Jingle Ball 2010

December 13, 2010

Bridget mentioned that she really wanted to see Sara Bareilles so I got tickets.  We have gone to the larger Jingle Balls at Cox Areana (now called Viejas) in the past.  Anthology is one of our favorite places to see a concert because it is an intimate setting.  The show started at 9pm.  We had great seats on the bottom floor at the end of an aisle.  They didn't have it set up for dinner like usual.  The tables were gone and more chairs in a row were set up to accomodate a larger crowd.

http://www.anthologysd.com/

breathe, just breathe

take the world off your shoulders
and put it on me
breathe, just breathe
let the life that you lead
be all that you need
                     Ryan Star

First up was Ryan Star.  He was good and played his music although I was not too familiar with most of the songs.  He did engage the crowd and everyone seemed to enjoy his portion of the show.

Next up was Sara Bareilles.  She was funny and charming.  Even if she went to that other school.

Keep drinking coffee, stare me down across the table

While I look outside
So many things I'd say if only I were able
But I just keep quiet and count the cars that pass by
You've got opinions, man
We're all entitled to 'em
But I never asked
So let me thank you for your time
And try not to waste any more of mine
Get out of here fast
I hate to break it to you babe
But I'm not drowning
There's no one here to save
Who cares if you disagree? You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So, you dare tell me who to be
Who died and made you king of anything
                                              Sara

She played the piano and guitar.  It was a great show and I'm glad Bridget suggested it.

Late night though.





Texas Thanksgiving Day 7

I know a pretty little place in Southern California down San Diego way
There's a little cafe, where they play guitars all night and day
You can hear them in the back room strummin'
So hold tight baby 'cause don't you know daddy's comin'
                                             The Boss

Today we leave to go home to San Diego.  But first-Coffee.  Since we don't have Dunkin' Donuts in California we went there to get a cup of coffee.  We can buy the coffee in stores but I wanted to taste it brewed by them.  It had been awhile since I had some.  The last time was in Mass and Conn on our East Coast College Trip with Noah.  Many years ago.

Then Courtney and David picked out a great place.  Bread Winners Cafe and Bakery.  They have a weekend brunch and the food was excellent. 

http://www.breadwinnerscafe.com/

  Courtney and David then took us to Love Field to fly home.  It was our first time using Love Field instead of DFW, but probably not our last.

We had a great time in Texas and the weather was good too.  Cold at times to remind us some people have winter.  It was good to be home and Christmas is just around the corner and all the kids are coming home.  Can't wait.

Texas Thanksgiving Day 6

Friday Nov 26, 2010

There's a place not too far away from here
Out with the cows and the Lone Star beer
Where the livin' and lovin' is quite all right with me
Well they call it Texas and it's a mighty fine place to be
                                                 Charlie Daniels

We got a late start today.  Still full from yesterday.  We went to one of Courtney's favorite restaurants.

www.thedreamcafe.com

We ordered the Austin Tacos, the Granola Crusted French Toast, Santa Fe Omelet and the Melrose Club.
It was very good.  After breakfast/lunch we decided to do some shopping.  I don't recall going out on Black Friday before.  We went to the Nordstrom's Rack and Court bought a hoody at Sports Authority.  Then we walked accross the street.
 
There were over 235 stores and restaurants.  We walked all through the mall.  David got some cuff links at the Ted Baker store and I found a Ted Baker shirt on clearance at Nordstroms. 
 
 www.northparkcenter.com

That night for dinner we went to Houstons.  I had ribs and Bridget had a French Dip sandwich.

 http://www.hillstone.com/#/restaurants/houstons/

The food and the atmosphere were great.  Ate too much as always.



Thanksgiving Day in Texas Day 5

Love to eat turkey
'Cause it's good
Love to eat turkey
Like a good boy should

'Cause it's turkey to eat
So good
Turkey for me
Turkey for you
Let's eat the turkey
In my big brown shoe

Love to eat the turkey
At the table
I once saw a movie
With Betty Grable

Eat that turkey
All night long
Fifty million Elvis fans
Can't be wrong

Turkey lurkey doo and
Turkey lurkey dap
I eat that turkey
Then I take a nap

Thanksgiving is a special night
Jimmy Walker used to say Dynomite
That's right
Turkey with gravy and cranberry
Can't believe the Mets traded Darryl Strawberry

Turkey for you and
Turkey for me
Can't believe Tyson
Gave that girl V.D.

White meat, dark meat
You just can't lose
I fell off my moped
And I got a bruise

Turkey in the oven
And the buns in the toaster
I'll never take down
My Cheryl Tiegs poster

Wrap the turkey up
In aluminum foil
My brother likes to masturbate
With baby oil

Turkey and sweet potato pie
Sammy Davis Jr.
Only had one eye

Turkey for the girls and
Turkey for the boys
My favorite kind of pants
Are corduroys

Gobble gobble goo and
Gobble gobble gickel
I wish turkey
Only cost a nickel

Oh I love turkey on Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving everybody!
                                   Adam Sandler

We woke up and had some breakfast.  I went with David and Courtney to Tom Thumb to get the turkey and some last minute items.  The turkey was already cooked and just needed to be heated later.

Watched football, first the Patriots beating the Lions, then the Cowboys lost to the Saints.  Finally the Aggies beat the longhorns.  Ha ha.  Some friends were over and I was out numbered, but at least I was happy.

We had great food throughout the day. Cheese ball, mushroom dip, crab dip, salmon dip.  We had 2 types of turkey (smoked), stuffing, another kind of stuffing, mash potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry salad, cranberry sauce, crossiants and dessert.

It was an awesome day.

Texas Thanksgiving Day 4

Nov 24, 2010 Wednesday

Good bye to texas university So long to the orange and the white
Good luck to dear old Texas Aggies
They are the boys who show the real old fight
"the eyes of Texas are upon you"
That is the song they sing so well
So good bye to texas university
We're gonna beat you all to…
Chigaroogarem , Chigaroogarem
Rough, Tough, Real stuff, Texas A&M
                                     Aggie Fight Song




Courtney had to work today, but David had the day off.  We ate breakfast at home and then drove to Love Field to return our rental car.  We no longer needed it as we would be riding with David and Courtney.  After that we had some errands to run.  Last minute shopping for Turkey Day.  We went to a great seafood market close to their house.  We live closer to the ocean but we don't have a market like that close to us.

For lunch we went to Texadelphia.  A nice sandwich shop in Texas and Oklahoma.

http://www.texadelphia.com/

After lunch a few more stops and then waited for Courtney to get home.

For dinner we went to The Porch.

http://www.theporchrestaurant.com/

We started with the Chopped Brisket Sliders. We ordered Ribs, Stodg burger, chicken cobb and steak sandwich with Parm O'rings and Mac and cheese.  It was good to sit and talk as we enjoyed the food and the atmoshere.  The only problem is that we ate too much and now tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  Oh well.

Texas Thanksgiving Day 3

Nov 23, 2010 Tuesday

'Cause God blessed Texas with His own hand

Brought down angels from the promised land
Gave 'em a place where they could dance
If you wanna see heaven brother here's your chance
I've been sent to spread the message
God blessed Texas
                           Little Texas




We woke up and I checked on our workers.  Some got the office early, one guy was on the phone alot.  We looked at our breakfast options and chose 1886 Cafe and Bakery at 6th Street and Brazos in the Driskill Hotel.  I order Breakfast Tacos and Bridget ordered the Almond French Toast.  It was really good and they gave me a cup of coffee for the road.

http://www.1886cafeandbakery.com/

We went back to the hotel and checked out.  Thanks David.

On the way out of town we drove by UT and looked at some of the campus.  On Thanksgiving is the big game Gig em Aggies.  Then we got on the road and headed to Dallas. 

We stopped in Waco and drove around the campus of Baylor University.  Brian graduated from Baylor.  It is a very pretty campus with lots of brick buildings.  I use to live in Gatesville, Texas about 40 miles west of Waco.  We use to go to Waco to shop for school clothes.  We got back on the road and headed toward West, Texas.  Courtney had told us about a grreat little place there so we were stopping for lunch.

Czech Stop.

http://www.czechstop.net/home.php

We bought some Kolaches for lunch and then some for Courtney and David.  Check out the menu page for the variety of Kolaches.  They were excellent.  Also hit the Sonic next door for DCL.

Back on the road we headed to Dallas.  Last time we were in Dallas we got so turned around looking for a place to eat after the plane ride that we were really lost.  This time I mapped it out better and used the maps on the iphone.  We arrived at the house late afternoon.

We met David and his dog, Bruiser there.  Courtney arrived just as we were finishing a little walk.  It was good to see both of them.

For dinner Courtney and David took us to a TexMex restaurant.

 http://www.mattitos.com/

The food was excellent.  We all were full and we went home and crashed.

Texas Thanksgiving Part Deux

November 22, 2010

The eyes of Texas are upon you
All the live long day
The eyes of Texas are upon you
And you cannot get away
Do not think you can escape them
From night till early in the morn
The eyes of Texas are upon you
Till Gabriel blows his horn


We woke up a little late.  I had picked out a place for breakfast and had asked the concierge if we could walk.  He said not really so we took the car.  The parking lot was on the backside so we drove around for a little while before we found it.

We had breakfast at The Guenther House.  The house was built in 1859 by Carl Hilmar Guenther, the founder of Pioneer Flour Mills.

  http://www.guentherhouse.com/

We had the Guenther's Platter.  The food was really good and then we walked around the store and bought some souvenirs.

We went back to the Omni and checked out.  On the way to Austin we stopped and did some shopping at the outlet malls.  Didn't really buy anything, but Bridget got a great deat on some jewelry.

The hill country of Texas was really pretty.  Sonic on the way again, DCL.  We got to Austin and found our hotel. 

Part of the building was the hotel and the other part was offices.  I liked watching the people work, well some were working.

We walked down to the capitol and looked around and also checked out restaurants for dinner.  There sure were a lot of Confererate statues there.  We also walked down to 6th Street but it was too early.

We picked out Perry's Steakhouse and Grille.
http://www.perryssteakhouse.com/

We shared a Tomato and Mozzaella Salad.  I had the Cowboy Ribeye and Bridget had the Symphony Kabob, with filet mignon, lobster and shrimp.  Dinner was excellent and we were very happy with our choice.  After dinner we walked down to 6th Street again.  Some bands were playing but we were full and tired.  We walked around for awhile the went back to the hotel.