An Evening of New…

Tonight is a portentous evening. An evening when many new things are coming over the horizon…

• After driving only Mazda Miatas for the last 18 years, I’ve traded my 2005 Mazdaspeed MX5-Miata for a 2011 Hyundai Tucson. I loved the Miatas – especially the Mazdaspeed edition with turbo-charger, intercooler, and all sorts of other features – but the 3-season nature of these cars has finally caught up with me. As incredibly enjoyable as they are in Spring, Summer, and Autumn, they are throat-clenchingly bad in snowy, icy weather. I made the deal this evening and will take delivery of the new Tucson in the next couple days. It was a difficult decision to decide to move away from my beloved Miatas, but it was time. The Tucson is an impressive vehicle which will be great for my needs and, now that I’ve decided to get one, I am anxious to get it!
• Wendy called me this evening to invite me to her hospital to meet a “very special” cat that has been under her care for a few days. This usually means that it’s an animal she wants to adopt, and tonight was no exception. The cat, a pure-bred Siamese with a hospital name of “Ramses” (though Wendy believes his final name will be “Akhenaten” should he come live with us, because he’s an …unusual looking… cat (the picture to the right does not do him full justice)), was found at room temperature (well, he was at 91 degrees when it was 91 degrees outside) and was very sick when he came to Wendy’s hospital. As you can see from his ear in the picture, he’s no stranger to trouble, and his health issues are just his latest fight. We’re waiting to learn results of his FIV test (which, if positive, would make it impossible for him to live with us out of respect for the other cats), and for him to regain his strength. Assuming the FIV test comes back negative, we’ll nurse him back while subjecting him to the hissing and spitting of the existing brood. Should he join us, that would raise the count to 10 animals (6 cats and 4 dogs). I’m sure this sweet & lovely blue-eyed, cross-eyed cat would fit in well with our menagerie. Cross your fingers for his health and check back here for updates as they become available.

  UPDATE: The cat’s FIV test came back negative. This is good news! Also, his PCV has doubled to 20 (normal, I am told, is around 40), and he’s put on half of a pound of weight. These are all good signs, and if they continue, Wendy will bring him home at the end of the week.

• Bean is like a new dog after her spleen removal last week. Well, sort of. Bean is like a new old dog. Wendy is awaiting the lab results analyzing the mass on Bean’s spleen, but is almost certain that it is cancer. However, Bean’s spirits are high and her energy is good – much better than it was when it was all sapped by the mass growing inside her. Thank you to everyone for their good-wishes as Bean fights her fight. She’s a great dog and we’re hopeful to have her around for as long as possible.

  UPDATE: Bean finished her pain medication this morning and just has to complete her antibiotic course in order to put all this behind her. Still no report from the lab (Wednesday August 11 is the earliest it might come back) about the mass on her spleen.

• Today (just glanced at the clock and noticed that it is after midnight!), Jean-Robert’s Table opens in Cincinnati Ohio. I’ll be working again with Jean-Robert and the team after working part-time for 4 years at the now-shuttered Jean-Robert at Pigall’s. I am really happy that Cincinnati has retained this great chef. In preparation for opening, we did a “friends and family” evening on Saturday August 7 2010 which I cooked with Jean-Robert, Rob, and Andrew (since I am one of two “Andrews” on staff, I go by “Vogel” in the kitchen). This allowed us to work through any menu and service hiccups with a group of friendly diners. Wendy was fortunate enough to be among them, and provided a great review of the experience. The dining room looks fantastic, the menu reflects Jean-Robert’s “casual, elegant” approach to the French culinary tradition with a contemporary touch. It’s going to be tough to get a reservation for the next while, but keep trying, and come see us at Table!

Lots of new. An exciting time indeed!