Rural Massachusetts

Driving through rural Massachusetts on an unusually pleasant day in January.

Dat Politics

Going through my things today and I found this old ticket stub. Loud, fast, out of control glitchy electronic music from France got asses shaking in a sweaty, packed club on upper St-Hubert in Montreal. Good times. Definitely one of my favorite shows of 2006.

Some pics from the show and a song of Dat Politics.

And another thing...

Click on the receipt to view a larger image - and another reason why Pabst truly deserves the Blue Ribbon award. Note that price is for 16 ounce cans, "tall boys" as they say. PBR is literally cheaper than water, which is not surprising given the fact it tastes like it came from a kitchen faucet. But hey, when was the last time water got you buzzed? Exactly.

PBR Power!

Pabst Blue Ribbon = $15 for 30 pack.
50 cents a can.
Nuff said.

Two Buck Chuck

Tonight I'm finally getting a chance to enjoy Trader Joe's legendary Two Buck Chuck, although in this case it was actually $2.99 in Cambridge (Three Buck Chuck). But I tell ya, it's not bad, in fact it's even respectable! The Cabernet Sauvignon was very smooth and much better than some $15 bottles I've imbibed.

Trader Joe's really deserves a post all of its own, but I should at least mention that it's a great American health food store chain featuring organic, delicious, and most importantly affordable foods. Many of their products, including this Charles Shaw wine, are distributed exclusively by Trader Joe's. As you can read in its Wikipedia entry, "Business Week reports that Trader Joe's pays better-than-union wages, generous bonuses, and contributes an additional 15.4% of each worker's gross pay into a company-funded retirement plan." These bastards really need to start opening outlets in Canada.

I ♥ Buttercream

The wild success of Magnolia Bakery in NYC has led to an explosion of cupcake retailers all over the place, I've learned, including some in Boston. The one thing they all have in common is a thick ass layer of delicious buttercream frosting. I enjoyed one of these cupcakes in Chelsea Market near Food Network Studios in NYC.

You know you're in America when

Labatt Blue is "imported" and...
...is almost half the price you're used to paying.

Double Trouble

Maybe double zipper Ziplocks already exist in Canada/Quebec. I just discovered them though. Trust me, this Ziplock works better than ever before!

Liquor powered energy!

Sparks is kind of like drinking Monster spiked with Vodka. I like the light version because its not horribly sweet and gives you the caffeinated kick in the ass you might need to get the night started. Probably not a good idea to drink more than two of these in a row. Sparks was bought out by the Miller Brewing Company last August. Cans sell for $1.50 down at Gordon's Liquor.

American Product Bonanza

I do want to track products I find in the USA that I never had the privilege of enjoying in Canada (or Quebec, at least). I must begin with my most recent discovery: The great makers of Tanqueray Gin, my favorite juniper flavored liquor, also make an excellent vodka! And I must say, Tanqueray Vodka definitely hits the mark. A mickie for $11 is just as good, if not better, than any Smirnoff, Finlandia, or Absolut.

New York City

Wandering around Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Music by me.

Stroll through Parc Mont Royal in Montreal

In late fall 2006 we took one last stroll through Parc Mont Royal before moving out of the country. It was a pleasant day, people were out enjoying themselves, and the park showed its best colors. Truly made for a great Sunday stroll. Montreal at its finest.