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[adamcreech]

Reeling in the years

For the first time in over a decade, I mowed a lawn. My own lawn. With my very own lawn mower. I picked up a reel push mower at Lowe's for ninety bucks and had myself a good ole time mowin' the lawn. I did it because I apparently like doing things the hard way. The lawn is pretty small so it wasn't that hard and I got a little more exercise. I did some reading and this style of mower was recommended by all the lawn enthusiasts because it's a better cut. I'm trying to take this home ownership business seriously. I even got a rain gauge to determine how often I need to water. Next project is finding an appropriate spot for the grill.

[adamcreech]

I don't remember where I found this song and I've only listened to it a few times but I'm feeling it.  It has a certain quality that I worry I could tire of, but for now I'm having at it!

[adamcreech]

Steven and I were browsing the local record shop today and I found "Age of Consent" by Bronski Beat in the free bin.  Is there no love for all gay 80's British synthpop?  Smalltown boy is such a jam, all while describing alienation and homophobia.  Its dance music with substance, and for me, its free!

[adamcreech]

Where soul meets disco is Shame, Shame, Shame.  It starts out a little like the Hues Corporations "Don't Rock the Boat" but to me is a more explosive.  This should replace Rock the Boat as a wedding reception standard.  Here is a longer more diso-fied version. 

[adamcreech]

I recently discovered the pilot episode for Heat Vision and Jack, a sci-fi, Knight Rider-y show written by Dan Harmon, directed by Ben Stiller and Staring Jack Black and Owen Wilson.

Jack Black plays an astronaut who flies too close to the sun and obtains superior intellect (but only when the sun is out?)  His sidekick is a motorcycle who is inhabited by the mind of his roommate and voiced by Owen Wilson.

There are internet rumors that this is going to be picked up in some shape or form in the future.

http://youtu.be/WHvjcsELcjA

There is also a full version on Daily Motion but with some questionable material on the page.  I'll let you google it yourself

[adamcreech]

I've recently become re-obsessed with Civilization, my favorite DOS based game from middle school.  It came with our first CD ROM drive and kept me busy for years of my life.

Apparently they call games like this abandonware and are free to download from a number of websites.  I use a Mac based DOS emulator called Boxer.

Above is Ramses trash talking.  What he doesn't know is that I have discovered the wheel and have chariots in production.

http://boxerapp.com/ http://www.myabandonware.com/

[adamcreech]

I've been jamming on this track lately, dude can really belt it out!

[adamcreech]

February 11, 2012.  Squid's.  Chapel Hill.

When I'm not going for oyster happy hour, I plan to make this bouillabaisse my standard.  This broth is incredible and the side of bread is perfectly crispy.  This really is an excellent bouillabaisse.

[adamcreech]

February 11, 2012.  Nanataco.  Durham.

This is another place it took me too long to try.  I like that they offer "dirty meats" because I always enjoy them and feel more in my comfort zone ordering it from somewhere with a full kitchen and health department grade rather than a food truck.

I had three tacos, with one each of braised hog jowl, smoked duck and lamb cheeks.  They were tender, fatty and super flavorful.  Alex had fish tacos which were also excellent, may get them in the future.

They also have Mexican chocolate milk shakes that I intend to get next time.

http://nanataco.com/

[adamcreech]

February 4, 2012.  Elaine's.  Chapel Hill.

Kathryn and Phil are in town and we had a great celebratory dinner at Elaine's.  For starters, venison sausage with corn pancakes, foie gras BLT and cauliflower soup with floating grilled cheese sandwich.

For entrees, pork tenderloin over shrimp and grits with red eye gravy, grilled sturgeon with spatzle, lardons, cabbage with mustard jus and finally beef brisket with mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts.

We had after dinner drinks at Lantern and played some late night Jenga at the cellar.  Just like the good old days, just more expensive now.

http://elainesonfranklin.com/

[adamcreech]

January 30, 2012.  Revolution.  Durham.

Again, iphone photos don't show up in dim light.. We split a couple of tasting menu's with Sarah and Nick.  We had mussels, meatballs, duck tamales and bolognese.  

http://www.revolutionrestaurant.com/Revolution_Durham/Revolution_Enter.html

[adamcreech]

January 28, 2012.  Amanda and Reid's house.

Pan fried chicken with sides of mac and cheese, brussel's sprouts and cornbread.  Homemade blackberry pie for dessert.  (I'm going to use David's instagram photo as soon as I figure out how to steal it.)

[adamcreech]

January 22, 2012.  Eating In.

We recently went to Raleigh to celebrate Alex's birthday with her family.  We came home with leftover barbeque and fresh eggs from the farm that houses her sister's horse.  One of these chickens lays the biggest eggs I've ever seen.

For brunch the next day I roasted some potatoes with rosemary and made a hash with the leftover barbeque and topped it with one of the monster eggs that I fried.  (you can't even close the egg crate due to these things.)

[adamcreech]

January 21, 2012.  Vin Rouge.  Durham.

Amanda recently had her birthday dinner here.  I was working nights and was only able to hang out for the first 30 minutes.  It was such a tease to hear the specials but not get a chance to try them.  I jumped at the next opportunity to come back.

The specials this night included cassoulet!  They also included black pudding?  I knew that meant something gross so I asked.. pig blood soaked in grits then made into a sausage.  Doesn't sound appetizing, but I had to give it a try.

I'm not sure what I imagined it would taste like but it wasn't bad at all.  If you hadn't told me what was in it, I'm not sure I would have ever suspected.  It looked like a big dark hush puppy or something.  It wasn't black and there certainly wasn't blood dripping out of it.  The flavor was fine, I'm not exactly sure how to describe it though.

The cassoulet was as excellent as I remember it.  One of my favorite dishes.  Unfortunately I filled up on oysters and the pudding (surprisingly) and didn't finish the entree.

Unfortunately I'm still using my iphone camera which really doesn't work well in dim lighting, so sorry the pictures really don't show the food well.

http://www.vinrougerestaurant.com/

[adamcreech]

January 20, 2012.  Magnolia Grill.  Durham.

We haven't been here in a while but Alex's birthday gave us the perfect opportunity to get back.  Of course we started with the twice baked grits souffle and we also had the hash and some fried oysters, some of the best I've had.  We split the triggerfish for our entree.  

http://www.magnoliagrill.net/

[adamcreech]

January 18, 2012.  Old Havanah Sandwich Shop.  Durham.

As you know, Alex and I are huge fans of Cuban sandwiches.  This place specializes in them.  They offer classic, Americanized and vegetarian versions.  For my first visit I had the classic but I may try the Tampa next time.  I also like that they have local lard for sale.

http://www.oldhavanaeats.com/landing/index.html

[adamcreech]

December 27, 2011.  Beasley's Chicken and Honey.  Raleigh.

Back for brunch and I was excited to get the chicken and waffles.  Its a huge portion but I had no trouble polishing it off.  The side of beans, greens and mac and cheese helped it all go down.  Great comfort food.

http://www.ac-restaurants.com/beasleys/