You're Full of Broccoli

I gotta say that I'm a little P.O.ed.  My family and I have been eating at the same little Italian restaurant in a neighboring community for nearly 25 years.  It's just a small place (a converted house) with limited seating.  When you go there, the waiters and waitresses know who you are and make you feel welcome.  The service is always good.  What's even better is the food!  It reminds me of my grandmother's excellent home-cooked Italian dishes.  We love the place and probably go there at least once a month or so.

The owner is an older Italian-American man who always comes around to each table to see if you liked the meal.  We have talked to him many times about how much we enjoyed and loved the food.  Until yesterday, I have always liked and respected the man.  That all changed with one word....broccoli.

My wife noticed something bluish green in the Parmesan cheese shaker.  She opened the lid to see what it was and was a tad shocked to find that it was mold.  She showed it to me and I was able to confirm her suspicion.  When the owner made his way over to our table, we informed him of the moldy cheese.  He took the container and headed off with it to the kitchen.

Five minutes later, he returned with some small plastic containers which appeared to have fresh Parmesan cheese in them. He said that there was no mold in the cheese but in fact that it was a piece of broccoli.  My wife asked him how a piece of broccoli could get in the container in the first place.  He said that maybe it happened when the table got cleaned.

My wife and I have been on the planet for more than a few rotations.  I pretty darn sure that we can tell mold from broccoli (unless it was moldy broccoli) to say the least.  Instead of trying to insult our intelligence (that's what the current presidential election is for), why not just say I'm sorry and it won't happen again.

Instead we are both jacked.  As much as we love and have always loved the food there, we were lied to...straight to our face without even a moment of hesitation.  I'm a firm believer in that if you lie to me once, you'll do it again.  It's just a shame that after nearly a quarter of a century of loyal customer support, the owner just couldn't come clean about the cheese.  Broccoli...are ya kidding me?!

Too Much Fun!

I had a great time yesterday.  I had some friends over to watch the Pitt-Penn State Game.  I was at the last game 16 years ago with my son .  He was over to watch the game yesterday.  Like my wife and I, he is also a Pitt alum.  So with a houseful of crazy Pitt fans, let the game begin.

It was a great game with a ton of momentum changes.  It kept you riveted the entire time.  With loads of food and libations, we had a blast!  We sent texts to Penn Staters that we know (and love??!) to harass them an got plenty of texts back in return.  Great fun all the way around!!!  To add the icing to the cake, the game turned out the right way with the Panthers on top.

Congrats to all the players and coaches from both schools.  Everyone did an outstanding job yesterday.  I'm sure that I can speak for long time fans of both programs in saying that we loved the game and the opportunity to see life breathed back into the old rivalry. LOVED IT!

Happy Anniversary!!!!

September 8, 2016 will mark the 50th anniversary of the airing of the Star Trek television series on NBC.  It's hard for me to believe that I've been a part of the Star Trek experience since the beginning.  I can still remember watching the show on my parents old black and white TV and thinking that it was the coolest thing that I had ever seen.  (I was only 5 at the time so cut me a break!)

Kudos to all who have been a part of the phenomenon over the years from Gene Roddenberry to J.J. Abrams.  Special thanks to all the great actors and actresses who made the many fantastic characters come to life.  A big shout out to all of the writers of the shows, movies, books, etc. who made the ongoing missions real for all of us to explore.  We can't forget all of the behind the scenes folks whose artistic and technological talents brought all of those things into our homes and onto the silver screen and more. Thank you all for making this amazingly special for the many trekkers like myself who love Star Trek!

So here's to all of you for turning Gene's vision of a better tomorrow into a dream that many of us around the world share.  As a fan, I can't thank you enough.  Let us now together boldly go where no one has gone before!

***Just a little Star Wars note***

Back in April of 2013 I did a post on this very blog titled "Large Mouse Kills Han Solo".  Does anyone get a feeling that folks over at Disney check out my humble little blog???  Maybe they decided to take the good old "message from Marz" (hey, you never know)  Gotta say,  I called this one!

Hide and Seek

I'm hoping to put together a Necromunda wargaming table this fall.  I've been working on some of the gangs using proxies.  So far I've got Orlock, Cawdor, Escher, and Van Saar gangs together.  I have been gathering up terrain pieces.  Some I have bought. Others I am in the process of making and/or modifying.  Yesterday I finished a set of barricades.  The main wall pieces were from a box set of Rackham Confrontation figures.  Since I had two identical sets, I took one set and modified them for Necromunda.  Check out the pics.  I'm really happy with the overall look.

Got "Tanked" in Vegas

Back in the Burgh from Las Vegas.  Did an extended weekend.  My first time in Sin City.  The missus wanted to see Barbara Streisand and thought it would great if we saw her in Vegas.  I'm not a big fan but, there were a bunch of stuff I wanted to do and see there so off we went.

We stayed at Treasure Island.  Nice spacious room.  Great customer service overall. The casino there was way too smokey and seemed cramped.   We mostly went to other places to play the machines.  Ate at Senor Frogs which was fun and the food was great.  The Buffet was less than good.  I've been to other buffets at other casinos, this one in no way could compare.  To make matters worse we both felt ill after eating there.  We saw Cirque du Soleil: Mystere at the hotel and it was fantastic! 

We did some shopping in the Venetian (way cool inside!!) and in the Palazzo.  My wife was in heaven.  Had a great burger at Prime Burger and some excellent pizza at Grimaldi's (highly recommend  it!)  If you're a coffee lover, there are two Starbucks at Treasure Island.  It was a great way to start our day.

My wife loved seeing and hearing Barbara. (She is still singing the songs!)  I have to admit she put on a great show!  Getting in and out of the parking garage at the event was super easy and fast.  Kudos to the Las Vegas Police for directing traffic and to the staff at the garage for keeping everything moving!  Great job guys!!!!

Got up to the Carroll Shelby Car Museum one morning.  I've loved his work on Mustangs for many years.  Seeing his AC Cobras, Daytonas, and Mustang Cobras was a dream come true.

For me the best part of the trip was visiting ATM which is the facility where the TV series Tanked is filmed.  I am a big time fan of the show and have been for several years.  It was amazing for me to do the tour.  I got to meet Brett, Agnes, and the General.  Trisha did a great job of showing us the facility and explaining a lot of the behind the scenes stuff about the show. The folks at ATM really make you feel welcome and appreciated.  We truly had a wonderful time! 

We  went to the Bellagio one night to see the Conservatory exhibit which includes two aquariums which were done by ATM and then stopped to see the Dancing Fountains which was really cool.  We also walked up to see the volcano at the Mirage  Then it was off to Caesar's Palace to play some slot machines.  This is the 50th anniversary of Caesar's in Las Vegas so we had to make it a stop.

There is one major thing that we hated  and I do mean HATED in Vegas.  You can't walk five feet down the strip without some jacka$$ getting in your face about some freakin' stupid offer or another.  It was so damn annoying it wasn't even funny.  There really needs to be an ordinance in the city to end this crap.  Not cool, Las Vegas!!!!

Can't say that we won big but we did have a wonderful time all in all. (And I did see Elvis to boot!)

What's in Hanger 18?

I recently bought a set of Kabuki Knights of Legends models from Hanger 18.  I have to say the entire transaction went as smooth as silk.  I received the models yesterday.  The order was intact and the models were well packed.  All the way around it was a great experience ordering from them.  Big shout out to Liliana.  She made the entire process enjoyable.  Super excellent customer service!!!!  I would highly recommend them to anyone who is into miniature war-gaming and/or collecting.

They have their own line of miniatures on their website which are super cool.  They are called Hanger 18 pinups.  Each model is based on the World War II illustrations that were done on the noses of bombers during the era.  I love the models and hope to grab up a few in the near future.

Check out the selection of models that they carry at http://www.hangar18miniatures.com

Journey North

I decided to get away for a bit.  I had never been to New England and thought that it was about time that I changed that.  I'm totally glad that I did.

First things first.  My 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan wasn't going to make the trip.  Th old girl took great care of me and my family daily and on many of an excursion to see the sights of the good old U.S.A.  The Dodge was like an aging family member.  Her motor still ran fine, but she was having some major aches and pains when it came to her body. I decided to get a new vehicle for the trek. I bought a 2016 Dodge Journey.  The Journey purred like a kitten during the entire trip.  Smooth ride, very comfortable, and definitely fun to drive.  I miss my old mini van. But like everything else in the world, change needed to take place.

We stopped and saw some friends that had moved to Hartford.  Fantastic visit.  Went over to Mystic Harbor.  Awesome little town filled with cool shops and great places to eat.  Next stop was Kennebunkport.  Absolutely beautiful!  No sign of any of the Bush family.  We had some wonderful food at Allison's and Mabel's.  (The clam chowder at both places was AMAZING!!!)  Portland, Maine was our final destination.  My niece recently moved there.  Great place!  We took my niece to eat at DiMillo's.  Jerry Seinfeld had eaten there recently.  Hey, if it's good enough for Jerry, well then, it's good enough for me.  Cool bar/restaurant on an old boat.  Ambiance - superb, food - just OK.  

We got back to the 'Burgh yesterday afternoon.  I saw that Rocky LaPorte was at the Improv.  I love Rocky!  The guy is funny as hell!  He was fantastic last night!  I laughed so hard that I cried.  If you ever get a chance, go check Rocky out!

Now it's back to the grind.  It was fun while it lasted.  I enjoyed every minute!  I must say however, it's great to be home!

Inexcusable

Congratulations to The Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins!  I am ashamed that I failed to say so earlier,  It is indeed inexcusable.  Great season.  Outstanding playoff run.  Fantastic finish against the Sharks.  Thanks to all in the Pens organization top to bottom.  I enjoyed every game!

Congrats to the Cleveland Cavaliers in winning their own championship in the NBA.  No one gave you guys a chance.  Well done gentlemen!  I would also like to thank them for the damn fine free taco I had yesterday at Taco Bell.  Taco Bell gave away free tacos in honor of the Cavaliers crazy win over Golden State.  The nacho Dorritos shelled taco was fantastico!

Finally!

I did it!  I can't believe it but I did.  After what feels like an eternity I finally completed my Prince August Warzone Bauhaus Ducal Militia.    I painted them in two different looks based on some pics I had seen before.  Here are the images and some pics that I took of the finished models.

                         

              

Read a funny book on Amazon.com called World War Poo.  If you like juvenile bathroom humor then you'll think that it's a hoot.  None-the-less, it cracked me up.

On the beer front, you have to try "Not Your Father's Hard Cream Soda by Small Town Brewery.  IT IS AMAZING!!!!  I loved it and can't wait to get some more.  They also make a root beer flavor and a ginger ale flavor.  Good stuff!!!!

Near Perfection

Spent some time in Atlanta recently.  I'd passed through the city several times but had never spent any time there.  Big mistake!  Atlanta is a wonderful and beautiful city.  The people that I met there are among the nicest that I've met in all of my travels.  While there I stayed at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel.  The place is incredible to say the least!  It is ascetically stunning, user friendly, and perfectly situated within the city.  A quick subway ride and I was at the airport.  Great food and service at the Marquis was the icing on the cake.  LOVED  my stay there!  Almost hated to go home...almost.

While in Atlanta I went to the Escape the Room.  I had a great time.  If you have never tried one of these places it is a total blast.  My team (people I work with) finished with 9 minutes to spare.  It is a real challenge but a ton of fun at the same time.  I can't wait to try another one.

My Pittsburgh Penguins are in round 2 of the playoffs and I am as happy as a pig in mud.  So far they are looking pretty darn good against the Washington Capitals.  Love this Penguin team top to     bottom!  I think that it has the best line-up that I have seen in years. Good luck to the boys in the black and yellow!

Summer is nearly here.  I'm hoping to get my lazy backside out on the road.  I want to get up into New England and out to see a friend of mine in Detroit.  We'll see what ends up happening...although I swear I can hear Willie Nelson singing "On the Road Again"!

Also on my summer list...build a wargaming table.  I have found a few folks locally who seem to want to play.  I'm leaning towards a Necromunda table, but with so many fantasy figure that may have to wait for another time.  Maybe I'll post some pics when I'm done.

Until next time....

As Promised

Here is a picture of my completed Cygnar Army.  I am pretty pleased with it.  I hope you like it as well.  The group includes several jacks and warcasters and a squire.  I really enjoyed painting them!

My somewhat busted up Penguins are in the playoffs.  They have come a long way this year.  I hope they can make a long run into the NHL post-season.  The third time is the charm...against the Rangers that is!

I've been watching Blindspot.  The show is absolutely amazing.  Check it out on Monday nights @ 10:00 on NBC.  LOVE IT!