(correction from earlier... I had put Charlotte... that's in NC. strange)
So, the hardware that was generously donated by my buddy (who visited this weekend, and we had a blast) checks out, and my configs SEEM to check out... I'm planning on doing the swap tomorrow morning (about 0630 EDT).
Cross yr fingers for me ;-)
Okay, so I've been on a bit of a gin kick the past few weeks. I think it has something to do with my buddy visiting this week, who's favorite drink is Gin and Juice (specifically Tanqueray 10 and Simply Orange High Pulp), but that's not the point. I started doing some research on gin, and searching for reviews on what I might try that was out of the ordinary, and came across this review: Hendrick's Gin Review: Wake Up And Smell The Roses on LiquorSnob.com. Not only did the reviewer have me giggling with their excellent writing, but they were right...
After drinking T-10 and Juice (in my case, Tropicana Blueberry Pomegranate) for the past week, I bought some Hendrick's on my way home from work today (well, technically after the post office and before the grocery store, but you get the general idea). I got home, and made up two gin and tonics for the wife and myself. I didn't have any cucumber for a garnish (which I can now see would really make the drink), but I was shocked at the smoothness and complexity of the drink and finish. The reviewer at LiquorSnob.com really did hit it on the head. It seems to me, that Hendrick's may be the gin for whiskey drinkers (of which I am, Jameson's being my poison of choice). I am of the mind now, that I will be forsaking my dear Jameson's for the remainder of the summer months, in favor of Hendricks and tonic water, with a slice of cucumber.
This "not-so-much-a-liquor-snob" gives Hendrick's Gin an A+
Later this week, my review of Lucid Absinthe Supérieure which should be arriving by Thursday. (reminder to self... buy some sugar cubes)
The timestamps seem to be skewed, but they are in actual order ;-)
Day 1:
talulattdh: We're on the road!! 10:08 AM April 04, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: Hitting the road! 10:47 AM April 04, 2008 from txt
talulattdh: Toad The Wet Sprocket is b0ff0 road trip music!! 10:48 AM April 04, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: Just hit West Virginia 11:40 AM April 04, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: Maryland 12:00 PM April 04, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: We have entered the Keystone State ie left Dixie 12:11 PM April 04, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: Waves @geekacres, @mainpa, and @jrblackwell (in PA) 12:26 PM April 04, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: @geekacres shoot me any questions if you have any problems ;-) 12:45 PM April 04, 2008 from txt in reply to geekacres
lnxcwby: Halfway mark on I-78 eb! :-) 01:36 PM April 04, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: Lunch at Burger King FTW 02:01 PM April 04, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: Last exit in Pennsylvania 03:05 PM April 04, 2008 from txt 
lnxcwby: At the hotel in Elmsford, NY, waiting for the rest of our party :-) Though we did forget the garment bag and 4 shirts in it. 05:17 PM April 04, 2008 from web
talulattdh: We're in Elmsford, waitin' on Julie. ;-) 04:02 PM April 04, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: Just found Jules... The party's getting started 05:51 PM April 04, 2008 from im
talulattdh: Having dinner w/ @lnxcwby, @debphotog, and teh other wimminz and cowboy. Pizza FTW! 06:24 PM April 04, 2008 from txt
talulattdh: @agenttiki awww thanks! I got an excellent tip from a hawty in WA! 06:39 PM April 04, 2008 from txt in reply to agenttiki
lnxcwby: Gonna see The Elephant Man in Nyack, NY now. Phone going off 08:52 PM April 04, 2008 from txt
talulattdh: Deb is BRILLIANT!!! 10:39 PM April 04, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: If I weren't such a country boy at heart, I'd really like living in NYC :-) 01:25 AM April 05, 2008 from txt 
talulattdh: Julie sez, Well well well, my eyes got bigger than my plate! 02:19 AM April 05, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: Strange Brew is like crack 03:22 AM April 05, 2008 from txt
Day 2:
lnxcwby: Just had breakfast at the hotel, now we need to hit some shops 11:08 AM April 05, 2008 from txt
talulattdh: We're on the way to Debaser's house. 11:47 AM April 05, 2008 from txt
talulattdh: Cheesecake Factory with the gang.... Mmmmm 02:04 PM April 05, 2008 from txt
talulattdh: Julie sez, Usually I'm pregnant when I'm in NYC... o.O 02:20 PM April 05, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: "Butter was the lubricant of choice." 03:02 PM April 05, 2008 from txt
talulattdh: @lnxcwby sez, Even *I* wouldn't twitter that!! 03:50 PM April 05, 2008 from txt in reply to lnxcwby
talulattdh: Deb sez, The last thing I want is to hear dirty jokes from a leprauchan! 05:05 PM April 05, 2008 from txt
talulattdh: @agenttiki the wimminz and @lnxcwby wish you were here too! We're thinking of you! 06:23 PM April 05, 2008 from txt in reply to agenttiki 
talulattdh: Carnegie Deli FTW!! 08:07 PM April 05, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: And now.... I get my Reuben! :-D 08:53 PM April 05, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: I actually got to say "follow that cab" :-) 09:44 PM April 05, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: Tim Minchin time! 09:51 PM April 05, 2008 from txt
talulattdh: TIMMEH!!! 08:51 PM April 05, 2008 from txt 
talulattdh: Tim is so fucking rock!!! 11:43 PM April 05, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: Lexa sez: "The hips still had it!" 12:43 AM April 06, 2008 from txt
talulattdh: Lexa sez, *He* has the smallest hands I've seen on an adult male... 11:46 PM April 05, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: Julie sez: "Zzzzzzzzz" I concur 01:55 AM April 06, 2008 from txt
Day 3:
lnxcwby: Heading to The Bronx soon to see the Yankees play 11:45 AM April 06, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: trying to tame my google reader was NOT a good idea for this morning. I forgot how out of control it gets when I don't mind it minutely 12:01 PM April 06, 2008 from web
talulattdh: I'm on my way to Yankee Stadium w/ @lnxcwby. w00t! 12:21 PM April 06, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: We almost got to the train station w/o the game tix. Crisis averted though. Headed to the House That Ruth Built 01:16 PM April 06, 2008 from txt 
talulattdh: Me and my fella at Yankee Stadium... Does it get any better? :-D 01:45 PM April 06, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: Wow. Wow. That was fantastic! 05:13 PM April 06, 2008 from txt
talulattdh: The Yankees won, and we had a boffo time! 04:14 PM April 06, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: Guy on the street sez: "All I know is we need more beers." 05:53 PM April 06, 2008 from txt
talulattdh: The dude on the subway sez, I got this Natty Light from the guy who drums the bottom of the bucket. It's cold. You want it? 04:58 PM April 06, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: Back at the hotel, pondering dinner. We drive back south tomorrow. 07:41 PM April 06, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: Pete's Saloon was a good idea for dinner, though the sauce on my fettuccine was a bit thin (the scallops were lovely) Thanks @debfotog 10:00 PM April 06, 2008 from web
talulattdh: @agenttiki, @lnxcwby sez, Piss off! (sir) :-P 08:51 PM April 06, 2008 from txt in reply to agenttiki
talulattdh: Gonna watch a movie w/ @lnxcwby and crash. Good night, NY!! I'll miss you! And thank you Wimminz for... I think you know. ;-) 09:59 PM April 06, 2008 from txt
Day 4:
lnxcwby: heading back to Virginia as soon as we pack and eat (and @talulattdh wakes up). 09:17 AM April 07, 2008 from web
lnxcwby: In New Jersey, pining for PA 11:15 AM April 07, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: I can't believe how cheap fuel was in Jersey. We're now in PA, and making good time. 12:21 PM April 07, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: Just crossed the Mason-Dixon line 02:53 PM April 07, 2008 from txt
lnxcwby: In West Virginia 03:02 PM April 07, 2008 from txt
talulattdh: Home again, home again. Jiggidy jig. 04:12 PM April 07, 2008 from web
lnxcwby: This weekend was awesome, but it's nice to be home :-) 04:21 PM April 07, 2008 from txt
Alright, so we met up with Deb, and followed her from Elmsford to Nyack. It's a nice little village a little west of Tarrytown/Elmsford (across the Hudson). We then met up with the lovely Lexa from California, and Deb's husband John, and had dinner at a small Italian joint on the main drag of Nyack.
After dinner, a little coffee and then we saw The Elephant Man at the Elmwood Playhouse, which was directed by none other, than the aforementioned Deb! The play was fantastic, and presented in a unique manner. Instead of theatre-in-the-round, it was, as John put it, theatre-in-the-alley. The seating was on either side of the center of the room, and raised. While watching the play, you were constantly aware that there was someone sitting directly across from you. I must say, I was very impressed with the entire thing.
After the play, we met up with some of the cast at a bar down the street called Chance. Nice place, and good booze. Didn't eat anything there aside from the artichoke mousse on some flatbread, but it was good as well, and all of the food I saw looked pretty tasty.
After that, we headed back to the hotel (all minus John, who went home to relieve the babysitter) and watched Strange Brew, and some other funnies on the room teevee and hung out until about 3am or so.
Next post, next day :-)
As I "thumb" this out, my wife is tapping away at the laptop on the same subject. I can easily summarize this weekend with, "Just what I needed."
I will probably compile all of the tweets and photos into a megapost filled with links and commentary, but in the meantime, I will narrate what happened and what we did (at least until "typing" on my phone becomes unbearable)
Friday: We dropped the kids off and hit the road. Took I-81 north to Harrisburg, and then I-78 east to I-287, which took us to the White Plains area and our hotel. A comedy note: if you say Tappan Zee Bridge like Sgt Schultz, it's hilarious.
We met up with Julie at the hotel (Hampton Inn, my personal fave, since they are consistently nice, and you get Hilton points), and Deb showed up soon after.
ugh. I'm getting cramps in my thumbs and wrists, so I'm gonna hit PAUSE in the story.
--
(sent from my mobile)
Alright, so I played with WordPress for the first time in a long time, and DAMN is it slick. I was able to EASILY convert my OLD blog into it with an RSS fetch, and Blogger was even easier.
Now I REALLY need to get the new server up and running. (I know, I've had the donated hardware for a year, I'm a slacker, leave me alone)
AND, we're going to New York tomorrow, so expect lots of picture posts here and on my flickr stream. w00h00!
