Mmmm... Chicken....

Had to share this photo of good ol' Chick-Fi-La (or is it Fi-Le?) food from home in NJ.... Mmmm. Buttery chicken.

Below you'll see my friend Brian enjoying his "food."

This was from after Sue, Brian and I went to go see King Kong. I think that Jackson fellow may have a future in the "cinema," as I believe the kids are calling it nowadays.

You're probably all wondering what I've been reading recently. Well, let me tell you! I've been on a bit of a reading spree. I just finished not one, not three, but two books!

The first book I finished, two days ago, was "Team of Rivals," by Doris Kearns Goodwin, about Lincon's political history, and his relationship with his cabinet members. Fascinating read for those of you interested in US History of that era. From reading the book, it really is hard to imagine another politician of that era who would have been able to hold both the Union, and his own government together during a time when there was not only the military aspect of the Civil War occuring, but a change in the attitude of the populace about what would be worth fighting for.

At the start of the war, if Lincoln had said that the war was about slavery, very few in the North would have supported him. By the time of his second inaugrual, it was clear that that was the core issue of the war, and that slavery had to end. It's easy to take comments Lincoln or others made about the war, about slavery, and about the role of the federal government out of context, and what this book does it give the reader a detailed understanding of that context. I recommend it highly to everyone.

The other book I finished, just yesterday, is a very different beast. Chris Elliott's "The Shroud of the Thwacker." It took me a total of two days to read its 360 pages, because it was one of the most entertaining fictions I've read in awhile. Very funny, very *weird,* and very Chris Elliott. The book is a mystery, involving murder, New York, wee folk (the book's assignation, not mine), Teddy Roosevelt (continuing his infatuation with the Roosevelt family), time travel, sewers, gangs of New York, the Museum of Natural History, robots, and much more. There were parts of the novel that were kind of weak, transitions were not necessarily handled effectively in all parts, but for a good quick read, I couldn't ask for more.

I think that's good for now...

NP: Fish, Family Business

The Inkwell

While at home, my good friend Brian and I went to one of our favorite high school haunts, the Inkwell, located in Long Branch/West End, NJ.

While in high school, once I could drive, it was not uncommon during our senior year, for Brian and I to find our way to the Inkwell almost every night of the week. It's a coffee house, with basic food, almost like a diner for the younger crowd. Perhaps even the hip crowd, although whether we could be counted amongst that group, only others could be the judge of.

Brian and I went there on Monday night, the 26th. It was honestly the first time we had both been there in years, at least three or four. The inside was the way I remembered, although there was the addition of some vintage video game units in two of the rooms. The burger I had was tasty.

The best Inkwell story from yesteryear I have is the time I was there with Brian and our friend Brad Factor (yes, that's really his name). I wasn't terribly hungry, so I ordered rye toast. When our orders came out, my toast was a tad undercooked. Meaning, it hadn't been toasted at all. This struck Brian and Brad both as very comical, and much hilarity ensued, especially when I had to ask the waitress to bring the bread back to have it toasted properly.

I had never been served raw toast before. In a restaraunt.

Another time, Brian and I were there, and we realized we had enough money for our bill, but not for a tip. We didn't know what to do, until one of us realized we had a coupon for a free sub at Jersey Mike's in our pocket. We debated for awhile if it would be more insulting to leave the coupon in lieu of a tip, or to just leave nothing. We ended up leaving the coupon, and we never saw that waitress again. I think we might have been the last straw for her.

We didn't see any of the same waitresses there from our heyday. Not even the raw toast girl, or the coupon tip girl...

The Inkwell does have a website, but I didn't get the address, and I can't seem to find it on Google. Once I get it from Brian, I'm sure the link will find its way up here.

NP: Swanky Modes, Ordinary Man

Back from NJ

Ah, the holidays. Was at home in Monmount County, NJ, from Thursday the 22nd until today. One of my gifts I received this year was a digital camera, so you'll start seeing some visuals on this silly blog. My first photojournalistic essay is going to be called...

THE STORY OF THE MEAL

Here's my mom, preparing lunch on Christmas day for Sue and myself.

A set table... Salad. Mmmmm....

Sue, watching the skies....

The empty plate....

Roasted vegetables, thy name is YUM!!!

Does brown wine go with pasta?

The aftermath....

Of course, my mom has a cat, named Daisy. Here's a shot of her running from me...

And another...

She doesn't really like anyone other than my mom...

She does run quite quick. Maybe she's scared of the flash?

Finally got a photo of her the next day, where she was sitting under my mom's bed.

More photos to follow soon!

NP: REM, Saturn Return