Judo Chop!

As reward for helping move a rather-light couch, a friend took me to lunch at the Chop Bar on Saturday.

It was my second visit.

I must admit I have not taken the time to be a good little diner and try out new dishes on their diverse menu. For my second visit, I went with what I tried on my first: the Chop Bar Burger.

Per their menu: Niman Ranch ground chuck with bacon & avocado on an Acme Kaiser roll.

It's better described as insanely-delicious and possibly heart-attack inducing. Coupled with a hoppy Drake's beer, it was a culinary delight.

The service was friendly and great. The seating was comfortable. The decor is trippy and eye-catching. The food is delicious.

Aaaaaand... now I'm craving a burger again. Damnit.

Springy

Apparently it's now spring.

The forecast in the Bay Area is a chance of showers with a chance of thundershowers mixed in for fun. In the future that may mutate into proper rain. Then more rain.

Then it may just get wet.

I can't say I mind. I'm not particularly fond of walking in the rain nor am I especially overjoyed over the thought of driving in the same. The rain is inconvenient as it interferes with my jogging (I'm too much of a wuss to jog in the cold rain... I like not having a cold). Still, I approve of weather that staves off that word in Californian language that is so loathed: "drought".

I'm moderately confident we won't be worrying about a drought this summer. With that in mind, I'm fine with the skies dumping water on us. Helps me justify re-watching all five seasons of "Babylon-5" on DVD instead of doing anything constructive.

Homeroom

I went to Homeroom Mac 'n Cheese today.

I expect that meal halved my life expectancy. I ate the Vermont White Cheddar Mac and Cheese and paired it with a Drake's Amber (they were shy of several of their beers today). It was quite heavenly.

Then I had one of their homemade oreo cookies.

That, right there, halved my remaining lifespan and was pure bliss.

If you're healthy (or not terribly concerned about your heart exploding in your chest) I recommend giving it a go.

Best if you like cheese.

Mmmm... cheese...

Quandry

Some facts I must consider:

1) I own a Stein of Science.

2) It's St. Patrick's Day.

3) As someone with ancestry of various European nations known for cliched behavior of imbibing alcohol, I feel obligated to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in the appropriately-cliched fashion of consuming moderately sizable amounts of alcohol (probably beer).

My quandary:

Do I take my Stein of Science with me on my sojourns to various drinking establishments this fine evening and risk possible damage to the PRECIOUSSSSSSSS (sorry... forgot myself for a moment) or do I leave my superior drinking vessel in the safe and warm confines of my man cave and settle for inferior, local vessels to hold my beverages?

Oh, the humanity!

If I had a "rugged" Stein, I bet I'd be less-worried.

Nah... I'd still be worried and I'd have to fight people who would want to examine the awesomeness of such a product in the insanity of the occasion.

Éire go Brách

Happy St. Patrick's Day and all that stuff.

Hope you're wearing green. Hope you don't turn green today.

Remember the Irish and their various non-cliche contributions to society. Apparently there were four times as many Irish in the Union army as in the Confederate army during the Civil War (if the Internet is to be believed). They were a badass working class in America's early days and, like the Chinese, are helped build the railway systems that the U.S. depended upon.

Their folk music mutated into modern-day Country and Western music. I'm not sure they should be thanked for that.

Oh let's face it. In the states, we just use this as another excuse to party.

And I'm okay with that.

Sláinte

More Yarg

I can tell it's going to be one of those days when I'm prompted to facepalm twice before 7am.

Is it really only Wednesday? It feels as though it ought to be later.

Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day, yet another wonderful contribution to world culture from the fine folks of Ireland. I do love the Irish. I have plenty o' Guinness in my 'fridge and may have to get some more Smithwick's to supplement it.

I'm so prepped for St. Paddy's that I'm taking Friday off to recov... um... properly honor it.

Sláinte

Yarg

DST is kicking my ass something fierce.

I hates it. I hates it a lot.

I cannot express how happy I am that I got a refill on my Black Blood of the Earth and it's the super-caffeinated Panama.  I think that's the only reason I'm even remotely functional.

Yes, I sound like someone with a substance abuse problem. I'm comfortable with that.