Basil is a Young Sportsman

pass the mic

by spabettie on May 4, 2012

Another entry about something other than food?

Yeah, but I could not let the passing of my favorite Beastie go by without saying something, paying tribute in some way. Besides, I haven’t had time to cook lately.

I love music of all kinds, and one of my all time favorites has always been Beastie Boys. Their musical talent has shaped decades of inspiration for me, and has been the soundtrack to many events. It was the source of one massive project I took on while living at Sunriver Resort. I have attended more of their concerts than I can count. Easy to say Beastie Boys has created the most significant music, the most monumental for me. The most epic.

Their music always gives me energy, lifts me up, makes things positive. Whenever Jason asks what I’d like to listen to (road trip, whatever…), I undoubtedly answer Beastie Boys. Every time.

The first time I heard the word Namaste? Beastie Boys, Bodhisattva Vow live.

Who inspired my art history reports about Toulouse-Lautrec? Beastie Boys, The Move.

Which concert is the only one I’d run down the hill to elbow my way to the front row? Beastie Boys at the stunning Gorge Amphitheater, for Sasquatch 2007 and Endfest 2002 (where I also sprained my wrist dancing while yelling the lyrics to Paul Revere).

…and if you really still want an entry about food? A year ago this month I made the MCA Smoothie for my favorite Vegan Beastie.

source

Good times gone and you missed them
What’s gone wrong in your system
Things they bounce just like a Spaulding
What’d you think did you miss your calling
It’s so free this kind of feeling
It’s like life it’s so appealing
When you got so much to say
It’s called gratitude

Rest In Peace Adam Yauch. You are greatly missed, from White Castle to The Nile.

¿Por Que No? and WHEEL

by spabettie on April 4, 2012

in Basil is a Young Sportsman,Portland,restaurants

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FORTUUUUUNNNNNEEE.

Yeah, it was no big deal, I was standing like, three feet from Pat and Vanna. It’s cool.

Wait, whaaaaaaat?? VIP tickets to see several episodes taping? Yes, please!

I kinda like this show.

We had so much fun – the VIP tickets meant we got to skip all the lines (there were probably 8-10,000 people there?) and get right to the front – we were in the third row! The first row is reserved for family of contestants, and some local celebrities.

It was really cool to watch the behind the scenes of this show – it’s a big event. When they go on location, there are huge sets built with the city’s landmarks. In this case, Wheel In Portland’s set boasted a large replica of our beautiful St Johns Bridge, a downtown theater, the Made in Oregon sign, real trees to accompany the trees, greens and blues in the photo backgrounds. Then of course there is the Wheel itself, and Vanna’s letters, a car parked offstage, and bright lights!

We captured one photo of me on set – we found out about the No Camera Rule a little while later…

There will be at least a couple weeks worth of shows (they were here for several days, and each ticket was to view three shows), and they air in early May. Watch for me in the audience!

Another highlight of our weekend was lunch at one of our favorites - ¿Por Que No? - a tasty taqueria in the Boise-Eliot area on North Mississippi.

Jason ordered a beautiful sangria and I had a house margarita. I chose one of the daily specials, the Spring Veggie Taco, which was fresh and flavorful and included grilled asparagus. I also ordered one of my standards, the veggie tamale:

¿Por Que No? was delicious as always. As we were sitting there, the sun came out – I look forward to spring and summer visits where we can sit outside!

Our Wheel Weekend was an awesome one – two tryouts, now actual audience members? I am getting closer to spinning that Wheel myself!

What is your favorite game show? Would you ever want to be a contestant?

Basil picks a giveaway winner

by spabettie on April 3, 2012

in Basil is a Young Sportsman

With all that’s going on lately, picking the Yumvelope giveaway winner totally slipped my mind.

Basil helped me pick a winner. Okay, he snacked on his peanut butter kong, and I entered the numbers into the random generator.

Isn’t he cute, though? He approved the winner, and sends his congrats.

See Basil’s pick here!

Big Night

April 1, 2012

I am excited to be hosting Food ‘n Flix this month, and thrilled to be sharing one of my all time favorite movies, Big Night. The movie, the acting, the actors, the food, the story – all of it is fabulous! Two Italian brothers, Primo and Secondo, come to America and open a restaurant. The [...]

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thoughts and things

March 20, 2012

I am recovering from a relaxing weekend. I gave myself permission to do nothing. Though I cancelled more plans than I kept (sorry Sarah, sorry Alix – I look forward to our rescheduled events this weekend!), I did not miss a dear friend’s baby shower. Part of the baby shower fun was creating custom onesies [...]

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sunshine

March 15, 2012

…via flowers. Jason brought them, just because. and now I’m sharing them with you – thank you all for your continued readership, friendship and support – it means more than you know. Bookmark on Delicious Digg this post Recommend on Facebook share via Reddit Share with Stumblers Tweet about it Subscribe to the comments [...]

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so that happened

February 24, 2012

Things do not always go smoothly in my corner of the culinary world. What follows is an honest account of what happened yesterday. All in one day. I couldn’t make this up. First, I needed avocados for dinner. That’s all – I had just gone to the store. I was going to run up [...]

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mazel dog

January 29, 2012

Basil got a new tee shirt yesterday. My recent schedule has me staying up late nights, where Basil and I have been enjoying Andy Cohen and Watch What Happens Live. I love this show, I love Andy – and a good amount of levity is brought to my day. Laughing feels good. The other night [...]

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life

January 20, 2012

I have had plenty of perspective – giving moments this week. I don’t want to get into many details, but I want to explain my absence this week and what will most likely follow for a while. Dad went into the hospital a week ago today. Before we left for Mexico over the holidays, he [...]

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tempeh edamame salad rolls with ginger sesame peanut sauce

January 11, 2012

Basil is a smart pup. He has a touch of separation anxiety, and hates to be left alone. We have this retro style couch that sits on tall legs, and when he sees us put shoes and coats on, he slinks under the couch. We crate him when we are out, thus the couch slinking. [...]

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