Keep 'em waiting

Tomorrow Chowhound leaves. So, he made plans for us to meet his Dad and brother at a local sports bar to chow down on some grub and shoot some pool. I'm in my bathroom getting ready. Suddenly, above the roar of the blow dryer, I hear Brad Paisley bellowing out "Waiting on a Woman".

That child is such a brat sometimes.

Moonpies, Peaches, and Pelicans: New Years Southern Style

Yes, Mobile, Alabama is going to drop an electronic moonpie at midnight this year. The materials include:

• 1200-1500 golf ball-size clear lights;
• Eight sheets of 2-by-2 square aluminum tubing;
• Ten sheets of plywood;
• Massive amount of banana colored mache;

They are also serving a four foot moonpie. It has six pounds of chocolate icing and fourteen pounds of marshmallow.

They chose moonpies because of their connection with Mardi Gras. They throw moon pies at Mardi Gras. You've never been to a real southern parade until you've been beaned in the head with a moonpie. My thought is that if I were drinking, the last thing I would want to eat would be a moonpie. That makes for some nasty stuff to come up.

Not to be left out, Pensacola is also launching their unique celebration. While New York has their ball drop and Atlanta has the peach drop, Pensacola is proud to stake claim to the one-and-only Pelican drop. When I heard they were having a pelican drop. I immediately thought of WKRP's Turkey drop. "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."

Back in 2004 right before Hurricane Ivan came to town, Pensacola had decorated Pelican's set out around town. My sister and I Pelican hunted for the day. Here are a couple of my favorites:





Moonpies, Peaches, and Pelicans. The South knows how to ring in the new year.

Christmas Spirit

Christmas was great.

Family.

Food.

Fun.

Laughter.

Lots and Lots of laughter.

All day long.

I needed that.

Christmas Stinks

I heard this on the radio this morning and immediately pictured VW's boys doing and singing this.


I then discovered there are all kinds of Christmas farting songs.



Merry Christmas. I hope your's doesn't stink.

The check is in the mail

Unfortunately, it isn't mine.

I took the mail out of the mailbox. Ripped open the envelope. And had a fricken heart attack. A check for $100,000. An actual legitimate check. Except it's not to me. Right address, wrong person. It's to the City. But, mailed to my address. Why I haven't a clue. I've lived here for six years. Someone up above has a very warped sense of humor.

'Cause that shit ain't even funny. Don't worry. It will go back. I will do the right thing. But, damn that would have been a great Christmas present.

I'm off to go pout some more.

My Newest Marine

Chowhound is officially a PFC in the USMC. The graduation yesterday was held outside. It was cold but not unbearable. The ceremony was moving.

The first stop off the Island was at McDonald's for a sweet tea and to change clothes. He would have changed in the parking lot and car like his brother did but we were in a little more visible area than last year.

The only significant change I have noticed is he eats faster. He always savored his food. The first to start and the last to finish. That is no longer. I laughed at him last night sucking down steak and potatoes. I don't think he even chewed. I reminded him he wouldn't get yelled at now if he didn't eat fast enough. He laughed. I don't think he realized how fast and focused he was at eating.

It's good to have him home even if it's only for 17 days. Next weekend we will bring Improviser home for the holidays. The only missing will be Daredevil. He won't be home until April. He does call pretty often. Both Improviser and Daredevil called yesterday to congratulate their little brother. That was heartwarming.

So, now between my sister and I, we have our own little militia. We have 4 Marines and one Airman. Nobody better mess with us.