So,..Bradenton,..the weather really was not the greatest in the world. We had planned on flossing on the beach and eating fruits and granola bars out of our cooler and enjoying the sunshine. Not so much. It was cloudy, windy and raining. So,..we just hit all the Florida tourists shops. I know, I know,..same ole stuff and gimmics, but it's funny to see how other people react and respond to this stuff. It cracks me up. There was one good shop that was not so touristy that we enjoyed. Had homemade stuff and it was very creative. I actually bought my wife a necklace and bracelet combo that she did not see me buy, but I had to let her open the bag after we got out of the store. Lunch was at a local place called The Sandbar. Pretty good food,..had a Sam Adam's of course and we split an crabcake sandwich with hushpuppies. Pretty tasty. I recommend going there if you are ever in the area, good food, nice place that is right,.i mean RIGHT on the sand in Anna Maria Island. Bradenton is a very peculiar city I might add along with Ellenton. Total retirement city all the way. I mean,.left and right trailor parks and retirement villages with motor homes and those modular homes. It was also funny to see at the entrance to these places Florida flags AND Canadian flags. Hysterical. Florida makes me laugh sometimes. Someplaces are exactly what they seem to be, and there are places that are not. Bradenton is your stereotypical retirement area. Not for the Lanier's I don't think. So,.that's that. Really would have liked to gone to the Orlando Beer Festival this weekend, but didn't find out until last minute, but if you did tell me about it. If anybody reads this post besides me.,probably not. Monday is here in full swing. Going to dentist. Yea...Work,..yea,...real exciting. Oh,..the local place I was talking about in Bradenton was the Shake It,..yes, that's the name. Old School drive in sort of place. WE did not stop but saw it on the way there. We remembered it was known for milkshakes and after the beach food such as hotdogs and hamburgers. Definitely worth going there though, we just were not hungry at the time we passed by. Well, have a good Monday people,..see ya later.
I love Bruce Springsteen. I have to tell you this as I'm listening to his music this morning. There is something about this man and his band that just makes sense to me. Haven't figured it out yet, but that's okay. There is an honesty to his voice. Almost a message in some songs that he has. I remember when I was a senior in high school we had to vote on a senior song. I picked Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen. I had to write it in, and it never won, but I thought that was a fitting song to an end of an era. Through the years I have discovered his earlier work and have come to appreciate it more than the 80's "Born in the USA" and "Dancing in the Dark" days. Those are still good songs, but I tend to like 70's era better. Like I said, I was born in the wrong era. I really do not know many people my age that like him really. Bruce came out right in the middle of an era that was disco crazed and where it was hard to make it at the time. "Born to Run" had to succeed or he was getting dropped from his record label. It's funny how things work out. "Greetings from Asbury Park" and "Darkness on the Edge of Town" are great albums. It's hard to believe that they were not that successful. I have to say that Bruce is one of my top 5 artists of all time. If you do not own a Bruce album or if you have never listened to him before, i highly recommend finding "Born to Run" and listening to it. A great album with a lot to say. It stands the test of time. Tracks like "Backstreets" and "Jungleland" are reminders of life in a small town with dreams of something bigger. I think we can all relate to that feeling. Most of us have at some point or another thought of how we could leave where we are and transform our lives. I know I have. On that note I leave you with wishes for a good weekend and good beer, great friends and awesome times. Heading to Bradenton on Sunday to the beach! Can't wait. Take care,..and listen to what Bruce has to say, you might find out something about yourself.
First St. Patty's Day
Labels: Beer, Events
So,..I have never really celebrated St. Patt's Day. I know, pretty lame I guess, but I just have never really payed much attention to it. I guess for one day out of the year, everybody can pretend to be Catholic and pretend that they are from Belfast or Dublin. Me and my buddy thought it would be funny to walk in the pub dressed in orange from head to toe with crosses on and play machine guns like what. The reactions would have been priceless. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, read your Irish history son. Last night I went out with some good friends and we celebrated. The same bar that we all play trivia at every Tuesday decides to have a cover tonight. Of course they did, $10 bucks. Not to bad really considering everything. Don't worry O'Toole's, I will still be coming back every Tuesday to play. As you can imagine all the Guiness shirts, me included, and Irish this and Irish that. I noticed how even the Bud Lights and Budweiser's that some people were drinking (lame in itself, especially on St. Patty's Day when everybody should be drinking an Irish brew of somekind) had green bottles. So funny, Great marketing once again by the makers of Budweiser. Whatever. Anyway, I had four beers, two Guinesses and two Smithwick's. I actually prefer Smithwick's over Guiness. I think it tastes better, but I'm sure some people would disagree. Overall, a good night of taking in the festivities and appreciating where we all pretty much come from in one shape or another down the line somewhere. I think it's important to embrace heritage and appreciate it, and even in some circumstances, toast to it and down a drink! So, here's to my first St. Patty's Day and may many more bring me good times and good friends! Next plan, me and my wife are going to Bradenton on Sunday to the beach and if I remember right,..i will tell you about a local burger joint that has been around for years that we ate at last time we were there..maybe include some pictures as well. Damn, I need to get better at this blogging stuff. More technological I guess,...hmmmm. Well,..see you around the bend.. Go eat and drink something that you have never had before and tell me what you think.. Afterall, that's why the hell I started this shit anyway. Have a good one!
Well, this is my first post AND my first blog. I am very new, but hey, got to start somewhere. If you know anything about me, I'm passionate about a few things. ONE, music,..i love music and am open to all types. I love classic rock the most. I was definitely born in the wrong era I think, but you like what you like right? SECOND, food. I LOVE food. I try most anything that is available and search for local restaraunts that are not all over television. LASTLY, beer. Good beer. I believe that some of the best restaraunts are right in your own neighborhood that you probably didn't know existed. So, get out and explore where you live, no matter where that might be and support your community by eating at local places, drinking good quality beer and listening to good tunes with friends. Well, there you go,..ohh,..I am a Florida native and me and my wife live in Brandon, FL, just south and east of Tampa. That should have been at the beginning but I'm not an English major. Who cares,..go eat and drink something and have a blast doing it!
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