Every Mother's Dream CD Review

I am a huge fan and supporter of indy music. This particular album, Big Blend, is one of my favorites! Not only are Mandy and Jay , Every Mother's Dream, fabulous musicians and song writers, they are also great people. Their music gives their audience a glimpse into their own humanity and a taste of the mountains that embrace modern folk music. It is a lyrical tapestry that is a must listen and must own. You won't regret this purchase.

Dreams To Reality: The Dave Thomas Experience

I'm a vivid dreamer. I always have been. Many times I wake up and have to decipher whether or not the scenario in the dream was a real event or imagination. Last week, I had a very vivid dream that then became a reality.

<------ My friend, Dave Thomas, is a musician and artist in Charleston, WV. He is quite talented and just a really good person to boot. He played the starring role in this particular dream. To begin with, in the dream I had expendable income. Ha! A teacher with expendable income! I know for sure that this is NOT reality and in fact IS a dream. Nonetheless, in my dream, I bought a variety of art supplies, a HUGE canvas, and showed up at Dave's front door.

I said to him, "Here is a $1000 worth of art supplies. You have 6 months to create a piece for me. I'm not going to tell you WHAT to paint. You are the artist. You know me, my likes, and dislikes. I WILL give you a theme, elephants (I have a SMALL obsession with elephants). See you in March. I will give you another $1000 then."

In the dream, his eyes popped out of his head, he smiled, he shut the door and began to create. I, unfortunately, woke up before the project was completed. :(

I was out running around with Dave the other day; he said something that sparked the memory of the dream. He literally went bananas when I told him. He lit up with energy and excitement.

He said, "You dreamed it. I have to do it now."

I said, "Well, yeah, but I don't have that kind of money, Dave."

He said, "You buy the canvas and I will do all of the rest. Payment comes in the form of us being friends for the rest of our lives. Plus, in the dream, you said I had six months to finish it. You know what happens in six months?"

I stared at him blankly.

"It's your birthday! Happy Birthday, Chez!"

We shook on it!

The whole dream was becoming a reality.

Dave and I have a mutual friend who works in an arts related store who offered to get the canvas for us. I gave her the money, she bought the canvas for me, and even delivered it to Dave on Saturday. Dave has been sketching and making decisions since.

Isn't this exciting!!!!! Once the piece is completed, I will take a picture of it and place it on the blog. I'm so excited I can hardly stand myself!

In the mean time, you can check out Dave and his music at many venues throughout the Charleston area. He plays often at Sam's Uptown Cafe with the band, Taste Like Chicken. Keep and eye on The Gazz to see if he is participating in any art shows in the near future. As I get information on his where abouts and where you might see his work, I will let you know.

Curious-Random Question

Who do I know, or who in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania knows me??? I'm racking my brain to figure out who I know in Philly. I have drawn a blank. Hmmmmm. Who ever it is...you've been googling me. ;)

Kegler's Sports Bar Review

If you have ever spent any time in Morgantown, then you have been to Kegler's Sports Bar. Kegler's, located on the Evansdale Campus side of Morgantown, has been one of Morgantown's top Sports Bars since 1994. They have a variety of big screen TVs to watch multiple games on, several different wing sauces that are to die for, and a large food and beverage menu to keep you happy. The wait staff is eye candy for the boys, too. I love Kegler's. I have always had a good time when I go there. However, I was there yesterday and had such an AWFUL experience that I'll be hesitant to go back any time soon.

Three of my friends and I went there to eat lunch and watch a bit of football prior to heading back to the Charleston area. It was crowded, but not obnoxiously so. We all placed drink orders and food orders. A blue burger, a BBQ burger, popcorn chicken in South West Sauce with fries, and an order of chips with artichoke dip. Within 20 minutes the burgers arrived. At the 45 minute mark, the boys were finished with the burgers, and we still had yet to receive our food. We asked our server about it. She responded with a laugh, "The kitchen loves to mess up my orders because it is me." I looked at her with a WTF face! I was shocked. No apology, nothing.

At the hour mark, we told her, "Cancel our order, please. This is ridiculous."

She responds, "Are you sure. It should only be a few more minutes."

"That is what you said 20 minutes ago. Please, cancel it. Bring the checks. Thank you very much."

The only plus is that she didn't charge us for the drinks. However, not once did anyone in the place apologize! I'm not one to normally be critical of service or meals at restaurants. However, in all honesty, this was inexcusable.

I rode back to Charleston on an empty stomach.

Unfortunately, I won't be going back to Kegler's until the memory is gone. And if I do, I won't sit in her section if the kitchen really does hate her that much. (Dark hair to shoulders. She wore glasses.)

Fierce

Fierce! Noel is Devine!

McClafferty's Irish Pub

1307 University Avenue
Morgantown, WV 26505
304.292.1110

The Home of The Irish Car Bomb!



This is a complete onesided review of McClafferty's Irish Pub located in Morgantown, WV. It has to be; I helped open the pub in the fall/winter of 2000. I was one of the first employees to pour a perfect Guinness, dance an Irish jig, and offer a helpful word to a patron in need of encouragement. Before the days of Chez and Macaroni, I was Heather Mac, McClafferty's original manager and bartender! I have since retired from the bar business, but still like to go back and visit the establishment that I helped create.

McClafferty's Irish Pub is located on the corner of University Avenue and Walnut Street near the Mon River in Morgantown, WV. It is a cozy, warm, and friendly atmosphere and the staff pride themselves on having a wide variety of beers, drinks, and fun available. It offers up to 21 beers on tap, many different bottled beer selections, many specialty drinks, and a complete food menu. Prices are incredibly reasonable. They offer several forms of entertainment-Juke Box featuring many local bands plus the favorites, Golden Tee, 2 dart boards, pool table, Video Lottery Machines, board games, NTN Trivia, live music, and multiple big screen TVs for your sports viewing pleasure! The bartenders, staff, and Shelly, the manager, are fantastic and are there to help you have a fun, safe, and enjoyable evening out. Unspun by Amazon ranks McClafferty's in the top 15 best Irish Pubs in the state of WV. Find out for yourself, why McClafferty's is the best bar in Morgantown to start or end your evening! Tell them that Heather Mac sent you!

Pirate Hoooooooos

Cupcakes Take The Cake had this published on their blog today. A Pirate Cupcake!!!!!! I want to eat his face off!

"Aye, to make me pirate a saucy wench someday!"

Teachers Make a God Damn Difference! What About You?!

I ran across this video on TeacherTube today. Taylor Mali, a teacher and a slam poet, sends home a message. I like to think that I'm making a difference. Some days it is harder than others.

Farting IS Against the Law

The Smoking Gun is a great source of entertaining news. Today, my friend, KCJW, emailed me the story about the man in Charleston that was arrested for DUI and then proceeded to fart on the officer which resulted in more trouble for the man. The story, the criminal complaint, and the mugshot are very much worth reading. You can do so here.

For Adam and Hardy

Do you guys remember the hilarious sitcom Coach from the late '80's and early '90's??? Hayden Fox was the head football coach for a University. He had the lovable, but intellectually challenged Assistant Coaches, Luther Van Dam and Dauber, the former player who becomes Assistant Coach. Together they made a Mod Squad of sorts.



I was talking to friends this weekend and we began talking about the old tv program. A connection was made and a list of brilliant names came about for our very own version of Luther Van Dam.



-Stewthur Van Art

-Bill Van Dam

-Luther Van Stewart

The list could go on and on...

Is there an uncanny resemblence both physically and mentally? Hmmmmm. Something to think about.

The sad thing is...I really believe that I like him as a person. However, I'm not so sure about liking him as a head football coach. I'm confused.

Pandora's Box

No, this isn't going to be a naughty blog or one based on mythology. It is however, a very cool website that a friend has introduced me too. Pandora is a Music Genome Project. Basically, if you have ever bought anything off of Amazon or iTunes, you see on the side "people who bought this also bought this..." The same thing happens with Pandora. You preform a search for a specific musical group or genre. Pandora automatically sets up a radio station (commercial) free that contains that particular group and many other artists that are compared to them or similiar. It is awesome! You can set up several different radios and then even shuffle them up as an option.

If you have an iPhone, the application is free. I read where they are sync'd with a few of the other web-browser phones as well. You can also log on to the site via the internet. Did I mention that it is free, too!

What I like best is that there is tons of music out that that I would never experience if it weren't for someone or something saying "Hey, I noticed you like this particular band. You should check out so and so." Now I have a radio program that does this for me. Go and check it out!!!

Quaaaaaarg!

This is Quarg (Quack and Argggg), the Pirate Duck! He rocks.

Just like his Mistress, he might look cute and friendly, but he has a deadly QUARG!

Pirate Hos far and wide, September 19th is International Talk Like A Pirate Day!!!!

Picture Blog of Tailgate

Mountaineeeeeeeeeeers, Mount Up! That's right the West Virginia Mountaineers are boarding their plane, leaving behind their beloved Appalachians to enter the world of the Rockies. WVU takes on Colorado on Thursday. Hopefully, they will have a much better game and experience than they did in Carolinas two weeks ago. I know their fans sure hope so. Either way, I know the Mountaineer fans will tailgate and conduct themselves in true West Virginia Fashion!

In the mean time, feel free to read the picture blog of the last WVU tailgate that the Chez and her Macaronis were a part of...

"Bailey dog, whatever shall we take to the tailgate this afternoon?"

Seeing that I speak fluent West Virginia Brown Dawg-ese, I knew exactly what he was thinking about. I headed to the store and bought some ingredients and supplies."

Upon returning home, I felt it vital to wear the above apron while baking WV's signature tailgating food. The Pepperoni Roll!!!!

All you have to do is buy Kroger's generic frozen rolls. Place them on a cookie sheet, spray down your plastic wrap, and let them rise for 2-3 hours.


Once the rolls have a 'risen, get your pepperoni ready. The Kroger variety works as well as any of the fancy shmancy peps.



Gently flatten one roll out and place 3-4 pieces of pepperoni right in the middle.

Gently pinch the sides up around the pepperoni. Smooth out any air bubbles that might come about.

Place the rolls upside down on the cook sheet.

Preheat your oven for 345 degrees while you are prepping all of the rolls.

Place the rolls in the oven for 12-15 minutes. Keep an eye on them. Sometimes right around the 10 minute mark they are ready to be released!

While the first batch was baking, I melted some butter and infused fresh minced garlic and grated Parmesan cheese to glaze over the rolls as they were cooling.

The finished product ROCKED THE HOUSE RIGHT! I wish we had smell-e-vision and smellin' internetzzzzzz! As my roomie would say, "They looked and smelled BANGIN'!"

Mountaineer Dave sure was happy to see me show up with 50 + homemade pepperoni rolls!

Jerry <3's> pepperoni rolls.

Then the game started...

and Dave got mad!!!!

At half time, it wasn't looking good at all! It never did get any better.

The tailgaters began to think of a plan to feel a bit better.

Jerry's plan...eat more pepperoni rolls because, remember,

Jerry LOVES PEPPERONI ROLLS!Dave, Clay, DB, and DD thought power tools might be a good idea as a way to torture a pirate and blow off some frustration.

If only the three little hippies had stayed awake in shop class. They couldn't get the chain saw to start. (Thank GAWD!)

Dave had an idea. "Let's do this the OLD FASHIONED WAY!"

He chopped that 'sum bitch' straight in half on the first shot.

Clay exclaims, "wooooooooooo!"

The Pirate was left feeling like half of a man.

Clay examines the remains and says, "Take that Pirate Ho!"

Here lie the remains of the Pirate Ho

And then the Pirate Ho became The Mountie's bitch. Unfortunately, this did NOT happen in real life.

All in all a good time was had by all. I just hope and pray that Stewie Bear and the boys can bring home a win this week! Please Lord, let them win!

No Wonder I Don't Eat Breakfast

Call me crazy, but I always thought there was a difference between political satire and outright RACISM!

Do You Believe In Me

I want to be like Dalton Sherman of Dallas ISD when I grow up.