25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Over the weekend, we saw the touring company of the “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”.

What a terrific show! It was funny (snarky without being mean-spirited), clever (knowing without being pretentious), and had some great original music by William Finn. He also wrote the brilliant “Falsettos.”

This clip is from the Tony Award telecast from 2005. The show won the Tony that year for Best Book and Best Featured Actor in a Musical, Dan Fogler (William Barfée with the “Magic Foot”).

With each show, a guest speller is on stage. In this clip, Al Sharpton is the guest speller. While no famous person was in the performance we saw, the four locals were hilarious.

And to remind you, it’s lugubrious “meaning extremely sad and droopy.”

IRS Stimulus Payment

Wonder when you're getting your check? Go here and find out.

I've already spent mine on a trip to Europe. Woo hoo!

Stupid Prices

This past weekend, we discovered Stupid Prices.

The place was truly a discount store like no other. I mean, where have you ever seen Costco overstocks? Kirkland tuna by the case!

In this photo example, on the same shelf there are diapers, roach killer, and pinto beans. All within convenient reach of glass frames and a pumpkin piñata. What more could you ask for? Read Janet’s review here.

St. Patrick's Day - Ethiopian Style

We just wanted to get together and have some beers. And avoiding the amateur Guinness drinkers [after all, we pros do it year-round!], we opted for something differnt. Dinner at an Ethiopian restaurant.


You can bet there were beers consumed. Cool, that even a "beer experienced" crowd that we are, we'd never had Ethiopian beers. Or even seen one! There's a hint of sweetness...oh, how'd that swear finger get in the picture?

We had a hearty "Sláinte!" and were thrilled when the food came:

Can I get a giant "YUM!" It's a large platter serving 6 with beef, chicken, lamb, lentils, garbanzos, potatoes, greens, and the kitchen sink - all eaten with your hands. I'm still licking my fingers.

Had a swell time and Queen Sheba really hit the spot. Oh, and go here to read Janet S's review of the place. Fantastic!

Easter Jokes

Yesterday was just St. Patrick's Day, now I'm putting up Easter jokes? Gads, can't believe Easter is this weekend. I better hurray up with the Peeps jokes and such. Thanks for the spam for these, Dawn and Darla.

St. Patrick's Day in Gorey, Ireland

Just got this in from dear Jenny in Gorey, Ireland.


The annual parade took place this year on Sunday, March 16 in Gorey. No word yet from the local press, but the "Gorey Guardian" had this to say last week about the upcoming parade. It was surely the best ever!

Men's urinal

Talk about being pee-shy...

CAPTION: Lavatory in the Sao Joao da Madeira shopping center in northern Portugal.

5 Senses of Guinness

I'm pretty sure it's Guinness o'clock somewhere right now!




Consume!

Pure Grain Bakery

I spent the afternoon shopping the Vacaville outlets looking for shoes. It's so true that when you're looking for something you can't find it. But luckily, I had a terrific lunch to give me energy to keep looking.

I found the Pure Grain Bakery after buying a loaf of their bread in the market a few months ago. In the old town of Vacaville, they have a nice little cafe serving soups and sandwiches on their own bread. I had this delicious number: salami, provolone, on a Dutch crunch roll. Delicious!

Many of their breads are German breads. I bought their Pumpernickel (Schrotbrot), Müslibread (Frühstücksbrot), and their Rye Bread (Roggen Brot). Like nature's candy, I tell you!

St. Patrick's Day EVE

This the last thing I remember seeing last night.

Then I woke up with bathroom tile stuck to my cheek. Made me want to do some drunken web shopping.

Man, I love this holiday!