Canadian Buffoon's DISmeet vacation - 09/14 - Bowled Over

[vamassey1]

And I just got the email
yesterday saying it's ready
to be picked up.

Let me know if you liked it.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

You'll notice I cut the veggie
intake by 50%.

Not half bad.

Always a good decision.

Don't be silly.
It's 2018, dude.
Nothing is sacred.

Ain't that the truth!

You are the only one to catch that!

I kept wondering if I had read that right. Then wondering why anyone in their right mind would eat there!

Oh? Do you enjoy that?

Maybe a little.

Really!
So... this is a chain, then?

I'd have to agree.

Please take note.
This is a rare event.

Noting time and place. Now running out to get a lottery ticket.

You can do that!?!?
Why was I not informed!!!???

Yes! We have successfully gotten more bread for the cheese course multiple times. It kind of destroys your appetite for the rest of the meal, but that's ok because the cheese is the best part anyway.

He's the guy that makes the broth.
Opening up cartons or tins of
chicken or beef broth is a lot of work!

I knew you'd understand!


So.... Been watching much
sky and grass TV lately?

Don't be silly.

I do that in the spring.



Nah. In the winter,
when I want to induce
extreme boredom...


I watch golf.
But only for a second,
that's as long as I can stay awake.



Are you feeling like you brought
a knife to a gun fight?

Not at all. First, I have long acknowledged my hypocrisy on these issues (note my recent post in the Dads club). And secondly, at least the golfers move to different holes, so the scenery changes. Whereas cars driving in the same circle for 4 hours...

I had a friend who was trying to explain his interest in NASCAR to me once. He started talking about pit stops, and how they were some of the most interesting parts of the race. I stopped him and said, "Wait...the most interesting part is when the cars are not actually racing? Doesn't that seem like a fundamental problem?"

So someone in your family
has an interest.
Or was it more that he was
asked to go and he said yes?

Dave is a huge F1 fan. Scotty's into it, too. I think they have friends at school that follow along. They usually try and watch the races on Sunday mornings. I couldn't care less and neither can my father, but he always gives my kids little trips here and there for their birthdays. He decided to do a big one for Dave's 14th, and knew he would love the race. And he was right! Good on my dad for being willing to go.

 

[chunkymonkey]

So.... which one do you pick?

I like the Mclarens. Is that how you even spell them? Haha I am obviously not a car person.

All right...

I'm kidding.
The above did not happen.
I made it up, just for some fun.

Is this a story you made up to cover the fact that you were the only one skinny dipping?

Here's the recipe:

Bloody Caesar
1 1/2 ounces vodka
4 ounces clamato juice
2 dashes Worcestershire Sauce
Dash Tabasco Sauce
Lime wedge
Pepper to taste
Celery salt*
Garnish: Celery stalk

Rim a highball glass with the juice from the lime wedge and the celery salt*.
Add the vodka and Clamato juice.
Season with pepper, Worcestershire and Tabasco sauces to taste.
Stir well.
Garnish with a celery stick.

*I prefer Caesar rimming salt to celery salt.

So you were skinny dipping AND you were the bartender? Nice party!

Pretty sure that Alison had posted
about this place a couple years ago.
And I knew I had to go.
It's called the Crap Pot.

Love that name!!

Yum! Everything, including the humans, look great!!

As a peace offering,
Alison suggested we order
the "famous" strawberry rhubarb cake.
So we did.
And it was good.
And we behaved.

I think because we were getting full.

OMG I love strawberry rhubarb! I must go here! It's in long beach?

And that's what we started with.
There were two burners on our table
so we ordered two different types
of cheese fondue.
Fran and Alison would pick one
and Kari, Liesa and I would pick
the other.
This seems patently unfair.
I think it should have been
Fran, Alison, Liesa and Kari
pick one and I pick the other.

That is terribly unfair. What should have happened is they pick one and you pick two flavors of your own. That's how to do it.

Maybe we shouldn't eat all
at the same table.
It's just... dangerous.
And painful.

I'll be wary of sharp objects with you guys!

This is Josef Newgarden's car.
Easy to tell that he is the
reigning Indy car champion.
How?
The champion always gets
to have the number one on the car.

Ah cool, I'm also assuming Verizon is a sponsor...hard to tell.

All I know is that a great weight
(Maybe a couple hundred pounds?)
suddenly crashed down on top of me,
bending me double and forcing my neck
to bend my head into my chest.
I might have blacked out for a second.
I certainly saw stars, was very dizzy
and felt like I was going to vomit
for a while.
I felt better after a few minutes
and was (mostly) back to normal
after about half an hour.

Yikes!! Did he at least catch the t-shirt? If he did, did he offer it to you?

Just (mostly) out of frame
on the right side,
you can see a Ferris wheel.
To the left is what appears
to be a roller coaster.
And that's what I thought it was.
Only later, did I find out
it's a bridge, designed to look like
the roller coaster that once
stood there.

That's neat! I never knew of this roller coaster frame bridge!

And... did you see it?

Yes!!

 

[franandaj]

There were a couple of McLaren’s
in the lobby and a Lambo out front.

Never heard of them!

So.... which one do you pick?

I assume they're worth a lot of money. I'll take the cash and buy a Dusenberg.

"Okay, it says go to the roundabout
with the flowers and turn right."

Did I say that? Oh maybe on the scenic route I told you to go up Park to 6th st. They put those annoying little roundabouts with flowers on every single N/S street at 6th street.

She gave us the penny tour of the house
and then we headed outside.

Actually it was the Nickel tour.

Alison had worked hard getting
the backyard and pool ready for us,
so when she suggested we take a dip,
we all agreed.

I didn't do anything to the pool, even heat it....so of course we know these are all lies!

Next thing I knew, Alison had stepped
out of her clothes and dove in the water!

I only do that after dark!

"Oh, no. Not you. You have to make us drinks!"


Spared by the call of bar tending duties.

I wish I'd taken pictures of you bartending!

All right...

I'm kidding.
The above did not happen.
I made it up, just for some fun.





The truth is...

I only put one
celery stick in each glass.

Yeah, I didn't give you enough for two sticks per glass.

Okay! Okay!

There was no skinny dipping either.
Sheesh. Taking all the fun out
of my complete lies.

I had mentioned in a previous TR
that I had had a Caesar (to drink)
and Alison (among others) had no idea
what I was talking about.

Oh no. I knew exactly what you were talking about and the idea of Clamato sounded....well, fishy.

So last year, when I visited,
I made her a little gift of Caesar fixins'.

And she was too scared to try it!

I told you the only way I was going to drink it was if you made it for me and put it in my hand.

If you've never had clamato,
you might be inclined to think that it
tastes.... fishy.
It doesn't.

Seems odd, though.

I think for the most part, people enjoyed it.
For those of you that I tagged earlier,
weigh in and let us know what you thought.

Yes, it was good! Probably all the other stuff, and then the very good vodka.

I don't remember whose idea it was,
but we decided to pose for a selfie.
I shamelessly stole this photo
from Liesa's TR.

It was either Liesa, Jenny or me, you know pictures or it didn't happen!

Pretty sure that Alison had posted
about this place a couple years ago.
And I knew I had to go.
It's called the Crap Pot.

You are the only one to catch that!!

Oh I caught it, but it's taken me a week to reply! He was the first one. I want sure if the typo was intentional or not.

...all of our food had been dumped
in the middle of the table!
Terrible mess, actually.
I'm sure she was quite mortified.

Good thing she dropped the serving bowl on the floor too.

We all stared at the food piled
in the middle of the table.
Who was going to get the choice tidbits?

I think actually there were plenty of choice tidbits to go around. Didn't we get a salad too?

Don't we all look deceptively
calm and peaceful?

Looks can be deceiving.

Running continuously since 1975,
The Long Beach Grand Prix is
North America's longest running
major street race.

I didn't know this.

I may or may not have eaten at some
of those spots over the course of
the three days I was there.

I'm pretty sure I see some TriTip on that grill.

We dodged blow darts and
a giant rolling boulder,
but eventually arrived intact
at our table.

Don't forget the snakes!

We do fondue at home occasionally,
but always meats in a broth.
I've also done chocolate a couple times,
but never had cheese.

When I'm feeling lazy about dinner, I buy a bag of pre made cheese and slice bread, apple, mushrooms, celery and some cocktail weenies for dipping.

The cheese courses came with
breads and vegetables.
The latter took me by surprise.
I hadn't considered anything but
breads for a cheese fondue.

I prefer the other stuff over the bread.

I don't recall exactly what
Fran and Alison ordered
as they created their own (I believe)

I believe we did Milk Chocolate and Bailey's.

Oh, no! Fire!!!
Luckily, I figured this might
be a possibility at a fondue
restaurant and had already
scoped out the locations of
the fire extinguishers.
I grabbed the nearest one,
pulled the pin, and doused the flames.

Mmmmm...fire retardant and chocolate. Nice combination.

It was right around then that I was
informed that a S'mores fondue
was supposed to evoke a campfire
motif and there was supposed
to be a fire.

D'oh!

I have never seen anyone clear
a table with as much alacrity
as this gentleman did!
As soon as we were done a course
(or even if we weren't)
this guy would zoom in,
slam to a stop at our table,
grab dishes, food, glasses,
wallets, utensils, napkins,
jewelry, plates,
and anything else that wasn't
bolted down.

He's lucky we were full or he might have lost a hand!

Qualifying isn't racing,
but it's still fun to watch.
Well.... for me.

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

If you ever want to see
an Indy race

Not particularly. Did I ever tell you we often leave town on race weekend?

What was cool was the crewman
then went and explained what
every single button and knob
did on the wheel.
I'll admit....
it was really cool!
Highlight for me.

Again glad you enjoyed it.

(Yeah, yeah... paint drying. I know.)

It was fascinating for me.

That's all that's important.

All I know is that a great weight
(Maybe a couple hundred pounds?)
suddenly crashed down on top of me,
bending me double and forcing my neck
to bend my head into my chest.
I might have blacked out for a second.
I certainly saw stars, was very dizzy
and felt like I was going to vomit
for a while.

I'm glad you were OK!

Just out of curiosity?
How many of you just
actually shuddered?

Nah, I knew you didn't take notes.

To the left is what appears
to be a roller coaster.
And that's what I thought it was.
Only later, did I find out
it's a bridge, designed to look like
the roller coaster that once
stood there.

I didn't know it was a bridge. I thought it was just "art".

The race was a blast to watch.
The seat I'd picked was great.
I got to see some good racing
with at least one crash
right in front of me
and one of the most spectacular
passes I've ever seen.

Again, glad you enjoyed it. I think by that time we were back home enjoying our restful recliners.

And... did you see it?

What happens under the bleachers stays under the bleachers.

 

[pooh'smate]

Great update. My dd loves to drink Clamato whenever we go to visit my in-laws.


ETA: I just saw that Netflix picked up Lucifer for a fourth season.

 

[pkondz]

so the thought was to do some catching up
on the rest of the TRs I read,
and then catch up here.

And.... I'm too burned out now.

28 shifts over the past 29 days and...


I'll see ya later.

 

[cinderkelly]

Happy Father’s Day Pkondz! Hope you have a great day!

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

I am still here. I promise. But I normally read at work and lately, because we run a dinosaur of an internet browser, the Dis hasn't been working for me. I'm hoping to hop on my laptop at home in the next couple of days to actually reply. But didn't want you to think I'd abandoned your TR!

 

[Pluto0809]

Doing a quick drive by to say hello! I've been reading along but never seem to be completely caught up to comment. Had a very busy spring with a lot of house renovations. Our finished basement flooded in January because a pipe in the garage broke. My husband swears he turned the water off but apparently not! Once we started with renovations we decided to keep going with additional stuff the insurance wasn't covering. In the end we replaced all the flooring in the basement and painted down there. Then we continued on the main floor (we have a split level house) with new flooring and painting and also had the popcorn ceiling removed. The only thing we didn't touch was the bedrooms and bathrooms. The renovations finished up at the beginning of May but I'm still trying to put everything back together that we had pack away!

I did enjoy your posts from LA because we did a lot of the stuff when we were there in 2017. It was interesting to read the differences in your Warner Brothers tour as compared to the one we did.

 

[pkondz]

So, took a couple of days to
decompress.
Well, that's all I have,
I'm back at work again.
But needed to catch up
on things at home
and in the "real" world.

But I'm back and gonna
try to catch up everywhere again,
starting with here.

 

[pkondz]

Let me know if you liked it.

Reading it now.
So far so good!
(Still only about... 50 pages in or so.)

 

[Kiotzu]

No.
The average eye is one inch wide.
The average stomach is
eleven inches long and six wide.

Unless of course..

hmm, I am not so bug eyed but close.

Yeah! You tell her!
Unless she picks something else.

I always pick, with her in mind of course.

Good!

Now Midterms are also done so I am finally writing!!! WOOO update today.

IT HAS BEGUN MUAHAHA...here is my TR link if you are so inclined:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/a-churro-filled-christmas-vacation.3688907/#post-59371457

 

[pkondz]

Always a good decision.

Thought you might feel that way.

I kept wondering if I had read that right. Then wondering why anyone in their right mind would eat there!

You wouldn't?
Doesn't sound yummy??

Noting time and place. Now running out to get a lottery ticket.

You must've won.

And when I say "you",
I mean "we".

Where's my cut?

Yes! We have successfully gotten more bread for the cheese course multiple times. It kind of destroys your appetite for the rest of the meal, but that's ok because the cheese is the best part anyway.

I would easily go back and
just have the cheese course.
(and the chocolate.)

Not at all. First, I have long acknowledged my hypocrisy on these issues (note my recent post in the Dads club). And secondly, at least the golfers move to different holes, so the scenery changes. Whereas cars driving in the same circle for 4 hours...

I had a friend who was trying to explain his interest in NASCAR to me once. He started talking about pit stops, and how they were some of the most interesting parts of the race. I stopped him and said, "Wait...the most interesting part is when the cars are not actually racing? Doesn't that seem like a fundamental problem?"

Sorry, didn't see the DISdad post.

4 hours?
a.) My races are usually capped
at about two hours.
b.) then again... there's the
24 hours of LeMans.

NASCAR... no comment.
I find it boring.
I like watching the skill
that the drivers show me
when setting someone up
and then executing a pass.

And... it depends on the race.
I've seen races where there's
been 3-4 lead changes...
on a single lap!
And they do that for dozens
of laps.
Fun to watch!
But! I totally get that
it's not for everyone.

Dave is a huge F1 fan. Scotty's into it, too. I think they have friends at school that follow along. They usually try and watch the races on Sunday mornings. I couldn't care less and neither can my father, but he always gives my kids little trips here and there for their birthdays. He decided to do a big one for Dave's 14th, and knew he would love the race. And he was right! Good on my dad for being willing to go.

You should go too.
Those races are completely
different when seen live.
(Like most sporting events.)

 

[pkondz]

I like the Mclarens. Is that how you even spell them? Haha I am obviously not a car person.

That's how you spell it.

And... I like them too.
They just look nicer.

Is this a story you made up to cover the fact that you were the only one skinny dipping?

It's my Canadian white skin.
I didn't want to blind anyone.

So you were skinny dipping AND you were the bartender? Nice party!

I had to make up for blinding
everyone some how!

Love that name!!

Okay, it was the Crab Pot...
But my version is more fun.

Yum! Everything, including the humans, look great!!

Yes, all the female occupants
looked wonderful.

OMG I love strawberry rhubarb! I must go here! It's in long beach?

That is terribly unfair. What should have happened is they pick one and you pick two flavors of your own. That's how to do it.

But then I'd be all alone
at my own table.


Wait a minute! What are trying to do!?!?!?

I'll be wary of sharp objects with you guys!

Fair warning.

Ah cool, I'm also assuming Verizon is a sponsor...hard to tell.

Yikes!! Did he at least catch the t-shirt? If he did, did he offer it to you?

I have no idea.
I think there were a few guys
jumping for it.
That's how one got pushed onto me.

(I think)

It's kinda fuzzy.

That's neat! I never knew of this roller coaster frame bridge!

Cool, right?

Yes!!

 

[vamassey1]

Reading it now.
So far so good!
(Still only about... 50 pages in or so.)

I'm so glad you reading it. I can't believe you have time but still glad.

 

[pkondz]

I assume they're worth a lot of money. I'll take the cash and buy a Dusenberg.

Then take the Lamborghini.
Worth more.

And...

Nice choice!

Never heard of them!

McLaren I'm not overly surprised.
In the race world it's a very well
known name.
But surprised a bit that you haven't
heard of Lamborghini.

Did I say that? Oh maybe on the scenic route I told you to go up Park to 6th st. They put those annoying little roundabouts with flowers on every single N/S street at 6th street.

Yep. The scenic route.
I ignored the GPS
and had Liesa read off
your email.

Actually it was the Nickel tour.

It was worth more to me, actually.
Thanks again Alison, for your
kind hospitality.

I didn't do anything to the pool, even heat it....so of course we know these are all lies!

pfffttt....
It's California.
What's the coldest it gets?
85?

Come up here.
You could skate on mine.

I only do that after dark!

I know.
The photos don't lie.


er... I mean...

Really! I had no idea!

I wish I'd taken pictures of you bartending!

Photos or it never happened?

Yeah, I didn't give you enough for two sticks per glass.

Actually... weren't there extras?
Seem to recall there were.

Oh no. I knew exactly what you were talking about and the idea of Clamato sounded....well, fishy.

It does, in retrospect.
But it certainly doesn't
taste that way.

And so it wasn't you...
But I do recall a few people
wondering if I'd had a salad.

I told you the only way I was going to drink it was if you made it for me and put it in my hand.

Yes you did.
And yes I did.

Seems odd, though.

I suppose.
Then again, I'm used to it.

Yes, it was good! Probably all the other stuff, and then the very good vodka.

Good! Glad you liked it.

It was either Liesa, Jenny or me, you know pictures or it didn't happen!

No idea!

Oh I caught it, but it's taken me a week to reply! He was the first one. I want sure if the typo was intentional or not.

Bit of both actually.
I did type it that way
by accident (typo).
But then I liked it
and decided to leave it.

Good thing she dropped the serving bowl on the floor too.

Two of them!

I think actually there were plenty of choice tidbits to go around. Didn't we get a salad too?

Yes we did.
It's in the photo.

I didn't know this.

But considering what you told me,
(and mentioned again here.)...

I'm pretty sure I see some TriTip on that grill.

And I didn't have any.
Still haven't...
Maybe I should, soon.

Don't forget the snakes!

Snakes...
Why did it have to be snakes?

When I'm feeling lazy about dinner, I buy a bag of pre made cheese and slice bread, apple, mushrooms, celery and some cocktail weenies for dipping.

Yum!
Is that a fondue mix?
Or just get your own cheeses?

I prefer the other stuff over the bread.

Interesting.
I love dipping veggies...
but with cheese fondue,
I immediately think "bread".

I believe we did Milk Chocolate and Bailey's.

Ah.
I knew there was an alcohol,
but that's it.

Mmmmm...fire retardant and chocolate. Nice combination.

It adds a certain
je-ne-sais-quoi.

D'oh!

I know.
Either Liesa or Kari
mentioned it.

He's lucky we were full or he might have lost a hand!

I considered it,
but couldn't figure out
if it should go in the broth
or in the cheese.
(certainly not the chocolate.)

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Not particularly. Did I ever tell you we often leave town on race weekend?

Yup! I remember that.
And you also were surprised that
I even knew about it and thought
it was just a local thing.

Again glad you enjoyed it.

I did!

That's all that's important.

Well... to me... yep!

I'm glad you were OK!

So was I!
The thought of my back going out
crossed my mind.

Nah, I knew you didn't take notes.

You did? How?

I didn't know it was a bridge. I thought it was just "art".

Again, glad you enjoyed it. I think by that time we were back home enjoying our restful recliners.

Again, I did!

What happens under the bleachers stays under the bleachers.

Mum's the word!
Marvin's the name.

 

[pkondz]

Great update.

Thanks!

My dd loves to drink Clamato whenever we go to visit my in-laws.

In Canada, I presume.

ETA: I just saw that Netflix picked up Lucifer for a fourth season.

Yes! I saw that too!
Hoping it will be available
up here.

 

[pkondz]

Happy Father’s Day Pkondz! Hope you have a great day!

Thank you! I did!

 

[pooh'smate]

In Canada, I presume.

Montreal.

 

[pkondz]

I am still here. I promise.

Hi, Annie!

But I normally read at work and lately, because we run a dinosaur of an internet browser, the Dis hasn't been working for me.

I feel your pain.
For a while, I couldn't
get it to work either.
Luckily, we also have
Chrome and that worked.

I'm hoping to hop on my laptop at home in the next couple of days to actually reply. But didn't want you to think I'd abandoned your TR!

Okay, I'll be lookin' for ya!