We VooDoo You

Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya-Ya/ Dr.John

They call me, Dr. John, The Night Tripper /Got my sizzling Gris-Gris in my hand / Day trippin' up, Back down by you / I'm the last of the best / They call me the Gris-Gris man / Got many clients / Come from miles around / Running down my prescription / I got my medicine, to cure all your ills / I got remedies of every description.......

Almost Cut My Hair--Paul Mordente

This has been my favorite song of late..... ALMOST CUT MY HAIR / David Crosby.

Almost cut my hair /It happened just the other day /It's gettin' kind of long / I could've said it was in my way / But I didn't and I wonder why / I feel like letting my freak flag fly / And I feel like I owe it, to someone.

Must be because I had the flu for Christmas / And I'm not feeling up to par / It increases my paranoia / Like looking in my mirror and seeing a police car / Well I'm not giving in an inch to fear / cause I've promised myself this year / I feel like I owe it, to someone.
When I finally get myself together / I'm gonna get down in that sunny southern weather / And I'm goin' to find a space inside to laugh /Separate the wheat from the chaff / I feel ...Like I owe it, to someone.

St.Bernardus Pater 6

Three Cheers for the St. Bernardus Variety Pack! This is the way to go. My beer fridge has become a wasteland for average to very bad beer. Buying a variety pack solves this. It will cost you more money, but you wont have a lot of bad beer sitting around. St.Bernardus Pater 6 is very good. A little more mild than 8. Excellent. Paul Rating: A.

St. Bernardus Prior 8

Good, yes. I can see why the Beer Snobs like these. Very good flavors, apricot somewhat...... Not as strong as 12, which makes this beer very good. Paul Rating:B.

Things take time to grow, unfortunately!--Paul Mordente

Then, why does it feel so curvy?--Paul Mordente

Shopping is so fun!--Paul Mordente

The Family--Paul Mordente

Unibroue Maudite

This is a very good beer. The color is a beautiful copper-brown and the taste is distinctive and tasty. Not too strong, very subtle. This is what you hope for when you go to Total Wine and try to find some good beers. I've been on a losing streak so far with tasting new brews and this one has pulled me out of the funk. Paul Rating: A.

Stone IPA

This beer is bizarre. It starts off very clean and cool but the finish is like an explosion of citrus. The back of your tongue sizzles with the taste of grapefruit or something........ Very strange. You get used to it by the end of the beer, but by that time, your glad the ride is over. Paul Rating:D.

St.Bernardus ABT 12

Here is another highly regarded beer that I do not care for. St. Bernardus ABT 12 was very disappointing. I must not have the "Sophisticated Beer Buds" yet to enjoy it. Thank god I bought the St.Bernardus Variety pack, because I don't think I could drink another. Paul Rating: D.

Budweiser American Fail

I know what your saying, but I had to try it. Something inside me wanted this to be good...Boy was I wrong. The unveiling of this beer is quite troubling. Did anyone bother to taste it???? Some beer expert at Bud decided this is "good"? Is a Bailout of Budweiser coming next? Paul rating: D. A monkey with no taste buds could do better.

Almost "Back" to normal!

Its been an interesting month and half since I last blogged. My grandfather passed, my back has 1 ruptured disk and one is about to go, my Main Man Obama won the election, football season, work, taking care of the baby....I've really had no time to Blog!!!! My back is the main culprit here. It's not fun sitting in a chair with extreme pain running from your back to the bottom of your left leg. Its like someone charlie-horsed me in the thigh and kicked me in the shin as hard as they could. Its not enjoyable. Plus going to numerous doctors, filling out paper work, getting Epidural Steroid injections, taking pain medicine, muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatory meds has consumed my life. I have one more Epidural shot to go, and if that doesn't work, I might need surgery. Lets hope not. I even got kicked off The South Florida Daily Blog due to my lack of blog activity. I'm still buzzing from the election. On pre-election days, we put the baby down by 7, it was just enough time to make ourselves dinner and get ready for Keith Olbermann on MSNBC. Just about after that, I was ready to crash. Again, no time to Blog!!! The pain in my back has gotten a lot better though...... Lets see how long it lasts! Ironically, during my blog hiatus, people would say to me,,"Hey, whats up with your blog?".....I would say "I never knew you read it!"

Life sure is funny.

Franzinkaner Hefe-Weisse and Sierra-Nevada Anniversary Ale

The Franzinkaner Hefe Weisse is really good. Indeed. Been thinking about it. That's when you know its a good beer....Paul Rating:A. The Sierra Nevada Anniversary Ale was very disappointing. I give it a C.

Dylan For President

Great Freakin' Book. Paul Rating: A+. Its funny, someone the other day was talking about the 60's and how when they were growing up , the 60's looked like absolute hell to them. I said" Like, man, where do I sign up?! Smokin hot hippie chicks all over the place, people involved in politics, a feeling that things may actually change......A feeling that IT might really happen." It was truly a special moment in American history. I can't get enough of it. I am also immersed in The Civil War as well. I guess I'm interested in being at battle with oneself.......Well ,if your a wanna-be revolutionary like myself, go and read this book, because its all tied into rock-n-roll and it's just fascinating. I don't blame Bobby-D for not wanting to be President. He probably would of turned into Castro.

Madden 09

This is by far the best football video game I have ever played. It's not perfect.... That title only goes to my wife, but this game has stunning graphics and great game play. Stadiums are incredible. Weather affects the field and your uniforms. I'm hooked. Online play is difficult, as you can imagine. I am currently 0-4, with only one touchdown to my name, and that came on defense! You better practice if your going to play online, these people are serious. Paul Rating: A.

NO SOLICITING !!!!!! That means YOU!!!

Is it just me or is everyone getting harassed lately? I've got people coming to my front door trying to sell me steaks, baby books, alarms, sprays to remove rust, Jehovah Witnesses, questionable pollsters, poor college/high school students selling magazines......It just doesn't end. I put a "NO SOLICITING" sign right in the middle of my door and they still knock. Its ridiculous. The city of Plantation needs to do something like this. Then to top it off, when I go to Publix or Blockbuster, I've got groups of people standing around in front of the store with religious literature....(" Sorry, No Hab-La-Es-Pan-Yol"). I really think it should be against the law to go around door to door selling shit. I really do. Nowadays, I don't want ANYBODY at my door I don't know.

Franziskaner and Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout

Yes, another visit to Total Wine. Its a bit more fun on Saturday night because the store is filled with all sorts of characters. Raging alcoholics, tourists, and your average knucklehead drinker seem to be in there. Mark, from the rag-tag hardcore fishing crew , "Insufficient Funds" recommended the Franziskaner(Below). Paul Rating on this beer is a B. The dark beer is Samuel Smiths Oatmeal Stout. Very interesting flavors going on here. Very good. Paul Rating: A.

When will I grow up and stop playing Video Games?

Its a very good question. But the question should be "Why should I stop?????" Throughout my entire life, video games have been present in my house. I have had all of the following systems: Pong, Breakout, Odyssey, Intellivision, Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Sega, Sega Genesis, Sega Genesis 2, Playstation, Playstation 2, X-Box, X-Box 360. (No, we never did get an Atari.) And I hope to get the WII next. Its just that video games are getting so much better, richer, more deep and complex. I know for many women out there, this is the kind of talk you want your 35 year old husband to be saying about YOU, not a stupid video game. Will women ever "get into" video games? RockBand, Guitar Hero and WII seem to have sparked an interest. So the world we live in.... and with the recent birth of my boy, I can look forward to another 20+ years of excuse-free video game playing..... HAHA!!!!!!............SUCKERS!

Prison Break Seasons 1-2 (DVD) = Female Soft Porn

Prison Break Seasons 1 & 2 are really good. There are many " O My God!" moments, but you just have to accept the fact that this a TV show, not reality. My Mother bought us season 1 and told us we should watch it since we really liked Friday Night Lights (which she bought for us as well). It seems my Mom and wife want to "cougar it up" with a certain young male character on the show. OK... fine. But then my Mom brings over Prison Break 1 and tells my wife that she is going to love the guys in this even more. Whats going on here??? Is my Mom a female smut peddler?? Is this how women trade and disseminate soft porn? This is very interesting stuff...... I'm starting to get the picture now. Season 3 comes out on DVD in August some time and I'm sure, well I know, my Mom and wife will be going up to Blockbuster to rent it.

Best Pizza in Broward = Angelo's Corner

Is it because it's right on the beach? Is it because it's right near the racquetball courts, new parking garage and water fountain park? Is it because the sauce, cheese, crispy dough and perfect crust complete the ultimate trilogy of pizzadom? Yes, Yes and YES! Angelo's Corner IS the best pizza in Broward, hands down. I've been eating there my entire life and nothing gets me more stoked than going down to Garfield Street and having a coupla slices and an ice cold beer. The Hollywood Beach Broadwalk is much improved, and it's one of the reasons that makes me enjoy living in South Florida. Runner up easily goes to Umberto's in Pembroke Pines on University Dr.

Is it really the News?

I'll be the first to admit it, I am a total news junkie. For my local news, I am an ABC Channel 10 person, despite the fact its not in HD. For National news it's NBC and MSNBC. A benefit of watching so much news is you become well acquainted with all the "News Hotties". Locally, my current "Number One with a Bullet" is Jacey Birch from Channel 10. The most underrated in my opinion, who should be getting a lot more attention is Pam Giganti from NBC 6. Shannon Hori from CBS 4 gets some props as well. As for the national scene, its probably a tie between Norah O'Donnell and Natalie Morales, both of the NBC Universe. Kirian Chetry of CNN gets you with the bubbly cute factor. CNBCs Maria Bartiromo and Erin Burnett will tell you if your 403b plan is making you any money. As for the Hated Fox Network, all hope is not lost. Megyn Kelly and Julie Banderas make you forget about all the hypocrites that work there.

Bodingtons Pub Ale, From Sir Esteban

I received my first gift for my beer fridge the other day. Fellow patriot , revolutionary, and gentleman, Sir Esteban, brought over some Boddingtons Pub Ale.( Thanks, bud!) Its very good. It's thick and goes down very smooth. Paul Rating on this beer is an "A".

You want a beer with that mista....?

Unlike most folk who tend to pair up their beer with food, I tend to pair mine up with literature. Whenever I drink a Dixie beer, I am thrown into the world of New Orleans and A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole, one of my favorite books of all time(#2). ( The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe is #1). Dixie beer is a crawfish drinking beer, informal and tasty. I also recommend everyone reading A Confederacy of Dunces before the dunces make a movie out of it. Brad Pitt has long been rumored to want to make this movie, and Will Ferrell will be playing the part of Ignatius. Sounds absolutely horrible. My advice is to leave it be, nothing can ever be as great as this book is.

Duvel

A lot of beer experts rate this beer very high. I don't know what to think. Is it a beer snob thing? Lets hope not. Beer should always be for the people. I bought the glass plus 4 Duvels at Total Wine for $16. The Paul rating on this beer for right now is a B. It's a taste that is very different than other beers.

Total Wine in Ft.Lauderdale

My friend Mark recommended this place to me and it didn't disappoint. Total Wine in Ft. Lauderdale off 17th street is the real deal. It's overwhelming. Give yourself plenty of time to cruise around the store and check out everything they have. The wine selection is enormous. Shawncy and I picked up our favorite table wine, Paul Masson. The beer selection is out of this world. They have beer that you can't find at your local knuckle-head alcohol store. You can create your own six-pack with beers from around the world. Prices are the cheapest around. It's the Home Depot of Alcohol.

The Ficus Hedge, My Love/Hate Relationship

Anyone familiar with the South Florida landscape knows about the ficus hedge. It can be your greatest friend or your worst enemy, depending on the circumstances. It's way better than a wooden fence, if properly maintained. Its a living wall, and that's the problem, it never stops growing. During the winter months, you can get away not trimming it for maybe a couple of months (Isn't that ALL of winter?). But during the summer rainy season, expect to have to trim it every couple of weeks. If your neighbors are the type of people that let their landscape go wild......well, your in deep trouble. The taller they get, the deeper and farther the roots will go. I currently have over 216 feet of ficus in my backyard and it's about 8 feet tall. I love the privacy, but knowing I have to get on a ladder every two weeks and trim it is daunting. I'm knocked out for the rest of the day. So, if your thinking of planting a ficus hedge, think about it hard, it will always provide great privacy, but your going to have to bust your butt for it.

Sailor Jerry

Although I have a beer fridge, my drink of choice is Rum. Rum and diet and only a lime when I'm feeling nautical. I used to be strictly a Captain Morgan person, but after a few months of sampling different Rums a couple of years ago, I found my Holy Grail of Rums. Sailor Jerry . It's 92 proof, almost twice as strong as Captain and better tasting. A hint of cherry too! Absolutely delicious. You might have some problems finding it though and prices vary from store to store. One store I went into had it for $45 dollars. At my liquor store, Plantation Wine and Liquors, you can pick it up for $23. Once you taste this Rum, as they say, there is no going back. If you are a Rum person and would like to do some reading on the history of Rum, I recommend you pick up the book "and a bottle of Rum.....A history of the New World in Ten Cocktails" by Wayne Curtis. In short, it's about Rum and how it helped shape American History, from grog to the mojito.Its a very good read. Cheers!

Best BBQ in Broward = Scruby's

Asking someone what is their favorite BBQ restaurant is like asking someone who they find attractive. Everyone has a different answer for different reasons. My favorite BBQ in Broward is hands down Scruby's. That's the first place I want to go for BBQ. They have three locations in Broward, but the one I go to is off 84 and Pine Island. The BBQ sauces I think is what does it for me. There are five different sauces from hot to sweet, and by the end of the meal, their all just mixed together. The beans are spectacular, the best I ever had, the quartered chicken is awesome, and that's all I order now. Everything is good....the pork platter, the pork sandwich, even the sweet tea. Whats your favorite BBQ in Broward? I'm always up for recommendations, I'm always up for eating.

Euro 2008

Although I enjoy watching soccer, I can understand why most of America doesn't. Its the non-stop diving, flopping, crying and falling to the ground like they just got shot in the leg with a bullet that tends to turn off a lot of people to the sport. All the above theatrics tend to make some of these professional soccer players look like "Nancys" , and as Americans, we should say " NO !" to Nancification. That's the great thing about American Football. The next play maybe your last. There's no time to ACT like your hurt.(Only in the closing minutes, when you need to save time, to kick the winning field goal). So I'll enjoy this Euro 08, the drama and all, but appreciate American Football even more, where the big boys come out and play for real.

Kona Longboard Island Lager

This is definitely a summer beer. Clean, crisp and refreshing (the label agrees with me), it goes down nice and cold. Paul rating: B.

My First All-American Fathers Day Gift

I have been a Dad now for six days. The most surprisingly "Dad" moment I have had was receiving my first Fathers Day present, a corn on the cob grilling basket with 8 corn skewers. I now know what Fathers Day is all about and I still laugh to myself about getting this gift. I really am a DAD now!!!! I have made it!!!! I cant wait to try this bad boy out because I love corn on the BBQ.

Summer is here-- Royal Poinciana

I'm one of those people who love (most of the time) summer in South Florida.The tourists are gone, school is out, traffic is not as bad.... I know it's hot....but I lived here my entire life and I can handle it. I love the sky in summer. The chaos of it. The colors. The boomer clouds. The cooling afternoon showers. One of the signs I know summer is here is when the Royal Poincianas are in bloom. Especially in the older neighborhoods where they are really tall and spread out. It's the most beautiful color orange imaginable. They are really messy though, and bare in winter. The saying is to give a royal poinciana to a neighbor so you can enjoy it from afar, but my theory is I should plant it, so You can enjoy it from afar. Now that's gardening!!!!!

Officially a Dad

Well, its official. I'm a Dad. Mason was born on June 10, at 11:06 PM. 8.5 pounds and 20 inches.( For those into that thing...I still don't get it). Shawncy and I survived the first two nights of a screaming baby and no sleep...I developed a migraine headache (from no sleep, eating like crap, and sleeping on a rock hard couch) and at one point I was throwing up in the bathroom while Shawncy was taking care of the baby. Good times. But we survvvvvived mmman, and the whole birthing process has been beautiful. Happy Fathers Day.

Sunflower Update

The sunflowers are really starting to bloom. The Skyscraper sunflowers have gotten really, really tall. The photo to the left is me looking up at one ( I'm 5'8..... and on a good day, 5'9). Keeping these bad boys well watered is the best way to make them grow really tall. The birds have been having a grand ole time with them, especially the cardinals.

The Beer Fridge

The Beer Fridge is looking pretty good. The sad part about it is the beer I want most is not in there. Fire Rock Pale Ale is the best beer I have tasted in a while. It is very unique, and it's no longer in my beer fridge.

Sleeman IPA #46

After coming home from Albertsons(Yes Ladies and Gentlemen, Albertsons. Shawncy and I detoured from our cozy Publix sanctuary and experimented to see if we would save money elsewhere (which we did!!)), I was very excited to try this beer. Its OK, nothing mind blowing. It really doesn't even taste like a pale ale. Paul rating on this beer is a C , and that is only because it has a cool bottle shape.

Presidential Display of Affection (PDA)

Well, thank god its not the Al Gore make out. That kiss alone should have told us Al Gore was never going to be elected President of the United States. This is what I like to see in Presidential Display of Affection (PDA). I mean, this is the type of stuff we have had to endure for the last eight years.(Do you want eight more?) Trust me when I say this, The "O" Man, will never let us down.

Decanters = Class

Could Einstein have imagined something as brilliant as that? Having a decanter means your serious. Your not playing around. Just the mere fact that I have a decanter makes me somewhat more elevated than you. Its just a fact of the universe, as Einstein would have most undoubtedly concurred . Shawncy picked up this decanter from the Faith Farm Thrift Store ("It's hit or miss"----Shawncy) in Ft. Lauderdale for $15. Obviously, it was owned by some very rich Baron who lost his "Old Money" in the stock market. It was a family heirloom for about 200 years.... But that is another story...For another time...... Now this beauty sits on MY counter, holding MY rum...It's too good to be true, if you could believe that.

My grass is dying, and I don't care anymore!!!!

Yes, I am coming out and saying it. "I don't care anymore about my stupid grass!!!" It's ridiculous. Why should we waste time, money and water on it. I feel enslaved to the yard. Cutting the yard, fertilizing the yard, watering the yard....It never ends. Its so conspiratorial..... You have to buy a lawn mower, fertilizer, sprinklers, pipes, you have to buy gas and pollute the air, pay the water bill, you have to spend your free time cutting it, weedwacking, edging, you have to make it look good when company comes over, and to top it all off, it will always grow back. Think about it. Its creepy. How bout that for a conspiracy theory, huh? Its perfect, and it comes with just about every house.

The "O" Man

Finally. The "O" Man did it. I hope he lets the dust settle before he picks a VP. I am not a big fan of putting Clinton as VP. I think Webb from Virgina might be a better choice. But lets wait and see...... The Republicans need Clinton to feed their hate machine and there IS always something going on with her and Bill. She is too easy a target. I feel it was pretty classless last night of her not to concede to Obama. Her and her supporters are such.... I don't know, what......crybabies. I am looking forward to the Obama V. McCain election. Politics is like football to me.

Bring in the Closer?

What a heart-breaking week it has been for Marlins fans. We could of won the Met series.... We could of won the Phillies series.....Now the Braves. Last nights lost killed me. I have never been a fan a bringing in the closer in the 9th inning if your current pitcher is going fine. I just don't get it. Is it a money thing? The stupid pitch count? Why take someone out of a game if they are doing fine. Hey, I understand if you have a righty in there and all lefties are up, but, just to bring in someone BECAUSE they are your closer shuts down a lot of your options. I'm going to stay positive though, remember, the Marlins are supposed to finish in last place. A 1 1/2 games out a first place at this point in time is A OK.

Fire Rock Pale Ale

Well, The beer gods are definitely looking out for me. My friend Tim who lives up in good ol' Tallahassee ( really Lamont), recommended I buy this beer at Publix. The problem is, I never saw this beer at my Plantation Publix. So while I was at Publix today picking up a few items, I went to the beer section, and whhhhhhaaaaaaa!, it was there. Weird stuff , man. He is right, this beer is very, very good. Paul Rating: A. I am liking the pale ales now more than ever.

When the Great Fall

Indiana Jones 4 is horrible. If anyone tells you that this movie is even "OK" there is something really wrong with them. It's a total piece of crap. I didn't want to see this movie, but somehow, I got cornered into going. "A fun night out"....Yea right. The part that gets me so mad is we spent $30+ dollars on this travesty, and I even had one get in free pass. Spielberg and Lucas have lost touch. Its the same old movie we've seen a hundred times. It worked in the 80s and 90s, but not anymore. How many more car chases through the jungle can we endure? Seeing these two great American directors and producers reduced to Indiana Jones 4 is embarrassing. Other people deserve our money, not these two dinosaurs.

Newcastle

Newcastle is smooth and mellow, just like it says on the bottle. It reminds me of soda pop. I don't know if it is the shape of the bottle or what, but its very Willy Wonka like to me. Its a good, solid beer, very drinkable. Paul Rating :B.

The Plantation Trolley (RIP)

The Plantation trolley circulated in an empty Midtown with nothing to do and plenty of parking. A better use for the trolley would be a direct shuttle to downtown Ft. Lauderdale or even Sawgrass Mills. Then people would use it! Parking is an issue in downtown Ft. Lauderdale and at least there are different restaurants, bars, entertainment and shopping at these other destinations.The much awaited, but lets see if it happens, 321 North, is nowhere close to even being actualized. With the downturn in the housing market, everybody's dream of bringing people to Midtown is not coming anytime soon. So why not use our resources and use the trolley for existing areas. The shuttle to these destinations would make Plantation a better place to live by providing public transportation to places people want to go. Saving on gas and parking would be a another benefit.The Plantation Trolley has a lot of potential, lets hope the City uses it right.

Carlsberg Beer

This is what I want after cutting the yard in 90 degree weather, an ice cold beer. Carlsburg is pretty good. The Paul rating on it is a solid "B". When I bought it, I thought it was going to be a light beer, in taste, not calories. Its is more solid than I thought, and I was pleasantly surprised. That said, the feeling after you have cut the yard is one of the best in the world. Sit down, have a beer, and savor the moment.

Yes, We're Certified !!

Today our yard became a Certified Wildlife Habitat. All you have to do is go online and fill out a questionnaire. It is a very simple process. The City of Plantation is encouraging its upstanding citizens to certify their yard. If your vain enough, and I guess I am, you can buy a metal sign to stick in front of your house. You also get a tee-shirt as well. If your interested, here is the link:
http://www.nwf.org/backyard/