...now we can both be cool.

I guess I just don't know what's cool anymore. This morning I had a discussion with e:dragonlady7 wherein i posited that the coolest car in the universe would be a new diesel VW Rabbit converted to use waste vegetable oil.

She did not agree.

I said ok, the coolest car in the universe would be an old diesel VW Rabbit converted to use waste vegetable oil.

She just sighed.

Anyway-- Century Grill tonight, if anyone else is interested in stopping by and being cool.

- Z

so e:dragonlady7 and I are going to hang out at the Century Grill TOMORROW and drink beer and eat wings. [It's part of Dining Out for Life - 50% of your bill will go to AIDS Community Services of WNY and AIDS Family Services].

I don't know when we're going or how long we're staying, but if anyone else wants to join us, slap me a post-it or just stop in.

- Z

Geezer drinks are the new hipster drinks. Had a brandy alexander at Shadow Lounge last night that rocked my socks off. Here's another goodie you'd be able to make if only you hadn't poured out that Christian Brothers your great-uncle gave you for Christmas eight years ago.

Sidecar
1.5oz brandy
0.5oz cointreau
some sour mix and a lemon wedge

Serve neat and cold in a chilled stem glass. V. tasty, v. dangerous.

- Z

It has recently come to my attention e:zobar,37 that some people have formed the opinion that I am what is referred to as a "Jersey hater." [How's that for passive voice?] I categorically deny all allegations.

I used to live in Jersey City, NJ in a neighborhood not too dissimilar from, say, Fillmore Ave. Let us call it a neighborhood in decline, and leave it at that. My first night out I was both solicited by prostitutes and stopped by the Bayonne Police for looking like a suspected felon. Other tenants in my building did, indeed, drink 40s on the porch, though I believe their preferred libation was Colt 45 .

And I did not like Jersey, per se. When describing Jersey City, I have been known to use the word 'sucky.' And when I crossed the Newark Bay Bridge for the last time I believe that I may have rolled down my window and shouted 'God's mercy on you swine!' to, well ... let's face it, the entire state.

I was young and foolish then, and I accept full responsibility for my youthful indiscretion. I did not understand the full gravitas of the word 'sucky.' But I did learn, when I moved to Westchester County, NY.

When describing Westchester I have used the words 'suckier than Jersey,' and I still hold this to be true. When I crossed the Tappan Zee for the last time I believe my words were 'May God have no mercy on you swine,' and continued with the invective until well after I had passed Middletown, NY. It's not so much that Westchester is any suckier than Jersey, but that Westchester doesn't understand why it's sucky, or even that it is sucky. Jersey, on the other hand, is what it is. No illusions, no pretensions, just Jersey. And for that I commend Jersey. [I also commend Jersey for both the Colonette and the Miss America - two excellent diners who understand the Tao of Reuben. But I digress.]

I save my most spiteful invective, though, for Bergen County, NJ; my 'Bergen County Suburb Name Generator' can speak for itself.

- Z

The weather was gorgeous, so here's a couple unrelated tidbits for anyone else who's coming off their seasonal funk disorder:

Got the scooter out and hit the strip. Enjoying the weather, watching people, and just generally driving like your grandmother [which is highly underrated].

There's some good news on the horizon regarding e:dragonlady7 's writing career [not to mention my own eating career] - stay tuned for more as things become official.

Finally got an excuse to put the greatest song in the universe on the corporate website :

I understand that you want to talk to me
but Verizon Wireless is dogging me.
Don't you know that weekends and nights are free?
So if it ain't one of those, don't holler at me.

The whole album ('Things Go Better With RJ and Al') is excellent both musically and lyrically, and I kind of want to put the whole thing up on Gather ... but that may be a little excessive.

New journal music: 'Music to Watch Girls By,' by the James Taylor Quartet [no, the other James Taylor] from the excellent 'Lounge-A-Palooza' compilation. Good spring music. Good summer music. Good seasonally-induced-euphoria music.

I think I'm going to go to the beer store now, pick up a 40bo of Labatt, sit on the front porch and kick it Jersey City style. [Yes, I'm a North Buffalo boy, but you've got to understand - this is Kenmore and my neighbor is this rotten shrivelled up old hag. It doesn't take much.]

- Z