An Evening Out with an Old Friend

***I like to apologize for the lack of photos. I don't know how to upload more at this time. Having some technical difficulties.****

 

Here's my story:

 

I am getting to realize that things are just going to come with age. We all inevitably start becoming more and more like our parents and the memories of our unabashed youth start to trickle away. We get to the crossroads of barely remembering who we once were and we start focusing on our life now and where we want to go.  Maybe it’s part of being responsible or maybe it’s just part of being a father now, I don’t know, but what I do know is that I’m being called “sir” more often than I’m able to say it.

 
I now find myself eating vegetables, not because I have to but because I want to and ramen noodles are no longer a staple of my diet. My fridge is full of healthy, low-fat and organic items. I have even put down my bottles of Coors Light, Budweiser and Miller and have filled my fridge with Dogfish IPAs,  Sierra Nevadas and Old Chubb Scottish Ales. I drink wine now, not wine coolers and I no longer mix soda in my whisky.

I say all of this because I recently went to my first concert in a long time. I went to see a musician I grew up with and have always been a huge fan of. I’m talking about the one and only Eddie Vedder. Yes that Eddie Vedder, the lead singer of Pearl Jam, one of the biggest bands during the grudge explosion. Now if you told me 15 years ago that Eddie Vedder would be putting on a show that features him playing a ukulele or that I would be all hyped up to go to a concert to watch a guy play a ukulele, I would have never believed you. But there I was sitting at the Music Hall in Fair Park listening to him strum one and enjoying every minute of it.

The once brash, vocal, animalistic performer that climbed stages, hung from rafters, and spoke for  America’s youth was sitting before me with an plethora of various stringed instruments that even included a mandolin playing songs that my father would even enjoy. I enjoyed it. I left Music Hall thinking about how my life had changed since I first heard Vedder’s voice over the radio and to this performance. His voice is still strong and ever present but has grown older, more controlled and honestly better. I hope I could say the same for my life.

He seemed to choose his song list wisely and gave a little bit of everything, some Elderly Women, Crazy Mary, and songs from Into the Wild soundtrack and one of my favorite recent releases, Just Breathe. I do admit that I am not one of the die-hard junkies that know all the words to all the songs, follow their web page or anything. To me, they have just been one of the constants. They have always been good music for kicking back, around the light of a wintered fire with a drink, trying to make sense of the day having Yellowledbetter playing in the background. At the gym, lifting weights with Corduroy blasting at high octaves. Or tucking my kids in at night with Black and Of He Goes. I can’t help but always think of my loving wife when songs like Come Back and Just Breathe are playing.

Eddie Vedder has been around for a long time. I like to think of him as being a good friend. One you don’t always talk to or keep up with but when you need them, you know they are always up for lifting your spirits. I have changed and my tastes in food, drink, friends and music changed with it. I’m just fortunate to have had Eddie growing up with me. Till next time my friend.

 If you have a chance to go where he’s performing it’s a really good show. All in all he played 32 songs, used 19 instruments and a kick drum, and he’s banter with the crowd allowed you a glimpse into him as a person.

 

Anniversary in Vegas

It's funny how much we prioritize things in life and how that changes with each passing year, each major life change, or just with the accumulation of knowledge. When young we wanted to have fun, the older we got the more we focused on our jobs and earning money, then getting a spouse, then more money to have kids, then kids, then and then and then.... it just a constant flow of what we want, need and work towards.

Recently, my wife and I celebrated our 8th year anniversary.  It's been a long and winding road to get to where we are now but I could never have imagined myself traveling with a better partner through these years.  As with most people that have two young children in elementary school and in after school activities, countless plans with our friends,  families, our work obligations and so on, our life has been lacking in the alone time and quality time. When my wife asked me if I wanted to get away for our anniversary and go to Vegas for a few days, I didn't even let her finished asking the question before I started packing my bags.

With my totally awesome and great mother in law coming into town to take care of the kids, my wife and I ventured off to Sin City to see what mischief we could find.

Upon my arrival, I wanted to test my luck... 

After getting checked in and doing the time share stuff we headed out for a night on the town. Old Vegas. Yes folks, welcome to Freemont Street where the slots are as loose as their women...

Michelle standing in front of the swim/aquarium/casino place in the Golden Nugget.

I sit down for less than 15 minutes and I'm already up $50. This is going to be a good trip.

We ate at the Buffet at the Golden Nugget and it wasn't anything to write home about. Price was descent and food was slightly better than Golden Coral's. I wouldn't go back but I ate my fair share and headed out onto the famed lighted walkway.

Yes, you are seeing exactly what I wanted you to see. Vegas has all types.

Street performers. I call this man in a box.

We went back inside and quickly won more money on my new favorite game. Three card poker.

After taking money from Vegas we headed back to our resort to sort out the day and unwind. We already made plans for most of the trip and needed our rest. We woke up the next day to the sound of peace and quiet. If you have young kids, you know how rare this is...

We took our time getting ready and slowly made our way to my wife's only request for food. The brunch buffet at Paris. 

The reason she had to go was their crepes. I don't blame her.

I bypassed the long crepe line opting for a plate of sausage, fillet, and corn beef hash.

The brunch buffet at Paris was well worth the long line to get and and the price. I was stuffed to the hilt and I was still wanting to try other items on display.

We then did some pretty touristy stuff like taking the gondola rides at the Venetian, shopping, more gambling and just staring at strange people.

This dude was about as Italian as I am but he told us about the city so it was a wash.

One of many fountain picks. Vegas has many a great fountains.

We had plans to watch the Cirque Du Soleil show "O" but before we went, we stopped by Chef Todd English's restaurant Olives for an appetizer and some cocktails. 

Beef Carpaccio atop a polenta cheese wedge. Very delicious.

Glass of Bulleit Rye Whiskey and bread basket and olive accompaniments.

"O" was a really good show. I thought I would get bored but it was quite entertaining and visually appealing. Two thumbs up from this guy.

The next morning we had a trip planned to see the red bluffs outside the city so with a quick bite to eat we went on our way.

I don't know which site I'd rather look at. :)

Just a  beautiful place with a beautiful woman.

 No one else booked this trip so it was our own private tour.  Ashley our friendly, knowledgeable and cheerful tour guide was a pleasant addition to the trip. She even recommended that we go eat at the Ellis Island Casino and Microbrewery so we did.  I passed on microbrewed beer since it was only 11:15 in the morning, regardless if I'm in Vegas or not, I still find that wrong. I opted for the rootbeer which was very refreshing and tasty. The food was served in big portions but wasn't anything spectacular. We had the shrimp cocktail, club sandwich and fish and chips. All ok but not great. Service was a tad slow but it was really busy there. 

Worth the trip to Ellis just for the root beer.

BIG sandwich, I just wish the flavor was as impressive but it wasn't.

We chilled at the resort actually relaxing by the pool and enjoying a champagne mixer before we headed out for the evening.  My food request for the trip was to eat at my favorite celebrity chef's restaurant. The chef is the one and only Wolfgang Puck and the restaurant isn't his famed Spago but his steak restaurant CUT. Many people told me to venture to other steakeries and what they thought were better eating establishments but I have always liked watching the way Wolfgang prepared food and seeing how he interprets dishes.  No one was going to convince me to eat anywhere else. I know he's not there searing the meat but I am sure he wouldn't put his name on a place in Vegas unless he knew that food they were putting out was worth eating. Well hopefully that was the case at least.

We got seated at a large table in the back away from the large room and loud tables. I noticed they did take into account that I made this reservation for a special occasion and they instantly got my approval.  They brought me an iPad with a list of their scotches and wine selection. I chose a nice glass of Springbank 14 year distillers edition and my wife snapped up a glass of pinot noir as she often does. She knew this was my thing to eat here and let me order our meal. I started off with a braised pork belly appetizer (almost Asian styled braised pork belly that was mouth melting and packed full of flavor), followed by a 20 ounce NY strip steak for us to share (seared perfectly and almost a crispy crust on the outside and very well aged and tender) and sides of brussell sprouts (my wife said mine is better and I have to agree) and roasted root veggies (healthy and delicious). We ended our meal with a coffee and doughnuts which was my wife's choice since she is the sweet tooth and it was mighty good. the coffee semifredo was much better than the vanilla doughnuts that came with it and with us being really full we chose to polish off the semifredo and left a couple of the doughnuts on the plate. The doughnuts were really good but the semifredo was great.

This is one instance where you build up eating somewhere in your mind so much that it's is hard for the restaurant to live up to your expectations but Cut did manage to meet and exceed my vision.  Well done Chef Puck, well done indeed.

In front of Cut.

Sorry for the terrible pictures but this was the braised pork belly.

My share of the NY strip. Cooked perfectly. Grlled then broiled under intense heat giving it that crispy crust.

 The coup de grace. 

What do you do after such a fine meal? Give Vegas back it's money of course...

 The next day was just more touristy stuff with my favorite lady. We started off the day with a hearty breakfast at the Hash House a Go Go. Huge plates of food is putting it lightly. I think my wife was served a loaf of bread disguised as french toast.  We went to the shark reef at Mandalay Bay and drank some drinks at a bar that was 5 degrees below zero. Our glasses were made of ice, the benches, tables, and everything else were also made of ice. We didn't stay there long but it was a fun expirience. We ate at the Burger Bar at Mandalay Bay which was pretty good. I also had an oxygen treatment at an oxygen bar but that wasn't a fun filled event. 

When you get an awe-inspiring look on my face, it's that impressive.

Yes folks, that's chicken and waffles.

Waffles stuffed with bacon that is.

Michelle loafing around. She didn't finish one slice off that plate but drank the tar out of that caramel coffee.

Petting sharks, just another thing this guy does that is awesome.

Strawberry banana shake at the Burger Bar.

My $22 signature buffalo burger and sweet potato fries. I couldn't talk myself into ordering their $60 Kobe burger. I don't love myself that much...

The cross section of a fine burger.

That night we ate at another disappointing buffet at the Rio. Their famed buffet was packed so we went to the seafood buffet there that was twice the price and wasn't anywhere near worth it. We did go to Penn and Teller after the meal though and that was an extremely entertaining show.

Impressively disappointing.

Teller after the show greeting people and getting photos snapped. Great show and two really nice friendly people.

 At the end of the first adult trip after having kids, we were surprisingly well rested and filled with the joys of a great vacation. We did miss the kids and our bed so we headed home.  The moment the plane touched down in Dallas though, I had a message from the school that the 5 year old fell and busted his chin and probably needed stitches or a glue job. Welcome back to reality. We rushed to the Urgent care facility where Grandma had taken the young guy. She told us how they had to pin him down to have the chin glued together. We got our marching orders from the doctor and left.

There were other places we had visited, eaten at, experienced on our trip as well as a  other things from the home front such as grandma's sideswiping and car driving skills, the reopening of the chin wound and the Houdini hounds and a very patient dog sitter.  There is only so much I am able to share. Till next time my friends, enjoy your life; it's the only one you are getting. Eat well, love long, and smile often.

It's funny how much we prioritize things in life and how that changes with each passing year, each major life change, or just with the accumulation of knowledge. When young we wanted to have fun, the older we got the more we focused on our jobs and earning money, then getting a spouse, then more money to have kids, then kids, then and then and then.... it just a constant flow of what we want, need and work towards.

Recently, my wife and I celebrated our 8th year anniversary.  It's been a long and winding road to get to where we are now but I could never have imagined myself traveling with a better partner through these years.  As with most people that have two young children in elementary school and in after school activities, countless plans with our friends,  families, our work obligations and so on, our life has been lacking in the alone time and quality time. When my wife asked me if I wanted to get away for our anniversary and go to Vegas for a few days, I didn't even let her finished asking the question before I started packing my bags.

With my totally awesome and great mother in law coming into town to take care of the kids, my wife and I ventured off to Sin City to see what mischief we could find.

Upon my arrival, I wanted to test my luck... 

After getting checked in and doing the time share stuff we headed out for a night on the town. Old Vegas. Yes folks, welcome to Freemont Street where the slots are as loose as their women...

Michelle standing in front of the swim/aquarium/casino place in the Golden Nugget.

I sit down for less than 15 minutes and I'm already up $50. This is going to be a good trip.

We ate at the Buffet at the Golden Nugget and it wasn't anything to write home about. Price was descent and food was slightly better than Golden Coral's. I wouldn't go back but I ate my fair share and headed out onto the famed lighted walkway.

Yes, you are seeing exactly what I wanted you to see. Vegas has all types.

Street performers. I call this man in a box.

We went back inside and quickly won more money on my new favorite game. Three card poker.

After taking money from Vegas we headed back to our resort to sort out the day and unwind. We already made plans for most of the trip and needed our rest. We woke up the next day to the sound of peace and quiet. If you have young kids, you know how rare this is...

We took our time getting ready and slowly made our way to my wife's only request for food. The brunch buffet at Paris. 

The reason she had to go was their crepes. I don't blame her.

I bypassed the long crepe line opting for a plate of sausage, fillet, and corn beef hash.

The brunch buffet at Paris was well worth the long line to get and and the price. I was stuffed to the hilt and I was still wanting to try other items on display.

We then did some pretty touristy stuff like taking the gondola rides at the Venetian, shopping, more gambling and just staring at strange people.

This dude was about as Italian as I am but he told us about the city so it was a wash.

One of many fountain picks. Vegas has many a great fountains.

We had plans to watch the Cirque Du Soleil show "O" but before we went, we stopped by Chef Todd English's restaurant Olives for an appetizer and some cocktails. 

Beef Carpaccio atop a polenta cheese wedge. Very delicious.

Glass of Bulleit Rye Whiskey and bread basket and olive accompaniments.

"O" was a really good show. I thought I would get bored but it was quite entertaining and visually appealing. Two thumbs up from this guy.

The next morning we had a trip planned to see the red bluffs outside the city so with a quick bite to eat we went on our way.

I don't know which site I'd rather look at. :)

Just a  beautiful place with a beautiful woman.

 No one else booked this trip so it was our own private tour.  Ashley our friendly, knowledgeable and cheerful tour guide was a pleasant addition to the trip. She even recommended that we go eat at the Ellis Island Casino and Microbrewery so we did.  I passed on microbrewed beer since it was only 11:15 in the morning, regardless if I'm in Vegas or not, I still find that wrong. I opted for the rootbeer which was very refreshing and tasty. The food was served in big portions but wasn't anything spectacular. We had the shrimp cocktail, club sandwich and fish and chips. All ok but not great. Service was a tad slow but it was really busy there. 

Worth the trip to Ellis just for the root beer.

BIG sandwich, I just wish the flavor was as impressive but it wasn't.

We chilled at the resort actually relaxing by the pool and enjoying a champagne mixer before we headed out for the evening.  My food request for the trip was to eat at my favorite celebrity chef's restaurant. The chef is the one and only Wolfgang Puck and the restaurant isn't his famed Spago but his steak restaurant CUT. Many people told me to venture to other steakeries and what they thought were better eating establishments but I have always liked watching the way Wolfgang prepared food and seeing how he interprets dishes.  No one was going to convince me to eat anywhere else. I know he's not there searing the meat but I am sure he wouldn't put his name on a place in Vegas unless he knew that food they were putting out was worth eating. Well hopefully that was the case at least.

We got seated at a large table in the back away from the large room and loud tables. I noticed they did take into account that I made this reservation for a special occasion and they instantly got my approval.  They brought me an iPad with a list of their scotches and wine selection. I chose a nice glass of Springbank 14 year distillers edition and my wife snapped up a glass of pinot noir as she often does. She knew this was my thing to eat here and let me order our meal. I started off with a braised pork belly appetizer (almost Asian styled braised pork belly that was mouth melting and packed full of flavor), followed by a 20 ounce NY strip steak for us to share (seared perfectly and almost a crispy crust on the outside and very well aged and tender) and sides of brussell sprouts (my wife said mine is better and I have to agree) and roasted root veggies (healthy and delicious). We ended our meal with a coffee and doughnuts which was my wife's choice since she is the sweet tooth and it was mighty good. the coffee semifredo was much better than the vanilla doughnuts that came with it and with us being really full we chose to polish off the semifredo and left a couple of the doughnuts on the plate. The doughnuts were really good but the semifredo was great.

This is one instance where you build up eating somewhere in your mind so much that it's is hard for the restaurant to live up to your expectations but Cut did manage to meet and exceed my vision.  Well done Chef Puck, well done indeed.

In front of Cut.

Sorry for the terrible pictures but this was the braised pork belly.

My share of the NY strip. Cooked perfectly. Grlled then broiled under intense heat giving it that crispy crust.

 The coup de grace. 

What do you do after such a fine meal? Give Vegas back it's money of course...

 The next day was just more touristy stuff with my favorite lady. We started off the day with a hearty breakfast at the Hash House a Go Go. Huge plates of food is putting it lightly. I think my wife was served a loaf of bread disguised as french toast.  We went to the shark reef at Mandalay Bay and drank some drinks at a bar that was 5 degrees below zero. Our glasses were made of ice, the benches, tables, and everything else were also made of ice. We didn't stay there long but it was a fun expirience. We ate at the Burger Bar at Mandalay Bay which was pretty good. I also had an oxygen treatment at an oxygen bar but that wasn't a fun filled event. 

When you get an awe-inspiring look on my face, it's that impressive.

Yes folks, that's chicken and waffles.

Waffles stuffed with bacon that is.

Michelle loafing around. She didn't finish one slice off that plate but drank the tar out of that caramel coffee.

Petting sharks, just another thing this guy does that is awesome.

Strawberry banana shake at the Burger Bar.

My $22 signature buffalo burger and sweet potato fries. I couldn't talk myself into ordering their $60 Kobe burger. I don't love myself that much...

The cross section of a fine burger.

That night we ate at another disappointing buffet at the Rio. Their famed buffet was packed so we went to the seafood buffet there that was twice the price and wasn't anywhere near worth it. We did go to Penn and Teller after the meal though and that was an extremely entertaining show.

Impressively disappointing.

Teller after the show greeting people and getting photos snapped. Great show and two really nice friendly people.

 At the end of the first adult trip after having kids, we were surprisingly well rested and filled with the joys of a great vacation. We did miss the kids and our bed so we headed home.  The moment the plane touched down in Dallas though, I had a message from the school that the 5 year old fell and busted his chin and probably needed stitches or a glue job. Welcome back to reality. We rushed to the Urgent care facility where Grandma had taken the young guy. She told us how they had to pin him down to have the chin glued together. We got our marching orders from the doctor and left. 

There were other places we had visited, eaten at, experienced on our trip as well as a  other things from the home front such as grandma's sideswiping and car driving skills, the reopening of the chin wound and the Houdini hounds and a very patient dog sitter.  There is only so much I am able to share. Till next time my friends, enjoy your life; it's the only one you are getting. Eat well, love long, and smile often.