G'Day Mate...

Ok--I have to follow space exploration with a franchise steakhouse--not the most ideal of situations. Yea, I went Outback tonight. The Co-conspirator (heretofore referred to as CC) has been bustin my lamb chops to go to Outback Steakhouse. I've been resisting with all my might--as the last time i was there some 10 years ago, I had one of the most disgusting pieces of meat I've ever had the misfortune to eat (prime rib that Fred Flinstone or Barney Rubble would not have eaten).

CC was relentless in her desire to hit the Outback (evidently she was intrigued by the place because one of her co-workers LOVE the place--and frequently has sex with her husband in the parking lot--not kidding). So, I'm thinking, hey...if the meat is bad--i still cant lose.

Fortunately for me, I was pleasantly suprised--I had a nice juicy 18oz Porterhouse that was flavorful and cooked pefectly--the way i like it--i little pink inside--the steak.

The delivery of my steak was preceded by the "bloomin onion" and a delicious bowl of potato soup. I have to say, i was pleasantly suprised--given the fact that I've had the considerable fortune in my life to have eaten at some of the best steakhouses in the country--Miami, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, San Antonio, Los Angeles, etc.

To CC's meal: she orders the 7oz. (yea 7 ounces--she's 128 soaking wet, giver her a break, POTUS) center cut filet topped with some sort of buttery horseradish nonesense. I'm of like mind with POTUS--if you put something on a steak, you're trying to cover something up.

Let me tell you guys, CC ate every bite and moaned like Jenna Jamison the whole way through her meal. She said, and I quote "every bite was just this soft buttery goodness--delicious". She deducted marks for poor presentation, but she continues "yea, it just looked like meat on a plate, but what they lacked in presentation, they made up for in flavor".

All in all, a better experience than i expected--even though the parking lot was a no go for CC! Maybe next time!

BTW, POTUS--make sure you ask me about the greeter the next time we talk! Holy mother of god...

Announcement: 2007 Bemus Man of the Year...

The Fuzz!

Congratulations!

Houston, we have a problem.

The Space Shuttle launch was awesome. The Steak was not. I had dinner at the restaurant known for the ‘best steak in town’…Gregory’s Steak and Seafood. Greg’s, as I like to call it, was like walking into your corner bar that masquerades as I steakhouse. I knew I was in trouble when I walked in and found myself in the middle of the restaurant. Not really in the middle, but there was no turning around once I was in. [At least it allowed for a quick exit after the meal.] The décor hadn’t been updated since the 70’s, well ok, the 80’s, but pre-Miami Vice 80’s. [And yes, the picture is exactly what you see when you walk in...the first steakhouse I've ever been to sponsored by Jagermeister.]

I was solo, so I sat at the bar…with its white paper placemat. The bartender was swamped handling the 20 or so seats at the bar, plus filling drink orders for the rest of the restaurant. The place was pretty busy for a Monday night, mainly because of the shuttle launch the next morning.

When the bartender was finally able, I got a glass of the house red [which was pretty good] and upon her recommendation – the Porterhouse [two steaks in one!]. The salad was fine, Italian dressing on the side. The steak came medium, but I should have asked for it medium-well, at least it would have had a better char. It was red in the middle, but no juice…and no, I don’t think they dry age their steaks. The filet side was tender and had good flavor. I was left believing that I should have just gone with the filet or opted for the Wendy’s down the street.

The next day, after the launch and striking out on what I was told was the best steak in town, I wasn’t going to try the ‘second best steak in town’ which apparently could be found Durango Steakhouse. Unfortunately, one of my fellow travelers and his wife ate there the night before and described it as a franchised place – I’ll pass thank you very much – although I’m sure GOTSOO would have liked it.

Where I did end up was this great Mexican restaurant at the resort next to our hotel – Azteca Two. I started off with a margarita, of course, with a side of their homemade, authentic tortilla chips and homemade authentic salsa. What a kick.

I got the chicken burritos. [They didn’t have steak and the bartender recommended the chicken over the beef.] And they were awesome. The chicken was moist, wrapped in its warm burrito shell, covered in cheese and red sauce and baked under broiler to melt the cheese just long enough to give it some texture.

As I blew through the final bites my tasty Mexican entrée I had the opportunity to meet the grandfather of astronaut Scott E. Parazynski who couldn’t have been more proud of his grandson, as he told me stories of ‘Scott and the boys from Stanford’ coming over the house back in the day. The mission was a success and Scott completed probably one of the most dangerous walks ever in McGivering a solar wing, in addition to the other ‘routine’ walks required to install the new test lab.

Where the food was lacking, the Shuttle all but made up for it. I now know where to go and how to manage expectation when we come back with our VIPs.

Until then, Godspeed.

POTUS

A great new American Enterprise

"Now it is time to take longer strides -- time for a great new American enterprise -- time for this nation to take a clearly leading role in space achievement." President John F. Kennedy to a joint session of Congress, 25 May 1961, following the launch of Sputnik by the Soviet Union.

2007-10-23
Launch Day, STS-120

10:46a

So, I'm sitting here waiting for them to light this sucker. We're in a scheduled 9 minute hold and about 30 minutes from launch. It’s a beautiful day for late October - in the 80's, sunny, humid, and a nice shore breeze. (Man I wish I had a hat and 30spf.)

I'm seated in the bleachers at Banana Creek viewing area at the Kennedy Space Center. We are 3 miles out, which I understand is the closest civilians can be to view the launch. To put our location into perspective, I'm sitting next to the astronaut family section.

The sun continues to glisten across the water as it ripples from the southerly breeze, while nearly a thousand people await the final countdown.

11:17a

Still waiting for the launch at 11:38a. Weather looks good here, but you don't know what Mission Control sees here and else where. There's a concern about the weather at emergency landing locations in Europe. Logistics, logistics, logistics. Just light this mutha'!

11:24a

Just got word the launch is a go! The 9 min hold will resume shortly.

11:27a

With an announcement that the 2007 Little League World Series champs we're in attendance, the countdown was restarted!

11:31a
The crowd is asked to rise and join in the signing of our National Anthem. Chills!

11:33a

Jets and helicopters overhead. No fly-over - Anti-terror surveillance. This if for real.

11:38a
5 4 3 2 1... Wow! That’s awesome!

The sound, the light, the experience! [We we're told the flames would be bright, but you can't know how bright until they light it - almost blinding!]

It climbs much faster than it appears on TV that’s for sure. Through the clouds and emerging above them to the cheers of the crowd. Then the rumble hits your body as it rolls across Banana Creek. [Like the booms of a 4th of July fireworks finale, only louder and continuous!]

Still climbing through the bright blue, cloud wisped Florida sky. 2 minutes in and awaiting solid rocket separation. With the announcement of successful separation another louder cheer erupts from the crowd as the only thing left to see is a small bright speck in the sky and a smoke trail left behind.

11:44a
Back on the bus. It’s amazing to think what humans can do - the ability to transport people and machines, along with the hope and ambitions of the United States and the world, into the heavens above.

The future is now and the time is right. The Moon and Mars are next.

What the Red Sox did to our season...

Well...it's 9-2 in the bottom of the 8th. Looks like our boys of Indian summer will get to return to Venezula and Puerto Rico--and consequently avoid the inclement weather in Denver, Colorado (Today Denver had 4 inches of snow).

I don't mind losing to the better team--and make no mistake, Boston was the better team. What i do mind, however, is losing to a group of penis wrinkles like Josh Beckett (act like you've been there poor sport), Manny Rameriz (one of the greatest hitters ever with the attitude of Paris Hilton and Britney Spears would be proud of), and Curt "the rat" Schilling.

I'll be first one at the mall tomorrow to get my Colorado Rockies cap.

I feel like a Cubs fan--we'll get 'em next year.

P.S.--no steak this weekend, but my good friend Smuckers killed a deer at the Hunt camp! Deer entrails are gross, fyi.

Go Tribe.

New York State of Mind, the summary

What a weekend! Names changed to protect the guilty.

Friday: After spending some time sitting on the front porch reflecting, we started drinking again waiting for waves three and four. In the mean time, we watch Sports Center which gleefully reported on the Tribe’s loss/pitiful performance and the return of the series to Boston. We watch the wedding crashers and The 300, which ended up in a weekend long continuous loop. Me, The Fuzz, Bob the Builder and Doyle Brunson drove up to Salamanca, NY, which if it weren’t for the Seneca Casino and Holiday Valley ski resort, would just be another stop along the desolate I-86 highway. (We left Michael Corleone and Hardgrove to their pleasures at Bemus.) There’s a small little bar, The Clinton (forgive the name), with good eats (sorry no steak) and cheaper beer.

I was getting the shakes (also know as withdrawal) so I got the next best thing possible to a steak – a Clinton Burger. Medium well, American Cheese, French fries and ketchup. Let me tell you, there’s nothing better for a hangover than greasy food! That and a couple more Miller Lite’s to kill the effects of the Bud Light from the night before. The place was great and the owners even bought a round for the 10 or so of us in the bar. (Gotta love true ‘wooden nickels’.) It was getting late and MC and Hardgrove were pissed that we were drinking and not gambling, so we headed back to Bemus for more drinks.

Wave 3 arrived: Pat Sajak; The Rabbi; and Mr. Rib; More beer, more wings, more shots.

Wave 4 arrived: Swimmer; the little guy; and Mr. Annoying. More beer, more wings, more shots and late night poker.

Saturday: Breakfast with The Fuzz, Doyle, MC, Grover, and Bob. I think Swimmer and Sajak showed up late thinking it was a closer walk than a short drive. Funny thing, our waitress was our bartender, who pulled a double. After breakfast we headed back to the house for more cards and the 11:00 am showing of The 300. At 3:00 we headed up to Shaggy’s (see ‘Bemus for more drinks’ above) where they opened up early for us to watch the OSU game.

We were enjoying the game, when we started talking with some union folks out of Buffalo, who during our conversation gave the little guy his name. It was some funny stuff. Oh by the way, if you see a pattern, we drank more, ate more wings, and did more shots.

Some of us headed back to the house for cards after the OSU romp, while the rest held the beachhead for the evening Tribe game. Another disappointing loss. The evening concluded with more drinking, a beating or two, and a late night eating fest including MC’s world renowned sauce, with meatballs and sausage from Gallucci.

I went to bed early because I had to leave for FLA on Sunday and needed some rest. Well at some point Mr. Annoying, Grover and Bob decided that no one should be sleeping and that ‘just one more beer’ was what everyone needed. We ended up back a Shaggy’s, I got my beer and promptly walked out the back door and returned to the house.

Sunday: I woke up early to find MC and Grover cleaned the kitchen at 4:00am and the rest of the house just needed to be swept and aired out. We hit the road by 8:00 am and promptly began the planning for the 2008 trip – our 10th year.

I’m still in a New York State of Mind!

Genius

Drove of up yesterday to Bemus with Doyle Bronson and The Fuzz. We were the first wave, an expeditionary force, if you will. We’re staying in a new place this year. It’s nice. We finally have arrived. I could actually bring Cosmo and the kids to this place. After throwing back some PBRs we headed up to Shaggy’s for the beers, food and the game.

I was disappointed that they didn’t have any steak on the menu, but their wings, being so close to Buffalo and the Anchor Bar, were great. I got 20 Hots and while I was disappointed that the sauce wasn’t hotter, the wings were crispy on the outside, and moist on the inside. Perfect. Fuzz got the Butter Garlic and they were pretty good too, but I’m more of a hot sauce guy. Doyle, he mooched off both of ours.

Michael Corleone, Hardgrove and Bob the Builder, the reinforcements, arrived just before first pitch. Which was great, but we were stuck watching the Tribe and CC, who looked like he spent the off day at Morton’s, drop the game and let the series move back to Bean Town. We rolled in sometime Friday morning.

So as we’re sitting around having breakfast at the Bemus Inn, we were talking about the Buckeye game at 3:30, when we realized it was only FRIDAY. Somehow we had convinced the wives and girlfriends that we needed 3 days in Bemus. It worked. So here I am on a Friday morning sitting on a porch, typing this post and looking out at the lake and enjoying the fall breeze. Genius.

Casey At The Bat

The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day; The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play,And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same, A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game. A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The restClung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast; They thought, "If only Casey could but get a whack at that —We'd put up even money now, with Casey at the bat. "But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,And the former was a hoodoo, while the latter was a cake; So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat; For there seemed but little chance of Casey getting to the bat. But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,And Blake, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball;And when the dust had lifted, and men saw what had occurred,There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third. Then from five thousand throats and more there rose a lusty yell; It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;It pounded on the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.

There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place;There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile lit Casey's face. And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat, No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the bat. Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt. Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt. Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip, Defiance flashed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip. And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air, And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there. Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped —"That ain't my style," said Casey. "Strike one!" the umpire said. From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar, Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore;"Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted some one on the stand; And it's likely they'd have killed him had not Casey raised his hand. With a smile of Christian charity great Casey's visage shone; He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on; He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the dun sphere flew; But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said "Strike two!""Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered "Fraud!"But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed. They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain, And they knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again. The sneer has fled from Casey's lip, the teeth are clenched in hate; He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate. And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go, And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright, The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,And somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout; But there IS joy in Cleveland — mighty Casey hit one out (to make it 1-0--the good guys in the bottom of the 5th--1 out--impacting hard)! Go Tribe!

Rib Eye Steak Recipe from the Barbecue Web

Holy mother of god...I just had one of the most amazing food experiences of my life. This blog is going to be the death of me. Even my tiny little, petite, amazingly beautiful wife (who mostly eats the mashed potatoes instead of the steak) was impressed. At one point, she actually had the steak picked up off the plate in both of her hands gnawing on it like a lion who just tackled a gazel!

Great recipe--tried it for the first time today. I HIGHLY recommend you try this the next time you're in the mood to cook your own steak. Enjoy!

Governor of the Steak of Ohio

Hello Steak lovers! First and foremost, thanks goes out to the KOS (King of Steak) a.k.a. the President of the United Steaks of America (POTUS). It is he who brings this magnificent blog into the blogesphere. Alot of our friends have joined this new phenomenon. POTUS and I are old-school--late to the game.

Having said that, the only thing we love more than eating steak is talking about how much we love eating steak. Food of the gods (apologies to my Indian friends).

My first post will be short--I'm simultaneously watching the Tribe take it on the chin from the boys in Boston. It's a final now (10-3). A disappointing, but not suprising performance from a man who, it appears, has eaten many a steak in his day--the portly C.C. Sabathia. True, he's young, but this is his second sub-par playoff performance in a row. He was shakey against the Yankees in the division series--tonight he just got shelled. Props go to the Boston hitters, but damn, C.C. Hopefully Fausto "The Devil" Carmona wheels and deals against Curt "fake blood on the sock" Schilling. I bet that chump is a vegatarian.

Go Tribe, Go Bucks!

GOTSOO

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

2007-10-11
SIDEBAR: Sorry for the lack of posts. I haven’t been traveling, but wanted to drop a note in advance of some upcoming stuff. END SIDEBAR.

Fall is my favorite season. You just can’t beat that smell in the air, the crisp breeze, the sound of leaves rustling across the grass.

It's also the best time of the year for sports - Training camp begins for the cagers; The Boys of Summer have finished their 162 game march and are looking to the Fall Classic; We’re in the heart of the football season – high school, college, pros - The Friday Night Lights; Noon kick-offs on Saturday; and the eternal hope of a Super Bowl on Sundays.

Fall means other things - The Princess’ birthday (COSMO - GREAT JOB ON THIS YEAR’S ), friends' anniversary and daughter’s birthday, and Halloween. But the biggest of them all is the annual trip to Bemus Point, New York.

The trips started years ago when Michael Corleone’s parents had a place and a ski boat on the lake. We’d go water skiing in the summer; snow skiing in the winter. Nothing beat the glass that is Lake Chautauqua in August and you couldn’t find any better snow without going West – thank you Holiday Valley. But as we got older, the place didn’t get used as much and was eventually sold. The trips stopped.

It wasn’t until Doyle Brunson decided to get married that the tradition was reincarnated, making this year’s trip our ninth in a row. We usually get a place that I won’t have lived in during College and rents for $1500/week in season (what a joke! But limo-libs pay it). It’s the same agenda every year: beer; poker; corned beef; Don Corleone’s sauce w/ $8/lbs pasta; Beautiful Girls and Wall Street; the annual wiffle ball game; pizza logs; and the same stories we’ve told a hundred times and lived a hundred more. Needless to say the wives and girlfriends don’t understand.

Each trip is a year in the making. Literally, the planning starts the moment we finish and head back to the CLE+. Try and find a weekend in October with this Crew – we have 2 kids’ birthdays, 1 wedding anniversary, Halloween, and tickets to the Bucks and the Browns to worry about – not to mention work. Somehow we pull it off. The core of guys remains the same and the rest of the Crew works it into their schedule by Saturday.

Our arrival should be heralded by the local convention and visitors’ bureau – if they had one. We bring an economic impact to Bemus like the playoffs bring to Cleveland. It’s the off season up there, so anything after Labor Day is like a filet at the Prime Rib – always good. And let me tell you, with our Crew, it’s like ‘Christmas Come Early’ for the two bars that are still open. In spite of the fact that we bring our own booze, beer and food, we still drop a couple of notes each and that doesn’t even account for Salamanca, the house, or the bar bets. We haven’t gotten thrown out yet, but some have come close. We’re waiting for the day we all end up in the Bemus ‘black book.’

It’s always a good time-get away with some of the closest friend one could have. Maybe that’s why we always look forward to it and another reason why the Fall is the most wonderful time of the year.

Seven days and counting...

POTUS

Oh yeah, and I’ll be off to FLA for a shuttle launch right after the NY trip and you know what that means – some SteakMatters from the Sunshine State.