Skeeters
The first summer after moving into our new place in Falls Church City, I knew I had a serious problem. I was next to a house that had a swimming pool, many tires and other water catching refuse in the backyard, owned by an elderly gentleman that was not able to maintain it and unwilling to let me help. I tried mosquito dunks and all the poison I could buy at Home Depot, but the mosquitos, particularly the tiger mosquitos, were relentless. A big factor in picking our current residence was the large yard. I was just about unable to use it. All of my guests complained, and even covered in deet, they’d still get bit. After suffering for a summer or two, I found out about Mosquito Squad. I was asked to have a friend’s wedding rehearsal dinner in my back yard, and decided to do a one time spray to see how it went. It worked. The next summer, I went in for the whole summer package. I can’t imagine another summer without it. I couldn’t recommend Mosquito Squad more. I get the normal, standard, package. I do not know if the natural, more eco friendly spray works or not. If you have a mosquito problem, check them out.
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
no comments yet
Steak and Stogie, Fleur De Las Antillas
The wife went out to do some volunteering. I decided to light up the 2012 CA cigar of the year, the Fleur De Las Antillas Toro. I thought it was good, but not CA #1 of the year good. It had these bursts of white pepper I didn’t particularly enjoy, but the first and last third were very agreeable.
I said I’d grill up a T-Bone, so I figured why wait. I didn’t feel like standing out in the snow, so I threw it in the pan. Got a good sear on both sides, left it about rare, and just salted it, and shook a few peppers on it. I also made some creamed spinach with mushrooms, shallots, garlic, and onion. The t-bone was good, but it was no ribeye.
by rsiv withWarning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
no comments yet
Lost Dog Cafe, Westover beer garden
I grew up near Westover, so I’ve been going to the original Lost Dog Cafe for a good while. Later, they opened up McLean location, and now one in Merrifield as well. The original is still the closest, so during the most recent of a winter full of snow days, we ordered from Lost Dog. I had the billy’s philly with jalapenos, and we shared the spinach and artichoke dip.
I heard a rumor some of my contemporaries who worked at Lost Dog in High School, College, and after, were the ones that franchised it. Pretty cool if true.
If you head over to the original Lost Dog, be sure to cross the street and check out the Westover Market. I used to go to the grocery store there as a child, and remember reading the bulletin board (pre interwebs). Its still a grocery store, but it now has an amazing beer selection (1000+ bottles), a butcher, and an outdoor beer garden. While you’re in the neighborhood, stop by Ayers.
by rsiv withWarning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
no comments yet
Rosetta Stone, Duolingo, getting conversational for travel, Cabaiguan petites
In High School, I took French. I’m not sure why, but I think it had something to do with me thinking French was fancier than Spanish. I very much regret not taking Spanish now. I’ve been to France, once, while on a cruise, and was only in Nice for a day. I’ve been to Montreal about three times, but I could have gotten by without any French. I’ve been to Spain, Mexico, Guatemala, Uruguay, Chile, and Argentina. I studied abroad in the latter two. Living in Northern Virginia, I run into Spanish speakers constantly, and French speakers rarely, if ever. Spanish would have been much more practical. Even so, I was not very interested in learning a language in High School. I did not learn very much, and retained even less.
Before the global residency in my MBA program, I borrowed Rosetta Stone from a friend (and therefore, had limited functionality while using the program). I found it very helpful. With a few months of practice, I was conversational in Spanish. By conversational, I mean I could direct a taxi, order a steak and beer, ask basic directions, find a bathroom, and conduct monetary transactions. My greatest Spanish achievement was obtaining a Chilean National soccer jersey for my friend as a souvenir. I asked around while I was in Chile, and finally was directed to a shopping mall a few metro stops away. I rode the metro, found the mall by asking directions, and finally sporting goods store. I did not see the jersey I wanted, but by being able to say, “red”, and, “shirt” in addition to, “Chile”, they brought one out from the back. Despite tons of other really great memories, my common shopping errand holds a special place. It would not have been possible without Rosetta Stone.
Fast forward to earlier this winter. Some friends and I decided on Montreal for New Years Eve. They have an awesome celebration, and Montreal is a great destination in and of itself. Amazing museums, great restaurants, and a Casa Del Habanos are a few of the highlights. I don’t believe there is a better option than Rosetta Stone for learning a language. However, I did not want to spend more on Rosetta Stone French, than on the trip itself. I friend told me about Duolingo. Duolingo is set up almost exactly like Rosetta Stone. The kicker is that its free. If you’re looking to learn a little of a language before a trip, definitely check it out. Using it for about a month before Montreal, I was able to pick up numbers, common greetings, and how to ask where the bathroom is. Just the bare necessities, but they proved to be useful. I have a new trip scheduled to a Spanish speaking country, and I’m going through Duolingo Spanish from the beginning. I also intend to repeat the relevant parts of Rosetta Stone (shopping, travel, etc.).
This was not a comparison, but for those that may have found this post via google, I’ll say this: For traveling for pleasure, for less than a month, I’d recommend Duolingo. Its great, and its free. For traveling for business, or for over a month, get Rosetta Stone. Its comprehensive, but you’ll have to pay a fair price.
Not matter what you decide to do, do it with style:
I had about 30 minutes to work on my Spanish, so I grabbed a petite Cabaiguan. Its the king of the quick smokes. If you haven’t seen my other Cabaiguan posts, click here, then here.
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
no comments yet
Beannachtam na Feile Padraig, Carrickfergus
Sláinte
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrickfergus_(song)
Grab a Guinness and enjoy a sad Irish song:
by rsiv with
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
no comments yet
Rest of the weekend, Frozen Dairy Bar and Boardwalk Pizza, Lazy Sunday, and Famous Dave’s (RIP Bubba’s BBQ)
We continued the weekend by ordering some Frozen Dairy Bar and Boardwalk Pizza. They deliver, so when we’re too tired to go out, we often order from them. This time, we didn’t even get pizza. My wife got a meatball sub, and I got a burger with sweet and hot peppers. The food is good, but the goosebumps (like a blizzard) are why you go back. Early the next morning, we headed to Burke to help a friend move. As it turns out, we had 5 guys to fill the largest truck they’d rent my buddy. It was quite a bit of work.
After about 4 hours, we had some pizza and beer. After the move, we went back to my place for some shoes, and it was so nice, we got some ice cream at Lazy Sunday.
Then we went to my friend’s St. Patricks Day party. As an Irishman, he takes his St. P’s very seriously. St. P’s punch, meat and potatoes, soda bread, and a flight of Irish whiskey. I’m not generally a big fan of Irish whiskey, but the Redbreast 12 was amazing. I may pick myself up a bottle. The hostess made her famous Irish car bomb cupcakes. I don’t know her exact recipe, but I’m sure similar ones can be found online. I’m not much of a dessert guy, but those cup cakes are bomb (intended).
The next day, we went to Fredericksburg to unload the moving truck. This time we had a lot of help, and the work went pretty quickly.
After the move, we went to Famous Dave’s for some BBQ. I would have rather gone to Bubba’s BBQ, but as we found out about a week ago, our favorite BBQ place closed. It wasn’t the best BBQ I’d ever had, but I did love me some Bubba’s BBQ, and Mo, the owner, was always a good time.
I can’t imagine a busier weekend. There is some more stuff to move, and I might end up helping with some painting, but for now, as CW says, I’m going to rest my body.
by rsiv withWarning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
no comments yet
Early weekend catch up, Colonialism, Curry Mantra II
We had a power outage on Wednesday night, so I found a hardcover and a candle and did some light reading. On Thursday when a friend was coming over, I wanted to have some cocktails, but all I had on hand was the makings of a martini. According to the book, Hemingway favored a style of Gordon’s Gin no longer produced. I substituted Boodles, named after a Gentlemen’s Club, and rumored to be a favorite of Winston Churchill.
After drinks we went to Panjshir. We split a bottle of wine, and decided we had to watch The Man Who Would Be King.
In the colonial mood, we also watched Khartoum, and had some Indian food.
For the Indian, we took a short walk to Curry Mantra II for lunch the next day. CMII has a lunch buffet that is very good, but their dinners also impress. The first pic is all lunch buffet food. The rest are from a dinner the wife and I had there. I intended to write up the Falls Church Curry Mantra before, but never got around to it. Short of Rasika, which is really in a class all its own, I think you’d be hard pressed to find better Indian in the DMV.
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
no comments yet
Manly Cologne
I don’t recall what specifically peaked my interest in cologne, but I do recall thinking that I ought to know more about it. I can remember my Dad’s bathroom smelling like CK Obsession, and found myself thinking that my bathroom did not smell nearly as manly. I found a website called basenotes, which is a wealth of knowledge on the topic. I did some reading, and then posted in the forum, stating my desires, and asking for recommendations. I said I liked lime, sage, rum, and tobacco. That I was looking for a traditional masculine scent. I researched the recommendations given and used the search function on the site that allows searches by notes, and purchased small bottles of the fragrances shown above.
Royal Lime – This is what I was using on rare occasion before reading basenotes. They sell it at Brooks Brothers. I like the smell, but it just doesn’t last. (poor sillage, apparently the scent game has its own patois)
Aramis – I found this using the search function. It has sage, but really nothing else I was looking for. However, it is an old scent, 1965, and many reviews spoke of how masculine it is. I was worried the sandalwood would be overpowering. To me, sandalwood smells like the cologne middle school boys wore back in my day, which was terrible and applied liberally. My dad says sandalwood smells like the inside of an uber. Aramis is how I imagine the most interesting man in the world smells. The first day I tried this, I went shooting. Having some Aramis on my wrists, and cordite on my hands made for a very manly scent. I like Aramis, but my criticism is that it does not last nearly as long as many of the others.
Perry Ellis America – I found this one via the search function, and my interest was pure marketing. It is made using scents indigenous to North America. It is pleasant, but the sandalwood is prominent, and therefore, it smells like a middle school locker room to me.
Burberry London – I was hesitant to try this one. Many reviewers seemed to think it was feminine. I think it smells sophisticated. Its scent brings to mind a wealthy man, being fitted for a suit on savile row, or the smell of a businessman walking by you at the ritz.
Guerlain Homme – This was my favorite until the scent I describe next arrived. The interwebs says it has a woody mojito smell. I don’t disagree, but its so complex and interesting I don’t think that description really does it justice. Its also fairly subtle, but lasting. I may get a full size bottle of this one.
Aramis Havana – The name sold this one to me. This is a fairly new scent (’94), but by the same company as the ’65. When I read the description, I was even more sold. Tobacco (obviously), bay rum, all spice, and many others. As a cigar smoker, I was skeptical that a tobacco scent could be subtle, sophisticated, and balanced. This scent really surprised me. After wearing it for an extended period, there is a lot of vanilla. I’m not really a huge fan of the vanilla scent, but it would seem most people are, as of the time of this post, a lot of people on the basenotes forum are going craycray banan-ay for Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille.
I’m going to try not to fall too far down the rabbit hole on this one. Not only is there a ton to know, and a plethora of options, you can even make your own cologne. It looks fun, but the last thing I need is another hobby (especially an sedentary one).
by rsiv withWarning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
no comments yet
NATO phonetic alphabet
I’ve long recognized the utility of the nato phonetic alphabet, but it never really stuck while I was in the scouts. There was no requirement to learn it, so I didn’t really. I found the link below, which is very helpful.
http://quizlet.com/868947/nato-phonetic-alphabet-flash-cards/
click learn
Hopefully I’ll have it down after going through the learn part of the flashcards a few times. In my line of work, if you say, “B as in Brian, you instantly lose credibility.” Two tips, they spell x-ray, that way, and for some reason, juliett is julie.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_phonetic_alphabet
by rsiv withWarning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
no comments yet
St. Patrick’s Day Preview
I’ll probably be at the 4Ps. If its nice, I may smoke a Don Thomas I have in the humi from years past. Green cigars are cool, green beer, not so much.
More info on festive green cigars here, and here.
***Update
I jumped the gun and smoked one while on a conference call. It was nice (but windy outside), how could I not?
The unique grassy flavor is very interesting. Its definitely unique, and I do enjoy it. The wrapper was very delicate. I’ve had these in a coolidor for years, and I think they’ve been shook around a little too much. The foot and head both had small tears that I had to tend to, but nothing catastrophic. If I get a chance, I’ll be lighting up another for St. P’s Day.
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/bonviv6/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 405
no comments yet