So Good to See You

At Rick's Picks - a Rick Nielsen/Cheap Trick Exhibit, in Rockford, IL.

He stopped by as they were closing up, and I got this shot. I was literally speechless. For me, it's like meeting John Lennon or Ray Davies or Pete Townshend.

A bunch of his guitars, all of his classic sweaters, picks, pins, photos, and short documentaries about his life and music. It was almost like digging through his stuff, and he saved a lot. Early lyrics written on cocktail napkins. You could literally track the genesis of a song. For example, "So Good to See You" started as "I'm a Surprise" from this kernel of a lyric:

Home in one month
Couldn't feel better if I tried
Won't even write
It's better then I'll be a surprise

Nielsen presented himself as a nerdish cartoon character, in sharp contrast to the lead singer/heart throb Robin Zander. It was the ultimate display of unselfishness in a band. They each had their own individuality, and came together to make something great. And he has stayed true to his hometown of Rockford. If you're not a Cheap trick believer, pick up any of their first four albums, or start with At Budokan. Power pop melodies with riffs that are unforgettable. People that pass them off as a one hit wonder are missing so much.

But the thing that most impressed me was, while listening to his early demos at the exhibit, was a 1977 cassette recording he mailed to his kids while he was recording Cheap Trick's first album.

"OK, Aaron and Miles. When you come out to LA we're gonna go see KISS! And you're going to meet GENE SIMMONS! And it's going to be so fun! Aaron, I can't believe what big words you're using, you're such a big boy! We recorded ELO Kiddies today and it sounded great. Let's sing it together! ELO Kiddies ELO Kiddies! Come on Aaron! Whatcha gonna do when... Come on Miles! I can't hear ya!"

Not only a super genius as songwriter and guitar player, but also as a Dad.

My Special Mets Friend

My special Mets friend
Loves to wear nylon
And cheer for the Mets
And give me a shoulder to cry on.

My special Mets friend
Needs clarification
On innings and walks
and player substitutions.

My special Mets friend
Buys $9 beers
And sits in the nosebleeds
Listening to goombahs cheer.

Yes, my special Mets friend
Will return on the 7 train
And listen to me talk
About the next Mets game.

Raised Beds

5 Cubic Yards

6 5x8 Beds

Hazel inspired me to build these raised beds. Here are some pics from when we put them in over Memorial Day weekend. Soil/compost delivered in rain, had to wait a while for it to dry out. Many many wheelbarrows full.

We planted potatoes, lettuce, beets, onions, green and chile peppers, peas, beans, tomatoes, garlic (last fall), chard, radishes, and cabbage. Should keep us going for awhile. This is what it looks like now, a month later:

Brad and family at the Maison

"In WWII the average age of the combat veteran was twenty-six. In Vietnam he was nineteen. N-n-n-n-n-n Nineteen!"

(Name that song Chris...)


Go #19!

YOUR...LINCOLN...STAAAHHHHHRS!

Gray Line Grinder!

I still don't understand what icing means.

Good luck Brad!

Food and lodging this weekend provided by The Maison de la Page. A 4-star bed and breakfast located in the near suburbs of Minneapolis. Fresh honey and horseradish always available, perfectly grilled meats at every meal, and cats that puke and crap all over the place.

Testimonials:

I was especially pleased with the Maison's Zinnia collection. Absolutely beautiful, the owner has a real "gay" flair for his flowers.

It was hard to get a word in edge-wise, but the grilled meats at every meal were divine. 

I was a little unsettled at the fact that the sole proprietor had a bee costume that only fit 5-7 year-olds, but I looked past that and had a wonderful stay.

Henry the Friendly Ghost

Most days, this is Henry's morning entrance. At the bottom of the stairs he puts his sheet over his head and, without a word, "floats" into the kitchen and waits for breakfast. Elsa doesn't even look up from her book. Often he will whack his head on the wall, bump into the dishwasher, or walk into the table.

Date Night Chronicle

Pasta with Butter

Calamari, Salad, and Veal Parmigiana

Kissing Bridge Up Ahead...

She's a Good Sport

MOVIE! (The Pirates: Band of Misfits)

Rochester Food and Drink: What I Like

Martusciello’s Rolls

This is what Scott’s II serves at the Farmer’s Market. They don’t sell them anywhere in town, so I have to drive out to Greece (on Lyell, just west of 390) to get them. Chewy, with a crusty crust.

Polska Chata in Irodequoit

It’s the best Polish restaurant in the area, because it’s the only Polish restaurant in the area. Split pea soup, kielbasa, and potato pancakes.

Fava Beans from G and S Orchards

They take hours to pick and prep, but are so worth it. They are ready late June, early July, out on Atlantic Avenue. We get our apples out there, too.

Colter’s

My local. It’s “The Place to Be”.

Fried Calamari at The Food Bar

They toss it with roasted red peppers and capers. It’s delicious, briny, and cheap ($6).

Don’s Original Cheeseburger

Rochesterians do not realize how lucky they have it when it comes to Burger Joints. I’ve never been to a city with such a diverse array (Charlie’s, Bill Grey’s, the list goes on).

…and Don’s Chocolate Almond Ice Cream

So good.

Food at Fisher's Station
This little restaurant-in-a-house has great yeast rolls, ceasar salad, fish sandwiches, burgers, and more. Pancakes and their frittata are amazing, too. Great service. Straight ahead, no nonsense, fresh food.

Rohrbach’s Next Door Ale

My favorite local brew. The other is Golden Pale Ale from Roc City Brewing.

Both of these breweries have great new spots to hang out in- Rohrbach’s on Railroad Street and Roc City off the inner loop on Union Street.

Bee Sting Buffalo Wings at Jeremiah’s

Sweet and spicy, so good.

Spicy Gyro at Olives

This is a cool little spot, nice place for lunch.

Hartmann’s Chicken Sausage

(…and anything else for that matter).Yes, they are now in Canandaigua. They moved from the city about two years ago- I used to visit them up on N. Goodman I think.  It’s a shame, I heard that the city didn’t help them to stay here in Roc. Their stuff is all available at Wegman’s.

Good Luck Restaurant

Best atmosphere in town, (Osteria Rocco is second) and the menu is right up my alley: charcuterie, good beer, tasty salads.

Potato Pancakes at The Coal Tower

I always order these when we go there.

Chicago Style Hot Dog at DogTown

It isn’t quite authentic, but it’s close enough.

Starbucks Coffee

I have tried to love Joe Bean. I have tried to love Java’s, Spot, Boulder, and Canal Town… Why do none of them come even close to a normal, dark roast coffee from Starbucks? I eat local as much as I can, but I can’t do the coffee. Village Bakery in Pittsford has good coffee (and kick ass bread and breakfasts). But really, they are the ONLY other place in town where I will get coffee.

Pain Levain from Flour City Bread

This bread is totally killer- airy and crusty.

Wegmans

OK. I love Starbucks. And I love Wegmans.

Swan’s Market on Parsells Ave.

It’s where I get my bacon, and the Cajun brats are really good. Fun to eat lunch there

on weekends, but they need to work on the décor (too much clutter) and the service.

Baguette from Ravioli Shop

Best baguette in town.

Chuck roast from Seven Bridges Beef

We bought a quarter cow last year, and it changed our approach to eating red meat. Now our “approach” is to eat more red meat.