Wasted Continuum

It Ain’t
Originally uploaded by JavaJunky

Another photo from the Bourdain night. This is the last one. I took this after leaving Solera. We were heading into Cub Foods because we were still hungry. This was in the parking lot by where we parked.

Now that several days have past and even a concert, I’ve had plenty of time to absorb and process last Tuesday. The fact still stands, I still don’t believe it happened. It’s hard for me to believe that I not only took a picture with Anthony Bourdain, and not only did he sign my book, and not only did I get to shake hands with him, but that I had a short but funny conversation with him. Continue Reading »

I finally got the chance to see Tegan and Sara live. I’ve been in love with them for so many years, but for one reason or another, I was never able to attend their performances. Tonight, it was at the Pantages Theater in Minneapolis.

Northern State, a band from New York, opened for them. I can’t say I liked them much. They’re basically a hip-hop girl band. A lot of their songs sounded like the Beastie Boys which would in theory be a great thing. However, after their set, it left me wanting to listen to some Beastie Boys, not Northern State. They do deserve some props because they did actually work with Ad-Rock on a few tracks.

I’d like to say first that Tegan and Sara’s performance was almost flawless. During the first three or four songs, the vocal levels were too frickin’ low. That really sucked because one major reason that I love Tegan and Sara is for their voices. Thankfully, they fixed that issue.

Between song, they told a lot of funny stories. Tegan did most of the talking. Sara did have a great story about humanity losing to the “robots” and Armageddon. I like it when artists actually talk and acknowledge the audience. Do you hear that Mr. Dylan? You can see some of their hilarity on their DVD, It’s Not Fun, Don’t Do It!. I highly recommend it. Besides John Mayer on Any Given Thursday, I don’t know of anyone else who actually has a commentary track you can listen to as you watch the live concert. It’s funny.

I think they played about seven or eight songs off The Con, their newly released album. The rest of the set were older songs, which I prefer. I don’t think I appreciate If It Was You and So Jealous enough. I think I just love Under Feet Like Ours so frickin’ much that I feel all their following albums are inferior. Now that I think about it, there are so many tracks of those two albums that are just so good and solid. Songs like You Wouldn’t Like Me, I Know I Know I Know, City Girl, and Not Tonight are amazing and I can’t imagine not being part of their discography.

I had seats in the second row so I had a great view of them. I came to realize three things during this concert. One, they can play much, much more that pretty chords. I watched Tegan with her sexy black, flat top Les Paul and red Ace Frehley strap. She played some sweet riffs on a few songs. Two, Tegan and Sara are so hot and adorable at the same time. I just want to put them in pocket, one on each side. Three, I think I love Tegan more than Sara. I know they both look them same, if you don’t count their tattoos. I know they have the same voice even though they sing slightly different from one another. The big difference is that Sara is the one with all the cute and funny stories. Tegan, on the other hand, is the one with all the smartass remarks and funny stories. I understand that more. And for some reason that I can’t explain, I think she’s a little bit sexier. It may have been the Les Paul. The kicker is that I feel like I wouldn’t get along with her. I don’t know why. I think it’s just like their song You Wouldn’t Like Me. I think that is why that is one of my favorite songs.

I had a great night. Good things do come out of Canada. I stopped into Solera again after the concert. It was happy hour. I ate a lot of cheap and yummy tapas and bocadillos. I also had a tasty glass of Spanish red wine.

• At work. Thinking about lunch. #
• Testing my phone set up. This is a huge waste of time, huh? #
• Lunching at Caribou… #
• Back at work. Finishing my cappuccino… #
• Listening to Sara Bareilles…I love her melodies! #
• Leaving work. Heading out to Tegan and Sara concert tonight at the Pantages. #

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I don’t have a lot of time right now to describe how amazing last night was meeting Anthony Bourdain. I’ve been looking forward to this ever since the end of September when we got the tickets. I will write more on the whole night tomorrow and upload some photos. I have a photo set created on Flickr right now, but I only have one picture uploaded. I’ll have more tomorrow.

To all those who believe that you should never meet your heroes to avoid being disappointed or even crushed, you are wrong. So wrong. If you’re not wrong, then I believe your hero may be a loser or is just not as cool as Mr. Bourdain. He is just as you imagine he’d be from watching his shows or reading his books. The only thing is that he’s taller and much funnier when he is not censored.

That is all I have to say for now. I’ll dive into the details tomorrow. I may have a surprise treat for fellow Bourdain fans out there.

Visit my Flickr photo set for Bourdain

The day has finally come. In just over 18 hours, I will be heading over to Solera in Minneapolis to see the great Anthony Bourdain. For those who know me too well, knows that he’s one of my personal heroes. Yeah, I know, not the poster boy role model, but, hell, I think he loves food for the same reasons I do and the man knows how to live a life. He’s an established writer of fiction and non-fiction. Les Halles Cookbook is hands down the most well-written cookbook I have ever read or used. I’ve cooked maybe forty percent of the recipes so far and they’ve all been amazing (especially, the Duck a l’Orange). If I’m ever on death-row, I want that duck as my last meal. Kitchen Confidential is hilarious and eye-opening at the same time. He also has his own travel show, No Reservations, on the Travel Channel. He’s also the executive chef of the Brasserie Les Halles.

It will be my first time dining at Solera. I heard differing opinions on it. I’ve mostly been avoiding it because it was over-hyped when it first opened. I should probably get over that since they’ve been open for a few years now. This is what they’re serving according to their website:

Family-Style Tapas

• Grilled Pork Belly & Morcilla with White Beans and Romesco
• Olive Oil Poached Salmon with Fennel, Lemon and Olives
• Fresh Portuguese Goat’s Milk Cheese in Mojo Verde
• Chorizo and Hot Green Peppers with SidraShrimp and Tetilla Croquetas
• Oxtail Terrine with Preserved Lemon Frita Mixta and Horseradish
• Piquillo Peppers Stuffed with Herbed Goat’s Milk Cheese
• Octopus Ceviche with Hot Pepper and Cumin

I’m really anxious to try the oxtail. I’ve only had that Chinese style. I believe we’ll be served Spanish wine too. Always good. I’ll also be getting a copy of No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach. I’m hoping to get it signed. The food is by Tim McKee who has recently become the chef at Solera. Frick, I’m getting hungry just thinking about tomorrow.

They say you should never meet your heroes because you will only be disappointed.  I over-think and over-analyze the hell out of everything. I’m rarely disappointed mainly because I’ve anticipated almost every outcome in my head. It’s going to be good.