Fixing my work truck’s clear coat, watching paint dry, Casa Magna
In about 2010 or 11 I asked my uncle to start looking for a truck for me. I only had a coupe sports car, which wasn’t ideal for hunting, camping, home ownership, or really anything other than spirited driving. My uncle has a bunch of classic cars, and lives in a part of WV that has a much greater selection of trucks than can be found where I live. My dream truck was a gen 3 K1500. I wanted a black one, preferably an ’87, as it was the first year for fuel injection. I don’t think Riggins drove an 87, but essentially, I was looking for something like this (last one is for the ladies/CW):
After about a year of looking, but not being able to find anything in my price range that was in decent shape, I ended up buying my uncle’s old work truck. Its a 97 Chevy 4×4, with a crew cab, which was a custom conversion option done by Centurion. I’ll probably do a full post on it in the future. When I bought it, the clear coat was peeling off the top of the rear driver side pillar. Rain got into it, made the separation bigger, then it froze, got even bigger, etc. Eventually I was left with what you see below. I figured it was time to do something. I waited for the first good span of clear days on the weather report, and got to work.
Its an old truck, with a lot of dings and scrapes, so I really just wanted to arrest the problem, not put lipstick on the pig (though I do like the way she looks, perfectly worn). I took a screwdriver to the peeling parts, then sanded the bare paint. Then I put painters’ tape on the glass and parts I didn’t want to cover in clear coat.
I intended to only do the one pillar, but also found some potential problems on the other side, so I taped up some more. I couldn’t resist the man-work selfie.
Once I had a coat on, it was time to watch some paint dry. It was a mild day after a long winter. I decided to pass the time with a Casa Magna Colorado Torito. Very earthy, and lots of pepper. I bought a few Casa Magnas back when it won cigar of the year. I bought them in the winning size. I found the cigar to be delicious, but it was just too strong for me. This smaller version was enjoyable for me, but still fairly strong. Its strength is about my limit. It wasn’t quite as good as I remember, but I can’t say if that was due to the size difference, or perhaps time, or its popularity causing quality to decrease. In any event, it was a good stick. I didn’t buy more than one, and I don’t think I will buy another anytime soon (see what the experts think about it).
I did literally watch some paint dry. However, what you don’t see if the two days it took me to give it several coats. The finished product doesn’t look too bad. The base coat bubbled up for some reason. When I sanded, the bubbles broke, and left a bunch of silver circles. I don’t mind the look, I just hope the clearcoat sticks. If the paint keeps the clearcoat from being damaged further, I’ll consider this project as a success. I think the paint (link below) was about $30, and I already had the painters’ tape.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0043B7UQY/ref=oh_details_o09_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Quest Protein Bars
I’ve been enjoying quest protein bars for a while now. I need to eat breakfast every morning in order to not feel nauseous. Some people can skip breakfast and feel fine, but I’m not one of them. A couple eggs is probably my favorite breakfast, but I don’t always have time. No matter what I choose to eat, it seems that protein helps me feel well the best, the longest. I’ve had a few protein bars before, but none I loved. They generally have too many calories, don’t taste good, or have ingredients I don’t like (particularly soy protein). Quest bars taste good. I don’t just mean good for protein bars, they legitimately taste good. On top of that, they’re only about 170 calories per bar (but vary by flavor), despite having 20 grams of protein. Thats enough for me to make it to lunch without feeling ill. Quest makes a big deal about low-carb, no gluten. I’m really just worried about calories, taste, and getting to lunch. Its also nice that they’re on amazon prime. I linked to the sampler, but the chocolate chip cookie dough is by far my favorite.
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Weekend Catch up, Mike’s Deli in Falls Church
I’ve had Mike’s Deli a few times, but mostly for breakfast. I enjoy a large breakfast, and Mike’s usually hits the spot. It was nice outside this weekend, so the wife and I walked over to Mike’s Deli for some lunch. I got the blackened avocado burger. It was really good. Its the kind of burger that tastes like it came off a backyard bbq. Juicy and delicious. I try not to drink too much soda, and generally have diet, so real coke is a rare luxury.
On Sunday, a friend who is having a baby soon wanted to play some golf. Most courses were closed since there was still a fair amount of snow on the ground. Top golf had a three hour wait. We decided to just enjoy some cigars. I got him a box he can hand out when the child is born. We had two extra sticks to taste test the box. We found them quite enjoyable. (I still can’t thank the BOTL that sent me the cigars enough. These will really impress when handed out)
We had some bourbon and ginger, or applejack and ginger with the cigars. Some more friends came by, and then we went out to Ireland’s 4Ps.
I hope to see my buddy again on St. Patrick’s Day, but he may have his baby before then. Either way, I look forward to getting out for that round.
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Cool short video, Interesting style blog, Sapeurs
Check out the link below. I’d seen similar guys (not sure if they were also called Sapeurs or were even French speaking) on that Bizarre Foods show, but the Guinness sponsored video in the link below is much more concise and interesting:
http://www.greyfoxblog.com/2014/02/the-sapeurs-short-documentary-video-by.html
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Virginia Gold Cup, University Row
Saturday, May 3rd, 2014
If you’ve never been to the Virginia Gold Cup, you need to go. If you don’t know someone with a tent, I strongly recommend University Row. Sign up with your alumni network, or in my case, since CNU doesn’t have an affiliation (yet), my parents’. The pictures below are from last year. They are a combination of my and my friends’ facebook pictures, and University Row’s facebook pictures. As you can tell, its a really good time. Unlimited good food, mint juleps, jim beam, and horse racing. What more could you want?
Thanks to my hat, I was chosen for the fashion show/runway showdown. I lost (to someone in a do-rag, it must have been rigged), but it was a lot of fun. Despite the outcome, like my number, I was #1 (look at that strut). Walking the runway in a Virginia Bow Tie, linen, bourbon in hand, and cigar after? Check it off the bucket list.
The drive up is always pretty rowdy. The drive home is usually a lot quieter (RP). I’m going to be out of country for the 2014 Gold Cup, but I hope you go anyway, and maybe I’ll see you there next year.
More info about the Gold Cup, and Steeplechases in general.
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Lent, BK Big Fish
I don’t personally observe lent, but a lot of my friends do. I’d had never had a fast food fish sandwich before living with two Catholic roomates in my fraternity. I do eat meat on most Fridays during lent, but I always look forward to a fish sandwich or two. I realize that doesn’t exactly fit into the self-denial/fasting aspect of lent, but like I said, I’m not really an observer. I had the BK Big Fish below on Ash Wednesday, which I later found out, is a no meat day for Catholics, so my Catholic buddy was pleased. Its Friday, so today would be a good day to give one a try if you’ve never had one.
I also tried the Satisfries. They are about what I’d imagined they be. Not bad, not as good as normal fries.
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Bull Run Shooting Center, sporting clays, Browning Maxus, and Stevens 311 16 gauge
It finally warmed up enough to do something outside. While there is definitely a lot of snow in these pictures, it was actually in the 50s and sunny. Not a bad day for some clays at Bull Run Shooting Center. We threw the Browning Maxus and my old Stevens 311 in the truck and headed out.
My dad got to break in his new filson shooting vest that I got him for xmas. I finally found a cheap box of ammo that works in my Stevens 311. Its hard enough to find 16 gauge, but 16 gauge with a soft primer for an old gun is even worse. Fortunately, my local dicks has remington game loads that fed flawlessly in the 311. I went through 4 boxes without a single issue. Rio, Fiocchi, and Federal have primers that are too hard. I did find some winchester that works, but not at a good price point. This Remington gets the job done on the cheap, and I couldn’t be happier.
We enjoyed the mild weather and broke a lot of clays. Great day.
Bull Run Shooting Center has a learn to shoot class that only costs $35. I’ve done this class when a friend, and its definitely geared toward the first time shooter. They have a new class that teaches you the basics, and how to shoot a game. I assume they teach you 5 stand, trap, skeet, etc. They have everything you need to shoot, and its included in the cost of the classes. Don’t forget to tip the instructor. If you know how to shoot, then you don’t need anymore info from me. But if you’re looking for a local shooting instructor, the desk at the shooting center can put you in contact with one. When I wanted to get good enough to hunt, I took lessons with an instructor by the name of Dennis. I’d definitely recommend you ask for him at the front desk. Here is some more info from another blog; looks like BRSC is ADA compliant/accessible. Pretty cool.
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Cyclone Anaya’s Merrifield
I’m a pretty big El Tio fan. Cyclone Anayas has enough going for it, that I’ll want to go there instead of El Tio on occasion. In the warmer months, I like to eat outside at El Tio, but it looks like CA also has outdoor tables. El Tio has great margaritas made without mix, but you can also get good mix-free margaritas at CA. CA also probably has the edge on chips and salsa and food in general, but not by much. El Tio is a slightly better value. CA has all you can drink specials (Since its VA, they charge 1 cent for refills), and is located next to a movie theater, so I’d definitely give the brunch tip to CA. If you’re looking to mingle, CA has singles, while El Tio has families. Overall, I’d go El Tio for the chorizo fajitas and/or chorizo burritos, but I did just have a soft shell crab taco (pictured above) that was amazing at CA.
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Is it spring yet?
I’m ready for warm weather. I already got some new boat shoes and linen in anticipation. Unfortunately, there is still snow on the ground. I do like having seasons, but I’m about done with this winter.
The hidden gem in that playlist is Pipe by Patch. I was on vacation in, lets say the bahamas, and this DJ in his late teens, early 20s played this song every 15 minutes at the pool. This was not a hotel for young singles, as I recollect, it was a normal chain hotel. There were old couples and families around, and he played party music, particularly pipe, and danced by himself in front of the speaker, presumably, tripping balls.
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Mardi Gras, Chasin Tails
On Fat Tuesday we had some friends over for sazeracs, and then went to chasin tails for the crawfish.
We started out with some gator and hurricanes. I didn’t really want a sweet weak drink, but I tasted a friend’s, and it was pretty good. As it turns out, chasin tails serves a very strong hurricane. Everything else is great at chasin tails, so I’m not sure why I doubted the hurricane other than most restaurants don’t typically serve a drink that strong.
I’ve been to chasin tails a few times before. I’ve always gotten the same thing. Bayou in a bag with crawfish (flown in live, not frozen), oh dang sauce (formerly called whole shebang), n’awlins hot, with extra andouille. I had a few of the wife’s shrimp which were also good, but no crawfish. I was there last night, am currently a little hungover, and the pictures are still getting me hungry.
We had a couple of rounds and things got a little blurry both figuratively and apparently literally. My dad has a great bourbon st. story about getting hammered off hurricanes, wandering into a line for the preservation hall jazz band, and conversing with a strip club doorman. Ask him about it sometime.
Chasin Tails is a great time, and on Marti Gras, it was awesome. Beware of the hurricanes. Especially when preceded by sazeracs and followed by abita.
***Update: Looks like a friend of the blog also had a good time at chasin tails:
http://www.littlecitylegend.com/2014/03/mardi-gras-recap.html#more
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