Sad Anniversary

As you may know (or not), today is the first anniversary of Michael Jackson's death. I have been mourning for him since his death and still tear up when I hear his songs. There will be many tributes tonight in his honor and I hope you keep him in your mind as much as I will.

Baaack

Okay, I guess I went AWOL and took some time off. As I see it, it was a wee bit of time. So unusual for me to just not write something. I guess I have been distracted with work. Learning new things, new people, new politics. You name it. I have to admit that this time is a bit more challenging than usual. Why, you ask? Change of work culture is one facet. The general attitude is different and folks there are a bit more (ahem) relaxed. Relaxed in a different way. Work habits and behaviors are different. Not the hustle and bustle that I am used to. A little bit less business environment. Staff is generally younger and their view of life and work comes from a different direction. More of the what-can-you-do-for-me entitlements rather than working for respect and earning it. Changing work processes is one thing but changing people...well...how much can one really affect change? We will have to see as this is the challenge. I will maintain my corporate business work ethic and just wait for that to rub off and affect change. Time. Tick, tock goes the clock.

I guess I should just lay off for now or I will go off on a tangent.

Happy Hour Friday - Margarita

Getting ready for Cinco de Mayo, so must have margaritas.

Margarita

Rim a tall glass with salt.
Fill glass with ice.

Add:

• 1 oz. tequila
• 1/4 oz. Triple Sec
• 1/2 oz. lime juice
• Fill with sweet and sour

Garnish with a lime slice.

Enjoy with lotsa salsa and guacamole.

Happy Hour Friday - Hot Toddy

Sigh. Hot Toddies only because I need them. Been a bit under the weather the past few weeks. Hot Toddies may be an old wives' cure but it works for me.

Hot Toddy

In a heat proof glass or mug, add:

• 1 tablespoon honey, or to taste
• 1-1/2 oz. whiskey (or my fave -- Wild Turkey Honey)
• 1 lemon wedge, juice squeezed
• Hot water

Stir and sip.

Bus Karma

Okay, I admit it. I have bad bus karma.

• I miss the bus by a light...a lot.
• I walk three blocks to the express bus...then end up waiting 15 minutes.
• I wait for a limited because it comes right after the local bus...then five more local buses show up but no limited.
• I take the express in the morning...then it gets snarled up because of an accident up the way.
• I miss the express so I walk up to the next stop to take a limited...then the limited swoops down and I miss it...by a light.
• I get a primo seat...and then an overly scented person sits down next to me.
• I take the local because it is empty as heck...and then the limited swooshes by five minutes later.

Happy Hour Friday - Vodka Gibson

I was talking about Gibsons the other day and now I cannot get them off my mind. Will I have one? Will you have one?

Vodka Gibson

Fill a shaker with ice.
Add:

• 2-3 drops dry vermouth

• 1-1/2 oz. vodka

Shake until very cold.
Strain into a martini glass.

Garnish with:

• Cocktail onions

If you want to make it a Dirty Vodka Gibson, add some of the onion juice to the shaker and blend.

All Cracked Up

Dang it. I cracked my tooth. Broke it, actually. Rats. And get this...I was eating carrots. Sigh. I thought I would be good about my munchies since I have had that weird craving of late for those wafer cookies. Well, that just bit me. I usually buy the baby carrots and then I pick through the different bags for the smallest carrots. I felt the tooth go but thought I just came down crooked. Nope. I think I cracked it. And then I was eating the day after and there it went. I heard a crunch. Ohhhhh ohhhhhh. That did not sound good. Thought I would check on the tooth and felt it. Uhhhh, kinda loose. Oops. There it goes. Wiggled it and half of my tooth is now in my fingers. Well, could have been worse. It broke off on my filling so that half of the tooth just sheered off. Crap. This means another crown and those are not the crowns I usually like to play with. And another unintended expense. I seem to be mellow about it. Growing up, maybe? Ha ha ha...