TeamRyan.com » Life

Handiclap

Gary — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:01:23 +0000

My girlfriend was recently diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. For a while now she’s worn splints on both arms whenever possible in hopes of treating the problem and avoiding surgery.

Yesterday, after the Pelicans’ got an early hit, the crowd clapped in approval. Kayleigh’s splints, however, cover part of her hand. So when she claps, she can only use the tips of her fingers. Basically, it’s a silent clap.

After the applause died down she demonstrated her problem.

Kayleigh: “See?”

*soft clap with her finger tips*

“That’s the best I can do.”

Me: “Aww. Looks like you’ve got a handiclap.”

Kayleigh: Oh. My. God.

Get it? Handiclap? Handi-Clap?

Shut up.

Oprah, Kayleigh… Kayleigh, Oprah

Gary — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 07:46:51 +0000

Late night phone call with Kayleigh:

Me: Did you know Oprah’s on Twitter now?

Kayleigh: Yeah.

Me: She’s been on it one day and she has over 400,000 followers.

Kayleigh: That’s some bullshit right there. That’s bullshit.

Me: …

Kayleigh: That’s it. I’m done. Oprah? Ashton Kutcher? I quit twitter. I quit.

Me: So, (long pause) the Red Sox won…

Ask a Stupid Question…

Gary — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:39:46 +0000

Me: Which is the sexier occupation, fireman or police officer?

Kayleigh: Fireman.

Me: Why?

Kayleigh: When you think of a fireman you think muscles. When you think of a cop you think donuts.

San Francisco Accepts the Homeless

Gary — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 04:15:46 +0000

From a recent column in the San Francisco Chronicle:

Last week, Christine Oastler came down from Ontario for a vacation. She had a classic San Francisco experience.

She was appalled.

She was hassled by aggressive panhandlers, “scared” by drunken street people, and even spat upon in front of the Metreon shopping center.

“It’s stunning to me,” she said. “I’m a well-traveled girl. I’ve been to Europe, the Mediterranean and New York. How can San Francisco, that claims to be this tourist mecca, let this happen?”

“I’m from Canada,” she said. “I accept the snow. I think it is like San Francisco accepts the homeless.”

I first visited San Francisco 15 years ago and was shocked at the number of homeless. I returned to San Francisco to attend Macworld 2008. Appallingly, despite being one of the richest cities in the country, the situation appeared to be even worse.

Admittedly, I was only in San Francisco for a week. I have no idea the cause of the problem, or what efforts have been made to solve it. But during our daily short walk from our hotel in the business district to the Moscone Center my brother and I ran into multiple homeless, at every corner, from early morning until late night. My brother gave money to several homeless people the day of our arrival before quickly realizing he hadn’t budgeting enough money to continue.

San Franciscans are not shy in espousing their cities beauty, art scene, restaurants, and open-minded residents. They’ll tell you they’d live no where else. I rarely hear them speak of the homeless roaming the streets.

I doubt that’s by accident. and that’s a shame.

Flogging Molly in New Orleans

Gary — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 23:50:33 +0000

Kayleigh and I recently spent a couple of days in New Orleans while taking in Flogging Molly at the House of Blues. This was my fifth time seeing Flogging Molly and Kayleigh’s fourth. This was the second time we’ve seen them in New Orleans; the first about a year ago.

The opening band was The Cherry Cokes. Think a young Asian version of Flogging Molly and you kind of have the picture. They were energetic and colorful and the music was decent. Sadly I couldn’t understand a word the lead singer sung, and only a few words he spoke between songs (one was “Bourbon Street” and the other sounded like “lynchpin”. I can’t be sure).

The middle group was Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band. We saw them open for Flogging Molly in Atlanta previously so we were familiar with their music. Once again they were fantastic. One song we hadn’t heard before was a tune about Reverend Peyton’s mother’s fried potatoes. He backed up his claim that they were the best in the world by asking if any of our mothers had a song written about their fried potatoes. He had a point (though Kayleigh claimed she could whip up a song real quick in support of my mother’s fantastic fried potatoes).

Finally Flogging Molly hit the stage opening with Selfish Man. Other than their standards they played 5 songs off their new CD Float. Luckily for me Kayleigh had bought a copy of Float from their website before it was available in stores so we were familiar with their new stuff. I love Float from top to bottom but unlike their previous CDs it took a while to grow on me.

They finished their set with The Story So Far and were joined by The Cherry Cokes and Reverent Peyton’s Big Damn Band for the lalala ending; though I still have no idea what the lead singer of The Cherry Cokes was singing. The encore consisted of two songs, the first Black Friday Rule which started out with Dave King solo with an acoustic guitar before being joined by the rest of the band. I seem to have forgotten what song they closed with, though I’m leaning towards Seven Deadly Sins.

The concert was over at midnight which is early for New Orleans so we ended the night at Cafe Du Monde. Every night should end at Cafe Du Monde.

Other notes:

When I was younger the more groups that played the better. But I’m older now and standing on concrete for over four hours is a little much. An opening group and the headliner is pretty much all I want these days, and I’ll take Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band every time.
Kayleigh is 5-2, which I love (I like looking down at a pair of shoes on the floor and knowing right away if they’re mine or not… that’s just how I roll), but if I could make her 5-10 just for concerts I’d jump at the chance. Finding a place on the floor that allows her to see the band and not the back of someone’s head is always a challenge. This time the steps leading to the floor did the trick nicely.
The House of Blues in New Orleans is a great place to see music. It’s small enough that no matter where you stand it feels as if the band is in your living room. That said, wow do they pack the people in. I know by law they have a limit, but I can’t imagine how they’d pack more bodies in even if they were allowed.
We stayed at the Iberville Suites and got a great deal (thanks to Kayleigh). For not much more than you’d pay for a Motel 6 we got a two room suite about a block or two from the French Quarter, ACME oyster house, and the House of Blues. Just a few more blocks and you’re at Jackson Square. The only time the hotel’s location isn’t convenient is if you’re spending a lot of time on the Esplanade side of the French Quarter. For that reason we decided to put off a trip to Snug Harbor until a future trip.
The hotel is in the same building as the Ritz-Carlton which means the same amenities available to their guests are available to those staying at the Iberville Suites. Unfortunately they’re just as expensive.
We made an effort to try different restaurants this trip instead of our usuals. Instead of ACME Oyster House we tried Felix’s. It’s directly across the street from ACME Oyster House and the line was quite a bit shorter. The food was good though I’d be hard pressed to tell you which place is better (and I don’t order oysters at either place).
After learning a restaurant we had intended to visit had closed we decided to try Petunias. The location and ambience (classic French Quarter building) was great, the food decent, and the service pretty bad. I know New Orleans’ restaurants have been struggling to fill their staffs so that’s not surprising. But the staff they did have seemed to have no idea what they were doing with some customers having to take their own silverware from the serving cart.
Before heading home we got out of the French Quarter and ate at Joey K’s on Magazine Street. Easily our best dining experience the food was tasty and the service attentive (and cute). We’ll definitely be back.
I took Kayleigh to Pat O’Brien’s for her first Hurricane. Sure, it’s touristy, but everyone needs to do it once and Kayleigh got a souvenir glass out of it. Now we never have to go again (maybe).

I was surprised at the amount of people in the French Quarter, especially since we were there on a Sunday and Monday night (though Kayleigh informed me it was the beginning of Spring Break). Though I had enjoyed the smaller crowds since Katrina New Orleans needs tourists to survive, so I’m happy things are slowly getting back to normal.

Jerry’s Cajun Café Reopens

Gary — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 06:43:39 +0000

Jerry’s Cajun Café, heavily damaged by fire and closing last March, reopened in October. Since reopening the crowds have been larger than I remember, occasionally having to wait on a table, something I never had to do before it closed. The fire seems to have been better PR for the restaurant than any bought ad or commercial.

The food is wonderful, the service great, and Jerry still walks the floor at dinner chatting with customers happy to be back. Not much has changed. Still, it’s now easier for me to picture a Pensacola without Jerry’s, so I appreciate it a little more; I don’t take it for granted. Unlike McDonalds, there’s not another one down the road.

Not too long ago Kayleigh saw Jerry on a cooking show sharing his crawfish etouffee recipe; my usual. She tried it out and I couldn’t tell a difference, except hers was spicier (which is good). So I’m breathing easier these days. Yet another reason I’m keeping Kayleigh as long as she’ll have me. I’d like to believe that Jerry’s will also around as long as I am.

But that’s not a chance I’m willing to take.

Caroling in Jackson Square 2007

Gary — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 04:43:24 +0000

After missing several years of Caroling at Jackson Square I returned this Christmas along with Kayleigh (her first time). Our trip covered 2 and a half days and was my first visit to New Orleans since not long after Katrina. Thoughts:

We stayed at the Wyndham Riverfront. We got a great deal and the hotel is located only a walk across Harrah’s Casino from the French Quarter. Though we discussed checking out Harrah’s we never did. Something about a casino in New Orleans still feels strange to me.

Mayor Ray Nagin opened the night with a short speech. I haven’t followed New Orleans politics close enough to know if he’s been an asset to the community since being elected, but he was enthusiastic and seemed happy to be there. The two hosts (I have no idea who they were) sounded like a bad morning zoo crew laughing at their own lame jokes and talking too much. Less talk, more singing please.

Since I haven’t attended Caroling at Jackson Square in a while this may not be new, but this was the first time I remember a piano at the event. Nice touch, but when I think of caroling I don’t picture a piano being involved. Hopefully musical accompaniment will go no further.

It was cold, which we enjoyed. We sung Christmas carols while sipping coffee and munching on beignets from Cafe du Monde. Christmas doesn’t get much better.

I’m happy to at last have a local Starbucks but CC’s Coffee House on Royal Street serves better coffee and free wifi in a great atmosphere. Drinking a Cafe Mocha while watching people walk up and down Royal Street is one of my favorite New Orleans’ experiences.

The line on the weekend to get a table at ACME Oyster House was out the door. We tried again Monday afternoon before heading home and got a table right away. Kayleigh had the Fried Oyster Platter and I had the ACME Special Po-Boy (Roast Beef, Ham, Turkey, Swiss and American with Gravy). Mmm.

Port of Call is still dark with long lines and the feeling that you’re on a ship that’s sinking. They also still make the best hamburgers I’ve ever eaten (apologies to Clover Grill) and their baked potatoes aren’t half bad either (I forgot they served only beef, no chicken, so Kayleigh had my baked potatoe. Even though she isn’t a big potatoe fan she enjoyed it).

During my last visit to New Orleans a section of the French Market was closed. I thought the downsizing was a result of Katrina, but it now appears they’re remodeling the entire stretch. Can’t wait to see the whole market alive and kickin’.

Sunday night we had drinks at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. I was disappointed to see the piano silent. Instead it was a stand for a large television tuned to a football game. That’s unacceptable. Kayleigh enjoyed one of their wonderful Bloody Marys. We also shared a Gin and Tonic that was, well, terrible.

I still miss O’Flaherty’s Irish Channel Pub and Three Dog Bakery. Both closed after Katrina.

We had a wonderful trip and already have plans to attend next year. While visiting the French Quarter for a weekend isn’t a good way to gauge New Orleans’ recovery from Katrina, there is definitely the scent of optimism in the air. It feels like New Orleans again, and that’s a start.

Roots

Gary — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 01:19:58 +0000

Leaving Starbucks late last night I heard a voice from behind me.

“It’s a little cold to be wearing shorts, don’t you think?”

I turned around to find a twenty-something guy sitting in a chair wearing shorts and a t-shirt, as was I. Immediately recognizing his boston accent, I laughed and told him I loved cold weather (it was nice, 38 degrees or so). He mentioned my Red Sox hat and asked if I was from Boston. I said no, that I was from Pensacola, but my father was from the north and I spent my summers in New England growing up.

He said he was from New Hampshire.

“So was my dad”, I said, “Jaffrey”.

He was from Dublin, and asked if I had climbed Mt. Monadnock. I told him many times. I asked him if he chose to come down south. He had, but was trying to get back to New England. I have a feeling there was an interesting story there, but they were starting to turn out the lights.

Before leaving he got up, asked my name, and shook my hand.

“I’m David,” he said, “nice to meet you.”

It’s been over ten years since my father died. He’s still my strongest connection to New England, and in many ways, that region is the strongest connection I have to my dad.