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It has been a really long time since I updated this site. But, even though it has appeared quiet on here, it has been anything but quiet in our lives. In one of my most recent posts, I indicated that Wendy & I had gone on the Disney Star Wars […]
Contact Andrew Vogel at drew@drewvogel.com with any questions. Everything is at Management discretion. The venue is a non-smoking campus. No vaping. By providing your email address at ticket registration, you consent to receiving emails from the organizers of this event. You email address will NOT be sold. Droids welcome as […]
Wendy & I have added two new inmates to the asylum. Meet Toast and Truffle! They’re litter-mates and were born May 28, 2023 or thereabouts. Toast is the Siamiese-looking male, and Truffle is the female void-cat. My friend Abby helped come up with Toast’s name — and Toast & Truffle […]
I’ve lost two of my most significant Chef-mentors in the last 7 months. Chef Jean-Robert de Cavel in December 2022, and Chef John Kinsella, CMC earlier this week. Chef Kinsella was the force that shaped me from a newbie into a culinarian. His stern-but-mean-but-compassionate-and-angry leadership style toughened us up. Chef […]
Hello, and welcome, Halcyon Family! (don’t miss bonus video below!) Thanks for checking out Under the Tusken Sun, the hot new fantasy romance by Sienna Starfall published by Spicy Bantha Publishing. Enjoy the first chapter here, and may the stars light your way! To see real books, click here to go to […]
Wendy & I just got back from an astounding trip aboard the Chandrilla Star Line’s Galactic Starcruiser “Halcyon” at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida. We cruised June 4-6, 2023. It was an entirely amazing experience throughout! We’ll post much more soon, including pictures (mostly our pictures, but […]
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Jean-Robert de Cavel, the Chef for whom I worked for over 14 years, passed away on December 23, 2022. He was 61 years old. I worked with him at an event on November 19, 2022. This was the last time I saw him. Fortunately, the photographer at the event captured […]
What a busy week/weekend for the Vogel household, especially for me (see below), but we made sure Wendy was busy and had a great time on her birthday weekend. On Monday, September 12, 2022, I started a new job that I am absolutely loving so far. I haven’t been this […]
Yesterday, I learned of the passing of Iron Chef Masahiko Kobe (on March 14, 2019). I didn’t know that he’d passed. He was the youngest of the original Iron Chefs. Kobe was considered “Iron Chef Italian” and the “Prince of Pasta”, even though he lost his first competition as an […]
On Saturday 2022-04-09, Wendy & I hosted a dinner for some dear friends we haven’t spent enough time with in too long. Wendy set a beautiful table while I prepped and executed the food. It was a good chance to ‘stretch my culinary legs‘ a little bit before my hip […]
At game night last night (with Wendy, Grant, and Wes), we played UNFATHOMABLE by Fantasy Flight Games. From the developer’s website: The year is 1913. The steamship SS Atlantica is two days out from port on its voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. Its unsuspecting passengers fully anticipated a calm journey to Boston, […]
Wendy had a significant <ahem> birthday on September 17, 2021. We celebrated on September 19 with 8 folks (Wendy, Beth, Summer, DJ, Alex, Jay, Greg, and me) at our house. The menu is included here and some pictures of the food! As a welcome, we had olives & cheese with […]
As we leave 2020, I asked the members of Happy Mouth the following critical questions. What time do you wake up in the morning? Wendy: 7:30 Ron C: About 6:00 on weekdays. Sleep in on weekends. Beth: As late as possible Jay: When my bladder tells me it’s time (GAWD, […]
“It’s the very first snowfall, of a very long year.,..” — Over the Rhine This morning, we woke up to a thin coating of snow on the ground. Seeing a blanket of white is a bit surprising, but then I realized it is December 1, and that made the snow […]
I decided one of my goals for the website was to get HTTP2 protocol and SSL enabled on it. Spent some time researching on the internet and found a couple methods that looked easy to implement and somewhat fool-proof. Well, not THIS fool! I was able to mess up my […]
Trying a different method — no trussing, high heat. I think it worked out really well. The skin rendered very nicely. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X […]
At this site, we are anti-racist and believe that black lives matter. We stand in support of the protesters demanding reform. Demanding change. Demanding equality. As a country, we need to strive to defeat racism and systematic injustice based on race. Let’s make it stop. Right now. #BlackLivesMatter Share: Print […]
2019 is almost in the books. We’ll be anxious to see this year in the rear-view. It’s been a tough decade for us. 2020 is the start of a new decade and hopefully represents a turning point toward brighter horizons! Best wishes to everyone for health, wealth, and all other […]
Gen Con, the best four days in gaming, was held in Indianapolis Indiana on August 2-5, 2018. I attended all four days and Wendy joined me for the weekend. I worked for CMON in their play-through area on Thursday and Friday, demoing RISING SUN to happy con-goers. I enjoyed working […]
This is, without a doubt, the hardest news I have had to share. VOGEL, Joshua Bennett With great sadness, the family of Josh Vogel announces his passing on December 20, 2017 following a very brief illness. He is survived and remembered with love by his parents, Richard and Patricia Vogel, […]
Reading about folks “compressing” their games in preparation for travel, I was inspired. We just returned from a weekend trip to Indianapolis (about 90 minutes from our home on the outskirts of Cincinnati, Ohio) with a bag full of games (in their boxes) in tow. I thought this would be […]
For many months now, Wendy & I have been quietly hosting Board Game Nights at our house. We try to get folks together for “gaming unplugged” about once a week, though sometimes schedules get in the way and make it less often than we’d prefer. But once we get folks […]
The Cincinnati Bell installation from February 28, 2017 still is not complete as of this writing (May 2, 2017). They have not buried the fiber in my yard. I’ve spent dozens of hours on the phone with Cincinnati Bell, trying to determine when this will be completed. Appointments are made. […]
I’ve been fighting with Cincinnati Bell for over a week and half now. We ordered installation of FiOptics service (with a Static IP) to our home to get rid of Time Warner Cable and their dreadful Internet service. I’ve had Cincinnati Bell 5 installers in the house (including one confused […]
I worked all day yesterday at my day-job (I work remotely). And then I found out it was a holiday. SMH #AtLeastIWasProductive Happy New Year to us all! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens […]
On April 11, 2016, we laid to rest our dear, sweet dog Chuck. He’d been with us a long time — and was a mature dog when we got him — so he was an old fellow. Chuck’s story is largely unknown… Before we met him, he was brought in […]
My calendar reminded me today that my first post on DrewVogel.COM was 20 years ago today… While I’d been writing online for some time before that, this article from April 6, 1996 was the first on this domain name. Wow. While I don’t blog here much anymore, or at all […]
Today, full of energy, Mario is still running, running Go save Princess Peach! Go! Today, full of energy, Mario runs Today, full of energy, jumping! Today, full of energy, searching for coins Today, keep going, Mario! Get a mushroom – it’s Super Mario! Get a flower – it’s Fire Mario! […]
Yesterday, we moved from our house of 14 years to our new home… Actually, we’ve been moving for some time, but last night (November 1, 2015) was our first night spent in the new digs. We’re 95% moved, with only a few odds-and-ends to pick up from the old house […]
Happy Birthday, you grand dame! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Share […]
Some of the most fun I’ve had on a sidewalk, recently… Click to view Vimeo video Join us September 11-13 2015 in Washington Park, downtown Cincinnati, at the 2015 edition of CINCINNATI FOOD + WINE CLASSIC. Magical things are in store! Information, talent lineup, tickets and more at CINCINNATI FOOD […]
The big announcement… Several of you know that Wendy has been writing novels. The news that we can finally announce is that she’s just signed with a very successful agent — Carly Watters with P.S. Literary. This is big news, folks! I am so very proud of Wendy! You can […]
I am wicked proud of my wife, Wendy. She’s not only a writer but, with the recent publication(s) of her work, she’s also now an author. She’s even deployed a snazzy website where you can learn about her writing and buy her books (hint hint). Check it out here — WendyVogelBooks.COM. […]
Fuck cancer. That is all. Photo credit: Donna Covrett Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new […]
It was a long time coming, but Buster the wiener dog finally met his end on December 22, 2014. He was a lucky little fellow… He came into Wendy’s hospital more than 8 years ago, already a mature dog, because he’d hurt his back and was paralyzed from the neck […]
Last week, on October 28, 2014 I had an umbilical hernia repaired. This little bump under my skin, near my belly button, was causing a bit of discomfort. At a visit to my general doctor, he referred me to a local surgeon to do the procedure. I visited the surgeon […]
This past weekend was the annual Eat. Play. Give. event for the de Cavel Family SIDS Foundation. The de Cavel Family SIDS Foundation was founded by Jean-Robert & Annette de Cavel and a dedicated group of volunteers and local restaurateurs. Our mission is to raise funds for research, education, and […]
The inaugural Cincinnati Food + Wine Classic event was Sept 12-13, 2014 in Cincinnati’s Washington Park. The event was amazing, exhausting, energizing, and thrilling. I am so honored to be a part of the Executive Committee that put it together. I could not be more proud. While I am working […]
All was going well until mile 15.5, when a bug landed on my ear, and I reached up to brush it off, causing me to take a spill from my bicycle. At the time, I was averaging 18 miles per hour. I hate bugs. My bike is okay. Left arm […]
Here’s a peek inside my kitchen… More specifically, inside my kitchen cabinets! Like Julia Child, I hide conversion charts inside my cabinet doors. But I also hang images that inspire me of people I respect and look up to. This isn’t all of the characters hiding in my kitchen, but […]
Meet my new traveling companion, a Scott CR1 Road Bike… I’m amazed at what a difference a good road bike makes in my enjoyment of cycling. Since I don’t do mountain biking, riding a mountain bike around was grueling. This is silky smooth, fast, and light. Already racking up the […]
Last night, we were joined by newlyweds Stephen & Jessica Williams (congratulations, you two!) of Bouquet Restaurant and Wine Bar for dinner at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, in downtown Cincinnati. Arik Messerschmidt (sous chef) and Nate (our server) made sure we had a wonderful night. Arik, Stephen, Wendy, and I were […]
Well, that feels good. After running for a while (too long!) without a backup, I spent about 45 minutes today performing a full backup of this webserver. I used the excellent Clonezilla bootable CD package and an external USB Hard Drive to perform the backup. Clonezilla also verifies the backup, […]
Wow… What a few-days-leading-up-to-and-including-this-passed-weekend! Here’s the details… On Wednesday, June 4th, I worked and taught my COOKING 2 class that evening. After class (starting around 10:30pm), Sean and I cranked out 260 crepes — that took us about 2 hours (then we went for a drink at the now-shuttered BLUE […]
For my team, here’s information (copied from the official site) about the race. One of my friends is setting up an airbrush tattoo station where she will give free PINK RIBBON tattoos! Stop by and get your tattoo! AFTER THE RACE Instead of trying to connect before each of the […]
This post from The Onion cracked me up. Do you know someone who is “a brand”? Are you, yourself, “a brand”? http://www.theonion.com/articles/i-am-a-brand-pathetic-man-says,30545/ Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on […]
Oliver, the last of the original three cats that Wendy brought into our relationship, passed away quietly at home a couple weeks ago. The original trio was Merrick, Ringo, and Oliver. We thought Oliver would live forever because he had an annoying habit of peeing on things around the house. […]
Where did his head go?!? Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Share on […]
There are loads of interesting articles and several thousand pictures on this site. Navigate by category on the side menu on the front page, or explore the articles in reverse-chronological order (newest first) by clicking the “older posts” link at the bottom of each page. For your convenience, here are […]
While I was working at the restaurant this weekend, a damned crackhead busted my car window on Saturday and stole my GPS, change container from my console (with maybe $12 in it), and a pack of blank index cards. Stupid crackhead. What’s he going to do with index cards?!? Thanks […]
We’re here! Located on our new local server, the bulk of the move has been completed. It went fairly smoothly, with the exception of the Gallery, which currently isn’t operating as expected. I’ll be working on the Gallery — and any other issues we spot — in the next several […]
If you’re reading this, we’ve successfully migrated the site from the host to our local server. Huge thanks to DD for hosting us and assisting with the migration to our local server! If you notice anything unusual here, please let me know so I can fix it. Share: Print (Opens […]
Over the next few weeks, I will be migrating my site from a friend’s hosted box back to my own local server. I expect that there will be a couple hiccups in the move (mostly on my end, getting a new server deployed isn’t something I do every day, so […]
—–Original Message—– I received a Chef’s Choice Hybrid “Diamond Hone Knife Sharpener” for Christmas and have no idea if this is something I can use on my knives or if I should use it on them. I was hoping you would be able to help me out so I know […]
I will be involved with this important event again this year. I’ve lost track of how many years I’ve been involved with it. Maybe 10? I just don’t know… But I do know this is an important fund-raiser. If you’re able, please donate and attend! Jean-Robert and Annette de Cavel […]
I found this in the archive and realized it had never been published… So, here it is — the menu from a wonderful meal at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s on September 13, 2008 — nearly 5 years later! =-=-=-=-=- Local tomatoes, chevre, balsamic reduction Tuna tartar with quail egg Seared Foie […]
Original post: http://www.theonion.com/articles/social-media-rock-star-makes-28000-per-year,32301 MARIETTA, GA—Widely regarded as one of the online world’s brightest personalities, sources confirmed Friday that famed 28-year-old social media rock star Ryan Wasserman, better known as @RWthinks by his legions of passionate fans, makes roughly $28,000 per year. Wasserman, who for the last three years has worked […]
I like this one today… Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Share on […]
Introducing the unofficial eGullet.org Culinary Institute (eGCI) Evernote Notebook! As a culinary professional, Drew Vogel (www.drewvogel.com) was very interested in working through the articles and discussions in eGullet’s Culinary Institute (http://forums.egullet.org/forum/108-the-egullet-culinary-institute-egci/), and was interested in using Evernote for offline access to that material. And so, the unofficial eGCI Evernote Notebook […]
I found this article in the New York Times very interesting. Rather than tolerate diners snapping pictures of their food — even ‘subtly’ — and disturbing other guests, some restaurants are strongly discouraging food photos (even without flash) in the dining room (David Bouley invites the photobugs back to the […]
Not Safe For Work (NSFW): Gordon Ramsay on how to treat a lady. http://krankr.com/clip/videos.php/photo/58517/Gordon_Ramsey-How_To_Treat_A_Lady_NSFW/ Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More […]
snow can eat my shizzle. snow can whip my mizzle. snow can lick my nozzle. snow can flog my pizzle. snow can facilitate my hozzle. snow can masticate my blozzgle. snow can percolate my dozzle. I only wish that it would. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a […]
Congratulations to Chef and all my colleagues at Jean-Robert’s Table for topping the 2012 Zagat List in Cincinnati! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new […]
Autumn is my favorite time of year… I love waking up to a chilly & foggy morning. The brisk air making easy the choice to wear a jacket during my commute to work. The jacket comes into my office with me, then it’s a lunch-time decision to wear it or […]
From WILD FOOD FROM LAND AND SEA, by Marco Pierre White: “A young female food writer once asked why chefs couldn’t cook a nice plain piece of grilled fish. Well, we can and we do, but we have to dress it up for our customers. No one would be happy […]
“Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.” –Unknown Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend […]
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/failblog/~3/bQeuKbaLq6U/6454153728 Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Share on Reddit (Opens in new […]
Sunday, 5/20/2012 was a very sad day at the Vogel household. On Sunday evening, we reluctantly bid farewell to Merrick, a cat who was Wendy’s “perfect, precious angel boy”. Merrick was 16 years old, and one of the original “Wendy Trio” that came with her into our relationship, along with […]
Congratulations to Wendy who participated in the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon 2012 on Sunday, May 6. For a variety of reasons, she wasn’t planning on participating this year, but at the last moment, my company’s relay team needed a replacement. I mentioned that to Wendy, and she jumped at the […]
Ah, Spring. How I’ve missed you… Sort of. After the non-winter we had in Cincinnati this year, the weather resembles just a longer, slightly-warmer winter. However, it’s easy to tell that Spring is in the air… My allergies, dormant much of the winter, are starting to wake up and react […]
It’s been quiet around DrewVogel.COM for far too long. Seems the more full my life gets, the less time I have to blog about it! Still doing the usual stuff… work, teaching at the culinary college, restaurant stuff, working culinary events around the city, and more. As mentioned, things are […]
You know Amazon Appstore for Android says “Get a great paid app for free every day”? Remember when the daily giveaway had useful applications and not just shitty games and useless clutterware? Yeah, me neither. 🙁 Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens […]
Social Media… Decide what you are! Until then, I picture you as a herd of techies chasing after the next big thing, kind of like watching 5-year old children play soccer… Instead of name-dropping, now the thing to “drop” at parties is your access to the hot new social-media-wunderkind-of-the-week. Yawn. […]
Really… You suck at phishing! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Share on […]
There are lots of names that would be great for bands… Let’s make a list of them here. Submit a Comment with any you’d like to see added! Continuously updated. Thanks Jay and others for helping with this list! Unknown PayPal Donation Snafu (thanks, Beth!) The Looming Apocalypse of Climate […]
Want to know why? Drop me an email at my email address and we’ll add you to the list! Wendy donated a bunch of her hair to Locks of Love tonight… Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share […]
This morning, we mourn the passing of sweet little kitten Remus. At just 6 weeks old, he spent two of his last three days on this planet stuck in asphalt. Two guys found him and brought him to Wendy’s hospital, where he was worked on by hospital staff to try […]
FINALLY fixed a network problem that was plaguing us… Whenever Wendy’s computer and my computer were on at the same time, our internet connection would bounce up and down and become highly unreliable. After scratching my head about it for a while, I moved all our wired connections from the […]
Here is the schedule for who gets to pick when for the Happy Mouth Supper Club Monthly Indulgence. Updated October 27, 2011. January: Angel Z. (was Kristy) February: Carrie & Ron G. (was Dave & Robin (was Wendy B)) March: Tracy S. April: Jay B. May: Kristy R. June: open? July: […]
I’ve lived in and around Cincinnati Ohio for most of my life. I was born on the west side of the city, moved back to the east side where I spent my childhood, rehabbed a house in northern Kentucky (just over the river from downtown Cincinnati) as a young adult, […]
Check out the flowchart here: http://theunderstatement.com/pick_your_kindle After a quick glance through the chart, my answer is simple… I want a 3G/WiFi FIRE with a phone and a camera. Oh wait. That doesn’t exist. Yet (you & I both know it’s coming, though). I’ll wait for that, methinks. Actually, before I […]
On Friday, September 23, a group of us met for the monthly Happy Mouth Supper Club outing. It was Wendy’s month to select, and she chose MERITAGE (which rhymes with “heritage”), a new restaurant that has opened in Glendale. It was a great selection, and we (Ted, Tracy, Carrie, Ron, Terry, Julie, […]
“To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else.” — Emily Dickinson Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More […]
Hard to believe that summer has slipped by. It’s been head-down, busy around here. I apologize for the lack of updates. Expect a larger update soon. On Wednesday August 31, the Happy Mouth Supper Club met at Green Papaya in Hyde Park for dinner. It was Holly’s selection, and she […]
This month’s outing of the Happy Mouth Supper Club was at IT’S JUST CREPES in downtown Cincinnati. It was Ted’s month to select, and he chose a fun, funky place. The restaurant, which is usually packed at lunchtime, is much less busy at dinner. We had the place mostly to […]
Not too long ago, I switched from my beloved HTC Touch Pro 2 (which runs Windows Mobile) device to a Motorola Droid X (which runs Android) device. I never thought I’d give up my Touch Pro 2, but after a very short adjustment phase, I now adore my Droid X […]
Recently, The Iron Horse Inn started offering Sunday brunch, from 10a-3p (reservations encouraged but not required). Wendy and I stopped by last Sunday and really enjoyed the selections from Chef Jackson Rouse and crew. They have a varied brunch menu, including a quiche of the day (last time, it was […]
Thank you all for being such a persistent bunch! Several of you asked for more information about the examination I took last Saturday, my menu, and some particulars. I am flattered by the interest. Here you go… My menu: Sauce Veloute (Chicken Stock) Sauce Espagnole (Brown Beef Stock) Consommé Brunoise […]
I passed my American Culinary Federation Certified Chef de Cuisine (CCC) examination in an intense 3-hour practical examination today (after previously completing a paper exam and three 8-hour refresher courses)! Tonight, Wendy and I celebrate! (And today is Achilles’ 3rd birthday, so happy birthday to the rat-bat-bunny-cat!) Share: Print (Opens […]
In the late days of February 2011, the lack of a cat, specifically a Siamese cat, weighed on Wendy and me enough that Wendy started casting about for a Siamese. Not to take the place of Akhenaten, which can never happen, but to bring their special energy back to our […]
On Sunday, February 6, 2011, right around 10:33pm, our dear sweet old Bean dog took her last breath in this world. Bean had battled spleen cancer in August 2010 and beat it (with spleen removal and chemotherapy). However, not long after that, Wendy found a mass on Bean’s liver which […]
Wendy & I put Akhenaten to sleep on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 around 9:30p. He went peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, human and animal. We are extremely sad to lose this wonderful cat. He left tiny paw prints on our hearts. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print […]
Some very bad news about Akhenaten, our wonderful little Siamese cat. His kidneys have failed. Wendy has been hydrating him with Lactated Ringer’s a couple times a day, but we’re not keeping up. Akhenaten is dying. And quickly. The feeling is that tonight, Tuesday January 18, 2011, we will have […]
This update is quite overdue, and for that I apologize. Thanks to my dear old friend Scott for the nudge to write this post. An update on Bean, our dear old dog who is battling liver cancer after beating spleen cancer: She’s hanging in there. We know she’s not got […]
This poem really speaks to me, where I am right now. Also, for an aural treat (in all it’s 1970’s production glory), check out this video on YouTube of the late, great Les Crane “performing” the poem. DESIDERATA by Max Ehrmann Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and […]
It came across the Foodnews wire a couple days ago that SLIMS (and Vout) restaurant on Hamilton Avenue in Northside has closed. Checking their website (www.slimsrestaurant.com) and the outgoing message on their phone confirms the closing (“…please do not leave a reservation”) . It’s sad when any restaurant closes, and […]
BEAN: After surviving spleen cancer (and spleen removal) a few months ago, we recently noticed that Bean was once again slowing down. Wendy checked her out and we determined that she’s got liver cancer. On Wednesday, November 10, 2010 we took Bean to Dr. Cheryl (a veterinary oncologist) who started […]
Wendy & I recently got back from a wonderful vacation to the Mayan Riviera in Mexico. We were there at the end of October 2010. Pictures and videos are coming soon. Please stay tuned! Quick thoughts about our trip… When SCUBA diving, we noticed that the reef in Mexico isn’t […]
This is a picture of a vegetable y-peeler. Sometimes, I need to find this picture when friends ask me what kind of peeler they should purchase to peel vegetables. Most recently, a friend wrote to ask about the best tool for peeling asparagus. This is it! These peelers run about […]
Wendy took Akhenaten to the specialist yesterday (along with Bean, who is going there for weekly chemotherapy). The specialist did an ultrasound of Akhenaten and was cautiously optimistic that instead of being in “kidney insufficiency”, he may be instead sub-clinically dehydrated from his ordeal. As briefly mentioned in this post, […]
Wendy brought home Akhenaten’s blood-work from the lab today. The summary: It’s bad. Really bad. His BUN, PO4, ALT (SGPT), Creatinine, Cholesterol, Protein (total), Globulin, and NEU% are all really high (the BUN and PO4 are high enough that the lab re-ran them to make sure there wasn’t a mistake). […]
Just a few updates for today… Bean had her first chemotherapy today. Wendy described the treatment plan to me, which is three different chemotherapy medications each given once a week on a 3x repeating cycle. Bean tolerated the first injection today, though it made her tired. Thanks to everyone who […]
Last night, Tuesday August 10, 2010, was the opening night at Jean-Robert’s Table, the long-awaited new restaurant by Jean-Robert de Cavel. I’ve been working there to assist with the opening, and will continue to work there as my “moonlighting” restaurant job. There are several pictures from the evening here, but […]
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 […]
Last night, after attending a high school graduate party (congrats, Jackie!) and a celebration of the life of a college friend of mine who recently passed away(Todd Norris, we miss you), Wendy & I had a goal: to find an interesting restaurant that we hadn’t visited before. A quick search […]
For this month’s Happy Mouth Supper Club outing, Kristy picked The Wildflower Cafe and Coffee House all the way out in Mason. It’s a bit of a haul, but well worth it. Our rowdy group had an entire room to ourselves (a good choice on the part of the restaurant!) […]
Today is the Day of the Bright Carvers, according to Mervyn Peake’s GORMENGHAST novels. Today is the day that the Bright Carvers (who take their name from the age-old craft of woodcarving, which is their only passion), a poor a disease-ridden community whose only pride is their carving and in […]
Happy Towel Day, everyone! “A towel, [the guide] says, is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have. Partly it has great practical value. You can wrap it around you for warmth as you bound across the cold moons of Jaglan Beta; you can lie on it […]
This was originally Jay’s month to pick. Because Jay’s mom was having a surgical procedure (which went well, by the way!), Wendy offered to switch months with Jay. So, this month became Wendy’s month to select. She chose to host a brunch at The Comet in Northside. Ted, Tracy, Ron, […]
Thanks to an article I wrote being posted on Lifehacker, our server got mobbed by hoards of eager folks (over 2,000 hits in a couple hours – and still going) and collapsed. With the quick work of Doug & Rabbitt, the site’s operation was tweaked and restored quickly. Within about […]
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I miss the free service of Jott. I appreciated the ability provided by Jott to call a number and quickly leave myself a message, which was transcribed and sent on to my email address. Using Jott, I could record flashes of brilliance (if I do say so myself) whenever they […]
On Saturday, March 13, 2010, the Happy Mouth Supper Club met at The Rookwood for dinner. It was Tracy’s month to select, and also her birthday. The group met at the downstairs bar for “craft cocktails” before dinner. What “Craft Cocktails” in Cincinnati means to me, a short essay by […]
This message is mainly intended for my brothers and sisters in the culinary profession, but I suppose anyone needing care for their knives would benefit… After recently purchasing a handmade Misono chef’s knife (a gyutou), I was heartbroken when it slipped out of my knife-roll and fell to the floor, […]
Cecile Levy WEIL, age 109, passed away March 6, 2010, beloved wife of the late Harold A. Weil, devoted mother of Arthur and Virginia Weil and Ralph and Irmgard Weil, loving grandmother of Ted Weil, Wendy and Andrew Vogel, David and Chie Weil, Richard and Jamie Weil and Nancy Weil, […]
This Enquirer article confirms that Chef Jean-Robert de Cavel has been given permission from Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas this morning to open his new restaurant as early as March 1, 2010. This is great news for Chef! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to […]
Friend of mine in Texas told me about his morning: “There was frost on my windshield and I figured, "well, it’s not 20 below, so if I use hot water it won’t freeze." Went to the Ozarka water dispenser, got about a cup or two of hot water, went to […]
News from the Cincinnati restaurant front… Mesh Restaurant is closing after service on February 13, 2010. Sadly, as this was one of the better non-chain restaurants north of the city. I’ve been told that the building may be purchased by Eddie Merlots Stone Creek Dining Company, so stay tuned. There may […]
For February, 2010, Dave & Robin selected Chi-nattis Pizza, and the food was pretty darned good! Deep dish pizzas, Italian beef submarines, fried calamari, and other dishes came (sorta slowly – it takes 30 minutes for a deep dish pie) out of the kitchen. Share: Print (Opens in new window) […]
I sat down with Chef Joanne Drilling, recently of Slims Restaurant in Northside, to talk with her about her culinary inspiration, point-of-view, and her upcoming transition to Murphin Ridge Inn, about 1 hour east of Cincinnati in beautiful Adams County Ohio. Joanne and I met when we worked together at […]
Chef Joanne Drilling will leave Slims Restaurant to take the Executive Chef position at Murphin Ridge Inn. Drilling has been Executive Chef at Slims since late 2008. Her last day at the helm at Slims will be Saturday, Feburary 6, 2010. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a […]
"Catcher in the Rye" author J.D. Salinger has died at age 91 in New Hampshire. I always enjoyed hanging out with Holden Caulfield for a couple days every few years. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on […]
The first meeting of The Happy Mouth Supper Club for 2010 was a success! It was Angel’s month to select, and her original selection was Arthur’s in Hyde Park Square. However, Arthur’s does not accept reservations. Angel’s plan to arrive early and get seats was foiled, though, when it was […]
Happy Birthday, Elvis Presley! You were born on today’s date in 1935 in Tupelo Mississippi, and died suddenly on August 16, 1977 at the age of 42. Between those dates, you made music, made 31 movies, made women swoon, and made history. Some say you died while sitting on the […]
Happy 2010, everyone! On December 30, 2009, Wendy & I were enjoying a day puttering around, doing errands, chores, and the like. I had to run out to Kroger to pick up some items, and Wendy suggested I pick up a couple sandwiches for lunch. I grabbed a couple pre-made […]
To the loyal readers of this site… Thank you for your support, and please accept my best wishes for 2010. As someone dear to me says at each new year, “let’s hope that this year is better than the last”! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link […]
Ed’s month to pick, so December 2009 was spent at Walt’s Barbecue. I really enjoy BBQ, and Walt’s does a great job. It is a very family-friendly place with plenty of affordable options for kids and adults alike. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a […]
Wine Dinner at the Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State Technical & Community College. Hosted by the students of the Midwest Culinary Institute under the direction of Donna Schmitt. Menu prepared by Chef de Residence, Jean-Robert de Cavel. Wines hosted by Laura Landoll, Advanced Sommelier, of Grand Cru Wine Company […]
This made me laugh! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Share on Reddit […]
“The love of truth lies at the root of much humor.” – Robertson Davies “Every great advance in natural knowledge has involved the absolute rejection of authority.” – Thomas H. Huxley Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share […]
After being offline for a long time, our Gallery is finally back online. Of course, since it was offline, it wasn’t being updated. Now that it’s back online, I will shortly dump into it a bunch of new pictures that have been stacking up (including some great new travel shots). […]
In November, 2009, the Happy Mouth Supper Club met at Bootsy’s for dinner. It was Ron’s month to select. It was great to be with everyone, but honestly, Bootsy’s fell flat in the service area. Food, from the newly-changed menu, was good (not great). Portion sizes were appropriate, plates were […]
Welcoming Wine Trends, Inc. Featuring Mary Horn and Ian Pascoe Hosted by the students of the Midwest Culinary Institute under the direction of Donna Schmitt Smoked Trout, Horseradish, Grapefruit, and Beets Zardetto Prosecco, NV Clams, Cucumber, Celery, and Mango Kris Pinto Grigio, 2008 Poached Salmon, Coconut, Basmati Rice, Orange, and […]
During our trip to Las Vegas in November, 2009, Wendy & I split off from the group (Ron, Dave, Ted, Tracy, Julie, and Terry) to dine at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago in The Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace Hotel & Casino. Everyone had decided to see a Vegas show, but we […]
During our trip to Las Vegas in November, 2009, Wendy & I split off from the group (Ron, Dave, Ted, Tracy, Julie, and Terry) to dine at Hubert Keller’s Fleur de Lys in the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino. We decided to indulge in the 6-course tasting menu prepared by […]
The restaurant where I work has recently been reviewed… Check it out here: http://cincinnati.metromix.com/restaurants/restaurant_review/out-to-eat-slims/1585380/content Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share […]
In October, the Happy Mouth Supper Club met for dinner at the BLUE GIBBON restaurant. It was my month to select, and it was a nice evening being together with our friends. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email […]
From this site comes the following question: What are 10 things that make you feel old? Here’s my list, in no particular order: Forgetting to do this on Tuesday! Failing eyesight Being sore after an amount of exercise/work that used to NOT make me sore Considering being home by 11:00p […]
From this site comes the following question: What are 10 things that make you feel old? Here’s my list, in no particular order: Forgetting to do this on Tuesday! Failing eyesight Being sore after an amount of exercise/work that used to NOT make me sore Considering being home by 11:00p […]
On Wednesday, September 30, 2009, a large group of us (Wendy, Ron G, Carrie, Jay, Beth, Ron C, Tracy, Ted, Julie, Ed, Rob, Dave, Angel, and me) met for our monthly Happy Mouth outing. It was Wendy’s month to select and she chose Pelican’s Reef, which captures a bit of […]
On Thursday, September 17, 2009, New York Times-bestselling author John Twelve Hawks was at THE BUNK SPOT in Cincinnati Ohio to read from THE GOLDEN CITY, the third book in his celebrated Fourth Realm trilogy. Ambient aural support provided by The Harlequins. The videos from the reading can be accessed […]
Saw this on GraphJam today. It’s brilliant. Simply brilliant. (click for a larger view) Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share […]
“The next person who tells me Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn/etc are professional tools is getting kicked in the teeth.” TEXT FROM LAST NIGHT: “70 feet underwater and I sharted my wetsuit. Tide Pen won’t clean this up.” “Perpetual devotion to what a man calls his business, is only to be sustained by perpetual […]
A few random quotes that resonated… “Not a shred of evidence exists in favor of the idea that life is serious.” – Brendan Gill “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” – Peter Drucker “Idealism is what precedes experience; cynicism is what follows” – David T. […]
Oh, it’s good to be home. I do love traveling, but I love coming home, too. The GMAC Professional Development Program (go PDP class of 2009!) in Washington DC (well, Georgetown) was outstanding. The presentations, information, and exchange of knowledge was truly inspiring (and, at times, a little daunting since […]
I am in Washington DC (well, Georgetown) for most of the week at a training conference for my job. The conference is very good so far, very good indeed, and is providing lots of actionable ideas and opportunities for collaborative thinking about how we do what we do. It’s a […]
On the morning of Thursday, July 16, 2009, our dear little cat Ringo, a soft and gentle soul, finished his fight with a rare form of bone cancer. He was 12 years old. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his furry family and his people. He finished up under […]
Thanks to my buddy Doug who worked tirelessly to get my site migrated and nestled into his server stack, my site is back up and running properly. Here’s what happened… I upgraded my Fedora Core 9 site to Fedora Core 10. This went smoothly. I upgraded my Fedora Core 10 […]
This evening, I updated the server software from Fedora Core 9 to Fedora Core 10. The update went very well, with only one minor annoyance (mod_proxy) that was easily fixed. Total system downtime was about 50 minutes. I am currently downloading all the updated software to bring my Fedora Core […]
Over on Facebook, my buddy Ron (and, later, Dave (and later still, Doug)) asked us to list 15 books in 15 minutes — to consist of a list of 15 books I’ve read that will always stick with me. Here’s my list. It’s generously proportioned (way more than 15!) and […]
Dang. An oldie but goodie passes away. http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/06/23/obit.mcmahon/ Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) […]
On Monday, June 6, 2009, I had the pleasure of cooking for the Master French Chef’s Gala Dinner, hosted at Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State Technical & Community College. The gala rounds out several days of events for the visiting Master French Chefs. I worked with Matt Winterrowd (executive […]
Hosted by Brian Scott of Vintner Select Distributors. Event hosted by the students of the Midwest Culinary Institute under the direction of Donna Schmitt and Chef Matt Winterrowd. Amuse Gueule Shigoku Oyster; apple, chervil & shallot Gramona 2004 Cava Gran Cuvee Langostine; potato, artichoke & salsa verde Edmunds St. John […]
At the end of a long holiday weekend, I cooked at home for Wendy & myself. On the way home from an enjoyable Civil War Walk through Spring Grove Cemetery (we arrived late and did not hear Abraham Lincoln speak), we stopped and picked up some food to prepare at home. […]
I hope everyone has an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend. This unofficial start of summer is something I look forward to every year, and am pleased when it sneaks up on me unexpectedly, like it did this year. As a result, my Monday is relatively free & open. At this moment, […]
Be aware that there is a news conference on Friday morning at 10:30am, in time for the announcements to hit the noon news in Cincinnati. The speculation is fun to read — just like popular fiction. Cannot wait for the news at noon on Friday. Will probably watch it on […]
Way to go, Wendy! Thanks to training and support from our friends (and Wendy’s running buddies) Donnie and Ron (and Jeff!), Wendy was able to finish the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon — all 26.2 miles of the darned thing — on Sunday, May 3, 2009. It was Wendy’s first marathon. […]
My recent submission to TEXTS FROM LAST NIGHT, from a conversation I had about boarding our dogs for the Flying Pig weekend… (513) Our dogs will spend the weekend in the kennel, barking and shitting on themselves. (713) God, I need a weekend like that. (513) ???! Share: Print (Opens […]
(thanks to Lifehacker for the screenshot) Now it can be told… After a long period of closed beta, FOOD.COM, an exciting online recipe aggregator and search application can finally be discussed as it enters open beta. This web application — which can retrieve recipes from Chow.com, Food & Wine, Epicurious, […]
When the agenda for our staff meeting included the entry, “Happy April Fool’s Day!” as item one, an idea occured to me. When the meeting started with the meeting host saying, “It’s April Fool’s Day, everyone!”, I said, “To celebrate April Fool’s Day, I brought bagels for everyone. They’re upstairs.” […]
From this site comes this week’s Ten on Tuesday: 10 Things On Your To-Do List. In no particular order, mine are (this doesn’t include work-related stuff): Plan and cost-out a menu for a friend Drop off this non-disclosure agreement and check out the facility Reinvigorate two web projects (I’m looking […]
Hosted by Greg Graziano, owner and winemaker of Granziano Winery, Mendocino, California. Amuse Gueule Trout Roe, salsify, Meyer lemon & tarragon Chenin Blanc Rock Shrimp, avocado, jicama, scallion & yuzu Dolcetto Rosato “Paella” Pinot Noir Roasted Squab, mole, parsnip, white beans & red onion Zinfandel Veal Shank, Brussels Sprouts, orzo, […]
On Sunday, February 15, 2009, I competed in my first solo culinary competition as a member of the American Culinary Federation (“ACF”). I’ve been a member of the ACF for a while now, but have not competed. You may remember that I participated in the International Culinary Olympics in Erfurt […]
Sensational Wine Dinners Wines hosted by Rodney Strong Vineyards Amuse Gueule Sea Scallop, grapefruit, brown butter, crème fraiche Charlotte’s Home Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Jonah Crab, cauliflower, black garlic, saffron & lemon Chalk Hill Chardonnay 2006 Atlantic Salmon, rapini, lentils, vanilla & red wine Russian River Pinot Noir 2007 Chicken Thigh, […]
Still processing my thoughts from working at the restaurant last night (February 28, 2009) — the last night of Jean-Robert at Pigall’s — and helping the restaurant to close forever. It was an emotional night — from the overwhelming gravity of the situation that this is our last night, to […]
Below are photos from the January 20, 2009 Wine Dinner at Midwest Culinary Institute. Menu is below! Amuse Bouche Trevisiol Extra Brut Prosecco, NV Seared Scallops with Celeriac Slaw and Blood Orange Beurre Blanc Les Deux Tours Sauvignon Blanc 2005 and Mosel River Riesling 2007 Roasted Rack of Lamb with […]
My college buddy Scott sees movies. LOTS of movies. He’s seen more movies in the last 15-20 minutes than you will see all year. He also writes up an annual best-and-worst report of the movies he’s seen each year, and kindly gave me permission to post his list here. Enjoy! […]
Recently, while my PDA was acting strangely, I tried the Apple iPhone as a prospective replacement for my AT&T Tilt (HTC 8925 running Windows Mobile 6.1). I bought an 8-gig 3G Black. Used it for 4 days, and returned it to go back to my Tilt (after hard-resetting it and reinstalling […]
The current meme-du-jour seems to be this one, so here is my two cents… 25 Random Facts about Drew: I was born October 23, 1967. Cusp of Scorpio & Libra, and contain positive and negative personality aspects of both of these astrological signs, if you believe in astrology. I do […]
After an extremely successful run in Cincinnati, Jean-Robert at Pigall’s will close on February 28, 2009, this article in the Cincinnati Enquirer confirms. The restaurant on 4th Street in downtown Cincinnati, is majority owned by Marilyn and Martin Wade and run by Executive Chef Jean-Robert de Cavel, opened for business […]
Dear World, The United States of America, your quality supplier of ideals of liberty and democracy, would like to apologize for its 2001-2008 service outage.The technical fault that led to this eight-year service interruption has been located. Replacement components were ordered Tuesday, November 4th, 2008, and have begun arriving. Early […]
Recently, I’ve been sent several very interesting productivity books and am slowly working my way through them. The titles I’ve received: Zen to Done by Leo Babauta The Power of Less by Leo Babauta Making It All Work by David Allen Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi 48 Days to […]
From this site comes this week’s Ten on Tuesday: 10 Things You’re Really Good At. In no particular order, mine are: SCUBA diving. Wendy & I are certified at the Rescue Diver level. Humor. I’m a funny guy. What can I say? Cooking. I’m a damn fine cook. Should be […]
Show me another pleasure like dinner that comes every day and lasts an hour. — Charles Maurice de Talleyrand Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in […]
To communicate with Drew, please complete the form below. Every effort is made to reply to messages, so make sure your Email address is entered correctly. Thanks! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in […]
From this site comes this week’s Ten on Tuesday: 10 Things You Want to Do in 2009. In no particular order, mine are: Continue to lose weight. I’m down approximately 20 pounds since August 2008! Compete in Culinary Competitions through the American Culinary Federation. This plan is under way. Enjoy […]
Give your taste buds an education! Born of the passion for excellent cuisine, the Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State spreads and shares its fervor with an international array of students who wish to turn their passions into careers. Under the tutelage of M.C.I.’s expert chef instructors and professional restaurant […]
From Kenny Shopsin, owner and cook at Shopsins in New York: “The way that I choose to function is to pick an arbitrary, stupid goal, become totally involved in it and pursue it with vigor. And what happens to you in that pursuit is your life…. Where the f— is […]
This morning, I upgraded the site to WordPress 2.7. For some reason, I felt anxious about this upgrade (since it involved a mandatory upgrade to my theme as well), but I needn’t have worried… With the exception of a couple plugin issues that were very quickly mended, the entire process […]
The High Price of Cheap Eats By RONI CARYN RABIN Published: December 11, 2008 Dollar “value meals†at fast food restaurants may not be such a bargain when you look at the potential health costs. Many of these low-cost menu items are packed with fat, salt, cholesterol and processed meat, […]
I’ve recently been re-reading the new edition of MA GASTRONOMIE by Fernand Point and have again been taken by jottings from his notebook, some of which I have included below. As far as cuisine is concerned, one must read everything, see everything, hear everything, try everything, observe everything, in order […]
Chef Matthew Winterrowd Wines hosted by Laura Landoll, Vintage Amuse Gueule Kumomoto Oyster, fennel & pomegranate Codorniu Cava Pinot Noir Atlantic Salmon, beets, vanilla, horseradish & apple Morgan Chardonnay Metallico 2007 Sea Scallops, endive, orange, olive oil & honey Tedeschi Monte Tenda Vigneto Soave 2007 Turkey Breast, spinach, Matsutake mushroom, […]
Couple of very interesting articles here and here, discussing the self-reverance of social media. As a Luddite who largely fails to see the allure of social media, I found these articles very interesting. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share […]
Not one but two great quotes for today… “You must not think me necessarily foolish because I am facetious, nor will I consider you necessarily wise because you are grave.” — Sydney Smith (this reminds me of something I’ve been saying for years: “I am a serious person. However, I […]
On Friday, November 14, 2008, it was Ron’s turn to pick the destination for our monthly Happy Mouth Supper Club outing. Ron selected Otto’s Restaurant in Covington, Kentucky as our destination. A large group of us (including guest Johnny) enjoyed great wine, great food, and decent service (unbeknownst to me, […]
Chef Matthew Winterrowd Wines hosted by Mary Horn, Winetrends Welcome Bacon and Eggs Surprise Covides Gran Gesta Brut Rose First Course Seafood Chowder, Dumpling, and Toasted Garlic Brandal Albarino 2006 Second Course Lemon Lobster, Israeli Couscous, and Savory Granola Trevor Jones Virgin Chardonnay 2006 Third Course Confit Pork Shoulder, Nutmeg […]
Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she’ll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she’ll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she’ll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she’ll give you her […]
At the end of October, it was my month again to pick for the monthly outing of the Happy Mouth Supper Club. I selected the Iron Horse Inn, which has newly reopened in Glendale after being closed for a while. Chef Stefan Marcus is at the stove, and does a […]
The following is Chef Alan Neace’s Category A Entry in the 2008 International Culinary Olympics in Erfurt Germany. Photos after the jump. Turkey Platter for Eight Nadine Roasted Turkey Breast Tewis Style Corned Turkey Thigh Applewood Smoked and Stuffed Burlington Wing Kinsella Neck Sausage with Dried Fruit Celery and Golden […]
The following is Chef Greg Skibinski’s Category B Entry in the 2008 International Culinary Olympics in Erfurt Germany. Photos after the jump. West Side Three Course Meal Smoke Roasted Squab Breast with Cucumber Black Peppercorn Creamy Herb Sauce=-=- Poached Lobster Tail with Corn Custard and Turned Potatoes in Broth=-=- Grand […]
This resounded with me today… “Play: Work that you enjoy doing for nothing.” — Evan Esar Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X […]
The IKA, the so-called Culinary Olympics, is among the most prominent of culinary competitions. Held every four years, the most recent was held in Erfurt Germany, in October 2008 and was the 23rd competition. Competing for medals and top honors were a record 32 national culinary teams from 32 countries, […]
It’s been an absolutely amazing, exhausting, enjoyable visit to Germany. The kind folks at the Quality Hotel in Gotha made us feel welcome and appreciated as we prepared for and participated in the 2008 International Culinary Olympics in Erfurt Germany. The hotel chef and the hotel staff were extremely generous […]
Congratulations to Chef Greg Skibinski who won a bronze medal in Category B competition at the International Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany today! Greg’s plates looked amazing! And, for the person who emailed Greg mentioning that he should smile more, here is a shot for you!: Share: Print (Opens in […]
Tonight at the hotel, we had an interesting dinner of pork, pineapple, peaches, and cheese on toast served with french fries. Afterward, we worked to get Chef Greg Skibinski’s Category B presentation done and ready to go. Chef Thomas, of the hotel’s restaurant, stopped by for a while to watch.Plating […]
Yesterday, we worked during the day and into the evening with Chef Greg Skibinski as he prepared his Category B entry. According to Chef Skibinski, we’re in really good shape with most of the preparation finished for his presentation, which gets judged on Wednesday. Today, is the push for Chef […]
Chef Alan Neace, Sr. won a bronze medal in the International Culinary Olympics! Congratulations, Chef Neace! Chef Neace says, “Everything I’ve learned since I started competing in 1991 – and everything I’ve learned by competing in 2008 at the International Culinary Olympics – comes back to enrich the learning experience […]
Today, Brian and I set out to the convention center where the events of the International Culinary Olympics are being held, in Erfurt, which is about 30 minutes away from our preparation room in Gotha. Using the GPS (thank goodness for the GPS!), we were able to make the trip […]
Our photo repository is here! The gallery contains a raw feed of our photos – they may be blurry, oriented incorrectly, and not have captions — all of this will be resolved as time permits. Please note that if you wish to leave comments for the chefs, you may do […]
After flying directly from Cincinnati to Frankfurt overnight (with only a few uncomfortable hours for most of the team, and no sleep for other members), we were able to get (quickly!) through customs and security to retrieve our bags and pick up our rental car. Because of confusing one-way roads […]
Everything is done… We had a final fund raiser last night at Midwest Culinary Institute with “action stations†dotted around the Summit Dining Room. (The dish I prepared was a fork-tender tornedeau of beef on a crouton with a rich mushroom demi-glace and topped with crab meat.) The equipment has […]
Midwest Culinary Institute Culinary Olympic Team, 2008 Wines hosted by Joseph Carr of Carr Wines First Course Risotto ala Asperges Fromage Joseph Carr Chardonnay, 2005 Second Course Pan-seared Telecherry Crusted Scallops with Mussels Printaniere Style Joseph Carr Sauvignon Blanc, 2005 Third Course Tournedos Margherita Joseph Carr Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 Dessert […]
On Wednesday, October 8, I found myself in Cleveland Ohio for a work-related event. Once that event was finished, the evening was my own, so I went to LOLA BISTRO, one of Iron Chef America Michael Symon’s places. Despite not being able to make a reservation on Open Table, I […]
After the windstorms that ravaged Ohio a few weeks ago, it became apparent that it was time to replace the roof on our house. Calling around to various roofing companies, we were able to make appointments with some, told by others that they were entirely too busy, and never called […]
“Computers are incredibly fast, accurate, and stupid; humans are incredibly slow, inaccurate, and brilliant; together they are powerful beyond imagination.” — Albert Einstein Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share […]
Team Manager Richard F. Potter, CEC, PCEC, CCA, AAC Executive Chef / Owner at Stringtown Bar & Grill, Florence, KY Competitors Alan J. Neace Sr., CEC, AAC Culinary Instructor at Midwest Culinary Institute, Cincinnati, OH Greg M. Skibinski, CEC Executive Chef at Western Hills Country Club, Cincinnati, OH Assistants […]
I’ve been invited to participate in the International Culinary Olympics (http://www.culinary-olympics.com) as part of a 5-man team called the 2008 Midwest Culinary Institute Olympic Team (http://www.culinarymasters.org). We are one of 8-12 regional teams from the United States attending the world-wide competition. We’re traveling to Erfurt, Germany for the competition. Our […]
I recently received a call from Chef Romuald “Romy” Jung, former executive chef of The Palace Restaurant at The Cincinnatian Hotel. I met Romy while working in his kitchens for GOURMET SENSATION and other events, and have gotten to know him well by bumping into him at frequent chef-crawls (a […]
This was Wendy’s month to pick, and she changed things up for us quite a bit… She told everyone to prepare for “potentially the most expensive Happy Mouth ever”, and that our evening would start at Paul Sturkey’s MESH Restaurant. We all met at the appointed hour for drinks, appetizers […]
Closed since early January 2008, the IRON HORSE INN in Glendale Ohio has recently reopened. The building has a storied history, and it is great to see it open again under new ownership. Wendy and I have dined there twice as guests of the restaurant. This is a “preview-review”. Both […]
This review was written by Wendy. I spent 7 nights at the Iberostar Cozumel with my brother in the beginning of September, sandwiching luckily between Gustav and Ike. This is a perfectly nice hotel on a mediocre beach but nearest the best scuba diving reef I’ve seen. Skip to the […]
“It was a nice party. Nobody cried. Nobody threw up.” — James Beard An interesting review of a party! Apparently, this was one of Beard’s standard reviews of parties, and was quoted by M.F.K. Fisher as a measure of success in her newly-discovered TABLE BOOK, as described in this article […]
Finally, some national attention paid to the developing food scene here in Cincinnati! This time in an article about Lavomatic, which is run by a good friend of mine, Chef Joanne. The article is by David Tamarkin at Gourmet.COM and is worth checking out. Share: Print (Opens in new window) […]
Chef Matthew Winterrowd Wines hosted by Chip Emmerich of Burnet Ridge Winery Welcome Cold Smoked Salmon Cheesecake with Beet Crust and Radish Salad Russian River Vin Gris Pinot Noir 2007 First Course Shrimp, Basmati Rice, Okra, Tomato, and Coconut Lake Erie Pinot Gris 2007 Second Course Crab, Mango, Avocado, and […]
Finally! Since being without power at my datacenter (actually, my computer room (actually, my spare bedroom)) since Sunday, September 14, the power finally came back on last night around 1:00am. Trying to get things back to normal around here… The webserver is back (obviously), the Personal Video Recorder (PVR) is […]
Wow! That was… unexpected! After a LONG time of not upgrading my site’s operating system, various initiatives I am undertaking required me to update from Fedora Core 5 (released March 20, 2006) to Fedora Core 9 (released May 13, 2008). I was very nervous about this upgrade since it spanned […]
He shoots beer from his fingertips. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Share […]
In this article, I present a brief overview of how I use EverNote 2.2.1 to manage the stuff in my life. I have two main EverNote databases (“ENbases”) — one for my office and one for everything else — and I keep them completely separate… Due to FERPA restrictions on […]
From this site comes this week’s Ten on Tuesday: 10 Things You Didn’t Like About School. In no particular order, mine are: Homework Having to wear socks (part of the uniform for my Catholic high school. One day in my junior year, I got HALF a detention once because I […]
Inspired by this post at Wine Me, Dine Me Cincinnati (and my reply here), followed by the creation of Cincinnati Losers, which focuses entirely on white female bloggers, I must ask the following question: Are the weight-loss concerns of white, overweight, male bloggers taken seriously? And my response… Apparently not, […]
On Wednesday, August 12, 2008, the Midwest Culinary Institute hosted another Wine Dinner, this time prepared by Chef Kyle Goebel with wines by Chad Johnson, owner of Dusted Valley Vintner Winery. Sadly, we were in Houston, Texas and missed the dinner. But here’s the menu and photos… It sounded great! […]
I noticed that my pageviews have skyrocketed over the last few days. A bit of investigation reveals that G4 tv‘s popular technology news-and-reviews show, ATTACK OF THE SHOW did a piece on Evernote, an information management tool that I use and advocate. My website (and photo) appears in Evernote’s promotional […]
A few days ago, the members of Happy Mouth (and guests Julie & Terry) met to dine at Holly’s pick, Apsara, an Asian-fusion restaurant. We found that they had very nice sushi and a lobster soup that Wendy loved, and a nice curry. The rest of the food was very […]
From August 8-12, 2008, Wendy & I were in lovely Houston Texas to attend the wedding of a friend of mine. Why they chose to get married in TEXAS in AUGUST is beyond me, but we had a great time despite the oppressive heat and humdity! Our flights were short […]
Finally, after dealing with the crappy, original glass-top electric range in our house for as long as possible, I’ve had enough. Generally, modern glass-top electric ranges run the spectrum from crappy to very good. This old battlehorse was probably the very first one ever built, before the technology had progressed, […]
Independent Restaurant Week is coming! Independent Restaurant Week is coming! Check out the list of independent restaurants, many of whom will be participating, on the site. There are some mighty-fine eateries there! Join in for restaurant week, won’t you?! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to […]
Thanks, EatLiver.COM: Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Share on Reddit (Opens in […]
This month’s selection, by Ted, of the outing for HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB came as an accidental surprise. Apparently, when Ted was seeking a place for us to go, someone mentioned Maribelle’s CAKERY, which Ted misunderstood as Maribelle’s TAVERN, which he picked as our destination. A happy accident it was, too… Situated near the […]
Julie, a blogger over at Wine Me Dine Me Cincinnati, asked in this article if female bloggers are taken seriously. Here’s my reaction: To be honest, I am not sure the gender of the blogger matters to me at all… Content rules. My selection of blogs to read is not […]
Wednesday, July 16 2008 was a Wine Dinner event at the Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. It was hosted by Chef Matt Winterrowd and the cooking staff of The Summit restaurant, and they did a great job. Amuse Bouche First Course Scallops with gnocchi and […]
This cake by Wendy just won Best Of Show at the Butler County Fair. Congratulations! I think we can retire on the prize money. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook […]
You owe it to yourself to go here — quickly (before Sunday July 20, 2008 at midnight) — and watch this. Start at the beginning and enjoy! Update: Dr. Horrible is no longer on the web free, but you can get the entire series for less than $5 at iTunes! […]
From this page comes this Tuesday’s question… What are 10 memorable vacation moments? In no particular order… Please share your comments. Spending all day building large elaborate sandcastles on the beach, then setting them on fire (with fuel-soaked paper towels) at sunset. A giant blue heron who appeared at the end […]
I recently purchased a Dell Latitude XT Tablet PC, my first foray into the world of laptop/tablet PCs. I quickly noticed that the machine gets fairly warm during normal laptop operation, and that it sits fairly flat on my desk, making airflow underneath difficult. Plus the angle of the keyboard […]
Books to the ceiling, Books to the sky, My pile of books is a mile high. How I love them! How I need them! I’ll have a long beard by the time I read them. — Arnold Lobel Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a […]
For this month’s outing, a bit of a change-up… The members of HAPPY MOUTH SUPPERÂ CLUB met for brunch at Lavomatic, one of the Jean-Robert French Restaurant Group’s newest places. It’s a favorite of mine for their fresh, local, organic ingredients and whimsical preparations, plus the executive chef is a good […]
On June 24, 2008, version 2.1 of the hydrocolloid recipe collection edited by Martin Lersch was released. This excellent collection is a useful (and free!) resource for those of us interested in molecular gastronomy. See below for download links for the PDF of the current version as well as the […]
Wendy & I just got home from a short trip to Chicago. We went so I could participate in the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) Annual Industry Conference. Wendy went along for the ride and to take in the sights of Chicago. The conference was extremely informative as I come […]
Dammit. We’ve lost another dark humorist. George Carlin died at 71 from heart failure. He’d had heart troubles for a long time, and they finally caught up with him. Here’s a link to a YouTube video obituary, highlighting just a few of Carlin’s bits. Rest in peace, George. Share: Print […]
June 9-15 2008 was the annual 7 DAYS FOR SIDS fundraiser for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). I had the honor of serving on the Planning Committee for my second year. 7 Days for SIDS raises money for awareness and research towards the eradication of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), […]
After a very long beta period, Celtx 1.0, a wonderful open-source tool for cinematic writing, has been released to the public. The price is right, too – it costs NOTHING to use! I’ve been involved with Celtx for a couple years now, and am pleased to see it mature into […]
One of the most important, in my opinion, events in Cincinnati is happening this week – 7 DAYS FOR SIDS. 7 DAYS FOR SIDS was launched after the tragic loss of Tatiana de Cavel to SIDS in 2002. The program, which is the largest fundraiser for SIDS research in the […]
“I write down everyting I want to remember. That way, instead of spending a lot of time trying to remember what it is I wrote down, I spent the time looking for the paper I wrote it down on.” — Beryl Pfizer Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email […]
This month, because Kristi was busy with other things, we all decided to meet-and-eat anyway at Buca di Beppo for their “red-sauce Italian” fare. We noisily occupied a semi-private dining room and proceeded to eat and drink darned near everything on their menu while Angel drooled over a soccer team […]
The Midwest Culinary Institute (MCI) Wine Dinner for April was planned and prepared by Chef Alan Niece & the Olympic Culinary Team. Wines by Brian Scott from Vintner Select. Additionally, the culinary team prepared booklets with recipes for all the dishes they served which were given to the guests. Due to […]
This month was Jay’s month to select and he picked Burbank’s Real Bar-B-Q, which we’d overlooked as a club until Jay thought of it. Boy, was it good! Smoky Bar-B-Q and lots of libations made this a great time. And long-lost Chef Doug (and his girlfriend) showed up! A great […]
On Saturday, April 5, 2008, Wendy & I dined at The Palace Restaurant in the Cincinnatian Hotel in downtown Cincinnati. We were greeted warmly at the door by Maitre D’ John McLean who walked us to our table and helped us settle in for a multi-course menu prepared for us […]
On March 26, 2008, we attended the next montly Wine Dinner at Midwest Culinary Institute, this time helmed by Chef Matthew Winterrowd, the newest executive chef on faculty there. Wines by Rich Parducci, winemaker from McNab Ridge. Amuse Gueule Kumomoto Oyster, cauliflower, buttermilk, lemon Anime Prosecco NV Jonah Crab, chickpeas, […]
On February 13, 2008, we attended another Wine Dinner at the Midwest Culinary Institute, this time cooked by Chef Rick Potter, C.E.C. who is a faculty member at the college. Wines by Jamie Stewart, Master Sommelier, from Foster’s Group. Here’s the menu Rick prepared, and boy was it good! Welcome […]
I earned my Certified Culinarian! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Share on […]
Some days, big things change in the blink of an eye. Your direction is modified. Your course, previously charted, requires attention anew. This is one of those days. This is very exciting. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email […]
This month’s selection for the HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB was the modestly-priced-but-expensive (more on that in a moment)Â Cleves Drive-In Restaurant, which was selected by Tracy. The fare was really good, and the desserts were especially delicious. The reason this moderately-priced place was expensive (at least for Jay, Ron, and myself) […]
A Southern California McDonald’s restaurants official says Egg McMuffin inventor Herb Peterson has died in Santa Barbara at age 89. Â Egg McMuffin creator Herb Peterson with his breakfast idea in 1997. From CNNMoney: LOS ANGELES (AP) — Herb Peterson, who invented the ubiquitous Egg McMuffin as a way to […]
We’re heading toward the end of our BASIC COOKING 1 class at Cincinnati State Technical & Community College’s Midwest Culinary Institute… We just finished the 1st night of the 8th week (out of 9 weeks), which means we’ve got three more class meetings ahead of us before the end of […]
Found on the internet… Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Share on Reddit […]
We’ve added another animal to the brood. His name is “Chuck” (they were calling him “Claude” at the shelter, but Wendy kept mis-saying it as “Chuck”, so that’s what stuck) and he was a stray with some medical problems. He’s an adult neutered male, and at least part greyhound, so he’s […]
From Saturday, Februrary 16 through Saturday, February 23, 2008, Wendy & I were in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada. We stayed once again with our friends Doug & Kelly in their lovely condo about 20 miles off the strip. Wendy was attending a veterinary conference, which left me free to explore […]
I haven’t blogged about this because I’ve been too darned busy with it, but wanted to talk about the fact that I’ve been hired as an adjunct culinary instructor at the Midwest Culinary Institute (“MCI”) at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. After shadowing for several terms and in several […]
Tonight’s HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB was the first pick by Dave & Robin, who finally got a month (to share). Unfortunately, Wendy & I were too sick to attend, so we missed it. Selected was BD’s Mongolian BBQ, and I hear it was a really good time! Share: Print (Opens […]
“Whatever there is of God and goodness in the Universe, it must work itself out and express itself through us. We cannot stand aside and let God do it.” — Albert Einstein Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email […]
On January 19, 2008, members of the Happy Mouth Supper Club met (our first meeting of 2008!) for dinner at Bouquet in Covington Kentucky, which was Angel’s pick. Bouquet is a nice little wine bar and restaurant that opened December 1, 2007 and is developing their big ideas for what […]
The Summit Room at Midwest Culinary Institute Sensational Wine Dinner January 8, 2008 Chef Alan Neace Wine pairings by Chef Neace & Laura Landoll, Vintage Wine Distributors. Wine commentary, below, provided by Laura Landoll. Champagne Welcome Smoke-Roasted Corn Chowder with Petite Blue Crab and Shrimp-filled Morel FOOD: Wonderfully silky, smooth […]
I am currently reading The Book of Revelation by Rupert Thomson. The jacket and reviews on Amazon.COM make it sound like an interesting, off-beat book, so I am curious to see how it develops. The first several chapters have captured my attention already. I hope the rest of the book […]
Some time during the day on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, the webserver’s power supply stopped functioning and the site was unavailable. Fortunately, I had a spare power supply at the house and was able to quickly repair the system and get us back online. I apologize for the unexpected downtime! […]
I learned recently that the IRON HORSE INN, long a fixture in the Glendale restaurant scene, has closed its doors. I’ve got mixed feelings about this closure. We’ve spent many enjoyable evenings at the Iron Horse over the last 5+ years, from the time we took the Happy Mouth Supper […]
Happy New Year, everyone! 2008 started quietly for Wendy & me. We attended a party at our friend Tracy’s house to ring in the new year with our closest friends. Then, for the next couple days, we laid low hanging around the house and enjoying two solid days of downtime. […]
So, there you have it… 53 recipes, one per week (we ended up with 53 because there is an extra Sunday this year). These recipes were all selected by Drew and pulled from his BigOven recipe management software package. If you like the recipes, you’ll find BigOven to be very […]
-= Exported from BigOven =- Vasilopita (new Year Bread) Recipe By: Serving Size: 1 Cuisine: Main Ingredient: Categories: Greek -= Ingredients =- 1/4 teaspoon Salt 1 package Active Dry Yeast 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon ; Ground 3/4 cup Milk ; Lukewarm 1/4 teaspoon Masticha ; Ground 3 Eggs ; Beaten 1/2 […]
-= Exported from BigOven =- Baked Brie Recipe By: Serving Size: 8 Cuisine: Main Ingredient: Categories: Easy, Appetizers -= Ingredients =- 1 Brie Round ; 5-6 Inch Diameter French Brie 1 Pastry Dough ; Pepperridge Farm Frozen is fine 1 Egg 2 tablespoons Milk -= Instructions =- Preheat oven to […]
On December 19, 2007, members of the Happy Mouth Supper Club, along with guests Julie, Terry, and Adam, dined at Zola’s in Covington. It was Ed’s month to pick, and we really enjoyed the convivial pub atomosphere of Zola’s. Comfortable, fun and unpretentious. The burgers are widely rumored to be […]
-= Exported from BigOven =- Pork Braised With Celery Avgolemono Recipe By: Serving Size: 4 Cuisine: Main Ingredient: Categories: Greek -= Ingredients =- 3 pound Lean Shoulder ; Or Leg Of Pork 4 tablespoon Butter ; Or Margarine 1 Onion ; Finely Chopped Salt & Pepper ; Freshly Ground 3 […]
The Summit Room at Midwest Culinary Institute Sensational Wine Dinner December 11, 2007 Chef Arthur Leech Tuesday, December 11, 2007 marked the inaugural Wine Dinner at Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. As part of the planning team, I worked with College administration, Samantha Smith (from […]
I recently started reading Charcuterie & French Pork Cookery by Jane Grigson, originally published in 1967. It is both an interesting historical document and an excellent introduction to charcuterie. The recipes are classics and, while rather uncomplicated by today’s standards, still yield excellent results. I am reading it because a […]
-= Exported from BigOven =- Bill Knapp’s Chicken Marinade This is a delightful marinade to dress up chicken. Recipe By: http://www.cooknchat.com/recipecards/miscella Serving Size: 0 Cuisine: American Main Ingredient: Soy Sauce Categories: Sauces -= Ingredients =- 1/2 cup Honey 1/2 cup Apple Juice 2 teaspoon Garlic Powder 1/2 teaspoon Ground Ginger […]
-= Exported from BigOven =- Duck Confit Once esteemed as a preservation method, cooking and keeping duck in its rendered fat results in meltingly tender, moist, and extremely flavorful meat which can be used in a variety of simple preparations. Sear the duck legs in a hot skillet or shred […]
I am currently reading THE BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DEAD by Kevin Brockmeier. The Publisher’s Weekly describes it as: Starred Review. A deadly virus has spread rapidly across Earth, effectively cutting off wildlife specialist Laura Byrd at her crippled Antarctica research station from the rest of the world. Meanwhile, the […]
This guest article written by Ronald Lee. On Wednesday, November 27, 2007, most of the members of the Happy Mouth Supper Club cabal (Drew, Wendy, Ted, Holly, Jay, John, Angel, and Ron) met for the monthly soirée at one of ‘Johnny Robert’s’ joints in Covington, Kentucky. It’s officially known as […]
I’ve done a poor job of keeping up with my list of what I’ve read in the last several months (my last update was May 8, 2007 and it’s nearly December!). Sorry about that! I’ve been busy reading and not blogging about what I’m reading… I recently finished The Last […]
-= Exported from BigOven =- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Walnuts and Pecorino No more wrinkled noses when people hear you’re serving Brussels Sprouts — they’ll be begging for more. Properly cooked Brussels Sprouts are sweet, nutty, and full of good flavor. In this preparation, from Franny’s restaurant in Brooklyn, they’re […]
Jean-Robert at Pigall’s Tuesday, September 25, 2007 On Tuesday, September 25, 2007, Wendy & I ate at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s for an amazing dinner to celebrate Wendy’s birthday. The menu with wine pairings is below. Stupidly, I had my suit dry-cleaned and my notes from the dinner didn’t come back […]
-= Exported from BigOven =- Sausage & Cheese Strata Recipe By: www.drewvogel.com Serving Size: 16 Cuisine: Uncategorized Main Ingredient: Eggs Categories: Christmas, Advance, Easy, Breakfast -= Ingredients =- 1/4 cup Butter ; Softened 6 slices Firm White Bread 2 pound Bulk Sausage 3/4 pound Cheddar Cheese ; Grated 6 each […]
-= Exported from BigOven =- Banana Bread — Wendy’s Favorite Recipe By: Serving Size: 8 Cuisine: Main Ingredient: Categories: Easy, Desserts, Bread -= Ingredients =- 3 ea Bananas 2 cups Flour 1 teaspoon Salt 1 teaspoon Baking Soda 1/2 cup Wheat Germ 1/2 cup Butter ; Melted 2 ea Eggs […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =- Arugula and Goat Cheese Ravioli Homemade ravioli are well worth the effort, and making them is the perfect task to share with a kitchen full of cooks (even novices can get in on the fun). Mixing the pasta dough is a breeze in the […]
-= Exported from BigOven =- Shrimp and Boursin Fettuccini Recipe By: Drew Vogel, www.drewvogel.com Serving Size: 4 Cuisine: American Main Ingredient: Pasta Categories: Easy, Main Dish -= Ingredients =- 1 pound Spinach Fettuccini 1 tablespoon Olive Oil ; More As Needed 1 medium Onion ; Diced see Note 2 clove […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                           Spinach Arancini Recipe By: Recipe courtesy Michael Chiarello. Episode #MO1B03 Serving Size: 7 Cuisine: Italian Main Ingredient: Categories: Appetizers -= Ingredients =- 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 ea Onion ; Finely Minced 3 cloves Garlic ; Finely Minced 1 1/2 cups […]
The excitement continues to build for Falcon’s latest production! City Beat review: http://citybeat.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A142394 Don’t miss Falcon’s production of “The Diary of Anne Frank†by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, based on the writings of Anne Frank.  “I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are really good at […]
On Saturday, October 13, 2007, only a couple days after returning from a wonderful week of vacation in Mexico’s Mayan Riviera (report coming soon), I worked at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s. When I arrived, I was greeted warmly and asked immediately if I was there all night. I said I was, […]
On Wednesday, October 17, 2007, several of the members of the HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB met for a delicious, inexpensive dinner at SHANGHAI MAMA’S (scroll down on their site for the menu) in downtown Cincinnati. It was my month to select. Based on the wonderful Crab Cannolis that Tara & […]
                      -= Exported from BigOven =-                          Betty’s Spaghetti This is Thomas Keller’s exuberantly updated version of a dish often prepared by his mother, Elizabeth Marie “Betty” Keller, during his childhood. Recipe By: Saveur magazine, January 2007, page 43 Serving Size: 4 Cuisine: Main Ingredient: Categories: Saveur magazine, Easy, […]
                      -= Exported from BigOven =-                   Artichoke Ravioli with Tomatoes If you’re going to take the time to make fresh pasta, you want to know the dish is worth your while … and these ravioli definitely fit the bill. They’re even better with the bubbling sauce of cream, […]
This evening, members of the HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB met to dine at Wendy’s selection, HUGO RESTAURANT in Oakley (it occupys the old Pho Paris site since they moved to Covington). Wendy & I discovered HUGO when we sampled their shrimp & grits at Chefapalooza, one of the 7 DAYS […]
                      -= Exported from BigOven =-                            Apple Galette Here’s Chef Christopher Hille’s take on a tart he had at Chez Panisse in Berkeley. Recipe By: Bon Appetit magazine, September 2006, page 158 Serving Size: 8 Cuisine: Main Ingredient: Categories: Bon Appetit Magazine, Desserts -= Ingredients =- 1 3/4 […]
                      -= Exported from BigOven =-                        Grant’s Mac and Cheese You would expect Achatz’s macaroni and cheese to have some chef tricks, but it doesn’t. He uses a white sauce, elbow macaroni and cheddar cheese, just like the rest of us. His personal touch: a tablespoon of paprika […]
This Saturday, September 22, Newport Citizen’s Advisory Council (NCAC) will be hosting a wine tasting on the Purple People Bridge. This event will feature wine, hors d’oeuvres and live music in a unique venue with excellent views of the Cincinnati skyline. With this event, we hope to engage a diverse […]
                      -= Exported from BigOven =-                Guacamole with Fresh Corn and Chipotle Forget placing the avocado pit in your guacamole… unless you like how it looks. It doesn’t stop the dip from turning brown. Recipe By: Bon Appetit magazine, July 2006, page 76 Serving Size: 2 Cuisine: Main […]
During the early part of September each year, the Bethesda Foundation hosts GOURMET SENSATION, one of their signature fund-raising events. Since 1988, chefs from all around the world as well as local chefs have shared their culinary creations with an ever-growing and appreciative crowd to raise funds for Hospice of […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                    Gordon’s Apple Tart “Thierry” Recipe By: Gordon Ramsay Serving Size: 4 Cuisine: Main Ingredient: Apples Categories: Bake, The F Word, Desserts -= Ingredients =- ~~ TART ~~ 200 grams Puff Pastry 8 each Pink Lady apples ; more as needed, depending on size […]
a very special report by Holly We started our journey to Biltmore on Friday, August 17; we finally got the kids loaded and on the road by 9:30 a.m. (excellent by our standards). We wanted to take our time and give ourselves lots of breaks. We were ready for lunch […]
                      -= Exported from BigOven =-                      Herbed Goat-Cheese Toasts Goat cheese makes a lovely base for fresh herbs, carrying their flavor and punctuating their brightness with its gentle tang; in this spread, it tastes particularly mild because of the little bit of whipped cream folded in. Take the […]
“Nothing is more admirable than the fortitude with which millionaires tolerate the disadvantages of their wealth.” — Rex Stout Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in […]
A large group of us dined at SORRENTO’S PIZZA in Norwood for Holly’s selection of Happy Mouth for August. It was a really good time, and the food was great! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-           Heirloom Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Basil Allow this salad to sit a few minutes after tossing; the mozzarella milk and tomato juices emerge and add flavor to the dressing. Recipe By: Gourmet magazine, September 2006, page 184 Serving Size: 8 Cuisine: Main […]
After an extended break (exactly 5 months!), the IRON HORSE INN finally hosted another Wine Dinner. Wendy & I were joined by 13 or 14 of our friends for a very nice, fun dinner. Dick Freuwald from Ohio Valley Wine was our tour guide through wines from Australia. Overall, the dinner was […]
                      -= Exported from BigOven =-                           Hummingbird Cake A Victorian cake recipe that is truly exceptional. The perfect cake to take to gatherings… it’s easy, freezes well, serves many, and it doesn’t actually contain any hummingbirds! Recipe By: Serving Size: 14 Cuisine: American Main Ingredient: Grains Categories: Summer, […]
From this site comes this week’s “10 on Tuesday” question… “What are 10 interesting websites you’d like to share?”. Here are mine, in alphabetical order: AbeBooks — amazing prices on hard-to-find books. I get lots of vintage cookbooks through AbeBooks. Audible — I love audiobooks, and this is where I get […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                          Teriyaki Meatballs My mother made these in the 1960’s and my wife got the recipe from her. We have them at least a couple times a year. Recipe By: Serving Size: 6 Cuisine: Asian Main Ingredient: Ground Beef Categories: Bake, Main Dish, Hors […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                      Two Ingredient Beer Bread This is the simplest bread you can imagine. The loaves look rather rustic, but they’re delicious, especially hot and with a smear of butter. Only two ingredients — and no kneading! You can try different beers for different flavors. […]
“Some people have a way with words, and other people… not have way.” — Steve Martin Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X […]
“I am not sincere, even when I say I am not.” — Jules Renard Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share […]
“No animal should ever jump up on the dining-room furniture unless absolutely certain that he can hold his own in the conversation.” — Fran Lebowitz Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                    Tres Leches ‘Three Milks’ Cake Recipe By: Serving Size: 10 Cuisine: Main Ingredient: Categories: Easy, Cake, Desserts -= Ingredients =- Cake 5 ea Eggs ; Separated 1 cup Sugar 1 cup Self-Rising Flour 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract Syrup 1 ea 14 ounce Sweetened […]
On Friday, July 13, 2007, I dined at Victoria & Albert’s in Disney’s Grand Floridian Hotel in Orlando Florida. Victoria & Albert’s is an elite, intimate and elegant eatery recognized by the nation’s top food critics. This very-special-occasion romantic Victorian retreat offers nightly harpists, lavish décor, personalized menus and a […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                           Tofu Bourguignon Recipe By: Serving Size: 4 Cuisine: Main Ingredient: Categories: Vegetarian, Vegetables, Main Dish -= Ingredients =- 2 pound Firm Tofu ; Cut Into 1 In. Squares 1 1/2 cup Dry Red Wine 1/4 cup Tamari 4 Garlic Cloves ; Pressed as […]
On Wednesday, July 11th, 2007 Wendy & I were joined by Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler of the Cincinnati-based band Over The Rhine for a landmark dinner at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s. Karin & Linford have not dined at the restaurant before, and are rather new to fine dining in general. […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                        Yellowfin Tuna Tartare Spiced up with chile and ginger this is a great introduction to Sashimi. Recipe By: Serving Size: 24 Cuisine: Asian Main Ingredient: Tuna Categories: Easy, Snacks, Hors dOeuvres, Appetizers -= Ingredients =- 1 cup cilantro ; minced 3/4 cup green […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                 Asparagus, Cream Cheese, Puff Pastry Recipe By: Drew Vogel, www.drewvogel.com Serving Size: 32 Cuisine: French Main Ingredient: Asparagus Categories: Bake, Advance, Vegetables, Appetizers -= Ingredients =- 1 sheet Puff Pastry Dough ; thawed if frozen 8 ounces Cream cheese ; softened 12 Asparagus […]
Tonight was Ted’s HAPPY MOUTH selection, and he chose RED in Hyde Park. RED is a new-ish restaurant in a traditionally difficult space. The long, dark, shotgun-style room feels intimate, but diners don’t feel like they’re sitting on top of each other. Our long table was near the back of the […]
On Saturday, June 23, 2007, Wendy & I dined at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s. It had been a while since we’d eaten there (once in February with the HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB; before that, the last time Wendy & I dined there alone was September 2006), so we were very excited […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                     Chestnut And Chocolate Cake This classic unbaked “cake” is for people who like dense, assertive chocolate desserts. It’s super-easy — requiring only moments to combine the ingredients — and extremely rich. Cans of pureed chestnuts flavored with vanilla and sugar come from the […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                         Braised Lamb Shanks This is without a doubt the most requested recipe I’ve ever created. Lamb shanks are one of the cuts of meat that benefit most from long, slow braising. Don’t omit the step of turning the shanks every half hour; it […]
On Saturday, June 16, 2007, I worked in the kitchens of Jean-Robert at Pigall’s. It was a good evening to work — the Chef de Cuisine and one of the line cooks were both out. Adequate plans for coverage were made, though — the sous chef from one of Jean-Robert’s […]
Since stumbling upon Counterscript some time ago, I have been on a relentless campaign against telemarketers that enter my home through the telephone. My campaign is called “Reactive Telemarketing”. Whenever a telemarketer calls, I immediately begin asking them questions as listed on the Counterscript (though I do not follow it […]
June 11-June 17 2007 was 7 DAYS FOR SIDS week in the Cincinnati area. SIDS is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which is the number one cause of death for infants aged one week to one year. 7 DAYS FOR SIDS was founded by Jean-Robert de Cavel and his wife, Annette […]
                      -= Exported from BigOven =-                 Roasted Garlic and White Bean Puree Roasted garlic and thyme turn plain white beans into a perfect accompaniment for robust lamb. A little cream gives the puree a rich flavor and a pleasing texture. For an even richer puree, warm 1/4 cup […]
On Tuesday, June 12, 2007, Wendy, Ted, and I participated in a Wine Dinner at Rondo’s Restaurant in Western Hills. The theme was “Summer Quaffing Wines from Tin Roof Wines, California” (with wines from Glazer Distributors), and the menu was as follows: First Course Chilled Cucumber, Mint, and Melon Soup Sauvignon Blanc, 2006 This […]
From this page comes this Tuesday’s question… What are 10 awesome things about me? In no particular order… I am a SCUBA diver I am educated I am dedicated I am funny — really funny I can eat a lot — a whole lot I am an excellent cook (years of culinary […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-              Roast Chicken (Mon Poulet Roti) — Bouchon Thomas Keller, of the French Laundry and Bouchon restaurants, shares his method for simple and satisfying roast chicken. Recipe By: BOUCHON cookbook, page xii Serving Size: 4 Cuisine: American Main Ingredient: Chicken Categories: Easy, Poultry, Main […]
On June 6, 2007, HAPPY MOUTH met at Knotty Pine on the Bayou, John’s pick for the month. Though I attended, I didn’t eat ANYTHING because my stomach was very upset from something I’d eaten previously that day. Everything looked and smelled as good as it could in my condition, and […]
From this page comes this Tuesday’s question… What are 10 occupations I wanted when I was young? In no particular order… Fireman Musician Actor Director Teacher Chef Writer Filmmaker Raconteur Philanthropist Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook […]
June 11-June 17 2007 is 7 DAYS FOR SIDS week in the Cincinnati area. SIDS is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which is the number one cause of death for infants aged one week to one year. 7 DAYS FOR SIDS was founded by Jean-Robert de Cavel and his wife, Annette […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                             Salty Crepes From Deus Ex Culina. This is a surprisingly simple recipe that looks wonderfully complicated… When I lived in Paris, it was customary for my friends and I to go out and have cider and galettes in the fall. The cider would […]
From this page comes this Tuesday’s question… What are 10 greatest accomplishments in my life (so far)? In no particular order… Becoming prepared enough to be Wendy’s spouse. Graduating college with a Bachelor’s degree. Going back to school and graduating again with a degree in Culinary Arts. Going to college in the first […]
                      -= Exported from BigOven =-                    Crispy Shrimp in Kataifi Crust Joël Robuchon was inspired to create this dish after tasting a Vietnamese recipe for shrimp coated with soft vermicelli. “But I’m much more into Mediterranean flavors at the moment,” he says. He also wanted a crispy crust, […]
Tonight’s HAPPY MOUTH outing was orchestrated by Chuck, and he selected Chez Nora in Covington Kentucky as our destination. Dinner was at a long table in their back room (though a few members had enjoyed a cocktail on the restaurant’s rooftop bar before dinner). I sampled the Smoked Chicken & […]
Finally, after weeks of trying to diagnose and fix the problem of article links displaying as https://drewvogel.com/?page_id=885 (which isn’t very human-readable or friendly), I accidentally stumbled upon the solution to allow friendly URLs (like https://drewvogel.com/archives-heatmap-tag-cloud/). If you spot any weirdness, please let me know! Share: Print (Opens in new window) […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                    Soba Noodle Salad with Chicken Recipe By: August 2001 Food & Wine magazine, page 68 Serving Size: 4 Cuisine: Main Ingredient: Categories: Food & Wine Magazine, Poultry, Side Dish, Appetizers -= Ingredients =- 3/4 pound Soba Noodles 7 tablespoon Peanut Oil 5 tablespoon […]
Just a few days after I upgraded to the previous version of WordPress, the new version (2.2.0) comes out. I upgraded today, and it seems to be working well so far. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share […]
I am reading THE SUPPER OF THE LAMB by Robert Farrar Capon. My friend Mary W suggested it to me, and I trust her taste in books so much that I ordered the book (and somehow ended up with two copies) sight-unseen. If the first 15 pages are any indication, […]
                      -= Exported from BigOven =-                     Cauliflower and Crab Ravioli These impressive supersized ravioli are constructed with large rectangles of homemade pasta that are dotted with whole parsley leaves and filled with the unexpectedly alluring combination of crab and cauliflower. Recipe By: Food & Wine magazine, February 2006, […]
After thinking about it for far too long, this morning I spent some time upgrading my WordPress installation to 2.1.3, the most current version. I had to update a bunch of plugins to their most current version and then deactivate them one-by-one, install the new WordPress files, then re-activate (one-by-one […]
I am reading Andrew Todhunter’s A MEAL OBSERVED. It’s a magazine-length idea that he’s turned into an amusing little book, combining history and experience with a sheaf of helpful culinary notes. The book recounts their meal at Paris’s Taillevent, “a Michelin three-star restaurant considered by many critics to be the finest in […]
From this page comes this Tuesday’s question…Â What are 10Â things most people don’t know about me? In no particular order… I am a scuba diver. When I was in high school, I used to wear a ‘rat tail’ in my hair (think mullet but the ‘party in the back’ is only […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                   Fresh Pasta Sheets with Parsley The whole parsley leaves rolled into this pasta make it especially pretty but you can easily leave them out. Simply omit Step 3 of the recipe. Recipe By: Serving Size: 8 Cuisine: Main Ingredient: -= Ingredients =- 1 […]
 One Night, Twelve Kitchens April 29, 6-9 pm Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State College  Top regional chefs showcase the eleven state-of-the-art kitchens at Midwest Culinary Institute to benefit the Cincinnati State College Foundation culinary scholarships. I have participated in this event for the last few years and was […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                         Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe By: From “Garlic and Sapphires” by Ruth Reichel Serving Size: 3 Cuisine: Italian Main Ingredient: Pasta Categories: Easy, Pasta, Main Dish -= Ingredients =- 3/4 pound Spaghetti 1/4 to 1/2 pound Bacon ; Good Quality Thickly sliced 2 cloves Garlic […]
In Letters to a Young Chef, Daniel Boulud, cookbook author, chef, and owner of Daniel, Café Boulud, and DB Bistro Moderne in New York City, briefly covers what he believes are the most important building blocks to becoming a great chef. I bought this book for $1 at a used […]
From this page comes this Tuesday’s question…Â What are 10Â things I like to do when I’m alone? In no particular order… Cook! I love to cook for/with people, but I also enjoy cooking by/for myself. Sing along to music Read. I dream of lounging in a hot bathtub and reading a […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                      Porcini Mushroom Tartlets Serve with frisee & herb salad. Recipe By: Serving Size: 4 Cuisine: Main Ingredient: Categories: Food & Wine Magazine, Appetizers -= Ingredients =- 1 cup Walnuts 10 ounces Puff Pastry Dough All-Butter ; Thawed & Chilled 3 tablespoon Unsalted Butter […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-          Asparagus and Mushroom Salad with Shaved Parmesan Recipe By: From THE BEST OF GOURMET, 1996. Page 190. Serving Size: 8 Cuisine: Main Ingredient: Categories: Gourmet Magazine, Easy, Sauces, Salads -= Ingredients =- 1 pound Asparagus Medium To Thick ; Trimmed 1/2 pound Mushrooms […]
This evening, the members of the Happy Mouth Supper Club met at Jay’s selection — the Brown Dog Cafe in Blue Ash (a suburb of Cincinnati). I’d previously worked at an event with Chef Shawn McCoy but had not had the chance to eat at the restaurant. Boy, am I glad […]
Sometime between noon and 2:00pm today, my site received its 100,000th visitor. It’s pretty exciting that this little blog has been visited by that many individuals. Thanks, and keep coming back! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share […]
I found ROASTING IN HELL’S KITCHEN: TEMPER TANTRUMS, F WORDS, AND THE PURSUIT OF PERFECTION while looking for HUMBLE PIE, also by Gordon Ramsay. I believe that the two books are very close if not identical, just named differently for different countries. Ramsay’s book seems like a collection of narrated-and-transcribed musings including […]
From this page comes this Tuesday’s question… What are 10 memories I have from high school? In no particular order… Impressing one of the nuns (I went to McNicholas High School — a Catholic school — so there were nuns every-damn-where) on my very first day with how nimbly I was able to […]
To be a book collector is to combine the worst characteristics of a dope fiend with those of a miser. — Robertson Davies Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share […]
                      -= Exported from BigOven =-                             Banoffee Pie This pie, an easy take on toffee with bananas (hence the name), made its debut at The Hungry Monk, a pub in England, in 1972. Toffee can be chilled up to 2 days (cover after 1 hour). Toffee-filled crust can […]
From this page comes this Tuesday’s question…Â What are 10Â things I love about springtime? In no particular order… Opening the windows in the house to get fresh air in Brighter mornings (or is that because of daylight savings time?) Mornings that are cool enough to require a jacket Afternoons that are […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                       One Dish Beef Stroganoff Very easy to make and little washing up! Recipe By: Serving Size: 4 Cuisine: Eastern European Main Ingredient: Beef Categories: Quick, Fry, Easy, Main Dish -= Ingredients =- 3/4 pound boneless beef sirloin steak ; 3/4″ thick 1 can […]
This evening, a group of us met for our monthly Happy Mouth outing. It was Tracy’s month to pick, and she selected VINYL in downtown Cincinnati. The supper club had dined at the physical space previously when it was The Diner, also Tracy’s pick. After the less-than-stellar meal at The Diner (they […]
I was ready for a lighter book (both in terms of subject matter and overall weight!) after thoroughly enjoying House of Leaves, so I picked up ARTEMIS FOWL: THE LOST COLONY by Eoin Colfer and am enjoying it very much. Â Â These are fun books and are enjoyable by young adults […]
From this page comes this Tuesday’s question… What are 10 movie characters I love? In no particular order… Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi — Star Wars series Sam Lowry — Brazil Ashley ‘Ash’ J. Williams — Evil Dead series Victim — Closet Land Chris Nielsen — What Dreams May Come Inigo Montoya — Princess Bride […]
“My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four. Unless there are three other people.” — Orson Welles Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-             Garlic Veloute with Croutons and Prosciutto From CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY ITALIAN COOKING FOR PROFESSIONALS, by Bruno Ellmer, page 104. Recipe By: Serving Size: 8 Cuisine: Italian Main Ingredient: Categories: Easy, Soup -= Ingredients =- 1 ounce Butter 8 ounces Leeks ; White Part […]
Religion: A large and popular cult. Cult: A small and unpopular religion. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest […]
Tonight’s wine dinner was very nice — Wendy & I joined Cindy, Mo, Angel, and Greg for a very nice meal at the Iron Horse Inn. Chris & Devin did a nice job of explaining the wines. First Course Deconstructed Spicy Crab Sushi Clean State Riesling I really liked the Riesling. The first taste […]
From this page comes this Tuesday’s question…Â What are 10 things I hate doing? In no particular order… Cutting my toenails Cutting the grass Growing older Having to do something that I know will hurt someone — for example, starting a difficult conversation Getting dental work done Singing in public Getting […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-    Jonah Crab Salad with Fresh Salsa, Avocado Cream, Micro-greens Recipe By: Drew Vogel, www.drewvogel.com Serving Size: 18 Cuisine: French Main Ingredient: Crab Categories: Hors dOeuvres, Appetizers -= Ingredients =- ~~ AVOCADO CREAM ~~ 6 ea large ripe Avocados ; Peeled Pitted Chopped Juice […]
From this page comes this Tuesday’s question… What are my 10 favorite albums? As you will soon see, I was unable to select just 10 favorite albums. Each of the albums below are in the category of “nearly perfect album” in my mind. These recordings stand together as a cohesive whole, and […]
I’ve worked at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s a few times this year, and noticed that I failed to blog those visits. Back on Saturday, February 3rd, I worked at the restaurant and cut the daylights out of my left middle finger (see this picture for a diagram of the cut) with […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                        Molten Chocolate Cakes This recipe, called Hot Rock at the Tropica Restaurant in Maui, makes two couple-sized cakes, serving four people total. Have them warm with whipped cream, bananas, ice cream, and/or raspberry coulis (included in this collection). Recipe By: Serving Size: 4 […]
From this page comes this Tuesday’s question… In no significant order, 10 things I’d like to learn how to do: Speak Spanish Speak Japanese Speak French Be a better writer Program, at least a little bit Work less and make more money Be paid for traveling and dining out Sing Dance […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                           Raspberry Coulis Recipe By: Bon Appetit magazine, Sept 2001, page 126 Serving Size: 4 Cuisine: Main Ingredient: Categories: Easter, Fruit, Sauces, Desserts -= Ingredients =- 1 10 ounce bag Sweetened Frozen Raspberries In Syrup to taste Sugar -= Instructions =- Thaw, puree, and […]
This evening was the first-Saturday Wine Dinner at the Iron Horse Inn. Wendy & I joined a bunch of friends at the table for a great meal. Our party was 13 people strong! We love taking new people to the Iron Horse — all we have to do is get them to […]
Ah, if only I were younger! I’m not sure if the spirit of this meme is to ask “what would I do if I could roll back the clock?” or if it is addressing things I no longer feel I can do since I’m older… Interestingly, this exercise became more the […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                           Spinach Arancini Recipe By: Recipe courtesy Michael Chiarello. Episode #MO1B03 Serving Size: 7 Cuisine: Italian Main Ingredient: Categories: Appetizers -= Ingredients =- 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 ea Onion ; Finely Minced 3 cloves Garlic ; Finely Minced 1 1/2 cups […]
The Iron Horse Inn Restaurant & Vintner Select presents: Frog’s Leap Winery This evening, we dined at the Iron Horse Inn for their monthly “third-Tuesday” wine dinner, this one focusing on wines from Frog’s Leap Winery. First Course Fried Spicy Salmon Roll, Plum Sauce & Sweet Soy 2005 Sauvignon Blanc […]
This is a difficult meme since as a foodie, I tend to like almost everything, and I wouldn’t say that I hate any of these (dislike is a better word), but here goes in no particular order: Green peppers (especially raw) Red peppers (especially raw) Celery (especially raw) Okra Natto (well, […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                         Butter Rum Caramels Recipe By: GOURMET magazine, October 2005, page 268 Serving Size: 64 Cuisine: Main Ingredient: Categories: Candy, Gourmet Magazine, Easy, Desserts -= Ingredients =- Vegetable Oil ; For Greasing 2 cups (14 oun Light Brown Sugar ; Packed 1 cup Heavy […]
A couple friends and I are working our way through House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski. This is the predecessor of ONLY REVOLUTIONS, which I attempted to read a couple books back and failed to finish. House of Leaves is, itself, a difficult book, but it is an engrossing […]
This evening, this Valentine’s Day evening, several of us braved the frigid cold and met for our monthly Happy Mouth outing. It was Wendy B’s choice, and she selected Thai Cafe’ in Clifton. Thai Cafe’ offers Asian food at reasonable prices. We had Curry Rolls, Edamame, and Paad Thai in […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-               Fig, Prosciutto, And Blue Cheese Pizzas From Wednesday September 24 2003 LA TIMES Food Section, page F3. Flatbreads are available at Trader Joe’s and Middle Eastern markets. Try Jungle Jim’s, too. Recipe By: Serving Size: 6 Cuisine: Main Ingredient: Categories: Easy, Snacks, Hors […]
Oh, Wendy & I adore Christopher Moore! He’s one funny writer, as nice as he can be in person, and writes enjoyably messed-up stories. YOU SUCK is a follow-up to BLOODSUCKING FIENDS that Mr. Moore has written at the request of his readers. I’m only 80 pages in and have […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                           Shrimp Volavent Recipe By: Doug Johnstone, CEC Serving Size: 12 Cuisine: Main Ingredient: Categories: Hors dOeuvres, Appetizers -= Ingredients =- 2 each sheets Puff Pastry 1 large Egg 2 tablespoon Heavy Cream 36 large Shrimp ; Peeled And Deveined 1/4 pound Butter ; […]
On Saturday, February 3, 2007, Wendy & I joined Gail, Bill, Joanne, Bob, Mike, Greg, Laramie, and Mark at a table at the Iron Horse Inn for their first-Saturday Wine Dinner. While it wasn’t the best wine dinner we’ve ever attended, it was still an enjoyable evening out with good […]
Our first Happy Mouth of 2007 was Kristy’s selection. She selected BELLA LUNA on Eastern Avenue for their imported Italian pastas and house-made delights. The restaurant is quite informal and very friendly. We had a really nice time, and the food was very good. I sampled a mozzarella bread, the tomato […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                          Mini White Castles Recipe By: Joan Fisher at University of Cincinnati Serving Size: 30 Cuisine: Main Ingredient: Categories: Easy, Sandwiches, Appetizers -= Ingredients =- 1 1/2 pound Ground Chuck 1 package Lipton Onion Soup Mix 3 ea 20 count Pepperidge Farm Party Rolls […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                   Meat Sauce — Professional Chef The classic “spaghetti” sauce loved by children and adults; this sauce also works well with lasagna and heavier pasta dishes. Recipe By: THE NEW PROFESSIONAL CHEF, page 539 Serving Size: 2 Cuisine: Italian Main Ingredient: Categories: Sauces -= […]
Tonight we attended a Wine Dinner at the IRON HORSE INN. Wendy and I have been attending most of the wine dinners there for the last four years or so, and this was a particularly enjoyable one, as it contained one of the best single courses & pairings we’ve had there. First […]
I am currently reading The Scavenger’s Guide to Haute Cuisine by Steven Rinella. It’s sort of a road book meets hunting book meets culinary book, and it’s fun. Mr. Rinella’s activities as he tries to collect ingredients to re-create a 3-day, 45-course meal from Le Guide Culinaire are very entertaining.    Share: […]
THE MINIMALIST; The Secret of Great Bread: Let Time Do the Work By MARK BITTMAN http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/08/dining/08mini.html, originally published in the New York Times on November 8, 2006. INNOVATIONS in bread baking are rare. In fact, the 6,000-year-old process hasn’t changed much since Pasteur made the commercial production of standardized yeast […]
                      -= Exported from BigOven =-        Milk Chocolate Mousse Cake with Hazelnut Crunch Crust Layers of chocolate mousse made with gianduja, the luscious Italian hazelnut-flavored milk chocolate, and chocolate genoise top a base of hazelnut crunch. DO-AHEADS: Cake layer, 1 day; assembled cake, 2 days. Recipe By: Serving […]
 -= Exported from BigOven =-African Peanut Soup A spicy-sweet contrast make this soup a special treat. A good use for leftover pumpkin. Canned puree of sweet potato or yams can be substituted. Increase the heat by adding more red pepper or red pepper sauce. Recipe By: Serving Size: 8 […]
Our very first recipe for 2007 is for a very easy, tasty Hollandaise Sauce from Mark Bittman. His method turns the difficult classical preparation of this sauce on its ear. This is the fool-proof way to prepare Hollandaise! -= Exported from BigOven =- Hollandaise Sauce — Bittman Once a challenging […]
Last year, we took a look at all the dinners I ate — each and every night of the year — and that experiment seemed to go very well. This year, I’m going to post a recipe each-and-every week. The recipes will come from different sources, and will be all over […]
Our last dinner of this year-long experiment, and our last dinner of 2006, was anything but glamourous. Wendy was working on her Photo Gallery Cakecentral on CakeCentral.com”>anniversary all day (it took about 7 hours) so we were home for lunch (leftover LaRosa’s pizza) and for dinner (a couple cans of Chef […]
I decided to put down ONLY REVOLUTIONS for the time being. Though I was enjoying the book, I was struggling with it because this period of time is so busy with the holidays and my busiest time at work. I kept losing the thread of the book because I wasn’t able to devote […]
Tonight, Wendy & I joined Anne and Larry for dinner to celebrate our anniversary at The Phoenix restaurant in downtown Cincinnati. The restaurant at The Phoenix has been satisfying Cincinnati locals and visitors for over 20 years. The food and service have received high marks in the Zagat Survey and […]
Wendy had some cake decorating to do this evening, so we’re spending a very-much-appreciated night in. We had LaRosa’s bring us dinner. Wendy got her usual Deli Ciabatta, and this time I switched it up a bit and got Cheese Ravioli and a salad. Everything was very good and filling! […]
We had talked about taking this evening off to see ERAGON, but when it came time, we were both too tired and just felt like sitting around the house. So, we picked up a couple of as-big-as-your-head burritos from Chipotle and hit the couch. We got caught up on several […]
My friend Paul was in from out of town (he stopped working at University of Cincinnati and took a job at Notre Dame, about 4.5 hours away from here) for the holidays, so Wendy & I met him and Julie at Tokyo Restaurant on Chester Road for sushi and other […]
After the hectic holidays, Wendy & I snuck to a dark, quiet Chinese restaurant (whose name I do not know — it’s the one near the Outback & Taj Mahal restaurants) for really good carryout-style food. Wendy had Pad Thai, I had General Tao’s Chicken (which was the weakest dish […]
MERRY CHRISTMAS! Wendy & I woke up early to celebrate our Christmas together with the pets. Once done with that, we headed over to Wendy’s family’s home to celebrate with them before being joined in the evening by Wendy’s extended family and my parents to celebrate some more. Dinner was chicken, […]
As you saw in yesterday’s blog post, here is the menu we served for Christmas Eve. Here, I’ve expanded it to include the wines we served. My mother & father joined us, along with Paul, and Deb, two close friends. After Wendy & I went shopping Wednesday evening, I worked much […]
After cooking all day for the dinner we’re hosting tomorrow, Wendy & I met up with Dave for dinner and some last minute shopping (we needed to find plates for the ravioli course and the cheese course and maybe the dessert course, and some more table decorations (since the decorations […]
This evening, Wendy and I attended the first-ever Junior American Culinary Federation Dinner at Cincinnati State. A group of students in the Federation prepared a very nice meal — Roasted Butternut Squash Soup; Marinated Pear and Gorgonzola Salad with Caramelized Walnuts and Balsamic Vinaigrette;Â Turkey Roulade with Sausage Stuffing; Green Beans […]
Wendy had a beauty treatment tonight after work so I spent the evening taking to the trash the MOUNTAIN of boxes we had accumulated from ordering most of our Christmas presents for everyone from the Internet (that took a while) and working on my preparation timeline for the multi-course meal we’re preparing for […]
After not feeling well last night and most of the day, I started feeling better in the mid-afternoon. Wendy & I went shopping at Jungle Jim’s for ingredients for the 8-course meal we’re preparing for my parents and a couple friends on Sunday and stopped at White Castle for cheeseburgers […]
This evening, I went directly down to Cincinnati State after my workday to assist Chef Grace Yek with a Team Building Cooking Class for 18 people. Chef Yek, Shannon, and I put all the mise en place together for four menu items: Edamame and Corn Salad with Ginger Dressing; Red […]
Wendy wisely pointed out that if we wanted to decorate our Christmas tree, it had to be tonight. As a result, we decided to order in LaRosa’s for dinner. She had a Deli Cibatta and I had a Steak Hoagie. We split a salad. Once that was done, we got […]
This afternoon, Wendy & I ‘catered’ an annual event for Over The Rhine. After their Christmas Concert on Saturday, they host a smaller-scale acoustic show/meet & greet at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Norwood. Wendy & I take care of cookies, cheese, veggies, candy, soda, wine, and lots of other food-related […]
Tonight was the annual Over The Rhine Christmas concert at the Taft Theater in downtown Cincinnati. Wendy & I attended as guests of the band with our friends Brian & Milan. The four of us met for dinner at SHANGHAI MAMA’s, a few blocks up from the theater, for an […]
After a restless night, I stayed home from work today and just laid around. By the middle of the afternoon I was feeling well enough to try some food, and it managed to progress through in the normal fashion and in nearly a normal timeframe. Emboldened by this tentative success, […]
Whew boy was I sick this evening. Around 1:30pm at my office, I really started feeling bad. My stomach was incredibly acid-y and I was VERY unhappy about it. I managed to hang in there for my two afternoon appointments, but left as soon as my last appointment was over. […]
Tonight was Ed’s night to pick and he selected the CACTUS PEAR restaurant in Clifton. I joined the gang late because of a meeting so all I had to eat was a bowl of roasted potatoes. Seemed like everyone was having a blast and I know the food there to […]
   After work tonight, I headed over to Pho Paris restaurant because I’ve been invited to join the planning committee for the 7 Days for SIDS events that take place every June. Being invited to join the committee is very exciting for me. I’ve worked on the event for the […]
Tonight, we had some kitchen-related stuff to do — Wendy baked a few cakes in preparation for upcoming events, and we made 6 pounds of chocolate bark (in addition to the three pounds we prepared yesterday). I prepared a lovely pork tenderloin stuffed with proscuitto and rosemary and served it […]
We joined our friends Bob & Sharon for a comfortable meal at Outback Steakhouse, their pick. We really like Bob & Sharon. After our meal — I had the chopped blue cheese salad, steamed broccoli, and a 7-ounce filet — Wendy commented that they’re really easy people to talk with. […]
With errands behind us, Wendy & I went to see the 4:00 production of THE TRIAL OF EBENEZER SCROOGE at Falcon Theater. They did a good job, and Donnie, who played Scrooge, did an exceptional job. It was an entertaining show. Since we were nearby, Wendy suggested we stop at […]
Wendy received a gift card for Max & Erma’s restaurant chain today at her office, so we went there for a light dinner. I had a bowl of their tomato basil soup and half a roast beef and brie cheese sandwich. Everything was good, and we got to go to […]
Wendy & I had some errands tonight, so it was a quick dinner at Steak-n-Shake. I had a Mushroom & Swiss Burger (not very good, honestly), some fries and cottage cheese. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share […]
I threw together some pasta, tuna, olives, garlic, and other items tonight to make a peasant meal. It was good, though I made too much pasta which diluted the taste of everything else. Once I’d ‘eaten down’ the pasta, the flavor profile balanced and it was really tasty. A small helping […]
Wendy had her cake decorating class this evening (it was Fondant night and she was very excited), so I went to Tokyo Restaurant for a sushi dinner — soup, salad, 10 pieces of nigiri sushi, and a tuna roll. I added Eel nigiri. It was a really nice meal, exactly […]
We went for dinner tonight with Robin and our friend Doug. We decided to go to the IRON HORSE INN for dinner (and to pick up some wine we bought at the last wine dinner). Doug had never eaten there, so we were excited to introduce him to one of […]
Currently reading ONLY REVOLUTIONS by Mark Z. Danielewski, the author of the very-weird and much-enjoyed House of Leaves. This book is more challenging than House of Leaves and I am not immediately enjoying it as much. However, I will stick with it. If you’re interested in an unusual story told […]
Tonight we hung out at home and had delivery from LaRosa’s… I had a hoagie and Wendy had a cibatta (which, to her dismay, they may be discontinuing, if the driver is to be believed). Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in […]
We left the hotel at 9:00am (their time) to travel back from Kentucky. In the evening, we attended the fourth annual craft party at Dave & Robin’s house, attended by Dave, Robin, Cheryl, Danny, Holly, Wendy, and Drew. We made candle cozies, little beaded Christmas trees, and beady candy canes. It […]
Tonight was the second (and last) night of the Madrigal Dinner at Kentucky Wesleyan College. Wendy & I joined a few other alums for dinner at FAMOUS DELI in Owensboro. We had a starter of fried mozzarella with marinara sauce (it was excellent), then I had their very-good Chicken Marsala […]
Tonight was the first night (of two nights) of the Madrigal Dinner at Kentucky Wesleyan College. This evening is the performance that I attended, and it was very nice. A brisk night in Owensboro Kentucky was a lovely contrast to the warm, inviting room (well, gymnasium) that had been set […]
Wendy and I went down to Owensboro Kentucky so she could participate in the 30th annual Madrigal Dinner hosted at her undergrad, Kentucky Wesleyan College. She was particularly excited that “Doc” (whose real name I never learned!) was coming back to conduct the assembled chorus. We drove down on Thursday so […]
Take half a loaf of decent (though a day or two old) French bread. Slice it down the middle and open it flat. Saute some minced fresh garlic in (too much) butter until it’s nicely aromatic. Pour the butter over the french bread, top with Mozzarella, Cheddar, Provolone, and Parmesan […]
Tonight was Wendy’s early night off of work, so she got home around 7:00pm. I’d been home since about 5:30, reading over the Only Revolutions website & forums. Mark Z. Danielewski is one tripped-out author — he’s the same guy that wrote the mammoth House of Leaves, a 700+ page […]
Another at-home evening tonight, and it was very nice. Dinner was simple — food we had on hand. I had some ravioli, yogurt, and an orange. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new […]
Today we bagged the leaves that Wendy raked up yesterday. We bagged and bagged — over 30 bags (each with a capacity of 39 gallons) of leaves. Oh my aching back. But our yard looks much better, and our neighbors (who take more pride in their yard than we do […]
I worked prep at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s this afternoon, spending time helping out wherever I was useful. My most useful contribution today was that I made a ton of ravioli (brunoise of squash, shrimp, mushroom, and greens) pretty much from start to finish. Also, I hadn’t seen Jean-Robert since they gave […]
I had today off as part of University of Cincinnati’s Thanksgiving holiday. I got up around 8:00am and worked on a few things (emails, inquiries, adding a feature or two to the Over The Rhine site, etc). I was out the door by 11:30am, expecting mobs of people participating in […]
Like most Americans, we celebrated Thanksgiving today. We were fortunate enough to be Wendy’s family for Thanksgiving, and my parents came along as well. We enjoyed the standard Thanksgiving fare: turkey, dressing, gravy, rolls, salad, sweet potato casserole, cauliflower, green beans, cranberry sauce, and more. It was a fine evening […]
Today was Wendy’s day off from work and I got out of the office at 3:00pm (thanks to the administration for letting us go early!), so we had some time at home this evening. Wendy spent most of her time working on a Thanksgiving cake she’s making for tomorrow, and […]
Currently reading The Reach of a Chef by fellow-Ohioan Michael Ruhlman. I’ve read the others in this series, The Making of a Chef and The Soul of a Chef, and enjoyed them both. When I saw this new book in the bookstore, it was an instant buy. Next, I may […]
This evening was the year’s last monthly (third-Tuesday) Wine Dinner at the Iron Horse Inn in Glendale, and the 14 people in our party sincerely enjoyed the event. Iron Horse blows it out a bit for the last wine dinner of the year — it’s a sparkling wine dinner, and this […]
An at-home dinner tonight as Wendy picked up from Penn Station for me (chicken teriyaki) and Skyline Chili (three-way) for herself. While waiting for Wendy, I hard-boiled some eggs in preparation for the Cauliflower Polonaise I’m making for Thanksgiving and poached an egg just for fun. Share: Print (Opens in […]
Today, Wendy and I attended the birthday party of the 5-year-old daughter of friends of ours. Her party this year was at PUMP IT UP, and indoor facility with lots of inflatable stuff on which adults (and the kids) can play. It was a blast! After that, we had to […]
Tonight, Wendy & I drove up to Columbus Ohio to have dinner with Jon & Dawn, a very nice couple we met on our most recent trip to Mexico. We met them at Cap City Fine Diner, a restaurant that Wendy adores (and which happens to be within 10 minutes […]
Tonight’s dinner was a good one at the house — I had some cottage cheese, then I prepared a garlic duck breast, some creamed corn, and had some yogurt. Yummy! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on […]
My restful evening was interrupted when Wendy arrived home and informed me that we had to go get a birthday present for a friend of our’s whose party we’re attending this weekend. Wendy has thrown her back out so was in considerable discomfort (that my usual bear-hug/pick-her-up couldn’t mend), so […]
Since I worked at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s this evening, my dinner was the remains of ‘family meal’ — barbecued chicken. It was a simple meal because the official mealtime was over, but I was grateful for the food since I was hungry! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email […]
After working at my day job, I headed down to Jean-Robert at Pigall’s to work a party with Raymond in the third-floor kitchen. The atmosphere in the main kitchen was very different than when I work on Saturdays. Saturday nights are very busy at the restaurant, and everyone is extremely […]
Another very quiet night at home for us, cuddled together (with dogs and cats laying on and around us) watching television. This is our normal post-busy-time activity — intense doing-nothing-ness that will occupy us for a bit, then we’ll get bored and get involved with additional activities. Dinner tonight was […]
A nice, quiet evening at home. Wendy & I watched some television (my poor Personal Video Recorder (PVR) is staggering from the strain of all we’ve recorded on it!). We ordered in from LaRosa’s for dinner — I had a pizza, Wendy had a sandwich, and we split a salad. […]
 For the first time in about 6 weeks, I worked at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s. For the first time in far too long, I stayed all the way through service instead of doing prep and leaving, which has been the style for some time owing to my schedule. And, or […]
Tonight’s meal was just scraps of items left from the recreation at Cincinnati State of the last meal aboard the Titanic. I was the sous chef for this party, and it went pretty well. Dinner was leftover chicken, fish, beef, and vegetables. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email […]
On Sunday, November 12, 2006, a few days of involvement on my part (and many, many additional days involvement on the part of Chef Neace and other employees of Cincinnati State) came to fruition with the serving of a recreation of the last dinner served to first class passengers on […]
I went to work at Cincinnati State again this morning, arriving at 8:30am and leaving at 1:00pm. During that time, I prepped for the Titanic party being hosted at school on Sunday, working on proteins. At 1:00, I went down to Pigall’s where I’d spend the rest of the day (and most […]
Today was the Veteran’s Day holiday for me though Wendy had to work. I spent the middle part of the day (from 9:00am until 3:30pm) at Cincinnati State helping prep for a recreation of the last meal served on the Titanic that we’re serving on Sunday. Prep went well and […]
Wendy & I went to Mariemont Players this evening to see our friend Robin in DARK COMEDY, a farce written by Peter Schaffer. Since Wendy worked until 7:00 and curtain is at 8:00, we fairly flew out of here. As a result, dinner was convenience food — canned ravioli and some […]
Tonight was a Happy Mouth outing. Read all about it here. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens […]
This Happy Mouth update was submitted by Ron. Wednesday, November 8 was the monthly gathering of the Happy Mouth gang, a motley crew of Cincinnati culinary connoisseurs. This was Ron’s month to pick and he decided we should descend on Dee Felice Cafe. It’s a Cajun style joint in the […]
Simple meal, quiet night… I stopped on the way home to get some fried rice and an eggroll for dinner. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens […]
An evening of downtime tonight (what a joy!), watching television with Wendy. It’s nice to have a completely quiet night after the hectic schedule with ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Falcon Theater. I ate ravioli, yogurt, and water for dinner. Simple! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link […]
Wendy &Â I woke up in time to go to the theater to participate in the strike of the show. Thanks to many hands, it was light work and we got it all done in under two hours. From there, Wendy & Dave met at our house to make cakes and […]
I picked up ACCESS ALL AREAS: A User’s Guide to the Art of Urban Exploration on a lark — it’s light reading (not particularly well-written) on a subject that greatly interests me. Next up… I’m not sure! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend […]
Ahh! Closing night of ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Falcon Theater! What a nice feeling to be closing a show. It’s been a lot of fun to work on, and the audiences have been great. Tonight was no exception as an appreciative sold-out audience enjoyed the show very much. Dinner before […]
Tonight marked the first night of the last weekend of the ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Falcon Theater, and what a ride it’s been! We had a sold-out house this evening (with a waiting list) and another sold-out house (with waiting list) to anticipate for Saturday, our closing night. Two of […]
Just a can of Ravioli, some vegetables, yogurt, and water for dinner this evening. Nothing exciting! I had planned to do some work on the computer tonight, but the lure of getting caught up on some television shows (two episodes of TOP CHEF, the rest of the most recent PRISON BREAK, […]
Wendy had the first night of her Cake Decorating Class that she’s attending with our friend Dave tonight, so I was on my own. After battling my way away from my office (Cincinnati drivers pretty much suck it when the weather is bad. Tonight, it was rainy, which to Cincinnati drivers qualifies […]
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! I hope everyone had a delightfully scary Halloween. It was rainy here, so that kept our trick-or-treaters to a minimum — we probably saw only 10-12 kids tonight, the majority of which were dressed as mermaids (no kidding — there was one group of young kids who were […]
Tonight was a nice quiet evening. Wendy & I went out with Dave on a fact-finding mission. See, Dave & Wendy are enrolled in a cake decorating class which begins on Wednesday. We got a phone call today instructing on what supplies are needed, so we went to Michael’s Crafts […]
A blissful night off from the show. We lazed around the house most of the day, going out only to do some grocery shopping and to dine at Margarita’s, a very good Mexican restaurant near our house. I had Shrimp & Rice and Chicken Soup. Ahh! Comfort food! Share: Print […]
Dinner before this evening’s performance of the ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Falcon Theater was a run through Taco Bell for a couple quesadillas and one of their awesome Caramel Apple Empenadas. Between shows, we had sandwiches, chips, and sodas brought in (thanks Ted & Tracy!) so we hung out at the […]
My premonition came true! As it turns out, I am psychic. I’m just a better psychic than I expected, seeing not ONE DAY but more than ONE WEEK into my dining future. I was right — Dave (who plays Dr. Scott (great Scott!) in the ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Falcon Theater) & […]
Wendy had a brush-up for ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Falcon Theater so I did something I haven’t done in a while — I cooked dinner for myself. On my way home from work, I stopped at the market and picked up a couple Cornish Hens, salad, and some red skinned […]
Tonight was a rare treat — an evening for both of us with nothing to do. Well, not really nothing — we had to get gas for Wendy’s car, get some new bedding, and stop at the mall. But given our schedules lately, this counts as nothing for us. We […]
Not much in the way of dinner this evening. Getting home from work took longer than expected — I witnessed a fender-bender accident (right in front of me!) on my way. Fortunately, no one was hurt. But by the time I got on my way again, traffic had gotten pretty […]
As discussed in this article, Wendy & I prepared an audition DVD for a food television show. I sent it off today and it will arrive in New York tomorrow. Cross your fingers for us! Big thanks to Robin, Dave, and Wendy for their help and patience on this project. Share: Print […]
Today was my birthday! Wendy took me out to a very nice dinner at Arloi Dee, a Thai place in Mason. We dined on miso soup, a few pieces of sushi, a noodle dish, and a spicy chicken salad. All were delicious! We enjoyed spending the quiet time together. It […]
Wendy & I slept in since we were exhausted from THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Falcon Theater. We got up in the early afternoon and got right into… shooting our submission for a food television show contest! Our friends Robin & Dave helped shoot the 3 minute audition tape. It […]
Wendy & I were really busy today… We had a wedding to attend (congratulations, Lonnie & Brittany!), had to run home to take care of the dogs, and then it was back down to Newport Kentucky for TWO performances of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Falcon Theater. We had dinner at […]
OPENING NIGHT OF THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Falcon Theater! I left work a little early to come home and have a few minutes of downtime before we left for the theater. Our call was 6:30 and we made it on time, so I got all of my setup work […]
Today, I present for you the first ever precognitive dinner report. Yes, right now, I will predict with startling accuracy what I will consume for dinner this evening — before it happens! I gaze into my scrying stone and sense that my meal tonight will be at The Pepper Pod […]
Another technical rehearsal this evening for ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Falcon Theater. The rehearsal went very well, though I was a bit late coming home this evening because of responsibilities at my office (we’re having our accreditation visit this week — stressful!) so we rocketed down to the theater. Once […]
Another meal on the run tonight. I traveled to Wilberforce University today for a career fair so was on the road most of the day. I got home, gave the dogs a snack and the chance to stretch their legs outside for a while, and gobbled a can of cheese […]
An incredibly simple dinner this evening because I was running far behind my time today. I was trying to get away from the office a few minutes early because the weather was bad. Bad weather (in this case, rain) and Cincinnati drivers do not mix! However, I couldn’t get out […]
Thanks JK’s World! Things I have done are listed in bold… 01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink 02. Swam with wild dolphins 03. Climbed a mountain 04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive 05. Been inside the Great Pyramid 06. Held a tarantula 07. Taken a candlelit […]
Today and tonight we ate out, because we had our first technical rehearsal for THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Falcon Theater this evening. This first tech was the “cue-to-cue”, where the technical crew works through the entire show, from cue to cue. It’s boring and tedious for the actors but […]
Tonight, I ate the leftovers from last night’s trip to The Blue Gibbon since we didn’t have much time for dinner. We saw FAIRFIELD FOOTLIGHTERS community theater production of DRACULA, which had a couple of our friends in it (hi John & Kent!). Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print […]
Tonight, Dave, Robin, Holly, Wendy, and I ate at one of Wendy’s favorite Chinese restaurants, The Blue Gibbon. We had a nice conversation (we pretty much closed the place down since we sat and talked so long) and great food. Wendy & I split their Chicken & Corn Soup, cold […]
There was no Happy Mouth for October. It will be rescheduled for some other month. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More […]
I stayed home today so the gas & electric company could come and replace our meters with meters that can be read via radio signal. Apparently, the locking mechanism on the gate to our backyard was too complex for the geniuses at the gas & electric company and they couldn’t get into […]
I didn’t get to update the site last night, so I apologize for the ‘late’ update this morning. Last night, I particpated in a ‘table read’ of a movie script produced by a local production house, Barking Fish Lounge and didn’t get home until later than I expected. The read went […]
A campus-based dinner at Wendy’s tonight (cheeseburger, fries, and a small chocolate frostie) since I was on class for a “communiversity” class in VOICE ACTING. It was an interesting class, though it was oversubscribed — there were over 40 people there, a surprise to the students as well as the instructor. […]
After a late lunch of a particularly unsatisfying lump of pasty lasagna left over from an event at school today, I wasn’t feeling very hungry, so didn’t really eat dinner. Unless you count a small bag of microwave popcorn (I love the little individual serving sized bags of microwave popcorn!). […]
Today we got up early to go work on the set for ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Falcon Theater. We spent about 5 hours working with Ted, Dan, Ed, Greg, and Jay on the set and got most of the remaining construction work completed. There are additional decorations and enhancements to be […]
Tonight we dined at the Wine Dinner at the IRON HORSE INN in Glendale, and we were a large group — 15 of us, more than half the total number of participants! And what a dinner it was. Chef Chris did a great job with this menu, which is one […]
Wendy & I spent the evening together, which is nice and increasingly rare with her rehearsals heating up. We had to run to the mall for a stop at Victoria’s Secret (I never object). While we were there, I stopped for a hot pretzel and that was pretty much all […]
After a hectic day at work, I was somewhat glumly looking forward to another boring night on the couch since Wendy had rehearsal and wouldn’t be home until late. However, an instant message from my friend Rob changed my evening plans and brightened my outlook. Rob and I met for […]
Wendy had rehearsal tonight, so I stayed home and provided tech support for my parents who have messed up their computer yet again. At work today, I had an extremely late lunch — I didn’t leave the office until after 2:00pm –Â so I wasn’t really hungry around dinnertime. Dinner for […]
Wendy had this evening off from rehearsal, so we spent some time together having dinner with my parents at Ferrari’s Little Italy, an Italian restaurant in Kenwood area, to celebrate Wendy’s birthday. It was a nice, quiet, calm dinner — I enjoyed a chopped salad and giant slab of very-good […]
Tonight, I went with Paul & Julie to dinner at Pappadeaux. I had Crab Cakes and a couple beers. It was a very sad event, since Paul is leaving for a new job in South Bend, Indiana on Wednesday. His attention must soon exclusively turn to the details of packing […]
A wonderfully quiet evening tonight. Wendy & I had to go to her hospital, where she had to perform an emergency surgery, which I observed. We then took a walk around Winton Woods Park. The weather today was so perfect… The change of season from summer to fall is something […]
After enjoying THE BIG OVER EASY by Jasper Fforde, it was a simple decision to roll right into… Â Â Â …which is the follow up book published only recently. I’ve got a signed copy, though I missed the actual book signing by three days (darnit!) so I didn’t get to […]
Six years ago tonight, our friends Holly & Ed got married in a lovely wedding that we attended. Tonight, a group of us — most of whom were at the wedding six years ago — met to celebrate their anniversary with Holly, Ed, and their two children Piper & Colin. […]
Tonight, we went to a nice dinner at the Iron Horse Inn with Paul & Julie. Paul is leaving Cincinnati in a few days to start a new job in Indiana. He’s very excited about it, as he should be, but also a bit sad about leaving town. I’m sad […]
Despite feeling like crap on toast the whole day, I made it out to King’s Mazda to get my oil changed after work. Once that was done (and my tires rotated and balanced, and my car’s oil filter changed — all the indicated work for a car at 15,000 miles), […]
I was really feeling like crap tonight, so I laid low and stayed home. Wendy had rehearsal for ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Falcon Theater. Some of you have asked when it runs — the performances begin October 20 and run for three weekends, with midnight shows the first two Saturdays. […]
This evening, I went to a Wine Dinner hosted by a local wine store at Rondo’s Restaurant in Western Hills. Wendy had a beauty treatment after work, so it was just Ted, Tracy, and me. We sat at a communal table with Bob, Phyllis, Lenore, and Charlie (hi gang!) and […]
A very simple dinner this evening, especially in light of our most recent meals (especially Saturday’s dinner). Since Wendy has rehearsal for THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Falcon Theater tonight, I stopped on the way home at a Chinese restaurant and got some steamed dumplings and fried rice and sat […]
This evening, Wendy & I joined some of the new students in my college for a celebration dinner in their honor. The event took place at UC’s new Lindner Varsity Village, on the 8th floor of this impressive structure. I had Prime Rib with roasted vegetables (carrots, broccoli, and potatoes) […]
Tonight, Wendy & I continued the celebration of her birthday with an absolutely wonderful meal at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s in downtown Cincinnati. I had made reservations with Richard for 8:00, and we arrived a few minutes early, thinking we would have a drink at the bar to relax after our hectic […]
After working at UC most of the day, I went with Kristin, Matt, Chad, Kevin, Tara, Adwoa, Lisa down to the Cincinnati Reds game at the Great American Ball Park to work a food stand. It was a lot of work, and a lot of fun. We served bratts, hot […]
I had a busy day at work — the first few days of classes are always a bit challenging, with the increased traffic on my commute (both ways), the idiocy of the new drivers (driving the wrong way through the parking garage — I saw a young woman driving the […]
Today was the first day of the new school year for students at the University of Cincinnati, so energy was high around the college. It is nice to get the new students started, and nice to have the returning students back. On the way home, I stopped by Panera Bread […]
Though the wine dinner at the Iron Horse Inn was postponed this month, Brian and Milan agreed to meet up with us for dinner. We met at the HORSE, but decided to dine at the Glendale Gaslight, and we’re glad we did. The food was very good — I had […]
After working a full day at UC, I headed down to Jean-Robert at Pigall’s to help prepare a special dinner (the restaurant is usually closed on Mondays) for 60 members of a wine club. When I arrived around 5:15, the kitchen was in full swing. Jeremy, Rob (who left for […]
Dinner? What’s that? No dinner tonight, as I went from work at UC down to work at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s preparing a special dinner for a bunch of wine people. I nibbled a bit here and there, but no real dinner was consumed. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print […]
Wendy & I went to dinner with Bob (who is also celebrating a birthday today — Happy Birthday, Bob!) and Sharon to the Cheesecake Factory. We set to meet there at 6:30 and Wendy & I were right on time — arriving at 6:30. We glanced around the restaurant but […]
Today is Wendy’s birthday! I love you, honey. I hope it’s a good birthday and that you like all your presents! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens […]
Tonight’s meal was a HAPPY MOUTH outing. Read all about it here. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest […]
The HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB met tonight at Teranga in Hartwell. It was Ted’s month to select (well, actually it’s Wendy’s month, but she and Ted swapped for our Memphis trip)Â and he selected this Sengalese restaurant for it’s interesting cuisine. We were the only dine-in customers in the restaurant and […]
Currently reading THE BIG OVER EASY by Jasper Fforde. He’s written several books that I’ve really enjoyed. I was turned on to him by my friend Cathy Gill. Â Â Next up… Â Â Â Â Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) […]
A stay-at-home night tonight since Wendy didn’t have rehearsal for ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Falcon Theater. We stayed in, watched TV (got all caught up on the first two episodes of the new season of HOUSE), I had a dinner of frozen pizza (5 cheese and garlic), and have now […]
Wendy had rehearsal for ROCKY HORROR SHOW this evening, so I was on my own for dinner. I stopped on the way home at a new Chinese place along my route and got shrimp fried rice and some steamed dumplings. With my dogs carefully watching for any stray pieces of rice, […]
Tonight, I had some broccoli soup at home with Wendy before meeting Paul & Julie for a Japanese dinner at Tokyo on Chester Road. I had a few pieces of sushi — eel, tuna, and salmon; some miso soup; and some edamame. I enjoyed our conversation and the time we […]
Hello to Edgar (an old friend), and new friends Steffi, Rosa, Mikey, Toro, Fernando, Tavo, Buddy, Jenny, Dawn, Jon, Tasha, Craig, Jochen, Daniel, Sandy, Jim, Marta, Flavia, Jimena, and the others! It was our sincere pleasure to meet each of you during our trip to the Mayan Riveria, Mexico in […]
Just a french-bread pizza and a green salad tonight because Wendy & I had to run to Home Depot to pick up a few things — a new doorbell to replace ours that finally died and some florescent light bulbs to replace those in our kitchen that had faded over […]
Tonight we saw THE GUYS at Falcon Theater. As a result, our time was very limited between work and leaving for the show, so it was Beefaroni out of a can for me. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) […]
Steve Irwin, the hugely popular Australian television personality was killed by a stingray while he was filming an underwater documentary. But is that the whole truth? Consult the picture below, taken in Mexico’s Mayan Riviera on September 8, 2006, for some shocking evidence to the contrary. The top-right of the […]
Simple dinner this evening as we spent time unpacking and getting everything back in order. We ran through Frisch’s for a fish sandwich, onion rings, and cottage cheese. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens […]
For this, our final dinner at Barcelo Maya Caribe Resort, we dined at Don Quixote, their Spanish restaurant. Antonio was our server and did a very good job with us. We started the meal with two glasses of sangria. Drew had a tapas plate with stuffed squid, baby octopus salad, […]
Tonight’s buffet theme at the Barcelo Maya Caribe Resort was “Gala Buffet”, which seems to translate to “leftovers”, though they did have some unusual items like Beef Wellington (dried out), salmon, prime rib, mushroom voulavent, and a chocolate fountain. Dinner was tasty for the most part! Share: Print (Opens in new […]
After a very full day (which started at 3:30am!) of snorkeling with Whale Sharks, we hit the Italian-themed buffet at the Barcelo Maya Caribe Resort for Italian food through the Mexican lens. After dinner, we headed back to the room for showers and bed! Share: Print (Opens in new window) […]
Tonight was a special dinner included as part of our vacation package. Wendy & I dined at the Mexican restaurant on the Barcelo Maya Caribe Resort. We enjoyed the following: * Amuse bouche: Great salsa, guacamole, shredded white cheese, and a few chips. * Shrimp crepes for Drew — very […]
Another beautiful day, two more awesome dives… We got to the dive shop early and received scowls from Steffi, one of the dive shop employees who we really connected with. We’d promised to bring her a cappucino and completely forgot. Our dives took us to Tortugas, where the sea turtles […]
Dinner tonight was the Asian-themed buffet at the Barcelo Maya Caribe Resort. We had sushi, noodles, and other dishes with an Asian twist with our friends Dawn & Jon. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in […]
We got up early today, and with a purpose… We were diving this morning, with two dives — one to Canyones and one to another very close dive site. Grabbed breakfast at the buffet (fruit, bread, yogurt, cereal, and some meats & cheeses) and then headed to the dive shop […]
Today, we rose early — about 7:30 — since the sun comes up and is ferociously bright by 7:00am. We made our way down to the buffet for breakfast, which, to Wendy’s delight, included fresh fried doughnuts. Breakfast was yogurt, scrambled eggs, cereal with milk, fresh fruit, sausage, and of course a […]
Dinner tonight was the Seafood-themed buffet at the Barcelo Maya Caribe Resort. We had delicious cilantro shrimp, garlic scallops, cowfish, and more with our friends Dawn & Jon. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens […]
This evening’s dinner was in Mexico’s Mayan Riviera. We stayed for a week at the Barcelo Maya Caribe Resort. Dinner tonight was at the buffet, featuring “Italian” food. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in […]
We arose at the ungodly hour of 3:30am to get into the car and go to the airport. The only thing that could rouse us is the promise that, in a few short hours, we’d be in sunny Mexico, on the Mayan Riviera, sipping frosty Banana Republics out of large […]
This evening, as we packed to get ready for our vacation to Mexico’s Mayan Riviera (more information to follow!), we ordered pizza from LaRosa’s and had it delivered. It will be an early night; we have to be up on Sunday 3:30am to catch our flight! Share: Print (Opens in new […]
   It’s official. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve worked at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s, but I was there again today, working prep only (arriving at 1:00pm and staying till about 5:30pm). While there, I topped-and-tailed snow peas, sliced shallots, helped with the preparation of the amuse bouche […]
Using Mondo, I performed a comprehensive system backup today. The site was unavailable for about 25 minutes to verify the backup. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X […]
Leftover fried rice for dinner! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Share on […]
Number of books I own: Wendy estimates that we own over 400 books, appoximately 1/2 of which are cookbooks or kitchen related. Last book bought: THE SEASONING OF A CHEF Last book read: Just finished HEAT by Bill Buford Five books that mean a lot to me: CULINARY ARTISTRY by […]
Since Wendy had rehearsal tonight, I stopped by a new Chinese restaurant that has opened on my way home. I got an order of their house Fried Rice, some fried wontons, and a spring roll. Everything was pretty good, nothing special, but I appreciate the convenience of the location, so […]
After experiencing the petering-out of the second half of HEAT by Bill Buford, I’ve moved on to HAUNTED by Chuck Palahniuk. It’s got a scary-looking cover with a secret — it glows in the dark! Thematically, the book is about as far away from HEAT as you can get (from the back of […]
A last-minute call from Chef Lilly at Cincinnati State modified my early-evening plans a bit. They were hosting a culinary event and needed an extra pair of hands from 5:00 until 7:00, so I agreed to swing by the college before heading home. Shruging into my borrowed chef’s clothes, my […]
Another quiet evening at home with a simple dinner of beef ravioli in tomato sauce. Then, we cut the dogs’ toenails and gave them all baths, so I sit before the computer a bit damp, dog-hairy, and a little dog-smelly. But the dogs are all clean and running around like […]
From The Unlimited Mood, by way of Virtualzen… Five Items in My Freezer * Herbed Goat Cheese Polenta Cakes — I made it as an experiment some time ago * Vidallia Onion burgers just waiting to be cooked * An old, squarshed genoise cake — it’s probably no good anymore… * […]
After work, I ran by Borders near our house to pick up The Seasoning of a Chef: My Journey from Diner to Ducasse and Beyond, which I fully expect to be a crappy book but want to read anyway. Then, I got a nice surprise — Wendy, who was scheduled […]
Wendy took part in a multi-family yard sale that required her to be at our friends’ garage by 8:30 this morning, so she was up and away quite early (which is fairly unusual for Wendy, who likes to sleep in on Sunday mornings). I had a conference call scheduled for […]
I arrived at Pigall’s at 1:15, and worked prep, doing a variety of tasks like picking Arugula, slicing cucumbers, peeling onions, assembling garnishes, helping prepare the amuse bouche, and a few other things. I couldn’t stay long today because this evening was HAPPY MOUTH, so I headed to Lebanon around […]
Tonight was HAPPY MOUTH and it was Holly’s turn to select. Ted, Tracy, Angel, Dave, Robin, Ed, Holly, Jay, guests Rose & Keith, Ron, Wendy, and I met at The Golden Lamb (Ohio’s oldest inn, established in 1803) in Lebanon Ohio. A bunch of the crew went up early to […]
Tonight, Wendy & I attended the beautiful reception of Erica & Neil, former students of mine who met in Pharmacy school, fell in love, and got married (in Yakima Washington, Erica’s hometown). They had a very nice reception at RECEPTIONS in Eastgate. We dined on a nice cheese tray and […]
This evening Wendy & I attended a special preview event at MESH RESTAURANT, the new project by local ‘Culinary Visionaries’ Paul & Pam Sturkey. The new space is located in a strip mall (!) in West Chester, just a few minutes from our house, and close to Jag’s Restaurant where we […]
Tonight represents the last of several nights in a row that Wendy & I have had no plans. We spent the evening attempting to drive to Ethan Allan (we heard that they were having a giant sale and we’re looking for dining room chairs). We attempted to drive there because […]
Another quiet evening at home. I could get used to this! Wendy got home and we did a bit of grocery shopping and got stuff for dinner — carrots for a carrot soup; a green salad, an avocado, and a couple apples for me, and some other supplies. We came […]
Another quiet evening for me & Wendy tonight. In fact, we’re fairly quiet until Thursday, then the rest of our week and weekend is packed. So, we enjoyed staying home together. I ate a Yakisoba dinner that was very good! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link […]
After a day of scuba diving at Natural Springs Resort in New Paris, Ohio (about 60 minutes north-ish of us) with Ted, Greg, and Parnell, Wendy & I came home and washed our gear out in our basement’s dip tank and hung the gear to dry. We then went to […]
Wendy & I ended up with a ‘found’ Saturday night off, so we used a gift certificate given to us a while ago to dine at Jag’s Steak and Seafood in West Chester (quite near MESH, where my friend M-Brett works). The food was good, the portions huge, and the […]
We ate dinner with Dave & Robin this evening at Ruby Tuesday’s where everyone (except me) could be ‘good’ and stick to their diets. While they all nibbled salads and veggie burgers, I enjoyed my Mini Burgers (topped with fried onion straws), fries, and mozzarella & tomato salad. Yummy! Our […]
We’ve got a couple behind-the-scenes issues occuring with the website — our cache program isn’t working, sometimes the comment form seems to disappear, and there is an elusive bug with my permalinks. I’m working to fix all of these issues, so if you experience any system wonkiness, please bear with […]
Wow, another night at home! Wendy ate NutriSystem, a salad, and some leftover cauliflower soup for her dinner. For me, I had an onion-y cheeseburger and some mushroom risotto. We watched a couple episodes of THE DOG WHISPERER that we’d recorded before coming upstairs to play on computers a bit. […]
This evening, Wendy & I went and had our cellphones ‘unlocked‘, thereby removing the obligation to stick with Cincinnati Bell’s service (which has been screwing me royally since I signed up for it a few months ago) and allowing us to choose another service that is both less expensive and […]
I’m currently reading HEAT: An Amateur’s Adventures As Kitchen Slave, Line Cook, Pasta-Maker and Apprentice to a Dante-quoting Butcher in Tuscany by Bill Buford. I was considering bumping this book in favor of Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk to read on an upcoming vacation, but email conversations with new friend Eric […]
Tonight’s dinner was the monthly Wine Dinner at the Iron Horse Inn. Ted, Tracy (her first wine dinner in some time!), Angel, Mike, Greg, Wendy, and I met at ‘the Horse’ to partake of the following menu: The Iron Horse Restaurant Treats From Our Cellar 2 August 15, 2006 First […]
Wendy & I met Michael & Judy, who are 7 days away from expecting their baby! We met at Cactus Pear restaurant in Blue Ash for dinner and conversation. The southwestern cuisine of Cactus Pear is very enjoyable — we started with Flameado, an appetizer with baked sausage and cheese, […]
Today, Wendy & I ran some errands — getting new luggage for our upcoming trip to Mexico, buying another bookcase to load with books (mostly culinary books and cooking magazines. When we bought the bookcase, Wendy made me promise that she could have one shelf before I filled it!), and […]
I worked at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s today, from 1:30pm until about 10:30pm. During that time, I worked prep in the main kitchen doing things like preparing an amuse bouche of steamed asparagus and goat cheese wrapped in puff pastry. This will be baked, sliced, and served to the guests with […]
I thought I might have to go in to Pigall’s this evening, but in conversation with Jeremy, it was determined that I’d be more useful tomorrow, when I can work a full shift. So I had an unexpected, but welcome, evening at home with Wendy. We sat on the couch […]
I went down to Jean-Robert at Pigall’s after my day job today hoping to spend some time in the kitchen, but when I got there and checked the books, I knew that they’d have it well in hand without me, so I finalized plans with Jeremy as to when I’ll […]
I’m currently reading THE KITCHEN by Nicolas Freeling. I discovered the book in Anthony Boudain’s THE NASTY BITS and decided to track it down to read it. This is a 1970’s hardback edition of the book. It feels old, smells a little musty, and enchants you the moment you pick […]
Very simple dinner tonight… I made a quick batch of broccoli soup, which I served with some goat cheese and an olive oil drizzle. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook […]
Another simple meal tonight — a cheeseburger I cooked up myself. Nothing special! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on […]
Very simple meal tonight — our friend Dave had given us some packets of “premium cheese sauce” he got from his office. Heeding Dave’s instructions to toss it only with elbow macaroni (it is, after all, formulated especially for elbow macaroni), I prepared a giant vat of mac-n-cheese and had […]
There are articles coming, but for now, the pictures from our trip to Memphis are up. See the gallery here. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens […]
Home from Memphis. The trip home was pretty good — we made it in less than 8 hours, including a leisurly stop fo r brunch at Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store at Casey Jones Village (the best whistlestop between Memphis & Nashville, if their website is to be believed) in […]
Tonight was HAPPY MOUTH! Ron, Ted, Tracy, Angel, Jay, Dave, Robin, Wendy, and Drew met for barbecue at RUM BOOGIE CAFE on Beale Street in Memphis Tennessee. It was Wendy’s selection (though not her month to pick — she swapped months to make this happen). We arrived at Rum Boogie […]
Tonight’s meal was a Happy Mouth outing, and you can read about it here. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share […]
This article was submitted by fellow traveller, Ron (who selected “Ronnie Lee” as his Memphis name). Thanks for submitting it, Ronnie! A good time was had by all on our recent sojourn to Memphis. After sampling some BBQ ribs and taking in the neon lights of Beale Street the night […]
Wendy & I both took the day off and we spent it taking the dogs to Wendy’s hospital for boarding, getting packed, and preparing for our trip. Oh. Didn’t I tell you about our trip? As loyal readers know, we’ve been part of a supper club since 2002. From time […]
A very simple dinner this evening. We ran to Penn Station for a quick meal of Chicken Teriyaki with fries. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens […]
We had another SALSA class this evening — a make-up from a previously-scheduled class that had to be cancelled. Scott, Amy, Wendy, and I finished up in grand style because Mason, our instructor, did such a nice job teaching us. This was our final night of instruction, though Wendy & […]
We cannot let our cats roam free They eat plants and go where they shouldn’t be. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X […]
Tonight, I worked at Cincinnati State helping with another non-credit culinary class, this time a team-building event for guests of a local company. Chef Ritter, Patrick (a first year student), and I got everything together for the class to be able to make Gazpacho, Caesar Salad, Steak Diane, Asparagus with […]
Tonight, Wendy & I met up with Dave & Robin to go to Vincenzo’s Italian restaurant. Wendy & I had eaten there when it was in its previous location — an old gas station with 14 tables and bathrooms out back. The place was so small that customers couldn’t wait inside […]
Started reading BAD TWIN, by “Gary Troup” — a fictional character on the television show LOST. Â Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) […]
What fun today! Bob & Sharon and Wendy & I met Chris & Teresa in Columbus to go to COSI, the Center for Science and Industry, to go through their STAR WARS exhibit. The exhibit was really interesting, with costumes, props, and models from the STAR WARS movies. It was really neat, […]
Today, Wendy & I spent some time in Xenia Ohio with my friend & filmmaker Dan at a reunion party for a movie he wrote, directed, and produced (and which I was in) called TURNING THE CORNER. It was nice to see Dan and the rest of the team and to […]
This evening after work, I went down to work at a culinary event at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. I worked on a Wine & Food Pairing event with Chef Leech, Katherine, and 12 guests. The guests made a variety of dishes — Tuna Tartar with Cucumbers, Rice Vinegar, […]
Just a simple meal of leftover pizza from LaRosa’s tonight, since we were somewhat rushed to get to SALSA class. This was our fourth (of five) meetings with this class, and things feel like they’re coming together. I don’t think we’re ready for SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE or […]
Wendy & I hung out with my parents this evening at their house. Wendy wanted them to try a soup I’ve made for her a few times, so I whipped together Broccoli Soup with Goat Cheese as an appetizer. For dinner, we went to their favorite burger joint, called Main […]
Last night, I performed a comprehensive backup of this server since it’s running well after the upgrade (thanks Rabbitt!). I used Mondo for the backup. This morning I burned the backup to DVD and spent about 30 minutes verfying the backup. The site was unavailable during that time, but is […]
Yesterday was my brother-in-law’s birthday, so his parents, Wendy, and I took him out to dinner to celebrate. We went to Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen which is conveniently near our house. Normally, I really enjoy that restaurant, but my stomach was feeling sour from today’s lunch, so I wasn’t very enthusiastic. […]
Thanks to my friend Rabbitt, this webserver is now at 100% functionality after the upgraded from Fedora Core 4 to Fedora Core 5. Rabbitt took some time today to fix the email system which broke during the upgrade. Emails sent to accounts on this server were not lost. Thanks Rabbitt! […]
Wendy & I went to Mike & Greg’s house for dinner this evening. Mike runs the barn where Wendy’s horse lives. It was a nice evening with good folks — Shayla, Parnell, Raven, Jo, Julie, Lisa, Courtney — and we had a good meal of barbecued pork chops, corn, fruit, […]
What a strange day today was! Wendy & I decided we wanted to try to see LADY IN THE WATER and even made some tentative plans with Angel to go see it. We were going to try to make the 1:40 showing, but we started to hear the sounds of […]
We had quite a day planned today — Wendy & I, along with friends Mike & Angel, were going to see Vance Gilbert play at THE HOOD TOUR in Cincinnati’s Eden Park then go to dinner at the Iron Horse Inn. We were excited about both parts of the event […]
We were supposed to go out this evening (to Ted’s showing of the MST3K “Hamlet” which has attained almost cult-like status for its incredible awfulness), but Wendy had a late surgery so we decided to stay home. I met her at Steak -n- Shake for dinner (a cheeseburger, fries, and […]
I was contacted by the chef d’ cuisine at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s to see if I could provide some relief services (ie: work some shifts) while one of the staff goes on vacation or something. As I understand it, I’ll be covering a full station for the nights I’ll be […]
An article featuring a recipe for Wendy’s favorite soup appeared in the July 19, 2006 edition of CinWeekly, a free alternative newspaper in Cincinnati. The article and recipe appear here. Loyal readers of this site know that I have posted several recipes from my BigOven to this site. Click this link […]
To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door — nose height. Dear Dogs and Cats, The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and […]
Wendy & I went out with a bunch of our friends — Ted, Holly, Rose, Keith, Kristy, Chuck, Robin, and Dave — to paint pottery this evening. We met at Crackpots Pottery at 6:45, but Wendy & I went first to Taco Casa for their excellent Taco Salad (really, it’s […]
This evening, a large group of us (Ted, Angel, Cindy, Denise, Mike, Greg, Parnell, Raven, Heather, Brian, Milan, Mike, Nicki, Wendy, and me) went to the third-Tuesday Wine Dinner at the Iron Horse Inn. Wendy & I have been attending this monthly event as often is we can (which is most months — thank […]
I took a vacation day from the office today to wait for our air conditioner repairman to tune-up our air conditioner which is, like every other air conditioner in hot Cincinnati, struggling with the heat. He also removed the broken motor from our whole-house fan and will have that repaired. […]
Wendy & I had an evening free, so we spent the morning running some errands (we had to stop at Wendy’s hospital to take care of Jake, a dog suffering from a spider bite, then to Jungle Jim’s for groceries, then lunch at the Red Squirrel for lunch, then home!). […]
Tonight, Wendy & I attended the suprise anniversary party for Bess Arlene and Ossie who are celebrating 25 years of marriage. Their children hosted a lovely party at a clubhouse very near our home, so it was easy to get there and back (a nice change!). They were suitably surprised […]
We joined Dave & Robin at the Old Spaghetti Factory this evening for a quiet dinner. Wendy & I had been out most of the nights this week, and were anxious for some downtime. Dinner and conversation was just what the doctor ordered! I had the Manager’s Special — pasta […]
I’ve started reading THE NASTY BITS by Anthony Bourdain. I particularly enjoy reading his writing not only because he’s got a great take on food-related subjects and a conversational tone, but because his writing has progressed tremendously since his obnoxious, over-testosteroned memoir called KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL. I’ve only just started THE NASTY […]
I asked my friend Karin, lead singer for the band Over the Rhine, how their recent tour was. I specifically said, “How is the road?”, and she replied as follows… the road is:long, bumpy, sometimes smooth and straight, but every now and then a slow curve is welcome. it is lonely and yet […]
I had a flurry of activity before me this evening when I got home from work. I had to do laundry, take care of the animals, be interviewed over the telephone for an article (to be published next week), cook my dinner (nothing special — just a Stouffer’s French Bread Pizza), get changed and get […]
This evening, I joined Wendy’s family (Mom, Dad, and Ted) as they welcomed Frederick and Michael. Fred and Wendy’s mother have been friends since they were in school — a long, long time. Fred and Michael were in town and spent the evening catching up and sharing stories about their […]
This evening was spent at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati. I was there because some of my students asked if I wanted to participate in fundraising for student groups in my college, which of course I did. They make money by staffing concession booths at baseball games. Sounded […]
Tonight, we went to dinner with our friend Paul to commemorate a significant event in his life. We dined at TAJ MAHAL, somewhere we haven’t been in months, and it was really good. I had the Chicken Taj Special, which is chunks of chicken, cheese, and hard-boiled egg in a […]
Tonight we decided to stay home and attempt to eat sensibly. Well, sort of. One of my recipes is being published in a local newspaper (more on that later) and the photographer is coming tomorrow evening so I was preparing the recipe this evening. We ate some of my recipe (being […]
We had a fun evening out with our friends Bob & Sharon tonight. When we ran into Paul Sturkey at the Iron Horse Inn‘s most recent wine dinner, he invited us out to his restaurant, Sturkey’s, for a tasting menu. We took the restaurant up on the offer this evening, […]
This evening, Angel, Wendy, and I went to the Iron Horse Inn, this time to really try their new grill menu (unlike Wednesday when we were …derailed in our effort). We sat in the red room (downstairs), though the weather was certainly mild enough to sit outside. We liked the […]
Our second week of SALSA CLASS was cancelled at the last minute, so Wendy & I had an unexpected evening off tonight. We ran to Kroger’s to do some shopping (Wendy’s office is cooking out for lunch tomorrow and she had to pick up a few things) and we came […]
When I got home this evening, I suggested to Wendy that we go to the Iron Horse Inn to sample their new Grill Menu, which we both thought sounded pretty good. We had to wait to make sure a couple of Wendy’s clients who were returning from vacation could pick up their dogs from boarding. […]
Wendy & I were flexible today. That was the word for it… We’d originally discussed going to a movie with Paul today, but he didn’t answer his phone, so we invited Dave & Robin to come along. A late lunch was at Pappadeaux (yummy Lobster Bisque and a Shrimp PoBoy […]
We went to a party at the house of one of Wendy’s tech’s parents this evening. They host an Independence Day party each year, and we were pleased to have been invited. Dinner was Montgomery Inn Pulled Pork sandwiches and lots of side dishes. I prepared a Diplomat Cake (with […]
This evening, Wendy & I went to her clients/friends Tammy & Johnny’s housewarming/fireworks show at their new log home in Batavia. It was nice to hang around on their large plot of land, and their new house is really awesome. We dined on burgers, bratts, and dogs, along with other […]
This evening was the first Saturday Wine Dinner at the Iron Horse Inn in Glendale, Ohio. Wendy & I attended with Bob & Sharon and had a really nice evening. Here’s the menu… Clos Du Val Winery Dinner July 1, 2006, 7:00 p.m. Special Guest: Mary Horn from The Lion […]
A fun, different kind of dinner this evening. We joined our friends, Dave & Robin, at the campsite where they are spending the weekend in Winton Woods Park. We grilled burgers and hot dogs over an open campfire (a few extras were cooked on their portable propane grill), ate fruit […]
I had Chef Boy Ar Dee Ravioli for dinner this evening, just a very simple dinner because I forgot to eat before our Salsa class. That’s right… A SALSA CLASS. In Wendy’s continuing quest to kill me by overworking me, she’s signed us up for a 5-session, once-a-week Salsa class that […]
Drew in 9 Layers I forget where I found this online, but it’s one of those shared ideas that goes through the Blogosphere like wildfire. LAYER ONE: Name: Andrew Phillip Vogel Birth date: 23 October 1967 Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio Current Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Eye Color: Brown Hair Color: Brown Height: […]
Tonight’s meal was at TACO CASA at the mall. Wendy had Bourbon Chicken from one of the Asian places therein. We went to pick up TITAN QUEST, a game Wendy has been looking forward to. She’s playing it now, thoroughly addicted. I’m spending time installing DREAMFALL and SHADOWGROUNDS, though DREAMFALL […]
A simple dinner this evening since Wendy had appointments this evening. I ran through Taco Bell for a couple tacos and a chili-cheese-burrito. When Wendy got home, we watched the latest episode of HELL’S KITCHEN and saw Tom get kicked off, which we both felt was a long time coming. […]
Tonight was a very simple dinner — a Tuna Melt made with oil-packed tuna, scallions, a bit of onion, mayonnaise, salt & pepper, then loaded on toast and topped with sliced fresh tomatos and cheese. Pop it under the broiler for a moment or two, and it was an easy, […]
I started (just barely) reading KATZ ON DOGS. We met this author at Wendy’s vet conference and were impressed with him personally. Wendy has read this book and really enjoyed it, so I am looking forward to it as well. Â Â Â Â Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email […]
After our Bridge Climb, our group (Ted, Tracy, Julie, Mark, Robin, Dave, Ron, Wendy, and Drew) went to Dewey’s Pizza at Newport on the Levee for their wonderful calzones and salads. I had an Amish Chicken, Goat Cheese, and Whole Roasted Garlic Calzone. Wendy had a Proscuitto, Goat Cheese, and […]
Today, a group of us (Ted, Tracy, Julie, Mark, Robin, Dave, Ron, (Jay), Wendy, and Drew) participated in the PURPLE PEOPLE BRIDGE CL!MB, a new attraction in the Cincinnati Ohio/Newport Kentucky area. This is the first bridge walk in the Northern Hemisphere (there are others in Australia and New Zealand). […]
What a meal this evening — we were certainly “eating strong!” during this culinary tour-de-force. Wendy & I dined at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s, a 4-star French restaurant in downtown Cincinnati. Jean-Robert at Pigall’s innovative three-course prix fixe menu features a delectable array of appetizers, entrees, and desserts accompanied by an […]
Today, Wendy & I went to HOMEARAMA 2006 Luxury Edition at Long Cove. All 10 of the homes on display cost more than 1 million dollars and were at least 6000 square feet. It was ridiculous. Many of the houses were more like hotels and some of the decisions, both architecturally […]
Today, I dropped an Athlon 2400 (that I pulled out of the PVR, replacing it with an Athlon 3000) into the webserver to replace the Athlon 2000 CPU that had been in there. I wonder if you’ll notice any difference in speed or responsiveness on the site, though I doubt […]
After a long day at work — it was new student orientation at my college — Wendy & I decided to run down to the Greek Festival for dinner. We parked in Eric’s yard (thanks Eric!) and walked over to get gyros, spanokopita, feta cheese, olives, grape leaves, and soft-serve […]
A simple dinner tonight as we stayed in to watch the second half of INDEPENDENT LENS: A Lion in the House. I ate leftover Portobello & Goat Cheese Pizza from Bahama Breeze. While still very tasty, the pizza was not improved by overnight refrigeration. The crust was soft. A Lion […]
We dined this evening with Jo & Julie to thank them for helping us pick up our new dining room table. This table is a monster — 8 feet long without the 2-foot leaf that came with it, very wide, and quite heavy. Jo & Julie found it in an […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-            Noodle Salad with Spicy Peanut Butter Dressing To turn this salad into a main course, add cooked shrimp and more vegetables, such as slivered carrots and red cabbage. Recipe By: Bon Appetit magazine, February 2004, page 130 Serving Size: 6 Cuisine: Main Ingredient: […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                  Mom Vogel’s Easy Hamburger Quiche A favorite around the Vogel family household, this tasty quiche freezes well. Recipe By: From Mom Vogel Serving Size: 6 Cuisine: Main Ingredient: Categories: Main Dish -= Ingredients =- 1 ea 9″ Pastry Shell ; Prepared Unbaked 1/2 […]
                     -= Exported from BigOven =-                          Mini White Castles Recipe By: Serving Size: 30 Cuisine: Main Ingredient: Categories: Easy, Sandwiches, Appetizers -= Ingredients =- 1 1/2 pound Ground Chuck 1 package Lipton Onion Soup Mix 3 ea 20 count Pepperidge Farm Party Rolls 1/2 teaspoon Pepper 1/3 cup Bread […]
-= Exported from BigOven =- Mom Vogel’s Taco Pie You should always make TWO of these at one time — one to eat while you’re making the other! Recipe By: Serving Size: 6 Cuisine: Main Ingredient: Categories: Easy, Appetizers -= Ingredients =- FILLING 8 ounces Cream Cheese ; Softened 1 […]
-= Exported from BigOven =- Banoffee Pie This pie, an easy take on toffee with bananas (hence the name), made its debut at The Hungry Monk, a pub in England, in 1972. GOURMET magazine, January 2005, page 45. Toffee can be chilled up to 2 days (cover after 1 hour). […]
-= Exported from BigOven =- Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe By: From “Garlic and Sapphires” by Ruth Reichel Serving Size: 3 Cuisine: Italian Main Ingredient: Pasta Categories: Easy, Pasta, Main Dish -= Ingredients =- 3/4 pound Spaghetti 1/4 to 1/2 pound Bacon ; Good Quality Thickly sliced 2 cloves Garlic ; Peeled 2 […]
Tonight was the monthly Wine Dinner at the IRON HORSE INN in Glendale. It was a really fun evening and the menu was good, too! Spanish Wine Dinner June 20, 2006 Special Guest: Alvin Feldman from Vintner Select First Course Maytag Blue Cheese Fritter, Peach Coulis, Toasted Pistachios 2005 Burgans Albariño […]
We put Buster into bed with us before ‘lights out’ most nights. He lays there silently, tail wagging gently, hoping that we’ll forget he’s there and fall asleep with him between us. SO CUTE! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new […]
Tonight, I performed a comprehensive system backup of the site using Mondo, an excellent freeware backup solution. It was unavailable for about 45 minutes while the backup was tested. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook […]
A dinner full of leftovers this evening… I cooked a couple cheeseburgers, some butternut squash ‘fries’, some fresh steamed asparagus, and some of the remaining soba noodle salad from my Garde Manger class. Everything was tasty, and it sure was easy and convenient on a rainy night like tonight! Share: […]
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! What a fun day today was. My buddy, Chef Doug, asked me (last night!) to participate as his apprentice for an American Culinary Federation “One Man Mystery Basket” culinary competition he attempted today. Apparently, the competition was supposed to provide apprentices, but since the competition happened to […]
This evening, we met up with Brian & Milan to dine together, something we’ve enjoyed doing with them for a year or more. We’ll meet and have a ‘grown-up dinner’ at a restaurant alternately chosen by each couple. Tonight was their choice of La Petit Pierre, which was named one of […]
Tonight was a meeting of the HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB and you can read about it here. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) […]
On Friday, June 16, the HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB met at Embers in Kenwood. It was John’s month to select, and he did well. Wendy B, Ron, Angel, Jay, Tracy, Ted, Holly, Dave, Robin, Doug, (guests Paul, Danielle, and Kathleen), Wendy, and Drew enjoyed the ambiance and food of Embers […]
I dragged myself through the workday today, and dragged myself home in the evening to wait for Wendy and Buster to get home. My original thought was that I’d watch some television, but I was feeling so tired that I took a nap on the couch until they got home. […]
Today, Wendy took Buster in to clean his teeth, implant a microchip, and to remove his floppy dewclaw. She said he did well through the proceedure, but that his teeth “look like the teeth of a 10 year old dog” (we think he’s about 6 years old but are not […]
Boy oh boy what a night of food! Tonight was my final in the GARDE MANGER class I took this term. I made it to school at 4:15, about an hour before our class was scheduled to begin and about 3 hours before our guests were due to arrive. Wendy […]
 This evening, I again had the opportunity to work side-by-side with Chef Jean-Robert de Cavel, owner and chef of Cincinnati Ohio’s Jean-Robert at Pigall’s at 7 Days for SIDS: A One Week Fundraiser for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, an event that he and his wife Annette founded after losing their […]
We worked hard at GARDE MANGER class this evening. In addition to taking the written final, we also worked (on whatever we could) to prepare for our public final on Wednesday. Several of the items from my requisition still were not available, so I’m going to have to buy them on […]
This afternoon, Wendy & I went to see X-MEN: THE LAST STAND with Dave & Robin at our local Showcase Cinemas, where they finally become members of the Director’s Club (congrats!). After the movie, we went over to CRAZY BUFFET in Springdale for dinner. According to their menu, it is one of the […]
After commencement ceremonies at school, I changed into my chef whites (behind my car!) and went down to Jean-Robert at Pigall’s restaurant to work for the evening. I think I’ve been remiss in documenting all of my visits to the restaurant; I’m nearly convinced that I’ve worked there much more […]
I got up very early for a Saturday in order to be at school by 8:00am to participate in the commencement ceremonies for this year’s graduates. It was raining at my house when I left, but by the time I got to school the skies were pretty clear, though they […]
Tonight was my one quiet evening this weekend, so we stayed at home and watched television and ate Popeye’s chicken. Hibernating and hanging out with Wendy is fun, though it was an early night since I had to be at the office by 8:00am on Saturday morning. Share: Print (Opens […]
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Tonight was the Graduate Recognition Program for the graduating students of my college. Working with my teammates, we had planned this program to be very nice, and it came off quite well. We planned a nice dinner at the Kingsgate Conference Center along with an awards ceremony. It was a […]
Another evening of GARDE MANGER class at Cincinnati State as we approach the home-stretch. Tonight, I finished my proteins for our final on June 14th. I finished my Roasted Asian Duck Galentine and my Duck & Smoked Foie Gras Terrine, wrapped them well, and stored them in the freezer until Monday […]
Wendy & I ate at Bahama Breeze this evening. We started our meal with some of their sweet, fresh Cuban Bread. Wendy had paella and I had a pizza with portobellos and goat cheese. Everything was very good! After the meal, we stopped by Wendy’s hospital to check on a […]
Another Monday, another evening of GARDE MANGER at Cincinnati State. We’re in week 8 out of 10 of the class. We worked hard this evening to prepare our proteins for our final, which occurs in 10 days time. Tonight, I worked on Roasted Asian Duck Galantine and a Duck and […]
I decided it was time to take a break from the excellent Repairman Jack series and to read something else. I decided to read The Perfectionist by Rudolph Chelminski about the life and death of French chef Bernard Loiseau. This is a real insider’s look at the world of haute […]
We had a fairly busy but pleasant day today. The weather was perfect with beautiful blue skies and very low humidity. We went to the book release party of our friend Rose who just released SO YOU WANT TO BE A MEDIUM?. The party was very nice and Rose was more […]
We went to Tracy’s house tonight to participate in a Project Linus blanket-making that Holly organized for us. Everyone brought something to eat in addition to their blanket-making materials, so we had fried chicken, mac & cheese, a couple different salads, cookies, and desserts. I made a “Frosty Strawberry Pie” […]
Wendy & I had a nice ‘date night’ tonight. We decided to go to the IRON HORSE INN in Glendale for dinner and some wine. We sat downstairs, in the red room, and had a nice quiet dinner. Wendy had lobster bisque and a salad with grilled shrimp. I had […]
Another quiet night at home tonight — how nice! Wendy & I went back to Wal-Mart to get a baby gate for Buster since he’s now more mobile (see yesterday’s story). We’ll put the baby gate at the top of the steps when we’re upstairs and at the top of […]
I had my GARDE MANGER class this evening, so I went directly to Cincinnati State from work. We worked on a few items tonight since the food order was yet again messed up. As a result, we didn’t have the ingredients we needed for the items assigned tonight. This is […]
This evening, Wendy & I went to Joann Fabrics to pick out fleece for our upcoming participation in a Project Linus event that Holly organized and Tracy is hosting. Project Linus is a 100% volunteer non-profit organization with a two-fold mission: First, it is our mission to provide love, a […]
This article was written by Wendy. At this time Buster is making great strides, literally. As last week drew to a close he started to push himself around the floor more enthusiastically. As anticipated, his rear end is stronger than the front (which we expected due to the location of […]
We slept in this morning, a lovely thing. The fan in the bedroom kept us cool, and Buster was reasonably quiet until he messed his playpen at 7:00am, but we were able to get him cleaned up, settled in, and everyone back to sleep without much fuss. We got up […]
We did a bunch of yardwork today, building on some initial work that Wendy had done earlier in the week. We replaced the old-n-busted pavers along our sidewalk with lovely new ones. This involved a trip to Home Depot for the new pavers, all 22 of them. Those things get […]
In the morning/early afternoon, Jay & Angel and I went up to Xenia to read the script (“Gratuitous”) written by Dan, a filmmaker friend of mine. Dan likes to workshop his scripts to see what works and what could be tightened. This is the second time I have read “Gratuitous” […]
Dave & Robin came by the house to pick me up to see LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Ross High School, where Robin works. Robin was the vocal director for the show. Wendy would come to the school directly from work. Before the show, Robin, Dave, and I ate a […]
Today, I took a vacation day from the office to volunteer on an episode of THE DISH, Jean-Robert’s cooking show that airs on Channel 12 in Cincinnati. I arrived at 10:00am and reported to the set of the show. Well, actually, to the tiny kitchen behind the set of the […]
Wendy got home with Buster this evening (expect an update from Wendy soon) and wanted to go get him a harness to help hold his front end up while he’s outside to potty. She got the idea when she was outside with him at her office this afternoon, and Buster […]
Another GARDE MANGER class at Cincinnati State this evening. We worked on Sushi, Salmon Mousse, Risotto Balls, and a couple other items. Dinner was leftovers of all those items, so it was pretty random. We got out of class before 8:00, so I was able to make it home in […]
After running a few errands, Wendy & I hung out with Buster and the other pets this evening while we watched AMERICAN IDOL and voted, voted, voted for Taylor Hicks! While we were out, I picked up some Stouffer’s French Bread Pizzas and prepared one of them for my dinner. […]
Here’s a quick update on Buster, the dog that’s currently with us… As you may recall from this article, Buster is a 6-year old sweet Daschund who is currently paralyzed from the neck down. On their first attempt last week, the folks at Wendy’s hospital weren’t able to get a read-able […]
Chef Kinsella was unavailable for class (yet again) this evening and we had a substitute instructor — the very-capable Chef Potter. Chef Potter had instructions to administer a test and then take us through a few recipes. I arrived at the normal class time (3:00), forgetting that we’d been told […]
Buster the Dog came to live with us on Sunday, May 21, 2006. He is a 6-year old Daschund who suffered an unknown spinal trauma on Thursday, May 18, 2006 and became paralyzed from the neck down. His owners weren’t able to take care of him, and brought him to Wendy, […]
We got up screaming this morning — we woke at 9:30am and needed to be at the theater by 10:00am to ‘strike’ the set of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. (Strike means to reset the space, removing our sets, props, costumes, and the rest to make the space ready for the […]
Tonight was closing night of Wendy’s show, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and the 17th season at Falcon Theater. Wendy & I drove down to the theater together, though I had to go back out shortly after arriving — seems that the actor playing Audrey II couldn’t get his car started, […]
[print_link] From: Drew Vogel drew@drewvogel.com Subject: Bell Training your dog With an early start and concentrated effort, it is possible to train your dog to ring a bell whenever they want to go outside to relieve themselves. Bell training is not difficult, but it requires a great deal of consistency […]
DA VINCI CODE IMDB Year: 2006 Writer: Akiva Goldsman (screenplay), Dan Brown (novel) Director: Ron Howard Producer: Columbia Pictures Length: 149 Category: Drama Media: Film Studio: Imagine Entertainment Distributor: Sony Pictures Releasing Rating from MPAA: PG-13 Cast: Robert Langdon: Tom Hanks Sophie Neveu: Audrey Tautou Rating: 3 out of 5 […]
I flew by the house this evening after work to let the dogs outside then left again pretty quickly. Since Wendy had LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Falcon Theater tonight, I’d decided to go see THE DA VINCI CODE at my local multiplex. I’d purchased tickets online for the 6:40 […]
I found this interesting optical illusion while surfing around on HappyScrappy… Stare at the plus sign in the middle. You’ll notice that the moving dot becomes green, and then the pink dots should disappear. Here’s an explanation, courtesy of some college professor on the author’s dad’s friend’s e-mail list: Pretty basic […]
Tonight was a simple dinner because I was very tired… Last night’s heavy thunderstorm seems to have frightened …some animal… into our attic and the scared little critter was pawing at the ceiling drywall, which woke Wendy up. To her, the noise was so distracting that she had to go […]
After class (in which we worked on cheese items — we made Mascarpone, Mozzarella, Lemon Cheese, and a very nice Blue Cheese Tart with Dill), I was very hungry so I stopped at McDonald’s for what has become a standard meal there — a couple cheeseburgers with ‘only onions’ and […]
A surprise evening without plans (since the monthly Wine Dinner at the IRON HORSE INN was cancelled this month), so what do we do? MAKE PLANS! We got together with Dave & Robin for dinner at Ramono’s Macaroni Grill. We enjoyed appetizers of Mozzarella alla Caprese, a spicy Sicilian Pizza, and […]
YaNoWhatIMean wants to know what 10 things do you do every day. Here’s my list: * Brush my teeth. * Shower. I cannot get my day started without a hot shower. * Pet my animals — all 5 cats and two dogs. * Read. Usually culinary-related, but sometimes novels, too. […]
I was scheduled to have class this evening from 3:00pm until 9:30pm. I arrived to class around 2:45 to find that Chef Kinsella wasn’t there; we were having Chef Grace Yek as a substitute. Due to the normal lack of communication around there, Chef Yek was under the impression that […]
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY, moms! Today, we celebrated Mother’s Day by taking the moms (and dads!) to a late (2:00) brunch at the IRON HORSE INN in Glendale. The moms & dads, Ted, Wendy, and I sampled their selection of breakfast and lunch items. Everything from made-to-order omlettes to roasted leg […]
I decided not to join Wendy at this evening’s performance of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Falcon Theater, because the show was sold out (yeah!) and I didn’t feel like adding to the mass of humanity. So I stayed home and did my own thing this evening — snoozed on […]
Before attending this evening’s performance of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Falcon Theater, I met Anne & Larry at Detroit Joe’s for dinner. You may remember Anne & Larry as the couple with whom we attended WICKED on March 9 of this year. We met at Detroit Joe’s not only […]
Thursday, May 11, 2006 was the May meeting of the HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB, and it was Chuck’s night to pick. A group of us — Ted, Tracy, Wendy V, Ron, Holly then Ed, Angel, Jay, Drew, Wendy B, John, guest Paul, Dave, and Robin — met at Allyn’s Cafe near Mt. Lookout for […]
Tonight was a HAPPY MOUTH night, so the report on our dinner is here. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share […]
I was scheduled to have class this evening, but when I got to school, there was a note on the door notifying us that class had been cancelled (an email ahead of time sure would have been nice and would have saved the $2 for parking, but hey, you can’t have everything!), […]
A nice quiet night at home with Wendy. Tuesdays are her ‘early night’ off work, so she gets home by 6:30 or so. We both worked out, then settled in for dinner in front of the television. She ate her NutriSystem stuff and I ate Braunschweiger sandwiches while we got […]
Tonight was a class night. We spent a lot of time butchering in this evening’s class — we did ducks, trout, salmon, and lamb leg. During a break in class, Nathan, “Hype”, and I jumped into Nathan’s car and hustled down to White Castle to grab some cheeseburgers and onion […]
After a busy week and weekend, Wendy & I enjoyed a rather quiet Sunday together. Tracy hosted a lovely breakfast/brunch party, called “Brekky with Friends” as sort of a reunion of the DINNER WITH FRIENDS cast & crew but mainly to allow Angel to share her slides from her recently […]
The second night of Wendy’s show, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, for Falcon Theater, so we drove down together and stopped to pick up a couple tacos at Taco Bell before the show. After the show (which was very good this evening), we all went to York Street Cafe for a […]
After work today, I drove directly to Newport Kentucky because it’s opening night of Wendy’s show at Falcon Theater — LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS! I stopped at Walgreen’s to pick up some Swedish Fish candy for the cast, then headed down to a restaurant that is the theater’s new neighbor […]
Tonight was Wendy’s final dress rehearsal — the last rehearsal before LITTLE SHOP OF HORROR’s opening night at Falcon Theater. All the elements of the show should be there and working perfectly; the only thing missing should be the audience. I had the night off, so was around the house with the […]
An unexpected change of plans tonight… I was scheduled to have GARDE MANGER class at Cincinnati State this evening. When I arrived at the school’s kitchen, it was apparent that our food cart — the requisitioned food items that we’re to use in the class — had not arrived. Chef arrived shortly […]
A simple dinner for me tonight — just the end of the left-over LaRosa’s pizza. Wendy has rehearsal for LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Falcon Theater tonight (in preparation for this weekend’s opening), so I was left to a quiet house this evening. The downtime, after our busy weekend, is […]
After this evening’s class at Cincinnati State, I went out to Pomodori’s for pizza and a couple beers with Hype and Alex, two students in my class. It was nice to relax after class, and the pizza was great, as usual. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM V! Share: Print (Opens in new […]
Book & lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken Directed by Dave Radtke Click here to make a reservation. Little Shop of Horrors tells the story of a downtrodden nerd named Seymour Krelborn who lives in the basement of his workplace, Mushnik’s Flower Shop in Skid Row. Mr. Mushnik […]
This evening, I participated in the ONE NIGHT, TWELVE KITCHENS event at the Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. This is the second annual occurance of this fundraising event. The monies raised benefit the students in the Culinary program. Read more about the event at AroundCinci.COM […]
Tonight, I participated in the ONE NIGHT, TWELVE KITCHENS event at the Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. Dinner was an on-the-go sampling of a variety of dishes from the chefs at the event and a personal pan pizza that was provided by the college. Share: Print […]
Tonight’s dinner was an exceptional wine dinner at the IRON HORSE INN. The dinner celebrated the wines of the 1996 vintage, and the meal was memorable. Here’s the menu. First Course Duo of Seafood Pan Roasted Line Caught Wild Striped Sea Bass, Tomato Gravy, Wild Mushroom Creamy Polenta Flash-fried Fresh […]
Wendy & I were both home tonight, a rare occurance during tech week of a show. I ordered LaRosa’s pizza (plain cheese for me tonight) to be delivered that will last me through the weekend, and Wendy ate some of her diet food. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print […]
I took a vacation day from the office today and spent time working around the house — mowing the lawn, doing laundry, and cleaning up a bit. While it wasn’t exactly a comprehensive spring cleaning (which we need to do!), I got a few things done around here that needed […]
On the way home from my GARDE MANGER class tonight, I stopped at McDonald’s for a couple cheeseburgers and some water. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X […]
Simple dinner tonight as I enjoyed a quiet evening at home. Wendy had rehearsal for LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Falcon Theater and I hung around the house, spending time with our pets and doing a few chores. I drove through Wendy’s to get a Mandarin Chicken Salad and Baked Potato. […]
Tonight’s dinner was one that my friend Megan & I cooked for ourselves and our classmates during our GARDE MANGER class at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. It was sliced pork tenderloin with a cream reduction, seasoned with onions and ginger. Very tasty. Not very healthy. Class this evening was pretty […]
Tonight’s dinner was rather simple, since Wendy & I were both busy today. Wendy went to work on the set for LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS which opens in early May at Falcon Theater. I went to Coney Island to work in Cafe des Fluer, a temporary cafe opened at the […]
Tonight, we went out to dinner with our friends Brian & Milan. We try to go out every few months to enjoy some adult time away from everyone and everything else. We very much enjoy their company. We met at BLUE GIBBON, an Asian restaurant just north of downtown Cincinnati. […]
Tonight was another outing of the HAPPY MOUTH supper club! It was Jay’s month to pick, and a group of us — Ted, Tracy, Wendy V, Doug, Ron, Holly, Ed, Angel, Jay, Drew, Dave, and Robin — met at BALTIC for their European-style Cuisine. We sampled all sorts of appetizers […]
Tonight’s meal was a HAPPY MOUTH outing; the details are in this article. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on […]
Completely funny video, exactly what you’d expect it to be from the title. Safe for work, with sound. Check it out here. An instant classic. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) […]
After a late meeting at work, on the way home, I stopped for some Chinese take-out. I must have been hungry, because I ordered shrimp fried rice, potstickers, and some cold noodles. I ate all the potstickers, most of the cold noodles, and barely touched the fried rice — leftovers […]
Tonight was the second night of my GARDE MANGER class, so I went directly from work to the kitchens at Cincinnati State. We sliced our chicken galentines, made duck confit, and worked on duck terrines in addition to slicing & tasting foie gras. It was rather interesting that so many […]
Rolling right along through F. Paul Wilson’s Repairman Jack series. I am currently reading CONSPIRACIES. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More […]
It’s the third Tuesday of the month, and that usually means the WINE DINNER at the IRON HORSE INN. I met up with David & Chie and we enjoyed the following menu, celebrating the Graziano Family Vineyards. Jen from Tramonte & Sons Distributors guided us through the variety of wines offered […]
I started another culinary class this evening, my first class in several months. It’s very nice to get back in. The class I am taking this term, which meets twice a week for 10 weeks, is Garde Manger, or cold food preparation. The class has a bunch of students in […]
Happy Easter, everyone! After a lovely brunch with Wendy’s family at IRON HORSE INN (yes, we were just there last night, and I’ll be there again on Tuesday!), we picked Jay up and headed up to Columbus, Ohio to meet up with Robin & Dave to go to dinner and see […]
PICTURES ARE HERE! This evening’s activities were really fun. Wendy & Holly had collaborated to plan a surprise party for Jay, who turns 40 at the end of April. Holly provided all the decorations, Ed delivered them to Wendy, and Wendy & I (with help from others as they arrived) […]
Since I was home this evening cooking, I laid low food-wise. Dinner was a couple Boca Burgers with cheese, an orange (oranges are so good this time of year! I ate three of them today!), and a big glass of Vitamin D milk. None of that ‘fat free’ milk that Wendy is […]
On the way home from work yesterday, I decided to stop for a haircut. I’d been needing one for a while, though time had been scarce. Here’s how my hair looked on Wednesday: Click the picture for a larger view in a new window. I decided to get a short summer-cut […]
Wendy had rehearsal tonight and I was looking forward to a nice quiet night at home after getting a burr haircut (which Wendy hates) to celebrate the warmer weather. I spent some time entering recipes into Accuchef, the recipe manager software I use, and organizing mods for Oblivion (which could […]
Our friend Jo’s birthday is this week. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jo! Click image for a larger view in a new window. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens […]
Tonight, I went up to Dayton (about an hour north of our house) to Books & Co., a great bookstore, for the booksigning stop on the tour of Christopher Moore. His new book, A DIRTY JOB, continues his tradition of wry, funny books with a considerable twisted streak. He talked […]
Wendy had rehearsal tonight, so I thought I would spend some time preparing for the upcoming hardware upgrade to my PVR by updating the BIOS on the motherboard (Shuttle AK38N v1.1) and re-configuring my Beyond TV channel setup. The BIOS is the Basic Input/Output System and is a built-in software […]
DINNER 100! We’ve made it this far in this crazy, stupid experiment! Given the milestone status of this dinner, I wish it was something more exciting than what it was. My stomach wasn’t feeling very well tonight, so I ate a banana. That’s it. Share: Print (Opens in new window) […]
Eye Blaster: Get One Now Are your eyes dry and itchy? It’s possible you may have dry, itchy eyes. Don’t take a chance. Call now for the Eye Blaster, a special, self-powered unit that blasts hot, refreshing steam directly into the eyes to relieve symptoms fast. Just plug in the Eye Blaster and wait […]
After closing night of DINNER WITH FRIENDS, we all went out for drinks and merriment. Wendy & I got to bed around 2:00am. It seemed as if I’d just laid my head down and closed my eyes when suddenly it was 9:45am, time to get up and go back down to […]
Tonight was closing night of DINNER WITH FRIENDS, the show I directed for Falcon Theater. I spent Saturday morning doing chores around the house and working on my computer. Dinner was in fact a very-late-lunch at Wendy’s, where I had a cheeseburger and a baked potato. Around 6:30, Wendy & I […]
Tonight launched the second weekend of DINNER WITH FRIENDS, the show I directed for Falcon Theater. I had a few errands to run after work (pick up some new peppers — the ones from last week were looking a little sad), get dinner, drop off video equipment to the theater, […]
Tonight, Wendy had rehearsal for her show and I had the night off. I got home, worked out, and planted myself in front of the television and just vegged out. “Vegged out” is a good term because I had a couple Boca Burgers for dinner. These are meatless burgers. They taste […]
Tonight we had a brush-up rehearsal of DINNER WITH FRIENDS, the show I directed for Falcon Theater. A brush-up is a type of rehearsal where the actors get together and go over their lines and any specific action in a show after they’ve been off for a few days. It gets […]
Simple dinner tonight… Wendy has rehearsal for LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS this evening (she’s playing Audrey and I’m very proud of her) and I didn’t feel like doing much. I’m still enjoying the downtime between weekends of DINNER WITH FRIENDS, the show I directed for Falcon Theater. I threw together […]
Since tonight is traditionally our GUILD WARS night — the first one I’ve been able to attend in some time because of my show — dinner was rather low key and quick. I combined the left-over roast chicken from last night with some packaged Yakisoba noodles and had that for […]
On Wednesday, at two minutes and three seconds after 1:00 in the morning, the time and date will be 01:02:03 04/05/06.That won’t ever happen again. You may now return to your normal stuff. Thanks, Jo! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in […]
Tonight was our first night off in several days, so we ran a few errands early before hibernating in the house, watching movies and just being together. I made a roasted chicken with balsamic-glazed broccoli & cauliflower. Everything was quite tasty, and there is enough left over for tomorrow’s dinner […]
Tonight was the second night of DINNER WITH FRIENDS, the show I directed for Falcon Theater. Before the show, we went to dinner with Jay to a Russian restaurant in Blue Ash called Baltic. It’s a sparse little restaurant, barely anything more than tables and a bar with a television playing […]
Finally! Tonight was the opening night of DINNER WITH FRIENDS, the show I directed for Falcon Theater. After a quick dinner of a Turkey, Cheddar, and Sliced Egg sandwich & some chips from nearby Dixie Chili, I headed to the theater and found lots of last-minute activities as we prepared […]
Tonight was final dress of DINNER WITH FRIENDS, the show I’m directing for Falcon Theater. After scurrying working on a few last-minute details, I was ready for the rehearsal. Our friends Rob & Todd sat in on the show, Todd snapping tons of digital pictures (I need to get those […]
On the way to rehearsal, I stopped at a Taco Bell near the theater to sit quietly and eat a burrito and a taco. From there, it was down to the theater. Tonight was our first full-tech run of DINNER WITH FRIENDS, the show I’m directing for Falcon Theater, and […]
Tonight must be the calm before the storm. In a fit of confidence, I gave my actors last night off from rehearsal of DINNER WITH FRIENDS, the show I’m directing for Falcon Theater, to allow them to rest and work on their lines before we head into heavy-duty tech rehearsals […]
Tonight was the first night of hell week for DINNER WITH FRIENDS, the show I am directing for Falcon Theater. Hell week is more politely called tech week, and is the week before the show opens when all the technical elements — the set, lights, sound, props, costumes, and more — […]
I noticed recently that FEDORA CORE 5 has been released. We’ve been running FEDORA CORE as the Linux-based operating system of this webserver for many years. I am looking forward to upgrading to FEDORA CORE 5, but it took some time to download and burn the 3 gigabyte DVD. I […]
Today was our tech/build day. We went from an empty theater to a mostly-full set in one long day. A giant thank you to the cast and crew for working so efficiently. We’re mostly there! Dinner after rehearsal was two of those awful microwavable burritos that you can get three […]
We had a morning rehearsal (from 11a-2p) at the theater this morning. The cast decided they wanted to grab “brekkie” at Pepper Pod beforehand, so we met there at 10a for eggs, toast, sausage, cottage cheese, and orange juice. One heck of a way to start the morning! After a […]
Rehearsals are heating up for DINNER WITH FRIENDS, which I am directing for Falcon Theater. We had rehearsal tonight in our old rehearsal space; we get possession of the theater on Saturday morning. Dinner tonight was a run out to Mecklenburg Gardens in Clifton. I enjoyed my dinner of Mock […]
Still in early crunch-time for DINNER WITH FRIENDS, the show I am directing for Falcon Theater, my attention this evening after work wasn’t on gustatory delights but rather on collecting and organizing the music for my show. I went through the drive-through at McDonald’s for their Premium Chicken Strips and […]
Dinner was a low-key affair at the Pepper Pod restaurant in Newport Kentucky. Rehearsals for DINNER WITH FRIENDS, the show I am directing for Falcon Theater, are heating up. We open on March 31, so my attention is mainly on that show as hundreds of details are hammered out. The […]
I blew it tonight. I really blew it. See, we were supposed to have rehearsal for DINNER WITH FRIENDS, the show I’m directing for Falcon Theater, but we got snow this morning (on the first full day of Spring, no less) and the weatherman was predicting the ‘white death’ all […]
I took a couple hours of vacation from work today to go home and work on my show a bit before tonight’s rehearsal. I got very involved with the music selection, acquisition, and editing process and ran out of time for dinner, so I grabbed some leftover pizza from the […]
Tonight was a low-key dinner with Robin & Dave (our go-to friends!) at Fuddrucker’s, where we ordered burgers and fries, a fruit cup (they were out), shakes (the machine wasn’t working), and Diet Coke (they were out). Robin’s sandwich came without fries and was incorrect (both issues were quickly fixed). […]
Tonight was a surprise birthday party for our friend Dave’s 40th. Wendy & I met Ed & Holly (and Piper & Colin!) at Dave’s house at 3:30 to decorate and get ready. While the girls were decorating (and Colin sleeping), Ed blew up balloons and I worked in the kitchen […]
I finished THE TOMB and started right in on LEGACIES, also by F. Paul Wilson. This is book two of the Repairman Jack series. I enjoyed THE TOMB quite a bit and am looking forward to digging into LEGACIES. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to […]
We were home this evening, cooking up a storm, so it was a simple dinner of store-bought frozen pizza (Red Baron) while we worked. Nothing special, but the pizza was tasty (though I wish we’d ignored the instruction to put the pizza on a preheated baking sheet in the oven. […]
Wendy had a last-minute surgery that came into her hospital right at closing time, so she was late in getting home this evening. We ended up eating at the Cracker Barrel for a late dinner. I had their turkey & dressing, with corn, and their roasted apples. The dressing was […]
I forgot to update the site with the book I’m currently reading. Thanks to Doug for turning me on to this series. I may actually finish it today while I wait for my car’s oil to be changed. The author’s website is here.    Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print […]
This article is an interesting look at why publishing an article in WordPress sometimes takes a long time. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new […]
We ate at home this evening since I had no rehearsal and Wendy’s rehearsal didn’t start until 8:00. I made Spaghetti Carbonara (using the classic — no cream — method), rich with bacon, egg, cheese, and a hint of garlic. Wendy picked up an Asian salad and I also made […]
Beware the ides of March! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Share on […]
Rehearsals are starting to heat up a bit for DINNER WITH FRIENDS, the show I’m directing for Falcon Theater, which opens on March 31, 2006. On rehearsal nights, I have a 2-hour break between the end of my workday and the beginning of rehearsal, so I don’t go home. I […]
Dinner With Friends by Donald Margulies | Directed by Andrew Vogel Falcon Theater proudly presents the second in it’s “Fourth Wall†series, DINNER WITH FRIENDS by Donald Margulies. Falcon Theater’s Fourth Wall series is a venue for the unique. The Fourth Wall series was conceived to be an opportunity for […]
Since Monday’s tend to be our GUILD WARS nights — evening we spend geeking out with friends all over the country playing Guild Wars — it was a drive-through dinner from Wendy’s for us this evening. I had a cheeseburger and a baked potato with broccoli and cheese and a […]
Maureen Stapleton, the Oscar-winning actress who was revered for her roles on the stage and screen, passed away today in Lenox, Massachusetts, from chronic pulmonary disease. She was 80. Stapleton’s matronly appearance belied a fiery emotional core, one she used to devastating effect in her most recognized dramatic roles. She […]
After a long week of many evenings out of the house, Wendy & I essentially hibernated today. With the exception of a trip out to Don Pablo’s for lunch, we stayed at home the whole day focusing on a few small projects around the house but mostly staying on the couch watching […]
This evening, we went to dinner with our friends Brian & Milan to a restaurant about which they’ve been raving since we met them… Sukhothai Thai Cuisine on the north side of Cincinnati. The restaurant is tucked back off the main road and is difficult to find if you don’t know […]
This evening was another monthly outing of the HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB, and it was Tracy’s month to pick. Tracy indicated that she was feeling bold after her two most recent picks, so she selected THE CELESTIAL in Mount Adams. The Celestial has an absolutely amazing view of the Cincinnati […]
Tonight’s meal was a HAPPY MOUTH outing; the details are in this article. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on […]
We ate at Jeff Ruby‘s Steakhouse in downtown Cincinnati this evening with Wendy’s clients Anne & Larry. This is a steakhouse through and through, from the cigars available for purchase near the bar to the ‘exhibition room’ where the beef is dry aged to the art deco interior (designed by […]
I didn’t have rehearsal tonight (nice to finally have a quiet night off!), but Wendy did. We had to run an errand to Home Depot before dinner, so we stopped at Steak & Shake which is very close to the hardware store for burgers and their wonderful french fries. Share: […]
Salad night, tonight. I had a meeting after work so didn’t have too much time before rehearsal. I ended up dashing to the drive-through at Wendy’s to get a Mandarin Chicken Salad and a small Frosty and hustling back to the rehearsal space. We had a productive rehearsal — my […]
Since we had rehearsal for DINNER WITH FRIENDS, the show I’m directing for Falcon Theater, this evening, I made a quick run to McDonald’s for some chicken strips and a salad. Simple meal, not very tasty, though the McDonaldland Cookies were good. Â Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print […]
Tonight was Oscar night. Chuck & Kristy were kind enough to host an Oscar party at their house and asked everyone to bring something to share. We baked a Brie (the tops of which Wendy decorated with a cut-out Oscar statue and a movie camera on a tripod). Dinner was […]
Tonight, a group of us (Bob, Sharon, Jay, Angel, Chef Doug, Wendy, and Drew) met at the Iron Horse Inn in Glendale for a Saturday night Wine Dinner. It was a good time. Here’s the menu: The Iron Horse Inn Restaurant Italian Wine Dinner — Saturday March 4th, 2006 First […]
 This afternoon, I spent my thirteenth day in the kitchen of Jean-Robert at Pigall’s, the 4-star French restaurant in downtown Cincinnati. I arrived at 1:00 and stayed until 5:30 since we had dinner plans this evening. While there, I prepped a variety of products and helped Chef get ready for […]
Tonight’s dinner was a small one. We stayed home and watched some television and ate food that was around. I had cereal for dinner — Captain Crunch. Yum. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens […]
This evening was a stay-at-home night, a rarity when we’re both involved with shows. We stayed in, nestled on the couch and enjoyed pizza and calzones from LaRosa’s. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens […]
I didn’t have rehearsal tonight, but Wendy did — their first read-through of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. She’s playing Audrey, and I’m very proud of her for landing that role. She’ll be awesome. Since time was rather tight between me arriving at home after work and Wendy’s departure time, we […]
Since we had rehearsal tonight, I grabbed a quick Bacon & Ranch salad from the local McDonald’s before heading to our rehearsal space for some quiet time. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in […]
Tonight, Angel (one of the cast members of DINNER WITH FRIENDS, the show I’m directing for Falcon Theater) and I ate at Chicago Gyros in Clifton, very near our rehearsal space. We enjoyed the gyros, fries, and baklava, despite the total lack of ambience in the restaurant. Share: Print (Opens in […]
This evening’s dinner was with our friends Dave & Robin. We enjoy spending time with them. Tonight we ate at Jade Garden, a good Chinese buffet near our homes. A variety of Chinese & Asian-style foods were on display, and we sampled many of them. Share: Print (Opens in new […]
Tonight’s dinner was a quick drive-through of Burger King before we saw Vance Gilbert in concert at Miami University Hamilton. Â Â Vance is an amazing singer/songwriter. He takes the stage armed only with an acoustic guitar, his wit, and immense singing talent. It’s the first time we’ve seen Vance […]
Tonight’s dinner was actually lunch before our plane ride home from fabulous Las Vegas. We ate airport food while waiting for our plane. Nothing special. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) […]
VEGAS PICTURES ARE HERE. Wednesday February 22 was another early day, dropping Wendy off at her conference before heading to Cravings, the buffet at the Mirage Hotel & Casino. I met “Big Al” on the tram. Al is an elderly gentleman who was a dealer for 25 years and now […]
From Saturday, February 18 through Friday, February 24, 2006, Wendy & I were in fabulous Las Vegas Nevada. Wendy went to attend the Western Veterinary Conference, the largest veterinarian convention in the United States, and I tagged along with her. Our friends Doug & Kelly generously offered to put us […]
  Wendy & I wanted to take Doug & Kelly out for a nice meal to thank them for hosting us this week. Based on my previous (breakfast) experience, we decided to take them to Bouchon, a classic French bistro and oyster bar, in the Venitian Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. […]
Tonight’s dinner was our ‘date night’. Based on the recommendation of Jean-Robert, we ate at Le Cirque in the Bellagio Hotel & Casino on the Strip in Las Vegas Nevada. This ‘jewel box’ of a restauarant seats 80 guests and overlooks the fabulous fountains of the Bellagio. Passing through the tiny […]
We met Scott & Emily for dinner tonight at Bradley Ogden in Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas Nevada. Wendy & I arrived a few minutes early and happened to spot Chef Bradley Ogden in the dining room. He chatted with us for a few minutes after Scott & Emily arrived before we […]
In Las Vegas Nevada, we joined Scott, Emily, and Sarah for dinner at 9 Fine Irishmen in NYNY Hotel & Casino. We dined on a variety of different dishes — a Sausage Pail, Salt & Pepper Prawns (gigantic!), Sheppard’s Pie, and I had a roast pork dish that was delicious! […]
Tonight’s meal wasn’t really a meal at all. We were told by our friend Tracy that we simply had to sample the tiramisu at Caesar’s Palace, under the artificial sunrise and sunset. We made our way to Bertolini’s and sat ‘outside’ near the giant, beautiful (noisy) fountain and enjoyed their very […]
Tonight, we were on our way from Cincinnati Ohio to Columbus Ohio to Chicago Illinois and on to our final destination of Las Vegas Nevada. Dinner was on the fly in the airport between flights… Just a cheese pizza from one of the nameless, faceless food-stall clones lining the airport in […]
Since we were packing for our upcoming trip to Las Vegas, tonight’s dinner was a hunker-down simple meal of Ravioli and a cheese quesadilla. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook […]
Tonight, Wendy & I went to FIESTA BRAVA, the little Mexican restaurant right up the street from us. We had a lot of stuff to do around the house tonight, so it was a pretty quick meal. I enjoyed my FIESTA SPECIAL, which was a Chicken Enchilada and a Chicken […]
This evening was our monthly Happy Mouth Supper club outing. To view the article, please go here. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) […]
This evening, the HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB entered our fifth year of monthly dining. It was Wendy B’s month to select, and she did a great job in choosing Germano’s Restaurant. Germano’s Restaurant, one of the top Italian Restaurants in the Midwest, has been delighting patrons from around the world […]
This evening’s dinner was a delicious “Beach Club” from the local Jimmy John’s sandwich shop since I was near work for tonight’s rehearsal. The sandwich is turkey breast, provolone cheese, avocado spread, sprouts, lettuce tomato, and mayo. It comes with sliced cucumbers, but I usually order it without because in […]
Happy Valentine’s Day! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Share on Reddit (Opens […]
Click picture for a larger view. …and let’s not forget this way… (Thanks Paul!) Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share […]
Tonight, I had rehearsal for the show I am directing, DINNER WITH FRIENDS for Falcon Theater, so my supper was a quick visit to the drive-through of Taco Bell for a Crunchwrap Supreme and a Chicken Quesadilla. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend […]
Wendy is tired. She’s been working her job, which is no picnic, and working on IRMA VEP at Falcon Theater for the last 7-8 evenings straight. This morning, she slept in while I went to a morning rehearsal for the show I am directing, DINNER WITH FRIENDS. When I got home, […]
Tonight, I worked at the restaurant where I dined on the ‘family meal‘. Tonight’s dinner write-up is in this article. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens […]
 On Saturday, February 11, 2006, I spent my twelfth night in the kitchens of Jean-Robert at Pigall’s. I arrived around 1:15 and was greeted by Todd, the sous chef, with, “Are you here all night?”. Each time he’s said that to me in the past, I came to find […]
Tonight was the opening of THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP at Falcon Theater. My friend Danny & I both auditioned for the show but were not cast. We decided to attend the show together to revel in the lack of work we had to do to see it mounted, and […]
Because Wendy has been working hard on IRMA VEP at Falcon Theater (which opens on Friday!), this has been a fairly lazy week for me — I spent much of this week reading for pleasure, working on the show I’m directing, exercising, hanging out with our new cat, and watching movies […]
Stewie: How you uh, how you comin’ on that novel you’re working on? Huh? Gotta a big, uh, big stack of papers there? Gotta, gotta nice litte story you’re working on there? Your big novel you’ve been working on for 3 years? Huh? Gotta, gotta compelling protaganist? Yeah? Gotta obstacle […]
I had to run to the offices of DHL on the way home from work today to pick up the replacement for my Dell Axim PDA that had gone faulty after upgrading to the latest OS, Windows Mobile 5. Dinner was a quick stop at Taco Bell for a hard-shell […]
THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP, the hilarious two-man show by Charles Ludlum, opens at Falcon Theater on Friday, February 10, 2006. It runs Friday & Saturday nights through February 25, 2006. From the website: “This fast-paced and funny play is a spoof of Victorian melodrama, classic horror films, and Gothic […]
Tonight, I ate at the house again, since Wendy is preparing for IRMA VEP at Falcon Theater and won’t be home until quite late. My Snak Master is much older than the one in this picture. As we were cleaning in the basement, I came across a SNAK MASTER machine I’d […]
Since Wendy is working hard on the backstage aspects of IRMA VEP at Falcon Theater which opens this weekend, I was on my own this evening for dinner. I decided to stay at home and work on a few projects I’ve got going on, so it was a simple dinner […]
The folks over at Worth1000.COM, a website where artists can compete on a variety of themes, have posted the results of their “Reality Manga 2” contest — which asks what the world would look like if Japanese cartoons were actually realistic. Some of the results are very strange and interesting. […]
It was SUPER BOWL night and Holly & Ed generously hosted a party at their house. Dinner consisted of beer, freshly-prepared chicken wings, pizza rolls, chips & salsa, and Skyline dip. It was a nice time spent with our friends and the food was good. Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers on […]
As you may have noticed from some of the posts, we’ve added another castmember to our bumbling little circus here at the house. The newest is an as-yet-unnamed Little White Cat. He’s about 4 months old and showed up on the doorstep of a friend of Wendy’s mother, who brought […]
This evening, we went to dinner with our friends Ed & Holly to Nick’s Chops & Chasers, where we enjoyed our appetizer of stuffed mushrooms, our soups & salads, and thick, boneless, and well-prepared pork chops prepared a variety of ways (Jack Daniel’s glazed, garlic & onion, spiced apple, and normandy). All […]
Tonight, we ate at CRAZY BUFFET with Dave & Robin. Robin carefully selected tonight’s destination after last week’s restaurant confusion. He seemed much more comfortable in the familiar (but crazy) surroundings of the giant buffet. We dined on loads of decent Chinese-ish food, and sat talking with our friends for […]
Wendy had rehearsal for IRMA VEP at Falcon Theater tonight, so I was on my own for dinner. That meant leftovers! Yup, the never-ending stream of stuffed, roasted pork from our dinner party continues. I ate that along with some cottage cheese and potato chips. Even though I am a […]
My buddy Poulw designed and built his own multiple guitar stand for less than $30. Similar stands go for upwards of $100. He posted how to build your own, complete with pictures, here. Dog not included. Â Â If you’re a person who needs such a thing, this is a […]
Happy Groundhog Day everyone! Yes, it’s that time of year once again. A time for that most pint sized of meteorological prognosticators, Puxatawny Phil, to use his magical powers for the good, or at least amusement, of mankind. But as you’re enjoying your celebrations this day in honor of the […]
Tonight, we took a short break from left-overs to quickly dine together at Frisch’s. Wendy had a turkey wrap and I had a cheeseburger & some of their great onion rings. After dinner, Wendy headed down to the theater for a rehearsal of IRMA VEP at Falcon Theater. She’s working […]
This evening, we enjoyed leftovers from last weekend’s dinner (when I said we had a lot left over, I wasn’t kidding!). We ate some more of the pork and finished the sweet potato puree. We’ve also got some fresh egg pasta dough in the fridge. I had thought about making sweet potato raviolis, […]
This evening, we enjoyed leftovers from last weekend’s dinner. We dined on the leftover pork and sweet potato puree, with a dessert of Sticky Toffee Pudding. Tonight, we cut into the OTHER roast, which I’d prepared differently than the one we served to our guests. For the guests, I poked the […]
This evening, we enjoyed leftovers from the previous night’s dinner. Because it was cheaper to buy a whole pork loin and butcher it myself than to buy a butchered amount, we ended up with lots of pork. I cooked two roasts for our dinner party and immediately wrapped one up […]
Tonight, we entertained our friends Brian and Milan at our house. We’ve known each other for a couple years now, since we met them at Scilla, the now-closed Japanese/Korean place we used to frequent. They’d invited us out to their new farmhouse a few months back, and we were excited […]
A simple dinner for us tonight as we stayed home to prep for a party we’re hosting tomorrow night. Wendy ate a Lean Cuisine and I had Chef Boy-Ar-Dee ravioli. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens […]
Yes, I know… I . It’s brain-candy and uber-lightweight. I’m going into rehearsal for a show and need something that’s not-too-weighty to occupy my limited downtime. Plus, we adore the television show. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email […]
Scott (Skippy), a plugin author and fellow WordPress-user, has included me on my first-ever meme and it’s my pleasure to participate. Four jobs that I’ve had * Upholsterer * Every possible position at Bill Knapp’s restaurant * Wage-slave at Blockbuster Video * Actor Four movies I can watch over and over * Serenity (sigh) […]
Wendy & I were guests at the Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College for dinner this evening. The Production Cooking class does large-scale dining, and tonight was a buffet featuring chicken and rice soup, lamb crusted with mustard, sweet potatoes with four cheeses, grilled squash, mahi, […]
Tonight, we met our friends Robin & Dave for dinner, which we planned over e-mail. We were all surprised when Robin, a notoriously picky eater, quickly agreed to LuLu’s. The three of us knew that it would be well outside Robin’s sphere of culinary comfort, but we went along with it. When we met them, Wendy […]
This evening, Angel, one of the castmembers of the show I’m directing (DINNER WITH FRIENDS for Falcon Theater), and I met for a dinner of Indian food at AMBAR INDIA in Clifton, very near where we both work and close to our rehearsal space. We enjoyed an appetizer of the Paneer […]
Tonight, Wendy & I used a couple gift certificates (thanks Bill!) for TGI Friday’s restaurant. Wendy enjoyed her “Baked Potato Soup” and “Double Stacked Quesadillas”, stuffed with chicken, cheeses, onions & peppers. I took part in Friday’s $13 for three courses deal and had pot-stickers (which finally arrived long after […]
On Sunday evening, we ate with Paul & Julie at a local sushi place — KABUTO. It’s a festive place — when you walk in the door, the first thing you see is a wall full of photographs of people who have celebrated at the restaurant, everything from birthdays to […]
On Saturday night, Wendy & I went to see Falcon Theater‘s production of KEELY & DU at the Monmouth Theater in Newport Kentucky. We drove down to Newport a little early to eat at LaRosa’s, a Cincinnati-based Italian restaurant. Wendy enjoyed her JoJo’s Salad — a green salad with diced roma […]
Sometimes, I wish I wasn’t journaling my food for this year. As a ‘foodie’ and trained culinarian, I feel that there is the expectation that each meal (well, dinner at least) that Wendy & I eat should be dramatic. Glamorous, even. Here’s the harsh reality, folks… Not all meals are […]
Wendy is feeling better from her recent trip to Dr. Toothy, so we finished up the leftovers (Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Caramelized Shallots & Red Wine and Parslied Potato Puree) from the other night. It was almost as good as the first time! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a […]
Wendy wasn’t feeling great after a visit to her dentist (Blue calls his “Dr. Toothy“), so our original plan of eating the left-over beef tenderloin was scrapped in favor of hot, comforting soups and noodle dishes from Lulu’s, a local noodle shop. Wendy liked her soup a bunch, and my […]
It was a very simple meal for me last night. Wendy had an appointment after work so I was on my own for dinner. Not wanting to eat the left-over’s from the previous night without Wendy, I prepared a couple cheese quesadillas along with a nice tall glass of milk. […]
Since I had the day off for MLK day, I cooked a pretty nice dinner for us. Here’s what I prepared: Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Caramelized Shallots & Red Wine Parslied Potato Puree Broccoli with Black Olives, Lemon, and Garlic We drank a nice Cabernet Sauvignon with dinner. Everything was […]
This evening, Wendy & I met Ted, Ginny, and Arthur at Pompilio’s in Newport Kentucky to celebrate Arthur’s birthday. Pompilio’s is a well-known institution in the city, specializing in southern Italian cooking and red sauce. We enjoyed our meals very much — Drew got tortellini with meatballs and Wendy got […]
On Saturday, January 14, 2006, Milan, Brian, Tracy, Ted, Wendy, and Drew dined at the best restaurant in Cincinnati, the incomparable Jean-Robert at Pigall’s. Our reservations were for 6:00, but we’d decided to meet at 5:30 to have a drink in Pigall’s intimate bar. We perched around the tall table […]
Guild Wars: Factions Global Free-For-All PvP Weekend Event The Guild Wars Team would like to invite gamers everywhere to join us on the weekend of January 20th for a Guild Wars: Factions Global Free-For-All PvP Weekend Event! This event will take place on the Battle Isles, the new PvP continent. […]
This evening was our monthly Happy Mouth Supper club outing. To view the article, please go here. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) […]
On Friday, January 13 (Friday the 13th!), the HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB met at Biagio’s Bistro in Clifton for our monthly outing, which was Kristy’s selection. Robin, Dave, Chuck, Kristy, Holly, Ron, John, Paul (John’s guest), Angel, Ted, Tracy, Wendy, and Drew crowded into a back corner of the restaurant […]
This evening, our trip up the ‘culinary ladder‘ continued as Wendy & I were guests at the first-ever (hopefully first annual) College of Pharmacy Etiquette Dinner hosted at the Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. A faculty member and I assisted one of our students in organizing the event, and it was […]
Our week of dining is shaping up… From humble beginnings earlier in the week, we’ve progressed to tonight’s nice, homey, dinner. This evening, I made a simple roasted chicken and vegetables. Wendy made a green salad. The chicken skin was wonderfully crispy from the dry, high heat. Here’s how I did it, using a 2.5-3 […]
Tonight’s dinner was the second night of the ‘upswing in dining scale‘ that we’re experiencing this week, which will peak on Saturday night. How’s that for a stay-tuned-style teaser?! This evening, on a whim we called our friends Dave & Robin and the four of us decided (finally!) to go to […]
What a humble meal this evening… It’s our GUILD WARS night, so Wendy stopped for grub from Wendy’s on her way home. Dinner was a cheeseburger, a bacon-and-cheddar baked potato (nevermind that I asked her to get me a broccoli and cheddar baked potato!) and a Frosty. As far as […]
Tonight, we went to Tracy’s house to watch the disappointing Bengal‘s game with a group of friends. Since Tracy was still reeling from the swanky New Year’s party she threw, she asked folks to bring some food to share. Wendy & I brought my mom’s famous (it’s famous around my house) […]
Tonight, a group of us (Holly, Ed, Colin, Wendy, Jay, and myself) met at ONE DINING, a new restaurant situated in a converted city building in Mason Ohio, for a surprise birthday dinner for Angel (who turns the big 3-0 on January 8th). Ed, Holly, Colin, Wendy, and Drew arrived […]
 On Saturday, January 7, 2006, I worked at Pigall’s for my eleventh night. I arrived around 1:00pm, washed up, and quickly got to work. Robbie had me cutting up wild boar and duck meat on the slicer (which I first had to clean and sanitize). Once that was done, […]
Tonight was a busy night and a lot of fun. After a full work day, I headed to a local tavern called Holy Grail where I was meeting my old boss (he just retired), two colleagues, and their spouses for drinks. Because I got there an hour before everyone else, […]
Our three-day miracle diet trip-through-hell done (Wendy lost 4.5 pounds, Tory lost 7, and Drew lost 5), we jumped right back on the crappy food bandwagon. For dinner, we dined at Frisch’s restaurant, a glorified greasy spoon comparable to Shoney’s. The main attractive feature of Frisch’s is the proximity to […]
From Yahoo! Entertainment MARSEILLES, France — Skirt-chasing playboy Daniel Anceneaux spent weeks talking with a sensual woman on the Internet before arranging a romantic rendezvous at a remote beach — and discovering that his on-line sweetie of six months was his own mother! “I walked out on that dark beach […]
On day three of our horrendous three-day miracle diet that Wendy, Tory, and I suffered through, it was a duplicate of day two… Fresh fruit every two hours from 8:00am until 6:00pm and loads of water. At 6:00pm, Wendy had yet another giant salad of lettuce, tomatoes, celery, yellow pepper, […]
For this evening’s dinner, we dined one the second of three days on the fantabulous three-day miracle diet that Wendy, Tory, and I were suffering through. Having loaded up on proteins the day before (and getting rid of those pesky glycogens that slow down weight loss, if the wacko author […]
On Monday, January 2, 2006, we had for dinner a large amount of green salad, consisting of lettuce, tomatoes, celery, yellow pepper, mushrooms, carrots, cilantro, and dressed with a squeeze of lemon, and all topped with 6 ounces of delicious (if I do say so myself!) roasted chicken breast without […]
For the first dinner of 2006, we met Chris, Rebecca, and Ted for dinner at Romano’s Macaroni Grill. Wendy enjoyed her usual dish of Penne Rustica, and Drew had a servicable-if-not-very-tasty-or-imaginative Chicken Canniloni. The company sure was enjoyable — Chris & Rebecca are our dive instructors who recently moved to […]
 On Friday, December 30, 2005, I worked at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s for my tenth night of 2005. It was January of 2005 that I started volunteering at the restaurant. Today, I arrived around 1:00 and walked in to find the place buzzing with activity. The guys were working hard […]
This evening, I upgraded from version 1.5.2 to version 2.0 of the software running this site, WordPress. WordPress is a state-of-the-art symantic personal publishing platform that is extremely lean, well-crafted, and very extendible with plugins. The upgrade went very smoothly, however, if you spot anything strange, please let me know […]
Below is a link to the book I’m currently reading, and here is the author’s website. This series was recommended to me by my buddy Doug.         Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in […]
A handy list of del.icio.us tips on this page. If you don’t use del.icio.us, you really should! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) […]
For our last HAPPY MOUTH of 2005, we met for dinner at Ed’s pick, QUARTER BISTRO in Mariemont. Dave, Robin, guest Jeffrey, Tracy, Ted, Ed, John, guest Paul, Wendy, and Drew met in the cozy restaurant to sample their offerings. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link […]
From the creators of the Musical Genome Project comes the following: Ever since we started the Music Genome Project, our friends would ask:Can you help me discover more music that I’ll like? Those questions often evolved into great conversations. Each friend told us their favorite artists and songs, explored the […]
 On Saturday, December 10, 2005, I worked at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s for my ninth night. I took some delicious chocolate bark that Wendy & I made for the gang in the kitchen, and judging from how quickly it disappeared, they enjoyed it. I arrived around 1:30pm and got started […]
Reprinted from Boing Boing. Today is Dean Grey Tuesday, a net-wide day of protest over Warner Brothers’s attempt to censor a stupendous noncommercial mashup album called American Edit that remixes Green Day’s album American Idiot. For today, websites across the Internet are mirroring the American Edit album and/or turning their […]
UPDATE: Bad news from Carson Williams… He’s shut it down. Read all the details here. After seeing this amazing video (and this one, too) of a house with a synchronized light show, a little research revealed that the house is located near where we live! Â With our friends Rob […]
CONGRATULATIONS to Doug & Kelly as they finally finished their PADI certification! Soon, we’ll be able to dive with them! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens […]
On Wednesday, November 30, 2005 members of the HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB gathered for Ron’s selection of VITO’S CAFE in Highland Heights Kentucky. Eight of us — Ted, Tracy, Wendy B., Ron, Robin, David, Andrew, and guest Jeffrey enjoyed the food and ambiance of the place very much. Kevin, our […]
Here’s an CAT SCAN image of our cat Merrick’s head… You can see his ears and the ear canals (black) going into his skull, and the bony round canal where the important ear stuff sits inside the eardrum. One canal is black and full of air (normal) and the other […]
Below is a link to the book I’m currently reading, and here is the author’s website. Wendy & I have read most of his books and really enjoy his work.  Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share […]
Thanks to site visitor Robby for pointing out a simple fix that improved the left-side menu presentation! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) […]
Click the picture for a larger view in a new window. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens […]
Below is a link to the book I’m currently reading, and here is the blog that started it all (this page is the starting post). Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) […]
You can find ANYTHING on Google! Click the picture for a larger view in a new window. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) […]
 On Saturday, November 12, 2005, I worked at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s for my eighth night. I’d been unable to work there during the summer because of busy schedules so it was a tremendous amount of fun to get back into the kitchen with the crew (some of whom were […]
I recently upgraded the server’s OS from Fedora Core 3 to Fedora Core 4 and applied all the required patches and upgrades. As with most of Red Hat/Fedora’s products, the upgrade went smoothly and we were back up and running in short order. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print […]
On November 1 2005, I performed a comprehensive backup of the site to DVD. The site was offline for about 60 minutes while the backup was double-verified. On November 2 2005, I upgraded the server’s OS from Fedora Core 3 to Fedora Core 4 and have fully patched the server. […]
She’s clearly got no sense of fashion. I mean, who would wear green sneakers with that outfit?! I’ve spent most of the afternoon staring at the picture in disbelief. Click the image for a larger view in a new window. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link […]
On October 29, 2005, a large group of us went “ghost hunting” at Bobby Mackey‘s (a famous country bar in northern Kentucky). We had a skeptic (Ron) and a believer (Rose) with us, and the believer is a psychic. I asked them both to write about their experiences which they […]
I Am A: Neutral Good Human Ranger Paladin Alignment:Neutral Good characters believe in the power of good above all else. They will work to make the world a better place, and will do whatever is necessary to bring that about, whether it goes for or against whatever is considered ‘normal’. […]
By Polly Campbell Enquirer staff writer From Enquirer.COM Â Jean-Robert de Cavel (center, in the Pigall’s kitchen) says he’s happy with four stars, but the question now is, ‘Do we want to go for five stars?’Cincinnati may have lost its most visible national award-winning restaurant when Mobil five-star winner Maisonette […]
I had a bunch of Canadian dollars I needed to exchange so I went to the currency exchange window at the local bank. Short line… just one guy in front of me… an Asian guy who was trying to exchange yen for dollars and he was a little agitated… He […]
I like walks on the beaches, the sand in my crack, and I like ice cream and moonbeams. I live alone with a dog who keeps me company. But I am seeking the one I can love and slap nasties with. I have hope to find this person. Maybe it’s […]
This month’s HAPPY MOUTH outing was selected by Drew. A large group of us went to Slim’s Restaurant in Northside for a dinner of ecclectic American dishes… Real comfortable food, to quote their press materials. Angel, Jay, John, Robin, Dave, Holly, Ed, Wendy, and Drew enjoyed our meals quite a […]
Who knew that using a doorstop would be a multi-step process? With illustrations?! Click the picture for a larger view in a new window. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook […]
Perhaps not the most uplifting horoscope possible, but my horoscope from TheOnion.COM was funny: Libra: You won’t be hit by a bus this week, exactly. Circumstances will unfold so that you’re traveling at almost 100 miles an hour when you strike a stationary bus. Share: Print (Opens in new window) […]
Wendy’s pick for this month’s HAPPY MOUTH outing was Vinoklet Winery in Colerain Township on the outskirts of Cincinnati. This winery cultivates five different grapes which it uses to make 6 different wines. When you arrive at the Winery, you get a tasting of all six wines. You select the […]
MANCHESTER, NH An appetizer of radish canapés with salmon mousse served at local French restaurant La Maison de Vin was torn a new asshole this week, according to Concord Monitor food critic Bernard Haberle, who reviewed the establishment in his “Good Eating” column. “I ripped those canapés a hole so […]
Bob Denver was attending college at Loyola-Marymount University, in Los Angeles, when he got into acting. At first, Denver wasn’t sure he wanted to be an actor, but gradually gave in, deciding that’s what he was going to do for a career. Before he became established, he worked as a […]
I want to take an opportunity to point out a few things that you might not notice immediately when using this site. Click the title of this article (“Some Tips on Using This System“) to read the full article. Articles can be filed under categories. All articles on this system […]
Wednesday morning was the same breakfast, only this time with the addition of buttered bread and (unexplicably) french fries. We were joined at breakfast by Klaus (a German drummer) and Laura (a clown — no really!). They were diving with us this morning. The rest of the divers arrived, and […]
Tuesday morning dawned bright and clear. Wendy & Drew were down at the patio for their standard breakfast — waffles & pancakes. This time, the meal included a piece of plain bread, unbuttered. We boarded the dive boat, delighted to discover that it was just Angel, Robby, Wendy, & Drew […]
On Monday morning, we rose at 7:00am, checked in at the dive shop, and sat down on the patio for a waffle (Drew) and pancake (Wendy) breakfast. The plates came out with waffles/pancakes only. Nothing else. It was warm and decent for eating pre-dive. We were joined by Orlando, a […]
Jeanne snapped this picture while we were waiting in the line for the Over The Rhine show in late August, 2005. I thought the composition was pretty amusing.  Click the picture for a larger view in a new window. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link […]
In the morning, we packed up our belongings and checked out of Costa del Oro. When we went downstairs to the office, there was no one there to help us check out. Finally, we located the lady of the house out near the pool. Despite the fact that she spoke […]
From regular site contributor Jo. Thanks Jo! All I have to say is “Go Bucks!” You might be from Ohio (pronounced O-hi-uh), if: You think all Pro football teams are supposed to wear orange! You know all the 4 seasons: winter, still winter, almost winter and construction. You live less […]
Marilyn Monroe’s first and last surviving husband, James Dougherty, has died in California. He was 84. Dougherty, a retired Los Angeles detective and former local politician in Maine, died on Monday in San Rafael, according to his stepdaughter Annie Woods. Dougherty married 16-year-old Monroe, real name Norma Jean Baker, in […]
(All of Drew’s pictures from Doug & Kelly’s wedding are here. Check their site for more pictures!) After a hot day in Old San Juan, Drew & Wendy hustled back to the Costa de Oro to get ready for the wedding. We got to the church on time — as […]
On Saturday morning, Drew & Wendy got up at 8:30am, had a continental breakfast of rolls & coffee at the pool bar, and headed over to the Hyatt to meet Kent & Julie Anne to drive into Old San Juan. They decided not to go, preferring instead to spend the […]
My father turned 70 years old on August 14, 2005. Happy Birthday, Dad! Many happy returns of the day. We love you. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on […]
HAPPY MOUTH met this month at one of Cincinnati’s oldest buildings (built in 1848) and longest continiously-operating restaurants (since 1861). Holly picked this month’s selection, the veritable ARNOLD’S. We crowded around the tables in the ‘ladies’ side of the bar (the restaurant has both a men’s and women’s entrance) and […]
We woke up pretty early on Friday morning, feeling refreshed from a decent night’s sleep. The terrible pillows notwithstanding, we were comfortable in our little tiny room at Costa del Oro. We washed up, dressed, and went downstairs to see what their definition of a “continental breakfast” might be. At […]
Our trip started out a day earlier than planned. Our flight was scheduled for 7 AM Thursday morning, leaving out of Indianapolis. We had planned to leave home about 3 AM to get there in time for security delays, parking, and all the associated travel things. Wendy’s voice teacher reminded […]
Goodbye, Peter Jennings. You were a good news reader. You read the news from the teleprompter like almost no one else could. Your skill at reading from a monitor and not moving your eyes will be missed. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend […]
We’re back! We were in Puerto Rico to celebrate the wedding of our friends Doug & Kelly and to have a dive vacation for ourselves. The pictures are being uploaded to the server as we speak and we will work to caption them and write our articles as soon as […]
We know that he is from the dark side. See his power and his wrath here. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X […]
Jesus Loves You To Use Your Turn Signals Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) […]
Ted’s pick for this month’s HAPPY MOUTHÂ was CUMIN, a tiny Indian restaurant near Hyde Park. Our loud and boisterous group nearly filled the restaurant, and the sound of our laughter and merry-making certainly increased the volume level. Food overall was pretty good. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email […]
Why are things like this so much fun? Use your mouse. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens […]
“His extreme bliss about brand-new girl-pal Katie Holmes was awkward and forced and just really weird. Yet you gave him a pass by not following up when he wouldn’t really explain how he and Katie met or when he basically said he hadn’t noticed his child was biracial or when […]
Chaste == innocent of unlawful sexual intercourse Married == innocent of lawful sexual intercourse Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share […]
Thanks to my buddy Doug, we’re now running a nifty ‘quote of the day’ plugin at the bottom of each page. It’s called COI-QUOTES, and you can get at it by clicking here. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) […]
Here is yet another reason that Catholic education sucks. My school did not have this type of squad, and now I feel cheated. Click the picture for a larger view in a new window. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new […]
True Facts from Funny2.COM. The California Department of Motor Vehicles has issued six driver’s licenses to six different people named Jesus Christ. Michael Jordan makes more money from Nike each year than all the Nike factory workers in Malaysia combined. Chicago is closer to Moscow than it is to Rio […]
From Jo, a regular visitor to this site: A little boy goes to his father and asks “Daddy, how was I born?” The father answers: “Well, son, I guess one day you will need to find out anyway! Your Mom and I first got together in a chat room on […]
I’ve participated in an online blogging survey being conducted by the Media Lab at MIT. Actually, it’s about more than just blogging, as the questions also cover use of email, instant messaging, and texting (cell phone SMS). This is part of a PhD project by Cameron Marlow, so if you’ve […]
 On Saturday, June 18, 2005, I worked at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s for my seventh night. This evening would be the last time I worked there for the summer. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook […]
Today, I performed a comprehensive backup of the system to the new DVD burner that I installed. It makes backing things up much nicer. I also installed another fan in the case to cool things off, replacing one that had locked up. The site was unavailable for about 90 minutes […]
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  On Monday, June 13, 2005, I had the opportunity to work side-by-side with Chef Jean-Robert de Cavel, owner and chef of Cincinnati Ohio’s Jean-Robert at Pigall’s at 7 Days for SIDS: A One Week Fundraiser for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, an event that he and his wife Annette […]
For this month’s outing, the members of the HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB met at Ferrari’s Little Italy. John selected this month and we had a lively dinner of good Italian food. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share […]
    On Saturday, May 28, 2005, Wendy & I dined at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s in downtown Cincinnati. Jean-Robert at Pigall’s innovative three-course prix fixe menu features a delectable array of appetizers, entrees, and desserts accompanied by an extensive wine list. A five-course degustation menu is also offered and […]
An article from this site is featured in the 80th edition of the Best of Me Symphony. These “Symphonies” are a collection of the best of the blogsphere. I am pleased that one of our stories is on there. Check it out here. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print […]
Last night (Saturday, June 4, 2005) was the dinner at our house that I’d been planning for a while for a group of ‘foodie’ friends. This group of three couples contains a good amount of food knowledge: one member of the group is a fine dining writer for a local […]
Who is this person?I am a man named Andrew Vogel. I live north of Cincinnati, Ohio in the United States. I live with my wonderful wife Wendy, to whom I have been married since December 31, 2003, and our animals… Cats: Stompy, Eunice, The Senator, Janet, Toast, and Truffe. We […]
From a KFC in New York. Thanks Wendy B. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new […]
The database for this site was migrated from Xaraya to WordPress during the time of transition from one CMS to another. Because I’d been using Xaraya for so long, the data was tightly integrated — things like callouts to pictures and links within articles to other articles were converted as […]
Bush Anxious to Learn More of Deep Throat Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) […]
Why do tech support staffpeople go crazy? My buddy who works at a hardware/software company sent me this support request from a customer who may be angry. Or not. It’s darned near impossible to tell! Customer (4815162342) 05/27/2005 02:40 AM Product = Remote Control Operating System = Windows XP Pro […]
Here is a short video (under 4 minutes) showing a man who can apparently summon UFOs on demand. Very strange, but the reporter seems convinced! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) […]
EAT EGGS: GET PAID An eggstra-ordinary opportunity for the right individual to consume 3 to 4 dozen eggs per 3 hour shift, 6 nights a week. Phone 513-555-6119. EOE. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook […]
Thanks to Chef Neace for sharing this with me. This article has ‘adult stuff’ in it, so if you’re not an adult, move on. Dear Connie, I know the counselor said we shouldn’t contact each other during our “cooling off” period, but I couldn’t wait anymore. The day you left, […]
After running Xaraya for a few years, it was clear that the goals of Xaraya were no longer consistent with my goals in running this site. I entered an extended process of evaluating new content management software (CMS) packages and decided to run the exceptional WordPress. Thanks to Doug Daulton […]
Frank Gorshin, the man behind Batman foe The Riddler’s mask, has died at a medical centre in Burbank, California. He was 72. The actor and impressionist was Emmy nominated for his villainous role in the cult Batman TV series from 1966 to 1969. Gorshin earned another Emmy nomination for a […]
 On Saturday, May 4, 2005, I worked at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s for my sixth night. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X […]
It was really great to see many people from my past, despite the sad event that re-united us on Saturday, April 30. Don’t be strangers… I know some of you visit this site (you told me so!), so please drop me an email (drew at drewvogel dot com) sometime. It […]
Here is the story about a hacker who had little problems… Originally from this German site (please include this link if you repost this anywhere (site might be down, quite a lot of people are reading this)). It was Elch from StopHipHop.DE who first published this log. In case you […]
 One Night, Eleven Kitchens April 24, 6-9 pm Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State College  Top regional chefs showcase the eleven state-of-the-art kitchens at Midwest Culinary Institute to benefit the Cincinnati State College Foundation culinary scholarships. On Sunday, April 24 2005, I participated as a worker in the […]
 On Saturday, April 23, 2005, I worked at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s for my fifth night. I arrived around 1:00pm and immediately went to work making ravioli filling and assembling the ravioli, helping prep the candied baby onions, prepping lobster, and a bunch more. During service, I worked the ‘hot […]
On Friday, April 22, 2005, the entire membership of the HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB gathered at HYDE PARK TAVERN & GRILLE for a meal and socializing. It was Jay’s month to select, and he brought a guest — Angel — with him. Â Click the picture to visit their website […]
I was instructed (by Bethany‘s journal by way of Taliendo‘s journal) to do the following: 1. Go into your archives. 2. Find your 23rd post (or closest to). 3. Find the fifth sentence (or closest to). 4. Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions […]
Trust Jesus, but check ID. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Share on […]
“Reach out to others in need, whoever they are, wherever they are.” –Pope John Paul II Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X […]
 On Saturday, April 2, 2005, I worked at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s for my fourth night. This was the second night of their new spring menu, so I worked prep and left before service began (my thinking being that the last thing the guys needed was me cluttering up the […]
On Wednesday, March 9, a group of us met for the monthly HAPPY MOUTH outing. It was Tracy’s month to pick, and she selected THE DINER ON SYCAMORE. We met there, with guests Dave, Robin, and Angel, for a meal and cavorting. The Diner on Sycamore used to be quite […]
 On Saturday (February 19, 2005) I worked at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s restaurant for my third night. I arrived around 1:30pm and worked until almost 11:00pm. Before the family meal (which was La Rosa’s pizza that Scott provided), Chef held a meeting of the kitchen staff to which I was […]
On Thursday, February 24, 2005, the HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB got together at Palomino Restaurant, selected by Doug. A large group of us, including our guest Angel, descended on the downtown restaurant for a very nice dinner. We had a lot of great drinks and food, including Calamari Fritto with […]
It is not yet clear whether Hunter S. Thompson left a suicide note. If not, his last written words may have been “So long and Mahalo” – which is Hawaiian for thank you. The words appeared at the bottom of a column he wrote on February 15, just five days […]
I noticed over the last week or so that the site has been extremely sluggish in responding to hits. I spent some time evening on the phone with my service provider, and we’ve gotten the site’s delivery speed up six times higher than it was (it was really slow for […]
 On Saturday (January 29, 2005) I worked at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s restaurant for my second night.Jean-Robert at Pigall’s serves French-American cuisine in a modern Parisian setting, with a little New York ambiance and plenty of Cincinnati charm. Chef and owner Jean-Robert de Cavel’s innovative prix fixe menu features a […]
On January 15, 2005, a bunch of us (Chuck, Kristy, Ed, Holly, Ted, Tracy, Ron, Jay, Wendy, and Drew) met at El Coyote Restaurant in Anderson for the monthly HAPPY MOUTH outing. This Tex-Mex restaurant was Kristy’s pick, and it was a very good one! Share: Print (Opens in new […]
 After working on the details for several months, on Saturday (January 8, 2005) I worked at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s restaurant, which serves French-American cuisine in a modern Parisian setting, with a little New York ambiance and plenty of Cincinnati charm. Chef and owner Jean-Robert de Cavel’s innovative prix fixe […]
Wendy & I just celebrated our first Christmas together as a married couple, and it was very nice. We decorated the house a little bit in addition to putting up “the tree of broken toys”… Many ornaments are a bit unusual. Â Click the picture for a larger view in […]
On December 8th, a group of us met for the monthly HAPPY MOUTH outing. This month was Ed’s selection, and he picked Pho Paris, a new restaurant that is a fusion restaurant that’s part French, part Vietnamese and part Cincinnatian. We enjoyed the food and ambiance at this place! All […]
-= Exported from BigOven =- Three Chocolate Bark With Spiced Pecans & Dried Cherries EMERIL LIVE with Emeril Lagasse From the TV FOOD NETWORK – (Show # EM-1B08 broadcast 06-12-1998) This recipe can be divided. This recipe fits on one standard baking sheet. Recipe By: Serving Size: 4 Cuisine: Main […]
From a phone call I received today. This student is applying for admission to the College of Pharmacy where I work. HIM: "How do I get my PCAT scores to you?"ME: "You can send me a photocopy of your score report."HIM: "Should I have one sent from the testing agency?"ME: […]
I shall seek and find you… I shall take you to bed and have my way with you… I will make you ache, shake, and sweat. You will moan and groan. I will make you beg for mercy-beg for me to stop. I will exhaust you to the point that […]
On Saturday, December 4, 2004, Wendy & I hosted a few people for a ‘let’s roll into the holidays’ dinner at our house. The meal also served as our ‘official’ unveiling of our new dining room (we decided because of the type of entertaining we like to do, that we […]
This amusing graphic bug was discovered in VAMPIRE: THE MASQUERADE — BLOODLINES, a recently-released computer game. Click picture for a larger view in a new window. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new […]
On November 17th, a group of us (Wendy, Ted, Jay, John, Wendy B, Holly, Ron, Tracy, and Drew) met for the monthly HAPPY MOUTH outing. This month was Ron’s first chance to select the restaurant, and he chose UPSTAR CROW near Newport on the Levee. Ron made a very good choice… […]
[10:24] NICKI:: You weren’t in Philadelphia yesterday, were you? [10:25] DREW:: Well, not ‘officially’. [10:25] NICKI:: Snicker. [10:25] DREW:: Did you see me? [10:25] NICKI:: I was sure I heard them announce your name over the speakers at the airport. [10:25] DREW:: Airports tend to do that, even if I’m […]
October’s Happy Mouth event was a great deal of fun. A bunch of us went to A Fusion Cafe at Cincinnati Mills for dinner. The food was great — we dined on sushi and other Asian-influenced dishes, all of which were quite tasty. A good time was had by all! […]
From the users of www.scubadiving.com #10: You rely on the silt trail you always stir up to find the anchor line. #9: You never use fins because it makes it more difficult to walk on the bottom. #8: The only place you can hover is at the surface. #7: Your […]
From the movie "Shall We Dance?" on why people get married: "Because we need a witness to our lives. There's a billion people on the planet. What does any one life really mean? In a marriage, you're promising to care about everything. The good things. The bad things. The terrible […]
We arrived home late on October 23rd from our vacation to the Mayan Riveria in Mexico. We stayed at the Barcelo Mayan Caribe. The pictures are UP in the Photo Gallery. To view the pictures, click here. (UPDATE, 11-5-04: More pictures just added! Thanks Marilyn, Michelle, and Rodney!) You can also […]
Regular visitor to this site, Jo, sent these examples of "wishful thinking"… Thanks Jo! Click either picture for a larger view in a new window. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) […]
By JIM FITZGERALD, Associated Press Writer MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. – “Superman” actor Christopher Reeve, who turned personal tragedy into a public crusade and from his wheelchair became the nation’s most recognizable spokesman for spinal cord research, has died. He was 52. Reeve went into cardiac arrest Saturday while at his […]
The trouble with a kitten is that When it grows up, it’s always a cat. — Ogden Nash Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new […]
After a long development cycle, SnapStream released version 3.5 of their excellent Beyond TV product on Friday, October 8, 2004. Beyond TV is software that turns your home PC into a personal video recorder (PVR — pronounced “PEE-ver”, rhymes with ‘beaver’) that records your selected television/satellite/cable programs to your computer’s hard drive and plays […]
In an effort to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation to fight breast cancer, the fine folks over at Boobie-Thon have launched their third-annual ‘blogger boobie-thon’ which raises lettuce by showing melons, so to speak.  For more information on their 2003 event which raised well over $6600 for […]
The September outing of the HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB has come and gone. This month was Wendy’s choice, and she decided that everyone should go Vegas, bay-bee!. We went to the Argosy Casino (so, I guess it was, technically, Indiana, bay-bee!. Ted, Tracy, Holly, Jay, Wendy, and Drew all met […]
Session Start (AIM): Thu Apr 04 14:25:27 2002Drew: Do you want a beating?MrEmery: What kind?Drew: Severe. MrEmery: With what?Drew: Found items — probably a camera bag, a desktop page-a-day calendar, and a plastic lobster.MrEmery: Ok, sure.MrEmery: Sign me up, buttercup.Drew: But I would be happy to tailor it to your […]
I am extremely enthusiastic about nectarines. They're fantastic. Like all fruit, there is definitely something erotic in their presentation… When they're ripe enough, no cutting is required. You can just grab both sides and twist — just as you might twist a squirrel — and then eat the halves over […]
I am testing software on this site which may cause an inconvenience for users who wish to post comments while using Internet Explorer. Users of other browsers (Mozilla, Firefox, etc) will not experience this issue. If you are using Internet Explorer and wish to post a comment, you will see […]
To help you understand the 'smilies' that are so popular on the internet (as well as on this very site), we present these instructional cats: Click image for a larger view in a new window. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in […]
After much deliberation and testing, I’ve decided to switch this site from PostNuke ("old ‘n busted") to Xaraya ("the new hotness") as the software driving the Content Management System (CMS). The CMS ties all the data of the site together and presents it in a useful fashion. Changing CMSs is […]
Follow this link to visit ZIP DECODE, a very cool toy that shows the location of a zip code. Go to the page, type in a zip code, and watch. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on […]
Because of schedule madness, the members of the supper club weren’t able to meet during July. So we decided to do the first-ever “Happy Mouth Double-Header” in August. So, in August, we met for lunch, a mid-afternoon activity, and dinner. It was a blast! Chuck & Holly picked (July & […]
Ya know, it’s really hard to be an animal. Especially one of ours. For, you see, every now and then Wendy & Drew get a ‘wild hair’ and decide to, for example, buy baby clothes to dress their animals in. And Wendy & Drew bring these baby clothes home, find […]
If you click here, a new window will open with pictures from Drew’s culinary training at CSTCC. I hope you enjoy viewing the pictures… You can even add a comment if you’d like. My current plan is to take this term (Fall 2004) off, and then to take a class […]
Thanks to the gentle (persistant!) urging from Weezul, I’ve installed a router on our internal network. This protects the webserver and other machines from various nasties. If you encounter anything unusual, please let me know. BIG thanks to my buddy Weezul for helping configure the beast. Share: Print (Opens in […]
This morning, as I was walking in to the office, I spotted the following vanity license plate in the parking garage: Click the picture for a larger view in a new window. I suppose the driver intends it to say, "I Love Him Too" and that it is a declaration […]
After nearly three months of downtime, two replacement motherboards, countless emails to software authors & support folks, and hours & hours of time spent working to restore the system, this site is finally back up and running on the now-restored server hardware. Nearly everything in this server is new — […]
Julia Child, the tall, gregarious chef who redefined the American culinary landscape with her landmark books and television shows, died Friday August 13, 2004 in Montecito, CA, after bouts with kidney failure; she was 91, two days shy of her 92nd birthday. At a commanding height of 6 feet, 2 […]
Happy Mouth met for dinner at The Melting Pot — a fondue restaurant — for our monthly outing. A large group of us occupied two tables and had a great time flinging food, cooking our own meals, and enjoying the company. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a […]
Jacques Pepin discussed THE APPRENTICE: MY LIFE IN THE KITCHEN at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Cincinnati on May 27, 2004. I arrived about 30 minutes early and was able to get a seat in the front row. I spent the time before the event talking with a charming 73-years-young lady and […]
I was instructed (by Bethany‘s journal by way of Taliendo‘s journal) to do the following: 1. Go into your archives. 2. Find your 23rd post (or closest to). 3. Find the fifth sentence (or closest to). 4. Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions […]
This may be the most important single post I have ever made for the citizens of Cincinnati. The deadly and vicious Cicadas are about to invade Cincinnati and we are pleased to announce Cincinnati’s most comprehensive information source about Cicadas, Cicadaville.COM. Cicadas are deadly and vicious killers armed with lethal […]
For April, Jay picked Andy’s Mediterrainian Grille. The entire club — all 12 of us — showed up for a great meal at Andy’s restaurant. We sat on the enclosed (and noisy) patio and dined on the awesome kabobs and other offerings from Andy’s kitchen. Late in the meal, a […]
For this month’s Happy Mouth outing, nine of us went to Prima Vista on top of one of the hills on the west side of downtown. The restaurant features Italian food and a truly spectacular view of downtown Cincinnati. We had a blast! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print […]
This month, we met at RONDO’S in the west side of town for Happy Mouth. We had a room on the second floor all to ourselves. The food was very nice. They sent up a couple platters (big ones) of complimentary appetizers, which we all enjoyed, and the chef came […]
I have recently joined a charity called OJFC – ‘Old Jeans for Charity’. I don’t want to come across all Christian-like, but it does seem an excellent — and painless — way to help out needy children. It’s a very simple idea — rather than throwing away your old jeans, […]
Things are finally getting back to normal around here. We just closed GILLIGAN’S ISLAND: THE MUSICAL that Wendy was in (she played Mary Ann) at Falcon Theater. It was a three weekend run and was sold out for half the run. Just like any show, this production was a tremendous […]
BETHESDA, MD Beautiful, hand-tooled, leather-bound copies of the greatest works of Western literature "really spiffed up" the den of Elaine Gadsen Monday. "I just love the way the gold embossing on The Great Gatsby balances out that plainer-looking Dickens book on the end," Gadsen said. "And the bright red spine […]
For our first HAPPY MOUTH of 2004, the newly-engaged Kristy arranged for all of the “Mouthers” to meet at Pompillio’s in Newport, Kentucky. Pompillio’s was known for being the restaurant in the famous ‘toothpick scene’ of the 1988 movie Rain Man. Chuck, Ron, Tracy, Ted, Meg, Doug, Jay, Holly, Wendy, […]
Well, the secret is out… After careful planning and admirable secrecy by the few persons ‘in the know’, it has finally happened. In a surprise ceremony witnessed by family and a small circle of friends, Drew and Wendy got married on December 31, 2003 — at about 11:30pm! For the […]
Merry Christmas from Phoebe! Santa Clause is coming. Oh yes. Santa Clause is coming! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share […]
As some of you know, Festivus — celebrated on Dec. 23 — is the holiest day in the "Seinfeld" religion. And we’re not talking about Judaism. Festivus was started by Frank Costanza, George’s irritable father, as a protest against the commercialization of Christmas, and was first explained in the episode […]
Ed selected our destination this month, choosing Swami’s MAYURA in Clifton. Several members of the group braved the cold to enjoy the warmth and generosity of Swami, who played host to all of us and tantelized us with excellent Indian food. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a […]
Today, I removed this site’s ailing motherboard (the PS2 ports, the mouse ports, and the USB ports were all non-functional) to be sent back for replacement. I replaced it with a Shuttle AK38N motherboard with a 2400 Athlon processor and 512 megs of PC3200 DDR 184 pin DIMM memory. Our […]
On Saturday, November 15, 2003, Wendy & I opened our house for the second annual HIGH END APPETIZER & DESSERT PARTY. What’s a HIGH-END APPETIZER & DESSERT PARTY, you ask? We asked that each couple bring a high-end Appetizer OR high-end Dessert, and (at least) ONE bottle of wine (or […]
This article was written by Joe Ferrari. Thanks for submitting it, Joe! Sorry this has taken so long, but it has been a hectic 7 weeks since returning from the Iberostar Bavaro. You may have read my review of the Iberostar Dominicana from March. My wife and I, along with […]
On Saturday, November 15, 2003, I performed a comprehensive backup of the server and upgraded the server’s operating system from Red Hat 8.0 to Red Hat 9.0. This is in preparation for an (eventual) move to Red Hat Fedora since Red Hat has announced end-of-life for Red Hat Linux early […]
This month, it was Doug’s turn to select our destination, and he chose JO AN, a formal Japanese restaurant in Kentucky. A group of us enjoyed the upscale setting and excellent food at the restaurant. Another successful Happy Mouth! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to […]
Thought about clicking on the picture? Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Share […]
In preparation for our second annual HIGH END APPETIZER & DESSERT PARTY, we had to go to Jungle Jim’s to get some supplies. We stopped at White Castle for some cheeseburgers and onion chips. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new […]
No REAL dinner tonight since we slept in (ahh!) and had a late lunch (Penn Station). Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X […]
Tonight, we ate out AGAIN… We ate at El Mocajete, a newer Mexican restaurant near our house. Wendy had never eaten there before, and we both enjoyed our dishes quite a bit. They’re not very spicy (but there is spicy sauce on the table). The home-made tortilla chips & salsa […]
Wendy & I ate at a Peruvian restaurant this evening. She had a chicken dish in green sauce (over green rice) and sliced potato with a yellow sauce. She loved it all and cleaned her plate! I wasn’t feeling too adventurous this evening, so I stuck with fried shrimp, which […]
This evening, I went out for dinner with my good friend Paul while Wendy sat at home and ate leftover Apple & Chestnut Soup. Paul & I went to Silla, a local sushi restaurant where we feasted on excellent sushi dishes and more. They take great care of you at […]
Tonight, our buddy Jay came over for dinner. We made: Apple & Chestnut Soup with Spiced Cream Mandarin, Onion, and Greens Salad Beer-Braised Sirloin Tips in Mushroom Gravy Stuffed Baked Potatoes White Chocolate Trifle It was really nice to spend some time with Jay, and the meal was, in my […]
Wendy picked up a Four Cheese Pizza with Cheese in the Crust for dinner tonight. My addition? More cheese!… A load of grated Parmesian on top! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new […]
Tonight, we ate at the Old Spaghetti Factory. We love that place. They’ve changed the bread back to a more ‘traditional’ recipe. For a while, they were doing this not-so-nice flatbread-ish thing. We were glad to see a more ‘loafish’ loaf! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a […]
As you’ve noticed, I’ve sorta fallen off the wagon with posting dinners since vacation. We’re going to call the missing dinners a ‘break’ or ‘vacation’. I’m back now, and will continue posting dinners as we have them, starting with tonight’s meal. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a […]
This article was written by Wendy. The gang all returned to Punta Cana this October for a reunion trip. For two couples it was their 1st year anniversary trip. For one, a more-years-than-that anniversary trip. And for Andrew and Wendy, just a chance to soak in some sun with good […]
This cracked me up… Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Share on Reddit […]
drew: Diablo II 1.10 patch available. CEmery: damn, only 2 years later drew: Weird, eh? CEmery: yeah CEmery: why bother now? drew: They made some significant changes, but I agree… It’s late. CEmery: very late drew: VERY late. CEmery: Quite late indeed. drew: Really late. CEmery: Too late? drew: Almost […]
This article was written by Wendy. Here’s a few tips I remember for maximizing your enjoyment at the Barcelo Beach Hotel. 1. Ride the train all the way around as early as you feel like it. It will give you the best idea of where everything is, and the general […]
This article is written by Wendy. We have just returned from our second year in a row at the Palace, and we were not disappointed. Last year my fiance and I went in October and met 6 new friends from the US and Canada. We all had such a great […]
Tonight was the October meeting of the HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB and we (Ted, Holly, Ed, Jay, Meg, Doug, Kristi, Chuck, Ron (our newest member), Wendy, and Drew) dined at the Chokolate Morel in Mason Ohio. This is a chef-owned restaurant in an old house that has been lovingly & […]
After Culinary Theory class ended early, I decided to stop for sushi at SCILLA. What a nice surprise to find Wendy & a bunch of her co-workers already there! I had a lovely Yaki Soba, some Miso soup, Tuna Nigiri, and Eel Sushi. The chef sent over a "Mango Crunch […]
We had Chris & Rebecca and Jessica (minus Chad, who was working) over for dinner this evening. Drew made an Cucumber Mango Amuse-Bouche, Apple Chestnut Soup with Spiced Cream, a Mandarin Orange, Almond, and Onion Salad, and an entree of roasted Salmon with Bleu Cheese, Rice Pilaf, and for dessert, […]
Tonight was French Bread Pizzas while we got ready for dinner guests tomorrow night! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share […]
For our dinner this evening, we went to Wendy’s parent’s house for a combination celebration. We were celebrating Wendy’s birthday (Sept 17), Drew’s birthday (Oct 23), and the arrival at Wendy’s parent’s house of Missy, their new cat, who is hopefully a snake killer. Ginny made nice braised beef, baked […]
Tonight we ate at Tri-State Scuba’s first-ever Family Reunion. The dive shop hosted about 125 people for an evening of companionship, fun, music, and food. We enjoyed the corn on the cob, potatos, and fried fish that the shop provided! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link […]
Friday we went to see JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at Falcon Theater with Chad & Jess and Chris & Rebecca. After the show, we went to T.G.I.Friday’s for wings, skins, and beer. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share […]
Tonight we ate a square pizza that Wendy brought home from the store. I was busy making a cake and some ice cream for a gathering tomorrow evening. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens […]
This evening was my first midterm examination in 12 years. Dinner was a Snicker’s bar and a Coke. Real brain food, there. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on […]
For dinner this evening, we dashed out to Frisch’s. I had turkey & mashed potatoes and Wendy had a rollup of some sort. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share […]
Tonight was LEFTOVER FOR DINNER night. After culinary class, in which we worked on poultry, there was plenty of food left over. I’ve gotten wise and take storage containers with me to each class. I brought home some duck breast with carmelized apples, roasted turkey, and Chicken Legs Grandmere (boned […]
After a day’s diving at FALLING ROCK QUARRY to complete our Rescue Diver Certification, we ate at a local Hometown Pizza with our friends Chris & Rebecca. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in […]
Most of the “Punta Cana Gang” met tonight at Ray & Belinda’s house for drinks before going out together for dinner at Buca di Beppo. Without Max & Marie there to complete the “Gang”, we were only operating at 75% capacity, but we managed to have a good time anyway. […]
This evening, Wendy & I went to a local Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant for some wings & beer. The service was slow, and the place was loud. But the wings were hot & spicy, the beer was cold, and it was fun to be out and watching people from our […]
Just a simple meal of "convenience" foods tonight — a can of Ravioli for Drew, and a little bucket of something foul & yellow for Wendy. She eats some of the weirdest stuff in the world. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens […]
On my way to class, I gobbled down half a subway sandwich. Ham & cheese, I think it was. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in […]
We had to run out to the mall this evening, because we thought that one of Wendy’s birthday presents had arrived. Since its announcement, Wendy has been anxiously awaiting the AGE OF MYTHOLOGY expansion, TITANS. At the mall, we were disappointed to learn that the Sept 30 date was a […]
In a bizarre twist of events, this month’s Happy Mouth outing was assigned to Drew instead of Wendy (the rightful owner of September). Drew selected Teller’s of Hyde Park and met with Wendy, Ted, Tracy, Holly, Jay, Kristy, and Chuck for a nice dinner. Drew had a lovely veal dish, […]
Leftover pizza & salad before going to the airport to get Wendy. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest […]
Since Wendy is away at training, I spent most of the afternoon ‘geeking out’ — working to convert a set of documentation into DocBook format. I worked up quite an appetite, too… I’d completely forgotten to eat until Wendy called around 8:00pm and told me about her day, including her […]
Tonight I went to Scilla after dropping Wendy off at the airport. She’s away this weekend (in Tampa Florida) for an ultrasound training course, so I was on my own for dinner. I went to Scilla and sat at the sushi bar. I ordered three nigiri: Salmon, Sweet Shrimp, and […]
No real dinner tonight; we went pretty directly from work to see Wendy’s mother’s show at Mariemont Players. We enjoyed a nice production of HOMETOWN HEROES. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new […]
Tonight, I ate a left-over Subway sandwich on my way down to cooking class along with some Baked Ruffles potato chips (man are those things good!). Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new […]
Tonight, we ate dinner with Drew’s parents at Karlo’s, in celebration of Wendy’s birthday (Sept 17). Wendy enjoyed a nice Gnocchi dish and I had a very servicable Veal Marsala. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on […]
Ahhh! A quiet evening at home! Despite the fact that we ended up with a relatively free weekend (due to changing plans beyond our control), we both felt tired this evening. So a stay-at-home soup-tasting sounded like just the thing for dinner. It was handy because we had 6 soups […]
Tonight we dined as guests of the College of Pharmacy at a banquet at Kingsgate Conference Center to welcome some of the incoming students into the College of Pharmacy. Drew had a slab of prime rib that was pretty good, and Wendy seemed to enjoy her chicken dish! Share: Print […]
It was a fine, beautiful day. No humidity, not a cloud in the sky, so Wendy & I decided to take advantage of the wonderful weather by… …taking in a movie. We went to The Esquire down in Clifton to see WHALE RIDER, which we enjoyed. After the show, we […]
We had a nice, quiet evening at home tonight — a rare occurance for us. For dinner we baked a frozen pizza and watched ONE HOUR PHOTO. A nice stay-at-home date for us this evening! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in […]
Tonight, we attended the memorial service for the father of a friend of ours. It was a moving service, and though we’d never met Mr. Benson, the stories told about him at the service revealed him to be a warm and caring individual. I’m sure he will be missed by […]
Because I had class tonight, I picked up a foot-long sandwich from Subway for lunch. Ate half at lunch, ate the other half on my way down to class after work. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share […]
Tonight, we joined Jo, Julie, Michelle, Debbi, and Nikki at Romano’s Macaroni Grill for a dinner to celebrate Wendy’s birthday. I tried a chicken dish in a demiglaze with cheese and mushrooms, and Wendy ordered her usual Penne Rustica. The girls from Wendy’s office brought her some nice gifts and […]
Because Wendy had a beauty appointment this evening, I was on my own for dinner. I went to LuLu’s Noodle Bowl for some spicy cold noodles with chicken, shrimp fried rice, and an eggroll. All of these were consumed while I did my homework for my culinary classes. Share: Print […]
Tonight, after an afternoon’s diving with Chris & Rebecca, Ted, Chad, Jessica, Wendy, and Drew all went to O’Charlie’s for dinner. The order of the day was PLENTY of their wonderful yeast rolls, loaded potato soup, and entrees. I had a fried fish platter with fries & coleslaw. For dessert, […]
This afternoon, Wendy & I met our friends Jennifer & Belinda and their daughter Sarah at the barn. Sarah is almost two years old and is crazy about ‘horsies’, and we thought it would be fun for her to ride a horse. She had a complete blast riding the horses, […]
Penn Station for dinner! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Share on Reddit […]
Tonight we went to The Melting Pot to celebrate Michelle’s birthday. At the table were Ashley, Greg, Debby, Nicki, Jo, Julie, Joey, Wendy, and Drew. We enjoyed the wide array of fondue-able items presented at the restaurant, and especially loved the chocolate fondue desserts! Happy Birthday Michelle! Share: Print (Opens […]
Tonight’s dinner was little low-fat cookies & a Mt. Dew out of a vending machine before (and partially during) Culinary class. Dramatic, eh? Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share […]
Wendy is still feeling crummy… She’s terribly congested and just feeling generally blah. We went to LuLu’s Noodle Bowl for dinner — I had a very nice Cashew Shrimp dish with rice, and Wendy had her customary vat of hot -n- spicy soup with chicken & noodles. Share: Print (Opens […]
Tonight, I made a basic risotto with chicken stock, parmesian cheese, garlic, onion, parsley, and (of course) rice. Since we didn’t have any arborio rice, I used sushi rice and it worked out just as well. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens […]
Tonight was LaRosa’s because Ted, Chris & Rebecca came over to complete our Nitrox coursework. As part of our ongoing scuba training, we’re becoming Nitrox certified. Nitrox is ‘enriched oxygen air’ which provides longer time at depth than regular air. Rebecca is our instructor, and her husband Chris joined Ted, […]
We hosted a party — a going-away party for our friend Doug, who has moved to Las Vegas to become a purveyor of those crappy pop-up windows that everyone hates. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on […]
Tonight, we ordered in Chinese food from Wendy’s favorite Chinese restaurant. She’s a big fan of their Chicken & Rice Soup, which she craves whenever she’s feeling poorly. I had General Tzo’s Chicken with white rice. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens […]
Today was the first Saturday practical class. Getting up early and donning my uniform (minus my still-missing clogs), I drove down to the kitchen at CSTCC for our Saturday class. The class is scheduled from 8:00am-1:00pm. I was rather surprised that everyone in our Theory of Cooking class was not […]
Tonight we had frozen pizzas for dinner. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest […]
In the throes of my still-upset belly, and the excitement of tonight being my first night of culinary school (more on that later), I completely forgot to eat dinner! By the time my evening culinary class was done, I was so hungry I was shaking. Not good. Not smart. I […]
Wednesday, September 3 2003 was my first evening of culinary class. Tonight’s class was Theory of Cooking from 5:00-7:50pm followed by practical work in the kitchen from 8:00-10:30pm. After leaving my office at 4:30, I made my way to CSTCC for my 5:00 class. I parked in the parking garage […]
Still not feeling very well, I didn’t eat dinner this evening. Wendy had Raman Noodles. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More […]
Tonight, Wendy & I went to the home of one of our friends, Rob Bucher, for a going-away cookout/party for our friend John. John was the unwitting victim of our Christmas Prank. John is moving to Florida, and we certainly wish him the best of luck! Share: Print (Opens in […]
This is the first book by Garland that I have read… The book is a quick read, well-written, and has a unique point of view. The story is interesting, and there are several very clever bits in the book. Based on my experience with this book, I will read THE […]
Through Mr. Ruhlman’s book, I experienced what life at the Culinary must be like. It gave me an appreciation for the planning, commitment, dedication, and stamina that today’s culinary professionals must embody. It is clear that Mr. Ruhlman enjoyed his time at the Culinary and he reports fairly and accurately. […]
I really love W.B. Spencer’s work — I first found RESUME WITH MONSTERS, then ZOD WALLOP, then RETURN OF COUNT ELECTRIC, and IRRATIONAL FEARS is waiting to be read. MAYBE I’LL CALL ANNA is an interesting story from his early career and good in its own right. Definately a worthwhile […]
After reading BECOMING A CHEF, DINING OUT, and the amazing CULINARY ARTISTRY, perhaps my expectations were a little high for this book. However, CHEF’S NIGHT OUT seemed thin on material, and designed for someone who is not me: a person that travels a LOT, and has tons of money. The […]
Short review by Katherine Willis ooooh la la i just got my tribute cd today and it is so lovely. i nearly peed my pants over “jack’s valentine” b/c my roommates and i are such fans of the voice-in-the-computer program (we make all the different voices say naughty things, hee […]
So, no time to write a full-out, detailed review of the CD, but having listened to it three times now (it’s competing for time in my CD player with a three-CD set of “the best of Peter Gabriel” that I made the other day – it was going to be […]
Review by Dan Temmesfeld The Over the Rhine show last night… well, it ROCKED. openers: Griffin House was good enough to plunk down the remaining funds in my wallet for a CD. Children’s House was unique. Over the Rhine started out the show with “Spinning” with Nag Champa floating aall […]
Crosley’s freshman offering, OFF THE LAUNDRY, is a great collection of pop songs. The music is tight, the writing is fun and catchy, and the riffs will stick with you. Vince’s voice soars on songs like GIRL LIKE YOU and SOUL SURVIVE, and the first cut, AUTOMATIC, will have you […]
By Steve Friess LAS VEGAS — One bloodied homeless man, his pants sliding off his back end, pummels a foe into the corner of a public toilet. Another rips his front tooth out with pliers. A third shows off the tattoos coating his penis. That’s entertainment? For thousands of people […]
Review written by Simon (03/06) http://www.mgon.com/reviews.phtml?id=136630&language=en&page=0 Once in a while, a game comes along that oozes originality and charm, in this case it also happens to be highly controversial. Grand Theft Auto 3 has risen to cult status on the PS2 and has no doubt sold a few consoles for […]
“this is not the greatest [concert] in the world… this is just a tribute.” A review by Dan Temmesfeld. A Tribute to Over the Rhine York Street Int’l Cafe – Newport, KY 11 artists, each doing one Over The Rhine cover and one original each. The orginizer of the event, […]
Over The Rhine, the Cincinnati-based band fronted by husband & wife team Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist, have been meandering. Their latest offering, FILMS FOR RADIO on Virgin’s Backporch label, bears the fruit of these wanderings. Over The Rhine has been producing underground CDs for over 10 years, and this […]
We drove to Columbus, Ohio (about 2 hours) so that Wendy & the rest of the cast of ROCKY HORROR SHOW could showcase at the OCTA convention. After the show, a group of us (Sharon, Bob, Jay, David, Ted, Tracy, Wendy & Drew) ate at Cap City Diner. We enjoyed […]
Tonight, we attended the local release of OHIO, the new double-CD by Over the Rhine, at Coney Island. Because we wanted to get a good seat in the festival-seating venue, we got to Coney about 90 minutes before the doors opened and ate at the LaRosa’s on the grounds of […]
My stomach was bad tonight — really bad — so I didn’t eat. Wendy had left-over salad. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) […]
Tonight, Wendy had rehearsal for the ‘victory lap’ performance of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, this weekend in Columbus, so I was on my own for dinner. I had a simple meal of Ravioli Florentine in a Tomato Sauce with a couple slices of white bread. All washed down with a […]
Wendy prepared dinner this evening. She prepared a lovely green salad topped with grilled chicken and grapes, and topped with a sun-dried tomato dressing. YUMMY! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) […]
After several days of hard work on the problem, my buddy Rabbitt was able to assess, track down, and squash an email issue I was having on the site. Because of the virus threat, ZoomTown (my network provider) made sending email from the site almost impossible. Well, impossible for me. […]
Tonight, a group of us (Debby, Michelle, Jo, Julie, Julie’s mother, Niki, Wendy, and Drew) descended upon Red Lobster for the end of the all-you-can-eat Crab Legs special. Five of us at the table took part in the endless crab, and we put away 18 pounds of the stuff, and […]
Tonight, I made dinner for Wendy. I made a Salt & Herb Rubbed Pork, Steamed Broccoli & Carrots, and white rice. The dry rub was nice — salt, pepper, thyme, allspice, and bayleaf. Very flavorful, but next time I won’t use sea salt because it was a bit salty. Still […]
After our dive trip, dinner was leftover LaRosa’s pizza. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new […]
On Sunday, August 24, 2003, Wendy & I went diving at Natural Springs Resort in New Paris, Ohio. This was a significant event for two reasons. First, it was the first time Wendy & I dove alone, and secondly, it was the first time we got to use our new […]
So, I get another envelope from CSTCC. With trembling fingers, I opened it to find a schedule — showing me registered for both classes (YEAH!), and a balance on my account. A balance of more than $300. While unwelcome (who wants to spent $300?!), it was not completely unexpected; the […]
Tonight we went to one of Wendy’s nurses, Mike, and her husband Greg’s lovely home for a pool party. Wendy has known Mike & Greg for a long time through equestrian pursuits (Wendy’s horse lives at Mike’s barn), and in October 2002, Mike began working at Wendy’s hospital. The pool […]
To celebrate the release of OHIO, their new double-CD release on Backporch Records, Over the Rhine did an in-store at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Hyde Park this afternoon. Over the Rhine’s Karin Bergquist & Linford Detweiler They played a few songs — the ones I can recall off the top of […]
Wendy came home this evening with a specific craving — "Pizza, and not from the freezer", so we decided to stop at LaRosa’s for some carry-out and to use our two-for-one coupon. She got a Super Crust Pepperoni & Sausage, and I got a thin crust double-cheese. That thin crust […]
I was mildly surprised to receive a bill from UC today. With a midly “how bad can it be?” attitiude, I opened it to discover yet another bill. This time, from UC. Apparently, UC’s tuition benefit is only 6 hours per quarter, and I’d registered for 7 hours at CSTCC. […]
I’ve noticed that this week my site has been unavailable a lot. As it turns out, the issue is with TZO, the service that connects my dynamically-assigned IP address with my domain name. TZO has been dumping my connection, which makes my site unavailable. I’ve been working with Scott from […]
Neither Wendy nor I were very hungry tonight since we’d both gotten really late lunches. So we stopped for Frosty’s at Wendy’s while we were running errands. That made me think how nice it is to be a grown-up and be ‘allowed’ to have dessert for dinner! Share: Print (Opens […]
Tonight’s meal was in celebration of my father’s birthday (which was August 14, but our schedules didn’t allow us to get together). We met at a Chinese restaurant (Johnny Chan II?) in Harper’s Point for a delicious meal — I had Garlic Shrimp on a bed of crispy noodles, Wendy […]
Tonight, we ate Tuna Helper (Au Gratin variety). Nothing special… Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in […]
Tonight, post-crash, we dined on salads from Wendy’s. Chicken BLT for Wendy, and Mandarin Chicken for me, all washed down with Frostee’s. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on […]
An amazingly busy day for Drew today — picking up my buddy Paul because he needed a ride to work; lots of appointments and training of a new individual at work; a run down to Cincinnati State Technical and Community College to get the instructor’s signature for permission to register […]
Tonight we carried out from Frisch’s… Turkey Melt for Wendy, Fish Platter for Drew. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share […]
This evening was HAPPY MOUTH — our monthly supper club outing, and what a special one it was! It was Holly’s month to plan, and she planned the first-ever Happy Mouth Road Trip! Ed, Holly, Ted, Tracy, Jay, Chuck, Kristy, Doug, Meg, Wendy, and Drew went to Moonlite Barbeque in […]
Thinking that everything was all right, I eagerly opened the envelope that arrived from CSTCC. Tearing it open, I found my class schedule and a bill. A bill? I thought this was free. Hrm. More calls… I found out that the form I filled out way back when — the […]
Tonight was a stay-at-home-and-watch-TV night, so we just ate some Stouffer’s French Bread Pizza. This evening’s selection was their THREE MEAT pizza, and it was darned tasty! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in […]
Tonight, we were running errands, so we stopped for chili at Skyline Chili. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on […]
Tonight, Wendy cooked CHICKEN CREOLE for dinner… A lovely, spicy, rice, tomato, and chicken dish. It was really tasty! We finished the evening at Graeter’s Ice Cream for Raspberry Sorbets. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on […]
Tonight, Wendy had a post-work appetizer party to attend, so I was on my own for dinner. I stopped at Penn Station for a Chicken Teriyaki Hoagie. It was really tasty, but something scary happened… I gave a TINY piece of chicken to Bean, one of our dogs, and the […]
I had only two classes for which I needed to register: Cooking Skills and Methods and Theory of Cooking. I logged into the CSTCC website to register for classes and was thrilled to discover that finally, finally, finally… everything in my application was complete and I was able to register. […]
Our first full day back from vacation. Wendy was at work, while I (having taken an additional day of vacation) did laundry and ran errands (our ADSL modem was zapped during our vacation, so I got that replaced), got the house back into shape, and went to Cincinnati State Technical […]
After 10 hours of driving back, fighting the rain, unpacking, and beginning laundry, we were too tired for any real dinner tonight. Wendy had a granola bar and a banana, and I don’t remember what I ate! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend […]
Today, we dined from Melvin’s Barbeque for lunch. Ted & I drove out to get some of their famous "1933 Secret Recipe" barbeque sauce, which is mustard based and wonderful, on pulled pork sandwiches. With an assortment of side-items, including their amazing onion rings, we drove back to Folly Beach, […]
Tonight’s dinner was the swankiest place of anywhere we dined during vacation. We ate at Cafe’ Suzanne on Folly Beach. I enjoyed an excellent Shrimp Bisque before Crab Cakes with Garlic Mashed Potatos and grilled Spinach, Beans, and Peppers. It was an awesome meal, and yet another must-visit place on […]
After a hard day ( 🙂 ) on the beach, we decided to stay in the lowcountry spirit and dine at a true shack — this time, we decided on the Anchor Line. I had more She-Crab Soup and fried shrimp, french fries, cole slaw, and hush puppies along with […]
Tonight, we ate at […]
Ted needed to get a tire fixed — one had died on our trip down to Charleston — so, thinking "how hard can this be?", Wendy, Ted, and Drew set off to find a tire place that could repair/replace his tire. We stopped at two or three tire dealers to […]
Tonight, our first ‘official’ night in Charleston, Wendy’s parents (Art & Ginny) and long-time vacation buddies (Lou and Ginny) joined Wendy, Ted, and Drew as we ate at the Folly Beach Crab Shack, quite close to our beach house. It’s a casual restaurant with outdoor seating (made tolerable by the […]
After a drive of approximately 10 hours (and one flat tire), Wendy, Ted, and I arrived in Charleston South Carolina for vacation. Wendy & Ted’s family would arrive on Monday and that’s when we get possession of our beach house as well. So, Wendy, Ted, and I are in Charleston […]
Tonight, we decided to eat at LaRosa’s, and instead of our usual delivery, we actually ATE THERE! Wendy had ravioli, and I had a nice hoagie with some of LaRosa’s new "kitchen chips" — thick cut potato slices that are fried and seasoned. They would have been really good if […]
We came back from vacation (stories & pictures to follow) to find that our network had been zapped. Probably by lightning. Our ADSL modem was fried and the keyboard & PS2 port on the webserver — the new motherboard — has been fried. Now every time I boot up the […]
One bright Monday morning, I went down to CSTCC to take my pre-admission math test. I entered the cramped & hot (the air conditioner wasn’t working) testing lab and signed in at the front desk, and was told that I’d have to wait a little bit before I could go […]
Tonight we went to the lovely home of my boss, Dr. Lee, for an "end of rotation" party for our students who just ended their first clinical rotation. The Lee’s cooked burgers ("boogers", as Mrs. Lee calls them), hot dogs, metts, and bratts on their new gas grill (with lifetime […]
Ah! The phone rang and I heard those wonderful words… "Wendy is coming home to pick you up. We’re meeting at Taj Mahal for dinner". A bunch of us — Michelle, Debby, Jo, Julie, Wendy, and Drew — met at Taj Majal. I let our server pick for me and […]
Tonight, I stopped at Jimmy John’s for subs on the way home. Wendy & I each got their excellent "Beach Club" — French bread with turkey, cheese, avacado, sprouts, tomato, mayo, lettuce, and cucumbers. A couple bags of chips and a couple of Jimmy John’s cookies (chocolate chip for Wendy, […]
Tonight we were running errands, so we stopped at Jersey Mike’s for subs. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on […]
Tonight, we ate Stouffer’s Three Meat French Bread Pizzas for dinner. Nothing special, but quick, hot, and tasty. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new […]
> The dinner story was interesting. It sounds like it went well for > you. I could feel the pit in my own stomach while you were awaiting > her arrival. Thinking about someone who broke up with me, and hurt > me very badly, I think I can relate. […]
Ted‘s birthday celebration continues! Wendy & I joined her brother Ted and their parents for yet another birthday dinner for Ted at Olive Garden. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook […]
Tonight, we joined a group of friends at THE BAMBOO CLUB at Newport on the Levee for dinner to celebrate Ted‘s birthday. We dined on a fantastic spicy soup, edamame (which Tracy had never had, and she loved!), and several delicious dishes. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email […]
Tonight we intended to eat Tuna Helper because, well, it’s been a while since we’ve had that. The milk was bad, so it was out to Steak -n- Shake for a cheeseburger, a turkey melt, and some of their awesome fries. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a […]
After reading CULINARY ARTISTRY, I understand the food industry, and specifically the mindset of culinary professionals, better than I did before. Especially valuable in this book is the listing of “flavor pals”, which is an excellent quick-reference for matching flavors. It spreads the palette of food flavors before you, allowing […]
THE STOREFRONT Why go somewhere else to get ripped off when you can come here? and SUPER HOT! You’ve seen it on some of the best-dressed musicians, artists, actors, and personalities. Now is your chance to get your very OWN! click to enlarge That’s right! The DREW VOGEL t-shirt is […]
Nick Hornby is the author of two books, High Fidelity, and Fever Pitch. For more information about Nick, please check this site. Here are some quotes from High Fidelity: …and my friends don’t seem to be friends at all but people whose phone numbers I haven’t lost. …I have a […]
Paul S. Golightly‘s debut novel, what his name looks like on the cover of a book: Compliments of Progressive Graphics, a division of BowTie Productions. Like this? Hate this? Tell me all about it. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new […]
Here is a page of recipes that I like. It contains a lot of recipes, so grab a cup of coffee and read through them all. The recipe management tool I recommend is BigOven. Check it out! Enjoy! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a […]
You may want a couple of buddies to go in buying the material with you, or make 3 at the same time, as the pipe comes in 10 foot chunks (enough for three). I bought all material at my local “Home Depot” for about $15. CHOICE OF MATERIAL I have […]
> Looking forward to hearing about the dinner with your ex-wife! > The dinner was interesting. When Holly called and asked if we could get together, I told her no, that I didn’t think it was necessary. She talked me into it, and I must admit, I’m glad she did. […]
Date: Tue, 18 Mar 1997 13:44:09 -0500 (EST) > Ok… being that I am away at college and NOT where I’d love to be (in my > hometown of Cincy) for every concert and get together… I’m REALLY confused! > Can someone please (in modern English and full sentences) explain […]
This page is dedicated to my love of animals, mainly dogs, and specifically Jack Russell Terriers. I’ve been blessed with two and a half amazing Jack Russell Terriers, Stanley and my rescue dog, Belle. The “half” amazing Jack Russell Terrier is Dolly, who is half Jack Russell and half Beagle. […]
 Stanley The Wonder Dog  Stanley was a Jack Russell Terrier (JRT). He weighed approximately 14 pounds, had a broken white coat with black & fawn markings, and a black mask. Stanley came into my life in May of 1992, at the age of 6 months. The Jack Russell […]
THE AMAZING BELLE Shortly after the untimely death of Stanley The Wonder Dog on November 21, 1999, I made the decision to get another dog. It was a call from the National Director of Rescues of the Jack Russell Terrier Rescue that convinced me to consider getting a ‘rescue dog’. […]
Dolly! A terrier/beagle mix. Weight: ~14 pounds Birthdate: 30-September-2000 She came to live with us on Sunday, February 4, 2001. For more pictures of Dolly, go here. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in […]
“Alpha Training” is the process of helping your dog understand who “the boss” is. This is a VERY important step in helping your dog to become a ‘good citizen’ because all dogs want — no, NEED — to know who their leader is. Since they’re social, pack animals, dogs are […]
A Story of Stanley From: Andrew Vogel vogelap@email.uc.edu Subject: Stanley in the Gaudeamus Honor Roll To: bolenh@rockbridge.NET The hardest thing when talking about Stanley is knowing where to begin. Let’s start here… Stanley came into my life at a happy time — I was newly married, had just bought a […]
SMACK IT CINCINNATI! is heating up airwaves all over the Cincinnati area. The diverse blend of music, the irreverent humor, and that blasted incessant chatter make this a show that you don’t want to miss! SMACK IT CINCINNATI! appears on WAIF 88.3 FM at 9:00-11:00am on Wednesday mornings from June […]
www.drewvogel.com/smack Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Share on Reddit (Opens in new […]
Tonight, I made a simple meal of spaghetti and …believe it or not… roasted corn on the cob. I know… I know… The two don’t really go together, but as I was driving home, I stopped at a Farmer’s Market and the corn looked good. We’d already planned spaghetti for […]
I meant to order something different. I swear I did! We went to TAJ MAHAL tonight for dinner, and I walked into the restaurant vowing to veer from my normal order and allow our server to bring me whatever he wanted. Once we sat down and I began to look […]
SKYLINE!!! Yummy! Wendy had a "three-way" — spaghetti, chili, and cheese — and she loves to tuck oyster crackers all around the plate before she starts eating. I had a Deluxe Burrito — a meat mixture wrapped in a flour tortilla, covered with chili, cheese, onions, lettuce, tomatos, sour cream, […]
Simple meal tonight… Wendy had an after-work appointment, so I just stopped for a "#1" at McDonald’s tonight. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new […]
An ‘on-the-road’ meal tonight, as we were driving back from a day’s diving at Gilboa Quarry near Findlay, Ohio (about 3 hours north of us). It was turkey sandwiches, Wahoo Corn Snacks, and other car-food. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in […]
Since Debbie heard that Red Lobster was starting ALL YOU CAN EAT CRAB LEGS, we decided that a group of us should go and ‘put the hurt on’ Red Lobster’s supply. 10 folks attended — Greg, Debbie, Joe(y), Michelle, Nikki, Jo, Julie, Julie’s mother, Wendy, and Drew — and five […]
Tonight, we ate FRENCH BREAD PIZZAS, apparently still in our comfort-food/nesting phase! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest […]
Wendy & I were both feeling tired this evening, so we dined on delivery from LaRosa’s. It’s solid, good food. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens […]
Tonight, we went for an exploratory dinner to the Chokolate Morel (Dayton Daily News review) in Mason Ohio. We went ‘exploring’ because Wendy is considering it for a future Happy Mouth outing. The place is LOVELY — it is a lovingly-restored Victorian house and each of the rooms are dining […]
Tonight, I took part in the monthly WINE DINNER celebrating the wines of California’s Sonoma Valley at the Iron Horse Inn in Glendale. I attended with my friends Doug & Meg (both chefs), and we sat at a communal table with Annie (the pastry chef at Iron Horse) and her […]
Tonight, we went out for dinner with Ted, Wendy’s brother, to Red Lobster to take advantage of their Crab Festival (or whatever it’s called). Between the three of us, we polished off almost three pounds of crab. Yum. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a […]
Kind of a humbling dinner tonight… I wanted to try the SKILLET CORN BREAD again, so I made another batch of it. We slathered it with the Maple Butter, and that was pretty much all we ate for dinner. That skillet corn bread is plenty tasty! Share: Print (Opens in […]
We decided to cook at home tonight, something that our schedules of late have made impossible. Together, Wendy & I prepared Moo Shu Pork, Spicy Long Green Beans and skillet corn bread with a maple butter. It was a lot of work, and I felt more than a little rusty […]
Tonight, we joined our friends Jo & Debbie at LuLu’s Noodle Bowl for fresh delicious Asian food. Wendy got a giant bowl of Tom Yum Mi to help soothe her throat, and I enjoyed a noodle dish with garlic, eggs, scallions, and chicken. Debbie had Tofu Paad Thai, and Jo […]
Tonight, neither one of us felt particularly like doing anything for dinner, so we didn’t! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More […]
On Wednesday, July 9, 2003, the HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB dined at Cafe’ Istanbul at Newport on the Levee. It was Ted’s month to select, and he was joined by Tracy, Holly, Ed, Jay, Meg, Doug, John, Kristy, Chuck, Wendy, and Drew at the restaurant to sample excellent Turkish food. […]
Tonight, because I have been going stir-crazy, Wendy & I went OUT for dinner to Frisch’s… I had my usual: a fish sandwich, onion rings, cottage cheese, and a drink. Wendy put away a truly awful looking Chili Spaghetti. It was nice to get out… I even drove the 1/2 […]
Tonight, Wendy brought home Chinese carry-out (or "take-away" as my English friends (both named) Chris would call it) for dinner. Being housebound (carless at the moment because my car is being repaired, and unable to drive anyway), I was hoping to go OUT for a meal, but Wendy was feeling […]
Tonight’s meal was a quick-n-easy dinner of DIRTY RICE — spiced rice with ground beef, cooked up by your’s truly. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens […]
Tonight, Wendy went to her parent’s house for a steak cookout. I didn’t feel that a 40 minute (one-way) car ride was the best choice after surgery, so I continued to lay low at the house. I ordered a hoagie and a salad from LaRosa’s for dinner. Share: Print (Opens […]
My buddy Doug Daulton pointed me toward a sweet deal on a motherboard/processor combo, so I took the opportunity to upgrade the server to a 2.0Ghz Athlon processor, which more than tripled the speed (BogoMIPS, for what they’re worth, went from 1064.96 under the old processor to 3329.22 under the […]
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! Wendy went diving at Natural Spring with her brother and some friends, and Drew stayed home and laid low most of the day. Dinner was at SILLA, the excellent sushi place near us… Ted and Jay joined Wendy & Drew. We had miso soup, house salads (with […]
Wendy made Tuna Helper for us! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Share […]
Tonight’s meal was from LaRosa’s… Comfort food rules! Wendy had a calzone and I had a hoagie. It went down quite nicely! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on […]
After my hernia surgery, we dined on a light meal of Pot Stickers and Chicken & Rice Soup before I went back to bed. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook […]
Today, after more than a year of procrastination, Drew underwent his first surgery ever, to have an inguinal hernia repaired. Nervous but committed to "the ride", Drew was suprised at how smooth & painlessly the actual surgery went — he was awake one moment in the operating room, and the […]
My last meal before my hernia surgery! We ate at Cracker Barrel for dinner. Drew had their special chicken baked with cracker crust, cheddar cheese, and broccoli. It was plenty tasty! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share […]
Tonight, Drew went with his parents and old-college-buddy Scott Thrasher to Northern Kentucky University to see GREATER TUNA, part of their summer dinner theater program. The dinner was decent… Chicken in white wine sauce, sliced ham, rice, vegetables, green salad, and bread. The show was very very funny! Share: Print […]
Falcon Productions’ version of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW was generously awarded at the convention, and will represent this region in the state competition! Congratulations to Ted (director) and the cast of the show for their hard work. Jay, Al, Joe, Dan, and Wendy all won specific mentions, as well as […]
Tonight’s dinner was banquet food from the buffet at the theater competition. Decent, but nothing special. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X […]
Tonight was dinner-on-the-go as I busted it to get up to the theater competition after work. Just grabbed a couple cheeseburgers from Burger King on the way to the facility. THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW competed tonight at 10:30pm (the last excerpt of the evening) and did very well, despite the […]
This evening was another "bar" dinner as we were on our way to rehearsal for the excerpt of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW that will be competing this weekend at the regional community theater festival. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new […]
Tonight was Happy Mouth night! It was John’s turn to pick, and he selected NICK & TONY’S, a chop-house in downtown Cincinnati. Ted, Tracy, Jay, Kristy (minus Chuck — working), Holly (minus Ed — babysitting), John, special guest Greg, Doug, Meg, Wendy, and Drew all met in the evening at […]
This evening was another "bar" dinner as we were on our way to rehearsal for the excerpt of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW that will be competing this weekend at the regional community theater festival. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new […]
Tonight’s meal wasn’t really a meal at all. Wendy hosted a Baby Shower for one of the hospital staff (congrats, Ronda!), so dinner was nibbles from the finger-foods that were provided. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share […]
After a wonderful day of diving at FALLING ROCK QUARRY outside of Louisville, Chris & Rebecca and Wendy & Andrew went to dinner at HOMETOWN PIZZA and then to DAIRY QUEEN for dessert before making the drive back home. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to […]
We went to a cookout at Wendy’s boss’s house this evening. It was a really nice day — low humidity, and beautiful clear blue skies. All a nice change from the torrential rains we’ve had for the last few weeks. Dinner was cheeseburgers, salad, chips, and lots of different desserts. […]
We’re diving with our friends Chris & Rebecca on Sunday. Don’t know the name of the quarry where we are diving, but I know it’s in Louisville. We’re meeting at the ungodly hour of 7:30am. Except for the early rising, it should be a good time — finally a nice […]
Tonight, we ate at Skyline while doing errands for a baby shower that Wendy is hosting (no, don’t get your hopes up!) next week. Nothing satisfies like Skyline, but we agree that the WORST thing to order at Skyline Chili is, in fact, a bowl of chili. Share: Print (Opens […]
Tonight, Wendy had rehearsal so I ate on the cheap… I had some Chef Boy-Ar-Dee Ravioli and a couple slices of white bread. Reminds me of my bachelor days. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook […]
Tonight, I cooked a couple of nice sockeye salmon fillets… Colored them first on the range in a cast-iron skillet and then put them in the oven to finish while I steamed some broccoli and cooked a rice side-dish. When everything was done, I spooned some chunky Bleu Cheese dressing […]
I don’t remember! Maybe Wendy does… Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Share […]
With my Consotium form submitted to my employer and my application for admission submitted to my host school, I felt like everything was in order to begin Fall term at CSTCC. When it came time to register for classes, I tried to do so on the web only to find […]
Those of you who read the exhaustive account of our Punta Cana trip will recall that one of our favorite events down there was our “discovery dive.” They gear you up, put you in a swimming pool with an instructor who speaks English reasonably well. He shows you a few […]
Wendy has rehearsal for the competition of ROCKY HORROR SHOW this evening, so Drew just grabbed a Chicken Teriyaki Sub from Penn Station. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share […]
This evening, being Father’s Day, we took our families to LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE down in Hyde Park for a nice dinner. It was a good time! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) […]
No REAL dinner tonight, since I was at my college’s graduation all evening before coming home to the closing-night party at our house. It was a great graduation — I am so proud of our graduates! The party was fun, but everyone was so tired we pretty much just sat […]
This evening is the beginning of the final weekend of THE BIBLE: THE COMPLETE WORD OF GOD (ABRIDGED) at Falcon Theater. Not just the start of the final weekend, this was my last performance with the show, because Saturday night instead of working backstage, I will be working on stage […]
Wendy had rehearsal for the competition excerpt of ROCKY HORROR SHOW tonight, so I was on my own for dinner. I went to EL MOCAJETE a new Mexican restaurant that’s opened near our house. It was a passable meal — $1.00 bottled domestic beers, and SHRIMP DIABLO that weren’t nearly […]
Tonight was supposed to be this month’s HAPPY MOUTH outing, but this month’s organizer got called unexpectedly out of town, so we’ve had to postpone. However, that left many of us with a free Wednesday night, so Holly suggested that we go out for Dinner With Friends. Holly, our organizer, […]
What a unique dinner we had this evening! We were invited guests to the college final of Ray, a friend of ours and one of Drew’s co-workers. Ray is in a Culinary Arts program at Cincinnati State. We attended the ‘final’ which was a GIANT dessert buffet, chock full of […]
Tonight, we ate at ROMANO’S MACARONI GRILL with our friends Paul & Kelly. It was a surprise for Paul — it was his birthday this evening, but he didn’t know we were joining them for dinner. It was truly a night for celebration. Paul’s birthday, and Kelly had just received […]
Anyone who has a chance should really go see The Bible, The Complete Word of God (Abridged) being performed at the Westwood Town Hall. It is being presented by Falcon Productions. You only have one more weekend to take advantage of this hilarious look at the Bible. I strongly recommend […]
Tonight, we ate dinner at LaRosa’s on the road as Rebecca, Chris, Chad, Wendy, and Drew were heading back from a scuba day-trip to Blue Springs Quarry about 30 miles east of Indiana. The water was COLD — a tolerable 64 degrees near the surface, it dropped sharply at about […]
Tonight’s meal should come as no surprise (thanks to those of you who submitted guesses!)… It was SEBASTIAN’S again, with Jay, Wendy, David, and myself enjoying excellent Greek food before going to work on tonight’s performance of THE BIBLE: THE COMPLETE WORD OF GOD (ABRIDGED) at Falcon Theater. Share: Print […]
This evening is the beginning of the second (of three) weekends of THE BIBLE: THE COMPLETE WORD OF GOD (ABRIDGED) at Falcon Theater. In what is fast becoming a tradition for me as I work on shows at Falcon, I had dinner (of a Gyro & a Coke) at SEBASTIAN’S. […]
This evening, we met friends (Jo, Julie, and Debbie) for dinner at SILLA, our local Sushi place. I enjoyed my MISO RAMEN very much, and Wendy liked her soup-based meal (whose name I’ve forgotten) as well, though the egg dropped, whole, into it (where it cooked) was a little disconcerting. […]
Tonight, Wendy cooked a rice dish with spicy sausage, and we had a green salad with it. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) […]
We went to RILEY’S, a family-run restaurant in Greenhills for salad (Wendy) and a big old burger with Swiss cheese & mushrooms (Drew). Yummy. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook […]
Tonight we spent a quiet evening doing pretty much nothing, and enjoyed some of the left-over Apple & Chestnut Soup with Spiced Cream. After a week/weekend busy with the show, it was nice to ‘veg-out’ in front of the TV, watching FEAR FACTOR and the beginning of a very odd […]
Our first night off THE BIBLE: THE COMPLETE WORD OF GOD (ABRIDGED) at Falcon Theater. We had dinner guests, the lovely Heidi & Ashley Peacock. I made the following menu: Apple & Chestnut Soup with Spiced Cream Mandarian Orange & Red Onion Salad Tofu Bourguignon Tres Leches Cake with Meringue […]
Tonight was the second night of THE BIBLE: THE COMPLETE WORD OF GOD (ABRIDGED) at Falcon Theater. After hearing Wendy & me rave about how good the food is, Dan C. and Jay D.B. decided to join us for a meal at SEBASTIAN’S. They were very impressed! Share: Print (Opens […]
OPENING NIGHT of THE BIBLE: THE COMPLETE WORD OF GOD (ABRIDGED) at Falcon Theater! A special treat for myself as I headed over to the theater… Dinner (of a Gyro & a Coke) at SEBASTIAN’S. It makes it worth it! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link […]
Tonight was a bar dinner… No, I didn’t eat at some local watering hole. I grabbed a bunch of bars of food — Special K’s Crunchy Cereal Bar with Strawberry Pieces, a Krave bar, and some packets (bars, really) of string cheese. You see, tonight was ‘final dress’ before Friday’s […]
Ah. This is the life. Since today was Wendy’s day off, we were able to go over to SEBASTIAN’S for their good, sloppy Gyros before heading to rehearsal for THE BIBLE: THE COMPLETE WORD OF GOD (ABRIDGED) at Falcon Theater. Tonight’s rehearsal started to ‘gel’… Everything was tighter, and the […]
Another night of rehearsal for THE BIBLE: THE COMPLETE WORD OF GOD (ABRIDGED) at Falcon Theater. Just a quick meal of whatever I could find in the kitchen, tonight! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook […]
Since we’re rushing to rehearsal for THE BIBLE: THE COMPLETE WORD OF GOD (ABRIDGED) at Falcon Theater every night this week, dinner has been very much on-the-go. Tonight’s meal was Raviolio’s. Ugh. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email […]
Tonight was the first tech rehearsal for the upcoming production of THE BIBLE: THE COMPLETE WORD OF GOD (ABRIDGED), a funny play that opens at Falcon Theater at the end of the week. Wendy & I are the entire backstage crew. We’re responsible for dodging, dressing, undressing, handing & retreiving […]
April’s Happy Mouth was selected by Jay, who chose MITCHELL’S FISH MARKET down at Newport on the Levee. We had a private dining room in the back of the restaurant, quite cozy. Oysters, clams, and loads of exceptional seafood dishes were served. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email […]
Tonight, we ate dinner at a FUN PARTY that was hosted by one of the techs at Wendy’s hospital. In case you don’t know, a "FUN PARTY" is a girls-only party where a presenter offers ‘adult pleasure items’ for sale, along with tips on their utilization. After the women buy […]
The Happy Mouth Supper Club met for our monthly outing on Friday, May 23, 2003. Tonight was Chuck’s month to pick, so he selected THE SKY GALLEY at historic Lunken Airport. Dinner and the company was fantastic. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend […]
Tonight, Wendy & I took a walk — it’s been a long week for both of us, and was an especially hard day for Wendy as four animals died at her practice today. She understands that death is part of her practice and each takes its toll, but sometimes it’s […]
Tonight, Wendy made dinner… Shrimp, chicken, mushrooms, onions, cashews, and eggs over rice, with a green salad beside. It was really good! On another note, I've been working with the folks at my office, and I will be starting CULINARY SCHOOL in either the Summer or the Fall! This is […]
Again, keeping with our eating-at-home-more theme, I ate a TV dinner. Don’t remember what it was. It was hot, brown, and there was plenty of it. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new […]
Finally feeling better. Whatever I ate has finally moved through my system. Tonight, Wendy got home late because of an emergency at her hospital, so we just ate simple French Bread Pizzas. We've been trying not to eat out, and have been doing a pretty good job of it. That's […]
Tonight, we ate dinner at Donato’s Pizza with our friends Chris & Rebecca (who has been DYING to get mentioned on this site!), though I didn’t eat much, since I was still feeling pukey. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new […]
Today, we attended the lovely wedding of our friends Dan & Margarita. They had a beautiful wedding, despite the attempts of mother nature to dampen the mood, and the reception was very nice as well. Congrats to Dan & Margarita! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link […]
Feeling rather pukey today (and how!), so no dinner for me. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens […]
Tonight, in true foodie tradition, Wendy & I dined on movie theater popcorn at the movie theater, and decided to call that "dinner". Why? We went to see THE MATRIX RELOADED, and God help us, it's 2 hours and 18 minutes of our lives we will never get back. It's […]
Actor ROBERT STACK died. Â Â Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Share […]
Tonight, I helped Ted of Falcon Theater move a giant set-piece into the theater. The piece is for their upcoming production of THE BIBLE ABRIDGED, and weighs about 400 pounds. It took seven of us to s-l-o-w-l-y move it into the performance space. I was hoping to get over to […]
Sort of a "forage for yourself" night for dinner tonight. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in […]
Tonight, Wendy had an after-work appointment and I had a bunch of chores to do around the house (still fighting with one of our front gutters), so it was a really basic dinner of Stouffer’s French Bread Pizzas. They’re quick, easy, tasty, and crunchy. That’s four of the five food […]
Today, we took the mothers out to Iron Horse Inn for a Mother’s Day Brunch that filled us up for most of the rest of the day. We went with our friends Paul & Kelly and their kids Sam & Taylor to see X2 (the second X-Men movie). We were […]
Tonight, we headed north to Dayton Ohio to hear Peter Mulvey play at Canal Street Tavern (which is located, inexplicably, on First Street). We headed up toward Dayton early to make sure we could get tickets for the show. We stopped at Cafe Boulevard for dinner. We split an order […]
Tonight, Drew headed over to a Pampered Chef party at our friend Tracy's house. Before the party, Drew stopped at SEBASTIAN'S, a west-side Greek place, for a gyro dinner. The Gyros are full of good sloppy meat, and are very, very tasty. This family-run restaurant is a Cincinnati tradition for […]
After far too long THINKING & DOING NOTHING about it, a conversation with one of my co-workers spurred me into action. Here’s how it went… I was at my office printer, waiting for my group of recipes to print. Ray, Professor of Pharmacy Administration in the college where I work, […]
Tonight, we ate bratwurst to try and take care of some of the left-overs. I think we’re not gonna make it — some of the food will certainly go bad before we can eat it! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in […]
For dinner tonight, Wendy picked up two nice steaks from the grocery, along with some lovely thin asparagus, and a couple baking potatoes. Some other odds-n-ends, and we've got the makings of a good meal. I preheated the oven to 500 degrees, with one of my cast iron skillets in […]
Tonight, in our on-going quest to rid ourselves of as many left-overs as possible, we attacked the STRATA that’d I’d made for breakfast for Max & Marie. A couple slices of that went down very nicely. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens […]
This morning, Drew dropped Max & Marie at the airport so they could begin their trip home. Tonight, for dinner, Wendy & Drew began the process of working their way through the mountain of left-over food in the fridge. We dined on left-over LaRosa's Pizza which was left over from […]
Tonight was the last dinner with Max & Marie in town, so the “Punta Cana Gang” met at Montgomery Inn’s Boathouse restaurant (considered to be the #1 Rib Restaurant in America). There were ten of us: Max, Marie, Ray, Belinda, Rodney, Michelle, Brant (Marie’s son), Rickky (Brant’s friend), Andrew, and […]
Tonight, we hosted a cook-out at our house. There were about 30 people there, and a good time was had by all. LOADS of food — everything from spicy pasta salad to delicious desserts, along with plenty of grilled meat (made more tasty with the addition of Montreal Seasoning which […]
Tonight was a special meal. Not because of the food so much as because of the company. This evening, Drew picked up our friends, Max & Marie, who flew in from Canada for the weekend. We came back to our house for a reception attended by the rest of the […]
Tonight, Wendy went to dinner at Red Lobster with almost 30 of her co-workers to celebrate an achievement at her hospital. Drew was running some last-minute errands (getting, among other things, better strawberries for Friday's dessert) and doing some prep-cooking work (hulling & slicing the aforementioned strawberries and marinating them, […]
Tonight, Drew picks up Max & Marie from the airport. They’re flying in for the weekend from their home in Canada to participate in the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon, to visit with the rest of the “Punta Cana Gang”, and to visit with Brent, Marie’s son who lives & goes […]
HOLY CRAP! This is cool. Please remember as you watch this Honda commercial that absolutely NO computers were used to generate the movements shown. Also, no photographic tricks were used. These parts acted just as you see in the film (even the tires rolling UPhill). Of course it took 606 […]
Tonight, we were running errands and cleaning up the house, so it was dinner on the go. Around here, that often means White Castle. We ordered eight cheeseburgers (four each) and a sack of Onion Chips. All for about $7.15. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link […]
Tonight, we dined at our favorite local sushi place, SILLA (which must not be confused with our all-time favorite sushi place). Wendy enjoyed a house salad with Ginger dressing and Shrimp Fried Rice. Drew ate a house salad, miso soup, 6 pieces of salmon roll, and yakisoba (he was hungry!). […]
Because the website was down (and we were travelling and eating road food/camp food), I didn’t log the meals from April 15 through the 28th. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) […]
As you noticed if you’ve tried to hit this site in the last several days, we’ve been down for a while. The site was zapped by lightning just before we left for a vacation, and I’ve just had the chance to get it going again with two new hard drives […]
Tonight, Wendy cooked up her infamous concoction called "Tuna Glop" — it's pretty simple. A can of tuna, some egg noodles (or whatever you happen to have on hand; we had egg noodles), and a can of Cream of Mushroom soup. Cook the noodles, then throw the drained tuna in […]
Because we attended a planning meeting for our trip to get our Open Water Diving Certification, we were down near the dive shop with Wendy's brother. Tradition demands that when you're near the dive shop, you have to eat at Frisch's. So we did. Share: Print (Opens in new window) […]
Tonight, we dined at the home of our friends, Jo & Julie. We were there to celebrate Jo's birthday (she got a puppy and the puppy got a lot of cool presents!), and the hosts made grilled steaks and chicken, and everyone else brought food — there was lots of […]
This story features information about our trip to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Join us — won’t you? — for this long-delayed fourth installment, in which the skies open, Wendy dives again, we eat Italian, and shoot a few rounds. Today, we optimistically set the clock for 7:30am (it […]
Tonight, we ate at Skyline Chili. Wendy got a Three Way (spaghetti, chili, and cheese) and I got a Skyline Deluxe Burrito. Good eats! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook […]
Tonight, we ran some errands to get our guest room closer to done and while we were out we dined at Old Spaghetti Factory. Wendy is a big fan of their Spaghetti with Mizithra Cheese, and I had a 'combo' of their Spinach & Cheese Ravioli and a small side […]
Tonight, we ate well! After getting a second estimate on my car (which was damaged by a car wash), I went to Jungle Jim's where I bumped into my buddy, Chef Doug. We hung out together while shopping — me for tonight's dinner, Doug for this week's cooking classes — […]
Tonight was a left-over night. We ate the Shrimp Fried Rice from last night, and some truly awful little Shrimp Egg Rolls that Wendy had picked up. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in […]
Another day of work around the house… Spring cleaning this time, and some outside work as we try to build up the earth around the foundation of our house. It was cold, clammy work, but we think we got it pretty well solved. Once it rains again, we'll have a […]
Tonight, we worked around the house (we're getting a couple rooms together for some out-of-town guests coming to visit us soon) before heading out to see a theatrical production directed by one of Wendy's very best clients. On the way to the show, we stopped for dinner at THE SPINNING […]
Tonight was another Lean Cuisine night, and that felt especially inappropriate for a follow-up meal from the JAMES BEARD dinner. Ah well. Reality had to set in sometime. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens […]
On April 3, 2003, Wendy & I attended the first-ever James Beard Dinner in Cincinnati, Ohio to benefit the James Beard Foundation. James Beard is recognized as the father of American gastronomy. Throughout his life, he pursued and advocated the highest culinary standards, and served as a mentor to emerging […]
Tonight, we were supposed to meet Wendy's mother at Mt. Adams Bar & Grill at 5:45 for dinner before heading over to the Playhouse in the Park to see PACIFIC OVERTURES. We arrived in Mt. Adams a bit early, found a great parking place, and walked around for about 20 […]
Tonight, we had some more work to do around the house. Seems that pulling down the masking tape in our guest room also pulled off a fair amount of the new paint, so there was loads of touching up to do. We ate frozen meals from Lean Cuisine. Wendy had […]
Tonight, I tried to cook something akin to Chicken Fried Rice, but it didn't go too well because Wendy & I own the rice cooker from HELL. Instead of making lovely discreet grains of rice, this demonic contraption turns out clumpy, pasty, and shapeless rice. So, I dumped clumpy, pasty, […]
Tonight, we ate with several of Wendy's co-workers at the Taj Mahal, a local Indian restaurant that Wendy & I enjoy very much. We dined on their excellent samosas, fried 'unmeltable' cheese, and paneer makahani, along with saag bihrani, and several other dishes. Naan and batura breads were in abundance, […]
Another meal out, our third (in a row) this week. Tonight we ate at our favorite Cincinnati sushi place, SILLA. We ate there as a reward for successfully building (with only one washer left over!) our new Nautilus machine. MAN was that a bear. About 3/4 of the way through […]
Tonight’s meal was at LuLu’s Noodle Bowl, one of our haunts. Wendy likes their giant bowls of soup, and I like darned near everything there. It’s always crowded and the food comes out quickly, hot with the ‘breath of the wok’. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a […]
Tonight's dinner was at one of our favorite places that we never eat… Skyline Chili! Skyline is a restaurant with a rich history in Cincinnati. It is said that Cincinnatians will wean their children from the nipple directly to Skyline Chili. Beyond that, Cincinnati is just about the only place […]
Tonight, Wendy and I ate at Nicholson's in downtown Cincinnati. We dined with Ginny, David, Carrie, Julie, Ted, and Tracy before some of us crossed the street (and in front of some of the "Cincinnati Protesters" (who, I swear, have no idea what they're even protesting!)) to see THE LION […]
Last night, Wendy & I (along with Ted, Tracy, Ginny, Julie, Carrie, Bob, Sharon, Dave, Mary, and several hundred others) saw THE LION KING, the tour company of the original Broadway show. The show featured several of the same actors from the Broadway show, and was truly spectacular. That's not […]
Got some milk. Made some Tuna Helper and some corn (which I spiced up with entirely too much cayenne pepper). Delicious. How tacky would it be for Wendy & me to serve Tuna Helper at our wedding? Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend […]
LEFTOVER NIGHT! I was going to make some Tuna Helper (a staple around here), but our milk had ‘turned’, so we ate leftovers from last night’s Chinese… Wendy had Shrimp Fried Rice and I ate Shrimp Chow Fun. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a […]
Tonight, we ate from a local Chinese restaurant. We had soup (I had hot & sour, Wendy had Chicken Rice), some fried wontons, and two shrimp dishes… Wendy had Shrimp Fried Rice and I ate Shrimp Chow Fun. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a […]
Tonight was closing night of HENRY V. We got an early start, so we stopped at Fuddruckers for big greasy burgers, soup, and fries before heading to the theater. The show ended with a big old party at Carrie's house, where lots of food (12 pizzas from LaRosa's was served. […]
Tonight, we were heading to the theater for the closing weekend of HENRY V, so we didn’t have much time. A quick drive through of Wendy’s resturant for a fish sandwich with cheese and a salad, and we were on our way. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email […]
Tonight, we were out & about (getting my suit together for next month's JAMES BEARD DINNER), so we stopped at LuLu's Noodle Bowl for dinner on our way home. Wendy got Pho, and I got a breaded & fried chicken dish over rice with a nice sauce. We shared some […]
This month’s HAPPY MOUTH was Tracy’s choice, and she selected PRICE HILL CHILI, a tradition on Cincinnati’s west side. We met early at the GOLDEN FLEECE LOUNGE, conveniently connected to the restaurant, for drinks before dinner. Moving into the ‘party room’, the 13 of us (Wendy W., John, Holly, Kristy, […]
I cooked tonight. Nothing special, just ground beef patties with lots of salt & pepper cooked in a nice hot cast iron pan. Added cheese, and some white worchester sauce. Also, boiled some edimame beans, seasoned them up with salt & cayenne. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email […]
What is it with us? We didn't really eat tonight; more like extended snacking while we vegged out on the couch watching TV. It was microwave popcorn, cheese, crackers, hummus, pita, and candy for us tonight. Kinda makes you wonder why we're doing this exercise of tracking our dinners, doesn't […]
"Here comes Spring. Here comes Spring. Here comes Spring." This has been my mantra for the last 8 weeks or so since Cincinnati suffered through its worst winter in recent memory. Winter has changed since I was a kid. Gone are the days of when we would get 18-20 inches […]
After a late lunch with Rebecca and Chris from Tri-State Scuba after our certification in Emergency First Responder, Wendy and I didn’t really eat dinner at all. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in […]
Another show night for HENRY V and the cast party was planned, so we ate very lightly… just some chicken nuggets from Wendy's restaurant for me, and a PowerBar for Wendy. Once we hit the cast party, though, all bets were off! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email […]
Tonight was a show night for HENRY V, so it was dine on the go for us. I brought home a salad for Wendy, and I had a Gyro from the Greek place down the street. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens […]
Simple food tonight, really. We ate crab legs, cheese, crackers, and carrots in the following manner: Take a bite of crab leg. Push Mr. Face off the plate. Take some cheese and a cracker. Push Mr. Face away. Pick up some carrot. Shove Mr. Face away from the food. Repeat. […]
Wendy & I ran some errands before stopping at the grocery store to pick up the week's groceries and the fixings for tonight's dinner. The salmon looked good, so we got some of that. Some califlower, carrots, onions, and mushrooms as well. I prepared baked salmon with bleu cheese sauce […]
Tonight, we ate a traditional Chinese rice dish brought to us by our neighbor, whose mother makes these at home. We don't know what they're called — can anyone help? It's sticky white rice with meat, fish, nuts, dried shrimp, and other items mixed in. An amount of the rice […]
A little bit of cooking on a night off from HENRY V… Tonight, I made a sausage jambalya that was spicy, warming, and tasty. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook […]
Ahhh… Sunday! Our first day off from HENRY V in a week. We slept in through most of the morning to catch up on our missing sleep (and to revitalize after the cast party Saturday night!). You would think that I'd be tearing into the kitchen to cook after a […]
Tonight, on our way to the show (HENRY V), we ate at Sebastian's, a Greek restaurant on the west side of the city. Sebastian's has long been a favorite 'dive' for me. Converted from an old ice cream parlor, the restaurant is a cramped space. A few booths line the […]
Tonight was opening night of HENRY V, and another whirlwind dinner on the go. We ate from Wendy's restaurant as we made our way to the theater. Wendy's is a below-average restaurant all the time, in my opinion, but tonight's 'food' was sub-par even for my lowered standards when walking […]
Another meal on wheels as we're preparing for HENRY V. Simple food, tonight, and a strange mix… Hummus, pita bread, cookies, and some candy, all washed down with Frutopia. Whoever said that theatre people eat well was wrong! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a […]
Tonight, we ate on the run again. We gobbled down a few slices each of Garlic, Spinach, and Cheese pizza as we rushed out the door to rehearsal for HENRY V. The show opens tomorrow night, so we’re in crunch-time now! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a […]
Because of our involvement with HENRY V, we've got precious-little downtime, so there's really been no time (and even less energy) for cooking. Tonight, for example, Wendy didn't even come into the house between work and our leaving for the theater. I'd stopped on the way home and picked up […]
These are difficult times for America. Our citizens are worried about the threat of war, spending their time looking over their shoulders nervously. Every now and then, even in times like these, someone does something that simply warms your heart and restores your faith in humanity. And, every so often, […]
As hard as this might be for some of you to believe, we didn't actually eat dinner tonight. Wendy & I are the 'tech crew' for a local theatrical production of Shakespeare's HENRY V, and tonight was our first night of rehearsal. We had to quickly turn around and leave […]
This is sort of an embarassing dinner… We were tired from our day in Indianapolis and our drive home, so we ate prettly simply. Just some roasted Soy Nuts, some Pistachios, and some damned fine sweet snacks called "Pirate’s Booty", all from my stop in Trader Joe’s in Indianapolis. Share: […]
Tonight, we ate at Kona Jack's restaurant, down in Indianapolis. Kona Jack's is a 5-year winner of the Best Seafood in Indianapolis, and it's easy to see why. It's very fresh, and well-prepared. We enjoyed the restaurant which is decorated in the theme of the Big Island of Hawaai. Wendy […]
We ate pizza (a mushroom, onion, and sausage job) from LaRosa's tonight as we were packing and preparing to go to Indianapolis for the weekend. It was weird because Wendy had taken the dogs into her kennel for the weekend, so we had a dog-free night, their absence was most […]
Tonight, for dinner we ate the leftovers from LAST night’s dinner, but made some sweet peas as the vegetable, and served everything mouth-searingly hot. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook […]
If you're a new visitor to this site, you're probably wondering, "What is this site all about?". This site is a not-so-brief glimpse into my life, my interests, my hobbies, my activities, and my goals & dreams. Complete with pictures and a soundtrack! It is an ongoing experiement with webhosting, […]
Tonight, Wendy made a VERY GOOD Pork Chop dish with stuffing and warm apples alongside greenbeans with slivered almonds. It was really good, and really easy (so she tells me) AND (this is a considerable benefit!) — there's enough left over for Wendy's lunch today. As we're both beginning to […]
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (CNN) — Television’s “Mister Rogers,” the cultural icon and kindly neighbor to generations of American children, died Thursday at the age of 74. — Television’s “Mister Rogers,” the cultural icon and kindly neighbor to generations of American children, died Thursday at the age of 74. Fred Rogers died […]
Tonight was another "TUNA HELPER" night. Man, we eat a lot of that stuff. A LOT. The entire population of the house (four cats, two dogs, Wendy, and me) is pleased when Tuna Helper is on the menu. See, we drain the 'tuna water' onto four saucers for the cats […]
Tonight, we made a cassarole (well, sorta) out of the leftover Ossu Bucco and some egg noodles. It was very tasty, and there is enough left over that Wendy will finish it for lunch tomorrow. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in […]
Not so much dinner as a late, late lunch… We ate from Sung Phong today, dining on their excellent Hot & Sour Soup, some Shrimp & Pork Eggrolls, and a nice dish with diced pork, rice, egg, tomato, and cucumber. Neither Wendy nor I are feeling particularly well, so we […]
Tonight, we ate at LuLu’s, a local Asian Noodle Shop (ahh! Memories of Tampopo!) for their excellent soups. Wendy have Tom Yum Mi and I had a Ramen noodle bowl. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on […]
Tonight, the HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB met at our house for our one-year anniversary dinner. We decided to make it an Italian Pot Luck, where everyone brings an item for dinner. We dined on an Oyster Gratin appetizer, a great green salad, open ravioli with scallops, osso bucco, risotto, polenta […]
Tonight, we dined on pizza and salad from LaRosa’s since our friends Doug & Meg (and their cute daugher, Erin) came over to help prepare for Friday’s dinner party, and to sing songs for us. It was a lot of fun! Thanks for coming over, Doug & Meg (my pasta […]
Can’t remember what we ate! I’ll edit this in later… Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in […]
General Tso’s Chicken, Chicken Rice Soup, and Fried Wontons from a local Chinese place. We’re too lazy to cook, especially when I’m fighting the flu. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) […]
Within the next couple of weeks, I will be unveiling a completely new look for this site. I've been working with Brihana, a talented designer (her site is here), on the new theme, and we're getting close to the final version. When the new look goes live, I will be […]
AHHH! Tuna Helper (this time, it was the Au Gratin variety) prepared in time to watch the 'decision' episode of Joe Millionaire. To my mind, nothing says, "I'm too stinking lazy to even cook reasonable food" quite like Tuna Helper! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link […]
Tonight, we ate another simple meal of Sausage and Pasta Scampi with some Cheesy Biscuits, all made by Wendy. I was feeling under the weather (and the weather itself was pretty overpowering!), so the simple spicy warmth of this meal was very much appreciated. The weather was too lousy to […]
Tonight we went to Wendy's cousin's house for a traditional Japanese family dinner. We had a chicken salad with anchovies, onions, and herbs; scattered sushi with salmon and egg; and a hot pot with fish cakes, tilapia, potato noodles, mushrooms, and herbs in a seaweed broth. Everything was delicious, and […]
The Cincinnati area has had one of the worst winters in recent memory. The cold weather and nasty driving conditions have awoken a hibernation instinct in Wendy & me. For dinner tonight, we ordered in from LaRosa's. She got a Calzone while I had a Steak Hoagie. We split a […]
Tonight, we ate at Old Spaghetti Factory. Wendy was craving their outstanding Spaghetti with Browned Butter and Mizithra Cheese, and I had a Chicken Marsala. Yummy! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new […]
Tonight, we went to the lovely home of a couple of our friends. They finally came into the 20th Century and got broadband instead of dialup, and we went over to help set it up and configured for them. In return, they fed us. We had a nice meal of […]
Because Wendy was out most of the evening with an emergency at the animal hospital, I made a simple Minnistrone Soup for dinner. Fast, warming, and easy. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in […]
Simple stuff tonight… Dinner was from Domino's Pizza, since Wendy & I have been assaulted by the commercials for their Domino's Dots dessert. We got a large pizza with mushrooms and 1/2 pepperoni and 1/2 sausage. The pizza was better than either of us remembered Domino's pizza being. A nice […]
Just one word about dinner tonight: LEFTOVERS! I don't know why it is, but lasagna is ALWAYS better the second day. And, if I may say so myself, my lasagna was pretty darned good when I made it. It was really good tonight! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print […]
From our friends at The Smoking Gun: Hey, dude, you’re getting a cell! Benjamin Curtis, the 22-year old actor who portrays "Steven," the Dell Guy, in those bothersome computer commercials, was arrested late last night (2/9) on a marijuana possession charge, The Smoking Gun has learned. According to police, Curtis […]
Tonight, we entertained our friends Doug D. and Doug & Meg J. They came over to enjoy a double-feature movie night and dinner. Our two movies were LOCK, STOCK, AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS and SNATCH. The way the evening went was like this… Everyone arrived at 6:00 to enjoy an […]
Tonight, I made a simple miso soup for dinner. Nothing special, just some diced tofu (mental note to myself… The dry pack firm tofu holds together better than the wet pack firm tofu I used last night), chopped green onions, and rehydrated seaweed in a broth made with dashi miso. […]
Tonight we dined on a one-skillet dish of chunked chicken and rice in a garlic sauce that Wendy put together. She also prepared a spinach salad with it. This "eating at home" stuff is pretty well working out, though Wendy & I are yet to sit down and plan the […]
Tonight, we met friends at Taj Mahal, a local Indian restaurant. Wendy & I have been semi-regulars at "the Taj" since we discovered it almost a year ago. Their food is well prepared and affordable. Wendy had a Chicken Birani and I have Paneer Makanni, along with a Bahtura (Wendy's […]
Tonight's meal was simple. VERY simple. Nothing exciting… Just meatloaf dressed up with some hoisin sauce before it was baked. Nothing else; just two thick slices of meatloaf on a plate. BORING. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email […]
I've added a new feature to the site… a Guestbook. This Guestbook module, version 1.00, is from http://www.smiatek.com. Many users have requested this feature, so it was added! Please check it out! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email […]
After our final scuba class, we were too tired to cook anything. We dined on some food brought to us by our neighbors to celebrate Chinese New Year. We're not sure what the items are called, but one was a fried dough pocket with a savory flavor. The other was […]
Tonight's dinner was party food as we attended the surprise birthday party of a friend of ours (happy birthday, Kristy!). Each person was asked to bring some food to share, so we brought puff pastry rounds with walnuts and camembert cheese. While we were at the party, Chuck (our host) […]
We ate a couple burgers and some fries from McDonald's on our way to Columbus to see the incomperable Vance Gilbert at the Columbus Music Hall. For those not familiar with Vance (Friday was Wendy's first time seeing him), he is a folk singer/songwriter and a storyteller. His music defys […]
Tonight, we ate a simple pepperoni pizza with "sauce in the crust". Nothing special, just easy and quick. Plus there was enough left over that Wendy had a couple slices for lunch on Friday! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new […]
Wendy made dinner tonight. She made a nice Jambalaya using a packet from Zatarain's. She gussied it up by adding shrimp and spicy sausage. YUMMY! We also discussed a new scheme for our dining. Starting "real soon", we're going to begin dining much more frequently at home. This will allow […]
Tonight, a group of Wendy's co-workers met for dinner. We intended to dine at SONG PHUNG restaurant in Forest Park — a nice Vietnamese restaurant with a wonderful Hot & Sour Soup, but we were dismayed to find the restaurant closed and dark. We don't yet know why it wasn't […]
Because we were in scuba class from 8:00am-5:00pm, we didn't really feel like cooking. We ate instead at Frisch's, directly across from the dive center. Frisch's fish sandwiches and onion rings (with a side of cottage cheese) — a nice warm meal for not a lot of money! Share: Print […]
Tonight, we 'ate' at Chi-Chi's restaurant in Forest Park. I say 'ate' because we almost didn't eat there. Despite the fact that the restaurant was not terribly busy — it was a pretty good crowd, but there were plenty of empty tables — we were barely served. We waited about […]
Late dinner tonight, from LuLu’s Noodle Bowl near our house. We dined on some pan fried dumplings and two soups… Mine was Pho with Chicken, and Wendy had Tom Yum Me. Filling without being heavy, and the fresh herbs made the soups smooth and wonderful. Share: Print (Opens in new […]
Tonight, we whipped up a quick, comforting dinner of tuna & pasta cassarole with a cheesy sauce and a bread crumb topping. It was warming and easy on a Thursday… Wendy thought it might be interesting to count, at the end of this food posting experiement, how many times we've […]
Is shameless self-promotion acceptable? Only the admin knows for sure… "Illuzzio" a new musical farce by Nicholas Korn and Allen Lindsey (that would be me) opens February 6th at the Aronoff Center's 5/3rd Bank Theatre… Check out Stage First's website for details on our opening night party at Bella's. Please […]
Yes, it’s brutally cold in Cincinnati this year. This is one of the coldest winters in recent memory. Wendy & I noticed that our bedroom was especially cold. Click any picture for a larger view in a new window. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to […]
It was a conversation with Big Lou from the AccuChef mailing list that got me thinking tonight about one of my signature dishes… A lovely pureed soup called Apple And Chestnut Soup with Spiced Cream. I decided to make it this evening, so I asked Wendy to gather the ingredients […]
A rather peasant meal tonight… It's so cold outside, it saps one's energy. We had a tuna and cheese cassarole, thrown together by your's truly and baked for 30 minutes. Warm, filling, and delicious. Some fresh breadsticks rounded it out nicely. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a […]
Last night was a good dinner. We went with some friends to SILLA, a Japanese/Korean restaurant near our house. It's been cold here in Cincinnati, so a warm bowl of Miso Soup was in order. We then enjoyed a zippy green salad with Ginger Dressing, followed by three rolls of […]
Somehow, we didn't really eat dinner tonight. It must have been because we had a diving class from 9:00am until 3:30pm, and we were completely drained from the class. The closest it came to actually dinner must be called "dinunch" (a combination of dinner and lunch), because we went to […]
Last night, the Happy Mouth Supper Club met for our January outing. This time, it was Kristy’s turn to pick, and she selected Encore Cafe’, one of Paul & Pam Sturkey’s restaurants. Despite the snowy weather, it was warm and cozy inside the spacious restaurant. Our large party of 10 […]
For this evening’s dinner, please see this Happy Mouth article. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in […]
Tonight was a dinner on the go. Wendy got home from work at 7:20, and we had to be across town by 8:00, so we grabbed a couple burgers from Wendy's drive-through. Why is it that even a simple order is messed up by drive-throughs? Is it me, or are […]
Tonight, Wendy cooked her "poor man’s Chow Mein", a simple yet tasty & hearty one-skillet dinner made using fresh chicken, frozen vegetables, and Rama Noodles. We gussied it up by adding some Sesame Oil. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new […]
Last night, Wendy came down to the University of Cincinnati, where I work, and we drove over to the dive shop where we're taking our scuba training. We start classes on Sunday, and there's pre-class work that needed to be done. We met up with the very informative Charlie, one […]
Today, I added pnNewsX 1.6 to the site. This adds a couple of neat features, but the main change that users will notice is at the bottom of the site's front page. If you go to the very bottom of the site's front page, you'll see a set of numbers. […]
Ahhh! Now this was a meal! On Tuesday, January 14, 2003, Wendy & I attended (with our friends Doug, Doug & Meg) a Holiday Beers and Wild Game Extravaganza at the IRON HORSE INN in Glendale, Ohio. The menu, prepared by Chef Jackson Rouse with beer pairings by Beer Dave, […]
Directly below this article, you'll see the first article in a new feature on this site. We're calling this feature "What Does Drew Eat For Dinner?". Each time you click the logo below, you'll be able to find out what I ate for dinner. Each day, Drew will post an […]
What a meal. A last-minute concoction of TUNA HELPER (the Au Gratin variety) and cold milk in front of the television to watch FEAR FACTOR and JOE MILLIONAIRE. TUNA HELPER is a Betty Crocker product that was introduced in 1972, two years after the successful launch of HAMBURGER HELPER. Each […]
Samuel Pierpont Langley Langley was an assistant observer at Harvard College Observatory from 1865-66 (under the directorship of Joseph Winlock). Together with Austin, Peirce, Searle and Winlock he observed nebulae with the 15" f/18 Merz-refractor installed in June 1847 (see picture). The results are published in Ann. Harv. Obs. 13, […]
The system upgrades, patches, and backups are complete. Should be smooth sailing from now on! Thanks again to Gregor and the guys for helping me fix an email problem that was preventing email from originating from this system, which also meant that users couldn't receive their passwords when they registered […]
This story features information about our trip to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Join us — won’t you? — for this third installment, in which the atmosphere changes, memories are stored, and Andrew Lloyd weeps. Drew’s 35th birthday dawned bright and clear. We rose at 7AM with the help […]
After the torrent of the holidays, January feels almost relaxing in its frigid stillness. The world begins to feel quiet again, and that is welcome. My office has been crazy. The start of the new year is the beginning of one of my very busy times which will last for […]
Well, the pole has been set, and final touches are being put on the gripes for the Airing of Grievances, and the time for training for the Feats of Strength has past, so it must be Festivus! Here’s hoping you have a good version of this holiday for the rest […]
During the few days before and after Christmas 2002, I will be updating several of this system's components to the latest versions.The tentative plan is this: Upgrade Mondo/Mindi to the latest version (1.61) — complete! Do a comprehensive backup of the system to CD — complete! Backup the current web-directory […]
On Saturday, December 14, 2002, there was a tearful reunion as Mr. Langley was finally reunited with lil'baby Jesus. Jesus was returned to Mr. Langley in the middle of a piece of a King Cake. The little prince is home, and is reportedly doing well. The kidnappers, who were never […]
Review by Ed Sauerbrunn, ESauers@Mailcity.com Once again the motley crew so designated as “Happy Mouth” ventured to the local establishment known to many as Zips. A few of us Happy Mouthers tiring of trolling around the brash, trendy and expensive “It” restaurants (which alone is a juxtapostion here in Cincinnati), […]
Mr. Langley…Your child is missing. Your child is with us. Your child is safe… For now. Click Read more…, below, for more information. You cannot imagine how bad these last 24 or so hours have been. Roger got mad when we told him we didn't like "REIGN OF TERROR", and […]
Mr. Langley…Your child is missing. Your child is with us. Your child is safe… For now. We think we’ve got the technical details mostly worked out (a friend lent us his PC), and are ready to once again launch our "REIGN OF TERROR" once Roger gets the list of demands […]
"Aghast". "Scared". "Wretched". "Pissed off". "A little hungry." These are all terms that came to my mind when I learned that this very website was the unwilling host for this tragic kidnapping. Despite my best efforts, it appears that the kidnappers can access this site and post their bizarre stories […]
Mr. Langley…Your child is missing. Your child is with us. Your child is safe… For now. Mr. Langley…We’ve come to understand that it’s possible that you haven’t yet seen our demands. Due to an unfortunate series of technological gaffs, we realize that our demands may not yet have been sent […]
Mr. Langley…Your child is missing. Your child is with us. Your child is safe… For now. Your defiant attitude has forced our hand, Mr. Langley. You’ve given us no choice but to escalate this issue since you apparently do not believe that we’re serious about the harm that your child […]
Mr. Langley…Your child is missing. Your child is with us. Your child is safe… For now. Mr. Langley, details of our demands have been sent to you several times now, and still you have done nothing? You have failed to enact even one of our requests. This is unacceptable. It […]
Mr. Langley…Your child is missing. Your child is with us. Your child is safe… For now. Click Read more…, below, for more information. Mr. Langley! Your sloth is unacceptable. You are endangering your child. Click the image for a larger view. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a […]
Mr. Langley…Your child is missing. Your child is with us. Your child is safe… For now. Click Read more…, below, for more information. Do not trifle with us, Mr. Langley. We are serious. Quite serious. Click the image for a larger view. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email […]
Mr. Langley…Your child is missing. Your child is with us. Your child is safe… For now. Click Read more…, below, for more information. Click the image for a larger view. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on […]
In perhaps one of the most transparent upgrades ever, my ISP today switched us over to logon-free bootup. This ends the potential downtime I mentioned in a previous article (which we actually hadn’t done, figuring we’d find out about the upgrade sooner or later even if we didn’t power down), […]
The holidays are looming ever nearer, forcing me to re-evaluate my decision to spend as little time as possible in Malls. It is astounding to me that I’m seeing Christmas decorations up already, and it’s barely late November as I write this. I always thought Thanksgiving was the ‘official’ start […]
IMPORTANT NOTE! PLEASE READ! During the week of December 2, 2003, this website will be offline from approximately midnight until 6am EST each day of that week. This downtime is to allow an upgrade to our service by ZoomTown, our ISP. We apologize for the inconvenience, but this is the […]
This story features information about our trip to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. This is the second installment, in which our surroundings are explained, a wet plan is made, the snorkel leaks, and the Queen is seen (and how!). We rose early, at 9:00, on Tuesday morning. We got […]
On Wednesday, November 13, 2002, the HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB met for its monthly dinner. This month’s restaurant was chosen by Wendy B., and she selected AIOLI BISTRO in downtown Cincinnati. In attendance this month were: Jay, Kristy, Chuck (Kristy’s guest), Ed, Holly, Ted, Tracy, John, Wendy B., Wendy W., […]
Tonight, November 13, 2002, the new official HAPPY MOUTH logo design and shield were unveiled. After a secret design process (thanks to Paul Bernheimer for design assistance!), tonight at Aioli Bistro in downtown Cincinnati, Andrew & Wendy unveiled the official logo design for “Le Club des Amuse-Bouches du Diner”, better […]
This story features information about our trip to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Join us — won’t you? — for this first installment, in which we rise at an unreasonable hour, depart the cold weather, fly into the light, and land in a wall of humidity. Wendy and I […]
If there's anything that drives me crazy, it's when the website is down all weekend due to circumstances beyond my control. This was just such a weekend. I just got off the phone with ZoomTown tech support, and the problem should be resolved now. If you're reading this, I suppose […]
I just found out (thanks Gregor!) about a new utility called AmphetaDesk. It's a free news aggregator that trolls RSS feeds of your choosing and presents the headlines in a simple to follow web page. If you visit a lot of sites to gather your news, this is a dream […]
We just got back from Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. We’re working on getting our notes organized into readable format for publication on this site, but while we’re working, you can look at the quick-n-dirty upload of our pictures by visiting the Punta Cana Vacation gallery in my Photo […]
On Wednesday, October 9, 2002, the Happy Mouth Supper Club dined at the Iron Horse Inn, in Glendale Ohio (read the Cincinnati Enquirer’s review here). A total of 12 people dined with us… Ted, Tracy, John, Jay, Ed, Kristy, Wendy, me, and our guests Hope, Pat, Natalie, and Meg. Meg […]
Look over on the left side menu… You’ll see a new entry called Books. Using this feature, you can browse, add, and order books from this site. Check it out — add books if you want! As always, let me know if you have questions or problems using this feature. […]
If you're a fan of Peter Mulvey or have never heard of this amazing singer/songwriter, check out this audio interview with Peter, from the 9/22/02 of National Public Radio. RealAudio required. This is a great piece and a good link to send friends who haven't heard Peter. Share: Print (Opens […]
On Wednesday, October 2, 2002, Wendy and I had the pleasure of dining at The Maisonette, Cincinnati’s 5-star restaurant and the recipient of Mobil Travel Guide’s 5-Star Award for the past 38 consecutive years (longer than any other restaurant in the world). Â Â Our host was Pat Berry of […]
    What It Takes To Please You The Over The Rhine Tribute CD Project Last update: August 7, 2003 (click for larger image) Information about the project: Flash Intro History Merchandise Cincinnati Community Shares ORDER PAGE!  SIDELIGHT: The Tribute CD was mentioned in an article in […]
Click the pictures to enter the site. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest […]
You’ve wanted to know, so we found out. We polled several of the members of THE HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB to find out their preferences on several very important issues so that you could get to know them a bit better. Their answers are below. Read on! Â * What […]
This website experienced some downtime (inaccessibility, really) over the past weekend. Apparently, my DSL provider was working on their network and that caused some downtime for us. I apologize for any inconvenience, and hopefully everything is squared away now. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to […]
This article was written by Wendy. Mr. Face thrives… He is master of the second floor, and though he proves he can go UP stairs (if you take him down a few and place him there), he has no interest whatsoever in going DOWN stairs… He will sit and cry […]
The September meeting of the Happy Mouth Supper Club was on Thursday, September 12, 2002. It was Wendy’s month to pick, and we dined at an Indian restaurant called Taj Mahal in Forest Park. At least a few members of the club had never had Indian food before, and everyone […]
"I am proud of Drew."–Richard Stallman Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Share […]
I have made a couple additions and upgrades to DrewVogel.COM. I added a new version of the Private Messages module and a new version of the Members List modules. Both of these are available to registered users only. A new feature is the Books module, which features some of my […]
The Cincinnati Enquirer did a nice write-up of Wendy’s ROCKY HORROR. You can read the text of the article by clicking “Read more”, below, or visit the Enquirer site here. The Falcon Theater website is here. Wednesday, September 11, 2002Â Â ‘Rocky Horror’ worth getting all dressed up for Theater review […]
John Cox, the co-founder and former project manager of the PostNuke Content Management System this morning posted the following document on the homepage of his website, dinerminor.com Introduction Fundamental differences are what drives change. When there are two sides to a disagreement in an OS project you basically have a […]
Tonight, I removed our old forum software (phpBB) and replaced it with newer, better software called Invision Board. It's got lots more features, and is more streamlined than the old one. Let me know of problems or questions! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a […]
On Wednesday, August 14, 2002, the Happy Mouth Supper Club met at GRAND FINALE in Glendale. It was a great time for the eight of us that made it to the meeting… Holly, Ed, Andrew, Wendy, Ted, Tracy, Jay, and John. We enjoyed scrumptious appetizers like Ahi Tuna, exceptional entrees […]
bismillah On The Morning of Thursday June 20th, 2002 I attended the funeral of 'Greg Allan' aka 'Adam_Baum' in Owen Sound Ontario Canada. After the service, Greg's family invited me to spend the afternoon in Meaford, Ontario to learn about Greg Allan and to explain to them what PostNuke really […]
Today, Bruce Lachey & Drew Vogel, coordinators of the Over The Rhine Tribute CD project, visited the offices of Cincinnati Community Shares to drop off the first installment of contributions generated by sales of WHAT IT TAKES TO PLEASE YOU, a Tribute to Over The Rhine. They met with Mary […]
Tonight, I added a couple thousand new avatars to the site. An "Avatar" is a small graphical elements that can be used to denote your online persona. This avatar pack was created by the infinately patient "memphis", and it consists of over 4 megs of avatar graphics. To add or […]
The July 2002 meeting of the HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB was July 27, 2002 at STURKEY’S in Wyoming, Ohio. There were nine of us this time: Ted, Tracy, John, Ed, Holly, Jay, Wendy B., Wendy W., and Andrew. And BOY did we feast! We enjoyed Sturkey’s Blackstone Chardonnay wine very […]
On Sunday, July 28, 2002, PostNuke's own Steve MacGregor had a three hour lay-over in Cincinnati on his trip home to South Carolina from Texas. Doug Dalton (Apakuni) and Drew Vogel (vogelap) went to the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport to meet Steve and to hang out & drink […]
  Drew is the Manager of Professional Programs at the College of Pharmacy at the University of Cincinnati. He lives in Forest Park (Cincinnati, Ohio) with an amazing woman, five crazy cats, and three stupid dogs. The University of Cincinnati is the second largest university in Ohio, with more than 35,000 […]
It was on this day, July 25, in 2001 that DrewVogel.COM began running on a localized server and started life in its current incarnation. Happy Anniversary to DrewVogel.COM! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens […]
There was a short system downtime today, as I accidentally deleted a table from the database. The site would come up, but only PART of the page would show. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook […]
What the heck is this?! Rather large (1.3 meg) image if you click Read More… Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More […]
Wendy has recently been cast as (dammit!) JANET in Falcon Production's ROCKY HORROR SHOW. Performances will be September 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 2002 at Westwood Town Hall. See Falcon Production's website for more information and to order tickets. Congrats to Wendy! I'm really proud of you! Share: Print […]
Everyone at DrewVogel.COM wishes you and yours a happy and safe Fourth of July! God Bless America! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) […]
Today, I upgraded the cache services on the system to the 1.31pre3 version of PHP-Accelerator. Please let me know of any weirdness! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on […]
Drew Vogel (https://drewvogel.com) is very pleased to announce that he has signed a contract with NO STARCH PRESS (http://www.nostarch.com) to write the definitive guide to PostNuke. The book, which is still untitled, will build upon the solid foundation of Drew's Official PostNuke Installation & Getting Started Guide, and offer a […]
I removed the DIGITAL THEATRE newsfeed from the right side of the site. It was an unreliable feed, and when it went down, it would cause the main page of this site to load VERY slowly. If/when the DIGITAL THEATRE folks get their issues resolved, I’ll add them again. Share: […]
Special thanks to Mark Peters for redesigning the site’s logo! He did a super job for us, and even provided a printer-friendly logo, displayed if you wish to print an article from this site. Thanks Mark! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens […]
This story features information about our trip to Philadelphia Pennsylvania. In this final installment, Bookbinders is sought (fruitlessly), parking is found — right in the middle!, we are served by the master and eat like royalty. Plus, A Question Asked, A Plan Revealed, Our Sincere Thanks, The Return Home, and […]
This story features information about our trip to Philadelphia Pennsylvania. In this, the third installment, we dine in the master’s house, allow admirers to oogle printed sushi, see science — naturally, searched our hearts, ran the boat house gauntlet, found old friends, dined with them in the basement, and made […]
This story features information about our trip to Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Join us — won’t you — for this second installment, in which a market is traversed, parking is sought, the terminal is found, more birch beer is consumed, a mall is explored, and history is viewed firsthand. Thursday morning, we […]
Mr. Face rapidly propels himself to the front of the pack at the Vogel household. He is neck and neck in the running for “best cat” threatened only by Ringo… but he smells better than Ringo which gives him the competetive edge. What would you require of the perfect housepet? […]
This story features information about our trip to Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Join us — won’t you — for this first installment, in which a trip is taken, the road winds & twists, a landing occurs, a temple is found, and an idol is seen. Wendy and I set off for Philadelphia […]
Greg Allan a.k.a. Adam_Baum, the lead core developer and one of the four founding members of the PostNuke CMS Development Project passed away from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. The accident occurred June 16, 2002 near his home in Meaford, Ontario in Canada. Greg Allan was a humble and […]
Wendy and I just got back from our long weekend in Philadelphia, and it was a blast! Amazingly, we made the 580+ mile trip back in just under 7.5 hours. We saw some friends, made a few new ones, and ate fantastic food. Over the next several days, I will […]
Today, I posted INTERACTING WITH A POSTNUKE COMMUNITY, the first title in my PostNuke USER GUIDE series. This series is designed for users, not system administrators, and each title in the series will walk a user through each step of the subject. This educates users on the usage of PostNuke […]
The June meeting of the Happy Mouth club was last night, June 5. In attendance were Ted, Tracy, John, Kristy, Wendy B., Wendy W., Drew, and Jay. Holly & Ed were excused because they’re having a baby. We met at Maury’s Tiny Cove in the west side. Maury’s is a […]
Today, I performed a couple of upgrades to components of this site. I upgraded the Photo Gallery to 1.3, and the forums (phpBB) to 2.01. These upgrades provide additional features and bug fixes to both of these packages. Please let me know if you spot anything unusual in either of […]
It seems that I discovered a bug with the Blogger interface on PostNuke. When Blogger entries are posted, the Title of the article is the time and date of the posting. However, it seems that if the Title is edited that there is a chance that the information will be […]
My brother Josh is in Cincinnati from California. He and his girlfirend, Gayle, are visiting since last Wednesday. After their visit here, they will be going on to New York to visit Gayle’s sister, Phoebe, before Josh & Gayle fly back to California. It’s been great to see Josh and […]
Wendy & I hosted our first-ever HIGH END APPETIZER & DESSERT PARTY on Saturday, May 25, 2002. We asked each couple to bring ONE high-end appetizer, ONE high-end dessert, and ONE bottle of wine; all to share with everyone else. Wendy and I made: Foie Gras two ways: Seared with […]
Tonight, Wendy and I attended a ceili — an Irish dance, sort of like a square dance. The barn where Wendy keeps her horse hosts this event twice a year, and it is a lot of fun. Our brave friends John & Jay joined us for the dance, and they […]
Grand Theft Auto III (from Rockstar Games) arrived today. Anxious to go vent my frustrations on the citizens of Liberty City! LIBERTY CITY, USA. WELCOME TO AMERICA’S WORST CITY. You’ve been betrayed and left for dead. Now you’re taking revenge, unless the city gets you first. Mob bosses need a […]
This program sits on my Windows desktop and provides a GUI in which I can easily add, manipulate, and edit articles that exist on this site. There are many nice features of Bloggar (and bloggers in general), not the least of which is the easy-to-use drag-n-drop GUI interface that allows […]
Tonight Mr. Face met Donetta the animal psychic. She came to our horse barn for a demonstration and everyone thought he’d be a great candidate for a reading. Donetta is a very cool lady who has been listenening to animals since she was a child. She likes to touch the […]
Today, I upgraded PostNuke on this site to version 0.714. It went pretty smoothly, but there was an error in one function that made much of the site inaccessible for several hours today. That you are reading this indicates that the problem was fixed. Thanks to ByronM & Gregor, the […]
Today, I updated one & added several features to the site. The upgrades are all part of the "i-Releases" series, and are available from http://www.portalzine.de. The "Who Is Online" block, to the left, was updated from version 2.2 to version 2.5. I added several other features, a couple of which […]
The Happy Mouth Supper Club met on Wednesday, May 8, 2002 at Song Phung Vietnamese Restaurant in Forest Park. Present were: Wendy, Andrew, Ted, Tracy, Holly, Ed, Jay, John, and Kristy. The staff at the restaurant took very good care of us, feeding us almost to the bursting point and […]
SMACK IT CINCINNATI will again be assaulting your airwaves during the summer of 2002. Starting in June, listeners can tune into WAIF 88.3 FM on Wednesday mornings from 9-11 am to hear the wild antics of SMACK IT CINCINNATI. Also, you’ll be able to listen to the show over the […]
Wendy and I continue to enjoy the many different types of restaurants around us, north of the city. We were talking last night and realized that a few of our favorites are no more than 5 miles away from where we live. Those favorites are pretty varied… From the Spaghetti […]
Mr. Face rapidly progresses. He is master of the upstairs, free from all restraints and closed doors. Blind, as always (anybody got a spare cat retina?), he knows where his food and litterbox are, where the scratching post is, and most importantly, where the bed is. He is quite the […]
The husband of a friend of ours just published his first book. His name is Keith Vanden Enden. Here is his announcement about this achievement, and how to order his book. After years of work, my first novel, Let Us Divided Live, is finally available. Part psychological drama and part […]
EDIT: I am no longer associated with PostNuke. This file has been removed from my sites. A PREVIEW version (currently PDF format ONLY) of the Official PostNuke Installation and Getting Started Guide is available on my website. The FINAL version will be released on my website, and also included in […]
On Wednesday, April 10, 2002, the HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB met again for dinner and socializing. In attendance were Ted, Tracy, John, Ed, Holly, Wendy, and Andrew. The choice of destination was Ed’s tonight, and he selected a landmark Italian restaurant in downtown Cincinnati… Scotti’s. Scotti’s is a great little […]
You’re probably noticing that our look has changed a bit… This is in an effort to find a currently-supported theme, customize it to this site, and then continue to use it. It looks kinda bad right now, I know… I’ll be working on the colors and layout this evening. I […]
This morning, I upgraded PostNuke, our Content Management System (CMS), to the latest version (0.713). I’d been running a pre-release version of this release for some time so there were very few changes from that version to the release version. Please let me know if you spot any problems with […]
Expecting it to be No Big Thing, Drew decided to a> triple the storage, b> double the memory, and c> completely re-format the webserver using Red Hat 7.2 instead of Linux-Mandrake during the weekend of April 6, 2002 (while Wendy was away on a riding trip). I expected to be […]
This evening, I upgraded my website with the latest (0.712) version of PostNuke. Some pretty big changes, as you can see… The old theme (Maroon) that I was using as the default theme for this site no longer functioned with the new version, so it had to be taken offline […]
Today, I upgraded the PHP-Accelerator to version 1.2p4. This new version features more security, better crash detection & recovery, and some bug fixes. DrewVogel.COM can now serve approximately 100.33 pages per minute, 6,019.83 pages per hour, 144,475.82 pages per day, and 4,334,274.51 pages per month! Share: Print (Opens in new […]
On Thursday, March 21, 2002, Wendy took out the wire that was holding Mr. Face’s broken lower jaw together to allow it to heal. Wendy reported that the wire wasn’t doing much, since it was put in when his jaw was terribly swollen. When the swelling went down, the wire […]
On Wednesday, March 20, 2002, the Supper Club met again. This time, we went to BOCA (another review here). Be aware that the restaurant was rather recently bought by a new chef, David Falk. Many of the reviews and websites you might find are from the old restaurant’s previous owner, […]
This evening, the system was offline for about 65 minutes while I verified a comprehensive backup (using Mondo/Mindi, an excellent backup utility) that I’d made of the system. Fortunately, this is a ‘baseline’ backup, so any future downtime will not be so long, since I can back up (and verify) […]
For all you folks who are reading about our cats and looking at our renovation and Corian and windows and such; this is why I am never having a baby. I see it now…..in the photo gallery. "Here’s Wendy’s cervix dilated to 6 cm…." Share: Print (Opens in new window) […]
Work continues inside his little brain as he slowly rejoins the land of the living. This morning Drew went in to feed him his morning can of A/D (the highlight of both their days), and found Mr. Face sitting happily OUTSIDE the playpen. We wondered if somehow we had forgotten […]
Time for another Mr. Face update! He’s starting to get some strength back, which is a good thing. Also, he meows when he hears cans of cat food being opened. Very cute. Still blind as far as we can tell. We’re expecting that he’ll be blind forever. The blood has […]
Yesterday, an article in the Cincinnati Post mentioned the Tribute CD. You can read the article here. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) […]
Last updated: 23-February-2002 I am in no way affiliated with, nor a representative of, nor employed by: Disney, ABC, NBC, HBO, CBS, PBS, E! Entertainment Television, MTV, CNN, TNT, NPR, G&R, Speilberg, R.E.M., Amblin, CBM, EIB network, IBM, Apple, Apple Macintosh, Archimedes, CalTech, CalPoly, the UK, the CIA, the FBI, […]
Added a CD burner to this system today. This will simplify backups. Little trouble getting it configured under Linux. If anyone out there is a Linux Guru (or can help get this burner working), please let me know. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a […]
This evening, I installed PHP Accelerator 1.2p3 to the system which results in MUCH faster page serving from this site. Some results of testing the front page are below. 25 Hits of https://drewvogel.com/index.php: BEFORE 1.22 sec/page 49.23 pages/min AFTER 0.60 sec/page 100.33 pages/min As you can see, this small addition […]
Okay, this Linux stuff is kinda flakey. I’m trying to get XWindows (running Ximian GNOME) working when I log in as ROOT, but it doesn’t. It works fine if I log in as another user on the machine, but not as root. Also, my ZIP drive has never worked since […]
Last night, Wendy was planning to leave Mr. Face at the her veterinary hospital instead of bringing him home (she typically takes him in with her in the morning (he’s fed, watered, held, & cared for all day) and brings him home in the evening). But, because she was planning […]
On Thursday, February 14, 2002, there was an article about WHAT IT TAKES TO PLEASE YOU, a tribute to Over The Rhine, in CityBeat. You can read the article here and see the project’s pages here. There is a PDF version of the article here. Share: Print (Opens in new […]
Tonight, I performed a comprehensive system backup of this machine. Essentially a ‘snapshot’ of everything on this machine, I’m in the position of being able to completely restore the machine to today’s state in the case of a catastrophic loss. It’s rather a long process, but thankfully, an automated one, […]
Today, I updated to the newest version (1.91) of Andromeda, our MP3 Jukebox program for registered users. This new version features the following additions: Play everything in a folder including its subfolders (recursive folder playback) Add folders to the playlist Playlist buttons replaced by icons for narrow-window support Chinese (Simplified […]
Just wanted to let everyone know that I will be interviewed on KINDRED SANCTIONS, a Cincinnati-based radio program that airs on WAIF 88.3 FM, on Thursday, February 7, 2002. The subject of the interview will be WHAT IT TAKES TO PLEASE YOU, a tribute to Over The Rhine. The show […]
This is big. I just upgraded my system software (the […]
On Tuesday, January 29 2002, there was an article about WHAT IT TAKES TO PLEASE YOU, a tribute to Over The Rhine, in the Cincinnati Enquirer. You can read the article here and see the project’s pages here. There is a PDF version of the article here. Share: Print (Opens […]
On Thursday, January 31, 2002, a group of six of us (Holly, Ed, Ted, Tracy, Wendy, and myself) met for the first monthly meeting of the as-yet-unnamed Supper Club… A group of friends who get together to socialize over great food. We ate at The Maisonette to take advantage of […]
The system was down much of today for a MAJOR upgrade. I’ve transferred the server to a bigger, faster box and installed Linux Mandrake 8.1 PowerPack and more than doubled the system’s storage. It didn’t go without hitches, but it’s back up and running! As always, please let me know […]
We just had Corian installed at Chez Vogel, and it is awesome. Heck, even the installation is pretty amazing! Check out some pictures by going to this page. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens […]
The last couple of days, the system has been experiencing some downtime due to a problem with my ADSL modem. I apologize for any inconvenience. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) […]
"WHAT IT TAKES TO PLEASE YOU", a Tribute to Over the Rhine, has been released. Thanks to the hard work of Drew Vogel and … well, JUST Drew Vogel, ALL orders placed prior to 11-Jan-02 at 9:30am for the Tribute CD have been shipped. Every single one. The first copies […]
This project could have been a lunchbox. Or a wax museum. Or sets of limited-edition Grenada-issued commemorative stamps. Linford and Karin holding the Tribute CD during their visit to our radio program. Back in October of 1997, a fan named Joel Smith had jokingly proposed the suggestions above (among others) […]
Today was a pretty big day for Wendy. She’s been complaining about her computer being slow — which it was. So, we talked about it and ended up buying her a PowerSpec 8250 computer — a Pentium 4 with a load of hard drive and memory. It’s a nice change […]
A problem existed on this system for Netscape Navigator users… Many times, users of Netscape Navigator would not be able to display pages on this site due to a difference in the way that Navigator handles the cascading style sheets for the themes on DrewVogel.COM. Today, I fixed at least […]
Hapy New Year to all the users of and visitors to DrewVogel.COM! I hope that 2002 is the best year yet! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X […]
How were everyone’s holidays? Mine were fantastic… We spent a lot of time with our families and had a great time. On Christmas Eve, we were at my parent’s house for dinner and fellowship. Then, Christmas Day, we were with Wendy’s parents at their house with the extended family. Squeezed […]
I want to wish all the users and visitors to DrewVogel.COM a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. This has been a big year for me, and I appreciate all the friendships that give me the energy to move forward. I sincerely hope that 2002 is the best […]
I’ve decided to wait to upgrade this system to the latest release of Post-Nuke. The most recent release has not been very smooth, so we will not upgrade this site until some of the rough spots are smoothed out. It is my expectation that installation of the new release will […]
I didn’t know whether to do this or not…but what the heck…my thoughts on this past weekend (now that I have a moment to catch my breath). I must say first of all that, despite how excited I was to do the weekend, I was more than a wee bit […]
In anticipation of upgrading to the newest release (0.701) of PostNuke, our Content Management System, I have made some behind-the-scenes changes to the way that the Main Menu works. Users should notice no functional differences, and will see that there is a new option, Who Is Online, for you to […]
What a great weekend we had here in Cincinnati! This was the weekend of the annual Over The Rhine Christmas show at the Taft Theatre, and there were many festivities that went along with the show. There are Reviews of the show in Reviews and pictures in the Photo Gallery. […]
I like the Green Yellow Swallowtail song more and more. At the SouthGate House show (in September) it seemed very eerie because they had cut their backroads tour short within a week or two because Karin’s mother had a stroke. The line something like “mother’s not dead she is only […]
Another system upgrade caused me to reboot the system today, after 12+ days of uptime. I upgraded the Apache server, the kernel (the core of the operating system), the mail handler and assorted tools, the mail reader, some modules for the new Apache, and a few security fixes to some […]
I hope everyone has a very nice Thanksgiving! If you’re traveling, be careful. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on […]
Linford and Karin holding the Tribute CD during their visit to our radio program. An update on WHAT IT TAKES TO PLEASE YOU, the tribute to Over The Rhine is in order. It’s been some time since we slid past our projected release date of August 31, 2001. Our current […]
This evening, I updated the site with a new version (1.8.3) of Andromeda, the MP3-jukebox. If you haven’t yet check out Andromeda on this site, you really should take a moment to explore Andromeda. It’s very feature-rich, and ours is a particularly nice implementation (if I do say so myself!). […]
Tickets to the annual Over The Rhine Christmas show go on sale Saturday, November 10, 2001 at 10:00am on TicketMaster. The annual Christmas show takes place at the Taft Theatre in Cincinnati, and represents a ‘homecoming’ of sorts for this Cincinnati-based band and their fans. This year’s show will be […]
Another look at what’s going on in Drew’s life… Some new projects and more! Boy oh boy… Was I ever wrong when I predicted that the final coat of paint in the kitchen would be done Thursday or Friday! I painted two coats in the kitchen one day last week […]
I thought I would upgrade the system software today using the tools that were provided by my software manufacturer. Using their tools, I logged into the update site, downloaded about 20 megs of updates (after several false starts because the update system was busy), and applied them. The updates applied […]
I wanted to take a few moments to update you on what’s going on in my life. We’ve moved into our new house and, on Sunday October 28, turned the keys to the condo back in to the management office — we’re totally in the new house and no longer […]
Some major changes have taken place behind the scenes here at DrewVogel.COM. We’ve migrated the system from PHP-Nuke to PostNuke. There might be some small problems here and there, but for the most part, the system is running really well. If you spot anything strange, please let me know! Why […]
Andromeda is now active on this site. From the Other Options menu, select Andromeda to be taken to this customized MP3 jukebox. Once in this area of the site, you will find many local and regional artists represented. Please check out their music, and support them if you like what […]
There is a new poll on the site! Vote early, and often! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X More Share on Pinterest […]
Since the price of memory is so cheap, I added 256 more megs to my development machine, giving it a total of 512 megs of memory. This machine (running the server) doesn’t need any more memory, but I may throw 256 more megs into it. Eventually, the server system will […]
I added a bunch of new themes to the system today. Registered users can use themes once they’re logged into the system to modify the way the system looks to them. We’ve got about 25 themes to choose from here on DrewVogel.COM! To access them, select Your Account from the […]
Recently added, Andromeda (from the Other Options under the Main Menu bar on the side of the screen) is an MP3 jukebox. I’ve got some of my favorite local and regional artists in there — take a listen if you wish, and support these artists if you can! Share: Print […]
I’ve re-done part of the system… Check out the Right-Side menu, scroll down and down to see headlines from Blue’s News and Digital Theatre. These replace some other headline sites that were of lesser interest. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in […]
If you’re reading this, then DrewVogel.COM is back online after the physical server move! Things should all be working just fine, but if you notice anything strange, let me know. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on […]
The system will be inaccessible sometime later this week… Probably Friday October 5, 2001, and possibly Thursday October 4 as well. This downtime will allow us to move the physical server from the old location to the new location, get it set up, configured, and back up and running. We […]
Cincinnati’s CityBeat magazine recently did a review of our production of WORKING. The full text of the review, including the specific mention of Drew and Wendy, can be found at www.citybeat.com/2001-09-20/onstage2.shtml. WORKING runs concludes its run this weekend, with two shows: One on Friday, September 28 and closing on Saturday, […]
Wendy and I closed on our house today! We’re now officially HOMEOWNERS. We’ll be moving sometime during the month of October, once we get some painting, carpeting, flooring, and all that done. There will be some system downtime as we transition the server from one location to another, but I […]
Testing… 1… 2… 3… Is this thing on? After almost two freekin’ weeks of being offline, DrewVogel.COM is finally back online! ZoomTown, my ISP, took their sweet time in protecting themselves against the Nimda Worm… Can’t say I blame them for taking precautions, but Sweet Christ… TWO WEEKS? We’re back […]
The system was unexpectedly down for most of the week of 18-September-2001. As it turns out that my service provider was being cautious with the Nimda Worm that’s been taking the country (world?) by storm. Sorry for any trouble it might have caused. All is right now, and I took […]
This is a ‘heads up’ for users of DrewVogel.COM… We will be moving sometime during the month of October to our new house (see the Photo Gallery for more information!). During that time, there will be some downtime for this system as the new lines are run, the server is […]
I am sure you are all aware of the horrific attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. The entire team at DrewVogel.com would like to send our sincere condolences to the families of those who perished in these attacks. May you be spared any […]
On 05-September-2001, I added an internal ATAPI ZIP drive to the system. Users won’t notice this addition too much, since it is used mainly for system backups. I also wrote a script that automagically backs up the entire system, including dumping the tables, to the ZIP drive. Share: Print (Opens […]
As some of you might have noticed, DrewVogel.COM was unavailable for several hours (from 3:30pm-11:30pm) on Monday, September 10, 2001. This was due to a power outage at the server location. Sorry for the downtime, folks. The bright side of all this, if there is a bright side, is that […]
Thanks to all of you that have supported my theatrical endeavors in the past. I wanted to let you know about the next show I am working on. It is a musical called WORKING, and it runs at Westwood Towne Hall September 14-15, 21-22, and 28-29 2001. All shows begin […]
I am unveiling a new addition to the site… The Photo Gallery. Check it out — there are pictures from the first two seasons of SMACK IT CINCINNATI, and some preview pictures of our new house. I updated the gallery today to re-order some of the pictures and put captions […]
Sweet heavens. Blame me, don’t blame Drew. As of late the plan was to manually reproduce the CDs ourselves. Heck, even Mike Georgian did that on his last release. There are drawbacks to that though (many car, DVD etc. players refuse to read them, and the time it takes to […]
Did you tune into WAIF 88.3FM on Wednesday, September 5, 2001 hoping to hear Smack It Cincinnati? If so, you were not the butt of a cruel joke. Due to a scheduling snafu, we thought that SMACK IT CINCINNATI would be on, but it was not. Stay tuned; we’ll be […]
It is a busy time for me. I’m rehearsing every night for our production of WORKING which opens September 14 and runs weekends through September 29. Check out the production company’s website for more information and to order tickets. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to […]
Here’s what all the fashionable geeks will be sporting on their cellphones… Check it out (click for larger image). Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in […]
REVIEW BY: Bruce Lachey. The show last night at Southgate was really fun, great sound. Kim Taylor opened, and she was WAAAY better than I thought she’d be. It seems hard for me to retain interest in a live performer after 6 or so songs I’ve never heard, but she […]
I guess I’ve got too much time on my hands… I’ve placed a text-version of my site’s logo here. Take a look — the text within is lyrics to Over The Rhine songs. Ahh… Too much time, indeed! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a […]
Just a brief update… I’ve upgraded the system’s memory to 256 megabytes. This should improve caching and system response time. Remember, though, that this system is using a DNS proxy (TZO.com) for domain name recognition. Sometimes, TZO’s servers can be a tad slow, which is the reason for the occasional […]
Just a note to let you know that our FORUMS have been updated to version 1.4.2.This is a bug-fix release. Please let me know if you experience any strangeness in the FORUMS. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email […]
If you’re tired of waiting around for the next episode of Majestic, can’t get the hang of the Plexata, or are sad that the A.I. game is over, then The Stone might be a great game for you.For just the cost of a Stone (anywhere from $4-20, depending on where […]
PHP-Nuke 5.20 has been installed on this system. It has several new features, including advanced Block support, the ability to include images within articles, 100% true multilanguage support, possibility to toggle comments on selected articles, and much more… This is the last release of PHP-Nuke before some major changes will […]
After over 2.5 years in the making, we’re finally ready for pre-orders!Today, Thursday August 9th 2001, we have officially opened the pre-order page for "WHAT IT TAKES TO PLEASE YOU", the Over The Rhine Tribute CD.For the latest information on this project, and to place your pre-order, click here. Share: […]
Today, I have added a new feature to the system: Forums. On the left side, you see the link to the Forums. Try it out, and let me know what topics you’d like to see covered in forums! Unfortunately, for the time being, users will need to register seperately for […]
Cincinnati folks will want to tune into SMACK IT CINCINNATI (Bruce & Drew’s radio show) on WAIF 88.3FM next Wednesday, August 8th from 9:00-11:00am.Why?Outside of the normal zaniness that is the trademark of SMACK IT CINCINNATI, Karin & Linford from Over The Rhine will be on!Why are they coming on […]
One of the most touted games to come along in a long time is MAJESTIC by Electronic Arts Studios. The game is open now, and it is really amazing. Check out the free edition at www.majesticthegame.com. That might be the game calling your phone. You never know. Share: Print (Opens […]
Sometime last night (24-July-2001), the DNS servers were updated with my new connection information. That means that this site is now being served off my own computer. What does that mean to you? Well, first and foremost, it means that the ‘old’ DrewVogel.COM has not yet merged with this ‘new’ […]
Well, now it’s just waiting… I’ve put in change orders on my DNS to point from my old host to my home-host, but it takes some times, sometimes a couple, two-three days, for the DNS to propogate. I will keep you posted as to when that change has happened. There […]
I am working to transfer the domain name DREWVOGEL.COM to my home computer using TZO.COM. This will increase the speed of the system quite a bit, and allow me to learn more about the inner workings as well. Please bear with me during this move — some things may not […]
In my hot little hands (well, actually, next to them so I can type) is the first complete Over The Rhine Tribute CD — “What It Takes To Please You”. The booklet and tray card for the CD are completed and have arrived. They look GREAT! We’re really excited now […]
We’ve connected to a couple of news sites (currently Digital Theatre, SlashDot, and FreshMeat) to provide additional content in the form of headlines for the site. Look to the right side-menu to see headlines from these sources, which are updated every 30 minutes (Digital Theatre updated every hour). Share: Print […]
I have just installed version 5.01 of PHP-Nuke. This version fixes some small bugs, and speeds up the sending of pages. Additionally, I have enabled output compression (using GZIP/zlib) on the server side, which should eek a little more speed out of transfers as well, especially on repeated page-views. Please […]
This system is now running off my home machine. It wasn’t too big a job to get it going, but I’m certain that there are still some bugs to work out before it’s 100%. Please bear with me! This site is running off one of my home machines, a hardened […]
I’m back from vacation! Expect some more development on this site, and perhaps even something new (think ‘new site’), now that my Linux box is online at home. Special thanks to Civilme from Mandrake and Garrett from Pengiun Computing for their help on getting the Linux box online. Share: Print […]
Just so you know: I will be out on vacation from July 6-16, 2001. No updates or replies to emails during that time. Hang in there; I’ll get caught up when I get back! Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new […]
OUR EXPERIENCE WITH LASER VISION CORRECTION Last updated: June 28, 2001 On Wednesday, May 9, 2001, Wendy and I had appointments at LASIKplus Vision Center in the Kenwood area of Cincinnati, Ohio for evaluation of our candidacy for LASIK (Laser in-situ Keratomileusis) treatment. LASIK is an elective surgery that can […]
Hello Tribute CD Players and Pals! This message was originally sent to my distribution list of Tribute CD folks. If you didn’t get it, then I DO NOT have a current email address for you. You need to get that information to me ASAP! If you haven’t heard, the official […]
Tune in to SMACK IT CINCINNATI on Wednesday, June 27, 2001 from 9:00am-10:00am for the return of Bruce to the show! Check the SMACK IT CINCINNATI website at www.drewvogel.com/smack. Also with us in the studio will be the guys from the local band Crosley. Check out their website at www.CrosleyRocks.com. […]
“WHAT IT TAKES TO PLEASE YOU”, the Over the Rhine Tribute CD project, is in its final phase.We’ve secured a printer for the project and will be working during the next few weeks to get things finalized and prepare for sale of these CDs. Check the website for more information. […]
This news site has been created using the exceptional PHP-Nuke news database system. Check it out — there are a lot of great features in this software. Stay tuned as we develop more and more content! Some features: Full automated news system without the need for HTML editing Graphical Administration […]
SMACK IT CINCINNATI, the widly-popular radio show featuring Bruce Lachey and Drew Vogel, continues assaulting Cincinnati’s airwaves this summer. Tune in Wednesday mornings, from 9:00am-10:00am on WAIF 88.3FM. For more information about SMACK IT CINCINNATI, be sure to check out the homepage for the show. There, you’ll find information about […]
It’s been quiet as far as you know, but behind the scenes, things have been moving forward on the Tribute CD project. Check the website, https://drewvogel.com/whatittakestopleaseyou.html, for the most current, up-to-date information on the project. The artwork is basically done. Linford saw the art for the CD booklet, promo mailer, […]
Hey all you Over The Rhine Tribute CD players and pals! This message was originally sent to my distribution list of Tribute CD folks. If you didn’t get it then, I DO NOT have a current email address for you. You need to get that information to me ASAP! If […]
Hey all you Over The Rhine Tribute CD players and pals! We’ve been busy with the Tribute CD project. If you haven’t heard, the official name of the project is “What It Takes To Please You — A Tribute To Over The Rhine”. The website, the best source of up-to-date […]
The website for the Over The Rhine Tribute CD, “What It Takes To Please You”, is at www.drewvogel.com/whatittakestopleaseyou.html. Share: Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new […]
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  Revised: 03-October-99 Douglas Coupland, born December 30, 1961 in West Germany, is the author of several books: Generation X, Shampoo Planet, Life After God, Microserfs, and most recently, Postcards from the Dead. Coupland’s work is the voice of a generation. His views and ideas represent those being felt […]
Date: Thu, 02 Sep 1999 13:50:14 -0400 (note: Just got this from another mailing list I am on for another band. Sound familiar?) Thursday, September 2, 1999 Hello again, I know it’s been a while since we’ve spoken, and in some way it is my fault. But it is mostly […]
  CRAZY RED ITALIAN’S RACING BEAT COLD AIR INTAKE SYSTEM   Last updated: 05-August-98 WHAT IS THIS THING? The Racing Beat Cold Air Intake (CAI) system as offered by Crazy Red Italian is an affordable performance modification for the Mazda Miata. The package comes in two versions, one for […]
This is a review of the April 5, 1996 concert given by OCTOBER PROJECT at Bogarts in Cincinnati Ohio. LONG (and how!) There is a secret. Not a secret like in The Crying Game, and not a secret like why we have to pay taxes, but an important and wonderful […]