man to go down,
Rich man can ride, and the hobo he can drown.

And I thank the Lord for the people I have found,
I thank the Lord for the people I have found.

While Mona Lisas and mad hatters,
sons of bankers, sons of lawyers,
turn around and say, "good morning" to the night.
For unless they see the sky, but they can't and that is why,
they know not if it's dark out side or light.

And now I know, "Spanish harlem" are not just pretty words
to say.
I thought I knew, but now I know that rose trees never grow,
in New York city.
Subways no way, for a good man to go down,
Rich man can ride, and the hobo he can drown.

And I thank the Lord for the people I have found,
I thank the Lord for the people I have found.

While Mona Lisas and mad hatters,
sons of bankers, sons of lawyers,
turn around and say, "good morning" to the night.
For unless they see the sky, but they can't and that is why,
they know not if it's dark outside or light,
they know not if it's dark outside or light.

Twitter: What are you doing?

Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service, that allows its users to send and read other users' updates (otherwise known as tweets), which are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length.

http://twitter.com/tikitender

Things that sound dirty on Thanksgiving!

This amuses me every year, so time to share it:


Things That Sound Dirty On Thanksgiving!!!!!

1. "Just spread the legs open and stuff it in."
2. "How many are coming?"
3. "Just lay back and take it easy--I'll do the rest."
4. "I didn't expect everyone to come at once!"
5. "That's the biggest one I've ever seen!"
6. "Use a nice smooth stroke when you whip it."
7. "How long will it take after you stick it in?"
8. "How long do I beat it before it's ready?"
9. "Are you going to come again next time?"
10. "It's a little dry. Do you still want to eat it?"
11. "Just wait your turn. You'll get some!"
12. "Don't play with your meat!"
13. "Do you think you'll be able to handle all these people at once?"
14. "You still have a little bit on your chin."
15. "You'll know it's ready when it pops up."
16. "Wow, I didn't think I could handle all of that!"
17. "I am in the mood for a little dark meat."
18. "And he forces his way into the end zone!"
19. "It's cool whip time!"
20. "If I don't unbutton my pants, I am going to burst!"

test

jsut testing my new haloscan components

It's Tuesday, Do You Know Where Your Liver Is?

It has become a habit for me, a movement in my mind. Sometimes friends join me, sometimes I go it alone. Mrs. Tiki has come along once, but it kind of goes against the grain of thought. I am talking about "Tuesday Afternoon Social Club".

I love my job, in case it isn't evident. But Tiki, one might say, you have to work nights and weekends. Doesn't that suck? Well, I would reply, not really. First, think about your days and nights. Wouldn't you say, for the most part, that you run into more interesting people at night? Second, most people have to wait for vacation (or unemployment) to experience the pure hedonism of being drunk in the middle of a weekday.

There is something very liberating about being on the deck of Finnegan's looking down at the buzzing workers going by on A1A.

Or sitting in the Fisherman's Net eating and drinking as people come and go for lunch.

Or drinking Coronas from the owner as we browse the wares at Bahama Mama's.

It really just further adds to the feeling of being a "perma-vacationer".

Perma-vacationer
(n) As defined in the movie The Heartbreak Kid, someone who lives and works where others come to vacation.

Seriously, when I get a little stressed out all I have to do is look at my life from another point of view. I work 120 feet from the beach. I park in sand when I get to work. I can walk from my front door to the ocean in about 14 minutes.

By the way, when I drive to work or walk to the beach this is the view as I crest the causeway...



Since leaving Missouri and my job in juvenile corrections behind, this is my resume:

April 1996-May 2001 Palm Coast Golf Resort / Ocean Hammock Resort
After starting as a bellman, worked as a front deck clerk and a night auditor. Spent the last three years there as the Front Office Manager. While there, I was involved in the Grand Opening of Ocean Hammock Golf Course. Met a few noteworthy people such as Brooke Shields, Dan Marino, Kyle Petty, Jerry Springer, Joseph Simmons (Run from Run-DMC), Luther Campbell (from 2 Live Crew), Jack Nicklaus, and other golf and tennis names.

July 2001-June 2002 World Golf Village
Although this was not my favorite job, it was still pretty cool. I was the Operations Manager at a hotel in the World Golf Village. Got to meet golf dignitaries such as Bill Murray, Gary McCord, Ben Crenshaw, & Gary Player.

August 2002-September 2004 Tee Times USA
Besides sitting in a beachfront office watching dolphins and talking golf all day, I also got to play some of Florida's top course for free. in fact, for the first 9 years I lived in Florida I didn't pay for a round of golf.

September 2004-July 2005 Henry's Harborside Bar
Back to my roots at the Ocean Hammock Resort, my first bartending job and the birthplace of the nickname "TikiTender". I was just telling a customer last night, I was hired here with no experience. The bar manager, Beth, and I worked together when I was the Front Office Manager. She knew that I was good with customers, hard working, and wasn't a thief. Attention future bartenders, these are the keys that potential employers look for. All the bartending schools in the world will not guarantee you a job. Restaurant owners will expect you to prove your mettle, most likely as a server or a barback, before they will give you the keys to the kingdom. So Beth gave me my shot, and I learned the easy part (drink recipes) from a great team of bartenders and tireless research on my part.

June 2005- Golden Lion
My own private margartaville, the Golden Lion is where I flourished as a bartender. I have signature drinks there and I am forced to stare at the beach during my shift. See the picture below, from our Full Moon Luau? See in the background? You guessed it, it's the Atlantic Ocean.

So....those Life Is Good t-shirts really should have a picture of me. Life is truly good. I really do live in a postcard. Of course, it's a state of mind too. I see people living and working right here where I do that are stressed, miserable, & incessant whiners. I especially enjoy watching them from where ever I might be perched on Tuesday afternoon. Which brings me back around to Tuesday Afternoon Social Club. It's Tuesday. Join me for a drink!!!

If you aren't local, just join me in your mind. Or go out for drinks in your town. Take a long lunch, leave work early. Call me and we will have "phone drinks". Jason & I have had many drunken fantasies of Tuesday Afternoon Social Club catching on all over the country. Let's start it today!!!

What is a MUG?

mug
(n) : a large cup for hot liquids, usually having a handle and used without a saucer; the face, often used deprecatingly
"what an ugly mug."
(v) : to assault for the purpose of robbery; to pose for photographs in an exaggerated or affected manner

No not those kind of mugs. I am referring to Male Unbifurcated Garments. Unbifurcated garments - including kilts, robes, caftans, sarongs, tunics, and other skirt-like garments - are traditionally male clothing that have been worn by men throughout history. They have been worn by all the men in the Bible, by Roman gladiators, Vikings, and Scottish Highlanders. They are still worn frequently by men in Scotland, throughout Africa, the Middle East, parts of Asia, and the Pacific islands, to name just a few examples.

The real kilt is strictly a male garment - in contrast to unisex clothes like slacks and blue jeans that women wear most of the time.

However, it takes a brave man to wear a kilt, outside of Scotland or Scottish gatherings.

Why? Because, while women can wear almost anything they want nowadays, our society subjects men to a rigid stereotype that confines them to trousers. Few men have the courage to break out of this mold, for fear that their masculinity will be questioned.

Ironically, the men who cling to trousers are missing the opportunity to wear something really masculine, like a man's kilt. A man in a kilt is proud, independent, and courageous. He exudes confidence in his manhood and sexuality. He draws positive reactions from those around him (especially from the ladies).

Furthermore, men in trousers are denying themselves the exquisite comfort and pleasure afforded by kilts and other MUG's. Instead of plodding around with their legs confined and fabric bunched up in their crotches, they could be enjoying freedom and airiness around the legs and crotch, as well as the sensuous feeling of pleats swinging against their thighs.

So that's why I love my MUGs!! That is why I braved the cold ocean winds all day yesterday as I celebrated "Freedom Friday", a new weekly celebration that I am creating right now. So from now on...Friday is kilt day in TikiLand!!!

If you are on myspace, check out my new photo album "Freedom From Pants", to see my MUGs and me in action.

Recipes Page Updated!!!!

Check out the new recipes page at tikitender.com


Now featuring "Tiki Notes". Just look for my little smiling face for special tips, insights, or stories about the recipes.

All new recipes added, as well as some new navigational aides. Enjoy!!!!

tikitender.com/recipes.html will take you straight to the recipes page!!

Check out my new friend!!

I ran into this site on flickr.com. Go check out my newest friend from down under!!!

Check my page for more interesting links, www.tikitender.com/links.html


Jo Young Photography - Home

Posted using ShareThis

LinkedIn: Mark Woods

Join me on linkedin

LinkedIn: Mark Woods

Posted using ShareThis

Stick tricks - USB memory magic

If, like a growing number of people, you're in possession of a rarely-used USB memory stick, here's four simple but incredibly useful tips that'll not only give it a whole new lease of life but can also simplify your world.


http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10543909&pnum=0

my all new kaboodle...

actually I no longer use kaboodle...i have started using http://www.thethingsiwant.com.
It's a "wish list" site that utilizes an easy to use toolbar button to add your items. Surfing amazon.com and see a CD you like? Add it to your list. Easy Peazy!

Anyhow, for your information if you choose to use it. Plus, if you should feel the need to shower me with gifts my wishlist can be found at http://www.thethingsiwant.com/tikitender/list/wishlist/

I will be adding some items today so check back :-D

‘Cleopatra: Last Queen of Egypt’ | csmonitor.com

With the help of everyone from William Shakespeare to Elizabeth Taylor, history has found plenty of ways to depict the ancient world’s most famous woman. Who was Cleopatra? Take your pick: Fearless leader. Sly seductress. Brazen hussy.

Separating the truth from myth about Cleopatra is no easy matter. British historian Joyce Tyldesley makes a valiant attempt in her new biography, Cleopatra: Last Queen of Egypt, but she has trouble giving us a full portrait of this most mysterious of monarchs.

‘Cleopatra: Last Queen of Egypt’ | csmonitor.com

Posted using ShareThis

What exactly is Beaujolais Nouveau Night?

Every year, over a million cases of Beaujolais Nouveau are shipped worldwide via boat, plane, motorcycle, rickshaw and elephant in preparation for the 12:01 AM release on the third Thursday of each November. Some say by the time that day is over, nearly half of the region's total annual production will be distributed and drunk around the world.

Join me Thursday night at the Golden Lion for the 16th year of celebrating the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau!!!!

10 Fascinating Facts About Beaujolais Nouveau Every Wine Lover Should Know:

1. Beaujolais [BOE-zjoh-lay] Nouveau is always released the third Thursday of November, regardless of the start of the harvest.

2. The region of Beaujolais is 34 miles long from north to south and 7 to 9 miles wide. There are nearly 4,000 grape growers who make their living in this picturesque region just north of France's third largest city, Lyon.

3. All the grapes in the Beaujolais region must be picked by hand. These are the only vineyards, along with Champagne, where hand harvesting is mandatory.

4. Gamay (Gamay noir Jus Blanc) is the only grape permitted for Beaujolais. While certain California wineries may label their wine "Gamay Beaujolais" this is not the same grape variety as what is grown in France, and is quite different in taste and growing habits.

5. Beaujolais Nouveau cannot be made from grapes grown in the 10 crus (great growths) of Beaujolais-only from grapes coming from the appellations of Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages.

6. Beaujolais Nouveau owes its easy drinkability to a winemaking process called carbonic maceration, also called whole berry fermentation. This technique preserves the fresh, fruity quality of the wine, without extracting bitter tannins from the grape skins.

7. Beaujolais Nouveau is meant to be drunk young-in average vintages it should be consumed by the following May after its release. However, in excellent vintages (such as 2000) the wine can live much longer and can be enjoyed until the next harvest rolls around.

8. Serve Beaujolais Nouveau slightly cool, at about 55 degrees Fahrenheit-the wine is more refreshing and its forward fruit more apparent than if you serve it at room temperature.

9. Approximately 1/3 of the entire crop of the Beaujolais region is sold as Beaujolais Nouveau.

10. The region of Beaujolais is known for its fabulous food. The famed Paul Bocuse Restaurant is just minutes from the heart of Beaujolais, as is Georges Blanc's eponymous culinary temple. These great restaurants have plenty of Beaujolais on their wine lists. This quintessential food wine goes well with either haute cuisine or Tuesday night's meat loaf.

Simply put, Beaujolais Nouveau is as about as close to white wine as a red wine can get. Due to the way it is made—the must is pressed early after only three days—the phenolic compounds, in particular the astringent tannin, normally found in red wines, isn`t there, leaving an easy to drink, fruity wine. This coupled with the fact that it tastes best when chilled, makes for a festive wine to be gulped rather than sipped, enjoyed in high spirits rather than critiqued. As a side note, it makes a great transitional wine for anyone wanting to move from white to red wines.

Today's Drink Recipe: Melonini

Melonini

4 oz Watermelon Pucker®
2 oz Absolut® Kurant

Shake ingredients with ice. Strain into a martini glass. Enjoy!

Today's Recipe: Appletini

One of several ways to make this "girlie" classic.

Appletini

3 oz vodka
1 1/2 oz triple sec
1 1/2 oz apple Pucker®

Shake with ice until frothy. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a slice of green apple.

Today's Drink Recipe: Tini Bikini

Tini Bikini

2 oz vodka
1 oz coconut rum
1 oz pineapple juice
1 splash grenadine syrup

Shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Enjoy!

Locks Of Tiki: A Survey

The question of the day: Should my curls grow back?
Yes! Your fro was the shit!
No! Dude you are much hotter now.
You are an SMF either way.
I am not that into your manscaping.

(View Results)

Create a Poll

Author Michael Crichton says goodbye

http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/books/11/05/obit.crichton/index.html

Sandee's Dirty Snatch Is Famous?

Yesterday morning I received a text message from my friend Sandee. It was in text shorthand so here it is expanded to normal English:

"Hey John just called me to tell me that his buddy at work told him that his friend is a bartender at the Landing in Jacksonville (Florida) and two people came into his bar this weekend and asked for Sandee's Dirty Snatch. My snatch is famous."

How sweet is that?!? It has to be a customer of mine, or maybe it's someone who reads my recipes. Either way it is pretty sweet!!!


From my recipe's page:

Sandee's Dirty Snatch©
A modification of my Tight Snatch recipe. Created for the founder of the Phlockers of Flagler County, and also a good friend, Sandee.

1/2 oz Bacardi® light rum
1/2 oz peach schnapps
1/2 oz Malibu® coconut rum
1/4 oz Chambord® raspberry liqueur
splash pineapple juice
splash cranberry juice

Combine all ingredients in an ice filled shaker. Shake and strain into a rocks or cocktail glass.

Sandee & her Dirty Snatch

Positive Quote Of The Day (with additional Tiki commentary)

POSITIVE QUOTE OF THE DAY
-----------------------------

The real measure of your wealth is how much you'd be worth if you
lost all your money.

-- Bernard Meltzer (1914-) American Law Professor

"So, by sacrificing a couple of luxury items to help my less fortunate brothers and sisters I am actually increasing my wealth."

--Mark Woods, (1972-) American Bartender

This could seriously be one of my top 10 favorite positive quotes of the day. I guess I am a Commie because I don't mind "spreading the wealth". In fact, I do it all the time. Through charitable donations, lending money to friends, giving someone a friendly smile or a shoulder to lean on, being honest in my financial dealings, giving the harried server at my favorite breakfast spot a giant tip. While not immune to my little tantrums and swearing, I am twice as likely to be cracking a joke to make someone smile. I go out of my way to help others enjoy life.

I earn a a comfortable living. My wife and I both work hard. She is a primary school teacher, but also works part-time as a banquets server. I am a bartender (in case you didn't notice) who also earns money doing web design & maintenance. The median income for a household in my area is about $40,000. We are not wealthy by worldly standards, but we are at nearly double that number. My wife's car (used to be mine *sniff*) is about 6 years old, but reliable and in decent shape. I am sure many of you have seen the latest incarnation of the TikiMobile, a 1994 LeBaron convertible with a non-functioning passenger door, leaky top, and pealing paint. I have never been a "car as a status symbol" kind a guy anyway. It's a good thing too! Of course the ultimate status symbol is friends, friends who don't mind climbing in "Dukes of Hazzard" style. Those of you that have been in my house know that it is not new & not huge. Nor is it in a fancy neighborhood. It is, however, warm and welcoming. My couch has been occupied by many a body through the years (sometimes over mrs. tiki's objections).

So we earn decent money, are relatively debt free, and generally don't want for much. We have lots of financial "margin", which is very liberating. Mrs. Tiki can spend money on our new nephew without real consequence. I do grumble about it, but that is really only to let her know that I notice, and that it is really okay. We can support charitable causes through our friends by buying in to fundraisers (Girl Scout cookies and the like), donating to the MS-150, helping save the ta-tas, making donations to the United Methodist Children's home in central Florida, etc. I am always willing to lend a few dollars to a friend in need (that is not an invitation people LOL).

I am thankful every day that we are able to do what we do. We are very blessed that we have somewhat recession-proof jobs with above average inc0me.

It's really a philosophical stance, the "sharing of wealth". I guess the NOBAMA wing takes issue with the idea of being forced to do it, which is a fair stance. At the end of the day, I have always said there are two types of people: Those who say "what can I do to help others" and those who say "how can I help myself". I have always considered myself the former, which is one of the reasons I have historically voted to the left. I will take that into the voting booth on Tuesday.


visit www.positivepress.com
to subscribe to the "Positive Quote Of The Day"

Five questions about America this election may answer / from The Boston Globe

Five questions about America this election may answer

By Peter S. Canellos Globe Staff / November 2, 2008



Read the article here

Is the "Reagan Revolution" over? Going down the stretch, McCain is campaigning heavily on Obama's comment that he wants to "spread the wealth." And McCain has even discovered a seven-year-old radio interview suggesting that Obama may believe in "redistributive" economics.

During the heyday of the Democrats' New Deal coalition, which dominated politics from 1932 until 1980, the idea of spreading the wealth around was hardly political poison - it was the backbone of the party's economic philosophy.

Is America prepared to move beyond its racial divisions? On the day of Obama's Democratic nomination acceptance speech, tens of thousands of African-Americans, most with children in tow, waited for hours in security lines to enter Denver's football stadium to celebrate the crowning of the nation's first black presidential nominee.

Are young people becoming a driving force in American politics? Back in the '60s, the emerging Baby Boom generation pushed American politics leftward. But through the '80s and '90s, voters under 30 see-sawed between backing Democrats and Republicans, while turning out in smaller numbers overall. Their strongest sentiment seemed to be their indifference.

How much do Americans care about their image in the world?Arguably, the opinions of foreigners have never counted for anything in US politics. Some of the most unpopular American presidents in the outside world - such as Reagan - were hugely popular at home, while those most concerned with the world - like Hoover and Carter - were domestic flops.


What does it mean to be a conservative? The Republican coalition has been compared to a stool with three legs - strong national defense, low taxes, and conservative social values. It's never been a secret that many Republicans buy into only one or another of the three legs, but they've bought in strongly enough that their disagreements with the others haven't mattered. Recently, though, the stool has been wobbling.

Biden at ERAU tonight; Obama, McCain in state Monday

Biden at ERAU tonight; Obama, McCain in state Monday

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Headlines/frtHEAD03EASTPOL110208.htm

By JIM SAUNDERS
Tallahassee Bureau Chief

If anyone had doubts about Florida's status as an absolutely key swing state in the presidential election, the itineraries of the candidates and their surrogates should put those doubts to rest.

APPEARING TODAY

Democratic vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, will be at the ICI Center at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach. Doors open at 5 p.m. The program begins at 7:15 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required, but space is available on a first come, first serve basis. To RSVP, visit FL.barackobama.com.

The ICI Center is at 600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd.

MONDAY

Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain are ready to make final swings through Florida before Election Day.

Obama will rally voters Monday morning at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Tickets are not required, but an RSVP is encouraged at FL.barackobama.com. Space is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

McCain, following a rally Sunday night at the Bank United Center in Coral Gables, will stage a rally Monday morning in Tampa outside Raymond James Stadium. Doors open for the Tampa event at 6 a.m. Tickets can be printed online by visiting www.JohnMcCain.com and clicking on Events. Tickets do not guarantee entrance.

More election information available at www.news-journalonline.com/pol/election

halloween pics

are up on myspace...and flickr

No surprise here....

Last night at the Golden Lion we had a tarot card reader. She is a nice lady with whom I am friends on Myspace. She read last year at the Lion also. She finally convinced me to let her look at my palms. More about what she said in another post.

The point of this quick blog is that while I was looking up more information about her reading I discover this little nugget regarding finger length in individuals, specifically the length of the ring finger relative to the index finger. Now, I haven't researched palm reading before. Until a few minutes ago I didn't know what the life line was. Believe it or not, but you can't tell me that these two statements don't match me.

"If your ring finger is longer than your index finger, this indicates you have plenty of creative and original ideas. You are good at marketing yourself and you thrive on other people's appreciation of your talents. You will enjoy a job where you can demonstrate your talents and skills. Your weakness under stress is that you become defensive when you fear that people will reject your work."

"If your ring finger is longer than the normal height, you may tend to have an artistic talent, as well as a reckless and wild nature."

Nothing like me at all right?

Ancient Origins of Halloween

Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in).

The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.

To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities.

During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other's fortunes. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.

By A.D. 43, Romans had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain.

The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of "bobbing" for apples that is practiced today on Halloween.

By the 800s, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. In the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. It is widely believed today that the pope was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related, but church-sanctioned holiday. The celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints' Day) and the night before it, the night of Samhain, began to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween. Even later, in A.D. 1000, the church would make November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. Together, the three celebrations, the eve of All Saints', All Saints', and All Souls', were called Hallowmas.

from history.com

Drum Roll.....I am revealing my Halloween costume

So...the time has come to reveal my costume, but first a little mythology lesson....

Loki the Trickster

THE most unpredictable and certainly the most dangerous god in the Northern pantheon was Loki. His activities ran from the merely mischievous to the blatantly malicious. Supremely clever, Loki ensnared everyone in complicated problems, to which he always supplied a remedy - through his solution often engendered even greater troubles. Loki relished every opportunity to exert his contrary nature.

Loki is an immensely powerful magician, and shares with Odin the ability to sex- and shape shift at will. His parents were both giants (the perpetual enemies of the gods) and Loki had some unusual children, including the huge wolf Fennir, borne from Loki's brief dalliance with a giantess.

Loki was fair of face, and took many lovers, despite his constant criticism of goddesses who did the same. His wife was the faithful and hapless goddess Sigyn, whose fidelity surely he did not deserve. After Loki had been bound in a cave with a venomous snake dripping poison upon him as punishment, Sigyn sat by her husband's side and held a bowl over him to catch the drops before they hit him. When the bowl filled, she had to rise and empty it, and then the stinging drops fell directly upon Loki. It was said his twisting to escape the pain was the cause of earthquakes.

The Trickster:

In mythology, and in the study of folklore and religion, a trickster is a god, goddess, spirit, man, woman, or anthropomorphic animal who plays tricks or otherwise disobeys normal rules and norms of behavior.

Frequently the Trickster figure exhibits gender and form variability, changing gender roles and engaging in same-sex practices. Such figures appear in Native American and First Nations mythologies, where they are said to have a two-spirit nature. Loki, the Norse trickster, also exhibits gender variability, in one case even becoming pregnant; interestingly, he shares the ability to change genders with Odin, the chief Norse deity who also possesses many characteristics of the Trickster. In the case of Loki's pregnancy, he was forced by the Gods to stop a giant from erecting a wall for them before 7 days passed; he solved the problem by transforming into a mare and drawing the giant's magical horse away from its work. He returned some time later with a child he had given birth to--the eight-legged horse Sleipnir, who served as Odin's steed.

The Trickster is an example of a Jungian archetype. In modern literature the trickster survives as a character archetype, not necessarily supernatural or divine, sometimes no more than a stock character.

In later folklore, the trickster is incarnated as a clever, mischievous man or creature, who tries to survive the dangers and challenges of the world using trickery and deceit as a defense. For example many typical fairy tales have the King who wants to find the best groom for his daughter by ordering several trials. No brave and valiant prince or knight manages to win them, until a poor and simple peasant comes. With the help of his wits and cleverness, instead of fighting, he evades or fools monsters and villains and dangers with unorthodox manners. Therefore the most unlikely candidate passes the trials and receives the reward. More modern and obvious examples of that type are Bugs Bunny and The Tramp (Charlie Chaplin)

Tricksters In Popular Culture:

Ferris Bueller from the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Bre'r Rabbit from the Uncle Remus stories
Tyler Durden-Chronically ambiguous trick-player from Fight Club
Bugs Bunny
Felix The Cat - A transgressor of boundaries
Captain Jack Sparrow - from Pirates of The Caribbean
The Pink Panther

So there you have it. I am dressing as Loki this year for Halloween. Anyone think I can pull of "The God Of Mischief?" Come visit me tonight to see for yourself!

Today's Drink Recipe: Tokyo Tea

Tokyo Tea

3/4 oz gin
3/4 oz Midori® melon liqueur
3/4 oz vodka
sour Mix
Sprite®

In a tall glass, pour all ingredients over ice. Use equal parts of Sprite® and sour mix. Garnish with a couple of cherries, if desired. Enjoy!

Disqus Test

A test post for my disqus feed

Just in Time: Halloween Drinks

Shooters:

Pumpkin Pie
1/3 oz Kahlua® coffee liqueur
1/3 oz irish cream
1/4 oz Goldschlager® cinnamon schnapps
Cinnamon

Shake all ingredients and strain into a large shot glass. Sprinkle cinnamon on top.

Flaming Pumpkin Pie
1/2 oz Kahlua® coffee liqueur
1/2 oz irish cream
1/4 oz Goldschlager® cinnamon schnapps
151 rum
cinnamon-sugar

Prepare as a regular pumpkin pie shooter, combining the first three ingredients in a shaker and straining into a shot glass. With cinnamon-sugar at the ready, top with 151 and light. As the rum is burning toss cinnamon-sugar in, creating fun fire effects.

*Please be very careful when dealing with flaming shots. They are intended for party hosts and bartenders only, not for you to show your friends when you are already hammered from a night of drinking.*

Bloody Brain
1 oz peach schnapps
1 oz irish cream
grenadine

This is a visual shot. Pour the peach schnapps into a shot glass. Slowly pour the irish cream over the schnapps. DO NOT LAYER. Allow the irish cream to sink into the schnapps. It will clump together quite nastily. Drop in a few drops of grenadine from a bar spoon.
Depending on the glass...it will look something like this



Cocktails:

Green Demon
Equal parts:
vodka
rum
Midori® melon liqueur
lemonade

Combine all ingredients in a highball glass. Stir and garnish with a cherry.

Devil's Advocate
1 1/2 oz Bacardi® Limon (or substitute lemon flavored vodka)
3/4 oz triple sec
splash of sour mix
dash of grenadine
cranberry juice

Combine all ingredients over ice, balancing with cranberry juice. Stir and serve.


Warm Apple Pie
1 oz Hot Damn® cinnamon schnapps
1 oz Apple Pucker® apple schnapps

Pour over ice in a rocks glass and stir. Enjoy!

Purple Devil
1 oz amaretto
1 oz triple sec
cranberry juice
sprite®

Combine all ingredients over ice, topping with a splash of Sprite® to make it bubbly.

Zombie
Note: The original recipe is very complex. Here is a cheater recipe that you can make in bulk.

1 oz light rum
1/2 oz amaretto (or creme de almond if you have it)
1/2 oz triple sec
equal parts orange juice & sour mix
1/2 oz 151 proof rum

Combine all but the 151 in a tall glass and stir. Top with the 151 and garnish with a cherry.

Vampire
1 oz vodka
1 oz Chambord® raspberry liqueur
1 oz cranberry juice

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Hang a set of vampire teeth on the rim of the glass


For my signature drink, Voodoo Koolaid, visit my drink recipes page.


Punch:

Sparkling Harvest Punch

2 cups chilled cranberry juice
2 cups chilled apple juice
1 1/2 cup chilled orange juice
2 cups chilled club soda
Orange slices
Frozen cranberries

Mix together everything in a punch bowl. Add a bottle of vodka for an alcoholic punch.

History Minute: The Volstead Act

Celebrate Repeal Day with me at the Golden Lion on December 5th!!

Today in History

October 28, 1919

Congress passes the Volstead Act over President Woodrow Wilson's veto. The Volstead Act provided for the enforcement of the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, also known as the Prohibition Amendment.

The movement for the prohibition of alcohol began in the early 19th century, when Americans concerned about the adverse effects of drinking began forming temperance societies. By the late 19th century, these groups had become a powerful political force, campaigning on the state level and calling for national liquor abstinence. In December 1917, the 18th Amendment, prohibiting the "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes," was passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification. In January 1919, the 18th amendment achieved the necessary two-thirds majority of state ratification, and prohibition became the law of the land.

The Volstead Act, passed nine months later, provided for the enforcement of prohibition, including the creation of a special unit of the Treasury Department. Despite a vigorous effort by law-enforcement agencies, the Volstead Act failed to prevent the large-scale distribution of alcoholic beverages, and organized crime flourished in America. On December 5 1933, the 21st Amendment to the Constitution was passed and ratified, repealing prohibition.

*from history.com

At Arm's Length

I consider myself a pretty good self portrait photographer....check out some of my faves in my flickr photostream http://www.flickr.com/photos/tikitender/sets/72157608389119249/

To ease the mood, some bipartisan election humor...

from my friends at www.superpoop.com & www.mccaincomics.com

Today's Drink Recipe: Pillow Biter

Pillow Biter

1 oz bourbon whiskey
1 oz peach schnapps


Pour over ice in a shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled cocktail glass to sip or into a rocks glass to serve as a shot. Sweet and hard at the same time. Hurts so good. ;-)

Today's History Lesson: The Gimlet

gimlet

n. A cocktail, usually consisting of gin and lime juice
—Oxford English Dictionary

A Gimlet is one of those drinks where its beauty is in its simplicity. And since it has some historical significance, I thought I’d share it with you.

According to various sources, Sir Thomas Gimlette – a British surgeon, who was looking for a way to prevent scurvy in British sailors and later became the Surgeon General, invented the drink in the late 19th century. The Merchant Shipping Act of 1867 to require all ships of the British military and merchant fleet to provide sailors with a regular dollop of lime juice—leading to the nickname “limey” for English immigrants in the early British colonies. What made this possible was a now-ubiquitous cocktail mixer. By the time the act was passed, Lauchlin Rose had patented a method for preserving citrus juice in a sugar syrup without alcohol—Rose’s Lime Juice.

All of which leads us to the beloved Dr. Thomas Gimlette, who supposedly joined the Royal Navy in 1879. It took him eleven years, but Gimlette finally hit on a solution for encouraging sailors to drink their daily dose of lime juice—adding gin. The now infamous surgeon cum bartender was subsequently knighted and eventually retired as the British Surgeon General in 1913.

The gimlet, like the ubiquitious martini, is made with gin. Many, including me, enjoy a vodka gimlet. If you want a vodka gimlet in my bar, you better order it that way. Otherwise you will get gin and lime juice on ice.

According to Raymond Chandler, that there’s only one proper way to mix a proper gimlet, as Terry Lenox explains to Philip Marlowe:

“A real Gimlet is half gin and half Rose’s Lime Juice and nothing else. It beats Martinis hollow.”

Most drinkers today prefer 1 1/2 oz gin and 3/4 oz lime juice over ice.

I make my "gimlet" with 2 oz Smirnoff® vodka and half a fresh lime, over ice.

Florida Voters: Vote No On Amendment 2

Voting is upon us in Florida. Between now and November 4, please vote no on amendment 2.

1. Vote No On 2 because it Takes Away Benefits Amendment 2 would take away important family protections, including health care insurance and hospital visitation from all unmarried Floridians. The Florida Legislature's own analysis warns that this amendment: "... could place (domestic partnerships) at risk of losing specified rights and benefits, such as those related to health insurance." 2. Vote No On 2 because it Hurts Seniors Amendment 2 would hurt Florida's large senior population by taking away partnership rights of widowed seniors, like health care and end-of-life decision making. The AARP and Florida Alliance for Retired Americans have spoken out against these kinds of dangerous amendments. 3. Vote No On 2 because EVERY Major Florida Daily Newspaper is Opposed to Amendment 2 - Newspapers across the political spectrum whose editorial boards rarely agree on politics have come out strongly opposed to Amendment 2. (read them) 4. Vote No On 2 because Discrimination Doesn't Belong in the Florida Constitution The constitution should protect all of us from government intrusion and discrimination. This amendment would embed discrimination against unmarried people into our state constitution for generations to come. 5. Vote No On 2 because Hurting Families Doesn't "Protect" Anyone's Marriage Despite the name "Marriage Protection Amendment" this measure does NOTHING to help curb the divorce rate or strengthen marriage. It only scapegoats unmarried partners and strips them of vital health benefits.

6. Vote No On 2 because it Permits Massive Government Intrusion Amendment 2 puts the government where it doesn't belong - regulating the personal relationships of Floridians. Government should not make it harder for people to take care of their loved ones. 7. Vote No On 2 and Avoid Hiring Expensive Lawyers Amendment 2 could force unmarried Floridians to hire expensive private lawyers just to be able to see each other in the hospital. 8. Vote No On 2 because It's Already Hard Enough for Families At a time of economic crisis the last thing we should do is put government-enforced obstacles, big legal fees and more red tape in the way of people getting access to vital health care and family protections. 9. Vote No On 2 because Florida is Better Than This When Florida voters understand the real harm to real people the Amendment will cause, they will vote no. Everyday more and more Floridians are standing up to this divisive, harmful amendment. The Fairness for All Families' Vote No On 2 campaign consists of over 260 civic, faith, and social justice groups working together to protect Florida's families. Help spread the word. Volunteer and donate today. 10. Vote No On 2 because of It Harms All of Us People have already lost benefits in states that have passed similar measures. In Michigan, health insurance for domestic partners were repealed at every state university that offered them. In Kentucky, amendment backers had promised they were only "banning gay marriage". Now they are working to eliminate domestic partner benefits for state and university employees. In Ohio, justice for domestic violence victims was impeded because lower courts ruled that their "marriage" amendment" prohibited applying domestic violence laws to unmarried couples.

For more info visit: http://www.votenoflorida.org

Have you visited snoloha.com lately?

looky looky! http://www.snoloha.com/. you might recognize someone on the homepage. Don't forget to click "Snoloha" The Drink"

Help Tammaye Save The Tatas!!

I am walking this Saturday in the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, and I hope you will join me by making a donation in support of my effort.

This year I'm walking in celebration of a friend who is a brand-new survivor, and in memory of a friend who fought as hard as she could with grace and courage.
By raising money to support the American Cancer Society fight against breast cancer, we help fund groundbreaking research, public awareness campaigns, efforts to ensure all women have access to mammograms, and free programs and services that improve the quality of life for patients and their families.

All you have to do is click the link below and follow the few easy steps. Last year, 450,000 Making Strides participants raised $45 million ... and they did it one donation at a time. So, whether you're able to give $5 or $500, every bit truly does help. Hope starts one dollar at a time.

Thank you in advance for any support you may be able to offer.

~tammaye

The American Cancer Society state fundraising notices can be reviewed at: main.acsevents.org/statefundraisingnotices

Click here to visit my personal page.
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCFY09Florida?px=2405937&pg=personal&fr_id=11658&et=el9wsJvif5krbPlfd8VMzA..&s_tafId=193943

Click here to view the team page for Team Tatas
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCFY09Florida?team_id=347880&pg=team&fr_id=11658&et=kZVhiUsjUE4yFO9f2-zc5A..&s_tafId=193943

Click here to view the company page for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCFY09Florida?company=Embry-Riddle+Aeronautical+University&pg=company&fr_id=11658&et=i5BzLm7nqNGpA_O3uXC6oQ..&s_tafId=193943

--
~tammaye
http://www.tammayegrissom.com

These lyrics haunt me as Super Tuesday approaches...

From Kris Kristofferson's "In The News"

Burning up the atmosphere and cutting down the trees
The billion dollar bombing of a nation on it's knees
Anyone not marching to their tune they call it treason
Everyone says God is on his side

See the lightning, hear the cries
Of the wounded in a world in Holy war
Mortal thunder from the skies
Killing everything they say they're fighting for

Broken babies, broken homes
Broken-hearted people dying everyday
How'd this happen, what went wrong
Don't blame God, I swear to God I heard him say

"Not in my name, not on my ground
I want nothing but the ending of the war
No more killing, or it's over
And the mystery won't matter anymore"



Watch on youtube.com

Today's Abs Diet Lunch

A customer asked me Saturday night if I have been working out, so I am encouraged!

Today the pickings are a little slim (groceries tomorrow!), so here is what I had for lunch.

3 slices of turkey topped with mozzarella cheese on a hogie roll. Toasted in the toaster oven, then topped again with spinach, tomatoes, and yummy balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Had a handful of raisins on the side and my "drugs".

1000 mg flaxseed oil softgel
one GNC megamen vitamin
one ginseng complex tablet
one horny goat weed complex
one 450mg Damiana leaves capsule

yummy! Calorie count is irrelevant because the abs diet requires no calorie counting :-D. The important thing is that I had three "power foods" (lean meat, low fat dairy, and spinach). Be well!

New Halloween Clues

Sunday Morning Playlist

Random Selections from my Pandora radio station "Morning Rain"

Silver Lining by Cheryl Wheeler
These Days by Fountains Of Wayne
Suppose by Todd Thibaud
Home by Jack Johnson
Rain King by Counting Crows
Beautiful World by Colin Hay
Something Broken by John Hiatt
Hand In Hand by Dire Straits
True Love Will Never Fade by Mark Knopfler
Campaigner by Neil Young
Lost and Found by Casey Chambers

First Clues for my Halloween Costume

I am trying to keep it a big mystery this year because it will be all new (I have been a pirate for three years).

So here is the first clue.



















Pictures can also be seen on my myspace, facebook, and flickr pages.