Jul 2ndMore catch up, June ’14, World Cup, BJ’s Brewhouse Tysons, Hiring day laborers in Falls Church City, New (old) grill, Other Breweries, and etc.

After the US v Portugal match, I had a lot of leftovers, both as far as food goes, and in the World Cooler ™.  I enjoyed the beer and kebabs for lunch throughout the week.  I was also turned on to Girard’s Champagne salad dressing.  Definitely give it a try.

I took a few lunch breaks in the hot tub during the world cup.  Its only once every four years, and my leisure time is about to be severely compromised, so who can blame me?

It was cool enough one night to enjoy some al fresco dining.  Later in the week, we watched US v Germany at a fairly new bar, BJ’s Brewhouse in Tysons.  The food was just ok, but the beer was decent, and the TVs were huge.

My grill gave out after 6 years of service, and was not able to be repaired.  My dad had a grill he wasn’t using, since he just got a new one.  I hired some day laborers to load and unload it from my truck, and get it up on my porch.  Here is a mini-guide to hiring day laborers, based on my lessons learned:  First and foremost, safety first.  I kept pepper spray in my pocket, despite being able-bodied and in my prime.  I’d also bring a buddy if possible.  Negotiate time and cost up front.  I made the mistake of only suggesting an hourly rate.  When the laborers found out how brief the work was, they were not happy, as they were pulled away from other potential employers who would have bigger jobs.  I think things would have gone more smoothly if I explained exactly what we were doing, and about how long it would take.  I over-estimated the time it would take, and they demanded payment for the duration of my estimation.  Essentially, I paid them for an hour, despite only utilizing their services for 30 minutes.  That was no big deal for me, but could be problematic for you if you’re spending more/on a tight budget.  Bring water.  I had some water in my truck, and they were very appreciative.  Hide your valuables.  I went through the truck, and removed anything of value from the seat backs, door containers, center console, etc.  All the guys I hired seemed very nice and honest, but better safe than sorry.  Have cash.  Also have the amount you expect to pay out ready, so you don’t have to fumble around in your wallet for it.  Finally, bone up on some spanish.  I managed to learn/remember how to say, twenty dollars an hour, inside the truck, the grill, and thank you.  Google translate will help you if you forget.

After moving the grill, its gotten lots of good use.  We broke her in with some steaks, and later made nachos and fish tacos.

We also went to a baby shower.  I loaded up my tables, tent, and chairs, and we hit the road.  The ladies stayed at the house and did God knows what, while the dudes went to Adventure Brewing Company in F-rock.  Kenny Powers made an appearance.  After the shower, we went to my buddy’s house to meet his new lady friend.

Wendell made another great breakfast (despite his opinion), I made some great drinks, and the new lady made a great impression.  Unfortunately, Winn-Dixie whipped up another batch of fresh unseeded fried jalapenos with siracha dipping sauce…  Burn out my tumtum once, shame on you.  Burn out my tumtum twice (more like a whole mess of times, pun intended)…

Then for the USA v Belgium game we went to Mad Fox Brewing in FCC.  We got there about an hour and a half early, and it was pretty empty.  We were able to leisurely order a sampler, and wait for the game to start.  The place started to fill up as it got close to kickoff.  It was a great place to watch the game, but unfortunately, the match was a heartbreaker.  We were so sad about being 2 down that we went home before the end, and caught the Green goal in extra time at our house.  We almost wished we hadn’t left until time finally ran out with us still down a goal.  I really thought we could win that one, and we were a plenty good enough team.  The only thing I have to look forward to now (despite lots of good matches left), is my #2 team, Argentina, taking on Belgium this weekend.  Hopefully, we can get some revenge.  Soccer does seem to be catching on a little in the mainstream which is pretty cool.  My generation is the first to really play soccer on a large scale, or be able to watch soccer regularly on TV.  Back when my dad started coaching my soccer team, he had to go to a library to get books on soccer to learn the game (pre interwebs, pre soccer on tv, at least 6 years before DC United was founded).  It will be exciting to see soccer advance, and hopefully, it will result in a World Cup win in my lifetime.

Jun 17thBoozing your way though the World Cup, Father’s Day, Red Butcher’s 100 day dry aged bone-in ribeye, American Outlaws at Laughing Man DC

I went to total wine to get some beer for Father’s Day, and ending up getting just about enough beer to fill a World Cooler (trademark me) to get us through all the games until Sunday.  I had a Brazilian beer (Xingu, a delicious black lager), and then some tequila (shown above) for the first two games.  The first game I got to watch with my dad was Spain v. Netherlands.  What a game.  Then, instead of beer, we went with Sauv Blanc for Chile v. Australia.  The choice in drinks had more to do with convenience/taste preference than which team we were rooting for.

After a break for some La Caraqueña and a caipirinha, and a trip to the butcher for some 100 day dry aged bone-in ribeye, we got back to soccer.

I added some more ice to the World Cooler, and then gave my dad some of his Father’s Day presents.

The ball shown above generates power during play, and then can be used as a reading lamp after.  For every one you buy, they donate one to kids who do not have power, and therefore, no light to read by at night.  We kicked it around until we were sufficiently embarrassed, and then enjoyed some more matches and beer.  On the actual day of Father’s Day, we started with some milky, opalescent, absinthe.  We salted the steaks, and got the grill hot.  France and Argentina had games that day, so the wine was flowing (La Albiceleste are my #2 team).

The steaks were insane, and good times were had by all.  After Father’s Day, my boozing streak came to an end when I was at the dentist, and then working, while Germany played Portugal.  I had some white port and tonic ready, but was too busy to enjoy any.  I wish I’d seen and boozed though that game, but Nigeria v. Iran would have ruined the streak anyway.  The wife and I were able to get to Laughing Man in DC for the American Outlaws viewing of USA v. Ghana.  It was so much fun/so crazy, we might go back for USA v. Portugal.