Author: ryan

Valentine Moon & Hot Sauce

I woke up this morning, went into my office, and found a bag on my desk from my lovely wife Kelly. In the bag were some Samuel Smith’s beers (stout, porter, and India pale), and the biggest bottle of Louisiana Hot Sauce I’ve ever seen (32oz). I love this hot sauce (it’s not very hot, but it’s really tasty and goes with anything), and had recently purchased a tiny 3oz bottle a couple days ago. Kelly found this beast of a bottle, and bought it for me for Valentine’s Day. That’s right, I don’t need flowers or chocolates or wimpy cards, I need beer and a giant bottle of HOT SAUCE! Raaaawwwrrrr! Remember, hot sauce goes good with anything… soup, pasta, pizza, eggs, potatoes, salad, toast, cereal, ice cream, fresh fruit, etc. This bottle will be empty in a few days. Yes, Kelly knows me well.

Another example of Kelly’s love for me (and her willingness to eschew the typical Valentine’s Day trappings of overly-packed Italian restaurants), we went to Moon & Sixpence, where we had a few pints and some dinner (Kelly had the Ploughman’s, and I had the Steak and Mushroom pie, which was very tasty). Wonderful night, much needed after my day. Love you Kelly!

A Good Saturday

Last night Kelly and I had a night in. She made turkey lasagna and garlic bread, and we watched Sunshine, which I liked quite a bit.

Kelly had class today, so I slept in a bit, waking up at around 8:30am (yup, that’s sleeping in for me now, urgh). After spending a little bit of time on the computer nerding out, and discovering the band Born Ruffians (kind of an indie / folk / rock sound) and noticing how perfect their sound was for the weather outside (50 degrees and sunny) I decided to get out of the house. We had to take our car into the dealership for some under-warranty maintenance, so I scheduled a 2pm appointment, and then went down to the Bishops on Alberta for a haircut. I had an hour wait, so I walked around the neighborhood a bit. Loads of people out, which happens every day like this in the winter, people crawl out of their forced hibernation and squint their eyes at that bright orb in the sky, then wander around smiling and happy. I admit I was in good spirits too just to be out it the not freezing, not raining, not dark and cloudy weather with nothing to do for an hour.

After my haircut, I went across the street to Mash Tun for a glass of beer and some soup (the beer was their new Concordia Cream Ale which was really really good) before going out to the dealership. What was supposed to be an hour thing only took about 25 minutes and I was back on the road.

Now I’m sitting on my porch enjoying the not-freezing weather and sipping on a beer. Tonight Kelly and I meet Mr & Mrs Ghost Dog at Concordia Ale House for some food and more beer. Hooray!

Beer Food Work

More Moon (and Kelly job news)

Post author By ryan
Post date February 7, 2008
No Comments on More Moon (and Kelly job news)

Tonight after work I met both my brothers at Moon & Sixpence for some dinner and beers. I got there long before either of them made it, and it was a total mess… Deschutes Brewing was having a tasting event there (which I remember reading about, but forgot completely) so I opened the door to the pub and people nearly spilled out it was so packed. Eventually got a table (shortly before my brothers arrived) and ended up staying. Fortunately it mellowed out greatly after about 9pm so it turned out to be fine.

While there, Kelly called me to tell me (more like screamed with excitement) that her new employer accepted her counter-offer and that she starts a week from Monday. Hooray! We were both nervously waiting for a response to it. Always nerve-wracking to put in a counter, and then have to wait for what seems like forever for a response.

I ended up staying a bit too late (brother T wasn’t in a hurry to get home, and kept saying “oh go on, get another beer”) so I didn’t make it home until 1:30am. Urgh. Tomorrow’s gonna be rough.

Beer Music Work

Louis XIV and Editors

Tonight Kelly and I went to see the Editors show at Roseland, with Louis XIV opening. After I left the office I met Kelly at Shanghai Tunnel, which turned out to be less than great. The bartender woman was in an obviously foul mood and made no attempt to be even superficially friendly. And despite how empty it was (there were about six people in the entire place) the music was cranked up to 11, so loud Kelly and I had to yell to talk to each other. I finished my pint of Guinness and then we left and went down the street to the Thirsty Lion where, despite how crowded it was, and the TV’s all playing a soccer match, it was still half as loud as Shanghai. We had a meal there, and another pint before walking up to the venue.

We got to the Roseland early enough to sit in the downstairs bar and share a beer before we went upstairs. It was pretty empty so we got a couple seats in the balcony. The Louis XIV show was really fun. I liked their first album a lot, I liked the raunchy, innuendo-filled lyrics, the rock vibe, etc, and the show was a lot of fun. It was a refreshing show to see, with lead singer Jason Hill strutting around the stage like he was Mick Jagger, and the violinists adding a touch of larger-than-life. Just fun. There is a track from the new album, Air Traffic Control, which I already liked, but the live version was a great deal more powerful (nearly brought a tear to my eye).

After a long break between sets as the stage got reset, Editors came on stage and played a really strong show. This was the third time Kelly and I had seen them (the first, at Dante’s, and the second at Berbati’s Pan). Each time they get stronger, and this show was no different. It was a really great show, energy from lead singer Tom Smith was at full, at times running around the stage, crawling / standing on his piano, etc. Excellent show all around.

We left and it was pouring down rain, so the walk (no, run) from to our car was just far enough that we got pretty drenched. Even that though, after the show, was fun. 🙂

Beer Work

Kelly job news!

After a hard day of work (today was particularly exhausting, mentally) Kelly and I met up at Rose & Thistle for a couple well-deserved pints.

Shortly after getting home, I was sitting in my man-cave (the garage) with a beer and my laptop when Kelly literally BURST in to announce she’d received an email offering her a job she was hoping for! This is, hands down, the most fantastic news for her, and I couldn’t be happier. Assuming she accepts the offer, she’ll be working downtown (for the first time in several years) not far from the SuperSweetCo offices (for now anyway, until we move to a new building). While she still has nearly two months left before she finishes her Masters program, I’m sure she’ll be able to finish the program while learning the ropes at a brand new job.

All together now: Congratulations Kelly!