A Toast To My Scottish Friends

In recognition of St. Andrew's Day:


May those who love us, love us.
And those who don't love us,
May God turn their hearts;
And if He doesn't turn their hearts,
May He turn their ankles,
So we will know them by their limping.

Join Me For Repeal Day on December 5th!

Did you know that the United States is the only country whose constitution gives citizens the right to drink? That's right, the 21st Amendment repealed Prohibition on December 5th, 1933. Join me Saturday night for the Golden Lion's Second Annual Repeal Day Party! Details from the Golden Lion blog, Zeus News:

Celebrate Repeal Day December 5! On December 5, 1933 Prohibition in the United States ended. Join the Golden Lion as we celebrate the passing of the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, giving citizens the right to once again consume beer, liquor, & wine.

We will be offering $3 gin Martinis & $3 Manhattans, as well as featuring classic cocktails such as the Sidecar, Ward Eight, Presbyterian, and Chicago Cocktail. Enjoy one of these classics or your favorite beverage.

To get into the spirit of the day, we are encouraging customers and staff to dress in the fashion of the time. Break out your best gangster or moll gear and strut your stuff! A $50 Cash Prize will be awarded to the best dressed of the night, with a $25 Gift Certificate going to the runner-up.


RSVP to the event on the Golden Lion Facebook Page

Visit Jeff Morganthaler's Repeal Day website for more information about the day. www.repealday.org

The 21st Amendment
Ratified December 5, 1933

Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

Section 2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use there in of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

Wherever you are, we hope you will celebrate the day in your own way.

Join me if you're local. If you're NOT local, send me photos of you and friends having a Repeal Day Cocktail! I will make a special online album for you the photos! If you are coming to the Golden Lion party, please be sure to RSVP on the Facebook fan page.

Locals Friends: Thanksgiving Dinner & Cocktails at my house!

Looking for a place to land on Thanksgiving? How about a spot to hide? LOL If you have an earlier dinner with family, I hope you will stop by. My parents will be here and it should be good times.

My door will be open from 4pm-9pm (or whenever we all get finished with our Disco Naps before heading to Finn's).


We will have the full turkey day spread plus beer, wine, and liquor. No need for you to bring anything, but contributions are always welcome, especially mixers (e.g. coke, OJ) & ice.

Stay a little or stay alot. Happy Thanksgiving!

PS I will have pumpkin pie margaritas!!!

Message me directly for more details.

So You Wanna Buy Me A Gift?

With Christmas and my birthday coming up (January 24, just like John Belushi, and Uncles Luigi & Sonny!), I thought I'd direct you to my wish list at The Things I want. Of course you can always click the donate button on my blog. Spoiler Alert: It's over there, the your right.

I recommend The Things I Want to anyone looking to generate a gift registry, or even to keep track of things they want to buy for themselves or others. I have a hidden list for TikiWife gift ideas :-D

Mahalo nui loa!

http://thethingsiwant.com/tikitender

TikiTender On Island Time Radio Tonight!

It's time again for me to be on Island Time Radio later tonight. I will be sharing some cocktails for your Thanksgiving gatherings. Some recipes to be discussed will be Pumpkin Pie Margarita, Cranberry Jack, & The Great Pumpkin. Tune in to wbwc.com between 11:00 and 11:30 EST to listen!



Island Time Radio is recorded at WBWC 88.3 The Sting FM in Berea, Ohio and streamed live online from the station's website wbwc.com on Monday nights from 10:00pm to 1:00am (Eastern). The show replays online at Sandbar Radio Wednesday nights at 9:00pm. For more info about the show and where you can hear it, visit www.islandtime.freeservers.com.

Special thanks to madgringo.com for all they do.

It's Holiday Party Time!

Now that the holidays are coming up, you (or someone you know) might be hosting a party. Enjoy yourself and let me take care of the cocktails. If having the Fun Coast's favorite bartender helping you entertain your guests, contact me via mark@tikitender.com or (386)675-4852.

Not local, but need some tips? I will happily provide some entertaining and cocktail suggestions at no charge. I'm groovy like that.

Spoiler Alert! I pay referral fees!

My credentials (if you are making a referral):
5 years bartending experience
14 years as a customer service professional
Responsible Vendor Certified through Tips®
Certified Through SafeStaff® as a Safe Food Handling Manager
Voted 3 years as the Fun Coast's Favorite Bartender (Backstage Pass Magazine)
Featured in regional and national publications for original drink recipes, social networking, and personality pieces.
A regular contributor to Island Time Radio & the official bartender of Mad Gringo apparel company.


Thanks in advance!

Spread aloha everyday.
tikitender.com

Things That Sound Dirty At Thanksgiving

Since it's almost Turkey Day!  From the interwebs, "Things That Sound Dirty On
Thanksgiving".  Enjoy and pass it on.
This list cracks me up!

Whew, that's one terrific spread!
I'm in the mood for a little dark meat.
Tying the legs together keeps the inside moist.
Talk about a huge breast!
It's Cool Whip time!
If I don't undo my pants, I'll burst!
Are you ready for seconds yet?
Are you going to come again next time?
It's a little dry, do you still want to eat it?
Just wait your turn, you'll get some!
Don't play with your meat.
Just spread the legs open & stuff it in.
Do you think you'll be able to handle all these people at once?
I didn't expect everyone to come at once!
You still have a little bit on your chin.
Use a nice smooth stroke when you whip it.
How long will it take after you stick it in?
You'll know it's ready when it pops up.
Wow, I didn't think I could handle all of that!
How many are coming?
That's the biggest one I've ever seen!
Just lay back & take it easy...I'll do the rest.
How long do I beat it before it's ready?

Frank's Front Row Tonight!

I'm gonna head to Frank's after my shift to catch one of my fave local bands, The Click. If you can't get there tonight, they will be playing Saturday night too. 10:30 to close both nights.


Who's joining the fun? Huh? HUH?!?!?!?

For a limited time only, TikiTender in a tie!

It might drive the folks over at Mad Gringo nuts, but I will be wearing a tie to work Tonight (Thursday) Only! White shirt and black pants too! What's the occasion? Beaujolais Nouveau Night!! The Golden Lion will be joining the worldwide party!

Click below for my blog from last week describing the event. Hope to see you there!

http://blog.tikitender.com/2009/11/beaujolais-nouveau-2009-is-almost-here.html

Top Ten Things I Should Probably Be Doing Right Now

1. Folding laundry
2. Enjoying this beautiful day outside
3. Balancing the checkbook
4. Getting some exercise
5. Dishes
6. Raking leaves
7. Getting luggage together for TikiWife's trip to Indiana
8. Feeding my mind
9. Grooming the dog
10. Finishing the new design for tikitender.com

What I'm actually doing: Being lazy on the couch

(jeff)isageek gives 2012 an "okay"

Thinking about seeing 2012? According to the head geek at (jeff)isageek.net, don't expect a rock solid plot. For entertainment value, the action sequences are worth the price of the ticket. Check the review below.


http://www.jeffisageek.net/blog/2009/11/13/at-the-movies-with-the-geek-2012/

Drink Recipe: Surfer On Acid

One of my favorite shots to offer when people ask for Jager. It's wicked tasty, plus fun at a beachside bar. Can also be served over ice with some more pineapple juice. Everyone knows I love pineapple juice!

Surfer On Acid

3/4 oz Jagermeister® herbal liqueur
1/2 oz Malibu® coconut rum
1/2 oz pineapple juice

Shake with ice, strain into a rocks glass, and serve as a shot.

Zac Brown Band 11/13/09

November 13, 2009 - St. Augustine Amphitheater

First off, I'm no journalist. I didn't sit in the back of the venue and take notes. These are just my memories of the show while they are still fresh in my mind.

Let's start with the venue, The St. Augustine Amphitheater. I first discovered this venue last year when I attended the Blackwater Sol Revue, featuring Toots & the Maytals and J.J. Grey & Mofro. I am totally smitten with this venue! Seating about 4,000 fans in mostly covered seating and located only 40 minutes from my house, it is perfect for an "intimate" night of music. Papa Roach, Jackson Browne, and Willie Nelson have played there recently. Upcoming artists include The Moody Blues & Aretha Franklin. Their Winter Wonderland festival will be starting soon, complete with an ice skating rink, sleigh rides, and and ice slide! Check out this venue here: http://staugamp.sjcvenues.com/

Of course, we had pretty good seats! (that's not a zoomed in photo)

The Music:
Levi Lowrey www.levilowrey.com
Levi Lowrey started off the show in mellow style. Mellow, yet intense. Dressed just in black, with a scruffy beard he is more folk than country. His rootsy style was very engaging and perfect as an opening. His candid and direct lyrics mirror those of Zac Brown's songs. He was joined on stage by members of the Zac Brown Band and later my Zac himself, as they sang a song they wrote together. "I don't need a roof above my head. I'd sleep in the dirt if you hold my hand."

Here is a video from a previous show, found on Levi's Myspace page:


Sonia Leigh www.sonialeigh.com
Raw and raucous, Sonia sings and plays with balls. With a style that would be welcome in Austin, TX or Athens, GA as much as Nashville, I have to thank Zac Brown for exposing me to this artist. Her torn jeans, swagger, and spiky hair defy the country prototype (fitting in perfectly with the rest of the tour). She was introduced by Brown as "the lady that keeps them all in line", but I can imagine her as the first one in line to buy shots of whiskey.



Nic Cowan www.niccowan.com
Nic, who reminded me most of Citizen Cope, added a little funk to the opening trifecta. Like the others, he falls outside the country music archetype. His "Money Don't Make You Happy", with its clever lyrics and syncopation is reminiscent of G Love & Special Sauce. His opening song was a wicked cover of Europe's "Mind In The Gutter" and was much better than the original.



Like the other two acts, Nic was accompanied by various artists from the Zac Brown Band.


Zac Brown Band:
As much Allman Brothers as Oak Ridge Boys, ZBB is a far cry from traditional country. Or are they more in tune with traditional country than any of today's acts? When all of the members and guests were lined up on stage we were treated to a hammond organ, two drummers, an additional percussionist, a cello, madolin, dobro, fiddle, stand up bass, electric guitar, bass guitar, and two acoustic guitars. Let me tell you, they sounded good. The stage announcer was dressed in a smart suit and reminded me of a revivalist preacher. The band featured nary a cowboy cap. In my opinion, they are much more authentic that the Kenny Chesneys and even Garth Brooks' of the world. They have been touring and playing together since 2005. I became a fan about 3 years ago when I heard "Free" on their myspace page. I have had a link to them on my site ever since. They were nominated in this years CMAs for Best New Artist. They didn't win, but left their mark on the show with a killer cover of "Devil Went Down To Georgia".







The music is always Southern, but not always country. From bar-room anthems like "Toes" & "Where The Boat Leaves From" to haunting ballads like "Free" and "Highway 20 Drive", the crowd sang along with all of them. Flashes were going nuts at the end of "Highway 20 Drive", a song about children of divorce, when Zac Brown's father came onto stage.

Show Highlights:
Junkyard, a haunting tale about hatred and eventually forgiveness. Brown based this song on his memory of sitting in his room with his pocketknife plotting to kill his step-father. In the middle of the song, the band broke out into Pink Floyd's "Is There Anybody Out There?". I actually quite enjoy the tips of the hat they give to influential artists.

Devil Went Down To Georgia. The fiddle player in the band is top notch, and so is Brown as a guitar player. Both solos ripped up the middle of the set.

Where The Boat Leaves From. One of my favorite songs, enhanced by a "One Love" interlude that took me totally by surprise.

Free / Into The Mystic. The song that made me a fan didn't disappoint live!I Shall Be Released. The full band plus guests came out for the last song, a cover of Bob Dylan & The Band. Standing ovation as each member was introduced.

My impression of the band was this: They were much more talented than I expected. In these days over overdubs and, particularly in country music, studio musicians it is easy to get disappointed at a live show. No such problem with ZBB. They could literally play unplugged in a parking lot and sound better than most bands. With that being said, click below to watch them playing in a parking lot!


Zac Brown Band In A Gas Station Parking Lot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ84EinHL08





Last but not least, some photos from the night:

Beaujolais Nouveau 2009 Is Almost Here!

Join us at the Golden Lion as we join the celebration for the 18th year! Thursday November 19!
Reservations suggested. Call at 386-439-3004.

For more information about the event, visit the Golden Lion on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=320682100493&index=1


Highlights from last year at Flagler's Most Awarded Restaurant:





What is Beaujolais Nouveau?

At one past midnight on the third Thursday of each November, from little villages and towns like Romanèche-Thorins, over a million cases of Beaujolais Nouveau begin their journey through a sleeping France to Paris for immediate shipment to all parts of the world. Banners proclaim the good news: Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé! "The New Beaujolais has arrived!" One of the most frivolous and animated rituals in the wine world has begun.

By the time it is over, over 65 million bottles, nearly half of the region's total annual production, will be distributed and drunk around the world. It has become a worldwide race to be the first to serve to this new wine of the harvest. In doing so, it has been carried by motorcycle, balloon, truck, helicopter, Concorde jet, elephant, runners and rickshaws to get it to its final destination. It is amazing to realize that just weeks before this wine was a cluster of grapes in a growers vineyard. But by an expeditious harvest, a rapid fermentation, and a speedy bottling, all is ready at the midnight hour. By French law, Beaujolais Nouveau is to be released no earlier than the third Thursday of November.

Beaujolais Nouveau began as a local phenomenon in the local bars, cafes, and bistros of Beaujolais and Lyons. Each fall the new Beaujolais would arrive with much fanfare. In pitchers filled from the growers barrels, wine was drunk by an eager population. It was wine made fast to drink while the better Beaujolais was taking a more leisurely course.

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 tannins, 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.

Finally, the race from grape to glass may be silly, but half the fun is knowing that on the same night, in homes, restaurants,cafes, pubs, bars and bistros around the world, the same celebration is taking place.

Party with a Floribbean Twist! Live music from PepperPot, a steel drum duo. Don't miss this once a year event!








Click www.duboeufnouveau.com for more news about Beaujolais Nouveau 2009!

Locals: Singles & Sangria at the Beachhouse Beanery

Hey locals! Singles & Sangria at the Beachhouse Beanery!

Meet, Mix, and Mingle
with others that are single!

Saturday, November 14
7-10pm

Sangria $4 Wine $4 Beer $3
Bring Friends!

This is the first "Singles Night" the Beanery.
They are inviting guests in the "40 and up" age group.

For more about the Beachhouse Beanery visit www.beachhousebeanery.com

My schedule will be different this week

I will be off Friday night for the Zac Brown Band concert (wooohooo!), so I will be working 4-close on TH, SA, SU, & MO.

See you then!

Chat Live With Tiki Now!

I am waiting to hear from you!

Chat With Me:
Yahoo!: tikitender2007
AIM: tikitender
GTalk: woods.mark
MSN: bvoltaire2002@hotmail.com
Skype: woods.mark

Hey Antivirus Pro Get Off Of My Cloud (You should read this)

So I have a little malware in my laptop. No biggie, I am going through the removal process right now. It is call Antivirus Pro, and is classified as a "rouge antispyware". I enjoy rougeish behavior as much (probably more) as the next guy, but this little guy is a sly devil. Thought I would

When i opened my laptop this morning I started getting system tray alerts about viruses, spyware, etc. Since it came from the system tray, it looked very legit. Of course, I have been connected for a very long time and have seen all sorts of stuff float around. The irony is I was getting alerts from Antivirus Pro while my actual AV software was performing its morning scan. I have attached an article, so I won't go into details about the behaviors. Let me just say I can see how easily an average user can be duped into buying software to remove an infection that they don't really have. Nefarious, these guys are!

Use protection when you surf. You don't know where some of those sites have been. You know which ones I'm talking about. I recommend AVG Antivirus Software along with Spybot: Search & Destroy (though not as good as it used to be) and Ad-Aware.

Here is a description and removal guide for Antivirus Pro:
http://remove-malware.net/how-to-remove-antivirus-system-pro-rogue-anti-spyware/

Let's Talk Dirty In Hawaiian

One of my favorite John Prine songs, for obvious reasons!



Click to listen

http://blip.fm/profile/tikitender/blip/26687850/John_Prine-Lets_Talk_Dirty_in_Hawaiian


I packed my bags and bought myself a ticket
For the land of the tall palm tree
Aloha old milwaukee, hello waikiki
I just stepped down from the airplane
When I thought I heard her say
Waka waka nuka nuka, waka waka nuka nuka
Would you like a lei? eh?

Let's talk dirty in hawaiian
Whisper in my ear
Kicka pooka maka wah wahini
Are the words I long to hear
Lay your coca nuta on ma tiki
What the hecka mooka mooka dear
Let's talk dirty in hawaiian
Say the words I long to hear

It's a ukelele honolulu sunset
Listen to the grass skirts sway
Drinking rum from a pineapple
Out on honolulu bay
The steel guitars all playing
While she's talking with her hands
Gimme gimme oka doka make a wish and wanta polka
Words I understand

Let's talk dirty in hawaiian
Whisper in my ear
Kicka poo ka maka wa wah wahini
Are the words I long to hear
Lay your coca nuta on ma tiki
What the hecka mooka mooka dear
Let's talk dirty in hawaiian
Say the words I long to hear

I boughta lota junka with my moola
And sent it to the folks back home
I never had the chance to dance the hula
I guess I should have known
When you start talking to the sweet wahini
Walking in the pale moonlight
Oka doka what a setta knocka rocka sis boom bocas
Hope I said it right

Let's talk dirty in hawaiian
Whisper in my ear
Kicka pooka maka wah wahini
Are the words I long to hear
Lay your coca nuta on ma tiki
What the hecka mooka mooka dear
Let's talk dirty in hawaiian
Say the words I long to hear

Can't believe Charlie The Unicorn is almost three years old!

Shun the non believers!





www.filmcow.com